Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a machine-room-less elevator apparatus having no
machine room.
Background Art
[0002] Fig. 11 shows a machine-room-less elevator apparatus having no machine room disclosed
in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 10-139321. In the drawing, reference
numeral 1 denotes a hoistway, reference numeral 3 denotes a car that has two car bottom
return sheaves 26 on the bottom thereof, is suspended by a main rope 8 via the car
bottom return sheaves 26, and moves up and down in the hoistway 1 by being guided
by car rails 4, reference numeral 6 denotes a counterweight that has a counterweight
suspension sheave 27 at its top, is suspended by the main rope 8 via the counterweight
suspension sheave 27, and moves up and down in the hoistway 1 by being guided by a
counterweight rail 7, reference numeral 9 denotes a hoisting machine that is constituted
by a sheave 10, on which the main rope 8 is wound, and a motor 11 for driving the
sheave 10, and disposed at the top of the hoistway 1 such that the rotating surfaces
of the sheave 10 are horizontal and the sheave 10 is located at a lower level than
the motor 11, reference numeral 13 denotes a first direction inverting pulley disposed
at the top of the hoistway 1, and reference numeral 14 denotes a second direction
inverting pulley disposed at the top of the hoistway 1.
[0003] The main rope 8 has its one end at a first fixing point 28, while it has the other
end at a second fixing point 29. The main rope 8 is routed, starting at the first
fixed point 28, through the counterweight suspension sheave 27 attached to the counterweight
6, the first direction inverting pulley 13 disposed at the top of the hoistway 1,
the sheave 10 of the hoisting machine 9, the second direction inverting pulley 14
disposed at the top of the hoistway 1, and the car bottom return sheave 26 disposed
on the bottom surface of the car 3, in this sequence, before reaching the second fixing
point 29.
[0004] Fig. 12 is a sectional view showing the top portion of the hoistway 1 of a conventional
elevator apparatus in Fig. 11. The sectional view shows a frame 31 that is always
connected to a pivot arm 30 and has the hoisting machine 9. The pivot arm 30 can be
circularly moved by a pivot shaft 32 to the position indicated by the dashed line.
Therefore, the conventional elevator apparatus has been advantageous in that the hoisting
machine 9 can be easily installed, maintained, and repaired.
[0005] However, the conventional elevator apparatus is constructed to have two to one roping,
requiring the two car bottom return sheaves 26 disposed on the bottom surface of the
car 3 and also the counterweight suspension sheave 27 disposed on the counterweight
6. This has been interfering with the flexibility of the layout in the hoistway because
of the complicated construction.
[0006] Furthermore, with the hoisting machine 9, the first direction inverting pulley 13,
and the second direction inverting pulley 14 disposed at the top portion of the hoistway
1 in the conventional elevator apparatus, the width of the hoistway 1 in the height
direction is the sum of the thickness of the hoisting machine 9 and the diameter of
the first direction inverting pulley 13 or the second direction inverting pulley 14,
thus resulting in a large gap dimension at the top portion of the hoistway 1 above
the car 3.
[0007] In addition, the pivot arm 30 has to be circularly moved to perform maintenance or
inspection of the hoisting machine 9, preventing maintenance or inspection from being
easily accomplished.
Disclosure of Invention
[0008] The present invention has been made toward solving the problems described above,
and it is an object of the invention to provide an elevator apparatus that permits
space saving in a hoistway and also easy maintenance and inspection.
[0009] An elevator apparatus according to the present invention has a car that ascends and
descends along a car rail provided in a hoistway, a hoisting machine that has a counterweight
that ascends and descends along a counterweight rail provided in the hoistway, a sheave,
a motor for driving the sheave, and a brake for controlling the motor, and is disposed
at the top portion in the hoistway such that the rotating surfaces of the sheave are
horizontal, first and second direction inverting pulleys disposed at the top portion
of the hoistway, and a main rope that has one end thereof connected to the car and
the other end thereof connected to the counterweight, and are wound onto the first
and second direction inverting pulleys and the sheave to suspend the car and the counterweight.
[0010] The thickness of the hoisting machine in the direction of a rotating axis is smaller
than the thickness thereof in the direction perpendicular to the direction of the
rotating axis.
[0011] The elevator apparatus is further equipped with a hoisting machine assembly which
is installed at the top portion of the hoistway and on which the hoisting machine
and the first and second direction inverting pulleys are mounted.
[0012] The hoisting machine assembly is supported by the car rail or the counterweight rail.
[0013] The hoisting machine assembly is supported by the walls of the hoistway.
[0014] The hoisting machine assembly is positioned such that its height in the direction
of the height of the hoistway is within the height of the first direction inverting
pulley or the second direction inverting pulley.
[0015] The hoisting machine is disposed at a corner in the plan view of the hoistway.
[0016] The hoisting machine is disposed such that it is at a corner of the plan view of
the hoistway and also extends beyond the vertical projection surface of the car in
the plan view of the hoistway.
[0017] The hoisting machine is disposed such that the brake is located at the lower side
of the hoistway.
[0018] The hoisting machine is disposed on the top surface of the hoisting machine assembly
such that the brake faces the lower end of the hoistway, and the hoisting machine
assembly is equipped with an inspection access port provided to penetrate the vertical
projection surface of the hosting machine.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0019]
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an elevator apparatus to which the present
invention is applied.
Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of the elevator apparatus to which the present invention
is applied, and it is a sectional view taken at II-II in Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a drawing showing a sectional view of a hoisting machine assembly in the
sectional view taken at III-III in Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 is a drawing showing the vicinity of the hoisting machine in the sectional
view taken at IV-IV of Fig. 2, and it is a drawing illustrating an installation structure
of the hoisting machine.
Fig. 5 is a diagram showing how a rope is installed between a sheave of the elevator
apparatus to which the present invention is applied and first and second direction
inverting pulleys, (a) being a drawing observed from the top portion of a hoistway,
and (b) being a drawing observed from a horizontal direction.
Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the elevator apparatus to which the present
invention is applied, and it is a sectional view taken at VI-VI in Fig. 7.
Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view of the elevator apparatus to which the present invention
is applied, and it is a sectional view taken at VII-VII in Fig. 6.
Fig. 8 is a drawing showing the vicinity of the hoisting machine in the sectional
view taken at VIII-VIII of Fig. 7, and it is a drawing illustrating an installation
structure of the hoisting machine.
Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of the elevator apparatus to which the present
invention is applied, and it is a sectional view taken at IX-IX in Fig. 10.
Fig. 10 is a cross sectional view of the elevator apparatus to which the present invention
is applied, and it is a sectional view taken at X-X in Fig. 9.
Fig. 11 is a general construction diagram of a conventional elevator apparatus.
Fig. 12 is a sectional view showing the top portion of a hoistway of the conventional
elevator apparatus in Fig. 11.
Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
[0020] Embodiments according to the present invention will now be described below.
EXAMPLE 1
[0021] First, an elevator apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be explained
by using Fig. 1.
[0022] In Fig. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a hoistway, reference numeral 2 denotes a
hoistway wall, reference numeral 3 denotes a car that moves up and down in the hoistway
1 by being guided by a car rail 4, reference numeral 5 denotes a car frame constituting
the surrounds of the car 3, reference numeral 6 denotes a counterweight that moves
up and down in the hoistway 1 being guided by a counterweight rail 7, a main rope
8 that suspends the car 3 and the counterweight 6, and reference numeral 9 denotes
a hoisting machine that is constituted by a sheave 10 on which the main rope 8 is
wound and a motor 11 for driving the sheave 10 and is disposed at the top portion
of the hoistway 1 such that the rotating surfaces of the sheave 10 are horizontal
and the sheave 10 is located at a higher level than the motor 11, a brake 12 being
provided in the motor 11. Hence, the brake 12 is installed such that it also faces
downward as in the case of the motor 11.
[0023] Reference numeral 13 denotes a first direction inverting pulley disposed at the top
portion of the hoistway 1, reference numeral 14 denotes a second direction inverting
pulley disposed at the top portion of the hoistway 1, reference numeral 15 denotes
a hoisting machine assembly that is constructed of a planar base 16 serving as a bottom
surface and an edge portion 17 with both ends formed into a U shape, supported by
the car rail 4 and the counterweight rail 7, and on which the hoisting machine 9 and
the first direction inverting pulley 13 and the second direction inverting pulley
14 are installed, reference numeral 18 denotes a hoisting machine auxiliary support
base installed at a corner on a surface of the base 16 such that it is parallel to
an edge portion 17 of the hoisting machine assembly 15, and reference numeral 19 denotes
a brake inspection access port of the hoisting machine that is opened in the area
in the base 16 between the hoisting machine auxiliary support base 18 and the edge
portion 17 of the hoisting machine assembly 15.
[0024] Reference numeral 21 denotes a first opening provided in the base 16, reference numeral
22 denotes a second opening provided in the base 16, reference numeral 23 denotes
a hatch door, and reference numeral 24 denotes a top hall floor.
[0025] The main rope 8 has one end thereof fixed at a point that is the position of the
center of gravity of the car 3 in the plan view of the hoistway in the car frame 5,
and the other end thereof fixed at a point that is substantially the position of the
center of gravity of the counterweight 6 in the plan view of the hoistway in the top
portion of the counterweight 6. The main rope 8 vertically ascends from the fixed
point on the car frame 5, shifts into a horizontal direction via the first direction
inverting pulley 13, shifts back via the sheave 10 of the hoisting machine 9, reverses
vertically downward via the second direction inverting pulley 14, and reaches the
fixed point on the counterweight 6.
[0026] The hoisting machine 9 is installed such that it lies astride the edge portion 17
of the hoisting machine assembly 15 and the hoisting machine auxiliary support base
18 and that the brake inspection access port 19 is positioned in the vertical projection
surface of the hoisting machine 9 with respect to the base 16. The hoisting machine
9 is set such that the rotating surfaces of the sheave 10 are horizontal, the sheave
10 faces toward the ceiling side of the hoistway 1, and the motor 11 and the brake
12 face downward. The hoisting machine 9 is disposed at a corner near the hatch door
23 in the plan view of the hoistway 1.
[0027] The hoisting machine 9 is a so-called thin type hoisting machine, which is thinner
in the direction of the rotating axis. The thin type hoisting machine refers to a
hoisting machine in which its thickness in the direction of the rotating axis is smaller
than its thickness in the direction perpendicular to the direction of the rotating
axis, or a hoisting machine that is sufficiently thin to be accommodated in the gap
between the car 3 at the top floor level and the ceiling surface of the hoistway 1.
The thin type hoisting machine is, for example, the one disclosed in Japanese Unexamined
Patent Publication No. 12-289954, and the detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.
[0028] As shown in Fig. 3, in the direction of the height of the hoistway 1, the hoisting
machine 9 is disposed such that the majority of the height of the hoisting machine
9 (height B in the drawing) is accommodated within the height of the first direction
inverting pulley 13 and the second direction inverting pulley 14 (height A in the
drawing). More specifically, by disposing the hoisting machine 9 with the sheave 10
on the upper side, the motor of the hoisting machine 9 is disposed within the height
A of the first direction inverting pulley 13 and the second direction inverting pulley
14 so as to minimize the total height of the height A of the first direction inverting
pulley 13 and the second direction inverting pulley 14 and the height B of the hoisting
machine 9.
[0029] Furthermore, in the direction of the height of the hoistway 1, the height of the
hoisting machine assembly 15 (height C in the drawing) is set such that it is accommodated
within the height of the equipment directly mounted on the hoisting machine assembly
15, i.e., the height of the first direction inverting pulley 13 and the second direction
inverting pulley 14 (height A in the drawing).
[0030] The counterweight 6 is disposed to ascend and descend along the hoistway wall 2 opposing
the hatch door 23. In other words, the elevator apparatus according to this example
is a so-called "counterweight back drop system" in which the counterweight 6 is disposed
at the side opposing the hatch door 23.
[0031] The first direction inverting pulley 13 is rotatably supported by the two opposing
sides of the first opening 21, a part of the first direction inverting pulley 13 projecting
downward beyond the base 16. Similarly, the second direction inverting pulley 14 is
rotatably supported by the two opposing sides of the second opening 22, a part of
the second direction inverting pulley 14 projecting downward beyond the base 16.
[0032] The maintenance and inspection of the hoisting machine will now be described in detail.
[0033] Fig. 4 will be used for the explanation.
[0034] As discussed above, the hoisting machine 9 is installed such that it lies astride
the edged portion 17 of the hoisting machine assembly 15 and the hoisting machine
auxiliary supporting base 18, and the brake inspection access port 19 is positioned
in the vertical projection surface of the hoisting machine 9 on the surface of the
base 16. Furthermore, the hoisting machine 9 is set so that the motor 11 and the brake
12 face downward. This allows the motor 11 and the brake 12 to be visually checked
from the direction of an arrow D shown in Fig. 4, and also permits maintenance work
to be accomplished from the direction of the arrow D.
[0035] The descriptions will now be given of the main rope 8 and the first direction inverting
pulley 13 and how ropes are installed. Fig. 5 will be used for the explanation.
[0036] In general, a plurality of ropes are used for the main rope 8, and the ropes are
installed between the first direction inverting pulley 13 and the sheave 10 of the
hoisting machine 9 such that the ropes are wound at a fleet angle 20 with respect
to each rope groove of the first direction inverting pulley 13 or the sheave 10, as
shown in the drawing. If the fleet angle 20 is large, then the side surfaces of the
rope grooves and the main rope 8 are brought into intense contact, leading to a shortened
life of the main rope 8. For this reason, it is preferable to install the first direction
inverting pulley 13 and the sheave 10 spaced away from each other as much as possible
thereby to minimize the fleet angle 20.
[0037] Hence, in this example, the hoisting machine 9 is disposed at the corner close to
the hatch door 23 in the plan view of the hoistway 1. Furthermore, the counterweight
6 is disposed on the side opposing the hatch door 23 to maximize the distance between
the hoisting machine 9 and the second direction inverting pulley 14.
[0038] The relationship between the second direction inverting pulley 14 and the sheave
10 is the same as the relationship between the first direction inverting pulley 13
and the sheave 10, so the explanation thereof will be omitted.
[0039] The elevator apparatus discussed above is constructed to have one to one roping,
thus obviating the need for the two car bottom return sheaves 26 on the bottom surface
of the car 3 and the counterweight suspension sheave 27 of the counterweight 6. This
makes it possible to reduce the number of components and to simplify the construction
accordingly. Hence, the flexibility of the layout in the hoistway can be improved.
[0040] Moreover, the one to one roping construction allows the length of the main rope 8
to be reduced with a resultant reduction in cost.
[0041] The hoisting machine 9 is installed such that the sheave 10 is located above the
motor 11 and the brake 12, allowing the majority of the height of the hoisting machine
9 to be accommodated within the height of the first direction inverting pulley 13
and the second direction inverting pulley 14 in the direction of the height of the
hoistway 1. With this arrangement, the overhead dimension (dimension OH in Fig. 1)
can be reduced, permitting space saving in the hoistway 1 to be achieved.
[0042] Since the rotating surfaces of the sheave 10 of the hoisting machine 9 are horizontally
oriented, so that the overhead dimension (dimension OH in Fig. 1) can be decreased,
allowing space saving in the hoistway 1 to be achieved.
[0043] Since the hoisting machine 9 is of the thin type hoisting machine having a thin structure,
the overhead dimension (dimension OH in Fig. 1) can be decreased, allowing space saving
in the hoistway 1 to be achieved.
[0044] The hoisting machine 9 is installed such that the motor 11 and the brake 12 face
downward, and the brake inspection access portion 19 is provided in the vertical projection
surface of the hoisting machine 9, permitting easy maintenance and inspection of the
hoisting machine 9 to be performed.
[0045] The base 16 is supported by the car rail 4 or the counterweight rail 7, obviating
the need for providing a separate member for supporting the base 16. This permits
a cost reduction to be achieved.
[0046] The base 16 is supported by the wall of the hoistway 1, obviating the need for providing
a separate member for supporting the base 16. This permits a cost reduction to be
achieved.
[0047] Since the hoisting machine 9 is disposed at a corner close to the hatch door 23 in
the plan view of the hoistway 1, a maximum gap can be provided between the first direction
inverting pulley 13 and the second direction inverting pulley 14 and the sheave 10,
thus making it possible to maximize the fleet angle 20. This permits a prolonged life
of the main rope 8.
[0048] The hoisting machine 9 is disposed to extend beyond the vertical projection surface
of the car 3 in the plan view of the hoistway 1, so that the gap between the first
direction inverting pulley 13 and the second direction inverting pulley 14 and the
sheave 10 can be maximized, and the fleet angle 20 can be increased. This arrangement
enables the life of the main rope 8 to be prolonged.
EXAMPLE 2
[0049] An elevator apparatus according to another example to which the present invention
is applied will be explained in conjunction with Fig. 6 through Fig. 8. In this example,
the components assigned the like reference numerals as those in the Example 1 will
denote like or equivalent components.
[0050] In the drawings, reference numeral 15 denotes a hoisting machine assembly that is
formed of a planar base 16 providing its bottom surface, edge portions 17 with their
sides at both ends shaped like U, and a hoisting machine auxiliary potion 25 provided
such that it projects from one longer side. The hoisting machine assembly 15 is supported
at its both short sides by a hoistway wall 2, and adapted to install a first direction
inverting pulley 13 to the base 16. The two short sides of the hoisting machine assembly
15 are fixed on the hoistway wall 2 at the side where a hatch door 23 is installed
and at a side opposing the side where the hatch door 23 is installed.
[0051] Reference numeral 18 denotes a hoisting machine auxiliary supporting base secured
to the hoistway wall 2 such that it is parallel to the edge portions 17 of the hoisting
machine assembly 15 at the side of the hoistway wall 2 that opposes the hoisting machine
auxiliary portion 25.
[0052] A hoisting machine 9 is installed astride the edge portions 17 of the hoisting machine
assembly 15 and the hoisting machine auxiliary support base 18, and is disposed at
a corner close to the hatch door 23 in the plan view of the hoistway 1.
[0053] As in the case of Example 1, the hoisting machine 9 is installed such that the rotating
surfaces of a sheave 10 are horizontal and the sheave 10 faces the ceiling side of
the hoistway 1, while a motor 11 and a brake 12 face downward. The hoisting machine
9 is disposed at a corner close to the hatch door 23 in the plan view of the hoistway
1.
[0054] A pair of counterweight rails 7 is installed along the hoistway wall 2 at the side
where the hoisting machine auxiliary support base 18 is installed in the plan view
of the hoistway 1. More specifically, the counterweight 6 is adapted to ascend and
descend along the hoistway wall 2 at the side where the hoisting machine auxiliary
support base 18 is installed in the plan view of the hoistway 1, which represents
a so-called "counterweight side drop system." One of the counterweight rails 7 is
disposed at the corner opposing the hatch door 23 in the plan view of the hoistway
1 so as to provide a maximum distance between the second direction inverting pulley
14 and the sheave 10 of the hoisting machine 9. The reason for this is as discussed
in Example 1, i.e., to minimize the fleet angle 20.
[0055] The second direction inverting pulley 14 lies astride the hoisting machine auxiliary
portion 25 of the hoisting machine assembly 15 and the hoisting machine auxiliary
supporting base 18, and is disposed at the top portion of the hoistway 1 in the ascending/descending
direction of the counterweight 6.
[0056] The first direction inverting pulley 13 is installed on the base 16 in the same manner
as that in Example 1.
[0057] The maintenance and inspection of the hoisting machine will now be described in detail.
[0058] Fig. 8 will be used for the explanation.
[0059] As discussed above, the hoisting machine 9 is installed such that it lies astride
the edged portions 17 of the hoisting machine assembly 15 and the hoisting machine
auxiliary supporting base 18. Furthermore, the hoisting machine 9 is installed such
that the motor 11 and the brake 12 face downward. This allows the motor 11 and the
brake 12 to be visually checked from the direction of an arrow E shown in Fig. 8,
and also permits maintenance work to be accomplished from the direction of the arrow
E.
[0060] The elevator apparatus discussed above has the counterweight side drop system and
also the one to one roping, so that it provides the advantage similar to that of Example
1 in the counterweight side drop system.
[0061] Moreover, the hoisting machine 9 is installed such that the motor 11 and the brake
12 face downward, and the hoisting machine 9 is installed such that it lies astride
the edge portions 17 of the hoisting machine assembly 15 and the hoisting machine
auxiliary supporting base 18; therefore, the maintenance and inspection of the hoisting
machine 9 can be easily accomplished without providing the brake inspection access
port 19 in the example.
EXAMPLE 3
[0062] An elevator apparatus according to another example to which the present invention
is applied, especially an elevator apparatus of the counterweight side drop system
in which the angle of winding of a main rope onto a sheave is larger than that in
the elevator apparatus in Example 2, will be explained in conjunction with Fig. 9
to Fig. 10. In this example, the components assigned the like reference numerals as
those in Example 1 will denote the like or equivalent components.
[0063] This example differs from Example 1 only in the disposition of a counterweight 6
and counterweight rails 7; hence, the descriptions will be given only of this different
aspect. For the convenience of explanation, the two surfaces of a hoistway wall 2
that are in contact with the side where a hatch door 23 is installed in the plan view
of the hoistway 1 will be referred to as side surfaces.
[0064] In each drawing, a hoisting machine 9 is installed at one side surface of a hoistway
wall 2. A counterweight 6 and counterweight rails 7 are disposed in contact with the
other side surface of the hoistway wall 2, and between a car rail 4 and the side of
the hoistway wall 2 at which the hatch door 23 is installed. Accordingly, a second
direction inverting pulley 14 is installed at a different position from that in Example
1; it is installed above a counterweight 6 at the top portion of the hoistway 1.
[0065] A hoisting machine assembly 15 is supported by the car rail 4 and the counterweight
rails 7. The hoisting machine 9 installed on a hoisting machine assembly 15, the first
direction inverting pulley 13 and a second direction inverting pulley 14 are concentrated
substantially in the half surface adjacent to the hatch door 23 in the plan view of
the hoistway 1. This arrangement has reduced the size of the hoisting machine assembly
15 substantially to the half of that of Example 1. The procedure for installing the
hoisting machine 9, the first direction inverting pulley 13, and the second direction
inverting pulley 14 on the hoisting machine assembly 15 is the same as that in Example
1.
[0066] As may be understood from Fig. 10, the angle of winding of the main rope 8 onto the
sheave 10 is larger than that in Example 2, allowing the tractive capability of the
sheave 10 to be enhanced.
[0067] The angle of winding of the main rope 8 onto the sheave 10 depends upon the shapes
of the plan views of the car 3 and the hoistway 1, so that the angle in Example 2
or in this example may be selected, whichever is better suited, depending on the condition
under which the elevator apparatus is installed.
[0068] The elevator apparatus discussed above permits the advantages similar to those of
Example 1 to be obtained. Moreover, the angle of winding of the main rope 8 onto the
sheave 10 can be increased, as necessary, so that the tractive capability of the sheave
10 can be improved.
[0069] In addition, the area of the base 16 can be reduced, making it possible to cut down
cost.
[0070] The advantages of the elevator apparatus in accordance with the present invention
are as follows:
[0071] The elevator apparatus according to the present invention is equipped with a car
that ascends and descends along a car rail provided in a hoistway, a counterweight
that ascends and descends along a counterweight rail provided in the hoistway, a hoisting
machine that has a sheave, a motor for driving the sheave, and a brake for controlling
the motor, and is disposed at the top portion of the hoistway such that a rotating
surface of the sheave is horizontal, first and second direction inverting pulleys
disposed at the top portion of the hoistway, and a main rope that has one end thereof
connected to the car, while the other end thereof connected to the counterweight,
and is wound onto the first and second direction inverting pulleys and the sheave
to suspend the car and the counterweight. Hence, space saving in the hoistway can
be achieved.
[0072] The thickness of the hoisting machine in the direction of the rotating axis is smaller
than the thickness in the direction perpendicular to the direction of the rotating
axis, thus permitting space saving in the hoistway to be achieved.
[0073] The elevator apparatus is further equipped with a hoisting machine assembly which
is installed at the top portion of the hoistway and on which the hoisting machine
and the first and second direction inverting pulleys are mounted. This arrangement
makes it possible to save space in the hoistway.
[0074] The hoisting machine assembly is supported by the car rail or the counterweight rail,
obviating the need for providing a separate member for supporting the hoisting machine
assembly.
[0075] The hoisting machine assembly is supported by the wall of the hoistway, obviating
the need for providing a separate member for supporting the hoisting machine assembly.
[0076] The hoisting machine assembly is positioned such that its height is within the height
of the first direction inverting pulley or the second direction inverting pulley in
the direction of the height of the hoistway. Thus, space in the hoistway can be saved.
[0077] The hoisting machine is disposed at a corner in the plan view of the hoistway, making
it possible to maintain a large gap between the first direction inverting pulley or
the second direction inverting pulley and the sheave.
[0078] The hoisting machine is disposed at a corner in the plan view of the hoistway such
that it extends beyond the vertical projection surface of the car in the plan view
of the hoistway. This makes it possible to maintain a large gap between the first
direction inverting pulley or the second direction inverting pulley and the sheave.
[0079] The hoisting machine is disposed such that the brake is positioned at the lower side
in the hoistway, permitting maintenance and inspection to be easily carried out.
[0080] The hoisting machine is disposed on the top surface of the hoisting machine assembly
such that the brake faces the lower end of the hoistway, and the hoisting machine
assembly is equipped with an inspection access port provided to penetrate the vertical
projection surface of the hosting machine. This permits easy maintenance and inspection.
Industrial Applicability
[0081] As described above, the present invention relates to a machine-room-less elevator
apparatus with no machine room.
1. An elevator apparatus comprising:
a car that ascends and descends along a car rail provided in a hoistway;
a counterweight that ascends and descends along a counterweight rail provided in the
hoistway;
a hoisting machine that has a sheave, a motor for driving the sheave, and a brake
for controlling the motor, and is disposed at the top portion in the hoistway such
that a rotating surface of the sheave is horizontal;
first and second direction inverting pulleys disposed at the top portion of the hoistway;
and
a main rope that has one end thereof connected to the car, while the other end thereof
connected to the counterweight, and is wound onto the first and second direction inverting
pulleys and the sheave to suspend the car and the counterweight.
2. The elevator apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the thickness of the hoisting
machine in the direction of the rotating axis is smaller than the thickness in the
direction perpendicular to the direction of the rotating axis.
3. The elevator apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, further comprising a hoisting machine
assembly which is installed at the top portion of the hoistway and on which the hoisting
machine and the first and second direction inverting pulleys are mounted.
4. The elevator apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the hoisting
machine assembly is supported by the car rail or the counterweight rail.
5. The elevator apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the hoisting
machine assembly is supported by the wall of the hoistway.
6. The elevator apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the hoisting
machine assembly is positioned such that its height is within the height of the first
direction inverting pulley or the second direction inverting pulley in the direction
of the height of the hoistway.
7. The elevator apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the hoisting
machine is disposed at a corner in the plan view of the hoistway.
8. The elevator apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the hoisting
machine is disposed at a corner in the plan view of the hoistway such that it extends
beyond the vertical projection surface of the car in the plan view of the hoistway.
9. The elevator apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the hoisting
machine is disposed such that the brake is positioned at the lower side in the hoistway.
10. The elevator apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein
the hoisting machine is disposed on the top surface of the hoisting machine assembly
such that the brake faces the lower end of the hoistway; and
the hoisting machine assembly is equipped with an inspection access port provided
to penetrate the vertical projection surface of the hosting machine.