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(11) | EP 1 561 719 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
| published in accordance with Art. 158(3) EPC |
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| (54) | ROPE FOR ELEVATOR AND ELEVATOR EQUIPMENT |
| (57) An elevator rope is provided with a belt-shaped rope main body. The rope main body
has: a plurality of strands disposed at a distance from each other in a width direction
of the rope main body; and a coating body made of resin for covering and integrating
the strands, and a plurality of gaps extending along a longitudinal direction of the
strands are each disposed at a distance from each other in a longitudinal direction
of the strands in a portion of the coating body between mutually-adjacent strands. |
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a belt-shaped elevator rope for suspending a car, and to an elevator apparatus making use thereof.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Various layouts for an elevator system in which a car and a counterweight are suspended by a belt-shaped rope are disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2002-504471 (Gazette), for example. However, the specific construction of the belt-shaped rope is not sufficiently disclosed, and a construction for a belt-shaped rope capable of ensuring stable strength and enabling extension of service life has been sought.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention aims to solve the above problems and an object of the present invention is to provide an elevator rope capable of ensuring stable strength and enabling extension of service life, and to provide an elevator apparatus making use thereof.
[0004] In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an elevator rope for suspending an elevator car, the elevator rope including a belt-shaped rope main body, wherein: the rope main body has a plurality of strands disposed at a distance from each other in a width direction of the rope main body, and a coating body made of resin for covering and integrating the strands; and a plurality of gaps extending along a longitudinal direction of the strands are eachdisposed at a distance from each other in a longitudinal direction of the strands in a portion of the coating body between mutually-adjacent strands.
[0005] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an elevator apparatus including: a driving machine having a drive sheave; a main rope having a belt-shaped rope main body wound around the drive sheave; and a car and a counterweight suspended inside a hoistway by the main rope and raised and lowered by a driving force from the driving machine, wherein: the driving machine, the car, and the counterweight are disposed such that a twist arises in the rope main body; the rope main body has a plurality of strands disposed at a distance from each other in a width direction of the rope main body, and a coating body made of resin for covering and integrating the strands; and a plurality of gaps extending along a longitudinal direction of the strands are each disposed at a distance from each other in a longitudinal direction of the strands in a portion of the coating body between mutually-adjacent strands.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006]
Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram showing an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;
Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a configurative relationship between a drive sheave and a car suspension sheave in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a cross section of a main rope from Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a cross section taken along line IV - IV in Figure 3;
Figure 5 is a cross section of an elevator rope according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention;
Figure 6 is a cross section of an elevator rope according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention; and
Figure 7 is a cross section taken along line VII - VII in Figure 6.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0007] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be explained with reference to the drawings.
Embodiment 1
[0008] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram showing an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In the figure, a driving machine 3 having a drive sheave 2 and a rotatable deflection sheave 4 are disposed in an upper portion of a hoistway 1. A plurality of belt-shaped main ropes 5 constituting an elevator rope are wound around the drive sheave 2 and the deflection sheave 4. Each of the main ropes 5 has first and second end portions 5a and 5b. The first and second end portions 5a and 5b are connected to a supporting beam 6 secured to an upper portion inside the hoistway 1.
[0009] A car 7 and a counterweight 8 are suspended inside the hoistway 1 by the main ropes 5, and are raised and lowered by a driving force from the driving machine 3. A car suspension sheave 9 around which the main ropes 5 are wound is disposed on the car 7. A counterweight suspension sheave 10 around which the main ropes 5 are wound is disposed on the counterweight 8.
[0010] Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a configurative relationship between the drive sheave 2 and the car suspension sheave9 in Figure 1. The drive sheave 2 and the car suspension sheave 9 are disposed such that rotating shafts thereof extend in directions intersecting each other at right angles in a vertical plane of projection. Thus, the main ropes 5 are twisted by ninety degrees (90°) between the drive sheave 2 and the car suspension sheave 9. In other words, the driving machine 3, the car 7, and the counterweight 8 are disposed such that a twist occurs in the main ropes 5.
[0011] Figure 3 is a cross section of a main rope 5 from Figure 1, and Figure 4 is a cross section taken along line IV - IV in Figure 3. In the figure, the main rope 5 has a belt-shaped rope main body 11. The rope main body 11 has: seven strands 12 disposed at a distance from each other in a width direction of the rope main body 11; and a coating body 13 made of resin for covering and integrating the strands 12. Each of the strands 12 has a plurality of steel wires 14 . The wires 14 are laid parallel to each other (See Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) G 3525 12.2 b). It is preferable for the cross-sectional construction of the strands 12 to be a Warrington type as defined in JIS G 3525.
[0012] The coating body 13 is composed of thermoplastic ether-based polyurethane resin, for example. An adhesive 15 is applied to at least an outer peripheral portion of each of the strands 12 to integrate the strands 12 with the coating body 13. That is, the strands 12 and the coating body 13 are bonded to each other by means of the adhesive 15.
[0013] A plurality of gaps 13a each extending along a longitudinal direction of the rope main body 11 are disposed at a distance from each other in the longitudinal direction of the rope main body 11 in portions of the coating body 13 between mutually-adjacent strands 12. The gaps 13a pass through the rope main body 11 in a thickness direction thereof. A stress alleviating portions 13b having rounding applied to a cross-sectional shape is disposed at either longitudinal end portion of each of the gaps 13a. Here, the cross section of the stress alleviating portions 13b is generally circular.
[0014] Joining portions 13c where the gaps 13a are not disposed are formed between gaps 13a that are mutually adjacent in a longitudinal direction of the rope main body 11. Gaps 13a that are adjacent to each other in a width direction of the rope main body 11 (left-to-right in Figure 4) are disposed so as to be offset by half a pitch from each other in the longitudinal direction of the rope main body 11.
[0015] In an elevator apparatus of this kind, since the main ropes 5 are twisted between the drive sheave 2 and the car suspension sheave 9 and between the drive sheave 2 and the counterweight suspension sheave 10, geometric length of the strands 12 differs depending on position in the width direction of the rope main body 11, and thus load imposed on the strands 12 also differs depending on position in the width direction of the rope main body 11.
[0016] When differences arise in the tension of the strands 12 due to these differences in imposed load, shearing forces act on the portions of the coating body 13 between mutually-adjacent strands 12. Then there is a risk that peeling of the adhesive 15, damage to the coating body 13, and fatigue breakage in the wires 14 of the strands 12 where the imposed load is large may arise.
[0017] In regard to this, in Embodiment 1, the constraining force of the coating body 13 on the strands 12 is reduced because a large number of gaps 13a are disposed on the coating body 13, permitting a certain amount of movement of the strands 12 in a width direction of the rope main body 11.
[0018] Consequently, peeling of the adhesive 15, damage to the coating body 13, and fatigue breakage in the wires 14 are suppressed, enabling stable strength to be ensured and also enabling extension of service life. In other words, since damage is not concentrated on specific strands 12, the overall service life of the main ropes 5 can be extended.
[0019] The constraining force of the coating body 13 on the strands 12 can easily be set by means of the distance between gaps 13a that are adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the rope main body 11, in other words, by the length of the joining portions 13c.
[0020] In addition, because the stress alleviating portions 13b are disposed in the gaps 13a, concentration of stress at the either longitudinal end portion of the gaps 13a is alleviated, enabling the occurrence and development of cracking due to the concentration of stress to be suppressed.
[0021] Furthermore, because gaps 13a that are adjacent to each other in a width direction of the rope main body 11 are disposed so as to be offset by half a pitch from each other in the longitudinal direction of the rope main body 11, the joining portions 13c are also disposed so as to be offset from each other in the longitudinal direction of the rope main body 11, enabling strength to be made uniform in the longitudinal direction of the rope main body 11.
Embodiment 2
[0022] Next, Figure 5 is a cross section of an elevator rope according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In the figure, high-strength fibers 16 functioning as a reinforcing material are mixed uniformly into a coating body 13 . Aramid resin fibers or glass fibers, etc., are used for the high-strength fibers 16, for example. Furthermore, the high-strength fibers 16 may be mixed into the coating body 13 as unmodified single fibers, or as a composite body constituted by a plurality of single fibers. The rest of the construction is similar to that of Embodiment 1.
[0023] According to this kind of construction, the strength of the coating body 13 can be increased, enabling strength degradation of the coating body 13 due to the disposing of the gaps 13a to be prevented. Furthermore, because high-strength fibers 16 functioning as a reinforcing material are used, tensile strength in the coating body 13 is increased, but stiffening effects in a shearing direction and a compressive direction are low, preventing movement of the strands 12 from being suppressed.
Embodiment 3
[0024] Next, Figure 6 is a cross section of an elevator rope according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, and Figure 7 is a cross section taken along line VII - VII in Figure 6. In the figures, a belt-shaped rope main body 21 has: seven strands 22 disposed at a distance from each other in a width direction of the rope main body 21; a coating body 13 made of resin for covering and integrating the strands 22; and a woven cloth body 23 embedded in the coating body 13 so as to surround the strands 22.
[0025] Each of the strands 22 respectively includes: a core material 24 made of resin extending in a longitudinal direction of the rope main body 21; and three unit strands 25 disposed around the core material 24 and laid together with the core material 24. Each of the unit strands 25 has a plurality of steel wires 26. The wires 26 are laid parallel to each other.
[0026] A thermoplastic resin such as polypropylene resin, polyethylene resin, or vinyl, etc., or synthetic resin fibers such as high-strength aramid fibers or polypropylene fibers, etc., laid together at a high density, for example, can be used for the material of the core material 24.
[0027] Adhesive (not shown) is applied to at least an outer peripheral portion of each of the unit strands 25 in order to integrate them with the coating body 13.
[0028] The woven cloth body 23 is constituted by high-strength fibers such as aramid resin fibers or glass fibers, etc., woven into a cloth form, for example. Furthermore, the high-strength fibers 16 may be woven as unmodified single fibers, or as composite bodies constituted by a plurality of single fibers. The woven cloth body 23 may also be dispose only between adjacent strands 22.
[0029] A plurality of gaps 13a are disposed in the coating body 13. In Embodiment 3, gaps 13a that are adjacent to each other in a width direction of the rope main body 11 are disposed so as to line up in similar positions in a longitudinal direction of the rope main body 21.
[0030] According to this kind of construction, because the strands 22 are constituted by a core material 24 and three unit strands 25, slenderer wires 26 can be used, enabling reductions in a diameter of a sheave to which the present invention is applied.
[0031] Because the woven cloth body 23 is embedded in the coating body 13, the strength of the coating body 13 can be increased, enabling strength degradation of the coating body 13 due to the disposing of the gaps 13a to be prevented. Furthermore, because a woven cloth body 23 functioning as a reinforcing material is used, tensile strength in the coating body 13 is increased, but stiffening effects in a shearing direction and a compressive direction are low, preventing movement of the strands 22 from being suppressed.
[0032] In addition, because the gaps 13a are disposed so as to line up in similar positions in a longitudinal direction of the rope main body 21, the woven cloth body 23 is not divided up finely by the gaps 13a, enabling reinforcing effects from the woven cloth body 23 to be increased.
[0033] Moreover, in the above examples, gaps 13a passing through a rope main body 11 or 21 are shown, but the gaps may also be apertures opening onto only one side of the rope main body, or may also be hollow gaps having no openings.
[0034] In the above examples, the gaps 13a may be assumed to be air gaps, but the gaps may also be filled with a material differing from that of the coating body. However, it is undesirable for the material with which the gaps are filled to hinder movement of the strands.
[0035] In addition, arrangement of the wires and the core material constituting the strands is not limited to that of Figure 3 or Figure 6, and various modifications are possible.
[0036] Furthermore, in the above examples, an elevator apparatus using a two-to-one (2:1) roping method is shown, but the elevator rope according to the present invention can also be applied to elevator apparatuses using other methods such as a one-to-one (1:1) roping method, etc., for example. However, particularly superior effects are exhibited when it is applied to elevator apparatuses in which a twist occurs in the rope main body.
1. An elevator rope for suspending an elevator car, said elevator rope comprising a belt-shaped
rope main body,
wherein:
wherein:
said rope main body has a plurality of strands disposed at a distance from each other in a width direction of said rope main body, and a coating body made of resin for covering and integrating said strands; and
a plurality of gaps extending along a longitudinal direction of said strands are each disposed at a distance from each other in a longitudinal direction of said strands in a portion of said coating body between mutually-adjacent strands.
2. The elevator rope according to Claim 1, wherein a stress alleviating portion having
rounding applied to a cross-sectional shape is disposed on either longitudinal end
portion of said gap.
3. The elevator rope according to Claim 1, wherein gaps that are mutually-adjacent in
a width direction of said rope main body are disposed so as to be offset by half a
pitch from each other in said longitudinal direction of said strands.
4. The elevator rope according to Claim 1, wherein high-strength fibers functioning as
a reinforcing material are mixed into said coating body.
5. The elevator rope according to Claim 1, wherein a woven cloth body functioning as
a reinforcing material is embedded in said coating body.
6. The elevator rope according to Claim 5, wherein gaps that are mutually-adjacent in
a width direction of said rope main body are disposed so as to line up in similar
positions in a longitudinal direction of said rope main body.
7. An elevator apparatus comprising:
a driving machine having a drive sheave;
a main rope having a belt-shaped rope main body wound around said drive sheave; and
a car and a counterweight suspended inside a hoistway by said main rope and raised and lowered by a driving force from said driving machine,
wherein:said driving machine, said car, and said counterweight are disposed such that a twist arises in said rope main body;
said rope main body has a plurality of strands disposed at a distance from each other in a width direction of said rope main body, and a coating body made of resin for covering and integrating said strands; and
a plurality of gaps extending along a longitudinal direction of said strands are each disposed at a distance from each other in a longitudinal direction of said strands in a portion of said coating body between mutually-adjacent strands.