Elevator

Abstract

 The invention relates to a method for manufacturing an elevator car and an elevator car manufactured with this method. In the method the elevator car is formed to comprise a floor comprising a sandwich element (4) comprising an upper plate (5) and a lower plate (6) parallel with each other and a plurality of adjacent inside spaces (7) separated by core walls (8) extending between the upper and lower plate (5,6). In the method the weight of the elevator car and/or the balance thereof is adjusted by adding ballast material (9) into at least some of said inside spaces (7). The invention relates also to a method for manufacturing an elevator and an elevator manufactured with this method.

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to an elevator and adjustment of weight of the elevator car and/or the balance thereof. The elevator is in particular of the type meant for transporting passengers and/or goods.

Background of the invention

[0002] In modern elevators, low weight of the elevator car has many benefits. For example energy efficiency of the elevator is usually dependent on car weight. However, in some cases it is necessary to adjust the elevator car weight upwards. For example, elevators with a traction sheave may require that the car weight is increased to ensure traction in all situations. For ensuring traction, it may be needed that the elevator car and the counterweight are not very light-weighted compared to the maximal load to be transported. This is especially in cases where an empty car would otherwise not provide sufficient rope tension to maintain traction on the traction sheave. It may also be beneficial to add weight to the car for other reasons. In particular, it is common that the car balance must be adjusted. This means that the position of the mass center of the car is adjusted in lateral direction.

[0003] In prior art, the car weight and the car balance has been adjusted by fixing a suitable amount of metallic ballast weights on the bottom of the elevator car. This has been a practical and simple technique, but not very space efficient. It has also necessitated dangerous working positions with bad ergonomics. This is because the weights have been lifted manually to the bottom of the elevator car. Another problem has been that the balance of the car is difficult to adjust accurately, because it is difficult to add very accurate amount of ballast weights and position the ballast weights optimally. Accordingly, it has been difficult to obtain a very accurately balanced car.

Brief description of the invention

[0004] The object of the invention is, inter alia, to solve previously described drawbacks of known solutions and problems discussed later in the description of the invention. An object of the invention is to introduce a method by which the weight-related properties of an elevator car, in particular the weight thereof and/or the balance thereof, can be adjusted accurately and space-efficiently. Embodiments are presented, inter alia, where the adjusting can be carried out quickly. Embodiments are presented, inter alia, where the adjustment result is optimal for the final configuration of the elevator.

[0005] It is brought forward a new method for manufacturing an elevator car, in which method the elevator car is formed to comprise a floor comprising a sandwich element comprising an upper plate and a lower plate parallel with each other and a plurality of adjacent inside spaces separated by core walls extending between the upper and lower plate, and in the method the weight of the elevator car and/or the balance thereof is adjusted by adding ballast material to form a part of elevator car. The weight of the car and/or the balance thereof is adjusted by adding ballast material into at least some of said inside spaces. In this way the car weight and/or the balance thereof, can be adjusted accurately and space-efficiently. At the same time, a rigid floor structure is achieved. The inside spaces become utilized, which facilitates space-efficiency of the elevator. Also, the adjacent inside spaces allow the car balance to be adjusted by controlling the distribution of the added weight by adding ballast weight selectively to only some of the inside spaces and/or by adding different amounts of ballast weight to the inside spaces.

[0006] In a preferred embodiment, the ballast material is added in fluid form. In this way the amount of the ballast material as well as the distribution thereof can be more freely and accurately adjusted. Also, this enables efficient way to add the ballast material, as it can be done by pumping.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the weight of the car and/or the balance thereof is adjusted in the defined manner while the elevator car is in the hoistway. In this way, the adjustment is performed according to the final environment, and can be used to compensate for inaccuracies in installation of other elevator components.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the balance of the car is adjusted in the defined manner by adding substantially different amounts of ballast material into the inside spaces. This enables adjusting the weight distribution accurately.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the weight of the car and/or the balance thereof is adjusted in the defined manner while the elevator car is in the hoistway and suspended by the elevator ropes. In this way, the adjustment is performed according to the actual suspension, and can be used to finetune the properties to fit accurately for the suspension.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the ballast material has density of at least 1300 kg/m3. Thus, a considerable effect in adjustment of the balance of the car can be achieved with small amount of material.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the ballast material comprises sand or concrete. Thus, a considerable effect in adjustment of the balance of the car can be achieved with small amount of material. Also, thus the ballast material is easily available, ecological, cheap and non-toxic.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, in the method a sandwich element is provided, which comprises an upper plate and a lower plate parallel with each other and a plurality of adjacent inside spaces separated by core walls extending between the upper and lower plate, and a plurality of inlets each leading to one of the inside spaces through which inlets ballast material is guided to pass into the inside space. The inlets facilitate adding of the ballast material to the inside spaces after fabrication of the sandwich element.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the inside spaces are elongated channels extending parallel with each other. Thus, each inside space can receive a considerable amount of ballast material, yet they can be densely positioned which facilitates accurate control of the weight distribution. Also, this facilitates simple addition of the ballast material as it can be fed from one side and with small amount of inlets. This structure also facilitates rigidity and simplicity of fabrication of the sandwich element.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the sandwich element comprises end walls closing the ends of the elongated channels. Thus, the ballast material cannot escape the inside spaces.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the inlets are provided on the end wall(s) of the channel-like inside spaces. This facilitates simple addition of the ballast material as it can be fed from one side and with small amount of inlets.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the inside spaces are during addition of the ballast material closed apart from said inlets. Thus, the ballast material cannot escape the inside spaces.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, in the method the inlets are closed after the addition of the ballast material. Thus, the ballast material cannot escape the inside spaces.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the inlets are connectable with a tube, such as a hose, of a device for pumping ballast material in fluid form. Thus, an efficient process for addition of the ballast material is enabled. For this purpose, the inlets are preferably tubular having a round opening.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the ballast material is added in fluid form by pumping with a pumping device through the inlets into the inside spaces. Thus, the addition of the ballast material can be done efficiently.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, at least some of the inside spaces are filled up to one third of its volume or more with said ballast material. Thus, a considerable effect in balance and/or total car weight adjustment is achieved.

[0021] It is also brought forward a new method for installing an elevator. In this method an elevator car is manufactured and arranged to move in an elevator hoistway. The elevator car is manufactured according to the method as above described. In this way, an elevator is achieved with corresponding benefits as disclosed in previous paragraphs.

[0022] It is also brought forward a new elevator car which is manufactured with the method as defined above or elsewhere in the application, such as in the claims. Thus, an elevator car is obtained which has accurately adjusted weight and/or balance.

[0023] It is also brought forward a new elevator which is installed with the method as defined above or elsewhere in the application, such as in the claims. Thus, an elevator is obtained which has a car with accurately adjusted weight and/or balance.

[0024] The elevator as described anywhere above is preferably, but not necessarily, installed inside a building. The elevator is preferably of the type where the car is arranged to serve two or more landings. Then, the car preferably responds to calls from landing and/or destination commands from inside the car so as to serve persons on the landing(s) and/or inside the elevator car. Preferably, the car has an interior space suitable for receiving a passenger or passengers. The car may be provided with a floor, a ceiling, walls and at least one door these all forming together a closable and openable interior space. In this way, it is well suitable for serving passengers.

Brief description of the drawings

[0025] In the following, the present invention will be described in more detail by way of example and with reference to the attached drawings, in which

Figure 1 illustrates schematically a cross section of an elevator according to an embodiment.

Figure 2 illustrates a cross section of the sandwich element containing ballast material.

Figure 3 illustrates three dimensionally the sandwich element.

Figure 4 illustrates adding of the ballast material to form part of the elevator car.

Detailed description

[0026] Figure 1 illustrates an elevator. The elevator comprises a hoistway S, an elevator car 1 and a counterweight CW vertically movable in the hoistway S, and a drive machine which drives the elevator car 1 under control of an elevator control system (not shown). The drive machine comprises a motor M and a traction sheave 2, which engages elevator ropes 3, which ropes 3 are connected to the elevator car 1. Thus, driving force can be transmitted from the motor M to the car 1 via the traction sheave 2 and the ropes 3. The ropes 3 connect the elevator car 1 and the counterweight 2 and pass around the traction sheave 2. Figure 1 illustrates the cross section of the elevator car 1.

[0027] In the method for installing an elevator, an elevator car 1 as illustrated in Figure 1 is installed in the hoistway S to move up and down. In this method an elevator car as illustrated in Figure 1 is manufactured. The elevator car is manufactured with a method wherein the elevator car is formed to comprise a floor F comprising a horizontally planar sandwich element 4, a ceiling, walls and at least one door these all forming together an interior space for receiving a load to be transported. The construction of the sandwich element 4 is further illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. The sandwich element 4 comprises an upper plate 5 and a lower plate 6 parallel with each other and a plurality of adjacent inside spaces 7 separated by core walls 8 extending between the upper and lower plate 5,6. In this way a rigid floor structure is achieved. In the method the weight of the car 1 and/or the balance thereof is adjusted by adding ballast material 9 into at least some of said inside spaces 7. The ballast material 9 forms a filler material for said inside spaces 7. Thus the inside spaces become utilized, which facilitates space-efficiency of the elevator. In this way, for example, a great amount of weight elements need not be mounted on the bottom of the elevator car 1. This will allow the car floor structure to be more compact and the hoistway pit can be made shallow (i.e. reduced pit). Importantly, the adjacent inside spaces 7 allow the car balance to be adjusted by controlling the distribution of the added weight by adding ballast weight selectively to only some of the inside spaces 7 and/or by adding different amounts of ballast weight to the inside spaces 7. Addition of the ballast material 9 may be carried out while the elevator car 1 comprising the sandwich element 4 is in the hoistway S. This type of embodiment is illustrated in details in Figure 4. Alternatively, this addition of the ballast material 9 may be carried out at the factory. In that case, the sandwich element 4 may at the time of the addition be already a part of the elevator car 1 or alternatively it may still be separate from the other parts that will form the elevator car 1. Several different sandwich structures of the type as discloses in this application are commercially available. The material of the sandwich structure core walls 8 and the plates 5 and 6 may be metal for instance.

[0028] In the method, a sandwich element 4 is provided, which comprises an upper plate 5 and a lower plate 6 parallel with each other and a plurality of adjacent inside spaces 7 separated by core walls 8 extending between the upper and lower plate 5,6. The sandwich element 4 is preferably such that the inside spaces 7 are elongated channels extending parallel with each other. The sandwich element further comprises end walls for closing the channel ends. For enabling easy addition of material, this sandwich element 4 preferably further comprises a plurality of inlets 10 each leading to one of the inside spaces 7 through which inlets ballast material 9 can be guided to pass into the inside space 7. The inside spaces 7 are closed apart from said inlets 10. The inlets 10 are open or openable for the time of the addition of the ballast material 9, and closed afterwards in the method. These inlets 10 are preferably provided on the end wall(s) of the channel-like inside spaces 7. Thus, the ballast material 9 can be added easily from one side of the sandwich element.

[0029] The ballast material 9 is preferably heavy. The ballast material 9 has preferably density of at least 1300 kg/m3. In this way, the amount thereof needed for the function of providing additional weight to the car can be realized space efficiently. Also, a considerable effect in adjustment of the balance of the car 1 can be achieved with small amount of material. It is also preferable that the ballast material is easily available, ecological, cheap and non-toxic. These all requirements can be easily met if the ballast material is sand or at least comprises substantial amounts of sand. Also, concrete is a suitable material. The ballast material 9 is preferably at the time of the addition preferably in fluid form. In this way, it can be easily fed to the inside spaces. It adapts itself to the shape of the inside space 7, which makes the addition quick and simple. Also, in this way the amount thereof is easy to control. As the amount of the ballast material can be steplessly controlled, an optimal weight can be added very simply without necessitating complicated structures or numerous weight plates. Also, the ability of the material to fit in a space of any size and shape gives liberty to adjust the weight distribution freely. Accordingly, the weight properties of the car can be simply and accurately adjusted. As mentioned the ballast material 9 is preferably in fluid form at the time of its addition. However, a further solidifying material component can be added if this is preferred. The ballast material can as such be of the type that solidifies, such as concrete mass. This is not necessary though. For example, in case the ballast material 9 is made of mere sand, the ballast material can be permanently in the fluid form.

[0030] In the method, preferably the ballast material is added to the inside spaces 7 in fluid form, preferably by pumping. For this purpose, the inlets are preferably connectable with a hose of a device for pumping ballast material in fluid form. For this purpose, the inlets are preferably tubular having a round opening. The inlets can be in the form of a valve through which fluid material can be guided to pass into the inside space.

[0031] Figure 4 illustrates an embodiment of the method where the addition of the ballast material 9 is carried out while the elevator car 1 comprising the sandwich element 4 is in the hoistway S. In particular, in this embodiment, the weight of the car 1 and/or the balance thereof is adjusted in the earlier defined manner while the elevator car 1 is in the hoistway S and suspended by the elevator ropes 3. In this way, the balance in particular can be adjusted such that the effect of the suspension is present. In this way the elevator can be finetuned to be very accurately balanced in its final environment. It should be appreciated that it is not necessary that the elevator car 1 is balanced to have a mass center in the center of the vertical projection but the location of the desired mass center depends on the suspension point, and even the position of the guide rails. For example, in some cases it is beneficial to adjust mass center such that the guide shoe/roller forces are optimized even though it means that suspension point is not right above the mass center. In any case, carrying out an accurate adjustment of car balance in the final environment is beneficial. In these cases, even minor variations caused by inaccurate installation of other elevator components can be compensated for by the new method enabling very accurate finetuning of the car balance.

[0032] In the embodiment of Figure 4, the elevator car comprises the sandwich element 4 as described and illustrated in Figures 2 an 3. Accordingly, it comprises a plurality of inlets 10 each leading to one of the inside spaces 7. It is illustrated a step where through one of said inlets 10 ballast material 9 is being guided to pass into the inside space 7. This particular inlet 10 has been connected with a tube 13, in this case a hose, of a device12 for pumping ballast material 9 in fluid form. In this way the ballast material 9 is added in fluid form by pumping with a pumping device 12 through the inlets 10 into the inside spaces 7 as required to adjust the balance and/or weight of the car 1. In the adjustment of the weight of the car, the car weight can be measured for example by the elevator control by defining the torque the car suspended by the traction sheave 2 produces on the motor M connected to the traction sheave. In the adjustment of the balance of the car, separate tools could be used to measure car tilting. For example a leveling device, such as a spirit level or an equivalent electronic device. Either of these adjustments can be alternatively be carried out according to a predefined instructions, e.g. according to an elevator installation manual disclosing predefined target values. The inlets are closed after the addition of the ballast material.

[0033] In practice, taking into account the normal weights of the elevator cars, a considerable effect in balance and/or total car weight adjustment is/are achieved when at least some of the inside spaces are filled up to one third of its volume or more with said ballast material.

[0034] In the method, the balance of the car is adjusted by adding substantially different amounts of ballast material into the inside spaces. Thus, weight distribution of the car can be changed so that balance is improved. It is to be understood that the above description and the accompanying Figures are only intended to illustrate the present invention. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the inventive concept can be implemented in various ways. The invention and its embodiments are not limited to the examples described above but may vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing an elevator car, in which method the elevator car is formed to comprise a floor (F) comprising a sandwich element (4) comprising an upper plate (5) and a lower plate (6) parallel with each other and a plurality of adjacent inside spaces (7) separated by core walls (8) extending between the upper and lower plate (5,6), and in the method the weight of the elevator car (1) and/or the balance thereof is adjusted by adding ballast material (9) to form a part of elevator car (1), characterized in that the weight of the car (1) and/or the balance thereof is adjusted by adding ballast material (9) into at least some of said inside spaces (7).

2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the ballast material (9) is added in fluid form.

3. A method according to any of the preceding claims 1-2, characterized in that the weight of the car (1) and/or the balance thereof is adjusted in the defined manner while the elevator car (1) is in the hoistway (S).

4. A method according to any of the preceding claims 1-3, characterized in that the balance of the car (1) is adjusted in the defined manner by adding substantially different amounts of ballast material (9) into the inside spaces (7).

5. A method according to any of the preceding claims 1-4, characterized in that the weight of the car (1) and/or the balance thereof is adjusted in the defined manner while the elevator car (1) is in the hoistway (S) and suspended by the elevator ropes (3).

6. A method according to any of the preceding claims 1-5, characterized in that the ballast material (9) has density of at least 1300 kg/m3.

7. A method according to any of the preceding claims 1-6, characterized in that the ballast material (9) comprises sand or concrete.

8. A method according to any of the preceding claims 1-7, characterized in that in the method a sandwich element (4) is provided, which comprises an upper plate (5) and a lower plate (6) parallel with each other and a plurality of adjacent inside spaces (7) separated by core walls (8) extending between the upper and lower plate (5,6), and a plurality of inlets (10) each leading to one of the inside spaces (7) through which inlets (7) ballast material (9) is guided to pass into the inside space (7).

9. A method according to any of the preceding claims 1-8, characterized in that the inside spaces (7) are elongated channels extending parallel with each other.

10. A method according to any of the preceding claims 1-9, characterized in that the sandwich element (4) comprises end walls (11) closing the ends of the elongated channels.

11. A method according to any of the preceding claims 8-10, characterized in that the inlets (10) are provided on the end wall(s) (11) of the channel-like inside spaces (7).

12. A method according to any of the preceding claims 8-11, characterized in that the inside spaces are during addition of the ballast material (9) closed apart from said inlets (11).

13. A method according to any of the preceding claims 8-12, characterized in that the inlets (10) are closed after the addition of the ballast material (9).

14. A method according to any of the preceding claims 8-13, characterized in that the ballast material (9) is added in fluid form by pumping with a pumping device (12) through the inlets (10) into the inside spaces (7).

15. A method according to any of the preceding claims 1-14, characterized in that at least some of the inside spaces (7) are filled up to one third of its volume or more with said ballast material (9).

16. A method for installing an elevator, in which method an elevator car (1) is manufactured and arranged to move in an elevator hoistway (S), characterized in that the elevator car (1) is manufactured according to any of the preceding claims 1-15.

17. An elevator car manufactured with the method according to any one of the preceding claims 1-15.

18. An elevator installed with the method according to claim 16.

Drawing