MOVEMENT ASSEMBLY FOR LIFTS, HOISTS AND THE LIKE

Abstract

 A movement assembly for lifts, elevators, hoists and the like (1), which comprises at least one traction element (2) with which is engaged, with a substantially central portion thereof, at least one flexible element (3) which has one end integral with a cabin adapted to move a load and the other end integral with a counterweight.
The traction element (2) comprises at least one motor (4), a speed limiter (5), at least one pulley (6) and a braking device (7), and at least one supporting element (8), constituted by at least one structural element (9), for the traction element (2), arranged in the upper portion of the travel space of the cabin.
The speed limiter (5), the pulley (6) and the braking device (7) are at least partially comprised within the vertical extension of the at least one structural element (9) in order to reduce the overall vertical space occupation.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a movement assembly for lifts, elevators, hoists and the like, which are used, in particular, in the ordinary residential buildings.

[0002] It is known that lifts, elevators, and hoists are means of transport that are adapted to vertically move loads (persons or products) that need to be height-transferred.

[0003] The movement of the cabin is usually obtained by way of an electric motor: such motor can act directly on respective cables that connect the cabin and an adapted counterweight.

[0004] The motor, when installed in the travel space of the cabin (the space within which the cabin is moved), can be arranged in the upper portion of the travel space, known as the head, or alternatively in the lower portion thereof, known as the pit.

[0005] If it is arranged in the upper portion, then the motor is usually arranged below or above a supporting beam, resulting in considerable vertical space occupation issues, which can pose obstacles and difficulties in designing and building new buildings, but particularly in existing buildings which might not have enough space to install the apparatus.

[0006] The aim of the present invention is to solve the above mentioned drawbacks, by providing a movement assembly for lifts, elevators, hoists and the like which is of reduced dimensions, in particular, with reduced vertical space occupation in order to allow the use thereof in any type of installation.

[0007] Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a movement assembly for lifts, elevators, hoists and the like which offers high mechanical performance.

[0008] Another object of the invention is to provide a movement assembly for lifts, elevators, hoists and the like which offers low noise in operation.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a movement assembly for lifts, elevators, hoists and the like which is low weight.

[0010] Another object of the invention is to provide a movement assembly for lifts, elevators, hoists and the like which does not employ pollutant lubricants.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a movement assembly for lifts, elevators, hoists and the like which is low cost, easily and practically implemented and safe in use.

[0012] This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a movement assembly for lifts, elevators, hoists and the like, which comprises at least one traction element with which is engaged, with a substantially central portion thereof, at least one flexible element which has one end integral with a cabin adapted to move a load and the other end integral with a counterweight, said traction element comprising at least one electric motor, a speed limiter, at least one pulley and a braking device, characterized in that it comprises at least one supporting element, constituted by at least one structural element, for said traction element, arranged in the upper portion of the travel space of said cabin, said speed limiter, said pulley and said braking device being at least partially comprised within the vertical extension of said at least one structural element in order to reduce the overall vertical space occupation.

[0013] This aim and these objects are also achieved by an apparatus for lifting loads, of the type comprising a cabin translatable along a predefined substantially vertical path, at least one counterweight slideable along respective guide rails, at least one traction element with which is engaged, with a substantially central portion thereof, at least one flexible element which has one end integral with said cabin and the other end integral with said counterweight, a speed limiter for a cable, moveable on adapted transmission elements, said traction element comprising at least one motor, a speed limiter, at least one pulley and a braking device, characterized in that it comprises at least one supporting element, constituted by at least one structural element, for said traction element, arranged in the upper portion of the travel space of said cabin, said speed limiter, said pulley and said braking device being at least partially comprised within the vertical extension of said at least one structural element in order to reduce the overall vertical space occupation.

[0014] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the detailed description that follows of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the movement assembly for lifts, elevators, hoists and the like, according to the invention, which is illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a movement assembly for lifts, elevators, hoists and the like according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a side view from the left of the movement assembly according to the invention;

Figure 3 is a partially cross-sectional view of Figure 2 taken along the line III-III;

Figure 4 is a front elevation view of the movement assembly according to the invention;

Figure 5 is a partially cross-sectional view of Figure 4 taken along the line V-V;

Figure 6 is an enlarged view of the upper portion of Figure 3;

Figure 7 is an enlarged view of the central portion of Figure 3;

Figure 8 is an enlarged view of a part of the lower portion of Figure 3.

[0015] With reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a movement assembly for lifts, elevators, hoists and the like.

[0016] All apparatuses of this type, such as lifts, elevators, hoists and the like, comprise at least one traction element 2 with which is engaged, with a substantially central portion thereof, at least one flexible element 3 which has one end integral with a cabin adapted to move a load and the other end integral with a counterweight.

[0017] The possibility is not ruled out however that the flexible element 3 is engaged in the traction element 2 in an asymmetric position.

[0018] The traction element 2 comprises at least one electric motor 4, a speed limiter 5, at least one pulley 6 and a braking device 7.

[0019] The at least one pulley 6, if flexible elements 3 constituted by toothed belts and/or chains are adopted, will effectively be a pinion on which the teeth of the belt or the links of the chain will engage.

[0020] According to the invention, the assembly 1 comprises at least one supporting element 8, constituted by at least one structural element 9, for the traction element 2, which is arranged in the upper portion of the travel space of the cabin (the space within which the cabin is moved).

[0021] The speed limiter 5, the pulley 6 and the braking device 7 are at least partially comprised within the vertical extension of the at least one structural element 9 in order to reduce the overall vertical space occupation.

[0022] Such contrivance ensures that it can be possible to reduce the overall dimensions of the assembly 1 and therefore the corresponding space occupation.

[0023] This will make it possible, in particular in the design stage of a building, to reduce the space to be allocated for the travel space of the cabin and therefore of the entire apparatus; in fact it will be possible to specify a height for the head which is lower than the height that is currently necessary.

[0024] In fact it should be pointed out that by adopting the assembly 1 according to the invention, it will be possible to align the height of the head of the apparatus with the heights of the roof slabs of the apartments on the last floor (which are constantly decreasing) with the benefit for the builder of not having to increase the general cubic volume of the building or of part thereof in order to be able to provide the space to install the travel space of the apparatus.

[0025] According to a solution of particular utility and practicality, not shown in the accompanying figures, the motor 4 can be at least partially comprised within the vertical extension of the at least one structural element 9 in order to reduce the overall vertical space occupation.

[0026] According to a solution of particular effectiveness and efficiency, the structural elements 9 can be two in number, facing each other and arranged in parallel, and provided with coupling means 10 for the traction element 2.

[0027] Different motors 4 can be adopted as a function of the intended use of the building, of the speed and of the placement of the apparatus.

[0028] In particular, the motor 4 can be preferably chosen from among a three-phase asynchronous electric motor, a permanent-magnet three-phase brushless synchronous electric motor and the like.

[0029] More specifically, the motor 4 can be a three-phase asynchronous electric motor, arranged on a horizontal axis.

[0030] The possibility is not ruled out however of adopting a motor 4 arranged on a vertical axis, but still chosen from among asynchronous motors.

[0031] It should be noted that the speed limiter 5 can be a reduction gear with two stages of reduction.

[0032] The first stage and the second stage can comprise respectively a pair of gearing assemblies in which the transmission can be achieved through the use of belts, chains, gearwheels and the like.

[0033] The benefit of this choice will permit a further containment of the overall dimensions of the assembly 1, thus making it possible to optimize the ratio between the surface of the cabin and the surface of the head.

[0034] The first reduction stage can comprise a belt pulley coupling, and the second reduction stage can comprise a ring gear and pinion coupling.

[0035] The possibility is not ruled out however that the first reduction stage and the second reduction stage can comprise different mechanical components and, therefore, a different method of transmitting the motion.

[0036] The speed limiter 5, and the corresponding actuation electric motor 4, will therefore be dimensioned to deliver a torque suitable to the movement of a mass equal to the difference between the overall mass of the cabin plus its maximum load and the mass of the counterweight.

[0037] This construction choice makes it possible to reduce to the minimum the power necessary to lift heavy loads.

[0038] According to the embodiment shown in the accompanying figures, the shaft 11 of the electric motor 4 is integral with a first, driving pulley 12 provided with a connecting element (for the sake of convenience this is not shown in the accompanying figures) to a second, driven pulley 13 of different diameter.

[0039] Such connecting element can be preferably chosen from among a smooth belt, a toothed belt, a cable, a chain and the like.

[0040] Furthermore, the transmission shaft 14 of the driven pulley 13 can be integral with a pinion 15 for moving a respective traction ring gear 16.

[0041] The ring gear 16 can be keyed to the shaft 17 of the pulley 6.

[0042] The speed limiter 5 therefore has a compact shape structure that enables a further reduction of the encumbrances of the assembly 1.

[0043] In fact, a conventional speed limiter with only one reduction stage would not make it possible to optimize the ratio between the surface of the cabin and the surface of the travel space or the head. In fact with such solution the movement assembly of the apparatus should be positioned either above the cabin, with consequent raising of the height of the head, or behind the cabin, with consequent decreasing of the ratio between the surface of the cabin and the surface of the travel space.

[0044] As can be deduced, any of the two solutions adopted would not lead to a significant reduction of the dimensions of the travel space of the apparatus.

[0045] The flexible element 3 can be (depending on the individual case and on the type of installation and system under construction) constituted by a smooth belt, a toothed belt, by a cable (of any type) or by a chain (usually of the type adapted for traction).

[0046] The present invention also sets out to protect an apparatus for lifting loads, of the type comprising a cabin translatable along a predefined substantially vertical path, at least one counterweight slideable along respective guide rails, at least one traction element 2 with which is engaged, with a substantially central portion thereof, at least one flexible element 3 which has one end integral with the cabin and the other end integral with the counterweight, and a speed limiter for a cable, moveable on adapted transmission elements.

[0047] The traction element 2 comprises at least one motor 4, a speed limiter 5, at least one pulley 6 and a braking device 7.

[0048] The apparatus, according to the invention, comprises at least one supporting element 8, constituted by at least one structural element 9, for the traction element 2, which is arranged in the upper portion of the travel space of the cabin.

[0049] The speed limiter 5, the pulley 6 and the braking device 7 are at least partially comprised within the vertical extension of the at least one structural element 9 in order to reduce the overall vertical space occupation.

[0050] Advantageously, the movement assembly 1 for lifts, elevators, hoists and the like is of reduced dimensions, in particular, with reduced vertical space occupation in order to allow the use thereof in any type of installation, in both new and existing buildings.

[0051] In fact, the construction characteristics of the speed limiter 5 which are described above, together with the fact that the speed limiter 5, the pulley 6 and the braking device 7 are at least partially comprised within the vertical extension of the at least one structural element 9, ensures that it can be possible to reduce the overall dimensions of the assembly 1 and therefore the corresponding space occupation.

[0052] This means that the space to be allocated for the travel space of the cabin, and therefore of the entire apparatus, will be less than the space currently necessary, so much so that it will be possible to align the height of the head of the apparatus with the heights of the roof slabs of the apartments on the last floor.

[0053] Conveniently, the assembly 1, according to the invention, offers high mechanical performance.

[0054] The speed limiter 5, and the corresponding actuation electric motor 4, will in fact be dimensioned so that it is possible to reduce to the minimum the power necessary to lift even heavy loads.

[0055] Conveniently, the movement assembly 1 for lifts, elevators, hoists and the like offers low noise in operation.

[0056] Effectively, the movement assembly 1 for lifts, elevators, hoists and the like is low weight.

[0057] In fact, the construction characteristics of the assembly 1 make it possible to reduce the weight of the assembly 1 by approximately 35% with respect to the known art.

[0058] Conveniently, the movement assembly 1 for lifts, elevators, hoists and the like does not employ pollutant lubricants.

[0059] The invention, thus conceived, is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.

[0060] In the embodiments illustrated, individual characteristics shown in relation to specific examples may in reality be interchanged with other, different characteristics, existing in other embodiments.

[0061] In practice, the materials employed, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

[0062] Where the technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference numerals and/or signs, those reference numerals and/or signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference numerals and/or signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference numerals and/or signs.

Claims

1. A movement assembly for lifts, elevators, hoists and the like, which comprises at least one traction element (2) with which is engaged, with a substantially central portion thereof, at least one flexible element (3) which has one end integral with a cabin adapted to move a load and the other end integral with a counterweight, said traction element (2) comprising at least one electric motor (4), a speed limiter (5), at least one pulley (6) and a braking device (7), characterized in that it comprises at least one supporting element (8), constituted by at least one structural element (9), for said traction element (2), arranged in the upper portion of the travel space of said cabin, said speed limiter (5), said pulley (6) and said braking device (7) being at least partially comprised within the vertical extension of said at least one structural element (9) in order to reduce the overall vertical space occupation.

2. The movement assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that said motor (4) is at least partially comprised within the vertical extension of said at least one structural element (9) in order to reduce the overall vertical space occupation.

3. The movement assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one structural element (9) are two in number, are facing each other, are arranged in parallel and are provided with coupling means (10) for said traction element (2).

4. The movement assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that said motor (4) is of the type preferably chosen from among a three-phase asynchronous electric motor, a permanent-magnet three-phase brushless synchronous electric motor and the like.

5. The movement assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that said motor (4) is a three-phase asynchronous electric motor, arranged on a horizontal axis.

6. The movement assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that said speed limiter (5) is a reduction gear with two stages of reduction.

7. The movement assembly according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first reduction stage comprises a belt pulley coupling, and said second reduction stage comprises a ring gear and pinion coupling.

8. The movement assembly according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said flexible element (3) is preferably chosen from among a smooth belt, a toothed belt, a cable, a chain and the like.

9. An apparatus for lifting loads, of the type comprising a cabin translatable along a predefined substantially vertical path, at least one counterweight slideable along respective guide rails, at least one traction element (2) with which is engaged, with a substantially central portion thereof, at least one flexible element (3) which has one end integral with said cabin and the other end integral with said counterweight, a speed limiter for a cable, moveable on transmission elements, said traction element (2) comprising at least one motor (4), a speed limiter (5), at least one pulley (6) and a braking device (7), characterized in that it comprises at least one supporting element (8), constituted by at least one structural element (9), for said traction element (2), arranged in the upper portion of the travel space of said cabin, said speed limiter (5), said pulley (6) and said braking device (7) being at least partially comprised within the vertical extension of said at least one structural element (9) in order to reduce the overall vertical space occupation.

Drawing