EP1790607B1

EP1790607B1 - Safety device for automatically checking the weight of the load present on one or more lifting groups of an elevator, of a platform, of a lift or of other similar apparatuses

Info

Publication number: EP1790607B1
Application number: EP06024279A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Roberto Bertoncello; Luciano Bertoncello; Giovanni Benetton
Original assignee: Maber costruzioni Srl
Current assignee: Maber costruzioni Srl
Priority date: 2005-11-29
Filing date: 2006-11-23
Publication date: 2011-03-23
Anticipated expiration: 2026-11-23
Also published as: EP1790607A2; DE602006020823D1; ITVI20050313A1; ATE502890T1; EP1790607A3

Abstract

The present finding concerns a safety device for automatically checking the weight present on one or more lifting groups of an elevator, of a platform, of a lift or of other similar apparatuses. Such a device is of the type in which the mobile platform or the cabin (1), able to slide on the column (2), consists of a board (3) on which the load rests and a motorisation group (4), formed from a welded structure (5), which supports the motor group, consisting of a geared motor (6) or another work device, which takes care of moving the aforementioned platform on the aforementioned column. Such a safety device is characterised in that it foresees that the two components of the platform (1), i.e. the board (3) on which the load is rested and the motorisation group (4) consist of two distinct and separate work groups, between which an intermediate element (8) is inserted that, as well as acting as connection means between the aforementioned groups, to allow the entire platform to be moved vertically, also detects the weight value of the material loaded onto the board.

Description

The present finding concerns a safety device for automatically checking the weight of the load to be mounted on a lifting group of an elevator, of a platform, of a lift or of other similar apparatuses, according to the general part of claim 1.
The use of apparatuses, known by the generic term "elevators", which lift things and/or people along a supporting column is widespread in all sectors of industry and in particular in building.
The elevator essentially consists of a base equipped with large adjustable screws, from which a column made up of modular elements rises up.
The load platform, which is preferably motorised through a rack and pinion coupling, slides vertically on the column.
The elevator is completed with safety devices, such as an emergency brake, which is automatically activated in the case in which the speed of descent exceeds the values set by the safety standards.
In particular, safety standards and instructions recommend that the machine (elevator, platform or lift) be equipped with devices that continuously check the weight of the load lifted so that when there is an "overload", i.e. when the maximum weight value is exceeded, the shut down procedure is immediately activated and the apparatus is automatically blocked.
In the current state of the art numerous devices are known that detect the weight loaded onto the machine, but most of them have numerous constructive and operative drawbacks.
In particular the document JP-A-55071916 can be cited, that describes a safety device automatically checking the weight of the load present of an elevator.
This device foresees that the platform, able to slide on a column, consists of a board on which the load rests and a motorisation group, which supports the motor group, consisting of a geared motor, which moves said platform along said column, wherein the two components of the platform consist of two and separate groups, between which an intermediate element is inserted that, as well as acting as connection means between the said two groups, to allow the entire platform to be moved vertically, also detects the weight value of the material loaded onto said platform.
The purpose of the present finding is to make an elevator comprising a safety device of the type above described, that presents particular embodiement forms that permits to obtain remarkable advantages on respect of the similar known devices. This is obtained by conforming the elevator comprising a safety device according to the characterizing portion of claim 1.
The finding shall be better understood through the description of a possible embodiment thereof, given just as a non-limiting example, with the help of the attached tables of drawings, where:

figs. 1 and 2 (tables I-II) represent two views, in front and side elevation respectively, of an elevator group equipped with the safety device according to the finding, in a first embodiment;
figs. 3 and 4 (tables III-IV) represent two views, in front and side elevation respectively, of an elevator group equipped with the safety device according to the finding, in a second embodiment.

As can be seen in the figures, the mobile platform, wholly indicated with 1, able to slide on the column 2, consists of a board 3 on which the load is rested and a motorisation group, wholly indicated with 4, consisting of a welded structure 5, which supports the geared motor 6, which through the rack and pinion coupling 7 takes care of moving the aforementioned platform on the aforementioned column, all according to per se known configurations.
The novelty characteristic of the finding consists of the fact that the board 3 is connected to the motorisation group 4, through the interposition of an elastic means, preferably consisting of a plurality of springs or another similar device, wholly indicated with reference numeral 8.
As can be seen in figures 1 and 2, in a first embodiment the board 3 is equipped with a frame 9, from which a plate 10 projects, which rests on the springs 8, supported through the cross member 11, belonging to the welded structure 5.
Said frame 9 is also equipped with small wheels 12, engaged to slide in guides 13, applied to the frame 5 so that the board 3, as well as resting on the springs 8, is also vertically fixed to the motorisation group 4.
In operation, as can easily be seen by observing figures 1 and 2, when overloading accidentally occurs, i.e. the weight of the products and/or people loaded on the board 3 exceeds the predetermined maximum, the springs 8, being calibrated up to the aforementioned predetermined weight, undergo a compression that exceeds such a value, for which reason a relative sliding between the board 3 and the motorisation group 4 occurs, i.e. the board lowers with respect to the motorisation group.
In a second embodiment, as can be seen in figures 3 and 4, the board 3 is equipped with a frame 9, from which a plate 10.1 projects, which fastens at the bottom to the springs 8.1, in turn hung at the cross member 11.1, belonging to the welded structure 5.
In operation, as can easily be seen by observing figures 3 and 4, when overloading accidentally occurs, i.e. the weight of the products and/or people loaded on the board 3 exceeds the predetermined maximum, the springs 8.1, being calibrated up to the aforementioned predetermined weight, undergo a traction that exceeds such a value, for which reason a relative sliding between the board 3 and the motorisation group 4 occurs, with the board lowering with respect to the motorisation group.
In both cases, as can be seen in figures 1 and 3, the millimetric lowering of the board 3 is detected through a detector 14, limit switch or other device suitable for the purpose, fixed onto the upright 15 of the frame 5, which is activated by the lowering of the sliding block 16 applied, instead, onto the upright 17 of the frame 9.
Finally, thanks to the constructive solution according to the finding, i.e. with the board mounted mobile on the motorisation group, it is possible to avoid damaging the load plane, caused by an accidental presence of foreign bodies on the ground, when it reached the end of the bottom stroke.
This is obtained by applying a limit switch 18 onto the upright 15 of the frame 5, which is activated and stops the machine in contact with the sliding block 19 applied to the upright 17 of the frame 9 in the case in which, during the final descent step of the platform, there are bodies on the ground that are taller than the predetermined height of the load plane from the ground.
Of course, embodiments different to the one described are also possible, according to the components used to make the device according to the finding, without for this reason departing from the scope of the following claims.

Claims

ELEVATOR COMPRISING A SAFETY DEVICE FOR. AUTOMATICALLY CHECKING THE WEIGHT OF THE LOAD PRESENT ON ONE OR MORE LIFTING GROUPS OF THE SAID ELEVATOR SAID DEVICE BEING of the type in which it is foreseen that the mobile platform or the cabin (1), able to slide on a column (2), consists of a board (3) on which the load rests and a motorisation group (4), formed from a welded structure (5), which supports the motor group, consisting of a geared motor (6) or another work device, which, through a rack and pinion coupling or with another type of connection (7) , takes care of moving the aforementioned platform on the aforementioned column, said safety device wherein foresees that the two components of the platform (1), i.e. the board (3) on which the load is rested and the motorisation group (4) consist of two distinct and separate work groups, between which an elastic intermediate element (8) is inserted that, as well as acting as connection means between the aforementioned two groups, to allow the entire platform to be moved vertically, also detects the weight value of the material loaded onto the board, characterized in that the elastic intermediate element (8) consists of preloaded springs, which operate under compression, being provided that the board (3) is equipped with a frame (9), from which a plate (10) projects, which rests upon the springs (8), supported by a cross member (11), belonging to the welded structure (5), wherein the frame (9) is equipped wich small wheels (12) engaged to slide in guides (13), applied onto the frame (5) so that the board (3), as well as being rested on the intermediate element (8), is also vertically fixed to the motorisation group (4).
Elevator, according to claim 1, characterised in that, in overloaded condition, when the weight of the products loaded on the board (3) exceeds a predetermined maximum weight value, the springs (8) undergo a compression deformation, for which reason a relative sliding occurs between the board (3) and the motorisation group (4), with the lowering of the aforementioned board with respect to the aforementioned motorisation group and said Micrometric lowering is detected by at least one apparatus (14) such as a limit switch or another similar device, fixed to the upright (15) of the frame (5) and that is activated by the lowering or the sliding block (16) applied to the upright (17) of the frame (9).
Elevator, according to claim 1, characterised in that, in overloaded condition, when the weight of the products loaded on the board (3) exceeds a predetermined maximum weight value, the springs (8.1) undergo an extension deformation, for which reason a relative sliding occurs between the board (3) and the motorisation group (4), with the lowering of the aforementioned board with respect to the aforementioned motorisation group and said micrometric lowering is detected by at least one apparatus (14) such as a limit switch or another similar device, fixed to the upright (15) of the frame (5) and that is activated by the lowering of the sliding block (16) applied to the upright (17) of the frame (9).
Elevator, according to claim 1, characterised in that the elastic intermediate element: (8.1) consists of preloaded springs, which operate under traction.
Elevator according to claim 4, characterised in that the board (3) is equipped with a frame (9), from which a plate (10.1) projects, which attaches at the bottom on the springs (8.1), hung from the cross member. (11.1), belonging to the welded structure (5).