EP2550222A1

EP2550222A1 - Guide rail with sound insulator, elevator and manufacturing method thereof

Info

Publication number: EP2550222A1
Application number: EP10848185A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Longfeng Ren; Feng Li
Original assignee: Kone Corp
Current assignee: Kone Corp
Priority date: 2010-03-24
Filing date: 2010-03-24
Publication date: 2013-01-30
Also published as: CN102822080A; CN102822080B; EP2550222A4; WO2011116523A1

Abstract

A guide rail of an elevator for guiding a moving elevator unit, an elevator and a manufacturing method thereof are disclosed The guide rail comprises an elongated continuous metal profile piece that is essentially the same in its cross-sectional shape The metal profile piece comprises a continuous inside space extending at least essentially the whole length of the guide rail The inside space is filled with a sound insulator or a plurality of sound insulators

Description

GUIDE RAIL OF AN ELEVATOR, AN ELEVATOR AND A METHOD

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is the guide rail of an elevator, an elevator and a method.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The guide rails of an elevator, such as the car guide rails or counterweight guide rails, are conventionally manufactured from a solid piece, A problem with these types of guide rails is the great weight and price. Likewise, the transportation and handling of them is awkward. Guide rails that are formed to be partially hollow are also known in the art. One problem with them, however, is the noise during operation, because this type of guide rail starts to resound during use.

AIM OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the invention is to produce a better guide rail, elevator and method than earlier. The aim of the invention is to eliminate, among others, the aforementioned drawbacks of prior-art solutions. The aim of the invention is further to produce one or more of the following advantages, among others:

a light guide rail and elevator are achieved, the noise problems of which are fewer,

a guide rail and elevator are achieved that have inexpensive manufacturing costs,

a light guide rail and elevator are achieved,

a light guide rail of good bending rigidity is achieved,

a guide rail and elevator that produce good ride comfort are achieved. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is based on the concept that the noise produced by the use of a guide rail comprising an inside space can be reduced by arranging a sound insulator or a plurality of sound insulators in the inside space of the guide rail .

In one basic embodiment of the concept of the invention the guide rail of an elevator for guiding a moving elevator unit, such as an elevator car and/or a counterweight of an elevator, comprises an elongated metal profile piece having a continuous cross-sectional shape (which continues essentially the same) , which metal profile piece comprises a continuous inside space for {at least essentially) the whole length of the guide rail. The guide rail comprises in the inside space a sound insulator or a plurality of sound insulators. In this way the aforementioned advantages are achieved.

In a more refined embodiment of the concept of the invention, the aforementioned sound insulator or plurality of sound insulators fills most of the volume of the aforement oned inside space, preferably essentially whole volume of the inside space. Thus the damping of sound is effective.

In a more refined embodiment of the concept of the invention, the metal profile piece is a profile piece that is open in the direction of the ends of the guide rail, which profile piece comprises an inside space that continues from end to end of the guide rail. Thus a light and easily formed structure is achieved. In a more refined embodiment of the concept of the invention, the guide rail comprises movement-prevention means, which are arranged to prevent or at least to limit movement of the aforementioned sound insulator or plurality of sound insulators in the inside space in the longitudinal direction of the inside space. Thus the sound insulation stays in its position, e.g. during transportation and operation.

In a more refined embodiment of the concept of the invention, the aforementioned movement-prevention means comprise at least a movement-prevention part at the point of the longitudinal projection of the inside space in the proximity of the first end of the guide rail, which movement-prevention part is on the side of the aforementioned first end of the sound insulator, preventing or at least limiting movement of the sound insulator in the direction of the end in question. Thus the sound insulator does not move away from the desired position.

In a more refined embodiment of the concept of the invention, the movement of the movement-prevention part in relation to the guide rail profile is prevented or at least limited, preferably by fixing the movement- prevention part to the guide rail profile, preferably by gluing. Thus the construction is simple. In a more refined embodiment of the concept of the invention, the movement-prevention part is an elongated sound insulator rod and is placed into the elongated inside space in the longitudinal direction. Thus it forms a plug that stays in its position well and that itself insulates against sound.

In a more refined embodiment of the concept of the invention, the movement-prevention part is a solid part, which is placed into the inside space as a solid. Thus the holding of the plug is secure and its fixing is simple.

In a more refined embodiment of the concept of the invention, the movement-prevention part is of a sound- insulating material, preferably expended polymer, most preferably expanded polystyrene (PSE) . Thus its sound- insulating properties are good and it is simple to manufacture and install.

In a more refined embodiment of the concept of the invention, the aforementioned sound insulator or plurality of sound insulators fills most of the cross- sectional area of the aforementioned inside space. Thus large echo spaces do not form in the inside space.

In a more refined embodiment of the concept of the invention, the sound insulator or the plurality of sound insulators is of a sound-insulating material, preferably expanded polymer, most preferably expanded polyurethane or polystyrene (EPS) . Thus the sound insulation is effective, inexpensive and simple.

In a more refined embodiment of the concept of the invention, the sound insulator comprises polymer granules, preferably expanded polystyrene granules. Thus the inside space is easy to fill

In a more refined embodiment of the concept of the invention, the sound insulator is a flowing sound- insulating substance, preferably polymer particles, such as polystyrene granules. Thus the inside space is easy to fill.

In a more refined embodiment of the concept of the invention, the aforementioned sound insulator or plurality of sound insulators covers essentially the whole length (y-direction) of the inside space. In other words, it forms a sound insulator or line of sound insulators that covers essentially the whole length of the inside space of the guide rail . Thus large echo spaces do not form in the inside space, the passage of sound weakens, and the sound insulation is effective.

In a more refined embodiment of the concept of the invention, the sound insulator is an elongated sound insulator rod and is placed into the elongated inside space I in the longitudinal direction. Thus performing sound insulation does not require complex devices, e.g. at the worksite.

In a more refined embodiment of the concept of the invention, the aforementioned metal profile piece is an elongated piece, which comprises a continuous fixing flange for essentially the whole length of the guide rail, which fixing flange comprises a, preferably even, rear surface facing the rear side of the guide rail, from which fixing flange a guide rail flange branches towards the opposite side (front side) of the guide rail, which guide rail flange comprises at least guide rail surfaces facing both sides of the guide rail, and preferably also a guide rail surface facing towards the front side of the guide rail.

In a more refined embodiment of the concept of the invention, the aforementioned sound insulator or plurality of sound insulators essentially fills the otherwise free inside space of at least the fixing flange (FF) . Thus the conductivity of sound at least to the building declines.

In a more refined embodiment of the concept of the invention, the metal profile piece comprises a guide rail flange, which comprises profile walls that are at a distance from each other, the inside space between which walls the aforementioned sound insulator or plurality of sound insulators essentially fills for essentially the whole length of the inside space. Thus the formation of sound between the walls that the guide rail surfaces comprise can be prevented.

In a more refined embodiment of the concept of the invention, the aforementioned profile walls comprise outer surfaces that point towards opposite sides of the guide rail and form guide rail surfaces for guiding a moving elevator unit and/or gripping surfaces for the brake of a moving elevator unit.

In a more refined embodiment of the concept of the invention, it comprises a profile wall (13) that bounds the inside space and that comprises a rear surface (13') of the guide rail for placing against the fixing surface of a mounting base, and which profile wall comprises fixing holes leading into the inside space for fixing the guide rail against the mounting base by means of the fixing holes. Thus the guide rail is easy and compact to fix .

In a more refined embodiment of the concept of the invention, a metal profile piece, more particularly the fixing flange comprised in it, comprises an inside space, which contains a sound insulator. Thus the conductivity of sound at least to the building declines.

In a more refined embodiment of the concept of the invention, the sound insulator is a solid part, which is placed into the inside space as a solid. Thus its installability is easy.

In a more refined embodiment of the concept of the invention, the sound insulator is a solid part, which is fed into the inside space in a flowing form and allowed to harden. Thus the sound insulation fills the inside space efficiently.

In a more refined embodiment of the concept of the invention, the metal profile piece is a metal profile piece bent from plate in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail, preferably by roll forming. Thus the construction is simple to form.

In one basic embodiment of the concept of the invention, the elevator comprises at least an elevator car, and a plurality of guide rails placed consecutively end-to-end, for guiding a moving elevator unit, such as an elevator car or a possible counterweight, which guide rails are according to any of those defined in the preceding. In this way an elevator is achieved that has the aforementioned advantages. In one basic embodiment of the concept of the invention, the brake on the elevator car or on the counterweight is arranged to grip the guide rail for decelerating the aforementioned elevator car and/or counterweight.

In one basic embodiment of the concept of the invention, in the method in forming an elevator, especially for modernizing an elevator the elevator (preferably existing) is formed (preferably changed) to comprise a guide rail for guiding a moving elevator unit, such as an elevator car and/or counterweight of an elevator, which guide rail comprises an elongated metal profile piece having a continuous cross-sectional shape (which continues essentially the same) , which metal profile piece comprises a continuous inside space for at least essentially the whole length of the guide rail. The elevator is formed to be such that the aforementioned guide rail comprises in the inside space a sound insulator or a plurality of sound insulators. Thus the noise problems of an existing elevator can be reduced (e.g. a marine elevator} and/or a light elevator that is free of noise problems can be formed.

In a more refined embodiment of the concept of the invention, the guide rail replaces a previous (existing) guide rail. Thus, the elevator can be improved to be lighter and/or less noisy. In a more refined embodiment of the concept of the invention, a previous (existing) guide rail that comprises an inside space is changed to comprise the aforementioned sound insulator or sound insulator plurality in its inside space. In this way the properties of an old elevator can be improved. In a more refined embodiment of the concept of the invention, the elevator is changed to comprise a guide rail as defined in the preceding. In this way the aforementioned advantages are achieved. In a more refined embodiment of the concept of the invention, the elevator is changed to be according to what is defined in the preceding or elsewhere in the application (e.g. in the claims) .

Some inventive embodiments are also presented in the descriptive section and in the drawings of the present application. The inventive content of the application can also be defined differently than in the claims presented below. The inventive content may also consist of several separate inventions, especially if the invention is considered in the light of expressions or implicit sub- tasks or from the point of view of advantages or categories of advantages achieved. In this case, some of the attributes contained in the claims below may be superfluous from the point of view of separate inventive concepts. The features of the various embodiments can be applied within the framework of the basic inventive concept in conjunction with other embodiments. Each embodiment can also singly and separately from the other embodiments form a separate invention.

LIST OF FIGURES

In the following, the invention will be described in detail by the aid of some embodiments with reference to the attached drawings, wherein

Fig. 1 presents a guide rail of an elevator according to the invention for utilizing in the elevator/method according to the invention (the guide rail profile piece is depicted from front side as transparent for clarity) . Fig. 2 presents an A-A section of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 presents an elevator according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Fig. 1 presents a guide rail of an elevator according to the invention for utilizing in the elevator according to the invention (Fig. 3) . Fig. 2 presents an A-A section of the guide rail of Fig. 1. The guide rail 1 is suitable for guiding a moving elevator unit, such as an elevator car 9 and/or the counterweight of an elevator, and comprises an elongated metal profile piece 2 having a continuous cross-sectional shape (which continues essentially the same in length direction for at least essentially the whole length of the guide rail) , which metal profile piece comprises a continuous inside space I for essentially the whole length of the guide rail. The inside space I contains a sound insulator or a plurality of sound insulators 9, which sound insulator or plurality of sound insulators fills most of the volume of the aforementioned inside space. The sound insulation can be formed from one sound insulator or from a plurality of them. The aforementioned sound insulator or plurality of sound insulators 9 covers essentially the whole length of the inside space, thus effectively damping sound. In this case the sound insulator or plurality of same 9 forms a sound insulator or line of sound insulators that covers essentially the whole length of the inside space I of the guide rail.

As presented in the figure, the aforementioned sound insulator is made of expanded polystyrene granules . The substance is in this case easy to feed into the inside space in a flowing form. The sound insulator 9 can alternatively be an elongated sound insulator rod and be placed into the elongated inside space I in the longitudinal direction alone or consequtively together with similar or equivalent insulators. In this case it is preferably an elongated expanded polystyrene piece. Alternatively, the sound insulator is a solid part, which is fed into the inside space in a flowing form and allowed to harden. In this case the material is preferably polyurethane .

The metal profile piece 2 is preferably a metal profile piece bent from plate in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail, preferably by roll forming. It is a profile piece that is open in the direction of the ends of the guide rail, which profile piece continues from end to end of the guide rail . It comprises a continuous fixing flange FF for essentially the whole length of the guide rail, which fixing flange comprises a, preferably even, rear surface facing the rear side of the guide rail, from which fixing flange a guide rail flange GF branches towards the opposite side (front side) of the guide rail, which guide rail flange comprises at least guide rail surfaces (dl, d2) facing both sides of the guide rail, and preferably also a guide rail surface e facing towards the front side of the guide rail. The profile walls 4,5 of the metal profile piece 2 comprise the aforementioned guide rail surfaces dl and d2. Preferably the aforementioned outer surfaces form guide rail surfaces, followed and guided by which the elevator unit travels, e.g. by means of a roller guide or a sliding guide. The guide rail surfaces each for this purpose form an even guide rail surface in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail. For the purpose of fixing, the metal profile piece 2 comprises a profile wall 13 that bounds the inside space I and that comprises a rear surface 13' of the guide rail 1 for placing against the fixing surface of the mounting base of a guide rail fixing 10, and which profile wall 13 comprises fixing holes 8 leading into the inside space I for fixing the guide rail 1 against the fixing surface by means of the fixing holes.

The inside space of the metal profile in the embodiment presented forms spaces formed inside the guide rail flange and the fixing flange, which are in connection with each other. The aforementioned sound insulator or plurality of sound insulators 9 essentially fills the otherwise free inside space of at least the fixing flange and/or the guide rail flange.

The guide rail 1 also comprises movement-prevention means, which are arranged to prevent or at least to limit movement of the aforementioned sound insulator or plurality of sound insulators 9 in the inside space I in the longitudinal direction of the inside space. They comprise at least a movement-prevention part at the point of the longitudinal projection of the inside space in the proximity of each end of the guide rail, which movement- prevention part is the sound insulator on the side of the end in question, preventing or at least limiting movement of the sound insulator in the direction of the end in question. The movement of the movement-prevention part 7 in relation to the guide rail profile 2 is prevented or at least limited, preferably by fixing the movement- prevention part to the guide rail profile, preferably by gluing (see 7' preferably silicone glass material). The movement-prevention part 7 is preferably an elongated sound insulator rod, as presented in the figures, and is placed into the elongated inside space I in the longitudinal direction. The movement-prevention part 7 is preferably also a sound-insulating material, preferably expended polymer, most preferably expanded polystyrene (PSE) . Thus it can form a part of the aforementioned sound insulator plurality. At their simplest, the movement-prevention means form any type of barrier/limit whatsoever for the sound insulator 9. For example, the movement-prevention means can be formed of glue fixing a sound insulator 9 to the guide rail. Fig. 3 presents an indicative side view of an elevator according to the invention, which comprises at least an elevator unit C, such as an elevator car C, that moves in an elevator hoistway, and a plurality of guide rails 1 placed consecutively end-to-end, for guiding a moving elevator unit, such as an elevator car or a possible counterweight. The guide rails are according to those described in connection with Figs. 1 and 2. All the aforementioned features are not, however, necessary. The brake SG on the moving elevator unit is arranged to grip the guide rail 1 for decelerating the aforementioned elevator unit {elevator car or counterweight) . The elevator unit C presented is preferably an elevator car applicable to transporting passengers. The elevator unit C is guided on the guide rail surfaces comprised in the guide rails 1, following which guide rail surfaces the elevator unit moves, e.g. by means of a roller guide or a sliding guide G.

In the method according to the invention for forming an elevator, especially for modernizing an existing elevator, wherein the elevator is formed, in this case preferably changed, to comprise a guide rail 1 for guiding a moving elevator unit, such as an elevator car and/or the counterweight of an elevator, which guide rail comprises an elongated metal profile piece 2 having a continuous cross-sectional shape {which continues essentially the same in length direction) , which metal profile piece comprises a continuous inside space I for at least essentially the whole length of the guide rail. Further, the elevator is formed such that the inside space of the guide rail 1 of the elevator comprises a sound insulator or a plurality of sound insulators 9. This can be done so that the guide rail 1 replaces a previous guide rail, which previous guide rail can be e.g. a solid guide rail or a hollow guide rail. However, preferably the previous guide rail is such that it comprises an inside space I. In the method, this type of guide rail is changed to comprise a sound insulator or a sound insulator plurality 9 in its inside space. Thus it is advantageous to form/change the elevator to comprise a guide rail 1 as defined elsewhere in this application (e.g. claims and/or figs) . In this way an existing elevator can be modernized to be as defined elsewhere in this application (e.g. claims and/or figs) .

In the application with the definition essentially the whole length/volume it is meant at least an 85% proportion, preferably at least a 90% proportion, still more preferably at least a 95% proportion, most preferable of all at least a 97% proportion.

It is obvious to the person skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, in which the invention is described using examples, but that many adaptations and different embodiments of the invention are possible within the frameworks of the inventive concept defined by the claims presented below.

Claims

1. Guide rail (1) of an elevator, for guiding a moving elevator unit (C) , such as an elevator car and/or a counterweight of an elevator, which guide rail comprises an elongated metal profile piece (2) having a continuous cross-sectional shape, which metal profile piece comprises a continuous inside space (I) for essentially the whole length of the guide rail, characterized in that the guide rail (1) comprises in the inside space (I) a sound insulator or a plurality of sound insulators (9) .

2. Guide rail according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the aforementioned sound insulator or plurality of sound insulators (9) covers essentially the whole length of the inside space (I) .

3. Guide rail according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the aforementioned sound insulator or plurality of sound insulators {9) fills at least most of the volume of the aforementioned inside space.

4. Guide rail according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the metal profile piece {2) is a profile piece that is open in the direction of the ends of the guide rail, which profile piece comprises an inside space that continues from end to end of the guide rail .

5. Guide rail according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide rail comprises movement- prevention means (7,7') , which are arranged to prevent or at least to limit movement of the aforementioned sound insulator or plurality of sound insulators (9) in the inside space (I) in the longitudinal direction of the inside space (I) .

6. Guide rail according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the aforementioned movement- prevention means (7,7') comprise a movement-prevention part (7) at the point of the longitudinal (y) projection of the inside space (I) at least in the proximity of the first end of the guide rail (1) , which movement- prevention part is on the side of the aforementioned first end of the sound insulator, preventing or at least limiting movement of the sound insulator in the direction of the end in question.

7. Guide rail according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movement of the movement- prevention part (7) in relation to the guide rail profile is prevented or at least limited, preferably by fixing the movement-prevention part (7) to the guide rail profile, preferably with glue.

8. Guide rail according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movement-prevention part (7) is an elongated sound insulator rod and is placed into the elongated inside space (I) in the longitudinal direction.

9. Guide rail according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movement-prevention part (7} is of a sound- insulating material, preferably expanded polymer, most preferably expanded polystyrene (PSE) .

10. Guide rail according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the aforementioned sound insulator

(9) is of a sound- insulating material, preferably expanded polymer, most preferably expanded polyurethane or polystyrene (EPS) .

11. Guide rail according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sound insulator (9) comprises polymer granules, preferably expanded polystyrene granules .

12. Guide rail according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sound insulator is a flowing substance, preferably polymer particles, such as polystyrene granules .

13. Guide rail according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sound insulator (9) is an elongated sound insulator rod and is placed into the elongated inside space (I) in the longitudinal direction.

14. Guide rail according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the aforementioned metal profile piece (2) is an elongated piece, which comprises a continuous fixing flange for essentially the whole length of the guide rail, which fixing flange comprises a, preferably even, rear surface facing the rear side of the guide rail, from which fixing flange a guide rail flange branches towards the opposite side (front side) of the guide rail, which guide rail flange comprises at least guide rail surfaces (dl, d2) facing both sides of the guide rail, and preferably also a guide rail surface (e) facing towards the front side of the guide rail.

15. Guide rail according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the aforementioned sound insulator or plurality of sound insulators (9) essentially fills the otherwise free inside space of at least the fixing flange (FF) .

16. Guide rail according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the metal profile piece (2) comprises a guide rail flange (GF) , which comprises profile walls (4,5) that are at a distance from each other, the inside space between which walls the aforementioned sound insulator (9} or plurality of sound insulators (9) essentially fills for essentially the whole length of the inside space.

17. Guide rail according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the metal profile piece (2) , particularly the fixing flange (FF) comprised in it, comprises an inside space, which comprises a sound insulator {9) .

18. Guide rail according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sound insulator (9) is a solid part, which is placed into the inside space as a solid.

19. Guide rail according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sound insulator (9) is a solid part, which has been fed into the inside space (I) in a flowing form and allowed to harden.

20. Guide rail according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the metal profile piece (2) is a metal profile piece bent from plate in the longitudinal direction (y) of the guide rail, preferably by roll forming .

21. Elevator, which comprises at least an elevator car, and a plurality of guide rails (1) placed consecutively end-to-end, for guiding a moving elevator unit (C) , such as an elevator car or a possible counterweight, which guide rails are according to one of the preceding claims.

22. Method in forming an elevator, especially for modernizing an elevator, wherein the elevator is formed to comprise a guide rail (1) for guiding a moving elevator unit (C) , such as an elevator car and/or the counterweight of an elevator, which guide rail comprises an elongated metal profile piece (2) having a continuous cross-sectional shape, which metal profile piece comprises a continuous inside space (I) for at least essentially the whole length of the guide rail, characterized in that the guide rail (1) is formed to be such that it comprises a sound insulator or a plurality of sound insulators (9) in said inside space (I) .

23. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the guide rail {1) replaces a previous guide rail, or a previous guide rail that comprises an inside space (I) is changed to comprise the aforementioned sound insulator or sound insulator plurality (9) in its inside space.

24. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elevator is formed to comprise a guide rail (1) according to any of the preceding claims .