EP3717391A1

EP3717391A1 - Connection element for electrically contacting tension members in a load-bearing belt for an elevator system, and method for assembling the connection element on the belt

Info

Publication number: EP3717391A1
Application number: EP18804652.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Florian Dold
Original assignee: Inventio AG
Current assignee: Inventio AG
Priority date: 2017-11-28
Filing date: 2018-11-27
Publication date: 2020-10-07
Anticipated expiration: 2038-11-27
Also published as: EP3717391B1; US20210198083A1; US11174126B2; WO2019105910A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a connection element (3) for electrically contacting tension members (17), which are embedded into a matrix material (19) of a load-bearing belt (5) for an elevator system. The connection element (3) has a frame (7) with an upper part (9), a lower part (11), and multiple electrically conductive contact elements (39). The shape of the frame (7) is designed to receive the belt (5) in an interior (10) delimited by the frame (7) at at least two opposite sides. The contact elements (39) are formed as stamped and bent metal parts, and some regions of the contact elements (39) are arranged in the upper part (9) of the frame (7) with some regions protruding from the upper part (9) of the frame (7) into the interior (10), for example in the form of piercing tips (37), in order to contact tension members (17) embedded in the belt (5) received in the interior.

Description

Connection element for electrically contacting tension members in a load-bearing belt for an elevator system and method for mounting the

Connection element on the belt

The present invention relates to a connection element with the aid of which tensile carriers, which are embedded in a load-bearing belt for an elevator installation, can be electrically contacted. Furthermore, the invention relates to a belt arrangement for an elevator installation and to a method for mounting a connection element to a load-carrying belt of an elevator installation.

In modern elevator installations, elevator cars are moved vertically through a hoistway by means of belts driven by a drive unit. The belts generally comprise a plurality of tension members, which are sometimes referred to as cords and which mainly effect a load-bearing capacity of the belt. In this case, usually metal wires, metal braids or metal strands are used as tension members. The tension members are generally embedded parallel to one another in a matrix material in order on the one hand to protect the tension members against abrasion and / or corrosion on the one hand and to increase friction between the belt and, for example, a traction sheave of the drive unit on the other hand. The matrix material may be a flexible material, for example a plastic material, in particular a polymer.

Since the belts hold the elevator car, their integrity must always be ensured. Methods have been developed to monitor the integrity of elevator belt by electrically contacting the electrically conductive tension members incorporated in the belt from the outside. Electrical properties of the tension members contacted in this way can then be monitored in order to be able to infer conclusions about changes in the belt, in particular with regard to its load carrying capacity, due to changes in these electrical properties occurring over time. Various embodiments of such an approach for monitoring the integrity of belts in an elevator installation are described, for example, in WO 2017/021263 A1. Further details on embodiments of monitoring methods and devices and components which can be used for this purpose are explained in a number of earlier applications by the applicant of the present patent application, for example EP 17177132, PCT / EP2017 / 065253, EP 17166943, EP 17166927, PCT / EP2017 / 052281 , PCT / EP2017 / 052064, EP 16193877, EP 16200551, EP 16165431, EP 16155358 and EP 16155357. The content of these earlier applications is hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

In order to be able to contact the tensile carriers within the belt appropriately electrically, various methods, connection elements and / or tools have been developed.

Among other things, there may be a need for a connection element by means of which reliable and / or simple electrical contact between an external circuit and train carriers in a belt of an elevator installation can be established. In particular, there may be a need for a connection element which can be manufactured simply and / or inexpensively and / or mounted on a belt. Further, there may be a need for a belt assembly for an elevator installation in which such a connection member is attached to a belt. In addition, there may be a need for a method by means of which a connecting element can advantageously, in particular simply, reliably and / or cost-effectively, be mounted on a belt of an elevator installation.

Such a need can be met by the connection element, the belt arrangement and the method according to one of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are defined in the dependent claims and the following description.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a connection element for electrically contacting tension carriers, which are embedded in a load-bearing belt for an elevator installation in a matrix material, is proposed. The connecting element has, according to a first embodiment, an at least two-part frame with an upper part and a lower part and a plurality of electrically conductive contact elements. The frame is in terms of its shape adapted to receive the belt in a limited by the frame at least two opposite sides of the interior space. The contact elements are formed as metallic stamped and bent parts. The contact elements are partially received in the upper part of the frame and protrude partially from the upper part of the frame, starting in the interior.

Optionally, in a simplified embodiment, the connection element for electrically contacting tension members, which are embedded in a load-bearing belt for an elevator installation in a matrix material, only one of the Upper part have existing frame. In terms of its shape, the upper part forming the frame is adapted to receive the belt in an interior bounded by the frame on at least two opposite sides. The contact elements are formed as metallic stamped and bent parts. The contact elements are partially received in the upper part of the frame and protrude partially from the upper part of the frame, starting in the interior. Although this simplified embodiment will not be explained separately in detail below and carried out separately, the corresponding features and advantages of the first embodiment are analogously applicable to the simplified embodiment. In particular, all embodiments of the contact elements and the associated electrical contact for the simplified embodiment is valid. The only difference is the non-existent lower part of the frame.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a belt arrangement for an elevator installation is proposed, which has a load-bearing belt and a connection element according to the embodiments of the first aspect of the invention. The belt has a plurality of electrically conductive tensile carriers, which are embedded in an electrically insulating matrix material and which are arranged spaced apart in an arrangement direction. In this case, the belt is arranged in the interior of the frame of the connection element, and areas of contact elements of the connection element projecting into the interior contact in each case one of the tension members of the belt. According to a third aspect of the invention, a method for mounting a terminal element according to the embodiments of the first aspect of the invention to a load-bearing belt for an elevator installation is proposed. The method comprises the following steps: the upper part of the frame of the connection element is arranged on a first surface of the belt and the lower part of the frame of the connection element is arranged on a second surface of the belt opposite the first surface. Subsequently, the upper part and the lower part of the frame are pressed towards each other in such a way that the areas of the contact elements projecting from the upper part into the interior are pressed into the belt and contact the embedded tensile carriers there.

In a preferred embodiment of the method for mounting a connection element as described above and below on a load-bearing belt for an elevator installation, this comprises the following steps: Arranging at least the upper part of the frame of the connecting element on a first surface of the belt. Placing a counterpart to the upper part of the frame of the connecting element on a second surface of the belt opposite the first surface. Compressing the upper part and the counterpart of the frame towards each other such that the projecting from the upper part into the interior areas of the contact elements are pressed into the belt and there contact the embedded tension members.

In this case, since the base is not present in the simplified embodiment, the disposition of the separate base to the second surface of the belt opposite the first surface is eliminated. The top is merely pressed onto the belt and held to the belt due to the contact elements pressed into the belt. Optionally securing means may be provided, such as the belt, at least partially engaging behind grips or corresponding projections on the top.

In a preferred embodiment for mounting the simplified embodiment of the connection element, the counterpart is not part of the connection element itself but designed as a separate, different from the connection element element. The counterpart may be formed as a flat mating surface or as a counterpart, with a profile which is inverse to the profile of the belt.

In a preferred embodiment of the method for mounting the simplified embodiment of the connection element, the counterpart is designed as part of a specially provided pliers, in particular a parallel pliers, and has recesses for receiving the profiling of the belt, in particular the V-shaped ribs of the belt. The upper part of the connection element is pressed into the belt with the help of this counterpart part of the pliers. After the pressing process, we removed the pliers, that is also the counterpart of the belt.

In a preferred embodiment of the method of assembling the non-simplified embodiment, the method is substantially identical to the method described above, except that the counterpart is formed by the bottom of the non-simplified terminal as described above. In a preferred embodiment, the method therefore comprises the steps:

Placing the upper part of the frame of the connecting element on a first surface the belt and the lower part of the frame of the connection element on a second surface of the belt opposite the first surface. Compressing the upper part and the lower part of the frame towards each other such that the projecting from the upper part into the interior areas of the contact elements are pressed into the belt and there contact the embedded tension members. In a preferred embodiment of this method, the upper part and the lower part of the connecting element are pressed together by means of parallel pliers.

Possible features and advantages of embodiments of the invention may be considered, inter alia, and without limiting the invention, as being based on the ideas and findings described below.

The connection element described herein is intended to electrically contact a plurality of tensile carriers received in a load-bearing belt of an elevator installation, in order to be able to electrically connect the tensile carriers to an external circuit and / or to one another. In this case, the external circuit can be part of a monitoring device, for example, by means of which electrical voltages can be applied to straps that are electrically contacted by connecting elements in order to analyze their electrical properties and in particular to be able to detect changes in these electrical properties.

On the one hand to be able to produce the desired electrical contact to the Zugträgem in a simple and / or reliable manner and on the other hand, the terminal element used for this simple, inexpensive and / or robust to manufacture, it has been found advantageous that connection element on the one hand with an at least two-part Frame and on the other hand with a plurality of simple and robust to manufacture electrically conductive contact elements.

The frame is intended to have an upper part and a lower part, which can be mechanically connected, ie coupled, in a simple manner when mounting the connection element. The upper part and the lower part are intended to be configured and cooperate with each other, that in the assembled state, a belt to be contacted is received in the inner space between the upper part and the lower part. In this case, the frame formed with the upper part and the lower part, the belt preferably annular, ie from a top and an opposite bottom and from two opposite, the top and the bottom connecting flanks ago, enclose. The upper part and the lower part In the mounted state of the frame, they can be mechanically connected to one another via one or more webs provided on their lateral edges. Preferably, the upper part and the lower part can be mounted and connected to one another such that a surface of the upper part directed towards the belt is directed towards a first of the main surfaces of the belt and bears against it as flatly as possible and a surface of the lower part directed towards the belt is directed to a second of the main surfaces of the belt, which is opposite to the first main surface, and at this as possible flat or at least partially rests. The belt is thus received in the assembled state between the upper part and the lower part of the connecting element and preferably clamped.

In the simplified embodiment of the connection element eliminates this two-sided clamping of the belt between the lower part and Oberteil. The top is merely pressed onto the belt and held to the belt due to the contact elements pressed into the belt. Optionally, securing means may be provided, such as the strap at least partially engaging behind brackets or corresponding projections on the upper part.

The upper part and / or the lower part can both be preferably in one piece. The upper part and / or the lower part may consist of an electrically insulating material, in particular of plastic, or be coated at least superficially with this. For example, the upper part and / or the lower part can be produced inexpensively injection molded parts. The upper part and / or the lower part may have a width which substantially corresponds to or is greater than a width of the belt to be contacted.

The contact elements of the connection element are designed as cost-effective to produce metallic stamped and bent parts. As stamped and bent parts, the contact elements can be in one piece. Punching and bending parts can be manufactured simply and in large numbers from sheet metal by bending and stamping them into suitable shapes. The metal sheets of the stamped and bent parts may, for example, have a thickness of between 0.2 mm and 2 mm, preferably between 0.5 mm and 1 mm.

Each of the contact elements of a connection element may be received in a first region in the upper part of the frame and project with a second region away from the upper part of the frame into the interior space enclosed by the frame. The first region of the contact element may for example be cast into the upper part of the frame, glued or otherwise received and secured therein. For example, the first region of the contact element may extend into the upper part of the frame to a depth of at least 0.5 mm, preferably at least 1 mm. Over its first area, the contact element is thus mechanically fixed to the frame.

The second portion of the contact element can be pressed into the matrix material of the belt during assembly of the connection element to the belt, ie, when the belt is received in the interior of the frame of the connection element and pressed against the upper part of the frame, in order in this way the in Contacting the matrix material embedded tensile carrier can. A distance up to which the second region of the contact element projects from the surface of the upper part into the interior can be greater than or equal to a depth in which the tensile carriers typically run in the matrix material of the belt. For example, such a distance may be at least 0.3 mm, preferably at least 0.5 mm or at least 0.8 mm.

Various contact elements can be provided in one and the same connection element. A shape of the stamped and bent parts may be adapted for different types of contact elements to their respective function to be fulfilled.

For example, according to one embodiment, the contact element may have a central region and at least one piercing tip protruding into the interior from the central region for penetration into the matrix material of the belt.

The central region may be a kind of leg or web formed by a part of the stamped and bent part. The central region may be elongated and extend across the piercing tip. The central region may at least partially form that region of the contact element that is received in the upper part of the frame, in particular anchored in this. If necessary, the central region can mechanically interconnect a plurality of piercing tips of the contact element.

The piercing tip extends away from the central region of the contact element into the interior space surrounded by the frame. At its cantilevered end, the piercing tip is pointed, that is, adequately formed, so that it can be accommodated with relatively little pressure in the matrix material of a space taken up in this interior space can penetrate to the top of the frame pressed belt. A radius of curvature can be smaller than a width of the Piercingspitze.

According to one embodiment, the central region has at least one leg which extends parallel to a surface of the frame facing the interior, and two piercing tips protrude from the leg into the interior. The piercing tips are in this case spaced from one another in a longitudinal direction of the belt to be received by the connecting element and offset by a distance of between 0.1 mm and 1 mm, preferably between 0.3 mm and 0.7 mm, in a transverse direction transverse to the longitudinal direction.

In other words, the central region may extend as an elongated leg parallel to that surface of the upper part of the frame from which the piercing tip protrudes into the interior space. The limb may extend at least in regions parallel to the longitudinal direction of the belt to be received by the connection element, i. parallel to the tension members embedded in the belt. The leg can be straight or alternatively provided with one or more curvatures. Starting from the leg and transversely to this extend in this case, two Piercingspitzen out into the interior. These piercing tips are along the thigh, i. along said longitudinal direction, spaced from each other. A distance may be, for example, a few millimeters, for example between 1 mm and 20 mm, preferably between 2 mm and 10 mm. However, the two piercing tips in the longitudinal direction are not exactly one behind the other, i. aligned with each other, arranged. Instead, the two Piercingspitzen are arranged transversely to the longitudinal direction offset from each other. The spatial offset between the two piercing tips thus extends in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the tensile carriers to be contacted by the Piercingspitzen the belt.

In a preferred embodiment, the piercing tips are in a transverse to

Longitudinal transverse direction by a maximum distance, which depends on the diameter of the tension member complains. In a preferred embodiment, this maximum distance is proportional to the diameter of the tension member and is approximately 40-70% of the diameter of the tension member. In one embodiment, the Zugträgerdurchmesser is l.73mm and the maximum distance 1mm, resulting in a range for the distance between 0.1 and about 1 mm results. In another embodiment, the Zugträgerdurchmesser 2.7 mm and the maximum distance l.56mm, from which gives a range for the distance from O.lmm to about 1.56mm. Through this

Dependence will be a reliable contacting of the tension members by the

Piercingspitzen ensured regardless of the Zugträgerdurchmesser.

Tensile carriers can not be arranged exactly at intended target positions within the belt, for example due to manufacturing tolerances. Instead, tensile carriers within the belt can, for example, extend laterally offset by about 0.5 mm from such desired positions. Due to the fact that the contact element has two piercing tips that are offset relative to one another in the above-mentioned manner, a probability that the contact element contacts at least one of the piercing tips approximately centrally in the belt can be considerably increased. As a result, the reliability of an electrical contact can be improved.

According to one embodiment, the central region may have two legs running parallel to one another, wherein at least one piercing tip of each of the legs protrudes into the interior space.

In other words, the central region may have two legs, which run parallel to each other at least in some areas. In this case, each of the legs can again run parallel to a tensile carrier to be contacted by the contact element in the belt, so that the piercing tip projecting from it can contact the tension member. The two legs can be connected to one another by a region of the central region extending transversely to the legs. The entire central area can thus have a U-shape. Of each of the legs protrudes at least one piercing tip, but preferably at least two arranged in the above offset from each other positioned manner piercing tips, away from the leg into the interior or the belt recorded there. All Piercingspitzen emanating from both legs can run parallel to each other.

With the aid of the piercing tips emanating from each of the legs, two adjacent or at least two traction carriers extending at a distance from one another in the transverse direction can be contacted in the belt. Since the piercing tips are part of the same contact element, ie, since the two legs are mechanically and electrically connected to each other, the contact element can thus produce an electrical connection between the contacted tension members. A contact element configured in this way can therefore electrically connect various tension members extending separately from one another in the belt connect together and interconnect them, for example, in parallel or in series.

According to one embodiment, the contact element has a connection region for connecting an electrical line.

The connection region should be suitably designed such that an electrical line, for example in the form of a wire, can be connected to the contact element. Such an electrical line can serve to electrically connect the contact element, for example, to an external circuit. Such a circuit may be part of a monitoring circuit, for example. In principle, the connection region may be provided at different positions of the contact element and structurally structured in various ways.

For example, according to a specific embodiment, the terminal region may protrude from the central region in a direction opposite to the piercing tip.

In other words, one or more piercing tips may protrude from the central region of the contact element in one direction and protrude in an opposite direction from the connection region. While the piercing tips protrude into the interior surrounded by the frame, this does not apply to the connection area. An electrical line can be attached to the connection area. The connection region of the contact element together with the electrical line attached thereto can, like the central region of the contact element, be integrated into the upper part of the frame.

According to a special embodiment, the connection region can be provided with a cutting clamp.

The insulation displacement terminal may be formed as an integral part of the stamped and bent part forming the contact element. The cutting clamp can be formed with two sharp-edged sheet metal parts which form a narrow gap between them. In the gap, an electrical line can be pressed and then held therein. The electrical line can be, for example, a wire provided with an insulating sheath, whereby the sheath can be severed when pressed into the insulation displacement terminal and thus an electrical contact between the insulation displacement terminal and the wire can be established.

According to one embodiment, the connecting element described herein can thus additionally have an electrical line, whose one end is connected to the Connection region of one of the contact elements is connected and whose other end is led out for external contacting of the frame of the connection element.

In other words, the connection element may have an electrical lead leading to the outside, via which at least one or preferably a plurality of the contact elements provided in the connection element can be connected to an external circuit. For example, two or more electrical lines may be provided in the connection element in order to be able to electrically connect the tension members of a belt contacted by the contact elements to, for example, a monitoring circuit and / or tension belts of other belts in order to apply an electrical voltage to them and monitor this voltage to be able to.

According to one embodiment, the contact element is made of stainless steel.

In principle, the contact elements may consist of any electrically conductive materials, in particular metals, or be coated with this. However, the contact elements must meet high mechanical, electrical and / or chemical requirements. For example, the contact elements should be sufficiently strong mechanically not to deform excessively when being pressed into a belt. In addition, the contact elements should have a sufficiently low electrical resistance. Furthermore, the contact elements should as little as possible react chemically with surrounding media in order, for example, to avoid local corrosion. In particular, it was recognized that the contact elements should contact the tension members in the belt on the one hand and electrical lines leading to the outside, if necessary. The tension members are often formed with galvanized wires, whereas the electrical wires are often formed with copper wires. In the case of material combinations which are not suitably chosen, in particular if metals which are unsuitable for the contact elements are used, local elements can form at the interfaces between a contact element and a tensile carrier contacted by it or an electrical line connected thereto In that the contact elements are made of stainless steel, they can meet the various specified requirements.

According to one embodiment, the frame has latching elements in order to lock the upper part and the lower part of the frame together. In other words, suitable provisions can be made on the upper part and the lower part of the frame in order to lock them together, for example, during an assembly process. In this case, latching can be understood to mean that components of a latching element provided on the upper part and the lower part can be brought together in such a way that they interact positively with one another. The components can usually be easily locked together, in particular without a tool, but are difficult to separate, in particular only with the aid of a tool.

The upper part and the lower part can thus be displaced towards each other while components of the Verrastungselemente interlock, so that the upper part and the lower part remain firmly connected to each other via the Verrastungselemente, even after the pressure exerted on the upper part and the lower part to relocate pressure has been relaxed. The latching elements can be designed as an integral part of the frame. For example, may be formed on the upper part of a tab which cooperates when mounting the frame with a formed on the lower part hook, or vice versa.

In order to mount the connection element on a belt by means of the method presented herein as a second aspect of the invention, according to one embodiment, the upper part and the lower part can be assembled together by means of a pair of parallel collets, i. towards each other, to be pressed.

In other words, the frame of the connecting element can thereby be fastened to the belt and thereby the contact elements pressed into the belt by pressing the upper part and the lower part, after they have been positioned above or below the belt, towards each other. The upper and lower parts previously only loosely attached to the belt are each pressed towards the belt so that the interior space between them is reduced in size and the areas of the contact elements projecting into the interior, i. especially the piercing tips, can be pressed into the belt and can contact the embedded tension members there.

In order to press the upper part and the lower part together, a special tool in the form of parallel pliers can be used. Such a pair of pliers can be understood as meaning a pair of pliers whose jaws do not pivot relative to one another when the pliers are closed but are moved toward one another in parallel or substantially parallel to one another. Such parallel pliers are for provided various purposes, such as crimping tools, and are sometimes referred to as Parallelhubzangen. By means of suitable mechanisms and / or translations, parallel collets can be used to compress components with very high forces, for example in the range of several hundred Newton up to several dozen kilonewtons. The parallel pliers can preferably be operated manually. Alternatively, a conventional pliers and or other clamping or impact tool can be used for mounting instead of a parallel pliers.

In assembling the connecting element presented here, it can be achieved, inter alia, by means of the use of parallel pliers, that the upper part and the lower part of the frame of the connecting element can be pressed parallel to one another in a mutually aligned manner. This can be prevented, for example, that the upper part of the frame is pressed obliquely toward the belt and thereby the piercing tips are pressed at an oblique angle in the belt. Also a locking of Verrastungselementen on the upper and lower part of the frame can be effected uniformly.

According to one embodiment, the frame may include double latching members for biasing the top and bottom of the frame apart at a first latching position with a belt received in the interior and abutting the top and bottom in a second latched position against opposite surfaces of the interior thereof Endzuverrasten recorded belt with each other.

In other words, the latching elements already mentioned above can not be designed merely to lock the upper part and the lower part together in a final mounted position. Instead, they can be configured as double latching elements, in which the upper part and the lower part can be locked together in two different positions.

Although in the first latching position, the upper part and the lower part are already pre-locked with each other, that is mechanically at least so far connected to each other that they hold together without further external application of force. However, the upper part and the lower part are not yet shifted so far towards each other at this stage that they both fit snugly against the frame to be contacted. Instead, the belt in this pre-locked assembly stage only relatively loose in the interior of the Be included. In particular, in this assembly stage, the areas of the contact elements projecting into the interior, ie, for example, the piercing tips, are not yet or at least not significantly pressed into the belt. Accordingly, the frame of the connecting element in this pre-locked state is only loosely attached to the belt to the extent that, for example, it can not detach itself from the belt by itself. For establishing such Vorverrastung relatively small forces, for example in the range of a few Newton to a few hundred Newton, especially forces, such as can be manually generated for example by a fitter, meet.

In the second latching position, the top and bottom have then been pressed to their final mounted position, i. in a configuration in which the upper part is applied to an upper side of the strap to be contacted and the areas of the contact elements protruding into the inner space are pressed deeply into the belt and contact the tensile carriers there. The base abuts in this configuration on an opposite underside of the belt. In this endverrasteten stage thus obstruct the upper part and the lower part of the intervening received belt, the Doppelverrastungselemente can thereby possibly acting on the frame forces. To establish such a Endverrastung and thereby to be carried out pressing in e.g. The piercing tips in the straps can not usually satisfy manually applied forces. Instead, for compressing the upper part towards the lower part of the frame in the end-latched position, high forces may be necessary, in particular in the range of more than 500 N or even several kN, as can be effected for example by means of pliers, in particular parallel pliers, or other tools ,

According to one embodiment, the frame may have screwing elements for screwing the upper part and the lower part of the frame together.

The screwing can thereby screws and possibly associated mothers and / or washers or the like. In particular, the threaded fasteners may serve to mechanically interconnect the upper and lower parts of the frame in a state mounted on the belt, for example, to prevent them from disengaging over time. The screwing elements may optionally be provided in addition to latching elements. In this case, the screwing elements are screwed after the locking elements were locked in a final assembled state to additionally secure this state.

If, as in the simplified embodiment of the connecting element, the lower part is missing, the upper part can be pressed directly onto the belt with the aid of the described tools, in particular the parallel pliers described. In other words, the belt can be pressed directly into the interior space enclosed by the upper part by means of the described tools. Optionally, the tool part acting directly on the belt instead of the lower part may be specially shaped to receive the belt for the pressing operation and to position it correctly with respect to the upper part.

It should be noted that some of the possible features and advantages of the invention are described herein with reference to different embodiments of a connection element according to the invention on the one hand and a method for mounting such a connection element on a belt or a belt arrangement formed thereby on the other hand. A person skilled in the art will recognize that the features can be suitably combined, transmitted, adapted or replaced in order to arrive at further embodiments of the invention.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which neither the drawings nor the description are to be construed as limiting the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a belt assembly with two connection elements according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 (a) and (b) each show a perspective view of a top and a bottom of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 (a) and (b) each show a perspective view of contact elements of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 shows a perspective view of an arrangement of contact elements in an upper part of a measuring connection element according to an embodiment of the present invention. 5 shows a perspective view of an arrangement of contact elements in an upper part of a bridging connection element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 shows a perspective view of an arrangement of contact elements in an upper part of a measuring connection element according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 7 (a) and (b) each show a perspective view of contact elements of a terminal according to the alternative embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 6.

Fig. 8 shows a front view of one of the contact elements of Fig. 7 (a) and (b).

FIGS. 9 (a) to (c) illustrate steps of a method of mounting a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

10 (a) and (b) show examples of parallel nippers for use during a method of mounting a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

11 shows an exemplary embodiment of the simplified embodiment of the connection element in a cross-sectional view.

The figures are only schematic and not to scale. Like reference numerals designate like or equivalent features throughout the several figures

1 shows a belt arrangement 1 according to the invention for an elevator installation. The belt arrangement 1 has a load-carrying belt 5, to which a connection element 3 is attached in each case in the region of opposite ends of the belt 5.

The load carrying belt 5 includes a plurality of tension members 17 which are parallel to each other and to a longitudinal direction of extension of the belt 5 and which are spaced apart in an arrangement direction 18 with respect to each other. The tension members 17 are embedded in a polymer-type matrix material 19. The contour of the belt 5 formed by the matrix material 19 has, on a underside 57 directed downwards in the figure, a profiling 21 with longitudinally extending V-shaped ribs or grooves arranged between the ribs, whereas an opposite upper side 59 is flat , The connection elements 3 serve to electrically contact the tensile carriers 17 accommodated in the belt 5. Each connecting element 3 has a frame 7 made of plastic, which is composed of two parts of a top part 9 and a lower part 11. The upper part 9 and the lower part 11 are in each case at the top 59 and the bottom 57 of the belt 5 at. Thus, the frame 7 forms between the upper part 9 and the lower part 11 an inner space 23, through which the belt 5 extends, so that the belt 5 is enclosed by the frame 7.

On the upper part 9 electrical lines 13 are provided, which are led out of the upper part 9 coming out and which can serve to connect the respective connection element 3 electrically, for example, with an external circuit, in particular with an external Üb awakening device. In the example shown, the upper part 9 has an extension 16 on which the electrical leads 13 can be held to form a strain relief 15, for example by means of a cable tie, a strain relief clamp or a cable grommet.

2 (a) and (b) show an upper part 9 and a lower part 11 of a frame 7 of a connection element 3 in a separate view. The upper part 9 has a flat inner surface 33 on its side directed towards the belt 5, so that this inner surface 33 can lie flat against the likewise flat upper side 59 of the belt 5. The lower part 11 has on its side directed towards the belt 5 a profiled inner surface 35, which corresponds in terms of their contour of the profiling 21 of the belt 5 and thus may abut flatly on its underside 57.

From the inner surface 33 of the top 9, a plurality of piercing tips 37 protrude downwards, i. towards the frame 23 to be enclosed by the frame 7, from. These piercing tips 37 are part of contact elements 39, which are partially received in the upper part 9 and which partially protrude in the form of Piercingspitzen 37 of the upper part 9 away.

On the frame 7, two latching elements 31 are further formed on opposite lateral edges of the frame 7. Each of the latching elements 31 has a Verrastungslasche 25 which is mounted in the example shown on the upper part 9 and integrally formed therewith, and a Verrastungsgegenstück 27, which is provided on the lower part 11 of the frame 7 and formed integrally therewith. The Locking elements 31 serve to mechanically fix the upper part 9 in a latching manner with the lower part 11 in a state mounted on the belt 5. In the example shown, the latching elements 31 are designed as double latching elements 29, the function of which will be described below.

At this point and with reference to FIG. 2a), reference should again be made here to the above-mentioned, simplified embodiment of the connecting element, in which the contacting of the belt takes place only with an upper part. In order to be able to position the upper part precisely with respect to the belt, it is optionally possible for 25 protruding positioning elements to be provided instead of the illustrated locking straps. These may extend along the entire length of the top to ensure maximum lateral guidance.

Optionally, these positioning elements may be formed at the free ends in each case with a projection directed towards the interior, which engages behind the belt when the belt is completely pressed in. In the profiled belt, these projections may extend at least partially along the outermost oblique flank and thus provide additional support to the belt in the pressed-in state.

In Fig. 3 (a) and (b) different types of contact elements 39 are shown. Each of the contact elements 39 is formed as a stamped and bent part, i. was made by suitable Ausstanzen and bending of a metal sheet.

The contact elements 39 have a central region 41 in the form of a leg 49, which runs horizontally in the illustrated figure, as well as piercing tips 37 projecting away from this central region 41, which extend vertically in the illustrated figure. If necessary, the central area 41 connects several of the piercing tips 37 provided on a contact element 39 both mechanically and electrically with one another.

The contact elements 39 shown in FIG. 3 (a) furthermore have a connection region 43, which protrudes away from the central region 41 in the direction of the piercing tips 37 in the form of an insulation displacement terminal 45. The insulation displacement terminal 45 is formed with two sheet metal areas slightly spaced from one another, between which a gap 47 remains. For example, a wire of the electrical leads 13 insulated with a sheath can be pressed into the gap 46 and the sheath can be severed locally by stripping. FIG. 4 shows an arrangement of contact elements 39 in a top part 9 of a measuring connection element 3 '. Similarly, an arrangement of contact elements 39 in an upper part 9 of a bridging connection element 3 "is shown in FIG. Since only intended to illustrate how the contact elements 39 are arranged in the respective upper part 9 and thereby aligned relative to the belt 5 and the tension members 17 embedded therein, a representation of the upper part 9 has been omitted for reasons of clarity.

The measuring connection element 3 'of FIG. 4 is used in the example shown to electrically connect at least some of the tension members 17 in the belt 5 via electrical leads 13 leading to the outside, for example, to a monitoring device (not shown). For this purpose, two contact elements 39 are provided adjacent to the two lateral edges of the belt 5 in the measuring connection element 3 ', which have a connection region 43, in the cutting terminal 45, an end of one of the electrical lines 13% 13 ", 13"% 13 "" Was trapped. The piercing tips 37 of these contact elements 39 are pressed into the adjacent tension members 17. Thus, the first and second tension members 17 and the penultimate and last tension members 17 of the belt are each electrically connected to one of the conduits 13% 13 ", 13"% 13 "". Further, in the measuring connection element 3 'by means of further contact elements 39, some of the tension members 17 in the belt 5 are electrically connected in each case to adjacent tension members 17. In other words, contact elements 39 electrically connect respective odd-numbered adjacent tensile carriers 17 or even-numbered adjacent tensile carriers 17.

The bridging connection element 3 "from FIG. 5 also has contact elements 39, by means of which some of the tension members 17 in the belt 5 are electrically connected in each case to adjacent tension members 17. In this case, the arrangement of the contact elements 39 in the bridging connection element 3 "is complementary to that in the measuring connection element 3 '.

Accordingly, all the odd-numbered tension members 17 in the belt 5 can be connected to each other in series with the measuring connection element 3 'and the bridging connection element 3''and to this serial connection via two of the electrical lines 13% 13''an electrical generated by the monitoring device Voltage, in particular a first AC voltage to be applied. Furthermore, all even-numbered tension members 17 in the belt 5 can be connected to each other in series and to this series connection via two other of the electrical lines 13 ", 13""another generated by the monitoring device electrical voltage, in particular to the first AC voltage phase-shifted by 180 ° second AC voltage can be applied. By monitoring the voltages applied to the tension members 17 of the belt 5, it is then possible to deduce their electrical properties and, thereupon, mechanical properties of the belt 5.

It should be noted that the connection elements 3, 3 ', 3 "illustrated and discussed herein, and in particular the electrical contacting or interconnection of tension members 17 in the belt 5 to be achieved with them, are intended to be exemplary only. In addition to the illustrated and discussed circuits, i. For example, the above-described series connection of odd or even Zugträgem 17 a belt 5, various other options of interconnecting Zugträgem 17 within a belt 5 or also of tension members 17 of a belt 5 with Zugträgem 17 another belt 5 are possible. For example, some or all of the tension members 17 provided in one or more belts 5 may be connected to each other in series or interconnected in parallel. For this purpose, various embodiments of contact elements 39 can be provided, which can be provided in each case as stamped and bent parts with a correspondingly suitable geometry, or several contact elements 39 can be accommodated in a suitable manner relative to one another in a connection element 3.

For example, FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of an interconnection implemented by a parallel connection element 3 '"in which all eight tension members 17 are interconnected in parallel within a belt 5 with the aid of six contact elements 39 and are connected to an electrical line 13.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 6 find specially designed contact elements 39 application. Similar to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, each contact element 39 has a substantially U-shaped in plan view, i. the central region 41 comprises two legs 49, which are interconnected by a transverse web 51 running between them.

As illustrated in FIG. 7 in a perspective view and in FIG. 8 in a detail view from the front, however, the two legs 49 do not run continuously in a straight line in this case. Instead, each leg 49 has approximately at its center a curvature, in particular an S-shaped curvature, so that a first rectilinear Leg member 53 and a second rectilinear leg portion 55 while parallel but offset from each other arranged lines.

The entire leg 49 is received in the upper part 9 of the frame 7 in such a way that it extends in a plane parallel to the inner surface 33 of the upper part 9 facing the inner space 23. In each case, a piercing tip 37 projects transversely downwards from each of the leg parts 53, 55, that is to say into the interior 23, from. Due to the parallel offset of the leg portions 53, 55 relative to each other, the two longitudinally spaced and spaced apart piercing tips 37 on a leg 49 in a longitudinal direction are in a transverse direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, i. parallel to the arrangement direction 18, offset by an offset S to each other. The offset S may be of a similar order of magnitude as, for example, production-related positioning tolerances of the tension members 17 within the belt 5. Typically, such positioning tolerances may be in the range of 0.3 mm to 0.7 mm.

Because of the mutually offset piercing tips 37 on one and the same leg 49 of a contact element 39, it can be ensured that at least one of these piercing tips 37 mechanically and electrically contacts an associated tension member 17 of the belt 5 in the assembled state of the connection element 3.

Referring now to Figs. 9 (a) to (c), details regarding a method of assembling a terminal 3 to a belt 5 according to the present invention will be described.

As shown in Fig. 9 (a), first, the lower part 11 of the frame 7 is applied to a downwardly facing surface 57 of the belt 5 in the figure. The lower part 11 in this case has, on its surface directed toward the belt 5, a contour which is substantially complementary to the profiling 21 of the belt 5. The downwardly directed surface 57 of the belt 5 can thus rest against the upwardly directed surface of the lower part 11 to a large extent.

In the enlarged partial view of FIG. 9 (a), the Verrastungsgegenstück 27 of the Doppelverrastungselements 29 is shown. In a Vertieiung 65 at the lateral edge of the lower part 11 while two pins 61, 63 are formed at different distances to an upwardly directed surface 67 of the lower part 11 in this edge region. Subsequently, as shown in Fig. 9 (b), the upper part 9 is applied to a surface 59 of the belt 5 facing upward in the figure. A directed towards the belt 5 surface of the upper part 9 is just like the opposite surface 59 of the belt 5 level, so that the upper part 9 can lie substantially flat against the belt 5.

However, protrude from the upper part 9 areas of the received therein contact elements 39, that is in particular their Piercingspitzen 37, in the direction of the upward surface 59 of the belt 5. In this preassembled state, therefore, are initially only the tips of these projecting portions of the contact elements 39 at the Surface 59 of the belt 5, whereas the surface of the upper part 9 is still spaced from the surface 59 of the belt 5 remains.

In order to at least temporarily fix the frame 7 in this preassembled state on the belt 5, a respective latching lug 25 directed towards the lower part 11 is provided at the lateral edges of the upper part 9 (see enlarged partial view from FIG. 9 (b)). This Verrastungslasche 25 engages with a lateral Abragung 69 the projecting laterally on the lower part 11 first pin 61, so that the upper part 9 by means of the Doppelverrastungselements 29 in a first latching position, i. in a pre-locked state, is held on the lower part 11.

It should be pointed out that, in principle, first the upper part 9 can be arranged on the belt 5 and then only the lower part 11 can be arranged on an opposite side of the belt 5 and optionally pre-locked with the upper part 9.

After the upper part 9 and the lower part 11 have been arranged in the preassembled state on opposite sides of the belt 5, the upper part 9 and the lower part 11 are then pressed to each other with a considerable force in the range of a few hundred Newtons to several kilonewtons. This is illustrated in Fig. 9 (c) by means of the arrows 71 illustrating the compressive force.

Due to this exertion of force projecting from the upper part 9 piercing tips 37 of the contact elements 39 in the matrix material 19 of the belt 5 and ultimately each pressed into one of the tension members 17 in the belt 5.

Simultaneously with the pressing of the Piercingspitzen 37 in the belt 5, the Verrastungslasche 25 of the upper part 9 is pushed further down to the lower part 11 until they projecting with their Abragung 69 on the lower part 11 laterally second pin 63 engages behind. After compression, the upper part 9 is thus finally mounted by means of the double locking elements 29 in a second latching position, that is to say in an end-latched state, held on the lower part 11.

To additionally secure the upper part 9 and the lower part 11 to one another, one or more screwing elements 83 (shown only schematically in FIG. 9 (c)) can additionally be provided on the frame 7. The screwing 83 may be formed as screws, optionally supplemented by washers or shims, which for example pass through through holes 85 in the upper part 9 and / or the lower part 11 and screw them together.

In order to be able to keep the upper part 9 and the lower part 11 of the frame 7 as parallel as possible to one another during the mentioned compression, the compression can be carried out by means of parallel pliers 73, 75, as shown by way of example in FIGS. 10 (a) and (b ) are shown. Such parallel pliers 73, 75 can be actuated by manually displacing levers 77, whereupon a jaw mechanism 79 presses two pressing surfaces 81 extending parallel to one another parallel to one another and towards each other.

11 shows an embodiment of a simplified embodiment of the connection element with an upper part 9 in cross section. A lower part is missing in this embodiment. The upper part 9 has in this embodiment securing means in the form of a partially behind-cross-brace. This fixes the belt 5 on the upper part 9.

Finally, it should be noted that terms such as "comprising," "comprising," etc., do not exclude other elements or steps, and terms such as "a" or "an" do not exclude a multitude. It should also be appreciated that features or steps described with reference to any of the above embodiments may also be used in combination with other features or steps of other embodiments described above. Reference signs in the claims are not to be considered as limiting.

Claims

claims

1. Connection element (3) for electrically contacting Zugträgem (17), which in a load-carrying belt (5) for an elevator system in a

Embedded matrix material (19), wherein the connection element (3) comprises:

a frame (7) with a top (9), and

a plurality of electrically conductive contact elements (39),

the frame (7) being adapted in shape to receive the belt (5) in an interior space (10) bounded by the frame (7) on at least two opposite sides;

wherein the contact elements (39) are formed as metallic stamped bent parts, and wherein the contact elements (39) are partially received in the upper part (9) of the frame (7) and partially from the upper part (9) of the frame (7) starting in the interior (10) protrude.

2. Connection element according to claim 1, wherein the contact element (39) has a central region (41) and at least one of the central region (41) away, in the interior (23) projecting piercing tip (37) for penetrating into the matrix material (19) of the belt (5).

3. Connecting element according to claim 2, wherein the central region (41) at least one leg (49) which extends parallel to a to the interior (23) facing surface (33) of the frame (5), and wherein of the leg ( 49) of two piercing tips (37) protrude into the interior space (23), wherein the piercing tips (37) are spaced apart in a longitudinal direction of the belt (5) to be received by the connecting element and in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction

Transverse direction by between 0.1 mm and 40-70% of the diameter of

contacting tensile carrier are arranged offset from each other.

4. Connection element according to one of claims 2 and 3, wherein the central region (41) has two mutually parallel legs (49), and wherein from each of the legs (49) at least one piercing tip (37) in the interior (23) protrudes.

5. Connection element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact element (39) has a connection region (43) for connecting an electrical line (13).

The terminal of claim 5, wherein the terminal portion (43) projects from the central portion (41) in a direction opposite to the piercing tip (37).

7. Connecting element according to one of claims 5 and 6, wherein the

Connection area (43) with a cutting clamp (45) is provided.

8. Connection element according to one of claims 5 to 7, further comprising an electrical line (13) having one end connected to the connection region (43) of one of the contact elements (39) and the other end for external contact from the frame (7). of the connection element (3) is led out.

9. Connecting element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact element (39) consists of stainless steel.

10. Connecting element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame (7) is formed at least in two parts and next to the upper part (9) comprises a lower part (11) and wherein the frame (7) Verrastungselemente (31) to the upper part (9 ) and the lower part (11) of the frame (7) to lock together.

11. Connecting element according to claim 10, wherein the frame (7).

Double latching elements (29) in order to pre-latch the upper part (9) and the lower part (11) of the frame (5) in a first latching position spaced apart from a belt (5) received in the inner space (23) and around the upper part (9) and the lower part (11) in a second latching position adjacent to opposite

Surfaces (57, 59) of the belt (5) received in the inner space (23) engage one another end-to-end.

12. Connecting element according to one of claims 10 or 11, wherein the frame (5) has screwing elements (83) for screwing the upper part (9) and the lower part (11) of the frame (5) together.

13. A belt arrangement (1) for an elevator installation, comprising:

a load carrying belt (5) having a plurality of electrically conductive tensile members (17) embedded in an electrically insulating matrix material (19) and spaced from each other in an arrangement direction (18), and a terminal member (3) according to any one of Claims 1 to 12,

the belt (5) being arranged in the interior space (23) of the frame (7) of the connection element (3) and areas of contact elements (39) of the connection element (3) projecting into the interior space (23) each one of the tension members (17) of the connection element (3) Contact belt (5).

A method of assembling a terminal (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 12 to a load bearing belt (5) for an elevator installation, the method comprising:

Arranging at least the upper part (9) of the frame (5) of the connecting element (3) on a first surface (59) of the belt (5),

Placing a counterpart to the upper part (9) of the connecting element (3) on a second surface (57) of the belt (5) opposite the first surface (59); Pressing the upper part (9) and the counterpart towards one another such that the areas of the contact elements (39) projecting from the upper part (9) into the inner space (23) are pressed into the belt (5) and there the embedded tension members (17) to contact.

A method of assembling a terminal element (3) to a load bearing belt (5) for an elevator installation according to claim 14, wherein the counterpart is the lower part (11) of the connection element according to any one of claims 10 to 12, the method comprising:

Arranging the upper part (9) of the frame (5) of the connecting element (3) on a first surface (59) of the belt (5) and the lower part (11) of the frame (7) of the

Connection element (3) on one of the first surface (59) opposite the second surface (57) of the belt (5);

Compressing the upper part (9) and the lower part (11) of the frame (7) towards each other such that the areas of the contact elements (39) projecting from the upper part (9) into the inner space (23) are pressed into the belt (5) and contact the embedded tension members (17).

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the counterpart is a part of a specially designed pliers, in particular a parallel pliers, and the upper part (9) by means of this working as a counterpart part of the pliers in the belt (5) is pressed.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the upper part (9) and the lower part (1 l) of the connecting element by means of a pair of pliers, in particular a parallel pliers (73, 75), are pressed together.