EP4630358A1

EP4630358A1 - A rope guiding unit for an elevator system

Info

Publication number: EP4630358A1
Application number: EP23817765.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: André WEIBEL; Fabian Wespi
Original assignee: Inventio AG
Current assignee: Inventio AG
Priority date: 2022-12-07
Filing date: 2023-12-05
Publication date: 2025-10-15
Also published as: AU2023388660A1; CN120303208A; WO2024121122A1

Abstract

The rope guiding unit (116) for an elevator compensation assembly (108) is disclosed. The rope guiding unit (116) includes a guiding member (302) adapted to guide compensation ropes (114). Further, the rope guiding unit (116) includes at least one supporting bracket (304) movably coupled to the guiding member (302). The guiding member (302) is adapted to move in a horizontal direction with respect to the at least one supporting bracket (304), varying a horizontal position of the guiding member (302) with respect to the elevator compensation assembly (108). Further, the rope guiding unit (116) includes at least one clamping bracket (306) movably coupled to the at least one supporting bracket (304) and adapted to be clamped to at least one stationary component (202) of an elevator system (100). The at least one clamping bracket (306) is adapted to move in a vertical direction with respect to the at least one stationary component (202) of the elevator system (100), varying a vertical position of the guiding member (302) with respect to the elevator compensation assembly (108).

Description

A ROPE GUIDING UNIT FOR AN ELEVATOR SYSTEM

The present invention relates to elevators and more particularly, to a rope guiding unit for an elevator compensation unit of an elevator.

Nowadays, elevators are an essential part of multi-story buildings, such as commercial buildings and residential buildings. Generally, elevator systems, such as traction-based systems, include an elevator car and a counterweight connected to each other via traction ropes. A drive machine is usually deployed in such an elevator system to move the tractions ropes and thereby, move the elevator car and the counterweight within an elevator shaft of the building. In such a traction-based system, it is essential to maintain desirable tension in the traction ropes to achieve smooth movement of the elevator car and the counterweight and thereby, to attain optimal operability of the elevator system.

Currently, the elevator system includes a compensation mechanism for maintaining desirable tension in the traction ropes. Such compensation mechanism usually includes compensation ropes suspending from beneath the elevator car and the counterweight. Further, the compensation mechanism ties down the compensation ropes, suspending from the elevator car and the counterweight, near a bottom portion of the elevator shaft. Such a compensation mechanism maintains desirable tension on the traction ropes by using the compensation ropes.

However, there are instances when the compensation mechanism might not be enough to maintain the optimal operability of the traction-based elevator system in high- rise buildings. For instance, in the high-rise buildings, the traction ropes and the compensation ropes are susceptible to sway laterally at high amplitudes due to factors, such as building sway. This might result in tangling of the ropes and misalignment of the ropes with respect to sheaves and/or the compensation mechanism. Such tangling and misalignment of the ropes might hamper the overall operation of the elevator system and might also damage sub-components, such as the compensation mechanism, of the elevator system.

In order to overcome the aforesaid problem, rope guards/guides are deployed in the elevator system to maintain suitable alignment of the ropes with respect to the compensation mechanism. In particular, the rope guards/guides are provided to guide the compensation ropes to the compensation mechanism by eliminating the effects of building sway on such ropes and thereby, maintaining the operability of the compensation mechanism.

However, such rope guards/guides are permanently fixed to a specific position with respect to the compensation mechanism and therefore, cannot be adjusted with ease based on the effects of factors, such as building sway, on the compensation ropes. Currently, such rope guards are either permanently fixed above the compensation mechanism in the elevator system or deployed permanently within the compensation mechanism. This substantially increases the overall complexity of the elevator system and reduces flexibility for service personnel to adjust the position of the rope guard based on the misalignment of the compensation ropes with respect to the compensation mechanism. Further, owing to the fixed position of the rope guides, such rope guides are susceptible to wear/tear during lateral movement of the compensation ropes resulting from the building sway, thereby reducing the overall service life of the ropes guides.

EP3892581A1 describes an elevator compensation assembly which includes at least one compensation sheave having an outer surface configured to engage a plurality of compensation rope members. A guard has an inner surface situated adjacent the outer surface of the compensation sheave. A plurality of dividers that extend away from at least one of the outer surface of the compensation sheave or the inner surface of the guard. The dividers establish a space between adjacent ones of the dividers for accommodating a compensation rope member. As mentioned, the guard is situated adjacent to the outer surface of the compensation sheave of the elevator compensation assembly and therefore, cannot be adjusted with respect to such compensation sheave. Such a guard fails to overcome the abovementioned shortcomings of the existing rope guards/guides.

Therefore, there is a need for a rope guiding unit which can be deployed separately from the elevator compensation assembly and can also be adjusted with respect to such elevator compensation assembly to eliminate the abovementioned associated shortcomings.

It is in particular the object of the invention to submit a rope guiding unit for an elevator compensation assembly of an elevator system. The rope guiding unit is adapted to be adjusted in a vertical direction or a horizontal direction with respect to the compensation assembly to compensate crossing of ropes or excessive rope movement during the operation of the elevator system or due to factors, such as building sway. According to the invention, this object is solved by the rope guiding unit having the features of claim 1 and an elevator system having the features of claim 15.

The rope guiding unit for an elevator compensation assembly is disclosed in the present invention. The rope guiding unit includes a guiding member adapted to guide compensation ropes. Further, the rope guiding unit includes at least one supporting bracket movably coupled to the guiding member. The guiding member is adapted to move in a horizontal direction with respect to the at least one supporting bracket, varying a horizontal position of the guiding member with respect to the elevator compensation assembly. Further, the rope guiding unit includes at least one clamping bracket movably coupled to the at least one supporting bracket and adapted to be clamped to at least one stationary component of an elevator system. The at least one clamping bracket is adapted to move in a vertical direction with respect to the at least one stationary component of the elevator system, varying a vertical position of the guiding member with respect to the elevator compensation assembly.

As mentioned, the guiding member may be adjusted either in the horizontal direction or the vertical direction with respect to the elevator compensation assembly. The horizontal position of the guiding member may be adjusted by moving the guiding member with respect to the at least one supporting bracket. Further, the vertical position of the guiding member may be adjusted by moving the at least one clamping bracket with respect to the at least one stationary component of the elevator system. This substantially reduces overall complexity while maintaining the alignment of the compensation ropes with respect to the elevator compensation assembly. Also, wear/tear of the guiding member due to misalignment of the compensation ropes may be eliminated by moving the position of the guiding member in either the horizontal direction or the vertical direction and thereby, increasing the overall service life of the guiding member.

In an embodiment, the guiding member includes a first end and a second end distal to the first end. Each of the first end and the second end is adapted to be coupled to the at least one supporting bracket. In an embodiment, the at least one supporting bracket includes a first supporting bracket movably fastened to the first end of the guiding member, and a second supporting bracket movably fastened to the second end of the guiding member. This allows relative movement between the guiding member and each of the first supporting bracket and the second supporting bracket. Therefore, the vertical position of the guiding member may be adjusted with respect to the elevator compensation assembly.

In one or more embodiments, the at least one supporting bracket includes a first mounting wall adapted to be fastened to the at least one clamping bracket. Further, the at least one supporting bracket includes a pair of second mounting walls extending from the first mounting wall and oriented in parallel to each other. Each of the pair of second mounting walls is adapted to be movably fastened to one of the first end and the second end of the guiding member. The at least one clamping bracket is adapted to move in a horizontal direction with respect to the first mounting wall. Further, the guiding member is adapted to move in the horizontal direction with respect to the pair of second mounting walls, varying the horizontal position of the guiding member with respect to the elevator compensation assembly.

In an embodiment, the first mounting wall includes a first set of elongated slots adapted to receive a fastening member to couple the at least one clamping bracket with the first mounting wall.

In an embodiment, the at least one clamping bracket is adapted to move in the horizontal direction with respect to the first mounting wall to align the fastening member to one of a plurality of positions along a length of each of the first set of elongated slots, varying a horizontal position of the at least one clamping bracket with respect to the first mounting wall.

In an embodiment, each of the pair of second mounting walls includes a second set of elongated slots adapted to receive a fastening member to couple the guiding member with one of the pair of second mounting walls. In an embodiment, a gap is defined between the pair of second mounting walls and is adapted to receive one of the first end and the second end of the guiding member.

In an embodiment, the at least one clamping bracket includes a mounting plate adapted to be coupled to the first mounting wall of the at least one supporting bracket. Further, a plurality of clamping rings is attached to the mounting plate and adapted to be coupled to the at least one stationary component of the elevator system. The plurality of clamping rings is vertically spaced apart from each other.

In an embodiment, each of the plurality of clamping rings includes a first semi-ring and a second semi-ring adapted to be coupled to the first semi-ring.

In an embodiment, the first semi-ring is attached to the mounting plate and adapted to be fastened to the second semi-ring via fasteners.

In an embodiment, the first semi-ring and the second semi-ring are adapted to be radially moved with respect to each other via fasteners to vary a diameter of one of the plurality of clamping rings.

In an embodiment, the plurality of clamping rings is adapted to be vertically moved with respect to the at least one stationary component of the elevator system by varying the diameter of each of the plurality of clamping rings. Owing to the variable diameter of the plurality of clamping rings, the guiding member can be clamped on different stationary components with varying diameters. This increases overall flexibility associated with the positioning of the guiding member in the elevator system.

In one or more embodiments, the at least one stationary component is embodied as one of one or more stationary components of a buffer unit of the elevator system, one or more shaft walls, and vertical structural elements of the elevator system.

The object mentioned above is solved by an elevator system including at least one rope guiding unit. The elevator system includes at least one counterweight and at least one elevator car coupled to the at least one counterweight via traction ropes. The at least one elevator car is adapted to move within the elevator shaft. Further, the elevator system includes an elevator compensation assembly positioned below the at least one counterweight and the at least one elevator car. The elevator compensation assembly is adapted to receive compensation ropes suspended beneath the at least one counterweight and the at least one elevator car. The elevator system includes a drive machine to move, via the traction ropes, the at least one counterweight and the at least one elevator car within the elevator shaft. Further, the elevator system includes a rope guiding unit disposed vertically above the elevator compensation assembly and guides the compensation ropes towards the elevator compensation assembly. The rope guiding unit is adapted to vertically guide compensation ropes to the elevator compensation assembly according to any of the claims 1 to 15.

Additional advantages, features, and details of the invention result using the following description of exemplary embodiments and using drawings in which the same or functionally identical elements are provided having identical reference signs.

To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of an elevator system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 2 illustrates a partial perspective view of the elevator system depicting rope guiding units and an elevator compensation assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figures 3a and 3b illustrate partial perspective views of the elevator system depicting one of the rope guiding units and the elevator compensation assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 4 illustrates an isometric view of one of the rope guiding units of the elevator system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

Figure 5 illustrates a partial isometric view of one of the rope guiding units of the elevator system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow charts illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help to improve understanding of aspects of the present invention. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

Any particular and all details set forth herein are used in the context of some embodiments and therefore should NOT be necessarily taken as limiting factors to the attached claims. The attached claims and their legal equivalents can be realized in the context of embodiments other than the ones used as illustrative examples in the description below.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of an elevator system 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The elevator system 100 may include, but is not limited to, at least one elevator car 102, at least one counterweight 104, a drive machine 106, and an elevator compensation assembly 108. The elevator car 102 may be adapted to be moved within an elevator shaft (not shown) between a plurality of floors of a building. In an embodiment, the counterweight 104 may be adapted to counterbalance a sum of a load of the elevator car 102 and a predetermined load associated with a payload capacity of the elevator car 102.

The counterweight 104 may include, but is not limited to, a counterweight frame (not shown) adapted to support at least one weight which acts as a counterweight. The counterweight 104 may be movably coupled to the elevator car 102 via a plurality of traction members. In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of traction members may include, but is not limited to, traction ropes 110 and a plurality of traction sheaves 112a, 112b.

The elevator car 102 and the counterweight 104 may be coupled to each other via the traction ropes 110. In an embodiment, the traction ropes 110 may be embodied as one of round ropes and flat belts, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The traction ropes 110 may be movably engaged with the plurality of traction sheaves 112a, 112b. The plurality of traction sheaves 112a, 112b may movably support and guide the traction ropes 110. Further, the drive machine 106 may be adapted to move the traction ropes 110 to control the movement and position of the elevator car 102 and the counterweight 104 within the elevator shaft.

Further, the elevator compensation assembly 108 may be positioned below the counterweight 104 and the elevator car 102. The elevator compensation assembly 108 may be adapted to facilitate maintaining adequate tension on the traction ropes 110 to achieve a desired traction under different system conditions of the elevator system 100. The elevator compensation assembly 108 may be adapted to receive compensation ropes 114 suspended beneath the counterweight 104 and the elevator car 102. In an embodiment, the compensation ropes 114 may be embodied as one of round ropes, belts, and chains, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

In an embodiment, the elevator compensation assembly 108 may include a plurality of compensating sheaves (not shown) adapted to guide the compensation ropes 114 suspended from the elevator car 102 and the counterweight 104. In an exemplary embodiment, one of the plurality of compensating sheaves may receive and guide the compensation ropes 114 suspended from the elevator car 102. In such an embodiment, at least one of the plurality of compensating sheaves may receive and guide the compensation ropes 114 suspended from the counterweight 104. Further, the elevator compensation assembly 108 may be provided with a mechanism, as known in the art, to tie down the compensation ropes 114 received from the elevator car 102 and the counterweight 104.

In an embodiment, the elevator system 100 may include at least one rope guiding unit 116 disposed vertically above the elevator compensation assembly 108. The at least one rope guiding unit 116 may be provided to ensure that the compensation ropes 114 remain in the desired alignment while entering in the elevator compensation assembly 108. The at least one rope guiding unit 116 may be adapted to be moved in a vertical direction or a horizontal direction, with respect to the elevator compensation assembly 108, to adjust the alignment of the compensation ropes 114 or to compensate for excessive movement of ropes due to factors, such as building sway.

For instance, if the compensation ropes 114 tangles or sway laterally at high amplitude, in high rise buildings, then a position of the at least one rope guiding unit 116 may be adjusted with respect to the elevator compensation assembly 108 to ensure that the compensation ropes 114 enter at desired alignment in the elevator compensation assembly 108. The at least one rope guiding unit 116 may guide the compensation ropes 114 towards the elevator compensation assembly 108. The at least one rope guiding unit 116 may be adapted to vertically guide the compensation ropes 114 to the elevator compensation assembly 108. Figure 2 illustrates a partial perspective view of the elevator system 100 depicting rope guiding units 116 and the elevator compensation assembly 108, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figures 3a and 3b illustrate partial perspective views of the elevator system 100 depicting one of the rope guiding units 116 and the elevator compensation assembly 108, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figures l-3b, in the illustrated embodiment, the elevator system 100 may include a first rope guiding unit 116a and a second rope guiding unit 116b. The first rope guiding unit 116a may be adapted to guide the compensation ropes 114, towards the elevator compensation assembly 108, from the elevator car 102. Similarly, the second rope guiding unit 116b may be adapted to guide the compensation ropes 114, towards the elevator compensation assembly 108, from the counterweight 104.

It should be understood that the constructional and operational details of the first rope guiding unit 116a and the second rope guiding unit 116b are similar to each other. Therefore, for sake of brevity, the constructional and operational details of the rope guiding units 116 are explained with respect to only the first rope guiding unit 116a. From hereinafter, the first guiding unit 116a may interchangeably be referred to as the rope guiding unit 116a, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Constructional and operational details of the rope guiding unit 116a are explained in detail in the subsequent sections of the present disclosure.

As would be gathered from the illustrated embodiments of the present disclosure, the elevator system 100 is shown to include the counterweight 104. However, as would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, the rope guiding units 116a, 116b of the present disclosure are equally applicable for elevator units without the counterweight assembly 106, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure cannot be limited to the elevator systems having the counterweight assembly 104.

Figure 4 illustrates an isometric view of the rope guiding unit 116a of the elevator system 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 5 illustrates a partial isometric view of the rope guiding unit 116a of the elevator system 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figures 3a-3b, 4, and 5, the rope guiding unit 116a may include, but is not limited to, a guiding member 302, at least one supporting bracket 304, and at least one clamping bracket 306. The guiding member 302 may be adapted to guide the compensation ropes 114 towards the elevator compensation assembly 108. The guiding member 302 may include, but is not limited to, a first end 402a and a second end 402b distal to the first end 402a. Each of the first end 402a and the second end 402b may be adapted to be coupled to the at least one supporting bracket 304.

Further, the guiding member 302 may include a plurality of cavities 308 adapted to receive the compensation ropes 114 therein. The plurality of cavities 308 may be equally spaced apart from each other and distributed between the first end 402a and the second end 402b of the guiding member 302. Each of the plurality of cavities 308 may extend from a top portion 404 of the guiding member 302 to a bottom portion 406 of the guiding member 302. Each of the plurality of cavities 308 may receive one of the compensation ropes 114 from the top portion 404 of the guiding member 302, and may allow such compensation rope 114 to exit from the bottom portion 406 of the guiding member 302.

The at least one supporting bracket 304 may be movably coupled to the guiding member 302. The guiding member 302 may be adapted to move in a horizontal direction with respect to the at least one supporting bracket 302, varying a horizontal position of the guiding member 302 with respect to the elevator compensation assembly 108. In the illustrated embodiment, the at least one supporting bracket 304 may include, but is not limited to, a first supporting bracket 304a and a second supporting bracket 304b. Constructional and operational details of the first supporting bracket 304a and the second supporting bracket 304b are similar to each other, and are explained in the subsequent sections of the present disclosure.

The first supporting bracket 304a may be movably fastened to the first end 402a of the guiding member 302. Similarly, the second supporting bracket 304b may be movably fastened to the second end 402b of the guiding member 302. Referring to Figures 4 and 5, each of the first supporting bracket 304a and the second supporting bracket 304b may include, but is not limited to, a first mounting wall 408 and a pair of second mounting walls 410a, 410b. The first mounting wall 408 may be adapted to be fastened to the at least one clamping bracket 306. The first mounting wall 408 may include, but is not limited to, a first set of elongated slots 412 adapted to receive a fastening member 414 to couple the at least one clamping bracket 306 with the first mounting wall 408. Constructional and operational details of the at least one clamping bracket 306 are explained later in the subsequent sections of the present disclosure.

The pair of second mounting walls 410a, 410b may extend from the first mounting wall 408 and oriented in parallel to each other. Referring to Figure 5, a gap ‘G’ may be defined between the pair of second mounting walls 410a, 410b. The gap ‘G’ may be adapted to receive one of the first end 402a and the second end 402b of the guiding member 302. In the illustrated embodiment, the gap ‘G’ defined between the pair of second mounting walls 410a, 410b of the first supporting bracket 304a may receive the first end 402a and similarly, the gap ‘G’ defined between the pair of second supporting mounting walls 410a, 410b of the second supporting bracket 304b may receive the second end 402b of the guiding member 302.

Further, the pair of second mounting walls 410a, 410b may be adapted to be movably fastened to one of the first end 402a and the second end 402b of the guiding member 302. In the illustrated embodiment, the second mounting walls 410a, 410b of the first supporting bracket 304a may be movably fastened to the first end 402a and similarly, the second mounting walls 410a, 410b of the second supporting bracket 304b may be movably fastened to the second end 402b of the guiding member 302. Each of the pair of second mounting walls 410a, 410b may include a second set of elongated slots 416 adapted to receive a fastening member 418 to couple the guiding member 302 with one of the pair of second mounting walls 410a, 410b.

The guiding member 302 may be adapted to move in the horizontal direction with respect to the pair of second mounting walls 410a, 410b, varying the horizontal position of the guiding member 302 with respect to the elevator compensation assembly 108. In the illustrated embodiment, the guiding member 302 may be adapted to be moved in the horizontal direction with respect to the second mounting walls 410a, 410b of the first supporting bracket 304a and the second supporting bracket 304b. In particular, the guiding member 302 may be moved to align the fastening member 418 to one of a plurality of positions along a length of each of the second set of elongated slots 416 of the second mounting walls 410a, 410b. Subsequently, the fastening member 418 may be tightened to one of the plurality of positions and thereby, securing the guiding member 302 to a desired horizontal position with respect to the elevator compensation assembly 108. Therefore, this allows the position of the guiding member 302 to be varied in the horizontal direction with respect to the elevator compensation assembly 108.

As mentioned earlier, the at least one clamping bracket 306 may be movably fastened to the supporting brackets 304, such as the first supporting bracket 304a and the second supporting bracket 304b. In the illustrated embodiment, the at least one clamping bracket 306 may include, but is not limited to, a first clamping bracket 306a and the second clamping bracket 306b. The first clamping bracket 306a may be movably fastened to the first mounting wall 408 of the first supporting bracket 304a. Similarly, the second clamping bracket 306b may be movably fastened to the first mounting wall 408 of the second supporting bracket 304b. Constructional and operational details of the first clamping bracket 306a and the second clamping bracket 306b are similar to each other and explained in the subsequent sections of the present disclosure.

Each of the first clamping bracket 306a and the second clamping bracket 306b may include, but is not limited to, a mounting plate 420 and a plurality of clamping rings 422. The mounting plate 420 may be adapted to be coupled to the first mounting wall 408 of the at least one supporting bracket, such as 304a and 304b. In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting plate 420 of the first clamping bracket 306a may be coupled to the first mounting wall 408 of the first supporting bracket 304a. Similarly, the mounting plate 420 of the second clamping bracket 306b may be coupled to the first mounting wall 408 of the second supporting bracket 304b.

The first clamping bracket 306a and the second clamping bracket 306b may be adapted to move in a horizontal direction with respect to the first mounting wall 408 of the first supporting bracket 304a and the second supporting bracket 304b, respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, the first clamping bracket 306a may be moved in the horizontal direction with respect to the first mounting wall 408 of the first supporting bracket 304a to align the fastening member 414 to one of a plurality of positions along a length of each of the first set of elongated slots 412 Subsequently, the fastening member 414 may be tightened to one of the plurality of positions and thereby, securing the first clamping bracket 306a to a desired horizonal position with respect to the mounting wall 408 of the first supporting bracket 304a. Therefore, this allows the position of the first clamping member 306a to be varied in the horizontal direction with respect to the first mounting wall 408 of the first supporting bracket 304a.

Similarly, the second clamping bracket 306b may be moved in the horizontal direction with respect to the first mounting wall 408 of the second supporting bracket 304b to align the fastening member 414 to one of a plurality of positions along a length of each of the first set of elongated slots 412. Subsequently, the fastening member 414 may be tightened to one of the plurality of positions and thereby, securing the second clamping bracket 306b to a desired horizonal position with respect to the mounting wall 408 of the second supporting bracket 304b. Therefore, this allows the position of the second clamping member 306b to be varied in the horizontal direction with respect to the first mounting wall 408 of the second supporting bracket 304b.

Further, the at least one clamping bracket 306, such as 306a, 306b, may be adapted to be clamped to at least one stationary component 202 (as shown in Figure 2) of the elevator system 100. In the illustrated embodiments, the at least one stationary component 202 may be embodied as stationary components of a buffer unit of the elevator system 100. Although, it should not be construed as limiting and in various embodiments, the at least one stationary component may be embodied as one of one or more stationary components of a buffer unit of the elevator system 100, one or more shaft walls, and vertical structural elements of the elevator system 100.

The at least one clamping bracket 306 may be adapted to move in a vertical direction with respect to the at least one stationary component 202 of the elevator system 100, varying a vertical position of the guiding member 302 with respect to the elevator compensation assembly 108. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the first clamping bracket 306a and the second clamping bracket 306b may be movably clamped to the at least one stationary component 202, such as components of the buffer system, of the elevator system 100. As mentioned earlier, clamping brackets, such as 306a, 306b, may include the plurality of clamping rings 422. The plurality of clamping rings 422 may be attached to the mounting plate 420 and adapted to be coupled to the at least one stationary component 202 of the elevator system 100. The plurality of clamping rings 422 may be vertically spaced apart from each other. In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of clamping rings 422 may be embodied as a first set of clamping rings 422a and a second set of clamping rings 422b. The first set of clamping rings 422a may be attached to the mounting plate 420 of the first clamping bracket 306a and adapted to be coupled to the at least one stationary component 202. Similarly, the second set of clamping rings 422b may be attached to the mounting plate 420 of the second clamping bracket 306b and adapted to be coupled to the at least one stationary component 202.

In one example, the first set of clamping rings 422a and the second set of clamping rings 422b may be fixedly attached to the mounting plate 420 of the first clamping bracket 306a and the second clamping bracket 306b, respectively. In another example, the first set of clamping rings 422a and the second set of clamping rings 422b may be removably attached to the mounting plate 420 of the first clamping bracket 306a and the second clamping bracket 306b, respectively.

Each of the plurality of clamping rings 422, such as 422a, 422b may include, but is not limited to, a first semi-ring 424 and a second semi-ring 426 adapted to be coupled to the first semi-ring 424. In the illustrated embodiment, the first semi-ring 424 may be attached to the mounting plate 420 and adapted to be fastened to the second semi-ring 426 via fasteners 428. The first semi-ring 424 and the second semi-ring 426 may be adapted to be radially moved with respect to each other via the fasteners 428 to vary a diameter of one of the plurality of clamping rings 422. The plurality of clamping rings 422 may be adapted to be vertically moved with respect to the at least one stationary component 202 of the elevator system 100 by varying the diameter of each of the plurality of clamping rings 422.

As would be gathered, the present invention offers the rope guiding unit 116 for the elevator compensation assembly 108 of the elevator system 100. The rope guiding unit 116 may be deployed separately from the elevator compensation assembly. Further, as explained earlier, the vertical position and the horizontal position of the rope guiding unit may be adjustable with respect to the elevator compensation assembly. The vertical position of the guiding member may be adjusted by moving the plurality of clamping rings 422 with respect to the stationary component 202 on which such clamping rings are mounted. Further, the horizontal position of the guiding member may be adjusted by moving the guiding member with respect to supporting brackets, such as 304a, 304b. This reduces the overall complexity associated with servicing process to maintain the alignment of the compensation ropes with respect to the elevator compensation assembly. Further, wear/tear of the guiding member can be eliminated by adjusting the position of the guiding member based on the misalignment or sway of the compensation ropes.

Therefore, the rope guiding unit 116 and the elevator system 100 of the present invention are efficient, durable, flexible in implementation, cost-effective, and convenient.

While specific language has been used to describe the present subject matter, any limitations arising on account thereto, are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein. The drawings and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment.

Claims

Claims:

1. A rope guiding unit (116) for an elevator compensation assembly (108), the rope guiding unit (116) comprising: a guiding member (302) adapted to guide compensation ropes (114); at least one supporting bracket (304) movably coupled to the guiding member (302), the guiding member (302) adapted to move in a horizontal direction with respect to the at least one supporting bracket (304), varying a horizontal position of the guiding member (302) with respect to the elevator compensation assembly (108); and at least one clamping bracket (306) movably coupled to the at least one supporting bracket (304) and adapted to be clamped to at least one stationary component (202) of an elevator system (100), wherein the at least one clamping bracket (306) is adapted to move in a vertical direction with respect to the at least one stationary component (202) of the elevator system (100), varying a vertical position of the guiding member (302) with respect to the elevator compensation assembly (108).

2. The rope guiding unit (116) according to claim 1, wherein the guiding member (302) comprises a first end (402a) and a second end (402b) distal to the first end (402a), each of the first end (402a) and the second end (402b) is adapted to be coupled to the at least one supporting bracket (304).

3. The rope guiding unit (116) according to any of claims 1 or 2, wherein the at least one supporting bracket (304) comprises: a first supporting bracket (304a) movably fastened to the first end (402a) of the guiding member (302); and a second supporting bracket (304b) movably fastened to the second end (402b) of the guiding member (302).

4. The rope guiding unit (116) according to any of claims 1-3, wherein the at least one supporting bracket (304) comprises: a first mounting wall (408) adapted to be fastened to the at least one clamping bracket (306); and a pair of second mounting walls (410a, 410b) extending from the first mounting wall (408) and oriented in parallel to each other, each of the pair of second mounting walls (410a, 410b) is adapted to be movably fastened to one of the first end (402a) and the second end (402b) of the guiding member (302), wherein the at least one clamping bracket (306) is adapted to move in a horizontal direction with respect to the first mounting wall (408), and/or the guiding member (302) is adapted to move in the horizontal direction with respect to the pair of second mounting walls (410a, 410b), varying the horizontal position of the guiding member (302) with respect to the elevator compensation assembly (108). The rope guiding unit (116) according to claim 4, wherein the first mounting wall (408) comprises a first set of elongated slots (412) adapted to receive a fastening member (414) to couple the at least one clamping bracket (306) with the first mounting wall (408). The rope guiding unit (116) according to claim 5, wherein the at least one clamping bracket (306) is adapted to move in the horizontal direction with respect to the first mounting wall (408) to align the fastening member (414) to one of a plurality of positions along a length of each of the first set of elongated slots (412), varying a horizontal position of the at least one clamping bracket (306) with respect to the first mounting wall (408). The rope guiding unit (116) according to any of claim 4 to 6, wherein each of the pair of second mounting walls (410a, 410b) comprises a second set of elongated slots (416) adapted to receive a fastening member (418) to couple the guiding member (302) with one of the pair of second mounting walls (410a, 410b). The rope guiding unit (116) according to any of claims 2 to 7, wherein a gap (G) is defined between the pair of second mounting walls (410a, 410b), and is adapted to receive one of the first end (402a) and the second end (402b) of the guiding member (302). The rope guiding unit (116) according to any of claims 4 to 8, wherein the at least one clamping bracket (306) comprises: a mounting plate (420) adapted to be coupled to the first mounting wall (408) of the at least one supporting bracket (304); and a plurality of clamping rings (422a, 422b) attached to the mounting plate (420) and adapted to be coupled to the at least one stationary component (202) of the elevator system (100), wherein the plurality of clamping rings (422a, 422b) is vertically spaced apart from each other. The rope guiding unit (116) according to claim 9, wherein each of the plurality of clamping rings (422a, 422b) comprises a first semi-ring (424) and a second semiring (426) adapted to be coupled to the first semi-ring (424). The rope guiding unit (116) according to claim 10, wherein the first semi-ring (424) is attached to the mounting plate (420) and adapted to be fastened to the second semiring (426) via fasteners (428). The rope guiding unit (116) according to claim 11, wherein the first semi-ring (424) and the second semi-ring (426) are adapted to be radially moved with respect to each other via the fasteners (428) to vary a diameter of one of the plurality of clamping rings (422a, 422b). The rope guiding unit (116) according to any of claims 9 to 12, wherein the plurality of clamping rings (422a, 422b) is adapted to be vertically moved with respect to the at least one stationary component (202) of the elevator system (100) by varying the diameter of each of the plurality of clamping rings (422a, 422b). The rope guiding unit (116) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one stationary component (202) is embodied as one of one or more stationary components of a buffer unit of the elevator system (100), one or more shaft walls, and vertical structural elements of the elevator system (100). An elevator system (100) comprising: at least one counterweight (104); at least one elevator car (102) coupled to the at least one counterweight (104) via traction ropes (110) and adapted to move within the elevator shaft; an elevator compensation assembly (108) positioned below the at least one counterweight (104) and the at least one elevator car (102), the elevator compensation assembly (108) adapted to receive compensation ropes (114) suspended beneath the at least one counterweight (104) and the at least one elevator car (102); a drive machine (106) to move, via the traction ropes (114), the at least one counterweight (104) and the at least one elevator car (102) within the elevator shaft; and a rope guiding unit (116) disposed vertically above the elevator compensation assembly (108) and guides the compensation ropes (114) towards the elevator compensation assembly (108), wherein the rope guiding unit (116) is adapted to vertically guide the compensation ropes (114) to the elevator compensation assembly (108) according to any of the claims 1 to 14.