JP3175754U - Counterweight with partially embedded shock absorber - Google Patents

Abstract

In an elevator system, a counterweight and a buffer configuration are provided to improve the cost efficiency and space efficiency of a buffer function.
An elevator counterweight includes a buffer member supported so as to move in a hoistway together with the counterweight. The buffer member 40 includes a fixed portion within the outer boundary of the counterweight structure 42. The movable part of the buffer member 40 is outside the outer boundary. In the disclosed embodiment, a plurality of fillers are supported on the frame, the first filler 60 has a first width dimension, and the at least one second filler 62 has a smaller width dimension. The second filler 62 can be disposed along the fixed portion of the buffer member 40.
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates generally to elevator systems. In particular, the present invention relates to the construction of counterweights and shock absorbers used in elevator systems.

  Many elevator systems include a car and a counterweight connected to each other by ropes or other load bearing members such as belts. A hoist controls the movement of the car and responds to passengers, for example, between floors in the building. As is known, counterweights and cars usually move in the opposite direction within the hoistway.

  It has been proposed to include multiple elevator cars in a single hoistway. Such an arrangement offers the advantage that, for example, operations corresponding to passengers are increased or improved. U.S. Pat. No. 1,896,776 is an example of a patent relating to an elevator system having a plurality of cars in a hoistway.

  When a plurality of cars are provided in the hoistway, various problems arise. For example, increasing the number of components creates a need for different types of safety devices. U.S. Pat. No. 1,896,776 proposes providing a buffer on the counterweight and the cage, respectively, to absorb shocks between the counterweight or the cage, for example. One of the disadvantages of such a configuration is that the shock absorber increases the outer dimensions of the counterweight, the car, or both. This takes up valuable additional hoistway space. Furthermore, the position of the shock absorber shown in this patent prevents, for example, the elevator car from being placed on an adjacent floor.

  There is a need for a configuration that provides shock absorber functionality in a cost effective and space efficient manner. The present invention meets this need.

  An exemplary counterweight used in an elevator system includes a structure that defines the outer boundary of the counterweight. The cushioning member has a first portion within the outer boundary.

  In one embodiment, the cushioning member has a second portion that is external to the outer boundary, and this portion is relative to the first portion to absorb energy associated with contact with other counterweights. It is movable.

  In one embodiment, the structure has a frame and the counterweight includes a plurality of fillers supported on the frame. A portion of the filler has a dimension that fits along the side of the first portion of the cushioning member. This allows for a counterweight design that is smaller than with a filler that extends across the full width of the frame. In one embodiment, such a large filler is used in combination with a small filler.

  Various features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiment. A brief description of the drawings accompanying the detailed description follows.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of selected portions of an elevator system including a counterweight having a shock absorber supported to move with the counterweight. FIG. 2 is a schematic view of one embodiment of the counterweight. FIG. 3 is a schematic view of another embodiment of the counterweight.

  FIG. 1 schematically illustrates selected portions of an elevator system 20. The first elevator car 22 is connected to the first counterweight and moves in the hoistway 26. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the first elevator car 22 is connected to the first counterweight 24 in a known manner by a plurality of ropes or belts. A second elevator car 32 is located below the first elevator car 22 (according to the drawing). The second elevator car 32 is coupled to the second counterweight 34 by a load bearing member (not shown), and both move in the hoistway 26 as is well known.

  In this embodiment, the counterweights 24 and 34 run along a common guide rail 36. In other words, the counterweights 24 and 34 share the same guide rail 36.

  Another feature of the system 20 of the embodiment schematically illustrated in FIG. 1 is that at least one cushioning member 40 may be used to absorb the impact associated with the counterweights coming into contact with each other, It is supported by at least one of 34.

  FIG. 2 schematically shows one embodiment of the counterweight 24 having the buffer member 40. The buffer member 40 is supported by the counterweight and moves in the hoistway 26 together with the counterweight. In this embodiment, the counterweight 24 has a structure 42 that defines the outer boundary of the counterweight. In this embodiment, structure 42 has a frame made in a generally known manner. The outer boundary defined by the structure 42 includes a height dimension H and a width dimension W.

  The illustrated embodiment includes a guide support 44 that is external to the outer boundary. Of course, the guide support 44 may be within the outer boundary depending on the configuration of the counterweight. The guide support operates in a known manner to assist movement of the counterweight along the guide rail 36.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the cushioning member 40 has a first portion 52 that lies within the outer boundary of the counterweight structure 42. The second portion 54 is outside the outer boundary. In this embodiment, the end portion 56 of the buffer member 40 is configured to contact another counterweight (ie, the counterweight 34) before the counterweight structures contact each other. In this embodiment, the cushioning member 40 has cooperating cylinders that operate in a known manner (i.e., hydraulic pressure) to provide an energy absorbing function when the counterweights are close enough to contact each other.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the frame 42 supports a plurality of fillers 60. In one embodiment, the filler comprises a plate as is well known. The filler 60 has a lateral dimension corresponding to the width W of the structure 42. The term “lateral direction” used in this description means the direction of the width W shown in the drawings. Of course, the dimensions of the frame member and the dimensions of the filler 60 fit within the outer boundary of the counterweight 24.

  The embodiment of FIG. 2 also includes a plurality of second filler members 62 that have a second, smaller lateral dimension. In this embodiment, two sets of second filling members 62 are provided, one set on each side of the first portion 52 of the buffer member 40 in the lateral direction. Accordingly, the filling member 62 has a dimension corresponding to the difference between the width of the structure 42 and the width of the first portion 52 of the cushioning member 40.

  FIG. 3 shows another embodiment including two buffer members 40. One difference between the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3 is that the latter includes a set of second fillers 62 located between the cushioning members 40.

  In any of the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3, the desired counterweight mass can be achieved without increasing the counterweight height by the smaller second filler 62. In other words, a relatively small filler can be provided in the space in the height direction in the outer boundary occupied by the first portion 52 of the buffer member 40.

  Although plate-type fillers are shown, other fillers are also possible, such as concrete and other known elements.

  Although the buffer member 40 is shown on the counterweight 24 in the illustrated embodiment, the buffer member may also be provided on the counterweight 34 as long as it is provided opposite the counterweight 24 in the hoistway 26. . In addition, both counterweights may include at least one cushioning member. The configuration and arrangement of the one or more cushioning members depends in part on the selected roping scheme. Those skilled in the art after reading this description will be able to select an appropriate scheme to meet their particular needs.

  The above description is illustrative rather than restrictive. Variations and modifications to the disclosed embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not necessarily depart from the spirit of the invention. The scope of legal protection afforded this invention can only be determined by studying the following claims.

Claims (20)

A structure defining an outer boundary of the counterweight;
A counterweight for use in an elevator system, comprising: a cushioning member that is positioned within the outer boundary and supported so as to move together with the structure.   The counterweight according to claim 1, wherein the buffer member has a second portion located outside the outer boundary.   3. A counter as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the second part is movable relative to the first part such that the distance between the outer boundary and the end of the second part varies. weight.   The counterweight according to claim 1, characterized in that the first part is kept in a fixed position relative to the structure.   The counterweight according to claim 1, wherein the structure includes a frame and includes a plurality of fillers supported by the frame.   At least the first filler has a first dimension corresponding to the width dimension of the frame, and at least the second filler has a relatively small second dimension, which is the width dimension of the frame. 6. A counterweight according to claim 5, characterized in that it corresponds to a difference between the width dimension of the first part of the cushioning member.   7. A counterweight according to claim 6, characterized in that the second filler is laterally located on the side of the first part.   8. The counterweight according to claim 7, further comprising a second filler on both sides of the first portion.   The counterweight according to claim 6, wherein the counterweight includes a plurality of buffer members and the second filler is located between the first portions of the buffer members.   The counterweight according to claim 6, comprising a plurality of first fillers and a plurality of second fillers.   6. A counterweight according to claim 5, wherein the filler comprises a plate. The first elevator car in the hoistway,
A first counterweight in a hoistway having a structure defining an outer boundary;
A first load bearing member connecting the first elevator car to the first counterweight;
A second elevator car below the first elevator car in the hoistway,
A second counterweight having a structure in the hoistway above the first counterweight and defining an outer boundary;
A second load bearing member connecting the second elevator car to the second counterweight;
At least one buffer member associated with one of the first or second counterweights and including a first portion supported within an outer boundary of the associated counterweight. Elevator system.   The buffer member has a second portion in the direction toward the other counterweight outside the outer boundary of the corresponding counterweight, and the second portion has the other counterweight before the counterweights come into contact with each other. 13. The elevator system according to claim 12, wherein the elevator system is in contact with a weight.   14. Elevator system according to claim 13, characterized in that the second part prevents the other counterweight from contacting the associated counterweight structure.   The elevator system of claim 12, wherein the associated counterweight structure includes a frame and includes a plurality of fillers supported on the frame.   At least the first filler has a first dimension corresponding to the width dimension of the frame, and at least the second filler has a relatively small second dimension, which is the width dimension of the frame. 16. Elevator system according to claim 15, characterized in that it corresponds to the difference between the width dimension of the first part of the cushioning member.   The elevator system according to claim 16, characterized in that the second filler is located laterally on the side of the first part.   18. Elevator system according to claim 17, characterized in that it includes a second filler on each side of the first part.   17. The elevator system according to claim 16, comprising a plurality of cushioning members and wherein the second filler is located between the respective first portions of the cushioning members.   The elevator system according to claim 16, comprising a plurality of first fillers and a plurality of second fillers.

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