JP4189382B2 - Rooftop control unit for elevator system with removable cover - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention generally relates to an elevator system that does not require a machine room. In particular, the invention relates to a rooftop unit for housing parts used to operate an elevator system as required.

  Elevator systems typically have a cage that moves within a hoistway. Most systems have a counterweight that interlocks with the rod. In general, the rod is connected to a counterweight by roping. The drive motor rotates the drive sheave to move the rope, and thus moves as required by the elevator car in the hoistway.

  Conventionally, an elevator system has required a machine room for housing a drive motor, a drive sheave, and other components for operation control. Such components are generally referred to collectively as “machines” and are the basis for what is called a “machine room”. This machine room was often located at the top of the building. Although it is effective to use such a machine room, it does not involve any problems. The building structure must be specifically arranged to house and support these machine rooms and components. In some cases, special architectural considerations may be required to properly support the machine room on the roof.

  The machine room also introduces additional material costs and other construction issues to the designer and also during the construction of the building.

More recently, it has been proposed to remove the machine room and instead house the drive and control components of the elevator system in another way. In this regard, various approaches have already been proposed. One of them is shown in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2000-177949, where a fixed cover covering the hoisting machine can be opened and closed from the roof of the building.
The present invention provides a unique, compact, and cost effective solution in that it is desirable to eliminate the machine room of an elevator system.

  In general terms, the present invention places the mechanical parts of an elevator system under a removable cover that can be opened or removed when required for maintenance or part replacement. It relates to the ceiling unit to be stored. This rooftop unit is located on the top of the roof of the building without requiring a special structure for accommodating the rooftop unit.

  An example assembly designed in accordance with the present invention has a support base adapted to be secured to a roof surface. This support base supports at least some of the mechanical parts of the elevator system. The support base has an opening through which selected portions of the elevator system, such as, for example, a rope, extend so that the elevator system performs as desired. The cover is detachably fixed to the support base so as to cover the mechanical component supported on the base.

  An exemplary cover designed in accordance with the present invention has at least one access panel extending through the cover. A part of the cover is selectively movable with respect to the remaining part of the cover in order to open and close the access opening. In one example, up to half of the cover can be moved manually to access the machine parts.

  The cover and the support base preferably have a watertight seal structure so as to prevent the natural environment from entering the space under the cover to protect the machine parts and It prevents from entering the hoistway through the opening.

  In one example, the cover is completely removable. This cover is preferably often completely removed, however, in the present invention that choice is possible.

  Various features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment.

  An overview of the elevator system 20 is shown in FIG. The system 20 includes an elevator rod 22 that is selectively movable within a hoistway 24 to carry loads between different floors or landings 26 of a building 28. Only a selected portion of the support structure of the kite within the hoistway 24 is schematically illustrated, and only one landing 26 is shown, but those skilled in the art will recognize that the elevator system is a building. It will be appreciated that it is possible to land on multiple floors or landings within.

  The building 28 has a roof surface 30. The illustrated example includes a hoistway top portion 32 that extends slightly above the majority of the roof surface. There may be situations where the present invention is applicable even when the hoistway top portion 32 is not higher than the roof surface 30.

  The rooftop unit 34 is fixed to the top portion 32 of the hoistway. The rooftop unit 34 in the illustrated example includes a support base 36 and a cover 38. The support base 36 is preferably permanently fixed to the roof 30 or the top portion 32 of the hoistway. In one example, the base 36 comprises a set of at least two beams arranged horizontally above the hoistway. The roof 30 and the hoistway top portion 32 are generally referred to herein as “roof surfaces”.

  The cover 38 is preferably not permanently fixed to the rooftop or support base 36. Instead, the cover 38 is preferably removable from the support base so that the parts supported by the support base 36 can be accessed. In one example, a crane or other similar machine is required to remove the entire cover 38. In other examples, only a portion of the cover is removable.

  The cover 38 is preferably received to form a closed interface 39 between the cover and the support base 36. The exemplary fixing structure includes a fixing device such as a bolt for fixing the cover to the base. In one example, the interface 39 does not require any separate sealing member or material.

  In another example, the roof surface includes an edge formed as part of the roof surface. This edge functions as an end of the support base 36 to accommodate the cover 38 so as to protect the machine parts from the natural environment.

  The example illustrated in FIG. 1 includes an access opening 40 that passes through one side of the cover 38. In this illustrated example, a hinged support is provided to selectively move a portion of the cover 38 so that the interior of the rooftop unit 34 can be accessed through the access opening 40. Part 42 is included. Although one access opening is shown in FIG. 1, it is also possible to provide a plurality of such openings and to provide various components to selectively cover such openings. Is within.

  As best seen in FIG. 2, the support base 36 preferably supports a mechanical assembly 44 that provides motive force for movement of the elevator car 22 within the hoistway 24 as required. Preferably, this machine assembly 44 is very compact compared to conventional machine assemblies that require an entire machine room to house the motor and other components. The illustrated example includes a motor controller 46 that controls the operation of a motor 48, preferably an electric motor. The drive sheave 50 rotates in response to the movement of the motor 48 and moves a plurality of belts (ie, ropings) 52 through the drive sheave 50 so that the kite 22 moves as required. . The end portions 54 of the plurality of belts are preferably supported inside the rooftop unit 34.

  In addition, advantageously, a temperature control device 56 such as a fan or a heater is supported inside the rooftop unit 34.

  The support base 36 and the cover 38 together form a housing for fully containing the parts of the machine assembly 44 that are supported on the roof surface of the building. An opening (not visible) through the support base 36 causes the roping 52 to extend down the interior of the hoistway, thus resulting in proper elevator system operation.

  In one example, the total height of the rooftop unit 34 above the roof surface of the hoistway top 32 is less than 1 meter. In one example, the top of cover 38 is only about 77 centimeters (2 feet 7 inches) above the roof surface of top 32. The overall dimensions of the assembly 34 are sufficiently reduced compared to a machine room supported on a conventional roof surface.

  Various materials can be used to create the cover and / or support base. For example, stainless steel, aluminum, glass fiber, and plastic are included. The material chosen must withstand the expected environmental conditions at the location of the building. Those who benefit from this description will be able to understand which material meets the specific needs of a particular situation and select the material that is most suitable for such situation.

  As best shown in FIG. 3, the support base 36 in the illustrated example includes a generally planar substrate surface 60. A plurality of side portions 62 extend away from the flat surface 60 (relative to the rooftop). The height of the side 62 is preferably selected based on typical rainfall in the area where the building is located. If expected, it must also adapt to the snow to ensure protection of the appropriate machine parts. Local building codes may stipulate the height requirements of the side 62. In one example, this height is 200 mm.

  Cover 38 includes a top portion 64 and a plurality of sidewalls 66 extending away from the top portion. In the illustrated example, the side wall 66 of the cover 38 is accommodated in a space formed by the side portion 62 of the support base 36. By appropriately fitting the side wall 66 and the side part 62 at the boundary between them, the natural environment (that is, rain and snow) does not enter the space protected by the cover 38 and is supported by the support base 36. The machine parts are kept isolated from the environment as required.

  In the example of FIG. 3, the cover 38 includes a hinge connection 70. In this example, the front side (in the drawing) can be manually lifted around the hinge connection and can be accessed deeper than access through the opening 40.

  A significant advantage of the present invention is the space savings provided by the unique and compact component placement. Another significant advantage is that by providing a selectively removable cover 38, an individual can easily access parts in the rooftop unit 34 for installation, maintenance, or parts replacement, if desired. It can be done.

  The above description is not intended to limit the rights in nature, but rather is exemplary. Variations and modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art without necessarily departing from the essence of the invention. The scope of legal protection afforded this invention can only be determined by the following claims.

It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the elevator system which is an example of the implementation designed by this invention. It is a figure which expands and shows an example of an assembly designed by the example of the present invention partially. It is a figure which shows the outline of the cover used as another example.

Claims (23)

A fence adapted to carry loads between different floors of the building ;
It is fixed to the roof of the building, in order to move as the cage is requested, comprising a traction sheave for moving at least one long tension member, and a motor for moving the drive sheave A mechanical assembly ;
A cover for covering the machine assembly, removably secured over the machine assembly ;
A support base for supporting the machine assembly, independent of the roof surface and fixed to the roof surface;
With
The cover is directly fixed to the support base and is selectively removable from the support base;
The support base has a first substantially planar surface and a plurality of sides extending from the surface;
The cover includes a plurality of side walls,
When the cover is fixed to the support base, the cover is attached to the support base such that one of the side wall of the cover and the side of the support base surrounds the other of the side wall and the side. Elevator system characterized by being Before SL support base side when the cover is fixed to the support base, an elevator system according to claim 1, characterized in that located on the outside of the side wall of the cover. Elevator system according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises an electronic control unit for controlling the motor which is supported below the front Stories cover. Before SL cover elevator system according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises an access opening through said cover, and a cover portion for selectively closing the opening, the. Before SL cover, so that it can close at least some part of the machine assembly, characterized in that it has a relatively movable part relative to the other portion of the cover The elevator system according to claim 1 . Before SL cover includes a top surface, it has a plurality of side walls below the end or we extend 1 m to the top surface, thereby, when the cover is fixed to a predetermined position, the roof the elevator system of claim 1, the height of the cover from the surface, characterized in that the less than 1 meters. The elevator system of claim 1 in connection with the previous SL machine assembly, characterized in that it has a temperature control device that controls the temperature inside the space covered by the cover. The elevator system of claim 1 before Symbol long tension member, characterized in that it consists of a flat belt. Together comprise a flat belt multiple, includes a plurality of end portions for supporting the at least one end of the belt, the end portion of the claim 8, characterized in that it is covered by the cover Elevator system. The elevator system of claim 1, prior SL includes a terminal portion for supporting at least one end of the tension member, the end portion is characterized in that it is covered by the cover. The elevator system of claim 10, wherein the tension member and a plurality of end portions of multiple, each end portion and being covered by the cover. The elevator system of claim 11 before Symbol cover and having a height of less than 1 meters. The elevator system according to claim 1, wherein the support base includes a single member including the first substantially planar surface and the plurality of side portions. An assembly that accommodates the mechanical parts of an elevator system on the top of a building roof without requiring a machine room ,
A support base for supporting at least some of the machine parts, the support base being independent of the roof surface and fixed to the roof surface;
A cover that is selectively secured to the support base so as to cover a mechanical component supported on the base ;
Equipped with a,
The support base has a substantially planar first surface and a plurality of sides extending from the surface;
The cover includes a plurality of side walls,
When the cover is fixed to the support base, the cover is attached to the support base such that one of the side wall of the cover and the side of the support base surrounds the other of the side wall and the side. An assembly characterized by being made. Before SL cover assembly according to claim 14, characterized in that it comprises an access opening that penetrates the cover, and a cover portion for selectively closing said access opening. Before SL cover includes a top surface, a plurality of side walls below the end or we extend 1 m of the top surface is provided with a, thereby, when the cover is fixed to the support base, the roof surface 15. An assembly according to claim 14, wherein the height of the cover from below is less than 1 meter. To control the temperature of the inner space covered by the front Symbol cover assembly according to claim 14, characterized in that it comprises a temperature control device associated with said supporting base. Before SL support base side, when the cover is fixed to the support base assembly according to claim 14, characterized in that positioned outside the side wall of the cover. The assembly of claim 14, before Symbol entire cover is characterized in that it is removable. Before SL machine, motor and rotates in conjunction with the motor, a traction sheave to move the at least one tension member to produce the desired operation of the elevator cage, in claim 14, characterized in that it comprises a The assembly described . Includes at least one end portion for supporting at least one end portion of the front Symbol tension member, said terminal portion, wherein, characterized in that enclosed between said supporting base and the cover at least partially Item 21. The assembly according to Item 20 . An assembly according to claim 20 before Symbol tension member, characterized in that it consists of at least one flat belt. The assembly of the front Symbol cover according to claim 14, characterized in that it comprises a height of less than 1 meters.

Images