JP7537595B1 - Moving cables for elevators - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a moving cable for an elevator that can further reduce its weight. [Solution] Moving cable 5b is a flat cable with one longitudinal end fixed to the elevator car. Moving cable 5b includes a plurality of strip conductors 10, a plurality of strip insulators 11, and an exterior coating 9. Each strip conductor 10 is a strip of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. In a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of moving cable 5b, exterior coating 9 covers the entirety of the plurality of strip conductors 10 and the plurality of strip insulators 11 with the strip conductors 10 and the strip insulators 11 stacked alternately in the thickness direction. [Selected Figure] Figure 2

Description

This disclosure relates to moving cables for elevators.

Patent document 1 discloses an example of a flat moving cable for an elevator. The moving cable includes multiple cores, each of which is formed by bundling multiple conductive wires, and an exterior sheath that covers the multiple cores.

JP 2009-280349 A

One longitudinal end of the moving cable in Patent Document 1 is fixed to the car and suspended from the elevator. When the car travels a longer distance due to the construction of taller buildings, the moving cable becomes longer. This leads to an increase in the weight of the moving cable.

This disclosure is directed to solving such problems. This disclosure provides a moving cable for elevators that can further reduce weight.

The moving cable according to the present disclosure is a flat moving cable with one longitudinal end fixed to an elevator car, and includes a plurality of strip conductors that are strips of aluminum or aluminum alloy, one or more strip insulators, and an exterior coating that covers the entirety of the plurality of strip conductors and the one or more strip insulators in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, with the strip conductors and strip insulators alternately stacked in the thickness direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

The elevator moving cable disclosed herein will be lighter in weight.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an elevator according to a first embodiment. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the moving cable according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the structure of a longitudinal end portion of a moving cable in accordance with the first embodiment; FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of a moving cable according to a comparative example. FIG.

The embodiments for implementing the subject matter of this disclosure will be described with reference to the attached drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions are appropriately simplified or omitted. Note that the subject matter of this disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and any of the components of the embodiments may be modified or omitted without departing from the spirit of this disclosure.

Embodiment 1.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an elevator 1 according to the first embodiment.

The elevator 1 is applied to a building having multiple floors. In the building, a hoistway 2 for the elevator 1 is provided. The hoistway 2 is a long space in the vertical direction that spans multiple floors. The elevator 1 includes a car 3 and a control panel 4. The car 3 is a device that transports users of the elevator 1 between multiple floors of the building by traveling up and down the hoistway 2. The car 3 travels in the hoistway 2 via a main rope (not shown), for example, by a driving force generated by a hoist (not shown). The control panel 4 is a device that controls the operation of the elevator 1. The control panel 4 is disposed, for example, at the top or bottom of the hoistway 2. For example, when a machine room for the elevator 1 is provided above the hoistway 2, the control panel 4 may be disposed in the machine room. The operation of the elevator 1 controlled by the control panel 4 includes the running of the car 3.

The elevator 1 is equipped with a moving cable 5. The moving cable 5 is a cable that supplies power to the car 3 and inputs and outputs signals to and from the car 3. One longitudinal end of the moving cable 5 is connected to the car 3. The other longitudinal end of the moving cable 5 is connected to a junction box 6 provided on the wall of the elevator 2. The junction box 6 is connected to the control panel 4 so as to enable the supply of power and communication of signals. The end of the moving cable 5 on the car 3 side is fixed to the car 3 by a hanging handle (not shown) or the like. The end of the moving cable 5 on the junction box 6 side is fixed to the junction box 6 by a hanging handle (not shown) or the like. The moving cable 5 is suspended between the car 3 and the junction box 6 in the elevator 2. The moving cable 5 moves within the elevator 2 while deforming as the car 3 travels up and down.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the moving cable 5 according to embodiment 1 taken along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

In this example, elevator 1 is equipped with moving cables 5a and 5b. Here, when there is no particular distinction between moving cables 5a and 5b, they may be referred to simply as moving cables 5. In this example, moving cable 5 is a flat cable.

The moving cable 5a includes multiple multi-core cables 7, multiple steel cores 8, and an exterior sheath 9. In this example, the moving cable 5a includes six multi-core cables 7 and four steel cores 8.

Each multi-core cable 7 is made of, for example, twisted copper wire, in consideration of resistance to bending caused by the movement of the moving cable 5 and strength to support its own weight. In this example, each multi-core cable 7 is a signal cable that handles the input and output of signals to and from the car 3. Each multi-core cable 7 is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the moving cable 5.

Each steel core 8 is a member that reinforces and supports the moving cable 5. Each steel core 8 is, for example, a wire rope. Each steel core 8 is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the moving cable 5.

In the moving cable 5a, the multiple multi-core cables 7 and the multiple steel cores 8 are arranged in a row in the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The multiple steel cores 8 are arranged every two multi-core cables 7. Two of the multiple steel cores 8 are arranged on both outer sides in the width direction.

The exterior sheath 9 is a part that forms the exterior of the moving cable 5. The exterior sheath 9 is, for example, an insulating resin. The exterior sheath 9 covers the multi-core cables 7 and steel cores 8 of the moving cable 5. In the moving cable 5a, each multi-core cable 7 is embedded in the exterior sheath 9. In the moving cable 5a, each steel core 8 is embedded in the exterior sheath 9. In the moving cable 5a, the exterior sheath 9 covers the entirety of the multiple multi-core cables 7 and multiple steel cores 8 in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

The moving cable 5b includes a plurality of strip conductors 10, a plurality of strip insulators 11, a plurality of steel cores 8, and an exterior coating 9. In this example, the moving cable 5b includes six strip conductors 10, eight strip insulators 11, and three steel cores 8.

Each strip conductor 10 is, for example, a strip of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The aluminum alloy is, for example, an Al-Cu alloy. In this example, each strip conductor 10 is used as a power conductor that supplies power to the car 3. In this example, the width of each strip conductor 10 is similar to each other. Also, the thickness of each strip conductor 10 is similar to each other. Each strip conductor 10 is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the moving cable 5. The thickness direction of each strip conductor 10 is arranged so as to coincide with the thickness direction of the moving cable 5. The thickness direction of the moving cable 5 is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the width direction.

Each strip insulator 11 is, for example, insulating paper. In this example, the width of each strip insulator 11 is similar to each other. The width of each strip insulator 11 is wider than the width of the strip conductor 10. Furthermore, the thickness of each strip insulator 11 is similar to each other. Each strip insulator 11 is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the moving cable 5. The thickness direction of each strip insulator 11 is arranged so as to coincide with the thickness direction of the moving cable 5.

In the moving cable 5b, the multiple strip conductors 10 and the multiple strip insulators 11 are arranged so as to be alternately stacked in the thickness direction. In this example, the multiple strip conductors 10 and the multiple strip insulators 11 are arranged in two parts, left and right in the width direction. On the left side in the width direction, four strip insulators 11 and three strip conductors 10 are alternately stacked one by one. That is, one strip insulator 11 is sandwiched between two opposing strip conductors 10. In addition, strip insulators 11 are arranged on both outer sides in the thickness direction. The stacked multiple strip conductors 10 and multiple strip insulators 11 are arranged so that their center lines in the width direction are aligned. At this time, the left end of each strip insulator 11 is to the left of the left end of the multiple strip conductors 10 that are stacked together. In addition, the right end of each strip insulator 11 is to the right of the right end of the multiple strip conductors 10 that are stacked together. That is, in the width direction of the moving cable 5, both left and right ends of each strip insulator 11 are outside the left and right ends of the multiple strip conductors 10 that are stacked together. Similarly, on the right side in the width direction, four strip insulators 11 and three strip conductors 10 are stacked alternately one by one. Also, strip insulators 11 are arranged on both outsides in the thickness direction. Steel cores 8 are arranged on both the left and right outsides of the strip conductors 10 in the width direction. In this example, one steel core 8 is arranged at each of the left and right ends of the moving cable 5b in the width direction. Also, one steel core 8 is arranged in the center of the width direction of the moving cable 5b, between the strip conductors 10 that are stacked separately on the left and right.

In the moving cable 5b, the multiple strip conductors 10 and multiple strip insulators 11 are embedded in the exterior sheath 9 in an alternating stacked state. In the moving cable 5b, each steel core 8 is embedded in the exterior sheath 9. In the moving cable 5b, the exterior sheath 9 covers the multiple strip conductors 10, multiple strip insulators 11, and the multiple steel cores 8 in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the structure of the longitudinal end of the moving cable 5b in embodiment 1.

The moving cable 5b includes a plurality of bus bars 12. Each bus bar 12 is, for example, a conductive plate made of copper or other metals. Each bus bar 12 corresponds to one of the plurality of strip conductors 10. Each bus bar 12 is connected to the corresponding strip conductor 10 at the longitudinal end of the moving cable 5b by, for example, welding or brazing. Each bus bar 12 protrudes from the corresponding strip conductor 10 toward the same side in the thickness direction. The plurality of bus bars 12 are arranged at different positions in the width direction. In this example, the plurality of bus bars 12 are arranged offset from each other to the left and right. A connection terminal 13 is provided on the end of each bus bar 12 protruding in the thickness direction of the moving cable 5b. Power is input and output through the connection terminal 13 in the moving cable 5b.

Next, an example of the effect when the moving cable 5b according to the first embodiment is used will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of a moving cable 5c according to a comparative example.

In the comparative example, the elevator 1 includes two moving cables 5c. The moving cables 5c include a plurality of multi-core cables 7, a plurality of steel cores 8, and an exterior sheath 9. In this example, each moving cable 5c includes six multi-core cables 7 and four steel cores 8.

Each multi-core cable 7 is made of, for example, twisted copper wire, in consideration of resistance to bending accompanying the movement of the moving cable 5c, and strength to support its own weight. In this example of the moving cable 5c, three of the multi-core cables 7 are multi-core cables 7s for signals that handle the input and output of signals to the car 3. In the same moving cable 5c, the other three of the multi-core cables 7 are multi-core cables 7p for power that handle the supply of power to the car 3. Here, when there is no particular distinction between the multi-core cables 7s and the multi-core cables 7p, they may simply be referred to as multi-core cables 7. Each multi-core cable 7 is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the moving cable 5c.

In the moving cable 5c, the multiple multi-core cables 7 and the multiple steel cores 8 are arranged in a row in the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The multiple steel cores 8 are arranged every two multi-core cables 7. Two of the multiple steel cores 8 are arranged on both outer sides in the width direction.

In the movable cable 5c, each multi-core cable 7 is embedded in the exterior sheath 9. In the movable cable 5c, each steel core 8 is embedded in the exterior sheath 9. In the movable cable 5c, the exterior sheath 9 covers the entirety of the multiple multi-core cables 7 and the multiple steel cores 8 in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

In the comparative example, each of the moving cables 5c is constructed with both the power cable and the communication cable as a multi-core cable 7. Here, the electrical conductivity of copper is higher than that of aluminum. On the other hand, the specific gravity of aluminum is lighter than that of copper. The difference in specific gravity between copper and aluminum is larger than the difference in electrical conductivity between copper and aluminum when compared by ratio. For this reason, when the conductor cross-sectional area is set so as to make the electrical resistance value per unit length the same, the weight per unit length is lighter when aluminum is used as the conductor than when copper is used as the conductor. For this reason, by changing the conductor of the moving cable 5c from copper to aluminum, the weight of the conductor can be reduced. On the other hand, in that case, in order to keep the electrical resistance value per unit length at the same level, the conductor cross-sectional area needs to be increased. In particular, a power cable needs to be supplied with a certain amount of power. For this reason, if the electrical resistance value per unit length increases, the effect of voltage drop increases as the length of the moving cable 5c increases. From this point of view, when aluminum is used instead of copper as the conductor of the multi-core cable 7, the conductor cross-sectional area needs to be enlarged. In this case, the cross-sectional area of the exterior sheath 9 that covers the entire multi-core cable 7 and forms a flat cable also becomes larger. As a result, if aluminum is used for the conductor of the multi-core cable 7, the weight per unit length of the entire mobile cable 5c may not become lighter, and in some cases, it may become heavier.

In contrast, in the elevator 1 according to the first embodiment, a communication moving cable 5a and a power moving cable 5b are used, and the communication and power moving cables 5 are separated. In the power moving cable 5b, instead of the multi-core cable 7, a strip conductor 10 such as an aluminum or aluminum alloy strip is used as a conductor for supplying power. Since the strip conductor 10 is thin, it can be stacked in the thickness direction. In addition, since a strip insulator 11 is sandwiched between the strip conductors 10, insulation between the strip conductors 10 is maintained. In this way, by applying the alternately stacked strip conductors 10 and strip insulators 11 to the power moving cable 5b, the gap between the conductors becomes smaller while the conductor cross-sectional area is enlarged. This suppresses the enlargement of the cross-sectional area of the exterior coating 9 between the conductors, and the entire moving cable 5b becomes lighter and more compact. In addition, since the entire moving cable 5b becomes thin and light, the number of steel cores 8 for reinforcing support is reduced. This further reduces the weight of the moving cable 5b.

As described above, the moving cable 5b according to the first embodiment is a flat cable with one longitudinal end fixed to the car 3 of the elevator 1. The moving cable 5b includes a plurality of strip conductors 10, a plurality of strip insulators 11, and an exterior sheath 9. Each strip conductor 10 is a strip of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The exterior sheath 9 covers the entirety of the plurality of strip conductors 10 and the plurality of strip insulators 11 in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the moving cable 5b, with the strip conductors 10 and the strip insulators 11 stacked alternately in the thickness direction.

This configuration ensures the necessary conductor cross-sectional area while further reducing the weight of the moving cable 5b. By reducing the weight of the moving cable 5b fixed to the car 3, the energy required to run the car 3 is reduced. In addition, the strength required for the hangers that fix the longitudinal ends of the moving cable 5b to the car 3 and the junction box 6 is reduced. Note that in the moving cable 5b, the strip insulator 11 may only be sandwiched between the strip conductors 10. For example, when there are two strip conductors 10, there may only be one strip insulator 11 sandwiched between the two strip conductors 10.

The moving cable 5b also has a steel core 8. The steel core 8 is arranged on both the left and right outside of the multiple strip conductors 10 in the width direction. The exterior coating 9 covers the entire steel core 8 in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. With this configuration, even if the moving cable 5b is long in a high-lift elevator 1, etc., sufficient strength is achieved to support the moving cable 5b's own weight.

The multiple strip conductors 10 and multiple strip insulators 11 are stacked so that the strip insulators 11 are arranged on both outer sides in the thickness direction. With this configuration, the strip conductor 10 is doubly insulated by the strip insulators 11 and the exterior coating 9. This provides sufficient insulation performance for the moving cable 5b to be used in the elevator 2.

In addition, each strip conductor 10 is a power conductor that supplies power to the car 3. In power cables that require the supply of a certain amount of power or more, a conductor cross-sectional area is ensured that suppresses the effects of voltage drop. This makes it possible to reduce the weight of the moving cable 5b and transmit power from multiple power supply systems, just as when copper is used for the conductor.

In addition, in the width direction, both ends of each strip insulator 11 are located on the left and right outer side of both ends of the multiple strip conductors 10 that are stacked together. With this configuration, the strip conductor 10 is surrounded by the strip insulators 11 in the width direction as well, so that insulation by the strip insulators 11 is more reliable. The widths of the strip conductors 10 may be different from each other. In this case, the width of each strip insulator 11 is wider than the widest strip conductor 10 that is stacked together. As a result, both ends of each strip insulator 11 in the width direction are located on the left and right outer side of both ends of the widest strip conductor 10 among the multiple strip conductors 10 that are stacked together.

Movement cable 5b also includes multiple bus bars 12. Each bus bar 12 corresponds to one of the strip conductors 10. Each bus bar 12 is connected to the corresponding strip conductor 10 at the longitudinal end of movement cable 5b. Each bus bar 12 protrudes from the corresponding strip conductor 10 in the thickness direction. The multiple bus bars 12 are arranged at different positions in the width direction. This configuration makes it easy to input and output power to each strip conductor 10 at the end of movement cable 5b. In addition, since the multiple bus bars 12 are arranged offset from each other, contact between the bus bars 12 is less likely to occur.

To summarize the above explanation, possible configurations of the technology according to the present disclosure include the configurations listed below as appendices.
(Appendix 1)
A flat moving cable with one longitudinal end fixed to the elevator car;
a plurality of strip conductors each being an aluminum or aluminum alloy strip;
one or more strips of insulation;
an exterior covering that covers the plurality of strip conductors and the one or more strip insulators as a whole in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, in a state in which the strip conductors and the strip insulators are alternately stacked in a thickness direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction;
A moving cable.
(Appendix 2)
a steel core disposed outside both of the plurality of strip-shaped conductors in a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the thickness direction,
The exterior coating covers the entire steel core in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.
2. The transfer cable of claim 1.
(Appendix 3)
the plurality of strip-shaped conductors and the one or more strip-shaped insulators are stacked such that strip-shaped insulators are disposed on both outer sides in the thickness direction;
3. The mobile cable of claim 1 or 2.
(Appendix 4)
Each of the plurality of strip conductors is a power conductor for supplying electric power to the car.
4. The moving cable of claim 1.
(Appendix 5)
In a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the thickness direction, both ends of each of the one or more strip-shaped insulators are located outside both ends of the plurality of strip-shaped conductors.
5. The moving cable of claim 1.
(Appendix 6)
and a plurality of bus bars each corresponding to one of the plurality of strip conductors and connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of strip conductors at an end in the longitudinal direction.
(Appendix 7)
the plurality of bus bars each protrude in the thickness direction from a corresponding one of the plurality of strip-shaped conductors and are disposed at different positions from one another in a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the thickness direction;
7. The transfer cable of claim 6.

1 elevator, 2 hoistway, 3 cage, 4 control panel, 5, 5a, 5b, 5c moving cable, 6 connection box, 7, 7s, 7p multi-core cable, 8 steel core, 9 exterior coating, 10 strip conductor, 11 strip insulator, 12 bus bar, 13 connection terminal

Claims (7)

A flat moving cable with one longitudinal end fixed to the elevator car;
a plurality of strip conductors each being an aluminum or aluminum alloy strip;
one or more strips of insulation;
an exterior coating that covers the plurality of strip conductors and the one or more strip insulators as a whole in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, in a state in which the strip conductors and the strip insulators are alternately stacked in a thickness direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction;
A moving cable. a steel core disposed outside both of the plurality of strip-shaped conductors in a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the thickness direction,
The exterior coating covers the entire steel core in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.
10. The transfer cable of claim 1. the plurality of strip-shaped conductors and the one or more strip-shaped insulators are stacked such that strip-shaped insulators are disposed on both outer sides in the thickness direction;
3. The moving cable of claim 1 or 2. Each of the plurality of strip conductors is a power conductor for supplying electric power to the car.
3. The moving cable of claim 1 or 2. In a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the thickness direction, both end portions of each of the one or more strip-shaped insulators are located outside both end portions of the plurality of strip-shaped conductors.
3. The moving cable of claim 1 or 2. The mobility cable according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a plurality of bus bars each corresponding to one of the plurality of strip conductors and connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of strip conductors at an end in the longitudinal direction. the plurality of bus bars each protrude in the thickness direction from a corresponding one of the plurality of strip-shaped conductors and are disposed at different positions from one another in a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the thickness direction;
7. The transfer cable of claim 6.

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