JPH1036035A - Overlay of elevator guide rail - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an overlay of a guide rail which extends over a plurality of segments that form the guide rail and which has a surface that is engaged with an elevator. SOLUTION: An overlay 116 for an elevator guide rail extends across a joint serving as the junction between segments to provide seamless engagement with the guide rail 106. The overlay separates an engagement surface from the joint between the adjacent segments to minimize vibration and to enhance riding comfort. In one embodiment, the elevator is provided with a support 114 formed of a plurality of segments joined end-to-end, and also with the overlay encompassing a part of the support. The overlay defines the engagement surface of the guide shoe 108 of the elevator.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an elevator,
In particular, it relates to such an elevator guide rail.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, elevators are known as an effective and efficient method for transporting passengers. In recent years, research and development of elevators has focused on suppressing elevator costs and improving passenger satisfaction. Among the above costs, a large proportion is required for maintaining effective and efficient operation of the elevator.

[0003] As a basic elevator system,
Raising and processing the hoistway is an example. The driving force of the elevator includes an electric motor that is connected in a stiff manner through predetermined roping, a hydraulic supply source that is stiffly connected through a hydraulic column, and a linear motor. Practically, in any of the above-described embodiments, the elevator is moved up and down in the hoistway by a pair of guide rails extending along the side surface of the elevator. The basket has a pair of devices, either roller type or sliding guide type, coupled to each guide rail. The combination of these devices with the guide rails determines the hard working path in the hoistway.

Since the guide rail extends over the entire length of the hoistway, the guide rail is divided into a plurality of segments and joined together at their ends. Joints such as joints or splices are required between adjacent segments. When the elevator is operated, the rollers or the sliding guides come into contact with these joints and the like, causing vibration of the car. The segments have been pre-machined and arranged in a condition suitable for elevator operation in order to minimize rattling vibrations from the joints, thereby improving passenger comfort in the elevator.

[0005]

However, there is a possibility that the arrangement of the above-mentioned segments may be changed with the passage of time due to the movement or depression of the building due to land subsidence or a difference in thermal expansion coefficient.

The guide rail not only guides the movement of the elevator, but also has an engaging surface with the safety device of the elevator in some cases. The engagement of the safety device and the guide rail allows the elevator car to be stopped quickly and safely. However, the contact surface of the guide rail may be damaged during this series of stop operations, and the guide rail may need to be reworked or replaced. Replacing a guide rail requires removing the damaged guide rail segment, installing a new guide rail, and adjusting the guide rail segment to match the originally provided segment. The cost of this maintenance work is substantial. Further, since it is necessary to lubricate the rail, it is difficult to accurately predict the stopping distance. Lubrication is indispensable for reducing the friction between the rail and the guide shoe.

[0007]

In light of the above background, a seamless guide rail has been developed under the direction of the applicant of the present invention to optimize passenger comfort and minimize elevator maintenance costs. .

According to the present invention, an overlay of a guide rail is provided which extends over a plurality of segments forming the guide rail and has an engagement surface with an elevator.

An advantage of this overlay is that it provides a smooth ride for elevator passengers. The overlay covers the joints as joints between the segments, thus eliminating the need for a joint between the engaging surfaces of the elevator and the guide rail. The engagement surface obtained by using the overlay is a smooth continuous surface, and there is no break in the engagement surface that gives an undesired vibration or the like to the elevator. Another advantage of this overlay is that the engagement surface can be easily and inexpensively replaced even if the engagement surface is worn or damaged. In this case, only the overlay needs to be exchanged, and the segment of the guide rail below it can be left intact. A further advantage is that even if there is some misalignment between the guide rail joints, there is no need to realign the guide rail alignment. Such misalignment is due to the settlement of the building due to land subsidence, movement, thermal expansion, and the like.

In addition to the above features and advantages, the proper selection of a self-lubricating material for use in the overlay reduces the cost of guide rail maintenance. When a self-lubricating, low-friction, high-density polymer is used as the overlay, there is no need to manually lubricate the engaging surface between the guide shoe and the guide rail.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are explanatory views of an embodiment of the present invention. The elevator 102 has a car 104 and a pair of guide rails 10 for the car 104.
6 is engaged on the surface facing the cage 104 (only one of the guide rails is shown in the figure).

As is well known, basket 104
Supports a platform that supports passengers and other loads. The basket 104 includes a plurality of U-shaped guide shoes 108 having surfaces 112 adjacent to the guide rails 106.
(Only one is shown in the figure).

The guide rail 106 extends through a hoistway and defines a stiff path. Each guide rail 106 has a T-shaped support 114 and an overlay 1
16. The T-shaped support 114 is made up of a plurality of segments 118 whose adjacent ends fit together to form a joint or splice 122 as a joint. Overlay 116 extends around support 114 to form an engagement surface 124 of guide rail 106. The engagement surface 124 serves as a sliding contact surface between the surface 112 of the guide shoe 108 and the guide rail 106. As shown in FIG.
16 extends through a plurality of segments 118 and engages with engagement surfaces 124 from segments 118 and joints 122.
Is to be separated. In this way, the guide shoe 108 is configured not to directly engage with the joint 122 while the guide shoe 108 slides or slides through the guide rail 106.

In addition, overlay 116 provides an engagement surface 124 for guide shoe 108 so that a substantial gap "G" can be provided between adjacent segments 118. This gap "G" is
The joint 122 is dimensioned to allow for thermal expansion and other movement of the building and to minimize any interference at the joint 122. When such an interference occurs, the guide rails 106 may be distorted to cause the alignment, that is, the alignment. In a conventional guide rail, if a gap is provided, the engagement surfaces of the guide rails are not continuous and become uneven.

The support 114 has a pair of ridges or wide portions 126 and grooves or grooves 128. Each widened portion 126 is shaped and positioned to engage one of the opposing hooks 132, 134 on the overlay 116. The groove 128 extends longitudinally along the outer end of the support 114 and is shaped to receive a complementary tongue 136. This tongue 136
Extend from the inner surface of the overlay 116. Hooks 132, 134, wide portion 126, tongue 136, and groove 1
Each of the 28 keeps the overlay 116 within the support, without any misalignment of the overlay 116 with respect to the support 114.

When placing the overlay 116 on the support 114, the overlay 116 slides across the lateral surface 142 of the support 114 until the hooks 132, 134 are adjacent the widened portion 126. Tongue 13
6 is aligned with the groove 128, and the overlay 116 is further pressed against the support 114 until the hooks 132, 134 snap fit into the widened portion 126 and engage tightly. This installation may be performed gradually and progressively over the entire length of the support 114. With respect to overlays 116 of the type of FIGS.
It will be apparent that other methods for positioning and maintaining 16 are applicable. With the above-described so-called snap-fit type configuration, the overlay 1
The initial introduction arrangement and replacement of the 16 are facilitated.

The overlay 116 eliminates the need to machine the surface of the support segment to form an engagement surface. As a result, the support segment 118 is made of extruded aluminum to reduce the weight, and it is possible to factory handle the segments when forming the hoistway and arranging the segments.

The overlay 116 can be formed by extruding a material that provides wear resistance to the engagement surface. Such materials include ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene:
UHMW), Polyetheretherketone (Polyethere)
therketone (PEEK), other bearings and high-density plastics with high wear properties. These materials are formed into a desired shape by extrusion, and facilitate placement of the overlay and handling during replacement. A further advantage of using the above materials is that these materials have a softer contact surface compared to steel, cushion the contact between the guide shoe and the guide rail to some extent, and provide a cushion when passengers get on. Becomes Alternatively, the overlay 116 may be a metal composition,
For example, it may be formed of stainless steel or the like.

In addition, the material selected above to form the engagement surface 124 can be impregnated with a lubricant to self-lubricate the contact surface. A further advantage of this embodiment is that the engagement surface 12 that slides into engagement with the guide shoe without the need for a fine machining finish
It is not necessary to perform the lubrication of No. 4.

Although FIGS. 1 and 2 show an elevator of the type having a guide shoe engaged with a guide rail, the present invention relates to an elevator of the type having a roller guide engaged with a guide rail. Is also applicable. In this case, the rollers of the roller guide come into rotational contact with the engagement surface of the overlay.

The embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2 show a single-layer or single-layer overlay extending through the guide rails. The overlay may be formed to form a multi-layer extending through the guide rail. In this case, the outermost layer is optimized to withstand abrasion due to contact with the rollers and guide shoes, and the intermediate layer is optimized to provide other advantages, for example, for cushioning. Also, the overlay of FIGS. 1 and 2 has been shown and described as extending over the entire length of the support structure or support. In some applications, it may not be practical for the overlay to span the entire length of the support. In this case, it is possible to cover the entire support structure by using a plurality of overlays and connecting them appropriately so that their ends match each other. In this embodiment, a plurality of joints are required between adjacent overlays, but the number of joints is significantly reduced as compared to the related art. In addition, other advantages such as easiness of introduction of the arrangement, freedom of attachment and detachment, and cushioning ability can be obtained as they are.

In summary, an elevator guide rail overlay 116 is provided that extends over a joint 122 as a junction between segments 118 for seamless engagement with guide rail 106.

This overlay separates the mating surface from the joint between adjacent segments, minimizing vibration and improving ride comfort. In one embodiment, the elevator is provided with a support 114 formed from a plurality of segments joined at its ends, and is also provided with an overlay covering a portion of the support. This overlay defines the engagement surface of the guide shoe 108 of the elevator.

Although the present invention has been described based on the specific embodiments, various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the concept of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is determined by the claims, and the above embodiments do not limit the claims of the present invention.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of an elevator guide rail having an overlay.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an elevator guide rail having a joint between adjacent guide rail segments.

[Explanation of symbols]

 102 ... Elevator 104 ... Strong 106 ... Guide Rail 108 ... Guide Shoe 114 ... Support 116 ... Overlay 118 ... Segment 122 ... Joint 124 ... Engagement Surface

Claims (26)

[Claims] 1. An overlay of guide rails for an elevator, the platform having a platform for supporting passengers, the platform moving along a path defined by engaging with the guide rails. Includes a plurality of segments, and the adjacent segments are sequentially adjacent to each other so as to form a plurality of joints. The overlay extends over the plurality of segments and the joints and has a relationship with the platform. An overlay characterized by having a mating surface. 2. The overlay according to claim 1, further comprising means for detachably attaching said overlay to said guide rail. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the means for mounting the overlay comprises a hook engageable with the guide rail such that the overlay is snap-fittable on the guide rail. 2. The overlay according to 2. 4. The overlay according to claim 1, wherein said overlay is made of a polymer material. 5. The overlay of claim 4, wherein said polymeric material is an ultra-high molecular weight material. 6. The overlay of claim 4, wherein said polymeric material is impregnated with a lubricating component such that said overlay self-lubricates the engagement surface of said platform. 7. The overlay according to claim 1, wherein the platform has a plurality of rollers, and the engagement surface defined by the overlay is in rolling contact with the plurality of rollers. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the platform is an elevator car with a plurality of rollers, and wherein the overlay extends across the guide rail and defines a rolling contact engagement of the plurality of rollers. The overlay of claim 7, wherein 9. The overlay of claim 1, wherein the platform has a plurality of guide shoes, and an engagement surface defined by the overlay is in sliding contact with the plurality of guide shoes. 10. A guide rail for an elevator car, wherein the elevator car moves over a passage defined by engagement of the elevator and the guide rail, wherein the guide rail includes an overlay and a guide rail. A plurality of segments, and the adjacent segments are sequentially adjacent so as to form a plurality of joints. The overlay extends over the plurality of segments and the joints and engages with the platform. An elevator guide rail having a surface. 11. The guide rail having means for removably attaching the overlay to one or more of the segments.
Guide rail described. 12. The means for attaching the overlay comprises a hook engageable with the one or more segments such that the overlay is snap-fittable with the segments. Item 12. The guide rail according to Item 11. 13. The means for attaching the overlay includes a first hook engagable with a wide portion extending from one or more of the segments, and a complementary groove extending from the overlay to the segment. The guide rail according to claim 11, having a tongue that can be fitted. 14. The guide rail according to claim 10, wherein the overlay is made of a polymer material. 15. The guide rail according to claim 14, wherein the polymer material is an ultra-high molecular weight material. 16. The guide rail according to claim 14, wherein the polymer material is impregnated with a lubricating component, and the overlay self-lubricates the engagement surface. 17. The elevator car has a plurality of guide shoes, an engagement between the guide shoes and the guide rails defines a path of the elevator car, and the overlay includes the plurality of guide shoes. The guide rail according to claim 10, wherein a sliding engagement surface is provided between the guide shoe and the guide rail. 18. The overlay is made of a polymer material, and the polymer material is impregnated with a lubricating component, whereby the sliding engagement surface between the guide shoe and the overlay is self-lubricated. The guide rail according to claim 17, wherein the guide rail is provided. 19. A method of installing guide rails for an elevator, wherein the elevator has a platform for supporting passengers, the platform moving along a passage defined by engaging with the guide rails. The guide rail includes an overlay and a plurality of segments, and between the adjacent segments is sequentially adjacent to each other so as to form a plurality of joints. A step of connecting the plurality of segments in order so that a plurality of joints are formed between the adjacent segments; and the plurality of connected segments such that the overlay extends over the plurality of segments and the joint. Attach the overlay to the segment Method characterized by comprising the steps that, the. 20. The overlay having a hook extending from the overlay, one or more of the segments having a wide portion having a shape complementary to the hook and engaging the hook with the plurality of segments. And maintaining the overlay on the segments of the plurality of connected segments, further comprising attaching the overlay to the plurality of connected segments includes engaging the hook with the widened portion. Claim 19
The described method. 21. The overlay having a tongue extending from the overlay, each segment having a groove for receiving the tongue, and attaching the overlay to the plurality of connected segments. 21. The method of claim 20, comprising engaging the tongue with a plurality of the grooves. 22. The overlay has a second hook extending from the overlay, and one or more of the plurality of segments engages the second hook in a shape complementary to the second hook. Attaching the overlay to the plurality of connected segments, applying the hook to the complementary shaped wide portion and snapping the overlay to the connected segments. 21. The method of claim 20, including fitting to be retained by engagement of the hook with the wide portion. 23. A method of exchanging an engagement surface for engaging between a guide rail of an elevator and a passenger support platform of the elevator, the method comprising: a plurality of guide rails sequentially connected to a first overlay. Wherein the first overlay has an engagement surface with the platform and is removably attached to the plurality of connected segments. A method comprising: removing a first overlay attached to a segment; and attaching a second overlay with a replacement engagement surface to the plurality of connected segments. 24. The overlay has hooks extending from the overlay, and one or more of the segments has a shape complementary to the hooks to hold the overlay against the plurality of segments. Having a widened portion, removing the first overlay includes disengaging the widened portion from the first overlay, and a second overlay on the plurality of connected segments. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein attaching comprises including engaging the hook with the wide portion. 25. The overlay having a tongue extending from the overlay, each segment having a groove for receiving the tongue, and removing the first overlay comprises removing the first overlay from the overlay. Disengaging the tongue and the groove from each other, and attaching the second overlay to the plurality of connected segments includes engaging the tongue of the second overlay with the plurality of grooves. The method of claim 24, comprising combining. 26. The overlay has a second hook extending from the overlay, and one or more of the plurality of segments has a shape complementary to the second hook to form the second hook. Attaching the overlay to the plurality of connected segments comprises pressing the hooks against the complementary wide portions to engage the overlay, such that the overlay is attached to the plurality of connected segments. 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the hook is snap-fitted to the connected segment and retained by engagement of the hook with the widened portion.