SG195506A1

SG195506A1 - Elevator rope cleaning device

Info

Publication number: SG195506A1
Application number: SG2013041538A
Authority: SG
Inventors: Yamamoto Kensei; Kanazawa Kazuhisa; Morino Toru
Original assignee: Toshiba Elevator Kk
Priority date: 2012-05-30
Filing date: 2013-05-29
Publication date: 2013-12-30
Also published as: CN103449280A; JP5427918B2; JP2013249153A; HK1192528A1; CN103449280B

Abstract

(FIG. 1)"ELEVATOR ROPE CLEANING DEVICE"According to one embodiment, a rope cleaning device (11) includes a pair of bases (12a, 12b) and a 5 plurality of rotating members (15). The bases (12a, 12b) each include an upper tier (13a, 13b) and a lower tier (14a, 14b) arranged in an axial direction of a plurality of wire ropes (10a-10f) to be cleaned, and are installed to interpose the wire ropes (10a-10f) 10 altogether therebetween from sides. A spacer (16) for interval adjustment is interposed between the bases (12a, 12b). The rotating members (15) are rotatably attached to the wire ropes (10a-10f) zigzag in correspondence with positions of the upper tiers (13a, 15 13b) and the lower tiers (14a, 14b) of the bases (12a, 12b). The rotating members (15) are brought into contact with the upper tiers (13a, 13b) and lower tiers (14a, 14b) of the bases (12a, 12b) by movement of thewire ropes (10a-10f) in one direction and rotate, 20 thereby removing grease.

Description

- 1 =

ELEVATOR ROPE CLEANING DEVICE

FIELD

Fmbodiments described herein relate generally to an elevator rope cleaning device used for cleaning a wire rope.

BACKGROUND

In elevators, a wire rope is used as a main rope or compensating rope for coupling a car or a counterweight. The wire rope is made by winding a 1G plurality of strands around a fiber core, each strand being formed by twisting thin steel wires together.

Grease is usually applied to the wire rope for lubrication or rust prevention. However, if the wire rope is used for a long time, hardening of grease or adhering of dust tc grease may impede elevator operation. Therefore, maintenance such as regularly removing old grease and applying new grease is required.

Generally, workers clean the wire rope with a scraper or a brush. However, such cleaning by hand is hard work and time consuming. Further, it is difficult to remove grease in grooves (between strands) on the rope by hand.

Therefore, rope cleaning devices for automatically cleaning wire ropes have been conceived. For example, there has been a rope cleaning device including a member with a hole in the shape corresponding to the outer circumference of a wire rope. The member is attached to the wire rope. The rope cleaning device removes grease by rotating the member around the axis of the rope.

However, the above-mentioned rope cleaning device 1s used for one wire rope, and cannot clean a plurality of wire ropes at the same time. A plurality of wire ropes are coupled to a car or a counterweight, and the ropes are very close Lo cne another. Thus, if the rope cleaning device 1s attached to each rope, the rope cleaning device interferes with the adjacent rope, and grease removed from one rope by the rope cleaning device may adhere again to the adjacent rope.

The object ¢f the present invention is to provide an elevator rope cleaning device capable of efficiently removing grease from a plurality of wire ropes.

SUMMARY

In general, accerding to one embodiment, an elevator rope cleaning device includes a pair of basses configured to be attached te a plurality of wire ropes to be cleaned to interpose the wire ropes altogether therebetween from sides, each of the bases including an upper tier and a lower tier arranged in an axial direction of the wire ropes; a spacer for interval adjustment interpcsed between the bases; and a plurality of rotating members rotatably attached to the wire ropes zigzag in correspondence with positions of the upper tiers and the lower tiers of the bases, and configured to be brought into contact with the upper tiers and lower tiers of the bases by movement of the wire ropes in one direction and rotate, thereby removing grease attached to the wire ropes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an elevator rope cleaning device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a rotating member used for the rope cleaning device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows the relationship between an upper rotating member and a lower rotating member of the rope cleaning device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows the relationship between the lower rotating member and a scraper of the rope cleaning device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a rotation support mechanism of the rope cleaning device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing part of the rotation support mechanism of the rope cleaning device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 shows the relationship between the rotating member and the rotation support mechanism of the rope cleaning device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8A shows a spacer used for a rope having a small diameter in the rope cleaning device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8B shows a spacer used for a rope having a large diameter in the rope cleaning device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. ¢ shows a case where the rope cleaning device according to the first embodiment is applied to ropes having a small diameter.

FIG. 10 shows a case where the rope cleaning device according to the first embodiment 1s applied to ropes having a large diameter.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explanation of a method for cleaning main ropes of an elevator according to the first embodiment, and shows a case where cleaning is performed by attaching the rope cleaning device to main ropes on the car side.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explanation of a method for cleaning main ropes of an elevator according to the first embodiment, and shows a case where cleaning is performed by attaching the rope cleaning device to main ropes on the counterweight side.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explanation of a method for cleaning compensating ropes of an elevator according to the first embodiment, and shows a case where cleaning is performed by attaching the rope cleaning device to compensating ropes on the car side.

EE —-

FIG. 14 is a diagram for explanation of a method for cleaning compensating ropes of an elevator according to the first embodiment, and shows a case where cleaning is performed by attaching the rope cleaning device to compensating ropes on the counterweight side.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a rotation support mechanism in the rope cleaning device according to the second 1G embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing part of the rotation support mechanism of the rope cleaning device according to the second embodiment.

FiG. 17 shows the relationship between the rotating member and the rotation support mechanism of the rope cleaning device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a configuration of the rope cleaning device according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 19 shows a configuration of stop members in the rope cleaning device according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 20 1s a perspective view showing a configuration of the rope cleaning device according to the fourth embcdiment.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing a

— & — configuration of the rope cleaning device according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an olling member used for the cleaning device according to the fifth embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, embodiments wlll be described below. {First Embodiment)

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a rope cleaning device of an elevator according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a rotating member used for the rope cleaning device according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, a rope cleaning device 11 comprises a palr of bases 12a, 12b, each comprising upper and lower tiers arranged in the axial direction of a plurality of wire ropes 10a-10f to be cleaned.

Wire ropes 10a-10f are, for example, main ropes or compensating ropes of an elevator (see FIGS. 11-14).

Rase 12a comprises an upper tier 13a and a lower tier lda. Base 12Zb comprises an upper tier 13b and a lower tier 14b. The bases 12a, 12b are installed to interpose wire ropes 10a-10f altogether therebetween from the sides. Spacers 16 for interval adjustment are interposed between the bases 12a, 12b. The spacers 16 prevent interference between the bases 12a, 12Zb and wire ropes 10a-10f. The spacers 16 are each made of a cylindrical member having a predetermined length.

The bases 12a, 12b are assembled by inserting fixing bolts 18, 19 in cavities of the spacers 16.

Fixing bolt 18 is inserted from each end of upper tier 13a of base 12a through a spacer 16 to upper tier 13b of base 12b. Fixing bolt 19 is inserted from each end of upper tier lda of base 12b through a spacer 16 to 1¢ upper tier 14b cof base 1Zb. Fixing bolt 15 is also used as a pin to attach a grease correction member 20, which will be described later, to lower tier 14a of base 12a.

A plurality cf rotating members 15 are arranged zigzag at two levels for wire ropes 10a-10f in correspondence with the positions of the upper tiers 13a, 13b and lower tiers 14a, 14b of the bases lZa, 12h. Those rotating members 15 are used as grease removal members for removing grease from wire ropes 10a-~10f.

For the sake of simplicity, a rotating member 15 attached to wire rope 10a will be representatively described.

As shown in FIG. 2, the rotating member 15 is cylindrical and has, at its center, an engagement hole in a shape corresponding to the uneven shape of the cuter circumference of wire rope 1lUa. The rotating

~— 8 — member 1b is made of an elastic member such as a urethane resin, and comprises a split 22 formed between the engagement hole Z1 and the outer circumference.

The rotating member 15 is attached to wire rope 10a by opening the split 22 by hand. After attachment, the split 22 may be clamped by, for example, a bolt (not shown) .

The diameter d of the engagement hole 21 is substantlalily the same as the diameter w of wire rope 10a. When the rotating member 15 is attached to wire rope 10a, the engagement hole 21 comes into close contact with the outer circumference of wire rope 10a.

Therefore, the rctating member 15 can remove grease attached to wire rope 10a by rotating along the twist of wire rope 10a.

The diameter D of the rotating member 15 is designed according to rope intervals P so that grease removed by the upper rotating member 15 flows down wire rope 10b adjacent to the rotating member 15 to the lower rotating members 15.

If the rotating member 15 1s in contact with adjacent wire rope 10b, the rotating member 15 may not smoothly rotate because of friction, and may damage wire rope 10b. Thus, the diameter D of the rotating member 15 is designed to be slightly smaller than the rope interval P so that the rotating member 15 stays a few millimeters away from wire rope 10b.

- 9 =

The rotating members 15 attached to the other wire ropes 1l0b-10f also have the configuration shown in

FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 shows the relationship between an upper rotating member and a lower rotating member cf the rope cleaning device according te the first embodiment.

Grease removed from wire rope 10a by rotation of the upper rotating member 15 flows down the adjacent wire rope 10b to the lower rotating member 15. In this case, grease removed from wire rope 10a can be attached to wire rope 10b by rotation cf the upper rotating member 15 even when the outer circumference of the upper rotating member 15 is not in direct contact with wire rope 10b.

A grease collection member 20 having an approximately U-shaped cross-section is attached to a side surface of the lower tier 14a of base 12a by fixing bolts 19. Scrapers 23 are provided on the upper surface of the lower tier l4a. The positions of the scrapers 23 are adjustable by a slide mechanism 24.

The scrapers 23 remove grease accumulated on the lower rotating members 15. The scrapers 23 are provided between the lower rotating members 1b and the grease collection member 20, and used as guiding members for guiding grease removed from the lower rotating members 15 to the grease collection member 20.

The slide mechanism 24 adiusts the attachment positions of the scrapers 23. The slide mechanism 24 comprises a long hole 25 extending in a longitudinal direction of lower tier l4a, and clamps 26 which fix the scrapers 23 at arbitrary positions of the long hole 25. With the slide mechanism 24, the scrapers Z3 can be attached at positions corresponding To the installation positions of the lower rotating members 15 regardless of the number of ropes or intervals between ropes.

The scrapers 23 are interposed between the lower rotating members 15 and the grease collection member 20, remove grease accumulated on the rotating members 15 and guide the grease to the grease collection member 20. The scrapers 23 are attached to stay slightly (a few millimeters) away from the lower rotating members 15 so that the scrapers 23 do not interfere with rotation of the lower rotating members 15.

Next, the configuration of a rotation support mechanism 30 will be described.

When wire ropes 10a-10f are moved in the direction indicated by arrow A in FIG. 1 (downward), the bottoms of the rotating members 15 attached to wire ropes 10a- 10f are brought into contact with the upper tiers 13a, 13b and lower tiers lda, 14b of the bases 12a, 12b.

Jon 11 —

As shown in FIG. 2, the rotating members 15 each have the engagement hole 21. Therefore, when the rotating members 15 come into contact with the upper tiers 13a, 13b and lower tilers 14a, 14b of the bases 12a, 12b, the rotating members 15 rotate along the twists of wire ropes 10a-10f while maintaining their positions. To support this rotation of the rotating members 15, the rotation support mechanism 30 is provided on each of the upper tiers 13a, 13b and lower tiers 1lda, 14% of the bases 12a, 1:zZb.

The rotation support mechanism 30 provided on the upper tiers 13a, 13b of the bases 12a, 1Zb will be representatively described. The rotation support mechanism 30 provided on the lower tiers l4a, 14b of the bases 12a, 12b has the same configuration.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a rotation support mechanism cf the rope cleaning device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 1s a perspective view showing part of the rotation support mechanism. FIG. 7 shows the relationship between the rotating member and the rotation support mechanism of the rope cleaning device.

The rotation support mechanism 30 comprises a plurality of balls 31 arranged in line on each of the upper tiers 13a, 13b of the bases 12a, 12b, and support members 32 rotatably supporting the balls 31, and rotatably supports the upper rotating members 15 on the upper surfaces of the upper tiers 13a, 13b.

As menticned above, when wire ropes 10a-10f are moved in one direction, the bottoms of the upper rotating members 15 are brought into contact with the upper tiers 13a, 13b of the bases 12a, 12b and rotate at the positions. Since the balls 31 of the rotation support mechanism 30 are interposed between the rotating members 15 and the upper tiers 13a, 13b, the rotating members 15 can smocthly rotate on the balls 31.

The same applies to the lower rotating members 15.

When the bottoms of the lower rotating members 15H are brought into contact with the lower tiers 14a, 14b of the bases 12a, 12b, the lower rotating members 15 can smoothly rotate on the balls 31 of the rotation support mechanism 30 provided on the lower tiers léa, ldb.

FIG. 8B shows examples of the spacer used for the rope cleaning device.

Various types of spacers 16 for adjusting the distance between the bases 12a, 12b are prepared for different diameters of wire ropes to be cleaned.

Spacer léa shown in FIG. BA 1s used for a rope having a small diameter. Spacer 1éb shown in FIG. 8B is used for a rope having a large diameter. Spacer lta differs from spacer 16b in length in the axial direction.

Spacer 16b is longer,

Further, various types cf rotating members 15 are prepared for different diameters of wire ropes to be cleaned. FIG. 9 shows a case where the rope cleaning device is applied to ropes having a small diameter.

FIG. 10 shows a case where the rope cleaning device is applied to ropes having a large diameter. Rotating member 15a differs from rotating member 1bb in the diameter d of the engagement hole 21 and the diameter D of the whole body shown in FIG. 2. Rotating member 15b ig larger.

Next, the case where main ropes and compensating ropes cof an elevator are cleaned using the rope cleaning device 11 will be described.

FIG. 11 1s a diagram for explanation of a method for cleaning main ropes of an elevator according to the first embodiment.

A controller 100 is installed in a machine room (not shown), and performs operation control of the entire elevator including drive centrol of a hoisting machine 101. The hoisting machine 101 is installed in the machine room together with the controiler 100. A malin sheave (traction sheave) 102 is attached to the drive axis of the hoisting machine 101. Main ropes 103 are wound around the outer circumference of the main sheave 102. One end of each of the main ropes 103 is coupled to a car 104, and the other end is coupled to a counterweight {C/W) 105.

When the hoisting machine 101 is driven, the main sheave 102 rotates. Accordingly, the main ropes 103 wound around the main sheave 102 move, and the car 104 and counterweight 105 move up and down in opposite directions.

The compensating ropes 107 are coupled via a compensating sheave 106 to the bottoms of the car 104 and the counterweight 105. The compensating ropes 107 move in accordance with the up and down movement of the car 104 and the counterweight 105. 190 The case where the main ropes 103 of the elevator are cleaned using the rope cleaning device 11 will be described.

Before the main ropes 103 are cleaned, the car 104 is moved te the top floor, and the rope cleaning device 11 is fixed to a predetermined place in the machine room {such as an installation rack of the hoisting machine 101) with a fixing bracket (not shown). In the case of an elevator without a machine room, the rope cleaning device 11 is fixed at the uppermost part in the hoist way.

The main ropes 103 correspond to wire ropes 1lUa-~ 10f shown in FIG. 1. The bases 12a, 12b of the rope cleaning device 11 are installed to interpose wire ropes 10a-10f therebetween from sides. Spacers 16 for interval adjustment are interposed between the bases 12a, 12b, and the upper tiers 13a, 13k are joined by fixing bolts 18. The grease collection member 20 is attached to the lower tier 14a of base 1Zb, and the tower tiers 14a, 1l4b are joined by fixing bolts 19.

Then, the rotating members 15 shown in FIG. 5 are attached zigzag at two levels for wire ropes 10a-10f in correspondence with the positions cof the upper tiers 13a, 13b and lower tiers 14a, 14b of the bases 12a, 12b. The upper rotating members 15 are located on the upper tiers 13a, 13b of the bases lzZa, 12b. The lower rotating members 15 are located on the lower tiers lida, i4b of the bases 12a, 12b. The scrapers 23 are attached at positions corresponding to the installation positions of the lower rotating members 15 by use of the slide mechanism 24.

After the rope cleaning device 11 is installed in the above~described manner, the car 104 of the elevator is moved. The case 104 is moved in such a direction that the rotating members 15 attached to wire ropes 10a-10f are pushed to the bases 12a, 12b of the rope cleaning device 11. Namely, when the rope cleaning device 11 is installed above the car 104 as shown in

FIG. 11, the car 104 is moved from the top floor to the bottom floor.

Since the rope cleaning device 11 is fixed at a position, the rotating members 15 attached to wire ropes 10a~10f are brought into contact with the bases 12a, 12b of the rope cleaning device 11 via the rotation support mechanism 30. Then, the rotating members 15 scrape grease attached to wire ropes 10a-10f while rotating at the same positions.

Grease attached to wire ropes 10a, 10c, 10e is scraped by the upper rotating members 15. The scraped grease 1s accumulated on the upper surfaces of the rotating members 15, and attaches to the adjacent wire ropes 10b, 10d, 10f te flow down to the lower rotating members 15 when the amount of accumulated grease exceeds a predetermined value.

Grease attached to wire ropes 10b, 10d, 10f is scraped by the lower rotating members 15, and accumulated on the upper surfaces of the rotating members 15. Since the scrapers 23 are provided for the lower rotating members 15, the grease accumulated on the upper surfaces of the lower rotating members 15 is scraped by the scrapers 23 and flows down to the grease collection member 20.

Accordingly, grease attached to the main ropes 103 can be easily removed only by moving the car 104. The cleaning 1s completed by disposing grease accumulated in the grease collection member 20 of the rope cleaning device 11.

In the example shown in FIG. 11, the rope cleaning device 11 is attached to the main ropes 103 on the car 104 side. However, the rope cleaning device 11 may be attached to the main ropes 103 on the counterweight 105 side for cleaning.

- 17 =

FIG. 12 shcows a case where the rope cleaning device 11 is attached to the main ropes 103 on the counterweight 105 side. Before cleaning, the car 104 is moved to the bottom floor (the counterweight 105 is moved to the top floor), and the rope cleaning device 11 is fixed in the machine room or at the uppermost part in the hoist way. From this condition, the car 104 is moved from the bottom floor te the top floor sco that the rotating members 15 attached to the main ropes 103 (wire ropes 10a-10f) on the counterweight 105 side are brought into contact with the bases of 12a, 12b of the rope cleaning device 11, and grease is removed by rotation of the rotating members 15.

The compensating ropes 107 can also be cleaned by the rope cleaning device 11. Generally, the compensating ropes 107 are located lower in the hoist way than the main ropes 103, and thus have more grease and dust accumulated therecn.

FIGS, 13 and 14 are diagrams for explanation of a z0 method for cleaning compensating ropes of an elevator according to the first embodiment. FIG. 13 shows the case where cleaning is performed by attaching the rope cleaning device to the compensating ropes on the car side, and FIG. 14 shows the case where cleaning is performed by attaching the rope cleaning device to the compensating ropes on the counterweight side.

When the compensating ropes 107 are cleaned, the rope cleaning device 11 is fixed in a pit in a hoist way using, for example, a fixing bracket. In this case, the compensating ropes 107 correspond te wire ropes 10a-10f shown in FIG. 1. The compensating ropes 107 are cleaned by moving the car 104 in such a direction that the rotating members 15 attached to wire ropes 10a-10f are pushed to the bases 12a, 12b of the rope cleaning device 11.

Namely, when the rope cleaning device 11 is attached to the compensating ropes 107 on the car 104 side as shown in FIG. 13, the car 104 is moved from the top floor to the bottom flcor. When the rope cleaning device 11 1s attached to the compensating ropes 107 on the counterweight 105 side as shown in FIG. 14, the car 104 is moved from the bottem floor to the top flcor.

Accordingly, the rotating members 15 are brought into contact with the bases 12a, 12b of the rope cleaning device 11 via the rotation support mechanism 30, and can scrape grease attached to wire ropes 10a-10f while rotating at the same positions.

The main ropes 103 and compensating ropes 10 have different diameters and are provided at different intervals. As explained with reference to FIGS. 8-10, the rope cleaning device 11 can be applied to both of the main ropes 13 and ccmpensating ropes 107 by changing the rotating members 15 and spacers 16 in accordance with the diameter of the wire ropes to be

~- 19 _ cleaned.

As described above, with the rope cleaning device 11, grease can be easily removed from wire ropes lO0a- 10f by moving wire ropes 10a-10f in one direction without workers manually cleaning wire ropes 102-10% one by one. Therefore, the load on workers can be greatly reduced, and even when there are many ropes, cleaning can ke completed in a short time. {Second Embodiment) i0 Next, the second embodiment will be described.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a rotation support mechanism in the rope cleaning device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 1¢ is a perspective view showing part of the rotation support mechanism. FIG. 17 shows the relationship between the rotating member and the rotation support mechanism.

The retation support mechanism 40 comprises a plurality of rings 41 and support members 42 rotatably supporting the rings 41, and rotatably supports the upper rotating members 15 on side surfaces of the upper tiers 13a, 13b which face wire ropes 10a-10f. The rings 41 and support members 42 are arranged in line on each of the side surfaces of the upper tiers 13a, 13b of the bases 12a, 12b.

The same rotation support mechanism 40 is provided on the lower tiers 14a, 14b of the bases 12a, 1Zb,

pe 20 — although it is not shown. The rotation support mechanism 40 provided on the lower tiers 14a, 1l4b rotatably support the lower rotating members 15 on side surfaces of the lower tiers lda, 14b.

The upper rotating members 15 attached to wire ropes 10a, 10c, 10d are located on the rings 41 of the rotation support mechanism 40. Therefore, when wire ropes 10a-10f are moved in one direction, the upper rotating members 15 can smoothly rotate on the rings 41 of the rotation support mechanism 40.

The same applles To the lower rotating members 15, and the lower rotating members 15 can smoothly rotate on the rings 41 of the rotation support mechanism 40 provided on the lower tiers 14a, 14b of the bases 12a, 12b. (Third Embodiment)

Next, the third embodiment will be described.

As described above, cleaning of wire ropes 10a-10f is performed by moving wire ropes 10a-10f in such a direction that the rotating members 15 attached to wire ropes 10a-10f zigzag are pushed to the bases 1Za, 1Zb of the rope cleaning device 11. At that time, wire ropes 10a-~10f may be moved in the reverse direction by, for example, workers’ mistake. In this case, the upper rotating members 15 may be detached from the rope cleaning device 11, and break the elevator by, for example, hitting the main sheave 102 shown in FIG. 11.

In the third embodiment, the rope cleaning device 11 is provided with a function of preventing the upper rotating members 15 from being detached from the rope cleaning device 11 by such reverse-direction movement of wire ropes 10a-10f.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a configuration of the rope cleaning device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 19 shows a configuration of stop members in the rope cleaning device according to io the third embodiment. The basic configuration of the rope cleaning device 11 is the same as that in the first embodiment, and different parts will be described below.

The bases 12a, 12b of the rope cleaning device 11 comprise upper tiers 13a, 13k and lower tiers lda, 14db, and are installed to interpcse wire ropes 10a-10f to be cleaned therebetween from sides. Spacers 1¢ for interval adjustment are provided between the bases lZa, 12b. A pair of L-shaped stop members 50a, 50b are attached by fixing belts 18 to the upper tiers 13a, 13b of the bases 12a, 12b from sides of the upper tiers 13a, 13b to embrace the upper tiers 13a, 13b.

The stop members 50a, 50b prevent the upper rotating members 15 attached to wire ropes 10a, 10c, 10e from being detached from the rope cleaning device 11. Tips 5la, 51k of the stop members 50a, 50k are bent toward the rope. On the tips 5la, 41b, rotation

— £8 — support mechanisms 52a, 52Z2b, which are the same as rotation support mechanism 30 described with reference to FIGS. 5-7, are provided,

With this configuration, even when wire ropes 1l0a-~ 10f are moved in the reverse direction for cleaning by mistake, the reverse~direction movement is stopped by the upper rotating members 15 hitting the tips 5la, 51b of the stop members 50a, 50b. Since the rotation support mechanisms 52a, 52b are provided on the inner surfaces of the tips 5la, 5lb, only reverse-direction movement can be stopped without preventing rotation of the rotating members 15.

If wire ropes 10a-10f are moved in the reverse direction, the lower rotating members 15 stop as they come into contact with the lower surfaces of the upper tiers 13a, 13b, and thus are detached from the rope cleaning device 11. The rotation suppert mechanisms 52a, 52b may be provided on the lower surfaces of the upper tiers 13a, 13b as they are on the tips 5la, 51b of the stop members 50a, 50b. {Fourth Embodiment)

Next, the fourth embodiment will be described.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing a configuration of the cleaning device according to the fourth embodiment. The basic configuration of the rope cleaning device 11 is the same as that in the first embodiment, and different parts will be describsd below.

The bases 12a, 12b of the rope cleaning device 11 comprise upper tiers 13a, 13b and lower tiers 1lda, lib, and are installed to interpose wire ropes 10a-10f to be cleaned therebetween. A spacer 16 for adjustment is provided between the bases 12a, 12b. 2A rope moving distance detector 60 is attached by fixing bolts 18 to the upper tiers 13a, 13b of the hases 12a, 1Zb.

The rope moving distance detector 60 detects a moving distance of wire ropes 10a-10f, and comprises a roller 61, a counter 62 and an indicator 63. The roller 61 comes into contact with one of wire ropes 10a-10f (rope 10f in FIG. 20), and rotates as wire ropes 10a~10f move.

The counter 62 counts the number cf rotations of the recller 61, and calculates a rope moving distance from the count value. The indicator 63 indicates the rope moving distance calculated by the counter 62.

With this configuration, when grease 1s removed by moving wire ropes 10a-10f, the moving distance of wire ropes 10a-10f is detected by the rope moving distance detector 60, and the value is indicated by the indicator 63.

When wire ropes 10a~10f are cleaned, a worker is at a place where the rope cleaning device 11 1s fixed {for example, the machine room). By checking the indicator 63 of the rope moving distance detector 60

- 24 = attached to the rope cleaning device 11 while cleaning, the worker can tell the current rope moving distance {cleaning distance) and tell the progress cf the cleaning from the rope moving distance.

Comparison of the rope moving distance and the amount of grease accumulated in the grease collection member 20 shows which part of the ropes much grease is attached to, and helps maintenance.

In the example shown in FIG. 20, the rope moving distance detector 60 is provided on the upper tiers 13a, 13b of the bases 12a, 12b. However, the rope moving distance detector 60 may be provided on the lower tiers 14a, 14h.

Further, the rope moving distance detector 60 may optically detect the rope moving distance by using, for example, infrared light, instead of using the roller el as shown in FIG. 20. (Fifth Embodiment)

Next, the fifth embodiment will be described.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing a configuration of the cleaning device according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an oiling member used for the cleaning device according to the fifth embodiment.

The basic configuration cof the rope cleaning device 11 is the same as that in the first embodiment, and different parts will be described below.

The bases 12a, 12b of the rope cleaning device 11 comprise upper tiers 13a, 13b and lower tiers 14a, lib, and are installed to interpose wire ropes 10a-10f to be cleaned therebetween from sides. Spacers 16 for interval adjustment are provided between the bases 12a, 12b. A plurality of rotating members 15, which are grease removal members, are concentrically disposed on oiling members 70 having the same shape as the rotating members 15. The oiling members 70 and the rotating members 15 disposed thereon are arranged zigzag on the upper tiers 13a, 13b and lower tiers lda, 1l4b of the bases 12a, 1Zb.

For the sake of simplicity, the ciling member 70 attached to wire rope 10a will be representatively described.

The oiling member 70 has an engagement hole 71 in a shape corresponding to the uneven shape of the cuter circumference of wire rope 10a. The diameter Do of the oiling member 70 is equal to the diameter D of the rotating member 15, and the diameter do of engagement nole 71 is equal to the diameter d of engagement hole 21. On the inner surface of the engagement hole 71, i.e., the surface which comes into contact with the rope, a sponge 73 dampened with grease is provided.

A split 72 is formed between the engagement hole 71 and the outer circumference of the oiling member 71.

The oiling member 70 1s attached to wire rope 10a by opening the split 72 by hand. After attachment, the split 72 may be clamped by, for example, a bolt (not shown) .

The oiling members 70 attached to the other wire ropes 10b~10f has the same configuration.

Generally, a moderate amount of grease needs to be applied te wire ropes 10a-10f for lubrication or rust prevention. However, long-term use causes hardening of grease or attachment of dust, which impedes elevator operation. Therefore, grease needs to be removed and new grease needs to be applied regularly.

For this reascn, the sponges 73 of the oiling members 70 are dampened with grease, and the oiling members 70 and the rotating members 15 disposed thereon are rotatably attached to wire ropes 10b-10f zigzag.

In advance, the upper rotating members 15 and coiling members 70 are provided on the upper tiers 13a, 13b of the bases 12a, 12b. The lower rotating members 15 and 0lling members 70 are provided on the lower tiers lida, 14b of the bases 12a, 12b. Further, scrapers 23 are attached to the lower rotating members 15 and oiling members 70, and positions of the scrapers Z3 are adjusted by the slide mechanism 24 in advance.

From this condition, wire ropes 10a-10f are moved in such a direction that the rotating members 15 and oiling members 17 are pushed to the bases 12a, 12Z2b of the rope cleaning device 11. RAccordingly, while removing old grease from wire ropes 10a-10f by rotation of the rotating members 15, new grease can be applied to wire ropes 10a-10f by rotation of the oiling members 70. Namely, the rope cleaning device 11 can remove old grease and apply new grease concurrently. Therefore, workers need not apply grease by hand, and special apparatus for grease application need not be installed in, for example, a machine roon.

According to at least one of the embodiments described above, an elevator rope cleaning device capable of efficiently removing grease from a plurality of wire ropes can be provided.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as weuld fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.

Claims

WHAT I5 CLAIMED IS:

1. An elevator rope cleaning device, characterized by comprising: a pair of bases configured to be attached to a plurality of wire ropes to be cleaned to interpose the wire ropes altogether therebetween from sides, each of the bases including an upper tier and a lower tier arranged in an axial direction of the wire ropes; a spacer for interval adjustment interposed i0 between the bases; and a plurality of rotating members rotatably attached to the wire ropes zigzag in correspondence with positions of the upper tiers and the lower tiers of the bases, and configured to be brought into contact with the upper tiers and lower tiers of the bases by movement of the wire ropes in one direction and rotate, thereby removing grease attached to the wire ropes.

2. The elevator rope cleaning device of Claim I, characterized in that the rotating members are cylindrical and respectively have center holes in a shape corresponding to uneven shapes of outer circumferences of the wire ropes.

3. The elevator rope cleaning device of Claim 1, characterized in that grease removed by upper rotating members of the rotating members flows down wire ropes adjacent to the upper rotating members to lower rotating members of the rotating members.

a 25 —

4. The elevator rope cleaning device of Claim 3, characterized by further comprising: scrapers configured to remove grease from the lower rotating members; and a grease collection member configured to collect grease removed by the scrapers.

5. The elevator rope cleaning device of Claim 1, characterized by further comprising a rotation support mechanism configured to support rotation of the rotating members when the rotating members are in contact with the upper tiers and lower tiers of the bases.

6. The elevator rope cleaning device of Claim 5, characterized in that the rotation support mechanism 1s configured to rotatably support the rotating members on upper surfaces of the upper tiers and lower tiers of the bases.

7. The elevator rope cleaning device of Claim 3, characterized in that the rotation support mechanism is configured to rotatably support the rotating members on side surfaces of the upper tiers and lower tiers of the bases, the side surfaces facing the wire ropes.

8. The elevator rope cleaning device of Claim 1, characterized by further comprising a stop member configured to prevent the upper rotating members from being detached from the upper tiers of the bases. 9, The elevator rope cleaning device cf Claim &,

characterized in that a rotation support member is provided on a portion of the stop member which the upper rotating members come into contact with.

10. The elevator rope cleaning device of Claim 1, characterized by further comprising a moving distance detector provided on the upper tiers or lower tiers of the bases and configured to detect a moving distance of the wire ropes.

11. The elevator rope cleaning device of Claim 1, characterized by further comprising a plurality of oiling members configured to apply new grease to the wire ropes while the rotating members are removing grease from the wire ropes.

12. The elevator rope cleaning device of Claim 11, characterized in that the olling members are identical in shape with the rotating members and rotatably attached to the wire ropes with the rotating members disposed thereon.