WO2024033561A1

WO2024033561A1 - Method for constructing elevator and configuration change arrangement

Info

Publication number: WO2024033561A1
Application number: PCT/FI2022/050519
Authority: WO
Inventors: Matti RÄSÄNEN; Mika IJÄS; Mikko Kukkola; Markku Haapaniemi; Otto Lanz; Janne Laine
Original assignee: Kone Corporation
Priority date: 2022-08-09
Filing date: 2022-08-09
Publication date: 2024-02-15

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for constructing an elevator comprising providing an elevator arrangement (A) and performing a configuration change after a period of moving an elevator car (4), wherein said configuration change comprises hoisting a hoisting machine (2) and thereafter remounting it in the hoistway (3) to a second position which is higher than the first position for thereby increasing its hoisting range to reach higher in the hoistway (2). Said configuration change comprises before said hoisting the hoisting machine (2) separating the one or more hoisting ropes (1) from the hoisting machine (2), which separating comprises for each said hoisting rope (1): fixing a section (S2) of the hoisting rope (1) in proximity of the drive sheave (2b) on a structure (4) other than the hoisting machine (2) for thereby providing support for the section (S2) by a structure (4) other than the hoisting machine (2); attaching an auxiliary rope (7) on the end (la) of the hoisting rope (1); and pulling the hoisting rope (1) such that the auxiliary rope (7) attached to it runs around said one or more pulleys (6a, 6b) of a pulley arrangement (6) of the car (4); and detaching the auxiliary rope (7) from the end (la) of the hoisting rope (1); and moving a section (SI) over the drive sheave (2a), in particular by pulling it over the drive sheave (2a). The invention also relates to a configuration change arrangement implementing the method.

Description

METHOD FOR CONSTRUCTING ELEVATOR AND CONFIGURATION

CHANGE ARRANGEMENT

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a method for constructing an elevator and a configuration change arrangement for changing configuration of an elevator arrangement previously used for transporting passengers and/or goods. The elevator is preferably an elevator for transporting passengers and/or goods.

Background of the invention

Such construction time elevators are known, hereinafter also referred to as jump-lifts, where the bottom part of an elevator hoistway is taken into transportation use already when the upper parts of the building and the hoistway are still under construction or even non-existent. In this kind of project, the upper parts of the building as well as the top part of the elevator hoistway can be constructed at the same time as an elevator moving in the bottom part of the elevator hoistway already serves people on the lower floors of the building under construction. Typically in jump-lifts, the elevator car moving in the lower parts of the elevator hoistway is supported and moved during construction-time use with a hoisting machine supported on a machine room which is vertically movable in the elevator hoistway. Also such jump-lifts are known where the hoisting machine is mounted on a guide rail and detachable for moving it upwards by hoisting. In documents W02010010226 Al and WO2021170847 Al, different jump-lift solutions have been disclosed, for example.

When a portion of the elevator hoistway under construction higher than the hoisting machine has reached a sufficient stage of completion, the completed part of the elevator hoistway can be taken into use. At this stage a configuration change, hereinafter also referred to as "a jump", is performed, wherein the hoisting machine is hoisted higher in the elevator hoistway. Thereafter, the car can reach a higher position than before the jump and start to serve additional floors. Also, many other components are hoisted in context of this configuration change. Such components involve the hoisting roping of the elevator arrangement. The known way has been to hoist the hoisting ropes together with the hoisting machine without separating the from the hoisting machine. This has been implemented for example such that the hoisting ropes have stayed on the drive sheave during the hoisting. The rising of the hoisting machine has then pulled the hoisting ropes upwards together with it. The hoisting ropes can extend through an openable rope clamp arrangement into a rope supply storage. In this type of solutions, before a jump, the rope clamp arrangement is opened which enables that an additional rope length runs in a jump into the system from a rope supply storage pulled by upwards directed movement of the hoisting machine.

A drawback of prior solutions described above has been that the hoisting step of the hoisting machine and the hoisting ropes has been difficult particularly when the hoistway is slim and/or the hoisting machine is positioned in a tight space and/or the hoisting ropes pass in a tight vertical channel (e.g. close to hoistway wall and a guide rail). Large size and/or weight of the hoisting machine has also caused said difficulties particularly when the ropes have limited freedom of hoisting route of the hoisting machine and increased considerably the total weight to be hoisted.

Brief description of the invention

The object of the invention is to introduce an improved construction time elevator solution, which is facilitates configuration change after a period of transporting passengers and/or goods, in particular through increasing freedom in hoisting of components for increasing hoisting range of an elevator car. An object is particularly to introduce a solution by which one or more of the above-mentioned problems of prior art and/or drawbacks discussed or implied elsewhere in the description can be alleviated.

It is introduced, inter alia, embodiments where a hoisting machine and hoisting ropes can be hoisted separately. The introduced solutions facilitate freedom of hoisting route in hoisting of said components. For example, the hoisting machine can be hoisted without limitations caused by ropes hanging from it. The introduced solutions facilitate that the hoisting ropes can be positioned to pass along a correct route simply and quickly after a configuration change.

It is brought forward a new method for constructing an elevator comprising providing an elevator arrangement comprising one or more hoisting ropes; a hoisting machine mounted in a first position in a hoistway, comprising an electric motor and a drive sheave engaging said one or more hoisting ropes, the drive sheave being rotatable by the electric motor; an elevator car and a counterweight in the hoistway, which elevator car and counterweight are interconnected by said one or more hoisting ropes; wherein the one or more hoisting ropes have each a first section passing from the drive sheave on the first side thereof to one or more pulleys of a pulley arrangement comprised in the car, and around said one or more pulleys, and from the pulley arrangement to a rope fixing device mounted stationary in the hoistway, where the end of the hoisting rope is fixed, and a second section passing from the drive sheave on the second side thereof to the counterweight.

After this, the method comprises moving the elevator car for transporting passengers and/or goods with the hoisting machine; and performing a configuration change after a period of said moving the elevator car, wherein said configuration change comprises hoisting the hoisting machine and thereafter remounting it in the hoistway to a second position which is higher than the first position for thereby increasing its hoisting range to reach higher in the hoistway; and thereafter moving the elevator car for transporting passengers and/or goods with the hoisting machine.

Said configuration change comprises before said hoisting the hoisting machine separating the one or more hoisting ropes from the hoisting machine, which separating comprises for each said hoisting rope: fixing the second section of the hoisting rope in proximity of the drive sheave on a structure other than the hoisting machine for thereby providing support for the second section by a structure other than the hoisting machine; attaching an auxiliary rope on the first end of the hoisting rope; and pulling the hoisting rope such that the auxiliary rope attached to it runs around said one or more pulleys of the pulley arrangement; and detaching the auxiliary rope from the first end of the hoisting rope; and moving the first section over the drive sheave, in particular towards the second side of the drive sheave.

With this kind of solution one or more of the above-mentioned objects can be facilitated.

Preferable further details of the method are introduced in the following, which further details can be combined with the method individually or in any combination.

In a preferred embodiment, the separating is performed while the car is stationary and supported by a structure other than the hoisting ropes, preferably anchored immovably in the hoistway.

In a preferred embodiment, the hoisting machine comprises one or more components on the radial side of the rim of the drive sheave, each said hoisting rope passing around the drive sheave via a passage radially between the rim of the drive sheave and said one or more components, said components preferably comprising a jump guard or a rope position sensing member ; and/or a hoisting machine frame component; and/or a support bracket via which the hoisting machine is mounted on a guide rail.

In a preferred embodiment, each said rope passes around the drive sheave via a passage on the radial side of the rim of the drive sheave. Said passage is preferably tubular and continuously surrounded by components, in particular such that rope removal is blocked in transverse direction thereof.

In a preferred embodiment, said moving the first section over the drive sheave, in particular towards the second side of the drive sheave, is continued until the whole first section has moved over the drive sheave, in particular to the second side of the drive sheave.

In a preferred embodiment, in said moving the first section over the drive sheave the first section is moved through the aforementioned passage.

In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises, in particular during moving the elevator car for transporting passengers and/or goods with the hoisting machine, performing construction work in the hoistway above the level of the hoisting machine mounted in the first position.

In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises removing tension from the one or more hoisting ropes, preferably by supporting the counterweight by a structure separate from the one or more hoisting ropes, such as by a counterweight buffer or another structure temporarily placed below the counterweight and/or supporting the car by a structure other than the hoisting ropes, such as by anchoring the car immovably in the hoistway.

In a preferred embodiment, in said fixing (the second section of the hoisting rope in proximity of the drive sheave), the other structure is the car and said fixing is performed by a fixing device mounted on the car.

In a preferred embodiment, the separating comprises for each said hoisting rope: before said pulling removing the first end of the hoisting rope from said fixing device; and/or fixing the end of the auxiliary rope after said pulling and before said detaching by a fixing device mounted on the car; and/or placing the first section to be stored on the car, preferably in a reeled or coiled form.

In a preferred embodiment, in said attaching an end of the auxiliary rope is attached on the first end of the hoisting rope, in particular with a sleeve inside which said ends are made to extend and/or by splining the ends, the sleeve being preferably a tubular element, such as an aluminum tube or a tape twisted into tubular shape around the ends.

In a preferred embodiment, the one or more hoisting ropes extend via a releasable rope clamp arrangement into a rope supply storage, preferably in the form of one or more rope reels where additional length of hoisting rope can be taken from in a configuration change.

In a preferred embodiment, the configuration change comprises after said hoisting the hoisting machine hoisting the car, and thereafter for each said hoisting rope (preferably in this order): moving the first section of the hoisting rope over the drive sheave towards the first side of the drive sheave, in particular through the passage; attaching an auxiliary rope on the first end of the hoisting rope; and pulling the auxiliary rope such that the hoisting rope, in particular said first section, attached to it runs around said one or more pulleys of the pulley arrangement; and detaching the auxiliary rope from the first end of the hoisting rope; and fixing the first end to a rope fixing device mounted stationary in the hoistway. In a preferred embodiment, the configuration change comprises releasing a releasable rope clamp arrangement and moving an additional length of ropes from rope supply storage through the releasable rope clamp arrangement, and thereafter closing the releasable rope clamp arrangement.

In a preferred embodiment, the arrangement comprises one or more guide rails in the hoistway for guiding the car and/or counterweight.

In a preferred embodiment, the construction work comprises installing one or more additional guide rail sections on top of one or more of the guide rails for making it/them to extend higher in the hoistway.

In a preferred embodiment, the hoisting machine is mounted in said first position on a guide rail, preferably on a back side of a guide rail for guiding the elevator car, which back side is the opposite side on which the car is disposed, the drive sheave being preferably between the guide rail and the motor of the hoisting machine.

In a preferred embodiment, each said moving comprises controlling the movement of the car by an elevator control system in response to car call signals received by the elevator control system from one or more user interfaces located at one or more landings and/or inside the car.

In a preferred embodiment, the pulley arrangement is arranged to guide each said hoisting rope to pass under the car from one side of the car to the other side of the car.

It is also brought forward a new configuration change arrangement, the configuration change arrangement comprising a hoistway; one or more hoisting ropes; an elevator car and a counterweight in the hoistway, the car comprising one a pulley arrangement comprising one or more pulleys; a hoisting machine comprising a drive sheave for engaging said one or more hoisting ropes, and an electric motor for rotating the drive sheave; a hoisting arrangement connected or at least connectable to the hoisting machine for hoisting it higher in the hoistway; and one or more auxiliary ropes.

The one or more hoisting ropes are separate from the hoisting machine, a section of each hoisting rope being fixed in proximity of the drive sheave on a structure other than the hoisting machine for thereby providing support for said section by a structure other than the hoisting machine, and said one or more auxiliary ropes pass around the one or more pulleys of the pulley arrangement.

Preferable further details of the configuration change arrangement are introduced in the above as well as in the following, which further details can be combined with the configuration change arrangement individually or in any combination.

In a preferred embodiment, a section of each hoisting rope is stored on the car, preferably in a reeled or coiled form and detached from the auxiliary rope(s).

In a preferred embodiment, in the configuration change arrangement, said one or more hoisting ropes do not pass around the one or more pulleys of the pulley arrangement.

In a preferred embodiment, in the configuration change arrangement, said one or more hoisting ropes are not attached to said one or more auxiliary ropes. In a preferred embodiment, the configuration change arrangement comprises an elevator control system configured to control movement of the elevator car, in particular in response to car call signals received by the elevator control system from one or more user interfaces located at one or more landings and/or inside the car.

In a preferred embodiment, the configuration change arrangement comprises a releasable rope clamp arrangement and a rope supply storage.

In a preferred embodiment, car is stationary and supported by a structure other than the hoisting ropes, preferably anchored immovably in the hoistway.

In a preferred embodiment, the counterweight is supported by a structure separate from the one or more hoisting ropes, such as by a counterweight buffer or another structure temporarily placed below the counterweight.

Generally, the car preferably comprises an interior wherein passenger and/or goods can be transported. The car preferably also comprises one or more doors by which the interior can be opened and closed. The door is preferably an automatic door, whereby comfortable and safe elevator use can be provided by the elevator solution.

Brief description of the drawings

In the following, the present invention will be described in more detail by way of example and with reference to the attached drawings, in which FIG. 1 illustrates a phase of a method for constructing an elevator according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a phase of the method following the phase of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a phase of the method following the phase of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates a preferred way to attach rope ends.

FIG. 5 illustrates a phase of the method following the phase of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 illustrates a phase of the method following the phase of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 illustrates a phase of the method following the phase of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 illustrates a phase of the method following the phase of FIG. 7, and a configuration change arrangement according to an embodiment.

FIG. 9 illustrates a phase of the method following the phase of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 illustrates a phase of the method following the phase of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 illustrates a phase of the method following the phase of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 illustrates a phase of the method following the phase of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 illustrates a phase of the method following the phase of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 illustrates a phase of the method following the phase of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 illustrates preferred further details for implementing the arrangement of FIG 1.

FIG. 16 illustrates preferred further of how the hoisting machine is preferably mounted in FIG. 1 and FIG. 14.

Detailed description

Figure 1 illustrates a phase in a method for constructing an elevator according to an embodiment. The method comprises providing an elevator arrangement A as illustrated in Figure 1. The arrangement A comprises one or more hoisting ropes 1; a hoisting machine 2 mounted in a first position in a hoistway 3, comprising an electric motor 2a and a drive sheave 2b for engaging said one or more hoisting ropes 1. The drive sheave 2b is rotatable by the electric motor 2a.

The arrangement A moreover comprises an elevator car 4 and a counterweight 5 in the hoistway 3, which elevator car 4 and counterweight 5 are interconnected by said one or more hoisting ropes 1.

The arrangement A moreover comprises an elevator control system 100 connected to the electric motor 2a and configured to control movement of the elevator car 4 by controlling rotation of the electric motor, preferably in response to car call signals received by the elevator control system from one or more user interfaces located at one or more landings and/or inside the car 4.

Each of said one or more hoisting ropes 1 have a first section A and a second section B, which are successive to each other.

In the arrangement A, the first section A passes from the drive sheave 2b on the first side thereof (left side in Figure 1) down to the car 4 and the second section B passes from the drive sheave 2b on the second side thereof (right side in Figure 1) down to the counterweight 5. The first section SI passes from the drive sheave 2b on the first side thereof to one or more pulleys 6a, 6b of a pulley arrangement 6 comprised in the car 4, and around said one or more pulleys 6a, 6b, and from the pulley arrangement 6 to a rope fixing device 8 mounted stationary in the hoistway 3, where an end of the hoisting rope la is fixed, said end la being also referred to as a first end la. Said end is in particular an end of the first section SI.

The method comprises moving the elevator car 4 for transporting passengers and/or goods with the hoisting machine 2 as illustrated in Figure by arrow al. The method comprises after a period of said moving the elevator car 4 performing a configuration change. Figures 2-13 illustrate phases of the configuration change of the method according to an embodiment.

After the configuration change, the method comprises moving the elevator car 4 for transporting passengers and/or goods with the hoisting machine 2. This is illustrated in Figure 14 by arrow a2.

The configuration change is such that therein the hoisting range of the arrangement A is made to reach higher in the hoistway 2. For this purpose, said configuration change comprises hoisting the hoisting machine 2, as illustrated in Figure 8 and thereafter remounting it in the hoistway 3 to a second position which is higher than the first position for thereby increasing its hoisting range to reach higher in the hoistway 2. This remounting is illustrated in Figure 9.

Said configuration change comprises before said hoisting the hoisting machine 2 separating the one or more hoisting ropes 1 from the hoisting machine 2.

The separating preferably comprises removing tension from the one or more hoisting ropes 1. This is illustrated in Figure 2. Said removing tension preferably comprises supporting the car 4 by a structure other than the hoisting ropes 1, such as by anchoring the car 4 immovably in the hoistway 3. Hereby, the separating can be performed while the car 4 is stationary and supported by a structure other than the hoisting ropes 1, preferably anchored immovably in the hoistway 3. Said anchoring can be implemented in different alternative ways. It may for example comprise locking the car 4 immovably on the guide rails 21 or the hoistway structures such as by an auxiliary hoist not showed. Said removing tension preferably also comprises supporting the counterweight 5 by a structure 19 separate from the one or more hoisting ropes 1, such as by a counterweight buffer or another structure temporarily placed below the counterweight 5. The separating comprises for each said hoisting rope 1 fixing the second section S2 of the hoisting rope 1 in proximity of the drive sheave 2b on a structure 4 other than the hoisting machine 2 for thereby providing support for the second section by a structure 4 other than the hoisting machine 2. This has been illustrated in Figure 3. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, in said fixing, the other structure is the car 4 and said fixing is performed by a fixing device 9 mounted on the car 4.

The separating further comprises for each said hoisting rope 1 attaching an auxiliary rope 7 on the end la of the hoisting rope 1. This has been illustrated in Figure 4. In said attaching an end of the auxiliary rope 7 is attached on the end la of the hoisting rope 1, in particular with a sleeve 19 inside which said ends are made to extend, in particular from opposite directions, and/or by splining the ends. The sleeve 19 is preferably a tubular element, such as an alumininium tube or a tape twisted into tubular shape around the ends, for example.

The separating further comprises, in particular after said fixing the second section S2 and after said attaching, for each said hoisting rope 1 pulling the hoisting rope 1 such that the auxiliary rope 7 attached to it runs around said one or more pulleys 6a, 6b of the pulley arrangement 6. This has been illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 (partial views, lower parts not showed). The pulling can be done manually by a person standing on top of the car 4 for instance.

The separating further comprises for each said hoisting rope 1, in particular after said pulling, detaching the auxiliary rope 7 from the end la of the hoisting rope 1. Figure 7 illustrates the auxiliary rope detached from the end la. The separating preferably comprises for each said hoisting rope 1 fixing the end of the auxiliary rope 7 after said pulling and before said detaching by a fixing device 24 mounted on the car 4. Thus, the auxiliary rope 7 will be firmly held at its place after being pulled through the rope pulley arrangement 6. The opposite end of the auxiliary rope 7 is also preferably fixed e.g. by a fixing device 23 mounted on the car 4. The auxiliary rope 7 being pulled through the rope pulley arrangement 6 provides that it passes around the one or more pulleys 6a, 6b along the earlier route of the hoisting rope 1. This facilitates that the auxiliary rope 7 can be later used to pull the hoisting rope 1 back to its original route simply and quickly. Thus it is facilitated that the hoisting ropes 1 can be positioned to pass around the one or more pulleys 6a, 6b simply and quickly after a configuration change dump).

The separating further comprises for each said hoisting rope 1, moving the first section SI over the drive sheave 2a, in particular by moving it over the drive sheave 2a towards the second side of the drive sheave 2b. This has been illustrated in Figure 7. Said moving the first section SI over the drive sheave 2a towards the second side of the drive sheave 2b, is continued until the whole first section SI has moved over the drive sheave 2a, in particular to the second side of the drive sheave 2b.

The separating further comprises placing the first section SI to be stored on the car 4, preferably in a reeled or coiled form.

Figure 8 illustrates a phase where the separating is finished and the hoisting the hoisting machine 2 is being performed. After this, the configuration change comprises remounting it in the hoistway 3 to a second position which is higher than the first position. Figure 9 illustrates the hoisting machine 2 in said second position.

Generally preferably, in said arrangement A, said rope 1 passes around the drive sheave 2b via a passage 16 on the radial side of the rim of the drive sheave lb. The components close to the passage 16 can be such positioned that they block the hoisting ropes 1 from freely being removed from the passage 16 by lifting them as a loop away from around the drive sheave 2b. In said moving the first section SI over the drive sheave 2a the first section SI is moved through the passage 16.

Generally preferably, in the arrangement A, the one or more hoisting ropes 1, in particular the second sections S2 thereof, extend via a releasable rope clamp arrangement 10 into a rope supply storage 11, preferably in the form of one or more rope reels where additional length of hoisting rope 1 can be taken from in a configuration change. This is preferably implemented such that the second section S2 passes from the drive sheave 2b on the second side thereof down to the counterweight 5, more specifically to one or more pulleys of a pulley arrangement comprised in the counterweight 5, and around said one or more pulleys, and from the pulley arrangement of the counterweight to the releasable rope clamp arrangement 10 and via it into a rope supply storage 11.

The configuration change comprises after said hoisting the hoisting machine 2 hoisting the car 4 as illustrated in Figure 9. The configuration change comprises at a suitable moment releasing a releasable rope clamp arrangement 10 and moving an additional length of ropes from rope supply storage 11 through the releasable rope clamp arrangement 10, and thereafter closing the releasable rope clamp arrangement 10. Said releasing is performed in Figure 9 before hoisting the car 4 so the hoisting of the car 4 can generate the pulling force to pull the needed length of rope from the rope storage.

The configuration change comprises after said hoisting the car 4, for each said hoisting rope 1 moving the first section SI of the hoisting rope 1 over the drive sheave 2a, in particular from the second side, towards the first side of the drive sheave 2b, in particular through the passage 16. This has been illustrated in Figure 10. The configuration change comprises after said moving the first section SI of the hoisting rope 1 over the drive sheave 2a, attaching an auxiliary rope 7 on the first end la of the hoisting rope 1, which auxiliary rope passes via the pulley arrangement 6. This has been illustrated in Figure 11. Said attaching is performed similarly as described referring to Figure 4.

The configuration change comprises after said attaching pulling the auxiliary rope 7 such that the hoisting rope 1, in particular said first section SI, attached to it runs around said one or more pulleys 6a, 6b of the pulley arrangement 6. This has been illustrated in Figure 12.

The configuration change comprises after said pulling, detaching the auxiliary rope 7 from the first end la of the hoisting rope 1 and fixing the first end la to a rope fixing device 8 mounted stationary in the hoistway 3. This has been illustrated in Figure 13. The configuration change comprises after said fixing the first end la to a rope fixing device 8, releasing said fixing device 9 mounted on the car 4. After this, the method comprises moving the elevator car 4 for transporting passengers and/or goods with the hoisting machine 2, as illustrated in Figure 14 by arrow a2.

In the preferred embodiments, in said arrangement A, said rope 1 passes around the drive sheave 2b via a passage 16 on the radial side of the rim of the drive sheave lb. The components close to the passage 16 can be such positioned that they block the hoisting ropes 1 from freely being removed from the passage 16 by lifting them as a loop away from around the drive sheave 2b. Figure 16 illustrates preferred details of the hoisting machine mounting in said first postion and said second position. The hoisting machine 1 comprises one or more components 17,18 on the radial side of the rim of the drive sheave 2b, each said hoisting rope 1 passing around the drive sheave 2b via a passage 16 radially between the rim of the drive sheave 2b and said one or more components 2a, 2b, 17,21, said components preferably comprising a jump guard or a rope position sensing member 18; and/or hoisting machine frame component 17; and/or a support bracket not illustrated via which the hoisting machine is mounted on a guide rail 21.

In the embodiment of Figure 16, said passage 16 is tubular and continuously surrounded by components 2a, 2b, 17,21, in particular such that rope removal is blocked in transverse direction thereof.

As illustrated in Figure 15, the arrangement A preferably comprises one or more guide rails 21, 22 in the hoistway 3 for guiding the car 4 and/or counterweight 5.

As illustrated in Figure 15, the method comprises, in particular during moving the elevator car 4 for transporting passengers and/or goods with the hoisting machine 2, performing construction work in the hoistway 3 above the level of the hoisting machine 2 mounted in the first position. The construction work preferably comprises installing one or more additional guide rail sections 21a, 22a on top of one or more of the guide rails 21,22 for making it/them to extend higher in the hoistway 3.

As illustrated in Figures 15 and 16, the hoisting machine 2 is preferably mounted in said first position on a guide rail 21, preferably on a back side of a guide rail 21 for guiding the elevator car 3, which back side is the opposite side on which the car 4 is disposed, the drive sheave 2b being preferably between the guide rail 21 and the motor 2a of the hoisting machine 2. In an arrangement where the hoisting machine has this kind of positioning, the advantages of the method are particularly considerable since hoisting of the roping and the hoisting machine 2 are relatively limited.

Generally, in the method each said moving comprises controlling the movement of the car 4 by an elevator control system 100 in response to car call signals received by the elevator control system 100 from one or more user interfaces 101 located at one or more landings L and/or inside the car 3.

In addition to illustrating a phase in the method, Figure 8 illustrates configuration change arrangement AC, according to an embodiment, in particular in a method for changing configuration of an elevator arrangement A previously used for transporting passengers and/or goods, the configuration change arrangement AC comprising a hoistway 3; one or more hoisting ropes 1; an elevator car 4 and a counterweight 5 in the hoistway 3, the car 4 comprising one a pulley arrangement 6 comprising one or more pulleys 6a, 6b; and a hoisting machine 2. The hoisting machine 2 comprises a drive sheave 2a for engaging said one or more hoisting ropes 1, and an electric motor 2a for rotating the drive sheave 2b. The configuration change arrangement AC moreover comprises a hoisting arrangement 13 connected or at least connectable to the hoisting machine 2 for hoisting it higher in the hoistway 3.

The configuration change arrangement AC moreover comprises one or more auxiliary ropes 7 wherein the one or more hoisting ropes 1 are separate from the hoisting machine 2, a section S2 of each hoisting rope 1 being fixed in proximity of the drive sheave 2b on a structure 4, which is preferably the car 4, other than the hoisting machine 2 for thereby providing support for said section S2 by a structure 4 other than the hoisting machine 2, and wherein said one or more auxiliary ropes 7 pass around the one or more pulleys 6a, 6b of the pulley arrangement 6. The one or more auxiliary ropes 7 passing around the one or more pulleys 6a, 6b facilitates that it/they can be later used to pull the hoisting rope(s) 1 to pass around the one or more pulleys 6a, 6b simply and quickly. Thus it is facilitated that the hoisting ropes 1 can be positioned to pass around them simply and quickly after a configuration change dump).

Said fixing is implemented in the illustrated embodiment more specifically such that the section S2 of each hoisting rope 1 is fixed in proximity of the drive sheave 2b, more specifically on the car 4 by a fixing device 9 mounted on the car 4.

The configuration change arrangement AC is advantageous, because it facilitates that the hoisting machine and hoisting ropes can be hoisted separately. This way, it is increased freedom of hoisting route in hoisting of said hoisting machine and hoisting ropes. For example, the hoisting machine can be hoisted without limitations caused by ropes hanging from it.

Preferred further details of the arrangement AC have already above been discussed in context of the method referring to Figure 8.

In the configuration change arrangement AC, another section SI of each said hoisting rope 1 is stored on the car 4, preferably in a reeled or coiled form and detached from the auxiliary ropes 7.

It is advantageous, that in the configuration change arrangement AC, as visible in Figure 8, said one or more hoisting ropes 1 do not pass around the one or more pulleys 6a, 6b of the pulley arrangement 6. The hoisting ropes 1 need not pass this route, since the auxiliary ropes 7 are available for pulling the hoisting ropes 1 through the pulley arrangement 6. Therefore, the hoisting ropes 1 can be positioned ready to be easily movable to pass over the drive sheave later when needed. It is moreover advantageous in the configuration change arrangement AC, as visible in Figure 8, that said one or more hoisting ropes 1 are not attached to said one or more auxiliary ropes 7. Attachment is not necessary, and hereby the hoisting ropes 1 can be ready to be easily movable to pass over the drive sheave later when needed.

In the configuration change arrangement AC, the car 4 is stationary and supported by a structure other than the hoisting ropes 1, preferably anchored immovably in the hoistway 3. The counterweight 5 is supported by a structure 19 separate from the one or more hoisting ropes 1, such as by a counterweight buffer 19 or another structure temporarily placed below the counterweight 5 and/or supporting the car 4 by a structure other than the hoisting ropes 1, such as by anchoring the car 4 immovably in the hoistway 3. This is as shown in Figure 3.

The configuration change arrangement AC comprises an elevator control system 100 shown in Fig 1, not in operation during the configuration change phase of Figure 8 configured to control movement of the elevator car 4, in particular in response to car call signals received by the elevator control system from one or more user interfaces located at one or more landings and/or inside the car 4.

The configuration change arrangement AC comprises a releasable rope clamp arrangement 10 and a rope supply storage 11. The one or more hoisting ropes 1 extend via a releasable rope clamp arrangement 10 into a rope supply storage 11, preferably in the form of one or more rope reels where additional length of hoisting rope (1 can be taken from in a configuration change. These preferred further details are as shown in Figure 3.

Generally, the suspension ratio of the car 4 and counterweight 5 can be 2: 1 as illustrated in Figures. However, alternatively some other suspension ratio could be used such as 1: 1, or 4: 1, for example or any combination of suspension ratios mentioned.

It is to be understood that the above description and the accompanying Figures are only intended to teach the best way known to the inventors to make and use the invention. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the inventive concept can be implemented in various ways. The abovedescribed embodiments of the invention may thus be modified or varied, without departing from the invention, as appreciated by those skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that the invention and its embodiments are not limited to the examples described above but may vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. Method for constructing an elevator comprising providing an elevator arrangement (A) comprising

- one or more hoisting ropes (1);

- a hoisting machine (2) mounted in a first position in a hoistway (3), comprising an electric motor (2a) and a drive sheave (2b) engaging said one or more hoisting ropes (1), the drive sheave (2b) being rotatable by the electric motor (2a);

- an elevator car (4) and a counterweight (5) in the hoistway (3), which elevator car (4) and counterweight (5) are interconnected by said one or more hoisting ropes (1);

- wherein the one or more hoisting ropes (1) have each a first section (SI) passing from the drive sheave (2b) on the first side thereof to one or more pulleys (6a, 6b) of a pulley arrangement (6) comprised in the car (4), and around said one or more pulleys (6a, 6b), and from the pulley arrangement (6) to a rope fixing device (8) mounted stationary in the hoistway (3), where a first end (la) of the hoisting rope (1) is fixed, and a second section (S2) passing from the drive sheave (2b) on the second side thereof to the counterweight (5); and thereafter moving the elevator car (4) for transporting passengers and/or goods with the hoisting machine (2); and performing a configuration change after a period of said moving the elevator car (4), wherein said configuration change comprises hoisting the hoisting machine (2) and thereafter remounting it in the hoistway (3) to a second position which is higher than the first position for thereby increasing its hoisting range to reach higher in the hoistway (2); and thereafter moving the elevator car (4) for transporting passengers and/or goods with the hoisting machine (2), characterized in that said configuration change comprises before said hoisting the hoisting machine (2) separating the one or more hoisting ropes (1) from the hoisting machine (2), which separating comprises for each said hoisting rope (1): fixing the second section (B) of the hoisting rope (1) in proximity of the drive sheave (2b) on a structure (4) other than the hoisting machine (2) for thereby providing support for the second section by a structure (4) other than the hoisting machine (2); attaching an auxiliary rope (7) on the first end (la) of the hoisting rope (1); and pulling the hoisting rope (1) such that the auxiliary rope (7) attached to it runs around said one or more pulleys (6a, 6b) of the pulley arrangement (6); and detaching the auxiliary rope (7) from the first end (la) of the hoisting rope (1); and moving the first section (SI) over the drive sheave (2b), in particular towards the second side of the drive sheave (2b).

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the separating is performed while the car (4) is stationary and supported by a structure other than the hoisting ropes (1), preferably anchored immovably in the hoistway (3).

3. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the hoisting machine (2) comprises one or more components (17,18) on the radial side of the rim of the drive sheave (2b), each said hoisting rope (1) passing around the drive sheave (2b) via a passage (16) radially between the rim of the drive sheave (2b) and said one or more components (17,18).

4. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each said rope (1) passes around the drive sheave (2b) via a passage (16) on the radial side of the rim of the drive sheave (lb), said passage (16) in particular being tubular and continuously surrounded by components (2a, 2b, 17,21), in particular such that removal of said hoisting rope (1) is blocked in transverse direction thereof.

5. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said moving the first section (SI) over the drive sheave (2a), in particular towards the second side of the drive sheave (2b), is continued until the whole first section (SI) has moved over the drive sheave (2a).

6. A method according to any of the preceding claims 3-5, wherein in said moving the first section (SI) over the drive sheave (2a) the first section (SI) is moved through the passage (16).

7. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises, in particular during moving the elevator car (4) for transporting passengers and/or goods with the hoisting machine (2), performing construction work in the hoistway (3) above the level of the hoisting machine (2) mounted in the first position.

8. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the separating comprises removing tension from the one or more hoisting ropes (1), preferably by supporting the counterweight (5) by a structure (19) separate from the one or more hoisting ropes (1), such as by a counterweight buffer (19) or another structure temporarily placed below the counterweight (5); and/or by supporting the car (4) by a structure other than the one or more hoisting ropes (1), such as by anchoring the car (4) immovably in the hoistway (3).

9. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein in said attaching an end of the auxiliary rope (7) is attached on the end (la) of the hoisting rope (1), in particular with a sleeve (19) inside which said ends are made to extend, the sleeve (19) preferably being a tubular element, such as an aluminium tube or a tape twisted into tubular shape around the ends; and/or by splining the ends.

10. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more hoisting ropes (1) extend via a releasable rope clamp arrangement (10) into a rope supply storage (11), preferably in the form of one or more rope reels where additional length of hoisting rope (1) can be taken from in a configuration change.

11. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the configuration change comprises after said hoisting the hoisting machine (2) hoisting the car (4), and thereafter for each said hoisting rope (1):

- moving the first section (SI) of the hoisting rope (1) over the drive sheave (2a) towards the first side of the drive sheave (2b), in particular through the passage (16);

- attaching an auxiliary rope (7) on the first end (la) of the hoisting rope (1); and

- pulling the auxiliary rope (7) such that the hoisting rope (1), in particular said first section (SI), attached to it runs around said one or more pulleys (6a, 6b) of the pulley arrangement (6); and

- detaching the auxiliary rope (7) from the first end (la) of the hoisting rope (1); and

- fixing the first end (la) to a rope fixing device (8) mounted stationary in the hoistway (3).

12. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the configuration change comprises releasing a releasable rope clamp arrangement (10) and moving an additional length of ropes from rope supply storage (11) through the releasable rope clamp arrangement (10), and thereafter closing the releasable rope clamp arrangement (10).

13. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the arrangement (A) comprises one or more guide rails (21, 22) in the hoistway (3) for guiding the car (4) and/or counterweight (5).

14. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the construction work comprises installing one or more additional guide rail sections (21a, 22a) on top of one or more of the guide rails (21,22) for making it/them to extend higher in the hoistway (3).

15. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the hoisting machine (2) is mounted in said first position on a guide rail (21), preferably on a back side of a guide rail (21) for guiding the elevator car (3), which back side is the opposite side on which the car (4) is disposed, the drive sheave (2b) being preferably between the guide rail (21) and the motor (2a) of the hoisting machine (2).

16. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each said moving comprises controlling the movement of the car (4) by an elevator control system (100) in response to car call signals received by the elevator control system (100), in particular from one or more user interfaces (101) located at one or more landings (L) and/or inside the car (4).

17. A configuration change arrangement (AC), the configuration change arrangement (AC) comprising

- a hoistway (3);

- one or more hoisting ropes (1); - an elevator car (4) and a counterweight (5) in the hoistway (3), the car (4) comprising a pulley arrangement (6) comprising one or more pulleys (6a, 6b);

- a hoisting machine (2) comprising a drive sheave (2b) for engaging said one or more hoisting ropes (1), and an electric motor (2a) for rotating the drive sheave (2b);

- a hoisting arrangement (13) connected or at least connectable to the hoisting machine (2) for hoisting it higher in the hoistway (3); and

- one or more auxiliary ropes (7); wherein the one or more hoisting ropes (1) are separate from the hoisting machine (2), a section (S2) of each hoisting rope (1) being fixed in proximity of the drive sheave (2b) on a structure (4) other than the hoisting machine (2) for thereby providing support for said section (S2) by a structure (4) other than the hoisting machine (2), and wherein said one or more auxiliary ropes (7) pass around the one or more pulleys (6a, 6b) of the pulley arrangement (6).

18. A configuration change arrangement (AC) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a section (SI) of each hoisting rope (1) is stored on the car (4), preferably in a reeled or coiled form and detached from the auxiliary rope(s) (7).

19. A configuration change arrangement (AC) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the arrangement (AC) comprises an elevator control system (100) configured to control movement of the elevator car (4), in particular in response to car call signals received by the elevator control system (100) from one or more user interfaces located at one or more landings and/or inside the car (4).

20. A configuration change arrangement (AC) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the arrangement (AC) comprises a releasable rope clamp arrangement (10) and a rope supply storage (11).

21. A configuration change arrangement (AC) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more hoisting ropes (1) extend via a releasable rope clamp arrangement (10) into a rope supply storage (11), preferably in the form of one or more rope reels where additional length of hoisting rope (1) can be taken from in a configuration change.

22. A configuration change arrangement (AC) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the car (4) is stationary and supported by a structure other than the hoisting ropes (1), preferably anchored immovably in the hoistway (3).

23. A configuration change arrangement (AC) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the counterweight (5) is supported by a structure (19) separate from the one or more hoisting ropes (1), such as by a counterweight buffer or another structure temporarily placed below the counterweight (5).