FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001 J The present invention relates to an elevator system for transporting passengers or cargo between different floors of a building; and more specifically, the invention relates to an elevator system which is provided with a machine room at the top of hoistway.

BACKGROUND

[0002] An elevator system is generally an electromechanical system which is powered by an electric motor. The elevator is attached to a building and used for transporting passengers or cargo between different floors of the building by means of a car which runs on at least two rigid rails.

[0003] Those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains can appreciate that the hoisting machine (including the electric motor, a brake, an optional reduction gear, etc), a control cabinet and a speed governor and the like are exemplary components of the elevator system. Typically, an elevator system can use a machine room for housing these devices be provided in the building (e.g., at the top of the elevator hoistway or at other locations) and to facilitate the maintenance of these devices. In addition to the hoisting machine in the hoisting subsystem of the elevator system, with elevator systems having other than a 1:1 roping arrangement, a car side dead end hitch (DEH) , a counterweight side DEH, as well as their bearing devices are sometimes also provided in the machine room. It is appreciated that the machine room of the elevator system is an important place for repair and maintenance personnel of elevator to perform routine operations. The machine room is associated with both the structural layout of the building and the repair and maintenance operation performed by the personnel.

[0004] Fig. 1 shows a commonly seen layout of machine room in the prior art. In this layout, in view of the very large working load of the hoisting machine 11, it is required to ensure that the slabs of the machine room are load bearing slabs (accordingly, the cost of the building will be increased) and a section steel is used as the pedestals 12 for raising the load bearing beam 13 of the hoisting machine 11 so that the hoisting machine 11 is stably installed in the machine room 10. The two ends of the load bearing beam 13 of the hoisting machine 11 are placed into a recess, or pocket, in the load bearing wall of the hoistway with the depth of the recess meeting corresponding industrial standards. In the prior art, a pedestal 12 formed by casting concrete is often selected to replace the section steel pedestal 12. However, in such a concrete pedestal, reinforcing steel bars must be added according to design requirements and the steel bars are further required to be connected by means of foundation bolts to the slabs of the machine room, making the workflow complicated. [0005J Fig.2 shows another layout of machine room in the prior art. In this machine room 20, stronger and firmer slabs are employed (further increasing the cost) so that the hoisting machine 21 can be directly installed on the slabs of machine room by means of the pedestal (installing structure) 22.

[0006] Although Figs. 1 and 2 shows different ways of the installing the hoisting machine, the layouts in the machine rooms of the two figures are both generally similar to the plan view shown in Fig.3 and have generally the same disadvantages. Taking Fig.3 as an example, since the hoisting machine 31 is installed on slabs of machine room by means of the pedestals 32, working load will be borne directly by the building, thus posing very demanding requirements on the machine room itself of the building; meanwhile, since the pedestals 32 of the hoisting machine 31 occupies most space inside the machine room, the control cabin 33, the driving motor 34, the speed governor 35 and the DEH 36 have to be placed dispersedly, leading to a large space occupied and a low utilization rate of space and making it difficult to minimize the dimensions of machine room (the width of the machine room is larger than the width of the hoistway, the longitudinal depth of the machine room is also larger than the longitudinal depth of the hoistway ). Moreover, since the bedplate of hoisting machine is installed with a low accuracy, its assembly and the calibration of installing positions are both time-consuming. Such a layout of this type of machine room also makes it difficult for maintenance personnel to perform maintenance operations.

[0007] In order to save space and reduce construction cost, an elevator system without machine room also arises in the prior art. Such an elevator system having no machine room is adapted for buildings having special designs (e.g., having an antique style roof) and other buildings where machine room can not be conveniently installed, e.g., podium of building, etc. Moreover, in the elevator system without machine room, there could exist disadvantages such as noise and vibration; besides, in the elevator system without machine room, the maintenance and management of elevator are more inconvenient.

[0008] As can be seen, there exists a need for solving the above problems in the prior art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The technical problem to be solved by the invention is to provide an elevator system having a small machine room, which not only reduces requirements on machine room itself and saves construction cost, but also realizes a reasonable layout of the space inside the machine room, facilitates modularization as well as installation and maintenance of various devices; meanwhile, as compared with an elevator system without machine room, such problems as large noise, variation and difficulty for dissipating heat are also resolved. [0010] In order to solve the above technical problems, the invention proposes the following technical solutions:

[0011] According to the first aspect of the present invention, an elevator system is provided comprising a hoisting subsystem having a hoisting machine and a guide subsystem having rigid rails, wherein the rigid rails are positioned inside a hoistway and at least one of the rigid rails extend into the machine room located above the hoistway, and the hoisting machine is located in the machine room and mounts to at least one of the rigid rails which extends into the machine room for supporting the load of the hoisting subsystem. By the elevator system with such an arrangement, the working load of the hoisting subsystem is transferred downwardly through the rigid rails and is no longer passed through building structures inside the machine room, such as slabs of the elevator system machine room, etc., which is beneficial for reducing construction cost of machine room, and also avoids the complicated construction process of hoisting machine pedestals, etc.; meanwhile, the layout of devices inside machine room can be improved. [0012] Optionally, in the above described elevator system, the rigid rails comprise: car rails, wherein the elevator system also includes an elevator car that runs in the hoistway along the car rails; and/or counterweight rails, wherein the elevator system also includes a counterweight that runs in the hoistway along the counterweight rails, wherein the car rails and the counterweight rails extend into the machine room. By such an arrangement, existing rails in the elevator system can be directly made use of so that design is simplified and installation cost is reduced.

[0013] Optionally, in the above described elevator system, the hoisting subsystem further comprises DEHs, at least one of the DEHs located in the machine room and supported on at least one of the rigid rails. Those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains will recognize that in other cases, the DEHs in the elevator system and their load bearing devices can be provided on the car and the counterweight, or can be provided in the machine room. When the car DEH and the counterweight DEH of the elevator system are arranged in the machine room, they can also be borne on the rigid rails, which also serves to eliminate load bearing pressure of slabs of the machine room, optimize layout of space inside the machine room, and facilitates operation of maintenance personnel.

[0014] Optionally, in the above described elevator system, the rigid rails are secured to inner wall of the hoistway and/or pit at the bottom end of the hoistway. By such an arrangement, the working load of the hoisting subsystem of the elevator system is transferred to the inner wall of hoistway and/or pit of the elevator system under the machine room through the rigid rails so that it is ensured that the elevator system can operate stably and effectively while eliminating load bearing pressure inside the machine room and simplifying the structure inside the machine room.

[0015] Optionally, in the above described elevator system, the elevator system has a speed governor which is also provided inside the machine room and mounts to at least one of the rigid rails.

[0016] Optionally, in the above described elevator system, the elevator system is located inside a building or is used in cooperation with the building.

[0017] Optionally, in the above described elevator system, the hoisting subsystem mounts to a plurality of the rigid rails which extend into the machine room.

[0018] Optionally, in the above described elevator system, the hoisting subsystem mounts to three of the rigid rails.

[0019] Optionally, in the above described elevator system, the hoisting subsystem mounts to all of the rigid rails.

[0020] Optionally, in the above described elevator system, the hoisting subsystem mounts to two counterweight rails and one car rail.

[0021] Optionally, in the above described elevator system, the elevator system comprises a speed governor which mounts to another car rail. [0022] According to the second aspect of the invention, an elevator system is provided comprising a speed governor and a guide subsystem having rigid rails, wherein the rigid rails are positioned inside a hoistway and at least one of the rigid rails extend into a machine room located above the hoistway, and the speed governor is located in the machine room and mounts to at least one of the rigid rails which extends into the machine room for supporting the load of the speed governor.

[0023] Optionally, in the above described elevator system, the rigid rails comprise a car rail which extends into the machine room.

[0024] Optionally, in the above described elevator system, the speed governor mounts to the car rail. By such an arrangement, existing car rail in the elevator system can be directly made use of so that design is simplified and installation cost is reduced.

[0025] Optionally, in the above described elevator system, the elevator subsystem further comprises DEHs, at least one of the DEHs located in the machine room and supported on at least one of the rigid rails.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0026] The disclosure of the invention will become apparent with reference to the drawings. It should be understood that these figures, which are not drawn to scale, are merely schematic and not intended to limit the scope of protection claimed by the invention. In the drawings:

[0027] Fig. 1 is a schematic view showing a layout of machine room of an elevator system in the prior art;

[0028] Fig. 2 is a schematic view showing another layout of machine room of an elevator system in the prior art;

[0029] Fig. 3 is a schematic plan view showing a layout of machine room of an elevator system in the prior art;

[0030] Fig. 4 is a schematic view showing an embodiment of an elevator system according to the invention; and [0031] Fig. 5 is a schematic plan view showing the layout of machine room in the embodiment of elevator system according to the invention.

List of components and reference signs

10, 20, 30, 40 machine room

11, 21, 31, 41 hoisting machine

12, 22, 32 pedestals

13, 33 load bearing beam

34 electric motor

35, 45 speed governor

36, 46', 46" DEH (dead end hitch)

47 counterweight rails

48 car rails

49 hoisting element

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described in detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. The description is merely illustrative and exemplary.

[0033] Fig. 4 is a schematic view showing an exemplary particular embodiment of an elevator system according to the first aspect of the invention. As shown in the figure, the elevator system of the particular embodiment spatially comprises and is not limited to machine room section A, hoistway and pit section B and car section C, etc., wherein the hoistway and pit section B can be vertically arranged (alternatively, inclined at a small angle) inside the building or in conjunction with the building, whereas the machine room section A is arranged at the top of the hoistway. [0034] Functionally, the elevator system may comprise and is not limited to a hoisting subsystem, a guide subsystem, a car, a counterweight subsystem, an electrical control subsystem, and/or a safety protection subsystem, etc.

[0035] For example, the hoisting subsystem can comprise a hoisting machine 41, one or more hoisting elements 49 (such as steel wire rope or a belt such as coated steel belt), a counterweight DEH 46', a car DEH 46", etc. Generally, although not shown in detail in the drawings, the hoisting machine 41 in the particular embodiment could include an electric motor, a brake, and a traction sheave, which will constitute a power driving system for hoisting driving. It should be understood that the one or more hoisting elements 49 are operatively connected to the car generally near one end and to the counterweight generally near the other end. The gravity force of the car and the counterweight can press the hoisting elements 49 against the traction sheave so as to ensure the machine can propel the car and the counterweight for vertical transportation between different floors. Therefore, the hoisting elements 49 interconnect the car and the counterweight, bears the weight of the car and counterweight (and the load in the car); further, the whole working load of the entire hoisting subsystem including the hoisting elements 49 will be borne by the support structure of the hoisting machine.

[0036] The guide subsystem is provided for guiding the components running in the hoistway of the elevator system. For example, for ensuring the proper operation of the car and the counterweight in the hoistway, the guide subsystem may comprise car rails and counterweight rails which guide the car and the counterweight respectively, so that the car may travel vertically and serve its transporting function. As shown in Fig. 4, according to the present embodiment, at least one of the rigid rails has one end extending into the machine room, and in order to reduce load bear burden of slabs of the machine room, the working load of the hoisting subsystem of the elevator system according to the invention is borne on the rigid rails of the guide subsystem inside the machine room so that the load is transferred to a rail fixing position under the machine room (typically the hoistway floor) through the rails. In an optional embodiment, in the machine room, the hoisting machine, or at least one of the DEHs, may be supported directly on at least one of the rigid rails extending into the machine room. For example, in the embodiment shown in the figures, the hoisting subsystem may be mounted on three of the rigid rails: the hoisting machine 41, the counterweight DEH 46' and its support plate and the like of the elevator system are installed on one or both of the counterweight rails 47 and a car rail 48 on the same side in the machine room, whereas the car DEH 46" and the like are installed on the other car rail in the machine room. In an alternative embodiment, other number of rigid rails may be used to support the hoisting subsystem. Since the rails (including the car rails and the counterweight rails) of the guide subsystem are typically installed on the inner wall of hoistway or the pit through rails bracket, working load of the hoisting subsystem is transferred downwardly to the inner wall of hoistway and/or pit through the rigid rails rather than directly acting upon the inner wall of hoistway inside machine room or slabs, which is beneficial for lowering construction requirements on machine room.

[0037] It should be understood that in addition to the embodiment shown in the figures, different implementations can exist for bearing working load of the hoisting subsystem on the rails. For example, in a 1 : 1 roping arrangement when the counterweight DEH is installed on the counterweight and the car DEH is installed on the car, only the hoisting machine (including its support plate) is installed on the rails. As another example, in a rucksack elevator arrangement when the car and counterweight guide rails are located adjacent the same hoistway wall, all of the hoisting machine, the CWT DEH and the car DEH (including their support plate) can be installed as unit on one or more of the rails of the guide subsystem of the elevator. There is no doubt that these implementations all bear working load on the rails in such a way that load bearing pressure of slabs of machine room is eliminated and the modularization of various devices of the hoisting subsystem and various devices of the guide subsystem is facilitated; meanwhile, layout of space inside the machine room is also optimized and operations of maintenance personnel are facilitated. The optimization of space layout inside the machine room is also beneficial for minimizing machine room. For example, the width and longitudinal of the machine room are both smaller than corresponding parameters of hoistway. In a preferred embodiment, the speed governor of elevator system can also be supported on rigid rails inside the machine room.

[0038] In an exemplary particular embodiment of the elevator system according to the second aspect of the invention, in order to supporting the speed governor and optimizing the space in the machine room, the speed governor may be mounted on at least one of the rigid rails extending into the machine room. It should be understood that these rigid rails may include car rails and counterweight rails extending into the machine room, which may reduce the costs for design and installation. Preferably, the DEHs and other components of the elevator system may also be supported on the rigid rails in the machine rooms.

[0039] Fig. 5 is a schematic plan view showing the layout of machine room in the previous embodiment of elevator system according to the invention. As can be seen from comparison between Figs 3 and 5, since all of the hoisting machine 41, the CWT DEH 46' and the car DEH 46" and the like are installed on rigid rails, all working load of the hoisting subsystem is borne by rails so that use of pedestals and load bearing beam is avoided and space inside the machine room is saved; meanwhile, in the elevator system according to the invention, such devices as the hoisting machine and the like do not have to be installed at the top of the car, thus eliminating such problems of noise, vibration, temperature influence and maintenance in an elevator without machine room

[0040] As described above, particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art can make appropriate modifications and variations to the embodiments of the invention so as to form new technical solutions without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It should be understood that these new technical solutions are doubtlessly equivalent to being directly recorded in the description and fall within the scope of protection determined by the appended claims.