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Title:
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INSTALLING ELEVATOR ROPES
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2005/058740
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for installing the ropes of an elevator system comprising the ropes, a diverting pulley and a frame structure for rotatably supporting the diverting pulley in place, said method comprising the steps of : mounting the ropes on the diverting pulley and mounting the diverting pulley together with the ropes in the frame structure.

Inventors:
MUSTALAHTI JORMA (FI)
AULANKO ESKO (FI)
Application Number:
PCT/FI2004/000703
Publication Date:
June 30, 2005
Filing Date:
November 22, 2004
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
KONE CORP (FI)
MUSTALAHTI JORMA (FI)
AULANKO ESKO (FI)
International Classes:
B66B7/00; B66B7/06; B66B11/08; B66B15/02; B66B19/02; (IPC1-7): B66B7/06; B66B7/00; B66B11/08
Foreign References:
US5878847A1999-03-09
JPH11246114A1999-09-14
Other References:
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 1999, no. 14 22 December 1999 (1999-12-22)
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 2000, no. 22 9 March 2001 (2001-03-09)
DATABASE WPI Section PQ Week 200403, Derwent World Patents Index; Class Q38, AN 2004-029969, XP002326371
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
KONE CORPORATION (P.O. Box 677, Hyvinkää, FI)
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Claims:
CLAIMS
1. A method for installing the ropes of an elevator in an elevator system comprising the ropes, a diverting pulley and a frame structure for rotatably support ing the diverting pulley in place, characterized in that the method comprises the steps of: mounting the ropes on the diverting pulley, mounting the diverting pulley together with the ropes in the frame structure.
2. A method for installing the ropes of an elevator in an elevator system comprising the ropes, a diverting pulley and a frame structure for rotatably support ing the diverting pulley in place, characterized in that the method comprises the steps of: passing the ropes via a guiding device of the frame structure, such as a slot made in the frame structure, mounting the diverting pulley and a supporting ele ment, such as a shaft, in the frame structure.
3. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the diverting pulley is formed from the combi nation of a diverting pulley and a supporting ele ment such as a shaft.
4. An elevator installed according to any one of the preceding claims.
5. An elevator comprising at least one diverting pul ley (1) mounted in place by means of a frame struc ture (3) and a set of ropes consisting of a number of ropes (6), the passage of which has been arranged using at least one diverting pulley (1), character ized in that the ropes have been arranged on the di verting pulley (1) by first setting the ropes (6) of the set of ropes on the diverting pulley (1) and then mounting the diverting pulley (1) together with the ropes (6) in the frame structure (3).
6. An elevator comprising at least one diverting pul ley (1) mounted in place by means of a frame struc ture (3) and a set of ropes consisting of a number of ropes (6), the passage of which has been arranged using at least one diverting pulley (1), character ized in that the ropes (6) have been arranged on the diverting pulley (1) by first setting the ropes (6) of the set of ropes in a guiding device (7) of the frame structure, such as a slot made in the frame structure, and then mounting the diverting pulley (1) and a supporting element (2), such as a shaft, in the frame structure (3).
7. An elevator according to claim 5 or 6, character ized in that the frame structure (3) has been formed from a continuous piece.
8. An elevator according to claim 57, characterized in that the frame structure (3) has been formed from profiled metal, preferably profiled aluminum.
9. An elevator according to claim 58, characterized in that the frame structure (3) comprises a guiding device (7) added to it to guide the ropes (6).
10. An elevator according to claim 59, characterized in that the frame structure (3) has a groove, slot or the like made in it to guide the ropes (6).
11. An elevator according to claim 510, characterized in that the frame structure (3) has been fastened by means of fastening elements (9) preferably in a given fastening direction.
12. An elevator according to claim 511, characterized in that the frame structure (3) has been made to be detachable e. g. when new ropes (6) are to be in stalled.
13. An elevator according to claim 512, characterized in that the set of ropes is preferably a set of hoisting ropes.
14. Use of a diverting pulley (1) mounted by means of a frame structure (3), in which the passage of the ropes (6) has been arranged using at least one di verting pulley (1), for suspending an elevator car or equivalent.
Description:
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INSTALLING ELEVATOR ROPES The present invention relates to a method as defined in the preamble of claims 1 and 2, to an elevator con- structed by this method, to an elevator as defined in the preamble of claim 5 and 6 and to the use of a di- verting pulley supported by a frame structure accord- ing to the preamble of claim 14 to suspend an elevator car or equivalent.

In prior-art arrangements, elevator hoisting ropes are passed separately one at a time to diverting pulleys already mounted in place e. g. on the elevator car, in the elevator shaft or on a diverting pulley.

However, there are considerable drawbacks associated with prior-art technology. For example, passing the ropes, possibly even through long distances, in verti- cal and/or widthwise directions is not only difficult but may also involve a major safety risk, because the ropes may fall down and hit the person installing them. Diverting pulleys based on prior-art solutions are also very difficult to access. In addition, making adjustments on ready mounted diverting pulleys e. g. in respect of positioning and orientation is difficult.

The object of the present invention is to overcome these drawbacks and achieve a solution of a completely new type. It is an object of the invention to facili- tate the installation of hoisting ropes and to render the installation work safer. A further object of the invention is to create an elevator having a simpler and safer construction than earlier elevators.

By applying the invention, it is possible to achieve an accurate positioning of the diverting pulley. In

addition to this, orienting of the diverting pulley is also achieved by utilizing a frame structure. This al- lows faster and easier installation of the pulley, while the reliability is not so much dependent on the installation process. Moreover, the device of the in- vention can be used in different applications, pref- erably e. g. as diverting pulleys of the elevator car, counterweight or elevator shaft. In addition to this, their mounting direction is independent of the case.

The method and elevator of the invention and the use of a diverting pulley mounted by means of a frame structure according to the invention are characterized by what is disclosed in the characterization parts of claims 1, 2,5, 6 and 14. Other embodiments of the in- vention are characterized by what is disclosed in the other claims. Inventive embodiments are also presented in the description part of the present application.

The inventive content disclosed in the application can also be defined in other ways than is done in the claims below. The inventive content may also consist of several separate inventions, especially if the in- vention is considered in the light of expressions or implicit sub-tasks or in respect of advantages or sets of advantages achieved. In this case, some of the at- tributes contained in the claims below may be super- fluous from the point of view of separate inventive concepts.

The frame structure of the invention is economical in respect of construction and it can be constructed e. g. from profiled metal, preferably from profiled alumi- num, in which case the structure is additionally light, too. It is also possible to integrate func- tional features in the frame structure. It can be pro- vided with e. g. a separate rope guiding device or al- ternatively the frame structure can be provided be-

forehand with a groove, slot or equivalent to guide the rope.

As for the features of the method of the invention and the elevator of the invention, reference is made to the claims.

The invention also relates to the use of a diverting pulley mounted by means of a frame structure to sus- pend an elevator car or equivalent. In this case, the rope passage is arranged by using at least one divert- ing pulley. The solution in question can thus be used in other applications as well, for example for sus- pending the counterweight or motor.

In more accurate terms, the method and elevator of the invention are characterized by what is disclosed in the characterization parts of claims 1,2, 5,6 and 14.

According to the method of the invention, the elevator ropes are installed in an elevator system comprising ropes, a diverting pulley and a frame structure for rotatably mounting the diverting pulley in place. Ac- cording to the method of the invention, the method comprises stages in which the ropes are first mounted on the diverting pulley and after that the diverting pulley together with the ropes is mounted in the frame structure. In this situation, the diverting pulley al- ready has a shaft, pin or equivalent, which has been mounted on it beforehand. In addition, the diverting pulley can be alternatively formed by combining a di- verting pulley and a supporting element, such as a shaft, thereby creating an integrated element that can be installed easily and quickly while also a saving on manufacturing costs is achieved. By this method, the installation of hoisting ropes becomes considerably

easier because the ropes have already been set on the diverting pulleys and no time-consuming and sometimes difficult and even hazardous rope threading operations for passing the ropes to the diverting pulleys are needed. In addition, the ropes are properly set in their grooves and are held there by a rope-jump guard.

The rope-jump guard may preferably consist of the frame structure itself or a separate element.

According to another alternative method of the inven- tion, the method comprises the following steps, whereby the ropes are first passed through a guiding device, such as a slot made in the frame structure, the diverting pulley and a supporting element, such as a shaft, are mounted in the frame structure. This method is used e. g. when the ropes do not run in the same direction but the diverting pulley forms an angle of e. g. 90 degrees between them. In this case, the frame structure preferably forms a so-called rope po- sitioning support against which the rope is first set, whereupon the diverting pulley is placed either as separate pulley in which the shaft is mounted after- wards or alternatively the diverting pulley may have a shaft preferably mounted in it beforehand.

By the method of the invention, an elevator can be in- stalled reliably, quickly and economically. In addi- tion to new buildings, the method of the invention can also be used in modernization projects, and the method is not restricted to any specific elevator type, but the method in question can be applied both in elevator solutions without counterweight and in elevator solu- tions with counterweight. Moreover, the method can be applied in other hoisting arrangements according to need.

The elevator of the invention, which comprises at least one diverting pulley mounted in place by means of a frame structure and a set of ropes consisting of a number of ropes, the passage of which has been ar- ranged by means of at least one diverting pulley. The ropes of the elevator of the invention are arranged on the diverting pulley by first setting the ropes on the diverting pulley and then mounting the diverting pul- ley together with the ropes in the frame structure.

The ropes of another alternative elevator of the in- vention have been arranged on the diverting pulley by first setting the ropes of the set of hoisting ropes in a guiding device, such as a slot made in the frame structure, and then mounting the diverting pulley and a supporting element, such as a shaft, in the frame structure.

The frame structure comprised in the elevator has been formed from a continuous piece. This piece may be manufactured from profiled metal, preferably profiled aluminum, in which case both an economical and easy manufacture of the structure and a lightness achieved due to the material are made use of. In addition, a similar frame structure can be used with other divert- ing pulleys of the elevator, thus avoiding numerous different solutions and difficult installation and ad- justment work. Furthermore, the reduction of the num- ber of different components and the modular implemen- tation also reduce the risks and allow considerably faster installation. This is correspondingly advanta- geous to the final user of the elevator because the elevator can be installed faster and, for example in the case of modernization, the elevator is sooner available for use again.

The frame structure of the elevator can be provided with e. g. a separate guiding device attached to it to guide the ropes and detachable when necessary. The guiding device may naturally simply consist of a groove, slot or the like made in the frame structure to guide the rope in a desired direction and/or to a desired place.

The frame structure of the invention may preferably be symmetrical, the frame structure can be fastened by means of fastening elements in a desired fastening di- rection, depending on the case. The fastening elements may naturally vary according to use, so they may de- tachable, such as screws, bolts or equivalent, or they may be fixed elements, such as rivets or equivalent.

In addition, the fastening position and direction vary depending on the application and the mounting direc- tion varies according to need.

The frame structure of the invention either alone or together with the diverting pulley is detachable. This allows easier installation of e. g. new ropes, time- consuming and difficult rope threading tasks being thus avoided.

A number of ropes according to the invention forms a set of ropes, which preferably is a set of hoisting ropes. In this case, an advantage is derived both from pre-installed diverting pulleys with which the frame structures are already integrated and even from such complete solutions in which the entire set of ropes together with the diverting pulleys and frame struc- tures is brought as a complete unit to the place of installation.

An elevator containing a solution according to the in- vention can be used in elevators e. g. in the counter-

weight, in the car and/or as diverting pulleys in the shaft. In addition, the solution can be utilized both in the production of new elevators and in elevator modernization projects.

The use of a diverting pulley mounted using a frame structure according to the invention to suspend and elevator car or equivalent. In this case, the passage of the ropes has been arranged using at least one di- verting pulley.

In the following, the invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings, which illustrate installation arrangements according to the invention.

The invention will now be considered in more detail by referring to the attached drawings, wherein Fig. 1 presents a modular diverting pulley solution according to the invention, Fig. 2 presents a modular diverting pulley solution according to the invention, and Fig. 3 illustrates a fastening solution according to the invention.

Fig. 1 presents a diverting pulley 1 mounted in a frame structure 3 by means of supporting elements 2, in this case preferably shafts. The frame structure is preferably so shaped that the diverting pulley is able to rotate inside the frame structure and in addition the frame structure has shoulders shaped so as to keep the shaft of the diverting pulley well in place. Al- though the diverting pulley presented here has a sepa- rate shaft, the invention is not restricted to a solu- tion like this but also allows a solution in which the

diverting pulley has a supporting element integrated with it already during manufacture. The frame struc- ture comprises an auxiliary structure 4, which is preferably so shaped that the ropes, which are not shown in this figure, can easily settle in the grooves 5 of the diverting pulley 1.

Fig. 2 presents a diverting pulley 1 together with a frame structure 3 in an oblique side view. In this so- lution, the supporting element 2 goes through the frame structure 3. In addition, to guide the rope 6, a guide element 7 is provided, which in this solution is preferably a groove made in the frame structure. The groove both guides the rope and keeps it properly po- sitioned. The frame structure in the figure also has fastening points 8 ready made, which may be e. g. holes as shown in the figure. The holes are preferably so made in the frame structure that the whole system can be fastened any way round and also oriented in any di- rection.

Fig. 3 illustrates a solution for fastening the solu- tion of the invention. Here, as in Fig. 2, the divert- ing pulley 1 is mounted on a supporter 2, which in this case is preferably a shaft. In addition, the frame structure 3 together with the diverting pulley 1 and the supporter 2 can be fastened by means of fas- tening elements 9, which in this case are preferably bolts. The solution of the invention naturally allows the use of fastening elements of different types.

Within the framework of the invention it is also pos- sible to think of solutions differing from the above description. Thus the rope used may also consist of a rope band or a combination of a rope and a rope band.

Instead of a shaft it is naturally possible to use any supporter solution employing a pin or equivalent.

It is obvious to the person skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the example described above, in which the invention has been described by way of example, but that different embodiments of the invention are possible within the scope of the inven- tive concept defined in the claims presented below.