CA2414748C - Elevator counterweight system - Google Patents
Elevator counterweight system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2414748C CA2414748C CA2414748A CA2414748A CA2414748C CA 2414748 C CA2414748 C CA 2414748C CA 2414748 A CA2414748 A CA 2414748A CA 2414748 A CA2414748 A CA 2414748A CA 2414748 C CA2414748 C CA 2414748C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- counterweight
- tracks
- car
- elevator
- cable
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
- B66B—ELEVATORS; ESCALATORS OR MOVING WALKWAYS
- B66B17/00—Hoistway equipment
- B66B17/12—Counterpoises
Landscapes
- Lift-Guide Devices, And Elevator Ropes And Cables (AREA)
- Cage And Drive Apparatuses For Elevators (AREA)
Abstract
A counterweight for an elevator is defined by a disc, which can be slidably mounted in tracks in an elevator shaft. Annular grooves in the periphery of the disc receive cables, which are anchored at the top of the shaft, and extend around pulleys on the rear of a car and a sheave driven by a reversible motor, whereby when the motor is actuated, the elevator moves vertically in one direction, while the counterweight rotates and moves vertically in the opposite direction.
Description
This invention relates to an elevator counterweight and to a system incorporating the counterweight for use in an elevator.
The use of counterweights is common to most elevators in which the elevator car is lifted by means of cables. Examples of such counterweights or elevator systems using counterweights are described in US Patents Nos. 610,481, issued to E.M. Fraser on September 6, 1898; 5,429,211, issued to E. Aulanko et al on July 4, 1995; 5,435,417, issued to H. Hakala on July 25, 1995; 5,469,937, issued to H.
Hakala et al on November 28, 1995; 5,566,785, issued to H. Hakala on October 22, 1996; 5,573,084, issued to H. Hakala on November 12, 1996; 5,901,814, issued to L. Adifon et al on May 11, 1999; 5,984,052, issued to J-N. Cloux et al on November 16, 1999; 6,068,087, issued to R. Moncini on May 30, 2000, and laid open Application No. 2001/0009210 filed by K. Kobayashi et al on March 26, 2001.
Conventional counterweights almost invariably include multiple steel or cast iron weights clamped directly to elevator cables or suspended from the cables for rolling or sliding along a set of guide rails on one side of an elevator shaft. The rails are usually T-shaped, and if the weights slide on the rails, then the rails must be lubricated on a regular basis. If the counterweight is equipped with guide rollers, the usual number per counterweight is twelve, with three rollers bearing on each side of the T-shaped rail at each corner of the counterweight assembly. Moreover, conventional counterweight assemblies require elevator shafts having a large area.
An object of the present invention is to provide a relatively simple counterweight and an elevator and counterweight assembly which eliminate the need for guide rollers, thus reducing a large number of components such as shafts, bearings and mounting brackets required in conventional systems. The reduction of components reduces the failure potential inherent in such components.
According to one aspect, the invention relates to a counterweight for an elevator comprising a disc-shaped body for sliding in elongated tracks; and at least one annular groove extending around the periphery of said body for receiving and guiding a support cable.
According to another aspect, the invention relates to a counterweight system for an elevator, which includes a car slidably mounted on a pair of elongated, first tracks for vertical movement in an elevator shaft, said system comprising a pair of parallel second tracks; a disc-shaped counterweight for slidable mounting in said second tracks; a car pulley rotatably mounted on said car; at least one cable for movably supporting said car and said counterweight for movement in said first and second tracks; said cable having two ends fixed at a location proximate top ends of one of said first and second tracks, a drive pulley at a location proximate the top ends of the other said first and second tracks; and a reversible motor connected to said drive pulley, said cable extending around and supporting said counterweight, said drive pulley and said car pulley, whereby, when said motor is actuated, said car is caused to move vertically in one direction and said counterweight moves vertically in the opposite direction.
The invention also relates to an elevator assembly comprising a pair of first elongated, parallel tracks for mounting in an elevator shaft; a car slidably mounted on said first tracks for vertical movement in an elevator shaft, a pair of parallel second tracks; a disc-shaped counterweight for slidable mounting in said second tracks; a car pulley rotatably mounted on said car; at least one cable for movably supporting said car and said counterweight for movement in said first and second
The use of counterweights is common to most elevators in which the elevator car is lifted by means of cables. Examples of such counterweights or elevator systems using counterweights are described in US Patents Nos. 610,481, issued to E.M. Fraser on September 6, 1898; 5,429,211, issued to E. Aulanko et al on July 4, 1995; 5,435,417, issued to H. Hakala on July 25, 1995; 5,469,937, issued to H.
Hakala et al on November 28, 1995; 5,566,785, issued to H. Hakala on October 22, 1996; 5,573,084, issued to H. Hakala on November 12, 1996; 5,901,814, issued to L. Adifon et al on May 11, 1999; 5,984,052, issued to J-N. Cloux et al on November 16, 1999; 6,068,087, issued to R. Moncini on May 30, 2000, and laid open Application No. 2001/0009210 filed by K. Kobayashi et al on March 26, 2001.
Conventional counterweights almost invariably include multiple steel or cast iron weights clamped directly to elevator cables or suspended from the cables for rolling or sliding along a set of guide rails on one side of an elevator shaft. The rails are usually T-shaped, and if the weights slide on the rails, then the rails must be lubricated on a regular basis. If the counterweight is equipped with guide rollers, the usual number per counterweight is twelve, with three rollers bearing on each side of the T-shaped rail at each corner of the counterweight assembly. Moreover, conventional counterweight assemblies require elevator shafts having a large area.
An object of the present invention is to provide a relatively simple counterweight and an elevator and counterweight assembly which eliminate the need for guide rollers, thus reducing a large number of components such as shafts, bearings and mounting brackets required in conventional systems. The reduction of components reduces the failure potential inherent in such components.
According to one aspect, the invention relates to a counterweight for an elevator comprising a disc-shaped body for sliding in elongated tracks; and at least one annular groove extending around the periphery of said body for receiving and guiding a support cable.
According to another aspect, the invention relates to a counterweight system for an elevator, which includes a car slidably mounted on a pair of elongated, first tracks for vertical movement in an elevator shaft, said system comprising a pair of parallel second tracks; a disc-shaped counterweight for slidable mounting in said second tracks; a car pulley rotatably mounted on said car; at least one cable for movably supporting said car and said counterweight for movement in said first and second tracks; said cable having two ends fixed at a location proximate top ends of one of said first and second tracks, a drive pulley at a location proximate the top ends of the other said first and second tracks; and a reversible motor connected to said drive pulley, said cable extending around and supporting said counterweight, said drive pulley and said car pulley, whereby, when said motor is actuated, said car is caused to move vertically in one direction and said counterweight moves vertically in the opposite direction.
The invention also relates to an elevator assembly comprising a pair of first elongated, parallel tracks for mounting in an elevator shaft; a car slidably mounted on said first tracks for vertical movement in an elevator shaft, a pair of parallel second tracks; a disc-shaped counterweight for slidable mounting in said second tracks; a car pulley rotatably mounted on said car; at least one cable for movably supporting said car and said counterweight for movement in said first and second
2 tracks; said cable having two ends fixed at a location proximate top ends of one of said first and second tracks, a drive pulley at a location proximate the top ends of the other said first and second tracks; and a reversible motor connected to said drive pulley, said cable extending around and supporting said counterweight, said drive pulley and said car pulley, whereby, when said motor is actuated, said car is caused to move vertically in one direction and said counterweight moves vertically in the opposite direction.
The use of a hanging disc-shaped counterweight requires only simple loose fitting, C-shaped guide rails, which need little or no lubrication and no maintenance.
The motion of the counterweight rising and falling in the opposite direction to the elevator car is a very slow rotation of one or two revolutions while sliding up or down in the guide rails. For safety reasons, in an elevator assembly intended to carry people, at least two cables will be used. However, the counterweight design of the present invention allows for the use of a plurality of cables - up to five, six or more -depending upon the load carrying requirements and the intended use of the elevator. Because the counterweight moves relatively slowly, the whole elevator assembly is quiet.
The invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a schematic, isometric view of an elevator and a counterweight system in accordance with the invention;
Figure 2 is a schematic, isometric view of an elevator car used with the counterweight of Fig. 1;
Figure 3 is a cross section taken generally along line 3-3 of Fig. 2;
The use of a hanging disc-shaped counterweight requires only simple loose fitting, C-shaped guide rails, which need little or no lubrication and no maintenance.
The motion of the counterweight rising and falling in the opposite direction to the elevator car is a very slow rotation of one or two revolutions while sliding up or down in the guide rails. For safety reasons, in an elevator assembly intended to carry people, at least two cables will be used. However, the counterweight design of the present invention allows for the use of a plurality of cables - up to five, six or more -depending upon the load carrying requirements and the intended use of the elevator. Because the counterweight moves relatively slowly, the whole elevator assembly is quiet.
The invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a schematic, isometric view of an elevator and a counterweight system in accordance with the invention;
Figure 2 is a schematic, isometric view of an elevator car used with the counterweight of Fig. 1;
Figure 3 is a cross section taken generally along line 3-3 of Fig. 2;
3 01/12/2010 14:25 FAX 6132325831 SEABY & ASSOCIATES Z003 Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a counterweight used in the system of Fig. 1, and Figure 5 is a schematic, isometric view of the counterweight system of Fig. 1 III
with parts omitted.
Referring to Fig. 1, the counterweight system of the present invention.is intended for use with a conventional elevator including a car 1, which is mounted in a shaft (not shown) for vertical movement therein. The car I is slidably mounted on a pair of parallel tracks 2 and 3 extending substantially the entire length of the shaft.
Each of the tracks 2 and 3 is defined by a pair of elongated metal beams 4 and which have.generally C-shaped cross sections, the open sides of the beams facing each other. The beams 4 and 5 define tracks or channels 6 and 7.
A carriage indicated generally at 8 (Fig. 2) slidably supports the car 1 in the tracks 2 and 3. The carriage 8 is defined by a pair of parallel, vertically extending beams 10 mounted on the rear wall 11 of the car 1. The beams 10 are L-shaped in cross section, the free end of the long arm of the L being connected to the car 1 and the open sides of the beams facing outwardly. The long arm of each beam 10 is connected to the rear wall 11 of the car 10. A crossbar 13 extends between the bottom ends of the beams 10. Stepped bottom rollers 15 in the beams 10 ride on the outside walls 16 (Fig. 3) of the channels 6. The rollers 15 are offset with respect to the longitudinal centerline of the beams 10 and extend through cutouts 17 (Fig. 2) in the outside arms of the beams 10 to ride on the outer walls 16 of the track beams
with parts omitted.
Referring to Fig. 1, the counterweight system of the present invention.is intended for use with a conventional elevator including a car 1, which is mounted in a shaft (not shown) for vertical movement therein. The car I is slidably mounted on a pair of parallel tracks 2 and 3 extending substantially the entire length of the shaft.
Each of the tracks 2 and 3 is defined by a pair of elongated metal beams 4 and which have.generally C-shaped cross sections, the open sides of the beams facing each other. The beams 4 and 5 define tracks or channels 6 and 7.
A carriage indicated generally at 8 (Fig. 2) slidably supports the car 1 in the tracks 2 and 3. The carriage 8 is defined by a pair of parallel, vertically extending beams 10 mounted on the rear wall 11 of the car 1. The beams 10 are L-shaped in cross section, the free end of the long arm of the L being connected to the car 1 and the open sides of the beams facing outwardly. The long arm of each beam 10 is connected to the rear wall 11 of the car 10. A crossbar 13 extends between the bottom ends of the beams 10. Stepped bottom rollers 15 in the beams 10 ride on the outside walls 16 (Fig. 3) of the channels 6. The rollers 15 are offset with respect to the longitudinal centerline of the beams 10 and extend through cutouts 17 (Fig. 2) in the outside arms of the beams 10 to ride on the outer walls 16 of the track beams
4. Top rollers 20, which are offset on the other sides of the centerlines of the beams 10, ride on the inner walls 21 (Fig. 3) of the track beams 4. The rollers 15 and 20 are supported by stub axles 22 and 23, respectively in the beams 10.
PAGE 315 RCVD AT 111212010 2:31:14 PM [Eastern Standard Time]' SVR:F00003111 I
DNIS:3907 C$ID:6132325831 * DURATION (mm=ss):00.35 A pair of spaced apart pulleys 25 are mounted on bearings 26 in the crossbar 13. A pair of annular grooves 28 in each pulley 25 receive cables 29. As shown schematically in Fig. 5, a first end 30 of each cable 29 is fixed securely to the top of the elevator shaft. The cables 29 extend downwardly in the channel 6 of one track 2 around the bottom of the pulleys 25, upwardly around a drive sheave 32 mounted in the elevator shaft above the top end of the track 3, downwardly around a counterweight 33 and upwardly to the location of the first end 30 of the cable. The second end 35 of each cable 29 is fixed to the elevator shaft at the same location as the first end 30 of the cable. The sheave 32 is driven by a reversible electric motor 36.
With particular reference to Fig. 4, the counterweight 33 is in effect a large sheave defined by a large disc-shaped, metal body 38 with a pair of generally U-shaped grooves 39 extending around the periphery 40 thereof for receiving the cables 29. The cables 29 are held securely in the grooves 39, whereby movement of the cables 29 causes rotation of the counterweight 33. The body 38 is slidably mounted in the channels 7 of the opposed, parallel tracks 2 and 3. A hole 42 is provided in the center of the body 38 for receiving a bolt (not shown) which can be used to attach additional weights to the counterweight.
The counterweight 33 can have several different design variations. For example, the body 38 can include an outer grooved steel rim for accommodating the cables, with both sides covered with steel plates to form a housing, which can be filled with concrete construction, e.g. through a hole in one of the plates covered by a steel cover. Steel shot or depleted iron ore could also be used to fill the hollow body of the counterweight.
PAGE 315 RCVD AT 111212010 2:31:14 PM [Eastern Standard Time]' SVR:F00003111 I
DNIS:3907 C$ID:6132325831 * DURATION (mm=ss):00.35 A pair of spaced apart pulleys 25 are mounted on bearings 26 in the crossbar 13. A pair of annular grooves 28 in each pulley 25 receive cables 29. As shown schematically in Fig. 5, a first end 30 of each cable 29 is fixed securely to the top of the elevator shaft. The cables 29 extend downwardly in the channel 6 of one track 2 around the bottom of the pulleys 25, upwardly around a drive sheave 32 mounted in the elevator shaft above the top end of the track 3, downwardly around a counterweight 33 and upwardly to the location of the first end 30 of the cable. The second end 35 of each cable 29 is fixed to the elevator shaft at the same location as the first end 30 of the cable. The sheave 32 is driven by a reversible electric motor 36.
With particular reference to Fig. 4, the counterweight 33 is in effect a large sheave defined by a large disc-shaped, metal body 38 with a pair of generally U-shaped grooves 39 extending around the periphery 40 thereof for receiving the cables 29. The cables 29 are held securely in the grooves 39, whereby movement of the cables 29 causes rotation of the counterweight 33. The body 38 is slidably mounted in the channels 7 of the opposed, parallel tracks 2 and 3. A hole 42 is provided in the center of the body 38 for receiving a bolt (not shown) which can be used to attach additional weights to the counterweight.
The counterweight 33 can have several different design variations. For example, the body 38 can include an outer grooved steel rim for accommodating the cables, with both sides covered with steel plates to form a housing, which can be filled with concrete construction, e.g. through a hole in one of the plates covered by a steel cover. Steel shot or depleted iron ore could also be used to fill the hollow body of the counterweight.
5 In yet another alternative, the body 38 can be formed of two or more discs, all having suitable grooves and counter-rotating on a center pivot or bearing to provide more widely spaced lifting points for an elevator car of greater length, as in a hospital or freight elevator. In an elevator car of greater length, the cables 29 are slung directly under the car from anchor points on the side of the elevator shaft opposite the counterweights and the hoisting motor 36 and drive sheaves 32.
In situations where space is a problem, the counterweights can be located in a part of a building separate from the elevator shaft containing the car. The counterweights would be connected to the elevator car and the anchor points using longer cables and appropriately positioned guide sheaves. Moreover, the counterweight 33 can be "roped" in such a manner that it travels only one half the distance traveled by the car.
Finally, with the addition of a simple bridle to roller pinch the cables 40 above the counterweight center and an additional small weight below the center of gravity of the counterweight, the latter could hang freely with no C-channels to guide it. For safety reasons, the free space would have to be suitably protected to prevent unauthorized access.
In situations where space is a problem, the counterweights can be located in a part of a building separate from the elevator shaft containing the car. The counterweights would be connected to the elevator car and the anchor points using longer cables and appropriately positioned guide sheaves. Moreover, the counterweight 33 can be "roped" in such a manner that it travels only one half the distance traveled by the car.
Finally, with the addition of a simple bridle to roller pinch the cables 40 above the counterweight center and an additional small weight below the center of gravity of the counterweight, the latter could hang freely with no C-channels to guide it. For safety reasons, the free space would have to be suitably protected to prevent unauthorized access.
6
Claims (4)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A counterweight for an elevator comprising a disc for sliding in an elongated track; and at least one annular groove extending around the periphery of said disc for receiving and guiding a support cable.
2. A counterweight according to claim 1, including at least two annular grooves extending around the periphery of the disc for receiving a plurality of support cables.
3. A counterweight system for an elevator, which includes a car slidably mounted on a pair of elongated, first tracks for vertical movement in an elevator shaft, said system comprising a pair of parallel second tracks; a disc-shaped counterweight for slidable mounting in said second tracks; a car pulley rotatably mounted on said car; at least one cable for movably supporting said car and said counterweight for movement in said first and second tracks; said cable having two ends fixed at a location proximate top ends of one of said first and second tracks, a drive pulley at a location proximate the top ends of the other said first and second tracks; and a reversible motor connected to said drive pulley, said cable extending around and supporting said counterweight, said drive pulley and said car pulley, whereby, when said motor is actuated, said car is caused to move vertically in one direction and said counterweight moves vertically in the opposite direction.
4. An elevator assembly comprising a pair of first elongated, parallel tracks for mounting in an elevator shaft; a car slidably mounted on said first tracks for vertical movement in an elevator shaft, a pair of parallel second tracks;
a disc-shaped counterweight for slidable mounting in said second tracks; a car pulley rotatably mounted on said car; at least one cable for movably supporting said car and said counterweight for movement in said first and second tracks; said cable having two ends fixed at a location proximate top ends of one of said first and second tracks, a drive pulley at a location proximate the top ends of the other said first and second tracks; and a reversible motor connected to said drive pulley, said cable extending around and supporting said counterweight, said drive pulley and said car pulley, whereby, when said motor is actuated, said car is caused to move vertically in one direction and said counterweight mover vertically in the opposite direction.
a disc-shaped counterweight for slidable mounting in said second tracks; a car pulley rotatably mounted on said car; at least one cable for movably supporting said car and said counterweight for movement in said first and second tracks; said cable having two ends fixed at a location proximate top ends of one of said first and second tracks, a drive pulley at a location proximate the top ends of the other said first and second tracks; and a reversible motor connected to said drive pulley, said cable extending around and supporting said counterweight, said drive pulley and said car pulley, whereby, when said motor is actuated, said car is caused to move vertically in one direction and said counterweight mover vertically in the opposite direction.
Priority Applications (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2414748A CA2414748C (en) | 2002-12-19 | 2002-12-19 | Elevator counterweight system |
| PCT/CA2003/001942 WO2004056688A1 (en) | 2002-12-19 | 2003-12-17 | Disc shaped elevator counterweight |
| AU2003291899A AU2003291899A1 (en) | 2002-12-19 | 2003-12-17 | Disc shaped elevator counterweight |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2414748A CA2414748C (en) | 2002-12-19 | 2002-12-19 | Elevator counterweight system |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2414748A1 CA2414748A1 (en) | 2004-06-19 |
| CA2414748C true CA2414748C (en) | 2011-07-05 |
Family
ID=32514080
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2414748A Expired - Fee Related CA2414748C (en) | 2002-12-19 | 2002-12-19 | Elevator counterweight system |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU2003291899A1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2414748C (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2004056688A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP3403985A1 (en) * | 2017-05-15 | 2018-11-21 | Aip Aps | Reel counterweight |
Family Cites Families (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB956332A (en) * | 1962-07-10 | 1964-04-22 | Damjan Hladnik | Improvements in vertically moving cable lifts |
| US3211259A (en) * | 1962-11-09 | 1965-10-12 | Otis Elevator Co | Monorail for counterweight frames |
-
2002
- 2002-12-19 CA CA2414748A patent/CA2414748C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2003
- 2003-12-17 AU AU2003291899A patent/AU2003291899A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2003-12-17 WO PCT/CA2003/001942 patent/WO2004056688A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2414748A1 (en) | 2004-06-19 |
| WO2004056688A1 (en) | 2004-07-08 |
| AU2003291899A1 (en) | 2004-07-14 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |
Effective date: 20201221 |