EP2174902A1

EP2174902A1 - Elevator guide rail fixing brackets

Info

Publication number: EP2174902A1
Application number: EP09382196A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Daniel Zugazaga; Xabier Elizegi; Ibon Laplace; Esteban Santiago
Original assignee: Orona S Coop
Current assignee: Orona S Coop
Priority date: 2008-10-09
Filing date: 2009-10-05
Publication date: 2010-04-14
Anticipated expiration: 2029-10-05
Also published as: ES2341071A1; EP2174902B1; ES2587746T3; ES2341071B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for connecting elevator apparatus guides, an elevator apparatus comprising said device and a method for assembling elevator apparatus guides, wherein said elevator apparatus comprises at least two guides (3) extending in substantially parallel courses, wherein said device comprises a first part (1) configured to prevent a movement of each guide (3) in a first direction according to a first course perpendicular to each guide (3) and contained in the plane of the base (4) thereof, comprising a second part (2) configured to prevent a movement of at least one guide (3) in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, according to the first course, and connection means (5) configured to fix the relative position between said first part (1) and said second part (2).

Description

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention has an application in the field of elevator apparatuses, and more specifically in the guiding system for an elevator apparatus, which allows guiding a car and/or a counterweight of the elevator apparatus during its movement.

Background of the Invention

Elevator apparatuses usually comprise a guiding system which is configured to guide the movement of the car and the counterweight, according to the case. The guiding system is made up of, among other elements, guides which are arranged along an elevator shaft, usually in pairs and in a parallel arrangement, allowing both the car and the counterweight to move through said shaft along said guides.
In order for the guides to remain in a stable position to fulfill their function of guiding the movement of the car and/or the counterweight, said guides are fixed or fastened to the walls of the elevator shaft at certain points which are separated a certain distance, the convergence of the slabs of the structure of the building itself usually being used for the purpose of achieving a sufficiently resistant connection.
On the other hand, in the case of so-called panoramic elevators, which move through a space the perimeter of which is usually glazed, the guides are anchored or fastened by means of welding at certain points to the metal structure comprised in the installation of the elevator apparatus.
The connection between the guides and the elevator apparatus shaft is carried out by means of parts securing the guides with a sliding character, i.e., allowing their movement in the course of the guide, in those cases in which it is required, and preventing it in any plane perpendicular to said own course of the guide, for the purpose of absorbing the stresses generated during the movement of the elevator.
Said parts currently consists of elastic clips or brackets connecting the guides to a guide support, the latter being the one which is fastened or fixed to the walls of the elevator shaft. The brackets firmly secure the guide, preventing its movement in the horizontal plane, i.e., in a plane perpendicular to the guides, while at the same time they can allow a vertical movement of the guide without buckling effects occurring, for the purpose of absorbing expansion effects of the guides or of settlements of the building.
The purpose of the action with a sliding character of the brackets is to prevent a transmission of vertical loads between the structure of the building and the actual guides. A large variety of brackets are currently known, each of which has a particular configuration which is determined according to its application.
On the other hand, the guide supports are elements anchoring or connecting the guides with the walls or structure of the elevator shaft, allowing a regulation of the position of the guides in the horizontal plane to achieve a correct alignment.
For the purpose of achieving an optimal guiding system it is necessary to find a balance between two opposing criteria, i.e., between cost and efficiency of the system, for the determination of the distance between the guide supports. On one hand, the distance between guide supports must be maximized to reduce expenses of materials and assembly, whereas on the other hand, it must be considered that the reduction of said distance between supports improves the quality and rigidity of the guiding, which in turn allows using guide sections with lower resistance.
An example of the elements of the guiding system mentioned in the previous paragraphs can be found in the United States patent application number US-2007170013-A1 , which describes a support for fixing a guide, allowing its adaptation to different guide sizes by means of a set of holes. On the other hand, international application number WO-2007/108113 describes a system for securing a guide by means of part having a hook configuration and a conventional bracket.
The main drawback of these guiding systems with these connecting or fixing elements is that they require a large number of parts which have to be meticulously screwed or fixed to the flanks of each guide comprised by the elevator apparatus, which negatively affect the assembly time and the cost of said elevator apparatus, especially in those which in addition to the car guides comprise counterweight guides.
On the other hand, there is currently a trend in the development of elevator apparatuses, which consists of fixing the traction unit to the guides of the car or of the counterweight of the elevator, either directly or by means of a support, such that the loads to which the traction unit is subjected are transmitted to the pit of the elevator shaft by means of the guides, therefore a more resistant guiding system is required, either by means of the arrangement or more resistant guides, or by means of the arrangement of a larger number of points of connection or fixing to the walls of the shaft, reducing the separation thereof, which considerably increases the cost of the entire installation.

Description of the Invention

A first aspect of the present invention relates to a device for connecting elevator apparatus guides, which allows carrying out a quick assembly, reducing the costs thereof, which can be used in a versatile manner with different guide sizes, reducing the number of parts, which decreases the manufacturing cost and the storage costs of the device, while at the same time it allows carrying out and confirming a correct positioning between the guides in the shaft.
The device of the invention can be used in any type of elevator, with a machine room or MRL, Machine Room-Less, electric or hydraulic, even on both sides of the counterweight and/or the space between guide rails of the car, which allows significantly reducing the number of parts to be used, reducing the cost thereof and improving the assembly processes associated with the guiding system, which at the same time the time required by said assembly is reduced.
The device of the invention allows connecting elevator apparatus guides comprising at least two guides extending in substantially parallel courses.
According to the invention, the device comprises a first part which is configured to prevent a movement of each of said two guides in a first direction according to a first course perpendicular to each guide and contained in the plane of its respective base. Likewise, the device comprises a second part which is configured to prevent a movement of at least one guide in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, according to the first course.
The device comprises connection means configured to fix the relative position between said first part and said second part, such that said connection means act to lock the relative position of the first and the second part when said position is already defined by its contact with the guides.
The object of the invention thus acts as a guide support, furthermore having the function of the brackets of the state of the art, and additionally a function of positioning the guides in the assembly thereof.
In relation to the means of the state of the art, the device of the invention allows reducing the space occupied by the guiding system, specifically by the fixing of the guides, in the assembly of an elevator apparatus, likewise allowing reducing the assembly time of the systems for fixing the guides to the wall of the elevator shaft. The guides are currently fixed to the wall in an individual manner by each guide by means of wall supports, guide support and brackets. The device of the invention allow connecting two guides simultaneously, whereby the number of elements necessary for connecting guides, as well as the assembly time of said elements and the total cost of the guiding system and therefore of the elevator apparatus, are significantly reduced.
Furthermore, as it acts as a positioning element for the guides, i.e., as a tool during the assembly, since the distance between guides is defined by the device itself, the possibility of error by the installing technician is significantly reduced, thus being an assurance in the quality of the assembly.
The possibility is contemplated that the first part and the second part are integral with a support element which is fixed to an elevator shaft, preventing a movement of at least two guides according to any course contained in a plane perpendicular to the course of said guides, a horizontal locking of the guides which have been connected with the device of the invention thus being achieved.
It is contemplated that the connection means comprise a threaded element and a tightening element.
The possibility is also contemplated that the first part and the second part comprise at least one flange or clip per part, in which said flanges are configured to secure the bases of at least two guides by their flanks.
It is contemplated that the second part comprises at least one flange integrated in said second part, the device comprising at least one bracket configured to be oriented according to the course of said flange.
A second aspect of the invention relates to an elevator apparatus comprising at least one device for connecting guides such as the one described previously.
Finally, a third aspect of the invention relates to a method for assembling guides in an elevator apparatus, comprising using at least one device for connecting guides such as the one described previously, in which said method comprises the following steps:
Pre-assembling at least two guides to one another through said device forming an assembly; and positioning, i.e., assembling said assembly inside the elevator shaft and in a final service position, said steps being able to be carried out in any order.
The advantages of the method of the invention are that the assembly time is reduced and positioning in the shaft is facilitated because instead of having to individually position each guide according to its theoretical plane position with respect to the corresponding reference, with the method of the invention the assembly is positioned according to a single reference. Furthermore, with the method of the invention the relative position of one guide with respect to the other is determined simply and unequivocally.
The possibility is contemplated that the method additionally comprises fastening or fixing said assembly to the elevator shaft through at least one support element, in which said fixing can be carried out to the wall as well as to the shaft or to the roof of the elevator shaft.

Description of the Drawings

To complement the description which is being made and for the purpose of aiding to better understand the features of the invention according to a preferred practical embodiment thereof, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description, in which the following has been depicted with an illustrative and non-limiting character:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the device for connecting elevator apparatus guides proposed by the invention.
Figure 2 shows an exploded view, according to the perspective shown in Figure 1, of the first and the second part comprised by the device of the invention, being depicted in an uncoupled position.
Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the device of the invention, from a viewpoint located on the side of the guide, which has not been depicted, being coupled to a support element which is in turn coupled to the elevator shaft.
Figure 4 shows a perspective view like that of Figure 3, in which two guides connected by means of the device of the invention have been depicted.
Figure 5 shows a perspective view like that of Figure 4, from a viewpoint located on the side opposite to that of the guides, the arrangement of the connection means of the first and the second part being able to be seen.
Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the support element comprised by the device of the invention, the slit holes allowing a positional regulation of the first and the second part, with respect to the fixing thereof with said support element, being able to be seen.
Figure 7 shows an exploded view, according to a perspective, of an embodiment variant of the first and the second part according to the device of the invention.
Figures 8 and 9 shows two perspective views, according to opposite viewpoints, of the first and second parts depicted in Figure 7, having been depicted in a coupling position.
Figures 10 and 11 show two perspective views of the variant of the device of the invention depicted in Figures 7 to 9, from opposite viewpoints, being coupled to a support element which is in turn coupled to the elevator shaft, the securing and connection of two guides likewise being able to be seen.

Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

In view of the mentioned figures, it can be observed how in one of the possible embodiments of the invention the device for connecting elevator apparatus guides, proposed by the invention, in which said elevator apparatus comprises two guides (3) extending in substantially parallel courses, the bases (4) thereof having a substantially coplanar arrangement, comprises a first part (1) configured to prevent a movement of said two guides (3) in a first direction according to a first course perpendicular to the guides (3) and contained in the plane of the bases (4) thereof, allowing a movement of the guides (3) according to the longitudinal directions thereof.
On the other hand, the device comprises a second part (2) configured to prevent a movement of at least one guide (3) in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, according to the first course, likewise allowing its movement according to its longitudinal course.
The device comprises connection means (5) configured to fix the relative position between said first part (1) and said second part (2), for which said connection means (5) comprise a threaded element (5') and a tightening element (5").
As can be seen in Figures 3 to 5, the first part (1) and the second part (2) are integral with a support element (6) which is fixed to an elevator shaft, preventing a movement of the guides (3) according to any course contained in a plane perpendicular to the course of said guides (3).
The invention allows a saving in time for positioning the guides (3), since they are quickly positioned by taking each guide (3) against the corresponding surface in the parts (1, 2).
The first part (1) and the second part (2) comprise flanges (7, 8) which are configured to secure the bases (4) of at least two guides (3) by their flanks (4'). According to the present preferred embodiment, the flanges (7, 8) in which the guides (3) are inserted undergo an elastic deformation generating pressure in the guide (3) to be able to secure it, although the invention contemplates any other equivalent securing means. For this reason, the steel of these parts will preferably be sheets with a thickness comprised between 1 and 10 mm of UHSS steel, i.e., steel with a high elastic limit, suitably folded, which allows generating a higher pressure in the guide (3).
More specifically, as can be seen in the preferred embodiment depicted in Figures 1 to 6, the second part (2) comprises a flange (8) integrated in said second part (2), the device comprising a bracket (9) which is integral with the connection means (5) and is configured to be oriented according to the course of said flange (8). On the other hand, the first part (1) comprises two flanges (7) which are oriented in the same course and integrated in said first part (1).
According to the present preferred embodiment, in the service position thereof, the flanges (7) of the first part (1) are oriented according to the first direction of the course perpendicular to each guide (3) and contained in the plane of the respective bases (4) thereof, and the flange (8) of the second part (2) and the bracket (9) are oriented according to the second direction of said courses.
A second aspect of the invention relates to an elevator apparatus comprising at least one device for connecting guides (3) such as the one described previously, comprising at least one traction unit which is located inside an elevator shaft, said traction unit being at least partially supported by at least one guide (3). Likewise, the elevator apparatus of the invention comprises at least one car configured to move in an elevator shaft, said car being guided by a first pair of guides, and at least one counterweight guided by a second pair of guides, such that the device for connecting guides is configured to brace least one guide of the first pair of guides with at least one guide of the second pair of guides.
Finally, a third aspect of the invention relates to a method for assembling guides in an elevator apparatus, comprising using at least one device for connecting guides such as the one described previously, in which said method comprises the following steps:
Pre-assembling at least two guides (3) to one another through said device forming an assembly; positioning, i.e., assembling said assembly inside the elevator shaft and in a final service position; and fastening said assembly to the elevator shaft through a support element (6), in which said fixing can be carried out to the wall as well as to the pit or to the roof of the elevator shaft.
In view of this description and set of drawings, the person skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments of the invention which have been described can be combined in multiple ways within the object of the invention. The invention has been described according to several preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be evident for the person skilled in the art that multiple variations can be introduced in said preferred embodiments without exceeding the object of the claimed invention.

Claims

Device for connecting elevator apparatus guides, wherein said elevator apparatus comprises at least two guides (3) extending in substantially parallel courses, characterized in that it comprises:
- a first part (1) configured to prevent a movement of each guide (3) in a first direction according to a first course perpendicular to each guide (3) and contained in the plane of the bases (4) thereof,

- a second part (2) configured to prevent a movement of at least one guide (3) in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, according to the first course,

- connection means (5) configured to fix the relative position between said first part (1) and said second part (2).
Device for connecting elevator apparatus guides according to claim 1, characterized in that the first part (1) and the second part (2) are integral with a support element (6) which is fixed to an elevator shaft, preventing a movement of said at least two guides (3) according to any course contained in a plane perpendicular to the course of said at least two guides (3).
Device for connecting elevator apparatus guides according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the connection means (5) comprise a threaded element (5') and a tightening element (5").
Device for connecting elevator apparatus guides according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the first part (1) and the second part (2) comprise at least one flange (7, 8) per part (1, 2), wherein said flanges (7, 8) are configured to secure the bases (4) of said at least two guides (3) by their flanks (4').
Device for connecting elevator apparatus guides according to claim 4, characterized in that the second part (2) comprises at least one flange (8) which is integrated in said second part (2), the device comprising at least one bracket (9) configured to be oriented according to the course of said at least one flange (8) integrated in the second part (2).
Device for connecting elevator apparatus guides according to claim 5, characterized in that said at least one bracket (9) is integral with the connection means (5).
Device for connecting elevator apparatus guides according to any of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the first part (1) comprises two flanges (7) which are oriented in the same course and integrated in said first part (1).
Device for connecting elevator apparatus guides according to claim 7, characterized in that in the service position the flanges (7) of the first part (1) are oriented according to the first direction of the course perpendicular to each guide (3) and contained in the plane of the base (4) thereof, and said at least one flange (8) of the second part (2) and said at least one bracket (9) are oriented according to the second direction of said courses.
Device for connecting elevator apparatus guides according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the parts (1, 2) consist of folded steel sheets.
Elevator apparatus, characterized in that it comprises at least one device for connecting guides (3) according to any of the previous claims.
Elevator apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises at least one traction unit which is located inside an elevator shaft, said traction unit being at least partially supported by at least one guide (3).
Elevator apparatus according to claim 11, comprising at least one car configured to move in an elevator shaft, said car being guided by a first pair of guides, and at least one counterweight guided by a second pair of guides, characterized in that the device for connecting guides is configured to brace at least one guide of the first pair of guides with at least one guide of the second pair of guides.
Method for assembling guides in an elevator apparatus, comprising using at least one device according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:
- pre-assembling at least two guides (3) to one another through said device forming an assembly; and

- positioning said assembly inside the elevator shaft and in a final service position.
Method for assembling guides in an elevator apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that it additionally comprises fixing said assembly to the elevator shaft through at least one support element (6).