Electrical connector device for use with elevator load bearing members

A connector device (40) for making electrically conductive connections with at least one tension member (32) in an elevator load bearing member (30) includes a spacer member (42) that establishes physical spacing between portions (38) of the load bearing member (30). In one example, each portion (38) includes one tension member (32). A holding member (50) secures the portions (38) in a selected position relative to the connector device. At least one electrically conductive connector member (70) makes electrically conductive contact with at least one of the tension members (32) to facilitate a selected electricity-based monitoring technique for accessing the condition of the load bearing member.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to electrical connectors for making a conductive connection with at least one tension member in an elevator load bearing member.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Elevator systems typically include a load bearing member such as a rope or belt that bears the weight of the car and counterweight and allows the car to be moved as desired within the hoistway. For many years, steel ropes were used. More recently, coated steel belts have been introduced that include a plurality of tension members encased within a jacket. In one example, the tension members are steel cords and the jacket comprises a polyurethane material.

The new arrangements present new challenges for monitoring the load bearing capabilities of the belt assembly over the life of the elevator system.

A variety of techniques for monitoring modern elevator belts are being developed. This invention provides the ability to readily and accurately establish an electrically conductive connection with at least one of the tension members to facilitate an electricity-based monitoring technique.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general terms, this invention is a device for making an electrical connection with at least one tension member of an elevator load bearing member.

One example device includes a spacer member that establishes physical spacing between tension members within the load bearing member. A holding member holds portions of the tension members in a selected position relative to the spacer member. At least one electrical connector member is supported by the spacer or the holding member. The electrical connector member is adapted to make electrically conductive contact with at least one of the tension members. that maintain spacing between adjacent tension members on one side of the spacer member.

An example method of making an electrical connection includes longitudinally separating portions of the jacket covering over the tension members in a longitudinal direction along a portion of the length of the load bearing member. In one example, the jacket material is cut. Once separated, the jacket with the individually encased tension member portions is manipulated to establish the desired physical spacing between the portions to facilitate making electrical contact with at least one of the tension members.

The various features and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the currently preferred embodiment. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1schematically illustrates selected portions of an elevator system20. A car22moves with a counterweight24within a hoistway26in a conventional manner. A load bearing member30supports the weight of the car22and counterweight24and interacts with at least one drive sheave of a machine (not illustrated) to cause the desired movement of the car and counterweight within the hoistway.

FIG. 2schematically illustrates a portion of one example load bearing member30, which is a coated steel belt. The example ofFIG. 2is for discussion purposes and this invention is not necessarily limited to a particular style of belt or load bearing member. In this example, a plurality of tension members32extend longitudinally (i.e., the direction L shown inFIG. 2) within the belt30. In one example, the tension members32each comprise steel strands that are wound into a cord in a conventional manner.

The tension members32are encased in a jacket34, which in one example comprises a polyurethane material. As schematically shown at36, and for reasons to be described below, a selected length of the belt30is separated in a longitudinal direction to divide it into a plurality of discrete portions38. Each portion38includes a corresponding portion of one of the tension members32. In one example, the portions38are separated by cutting through the material of the jacket34. In one example, this is accomplished using a manual cutting tool at the location where the belt is placed in service in an elevator system. Of course, other techniques for separating a selected length of the belt30into discrete portions are within the scope of this invention and the term separating should be construed to cover breaking, splitting, cutting, etc.

For situations where it is desirable to monitor the condition of the belt30using an electricity-based monitoring technique, this invention provides a unique connection device and technique that facilitates accurate and secure electrical connections with the tension members32of the belt30.

FIGS. 3-6schematically illustrate one example connector device40designed according to this invention. A spacer member42establishes physical spacing between the portions38of the pre-split belt30. In this example, the spacer member42includes a plurality of bosses44that are received between portions38of the belt. In this example, one end46of the spacer includes obliquely oriented surfaces that facilitate inserting the spacer between selected portions38of the belt. In the illustrated example, the obliquely oriented surfaces of the end46are rounded to facilitate a more smooth insertion of the spacer member42into the selected position.

In this example, the spacer member42has a body with oppositely facing sides48and49. As can be appreciated from the drawings, alternating portions38are received on opposite sides48,49of the spacer member body. The bosses44in this example are provided on both sides48and49of the spacer member body.

The connecting device40also includes a holding member50. In this example, the holding member50has a portion that is received on both sides of the spacer member40. The holding member50holds the belt portions38in a selected position relative to the spacer member42. More particularly, a first portion52of the holding member50is received against the portions38A of the belt that are received against the side48of the spacer member body. A second holding portion54is received against the portions38B of the belt, which are received against the side49of the spacer member42.

Each of the portions52and54of the holding member50are connected with the spacer42in this example by plastic hinges56. The portions52and54of the holding member are manually manipulatable into the position illustrated in the figures to secure the portions38of the belt in the desired orientation relative to the spacer member42. Latch members58are provided, in this example, on each of the holding member portions52and54. The spacer member42has locking surfaces60that cooperate with a latching portion62of the latch members58to secure the connector device40in place with the belt30. Of course, other variations are within the scope of this invention. One example includes a threaded member that secures the portions52,54and the spacer in place.

As best appreciated fromFIG. 5, once the spacer member42is inserted in place relative to the portions38of the belt, the clip portions52and54can be moved according to the arrows64and66inFIG. 5into the locked position shown. The illustrated example includes obliquely oriented guide surfaces68that facilitate moving the portions38into a centered position between the guide surfaces as the portions52and54are manipulated into the locked position shown. The guide surfaces68facilitate centering the portions38into a desired alignment with electrically conductive connector members70, which in this example are supported on the portions of the holding member50.

A significant advantage of a connector device designed according to this invention is that it is better able to consistently establish a desired electrical connection with the tension members of the belt. Any variations in the position of the tension members within the jacket are accommodated by the division of the belt portions38and the physical spacing between them. In the example ofFIG. 5, the guide surfaces further facilitate accurately aligning the electrically conductive connector members70with the individual tension members32such that an appropriate electrical connection is established. In the illustrated examples, the spacer member maintains adequate spacing to avoid any misconnections between each connector member70and the appropriate tension member32.

In one example, the electrically conductive connector members include sharp terminal edges that penetrate through the jacket material34and make electrical contact with the tension members32. In one example, the connector members70also penetrate through at least a portion of the tension members32as best appreciated fromFIG. 6.

Forcing the connector members through the jacket material may be accomplished during the process of manipulating the holding member portions52and54into the positions shown. Alternatively, separately forcing the connector members into the conductive position may be accomplished before or after the holding member is locked in place.

As shown inFIG. 6, a connection between an example connector member70and a conductive wire72is accomplished using a threaded connecting member74. Such a connection can be made before or after the connector device40is secured in place relative to the portions38of the belt. The wire72facilitates communicating electrical power, signals or both to the tension member32according to a desired monitoring protocol.

An alternative embodiment is shown inFIG. 7where the electrically conductive connector members70are supported in the spacer member42rather than in the holding member50. One advantage to such an arrangement is that conductive leads76associated with the connector member70can be positioned for convenient connection with an electrical connector to facilitate connections between the device40and other electronics, for example. In the example ofFIG. 7, a male end78on the connective lead76is selectively received in a female connector80of a connection port82that is selectively coupled with the connector device40. A variety of strategies for orienting the connector members and establishing electrical connections with other devices are within the scope of this invention. Those skilled in the art who have the benefit of this description will be able to select an arrangement that best meets the needs of their particular situation.

Another example embodiment is shown inFIGS. 8 and 9. In this example, the spacer member42is received amongst the portions38of the belt such that some of the portions38A are received on one side of the spacer and some38B are received on the other side similar to the embodiment ofFIG. 3. A difference between this example and the example ofFIG. 3is that the electrically conductive connector members70′ are received into an end of the tension members32rather than intersecting them as was accomplished in the previous embodiments. One advantage to such an arrangement as shown inFIGS. 8 and 9is that the jacket material34need not be penetrated by the electrically conductive connector members70′. This may facilitate more readily accomplished connections, depending on the materials selected for the belt, for example. Further, the orientation of the connector members70′ facilitates making a plug-in type connection as schematically illustrated inFIG. 7, for example.

Another example embodiment is shown inFIGS. 10 and 11. In this example, the connector device40has a spacer member42that receives all of the portions38of the belt30on one side of the body of the spacer member42. In this example, the bosses44′ have obliquely oriented surfaces that facilitate inserting the spacer member into position relative to the portions38. The bosses44′ facilitate maintaining a desired physical spacing between the portions38. The holding member50in this example is received on only one side of the spacer member42. A plastic hinge56and locking mechanism58facilitate securing the holding member relative to the spacer member similar to the embodiment described above. In this example, threaded connecting members74′ facilitate making a connection between the electrically connective connector members that contact the tension members32and outside electronics, for example.