Linear motor driven elevator

Abstract: A linear motor driven elevator comprises an elevator shaft divided into ascending and descending passageways (2,3), and a plurality of cages (30) disposed in said passageways. Upper (10A) and lower (10B) transfer sections are provided for transferring cages (30) between said passageways. Each passageway (2,3) is divided into a local line (2L,3L) and an express line (2P,3P), and means (10) are provided at least one point in each passageway for transferring cages between the local and express lines.

Description: The present invention relates to a linear motor driven elevator. Recently, corresponding to a trend of multistorey building construction, high speed elevators are required and a variety of high speed elevators are known in the prior art. However, these conventional high speed elevators use the same raising and lowering mechanism as the prior art operated by winch drum so that speeds and transporting capacity are limited. Therefore, in the Japanese patent application No. 2-207606, the present applicant proposed a linear motor driven elevator which realized transportation at a high speed and in a large capacity. While the above-mentioned proposal is effective as itself, the transportation capacity is still limited because only one line is provided for an ascending passage and a descending passage, respectively. It is conceivable to provide a plurality of lines, but this results in a large-scale facility. Furthermore, it has a limitation in mass-transportation in that a passing operation and a mixed operation of each floor stop and express are impossible. It is an object of the present invention to provide a linear motor driven elevator with passing function capable of realizing a transportation at a high speed and in a large capacity and capable of a mixed operation of each floor stop and express. According to the present invention there is provided a linear motor driven elevator comprising an elevator shaft divided by a central core into opposed ascending and descending passageways, a plurality of elevator cages disposed in said passageways, one of said central core or said cages being provided with linear motor primary coils and the other being provided with opposed permanent magnets, an upper transfer section provided at the top of said elevator shaft for transferring elevator cages from said ascending passageway to said descending passageway, and a lower transfer section being provided at the bottom of said elevator shaft for transferring elevator cages from said descending passageway to said ascending passageway, characterised in that each of said ascending and descending passageways are divided into local and express lines, and in that means are provided at at least one point in each of said passageways to transfer cages between said local and express lines. Preferably the local/express transfer means comprises a switch frame. The central core may be provided with elevator cage guide rails for the local and express lines, and the switch frame is formed with corresponding guide rails and is adapted to rotate about the central core to transfer a cage from one line to the other. In one embodiment the elevator shaft is cylindrical and said elevator cages and said switch frame are arcuate in cross-section. Preferably, the respective local and express lines are separated by 60°, said switch frame has an angular dimension of 120°, and in addition to said local and express lines each said passageway is provided with a side area at least in the region of said switch frame. Also, elevator doors are, preferably, provided at the portion corresponding to the local line of the center core. Further, preferably, the local/express transfer means is provided at the fixed portion in the floor where the passengers get on and off rather frequently. Preferably means are provided to selectively lock an elevator cage in said passageways at positions corresponding to floors. Also, preferably, the locking means comprise recesses formed on the frame and a stopping device provided with a pin for engaging with the recess when the cage stops. Preferably, the transfer section comprise rollers for supporting and guiding the cage, rollers for rotating in abutment with the lower peripheral portion of the cage and a motor for driving said rollers. And, preferably, both cages in both transfer sections are constructed so as to be capable of turning by 360°. Some embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention showing the main parts; Fig. 2 is a sectional side view of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a sectional arrow view showing the one taken by the line A-A of Fig. 2 in the right side and the one taken by the line B-B of Fig. 2 in the left side, respectively; Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the front side of a switch frame; Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the back side of the switch frame; Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the front side of a cage; Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the back side of the cage; Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing an example of an operating state; Fig. 9 is a horizontal sectional view of the 9th floor of Fig. 8; Fig. 10 is a horizontal sectional view of the 8th floor of Fig. 8; Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing another example of an operating state; Fig. 12 is a horizontal sectional view of the 8th floor of Fig. 11; Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing a state in which a cage is stopped by entering into the switch frame; Fig. 14 is a horizontal sectional view of Fig. 13; Fig. 15 is a perspective view showing another example of an operating state; Fig. 16 is a horizontal sectional view of the 9th floor of Fig. 15; Fig. 17 is a perspective view showing a state in which a cage is passing through the switch frame; and Fig. 18 is a horizontal sectional view of the 9th floor of Fig. 17. In Figs. 1 and 8, in a cylindrical elevator shaft 1 is provided a fixed portion 10, a lower transfer section or turning portion 10A and an upper transfer section or turning portion 10B, respectively, extending downwards and upwards from the fixed portion 10, thereby in the elevator shaft 1 an ascending passage 2 and a descending passage 3 are sectionally formed opposedly by both turning portions 10A, 10B and the fixed portion 10. In addition, a plurality of cages 30 are accommodated in both passages 2, 3. On the center line of the fixed portion is provided a center core 11. In the side of both passages 2, 3 on the core 11 are projectingly provided at angles of 60°, respectively, three cage travelling rails 12, 13, 12 of which the rails at the both sides are formed of channel steel and the center rail is formed of H-type steel wherein recesses 14 (the same as the recesses 24 in Fig. 4) are formed at a predetermined pitch in the external edge of these rails. Between the first rail 12 and the rail 13 and between the rail 13 and the second rail 12, respectively, are provided linear motor primary coils 15, 15, thereby in the ascending passage 2 a local line 2L for each floor stop and a passing line 2P for express travel are sectionally formed, and in the descending passage 3 a local line 3L for each floor stop and a passing line 3P for express travel are correspondingly sectionally formed, as shown in Fig. 9. The elevator shaft 1 is provided with an elevator door 4 at each floor at the location corresponding to the local line 2L, 3L. Also, at a plurality of locations of the fixed portion 10 (only 9th floor is shown in the illustrated example) a separate frame made of rail and coil is formed independently from the rails 12, 13 and the coil 15 and this separate frame provided with rails 22, 23 and coil 15A or switch frame generally shown as 20 is rotatably mounted. As shown in Fig. 4 and 5, the switch frame 20 is provided with an upper outside guide rail 21a, an upper inside guide rail 21b, a lower outside guide rail 21c and a lower inside guide rail 21d, respectively in an arc-shape, wherein these guide rails are connected to each other into a frame by connecting members 21e, 21f. Inside each rail 21a-21d are provided cage travelling rails 22, 23 aligned, at one portion, to cage travelling rails 12, 13, respectively, and linear motor primary coils 15A, 15A supported by coil set plates 15a, 15a wherein on these rails 22, 23 is formed a plurality of recesses 24 at the same pitch as the recesses on said rails 12, 13. As shown in Fig. 1 to 3, the floor of the 9th floor is provided with a plurality of lower outside vertical rollers 25a supporting the lower outside guide rail 21c of the switch frame 20 at the lower surface thereof and a plurality of lower outside horizontal rollers 25b guiding the lower outside guide rail 21c at the side surface thereof and also the lower surface of the 10th floor is provided with a plurality of upper outside horizontal rollers 25c guiding the upper outside guide rail 21a at the side surface thereof. On the other hand, the center core 11 is provided with a plurality of lower inside vertical rollers 26a supporting the lower inside guide rail 21d at the lower surface thereof and a plurality of lower inside horizontal rollers 26b guiding the lower inside guide rail 21d at the side surface thereof. Also, a plurality of upper inside horizontal rollers 26c guiding the upper inside guide rail 21b at the side surface thereof. Furthermore, on substantially the same circumference as the lower outside horizontal rollers 25b is provided a plurality of drive rollers 27 rotated in abutment with the side surface of the lower outside guide rail 21c, whereby the switch frame 20 may be rotated left and right within the range of 60° by these drive rollers 27 which are driven by a switch frame drive motor 28. The switch frames 20 corresponding to the lower turning portion 10A and the upper turning portion 10B are capable of turning by 180°. In Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 (these drawings show the front side and the back side of a cage 30, respectively), the cage 30 is formed with a shape of arcuate cross-section. A door 31 is mounted in the front side so as to be openable and closable, and permanent magnets 32 opposing the linear motor primary coils 15, 15A are mounted on the back side, thereby a linear synchronous motor, so-called LSM, is composed of these linear motor primary coils 15, 15c and permanent magnets 42. However, without being limited thereto, a linear induction motor, so-called LIM, etc. can be used. Both upper and lower ends of said cage 30 are provided with upper guide plate 33a, upper guide rollers 34a and lower guide plate 33b, lower guide rollers 34b for being guided by the edges of the cage travelling rails 12, 13 and 22, 23. Below said upper guide plate 33a is provided a stopping device 35 comprising a pin 35a for engaging with a recess 14, 24 by protruding at the time of stopping, thereby a locking means is composed of said stopping device 35 and recesses 14, 24. Moreover, at the inside of one of the upper guide plates 33a, a current collector 36 is provided. Operation of the elevator according to this embodiment of the invention will now be described. In Fig. 8 to Fig. 10, the ascending passage 2 and the descending passage 3 are formed sectionally with an ascending side area 2S and a descending side area 3S and switch frame 20, 20. The side of the ascending passage 2 will be explained, as an example, in detail. By means of a linear synchronous motor driving mechanism, a cage 30A ascends through the local line stopping at each floor, and a cage 30B ascends through the express line 2P at a high speed and, at the upper turning portion 10B, the cages 30A, 30B, respectively, are shifted to the local line 3L and the express line 3P of the descending passage 3 by rotation of the upper turning portion 10B and then descend through the descending passage 3. When any of cages 30A, 30B are stopped at a required floor, the pin 35a of the stopping device 35 protrudes and consequently fixes the cage 30A, 30B to the cage travelling rail 12, 13 or 22, 23 by engaging with the recess 14 or 24. Thereafter, at the lower turning portion 10A the cage 30A, 30B is shifted to the local line 3L and the express line 3P of the ascending passage 2 by rotation of the lower turning portion 10B. In such a way, a plurality of cages 30 ascends and descends successively in a cycle through the ascending passage 2 and the descending passage 3. Now, for example, in the case that while one cage is stopping at the 7th floor for passenger entrance and exit expecting a next stop at the 8th floor, and cage 30B is intending to stop at the 9th floor wherein the switch frame 20 at the 9th floor is connected to the local line 2L and the passing line 2P, the switch frame 20 is connected to the passing line 2P and the side area 2S by being turned as shown by the arrow. Then, the cage 30B ascends through the express line 2P, passes the cage 30A and then stops by entering into the switch frame 20. Subsequently, the switch frame 20 is turned in the reverse direction against the above so that the cage 30B is shifted to the local line 2L for the passengers to get on-and-off through the door 4. And, the cage 30A will stop at the 8th floor as expected. Also, as shown in Fig. 11 and Fig. 12, in the case that while a cage 30A is stopped at the 7th floor for passenger entrance and exit, expecting a next stop at the 8th floor, and the cage 30B is intending to stop at the 9th floor wherein the switch frame 20 at the 9th floor is connected to the passing line 2P and the side area 2S, the cage 30B stops by entering into the switch frame 20 (Fig. 13, Fig. 14). Subsequently, the switch frame 20 is turned in the direction as shown by the arrow so that the cage 30B is shifted to the local line 2L for the passengers to get on-and-off through the door 4. Also, as shown in Fig. 15 and 16, in the case that while the cage 30A is stopped at the 8th floor for passenger entrance and exit expecting a next stop at the 9th floor and the cage 30B is stopped at the 9th floor for passenger entrance and exit, a cage 30C is ascending from the 7th floor to the 12th floor wherein the switch frame 20 at the 9th floor is connected to the local line 2L and passing line 2P by being turned from the connection to the passing line 2P and the side area 2S, the cage 30C ascends by passing through the switch frame 20. In a linear motor driven elevator with a passing function constructed as described in the above, a linear synchronous motor (LSM) driving mechanism is composed of linear motor primary coils of center core and switch frame and permanent magnets of the cage. When a cage has ascended at a high speed through the local line and the express line of the ascending passage by means of this driving mechanism, the cage is shifted into the descending passage by the upper transfer section and then descends through the local line and/or express line. Thereafter, the cage is shifted into the ascending passage and ascends through the ascending passage. In such a way, a plurality of cages ascends and descends successively in a cycle through the ascending passage and descending passage, respectively. When a cage ascending through the express line is required to stop at a particular floor, the switch frame is turned so as to be connected to the express line and the side area and then the cage is stopped by fixing the cage to the switch frame. Then, the switch frame is turned into the reverse direction so as to connect the switch frame to the local line and express line, thereby the cage being shifted to the local line so that the passengers can get on and off. When the switch frame is connected to the local line and the express line and a preceding cage is located in the local line of the cage travelling frame of the switch frame, a cage located now in the express line can ascend or descend by passing through the switch frame. On the other hand, when the switch frame is situated in the same position as above and a preceding cage is located in the express line of the switch frame, a cage located now in the express line can ascend or descend by passing through the switch frame after the switch frame was turned and connected to the express line and the side area. Furthermore, when the switch frame is connected to the express line and the side area and a preceding cage is located in the express line of the switch frame, a cage located now in the express line can ascend or descend by passing through the switch frame after the switch frame was turned and connected to the local line and the express line.

Claims: A linear motor driven elevator comprising an elevator shaft divided by a central core (11) into opposed ascending and descending passageways (2, 3), a plurality of elevator cages (30) disposed in said passageways (2, 3), one of said central core (11) or said cages (30) being provided with linear motor primary coils (15) and the other being provided with opposed permanent magnets (32), an upper transfer section (10A) provided at the top of said elevator shaft for transferring elevator cages (30) from said ascending passageway (2) to said descending passageway (3), and a lower transfer section (10B) being provided at the bottom of said elevator shaft for transferring elevator cages (30) from said descending passageway (3) to said ascending passageway (2), characterised in that each of said ascending and descending passageways (2, 3) are divided into local (2L, 3L) and express lines (2P, 3P), and in that means are provided at at least one point in each of said passageways (2, 3) to transfer cages (30) between said local and express lines (2L, 3L; 2P, 3P). An elevator as claimed in claim 1 wherein said local/express transfer means comprises a switch frame (20). An elevator as claimed in claim 2 wherein said central core (11) is provided with elevator cage guide rails (21) for side local and express lines, and wherein said switch frame (20) is formed with corresponding guide rails (21) and is adapted to rotate about said central core to transfer a cage (30) from one line to the other. An elevator as claimed in claim 3 wherein said elevator shaft is cylindrical and said elevator cages (30) and said switch frame (20) are arcuate in cross-section. An elevator as claimed in claim 4 wherein the respective local and express lines are separated by 60°, said switch frame (20) has an angular dimension of 120°, and in that in addition to said local and express lines (2L, 3L; 2P, 3P) each said passageway (2, 3) is provided with a side area at least in the region of said switch frame (20). An elevator as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said local/express transfer means is provided adjacent a floor. An elevator as claimed in any preceding claim wherein means are provided to selectively lock an elevator cage in said passageways at positions corresponding to floors.

Inventors: MATSUI NOBUYUKI, MATSUI, NOBUYUKI
Applicants: KAJIMA CORP, KAJIMA CORPORATION
Application year: 1992
Main classification: B66B9
IPC codes: B66B9, B66B11, B66B7, B66B1