Hoist machine

Abstract: A hoist machine is provided with a driving member (2) driven by a capacitor start single phase motor (3), which is provided with a governor (4) and a switching device (5) for turning on-off a start capacitor following operation of the governor, the switching device (5) is provided with a switch control panel (37), which, when the driving member (2) drives to hoist a load, maintains on-operation of the lowering side switch (36) and turns off the hoisting side switch (33) following the operation of the governor (4) to thereby cut off energization to the start capacitor (C1), and when the lowering operation, maintains on-operation of the hoisting side switch (33) and turns off the lowering side switch (36) to thereby cut off energization of the start capacitor (C1). Thus the reversal of direction of operation of a hoist machine may be achieved with the minimum of delay.

Description: The present invention relates to a hoist machine which uses a capacitor start single phase motor having a start capacitor so as to hoist or lower a load such as baggage, to be hoisted. A conventional hoist machine using a capacitor start single phase motor is provided with a governor operating in response to the rotation speed of a driving shaft interlocking with the motor and to a governor switch which is turned on-off by operation of the governor. The governor switch is interposed in an auxiliary switching circuit to which the start capacitor is connected, so that when the motor is intended to stop its operation, the governor switch is turned on, and, when intended to start, the start capacitor is operated to start the motor, and after start thereof the governor switch is turned off, thereby cutting off energization to the start capacitor. In other words, since the single phase motor has a small starting torque, generally the start capacitor is used so as to start the motor in a capacitor start system. In a case where the start capacitor is used, when energization continues even after start, a current several times larger than the current rating of motor flows in the start capacitor and causes heating thereof, whereby the governor is used which operates following the rotation of the driving shaft driven by the motor. Hence, the governor switch operated by the governor is turned off so that, after starting the motor, energization to the start capacitor is cut off to thereby solve the problem of heating. Operation of a hoist machine, such as a chain block or a trolley, which is used for hoisting or lowering a load to be hoisted, such as baggage, a shutter of an electrically operated door shutter or a pallet at a two storey vehicle park, may often cause the motor direction to be changed from lowering to hoisting (raising) due to a hoist command given partway through a lowering operation initiated by a lowering command. In other words, for example, during the unloading of baggage, where the unloading position is too low with respect to the target position, for example, a push button switch of the hoist machine is depressed to give a hoist command so as to raise the load onto the target position. However, when the hoist command is given in the state where the motor, as above-mentioned, operates to lower the load, the motor may not operate in the hoisting direction, but continue the lowering operation regardless of the hoist command. In other words, in the case where the motor is under load in the lowering direction, even when the hoist command is given during the lowering operation, the motor continues its rotation in the lowering direction because of inertia of the motor. In this case, however, the governor will operate to keep the governor switch off so as not to actuate the start capacitor. Accordingly, even when the motor is given the hoist command and a normal, reverse rotation switching circuit is thereby switched, starting torque is not applied to the hoisting side, preventing the motor from being quickly switched to rotation in the hoisting direction. US 3,971, 971 (WYLOFF) discloses a braking apparatus for electric motors subject to overhauling loads comprising: an alternating current power source; an electric alternating current motor having a normal operating speed; a control system for starting, stopping, and controlling the direction and limit of travel of said motor; and a fixed capacitor permanently connected to at least one of the motor windings such that at any time power is removed from said motor, said capacitor being selected in cooperation with the residual magnetic field of the motor stator windings and their associated impedance characteristics to effect a resonant condition causing said motor to become self-excited and to develop braking torque upon continued rotation of said motor above a speed substantially below normal operating speed for the purpose of limiting said speed with power off and said capacitor and said motor windings alone cooperate to effect running performance of said motor. An object of the present invention is to provide a hoist machine which, even when a hoist command is given during the lowering operation, can immediately operate a start capacitor to perform quick hoisting operation. In order to attain the abovementioned object, the present invention provides a hoist machine for hoisting or lowering a load to be hoisted, comprising: a. a capacitor start single phase motor having a start capacitor and a normal and reverse rotation switching circuit for switching the rotation direction normally or reversely by an external command, b. a driving member which is normally and reversely driven to hoist and lower said load to be hoisted, c. a governor operable in response to drive and stop operation of said motor, d. a switching device for turning on-off said start capacitor following operation of said governor, said switching device being provided with: (i) a hoisting side switch provided with a first hoisting side contact arm connected to a hoisting side line of said normal and reverse rotation switching circuit for said motor and a second hoisting side contact arm connected to said start capacitor, one of said contact arms serving as a fixed side contact arm and the other serving as movable side contact arms, said contact arms operating to be normally on, and (ii) a lowering side switch provided with a first lowering side contact arm connected to a lowering side line of said normal and reverse rotation switching circuit for said motor and a second lowering side contact arm connected to said start capacitor, one of said contact arms serving as a fixed side contact arm, the other serving as movable side contact arms respectively, said contact arms operating to be normally off, CHARACTERISED IN THAT , the switching device is further provided with: (iii) a switch control panel which rotates in a predetermined range in the rotation direction of said governor following operation of said governor, moves in reciprocation, maintains on-operation of said lowering side switch and turns off said hoisting side switch during the hoisting, and maintains on-operation of said hoisting side switch and turns off said lowering side switch during the lowering, and further that said governor is provided with an operating disc operable in reciprocation between a forward movement position where said operating disc forwardly moves when said motor stops its drive and a backward movement position where said operating disc backwardly moves when said motor drives, said switching device is provided with a fixed substrate and support means for rotating said switch control panel in a predetermined range with respect to said substrate following rotation of said operating disc and for supporting said switch control panel movably in reciprocation following the operation in reciprocation of said operating disc, said hoisting side switch and lowering side switch are switched on when said operating disc is in said forward movement position, said hoisting side switch and lowering side switch are juxtaposed on said substrate along the rotation direction of said switch control panel, said switch control panel is provided with an engaging member selectively engageable with one of said movable side contact arms of said hosting side switch or lowering side switch by rotation of said switch control panel, wherein the engaged movable side contact arm switches off the respective side switch by backward movement of said switch control panel following backward movement of said operating disc toward the backward movement position thereof, and between said switch control panel and said substrate are interposed springs each for biasing said switch control panel in the direction of backward movement for turning off one of said movable side contact arms. The switch control panel is preferably provided with an annular contact surface opposite to the operating disc and contacting therewith at the forward-movement position thereof, the annular contact surface being also preferably formed of friction material of, for example, nylon, polyurethane rubber or polypropylene. The engaging member is provided with a pair of retaining surfaces and extending in the opposite and slantwise direction toward the movable side contact arms of the hoisting side switch and lowering side switch respectively, and the respective contact arms are preferably provided at the outermost ends with hook-like-shaped retained portions. Furthermore, the switch control panel is supported on a plurality of stays provided on the substrate so as to be rotatable in the predetermined range and movable in the reciprocation direction of the operating disc of the governor. The stays may be provided with springs for biasing the switch control panel in the direction of off-operation of the movable side contact arms of the hoisting side and lowering side switches so that it is preferable that the spring force of the spring provided on the stage at the position near the movable side contact arm, when each movable side contact arm is off, has a value to overcome reaction acting in the direction of off-operation. As mentioned above, the switch control panel for controlling the hoisting side switch and lowering side switch is adapted to maintain on-operation of the lowering side switch and turn off the hoisting side switch following the operation of the governor during the hoisting the load, and to maintain on-operation of the hoisting side switch and turn off the lowering side switch during the lowering operation, whereby in a case where a hoist command is given partway through a lowering operation, when the normal and reverse rotation switching circuit is switched under this command, the hoisting side switch is "on", so that the start capacitor immediately operates to enable the hoist machine to change toward a hoisting operation. Hence, a minimum lowering operation makes possible the hoisting operation. Hence, the position of the load to be hoisted can quickly be set toward the target position. The governor being provided with the operating disc, the switch control panel is supported to the fixed substrate in relation of rotating within the predetermined range following the rotation of the operating disc and being movable in a reciprocating manner following the reciprocation of the same. The engaging member is provided on the switch control panel, and the springs are provided between the switch control panel and the substrate, so that the above-mentioned off-operations of the hoisting side switch and lowering side switch by the switch control panel can effectively be executed. Since the switch control panel is provided with the annular contact surface, opposite to the operating disc and contacting therewith at the forward movement position, even when the governor causes a backlash, a malfunction of the switch control panel can be avoided, so that the switch control panel can ensure the switching operation thereof following the operating disc at the governor without malfunction. When the annular contact surface of the switch control panel is formed of friction material, the switch control panel operable following the governor can effectively perform its switching operation without malfunction. The engaging member is provided with the retaining surfaces, and the contact arms at the movable side are provided with the hook-like-shaped retained portions and, whereby even when the motor or the driving member vibrates when operated the contact arms at the movable sides can effectively be "off" and maintain the off-operation state. Hence, the risk can effectively be eliminated that the start capacitor C1 is energized by mistake during operating the machine. Furthermore, in such a construction that the switch control panel is supported on the plurality of stays and the springs are provided thereon respectively, the spring force of the spring provided at the stay positioned in proximity to the respective contact arms at the movable sides, when the contact arms are off, is set to a value overcoming the reaction acting in the direction of off-operation, so that, when the switch control panel returns at the backward-movement position of the operating disc, in other words, when the motor stops to return the operating disc to the backward-movement position, the switch control panel can smoothly return in the direction of movement of the hoisting side and lowering side switches by the operation of each spring in relation of keeping its vertical posture without slant. These and other objects of the invention will become more apparent in the detailed description and examples which follow. It will be understood that the description is given by way of example only and not by way of limitation. In the drawings:- Figure 1 is an electric circuit diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a general elevation of an electric motor-drive chain block to which the present invention is applied; Figure 3 is a view illustrating the relationship between governor and a switching device; Figure 4 is a view illustrating an operating state when the governor operates, corresponding to Fig. 3; Figure 5 is a plan view of the switching device; Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on the line A-A in Figure 5; Figure 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line B-B in Figure 5; Figure 8 is a plan view of a substrate of the switching device when a switch control panel is omitted from Figure 5; Figure 9 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the operation of the switching device when a hoisting side switch and a lowering side switch are "on"; and Figure 10 is a view illustrating the operation of the switching device when the hoisting side switch is "on" and the lowering side switch is "off" during the lowering operation. A hoist machine shown in Figure 2 is an electric motor-driven chain block, which (a) is provided with a chain block body 1 comprising a pair of side plates 11 and 12 disposed opposite to each other and spaced apart at a predetermined interval, and a motor casing 13 and a gear casing 14 which are mounted so as to flank the side plates 11 and 12 (b) rotatably supports, between the plates 11 and 12 of the chain block body 1, a driving member 2 comprising a load sheave 2 for hoisting and lowering a load and (c) mounts an upper hook 15 at the upper side between the side plates 11 and 12, and engages the load sheave 2 with a load chain 17 having a lower hook 16 for hanging the load to be hoisted. Within the motor casing 13 are arranged, as described below, a start capacitor C1, a capacitor start single phase motor 3 having a normal and reverse rotation switching circuit 19 for switching the rotation direction normally or reversely by an external command, a governor 4 mounted with respect to the driving shaft 20 of the motor 3 and operating in response to "drive" and "stop" operation of the motor 3, and a switching device 5 for turning on-off the start capacitor C1 following the operation of the governor 4. The gear casing 14 encloses therein a reduction gear mechanism 21 for reducing the drive speed of motor 3 and transmitting it to the load sheave 2 and an electromagnetic brake 22 for braking a transmitting system of the load sheave 2 when a stop command is given to the motor 3. In greater detail, the governor 4, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, comprises a support member 23 mounted on the driving shaft 20 of the motor 3 to rotate with the driving shaft 20, a pair of weights 24 and 25 swingably supported on the support member 23 and subject to the centrifugal force caused by the rotation of driving shaft 20 so as to swing at their outermost end radially outwardly of the driving shaft 20, a spring 26 interposed between the weights 24 and 25 for biasing the weights 24 and 25 radially inwardly against the centrifugal force, and an operating disc 27 which is formed mainly of synthetic resin and has an interlocking portion 27a for interengaging with respective weights 24 and 25 so as to react with the swinging motion thereof and move in reciprocation axially of the driving shaft 20, the operating disc 27 being adapted to operate by "stop" and "drive" operation of the motor 3 and move to a forward-movement position in Figure 3 and a backward-movement position shown in Figure 4. In detail, when the motor 3 stops, no centrifugal force is generated, so that the spring 26 acts to swing the weights 24 and 25 radially and inwardly, so that the operating disc 27 moves forwardly toward the forward-movement position shown in Figure 3. When the motor 3 is being driven, the driving shaft 20 rotates and the weights 24 and 25 are subjected to centrifugal force so as to swing radially outwardly against the spring 26. Therefore, the operating disc 27 is rearwardly moved by the swinging motion toward the backward-movement position shown in Figure 4. Thus, the operating disc 27 is moved in reciprocating manner to actuate a switch control panel 37 of a switching device 5 to be discussed below, thereby enabling the switching operation to perform. Next, explanation will be given of the switching device 5 on the basis of Figures 5 through 8. The switching device 5 comprises a substrate 30 of insulating material mounted on a side plate 13a of the motor casing 13, a hoisting side switch 33 comprising a first hoisting side contact arm 31 connected to a hoisting side line 19a of a normal- and reverse-rotation switching circuit 19 of the motor 3 to be discussed below and a second hoisting side contact arm 32 connected to the start capacitor C1 and being normally "on", a lowering side switch 36 comprising a first lowering side contact arm 34 connected to a lowering side line 19b of the normal and reverse rotation switching circuit 19 and a second lowering side contact arm 35 connected to the start capacitor C1 and being normally "on" and the switch control panel 37 which follows movement of the operating disc 27 at the governor 4 to maintain on-operation of the lowering side switch 36 and to turn off the hoisting side switch 33 during hoisting of the load and maintain on-operation of the hoisting side switch 33 and turn off the lowering side switch 36 during lowering of the load. In an embodiment of the present invention shown in Figures 5 through 8, the first hoisting side contact arm 31 and the first lowering side contact arm 34 of the lowering side are fixed onto the substrate 30 and each is provided at one end thereof with stationary contacts 31a and 34a respectively, the contact arms 31 and 34 being separately connected to the hoisting side line 19a and lowering side line 19b. The second hoisting side contact arm 32 and the second lowering side contact arm 35 are formed by movable contacts, one end of each being mounted onto the substrate 30 and the other ends being free ends provided with movable contacts 32a and 35a respectively, and, as shown in Figure 8, the second contact arms 32 and 35 are each connected at the rear thereof to the start capacitor C1 through a connector 38 of a connecting line 39. In greater detail, the switch control panel 37, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, is supported by the stays 40 provided on the substrate 30 so as to be movable in a predetermined range in the direction of reciprocation of the operating disc 27 and rotatable in a predetermined range in the direction of driving rotation of the motor 3. On each of the respective stays 40 is provided a spring 41 for biasing the switch control panel 37 in the direction of off-operation of the movable contact arms, that is, the second hoisting side contact arm 32 and the second lowering side contact arm 35. In other words, the switch control panel 37, as shown in Figure 5, is formed in an approximately triangular configuration and is provided at the centre thereof with an insertion bore 42 through which the driving shaft 20 is inserted at the axial end thereof, at the apex portions of the triangular shape of the panel 37 are formed slots 43, into which the stays 40 are fitted respectively, and the switch control panel 37 is adapted to be rotatable in the direction of driving rotation of the driving shaft 20 in a range of each slot 43. On the surface of the switch control panel 37 opposite to the operating disc 27, is formed an annular contact surface 44, contacted by the operating disc 27 in its movement toward its forward-movement position, and on the surface of the panel 37 opposite to the movable side contact arms, that is, the second contact arms 32 and 35 of the hoisting side and lowering side switches 33 and 36, is provided an engaging member 45 which selectively engages with one of the second contact arms 32 and 35 so as to perform the off-operation. The annular contact surface 44 is conveniently formed directly onto the surface of the switch control panel 37, which surface 44 is preferably formed of friction material, such as, nylon, polyurethane rubber, or polypropylene. The engaging member 45 is formed by cutting and raising a portion of the switch control panel 27 integral therewith, which is preferably V-shaped in section as shown to an enlarged scale in Figures 9 and 10. In detail, it is preferable that a pair of retaining surfaces 45a and 45b are formed which extend slantwise toward the movable side contact arms. In this case, the movable side contact arms, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, are bent at the free ends thereof in opposite directions with respect to the switch control panel 37, so that, hook-shaped retaining portions 32b and 35b opposite to the retaining surfaces 45 and 45b are provided respectively. In the above-mentioned construction, when the operating disc 27 moves rearwardly toward the backward-movement position, that is, when the driving shaft 20 rotates so that the disc 27 is subjected to centrifugal force so as to move rearwardly toward the backward-movement position, the switch control panel 37 moves in the backward moving direction of the operating disc 27 due to operation of the spring 41 to thereby turn off either one of the second hoisting side contact arm 32 and second lowering side contact arm 35 engageable with the engaging member 45. The force of the spring 41 provided on the stay 40 positioned in proximity to the second contact arms 32 and 35 is set at a value determined by the spring forces of the other springs 41 taking account of the reaction acting in the off-operation direction of each said second contact arms 32 and 35, whereby the switch control panel 37 can be moved uniformly in the backwardly moving direction, in other words, in parallel to the substrate 30, thereby enabling the switch control panel 37 to move smoothly. Next, explanation will be given of an electric circuit of the motor drive chain block constructed as above described, according to Figure 1. To power supply lines L1 and L2 serving the motor 3, a hoisting (raise) push button switch S1 and a lowering push button switch S2 of a push button operating member 18 are connected through a transformer T1 provided on connecting lines for the switches S1 and S2. Electromagnetic contactors K1 and K2 are provided to operate in response to the operations of the switches S1 and S2. A normal and reverse rotation switching circuit 19 having switching contacts K11 and K21 for the electromagnetic contactors K1 and K2 and for normally or reversely switching the rotation of the motor 3 by operating the switches S1 and S2 is connected to the power supply circuits L1 and L2. The hoisting side switch 33 is connected to the hoisting side line 19a at the switching circuit 19, the lowering side switch 36 is connected to the lowering side line 19b, and the hoisting side and lowering side lines 19a and 19b are connected to an auxiliary windings 39 of the motor 3, in which the start capacitor C1 is provided. In addition, reference numeral V1 in Figure 1 designates a varistor provided in a circuit of an electromagnetic brake 22 operable when the motor 3 is given a stop command, that is, neither of the push button switches S1 and S2 are operated, and G1 designates a rectifier. Reference numeral C2 designates a capacitor for "run", S11 designates a limit switch for an upper limit provided in the hoisting line 19a and operable by detecting the upper limit of the lower hook 16, S12 designates a lower limit switch provided in the lower line 19b and operable by detecting the lower limit, and X1 and X2 designate connectors. Next, explanation will be given of the operation of the motor drive chain block constructed as above described. First, in order to hoist from the stationary position a load, such as baggage, supported on the lower hook 16, the hoisting push button switch S1 at the push button operating member 18 is depressed, whereby the electromagnetic contactor K1 is excited, the hoisting switching contact K11 at the normal and reverse rotation switching circuit 19 is "on", and the normally closing contact K12 at the electromagnetic contactor K1 is "on". At this time, since the motor 3 is stopped, the weights 24 and 25 at the governor 4 do not operate, the operating disc 27 moves by operation of spring 20 to the forward movement position shown in Figure 3 and contacts with the annular contact surface 44 at the switch control panel 37, so that the switch control panel 37 is moved in the forwardly moving direction against the spring 41. As the result, the lowering switches 33 and 36, as shown in Figure 3, are "on", whereby the start capacitor C1 operates to start the motor 3, thereby hoisting the load. At this time, the switch control panel 37, which contacts with the operating disc 27 on starting the motor 3, follows the rotation of operating disc 27 and rotates in the hoisting direction. The governor 4, when subjected to centrifugal force of driving shaft 20 accompanied by the start of motor 3, operates to move the operating disc 27 rearwardly from the forward-movement position shown in Figure 3 to the backward-movement position shown in Figure 4, whereby the switch control disc 37, as shown in Figure 4, moves in the backwardly moving direction by operation of the spring 41, at which time, the switch control panel 37 is rotated in the hoisting direction and the engaging member 45 is positioned opposite to the second hoisting side contact arm 32 of the hoisting side switch 33, whereby the switch control panel 37 moves, as above-mentioned, to shift the second hoisting side contact arm 32 in a direction moving away from the first contact arm 31 at the hoisting side and the lowering side switch 36 maintains its on-operation, while the hoisting side switch 33 is "off" as shown in Figure 4. When the driving shaft 20 exceeds a predetermined number of rotations, set by the governor 4, after the motor 3 starts, the hoisting side switch 33 is turned "off" so as to cut off energization to the start capacitor C1, thereby avoiding the problem caused by heating. Next, when the load is lowered after being hoisted, the lowering push button switch S2 at the push button operating member 18 is depressed, whereby the electromagnetic contactor K2 is excited and the switching contact K21 at the switching circuit 19 for lowering the load is "on". In this case, even when a lowering command is given during the hoisting of the load, as shown in Figure 4, during the hoisting, the lowering side switch 36 is kept "on", so that, when the contacts K21 and K22 are "on", that is, when the lowering command is given, the start capacitor C1 immediately operates to quickly perform reverse movement toward the lowering side. In addition, when the load is lowered from the stationary position, the lowering operation is the same as above described, so that, the switch control panel 37, as shown in Figure 9, rotates in the lowering direction at the beginning of the start operation, and, as shown in Figure 10, moves in the backwardly moving direction of the operating disc 27 following the operation of governor 4, whereby the second contact arm 35 of the lowering side switch 36 moves away from the first contact arm 34 at the lowering side, thereby turning off the lowering side switch 36. At this time, the switch control panel 37 rotates in the lowering direction so that the engaging member 45 which is positioned opposite to the second contact arm 32 at the hoisting side during the hoisting, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, shifts to the position opposite to the second contact arm 35 at the lowering side, whereby the second contact arm 32 at the hoisting side moves close to the first contact arm 31 at the hoisting side and the movable contact 32a of the second contact arm 32 contacts with the fixed contact 31a so that the hoisting side switch 33 is "on", thereby maintaining the on-operation thereof during the lowering the load. Accordingly, even during the lowering of the load, that start capacitor C1 is energized only when starting, so that, when the start capacitor C1 exceeds the predetermined number of rotations set by the governor 4 after the start, its energization is cut off. Also, in a case where the load is partway through being lowered, in other words, in order to accurately position the load in the target position, the hoisting and lowering operations may be repeated. In particular, when a hoist command is given partway through lowering the load, in the conventional example, even when a hoisting command is given, the motor 3 cannot immediately be reversed to the hoisting side due to rotation of inertia. However, in the present invention, during the load lowering operation, the hoisting side switch 33 maintains its on-operation as shown in Figure 10, whereby when the hoisting push button switch S1 of the push button operating member 18 is depressed to give a hoist command to turn on the switching contact K11 and normally open contact K12, the start capacitor C1 immediately operates to thereby hoist the load after a minimum quantity of further lower operation. In the above mentioned construction, the switch control panel 37 is provided with the annular contact surface 44 opposite to the operating disc 22, which contacts with the contact surface 44 so as to rotate the switch control panel 37 following the operating disc 27, whereby even when the operating disc 27 swings in operation due to a backlash or the like, the switch control panel 37 can always operate more surely and with less malfunction. The engaging member 45 at the switch control panel 37 is V-shaped in section as above mentioned, and the hook-shaped retaining portions 33b and 35b are provided at the movable side contact arms, respectively, so that even when subjected to vibrations from the motor 3 or an external force, the on-off operation of the respective switches 33 and 36 is not inadvertently switched, thereby enabling the above mentioned operation to be performed with accuracy. In addition, in the above mentioned embodiment, the first hoisting side contact arm 31 and the first lowering side contact arm 34, which are connected to the hoisting side line 19a and the lowering side line 19b respectively are formed as fixed contact arms, and the second hoisting side contact arm 32 and the second lowering side contact arm 35 are formed as movable contact arms respectively, or may be formed vice versa. An example of applying the motor drive chain block which mounts the upper hook 15 at the chain block body 11 is shown as above, which may be applied also to an electric trolley, and the hoist machine is not limited to the type described. As seen from the above, in the present invention, the switch control panel 37 for controlling the hoisting side switch 33 and lowering side switch 36 is adapted to maintain on-operation of the lowering side switch 36 following the operation of governor 4 during the lowering the load so as to turn off the hoisting side switch 33, and to maintain on-operation of the hoisting side switch 33 during the lowering the load so as to turn off the lowering side switch 36. Hence in a case where a hoisting command is given during the lowering operation, the normal and reverse rotation switching circuit is switched by this command and the hoisting switch 33 is "on", so that the start capacitor C1 immediately operates to make possible rotation toward the hoisting side, whereby only a minimum further lowering operation enables the hoisting operation to be commenced and the load hoisted quickly to be set in position for the target position. The governor 4 is provided with the operating disc 27 and the switch control panel 37 is provided with the annular contact surface 44 opposite to the switch control panel 37 and in contact therewith in the forward-movement position, whereby even when the governor 4 causes a backlash in operation, the switch control panel 37 avoids malfunction so as to ensure the switching operation thereof following the operating disc 27 at the governor 4 to be performed without a malfunction. Also, the engaging member 45 is provided with the retaining surfaces 45a and 45b and the movable side contact arms are provided with the hook-shaped portions 32b and 35b respectively, so that even when the driving rotation of the motor 3 or the driving member 2 causes vibrations, the movable side contacts can be effectively turned "off" and maintain such the "off" state, thereby effectively preventing the start capacitor C1 from being energized during the operation. In a case where the annular contact surface 44 at the switch control panel 37 is formed of friction material, the switching operation of switch control panel 37 operable following the governor 4 can effectively be executed without a malfunction. Furthermore, in a construction in which the switch control panel 37 is supported on a plurality of stays 40 and the springs 41 are provided thereon respectively, the spring force of the spring 41 provided on the stay 40 positioned in proximity to the respective movable side contact arms is set to a value calculated in respect to the spring force of the springs 41 on the other stays 40 taking account of the reaction acting in the direction of off-operation of the movable side contact arms. Hence, when the switch control panel 37 returns in the backward movement position of the operating disc 27, in other words, when the motor 3 stops to return the operating disc 27 to the backward movement position, the switch control panel 37 can smoothly return in the direction of turning on the hoisting and lowering side switches 33 and 36 by operation of each spring 41 by being kept vertical without a slant with respect to the stays 40. While a preferred specific embodiment of the invention has been described, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied within the scope of the following claims.

Claims: A hoist machine for hoisting or lowering a load to be hoisted, comprising: a. a capacitor start single phase motor (3) having a start capacitor (C1) and a normal and reverse rotation switching circuit (19) for switching the rotation direction normally or reversely by an external command, b. a driving member (2) which is normally and reversely driven to hoist and lower said load to be hoisted, c. a governor (4) operable in response to drive and stop operation of said motor, d. a switching device (5) for turning on-off said start capacitor (C1) following operation of said governor (4), said switching device (5) being provided with: (i) a hoisting side switch (33) provided with a first hoisting side contact arm (31) connected to a hoisting side line of said normal and reverse rotation switching circuit for said motor and a second hoisting side contact arm (32) connected to said start capacitor (C1), one of said contact arms (31,32) serving as a fixed side contact arm and the other serving as movable side contact arms, said contact arms operating to be normally on, and (ii) a lowering side switch (36) provided with a first lowering side contact arm (34) connected to a lowering side line (19b) of said normal and reverse rotation switching circuit (19) for said motor and a second lowering side contact arm (35) connected to said start capacitor, one of said contact arms (34, 35) serving as a fixed side contact arm, the other serving as movable side contact arms respectively, said contact arms operating to be normally off, CHARACTERISED IN THAT , the switching device (5) is further provided with: (iii) a switch control panel (37) which rotates in a predetermined range in the rotation direction of said governor following operation of said governor, moves in reciprocation, maintains on-operation of said lowering side switch (36) and turns off said hoisting side switch (33) during the hoisting, and maintains on-operation of said hoisting side switch (33) and turns off said lowering side switch (36) during the lowering, and further that said governor (4) is provided with an operating disc (27) operable in reciprocation between a forward movement position where said operating disc (27) forwardly moves when said motor (3) stops its drive and a backward movement position where said operating disc (27) backwardly moves when said motor (3) drives, said switching device (5) is provided with a fixed substrate (30) and support means (44) for rotating said switch control panel (37) in a predetermined range with respect to said substrate (30) following rotation of said operating disc (27) and for supporting said switch control panel (37) movably in reciprocation following the operation in reciprocation of said operating disc (27), said hoisting side switch and lowering side switch are switched on when said operating disc (27) is in said forward movement position, said hoisting side switch and lowering side switch are juxtaposed on said substrate along the rotation direction of said switch control panel, said switch control panel is provided with an engaging member (45) selectively engageable with one of said movable side contact arms of said hosting side switch or lowering side switch by rotation of said switch control panel (37), wherein the engaged movable side contact arm switches off the respective side switch by backward movement of said switch control panel (37) following backward movement of said operating disc (27) toward the backward movement position thereof, and between said switch control panel (37) and said substrate are interposed springs each for biasing said switch control panel in the direction of backward movement for turning off one of said movable side contact arms. A hoist machine according to claim 1, wherein said switch control panel (37) is provided with an annular contact surface (44) which is opposite to said operating disc (27) and contacts therewith when said operating disc forwardly moves. A hoist machine according to claim 2, wherein said annular contact surface (44) of said switch control panel (37) is formed of friction materials. A hoist machine according to claim 1, wherein said engaging member (45) is provided with a pair of retaining surfaces (45a,b) extending in the oppositely slantwise direction toward said movable side contact arms of said hoisting side switch and lowering side switch, said movable side contact arms being provided at the foremost ends thereof with hook-like-shaped retained portions (32a, 35a) opposite to said retaining surfaces respectively. A hoist machine according to claim 1, wherein said substrate is provided with a plurality of stays (40) so that said switch control panel is supported on said stays so as to be rotatable in a predetermined range and movable in a reciprocating manner in the reciprocation direction of said operating disc (27), said stays (40) are provided with springs (41) for biasing said switch control panel (37) in the reciprocation direction of turning off said movable side contact arms of said hoisting side switch (33) and lowering side switch (36), and wherein spring force of one of said springs which is positioned in proximity to said movable side contact arm is of a value capable of overcoming reaction acting in the direction of off-operation of said movable side contact arm when said switch control panel backwardly moves to turn off said movable side contact arm.

Inventors: FUJIKAWA MASARU, FUJIKAWA, MASARU, Fujikawa, Masaru, c/o Elephant Chain Block Co. Ltd
Applicants: ELEPHANT CHAIN BLOCK CO, ELEPHANT CHAIN BLOCK COMPANY LIMITED
Application year: 1993
Main classification: B66C13
IPC codes: B66D3, H02P1, B66C13