Traction type elevator

Abstract: An elevator apparatus is provided with an elevator path having a restricted height. Under a roping ratio of 1 : 1, a thin driving unit having a traction sheave 1 and a driving mechanism 2 is positioned between an inner wall 3a of the elevator path 3 and a space occupied by an elevator car 4 rising and falling in the elevator path 3. One end of a suspension rope 7 is fixed to the elevator car 4 in a position below a ceiling 4c of the elevator car 4. With the arrangement, the car 4 can move close to the ceiling 4c of the elevator car 4 effectively. Further, it is possible to reduce respective heights of the elevator path 3 and a building equipped with the elevator apparatus.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement of a traction type of elevator apparatus having a driving mechanism disposed in an elevator path (or hoistway) of the apparatus. 2. Description of Related Art In recent years, especially in urban areas, it has been required to make the effective use of buildings per se. For example, for even an elevator's machine room standing on the housetop etc., the right to sunlight, the appearance of beauty, or the like have been taken into consideration. Under such a situation, hitherto, there have been developed a variety of attempts to accommodate a control unit in the elevator path without establishing the elevator's machine room in order to provide a compact elevator apparatus. For example, Japanese Patent No. 2593288 discloses a traction sheave elevator, as shown in Fig. 1. In the figure, a flattened driving mechanism 2 having a traction sheave 1 is disposed between a side wall 3a in an elevator path 3 and a space defined by projected planes of an elevator car 4 in the upward and downward directions. A hoisting (suspension) rope 7 is wound about a sheave 5a beneath the car 4 and a sheave 5b above a balance weight 6, while both ends of the hoisting rope 7 are fixed on a top wall 3b defining the elevator path 3. Note, according to the arrangement shown in Fig. 1, a pit 3c in the elevator path 3 is positioned under a level 3d of the first floor (1F). The elevator of Fig. 1 does adopt a structure where the car 4 is driven like a movable pulley while winding the suspension rope 7 about the sheave 5a under the car 4. Owing to this arrangement, it is possible to reduce the capacity of a motor of the driving mechanism relatively and minimize a space occupied by the driving mechanism, together with the effective use of the space above the car 4. Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (kokai) No. 9-156855 discloses another elevator apparatus shown in Fig. 2. In the apparatus, the flattened driving mechanism 2 is arranged in the upper space of the balance weight 6 and adapted so as to suspend the car 4 through turning sheaves 8a, 8b and 8c. In this way, since the driving mechanism 2 having the traction sheave 1 is disposed between a side wall 3a in an elevator path 3 and a space defined by projected planes of an elevator car 4 in the upward and downward directions, the arrangement allows to minimize a space that the whole apparatus does occupy without providing the machine room on the roof, so that the elevator apparatus can be provided while exhibiting high efficiency in utilizing the space. In the former elevator apparatus, however, since the velocity of the moving rope is twice as much as that of the elevator car due to the adoption of "moving-pulley" driving system in accordance with the roping ratio of 2 : 1, various problems would be raised in case of the requirement for a high-speed elevator. In addition, as the driving mechanism is accommodated in the space between the projected planes of the elevator car and the inner wall of the elevator path, a problem still remains in terms of the requirements for the mechanism having a large capacity. While, in the latter elevator apparatus, the velocity of the suspending rope is equal to that of the elevator car owing to the provision of the turning sheaves. Nevertheless, there is remained a problem in terms of effective use of space in the elevator path because the apparatus requires a space for accommodating the turning sheaves on the upper side of the elevator path. Another elevator apparatus according to the preambles of claims 1 and 12 is already known for example from JP-A-07117957. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an elevator apparatus which is equipped with no machine room, so that it is possible to restrict the height of an elevator path from increasing and also drive an elevator car at high speed. The object of the present invention described above can be accomplished by an elevator apparatus comprising: a pair of elevator guide rails disposed in an elevator path; an elevator car for rising and falling along the elevator guide rails in the elevator path; weight guide rails disposed in an elevator path; at least one balance weight for rising and falling along the weight guide rails in the elevator path; at least one suspension rope having one end fixed to the elevator car and another end fixed to the balance weight; and at least one driving unit for driving a traction sheave about which the suspension rope is wound; wherein the driving unit is positioned between an inner wall of the elevator path and a space occupied by the elevator car rising and falling in the elevator path and the driving unit is constructed so as to become thin; and wherein the end of the suspension rope is fixed to the elevator car in a position below a ceiling of the elevator car. According to the elevator apparatus constructed above, the drive of the elevator car at the same speed as the suspension rope can be realized owing to the achievement of roping ratio of 1 : 1. In addition, with the arrangement where the elevator car is connected with the suspension rope in a position below the ceiling of the elevator car and there is provided no turning sheave etc. in a space above the elevator car, the upper area of the elevator path can be effectively utilized thereby to provide a high-speed and compact elevator apparatus. In the present invention, preferably, the driving unit comprises a plurality of driving mechanisms each having a traction sheave and the suspension rope is wound about each traction sheave of the driving mechanisms and finally fixed to the elevator car and the balance weight. In the present invention, more preferably, the driving mechanisms are arranged up and down in the elevator path, while the suspension rope is wound round the traction sheave associated with the upper driving mechanism with a plurality of turns. Alternatively, it is also preferable that the driving mechanisms are arranged left and right in the elevator path, so that respective planes of the traction sheaves associated with the left and upper driving mechanism coincide with each other substantially. In common with the above-mentioned preferable arrangements, since the driving unit is constituted by the plural driving mechanisms, it is possible to realize to provide the elevator apparatus with high-speed operation and large transportation capacity. In the present invention, it is preferable that one of the elevator guide rails, which is disposed on the side of the driving unit, has a H-shaped cross section and is arranged so that parallel side portions constituting the H-shaped cross section are opposite to a side wall of the elevator and that the elevator car is provided with two pairs of rollers for guiding the elevator car, each pair of rollers interposing one of the parallel side portions between the rollers on left and right sides of the parallel side portion. In this case, owing to the configuration of the specified elevator guide rail, the elevator apparatus is provided with great rigidity, so that it can travel more stably. In the above-mentioned arrangement, it is more preferable that the elevator apparatus further comprises a L-shaped frame for mounting and carrying the elevator car thereon, the frame consisting of a vertical beam and a horizontal beam and that the horizontal beam is provided, at a tip thereof, with other rollers between which the other elevator guide rail disposed on the opposite side of the driving unit is interposed to guide the elevator car. In this case, owing to the provision of the L-shaped flame, the elevator apparatus can rise and fall more stably and the elevator car can be carried with such a simple structure, strongly. In the present invention, it is preferable that the suspension rope is divided into two routes of ropes whose ends are respectively fixed to different positions on opposite outer faces of the elevator car, while the different positions are symmetrical to each other in plan view of the elevator car. In this case, with the above structure and arrangement of the suspension rope, it is possible to provide the elevator car with its stable posture. In the above elevator apparatus, more preferably, the driving unit is disposed in the vicinity of a first floor in the elevator path. In this case, owing to the positioning of the driving unit, it is possible to reduce the height of the ceiling of the elevator path to a minimum. Additionally, the arrangement allows a worker to execute the maintenance and inspecting operation for the elevator apparatus near the ground, whereby the burden on the worker can be lightened. In the present invention, it is preferable that the weight guide rails are arranged so as to extend along opposite inner walls defining the elevator path and that the suspension ropes have respective ends fixed to the balance weights in pairs rising and falling under guidance of the weight guide rails and respective other ends fixed to the elevator car through the driving units in pairs. In this case, since the driving units in pairs are respectively connected to the balance weights in pairs, it is possible to provide the elevator apparatus having large transportation capacity. Similarly, it is preferable that the suspension ropes in pairs have respective ends fixed on opposite outer faces of the elevator car and have respective other ends fixed on the single balance weight through the traction sheaves of the driving units provided corresponding to the opposite outer faces, the balance weight being attached along an inner wall of the elevator path behind the elevator car. Also in this preferable form, it is possible to provide the elevator apparatus having large transportation capacity. In the present invention, preferably, the driving unit is attached on either one of an inner wall and a roof wall of the elevator path. With the attachment of the driving unit on the side of the elevator path, the burden applied on the elevator guide rails is lightened thereby to reduce the weight of the driving unit. According to the invention, there is also provided an elevator apparatus comprising: a pair of elevator guide rails disposed in an elevator path; an elevator car for rising and falling along the elevator guide rails in the elevator path; weight guide rails disposed in an elevator path; at least one balance weight for rising and falling along the weight guide rails in the elevator path; at least one suspension rope having one end fixed to the elevator car and another end fixed to the balance weight; and at least one driving unit for driving a traction sheave about which the suspension rope is wound; wherein the driving unit is disposed in a pit of the elevator path; and wherein both ends of the suspension rope wound about the traction sheave are fixed to the elevator car's position below a ceiling of the elevator car and the balance weight through respective turning sheaves which are positioned above the elevator path. Also in this elevator apparatus constructed above, the drive of the elevator car at the same speed as the suspension rope can be realized owing to the achievement of roping ratio of 1 : 1. In addition, with the arrangement where the driving unit is disposed in the pit of the elevator path and the elevator car is connected with the suspension rope in the position below the ceiling of the elevator car, the upper area of the elevator path can be effectively utilized thereby to provide the high-speed and large-capacity elevator apparatus. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional elevator apparatus showing an essential part thereof; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of another conventional elevator apparatus showing an essential part thereof; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the elevator apparatus in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention, showing an essential part thereof; Fig. 4 is a plan view of the elevator apparatus of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the elevator apparatus in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention, showing an essential part thereof; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of an essential part of the elevator apparatus provided with a different driving unit in the modification of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an essential part of the elevator apparatus in accordance with the third embodiment of the invention; Fig. 8 is a plan view of the elevator apparatus of Fig. 7; Fig. 9 is a perspective view of an essential part of the elevator apparatus in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the invention; Fig. 10 is a plan view of the elevator apparatus of Fig. 9; Fig. 11 is a perspective view of an essential part of the elevator apparatus in accordance with the fifth embodiment of the invention; Fig. 12 is a plan view of the elevator apparatus of Fig. 11; Fig. 13 is a perspective view of an essential part of the elevator apparatus in accordance with the sixth embodiment of the invention; Fig. 14 is a plan view of the elevator apparatus of Fig. 13; Fig. 15 is a perspective view of an essential part of the elevator apparatus in accordance with the seventh embodiment of the invention; DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the first to seventh embodiments, an suspension (or hoisting) rope has one end coupled to an elevator car in a position below the roof of the elevator car. Note, throughout the embodiments, elements similar to those of the aforementioned conventional elevator apparatus of Figs. 1 and 2 are respectively indicated with the same reference numerals and additionally, the detailed descriptions of the similar elements are eliminated. [1st. embodiment] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an elevator apparatus in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention and Fig. 4 is an enlarged plan view of the elevator apparatus of Fig. 3. According to the embodiment, a pair of elevator guide rails 9a, 9b each having a T-shaped cross section are attached to the side walls 3a defining the elevator path 3 through not-shown brackets. On the left side of the floor 4a of the elevator car 4, a hitch part 4b is formed so as to laterally project at a position below the roof 4c of the car 4. The hitch part 4b is connected to one end of the suspension rope 7 through a not-shown hitch spring. The "flat and thin" type of driving mechanism 2 is secured on the top of the guide rail 9a and provided with the traction sheave 1. In plan view of Fig. 4, the traction sheave 1 is accommodated in a clearance defined between the side wall 3a of the elevator path 3 and a space occupied by the elevator car 4 traveling up and down in the elevator path 3. The suspension rope 7 is wound round the traction sheave 1. Adjacent to the elevator guide rail 9a for the elevator car 4, a pair of weight guide rails 10a, 10b are arranged for guidance of the movement of the balance weight 6. The other end of the suspension rope 7 is connected to the upper end of the balance weight 6. In the above-constructed elevator apparatus, owing to the rotational operation of the traction sheave 1 associated with the driving mechanism 2, both elevator car 4 and balance weight 6, which are coupled to the respective ends of the suspension rope 7, are moved up and down under the guidance of the guide rails 9a, 9b and 10a, 10b, respectively. As to this movement, when the elevator car 4 is elevated, then the car roof 4c is capable of rising in excess of the height of the driving mechanism 2 owing to the arrangement where the elevator car 4 is connected to the suspension rope 7 at the hitch part 4b below the car roof 4c. Thus, as mentioned above, since the elevator apparatus of the first embodiment is constructed with the roping ratio of 1 : 1, both elevator car 4 and suspension rope 7 are driven at the same velocity thereby to realize the high-speed operation. Additionally, since the driving unit consisting of the traction sheave 1 and the driving mechanism 2 are accommodated in the clearance defined between the side wall 3a of the elevator path 3 and the space being occupied by the car 4 in the process of moving upward and downward, the car 4 can rise to the vicinity of the ceiling of the elevator path 3, so that it is possible to hold the height of the elevator path 3 to a minimum, thereby accomplishing the space-saving of the apparatus. [2nd. embodiment] Now, although the driving unit is constituted by the single driving mechanism 2 in the first embodiment, it may be constituted by two or more mechanisms in order to not only realize the high-speed elevator apparatus but large-capacity, in the modification. From this point of view, we now describe the second embodiment where the driving unit is constituted by a plurality of driving mechanisms thereby realizing both high-speed and large-capacity elevator apparatus, with reference to Figs. 5 and 6. In the elevator apparatus of the second embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3 or Fig. 4, the flat and thin driving unit at the top of the rail 9a of T-shaped cross section is constituted by driving mechanisms 2A, 2B which are arranged in either vertical (Fig. 5) or horizontal (Fig. 6) direction of the apparatus, for driving traction sheaves 1A, 1B, respectively. In Fig. 5, the suspension rope 7 having one end connected to the lower balance weight 6 is wound around the upper half periphery of the upper traction sheave 1A and the sequent lower half periphery of the lower traction sheave 1B. Thereafter, through the upper half periphery of the upper traction sheave 1A again, the rope 7 is hung downwardly and finally connected to the hitch part 4b on the underside of the elevator car 4. According to this arrangement, with the requirement of twice windings on the upper traction sheave 1A, a groove width of the sheave 1A is twice as large as the groove width of the lower traction sheave 1B. Furthermore, the suspension rope 7 is twice wound around the upper half periphery of the upper traction sheave 1A in Fig. 5. Therefore, it means that the suspension rope 7 is connected to the balance weight 6 and the elevator car 4 through the winding of three quarters on the upper and lower sheaves 1A, 1B in total after all. The same thing can be said of the arrangement shown in Fig. 6. Thus, according to the second embodiment, the elevator car 4 can be moved at high speed equal to that of the rope 7 and the elevator car 4 can be large-sized with the increased thrust by the traction sheaves 1A, 1B. Note, in case of the arrangement shown in Fig. 6 where the traction sheaves 1A, 1B are juxtaposed horizontally, it has the advantage of larger traction performance owing to the increased winding angles of the traction sheaves 1A, 1B to each other, especially. [3rd. embodiment] Although the guide rails 9a, 9b are formed to have T-shaped cross sections in both first and second embodiments, the guide rail 9a on one hand may be formed to have a H-shaped cross section in order to improve its rigidity in the modification. Then, it will be expected to provide the elevator apparatus capable of traveling more stable. Thus, we now describe the elevator apparatus including one guide rail of the H-shaped cross section in accordance with the third embodiment of the invention, with reference to Figs. 7 and 8. According to the embodiment shown in Fig. 7, one of the guide rails 9a and 9c, i.e. the guide rail 9c is formed to have a H-shaped cross section, which is largely shown in Fig. 8, too. The guide rail 9c is fixed on the side wall 3a of the elevator path 3 by a not-shown bracket in a manner that parallel sides of the rail 9c oppose the elevator car 4. The flat and thin driving mechanism 2 having the traction sheave 1 is arranged on the top of the guide rail 9c and accommodated in the clearance defined between the side wall 3a of the elevator path 3 and the occupied space by the car 4 in the process of moving upward and downward. Additionally, a L-shaped frame 11 is provided for carrying and supporting the car 4 at the center of gravity. The frame 11 is composed of a vertical beam 11a and a horizontal beam 11b. Respectively attached on the upper and lower sides of the vertical beam 11a are upper and lower guide roller assemblies 12a, 12b each of which has a plurality of rollers 12aa, 12ab guiding one (9ca) of parallel side portions of the guide rail 9c. As largely shown in Fig. 8, at each of the guide roller assemblies 12a, 12b, the side portion 9ca close to the elevator car 4 is interposed between the roller 12aa and the accompanying roller 12aa and also interposed between the roller 12ab and the accompanying roller 12ab, on both sides of the portion 9ca. Also, the horizontal beam 11b of the frame 11 is provided, at a tip thereof, with a roller assembly 12c which guides the movement of the elevator car 4 along the T-shaped cross-sectional guide rail 9a, as similar to the aforementioned embodiments. Although the guide rails 10a, 10b for the balance weight 6 are not shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the rails 10a, 10b are disposed adjacent to the guide rail 9c for the elevator car 4. Similarly, the suspension rope 7 having one end coupled to the top of the balance weight 6 and the other end coupled to the hitch part 4b below the L-shaped frame 11, is wound about the traction sheave 1. In the above-constructed arrangement of the third embodiment, the elevator car 4 is guided by the upper and lower roller assemblies 12a, 12b while being supported by the vertical beam 11a. Then, the elevator's rolling about the longitudinal axis of the guide rail 9c can be restricted by the rollers 12aa, 12ab urging the side portion 9ca from the inside and outside. Additionally, as to the elevator's pitching, the elevator car 4 can be restricted from being swung back and forth owing to the guidance of the guide roller assembly 12c at the tip of the horizontal beam 11b while interposing the guide rail 9a, so that the stable rise and fall can be accomplished. In this way, according to the third embodiment, it is possible to provide the space-saving and high-speed elevator apparatus without forming the exclusive machine room on the roof of the building, as similar to the first and second embodiments. Additionally, owing to the adoption of the guide rail 9c of H-shaped cross section exhibiting a high rigidity, it is possible to realize the stable rise and fall of the elevator car 4. Moreover, owing to the transverse beam 11b of the frame 11, the elevator car 4 can be carried with the simple structure, lightly and persistently. [4th. embodiment] Although the car 4 is connected to the balance weight 6 through the single suspension rope 7 in common with the first, second and third embodiments, the single rope may be replaced with two or more suspension ropes 7 in view of the more stable and high-speed traveling of the car 4. In this point of view, we now describe the fourth embodiment where the car 4 is associated with the balance weight 6 through the intermediary of two (plural) suspension ropes 7, with reference to Figs. 9 and 10. That is, in Figs. 9 and 10, the flat and thin driving mechanism 2 coupled to the traction sheave 1 is attached to either one of the guide rails 9a, 9b for guiding the elevator car 4 and accommodated in the space between the car 4 and the side wall 3a of the elevator path 3, as similar to the first to third embodiments. Thus, at the top of the guide rail 9a, two sheaves 8d, 8e are arranged in parallel with both sides of the elevator car 4. Additionally, in position of the elevator path 3 besides the occupied space by the car 4 in the process of moving upward and downward, one sheave 8f is arranged so as to cross the sheaves 8d, 8e at an angle of 45 degrees. On the lower side of the car 4, pitch parts 4ba, 4bb for connection with the suspension rope 7 are arranged symmetrically with each other about the gravity center of the elevator car 4. Further, the sheaves 8d, 8g corresponding to the hitch parts 4ba, 4bb are attached on the side walls 3a defining the elevator path 3 so as not to interfere with the occupied space by the car 4 in the process of moving upward and downward. Therefore, two suspension ropes 7 each having one end coupled to the balance weight 6 are wound round the traction sheave 1 through the sheave 8e attached to the top wall 3b above the weight 6 and thereafter, divided into different directions, i.e. two courses. Either of the so-divided suspension ropes 7 has one end connected with the elevator car 4 at the hitch part 4ba through the intermediary of the sheave 8d attached on the wall 3a. While, another suspension rope 7 has one end connected with the elevator car 4 at the hitch part 4bb through the intermediary of the sheave 8f attached on the side wall 3a at an angle of approx. 45 degrees and the sequent sheave 8g also attached on the right side wall 3a at an angle of approx. 45 degrees. In the above-constructed fourth embodiment, owing to the drive of the driving mechanism 2, the suspension ropes 7 divided into two routes operate to rise and fall the elevator car 4 via the sheaves 8d, 8f, 8g on one hand and the balance weight 6 via the sheave 8e on the other hand. Thus, according to the fourth embodiment, the elevator car 4 can rise and fall at high speed equal to that of the suspension rope 7 due to the roping ratio of 1:1. Furthermore, since both sides of the elevator car 4 in the diagonal direction are being suspended by the suspension ropes 7 of two routes during the traveling, the car's posture can be stabilized. Again, owing to the arrangement where the driving unit and the respective sheaves 8d, 8e, 8f, 8g are arranged so as not to interfere with the occupied space by the car 4 in the process of moving upward and downward, it is possible to elevate the elevator car 4 so that the roof 4c reaches the vicinity of the roof wall of the elevator path 3, whereby the elevator apparatus including the elevator path 3 can be small-sized with the improvement of efficiency in using the elevator path 3. [5th. Embodiment] Now, it is expected that the elevator car's capacity would be increased when the hanging positions on both sides of the elevator car 4 are arranged so as to be symmetrical with each other about the gravity center of the car 4 and the elevator apparatus is provided, on left and right sides thereof, with the driving units as shown in Fig. 3. We now describe the large-capacity elevator apparatus with a pair of driving units in accordance with the fifth embodiment, with reference to Figs. 11 and 12. According to the embodiment, there are provided a pair of driving mechanisms 2A, 2B connected to traction sheaves 1A, 1B, in the vicinity of the respective tops of the guide rails 9a, 9b for guiding the car 4, respectively. Guide rails 10aa, 10ba for a balance weight 6A are arranged adjacent to the guide rail 9a. Similarly, guide rails 10ab, 10bb for another balance weight 6B are arranged adjacent to the guide rail 9b. On the left and right sides of the elevator car 4, hitch parts 4ba, 4bb are attached to the car 4, symmetrically with each other. Suspension ropes 7A, 7B having respective ends coupled to the hitch parts 4ba, 4bb are wound round the traction sheaves 1A, 1B and finally connected to the balance weights 6A, 6B, respectively. In this embodiment, the driving mechanisms 2A, 2B on both sides of the car 4 are driven by the single control device, for the requirement of synchronous operation. The elevator car 4 is driven to rise and fall by the driving mechanisms 2A, 2B, so that a large thrust force is provided against the car 4. Furthermore, owing to the roping ratio of 1 : 1 by the suspension ropes 7A, 7B, the moving velocity of the car 4 becomes to be equal to that of each suspension rope 7A, 7B moving at high speed. Also in this embodiment, since the driving mechanisms 2A, 2B are arranged so as not to interfere with the occupied space by the car 4 in the process of moving upward and downward, it is possible to reduce the height of the elevator path 3 without providing the exclusive machine room on the roof top etc. The respective positions of the suspension ropes 7A, 7B are established in symmetry with each other about the gravity center of the car 4, the moving car's posture can be stabilized, too. [6th. Embodiment] Although the balance weights 6A, 6B are disposed on the left and right sides of the car 4 in the above-mentioned fifth embodiment, they may be replaced with the common balance weight in order to realize the apparatus of simple structure. From this point of view, we now describe the sixth embodiment with reference to Figs. 13 and 14. According to the embodiment, there are provided the driving mechanisms 2A, 2B which have the traction sheaves 1A, 1B arranged in the vicinity of the guide rails 9a, 9b, respectively. In the rear part of the elevator path 3 between the guide rails 9a and 9b, the common balance weight 6 is adapted so as to rise and fall under the guidance of the rails 10a, 10b. On the left and right sides of the car 4, the suspension ropes 7A, 7B respectively connected to the hitch parts 4ba, 4bb below the car roof 4c are wound round the traction sheaves 1A, 1B, respectively and the ropes 7A, 7B are coupled to the common balance weight 6 finally. Also in this embodiment, the left and right driving mechanisms 2A, 2B are controlled by the single control unit, so that the elevator car 4 can rise and fall owing to the mechanisms' synchronous operation at the same speed. Again, the elevator car 4 does rise and fall at speed equal to those of the suspension ropes 7A, 7B owing to the thrust force by the driving mechanisms 2A, 2B. As similar to the first to fifth embodiments, since the driving unit and the sheaves 8ha, 6hb, 8ia, 8ib are arranged so as not to interfere with the occupied space by the car 4 in the process of moving upward and downward, it is possible to reduce the height of the elevator path 3 to a minimum. It should be noted that, in common with the first to sixth embodiments of the invention, the driving unit is attached on either one of the top of the guide rail 9a and the wall of the elevator path 3 and also arranged so as not to interfere with the occupied space by the car 4 in the process of moving upward and downward. In the modification, the driving unit may be arranged in the elevator path 3 adjacent to the first floor, provided that the driving unit does not interfere with the occupied space by the car 4 in the process of moving upward and downward. Note, in case of fixing the driving unit etc. on the guide rail, then the attachment and fixing work can be facilitated but applying loads on the guide rail. On the contrary, in case of attaching the driving unit on the wall of the elevator path 3, then the arrangement would have the advantage of applying no load on the guide rail. Again, if the driving unit 2 is positioned in the vicinity of the first floor (1F) of the elevator path, it would be possible to reduce a height of the roof of the elevator path to a minimum, as similar to the above-mentioned embodiments. Additionally, because of the work for maintenance and inspection in the neighborhood of ground, it is possible to lighten the burden on the workers. [7th. embodiment] Repeatedly, throughout the above-mentioned embodiments, the driving unit 2 is arranged in the upper part of the elevator path or the vicinity of the first floor so as not to interfere with the movement of the elevator car 4, thereby restricting to increase the height of elevator path. Similarly, even when the driving unit is disposed in a pit of the elevator path, the height of elevator path would be effectively utilized to reduce either height of the elevator path or height of the building. From the above point of view, we now describe the seventh embodiment where the driving unit 2 is disposed in the pit 3c of the elevator path 3, with reference to Fig. 15. As shown in the figure, the driving unit consisting of the traction sheave and the driving mechanism 2 is arranged in the pit 3c of the elevator path 3. One end of the suspension rope 7 wound about the traction sheave 1 is connected to the hitch part 4b through a sheave 8j in the vicinity of the roof of the elevator path 3, while the other end of the rope 7 is connected to the balance weight 6 through a sheave 8k in the vicinity of the roof of the elevator path 3. Accordingly, according to the embodiment, it is possible to make effective use of even the neighborhood of roof of the elevator path 3 in case of the elevation of the elevator car 4 and furthermore, the high-speed elevator can be provided due to the roping ratio of 1 : 1. Note, although the shown embodiment does adopt the single driving mechanism 2, for example, it may be replaced with a pair of driving units in the pit 3c for realizing the large-capacity, as similar to the units shown in Figs 11 to 13.

Claims: An elevator apparatus comprising: a pair of elevator guide rails (9a, 9b; 9a, 9c) disposed in an elevator shaft (3); an elevator car (4) for rising and falling along the elevator guide rails in the elevator shaft; balance weight guide rails (10a, 10b) disposed in an elevator shaft; at least one suspension rope (7) having one end fixed to the elevator car and another end fixed to the balance weight; and at least one driving unit (2) for driving a traction sheave (1) about which the suspension rope is wound and positioned between an inner wall of the elevator shaft and a space occupied by the elevator car rising and falling in the elevator shaft, the end of the suspension rope being fixed to the elevator car in a position below the ceiling of the elevator car; characterized in that the driving unit is a "flat and thin"-type driving unit. An elevator apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the driving unit comprises a plurality of driving mechanisms (2A, 2B) each having the traction sheave; and wherein the suspension rope is wound about the traction sheaves (1A, 1B) of the driving mechanisms and finally fixed to the elevator car and the balance weight. An elevator apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the driving mechanisms are arranged up and down in the elevator shaft, while the suspension rope is wound round the traction sheave associated with the upper driving mechanism with a plurality of turns. An elevator apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the driving mechanisms are arranged left and right in the elevator shaft, so that respective planes of the traction sheaves associated with the left and upper driving mechanism coincide with each other substantially. An elevator apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein one of the elevator guide rails (9C), which is disposed on the side of the driving unit, has a H-shaped cross section and is arranged so that parallel side portions constituting the H-shaped cross section are opposite to a side wall of the elevator; and wherein the elevator car is provided with two pairs of rollers (12a) for guiding the elevator car, each pair of rollers interposing one of the parallel side portions between the rollers on left and right sides of the parallel side portion. An elevator apparatus as claimed in claim 5, further comprising a L-shaped frame (11) for mounting and carrying the elevator car thereon, the frame consisting of a vertical beam (11a) and a horizontal beam (11b), wherein the horizontal beam is provided, at a tip thereof, with other rollers (12c) between which the other elevator guide rail disposed on the opposite side of the driving unit is interposed to guide the elevator car. An elevator apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the suspension rope is divided into two routes of ropes whose ends are respectively fixed to different positions on opposite outer faces of the elevator car; and wherein the different positions are symmetrical to each other in plan view of the elevator car. An elevator apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the driving unit is disposed in the vicinity of a first floor in the elevator shaft. An elevator apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the weight guide rails are arranged so as to extend along opposite inner walls defining the elevator shaft; and wherein the suspension ropes have respective ends fixed to the balance weights in pairs rising and falling under guidance of the weight guide rails and respective other ends fixed to the elevator car through the driving units in pairs. An elevator apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the suspension ropes in pairs have respective ends fixed on opposite outer faces of the elevator car and have respective other ends fixed on the single balance weight trough the traction sheaves of the driving units provided corresponding to the opposite outer faces; and wherein the balance weight is attached along an inner wall of the elevator shaft behind the elevator car. An elevator apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the driving unit is attached on either one of an inner wall and a roof wall of the elevator shaft. An elevator apparatus comprising: a pair of elevator guide rails disposed in an elevator shaft; an elevator car for rising and falling along elevator guide rails in the elevator shaft; weight guide rails disposed in an elevator shaft; at least one balance weight for rising and falling along the weight guide rails in the elevator shaft; at least one suspension rope having one end fixed to the elevator car in a position below the ceiling of said elevator car and another end fixed to the balance weight; and at least one driving unit for driving a traction sheave about which the suspension rope is wound; characterized in that the driving unit is disposed in a pit of the elevator shaft; and the suspension rope is wound about the traction sheave and trough respective turning sheaves which are positioned at the top of the elevator shaft.

Inventors: KAMIMURA KOSEI, KOBAYASHI KIYOSHI, MUNAKATA TADASHI, WAGATSUMA YASUYUKI, YAJIMA KOJI, YAMAMOTO HISAO, KAMIMURA, KOSEI, KOBAYASHI, KIYOSHI, MUNAKATA, TADASHI, WAGATSUMA, YASUYUKI, YAJIMA, KOJI, YAMAMOTO, HISAO
Applicants: TOSHIBA KK, KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
Application year: 1999
Main classification: B66B11
IPC codes: B66B11