Abstract:
The invention relates to a method and device for installing an elevator in an elevator shaft, having the following steps: i) arranging a model in the elevator shaft, so that the arranged model represents nominal dimensions of an outline of the elevator; ii) arranging at least one light source at a nominal position of the model, so that the light source is directed in a provided travel direction of the elevator; iii) projecting a light beam starting from the light source, wherein the light beam defines the nominal position along the provided travel direction in the elevator shaft; and iv) using information about at least one location of at least one projection point of the light beam in the elevator shaft for installing the elevator.

Description:
FIELD 
     The subject of the invention is a method for installing an elevator in an elevator shaft, and a device for installing an elevator in an elevator shaft. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Elevators are frequently installed in elevator shafts of buildings. In order to make optimum use of the space of a building, an elevator shaft should be as small as possible, and an elevator should utilize the elevator shaft as completely as possible. Consequently, elevator shafts are narrowly dimensioned so that optimum utilization of a building can be realized. 
     It can occur that an elevator shaft is dimensioned such that an elevator intended for it can find no space therein, or finds space only when it is arranged very exactly at a specific location in the elevator shaft. Consequently, following installation of an elevator an elevator shaft is frequently measured so that a fitter can be certain that the elevator really can be installed. If it is established in the measurement that the elevator shaft is too small, the elevator shaft can, if appropriate, be adapted, for example by smoothing shaft walls. 
     This measurement of the elevator shaft is conventionally accomplished with the aid of vertical ribbons. In this case, suspension means are fitted on a shaft ceiling at measured points so that the vertical ribbons hang at prescribed positions in the shaft space. However, this method requires a long time, since the fitter must undertake measurements, drilling and installation both in the shaft head and on the shaft floor. 
     Published patent application WO 2009/073010 describes a method and a device for measuring elevator shafts. In this case, a platform is moved in a longitudinal direction of the elevator shaft and distance sensors measure distances between this platform and the shaft walls. The platform is moved by a drive, and a position of the platform can be checked by light sensors. On the one hand, this solution supplies more accurate data for the dimensions of the elevator shaft, and removes the need to fit vertical ribbons on the shaft ceiling. However, there is the disadvantage here that it is necessary to install a drive and guidance system for the platform. In addition, this solution is expensive and complicated to produce. 
     SUMMARY 
     One object of the present invention is therefore to provide a method for installing an elevator in an elevator shaft that can be carried out easily and quickly, and permits a sufficiently accurate checking of the shaft space dimensions. In addition, the method is to determine installation points in a simple fashion. 
     An inventive method for achieving this object relates to a method for installing an elevator in an elevator shaft which comprises the following steps: i) arranging a model in the elevator shaft so that the arranged model represents nominal dimensions of an outline of the elevator; ii) arranging at least one light source at a nominal position of the model so that the light source points in a prescribed travel direction of the elevator; iii) projecting a light beam starting from the light source, the light beam defining the nominal position along the prescribed travel direction in the elevator shaft; and iv) using an item of information of at least one position of at least one projection point of the light beam in the elevator shaft for the installation of the elevator. 
     In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the nominal dimensions correspond to a nominal depth and a nominal width of the elevator so that it can be checked whether the elevator shaft offers sufficient space for the envisaged elevator. 
     In accordance with a further preferred embodiment, the nominal position corresponds to an installation point. This permits installation points on the shaft floor and/or on the shaft ceiling to be determined in a simple fashion. 
     In accordance with a further preferred embodiment, the light beam is used to align guide rails and/or shaft doors and/or a drive in the elevator shaft. 
     A further object of the present invention consists in providing a device for installing an elevator in an elevator shaft that does not have the disadvantages cited above. The device is intended to permit the carrying out of the inventive method, and to be cost-effective in production as well as easy to use. 
     An inventive device for achieving said object relates to a device for installing an elevator in an elevator shaft, the device comprising a model with a frame and means for spatial alignment of the frame. The model is suitable for representing nominal dimensions of an outline of the elevator. A light source is provided for producing a light beam, model and light source being designed in such a way that the light source can be arranged on the frame in a prescribed way such that the light beam can be emitted in the direction of a prescribed travel direction of the elevator. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Details and further advantages of the invention are described below with the aid of exemplary embodiments and with reference to the diagrammatic drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows an exemplary embodiment of an elevator shaft with a model arranged therein and with a light source, in a spatial illustration; 
         FIG. 2  shows an exemplary embodiment of a model in a spatial illustration; 
         FIG. 3  shows an exemplary embodiment of an alignment device for spatial alignment of the model, in a spatial illustration; 
         FIG. 4  shows an exemplary embodiment of a light source and a section of the model, in a spatial illustration; 
         FIG. 5  shows an exemplary embodiment of a guide of the model and a guiding element of the light source, in a cross-sectional illustration; 
         FIG. 6  shows an exemplary embodiment of a model with holding elements for holding a light source, in plan view; and 
         FIG. 7  shows a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method for installing an elevator in an elevator shaft. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows an elevator shaft  1  with a model  10  arranged therein and with a light source  16  arranged thereon, in a spatial illustration. The elevator shaft  1  has a shaft floor  2 , a shaft ceiling  3  and shaft walls  4 . The elevator shaft  1  has a shaft height  8  and a shaft depth  6  and a shaft width  7 . The elevator shaft  1  illustrated in  FIG. 1  is cuboid. The shaft floor  2  and the shaft ceiling  3  have the same dimensions. In an alternative embodiment the shaft floor  2  and the shaft ceiling  3  do not have the same dimensions. It goes without saying to the person skilled in the art that elevator shafts  1  can be used with as many floors or shaft accesses as desired (not illustrated). 
     The model  10  is arranged on the shaft floor in the exemplary embodiment shown. In an alternative exemplary embodiment (not illustrated), the model  10  is arranged at any desired height above the shaft floor. The light source  16  sends a light beam  17  through the elevator shaft  1 . When the model  10  is appropriately aligned spatially, a projection point  21  that corresponds to a position of the light source  16  on the model  10  is produced on the shaft ceiling  3  of the elevator shaft  1 . 
     The light source  16  can be displaced on the model  10  along the arrows  22  that specify a displacement movement of the light source  16 . The projection point  21  is displaced on the shaft ceiling  3  by such a displacement  22  of the light source  16  on the model  10 , the projection point  21  executing the same displacement movement as the light source  16 . The arrows  23  illustrate a displacement movement of the projection point  21  that corresponds to a displacement movement  22  of the light source  16 . 
     Since the model  10  represents nominal dimensions of an outline of an elevator, it can be checked in this way whether these nominal dimensions of the elevator have sufficient space over the entire height of the elevator shaft  1 . If the light source  16  is moved along the model  10 , the projection point  21  should impinge on the shaft ceiling  3  at any time. If the light beam  17  is prevented by a shaft wall  4  from reaching the shaft ceiling  3 , the nominal dimension of the elevator is not available over the entire height of the elevator shaft  1 . If this is the case, an attempt can be made to reposition the model  10 . If no arrangement of the model  10  in the elevator shaft  1  can be found, by which the light beam  17  continues to reach the shaft ceiling  3 , the nominal dimension of the elevator is not available over the entire height of the elevator shaft  1 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a first side length of the rectangular model  10  corresponds to a nominal depth  24  of the elevator, and a second side length of the rectangular model  10  corresponds to a nominal width  25  of the elevator. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the model  10  is not rectangular, but circular, such that an elevator shaft can be checked for the nominal dimensions of an elevator with a circular outline. 
     In order to determine nominal positions, the model  10  can be designed with holding elements  20  for holding the light source  16 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a model  10  in a spatial illustration. The model  10  has a frame with a model wide side  11  and a model deep side  12 . The model  10  is rectangular in design. In this case, two oppositely arranged model wide sides  11  and two oppositely arranged model deep sides  12  respectively form the sides of a rectangle shaped frame. Both model wide sides  11  and model deep sides  12  have a rectangular cross section. A guide  13  is arranged on a top side of the model wide side  11  and model deep side  12 . This guide  13  runs along the model wide sides  11  and the model deep sides  12  so that the guide  13  likewise has a rectangular shape. 
       FIG. 3  shows a part of the model  10  and means for spatial alignment of the model  10 , in a spatial illustration. A model wide side  11  and a model deep side  12  form a corner of the model  10 . In turn, the model  10  has the guide  13  on its top side. A support foot  15  is arranged on a bottom side of the model  10 . This support foot  15  has a thread so that it is connected to the model  10  in height-adjustable fashion. A locking means  14  is arranged on a laterally aligned surface of the model  10 . Like the support foot  15 , the locking means  14  is also adjustably connected to the model  10 . In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the locking means  14  likewise has a thread. 
     A multiplicity of support feet  15  and locking means  14  can be arranged on the model  10 . The support feet  15  permit a spatial alignment of the model  10  when it is arranged on the shaft floor. The locking means  14  permit a spatial alignment of the model  10  when it is arranged above the shaft floor. The model  10  can therefore be arranged and spatially aligned in the elevator shaft at any desired height above the shaft floor. 
       FIG. 4  shows a light source  16  and a section of the model  10 , in a spatial illustration. The light source  16  is arranged displaceably on the model  10 . In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the light source  16  can be displaced along the guide  13  of the model  10 . As a result of this, a light beam  17  emitted by the light source  16  is displaced in parallel given a displacement of the light source  16 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a guide  13  of the model  10 , and a guiding element  18  of the light source  16 , in a cross-sectional illustration. As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the light source  16  can be displaced along the guide  13 . In accordance with the exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the guiding element  18 , which is connected to the light source  16 , engages in the guide  13  of the model  10 . The guiding element  18  and the guide  13  are dimensioned such that the light source  16  can substantially be displaced only in the prescribed direction, specifically along the guide  13 . The guiding element  18  can, for example, be configured in the shape of a keel or bolt. 
     In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the model  10  has a guiding element, and the light source  16  has a guide. It is evident to the person skilled in the art that the guidance of the light source  16  along the model  10  can be fashioned in various ways. Thus, the light source  16  can, for example, also include guiding elements which grip around the model  10 . What is important is that the light source  16  can be displaced along the model  10  on a prescribed line. 
     The light source  16  is preferably guided on the model  10  in such a way that a spatial alignment of the light source  16 , and thus a direction of the light beam  17  emitted by the light source, always remain the same given a displacement of the light source  16  on the model  10 . The light source  16  is therefore preferably displaced parallel to its beam direction on the model  10 . 
       FIG. 6  shows a model  10  with holding elements  20  for holding a light source  16 , in plan view. The guide  13 , which is located on the top side of the model  10 , is visible once again in this illustration. A support structure  19  is arranged on the model  10 . Arranged, in turn, on this support structure  19  are holding elements  20  for holding the light source. As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , in order to hold the light source, these holding elements  20  can be designed as half-open containers with a rectangular cross section. In this exemplary embodiment, a light source can be introduced from above into the holding elements  20  in order to hold the light source. 
     The holding elements  20  for holding the light source are arranged on the support structure  19  in such a way that an inserted light source assumes a nominal position. By way of example, an installation point of a guide rail, or a spatial position of a guide rail can be selected as nominal position. 
     The holding elements  20  for holding the light source can be configured in such a way that a light source fits into the holding element  20  only in a predetermined orientation. This can, for example, be achieved by virtue of the fact that the light source has a trapezoidal cross section, and the holding element  20  has a corresponding trapezoidal cross section that is somewhat larger than the cross section of the light source. In an alternative embodiment, the holding elements  20  for holding the light source are not designed as containers, but as bolts onto which a light source with a corresponding recess can be plugged. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , a plurality of support structures  19  and a plurality of holding elements  20  fastened thereon for holding the light source  16  can be arranged on a model  10 . The number and position of the holding elements  20  is governed by the number and position of the required installation points and alignment points. 
       FIG. 7  shows a flowchart of a method for installing an elevator in an elevator shaft. In a first step S 1 , the model is arranged in the elevator shaft. In a second step S 2 , the shaft dimensions are checked. During this check of the shaft dimensions, it can, for example, be checked whether a nominal depth of the elevator and a nominal width of the elevator (as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ) are available over the entire height of the elevator shaft. If the checking of the shaft dimensions turns out negative, the model must be rearranged in the elevator shaft. If appropriate, there is also a need for a further step S 3  to adapt the shaft, for example by removing material from a shaft wall. If, by contrast, the checking of the shaft dimensions turns out to be positive, two options are available in step S 4 . 
     In the first option, in accordance with step S 8  the model is removed from the shaft, and the method for installing the elevator in the elevator shaft is thereby terminated. In the second option, in accordance with step S 5  installation points are now established. This can be executed, for example, with the aid of means for holding the light source, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . In this case, the installation points can be inscribed both on the shaft ceiling and on the shaft floor. Once the determination of the installation points is finished, two options remain to be selected in accordance with step S 6 . 
     In the first option in accordance with step S 8 , the model is removed from the shaft, and the method for installing the elevator in the elevator shaft is concluded. In the second option in accordance with step S 7 , guide rails or other elevator components are now aligned. To this end, the light source is brought to the desired nominal position of the model. The guide rails, shaft doors or other elevator components can now be aligned in the shaft with the aid of the light beam. Once all the guide rails, shaft doors or other elevator components have been aligned, the model is removed from the shaft in accordance with step S 8 , and the method for installing the elevator in an elevator shaft is concluded. 
     The light source shown in the exemplary embodiments illustrated is preferably a laser. In this case, it is possible to arrange a plurality of lasers simultaneously on a model  10 , or else to arrange only one laser that is displaced appropriately on the model  10 . Alternatively, it is also possible to use lasers that can be aligned automatically with the aid of an installed water balance such that the light beam is directed vertically upward. 
     The model  10  can be configured as an aluminum profile. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the model  10  can be of unipartite design. In an alternative embodiment, the model  10  comprises a plurality of constituents. Preferably, the model sides comprise two parts that can be displaced into one another. This has the advantage that a nominal width or a nominal depth of the model  10  can be varied such that one and the same model  10  can be used for various elevator types. The model  10  can in this case be configured in such a way that the displaceable model side constituents latch in at prescribed positions. 
     In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the present invention has been described in what is considered to represent its preferred embodiment. However, it should be noted that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or scope.