Patent Publication Number: US-2010126808-A1

Title: Elevator apparatus

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to an elevator apparatus having a structure in which drive means for raising/lowering a car and a counterweight is disposed in an upper portion of a hoistway. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     In a conventional elevator apparatus, a drive device is disposed above a counterweight. A belt is wound around a drive pulley of the drive device. A car and the counterweight, which are suspended within a hoistway by means the belt, are raised/lowered by the drive device (e.g., see Patent Document 1). 
     Patent Document 1: WO 2003/043925 
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
     Problem to be Solved by the Invention 
     In the conventional elevator apparatus constructed as described above, if the diameter of a motor of the drive device is increased to realize large capacity and high speed, the space between a corresponding wall of the hoistway and the car is enlarged. As a result, the hoistway needs to be increased in size. 
     The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an elevator apparatus capable of realizing large capacity and high speed with a compact installation space. 
     Means for Solving the Problems 
     An elevator apparatus according to the present invention includes: a car and a counterweight that are raised/lowered within a hoistway; suspension means having a shape of a belt, for suspending the car and the counterweight within the hoistway; and drive means disposed in an upper portion of the hoistway, for raising/lowering the car and the counterweight via the suspension means, in which: the drive means has a first drive device including a first drive sheave, and a second drive device including a second drive sheave; each of the first drive device and the second drive device is larger in dimension in a direction along a corresponding one of rotary shafts of the first drive sheave and the second drive sheave than in a direction perpendicular to the corresponding one of the rotary shafts, and is disposed such that the corresponding one of the rotary shafts extends horizontally; and the suspension means includes a first suspension belt wound around the first drive sheave, and a second suspension belt wound around the second drive sheave. 
     Further, an elevator apparatus according to the present invention includes: a car and a counterweight that are raised/lowered within a hoistway; suspension means for suspending the car and the counterweight within the hoistway; and drive means disposed in an upper portion of the hoistway, for raising/lowering the car and the counterweight via the suspension means, in which: the drive means has a first drive device including a first drive sheave, and a second drive device including a second drive sheave; and each of the first drive device and the second drive device is larger in dimension in a direction along a corresponding one of rotary shafts of the first drive sheave and the second sheave than in a direction perpendicular to the corresponding one of the rotary shafts, and is disposed such that the corresponding one of the rotary shafts extends horizontally and so that each of the first drive device and the second drive device is located as a whole within a region between the car and a hoistway wall on a vertical projection plane. 
     Still further, an elevator apparatus according to the present invention includes: a car and a counterweight that are raised/lowered within a hoistway; suspension means for suspending the car and the counterweight within the hoistway; and drive means disposed in an upper portion of the hoistway, for raising/lowering the car and the counterweight via the suspension means, in which: the drive means has a first drive device including a first drive sheave, and a second drive device including a second drive sheave; and each of the first drive device and the second drive device is larger in dimension in a direction along a corresponding one of rotary shafts of the first drive sheave and the second drive sheave than in a direction perpendicular to the corresponding one of the rotary shafts, and is disposed such that the corresponding one of the rotary shafts extends horizontally and so that the first drive device and the second device are adjacent to each other in a direction that is horizontal and parallel to the rotary shafts. 
     Yet further, an elevator apparatus according to the present invention includes: a car and a counterweight that are raised/lowered within a hoistway; suspension means for suspending the car and the counterweight within the hoistway; and drive means disposed in an upper portion of the hoistway, for raising/lowering the car and the counterweight via the suspension means, in which: the drive means has a first drive device including a first drive sheave, and a second drive device including a second drive sheave; and each of the first drive device and the second drive device is larger in dimension in a direction along a corresponding one of rotary shafts of the first drive sheave and the second drive sheave than in a direction perpendicular to the corresponding one of the rotary shafts, and is disposed such that the corresponding one of the rotary shafts extends horizontally and so that the first drive device and the second drive device vertically overlap with each other. 
     Yet further, an elevator apparatus according to the present invention includes: a car and a counterweight that are raised/lowered within a hoistway; suspension means spending the car and the counterweight within the hoistway; and drive means disposed in an upper portion of the hoistway, for raising/lowering the car and the counterweight via the suspension means, in which: the car has a first car suspending portion and a second car suspending portion provided on an upper portion thereof; the counterweight has a first counterweight suspending portion and a second counterweight suspending portion provided thereon; the drive means has a first drive device including a first drive sheave, and a second drive device including a second drive sheave; each of the first drive device and the second drive device is larger in dimension in a direction along a corresponding one of rotary shafts of the first drive sheave and the second drive sheave than in a direction perpendicular to the corresponding one of the rotary shafts, and is disposed such that the corresponding one of the rotary shafts extends horizontally and so that each of the first drive device and the second drive device is located within a region of the car on a vertical projection plane; the suspension means includes a first suspension body wound around the first drive sheave and connected to the first car suspending portion and the first counterweight suspending portion, and a second suspension body wound around the second drive sheave and connected to the second car suspending portion and the second counterweight suspending portion; and the counterweight has provided thereabove a deflector pulley device for leading the first suspension body and the second suspension body to the first counterweight suspending portion and the second counterweight suspending portion, respectively. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic plan view showing an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a front view showing an essential part of elevator apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic plan view showing an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic plan view showing an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a lateral view showing a structure for supporting a first drive device and a second drive device of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic plan view showing an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a front view showing an essential part of the elevator apparatus of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic plan view showing an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a front view showing an essential part of the elevator apparatus or  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  us a schematic plan view showing an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic plan view showing an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic view showing an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a front view showing an essential part of the elevator apparatus of  FIG. 12 . 
     
    
    
     BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinafter With reference to the drawings. 
     Embodiment 1 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic plan view showing an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.  FIG. 2  is a front view showing an essential part of the elevator apparatus of  FIG. 1 . Referring to  FIG. 1 , a first car guide rail  2 , a second car guide rail  3 , a first counterweight guide rail  4 , and a second counterweight guide rail  5  are provided within a hoistway  1 . Those guide rails  2  to  5  are not illustrated in  FIG. 2 . A car  6  is guided by the car guide rails  2  and  3  to be raised/lowered within the hoistway  1 . A counterweight  7  is guided by the counterweight guide rails  4  and  5  to be raised/lowered within the hoistway  1 . 
     The car  6  has a front surface portion  6   a,  a back surface portion  6   b  facing the front surface portion  6   a,  and a first lateral surface portion  6   c  and a second lateral surface portion  6   d  that face each other. The front surface portion  6   a  is provided with a pair of car doors  8  for opening/closing a car doorway. The first car guide rail  2  faces the first lateral surface on  6   c.  The second car guide rail  3  faces the second lateral surface portion  6   d.  The first car guide rail  2  and the second car guide rail  3  face each other at the same position in a longitudinal direction of the car  6 . The car  6  is provided with a plurality of car guide shoes (not shown) for engaging the car guide rails  2  and  3 , respectively. 
     The counterweight  7  is disposed beside the car  6  so as to face the second lateral surface portion  6   d  of the car  6  when being located at the same height as the car  6 . The counterweight guide rails  4  and  5  face both ends of the counterweight  7  in a width direction thereof (longitudinal direction of car  6 ), respectively. The counterweight  7  is provided with a plurality of counterweight guide shoes (not shown) for engaging the counterweight guide rails  4  and  5 , respectively. 
     Drive means for raising/lowering the car  6  and the counterweight  7  is disposed in an upper portion within the hoistway  1 . The drive means  9  has a first drive device  10  and a second drive device  11 , which are driven in synchronization with each other by an elevator control device (not shown). The first drive device  10  has a first drive device body  12  including a motor and a brake, and a first drive sheave  13  that is rotated by the first drive device body  12 . The second drive  11  has a second drive device body  14  including a motor and a brake, and a second drive sheave  15  that is rotated by the second drive device body  14 . 
     The same hoisting machine is employed as each of the first drive device  10  and the second drive device  11 . This hoisting machine is larger in dimension in a direction along each of rotary shafts of the first drive sheave  13  and the second drive sheave  15  than in a direction perpendicular thereto. In addition, the drive sheaves  13  and  15  are directly driven by the motors of the drive device bodies  12  and  14 , respectively, without the intervention of speed reducers. 
     The first drive device  10  and the second drive device  11  are disposed such that the rotary shafts of the drive sheaves  13  and  15  extend horizontally, and so as to be located as a whole in a region between the car  6  and a hoistway wall  1   a  facing the second lateral surface portion  6   d  on a vertical projection plane. The first drive device  10  and the second drive device  11  are disposed above the counterweight  7  so as to be superposed thereon on the vertical projection plane. 
     Further, the first drive device  10  and the second drive device  11  are disposed coaxially such that the rotary shafts of the drive sheaves  13  and  15  extend parallel to the width direction of the counterweight  7 , and are disposed adjacent to each other in a direction that is horizontal and parallel to the rotary shafts of the drive sheaves  13  and  15 . 
     Still further, the first drive sheave  13  and the second drive sheave  15  are disposed at first axial ends of the first drive device  10  and the second drive device  11 , respectively. The first drive device  10  and the second drive device  11  are disposed such that second axial ends thereof face each other. That is, the first drive device  10  and the second drive device  11  are disposed reversely in orientation to each other. 
     The first drive device  10  and the second drive device  11  are supported by a support frame (not shown) fixed in the upper portion within the hoistway  1 . The support frame is fixed to, for example, upper portions of the counterweight guide rails  4  and  5  to be supported thereby. Alternatively, the support frame may be supported by a support beam provided in an architectural structure. 
     The car  6  and the counterweight  7  are suspended within the hoistway  1  by suspension means  16 . The suspension means  16  has a first suspension belt  17  as a first suspension body wound around the first drive sheave  13 , and a second suspension belt  18  as a second suspension body wound around the second drive sheave  15 . Each of the first suspension belt  17  and the second suspension belt  18  has a flat cross-section with a width dimension larger than a thickness dimension. 
     A plurality of (pair of) first car suspending pulleys  19  and  20  around which the first suspension belt  17  is wound, and a plurality of (pair of) second car suspending pulleys  21  and  22  around which the second suspension belt  18  is wound are provided on a lower portion of the car  6 . The first suspending pulleys  19  and  20  are disposed in front of the car guide rails  2  and  3 , respectively. The second car suspending pulleys  21  and  22  are disposed behind the car guide rails  2  and  3 , respectively. 
     A first counterweight suspending pulley  23  around which the first suspension belt  17  is wound, and a second counterweight suspending pulley  24  around which the second suspension belt  18  is wound are provided on an upper portion of the counterweight  7 . The suspending pulleys  19  to  24  are disposed such that rotary shafts thereof extend horizontally and parallel to the longitudinal direction of the car  6 . 
     The first suspension belt  17  has a first car-side end  17   a  and a first counterweight-side end  17   b.  The first car-side end  17   a  is connected to a first car-side cleat  25  provided in the upper portion within the hoistway  1 . The first counterweight-side end  17   b  is connected to a first counterweight-side cleat portion  26  provided in the upper portion within the hoistway  1 . The first suspension belt  17  is wound around the first car suspending pulleys  19  and  20 , the first drive sheave  13 , and the first counterweight suspending pulley  23  in the stated order from the first car-side end  17   a  side. 
     The second suspension belt  18  has a second car-side end  18   a  and a second counterweight-side end  18   b.  The second car-side end  18   a  is connected to a second car-side cleat portion  27  provided in the upper portion within the hoistway  1 . The second counterweight-side end  18   b  is connected to a second counterweight-side cleat portion  28  provided in the upper portion within the hoistway  1 . The second suspension belt  18  is wound around the second car suspending pulleys  21  and  22 , the second drive sheave  15 , and the second counterweight suspending pulley  24  in the stated order from the second car-side end  18   a  side. 
     The first car-side cleat portion  25  and the second car-side cleat portion  27  are supported by, for example, the first car guide rail  2 . The first counterweight-side cleat portion  26  and the second counterweight-side cleat portion  28  are supported by, for example, the support frame for supporting the drive devices  10  and  11 . As described above, the car the counterweight  7  are suspended by the suspension belts  17  and  18  according to a 2:1 roping arrangement. 
     The components on the first suspension belt  17  side (first drive device  10 , suspending pulleys  19 ,  20 , and  23 , first suspension belt  17 , cleat portions  25  and  26 , and the like) and the components the second suspension belt  18  side (second drive device  11 , suspending pulleys  21 ,  22 , and  24 , second suspension belt  18 , cleat portions  27  and  28 , and the like) are disposed axisymmetrically around a centerline of the counterweight  7  in the width direction thereof on the vertical projection plane. 
     In the elevator apparatus constructed as described above, the car  6  and the counterweight  7  are raised/lowered using the two drive devices  10  and  11  and the suspension belts  17  and  18  belonging to two independent systems, respectively. It is therefore possible to increase the output of the entire drive means  9  without increasing the diameters of the motors, and hence realize large capacity and high speed with a compact installation space. It is also possible to reduce the diameters of the motors required for the achievement of the same performance as in the conventional art, and hence realize space saving. 
     Further, if only one of the drive devices  10  and  11  is employed in an elevator apparatus with small capacity and low speed and both the drive devices  10  and  11  are employed in an elevator apparatus with large capacity and high speed, it is possible to employ the same hoisting machine for the two types of the elevator apparatuses and hence reduce the cost for designing and manufacturing the hoisting machine. Still further, as will be illustrated in the following embodiments of the present invention as well, it is possible to enhance the degree of freedom in layout. 
     The first drive device  10  and the second drive device  11  are accommodated as a whole within the region between the second lateral surface portion  6   d  of the car  6  and the hoistway wall  1   a  on the vertical projection plane. It is therefore possible to dispose the drive devices  10  and  11  making effective use of the space above the counterweight  7 , and hence make the hoistway  1  compact. 
     Further, the first drive device  10  and the second drive device  11  are disposed parallel to each other and reversely in orientation to each other, so the positions of the suspension belts  17  and  18  are not biased toward one side of the car  6 . It is therefore possible to suspend the car  6  in a well-balanced manner. 
     Embodiment 2 
     Reference will be made next to  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 3  is a schematic plan view showing an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 3 , the first drive device  10  and the second drive device  11  are disposed such that the first axial cods thereof (ends on drive sheaves  13  and  15  sides) face each other. Thus, the distance between the suspension belts  17  and  18 , the respective distances between the first car suspending pulleys  19  and  20  and the second car suspending pulleys  21  and  22 , and the distance between the first counterweight suspending pulley  23  and the second counterweight suspending pulley  24  are smaller than those of Embodiment 1 of the present invention, respectively. Embodiment 2 of the present invention is identical to Embodiment 1 of the present invention in other constructional details. The construction described above also makes it possible to achieve an effect similar to that of Embodiment 1 the present invention. 
     Embodiment 3 
     Reference will be made next to  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 4  is a schematic plan view showing an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 4 , the first drive device  10  and the second drive device  11  are disposed so as to vertically overlap with each other. In this example, the first drive device body  12  is disposed directly above the second drive device body  14 . 
       FIG. 5  is a lateral view showing a structure for supporting the first drive device  10  and the second drive device  11  of  FIG. 4 . A support frame  29  is fixed to the upper portions of the counterweight guide rails  4  and  5 . The support frame  29  has an upper support portion  30  for supporting the first drive device  10 , and a lower support portion  31  located below the upper support portion  30  to support the second drive device  11 . The first drive device  10  and the second drive device  11  are supported by the support frame  29  via a plurality of vibration-proof members (rubber cushions)  32 . The support frame  29  is not illustrated in  FIG. 4 . Embodiment 3 of the present invention is identical to Embodiment 1 of the present invention in other constructional details. 
     In the elevator apparatus constructed as described above, the first drive device  10  and the second drive device  11  are disposed so as to vertically overlap with each other. Therefore, even if axial dimensions of the first drive device  10  and the second drive device  11  are increased, both the drive devices  10  and  11  do not interfere with each other, and the axial dimension of the space for installing the drive means  9  is not increased. As a result, it is possible to realize large capacity and high speed with a compact installation space. 
     The first drive device  10  and the second drive device  11  may be disposed reversely in orientation to those of Embodiment 3 of the present invention as long as the suspension belts  17  and  18  do not interfere with the drive device bodies  12  and  14 , respectively. For example, is possible prevent the suspension beats  17  and  18  from interfering with the drive device bodies  12  and  14 , respectively, by making the diameters of the drive sheaves  13  and  15  larger than the diameters of the drive device bodies  12  and  14 , respectively. 
     Embodiment 4 
     Reference will be made next to  FIGS. 6 and 7 .  FIG. 6  is a schematic plan view showing an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.  FIG. 7  is a front view showing an essential part of the elevator apparatus of  FIG. 6 . Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the first drive device  10  and the second drive device  11  are disposed adjacent to each other in a direction that is horizontal and perpendicular to the rotary shafts of the drive sheaves  13  and  15 . That is, the first drive device  10  and the second drive device  11  are disposed parallel to each other and side by side at the same height within the hoistway  1 . Embodiment 4 of the present invention is identical to Embodiment 1 of the present invention in other constructional details. 
     In the elevator apparatus constructed as described above, the first drive device  10  and the second drive device  11  are disposed side by side at the same height. Therefore, even if the axial dimensions of the first drive device  10  and the second drive device  11  are increased, both the drive devices  10  and  11  do not interfere with each other, and the height dimension of the space for installing the drive means  9  is not increased. As a result, it is possible to realize large capacity and high speed with a compact installation space. 
     The first drive device  10  and the second drive device  11  may be disposed reversely in orientation to those of Embodiment 4 of the present invention. In Embodiment 4 of the present invention, the first drive device  10  and the second drive device  11  are disposed reversely in orientation to each other. However, the first drive device  10  and the second drive device  11  may be disposed identically in orientation with the axial positions thereof slightly offset from each other. 
     Embodiment 5 
     Reference will be made next to  FIGS. 8 and 9 .  FIG. 8  is a schematic plan view showing an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention.  FIG. 9  is a front view showing an essential part of the elevator apparatus of  FIG. 8 . In this example, the first drive device  10  and the second drive device  11  are disposed directly above the car  6  so as to be located within the region of the car  6  on the vertical projection plane. The first drive device  10  and second drive device  11  are disposed such that the rotary shafts of the drive sheaves  13  and  15  extend horizontally and parallel to the longitudinal direction of the car  6 . In addition, the first drive device  10  and the second drive device  11  are disposed such that the first axial ends thereof face each other. 
     The car  6  and the counterweight  7  are suspended within the hoistway  1  the first suspension belt  17  and the second suspension belt  18  according to a 1:1 roping arrangement. For this purpose, a first car suspending portion  33  and a second car suspending portion  34  are provided on the upper portion of the car  6 , and a first counterweight suspending portion  35  and a second counterweight suspending portion  36  are provided on the upper portion of the counterweight  7 . The first car-side end  17   a,  the first counterweight-side end  17   b,  the second car-side end  18   a,  and the second counterweight-side end  18   b  are connected to the first car suspending portion  33 , the first counterweight suspending portion  35 , the second car suspending portion  34 , and the second counterweight suspending portion  36 , respectively. The car suspending portions  33  and  34  are disposed such that the centers thereof are located close to the center of gravity of the car  6  the vertical projection plane. 
     A deflector pulley device  37  for leading the first suspension belt  17  and the second suspension  18  to the first counterweight suspending portion  35  and the second counterweight suspending portion  36 , respectively, is provided above the counterweight  7 . The deflector pulley device  37  has a first deflector pulley  38  for leading first suspension belt  17  to the first counterweight suspending portion  35 , and a second deflector pulley  39  for leading the second suspension belt  18  to the second counterweight suspending portion  36 . 
     A first looping angle adjusting pulley  40  for increasing the looping angle of the suspension belt  17  around the drive sheave  13  and a second looping angle adjusting pulley  41  for increasing the looping angle of the suspension belt  18  around the drive sheave  15  are provided between the drive sheaves  13  and  15  and the deflector pulleys  38  and  39 , respectively. 
     The first drive device  10 , the second drive device  11 , the deflector pulleys  38  and  39 , and the looping angle adjusting pulleys  40  and  41  are supported by the support frame (not shown) fixed in the upper portion within the hoistway  1 . The support frame is fixed to, for example, the upper portion of at least one of the car guide rails  2  and  3  and the counterweight guide rails  4  and  5 . Alternatively, the support frame may be supported by the support beam provided in the architectural structure. 
     The drive sheaves  13  and  15 , the deflector pulleys  38  and  39 , and the looping angle adjusting pulleys  40  and  41  are disposed such that the rotary shafts thereof extend horizontally and parallel to the longitudinal direction of the car  6 . The components on the first suspension belt  17  side (first drive device  10 , deflector pulley  38 , first suspension belt  17 , looping angle adjusting pulley  40 , and the like) and the components on the second suspension belt  18  side (second drive device  11 , deflector pulley  39 , second suspension belt  18 , looping angle adjusting pulley  41 , and like) are disposed axisymmetrically around the centerline of the counterweight  7  in the width direction thereof on the vertical projection plane. Embodiment 5 of the present invention is identical to Embodiment 1 of the present invention in other constructional details. 
     In the elevator apparatus constructed as described above, the car  6  and the counterweight  7  are raised/lowered using the two drive devices  10  and  11  and the suspension belts  17  and  18  belonging to two independent systems, respectively. It is therefore possible to increase the output the entire drive means  9  without increasing the diameters of the motors, and hence realize large capacity and high speed with a compact installation space. It is also possible to reduce the diameters of the motors required for the achievement of the same performance as in the conventional art, and hence realize space saving. 
     The looping angle adjusting pulleys  40  and  41  are also employed. It is therefore possible to increase the respective looping angles of the suspension belts  17  and  18  around the drive sheaves  13  and  15  and hence ensure a sufficient traction force. 
     Embodiment 6 
     Reference will be made next to  FIG. 10 .  FIG. 10  is a schematic plan view showing an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 10 , the counterweight  7  is disposed behind the car  6  so as to face the back surface portion  6   b  of the car  6  when being located at the same height as the car  6 . Thus, the drive sheaves  13  and  15 , the deflector pulleys  38  and  39 , and the looping angle adjusting pulleys  40  and  41  are disposed such that the rotary shafts thereof extend horizontally and parallel to the width direction of the car  6 . Embodiment 6 of the present invention is identical to Embodiment 5 of the present invention in other constructional details. 
     The construction as described above in which counterweight  7  is disposed behind the car  6  also makes it possible to achieve an effect similar to that of Embodiment 5 of the present invention. 
     In Embodiments 5 and 6 of the present invention, the drive devices  10  and  11  may be disposed reversely in orientation. The looping angle adjusting pulleys  40  and  41  may be dispensed with as long as a sufficient traction force can be ensured. 
     Embodiment 7 
     Reference will be made next to  FIG. 11 .  FIG. 11  is a schematic plan view showing an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 11 , the first drive device  10  and the second drive device  11  are disposed adjacent to each other in a direction that is horizontal and perpendicular to the rotary shafts of the drive sheaves  13  and  15 . That is, the first drive device  10  and the second drive device  11  are disposed parallel to each other and side by side at the same height above the car  6 . Embodiment 7 of the present invention is identical to Embodiment 6 of the present invention in other constructional details. 
     In the elevator apparatus constructed as described above, the first drive device  10  and the second drive device  11  are disposed side by side at the same height. Therefore, even if the axial dimensions of the first drive device  10  and the second drive device  11  are increased, both the drive devices  10  and  11  do not interfere with each other, and the height dimension of the space installing the drive means  9  is not increased. As result, it is possible to realize large capacity and high speed with a compact installation space. 
     Embodiment 8 
     Reference will be made next to  FIGS. 12 and 13 .  FIG. 12  is a schematic plan view showing an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention.  FIG. 13  is a front view showing an essential part of the elevator apparatus of  FIG. 12 . Referring to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the car guide rails  2  and  3  are disposed offset in opposite directions from a longitudinal center of the car  6 . That is, the car guide rail  2  faces the first lateral surface portion  6   c  in front of the longitudinal center of the car  6 . The car guide rail  3  faces the second lateral surface portion  6   d  behind the longitudinal center of the car  6 . 
     The counterweight  7  is divided into a first counterweight  7   a  and a second counterweight  7   b.  The first counterweight  7   a  and the second counterweight  7   b  are equal in size and weight. The first counterweight  7   a  and the second counterweight  7   b  are disposed in a distributive manner on both sides of the car  6 , respectively. That is, the first counterweight  7   a  is disposed so as to face the first lateral surface portion  6   c  when being located at the same height as the car  6 , and the second counterweight  7   b  is disposed so as to face the second lateral surface portion  6   d  when being located the same height as the car  6 . 
     In addition, the first counterweight  7   a  is disposed behind the first guide rail  2  in the longitudinal direction of the car  6 , and the second counterweight  7   b  is disposed in front of the second car guide rail  3  in the longitudinal direction of the car  6 . 
     The first counterweight suspending portion  35  to which the first suspension belt  17  is connected is provided on an upper portion of the first counterweight  7   a.  The second counterweight suspending portion  36  to which the second suspension belt  18  is connected is provided on an upper portion of the second counterweight  7   b.  The first deflector pulley  38  is disposed above the first counterweight  7   a.  The second deflector pulley  39  is disposed above the second counterweight  7   b.    
     The car guide rails  2  and  3 , the counterweights  7   a  and  7   b,  counterweight guide rails  4   a,    5   a,    4   b,  and  5   b,  the drive devices  10  and  11 , the suspension belts  17  and  18 , the deflector pulleys  38  and  39 , and the looping angle adjusting pulleys  40  and  41  are disposed symmetrically around the center of gravity of the car  6  on the vertical projection plane, respectively. Embodiment 8 of the present invention is identical to Embodiment 7 of the present invention in other constructional details. 
     The elevator apparatus constructed as described above also makes it possible to increase the output of the drive means  9  without increasing the diameters of the motors, and hence realize large capacity and high speed with a compact installation space. It is also possible to reduce the diameters of the motors required for the achievement of the same performance as in the conventional art, and hence realize space saving. 
     Although the two drive devices  10  and  11  are illustrated in each of the foregoing examples, three or more drive devices may be employed. 
     Further, although the suspension belts  17  and  18  are illustrated as main rope bodies in each of the foregoing examples, suspension ropes with a circular cross-section may be employed. 
     Further, the roping arrangement should not be limited to the 1:1 roping arrangement or the 2:1 roping arrangement.