Patent Publication Number: US-2018029829-A1

Title: Mechanically integrated propulsion guiding unit

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to the field of elevators, and more particularly to a guide assembly of a multicar, ropeless, self-propelled elevator system. 
     Ropeless elevator systems, also referred to as self-propelled elevator systems, are useful in certain applications (e.g., high rise buildings) where the mass of the ropes for a roped system is prohibitive and there is a desire for multiple elevator cars to travel in a single hoistway or lane. There exist ropeless elevator systems in which a first lane is designated for upward traveling elevator cars and a second lane is designated for downward traveling elevator cars. A transfer station at each end of the lane is used to move cars horizontally between the first lane and second lane. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one embodiment, a guide assembly for guiding movement of an elevator car is provided including a first guide support and a second guide support coupled to a portion of the elevator car. The first guide support and the second guide support are separated from one another by a gap wider than an adjacent primary portion of a propulsion system of the elevator car. A pair of first guides is mounted to the first guide support and the second guide support, respectively. The first guides are substantially parallel and are configured to guide movement of the elevator car in a first direction to maintain a clearance between the primary portion and a secondary portion of the propulsion system of the elevator car. A second guide is mounted to one of the first guide support and the second guide support. The second guide is oriented substantially perpendicular to the first guides. The second guide is configured to guide movement of the elevator car in a second direction. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include the first guide support and the second guide support are symmetrical about a plane extending parallel to the first and second guide support through a center of the gap. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments the first guide support and the second guide support are connected directly to a portion of the elevator car. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments the first guide support and the second guide support are integrally formed with a portion of the elevator car. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments the first guide support and the second guide support are indirectly coupled to the elevator car via a support member such that the elevator car is isolated from noise and vibration. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments the first guide support is a first structural member of the secondary portion of the propulsion system and the second guide support is a second structural member of the secondary portion of the propulsion system. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments the first guide support is connected to a first structural member of the secondary portion of the propulsion system and the second guide support is connected to the second structural member of the secondary portion of the propulsion system. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments the first guide support and the second guide support extend substantially parallel to the first structural member and the second structural member. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments the guide assembly includes at least one actuator such that one or more of the first guides and the at least one second guide is active. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, an elevator system is provided including an elevator car. A vertical structural guide member is arranged adjacent a primary portion of a propulsion system of the elevator car. A secondary portion of the propulsion system is coupled to the elevator car. The secondary portion is arranged parallel to the primary portion of the propulsion system. At least one guide assembly is configured to limit horizontal movement of the elevator car. The guide assembly includes a first guide support and a second guide support coupled to a portion of the elevator car. The first guide support and the second guide support are separated from one another by a gap wider than the primary portion of a propulsion system of the elevator car. A pair of first guides is mounted to the first guide support and the second guide support, respectively. The first guides are configured to contact one or more first wall of at least one structural guide member to limit movement of the elevator car in a first direction. The first guides maintain a clearance between the primary portion and the secondary portion of the propulsion system. At least one second guide is mounted to one of the first guide support and the second guide support. The second guide is oriented substantially perpendicular to the first guides. The second guide is configured to contact a second wall of the at least one structural guide member to guide movement of the elevator car in a second direction. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments the first guide support and the second guide support are directly connected to a portion of the elevator car. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments the first guide support and the second guide support are integrally formed with a portion of the elevator car. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments the first guide support and the second guide support are indirectly coupled to the elevator car via a support member configured to isolate the elevator car from noise and vibration of the at least one guide assembly. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments the elevator system also includes at least one of a safety device and a brake mounted to the elevator car. At least one of the safety device and the brake is configured to engage the support member to slow or stop movement of the elevator car. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments the first guide support is a first structural member of the secondary portion of the propulsion system and the second guide support is a second structural member of the secondary portion of the propulsion system. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments the first guide support is connected to a first structural member of the secondary portion of the propulsion system and the second guide support is connected to a second structural member of the secondary portion of the propulsion system. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments the first guide support and the second guide support extend substantially parallel to the first structural member and the second structural member. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments the elevator system includes at least one actuator such that one or more of the first guides and the at least one second guide is active. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments the at least one structural guide member includes a plurality of first walls extending from opposing ends of the second wall, the plurality of first walls and second walls being integrally formed. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments the at least one structural guide member is a C-channel. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments the at least one structural guide member includes a first structural guide member and a second structural guide member arranged symmetrically on opposing sides of the primary portion of the propulsion system. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments the first structural guide member and the second structural guide member are angles. 
     Technical features of the invention include providing a guide assembly system that limits movement of the primary and secondary portions of the propulsion system. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of an example of a multicar elevator system; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a portion of an elevator car of the multicar elevator system according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the elevator car of  FIG. 2  according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of a guide assembly of the elevator car according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a guide assembly of the elevator car according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a guide assembly according to an embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the guide assembly of  FIG. 6  according to an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     The detailed description explains embodiments of the invention, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  depicts an example of a multicar, ropeless elevator system  20  that may be employed with embodiments of the invention. Elevator system  20  includes an elevator shaft  22  having a plurality of lanes  24 ,  26 , and  28 . While three lanes  24 ,  26 ,  28  are shown in  FIG. 1 , it is understood that various embodiments of the invention and various configurations of a multicar, ropeless elevator systems may include any number of lanes, either more or fewer than the three lanes shown in  FIG. 1 . One or more elevator cars  30  are configured to move vertically within each lane  24 ,  26 ,  28  in a single direction, i.e. up or down. In addition, an elevator car  30  is generally configured to move through one lane of the system  20  in a first direction and through another lane of the system  20  in a second, opposite direction. For example, as illustrated in the non-limiting embodiment of  FIG. 1 , an elevator car  30  in within lanes  24  and  26  is configured to travel vertically in an up direction and an elevator car  30  within lane  28  is configured to travel vertically in a down direction. 
     Located generally above the top floor of the building is an upper transfer station  32  configured to impart horizontal motion to the elevator cars  30  to move the elevator cars  30  between the plurality of lanes  24 ,  26 , and  28 . It is understood that upper transfer station  32  may be located at the top floor, rather than above the top floor. Similarly, below the first floor of the building is a lower transfer station  34  configured to impart horizontal motion to the elevator cars  30  to move the elevator cars  30  between the plurality of lanes  24 ,  26 , and  28 . It is understood that lower transfer station  34  may be located at the first floor, rather than below the first floor. Although not shown in  FIG. 1 , one or more intermediate transfer stations may be used between the first floor and the top floor. Intermediate transfer stations are similar to the upper transfer station  32  and lower transfer station  34 , and are configured to impart horizontal motion to the elevator cars  30  at the respective transfer station. Further, although not shown in  FIG. 1 , the elevator cars  30  may stop at intermediate floors  40  to allow ingress to and egress from the elevator cars  30 . 
     Cars  30  are propelled using a propulsion system  40  such as a linear, permanent magnet motor system having a primary, fixed portion  42  and a secondary, moving portion  44 . One or more primary portion  42 , such as including coils mounted on a structural member  46  for example, and may be positioned at one or both sides of the lanes  24 ,  26 , and  28 . The secondary portion  44  may include a plurality of permanent magnets  48  mounted to one or both sides of cars  30 . Primary portion  42  is supplied with drive signals from one or more drive units (not shown) to control movement of the cars  30  in their respective lanes through the linear, permanent magnet motor system  40 . The secondary portion  44  operatively connects with and electromagnetically operates with the primary portion  42  to be driven. The driven secondary portion  42  enables the car  30  to move along the primary portion  42  and thus move within a lane  24 ,  26 , and  28 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , an elevator car  30  configured for use in the elevator system  20  is illustrated in more detail. The secondary portion  44  of the propulsion system  40  includes a plurality of permanent magnets  48  mounted to a first and second structural member  50 ,  52  extending from a side of the elevator car  30 . The first and second structural member  50 ,  52  may be separate, or alternatively, may be integrally formed with one another. In one embodiment, the first structural member  50  and the second structural member  52  are connected to the elevator car  30  via a support member such that the elevator car  30  is isolated from noise and vibration generated as the elevator car  30  moves through a lane. 
     The elevator car  30  includes at least one guide assembly  60  configured to guide horizontal movement of the elevator car  30  as the car  30  moves vertically within a lane  24 ,  26 ,  28 . In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, the elevator car  30  includes a first guide assembly  60  adjacent a first side  62  of the elevator car  30  and a second guide assembly  60  mounted adjacent a second, opposite side  64  of the elevator car  30 . However, embodiments where the elevator car  30  includes only a single guide assembly  60  or where multiple guide assemblies  60  are arranged on a single side of the car  30  are within the scope of the invention. 
     In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiments, the guide assemblies  60  illustrated in  FIGS. 2-7  includes a first guide support  66  and a second guide support  68  separated from one another by a distance to define a gap G there between. In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, the first and second guide supports  66 ,  68  both extend from a side of the elevator car  30  in the same direction, parallel to the first and second structural member  50 ,  52  of the secondary portion  44  of the propulsion system  40 . As shown, the guide supports  66 ,  68  are generally rectangular in shape and have a substantially constant cross-section over their length. However, guide supports  66 ,  68  having other configurations are within the scope of the invention. The first guide support  66  and the second guide support  68  may be substantially symmetrical about a plane P (see  FIG. 3 ) extending through the center of the gap G, parallel to the first and second guide support  66 ,  68 . As shown, the gap G between the guide supports  66 ,  68  is greater than a width of the primary portion  42  of the propulsion system such that the first guide support  66  is generally positioned adjacent a first side of the primary portion  42  and the second guide support  68  is arranged near an opposite side of the primary portion  42 . In one embodiment, the guide assembly  60  is connected to the elevator car  30  such that the gap G between the first and second guide support  66 ,  68  of the guide assembly  60  is substantially centered with the secondary portion  44  of the propulsion system  40 . 
     A pair of first guides  70  is mounted to a portion of the first guide support  66  and the second guide support  68 , respectively, such as at a distal end thereof, such that the first guides  70  are arranged within a plane substantially perpendicular to the guide supports  66 ,  68 , and parallel to the adjacent surface of the elevator car  30 . Together the first guides  70  are configured to guide “front to back” movement of the elevator car  30  to maintain the clearance between the primary and secondary portions  42 ,  44  of the propulsion system  40 . 
     The guide assembly  60  additionally includes at least one second guide  72  mounted to either the first guide support  66  or the second guide support  68 . Although the guide assembly  60  illustrated in  FIG. 6  includes a single second guide  72 , embodiments having additional second guides  72 , such as two second guides  72  as shown in  FIG. 4  for example, are within the scope of the invention. The second guide  72  is mounted vertically offset from an adjacent first guide  70  to prevent any interference there between. The second guide  72  is arranged within a plane substantially parallel to the guide supports  66 ,  68  of the guide assembly  60  and perpendicular to the pair of first guides  70  to guide “side to side” movement of the elevator car  30 . In one embodiment, the structural members  50 ,  52  of the secondary portion  44  of the propulsion system  40  are configured as the first and second guide supports  66 ,  68  of the guide assembly  60  such that the first guides  70  and the at least second guide  72  are directly mounted thereto. Although the first and second guides are illustrated in the FIGS. as roller guides, other types of guides, such as a sliding guide for example, are within the scope of the invention. It will be understood that as used in this disclosure, the phrase “front to back” indicates the direction of arrow A and the phrase “side to side” indicates the direction of arrow B, as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     In one embodiment, the at least one guide assembly  60  is coupled to or integrally formed with a portion of the elevator car  30 . As shown in the embodiment of  FIGS. 2-5 , the guide assemblies  60  are mounted to the top or ceiling  74  of the elevator car  30 . Alternatively, or in addition, one or more guide assemblies  60  may be arranged adjacent the bottom or floor (not shown) of the elevator car  30 , or at any other location between the floor and ceiling  74  of the elevator car  30 . Although the illustrated secondary portion  44  and guide assemblies  60  are centered about a first and second side  62 ,  64  of the car  30 , embodiments where the secondary portion  44  and a guide assembly  60  aligned therewith is offset from the center are within the scope of the invention. In such embodiments, the guide assembly  60  on a first side  62  of the elevator car  30  and the guide assembly  60  on a second side  64  of the elevator car  30  may be offset in opposite, complementary directions. 
     In another embodiment, the at least one guide assembly  60  may be connected to the elevator car  30  indirectly through the secondary portion  44  of the propulsion system  40 . For example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS., the first and second guide supports  66 ,  68  of the guide assembly  60  are coupled to or integrally formed with the first and second structural members  50 ,  52  of the secondary portion  44 . 
     The guides  70 ,  72  of the guide assembly  60  are configured to contact and cooperate with one or more structural guide members  80  arranged adjacent the primary portion  42  of the propulsion system  40 . The at least one structural guide member includes  80  a first wall  82  and a second wall  84  arranged substantially perpendicular to one another. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 6 , a first structural guide member and a second symmetrical guide member, such as angles each having a perpendicular first and second wall, are arranged symmetrically on opposing sides of the primary portion  42  of the propulsion system  40 . In another embodiment, a single structural guide member  80 , such as a C-channel or U-channel for example, includes a plurality of first walls  82  extending perpendicularly from opposing ends of a second wall  84 . In such embodiments, the single structural guide member  80  may be integrally formed with the structural member  46  configured to support the primary portion  42 . 
     Each first guide  70  of the guide assembly  60  is configured to contact a first wall  82  of the at least one structural guide member  80  and the at least one second guide  72  is configured to contact a second wall  84  of the at least one structural guide member  80 . The first guides  70  and the at least one second guide  72  may be spring biased into contact with the one or more structural guide members  80 . In other embodiments, the guide assembly  60  may be an active guide assembly including a plurality of actuators connected to the first guides  70  and the second guides  72  to not only improve the positioning of the secondary portion  44  relative to the primary portion  42  of the propulsion system  40 , but also to dampen vibration of the elevator car  30  as it moves within a lane  24 ,  26 ,  28 . 
     Other components of the elevator system  20  may be configured to interact with the at least one structural guide member  80 . For example, a brake (not shown) mounted to the elevator car  30  may engage a portion of at least one structural guide member  80  to slow or stop movement of an elevator car  30 . Similarly, one or more safety devices (not shown) may be mounted to the guide assembly  60  or the elevator car  30 . In one embodiment, the safety devices are also configured to engage a portion of the at least one structural guide member  80  to stop vertical movement of the elevator car  30 , such as in the event of an emergency for example. 
     An elevator car having one or more guide assemblies  60  as described herein allow vertical movement of an elevator car  30  while retaining critical alignments between the primary and secondary portions  42 ,  44  of the propulsion system  40 , as well as other stopping devices. By simplifying the complexity and limiting the size of the guide assembly  60 , both a space and cost savings are achieved. In addition, by isolating the guide assembly  30  from the elevator car  30 , the ride quality within the elevator car  30  is improved. 
     While the invention has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the invention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, while various embodiments of the invention have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention may include only some of the described embodiments and/or features.