Abstract:
The invention relates to a support apparatus for an elevator car. The support apparatus comprises a support block for attaching to a sidewall of an elevator hoistway, the support block having an oblique surface. The support apparatus also comprises a sliding plate for mounting to the elevator car. The sliding plate is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The sliding plate has an oblique surface facing the oblique surface of the support block when the sliding plate is in the extended position. The sliding plate is slideable over the oblique surface of the support block when being moved from the extended position to the retracted position. The support apparatus also comprises an actuator shaft attached to the sliding plate and an actuator configured to move the sliding plate using the actuator shaft from the extended position to the retracted position. The actuator is attachable to the elevator car.

Description:
[0001]    This application is a continuation of PCT International Application No. PCT/FI2014/050576 which has an International filing date of Jul. 14, 2014, and which claims priority to European patent application number 13181341.2 filed Aug. 22, 2013, the entire contents of both of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The invention relates to hoisting machines, and particularly to heavy load hoisting machines. Particularly, the invention relates to a support apparatus for an elevator car. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Freight elevators, that is, good elevators may be capable of carrying a heavy load, for example, up to several metric tons. Freight elevators may also be loaded using a forklift or other type of vehicle which temporarily boards the elevator for loading purposes. This leads to variation in the elevator load during loading and imposes special stability requirements for freight elevators. Freight elevators may be hydraulic elevators in some cases, but they may also be traction elevators, which employ a traction sheave to drag traction means. The traction means may be ropes. Any quick variations in the load during the loading process may cause that the elevator cage starts bouncing on the traction ropes. The degree of bouncing depends on the elasticity of the traction ropes. Freight elevators may be equipped with loading bolts which ensure that the elevator car does not move or bounce while the elevator is being loaded. The principle of the loading bolts is that they are extended while the elevator car is on a landing. A landing may be a floor, a platform, a bridge or any other a level at which the elevator car may be loaded or unloaded. The elevator car rests on the loading bolts  35  which prevent the bouncing of the elevator car on the traction ropes. The loading bolts may be flat and perpendicular in relation to the elevator shaft wall. In order to be able to retract the loading bolts, the elevator car must be driven off the landing, that is, for example, a floor. This means that the elevator car is hoisted by the traction ropes a height that enables the retraction of the loading bolts so that the loading bolts do not touch the plane on which they rested while still on the floor. Otherwise, a friction between the bolts and the resting plane would prevent the retracting of the bolts. The requirement to drive the elevator car off the landing causes a delay after a visit in any landing such as a floor, which in turn increases the time for the elevator car to travel between any two landings. Additionally, when the elevator car is driven off a landing, the traction ropes tighten and cause a sudden acceleration of the elevator car which may lead damage to sensitive equipment on board the elevator car and which otherwise may be perceived unpleasant for persons on board the elevator car. 
         [0006]    A problem with the existing loading bolts is the need to drive the elevator car off the landing in order to the able to retract the loading bolts. The separate step of driving the elevator car off each landing where the loading bolts have been deployed also complicates the designing of elevator control software. An additional problem is the sudden acceleration of the elevator car when the traction ropes begin to pull the elevator car. Therefore, it would be beneficial to have a solution that does not necessitate the specific step of driving the elevator car off the loading landing. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    According to an aspect of the invention, the invention is a support apparatus for an elevator car, the support apparatus comprising: a sliding plate configured to be mounted to the elevator car, the sliding plate being movable between an extended position and a retracted position, the sliding plate having an oblique surface configured to face an oblique surface of a support block attached to an elevator hoistway when the sliding plate is in the extended position, the support block having an oblique surface, the sliding plate being slideable over the oblique surface of the support block when being moved from the extended position to the retracted position; and an actuator configured to be mounted to the elevator car, the actuator being configured to move the sliding plate from the extended position to the retracted position and from the retracted position to the extended position. 
         [0008]    According to a further aspect of the invention, the invention is an elevator comprising a support apparatus for an elevator car of the elevator. The support apparatus comprises: a sliding plate configured to be mounted to the elevator car, the sliding plate being movable between an extended position and a retracted position, the sliding plate having an oblique surface configured to face an oblique surface of a support block attached to an elevator hoistway when the sliding plate is in the extended position, the support block having an oblique surface, the sliding plate being slideable over the oblique surface of the support block when being moved from the extended position to the retracted position, and an actuator configured to be mounted to the elevator car, the actuator being configured to move the sliding plate from the extended position to the retracted position and from the retracted position to the extended position; and the support block attached to an elevator hoistway. 
         [0009]    According to a further aspect of the invention, the invention is an elevator comprising the support apparatus. 
         [0010]    In one embodiment of the invention, the support block is mounted or attached to a sidewall of the elevator hoistway. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment of the invention, there may be at least two support apparatuses and at least two support blocks. The support blocks may be mounted on mutually opposite sides of the elevator hoistway. There may be at least two support blocks mounted to the elevator shaft on the one side of the elevator shaft and at least two support blocks mounted to the elevator shaft on the other, for example, the opposite side of the elevator shaft. For each support block there may be a respective support apparatus. 
         [0012]    In one embodiment of the invention, the support apparatus further comprises an actuator shaft attached to the sliding plate and wherein the actuator is configured to move the sliding plate using the actuator shaft from the extended position to the retracted position and from the retracted position to the extended position. 
         [0013]    In one embodiment of the invention, the actuator, the actuator shaft and the sliding plate are mounted below the elevator car. The actuator, the actuator shaft and the sliding plate may be attached below a floor of the elevator car or elevator car assembly. The actuator, the actuator shaft and the sliding plate may be attached below or above any horizontal member of the elevator car or an elevator car assembly. 
         [0014]    In one embodiment of the invention, an angle of the oblique surface of the support block is substantially an adjacent angle of an angle of the oblique surface of the sliding plate. The sum of the angle and the adjacent angle is 180 degrees. The adjacent angle may be seen between a lower surface of the sliding plate and the oblique surface of the sliding plate. 
         [0015]    In one embodiment of the invention, an angle between the oblique surface of the support block and a horizontal plane is substantially same as an angle between the oblique surface of the sliding plate and a horizontal plane. The angles may be determined when the support block is attached to the sidewall of the elevator shaft and the sliding plate is installed to the elevator car, for example, supported by an actuator shaft and an actuator. 
         [0016]    In one embodiment of the invention, the angle of the oblique surface of the support block is between 25 degrees and 65 degrees. The angle may be between a horizontal plane and the oblique surface of the support block. 
         [0017]    In one embodiment of the invention, the actuator is a hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic cylinder may be pressurized with a hydraulic pump via at least one pipe. The actuator shaft may be a piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder. 
         [0018]    In one embodiment of the invention, the actuator is a spindle motor. The actuator shaft may be the spindle of the spindle motor. 
         [0019]    In one embodiment of the invention, on the oblique surface of the support block is attached a slide plate. The slide plate may have a coating to reduce friction. The slide plate may be coated or covered with plastic plate or layer. The plastic can be, for example, Nylon. 
         [0020]    In one embodiment of the invention, the support apparatus further comprises: a mounting brace for attaching the support block to the sidewall of the elevator hoistway. 
         [0021]    In one embodiment of the invention, a height of the support block is adjustable in relation to the mounting brace. 
         [0022]    In one embodiment of the invention, an upper portion of the mounting brace has a slit for bolts to fix the support block to a desired height. 
         [0023]    In one embodiment of the invention, the sliding plate comprises at least one wheel for reducing friction in a contact surface between the sliding plate and the elevator car while the sliding plate is moved between the extended position and the retracted position. 
         [0024]    In one embodiment of the invention, the elevator car is comprised in a traction elevator. 
         [0025]    In one embodiment of the invention, the traction is based on at least one of a rope and a belt, for example, being pulled by a traction sheave. 
         [0026]    In one embodiment of the invention, the elevator car is comprised in a freight elevator. 
         [0027]    In one embodiment of the invention, the elevator is a traction elevator. 
         [0028]    In one embodiment of the invention, the actuator is attached to a floor or any other horizontal member of the elevator car or an elevator car assembly. 
         [0029]    In one embodiment of the invention, at least one of the sliding plate and the actuator shaft are supported from the elevator car. 
         [0030]    In one embodiment of the invention, the traction means comprises a plurality of ropes. On the traction sheave may be a plurality of grooves for the plurality of ropes. 
         [0031]    In one embodiment of the invention, the traction means comprises at least one belt. 
         [0032]    In one embodiment of the invention, the elevator car may also be referred to as elevator cage. The elevator car may be elevator cage. 
         [0033]    In one embodiment of the invention, the traction means comprises a plurality of ropes. On the traction sheave may be a plurality of grooves for the plurality of ropes. 
         [0034]    In one embodiment of the invention, the traction means comprises at least one belt. 
         [0035]    The embodiments of the invention described hereinbefore may be used in any combination with each other. At least two of the embodiments may be combined together to form a further embodiment of the invention. A support apparatus and an elevator to which the invention is related may comprise at least one of the embodiments of the invention described hereinbefore. 
         [0036]    It is to be understood that any of the above embodiments or modifications can be applied singly or in combination to the respective aspects to which they refer, unless they are explicitly stated as excluding alternatives. 
         [0037]    The benefits of the invention are related to a reduced travel time for the elevator car to travel between landings. Further benefits may relate to simplicity for implementing elevator control system for the elevator due to the lack of a need for a separate step to drive off a landing such as a floor. Further benefits may relate to reduced noise and increased smoothness in elevator car movement. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0038]    The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description help to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: 
           [0039]      FIG. 1  illustrates an elevator equipped with at least two elevator car support devices in one embodiment of the invention; 
           [0040]      FIG. 2  illustrates an elevator car equipped with four elevator car support devices in one embodiment of the invention; 
           [0041]      FIG. 3A  illustrates an elevator car support device viewed from front in one embodiment of the invention; 
           [0042]      FIG. 3B  illustrates an elevator car support device viewed from behind in one embodiment of the invention; 
           [0043]      FIG. 4  illustrates an elevator car support device U-shaped stud in one embodiment of the invention; 
           [0044]      FIG. 5  illustrates an elevator car support device height adjustable support piece in one embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0045]      FIG. 6  illustrates an elevator car support device sliding plate in one embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0046]    Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
         [0047]      FIG. 1  illustrates an elevator equipped with at least two elevator car support devices in one embodiment of the invention. In  FIG. 1  there is illustrated an elevator hoistway, that is, an elevator shaft  102 . The elevator shaft may also be referred to as elevator hoistway. In  FIG. 1  there is an elevator car  104 . Elevator car  104  may also be referred to as an elevator cage. Elevator car is hoisted by ropes  154  or by other traction means such as a traction belt. Ropes  154  or the other tractions means are pulled using a traction sheave  150 . The traction sheave may be spun using an electrical motor  152 . Ropes  154  or the other tractions means are connected to a counterweight  106  from their other ends. In  FIG. 1  underneath elevator car  104  there is shown a left hand side support  142 L which supports a hydraulic cylinder  140 L. Hydraulic cylinder is used to actuate a piston (not shown) and thereby a piston rod  136 L. Similarly, underneath elevator car  104  there is shown a right hand side support  142 R which supports a hydraulic cylinder  140 R. Hydraulic cylinder  140 R is used to actuate a piston (not shown) and a piston rod  136 R. A spindle motor may substitute for hydraulic cylinder  140 L in one embodiment of the invention. In this case a spindle of the spindle motor may substitute for piston rod  136 L. Similarly, a spindle motor may substitute for hydraulic cylinder  140 R in one embodiment of the invention. In this case a spindle of the spindle motor may substitute for piston rod  136 R. 
         [0048]    To piston rod  136 L is connected a sliding wedge plate  132 L. Sliding wedge plate has an oblique surface  131 L. Sliding wedge plate also has a tenon  130 L portion. Tenon portion  130 L may be located at the lower end of the oblique surface  131 L. Sliding wedge plate  132 L has an opening in an upper portion of sliding wedge plate  132 L that allows an axel for wheel  134 L to be fitted through the opening. Wheel  134 L is sized to allow sliding wedge plate  132 L to move between an extended position and a retracted position below elevator car  104  so that an upper surface of sliding wedge plate  132 L does not drag against a floor or any other horizontal support structure of elevator car  104 . There may be a plurality of similar openings in sliding wedge plate  132 L for a plurality of wheels. 
         [0049]    Similarly, to piston  136 R is connected a sliding wedge plate  132 R. Sliding wedge plate has an oblique surface  131 R. Sliding wedge plate also has a tenon  130 R portion. Tenon portion  130 R may be located at the lower end of the oblique surface  131 R. Oblique surfaces  131 L and  131 R may be seen as mirror images of one another. Similarly, sliding wedge plate  132 R has an opening in an upper portion of sliding wedge plate  132 R that allows an axel for wheel  134 R to be fitted through the opening. There may be a plurality of similar openings in sliding wedge plate  132 R for a plurality of wheels. 
         [0050]    The purpose of tenon portions  130 L and  130 R is to prevent a lateral movement of elevator car  104 , while elevator car is supported on sliding wedge plates  132 L and  132 R. Tenon portion  130 L of sliding wedge plate  132 L prevents elevator car  104  to move to the left, while tenon portion  130 R of sliding wedge plate  132 R prevents elevator car  104  to move to the right. 
         [0051]    Oblique surface  131 L of sliding wedge plate  132 L rests on a support block  122 L when oblique slide plate  132 L is in extended position. Similarly, oblique surface  131 R of sliding wedge plate  132 R rests on a support block  122 R when oblique slide plate  132 R is in extended position. Support blocks  122 L and  122 R have oblique surfaces that face the respective oblique surfaces  131 L and  131 R of respective sliding wedge plates  132 L and  132 R. Support blocks  122 L and  122 R are fixed to walls of elevator shaft  102  using respective mounting braces  120 L and  120 R. On the oblique surfaces of support blocks  122 L and  122 R are fixed respective slide plates  124 L and  124 R. Slide plates  124 L and  124 R may be made out of steel. Slide plates  124 L and  124 R may be coated or covered with plastic plate or layer. The plastic can be, for example, Nylon. 
         [0052]    When hydraulic piston rods  136 L and  136 R are being used to retract respective sliding wedge plates  132 L and  132 R, sliding wedge plates  132 L and  132 R and elevator car  104  start sliding downwards on oblique surfaces of support blocks  122 L and  122 R. With increased retraction of sliding wedge plates  132 L and  132 R there is increased room for downward movement of sliding wedge plates  132 L and  132 R on oblique surfaces of support blocks  122 L and  122 R. The downward movement of elevator car  104  causes the tightening of ropes  154  or other traction means. When the traction is started with ropes  154  or other traction means, the movement of elevator car  104  is now smoother. 
         [0053]    In one embodiment of the invention, oblique support blocks  122 L and  122 R are adjustably mounted in respective mounting braces  120 L and  120 R. Support blocks  122 L and  122 R may have a plurality of openings with internal threads to fit bolts with external threads. In one embodiment of the invention, mounting brace  120 L has at least one respective vertical slit. The vertical slit allows the height of a support block within the mounting brace to be adjusted. The vertical slit allows the fixing of a support block at a specific height with respect to the mounting brace. 
         [0054]      FIG. 2  illustrates an elevator car equipped with four elevator car support devices in one embodiment of the invention. 
         [0055]    In  FIG. 2  there is an arrangement  200  comprising four sliding wedge plates that may be extended and retracted. In  FIG. 2  there are shown hydraulic cylinders  222 ,  224 ,  226  and  228 . Hydraulic cylinders  222 ,  224 ,  226  and  228  are used to actuate respective piston rods  212 ,  214 ,  216  and  218 . Piston rods  212 ,  214 ,  216  and  218  are used to extend or retract respective sliding wedge plates  202 ,  204 ,  206  and  208 . Sliding wedge plates may correspond to sliding wedge plates shown in  FIG. 1 . For clarity purposes in  FIG. 2  there are not shown the oblique support blocks corresponding to sliding wedge plates  202 ,  204 ,  206  and  208 . Instead of hydraulic cylinders  222 - 228  may be used spindle motors so that spindles of the spindle motors substitute for hydraulic pistons  212 - 218 . Sliding wedge plates  202 ,  204 ,  206  and  208  are located within a distance from respective corners of elevator car  104 . The distance introduces a balance for elevator car  104  when sliding wedge plates  202 ,  204 ,  206  and  280  rest on their respective oblique support blocks. 
         [0056]      FIG. 3A  illustrates an elevator car support device  300  viewed from front in one embodiment of the invention. 
         [0057]    In  FIG. 3A  there is shown a mounting brace  302 . Mounting brace  302  may be attached to elevator shaft wall (not shown) using bolts (not shown) or by welding, for example, to a supporting steel girder (not shown). Mounting brace  302  may be a steel U-profile girder or stud. The U-profile is seen by viewing the stud from above as familiar to a person skilled in the art. The U-profile may allow placing a lower portion of support block  304  inside mounting brace  302 . Mounting brace  302  has a vertical slit  310  which allows vertical movement of support block  304  in relation to mounting brace  302 . Vertical slit  310  may be used to set support block  304  to a height that corresponds to a correct position of an elevator car on a landing, that is, for example, in a floor. A plurality of support blocks corresponding to support block  304  may be similarly set to a height that corresponds to the correct position of the elevator car on the landing, for example, in a floor. For example, there may be four support blocks such as support block  304 . Support block  304  is secured to a correct height in relation to mounting brace  302  by tightening bolts  320  and  322  protruding through slit  310  to corresponding holes in a lower portion of support block (not shown) with internal threads. The lower portion may be narrowed than an upper portion of support block  304  so that the lower portion fits behind mounting brace  302 . Support block  304  has an oblique surface  305  on which a slide plate  306  is fixed. In  FIG. 3A  over plate  306  is shown sliding wedge plate  330 . A lower surface of sliding wedge plate  330  has a tenon portion  340 . The lower surface of sliding wedge plate  330  also has an oblique surface  342 . Oblique surface  342  has an angle which is similar to an angle of oblique surface  305 . Slide plate  306  and support block  304  may be seen to fit a nook formed by oblique surface  342  and tenon portion  340 . On an upper portion of sliding plate  330  there are fixed two wheels, that is, wheel  332  and wheel  334 . To the end of sliding plate  330  facing a hydraulic piston rod (not shown) or a spindle or a spindle motor (not shown), there are fixed brace pieces  336  and  338  to which a piston rod or a spindle or a spindle motor may be attached 
         [0058]      FIG. 3B  illustrates an elevator car support device viewed from behind in one embodiment of the invention. In  FIG. 3B  is shown the empty space behind mounting brace  302  which allows the height adjustment of support block  304  so that a lower portion  303  is at least partly inserted in the empty space. 
         [0059]      FIG. 4  illustrates an elevator car support device U-shaped stud in one embodiment of the invention. The U-shaped stud may be similar to mounting brace  302  in  FIGS. 3A and 3B .  FIG. 4  shows slit  310  which allows height adjustable attaching of support block  304  to mounting brace  302  using bolts or other tightening means. 
         [0060]      FIG. 5  illustrates an elevator car support device height adjustable support piece in one embodiment of the invention. In  FIG. 5  there is shown support block  304  of  FIGS. 3A and 3B . The support block has oblique surface  305 . 
         [0061]      FIG. 6  illustrates an elevator car support device sliding plate in one embodiment of the invention. The sliding plate is similar to sliding plate  330  in  FIGS. 3A and 3B .  FIG. 6  shows opening  346  for inserting an axis for wheels  332  and  334 . 
         [0062]    The embodiments of the invention described hereinbefore in association with  FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4  and the summary of the invention may be used in any combination with each other. At least two of the embodiments may be combined together to form a further embodiment of the invention. 
         [0063]    It is to be understood that the exemplary embodiments are for exemplary purposes, as many variations of the specific hardware used to implement the exemplary embodiments are possible, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the hardware art(s). For example, the functionality of one or more of the components of the exemplary embodiments can be implemented via one or more hardware devices, or one or more software entities such as modules. 
         [0064]    While the present inventions have been described in connection with a number of exemplary embodiments, and implementations, the present inventions are not so limited, but rather cover various modifications, and equivalent arrangements, which fall within the purview of prospective claims. 
         [0065]    The embodiments of the invention described hereinbefore in association with the figures presented and the summary of the invention may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the embodiments may be combined together to form a further embodiment of the invention. 
         [0066]    It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that with the advancement of technology, the basic idea of the invention may be implemented in various ways. The invention and its embodiments are thus not limited to the examples described above; instead they may vary within the scope of the claims.