Patent Description:
A car arrangement for an elevator system is disclosed in <CIT>. The car arrangement comprises a car support with at least one horizontal leg and at least one vertical leg, the elevator car resting on the at least one horizontal leg and the horizontal leg being at least indirectly connected to a bearing via the vertical leg. When the elevator car rests on the car carrier, the weight of the elevator car, including the payloads, is largely passed through the car floor as compressive forces. Such an arrangement however requires a substantial amount of space about the exterior of the elevator car within the elevator shaft and therefore restricts the size of the elevator car that can be used.

<CIT>, which may be considered as closest prior art, shows an elevator having a cabin. The cabin is supported on a carrier in a forklift manner. A level of the cabin floor can be lifted or lowered to the cabin floor level matches to a floor level of a floor level in the building. That is required due to load changes during unloading and loading at a stop of the cabin at a floor. Due to the forklift like structure the amount of space required below the elevator cabin floor is high, which is of minor advantage if the elevator cabin is traveling in a horizontal shaft.

In contrast to a vertical shaft the space below the cabin a may be limited in a horizontal shaft.

<CIT> discloses a ring rail shaped elevator including: a car, drive arrangement, bearing, suspension and a circulating track. The car is suspended on one side. The suspension includes an anti-rolling device, horizontal bumper shock absorber, vertical bumper shock absorber, high adjusting device and counter weight device. The drive arrangement is located facing the circulating track. <CIT> discloses an elevator system according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

<CIT> discloses a modular two-dimensional elevator group comprising a plurality of cars capable of switching between a horizontal hoistway and a vertical hoistway. The car being provided with a multi-composite safety brake system. The car is comprised of a linear power pack drive that turns the car in a horizontal or vertical direction through a steering knot.

<CIT> discloses an elevator driving device for moving an elevator car movably disposed in an elevator car passage. The device having an elevating passage provided therein and a transverse passage communicating the elevating passage, the elevator driving device comprising: an elevator cage projecting from the elevator car, a movable element rotatably mounted to the elevator car, a tubular shaped member disposed along the moving direction of the elevator car and surrounding the outer periphery of the movable element so as to be movable in the axial direction and guiding the elevator car along the axial direction And a stator arranged along the axial direction of the tubular inner circumferential portion of the guide means and moving the elevator car through the mover by successively exciting the elevator car along the axial direction.

It is an object of the invention to provide an elevator car in particular wherein the car.

This object is solved by the subject of the main claims; embodiments are subject of the subclaims and the description.

The invention relates to a, in particular ropeless, elevator system having at least one elevator shaft and at least one elevator car. Preferably the elevator system can comprise a plurality of said elevator cars. The elevator car comprises:.

The sledge is a mechanism that connects to both.

In an embodiment of the invention, the elevator car is adapted to switch between a first elevator shaft and at least one further elevator shaft, wherein the car can travel in both directions, in particular in upwards and downwards direction in each vertical shaft and or sidewards in a horizontal shaft.

According to the invention, the elevator support is comprised in a suspension system, preferably a rucksack suspension system, such that it is positioned in parallel with a vertical wall in particular a single side of the elevator cabin, preferably the rear side of the elevator cabin. The rear side may be opposite the front side of the elevator cabin where passengers enter and exit. This type of elevator support is preferably as streamlined as possible with the rear wall of the elevator cabin, thus space can be saved or even redistributed within the elevator shaft. This can accommodate for example:.

In an embodiment of the invention, the elevator cabin comprises a reinforced rear wall and a reinforced floor structure. This advantageously provides for the connection of the elevator support to the elevator cabin.

In an embodiment of the invention, the elevator support comprises a plurality of panels which intersect at a point Pi, each panel preferably comprising a plurality of connection means.

In an embodiment of the invention, the plurality of connection means are adapted to connect to one or both of:.

In an embodiment of the invention, the elevator support, is adapted to extend at least partially across the height of the elevator cabin, more preferably, extend across at least two thirds of the height of the elevator cabin. This advantageously provides support to a larger surface area of the cabin thereby increasing safety.

In an embodiment of the invention, the elevator support is adapted to extend substantially across the total height of the elevator cabin. This advantageously provides support to a larger surface area of the cabin thereby increasing safety.

In an embodiment of the invention, the elevator support further comprises a bearing housing located around the point of intersection Pi wherein the bearing housing comprises a plurality of working elements adapted to facilitate the travelling direction of the elevator car along one or more vertically, or vertically and/or horizontally extending rail comprised within the elevator shaft.

In an embodiment of the invention, the elevator system comprises one or more auxiliary mechanism, this advantageously provides a means that allows the cabin to move relative to the sledge and the shaft in order to compensate for e.g.;.

In an embodiment of the invention, the one or more auxiliary mechanism is selected from the group comprising:.

It is advantageous to have one or more auxiliary mechanism because it facilitates and improves the mobility quality of the elevator system. One or more auxiliary mechanism can also advantageously function as a safety mechanism whilst simultaneously improving passenger comfort.

A levelling system can help ensure that the sill of the elevator cabin is at the same level as the sill of the landing.

A damping system can help absorb any unpleasant effects of unexpected movements of the cabin thereby preventing discomfort to passengers.

A locking system can for example function as a supporting device to the elevator cabin when it stops at each landing area, thereby helping to mitigate any risk that the drive motor of the elevator car overheats.

A brake system for example can facilitate weight distribution and help relieve the weight on the car for a given time period.

Any one or combination of the above-described auxiliary mechanisms advantageously improves passenger comfort as well as the operational lifetime of the elevator system. In an embodiment of the invention, the one or more auxiliary mechanism, preferably the levelling system comprises a camshaft system.

In an embodiment of the invention, the one or more auxiliary mechanism, preferably the damping system, and/or the locking system and/or the brake system comprises a linear actuator arrangement.

In an embodiment of the invention, the one or more auxiliary mechanism is comprised within one or more of:.

In an embodiment of the invention, the connection means comprises.

In an embodiment of the invention, the elevator support is comprised of a light-weight composite material wherein the composite material comprises at least one from the group including:.

In comparison with a traditional bucket that supports an elevator cabin, the elevator support according to any embodiment of the invention is preferably made out of a light-weight resilient material, for example, aluminum casting and extrusion profile. Therefore, the overall weight of the elevator cabin is reduced, improving its performance and operational lifetime.

In an embodiment the center of gravity of the cabin is located horizontally offset from the support.

In an embodiment an actuator arrangement is provided, adapted to change the orientation of the, in particular cantilevered supported, cabin relative to the support.

In an embodiment the actuator arrangement comprises a tilting actuator adapted to change the orientation of the cabin relative to the support by tilting the cabin relative to the support in particular along a horizontal axis.

In an embodiment a lifting actuator is provided adapted to change the orientation of the cabin relative to the support thereby lifting or lowering the cabin relative to the support.

In an embodiment the actuator arrangement and/or the lifting actuator and/or the tilting actuator is part of the cabin.

In an embodiment the actuator arrangement and/or the lifting actuator and/or the tilting actuator are located stationary at the elevator shaft and are adapted to interact selectively with an individual cabin when the cabin is located the sphere of influence of the cabin if the actuator arrangement and/or the lifting actuator and/or the tilting actuator.

According to the invention, the cabin is connected to the support, in particular at the upper area and the lower area at a lower area of the vertical wall by connecting means wherein the connecting means allow a vertical adjustment the position of the cabin relative to the support.

The invention also relates to the use of an elevator system according to any of the preceding embodiments in a high rise building.

The invention is described in more detail with the help of the figures wherein:.

<FIG> shows parts of an inventive elevator system. Several, here exemplarily two, vertical travel tracks 2VL, 2VR are aligned in a first direction z, along which the cars <NUM> can be moved between different floors. Between the two vertical travel tracks 2VL, 2VR, horizontal travel tracks <NUM> are arranged in a second direction y, along which the cars <NUM> are each movable within one floor. Furthermore, the horizontal travel track <NUM> connects the two vertical travel tracks 2VL, 2VR with each other. Thus, the horizontal track <NUM> also serves to transfer the cars <NUM> between the two vertical tracks 2VL, 2VR between the two vertical tracks 2VL, 2VR. Additional horizontal travel tracks may be provided in the elevator system, which connect the two vertical travel tracks with each other. Further vertical tracks may also be provided, not shown, may be provided.

Rails 22V, <NUM>, 22B are provided along the tracks to guide the cars <NUM>. The cars <NUM> have guide rollers for this purpose that are not shown. Along transfer units the car <NUM> can transfer from one track to another track. In this embodiment the transfer unit comprises a movable rail 22B.

The elevator car has a sledge <NUM> with rollers <NUM>, wherein the rollers <NUM> provides guidance of the sledge at the rails <NUM>. The sledge <NUM> has a support bearing <NUM>, to which a support <NUM> of the car <NUM> is attached in a rotatably manner. The elevator <NUM> car has a cabin <NUM> for accommodation of passengers. The support <NUM> connects the cabin <NUM> with the sledge of the car <NUM>. During travel the orientation of the sledge <NUM> can change from a vertical orientation to a horizontal orientation. The orientation of the cabin stays always constant. For illustration purposes the sledge <NUM> is shown in <FIG> without an attached support and cabin.

An elevator having such a structure is in principle disclosed in DE <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

In <FIG> an elevator cabin <NUM> is shown having a reinforced vertical wall <NUM> (with reinforcements 101R) and a reinforced floor structure <NUM>. Here the vertical wall is a rear wall. The cabin <NUM> is adapted such that an elevator support <NUM> (not shown) according to an embodiment of the invention can be attached thereto. The elevator support <NUM> is described in further detail in <FIG>.

The support <NUM> is connected to the cabin <NUM> at a lower area <NUM> of the vertical wall <NUM> and at an upper area 101U of the vertical wall. In particular the connection has not to be immediate between the wall and the support itself. Compared the solution of the prior art less space is required below the elevator floor.

<FIG> shows an elevator support <NUM> according to a first embodiment of the invention. The elevator support <NUM> comprises two elongated panels <NUM> which intersect at their respective centers at point Pi to form in particular an "X" shape. Surrounding the point of intersection Pi is a bearing housing <NUM> which comprises a plurality of working elements <NUM> for example a locking device between a sledge (not shown), and the support <NUM>. The plurality of working elements <NUM> are adapted to facilitate the travelling direction of the elevator car <NUM> along the one or more vertically extending rail. These working elements <NUM> also provide for example a rotative function that enables an elevator cabin e.g., the elevator cabin <NUM> to switch between elevator shafts and thereby travel in both vertical and horizontal directions. The bearing housing <NUM> can also optionally act as a point of connection between the elevator cabin <NUM> and the support <NUM>, however it is not shown in this particular example. Further information regarding how an elevator cabin moves between elevator shafts can be found in the applicant's patent <CIT>.

The support <NUM> comprises at the end of each panel <NUM> a connection means <NUM>, this is shown more clearly in <FIG>. The elevator cabin <NUM> is connected to the support <NUM> at each connection means <NUM>. The connection means <NUM> is adapted to be attached to the reinforced wall <NUM> and/or the reinforced floor structure <NUM> of the elevator cabin <NUM> in each case in the lower area <NUM> of the rear wall <NUM>. This is shown more clearly in <FIG>.

In <FIG> an exploded view of the connection means <NUM> is shown. Each of the connection means <NUM> comprise a first connecting elements 201a and second connecting elements 201b. Examples of a first connecting element 201a, include one or more of screws, nuts and bolts however any suitable connecting element. The first connecting element 201a is attached to the cabin <NUM>, the second connecting element201b is attached to the support <NUM> and/or the panel <NUM> of the support According to the invention, the connecting elements allow a vertical relative movement of the second connecting element 201b relative to the first connecting element 201a, so that the position vertical orientation between the cabin (and consequently to the cabin floor) relative to the support can be adjusted. The connection means <NUM> can be a linear bearing which supports vertical movement. So as an example, a connecting element 201a, b can be a vertical oriented bolt, which is at least partially surrounded by the respective other connecting element.

The cabin <NUM> is held relative to the support in a cantilever like manner, resulting horizontal in heavy horizontal forces Fh. A main function of the connecting means <NUM> in the upper and lower 101U, <NUM> area is to transmit at least theses horizontal forces Fh from the cabin to the support <NUM>. Cantilevered means, that the support is not located below the center of gravity of the cabin, so that the cabin weight cannot be transferred by merely vertically forces, but also by bending stress.

The elevator support <NUM> can optionally comprise one or more auxiliary mechanism to facilitate and improve the mobility quality of the elevator cabin <NUM>. For example, a damping system can be introduced, wherein said system comprises a spring, or a pneumatic or hydraulic mechanism. A levelling system could also be introduced whereby the elevator cabin <NUM> can be rotated or tilted any number of degrees to ensure that the sill of the elevator cabin and the sill at the landing side are at the same level. This is described in further detail in <FIG>, <FIG>.

<FIG> shows a support <NUM> according to a second embodiment of the invention. As in the previous embodiment the support <NUM> comprises two elongated panels <NUM> which intersect at their respective centers at point Pi to form an "X" shape. Surrounding the point of intersection Pi is a bearing housing <NUM> which comprises a plurality of working elements <NUM> for example a locking device between a sledge (not shown) and the support. The plurality of working elements <NUM> are adapted to facilitate the travelling direction of the elevator car <NUM> along the one or more vertically extending rail. These working elements <NUM> also provide for example a rotative function that enables an elevator cabin e.g., the elevator cabin <NUM> to switch between elevator shafts and thereby travel in both vertical and horizontal directions.

A connection means <NUM> is comprised at the bottom end of each of the intersecting panels <NUM>. This connection means <NUM> provides a rotation axle <NUM> and is preferably comprised of a bolt or a load measuring bolt or other similar means. The bearing housing <NUM> comprises a connection means <NUM>. The connection means <NUM> provides a middle fixation means <NUM> and is preferably comprised of a bolt or other similar means and curved long hole which helps to enable rotation.

At the top of the intersecting panels <NUM> of the x-carrier in this particular example, the connection means <NUM> is adapted to comprise an auxiliary mechanism <NUM>, wherein said mechanism <NUM> is a camshaft system <NUM>. The camshaft system <NUM> functions as a levelling system, whereby the elevator cabin <NUM> can be tilted any number of degrees to ensure that the sill on the cabin side is at the same level as the sill of the landing side. The camshaft system <NUM> comprises a motor <NUM> for camshaft rotation. The camshaft system <NUM> is secured to the reinforced rear wall <NUM> of the elevator cabin <NUM> allowing for the cabin <NUM> to be tilted as shown by the arrow A in <FIG>.

<FIG> shows an elevator support <NUM> according to a third embodiment of the invention. As in the previously described embodiments, the support <NUM> comprises two elongated panels <NUM> which intersect at their respective centers at point Pi to form an "X" shape. Surrounding the point of intersection Pi is a bearing housing <NUM> which comprises a plurality of working elements <NUM> for example a locking device between a sledge (not shown) and the support <NUM>. The plurality of working elements <NUM> are adapted to facilitate the travelling direction of the elevator car <NUM> along the one or more vertically extending rail. These working elements <NUM> also provide for example a rotative function which enables an elevator cabin e.g., the elevator cabin <NUM> to switch between elevator shafts and thereby travel in both vertical and horizontal directions.

The support <NUM> according to the third embodiment comprises a connection means <NUM> at each end of the intersecting panels <NUM>, wherein said connection means <NUM> is preferably comprised of a bolt or a load measuring bolt or other similar means. The connection means <NUM> is connected to the reinforced rear wall <NUM> of the elevator cabin <NUM>.

An auxiliary mechanism <NUM> is provided which can be optionally connected to the elevator cabin <NUM> at the reinforced rear wall <NUM>. The auxiliary mechanism <NUM> is comprised of a linear actuator arrangement e.g., a linear motor, hydraulic/pneumatic cylinder. This linear actuator arrangement <NUM> functions as a damping system to aid in vibration absorption. The linear actuator arrangement <NUM> can also facilitate cabin levelling.

<FIG> show a schematic representation of how the support10 according to each embodiment of the invention looks when attached to an elevator cabin <NUM>, at the reinforced rear wall <NUM> and reinforced floor structure <NUM>. In <FIG>, the structural outline of a cabin <NUM> is shown. At the point of connection between the cabin <NUM> and the support <NUM> as described in any of the embodiments, a rubber bushing can optionally be added to aid in vibration absorption.

<FIG> show a side view schematic representation of an auxiliary mechanism <NUM> which is located in the elevator shaft <NUM>. In this particular example, the auxiliary mechanism is a locking system <NUM> which also facilitates in the re-leveling of the elevator cabin <NUM>. The locking system <NUM> offers the opportunity to transfer the weight and electrical power necessary for re-leveling from the cabin <NUM> side to the shaft <NUM> side. At the shaft <NUM> side, considerations such as weight and electrical power are less of an issue. The cabin <NUM> is mounted to a support <NUM> according to any embodiment of the invention (shown more clearly in <FIG>). The locking system <NUM> is attached to the shaft <NUM>, in particular to the shaft wall. In <FIG>, the locking system <NUM> is at rest. With reference to <FIG> shows the locking system <NUM> in operation when partially extended. The locking system <NUM> comprises a base body <NUM> which is attached to the shaft wall of shaft <NUM>. An extendable arm <NUM> is comprised within the base body <NUM> which is extended when the locking system <NUM> is in operation (see <FIG>). The base body <NUM> comprises a piston assembly <NUM> comprising a set of extendable pistons <NUM> which also extend when the locking system <NUM> is in operation (see <FIG>). The piston assembly <NUM> is rotatably connected to the base body <NUM> at point connection <NUM>. The extendable arm <NUM> and the extendable pistons <NUM> converge at a ledge <NUM>. The ledge <NUM> is rotatable about connection point <NUM> which connects the extendable pistons <NUM> with the ledge <NUM>. When the ledge <NUM> contacts the reinforced floor <NUM> of the cabin <NUM>, the locking system <NUM> is fully extended and can move the cabin <NUM> in a vertical or horizontal direction, as shown by the arrows X, Y in <FIG>. The operation of the locking system <NUM> is achieved by a motor or additional cylinder system (not shown).

<FIG> shows an alternative locking system <NUM> wherein the base body <NUM> comprises a set of extendable arms <NUM> which converge to a ledge <NUM>. This alternative system <NUM> operates in the same way as the system <NUM> described previously.

<FIG> shows a schematic representation of an elevator car <NUM> comprising an elevator cabin <NUM> and an elevator support <NUM> in an elevator shaft (not shown) having a locking system <NUM>. The locking system <NUM> is in its fully extended position with ledge <NUM> contacting the reinforced floor <NUM> of the elevator cabin <NUM> at both rear corners.

It is to be understood that any suitable:.

Claim 1:
A elevator system having
at least one elevator car (<NUM>),
rails (<NUM>, 22V, 22B) for guiding the elevator car within at least one elevator shaft, wherein the rails define separate travel tracks (<NUM>, 2VL, 2VR), in particular at least two separate vertical travel tracks (2VL, 2VR) and a horizontal travel track (<NUM>),
wherein the elevator system is adapted so that the elevator car (<NUM>) can be transferred from a first travel track to a second travel track,
the elevator car (<NUM>) comprising:
- an elevator cabin (<NUM>) adapted to transport passengers between floors of a building;
- an elevator support (<NUM>) adapted to support the weight of the elevator cabin (<NUM>);
- a driving sledge (<NUM>) with rollers (<NUM>) for interaction with the rails,
wherein the support (<NUM>) connects the cabin with the sledge
and wherein the support (<NUM>) is arranged in parallel to a vertical wall (<NUM>) of the cabin (<NUM>),
wherein the cabin (<NUM>) is connected to the support (<NUM>) in a cantilevered manner, wherein the cabin (<NUM>) is connected to the support (<NUM>), in particular at the upper area (101U) and
at a lower area (<NUM>) of the vertical wall (<NUM>), by connecting means (<NUM>),
characterized in
that the connecting means (<NUM>) are adapted to allow a vertical adjustment of the position of the cabin (<NUM>) relative to the support (<NUM>).