Patent ID: 12187581

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Now, an embodiment is described with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment

FIG.1is a schematic configuration view for illustrating an elevator according to a first embodiment. InFIG.1, a machine room2is provided in an upper part of a hoistway1. An elevator hoisting machine3and a deflector sheave6are installed in the machine room2.

The elevator hoisting machine3includes a hoisting machine main body4and a driving sheave5. The hoisting machine main body4includes a hoisting machine motor and a hoisting machine brake. The hoisting machine motor rotates the driving sheave5. The hoisting machine brake holds the driving sheave5in a stationary state. Further, the hoisting machine brake brakes rotation of the driving sheave5.

Suspension bodies7are wound around the driving sheave5and the deflector sheave6. A plurality of ropes or a plurality of belts are used as the suspension bodies7. A car8serving as a vertically movable body is connected to a first end portion of the suspension bodies7. A counterweight9serving as a vertically movable body is connected to a second end portion of the suspension bodies7.

The car8and the counterweight9are suspended by the suspension bodies7in the hoistway1. Further, the car8and the counterweight9are vertically moved in the hoistway1through rotation of the driving sheave5.

A guide rail device10is provided in the hoistway1. The guide rail device10includes a plurality of guide rail main bodies11. The plurality of guide rail main bodies11include a pair of car guide rail main bodies and a pair of counterweight guide rail main bodies.

The pair of car guide rail main bodies are configured to guide vertical movement of the car8. The pair of counterweight guide rail main bodies are configured to guide vertical movement of the counterweight9.

A plurality of car guide shoes8aare provided to the car8. When the car8is vertically moved, each of the car guide shoes8ais moved in contact with a corresponding one of the car guide rail main bodies.

A plurality of counterweight guide shoes9aare provided to the counterweight9. When the counterweight9is vertically moved, each of the counterweight guide shoes9ais moved in contact with a corresponding one of the counterweight guide rail main bodies.

FIG.2is a partially enlarged side view of the guide rail main body11ofFIG.1.FIG.3is a front view for illustrating a main part ofFIG.2. Each of the guide rail main bodies11includes a plurality of rail members12that are joined together in an up-and-down direction.

Although not shown inFIG.1, the guide rail device10further includes a plurality of fishplates13and a plurality of fixing bodies14in addition to the plurality of guide rail main bodies11.

Each of the fishplates13couples two of the plurality of rail members12, which are adjacent to each other in the up-and-down direction. Each of the fishplates13is fixed to two rail members12by a plurality of bolts (not shown).

The fixing bodies14fix the guide rail main body11to a building. Specifically, each of the guide rail main bodies11is installed in the hoistway1through intermediation of the plurality of fixing bodies14.

The hoistway1according to the first embodiment has a flexible structure. Thus, each of the fixing bodies14is fixed to a corresponding one of building beams20.

Each of the fixing bodies14includes a base plate15, a rail bracket16, and a pair of rail clips17.

The base plate15is fixed to the building beam20by, for example, welding. The rail bracket16is fixed to the base plate15by, for example, welding.

The guide rail main body11is sandwiched between the pair of rail clips17and the rail bracket16in each of the fixing bodies14. Specifically, the guide rail main body11is fixed to the rail bracket16by the pair of rail clips17in each of the fixing bodies14.

FIG.4is an explanatory view for illustrating moment generated in the guide rail device10according to the first embodiment. InFIG.4, a model of the guide rail device10is illustrated in an upper part, and moment is illustrated in a lower part. Further, a right-and-left direction inFIG.4corresponds to a vertical direction.

In the model of the guide rail device10, the guide rail main body11is represented by a straight line. Further, a position of each of the fishplates13, that is, a boundary between two adjacent rail members12is represented by a straight line that is orthogonal to the guide rail main body11. Further, a position of each of the fixing bodies14, that is, a position at which the guide rail main body11is fixed by each of the fixing bodies14is represented by a triangle.

In the lower part ofFIG.4, there is illustrated a magnitude of moment generated when an external force of a magnitude P acts on a center of the guide rail main body11in the vertical direction. Further, a horizontal axis represents a position “x” in the vertical direction, and a vertical axis represent a magnitude M of moment.

In this case, when one of the plurality of fishplates13is set as a target fishplate, the fixing body14that is the closest to the target fishplate is referred to as “first fixing body” and the fixing body14that is the second closest to the target fishplate is referred to as “second fixing body”. Further, a distance between a position of the first fixing body and a position of the second fixing body in the vertical direction is referred to as “rail fixing distance L”.

Further, a distance from the position of the first fixing body to the target fishplate is represented by “a”. Further, a ratio of the distance “a” to the rail fixing distance L is referred to as “fishplate position ratio “k””. Specifically, k=a/L is satisfied.

In this case, the magnitude M of moment can be expressed as: M=C (k)×PL. In this expression, a coefficient C (k) is a function of “k” and is a dimensionless number. The value PL is uniquely determined by specifications of the elevator, and thus PL cannot be made smaller. However, when the coefficient C (k) is decreased as much as possible, the magnitude M of moment can be reduced.

A domain of definition of the fishplate position ratio “k” is expressed as: 0.1≤k≤0.5. Thus, when the coefficient C(k) is graphed,FIG.5is obtained. It is understood fromFIG.5that, when the fishplate position ratio “k”≈¼=0.25 is satisfied, the coefficient C(k) is minimized.

When the fishplate position ratio “k” is set to ¼ for every rail fixing distance L, for example, working efficiency in installation of the guide rail main body11and a degree of freedom in length of the rail member12are undermined. Thus, in view of practical aspects, it is suitable to set the fishplate position ratio “k” so as to satisfy: k≤⅓, as illustrated inFIG.6.

As described above, in the guide rail device10according to the first embodiment, the distance from the position of the first fixing body to the position of the target fishplate in the vertical direction is set to one-third or less of the rail fixing distance L. In other words, the length of each of the rail members12is set so as to satisfy: fishplate position ratio “k”≤⅓.

Thus, even when the hoistway1has a flexible structure, moment acting on each of the fishplates13can be suppressed. As a result, a shift of each of the fishplates13, which may be caused by an external force, can be suppressed, and riding comfort performance of the elevator can be maintained.

Further, the use of special bolts or a special surface treatment on each of joint surfaces of the rail members12and the fishplate13is not required to frictionally join the fish plate13to the rail members12. Accordingly, material cost, manufacture cost, and installation cost can be reduced.

Further, when the distance from the position of the first fixing body to the position of the target fishplate in the vertical direction is set to one-quarter of the rail fixing distance L, the moment acting on each of the fishplates13can be more reliably suppressed.

The number of fishplates13and the number of fixing bodies14for each of the guide rail main bodies11can be suitably changed depending on an elevator.

Further, the type of elevator is not limited to that illustrated inFIG.1. For example, a 2:1 roping elevator may be used.

Further, the elevator may be, for example, a machine room-less elevator, a double-deck elevator, and a one-shaft multi-car system elevator. The one-shaft multi-car system is a system in which an upper car and a lower car arranged directly below the upper car are vertically moved in the common hoistway independently.