Both-way movable body driving mechanism and elevator using the same

• US 7,178,637 B2
• Filed: 02/14/2002
• Issued: 02/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fujitec Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Fujitec Company Limited
• Inventors: Asano, Takashi, Yamamoto, Kenichi, Harada, Mamoru, Goda, Yosuke
• Primary Examiner(s): Matecki; Kathy
• Assistant Examiner(s): MATTHEWS, TERRELL HOWARD
• Application Number:
  US10/467,161
• Publication Number:
  US 20040050627A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,832 Days
• Field of Search: 187/250, 187/254, 187/255, 187/264, 254/333
• US Class Current: 187/254
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 11/0055 on the counterweight
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 11/008 with hoisting rope or cable operated by frictional engagement with a winding drum or sheave
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 11/0476 with friction gear, e.g. belt linking motor to sheave
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 9/02 actuated mechanically otherwise than by rope or cable
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 9/027 by rope climbing devices

Abstract

The invention provides an elevator apparatus comprising a cage 1 disposed inside a path of upward or downward movement vertically movably, a counterweight 2 vertically movable with the upward or downward movement of the cage 1, and a lift drive mechanism for driving the cage 1 upward or downward. The drive mechanism comprises a sheave 42 disposed inside the path, ropes 3 extending along a route around the sheave 42, and a drive device 5 in engagement with the ropes 3. The drive device 5 comprises a belt transmission provided alongside the ropes 3 and revolvingly movable along the rope extension route, a mechanism for pressing a belt surface of the belt transmission into contact with the ropes 3, and a drive motor for driving the belt transmission. The cage can be driven upward or downward without using any traction sheave, while the cage can be reduced in weight.

Claims

1. A reciprocatingly movable body drive mechanism comprising a tension member in the form of a rope or belt for reciprocatingly driving a reciprocatingly movable body, and a drive device for driving the tension member longitudinally thereof while pressing a specified region of the tension member sideways in contact with the tension member, the tension member being reeved around at least one sheave, and the drive device being in contact with a circular-arc region of the tension member as reeved around the sheave for pressing the circular-arc region against the sheave, wherein the drive device comprises a belt transmission disposed alongside the tension member and revolvingly movable alone a tension member extension route, a pressing mechanism for pressing a belt surface of the belt transmission into contact with the tension member, and a drive motor for driving the belt transmission.

2. An elevator apparatus comprising a reciprocatingly movable body reciprocatingly movably provided in a path of reciprocating movement, and a mechanism for reciprocatingly driving the body, the elevator apparatus being characterized in that the reciprocatingly driving mechanism comprises:

a sheave disposed at a predetermined level,

a tension member in the form of a rope or belt and extending along a path around the sheave, and

a drive device for driving the tension member in engagement therewith by pressing a specified longitudinal region of the tension member sideways, and

the drive device is provided for the tension member as reeved around at least one sheave disposed along the tension member extension route to press a circular-arc region of the tension member against the sheave, wherein the drive device comprises a belt revolvingly movable while being pressed against the circular-arc region of the tension member, a plurality of rollers arranged alone a path of revolving movement of the belt, and a drive motor for rotatingly driving at least one of the rollers.

3. An elevator apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the belt has a grooved portion extending longitudinally of the tension member and in contact with the tension member.

4. An elevator apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the belt comprises a plurality of belt pieces arranged side by side in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the tension member, and each of the belt pieces is in contact with one or a plurality of tension members.

5. An elevator apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the belt has incorporated therein a core having high tension and high strength.

6. An elevator apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the belt has a multilayer structure, and a surface layer in contact with the tension member and made of a material having abrasion resistance.

7. An elevator apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the drive device comprises a mechanism for tensioning the belt.

8. An elevator apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the tensioning mechanism comprises a frame supported so as to be movable toward or away from the sheave, the plurality of rollers being rotatably supported by the frame, and the tension member has one end connected to a free end of the frame.

9. An elevator apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the drive device is provided inside the path of reciprocating movement.

10. An elevator apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the drive device is disposed at each of a plurality of locations along the tension member extension route.