HK1091188B - An elevator belt and an elevator system using the belt - Google Patents

Description

Elevator belt and elevator system using same

Technical Field

This invention relates generally to load bearing members used in elevator systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to an elevator belt assembly having a dedicated groove arrangement.

Background

Elevator systems typically include a car and counterweight that move in a hoistway to transport people and cargo to different platforms, such as within a building. A load bearing member such as a rope or belt typically moves over a set of pulleys and supports the load of the nacelle and counterweight. There are various types of load bearing members used in elevator systems.

One type of load bearing member is a coated steel strip. A typical arrangement includes a plurality of steel cords extending along the length of the belt assembly. A layer of jacket is applied to the cords and forms the outer surface of the belt assembly. Some processes for applying the jacket result in grooves being formed in the surface of the jacket on at least one side of the belt assembly. Some processes also cause distortion or irregularities in the position of the steel cords relative to the outer surface of the jacket along the length of the belt.

For example, fig. 7 shows these two phenomena. As can be seen, the spacing between the outer surface of jacket 200 and cords 210 varies along the length of the belt. As can be appreciated from the figures, the cord 210 is disposed within the jacket even though the cord includes a series of equal length cord segments corresponding to the channel spacing. For illustrative purposes, fig. 7 includes an enlarged typical cord layout. The actual deformation and variation in the position of the cords relative to the outer surface of the jacket may be imperceptible to the naked eye in some examples.

When using a conventional jacket application process, the manner in which the cords are supported during jacket application can cause such distortion in the geometry or configuration of the cords relative to the outer surface of the jacket along the length of the belt.

While these arrangements have proven useful, improvements are still needed. One particular difficulty associated with such belt assemblies is that as the belt moves in the elevator system, the arrangement of grooves and cords in the jacket interact with other system components, such as pulleys, and produce undesirable noise, vibration, or both. For example, the steady state frequency of groove contact with the pulley produces an annoying audible sound when the belt is moving at a constant speed. It is believed that the varying repeating pattern of cord spacing from the outer surface of the jacket contributes to the generation of such noise.

There is a need for an alternative arrangement that minimizes or eliminates the occurrence of vibration or annoying sounds during operation of an elevator system. The present invention addresses this need.

Disclosure of Invention

Generally, the present invention is a belt assembly for use in an elevator system. The belt assembly includes a plurality of cords extending generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the belt. A jacket over the cords includes a plurality of grooves configured and spaced to minimize any annoying audible sounds during elevator operation.

An exemplary belt designed according to this invention includes a plurality of grooves on at least one surface of the outer jacket. Each groove has a plurality of portions that are aligned at an oblique angle relative to the belt axis. Each groove has a transition between adjacent sections. Each groove has a plurality of such transitions, and each transition is at a different longitudinal location on the belt.

In one example, different longitudinal positions of the transition portion are obtained by using different inclination angles for different portions of the groove. Such that the transition portion at different longitudinal positions reduces noise-producing impacts between the belt and the pulley in the elevator system.

Another exemplary belt designed according to this invention includes a plurality of grooves on at least one surface of the outer jacket. Each groove has a plurality of portions that are aligned at an oblique angle relative to the belt axis. The grooves are separated such that adjacent grooves are on opposite sides of a longitudinal position on the belt.

In one example, adjacent grooves are on opposite sides of an imaginary line transverse to the belt axis. Such spacing between trenches avoids any overlap between any portion of one trench and an adjacent trench. Maintaining such a spacing between the grooves reduces the noise-generating energy associated with the impact between the grooves and the pulley as the belt wraps around a portion of the pulley during operation of the elevator system.

In one example, the grooves are longitudinally spaced such that the spacing between the grooves varies along the length of the belt. The different spacing between adjacent grooves eliminates the steady state frequency of the grooves in contact with other system components, which is a major cause of undesirable noise and vibration during elevator operation.

A belt assembly designed according to this invention may include inventive spacing between grooves, inventive angular alignment of groove segments, or a combination of both. The various features and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the currently preferred embodiment. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows.

Drawings

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a portion of an exemplary belt assembly according to an embodiment of this disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of the groove arrangement of the embodiment of FIG. 1, showing selected geometric features;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the encircled portion of FIG. 1 and schematically illustrates an exemplary groove cross-sectional configuration;

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates an alternative groove arrangement;

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a method of making a belt designed according to an embodiment of this invention; and

fig. 7 schematically shows the shape of a typical cord relative to the outer surface of a belt jacket according to the prior art.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 and 2 schematically illustrate a belt assembly 20 designed for use in an elevator system a plurality of cords 22 are aligned generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the belt assembly 20. In one example, the cord 22 is constructed from a plurality of strands of steel wire.

The jacket 24 covers the cords 22. the jacket 24 preferably comprises a polyurethane-based material. A variety of such materials are commercially available and are known in the art for use in elevator belt assemblies. Those skilled in the art will be able to select an appropriate jacket material to suit the needs of their particular situation in light of the given description.

The outer jacket 24 defines an outer length L, a width W, and a thickness t of the belt assembly 20. In one example, the width W of the belt assembly is 60 millimeters, the thickness t is 3 millimeters, and the length L is determined by the particular system in which the belt will be installed. In the same example, the diameter of the cord 22 is 1.65 millimeters. In this example, there are 24 ropes. The cord 22 preferably runs along the entire length L of the assembly.

The outer cover 24 includes a plurality of grooves 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 and 42 on at least one side of the outer cover 24. In the example shown, the grooves extend across the entire width of the belt assembly.

The grooves are formed by certain manufacturing processes, many of which are well known in the art, that are suitable for forming the belt assembly 20. As best appreciated from fig. 2, the grooves extend between the outer surface of the jacket 24 and the surface of the cord 22 facing the same outer surface of the jacket.

Referring to fig. 1 and 3, this exemplary embodiment has a generally W-shaped channel. Each groove includes portions that are aligned at an oblique angle relative to the longitudinal axis 48 of the belt. Taking the groove 34 as an example, the first portion 50 extends in a first longitudinal direction at an oblique angle a. The second portion 52 extends in the opposite longitudinal direction at an oblique angle a. The third portion 54 extends in the same direction as the first portion 50, but at a second oblique angle B. The fourth portion 56 extends in the opposite longitudinal direction at a second oblique angle B.

In one example, angle A is approximately 50⁰. In the same example, angle B is about 53.5⁰. The use of different angles of inclination for different parts of the groove allows critical positioning of the transition between the obliquely aligned parts.

For example, the trough 34 in FIG. 3 has a first transition portion 60, a second transition portion 62, and a third transition portion 64. Each transition portion connects two adjacent beveled portions of the groove. Because the first angle of inclination a is different from the second angle of inclination B, the longitudinal position of the transition portion 60 is different from the longitudinal position of the transition portion 64. As used herein, "longitudinal position" refers to a position on the belt along the length of the belt (i.e., in a direction parallel to axis 48).

For example, the distance between line 70 and transition portion 60, which runs transverse to belt axis 48 across the width of the belt, is different than the distance between line 70 and transition portion 64. In this example, the transition portion 60 is closer to the line 70 than the transition portion 64 because the angle a is smaller than the angle B. The line 70 is given for discussion purposes and does not represent a true line on the belt.

Maintaining the transition portion at a different longitudinal position effectively changes the phase of the two halves of the groove. Having the transition portions out of phase tends to cancel the energy associated with the contact between the transition portions and the pulley. Thus, the inventive arrangement reduces vibration and noise in the elevator system.

As shown in the illustrative example, the transition portions are essentially peaks along the trench. In this example, each transition portion is curved. Having a curved transition portion between the beveled portions of the grooves extending in opposite directions reduces the shock and noise generating impact energy of contacting pulleys associated with the grooves in an elevator system.

As can be appreciated from fig. 3, in the illustrated example, the portions 50, 52, 54 and 56 are straight lines over most of their length. The straight portions are aligned at the selected angle of inclination or declination, which depends on the desired groove configuration. The present invention is not limited to belts with grooves that are linear in nature. In one example, the portions are curved, at least to some extent, and a tangent line associated with such curved portions preferably has a selected angle of inclination relative to the belt axis.

In the example of fig. 3, the spacing 72 between adjacent trenches (i.e., between trenches 32 and 34, between trenches 34 and 36, and between trenches 36 and 38, respectively) is selected so that there is no overlap between any portion of any adjacent trench. Line 70 is contemplated to represent one longitudinal location on belt 20 with grooves 36 and 38 on opposite sides of line 70. Thus, there is no overlap between any portion of the groove 36 and any portion of the groove 38. Keeping the entire groove 36 longitudinally separate from the entire groove 38 reduces the energy associated with shock and noise generation associated with impact between the groove and the pulley during operation of the elevator system.

The spaces 72 between the grooves preferably prevent any overlap between adjacent grooves along the entire length of the belt. In some examples, the spacing 72 may be uniform along the entire length of the belt. In other examples, the spacing 72 may vary between the grooves in a selected manner, as will be described below.

Belts designed in accordance with the present invention may include additional vibration and noise reducing features, in addition to the different longitudinal locations of the transition portions and the absence of any longitudinal overlap between adjacent grooves. For example, fig. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the groove configuration wherein a rounded edge or fillet 74 is included at the interface between the groove and the outer surface of the outer sleeve 24. The use of such rounded edges 74 reduces the energy of vibration and noise generation associated with the impact between the grooves and the surface of the pulley in an elevator system. In this example, the radius of curvature of the rounded corners 74 is in the range from about 0.05 to about 0.15 millimeters.

In the example of fig. 4, the side walls 76 of the groove 38 extend from the outer surface of the jacket 24 to the bottom 78 of the groove, which is directly adjacent the surface of the cord 22. In this example, the intersection between the side wall 76 and the bottom 78 includes rounded surfaces having the same radius of curvature as the rounded corners 74.

In one example, a radius of curvature of 0.1 mm is used for the fillet 74 and the transition between the sidewall and the bottom 78. One exemplary arrangement angles the side wall 76 at an angle C of about 30⁰And (4) arranging. One exemplary height of the trench is 0.7 millimeters and one exemplary width S of the trench is 0.7 millimeters.

The configuration of the grooves in some examples is determined by the shape of the cord supports used in the belt manufacturing process. Those skilled in the art who have the benefit of this description will be able to select from commercially available materials for making the jacket on an elevator belt and to construct manufacturing equipment or other channel forming equipment to achieve a desired channel profile to meet the needs of their particular situation.

Fig. 5 illustrates another exemplary belt 20 designed in accordance with this invention. In this example, each groove has only two grooves 80 and 82 running in opposite longitudinal directions but at the same angle of inclination a. A single transition portion 84 connects portions 80 and 82. In this example, both portions 80 and 82 extend at the same angle A, and the transition portion 84 is aligned at a centerline 85 that coincides with the longitudinal axis of the belt. Of course, other configurations are within the scope of the present invention.

In this example, the spacing 86 between adjacent grooves is selected such that adjacent grooves are on opposite sides of one longitudinal position on the belt 20. For example, line 88 represents a longitudinal position, which is perpendicular to the axis 85 of the belt. In one example, such a line may be drawn between each set of adjacent grooves, and there is no overlap between the grooves in the longitudinal direction, since each groove is on opposite sides of such a line. Arranging the grooves to avoid longitudinal overlap reduces the energy associated with an impact between the grooves and the surface of the pulley in an elevator system.

In one example, an embodiment such as that shown in FIG. 5 is used for a belt having a width W of about 30 millimeters, while a belt such as the configuration shown in FIG. 3 is used for a belt having a width W of about 60 millimeters. The choice of belt width depends in part on the anticipated operating load of the elevator system in which the belt will be used.

Fig. 6 schematically illustrates one exemplary method of making an elevator belt designed according to this invention. For example, a 60 mm wide belt 90 having a grooved configuration as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 3 is cut in half along the longitudinal axis of the belt using a cutting station 92. Two belts 94 and 96 are formed having a configuration such as that shown in fig. 5. This method for making elevator belts contemplates that the same manufacturing equipment can be used to produce belts having widths of 60 mm and 30 mm, for example.

An exemplary elevator system including a belt designed according to this invention includes a plurality of parallel belts that move simultaneously on pulleys. The multiple belts in this example include groove portions with oblique angles, with different angles for at least two groove portions in the belt. Having different angles of inclination on the belts provides the benefit of maintaining the transition on one belt at a different longitudinal position than the transition on the other belt. Such longitudinal positioning effectively changes the phase of at least two belts having different inclination angles. Having the transition portions out of phase allows the energy associated with contact between the transition portion and the pulley on one belt to effectively cancel the energy associated with such contact between the pulley and the other belt.

In one example, each belt has a groove portion that slopes at a different angle of inclination than the other belts. In another example, the same angle of inclination is used on the belts, however, the belts are aligned relative to each other in the system such that the groove transition on one belt is at a different longitudinal position than the groove transition on at least one other belt.

An additional vibration and noise reduction feature of belts designed according to certain exemplary embodiments of this invention includes having the grooves be spaced apart by different distances, thereby having different spacings between different grooves. For example, referring to fig. 2, a first spacing 144 separates a trench 30 from an adjacent trench 32. A different gap 146 separates a trench 32 from an adjacent trench 34. Similarly, at least some of the intervals 148, 150, 152, and 154 differ in size.

It is not necessary that all of the illustrated spacings be different, however, it is preferred that at least several different spacings be provided along the length of the belt assembly. In practice, a repeating pattern at various intervals will typically extend along the entire length of the belt assembly 20. The pattern of different intervals will be repeated at different intervals depending on the characteristics of the belt assembly and the characteristics of the equipment used to form and apply the jacket 24. Preferably, the interval of pattern repetition is as large as the manufacturing equipment allows. In one example, there is a selected pattern of different spacing that repeats approximately every 50 grooves or every two meters of belt length. The spacing between adjacent grooves is chosen to be variable and non-periodic within every two meter segment.

In one exemplary embodiment, the spacing between the grooves is selected to be 13.35 millimeters, 12.7 millimeters, and 11.8 millimeters. Such spacing is preferably used in a non-periodic, non-repeating pattern over the length of the belt comprising about 50 grooves. In one example, the pattern determined by the belt manufacturing equipment repeats after every 47 th groove. In another exemplary embodiment, the spacing is selected to be from 11.2 millimeters, 12.1 millimeters to 12.7 millimeters. Those skilled in the art who have the benefit of this description will be able to select an appropriate trench spacing to achieve the desired degree of smoothness and quietness to meet the needs of their particular situation.

In one example, modeling is used to determine the selected space size and pattern. The effect of the trench is characterized by approximating the input perturbation energy with a complex waveform. The complex waveform in one example is determined by sampling belt performance and extending an applicable function corresponding to the sampled belt behavior. Each cord (i.e., each belt segment between adjacent grooves) includes this input function. The functions are summed on the basis of the relative phase of the ropes. The total energy is the sum of the contributions of each rope. Thus, the phase of the rope (i.e., the spacing between the grooves) determines the total energy magnitude. A fast Fourier analysis (Fourier) evaluates the relative total energy level caused by the belt.

By varying the spacing between adjacent grooves, the noise component generated by the belt assembly contacting other elevator system components, such as pulleys, during system operation is spread out over a relatively wide frequency range. Thus, noise at steady state frequencies is avoided, which eliminates the possibility of annoying sounds being audible.

In addition to varying the spacing between the grooves, the device of the invention also offers the possibility of varying the length of the "segments" of rope, which results from certain manufacturing techniques (however, these techniques are not necessarily included in the device of the invention). A belt assembly designed according to this invention may include a series of cord segments along which the distance between the cord and the outer surface of the jacket varies. The ends of the rope segments coincide with the position of the grooves. Varying the spacing of the grooves also varies the length of the segments and thus the geometric pattern of the cord segments relative to the outer surface of the jacket. One example uses the techniques of the present invention, with the length of the cord segment varying along the length of the belt.

Because the cord segments extending between adjacent grooves are of different lengths, the pattern of the cords relative to the outer surface of the jacket is a non-periodic repeating geometric pattern. By varying the length of the cord segments (i.e., varying the spacing between similarly positioned deformations of the cord relative to the outer surface of the jacket), any contribution to noise and vibration caused by the cord geometry is reduced or eliminated. By eliminating the periodic nature of the rope shape, the present invention provides a significant advantage for reducing the generation of vibration and noise during elevator system operation.

The preceding description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed examples may become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not necessarily depart from the essence of this invention. The scope of legal protection given to this invention can only be determined by studying the following claims.

Claims (22)

1. An elevator belt for supporting weight associated with a car and at least partially wrapped around a pulley that moves to move the car, the belt comprising:

a plurality of ropes aligned generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the belt, the ropes adapted to support the weight associated with the car; and

an outer jacket on the cord, the jacket including a plurality of grooves on at least one surface of the jacket, the jacket adapted to contact the pulley, each groove having a plurality of angled portions inclined relative to the belt axis, the grooves being spaced such that adjacent grooves are on opposite sides of a longitudinal location on the belt.

2. The belt of claim 1, wherein the belt has a width extending in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis between one side edge on the belt and an opposite side edge on the belt, each groove extending across the entire width.

3. The belt of claim 1, wherein said longitudinal position extends along a line transverse to said longitudinal axis.

4. The belt of claim 1, wherein each portion of each groove is on an opposite side of the longitudinal position from each portion of each adjacent groove.

5. The belt of claim 1, wherein each portion of each groove is at the same angle of inclination.

6. The belt of claim 1, wherein at least a first portion is at a first angle of inclination and at least a second portion is at a second angle of inclination.

7. The belt of claim 6, wherein each groove has a transition between adjacent portions, wherein at least two of the transitions are at different longitudinal locations of the belt.

8. The belt of claim 6, wherein each groove includes a first portion extending longitudinally at a first oblique angle, a second portion adjacent the first portion extending longitudinally in an opposite direction at the first oblique angle, a third portion adjacent the second portion extending longitudinally in an opposite direction from the second portion at a second oblique angle, and a fourth portion adjacent the third portion extending longitudinally in an opposite direction from the third portion at the second oblique angle.

9. The belt of claim 8, comprising a transition between each adjacent segment, and wherein each transition is at a different longitudinal position than the other transitions.

10. The belt of claim 1, wherein each groove has transitions between adjacent portions, the transitions being curved.

11. An elevator belt, comprising:

a plurality of cords aligned generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the belt; and

a jacket over the cord, the jacket including a plurality of grooves on at least one surface of the jacket, each groove having a plurality of portions angled obliquely relative to the axis of the belt and having a transition portion between adjacent portions, each groove having a plurality of transition portions at different longitudinal locations on the belt.

12. The belt as in claim 11, wherein at least a first portion is at a first angle of inclination and at least a second portion is at a second angle of inclination.

13. The belt of claim 12, wherein each groove comprises a first portion extending longitudinally at a first oblique angle, a second portion adjacent the first portion extending longitudinally in an opposite direction at the first oblique angle, a third portion adjacent the second portion extending longitudinally in an opposite direction from the second portion at a second oblique angle, and a fourth portion adjacent the third portion extending longitudinally in an opposite direction from the third portion at the second oblique angle.

14. The belt as in claim 11, wherein the transition portion is curved.

15. The belt of claim 11, wherein the belt has a width extending in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis between one side edge on the belt and an opposite side edge on the belt, each groove extending across the entire width.

16. The belt as in claim 11, wherein the grooves are spaced such that adjacent grooves are on opposite sides of a longitudinal location on the belt.

17. An elevator system, comprising:

a car movable in a selected vertical direction;

at least one pulley; and

a plurality of belts at least partially wrapped around the pulleys and moving relative to the pulleys as the car moves in a selected direction, each belt having a plurality of cords aligned generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the belt, and an outer jacket over the cords, the outer jacket including a plurality of grooves on at least one surface of the jacket, each groove having a plurality of portions at an oblique angle relative to the belt axis, each groove having at least one transition between adjacent portions, the transition on a first one of the belts being at a different longitudinal position than the transition on a second one of the belts.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the angle of inclination of the portion on the first belt is different from the angle of inclination on the second belt.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein each groove on the first belt comprises a first portion extending longitudinally at a first oblique angle, a second portion adjacent the first portion extending longitudinally in an opposite direction at the first oblique angle, and each groove on the second belt comprises a third portion extending longitudinally in an opposite direction from the second portion at a second oblique angle, and a fourth portion adjacent the third portion extending longitudinally in an opposite direction from the third portion at the second oblique angle.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the transition portion on at least one of the belts is curved.

21. The system of claim 17, wherein the grooves on at least one of the belts are spaced such that adjacent grooves are on opposite sides of a longitudinal location between adjacent grooves.

22. The belt of claim 21, wherein each portion of each groove is on an opposite side of the longitudinal position from each portion of each adjacent groove.