HK1181024B - Elevator suspension and/or driving assembly having at least one traction surface defined by weave fibers - Google Patents

Description

Elevator suspension and/or drive assembly having at least one traction surface defined by woven fibers

Background

There are various uses for elongate load carrying members such as round ropes or flat belts. One such use is to suspend a load in an elevator system and known load carrying members are used for driving/propulsion in an elevator system. Round steel roping has been approved by the industry for many years. More recently, flat belts including a plurality of tension member cords substantially retained in a jacket have been used in elevator systems. Despite the advantages associated with such belts in elevator systems, challenges also exist.

For example, one challenge presented by certain elevator belts is achieving a desired amount of traction between the belt and the traction sheave, which results in belt movement and thus elevator car movement. Different approaches have been proposed to achieve specific traction characteristics on the surface of the elevator belt. One method is shown in published international application WO 2005/094255. In that document, the jacket includes a roughened surface to provide the desired friction characteristics.

Disclosure of Invention

An exemplary elongated elevator load bearing member includes a plurality of tension elements. A plurality of weave fibers transverse to the tension elements are woven with the tension elements. The woven fibers define at least one traction surface of the load bearing member.

An exemplary method of manufacturing an elongated load bearing member includes providing a plurality of tension elements. A plurality of weave fibers are woven with the tension elements to thereby establish a weave. The traction surface is established on at least one side of the load bearing member. The traction surface is defined by woven fibers.

Various features and advantages of the disclosed examples will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows.

Drawings

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates selected portions of an example elevator system.

FIG. 2 diagrammatically illustrates an example load bearing member having a traction surface defined by weave fibers woven with tension elements.

Fig. 3 schematically illustrates one example weave pattern defining a correspondingly configured traction surface.

Fig. 4 schematically illustrates another example weave pattern defining a correspondingly configured traction surface.

Fig. 5 schematically illustrates another example weave pattern to create a correspondingly configured traction surface.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of another example load bearing member.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates selected portions of an example traction elevator system 20. The examples are shown for discussion purposes only. Features of the elevator system 20 (e.g., guide rails, safeties, etc.) not necessary for an understanding of the present invention are not shown or discussed. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be used with a variety of elevator system configurations and is not limited to the specific example shown in this figure. This example includes an elevator car 22 that is supported by one or more elongated elevator load bearing members 30 in a ratio of 1: 1 roping arrangement to couple with the counterweight 24. Such as 2: other roping arrangements of 1 or more are possible. The weight of the elevator car 22 and counterweight 24 is suspended by an elongated elevator load bearing member 30. The traction sheave 31A causes desired movement of the elongated elevator load bearing member 30 to achieve desired movement and placement of the elevator car 22 within the hoistway. The elevator system 20 may include: one or more deflector sheaves 31B as shown in fig. 1 that also engage the elongated elevator load bearing member 30; or one or more idler or diverting pulleys (e.g., to provide an over-hung or under-hung roping arrangement) on the car 22 and/or counterweight 24 that also engage the elongated elevator load bearing member 30.

Fig. 2 illustrates an example elongated elevator load bearing member 30. This example includes a plurality of tension elements 32. As can be appreciated from the figures, the tension elements 32 are arranged generally parallel to each other and extend in a longitudinal direction establishing a length dimension of the elongated elevator load bearing member 30. A plurality of weave fibers 34 are woven with the tension elements 32. In this example, the weave fibers 34 and the tension elements 32 are woven together to be a fabric that maintains the tension elements 32 in a desired orientation relative to each other. In other words, the weave fibers 34 generally hold the tension elements 32 in place. The phrase "substantially retained" means that the weave fibers 34 sufficiently engage the tension elements 32 such that the tension elements 32 do not pull out of the weave fibers 34 or move relative to the weave fibers 34 in use (e.g., during application of a load to the elongated elevator load bearing member 30 that may be encountered during use in an elevator system 20 with an additional safety factor). The weave fibers 34 have a length transverse to the length or longitudinal direction of the tension elements 32.

The example load bearing member 30 includes a traction surface 36 on at least one side of the load bearing member 30. The traction surface 36 is defined by the weave fibers 34. In this depiction, having the traction surface 36 defined by the weave fibers 34 includes: the weave fibers are exposed at the traction surface 36, the coating over the weave fibers 34 has a surface topography defined by the presence of the weave fibers 34, or a combination of these.

The tension elements 32 are the primary load bearing structure of the elevator load bearing member 30. In some examples, the woven fibers 34 do not support the weight of the elevator car 22 or the counterweight 24. However, the weave fibers 34 form part of the load path. The woven fibers transfer the traction between the traction sheave 31 and the elevator load bearing member 30 to the tension elements 32. In some examples, this traction transfer is direct (e.g., when the braided fibers 34 are exposed at the traction surface 36) or indirect (e.g., when the braided fibers 34 are covered and the coating establishes the exterior of the traction surface 36).

The weave fibers 34 are arranged in a pattern relative to the tension elements 32 such that the spacing between the traction surface 36 and the tension elements 32 prevents the tension elements 32 from contacting any member with which the traction surface 36 engages. For example, when the load bearing member 30 wraps at least partially around the tensioning sheave 32, the tensioning element 32 will not contact the surface on the traction sheave 31. The size of the weave fibers 34, the material of the weave fibers 34, the pattern of the weave fibers 34, or a combination of these are selected to ensure a desired spacing between the tension elements 32 and the traction surface 36 so that the tension elements 32 are protected from engagement with components such as the traction sheave 31.

In one example, the coating over the weave fibers 34 ensures that the tension elements 32 are sufficiently spaced from the traction surface 36 so that the tension elements 32 will not directly engage or become in contact with another component in the elevator system 20, such as a surface on the traction sheave or another sheave. In this example, the outer surface of the coating is a traction surface 36.

In one example, the tension elements 32 comprise a first material and the weave fibers 34 comprise a second, different material. In the illustrated example, the weave fibers 34 have a much smaller thickness or cross-sectional dimension than the thickness or cross-sectional dimension of the tension elements 32. In one example, the tension elements 32 are metallic, such as drawn steel, and the weave fibers 34 comprise a non-metallic material, such as a polymer, for example.

In certain examples, the weave fibers 34 comprise or include an elastomeric material useful for establishing the traction surface 36. One example includes establishing a woven fiber 34 of the desired material and then covering the fiber with an elastomeric material. Another example includes creating a woven fabric that includes tension elements 32 and weave fibers 34; and then at least partially covering at least the weave fibers 34 with a selected elastomeric material. Another example includes making each of the braided fibers 34 from a plurality of filaments; and includes filaments of a selected elastomeric material within each of the weave fibers 34. Another example includes impregnating the weave fibers 34 with a selected elastomeric material.

One example elastomeric material includes urethane (urethane). Thermoplastic polyurethane is used on one example.

Various different weave patterns may be used to weave the weave fibers 34 and tension elements 32 together. Fig. 3 shows one such example pattern of woven fibers 34. In this example, the weave fibers 34 are aligned generally parallel to each other and generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the tension elements 32. Fig. 3 is not intended to illustrate a complete woven fabric or a complete load bearing member 30. In contrast, fig. 3 is intended to illustrate the weave pattern of the weave fibers 34.

In an example weave pattern like that of fig. 2 and 3, the traction surface 36 may have a non-continuous or non-planar surface texture. As can be appreciated from the drawings, the plurality of ridges will be generally parallel to each other and transverse to the longitudinal direction or length of the load bearing member. In other words, the weave fibers 34 establish ridges on the traction surface.

Fig. 4 schematically illustrates another example weave pattern. In this example, some of the weave fibers 34a are arranged generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction or length of the tension elements 32. The other of the weave fibers 34b is arranged generally parallel to the tension elements 32 and generally perpendicular to the weave fibers 34 a. As can be appreciated by comparing fig. 4 with fig. 3, the example weave pattern of fig. 4 will have slightly different characteristics on the traction surface 36 when the weave fibers 34b are included in a position between the tension elements 32 and the traction surface 36. In another example, the weave fibers 34b are maintained only between the tension elements 32 and have no effect on the shape or texture of the traction surface 36.

Fig. 5 shows another example weave pattern in which some of the weave fibers 34a are arranged parallel to each other and at a first angle relative to the tension elements 32. The other of the weave fibers 34b are arranged generally parallel to each other and at a second, different angle relative to the length or longitudinal direction of the tension element 32. As can be appreciated from the figures, a woven fabric utilizing the weave pattern of fig. 5 will have a different traction surface texture or configuration, for example, as compared to a woven fabric established by the weave pattern of fig. 3 or 4.

In any of the examples of fig. 3-5, a relatively thin coating may be applied on top of the woven fabric in such a way that the weave pattern of the weave fibers 34 affects or defines a contour or texture on the traction surface 36 even though the weave fibers 34 are completely covered with another material. In other words, any of the weave fibers 34 need not be exposed at the traction surface 36 such that they define the contour or texture of the traction surface 36.

Fig. 6 illustrates another example configuration of an elongated elevator load bearing member 30. In this example, the material 37 is provided over at least one side of a woven fabric that includes the tension elements 32 and the weave fibers 34 to form a jacket 38. In this example, the weave fibers 34a define a traction surface 36 on one side of the load bearing member 30 and the jacket 38 defines another surface 40 on the opposite side of the load bearing member 30. In some examples, surface 40 will contact one or more sheaves in the elevator system 20, but the traction surface 36 is oriented to contact the traction sheave 31 to achieve the desired friction characteristics or traction between the load bearing assembly 30 and the traction sheave 31. Material 37 may be, for example, a suitable non-metallic, polymeric material, such as an elastomer, e.g., urethane including thermoplastic polyurethane.

In one example, the material 37 used to build the jacket 38 also provides a coating over the woven fibers 34 such that the jacket material is also present on the traction surface 36. The topography or texture of the traction surface 36 is still at least partially defined by the weave fibers 34.

In the example of fig. 6, the weave fibers 34b are disposed between the tension elements 32 and have no effect on the traction surface 36. In another example, the additional weave fibers are configured generally parallel to the weave fibers 34b and closer to the top of the tension elements 32 (according to the drawing) such that they will have an effect on the configuration or texture of the traction surface 36.

The disclosed examples provide a woven fabric as a foundation for an elevator load bearing member. They also provide the ability to construct traction surfaces based on the characteristics and arrangement of the weave fibers that weave together with the tension elements.

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 (20)

1. An elongated elevator load bearing member of a traction elevator system, comprising:

a plurality of tension elements;

a plurality of weave fibers transverse to and woven with the tension elements, the weave fibers defining at least one traction surface of the load bearing member; and

a material provided over at least one side of the tension elements and the braided fibers to form a jacket;

the braided fibers define the traction surface on one side of the load bearing member and the jacket defines another surface on an opposite side of the load bearing member.

2. The elongated elevator load bearing member of claim 1, wherein the weave fibers establish a spacing between the traction surface and the tension element that prevents the tension element from contacting a component to which the traction surface engages.

3. The elongated elevator load bearing member of claim 2, wherein the weave fibers are arranged in a pattern comprising a predetermined spacing between the weave fibers in a direction parallel to a length of the tension element.

4. The elongated elevator load bearing member of claim 2, wherein the weave fibers are arranged in a pattern including some of the weave fibers aligned generally parallel to each other and at a first angle relative to the tension element and others of the weave fibers aligned generally parallel to each other and at a second, different angle relative to the tension element.

5. The elongated elevator load bearing member of claim 1, wherein the tension elements comprise a first material and the weave fibers comprise a second, different material.

6. The elongated elevator load bearing member of claim 5, wherein the tension elements comprise metal and the weave fibers are non-metallic.

7. The elongated elevator load bearing member of claim 1, wherein the weave fibers comprise an elastomeric material.

8. The elongated elevator load bearing member of claim 7, wherein the weave fibers comprise elastomeric fibers.

9. The elongated elevator load bearing member of claim 1, wherein the weave fibers are at least partially covered with the material.

10. The elongated elevator load bearing member of claim 1, wherein the material provides a coating over the weave fibers, the coating having an exterior surface texture at least partially defined by the weave fibers.

11. A method of making an elongated elevator load bearing member of a traction elevator system, comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of tensioning elements;

braiding a plurality of braided fibers with the tension elements; and is

Establishing a traction surface on at least one side of the load bearing member, the traction surface being defined by the woven fibers;

providing a material over at least one side of the tension elements and the weave fibers to form a jacket;

establishing another surface from the jacket material on a side of the load bearing member opposite the at least one side having the traction surface.

12. The method of claim 11, comprising: the traction surface is established when the weave fibers and the tension elements are woven together.

13. The method of claim 11, comprising: after braiding the braided fibers and the tensioning elements together, the traction surface is established by applying a coating to at least the braided fibers.

14. The method of claim 11, comprising: establishing a spacing between the tension element and the traction surface with the weave fibers.

15. The method of claim 14, comprising: the weave fibers are arranged in a pattern that inhibits the tension elements from contacting a member engaged by the traction surface.

16. The method of claim 11, comprising: an elastomeric material is included on the traction surface.

17. The method of claim 16, comprising: fibers of elastomeric material are included in the woven fibers.

18. The method of claim 11, comprising: at least partially covering the woven fibers with the jacket material.

19. The method of claim 11, comprising:

arranging some of the weave fibers generally parallel to each other and at a first angle relative to the tension elements; and is

Arranging others of the weave fibers generally parallel to each other and at a second, different angle relative to the tension elements.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein the tension elements comprise a first material and the weave fibers comprise a second, different material.