HK1184771B - Method for modernizing an elevator - Google Patents

Description

Method for modernizing an elevator

This non-provisional application claims priority from U.S. provisional application No.61/393,501 filed 2010, 10, 15, in accordance with 35u.s.c. § 119(e), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Technical Field

The object of the invention is a method for modernizing an elevator, preferably an elevator suitable for transporting passengers and/or goods.

Background

The old and old elevators in old buildings have traditionally been traction sheave elevators provided with a counterweight, in which the suspension ratio is usually 1: 1, and which comprise a geared hoisting machine arranged in a machine room above the elevator shaft. When an old elevator is modernized, its components are replaced with new ones and the rope suspension can be replaced. The hoisting machine is usually exchanged for a gearless hoisting machine, because gearless machines are cheaper and smaller in size than machines with gears. When a new gearless hoisting machine is installed in an old elevator, the 1: 1 suspension ratio must also normally be replaced by a 2: 1 suspension ratio. In this case, problems may arise due to the need to pierce a new rope opening in the floor of the machine room, since the 2: 1 suspension requires a rope opening located at a different position than the 1: 1 suspension. Puncturing new rope openings is itself easy, but if so the strength of the machine room floor is impaired by the rather large new rope openings required for many parallel ropes. In this case, the strength of the floor does not necessarily meet the required safety standards. In the worst case, the floor of the machine room will no longer bear the weight of the hoisting machine and other components in the machine room, in which case the floor will collapse, causing at least physical injuries and possibly also injuries to persons. Due to this safety risk, it is often necessary to change the suspension ratio accordingly to support the hoisting machine on the wall of the elevator shaft, for example by means of steel beams mounted below the floor of the machine room. This being the case, the change of the suspension ratio is in practice often costly and a large operation and in many cases quite difficult to implement. One solution presented in publication FI20070994 is that the ropes rising from the elevator car are led into the machine room via a small hole formed for them. In this solution too, holes are formed in the floor of the machine room. Also in this solution, the fixing and positioning of the rope clamps in their position relative to each other is not always quick. Especially since it is not easy to determine the correct position of the rope while working in the top part of the elevator shaft and on the other hand it is difficult to keep track of the side of the passage from the machine room, it is very inconvenient to place the rope clamps one by one in their position so that they are correctly positioned in relation to each other.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art solutions in particular. The object of the invention is more particularly to provide a simple and low-cost method which saves time and money and which is employed when modernizing elevators so that the floor strength of the machine room is not significantly impaired when changing the suspension ratio. With the invention it is also possible, in connection with the mounting, to achieve a simple and quick fixing of the clips of the hoisting ropes in relation to each other.

In a basic embodiment of the concept according to the invention, in a method for modernizing an elevator, in which the suspension of an old elevator is adjusted, the old elevator comprising an elevator car; balancing weight; an elevator shaft; a hoisting machine having a traction sheave in a machine room above the elevator shaft for moving the elevator car in the elevator shaft via hoisting ropes; old hoisting ropes comprising one or more hoisting ropes passing around the traction sheave and connecting the elevator car and the counterweight, in which old elevator the old hoisting ropes pass from the traction sheave to the elevator car through an opening in the floor of the machine room to the rope clamps connected to the elevator car (and through an opening in the floor of the machine room to the rope clamps connected to the counterweight), in which method the following phases are performed:

-arranging a first and a second rope clamp in the top part of the elevator shaft so that the first and second rope clamps are supported by the same support element supported in place;

-removing the old hoisting ropes;

-installing a new hoisting rope, the new hoisting rope being guided to pass around the traction sheave and connect the elevator car and counterweight, the new hoisting rope being guided from the traction sheave to the elevator car through an opening in the floor of the machine room, the new hoisting rope comprising a plurality of ropes, a first part of which is guided through the elevator car to a first diverting pulley connected with the elevator car and continuing from the first diverting pulley back up to a first rope gripper in the top of the elevator shaft, and a second part of which is guided through the elevator car to a second diverting pulley connected with the elevator car and continuing from the second diverting pulley back up to a second rope gripper in the top of the elevator shaft.

In this way, the advantages are achieved. The fixing and positioning of the cord can be achieved quickly and simply. In addition, the main suspension of the elevator car is easy to arrange.

In a second basic embodiment of the concept according to the invention, in the method for modernizing an elevator, the suspension of an old elevator, which old elevator comprises an elevator car, is adjusted; balancing weight; an elevator shaft; a hoisting machine having a traction sheave in a machine room above the elevator shaft for moving the elevator car in the elevator shaft via hoisting ropes; old hoisting ropes comprising one or more hoisting ropes passing around the traction sheave and connecting the elevator car and the counterweight, in which old elevator the old hoisting ropes pass from the traction sheave to the counterweight through an opening in the floor of the machine room to a rope clamp connected to the counterweight, in which method the following phases are performed:

-arranging a third rope clamp and a fourth rope clamp in the top part of the elevator shaft so that the third rope clamp and the fourth rope clamp are supported by the same support element supported in place;

-removing the old hoisting ropes;

-installing a new hoisting rope, which new hoisting rope is guided to pass around the traction sheave and connect the elevator car and counterweight, guiding the new hoisting rope from the traction sheave to the counterweight through an opening in the floor of the machine room, which new hoisting rope comprises a plurality of ropes, a first part of which is guided through the counterweight to a third diverting pulley connected with the counterweight and continuing from the third diverting pulley back up to a third rope gripper in the top of the elevator shaft, and a second part of which is guided through the counterweight to a fourth diverting pulley connected with the counterweight and continuing from the fourth diverting pulley back up to a fourth rope gripper in the top of the elevator shaft.

In this way, the advantages are achieved. The fixing and positioning of the cord can be achieved quickly and simply. In addition, the primary suspension of the counterweight is easy to deploy.

In a more refined embodiment of the invention the number of ropes of the first part of the hoisting ropes placed side by side on the first diverting pulley is substantially the same as the number of ropes of the second part of the hoisting ropes placed side by side on the second diverting pulley, and the combined number of ropes of said rope parts is the same as the number of hoisting ropes of the hoisting ropes placed side by side on the traction sheave.

In a more refined embodiment of the invention the first and second portions reaching the diverting pulley from the traction sheave are spaced from each other by a first distance and the first portion is guided to bend in a first direction when the first portion passes under the first diverting pulley and the second portion is guided to bend in a second direction when the second portion passes under the second diverting pulley, so that the first and second portions leaving the diverting pulley upwards are spaced from each other by a second distance substantially larger than the first distance. The first and second bending directions are substantially opposite directions. Thus, they can be guided to the rope clamp in a space-saving manner. Also the primary suspension can be implemented simply without regard to the addition of diverting pulleys.

In a more refined embodiment of the invention the number of ropes of the first part of the hoisting ropes placed side by side on the third diverting pulley is substantially the same as the number of ropes of the second part of the hoisting ropes placed side by side on the fourth diverting pulley, and the combined number of ropes of said rope parts is the same as the number of hoisting ropes of the hoisting ropes placed side by side on the traction sheave.

In a more refined embodiment of the invention the first and second portions reaching the diverting pulley from the traction sheave are spaced from each other by a first distance and the first portion is guided to bend in a first direction when the first portion passes under the third diverting pulley and the second portion is guided to bend in a second direction when the second portion passes under the fourth diverting pulley, so that the first and second portions leaving the diverting pulley upwards are spaced from each other by a second distance that is substantially larger than the first distance. The first and second bending directions are substantially opposite directions. Thus, they can be guided to the rope clamp in a space-saving manner. Also the primary suspension to the counterweight can be simply achieved without regard to the addition of diverting pulleys.

In a more refined embodiment of the invention the new hoisting ropes are led through an opening in the floor of the machine room from the traction sheave to the elevator car, and the opening is at least substantially the same opening through which the old hoisting ropes pass from the traction sheave to the elevator car.

In a more refined embodiment of the invention the new hoisting rope is led through an opening in the floor of the machine room from the fifth wheel to the counterweight and the opening is at least substantially the same opening through which the old hoisting rope passes from the fifth wheel to the counterweight.

In a more refined embodiment of the invention the first and second rope clamps in the top part of the elevator shaft are arranged to take vertical support force from the top surface of the floor of the machine room or from a structure located on top of the floor by means of the (same) support element extending through the floor.

In a more refined embodiment of the invention, in the method, a stage is performed in which the support element is mounted in place.

In a more refined embodiment of the invention, in the method a stage is performed in which the diverting pulley is mounted in connection with the elevator car and counterweight.

In a more refined embodiment of the invention said rope clamp is fixed within said support element thereof.

In a more refined embodiment of the invention the support element extends through the floor via the same opening through which the new hoisting rope passes to the elevator car.

In a more refined embodiment of the invention the third and fourth rope clamps in the top part of the elevator shaft are arranged to take vertical support force from the top surface of the floor of the machine room or from a structure located on top of the floor by means of support elements extending through the floor.

In a more refined embodiment of the invention the rope clamp is located entirely below the floor of the machine room and there is no opening in the floor at the location of the rope clamp.

In a more refined embodiment of the invention the support element extends through the floor through the same opening through which the new hoisting rope passes to the counterweight.

In a more refined embodiment of the invention said support element is fixed to said structure on top of said floor.

In a more refined embodiment of the invention said support element extends to the top surface of said floor or said structure on top of said floor from which said support element obtains a vertical support force.

In a more refined embodiment of the invention said structure on top of said floor is a machine floor.

In a more refined embodiment of the invention the rope clamps supported on the support element in their supported position are located at a horizontal distance from each other, said horizontal distance being larger than the width of the opening in the direction of the horizontal distance.

In a more refined embodiment of the invention the rope clamps supported on the support element in their supported position are located at a horizontal distance from each other, which horizontal distance is substantially larger than the width of the rope pad to be lowered from the traction sheave.

In a more refined embodiment of the invention the support element comprises a part extending from the elevator shaft through the floor, and on the side of the elevator shaft a part of said part protrudes to the first side where the first rope clamp is arranged and a part to the second side where the second rope clamp is arranged, so that the first and second rope clamps are at a horizontal distance from each other.

In a more refined embodiment of the invention the support element comprises a part extending from the elevator shaft through the floor, and on the machine room side a first part of said part protrudes to a first side and to a second side, said part extending above the top surface of the floor or of a structure supported against the floor.

In a more refined embodiment of the invention the support element comprises a part extending from the hoistway through the floor, said part preferably being tubular or groove-shaped, and the new hoisting ropes are passed at least partly inside the tubular or groove-shaped part.

In a more refined embodiment of the invention said support element is a horizontal beam located below the floor of said machine room, i.e. below the machine room slab.

In a more refined embodiment of the invention the rope clamp is connected with the support element when the support element is mounted in place in the elevator shaft.

In a more refined embodiment of the invention, a fixing position is formed for the rope clamp within the support element before the support element is mounted in place; securing the cord gripper in the securing position after the support element is in place, the support element including a plurality of securing positions for each of the cord grippers; preferably the distance between the rope clamps is adjusted to be appropriate; subsequently, the cord gripper is secured in its secured position.

In a more refined embodiment of the invention each of said cord clamps comprises a fixation position for one or more cords.

In a more refined embodiment of the invention the support element is supported on a horizontal beam of the old elevator below the machine room floor, i.e. below the machine room slab.

In a more refined embodiment of the invention the support element is a horizontal beam located below the floor of the machine room, i.e. below the machine room floor, which beam is fixed at its ends to the guide rails of the elevator car.

In a more refined embodiment of the invention the diverting pulleys are at an angle to each other.

Some inventive embodiments are also presented in the description and drawings of the present application. The inventive content of the application can also be defined differently than in the claims presented below. The inventive content may also consist of several separate inventions, which are especially considered in the light of explicit or implicit sub-tasks or from the point of view of advantages or categories of advantages achieved. In this case, some of the attributes contained in the claims below may be superfluous from the point of view of separate inventive concepts. The features of the various embodiments can be employed together with other embodiments within the framework of the basic inventive concept. Each of the additional features mentioned in the following embodiments may also form separate inventions separately and independently of the other embodiments.

Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

Drawings

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given here below and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of example only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:

fig. 1 presents schematically a prior-art elevator before modernization by means of a method according to the invention;

fig. 2 presents schematically the elevator of fig. 1 modernized by the method according to the invention;

fig. 3 presents the arrangement of the elevator of fig. 2;

fig. 4 presents a method of configuring an elevator according to fig. 2 according to a preferred embodiment;

fig. 5 presents a method of configuring an elevator according to fig. 2 according to a second preferred embodiment;

fig. 6 presents a preferred method of configuring the elevator according to fig. 2 according to a third embodiment;

fig. 7 presents a preferred method of configuring the elevator according to fig. 2 according to a fourth embodiment;

fig. 8 presents an alternative method of configuring the suspension of the elevator car and/or counterweight of a new elevator;

FIG. 9a presents a preferred method of guiding the cords of the solution of FIG. 8; and

fig. 9b presents a protection and/or guiding device of the rope of fig. 9 a.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 presents an old elevator (i.e. an elevator already in use) before modernization by the method according to the invention. The old elevator comprises an elevator car 1; a counterweight 2; an elevator shaft S; a machine room 5 above the elevator shaft S, which machine room 5 comprises a hoisting machine with a traction sheave on top of the floor. The hoisting machine comprises a machine bedplate supporting the traction sheave, a power source, e.g. an electric motor, and a controller, which components are not shown in all the figures for the sake of clarity. The hoisting machine is configured to move the elevator car 1 (and the counterweight) in the elevator shaft through the traction sheave 8 via old hoisting ropes 3, said old hoisting ropes 3 comprising one or more hoisting ropes passing around said traction sheave 8 and connecting said elevator car 1 and counterweight 2. In the old elevator the old hoisting ropes 3 are passed through the traction sheave 8 to the elevator car 1 and through an opening 10 in the floor 6 of the machine room 5 to a rope clamp connected to the elevator car 1, to which rope clamp the ends of the hoisting ropes 3 are fixed, and through an opening 13 in the floor 6 of the machine room 5 to a rope clamp connected to the counterweight 2, to which rope clamp the ends of the hoisting ropes 3 are fixed. The old elevator is an elevator with 1: 1 suspension. The hoisting machine also comprises a gear via which the motor is connected to the traction sheave 8, by means of which gear the rotational speed (rpm) of the traction sheave is set to be smaller than the rotational speed (rpm) of the motor.

In the method according to the invention the elevator according to fig. 1 is converted into a type presented in fig. 2. The first, second, third and fourth rope clamps (16a, 16b, 17a, 17b) are arranged in the top part of the elevator shaft S. The first rope clamp 16a and the second rope clamp 16b are arranged in the top part of the elevator shaft S so that they are supported by the same support element (20, 30, 60 or 70) in place using one of the methods presented in fig. 4-7. The third rope clamp 17a and the fourth rope clamp 17b are arranged in the top part of the elevator shaft S so that they are supported by the same support element (20, 30, 60 or 70) in place using one of the methods presented in fig. 4-7. The arrangement of the rope clamp in place is preferably, but not necessarily, performed by operating from the roof of the elevator car. Preferably the diverting pulleys have also been mounted in connection with the elevator car and the counterweight at this stage. After this the old hoisting ropes 3 are removed and new hoisting ropes 4 are installed, said new hoisting ropes 4 being guided to pass around the traction sheave 8 and connect the elevator car 1 and the counterweight 2, and said new hoisting ropes 4 being guided to pass through an opening 10 in the floor 6 of the machine room 5 from the traction sheave 8 to the elevator car 1, said opening 10 being at least substantially the same opening through which the old hoisting ropes 3 pass from the traction sheave 8 to the elevator car 1. The new hoisting ropes 4 comprise a plurality of ropes, a first part 4a of which is guided over the elevator car to a first diverting pulley 12a connected to the elevator car and continues from the first diverting pulley 12a back up to a first rope gripper 16a in the top part of the elevator shaft S, and a second part 4b of which is guided over the elevator car 1 to a second diverting pulley 12b connected to the elevator car and continues from the second diverting pulley 12b back up to a second rope gripper 16b in the top part of the elevator shaft S. Thus, the part of the hoisting ropes on the first side of the traction sheave is guided to the elevator car. The part of the hoisting ropes on the second side of the traction sheave is led to the counterweight. Thus, the new hoisting ropes 4 are led from the traction sheave 8 to the counterweight 2 through an opening 11 in the floor 6 of the machine room 5, which opening 11 is at least substantially the same opening through which the old hoisting ropes 3 pass from the traction sheave 8 to the counterweight 2. The new hoisting ropes 4 comprise a plurality of ropes, a first part of which is guided from the traction sheave to the counterweight 2 to the third diverting pulley 13a connected to the counterweight 2 and continuing from the third diverting pulley 13a back up to the third rope gripper 17a in the top part of the elevator shaft 1, and a second part of which is guided to the counterweight 2 to the fourth diverting pulley 13b connected to the counterweight and continuing from the fourth diverting pulley 13b back up to the fourth rope gripper 17b in the top part of the elevator shaft.

The hoisting ropes 4 forming the rope pad against the traction sheave 8 are divided into two parts 4a and 4b substantially similar to each other and having the same size as each other. For clarity the drawing only depicts one hoisting rope for each section 4a and 4b of the hoisting rope 4, but in practice there may be more juxtaposed ropes on the traction sheave 8, e.g. four parallel ropes, and when divided, two parallel ropes are located in each section 4a and 4b of the hoisting rope, in which case the hoisting rope 4 thus comprises a total of four parallel hoisting ropes. The number of ropes of the first part 4a of the hoisting ropes 4 juxtaposed over the first diverting pulley 12a is substantially or exactly the same as the number of ropes of the second part 4b of the hoisting ropes 4 juxtaposed over the second diverting pulley 12b and the combined number of ropes of the rope parts 4a and 4b is the same as the number of hoisting ropes juxtaposed over the traction sheave 8 of the hoisting ropes 4.

The first and second portions 4a and 4b reaching diverting pulleys 12a and 12b from the traction sheave 8 are spaced apart from each other by a first distance, and the first portion 4a is guided to bend in a first direction when passing under the first diverting pulley 12a, and the second portion 4b is guided to bend in a second direction when passing under the second diverting pulley 12b, so that the first and second portions 4a and 4b leaving diverting pulleys 12a and 12b upwards are spaced apart from each other by a second distance that is substantially larger than the first distance. The first and second bending directions are substantially opposite directions. The first and second diverting pulleys are juxtaposed and their axes are parallel. But they may be placed at an angle of preferably at most 90 degrees to each other, in which case the ropes coming from the traction sheave may more easily pass around the support element 60, 70 of fig. 6 or 7. It is advantageous to arrange the counterweight side accordingly.

With the arrangement described above, at least substantially identical old rope openings 10, 11 are used. The opening is thus substantially or not expanded at all, which means that the cross-sectional surface of the opening is not expanded more than 30%, more preferably not expanded more than 20%, preferably not expanded more than 10%, most preferably not expanded at all. Thus, the load-bearing capacity of the load-bearing structure of the floor does not need to be weakened. The edges of the openings 10, 11 may be trimmed or an edge strip or surface liner may be installed therein, but expansion is not required substantially or at all.

The following embodiments with reference to fig. 4-7 present a fixation with respect to the hoisting ropes on the car side of the elevator, but the ropes on the counterweight side can be fixed by a corresponding arrangement.

Fig. 4 presents a preferred method for configuring the cord clamps 16a and 16b to be supported on the same support element 20. In this case the support element 20 on which the rope clamps 16a and 16b have been supported is mounted in the top part of the elevator shaft in the method. In the method the first and second rope clamps 16a, 16b in the top part of the elevator shaft 1 are arranged to receive vertical support forces from the structure located on top of the floor 6 of the machine room 5 by means of the support element 20 extending through the floor 6. Said supporting element 20 is guided via the new hoisting ropes 4 to extend through the floor 6 from the traction sheave 8 to the same opening 10 through which the elevator car 1 passes. The support element 20 is fixed to the structure 40 on top of the floor by fixing means. The support element 20 also preferably extends above the top surface included in said structure 40, from which it receives vertical support forces. In this case, the shear force may be reduced, or it may be necessary to use the fixing means entirely. The structure on top of the floor 6 is preferably a machine floor 40, i.e. a floor supporting at least the traction sheave 8 above the floor 6. Thus, the distribution of forces on the floor is not significantly changed for retrofitting. For passing the floor, the support element 20 comprises a portion 20a extending from the elevator shaft through the floor, and on the side of the elevator shaft S, a portion 20b of the portion 20a projects to a first side where the first rope clamp 16a is arranged, and a portion 20c projects to a second side where the second rope clamp is arranged, so that the first and second rope clamps 16a, 16b are horizontally spaced from each other. The support element 20 further comprises a portion 20d of the portion 20a located at one side of the machine room 5 protruding to the first and second side, which portion 20d extends above the top surface of the structure 40 supported against the floor 6. The portion 20a extending through the floor 6 is preferably tubular or trough shaped and the new lift cords 4 pass at least partially inside the tubular or trough shaped portion.

Fig. 5 presents a second preferred method for configuring the cord clamps 16a and 16b to be supported on the same support element 30. In this case, in the method, the support element 30 on which the rope clamps 16a and 16b have been supported is mounted in the top part of the elevator shaft. In the method, the first and second rope clamps 16a, 16b in the top part of the elevator hoistway 1 are configured to receive vertical supporting forces directly from the top surface of the floor 6 of the machine room 5 by means of the support element 30 extending through the floor 6. Said supporting element 30 is guided via the new hoisting ropes 4 to extend through the floor 6 from the traction sheave 8 to the same opening 10 through which the elevator car 1 passes. The support element 30 extends on top of the top surface of the floor from which it receives vertical support forces. For passing the floor, said support element 30 comprises a portion 30a extending from the elevator hoistway through the floor, and on the side of the elevator hoistway S, a portion 30b of said portion 30a projects to a first side where the first rope clamp 16a is arranged, and a portion 30c projects to a second side where the second rope clamp is arranged, so that the first and second rope clamps 16a, 16b are horizontally spaced from each other. The support element 30 further comprises a portion 30d of the portion 30a located at one side of the machine room 5 protruding to the first and second side, which portion 30d extends above the top surface of the floor 6. The portions 20a, 30a extending through the floor 6 are preferably tubular or trough shaped and the new lift cords 4 pass at least partly inside the tubular or trough shaped portions.

Fig. 6 presents a third preferred method for configuring cord clamps 16a and 16b to be supported on the same support element. In this case, in the method, the support element 60 on which the rope clamps 16a and 16b have been supported is mounted in the top part of the elevator shaft. The support element 60 is a horizontal beam located below the floor of the machine room. By means of which the support element 60 is preferably supported on the horizontal beam 65 of the old elevator below the floor 6 of the machine room 5. The floor 6 refers to the load-bearing machine room plate presented in the figures, the top surface of which faces the machine room and the underside of which faces the elevator shaft.

Fig. 7 presents a fourth preferred method for configuring cord clamps 16a and 16b to be supported on the same support element. In this case, in the method, the support element 70 on which the rope clamps 16a and 16b have been supported is mounted in the top part of the elevator shaft. The support element 70 is a horizontal beam 70 located below the floor 6 of the machine room, which beam is fixed at its ends to the guide rails of the elevator car in the method. If this solution is used to fix the rope portion on the counterweight side, the horizontal beam is correspondingly supported on the guide rails of the counterweight. As in the solution of fig. 6, the diverting pulleys presented in this solution can be positioned at an angle relative to each other to achieve the passing around of the horizontal beam. The axes are most preferably horizontal in this case, but at an angle of 10-90 degrees relative to each other, viewed from above. On the other hand, the bypassing of the beam can be achieved by shaping of the beam, so that in all embodiments the diverting pulleys can be embodied as parallel diverting pulleys with horizontal axes, for example.

In general, the invention can be described such that the rope clamps 16a, 16b and/or 17a, 17b are located entirely below the floor 6 of the machine room 5, and the floor 6 has no openings at the location of the clamps. In the method the hoisting machine is changed to preferably no gear, i.e. the machine is changed to a machine in which the rotational speed (rpm) of the motor corresponds to the rotational speed (rpm) of the traction sheave. In this case, the motor is preferably replaced with a new motor and the machine is configured so that the motor is coaxial with the traction sheave. Replacement of the traction sheave is not necessary, but in this method the traction sheave 8 is preferably renewed as well. The presence of a diverting pulley is also usually not necessary and in this method the diverting pulley can be replaced or not.

The presented embodiments can be used in combination with each other in any combination. The rope clamps on the car side of the elevator can be fixed e.g. according to fig. 4 and the rope clamps 17a, 17b on the counterweight side can be fixed according to fig. 5 or vice versa. Alternatively, the rope clamps on the car side of the elevator can be fixed e.g. according to fig. 6, and the rope clamps 17a, 17b on the counterweight side can be fixed according to fig. 7, or vice versa. The solution according to fig. 4 can of course be used in combination with the solution of fig. 6 or 7, and the solution according to fig. 5 can of course be used in combination with the solution of fig. 6 or 7. Of course, the rope clamps 16a, 16b, 17a, 17b on both sides can be fixed according to fig. 4, 5, 6 or 7. By different combinations, a significant space-saving advantage and an advantage related to the convenience of the location from which the supporting force is received can be achieved. It is obvious that the fixing of the ropes on only one side, i.e. the counterweight side or the elevator car side, can be presented according to fig. 4-7 if desired, and that the fixing of the ropes on the other side can be of some other type, e.g. directly to the old beam of the elevator shaft, or even be led through holes or e.g. into the machine room according to fig. 8.

Said rope clamps 16a, 16b, 17a, 17b are supported directly on their common support element at the completion of the new elevator, preferably in a rigid fixed position on the support element. They may be fixed to the support element alone or they may originally be at least partially inseparable parts thereof. The ropes from diverting pulleys 12a, 12b and/or 13a, 13b to their fixing point and/or the traction sheave preferably rise directly upwards from said diverting pulleys. The rope is fixed to the rope clamp with its ends in the elevator shaft and the part of the rope under tension that reaches the rope clamp is in the elevator shaft. The rope clamps 16a, 16b and/or 17a, 17b supported on said support elements 20, 30, 60, 70 in their supported position are located at a horizontal distance from each other, which horizontal distance is substantially larger than the width of the rope pad to be lowered from the traction sheave. Also, the horizontal distance is larger than a width of the opening in the horizontal distance direction.

The rope clamps 16a, 16b and/or 17a, 17b can be connected with the support elements 20, 30, 60, 70 when the support elements 20, 30, 60, 70 are mounted in place in the elevator shaft S. In this way, the work in the elevator shaft and the positioning work are reduced. Alternatively, the fixing of the position for the rope clamps 16a, 16b or 17a, 17b can be made in the support elements 20, 30, 60, 70 before they are mounted in place, the cord gripper is secured in said fixed position after the support element 20, 30, 60, 70 is mounted in place, for each rope clamp, the supporting element preferably comprises a plurality of fixing positions, and the distance between the rope clamps is preferably adjusted to be appropriate (from the point of view of the position of the rope supported by them, the rope clamps 16a, 16b or 17a, 17b are then fixed to the fixing positions supported by said supporting elements at the time, in other words, the fixing positions used are selected to achieve the appropriate distance between the clamps, as a result of which the working and positioning of the rope clamps is simple, quick, and may be accurately implemented, each of said cord clamps 16a, 16b, 17a, 17b may comprise a fixed position for one or more cords.

Fig. 8 presents a further alternative method for suspension of the elevator car 1 and/or the counterweight 2 in old elevator modernization of fig. 1, by means of which at least some of the same advantages as provided by the previous embodiments can be achieved. In this solution, in the method, a suspension diverting pulley 81 and a deflecting diverting pulley 82 are mounted in connection with and above the elevator car. The new rope is guided to pass between the suspension diverting pulley 81 and the deflecting diverting pulley 82 and under the suspension diverting pulley 81 up to the rope clamp. The rope clamp is preferably located in the machine room 5. In this case the rope clamp preferably receives vertical support force from the machine floor (not shown in the figures) supporting the traction sheave 8 or from the top surface of the floor 6 of the machine room or from some other structure supported on the top surface of the floor. The new ropes preferably enter the machine room via substantially the same opening 10 through which the old ropes 3 entered the elevator car 1. The deflecting diverting pulley 81 is higher than the suspension diverting pulley and partly suspended above it. The ropes 4 are guided from the traction sheave 8 to the suspension diverting pulley 82 so that they tangentially contact the deflecting diverting pulley 81, thus forming an angle between the rope that reaches it and the rope that leaves it towards the suspension diverting pulley. Thus, it forces the part of the rope 4 descending from the traction sheave 8 and the part of the rope 4 from the suspension diverting pulley 82 to the fixed point to pass close to each other. Thus, they are all mounted through the opening 10. The opening 10 is thus substantially the same opening through which the old rope passes. The opening 10 of the floor 6 may be provided with a rope guide and/or a rope guard 83. The device 83 can guide the part of the rope 4 that rises from the suspension diverting pulley 82 to the rope clamp 80 so as to form an angle at this point of the device, in which case it is easier to install through the opening 10. The device 83 may be made of metal, polymer, composite, or it may be ceramic. It includes a curved surface against which the cord rests. Said curved surface is preferably a part of a cord groove comprised in the device 83, which part holds the cord in place in the transverse direction. The number of cord grooves is preferably at least the same as the number of cords in the cord 4. The cord grooves are preferably horizontally spaced from each other so as to maintain the juxtaposed cords at a distance from each other. Fig. 9b presents the device 83. The device preferably comprises a curved portion and a straight portion, in which case the curved portion may guide the cord to it in order to curve towards a vertical position. The solution according to fig. 8-9b can be used correspondingly on the counterweight side, in which case the old opening is the opening 11 in fig. 1.

It is obvious to the person skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, in which the invention is described using examples, but that many variations and different embodiments of the invention are possible within the framework of the inventive concept defined in the claims presented below. For example, it is apparent that the rope clamp does not have to be installed in the top of the channel S before the old hoisting rope is removed, but may only be installed substantially simultaneously with the new rope installation phase.

The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (27)

1. A method of modernizing an elevator, wherein the suspension ratio of an old elevator is adjusted, the old elevator comprising:

an elevator car;

balancing weight;

an elevator hoistway;

a hoist having a traction sheave located within a machine room above the elevator hoistway to move the elevator car within the elevator hoistway via hoist ropes;

old hoisting ropes comprising one or more hoisting ropes, said old hoisting ropes encircling said traction sheave and connecting said elevator car and counterweight and passing from said traction sheave to said elevator car or counterweight and through an opening in the floor of said machine room to a rope clamp connected to said elevator car or counterweight;

the method comprises the following steps:

arranging a first and a second rope clamp within a top portion of the elevator hoistway such that the first and second rope clamps are supported by a support element supported in place;

removing the old lift cords; and

installing a new hoist rope by guiding the new hoist rope around the traction sheave and connecting the elevator car and counterweight, and guiding the new hoist rope through an opening in the floor of the machine room from the traction sheave to the elevator car or counterweight, the new hoist rope comprising a plurality of ropes, comprising:

a first portion directed past the elevator car or counterweight to a first diverting pulley connected with the elevator car or counterweight and continuing from the first diverting pulley back up to a first rope clamp within a top portion of the elevator hoistway; and

a second portion that is guided past the elevator car or counterweight to a second diverting pulley connected with the elevator car or counterweight and continues from the second diverting pulley back up to a second rope clamp within the top of the elevator hoistway.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the number of ropes of the first part of the hoisting ropes located side by side on the first diverting pulley is substantially the same as the number of ropes of the second part of the hoisting ropes located side by side on the second diverting pulley and the combined number of ropes of the rope parts is the same as the number of hoisting ropes of the hoisting ropes located side by side on the traction sheave.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first and second portions reaching the first and second diverting pulleys from the traction sheave are spaced apart from each other by a first distance, and the first portion is guided to bend in a first direction when the first portion passes under the first diverting pulley, and the second portion is guided to bend in a second direction when the second portion passes under the second diverting pulley, such that the first and second portions exiting the first and second diverting pulleys upwards are spaced apart from each other by a second distance greater than the first distance.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the new hoisting roping is directed through an opening in the floor of the machine room from the traction sheave to the elevator car or counterweight, and the opening is at least the same opening through which the old hoisting roping passes from the traction sheave to the elevator car or counterweight.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second rope clamps within the top of the elevator hoistway are configured to obtain vertical support force from a top surface of a floor of the machine room or from a structure located on top of the floor through the support element extending through the floor.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of mounting the support element in place.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of installing the first and second diverting pulleys in connection with the elevator car and counterweight.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of securing the first and second cord clips within the support element.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the support element extends through the floor through the same opening through which the new hoist rope passes to the elevator car or counterweight.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first and second rope clamps are located entirely below the floor of the machine room, and there is no opening in the floor at the location of the first and second rope clamps.

11. A method according to claim 5, wherein the support element is fixed to the structure on top of the floor.

12. A method according to claim 5, wherein the support element extends to the floor from which it obtains vertical support force or to a top surface of the structure on top of the floor.

13. The method of claim 5, wherein the structure on top of the floor is a floor.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first and second rope clamps supported on the support element in place are located at a horizontal distance from each other, the horizontal distance being larger than the width of the opening in the direction of the horizontal distance.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first and second rope clamps supported on the support element in place are located at a horizontal distance from each other, which horizontal distance is larger than the width of the rope pad to be lowered from the traction sheave.

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein the support element comprises a portion extending from the elevator hoistway through a floor, and on the elevator hoistway side, a first part of the portion protrudes to a first side on which the first rope clamp is arranged, and a second part of the portion protrudes to a second side on which the second rope clamp is arranged, such that the first and second rope clamps are spaced apart from each other by a horizontal distance.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the support element includes a portion extending from the elevator hoistway through the floor, and on the machine room side, a first portion of the portion protrudes to first and second sides, the first portion extending above a top surface of the floor or a structure supported against the floor.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the support element includes a portion extending from the hoistway through the floor, the portion being tubular or trough-shaped, and the new lift cords pass at least partially through an interior of the tubular or trough-shaped portion.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the support element is a horizontal beam located below a floor of the machine room.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second rope clamps are connected with the support element when the support element is installed in place within the elevator hoistway.

21. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

forming a securing position for the first and second cord clips within the support element prior to the support element being installed in place;

securing the first and second cord clips in the secured position after the support element is in place, the support element including a plurality of secured positions for each of the first and second cord clips;

adjusting the distance between the first and second rope clamps to be appropriate; and

after the adjusting step, securing the first and second cord clips in their secured positions.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second cord clamps comprise a fixed position for one or more cords.

23. The method according to claim 1, wherein the support element is supported on a horizontal beam of the old elevator below the machine room floor.

24. The method according to claim 1, wherein the support element is a horizontal beam located below the floor of the machine room, which beam is fixed at its ends to guide rails of the elevator car.

25. Method according to claim 1, wherein the axes of the first and second diverting pulleys are horizontal and at an angle to each other.

26. Method according to claim 1, wherein the first and second diverting pulleys are horizontal and parallel.

27. The method of claim 1, wherein the new hoist rope is directed from the traction sheave to the elevator car or counterweight without forming a new opening in the floor for the new hoist rope.