HK1230152B - Arrangement and method for aligning guide rails in an elevator shaft - Google Patents

Description

Apparatus and method for aligning guide rails in an elevator shaft

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an arrangement and a method for aligning guide rails in an elevator car.

Background Art

An elevator consists of an elevator car, a hoisting machine, ropes, and a counterweight. The elevator car is supported on a transport frame formed by hoisting ropes or a car frame. The hoisting ropes surround the elevator car. The hoisting machine moves the car up and down in the extended elevator shaft. The hoisting ropes, and thus the elevator car, are also carried by ropes that connect the elevator car to the counterweight. The hoisting ropes are further supported by slides on vertically extending guide rails in the elevator car. The slides may include rollers that roll on the guide rails or shoes that slide on the guide rails as the elevator car moves up and down in the elevator shaft. The guide rails are supported by fastening devices on the sidewall structure of the elevator shaft. As the elevator car moves up and down in the elevator shaft, the slides engage the guide rails to hold the elevator car in place in the horizontal plane. The counterweight is supported on the guide rails in a corresponding manner, which are supported by fastening devices on the wall structure of the elevator car. The elevator car transports people and/or goods between landings in a building. The elevator shaft may be formed such that one or more side walls are formed from solid walls and/or such that one or more side walls are formed from an open steel structure.

The guide rails are formed from guide rail elements of a specific length. During installation, the guide rail elements are connected end-to-end in the elevator shaft, one after the other. The guide rails are attached to the walls of the elevator shaft using fastening devices at fastening points along the height of the guide rails.

WO Publication No. 2007/135228 discloses a method for installing elevator guide rails. In the first stage, a pair of opposing car guide rail elements are installed starting at the bottom of the shaft. In the second stage, a second pair of opposing car guide rails is installed end-to-end with the first pair. This process continues until all pairs of opposing car guide rails have been installed. Counterweight guide rails are installed in a similar manner. A laser transmitter is used in conjunction with each guide rail to align the rails vertically. A self-directing laser can be used, which automatically directs a vertically upward laser beam. When installing the lowest section of the guide rails, the laser transmitter is first positioned at the bottom of the shaft. An alignment instrument, provided with an alignment element, is supported on each guide rail at each position where the guide rails are to be aligned. The laser beam strikes the alignment element, thereby aligning the guide rails so that the point of impact of the laser beam is in the center of the alignment element. The laser transmitter is then moved upward in steps to align the next section of the guide rails.

WO Publication No. 2014/053184 discloses a guide rail straightness measurement system for elevator installations. The measurement system includes at least one plumb line installed vertically adjacent to the guide rail in the elevator shaft, and at least one sensor device mounted on a carrier for vertical travel along the guide rail. The sensor device includes a frame, at least one guide shoe connected to the frame for sliding or rolling along a guide surface of the guide rail, a biasing device for positioning and biasing the frame against the guide surface, and at least one sensor device for sensing the position of the plumb line relative to the frame.

Summary of the Invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a novel arrangement and method for aligning guide rails in an elevator shaft.

The device for aligning the guide rails in the elevator shaft is defined in claim 1 .

The elevator shaft has a bottom, a top, side walls, a first direction coinciding with a vertical direction within the elevator shaft, a second direction extending between car guide rails on opposing side walls in the elevator shaft, and a third direction extending between a rear wall and a front in the elevator shaft.

The facility is characterized by:

a mounting platform arranged to be movable upwards and downwards in a first direction within the elevator shaft, said mounting platform being provided with a device for aligning the guide rails;

At least two laser emitters are arranged at predetermined positions in the shaft below the mounting platform, each of the at least two laser emitters emitting an upwardly directed laser beam that forms a plumb line in the elevator shaft;

At least two first position-sensitive detectors are attached to the mounting platform and/or to the device for aligning the guide rail and/or to the guide rail, at least one of which receives a corresponding laser beam, whereby the position of the guide rail relative to the shaft can be determined indirectly or directly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a vertical cross section of an elevator;

Figure 2 shows a horizontal cross section of an elevator;

FIG3 shows an axonometric view of an apparatus for aligning guide rails in an elevator shaft;

FIG4 shows a first stage of operation of the apparatus of FIG3 ;

FIG5 shows a second stage of operation of the apparatus of FIG3 ;

FIG6 shows an axonometric view of an elevator shaft illustrating the principle of the present invention;

FIG7 shows a vertical cross-section of a curved elevator shaft, illustrating the principle of the invention in this case;

FIG8 shows an axonometric view of the alignment of the guide rails in the elevator shaft;

FIG9 shows a horizontal cross section of an elevator shaft illustrating a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG10 shows a horizontal cross section of an elevator shaft, illustrating a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG11 shows a horizontal cross section of an elevator shaft, illustrating a third embodiment of the invention;

FIG12 shows a horizontal cross section of an elevator shaft, illustrating a fourth embodiment of the invention;

FIG13 shows a horizontal cross section of an elevator shaft, illustrating a fifth embodiment of the invention;

FIG14 shows a horizontal cross section of a position sensitive detector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG1 shows a vertical cross section of an elevator, whereas FIG2 shows a horizontal cross section of an elevator.

The elevator includes a car 10, an elevator shaft 20, a machine room 30, a hoisting machine 40, ropes 41, and a counterweight 42. The car 10 may be supported on a transport frame 11 or hoisting ropes surrounding the car 10. The hoisting machine 40 moves upward and downward in a first direction S1 within the vertically extending elevator shaft 20. The hoisting ropes 11, and thus the elevator car 10, are also carried by the ropes 41, which connect the elevator car 10 to the counterweight 42. The hoisting ropes 11, and thus the elevator car 10, are further supported on guide rails 50 extending vertically within the elevator shaft 20 via sliding devices 70. The elevator shaft 20 has a bottom 12, a top 13, a front wall 21A, a rear wall 21B, a first side wall 21C, and a second, opposite side wall 21D. Two car guide rails 51, 52 are positioned on opposite side walls 21C, 21D of the elevator shaft 20. The sliding device 70 may include rollers that roll on the guide rails 50 or sliding shoes that slide on the guide rails 50 as the elevator car 10 moves upward and downward in the elevator shaft 20. There are also two counterweight guide rails 53, 54 positioned on the rear wall 21B of the elevator shaft 20. The counterweight 42 is supported on the counterweight guide rails 53, 54 using corresponding sliding devices 70. Landing doors (not shown) are positioned in connection with the front wall 21A of the elevator shaft 20.

Each car guide rail 51, 52 is fastened to a corresponding side wall 21C, 21D of the elevator shaft 20 using a fastening device 60 along the height of the car guide rails 51, 52. Each counterweight guide rail 53, 54 is fastened to the rear wall 21B of the elevator shaft 20 using a corresponding fastening device 60 along the height of the counterweight guide rails 53, 54. The figures show only two fastening devices 60, but several fastening devices 60 may be present along the height of each guide rail 50. The guide rail 50 may have a cross-section in the form of the letter T. The vertical branches of the guide rail element 50 form three guide surfaces for a sliding device 70, which may include rollers or sliding shoes. This results in two opposing side sliding surfaces and one front sliding surface in the guide rail 50. The sliding device 70 may have a cross-section in the form of the letter U, with the inner surface of the sliding device 70 resting against the three sliding surfaces of the guide rail 50. The sliding device 70 is attached to the hoist rope 11 and/or to the counterweight 42.

Slides 70 engage guide rails 50 and hold elevator car 10 and/or counterweight 42 in place in a horizontal plane as elevator car 10 and/or counterweight 42 move upward and downward in a first direction S1 within elevator shaft 20. Elevator car 10 transports people and/or cargo between landings in a building. Elevator shaft 20 can be formed so that all side walls 21A, 21B, 21C, 21D are formed from solid walls or so that one or more side walls 21, 21A, 21B, 21C, 21D are formed from open steel structures.

The guide rail 50 extends vertically along the height of the elevator shaft 20. The guide rail 50 is thus formed of guide rail elements of a certain length (e.g. 5 meters). The guide rail elements 50 are mounted end to end, one behind the other.

Figure 1 shows a first direction S1, which is the vertical direction of the elevator shaft 20. Figure 2 shows a second direction S2, which is the direction between the first side wall 21C and the second side wall 21D within the elevator shaft 20, i.e., the guide rail direction (DBG). Figure 2 further shows a third direction S3, which is the direction between the rear wall 21B and the front wall 21A within the elevator shaft 20, i.e., the back-to-front direction (BTF). Second direction S2 is perpendicular to third direction S3. Second and third directions S2 and S3 form a coordinate system in a horizontal plane within the elevator shaft 20.

3 shows an axonometric view of a device for aligning guide rails in an elevator shaft. The device 400 for aligning guide rails 50 comprises a positioning unit 100 and an alignment unit 200.

The positioning unit 100 includes a longitudinal support structure having a middle portion 110 and two opposing end portions 120, 130. The two opposing end portions 120, 130 are mirror images of each other. The middle portion 110 can have several different lengths to adjust the length of the positioning unit 100 for different elevator shafts 20. The positioning unit 100 also includes first attachment devices 140, 150 at each end of the positioning unit 100. The first attachment devices 140, 150 are movable in a second direction S2, i.e., in the direction between the guide rails (DBG). The positioning unit 100 extends across the elevator shaft 20 in the second direction S2. The first attachment devices 140, 150 are used to lock the positioning unit 100 to the wall structure 21 and/or the separator beam and/or the bracket 60 within the elevator shaft 20. An actuator 141 , 151 (the position is only schematically shown in the figure), such as a linear motor, connected to each first attachment device 140 , 150 is used to individually move each first attachment device 140 , 150 in the second direction S2 .

The alignment unit 200 includes a longitudinal support structure having a middle portion 210 and two opposing end portions 220, 230. The two opposing end portions 220, 230 are mirror images of each other. The middle portion 210 can have several different lengths to adjust the length of the alignment unit 200 for different elevator shafts 20. The alignment unit also includes second attachment devices 240, 250 at each end of the alignment unit 200. The second attachment devices 240, 250 are movable in a second direction S2. Actuators 241, 251, such as linear motors, can be used to individually move each second attachment device 240, 250 in the second direction S2. Each second attachment device 240, 250 also includes a gripping device in the form of a claw 245, 255 positioned at the end of the second attachment device 240, 250. The claw 245, 255 is movable in a third direction S3 perpendicular to the second direction S2. The claws 245, 255 will thereby grip the opposite side surfaces of the guide rail 50. Actuators 246, 256, for example, linear motors, can be used to individually move each claw 245, 255 in the third direction S3. The alignment unit 200 is attached to the positioning unit 100 at each end thereof using support portions 260, 270. The support portions 260, 270 are movable relative to the positioning unit 100 in the third direction S3. The alignment unit 200 is attached to the support portions 260, 270 using articulated joints J1, J2. Actuators 261, 271, for example, linear motors, can be used to individually move each support portion 260, 270 in the third direction S3. The articulated joints J1, J2 make it possible to adjust the alignment unit 200 so that it is not parallel to the positioning unit 100.

The two second attachment means 240, 250 are movable only in the second direction S2 by means of the actuators 241, 251. However, it is possible to add another actuator to one of the second attachment means 240, 250 so as to be able to rotate the second attachment means 240, 250 about the articulated joint in the horizontal plane. This possibility does not appear to be necessary, but it can be incorporated into the device 500 if desired.

The device 400 can be operated mechanically or automatically with the aid of a control unit 300. The control unit 300 can be attached to the device 400, or it can be a separate entity that is connectable to the device 400 via a cable. Naturally, wireless communication can also exist between the control unit 300 and the device 400. The control unit 300 is used to control all actuators, including the actuators 141, 151 that move the first attachment means 140, 150, the actuators 241, 242 that move the second attachment means 240, 250, the actuators 246, 256 that move the gripping means 245, 255, and the actuators 261, 271 that move the support parts 260, 270.

FIG4 illustrates the first stage of operation of the apparatus of FIG3 . Guide rails 51, 52 are attached to brackets 65, 66, which can be attached to side wall 21C of shaft 20 directly or via support rods 68 extending between rear wall 21B and front wall 21A of shaft 20. Bracket 65 is attached to rod bracket 61, and rod bracket 61 is attached to support rod 68. Apparatus 400 can be supported on a mounting platform and, during alignment of guide rails 50, raised to the height of first fastening device 60 using the mounting platform. The mechanism can operate on the mounting platform. Apparatus 400 can be operated mechanically or automatically by means of control unit 300, such that alignment unit 200 is controlled to attach to two opposing guide rails 51, 52 using claws 245, 255 at the ends of second attachment devices 240, 250. The second attachment devices 240, 250 are movable in a second direction S2, and the claws 245, 255 are movable in a third direction S3, so that they can grip onto the opposing vertical side surfaces of the guide rails 51, 52. The bolts of the fastening device 60 are then opened on both sides of the shaft 20, allowing the guide rails 51, 52 to be moved. The guide rails 51, 52 on the opposing sides of the shaft 20 are then adjusted relative to each other using the alignment unit 200. The frame of the alignment unit 200 is rigid, so that when the gripping devices 245, 255 grip the guide rails 50, the two opposing guide rails 51, 52 are positioned facing each other. Thus, thereafter, there is no twisting between the opposing guide rails 50. The distance between the two opposing guide rails 50 in the direction (DBG) is also adjusted using the alignment unit 200. The position of each of the second attachment devices 240, 250 in the second direction S2 determines this distance.

A plumb line (not shown) is formed near each guide rail 51, 52. The distances from the guide rails 51, 52 to the corresponding plumb lines near the guide rails 51, 52 in the DBG and BTF directions are then determined. The required control values (DBG, BTF, and torsion) for the device 400 are then calculated. The control values are then converted into incremental steps, which are provided as control signals to the control unit of the linear motor in the device 400. The DBG can also be based on motor torque measurements, which indicate when the second attachment devices 240, 250 have reached their end positions and are positioned against the guide rail 50. The position of the linear motor can then be read from the display of the control unit 300. The device 400 is thus able to calculate the DBG based on the distances of the guide rails 51, 52 from the plumb lines and based on the position of each of the second attachment devices 240, 250 in the second direction S2.

FIG5 illustrates the second stage of operation of the apparatus of FIG3 . The positioning unit 100 of the apparatus 400 is locked to the wall structure 21 or other supporting structure in the elevator shaft 20 using the first attachment means 140 , 150 . While the positioning unit 100 is locked to the wall structure 21 of the elevator shaft 20 , the alignment unit 200 of the apparatus 400 is in a floating mode relative to the positioning unit 100 . The guide rails 51 , 52 can now be adjusted relative to the shaft 20 using the alignment unit 200 and the positioning unit 100 . The bolts of the fastening device 60 are then tightened. The apparatus 400 can now be transported to the next location of the fastening device 60 , where the first and second stages of operation of the apparatus 400 are repeated.

FIG6 shows an axonometric view of an elevator shaft illustrating the present invention. The figure shows a device 400 for aligning guide rails. The device 400 for aligning guide rails is mounted on a mounting platform 500 (shown in FIG8-13 ), which is arranged to be movable upward and downward in the elevator shaft along a first direction S1.

Four laser emitters 610, 620, 630, and 640 are arranged at predetermined locations on the bottom 12 of the elevator shaft 20. Two laser emitters 610 and 620 are arranged near the first car guide rail 51, on each side of the first car guide rail 51, while two laser emitters 630 and 640 are arranged near the second car guide rail 52, on each side of the second car guide rail 52. The position of each laser emitter 610, 620, 630, and 640 in the elevator shaft 20 in the second direction S2 and the third direction S3 is thus known. Each laser emitter 610, 620, 630, and 640 generates a laser beam PL1, PL2, PL3, and PL4 that is directed vertically upward within the elevator shaft 20 and creates a plumb line in the elevator shaft 20. The four laser emitters 610, 620, 630, 640 are positioned on the bottom 12 of the shaft 20, but they can naturally be raised to a higher position in the shaft 20 if necessary during the installation process. This may be necessary in very high shafts 20 if the laser beams PL1, PL2, PL3, PL4 cannot reach the entire height of the shaft 20. The installation can then be carried out in steps, one section of the guide rail 50 at a time. The laser emitters 610, 620, 630, 640 can be raised after the previous section of the guide rail has been installed and aligned.

There are also four first position-sensitive detectors (PSDs) 710, 720, 730, 740, which are arranged in conjunction with the device 400 for aligning the guide rails. Each of the first PSDs 710, 720, 730, 740 is arranged so that it receives a corresponding laser beam PL1, PL2, PL3, PL4. The PSDs measure the points at which the laser beams PL1, PL2, PL3, PL4 strike a position-sensitive region of the corresponding PSD. The output of each PSD is transmitted to a control unit 300 associated with the device 400 for aligning the guide rails. The position of the device 400 for aligning the guide rails relative to the laser beams PL1, PL2, PL3, PL4 forming a plumb line in the shaft 20 can thus be determined in the second direction S2 and the third direction S3 based on the measurement results of the PSDs 710, 720, 730, 740.

The figure also shows four optional second position sensitive detectors 750, 760, 770, 780, which are arranged on the roof 13 of the elevator car 20. These second PSDs 750, 760, 770, 780 can be used as reference sensors to detect the curvature of high-rise buildings. In this case, the first position sensitive detectors 710, 720, 730, 740 are transparent sensors with integral beam splitters, which means that they allow the laser beams PL1, PL2, PL3, PL4 to pass through, allowing the second PSDs 750, 760, 770, 780 to detect the laser beams PL1, PL2, PL3, PL4. Secondary PSDs 750, 760, 770, 780 are arranged on the top 13 of the elevator crystal so that, when the building is straight (i.e., without wind acting on the building), each vertically directed laser beam PL1, PL2, PL3, PL4 strikes the midpoint of the corresponding secondary PSD 750, 760, 770, 780. Laser emitters 610, 620, 630, 640 can be provided with an automatic orientation function, which can be implemented, for example, using servo motors. The orientation of laser beams PL1, PL2, PL3, PL4 can thus be maintained using servo motors so that they always point toward the midpoint of secondary PSDs 750, 760, 770, 780. Four optional secondary position-sensitive detectors 750, 760, 770, 780 are positioned at the top 13 of the shaft 20, but can naturally be lowered to a lower position in the shaft 20 during installation if necessary. This may be necessary in very tall shafts 20 if the laser beams PL1, PL2, PL3, PL4 cannot reach the entire height of the shaft 20. Installation can then be done in steps, one section of the guide rail 50 at a time. The second position sensitive detectors 750, 760, 770, 780 can first be positioned at a first position between the mounting platform 500 and the ceiling 13 of the shaft 20. The second position sensitive detectors 750, 760, 770, 780 can then be raised in sync with the raising of the laser emitters 610, 620, 630, 640.

Figure 7 shows a vertical cross-section of a curved elevator shaft, illustrating the principles of the present invention in this context. The curvature of the elevator shaft 20 is greatly exaggerated in the figure to clarify the situation. The figure shows only one laser emitter 610, one first position-sensitive detector 710, and one second position-sensitive detector 750. The laser beam PL1 generated by the laser emitter 610 forms a first angle α1 with the vertical, with the laser beam PL1 automatically directed toward the center of the second position-sensitive detector 750. Due to the curvature of the elevator shaft, the second position-sensitive detector 750 is not positioned on a vertical line extending upward from the laser emitter 610. The laser beam PL1 generated by the laser emitter 610 strikes the first position-sensitive detector 710 at a first point P1. The magnitude and direction of the first angle α1 relative to the vertical are known in the second direction S2 and the third direction S3. The vertical height H1 between the laser emitter 610 and the second position-sensitive detector 750 is also known. The vertical height H2 of the first position-sensitive detector 710 is also known. This information allows the curvature of the building to be accounted for. A predetermined bending curve BC can be fitted between the laser emitter 610 and the second PSD 750 so that the curvature of the curve follows the curvature of the elevator shaft 20. The bending curve BC strikes the first PSD 710 at a second point P2. The second point P2 is thus the correct impact point for the laser beam PL1, taking the curvature of the elevator shaft 20 into account. This correction can be made for all laser beams.

FIG8 shows an axonometric view of the alignment of guide rails in an elevator shaft. The figure shows car guide rails 51, 52, a mounting platform 500, and a device 400 for aligning the guide rails 51, 52. The device 400 for aligning the guide rails 51, 52 is attached to a support frame 460 using a support arm 450, and the support frame 460 is attached to the mounting platform 500. The device 400 for aligning the guide rails 51, 52 must be movable relative to the mounting platform 500 in the second direction S2 and the third direction S3. This can be achieved using one or more joints J10 in the support arm 450. The support arm 460 can also be arranged to be movable in the second direction S2 and the third direction S3.

FIG9 shows a horizontal cross-section of an elevator shaft, illustrating a first embodiment of the present invention. The figure illustrates a mounting platform 500, a device for aligning guide rails 400, and two first position-sensitive detectors 710, 720 supported on the mounting platform 500. The mounting platform 500 includes support arms 510, 520, 530, 540, which are arranged on opposite sides of the mounting platform 500 and are movable in a second direction S2 for supporting the mounting platform 500 on opposite side walls 21C, 21D of the shaft 20. The gripping devices 245, 255 of the second attachment devices 240, 250 are capable of gripping opposing guide surfaces of the car guide rails 51, 52. The car guide rails 51, 52 can thus be aligned using the device for aligning guide rails 400, as previously described in conjunction with FIG3-5. The mounting platform 500 is locked in place using the support walls 510, 520, 530, 540. Once the mounting platform 500 is locked in the shaft 20, the position of the mounting platform 500 relative to the shaft 20 is determined using the position-sensitive detectors 710, 730. Once the coordinates of the stationary mounting platform 500 are determined, it is then possible to continuously determine the coordinates of the device 400 relative to the mounting platform 50 during the alignment process. The device 400 is attached to the mounting platform 500, whereby the position of the device 400 can be indirectly determined based on the position of the mounting platform 500. The position of the guide rails 51, 52 can also be indirectly determined based on the position of the device 400. This arrangement can be used, for example, in situations where visibility of the device 400 is limited, making it impossible to attach the first position-sensitive detectors 710, 730 to the device 400.

FIG10 illustrates a horizontal cross-section of an elevator shaft, showing a second embodiment of the present invention. This second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that first position-sensitive detectors 710, 730 are attached to second attachment devices 240, 250 within the guide rail alignment device 400. The support arms 510, 520, 530, 540 of the mounting platform 500 are not shown in the figure. The first attachment devices 140, 150 of the guide rail alignment device 400 are used to support the device 400 against opposing side walls 21C, 21D within the elevator shaft 20. Each guide rail 51, 52 can then be aligned with the second attachment device 240, 250 based on the measurement signals received from the first position-sensitive detectors 710, 730, as described in conjunction with FIG3-5. The position of the device 400 can be determined directly based on the measurements from the first position-sensitive detectors 710, 730 attached to the device 400. The position of the guide rails 51, 52 can be determined indirectly based on the position of the device 400.

FIG11 shows a horizontal cross section of an elevator shaft, illustrating a third embodiment of the present invention. This third embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that first position-sensitive detectors 710, 730 are attached to the sliding surfaces of the guide rails 51, 52 via magnets 715, 735. The position of the guide rails 51, 52 can be determined directly based on the measurement results from the first position-sensitive detectors 710, 720 attached to the guide rails 51, 52.

FIG12 shows a horizontal cross-section of an elevator shaft, illustrating a fourth embodiment of the present invention. This fourth embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that four first position-sensitive detectors 710, 720, 730, and 740 are used. The first two first position-sensitive detectors 710 and 720 are attached to the second attachment device 250 of the apparatus 400 on opposite sides of the first car guide rail 51. The second two first position-sensitive detectors 730 and 740 are attached to the second attachment device 240 of the apparatus 500 on opposite sides of the second car guide rail 52. The position of the guide rails 51 and 52 can be determined based on the position of the second attachment devices 240 and 250 of the apparatus 400. Using this arrangement, the torsion of the car guide rails 51 and 52 can be easily measured.

13 shows a horizontal cross section of an elevator car illustrating a fifth embodiment of the invention. This fifth embodiment differs from the fourth embodiment in that first position sensitive detectors 710, 720, 730, 740 are attached to the sliding surfaces of the guide rails 51, 52 using magnets 715, 735.

FIG14 shows a horizontal cross-section of a position-sensitive detector 700. Position-sensitive detector 700 has a center point C, which forms the center point of its coordinate system. The figure shows an impact point P3, at which laser beam PL strikes position-sensitive detector 700. The coordinates X1 of impact point P3 in the second direction S2 and Y1 of impact point P3 in the third direction S3 are given as output signals from position-sensitive detector 700. The idea is to change the position of guide rails 51, 52 so that laser beam PL strikes position-sensitive detector 700 at center point C. Center point C of position-sensitive detector 700 serves as a reference point for device 400 for aligning guide rails.

In addition to the equipment for aligning the guide rails, the installation platform 500 can also be equipped with various installation equipment. This installation equipment can be used to install the guide rails. The installation equipment can include one or more robots that can move on the installation platform 500. The installation platform 500 can be supported on the opposing car guide rails 51 and 52 using sliding devices during upward and downward movement in the first direction S1 within the elevator shaft 20. A crane can be used to move the installation platform 500 upward and downward in the first direction S1 within the elevator shaft 20.

The device for aligning the guide rails has been described in conjunction with the car guide rails 51 , 52 , but the device can naturally also be used to align the counterweight guide rails 52 , 53 .

Any type of commercially available position sensitive detector 700 can be used in the present invention. Thus, a PSD can be formed, for example, by a detector having an isotropic sensor surface with a grating-like surface that provides continuous position data. Alternatively, a PSD can be formed, for example, by a detector having discrete sensors on the sensor surface that provide localized discrete data.

The transmission of information and control data between the first position sensitive detectors 710, 720, 730, 740 and the control unit 300, between the second position sensitive detectors 750, 760, 770, 780 and the control unit 300, and between the laser emitters 610, 620, 630, 640 and the control unit 300 can be done by wireless communication or by wires. The transmission of information and control data between the mounting platform 500 and the control unit 300, and between the alignment device 400 and the control unit 300 can be done by wireless communication or by wires.

The height position of the mounting platform 500 and/or the guide rail alignment device 400 can be measured by any conventional known method. This can be achieved using a laser-based distance sensor. Another possibility is to use an absolute multi-turn encoder and a measuring wheel to measure the movement of the mounting platform 500. A reference mark can be provided in the shaft 20, at which the encoder is reset.

The laser emitters 610, 620, 630, 640 should be positioned so that the laser beams PL1, PL2, PL3, PL4 can freely travel upward within the elevator shaft 20 to the first position-sensitive detectors 710, 720, 730, 740 and/or the second position-sensitive detectors 750, 760, 770, 780. The laser emitters 610, 620, 630, 640 should be capable of long range if used in a high-rise building. If the operating range of the laser emitters 610, 620, 630, 640 is insufficient for the full height of the shaft, the installation will be performed in sections, with the laser emitters 610, 620, 630, 640 being raised between intervals. Dust or air turbulence within the shaft 20 can cause problems over long distances.

The present invention can utilize at least two laser emitters 610, 620, 630, and 640. The guide rail alignment device 400 shown in Figures 3-5 is capable of aligning the top ends of guide rails 51, 52, 53, and 54. However, four laser emitters 610, 620, 630, and 640 are required to measure the straightness of guide rails 51, 52, 53, and 54. This is due to the fact that guide rails 51, 52, 53, and 54 often have some distortion. The beams L1, L2, L3, and L4 of the laser emitters 610, 620, 630, and 640 should be parallel.

The use of the laser beams L1, L2, L3, L4 as plumb lines is advantageous compared to the use of mechanical plumb lines. Mechanical plumb lines are formed by wires that immediately begin to vibrate when accidentally touched. The measurement must be interrupted until the wires stop vibrating.

The device and method can be used in elevator installations having a hoisting height in the elevator shaft exceeding 30 meters, preferably 30-80 meters, most preferably 40-80 meters.

The device and the method can on the other hand also be used in elevator installations in which the hoisting height of the elevator shaft exceeds 75 meters, preferably exceeds 100 meters, more preferably exceeds 150 meters, most preferably exceeds 250 meters.

The mounting platform 500 may be used to mount the car guide rails 51 , 52 and/or the counterweight guide rails 53 , 54 .

The use of the present invention is not limited to the type of elevator disclosed in the figures. The present invention can be used in any type of elevator, for example, also in elevators without a machine room and/or counterweight. The counterweight is positioned on the rear wall of the elevator shaft in the figures. The counterweight can be positioned on any side wall of the shaft or on both side walls. The hoisting machine is positioned in the figures in the machine room at the top of the elevator shaft. The hoisting machine can be positioned at the bottom of the elevator shaft or at a specific point within the shaft.

It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that as technology advances, the inventive concept can be implemented in various ways.The invention and its embodiments are not limited to the examples described above but may vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims (13)

1. A facility for aligning guide rails (51, 52, 53, 54) within an elevator shaft (20), the elevator shaft (20) having a bottom (12), a top (13), side walls (21A, 21B, 21C, 21D), a first direction (S1) coinciding with the vertical direction within the elevator shaft (20), a second direction (S2) extending between car guide rails (51, 52) on opposite side walls (21C, 21D) within the elevator shaft (20), and a third direction (S3) extending between a rear wall (21B) and a front wall (21A) within the elevator shaft (20), characterized in that: The mounting platform (500) is arranged to be movable up and down in a first direction (S1) within the elevator shaft (20), and the mounting platform (500) is provided with a device (400) for aligning guide rails (51, 52, 53, 54); At least two laser emitters (610, 620, 630, 640) are arranged in the shaft (20) at a predetermined position below the mounting platform (500), each of the at least two laser emitters (610, 620, 630, 640) emitting an upward-pointing laser beam (PL1, PL2, PL3, PL4) that forms a vertical line within the elevator shaft (20); At least two first position sensitive detectors (710, 720, 730, 740) are attached to the mounting platform (500) and/or the device (400) for aligning the guide rails (51, 52, 53, 54) and/or the guide rails (51, 52, 53, 54), each of the at least two first position sensitive detectors (710, 720, 730, 740) receiving a corresponding laser beam (PL1, PL2, PL3, PL4), thereby allowing the position of the guide rails (51, 52, 53, 54) relative to the shaft (20) to be determined indirectly or directly. 2. The facility as claimed in claim 1, wherein the installation platform (500) includes support walls (510, 520, 530, 540) arranged on opposite sides of the installation platform (500) and movable in a second direction (S2) for supporting the installation platform (500) on opposite side walls (21C, 21D) of the shaft (20). 3. The facility as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least two position-sensitive detectors (710, 720, 730, 740) are attached to the mounting platform (500), whereby the position of the mounting platform (500) relative to the elevator shaft (20) and the position of the guide rails (51, 52, 53, 54) relative to the elevator shaft (20) can be determined based on the output signals of the at least two first position-sensitive detectors (710, 720, 730, 740). 4. The facility as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least two first position sensitive detectors (710, 720, 730, 740) are attached to a device (400) for aligning guide rails (51, 52, 53, 54), whereby the position of the guide rails (51, 52, 53, 54) relative to the elevator shaft (20) and thus the position of the guide rails (51, 52, 53, 54) relative to the elevator shaft (20) can be determined based on the output signals of at least two first position sensitive detectors (710, 720, 730, 740). 5. The facility as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least two first position sensitive detectors (710, 720, 730, 740) are attached to the guide rails (51, 52, 53, 54), whereby the position of the guide rails (51, 52, 53, 54) relative to the elevator shaft (20) can be determined based on the output signals of the at least two first position sensitive detectors (710, 720, 730, 740). 6. The facility as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the device (400) for aligning the guide rails comprises: A positioning unit (100), which extends horizontally across the elevator shaft (20) in a second direction (S2) and has at each end a first attachment device (140, 150) movable in the second direction (S2) for supporting the positioning unit (100) on the opposite wall structure (21) of the elevator shaft (20). Alignment unit (200) extends across elevator shaft (20) in a second direction (S2) and is supported on each end of positioning unit (100) by support portions (260, 270) such that each end of alignment unit (200) is individually movable relative to positioning unit (100) in a third direction (S3) perpendicular to the second direction (S2), and includes a second attachment device (240, 250) at each end of alignment unit (200), the second attachment device being movable in the second direction (S2) for supporting alignment unit (200) on opposing guide rails (50) in shaft (20), the second attachment device (240, 250) including gripping devices (245, 255) for gripping on guide rails (50). 7. The facility as claimed in claim 6, wherein the at least two first position-sensitive detectors (710, 720, 730, 740) are attached to a second attachment device (240, 250) of the device (400) for aligning the guide rails. 8. The facility as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least two second position-sensitive detectors (750, 760, 770, 780) are arranged on a mounting platform (500) in the elevator shaft (20), whereby each laser beam (PL1, PL2, PL3, PL4) of the laser emitter (610, 620, 630, 640) is automatically and continuously pointed to the center of the corresponding second position-sensitive detector (750, 760, 770, 780), such that the curvature of the elevator shaft (20) can be taken into account when the position of the guide rails (51, 52, 53, 54) is determined. 9. The facility as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control unit (300) is arranged to control the movement of the mounting platform (500) and the device (400) for aligning the guide rails. 10. The facility as claimed in claim 9, wherein the laser emitters (610, 620, 630, 640) and the control unit (400) are connected such that the angular position of the laser emitters (610, 620, 630, 640) can be transmitted to the control unit (300). 11. The facility as claimed in claim 9, wherein the at least two first position sensitive sensors (610, 620, 630, 640) are connected to the control unit (300) such that the output signals of the at least two first position sensitive sensors (610, 620, 630, 640) can be transmitted to the control unit (300). 12. A method for aligning guide rails (51, 52, 53, 54) in an elevator shaft (20), the shaft (20) having a bottom (12), a top (13), side walls (21A, 21B, 21C, 21D), a first direction (S1) coinciding with the vertical direction of the elevator shaft (20), a drop direction (S2) extending between car guide rails (51, 52) on opposite side walls (21C, 21D) in the elevator shaft (20), and a third direction (S3) extending between a rear wall (21B) and a front portion (21A) within the elevator shaft (20), characterized by the following steps: The mounting platform (500) is arranged to be movable in the elevator shaft (20) in the upward and downward directions along a first direction (S1), and the mounting platform (500) is provided with a device (400) for aligning guide rails (51, 52, 53, 54). At least two laser beams (PL1, PL2, PL3, PL4) are guided upward in the shaft (20) from a predetermined position below the platform (500) installed in the shaft (20), and the at least two laser beams (PL1, PL2, PL3, PL4) form a vertical line in the shaft (20); At least two first position-sensitive sensors (710, 720, 730, 740) are attached to the mounting platform (500) and/or the device (400) for aligning the guide rails (51, 52, 53, 54) and/or the guide rails (51, 52, 53, 54), whereby the at least two position-sensitive sensors (710, 720, 730, 740) receive corresponding laser beams (PL1, PL2, PL3, PL4), thereby the position of the guide rails (51, 52, 53, 54) relative to the shaft (20) can be determined directly or indirectly. 13. The use of a facility as described in any one of claims 1 to 11 for aligning guide rails (51, 52, 53, 54) in an elevator shaft (20).