U.S. patent application number 13/822080 was filed with the patent office on 2013-07-04 for elevator suspension and/or driving assembly having at least one traction surface comprising exposed weave fibers.
This patent application is currently assigned to OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY. The applicant listed for this patent is Timothy D. DeValve, Vijay Jayachandran, Gopal R. Krishnan, Daniel Rush, John P. Wesson. Invention is credited to Timothy D. DeValve, Vijay Jayachandran, Gopal R. Krishnan, Daniel Rush, John P. Wesson.
Application Number | 20130167967 13/822080 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48693888 |
Filed Date | 2013-07-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130167967 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wesson; John P. ; et
al. |
July 4, 2013 |
Elevator Suspension and/or Driving Assembly Having at Least One
Traction Surface Comprising Exposed Weave Fibers
Abstract
An exemplary elongated elevator load bearing member includes a
plurality of tension elements that extend along a length of the
load bearing member. A plurality of weave fibers transverse to the
tension elements are woven with the tension elements such that the
weave fibers maintain a desired spacing and alignment of the
tension elements relative to each other. The weave fibers at least
partially cover the tension elements. The weave fibers are exposed
and establish an exterior, traction surface of the load bearing
member.
Inventors: |
Wesson; John P.; (Vernon,
CT) ; Krishnan; Gopal R.; (Wethersfield, CT) ;
DeValve; Timothy D.; (Manchester, CT) ; Jayachandran;
Vijay; (West Hartford, CT) ; Rush; Daniel;
(Canton, CT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Wesson; John P.
Krishnan; Gopal R.
DeValve; Timothy D.
Jayachandran; Vijay
Rush; Daniel |
Vernon
Wethersfield
Manchester
West Hartford
Canton |
CT
CT
CT
CT
CT |
US
US
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
Farmington
CT
|
Family ID: |
48693888 |
Appl. No.: |
13/822080 |
Filed: |
January 19, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
January 19, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2011/021602 |
371 Date: |
March 11, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/US2010/049433 |
Sep 20, 2010 |
|
|
|
13822080 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
139/11 ;
139/420R |
Current CPC
Class: |
D03D 1/0094 20130101;
D03D 11/00 20130101; D03D 15/02 20130101; D10B 2401/063 20130101;
D07B 1/22 20130101; B66B 7/062 20130101; D03D 41/00 20130101; D03D
13/006 20130101; D07B 5/04 20130101; D03D 13/004 20130101; D10B
2403/02412 20130101; D03D 15/0094 20130101; D10B 2403/02411
20130101; D07B 5/005 20130101; D07B 2501/2007 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
139/11 ;
139/420.R |
International
Class: |
D03D 13/00 20060101
D03D013/00; D03D 41/00 20060101 D03D041/00 |
Claims
1. An elongated elevator load bearing member of a traction elevator
system, comprising: a plurality of tension elements that extend
along a length of the load bearing member; and a plurality of weave
fibers transverse to the tension elements and woven with the
tension elements, the weave fibers maintaining a desired spacing
and alignment of the tension elements relative to each other, the
weave fibers at least partially covering the tension elements, the
weave fibers being exposed and establishing an exterior, traction
surface of the load bearing member.
2. The elongated elevator load bearing member of claim 1, wherein
the weave fibers have a thickness sufficient to prevent the tension
elements from contacting a component that the traction surface
engages.
3. The elongated elevator load bearing member of claim 1, wherein
weave fibers are arranged in a pattern that comprises a
predetermined spacing between the weave fibers that establishes a
surface area of coverage over the tension elements sufficient to
prevent the tension elements from contacting a component that the
traction surface engages.
4. The elongated elevator load bearing member of claim 1, wherein
the tension elements comprise a first material and the weave fibers
comprise a second, different material.
5. The elongated elevator load bearing member of claim 4, wherein
the tension elements comprise metal and the weave fibers are
non-metallic.
6. The elongated elevator load bearing member of claim 1, wherein
the weave fibers comprise yarn and sizing.
7. The elongated elevator load bearing member of claim 1, wherein
the weave fibers comprise yarn impregnated with an elastomer
material.
8. The elongated elevator load bearing member of claim 1, wherein
the tension elements are at least partially coated with an adhesive
coating on the tension elements, the weave fibers contacting the
adhesive coating.
9. The elongated elevator load bearing member of claim 1, wherein
the tension elements are at least partially coated with an
elastomer material.
10. The elongated elevator load bearing member of claim 1, wherein
the weave fibers have a first outside dimension and the tension
member have a second, larger outside dimension.
11. A method of making an elongated elevator load bearing member of
a traction elevator system, comprising the steps of: providing a
plurality of tension elements; and weaving a plurality of weave
fibers together with the tension elements to thereby (i) maintain a
desired spacing and alignment of the tension elements relative to
each other, (ii) at least partially cover the tension elements, and
(iii) establish an exterior, traction surface of the load bearing
member comprising exposed ones of the weave fibers.
12. The method of claim 11, comprising at least partially covering
the tension elements with the weave fibers that have a thickness
sufficient to prevent the tension elements from contacting a
component that the traction surface engages.
13. The method of claim 11, comprising at least partially covering
the tension elements using a weave pattern that comprises a
predetermined spacing between the weave fibers that establishes a
surface area of coverage over the tension elements sufficient to
prevent the tension elements from contacting a component that the
traction surface engages.
14. The method of claim 11, wherein the tension elements comprise a
first material and the weave fibers comprise a second, different
material.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the tension elements comprise
metal and the weave fibers are non-metallic.
16. The method of claim 11, wherein the weave fibers comprise yarn
and sizing.
17. The method of claim 11, wherein the weave fibers comprise yarn
impregnated with an elastomer material.
18. The method of claim 11, wherein the tension elements are at
least partially coated with an adhesive coating prior to the
weaving.
19. The method of claim 11, wherein the tension elements are at
least partially coated with an elastomer material prior to the
weaving.
20. The method of claim 11, wherein the weave fibers have a first
outside dimension and the tension member have a second, larger
outside dimension.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] There are a variety of uses of elongated load carrying
members such as round ropes or flat belts. One such use is to
suspend the loads in elevator systems. The load carrying members
are used for driving or propulsion in elevator systems. Round steel
ropes have been the industry standard for many years. More recently
flat belts including a plurality of tension member cords
substantially retained in a jacket have been used in elevator
systems. While there are advantages associated with such belts in
an elevator system, there are also challenges presented.
[0002] For example, one challenge presented by some elevator belts
is achieving a desired amount of traction between the belt and a
traction sheave that causes movement of the belt and thus the
elevator car. Different approaches have been suggested to achieve
particular traction characteristics on a surface of an elevator
belt. One approach is shown in the Published International
Application WO 2005/094255. In that document, a jacket includes a
roughened surface to provide desired friction characteristics.
[0003] Other challenges are associated with the techniques used to
apply the jacket to the belt. Some such techniques result in
features that are believed to be a cause of noise during elevator
operation. Adding a jacket layer also adds cost and manufacturing
complexities.
SUMMARY
[0004] An exemplary elongated elevator load bearing member includes
a plurality of tension elements that extend along a length of the
load bearing member. A plurality of weave fibers transverse to the
tension elements are woven with the tension elements such that the
weave fibers maintain a desired spacing and alignment of the
tension elements relative to each other. The weave fibers at least
partially cover the tension elements. The weave fibers are exposed
and establish an exterior, traction surface of the load bearing
member.
[0005] An exemplary method of making an elongated load bearing
member includes providing a plurality of tension elements that
extend along a length of the load bearing member. A plurality of
weave fibers are woven together with the tension elements to
thereby maintain a desired spacing and alignment of the tension
elements relative to each other. The weave fibers at least
partially cover the tension elements. The weave fibers are exposed
and establish an exterior, traction surface of the load bearing
member.
[0006] The various features and advantages of the disclosed
examples will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the
following detailed description. The drawings that accompany the
detailed description can be briefly described as follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 schematically shows selected portions of an example
elevator system.
[0008] FIG. 2 diagrammatically illustrates an example load bearing
member having weave fibers that are woven together with tension
elements.
[0009] FIG. 3 schematically shows one example weave pattern that
includes weave fibers in more than one direction.
[0010] FIG. 4 schematically shows another example that includes
tension elements distributed throughout a woven belt.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] FIG. 1 schematically shows selected portions of an example
traction elevator system 20. The illustrated example is for
discussion purposes only. Features of the elevator system 20 that
are not required for an understanding of the present invention
(e.g. guide rails, safeties, etc.) are not shown or discussed.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention
could be used in a variety of elevator system configurations and
not only the specific example shown in this Figure. This example
includes an elevator car 22 coupled with a counterweight 24 by one
or more elongated elevator load bearing members 30 in a 1:1 roping
arrangement. Other roping arrangements, such as 2:1 or greater, are
possible. The weight of the elevator car 22 and counterweight 24 is
suspended by the elongated elevator load bearing members 30.
[0012] A traction sheave 31A causes desired movement of the
elongated elevator load bearing members 30 to achieve desired
movement and placement of the elevator car 22 within the hoistway.
The illustrated example elevator system 20 includes a deflector
pulley 31B as seen in FIG. 1 that also engages the elongated
elevator load bearing members 30. Other examples include one or
more idler or diverter pulleys on the car 22, the counterweight 24
or both (for example to provide an overslung or underslung roping
arrangement) that also engage the elongated elevator load bearing
members 30.
[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates an example elongated elevator load
bearing member 30. This example includes a plurality of tension
elements 32. As can be appreciated from the drawing, the tension
elements 32 are arranged generally parallel to each other and
extend in a longitudinal direction that establishes a length
dimension of the elongated elevator load bearing member 30. A
plurality of weave fibers 34 are woven together with the tension
elements 32. In this example, the weave fibers 34 and the tension
elements 32 are woven together into a fabric that maintains the
tension elements 32 in a desired orientation relative to each
other. In other words, the weave fibers 34 substantially retain the
tension elements 32 in position. The phrase "substantially
retained" means that the weave fibers 34 sufficiently engage the
tension elements 32 such that the tension elements 32 do not pull
out of the weave and remain substantially stationary relative to
the weave fibers 34 in use (e.g., when the elongated elevator load
bearing member 30 is subject to a load encountered during use in an
elevator system 20 with, potentially, an additional factor of
safety). The weave fibers 34 in this example have a length that is
transverse to the length or longitudinal direction of the tension
elements 32.
[0014] The example load bearing member 30 includes an exterior,
traction surface 36 on at least one side of the load bearing member
30. The traction surface 36 is established by exposed weave fibers
34. An "exposed" weave fiber 34 in most embodiments will not be
exposed along its entire length. The weave fibers 34 are woven into
the woven fabric of the load bearing member 30 so that portions of
each fiber will be beneath other weave fibers 34 or the tension
elements 32.
[0015] In the illustrated example, all of the weave fibers 34 are
exposed on the exterior, traction surface 36. In some examples, the
layers of the weave or the arrangement of the weave fibers 34
leaves at least some of the weave fibers 34 covered over by other
weave fibers 34. In such examples, only some of the weave fibers
are exposed and establish the exterior, traction surface.
[0016] The tension elements 32 are the primary load bearing
structure of the elevator load bearing member 30. In some examples,
the weave fibers 34 do not support the weight of the elevator car
22 or counterweight 24. Nevertheless, the weave fibers 34 do form
part of the load path. The weave fibers 34 directly transmit the
traction forces between the traction sheave 31 and the elevator
load bearing member 30 to the tension elements 32 because the weave
fibers 34 are exposed at the traction surface 36.
[0017] The weave fibers 34 in some examples prevent the tension
elements 32 from contacting any component that the traction surface
36 engages. For example, the tension elements 32 will not contact a
surface on the traction sheave 31 as the load bearing member 30
wraps at least partially about the traction sheave 31. The size of
the weave fibers 34, the material of the weave fibers 34, the
pattern of the weave fibers 34 or a combination of these is
selected to ensure the desired spacing between the tension elements
32 and the traction surface 36 so that the tension elements 32 are
protected from direct engagement with a component such as the
traction sheave 31. The weave fibers 34 in some examples cover more
than 50% of the surface area of the tension elements 32 that faces
in the same direction as the traction surface 36.
[0018] In one example the tension elements 32 comprise a first
material and the weave fibers 34 comprise a second, different
material. In the illustrated example, the weave fibers 34 have a
much smaller thickness or cross-sectional dimension compared to
that of the tension elements 32. In one example the tension
elements 32 are metallic, such as drawn steel, and the weave fibers
34 comprise non-metallic materials, such as polymers for example.
The illustrated example tension elements 32 in FIG. 2 comprise
metal cords each comprising wound wires.
[0019] As a result of the weaving process in this example, each
tension element 32 remains in a generally planar orientation along
its length while the weave fibers 34 are in various locations along
the length of each weave fiber 34. The weave fibers 34 are of a
lighter weight compared to the tension elements 32 and the weave
fibers 34 are manipulated during the weaving process to conform
about the exterior of the tension elements. Each of the weave
fibers 34 may be partially wrapped over the top (according to the
drawing) of one of the tension elements, beneath an adjacent
tension element 32 and over the top of the next. In some examples,
the tension elements 32 are held under tension during the weaving
process, which keeps the tension elements 32 straight along the
portion of their length with which the weave fibers 34 are being
woven together.
[0020] In the illustrated example, all of the tension elements 32
are aligned with each other in a generally parallel and generally
co-planar arrangement. The weave fibers 34 maintain that desired
alignment while allowing the load bearing member 30 to bend around
sheaves in an elevator system. The weave fibers 34 maintain the
desired relative orientations of the tension members 32 without
requiring any external coating or jacket over the load bearing
member 30.
[0021] In some examples, the weave fibers 34 include or comprise an
elastomer material that is useful for establishing the traction
surface 36. One example includes establishing weave fibers 34 of a
desired material and then coating or impregnating the fibers with
the elastomer material. Another example includes making each of the
weave fibers 34 out of a plurality of filaments and including
filaments made of the selected elastomer material within each of
the weave fibers 34. One example elastomer material comprises a
urethane. Thermoplastic polyurethane is used in one example.
[0022] In some examples, the weave fibers 34 comprise yarn that is
treated with a known sizing material. The sizing in some examples
enhances the ability to weave the tension elements 32 and weave
fibers together. The sizing in some examples enhances a wear
characteristic of the weave fibers 34 such as minimizing fretting
or fraying of the weave fibers during use in an elevator system.
The sizing in some examples provides a desired traction
characteristic on the traction surface 36.
[0023] A variety of different weave patterns can be used to weave
together the weave fibers 34 and the tension elements 32. FIG. 2
shows one such example pattern of the weave fibers 34. In this
example, the weave fibers 34 that are exposed on the exterior,
traction surface 36 are aligned generally parallel to each other
and generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the
tension elements 32.
[0024] FIG. 3 schematically illustrates another example weave
pattern partially expanded to show the relative orientation of the
weave fibers 34 relative to each other (the completed assembly
would have weave fibers 34 and tension elements 32 much closer
together similar to those shown in FIG. 2). In this example, some
of the weave fibers 34a are arranged generally perpendicular to the
longitudinal direction or length of the tension elements 32. Others
of the weave fibers 34b are arranged generally parallel to the
tension elements 32 and generally perpendicular to the weave fibers
34a. As can be appreciated by comparing FIG. 2 to FIG. 3, the
example weave pattern of FIG. 3 will have a slightly different
characteristic on the traction surface 36 when the weave fibers 34b
are included in a position where they are exposed on the traction
surface 36. In another example, the weave fibers 34b are maintained
only in spaces between the tension elements 32 and are not exposed
so they do not have an impact on the contour or texture of the
traction surface 36.
[0025] One feature of the example of FIG. 3 is that each of the
tension elements 32 includes a coating 40. In one example, the
coating 40 is a protective coating to prevent corrosion of the
material of the tension elements 32. In another example, the
coating 40 comprises an adhesive that facilitates the suitable
positioning of, or bonding between, the weave fibers 34 and the
exterior surface of the tension elements 32. Still another example
coating 40 comprises an elastomer that may be useful for protecting
the material of the tension elements 32 during use in an elevator
system. An elastomer coating 40 can also be useful for suitably
positioning, or bonding, the weave fibers 34 in place with respect
to the tension elements 32 if for example such a coating 40 is
heated after the woven fabric is established.
[0026] In the example of FIG. 2, each tension element 32 comprises
a plurality of wires formed into strands 32A that are then wound
together into a single cord. In that example, each tension element
32 comprises a plurality of individual load bearing strands 32A or
wires, for example. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the tension
elements 32 are distributed throughout the weave. The tension
elements 32 in this example may be of the same size and
characteristic as the individual wires or strands within a wound
cord such as those included in the example of FIG. 2. The tension
elements 32 in an example like FIG. 4 may also be of a larger
size.
[0027] One example configuration like that shown in FIG. 4 includes
discreet metal wires as the tension elements 32. In one such
example, the metal wires have an outside diameter that is
approximately equal to the outside diameter of the weave fibers 34.
In another example, the weave fibers 34 have a smaller diameter
compared to that of the tension elements 32.
[0028] The disclosed examples provide a woven fabric as a basis for
an elevator load bearing member. They provide the ability to
realize an elevator load bearing member having a plurality of
tension elements without requiring an application of a secondary or
jacket material. Eliminating the requirement for a secondary
coating or jacket enhances the economies of some manufacturing
processes and eliminates features of such jackets that have come to
be recognized as sources of challenges or drawbacks when they are
in use in an elevator system.
[0029] One feature of the disclosed examples is that using a weave
to maintain the tension elements 32 in a desired position relative
to each other instead of using a jacket provides more damping
compared to the viscoelastic behavior present with urethane
jackets. Providing more damping by using a weave instead of a
jacket can reduce noise levels during elevator system
operation.
[0030] The preceding description is exemplary rather than limiting
in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed examples
may become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not
necessarily depart from the essence of this invention. The scope of
legal protection given to this invention can only be determined by
studying the following claims.
* * * * *