EP2451735B1 - Contacting device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a contacting device for monitoring a suspension in an elevator system.

In some conveyors, z. As elevator systems, escalators, moving walks, hoists or cranes, belt-shaped support means are used. These support means generally comprise a plurality of steel wires existing tensile carriers, which absorb the tensile forces to be absorbed by the support means. The tension members are generally surrounded by a plastic sheath. The jacket protects the tension members, for example against mechanical wear, because the support means are often guided over deflection points, in particular rollers. In addition, the jacket improves the traction of the suspension element on deflection or drive rollers, and fixed the arrangement of the tension members with each other.

The support means are within a conveyor a safety-critical component, since their failure or breakage can lead to a fall of the material to be conveyed. This can lead to considerable property damage and personal injury. For this reason, test units are used in conveyors, which in particular check the mechanical condition of the tension members. Damage to the forces absorbing tension members should be able to be detected early, so that the support means can be replaced in case of damage to prevent failure of the conveyor.

The tension members are surrounded by the electrically insulating jacket made of plastic. To carry out an examination of the Condition of the tension members contacting of a contact element with the tension member is required in some methods. In a known method, a current is passed with the aid of the contact element through the tension members, which serves as a test current to determine the state of the tension members. In addition, other test methods that do not work with electricity, such. B. ultrasound, into consideration.

The DE 39 34 654 A1 shows a generic support means. The ends of the tension members are connected in pairs conductive with a bridge part, so that the tension members of the support means are electrically connected in series. The tensile carriers of the suspension element are connected via an ammeter to a voltage source, so that by means of the test current, which is passed through all the tension members in series due to the electrical circuit, the state of the tension members can be assessed.

The DE 2 330 038 shows a system for contacting a flat cable. In the illustrated flat cable several strands are arranged side by side within a plane and surrounded by a jacket. For electrical contacting of the strands, the flat cable is clamped by an upper and a lower clamping piece. Recesses are arranged on the lower clamping piece, can be performed by trained on a contact carrier lancing teeth. The lancing teeth pierce through the sheath of the flat cable and thus come into contact with the strands. The contacting of the strands using the lancing teeth is thus perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the strands. Disadvantageously, it is necessary in this contacting that the lancing tines the coat of Punched through. However, the puncture of the shell by the lancing teeth can have the consequence that the lancing teeth deviate from the intended lancing direction when piercing the shell and thereby no contact with the strand can be produced. The lancing prongs may possibly also contact other unwanted strands or even no strands when the mantle is penetrated.

The WO 2005/095251 , the WO 2005/094249 A2 and the WO 2006/127059 A2 show a system for contacting a support means, in which the contact elements perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the tension members first pierce the jacket of the suspension element and then penetrate into the tension members. Disadvantageously, the contact elements can miss the tension members due to the required piercing process through the jacket.

An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a contacting device for contacting a suspension means, in which the tension members of the support belt can be reliably and accurately contacted by a contact element in order to be able to determine a state of the tension members. The contacting device should be easy to use and reliable and have low production costs.

To solve this problem, a contacting device for electrical contacting of tension members of a suspension in an elevator system is proposed. The contacting device comprises a housing with a recess in which a portion of the Supporting means is receivable, so that the housing encloses this portion of the support means substantially. The contacting device comprises at least one contact element, which is arranged in the recess of the housing. The contacting device comprises at least one lifting element, which is supported by the housing. The at least one lifting element can be guided by the support means in such a way that at least one tension member can be lifted out of a sheathing of the suspension element and thereby be brought into electrical contact with the contact element.

In addition, an elevator installation with a cabin and a counterweight is proposed, wherein the cabin and the counterweight can be moved by means of suspension elements, which can be driven by a drive, and wherein a contacting device is arranged on the suspension element as described above.

Furthermore, a method for the electrical contacting of tension members in a suspension element of an elevator installation is proposed. The method comprises arranging a housing on the suspension element so that a portion of the suspension element is substantially enclosed by the housing. The method comprises lifting at least one tension member from its original position by means of at least one lifting element, which is supported by the housing, so that an electrical contact between the at least one tension member and a contact element which is arranged in the housing, is produced.

Fig. 1

eine beispielhafte Ausführungsform einer Aufzugsanlage mit einer Kontaktierungsvorrichtung;

Fig. 2

eine beispielhafte Ausführungsform einer Kontaktierungsvorrichtung angeordnet an einem Tragmittel;

Fig. 3a

eine geschnittene Darstellung einer beispielhaften Ausführungsform einer Kontaktierungsvorrichtung angeordnet an einem Tragmittel;

Fig. 3b

eine räumliche Darstellung einer beispielhaften Ausführungsform einer geschnittenen Kontaktierungsvorrichtung;

Fig. 3c

eine geschnittene Darstellung einer beispielhaften Ausführungsform einer Kontaktierungsvorrichtung;

Fig. 4

eine beispielhafte Ausführungsform einer Kontaktierungsvorrichtung angeordnet an einem Tragmittel; und

Fig. 5

eine geschnittene Darstellung einer beispielhaften Ausführungsform einer Kontaktierungsvorrichtung angeordnet an einem Tragmittel.

Details and advantages of the invention will be described below with reference to embodiments and with reference to the schematic drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

an exemplary embodiment of an elevator installation with a contacting device;

Fig. 2

an exemplary embodiment of a contacting device arranged on a support means;

Fig. 3a

a sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a contacting device arranged on a support means;

Fig. 3b

a spatial view of an exemplary embodiment of a cut contacting device;

Fig. 3c

a sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a contacting device;

Fig. 4

an exemplary embodiment of a contacting device arranged on a support means; and

Fig. 5

a sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a contacting device arranged on a support means.

In FIG. 1 two contacting devices 2 for contacting a support means 1 in an elevator installation 40 are installed. The schematic and exemplary elevator system 40 includes at least one elevator car 41, a counterweight 42 and a suspension element 1 and a traction sheave 43 with associated drive motor 44. The traction sheave 43 drives the suspension element 1 and thus moves the elevator car 41 and the counterweight 42 against each other. The drive motor 44 is controlled by an elevator control 45. The cabin 41 is designed to receive people and / or goods and to transport between floors of a building. Cabin 41 and counterweight 42 are guided along guides. In the example, the cabin 41 and the counterweight 42 are each suspended on support rollers 46. The support means 1 is fastened to a first support means fastening device 47, and then first guided around the support roller 46 of the counterweight. Then, the support means 1 is placed over the traction sheave 43, guided around the support roller 46 of the car 41, and finally connected by a second support means fastening device 47 with a fixed point. This means that the suspension element 1 runs with a higher speed via the drive 43, 44 in accordance with a transfer factor. In the example, the wrap factor is 2: 1.

The support means 1 is in this case fastened by means of a first support means attachment 47 in the building. It is further guided over a support roller 46 of the cab 41 to the traction sheave 43 and runs from there to the counterweight 42 where it in turn by means of a counterweight-side support roller 46 deflected and guided to a second support means attachment 47. The suspension element fastenings 47 introduce tensile forces of the suspension element 1 into the building.

A loose end 1.1 of the suspension element 1 is provided with the contacting device 2 for the temporary or permanent contacting of the suspension element 1. In the example shown, such a contacting device 2 is arranged at both ends of the support means 1. The Tragmittelenden 1.1 are no longer burdened by the tensile force in the suspension element 1, since this tensile force is already passed through the support means fasteners 47 into the building.

The elevator installation 40 shown is exemplary. Other cap factors and arrangements are possible. The contacting device 2 for contacting the support means 1 is then arranged according to the placement of the support means fastenings 47.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary contacting device 2, which is arranged on a support means 1. The contacting device 2 is arranged at or near one end 1.1 of the suspension element 1.

The contacting device 2 shown consists in one embodiment of a first housing part 3 and a second housing part 4, which are held together by housing fasteners 10. Due to the two-piece arrangement of the contacting device 2, the assembly of the contacting device 2 is simplified, in particular when the contacting device 2 on is mounted away from one end 1.1 of the support means 1.

In the illustrated embodiment, lifting elements 7 are formed, which are supported by the first housing part 3. The lifting elements 7 are arranged in a first row 8 and in a second row 9. As a result, more space is available for each lifting element 7, so that, for example, lifting elements with larger heads can be used.

FIG. 3a shows a section along the axis YY of the contacting device 2 and the support means 1 from FIG. 2 , In the FIG. 3b the same contacting device 2 is shown, but without lifting elements 7 and without support means 1 and in a spatial representation. In Figure 3c is the contacting device 2 of FIG. 3b shown, but in two-dimensional representation and with unused lifting elements. 7

The housing 3, 4 of the contacting device 2 is preferably made of rigid material such as plastic, metal reinforced plastic, or metal. Because the lifting elements 7, which exert large forces on the support means 1, are supported by the housing 3, 4, the housing 3, 4 is preferably made robust.

The first housing part 3 and the second housing part 4 are preferably formed such that a recess 14 is formed therebetween, as in FIG Figure 3c shown. This recess 14 is dimensioned such that the support means 1 takes place in it and is received at its upper edge flush from the first housing part 3. The second Housing part 4 has in the illustrated embodiment projections 5, which support the support means 1 and hold in its intended position in the recess 14.

On one side of the recess 14 recesses 19 and projections 5 are formed. The number of recesses 19 preferably corresponds to the number of lifting elements 7. In the FIGS. 3a to 3c is a contacting device 2 for a support means 1 with twelve tension members 11 shown. Accordingly, the second housing part 4 at a height of the first row 8 (see FIG. 2 ) has six recesses 19, and adds another six recesses at a height of the second row 9 (not shown).

Preferably, a projection 5 is arranged in each case between two recesses 19. As in FIG. 3b illustrated, the projections 5, for example, a trapezoidal cross-section and a support surface 18 for the support means 1 on. The support surface 18 serves to support the support means 1, which is pressed by the lifting elements 7 against the recesses 19. The support surfaces 18 hold the support means 1 in its intended position in the contacting device 2, while the lifting elements 7 lift individual tension members 11 out of the jacket 12 of the suspension element and into the recesses 19.

In the recesses 19, a contact element 6 is arranged in each case. In this case, the contact elements 6 and the recesses 19 are preferably dimensioned such that a tension member 11 is pressed flush with a fully inserted lifting element 7 against a contact element 6. In order to ensure a permanent electrical contact between the tension member 11 and the contact element 6, the Contact elements 6 be designed resiliently. For this purpose, for example, a spring between the contact element 6 and the second housing part 4 are arranged, or the contact element 6 itself may be formed as a resilient element.

The contact elements 6 are preferably electrically connected to an evaluation unit (not shown). In this case, each contact element 6 can be contacted, or only individual, for example, only those contact elements 6, which are in electrical contact with the outermost tension members 11 of the support means 1. If not all contact elements 6 are contacted, they can be electrically interconnected. By bridging connections between the tension members 11 of the suspension element 1, a plurality of tension members 11 can be combined to form an electrical circuit, which reduces the number of measuring operations required.

The lifting elements 7 are formed in the illustrated embodiment as screws. But they can also be designed differently, for example as rivets. In addition, the lifting elements 7 may be integrated in the housing 3, 4 of the contacting device 2, or as in the illustrated embodiment be designed as separate elements, which are connected at the intended location with the housing 3, 4.

The lifting elements 7 consist in the illustrated embodiment of a bolt 16 and a screw head 15. The bolt 16 is dimensioned such that it fits into the openings 17 of the housing 3, 4. The openings 17 preferably have a thread into which the screw-like lifting elements 7 can be screwed.

The lifting elements 7 are preferably made of electrically non-conductive material. As a result, the lifting element 7 does not connect two adjacent tension members 11 with each other in an electrically conductive manner. An electrical bridging of two adjacent tension members 11 would possibly lead to incorrect conclusions in the evaluation of the signal. The lifting elements 7 may also be made of an electrically conductive material, which is coated with an electrically non-conductive layer. In a further embodiment, only the lateral part of the lifting elements 7 is coated with electrically non-conductive material, while the head and or with the tension members 11 coming into contact foot surface are formed of electrically conductive material.

The fastening element 10 holds the first housing part 3 and the second housing part 4 together, so that the first housing part 3 and the second housing part 4 are releasably connected to each other. As fasteners 10, for example, screws and corresponding threads may be provided, or other attachment mechanisms such as a clip system with a male and a female part. However, the housing 3, 4 of the contacting device 2 may also be integrally formed. In this case, the support means 1 must be guided through the recess 14 in order to arrange the contacting device 2 at a predetermined location on the support means 1.

In the FIGS. 4 and 5 a further embodiment of the contacting device 2 is exemplified. In FIG. 4 an exemplary contacting device 2 is shown with loaded suspension means 1, and in FIG. 5 is the contacting device 2 from FIG. 4 shown along the section line XX.

In this embodiment, a respective lifting element 7 lifts two adjacent tension members 11 out of the casing 12 of the suspension element 1. As a result, the two adjacent tension members 11 are lifted or pushed together into a recess in the recess. Preferably, a contact element 6 is arranged in each recess. The contact elements 6 of this embodiment are wider than the contact elements 6 of the embodiment in FIGS FIGS. 3a to 3c , so that the two adjacent tension members 11 can be brought into electrical contact with the same contact element 6.

In this embodiment, the number of lifting elements 7 corresponds to half the number of tensile carriers 11 of the suspension element 1. The lifting elements 7 are preferably arranged in a first row 8 and a second row 9 on the first housing part 3, so that more space is available for each lifting element.

In the in FIG. 1 schematically illustrated elevator installation 40, for example, a contacting device 2 as those in FIG. 2 and a contacting device 2 like those in FIG FIG. 4 be used. Because the tension members 11 are connected to one another at one end 1.1 of the suspension element 1 by the contacting device 2 FIG. 4 , is on only one side of the support means 1 a tapping the Contact elements 6 necessary. There are two adjacent tension members 11 combined to form an electrical circuit. Alternatively, more than two adjacent tension members 11 can be combined to form an electrical circuit, for example, 4, 6, 8, 10, or 12. In an odd number of tension members 11 in an electrical circuit at both ends of the support means 1, the contact elements 6 with be connected to other electrical and electronic elements.

When arranging the contacting device 2 on the support means 1, in an exemplary embodiment, a first housing part 3 and a second housing part 4 are arranged on each side of the support means 1. By means of fastening elements 10, the first housing part 3 and the second housing part 4 are releasably connected to each other. For example, screws and corresponding threads can be used for this purpose.

After arranging the contacting device 2 on the support means 1, the lifting elements 7 are driven by the support means 1. If screws are used as lifting elements 7, the lifting elements 7 are screwed into the suspension element 1, so that the tension members 11 are lifted out of the shell 12 of the suspension element 1.

The detached from the support means 1 tension members 11 are raised so far or pushed out of the jacket 12 until an electrical contact between the tension members 11 and the associated contact elements 6 is made. The helical lifting elements 7 may for example be designed such that at maximum attracted lifting element 7 a secure contact between the tension member 11 and the contact element 6 is made.

After contacting the tension members 11 by the contact elements 6, a voltage is applied, so that a test current flows through the tension members 11 and through the connected to a circle tension member 11 to determine the state of the tension members 11. When damaged tension members 11, the electrical resistance in the tension members 11 is greater, which can be determined by an evaluation of the test current.

Claims (15)

1. Contact-making apparatus for making electrical contact with tension members of a suspension means in an elevator system, the contact-making apparatus comprising:

   - a housing (3, 4) having a cutout in which a section of the suspension means (1) can be accommodated, so that the housing (3, 4) substantially encloses this section of the suspension means (1); and

   - at least one contact element (6) which is arranged in the cutout in the housing (3, 4);

   characterized in that the contact-making apparatus

   - comprises at least one lifting element (7) which is supported by the housing (3, 4),

   wherein the at least one lifting element (7) can be routed through the suspension means (1) in such a way that at least one tension member (11) can be lifted out of a casing (12) of the suspension means (1) and, as a result, can be bought into electrical contact with the contact element (6).
2. Contact-making apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the at least one lifting element (7) is in the form of a screw.
3. Contact-making apparatus according to either of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one lifting element (7) is formed from electrically non-conductive material at points, which can come into contact with a tension member (11) of the suspension means (1), at least on an outer surface.
4. Contact-making apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (3, 4) consists of a first housing part (3) and a second housing part (4), wherein the first housing part (3) and the second housing part (4) can be connected to one another in a detachable manner.
5. Contact-making apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, wherein projections (5) with support faces (18) are formed on the housing (3, 4), said projections projecting into the cutout, so that the suspension means (1) can be supported by the support faces (18), and so that a tension member (11) can in each case be accommodated between two projections (5).
6. Contact-making apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the number of lifting elements (7) corresponds to the number of tension members (11), and/or wherein the lifting elements (7) are arranged in a first row (8) and a second row (9) in the housing (3, 4).
7. Contact-making apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the number of lifting elements (7) corresponds to half the number of tension members (11), and/or wherein in each case two adjacent tension members (11) can be lifted out of the casing (12) of the suspension means (1) by just one lifting element (7).
8. Contact-making apparatus according to Claim 7, wherein two adjacent tension members (11) can be electrically connected to one another by means of a contact element (6).
9. Elevator system having a car (41) and a counterweight (42), wherein the car (41) and the counterweight (42) can be moved by means of suspension means (1) which can be driven by a drive (44), and wherein a contact-making apparatus (2) according to one of Claims 1 to 8 is arranged on the suspension means (1).
10. Elevator system according to Claim 9, wherein a respective contact-making apparatus (2) is in each case arranged between a suspension means fastening apparatus (47) and a suspension means end (1.1), wherein one of the two contact-making apparatuses (2) electrically connects at least two tension members (11) to one another, and the other contact-making apparatus (2) is connected to an evaluation unit.
11. Method for making electrical contact with tension members in a suspension means of an elevator system, the method comprising the step of:

    - arranging a housing (3, 4) on the suspension means (1), so that a section of the suspension means (1) is enclosed substantially by the housing (3, 4);

    characterized in that the method further comprises the step of:

    - lifting at least one tension member (11) out of its original position by means of at least one lifting element (7) which is supported by the housing (3, 4), so that electrical contact is established between the at least one tension member (11) and a contact element (6) which is arranged in the housing (3, 4).
12. Method according to Claim 11, wherein the at least one lifting element (7) is screwed into the suspension means (1).
13. Method according to either of Claims 11 and 12, wherein, when the at least one tension member (11) is lifted out of its original position, this at least one tension member (11) is detached from a casing (12) of the suspension means (1).
14. Method according to one of Claims 11 to 13, wherein a contact element (6) makes electrical contact with each tension member (11) of the suspension means (1) in each case close to a suspension means end (1.1), so that two contact elements (6), which belong to different contact-making apparatuses (2), make contact with each tension member (11).
15. Method according to one of Claims 11 to 14, wherein, after electrical contact is established between at least one tension member (11) and one contact element (6), a voltage is applied, so that a test current flows through at least one tension member (11).

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