WO2024149926A1

WO2024149926A1 - Installation carriage, use of installation carriage and method of installing components

Info

Publication number: WO2024149926A1
Application number: PCT/FI2023/050017
Authority: WO
Inventors: Harri Mäkinen; Mikael Haag; Joonas JOKELA; Markku HÄIVÄLÄ
Original assignee: Kone Corporation
Priority date: 2023-01-09
Filing date: 2023-01-09
Publication date: 2024-07-18

Abstract

The installation carriage (30) for installation of components in an elevator shaft comprises a frame (32) that is configured to be moveable in the vertical direction in the elevator shaft and at least one tool (3) that is configured to carry out at least one process step relating to installation of components in the elevator shaft, the tool (3) being moveable relative to the frame (32) of the installation carriage (30), wherein the installation carriage (30) comprises at least one balancing mass (40, 41) that is moveable relative to the frame (32) of the installation carriage (30) and relative to the tool (3) to compensate unbalance caused by moving of the tool (3) relative to the frame (32).

Description

Installation carriage, use of installation carriage and method of installing components

Technical field of the invention

The present invention concerns an installation carriage for installation of components in an elevator shaft in accordance with claim 1 . The invention also concerns a use of such an installation carriage and a method of installing components to a wall of an elevator shaft, as defined in other independent claims.

Background of the invention

Most elevators are provided with vertical guide rails, which are used for guiding an elevator car and a counterweight. Often an elevator is provided with own guide rails for both the elevator car and the counterweight. The guide rails run in the vertical direction from the bottom to the top of the elevator shaft. Typically, each guide rail consists of several vertical segments. The guide rails are assembled by connecting those segments to each other on-site. A typical guide rail has a T-shaped cross-sectional profile. The arms of the profile are used for attaching the guide rail to the elevator shaft, often via guide rail brackets. The stem of the profile forms a nose that functions as support surfaces for the elevator car or the counterweight. Typically, each of the elevator car and the counterweight is supported between a pair of opposite guide rails.

The guide rail brackets can be attached to the walls of the elevator shaft by means of threaded fastening elements. Wedge anchors are commonly used for fastening the guide rail brackets. Alternatively, the walls of the elevator shaft can be provided with inserts allowing the brackets to be fastened to the wall by means of bolts.

The installation of guide rails typically requires a lot of manual work. If wedge anchors are used for fastening the guide rail brackets, holes for the wedge anchors need to be drilled. Regardless of whether wedge anchors or fastening inserts are used, bolts or other fastening elements are needed, and conventionally the tightening of the fastening elements have been done manually using either a spanner or an impact driver. Especially in high-rise buildings, manual tightening of the bolts is labor-intensive and time-consuming. Also many other components, such as landing doors, needs to be installed in the elevator shaft. The installation of the components to the elevator shaft is a one-time task, and therefore there is a need for simple and cost-efficient solutions that facilitate automation of various phases of the installation process.

Summary of the invention

An object of the present invention is to provide an installation carriage for installation of components in an elevator shaft. The characterizing features of the installation carriage are presented in claim 1 . Other objects of the invention are to provide a use of such an installation carriage and a method of installing components to a wall of an elevator shaft. The characterizing features of the use and the method are presented in the other independent claims.

The installation carriage according to the invention comprises a frame that is configured to be moveable in the vertical direction in the elevator shaft, at least one tool that is configured to carry out at least one process step relating to installation of components in the elevator shaft, the tool being moveable relative to the frame of the installation carriage, and at least one balancing mass that is moveable relative to the frame of the installation carriage and relative to the tool to compensate unbalance caused by moving of the tool relative to the frame.

The moving balancing mass helps keeping the installation carriage level. This facilitates different operations that are carried out by the tools of the installation carriage, such as measurements and tightening of bolts. The need for supporting the installation carriage to the walls of the elevator shaft during the operation and the need for compensation functions in the control system of the installation carriage due to inclination of the carriage can thus be reduced. The installation carriage according to the invention facilitates partial or full automation of the installation of guide rails and/or other components of an elevator, or at least of certain phases of the installation.

According to the invention, the installation carriage defined above can be used for tightening threaded fastening elements for attaching components to a wall of an elevator shaft. According to the invention, the method of installing components to a wall of an elevator shaft using an installation carriage defined above comprises the steps of

- moving the carriage in the elevator shaft to a height allowing at least one process step relating to installation of the components to be carried out by the tool of the installation carriage,

- moving the tool in at least one horizontal direction to allow said process step to be carried out by said tool, and

- moving a balancing mass of the carriage relative to the frame of the carriage and relative to the tool to compensate the unbalance caused by moving of the tool.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the tool is linearly moveable relative to the frame of the installation carriage.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the at least one balancing mass is linearly moveable relative to the frame of the installation carriage and relative to the tool. By having both the tool and the balancing mass linearly moveable, the compensation of the unbalance is simple to implement.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the at least one balancing mass is configured to automatically move in response to the moving of the tool. The automatic moving of the balancing mass could be implemented either by means of a mechanical connection or electrically.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the installation carriage is configured such that the position of the center of the gravity of the installation carriage in a horizontal plane remains substantially unchanged while the tool is being moved relative to the frame of the carriage.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the tool and the at least one balancing mass are mechanically coupled such that moving of the tool causes moving of the balancing mass in an opposite direction. The mechanical connection ensures reliable operation of the balancing function. The need for a separate motor for the balancing mass is also avoided.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the tool and the at least one balancing mass are connected to each other by means of a bendable element such that moving of the tool pulls the balancing mass to the opposite direction. The bendable element could be, for instance, a wire, cable, rope, belt or chain. The bendable element allows light force transmission connection between the tool and the balancing weight.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the carriage comprises at least one electric motor for moving the tool relative to the frame. The carriage can comprise two or more electric motors for moving the tool in different directions.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the installation carriage comprises at least one linear guide for allowing moving of the tool relative to the frame. Linear guides allow configuring the carriage for a broad moving range of the tool.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the installation carriage comprises at least one linear guide for allowing moving of the balancing mass relative to the frame and the tool.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the tool is linearly moveable at least in a first direction and in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction, and the at least one balancing mass includes at least one balancing mass that is linearly moveable in the first direction relative to the frame and the tool and at least one balancing mass that is linearly moveable in the second direction relative to the frame and the tool. This allows keeping the carriage level in two directions.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the at least one balancing mass comprises a first balancing mass that is linearly moveable in the first direction and a second balancing mass that is linearly moveable in the second direction. Two separate balancing masses allow simple mechanical coupling between the tool and each of the balancing masses.

According to an embodiment of the invention, a control cabinet of the installation carriage is configured to form part of the at least one balancing mass. By using a control cabinet as part of the balancing masses, the weight of the carriage can be kept low.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the tool is a bolting tool. The tool can be used, for instance, for tightening bolts or other threaded fastening elements that are used for attaching guide rails of the elevator to the walls of the elevator shaft. The bolting tool could also be used for attaching other components, such as parts of the landing doors, to the walls. The tool could also be a drilling tool or measurement tool.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the tool is configured to be rotatable about a vertical axis to allow working on at least two different walls of the elevator shaft. The tool can thus be used, for instance, for attaching guide rails to opposite walls of the elevator shaft.

In the method according to an embodiment of the invention, the balancing mass is moved simultaneously with the moving of the tool. The installation carriage is thus constantly kept in balance.

According to an embodiment of the invention, said process step is tightening of a threaded fastening element used for fastening a component to the wall of the elevator shaft, drilling of a hole, detection of a specific element in the elevator shaft, or a measurement.

Brief description of the drawings

Embodiments of the invention are described below in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

Fig. 1 shows schematically an elevator shaft with two guide rails,

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of an installation carriage according to an embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 3 shows another perspective view of the installation carriage,

Fig. 4 shows a partial side view of the installation carriage,

Fig. 5 shows a perspective front view of the installation carriage,

Fig. 6 shows a top view of the installation carriage, and

Fig. 7 shows as a flowchart the method according to the invention. Detailed description of embodiments of the invention

Figure 1 shows schematically an elevator shaft of an elevator. The elevator shaft is provided with guide rails 20. The guide rails 20 are configured to guide an elevator car (not shown) moving in the vertical direction in the elevator shaft. Similar guide rails can be provided for a counterweight of the elevator. Each guide rail 20 comprises a plurality of guide rail segments 20a. The guide rails 20 are attached to the walls of the elevator shaft by means of guide rail brackets 23. The brackets 23 are thus attached to the walls and the guide rails 20 are attached to the brackets 23. Each bracket 23 is attached to the wall by means of two or more threaded fastening elements. The threaded fastening elements can be, for instance, bolts. The guide rails 20 can be attached to the brackets 23 by means of threaded fastening elements, such as bolts and nuts.

The process of installing the guide rails 20 can be fully or partly automated. The present invention facilitates automation of the installation process of the guide rails 20. However, the invention can also be used for facilitating the installation of other components installed in the elevator shaft. As an example, the invention could be used for the installation of landing doors of the elevator.

For fastening the guide rails 20 to the walls of the elevator shaft with threaded fastening elements, the walls need to be configured to cooperate with the threaded fastening elements. A typical way of fastening the guide rails 20 involves drilling holes to the walls and using wedge anchors to fasten the guide rail brackets 23. The present invention could be utilized in the process of tightening the wedge anchors. However, the installation of wedge anchors is difficult to automate, and therefore the walls could be provided with threaded counterparts for the threaded fastening elements. For instance, the walls could be provided with inserts comprising holes with inside threads. The threaded fastening elements could be bolts engaged with the threads of the inserts. Alternatively, the walls could be provided with inserts having C-grooves and T-bolts arranged in the grooves. The threaded fastening elements could thus be nuts cooperating with the T-bolts. The walls could also be provided with threaded rods protruding from the walls and the threaded fastening elements could be nuts cooperating with the threaded rods.

Figures 2-6 show different views of an installation carriage 30 according to an embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment of the figures, the installation carriage 30 is a bolting carriage that is provided with a bolting tool 3. In the embodiment of the figures, the bolting tool 3 is arranged in a bolting unit 1 . The bolting tool 3 is for example an electrically driven tool, which tightens the threaded fastening elements, such as bolts. The bolting tool 3 and the installation carriage 30 can be used for tightening threaded fastening elements that are used for fastening a guide rail 20 of an elevator to a wall of an elevator shaft. However, instead of the bolting tool 3 or in addition to the bolting tool 3, the installation carriage 30 could also be configured to carry one or more other tools to carry out at least one process step relating to installation of components in the elevator shaft. For instance, the tool could be a drill that is used for drilling holes to the wall of the elevator shaft to allow subsequent attaching of a component. The tool could also be a measurement tool. In the embodiment of the figures, the bolting carriage 30 comprises a measurement device 52 as an additional tool. The measurement device 52 can comprise one or more sensors. The measurement device 52 can be configured to, for instance, to detect bolts or other threaded fastening elements to be tightened by the bolting tool 3. The measurement device 52 can thus be used for facilitating tightening of the bolts or other fastening elements. In the embodiment of the figures, the measurement device 52 is configured to move together with the bolting tool 3. Alternatively, or in addition to facilitating tightening of the bolts, the measurement device 52 could provide information on the position of the installation carriage 30 and/or to take measurements of the elevator shaft or components arranged in the shaft. The measurement device 52 could form the only tool of the installation carriage 30.

The installation carriage 30 is configured to move within the elevator shaft in the vertical direction. The installation carriage 30 comprises a frame 32. The installation carriage 30 is supported by one or more hoisting members 31 , such as ropes or cables. The upper end of the elevator shaft is provided with drive means, such as an electric motor or hoist, which can be used for lifting the installation carriage 30. The installation carriage 30 comprises wheels 33, which support the installation carriage 30 against at least one wall of the elevator shaft. In the embodiment of the figures, the wheels 33 are configured to support the installation carriage 30 against the rear wall of the elevator shaft. The installation carriage 30 could be supported against two or more walls of the elevator shaft. The walls could be opposite or adjacent walls. The wheels 33 are not necessary, but the installation carriage 30 could be supported against one or more walls in an alternative way. For instance, if the installation carriage 30 is used after the guide rails of the elevator car or counterweight have been at least partly installed, the installation carriage 30 could be supported by the guide rails.

In the embodiment of the figures, the bolting unit 1 and thus also the bolting tool 3 is configured to be moveable relative to the frame 32 of the carriage 30 in a first direction A that is a horizontal direction in a use position of the installation carriage 30. In a use position of the installation carriage 30, the first direction A is parallel to the direction of two of the walls of the elevator shaft. In the embodiment of the figures, the first direction A is parallel to the side walls of the elevator shaft, i.e. the walls that are not provided with landing doors. The bolting unit 1 and the bolting tool 3 are also moveable in a second direction B. The second direction B is a horizontal direction, which is perpendicular to the first direction A. In the embodiment of the figures, the second direction B is parallel to the rear and front walls of the elevator shaft. The bolting unit 1 and the bolting tool 3 are further configured to be moveable relative to the frame 32 of the carriage 30 in a third direction C, which is the vertical direction.

In the embodiment of the figures, the installation carriage 30 comprises linear guides 34, 35, 36, 37 for allowing moving of the bolting unit 1 in the first direction A and the second direction B. The installation carriage 30 comprises a first pair of linear guides 34, 35. The first pair of linear guides 34, 35 allows the bolting unit 1 to be moved in the first direction A. The installation carriage 30 further comprises a second pair of linear guides 36, 37. The second pair of linear guides 36, 37 allow the bolting unit 1 to be moved in the second direction B. In the embodiment of the figures, the first pair of linear guides 34, 35 is attached to the frame 32 of the installation carriage 30 in a fixed manner. The second pair of linear guides 36, 37 is arranged to be moveable along the first pair of linear guides 34, 35. However, the second pair of linear guides 36, 37 could be fixed to the frame 32 and the first pair of linear guides 34, 35 could be moveable along the second pair of linear guides 36, 37. The bolting unit 1 could be movable in each direction A, B along a single linear guide.

The installation carriage 30 comprises drive means for moving the bolting unit 1 on the linear guides 34, 35, 36, 37. The drive means could comprise, for instance, an electric motor and force transmission means. The force transmission means could comprise, for instance, a ball-race screw, chain or belt. Alternatively, the drive means could comprise a pneumatic cylinder. In the embodiment of the figures, the installation carriage 30 comprises a first electric motor 39 for moving the bolting unit 1 in the first direction A and a second electric motor 44 for moving the bolting unit 1 in the second direction B.

The installation carriage 30 is used for at least roughly positioning the bolting tool 3 in the vertical direction of the elevator shaft. The installation carriage 30 is thus used for moving the bolting unit 1 to a vertical position, where the bolting tool 3 can be brought into a position where it can be engaged with a threaded fastening element. The fine positioning of the bolting tool 3 in the vertical direction is made by moving the bolting unit 1 relative to the frame 32 of the installation carriage 30 in the vertical direction C. The installation carriage 30 is provided with a linear guide 38 for allowing moving of the bolting unit 1 in the vertical direction C. The installation carriage 30 is further provided with a third electric motor 45 for moving the bolting unit 1 in the vertical direction C. The linear guide 38 is supported by the second pair of linear guides 36, 37 and thus moves both in the first direction A and in the second direction B. The means for fine positioning of the bolting tool 1 could be implemented also in many other ways than in the form of the linear guide 38 and the third electric motor 45. For instance, the movement in the vertical direction could be implemented, for example, by means of a lever mechanism and an electric motor and a gear or a pneumatic cylinder. Also, the vertical positioning of the bolting tool 3 could be made solely by moving the installation carriage 30.

Instead of the linear guides 34, 35, 36, 37, 38 of the installation carriage 30, the bolting unit 1 could be supported for example by an industrial robot attached to the frame 32 of the installation carriage 30. The installation carriage 30 could thus be used for roughly positioning the bolting unit 1 in the vertical direction, and the robot could be used for moving the bolting unit 1 in three dimensions to align the bolting tool 3 with a threaded fastening element. The robot could be in the form of a robotic arm. The installation carriage 30 could be provided with both a robotic arm and linear guides. For instance, linear guides could be used for moving the robotic arm to different sides of the elevator shaft, whereas the robotic arm could position the bolting unit 1 more precisely relative to the threaded fastening elements.

Moving of the installation carriage 30 can be automated. The installation carriage 30 can be provided with means for providing spatial data relating to the position of the installation carriage 30 in the elevator shaft and the data can be used for controlling the drive means moving the installation carriage 30. The spatial data can indicate the absolute position of the installation carriage 30. Alternatively, data on the relative position of the installation carriage 30 could be used for controlling moving of the installation carriage 30. For instance, the distance from the previous tightened bolt or other threaded fastening element could be used to control moving of the installation carriage 30. The installation carriage 30 could also comprise one or more sensors for locating the threaded fastening means, and the data from the sensors could be used for controlling moving of the installation carriage 30. The sensors can be arranged in the measurement device 52. The measurement device 52 could also be configured to provide the spatial data relating to the position of the installation carriage 30. The moving of the installation carriage 30 does not need to be automated, but the installation carriage 30 could be remotely controlled by an operator.

The bolting unit 1 is configured be rotatable about the vertical axis C to allow working on different walls of the elevator shaft. The installation carriage 30 is provided with a fourth electric motor 46 for allowing rotation of the bolting unit 1.

In the embodiment of the figures, the installation carriage 30 is supported by the wheels 33 only against the rear wall of the elevator shaft. As the bolting unit 1 is moved in the horizontal plane, the center of gravity of the installation carriage 30 moves. If the movement of the bolting unit 1 is not compensated, the installation carriage 30 is inclined. In order to ensure proper functioning of the tools of the installation carriage 30, inclining of the installation carriage 30 could require from the control system of the carriage 30 compensation functions.

To prevent inclining of the installation carriage or at least to reduce it, the installation carriage 30 is provided with at least one balancing mass 40, 41 . The balancing mass 40, 41 is moveable relative to the frame 32 of the installation carriage 30 and relative to the tool 3 to compensate unbalance caused by moving of the tool 3 relative to the frame 32. Preferably, the balancing mass 40, 41 can be moved to keep the center of gravity of the installation carriage substantially stationary in the horizontal plane. The balancing mass 40, 41 could thus be moved synchronized with the bolting unit 1 such that the center of gravity of the installation carriage 30 does not move during moving of the bolting tool 3 or other tool. However, the tool 3 and the balancing mass 40, 41 do not need to be moved simultaneously, but the balancing mass 40, 41 could be moved after or before moving of the tool 3 such that the position of the center of gravity of the installation carriage 30 in the horizontal plane is substantially the same in each operating position of the tool 3, i.e. in positions where the tool 3 is used for carrying out a task relating to the installation process of a component.

In the embodiment of the figures, the installation carriage 30 comprises a first balancing mass 40 and a second balancing mass 41 . The first balancing mass 40 is moveable in the first direction A relative to the frame 32 and the tool 3 and the second balancing mass 41 is moveable in the second direction B relative to the frame 32 and the tool 3. This allows compensating the unbalance caused by moving of the tool 3 both in the first direction A and the second direction B. However, depending on the application, it could be sufficient to compensate the unbalance in one of the directions only, in which case the installation carriage 30 could be provided with a single balancing mass 40, 41 . Also, a single balancing mass 40, 41 could be configured to move both in the first direction A and the second direction B relative to the frame 32 and the tool 3, which would allow using the same balancing mass 40, 41 to compensate unbalance in both directions A, B.

In the embodiment of the figures, each balancing mass 40, 41 is linearly moveable relative to the tool 3 in one direction of the horizontal plane. The first balancing mass 40 is configured to move along a third pair of linear guides 47, 48 in the first direction A. The second balancing mass 41 is configured to move along a fourth pair of linear guides 49, 50 in the second direction B. Each of the balancing masses 40, 41 could also be configured to move along a single linear guide or the balancing masses 40, 41 could be supported in some other way.

In the embodiment of the figures, the third pair of linear guides 47, 48 is attached in a fixed manner to the frame 32 of the installation carriage 30. The fourth pair of linear guides 49, 50 is configured to move together with the second pair of linear guides 36, 37. The second balancing mass 41 thus moves also in the first direction A together with the bolting unit 1 . Therefore, the first balancing mass 40 is configured to compensate also the unbalance caused by moving of the second balancing mass 41 in the first direction A. However, the fourth pair of linear guides 49, 50 could also be attached in a fixed manner to the frame 32 of the installation carriage 30.

Preferably, each balancing mass 40, 41 is configured to automatically move in response to the moving of the tool 3. In the embodiment of the figures, this is achieved by mechanically coupling each of the balancing masses 40, 41 to the tool 3 such that moving of the tool 3 causes moving of the respective balancing mass 40, 41 in an opposite direction. For instance, as the bolting unit 1 and the bolting tool 3 move in the first direction A to the left, the first balancing mass 40 moves in the first direction A to the right.

In the embodiment of the figures, the first balancing mass 40 is connected to the bolting unit 1 by means of a first wire 42 that forms a continuous loop. The wire 42 is arranged around pulleys 53. As the bolting unit 1 is moved, the first wire 42 pulls the first balancing mass 40 to the opposite direction. Instead of a wire, a cable, chain, belt or other bendable element could be used for transmitting the movement of the bolting unit 1 in the first direction A to the first balancing mass 40.

Similarly the second balancing mass 41 is connected to the bolting unit 1 by means of a second wire 43 that forms a continuous loop. The wire 43 is arranged around pulleys 54. As the bolting unit 1 is moved, the second wire 43 pulls the second balancing mass 41 to the opposite direction. Instead of a wire, a cable, chain, belt or other bendable element could be used for transmitting the movement of the bolting unit 1 in the second direction B to the second balancing mass 41 .

By using the bendable elements 42, 43 for transmitting the movement of the bolting unit 1 to the balancing masses 40, 41 , it is ensured that the balancing masses 40, 41 move synchronized with the bolting unit 1 keeping the installation carriage 30 in balance. Also, the number of motors needed in the installation carriage 30 can be minimized. However, the moving of the balancing masses 40, 41 could also be implemented in many other ways. For instance, each balancing mass 40, 41 could be provided with a dedicated motor for moving the balancing mass 40, 41 . The first balancing mass 40 and the components moving with the first balancing mass 40 in the first direction A relative to the frame 32 of the installation carriage 30 are next referred to as a first balancing mass assembly. The tool 3 and the components moving with the tool 3 in the first direction A relative to the frame 32 of the installation carriage 30 are next referred to as a first tool assembly. The installation carriage 30 is preferably configured such that the weight of the first balancing mass assembly substantially equals the weight of the first tool assembly. Further, the distance of the center of gravity of the first balancing mass assembly is configured to be equal to the distance of the center of gravity of the first tool assembly from such a center line of the installation carriage 30 that is parallel to the second direction B. However, the first balancing mass assembly and the first tool assembly are located on opposite sides of said center line. This keeps the position of the center of gravity of the installation carriage 30 unchanged while the tool 3 is being moved in the first direction A.

The second balancing mass 41 and the components moving with the second balancing mass 41 in the second direction B relative to the frame 32 of the installation carriage 30 are next referred to as a second balancing mass assembly. The tool 3 and the components moving with the tool 3 in the second direction B relative to the frame 32 of the installation carriage 30 are next referred to as a second tool assembly. The installation carriage 30 is preferably configured such that the weight of the second balancing mass assembly substantially equals the weight of the second tool assembly. Further, the distance of the center of gravity of the second balancing mass assembly is configured to be equal to the distance of the center of gravity of the second tool assembly from such a center line of the installation carriage 30 that is parallel to the first direction A. However, the second balancing mass assembly and the second tool assembly are located on opposite sides of said center line. This keeps the position of the center of gravity of the installation carriage 30 unchanged while the tool 3 is being moved in the second direction B.

In the embodiment of the figures, the second pair of linear guides 36, 37 moves together with the tool 3 in the first direction A. The first tool assembly thus includes the second pair of linear guides 36, 37, whereas the second tool assembly does not include them. In the embodiment of the figures, a control cabinet 51 of the installation carriage 30 is configured to form part of the second balancing mass 41 . By utilizing the control cabinet 51 as part of the second balancing mass 41 , the weight of the installation carriage 30 can be minimized. The control cabinet 51 can comprise a control unit for controlling the operation of the installation carriage 30 and/or the tool(s) 3 of the installation carriage 30.

The method according to the invention comprises the following steps. The installation carriage 30 is moved in the elevator shaft to a height allowing at least one process step relating to installation of the components to be carried out by a tool 3 of the installation carriage 30 (step 101 ). The tool 3 can be a bolting tool 3 and the process step can be tightening of a bolt or other threaded fastening element that is used for attaching a component to the wall of the elevator shaft either directly or via another component. The tool 3 is moved in at least one horizontal direction A, B relative to the frame 32 of the installation carriage 30 to allow the process step to be carried out by the tool 3 (step 102). If the process step is tightening of a bolt or other fastening element, the tool 3 is moved to a position where a tool head of the tool can be engaged with the fastening element. The method further comprises the step of moving a balancing mass 40, 41 of the carriage 30 relative to the frame 32 of the installation carriage 30 and relative to the tool 3 to compensate the unbalance caused by moving of the tool 3 (step 103).

The steps of the method can be carried out in different orders. According to an embodiment of the invention, the balancing mass 40, 41 is moved simultaneously with the moving of the tool 3. However, the balancing mass 40, 41 could also be moved after moving of the tool 3 or vice versa. Also, the vertical movement of the installation carriage 30 could take place after moving of the tool 3 relative to the frame 32, or both movements could take place simultaneously.

In the embodiment of the figures, the bolting unit 1 comprises a body 2, to which the bolting tool 3 is attached. The bolting unit 1 further comprises support means 4, 8 connected to the body 2. The bolting tool 3 is configured to be engaged with a threaded fastening element for tightening the threaded fastening element. The support means 4, 8 are configured to be engaged with a fixed structure arranged in the elevator shaft to prevent rotation of the bolting unit 1 during tightening of the threaded fastening elements. Because of the support means 4, 8 of the bolting unit 1 , rotation of the bolting unit 1 during tightening of the fastening elements is prevented. The support means 4, 8 provide local support for the bolting tool 3, which allows making the installation carriage 30 lighter, as the supports of the installation carriage 30 do not need to provide counter-torque for the bolting tool 3. The forces exerted on the linear guides 34, 35, 36, 37, 38 or other structures supporting the bolting unit 1 are reduced. Also, the required tightening torque can be provided for example with a servomotor and a gear. It is thus not necessary to use an impact driver for tightening the bolts. Vibrations caused by the use of an impact driver can thus be avoided, which may increase the lifespan of the components of the installation carriage 30. For instance, the lifetime of various sensors used in the installation carriage 30 may increase.

The installation carriage 30 according to the invention helps ensuring that the support means 4, 8 of the bolting unit 1 are correctly aligned with the fixed structure. The fixed structure, with which the support means 4, 8 are engaged, can be a guide rail 23 or a guide rail bracket.

In the embodiments of the figures, the support means comprise a first support unit 4 and a second support unit 8. The bolting unit 1 thus comprises two support units 4, 8. Each of the support units 4, 8 comprises a slot 7, 11 that is configured to be engaged with a plate-shaped fixed structure. The plateshaped fixed structure can be, for instance, part of a guide rail 23 or a guide rail bracket, as described above. The guide rail 23 can be either the guide rail that is being attached to the wall of the elevator shaft or another guide rail. Instead of being provided with two support units 4, 8, the bolting unit 1 could comprise a single support unit.

It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but may vary within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

Claims:

1 . An installation carriage (30) for installation of components in an elevator shaft, the installation carriage (30) comprising a frame (32) that is configured to be moveable in the vertical direction in the elevator shaft and at least one tool (3) that is configured to carry out at least one process step relating to installation of components in the elevator shaft, the tool (3) being moveable relative to the frame (32) of the installation carriage (30), wherein the installation carriage (30) comprises at least one balancing mass (40, 41 ) that is moveable relative to the frame (32) of the installation carriage (30) and relative to the tool (3) to compensate unbalance caused by moving of the tool (3) relative to the frame (32).

2. An installation carriage (30) according to claim 1 , wherein the tool (3) is linearly moveable relative to the frame (32) of the installation carriage (30).

3. An installation carriage (30) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one balancing mass (40, 41 ) is linearly moveable relative to the frame (32) of the installation carriage (30) and relative to the tool (3).

4. An installation carriage (30) according to any of claims 1-3, wherein the at least one balancing mass (40, 41 ) is configured to automatically move in response to the moving of the tool (3).

5. An installation carriage (30) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the installation carriage (30) is configured such that the position of the center of the gravity of the installation carriage (30) in a horizontal plane remains substantially unchanged while the tool (3) is being moved relative to the frame (32) of the carriage (30).

6. An installation carriage (30) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the tool (3) and the at least one balancing mass (40, 41 ) are mechanically coupled such that moving of the tool (3) causes moving of the balancing mass (40, 41 ) in an opposite direction.

7. An installation carriage (30) according to claim 6, wherein the tool (3) and the at least one balancing mass (40, 41 ) are connected to each other by means of a bendable element (42, 43) such that moving of the tool (3) pulls the balancing mass (40, 41 ) to the opposite direction.

8. An installation carriage (30) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the carriage (30) comprises at least one electric motor (39, 44, 45, 46) for moving the tool (3) relative to the frame (32).

9. An installation carriage (30) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the installation carriage (30) comprises at least one linear guide (34, 35, 36, 37, 38) for allowing moving of the tool (3) relative to the frame (32).

10. An installation carriage (30) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the installation carriage (30) comprises at least one linear guide (47, 48, 49, 50) for allowing moving of the balancing mass (40, 41 ) relative to the frame (32) and the tool (3).

11. An installation carriage (30) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the tool (3) is linearly moveable at least in a first direction (A) and in a second direction (B) that is perpendicular to the first direction (A), and the at least one balancing mass (40, 41 ) includes at least one balancing mass (40) that is linearly moveable in the first direction (A) relative to the frame (32) and the tool (3) and at least one balancing mass (41 ) that is linearly moveable in the second direction (B) relative to the frame (32) and the tool (3).

12. An installation carriage (30) according to claim 11 , wherein the at least one balancing mass (40, 41 ) comprises a first balancing mass (40) that is linearly moveable in the first direction (A) and a second balancing mass (41 ) that is linearly moveable in the second direction (B).

13. An installation carriage (30) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a control cabinet (51 ) of the installation carriage (30) is configured to form part of the at least one balancing mass (40, 41 ).

14. An installation carriage (30) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the tool (3) is a bolting tool, drilling tool or measurement tool.

15. An installation carriage (30) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the tool (3) is configured be rotatable about a vertical axis to allow working on at least two different walls of the elevator shaft.

16. The use of the installation carriage (30) according to any of the preceding claims to tighten threaded fastening elements for attaching components to a wall of an elevator shaft, to drill holes to a wall of an elevator shaft, or to conduct measurements in an elevator shaft.

17. A method of installing components to a wall of an elevator shaft using an installation carriage (30) according to any of claims 1-15, the method comprising the steps of

- moving the carriage (30) in the elevator shaft to a height allowing at least one process step relating to the installation of the components to be carried out by the tool (3) of the installation carriage (30) (101 ),

- moving the tool (3) in at least one horizontal direction (A, B) relative to the frame (32) of the carriage (30) to allow said process step to be carried out by said tool (3) (102), and

- moving a balancing mass (40, 41 ) of the carriage (30) relative to the frame (32) of the carriage (30) and relative to the tool (3) to compensate the unbalance caused by moving of the tool (3) (103).

18. A method according to claim 17, wherein the balancing mass (40, 41 ) is moved simultaneously with the moving of the tool (3).

19. A method according to claim 17 or 18, wherein said process step is tightening of a threaded fastening element used for fastening a component to the wall of the elevator shaft, drilling of a hole, detection of a specific element in the elevator shaft, or a measurement.