JP7792853B2 - elevator equipment - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to elevator devices.

In conventional elevator systems, a car is placed between a pair of car guide rails, and a counterweight is placed between a pair of weight guide rails. The car moves up and down while being guided by the pair of car guide rails. The counterweight moves up and down while being guided by each of the pair of weight guide rails. The pair of weight guide rails are connected to each other by a coupling device (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2011-93675 A

However, if an earthquake occurs, for example, the inertial force of the car due to the earthquake acts on the pair of car guide rails, which could cause the car guide rails to deform.

This disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an elevator device that can suppress deformation of the car guide rails.

The elevator apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a first car guide rail and a second car guide rail, a first weight guide rail and a second weight guide rail, a car arranged between the first car guide rail and the second car guide rail so as to be movable in the vertical direction, a counterweight arranged between the first weight guide rail and the second weight guide rail so as to be movable in the vertical direction, and a connecting structure, wherein the first car guide rail is connected to at least one of the second car guide rail, the first weight guide rail, and the second weight guide rail via the connecting structure, The rail is connected to at least one of the first car guide rail, the first weight guide rail and the second weight guide rail via a connecting structure, the car has a car body and a lower guide device that is provided at the bottom of the car body and is guided by the first car guide rail and the second car guide rail, at least one of the floors at which the car can stop is designated as a specific floor, and the connecting structure is attached to at least one of the first car guide rail and the second car guide rail at the height position of the lower guide device when the car is stopped at the specific floor.
Moreover, an elevator system according to the present disclosure includes a plurality of elevator cars and a connecting structure, each of the plurality of elevator cars having a first car guide rail and a second car guide rail, a first weight guide rail and a second weight guide rail, a car arranged between the first car guide rail and the second car guide rail so as to be movable in the vertical direction, and a counterweight arranged between the first weight guide rail and the second weight guide rail so as to be movable in the vertical direction, and each elevator car has the first car guide rail, the second car guide rail, the first weight guide rail and the second weight guide rail as a plurality of guide rails, and when one of the plurality of elevator cars is designated as a reference car, the car of the reference car has a car body and a lower weight provided below the car body and guided by the first car guide rail and the second car guide rail. and a lower guide device, wherein the first car guide rail of the reference elevator car is connected via a connecting structure to at least one of the plurality of guide rails of each of the plurality of elevator cars other than the first car guide rail of the reference elevator car, and the second car guide rail of the reference elevator car is connected via a connecting structure to at least one of the plurality of guide rails of each of the plurality of elevator cars other than the second car guide rail of the reference elevator car, at least one of the plurality of floors at which the car of the reference elevator car can stop is designated as a specific floor, and the connecting structure is attached to at least one of the first car guide rail and the second car guide rail of the reference elevator car at the height position of the lower guide device when the car of the reference elevator car is stopped at the specific floor.

The elevator device disclosed herein can suppress deformation of the car guide rails.

1 is a side view showing an elevator apparatus according to a first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 2 is a top view showing the elevator apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the connection structure of FIG. 2 . FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the connection structure in the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a top view showing an elevator apparatus according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a top view showing an elevator apparatus according to a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a top view showing an elevator apparatus according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a top view showing an elevator apparatus according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a top view showing an elevator apparatus according to a sixth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a top view showing an elevator apparatus according to a seventh embodiment. FIG. 13 is a top view showing an elevator apparatus according to an eighth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a side view showing an elevator apparatus according to a ninth embodiment.

Embodiment 1.
Fig. 1 is a side view showing an elevator apparatus according to embodiment 1. Fig. 2 is a top view showing the elevator apparatus of Fig. 1. In the figure, a machine room 2 is provided above a hoistway 1. The machine room 2 is equipped with a hoisting machine 3, a deflector sheave 4, and a control device (not shown).

The hoist 3 has a hoist main body 5 and a drive sheave 6. The drive sheave 6 is provided on the hoist main body 5. The hoist main body 5 has a hoist motor and a hoist brake. The hoist motor generates driving force to rotate the drive sheave 6 under the control of a control device. The hoist brake keeps the drive sheave 6 stationary. The hoist brake also brakes the rotation of the drive sheave 6. The control device controls the operation of the elevator device.

A suspension body 7 is wound around the drive sheave 6 and the deflector sheave 4. The suspension body 7 is made up of multiple ropes or multiple belts.

As shown in Figure 1, a car 8 and a counterweight 9 are provided in the hoistway 1 so that they can move up and down. The car 8 is connected to a first end of the suspension body 7. The counterweight 9 is connected to a second end of the suspension body 7. The car 8 and counterweight 9 are suspended in the hoistway 1 by the suspension body 7. The car 8 and counterweight 9 move up and down in the hoistway 1 by rotating the drive sheave 6.

In the elevator shaft 1, a first car guide rail 11, a second car guide rail 12, a first weight guide rail 13, and a second weight guide rail 14 are provided as multiple guide rails. The first car guide rail 11, the second car guide rail 12, the first weight guide rail 13, and the second weight guide rail 14 are each arranged in the vertical direction.

Each of the building's multiple floors is provided with a landing entrance/exit 15. On each floor, the elevator shaft 1 opens to the landing through the landing entrance/exit 15. The frontage direction of each landing entrance/exit 15 coincides with the width direction of the elevator shaft 1. Each landing entrance/exit 15 is opened and closed by a pair of landing doors.

As shown in Figure 2, the first car guide rail 11 and the second car guide rail 12 face each other in the width direction of the elevator shaft 1. The car 8 is disposed between the first car guide rail 11 and the second car guide rail 12. The car 8 is movable in the vertical direction along each of the first car guide rail 11 and the second car guide rail 12.

The first weight guide rail 13 and the second weight guide rail 14 face each other in the width direction of the elevator shaft 1. The distance between the first weight guide rail 13 and the second weight guide rail 14 is smaller than the distance between the first car guide rail 11 and the second car guide rail 12.

The first weight guide rail 13 and the second weight guide rail 14 are installed at a position farther from the landing entrance/exit 15 in the depth direction of the hoistway 1 than the first car guide rail 11 and the second car guide rail 12. The depth direction of the hoistway 1 is a horizontal direction that is perpendicular to the width direction of the hoistway 1.

The counterweight 9 is disposed between the first weight guide rail 13 and the second weight guide rail 14. The counterweight 9 is movable in the vertical direction along each of the first weight guide rail 13 and the second weight guide rail 14. Note that the counterweight 9 is not shown in Figure 2.

The car 8 can stop at each of several floors. As shown in Figure 1, the car 8 has a car body 81, a lower guide device 82, and an upper guide device 83.

The car body 81 is provided with a car entrance (not shown). The car entrance is opened and closed by a pair of car doors (not shown). At the floor where the car 8 is stopped, a pair of hall doors are linked to a pair of car doors, thereby opening and closing the car entrance and the hall entrance 15.

The lower guide device 82 is provided at the bottom of the car body 81. The lower guide device 82 is guided by each of the first car guide rail 11 and the second car guide rail 12. The lower guide device 82 has a pair of lower contact portions 821. Of the pair of lower contact portions 821, one lower contact portion 821 contacts the first car guide rail 11, and the other lower contact portion 821 contacts the second car guide rail 12.

The upper guide device 83 is provided on the upper part of the car body 81. The upper guide device 83 is guided by both the first car guide rail 11 and the second car guide rail 12. The upper guide device 83 has a pair of upper contact portions 831. Of the pair of upper contact portions 831, one upper contact portion 831 contacts the first car guide rail 11, and the other upper contact portion 831 contacts the second car guide rail 12.

In the elevator shaft 1, a lower guide stop level and an upper guide stop level are set for each floor. The lower guide stop level for each floor is set at a height position that is lower than the landing floor 16 for that floor by a set dimension L. The upper guide stop level for each floor is set at a height position that is higher than the top of the landing entrance/exit 15 for that floor. In this embodiment, of two adjacent floors, the height position of the upper guide stop level for the lower floor is lower than the height position of the lower guide stop level for the upper floor.

When car 8 is stopped on one of multiple floors, lower guide device 82 is positioned at the height of the lower guide stop level corresponding to the floor on which car 8 is stopped. Furthermore, when car 8 is stopped on one of multiple floors, upper guide device 83 is positioned at the height of the upper guide stop level corresponding to the floor on which car 8 is stopped. Therefore, in this embodiment, regardless of the floor on which car 8 is stopped, lower guide device 82 is positioned at a height that is lower by the set dimension L than the landing floor 16 on the floor on which car 8 is stopped.

At least one of the multiple floors at which car 8 can stop is designated as a specific floor. In this embodiment, all of the multiple floors at which car 8 can stop are designated as specific floors.

A number of connecting structures 21 are provided within the hoistway 1. Each connecting structure 21 is located corresponding to a specific floor. When the hoistway 1 is viewed from above, each connecting structure 21 is located outside the area of the car 8 and counterweight 9.

At each specific floor, a connecting structure 21 is attached to each of the first car guide rail 11 and the second car guide rail 12 at the height of the corresponding lower guide stop level. In other words, the connecting structure 21 is attached to each of the first car guide rail 11 and the second car guide rail 12 at the height of the lower guide device 82 when the car 8 is stopped at the specific floor.

The first car guide rail 11 is connected to the second car guide rail 12 via each connecting structure 21. In other words, the second car guide rail 12 is connected to the first car guide rail 11 via each connecting structure 21. That is, the first car guide rail 11 and the second car guide rail 12 are connected to each other via each connecting structure 21.

Each connecting structure 21 has a rail connecting member 22. The rail connecting member 22 has a first mounting member 31, a second mounting member 32, an intermediate connecting member 33, and a front connecting member 34.

The first mounting member 31 is attached to the back surface of the first car guide rail 11. The first mounting member 31 is an angle member that extends along the depth direction of the elevator shaft 1. At each specific floor, the first mounting member 31 is attached to the back surface of the first car guide rail 11 at the height position of the corresponding lower guide stop level.

The second mounting member 32 is attached to the back surface of the second car guide rail 12. The second mounting member 32 is an angle member that extends along the depth direction of the elevator shaft 1. At each specific floor, the second mounting member 32 is attached to the back surface of the second car guide rail 12 at the height position of the corresponding lower guide stop level.

When the hoistway 1 is viewed from above, the intermediate connecting member 33 is positioned between the car 8 and the counterweight 9. The intermediate connecting member 33 is attached to each of the first mounting member 31 and the second mounting member 32. As a result, the first mounting member 31 and the second mounting member 32 are connected to each other via the intermediate connecting member 33. The intermediate connecting member 33 is an angle member that extends along the width direction of the hoistway 1.

When viewing the hoistway 1 from above, the front connecting member 34 is positioned closer to the landing of a specific floor than the car 8. The front connecting member 34 is attached to both the first mounting member 31 and the second mounting member 32. As a result, the first mounting member 31 and the second mounting member 32 are connected to each other via the front connecting member 34. The front connecting member 34 is an angle member that extends along the width direction of the hoistway 1.

Therefore, when the elevator shaft 1 is viewed from above, the rail connecting member 22 surrounds the area of the car 8. The first car guide rail 11 and the second car guide rail 12 are connected to each other via a first mounting member 31, an intermediate connecting member 33, and a second mounting member 32. The first car guide rail 11 and the second car guide rail 12 are also connected to each other via the first mounting member 31, a front connecting member 34, and a second mounting member 32.

Here, Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the connecting structure 21 of Figure 2. The first mounting member 31 is provided with a pair of rail clips 17 and a pair of fasteners 18. The side of the first car guide rail 11 is gripped between each rail clip 17 and the first mounting member 31 by the tightening force of each fastener 18. In this way, the first mounting member 31 is attached to the back surface of the first car guide rail 11.

The second mounting member 32 is also provided with a pair of rail clips 17 and a pair of fasteners 18. The side of the second car guide rail 12 is gripped between each rail clip 17 and the second mounting member 32 by the tightening force of each fastener 18. In this way, the second mounting member 32 is attached to the back surface of the second car guide rail 12.

The intermediate connecting member 33 is attached to each of the first mounting member 31 and the second mounting member 32 by welding. The front connecting member 34 is attached to each of the first mounting member 31 and the second mounting member 32 by welding. The intermediate connecting member 33 and the front connecting member 34 may be connected to the first mounting member 31 and the second mounting member 32 by bolts and nuts, respectively.

The control device performs controlled operation, for example, in the event of an earthquake. Controlled operation is an operation in which, for example, when an earthquake occurs, the car 8 is stopped at the nearest floor and the car entrance/exit and landing entrance/exit 15 are opened at the nearest floor where the car 8 has stopped. During controlled operation, the control device opens the car entrance/exit and landing entrance/exit 15 at the nearest floor where the car 8 has stopped, and then closes the car entrance/exit and landing entrance/exit 15 to suspend operation of the elevator system.

Next, we will explain the operation. For example, if an earthquake occurs, the elevator system will perform controlled operation under the control of the control device. When controlled operation is performed, the car 8 will stop at the nearest floor, and the car entrance and hall entrance 15 will open at the nearest floor where the car 8 has stopped. This allows passengers in the car 8 to escape to the hall at the nearest floor. After this, the car entrance and hall entrance 15 will close and the elevator will cease operation. After this, the elevator system will be subjected to shaking caused by the earthquake while the car 8 is stopped at the nearest floor.

In this embodiment, all of the multiple floors are specific floors. Therefore, the floor nearest to where car 8 stops is the specific floor. When car 8 is stopped at the specific floor, the connecting structure 21 is positioned at the height where the lower guide device 82 is stopped.

When an earthquake occurs and car 8 is stopped at a specific floor, the inertial force of car 8 generated by the shaking of the earthquake acts on the first car guide rail 11 and the second car guide rail 12 via the lower guide device 82 and the upper guide device 83, respectively. At this time, each of the first car guide rail 11 and the second car guide rail 12 receives the inertial force of car 8 from the lower guide device 82 as a lower rail load P1, and receives the inertial force of car 8 from the upper guide device 83 as an upper rail load P2.

The center of gravity of car 8 is biased toward a position closer to the bottom of car 8 than to the top of car 8. Therefore, the magnitude of the lower rail load P1 is greater than the upper rail load P2.

When the first car guide rail 11 receives a lower rail load P1 from the lower guide device 82, the lower rail load P1 is distributed from the first car guide rail 11 to the second car guide rail 12 via the connecting structure 21. Furthermore, when the second car guide rail 12 receives a lower rail load P1 from the lower guide device 82, the lower rail load P1 is distributed from the second car guide rail 12 to the first car guide rail 11 via the connecting structure 21. This reduces the magnitude of the lower rail load P1 borne by each of the first car guide rail 11 and the second car guide rail 12, suppressing deformation of each of the first car guide rail 11 and the second car guide rail 12.

In this type of elevator system, the first car guide rail 11 and the second car guide rail 12 are connected to each other via a connecting structure 21. The connecting structure 21 is attached to each of the first car guide rail 11 and the second car guide rail 12 at the height of the lower guide device 82 when the car 8 is stopped at a specific floor. Therefore, in the event of an earthquake, for example, the lower guide device 82 can be stopped at the height where the connecting structure 21 is located.

Now, consider the case where the lower guide device 82 is stopped at a position vertically distant from the height position of the connecting structure 21. In this case, when the first car guide rail 11 receives the inertial force of the car 8 from the lower guide device 82, the first car guide rail 11 is more likely to bend depending on the distance from the connecting structure 21 to the lower guide device 82. Furthermore, when the second car guide rail 12 receives the inertial force of the car 8 from the lower guide device 82, the second car guide rail 12 is more likely to bend depending on the distance from the connecting structure 21 to the lower guide device 82. For this reason, when the lower guide device 82 is stopped at a position vertically distant from the height position of the connecting structure 21, the inertial force of the car 8 received by the first car guide rail 11 and the second car guide rail 12 from the lower guide device 82 is less likely to be transmitted to the connecting structure 21.

In this embodiment, the lower guide device 82 can be stopped at the height position where the connecting structure 21 is located. This allows the inertial force of the car 8, which is received by each of the first car guide rail 11 and the second car guide rail 12 from the lower guide device 82, to be effectively transmitted to the connecting structure 21. Therefore, the inertial force of the car 8 can be efficiently distributed to each of the first car guide rail 11 and the second car guide rail 12, and the magnitude of the inertial force of the car 8 borne by each of the first car guide rail 11 and the second car guide rail 12 can be reduced. This more reliably suppresses deformation of each of the first car guide rail 11 and the second car guide rail 12. Therefore, damage to each of the first car guide rail 11 and the second car guide rail 12 can be prevented. It also prevents at least one of the first car guide rail 11 and the second car guide rail 12 from interfering with equipment within the hoistway 1.

In addition, the center of gravity of the car 8 is biased toward a position closer to the bottom of the car 8 than to the top of the car 8. As a result, the magnitude of the inertial force acting on the car 8 from the lower guide device 82 on each of the first car guide rail 11 and the second car guide rail 12 is greater than the magnitude of the inertial force acting on the car 8 from the upper guide device 83. This allows the inertial force of the car 8 to be more efficiently transmitted from each of the first car guide rail 11 and the second car guide rail 12 to the connecting structure 21. Therefore, deformation of each of the first car guide rail 11 and the second car guide rail 12 can be more reliably suppressed.

In the first embodiment, the intermediate connecting member 33 and the front connecting member 34 are each angle members. However, as shown in FIG. 4, the intermediate connecting member 33 and the front connecting member 34 may each be a rod-shaped member with a circular cross section. In this case, the rod-shaped member is attached to the first mounting member 31 and the second mounting member 32, respectively, with a plurality of nuts.

Embodiment 2.
5 is a top view showing an elevator apparatus according to embodiment 2. The rail connecting member 22 in each connecting structure 21 has a first mounting member 31, a second mounting member 32, and an intermediate connecting member 33. The configurations of the first mounting member 31, the second mounting member 32, and the intermediate connecting member 33 are the same as those in embodiment 1. In this embodiment, the front connecting member 34 of embodiment 1 is not included in the rail connecting member 22. Other configurations in this embodiment are the same as those in embodiment 1.

In this way, even if the front connecting member 34 is not included in the rail connecting member 22, the first car guide rail 11 and the second car guide rail 12 can be connected to each other via the first mounting member 31, the second mounting member 32, and the intermediate connecting member 33. This makes it possible to distribute the inertial force of the car 8 to each of the first car guide rail 11 and the second car guide rail 12. This makes it possible to more reliably suppress deformation of each of the first car guide rail 11 and the second car guide rail 12.

Embodiment 3.
6 is a top view showing an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 3. The first car guide rail 11 is connected to each of the second car guide rail 12, the first weight guide rail 13, and the second weight guide rail 14 via rail connecting members 22 in each connecting structure 21. The second car guide rail 12 is connected to each of the first car guide rail 11, the first weight guide rail 13, and the second weight guide rail 14 via the rail connecting members 22 in each connecting structure 21.

The rail connecting member 22 in each connecting structure 21 has a first mounting member 31, a second mounting member 32, a front connecting member 34, a rear connecting member 35, a first intervening member 36, and a second intervening member 37. The configurations of the first mounting member 31, the second mounting member 32, and the front connecting member 34 are the same as in embodiment 1.

When the hoistway 1 is viewed from above, the rear connecting member 35 is positioned farther from the landing of a specific floor than the counterweight 9. When the hoistway 1 is viewed from above, the rear connecting member 35 is also positioned between the first mounting member 31 and the second mounting member 32. The rear connecting member 35 is attached to both the first mounting member 31 and the second mounting member 32. As a result, the first mounting member 31 and the second mounting member 32 are connected to each other via the rear connecting member 35. The rear connecting member 35 is an angle member that extends along the width direction of the hoistway 1.

The first intervening member 36 is interposed between the back surface of the first weight guide rail 13 and the first mounting member 31. The first intervening member 36 is attached to the first mounting member 31 by welding. The first intervening member 36 is attached to the back surface of the first weight guide rail 13 by a pair of rail clips and a pair of fasteners. Therefore, the first mounting member 31 is attached to the back surface of the first weight guide rail 13 via the first intervening member 36.

The second intervening member 37 is interposed between the back surface of the second weight guide rail 14 and the second mounting member 32. The second intervening member 37 is attached to the second mounting member 32 by welding. The second intervening member 37 is attached to the back surface of the second weight guide rail 14 by a pair of rail clips and a pair of fasteners. Therefore, the second mounting member 32 is attached to the back surface of the second weight guide rail 14 via the second intervening member 37.

Therefore, when the elevator shaft 1 is viewed from above, the rail connecting member 22 surrounds the area of the car 8 and the area of the counterweight 9. The first car guide rail 11, the second car guide rail 12, the first weight guide rail 13, and the second weight guide rail 14 are connected to each other via the rail connecting member 22. Other configurations in this embodiment are the same as those in embodiment 1.

In this elevator system, the first car guide rail 11 is connected to each of the second car guide rail 12, first weight guide rail 13, and second weight guide rail 14 via a connecting structure 21. Furthermore, the second car guide rail 12 is connected to each of the first car guide rail 11, first weight guide rail 13, and second weight guide rail 14 via a connecting structure 21. Therefore, the inertial force of the car 8 received by the first car guide rail 11 from the lower guide device 82 can be distributed to each of the second car guide rail 12, first weight guide rail 13, and second weight guide rail 14. Furthermore, the inertial force of the car 8 received by the second car guide rail 12 from the lower guide device 82 can be distributed to each of the first car guide rail 11, first weight guide rail 13, and second weight guide rail 14. This makes it possible to more reliably suppress deformation of the first car guide rail 11 and the second car guide rail 12.

In addition, in embodiment 3, the rail connecting members 22 in each connecting structure 21 may have an intermediate connecting member 33 similar to embodiment 1. In this case, the first mounting member 31 and the second mounting member 32 are connected to each other via the intermediate connecting member 33. The intermediate connecting member 33 is positioned between the car 8 and the counterweight 9 when the hoistway 1 is viewed from above.

Embodiment 4.
7 is a top view showing an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 4. The first car guide rail 11 is connected to each of the second car guide rail 12, the first weight guide rail 13, and the second weight guide rail 14 via rail connecting members 22 in each connecting structure 21. The second car guide rail 12 is connected to each of the first car guide rail 11, the first weight guide rail 13, and the second weight guide rail 14 via the rail connecting members 22 in each connecting structure 21.

The rail connecting member 22 in each connecting structure 21 has a first mounting member 31, a second mounting member 32, an intermediate connecting member 33, a first intervening member 36, and a second intervening member 37. The configurations of the first mounting member 31, the second mounting member 32, the first intervening member 36, and the second intervening member 37 are the same as in embodiment 3. The rail connecting member 22 in each connecting structure 21 does not have the front connecting member 34 and the rear connecting member 35 of embodiment 3.

The configuration of the intermediate connecting member 33 is the same as in embodiment 1. That is, the intermediate connecting member 33 is attached to each of the first mounting member 31 and the second mounting member 32. As a result, the first mounting member 31 and the second mounting member 32 are connected to each other via the intermediate connecting member 33. When viewing the hoistway 1 from above, the intermediate connecting member 33 is positioned between the car 8 and the counterweight 9. The intermediate connecting member 33 is an angle member that extends along the width direction of the hoistway 1. The other configurations of this embodiment are the same as those of embodiment 3.

In this way, the first mounting member 31 and the second mounting member 32 are connected to each other via the intermediate connecting member 33. Even in this way, the first car guide rail 11 can be connected to each of the second car guide rail 12, first weight guide rail 13, and second weight guide rail 14 via the connecting structure 21. Furthermore, the second car guide rail 12 can be connected to each of the first car guide rail 11, first weight guide rail 13, and second weight guide rail 14 via the connecting structure 21. This makes it possible to more reliably suppress deformation of each of the first car guide rail 11 and second car guide rail 12.

Embodiment 5.
8 is a top view showing an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 5. The first car guide rail 11 is connected to the first weight guide rail 13 via the rail connecting members 22 in each connecting structure 21. The second car guide rail 12 is connected to the second weight guide rail 14 via the rail connecting members 22 in each connecting structure 21.

The rail connecting member 22 in each connecting structure 21 has a first mounting member 31, a second mounting member 32, a first intervening member 36, and a second intervening member 37. The configurations of the first mounting member 31, the second mounting member 32, the first intervening member 36, and the second intervening member 37 are the same as in embodiment 4. The rail connecting member 22 in each connecting structure 21 does not have the intermediate connecting member 33 in embodiment 4.

The first car guide rail 11 is connected to the first weight guide rail 13 via a first mounting member 31 and a first intervening member 36. The second car guide rail 12 is connected to the second weight guide rail 14 via a second mounting member 32 and a second intervening member 37. The first car guide rail 11 and the first weight guide rail 13 are not connected to the second car guide rail 12 and the second weight guide rail 14. Other configurations in this embodiment are the same as those in embodiment 4.

In this elevator system, the first car guide rail 11 is connected to the first weight guide rail 13 via the connecting structure 21. The second car guide rail 12 is also connected to the second weight guide rail 14 via the connecting structure 21. This allows the inertial force of the car 8 received by the first car guide rail 11 from the lower guide device 82 to be effectively distributed to the first weight guide rail 13. Furthermore, the inertial force of the car 8 received by the second car guide rail 12 from the lower guide device 82 to be effectively distributed to the second weight guide rail 14. This more reliably suppresses deformation of the first car guide rail 11 and the second car guide rail 12.

Embodiment 6.
9 is a top view showing an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 6. The elevator apparatus has a first elevator 10, a second elevator 20, and a plurality of connecting structures 21. The elevator apparatus has the first elevator 10 and the second elevator 20 as a plurality of elevator cars. The configuration of each of the first elevator 10 and the second elevator 20 is the same as the configuration of the elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 1, excluding the plurality of connecting structures 21.

The first unit 10 and the second unit 20 are installed side by side, adjacent to each other. The elevator shafts 1 corresponding to the first unit 10 and the second unit 20 are provided within an elevator shaft setting space, which is a single space in the building. As a result, within the elevator shaft setting space, the two elevator shafts 1 corresponding to the first unit 10 and the second unit 20 are adjacent to each other in the width direction of the elevator shaft setting space.

Each of the first and second elevators 10 and 20 includes a first car guide rail 11, a second car guide rail 12, a first weight guide rail 13, and a second weight guide rail 14 as multiple guide rails.

The cars 8 of the first and second elevators 10 and 20 can stop at multiple floors in the building. In the elevator shaft space, lower and upper guide stop levels are set corresponding to each floor. The height positions of the lower and upper guide stop levels relative to the landing floor 16 on each floor are the same as in embodiment 1.

In each of the first and second elevators 10 and 20, when the car 8 is stopped on one of multiple floors, the lower guide device 82 is positioned at the height position of the lower guide stop level corresponding to the floor on which the car 8 is stopped. Furthermore, when the car 8 is stopped on one of multiple floors, the upper guide device 83 is positioned at the height position of the upper guide stop level corresponding to the floor on which the car 8 is stopped.

At least one of the multiple floors at which the car 8 of each of the first elevator 10 and the second elevator 20 can stop is designated as a specific floor. In this embodiment, all of the multiple floors at which the car 8 of each of the first elevator 10 and the second elevator 20 can stop are designated as specific floors.

Multiple connecting structures 21 are provided in the elevator shaft setting space. The connecting structures 21 are respectively arranged corresponding to each specific floor. When viewing the elevator shaft setting space from above, each connecting structure 21 is arranged outside the respective areas of the car 8 and counterweight 9 of the first elevator 10, and outside the respective areas of the car 8 and counterweight 9 of the second elevator 20.

The height position of each connecting structure 21 in the elevator shaft space is the same as the height position of the connecting structure 21 in embodiment 1. Therefore, the connecting structures 21 are each positioned at the height position of the lower guide stop level corresponding to each specific floor.

The multiple guide rails in each of the first unit 10 and the second unit 20 are connected to each other via respective connecting structures 21.

Either the first elevator 10 or the second elevator 20 is designated as the reference elevator, and the elevators other than the reference elevator are designated as other elevators. In this case, the first car guide rail 11 of the reference elevator is connected via a connecting structure 21 to each of the multiple guide rails in each of the first elevator 10 and the second elevator 20, other than the first car guide rail 11 of the reference elevator. Furthermore, the second car guide rail 12 of the reference elevator is connected via a connecting structure 21 to each of the multiple guide rails in each of the first elevator 10 and the second elevator 20, other than the second car guide rail 12 of the reference elevator.

In the first car 10, the connecting structure 21 is attached to each of the first car guide rail 11 and the second car guide rail 12 at the height of the lower guide device 82 when the car 8 is stopped at a specific floor. In the second car 20, the connecting structure 21 is attached to each of the first car guide rail 11 and the second car guide rail 12 at the height of the lower guide device 82 when the car 8 is stopped at a specific floor. Therefore, in both the reference car and the other cars, each connecting structure 21 is attached to each of the first car guide rail 11 and the second car guide rail 12 at the height of the lower guide device 82 when the car 8 is stopped at a specific floor.

Each connecting structure 21 has multiple rail connecting members 22 and inter-rail connecting members 23.

The rail connecting members 22 are arranged corresponding to each of the first and second units 10 and 20. Therefore, in this embodiment, the connecting structure 21 includes two rail connecting members 22. The configuration of each rail connecting member 22 is the same as in embodiment 3. As a result, in the first unit 10, each of the multiple guide rails in the first unit 10 is connected to each other via the corresponding rail connecting members 22. In the second unit 20, each of the multiple guide rails in the second unit 20 is connected to each other via the corresponding rail connecting members 22.

In each connecting structure 21, the rail connecting member 22 corresponding to the first unit 10 and the rail connecting member 22 corresponding to the second unit 20 are adjacent to each other. Two adjacent rail connecting members 22 are connected to each other via an inter-unit connecting member 23.

Therefore, the first car guide rail 11 of the reference car is connected to each of the multiple guide rails in the reference car and other cars, other than the first car guide rail 11, via an inter-car connecting member 23 and two rail connecting members 22. Furthermore, the second car guide rail 12 of the reference car is also connected to each of the multiple guide rails in the reference car and other cars, other than the second car guide rail 12, via an inter-car connecting member 23 and two rail connecting members 22.

The inter-unit connecting member 23 has multiple connection members 41. In this embodiment, the inter-unit connecting member 23 includes two connection members 41.

Each connection member 41 is disposed between two adjacent rail connection members 22. Each connection member 41 is attached to each of the two adjacent rail connection members 22. Each connection member 41 is disposed along the width direction of the elevator shaft space. In each connection structure 21, one of the two connection members 41 is attached to the end of the rail connection member 22 closest to the landing on a specific floor, and the other is attached to the end of the rail connection member 22 farthest from the landing on a specific floor.

In this embodiment, a single angle member is formed by two front connecting members 34 and one connecting member 41. Also, in this embodiment, a single angle member is formed by two rear connecting members 35 and the other connecting member 41. The other configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of embodiment 1.

In this type of elevator system, the first car guide rail 11 of the reference car is connected to each of the multiple guide rails in the reference car and other cars, except for the first car guide rail 11 of the reference car, via a connecting structure 21. Furthermore, the second car guide rail 12 of the reference car is connected to each of the multiple guide rails in the reference car and other cars, except for the second car guide rail 12 of the reference car, via a connecting structure 21. Furthermore, in the reference car, the connecting structure 21 is attached to each of the first car guide rail 11 and the second car guide rail 12 at the height of the lower guide device 82 when the car 8 is stopped at a specific floor.

For this reason, in the event of an earthquake, for example, the lower guide device 82 can be stopped at the height position where the connecting structure 21 is located in the reference car. This allows the inertial force of the car 8, which is received from the lower guide device 82 by each of the first car guide rail 11 and the second car guide rail 12 in the reference car, to be effectively transmitted to the connecting structure 21. Therefore, the inertial force of the car 8 received by the first car guide rail 11 of the reference car can be dispersed not only to guide rails other than the first car guide rail 11 of the reference car, but also to the guide rails of other cars. Furthermore, the inertial force of the car 8 received by the second car guide rail 12 of the reference car can be dispersed not only to guide rails other than the second car guide rail 12 of the reference car, but also to the guide rails of other cars. This more reliably suppresses deformation of the first car guide rail 11 and the second car guide rail 12 in the reference car.

Embodiment 7.
10 is a top view showing an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 7. Each connecting structure 21 has a plurality of rail connecting members 22 and inter-car connecting members 23.

The rail connecting members 22 are arranged corresponding to each of the first and second units 10 and 20. Therefore, in this embodiment, the connecting structure 21 includes two rail connecting members 22. The configuration of each rail connecting member 22 is the same as in embodiment 4. As a result, in the first unit 10, each of the multiple guide rails in the first unit 10 is connected to each other via the corresponding rail connecting members 22. In the second unit 20, each of the multiple guide rails in the second unit 20 is connected to each other via the corresponding rail connecting members 22.

Two adjacent rail connecting members 22 are connected to each other via an inter-rail connecting member 23. The inter-rail connecting member 23 has a connecting member 41. In this embodiment, the inter-rail connecting member 23 includes one connecting member 41.

The connecting member 41 is disposed between two adjacent rail connecting members 22. The connecting member 41 is attached to each of the two adjacent rail connecting members 22. The connecting member 41 is disposed along the width direction of the elevator shaft space. In this embodiment, the two intermediate connecting members 33 and the connecting member 41 form a single angle member. The other configurations of this embodiment are the same as those of embodiment 6.

In this manner, in this embodiment, the rail connecting members 22 corresponding to each of the first and second rails 10 and 20 are configured in the same manner as in embodiment 4, and the number of connecting members 41 in the inter-rail connecting member 23 is one. Therefore, similar to embodiment 6, the multiple guide rails in each of the first and second rails 10 and 20 can be connected to each other via the connecting structure 21.

As a result, the first car guide rail 11 of the reference car can be connected to each of the multiple guide rails in the reference car and other cars, other than the first car guide rail 11 of the reference car, via the connecting structure 21. Furthermore, the second car guide rail 12 of the reference car can be connected to each of the multiple guide rails in the reference car and other cars, other than the second car guide rail 12 of the reference car, via the connecting structure 21. Therefore, deformation of the first car guide rail 11 and second car guide rail 12 of the reference car can be more reliably suppressed.

Embodiment 8.
11 is a top view showing an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 8. The elevator apparatus has a first elevator 10, a second elevator 20, a third elevator 30, and a plurality of connecting structures 21. The elevator apparatus has a plurality of elevator machines, namely, the first elevator 10, the second elevator 20, and the third elevator 30. The configuration of each of the first elevator 10, the second elevator 20, and the third elevator 30 is the same as the configuration of the elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 1, excluding the plurality of connecting structures 21.

The first unit 10, the second unit 20, and the third unit 30 are installed in the order of first unit 10, second unit 20, and third unit 30. The elevator shafts 1 corresponding to each of the first unit 10, second unit 20, and third unit 30 are provided within an elevator shaft setting space, which is a single space in the building. Within the elevator shaft setting space, three elevator shafts 1 corresponding to each of the first unit 10, second unit 20, and third unit 30 are lined up in the width direction of the elevator shaft setting space.

Each of the first, second, and third elevators 10, 20, and 30 includes a first car guide rail 11, a second car guide rail 12, a first weight guide rail 13, and a second weight guide rail 14 as multiple guide rails.

The cars 8 of the first car 10, the second car 20, and the third car 30 can stop on multiple floors in the building. In the elevator shaft space, lower guide stop levels and upper guide stop levels are set corresponding to each floor. The height positions of the lower guide stop levels and upper guide stop levels relative to the landing floor 16 on each floor are the same as in embodiment 1.

In each of the first, second, and third elevators 10, 20, and 30, when the car 8 is stopped on one of multiple floors, the lower guide device 82 is positioned at the height of the lower guide stop level corresponding to the floor on which the car 8 is stopped. In addition, in each of the first, second, and third elevators 10, 20, and 30, when the car 8 is stopped on one of multiple floors, the upper guide device 83 is positioned at the height of the upper guide stop level corresponding to the floor on which the car 8 is stopped.

At least one of the multiple floors at which the car 8 of each of the first car 10, the second car 20, and the third car 30 can stop is designated as a specific floor. In this embodiment, all of the multiple floors at which the car 8 of each of the first car 10, the second car 20, and the third car 30 can stop are designated as specific floors.

Multiple connecting structures 21 are provided in the elevator shaft setting space. The connecting structures 21 are respectively arranged corresponding to each specific floor. When the elevator shaft setting space is viewed from above, each connecting structure 21 is arranged outside the area of the car 8 and counterweight 9 of each of the first elevator 10, the second elevator 20, and the third elevator 30.

The height position of each connecting structure 21 in the elevator shaft space is the same as the height position of the connecting structure 21 in embodiment 1. Therefore, the connecting structures 21 are disposed at the height position of the lower guide stop level corresponding to each specific floor. Furthermore, in each of the first car 10, second car 20, and third car 30, the connecting structures 21 are attached to the first car guide rail 11 and second car guide rail 12 at the height position of the lower guide device 82 when the car 8 is stopped at the specific floor.

The first car guide rail 11 in the first car 10 is connected to the second car guide rail 12 in the second car 20 via a connecting structure 21. The second car guide rail 12 in the first car 10 is connected to the second weight guide rail 14 in the first car 10 via a connecting structure 21.

That is, of the first elevator 10, the second elevator 20, and the third elevator 30, the first elevator 10 is the reference elevator, and the elevators other than the reference elevator are the other elevators. At this time, the first car guide rail 11 of the reference elevator is connected to the second car guide rail 12 of the other elevator adjacent to the reference elevator via a connecting structure 21. Also, at this time, the second car guide rail 12 of the reference elevator is connected to the second weight guide rail 14 of the reference elevator via a connecting structure 21.

The first car guide rail 11 in the second unit 20 is connected to the second car guide rail 12 in the third unit 30 via a connecting structure 21. The second car guide rail 12 in the second unit 20 is connected to the first car guide rail 11 in the first unit 10 via a connecting structure 21.

That is, of the first elevator 10, the second elevator 20, and the third elevator 30, the second elevator 20 is the reference elevator, and the elevators other than the reference elevator are the other elevators. At this time, the first car guide rail 11 of the reference elevator is connected to the second car guide rail 12 of the other elevator adjacent to the reference elevator via the connecting structure 21. Also, at this time, the second car guide rail 12 of the reference elevator is connected to the first car guide rail 11 of the other elevator adjacent to the reference elevator via the connecting structure 21.

The first car guide rail 11 in the third unit 30 is connected to the first weight guide rail 13 in the third unit 30 via a connecting structure 21. The second car guide rail 12 in the third unit 30 is connected to the first car guide rail 11 in the second unit 20 via a connecting structure 21.

That is, of the first elevator 10, the second elevator 20, and the third elevator 30, the third elevator 30 is designated as the reference elevator, and the elevators other than the reference elevator are designated as other elevators. At this time, the first car guide rail 11 of the reference elevator is connected to the first weight guide rail 13 of the reference elevator via the connecting structure 21. Also, at this time, the second car guide rail 12 of the reference elevator is connected to the first car guide rail 11 of the other elevator adjacent to the reference elevator via the connecting structure 21.

Furthermore, one of the first car 10, second car 20, and third car 30 is designated as the reference car. In this case, the connecting structure 21 is attached to each of the first car guide rail 11 and second car guide rail 12 of the reference car at the height position of the lower guide device 82 when the car 8 of the reference car is stopped at a specific floor.

Each connecting structure 21 has a plurality of rail connecting members 22 and a plurality of inter-unit connecting members 23. In this embodiment, a rail connecting member 22 is provided on each of the first unit 10 and the third unit 30. In addition, in this embodiment, an inter-unit connecting member 23 is provided between the first unit 10 and the second unit 20, and between the second unit 20 and the third unit 30.

The rail connecting member 22 provided on the first elevator 10 has a second mounting member 32 and a second intervening member 37. The configurations of the second mounting member 32 and the second intervening member 37 are the same as those in embodiment 5. The second mounting member 32 is attached to the back surface of the second car guide rail 12 on the first elevator 10. The second mounting member 32 is attached to the back surface of the second weight guide rail 14 on the first elevator 10 via the second intervening member 37. On the first elevator 10, the second car guide rail 12 is connected to the second weight guide rail 14 via the rail connecting member 22.

The rail connecting member 22 provided on the third unit 30 has a first mounting member 31 and a first intervening member 36. The configurations of the first mounting member 31 and the first intervening member 36 are the same as those in embodiment 5. The first mounting member 31 is attached to the back surface of the first car guide rail 11 on the third unit 30. The first mounting member 31 is attached to the back surface of the first weight guide rail 13 on the third unit 30 via the first intervening member 36. On the third unit 30, the first car guide rail 11 is connected to the first weight guide rail 13 via the rail connecting member 22.

Each inter-rail connecting member 23 has a pair of rail mounting members 42 and multiple connection members 43. In this embodiment, each inter-rail connecting member 23 includes two connection members 43.

In the inter-car connecting member 23 provided between the first car 10 and the second car 20, one of a pair of rail mounting members 42 is attached to the back surface of the first car guide rail 11 of the first car 10, and the other is attached to the back surface of the second car guide rail 12 of the second car 20. The pair of rail mounting members 42 are connected to each other via two connecting members 43. As a result, the first car guide rail 11 of the first car 10 and the second car guide rail 12 of the second car 20 are connected to each other via the inter-car connecting member 23.

In the inter-car connecting member 23 provided between the second car 20 and the third car 30, one of a pair of rail mounting members 42 is attached to the back surface of the first car guide rail 11 of the second car 20, and the other is attached to the back surface of the second car guide rail 12 of the third car 30. The pair of rail mounting members 42 are connected to each other via two connecting members 43. As a result, the first car guide rail 11 of the second car 20 and the second car guide rail 12 of the third car 30 are connected to each other via the inter-car connecting member 23. Other configurations in this embodiment are the same as those in embodiment 1.

In this type of elevator system, if the first elevator 10 is designated as the reference elevator and the elevators other than the reference elevator are designated as other elevators, the first car guide rail 11 of the reference elevator is connected to the second car guide rail 12 of the second elevator 20, which is the other elevator, via a connecting structure 21. The second car guide rail 12 of the reference elevator is connected to the second weight guide rail 14 of the reference elevator via a connecting structure 21. This allows the inertial force of the car 8 received by the first car guide rail 11 of the reference elevator to be dispersed to the guide rails of the other elevators. Furthermore, the inertial force of the car 8 received by the second car guide rail 12 of the reference elevator can be dispersed to the second weight guide rail 14 of the reference elevator. This more reliably suppresses deformation of the first car guide rail 11 and second car guide rail 12 of the reference elevator, the first elevator 10.

Furthermore, if the second elevator 20 is designated as the reference elevator and the elevators other than the reference elevator are designated as other elevators, the first car guide rail 11 of the reference elevator is connected to the second car guide rail 12 of the third elevator 30, which is the other elevator, via a connecting structure 21. The second car guide rail 12 of the reference elevator is connected to the first car guide rail 12 of the first elevator 10, which is the other elevator, via a connecting structure 21. Therefore, the inertial force of the car 8 received by each of the first car guide rail 11 and second car guide rail 12 of the reference elevator can be dispersed to the guide rails of the other elevators. This makes it possible to more reliably suppress deformation of the first car guide rail 11 and second car guide rail 12 of the second elevator 20, which is the reference elevator.

Furthermore, if the third elevator 30 is designated as the reference elevator and the elevators other than the reference elevator are designated as other elevators, the first car guide rail 11 of the reference elevator is connected to the first weight guide rail 13 of the reference elevator via the connecting structure 21. The second car guide rail 12 of the reference elevator is connected to the first car guide rail 11 of the second elevator 20, which is the other elevator, via the connecting structure 21. Therefore, the inertial force of the car 8 received by the first car guide rail 11 of the reference elevator can be dispersed to the first weight guide rail 13 of the reference elevator. Furthermore, the inertial force of the car 8 received by the second car guide rail 12 of the reference elevator can be dispersed to the guide rails of the other elevators. This more reliably suppresses deformation of the first car guide rail 11 and second car guide rail 12 of the reference elevator 30.

Embodiment 9.
12 is a side view showing an elevator apparatus according to a ninth embodiment. The height dimension from the landing floor 16 on the lowest floor to the landing floor 16 on the floor immediately above the lowest floor is defined as the lowest height dimension h0. Furthermore, of two floors adjacent to each other in the vertical direction, the height dimension from the landing floor 16 on the lower floor excluding the lowest floor to the landing floor 16 on the upper floor is defined as the inter-floor height dimension h1. In this case, the lowest height dimension h0 is greater than the inter-floor height dimension h1. In this embodiment, all of the multiple floors at which the car 8 can stop are defined as specific floors.

In the elevator shaft 1, a lower guide stop level and an upper guide stop level are set for each floor. The height positions of the lower guide stop level and the upper guide stop level relative to the landing floor 16 on each floor are the same as in embodiment 1.

Therefore, when car 8 is stopped on one of multiple floors, lower guide device 82 is positioned at the height position of the lower guide stop level corresponding to the floor on which car 8 is stopped. Also, when car 8 is stopped on one of multiple floors, upper guide device 83 is positioned at the height position of the upper guide stop level corresponding to the floor on which car 8 is stopped.

The height position of each connecting structure 21 within the elevator shaft 1 is the same as the height position of the connecting structure 21 in embodiment 1. Therefore, the connecting structures 21 are each positioned at the height position of the lower guide stop level corresponding to each specific floor.

In this embodiment, of two specific floors adjacent to each other in the vertical direction, the height position of the upper guide stop level corresponding to the lower specific floor other than the lowest floor is the same as the height position of the lower guide stop level corresponding to the upper specific floor. As a result, when a car 8 is stopped at a lower specific floor other than the lowest floor of two specific floors adjacent to each other in the vertical direction, the upper guide device 83 is positioned at the height position of the lower guide device 82 when the car 8 is stopped at the upper specific floor. Therefore, when a car 8 is stopped at a specific floor other than the lowest floor, the lower guide device 82 is positioned at the height position of the connecting structure 21 corresponding to that specific floor, and the upper guide device 83 is positioned at the height position of the connecting structure 21 corresponding to the floor immediately above that specific floor.

In car 8, the height dimension from the lower guide device 82 to the upper guide device 83 matches the inter-floor height dimension h1. The upper guide device 83 is attached to the car body 81 via a height adjustment member 84. In car 8, the dimensions of the height adjustment member 84 are adjusted so that the height dimension from the lower guide device 82 to the upper guide device 83 matches the inter-floor height dimension h1. Other configurations in this embodiment are the same as those in embodiment 1.

In this type of elevator system, when the car 8 is stopped at the lower of two vertically adjacent specific floors, the upper guide device 83 is positioned at the same height as the lower guide device 82 when the car 8 is stopped at the upper specific floor. Therefore, the lower guide device 82 can be stopped at the height of the connecting structure 21 corresponding to the specific floor at which the car 8 is stopped, and the upper guide device 83 can be stopped at the height of the connecting structure 21 corresponding to the floor immediately above the specific floor at which the car 8 is stopped. This allows the first car guide rail 11 and the second car guide rail 12 to effectively transmit to the connecting structure 21 not only the inertial force of the car 8 acting from the lower guide device 82, but also the inertial force of the car 8 acting from the upper guide device 83. This further reduces the magnitude of the inertial force of the car 8 borne by each of the first car guide rail 11 and the second car guide rail 12. This further reliably suppresses deformation of each of the first car guide rail 11 and the second car guide rail 12.

In addition, in embodiment 9, the configuration in which the height position of the upper guide device 83 when the car 8 is stopped at a specific lower floor matches the height position of the lower guide device 82 when the car 8 is stopped at a specific upper floor is applied to embodiment 1. However, a configuration in which the height position of the upper guide device 83 when the car 8 is stopped at a specific lower floor matches the height position of the lower guide device 82 when the car 8 is stopped at a specific upper floor may also be applied to embodiments 2 to 5.

Furthermore, a configuration in which the height position of the upper guide device 83 when the car 8 is stopped at a specific lower floor matches the height position of the lower guide device 82 when the car 8 is stopped at a specific upper floor may be applied to at least one of the first car 10 and the second car 20 in embodiments 6 and 7.

Furthermore, a configuration in which the height position of the upper guide device 83 when the car 8 is stopped at a specific lower floor matches the height position of the lower guide device 82 when the car 8 is stopped at a specific upper floor may be applied to at least one of the first car 10, the second car 20, and the third car 30 in embodiment 8.

Furthermore, in Embodiments 1 to 5 and 9, the first car guide rail 11 may be connected to at least one of the second car guide rail 12, the first weight guide rail 13, and the second weight guide rail 14 via the connecting structure 21. For example, the first car guide rail 11 may be connected only to the second weight guide rail 14 via the connecting structure 21. In this way, the inertial force of the car 8 that the first car guide rail 11 receives from the lower guide device 82 can be dispersed to the other guide rails via the connecting structure 21.

Furthermore, in embodiments 1 to 5 and 9, the second car guide rail 12 may be connected to at least one of the first car guide rail 11, the first weight guide rail 13, and the second weight guide rail 14 via the connecting structure 21. For example, the second car guide rail 12 may be connected only to the first weight guide rail 13 via the connecting structure 21. In this way, the inertial force of the car 8 received by the second car guide rail 12 from the lower guide device 82 can be dispersed to the other guide rails via the connecting structure 21.

Furthermore, in Embodiments 6 to 8, the first car guide rail 11 in the reference elevator car only needs to be connected via the connecting structure 21 to at least one of the multiple guide rails in each of the multiple elevator cars, other than the first car guide rail 11 in the reference elevator car. For example, the first car guide rail 11 in the reference elevator car may be connected via the connecting structure 21 only to the second weight guide rail 14 in the other elevator car. In this way, the inertial force of the car 8 that is received by the first car guide rail 11 in the reference elevator car from the lower guide device 82 can be distributed to the other guide rails via the connecting structure 21.

Furthermore, in embodiments 6 to 8, the second car guide rail 12 in the reference elevator car only needs to be connected via the connecting structure 21 to at least one of the multiple guide rails in each of the multiple elevator cars, other than the second car guide rail 12 in the reference elevator car. For example, the second car guide rail 12 in the reference elevator car may be connected via the connecting structure 21 only to the first weight guide rail 13 in the other elevator car. In this way, the inertial force of the car 8 received by the second car guide rail 12 in the reference elevator car from the lower guide device 82 can be distributed to the other guide rails via the connecting structure 21.

Furthermore, in embodiments 1 to 5 and 9, the connecting structure 21 is attached to each of the first car guide rail 11 and the second car guide rail 12 at the height position of the lower guide device 82 when the car 8 is stopped at a specific floor. However, only the height position at which the connecting structure 21 is attached to the first car guide rail 11 may be made to match the height position of the lower guide device 82 when the car 8 is stopped at a specific floor.

Even in this way, the inertial force of the car 8 received by the first car guide rail 11 and the second car guide rail 12 from the lower guide device 82 can be transmitted to the connecting structure 21. In particular, the inertial force of the car 8 received by the first car guide rail 11 from the lower guide device 82 can be transmitted effectively to the connecting structure 21. This makes it possible to suppress deformation of the first car guide rail 11 and the second car guide rail 12.

Alternatively, only the height position at which the connecting structure 21 is attached to the second car guide rail 12 may be made to match the height position of the lower guide device 82 when the car 8 is stopped at a specific floor.

Even in this way, the first car guide rail 11 and the second car guide rail 12 can each transmit the inertial force of the car 8 received from the lower guide device 82 to the connecting structure 21. In particular, the second car guide rail 12 can effectively transmit the inertial force of the car 8 received from the lower guide device 82 to the connecting structure 21. This makes it possible to suppress deformation of each of the first car guide rail 11 and the second car guide rail 12.

In other words, the connecting structure 21 only needs to be attached to at least one of the first car guide rail 11 and the second car guide rail 12 at the height of the lower guide device 82 when the car 8 is stopped at a specific floor.

Furthermore, in embodiments 6 to 8, the connecting structure 21 is attached to each of the first car guide rail 11 and the second car guide rail 12 of the reference car at the height position of the lower guide device 82 when the car 8 of the reference car is stopped at a specific floor. However, in the reference car, only the height position at which the connecting structure 21 is attached to the first car guide rail 11 may be made to match the height position of the lower guide device 82 when the car 8 is stopped at a specific floor.

Even in this way, in the reference vehicle, the inertial force of the car 8 received by the first car guide rail 11 and the second car guide rail 12 from the lower guide device 82 can be transmitted to the connecting structure 21. In particular, in the reference vehicle, the inertial force of the car 8 received by the first car guide rail 11 from the lower guide device 82 can be effectively transmitted to the connecting structure 21. This makes it possible to suppress deformation of the first car guide rail 11 and the second car guide rail 12 in the reference vehicle.

Furthermore, in the reference car, only the height position at which the connecting structure 21 is attached to the second car guide rail 12 may be made to match the height position of the lower guide device 82 when the car 8 is stopped at a specific floor.

Even in this way, in the reference vehicle, the inertial force of the car 8 received by the first car guide rail 11 and the second car guide rail 12 from the lower guide device 82 can be transmitted to the connecting structure 21. In particular, in the reference vehicle, the inertial force of the car 8 received by the second car guide rail 12 from the lower guide device 82 can be effectively transmitted to the connecting structure 21. This makes it possible to suppress deformation of the first car guide rail 11 and the second car guide rail 12 in the reference vehicle.

In other words, the connecting structure 21 only needs to be attached to at least one of the first car guide rail 11 and the second car guide rail 12 of the reference car at the height position of the lower guide device 82 when the car 8 of the reference car is stopped at a specific floor.

Furthermore, in embodiments 1 to 5 and 9, the connecting structure 21 may be provided within the hoistway 1 when renovating an existing elevator system. Furthermore, in embodiments 6 to 8, the connecting structure 21 may be provided within the hoistway space when renovating an existing elevator system. In this way, by applying the connecting structure 21 to elevator system renovation work, it is possible to easily improve the earthquake resistance of existing elevator systems.

The above describes preferred embodiments in detail, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and substitutions can be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the claims.

The various aspects of this disclosure are summarized below as appendices.

(Appendix 1)
a first car guide rail and a second car guide rail;
a first weight guide rail and a second weight guide rail;
a car disposed between the first car guide rail and the second car guide rail so as to be movable in a vertical direction;
a counterweight disposed between the first weight guide rail and the second weight guide rail so as to be movable in the vertical direction;
a connecting structure;
the first car guide rail is connected to at least one of the second car guide rail, the first weight guide rail, and the second weight guide rail via the connecting structure,
the second car guide rail is connected to at least one of the first car guide rail, the first weight guide rail, and the second weight guide rail via the connecting structure,
the car includes a car body and a lower guide device that is provided at a lower part of the car body and is guided by the first car guide rail and the second car guide rail,
At least one of the plurality of floors at which the car can stop is a specific floor,
the connecting structure is attached to at least one of the first car guide rail and the second car guide rail at a height position of the lower guide device when the car is stopped at the specific floor.
(Appendix 2)
2. The elevator apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first car guide rail and the second car guide rail are connected to each other via the connecting structure.
(Appendix 3)
the first car guide rail is connected to the first weight guide rail via the connecting structure,
3. The elevator apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second car guide rail is connected to the second weight guide rail via the connecting structure.
(Appendix 4)
Among the plurality of floors, two floors adjacent to each other in the vertical direction are each set as the specific floor,
the car has an upper guide device that is provided on an upper portion of the car body and is guided by the first car guide rail and the second car guide rail,
4. The elevator apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the car is stopped at a lower specific floor of two specific floors adjacent to each other in the vertical direction, the upper guide device is disposed at the same height position as the lower guide device when the car is stopped at an upper specific floor.
(Appendix 5)
Multiple elevators and
a connecting structure;
Each of the plurality of elevator machines is
a first car guide rail and a second car guide rail;
a first weight guide rail and a second weight guide rail;
a car disposed between the first car guide rail and the second car guide rail so as to be movable in a vertical direction;
a counterweight disposed between the first weight guide rail and the second weight guide rail so as to be movable in the vertical direction,
each of the elevator cars has the first car guide rail, the second car guide rail, the first weight guide rail, and the second weight guide rail as a plurality of guide rails,
If one of the plurality of elevator cars is designated as a reference car,
the car of the reference car has the car body and a lower guide device that is provided at a lower part of the car body and is guided by the first car guide rail and the second car guide rail,
the first car guide rail of the reference elevator car is connected to at least one of the plurality of guide rails of each of the plurality of elevator cars other than the first car guide rail of the reference elevator car via the connecting structure,
the second car guide rail of the reference elevator car is connected to at least one of the plurality of guide rails of each of the plurality of elevator cars other than the second car guide rail of the reference elevator car via the connecting structure,
At least one of the plurality of floors at which the car of the reference elevator can stop is a specific floor,
The connecting structure is attached to at least one of the first car guide rail and the second car guide rail of the reference elevator car at a height position of the lower guide device when the car of the reference elevator car is stopped at the specific floor.
(Appendix 6)
Among the plurality of elevator machines, if an elevator machine other than the reference elevator machine is defined as another elevator machine,
the first car guide rail in the reference car is connected to at least one of the plurality of guide rails in the other car via the connecting structure,
6. The elevator apparatus of claim 5, wherein the second car guide rail in the reference elevator is connected to at least one of the plurality of guide rails in the reference elevator other than the second car guide rail via the connecting structure.
(Appendix 7)
Among the plurality of elevators, if an elevator other than the reference elevator is designated as another elevator,
the first car guide rail in the reference car is connected to at least one of the plurality of guide rails in the other car via the connecting structure,
7. The elevator apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the second car guide rail in the reference car is connected to at least one of the plurality of guide rails in the other car via the connecting structure.
(Appendix 8)
Among the plurality of floors, two floors adjacent to each other in the vertical direction are each set as the specific floor,
the car of the reference car has an upper guide device that is provided on an upper portion of the car body and is guided by the first car guide rail and the second car guide rail,
8. The elevator apparatus according to any one of Supplementary Notes 5 to 7, wherein, when the car of the reference elevator is stopped at a lower specific floor of two specific floors adjacent to each other in the vertical direction, the upper guide device is disposed at the same height position as the lower guide device when the car of the reference elevator is stopped at an upper specific floor.

1 Hoistway, 8 Cage, 9 Counterweight, 10 First unit (elevator unit), 11 First car guide rail, 12 Second car guide rail, 13 First weight guide rail, 14 Second weight guide rail, 20 Second unit (elevator unit), 21 Connecting structure, 30 Third unit (elevator unit), 81 Cage body, 82 Lower guide device, 83 Upper guide device.

Claims (7)

a first car guide rail and a second car guide rail;
a first weight guide rail and a second weight guide rail;
a car disposed between the first car guide rail and the second car guide rail so as to be movable in a vertical direction;
a counterweight disposed between the first weight guide rail and the second weight guide rail so as to be movable in the vertical direction;
a connecting structure;
the first car guide rail is connected to at least one of the second car guide rail, the first weight guide rail, and the second weight guide rail via the connecting structure,
the second car guide rail is connected to at least one of the first car guide rail, the first weight guide rail, and the second weight guide rail via the connecting structure,
the car includes a car body and a lower guide device that is provided at a lower part of the car body and is guided by the first car guide rail and the second car guide rail,
At least one of the plurality of floors at which the car can stop is a specific floor,
the connecting structure is attached to at least one of the first car guide rail and the second car guide rail at a height position of the lower guide device when the car is stopped at the specific floor ,
Among the plurality of floors, two floors adjacent to each other in the vertical direction are each set as the specific floor,
the car has an upper guide device that is provided on an upper portion of the car body and is guided by the first car guide rail and the second car guide rail,
An elevator device in which, when the car is stopped at a lower specific floor of two specific floors adjacent to each other in the vertical direction, the upper guide device is positioned at the same height as the lower guide device when the car is stopped at an upper specific floor . The elevator apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first car guide rail and the second car guide rail are connected to each other via the connecting structure. the first car guide rail is connected to the first weight guide rail via the connecting structure,
2. The elevator apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second car guide rail is connected to the second weight guide rail via the connecting structure. Multiple elevators and
a connecting structure;
Each of the plurality of elevator machines is
a first car guide rail and a second car guide rail;
a first weight guide rail and a second weight guide rail;
a car disposed between the first car guide rail and the second car guide rail so as to be movable in a vertical direction;
a counterweight disposed between the first weight guide rail and the second weight guide rail so as to be movable in the vertical direction,
each of the elevator cars has the first car guide rail, the second car guide rail, the first weight guide rail, and the second weight guide rail as a plurality of guide rails,
If one of the plurality of elevator cars is a reference car,
the car of the reference car has the car body and a lower guide device that is provided at a lower part of the car body and is guided by the first car guide rail and the second car guide rail,
the first car guide rail of the reference elevator car is connected to at least one of the plurality of guide rails of each of the plurality of elevator cars, other than the first car guide rail of the reference elevator car, via the connecting structure,
the second car guide rail of the reference elevator car is connected to at least one of the plurality of guide rails of each of the plurality of elevator cars other than the second car guide rail of the reference elevator car via the connecting structure,
At least one of the plurality of floors at which the car of the reference car can stop is a specific floor,
The connecting structure is attached to at least one of the first car guide rail and the second car guide rail of the reference elevator car at a height position of the lower guide device when the car of the reference elevator car is stopped at the specific floor. Among the plurality of elevator machines, if an elevator machine other than the reference elevator machine is defined as another elevator machine,
the first car guide rail in the reference car is connected to at least one of the plurality of guide rails in the other car via the connecting structure,
5. The elevator apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the second car guide rail in the reference car is connected to at least one of the plurality of guide rails in the reference car other than the second car guide rail via the connecting structure. Among the plurality of elevator machines, if an elevator machine other than the reference elevator machine is defined as another elevator machine,
the first car guide rail in the reference car is connected to at least one of the plurality of guide rails in the other car via the connecting structure,
5. The elevator apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the second car guide rail in the reference car is connected to at least one of the plurality of guide rails in the other car via the connecting structure. Among the plurality of floors, two floors adjacent to each other in the vertical direction are each set as the specific floor,
the car of the reference car has an upper guide device that is provided on an upper portion of the car body and is guided by the first car guide rail and the second car guide rail,
7. The elevator apparatus according to claim 4, wherein when the car of the reference elevator is stopped at a lower specific floor of two specific floors adjacent to each other in the vertical direction, the upper guide device is disposed at a height position of the lower guide device when the car of the reference elevator is stopped at an upper specific floor .