EP1961688A1

EP1961688A1 - Elevator device

Info

Publication number: EP1961688A1
Application number: EP05816839A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Atsushi Mitsui; Shiroh Ikeda
Original assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
Current assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
Priority date: 2005-12-14
Filing date: 2005-12-14
Publication date: 2008-08-27
Also published as: KR20080055904A; JPWO2007069311A1; EP1961688A4; CN101291867B; KR101110918B1; CN101291867A; WO2007069311A1

Abstract

A car is provided with a first car suspending pulley and a second car suspending pulley, and a counterweight is provided with a first counterweight suspending pulley and a second counterweight suspending pulley. A first hoisting machine having a first drive sheave and a second hoisting machine having a second drive sheave are provided to a hoistway. The car and the counterweight are suspended within the hoistway by a main rope body having a first main rope and a second main rope. The first main rope is looped continuously around the first drive sheave, the first car suspending pulley, and the first counterweight suspending pulley. The second main rope is looped continuously around the second drive sheave, the second car suspending pulley, and the second counterweight suspending pulley. Thus, the first hoisting machine and the second hoisting machine can be reduced in size, respectively, so the space for the hoistway can be saved.

Description

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an elevator apparatus having a car and a counterweight that are raised/lowered within a hoistway.

Background Art

Conventionally, there is proposed an elevator apparatus having a car and a counterweight that are raised/lowered owing to a driving force of a drive device having two drive sheaves. The respective drive sheaves are disposed coaxially with each other. A main rope for suspending the car and the counterweight is looped around the respective drive sheaves. A car suspending pulley around which the main rope is looped is provided onto a top of the car. A counterweight suspending pulley around which the main rope is looped is provided to a top of the counterweight. When the respective drive sheaves are rotated owing to a driving force of the drive device, the main rope is moved to raise/lower the car and counterweight within the hoistway (see Patent Document 1).
Patent Document 1: JP 2001-518434 A

Disclosure of the Invention

Problem to be solved by the Invention

However, the car and the counterweight are raised/lowered by a driving force of the single drive device, so the large-sized drive device is required. Thus, the space for the hoistway cannot be saved, so the elevator apparatus is inevitable to become large.
The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an elevator apparatus being down-sized.

Means for solving the Problem

An elevator apparatus according to the present invention includes: a car and a counterweight that are raised/lowered within a hoistway; a first car suspending pulley and a second car suspending pulley that are provided onto the car; a first counterweight suspending pulley and a second counterweight suspending pulley that are provided onto the counterweight; a first hoisting machine provided to the hoistway and having a first drive sheave, for generating a driving force for raising/lowering the car and the counterweight; a second hoisting machine provided to the hoistway and having a second drive sheave, for generating a driving force for raising/lowering the car and the counterweight; and a main rope body having a first main rope looped continuously around the first drive sheave, the first car suspending pulley, and the first counterweight suspending pulley, and a second main rope looped continuously around the second drive sheave, the second car suspending pulley, and the second counterweight suspending pulley, for suspending the car and the counterweight.
Also, the elevator apparatus further includes: a first car-side return pulley provided to the hoistway and having looped therearound a portion of the first main rope which is located between the first drive sheave and the first car suspending pulley; a second car-side return pulley provided to the hoistway and having looped therearound a portion of the second main rope which is located between the second drive sheave and the second car suspending pulley; a first counterweight-side return pulley provided to the hoistway and having looped therearound the portion of the first main rope which is located between the first drive sheave and the first counterweight suspending pulley; and a second counterweight-side return pulley provided to the hoistway and having looped therearound the portion of the second main rope which is located between the second drive sheave and the second counterweight suspending pulley.
Also, the first hoisting machine and the second hoisting machine are disposed to a bottom within the hoistway.
Also, the first car suspending pulley and the second car suspending pulley are provided to a bottom within the car.
Also, the car is disposed between a pair of car guide rails in a width direction of the hoistway. The counterweight is disposed apart from the car in a depth direction of the hoistway, which is perpendicular to the width direction thereof, on a vertical projection plane of the hoistway. The first hoisting machine and the second hoisting machine are disposed so that interpose the car therebetween in the width direction of the hoistway on the vertical projection plane of the hoistway.
Also, the car is disposed between a pair of car guide rails. The car is provided with a pair of the same first car suspending pulleys as mentioned above which are disposed on opposite sides with respect to a line drawn between the respective car guide rails on a vertical projection plane of the hoistway and have the first main rope looped therearound continuously, and a pair of the same second car suspending pulleys as mentioned above which are disposed on opposite sides with respect to the line drawn between the respective car guide rails on the vertical projection plane of the hoistway and have the second main rope looped therearound continuously; and the first main rope and the second main rope are disposed such that the portion of the first main rope which is located between the respective first car suspending pulleys and the portion of the second main rope which is located between the respective second car suspending pulleys are shifted from each other in a vertical direction and intersect with each other on the vertical projection plane of the hoistway.
Also, the car is disposed between a pair of car guide rails in a width direction of the hoistway. The counterweight is disposed apart from the car in a depth direction of the hoistway, which is perpendicular to the width direction thereof, on a vertical projection plane of the hoistway. The car is provided with a pair of the same first car suspending pulleys as mentioned above which have the first main rope looped therearound continuously, and a pair of the same second car suspending pulleys as mentioned above which have the second main rope looped therearound continuously. The first main rope and the second main rope are disposed such that the portion of the.first main rope which is located between the respective first car suspending pulleys and the portion of the second main rope which is located between the respective second car suspending pulleys are located on the counterweight side with respect to a line drawn between the respective car guide rails on the vertical projection plane of the hoistway.
Also, the car is disposed between a pair of car guide rails in a width direction of the hoistway. The counterweight is disposed apart from the car in a depth direction of the hoistway on a vertical projection plane of the hoistway. The first hoisting machine and the second hoisting machine are disposed on the counterweight side of the car on the vertical projection plane of the hoistway.
Also, the car is provided with a pair of the same first car suspending pulleys as mentioned above which have the first main rope looped therearound continuously, and a pair of the same second car suspending pulleys as mentioned above which have the second main rope looped therearound continuously. The first main rope and the second main rope are disposed such that the portion of the first main rope which is locatedbetween the respective first car suspending pulleys and the portion of the second main rope which is located between the respective second car suspending pulleys are located symmetrically with respect to a line drawn between the respective car guide rails on the vertical projection plane of the hoistway.
Also, the first main rope and the second main rope continue from each other between the first counterweight suspending pulley and the second counterweight suspending pulley to constitute an entirely looped main rope. The elevator apparatus further includes a counterweight-side turning pulley provided to the hoistway and having looped therearound the portion of the entirely looped main rope which is located between the first counterweight suspending pulley and the second counterweight suspending pulley.
Also, the first main rope and the second main rope continue from each other between the first car suspending pulley and the second car suspending pulley to constitute an entirely looped main rope. The elevator apparatus further comprises a car-side return pulley provided to the hoistway and having looped therearound the portion of the entirely looped main rope which is located between the first car suspending pulley and the second car suspending pulley.
Also, the first main rope and the secondmain rope suspend the car substantially at a center of gravity thereof.
Also, the first car suspending pulley and the second car suspending pulley, the first counterweight suspending pulley and the second counterweight suspending pulley, and the first hoisting machine and the second hoisting machine are each disposed symmetrically on a vertical projection plane of the hoistway.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 is a horizontal sectional view showing an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing part of the elevator apparatus of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view showing an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view showing an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view showing an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention.
Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing part of the elevator apparatus of Fig. 5.
Fig. 7 is a horizontal sectional view showing an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention.
Fig. 8 is a horizontal sectional view showing an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention.
Fig. 9 is a horizontal sectional view showing an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention.
Fig. 10 is a horizontal sectional view showing an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention.

Best Mode for carrying out the Invention

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1

Fig. 1 is a horizontal sectional view showing an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing part of the elevator apparatus of Fig. 1. Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a pair of car guide rails 2 and 3 and a pair of counterweight guide rails 4 and 5 are installed within a hoistway 1, respectively. A car 6 is raised/lowered within the hoistway 1 while being guided by the respective car guide rails 2 and 3. A counterweight 7 is raised/lowered within the hoistway 1 while being guided by the respective counterweight guide rails 4 and 5.
The respective car guide rails 2 and 3 and the respective counterweight guide rails 4 and 5 are disposed within the hoistway 1 such that a line drawn between the respective car guide rails 2 and 3 and a line drawn between the respective counterweight guide rails 4 and 5 extend parallel to a width direction of the hoistway 1 on a vertical projection plane of the hoistway 1.
The car 6 has a pair of lateral faces opposed to the car guide rails 2 and 3 respectively, and a front face and a back face that connect ends of the respective lateral faces together respectively, on the vertical projection plane of the hoistway 1. The respective lateral faces of the car 6 are arrangedperpendicularly to the width direction of the hoistway 1.
The car 6 is disposed between the respective car guide rails 2 and 3 in the width direction of the hoistway 1. The counterweight 7 is disposed between the respective counterweight guide rails 4 and 5 in the width direction of the hoistway 1.
The car 6 and the counterweight 7 are disposed apart from each other in alignment in a depth direction of the hoistway 1 (direction perpendicular to the width direction of the hoistway 1) on the vertical projection plane of the hoistway 1. That is, the elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is designed as a counterweight back fall-type elevator apparatus having a structure in which the counterweight 7 is raised/lowered on the back face side of the car 6.
A first hoisting machine 8 and a second hoisting machine 9 for generating driving forces for raising/lowering the car 6 and the counterweight 7 are provided independently of each other to a bottom within the hoistway 1. The first hoisting machine 8 and the second hoisting machine 9 are disposed so as to interpose the car 6 therebetween in the width direction of the hoistway 1 on the vertical projection plane of the hoistway 1.
The first hoisting machine 8 has a first hoisting machine body 10 including a rotary shaft disposed horizontally, and a first drive sheave 11 provided to the rotary shaft of the first hoisting machine 10 to be rotatable therearound. The second hoisting machine 9 has a second hoisting machine body 12 including a rotary shaft disposed horizontally, and a second drive sheave 13 provided onto the rotary shaft of the second hoisting machine 12 to be rotatable therearound. The first drive sheave 11 is rotated due to a driving force of the first hoisting machine body 10, and the second drive sheave 13 is rotated due to a driving force of the second hoisting machine body 12. Each of the first hoisting machine 8 and the second hoisting machine 9 is designed as a flat, low-profile hoisting machine whose radial dimension is larger than an axial dimension thereof. The respective rotary shafts of the first hoisting machine 8 and the second hoisting machine 9 are arranged parallel to the width direction of the hoistway 1 on the vertical projection plane of the hoistway 1.
A plurality of first main ropes 14 are looped around the first drive sheave 11. A plurality of second main ropes 15 are looped around the second drive sheave 13. A main rope body 16 has the respective first main ropes 14 and the respective second main ropes 15. The car 6 and the counterweight 7 are suspended within the hoistway 1 by means of the main rope body 16.
A pair of first car suspending pulleys 17 and 18 around which the respective first main ropes 14 are looped continuously, and a pair of second car suspending pulleys 19 and 20 around which the respective second main ropes 15 are looped continuously are provided to a bottom of the car 6.
The respective first car suspending pulleys 17 and 18 are disposed on opposite sides with respect to the line drawn between the respective car guide rails 2 and 3 on the vertical projection plane of the hoistway 1. Accordingly, the portion of each of the first main ropes 14 which is located between the first car suspending pulleys 17 and 18 and the line drawn between the respective car guide rails 2 and 3 intersect with each other on the vertical projection plane of the hoistway 1.
The respective second car suspending pulleys 19 and 20 are disposed on opposite sides with respect to the line drawn between the respective car guide rails 2 and 3 on the vertical projection plane of the hoistway 1. Accordingly, the portion of each of the second main ropes 15 which is located between the respective second car suspending pulleys 19 and 20 and the line drawn between the respective car guide rails 2 and 3 intersect with each other on the vertical projection plane of the hoistway 1.
The portion of each of the first main ropes 14 which is located between the respective first car suspending pulleys 17 and 18 and the portion of each of the second main ropes 15 which is located between the respective second car suspending pulleys 19 and 20 are arranged with a vertical shift from each other (Fig. 1). The portion of each of the first main ropes 14 which is located between the respective first car suspending pulleys 17 and 18 and the portion of each of the second main ropes 15 which is located between the respective second car suspending pulleys 19 and 20 intersect with each other on the vertical projection plane of the hoistway 1. Thus, the main rope body 16 suspends the car 6 substantially at the center of gravity thereof.
A first counterweight suspending pulley 21 around which the respective first main ropes 14 are looped, and a second counterweight suspending pulley 22 around which the respective second main ropes 15 are looped are provided onto a top of the counterweight 7. The first counterweight suspending pulley 21 and the second counterweight suspending pulley 22 are disposed apart from each other in the width direction of the hoistway 1. Each of the first counterweight suspending pulley 21 and the second counterweight suspending pulley 22 is rotated around a rotary shaft arranged along the depth direction of the hoistway 1.
A horizontal beam 23 supported by the respective car guide rails 2 and 3 and the respective counterweight guide rails 4 and 5 is provided to a top within the hoistway 1. The horizontal beam 23 is disposed outside the range of the car 6 on the vertical projection plane of the hoistway 1. The horizontal beam 23 is provided with a first car-side return pulley 24 and a first counterweight-side return pulley 25 around which the respective first main ropes 14 are looped respectively, and a second car-side return pulley 26 and a second counterweight-side return pulley 27 around which the respective second main ropes 15 are looped respectively.
The first car-side return pulley 24 inverts the respective first main ropes 14 extending from the drive sheave 11 toward the first car suspending pulley 18. The first counterweight-side return pulley 25 inverts the respective first main ropes 14 extending from the drive sheave 11 toward the first counterweight suspending pulley 21.
The second car-side return pulley 26 inverts the respective second main ropes 15 extending from the drive sheave 13 toward the second car suspending pulley 20. The second counterweight-side return pulley 27 inverts the respective second main ropes 15 extending from the drive sheave 13 toward the second counterweight suspending pulley 22.
The first car-side return pulley 24 and the second car-side return pulley 26 are disposed so as to interpose the car 6 therebetween in the width direction of the hoistway 1 on the vertical projection plane of the hoistway 1. Each of the first car-side return pulley 24 and the second car-side return pulley 26 is rotated around a rotary shaft arranged along the width direction of the hoistway 1.
The first counterweight-side return pulley 25 and the second counterweight-side return pulley 27 are disposed on the counterweight 7 side with respect to the car 6 on the vertical projection plane of the hoistway 1. That is, the first counterweight-side return pulley 25 and the second counterweight-side return pulley 27 are disposed between the back face of the car 6 and an internal surface of the hoistway 1 on the vertical projection plane of the hoistway 1. Each of the first counterweight-side return pulley 25 and the second counterweight-side return pulley 27 is rotated around a rotary shaft arranged along the depth direction of the hoistway 1.
The horizontal beam 23 is provided with a first car-side cleat device 28 to which one end of each of the first main ropes 14 is connected, a first counterweight-side cleat device 29 to which the other end of each of the first main ropes 14 is connected, a second car-side cleat device 30 to which one end of each of the second main ropes 15 is connected, and a second counterweight-side cleat device 31 to which the other end of each of the second main ropes 15 is connected.
Each of the first main ropes 14, which extends from one end thereof connected to the first car-side cleat device 28 to the other end thereof connected to the first counterweight-side cleat device 29, is looped around the respective first car suspending pulleys 17 and 18, the first car-side return pulley 24, the first drive sheave 11, the first counterweight-side return pulley 25, and the first counterweight suspending pulley 21 in this order.
Each of the second main ropes 15, which extends from one end thereof connected to the second car-side cleat device 30 to the other end thereof connected to the second counterweight-side cleat device 31, is looped around the respective second car suspending pulleys 19 and 20, the second car-side return pulley 26, the second drive sheave 13, the second counterweight-side return pulley 27, and the second counterweight suspending pulley 22 in this order.
That is, the car 6 and the counterweight 7 are suspended within the hoistway 1 by means of the first main ropes 14 and the second main ropes 15, which are looped around the respective sheaves and the respective pulleys by a 2:1 roping method.
The first hoisting machine 8, the second hoistingmachine 9, the first car-side return pulley 24, the first counterweight-side return pulley 25, the second car-side return pulley 26, and the second counterweight-side return pulley 27 are disposed outside the range of the car 6 on the vertical projection plane of the hoistway 1. The first hoisting machine 8 and the second hoisting machine 9, the first car-side return pulley 24 and the second car-side return pulley 26, the first counterweight-side return pulley 25 and the second counterweight-side return pulley 27, the first car suspending pulleys 17 and 18 and the second car suspending pulleys 19 and 20, and the first counterweight suspending pulley 21 and the second counterweight suspending pulley 22 are each disposed symmetrically with respect to a centerline of the car 6 extending along the depth direction of the hoistway 1 on the vertical projection plane of the hoistway 1.
By controlling the first hoisting machine 8 and the second hoisting machine 9 through a control device (not shown), the first drive sheave 11 and the second drive sheave 13 are rotated in synchronization with each other. Thus, the respective first main ropes 14 and the respective second main ropes 15 are moved, so the car 6 and the counterweight 7 are raised/lowered within the hoistway 1.
In the elevator apparatus described above, the first hoisting machine 8 and the second hoisting machine 9, which generate driving forces for raising/lowering the common car 6 and the common counterweight 7 respectively, are provided independently of each other within the hoistway 1. Therefore, the burden imposed on each of the first hoisting machine 8 and the second hoisting machine 9 can be reduced, so each of the first hoisting machine 8 and the second hoisting machine 9 can be reduced in size. Thus, the space for the hoistway 1 can be saved, so the elevator apparatus can be reduced in size.
The first car-side return pulley 24 and the first counterweight-side return pulley 25, which invert the respective first main ropes 14 extending from the first drive sheave 11 respectively, and the second car-side return pulley 26 and the second counterweight-side return pulley 27, which invert the respective second main ropes 15 extending from the second drive sheave 13 respectively, are provided to the hoistway 1. Therefore, the degrees of freedom in disposing the first hoisting machine 8 and the second hoisting machine 9 on the vertical projection plane of the hoistway 1 can be increased, so the space within the hoistway 1 can be utilized effectively.
The first hoisting machine 8 and the second hoisting machine 9 are provided to the bottom within the hoistway 1, so the operation of maintaining the first hoisting machine 8 and the second hoisting machine 9 can be performed easily from a pit portion of the hoistway 1.
The first car suspending pulleys 17 and 18 and the second car suspending pulleys 19 and 20 are provided to the bottom of the car 6. Therefore, the upper-limit position of the car 6 can be made close to a ceiling face of the hoistway 1, so the space for the hoistway 1 in the height direction thereof can be saved.
The first hoisting machine 8 and the second hoisting machine 9 are disposed so as to interpose the car 6 therebetween in the width direction of the hoistway 1 on the vertical projection plane of the hoistway 1, so the space within the hoistway 1 can be utilized effectively.
The portion of each of the first main ropes 14 which is located between the respective first car suspending pulleys 17 and 18 and the portion of each of the second main ropes 15 which is located between the respective second car suspending pulleys 19 and 20 are arranged with a vertical shift from each other and are also arranged so as to intersect with each other on the vertical projection plane of the hoistway 1. Therefore, the car 6 can be prevented from being inclined, so the respective car guide rails 2 and 3 can be prevented from applying a biased load to the car 6. Thus, the car 6 can be raised/lowered stably.
The main rope body 16 suspends the car 6 substantially at the center of gravity thereof, so the car 6 can be raised/lowered more stably.
The first hoisting machine 8 and the second hoisting machine 9, the first car suspending pulleys 17 and 18 and the second car suspending pulleys 19 and 20, and the first counterweight suspending pulley 21 and the second counterweight suspending pulley 22 are each disposed symmetrically on the vertical projection plane of the hoistway 1. Therefore, each pair of the components can be made identical in type. As a result, the parts can be commoditized.

Embodiment 2

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view showing an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 3, the respective first car suspending pulleys 17 and 18 and the respective second car suspending pulleys 19 and 20 are disposed on the counterweight 7 side with respect to the line drawn between the respective car guide rails 2 and 3 on the vertical projection plane of the hoistway 1.
The portion of each of the first main ropes 14 which is located between the respective first car suspending pulleys 17 and 18 and the portion of each of the second main ropes 15 which is located between the respective second car suspending pulleys 19 and 20 are arranged apart from each other without intersecting with each other on the vertical projection plane of the hoistway 1. The portion of each of the first main ropes 14 which is located between the respective first car suspending pulleys 17 and 18 and the portion of each of the second main ropes 15 which is located between the respective second car suspending pulleys 19 and 20 are arranged on the counterweight 7 side with respect to the line drawn between the respective car guide rails 2 and 3 and are also arranged parallel to the line drawn between the respective car guide rails 2 and 3, respectively. Embodiment 2 of the present invention is the same as Embodiment 1 of the present invention in other constructional details.
In the elevator apparatus described above, the portion of each of the first main ropes 14 which is located between the respective first car suspending pulleys 17 and 18 and the portion of each of the second main ropes 15 which is located between the respective second car suspending pulleys 19 and 20 are arranged on the counterweight 7 side with respect to the line drawn between the respective car guide rails 2 and 3, so the space for installing the respective components such as a control panel, a speed governor, and the like can be secured on the other side of the counterweight 7 with respect to the respective car guide rails 2 and 3 in the depth direction of the hoistway 1.

Embodiment 3

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view showing an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 4, the main rope body 16 for suspending the car 6 and the counterweight 7 has a plurality of entirely looped main ropes 41. Each of the entirely looped main ropes 41 is composed of the first main rope 14 and the second main rope 15 that continue from each other between the first counterweight suspending pulley 21 and the second counterweight suspending pulley 22.
The horizontal beam 23 is provided with a counterweight-side turning pulley 42 around which those portions of the respective entirely looped main ropes 41 which are located between the first counterweight suspending pulley 21 and the second counterweight suspending pulley 22 are looped. The counterweight-side turning pulley 42 is disposed outside the range of the car 6 on the vertical projection plane of the hoistway 1. The counterweight-side turning pulley 42 is rotated around a rotary shaft arranged along the depth direction of the hoistway 1.
Each of the entirely looped main ropes 41, which extends from one end thereof connected to the first car-side cleat device 28 to the other end thereof connected to the second car-side cleat device 30, is looped around the respective first car suspending pulleys 17 and 18, the first car-side return pulley 24, the first drive sheave 11, the first counterweight-side return pulley 25, the first counterweight suspending pulley 21, the counterweight-side turning pulley 42, the second counterweight suspending pulley 22, the second counterweight-side return pulley 27, the second drive sheave 13, the second car-side return pulley 26, and the respective second car suspending pulleys 20 and 19 in this order. Embodiment 3 of the present invention is the same as Embodiment 2 of the present invention in other constructional details.
In the elevator apparatus described above, each of the first main ropes 14 and each of the second main ropes 15 continue from each other between the first counterweight suspending pulley 21 and the second counterweight suspending pulley 22 to constitute the plurality of the entirely looped main ropes 41, and those portions of the respective entirely looped main ropes 41 which are located between the first counterweight suspending pulley 21 and the second counterweight suspending pulley 22 are looped around the counterweight-side turning pulley 42 provided to the hoistway 1. Therefore, the tensile forces applied to the entirely looped main ropes 41 along the entire lengths thereof can be made approximately equal to one another, so the respective entirely looped main ropes 41 can be prevented from slipping with respect to the first drive sheave 11 or the second drive sheave 13.
That is, in the case where the respective first main ropes 14 are independent of the respective second main ropes 15 for example, when the amounts of abrasion of the first drive sheave 11 and the second drive sheave 13 become different from each other due to long-time operation, the moving amounts of each of the first main ropes 14 and each of the second main ropes 15 are different from each other even if the respective drive sheaves 11 and 13 rotate at the same rotational speed. Thus, an imbalance in tensile force is caused between the first main ropes 14 and the second main ropes 15. In each of the first main ropes 14 or the second main ropes 15 where the imbalance in tensile force is caused, when the ratio between a tensile force on the car 6 side and a tensile force on the counterweight 7 side exceeds a traction limit, each of the first main ropes 14 or the second main ropes 15 may slip with respect to the first drive sheave 11 or the second drive sheave 13 and may oscillate.
In Embodiment 3 of the present invention, each of the first main ropes 14 and each of the second main ropes 15 continue from each other. Therefore, the aforementioned imbalance in tensile force can be suppressed, so the first main ropes 14 and the second main ropes 15 can be prevented from slipping with respect to the first drive sheave 11 and the second drive sheave 13, respectively.
In the above example, the single counterweight-side turning pulley 42 is provided to the top within the hoistway 1. However, two or more counterweight-side turning pulleys that are disposed horizontally in alignment may be provided to the top within the hoistway 1. In this manner, the outer diameter of the respective counterweight-side turning pulleys can be reduced, so the dimension of the hoistway 1 in the height direction thereof can be reduced.

Embodiment 4

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view showing an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing part of the elevator apparatus of Fig. 5. Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, the respective car guide rails 2 and 3 and the respective counterweight guide rails 4 and 5 are disposed within the hoistway 1 such that the line drawn between the respective car guide rails 2 and 3 and the line drawn between the respective counterweight guide rails 4 and 5 extend perpendicularly to each other on the vertical projection plane of the hoistway 1.
The car 6 is disposed between the respective car guide rails 2 and 3 in the width direction of the hoistway 1. The counterweight 7 is disposed between the respective counterweight guide rails 4 and 5 in the depth direction of the hoistway 1. The respective car guide rails 2 and 3 are disposed such that the direction along the line drawn between the respective car guide rails 2 and 3 extends parallel to the width direction of the hoistway 1 on the vertical projection plane of the hoistway 1.
The car 6 and the counterweight 7 are disposed apart from each other in alignment in the width direction of the hoistway 1 on the vertical projection plane of the hoistway 1. That is, the elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention is designed as a counterweight lateral fall-type elevator apparatus having a structure in which the counterweight 7 is raised/lowered on one lateral face side of the counterweight 6.
The first hoisting machine 8 and the second hoisting machine 9, which are provided to the bottom within the hoistway 1, are disposed on the counterweight 7 side with respect to the car 6 on the vertical projection plane of the hoistway 1. In this example, the first hoisting machine 8 and the second hoisting machine 9 are disposed in a gap between the car 6 and the counterweight 7 on the vertical projection plane of the hoistway 1. The first hoisting machine 8 and the second hoisting machine 9 are disposed apart from each other in the depth direction of the hoistway 1. In addition, the first hoisting machine 8 and the second hoisting machine 9 are disposed such that the respective rotary shafts of the first drive sheave 11 and the second drive sheave 13 extend perpendicularly to the depth direction of the hoistway 1.
The respective first car suspending pulleys 17 and 18 are disposed apart from each other in the width direction of the hoistway 1, and the respective second car suspending pulleys 19 and 20 are also disposed apart from each other in the width direction of the hoistway 1. Each of the first car suspending pulleys 17 and 18 and a corresponding one of the second car suspending pulleys 19 and 20 are disposed on opposite sides with respect to the line drawn between the respective car guide rails 2 and 3 on the vertical projection plane of the hoistway 1.
The portion of each of the first main ropes 14 which is located between the respective first car suspending pulleys 17 and 18 and the portion of each of the second main ropes 15 which is located between the respective second car suspending pulleys 19 and 20 are apart from each other without intersecting with each other on the vertical projection plane of the hoistway 1. The portion of each of the first main ropes 14 which is located between the respective first car suspending pulleys 17 and 18 and the portion of each of the second main ropes 15 which is located between the respective second car suspending pulleys 19 and 20 are disposed on opposite sides with respect to the line drawn between the respective car guide rails 2 and 3 on the vertical projection plane of the hoistway 1. In this example, the portion of each of the first main ropes 14 which is located between the respective first car suspending pulleys 17 and 18 and the portion of each of the second main ropes 15 which is located between the respective second car suspending pulleys 19 and 20 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the line drawn between the respective car guide rails 2 and 3 on the vertical projection plane of the hoistway 1. Thus, the main rope body 16 suspends the car 6 substantially at the center of gravity thereof.
A horizontal beam 51 supported by the respective counterweight guide rails 4 and 5, and a horizontal beam 52 supported by the car guide rail 3 on one side are provided to the top within the hoistway 1. The horizontal beam 51 is provided with the first car-side return pulley 24, the first counterweight-side return pulley 25, the second car-side return pulley 26, the second counterweight-side return pulley 27, the first counterweight-side cleat device 29, and the second counterweight-side cleat device 31. The horizontal beam 52 is provided with the first car-side cleat device 28 and the second car-side cleat device 30.
The respective rotary shafts of the first car-side return pulley 24, the first counterweight-side return pulley 25, the second car-side return pulley 26, and the second counterweight-side return pulley 27 are arranged along the width direction of the hoistway 1.
Each of the first main ropes 14, which extends from one end thereof connected to the first car-side cleat device 28 to the other end thereof connected to the first counterweight-side cleat device 29, is looped around the respective first car suspending pulleys 17 and 18, the first car-side return pulley 24, the first drive sheave 11, the first counterweight-side return pulley 25, and the first counterweight suspending pulley 21 in this order.
Each of the second main ropes 15, which extends from one end thereof connected to the second car-side cleat device 30 to the other end thereof connected to the second counterweight-side cleat device 31, is looped around the respective second car suspending pulleys 19 and 20, the second car-side return pulley 26, the second drive sheave 13, the second counterweight-side return pulley 27, and the second counterweight suspending pulley 22 in this order.
The first hoisting machine 8, the secondhoistingmachine 9, the first car-side return pulley 24, the first counterweight-side return pulley 25, the second car-side return pulley 26, and the second counterweight-side return pulley 27 are disposed outside the range of the car 6 on the vertical projection plane of the hoistway 1. The first hoisting machine 8 and the second hoisting machine 9, the first car-side return pulley 24 and the second car-side return pulley 26, the first counterweight-side return pulley 25 and the second counterweight-side return pulley 27, the first car suspending pulleys 17 and 18 and the second car suspending pulleys 19 and 20, and the first counterweight suspending pulley 21 and the second counterweight suspending pulley 22 are each disposed symmetrically with respect to the centerline of the car 6 extending along the width direction of the hoistway 1 on the vertical projection plane of the hoistway 1. Embodiment 4 of the present invention is the same as Embodiment 1 of the present invention in other constructional details.
In the elevator apparatus described above, the counterweight 7 is disposed in alignment with the car 6 in the width direction of the hoistway 1 on the vertical projection plane of the hoistway 1, and the first hoisting machine 8 and the second hoisting machine 9 are disposed on the counterweight 7 side with respect to the car 6 on the vertical projection plane of the hoistway 1. Therefore, the first hoisting machine 8 and the second hoisting machine 9 can be disposed so as to be superposed on the counterweight 7 or can be disposed in the gap between the car 6 and the counterweight 7 on the vertical projection plane of the hoistway 1. As a result, the space within the hoistway 1 can be utilized more effectively.
The portion of each of the first main ropes 14 which is located between the respective first car suspending pulleys 17 and 18 and the portion of each of the second main ropes 15 which is located between the respective second car suspending pulleys 19 and 20 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the line drawn between the respective car guide rails 2 and 3 on the vertical projection plane of the hoistway 1. Therefore, the main rope body 16 can suspend the car 6 substantially at the center of gravity thereof, so the car 6 can be raised/lowered stably.

Embodiment 5

Fig. 7 is a horizontal sectional view showing an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 7, the main rope body 16 for suspending the car 6 and the counterweight 7 has a plurality of entirely looped main ropes 61. Each of the entirely looped main ropes 61 is composed of the first main rope 14 and the second main rope 15 that continue from each other between the first counterweight suspending pulley 21 and the second counterweight suspending pulley 22.
The horizontal beam 51 is provided with a counterweight-side turning pulley 62 around which those portions of the respective entirely looped main ropes 61 which are located between the first counterweight suspending pulley 21 and the second counterweight suspending pulley 22 are looped. The counterweight-side turning pulley 62 is disposed outside the range of the car 6 on the vertical projection plane of the hoistway 1. The counterweight-side turning pulley 62 is rotated around a rotary shaft arranged along the width direction of the hoistway 1.
Each of the entirely looped main ropes 61, which extends from one end thereof connected to the first car-side cleat device 28 to the other end thereof connected to the second car-side cleat device 30, is looped around the respective first car suspending pulleys 17 and 18, the first car-side return pulley 24, the first drive sheave 11, the first counterweight-side return pulley 25, the first counterweight suspending pulley 21, the counterweight-side turning pulley 62, the second counterweight suspending pulley 22, the second counterweight-side return pulley 27, the second drive sheave 13, the second car-side return pulley 26, and the respective second car suspending pulleys 20 and 19 in this order. Embodiment 5 of the present invention is the same as Embodiment 4 of the present invention in other constructional details.
In the elevator apparatus described above, each of the first main ropes 14 and each of the second main ropes 15 continue from each other between the first counterweight suspending pulley 21 and the second counterweight suspending pulley 22 to constitute the plurality of the entirely loopedmain ropes 61, and those portions of the respective entirely looped main ropes 61 which are located between the first counterweight suspending pulley 21 and the second counterweight suspending pulley 22 are looped around the counterweight-side turning pulley 62 provided to the hoistway 1. Therefore, as in the case of Embodiment 3 of the present invention, the tensile forces applied to the entirely looped main ropes 61 along the entire lengths thereof can be made approximately equal to one another, so the respective entirely looped main ropes 61 can be prevented from slipping with respect to the first drive sheave 11 or the second drive sheave 13.
In the above example, the single counterweight-side turning pulley 62 is provided to the top within the hoistway 1. However, two or more counterweight-side turning pulleys that are disposed horizontally in alignment may be provided to the top within the hoistway 1. In this manner, the outer diameter of the respective counterweight-side turning pulleys can be reduced, so the dimension of the hoistway 1 in the height direction thereof can be reduced.

Embodiment 6

Fig. 8 is a horizontal sectional view showing an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 8, the main rope body 16 for suspending the car 6 and the counterweight 7 has a plurality of entirely looped main ropes 71. Each of the entirely looped main ropes 71 is composed of the first main rope 14 and the second main rope 15 that continue from each other between the first car suspending pulley 17 on one side and the second car suspending pulley 19 on one side.
A car-side turning pulley 72 supported by one of the car guide rails 3 is provided to the top within the hoistway 1. The car-side turning pulley 72 is disposed outside the range of the car 6 on the vertical projection plane of the hoistway 1. The car-side turning pulley 72 is rotated around a rotary shaft arranged along the width direction of the hoistway 1.
Each of the entirely looped main ropes 71, which extends from one end thereof connected to the first counterweight-side cleat device 29 to the other end thereof connected to the second counterweight-side cleat device 31, is looped around the first counterweight suspending pulley 21, the first counterweight-side return pulley 25, the first drive sheave 11, the first car-side return pulley 24, the respective first car suspending pulleys 18 and 17, the car-side turning pulley 72, the respective second car suspending pulleys 19 and 20, the second car-side return pulley 26, the first drive sheave 13, the second counterweight-side return pulley 27, and the second counterweight suspending pulley 22 in this order. Embodiment 6 of the present invention is the same as Embodiment 4 of the present invention in other constructional details.
In the elevator apparatus described above, each of the first main ropes 14 and each of the second main ropes 15 continue from each other between the first car suspending pulley 17 on one side and the second car suspending pulley 19 on one side constitute the plurality of the entirely looped main ropes 71, and those portions of the entirely looped main ropes 71 which are located between the first car suspending pulley 17 and the second car suspending pulley 19 are looped around the car-side turning pulley 72 provided to the hoistway 1. Therefore, as in the case of the above example, the tensile forces applied to the entirely looped main ropes 71 along the entire lengths thereof can be made approximately equal to one another, so the respective entirely looped main ropes 71 can be prevented from slipping with respect to the first drive sheave 11 or the second drive sheave 13.
In the above example, the single car-side turning pulley 72 is provided to the top within the hoistway 1. However, two or more car-side turning pulleys that are disposed horizontally in alignment may be provided to the top within the hoistway 1. In this manner as well, the outer diameter of the respective car-side turning pulleys can be reduced, so the dimension of the hoistway 1 in the height direction thereof can be reduced.
In each of Embodiments 1 to 6 of the present invention, the first hoisting machine 8 and the second hoisting machine 9 are disposed to the bottom within the hoistway 1. However, the first hoisting machine 8 and the second hoisting machine 9 may be disposed in the top within the hoistway 1 by permutating one of the first car-side return pulley 24 and the first counterweight-side return pulley 25 with the first hoisting machine 8 and by permutating one of the second car-side return pulley 26 and the second counterweight-side return pulley 27 with the second hoisting machine 9.

Embodiment 7

Fig. 9 is a horizontal sectional view showing an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 9, the first hoisting machine 8 and the second hoisting machine 9 are mounted on the horizontal beam 23 and thus provided to the top within the hoistway 1. The first car-side return pulley 24, the first counterweight-side return pulley 25, the second car-side return pulley 26, and the second counterweight-side return pulley 27 are not provided to the hoistway 1.
Each of the first main ropes 14, which extends from one end thereof connected to the first car-side cleat device 28 to the other end thereof connected to the first counterweight-side cleat device 29, is looped around the respective first car suspending pulleys 17 and 18, the first drive sheave 11, and the first counterweight suspending pulley 21 in this order.
Each of the second main ropes 15, which extends from one end thereof connected to the second car-side cleat device 30 to the other end thereof connected to the second counterweight-side cleat device 31, is looped around the respective second car suspending pulleys 19 and 20, the second drive sheave 13, and the second counterweight suspending pulley 22 in this order. Embodiment 7 of the present invention is the same as Embodiment 1 of the present invention in other constructional details.
As described above, the first hoisting machine 8 and the second hoisting machine 9 are disposed in the top within the hoistway 1, so the first car-side return pulley 24, the first counterweight-side return pulley 25, the second car-side return pulley 26, and the second counterweight-side return pulley 27 can be dispensed with. As a result, the number of the components disposed within the hoistway 1 can be reduced. Thus, the cost of manufacturing can be reduced.
In the above example, the other end of each of the first main ropes 14 is connected to the first counterweight-side cleat device 29 provided to the top within the hoistway 1, and the other end of each of the second main ropes 15 is connected to the second counterweight-side cleat device 31 provided to the top within the hoistway 1. However, as in the case of Embodiment 3 of the present invention, the other end of each of the first main ropes 14 and the other end of each of the second main ropes 15 may continue from each other to constitute a plurality of entirely looped main ropes, and a counterweight-side turning pulley around which those portions of the respective entirely loopedmain ropes which are located between the first counterweight suspending pulley 21 and the second counterweight suspending pulley 22 are looped may be provided to the top within the hoistway 1. In this manner, the tensile forces applied to the respective entirely looped main ropes along the entire lengths thereof can be made approximately equal to one another, so the respective entirely looped main ropes can be prevented from slipping with respect to the first drive sheave 11 or the second drive sheave 13.
Instead of providing the single counterweight-side turning pulley in the top within the hoistway 1 as in the foregoing case, two or more counterweight-side turning pulleys may be provided to the top within the hoistway 1. In this manner, the outer diameter of the respective counterweight-side turning pulleys can be reduced, so the dimension of the hoistway 1 in the height direction thereof can be reduced.

Embodiment 8

Fig. 10 is a horizontal sectional view showing an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 10, the first hoisting machine 8 and the second hoisting machine 9 are mounted on the horizontal beam 51 and hence provided to the top within the hoistway 1. The first counterweight suspending pulley 21 and the second counterweight suspending pulley 22 are disposed between the first counterweight-side cleat device 29 and the second counterweight-side cleat device 31 on the vertical projection plane of the hoistway 1. In addition, the first car-side return pulley 24, the first counterweight-side return pulley 25, the second car-side return pulley 26, and the second counterweight-side return pulley 27 are not provided to the hoistway 1.
Each of the first main ropes 14, which extends from one end thereof connected to the first car-side cleat device 28 to the other end thereof connected to the first counterweight-side cleat device 29, is looped around the respective first car suspending pulleys 17 and 18, the first drive sheave 11, and the first counterweight suspending pulley 21 in this order.
Each of the second main ropes 15, which extends from one end thereof connected to the second car-side cleat device 30 to the other end thereof connected to the second counterweight-side cleat device 31, is looped around the respective second car suspending pulleys 19 and 20, the second drive sheave 13, and the second counterweight suspending pulley 22 in this order. Embodiment 8 of the present invention is the same as Embodiment 4 of the present invention in other constructional details.
As described above, the first hoisting machine 8 and the second hoisting machine 9 are disposed in the top within the hoistway 1. In the counterweight lateral fall-type elevator apparatus as well, therefore, the first car-side return pulley 24, the first counterweight-side return pulley 25, the second car-side return pulley 26, and the second counterweight-side return pulley 27 can be dispensed with. As a result, the number of the components disposed within the hoistway 1 can be reduced. Thus, the cost of manufacturing can be reduced.
In the above example, the other end of each of the first main ropes 14 is connected to the first counterweight-side cleat device 29 provided to the top within the hoistway 1, and the other end of each of the second main ropes 15 is connected to the second counterweight-side cleat device 31 provided to the top within the hoistway 1. However, as in the case of Embodiment 5 of the present invention, the other end of each of the first main ropes 14 and the other end of each of the second main ropes 15 may continue from each other to constitute a plurality of entirely looped main ropes, and a counterweight-side turning pulley around which those portions of the respective entirely loopedmain ropes which are located between the first counterweight suspending pulley 21 and the second counterweight suspending pulley 22 are looped may be provided to the top within the hoistway 1. In this manner, the tensile forces applied to the entirely looped main ropes along the entire lengths thereof can be made approximately equal to one another, so the respective entirely looped main ropes can be prevented from slipping with respect to the first drive sheave 11 or the second drive sheave 13. In this case, the single counterweight-side turning pulley may be provided and two or more counterweight-side turning pulleys may be provided. If two or more counterweight-side turning pulleys are provided, the outer diameter of the respective counterweight-side turning pulleys can be reduced, so the dimension of the hoistway 1 in the height direction thereof can be reduced.
As in the case of Embodiment 6 of the present invention, the above-mentioned one end of each of the first main ropes 14 and the above-mentioned one end of each of the second main ropes 15 may continue from each other to constitute a plurality of entirely looped main ropes, and a car-side turning pulley around which those portions of the respective entirely looped main ropes which are located between the first car suspending pulley 17 and the second car suspending pulley 19 are looped may be provided to the top within the hoistway 1. In this manner, as described above, the respective entirely looped main ropes can also be prevented from slipping with respect to the first drive sheave 11 or the second drive sheave 13.
In this case, the single car-side turningpulleymaybe provided and two or more car-side turning pulleys may be provided. If two or more car-side turning pulleys are provided, the outer diameter of the respective car-side turning pulleys can be reduced, so the dimension of the hoistway 1 in the height direction thereof can be reduced.
In each of the foregoing embodiments of the present invention, the respective first car suspending pulleys 17 and 18 and the respective second car suspending pulleys 19 and 20 are provided to the bottom of the car 6. However, the respective first car suspending pulleys 17 and 18 and the respective second car suspending pulleys 19 and 20 may be provided onto an top of the car 6.

Claims

An elevator apparatus, comprising:
a car and a counterweight that are raised/lowered within a hoistway;

a first car suspending pulley and a second car suspending pulley that are provided onto the car;

a first counterweight suspending pulley and a second counterweight suspending pulley that are provided onto the counterweight;

a first hoisting machine provided to the hoistway and having a first drive sheave, for generating a driving force for raising/lowering the car and the counterweight;

a second hoisting machine provided to the hoistway and having a second drive sheave, for generating a driving force for raising/lowering the car and the counterweight; and

a main rope body having a first main rope looped continuously around the first drive sheave, the first car suspending pulley, and the first counterweight suspending pulley, and a second main rope looped continuously around the second drive sheave, the second car suspending pulley, and the second counterweight suspending pulley, for suspending the car and the counterweight.
An elevator apparatus according to Claim 1, further comprising:
a first car-side return pulley provided to the hoistway and having looped therearound a portion of the first main rope which is located between the first drive sheave and the first car suspending pulley;

a second car-side return pulley provided to the hoistway and having looped therearound a portion of the second main rope which is located between the second drive sheave and the second car suspending pulley;

a first counterweight-side return pulley provided to the hoistway and having looped therearound the portion of the first main rope which is located between the first drive sheave and the first counterweight suspending pulley; and

a second counterweight-side return pulley provided to the hoistway and having looped therearound the portion of the second main rope which is located between the second drive sheave and the second counterweight suspending pulley.
An elevator apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein the first hoisting machine and the second hoisting machine are disposed to a bottom within the hoistway.
An elevator apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the first car suspending pulley and the second car suspending pulley are provided to a bottom within the car.
An elevator apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein:
the car is disposed between a pair of car guide rails in a width direction of the hoistway;

the counterweight is disposed apart from the car in a depth direction of the hoistway, which is perpendicular to the width direction thereof, on a vertical projection plane of the hoistway; and

the first hoisting machine and the second hoisting machine are disposed so that interpose the car therebetween in the width direction of the hoistway on the vertical projection plane of the hoistway.
An elevator apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein:
the car is disposed between a pair of car guide rails;

the car is provided with a pair of the same first car suspending pulleys as mentioned above which are disposed on opposite sides with respect to a line drawn between the respective car guide rails on a vertical projection plane of the hoistway and have the first main rope looped therearound continuously, and a pair of the same second car suspending pulleys as mentioned above which are disposed on opposite sides with respect to the line drawn between the respective car guide rails on the vertical projection plane of the hoistway and have the second main rope looped therearound continuously; and

the first main rope and the second main rope are disposed such that the portion of the first main rope which is located between the respective first car suspending pulleys and the portion of the second main rope which is located between the respective second car suspending pulleys are shifted from each other in a vertical direction and intersect with each other on the vertical projection plane of the hoistway.
An elevator apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein:
the car is disposed between a pair of car guide rails in a width direction of the hoistway;

the counterweight is disposed apart from the car in a depth direction of the hoistway, which is perpendicular to the width direction thereof, on a vertical projection plane of the hoistway;

the car is provided with a pair of the same first car suspending pulleys as mentioned above which have the first main rope looped therearound continuously, and a pair of the same second car suspending pulleys as mentioned above which have the second main rope looped therearound continuously; and

the first main rope and the second main rope are disposed such that the portion of the first main rope which is located between the respective first car suspending pulleys and the portion of the second main rope which is located between the respective second car suspending pulleys are located on the counterweight side with respect to a line drawn between the respective car guide rails on the vertical projection plane of the hoistway.
An elevator apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein:
the car is disposed between a pair of car guide rails in a width direction of the hoistway;

the counterweight is disposed apart from the car in a depth direction of the hoistway on a vertical projection plane of the hoistway; and

the first hoisting machine and the second hoisting machine are disposed on the counterweight side of the car on the vertical projection plane of the hoistway.
An elevator apparatus according to Claim 8, wherein:
the car is provided with a pair of the same first car suspending pulleys as mentioned above which have the first main rope looped therearound continuously, and a pair of the same second car suspending pulleys as mentioned above which have the second main rope looped therearound continuously; and

the first main rope and the second main rope are disposed such that the portion of the first main rope which is located between the respective first car suspending pulleys and the portion of the second main rope which is located between the respective second car suspending pulleys are located symmetrically with respect to a line drawn between the respective car guide rails on the vertical projection plane of the hoistway.
An elevator apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein:
the first main rope and the second main rope continue from each other between the first counterweight suspending pulley and the second counterweight suspending pulley to constitute an entirely looped main rope; and

the elevator apparatus further comprises a counterweight-side turning pulley provided to the hoistway and having looped therearound the portion of the entirely looped main rope which is located between the first counterweight suspending pulley and the second counterweight suspending pulley.
An elevator apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein:
the first main rope and the second main rope continue from each other between the first car suspending pulley and the second car suspending pulley to constitute an entirely looped main rope; and

the elevator apparatus further comprises a car-side return pulley provided to the hoistway and having looped therearound the portion of the entirely looped main rope which is located between the first car suspending pulley and the second car suspending pulley.
An elevator apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 11, wherein the first main rope and the second main rope suspend the car substantially at a center of gravity thereof.
An elevator apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 11, wherein the first car suspending pulley and the second car suspending pulley, the first counterweight suspending pulley and the second counterweight suspending pulley, and the first hoisting machine and the second hoisting machine are each disposed symmetrically on a vertical projection plane of the hoistway.