Drive unit for a self-propelled elevator car

A drive unit (1,41,51) for a self-propelled elevator car (30), which car travels along guide rails (27) and is attached to a car-supporting structure (16), comprising:

• an axle tube (11) adapted to be connected to an elevator car-supporting structure (16);
• a wheel shaft (8) rotatably mounted in and extending coaxially through said axle tube (11);
• a pair of drive wheels (10) each mounted on an associated end of said wheel shaft (8);
• a motor means (2,3,26,31) coaxial with said wheel shaft (8), mounted on said axle tube (11) and coupled to drive said wheel shaft (8) in rotation;
• a speed-reducing gear (33) coaxial with said wheel shaft (8) and coupled between said motor means (2,3,26,31) and said wheel shaft (8) for driving said wheel shaft (8) and said drive wheels (10) in rotation;
• at least one rocker arm (15) having one end attached to said axle tube (11) and an opposite end adapted to be pivotally attached to the car-supporting structure (16);
• and
• at least one contact pressure means (29) having one end connected to said axle tube (11) and an opposite end adapted to be pivotally connected to the car-supporting structure (16).

A drive unit (1,41,51) for a self-propelled elevator car (30), which car travels along guide rails (27) and is attached to a car-supporting structure (16), comprising:

• an elevator car-supporting structure (16);
• an axle tube (11);
• a pair of rocker arms (15) each having one end attached to said axle tube (11) and an opposite end pivotally attached to said car-supporting structure (16);
• a pair of contact pressure means (29) each having one end connected to said axle tube (11) and an opposite end pivotally connected to said car-supporting structure (16);
• a wheel shaft (8) rotatably mounted in and extending coaxially through said axle tube (11);
• a pair of drive wheels (10) each mounted on an associated end of said wheel shaft (8);
• a motor means (2,3,26,31) coaxial with said wheel shaft (8), mounted on said axle tube (11) and coupled to drive said wheel shaft (8) in rotation;
• a speed-reducing gear (33) coaxial with said wheel shaft (8) and coupled between said motor means (2,3,26,31) and said wheel shaft (8) for driving said wheel shaft (8) and said drive wheels (10) in rotation;
• and
• a pair of support wheels (28) rotatably mounted on said car-supporting structure (16) whereby said contact pressure means (29) draws said drive wheels (10) and said support wheels (28) against opposite sides of guide rails (27) to produce a frictional locking.