A ROPE TERMINAL ASSEMBLY AND AN ELEVATOR
Field of the invention
The object of the invention is a rope terminal assembly of an elevator, the
elevator being suitable for transporting passengers and/or goods, and an
elevator.
Background of the invention
In elevator systems, elevator roping is used for suspending and/or moving an
elevator car, a counterweight or both. In modern elevators lightweight
suspension roping is used, where the elevator roping comprises plural belt-
type ropes where the width of the rope is larger than its thickness in a
transverse direction of the rope. The rope comprises a load-bearing part made
of composite materials, which composite materials comprise non-metallic
reinforcing fibers in polymer matrix material. The structure and choice of
material make it possible to achieve lightweight elevator ropes having a thin
construction in the bending direction, a good tensile stiffness and tensile
strength in longitudinal direction. In addition, the rope structure remains
substantially unchanged at bending, which contributes towards a long service
life.
Several arrangements have been presented to provide tools for attaching
elevator ropes with the elevator units. With non-metallic elevator ropes,
particularly with elevator ropes made of fiber-reinforced polymer composite
materials, it is challenging to make mechanical attachment with the elevator
unit without causing damage in the elevator rope.
Rope terminal assembly is traditionally constructed from metallic materials,
such as steel, with two wedge elements. The drawback of this kind of elevator
rope terminal assembly is that the contact surfaces of the wedge element are
different with different friction coefficients on different sides of the wedge
element. The different wedge element contact surfaces with different friction
coefficients are not optimal from mechanical behavior point of view.

Furthermore, the elevator roping typically comprises plural ropes, which makes
the number of rope terminals needed numerous and hence heavy weight and
the production of large amounts of complicated rope terminal products,
especially on assembly lines, costly. It would be advantageous if the elevator
rope terminal assembly could be formed as simple as possible with only one
wedge element. There is thus a growing need for a cost effective and reliable
elevator rope terminal assembly comprising also a connection to the rope
condition monitoring means of an elevator.
Brief description of the invention
The object of the invention is to introduce an improved rope terminal assembly
and an elevator. The object of the invention is, inter alia, to solve drawbacks of
known solutions and problems discussed later in the description of the
invention. It is also an object to allow a lightweight, cost-effective and reliable
rope terminal assembly with a faster manufacturing and installation process.
The object of the invention is to provide a rope terminal assembly with
improved quality of manufacturing and installation for the elevator ropes
comprising polymer composite materials.
Embodiments are presented which, inter alia, facilitate a simple, safe and
efficient rope terminal manufacturing process and a rope terminal assembly
with connection to damage detection of non-metallic load bearing parts in said
elevator ropes. Also, embodiments are presented, where the rope terminal
assembly enables the production of large amounts of rope terminal products,
especially on assembly lines of rope terminals in a cost-effective way.
It is brought forward a new rope terminal assembly of an elevator fixing an
elevator rope to a fixing base such as an elevator unit, said elevator being
suitable for transporting passengers and/or goods, said assembly comprising
an elevator rope, whose width is larger than its thickness in a rope transverse
direction, with at least one end comprising a first member with a first end face
and a second member with a second end face, a wedge element, and a wedge
housing. The rope terminal assembly comprises a rope gap through which said

elevator rope passes and said wedge element is arranged to wedge between
the first member with the first end face and the second member with the
second end face of the elevator rope thus locking said elevator rope in the
gap.
In a preferred embodiment, the elevator rope of the rope terminal assembly
comprises a second member with the second end face comprising a separate
piece of predetermined length of said elevator rope.
In a preferred embodiment, the elevator rope of the rope terminal assembly
comprises a first member with the first end face and a second member with the
second end face which members are formed by splitting the rope end of said
elevator rope.
In a preferred embodiment, the elevator rope of the rope terminal assembly
comprises a first member with the first end face and a second member with the
second end face each of which members comprise one or more non-metallic,
such as carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer composite load bearing parts.
In a preferred embodiment, the rope terminal assembly comprises the elevator
rope comprising non-metallic, such as carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer
composite load bearing parts placed on opposite sides of the wedge element.
Irr a preferred embodiment, the rope terminal assembly comprises the elevator
rope comprising non-metallic, such as carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer
composite load bearing parts where the outermost load bearing parts are
placed on opposite side of the wedge element than the innermost load bearing
parts.
In a preferred embodiment, the rope terminal assembly comprises the elevator
rope comprising non-metallic, such as carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer
composite load bearing parts separated from each other by splitting the
coating into branches accommodating the wedge element.

In a preferred embodiment, the elevator rope comprises a second member
with the second end face of said elevator rope comprising a separate piece of
predetermined length of said elevator rope clamped to the elevator rope with
clamps.
In a preferred embodiment, the rope terminal assembly comprises a wedge
element being an elongated element comprising a contact surface portion
arranged against the first member with the first end face of said elevator rope
and a contact surface portion arranged against the second member with the
second end face of said elevator rope. The wedge element may comprise a
smooth contact surface portion or a rough or patterned contact surface portion,
depending on the elevator rope surface. In one embodiment, both wedge
contact surface portions have equal contact surfaces with equal friction
properties. The wedge element may also comprise a space for the rope end
block at the first end of the wedge element. The wedge element is
advantageously made of metal or of some other mechanically suitable
material.
In a preferred embodiment, the rope terminal assembly comprises the wedge
housing which is symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis of said
wedge housing, the longitudinal axis of said wedge housing being essentially
the longitudinal direction of the rope.
In a preferred embodiment, the rope terminal assembly comprises a rope end
block attached to said rope end, and said rope end block is attached on the
first end face side of the elevator rope with respect to the wedge element. The
elevator rope is electrically connected to a rope condition monitoring means via
the rope end block comprising one or more electrically conductive short circuit
elements and fastening means. Thus also safety of the rope terminal assembly
is improved.
In a preferred embodiment, the rope terminal assembly comprises a rope end
block having first part on a first side of said elevator rope and a second part on
a second side of said elevator rope.

In a preferred embodiment, the rope terminal assembly comprises a rope end
block extending over said end face of said elevator rope.
In a preferred embodiment, the rope terminal assembly comprises a rope end
block of a single piece structure where said first part and a second part of said
rope end block are connected with a middle part of said rope end block.
In a preferred embodiment, the rope terminal assembly comprises a rope end
block made of plastics or some other electrically non-conductive material.
In a preferred embodiment, the rope terminal assembly comprises an elevator
rope electrically connected to a rope condition monitoring means via said rope
end block comprising one or more electrically conductive short circuit elements
and fastening means.
In a preferred embodiment, the rope terminal assembly comprises an elevator
rope comprising non-metallic material, such as carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer
composite material.
In a preferred embodiment, the rope terminal assembly comprises an elevator
rope comprising one or more fiber-reinforced polymer composite load-
bearing parts coated with elastomeric material, such as polyurethane or
substantially polyurethane based material or silicon or substantially silicon
based material. The aforementioned coating provides a medium for
transmitting external forces to the load bearing members and a protection for
the load bearing members.
In a preferred embodiment, the rope terminal assembly comprises an elevator
rope comprising non-metallic, such as carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer
composite load bearing parts to which rope condition monitoring means are
connected with electrically conductive fastening means.
In a preferred embodiment, elevator ropes with continuous unidirectional
untwisted carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer composite load bearing parts are
fixed to the elevator unit with said rope terminal assembly and electrical rope

condition monitoring means are connected to the rope via said rope end block
of the rope terminal assembly. For unidirectional carbon-fiber-reinforced
polymer composites, the longitudinal electrical resistance of unidirectional
fiber is much lower than the transverse resistance, and the damage in the
composite material can be detected by measuring the one or the other.
Electrical resistance is a good damage sensor for carbon/epoxy laminates,
especially for the detection of fiber breakage.
In a preferred embodiment, the elevator roping comprises at least one rope
comprising at least one load-bearing member made of carbon-fiber-reinforced
polymer composite material. In a preferred embodiment, each of said at least
one load bearing member has width greater than thickness thereof in the
width-direction of the rope. In particular, it is preferable that each of said at
least one rope is in the form of a belt. Large width makes it well suitable for
elevator use as bending of the rope is necessary in most elevators. The rope,
in particular the load bearing member(s) thereof, can in this way be given a
large cross-sectional area, which facilitates feasible dimensioning of the
stiffness of the roping.
In a preferred embodiment, the rope terminal assembly is used in elevators
with counterweight, however as well being applicable in elevators without
counterweight. In addition, it can also be used in conjunction with other
hoisting machines, e.g. as a crane suspension and/or transmission rope. The
low weight of the rope provides an advantage especially in acceleration
situations, because the energy required by changes in the speed of the rope
depends on its mass. The low weight further provides an advantage in rope
systems requiring separate compensating ropes, because the need for
compensating ropes is reduced or eliminated altogether. The low weight also
allows easier handling of the ropes.
In a preferred embodiment of an elevator, the rope terminal assembly
according to the invention is used to fix an elevator rope to a fixing base such
as the elevator unit or the end of a hoistway. The elevator has been arranged

to comprise a hoistway, and an elevator unit movable in the hoistway, the
elevator unit being an elevator car for transporting passengers and/or goods.
The elevator arrangement may also comprise other movable elevator units
such as the counterweight, as depicted. The elevator comprises lifting means
comprising a lifting device, one or more suspension and/or transmission ropes,
each said rope comprising one or more load bearing parts, attached with the
rope terminal assembly at least to one elevator unit.
In a preferred embodiment each rope is guided to pass over the traction
sheave rotated by the hoisting machine of the elevator and one ore more
diverting pulleys. As the hoisting machine rotates, the traction sheave at the
same time moves the elevator car and the counterweight in the up direction
and down direction, respectively, due to friction. In addition, in high-rise
buildings and in high-speed elevators there are one or more compensating
ropes, each compensating rope being attached at its first end to the bottom
end of the counterweight and at its second end to the bottom part of the
elevator car, either to the car sling or to the car itself. The compensating rope
is kept taut, e.g. by means of compensating pulleys, under which the
compensating rope passes around and which pulleys are supported to a
support structure on the base of the elevator hoistway. A travelling cable
intended for the electricity supply of the elevator car and/or for data traffic, is
attached at its first end to the elevator car, e.g. to the bottom part of the
elevator car, and at its second end to a connection point on the wall of the
elevator hoistway, which connection point is typically at the point of the
midpoint or above the midpoint of the height direction of the elevator hoistway.
In a preferred embodiment, the elevator comprises rope condition monitoring
means comprising an elevator rope electrically connected to a rope condition
monitoring means via said rope end block comprising one or more electrically
conductive short circuit elements and fastening means, a rope condition
monitoring device, which monitors and transmits an electrical signal of said
elevator rope, at predefined time intervals, preferably at least once per second,
to an elevator controller. If an error signal is transmitted from said rope

condition monitoring means to an elevator controller, the elevator operation
is altered or the elevator is taken out of service. In a preferred embodiment,
the rope condition monitoring means comprise a current source, a voltage
measurement device, a microcontroller, and a display for monitoring condition
of said ropes.
In a preferred embodiment, the rope end block is manufactured from plastics
or some other electrically non-conductive material. Preferably rope end block is
a single piece structure manufactured from plastics, such as from
thermoplastics polymer, for instance polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene
or polyvinyl chloride, or thermosetting polymer, for instance polyester,
polyurethanes or epoxy resins. The rope end block may be reinforced by glass,
carbon or aramid fibers, and the reinforcing fibers may by short cut or they may
be continuous fibers. Hence the mechanical properties, particularly specific
strength and stiffness of the rope end block are improved. The rope end block
is preferably manufactured by extrusion, pultrusion, injection molding, blow
molding, thermoforming, rotational molding, casting, foaming, compression
molding or transfer molding, for instance. Thus the manufacturing of rope end
block pieces is fast and the manufacturing costs are lower. Said rope end
block pieces may also be manufactured from re-cycled plastics or other re-
cycled materials.
In a preferred embodiment, the rope end block comprises a first frame portion
attached to the elevator rope end. The rope end block is attached to said
elevator rope end with fastening means. It is thus possible for the fastening
means to pass through the openings in the first frame portion of the rope end
block. The fastening means can advantageously be made of metal or of some
other suitable electrically conductive material. The fastening means are
advantageously screws or bolts with nuts. Fastening to the rope can be done
by drilling bores in the rope and fastening with screws or bolts.
In a preferred embodiment, the rope end block comprises one or more short
circuit elements attached to said rope end block with fastening means. It is

thus possible for the fastening means to pass through the openings in the
short circuit elements. The short circuit elements as well as the fastening
means are advantageously made of metal or of some other suitable electrically
conductive material. The fastening means are advantageously screws or bolts.
The fastening to the rope is done by drilling bores in the rope and fastening
with screws or bolts. The fastening means for attaching short circuit elements
are advantageously the same screws or bolts used to attach the rope end
block to the rope. In a'preferred embodiment, the short circuit elements are
-metallic short circuit plates. In case of four load-bearing parts, the rope is
electrically modeled as four resistors. Preferred solution is to measure one
rope as a single resistance. In that way measuring arrangements are kept
simple and the method is also more reliable, because the number of wires
and connections is minimized. With this method simple and reliable solutions to
short-circuit carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer composite load-bearing parts, and
to connect the measuring wires to the rope, preferably by self-tapping screws
screwed between the load-bearing parts in such a way, that the screw acts
as an electrically conductive path between adjacent load-bearing parts, are
used. At the counterweight end of said rope, preferably three screws are used
to short-circuit all of the strands. At the car end of said rope, preferably two
outermost load-bearing parts are connected together, and measuring wires are
inserted under these two screws with a split ring connector.. With this
arrangement, all carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer load-bearing parts are
monitored and the whole rope is seen as a single resistor.
In a preferred embodiment, the wedge housing comprises two elongated side
portions and two elongated wedge support portions. The side portions of the
wedge housing may be separate pieces attached by welding together or the
side portions may be one piece of structure of predetermined size. The rope
terminal assembly is fixed to the fixing base with a fixing rod being fixed to said
wedge housing side elements with fixing means. It is possible for the fixing
means of the fixing rod to pass through the openings in the wedge housing
side elements.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one rope, but preferably a
number of suspension and/or transmission ropes is constructed such that the
width of the rope is larger than its thickness in a transverse direction of the
rope and fitted to support and move an elevator car, said rope comprising a
load-bearing part made of composite material, which composite material
comprises non-metal reinforcing fibers such as unidirectional carbon-fiber, in a
polymer matrix. The suspension rope is most preferably secured by one end to
the elevator car and by the other end to a counterweight, but it is applicable for
use in elevators without counterweight as well. Although the figures only show
elevators with a 1:1 suspension ratio, the rope described is also applicable for
use as a suspension rope in an elevator with a 1:2 suspension ratio. The rope
is particularly well suited for use as a suspension rope in an elevator having a
large lifting height, preferably an elevator having a lifting height of over 100
meters, most preferably 150-800 meters. The rope defined can also be used to
implement a new elevator without a compensating rope, or to convert an old
elevator into one without a compensating rope.
It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that the invention is not exclusively
limited to the embodiments described above, in which the invention has been
described by way of example, but that many variations and different
embodiments of the invention are possible within the scope of the inventive
concept defined in the claims presented below. Thus it is obvious that the
ropes described may be provided with a cogged surface or some other type of
patterned surface to produce a positive contact with the traction sheave. It is
also obvious that the rectangular composite load-bearing parts may comprise
edges more starkly rounded than those illustrated or edges not rounded at all.
Similarly, the polymer layer of the ropes may comprise edges/corners more
starkly rounded than those illustrated or edges/corners not rounded at all. It is
likewise obvious that the load-bearing part/parts in the embodiments can be
arranged to cover most of the cross-section of the rope. In this case, the
sheath-like polymer layer surrounding the load-bearing part/parts is made
thinner as compared to the thickness of the load-bearing part, in the thickness-

wise direction of the rope. It is likewise obvious that, in conjunction with the
solutions represented, it is possible to use belts of other types than those
presented. It is likewise obvious that both carbon-fiber and glass fiber can be
used in the same composite part if necessary. It is likewise obvious that the
thickness of the polymer layer may be different from that described. It is.
likewise obvious that the shear-resistant part could be used as an additional
component with any other rope structure showed in this application. It is
likewise obvious that the matrix polymer in which the reinforcing fibers are
distributed may comprise - mixed in the basic matrix polymer, such as e.g.
epoxy - auxiliary materials, such as e.g. reinforcements, fillers, colors, fire
retardants, stabilizers or corresponding agents. It is likewise obvious that,
although the polymer matrix preferably does not consist of elastomer, the
invention can also be utilized using an elastomer matrix. It is also obvious that
the fibers have been subjected to sizing or any other surface treatment to
improve adhesion to thermoset and to some thermoplastic resins and to
protect the fibers. It is also obvious that the fibers need not necessarily be
round in cross-section, but they may have some other cross-sectional shape. It
is further obvious that auxiliary materials, such as e.g. reinforcements, fillers,
colors, fire retardants, stabilizers or corresponding agents, may be mixed in the
basic polymer of the layer, e.g. in polyurethane. It is likewise obvious that the
invention can also be applied in elevators designed for hoisting heights other
than those considered above.
The elevator as describe anywhere above is preferably, but not necessarily,
installed inside a building. The car is preferably traveling vertically. The car is
preferably arranged to serve two or more landings. The car preferably
responds to calls from landing and/or destination commands from inside the
car so as to serve persons on the landing(s) and/or inside the elevator car.
Preferably, the car has an interior space suitable for receiving a passenger or
passengers, and the car can be provided with a door for forming a closed
interior space.

Brief description of the drawings
In the following, the present invention will be described in more detail by way of
example and with reference to the attached drawings, in which
Figure 1 illustrates schematically an elevator according to an embodiment of
the invention.
Figure 2 illustrates schematically a preferred embodiment of the rope terminal
assembly with one wedge element.
Figure 3a illustrates schematically an alternative preferred embodiment of the .
rope terminal assembly with one wedge element.
Figure 3b illustrates a cross-section of an alternative preferred embodiment of
the rope terminal assembly with one wedge element.
Figures 4a-4c illustrates the preferred alternative cross-sections for the
elevator rope.
Detailed description
Figure 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of an elevator where the elevator
rope R, C is connected to the elevator unit 2, CW with a rope terminal
assembly 1 according to the invention. The elevator comprises at least a
hoistway S and an elevator unit 2 movable in the hoistway S, the elevator unit
. being an elevator car 2 for transporting passengers and/or goods. The elevator
arrangement may also comprise other movable elevator units such as the
counterweight CW, as depicted. Furthermore, the elevator comprises lifting
means comprising a lifting device M, roping comprising one or more
suspension and transmission ropes R, each rope R comprising one or more
load bearing members 11a-d, 12a-b, 13, and being attached with the rope
terminal assembly 1 at least to one elevator unit 2, CW. Each rope R is guided
to pass over the traction sheave 4 rotated by the hoisting machine M of the
elevator and one ore more diverting pulleys 3. As the hoisting machine M
rotates, the traction sheave 4 at the same time moves the elevator car 2 and
the counterweight CW in the up direction and down direction, respectively, due
to friction. In addition, in high-rise buildings and in high-speed elevators there

is a second roping comprising one or more a compensating ropes C, each of
which being suspended to hang at its first end to the bottom end of the
counterweight CW and at its second end to the bottom part of the elevator car
2, either to the car sling or to the car itself. The compensating rope C is kept
taut, e.g. by means of compensating pulleys 5, under which the compensating
rope C passes around and which are connected to a support structure at the
base of the elevator hoistway S, which support structure is not, however,
shown in the figure. A travelling cable T intended for the electricity supply of
the elevator car and/or for data traffic, e.g., rope condition monitoring data, is
suspended to hang at its first end to the elevator car 2, e.g. to the bottom part
of the elevator car 2, and at its second end to a connection point on the wall of
the elevator hoistway S, which connection point is typically at the point of the
midpoint or above the midpoint of the height direction of the elevator hoistway
S.
Figure 2 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the rope terminal assembly 1
with one wedge element 8. The rope terminal assembly 1 comprises an
elevator rope R, whose width is larger than its thickness in a rope transverse
direction, with the rope end comprising a first member with a first end face R'
and a second member with a second end face R", a wedge element 8, and a
wedge housing 7. The rope terminal assembly comprises a rope gap through
which said elevator rope passes and said wedge element 8 is arranged to
wedge between the first member with the first end face R' and the second
member with the second end face R" of the elevator rope R thus locking said
elevator rope R in the gap. The elevator rope R comprises a second member
with the second end face R" comprising a separate piece of predetermined
length of the elevator rope R. The second member with the second end face
R" of said elevator rope R comprising a separate piece of predetermined
length of said elevator rope R is clamped to the elevator rope R with clamps 9.
The first member with the first end face R' and the second member with the
second end face R" of said elevator rope each comprises one or more non-
metallic fiber-reinforced such as carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer composite
load bearing parts 11a-11d, 12a-12b, 13. The rope terminal assembly 1

comprises a wedge element 8 being an elongated element comprising a first
contact surface portion arranged against said first member with the first end
face R' of said elevator rope R and a second contact surface portion arranged
against said second member with the second end face R" of said elevator rope
R. The wedge element 8 may comprise a smooth contact surface portion or a
rough or patterned contact surface portion. Advantageously, both wedge
contact surface portions have equal contact surfaces with equal friction
properties. The wedge element 8 may also comprise a space for the rope end
block 6 at the first end of the wedge element 8. The wedge element 8 is
advantageously made of metal or of some other mechanically suitable
material.
Figures 3a and 3b illustrate an alternative preferred embodiment of the rope
terminal assembly 1 with one wedge element 8. The rope terminal assembly 1
comprises an elevator rope R, whose width is larger than its thickness in a
rope transverse direction, with the rope end comprising a first member with a
first end face R' and a second member with a second end face R", a wedge
element 8, and a wedge housing 7. The rope terminal assembly comprises a
rope gap through which said elevator rope passes and said wedge element 8
is arranged to wedge between the first member with the first end face R' and
the second member with the second end face R" of the elevator rope R thus
locking said elevator rope R in the gap. The first member with the first end face
R' and the second member with the second end face R" of the elevator rope R
are integral part of said elevator rope R. As shown in Figure 3b, the first and
the second members comprise load bearing parts 11a-11d separated from
each other by splitting the coating p into branches accommodating the wedge
element 8. The coating p of the elevator rope R and placed on opposite sides
of said wedge element 8. The outermost load bearing parts 11a, 11d are
placed on opposite side of said wedge element 8 than the innermost load
bearing parts 11b, 11c. The rope terminal assembly 1 comprises a wedge
element 8 being an elongated element comprising a first contact surface
portion arranged against said first member with the first end face R' of said
elevator rope R and a second contact surface portion arranged against said

second member with the second end face R" of said elevator rope R. The
wedge element 8 may comprise a smooth contact surface portion or a rough or
patterned contact surface portion. Advantageously, both wedge contact
surface portions have equal contact surfaces with equal friction properties.The
wedge element 8 may also comprise a space for the rope end block at the first
end of the wedge element. The wedge element 8 is advantageously made of
metal or of some other mechanically suitable material.
The rope terminal assembly 1 is fixed to the fixing base with a fixing rod being
fixed through the side openings 10 of the wedge housing 7 with fixing means.
It is possible for the fixing means of the fixing rod to pass through the openings
10 in the wedge housing 7.
The elevator comprises rope condition monitoring means comprising an
elevator rope R electrically connected to a rope condition monitoring means via
said rope end block 6 comprising one or more electrically conductive short
circuit elements and fastening means, a rope condition monitoring device,
which monitors and transmits an electrical signal of said elevator rope, at
predefined time intervals, such as at least once per second, to an elevator
controller. If an error signal is transmitted from said rope condition monitoring
means to an elevator controller, the elevator operation is altered or the
elevator is taken out of service. In a preferred embodiment, the rope condition
monitoring means comprise a current source, a voltage measurement device,
a microcontroller, and a display for monitoring condition of said ropes R.
The rope end block 6 is attached to the elevator rope R end with fastening
means. It is thus possible for the fastening means to pass through the
openings in the frame portion of the rope end block .6. The fastening means
can advantageously be made of metal or of some other suitable electrically
conductive material. The fastening means are advantageously screws or bolts
with nuts. The fastening to the rope R can be done by drilling bores in the rope
R and fastening with screws or bolts. The rope end block 6 comprises one or
more short circuit elements attached to the rope end block 6 with fastening
means. It is thus possible for the fastening means to pass through the

openings in the short circuit elements. The short circuit elements such as short
circuit plates as well as the fastening means are advantageously made of
metal or of some other suitable electrically conductive material. Rope end
block 6 is manufactured from plastics or some other electrically non-conductive
material. Preferably rope end block 6 is a single piece structure manufactured
from plastics, preferably from thermoplastics polymer or thermosetting
polymer.
In a preferred embodiment, the rope condition monitoring means is used to
measure electrical resistance between a first point and a second point of said
elevator rope R, C first time during elevator installation and second time when
said elevator is used for transporting passenger and/or goods. Preferably said
first point and second point are points of a non-metallic load bearing part 11a-
d, 12a-b, 13 of the elevator rope R, C, or points of several electrically
connected non-metallic load bearing parts 11a-d, 12a-b, 13 of said elevator
rope R, C.
Figures 4a, 4b and 4c illustrates a preferred embodiment of a rope R cross
section with four load-bearing parts 11a-d, two load-bearing parts 12a-b, and
one load-bearing part 13, respectively, as described in connection with one of
Figures 1-3 used as a suspension and/or transmission rope R of an elevator,
particularly a passenger elevator. In the use according to the invention, at least
one rope R, but preferably a number of ropes R is constructed such that the
width of the rope is larger than its thickness in a transverse direction of the
rope R and fitted to support and move an elevator car, said rope R comprising
a load-bearing part 11a-d, 12a-b, 13 made of composite material, which
composite material comprises reinforcing fibers f, which consist of untwisted
unidirectional carbon-fibers, in a polymer matrix m oriented in the lengthwise
direction of the rope. The suspension rope R is most preferably secured by
one end to the elevator car 1 and by the other end to a counterweight CW, but
it is applicable for use in elevators without counterweight as well. Although the
figures only show elevators with a 1:1 suspension ratio, the rope R described
is also applicable for use as a suspension rope R in an elevator with a 1:2

suspension ratio. The rope R is particularly well suited for use as a suspension
and transmission rope R in an elevator having a large lifting height, preferably
an elevator having a lifting height of over 100 meters, most preferably 150-800
meters. The rope R defined can also be used to implement a new elevator
without a compensating rope C, or to convert an old elevator into one without a
compensating rope C.
As presented in the figures 4a-4c, the rope R is in the form of a belt, and
thereby has a width substantially larger than the thickness thereof. This makes
it well suitable for elevator use as bending of the rope is necessary in most
elevators. So as to enable turning radius well suitable for elevator use, it is
preferable that the width/thickness ratio of the rope is at least 2 or more,
preferably at least 4, even more preferably at least 5 or more. So as to enable
turning radius well suitable for elevator use, it is preferable that the
width/thickness ratio(s) of said force transmission part(s) is/are at least 2,
preferably at least 3 or more. When the rope R is made to contain only one
load bearing member 13, then it is preferable that the ratio is 5 or more. It is
preferable, that all the load bearing member(s) 11a-d, 12a-b, 13 of the rope
R (irrespective whether there is only one or more of them in the rope) cover
together majority, preferably 70% or over, more preferably 75% or over, most
preferably 80% or over, of the width of the rope. Thus, the width of the rope is
effectively utilized for the function of load bearing.
In the embodiment as illustrated in Figure 4a and Figure 4b, the rope R
comprises a plurality of load bearing members 11a-d, 12a-b. These plural
load bearing members 11a-d, 12a-b are placed adjacent each other in the
width direction of the belt and on the same plane. In the embodiment as
illustrated in Figure 4c, the rope R comprises only one load bearing member
13. In both of these embodiments, the load bearing member(s) 11a-d, 12a-b,
13 is/are surrounded with a coating layer p, which layer p forms the surface of
the rope protecting the load bearing member(s) 11a-d, 12a-b, 13.Thelayerp
is preferably of polymer, most preferably of elastic polymer, such as of
polyurethane, as it provides good wear resistance, protection and good friction

properties, for instance for frictional traction contact with the rope wheel 4. In
both of these embodiments, the load bearing member(s) 11a-d, 12a-b, 13
have a width larger than the thickness therof as measured in width-direction of
the rope R.
In this application, the term load bearing member of a rope refers to the part
that is elongated in the longitudinal direction of the rope, and which part is able
to bear without breaking a significant part of the load exerted on the rope in
question in the longitudinal direction of the rope. The aforementioned load
exerted on the rope causes tension on the load bearing member in the
longitudinal direction of the load bearing member, which tension can be
transmitted inside the load bearing member in question all the length of the
load bearing member, e.g. from one end of the load bearing member to the
other end of it.
It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that the invention is not exclusively
limited to the embodiments described above, in which the invention has been
described by way of example, but that many variations and different
embodiments of the invention are possible within the scope of the inventive
concept defined in the claims presented below. Thus it is obvious that the
ropes R described may be provided with a cogged surface or some other type
of patterned surface to produce a positive contact with the traction sheave 4. It
is also obvious that the rectangular composite load-bearing parts 11a-d, 12a-
b, and 13 may comprise edges more starkly rounded than those illustrated or
edges not rounded at all. Similarly, the polymer layer p of the ropes R may
comprise edges/corners more starkly rounded than those illustrated or
edges/corners not rounded at all. It is likewise obvious that the load-bearing
part/parts 11a-d, 12a-b, and 13 in the embodiments can be arranged to
cover most of the cross-section of the rope R. In this case, the sheath-like
polymer layer p surrounding the load-bearing part/parts 11a-d, 12a-b, and 13
is made thinner as compared to the thickness of the load-bearing part 11 a-d,
12a-b, and 13 in the thickness-wise direction of the rope R. It is likewise
obvious that, in conjunction with the solutions represented by figures, it is

possible to use belts of other types than those presented. It is likewise obvious
that both carbon-fiber and glass fiber can be used in the same composite part
if necessary. It is likewise obvious tMaT the thickness of the polymer p layer
may be different from that described. It is likewise obvious that the shear-
resistant part could be used as an additional component with any other rope
structure showed in this application. It is likewise obvious that the matrix
polymer in which the reinforcing fibers f are distributed may comprise - mixed
in the basic matrix polymer, such as e.g. epoxy resin - auxiliary materials, such
as e.g. reinforcements, fillers, colors, fire retardants, stabilizers or
corresponding agents. It is likewise obvious that, although the polymer matrix
preferably does not consist of elastomer, the invention can also be utilized
using an elastomer matrix. It is also obvious that the fibers f need not
necessarily be round in cross-section, but they may have some other cross-
sectional shape. It is further obvious that auxiliary materials, such as e.g.
reinforcements, fillers, colors, fire retardants, stabilizers or corresponding
agents, may be mixed in the basic polymer of the layer p, e.g. in polyurethane.
It is likewise obvious that the invention can also be applied in elevators
designed for hoisting heights other than those considered above.
It is to be understood that the above description and the accompanying figures
are only intended to illustrate the present invention. It will be apparent to a
person skilled in the art that the inventive concept can be implemented in
various ways. The invention and its embodiments are not limited to the
examples described above but may vary within the scope of the claims.

CLAIMS
1. A rope terminal assembly (1) of an elevator fixing an elevator rope (R)
to a fixing base such as an elevator unit (2, CW), said elevator being
suitable for transporting passengers and/or goods, said assembly (1)
comprising
an elevator rope (R), whose width is larger than its thickness in a
rope transverse direction, with at least one end comprising a first
member with a first end face (R1) and a second member with a
second end face (R"),
a wedge element (8),
a wedge housing (7),
characterized in that the rope terminal assembly (1) comprises a rope
gap through which said elevator rope (R) passes and said wedge
element (8) is arranged to wedge between the first member with the
first end face (R') and the second member with the second end face
(R") of the elevator rope (R) thus locking said elevator rope (R) in the
gap.
2. The rope terminal assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in
that said second member with the second end face (R") of said
elevator rope (R) comprises a separate piece of predetermined length
of said elevator rope (R).
3. The rope terminal assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in
that said first member with the first end face (R') and said second
member with the second end face (R") of the elevator rope (R) are
formed by splitting the rope end of said elevator rope (R).

4. The rope terminal assembly (1) according to any one of the previous
claims, characterized in that said first member with the first end face
(R') and said second member with the second end face (R") of said
elevator rope (R) each comprise one or more non-metallic, such as
carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (f, m) composite load-bearing parts
(11a-d, 12a-b, 13).
5. The rope terminal assembly (1) according to any one of the previous
claims, characterized in that said elevator rope (R) comprises non-
metallic, such as carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (f, m) composite
load-bearing parts (11a-d, 12a-b, 13) placed on opposite sides of said
wedge element (8).
6. The rope terminal assembly (1) according to any one of the previous
claims, characterized in that said elevator rope (R) comprises non-
metallic, such as carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (f, m) composite
load-bearing parts (11a-d) and the outermost load bearing parts (11a,
11d) are placed on opposite side of said wedge element (8) than the
innermost load bearing parts (11b, 11 c).
7. The rope terminal assembly (1) according to any one of the previous
claims, characterized in that said elevator rope (R) comprises non-
metallic, such as carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (f, m) composite
load-bearing parts (11a-d) separated from each other by splitting the
coating (p) into branches accommodating the wedge element (8).
8. The rope terminal assembly (1) according to any one of the previous
claims, characterized in that said second member with the second
end face (R") of said elevator rope (R) comprises a separate piece of
predetermined length of said elevator rope (R) clamped to the elevator
rope (R) with clamps (9).

9. The rope terminal assembly (1) according to any one of the previous
claims, characterized in that said wedge element (8) is an elongated
element comprising a first contact surface portion arranged against
said first member with the first end face (R') of said elevator rope (R)
and a second contact surface portion arranged against said second
member with the second end face (R") of said elevator rope (R).
10. The rope terminal assembly (1) according to any one of the previous
claims, characterized in that the first and second contact surfaces of
said wedge element (8) arranged against said elevator rope (R) are of
equal friction properties.
11. The rope terminal assembly (1) according to any one of the previous
claims, characterized in that the wedge housing (7) is symmetrical
with respect to the longitudinal axis of said wedge housing (7).
12. The rope terminal assembly (1) according to any one of the previous
claims, characterized in that said assembly (1) comprises a rope end
block attached to said rope end, and said rope end block is attached
on said first end face (R', R") side of the elevator rope (R) with respect
to the wedge element (8).
13. The rope terminal assembly (1) according to any one of the previous
claims, characterized in that said rope end block is made from
plastics or some other electrically non-conductive material.
14. The rope terminal assembly (1) according to any one of the previous
claims, characterized in that said elevator rope (R) is electrically
connected to a rope condition monitoring means via said rope end
block comprising one or more electrically conductive short circuit
elements and fastening means.

15. Elevator suitable for transporting passengers and/or goods, which
elevator comprises:
- a hoistway (S),
- at least one elevator unit (2, CW) movable in the hoistway (S),
including at least an elevator car (2),
- lifting means comprising a lifting device (M) and one or more
elevator ropes (R, C) connected to at least one elevator unit (2,
CW),
characterized in that said elevator rope (R, C) is fixed to a fixing base
such as an elevator unit (2, CW) with a rope terminal assembly (1)
according to any of claims 1 to 14.