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The SP-VF (some sources also refer to it as SP-VL[1]) was an elevator model manufactured by Mitsubishi Electric. It is a standard geared traction elevator for low to mid-rise buildings and was available as a passenger and possibly bed elevator type. The SP-VF was sold in markets other than Japan and the United States. It was based on the Mitsubishi Elepet Advance V elevator, launched in 1983[2] and discontinued in 1994, which was only sold in Japan[3]. The model was introduced in late 1984[4] and started production in 1985[1]. The SP-VF was discontinued in 1998 and was succeeded by Mitsubishi GPS, released in 1992.

Shanghai Mitsubishi, Mitsubishi's subsidiary based in Shanghai, China also produced the SP-VF under their brand, which shares the same features and specs as Mitsubishi's version[5]. They have also been exported to other countries, with known installations in Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand.

Two other variants of the SP-VF exist; SO-VF for observation elevators and SB-VF for hospital (bed) elevators. Shanghai Mitsubishi also sells the SG-VF; which is a freight elevator model based off the SP-VF.

Known specs and features[]

  • Geared traction (in machine room) with VVVF (variable voltage variable frequency), overhead drive configuration
  • 8-bit microprocessor control (VFCL)[6], possibly with OS-2100C (AI-2100 in later (1990s-) models, though unconfirmed[7]) group control system.
  • Rated capacities of 450-1000 kilograms[8] (or 6-15 persons)
  • Maximum travel distance of 105 meters[6]
  • Serves a maximum of 32 floors[6]
  • Rated speeds: 0.75 / 1 / 1.25 / 1.5 / 1.75 m/s
  • Up to 3 elevators in a group[6]
  • Single-speed center opening or two-speed telescopic sliding door
  • Mechanical arrival bell (standard) or electronic arrival chime (less common[9]).

Other features and characteristics (some optional)[]

  • Mitsubishi Emergency Landing Device (MELD) (optional - the presence of MELD is indicated by a sign in the car, usually above the car station or on the transom above the door.)
  • Variable door timer
  • Economy mode: turns the lights and fan off after a period of time when idling
  • Change destination: When the doors unable to fully open for a period of time, the doors close and go to another floor according to the floor selected in the COP or LOP.
  • Elevators generally return to the main floor (usually ground floor) if idle[10].
  • False call cancelling: Cancel all selected floors when the elevator detects the selected floors is more than the amount of passengers.
  • Up/Down peak mode (optional)
  • Anti-crime protection mode (optional)
  • Lunchtime mode (optional)
  • Hall call prediction (optional, possibly applicable for OS-2100C/AI-2100 only)

Fixtures[]

  • Angled car station position, mounted in a 45-degree corner between the front return panel and side wall. The other panel is not angled unless there is a car station (though generally less common). A few installations might have the panel mounted on a front return panel or side wall instead. (The latter is often found in SP-VF installations in Norway and possibly other European countries.)
  • Brown colored car station with square push buttons which light up orange when pressed.The pushbuttons and capacity badge use the Univers typeface (later 1990s models use Helvetica for the capacity badge only).
  • Optional side panel for wheelchair users, featuring an analog floor indicator.
  • Digital car position indicator:
    • 16 segments indicator located on the car station; number flashes when the car arrives at destination (default).
    • 8 or 16 segments indicator located on the transom panel above the door; the number will not flash when the car is arriving. (This type is less commonly found on SP-VFs[11])
  • Landing car position indicator:
    • Digital indicator: 16 segments (sometimes 8 though less common) digital display (mounted above the door)
    • Analog indicators: either as part of the hall station; or as acrylic blocks embedded on the transom panel similar to older Mitsubishi models. In the case of the latter, the arrows are not colored green and red for up and down, respectively; unlike in older Mitsubishi elevators.

Notable installations[]

Mitsubishi Electric SP-VF[]

China[]

Mainland China[]
  • Jin Sha Hotel, Putou, Shanghai
Hong Kong[]
  • Hotel Rainbow, Jordan (1990)
  • Kwong Ah Building, Mong Kok (1989)
  • Tern Commercial Building, Tsim Sha Tsui (1990)
  • Western Market, Sheung Wan (1991)
  • Caine Terrace, 92-98 Kennedy Road, Wan Chai (1992, abandoned since the building complete)
  • Marble Court, North Point (1989)
  • Corn Yan Centre, Tin Hau (1987)
  • Shau Kei Wan Plaza, Shau Kei Wan (1993)
    • Block 2, Lai Yee Court
  • Yuen Long Landmark, Yuen Long (1990)
  • Flourish Food Manufacturing Centre, Yuen Long (1991)
  • Cheung Chau Sports Centre, Cheung Chau (1993, modernised to Mitsubishi ELEMOTION in 2017)
  • Lamma Power Station
Macau[]
  • Kiang Wu Hospital, Santo António
  • Hotel Metropole, Avenida da Praia Grande

Indonesia[]

Jakarta[]
  • Mercure Jakarta Ancol Hotel & Convention Center (extension wing) (1991)
  • Four Points by Sheraton Jakarta Thamrin (Menara Topas) (1991, modernized in 2016-2019; only 1 is still original)[12]
  • Menara BTN (car park elevator) (1992, modernized in 2018)[12]
  • Wisma Keiai (car park building) (1993)[12]
  • BPPT Tower (car park)
  • Wisma Nugraha, Menteng
  • Plaza Gani Djemat (1991-2018, building demolished)
  • Indosurya Plaza (1992-2010s, replaced into Mitsubishi Elenessa)
  • Total Building, Tomang (1991)
  • Dharmais Cancer Hospital (1993)
  • Bank Central Asia Branches in Jakarta
    • Bank Central Asia (BCA) - Matraman Branch
    • Bank Central Asia (BCA) - Pluit Branch
    • Bank Central Asia (BCA) - Asemka Branch[12]
  • DAMRI Head Office
  • Synthesis Square (modernized, formerly Hero Gatot Subroto)
  • Tebet Hospital
  • Mugi Griya Building, Tebet (1992)[12]
  • The Telkom Hub - Graha Merah Putih (1988)[12]
  • Palma One (car park elevator) (1993)
  • Ariobimo Sentral (freight/service elevator) (1993)[12]
  • Tempo Pavilion I[12]
  • Rajawali Nusindo Building, Kuningan
  • Paviliun Mahakam
Bandung[]
  • Prama Grand Preanger Hotel (1993)
  • Horison Hotel
  • Wisma Bumiputera (formerly Bandung Business Center) (1992)
Bali[]
  • The Westin Nusa Dua Resort, Badung (1991, four passenger elevators modernized into ELEMOTION)[12]
  • InterContinental Bali Resort, Badung (1993, some have been modernized into ELEMOTION)[12]
  • Bintang Bali Resort, Badung (1990)
  • Inna Grand Bali Beach Hotel, Sanur, Denpasar (1993, replacement from unknown 1966 elevators) (Demolished)
Other cities[]
  • Graha Bumiputera, Surabaya
  • Sinarmas Land Plaza, Surabaya
  • Sinarmas Land Plaza, Medan

Malaysia[]

  • Public Bank Ipoh Old Branch, Perak
  • Ansa Kuala Lumpur (modernized by Malaysian Dover)
  • Hotel Putra Regency, Kangar, Perlis
  • Crystal Crown Hotel, Johor Bharu

Norway[]

  • Dronningensgate 13, Oslo (1988)
  • Kirkegate 15, Oslo (1991, replaced into NEXIEZ-MRL in 2017)
  • Storgata 32 (Gunerius), Oslo (1993)[13]

Thailand[]

Bangkok[]
  • Jewelry Trade Center
  • Centralplaza Bangna (Scenic elevators)
  • Centralplaza Ramindra (Scenic elevator and department store elevators)
  • Grand President Bangkok
  • Hotel Windsor Suites and Convention
  • Chaophya Park Hotel
  • Pullman Hotel Bangkok G (Car park)
  • Theptarin Hospital
  • CS Tower
  • Muangthai Phatra Complex (Car park)
  • United Center (retail)
  • Ramathibodi Hospital (QSMC)

Singapore[]

  • OG Orchard Point, Singapore (modernized by VM in 2023)
  • Northpoint City, Singapore (1992, refurbished with new fixtures)
  • Peninsula Excelsior Hotel (Peninsula Wing) (1991, replacement from 1973 Mitsubishi) (replaced by KONE in 2023-24)
  • KH Plaza, Singapore
  • Euro Asia Apartments, Singapore (1990, demolished in 2023)
  • Pinewood Gardens, Singapore (1990)
  • Birchwood Mansions, Singapore (1990)
  • SYH Logistics Building, Singapore (1997)
  • Techview, Singapore (1998)

Taiwan[]

Taipei City[]
  • VIA Hotel Premium (1993, modernization from 1963 Mitsubishi elevator)
  • Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Nanxi Store One (1991, four passenger elevators modernized into ELEMOTION-T in 2019)
  • Eslite Spectrum Ximen Store (1996, modernization from 1981 Mitsubishi elevators)
  • Mackey Memorial Hospital (1998, modernization from 1980 Mitsubishi elevators)
  • No. 10, Sec. 1, Chongqing S. Rd. (1992, modernization/replacement from 1973 Mitsubishi elevators)
  • Fo Guang Shan Taipei Vihara (1992, modernized into ELEMOTION-T in 2013)
  • No. 4, Chengdu Rd. (1992)
  • No. 8, Nanyang St. (1995, modernized into ELEMOTION-T in 2022)
  • No. 30, Ln. 30, Sec. 4, Chenggong Rd. (1995, modernized into ELEMOTION-T in 2021)
Other cities and counties[]
  • Printemps Department Store, Taoyuan City, Taiwan (passenger elevators) (1997)[14]
  • Guanyu Ginza 21 Commercial Building, Taoyuan City, Taiwan (1994, modernized into ELEMOTION-T in 2024)
  • Wei Gong Memorial Hospital, Miaoli County, Taiwan (emergency elevator) (1998, modernized into ELEMOTION-T in May 2023)

Shanghai Mitsubishi SP-VF[]

China[]

  • Hengyu Mansion, Taijiang District, Fuzhou (1993)
  • Yuanfu Apartment, Fuzhou (1996)

Thailand[]

Bangkok[]
  • IT Square Laksi
  • Phranakorn Co-opperative Store Extension
  • Suankularb Wittayalai School
Other cities[]
  • Buddhasothorn Hospital, Chachoengsao
  • Chonnatee Condo Town (Tower C), Pakkred, Nonthaburi
  • Garden Sea View Resort, Pattaya, Chonburi

Other countries[]

  • Shun Li Industrial Park, Singapore[15]
  • Paragon Hotel Menteng, Jakarta, Indonesia (modernized by third party company)
  • Palembang Trade Center, Palembang, Indonesia

Image and video gallery[]

Machine room[]

Shanghai Mitsubishi SP-/SG-VF[]

Trivia and additional information[]

  • The Elepet Advance V (SP-VF outside Japan) is the first Mitsubishi elevator model to use VVVF inverter control[16].
  • The SP-VF elevators are usually distinguished by their distinctive (and generally very loud) VVVF noise[6].
  • Owing to the use of a VVVF drive, the SP-VF has noticeably smoother ride quality comparable to modern elevators, as compared to the SP-VF's older counterparts such as the SP-III. This also means the SP-VF has full intelligent levelling.
  • SP-VF was the first Mitsubishi elevator model to have the digits flash on the car indicator on arrival. However, this is only applicable for SP-VFs equipped with a 16-segment indicator.
  • SP-VF installations in Norway (and possibly other European nations), the door control buttons are positioned above the floor buttons rather than below. Also, in some cases the car station is half-height with the display being at eye level.
  • The car interior design of Mitsubishi SP-VF (Elepet Advance V in Japan) was awarded by the Good Design Award (award number 63N1001) in 1988[17].
  • In South Korea, GoldStar/LG's VP-L elevator model was a license-rebadged Mitsubishi SP-VF due to the technical partnership between GoldStar and Mitsubishi. These elevators were produced at GoldStar's Juan factory and were only sold for the domestic market.
  • The manufacture of the spare components (printed circuit boards, relays, transformer (for low voltage circuits)) inside the Mitsubishi VFCL controller (used for SP-VF and low rise MP-VF) will be discontinued in 2027[18].

See also[]

  • Mitsubishi MP-VF: mid-/high-rise version of SP-VF, with higher speed and traveling distance compared with SP-VF. Also based on Elepet Advance V.

Notes and references[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 S Suzuki, S Iwata and M Yonemoto (1996) "NEW TECHNOLOGIES FOR ELEVATOR CONTROL SYSTEM" - The Lift and Escalator Library
  2. Supply Records (1988-1931) (archived)
  3. Mitsubishi SPVF - Indonesia Elevator Guide
    Some elevator enthusiasts often confuse the SP-VF with the Elepet Advance V, when Elepet Advance V was actually only sold in Japan whereas the SP-VF was a model based on the Elepet Advance V, meant for sale in overseas markets.
  4. Shigehiko Suzuki, Kenji Shiro (December 1984) "SERIES SP-VF STANDARD ELEVATORS WITH VVVF MOTOR-DRIVE CONTROL." - ResearchGate
  5. SP-VF (Chinese) - Shanghai Mitsubishi (Archived)
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 https://idelevatorguide.shoutwiki.com/wiki/Mitsubishi_SPVF
  7. https://co.mitsubishielectric.com/es/products-solutions/building/pdf/catalogo_sistema_de_control_de_grupo_ai-2200c.pdf AI-2100 is shown as the successor of the OS-2100C group control system (see page 3), as such it is assumed later models might have it as an option. This is however mere speculation and should not be taken as a hard fact.
  8. S Suzuki, S Iwata and M Yonemoto (1996) "NEW TECHNOLOGIES FOR ELEVATOR CONTROL SYSTEM" - The Lift and Escalator Library
  9. Electronic chimes are however more common on Japanese Elepet Advance V models.
  10. Mitsubishi Traction Elevator at Westin Resort, Bali (Lift 10)
  11. This style is generally is more common on MP-VF/TCLM elevators (the SP-VF's high-rise counterparts).
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 12.6 12.7 12.8 12.9 These elevators have been modernized with Mitsubishi ELEMOTION elevator modernization solution.
  13. Old Mitsubishi traction elevators/lifts in Gunerius shopping center, Oslo, Norway
  14. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fR_UVpQoLxg
  15. Shunli Industrial Park, Singapore - Shanghai Mitsubishi SP-VF Traction Elevator
  16. Since the SP-VF is based on the Elepet Advance V, it is assumed that the latter uses VVVF control as well.
    (See https://idelevatorguide.shoutwiki.com/wiki/Mitsubishi_SPVF#Overview)
  17. Complete list of the winners - 1988 - Good Design Award (Archived)
  18. 三菱電機製エレベーター(機種名称「VFCL/VFCLA」)所有のお客様へ部品供給終了のお知らせ
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