Mechanical operation detection device for elevator governor, testing device, and testing method

Abstract

Provided is a mechanical operation detection device capable of accurately detecting mechanical operations of an elevator governor without being affected by the surrounding environment.　This mechanical operation detection device detects mechanical operations of an elevator governor that causes a ratchet mechanism to mechanically operate and urgently stop an elevator car when an abnormal overspeed is detected in the moving speed when the car moves up and down. This mechanical operation detection device comprises: a body part detachably installed in the elevator governor; a pair of terminal parts; a lever switch that protrudes from the body part and operates from a first position to a second position in connection with the mechanical operation of the ratchet mechanism; and a contact part that switches the conduction state of the pair of terminal parts between conduction and non-conduction in connection with the operation of the lever switch from the first position to the second position.

Description

Mechanical operation detection device, test device and test method for elevator governor

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technique for a mechanical operation detection device that detects the mechanical operation of an elevator governor.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology related to an elevator governor operation test device. This operation test device is provided with a means for inputting the operation of the overspeed switch and the rope catch. The input operation sounds are compared with reference operation sound data to identify the start points of the operation of the overspeed switch and the rope catch, and the rotational speed of the governor sheave at the identified points is output as a fixed value.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-331847

[0004] The technology of Patent Document 1 inputs the operating sound emitted when the device starts operating, which enables more accurate measurement than visual measurement. However, determining the start of operation based on the operating sound may result in erroneous detection depending on the surrounding sound environment.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-described problems, and has an object to provide technology related to a mechanical operation detection device that can accurately detect the mechanical operation of an elevator governor without being affected by the surrounding environment.

[0006] The mechanical motion detection device disclosed herein is a mechanical motion detection device for an elevator governor that mechanically operates a ratchet mechanism to bring the elevator car to an emergency stop when an abnormal overspeed is detected in the elevator car's speed when ascending or descending, and comprises a main body that is detachably installed on the elevator governor, a pair of terminal units, a lever switch that protrudes from the main body and operates from a first position to a second position in conjunction with the mechanical operation of the ratchet mechanism, and a contact unit that switches the electrical connection between the pair of terminal units between conductive and non-conductive in conjunction with the operation of the lever switch from the first position to the second position.

[0007] The testing device of the present disclosure also includes the mechanical operation detection device, a rotational speed measuring device that measures the rotational speed of the sheave of the elevator governor, and a storage device that stores the rotational speed of the sheave at the time when the electrical conduction state of the mechanical operation detection device is switched.

[0008] The testing method disclosed herein is a testing method for testing the mechanical operation of an elevator governor using the above-mentioned testing device, and includes the steps of installing a mechanical operation detection device in the elevator governor, rotating a sheave of the elevator governor and measuring the rotational speed of the sheave at the time when the electrical continuity state between the pair of terminal portions is switched using a rotational speed measuring device, storing the measured value in a storage device, and evaluating whether the measured value is within a normal range.

[0009] According to the mechanical operation detection device of the present disclosure, the lever switch moves from the first position to the second position in conjunction with the mechanical operation of the elevator governor, thereby switching the electrical continuity between the pair of terminals between conductive and non-conductive. Therefore, by monitoring the electrical continuity between the pair of terminals, it is possible to accurately detect the timing at which the mechanical operation of the elevator governor starts, regardless of the surrounding environment.

[0010] 7 is a front view schematically showing the general structure of an elevator governor to which a mechanical motion detection device according to an embodiment is applied; FIG. 8 is a perspective view schematically showing the general structure of an elevator governor; FIG. 9 is a front view for explaining the configuration of a mechanical motion detection device; FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the mechanical motion detection device shown in FIG. 3, seen from direction A; FIG. 11 is a side view of the mechanical motion detection device shown in FIG. 3, seen from direction B; FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the circuit configuration of a contact unit; FIG. 13 is a side view of an installation example of a mechanical motion detection device; FIG. 14 is a side view of an installation example of a mechanical motion detection device, seen from direction C in FIG. 7; FIG. 15 is a perspective view schematically showing the state in which a mechanical motion detection device is installed in an elevator governor; FIG. 16 is a diagram schematically showing a state in which a mechanical motion detection device installed in an elevator governor is in a first position; FIG. 17 is a diagram schematically showing a state in which a mechanical motion detection device installed in an elevator governor is in a second position; FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an overview of a test device for measuring sheave rotation speed at an operating point of mechanical operation; and FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a modified example of a mechanical motion detection device.

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that elements common to the various drawings are given the same reference numerals and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0012] 1. Embodiment 1-1. Configuration of an elevator governor Fig. 1 is a front view showing a schematic structure of an elevator governor to which a mechanical motion detection device according to an embodiment is applied. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic structure of the elevator governor. Note that Fig. 1 shows a part of the elevator governor structure in a see-through manner.

[0013] Elevator governor 10 is a device that brings an elevator car to an emergency stop when an abnormal overspeed is detected in the elevator car's speed as it ascends or descends. Elevator governor 10 primarily comprises a housing 12, a main shaft 14 supported by housing 12, a sheave 16, an overspeed switch 18, a ratchet mechanism 20, and a rope catch 28. Housing 12 has a flat surface 121 above the support portion that supports main shaft 14, on which a machine motion detection device 40 (described later) can be installed.

[0014] A governor rope 8 is wound around the outer periphery of the sheave 16, and circulates in response to the elevation and descent of the car. When the elevator is operating, the sheave 16 rotates about the main shaft 14 at a speed corresponding to the traveling speed of the car. As a result, the rotational speed of the sheave 16 is the same as the traveling speed of the car. The overspeed switch 18 is a switch that is activated when the speed of the car reaches a predetermined first overspeed. Here, the first overspeed is set to, for example, 130% of the rated speed of the elevator. When the overspeed switch 18 is activated, the power for raising and lowering the car is electrically cut off.

[0015] The ratchet mechanism 20 includes a disk-shaped ratchet 22 with ratchet teeth on its outer periphery and an engagement pawl 24. The ratchet 22 is disposed coaxially with the main shaft 14 of the sheave 16, and each is rotatable independently. When the car speed reaches a predetermined second overspeed, the engagement pawl 24 contacts the ratchet teeth of the ratchet 22, causing the sheave 16 and the ratchet 22 to rotate together. A pin 26 protruding in the axial direction is provided on the surface of the ratchet 22. When the ratchet 22 rotates, the pin 26 moves and contacts a trigger, mechanically actuating a rope catch 28. When the rope catch 28 is actuated, the governor rope 8 is mechanically restrained. Note that the second overspeed is set to, for example, 140% of the elevator's rated speed. In the following description, the operation of the ratchet mechanism 20 that is activated when the car speed reaches the second overspeed is referred to as the "mechanical operation of the elevator governor," and the timing at which the mechanical operation of the elevator governor starts is referred to as the "operating point of the mechanical operation."

[0016] 2. Configuration of a Speed ​​Governor Mechanical Operation Detection Device in an Embodiment During maintenance and inspection work on an elevator governor by an operator, the rotational speed of the sheave at the operating point of the elevator governor's mechanical operation may be measured. In this operation test, if the rotational speed is measured based on the operating sound of the mechanical operation, there is a risk of false detection due to the influence of the surrounding environment, such as noise.

[0017] The mechanical motion detection device 40 of this embodiment is a measurement tool used to detect the operating point of the mechanical motion of the elevator governor 10. Fig. 3 is a front view for explaining the configuration of the mechanical motion detection device. Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the mechanical motion detection device shown in Fig. 3, seen from direction A. Fig. 5 is a side view of the mechanical motion detection device shown in Fig. 3, seen from direction B.

[0018] The main components of the mechanical motion detection device 40 include a main body 42 that forms the outer shell, lead wires 44 drawn out from the main body 42, a lever switch 46 that protrudes from the main body 42, a fixing magnetic body 50 provided on the bottom side of the main body 42, and a positioning part 60 for preventing the mechanical motion detection device 40 from shifting position.

[0019] Lever switch 46 is a foldable switch that switches between conductive and non-conductive states by moving left and right in Fig. 3. Typically, lever switch 46 includes an arm 461 and a contact portion 462. The base end of arm 461 is connected to main body 42, and the tip end protrudes from the front side of main body 42. Contact portion 462 is provided at the tip of arm 461 so as to extend in a direction perpendicular to and downward from a plane including the direction of movement of arm 461.

[0020] A contact unit 48 is provided inside the main body 42. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the circuit configuration of the contact unit. The contact unit 48 switches the electrical connection between the pair of terminals 481 between electrical connection and electrical disconnection in response to the operation of the lever switch 46. Typically, the electrical connection between the pair of terminals 481 is switched from electrical connection to electrical disconnection when the lever switch 46 is moved from a first central position to a second position tilted to either the left or right. One end of each of the pair of terminals 481 is connected to one end of a lead wire 44. The other end of the lead wire 44 is connected to a pulse counter 80, which will be described later, during an operation test.

[0021] The fixing magnetic body 50 is used to magnetically attach and detachably fix the main body 42 at the measurement position. The "measurement position" here refers to the position where, when the ratchet 22 rotates, the pin 26 comes into contact with the contact portion 462 of the lever switch 46, thereby operating the lever switch 46.

[0022] The positioning unit 60 includes a first flat surface 62, a second flat surface 64 perpendicular to the first flat surface 62, and a position adjustment mechanism 66. The first flat surface 62 is a portion that contacts the side surface of the housing 12 of the elevator governor 10 at the measurement position to prevent misalignment of the mechanical motion detection device 40. The second flat surface 64 is a portion that is fixed to the bottom surface side of the main body 42. The position adjustment mechanism 66 is a mechanism that can adjust the relative position of the first flat surface 62 with respect to the main body 42. Typically, the position adjustment mechanism 66 includes a groove 661 provided along the longitudinal direction of the second flat surface 64 and a fixing portion 662 for fixing the second flat surface 64 to the main body 42 through the groove. Examples of the fixing portion 662 include fastening parts such as screws or bolts.

[0023] 3. Governor Operation Test Method Using Mechanical Motion Detection Device Next, an operating point detection method for detecting the operating point of the mechanical operation of the mechanical motion detection device 40 during an operation test of the elevator governor 10 by an operator, and a measuring device and method for measuring the sheave rotation speed at that operating point will be described.

[0024] 3-1. Installation Process In the installation process of the mechanical motion detection device 40, an operator installs the mechanical motion detection device 40 at a measurement position on the planar portion 121 of the elevator governor 10. FIG. 7 is a side view showing an example of an installation of the mechanical motion detection device. FIG. 8 is a side view of the example of an installation of the mechanical motion detection device, viewed from direction C in FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a perspective view schematically showing the state in which the mechanical motion detection device is installed in the elevator governor. FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing the state in which the mechanical motion detection device installed in the elevator governor is in a first position. FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically showing the state in which the mechanical motion detection device installed in the elevator governor is in a second position. Note that in FIGS. 7 and 8, components of the elevator governor 10 that are not directly related to the placement of the mechanical motion detection device 40 are omitted as appropriate.

[0025] As shown in these figures, the machine motion detector 40 is disposed at a measurement position where the contact portion 462 of the lever switch 46, which is in the first position, contacts the pin 26 of the ratchet 22 downstream in the rotation direction of the ratchet 22. The machine motion detector 40 is fixed by magnetically attaching the fixing magnetic body 50 to the flat portion 121. With the machine motion detector 40 installed at the measurement position, the position adjustment mechanism 66 of the positioning unit 60 is adjusted so that the first flat portion 62 contacts the side surface of the housing 12.

[0026] 12 is a diagram showing an outline of a test device for measuring the sheave rotation speed at the operating point of machine operation. As shown in this figure, the test device includes the above-mentioned machine operation detection device 40, an overspeed switch 18, an electric drill 70, a speed controller 72, a pulse counter 80, and an encoder 82.

[0027] The power drill 70 is used to forcibly rotate the sheave 16 during an operation test. The speed controller 72 adjusts the rotational speed of the power drill 70. The encoder 82 functions as a rotational speed measuring device that measures the rotational speed of the sheave 16. Output signals from the machine motion detector 40, the overspeed switch 18, and the encoder 82 are input to the pulse counter 80 via wiring. The pulse counter 80 functions as a storage device that latches the measurement value of the encoder 82 in response to signals from the overspeed switch 18 and the machine motion detector 40 and stores it as the sheave rotational speed. Typically, the pulse counter 80 latches and stores the measurement value of the pulse counter 80 at the time the signal from the machine motion detector 40 switches from conductive to non-conductive as the sheave rotational speed at the operating point of the machine motion detector 40. The pulse counter 80 also latches and stores the measurement value of the pulse counter 80 at the time the signal from the overspeed switch 18 switches from conductive to non-conductive as the sheave rotational speed at the operating point of the overspeed switch 18.

[0028] 3-3. Measurement Process In the measurement process, an operator first uses a dedicated tool to lift the governor rope 8, making the sheave 16 rotatable by hand. Then, the operator uses an electric drill 70 to rotate the sheave 16. At this time, the operator operates the speed controller 72 to increase the rotation speed of the electric drill 70 to the first overspeed. The pulse counter 80 latches the measurement value of the encoder 82 at the operating point of the overspeed switch 18 and stores it as the sheave rotation speed.

[0029] In the measurement process, the operator operates the speed controller 72 to increase the rotation speed of the power drill 70 to the second overspeed. The pulse counter 80 latches the measurement value of the encoder 82 at the operating point of the machine operation detection device 40 and stores it as the sheave rotation speed.

[0030] The operator checks whether the measurement value latched by the pulse counter 80 at the operating point of the overspeed switch 18 is within a normal range that is smaller than the first overspeed. If the measurement value is within the normal range, the operating point of the overspeed switch 18 is determined to be normal, and if the measurement value is not within the normal range, the operating point of the overspeed switch 18 is determined to be abnormal.

[0031] The operator also checks whether the measurement value latched by the pulse counter 80 at the operating point of the machine motion detection device 40 is within a normal range that is smaller than the second overspeed. If the measurement value is within the normal range, the operating point of the machine motion detection device 40 is determined to be normal, and if the measurement value is not within the normal range, the operating point of the machine motion detection device 40 is determined to be abnormal.

[0032] 4. Functions and Effects of the Machine Motion Detector According to the machine motion detector 40 described above, the following functions and effects can be obtained.

[0033] In the mechanical operation detection device 40, the electrical continuity state between the pair of contacts is switched in conjunction with the operation of the ratchet mechanism of the elevator governor 10. Therefore, by monitoring the electrical continuity state between the pair of contacts 481, it becomes possible to accurately detect the mechanical operation of the elevator governor 10 without being affected by the surrounding environment.

[0034] The mechanical motion detection device 40 is fixed to the housing 12 of the elevator governor 10 by the fixing magnetic body 50. This allows the mechanical motion detection device 40 to be configured to be detachable with a simple structure.

[0035] Lever switch 46 of machine motion detection device 40 has contact portion 462 that extends in a direction perpendicular to a plane including the direction of motion of arm portion 461. With this configuration, even if ratchet 22 rotates and the position of pin 26 in the up-down direction changes, lever switch 46 can be biased toward the second position.

[0036] Positioning portion 60 of machine motion detection device 40 can prevent main body 42 of machine motion detection device 40 from shifting in position when ratchet 22 rotates and lever switch 46 is urged toward the second position. Furthermore, positioning portion 60 can adjust the relative position of first flat portion 62 with respect to main body 42 using position adjustment mechanism 66, making it possible to apply positioning portion 60 to different types of governors.

[0037] The machine motion detection device 40, when combined with the power drill 70, speed controller 72, pulse counter 80, and encoder 82, functions as a test device that measures the sheave rotation speed at the operating point of the machine motion.

[0038] 5. Modifications The machine motion detection device 40 of this embodiment may employ the following modifications.

[0039] 5-1. Fixing Magnetic Body 50 The fixing magnetic body 50 may be made of any material, shape, and number within a range that can exert an attractive force that magnetically attaches the machine motion detection device 40 to the planar portion 121.

[0040] The terminals 481 are not limited to a configuration in which the conductive state between the pair of terminals 481 is switched from conductive to non-conductive in conjunction with the movement of the lever switch 46 from the first position to the second position, but may be configured to switch the conductive state from non-conductive to conductive in conjunction with the movement of the lever switch 46 from the first position to the second position.

[0041] 5-3. Positioning Unit 60 The positioning unit 60 may further enhance the positioning effect by using a magnetic material. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a modified example of a machine motion detector. In the example shown in this figure, a positioning magnetic material 621 is provided on the first flat surface 62 of the positioning unit 60. With this configuration, the positioning magnetic material 621 is magnetically attached to the side surface of the housing 12, thereby increasing the fixing force of the machine motion detector 40 and further restricting misalignment.

[0042] 8 Governor rope, 10 Elevator governor, 12 Housing, 121 Flat portion, 14 Main shaft, 16 Sheave, 18 Overspeed switch, 20 Ratchet mechanism, 22 Ratchet, 24 Engagement claw, 26 Pin, 28 Rope catch, 40 Machine operation detection device, 42 Main body, 44 Lead wire, 46 Lever switch, 461 Arm portion, 462 Contact portion, 48 Contact point portion, 481 Terminal portion, 50 Fixing magnetic body, 60 Positioning portion, 62 First flat portion, 621 Positioning magnetic body, 64 Second flat portion, 66 Position adjustment mechanism, 661 Groove portion, 662 Fixing portion, 70 Electric drill, 72 Speed ​​controller, 80 Pulse counter, 82 Encoder

Claims

1. A mechanical operation detection device for an elevator governor that mechanically operates a ratchet mechanism to bring the car to an emergency stop when an abnormally excessive speed is detected in the elevator car's movement when ascending or descending, comprising: a main body that is detachably installed on the elevator governor; a pair of terminals; a lever switch that protrudes from the main body and moves from a first position to a second position in conjunction with the mechanical operation of the ratchet mechanism; and a contact that switches the electrical connection between the pair of terminals between conductive and non-conductive in conjunction with the movement of the lever switch from the first position to the second position.

2. The mechanical motion detection device for an elevator governor according to claim 1, wherein the main body is provided with a fixing magnetic body for magnetically attaching it to the elevator governor.

3. A mechanical operation detection device for an elevator governor as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the lever switch comprises an arm having a base end connected to the main body and a protruding tip end, and a contact portion extending from the tip end of the arm in a direction perpendicular to a plane including the direction of movement of the arm, and when mechanical operation of the ratchet mechanism is performed, the lever switch is configured so that the contact portion comes into contact with the ratchet mechanism in the first position and is urged toward the second position.

4. A mechanical motion detection device for an elevator governor as described in claim 1 or claim 2, comprising a positioning part comprising: a first flat portion that contacts a side surface of the elevator governor; and a second flat portion that is perpendicular to the first flat portion and contacts and is fixed to the main body portion.

5. The mechanical motion detection device for an elevator governor according to claim 4, wherein the positioning unit is provided with a position adjustment mechanism that adjusts the relative position of the first flat portion with respect to the elevator governor.

6. The mechanical motion detection device for an elevator governor according to claim 4, wherein the positioning portion further comprises a positioning magnetic body for magnetically attaching the first flat portion to a side surface of the elevator governor.

7. An elevator governor testing device comprising: the mechanical operation detection device according to claim 1; a rotational speed measuring device that measures the rotational speed of a sheave of said elevator governor; and a storage device that stores the rotational speed of said sheave at the time the electrical continuity state of said mechanical operation detection device is switched.

8. A test method for testing the mechanical operation of the elevator governor using the test device described in claim 7, comprising the steps of: installing the mechanical operation detection device in the elevator governor; rotating the sheave of the elevator governor and measuring the rotational speed of the sheave at the time when the electrical continuity state between the pair of terminal portions is switched using the rotational speed measurement device; storing the measured value in the storage device; and evaluating whether the measured value is within a normal range.

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