Elevator control system

Abstract

Provided is an elevator control system capable of improving safety when entering a hoistway through a hall door opened by an external switch. A safety belt mounting portion to which a safety belt is mounted is provided in a hall of an elevator. The elevator control system prohibits external opening of a hall door of the elevator from the hall side when a safety belt is not mounted to the safety belt mounting portion, and permits external opening when a safety belt is mounted to the safety belt mounting portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates generally to elevator control, and in particular to the control of external access to elevator lobby doors. Background Technology

[0002] Previously, when inspecting the elevator shaft, the operator would open the elevator lobby door from the outside (the lobby side). Typically, this involved inserting a key into a designated keyhole from the lobby side to unlock the door manually. Once the lobby door was opened from the outside, the operator would enter the elevator shaft through it.

[0003] As a technology for preventing roll-off within the elevator shaft, the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. According to Patent Document 1, the safety belt hook is fixed to a hook installed in the lobby waiting area (three-sided frame).

[0004] With metal parts attached, the worker enters the pit. This technology ensures that a safety harness is in place upon entering the pit, potentially preventing accidents where the worker falls into the pit within the elevator shaft.

[0005] Existing technical documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-50047 Summary of the Invention

[0007] However, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, when the elevator hall door is opened by external access, the possibility of incorrect car position setting (e.g., the car stops on a floor above the floor where the elevator hall is located) or the operator's body posture becoming unstable is not taken into account.

[0008] The present invention was made in consideration of the above problems, and its purpose is to improve safety when entering the elevator shaft through an externally open waiting hall door.

[0009] To address the aforementioned issues, in this invention, a safety belt mounting section is located in the elevator lobby. When the safety belt is not installed in the mounting section, the elevator control system prohibits opening the elevator lobby door from the outside; when the safety belt is installed in the mounting section, external opening is permitted.

[0010] According to the present invention, safety can be improved when entering the elevator shaft through an externally open lobby door. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the elevator control system of the first embodiment.

[0012] Figure 2 It is a diagram showing the structure of the entire building, including the elevator control system.

[0013] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing sequence in the first embodiment.

[0014] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the elevator control system of the second embodiment.

[0015] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing sequence in the second embodiment.

[0016] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing the structure of the entire building floor including the elevator control system of the third embodiment.

[0017] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing sequence in the third embodiment.

[0018] Figure 8A This is a diagram showing the seat belt mounting section (before the seat belt hook is installed) according to the fourth embodiment.

[0019] Figure 8B This is a diagram showing the seat belt mounting section (after the seat belt hook is installed) according to the fourth embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0020] In the following description, "interface device" can be one or more communication interface devices. One or more communication interface devices can be one or more of the same type of communication interface device, or two or more of different types of communication interface devices.

[0021] Additionally, in the following description, "memory" refers to more than one storage device, typically a main storage device. At least one storage device in the memory can be either a volatile or non-volatile storage device.

[0022] Additionally, in the following description, "permanent storage device" can refer to one or more permanent storage devices as an example of more than one storage device. Permanent storage devices can typically be non-volatile storage devices (e.g., secondary storage devices), specifically, such as HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), NVME (Non-Volatile Memory Express) drives, or SCM (Storage Class Memory).

[0023] Additionally, in the following description, "storage device" can refer to at least a permanent storage device, which is either a memory or a permanent storage device.

[0024] Additionally, in the following description, "processor" can refer to more than one processor device. At least one processor device can typically be a microprocessor device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), but can also be other types of processor devices such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). At least one processor device can be single-core or multi-core. At least one processor device can be a processor core. At least one processor device can be a broadly defined processor device such as a circuit that is a collection of gate arrays (e.g., FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device), or ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit)) through a hardware description language used for processing.

[0025] Furthermore, in the following description, functions are sometimes referred to as "yyy part," but a function can be implemented by a processor executing more than one computer program, by more than one hardware circuit (e.g., FPGA or ASIC), or by a combination thereof. When a function is implemented by a processor executing a program, the determined processing is performed appropriately using storage devices and / or interface devices, etc., so the function can also be at least a part of the processor. The processing described with the function as the subject can also be processing performed by the processor or a device having the processor. The program can also be installed from a program source. The program source can be, for example, a program distribution computer or a computer-readable storage medium (e.g., a non-transitory storage medium). The description of each function is an example; multiple functions can also be combined into one function, or one function can be divided into multiple functions.

[0026] Hereinafter, several embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0027] [First Implementation Method]

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the elevator control system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] The elevator control system of this embodiment includes a seat belt mounting unit 7 and an external access control unit 9.

[0030] The seat belt mounting section 7 is a component for installing the seat belt and is installed in the elevator lobby. Specifically, for example, the lobby indicator BOX2 installed in the lobby has a button for calling the elevator car and a BOX cover 3 that can be opened and closed. When the BOX cover 3 is opened, the seat belt mounting section 7 (in this embodiment, the seat belt hook 4 is an example of the mounting component for the safety rope 5 of the seat belt) can be visually confirmed. That is, the seat belt mounting section 7 is provided inside the lobby indicator BOX2.

[0031] When the seatbelt hook 4 is not installed on the seatbelt mounting section 7, the external access control section 9 prevents external access. Specifically, for example, a keyhole 10 for inserting a key for external access and a keyhole cover 11 for opening and closing the keyhole 10 are provided in the elevator lobby. In this embodiment, "preventing external access" can mean keeping the keyhole cover 11 closed (keeping it in a closed state (the keyhole cover 11 is locked)).

[0032] With the seatbelt hook 4 installed on the seatbelt mounting part 7, the external opening control part 9 allows external opening. In this embodiment, "allowing external opening" can mean unlocking the keyhole cover 11 and automatically opening the keyhole cover 11 (or unlocking by manually opening the keyhole cover 11).

[0033] Based on the above structure, safety is improved when entering the elevator shaft through the externally openable hall door. The external opening control unit 9 can be a device equipped with an interface device, a storage device, and a processor, or it can be a device that performs the functions of that device.

[0034] The elevator control system also includes a detection unit for detecting the seat belt (in this embodiment, the seat belt hook 4). "The seat belt hook 4 is not installed in the seat belt mounting section 7" means that the detection unit does not detect the seat belt hook 4. "The seat belt hook 4 is installed in the seat belt mounting section 7" means that the detection unit detects the seat belt hook 4. Therefore, whether external access is permitted can be controlled based on whether the seat belt hook 4 is detected as being installed in the seat belt mounting section 7.

[0035] In this embodiment, the detection unit is a proximity sensor on the seatbelt mounting section 7 side, namely, the mounting section proximity sensor 8 (an example of the second communication unit). That is, the mounting section proximity sensor 8 detects the seatbelt hook 4 by conducting near-field wireless communication with the proximity sensor on the seatbelt hook 4, namely, the hook proximity sensor 6 (a proximity sensor on the seatbelt hook 4 side, an example of the first communication unit). This proximity sensor can be a sensor certified using a near-field wireless communication standard such as NFC or FeliCa (registered trademark). Communication via proximity between sensors can be used for detecting the seatbelt hook 4 (detection when the seatbelt hook 4 is installed). Alternatively, infrared transmission and reception can occur between an infrared transmitter (an example of the hook proximity sensor 6) and a receiver (an example of the mounting section proximity sensor 8), which can also be used for detecting the seatbelt hook 4 (detection when the seatbelt hook 4 is installed).

[0036] Additionally, the detection of the seatbelt hook 4 is communicated to the external access control unit 9 via electrical contact signals and electronic data. Upon receiving such signals and data, the external access control unit 9 unlocks the keyhole cover 11 that locks the keyhole 10.

[0037] Figure 2 It is a diagram showing the structure of the entire building, including the elevator control system.

[0038] The seat belt mounting unit 7 and the mounting unit proximity sensor 8 are installed on each floor. The external access control unit 9 is common to multiple floors, but it can also be installed on each floor individually.

[0039] The building 102 can be roughly divided into the building waiting hall side 103 and the elevator shaft 104. The elevator shaft 104 includes the elevator car 105, the pit 106, and the elevator control panel 108.

[0040] After the elevator hall door 1 is opened to the outside, typically, the operator rides in the car 105 when entering the elevator shaft 104 from the elevator hall door 1b or 1c outside the lowest floor, and enters the pit 106 of the elevator shaft 104 when entering the elevator shaft 104 from the elevator hall door 1a of the lowest floor.

[0041] Additionally, the car 105 is equipped with a car stop switch 107. The car stop switch 107 is an example of a lifting stop unit activated to stop the car's ascent and descent. When boarding the car 105, to confirm whether the car 105 is a suitable position for boarding or a position lower than the boarding floor to avoid falling, the operator activates the car stop switch 107 before boarding the car 105. The input signal of the car stop switch 107 is then input to the elevator control panel 108. In response to this input signal, the elevator control panel 108 notifies the external access control unit 9 of the activation of the car stop switch 107. Based on the removal of the seatbelt hook 4 and the absence of notification from the car stop switch 107, the external access control unit 9 issues an alarm via the elevator control panel 108; specifically, for example, it controls the operation of the alarm device 109 for seatbelt removal.

[0042] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing sequence in the first embodiment.

[0043] Want to move a certain floor (in Figure 3 For workers whose elevator lobby door 1 (referred to as the "target floor" in the description) is open to the outside, the worker unlocks the BOX cover 3 of the target floor (step S1) and installs the safety belt hook 4 onto the safety belt mounting part 7 (step S2). Additionally, to prevent damage caused by wear and tear on the elevator lobby indicator BOX 2 due to the safety belt hook 4, it is preferable to protect the contact part of the safety belt hook 4 with a piece of waste cloth or similar material.

[0044] The external access control unit 9 is connected to the mounting unit proximity sensor 8. When communication (transmission / reception) is established between the hook proximity sensor 6 and the mounting unit proximity sensor 8, and the external access control unit 9 receives a signal output from the mounting unit proximity sensor 8 (e.g., including the floor number of the target floor), it determines that the seatbelt hook 4 is installed in the seatbelt mounting unit 7 (step S3: Yes). In this case, the external access control unit 9 unlocks the keyhole cover 11 of the target floor (step S4). Furthermore, if the installation of the seatbelt hook 4 cannot be detected for the target floor (step S3: No), the external access control unit 9 does not unlock the keyhole cover 11 of the target floor until the installation of the seatbelt hook 4 can be detected for the target floor.

[0045] After the operator inserts the key into the keyhole 10 to unlock the door, they manually open the elevator lobby door 1 (step S5). When the elevator lobby door 1 of the target floor is opened, a signal indicating that the elevator lobby door 1 of the target floor is open is input to the external opening control unit 9. In this case, the external opening control unit 9 determines whether the target floor is the lowest floor (step S6).

[0046] If the target floor is a floor other than the lowest floor (step S6: No), the external access control unit 9 can instruct the operator to activate the car stop switch 107. Regardless of whether there is such an instruction, the operator activates the car stop switch 107 when the position of the car 105 is suitable for boarding (step S7). The signal indicating that the car stop switch 107 is activated is notified to the external access control unit 9 via the elevator control panel 108. As a result, the external access control unit 9 detects the activation of the car stop switch 107 (step S8).

[0047] If the activation of the car stop switch 107 is not detected (step 8: No), in other words, from the detection of the opening of the waiting hall door 1 in step S5 until the detection of the activation of the car stop switch 107, the external opening control unit 9 uses the alarm device 109 to urge the activation of the car stop switch 107 and / or maintains the lock by not removing the seat belt hook 4 from the mechanism that locks the seat belt hook 4 on the seat belt mounting part 7 (step S9). This prevents the operator from removing the seat belt hook 4 and entering the elevator shaft 104 even if the car 105 is not in a suitable position for boarding.

[0048] After step S7, the operator removes the seat belt hook 4 from the seat belt mounting part 7 (step S10) and gets into the car 5 (step S11).

[0049] Furthermore, if the target floor is the lowest floor (step S6: Yes), as part of the pit entry operation, the worker activates the pit switch (a predetermined switch installed in the pit) (step S12), removes the safety belt hook 4 from the safety belt mounting part 7 (step S13), and enters the pit (step S14). Additionally, considering that the length of the safety rope 5 may be limited due to the different building structures, the pit switch can also be activated after removing the safety belt hook 4 (step S13) (step S12).

[0050] [Second Implementation]

[0051] The second embodiment will be described. Here, we will mainly explain the differences from the first embodiment, and omit or simplify the explanation of the commonalities with the first embodiment (this is also the case for the third and fourth embodiments).

[0052] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the elevator control system of the second embodiment.

[0053] The external access control unit 9 determines the operator performing maintenance work and / or the start time of the maintenance work. In addition to detecting whether the safety belt hook 4 is installed in the safety belt mounting unit 7, the external access control unit 9 allows external access if the determined operator and / or start time matches the work information 112 indicating a scheduled time period for the operator and / or maintenance work. This prevents unscheduled external access, such as preventing external personnel (those other than the operator) from accessing the external access at unscheduled times.

[0054] The second embodiment will now be described in detail.

[0055] In the above-described embodiments, as long as there is a hook proximity sensor 6 capable of detecting the installation of the seatbelt hook 4, anyone can open the external access at any time.

[0056] Therefore, in this embodiment, external access is prevented by unauthorized operators or at unauthorized times.

[0057] Specifically, the external access control unit 9 of the elevator control system refers to the operation information 112. The operation information 112 is stored in the external access control unit 9 or in an external storage device. The operation information 112 represents the operator of the scheduled maintenance operation (e.g., the operator's ID, the authentication ID of the hook proximity sensor 6 held by the operator) or the time period.

[0058] External access control unit 9 allows external access, for example, if the job information 112 contains information about the operator corresponding to the authentication ID of the hook proximity sensor 6, and / or if the job information 112 contains information about the time period corresponding to the time when the safety belt hook 4 is detected (as an example of the start time of the job).

[0059] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing sequence in the second embodiment.

[0060] When the worker installs the safety belt hook 4 (steps S1 to S3), along with the detection result of the safety belt hook 4, the external access control unit 9 is notified of the authentication ID (an example of the worker ID) obtained from the hook proximity sensor 6. The external access control unit 9 then determines whether the information of the worker corresponding to the authentication ID is in the work information 112 (step S21).

[0061] If the determination result in step S21 is "true" (step S21: Yes), the external access control unit 9 allows external access. Therefore, similar to the first embodiment, boarding the car or entering the pit can be performed (steps S4 to S14).

[0062] If the determination result in step S21 is "false" (step S21: no), considering that it is an operator of an external cooperative company, the external access control unit 9 determines whether the job schedule indicated by job information 112 is suitable for the current date and time (e.g., the inspection date and time of seat belt hook 4) (step S22).

[0063] If the determination result in step S22 is "true" (step S22: yes), even if it is not a registered operator, it is considered to be a related party, so the external access control unit 9 allows external access.

[0064] If the determination result in step S22 is "false" (step S22: no), the external opening control unit 9 continues to lock the keyhole cover 11 (step S23).

[0065] [Third Implementation Method]

[0066] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing the structure of the entire building floor including the elevator control system of the third embodiment.

[0067] There is a first floor with a first waiting hall equipped with a safety belt installation unit and a second floor with a second waiting hall without a safety belt installation unit.

[0068] The external access control department allows external access if an elevator malfunction is detected in the second elevator lobby and the car stops at a floor in the second elevator lobby.

[0069] Therefore, it is not necessary to install seat belt installation units 7 in the elevator lobby on all floors, and the number of components can be reduced as a whole. Furthermore, for elevator lobby (floors) without seat belt installation units 7, external access is only permitted in the event of a predetermined elevator malfunction, so improved safety can also be expected when the elevator lobby is open to the outside.

[0070] The third embodiment will now be described in detail.

[0071] In the above embodiment, safety belt installation units are provided on all floors of building 102. However, if it is determined that no work is carried out on the elevator car, the keyhole cover 11 of that floor can always be locked. However, in this case, if a predetermined malfunction occurs in the elevator (in the event of an emergency malfunction), it is considered necessary to allow the outside of the elevator hall door 1 to be open.

[0072] Therefore, the keyhole cover 11 only unlocks the elevator in the event of a predetermined malfunction (in other words, in an emergency).

[0073] Specifically, since there is a waiting hall (floor) without a seat belt installation section, the number of parts can be reduced. However, on the other hand, in the event of a predetermined malfunction (emergency), it is necessary to unlock the keyhole cover 11.

[0074] For example, the elevator shaft 104 is equipped with a monitoring unit 121 connected to the elevator control panel 108. The monitoring unit 121 monitors the status of the elevator and, if a fault is detected, notifies the external control unit 9 of the fault information indicating the detected fault.

[0075] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing sequence in the third embodiment.

[0076] When the floor to which external access is being performed is a floor with a safety belt installation unit (step S31: Yes), the external access control unit 9 performs steps S1 to S14.

[0077] On the other hand, if the floor to which external access is being granted is a floor without a safety belt installation unit (step S31: No), and the fault detected by the monitoring unit 121 is a predetermined fault (step S32: Yes), the external access control unit 9 unlocks the keyhole cover 11. Thus, workers and emergency responders can open the elevator hall door 1 to the outside and perform work on the elevator car or in the pit (step S33).

[0078] In addition, for floors without seat belt installation units, in order to prevent unnecessary external opening of the elevator hall door 1 before a predetermined malfunction occurs, the external opening control unit 9 continues to lock the keyhole cover 11 (step S34).

[0079] [Fourth Implementation Method]

[0080] Figure 8A This is a diagram showing the seat belt mounting section (before the seat belt hook is installed) according to the fourth embodiment. Figure 8B This is a diagram showing the seat belt mounting section (after the seat belt hook is installed) according to the fourth embodiment.

[0081] The elevator lobby indicator box 131 includes a switch 132 with a metal part for seat belt mounting. The switch 132 with the metal part for seat belt mounting is a specific example of the seat belt mounting part in the fourth embodiment.

[0082] When installing the seat belt hook 4 onto the switch 132 with the seat belt mounting metal part, such as Figure 8A and Figure 8BAs shown, due to the weight of the seatbelt hook 4, the switch 132 with the seatbelt mounting metal part is turned on (specifically, due to the weight of the seatbelt hook 4, the mounting metal part descends). When the turn-on signal of switch 132 is input to the external access control unit 9, the external access control unit 9 detects that the seatbelt hook 4 is installed.

[0083] The above descriptions of several embodiments are merely illustrative examples of the invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these embodiments. The invention can also be implemented in various other ways. That is, a structural portion can be replaced with another structure, or another structure can be added to a structural portion.

[0084] For example, the external access control unit 9 and the monitoring unit 121 can be the same device.

[0085] Alternatively, for example, the monitoring unit 121 may also have a remote monitoring function, be remotely connected to the monitoring center, and have operation information 112 in the monitoring center.

[0086] Additionally, for example, the number of floors is not limited to 3.

[0087] Alternatively, for example, the external access control unit 9 could be a connecting component (e.g., a cable) that physically connects the seatbelt mounting section with a mechanical switch to the keyhole cover 11. The position of this mechanical switch changes according to its weight when the seatbelt hook 4 is installed. In this case, if the switch position changes due to the seatbelt hook 4 being installed on the seatbelt mounting section, the connecting component is pulled by the change in switch position, thereby unlocking the keyhole cover 11. That is, when the seatbelt hook 4 is installed on the seatbelt mounting section, external access can be mechanically permitted (the keyhole cover 11 can be unlocked).

[0088] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0089] 1. Elevator hall door, 4. Safety belt hook, 7. Safety belt installation unit, 9. External access control unit.

Claims

1. An elevator control system, characterized in that, have: The safety belt installation unit, which is the component for installing safety belts, is located in the elevator lobby; and An external opening control unit prohibits opening of the elevator lobby door from the lobby side when the safety belt is not installed at the safety belt mounting point, and allows external opening when the safety belt is installed at the safety belt mounting point. The external access control unit performs the following controls: Determine the operator responsible for the maintenance work and / or the start time of the maintenance work; and Except where the safety belt is installed at the safety belt mounting section, the external access is permitted if the determined operator and / or start time matches the work information indicating a predetermined time period for the operator and / or maintenance work.

2. The elevator control system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The elevator control system also includes a detection unit for detecting the seat belt. The situation where the seat belt is not installed at the seat belt mounting part refers to the situation where the detection part does not detect the seat belt. The situation where the seat belt is installed in the seat belt mounting part means that the seat belt is detected by the detection part.

3. The elevator control system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The detection unit is either a second communication unit that performs short-range wireless communication with a first communication unit provided on the seat belt, or a switch that is activated when the seat belt is installed on the seat belt mounting unit. The situation where the detection unit does not detect the seat belt refers to a situation where the detection unit does not conduct close-range wireless communication with the seat belt, or a situation where the switch is in an inactive state. The detection of the seat belt by the detection unit refers to the situation where the detection unit has conducted close-range wireless communication with the seat belt, or the situation where the switch is in operation.

4. The elevator control system according to claim 1, characterized in that, A lifting stop unit, used to stop the elevator car from moving up or down, is installed in the elevator car. The external access control unit issues an alarm during the period from when the external access is permitted until the lifting stop unit is activated, so as not to remove the seat belt from the seat belt mounting part and / or to maintain the seat belt in the seat belt mounting part.

5. The elevator control system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The elevator control system includes: a first floor having a first waiting hall equipped with the seat belt installation unit; and a second floor having a second waiting hall without the seat belt installation unit. The external access control unit allows external access in the event that a predetermined fault of the elevator is detected in the second elevator lobby.

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