Occupancy area detection system, occupancy area detection method, and elevator system

Abstract

Provided are: a distance sensor provided on a ceiling side in a car and capable of measuring a distance to a load in the car; and an effective area setting section that calculates an effective area in which the load can be loaded in a state in which there is no load in the car. Further, provided are: a sensor information extraction section that extracts an installation position coordinate of the distance sensor and calculates a data acquisition range of the distance sensor corresponding to the effective area with reference to the installation position coordinate. Further, provided are: an occupied area detection section that calculates an occupied area of the load located in the effective area based on distance data detected in the distance sensor and the data acquisition range.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an area detection system, an area detection method, and an elevator system for detecting the occupancy of the empty space or the space occupied by passengers and cargo inside an elevator car. Background Technology

[0002] In the past, elevator control systems have disclosed a structure in which a weight detection unit (load detection device) installed in the car detects the load in the car and calculates the passenger load rate based on the load (Patent Document 1). In Patent Document 1, the passenger load rate of the car can be easily displayed by making the lighting state of the display device correspond to the phased changes in the load of the car.

[0003] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses an invention related to an elevator system having a group management device for controlling multiple elevators as a group, providing more efficient operation services to users. In Patent Document 2, the service elevator is configured such that an elevator whose load value detected by a load detection device among the multiple elevators is below a given threshold is determined to have available space, and the elevator is stopped at the destination floor.

[0004] Existing technical documents

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: JP 2021-98577

[0007] Patent Document 2: JP 2018-167921 Summary of the Invention

[0008] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0009] However, in elevator systems, when a load detection device measures the load on the car and determines whether there is available space based on the result, the perceived available space based on the load value sometimes differs from the actual available space. For example, when a large but light load occupies space inside the car, even if there is actually little available space, the load value may sometimes be used to determine if there is available space.

[0010] As a result, for example, in elevator group management systems, when calculating available space based on load values, there are instances where cars with no actual available space stop at a given lobby floor. Furthermore, in structures displaying car occupancy rates, there are also instances where incorrect information is displayed.

[0011] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide an occupancy detection system, an occupancy detection method, and an elevator system that can more accurately detect the status of the free space in the elevator car, or the space occupied by passengers or cargo.

[0012] Methods for solving problems

[0013] To address the aforementioned issues and achieve the objectives of this invention, the occupancy area detection system of this invention includes: a distance sensor installed on the ceiling side inside the car, capable of measuring the distance to the load inside the car; an effective area setting unit that calculates the effective area inside the car; and a sensor information extraction unit that extracts the installation position coordinates of the distance sensor and calculates the data acquisition range of the distance sensor corresponding to the effective area based on the installation position coordinates; and an occupancy area detection unit that calculates the occupancy area of ​​the load located within the effective area based on the distance data detected by the distance sensor and the data acquisition range.

[0014] In the area occupancy detection method of the present invention, an effective area capable of loading cargo is calculated, and the installation position coordinates of a distance sensor installed on the ceiling side inside the car and capable of measuring the distance to the cargo inside the car are extracted. Then, the data acquisition range of the distance sensor corresponding to the effective area is calculated based on the installation position coordinates, and the area occupied by the cargo located within the effective area is calculated based on the distance data detected by the distance sensor and the data acquisition range.

[0015] The elevator system of the present invention includes: an elevator that moves the car up and down; and the above-mentioned occupancy detection system.

[0016] The effects of the invention

[0017] According to the present invention, the availability of space in the car, or the space occupied by passengers or cargo, can be detected more accurately. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of an elevator system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a rough structural diagram of car 2 viewed from the inside.

[0020] Figure 3 This is a rough structural diagram of the car 2 when viewed from above.

[0021] Figure 4 This is a flowchart describing the method for setting the data acquisition range of the distance sensor 3 installed in the car 2.

[0022] Figure 5 It means Figure 4The process of extracting the effective region 40 in step S1.

[0023] Figure 6 This is a flowchart of the method for extracting the data acquisition range of distance sensor 3.

[0024] Figure 7 This describes the process of setting the distance data acquisition method for the distance sensor 3 in the sensor information acquisition unit 24.

[0025] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram showing how the information obtained through steps S33 and S34 is reflected in the distance data detected by the distance sensor 3.

[0026] Figure 9 This describes the process of calculating the occupied area in the occupied area detection unit 25.

[0027] Figure 10 A schematic diagram showing the appearance of distance data acquired by distance sensor 3.

[0028] Figure 11 This is a flowchart illustrating the elevator allocation calculation processing method in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 12 It is a process of determining whether the assigned elevator is full and issuing a pass order if it cannot provide service. Detailed Implementation

[0030] Hereinafter, an example of an occupancy area detection system, occupancy area detection method, and elevator system according to embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following examples. In the figures described below, common components are labeled with the same reference numerals.

[0031] <Structure of Elevator System>

[0032] First, an elevator system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of an elevator system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as this embodiment). Furthermore, the elevator system 100 of this embodiment includes the occupancy area detection system of the present invention. Figure 1 The elevator system 100 shown can be an occupancy area detection system; additionally, it can... Figure 1 An area detection system is incorporated into a portion of the elevator system 100 shown.

[0033] like Figure 1As shown, the elevator system 100 of this embodiment includes an elevator 1, an elevator operation management unit 11, an elevator control unit 10, an in-car camera control unit 18, and a distance sensor control unit 19. Furthermore, the elevator system 100 is composed of a host computer 14, a statistical database (DB) 12, and a maintenance database (DB) 13 connected via a communication relay unit 17 and a communication network 16.

[0034] [elevator]

[0035] Elevator 1 moves up and down within a lift channel (not shown) formed within a building structure. Elevator 1 includes: a car 2 for carrying people and goods (hereinafter referred to as cargo); a main hoist 35; a counterweight 33; and a traction machine 34. The traction machine 34 is wound around the main hoist 35 and moves the car 2 up and down under the control of the lift control unit 21 of the elevator control unit 10 (described later). Furthermore, the car 2 is connected to the counterweight 33 via the main hoist 35 and moves up and down within the lift channel.

[0036] exist Figure 2 The diagram shows a schematic structural view of the car 2 as seen from the inside. Furthermore, in... Figure 3 A schematic structural diagram of the car 2 as seen from above is shown. Figure 3 In the illustration, passengers P1, P2, P3 and cargo B are shown as examples of the cargo. Furthermore, in the car 2, the depth direction of the car 2 is shown as the Y direction, the height direction of the car 2 is shown as the Z direction, and the direction perpendicular to the Y and Z directions is shown as the X direction.

[0037] like Figure 2 As shown, the car 2 includes: a car floor 2a; side walls 2b erected around the car floor 2a; and a ceiling 2c located opposite the car floor 2a across the car compartment. The space enclosed by the car floor 2a, side walls 2b, and ceiling 2c forms the car compartment capable of accommodating cargo. Furthermore, a car door 31 is provided within the car-side three-sided frame of the side wall 2b on the hall side. When the car 2 stops at each floor, the car door 31 is positioned corresponding to the hall door (not shown) on the floor side. The car door 31 and the hall door are opened and closed under the control of the door opening and closing control unit 22, described later.

[0038] A destination floor registration button for users to register their destination floor and an input / output device 28 for displaying the registered destination floor and the current location of the car 2 are provided on the side wall 2b near the car door 31.

[0039] In addition, a handrail 30 is provided on the side wall 2b of the car 2 to assist passengers in moving. The handrail 30 is made of a rod-shaped component and is installed at a position away from the side wall 2b to a degree that passengers can grip.

[0040] Furthermore, an in-car camera 4 is installed on the ceiling 2c side of the elevator car 1. Figure 1 The in-car camera 4, for example for surveillance purposes, consists of an image sensor capable of capturing images inside the car 2. The in-car camera 4 captures images of the car 2 under the control of the in-car camera control unit 18, described later.

[0041] like Figure 2 As shown, the distance sensor 3 is positioned on the ceiling 2c side at a given distance from the side wall 2b, and is positioned higher in the vertical direction than the lighting fixture (not shown) located on the ceiling 2c. The distance sensor 3 is a sensor that detects the distance to the loads P1, P2, P3, and B inside the car 2. The distance sensor 3 can be, for example, a ToF (Time of Flight) sensor or a millimeter-wave sensor. A ToF sensor is a sensor that modulates and radiates light of a specific wavelength, receives and processes the light reflected from the load, thereby measuring the distance to the load. When using a ToF sensor as a distance sensor, a separate lamp is required to illuminate the load with the specific wavelength of light.

[0042] A millimeter-wave sensor is a sensor that modulates and transmits radio waves of a specific frequency, receives and processes reflected waves generated when the transmitted waves collide with a load, thereby measuring the distance to the load. In this embodiment, since the distance sensor 3 is positioned higher in the vertical direction than the lighting fixture, it is preferably constructed as a millimeter-wave sensor.

[0043] The various components constituting the elevator 1 described above are appropriately connected to the elevator operation management unit 11, the elevator control unit 10, the in-car camera control unit 18, and the distance sensor control unit 19, and are respectively controlled. Furthermore, in Figure 1 In the illustration, only one elevator 1 is shown. However, in the elevator system 100 of this embodiment, there are multiple elevators, numbered 1 to N, which are managed and controlled by the elevator operation management unit 11. In this case, the elevator control unit 10, the in-car camera control unit 18, and the distance sensor control unit 19 are set up for each elevator 1 and control each elevator 1. On the other hand, the elevator operation management unit 11 performs group management of all elevators 1.

[0044] [Elevator Control Department]

[0045] The elevator control unit 10 includes, for example, a lifting control unit 21, a door opening and closing control unit 22, and a distance sensor setting unit 23. The lifting control unit 21 controls the traction machine 34 (main unit) that carries the car 2. As described above, a main sling 35 is wound around the traction machine 34, with the car 2, which carries people or goods, connected to one end and a counterweight 33 connected to the other end. In this embodiment, under the control of the lifting control unit 21, the traction machine 34 operates, and the car 2 moves up and down in the elevator shaft. Thus, in the elevator system 100, the services related to the lifting and lowering movement of the elevator 1 are provided to people and goods riding in the car 2.

[0046] When the car 2 arrives at the floor of a given hallway, the door opening and closing control unit 22 outputs instructions to the door drive control unit (not shown) that drives and controls the opening and closing of the car door 31 and the hallway door (not shown).

[0047] The distance sensor setting unit 23 sets the timing for distance sensor 3 to acquire distance data and sends this information to the sensor information acquisition unit 24 of the distance sensor control unit 19. The distance sensor setting unit 23 generates the acquisition timing for distance data from the distance sensor 3 based on preset information such as the timing of the car door 31 closing and the start of the car 2's lifting / lowering. Then, the distance sensor setting unit 23 sends information related to the generated distance data acquisition timing to the sensor information acquisition unit 24. Furthermore, the distance sensor setting unit 23 maintains the initial settings for the data acquisition range and resolution of the distance data from the distance sensor 3.

[0048] [Elevator Operation and Management Department]

[0049] The elevator operation management unit 11 includes a dispatch calculation processing unit 20. Based on information about the occupancy or free space of the car 2 calculated in the occupancy area detection unit 25 (described later), the dispatch calculation processing unit 20 determines the elevator number of the elevator 1 to stop at the hallway floor where a hallway call request has been received. The dispatch method in the dispatch calculation processing unit 20 will be described in detail later.

[0050] [In-car camera control unit]

[0051] The in-car camera control unit 18 drives and controls the in-car camera 4 under the control of the elevator control unit 10. Images acquired by the in-car camera 4 are stored, for example, in a storage unit (not shown) provided in the in-car camera control unit 18. Alternatively, the images acquired by the in-car camera 4 can be stored in a configuration that transmits data via communication path 190, communication relay unit 17, communication network 16, and host computer 14 to a statistics DB12 and / or maintenance DB13. Furthermore, the in-car camera 4 can continuously record images, and it can also record images when a load is detected. Various modifications can be made to the recording timing of the in-car camera 4.

[0052] [Distance Sensor Control Unit]

[0053] The distance sensor control unit 19 includes a sensor information acquisition unit 24 and an occupancy area detection unit 25. The sensor information acquisition unit 24 acquires distance data detected by the distance sensor 3 at a given timing (hereinafter referred to as the distance data acquisition timing) sent from the distance sensor setting unit 23 (described later). This given distance data acquisition timing may be, for example, the timing of the car door 31 closing, or the timing of the car 2 starting its lifting / lowering motion. The sensor information acquisition unit 24 acquires distance information corresponding to the distance data acquisition timing by receiving a signal related to this distance data acquisition timing from the elevator control unit 10. Furthermore, in Figure 3 In the case of the structure, it is set up so that the distance data obtained from the distance sensor 3 is processed in the distance sensor control unit 19 via the communication path 190, but the structure is not limited to this. For example, it is also possible to add the function of the distance sensor control unit 19 to the distance sensor 3 and exchange the processed data with the elevator control unit 10 via the communication path 190.

[0054] The occupancy area detection unit 25 calculates the occupancy area of ​​the cargo inside the car 2 based on distance data obtained from distance sensor 3 and sensor information obtained from sensor information acquisition unit 24 (described later). The method for calculating the occupancy area in the occupancy area detection unit 25 will be described in detail later.

[0055] [Main Computer]

[0056] The main computer 14 is a computer connected to the communication path 190 that connects the elevator 1, the in-car camera control unit 18, the distance sensor control unit 19, the elevator control unit 10, and the elevator operation management unit 11 via a communication relay unit 17 and a communication network 16. The main computer 14 includes an effective area setting unit 15 and a sensor information extraction unit 26.

[0057] The effective area setting unit 15, located inside the car 2, sets a measurement range (hereinafter referred to as the effective area 40) that is detected by the distance sensor 3 within the space where people, goods, or other loaded items can travel. The effective area setting unit 15 retrieves information about the car 2 stored in the maintenance DB13 and sets the effective area 40 based on this information. The method for setting the effective area 40 in the effective area setting unit 15 will be described in detail later.

[0058] The sensor information extraction unit 26 extracts the resolution of the distance sensor 3 from the information stored in the maintenance DB13. Furthermore, the sensor information extraction unit 26 extracts the data acquisition range of the distance sensor 3 from the installation position coordinates of the distance sensor 3 and the effective area 40 set in the effective area setting unit 15. The method for extracting the data acquisition range of the distance sensor 3 will be described in detail later.

[0059] [Repair DB]

[0060] Maintenance DB13 is a database that stores information related to the identification number, model, and specifications of the constituent equipment of all elevators 1 that are to be maintained. In this embodiment, the design drawings and 3D information of the car 2 stored in Maintenance DB13, as well as the resolution and installation position coordinates of the distance sensor 3 installed on the car 2, are used.

[0061] [Statistics DB]

[0062] The DB12 system accumulates various statistics related to the number of passengers in all elevators 1 under maintenance, statistics related to the floors where the elevators stop, and statistics related to the nature of the malfunctions. In this embodiment, the statistics calculated in the occupancy area detection unit 25 and related to the occupancy area are updated and stored continuously.

[0063] <Methods for measuring occupied area>

[0064] The area occupancy detection method in this embodiment is explained. First, when detecting the area occupancy of the load inside the car 2, the detection range (hereinafter referred to as the data acquisition range) of the distance sensor 3 installed in the car 2 is set. Figure 4 This is a flowchart describing the method for setting the data acquisition range of the distance sensor 3 installed in the car 2.

[0065] First, in the main computer 14, the design drawing of the car 2 stored in the maintenance DB13 and its 3D information are input into the effective area setting unit 15 (step S1). The effective area setting unit 15 uses the input 3D design drawing information to extract the effective area 40 of the car 2 and the area of ​​the effective area 40 (hereinafter referred to as the effective area) (step S2). Figure 3As shown, the effective area 40 is the range from the side wall 2b and the car door 31 at a given distance, excluding obstacles such as handrails 30 that are pre-installed within the car 2. That is, the effective area 40 within the car 2 is set as the range within which the intended load is to be loaded. Details related to the setting method of the effective area 40 and the effective area will be described later. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the design drawing and its 3D information are used as input information, but this is not a limitation; a structure could also be configured that collaborates with data that digitizes the design information and uses the resulting setting information as input information.

[0066] Next, the sensor information extraction unit 26 extracts the data acquisition range corresponding to the effective area 40 from the effective area 40 set in the effective area setting unit 15 and the installation position coordinates of the distance sensor 3 received from the maintenance DB13 (step S3). The data acquisition range is the range of distance sensor 3 that corresponds to the effective area 40 set based on the installation position coordinates of the distance sensor 3. By extracting the data acquisition range, a correlation can be established between the data acquisition range of the distance sensor 3 and the effective area 40. The method for extracting the data acquisition range will be described in detail later.

[0067] Furthermore, in step S3, the sensor information extraction unit 26 extracts information related to the resolution of the distance sensor 3 from the maintenance DB13.

[0068] Then, the information on the effective area 40, data acquisition range and resolution extracted in steps S2 and S3 is fed back to the maintenance DB13, and the setting information of the distance sensor 3 is updated in the maintenance DB13.

[0069] Figure 4 The extraction of the effective area 40, the data acquisition range of the distance sensor 3, and the resolution shown in the process flow can be performed in the main computer 14 based on the information stored in the maintenance DB13. Therefore, this information can be extracted in advance before the elevator 1 leaves the factory. The extraction of the effective area 40, the data acquisition range, and the resolution can be set to be performed automatically at the time when the information of the car 2 is stored in the maintenance DB13. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a structure utilizing the maintenance DB is used, but it can also be a structure that collaborates with a design DB storing design drawings.

[0070] In addition, information related to the effective area 40, data acquisition range, and resolution is updated in real time when the specifications of the elevator car 2 of elevator 1 change, or when the installation position coordinates of the distance sensor 3 change.

[0071] Figure 5 It means Figure 4The process of extracting the effective area 40 in step S1 is as follows: First, the effective area setting unit 15 sets thresholds in the horizontal direction of the car 2, i.e., the X and Y directions, for the starting position of distance data acquisition from the side wall 2b containing the car door 31 to the distance sensor 3. The thresholds from the side wall 2b to the starting position of distance data acquisition are values ​​set in the distance sensor 3 to prevent the side wall 2b from being detected as a load, and are determined based on the assumed position of the actual load. These thresholds are predetermined and stored in the maintenance DB13. In the effective area setting unit 15, the threshold information in the X and Y directions is extracted from the maintenance DB13.

[0072] Next, the effective area setting unit 15 extracts obstacles 30, such as handrails, that exist inside the side wall 2b from the design drawing information stored in the maintenance DB13 (step S12).

[0073] Then, the effective area setting unit 15 extracts the effective size Xed in the X direction, the effective size Yed in the Y direction, and the effective area 40 from the threshold set in step S11 for the starting position of distance data acquisition from the side wall 2b, and the obstacle information extracted in step S12 (step S13). In step S13, the effective area in the effective area 40 is also calculated based on the values ​​of the effective size Xed and Yed. The effective area 40 and the effective area of ​​the effective area 40 are extracted as described above.

[0074] Next, use Figure 6 To illustrate the extraction of the data acquisition range of distance sensor 3 (equivalent to...) Figure 4 Step S3). Figure 6 This is a flowchart of the method for extracting the data acquisition range of distance sensor 3.

[0075] First, the sensor information extraction unit 26 extracts the installation position coordinates (Xs, Ys) of the distance sensor 3 in the XY plane from the information stored in the maintenance DB13 (step S21). The installation position coordinates of the distance sensor 3 refer to the coordinates of the center position of the distance sensor 3 installed on the ceiling 2c of the car 2 in the XY plane.

[0076] Next, the sensor information extraction unit 26 compares the installation position coordinates (Xs, Ys) of the distance sensor 3 with the effective area 40, and extracts the data acquisition range of the distance data obtained from the distance sensor 3 based on the installation coordinate position (Xs, Ys) of the distance sensor 3 (step S22). When the installation coordinate position (Xs, Ys) of the distance sensor 3 is set to (0, 0), the data acquisition range in the X direction is set as follows. Figure 3 The range shown is from -X1 (mm) to +X2 (mm). Furthermore, the data acquisition range in the Y direction is set to... Figure 3The range shown is from -Y1 (mm) to +Y2 (mm).

[0077] Next, the sensor information extraction unit 26 extracts the mounting height Zs of the distance sensor 3 in the Z direction from the information stored in the maintenance DB13 (step S23). The mounting height Zs of the distance sensor 3 in the Z direction is the height from the floor of the car 2 to the mounting position of the distance sensor 3.

[0078] Next, the sensor information extraction unit 26 sets a threshold value in the height direction of the Z direction based on the information accumulated in the maintenance DB13. This threshold value in the Z direction is a value set to determine the effective dimension in the Z direction, and is set on both the ceiling 2c side and the floor 2a side. The threshold value set on the ceiling 2c side is a value set to prevent the distance sensor 3 from detecting a lighting panel located lower than the distance sensor 3 in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the threshold value set on the floor 2a side is a value set to prevent the distance sensor 3 from detecting low platforms or other loads that do not affect the occupied area, such as those used for passenger access. By setting the threshold value, the dimension from the position on the floor 2a that is a threshold amount away from the floor 2a to the position on the lighting panel that is a threshold amount away from the floor 2a becomes the effective dimension Zed in the Z direction.

[0079] Next, the sensor information extraction unit 26 compares the mounting position coordinates Zs and the effective size Zed of the distance sensor 3 in the Z direction, and extracts the data acquisition range in the Z direction based on the mounting coordinate position Zs in the height direction of the distance sensor 3. When the mounting position coordinates Zs in the height direction of the distance sensor 3 are set to 0, the data acquisition range in the Z direction of the distance sensor 3 is from... Figure 3 The range shown is from MAX+Z1 (mm) to MIN+Z2 (mm).

[0080] As described above, the data acquisition range corresponding to the effective area 40 in the distance sensor 3 is extracted in the X, Y, and Z directions. Furthermore, this effective area 40 can be a structure set at the factory by connecting with the maintenance DB13, or it can be a structure set locally when installing the sensor. Furthermore, by cooperating with the maintenance DB13, even if the installation position is modified, the effective area can be automatically set as long as it reflects the original design data from the factory. In the aforementioned ToF sensors and millimeter-wave sensors, suppressing beams emitted towards unwanted areas, electromagnetic wave emission, and setting thresholds for areas considering reflection are important. Therefore, it is important to pre-set the effective area and perform corresponding processing for that area, rather than using the area set from the data obtained from the sensor.

[0081] Next, the sensor information setting method in the sensor information acquisition unit 24 of the distance sensor control unit 19 will be explained. Figure 7 This describes the process of setting the distance data acquisition method for the distance sensor 3 in the sensor information acquisition unit 24.

[0082] First, the sensor information acquisition unit 24 determines whether it can normally receive information (data) related to the setting of the distance sensor 3 from the sensor information extraction unit 26 (step S31). Here, the data sent from the sensor information extraction unit 26 to the sensor information acquisition unit 24 is the data acquisition range in the X, Y, and Z directions, and the resolution of the distance sensor 3 in the XY plane.

[0083] In step S31, if the determination is "no," that is, if it is determined that data cannot be received normally, the initial setting value related to the distance sensor 3, which is pre-stored in the distance sensor setting unit 23 of the elevator control unit 10, is retrieved (step S32). This initial setting value is related to... Figure 6 Similarly, the data obtained from distance sensor 3 is used to obtain the initial values ​​of range and resolution.

[0084] On the other hand, in step S31, if the determination is "yes", that is, if it is determined that data can be received normally, the sensor information acquisition unit 24 sets the data acquisition range (X direction, Y direction, Z direction) of the distance data detected by the distance sensor 3. The data acquisition range of the distance data is -X1 (mm) to +X2 (mm) in the X direction, -Y1 (mm) to +Y2 (mm) in the Y direction, and MIN+Z1 (mm) to MAX+Z2 (mm) in the Z direction.

[0085] Next, the sensor information acquisition unit 24 acquires the resolution of the distance sensor 3 extracted by the sensor information extraction unit 26 (step S34). Figure 8 This diagram illustrates how the information obtained through steps S33 and S34 is reflected in the distance data detected by distance sensor 3. Figure 8 In the middle, to and Figure 3 The corresponding parts are labeled with the same reference numerals as those in the attached diagram, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0086] like Figure 8 As shown, the data acquisition range of the distance sensor 3 acquired by the sensor information acquisition unit 24 is the same as that of the effective area 40. Furthermore, by setting the resolution, the distance data within the effective area 40 in the XY plane is divided into given unit areas 41. In this embodiment, the presence or absence of a load is determined based on each unit area 41 divided within the effective area 40, and the occupied area is calculated. The method for calculating the occupied area will be described below.

[0087] Figure 9This describes the flow chart of the method for calculating the occupancy area in the occupancy area detection unit 25. After the distance sensor 3 acquires distance data at a given time interval, the occupancy area detection unit 25 starts a "resolution cycle," which determines the presence or absence of a loading object by dividing the effective area 40 into each unit area 41 according to the resolution of the distance sensor 3 (step S41). First, distance data in the given unit area 41 is extracted from the distance data detected by the distance sensor 3 (step S42).

[0088] Next, it is determined whether the distance data in unit area 41 is greater than a threshold (step S43). The threshold in step S43 is, for example, a value determined based on the intensity of the reflected light detected by the distance sensor 3. If the intensity of the reflected light is greater than the threshold, it is determined that there is a loaded object; if it is less than the threshold, it is determined that there is no loaded object.

[0089] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the distance data acquired by distance sensor 3. Distance sensor 3 acquires data along the X, Y, and Z axes. The presence or absence of a load is determined based on the values ​​detected along the X and Y axes, and the height of the load is detected based on the value detected along the Z axis.

[0090] like Figure 10 As shown, the portions or all portions of the loads P1, P2, P3, and B within each unit region 41 are represented by regions D1, D2, and D3. Each unit region 41 located within these regions D1, D2, and D3 is determined to be a unit region 41 containing loads during the processing in step S43. Furthermore, in this embodiment, by determining whether the acquired distance data exceeds a given threshold, false detections by the distance sensor 3 can be prevented.

[0091] In step S43, if the determination is "yes", that is, if it is determined that there is a load in unit area 41, the occupancy value is increased by 1 (step S45). Here, the occupancy value is the sum of the unit areas 41 that are determined to have loads. That is, in step S45, if it is determined that there are loads, the number of unit areas 41 is accumulated.

[0092] In step S43, if the determination is "no", that is, if it is determined that there is no loading in unit area 41, the occupancy value is not accumulated. The processing of steps S42 to S44 is performed on all unit areas 41 of the effective area 40. When the determination of the presence or absence of loading in all unit areas 41 of the effective area 40 is completed, the resolution loop ends (step S45).

[0093] After the resolution cycle in steps S41 to S45 is completed, the occupancy area detection unit 25 calculates the occupancy degree based on the accumulated occupancy value (step S46). In calculating the occupancy degree, firstly, the occupancy area is calculated based on the accumulated occupancy value and the area of ​​the unit area. Then, the occupancy degree (%) is calculated by determining the ratio of the occupancy area to the effective area.

[0094] Furthermore, in this embodiment, step S46 is used as an example to calculate the occupancy rate, but it can also be used as a step to calculate the free space. When calculating the free space, the free space can be calculated by calculating the difference between the effective area and the occupied area after calculating the occupied area. This can be achieved by using... Figure 9 The method described herein is to detect the occupied area of ​​the elevator car in all elevators under the management of the Elevator Operation and Management Department 11 at any time.

[0095] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in the allocation calculation processing unit 20, based on Figure 9 The occupancy degree obtained is used to calculate which elevator 1 among multiple elevator numbers should stop at (assigned to) the lobby floor with a lobby call request. Figure 11 This describes the flow chart of the elevator allocation calculation processing method in this embodiment.

[0096] First, at the lobby level, the allocation and processing unit 20 determines whether there is a lobby call request (step S51). A lobby call request is a request generated by a passenger at the lobby level operating the operation unit (not shown) located at the lobby level.

[0097] In step S51, if the determination is "no", that is, if it is determined that there is no lobby call request, the processing in the allocation calculation processing unit 20 ends.

[0098] On the other hand, if the determination in step S is "yes", that is, if it is determined that there is a lobby call request, the allocation calculation processing unit 20 starts the "elevator number cycle" (step S52) to perform allocation determination for each elevator number of elevator 1.

[0099] In the elevator 1 that is the object of the determination, the allocation calculation processing unit 20 determines whether allocation is possible based on the occupancy value calculated by the occupancy detection unit 25. In the determination method of step S53, for example, if the elevator is malfunctioning or undergoing maintenance, allocation is deemed impossible, and a "no" determination is made. In addition, for elevators that are scheduled to pass through the requested lobby floor but are not predicted to descend midway, and are determined to be full, a "no" determination is made. Specifically, if the requested lobby floor is the UP direction of the 3rd floor, and if there is an elevator whose destination floor registration from the 1st floor to the 5th floor has been completed, a descent at the 2nd floor is not predicted. Therefore, in this elevator, if the user rides to the point where it is determined to be full, it is still determined to be full when arriving at the 3rd floor. In addition, this full-occupancy determination can be based on the occupancy value method described later, the full-occupancy determination based on the load, or any determination unit.

[0100] In step S53, if the determination is "no", that is, if the determination is that the elevator cannot be allocated, the allocation determination in elevator 1 ends and the allocation determination loop of the next elevator is returned.

[0101] On the other hand, in step S53, if the determination is "yes", that is, if it is determined that the elevator can be allocated, an evaluation is performed related to the time (waiting time) until the elevator 1 arrives at the lobby floor with a lobby call request (step S54). In the waiting time evaluation in step S54, the priority of allocating the elevator 1 is evaluated according to the waiting time.

[0102] Furthermore, once the allocation determination of all elevator numbers in elevator 1 under the group management of the elevator operation management department 11 is completed, the "elevator number cycle" ends (step S55).

[0103] Next, the allocation calculation processing unit 20 performs a comprehensive evaluation based on the determination results calculated in the allocation determination loop, and determines the elevator number of the elevator 1 to be allocated (step S56). Here, the elevator 1 that is determined to be the elevator to be allocated is the one with the shortest waiting time and the highest priority in the waiting time evaluation.

[0104] Furthermore, the allocation calculation processing unit 20 sends a response command for the hall call to the elevator control unit 10 corresponding to the elevator 1 with the allocation target elevator number calculated in step S56 (step S57). As a result, the corresponding elevator control unit 10 controls the elevator 1 with the allocated elevator number to stop at the hall floor where a hall call request has been received.

[0105] Figure 12 It is a process of determining whether the assigned elevator is full and issuing a pass order if it cannot provide service.

[0106] First, the allocation calculation processing unit 20 determines whether there is a lobby call request at the next stop floor in elevator 1, which is the object of the determination (step S61). In step S61, if the determination is "no", that is, if it is determined that there is no lobby call request at the next stop floor, since no person or object has boarded elevator 1, the occupancy rate will not increase. In this case, the processing ends in elevator 1 while maintaining the "serviceable" state in the allocation evaluation value. In this case, Figure 11 In step S53, a "yes" determination is performed.

[0107] On the other hand, in step S61, if the determination is "yes," that is, if it is determined that there is a lobby call request at the next stop floor, the allocation calculation processing unit 20 determines whether the load of the elevator 1 meets the "full" criterion (step S62). The load value determination used in step S62 is based on the load value detected by the load detection device (not shown) installed in the car 2. If the load value detected in the car 2 is above the specified weight, it is determined to be "full"; if it is below the specified weight, it is determined to be "not full."

[0108] In step S62, if the determination is "no", that is, if the load value is determined to be "not full", it is determined whether the occupancy rate of the elevator 1 is 80% or more (step S63). In addition, in this embodiment example, an example of setting the occupancy rate threshold to 80% is described, but it is not limited to this, and the occupancy rate threshold can be arbitrarily set to 90% or more, 70%, etc.

[0109] In step S63, if the determination is "no," that is, if the occupancy rate is determined to be less than 80%, the process ends while maintaining the "available for service" status in the allocation evaluation value of elevator 1. In this case, Figure 11 In step S53, a "yes" determination is made.

[0110] On the other hand, in step S62, if the determination is "yes", that is, if the determination is "full", and in step S63, if the determination is "yes", that is, if the occupancy rate is 80% or more, proceed to step S64.

[0111] In step S64, the allocation processing unit 20 sends a hall call passage instruction to the elevator control unit 10 of the elevator 1 (step S64). The hall call passage instruction is an instruction that causes the elevator 1 to pass through without stopping in response to the hall call in step S51.

[0112] Subsequently, if the allocation calculation processing unit 20 determines that the occupancy rate is above 80%, and the scheduled elevator is full and therefore "unavailable," it needs to re-evaluate the lobby call request and perform a re-allocation evaluation. In this case, Figure 11 In step S53, a "no" judgment is made.

[0113] pass Figure 12 The process is used to determine whether elevator number 1, which is the object of the judgment, can be assigned or not. As described above, in Figure 11 In step S53, the judgment result is determined by whether the allocation evaluation is "allocable" or "cannot be allocated".

[0114] According to this embodiment, even if the load value detected by the load detection device of elevator car 2 of elevator 1 indicates that the car is not full, the elevator will not stop at the lobby floor where a lobby call request has been received if the occupancy rate is at or above a given percentage (80% or more in this embodiment). This prevents unnecessary stops based solely on load value determination and allows elevator 1 with a more suitable number to stop at the lobby floor where a lobby call request has been received.

[0115] In this embodiment, step S63 is set as an example of determining whether allocation is possible based on occupancy, but it can also be set as a structure that determines whether allocation is possible based on the proportion of free space.

[0116] In this embodiment, since obstacles such as handrails that are always installed inside the car 2 are removed from the effective area 40 in advance, it is not necessary to calculate the area where obstacles exist. Therefore, for example, it is possible to achieve... Figure 9 The processing speed is improved. For example, after the installation of elevator 1, if obstacles such as foliage plants and small chairs are always placed inside the car 2, the processing speed can be increased. Figure 9 The computational processing always detects these obstacles. In this case, it can also be configured to exclude areas that are always detected as having loads from the effective area 40.

[0117] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an example is provided in which the main computer 14 has an effective area setting unit 15 and a sensor information extraction unit 26, but these structures can also be provided on the side of the elevator control unit 10 and the distance sensor control unit 19.

[0118] The embodiments described above have been given in detail for ease of understanding of the present invention, but are not necessarily limited to all the structures described. For example, a part of the structure of the embodiments can be replaced with other structures, and other structures can be added to the structure of the embodiments. Furthermore, other structures can be added to, deleted from, or replaced in a part of the structure of the embodiments.

[0119] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0120] 100...Elevator system, 1...Elevator, 3...Distance sensor, 2...Car, 3...Distance sensor, 4...Car camera, 10...Elevator control unit, 11...Elevator operation management unit, 12...Statistical database, 13...Maintenance database, 14...Main computer, 15...Effective area setting unit, 16...Communication network, 17...Communication relay unit, 18...Car camera control unit, 19...Distance sensor control unit, 20...Distribution calculation and processing unit, 21...Lifting control unit, 22...Door opening and closing control unit, 23...Distance sensor setting unit, 24...Sensor information acquisition unit, 25...Occupancy detection unit, 26...Sensor information extraction unit, 28...Input / output device, 30...Obstacle, 31...Car door, 33...Counterweight, 34...Traction machine, 35...Main sling, 40...Effective area, 41...Unit area, 50...Distance sensor.

Claims

1. An occupancy area detection system for detecting the occupancy area of ​​a load inside a car, the occupancy area detection system being characterized by comprising: A distance sensor, installed on the ceiling side inside the car, can measure the distance to the cargo inside the car; The effective area setting unit calculates the effective area inside the car; The sensor information extraction unit extracts the installation position coordinates of the distance sensor and calculates the data acquisition range of the distance sensor corresponding to the effective area based on the installation position coordinates; and The occupancy area detection unit calculates the occupancy area of ​​the load within the effective area based on the distance data detected by the distance sensor and the range of the data acquisition. The effective area is set at a given distance from the side wall of the car.

2. The area detection system according to claim 1, wherein, The effective area setting unit is connected to a database storing design data, and obstacles set in the car obtained from the design data in the database are excluded from the effective area.

3. The area detection system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The sensor information extraction unit extracts the resolution of the distance sensor. The area detection unit divides the effective area using the resolution, determines whether the distance data of each unit area is above a given threshold, and calculates the sum of the unit areas whose distance data is above the given threshold as the area occupied.

4. The area detection system according to claim 3, wherein, The occupancy area detection unit calculates the occupancy degree based on the ratio of the occupancy area to the effective area of ​​the effective region.

5. The area detection system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The effective area setting unit is connected to a database storing design data, and sets the effective area based on the dimensions inside the car obtained from the design data in the database and the installation position coordinates of the distance sensor.

6. A method for detecting occupied area, wherein the occupied area of ​​the load inside the car is detected, the method being characterized in that... With no cargo inside the car, the effective area for loading cargo is set at a given distance from the side wall of the car, and the effective area is calculated. Extract the installation position coordinates of a distance sensor installed on the ceiling side inside the car that can measure the distance to the load inside the car. Use these installation position coordinates as a reference to calculate the data acquisition range of the distance sensor corresponding to the effective area. The area occupied by the load within the effective area is calculated based on the distance data detected by the distance sensor and the range of the data acquisition.

7. An elevator system for controlling the operation of an elevator, characterized in that the elevator system comprises: An elevator is an instrument that moves a car up and down. A distance sensor, installed on the ceiling side inside the car, is capable of measuring the distance to the cargo inside the car; The effective area setting unit calculates the effective area where a load can be loaded when there is no load in the car. The sensor information extraction unit extracts the installation position coordinates of the distance sensor and calculates the data acquisition range of the distance sensor corresponding to the effective area based on the installation position coordinates. and The occupancy area detection unit calculates the occupancy area of ​​the load within the effective area based on the distance data detected by the distance sensor and the range of the data acquisition. The effective area is set at a given distance from the side wall of the car.

8. The elevator system according to claim 7, characterized in that, The effective area setting unit is connected to a database storing design data, and obstacles set in the car obtained from the design data in the database are excluded from the effective area.

9. The elevator system according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The elevator system includes: an allocation calculation and processing unit, which, based on the detection results detected in the occupancy area detection unit, allocates elevators that are determined to be available for allocation to the lobby floors that have lobby call requests.

Images