Remote monitoring device for monitoring state of personnel transportation equipment and personnel transportation equipment

Abstract

The invention relates to a remote monitoring device for monitoring the state of a personnel transport facility. The personnel transport system comprises a lockable control cabinet having control components arranged in the control cabinet. The control component has an operable input unit. The remote monitoring device is provided for fixedly fitting in the control cabinet and has an actuator for operating the input unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a monitoring device for monitoring the status of a personnel transportation device. Background Art

[0002] There is a need to be able to monitor the status of personnel transportation devices, especially elevator devices, so that appropriate countermeasures can be initiated as soon as an error occurs or parameters can be checked and reset.

[0003] Such a personnel transportation device is known from WO2020 / 254601 A1. In this known personnel transportation device, the control device of the personnel transportation device is connected to a communication unit for transmitting data to a management party remote from the personnel transportation device. The control device of the personnel transportation device has a detection unit designed to detect the status of physical quantity values of the personnel transportation device. By evaluating the status of the physical quantity values, it is possible to conclude whether the personnel transportation device is currently operating normally or whether there is a fault in the operation of the personnel transportation device. If a fault occurs in the personnel transportation device, the fault situation can be reported to the control center. Appropriate countermeasures can be issued from the control center. In addition, a reset command can be received through the communication unit, and a reset signal can be generated for the control device of the personnel transportation device.

[0004] Furthermore, a camera system for remotely monitoring elevator control is known from WO2020 / 047242 A1. The elevator controller has one or more visual indicators that provide information about the elevator status. These visual indicators include LED indicator lights and LCD displays, etc. In addition, the known system has an optical device, such as a digital camera, which is positioned such that it can provide an image of the visual indicator to a processor. The processor analyzes these images and provides processed data and other information related to elevator operation. The communication device transmits the processed data. A device arranged remote from the elevator receives the processed data, which may include the said image or information about possible elevator problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a device for monitoring the status of a personnel transportation device, which has improved performance, especially improved flexibility, related to the personnel transportation device to be monitored and / or the information to be monitored.

[0006] This object is achieved by a monitoring device for monitoring the status of a personnel transportation device, wherein the personnel transportation device includes an area that prevents unauthorized access, in which control components are arranged, and the control components have an operable input unit. Advantageous designs and further improvement solutions of the present invention are described in detail below.

[0007] According to the design of the present invention, a monitoring device for monitoring the status of a personnel transportation device is provided. The personnel transportation device includes a lockable control cabinet having control components arranged therein, and the control components have operable units. The monitoring device is arranged to be fixedly assembled in the control cabinet and has an actuator for operating the input unit.

[0008] This monitoring device particularly has the advantage of improving performance because it may also be necessary to call information output by the control component only after the operable unit has been operated. By adopting a method that can also monitor such control components, the flexibility of the monitoring device is also improved. In addition, this unit can also be used to input information or commands into the control component.

[0009] If the control component only indicates the existence of an error and only outputs the type of error after the operable unit has been operated, the monitoring device can be configured to: when an error is displayed, operate the operable unit so that the control component outputs the type of error, thereby providing more detailed information about the type of error. This is particularly useful when the monitoring device is additionally configured to detect the type of error and transmit it to a remote ("remote") central monitoring and control unit, which can be configured to monitor multiple elevator devices. Alternatively, this transmission can also be performed by the control component itself. This process can be automatically completed according to the type and configuration of the control component, or by other operations of the operable unit. In the latter case, the monitoring device is configured to (e.g., in a tactile manner) operate the operable (e.g., tactilely operable) unit so that the control component transmits the type of error to the central monitoring and control unit.

[0010] When, for example, the control component has an optical output for displaying status information, the camera of the monitoring device can detect the displayed status information. The status information can include, for example, one or more of status variables, error codes, counters, and parameters, which contain information about the status of the personnel transportation device.

[0011] According to one aspect, the monitoring device can be configured to initiate measures for changing the status of the personnel transportation device by means of the actuator. For this purpose, the displayed status information signal can be forwarded to the central monitoring and control unit. Alternatively or additionally, in order to quickly correct the detected error by automatically and rule-based operating the operable unit by the actuator, it can be ensured that the necessary changes can be made to the status of the personnel transportation device to correct the detected error. For example, according to the provided error code signal, one or more parameters of the personnel transportation device are changed without delay based on the rules stored in the monitoring device, thereby making such necessary changes to the status of the personnel transportation device.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the control component has an output unit for outputting status information of the people conveyance device, and the monitoring device includes a detection unit for detecting the status signal output by the output unit, and preferably also includes a processing unit (e.g., integrated in the monitoring module) for determining the status information based on the detected status signal with the aid of stored diagnostic rules.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the output unit is an optical output unit, and the detection unit is an optical detection unit. The output unit is preferably a display, such as a display for outputting alphanumeric characters or a display with LEDs shown thereon, and the detection unit is a camera.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the status information displayed on the display is data corresponding to different instant states of the people conveyance device.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the input unit includes a control panel element provided on the display.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the input unit includes mechanical keys.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the actuator is a robotic arm and / or a plurality of movable actuator elements, wherein each actuator element is fixedly corresponding to a respective one of the plurality of input elements of the input unit.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the monitoring device further includes a communication interface for communicating with (e.g., a central) monitoring and control unit. The communication can be carried out via a digital data network (such as the Internet or a mobile network or other telecommunication networks). The communication can include receiving commands, such as a reset command, or be configured to execute the received commands or transmit the determined status information. The monitoring and control unit can be remote, e.g., located in a different building from the people conveyance device.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the people conveyance device is an elevator device having an elevator car, elevator call buttons, and an elevator car controller.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the control component is configured to change the state of the elevator device based on the input of the input unit, and the monitoring device is configured to change the state of the elevator device by actuating the input unit.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the control component is configured to output status information corresponding to the instant state of the people conveyance device based on the input to the input unit, and the monitoring device is configured to trigger the output of the status information by operating the input unit.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the people conveyance device has a monitoring device for monitoring the state of the people conveyance device.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the people conveyance device has a protection device for protecting the people conveyance device against manipulation of the input unit by unauthorized passengers, and the protection device can be deactivated by authorized service personnel so as to enable access to the input unit.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the people conveyance device further has a call controller, wherein the input unit is different from the call controller.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the monitoring device is used to monitor the state of the people conveyance device. Description of the Drawings

[0026] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. Among them:

[0027] Figure 1a A block diagram showing a people conveyance device;

[0028] Figure 1b A block diagram showing a device for monitoring the state of a people conveyance device; and

[0029] Figure 2 A block diagram showing an alternative design of an actuator for operating an input unit in an automatic tactile manner. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0030] Figure 1a A block diagram showing a people conveyance device. The people conveyance device is an elevator device 9. The elevator device 9 is arranged in an elevator shaft 15. The elevator device has an elevator car 10. The elevator car 10 can move vertically between each floor in the elevator shaft, as shown by the double-headed arrow 13. In addition, the elevator device 9 has an elevator call button 11 on each floor of the elevator device. When the elevator call button is operated, the elevator car 10 moves to the corresponding floor. In addition, the elevator device 9 has an elevator controller (controller) 12. The controller controls the operation of the elevator device 9 according to a stored control program.

[0031] In Figure 1aIn the illustrated embodiment, the controller 12 is arranged in the shaft 15. Since the shaft 15 can only be accessed by specific personnel, the shaft forms an area that prevents unauthorized access. Thus, the controller 12 itself is also protected against unauthorized access. However, this is only an example, and the controller can also be arranged in any other location that is protected against unauthorized access, for example, by a lock. For example, the controller 12 can be arranged in a control cabinet near the elevator equipment 9 that is protected against unauthorized access by a lock. The control cabinet forms a space that prevents unauthorized access. The control cabinet can be integrated, for example, next to the shaft door or within the frame of the shaft door. In addition, the control cabinet can be installed on the elevator car 10 of the elevator equipment 9 or installed in the elevator car. Alternatively, the controller 12 can be arranged in a cabinet or space that is protected against unauthorized access away from other components of the elevator equipment 9, and the controller is connected to other critical components of the elevator equipment 9 via a data connection. It is also conceivable to arrange the controller in a machine room of the elevator equipment that is protected against unauthorized access. The controller can also be arranged dispersedly; in this case, the "controller" is considered to refer to the part of the dispersedly arranged controller with the following control components that is arranged in an area protected against unauthorized access.

[0032] Since the controller 12 is arranged in an area protected against unauthorized access that can only be accessed by personnel responsible for maintaining the elevator equipment, the controller 12 is particularly different from Figure 1a the elevator call button 11 shown in

[0033] and is also different from the floor call buttons provided in the car. The elevator call button 11 and the floor call buttons are both components for calling the controller. Figure 1b The controller 12 is shown in more detail in

[0034] In the area protected against unauthorized access, there is also a monitoring device 14. The monitoring device 14 has an actuator 6 that is designed to operate the input elements 5 of the input unit. In Figure 1a the illustrated embodiment, the actuator 6 is implemented in the form of a robotic arm. The robotic arm can navigate among the input elements 5 and selectively operate one or more of these input elements in order to input an input (such as a command).

[0035] The monitoring device also has a monitoring module 8. The monitoring module 8 is configured to control the actuator 6. In particular, the monitoring module 8 is configured to control the actuator 6 for the operation of the input element 5. This allows the monitoring device 14 to send inputs to the control unit 1. These inputs can trigger, for example, the output of the control unit 1 or other actions.

[0036] The monitoring module 8 of the monitoring device 14 optionally further comprises a communication interface for communicating with a remote control center 16 (central control and monitoring unit). The monitoring module 8 can be configured to control the actuator 6 in response to a signal received from the control center 16.

[0037] In Figure 1b the example of, the control unit 1 further comprises an output unit for outputting status information 2a, 2b (status signals) of the passenger conveyance device 9. The output unit can include a display 3, and the status information 2a can be displayed, for example, as alphanumeric information on the display. In another example, the output unit can include one or more LEDs 4, and the LEDs 4 can be used to display the status information 2b. The output unit can also include both the display 3 and the LEDs 4, as Figure 1b shown. The status information shown can in particular display the current status 9 of the elevator installation. Thereby, it is possible, for example, to signal whether specific parameters of the elevator installation 9 are normal or faulty.

[0038] The monitoring device 14 optionally comprises a detection unit 7, for example an optical camera, for detecting the status signals output by the output unit, and a processing unit (for example in the monitoring module 8) for determining status information on the basis of the detected status signals with the aid of stored diagnostic rules.

[0039] The monitoring module 8 can also be configured such that, when an error is displayed, it operates an operable unit (input element 5) with the aid of the actuator 6 in such a way that the control unit 1 outputs the type of error on the output unit, thereby providing more accurate information about the type of error. In addition, the monitoring device can be configured to detect the more precise information provided with the aid of the detection unit 7.

[0040] The monitoring module 8 can also be configured to control the actuator 6 to operate the input element 5 in response to an error code signal detected by the camera 7, for example to display more precise information about the detected error or to change the status of the elevator installation 9, for example to change parameters, correct errors or switch off the elevator installation 9 or place the elevator installation in an emergency mode.

[0041] The monitoring module 8 can also be configured to control the actuator 6 to operate the input element 5 in response to a signal received from the control center, for example to display more precise information or to change the state of the elevator installation 9, such as changing parameters or shutting down the elevator installation 9 or putting the elevator installation into an emergency mode.

[0042] Within the scope of the operation of the input element 5 by the actuator 6, parameters of the elevator installation 9 can be changed. For example, the opening duration of the car door of the elevator installation can be extended, the stopping accuracy of the elevator car at one or more specific floors can be increased, the display of the status information can be reset, or any other parameter of the elevator installation can be changed respectively.

[0043] According to one embodiment, a password may also first have to be entered to change the parameters of the elevator installation as described above. This can prevent the parameters of the elevator installation from being changed by unauthorized persons or being changed inadvertently. The monitoring module 8 can be configured to control the actuator 6 to enter the password into an operable unit.

[0044] The status information output on the output units 3, 4 and detected by the detection unit 7 (including, for example, information derived therefrom, such as an error code signal determined by the monitoring module) can be further processed by the monitoring device 14 and / or provided to the control center 16 and further processed by the control center. This further processing can include, for example, storing the information in a memory of the monitoring module 8 or the control center 16. This further processing can also include transmitting the data via the Internet to an operator who is present near the elevator installation 9 and can quickly reach the elevator installation 9 in order to carry out measures that cannot be triggered by means of the input element 5.

[0045] Figure 2 Block diagram showing an alternative design of the actuator 6 for automatically operating the input unit. In this alternative design, the actuator 6 includes a plurality of movable actuator elements 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, each of which fixedly corresponds to a respective one of the input elements 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d of the plurality of input elements of the input unit, and is in particular arranged to operate (only) the respective corresponding input element. Thus, the actuator element 6a fixedly corresponds to the input element 5a, the actuator element 6b fixedly corresponds to the input element 5b, the actuator element 6c fixedly corresponds to the input element 5c, and the actuator element 6d fixedly corresponds to the input element 5d. For example, the actuator 6 can include a plurality of actuator elements 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, which are assembled on their respective assigned input elements 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d in such a way that when the respective actuator element is actuated, the respective corresponding input element is operated.

[0046] List of reference numerals

[0047] 1 Control unit

[0048] 2a Status information (display)

[0049] 2b Status information (LED)

[0050] 3 Display

[0051] 4 LED

[0052] 5 Input unit (input element)

[0053] 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d Input elements

[0054] 6 Actuator (robotic arm)

[0055] 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d Actuator elements

[0056] 7 Detection unit (camera)

[0057] 8 Monitoring module

[0058] 9 Lift equipment

[0059] 10 Lift car

[0060] 11 Lift call button

[0061] 12 Lift controller (controller)

[0062] 13 Movement direction of the lift car

[0063] 14 Monitoring device

[0064] 16 Central monitoring and control unit (control center).

Claims

1. A remote monitoring device for monitoring the status of a personnel transportation device (9), wherein, The personnel conveyance device includes an area that prevents unauthorized access, in which a control component (1) is arranged, and the control component has an operable input unit (5), wherein, The remote monitoring device is arranged to be fixedly assembled in the area, and The remote monitoring device has an actuator (6) for operating the input unit (5).

2. The remote monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein, The control component (1) has an output unit for outputting status information (2a, 2b) of the personnel conveyance device (9), and The remote monitoring device has a detection unit (7) for detecting the status signals (2a, 2b) output by the output unit.

3. The remote monitoring device according to claim 2, wherein, The output unit is an optical output unit, and the detection unit (7) is an optical detection unit. Preferably, the output unit is a display, and the detection unit (7) is a camera.

4. The remote monitoring device according to claim 3, wherein, The status information (2a, 2b) displayed on the output unit is data corresponding to different instant states of the personnel conveyance device (9).

5. The remote monitoring device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein, The input unit (5) includes a control panel element provided on the output unit.

6. The remote monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The input unit (5) includes mechanical keys.

7. The remote monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, a) The actuator (6) is a robotic arm, and / or b) The actuator (6) includes a plurality of movable actuator elements (6a,..., 6d), wherein each of the actuator elements fixedly corresponds to a corresponding one of the plurality of input elements (5a,..., 5d) of the input unit (5).

8. The remote monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the remote monitoring device further comprising: A communication interface for communicating with a central monitoring and control unit (16).

9. The remote monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The personnel conveyance device (9) is an elevator device, which has an elevator car (10), an elevator call button (11), and an elevator controller (12), and the elevator controller has a control component (1).

10. The remote monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The control component (1) is configured to: change the state of the personnel conveyance device (9) based on an input to the input unit (5), and the remote monitoring device is configured to change the state of the personnel conveyance device (9) by operating the input unit (5).

11. The remote monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The control component (1) is configured to: output status information corresponding to the instant state of the personnel conveyance device based on an input to the input unit (5), and the remote monitoring device is configured to trigger the output of the status information by operating the input unit (5).

12. A personnel transportation device having the remote monitoring device according to any one of the preceding claims.

13. The personnel transportation device according to claim 12, wherein, The personnel conveyance device has a protection device to prevent unauthorized passengers of the personnel conveyance device from operating the input unit, wherein the protection device can be deactivated by authorized service personnel to access the input unit.

14. The personnel transportation device according to claim 12 or 13, wherein, The personnel conveyance device has a call controller, and the input unit (5) is different from the call controller.

15. A use of the remote monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 11 for monitoring the status of a personnel transportation device.

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