Elevator remote spot inspection system and elevator remote spot inspection method

Abstract

The plurality of travel states include an accelerated travel state in which the car (10) travels while accelerating, a constant-speed travel state in which the car (10) travels at a constant speed, and a decelerated travel state in which the car (10) travels while decelerating. The spot inspection item includes a plurality of driving states. When the travel time corresponding to each of the plurality of travel states is within a reference range determined on the basis of a predetermined reference time in each of the plurality of travel states, the control unit (152) determines that the travel state corresponding to the travel time is a normal state, and when the travel time is outside the reference range, the control unit (152) determines that the travel state corresponding to the travel time is a normal state. The control unit (152) determines that the travel state corresponding to the travel time is an out-of-order state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an elevator remote inspection system and an elevator remote inspection method for remotely inspecting an elevator. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, in the elevator maintenance business, the demand for an elevator remote inspection system that remotely inspects an elevator using a communication line has increased. As a device for performing such remote inspection, for example, a remote monitoring support device disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2022-019900 (Patent Document 1) can be cited. This remote monitoring support device determines whether the operating state of the elevator is a normal operating state based on the output state of the signal obtained from the control board of the elevator.

[0003] By implementing remote inspection, the inspection work at the maintenance site is reduced, and thus the maintenance work is significantly streamlined. In addition, there are legal regulations (for example, the general specifications for building maintenance work established by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan) that enable the extension of the implementation cycle of the legally required regular inspection work when remote inspection is implemented, thereby further streamlining the maintenance work.

[0004] Especially in the global market where elevators of various manufacturers are installed, maintenance companies need to provide maintenance services regardless of the manufacturer and model of the elevator (to enable multi-brand maintenance). On the other hand, on the side of the building owners who have signed maintenance contracts, there is a high demand for the freedom to choose a maintenance company regardless of the manufacturer of the installed elevator and sign a maintenance contract that enables remote inspection.

[0005] Under such circumstances, the demand for an elevator remote inspection system that can perform remote inspection based on signals obtained from an elevator system regardless of the manufacturer and model of the elevator has increased.

[0006] Prior Art Documents

[0007] Patent Documents

[0008] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2022-019900 Summary of the Invention

[0009] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0010] However, in the elevator industry, the communication specifications and signal specifications for each manufacturer and model have not been standardized. In addition, these specifications are generally not publicly available. Therefore, it is generally not possible to use a common elevator remote inspection system between different manufacturers.

[0011] When developing an elevator remote inspection system corresponding to various elevators with different communication specifications and signal specifications, for example, it is necessary to find a way to input signals such as contact signals of switches and obtain signals exchanged through parallel transmission. In addition, since the signal specifications are not standardized among manufacturers, the types of signals that can be commonly used are greatly limited.

[0012] Furthermore, even if signals can be commonly used, due to hardware constraints such as installation costs or installation difficulties when installing the elevator remote inspection system in a building, there are also signals that are not suitable for use. Therefore, in order to implement such an elevator remote inspection system, it is necessary to fully study which signals to use and which methods to use to judge the inspection items of remote inspection.

[0013] The present disclosure has been completed to solve the above problems, and its object is to provide an elevator remote inspection system and an elevator remote inspection method that can perform remote inspection as simply as possible corresponding to various elevators with different communication specifications and signal specifications.

[0014] Means for Solving the Problem

[0015] The elevator remote inspection system of the present disclosure is a system for remotely inspecting an elevator. The elevator remote inspection system includes an instruction unit, an acquisition unit, a control unit, and an output unit. The instruction unit performs a transmission process of sending a landing call signal for generating a landing call of the elevator to an equipment group of the elevator. The acquisition unit acquires, as a determination signal, a signal that is input and output between the equipment group of the elevator and a control panel that controls the equipment group of the elevator through parallel transmission. The control unit generates the landing call signal transmitted through the transmission process and performs a determination process in which, based on the determination signal acquired by the acquisition unit as a result of the transmission process, the inspection items of the remote inspection are determined. The output unit outputs the determination result of the inspection items. The transmission process includes: a first transmission process in which a second landing call signal is sent after sending a first landing call signal, where the first landing call signal generates an upward first landing call on the first floor, and the second landing call signal generates a downward second landing call on a second floor higher than the first floor; and a second transmission process in which the first landing call signal is sent after sending the second landing call signal. The determination signal includes a first signal that represents any one of a first state and a non-first state that is not the first state, where the first state is a state in which the elevator car is located within a landing area, and the landing area represents a position range of the car where the car door can be opened and closed. The control unit uses the information including the first signal to calculate the position of the car and the travel time of the car within the travel intervals respectively traveled in a plurality of travel states of the car. The plurality of travel states include an accelerating travel state in which the car travels while accelerating, a constant-speed travel state in which the car travels at a constant speed, and a decelerating travel state in which the car travels while decelerating. The inspection items include the plurality of travel states. In each of the plurality of travel states, when the travel time corresponding to each of the plurality of travel states is within a reference range determined based on a predetermined reference time, the control unit determines that the travel state corresponding to the travel time is a normal state, and when the travel time is outside the reference range, the control unit determines that the travel state corresponding to the travel time is a malfunction state.

[0016] The elevator remote inspection method of the present disclosure is a method for remotely inspecting an elevator. The elevator remote inspection method includes the following steps: performing a transmission process in which a landing call signal for generating a landing call of the elevator is transmitted to an equipment group of the elevator; obtaining a signal input and output through parallel transmission between the equipment group of the elevator and a control panel that controls the equipment group of the elevator as a determination signal; generating the landing call signal transmitted through the transmission process and performing a determination process in which, based on the determination signal obtained through the obtaining step as a result of the transmission process, a inspection item for remote inspection is determined; and outputting a determination result of the inspection item. The transmission process includes: a first transmission process in which a second landing call signal is transmitted after transmitting a first landing call signal, where the first landing call signal generates an upward first landing call on the first floor and the second landing call signal generates a downward second landing call on a second floor higher than the first floor; and a second transmission process in which the first landing call signal is transmitted after transmitting the second landing call signal. The determination signal includes a first signal that represents any one of a first state and a non-first state that is not the first state, where the first state is a state in which the elevator car is located within a landing zone, and the landing zone represents a position range of the car where the car door can be opened and closed. The step of performing the determination process includes the following steps: using the information including the first signal, calculating the position of the car and the travel time of the car within a travel section traveled in each of a plurality of travel states of the car. The plurality of travel states include an accelerating travel state in which the car travels while accelerating, a constant-speed travel state in which the car travels at a constant speed, and a decelerating travel state in which the car travels while decelerating. The inspection item includes a plurality of travel states. The step of performing the determination process further includes the following steps: in each of the plurality of travel states, when the travel time corresponding to each of the plurality of travel states is within a reference range determined based on a predetermined reference time, it is determined that the travel state corresponding to the travel time is a normal state, and when the travel time is outside the reference range, it is determined that the travel state corresponding to the travel time is a maladjusted state.

[0017] Effect of the Invention

[0018] According to the present disclosure, by determining the travel state based on the first signal suitable for use in remote inspection, it is possible to perform remote inspection as simply as possible for various elevators with different communication specifications and signal specifications. That is, it is possible to achieve multi-brand maintenance in remote inspection. As a result, the maintenance company can reduce the frequency of maintenance inspections at the maintenance site and can increase the number of elevators that can be maintained. The building owner can freely select a maintenance company and sign a maintenance contract that enables remote inspection. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] Figure 1This is a diagram showing an example of the overall structure of an elevator system and a remote inspection system.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing an example of a conventional type of remote inspection system connected to an elevator system.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing an example of the hardware structure of an elevator system.

[0022] Figure 4 This is a diagram schematically showing the structure of an elevator.

[0023] Figure 5A This is a diagram showing an example of a landing of an elevator.

[0024] Figure 5B This is a diagram showing an example inside a car of an elevator.

[0025] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing an example of the hardware structure of a modified elevator system.

[0026] Figure 7 This is a diagram for explaining the hardware structure of a remote inspection system and the signals used in the remote inspection system.

[0027] Figure 8 This is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the running of a car during diagnostic operation and signals.

[0028] Figure 9 This is a diagram showing an example of a functional block diagram of a remote inspection system.

[0029] Figure 10 This is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of a remote inspection system.

[0030] Figure 11 This is a flowchart of remote inspection processing and terminal setting processing.

[0031] Figure 12 This is a diagram showing an example of a reference time DB.

[0032] Figure 13 This is a flowchart of reference time update processing.

[0033] Figure 14 This is a flowchart of reference time acquisition processing.

[0034] Figure 15 This is a timing diagram for explaining the running state.

[0035] Figure 16 This is a timing diagram for explaining the running state.

[0036] Figure 17It is a flowchart for processing during operation diagnosis.

[0037] Figure 18 It is a flowchart for processing of measuring car information.

[0038] Figure 19 It is an example of a driving state table.

[0039] Figure 20 It is a flowchart for determination processing.

[0040] Figure 21 It is a timing chart for explaining the determination of the driving state in the case of three stops.

[0041] Figure 22 It is an example of a driving state table in the case of three stops.

[0042] Figure 23 It is a timing chart for explaining the determination of the driving state in the case of two stops.

[0043] Figure 24 It is an example of a driving state table in the case of two stops. Detailed implementation mode

[0044] Hereinafter, the implementation mode will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same components. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated.

[0045] [Structure of elevator system 200 and elevator remote inspection system 1]

[0046] Hereinafter, the structure of elevator system 200 and elevator remote inspection system (hereinafter also simply referred to as "remote inspection system") 1 will be described. Figure 1 It is a diagram showing an example of the overall structure of elevator system 200 and remote inspection system 1.

[0047] When an elevator is installed in a building, the building owner needs to sign a maintenance contract with the elevator maintenance company. The maintenance staff of the maintenance company conducts maintenance inspections and regular inspections of the elevator based on the maintenance contract. When signing the maintenance contract, the building owner can sign the contract including remote inspection or remote monitoring as an option.

[0048] Remote monitoring means that the monitoring center (information center), etc. of the maintenance company uses a communication line, etc. to always monitor the presence or absence of abnormalities and defects in the elevator. Remote inspection means that in addition to remote monitoring, the monitoring center, etc. of the maintenance company targets the parts required for normal elevator operation and uses a communication line, etc. to inspect whether the operating state of the elevator and the operating conditions of each device are normal.

[0049] In remote inspection, there are three types of inspections for elevators: performance inspection, inspection of each device, and inspection of utilization status. In performance inspection, inspections are carried out on each inspection item of the starting state, accelerating state, constant-speed state, decelerating state, and stop floor state of the car. In the inspection of each device, inspections are carried out on each inspection item such as the temperature of the machine room or control panel, the status of the control equipment, the status of the destination floor buttons in the car, the status of the intercom, the door opening and closing status, the status of the landing buttons, the status of the door switches, and the presence or absence of abnormalities in the electromagnetic brake. In the inspection of utilization status, inspections are carried out on each inspection item such as the running distance of the car, the running time or the number of starts, and the number of door openings and closings.

[0050] By implementing such remote inspections, the inspection work at the maintenance site is reduced. Therefore, the maintenance work is greatly streamlined. In addition, there are legal regulations that enable the extension of the implementation cycle of the legally required regular inspection work when remote inspections are implemented. Thus, the maintenance work can be further streamlined. For example, in Japan, by implementing the remote inspections listed above, the implementation cycle of the legally required regular inspection can be reduced from once a month to once every three months (as stipulated in the general specifications for building maintenance work of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism).

[0051] In addition, as will be described later, the demand of maintenance companies to promote multi-branding of maintenance in the global market, and the demand of building owners to freely choose a maintenance company to sign a maintenance contract that enables remote inspection are increasing. The remote inspection system 1 of this embodiment is a system for performing remote inspection of elevators configured to meet such demands. Hereinafter, a detailed description will be given.

[0052] As Figure 1 shown, the remote inspection system 1 includes a remote inspection device 100, a management server 300, and a terminal 400. The elevator system 200 and the remote inspection device 100 are installed in the building 2. The remote inspection device 100 is connected to the elevator system 200 to perform remote inspection of the elevator. The remote inspection device 100 is configured to include, for example, a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller).

[0053] The management server 300 is installed, for example, in the information center (monitoring center) of the maintenance company. The terminal 400 can be installed in the information center of the maintenance company or in any place. The terminal 400 and the remote inspection device 100 can be connected to the management server 300 via a communication line.

[0054] The management server 300 manages various data such as customer information, building information, information on elevators installed in the building, and remote inspection results for each building that has signed a maintenance contract for the elevator. The management server 300 is a device that manages the remote inspection device 100, sends an execution instruction for remote inspection to the remote inspection device 100, and obtains the inspection results of the remote inspection executed by the remote inspection device 100.

[0055] The terminal 400 is, for example, a PC (Personal Computer), a smart phone, or a tablet. The terminal 400 includes a display unit 410 that displays various information, and an input unit 420 that can input operations from a user using the terminal 400. In the present embodiment, the terminal 400 is used by a maintenance staff member of a maintenance company. That is, the "user" who uses the terminal 400 refers to a maintenance staff member of a maintenance company, but is not limited thereto, and anyone who may use the terminal 400 can be included in the user. For example, the user may also be an employee other than a maintenance staff member of a maintenance company, or may be a person who manages Building 2. The terminal 400 can cause the remote inspection device 100 to execute a remote inspection via the management server 300 by an operation of the maintenance staff member from the input unit 420. In addition, the terminal 400 can display the inspection results of the remote inspection that the remote inspection device 100 can execute on the display unit 410.

[0056] The elevator system 200 includes a control panel 210 and an elevator equipment group 220. The elevator equipment group 220 is composed of various devices including an elevator and a landing device of the elevator. The control panel 210 controls various devices of the elevator equipment group 220.

[0057] The control panel 210 inputs and outputs signals to and from the elevator equipment group 220 via a plurality of signal lines. Among the signals transmitted and received between the elevator equipment group 220 and the control panel 210, there are signals transmitted and received by parallel transmission (parallel communication) and signals transmitted and received by serial transmission (serial communication).

[0058] The former (parallel transmission) is, for example, a signal directly obtained from various switches or various sensors of the elevator equipment group 220. In the present embodiment, a contact signal of a switch (for example, a specified voltage is detected in the switch ON (closed) state) is assumed, but for example, it may also be a signal such as a pulse signal obtained from a rotary encoder.

[0059] The latter (serial transmission) is a signal that is transmitted and received between the control board included in the device provided on the landing side or car side of the elevator and the control panel 210 through serial communication. For example, assume the following scenario: Communication is established between the elevator management software (program) started in the control panel 210 and the software (program) started in the control board on the car side, and data (internal signals) such as the position and traveling direction of the car are transmitted and received through serial communication.

[0060] In the present embodiment, a part of the signal lines for transmitting and receiving signals through parallel transmission among the signal lines connecting the control panel 210 and the elevator equipment group 220 is branched and connected to the terminals included in the remote inspection device 100. As a result, a part of the signals transmitted and received through parallel transmission between the control panel 210 and the elevator equipment group 220 can be input and output on the remote inspection device 100 side.

[0061] On the other hand, the control panel 210 of the elevator system 200 is configured to be able to connect to various maintenance devices of the elevator. A connector 261 is provided on the control board included in the control panel 210. By connecting the connector 262 of the cable connected to the maintenance device to the connector 261 of the control panel 210, a communication connection based on serial communication (serial transmission) can be established between the maintenance device and the control panel 210.

[0062] Various maintenance devices of the elevator are, for example, maintenance computers, remote monitoring devices, remote inspection devices, etc. that are used as dedicated devices of the elevator system 200. These maintenance devices are devices developed and used by the manufacturer of the elevator system 200 or the maintenance company of the manufacturer's system for each model of the elevator. Therefore, these maintenance devices cannot be connected to elevators of different manufacturers. Here, the maintenance company of the manufacturer's system is, for example, a subsidiary or affiliated company of the manufacturer, and is hereinafter referred to as the "manufacturer-affiliated maintenance company".

[0063] On the other hand, the remote inspection device 100 of the present embodiment is configured to be able to connect to the elevator system 200 regardless of the manufacturer of the elevator system 200. However, as will be described later, the types of signals suitable for use in the remote inspection device 100 are quite limited (DZ signal, LB signal, GS signal, DS signal, landing call signal, etc., which will be described later).

[0064] The above-described maintenance device can obtain the internal signals held by the elevator management software by establishing communication between the software started in the maintenance device and the elevator management software started in the control panel 210.

[0065] These internal signals include signals based on parallel transmission (switch contact signals, etc.) input and output between the control panel 210 and the elevator equipment group 220, signals based on serial transmission (various instructions, etc.), and signals generated based on these signals.

[0066] For example, the control panel 210 calculates the position, speed, traveling direction, state (acceleration traveling state, constant speed traveling state, deceleration traveling state), etc. of the car based on signals obtained from a rotary encoder that measures the rotational position of the traction machine (motor) driving the elevator. Thus, the control panel 210 can hold this information as internal signals in software.

[0067] Based on this, the maintenance device connected to the control panel 210 via serial communication can not only obtain the contact signals input and output through parallel transmission, but also obtain the internal signals of the software input and output through serial transmission. In addition, the maintenance device can, through communication with the control panel 210, send various instructions such as a stop instruction for the elevator and a waiting instruction for a specific floor, set various operation options, and set and change various parameters.

[0068] The maintenance computer in the maintenance device that can be connected via serial communication is a computer (terminal device) that can be used in on-site elevator maintenance inspections. Various maintenance software operating on the maintenance computer can be started to confirm various internal signals of the elevator, issue various instructions for the elevator, set and change settings, and rewrite software.

[0069] The maintenance computer can be used on-site. On the other hand, the remote monitoring device and the remote inspection device are used at a remote location via a network. The remote monitoring device in the maintenance device that can be connected via serial communication is a device that can obtain and display the above internal signals remotely via a network. The remote inspection device in the maintenance device that can be connected via serial communication is a device that can obtain and display the above internal signals remotely via a network and issue operation instructions for remote inspection for the elevator.

[0070] (Comparison with a conventional type of remote inspection system)

[0071] Hereinafter, the differences between the remote inspection device (conventional type of remote inspection device) that can be connected via serial communication and the remote inspection device 100 in the present embodiment will be described. Figure 2 FIG. shows an example in which a conventional type of remote inspection system is connected to the elevator systems 200 and 200a.

[0072] In Figure 2 this example, the elevator system 200 is installed in Building A, and the elevator system 200a is installed in Building B. The elevator system 200 is an elevator system manufactured by Company X, and the elevator model is Model M. Among the elevators of each company, there are multiple models according to usage, age, etc. The elevator system 200a is an elevator system manufactured by Company Y, and the elevator model is Model N.

[0073] Only the remote inspection device 500 (conventional type) made by Company X can be connected to the elevator system 200 made by Company X via the connector 261. The remote inspection device 500 can be connected to the management server managed by Company X via the network. In addition, in this example, Company X is both the elevator manufacturer and the elevator maintenance company (manufacturer-based maintenance company).

[0074] For example, the server of Company X is set in the information center of Company X. By communicatively connecting the terminal to the management server of Company X, remote inspection of the elevator system 200 can be performed through the operation of the terminal.

[0075] Only the remote inspection device 500a (conventional type) made by Company Y can be connected to the elevator system 200a made by Company Y via the connector 261. The remote inspection device 500a can be connected to the management server managed by Company Y via the network. In addition, in this example, Company Y is both the elevator manufacturer and the elevator maintenance company (manufacturer-based maintenance company).

[0076] For example, the server of Company Y is set in the information center of Company Y. By communicatively connecting the terminal to the management server of Company Y, remote inspection of the elevator system 200a can be performed through the operation of the terminal.

[0077] In such a configuration, as described above, the remote inspection device 500 of Company X can obtain various internal signals generated by the management software of the control panel 210 by communicatively connecting to the control panel 210, and can send various instructions for the elevator to the control panel 210. For example, by operating the terminal, an instruction to make the car travel between two floors is sent, and as a result, the travel time and speed information between the two floors can be obtained. The same applies to the remote inspection device 500a of Company Y.

[0078] However, in such a configuration, for the elevator system 200 made by Company X, it is necessary to use the remote inspection device 500 made by Company X corresponding to model M, and for the elevator system 200a made by Company Y, it is necessary to use the remote inspection device 500a made by Company Y corresponding to model N. Thus, when setting up a remote inspection device based on serial communication, it is necessary to prepare remote inspection devices according to the manufacturers of each elevator. In addition, even if the manufacturers are the same, it is necessary to prepare remote inspection devices corresponding to the models.

[0079] Regarding such remote inspection devices, they are sometimes prepared according to the manufacturers of each elevator, but usually can only be used by the manufacturer of the installed elevator or the manufacturer-based maintenance company. In addition, in the case of old models, there may sometimes be no corresponding remote inspection devices.

[0080] Regarding Figure 2In the case of the example, the manufacturer maintenance company (manufacturer) Company X can use the remote inspection device 500 manufactured by Company X, but cannot use the remote inspection device 500a manufactured by Company Y. On the other hand, the manufacturer maintenance company (manufacturer) Company Y can use the remote inspection device 500a manufactured by Company Y, but cannot use the remote inspection device 500 manufactured by Company X.

[0081] This is because the communication specifications and signal specifications are not standardized among manufacturers and models, and these specifications are not made public. Assuming that such communication specifications, signal specifications, or address mappings are made public, by establishing communication with the control panel 210, any internal signal, internal flag, or set parameter can be basically obtained from an external device.

[0082] In addition, among elevator maintenance companies, in addition to manufacturer-affiliated maintenance companies, there are also maintenance companies that have no affiliation with any manufacturer (referred to as "independent maintenance companies"). Independent maintenance companies can neither use the remote inspection device 500 manufactured by Company X nor the remote inspection device 500a manufactured by Company Y.

[0083] In Figure 2 the example, the owner of Building A can perform remote inspection through the remote inspection device 500 when a maintenance contract is signed with the manufacturer-affiliated maintenance company X, but cannot perform remote inspection through the remote inspection device 500 when a maintenance contract is signed with the manufacturer-affiliated maintenance company Y or an independent maintenance company.

[0084] On the other hand, the owner of Building B can perform remote inspection through the remote inspection device 500a when a maintenance contract is signed with the manufacturer-affiliated maintenance company Y, but cannot perform remote inspection through the remote inspection device 500a when a maintenance contract is signed with the manufacturer-affiliated maintenance company X or an independent maintenance company. Assuming that elevators manufactured by Company X and Company Y are installed in the same building at the same time, in order to perform remote inspections on all elevators, it is necessary to sign maintenance contracts with both manufacturer-affiliated maintenance companies X and Y.

[0085] In this way, for the owners of buildings who want to sign a maintenance contract including remote inspection, when introducing the conventional type of remote inspection device, the choice width of the maintenance contract becomes narrow. Based on such a situation, in recent years, in Japan, the demand for remote inspection devices that can be applied regardless of the manufacturer and model has been increasing. Especially in the global market where elevators of various manufacturers are installed, maintenance companies need to perform maintenance responses regardless of the manufacturer and model of the elevator (multi-brand maintenance).

[0086] Thus, the remote inspection device 100 in the present embodiment is configured as a remote inspection device that can respond regardless of the manufacturer and model. As described above, since the communication specifications and signal specifications are not standardized among manufacturers and models, it is difficult to construct the remote inspection device 100 that performs communication based on serial transmission.

[0087] Therefore, as described using Figure 1 , the remote inspection device 100 is connected to the elevator system 200 through parallel transmission (such as taking in the contact signals of switches). In addition, since the signal specifications are not standardized among manufacturers, the types of signals that can be commonly used are limited. Moreover, even for signals that can be commonly used, there are signals that are not suitable for use due to hardware constraints (from the viewpoints of ease of installation and installation cost). Therefore, in order to implement the remote inspection device 100, it is necessary to fully study which signals to use and which methods to use to determine the inspection items of the remote inspection. The signals used and the determination method of the inspection items in the present embodiment will be described using Figure 7 the following figures.

[0088] Returning to Figure 2 the description, the remote inspection device 100 in the present embodiment can be connected to both the elevator system 200 manufactured by Company X installed in Building A and the elevator system 200a manufactured by Company Y installed in Building B. The remote inspection device 100 installed in Building A and the remote inspection device 100 installed in Building B are connected to the management server 300 via a network. If the terminal 400 is used, remote inspection of both the elevator system 200 in Building A and the elevator system 200a in Building B can be achieved.

[0089] In addition, in the case where both the elevator system 200 manufactured by Company X and the elevator system 200a manufactured by Company Y are installed in one building, it is configured that the elevator systems 200 and 200a can be connected by one remote inspection device 100.

[0090] In the case of the above configuration, regardless of which elevator is installed, the building owner can freely select a maintenance company and sign a maintenance contract for remote inspection regardless of whether it is a manufacturer-based maintenance company or an independent maintenance company.

[0091] In addition, the management server 300 is not limited to being composed of a single server device, and may also be composed of multiple server devices. For example, server devices may be set up for each region to respond to access requests from each region. In this case, it may also be configured such that the server devices in each region communicate with each other and can share information (such as customer information and elevator information) with each other. Alternatively, a main server device for managing the servers in each region may be provided, and the main server device manages the information in each region.

[0092] Each of the above-mentioned regions is not limited to the regions of a single country, and may also include regions of multiple countries. For example, it may be configured such that a server device is set up within Japan and shares information with a server device set up outside Japan. In addition, a main server device may be set up in any country, and the information stored in the main server device may be referred to from the server devices set up in each country.

[0093] The server devices set up in each country may also be configured to have a language code for each country or region to be managed. For example, "Japanese" is set as the language code for the server device that manages buildings within Japan. "Chinese" is set as the language code for the server device that manages buildings within China. "English" is set as the language code for the server device that manages buildings in English-speaking countries.

[0094] The server device has language data corresponding to each language code. For example, when there is an access from a terminal within Japan, information is displayed in Japanese on these terminals. When there is an access from a terminal within China, information is displayed in Chinese on these terminals. In addition, information may be managed for each language. The management server 300 may also be composed of a server group such as a communication server (Web server), a data server, and an application server that are connected to the remote inspection device 100 and the terminal 400.

[0095] In the case of such a configuration, the remote inspection system 1 can be used in various countries around the world. For example, in Figure 2 the example, an elevator system 200 (control panel 210 and elevator equipment group 220) and a remote inspection device 100 are provided in Building A in the first country (e.g., the United States), and an elevator system 200a (control panel 210a and elevator equipment group 220a) and a remote inspection device 100 are provided in Building B in the second country (e.g., Japan) different from the first country.

[0096] The management server 300 is set in the information center of the second country. The management server 300 set in the second country can be connected to the remote inspection device 100 set in the first country and the remote inspection device 100 set in the second country via a network. The management server 300 can send an execution instruction for remote inspection to the remote inspection device 100 set in the first country or the second country, and can receive the determination results of each inspection item of the remote inspection from the remote inspection device 100 that has received the execution instruction.

[0097] The terminal 400 can be set in the first country or the second country. For example, it is also possible to access the management server 300 set in the second country from the terminal 400 set in the second country and perform remote inspection through the remote inspection device 100 set in the first country or the second country. It is also possible to access the management server 300 set in the second country from the terminal 400 set in the first country and perform remote inspection through the remote inspection device 100 set in the first country or the second country.

[0098] The remote inspection device 100 set in the first country is network-connected using the communication line network (such as an LTE line network) of the first country. The remote inspection device 100 set in the second country is network-connected using the communication line network of the second country. The management server 300 set in the second country is connected to the remote inspection device 100 set in the first country or the second country via the communication line of the second country.

[0099] With the above configuration, it is possible to manage the remote inspection device 100 that performs remote inspection of the elevator system 200 operating in the first country through the management server 300 of the second country. Thus, regardless of which country the elevator system 200 and the remote inspection device 100 are set in, it is possible to manage the remote inspection device 100 across countries through the management server 300.

[0100] In addition, not limited to the determination of each inspection item of the remote inspection performed by the remote inspection device 100, the management server 300 can also perform the determination of each inspection item of the remote inspection. In this case, the remote inspection device 100 sends the signal data for determination obtained from the elevator system 200 to the management server 300. The management server 300 can perform the determination of each inspection item based on this signal data. Of course, it can also be configured to set the management server 300 for each country and manage the remote inspection device 100 for each country.

[0101] (Detailed structure of the elevator system 200)

[0102] Figure 3This is a diagram showing an example of the hardware structure of elevator system 200. In this embodiment, building 2 where elevator system 200 is installed is a five-story building. In addition, one elevator (referred to as "Unit 1") is installed in building 2.

[0103] The control panel 210 includes each control unit (car control unit) 212. Each control unit 212 is a control board that controls elevator equipment group 220. Elevator equipment group 220 includes landing devices 230 installed at each landing from the first floor (1F) to the fifth floor (5F), various sensors and various switches used in elevator system 200 (for example, the slow-up switch and slow-down switch described later), and the traction machine 250 and car device 240 of Unit 1.

[0104] The traction machine 250 is a motor that drives the elevator car to move up and down. The car device 240 is various equipment installed in the car, including destination floor buttons for registering the destination floor. The landing device 230 is various equipment installed at each landing, including landing buttons for registering landing calls. Their details will be described using Figure 4 the following diagrams.

[0105] Each control unit 212 is connected to the landing devices 230, various sensors, various switches, etc. on each floor via a control cable 21 formed by bundling a plurality of signal lines. In addition, each control unit 212 is connected to the traction machine 250 and car device 240 of Unit 1 via a control cable 22 formed by bundling a plurality of signal lines.

[0106] Each control unit 212 includes a processor, a memory, and a communication interface. The processor is a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The memory is, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). They are connected to each other via a bus in a communicable manner.

[0107] The ROM stores a program for the management software that controls elevator equipment group 220. The CPU reads the program stored in the ROM into the RAM and executes it to control elevator equipment group 220. The RAM becomes a working area when the CPU executes the program, and temporarily stores programs, data when executing programs, etc.

[0108] Each control unit 212 is configured to be able to communicate with elevator equipment group 220 such as landing devices 230, traction machine 250, car device 240, or Figure 1 , Figure 2 the various maintenance devices shown via the communication interface through serial communication or parallel communication.

[0109] Figure 4 This is a diagram schematically showing the structure of an elevator. The car 10 of the elevator is provided in a hoistway 8 provided in a building 2. The car 10 moves up and down in the hoistway 8 and moves between multiple floors. In the present embodiment, the car 10 can stop at each of the floors from the 1st floor (1F) to the 5th floor (5F).

[0110] A machine room 5 is provided directly above the hoistway 8. In the machine room 5, a traction machine 250, a control panel 210, and a remote inspection device 100 are provided. A car device 240 is provided on the car 10.

[0111] In the present embodiment, the elevator is a traction elevator. The traction elevator is a type of rope elevator. This elevator includes a car 10, a counterweight 12, a rope 11, a traction machine 250, and a deflector sheave 13. A rope (main rope) 11 is suspended between the traction machine 250 and the deflector sheave 13. At both ends of the rope 11, the car 10 and the counterweight 12 are in a suspended state.

[0112] By driving the traction machine 250, the elevator can move the car 10 provided in the hoistway 8 in the upward direction (also referred to as the "UP direction") or the downward direction (also referred to as the "DN direction").

[0113] The car 10 has any one of the traveling directions of the UP direction, the DN direction, and the no-direction. In order to respond to a traveling instruction to an upper floor of the car 10, when the car 10 travels or stops in the UP direction (stops in a state of traveling in the predetermined UP direction), the traveling direction of the car 10 becomes the UP direction. In order to respond to a traveling instruction to a lower floor of the car 10, when the car 10 travels or stops in the DN direction (stops in a state of traveling in the predetermined DN direction), the traveling direction of the car 10 becomes the DN direction. When the traveling direction of the car 10 is neither the UP direction nor the DN direction, the car direction of the car 10 is defined as "no-direction". Alternatively, when the car 10 stops at the lowest floor, the car direction becomes the UP direction, and when the car 10 stops at the highest floor, the car direction becomes the DN direction.

[0114] The car 10 can travel when the electromagnetic brake (not shown, also simply referred to as the "brake") of the traction machine 250 is released. The car 10 becomes in a braking state (stationary state) when the brake of the traction machine 250 operates. The brake of the traction machine 250 is configured to be able to press the brake shoe against the brake drum by the force of a spring to perform braking. By supplying power to the brake coil, the brake shoe is separated from the brake drum, thereby releasing the brake. If the supply of power to the brake coil is cut off, the electromagnetic brake becomes in a braking state, and the car 10 can no longer travel.

[0115] The elevator is designed such that in a state where the load in the car 10 is 50% of the maximum load weight, the weight of the counterweight 12 balances the weight of the car 10 containing passengers. For example, in a state without passengers, the counterweight 12 is heavier than the car 10. Therefore, when the brake is simply released, the car 10 travels in the UP direction. On the other hand, if the car 10 is full of passengers, the car 10 is heavier than the counterweight 12. Therefore, when the brake is simply released, the car 10 travels in the DN direction.

[0116] A buffer (shock absorber) 14 is provided in the pit 6 at the bottom of the hoistway 8. The buffer 14 is a device that absorbs the impact during the fall of the car 10 in the event of an abnormality.

[0117] Each control unit 212 is connected to the car device 240 via a control cable 22 ( Figure 3 ). A plurality of signal lines for enabling communication between each control unit 212 and the car device 240 are bundled in the control cable 22.

[0118] Each control unit 212 is connected to the landing devices 230, various sensors, and various switches provided on each floor via a control cable 21 ( Figure 3 ) laid along the wall surface of the hoistway 8. The control cable 21 is composed of a plurality of signal lines for enabling communication between each control unit 212 and the landing devices 230 or various switches, etc. In addition, in the case where there is no machine room 5, the traction machine 250, the control panel 210, etc. are provided in the hoistway 8 (inside the wall surface or the pit 6, etc.).

[0119] In addition, the elevator is not limited to the traction elevator that balances the car 10 and the counterweight 12 as described above. For example, it can also be a drum elevator that winds a rope 11 around a drum to lift and lower the car 10 without using a counterweight 12. The drum elevator is a type of rope elevator. In addition, it can also be a hydraulic elevator that supplies oil to a hydraulic jack by an electric pump and lifts and lowers the car 10 by the operation of the hydraulic jack.

[0120] In the case of a hydraulic elevator, the position of the car 10 is controlled by controlling the amount of oil supplied to the hydraulic jack. In the case of a hydraulic elevator, since the characteristics of the oil change according to the season or temperature, the running characteristics of the car 10 are likely to vary. For example, compared to when the temperature is higher in summer, the oil becomes thicker in winter, so starting takes time. In addition, in the case of a hydraulic elevator that controls the amount of oil (hydraulic pressure), compared to a rope elevator that controls the rotation amount of the motor, the running time between floors is likely to deviate. Further, when the car 10 stops at a certain floor, over time, the car will sink slightly, and the floor of the car 10 may gradually descend relative to the floor of the landing (leave the landing area during stop).

[0121] Figure 5A is a diagram showing an example of a landing of an elevator. In Figure 5A shows a diagram when observing the landing of the elevator from the front.

[0122] Here, in the present embodiment, the landing call in the UP direction (upward direction) is also referred to as "UP call" or "UP landing call", the landing call in the DN direction (downward direction) is also referred to as "DN call" or "DN landing call", and the destination floor call in the car 10 is also referred to as "car call". The button for registering these respective calls is called a "call button".

[0123] The call buttons include a car call button (also referred to as a "destination floor button") provided in the car 10 and a landing call button (also referred to as a "landing button") provided at the landing. The landing call button (landing button) includes an upward landing call button (also referred to as an "UP call button" or "UP landing call button") provided at the landing and a downward landing call button (also referred to as a "DN call button" or "DN landing call button") provided at the landing.

[0124] As described above, a landing device 230 is provided on each floor. The landing device 230 includes a landing operation panel 70. Here, the landing on the first floor will be described as an example. The landing on the first floor has a door 61 and a landing operation panel 70.

[0125] The landing operation panel 70 has an UP landing call button 81 and a DN landing call button 82. For example, when the UP landing call button 81 is pressed, the UP landing call on the first floor is registered.

[0126] The landing operation panel 70 has an indicator 71. The indicator 71 shows the running direction of the car 10 and which floor the car 10 is on (car position). In the example of the figure, it shows that the car 10 is running or stopping in the UP direction on the second floor.

[0127] Next, the inside of the car 10 will be described. Figure 5BFIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the interior of an elevator car. Figure 5B 2 shows a diagram when observing the exit direction in the car 10. The car device 240 includes a car operating panel 50. The car 10 is provided with a door 60 and a car operating panel 50. The car operating panel 50 is provided with a door opening button 52 for opening the door, a door closing button 53 for closing the door, and a car call button for registering the destination floor (car call) of the 1st to 5th floors.

[0128] The car call buttons include a 1st floor car call button 31 for registering a car call to the 1st floor, a 2nd floor car call button 32 for registering a car call to the 2nd floor, a 3rd floor car call button 33 for registering a car call to the 3rd floor, a 4th floor car call button 34 for registering a car call to the 4th floor, and a 5th floor car call button 35 for registering a car call to the 5th floor. In addition, the car operating panel 50 is provided with an indicator 51 for displaying the travel direction of the car 10 and the car position.

[0129] When the landing call button is pressed, a call signal corresponding to the pressed landing call is sent to the control panel 210 (each platform control unit 212). The control panel 210 registers the landing call. Then, the control panel 210 assigns the car 10 to the registered landing call, and the control panel 210 causes the car 10 to respond to the registered landing call.

[0130] For example, when the UP landing call button 81 of the 1st floor is pressed, a signal corresponding to the UP landing call of the 1st floor is transmitted, and the control panel 210 registers the UP landing call of the 1st floor. The control panel 210 determines the allocation of the car 10 in response to the UP landing call of the 1st floor. In response to the UP landing call of the 1st floor, the car 10 stops at the 1st floor and opens the door.

[0131] When the car call button is pressed, a call signal corresponding to the pressed car call is transmitted to the control panel 210. The control panel 210 registers the car call. The control panel 210 causes the car 10 to respond to the registered car call.

[0132] For example, when the car call button 32 for the second floor is pressed, a call signal corresponding to the car call for the second floor is sent to the control panel 210. The control panel 210 registers the car call for the second floor. In response to the car call for the second floor, the car 10 stops at the second floor and opens the door.

[0133] Here, "door opening" means that the door 60 on the car 10 side and the door 61 on the landing side are opened in conjunction with each other, which is also referred to as "door opening" below. Similarly, "door closing" means that the door 60 on the car 10 side and the door 61 on the landing side are closed in conjunction with each other, which is also referred to as "door closing" below.

[0134] (Input and output signals for the control panel 210)

[0135] Here, among the signals input and output between the control panel 210 that controls the elevator equipment group 220 and the elevator equipment group 220 through parallel transmission, the signal obtained by the remote inspection device 100 is called a "judgment signal". The remote inspection device 100 uses the judgment signal to judge each item of the remote inspection. The judgment signal includes the first signal to the fourth signal. Each judgment signal has any state of the ON (valid) state and the OFF (invalid) state. In this embodiment, the DZ signal as a mode of the first signal, the LB signal as a mode of the second signal, the GS signal as a mode of the third signal, and the DS signal as a mode of the fourth signal are respectively exemplified.

[0136] The landing device 230 provided at each floor includes a landing door switch (also referred to as an "interlock switch") not shown. The landing door switch is turned on when the door 61 on the landing side is in a closed state, and is turned off when the door 61 on the landing side is in an open state. When the landing door switch is in an OFF state (not closed), the car 10 is controlled by the control panel 210 to be unable to travel for safety.

[0137] In this embodiment, when the door 61 of the floor station is closed and the floor station door switch is in the ON state (the contact becomes the ON state after the floor station door switch is pressed), the DS signal becomes the ON state; when the door 61 of the floor station is not closed and the floor station door switch is in the OFF state, the DS signal becomes the OFF state and is sent to the control panel 210.

[0138] In addition, the car device 240 includes a car door switch (also referred to as a "door switch") not shown. The car door switch is turned on when the door 60 on the car 10 side is in a closed state, and is turned off when the door 60 on the car 10 side is in an open state. When the car door switch is in an OFF state (a state in which the door is not closed), the car 10 is controlled by the control panel 210 to be unable to travel for safety.

[0139] In the present embodiment, when the door 60 of the car 10 is closed and the car door switch is in the ON state (the contact is in the ON state after the car door switch is pressed), the GS signal is in the ON state, and when the door 60 of the car 10 is not closed and the car door switch is in the OFF state, the GS signal is in the OFF state and is sent to the control panel 210. The door 60 of the car 10 is opened and closed in conjunction with the door 61 of the landing.

[0140] In addition, the car device 240 includes a door zone detection device (also referred to as a "landing device") not shown. Here, the door zone indicates the position range of the car 10 where the door 60 of the elevator can be opened and closed. The door zone detection device is provided on the car 10. On each floor, when the car 10 is within the position range where the door can be opened (within the door zone), the door zone detection device detects the DZ signal as the ON state. When the car 10 is not within the door zone, the DZ signal is detected as the OFF state and sent to the control panel 210.

[0141] For example, the door zone detection device provided on the car 10 includes a magnetic proximity sensor. On the other hand, a plate for door zone detection is provided at the landing position of each floor in the hoistway 8. For example, when the magnetic proximity sensor of the door zone detection device detects the plate for door zone detection, it is configured such that the DZ signal becomes ON. For example, when the floor position of the car 10 is within 150 mm above and below the floor position of each landing, it is configured such that the DZ signal becomes ON.

[0142] In a state where the car 10 is outside the door zone (the DZ signal is in the OFF state), for safety, the control panel 210 controls so that the door cannot be opened. Alternatively, it may be configured such that the door zone detection device is provided on the hoistway 8 side and the plate for door zone detection is provided on the car 10 side.

[0143] In addition, when the elevator brake is released by supplying power to the brake coil of the traction machine 250, the LB signal becomes the ON state. When the elevator brake is actuated (the brake is not released) by stopping the supply of power to the brake coil of the traction machine 250, the LB signal becomes the OFF state.

[0144] In addition, a slow-up switch (not shown) and a slow-down switch (not shown) are provided on the wall surface of the hoistway 8. The slow-up switch is a switch provided to prevent the car 10 from colliding with the top of the hoistway 8. The slow-up switch is configured to become the ON state when the position of the car 10 traveling upward (UP) reaches a specified position between the 5th floor (the top floor) and the 4th floor by contacting a specified member installed on the car 10.

[0145] When the slow-up switch is in the ON state, the SUL signal becomes the ON state. When the slow-up switch is in the OFF state, the SUL signal becomes the OFF state. When the car 10 approaches the top floor and the slow-up switch becomes the ON state, if the car 10 is traveling at a speed equal to or higher than a specified speed, for safety, the control panel 210 controls to decelerate the car 10.

[0146] The slow-down downward switch is a switch configured to prevent the car 10 from colliding with the bottom of the hoistway 8 (or entering the pit 6). The slow-down upward switch is configured to be in the ON state when the position of the car 10 traveling in the DN direction reaches a specified position between the 1st floor (the lowest floor) and the 2nd floor by contacting a specified member installed on the car 10.

[0147] When the slow-down downward switch is in the ON state, the SDL signal becomes ON, and when the slow-down downward switch is in the OFF state, the SDL signal becomes OFF. When the car 10 approaches the lowest floor and the slow-down downward switch becomes ON, if the car 10 is traveling at a speed above a specified speed, for safety, the control panel 210 controls to decelerate the car 10.

[0148] Alternatively, it can be configured to set the slow-down upward switch and the slow-down downward switch on the car 10 side, and these switches become ON by contacting specified members installed on the hoistway 8 side.

[0149] In this embodiment, in the building 2, only one elevator ( Figure 3 the car 10 of Machine No. 1) is installed. Therefore, when a landing call is registered, Machine No. 1 must be assigned, and Machine No. 1 responds to the landing call.

[0150] For example, when a DN landing call is registered on the 2nd floor landing, Machine No. 1 is assigned to the DN landing call on the 2nd floor. Machine No. 1 traveling in the DN direction responds to the DN landing call on the 2nd floor, stops at the 2nd floor, and then opens the door.

[0151] The above structure is a structure for controlling only one elevator in the building 2 (a single-car structure), but the structure for installing and controlling multiple elevators in the building 2 (a multi-car structure) will be described below. Figure 6 FIG. is an example of the hardware structure of an elevator system 200b showing a modified example.

[0152] In this modified example, the elevator system 200b includes two elevators, "Machine No. 1" and "Machine No. 2". The elevator equipment group 220b includes landing devices 230 installed at the landings of each floor from the 1st floor to the 5th floor, the traction machine 250 and the car device 240 of Machine No. 1, various sensors and various switches of Machine No. 1, the traction machine 250 and the car device 240 of Machine No. 2, and various sensors and various switches of Machine No. 2.

[0153] The control panel 210b includes a group control unit 211 and two car control units 212. The group control unit 211 is a control board for managing multiple elevators. Each car control unit 212 is a control board for controlling the operation of the corresponding elevator. The group control unit 211 communicates with the two car control units 212 to exchange various data related to the elevator.

[0154] The group control unit 211 uniformly controls the landing devices 230 on each floor. The group control unit 211 is connected to the landing devices 230 installed on each floor from the 1st floor to the 5th floor via the control cable 21. Each car control unit 212 is connected to the traction machine 250, the car device 240, and various sensors and various switches of each unit via the control cables 22 and 23.

[0155] In Figure 6 In the illustrated modification, the landing device 230 on each floor includes a landing operation panel 70 provided with landing call buttons. However, in this modification, the indicator 71 is not included in the landing operation panel 70. In this modification, one landing operation panel 70 is provided on each floor, and the quantity corresponding to the number of elevators (2) of indicators 71 is provided.

[0156] The group control unit 211 is connected to the landing device 230 (landing call button) provided on each floor via the control cable 21 laid along the wall surface of the hoistway 8. Each car control unit 212 is connected to the traction machine 250 and the car device 240 of the unit corresponding to each car control unit 212 via the control cable 22. The car device 240 includes a car operation panel 50 provided with destination floor buttons, a car door switch, and a door zone detection device.

[0157] Each car control unit 212 is connected to various sensors and various switches of the unit corresponding to each car control unit 212 via the control cable 23 laid along the wall surface of the hoistway 8. The various sensors and various switches include a slow-up switch, a slow-down switch, a landing door switch on each floor, and an indicator 71 on each floor provided for each unit.

[0158] In this example, when the landing call button is pressed, the group control unit 211 registers the landing call corresponding to the landing call button. Then, the group control unit 211 assigns any one of the multiple cars 10 (Unit 1, Unit 2) to the registered landing call. The car control unit 212 corresponding to the assigned car 10 (assigned car) causes the assigned car to respond to the registered landing call.

[0159] For example, when the UP landing call button 81 on the first floor is pressed, the first floor UP landing call signal becomes ON. The group management control unit 211 receives the first floor UP landing call signal in the ON state and registers the first floor UP landing call. The group management control unit 211 assigns either car 10 of machine 1 or machine 2 to the first floor UP landing call.

[0160] For example, the group management control unit 211 assigns car 10 of machine 1. In this case, the group management control unit 211 sends an instruction to each control unit 212 of machine 1 to respond to the first floor UP landing call. Each control unit 212 of machine 1 makes car 10 of machine 1 travel to respond to the first floor UP landing call. After car 10 travels to the first floor, it stops at the first floor and opens the door.

[0161] In addition, the control panel 210b may not have the group management control unit 211 and only have two control units 212 each. In this case, the functions of the group management control unit 211 may be provided by each control unit 212 of machine 1. Each control unit 212 of machine 1 controls the landing device 230 via the control cable 21 and is directly communicatively connected to each control unit 212 of machine 2.

[0162] (Forced stop and waiting actions)

[0163] In addition, the elevator system 200 (200a, 200b) can set a forced stop floor and a waiting floor. When the forced stop floor is set, when car 10 passes through the forced stop floor, car 10 must stop at the forced stop floor and open the door. For example, assume a scenario where the second floor is set as the forced stop floor when the lobby of a hotel is on the second floor. When car 10 travels from the first floor to the fifth floor, car 10 must stop at the intermediate second floor and open the door.

[0164] When the waiting floor is set, after car 10 finishes responding to all landing calls and car calls (this state is called "available"), it travels to the set waiting floor. For example, the first floor (main floor) is set as the waiting floor. When car 10 finishes responding to the final call on the fifth floor and becomes available, it travels from the fifth floor towards the first floor and waits at the first floor (waiting floor).

[0165] When setting the waiting floor, it is also possible to set the presence or absence of door opening waiting and the number of waiting units. For example, as Figure 6In the case where there are two elevators managed by the control panel 210b as in the example, one or two cars 10 can wait at the waiting floor. At this time, it can be set to the open door state or the closed door state and wait at the waiting floor. In the case of waiting with the door open, after the car 10 arrives at the waiting floor and the door is opened, after a specified time (for example, 1 minute or 3 minutes), the door is closed. The waiting floor where the open door waiting is set is also called the "open door waiting floor".

[0166] In addition, the elevator system 200b can also perform a decentralized waiting operation. For example, in the case where there are two elevators managed by the control panel 210b, the two cars 10 are made to wait dispersedly so that the two available cars 10 do not stop at the same floor or adjacent floors. For example, in the case where both of the two available cars 10 are stopped at the first floor (main floor), one car is made to travel upward (for example, to the third floor) and then wait with the door closed.

[0167] In this way, even when there is no landing call or car call, sometimes the car 10 travels or the door is opened by setting the forced stop floor, setting the waiting floor, or performing the decentralized waiting operation.

[0168] (Detailed structure of the remote inspection system 1 and signals used)

[0169] Hereinafter, the Figure 3 elevator system 200 (with one car) shown will be described on the premise. Figure 7 It is a diagram for explaining the hardware structure of the remote inspection system 1 and the signals used by the remote inspection system 1.

[0170] As described above, the elevator system 200 includes a control panel 210 and an elevator equipment group 220. The elevator equipment group 220 includes landing devices 230 on the first to fifth floors. The control panel 210 and the elevator equipment group 220 are connected by a plurality of signal lines, whereby a plurality of signals can be transmitted and received.

[0171] These multiple signals include the above-mentioned DZ signal, LB signal, GS signal, DS signal, SUL signal, SDL signal, UP signal, DN signal, the UP landing call signal on the first floor, and the DN landing call signal on the fifth floor. All the signals exemplified here are transmitted and received by parallel transmission.

[0172] The DZ signal is the signal detected by the door area detection device as described above. When the car 10 is within the position range where the door can be opened (in the door area) on each floor, the DZ signal becomes the ON state, and when it is outside the door area, the DZ signal becomes the OFF state.

[0173] The LB signal is a signal that becomes ON when the brake is released by supplying power to the brake coil of the traction machine 250 as described above. When the supply of power to the brake coil of the traction machine 250 is stopped and the brake is actuated, the LB signal becomes OFF.

[0174] The GS signal is a signal detected by the car door switch as described above. When the car-side door 60 is in the closed state, the GS signal becomes ON, and when the car-side door 60 is in the open state, the GS signal becomes OFF.

[0175] The DS signal is a signal detected by the landing door switch as described above. When the landing-side door 61 is in the closed state, the DS signal becomes ON, and when the landing-side door 61 is in the open state, the DS signal becomes OFF.

[0176] The SUL signal is a signal detected by the slow up switch as described above. When the slow up switch is in the ON state, the SUL signal becomes ON, and when the slow up switch is in the OFF state, the SUL signal becomes OFF.

[0177] The SDL signal is a signal detected by the slow down switch as described above. When the slow down switch is in the ON state, the SDL signal becomes ON, and when the slow down switch is in the OFF state, the SDL signal becomes OFF.

[0178] When the traveling direction of the car 10 is the UP direction, the UP signal becomes ON, and when the traveling direction of the car 10 is other than the UP direction, the UP signal becomes OFF. When the traveling direction of the car 10 is the DN direction, the DN signal becomes ON, and when the traveling direction of the car 10 is other than the DN direction, the DN signal becomes OFF.

[0179] The UP landing call signal for the first floor is a signal that becomes ON when the UP landing call button 81 of the landing device 230 on the first floor is in the pressed state. In the pressed state of the UP landing call button 81, the contact becomes ON, and when the pressed state of the UP landing call button 81 is released, the contact becomes OFF.

[0180] The DN landing call signal for the fifth floor is a signal that becomes ON when the DN landing call button 82 of the landing device 230 on the fifth floor is in the pressed state. In the pressed state of the DN landing call button 82, the contact becomes ON, and when the pressed state of the DN landing call button 82 is released, the contact becomes OFF.

[0181] In addition, although not shown, the landing call signals output from the landing call buttons on other landings and the car call signals output from the car call buttons are also input to the control panel 210.

[0182] The remote inspection device 100 includes a control device 110, an input IF (interface) 130, an output IF (interface) 140, and a communication IF (interface) 120.

[0183] The input IF 130 is a board for inputting a part of the signals input and output by parallel transmission between the control panel 210 and the elevator equipment group 220 as determination signals. The signal lines of the DZ signal, LB signal, GS signal, DS signal, SUL signal, SDL signal, UP signal, and DN signal input to the control panel 210 are branched, and each branched signal line is connected to the terminals provided on the input IF 130. Each signal input to the input IF 130 is also sent to the control device 110.

[0184] The output IF 140 is a board for outputting signals to the elevator equipment group 220. The control device 110 can output the UP landing call signal for the 1st floor and the DN landing call signal for the 5th floor to the output IF 140. When the output IF 140 receives the UP landing call signal for the 1st floor from the control device 110, it outputs the received UP landing call signal for the 1st floor to the elevator equipment group 220, and when it receives the DN landing call signal for the 5th floor from the control device 110, it outputs the received DN landing call signal for the 5th floor to the elevator equipment group 220.

[0185] The UP landing call button 81 for the 1st floor is provided in the landing device 230 for the 1st floor. A signal line for transmitting the UP landing call signal for the 1st floor is provided between the landing device 230 for the 1st floor and the control panel 210. The DN landing call button 82 for the 5th floor is provided in the landing device 230 for the 5th floor. A signal line for transmitting the DN landing call signal for the 5th floor is provided between the landing device 230 for the 5th floor and the control panel 210. In addition, in the present embodiment, since the landing call signals are transmitted from the landing device 230 to the control panel 210 by serial transmission, it is not possible to branch the parallel transmission line from the control panel 210 side to input and output the landing call signals to and from the remote inspection device 100.

[0186] When the UP landing call button 81 on the 1st floor is pressed, the contacts are short-circuited, and a signal in the ON state is input to the landing device 230 on the 1st floor. Thereby, the landing device 230 on the 1st floor sends (serial transmission) a 1st floor UP landing call signal in the ON state to the control panel 210. A signal line for sending the 1st floor UP landing call signal is connected to the terminal of the output IF140, and this signal line is connected to the landing device 230. Moreover, it is modified such that when the 1st floor UP landing call signal in the ON state is output from the output IF140, the contacts of the 1st floor UP landing call button 81 are short-circuited. Thereby, a 1st floor UP landing call signal in the ON state is sent from the landing device 230 on the 1st floor to the control panel 210. That is, by sending a 1st floor UP landing call signal in the ON state from the output IF140, it is possible to analogously generate the state where the 1st floor UP landing call button 81 is pressed.

[0187] When the DN landing call button 82 on the 5th floor is pressed, the contacts are short-circuited, and a signal in the ON state is input to the landing device 230 on the 5th floor. Thereby, the landing device 230 on the 5th floor sends (serial transmission) a 5th floor DN landing call signal in the ON state to the control panel 210. A signal line for sending the 5th floor DN landing call signal is connected to the terminal of the output IF140, and this signal line is connected to the landing device 230. Moreover, it is modified such that when the 5th floor DN landing call signal in the ON state is output from the output IF140, the contacts of the 5th floor DN landing call button 82 are short-circuited. Thereby, a 5th floor DN landing call signal in the ON state is sent from the landing device 230 on the 5th floor to the control panel 210. That is, by sending a 5th floor DN landing call signal in the ON state from the output IF140, it is possible to analogously generate the state where the 5th floor DN landing call button 82 is pressed.

[0188] In the present embodiment, for remote inspection, the situation where the remote inspection device 100 generates a simulated landing call and makes the car 10 travel is called "diagnostic operation". In this example, the remote inspection device 100 generates a simulated 1st floor UP landing call and a 5th floor DN landing call as described above. By combining these two landing calls, it is possible to perform a diagnostic operation in which the car 10 travels between the lowest floor (1st floor) and the highest floor (5th floor).

[0189] The elevator equipment group 220 and the input IF130 and the output IF140 transmit and receive signals through parallel transmission. The input IF130 and the output IF140 also transmit and receive signals with the control device 110 through parallel transmission. The signals input from the respective signal lines connecting the elevator equipment group 220 and the input IF130 have deviations in voltage, etc. (for example, 24V, 48V, 100V) according to each manufacturer. Therefore, the signals are made common through the input IF130 and then input to the control device 110.

[0190] In addition, in the present embodiment, a temperature sensor 15 is provided in the machine room 5. The control device 110 is configured to be able to obtain the detection result of the temperature sensor 15. Thereby, the control device 110 can detect the temperature of the machine room 5. The temperature sensor 15 is not limited to the machine room, and may be provided at any position inside the hoistway 8 of the elevator, around the hoistway 8, or around the elevator. In addition, in the present embodiment, the control device 110 is configured to be able to obtain the voltage of the intercom 16 installed in the car 10. Using this information, it is possible to determine whether the temperature of the machine room 5 or the like or the state of the intercom is normal.

[0191] The control device 110 is a PLC that includes at least a processor (CPU) 111 and a memory 112. The memory is, for example, a ROM and a RAM. They are connected to each other via a bus so as to be able to communicate. The ROM stores a program for controlling the control device 110. The CPU reads the program stored in the ROM into the RAM and executes it to control the control device 110. The RAM becomes a work area when the CPU executes the program, and temporarily stores programs, data when executing the program, and the like. The control device 110 is configured to be able to communicate with the input IF 130, the output IF 140, and the communication IF 120. The communication IF 120 is a board for communicating with the management server 300 via a network.

[0192] As described above, the terminal 400 includes a display unit 410 and an input unit 420. The display unit 410 is, for example, a display. The input unit 420 is, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch panel display integrated with the display unit 410.

[0193] The management server 300 issues an instruction for remote inspection of the control device 110 via the communication IF 120, and obtains the result of the remote inspection from the control device 110. The terminal 400 and the management server 300 also include a processor (CPU) and a memory (ROM, RAM) in the same manner as the control device 110.

[0194] The control device 110 sends a 1st floor UP landing call signal to the landing device 230 on the 1st floor via the output IF 140, thereby simulating the generation of a 1st floor UP landing call. The control device 110 sends a 5th floor DN landing call signal to the landing device 230 on the 5th floor via the output IF 140, thereby simulating the generation of a 5th floor DN landing call. Thereby, the car 10 can travel between the 1st floor and the 5th floor, and the above-described diagnostic operation can be implemented.

[0195] The control device 110 acquires, via the input IF 130, the DZ signal, LB signal, GS signal, DS signal, SUL signal, SDL signal, UP signal, and DN signal input and output with respect to the control panel 210. In addition, the control device 110 acquires the detection result of the temperature sensor 15 and the voltage of the intercom 16 as signals. The control device 110 determines each item of remote inspection based on these signals and transmits the determination result to the management server 300 via the communication IF 120. The determination result can be confirmed on the terminal 400.

[0196] Here, the specifications of the respective signals input from the elevator system 200 sometimes differ depending on the elevator manufacturer or elevator model. For example, when acquiring signals corresponding to the DZ signal, LB signal, GS signal, and DS signal, the ON state and OFF state may sometimes be input in the opposite state. For example, regarding the LB signal, assume two cases: the signal becomes ON in the state where the brake is applied (the state where the brake is not released), and the signal becomes ON in the state where the brake is released.

[0197] In the present embodiment, the memory 112 of the control device 110 stores a conversion map corresponding to each manufacturer or each model. Each signal is converted by the conversion map (for example, conversion that reverses the ON / OFF of the DZ signal, LB signal, GS signal, and DS signal) to standardize the signal specifications. In addition, the SUL signal, SDL signal, UP signal, and DN signal are not essential signals, and it is not a problem even if these signals cannot be acquired (described in detail later).

[0198] For example, it is also possible to take in the signal of the rotary encoder of the traction machine 250 and generate the UP signal and DN signal based on this, and it is also possible to generate the UP signal and DN signal based on the DZ signal (described in detail later). In this case, using the above conversion map, it is only necessary to convert the signal of the rotary encoder or the DZ signal into the UP signal and DN signal.

[0199] In addition, as described above Figure 2 The control panel 210 and the maintenance device manufactured by Company X are configured to be able to perform a communication connection based on serial communication via the connector 261 provided on the control panel 210.

[0200] (Diagnostic operation)

[0201] Figure 8 This is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the travel of the car 10 and the signals during the diagnostic operation. As described above, in the present embodiment, it is possible to generate an analog 1st floor UP landing call and a 5th floor DN landing call, and perform a diagnostic operation in which the car 10 travels between the lowest floor (1st floor) and the highest floor (5th floor). Thus, for example, it is possible to measure the travel time from the 1st floor to the 5th floor.

[0202] The diagnostic operation is carried out in a state where the car 10 is not excluded from the cars to be allocated, that is, in a state where the car 10 can respond to the landing calls from the elevator passengers. Therefore, even if the car 10 is called to the first floor and then made to travel to the fifth floor through the diagnostic operation, it may travel to a floor different from the first floor due to the landing calls from the elevator passengers. In the diagnostic operation, the car may also stop at a floor between the first floor and the fifth floor due to the car calls from the elevator passengers. Therefore, for example, the diagnostic operation is carried out once a month at a late night time when there are no elevator passengers.

[0203] The determination of the inspection items for remote inspection includes the determination based on "operation diagnosis" and the determination based on "normal diagnosis". The situation where the diagnostic operation is carried out and the remote inspection items are diagnosed based on this diagnostic operation is called "operation diagnosis". In the operation diagnosis, the determination is made using the determination signal obtained when the car 10 travels in response to the landing call signal sent by the instruction unit 155 (described later) of the remote inspection device 100.

[0204] On the other hand, not limited to the diagnostic operation, the situation where the remote inspection items are diagnosed each time the car 10 is operated by the operation of the elevator passengers or the like is called "normal diagnosis". In the normal diagnosis, the determination is made using the determination signal obtained regardless of whether the landing call signal is sent by the instruction unit 155 of the remote inspection device 100.

[0205] In this example, at time t0, the car 10 stops at the first floor. At this time, since the car 10 stops at the lowest floor (the first floor), the SUL signal is in the OFF state and the SDL signal is in the ON state. Since the brake of the traction machine 250 is operating, the LB signal is in the OFF state. Since the position of the car 10 is within the position range where the door can be opened (in the door zone) on the first floor, the DZ signal is in the ON state. Since the door 60 on the car 10 side is in the closed state, the GS signal is in the ON state. Since the door 61 on the landing side is in the closed state, the DS signal is in the ON state.

[0206] Here, in order to carry out the diagnostic operation, the remote inspection device 100 sets the DN landing call signal of the fifth floor to the ON state and outputs it to the landing device 230 of the fifth floor. Thus, the pressed state of the DN landing call button 82 of the landing device 230 of the fifth floor is simulated.

[0207] As a result, the 5th floor DN landing call is registered, and at time t1, car 10 starts moving towards the 5th floor. At this time, the brake of traction machine 250 is released, and the LB signal changes from the OFF state to the ON state. Since the position of car 10 leaves the landing area of the 1st floor, the DZ signal changes from the ON state to the OFF state. In addition, since the slow-down downward switch changes from the ON state to the OFF state, the SDL signal changes from the ON state to the OFF state. Car 10 enters the accelerated driving state and moves in the UP direction.

[0208] After that, car 10 enters the constant-speed driving state (the state where the speed of car 10 reaches the rated speed and car 10 maintains the rated speed while driving). At time t2, the position of car 10 reaches the 2nd floor. At this time, the position of car 10 enters the landing area of the 2nd floor, and the DZ signal changes from the OFF state to the ON state. In addition, when the position of car 10 leaves the landing area of the 2nd floor, the DZ signal changes from the ON state to the OFF state.

[0209] At time t3, the position of car 10 reaches the 4th floor, and the position of car 10 enters the landing area of the 4th floor, and the DZ signal changes from the OFF state to the ON state. When the position of car 10 leaves the landing area of the 4th floor, the DZ signal changes from the ON state to the OFF state. After that, at time t4, car 10 changes to the decelerated driving state in order to stop at the 5th floor.

[0210] At time t5, car 10 stops at the 5th floor (the top floor). By the slow-up switch changing from the OFF state to the ON state, the SUL signal changes from the OFF state to the ON state. By the position of car 10 entering the landing area of the 5th floor, the DZ signal changes from the OFF state to the ON state. The brake of traction machine 250 operates (the released state is released), and the LB signal changes from the ON state to the OFF state.

[0211] At time t6, if car 10 becomes the door-open state (the car-side door 60 and the landing-side door 61 are in the door-open state), the GS signal and the DS signal change from the ON state to the OFF state. When the specified time has passed, car 10 becomes the door-closed state. As a result, the GS signal and the DS signal change from the OFF state to the ON state.

[0212] In this way, when the remote inspection device 100 outputs the 5th floor DN landing call signal as the ON state to the elevator system 200 in the state where car 10 stops at the 1st floor, car 10 can be made to move from the 1st floor to the 5th floor. At this time, various signals of the elevator that change can be obtained in the remote inspection device 100, and remote inspection can be performed based on these signals.

[0213] In order to make the car 10 stop at the first floor, the remote inspection device 100 only needs to set the UP landing call signal of the first floor to the ON state and output it to the elevator system 200. Thus, the car 10 travels towards the first floor.

[0214] In addition, when the car 10 is in a state of stopping at the fifth floor and the remote inspection device 100 sets the UP landing call signal of the first floor to the ON state and outputs it to the elevator system 200, the car 10 can be made to travel from the fifth floor to the first floor. At this time, various signals of the elevator that change can be obtained in the remote inspection device 100, and remote inspection can be performed based on these signals.

[0215] In addition, the diagnostic operation is not limited to generating and implementing the UP landing call of the lowest floor and the DN landing call of the highest floor, and can also be implemented by the landing calls of any two floors. For example, a service cut-off setting is made so that elevator service for the highest floor (the fifth floor) is not performed (the car cannot stop at the highest floor). In this case, the diagnostic operation can also be implemented by generating the UP landing call of the first floor and the DN landing call of the fourth floor. However, in this case, in the Figure 7 example shown, it is necessary to modify so that the DN landing call signal of the fourth floor is output not to the landing device 230 of the fifth floor but to the landing device 230 of the fourth floor.

[0216] (Regarding signals suitable for remote inspection)

[0217] In the present embodiment, signals (DZ signal, LB signal, DS signal, GS signal) used for condition determination for the operation of the safety circuit of the elevator are used as determination signals for remote inspection. In addition, from the viewpoint of ease of installation (constructability), landing calls are used instead of car calls as output signals for the operation diagnosis (diagnostic operation) of remote inspection. The reasons are described below.

[0218] The elevator is equipped with a safety circuit that stops the operation of the elevator when a specified abnormality is detected in hardware or software. For example, it is configured such that when any one of the multiple contacts provided in the safety circuit is released, the supply of power to the traction machine 250 and the brake coil of the electromagnetic brake of the traction machine 250 is cut off. Thus, the driving force of the traction machine 250 disappears, and the electromagnetic brake becomes a braking state, and the car 10 stops.

[0219] In the elevator system 200, as safety devices, a governor (not shown), an emergency stop device (not shown), a buffer 14, etc. are provided. The governor is a device provided in the car 10 that physically detects the speed of the car 10. The emergency stop device is a device provided in the car 10 that physically applies a brake to the car 10 when the governor detects an abnormal speed. The buffer 14 is a device provided in the pit 6 that absorbs the impact when the car 10 falls.

[0220] For example, when the car 10 is detected to be running at an abnormal speed by hardware (speed governor) or software (internal signal), a stop command of the car 10 is issued by software, and the safety circuit is operated by hardware or software. When the safety circuit is operated, the power supplied to the elevator is stopped, and the movement of the car 10 is stopped. In addition, the car 10 can be physically stopped by an emergency stop device or a buffer 14.

[0221] When the safety circuit is activated, the power supply to the brake coil of the electromagnetic brake of the hoisting machine 250 is cut off (LB signal is in the OFF state), whereby the electromagnetic brake is in the braking state and the car 10 is stopped.

[0222] Alternatively, by turning on a limit switch (final limit switch) disposed below the slow down switch or above the slow up switch, the safety circuit operates and the car 10 stops to prevent collision with the top or bottom of the shaft.

[0223] In addition, when the car 10 is running with the door open, there is a danger that a passenger will fall from the landing side into the hoistway 8 or be caught by the entrance and exit of the landing side and the car 10. Therefore, the elevator is controlled so that the car 10 does not run when the door 61 on the landing side is open (the landing door switch (DS signal) is OFF) or the door 60 on the car side is open (the car door switch (GS signal) is OFF).

[0224] In addition, when the car 10 is outside the door zone (DZ signal is OFF), the elevator is controlled not to open the door. For example, when the car 10 is outside the door zone (DZ signal is OFF) and in the door open state (DS signal or GS signal is OFF), the safety circuit operates and the car 10 stops.

[0225] The elevator safety device and safety circuit described above operate as described above in accordance with the provisions of laws such as the Building Standards Act. Therefore, elevators of various manufacturers usually output DS signals (ON / OFF of the landing door switch), GS signals (ON / OFF of the car door switch), LB signals (release / brake of the electromagnetic brake), DZ signals (detection / non-detection of the door zone), or similar signals as contact signals. These signals are used for condition determination to make the elevator safety circuit operate.

[0226] Therefore, in the present embodiment, DS signals, GS signals, LB signals, DZ signals, or signals similar thereto that are commonly used in each company are used to determine the inspection items for remote inspection. Depending on the manufacturer or the type of elevator, other signals may or may not be obtained as parallel transmission signals. When using such signals, depending on the elevator, there may be cases where the items for remote inspection can be determined and cases where they cannot be determined.

[0227] The DZ signal can be used for calculating the inter-floor travel time or the car position. For example, currently, the car 10 is parked on the lowest floor (floor 1). When the car 10 starts to move, the DZ signal changes from the ON state to the OFF state, and when the car position reaches the second floor, the DZ signal changes from the OFF state to the ON state.

[0228] Therefore, when the car 10 is parked on the first floor, the time from when the DZ signal changes from the ON state to the OFF state until it changes from the OFF state to the ON state can be calculated as the travel time of the car 10 from the first floor to the second floor. In addition, at the timing when the DZ signal changes from the OFF state to the ON state, the car position can be changed from the first floor to the second floor. In this way, at the change timing of the DZ signal, the inter-floor travel time and the floor position can be calculated.

[0229] At this time, when the SDL signal is in the ON state, it can be set that the car position = the first floor (the lowest floor), and when the SUL signal is in the ON state, it can be set that the car position = the fifth floor (the highest floor). In addition, when the DZ signal changes from the OFF state to the ON state, if the UP signal is in the ON state, the car position can be increased by one floor amount, and if the DN signal is in the ON state, the car position can be decreased by one floor amount.

[0230] However, in remote inspection, the SDL signal, SUL signal, UP signal, and DN signal are not necessarily essential signals. For example, in the state where there are no elevator passengers at all in the middle of the night, through diagnostic operation, a call for the first floor up landing is generated. In response to the call for the first floor up landing, the car 10 can also set the parked floor to "the first floor". Or, a call for the fifth floor down landing is generated. In response to the call for the fifth floor down landing, the car 10 can also set the parked floor to "the fifth floor".

[0231] In addition, during the diagnostic operation at midnight, when a call for the 1st floor UP landing, a call for the 5th floor DN landing, and a call for the 1st floor UP landing are generated, in the state where the first call for the 1st floor UP landing has been responded to, the car position is set to the 1st floor and the car direction is set to the UP direction. Then, in the state of traveling due to the call for the 5th floor DN landing, each time the DZ signal changes to the ON state, the floor of the car position is incremented by 1. In the state where the call for the 5th floor DN landing has been responded to, the car position is set to the 5th floor and the car direction is set to the DN direction. Then, in the state of traveling due to the call for the 1st floor UP landing, each time the DZ signal changes to the ON state, the floor of the car position is decremented by 1. In the state where the call for the 1st floor UP landing has been responded to, the car position is set to the 1st floor and the car direction is set to the UP direction. In such a configuration, even without taking in the SDL signal, SUL signal, UP signal, and DN signal, the car position and the traveling direction can be grasped.

[0232] In addition, in the case where the UP signal and the DN signal cannot be obtained, the detection result of the landing zone detection device can also be used. For example, the landing zone detection device includes a plurality of sensors, and a plurality of plates for landing zone detection are provided corresponding to the plurality of sensors respectively. The detection timing of the plurality of sensors is different according to the position of the car 10. When the car direction is the UP direction and when it is the DN direction, in the case where the timing at which each sensor changes to the ON state (or the timing at which it changes to the OFF state) is different, the car direction can be determined using the state change timing of each sensor.

[0233] In addition, in the case where the UP signal and the DN signal cannot be obtained, the pulse information of the rotary encoder of the traction machine 250 can also be used. In this case, it is configured such that the signal line output from the rotary encoder to the control panel 210 is branched, and signal input can be performed to the remote inspection device 100. In this case, the car direction is judged based on which pulse of the A phase and the B phase is output first. For example, it may be that when the pulse of the B phase is output with a 1 / 4 cycle delay relative to the pulse of the A phase, the car direction is set to the UP direction, and when the pulse of the A phase is output with a 1 / 4 cycle delay relative to the pulse of the B phase, the car direction is set to the DN direction.

[0234] In addition, when the output information from the rotary encoder is used, the car position and the car speed of the car 10 can also be calculated. The distance (car position) traveled by the car 10 can also be calculated based on the number of pulses detected from the rotary encoder. In addition, the car speed can also be calculated based on the number of pulses detected per unit time. In such a case, it is possible to grasp which state among the stopped state, the accelerating traveling state, the constant-speed traveling state, and the decelerating traveling state the car 10 is in, and it is also easy to judge whether the car position and the car speed are appropriate.

[0235] However, the relationship between the number of pulses output from the rotary encoder and the car position varies depending on the rated speed of the elevator, the type of elevator, the elevator manufacturer, the type of rotary encoder, etc. Therefore, it is necessary to actually measure the relationship between the number of pulses and the car position at each site, and the construction design and installation work of the remote inspection system 1 become complicated. Therefore, in view of the ease of installation and installation cost, it is desirable to use the DZ signal in grasping the position information of the elevator as described above.

[0236] In addition, in the present embodiment, in the case of performing diagnostic operation to move the car 10, the remote inspection device 100 is configured to analog-output the uppermost floor DN landing call and the lowermost floor UP landing call. Thereby, the car 10 can travel between the lowermost floor and the uppermost floor.

[0237] In the case of wanting the car 10 to travel between the lowermost floor and the uppermost floor like this, the remote inspection device 100 may be configured to analog-output the car call to the uppermost floor and the car call to the lowermost floor instead of the landing call. However, in the present embodiment, from the viewpoint of ease of installation (constructability), the landing call is output from the remote inspection device 100 instead of the car call.

[0238] As described above, in order to analog-generate the landing call, it is modified so that the contacts of the landing call button of the landing device 230 provided at the landing are short-circuited by signal input. The signal line (signal cable) for transmitting the landing call signal may be connected from the remote inspection device 100 provided in the machine room 5 along the wall surface of the hoistway 8 to the landing call buttons of the uppermost floor and the lowermost floor landing devices 230 buried in the wall surface of the hoistway 8. In the case of arranging the signal line along the wall surface of the hoistway 8 like this, there are no obstacles in the middle, so the arrangement is relatively easy.

[0239] On the other hand, in order to analog-generate the car call, it is modified so that the contacts of the car call button of the car device 240 provided in the car 10 are short-circuited by signal input. For this purpose, the signal line for transmitting the car call signal needs to be connected from the remote inspection device 100 provided in the machine room 5 to the car call button of the car device 240 provided inside the car 10.

[0240] In this case, since it is necessary to bring the signal line into the car 10, it is necessary to use the vacant line among the signal lines in the control cable 22 connecting the machine room 5 and the car 10. However, it is necessary to confirm which line is the vacant line, and there is also a possibility that there is no vacant line. In addition, it is also necessary to confirm whether the signal lines of the control cable 22 are consistent on the machine room 5 side and the car 10 side, and the setting is not easy. According to such a situation, in the present embodiment, in the diagnostic operation, the landing call is analog-generated without analog-generating the car call.

[0241] As described above, in the present embodiment, in the determination of inspection items for remote inspection, instead of using signals based on serial transmission that vary according to each manufacturer and model in terms of communication specifications, signals based on parallel transmission are used. In particular, in the present embodiment, signals that are commonly used regardless of the manufacturer and model are used for the determination of inspection items for remote inspection, and these signals are suitable for use from the viewpoints of ease of installation (workability) and installation cost.

[0242] Specifically, landing call signals and DS signals, GS signals, LB signals, DZ signals, or similar signals used for condition determination to operate the safety circuit of the elevator are used for the determination of inspection items for remote inspection. Thus, how to implement remote inspection becomes a major issue in the present embodiment under the condition that the signals suitable for use in the remote inspection device 100 are severely restricted.

[0243] For example, in the case of using signals based on serial transmission (e.g., Figure 2 the remote inspection device 500 of Company X that performs serial communication with the control panel 210 as shown), remote inspection can be easily implemented as follows.

[0244] Elevators have elevator-specific speed patterns according to each model and rated speed. The speed pattern is a pattern showing the relationship between the elapsed time and the car speed when traveling from the starting floor to the destination floor. When the car 10 starts traveling from the starting floor, it enters an accelerating state, then a constant-speed state, and becomes a decelerating state before reaching the destination floor. The control panel 210 can calculate and hold the measured value of the speed pattern from the starting floor to the destination floor based on the pulse signal obtained from the rotary encoder of the traction machine 250. Therefore, by comparing the measured value of the speed pattern with the elevator-specific speed pattern (a value prepared in advance), it is possible to determine whether the starting state, accelerating state, constant-speed state, and decelerating state of the elevator are normal respectively. As Figure 2 shown, if it is a remote inspection device 500 connected to the control panel 210 through serial communication, the internal signals held by the control panel 210 can be accessed, and thus remote inspection can be easily achieved by such a method.

[0245] On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the remote inspection device 100 uses the "DZ signal" (a signal for determining whether it is within the door area) as the signal for determining the position according to the restrictions of the signal suitable for use in remote inspection. It is impossible to determine whether the car 10 is in an accelerating state, a constant-speed state, or a decelerating state from the DZ signal. Therefore, in order to perform remote inspection using limited signals, it is necessary to devise a determination method. In other words, in the case of implementing remote inspection through the remote inspection device 500 capable of serial communication, there is neither a motivation nor an idea to combine signals such as the DS signal, GS signal, LB signal, and DZ signal to determine the inspection items of remote inspection.

[0246] In the present embodiment, the case where the control panel 210 controls one elevator (car 10) (refer to Figure 3 ) is taken as a premise. As Figure 1 , Figure 7 shows, it is configured to connect one remote inspection device 100 to the elevator system 200. In contrast, as Figure 6 shows, in the case where the control panel 210b controls multiple elevators (cars 10) (multi-car structure), it is only necessary to separately provide a remote inspection device 100 for each of the multiple elevators (cars 10). Alternatively, it may be configured to provide one remote inspection device 100 for multiple elevators.

[0247] In the case of separately providing a remote inspection device 100 for each of the multiple elevators (cars 10), the configuration may be as follows. For example, in the structure shown in Figure 6 , it is configured to branch a part of the signal lines included in the control cables 22 and 23 that connect the respective control units 212 for controlling the No. 1 machine to the elevator equipment group 220b (such as the car device 240) of the No. 1 machine, and input the determination signals such as the DZ signal of the No. 1 machine into the remote inspection device 100 (input IF130) connected to the No. 1 machine.

[0248] Similarly, it is configured to branch a part of the signal lines included in the control cables 22 and 23 that connect the respective control units 212 for controlling the No. 2 machine to the elevator equipment group 220b (such as the car device 240) of the No. 2 machine, and input the determination signals such as the DZ signal of the No. 2 machine into the remote inspection device 100 (input IF130) connected to the No. 2 machine. In this case, each remote inspection device 100 obtains the determination signals of the car 10 of the elevator connected to the remote inspection device 100 (the target car as the determination object of the control unit 152), and determines the remote inspection items for the target car.

[0249] A plurality of remote inspection devices 100 connected to multiple elevators are configured to be connected to one management server 300 and one terminal 400. Additionally, in the case of multiple cars, the landing call signals are not sent to the landing devices 230. Assuming a case of multiple cars and sending landing call signals to the landing devices 230, each remote inspection device 100 (output IF 140) is connected to the landing devices 230 via signal lines. Moreover, the landing devices 230 are configured such that the contacts of the landing call buttons can be short-circuited regardless of the signal output from which remote inspection device 100.

[0250] In the case of providing one remote inspection device 100 for multiple elevators (cars 10), the configuration can be as follows. In Figure 6 the structure shown, it is configured such that signal lines obtained by branching a part of the signal lines included in the control cables 22 and 23 that connect the respective control units 212 controlling the No. 1 machine to the elevator equipment group 220b of the No. 1 machine, and signal lines obtained by branching a part of the signal lines included in the control cables 22 and 23 that connect the respective control units 212 controlling the No. 2 machine to the elevator equipment group 220b of the No. 2 machine are both input to one remote inspection device 100. In this case, the remote inspection device 100 determines the remote inspection items for each machine number and sends the determination results of each machine number to the management server 300.

[0251] (Processing performed by the remote inspection system 1)

[0252] Hereinafter, the processing performed by the remote inspection system 1 will be specifically described. Figure 9 FIG. is an example of a functional block diagram of the remote inspection system 1. The remote inspection system 1 includes an acquisition unit 151, a control unit 152, an output unit 153, a reception unit 154, an instruction unit 155, and stores a data group 156.

[0253] The reception unit 154 receives the operations of the maintenance staff (users operating the terminal 400) from the input unit 420 of the terminal 400. For example, the maintenance staff can set the date and time for performing operation diagnosis, execute manual operation diagnosis, etc. (refer to Figure 10 ) through the operation of the input unit 420 on the display screen of the display unit 410 of the terminal 400.

[0254] The control unit 152 can access the data group 156. The data group 156 includes setting data 422, a reference time database (also referred to as "DB") 423, an operation history 424, and a determination result 425. The control unit 152 reads or updates the setting data 422, the reference time DB 423, the operation history 424, and the determination result 425.

[0255] The setting data 422 is data that stores various information related to remote inspection. For example, the setting data 422 records information such as the building 2 and the elevator related to remote inspection. When the date and time for the implementation diagnosis operation are set through the operation of the input unit 420, the control unit 152 records this date and time in the setting data 422.

[0256] The reference time DB423 is a database that records the reference time (for example, the reference time KA of the start time described later) used by the control unit 152 in the determination of each inspection item in the remote inspection. Specifically, it will be described later when used. Figure 12 、 Figure 13 The operation history 424 is the historical data of the signals of the elevator system 200 obtained by the remote inspection system 1. The determination result 425 is data that stores the determination results of each inspection item in the remote inspection.

[0257] Based on the implementation date and time of the operation diagnosis recorded in the setting data 422 or the execution instruction of the operation diagnosis based on the operation (manual) of the maintenance staff, the control unit 152 generates a landing call signal that generates a landing call for the elevator to implement the operation diagnosis.

[0258] The instruction unit 155 sends the landing call signal generated by the control unit 152 to the elevator equipment group 220 of the elevator system 200. By responding to this landing call, the elevator system 200 executes the diagnosis operation.

[0259] The acquisition unit 151 acquires the determination signals (DZ signal, LB signal, GS signal, DS signal, etc.) from the elevator equipment group 220 of the elevator system 200. The acquisition unit 151 not only acquires the determination signals during the above-mentioned operation diagnosis, but also always acquires signals from the elevator equipment group 220.

[0260] Based on the determination signals acquired by the acquisition unit 151, the control unit 152 determines the inspection items (performs determination processing) of the remote inspection and generates a determination result. The inspection items of the remote inspection include the start state, acceleration driving state, constant speed driving state, deceleration driving state, stop floor state, state of the destination floor button, state of the landing button, door opening and closing state, and brake state (presence or absence of abnormality of the electromagnetic brake) of the car 10. The control unit 152 records the acquired determination signals in the operation history 424, and records the determination results of the inspection items of the remote inspection in the determination result 425.

[0261] The output unit 153 outputs information such as the determination results of the inspection items of the remote inspection so as to be displayed on the display unit 410 of the terminal 400. Thus, the maintenance staff can confirm the determination results of the remote inspection and the like through the display unit 410 of the terminal 400.

[0262] In this embodiment, the remote inspection system 1 is composed of a remote inspection device 100, a management server 300, and a terminal 400. However, it is not limited thereto. The remote inspection system 1 may also be configured not to include the management server 300 and the terminal 400, or may be configured as a device obtained by integrating them. For example, the remote inspection system 1 may also be composed only of the remote inspection device 100, or may be composed of the remote inspection device 100 and the management server 300. In addition, the remote inspection device 100 is configured to be composed of a control device 110, an input IF 130, an output IF 140, and a communication IF 120. However, it is not limited thereto. It may also be configured to integrate the functions of the input IF 130, the output IF 140, and the communication IF 120, and implement all functions in the control device 110.

[0263] The processing executed by each of the acquisition unit 151, the control unit 152, the output unit 153, the reception unit 154, and the instruction unit 155 may be the processing executed by the processor 111 of the control device 110, or may be the processing executed by any processor in the substrate included in the remote inspection device 100. For example, the acquisition unit 151 may also be the processing executed by the processor of the input IF 130. The instruction unit 155 may also be the processing executed by the processor of the output IF 140. The output unit 153 and the reception unit 154 may also be the processing executed by any processor in the communication IF 120, the management server 300, and the terminal 400. It may also be configured that the remote inspection device 100 includes the acquisition unit 151, the control unit 152, the output unit 153, the reception unit 154, and the instruction unit 155, or may be configured that the remote inspection device 100 includes the acquisition unit 151 and the instruction unit 155, and the management server 300 includes the control unit 152, the output unit 153, and the reception unit 154. The data group 156 may also be stored in the memory 112 of the control device 110, or a part of it may be stored in the memory of the management server 300.

[0264] Figure 10 It is a diagram showing an example of the display screen 421 of the remote inspection system 1. The display screen 421 is displayed on the display unit 410 of the terminal 400. The setting information of the remote inspection, the determination results of each item of the remote inspection, setting buttons, etc. are displayed on the display screen 421.

[0265] At the uppermost part of the display screen 421, the property name of the building 2 is shown as "ABC Building". The determination status related to the operation diagnosis is displayed below it. In this example, the results obtained from the diagnostic operation between the 1st floor and the 5th floor as shown are shown for different driving directions respectively. Figure 8 shown

[0266] The column of "UP direction" shows the results when traveling from the 1st floor to the 5th floor in the UP direction. "Travel time" is the time required to travel from the 1st floor to the 5th floor. "Start time" is the time (until leaving the door area) required to start the car 10 when starting to travel from the 1st floor. In addition, when traveling from the 1st floor to the 5th floor, the time required to travel from the 1st floor to the 2nd floor (including the accelerating travel state), the time required to travel from the 2nd floor to the 3rd floor (constant speed travel state), the time required to travel from the 3rd floor to the 4th floor (constant speed travel state), and the time required to travel from the 4th floor to the 5th floor (including the decelerating travel state) are shown respectively. The same applies to the column of "DN direction".

[0267] Here, "measurement time" is the time actually measured during diagnostic operation. "Reference time" is the time serving as a reference for determining whether the measurement time is normal. "Judgment condition" is a condition determined based on the reference time. When the measurement time is within the numerical range of the judgment condition, it is judged as "normal state". On the other hand, when the measurement time is outside the numerical range of the judgment condition, it is judged as "out-of-tune state".

[0268] In the present embodiment, the "out-of-tune state" represents a state inconsistent with the normal state. The out-of-tune state cannot be said to reach the abnormal state, but it is a state including signs of faults or abnormal states of some devices of the elevator system 200. By judging whether it is an "out-of-tune state", it is possible to capture the signs of faults (the state before reaching the fault). In the column of "Judgment", when the judgment result is "normal state", a circle mark is displayed, and when the judgment result is "out-of-tune state", a triangle mark is displayed.

[0269] For example, in the "Start time" of the display screen 421, the reference time is KA, the measurement time is TA, the judgment condition is KAL to KAH, and the judgment result is the normal state. This means that since the condition of KAL ≤ TA ≤ KAH is satisfied, the normal state is obtained as the judgment result of the start time.

[0270] In addition, the judgment results based on operation diagnosis are shown below it. In this example, it is judged that the start state, travel state, car call button state, and landing call button state are in the "normal state", and it is judged that the door opening and closing state is in the "out-of-tune state". The judgment results based on normal diagnosis are shown below it. In this example, it is judged that the brake state and stop layer state are in the "normal state".

[0271] At the bottommost part of the display screen 421, various buttons that can be clicked via the input unit 420 are arranged. In "Operation Diagnosis Setting", the date and time for executing operation diagnosis can be set. In this example, in "Operation Diagnosis Setting", 23:59 on the 23rd is input via the input unit 420. When the "Set" button is clicked, operation diagnosis is executed at 23:59 on the 23rd of each month. This setting information is recorded in the setting data 422.

[0272] In addition, different from the automatic execution of operation diagnosis once a month, operation diagnosis can be immediately executed by clicking the "Manual Operation Diagnosis" button. When operation diagnosis is executed, the display of "Measurement Time" is updated based on the execution result, and "Normal State" or "Maladjustment State" is shown as the determination result.

[0273] In the column of "Reference Time", in principle, when the remote inspection system 1 is installed in the building 2, operation diagnosis is performed, and the measurement time at this time is set as the reference time. However, when the "Save Reference Time" button is clicked, the reference time is updated to the measurement time in the most recently executed operation diagnosis, and the determination conditions are updated based on the updated reference time.

[0274] For example, in Figure 10 the example, the measurement time of the start time in the most recent operation diagnosis is measured as "TA", and the reference time is "KU". When the "Save Reference Time" button is clicked in this state, the reference time is updated to "TA", and the determination conditions KAL and KAH are updated based on the updated reference time.

[0275] Hereinafter, based on the flowchart, the processing executed by the remote inspection system 1 will be described. Figure 11 It is a flowchart of remote inspection processing and terminal setting processing. The remote inspection system 1 executes remote inspection processing. The remote inspection processing is processing for determining the inspection items of remote inspection based on the determination signal. The remote inspection processing only needs to be started periodically (for example, every 100 msec). Hereinafter, "step" will also be abbreviated as "S".

[0276] On the other hand, in the display screen 421 of the terminal 400, when an operation button is clicked, terminal setting processing is executed. After the start of the terminal setting processing, the terminal 400 determines in S151 whether the "Manual Operation Diagnosis" button has been clicked. When the terminal 400 clicks the "Manual Operation Diagnosis" button (Yes in S151), a request setting for manual operation diagnosis is performed (S152), and the processing proceeds to S153. In this case, a request for manual operation diagnosis is sent to the remote inspection device 100. When the terminal 400 does not click the "Manual Operation Diagnosis" button (No in S151), the processing directly proceeds to S153.

[0277] In the terminal 400, it is determined in S153 whether the "Reference Time Saving" button has been clicked. When the "Reference Time Saving" button has been clicked in the terminal 400 (Yes in S153), a request setting for saving the reference time is performed (S154), and the process proceeds to S155. In this case, a request for saving the reference time is sent to the remote inspection device 100. When the "Reference Time Saving" button has not been clicked in the terminal 400 (No in S153), the process directly proceeds to S155.

[0278] In S155, the terminal 400 determines whether the "Setting" button has been clicked. When the "Setting" button has been clicked in the terminal 400 (Yes in S155), a setting request for the operation diagnosis setting time is performed (S156), and the terminal setting process ends. In this case, the operation diagnosis setting time is sent to the remote inspection device 100. When the "Setting" button has not been clicked in the terminal 400 (No in S155), the terminal setting process directly ends.

[0279] On the other hand, after the start of the remote inspection process, the control unit 152 of the remote inspection system 1 executes a reference time acquisition process in S100 (refer to Figure 14 described later). In the reference time acquisition process, the reference time used for the determination of the inspection items in the remote inspection is acquired from the reference time DB423 and set.

[0280] In S101, the control unit 152 determines whether there is a "Manual Operation Diagnosis" request or whether the current time has become the operation diagnosis setting time. When the "Manual Operation Diagnosis" button has been clicked, the "Manual Operation Diagnosis" request is set (S152). The operation diagnosis setting time is the time set based on the setting request for the operation diagnosis setting time (S156).

[0281] When any of the above conditions is satisfied (Yes in S101), the control unit 152 causes the process to proceed to S102. On the other hand, when it is determined that none of the above conditions is satisfied (No in S101), the control unit 152 causes the process to proceed to S104.

[0282] In S102, the control unit 152 executes the process during operation diagnosis. The process during operation diagnosis is a process that executes the transmission of the landing call signal during operation diagnosis and the determination process based on the landing call signal. In the process during operation diagnosis, a landing call signal is generated. For example, as Figure 8 described, a 1st floor UP landing call signal and a 5th floor DN landing call signal for causing the car 10 to travel from the 1st floor to the 5th floor and from the 5th floor to the 1st floor are generated.

[0283] Then, the instruction unit 155 outputs the landing call signal generated by the control unit 152 to the elevator system 200. As a result, the car 10 travels in response to the landing call. Then, a determination process is performed based on the travel result. The details of the process during the operation diagnosis will be described later.

[0284] In S104, the acquisition unit 151 acquires determination signals (DZ signal, LB signal, GS signal, DS signal, etc.) from the elevator system 200. The control unit 152 continues to acquire determination signals from the elevator system 200 until the end condition is satisfied (Yes in S105).

[0285] For example, the end condition may be satisfied when the car 10 travels back and forth between the 1st and 5th floors at a fixed time, or the end condition may be satisfied each time the car 10 completes a specified action (for example, door opening and closing, brake release / braking, completion of stopping), or the end condition may be satisfied periodically (for example, every few minutes).

[0286] When the control unit 152 determines that the end condition is satisfied (Yes in S105), it executes the determination process (S106). In the determination process, the remote inspection items are determined. As the inspection items, any one or more items including the start state, the acceleration driving state, the constant speed driving state, the deceleration driving state, the stop state, the state of the destination floor button, the state of the landing station button, the door opening and closing state, and the brake state are determined.

[0287] In S107 , the control unit 152 records the acquired determination signal in the operation history 424 , and also records the determination result obtained in the determination process in the determination result 425 .

[0288] The output unit 153 outputs the determination result obtained in the determination process in S108. For example, the output unit 153 outputs (transmits) the determination result to the management server 300 via the network. The terminal 400 can obtain the determination result by accessing the management server 300 via the network. Figure 10 As shown, the determination result can be confirmed on the display unit 410 of the terminal 400 .

[0289] The control unit 152 executes the reference time update process in S109 and ends the remote inspection process. Figure 13 Although described below, the reference time of mode B in the reference time DB 423 is updated through this process.

[0290] (Switching of reference time)

[0291] Figure 12 It is a diagram showing an example of the reference time DB 423 . Figure 10The "reference time" shown is the value read from the reference time recorded in the reference time DB423.

[0292] In the reference time DB423, values such as Figure 10 "travel time" and "start time" are set in the same way. As the mode for reading the reference time DB423, any mode among modes A to D can be set in advance. Although not shown, it suffices to be configured such that any mode among modes A to D can be set and changed by the operation of the maintenance staff on the terminal 400.

[0293] In Figure 10 the example of, mode A is set. Therefore, time KU is read as the "travel time" in the UP direction in the reference time DB423, and time KA is read as the "start time", and is displayed on Figure 10 the display screen 421.

[0294] Here, in the case of wanting to use a fixed value as the reference time each time, mode A is set. In the case where mode A is set, the reference time set in the items of mode A of the reference time DB423 is used each time. Regarding these reference times, in principle, the time measured when the remote inspection device 100 is installed in the building 2 is set. However, in the case where the "reference time save" button is clicked on the display screen 421, the reference time is replaced with the measurement time during the most recent operation diagnosis (diagnostic operation).

[0295] In the case of wanting to use the previous value as the reference time, mode B is set. In the case where mode B is set, the reference time set in the items of mode B of the reference time DB423 is used. The reference time set in the items of mode B is updated each time an operation diagnosis (diagnostic operation) is performed.

[0296] In Figure 10 the example of, a diagnostic operation is performed once at 23:59 on the 23rd of each month. For example, in the diagnostic operation at 23:59 on January 23rd, when the reference time is time KA1 and the measurement time is time TX in the start time in the UP direction, the reference time of mode B in the reference time DB423 is updated from time KA1 to time TX. Thus, in the next (next month's) diagnostic operation at 23:59 on February 23rd, time TX is used as the reference time for the start time in the UP direction.

[0297] When it is desired to change the reference time according to the temperature of Machine Room 5, set Mode C. The temperature of Machine Room 5 is measured by temperature sensor 15. The reference times set in the items of Mode C are the values measured by classifying the temperature of Machine Room 5 into cases where the temperature is less than K1 °C (∼K1 °C), cases where the temperature is K1 °C or more and less than K2 °C (K1 °C ∼), cases where the temperature is K2 °C or more and less than K3 °C (K2 °C ∼), and cases where the temperature is K3 °C or more (K2 °C ∼). For example, the reference time can be changed every 5 °C or every 10 °C.

[0298] Just set this reference time based on the result of the diagnostic operation. For example, when the temperature of Machine Room 5 during the diagnostic operation for measuring the reference time is K1 °C or more and less than K2 °C, record the reference time in the item of K1 °C or more and less than K2 °C (K1 °C ∼) in the reference time DB423. It is also possible to perform the diagnostic operation multiple times and set the average value as the reference time.

[0299] When Mode C is set, use the reference time set in the item of Mode C in the reference time DB423 according to the current temperature of Machine Room 5. For example, when the temperature of Machine Room 5 during the diagnostic operation is less than K1 °C (∼K1 °C), use the reference time set in the item of less than K1 °C (for example, "KA2" in the start time in the UP direction).

[0300] In addition, the temperature measured by temperature sensor 15 is not limited to the temperature of Machine Room 5. The temperature sensor 15 can also be set at any position inside the hoistway 8 of the elevator, around the hoistway 8, or around the elevator.

[0301] When it is desired to change the reference time according to the season, set Mode D. The reference times set in the items of Mode D are the values measured by classifying the seasons into spring, summer, autumn, and winter. For example, when the season during the diagnostic operation for measuring the reference time is summer, record the reference time in the item of summer.

[0302] When Mode D is set, use the reference time set in the item of Mode D in the reference time DB423 according to the season. For example, when the season during the diagnostic operation is spring, use the reference time set in the item of spring (for example, "KU126" in the start time in the UP direction).

[0303] Modes B to D are modes prepared for hydraulic elevators. In the case of a hydraulic elevator, the characteristics of the oil change according to the season and temperature. Therefore, the running characteristics of the car 10 are likely to vary. This is because, for example, compared to when the temperature is higher in summer, the oil becomes thicker in winter, so starting takes time and the running time is also likely to deviate. Therefore, the reference time is switched according to the season or temperature in which the characteristics of the oil change. In addition, the value from the last diagnosis (the value from last month) is used in Mode B in order to use a reference time in a temperature environment or equipment environment close to that at the time of the most recent diagnosis.

[0304] In addition, the reference time recorded in the reference time DB423 includes "the time outside the landing zone (also expressed as 'DZ')". This is obtained by measuring the time from when the car 10 stops at a certain floor (the LB signal changes from the ON state to the OFF state) until it leaves the landing zone in the stopped state (the DZ signal changes from the ON state to the OFF state). For example, in the item of Mode A in the reference time DB423, the time KX is set as "the time outside the DZ".

[0305] In a hydraulic elevator, when the car 10 stops at a certain floor, over time, the car will sink slightly (the floor of the car gradually descends relative to the floor of the landing), and thus, it may leave the landing zone. Moreover, due to the characteristics of the oil, this time varies according to the season or temperature, so the reference time can be changed in each hydraulic elevator.

[0306] In addition, the opening times for floors 1 to 5 are included in the reference time recorded in the reference time DB423. The opening time in the reference time DB423 is obtained by measuring the time (opening time) from when the car 10 stops at a certain floor and the GS signal and DS signal change from the ON state to the OFF state until they change from the OFF state to the ON state. For example, the time KY1 is set as the opening time for floor 1 in the item of Mode A in the reference time DB423. In the item of Mode A in the reference time DB423, the time KY5 is set as the opening time for floor 5.

[0307] Figure 13 is a flowchart of the reference time update process. The reference time update process is a process executed in S109 of the remote inspection process shown in Figure 11 (after the execution determination process). In addition, the reference time update process is also executed when there is a reference time save request (S154).

[0308] After the reference time update process starts, if the control unit 152 determines that there is a "reference time save" request (Yes in S251), it updates the reference time DB 423 (S252) and causes the process to proceed to S253. If the control unit 152 determines that there is no "reference time save" request (No in S251), it directly causes the process to proceed to S253.

[0309] In S252 (when the "reference time save" button is clicked), each reference time of modes A to D (travel time, start time, time between floors, time outside DZ, door opening time) is updated. For example, in the UP direction travel time, when the season of the operation diagnosis performed before the "reference time save" button is clicked is summer and the machine room temperature is K3°C or above, and the measured time is "TUX", "KU" of mode A, "KU1" of mode B, "KU5" of "K3°C~" of mode C, and "KU7" of "summer" of mode D are changed to "TUX" respectively. In this way, when the operation diagnosis is performed, the reference time can be updated to the measured time in the operation diagnosis.

[0310] When the reference time update process is called in S109 after the determination process in the remote inspection process (Yes in S253), the control unit 152 updates each reference time (travel time, start time, elapsed time between floors, time outside the DZ, door opening time) of mode B in the reference time DB 423 (S254), and ends the reference time update process. When the reference time update process is not called in S109 (No in S253), the control unit 152 directly ends the reference time update process.

[0311] In S254, for example, when the measured time during the operation diagnosis is "TUY" during the UP direction travel time, "KU1" of mode B is changed to "TUY". Thus, the measured time is changed to the reference time of mode B each time the operation diagnosis is performed. Therefore, when mode B is set, the measured time when the operation diagnosis was performed last time (last month) is used as the reference time.

[0312] Figure 14 The reference time acquisition process is Figure 11 The process executed in S100 of the remote inspection process shown in FIG. 1. When mode A is set (Yes in S201), the control unit 152 obtains the reference time of mode A (S202) and advances the process to S209. For example, "KU" of mode A is obtained in the UP direction travel time.

[0313] When mode A is not set (No in S201) and mode B is set (Yes in S203), the control unit 152 obtains the reference time of mode B (S204) and advances the process to S209. For example, during the UP direction travel time, "KU1" of mode B is obtained.

[0314] When mode B is not set (No in S203) and mode C is set (Yes in S205), the control unit 152 obtains the reference time of mode C suitable for the current machine room temperature (S206) and advances the process to S209. For example, when the current machine room temperature is K3°C or higher, during the UP direction travel time, "KU5" of "K3°C or higher" of mode C is obtained.

[0315] When mode C is not set (No in S205) and mode D is set (Yes in S207), the control unit 152 obtains the reference time of mode C consistent with the current season (S208) and advances the process to S209. For example, when the current season is summer, during the UP direction travel time, "KU7" of "summer" of mode C is obtained.

[0316] When mode D is not set (No in S207), the control unit 152 advances the process to S209. In S209, the control unit 152 sets the obtained reference time as the reference time to be used, and ends the reference time setting process.

[0317] Regarding the switching of the reference time, the structure and effects in this embodiment are summarized below.

[0318] (A) The control unit 152 can update the reference time (travel time, start time, passing time between floors, time to be outside DZ, door opening time) of the reference time DB423 to the measurement time calculated (measured) during operation diagnosis. For example, the control unit 152 can update the reference time KA (in the case of the UP direction) of the start time of the reference time DB423 to the start time TA measured during operation diagnosis. In this way, it is possible to determine the inspection items for remote inspection using values that conform to the operating state of the elevator on site.

[0319] (B) The reference times (running time, starting time, passing time between floors, time outside DZ, door opening time) recorded in the reference time DB423 include multiple values (values for spring, summer, autumn, winter) measured for each season. The control unit 152 selects any one of the multiple values according to the current season to determine the inspection items. For example, the reference time of the starting time recorded in the reference time DB423 includes multiple values (KA6 to KA9 in mode D (in the case of the UP direction)) measured for each season. The control unit 152 selects KA7 to determine the starting time when the current season is summer. In this way, not only for roped elevators, but also for hydraulic elevators whose oil characteristics change according to seasons, highly accurate determination results can be obtained.

[0320] (C) The reference times (running time, starting time, passing time between floors, time outside DZ, door opening time) recorded in the reference time DB423 include multiple values (values for ~K1°C, K2°C~, K3°C~, K4°C~) for each temperature range measured by the temperature sensor 15. The control unit 152 selects any one of the multiple values according to the current temperature measured by the temperature sensor 15 to determine the inspection items. For example, the reference time (reference time KA) of the starting time recorded in the reference time DB423 includes multiple values (KA2 to KA5 in mode C (in the case of the UP direction)) for each temperature range measured by the temperature sensor 15. The control unit 152 selects KA5 to determine the starting time when the current temperature measured by the temperature sensor 15 is K4°C or higher. In this way, not only for roped elevators, but also for hydraulic elevators whose oil characteristics change according to temperature, highly accurate determination results can be obtained.

[0321] (D) The indication unit 155 periodically sends landing call signals. Specifically, as shown in S101 to S102, every time the operation diagnosis setting time comes once a month, a landing call is generated and output. After performing the operation diagnosis, the control unit 152 changes the reference times (running time, starting time, passing time between floors, time outside DZ, door opening time) in the reference time DB423 to the measurement times (S109) calculated during the operation diagnosis. For example, after performing the operation diagnosis, the control unit 152 changes the reference time KA of the starting time in the reference time DB423 to the measurement time TA of the starting time calculated during the operation diagnosis. In this way, highly accurate determination results can be obtained using the values that conform to the latest operating state of the elevator on-site. For example, even when the state of the equipment changes due to the aging deterioration of the equipment or the adjustment of valves in hydraulic elevators, etc., such situations can be dealt with.

[0322] (E) The receiving unit 154 receives the operations of the maintenance staff (user) (“clicking the ‘Manual Operation Diagnosis’ button, clicking the ‘Reference Time Saving’ button, etc.). When the ‘Manual Operation Diagnosis’ button is clicked (S151, S101), the control unit 152 generates a landing call signal. The indicating unit 155 sends the generated landing call signal. When the ‘Reference Time Saving’ button is clicked (S153), the control unit 152 changes the reference time (travel time, start time, passing time between floors, time outside DZ, door opening time) of the reference time DB423 to the measured time calculated during operation diagnosis (S252). For example, when the ‘Reference Time Saving’ button is clicked, the control unit 152 changes the reference time KA of the start time of the reference time DB423 to the measured time TA of the start time calculated during operation diagnosis (in the case of the UP direction). In this way, by manually changing to the value that conforms to the latest operation state of the elevator on-site, a highly accurate determination result can be obtained. For example, even when the state of the equipment changes due to the aging deterioration of the equipment or the adjustment of valves in a hydraulic elevator, etc., this situation can be dealt with.

[0323] [Judgment of Inspection Items for Remote Inspection]

[0324] Next, the judgment of the inspection items for remote inspection performed in this embodiment will be described. The judgment of the inspection items for remote inspection is performed in the judgment process executed during operation diagnosis processing and the like described later. The inspection items for remote inspection include the start state of the car 10, the running state (accelerated running state, constant speed running state, decelerated running state), the stop floor state, the state of the destination floor button, the state of the landing button, the door opening and closing state, and the brake state.

[0325] In the judgment process, a judgment of any one or more of the above inspection items is made. In this embodiment, the case where the running state is judged as an inspection item for remote inspection in the judgment process will be described. Hereinafter, Figures 15 to 24 The judgment of the running state will be described.

[0326] (Judgment of Running State)

[0327] There are multiple running states in the running state. The multiple running states include the accelerated running state in which the car 10 runs while accelerating, the constant speed running state in which the car 10 runs at a constant speed, and the decelerated running state in which the car 10 runs while decelerating. These multiple running states are included in the inspection items for remote inspection.

[0328] Hereinafter, the process of the instruction unit 155 sending a landing call signal is referred to as "transmission process". The transmission process includes a first transmission process and a second transmission process. The first transmission process is as follows: After a waiting time TW (30 seconds in this embodiment) has elapsed since the car 10 arrives at the first floor (the first floor in this embodiment, the first floor) based on the transmission of the UP landing call signal of the first floor, a 5th floor DN landing call signal for generating a landing call in the DN direction to the second floor (the fifth floor in this embodiment) is sent.

[0329] The second transmission process is as follows: After a waiting time TW (30 seconds) has elapsed since the car 10 arrives at the second floor (the fifth floor) based on the transmission of the DN landing call signal of the second floor, the UP landing call signal of the first floor (the first floor) is sent.

[0330] In addition, it is not limited to generating a landing call after the waiting time TW has elapsed. It can also be that, in the first transmission process, the DN landing call signal of the second floor is sent after the UP landing call signal of the first floor is sent, and in the second transmission process, the UP landing call signal of the first floor is sent after the DN landing call signal of the second floor is sent.

[0331] In this embodiment, the first floor is the lowest floor (the lowest floor that can be stopped) among the floors where the car 10 can stop = the first floor. The second floor is the highest floor (the highest floor that can be stopped) among the floors where the car 10 can stop = the fifth floor. For example, if it is a floor where the service cut-off is set or a floor where physical docking is not possible and the car cannot dock at the first floor, the first floor is set to the second floor. If it cannot dock at the fifth floor, the second floor is set to the fourth floor. In addition, it is not limited to this, and any floor can be set as the first floor, and any floor above the first floor can be set as the second floor.

[0332] In this case, when the UP landing call signal of the first floor is sent analogously from the output IF140 to the landing device 230 of the first floor, the contacts of the UP landing call button 81 on the first floor are short-circuited (refer to Figure 7 ). When the DN landing call signal of the second floor is sent analogously from the output IF140 to the landing device 230 of the second floor, the contacts of the DN landing call button 82 on the second floor are short-circuited.

[0333] The control unit 152 generates the landing call signal to be sent through the sending process. The indicating unit 155 performs the sending process of sending the generated landing call signal. In the present embodiment, the operation of the car 10 based on the landing call signal sent through this sending process is referred to as "diagnostic operation". In addition, the situation where the control unit 152 performs the determination process based on the determination signal acquired by the acquisition unit 151 as a result of the above sending process is referred to as "operation diagnosis".

[0334] Figure 15 , Figure 16 is a timing chart for explaining the running state. In Figure 15 , the case where the car 10 travels from the 1st floor to the 5th floor in response to the 5th floor DN landing call (the 5th floor DN landing call signal sent by the indicating unit 155) generated by the remote inspection device 100 is described.

[0335] At time t0, the car 10 stops at the 1st floor. At this time, the position of the car 10 is within the landing door area of the 1st floor (the DZ signal is in the ON state), and the speed of the car 10 is 0 (the car 10 is in the stopped state).

[0336] Here, the remote inspection device 100 generates a 5th floor DN landing call. The car 10 starts to travel in response to the 5th floor DN landing call. As a result, at time t1, the position of the car 10 becomes outside the landing door area of the 1st floor, and the DZ signal changes from the ON state to the OFF state.

[0337] When the car 10 starts to travel, the car 10 enters the accelerating state. At time t2, when the speed of the car 10 reaches the rated speed, the car 10 changes from the accelerating state to the constant speed state. At time t3, after a time TU12 has elapsed from time t1, the position of the car 10 becomes within the landing door area of the 2nd floor, and the DZ signal changes from the OFF state to the ON state. Furthermore, at time t4, the position of the car 10 becomes outside the landing door area of the 2nd floor, and the DZ signal changes from the ON state to the OFF state.

[0338] At time t5, after a time TU23 has elapsed from time t3, the position of the car 10 becomes within the landing door area of the 3rd floor, and the DZ signal changes from the OFF state to the ON state. At time t6, the position of the car 10 becomes outside the landing door area of the 3rd floor, and the DZ signal changes from the ON state to the OFF state.

[0339] At time t7, after a time TU34 has elapsed from time t5, the position of the car 10 becomes within the landing door area of the 4th floor, and the DZ signal changes from the OFF state to the ON state. At time t8, the position of the car 10 becomes outside the landing door area of the 4th floor, and the DZ signal changes from the ON state to the OFF state.

[0340] At time t9, in order to stop at the 5th floor, the car 10 changes from the constant-speed running state to the decelerating running state. At time t10, when the time TU45 has elapsed since time t7, the position of the car 10 becomes within the door zone of the 5th floor, and the DZ signal changes from the OFF state to the ON state. The car 10 stops at the 5th floor, and the car speed becomes 0 (becomes the stopped state). At time t11, the speed of the car 10 is 0 and the DZ signal is in the ON state.

[0341] Next, in Figure 16 the case where the car 10 travels from the 5th floor to the 1st floor by a 1st floor UP landing call will be described. At time t0, the car 10 stops at the 5th floor. At this time, the position of the car 10 is within the door zone of the 5th floor (the DZ signal is in the ON state), and the speed of the car 10 is 0 (the car 10 is in the stopped state).

[0342] Here, the remote inspection device 100 generates a 1st floor UP landing call (the indicating unit 155 sends a 1st floor UP landing call). The car 10 starts to travel in response to the 1st floor UP landing call. As a result, at time t1, the position of the car 10 becomes outside the door zone of the 5th floor, and the DZ signal changes from the ON state to the OFF state.

[0343] When the car 10 starts to travel, the car 10 becomes an accelerating running state. At time t2, when the speed of the car 10 reaches the rated speed, the car 10 changes from the accelerating running state to the constant-speed running state. At time t3, when the time TD54 has elapsed since time t1, the position of the car 10 becomes within the door zone of the 4th floor, and the DZ signal changes from the OFF state to the ON state. Furthermore, at time t4, the position of the car 10 becomes outside the door zone of the 4th floor, and the DZ signal changes from the ON state to the OFF state.

[0344] At time t5, when the time TD43 has elapsed since time t3, the position of the car 10 becomes within the door zone of the 3rd floor, and the DZ signal changes from the OFF state to the ON state. At time t6, the position of the car 10 becomes outside the door zone of the 3rd floor, and the DZ signal changes from the ON state to the OFF state.

[0345] At time t7, when the time TD32 has elapsed since time t5, the position of the car 10 becomes within the door zone of the 2nd floor, and the DZ signal changes from the OFF state to the ON state. At time t8, the position of the car 10 becomes outside the door zone of the 2nd floor, and the DZ signal changes from the ON state to the OFF state.

[0346] At time t9, the car 10 changes from the constant speed running state to the decelerated running state in order to stop at the 1st floor. At time t10, after a time TD21 has passed from time t7, the position of the car 10 is in the door zone of the 1st floor, and the DZ signal changes from the OFF state to the ON state. The car 10 stops at the 1st floor, and the car speed becomes 0 (becomes the stop state). At time t11, the speed of the car 10 is 0, and the DZ signal is in the ON state.

[0347] Hereinafter, a method of determining the traveling state will be described using a flowchart. Figure 17 This is a flowchart of the processing during operation diagnosis. Figure 11 As shown in FIG. 1 , the operation diagnosis process is executed in S102 of the remote operation process. Figure 10 In the display screen 421 shown, when the "manual operation diagnosis" button is clicked or the set operation diagnosis setting time (for example, 23:59 on the 23rd of each month) is reached, the operation diagnosis time processing is executed.

[0348] When the operation diagnosis processing starts, the control unit 152 generates the generated floor call signal in S401. For example, the indicator unit 155 sends the uppermost floor (5th floor) DN floor call signal. When the car 10 reaches the uppermost floor, after the waiting time TW (30 seconds) from the arrival, the indicator unit 155 sends the lowermost floor (1st floor) UP floor call signal. When the car 10 reaches the lowermost floor, after the waiting time TW (30 seconds) from the arrival, the indicator unit 155 sends the uppermost floor DN floor call signal. As a result, the car 10 reciprocates between the lowermost floor and the uppermost floor. In addition, the floor call signal can be sent at an arbitrary timing without waiting for the time TW (30 seconds).

[0349] In the present embodiment, "arrival" of a certain floor refers to the timing of entering the door zone at the floor (the timing of the DZ signal changing from the OFF state to the ON state). In the present embodiment, the judgment using the DZ signal is performed, but when the LB signal is also used for judgment, "arrival" of a certain floor may also refer to the timing of the DZ signal changing from the OFF state to the ON state and the LB signal changing from the ON state to the OFF state (that is, the timing of braking the car 10 by the brake).

[0350] Alternatively, it may be as follows. The indicator 155 sends a floor call signal for the UP floor at the lowest floor. When the car 10 arrives at the lowest floor, after a waiting time TW (30 seconds) has passed since the arrival, the indicator 155 sends a floor call signal for the DN floor at the highest floor. When the car 10 arrives at the highest floor, after a waiting time TW (30 seconds) has passed since the arrival, the indicator 155 sends a floor call signal for the UP floor at the lowest floor. Thus, the car 10 reciprocates between the lowest floor and the highest floor.

[0351] The indicator unit 155 performs the sending process of the next floor call signal in S402. The "next floor call signal" refers to the floor call signal that should be sent next. For example, as described above, the signals are sent in the order of the top DN floor call signal, the bottom UP floor call signal, and the top DN floor call signal. In this case, in S402, if none of the floor call signals are sent, the top DN floor call signal is sent as the first, and when the sending of the first top DN floor call signal is completed, the bottom UP floor call signal is sent as the second, and when the sending of the second bottom UP floor call signal is also completed, the top DN floor call signal is sent as the third.

[0352] In S403, the control unit 152 performs a car information measurement process described later. Through the car information measurement process, the control unit 152 calculates the car position, travel time, travel status, etc. of the car 10 based on the determination signal acquired by the acquisition unit 151 during the diagnostic operation of the transmission process.

[0353] The control unit 152 determines in S404 whether the car 10 has reached the landing call generating floor. When the control unit 152 determines that the car 10 has reached the landing call generating floor (Yes in S404), the process proceeds to S405. When the control unit 152 does not determine that the car 10 has reached the landing call generating floor (No in S404), the process returns to S404. Thus, the process waits until the car 10 reaches the landing call generating floor.

[0354] The control unit 152 determines in S405 whether all the landing call signals have been sent. All the landing call signals refer to all the signals that are scheduled to be sent. When the control unit 152 determines that all the landing call signals have been sent (Yes in S405), the control unit 152 causes the process to proceed to S406. When the control unit 152 determines that all the landing call signals have not been sent (No in S405), the process returns to S402. The processes of S402 to S405 are repeated until there are no more landing call signals to be sent.

[0355] The control unit 152 performs a determination process in S406. As described later, in the travel generation process, the control unit 152 determines whether the travel state (acceleration travel state, constant speed travel state, deceleration travel state) is a normal state or an unregulated state.

[0356] Figure 18It is a flowchart of car information measurement processing. After the car information measurement processing starts, the control unit 152 determines whether the SDL signal is in the ON state in S501. The processing of S501 to S510 is the processing when the car 10 travels from the lowest floor (floor 1) to the highest floor (floor 5).

[0357] When the control unit 152 determines that the SDL signal is in the ON state (yes in S501), it makes the processing enter S502. When the SDL signal is in the ON state, it can be determined that the car position is the lowest floor (floor 1). In addition, as described above, even without using the SDL signal, it is possible to determine whether the car position is the lowest floor.

[0358] When the control unit 152 does not determine that the SDL signal is in the ON state (no in S501), it makes the processing enter S511. The control unit 152 sets the floor position i of the car 10 to the lowest floor in S502.

[0359] The control unit 152 determines whether the DZ signal changes from the ON state to the OFF state in S503. When the control unit 152 determines that the DZ signal changes from the ON state to the OFF state (yes in S503), it makes the processing enter S504. In this case, the car 10 is in the running state.

[0360] When the control unit 152 does not determine that the DZ signal changes from the ON state to the OFF state (no in S503), it returns the processing to S503. Thus, it waits until the DZ signal changes from the ON state to the OFF state.

[0361] The control unit 152 starts the timer in S504. Thus, at the timing when the DZ signal changes from the ON state to the OFF state, the measurement of the running time from floor 1 starts. In addition, when the LB signal is also used, it is also possible to start the measurement of the running time from floor 1 at the timing when the LB signal changes from the OFF state to the ON state (the brake is released).

[0362] The control unit 152 determines whether the running direction is the UP direction in S505. Regarding whether it is the UP direction, it can be determined based on the UP signal, or without using the UP signal, it can be determined by the above other methods.

[0363] When the control unit 152 determines that the running direction is the UP direction (yes in S505), it makes the processing enter S506. When the control unit 152 does not determine that the running direction is the UP direction (no in S505), it ends the car information measurement processing. When the running direction is not the UP direction, it may respond to other landing calls. In this case, since the operation diagnosis cannot be performed, the car information measurement processing is ended.

[0364] In S506, when the DZ signal remains in the ON state for a specified time (e.g., 5 seconds) or more, the control unit 152 sets the stop flag at the floor position i. Thus, it is possible to determine whether there is a stop between the 1st floor and the 5th floor (intermediate floors). Alternatively, it may be determined that there is a stop at an intermediate floor when the running time is longer than the reference time by a specified time or more.

[0365] In S507, the control unit 152 determines whether the DZ signal changes from the OFF state to the ON state. When the control unit 152 determines that the DZ signal changes from the OFF state to the ON state (Yes in S507), the process proceeds to S508. When the control unit 152 does not determine that the DZ signal changes from the OFF state to the ON state (No in S507), the process returns to S505. Thus, it waits until the DZ signal changes to the ON state.

[0366] In S508, the control unit 152 sets the running time and running state for the floor positions i to i + 1. For example, when the 1st floor is set as the floor position, Figure 15 the situation from time t1 to time t3 corresponds to this. From the timing when the DZ signal changes from the ON state to the OFF state ( Figure 15 t1) to the timing when the DZ signal changes from the OFF state to the ON state ( Figure 15 t3), the running time TU12 for the floor positions from the 1st floor to the 2nd floor and the corresponding running state (described later) are set.

[0367] In S509, the control unit 152 increments the floor position i by 1 floor. In S510, the control unit 152 determines whether the floor position i is the top floor. When the control unit 152 determines that the floor position i is the top floor (Yes in S510), the car information measurement process ends. When the control unit 152 does not determine that the floor position i is the top floor (No in S510), the process returns to S505.

[0368] Thus, for the lowest floor (i = 1) to the top floor (i = 5), each time the DZ signal changes from the OFF state to the ON state, the floor position is updated, and the running time and running state are set each time.

[0369] For example, when the 2nd floor is set as the floor position, Figure 15 the situation from time t3 to time t5 corresponds to this. From the timing when the DZ signal changes from the OFF state to the ON state ( Figure 15 t3) to the next timing when the DZ signal changes from the OFF state to the ON state ( Figure 15For t5), the running time TU23 for the floor positions from the 2nd floor to the 3rd floor and the corresponding running states are set. Similarly, each time the DZ signal changes from the OFF state to the ON state, the floor position is updated, and the running time TU34 for the floor positions from the 3rd floor to the 4th floor, the running time TU45 for the floor positions from the 4th floor to the 5th floor, and the corresponding running states are set.

[0370] The running state is determined based on the running state table. Figure 19 This is an example of the running state table. The relationship between the running section and the running state is defined in the running state table. Figure 19 The running time table is an example of the running time table when the number of stops is 4 or more. In this embodiment, since it is possible to stop from the 1st floor to the 5th floor, the number of stops is 4 or more.

[0371] When the traveling direction of the car 10 is the UP direction, it is as follows. When the traveling section of the car 10 is "the lowest floor (1st floor) to the lowest floor + 1 (2nd floor)", the running state of the car 10 is the accelerating running state. When the traveling section of the car 10 is "the top floor - 1 (4th floor) to the top floor (5th floor)", the running state of the car 10 is the decelerating running state. When the traveling section of the car 10 is other than the above (2nd floor to 3rd floor, 3rd floor to 4th floor), the running state of the car 10 is the constant speed running state.

[0372] For Figure 15 this example, the running state within the running section from the 1st floor to the 2nd floor (time t1 to time t3) is set to the "accelerating running state". The running state within the running section from the 2nd floor to the 3rd floor (time t3 to time t5) is set to the "constant speed running state". The running state within the running section from the 3rd floor to the 4th floor (time t5 to time t7) is set to the "constant speed running state". The running state within the running section from the 4th floor to the 5th floor (time t7 to time t10) is set to the "decelerating running state".

[0373] Based on the relationship between the running state and the running time within the running section set above, the running state is determined. For example, when the running time within the running section from the 1st floor to the 2nd floor is inappropriate, it is determined that the "accelerating running state" is an out-of-adjustment state.

[0374] In addition, in Figure 15Among them, within the driving range from the 1st floor to the 2nd floor, it includes an accelerating driving state and a constant-speed driving state. In this embodiment, the driving ranges from the 2nd floor to the 3rd floor and from the 3rd floor to the 4th floor are used to determine the constant-speed driving state. Therefore, within the driving range from the 1st floor to the 2nd floor, only the accelerating driving state is determined. Additionally, without limitation, it is also possible to determine both the accelerating driving state and the constant-speed driving state within the driving range from the 1st floor to the 2nd floor. Similarly, within the driving range from the 4th floor to the 5th floor, it includes a constant-speed driving state and a decelerating driving state, but within this driving range, only the decelerating driving state is determined.

[0375] Return to Figure 19 , when the traveling direction of the car 10 is the DN direction, it becomes as follows. When the traveling range of the car 10 is "the uppermost floor (5th floor) to the uppermost floor - 1 (4th floor)", the traveling state of the car 10 is the accelerating driving state. When the traveling range of the car 10 is "the lowest floor + 1 (2nd floor) to the lowest floor (1st floor)", the traveling state of the car 10 is the decelerating driving state. When the traveling range of the car 10 is other than the above (4th floor to 3rd floor, 3rd floor to 2nd floor), the traveling state of the car 10 is the constant-speed driving state. Their corresponding relationships are used in the processing after S511.

[0376] As described above, when the second floor (5th floor) is a floor more than three floors higher than the first floor (1st floor), when performing the first transmission process and traveling in the UP direction, the control unit 152 determines the accelerating driving state based on the traveling time with the range from the first floor to the floor one floor higher than the first floor as the traveling range, determines the constant-speed driving state based on the traveling time with the range between the floor one floor higher than the first floor and the floor one floor lower than the second floor as the traveling range, and determines the decelerating driving state based on the traveling time with the range from the floor one floor lower than the second floor to the second floor as the traveling range. When the second floor is a floor more than three floors higher than the first floor and performing the second transmission process and traveling in the DN direction, the control unit 152 determines the accelerating driving state based on the traveling time with the range from the second floor to the floor one floor lower than the second floor as the traveling range, determines the constant-speed driving state based on the traveling time with the range between the floor one floor lower than the second floor and the floor one floor higher than the first floor as the traveling range, and determines the decelerating driving state based on the traveling time with the range from the floor one floor higher than the first floor to the first floor as the traveling range.

[0377] Return to Figure 18 , the processing of S511 to S520 is the processing when the car 10 travels from the uppermost floor (5th floor) to the lowest floor (1st floor) ( Figure 16 example). In S511, the control unit 152 determines whether the SUL signal is in the ON state.

[0378] When the control unit 152 determines that the SUL signal is in the ON state (Yes in S511), the process proceeds to S512. When the SUL signal is in the ON state, it can be determined that the car position is the lowest floor (floor 1). In addition, as described above, even without using the SUL signal, it is possible to determine whether the car position is the lowest floor. When the control unit 152 does not determine that the SUL signal is in the ON state (No in S511), the car information measurement process ends.

[0379] In S512, the control unit 152 sets the floor position i of the car 10 to the top floor (floor 5). In S513, the control unit 152 determines whether the DZ signal changes from the ON state to the OFF state. When the control unit 152 determines that the DZ signal changes from the ON state to the OFF state (Yes in S513), the process proceeds to S514. When the control unit 152 does not determine that the DZ signal changes from the ON state to the OFF state (No in S513), the process returns to S513. Thus, it waits until the DZ signal changes from the ON state to the OFF state.

[0380] In S514, the control unit 152 starts the timer. Thus, at the timing when the DZ signal changes from the ON state to the OFF state, the measurement of the running time from floor 5 starts. In addition, when the LB signal is also used, the measurement of the running time from floor 5 can also start at the timing when the LB signal changes from the OFF state to the ON state (the brake is released).

[0381] In S515, the control unit 152 determines whether the running direction is the DN direction. Regarding whether it is the DN direction, it can be determined based on the DN signal, or it can be determined by other methods described above without using the DN signal. When the control unit 152 determines that the running direction is the DN direction (Yes in S515), the process proceeds to S516.

[0382] When the control unit 152 does not determine that the running direction is the DN direction (No in S515), the car information measurement process ends. When the running direction is not the DN direction, it is possible that other landing calls have been responded to. In this case, the diagnostic data cannot be obtained normally, so the process ends.

[0383] In S516, when the DZ signal remains in the ON state for a specified time or more, the control unit 152 sets the stop flag at the floor position i. Thus, it is possible to determine whether there is a stop between floor 5 and floor 1 (intermediate floors).

[0384] In S517, the control unit 152 determines whether the DZ signal changes from the OFF state to the ON state. When the control unit 152 determines that the DZ signal changes from the OFF state to the ON state (Yes in S517), the process proceeds to S518. When the control unit 152 does not determine that the DZ signal changes from the OFF state to the ON state (No in S517), the process returns to S515. Thus, it waits until the DZ signal changes to the ON state.

[0385] In S518, the control unit 152 sets the travel time and travel state for the floor positions i to i - 1. In S519, the control unit 152 decreases the floor position i by one floor. In S520, the control unit 152 determines whether the floor position i is the lowest floor. When the control unit 152 determines that the floor position i is the lowest floor (Yes in S520), the car information measurement process ends. When the control unit 152 does not determine that the floor position i is the lowest floor (No in S520), the process returns to S515.

[0386] The processing of S517 to S520 is the same as the processing of S507 to S510. For Figure 16 example, the travel time TD54 in the travel section from the 5th floor to the 4th floor (time t1 to time t3) is calculated, and the travel state is set to the "accelerated travel state". The travel time TD43 in the travel section from the 4th floor to the 3rd floor (time t3 to time t5) is calculated, and the travel state is set to the "constant speed travel state". The travel time TD32 in the travel section from the 3rd floor to the 2nd floor (time t5 to time t7) is calculated, and the travel state is set to the "constant speed travel state". The travel time TD21 in the travel section from the 2nd floor to the 1st floor (time t7 to time t10) is calculated, and the travel state is set to the "decelerated travel state".

[0387] In this embodiment, as described above, the car position is determined by the floor position of the car 10 indicating which floor the car 10 is located on. The car position (floor position) is updated each time the DZ signal changes from the OFF state to the ON state. The control unit 152 calculates the time from when the floor position of the car 10 is updated until the floor position of the car 10 is updated next as the running time within the running section. Therefore, the timing at which the floor position is updated is different in the UP direction and the DN direction. For example, in the UP direction, from when entering the landing zone of the 2nd floor until about to enter the landing zone of the 3rd floor, the car position is defined as the 2nd floor. On the other hand, in the DN direction, from when entering the landing zone of the 2nd floor until about to enter the landing zone of the 1st floor, the car position is defined as the 2nd floor. Additionally, not limited to this, the division between floors can also be set arbitrarily. For example, it can also be defined that the car position is the 2nd floor from the middle position between the landing zones of the 1st floor and the 2nd floor to the middle position between the landing zones of the 2nd floor and the 3rd floor. The middle position can also be calculated based on the running time.

[0388] In addition, the car position can also be set according to the distance from the lowest landing position instead of the floor position. For example, when the distance between each floor is 3m, the car position when parked on the 1st floor becomes 0m, the car position when parked on the 2nd floor becomes 3m, and the car position when parked on the 5th floor becomes 12m (3m × 4).

[0389] As described above, the control unit 152 uses the information including the DZ signal to calculate the position of the car 10 and the running time of the car 10 within the running section during each of the multiple running states (acceleration running state, constant speed running state, deceleration running state) of the car 10. Then, based on these, the running state is judged. The "information including the DZ signal" includes, in addition to the DZ, landing call signals and the like. Or, in addition to this, it can also include the SUL signal, SDL signal, UP signal, DN signal, LB signal. However, as described above, the running state can be judged even without using these signals. Additionally, in this embodiment, in S506 and S516, the stop flag at the floor position i is set using the DZ signal. However, not limited to this, the stop flag at the floor position i can also be set when the LB signal is in the OFF state (the braking state of the brake) at a floor position i other than the topmost floor and the bottommost floor.

[0390] Figure 20 It is a flowchart of the determination process. Here, the determination of each of the acceleration running state, constant speed running state, and deceleration running state is performed.

[0391] When starting the determination process, in S601, the control unit 152 determines whether, within all driving sections corresponding to the accelerating driving state, the reference time of the driving time × 90% ≤ the measured time of the driving time ≤ the reference time of the driving time × 110%. When the control unit 152 determines that this condition is satisfied (Yes in S601), the process proceeds to S602. When the control unit 152 determines that this condition is not satisfied (No in S601), the process proceeds to S603. The control unit 152 determines in S602 that the accelerating driving state is a normal state. The control unit 152 determines in S603 that the accelerating driving state is a maladjusted state.

[0392] As Figure 15 , Figure 16 , Figure 19 illustrated, the time TU12 in the UP direction ( Figure 15 from time t1 to time t3, floors 1 to 2) and the time TD54 in the DN direction ( Figure 16 from time t1 to time t3, floors 5 to 4) correspond to the above-mentioned "measured time of the driving time".

[0393] In addition, as shown by the reference time DB423 in Figure 12 , for example, when mode A is set, in the UP direction, a predetermined reference time KU12 is selected as the reference time for the accelerating driving state. The reference time recorded in the reference time DB423 is a value obtained by previously actually measuring the driving time. When mode B is set, the reference time KU121 is selected as the reference time for the accelerating driving state. In this way, the reference time used in the determination of the driving state is a value obtained based on the value obtained by previously actually measuring the driving time.

[0394] In the determination of the driving state, the reference range is set to a range of 90% or more and 110% or less of the reference time. In the above example, the reference range (KU12L to KU12H) is determined as KU12 × 90% ≤ TU12 ≤ KU12 × 110% (KU12L ≤ TU12 ≤ KU12H). These values are also displayed on the Figure 10 display screen 421.

[0395] Here, in the legally required regular inspection, it is stipulated that the speed of the car 10 should be driven at a speed of 125% or less of the rated speed. In other words, it is obtained that the driving time is 80% or more of the standard driving time (1 / 1.25). In the regular inspection, a 20% error is allowed in the driving time, but in this embodiment, an error of up to 10% which is stricter than that is allowed. Thereby, the appropriateness of the driving time is ensured.

[0396] Then, in the determination process, it is determined whether the time TU12 in the UP direction measured is within the reference range (KU12L to KU12H). Similarly, it is determined whether the time TD54 in the DN direction is also within the reference range determined based on the reference time obtained from the reference time DB423. When both the time TU12 and the time TD54 are within the reference range, it is determined that the accelerating driving state is a normal state, and when either one is outside the reference range, it is determined that the accelerating driving state is a maladjusted state.

[0397] In S604, the control unit 152 determines, in all driving sections corresponding to the constant speed driving state, whether the reference time of the driving time × 90% ≤ the measured time of the driving time ≤ the reference time of the driving time × 110%. When the control unit 152 determines that this condition is satisfied (Yes in S604), the process proceeds to S605. When the control unit 152 does not determine that this condition is satisfied (No in S604), the process proceeds to S606. In S605, the control unit 152 determines that the constant speed driving state is a normal state. In S606, the control unit 152 determines that the constant speed driving state is a maladjusted state.

[0398] Similarly to the above, as Figure 15 , Figure 16 , Figure 19 illustrated, the times TU23 and TU34 in the UP direction ( Figure 15 ) and the times TD43 and TD32 in the DN direction ( Figure 16 ) correspond to "the measured time of the driving time". When all of them are within the reference range, it is determined that the constant speed driving state is a normal state, and when any one is outside the reference range, it is determined that the constant speed driving state is a maladjusted state.

[0399] In S607, the control unit 152 determines whether, in all driving sections corresponding to the decelerating driving state, the reference time of the driving time × 90% ≤ the measured time of the driving time ≤ the reference time of the driving time × 110%. When the control unit 152 determines that this condition is satisfied (Yes in S607), the process proceeds to S608. When the control unit 152 does not determine that this condition is satisfied (No in S607), the process proceeds to S609. In S608, the control unit 152 determines that the decelerating driving state is a normal state, and ends the determination process. In S609, the control unit 152 determines that the decelerating driving state is a maladjusted state, and ends the determination process.

[0400] Similarly to the above, as Figure 15 , Figure 16 , Figure 19 illustrated, the time TU45 in the UP direction ( Figure 15 ) and the time TD21 in the DN directionFigure 16 ) It corresponds to the "measured time of the running time". When both are within the reference range, it is determined that the decelerated running state is a normal state, and when either one is outside the reference range, it is determined that the decelerated running state is a maladjusted state.

[0401] As described above, when the running time corresponding to each of the multiple running states (accelerated running state, constant speed running state, decelerated running state) by the control unit 152 is within the reference range determined based on the predetermined reference time, it is determined that the running state corresponding to the running time is a normal state. On the other hand, when the running time is outside the reference range, it is determined that the running state corresponding to the running time is a maladjusted state.

[0402] In addition, as described using the above Figures 12 to 14 description, the reference time of the "running time (elapsed time)" can be switched according to the mode and season, etc., and the running state is determined based on the switched "running time (elapsed time)". For example, when mode C or mode D is set, the value of the "running time (elapsed time)" corresponding to the temperature or season in which the characteristics of the oil of the hydraulic elevator change can be used. Thus, it can be configured as shown in the above structures (A) to (E), and the effects shown in the structures (A) to (E) can be achieved.

[0403] Next, a modification example in the case where the number of stops of the car 10 is 3 (3 stops) will be described. Figure 21 It is a timing chart for explaining the determination of the running state in the case of 3 stops. Assume that the car 10 can stop at the 1st floor, 2nd floor, and 3rd floor.

[0404] In this case, the 1st floor (the topmost floor) = the 1st floor, and the 2nd floor (the bottommost floor) = the 3rd floor. In this case, it is modified to short-circuit the contacts of the UP landing call button 81 on the 1st floor by sending a simulated UP landing call signal for the 1st floor from the output IF140 to the landing device 230 on the 1st floor. Among the 3rd floor, it is modified to short-circuit the contacts of the DN landing call button 82 on the 3rd floor by sending a simulated DN landing call signal for the 3rd floor from the output IF140 to the landing device 230 on the 3rd floor. Then, a running diagnosis is performed to make the car 10 reciprocate between the 1st floor and the 3rd floor.

[0405] In the Figure 21 example, the UP running from the 1st floor to the 3rd floor is illustrated. At time t0, the car 10 stops at the 1st floor. At this time, the position of the car 10 is within the door zone on the 1st floor (the DZ signal is in the ON state), and the speed of the car 10 is 0 (the car 10 is in the stopped state).

[0406] Here, the remote inspection device 100 generates a three - layer down (DN) landing call. The car 10 starts to run in response to the three - layer down landing call. Thus, at time t1, the position of the car 10 is outside the landing area of the first floor, and the DZ signal changes from the ON state to the OFF state.

[0407] When the car 10 starts to run, the car 10 enters an accelerating running state. At time t2, when the speed of the car 10 reaches the rated speed, the car 10 changes from the accelerating running state to a constant - speed running state. At time t3, which is after a time Tu12 from time t1, the position of the car 10 is within the landing area of the second floor, and the DZ signal changes from the OFF state to the ON state. Furthermore, at time t4, the position of the car 10 is outside the landing area of the second floor, and the DZ signal changes from the ON state to the OFF state.

[0408] At time t5, in order to stop at the third floor, the car 10 changes from the constant - speed running state to a decelerating running state. At time t6, which is after a time Tu23 from time t3, the position of the car 10 is within the landing area of the third floor, and the DZ signal changes from the OFF state to the ON state. The car 10 stops at the third floor, and the car speed becomes 0 (enters the stopped state). At time t7, the speed of the car 10 is 0 and the DZ signal is in the ON state. The situation where the car 10 runs from the third floor to the first floor by the first - floor up (UP) landing call is the same as the above.

[0409] Figure 22 This is an example of the running - state table in the case of three stops. When the number of stops of the car 10 is 3, the running - time table is as follows. When the running direction of the car 10 is the UP direction, when the running interval of the car 10 is "the lowest floor (the first floor) ~ the lowest floor + 1 (the second floor)", the running state of the car 10 is the accelerating running state and the constant - speed running state. When the running interval of the car 10 is "the top floor - 1 (the second floor) ~ the top floor (the third floor)", the running state of the car 10 is the constant - speed running state and the decelerating running state.

[0410] That is, within the running interval from the first floor to the second floor, the time TU12 is set as the running time, and the accelerating running state and the constant - speed running state are set as the running states. Within the running interval from the second floor to the third floor, the time TU23 is set as the running time, and the constant - speed running state and the decelerating running state are set as the running states.

[0411] When the number of stops of the car 10 is 3 and the traveling direction of the car 10 is the DN direction, it is as follows. When the traveling section of the car 10 is "the uppermost floor (3rd floor) to the uppermost floor - 1 (2nd floor)", the traveling state of the car 10 is the accelerating traveling state and the constant speed traveling state. When the traveling section of the car 10 is "the lowermost floor + 1 (2nd floor) to the lowermost floor (1st floor)", the traveling state of the car 10 is the constant speed traveling state and the decelerating traveling state.

[0412] Within the traveling section from the 3rd floor to the 2nd floor, the time TD32 (not shown) is set as the traveling time, and the accelerating traveling state and the constant speed traveling state are set as the traveling states. Within the traveling section from the 2nd floor to the 1st floor, the time TD21 (not shown) is set as the traveling time, and the constant speed traveling state and the decelerating traveling state are set as the traveling states.

[0413] In this case, if both the time TU12 and the time TD32 are within the reference range, it is determined that the accelerating traveling state is a normal state, and if either one is outside the reference range, it is determined that the accelerating traveling state is a maladjusted state. If both the time TU23 and the time TD21 are within the reference range, it is determined that the decelerating traveling state is a normal state, and if either one is outside the reference range, it is determined that the decelerating traveling state is a maladjusted state. If the time TU12, the time TU23, the time TD32, and the time TD21 are all within the reference range, it is determined that the constant speed traveling state is a normal state, and if either one is outside the reference range, it is determined that the constant speed traveling state is a maladjusted state.

[0414] As described above, when the 2nd floor (3rd floor) is a floor that is 2 floors higher than the 1st floor (1st floor), when performing the first transmission process, based on the traveling time with the section from the 1st floor to the floor that is 1 floor higher than the 1st floor as the traveling section, the accelerating traveling state and the constant speed traveling state are determined, and based on the traveling time with the section from the floor that is 1 floor higher than the 1st floor to the 2nd floor as the traveling section, the constant speed traveling state and the decelerating traveling state are determined. When the 2nd floor is a floor that is 2 floors higher than the 1st floor, when performing the second transmission process, based on the traveling time with the section from the 2nd floor to the floor that is 1 floor lower than the 2nd floor as the traveling section, the accelerating traveling state and the constant speed traveling state are determined, and based on the traveling time with the section from the floor that is 1 floor lower than the 2nd floor to the 1st floor as the traveling section, the constant speed traveling state and the decelerating traveling state are determined.

[0415] Next, a modified example in the case where the number of stops of the car 10 is 2 (two stops) will be described. Figure 23 It is a timing chart for explaining the determination of the traveling state in the case of two stops. Assume that the car 10 can stop at the 1st floor and the 2nd floor.

[0416] In this case, the 1st floor (the topmost floor) = the 1st floor, and the 2nd floor (the bottommost floor) = the 2nd floor. In this case, it is modified such that by simulating the sending of the UP landing call signal for the 1st floor from the output IF140 to the landing device 230 on the 1st floor, the contacts of the UP landing call button 81 on the 1st floor are short-circuited. In the 2nd floor, it is modified such that by simulating the sending of the DN landing call signal for the 2nd floor from the output IF140 to the landing device 230 on the 2nd floor, the contacts of the DN landing call button 82 on the 2nd floor are short-circuited.

[0417] In Figure 23 the example of

[0418] Here, the remote inspection device 100 generates a DN landing call for the 2nd floor. The car 10 starts to run in response to the DN landing call for the 2nd floor. As a result, at time t1, the position of the car 10 becomes outside the landing area on the 1st floor, and the DZ signal changes from the ON state to the OFF state.

[0419] When the car 10 starts to run, the car 10 enters the accelerating running state. At time t2, when the speed of the car 10 reaches the rated speed, the car 10 changes from the accelerating running state to the constant-speed running state. At time t3, in order to stop at the 2nd floor, the car 10 changes from the constant-speed running state to the decelerating running state.

[0420] At time t4 when a time Tu12 has elapsed since time t1, the position of the car 10 becomes inside the landing area on the 2nd floor, and the DZ signal changes from the OFF state to the ON state. The car 10 stops at the 2nd floor, and the car speed becomes 0 (becomes the stopped state). At time t5, the speed of the car 10 is 0 and the DZ signal is in the ON state. The situation where the car 10 runs from the 2nd floor to the 1st floor by the UP landing call on the 1st floor is the same as above.

[0421] Figure 24 is an example of the running state table for the case of two stops. When the number of stops of the car 10 is 2, the running time table becomes as follows. When the running direction of the car 10 is the UP direction and the running section of the car 10 is "the bottommost floor (the 1st floor) ~ the topmost floor (the 2nd floor)", the running state of the car 10 is the accelerating running state, the constant-speed running state, and the decelerating running state. That is, within the running section from the 1st floor to the 2nd floor, the time TU12 is set as the running time, and the accelerating running state, the constant-speed running state, and the decelerating running state are set as the running states.

[0422] When the number of stops of the car 10 is 2 and the traveling direction of the car 10 is the DN direction, when the traveling section of the car 10 is "the uppermost floor (2nd floor) to the lowermost floor (1st floor)", the traveling state of the car 10 is an accelerating traveling state, a constant-speed traveling state, and a decelerating traveling state. In the traveling section from the 2nd floor to the 1st floor, a time TD21 (not shown) is set as the traveling time, and the accelerating traveling state, the constant-speed traveling state, and the decelerating traveling state are set as the traveling states.

[0423] In this case, if both the time TU12 and the time TD21 are within the reference range, it is determined that the accelerating traveling state is a normal state, and if either one is outside the reference range, it is determined that the accelerating traveling state is a maladjusted state. If both the time TU12 and the time TD21 are within the reference range, it is determined that the decelerating traveling state is a normal state, and if either one is outside the reference range, it is determined that the decelerating traveling state is a maladjusted state. If both the time TU12 and the time TD21 are within the reference range, it is determined that the constant-speed traveling state is a normal state, and if either one is outside the reference range, it is determined that the constant-speed traveling state is a maladjusted state.

[0424] As described above, when the 2nd floor (2nd floor) is one floor higher than the 1st floor (1st floor), when performing the first transmission process, the control unit 152 determines the accelerating traveling state, the constant-speed traveling state, and the decelerating traveling state based on the traveling time of the traveling section from the 1st floor to the 2nd floor. When the 2nd floor is one floor higher than the 1st floor, when performing the second transmission process, the control unit 152 determines the accelerating traveling state, the constant-speed traveling state, and the decelerating traveling state based on the traveling time of the traveling section from the 2nd floor to the 1st floor.

[0425] Regarding the determination of the traveling state, the structure and effects in the present embodiment are summarized below.

[0426] (1) The control unit 152 uses the information including the DZ signal to calculate the position of the car 10 and the traveling time of the car 10 in the traveling section where the car 10 travels in multiple traveling states. The multiple traveling states include an accelerating traveling state in which the car 10 travels while accelerating, a constant-speed traveling state in which the car 10 travels at a constant speed, and a decelerating traveling state in which the car 10 travels while decelerating. The inspection items include multiple traveling states. In each of the multiple traveling states, when the traveling time corresponding to each of the multiple traveling states is within the reference range determined based on a predetermined reference time, the control unit 152 determines that the traveling state corresponding to the traveling time is a normal state. On the other hand, when the traveling time is outside the reference range, the control unit 152 determines that the traveling state corresponding to the traveling time is a maladjusted state.

[0427] In this embodiment, signals (DZ signal, LB signal, DS signal, GS signal) used for condition determination of the safety circuit of the elevator are used as determination signals for remote inspection. In addition, from the perspective of ease of installation (constructability), instead of using car calls, landing calls are used as output signals for operation diagnosis (diagnostic operation) of remote inspection. By determining the running state based on the DZ signal and landing call signals suitable for remote inspection, remote inspection can be carried out as simply as possible for various elevators with different communication specifications and signal specifications. That is, multi-brand maintenance can be achieved in remote inspection. As a result, the maintenance company can reduce the frequency of maintenance inspections at the maintenance site and increase the number of elevators that can be maintained. The building owner can freely choose a maintenance company and sign a maintenance contract that enables remote inspection.

[0428] (2) The reference time is a value obtained based on a value obtained by previously measuring the running time. In this way, it is possible to determine the running state using a value that conforms to the operating state of the elevator on site.

[0429] (3) The reference range is a range of 90% or more and 110% or less of the reference time. In this way, by allowing an error (10%) that is more stringent than the error (20%) allowed in the statutory periodic inspection, the appropriateness of the running state can be ensured.

[0430] (4) When the second floor (the fifth floor) is a floor that is three or more floors higher than the first floor (the first floor), the control unit 152, when performing the first transmission process, determines the accelerating running state based on the running time with the first floor to the floor one floor higher than the first floor as the running section, determines the constant-speed running state based on the running time with the floor one floor higher than the first floor to the floor one floor lower than the second floor as the inter-floor running section, and determines the decelerating running state based on the running time with the floor one floor lower than the second floor to the second floor as the running section. When the second floor is a floor that is three or more floors higher than the first floor, the control unit 152, when performing the second transmission process, determines the accelerating running state based on the running time with the second floor to the floor one floor lower than the second floor as the running section, determines the constant-speed running state based on the running time with the floor one floor lower than the second floor to the floor one floor higher than the first floor as the inter-floor running section, and determines the decelerating running state based on the running time with the floor one floor higher than the first floor to the first floor as the running section. In this way, when there are four or more stops, the running state can be appropriately determined using the DZ signal.

[0431] (5) When the second floor (the third floor) is two floors higher than the first floor (the first floor), during the first transmission process, the control unit 152 determines the acceleration driving state and the constant speed driving state based on the driving time of the driving section from the first floor to the floor one floor higher than the first floor, and determines the constant speed driving state and the deceleration driving state based on the driving time of the driving section from the floor one floor higher than the first floor to the second floor. When the second floor is two floors higher than the first floor, during the second transmission process, the control unit 152 determines the acceleration driving state and the constant speed driving state based on the driving time of the driving section from the second floor to the floor one floor lower than the second floor, and determines the constant speed driving state and the deceleration driving state based on the driving time of the driving section from the floor one floor lower than the second floor to the first floor. In this way, in the case of three stops, the driving state can be appropriately determined using the DZ signal.

[0432] (6) When the second floor (the second floor) is one floor higher than the first floor (the first floor), during the first transmission process, the control unit 152 determines the acceleration driving state, the constant speed driving state, and the deceleration driving state based on the driving time of the driving section from the first floor to the second floor. When the second floor is one floor higher than the first floor, during the second transmission process, the control unit 152 determines the acceleration driving state, the constant speed driving state, and the deceleration driving state based on the driving time of the driving section from the second floor to the first floor. In this way, in the case of three stops, the driving state can be appropriately determined using the DZ signal.

[0433] (7) The first floor is the lowest floor where the car 10 can stop. The second floor is the highest floor where the car 10 can stop. The position of the car 10 is the floor position of the car 10 indicating which floor the car 10 is located on. The control unit 152 updates the floor position of the car 10 each time the DZ signal changes from the OFF state to the ON state. The control unit 152 calculates the time from when the floor position of the car 10 is updated until the next time the floor position of the car 10 is updated as the driving time within the driving section. In this way, the driving state can be appropriately determined using the DZ signal.

[0434] (8) The management server 300 can send an execution instruction for remote inspection to the remote inspection device 100 and can receive a determination result from the remote inspection device 100. The elevator system 200 (the elevator equipment group 220 and the control panel 210) and the remote inspection device 100 are provided in the first country (e.g., the United States), and the management server 300 is provided in a second country different from the first country (e.g., Japan). In this way, the remote inspection device 100 for remotely inspecting the elevator system 200 operating in the first country can be managed by the management server 300 in the second country. Thus, regardless of in which country the elevator system 200 and the remote inspection device 100 are provided, the management server 300 can manage the remote inspection device 100 across countries.

[0435] (9) As described above Figures 12 to 14 As described, it is possible to switch the reference time of the "travel time (elapsed time)" according to the mode, season, etc., and determine the travel state based on the switched "travel time (elapsed time)". For example, when mode C or mode D is set, it is possible to use the value of the "travel time (elapsed time)" corresponding to the temperature or season at which the characteristics of the oil of the hydraulic elevator change. Thus, it is possible to configure as shown in the above structures (A) to (E) and achieve the effects shown in structures (A) to (E).

[0436] [Supplementary Note]

[0437] The above-described embodiment is a specific example of the following supplementary note.

[0438] (Supplementary Note 1)

[0439] An elevator remote inspection system that performs remote inspection of an elevator

[0440] The elevator remote inspection system includes:

[0441] An instruction unit that performs a transmission process in which a landing call signal for generating a landing call of the elevator is sent to the equipment group of the elevator;

[0442] An acquisition unit that acquires a signal input and output by parallel transmission between the equipment group of the elevator and a control panel that controls the equipment group of the elevator as a determination signal;

[0443] A control unit that generates the landing call signal sent through the transmission process and performs a determination process in which, based on the determination signal acquired by the acquisition unit as a result of the transmission process, the inspection items of the remote inspection are determined; and

[0444] An output unit that outputs a determination result of the inspection items

[0445] The sending process includes: a first sending process of sending a second floor landing call signal after sending a first floor landing call signal, where the first floor landing call signal generates an upward first floor landing call at the first floor, and the second floor landing call signal generates a downward second floor landing call at the second floor higher than the first floor; and a second sending process of sending the first floor landing call signal after sending the second floor landing call signal.

[0446] The determination signal includes a first signal that represents either a first state or a non-first state that is not the first state. The first state is a state where the car of the elevator is located within the landing door area, and the landing door area represents the position range of the car where the car door can be opened and closed.

[0447] The control unit uses the information including the first signal to calculate the position of the car and the running time of the car within the running intervals respectively in multiple running states of the car.

[0448] The multiple running states include an accelerating running state where the car runs while accelerating, a constant-speed running state where the car runs at a constant speed, and a decelerating running state where the car runs while decelerating.

[0449] The inspection items include the multiple running states.

[0450] In each of the multiple running states, when the running time corresponding to each of the multiple running states is within the reference range determined based on a predetermined reference time, the control unit determines that the running state corresponding to the running time is a normal state. When the running time is outside the reference range, the control unit determines that the running state corresponding to the running time is a malfunction state.

[0451] (Supplementary Note 2)

[0452] According to the elevator remote inspection system described in Supplementary Note 1, wherein

[0453] The reference time is a value obtained based on the value obtained by previously measuring the running time.

[0454] (Supplementary Note 3)

[0455] According to the elevator remote inspection system described in Supplementary Note 1 or 2, wherein

[0456] The reference range is a range of 90% or more and 110% or less of the reference time.

[0457] (Supplementary Note 4)

[0458] The elevator remote inspection system according to any one of Appendices 1 to 3, wherein,

[0459] When the second floor is a floor that is three or more floors higher than the first floor,

[0460] When performing the first transmission process,

[0461] Based on the travel time with the range from the first floor to the floor one floor higher than the first floor as the travel range, the determination of the accelerating travel state is performed.

[0462] Based on the travel time with the range between the floor one floor higher than the first floor and the floor one floor lower than the second floor as the travel range, the determination of the constant-speed travel state is performed.

[0463] Based on the travel time with the range from the floor one floor lower than the second floor to the second floor as the travel range, the determination of the decelerating travel state is performed.

[0464] When performing the second transmission process,

[0465] Based on the travel time with the range from the second floor to the floor one floor lower than the second floor as the travel range, the determination of the accelerating travel state is performed.

[0466] Based on the travel time with the range between the floor one floor lower than the second floor and the floor one floor higher than the first floor as the travel range, the determination of the constant-speed travel state is performed.

[0467] Based on the travel time with the range from the floor one floor higher than the first floor to the first floor as the travel range, the determination of the decelerating travel state is performed.

[0468] (Appendix 5)

[0469] The elevator remote inspection system according to any one of Appendices 1 to 4, wherein,

[0470] When the second floor is a floor that is two floors higher than the first floor,

[0471] When performing the first transmission process,

[0472] Based on the travel time with the range from the first floor to the floor one floor higher than the first floor as the travel range, the determination of the accelerating travel state and the constant-speed travel state is performed.

[0473] Based on the travel time for the travel section from the floor one floor higher than the first floor to the second floor, determine the constant speed travel state and the decelerated travel state.

[0474] When performing the second transmission process,

[0475] Based on the travel time for the travel section from the second floor to the floor one floor lower than the second floor, determine the accelerated travel state and the constant speed travel state.

[0476] Based on the travel time for the travel section from the floor one floor lower than the second floor to the first floor, determine the constant speed travel state and the decelerated travel state.

[0477] (Supplementary Note 6)

[0478] According to the elevator remote inspection system described in any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 5, wherein

[0479] When the second floor is a floor one floor higher than the first floor, the control unit

[0480] When performing the first transmission process, based on the travel time for the travel section from the first floor to the second floor, determine the accelerated travel state, the constant speed travel state, and the decelerated travel state.

[0481] When performing the second transmission process, based on the travel time for the travel section from the second floor to the first floor, determine the accelerated travel state, the constant speed travel state, and the decelerated travel state.

[0482] (Supplementary Note 7)

[0483] According to the elevator remote inspection system described in any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 6, wherein

[0484] The first floor is the lowest floor where the car can stop,

[0485] The second floor is the highest floor where the car can stop,

[0486] The position of the car is the floor position of the car indicating which floor the car is located on,

[0487] Each time the first signal changes from the non-first state to the first state, the control unit updates the floor position of the car.

[0488] The control unit calculates the time from when the floor position of the car is updated until the next time the floor position of the car is updated as the running time within the running section.

[0489] (Supplementary Note 8)

[0490] The elevator remote inspection system according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 7, wherein

[0491] The elevator remote inspection system further includes:

[0492] A remote inspection device including the instruction unit, the acquisition unit, the control unit, and the output unit; and

[0493] A management server that can be connected to the remote inspection device via a network and manages the remote inspection device,

[0494] The management server can send an execution instruction for the remote inspection to the remote inspection device and can receive the determination result from the remote inspection device,

[0495] The equipment group of the elevator, the control panel, and the remote inspection device are provided in the first country,

[0496] The management server is provided in a second country different from the first country.

[0497] (Supplementary Note 9)

[0498] An elevator remote inspection method for performing remote inspection of an elevator, wherein

[0499] The elevator remote inspection method includes the following steps:

[0500] Performing a sending process in which a landing call signal for generating a landing call of the elevator is sent to the equipment group of the elevator;

[0501] Acquiring a signal input and output by parallel transmission between the equipment group of the elevator and the control panel controlling the equipment group of the elevator as a determination signal;

[0502] Generating the landing call signal sent by the sending process and performing a determination process in which the inspection items of the remote inspection are determined based on the determination signal obtained through the obtaining step as a result of the sending process; and

[0503] Outputting the determination result of the inspection items,

[0504] The sending process includes:

[0505] The first transmission process: After transmitting the call signal for the first floor station, transmit the call signal for the second floor station. Among them, the call signal for the first floor station generates an upward call for the first floor station on the first floor, and the call signal for the second floor station generates a downward call for the second floor station in the second floor that is higher than the first floor; and the second transmission process: After transmitting the call signal for the second floor station, transmit the call signal for the first floor station.

[0506] The determination signal includes a first signal, and the first signal represents any one of a first state and a non-first state that is not the first state. The first state is a state where the car of the elevator is located within the landing area, and the landing area represents the position range of the car where the door of the car can be opened and closed.

[0507] The step of performing the determination process includes the following steps: Using the information including the first signal, calculate the position of the car and the running time of the car within the running intervals respectively running in multiple running states of the car.

[0508] The multiple running states include an accelerating running state where the car runs while accelerating, a constant-speed running state where the car runs at a constant speed, and a decelerating running state where the car runs while decelerating.

[0509] The inspection items include the multiple running states.

[0510] The step of performing the determination process further includes the following steps: In each of the multiple running states, when the running time corresponding to each of the multiple running states is within a reference range determined based on a predetermined reference time, it is determined that the running state corresponding to the running time is a normal state, and when the running time is outside the reference range, it is determined that the running state corresponding to the running time is a malfunction state.

[0511] The embodiments disclosed this time are illustrative and are not limited to the above content. The scope of the present invention is shown by the claims, and it is intended to include all changes within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0512] Description of Reference Numerals

[0513] 1 Remote inspection system, 2 Building, 5 Machine room, 6 Pit, 8 Hoistway, 10 Car, 11 Rope, 12 Counterweight, 13 Deflector pulley, 14 Buffer, 15 Temperature sensor, 16 Intercom, 21 - 23 Control cables, 31 1st floor car call button, 32 2nd floor car call button, 33 3rd floor car call button, 34 4th floor car call button, 35 5th floor car call button, 50 Car operation panel, 51 Indicator, 52 Door open button, 53 Door close button, 60, 61 Doors, 70 Landing operation panel, 71 Indicator, 81 UP landing call button, 82 DN landing call button, 92 DN landing call, 100 Remote inspection device, 110 Control device, 111 Processor, 112 Memory, 120 Communication IF, 130 Input IF, 140 Output IF, 151 Acquisition unit, 152 Control unit, 153 Output unit, 154 Reception unit, 155 Instruction unit, 156 Data group, 200, 200a, 200b Elevator system, 210, 210a, 210b Control panel, 211 Group management control unit, 212 Each unit control unit, 220, 220a, 210b Elevator equipment group, 230 Landing device, 240 Car device, 250 Traction machine, 261, 262 Connector, 300 Management server, 400 Terminal, 410 Display unit, 420 Input unit, 421 Display screen, 422 Set data, 423 Reference time DB, 424 Operation history, 425 Judgment result, 500 Remote inspection device made by Company X, 500a Remote inspection device made by Company Y.

Claims

1. An elevator remote inspection system that performs remote inspection of an elevator, The elevator remote inspection system includes: An instruction unit that performs a transmission process in which a landing call signal for generating a landing call of the elevator is transmitted to an equipment group of the elevator; An acquisition unit that acquires a signal input and output by parallel transmission between the equipment group of the elevator and a control panel that controls the equipment group of the elevator as a determination signal; A control unit that generates the landing call signal transmitted through the transmission process and performs a determination process in which, based on the determination signal acquired by the acquisition unit as a result of the transmission process, the inspection items of the remote inspection are determined; And An output unit that outputs a determination result of the inspection item, The transmission process includes: a first transmission process in which a second landing call signal is transmitted after transmitting a first landing call signal, where the first landing call signal generates an upward first landing call on the first floor, and the second landing call signal generates a downward second landing call on a second floor higher than the first floor; And a second transmission process in which the first landing call signal is transmitted after transmitting the second landing call signal, The determination signal includes a first signal that represents any one of a first state and a non-first state that is not the first state, where the first state is a state in which the elevator car is within the landing area, and the landing area represents a position range of the car where the car door can be opened and closed; The control unit uses the information including the first signal to calculate the position of the car and the running time of the car within the running intervals respectively running in a plurality of running states of the car; The plurality of running states include an accelerating running state in which the car runs while accelerating, a constant-speed running state in which the car runs at a constant speed, and a decelerating running state in which the car runs while decelerating; The inspection items include the plurality of running states, In each of the plurality of running states, when the running time corresponding to each of the plurality of running states is within a reference range determined based on a predetermined reference time, the control unit determines that the running state corresponding to the running time is a normal state, and when the running time is outside the reference range, the control unit determines that the running state corresponding to the running time is a maladjusted state.

2. The elevator remote inspection system according to claim 1, wherein The reference time is a value obtained based on a value obtained by previously actually measuring the running time.

3. The elevator remote inspection system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The reference range is a range of 90% or more and 110% or less of the reference time.

4. The elevator remote inspection system according to claim 1, wherein When the second floor is a floor more than three floors higher than the first floor, When performing the first transmission process, Based on the travel time with the floors from the 1st floor to the floor one level higher than the 1st floor as the travel section, determine the accelerating travel state. Based on the travel time with the floor section from the floor one level higher than the 1st floor to the floor one level lower than the 2nd floor as the travel section, determine the constant-speed travel state. Based on the travel time with the floors from the floor one level lower than the 2nd floor to the 2nd floor as the travel section, determine the decelerating travel state. When performing the 2nd transmission process, Based on the travel time with the floors from the 2nd floor to the floor one level lower than the 2nd floor as the travel section, determine the accelerating travel state. Based on the travel time with the floor section from the floor one level lower than the 2nd floor to the floor one level higher than the 1st floor as the travel section, determine the constant-speed travel state. Based on the travel time with the floors from the floor one level higher than the 1st floor to the 1st floor as the travel section, determine the decelerating travel state.

5. The elevator remote inspection system according to claim 1, wherein, when the 2nd floor is a floor two levels higher than the 1st floor, the control unit when performing the 1st transmission process, Based on the travel time with the floors from the 1st floor to the floor one level higher than the 1st floor as the travel section, determine the accelerating travel state and the constant-speed travel state. Based on the travel time with the floors from the floor one level higher than the 1st floor to the 2nd floor as the travel section, determine the constant-speed travel state and the decelerating travel state. when performing the 2nd transmission process, Based on the travel time with the floors from the 2nd floor to the floor one level lower than the 2nd floor as the travel section, determine the accelerating travel state and the constant-speed travel state. Based on the travel time with the floors from the floor one level lower than the 2nd floor to the 1st floor as the travel section, determine the constant-speed travel state and the decelerating travel state.

6. The elevator remote inspection system according to claim 1, wherein, when the 2nd floor is a floor one level higher than the 1st floor, the control unit when performing the 1st transmission process, based on the travel time with the floors from the 1st floor to the 2nd floor as the travel section, determine the accelerating travel state, the constant-speed travel state, and the decelerating travel state. when performing the 2nd transmission process, based on the travel time with the floors from the 2nd floor to the 1st floor as the travel section, determine the accelerating travel state, the constant-speed travel state, and the decelerating travel state.

7. The elevator remote inspection system according to claim 1, wherein, the 1st floor is the lowest floor where the car can stop, the 2nd floor is the highest floor where the car can stop, the position of the car is the floor position of the car indicating which floor the car is on. Each time the first signal changes from the non-first state to the first state, the control unit updates the floor position of the car. The control unit calculates the time from when the floor position of the car is updated until the next time the floor position of the car is updated as the running time within the running section.

8. The elevator remote inspection system according to claim 1, wherein the elevator remote inspection system further includes: a remote inspection device including the instruction unit, the acquisition unit, the control unit, and the output unit; and a management server that can be connected to the remote inspection device via a network and manages the remote inspection device. The management server can send an execution instruction for the remote inspection to the remote inspection device and can receive the determination result from the remote inspection device. The equipment group of the elevator, the control panel, and the remote inspection device are provided in the first country. The management server is provided in a second country different from the first country.

9. An elevator remote inspection method for performing remote inspection of an elevator, wherein the elevator remote inspection method includes the following steps: Performing a sending process in which a landing call signal for generating a landing call of the elevator is sent to the equipment group of the elevator. Acquiring a signal input and output by parallel transmission between the equipment group of the elevator and the control panel that controls the equipment group of the elevator as a determination signal. Generating the landing call signal sent in the sending process and performing a determination process in which, based on the determination signal acquired in the acquiring step as a result of the sending process, the inspection items of the remote inspection are determined. Outputting the determination result of the inspection items. The sending process includes: A first sending process in which a second landing call signal is sent after sending a first landing call signal, where the first landing call signal generates an upward first landing call on the first floor, and the second landing call signal generates a downward second landing call on the second floor higher than the first floor. And a second sending process in which the first landing call signal is sent after sending the second landing call signal. The determination signal includes a first signal that represents either a first state or a non-first state that is not the first state, where the first state is a state in which the car of the elevator is within the landing area, and the landing area represents the position range of the car where the door of the car can be opened and closed. The step of performing the determination process includes the following steps: Using the information including the first signal, calculating the position of the car and the running time of the car within the running section in each of the multiple running states of the car. The multiple running states include an accelerating running state in which the car runs while accelerating, a constant-speed running state in which the car runs at a constant speed, and a decelerating running state in which the car runs while decelerating. The inspection items include the multiple running states. The step of performing the determination process further includes the following steps: in each of the plurality of driving states, when the driving time corresponding to each of the plurality of driving states is within a reference range determined based on a predetermined reference time, it is determined that the driving state corresponding to the driving time is a normal state, and when the driving time is outside the reference range, it is determined that the driving state corresponding to the driving time is a maladjusted state.

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