Elevator remote point inspection system and elevator remote point inspection method

Abstract

The control section (152) determines the correspondence between the position of the car (10) and the time between the 1st floor and the 5th floor using the information including the DZ signal. The control section (152) determines that the state of the landing call button is the normal state when it is determined based on the correspondence that the car (10) has made a round trip between the 1st floor and the 5th floor without stopping at a floor between the 1st floor and the 5th floor.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an elevator remote point inspection system and an elevator remote point inspection method that perform remote point inspection of an elevator. BACKGROUND

[0002] In recent years, in the maintenance business of elevators, the demand for an elevator remote point inspection system that performs remote point inspection of an elevator using a communication line is increasing. As a device that performs such remote point inspection, for example, there is a remote monitoring support device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-019900 (Patent Literature 1). The remote monitoring support device determines whether the operation state of the elevator is a normal operation state based on the output state of a signal acquired from a control board of the elevator.

[0003] By the implementation of remote point inspection, the point inspection work in the maintenance site is reduced, and thus the maintenance business is greatly efficient. In addition, there is a legal provision (for example, the General Guidelines for Building Maintenance Business established by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan) that the implementation period of the statutory periodic point inspection work can be extended in the case where remote point inspection is implemented, and thus the maintenance business can be further efficient.

[0004] In particular, in the global market where various manufacturers' elevators are installed, maintenance companies need to perform maintenance response regardless of the manufacturer and model of the elevator (make the maintenance multi-brand). On the other hand, on the side of the building owner who signs a maintenance contract, there is a high demand for the freedom to select a maintenance company regardless of the manufacturer of the installed elevator and to sign a maintenance contract that enables remote point inspection.

[0005] According to such circumstances, the demand for an elevator remote point inspection system that can perform remote point inspection based on a signal acquired from an elevator system regardless of the manufacturer and model of the elevator is increasing.

[0006] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0007] PATENT LITERATURE

[0008] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-019900 SUMMARY

[0009] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0010] However, in the elevator industry, the communication specifications and signal specifications of each manufacturer and model are not common. In addition, these specifications are not usually disclosed. Therefore, a common elevator remote point inspection system cannot usually be used between different manufacturers.

[0011] In a case where a remote inspection system for elevators corresponding to various elevators having different communication standards and signal standards is to be developed, for example, it is necessary to acquire signals exchanged by parallel transmission such as a contact signal of a switch. Further, since signal standards are not commonized among manufacturers, the types of signals that can be commonly used are greatly limited.

[0012] Further, even if signals can be commonly used, there are signals that are not suitable to be used due to constraints on hardware such as installation cost or installation difficulty when the remote inspection system for elevators is installed in a building. Therefore, in order to realize such a remote inspection system for elevators, it is necessary to sufficiently study which signal is used and which method is used to judge an inspection item of remote inspection.

[0013] The present disclosure was completed in order to solve the above problems, and aims to provide a remote inspection system for elevators and a remote inspection method for elevators that can perform remote inspection as simply as possible in correspondence with various elevators having different communication standards and signal standards.

[0014] Means for solving the problem

[0015] The remote inspection system for elevators of the present disclosure is a system that performs remote inspection of an elevator. The remote inspection system for elevators includes an instruction unit, an acquisition unit, a control unit, and an output unit. The instruction unit performs transmission processing in which a hall call signal that generates a hall call of the elevator is transmitted to a device group of the elevator. The acquisition unit acquires a signal that is input and output between the device group of the elevator and a control panel that controls the device group of the elevator by parallel transmission as a determination signal. The control unit generates the hall call signal transmitted by the transmission processing, and performs determination processing in which an inspection item of remote inspection is determined based on the determination signal acquired by the acquisition unit as a result of the transmission processing. The output unit outputs a determination result of the inspection item. The transmission processing is processing of transmitting a first hall call signal and a second hall call signal, the first hall call signal being a signal that generates a first hall call in an upward direction at a first floor, and the second hall call signal being a signal that generates a second hall call in a downward direction at a second floor higher than the first floor. The determination signal includes a first signal that indicates any of a first state and a non-first state that is not the first state, the first state being a state in which a car of the elevator is located in a door zone that indicates a range of positions of the car in which a door of the car can be opened and closed. The inspection item includes a state of a hall call button that generates a hall call. The control unit determines a correspondence relationship between a position of the car and a time of day between the first floor and the second floor using information including the first signal. The control unit determines that the state of the hall call button is a normal state in a case where it is determined based on the correspondence relationship that the car has performed reciprocation between the first floor and the second floor in a manner in which the car does not stop at a floor between the first floor and the second floor.

[0016] The elevator remote point inspection method of the present disclosure is a method of performing remote point inspection of an elevator. The elevator remote point inspection method includes the steps of: performing a transmission process in which a hall call signal that generates a hall call of the elevator is transmitted to a device group of the elevator; acquiring a signal that is input and output between the device group of the elevator and a control panel that controls the device group of the elevator through parallel transmission as a determination signal; generating the hall call signal transmitted through the transmission process and performing a determination process in which a point inspection item of the remote point inspection is determined based on the determination signal acquired through the step of acquiring as a result of the transmission process; and outputting a determination result of the point inspection item. The transmission process is a process of transmitting a first hall call signal that is a signal that generates a first hall call in an upward direction at a first floor and a second hall call signal that is a signal that generates a second hall call in a downward direction at a second floor that is higher than the first floor. The determination signal includes a first signal that indicates any of a first state in which a car of the elevator is located within a door zone that indicates a range of positions of the car in which a door of the car can be opened and closed and a non-first state that is not the first state. The point inspection item includes a state of a hall call button that generates the hall call. The step of performing the determination process includes the steps of: determining a correspondence relationship between a position of the car and a time between the first floor and the second floor using information including the first signal; and determining that the state of the hall call button is a normal state in a case where it is determined based on the correspondence relationship that the car has performed a round trip between the first floor and the second floor without stopping at a floor between the first floor and the second floor.

[0017] Effects of the Invention

[0018] According to the present disclosure, by performing determination of the state of the hall call button based on the first signal that is suitable for use in remote point inspection, remote point inspection can be performed as simply as possible in correspondence with various elevators that differ in communication specifications and signal specifications. That is, multi-branding of maintenance can be achieved in remote point inspection. As a result, a maintenance company can reduce the frequency of maintenance point inspection at a maintenance site and can increase the number of elevators that can be subjected to maintenance. A building owner can freely select a maintenance company and conclude a maintenance contract that enables remote point inspection. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

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

[0020] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a conventional type of remote point inspection system is connected to an elevator system.

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

[0022] Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware structure of an elevator system.

[0023] Figure 5A is a diagram showing an example of a hardware structure of an elevator system.

[0024] Figure 5B is a diagram showing an example of a hardware structure of an elevator system.

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

[0026] Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware structure of an elevator system.

[0027] Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware structure of an elevator system.

[0028] Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware structure of an elevator system.

[0029] Figure 10 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware structure of an elevator system.

[0030] Figure 11 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware structure of an elevator system.

[0031] Figure 12 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware structure of an elevator system.

[0032] Figure 13 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware structure of an elevator system.

[0033] Figure 14 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware structure of an elevator system.

[0034] Figure 15 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware structure of an elevator system.

[0035] Figure 16 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware structure of an elevator system.

[0036] Figure 17 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware structure of an elevator system.

[0037] Figure 18 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware structure of an elevator system.

[0038] Figure 19 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware structure of an elevator system.

[0039] Figure 20 is a flowchart of the process of handling at the time of operation diagnosis.

[0040] Figure 21 is a flowchart of the process of travel generation.

[0041] Figure 22 is a flowchart of the process of car information measurement.

[0042] Figure 23 is a flowchart of the process of determination.

[0043] Figure 24 is a flowchart of the process of multiple cars. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described with reference to the 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 description thereof will not be repeated.

[0045] [Structure of Elevator System 200 and Elevator Remote Point Inspection System 1]

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

[0047] In a case where an elevator is installed in a building, the owner of the building needs to conclude a maintenance contract with a maintenance company of the elevator. The maintenance staff of the maintenance company performs maintenance inspection and periodic inspection of the elevator based on the maintenance contract. The owner of the building can conclude a contract including remote inspection or remote monitoring as an option at the time of conclusion of the maintenance contract.

[0048] Remote monitoring refers to monitoring by the monitoring center (information center) or the like of the maintenance company using a communication line or the like on the presence or absence of abnormalities or malfunctions of the elevator at all times. Remote inspection refers to inspection by the monitoring center or the like of the maintenance company on the normality of the operation state of the elevator and the action state of each device using a communication line or the like, in addition to remote monitoring, with the parts required for normal operation of the elevator as the target.

[0049] Remote inspection includes three types of checks: elevator performance checks, equipment checks, and usage status checks. Performance checks include inspecting the car's starting status, acceleration status, constant speed travel status, deceleration status, and stop status. Equipment checks include checking the temperature of the machine room or control panel, the status of control equipment, the status of the destination floor buttons inside the car, the status of the intercom, the door opening and closing status, the status of the floor buttons, the status of the door switches, and whether there are any abnormalities in the electromagnetic brake. Usage status checks include checking the car's travel distance, travel time or number of starts, and the number of door openings and closings.

[0050] By implementing such remote inspections, on-site inspection work is reduced, thus significantly improving maintenance efficiency. Furthermore, there are legal provisions allowing for extended legally mandated periodic inspection cycles when remote inspections are implemented, further enhancing maintenance efficiency. For example, in Japan, implementing the aforementioned remote inspections can reduce the legally required periodic inspection cycle from once a month to once every three months (as stipulated in the General Regulations for Building Maintenance Operations of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism).

[0051] Furthermore, as will be described later, there is a growing demand from maintenance companies seeking to promote multi-brand maintenance in the global market, and from building owners who want the freedom to choose maintenance companies and sign maintenance contracts that enable remote inspections. The remote inspection system 1 of this embodiment is a system for remotely inspecting elevators, constructed to meet these demands. It will be described in detail below.

[0052] like Figure 1 As 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 located within the building 2. The remote inspection device 100 is connected to the elevator system 200 to perform remote inspections of the elevator. The remote inspection device 100 may be configured, for example, to include a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller).

[0053] The management server 300 is located, for example, in the maintenance company's information center (monitoring center). The terminal 400 can be located in the maintenance company's information center or anywhere else. 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 of each building to which a maintenance contract of an elevator is concluded, building information, information of an elevator provided in the building, and a remote inspection result. The management server 300 is a device that manages the remote inspection device 100, transmits an execution instruction of remote inspection to the remote inspection device 100, and acquires an inspection result of remote inspection performed by the remote inspection device 100.

[0055] The terminal 400 is, for example, a PC (Personal Computer), a smartphone, or a tablet. The terminal 400 is provided with a display portion 410 that displays various information, and an input portion 420 that can input an operation from a user who uses the terminal 400. In the present embodiment, the terminal 400 is used by a maintenance staff of a maintenance company. That is, the "user" who uses the terminal 400 refers to the maintenance staff of the maintenance company, but is not limited thereto, and any person who can use the terminal 400 can be included in the user. For example, the user can be an employee other than the maintenance staff of the maintenance company, and can also be a person who manages the building 2. The terminal 400 can cause the remote inspection device 100 to perform remote inspection via the management server 300 by an operation of the maintenance staff from the input portion 420. Further, the terminal 400 can cause the remote inspection device 100 to perform an inspection result of remote inspection to be displayed on the display portion 410.

[0056] The elevator system 200 is provided with a control panel 210 and an elevator equipment group 220. The elevator equipment group 220 is constituted by 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 acquired 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 prescribed voltage is detected in an ON state of the switch) is assumed, but for example, a signal such as a pulse signal acquired from a rotary encoder can also be assumed.

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

[0060] In the present embodiment, a part of the signal lines in which signals are transmitted and received through parallel transmission, among the signal lines connecting the control panel 210 and the elevator equipment group 220, is branched and connected to the terminal provided in the remote point inspection device 100. Thus, a part of the signals transmitted and received between the control panel 210 and the elevator equipment group 220 through parallel transmission can be input and output on the side of the remote point inspection device 100.

[0061] On the other hand, the control panel 210 of the elevator system 200 is configured to be connectable to various maintenance devices of the elevator. A connector 261 is provided on the control board of 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, communication connection based on serial communication (serial transmission) can be performed between the maintenance device and the control panel 210.

[0062] The various maintenance devices of the elevator are, for example, a maintenance computer, a remote monitoring device, a remote point inspection device, and the like, which are used as dedicated devices of the elevator system 200. These maintenance devices are devices developed and used by a maintenance company of the manufacturer or the system of the manufacturer in correspondence with each model of the elevator. Therefore, these maintenance devices cannot be connected to elevators of manufacturers other than the manufacturer. Here, the maintenance company of the manufacturer or the system of the manufacturer refers to, for example, a subsidiary or an affiliated company of the manufacturer, which is hereinafter referred to as a "manufacturer-based maintenance company".

[0063] On the other hand, the remote point inspection device 100 of the present embodiment is configured to be connectable 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 point inspection device 100 are quite limited (DZ signal, LB signal, GS signal, DS signal, landing call signal, and the like, which will be described later).

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

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

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

[0067] Based on the fact that the maintenance device connected through serial communication with the control panel 210 can obtain not only contact signals that are input and output through parallel transmission but also internal signals of software that are input and output through serial transmission. Further, the maintenance device can perform, through communication with the control panel 210, transmission of various instructions such as a halt instruction for the elevator, a waiting instruction to a specific floor, and the like, setting of various action options, setting change of various parameters, and the like.

[0068] The maintenance computer in the maintenance device that can be connected through serial communication is a computer (terminal device) that can be used in on-site elevator maintenance point inspection. Various maintenance software that act on the maintenance computer can be started, and confirmation of various internal signals of the elevator, various instructions for the elevator, setting change, rewriting of software, and the like can be performed.

[0069] The maintenance computer can be used on site, and the remote monitoring device and the remote point inspection device are used at a remote location via a network. The remote monitoring device in the maintenance device that can be connected through serial communication is a device that can obtain and display the above-mentioned internal signals at a remote location via a network. The remote point inspection device in the maintenance device that can be connected through serial communication is a device that can obtain and display the above-mentioned internal signals at a remote location via a network and perform an action instruction for remote point inspection for the elevator.

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

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

[0072] In the example of Figure 2 , the elevator system 200 is provided in Building A, and the elevator system 200a is provided in Building B. The elevator system 200 is an elevator system manufactured by Company X, and the model of the elevator is Model M. In elevators of each company, there are a plurality of models depending on the purpose, the era, and the like. The elevator system 200a is an elevator system manufactured by Company Y, and the model of the elevator is Model N.

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

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

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

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

[0077] In this case, as described above, the remote point inspection device 500 of the X Company can acquire various internal signals generated by the management software of the control panel 210 by communicatively connecting to the control panel 210, and can transmit various instructions to the control panel 210. For example, by the terminal operation, an instruction to cause the car to travel between two floors is transmitted, and as a result, the travel time, speed information, and the like between the two floors can be acquired. The same applies to the remote point inspection device 500a of the Y Company.

[0078] However, in this case, for the elevator system 200 of the X Company, the remote point inspection device 500 of the X Company corresponding to the model M needs to be used, and for the elevator system 200a of the Y Company, the remote point inspection device 500a of the Y Company corresponding to the model N needs to be used. In this way, in the case where a remote point inspection device based on serial communication is to be provided, the remote point inspection device needs to be prepared for each manufacturer of the elevator, and in addition, even if the manufacturers are the same, the remote point inspection device corresponding to the model needs to be prepared.

[0079] As for such a remote point inspection device, it is sometimes prepared for each manufacturer of the elevator, but generally can only be used by the manufacturer or the manufacturer-based maintenance company of the provided elevator. In addition, in the case of an old model, there is sometimes no corresponding remote point inspection device.

[0080] In this way, the remote point inspection device needs to be prepared for each manufacturer of the elevator, and in addition, even if the manufacturers are the same, the remote point inspection device corresponding to the model needs to be prepared. Figure 2For example, a manufacturer-maintenance company (manufacturer) X company can use the remote point inspection device 500 made by the X company, but cannot use the remote point inspection device 500a made by the Y company. On the other hand, a manufacturer-maintenance company (manufacturer) Y company can use the remote point inspection device 500a made by the Y company, but cannot use the remote point inspection device 500 made by the X company.

[0081] This is because the communication specifications and signal specifications are not commonized between the manufacturers and the models, and these specifications are not disclosed. Assuming that such communication specifications, signal specifications, or address mapping are disclosed, by establishing communication with the control panel 210, it is basically possible to acquire any internal signal, internal flag, or setting parameter from the external device.

[0082] Further, in the maintenance companies of elevators, there are maintenance companies (referred to as "independent maintenance companies") that have no association with any manufacturer in addition to the manufacturer-maintenance companies. The independent maintenance companies cannot use either the remote point inspection device 500 made by the X company or the remote point inspection device 500a made by the Y company.

[0083] In Figure 2 In the example, the owner of the building A can perform remote point inspection by the remote point inspection device 500 in the case where a maintenance contract is made with the manufacturer-maintenance company X, but cannot perform remote point inspection by the remote point inspection device 500 in the case where a maintenance contract is made with the manufacturer-maintenance company Y or the independent maintenance company.

[0084] On the other hand, the owner of the building B can perform remote point inspection by the remote point inspection device 500a in the case where a maintenance contract is made with the manufacturer-maintenance company Y, but cannot perform remote point inspection by the remote point inspection device 500a in the case where a maintenance contract is made with the manufacturer-maintenance company X or the independent maintenance company. Assuming that the elevators made by the X company and the Y company are installed in the same building, in order to perform remote point inspection of all the elevators, it is necessary to make a maintenance contract with both the manufacturer-maintenance companies X and Y.

[0085] Thus, for the owner of the building who wants to make a maintenance contract including remote point inspection, in the case where the conventional type of remote point inspection device is introduced, the selection width of the maintenance contract becomes narrow. According to such a situation, in recent years, in Japan, the demand for the remote point inspection device that can be applied regardless of the manufacturer and the model has increased. Especially in the global market where elevators of various manufacturers are installed, the maintenance company needs to perform maintenance response regardless of the manufacturer and the model of the elevator (multi-branding of maintenance).

[0086] Thus, the remote point inspection device 100 in the present embodiment is configured as a remote point inspection device capable of coping with manufacturers and models. As described above, since the communication specifications and signal specifications are not commonized between manufacturers and models, it is difficult to configure the remote point inspection device 100 that performs communication based on serial transmission.

[0087] Thus, as used Figure 1 As described above, the remote point inspection device 100 is connected with the elevator system 200 by parallel transmission (taking in of the contact signal of the switch, etc.). Further, since the signal specifications are not commonized between manufacturers, the types of signals that can be commonly used are limited. Further, even if the signals that can be commonly used, there are signals that are not suitable for use due to constraints in hardware (from the viewpoint of ease of installation, installation cost). Thus, in order to realize the remote point inspection device 100, it is necessary to sufficiently study which signal is used and which method is used to judge the point inspection items of the remote point inspection. After that, the Figure 7 The following figures will describe the signal used in the present embodiment and the judgment method of the point inspection items.

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

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

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

[0091] Furthermore, the management server 300 is not limited to a single server device; it can also consist of multiple server devices. For example, server devices can be set up for each region to respond to access requests from each region. In this case, the server devices in each region can communicate with each other and share information (customer information, elevator information, etc.). Alternatively, a master server device can be provided to manage the servers in each region, and the master server device manages the information in each region.

[0092] The aforementioned regions are not limited to regions within a single country and may include regions from multiple countries. For example, it may be configured such that a server device is set up within Japan and shares information with server devices located outside Japan. Furthermore, a master server device may be set up in any country, and information stored on the master server device may be referenced from server devices located in each country.

[0093] Servers set up in different countries can also be configured with language codes according to each country or region they manage. For example, a server managing buildings in Japan might be set to "Japanese" as the language code. A server managing buildings in China might be set to "Chinese" as the language code. A server managing buildings in English-speaking countries might be set to "English" as the language code.

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

[0095] With this configuration, remote inspection systems can be utilized in countries around the world. For example, in... Figure 2 In the example, building A in country 1 (e.g., the United States) is equipped with elevator system 200 (control panel 210 and elevator equipment group 220) and remote inspection device 100, while building B in country 2 (e.g., Japan) is equipped with elevator system 200a (control panel 210a and elevator equipment group 220a) and remote inspection device 100.

[0096] The management server 300 is provided in the information center of the second country. The management server 300 provided in the second country is capable of connecting to the remote point inspection device 100 provided in the first country and the remote point inspection device 100 provided in the second country via a network. The management server 300 is capable of transmitting an execution instruction of remote point inspection to the remote point inspection device 100 provided in the first country or the second country, and is capable of receiving a determination result of each point inspection item of remote point inspection from the remote point inspection device 100 that has received the execution instruction.

[0097] The terminal 400 can be provided in the first country or the second country. For example, the management server 300 provided in the second country can be accessed from the terminal 400 provided in the second country, and remote point inspection can be performed by the remote point inspection device 100 provided in the first country or the second country. The management server 300 provided in the second country can be accessed from the terminal 400 provided in the first country, and remote point inspection can be performed by the remote point inspection device 100 provided in the first country or the second country.

[0098] The remote point inspection device 100 provided in the first country is connected to a network by using a communication line network (LTE line network, etc.) of the first country. The remote point inspection device 100 provided in the second country is connected to a network by using a communication line network of the second country. The management server 300 provided in the second country is connected to the remote point inspection device 100 provided in the first country or the second country via a communication line of the second country.

[0099] By being configured as described above, the remote point inspection device 100 that performs remote point inspection of the elevator system 200 operated in the first country can be managed by the management server 300 provided in the second country. Thus, regardless of in which country the elevator system 200 and the remote point inspection device 100 are provided, the management server 300 can manage the remote point inspection device 100 across countries.

[0100] In addition, the determination of each point inspection item of remote point inspection is not limited to being performed by the remote point inspection device 100, and can be performed by the management server 300. In this case, the remote point inspection device 100 transmits signal data for determination, which is acquired from the elevator system 200, to the management server 300. The management server 300 can perform determination of each point inspection item based on the signal data. Of course, the management server 300 can be provided for each country, and the remote point inspection device 100 can be managed for each country.

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

[0102] Figure 3is a drawing showing an example of a hardware structure of the elevator system 200. In the present embodiment, the building 2 in which the elevator system 200 is installed is a five-story building. Further, one elevator (which will be referred to as "No. 1 machine") is installed in the building 2.

[0103] The control panel 210 is provided with each-car control unit 212. The each-car control unit 212 is a control board that controls the elevator equipment group 220. The elevator equipment group 220 is provided with the hall device 230 installed in each floor hall from the first floor (1F) to the fifth floor (5F), various sensors and various switches (for example, a coast-up switch, a coast-down switch, and the like, which will be described later) used in the elevator system 200, and the traction machine 250 and the car device 240 of No. 1 machine.

[0104] The traction machine 250 is a motor that drives to raise and lower the car of the elevator. The car device 240 is various equipment provided in the car, including a destination floor button that registers a destination floor. The hall device 230 is various equipment provided in each floor hall, including a hall button that registers a hall call. The use Figure 4 The details thereof will be described in the drawings hereinafter.

[0105] The each-car control unit 212 is connected to the hall device 230 of each floor, various sensors, and various switches, and the like via the control cable 21 in which a plurality of signal lines are bundled. Further, the each-car control unit 212 is connected to the traction machine 250 and the car device 240 of No. 1 machine, and the like via the control cable 22 in which a plurality of signal lines are bundled.

[0106] The each-car control unit 212 is provided with 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 of management software for controlling the elevator equipment group 220. The CPU reads the program stored in the ROM into the RAM and executes it to control the elevator equipment group 220. The RAM becomes a work area when the CPU executes the program, and temporarily stores the program, data at the time of execution of the program, and the like.

[0108] The each-car control unit 212 is configured to be able to communicate with the elevator equipment group 220, or the like, such as the hall device 230, the traction machine 250, the car device 240, and the like, via the communication interface by serial communication or parallel communication. Figure 1 、 Figure 2 The various maintenance devices shown in the drawing communicate.

[0109] Figure 4 Fig. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of an elevator. A car 10 of the elevator is provided in a shaft 8 provided in a building 2. The car 10 moves between floors by ascending and descending in the shaft 8. In the present embodiment, the car 10 is able to stop at each of the first floor (1F) to the fifth floor (5F).

[0110] A machine room 5 is provided directly above the shaft 8. A hoisting machine 250, a control panel 210, and a remote point inspection device 100 are provided in the machine room 5. A car device 240 is provided in the car 10.

[0111] In the present embodiment, the elevator is a traction type elevator. The traction type elevator is one of the ways of a rope type elevator. The present elevator is provided with the car 10, a counterweight (balance weight) 12, a rope 11, the hoisting machine 250, and a diverting pulley 13. The rope (main rope) 11 is suspended between the hoisting machine 250 and the diverting pulley 13. The car 10 and the counterweight 12 are in a suspended state at both ends of the rope 11.

[0112] The elevator is able to cause the car 10 provided in the shaft 8 to travel in an upward direction (also referred to as an "UP direction") or a downward direction (also referred to as a "DN direction") by causing the hoisting machine 250 to drive.

[0113] The car 10 has any of an UP direction, a DN direction, and a no direction as a traveling direction. In order to respond to a traveling instruction of the car 10 to an upper floor, in a case where the car 10 travels or stops (stops in a state of being scheduled to travel in the UP direction) in the UP direction, the traveling direction of the car 10 becomes the UP direction. In order to respond to a traveling instruction of the car 10 to a lower floor, in a case where the car 10 travels or stops (stops in a state of being scheduled to travel in the DN direction) in the DN direction, the traveling direction of the car 10 becomes the DN direction. In a case where 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 the "no direction". In addition, it can also be that, in a case where the car 10 stops at the lowermost floor, the car direction becomes the UP direction, and in a case where the car 10 stops at the uppermost floor, the car direction becomes the DN direction.

[0114] The car 10 is able to travel when an electromagnetic brake (not shown, also simply referred to as a "brake") of the hoisting machine 250 is released. The car 10 becomes a braking state (a stationary state) when the brake of the hoisting machine 250 operates. The brake of the hoisting machine 250 is configured to be able to brake by pressing a brake shoe against a brake drum by the force of a spring. The brake is released by supplying electric power to a brake coil to cause the brake shoe to move away from the brake drum. If the supply of electric power to the brake coil is cut off, the electromagnetic brake becomes a braking state, and the car 10 is unable to travel any more.

[0115] The elevator is designed so that the weight of the counterweight 12 balances with the weight of the car 10 including passengers in a state where the car 10 is loaded with 50% of the maximum load weight. For example, in a state where there are no passengers, the counterweight 12 becomes heavier than the car 10. Therefore, in a case where 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 becomes heavier than the counterweight 12. Therefore, in a case where 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 that is the bottom of the hoistway 8. The buffer 14 is a device that absorbs the impact at the time of falling in a case where the car 10 falls due to an abnormality.

[0117] Each of the control sections 212 is connected to the car device 240 via a control cable 22 Figure 3 In the control cable 22, a plurality of signal lines for communication between the control sections 212 and the car device 240 are bundled.

[0118] Each of the control sections 212 is connected to the hall device 230, various sensors, and various switches provided at 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 communication between the control sections 212 and the hall device 230 or various switches, etc. In addition, in the case where the machine room 5 is not provided, the hoisting machine 250 and the control panel 210, etc. are provided in the hoistway 8 (in the wall surface or the pit 6, etc.).

[0119] In addition, the elevator is not limited to the traction type elevator described above in which the car 10 and the counterweight 12 are balanced. For example, it can be a drum type elevator in which the car 10 is raised and lowered by winding the rope 11 around a drum without using the counterweight 12. The drum type elevator is one of the rope type elevators. Further, it can be a hydraulic type elevator in which the car 10 is raised and lowered by supplying oil to a hydraulic jack by an electric pump and by the operation of the hydraulic jack.

[0120] In the case of a hydraulic elevator, the position of the car 10 is controlled by control of the amount of oil supplied to the hydraulic jack. In the case of a hydraulic elevator, since the characteristics of oil change depending on the season or temperature, the running characteristics of the car 10 tend to vary. For example, the oil becomes thick in winter compared to when the air temperature is high in summer, and thus, it takes time to start. Further, in the case of a hydraulic elevator that controls the amount of oil (hydraulic pressure), the travel time between floors tends to deviate compared to a rope elevator that controls the amount of rotation of the motor. Further, in the case where the car 10 stops at a certain floor, the car slightly sinks over time, and the floor of the car 10 sometimes gradually lowers with respect to the floor of the lobby (moves away from the door zone in the stop).

[0121] Figure 5A FIG. 1 is a view showing an example of a lobby of an elevator. In Figure 5A FIG. 2 is a view showing the lobby of the elevator when viewed from the front.

[0122] Here, in the present embodiment, a lobby call in the UP direction (upper direction) is also referred to as an "UP call" or an "UP lobby call", a lobby call in the DN direction (lower direction) is also referred to as a "DN call" or a "DN lobby call", and a destination floor call in the car 10 is also referred to as a "car call". A key for registering these respective calls is referred to as a "call key".

[0123] The call key includes a car call key (also referred to as a "destination floor key") provided in the car 10 and a lobby call key (also referred to as a "lobby key") provided in the lobby. The lobby call key (lobby key) includes an UP direction lobby call key (also referred to as an "UP call key" or an "UP lobby call key") provided in the lobby and a DN direction lobby call key (also referred to as a "DN call key" or a "DN lobby call key") provided in the lobby.

[0124] As described above, the lobby device 230 is provided at each floor. The lobby device 230 includes a lobby operation panel 70. Here, an example of a lobby at 1F is described. The lobby at 1F is provided with a door 61 and the lobby operation panel 70.

[0125] The UP lobby call key 81 and the DN lobby call key 82 are provided in the lobby operation panel 70. For example, when the UP lobby call key 81 is pressed, the UP lobby call at 1F is registered.

[0126] An indicator 71 is provided in the lobby operation panel 70. The indicator 71 displays the running direction of the car 10 and which floor (car position) the car 10 is located at. In the example of the figure, it is shown that the car 10 is running or stopped in the UP direction at 2F.

[0127] Next, the car 10 is described. Figure 5Bis a view showing an example of the inside of the car of the elevator. In Figure 5B A view when looking at the exit direction in the car 10 is shown in FIG. 1. The car device 240 includes the car operation panel 50. The car 10 is provided with the door 60 and the car operation panel 50. In the car operation panel 50, there are provided a door opening button 52 for opening the door, a door closing button 53 for closing the door, and car call buttons for registering the destination floors (car calls) of 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. Further, in the car operation panel 50, there is provided an indicator 51 for displaying the traveling direction and the car position of the car 10.

[0129] In the case where the hall call button is pressed, a call signal corresponding to the pressed hall call is sent to the control panel 210 (each control section 212). The control panel 210 registers the hall call. Then, the control panel 210 allocates the car 10 to the registered hall call, and the control panel 210 causes the car 10 to respond to the registered hall call.

[0130] For example, in the case where the UP hall call button 81 of the 1st floor is pressed, a signal corresponding to the UP hall call of the 1st floor is sent, and the control panel 210 registers the UP hall call of the 1st floor. The control panel 210 decides the allocation of the car 10 with respect to the UP hall call of the 1st floor. The car 10, in response to the UP hall call of the 1st floor, stops and opens the door after traveling to the 1st floor.

[0131] In the case where the car call button is pressed, a call signal corresponding to the pressed car call is sent 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, in the case where the car call button 32 of the 2nd floor is pressed, a call signal corresponding to the car call to the 2nd floor is sent to the control panel 210. The control panel 210 registers the car call to the 2nd floor. The car 10, in response to the car call to the 2nd floor, stops and opens the door after traveling to the 2nd floor.

[0133] Here, "the door is opened" means that both the door 60 on the car 10 side and the door 61 on the hall side are opened in conjunction with each other, and is also expressed as "the door is opened" hereinafter. Similarly, "the door is closed" means that both the door 60 on the car 10 side and the door 61 on the hall side are closed in conjunction with each other, and is also expressed as "the door is closed" hereinafter.

[0134] (input / output signals to / from the control panel 210)

[0135] Here, among the signals input / output between the control panel 210 that controls the elevator equipment group 220 and the elevator equipment group 220 by parallel transmission, the signal acquired by the remote inspection device 100 is referred to as a "determination signal". The remote inspection device 100 uses the determination signal to determine each item of remote inspection. The determination signal includes the 1st signal to the 4th signal. Each determination signal has either of an ON (active) state and an OFF (inactive) state. In the present embodiment, a DZ signal that is one mode of the 1st signal, a LB signal that is one mode of the 2nd signal, a GS signal that is one mode of the 3rd signal, and a DS signal that is one mode of the 4th signal are exemplified, respectively.

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

[0137] In the present embodiment, the DS signal becomes the ON state when the door 61 of the landing is closed and the landing door switch is in the ON state (the landing door switch is pressed and the contact becomes the ON state), and becomes the OFF state when the door 61 of the landing is not closed and the landing door switch is in the OFF state, and is transmitted to the control panel 210.

[0138] Further, the car device 240 includes a car door switch (also referred to as a "door switch") that is not illustrated. The car door switch becomes an ON state when the door 60 on the car 10 side is in a closed state, and becomes an OFF state when the door 60 on the car 10 side is in an open state. When the car door switch is in the OFF state (state in which the door is not closed), the car 10 is controlled by the control panel 210 so as not to be able to travel for safety.

[0139] In the present embodiment, the GS signal becomes the ON state when the door 60 of the car 10 is closed and the car door switch is in the ON state (the car door switch is pressed and the contact becomes the ON state), and becomes the OFF state when the door 60 of the car 10 is not closed and the car door switch is in the OFF state, and is transmitted 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] Further, the car device 240 includes a door zone detecting device (also called a "landing device") which is not shown. Here, the door zone shows a position range of the car 10 in which the doors 60 of the car 10 of the elevator can be opened and closed. The door zone detecting device is provided to the car 10, and in each landing, in a case where the car 10 is located within the position range in which the doors can be opened (within the door zone), the door zone detecting device detects the DZ signal as an ON state, and in a case where the car 10 is not located within the door zone, the door zone detecting device detects the DZ signal as an OFF state, and sends to the control panel 210.

[0141] For example, the door zone detecting device provided to the car 10 is provided with a magnetic proximity sensor. On the other hand, a plate for door zone detection is provided at the landing position of each landing within the hoistway 8. For example, in a case where the magnetic proximity sensor of the door zone detecting device detects the plate for door zone detection, the DZ signal is configured to be ON. For example, in a case where the floor position of the car 10 is within 150 mm above and below the floor position of each landing, the DZ signal is configured to be ON.

[0142] In a case where the car 10 is located outside the door zone (the DZ signal is in an OFF state), in order to ensure safety, the control panel 210 controls so that the doors cannot be opened. In addition, it can be configured that the door zone detecting device is provided on the hoistway 8 side, and the plate for door zone detection is provided on the car 10 side.

[0143] Further, the LB signal becomes an ON state when the brake of the elevator is released by supplying power to the brake coil of the hoisting machine 250. The LB signal becomes an OFF state when the brake of the elevator is operated (the brake is not released) by stopping the supply of power to the brake coil of the hoisting machine 250.

[0144] Further, a slow-up switch (not shown) and a slow-down switch (not shown) are provided to the wall surface of the hoistway 8. The slow-up switch is a switch provided so that the car 10 does not collide with the top of the hoistway 8. The slow-up switch is configured to become an ON state by contact with a predetermined member installed to the car 10 when the position of the car 10 traveling in the UP direction becomes a predetermined position between the 5th floor (the uppermost floor) and the 4th floor.

[0145] In a case where the slow-up switch is in an ON state, the SUL signal becomes an ON state, and in a case where the slow-up switch is in an OFF state, the SUL signal becomes an OFF state. In a case where the car 10 approaches the uppermost floor and the slow-up switch becomes an ON state, in a case where the car 10 travels at a speed equal to or higher than a predetermined speed, in order to ensure safety, the control panel 210 controls so that the car 10 is decelerated.

[0146] The slow-down downward switch is a switch provided to prevent the car 10 from colliding with the bottom of the shaft 8 (or intruding into the pit 6). The slow-down downward switch is configured to become in an ON state by contact with a prescribed member installed in the car 10 when the position of the car 10 traveling in the DN direction becomes a prescribed position between the 1st floor (the lowermost floor) and the 2nd floor.

[0147] The SDL signal becomes in an ON state when the slow-down downward switch is in an ON state, and becomes in an OFF state when the slow-down downward switch is in an OFF state. When the car 10 approaches the lowermost floor and the slow-down downward switch becomes in an ON state, in the case where the car 10 is traveling at a speed equal to or higher than a prescribed speed, the car 10 is controlled by the control panel 210 to decelerate for safety.

[0148] Further, it can be configured that the slow-down upward switch and the slow-down downward switch are provided on the car 10 side, and these switches become in an ON state by contact with prescribed members provided on the shaft 8 side.

[0149] In the present embodiment, only one elevator (the car 10 of the 1st machine) is provided in the building 2. Figure 3 Therefore, in the case where a hall call is registered, the 1st machine must be assigned, and the 1st machine responds to the hall call.

[0150] For example, in the case where a DN hall call is registered at the hall of the 2nd floor, the 1st machine is assigned in response to the DN hall call of the 2nd floor. The 1st machine traveling in the DN direction opens the door after stopping at the 2nd floor in response to the DN hall call of the 2nd floor.

[0151] The above structure is a structure in which only one elevator is controlled in the building 2 (a single-car structure), but a structure in which a plurality of elevators are provided and controlled in the building 2 (a multi-car structure) will be described below. Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware structure of an elevator system 200b of a modified example.

[0152] In the present modified example, the elevator system 200b has two elevators, a "1st machine" and a "2nd machine". The elevator equipment group 220b has the hall devices 230 provided at the halls of each of the 1st floor to the 5th floor, the traction machine 250 and the car device 240 of the 1st machine, various sensors and various switches of the 1st machine, the traction machine 250 and the car device 240 of the 2nd machine, and various sensors and various switches of the 2nd machine.

[0153] The control panel 210b has a group management control unit 211 and two car control units 212. The group management control unit 211 is a control board that manages a plurality of elevators. The car control units 212 are control boards that control the operation of the corresponding elevators. The group management control unit 211 and the two car control units 212 communicate with each other and exchange various data related to the elevators.

[0154] The group management control unit 211 collectively controls the hall devices 230 of the respective floors. The group management control unit 211 is connected to the hall devices 230 provided in the hall of each of the first to fifth floors via a control cable 21. The car control units 212 are connected to the hoist machines 250 and the car devices 240, and various sensors and various switches of each car, via control cables 22 and 23.

[0155] In Figure 6 In the modification shown in the drawing, the hall device 230 of each floor includes a hall operation panel 70 provided with hall call buttons. However, in the present modification, the indicator 71 is not included in the hall operation panel 70. In the present modification, one hall operation panel 70 is provided on each floor, and the number of indicators 71 corresponding to the number of cars of the elevator (two) is provided.

[0156] The group management control unit 211 is connected to the hall devices 230 (hall call buttons) provided on each floor via the control cable 21 laid along the wall surface of the hoistway 8. The car control units 212 are connected to the hoist machines 250 and the car devices 240 of the car corresponding to the 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] The car control units 212 are connected to various sensors and various switches of the car corresponding to the 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 soft up switch, a soft down switch, a hall door switch of each floor, and an indicator 71 of each floor, which are provided for each car.

[0158] In the present example, when the hall call button is pressed, the group management control unit 211 registers the hall call corresponding to the hall call button. Then, the group management control unit 211 assigns any of the plurality of cars 10 (car No. 1, car No. 2) to the registered hall call. The car control unit 212 corresponding to the assigned car 10 (assigned car) causes the assigned car to respond to the registered hall call.

[0159] For example, when the UP landing call button 81 of the 1st floor is pressed, the UP landing call signal of the 1st floor becomes an ON state. The group management control section 211 receives the UP landing call signal of the 1st floor as the ON state, and registers the UP landing call of the 1st floor. The group management control section 211 allocates any of the cars 10 of the 1st and 2nd floor cars to the UP landing call of the 1st floor.

[0160] For example, the group management control section 211 allocates the car 10 of the 1st floor. In this case, the group management control section 211 transmits an instruction to each floor control section 212 of the 1st floor so as to respond to the UP landing call of the 1st floor. Each floor control section 212 of the 1st floor causes the car 10 of the 1st floor to travel so as to respond to the UP landing call of the 1st floor. The car 10 stops at the 1st floor and opens the door after traveling to the 1st floor.

[0161] In addition, the control panel 210b can not have the group management control section 211, and can have only the two floor control sections 212. In this case, the function of the group management control section 211 can be possessed by each floor control section 212 of the 1st floor. Each floor control section 212 of the 1st floor controls the landing device 230 via the control cable 21, and is communicatively connected directly to each floor control section 212 of the 2nd floor.

[0162] (Forced stop and waiting action)

[0163] Further, the elevator system 200 (200a, 200b) can set a forced stop floor and a waiting floor. In a case where the setting of the forced stop floor is made, the car 10 must stop at the forced stop floor and open the door when the car 10 passes the forced stop floor. For example, assume a scenario where the 2nd floor is set as the forced stop floor in a case where the lobby of a hotel is the 2nd floor. In a case where the car 10 travels from the 1st floor to the 5th floor, the car 10 must stop at the 2nd floor, which is an intermediate floor, and open the door.

[0164] In a case where the setting of the waiting floor is made, the car 10 travels to the set waiting floor after the response to all landing calls and car calls ends (this state is referred to as "available for use"). For example, the 1st floor (main floor) is set as the waiting floor. The car 10 waits at the 1st floor (waiting floor) after traveling from the 5th floor toward the 1st floor in a case where the response to the final call of the 5th floor ends and becomes available for use.

[0165] In setting the waiting floor, it is also possible to set the presence or absence of door opening waiting and the number of waiting floors. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the 1st floor is set as the waiting floor, and the presence or absence of door opening waiting and the number of waiting floors are set to "ON" and "1", respectively. Figure 6In the case where there are two elevators managed by the control panel 210b, one or two cars 10 can be caused to wait at a waiting floor, as in the example. At this time, the car 10 can be set to either an open door state or a closed door state and wait at the waiting floor. In the case of open door waiting, the car 10 closes the door after a prescribed time (for example, one minute or three minutes) after arriving at the waiting floor and opening the door. The waiting floor at which open door waiting is set is also referred to as an "open door waiting floor".

[0166] In addition, the elevator system 200b can also perform a dispersed waiting operation. For example, in the case where there are two elevators managed by the control panel 210b, the two cars 10 are caused to wait dispersedly so that the two cars 10 that become available are not stopped at the same floor or at floors that are close to each other. For example, in the case where the two cars 10 that become available are both stopped at the first floor (the main floor), one of the cars is caused to travel to an upper floor (for example, the third floor) and then caused to close the door and wait.

[0167] In this way, even in the case where there is no hall call or car call, the car 10 is sometimes caused to travel or open the door by the setting of a forced stopping floor, the setting of a waiting floor, or the dispersed waiting operation.

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

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

[0170] As described above, the elevator system 200 is provided with the control panel 210 and the elevator equipment group 220. The elevator equipment group 220 includes the hall devices 230 of 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] The plurality of signals include the DZ signal, the LB signal, the GS signal, the DS signal, the SUL signal, the SDL signal, the UP signal, the DN signal, the UP hall call signal of the first floor, and the DN hall call signal of the fifth floor described above. The signals exemplified here are all transmitted and received by parallel transmission.

[0172] The DZ signal is a signal detected by the door zone detection device as described above. The DZ signal becomes an ON state when the car 10 is located within a range in which the door can be opened (within the door zone) in each floor, and becomes an OFF state when located outside the door zone.

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0179] The UP landing call signal of the 1st floor is a signal that becomes ON when the UP landing call button 81 of the landing device 230 of the 1st floor is in the pressed state. The contact becomes ON in the pressed state of the UP landing call button 81, and becomes OFF when the pressed state of the UP landing call button 81 is released.

[0180] The DN landing call signal of the 5th floor is a signal that becomes ON when the DN landing call button 82 of the landing device 230 of the 5th floor is in the pressed state. The contact becomes ON in the pressed state of the DN landing call button 82, and becomes OFF when the pressed state of the DN landing call button 82 is released.

[0181] Further, although not shown, a hall call signal output from other hall call buttons and a car call signal output from a car call button are also input to the control panel 210.

[0182] The remote inspection device 100 is provided with 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 substrate for inputting a part of signals input and output between the control panel 210 and the elevator equipment group 220 by parallel transmission as a determination signal. The signal lines of the respective 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 the respective signal lines after the branching are connected to the terminals provided in the input IF 130. Each signal input to the input IF 130 is also transmitted to the control device 110.

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

[0185] The 1st floor UP hall call button 81 is provided in the 1st floor hall device 230. A signal line for transmitting the 1st floor UP hall call signal is provided between the 1st floor hall device 230 and the control panel 210. The 5th floor DN hall call button 82 is provided in the 5th floor hall device 230. A signal line for transmitting the 5th floor DN hall call signal is provided between the 5th floor hall device 230 and the control panel 210. Further, in the present embodiment, since the hall call signals are transmitted from the hall device 230 to the control panel 210 by serial transmission, the parallel transmission line cannot be branched from the control panel 210 side to input and output the hall call signals with respect to the remote inspection device 100.

[0186] When the UP landing call button 81 of the 1st floor is pressed, the contacts are short-circuited, and a signal in the ON state is input to the landing device 230 of the 1st floor. Thus, the landing device 230 of the 1st floor transmits (serial transmission) the 1st floor UP landing call signal in the ON state to the control panel 210. The signal line for transmitting the 1st floor UP landing call signal is connected to the terminal of the output IF 140, and is connected to the landing device 230. Also, the contacts of the UP landing call button 81 of the 1st floor are short-circuited in the case where the 1st floor UP landing call signal in the ON state is output from the output IF 140. Thus, the 1st floor UP landing call signal in the ON state is transmitted from the landing device 230 of the 1st floor to the control panel 210. That is, by transmitting the 1st floor UP landing call signal in the ON state from the output IF 140, the state where the UP landing call button 81 of the 1st floor is pressed can be simulated.

[0187] When the DN landing call button 82 of the 5th floor is pressed, the contacts are short-circuited, and a signal in the ON state is input to the landing device 230 of the 5th floor. Thus, the landing device 230 of the 5th floor transmits (serial transmission) the 5th floor DN landing call signal in the ON state to the control panel 210. The signal line for transmitting the 5th floor DN landing call signal is connected to the terminal of the output IF 140, and is connected to the landing device 230. Also, the contacts of the DN landing call button 82 of the 5th floor are short-circuited in the case where the 5th floor DN landing call signal in the ON state is output from the output IF 140. Thus, the 5th floor DN landing call signal in the ON state is transmitted from the landing device 230 of the 5th floor to the control panel 210. That is, by transmitting the 5th floor DN landing call signal in the ON state from the output IF 140, the state where the DN landing call button 82 of the 5th floor is pressed can be simulated.

[0188] In the present embodiment, in order to perform remote inspection, the case where the remote inspection device 100 generates a simulated landing call to make the car 10 travel is referred to as "diagnostic operation". In the present example, the remote inspection device 100 generates a simulated 1st floor UP landing call and a simulated 5th floor DN landing call as described above. By combining these two landing calls, a diagnostic operation to make the car 10 travel between the lowermost floor (1st floor) and the uppermost floor (5th floor) can be performed.

[0189] The elevator equipment group 220 transmits and receives signals to and from the input IF 130 and the output IF 140 by parallel transmission. The input IF 130 and the output IF 140 also transmit and receive signals to and from the control device 110 by parallel transmission. The signals input from the respective signal lines connecting the elevator equipment group 220 and the input IF 130 differ in voltage and the like depending on the manufacturer (for example, 24 V, 48 V, 100 V), and thus the signals are unified by the input IF 130 and input to the control device 110.

[0190] Further, 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 acquire the detection result of the temperature sensor 15. Thus, the control device 110 is able to detect the temperature of the machine room 5. The temperature sensor 15 is not limited to the machine room, and can be provided at any position in the hoistway 8 of the elevator, the periphery of the hoistway 8, or the periphery of the elevator. Further, in the present embodiment, the control device 110 is configured to be able to acquire the voltage of the interphone 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 interphone is normal.

[0191] The control device 110 is a PLC provided with 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 in a communicable manner via a bus. 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 the program, data at the time of execution of 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 is provided with a display portion 410 and an input portion 420. The display portion 410 is, for example, a display. The input portion 420 is, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch panel display integrated with the display portion 410.

[0193] The management server 300 instructs remote inspection of the control device 110 via the communication IF 120, and acquires the result of the remote inspection from the control device 110. The terminal 400 and the management server 300 are also provided with a processor (CPU) and a memory (ROM, RAM) like the control device 110.

[0194] The control device 110 transmits a 1st floor UP landing call signal to the landing device 230 of the 1st floor via the output IF 140, thereby simulating generation of a 1st floor UP landing call. The control device 110 transmits a 5th floor DN landing call signal to the landing device 230 of the 5th floor via the output IF 140, thereby simulating generation of a 5th floor DN landing call. Thus, it is possible to cause the car 10 to travel between the 1st floor and the 5th floor, and to perform the above-described diagnostic operation.

[0195] The control device 110 acquires the DZ signal, the LB signal, the GS signal, the DS signal, the SUL signal, the SDL signal, the UP signal, and the DN signal input and output with respect to the control panel 210 via the input IF 130. Further, 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 the 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 each signal input from the elevator system 200 are sometimes different depending on the manufacturer of the elevator or the model of the elevator. For example, in a case where signals corresponding to the DZ signal, the LB signal, the GS signal, and the DS signal are acquired, the ON state and the OFF state are sometimes input in reverse states. For example, with respect to the LB signal, two cases are assumed: a case where the signal becomes ON in a state where the brake is applied (a state where the brake is not released), and a case where the signal becomes ON in a 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, the LB signal, the GS signal, and the DS signal), so that the specifications of the signals are unified. Further, the SUL signal, the SDL signal, the UP signal, and the DN signal are not necessary signals, and it is not a hindrance even if these signals cannot be acquired (described later in detail).

[0198] For example, the signal of the rotary encoder of the hoisting machine 250 can also be taken in, and the UP signal and the DN signal can be generated based on the signal, and the UP signal and the DN signal can also be generated based on the DZ signal (described later in detail). In this case, the signal of the rotary encoder or the DZ signal is converted into the UP signal and the DN signal using the conversion map described above.

[0199] In addition, as described above, the control panel 210 is configured to be able to perform communication connection based on serial communication with the maintenance device of the X company via the connector 261 provided to the control panel 210. Figure 2 As described above, the control panel 210 is configured to be able to perform communication connection based on serial communication with the maintenance device of the X company via the connector 261 provided to the control panel 210.

[0200] (Diagnosis operation)

[0201] Figure 8 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the travel of the car 10 and the signals in the diagnosis operation. As described above, in the present embodiment, the simulated 1st floor UP landing call and the 5th floor DN landing call can be generated, and the diagnosis operation in which the car 10 travels between the lowest floor (1st floor) and the highest floor (5th floor) is implemented. Thereby, for example, the travel time from the 1st floor to the 5th floor and the like can be measured.

[0202] The diagnostic operation is implemented in a state in which the car 10 is not excluded from the allocation target cars, that is, in a state in which the car 10 can respond to a hall call from a user of the elevator. Therefore, even if the car 10 is called to the 1st floor by the diagnostic operation and then caused to travel to the 5th floor, it can travel to a floor different from the 1st floor by a hall call from a user, and in the diagnostic operation, it sometimes stops at a floor between the 1st floor and the 5th floor by a car call from a user. Therefore, for example, the diagnostic operation is implemented once a month at a late night time or the like in which there are few users of the elevator.

[0203] The determination of the point inspection items of the remote point inspection includes determination based on "operation diagnosis" and determination based on "normal diagnosis". A case in which the diagnostic operation is performed and diagnosis of the remote point inspection items is performed based on the diagnostic operation is referred to as "operation diagnosis". In the operation diagnosis, determination is performed using the determination-use signals acquired when the car 10 travels in response to a hall call signal transmitted by the instruction section 155 (described later) of the remote point inspection device 100.

[0204] On the other hand, a case in which diagnosis of the remote point inspection items is performed each time the car 10 is caused to operate by a user of the elevator or the like is not limited to the diagnostic operation and is referred to as "normal diagnosis". In the normal diagnosis, determination is performed using determination-use signals acquired regardless of whether or not a hall call signal is transmitted by the instruction section 155 of the remote point inspection device 100.

[0205] In the present example, at time t0, the car 10 stops at the 1st floor. At this time, since the car 10 stops at the lowermost floor (1st floor), the SUL signal is in the OFF state and the SDL signal is in the ON state. Since the brake of the hoist machine 250 is operating, the LB signal is in the OFF state. Since the position of the car 10 is in the position range (door zone) in which the door can be opened in the 1st 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 hall side is in the closed state, the DS signal is in the ON state.

[0206] Here, the remote point inspection device 100 outputs the DN hall call signal of the 5th floor to the hall device 230 of the 5th floor in order to perform the diagnostic operation. Thereby, a pressed state of the DN hall call button 82 of the hall device 230 of the 5th floor is simulated.

[0207] Thus, the 5th floor DN landing call 92 is registered, and at time tl, the car 10 starts running toward the 5th floor. At this time, the brake of the hoisting machine 250 is released, and the LB signal changes from the OFF state to the ON state. Since the position of the car 10 is away from the door zone of the 1st floor, the DZ signal changes from the ON state to the OFF state. Further, since the deceleration-down switch changes from the ON state to the OFF state, the SDL signal changes from the ON state to the OFF state. The car 10 becomes an acceleration running state, and runs in the UP direction.

[0208] After that, the car 10 becomes a constant-speed running state (a state in which the speed of the car 10 reaches the rated speed and the car 10 runs while maintaining the rated speed), and at time t2, the position of the car 10 becomes the 2nd floor. At this time, the position of the car 10 enters the door zone of the 2nd floor, and the DZ signal changes from the OFF state to the ON state. Further, when the position of the car 10 is away from the door zone of the 2nd floor, the DZ signal changes from the ON state to the OFF state.

[0209] At time t3, the position of the car 10 becomes the 4th floor, and the position of the car 10 enters the door zone of the 4th floor, and the DZ signal changes from the OFF state to the ON state. When the position of the car 10 is away from the door zone of the 4th floor, the DZ signal changes from the ON state to the OFF state. After that, at time t4, the car 10 changes to a deceleration running state so as to stop at the 5th floor.

[0210] At time t5, the car 10 stops at the 5th floor (the uppermost floor). By the deceleration-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 the car 10 entering the door zone of the 5th floor, the DZ signal changes from the OFF state to the ON state. The brake of the hoisting machine 250 is activated (the release state is canceled), and the LB signal changes from the ON state to the OFF state.

[0211] At time t6, if the car 10 becomes a door-open state (the car 10 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 a predetermined time elapses, the car 10 becomes a door-closed state. Thus, the GS signal and the DS signal change from the OFF state to the ON state.

[0212] Thus, in a case where the remote point inspection device 100 outputs the 5th floor DN landing call signal to the elevator system 200 in a state in which the car 10 stops at the 1st floor, it is possible to make the car 10 run from the 1st floor to the 5th floor. At this time, it is possible to acquire various signals of the elevator which change in the remote point inspection device 100, and perform remote point inspection based on these signals.

[0213] In order to make the car 10 stop at the 1st floor, the remote point inspection device 100 outputs the UP landing call signal of the 1st floor to the elevator system 200 in the ON state. Thus, the car 10 travels toward the 1st floor.

[0214] Further, in a state where the car 10 stops at the 5th floor, the remote point inspection device 100 outputs the UP landing call signal of the 1st floor to the elevator system 200 in the ON state. In this case, it is possible to make the car 10 travel from the 5th floor to the 1st floor. At this time, it is possible to acquire various signals of the elevator that change in the remote point inspection device 100, and perform remote point inspection based on these signals.

[0215] In addition, the diagnostic operation is not limited to generating and implementing the UP landing call of the lowermost floor and the DN landing call of the uppermost floor, and can be implemented by the landing calls of any two floors. For example, service cut setting is performed so that the elevator service for the uppermost floor (5th floor) is not performed (the car cannot stop at the uppermost floor). In this case, it is also possible to generate the UP landing call of the 1st floor and the DN landing call of the 4th floor to implement the diagnostic operation. However, in this case, in the Figure 7 In the example shown, it is necessary to be modified so that the 4th floor DN landing call signal is output to the landing device 230 of the 4th floor instead of the landing device 230 of the 5th floor.

[0216] (Regarding signals suitable for remote point inspection)

[0217] In the present embodiment, the signals used for condition determination for operating the safety circuit of the elevator (DZ signal, LB signal, DS signal, GS signal) are used as determination signals for remote point inspection. Further, from the viewpoint of installation easiness (workability), the landing call is not used but the landing call is used as an output signal for operation diagnosis (diagnostic operation) of remote point inspection. The reason for this will be described below.

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

[0219] In the elevator system 200, as a safety device, a governor (not shown), an emergency stop device (not shown), a buffer 14, and the like are provided. The governor is a device provided to the car 10 and physically detects the speed of the car 10. The emergency stop device is a device provided to the car 10 and 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 and absorbs the impact when the car 10 falls.

[0220] For example, in a case where the travel of the car 10 at an abnormal speed is detected by hardware (a governor) or software (an internal signal), a stop instruction of the car 10 is performed by software, and a safety circuit is operated by hardware or software. By the operation of the safety circuit, the power supply to the elevator is stopped, and the movement of the car 10 is stopped. Further, the car 10 can be physically stopped by an emergency stop device or a buffer 14.

[0221] In a case where the safety circuit is operated, the power supply to the brake coil of the electromagnetic brake of the hoisting machine 250 is cut off (the LB signal is in an OFF state), whereby the electromagnetic brake becomes a braking state, and the car 10 is stopped.

[0222] Alternatively, a limit switch (a final limit switch) provided in the lower portion of the slow-down downward switch or the upper portion of the slow-down upward switch becomes an ON state, whereby the safety circuit is operated, and the car 10 is stopped to prevent a collision with the top or bottom of the hoistway.

[0223] Further, in a case where the car 10 travels in a state where the door is open, there is a risk that a passenger falls into the hoistway 8 from the landing side or a person is caught between the entrance of the landing side and the car 10. Therefore, the elevator is controlled so that the car 10 does not travel in a state where the door 61 of the landing side is open (the landing door switch (the DS signal) is in an OFF state) or a state where the door 60 of the car side is open (the car door switch (the GS signal) is in an OFF state).

[0224] Further, in a state where the car 10 is outside the door zone (the DZ signal is OFF), the elevator is controlled so that the door is not opened. For example, in a case where the car 10 is outside the door zone (the DZ signal is OFF) and in an open door state (the DS signal or the GS signal is in an OFF state), the safety circuit is operated, and the car 10 is stopped.

[0225] The safety device and the safety circuit of the elevator described above perform the above actions in accordance with the Building Standards Act and the like. Therefore, the elevators of each manufacturer generally output the DS signal (ON / OFF of the landing door switch), the GS signal (ON / OFF of the car door switch), the LB signal (release / braking of the electromagnetic brake), the DZ signal (detection / non-detection of the door zone), or a signal similar thereto as a contact signal. These signals are signals used for condition determination for operating the safety circuit of the elevator.

[0226] Therefore, in the present embodiment, the DS signal, the GS signal, the LB signal, the DZ signal, or a signal similar thereto, which are commonly used in each company, are used for determination of the inspection item of the remote inspection. Depending on the manufacturer or the model of the elevator, other signals can be acquired as the signals of the parallel transmission at times, and can not be acquired as the signals of the parallel transmission at times. In a case where such a signal is used, depending on the elevator, a case where the item of the remote inspection can be determined and a case where the item of the remote inspection cannot be determined can occur.

[0227] The DZ signal can be used for calculation of the moving time between floors or the car position. For example, at present, the car 10 is stopped at the lowermost floor (1F). When the car 10 starts running, the DZ signal changes from the ON state to the OFF state, and when the car position reaches 2F, the DZ signal changes from the OFF state to the ON state.

[0228] Therefore, in a case where the car 10 is stopped at 1F, the time from when the DZ signal changes from the ON state to the OFF state to when the DZ signal changes from the OFF state to the ON state can be calculated as the running time of the car 10 from 1F to 2F. Further, at the timing when the DZ signal becomes the ON state from the OFF state, it is only necessary that the car position changes from 1F to 2F. In this way, at the change timing of the DZ signal, the moving time between floors and the floor position can be calculated.

[0229] At this time, in a case where the SDL signal is in the ON state, it is only necessary that the car position = 1F (the lowermost floor) is set, and in a case where the SUL signal is in the ON state, it is only necessary that the car position = 5F (the uppermost floor) is set. Further, in a case where the DZ signal changes from the OFF state to the ON state, it is only necessary that the car position is increased by 1F if the UP signal is in the ON state, and the car position is decreased by 1F if the DN signal is in the ON state.

[0230] However, in the remote inspection, the SDL signal, the SUL signal, the UP signal, and the DN signal are not necessarily necessary signals. For example, in a state where there is no elevator user at all at midnight, a 1F UP landing call is generated by the diagnostic operation. The car 10 can also set the stopped floor to "1F" in response to the 1F UP landing call. Alternatively, a 5F DN landing call is generated. The car 10 can also set the stopped floor to "5F" in response to the 5F DN landing call.

[0231] Further, in the diagnosis operation at midnight, in a case where a 1st floor UP landing call, a 5th floor DN landing call, and a 1st floor UP landing call are generated, in a state where the 1st floor UP landing call is responded, the car position = 1st floor and the car direction = UP direction are set. Next, in a state where the car travels by the 5th floor DN landing call, the floor of the car position is increased by 1 each time the DZ signal changes to the ON state. In a state where the 5th floor DN landing call is responded, the car position = 5th floor and the car direction = DN direction are set. Next, in a state where the car travels by the 1st floor UP landing call, the floor of the car position is decreased by 1 each time the DZ signal changes to the ON state. In a state where the 1st floor UP landing call is responded, the car position = 1st floor and the car direction = UP direction are set. In the case of being configured like this, even if the SDL signal, the SUL signal, the UP signal, and the DN signal are not taken in, the car position and the travel direction can be grasped.

[0232] Further, in a case where the UP signal and the DN signal cannot be acquired, the detection result of the door zone detection device can be used. For example, the door zone detection device is provided with a plurality of sensors, and a plurality of plates for door zone detection are provided corresponding to the plurality of sensors. The detection timing of the plurality of sensors differs depending on the position of the car 10. In a case where the car direction is the UP direction and the DN direction, in a case where the timing at which each sensor changes to the ON state (or the timing at which each sensor changes to the OFF state) differs, the car direction can be determined using the timing at which the state of each sensor changes.

[0233] Further, in a case where the UP signal and the DN signal cannot be acquired, the pulse information of the rotary encoder of the hoisting machine 250 can be used. In this case, the signal line output from the rotary encoder to the control panel 210 is branched, and signal input to the remote point inspection device 100 is enabled. In this case, the car direction is determined depending on which pulse of the A phase and the B phase is output first. For example, in a case where the pulse of the B phase is output with a delay of 1 / 4 cycle with respect to the pulse of the A phase, the car direction is set to the UP direction, and in a case where the pulse of the A phase is output with a delay of 1 / 4 cycle with respect to the pulse of the B phase, the car direction is set to the DN direction.

[0234] In addition, in a case where 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) moved by the car 10 can also be calculated depending on the number of pulses detected from the rotary encoder. Further, the car speed can also be calculated depending on the number of pulses detected per unit time. In such a case, which state of the car 10, the stopped state, the acceleration travel state, the constant speed travel state, and the deceleration travel state, the car position, and the car speed are appropriate can be grasped, and it is easy to determine 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 model of the elevator, the manufacturer of the elevator, the type of the rotary encoder, and the like. Therefore, the relationship between the number of pulses and the car position needs to be measured at each site, and the construction design and installation work of the remote point inspection system 1 become complicated. Therefore, if the ease of installation and the installation cost are taken into consideration, it is desirable to use the DZ signal as described above in the grasping of the position information of the elevator.

[0236] Further, in the present embodiment, in a case where the diagnostic operation in which the car 10 is caused to travel is performed, the remote point inspection device 100 is configured to output the uppermost floor DN landing call and the lowermost floor UP landing call in simulation. Thereby, it is possible to cause the car 10 to travel between the lowermost floor and the uppermost floor.

[0237] In a case where it is desired to cause the car 10 to travel between the lowermost floor and the uppermost floor like this, the remote point inspection device 100 can also be configured to output the car call to the uppermost floor and the car call to the lowermost floor instead of the landing call in simulation. However, in the present embodiment, the landing call is output from the remote point inspection device 100 instead of the car call from the viewpoint of the ease of installation (workability).

[0238] As described above, in order to generate the landing call in simulation, the landing device 230 provided at the landing is modified in such a manner that the contact of the landing call button is short-circuited by signal input. The signal line (signal cable) for transmitting the landing call signal can be connected to the landing call button of the landing device 230 of the uppermost floor and the lowermost floor buried in the wall surface of the hoistway 8 from the remote point inspection device 100 provided in the machine room 5 along the wall surface of the hoistway 8. In a case where the signal line is provided along the wall surface of the hoistway 8 like this, there is no obstacle in the middle, and thus the installation is relatively easy.

[0239] On the other hand, in order to generate the car call in simulation, the car device 240 provided at the car 10 is modified in such a manner that the contact of the car call button is short-circuited by signal input. For this purpose, the signal line for transmitting the car call signal needs to be connected to the car call button of the car device 240 provided inside the car 10 from the remote point inspection device 100 provided in the machine room 5.

[0240] In this case, it is necessary to make the signal line enter the inside of the car 10, and thus 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. Further, 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 installation is not easy. In light of such a situation, in the present embodiment, the landing call is generated in simulation in the diagnostic operation without generating the car call in simulation.

[0241] As explained above, in the present embodiment, in the determination of the inspection items for remote inspection, a signal based on parallel transmission is used instead of a communication specification based signal that differs for each manufacturer and model. In particular, in the present embodiment, a signal commonly used regardless of the manufacturer and model is used for the determination of the inspection items for remote inspection, which is a signal suitable for use from the viewpoint of installation easiness (workability) and installation cost.

[0242] Specifically, a hall call signal, and a DS signal, a GS signal, a LB signal, a DZ signal, or the like used for the determination of the conditions for operating the safety circuit of the elevator are used for the determination of the inspection items for remote inspection. In this way, how to implement remote inspection in a situation where the signals suitable for use in the remote inspection device 100 are greatly limited becomes a large problem in the present embodiment.

[0243] For example, in the case where a signal based on serial transmission is used (for example, the remote inspection device 500 of the X company that performs serial communication with the control panel 210 as shown in FIG. 6), remote inspection can be easily implemented as follows. Figure 2

[0244] The elevator has an elevator-specific speed pattern for each model and rated speed. The speed pattern is a pattern showing the relationship between the elapsed time and the car speed in the case where the car travels from the start floor to the destination floor. The car 10 becomes an acceleration traveling state when it starts traveling from the start floor, then becomes a constant speed traveling state, and becomes a deceleration traveling state before reaching the destination floor. The control panel 210 can calculate and hold the measured value of the speed pattern from the start floor to the destination floor based on the pulse signal obtained from the rotation encoder of the hoisting 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 start state, the acceleration traveling state, the constant speed traveling state, and the deceleration traveling state of the elevator are normal or not. As shown in FIG. 7, if it is a remote inspection device 500 connected to the control panel 210 by serial communication, it can access the internal signals held by the control panel 210, and therefore, remote inspection can be easily implemented by such a method. Figure 2

[0245] ​​On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the remote point inspection device 100 uses a "DZ signal" (a signal to determine whether or not in a door zone) as a signal to determine a position, in accordance with a restriction of a signal suitable for use in remote point inspection. From the DZ signal, it is not possible to determine whether the car 10 is in an accelerating travel state, a constant speed travel state, or a decelerating travel state. Therefore, in order to perform remote point inspection using limited signals, it is necessary to put effort into a determination method. In other words, in a case where remote point inspection is performed by the remote point inspection device 500 capable of serial communication, there is neither a motive to determine a point inspection item of remote point inspection by combining such signals as the DS signal, the GS signal, the LB signal, and the DZ signal, nor such a thought.

[0246] In the present embodiment, a case where the control panel 210 controls one elevator (car 10) is assumed as a premise (refer to Figure 3 ) and, as shown in Figure 1 , Figure 7 , the configuration is such that one remote point inspection device 100 is connected to the elevator system 200. In contrast, as shown in Figure 6 , in a case where the control panel 210b controls a plurality of elevators (cars 10) (a multi-car configuration), the configuration is such that the remote point inspection device 100 is provided for each of the plurality of elevators (cars 10). Alternatively, the configuration can be such that one remote point inspection device 100 is provided for the plurality of elevators.

[0247] In a case where the remote point inspection device 100 is provided for each of the plurality of elevators (cars 10), the configuration can be such as follows. For example, in the configuration shown in Figure 6 , the configuration is such that a part of signal lines included in the control cables 22, 23 that connect each control section 212 that controls the No. 1 machine to the elevator equipment group 220b (car device 240 and the like) of the No. 1 machine is branched, and the DZ signal and the like of the No. 1 machine are input to the remote point inspection device 100 (input IF 130) connected to the No. 1 machine.

[0248] Similarly, the configuration is such that a part of signal lines included in the control cables 22, 23 that connect each control section 212 that controls the No. 2 machine to the elevator equipment group 220b (car device 240 and the like) of the No. 2 machine is branched, and the DZ signal and the like of the No. 2 machine are input to the remote point inspection device 100 (input IF 130) connected to the No. 2 machine. In this case, each remote point inspection device 100 acquires the determination signal of the car 10 of the elevator connected to the remote point inspection device 100 (the object car as a determination target of the control section 152), and performs determination of the remote point inspection item with respect to the object car.

[0249] The plurality of remote point inspection devices 100 connected to the plurality of elevators are configured to be connected to one management server 300 and one terminal 400. In addition, in the case of a plurality of cars, the hall call signal is not transmitted to the hall device 230. Assuming that in the case of a plurality of cars and the hall call signal is transmitted to the hall device 230, each remote point inspection device 100 (output IF 140) is connected to the hall device 230 through a signal line. Also, the hall device 230 is configured such that the contact of the hall call button can be short-circuited regardless of the signal output from which remote point inspection device 100.

[0250] In the case where one remote point inspection device 100 is provided for a plurality of elevators (cars 10), it can be configured as follows. In the case where one remote point inspection device 100 is provided for a plurality of elevators (cars 10), it can be configured as follows. In Figure 6 In the configuration shown in FIG. 6, the signal line obtained by branching a part of the signal line included in the control cable 22, 23 that connects each control section 212 that controls the No. 1 machine to the elevator equipment group 220b of the No. 1 machine, and the signal line obtained by branching a part of the signal line included in the control cable 22, 23 that connects each control section 212 that controls the No. 2 machine to the elevator equipment group 220b of the No. 2 machine are both input to one remote point inspection device 100. In this case, the remote point inspection device 100 performs determination of the remote point inspection items for each number of machines, and transmits the determination results for each number of machines to the management server 300.

[0251] (Process performed by remote point inspection system 1)

[0252] Hereinafter, the process performed by the remote point inspection system 1 will be described in detail. Figure 9 FIG. 7 is an example of a functional block diagram showing the remote point inspection system 1. The remote point inspection system 1 has a retrieval section 151, a control section 152, an output section 153, a reception section 154, and an instruction section 155, and stores a data group 156.

[0253] The reception section 154 receives the operation of the maintenance staff (the user who operates the terminal 400) from the input section 420 of the terminal 400. For example, the maintenance staff can set the date and time at which the operation diagnosis is to be performed, perform the operation diagnosis based on manual, and the like (see the description of the operation diagnosis based on manual described later) by the operation of the input section 420 in the display screen of the display section 410 of the terminal 400. Figure 10

[0254] The control section 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, a running history 424, and a determination result 425. The control section 152 performs reading or updating of the setting data 422, the reference time DB 423, the running history 424, and the determination result 425.

[0255] ​The setting data 422 is data in which various information related to the remote inspection is stored. For example, the setting data 422 records information of the building 2 and the elevators related to the remote inspection, and the like. In a case where the setting of the date and time of the implementation of the diagnostic operation is made by the operation of the input section 420, the control section 152 records the date and time in the setting data 422.

[0256] The reference time DB 423 is a database in which reference times used by the control section 152 in the determination of each inspection item of the remote inspection (for example, the reference time KA of the start time described later) are recorded. In detail, the reference times used in the determination of each inspection item of the remote inspection are described later. Figure 12 、 Figure 13 are described. The operation history 424 is historical data of the signals of the elevator system 200 acquired by the remote inspection system 1. The determination result 425 is data in which the determination results of each inspection item of the remote inspection are stored.

[0257] The control section 152 generates a hall call signal that generates a hall call of the elevator 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 person, to implement the operation diagnosis.

[0258] The instruction section 155 transmits the hall call signal generated by the control section 152 to the elevator equipment group 220 of the elevator system 200. The elevator system 200 executes the diagnostic operation in response to the hall call.

[0259] The acquisition section 151 acquires determination signals (DZ signal, LB signal, GS signal, DS signal, and the like) from the elevator equipment group 220 of the elevator system 200. The acquisition section 151 acquires the signals from the elevator equipment group 220 not only at the time of the operation diagnosis described above, but also always.

[0260] The control section 152 determines the inspection items of the remote inspection (performs the determination process) based on the determination signals acquired by the acquisition section 151, and generates the determination results. The inspection items of the remote inspection include the start state of the car 10, the acceleration running state, the constant speed running state, the deceleration running state, the stop floor state, the state of the destination floor button, the state of the hall button, the door opening and closing state, and the brake state (presence or absence of abnormality of the electromagnetic brake). The control section 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 section 153 outputs information such as the determination results of the inspection items of the remote inspection, so that the information is displayed on the display section 410 of the terminal 400. Thereby, the maintenance person can confirm the determination results of the remote inspection and the like through the display section 410 of the terminal 400.

[0262] In the present embodiment, the remote point inspection system 1 is configured of the remote point inspection device 100, the management server 300, and the terminal 400. However, the remote point inspection system 1 is not limited thereto, and can be configured to not include the management server 300 and the terminal 400, or can be configured as a device obtained by integrating them. For example, the remote point inspection system 1 can be configured of only the remote point inspection device 100, or can be configured of the remote point inspection device 100 and the management server 300. Further, the remote point inspection device 100 is configured of the control device 110, the input IF 130, the output IF 140, and the communication IF 120. However, the remote point inspection device 100 is not limited thereto, and can be configured to integrate the functions of the input IF 130, the output IF 140, and the communication IF 120, and realize all the functions in the control device 110.

[0263] The processes performed by each of the acquisition section 151, the control section 152, the output section 153, the reception section 154, and the instruction section 155 can be processes performed by the processor 111 of the control device 110, or can be processes performed by any processor in the substrate included in the remote point inspection device 100. For example, the acquisition section 151 can be a process performed by a processor of the input IF 130. The instruction section 155 can be a process performed by a processor of the output IF 140. The output section 153 and the reception section 154 can be processes performed by any processor in the communication IF 120, the management server 300, and the terminal 400. The remote point inspection device 100 can be configured to include the acquisition section 151, the control section 152, the output section 153, the reception section 154, and the instruction section 155, or can be configured such that the remote point inspection device 100 includes the acquisition section 151 and the instruction section 155, and the management server 300 includes the control section 152, the output section 153, and the reception section 154. The data group 156 can be stored in the memory 112 of the control device 110, or a part of it can be stored in the memory of the management server 300.

[0264] Figure 10 FIG. 42 is an example of a display screen 421 showing the remote point inspection system 1. The display screen 421 is displayed on the display section 410 of the terminal 400. In the display screen 421, the setting information of the remote point inspection, the determination results of each item of the remote point inspection, a setting button, and the like are displayed.

[0265] In the uppermost part of the display screen 421, the property name of the building 2 is shown as "ABC Building". Below it, the determination status of the operation diagnosis association is displayed. In the present example, the results obtained by the diagnosis operation between the 1st floor and the 5th floor are shown for each of the different traveling directions. Figure 8 The results obtained by the diagnosis operation between the 1st floor and the 5th floor are shown as in FIG. 42.

[0266] The column of "UP direction" shows the results of traveling from the 1st floor to the 5th floor in the UP direction. The "travel time" is the time required to travel from the 1st floor to the 5th floor. The "start time" is the time required to start the car 10 from the 1st floor (until the door zone is reached). Further, the time required to travel from the 1st floor to the 2nd floor (including the acceleration traveling state), the time required to travel from the 2nd floor to the 3rd floor (the constant speed traveling state), the time required to travel from the 3rd floor to the 4th floor (the constant speed traveling state), and the time required to travel from the 4th floor to the 5th floor (including the deceleration traveling state) are shown in the UP direction. The same applies to the column of "DN direction".

[0267] Here, the "measured time" is the time actually measured at the time of the diagnostic operation. The "reference time" is the time that becomes a reference for determining whether the measured time is normal. The "determination condition" is a condition decided based on the reference time, and in the case where the measured time is within the numerical range of the determination condition, it is determined to be "normal state". On the other hand, in the case where the measured time is outside the numerical range of the determination condition, it is determined to be "misalignment state".

[0268] In the present embodiment, the "misalignment state" indicates a state that does not match the normal state. The misalignment state cannot be said to reach an abnormal state, but is a state including a state that shows a precursor to a failure or an abnormal state of some device of the elevator system 200. By determining whether it is a "misalignment state", it is possible to capture a precursor to a failure (a state before reaching a failure). In the column of "determination", in the case where the determination result is "normal state", a circle mark is displayed, and in the case where the determination result is "misalignment state", a triangle mark is displayed.

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

[0270] Further, the determination result based on the operation diagnosis is shown in the lower part thereof. In this example, it is determined that the start state, the traveling state, the car call button state, and the hall call button state are "normal state", and it is determined that the door opening and closing state is "misalignment state". The determination result based on the normal diagnosis is shown in the lower part thereof. In this example, it is determined that the brake state and the stop floor state are "normal state".

[0271] In the lowermost portion of the display screen 421, various keys that can be clicked by the input section 420 are arranged. In the "operation diagnosis setting", the date and time at which the operation diagnosis is to be performed can be set. In this example, in the "operation diagnosis setting", 23:59 on the 23rd is input by the input section 420. When the "set" key is clicked, the operation diagnosis is performed at 23:59 on the 23rd of each month. This setting information is recorded in the setting data 422.

[0272] Further, unlike the automatic execution of the operation diagnosis once a month, the operation diagnosis can be immediately performed by clicking the "manual operation diagnosis" key. When the operation diagnosis is performed, the display of the "measurement time" is updated based on the execution result, and "normal state" or "malfunction state" is shown as the determination result.

[0273] In the column of "reference time", in principle, the operation diagnosis is performed when the remote monitoring system 1 is installed in the building 2, and the measurement time at that time is set as the reference time. However, when the "reference time save" key is clicked, the reference time is updated to the measurement time of the start time in the most recently performed operation diagnosis, and the determination condition is updated based on the updated reference time.

[0274] For example, in the example of Figure 10 In this state, when the "reference time save" key is clicked, the reference time is updated to "TA", and the determination conditions KAL and KAH are updated based on the updated reference time.

[0275] Hereinafter, the processing performed by the remote monitoring system 1 will be described based on a flowchart. Figure 11 is a flowchart of the remote monitoring processing and the terminal setting processing. The remote monitoring system 1 performs the remote monitoring processing. The remote monitoring processing is processing for determining the remote monitoring of the monitoring items based on the determination signal. The remote monitoring processing can be started periodically (for example, every 100 msec). Hereinafter, "step" will be simply referred to as "S".

[0276] On the other hand, in the display screen 421 of the terminal 400, when the operation key is clicked, the terminal setting processing is performed. After the terminal setting processing is started, the terminal 400 determines whether the "manual operation diagnosis" key is clicked in S151. The terminal 400 performs the request setting of the manual operation diagnosis (S152) in the case where the "manual operation diagnosis" key is clicked (Yes in S151), and the processing proceeds to S153. In this case, the request of the manual operation diagnosis is transmitted to the remote monitoring device 100. The terminal 400 directly proceeds to S153 without clicking the "manual operation diagnosis" key (No in S151).

[0277] In the terminal 400, it is determined in S153 whether or not the "reference time saving" button is clicked. The terminal 400, in a case where the "reference time saving" button is clicked (Yes in S153), performs a request setting of the reference time saving (S154), and the processing proceeds to S155. In this case, a request of the reference time saving is transmitted to the remote inspection device 100. The terminal 400, in a case where the "reference time saving" button is not clicked (No in S153), directly proceeds to S155.

[0278] The terminal 400 determines in S155 whether or not the "setting" button is clicked. The terminal 400, in a case where the "setting" button is clicked (Yes in S155), performs a setting request of the operation diagnosis setting time (S156), and ends the terminal setting processing. In this case, the operation diagnosis setting time is transmitted to the remote inspection device 100. The terminal 400, in a case where the "setting" button is not clicked (No in S155), directly ends the terminal setting processing.

[0279] On the other hand, after the remote inspection processing is started, the control section 152 of the remote inspection system 1 performs a reference time acquisition processing (refer to a later-described Figure 14 ) in S100. In the reference time acquisition processing, the reference time used in the determination of the inspection item of the remote inspection is set, which is acquired from the reference time DB 423.

[0280] The control section 152 determines in S101 whether or not there is a "manual operation diagnosis" request, or whether or not the current time has become the operation diagnosis setting time. In a case where the "manual operation diagnosis" button is clicked, the request of the "manual operation diagnosis" is set (S152). The operation diagnosis setting time is a time set based on the setting request of the operation diagnosis setting time (S156).

[0281] The control section 152, in a case where any of the above conditions is established (Yes in S101), proceeds to S102. On the other hand, the control section 152, in a case where it is determined that none of the above conditions is established (No in S101), proceeds to S104.

[0282] The control section 152 performs an operation diagnosis time processing in S102. The operation diagnosis time processing is a processing of performing the transmission of the landing call signal at the time of performing the operation diagnosis and the determination processing based on the landing call signal. In the operation diagnosis time processing, the landing call signal is generated. For example, as described using Figure 8 , the 1st floor UP landing call signal and the 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 section 155 outputs the hall call signal generated by the control section 152 to the elevator system 200. Thereby, the car 10 travels in response to the hall call. Then, determination processing is performed based on the result of the travel. Details of the operation diagnosis time processing will be described later.

[0284] The acquisition section 151 acquires the determination signal (DZ signal, LB signal, GS signal, DS signal, etc.) from the elevator system 200 in S104. The acquisition section 151 continuously acquires the determination signal from the elevator system 200 until the end condition is established (Yes in S105).

[0285] For example, the end condition can be established at a timing when the car 10 reciprocates between the 1st floor and the 5th floor, can be established each time the car 10 completes a prescribed motion (for example, door opening / closing, release / braking of the brake, completion of the stop floor), or can be periodically (for example, every several minutes).

[0286] The control section 152 performs determination processing (S106) in a case where it is determined that the end condition is established (Yes in S105). In the determination processing, determination of the inspection item of the remote inspection is performed. As the inspection item, determination of any one or more of the items including the start state, the acceleration travel state, the constant speed travel state, the deceleration travel state, the stop floor state, the state of the destination floor button, the state of the hall button, the door opening / closing state, and the brake state is performed.

[0287] The control section 152 records the acquired determination signal in the operation history 424 and records the determination result obtained in the determination processing in the determination result 425 in S107.

[0288] The output section 153 outputs the determination result obtained in the determination processing in S108. For example, the output section 153 outputs (transmits) the determination result to the management server 300 via the network. The terminal 400 can acquire the determination result by accessing the management server 300 via the network. Thereby, as shown in Figure 10 , the determination result can be confirmed in the display section 410 of the terminal 400.

[0289] The control section 152 performs reference time update processing in S109 and ends the remote inspection processing. In detail, the reference time of the mode B in the reference time DB 423 is updated by the processing described later. Figure 13 , but will be described.

[0290] (Switching of Reference Time)

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

[0292] In the reference time DB423, with Figure 10 Similarly, values ​​such as "travel time" and "start time" are set. As the mode for reading the reference time DB423, any of modes A to D can be preset. Although not illustrated, it can be configured so that it can be changed to any of modes A to D through operation of the terminal 400 by a maintenance personnel.

[0293] exist Figure 10 In the example, 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 displayed. Figure 10 The display screen is 421.

[0294] Here, when a fixed value is desired as the reference time each time, mode A is set. When mode A is set, the reference time set in the mode A item of reference time DB423 is used each time. In principle, these reference times are set to the time measured when the remote inspection device 100 is installed in building 2. However, when the "Reference Time Save" button is clicked on display screen 421, the reference time is replaced with the measurement time during the most recent operation diagnosis (diagnostic operation).

[0295] If you want to use the previous value as the base time, set Mode B. When Mode B is set, the base time set in the Mode B section of Base Time DB423 is used. The base time set in the Mode B section is updated each time a diagnostic run (diagnostic run) is performed.

[0296] exist Figure 10 In this example, a diagnostic run is performed once a month at 23:59 on the 23rd. For instance, in the diagnostic run at 23:59 on January 23, if the reference time for the start-up time in the UP direction is time KA1 and the measured time is time TX, the reference time for Mode B of reference time DB423 is updated from time KA1 to time TX. Therefore, in the next diagnostic run at 23:59 on February 23 (the following month), time TX is used as the reference time for the start-up time in the UP direction.

[0297] In a case where it is desired to change the reference time in accordance with the temperature of the machine room 5, mode C is set. The temperature of the machine room 5 is measured by the temperature sensor 15. The reference time set in the item of mode C is a value measured in a case where the temperature of the machine room 5 is classified into a case where it is less than K1°C (-K1°C), a case where it is K1°C or more and less than K2°C (K1°C-), a case where it is K2°C or more and less than K3°C (K2°C-), and a case where it is K3°C or more (K3°C-). For example, the reference time can be changed every 5°C or every 10°C.

[0298] The reference time can be set based on the result of the diagnostic operation. For example, in a case where the temperature of the machine room 5 at the time of the diagnostic operation for measuring the reference time is K1°C or more and less than K2°C, the reference time is recorded in the item of K1°C or more and less than K2°C (K1°C-) of the reference time DB 423. It is also possible to perform the diagnostic operation a plurality of times and set the average value thereof as the reference time.

[0299] In a case where mode C is set, the reference time set in the item of mode C of the reference time DB 423 is used in accordance with the current temperature of the machine room 5. For example, in a case where the temperature of the machine room 5 at the time of the diagnostic operation is less than K1°C (-K1°C), the reference time set in the item of less than K1°C (for example, "KA2" in the start time in the UP direction) is used.

[0300] In addition, the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 15 is not limited to the temperature of the machine room 5. The temperature sensor 15 can also be provided at an arbitrary position inside the hoistway 8 of the elevator, the periphery of the hoistway 8, or the periphery of the elevator.

[0301] In a case where it is desired to change the reference time in accordance with the season, mode D is set. The reference time set in the item of mode D is a value measured by classifying the season into spring, summer, autumn, and winter. For example, in a case where the season at the time of the diagnostic operation for measuring the reference time is summer, the reference time is recorded in the item of summer.

[0302] In a case where mode D is set, the reference time set in the item of mode D of the reference time DB 423 is used in accordance with the season. For example, in a case where the season at the time of the diagnostic operation is spring, the reference time set in the item of spring (for example, "KU126" in the start time in the UP direction) is used.

[0303] Modes B to D are modes prepared for hydraulic elevators. In the case of a hydraulic elevator, the characteristics of oil change depending on the season, temperature, and the like, and thus the running characteristics of the car 10 tend to vary. This is because, for example, the oil becomes thick in winter compared to when the air temperature is high in summer, and thus the time taken to start up takes time and the running time tends to vary. Therefore, the reference time is switched depending on the season or temperature in which the characteristics of the oil change. Further, in Mode B, the value at the time of the last diagnosis (the value of the previous month) is used in order to use a reference time close to the temperature environment or equipment environment at the time of the most recent diagnosis.

[0304] Further, the reference time recorded in the reference time DB 423 includes a "time to become outside the door zone (also expressed as "DZ")". This is measured from the time at which the car 10 stops at a certain floor (the LB signal changes from the ON state to the OFF state) until the time at which the car leaves the door 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 of the reference time DB 423, a time KX is set as the "time to become outside the DZ".

[0305] In a hydraulic elevator, in the case in which the car 10 stops at a certain floor, the car sinks slightly over time (the floor of the car gradually lowers with respect to the floor of the landing), and thus sometimes leaves the door zone. Further, due to the characteristics of the oil, this time varies depending on the season or temperature, and thus the reference time is configured to be able to be changed in each hydraulic elevator.

[0306] Further, the reference time recorded in the reference time DB 423 includes the door opening time for the 1st to 5th floors. The door opening time in the reference time DB 423 is measured from the time at which the car 10 stops at a certain floor and the GS signal and the DS signal change from the ON state to the OFF state until the time at which they change from the OFF state to the ON state (the door opening time). For example, in the item of Mode A of the reference time DB 423, a time KY1 is set as the door opening time for the 1st floor. In the item of Mode A of the reference time DB 423, a time KY5 is set as the door opening time for the 5th floor.

[0307] Figure 13 is a flowchart of the reference time update processing. The reference time update processing is processing that is executed in S109 of the remote inspection processing shown in Figure 11 in the remote inspection processing shown in FIG. 15. Further, the reference time update processing is also executed in the case in which there is a reference time saving request (S154).

[0308] After the start of the reference time update processing, the control section 152 updates the reference time DB 423 (S252) in a case where it is determined that there is a "reference time saving" request (Yes in S251), and advances the processing to S253. The control section 152 directly advances the processing to S253 in a case where it is determined that there is no "reference time saving" request (No in S251).

[0309] In S252 (a case where the "reference time saving" button is clicked), each reference time (travel time, start time, elapsed time between floors, time to become outside of the DZ, door opening time) of the modes A to D is updated. For example, in the UP direction travel time, in a case where the season at the time of the operation diagnosis performed before the "reference time saving" button is to be clicked is summer and the machine room temperature is K3°C or higher, and the measurement time is "TUX", "KU" of mode A, "KU1" of mode B, "KU5" of "K3°C or higher" of mode C, and "KU7" of "summer" of mode D are respectively changed to "TUX". Thereby, in a case where the operation diagnosis is performed, it is possible to update the reference time to the measurement time in the operation diagnosis.

[0310] The control section 152 updates each reference time (travel time, start time, elapsed time between floors, time to become outside of the DZ, door opening time) of mode B of the reference time DB 423 (S254) in a case where the reference time update processing is called in S109 of the remote point inspection processing (Yes in S253), and ends the reference time update processing. The control section 152 directly ends the reference time update processing in a case where the reference time update processing is not called in S109 (No in S253).

[0311] In S254, for example, in the UP direction travel time, in a case where the measurement time at the time of the operation diagnosis is "TUY", "KU1" of mode B is changed to "TUY". Thereby, the measurement time is changed to the reference time of mode B each time the operation diagnosis is performed. Therefore, in a case where mode B is set, the measurement time at the time of the operation diagnosis performed last time (last month) is used as the reference time.

[0312] Figure 14 is a flowchart of the reference time acquisition processing. The reference time acquisition processing is processing performed in S100 of the remote point inspection processing shown in Figure 11 is a flowchart of the reference time acquisition processing. The reference time acquisition processing is processing performed in S100 of the remote point inspection processing shown in

[0313] The control section 152, in a case where the mode A is not set (NO in S201) and in a case where the mode B is set (YES in S203), acquires the reference time of the mode B (S204), and causes the processing to proceed to S209. For example, in the UP direction travel time, "KU1" of the mode B is acquired.

[0314] The control section 152, in a case where the mode B is not set (NO in S203) and in a case where the mode C is set (YES in S205), acquires the reference time of the mode C that is appropriate to the current machine room temperature (S206), and causes the processing to proceed to S209. For example, in a case where the current machine room temperature is K3°C or more, in the UP direction travel time, "KU5" of "K3°C or more" of the mode C is acquired.

[0315] The control section 152, in a case where the mode C is not set (NO in S205) and in a case where the mode D is set (YES in S207), acquires the reference time of the mode D that is in accordance with the current season (S208), and causes the processing to proceed to S209. For example, in a case where the current season is summer, in the UP direction travel time, "KU7" of "summer" of the mode D is acquired.

[0316] The control section 152, in a case where the mode D is not set (NO in S207), causes the processing to proceed to S209. The control section 152, in S209, sets the acquired reference time as the reference time to be used, and ends the reference time setting processing.

[0317] The following summarizes the structure and effects in the present embodiment with respect to the switching of the reference time.

[0318] (A) The control section 152 can update the reference time (travel time, start time, time to pass between floors, time to become outside the DZ, door opening time) of the reference time DB 423 to the measured time calculated (measured) at the time of the operation diagnosis. For example, the control section 152 can update the reference time KA (in the case of the UP direction) of the start time of the reference time DB 423 to the start time TA measured at the time of the operation diagnosis. In this way, it is possible to perform the determination of the inspection item of the remote inspection using a value that conforms to the operation state of the elevator in the field.

[0319] (B) The reference time (travel time, start time, time between floors, time to become outside of the DZ, door opening time) recorded in the reference time DB 423 contains a plurality of values measured for each season (values for spring, summer, autumn, and winter). The control section 152 determines the inspection item by selecting any of the plurality of values according to the current season. For example, the reference time of the start time recorded in the reference time DB 423 contains a plurality of values measured for each season (KA6 to KA9 (case of UP direction) of pattern D). The control section 152 selects KA7 to determine the start time in the case where the current season is summer. In this way, not only the rope type elevator but also the hydraulic elevator in which the characteristics of oil change according to the season, a highly accurate determination result can be obtained.

[0320] (C) The reference time (travel time, start time, time between floors, time to become outside of the DZ, door opening time) recorded in the reference time DB 423 contains a plurality of values for each temperature range measured by the temperature sensor 15 (values for -K1°C, K2°C to, K3°C to, K4°C to). The control section 152 determines the inspection item by selecting any of the plurality of values according to the current temperature measured by the temperature sensor 15. For example, the reference time of the start time recorded in the reference time DB 423 (reference time KA) contains a plurality of values for each temperature range measured by the temperature sensor 15 (KA2 to KA5 of pattern C (case of UP direction)). The control section 152 selects KA5 to determine the start time in the case where the current temperature measured by the temperature sensor 15 is K4°C or more. In this way, not only the rope type elevator but also the hydraulic elevator in which the characteristics of oil change according to the temperature, a highly accurate determination result can be obtained.

[0321] (D) The instruction section 155 periodically transmits the floor call signal. Specifically, as shown in S101 to S102, every time it becomes the operation diagnosis setting time every month, the floor call is generated and output. The control section 152 changes the reference time (travel time, start time, time between floors, time to become outside of the DZ, door opening time) of the reference time DB 423 to the measured time calculated at the time of the operation diagnosis after the operation diagnosis (S109). For example, the control section 152 changes the reference time KA of the start time of the reference time DB 423 to the measured time TA of the start time calculated at the time of the operation diagnosis after the operation diagnosis. In this way, a highly accurate determination result can be obtained using a value that conforms to the latest operation state of the elevator on site. For example, even in the case where the state of the equipment changes according to the deterioration of the equipment over the years or the adjustment of the valve in the hydraulic elevator, etc., it is possible to cope with such a case.

[0322] (E) The reception unit 154 receives an operation of a maintenance person (user) ("manual operation diagnosis" button click, "reference time saving" button click, and the like). The control unit 152 generates a hall call signal when the "manual operation diagnosis" button is clicked (S151, S101). The instruction unit 155 transmits the generated hall call signal. The control unit 152 changes the reference time (travel time, start time, time to pass between floors, time to become outside of the DZ, door opening time) of the reference time DB 423 to the measured time calculated at the time of operation diagnosis when the "reference time saving" button is clicked (S153) (S252). For example, the control unit 152 changes the reference time KA of the start time of the reference time DB 423 to the measured time TA of the start time calculated at the time of operation diagnosis when the "reference time saving" button is clicked (case of UP direction). In this way, by manually changing to a value that conforms to the latest operation state of the elevator in the field, a highly accurate determination result can be obtained. For example, even in a case where the state of the equipment changes due to the deterioration of the equipment over the years or adjustment of the valve in the hydraulic elevator, or the like, this can be dealt with.

[0323] [Judgment of the inspection item of remote inspection]

[0324] Next, the judgment of the inspection item of remote inspection performed in the present embodiment will be described. The judgment of the inspection item of remote inspection is performed in the judgment processing performed at the time of the operation diagnosis described later or the like. The inspection item of remote inspection includes the start state of the car 10, the acceleration travel state, the constant speed travel state, the deceleration travel state, the stop floor state, the state of the destination floor button (car call button), the state of the hall button (hall call button), the door opening and closing state, and the brake state.

[0325] In the judgment processing, the determination of any one or more of the above-described inspection items is performed. In the present embodiment, the determination of the state of the hall call button as the inspection item of remote inspection in the judgment processing will be described. Hereinafter, the case where the hall call button is a hall call button of the UP direction will be described. Figures 15-24 The determination of the state of the hall call button will be described.

[0326] (Determination of the state of the hall call button)

[0327] There are a plurality of travel states in the travel state. The plurality of travel states include the acceleration travel state in which the car 10 travels while accelerating, the constant speed travel state in which the car 10 travels at a fixed speed, and the deceleration travel state in which the car 10 travels while decelerating.

[0328] In the following, the process in which the indication section 155 transmits the hall call signal will be referred to as "transmission processing". The transmission processing is the processing of transmitting the UP hall call signal of the 1st floor, which generates a UP-direction hall call of the 1st floor at the 1st floor (in the present embodiment, the 1st floor), and the DN hall call signal of the 2nd floor, which generates a DN-direction hall call of the 2nd floor at the 2nd floor (in the present embodiment, the 5th floor) higher than the 1st floor.

[0329] The transmission processing includes 1st transmission processing and 2nd transmission processing. The 1st transmission processing is the processing of transmitting the DN hall call signal of the 2nd floor that generates a DN-direction hall call of the 2nd floor after the elapse of a waiting time TW (30 seconds in the present embodiment) from when the car 10 arrives at the 1st floor based on the transmission of the UP hall call signal of the 1st floor. The 2nd transmission processing is the processing of transmitting the UP hall call signal of the 1st floor after the elapse of a waiting time TW (30 seconds) from when the car 10 arrives at the 2nd floor based on the transmission of the DN hall call signal of the 2nd floor.

[0330] Note that the hall call can be generated not only after the elapse of the waiting time TW, but also only after the transmission of the UP hall call signal of the 1st floor in the 1st transmission processing and the transmission of the DN hall call signal of the 2nd floor in the 2nd transmission processing.

[0331] In the present embodiment, the 1st floor is the lowermost floor (the lowermost floor on which the car 10 can stop) among the floors on which the car 10 can stop = the 1st floor. The 2nd floor is the uppermost floor (the uppermost floor on which the car 10 can stop) among the floors on which the car 10 can stop = the 5th floor. For example, if the 1st floor is set to the 2nd floor because the 1st floor is a floor on which service cut is performed or a floor on which the car cannot physically stop, and the car cannot stop at the 1st floor, and if the 2nd floor is set to the 4th floor because the car cannot stop at the 5th floor, the 1st floor and the 2nd floor are not limited to these, but any floor can be set as the 1st floor, and any floor higher than the 1st floor can be set as the 2nd floor.

[0332] In this case, the modification is made such that the contact of the UP hall call button 81 of the 1st floor is short-circuited when the UP hall call signal of the 1st floor is simulated to be transmitted from the output IF 140 to the hall device 230 of the 1st floor (see Fig. 6). Figure 7 The modification is made such that the contact of the DN hall call button 82 of the 2nd floor is short-circuited when the DN hall call signal of the 2nd floor is simulated to be transmitted from the output IF 140 to the hall device 230 of the 2nd floor.

[0333] The control section 152 generates a hall call signal to be transmitted by the transmission processing. The instruction section 155 performs the transmission processing of the hall call signal generated. In the present embodiment, the operation of the car 10 based on the hall call signal transmitted by the transmission processing is referred to as "diagnostic operation". Further, the case where the control section 152 performs the determination processing based on the determination signal acquired by the acquisition section 151 as a result of the above transmission processing is referred to as "operation diagnosis".

[0334] Figure 15 、 Figure 16 is a time chart for explaining a running state. In Figure 15 , a case where the car 10 runs from the 1st floor to the 5th floor in response to a 5th floor DN hall call (a 5th floor DN hall call signal transmitted by the instruction section 155) generated by the remote inspection device 100 is explained.

[0335] At time tO, the car 10 stops at the 1st floor. At this time, the position of the car 10 is in the door zone 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 a stopped state).

[0336] Here, the remote inspection device 100 generates a 5th floor DN hall call. The car 10 starts running in response to the 5th floor DN hall call. Thereby, at time tl, the position of the car 10 becomes outside the door zone of the 1st floor, and the DZ signal changes from the ON state to the OFF state.

[0337] When the car 10 starts running, the car 10 becomes an acceleration running state. At time t2, when the speed of the car 10 reaches the rated speed, the car 10 changes from the acceleration running state to the constant speed running state. At time t3 which is time TU12 after time tl, the position of the car 10 becomes in the door zone of the 2nd floor, and the DZ signal changes from the OFF state to the ON state. Further, at time t4, 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.

[0338] At time t5 which is time TU23 after time t3, the position of the car 10 becomes in 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.

[0339] At time t7 which is time TU34 after time t5, the position of the car 10 becomes in the door zone 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 door zone 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 travel state to the deceleration travel state. At time t10, which is a time at which a time TU45 has elapsed from 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 a stop state). At time tll, the speed of the car 10 is 0, and the DZ signal is in the ON state.

[0341] Next, in Figure 16 , a case in which the car 10 travels from the 5th floor to the 1st floor in response to a 1st floor UP landing call is described. At time tO, 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 a stop state).

[0342] Here, the remote inspection device 100 generates a 1st floor UP landing call (the instruction unit 155 sends a 1st floor UP landing call). The car 10 starts traveling in response to the 1st floor UP landing call. As a result, at time tl, 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 traveling, the car 10 becomes in an acceleration travel state. At time t2, when the speed of the car 10 reaches the rated speed, the car 10 changes from the acceleration travel state to the constant-speed travel state. At time t3, which is a time at which a time TD54 has elapsed from time tl, 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. Further, 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, which is a time at which a time TD43 has elapsed from 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, which is a time at which a time TD32 has elapsed from 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, in order to stop at the 1st floor, the car 10 changes from the constant-speed travel state to the deceleration travel state. At time t10, which is a time at which a time TD21 has elapsed from time t7, the position of the car 10 becomes within 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 a stop state). At time tll, the speed of the car 10 is 0, and the DZ signal is in the ON state.

[0347] Figures 17-19 FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the determination of the state of the hall call button. In Figure 17 , the case in which the state of the hall call button can be accurately determined is explained. In Figure 18 , the case in which the determination of the state of the hall call button cannot be performed due to the generation of a hall call is explained. In Figure 19 , the case in which the determination of the state of the hall call button cannot be performed due to a failure of the hall call button is explained.

[0348] In the situation of Figure 17 , in the case in which the car 10 stops at the 2nd floor, the operation diagnosis is performed. At time tO, the remote inspection device 100 generates the 1st floor UP hall call 91. Due to this, the car 10 travels in the DN direction toward the 1st floor in order to respond to the 1st floor UP hall call 91.

[0349] The car 10 stops at the 1st floor in response to the 1st floor UP hall call 91. At time tl, the remote inspection device 100 generates the 5th floor DN hall call 92. Due to this, the car 10 starts UP travel in order to respond to the 5th floor DN hall call 92. At time t2, the car 10 travels in the UP direction toward the 5th floor.

[0350] The car 10 stops at the 5th floor in response to the 5th floor DN hall call 92. At time t3, the remote inspection device 100 generates the 1st floor UP hall call 91. Due to this, the car 10 starts DN travel in order to respond to the 1st floor UP hall call 91. At time t4, the car 10 travels in the DN direction toward the 1st floor. At time t5, the car 10 stops at the 1st floor in response to the 1st floor UP hall call 91.

[0351] By the above process, the car 10 performs reciprocating operation between the lowermost floor (1st floor) and the uppermost floor (5th floor) at times tl to t5. In this case, the reciprocating operation is performed between the 1st floor and the 5th floor without stopping at the intermediate floors, and thus the state of the hall call button can be accurately determined.

[0352] Next, the use of Figure 18, a case where the state of the hall call button cannot be accurately determined due to registration of a hall call will be described. At time tO, the car 10 stops at the 1st floor. At time tl, in response to the 5th floor DN hall call 92 generated by the remote inspection device 100, the car 10 travels in the UP direction toward the 5th floor. In this case, there is a passenger at the 4th floor hall. Also, the passenger presses the 4th floor UP hall call button in order to go to the 5th floor, and the 4th floor UP hall call 95 is registered.

[0353] At time t2, the car 10 stops at the 4th floor in response to the 4th floor UP hall call 95 and opens the door. Further, travel is started toward the 5th floor in response to the 5th floor DN hall call 92. At time t3, the car 10 stops at the 5th floor in response to the 5th floor DN hall call 92.

[0354] In this case, since a stop at an intermediate floor is made, operation diagnosis is again performed. Time t4 is a state where the car 10 stops at the 1st floor in response to the 1st floor UP hall call 91 generated again by the remote inspection device 100.

[0355] Then, the remote inspection device 100 generates the 5th floor DN hall call 92 again, and at time t5, the car 10 travels in the UP direction toward the 5th floor. At time t6, the car 10 stops at the 5th floor in response to the 5th floor DN hall call 92. In this case, no stop at an intermediate floor is made due to the hall call.

[0356] Further, as with time t3 to time t5 of Figure 17 , the remote inspection device 100 generates the 1st floor UP hall call 91, and the car 10 travels from the 5th floor to the 1st floor. As a result, since no stop at an intermediate floor is made but reciprocating travel between the 1st floor and the 5th floor is performed, the state of the hall call button can be accurately determined.

[0357] Next, a case where the state of the hall call button cannot be accurately determined due to a failure of the hall call button will be described using Figure 19 . At time tO, the car 10 stops at the 1st floor. In this example, it is assumed that the 4th floor hall call button is in a state where the 4th floor hall call is always registered due to a failure of the 4th floor hall call button. For example, it is assumed that the button is in a state where it cannot be returned to the original state after being pressed, and the switch of the 4th floor hall call button is continuously in the ON state.

[0358] At time tl, in response to the 5th floor DN hall call 92 generated by the remote inspection device 100, the car 10 travels in the UP direction toward the 5th floor. In this case, although no passenger is on board in the car 10, the 4th floor UP hall call 96 is registered due to the failure.

[0359] At time t2, the car 10 stops at the 4th floor after opening the door in response to the 4th floor UP landing call 96. Further, the car 10 starts traveling toward the 5th floor in response to the 5th floor DN landing call 92. At time t3, the car 10 stops at the 5th floor in response to the 5th floor DN landing call 92.

[0360] In this case, the UP travel time from the 1st floor to the 5th floor cannot be accurately measured, and thus the measurement is performed again. Time t4 is a state in which the remote inspection device 100 generates the 1st floor UP landing call 91 again to stop the car 10 at the 1st floor. However, the 4th floor UP landing call 96 is in a state of being registered.

[0361] The remote inspection device 100 generates the 5th floor DN landing call 92 again, and the car 10 travels in the UP direction toward the 5th floor at time t5. However, the car 10 stops at the 4th floor in response to the 4th floor UP landing call 96 at time t6. In this way, since the car 10 stops at the 4th floor, the travel time cannot be accurately measured regardless of the number of attempts. In this case, the state of the landing call button cannot be accurately determined.

[0362] Hereinafter, the determination method of the travel state will be described using a flowchart. Figure 20 is a flowchart of the operation diagnosis time processing. As shown in Figure 11 , the operation diagnosis time processing is executed in S102 of the remote operation processing. That is, in the display screen 421 shown in Figure 10 , the operation diagnosis time processing is executed in a case where the "manual operation diagnosis" button is clicked or the operation diagnosis set time (for example, 23:59 on the 23rd of each month) is reached.

[0363] When the operation diagnosis time processing is started, the control section 152 executes the travel generation processing in S301. As described later, in the travel generation processing, the control section 152 generates a plurality of landing call signals. The instruction section 155 performs a transmission processing of sequentially transmitting the generated landing call signals, and thereby executes a diagnosis operation. The control section 152 calculates the car position, the travel time, the travel state, and the like of the car 10 on the basis of the determination signal acquired by the acquisition section 151 at the time of the diagnosis operation based on the transmission processing.

[0364] The control section 152 determines whether there is no stop at the intermediate floors (2nd to 4th floors) between the lowermost floor (1st floor) and the uppermost floor (5th floor) except for the forced stop floor in S302. The control section 152 causes the processing to proceed to S303 in a case where it is determined that there is no stop at the intermediate floors except for the forced stop floor (YES in S302). The control section 152 causes the processing to proceed to S305 in a case where it is not determined that there is no stop at the intermediate floors except for the forced stop floor (NO in S302).

[0365] The control section 152 determines the correspondence between the position of the car 10 and the time of day between the 1st floor and the 5th floor using the information including the DZ signal (described later). Then, the control section 152 determines whether the car 10 has stopped at a floor between the 1st floor and the 5th floor based on the correspondence between the position of the car 10 and the time of day between the 1st floor and the 5th floor.

[0366] The control section 152 performs the determination processing in S303. As described later, in the determination processing, the control section 152 determines whether the state of the hall call button is a normal state.

[0367] The control section 152 determines whether the determination of the state of the hall call button is completed in S304. The control section 152 ends the operation diagnosis time processing when it is determined that the determination of the state of the hall call button is completed (Yes in S304).

[0368] On the other hand, the control section 152 makes the processing proceed to S305 when it is not determined that the state of the hall call button is (No in S304). The control section 152 performs the cancel processing of the determination in S305. In the cancel processing of the determination, the determination of the running state that has been performed is canceled when there is one.

[0369] Thus, the control section 152 performs the cancel processing of the determination canceling the determination of the determination processing based on the transmission processing when it is determined that the car 10 has stopped at a floor between the 1st floor and the 5th floor based on the correspondence between the position of the car 10 and the time of day between the 1st floor and the 5th floor.

[0370] The control section 152 determines whether the determination of the determination processing is continuously canceled 10 times by the cancel processing in S306. The control section 152 makes the processing proceed to S307 when it is determined that the determination of the determination processing is continuously canceled 10 times by the cancel processing (Yes in S306). The control section 152 makes the processing proceed to S308 when it is not determined that the determination of the determination processing is continuously canceled 10 times by the cancel processing (No in S306).

[0371] The control section 152 determines that the state of the hall call button is the misadjustment state in S307 and ends the operation diagnosis time processing. That is, the control section 152 determines that the state of the hall call button is the misadjustment state when the determination of the determination processing is continuously canceled 10 times by the cancel processing. The control section 152 performs the waiting processing (3 minutes) in S308 and makes the processing return to S301. Thus, the running generation processing and the determination processing are performed again after the waiting time of 3 minutes elapses.

[0372] As explained above, in a case where the car 10 traveling between the 1st floor and the 5th floor based on the transmission processing has stopped at a floor between the 1st floor and the 5th floor, the control section 152 performs cancel processing of canceling the determination of the determination processing. Here, the determination of the determination processing performed based on the transmission processing of the landing call signal performed in the travel generation processing is canceled.

[0373] In a case where the cancel processing is performed, the instruction section 155 performs the transmission processing of the landing call signal again in the travel generation processing after a certain time (3 minutes) elapses from the cancel processing. The control section 152 performs the determination processing again based on the transmission processing performed again. Also, in a case where the stop at the intermediate floor is made in only one of the UP direction or the DN direction, the operation can be performed again only for the travel direction in which the stop at the intermediate floor is made.

[0374] The cancel processing is performed like this because, in a case where the stop at the intermediate floor is made, in the determination processing of the travel state, it is not possible to determine whether the travel time between the 1st floor and the 5th floor is appropriate. Further, in a case where the determination of the state of the car call button and the determination of the state of the landing call button are performed, it is not possible to discriminate whether the car 10 is stopped at the 1st floor and the 5th floor by the car 10 being stopped by the car call button or the landing call button pressed by the passenger or whether the car 10 is stopped due to a failure of the car call button or the landing call button, and thus, the reconfirmation is performed again by the travel generation processing and the determination processing on the basis of the cancel processing being performed.

[0375] Further, in a case where the car 10 responds to another landing call registered by the passenger, it is not possible to determine the state of the landing call button (NO in S304) at times. In such a case, the travel generation processing and the determination processing are performed again on the basis of the cancel processing being performed as well.

[0376] However, the control section 152 does not perform the cancel processing even if the car 10 stops at the forced stop floor in a case where the floor between the 1st floor and the 5th floor is set as the forced stop floor. This is because the car 10 must stop at the forced stop floor, and the stop at the forced stop floor has no relation to the determination of whether the state is the misaligned state. Thus, in the determination of the travel time between the 1st floor and the 5th floor, it is sufficient to set the reference time and the like in advance including the stop at the forced stop floor (set the travel time on the premise that the stop at the forced stop floor is made). Or, it is also possible to perform the determination processing by removing the travel time between the floors before and after the forced stop floor.

[0377] The diagnosis is performed at midnight or the like when there is no user. In a case where there is a user at such a time zone, a car call or a landing call can be generated by the user to stop at an intermediate floor. In this case, the travel time between each floor from the 1st floor to the 5th floor cannot be accurately measured, so canceling processing is performed and the determination is performed again. In such a situation, the possibility that a car call and a landing call are generated by a user to stop at an intermediate floor for 10 times in a row is almost zero. However, in a case where a car call and a landing call are generated by a user to stop at an intermediate floor for 10 times in a row, something bad can have occurred, so it is determined that the system is in a misadjustment state.

[0378] In a case where it is determined that the system is in a misadjustment state, the maintenance person can confirm the situation on the terminal 400. In this case, for example, a bad situation can have occurred in which the landing call buttons or the car call buttons of the intermediate floor are pressed and ON signals from these buttons are always sent. Therefore, the maintenance person goes to the site to confirm the situation. In a case where the result of the confirmation is that the bad situation is resolved, the maintenance person can perform manual-based operation diagnosis by clicking the "manual operation diagnosis" button of the display screen 421 (refer to FIG. 4B). Figure 10

[0379] Figure 21 is a flowchart of the travel generation processing. When the processing starts at the time of operation diagnosis, the control section 152 generates a generated landing call signal in S401. For example, the instruction section 155 sends a DN landing call signal of the uppermost floor (the 5th floor). When the car 10 arrives at the uppermost floor, after a waiting time TW (30 seconds) elapses from the arrival, the instruction section 155 sends an UP landing call signal of the lowermost floor (the 1st floor). When the car 10 arrives at the lowermost floor, after a waiting time TW (30 seconds) elapses from the arrival, the instruction section 155 sends a DN landing call signal of the uppermost floor. Thus, the car 10 reciprocates between the lowermost floor and the uppermost floor. In addition, the landing call signal can be sent at an arbitrary timing without elapsing the waiting time TW (30 seconds).

[0380] In the present embodiment, "arriving" at a certain floor means the timing of entering the door zone in the floor (the timing at which the DZ signal changes from the OFF state to the ON state). In the present embodiment, the determination using the DZ signal is performed, but in a case where the determination is performed using also the LB signal, "arriving" at a certain floor can mean the timing at which the DZ signal changes from the OFF state to the ON state and the LB signal changes from the ON state to the OFF state (that is, the timing at which the car 10 is braked by the brake).

[0381] ​Or it can also be as follows. The indication section 155 sends the lowermost UP landing call signal. When the car 10 reaches the lowermost landing, after a waiting time TW (30 seconds) from the arrival, the indication section 155 sends the uppermost DN landing call signal. When the car 10 reaches the uppermost landing, after a waiting time TW (30 seconds) from the arrival, the indication section 155 sends the lowermost UP landing call signal. Thus, the car 10 reciprocates between the lowermost landing and the uppermost landing.

[0382] The indication section 155 performs the transmission processing of the next landing call signal in S402. The "next landing call signal" refers to the landing call signal to be transmitted next. For example, as described above, the signals are transmitted in the order of the uppermost DN landing call signal, the lowermost UP landing call signal, and the uppermost DN landing call signal. In this case, in S402, if none of the landing call signals has been transmitted, the uppermost DN landing call signal as the 1st is transmitted, in the case where the uppermost DN landing call signal as the 1st has been transmitted, the lowermost UP landing call signal as the 2nd is transmitted, and in the case where the lowermost UP landing call signal as the 2nd has also been transmitted, the uppermost DN landing call signal as the 3rd is transmitted.

[0383] The control section 152 performs the car information measurement processing described later in S403. Through the car information measurement processing, the control section 152 calculates the car position, the travel time, the travel state, and the like of the car 10 based on the determination signal acquired by the acquisition section 151 at the time of the operation for diagnosis based on the transmission processing.

[0384] The control section 152 determines whether the car 10 has reached the landing call generation landing in S404. The control section 152 causes the processing to proceed to S405 in the case where it is determined that the car 10 has reached the landing call generation landing (Yes in S404). The control section 152 causes the processing to return to S404 in the case where it is not determined that the car 10 has reached the landing call generation landing (No in S404). Thus, waiting until the car 10 reaches the landing call generation landing is performed.

[0385] The control section 152 determines whether all of the landing call signals have been transmitted in S405. All of the landing call signals refer to all of the signals scheduled to be transmitted. The control section 152 ends the operation diagnosis time processing in the case where it is determined that all of the landing call signals have been transmitted (Yes in S405). The control section 152 causes the processing to return to S402 in the case where it is not determined that all of the landing call signals have been transmitted (No in S405). The processing of S402 to S405 is repeated until there is no longer a landing call signal to be transmitted.

[0386] Figure 22is a flowchart of the car information measurement processing. When the car information measurement processing starts, the control section 152 determines whether the SDL signal is in the ON state in S501. The processing of S501 to S510 is processing in the case where the car 10 travels from the lowermost floor (1F) to the uppermost floor (5F).

[0387] The control section 152 makes the processing proceed to S502 in the case where it is determined that the SDL signal is in the ON state (Yes in S501). In the case where the SDL signal is in the ON state, it can be determined that the car position is the lowermost floor (1F). Also, as described above, even if the SDL signal is not used, it is possible to determine whether the car position is the lowermost floor.

[0388] The control section 152 makes the processing proceed to S511 in the case where it is not determined that the SDL signal is in the ON state (No in S501). The control section 152 sets i = lowermost floor as the floor position of the car 10 in S502.

[0389] The control section 152 determines whether the DZ signal changes from the ON state to the OFF state in S503. The control section 152 makes the processing proceed to S504 in the case where it is determined that the DZ signal changes from the ON state to the OFF state (Yes in S503). In this case, the car 10 is in the traveling state.

[0390] The control section 152 makes the processing return to S503 in the case where it is not determined that the DZ signal changes from the ON state to the OFF state (No in S503). Thus, it waits until the DZ signal changes from the ON state to the OFF state.

[0391] The control section 152 starts the timer in S504. Thus, the measurement of the travel time from 1F is started at the timing when the DZ signal changes from the ON state to the OFF state. Also, in the case where the LB signal is also used, the measurement of the travel time from 1F can be started at the timing when the LB signal changes from the OFF state to the ON state (the brake is released).

[0392] The control section 152 determines whether the travel direction is the UP direction in S505. As to whether it is the UP direction, it can be determined based on the UP signal, or it can be determined by the above-described other method without using the UP signal.

[0393] The control section 152 makes the processing proceed to S506 in the case where it is determined that the travel direction is the UP direction (Yes in S505). The control section 152 ends the car information measurement processing in the case where it is not determined that the travel direction is the UP direction (No in S505). In the case where the travel direction is not the UP direction, it is possible that the other hall call has been responded. In this case, the operation diagnosis cannot be performed, and thus the car information measurement processing is ended.

[0394] In step S506, control unit 152 sets a stop marker at floor position i if the DZ signal remains ON for a predetermined time (e.g., 5 seconds) or more. This allows it to determine whether a stop exists between floors 1 and 5 (intermediate floors). Thus, using information including the DZ signal, and based on the correspondence between the position and time of the car 10 between floors 1 and 5, it is determined whether the car 10 has stopped at a floor between floors 1 and 5. Furthermore, if the travel time calculated based on the DZ signal is longer than a reference time by a predetermined time, it can also be determined that a stop exists at an intermediate floor.

[0395] In S507, control unit 152 determines whether the DZ signal has changed from the OFF state to the ON state. If control unit 152 determines that the DZ signal has changed from the OFF state to the ON state (Yes in S507), it causes the process to proceed to S508. If control unit 152 does not determine that the DZ signal has changed from the OFF state to the ON state (No in S507), it causes the process to return to S505. Thus, it waits until the DZ signal changes to the ON state.

[0396] In S508, the control unit 152 sets the travel time and travel status for each floor position i to i+1. For example, if floor 1 is set as the floor position, Figure 15 The situation at times t1 to t3 is similar. During the timing of the DZ signal changing from ON to OFF... Figure 15 The timing of the DZ signal changing from OFF to ON state from t1) to t1) Figure 15 t3), set the travel time TU12 for the floor position from floor 1 to floor 2 and the corresponding travel status (described later).

[0397] In S509, control unit 152 increments floor position i by one floor. In S510, control unit 152 determines whether floor position i is the top floor. If control unit 152 determines that floor position i is the top floor (yes in S510), control unit 152 terminates the car information measurement process. If control unit 152 does not determine that floor position i is the top floor (no in S510), control unit 152 returns the process to S505.

[0398] Therefore, for the floor from the bottom (i=1) to the top (i=5), the floor position is updated each time the DZ signal changes from OFF to ON, and the driving time and driving status are set each time.

[0399] For example, if the floor is designated as the second floor, Figure 15 The situation at times t3 to t5 is similar. During the timing of the DZ signal changing from OFF to ON...Figure 15 The timing from t3) to the subsequent change of the DZ signal from OFF to ON state ( Figure 15 For example, t5), set the travel time TU23 for floors 2 to 3 and the corresponding travel status. Similarly, each time the DZ signal changes from OFF to ON, update the floor position, set the travel time TU34 for floors 3 to 4, the travel time TU45 for floors 4 to 5, and the corresponding travel status.

[0400] For example, when traveling between floors at a constant speed, the driving state can be set to "Constant Speed ​​Driving State". When traveling between floors including acceleration, the driving state can also be set to "Acceleration Driving State". And when traveling between floors including deceleration, the driving state can also be set to "Deceleration Driving State". Figure 15 In the example, the driving state is set to acceleration mode in the driving section from floor 1 to floor 2. The driving state is set to constant speed mode in the driving sections from floor 2 to floor 3 and from floor 3 to floor 4. The driving state is set to deceleration mode in the driving section from floor 4 to floor 5.

[0401] The processing described in S511 to S520 refers to the handling of the car 10 when it travels from the top floor (5th floor) to the bottom floor (1st floor). Figure 16 (Example). In S511, the control unit 152 determines whether the SUL signal is ON.

[0402] If the control unit 152 determines that the SUL signal is ON (Yes in S511), it proceeds to S512. When the SUL signal is ON, it can be determined that the car is on the top floor (5th floor). Furthermore, as described above, the determination of whether the car is on the top floor can be performed even without using the SUL signal. If the control unit 152 does not determine that the SUL signal is ON (No in S511), it terminates the car information measurement process.

[0403] In S512, control unit 152 sets the floor position i of car 10 to the top floor (5th floor). In S513, control unit 152 determines whether the DZ signal has changed from the ON state to the OFF state. If control unit 152 determines that the DZ signal has changed from the ON state to the OFF state (yes in S513), it causes the process to proceed to S514. If control unit 152 does not determine that the DZ signal has changed from the ON state to the OFF state (no in S513), it causes the process to return to S513. Thus, it waits until the DZ signal changes from the ON state to the OFF state.

[0404] The control section 152 starts a timer in S514. Thus, at the timing at which the DZ signal changes from the ON state to the OFF state, the measurement of the travel time from the 5th floor is started. Also, in the case where the LB signal is also used, the measurement of the travel time from the 5th floor can be started at the timing at which the LB signal changes from the OFF state to the ON state (the brake is released).

[0405] The control section 152 determines whether the travel direction is the DN direction in S515. As to whether it is the DN direction, it can be determined based on the DN signal, or it can be determined by the above-described other method without using the DN signal. The control section 152 causes the process to proceed to S516 in the case where it is determined that the travel direction is the DN direction (Yes in S515).

[0406] The control section 152 ends the car information measurement process in the case where it is not determined that the travel direction is the DN direction (No in S515). In the case where the travel direction is not the DN direction, the other call can have been responded to. In this case, the data for diagnosis cannot be normally obtained, and thus the process is ended.

[0407] The control section 152 sets the stop flag at the floor position i in S516 in the case where the DZ signal has been in the ON state for a prescribed time or more. Thus, it is possible to determine whether there is a stop between the 5th floor and the 1st floor (an intermediate floor).

[0408] The control section 152 determines whether the DZ signal changes from the OFF state to the ON state in S517. The control section 152 causes the process to proceed to S518 in the case where it is determined that the DZ signal changes from the OFF state to the ON state (Yes in S517). The control section 152 causes the process to return to S515 in the case where it is not determined that the DZ signal changes from the OFF state to the ON state (No in S517). Thus, it waits until the DZ signal changes to the ON state.

[0409] The control section 152 sets the travel time and the travel state of the floor positions i to i-1 in S518. The control section 152 decreases the floor position i by one floor in S519. The control section 152 determines whether the floor position i is the lowest floor in S520. The control section 152 ends the car information measurement process in the case where it is determined that the floor position i is the lowest floor (Yes in S520). The control section 152 causes the process to return to S515 in the case where it is not determined that the floor position i is the lowest floor (No in S520).

[0410] In the present embodiment, the car position is determined by the floor position as described above. The car position (floor position) is updated each time the DZ signal changes from the OFF state to the ON state. Therefore, in the UP direction and the DN direction, the timing at which the floor position is updated differs. For example, in the UP direction, from the door zone of the 2nd floor until the door zone of the 3rd floor is prescribed as the car position = 2nd floor. On the other hand, in the DN direction, from the door zone of the 2nd floor until the door zone of the 1st floor is prescribed as the car position = 2nd floor. Note that the division of the floors is not limited to this, and can be arbitrarily set. For example, from the middle position of the door zone of the 1st floor and the door zone of the 2nd floor to the middle position of the door zone of the 2nd floor and the door zone of the 3rd floor can be prescribed as the car position = 2nd floor. This middle position can be calculated based on the travel time.

[0411] Further, the car position can be set based on the distance from the stop position of the lowest floor, rather than the floor position. For example, in the case where the distance between floors is 3 m, the car position in the case of stopping at the 1st floor becomes 0 m, the car position in the case of stopping at the 2nd floor becomes 3 m, and the car position in the case of stopping at the 5th floor becomes 12 m (3 m x 4).

[0412] As described above, the control section 152 calculates the position of the car 10, and the travel time of the car 10 within the travel section in which the car 10 travels in each of the plurality of travel states (acceleration travel state, constant speed travel state, deceleration travel state) using information including the DZ signal. The "information including the DZ signal" includes the hall call signal and the like in addition to the DZ. Alternatively, the SUL signal, the SDL signal, the UP signal, and the DN signal can be included in addition to this, but as described above, the travel state can be determined even without using these signals. Note that in the present embodiment, the stop flag at the floor position i is set using the DZ signal in S506, S516, but this is not limiting, and the stop flag at the floor position i can be set in the case where the LB signal is in the OFF state (braking state of the brake) at the floor position i other than the uppermost floor and the lowermost floor.

[0413] Figure 23 is a flowchart of the determination processing. Here, determination of the state of the hall call button is performed. When the determination processing is started, the control section 152 determines whether the car 10 has traveled back and forth between the lowermost floor (1st floor) and the uppermost floor (5th floor) without stopping at a floor between the lowermost floor and the uppermost floor based on the correspondence between the position of the car 10 and the time between the lowermost floor (1st floor) and the uppermost floor (5th floor) in S601.

[0414] The control section 152 determines whether the state of the hall call button is normal in S602, and ends the determination processing when the determination is affirmative (Yes in S602). The control section 152 directly ends the determination processing when the determination is negative (No in S602).

[0415] Next, as a modification, the determination of the traveling state in the case where a plurality of cars 10 are controlled by the control panel 210 (multiple cars) will be described. Figure 24 is a flowchart of the multiple car processing. The multiple car processing can be executed in place of the processing of S101 to S106 in the remote inspection processing of Figure 11

[0416] In the case where a plurality of cars 10 are controlled by the control panel 210, the transmission processing of the transmission section 155 which transmits the generated hall call signal and the determination processing of the control section 152 based on the transmission processing are not performed. That is, in the case of multiple cars, the operation diagnosis is not performed. Even if the transmission section 155 transmits the hall call signal, it is not clear which car 10 is assigned to the hall call. For example, it is assumed that No. 1 car is always assigned to the hall call, and therefore, all the cars 10 cannot be freely operated by the transmission processing.

[0417] Therefore, in the present modification, when the car 10 travels from the lowermost floor (1F) to the uppermost floor (5F) by chance by the hall call and the car call generated by the user, the determination of the traveling state is performed by the determination signal at that time.

[0418] In the present modification, the remote inspection device 100 is provided for each of the plurality of elevators (cars 10) (the remote inspection device 100 is provided for each of the cars of the elevators). The multiple car processing is performed by each of the remote inspection devices 100 corresponding to each of the elevators. When the multiple car processing is started, the control section 152 determines whether a predetermined period (for example, one month) has elapsed from the last operation diagnosis setting time in S701. The control section 152 causes the processing to proceed to S705 when the determination is affirmative (Yes in S701). The control section 152 causes the processing to proceed to S702 when the determination is negative (No in S701).

[0419] ​The acquisition unit 151 acquires the determination signal of the object car that is the determination target of the control unit 152 in S702. The object car is the car 10 of the elevator connected to the remote point inspection device 100. The control unit 152 determines whether the UP travel of the object car from the lowermost floor (1F) to the uppermost floor (5F) and the DN travel of the object car from the uppermost floor to the lowermost floor (referred to as "shuttle travel") have occurred in S703. The control unit 152 causes the process to proceed to S704 in a case where it is determined that the shuttle travel of the object car has occurred (Yes in S703).

[0420] The control unit 152 causes the process to return to S701 in a case where it is not determined that the shuttle travel of the object car has occurred (No in S703). Thus, the determination signal is continuously acquired for a predetermined period until the shuttle travel of the object car occurs.

[0421] The control unit 152 performs the determination process for the object car in S704, and ends the multi-car process. In addition, in a case where data at the time of the shuttle travel has been acquired for a predetermined period in the determination process, the determination process can be performed using the latest data at the time of the shuttle travel. On the other hand, the control unit 152 determines that the state of the hall call button corresponding to the object car is the misalignment state in S705, and ends the multi-car process. The "hall call button corresponding to the object car" refers to the hall call button of which the object car is included in the allocation target at the time of registration of a call.

[0422] Thus, in the present embodiment, in a case where the car 10 controlled by the control panel 210 is plural, in a case where the object car that is the determination target of the control unit 152 performs the shuttle travel from the lowermost floor to the uppermost floor and from the uppermost floor to the lowermost floor, the determination process is performed on the basis of the determination signal at the time of the shuttle travel acquired by the acquisition unit 151. Then, in a case where the object car does not perform the shuttle travel for a predetermined period, the control unit 152 determines that the state of the hall call button corresponding to the object car is the misalignment state. The management server 300 acquires the determination result of each car 10 from the remote point inspection device 100 corresponding to the elevator.

[0423] In addition, in a case where one remote point inspection device 100 is provided for a plurality of elevators (cars 10), the multi-car process can be performed for each of the plurality of cars 10. For example, in a case where the multi-car process for the first car is performed, the determination signal of the first car can be acquired in S702, and it can be determined whether the shuttle travel of the first car has occurred in S703.

[0424] The determination of the state of the hall call button will be summarized in the present embodiment.

[0425] (1) The control section 152 generates the hall call signal transmitted by the transmission process, and performs a determination process in which the point inspection item of remote point inspection is determined based on the determination signal acquired by the acquisition section 151 as a result of the transmission process. The transmission process is a process of transmitting the 1F UP hall call signal of the UP direction of the 1F hall call generated at the 1F, and the 5F DN hall call signal of the DN direction of the 5F hall call generated at the 5F higher than the 1F. The point inspection item includes the state of the hall call button of which the hall call is generated. The control section 152 determines the correspondence between the position of the car 10 and the time between the 1F and the 5F using the information including the DZ signal. The control section 152 determines that the state of the hall call button is a normal state in a case where it is judged based on the correspondence that the car 10 has made a round trip between the 1F and the 5F without stopping at the floor between the 1F and the 5F.

[0426] In the present embodiment, the signals used for the condition determination for operating the safety circuit of the elevator (DZ signal, LB signal, DS signal, GS signal) are used as the determination signal for remote point inspection. Further, from the viewpoint of installation easiness (workability), the hall call is used as the output signal for the operation diagnosis (diagnosis operation) of remote point inspection instead of the car call. By performing the determination of the state of the hall call button based on the DZ signal and the hall call signal suitable for the use of remote point inspection, remote point inspection can be performed as simply as possible in correspondence with various elevators different in communication specifications and signal specifications. That is, multi-branding of maintenance can be realized in remote point inspection. Thus, the maintenance company can reduce the frequency of maintenance point inspection at the maintenance site, and can increase the number of elevators that can be dealt with. The owner of the building can freely select the maintenance company, and conclude a maintenance contract that enables remote point inspection.

[0427] (2) The control section 152 performs a cancel process of canceling the determination of the determination process based on the transmission process in a case where it is judged based on the correspondence that the car 10 has stopped at the floor between the 1F and the 5F, and the instruction section 155 performs the transmission process again in a case where the cancel process is performed. The control section 152 performs the determination process again based on the transmission process performed again. The control section 152 determines that the state of the hall call button is a misadjustment state in a case where the determination of the determination process is continuously canceled a prescribed number of times (10 times) by the cancel process. In this way, it is possible to exclude the condition in which the car 10 is stopped by the car call button or the hall call button pressed by a passenger by chance, and to detect the condition in which the car 10 is stopped by a malfunction of the call button or the like.

[0428] (3) The control panel 210 controls so that, in a case where a forced stop floor is set, the car 10 must stop at the forced stop floor when the car 10 passes the forced stop floor. The control section 152 does not perform the cancel process even if the car 10 stops at the forced stop floor in a case where a floor between the 1st floor and the 5th floor is set as the forced stop floor. In this way, it is possible to prevent the false detection of the adverse situation due to the stop at the forced stop floor, and it is possible to detect the call and the like due to the adverse situation.

[0429] (4) The prescribed number of times is 10. In this way, it is possible to exclude the situation where the car 10 stops due to the car call button or the hall call button pressed by a passenger by chance, and to detect the situation where the car 10 stops due to the adverse situation of the call button and the like.

[0430] (5) The control section 152 does not perform the determination process based on the transmission process in a case where a plurality of cars 10 are controlled by the control panel 210, and performs the determination process based on the determination signal at the time of the round trip obtained by the acquisition section 151 in a case where the subject car as a determination object performs the round trip from the 1st floor to the 5th floor and from the 5th floor to the 1st floor. In the case of the plurality of cars, it is not possible to freely cause the plurality of cars 10 to travel by the transmission of the hall call signal, but by performing the round trip by the above-described method, it is possible to determine the state of the hall call button.

[0431] (6) The control section 152 determines that the state of the hall call button corresponding to the subject car is the misalignment state in a case where the subject car as a determination object does not perform the round trip within a prescribed period in a case where a plurality of cars 10 are controlled by the control panel 210. In this way, it is possible to detect the situation where it is not possible to determine the travel state in the case of the plurality of cars.

[0432] (7) The 1st floor (1st floor) is the lowermost floor at which the car 10 can stop,

[0433] The 2nd floor (5th floor) is the uppermost floor at which the car 10 can stop.

[0434] (8) The management server 300 can transmit an execution instruction of 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 a first country (for example, the United States), and the management server 300 is provided in a second country (for example, Japan) different from the first country. In this way, the remote inspection device 100 that performs remote inspection of 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, management of the remote inspection device 100 by the management server 300 can be performed across countries.

[0435] [Supplementary note]

[0436] The above-described embodiments are specific examples of the following supplementary notes.

[0437] (Supplementary note 1)

[0438] An elevator remote inspection system that performs remote inspection of an elevator, in which

[0439] The elevator remote inspection system includes:

[0440] an instruction unit that performs a transmission process in which a hall call signal that generates a hall call of the elevator is transmitted to an equipment group of the elevator;

[0441] an acquisition unit that acquires 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 by parallel transmission as a determination signal;

[0442] a control unit that generates the hall call signal transmitted by the transmission process, and performs a determination process in which a determination of an inspection item of the remote inspection is made based on the determination signal acquired by the acquisition unit as a result of the transmission process; and

[0443] an output unit that outputs a determination result of the inspection item,

[0444] the transmission process is a process of transmitting a first hall call signal and a second hall call signal, the first hall call signal being a signal that generates a first hall call in an upward direction at a first floor, the second hall call signal being a signal that generates a second hall call in a downward direction at a second floor higher than the first floor,

[0445] The determination signal includes a first signal indicating any of a first state and a non-first state that is not the first state, the first state being a state in which a car of the elevator is located within a door zone indicating a range of positions of the car in which a door of the car can be opened and closed,

[0446] The inspection item includes a state of a hall call button that generates the hall call,

[0447] The control section determines a correspondence between a position and a time of the car between the first floor and the second floor using information including the first signal,

[0448] The control section determines that the state of the hall call button is a normal state in a case where it is determined based on the correspondence that the car has made a round trip between the first floor and the second floor without stopping at a floor between the first floor and the second floor.

[0449] (Addendum 2)

[0450] The elevator remote inspection system according to Addendum 1, wherein

[0451] The control section performs cancel processing that cancels determination based on the determination processing in a case where it is determined based on the correspondence that the car has stopped at a floor between the first floor and the second floor,

[0452] The instruction section performs the transmission processing again in a case where the cancel processing is performed,

[0453] The control section performs the determination processing again based on the transmission processing performed again,

[0454] The control section determines that the state of the hall call button is a misadjustment state in a case where determination of the determination processing is continuously canceled a prescribed number of times by the cancel processing.

[0455] (Addendum 3)

[0456] The elevator remote inspection system according to Addendum 2, wherein

[0457] The control panel is controlled so that, in a case where a forced stop floor is provided, the car must stop at the forced stop floor when the car passes through the forced stop floor,

[0458] The control section does not perform the cancel processing even if the car stops at the forced stop floor in a case where a floor between the first floor and the second floor is set as the forced stop floor.

[0459] (Note 4)

[0460] The elevator remote point inspection system according to Note 2 or 3, wherein

[0461] The prescribed number of times is 10.

[0462] (Note 5)

[0463] The elevator remote point inspection system according to any one of Notes 2 to 4, wherein

[0464] The control section, in a case where a plurality of cars are controlled by the control panel, does not perform the determination processing based on the transmission processing, and in a case where a subject car that is a determination target has performed reciprocal travel from the first floor to the second floor and from the second floor to the first floor, performs the determination processing based on the determination signal at the time of the reciprocal travel acquired from the acquisition section.

[0465] (Note 6)

[0466] The elevator remote point inspection system according to Note 5, wherein

[0467] The control section, in a case where a plurality of cars are controlled by the control panel, determines that the state of the landing call button corresponding to the subject car is the misalignment state when the subject car has not performed the reciprocal travel within a prescribed period.

[0468] (Note 7)

[0469] The elevator remote point inspection system according to any one of Notes 1 to 6, wherein

[0470] The first floor is a lowermost floor at which the car can stop,

[0471] The second floor is an uppermost floor at which the car can stop.

[0472] (Note 8)

[0473] The elevator remote point inspection system according to any one of Notes 1 to 7, wherein

[0474] The elevator remote point inspection system further includes:

[0475] a remote point inspection device including the instruction section, the acquisition section, the control section, and the output section; and

[0476] a management server capable of connecting to the remote point inspection device via a network and managing the remote point inspection device,

[0477] The management server can transmit an execution instruction of the remote inspection to the remote inspection device, and can receive the determination result from the remote inspection device,

[0478] The equipment group of the elevator, the control panel, and the remote inspection device are provided in a first country,

[0479] The management server is provided in a second country different from the first country.

[0480] (Note 9)

[0481] An elevator remote inspection method that performs remote inspection of an elevator,

[0482] The elevator remote inspection method includes the following steps:

[0483] A transmission process is performed in which a hall call signal that generates a hall call of the elevator is transmitted to an equipment group of the elevator;

[0484] 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 is acquired as a determination signal;

[0485] The hall call signal transmitted by the transmission process is generated, and a determination process is performed in which a determination item of the remote inspection is determined based on the determination signal acquired by the acquisition step as a result of the transmission process; and

[0486] A determination result of the determination item is output,

[0487] The transmission process is a process of transmitting a first hall call signal and a second hall call signal, the first hall call signal being a signal that generates a first hall call in an upward direction at a first floor, and the second hall call signal being a signal that generates a second hall call in a downward direction at a second floor higher than the first floor,

[0488] The determination signal includes a first signal that indicates any of a first state and a non-first state that is not the first state, the first state being a state in which a car of the elevator is located within a door zone that indicates a range of positions of the car in which a door of the car can be opened and closed,

[0489] The determination item includes a state of a hall call button that generates the hall call,

[0490] The step of performing the determination process includes the following steps:

[0491] determining a correspondence between a position and a time of the car between the first floor and the second floor using information including the first signal; and

[0492] in a case where it is determined based on the correspondence that the car has made a round trip between the first floor and the second floor without stopping at a floor between the first floor and the second floor, determining that the state of the hall call button is a normal state.

[0493] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the application is indicated by the claims, and intended to include all modifications within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims.

[0494] Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0495] 1 remote point inspection system, 2 building, 5 machine room, 6 pit, 8 shaft, 10 car, 11 rope, 12 counterweight, 13 deflector, 14 buffer, 15 temperature sensor, 16 intercom, 21 to 23 control cable, 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 opening button, 53 door closing button, 60, 61 door, 70 hall operation panel, 71 indicator, 81 UP hall call button, 82 DN hall call button, 91 UP hall call, 92 DN hall call, 95, 96 UP hall call, 100 remote point inspection device, 110 control device, 111 processor, 112 memory, 120 communication IF, 130 input IF, 140 output IF, 151 acquisition section, 152 control section, 153 output section, 154 reception section, 155 instruction section, 156 data group, 200, 200a, 200b elevator system, 210, 210a, 210b control panel, 211 group management control section, 212 each control section, 220, 220a, 210b elevator equipment group, 230 hall device, 240 car device, 250 traction machine, 261, 262 connector, 300 management server, 400 terminal, 410 display section, 420 input section, 421 display screen, 422 setting data, 423 reference time DB, 424 operation history, 425 determination result, 500 X company's remote point inspection device, 500a Y company's remote point inspection device.

Claims

1. An elevator remote inspection system, which performs remote inspection of elevators, wherein, The elevator remote inspection system has the following features: The instruction unit performs a transmission process, in which it sends a landing call signal that generates the elevator's landing call function to the elevator's equipment group. The acquisition unit acquires signals that are input / output between the equipment group of the elevator and the control panel that controls the equipment group of the elevator through parallel transmission, and uses them as determination signals. The control unit generates the floor call signal transmitted through the transmission process and performs a determination process, in which the determination signal obtained by the acquisition unit as a result of the transmission process determines the inspection items of the remote inspection. as well as The output unit outputs the judgment results of the inspection items. The sending process involves sending a first-floor elevator call signal and a second-floor elevator call signal. The first-floor elevator call signal is generated on the first floor, indicating an upward call. The second-floor elevator call signal is generated on the second floor, which is higher than the first floor, indicating a downward call. The determination signal includes a first signal, which represents any state between a first state and a non-first state, where the elevator car is located within a door zone, and the door zone represents the range of positions of the car within which the car doors can be opened and closed. The inspection items include the status of the landing call button that generates the landing call. The control unit uses information including the first signal to determine the correspondence between the position and time of the car between the first floor and the second floor. If the control unit determines, based on the correspondence, that the car has moved back and forth between the 1st and 2nd floors without stopping at a floor between the 1st and 2nd floors, then the control unit determines that the status of the floor call button is normal.

2. The elevator remote inspection system according to claim 1, wherein, If the control unit determines, based on the correspondence, that the car has stopped at a floor between the first and second floors, it will cancel the determination process based on the sending process. If the cancellation process has been performed, the instruction unit will perform the transmission process again. The control unit performs the determination process again based on the repeated transmission process. If the determination process is cancelled a predetermined number of times consecutively through the cancellation process, the control unit determines that the status of the floor call button is out of order.

3. The elevator remote inspection system according to claim 2, wherein, The control panel ensures that, when a mandatory stopping floor is provided, the car must stop at the mandatory stopping floor as it passes through it. If the control unit sets the floor between the first floor and the second floor as the mandatory stop floor, it will not perform the cancellation process even if the car stops at the mandatory stop floor.

4. The elevator remote inspection system according to claim 2, wherein, The specified number of times is 10.

5. The elevator remote inspection system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein, When there are multiple cars controlled by the control panel, the control unit does not perform the determination process based on the transmission process. However, when the car being determined has traveled back and forth between the first floor and the second floor, the control unit performs the determination process based on the determination signal obtained from the acquisition unit during the back and forth travel.

6. The elevator remote inspection system according to claim 5, wherein, When there are multiple cars controlled by the control panel, if the target car does not perform the reciprocating motion within a specified period, the control unit determines that the status of the call button at the landing corresponding to the target car is in the "disconnected state".

7. The elevator remote inspection system according to claim 1, wherein, The first floor is the lowest floor where the elevator car can stop. The second floor is the highest floor where the car can stop.

8. The elevator remote inspection system according to claim 1, wherein, The elevator remote inspection system also has the following features: A remote inspection device includes the indicating unit, the acquiring unit, the control unit, and the output unit; and A management server, which can connect to the remote inspection device via a network and manage the remote inspection device, The management server can send execution instructions for remote inspection to the remote inspection device and receive the judgment results from the remote inspection device. The elevator's equipment assembly, control panel, and remote inspection device are located in the first country. The management server is located in a second country, which is different from the first country.

9. A method for remote elevator inspection, wherein, The elevator remote inspection method comprises the following steps: The transmission process is performed, in which a landing call signal for generating the elevator is sent to the equipment group of the elevator. The signal that is input and output between the equipment group of the elevator and the control panel that controls the equipment group of the elevator through parallel transmission is used as a decision signal; The floor call signal is generated and sent through the sending process, and a judgment process is performed. In this judgment process, the inspection items of the remote inspection are determined based on the judgment signal obtained through the obtaining step as a result of the sending process. as well as Output the judgment result of the inspection items. The sending process involves sending a first-floor elevator call signal and a second-floor elevator call signal. The first-floor elevator call signal is generated on the first floor, indicating an upward call. The second-floor elevator call signal is generated on the second floor, which is higher than the first floor, indicating a downward call. The determination signal includes a first signal, which represents any state between a first state and a non-first state, where the elevator car is located within a door zone, and the door zone represents the range of positions of the car within which the car doors can be opened and closed. The inspection items include the status of the landing call button that generates the landing call. The determination process includes the following steps: Using information including the first signal, determine the correspondence between the position and time of the car between the first floor and the second floor; and If, based on the correspondence, it is determined that the elevator car has moved back and forth between the 1st and 2nd floors without stopping at a floor between the 1st and 2nd floors, then the status of the floor call button is determined to be normal.

Images