Elevator device

Abstract

Disclosed is an elevator device which is provided with an emergency stop device that operates by an electric operator that can detect the malfunction of electrical contacts and can reduce the number of electrical contacts. In the elevator device, if the controller (103) disconnects the electric contacts (104, 105) to demagnetize the electromagnets (35a, 35b), the electric operator (10) operates. The controller determines whether or not the electrical contact is disconnected by giving an electrical contact disconnection command (S1, S2), and diagnoses the presence or absence of a fault in the electrical contact. When the controller diagnoses the presence or absence of a fault and the electrical contact is turned off, current flows through the coil by the magnetic energy accumulated in the coil of the electromagnet.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to an elevator device provided with an emergency stop device that operates electrically. BACKGROUND

[0002] As an emergency stop device for an elevator, an emergency stop device that operates electrically without using a governor rope is proposed. As such an emergency stop device, the technology described in Patent Literature 1 is known.

[0003] In the present related art, a drive mechanism that drives the emergency stop device and an electric operator that operates the drive mechanism are provided. The electric operator is provided with a movable member that is mechanically connected to the drive mechanism, and a first and a second electromagnet that attract the movable member. If the first and the second electromagnet are demagnetized at the time of emergency, the drive mechanism operates. Thus, the emergency stop device operates, and the car is stopped in emergency.

[0004] The first electromagnet and the second electromagnet are each connected to a direct current power source via two electric contacts connected in series. The four electric contacts are controlled to be turned on / off by a safety controller.

[0005] The safety controller maintains the four electric contacts in an on state at the time of normal operation of the elevator. Thus, the first electromagnet and the second electromagnet are excited, and the movable member is attracted. The safety controller turns off the four electric contacts if it detects an overspeed state of the car. Thus, since the first electromagnet and the second electromagnet are demagnetized, the emergency stop device operates.

[0006] By using two electric contacts connected in series, even if one of the electric contacts is turned on in error due to welding or the like, the other electric contact is turned off, and thus, the reliability of the operation of the emergency stop device is ensured.

[0007] The safety controller detects an on error of the electric contacts at the time of stopping of the car at the time of normal operation of the elevator. At this time, the safety controller turns off the four electric contacts one by one to detect the presence or absence of an on error. In the case where no on error of the electric contacts occurs, one of the first electromagnet and the second electromagnet that is electrically connected to the electric contact is demagnetized, but the other electromagnet is excited, and thus, the emergency stop device does not operate.

[0008] RELATED ART DOCUMENT

[0009] PATENT LITERATURE

[0010] Patent Literature 1: International Publication No. 2023 / 058198 SUMMARY

[0011] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0012] In the above-described prior art, in order to enable failure detection of the electric contact while ensuring the reliability of the operation of the emergency stop device, a large number of electric contacts are required.

[0013] Therefore, the present application provides an elevator device that has an emergency stop device that operates by an electric operator, the electric operator enabling failure detection of an electric contact and enabling reduction in the number of electric contacts.

[0014] Means for solving the problem

[0015] In order to solve the above-described problem, the elevator device of the present application has a car, an emergency stop device provided in the car, an electric operator that operates the emergency stop device, and a controller that operates the electric operator to operate the emergency stop device if the car becomes in an overspeed state, and further has a unit as follows.

[0016] The electric operator has an electromagnet and an excitation circuit that includes a direct current power source connected to the coil of the electromagnet via an electric contact. The electric operator operates if the controller opens the electric contact to demagnetize the electromagnet.

[0017] The controller gives an electric contact opening instruction and determines whether the electric contact is opened, thereby diagnosing the presence or absence of failure of the electric contact.

[0018] When the controller is diagnosing the presence or absence of failure and the electric contact is opened, a current flows in the coil by the magnetic energy accumulated in the coil.

[0019] Effects of the invention

[0020] According to the present application, since the electromagnet can be excited without passing through an electric contact different from the electric contact that detects failure, the number of electric contacts can be reduced.

[0021] The above-described problems, structures, and effects other than the above are made clear by the following description of the embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an elevator device of an embodiment.

[0023] Figure 2 is a plan view showing a mechanism portion of an electric operator in the embodiment.

[0024] Figure 3 is a timing chart showing an example of time variation of a control instruction signal (S1, S2) to the electric contact and a response signal (S0).

[0025] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing a processing action of a safety controller in failure diagnosis of the electric contact in the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Hereinafter, an elevator device of an embodiment of the present application will be described using drawings by way of examples. In addition, in each drawing, the same reference numerals indicate the same constituent elements or constituent elements having similar functions.

[0027] Figure 1 is a schematic configuration view of an elevator device of an embodiment of the present application.

[0028] As shown in Figure 1 , the elevator device is provided with a car 1, a speed sensor (5, 6), an electric operator 10, a driving mechanism (12 to 20), an upper pull rod 21, and an emergency stop device 2.

[0029] The car 1 is suspended by a main rope (not shown) in a hoistway provided in a building, and is slidably engaged in a guide rail 4 via a guide device (not shown). If the main rope is frictionally driven by a driving device (hoisting machine: not shown), the car 1 is hoisted in the hoistway.

[0030] The speed sensor in this embodiment is attached to the car 1, and is provided with a rotation detector 6 and a roller 5 connected to a rotation axis of the rotation detector 6. In this embodiment, the roller 5 is connected to the rotation axis of the rotation detector 6 so that the rotation axis of the roller 5 and the rotation axis of the rotation detector 6 are coaxial. As the rotation detector 6, for example, a rotary encoder can be used.

[0031] The roller 5 is in contact with the guide rail 4. Therefore, as the car 1 is hoisted, the roller 5 rotates, and thus the rotation detector 6 rotates. A safety controller described later monitors the running speed of the car 1 based on a rotation position signal output from the rotation detector 6 in conjunction with rotation.

[0032] In addition, as the speed sensor, an image sensor can be used. In this case, the position and the speed of the car 1 are detected based on image information of the surface state of the guide rail 4 acquired by the image sensor. For example, the speed is calculated from the moving distance of the image feature amount in a given time.

[0033] The electric operator 10 is an electromagnetic operator in this embodiment, and is disposed at the upper portion of the car 1. The electromagnetic operator is provided with, for example, a movable piece or a movable rod that operates by a solenoid or an electromagnet. The electric operator 10 operates when a given overspeed state of the car 1 is detected by the speed sensor (5, 6). At this time, the upper pull rod 21 is pulled up by the driving mechanism (12 to 20) that is mechanically connected to the operation lever 11. Thereby, the emergency stop device 2 becomes a braking state.

[0034] In addition, the driving mechanism (12 to 20) will be described later.

[0035] One emergency stop device 2 is installed on each side of the car 1. Each emergency stop device 2 has a pair of wedge-shaped brake elements (not shown) that are movable between a braking position and a non-braking position, clamping the guide rail 4 in the braking position. Furthermore, if the brake elements rise relative to the car 1 due to the descent of the car 1, braking force is generated by the friction between the brake elements and the guide rail 4. Thus, the emergency stop device 2 operates when the car 1 becomes overspeeding, bringing the car 1 to an emergency stop.

[0036] The elevator device of this embodiment is an elevator device equipped with a so-called cordless speed governor system that does not use a speed governor rope. If the lifting speed of the car 1 exceeds the rated speed and reaches a first overspeed (for example, a speed not exceeding 1.3 times the rated speed), the power supply to the drive unit (traction machine) and the power supply to the elevator controller that controls the drive unit are cut off. Furthermore, if the descent speed of the car 1 reaches a second overspeed (for example, a speed not exceeding 1.4 times the rated speed), the electric operator 10 provided in the car 1 is electrically activated, causing the emergency stop device 2 to operate, thereby bringing the car 1 to an emergency stop.

[0037] In this embodiment, the cordless speed controller system comprises the aforementioned speed sensors (5, 6) and a safety controller that determines the overspeed state of the car 1 based on the output signals of the speed sensors. The safety controller measures the speed of the car 1 based on the output signals of the speed sensors. If it determines that the measured speed has reached a first overspeed, it outputs a command signal to cut off the power to the drive unit (traction machine) and the power to the elevator controller controlling the drive unit. Furthermore, if the safety controller determines that the measured speed has reached a second overspeed, it outputs a command signal to activate the electric operator 10.

[0038] In addition, in this embodiment, Figure 1 Although not shown in the figure, the safety controller and the electric actuator 10 are configured together on the upper part of the car 1.

[0039] The following describes the drive mechanism (12-20) that drives the upper pull rod 21.

[0040] The operating lever 11 and the first working plate 16 of the electric actuator 10 are connected to form a generally T-shaped first linkage member. The operating lever 11 and the first working plate 16 respectively form the head and foot of the T. The generally T-shaped first linkage member is rotatably supported on the crosshead 50 via the first working shaft 19 at the connection between the operating lever 11 and the first working plate 16. One end of a pair of pull rods 21 (left side in the figure) is connected to the end of the first working plate 16, which forms the foot of the T, on the opposite side of the connection between the operating lever 11 and the first working plate 16.

[0041] Connecting piece 17 and second working piece 18 are connected to form a generally T-shaped second link member. Connecting piece 17 and second working piece 18 respectively form the head and foot of the T. The generally T-shaped second link member is rotatably supported on crosshead 50 via second working shaft 20 at the connection between connecting piece 17 and second working piece 18. The other end (left side in the figure) of a pair of pull rods 21 is connected to the end of the second working piece 18, which forms the foot of the T, on the opposite side of the connection between connecting piece 17 and second working piece 18.

[0042] The end of the operating lever 11 extending from the inside of the housing 30 to the outside and the two ends of the connecting piece 17, which are closer to the upper part of the car 1 than the second working shaft 20, are respectively connected to one end (left side in the figure) and the other end (right side in the figure) of the drive shaft 12, which is transversely placed on the car 1. The drive shaft 12 slidably passes through the fixing part 14, which is fixed to the crosshead 50. In addition, the drive shaft 12 passes through the pressing member 15, which is fixed to the drive shaft 12. Furthermore, the pressing member 15 is located on the side of the second link member (connecting piece 17, second working piece 18) of the fixing part 14. The drive spring 13, which is an elastic body, is located between the fixing part 14 and the pressing member 15, and the drive spring 13 is inserted through the drive shaft 12.

[0043] When the electric actuator 10 is activated, that is, in this embodiment, if the energization to the electromagnet is cut off, the electromagnetic force that restrains the movement of the operating lever 11 against the force of the drive spring 13 disappears. Therefore, the drive shaft 12 is driven along the long side direction by the force of the drive spring 13 applied to the pressing member 15. As a result, the first linkage member (operating lever 11, first working piece 16) rotates about the first working shaft 19, and the second linkage member (connecting piece 17, second working piece 18) rotates about the second working shaft 20. Consequently, the pull rod 21 connected to the first working piece 16 of the first linkage member is driven and pulled upward, and the pull rod 21 connected to the second working piece 18 of the second linkage member is driven and pulled upward.

[0044] Figure 2 This refers to the mechanism of the electric actuator 10 in this embodiment. Figure 1 The top view in the settings state. Additionally, in Figure 1 middle, Figure 2 The mechanism of the electric actuator 10 shown is housed inside the housing 30.

[0045] exist Figure 2 The circuit structure used to drive and control the electric actuator 10 is also described.

[0046] exist Figure 2 In the middle (excluding the double-dotted section), emergency stop device 2 ( Figure 1When the motor is in the non-braking state, the electric operator 10 is in the standby state. That is, the elevator device is in the normal operating state.

[0047] like Figure 2 As shown, in the standby state, the movable components (34a, 34b, 34c) connected to the operating lever 11 are attracted by electromagnetic force to the electromagnets 35a, 35b, which are energized by energizing the coil. This resists the movement via the drive shaft 12 ( Figure 1 The force F exerted by the operating lever 11 on the drive spring 13 of the movable member restricts the movement of the movable member. Therefore, the electric actuator 10 resists the force of the drive spring 13 and restricts the drive mechanism (12-20). Figure 1 (Activities)

[0048] The movable member has an adsorption portion 34a that is adsorbed onto the magnetic pole surfaces of electromagnets 35a and 35b; and a support portion 34b fixed to the adsorption portion 34a and connected to an operating lever 11. The operating lever 11 is rotatably connected to the support portion 34b of the movable member via a connecting bracket 38. In the electric actuator 10, a movable member detection switch 109 is provided at the position where the adsorption portion 34a of the movable member is located when in standby mode.

[0049] The movable member also has a cam portion 34c fixed to the adsorption portion 34a. When the movable member is in the standby position, the movable member detection switch 109 is operated by the cam portion 34c. If the movable member detection switch 109 is operated by the cam portion 34c, it transitions from an on state to an off state, or from an off state to an on state. Therefore, it is possible to detect whether the movable member is in the standby position according to the state of the movable member detection switch 109. In this embodiment, the safety controller 103 determines whether the movable member is in the standby position based on the state of the movable member detection switch 109.

[0050] In addition, in this embodiment, the movable part detection switch 109 is in the on state when it is operated by the cam part 34c.

[0051] In this embodiment, at least the adsorption part 34a in the movable parts (34a, 34b, 34c) contains a magnetic material. Soft magnetic materials such as low-carbon steel or permalloy (iron-nickel alloy) are preferably used as the magnetic material.

[0052] about Figure 2 Other departments (36, 37, 39, 41) will be described later.

[0053] Electromagnets 35a and 35b are energized by a DC power supply of 300V. The structure of the excitation circuit for electromagnets 35a and 35b is as follows.

[0054] One end of the coil of electromagnet 35a is connected in series with electrical contacts 104 and 105 via fuse 107a.Figure 2 The connection is made to the electrical contact 105 side. One end of the coil of electromagnet 35b is connected in series with the electrical contacts 104 and 105 via fuse 107b. Figure 2 The connection is on the side of electrical contact 105. The other end of the series connection of electrical contacts 104 and 105 ( Figure 2 The middle contact (side 104) is connected to the high potential (positive terminal) of the DC power supply 300.

[0055] The other ends of the coils of electromagnets 35a and 35b are connected to each other and to the low potential (negative terminal) of DC power supply 300.

[0056] Therefore, as Figure 2 As shown, the coils of electromagnets 35a and 35b are connected in parallel via fuses 107a and 107b. One end of the parallel connection is connected to the high potential (positive terminal) of the DC power supply 300 via the series connection of electrical contacts 104 and 105. The other end of the parallel connection is connected to the low potential (negative terminal) of the DC power supply 300.

[0057] A diode is connected between the series connection point of electromagnet 35a and fuse 107a and the series connection point of electromagnet 35b and fuse 107b, that is, between one end of the coil of electromagnet 35a and one end of the coil of electromagnet 35b, as a protection circuit for surge voltage suppression. The forward direction of the diode is set to the direction in which circulating current flows through each coil of electromagnets 35a and 35b due to the magnetic energy stored in each coil of electromagnets 35a and 35b when the current flowing through electromagnets 35a and 35b is cut off by electrical contacts 104 and 105.

[0058] The diode can be connected to each coil. Additionally, the diode can be connected to one end of the series connection of electrical contacts 104 and 105. Figure 2 The end of the electrical contact 105 (side) that is connected in parallel with the coils of electromagnets 35a and 35b (side) Figure 2 The connection point between fuses 107a and 107b is between them. It is connected to the high potential (positive terminal) of DC power supply 300 via a series connection of electrical contacts 104 and 105. The other end of the parallel connection is connected to the low potential (negative terminal) of DC power supply 300.

[0059] Additionally, protection circuits such as diodes may not be used in the following situations: immediately after the electrical contacts 104 and 105 are disconnected via fuses 107a and 107b during fault diagnosis of electrical contacts 104 and 105 (described later), a circulating current can be passed through fuses 107a and 107b to suppress surge voltage and maintain the electromagnetic force of electromagnets 35a and 35b for a short time.

[0060] In addition, as a protection circuit, it is not limited to diodes; buffer circuits and other similar devices can also be used.

[0061] In this embodiment, the DC power supply 300 consists of a rectifier and a power conversion device that convert AC power from the commercial single-phase AC power supply 200 into DC power. The commercial single-phase AC power supply 200 may be one phase of a commercial three-phase AC power supply that supplies power to the traction machine 400 and the elevator controller 7 that drives and controls the traction machine 400.

[0062] In addition to powering the electromagnets 35a and 35b, the DC power supply 300 also powers the safety controller 103, the rotary detector 6, the electrical contacts 104 and 105, and generates the response signal (S0) described later.

[0063] To compensate for the power supply to the load for a short period during power outages or voltage drops, a storage battery 111 is connected to the output of the DC power supply 300. Thus, the supply of DC power is maintained in the event of a momentary power outage or voltage drop in the commercial single-phase AC power supply 200.

[0064] In addition, fuses 107a and 107b are installed in the excitation circuit for overcurrent protection of electromagnets 35a and 35b, respectively.

[0065] Electrical contacts 104 and 105 are controlled to be switched on / off by safety controller 103. In the standby state of electric actuator 10, safety controller 103 controls electrical contacts 104 and 105 to be switched on. As a result, the coils of electromagnets 35a and 35b are energized, and therefore electromagnets 35a and 35b generate electromagnetic force.

[0066] Furthermore, electrical contacts 104 and 105 are each composed of normally open contacts, such as those found in electromagnetic relays, electromagnetic contactors, and electromagnetic switches. Multiple contacts are connected in series in the excitation circuit of electromagnets 35a and 35b. Figure 2 The device has two electrical contacts. Even if a connection failure occurs in one contact when multiple contacts are controlled to the open state to activate the emergency stop device 2, as described later, the energizer to the electromagnet will be cut off. Therefore, the reliability of the operation of the electric actuator 10 is improved. Furthermore, a connection failure may occur, for example, due to welding of the contacts.

[0067] Other electrical equipment sections (37, 112) will be discussed later.

[0068] via Figure 2The signal line shown input to the safety controller 103 is the response signal S0 from the excitation circuit, which represents the potential of the end of the parallel connection of the coils of electromagnets 35a and 35b that is connected to the high potential (positive terminal) of the DC power supply 300 via the series connection of electrical contacts 104 and 105.

[0069] Therefore, if electromagnets 35a and 35b are energized, the response signal S0 indicates a high potential in the DC power supply 300; if electromagnets 35a and 35b are not energized, the response signal S0 indicates a low potential in the DC power supply 300. The safety controller 103 detects the energization status of electromagnets 35a and 35b based on the potential represented by the response signal S0, and also detects faults in electrical contacts 104 and 105.

[0070] Next, the operation of the electric actuator 10 when the emergency stop device 2 is working will be explained.

[0071] If the safety controller 103 detects a given overspeed state (the aforementioned second overspeed) of the car 1 based on the rotational position signal S from the rotational detector 6, it outputs a disconnect command to each of the electrical contacts 104 and 105. Upon receiving the disconnect command, the electrical contacts 104 and 105 change from the on state (…). Figure 2 The electromagnetic force acting on the movable parts (34a, 34b, 34c) disappears as the excitation of electromagnets 35a and 35b ceases. Consequently, the attraction of the movable part 34a to the electromagnets 35a and 35b is released, and the movable part is released from its restraint caused by the attraction of the movable part 34a to the electromagnets 35a and 35b. Therefore, the movable part is released by the force of the driving spring 13. Figure 2 (F in the middle) and from the position in standby mode ( Figure 2 Move to position P in the direction of the force of the driving spring 13 (to the right in the figure).

[0072] In addition, Figure 2 In the diagram, a double-dotted line represents a movable part after it has been moved.

[0073] With the release of the restraints on the movable part, the pressing member 15 of the drive shaft 12 ( Figure 1 The force received by the fixed part 14 ( Figure 1 ) towards the pressing component ( Figure 1 ) direction drive spring 13 ( Figure 1 The force of the first linkage member (operating lever 11 and first working plate 16) drives the drive shaft 12. If the drive shaft 12 is driven, the first linkage member connected to the drive shaft 12 (operating lever 11 and first working plate 16) will be driven. Figure 1 ) around the first working axis 19 ( Figure 1 ) rotates. This causes the upper pull rod 21 (connected to the first working piece 16) to rotate. Figure 1The second linkage member (connecting piece 17 and the second working piece 18) connected to the drive shaft 12 is pulled upward. Furthermore, if the drive shaft 12 is driven, the second linkage member (connecting piece 17 and the second working piece 18) connected to the drive shaft 12 is pulled upward. Figure 1 ) around the second working axis 20 ( Figure 1 ) rotates. This causes the upper pull rod 21 (connected to the second working piece 18) to rotate. Figure 1 (It was pulled up.)

[0074] Next, the recovery action of the electric actuator 10 will be explained.

[0075] In order to move the movable part of the electric actuator 10 from the working state of being moved to position P due to the demagnetization of electromagnets 35a and 35b, as follows: Figure 2 As shown, the movable parts are restored to the standby state where they are attracted to electromagnets 35a and 35b, as described below. The movable parts (34a, 34b, 34c) are moved from the moving position (…) by means of the mechanisms (36, 37, 39, 41) and electrical equipment (37, 112), which are omitted from description. Figure 2 The position P in the middle returns to the position in standby mode. Figure 2 ).

[0076] The electric actuator 10 has a feed screw 36 for driving the movable part. The feed screw 36 is coaxially connected to the rotation shaft of the motor 37 and is rotatably supported by the support member 41. Electromagnets 35a and 35b are fixed to an electromagnet support plate 39 having a feed nut portion (not shown). The feed nut portion in the electromagnet support plate 39 is screwed onto the feed screw 36. The feed screw 36 is rotated by the motor 37. The motor 37 is driven by the motor controller 112.

[0077] The motor controller 112 has a drive circuit for the motor 37 and controls the rotation of the motor 37 in accordance with control commands from the elevator controller 7. The motor 37 can be either a DC motor or an AC motor.

[0078] The elevator controller 7 controls the operation of the car 1 and has information related to the operating status of the elevator system. In this embodiment, as described above, the elevator controller 7 also has the function of controlling the motor 37 of the electric operator 10.

[0079] In this embodiment, the elevator controller 7 includes a power conversion device such as an inverter that drives the motor of the traction machine 400, a control unit that controls the motor by controlling the power conversion device, a DC power supply for the braking device of the traction machine 400, and a control unit that controls the opening and closing of the braking device. AC power is supplied to the elevator controller 7 from a commercial three-phase AC power source via normally open contacts provided by electromagnetic contactors, electromagnetic switches, etc. Normally, the normally open contacts are closed.

[0080] If the safety controller 103 determines that the speed of the car 1 has reached the first overspeed mentioned above, it outputs a command signal Sc, which instructs the electromagnetic contactor, electromagnetic switch, etc., to open the normally open contacts. Therefore, since the power supply from the commercial three-phase AC power supply to the elevator controller 7 is cut off, the drive control of the motor 201 stops, and the braking device 202 enters the braking state. Thus, the car 1 comes to an emergency stop.

[0081] Next, the recovery action of the electric actuator 10 will be explained.

[0082] The recovery action of the electric operator 10 is performed when the elevator device is restored after the emergency stop device 2 is activated or the car 1 is stopped in an emergency due to a power outage.

[0083] When the electric operator 10 is returned to standby mode, the elevator controller 7 sends a rotation command for the motor 37 to the motor controller 112. Upon receiving the rotation command, the motor controller 112 drives the motor 37 to rotate the feed screw 36. The rotation of the motor 37 is converted into linear movement of the electromagnets 35a and 35b along the axial direction of the feed screw 36 by the rotating feed screw 36 and the feed nut portion of the electromagnet support plate 39. As a result, the electromagnets 35a and 35b approach the moving position P of the movable members (34a, 34b, 34c) and come into contact with them.

[0084] Motor controller 112 monitors the motor current for controlling motor 37. If electromagnets 35a and 35b come into contact with the movable part as described above, the load on motor 37 increases, and the motor current increases. If the motor current increases and exceeds a given value, motor controller 112 determines that electromagnets 35a and 35b are in contact with the movable part. Motor controller 112 sends this determination result to safety controller 103 and elevator controller 7.

[0085] If the safety controller 103 receives the judgment result from the motor controller 112, it outputs a connection command signal to each of the electrical contacts 104 and 105, which serves as control command signals S1 and S2. Through the connection command signal, the electrical contacts 104 and 105 transition from the open state to the closed state. Therefore, the electromagnets 35a and 35b are energized. The adsorption part 34a in the movable part acts on the electromagnetic force of the energized electromagnets 35a and 35b, attracting them.

[0086] If the elevator controller 7 receives the aforementioned determination result from the motor controller 112, it sends a reverse command to the motor controller 112. If the motor controller 112 receives the reverse command, it reverses the rotation direction of the motor 37, causing the feed screw 36 to reverse. Consequently, the movable parts attracted to the electromagnets 35a and 35b, while being acted upon by the drive spring 13, move together with the electromagnets 35a and 35b towards their standby position (…). Figure 2 )move.

[0087] From the moment the movable parts (34a, 34b, 34c) move to position P after the operation of the electric actuator 10, until the electric actuator 10 is about to complete its return operation, the cam portion 34c of the movable parts (34a, 34b, 34c) disengages from the movable part detection switch 109. Therefore, at this time, the movable part detection switch 109 is in the off state.

[0088] If the movable parts (34a, 34b, 34c) attracted to electromagnets 35a and 35b move from position P to the standby position, the movable part detection switch 109 is activated by the cam portion 34c of the movable part. If the movable part detection switch 109 is activated, the elevator controller 7 determines that the movable part is in the standby position. Based on this determination, the elevator controller 7 sends a stop command to the motor controller 112. If the motor controller 112 receives the stop command, it stops the rotation of the motor 37.

[0089] As described above, the electric actuator 10 operates by disconnecting electrical contacts 104 and 105. Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to ensure the reliability of the operation of the electric actuator 10, the safety controller 103, as will be described below, has the function of diagnosing faults in electrical contacts 104 and 105.

[0090] During elevator operation, when the car 1 stops, that is, when the electric operator 10 is in standby mode ( Figure 2 When the fault occurs, the safety controller 103 diagnoses whether there is a fault in the electrical contacts 104 and 105.

[0091] First, the safety controller 103 transitions one of the control command signals S1 and S2 of the power supply contacts 104 and 105 from an on command signal to an off command signal. At this time, the safety controller 103 maintains the other control command signal S1 and S2 at the on command signal.

[0092] At this time, if the response signal S0 indicates a low potential, the safety controller 103 determines that the electrical contact that issued the disconnect command signal is normal. Conversely, if the response signal S0 indicates a high potential, the safety controller 103 determines that the electrical contact that issued the disconnect command signal has a connection fault.

[0093] Next, the safety controller 103 will transition the control command signals for the faulty electrical contacts in the control command signals S1 and S2 of electrical contacts 104 and 105 from open command signals to open command signals, and will also transition the control command signals for the next faulty electrical contacts from open command signals to open command signals. Furthermore, while the circulating current flowing through the coils of electromagnets 35a and 35b is large enough to allow electromagnets 35a and 35b to attract the movable part of the electric actuator 10, the safety controller 103 will transition the control command signals for the next faulty electrical contacts from open command signals to open command signals.

[0094] At this time, if the response signal S0 indicates a low potential, the safety controller 103 determines that the electrical contact that issued the disconnect command signal is normal. Conversely, if the response signal S0 indicates a high potential, the safety controller 103 determines that the electrical contact that issued the disconnect command signal is faulty. After fault diagnosis, the safety controller 103 transitions the control command signal for the faulty electrical contact from a disconnect command signal to an on command signal during the period when the circulating current flowing through the coils of electromagnets 35a and 35b is large enough to allow electromagnets 35a and 35b to attract the movable part of the electric actuator 10.

[0095] As described above, the electric actuator 10 diagnoses the presence or absence of faults in each electrical contact while maintaining the standby state.

[0096] Figure 3 This is a timing diagram illustrating the time variations of the control command signals (S1, S2) and response signal (S0) supplied to the electrical contacts during diagnostic testing. Additionally, the current (i) flowing through the coil of the electromagnet is also shown. C The waveform of the time change.

[0097] Safety controller 103 at electrical contacts 104, 105 ( Figure 2 First, diagnose whether there is a fault in electrical contact 104, and then diagnose whether there is a fault in electrical contact 105.

[0098] At time t1, the safety controller 103 transitions the control command signal S1 of the power supply contact 104 from the ON command signal to the OFF command signal.

[0099] At this time, when electrical contact 104 is functioning normally, the response signal S0 transitions from a high level H (high potential) to a low level L (low potential) as shown by the solid line in the diagram. In the event of a connection failure in electrical contact 104, the response signal S0 remains at a high level H (high potential) as shown by the double-dotted line in the diagram.

[0100] At time t2, a given time after time t1, safety controller 103 transitions S1 from OFF to ON. During the period from t1 to t2, safety controller 103 diagnoses the presence or absence of a fault in electrical contact 104 based on S0.

[0101] The given time from t1 to t2 is set as the period during which the circulating current flowing through the coils of electromagnets 35a and 35b is large enough to attract the movable part of the electric actuator 10. Therefore, under normal conditions of the electrical contact 104, the current i flowing through the coil during the period from t1 to t2 is... C From the excitation current value I m The attraction between the electromagnets 35a and 35b and the movable part of the electric actuator 10 is maintained, but the attraction is reduced.

[0102] Safety controller 103, after a given time from transitioning S1 from OFF to ON at time t2, will transition the control command signal S2 to the electrical contact 105 from an ON command signal to an OFF command signal at time t3. The given time from t2 to t3 is set to be such that, under normal conditions, the electrical contact 104... C Return I m The required time. Additionally, during the period from t2 to t3, S0 becomes high (H).

[0103] At t3, under normal conditions of electrical contact 105, S0 transitions from high level H to low level L as shown by the solid line in the diagram. In the event of a connection failure in electrical contact 105, S0 remains at high level H as shown by the double-dotted line in the diagram.

[0104] At time t4, a given time after time t3, safety controller 103 transitions S2 from OFF to ON. During the period from t3 to t4, safety controller 103 diagnoses the presence or absence of a fault in electrical contact 105 based on S0.

[0105] The given time from t3 to t4 is set as the period during which the circulating current flowing through the coils of electromagnets 35a and 35b is large enough to attract the movable part of the electric actuator 10. Therefore, under normal conditions of the electrical contact 105, the current i flowing through the coils during the period from t3 to t4 is... C From the excitation current value I m The attraction between the electromagnets 35a and 35b and the movable part of the electric actuator 10 is maintained, but the attraction is reduced.

[0106] Safety controller 103 transitions S2 from OFF to ON at time t4. This completes one fault diagnosis.

[0107] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing actions of the safety controller during fault diagnosis of electrical contacts in this embodiment. (See relevant references.) Figure 2 Please provide an explanation.

[0108] In this embodiment, the safety controller 103 includes a computer system such as a microcomputer. By executing a given program through this computer system, the safety controller 103 performs fault diagnosis of the electrical contacts.

[0109] If the safety controller 103 begins processing, it first determines, in step S301, whether the car's closed state has lasted for a given time (e.g., 3 minutes). That is, the safety controller 103 determines whether the car is stopped because it has not responded to a call. Additionally, the safety controller 103 obtains information related to the operating status of the elevator unit from the elevator controller 7, for example, and determines whether the closed state has lasted for the given time (e.g., 3 minutes) based on the obtained information.

[0110] If the safety controller 103 determines that the door-open state has not lasted for the given time (step S301 "No"), then it executes step S301 again. If the safety controller 103 determines that the door-open state has lasted for the given time (step S301 "Yes"), then it executes step S302 next.

[0111] In step S302, in order to disconnect the electrical contact 104, the safety controller 103 assigns a disconnect command signal to the electrical contact 104 as a control command signal S1. If the safety controller 103 executes step S302, it will then execute step S303.

[0112] In step S303, the safety controller 103 determines whether the response signal S0 is low. If the safety controller 103 determines that S0 is low (step S303 "Yes"), then proceed to step S06. If the safety controller 103 determines that S0 is not low but high (step S303 "No"), then proceed to step S304.

[0113] In step S304, the safety controller 103 determines whether a given time has elapsed since a control command signal S1 was issued to disconnect the electrical contact 104 in order to disconnect the electrical contact 104. The given time in step S304 corresponds to the delay time set for the response of the electrical contact 104 to the control command signal S1.

[0114] If the safety controller 103 determines that the given time has not elapsed (step S304 "No"), then it executes step S303 again. If the safety controller 103 determines that the given time has elapsed (step S301 "Yes"), then it executes step S305.

[0115] In step S305, the safety controller 103 determines that the electrical contact 104 is faulty and sends a disconnect command signal to the electrical contact 105 as the control command signal S2, thus disconnecting the electrical contact 105. As a result, the electric operator 10 operates, keeping the car 1 in a stopped state, and the elevator system enters a state awaiting maintenance.

[0116] If the safety controller 103 executes step S305, it will end a series of processes.

[0117] As described above, if the safety controller 103 determines in step S303 that the response signal S0 is at a low level (step S303 "Yes"), that is, if it determines that the electrical contact 104 is normal, then step S306 is executed next.

[0118] In step S306, in order to connect the electrical contact 104, the safety controller 103 assigns a connection command signal to the electrical contact 104 as a control command signal S1. If the safety controller 103 executes step S306, it then proceeds to step S307.

[0119] In step S307, in order to disconnect the electrical contact 105, the safety controller 103 assigns a disconnect command signal to the electrical contact 105 as a control command signal S2. If the safety controller 103 executes step S307, it then executes step S308.

[0120] In step S308, the safety controller 103 determines whether the response signal S0 is low. If the safety controller 103 determines that S0 is low (step S308 "Yes"), then proceed to step S311. If the safety controller 103 determines that S0 is not low but high (step S308 "No"), then proceed to step S309.

[0121] In step S309, the safety controller 103 determines whether a given time has elapsed since a control command signal S2 was given to disconnect the electrical contact 105 in order to disconnect the electrical contact 105. The given time in step S309 corresponds to the delay time set for the response of the electrical contact 105 to the control command signal S2.

[0122] If the safety controller 103 determines that the given time has not elapsed (step S309 "No"), then it executes step S308 again. If the safety controller 103 determines that the given time has elapsed (step S309 "Yes"), then it executes step S310 next.

[0123] In step S310, if the safety controller 103 determines that the electrical contact 105 is faulty, it sends a disconnect command signal to the electrical contact 104 as a control command signal S1, thereby disconnecting the electrical contact 104. As a result, the electric operator 10 operates, keeping the car 1 in a stopped state, and the elevator system enters a state awaiting maintenance.

[0124] If the safety controller 103 executes step S310, then the series of processes will end.

[0125] As described above, if the safety controller 103 determines in step S308 that the response signal S0 is at a low level (step S308 "Yes"), that is, if it determines that the electrical contact 105 is normal, then step S311 is executed next.

[0126] In step S311, in order to connect the electrical contact 105, the safety controller 103 assigns a connection command signal to the electrical contact 105 as a control command signal S2. If the safety controller 103 executes step S311, it then executes step S312.

[0127] In step S312, the safety controller 103 determines whether the movable part detection switch 109 is open. That is, the safety controller 103 determines whether the electric actuator 10 is working. For example, the electric actuator 10 may also work by giving the electric contact 105 an on command signal based on the change in the delay time of the response of the electric contact 105 to the control command signal S2.

[0128] If the safety controller 103 determines that the movable part detection switch 109 is open (step S312 "Yes"), then proceed to step 313. If the safety controller 103 determines that the movable part detection switch 109 is not open (step S312 "No"), that is, if it determines that the electric actuator 10 is not working, then the series of processes ends.

[0129] In step S313, the safety controller 103 restores the electric actuator 10 to the standby state as described above.

[0130] If the safety controller 103 executes step S313, then the series of processes will end.

[0131] According to the above embodiments, the safety controller assigns a disconnect command signal to the electrical contact of the object to be diagnosed in order to diagnose the fault of the electrical contact. When the electrical contact is normally disconnected, current flows through the coil through the magnetic energy stored in the coil of the electromagnet.

[0132] Therefore, since the electric actuator is kept in standby mode during fault diagnosis, the electromagnet can be energized without passing through an electrical contact different from the one used to detect the fault, thus reducing the number of electrical contacts.

[0133] Furthermore, since faults in the electrical contacts can be diagnosed without activating the electric actuator, the presence or absence of faults in the electrical contacts can be determined even when the elevator system is in normal operation. Additionally, the safety controller can perform automatic diagnostics without relying on maintenance / repair work by technicians.

[0134] This invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiments and includes various modifications. For example, the foregoing embodiments have been described in detail for ease of understanding and to illustrate the invention, and are not necessarily limited to having all the described structures. Furthermore, other structures can be added to, deleted from, or replaced in relation to a part of the structure of the embodiments.

[0135] For example, an electrical contact can be used as long as reliability can be ensured.

[0136] Furthermore, the excitation current from the DC power supply can be used as the response signal from the excitation circuit. In this case, the excitation current is detected by a current sensor. If the excitation current is detected, the safety controller determines that the electrical contact is faulty. Conversely, if the current detection value is zero, the safety controller determines that the electrical contact is normal.

[0137] Alternatively, other position detection sensors can be used instead of the movable part detection switch 109, such as photoelectric position sensors, magnetic position sensors, proximity sensors (capacitive, inductive), etc.

[0138] In addition, the electric operator 10 can be located not only at the top of the car 1, but also at the bottom or side.

[0139] In addition, elevator installations can have a machine room or be so-called machine-room-less elevators.

[0140] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0141] 1…Car, 2…Emergency stop device, 4…Guide rail, 5…Roller, 6…Rotation detector, 7…Elevator controller, 10…Electric operator, 11…Operating lever, 12…Drive shaft, 13…Drive spring, 14…Fixing part, 15…Pressing component, 16…First working plate, 17…Connecting plate, 18…Second working plate, 19…First working shaft, 20…Second working shaft, 21…Pull rod, 30…Outer casing, 34a…Adsorption part, 34b…Support part, 34c… …Cam section, 35a, 35b…Electromagnet, 36…Feed screw, 37…Motor, 38…Connecting bracket, 39…Electromagnet support plate, 41…Support component, 50…Crosshead, 103…Safety controller, 104, 105…Electrical contacts, 107a, 107b…Fuse, 109…Moving part detection switch, 111…Battery, 112…Motor controller, 300…DC power supply, 200…Commercial single-phase AC power supply, 400…Traction machine.

Claims

1. An elevator device comprising: The car; An emergency stop device is located in the car; An electric actuator that activates the emergency stop device; and The controller, if the car becomes overspeeding, activates the electric actuator to engage the emergency stop device. The elevator device is characterized in that... The electric actuator includes: Electromagnet; and The excitation circuit includes a DC power supply connected to the coil of the electromagnet via electrical contacts. If the controller disconnects the electrical contact, thereby demagnetizing the electromagnet, the electric actuator will operate. The controller determines whether the electrical contact is open by issuing a disconnect command to the electrical contact, thereby diagnosing whether there is a fault in the electrical contact. When the controller is diagnosing the presence or absence of the fault and the electrical contact is open, current flows through the coil by the magnetic energy stored in the coil.

2. The elevator device according to claim 1, wherein, A surge voltage suppression protection circuit is connected to the coil. The current flowing through the coil is the circulating current flowing through the coil and the protection circuit.

3. The elevator device according to claim 2, wherein, The protection circuit is composed of diodes.

4. The elevator device according to claim 1, wherein, When in normal operating condition, the controller diagnoses the presence or absence of the fault.

5. The elevator device according to claim 1, wherein, The electric actuator has a movable part that is attracted to the electromagnet in the standby state. The current is used to maintain the attraction of the movable part to the electromagnet.

6. The elevator device according to claim 1, wherein, The electrical contact has a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact connected in series. The controller determines whether the other party is disconnected by assigning an on command and an off command to one of the first electrical contact and the other of the second electrical contact, respectively.

7. The elevator device according to claim 1, wherein, The controller diagnoses the presence or absence of the fault based on the response signal from the excitation circuit in response to the disconnect command.

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