Elevator system

Abstract

An elevator system capable of detecting faults on floors with poor radio wave conditions. The elevator system disclosed herein includes: a monitoring device installed in the elevator car to monitor the elevator's operating status; and a communication device connected to the monitoring device for wireless communication with a base station. The monitoring device is configured to perform a radio wave check when the car stops at a floor, detecting floors where the radio wave strength meets a benchmark and floors where the radio wave strength does not meet a benchmark. If the monitoring device determines that an unqualified floor has been reached, it notifies a monitoring center.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to elevator systems. Background Technology

[0002] The existing elevator system disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes: a first communication terminal, which is set as a master unit and connects to a cloud server using radio waves of a first wireless frequency band; and a second communication terminal, which is set as a slave unit near the monitored device and transmits data indicating the status of the device to the first communication terminal using radio waves of a second wireless frequency band. The first communication terminal transmits the data received from the second communication terminal to the cloud server for fault diagnosis of the device. The first communication terminal is characterized by comprising: a retry communication unit, which retryes communication after a certain period of standby time if it cannot receive the data from the second communication terminal at a predetermined start time of periodic communication; a time change unit, which changes the start time of the periodic communication after a certain number of consecutive retry communications; and a frequency band change unit, which changes the channel of the second wireless frequency band after a certain number of consecutive retry communications following the change of the start time of the periodic communication.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-202922

[0004] Sometimes, a monitoring device is installed in the elevator car to monitor the elevator. In this case, communication is carried out through a communication device connected to the monitoring device, but there is a problem that it is impossible to make notifications on floors with poor radio wave conditions. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This disclosure was made to solve the aforementioned problems. The purpose of this disclosure is to provide an elevator system capable of detecting faults on floors with poor radio wave conditions.

[0006] The elevator system disclosed herein includes: a monitoring device installed in the car to monitor the elevator's operating status; and a communication device connected to the monitoring device to wirelessly communicate with a base station. The monitoring device is configured to perform a radio wave check when the car stops at a floor, checking the strength of the radio waves received by the communication device, detecting qualified (OK) floors where the radio wave strength meets the benchmark and unqualified floors where the radio wave strength does not meet the benchmark. If the monitoring device determines that an unqualified (NG) floor has been reached, it will notify the monitoring center.

[0007] According to this disclosure, an elevator system capable of detecting faults on floors with poor radio wave conditions can be provided. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the elevator system of implementation method 1.

[0009] Figure 2 It is a block diagram representing the structure of an elevator system.

[0010] Figure 3 This is a block diagram of the monitoring device.

[0011] Figure 4 It is a management table of radio wave reception status stored in the storage device of the monitoring device.

[0012] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation in Implementation Method 1.

[0013] Figure 6 This is a flowchart showing the start and end of monitoring on the monitoring device side.

[0014] Figure 7 This is a flowchart showing the start and end of attention on the central device side.

[0015] Figure 8 It is a timing diagram that represents the operation examples of the monitoring device and the central device.

[0016] Figure 9 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the structure that implements the functions of the control device and the central device in Embodiment 1.

[0017] Label Explanation

[0018] 1: Elevator system; 2: Building; 3: Elevator; 5: Monitoring device; 5d: Wireless communication unit; 5e: Display unit; 5f: Operation unit; 5g: Accelerometer sensor; 6: Control device; 7: Modem; 8: Communication network; 9: Base station; 10: Central device; 11: Monitoring center; 12: Shaft; 13: Terminal; 600: Dedicated hardware; 601: Processor; 602: Memory. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, common or corresponding elements are labeled with the same reference numerals, and descriptions are simplified or omitted. The structures shown in the embodiments below represent an example of the technical concept of this disclosure, and can be combined with other known technologies, as well as with multiple technical concepts described in this disclosure. Furthermore, parts of the structure can be omitted or modified without departing from the spirit of this disclosure.

[0020] Implementation method 1.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating elevator system 1 according to embodiment 1. (As shown...) Figure 1As shown, an elevator 3 is installed in building 2. The elevator car 4 is configured to move up and down within a shaft 12 via a traction machine (not shown). The shaft 12 runs through all floors of building 2. Figure 1 In the example, the floors are from the 1st to the 3rd floor.

[0022] The elevator system 1 of this embodiment includes a monitoring device 5, which is installed in the car 4 to monitor the operating status of the elevator 3. The monitoring device 5 is installed, for example, on the car 4.

[0023] Control device 6 controls the operation of car 4. Monitoring device 5 may not be connected to control device 6. Since monitoring device 5 may not be connected to control device 6, it can monitor elevators 3 manufactured by other companies.

[0024] Figure 2 This is a block diagram representing the structure of elevator system 1. For example, a 4G modem 7 is connected to monitoring device 5. Modem 7 is an example of a communication device that wirelessly communicates with base station 9 of communication network 8. Monitoring device 5 is connected to central device 10, which acts as a server, via modem 7, base station 9, and communication network 8. Figure 1 As shown, the central device 10 is located in a monitoring center 11 in a building different from building 2. A terminal 13 with a display unit is provided in the monitoring center 11.

[0025] Figure 3 This is a block diagram of monitoring device 5. (For example...) Figure 3 As shown, the monitoring device 5 includes a CPU 5a, a RAM 5b as a storage device, a ROM 5c as a storage device, a wireless communication unit 5d, a display unit 5e, an operation unit 5f, and an acceleration sensor 5g.

[0026] The monitoring device 5 uses an accelerometer 5g to detect malfunctions in the elevator 3. For example, if the accelerometer 5g detects an emergency stop of the car 4, the monitoring device 5 detects a malfunction in the elevator 3. Additionally, if the door sensor detects that the car 4 does not depart when the door is closed, the monitoring device 5 also detects a malfunction in the elevator 3.

[0027] The monitoring device 5 can detect which floor the elevator car 4 is located on using the accelerometer 5g. For example, if the acceleration detected by the accelerometer 5g is reversed vertically, it can detect that the elevator car 4 is on the top or bottom floor. Furthermore, the monitoring device 5 can detect the number of floors in the building by counting the number of stops at intermediate floors. And, the monitoring device 5 can detect the floor number by using the accelerometer 5g to detect the distance traveled from the top or bottom floor.

[0028] When the elevator car 4 stops at a floor, the monitoring device 5 performs a radio wave check on the strength of the radio waves received by the modem 7, identifying floors where the radio wave strength meets the standards (qualified floors) and floors where the radio wave strength does not meet the standards (unqualified floors). Therefore, the monitoring device 5 can notify the central device 10 when it moves to a floor with good radio wave conditions. Furthermore, by automatically notifying the central device 10 of floors with poor radio wave conditions, the risk of the elevator 3 failing to report a malfunction at a floor with poor radio wave conditions can be anticipated in advance.

[0029] If monitoring device 5 performs radio wave checks on the same floor within a certain time period, the radio wave checks are omitted. This avoids performing radio wave checks too frequently.

[0030] When monitoring device 5 performs a radio wave check, it resets the power supply of modem 7. As a result, modem 7 re-registers its location, thus enabling more accurate detection of the radio wave conditions on that floor.

[0031] If the monitoring device 5 moves the car 4 before the radio wave check is completed, it is considered that the radio wave check has not been performed. Therefore, the radio wave check can be re-performed when the car stops at the same floor next time.

[0032] If the monitoring device 5 detects a non-compliant floor where the radio wave intensity does not meet the standard, it notifies the monitoring center 11 of the detected non-compliant floor while docking at another floor. If this notification is unsuccessful, the notification is repeated while docking at another floor. This ensures reliable notification.

[0033] The monitoring device 5 can determine whether the car 4 has reached an unqualified floor. That is, the monitoring device 5 can determine whether the destination floor is an unqualified floor. If the monitoring device 5 determines that it has reached an unqualified floor, it notifies the monitoring center 11 of its intention to pay attention before the radio wave deteriorates, i.e., before the car 4 reaches the unqualified floor, and starts a first timer. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to notify the monitoring center 11 of its intention to pay attention when the car 4 reaches the unqualified floor, thus prompting the monitoring center 11 to notice that the floor is unqualified. Furthermore, the first timer can detect the time spent on the unqualified floor.

[0034] When monitoring center 11 receives a notification of concern from monitoring device 5, it starts a second timer. This allows it to detect the time spent on unqualified floors.

[0035] When monitoring device 5 determines that a floor has moved from a non-compliant floor to a compliant floor, it notifies monitoring center 11 that monitoring has ended and stops the first timer. This allows it to announce that monitoring of non-compliant floors is no longer necessary.

[0036] Upon receiving a notification indicating the end of monitoring, monitoring center 11 stops the second timer. Conversely, if monitoring center 11 does not receive a notification indicating the end of monitoring and the second timer expires, monitoring center 11 causes the monitoring screen of terminal 13 to display a message indicating that the elevator may have malfunctioned.

[0037] If the monitoring device 5 cannot determine whether the elevator has moved from an unqualified floor to a qualified floor and the first timer expires, it will report a malfunction to the outside world. For example, it may sound a buzzer on the monitoring device 5 or activate the contact of the intercom button on the elevator.

[0038] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the radio wave reception status management table stored in the storage device of monitoring device 5. Figure 4 This represents an image stored in the internal memory of monitoring device 5. For example... Figure 4 As shown, the storage device of monitoring device 5 can store the date and time of radio wave reception failure and the date and time of successful radio wave reception for each floor. Additionally, the storage device of monitoring device 5 includes a "Patient" flag. When a notification indicating a potential concern is received, the "Patient" flag is activated.

[0039] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation in Implementation Method 1. Figure 5 In step S1, the monitoring device 5 determines whether the car 4 is stopped at a floor. If the car 4 is stopped at a floor, it determines whether the date and time of successful radio wave reception at that floor is within a certain date and time. If the date and time of successful radio wave reception at that floor is within a certain date and time, it is considered that no radio wave check is needed, and the process proceeds to step S8. If the date and time of successful radio wave reception at that floor is not within a certain date and time, the process proceeds to step S3, and the monitoring device 5 begins radio wave check. Next, during the radio wave check, it determines whether the car 4 has moved. If the car 4 has moved, the process of this flowchart ends. If the car 4 has not moved during the radio wave check, it determines whether the radio wave strength meets the benchmark (step S5).

[0040] If the radio wave strength does not meet the reference, the monitoring device 5 records the history of radio wave reception failure (step S6), ending the processing of this flowchart. Conversely, if the radio wave strength meets the reference, the monitoring device 5 records the history of successful radio wave reception (step S7). Next, the monitoring device 5 determines whether there is a history of radio wave reception failure that has not been reported (step S8). If there is a history of radio wave reception failure that has not been reported, the monitoring device 5 reports the existence of the history of radio wave reception failure along with the floor information to the central device 10 (step S9). The monitoring device 5 determines whether the report is successful (step S10). If the report is successful, the history of radio wave reception failure is marked as reported (step S11).

[0041] As explained above, according to this embodiment, floors with poor electromagnetic wave conditions can be detected, and the central device 10 is notified when the elevator moves to a floor with good electromagnetic wave conditions. Furthermore, by automatically notifying the central device 10 of floors with poor electromagnetic wave conditions, the risk of the elevator 3 failing to notify the central device 10 in the event of a malfunction at a floor with poor electromagnetic wave conditions can be anticipated.

[0042] When the monitoring device 5 can communicate with the control device 6, the car 4 can be moved to a floor with good radio wave conditions while the monitoring device 5 is collecting data. This can more reliably prevent radio wave reception failure while the monitoring device 5 is collecting data.

[0043] Figure 6 This is a flowchart of the start and end of monitoring on the monitoring device 5 side. First, the monitoring device 5 determines whether the destination floor is an unqualified floor (step S21). That is, it determines whether the destination floor is a floor with a history of radio wave reception failure date and time, and whether it is a floor with a history of successful radio wave reception date and time that is more than a certain amount of time ago. If the destination floor is determined to be an unqualified floor, the monitoring device 5 notifies the monitoring center 11 that monitoring has begun, sets the monitoring flag to on, and sets the first timer to on (step S22).

[0044] Next, the monitoring device 5 determines whether the first timer has expired (step S23). If the first timer has not expired, it determines whether the car has moved to another floor (step S24). If the car has not moved to another floor, the monitoring device 5 returns to step S23 and determines whether the first timer has expired again. If the first timer has expired, the monitoring device 5 notifies the outside of a malfunction, for example, by sounding a buzzer or by activating the contacts of the intercom button on the elevator.

[0045] If, in step S24, it is determined that the car has moved to another floor that is a qualified floor, then in step S26, the monitoring device 5 turns off the first timer, turns off the buzzer, and turns off the contact of the intercom button.

[0046] If, in step S21, it is determined that the destination floor is a qualified floor rather than an unqualified floor, then it is determined whether the "Watchlist" flag is on (step S27). If the "Watchlist" flag is on, the monitoring device 5 notifies the user that the watchlist has ended and sets the "Watchlist" flag to off.

[0047] Figure 7 This is a flowchart of the start and end of attention on the central device 10 side. First, the central device 10 determines whether it has received a notification of the start of attention from the monitoring device 5 (step S31). If a notification of the start of attention is received from the monitoring device 5, the central device 10 starts a second timer. Next, the central device 10 determines whether it has received a notification of the end of attention from the monitoring device 5 (step S33).

[0048] If the central device 10 receives a notification from the monitoring device 5 indicating that the monitoring has ended, it closes the second timer (step S34). If it does not receive a notification from the monitoring device 5 indicating that the monitoring has ended, the central device 10 determines whether the second timer has expired (step S35). If the second timer has not expired, the process from step S33 onwards is repeated. If the second timer expires, the process proceeds to step S36, and an alarm is displayed on the monitoring screen of the terminal 13 of the monitoring center 11.

[0049] Figure 8 This is a timing diagram illustrating the operation of monitoring device 5 and central device 10. For example... Figure 8 As shown, when monitoring device 5 determines that an unqualified floor has been reached, it starts a first timer. Upon receiving this notification, the central device 10 of monitoring center 11 starts a second timer. Furthermore, when monitoring device 5 determines that the elevator has moved from an unqualified floor to a qualified floor, it notifies the central device 10 of monitoring center 11 that the monitoring has ended and stops the first timer. Upon receiving the notification that the monitoring has ended, the central device 10 of monitoring center 11 stops the second timer. If no notification of the end of monitoring is received and the second timer expires, the monitoring screen of terminal 13 displays an alarm indicating a possible elevator malfunction.

[0050] If the monitoring device 5 cannot determine whether the user has moved from an unqualified floor to a qualified floor and the first timer expires, it will notify the outside world of a malfunction by sounding a buzzer.

[0051] As explained above, according to this embodiment, a means is provided to notify the elevator when it travels to an unqualified floor with poor radio wave conditions and fails to move to a qualified floor with good radio wave conditions within a certain period of time. This reduces the impact of the elevator being unable to notify the elevator when a malfunction occurs on a floor with poor radio wave conditions.

[0052] Figure 9 This diagram illustrates an example of the structure for implementing the functions of the control device 6 and the central device 10 in Embodiment 1. The functions of the control device 6 and the central device 10 are implemented, for example, by a processing circuit. The processing circuit may also be dedicated hardware 600. The processing circuit may also include a processor 601 and a memory 602. Alternatively, a portion of the processing circuit may be formed as dedicated hardware 600, and this processing circuit may also include a processor 601 and a memory 602. Figure 9 In the example shown, a portion of the processing circuitry is configured as dedicated hardware 600. Additionally, in Figure 9 In the example shown, in addition to dedicated hardware 600, the processing circuit also includes a processor 601 and a memory 602.

[0053] A portion of the processing circuitry is at least one dedicated hardware 600, such as a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination thereof.

[0054] When the processing circuit has at least one processor 601 and at least one memory 602, the functions of each part of the control device 6 and the central device 10 are implemented by software, firmware or a combination of software and firmware.

[0055] Software and firmware are described as programs and stored in memory 602. Processor 601 implements the functions of each part by reading and executing the programs stored in memory 602. Processor 601 is also called CPU (Central Processing Unit), central processing unit, processing unit, arithmetic unit, microprocessor, microcomputer, or DSP. Memory 602 is, for example, non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as RAM, ROM, flash memory, EPROM, and EEPROM, or disks such as floppy disks, optical disks, compact disks, mini disks, and DVDs.

[0056] In this way, the processing circuitry can implement the functions of the control device 6 and the central device 10 through hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. Furthermore, the functions of the control device 6 and the central device 10 can be implemented through the cooperation of multiple devices or through a single device. Additionally, at least some of the functions of the control device 6 and the central device 10 can be installed on a server or similar device on an external network.

Claims

1. An elevator system comprising: a monitoring device disposed in the elevator car to monitor the elevator's operating status; and a communication device connected to the monitoring device for wireless communication with a base station, wherein... The monitoring device is configured to perform an electromagnetic wave check when the car stops at a floor, checking the strength of the electromagnetic waves received by the communication device, and detecting qualified floors where the electromagnetic wave strength meets the benchmark and unqualified floors where the electromagnetic wave strength does not meet the benchmark. If the monitoring device determines that the elevator car has reached the unqualified floor, it will notify the monitoring center.

2. The elevator system according to claim 1, wherein, When the monitoring device determines that the car has reached the unqualified floor, it starts the first timer.

3. The elevator system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, Upon receiving the notification, the monitoring center starts a second timer.

4. The elevator system according to claim 2, wherein, When the monitoring device determines that the car has moved from the unqualified floor to the qualified floor, it notifies the monitoring center that the monitoring has ended and stops the first timer.

5. The elevator system according to claim 1, wherein, When the monitoring device determines that the elevator car has reached the unqualified floor, it starts the first timer. Upon receiving the notification, the monitoring center starts a second timer. When the monitoring device determines that the elevator car has moved from the unqualified floor to the qualified floor, it notifies the monitoring center that the monitoring has ended and stops the first timer. Upon receiving a notification indicating the end of monitoring, the monitoring center stops the second timer. If no notification indicating the end of monitoring is received and the second timer times out, the terminal displays a message indicating that the elevator may have malfunctioned.

6. The elevator system according to claim 2, 4 or 5, wherein, If the monitoring device is unable to determine whether the car has moved from the unqualified floor to the qualified floor and the first timer has expired, it shall report a malfunction to the outside.

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