Automatic control device for elevator at power failure, automatic control method for elevator at power failure

Abstract

An automatic control device for an elevator at the time of power failure, an automatic control method for an elevator at the time of power failure, in the case where power failure occurs after a car door is closed in a floor stop and before a passenger registers a car destination floor, an emergency power source is not switched. Thus, there is a problem that rescue operation cannot be performed and the passenger is trapped in the car. The automatic control device for an elevator at the time of power failure has an open door button provided to a car operating panel, having a first contact and a second contact, and performing opening of a door by detecting connection of the first contact at normal times; and a power failure operation control portion that inputs and holds a destination floor registration signal of the car output from a control panel control circuit provided to a control panel that performs operation control of the car, and determines whether the car needs to travel to a nearest floor based on whether the destination floor registration signal is held at the time of power failure, the power failure operation control portion performing control to perform opening of the door in the case where the second contact is connected in the power failure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an automatic control device and method for elevators during power outages. Background Technology

[0002] In the event of a power outage in the elevator, an emergency power source such as a battery is used to move the car to the nearest floor. Then, the doors are opened to prevent passengers from being trapped inside.

[0003] In Patent Document 1, when a power outage occurs, if the destination floor of the elevator car was registered before the outage, it is assumed that there are passengers in the car, and the emergency power supply is switched on to move the car to the nearest floor. If no destination floor is registered, it is assumed that there are no passengers in the car, and the emergency power supply is not switched on, and no action is taken. Thus, an elevator that prevents the consumption of emergency power supply is disclosed.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Utility Model Application No. 58-23869

[0005] In the elevator described in Patent Document 1, for example, if a power outage occurs after the car has stopped at a floor and the doors have closed, but before passengers register for their destination floor, the power supply is not switched to emergency power. This creates a problem where rescue operations cannot be performed, leaving passengers trapped inside the car. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This disclosure was made to solve such a problem. Its purpose is to provide an automatic control device for elevators during power outages, which, in the event of a power outage, minimizes battery consumption to the necessary minimum while preventing passengers from being trapped, even if the passengers have not registered their destination floor in the elevator car.

[0007] The automatic control device for elevators disclosed herein during power outages includes: a door opening button located on the car operation panel, having a first contact and a second contact, which normally opens the door by detecting the connection of the first contact; and a power outage operation control unit that inputs and maintains a destination floor registration signal of the car output from a control panel control circuit located on a control panel for controlling the operation of the car, and, when a power outage occurs, determines whether the car needs to travel to the nearest floor based on whether the destination floor registration signal is maintained, and the power outage operation control unit controls the door to open when the second contact is connected during a power outage.

[0008] Furthermore, the automatic control method for elevators during power outages disclosed herein includes the following steps: Step 1, detecting a power outage; Step 2, determining whether a destination floor registration was performed when the power outage occurred; Step 3, if a destination floor registration was performed, using an emergency battery to move the car stopped between floors to the nearest floor; and Step 4, if a destination floor registration was not performed and the door opening button on the car's control panel is activated, using an emergency battery to open the car door.

[0009] Furthermore, the automatic control method for elevators during power outages disclosed herein includes the following steps: Step 1, detecting a power outage; Step 2, determining whether a destination floor registration was performed when the power outage occurred; Step 3, if a destination floor registration was performed, supplying power from the emergency battery to the control power circuit of the control panel controlling the traction machine and the car door control power circuit of the car door control circuit, causing the car stopped between floors to travel to the nearest floor; and Step 4, if no destination floor registration was performed and the door opening button on the car operation panel installed in the car is operated, supplying power from the emergency battery to the car door control power circuit of the car door control circuit, and opening the car door.

[0010] According to this disclosure, in the event of a power outage, battery consumption can be minimized to the necessary minimum, and passengers can be prevented from being trapped even if they have not registered their destination floor in the car. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 This is an overall structural diagram of the automatic control device for elevators during power outages according to Embodiment 1.

[0012] Figure 2 This is a structural diagram showing the circuit of Implementation 1 that only picks up circuits that are normally active.

[0013] Figure 3 This is a structural diagram showing the circuit of Implementation 1 that only picks up the circuit that is effective when a power outage occurs.

[0014] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of the operation of the automatic control device for elevators in Implementation Method 1 when a power outage occurs.

[0015] Figure 5 This is a timing diagram of the automatic control device for the elevator during a power outage according to Embodiment 1.

[0016] Figure 6 This is a timing diagram of the automatic control device for the elevator during a power outage according to Embodiment 1.

[0017] Figure 7 This is a timing diagram of the automatic control device for the elevator during a power outage according to Embodiment 1.

[0018] Label Explanation

[0019] 1: Control panel; 2: Power supply; 3: Emergency battery; 4: Power outage control circuit; 5: Battery charging circuit; 6: Control panel control circuit; 7: Control power supply circuit; 10: Car door control device; 11: Car door control circuit; 12: Car door control power supply circuit; 13: Car operating panel power supply circuit; 14: Emergency control power supply circuit; 15: Emergency control circuit; 20: Car operating panel; 21: Door opening button; 21a: First contact; 21b: Second contact; 22: Button control circuit; 31: Power outage light; 32: Intercom. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The following is a detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings. Repetitive descriptions have been simplified or omitted where appropriate. In the drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same or equivalent parts.

[0021] Implementation Method 1

[0022] Figure 1 This is an overall structural diagram of the automatic control device for the elevator during a power outage, as shown in Implementation Method 1. Figure 1 In the middle, the control panel 1 has a power supply 2, an emergency battery 3, a power outage control circuit 4, a battery charging circuit 5, a control panel control circuit 6, and a control power supply circuit 7.

[0023] Power source 2, such as commercial power, supplies power to the elevator under normal circumstances. Emergency battery 3 is used to supply power in emergencies. Power outage control circuit 4 controls the power supply from emergency battery 3 when a power outage occurs. Battery charging circuit 5 uses power source 2 to charge the emergency battery under normal circumstances. Control panel control circuit 6 controls the traction machine 30 that moves the car and other elevator equipment. Control power supply circuit 7 generates power to be supplied to control panel control circuit 6.

[0024] The car door control device 10 for controlling the elevator car doors includes a car door control circuit 11, a car door control power supply circuit 12, a car operation panel power supply circuit 13, an emergency control power supply circuit 14, and an emergency control circuit 15. Furthermore, the car operation panel 20 includes a door opening button 21 and a button control circuit 22.

[0025] The car door control circuit 11 controls the car door. The car door control power supply circuit 12 generates power to be supplied to the car door control circuit 11. The car operation panel power supply circuit 13 generates power to be supplied to the car operation panel 20. The emergency control power supply circuit 14 generates power from the emergency battery 3 to power the intercom 32 and the power outage light 31. The emergency control circuit 15 controls the intercom 32 and the power outage light 31 in an emergency. In addition, the power outage control circuit 4 and the emergency control circuit 15 constitute the operation control unit during a power outage.

[0026] The door opening button 21 is pressed by a passenger, for example, when they wish to keep the door open. The door opening button 21 has a two-contact structure with a first contact 21a and a second contact 21b. When a passenger presses the door opening button 21, the first contact 21a is activated, and the button control circuit 22 detects this activation. Furthermore, the second contact 21b is activated, and the emergency control circuit 15 detects this activation. Normally, the button control circuit 22 detects the operation of the door opening button 21 by activating the first contact 21a and sends an opening command to the car door control circuit 11.

[0027] Figure 2 Is Figure 1 Only the circuit structure diagram that is normally valid is picked up.

[0028] exist Figure 2 In normal operation, the control power circuit 7, supplied with power from the power source 2, generates power for the control panel control circuit 6. Similarly, the car door control power circuit 12, supplied with power from the power source 2, generates power for the car door control circuit 11. The car operation panel power circuit 13, supplied with power from the power source 2, generates power for the push-button control circuit 22 and the car operation panel 20. Thus, the control panel control circuit 6, the car door control circuit 11, and the push-button control circuit 22 function effectively.

[0029] In addition, the emergency battery 3 is charged by the battery charging circuit 5. Simultaneously, the emergency battery 3 supplies power to the emergency control power circuit 14, enabling the emergency control circuit 15 to function. Meanwhile, the power outage control circuit 4 monitors whether the normal power supply 2 is functioning correctly. Furthermore, it receives and maintains the current car destination floor registration signal from the control panel control circuit 6. Thus, preparations are made for a power outage.

[0030] Next, the actions taken when a power outage occurs will be explained. Figure 3 Is Figure 1 The diagram only captures the circuit structure that is effective when a power outage occurs. Figure 4 This is a flowchart of the actions taken when a power outage occurs.

[0031] First, when a power outage occurs, the power outage control circuit 4 detects the power outage (step S001). If the power outage control circuit 4 has already sent the car's destination floor registration signal from the control panel control circuit 6, it maintains the signal. Then, the power outage control circuit 4 determines whether destination floor registration was performed when the power outage occurred (step S002).

[0032] When a power outage occurs due to a designated floor registration, the system automatically operates. Then, the power outage control circuit 4 supplies power to the emergency battery 3 to the control power circuit 7, the car door control power circuit 12, and the car operation panel power circuit 13. This causes the car, which is stopped midway between floors due to the power outage, to travel to the nearest floor. Then, after the car stops at the floor, the door opens and then closes (step S003). This allows passengers inside the car to be rescued. Afterwards, the power outage control circuit 4 cuts off the power supply to each power circuit (step S004).

[0033] Figure 5 This is an example of a timing diagram for an automatic control device during a power outage, where there is a targeted floor registration process. Additionally, in... Figure 5 In this context, the time intervals are set from T1 to T10.

[0034] At T1, the passenger presses the destination floor button in the car. At T2, with this operation, the power outage control circuit 4 receives and holds the destination floor registration signal from the control panel control circuit 6. At T3, a power outage occurs, and at T4, the power outage control circuit 4 performs a detection. At T5, the power outage control circuit 4 automatically operates when a power outage is required. At T6, power from the emergency battery 3 is supplied to the control power circuit 7, the car door control power circuit 12, and the car operation panel power circuit 13. Then, the car resumes its journey. At T7, the car reaches the nearest floor. At T8, an open door command is issued, and the door opens. At T9, a close door command is issued, and the door closes. At T10, power is cut off, disconnecting the power supply to the control power circuit 7, the car door control power circuit 12, and the car operation panel power circuit 13.

[0035] On the other hand, in step S002, if there is no destination floor registration, the power outage control circuit 4 does not supply power to the emergency battery 3 to the control power circuit 7, the car door control power circuit 12, and the car operation panel power circuit 13.

[0036] Figure 6 This diagram shows the timing of the automatic control device during a power outage when there is no immediate car destination floor registration. Here, at T3, a power outage occurs; at T4, the power outage control circuit 4 detects the power outage. Then, at T5, the power outage control circuit 4 automatically operates when a power outage is not required.

[0037] Here, a power outage occurs when a passenger boards the car at a floor level and the doors are closed, but before the passenger presses the button for their destination floor. In this state, power is not supplied to the control power circuit 7, the car door control power circuit 12, and the car operation panel power circuit 13.

[0038] In this situation, when passengers inside the car want to escape, they operate the door opening button 21 on the car control panel 20. This activates the second contact 21b. The emergency control circuit 15 is active and therefore detects that the second contact 21b is activated (step S005). Upon detecting that the second contact 21b is activated, the emergency control circuit 15 sends a power restoration request signal to the power outage control circuit 4. Upon receiving the power restoration request signal, the power outage control circuit 4 automatically operates when a power outage is required. Then, the power outage control circuit 4 supplies power to the emergency battery 3 to the control power circuit 7, the car door control power circuit 12, and the car control panel power circuit 13. As a result, the button control circuit 22 detects the activation of the first contact 21a and sends a door opening command to the car door control circuit 11. The door then opens. Afterwards, the door closes (step S006). Thus, passengers can exit the car. Then, the power outage control circuit 4 controls the cutting off of power supply to each power circuit (step S007).

[0039] Figure 7 This diagram shows the timing of the automatic control device during a power outage when no destination floor is registered at the time of the outage, and subsequently, a passenger in the car operates the door opening button 21 on the car control panel. Here, at T3, a power outage occurs; at T4, the power outage control circuit 4 detects the outage. Then, at T5, the power outage control circuit 4 automatically operates when a power outage is not required. At T11, a passenger operates the door opening button. Consequently, at T12, the emergency control circuit 15 detects that the second contact 21b is closed and sends a power restoration request signal to the power outage control circuit 4. At T13, the power outage control circuit 4 automatically operates when a power outage is required. At T14, power is supplied to the emergency battery 3 to the control power circuit 7, the car door control power circuit 12, and the car control panel power circuit 13. At T15, an opening command is issued, and the door opens. At T16, a closing command is issued, and the door closes. At T17, it is permissible to cut off the power supply to the control power circuit 7, the car door control power circuit 12, and the car operation panel power circuit 13.

[0040] By employing this structure, when the car stops between floors during a power outage but there is no immediate call to the destination floor, it avoids unnecessary tripping to the nearest floor, thereby suppressing battery consumption. Furthermore, even if someone is trapped inside the car for some reason while it is stopped at a floor, they can escape by pressing the door open button. Even if the door open button is not pressed, the battery consumption is suppressed by avoiding unnecessary eviction actions involving opening and closing the doors.

[0041] In addition, the door opening button 21 is configured with two contacts, but it can also have more than two contacts.

[0042] Furthermore, when automatic operation is required during a power outage, power from the emergency battery 3 can be supplied only to the necessary power circuits in the control power circuit 7, the car door control power circuit 12, and the car operation panel power circuit 13. For example, when the car is moving to the nearest floor, power supply to the car operation panel power circuit 13 is not necessary.

[0043] Furthermore, in elevators, sometimes the destination floor is registered even without touching the car control panel 20. In this case, to illuminate the registered destination floor button, a destination floor button illumination signal is output to the car control panel 20. Therefore, the power outage control circuit 4 can also maintain the destination floor button illumination signal as the destination floor registration signal.

[0044] Implementation Method 2

[0045] Furthermore, in Embodiment 1, if no destination floor is registered when a power outage occurs, the power supply from the emergency battery 3 is cut off, and then power is supplied from the emergency battery 3 when the door opening button 21 on the car control panel 20 is pressed. In Embodiment 2, the activation signal of the second contact 21b of the door opening button 21 on the car control panel, which is connected to the emergency control circuit 15, is also sent to the car door control circuit 11. In this case, the car door control circuit 11 uses this activation signal as a door opening command. Even if the button control circuit 22 malfunctions due to a fault in the car control panel power supply circuit 13, the car door control circuit 11 still detects the activation signal of the door opening button 21 on the car control panel from the emergency control circuit 15. Thus, by performing the door opening operation, it is possible to prevent people from being trapped inside the car.

[0046] The preferred embodiments have been described in detail above, but are not limited to these embodiments. Various modifications and substitutions can be made to the above embodiments without departing from the scope of disclosure.

[0047] Furthermore, when the number, quantity, quantity, range, etc., of each element are mentioned in the embodiments, the apparatus of this disclosure is not limited to the mentioned number, unless specifically stated or clearly determined in principle. Additionally, the structures, etc., described in these embodiments are not necessarily essential, unless specifically stated or clearly determined in principle.

Claims

1. An automatic control device for an elevator during a power outage, which uses an emergency battery to keep the elevator car running during a power outage, characterized in that, The elevator's automatic control device during a power outage has the following features: A door opening button, located on the car control panel, has a first contact and a second contact. Normally, the door is opened by detecting the activation of the first contact; and During a power outage, the operation control unit receives and maintains the car's destination floor registration signal, which is output from the control panel control circuit located on the control panel used to control the car's operation. Upon a power outage, based on whether the destination floor registration signal is maintained, it determines whether the car needs to proceed to the nearest floor. When the second contact is closed during a power outage, the operation control unit controls the opening of the door.

2. The automatic control device for elevator during power outage according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the elevator is de-energized, the automatic control device has a button control circuit that detects the connection of the first contact and commands the door to open, and a car door control circuit that receives the command and performs the door opening.

3. The automatic control device for elevator during power outage according to claim 2, characterized in that, The power outage operation control unit includes a power outage control circuit that inputs and maintains the destination floor registration signal of the car, and an emergency control circuit that detects the connection / disconnection of the second contact. When the emergency control circuit detects the connection of the second contact, it sends a power restoration request signal to the power outage control circuit. Based on the power restoration request signal, the power outage control circuit supplies power from the emergency battery to the car door control power circuit of the car door control circuit, the car operation panel power circuit of the car operation panel, and the control power circuit of the control panel control circuit.

4. The automatic control device for elevator during power outage according to claim 3, characterized in that, When the power supply circuit for the car control panel fails, the car door control circuit receives the connection of the second contact sent from the emergency control circuit and opens the door.

5. An automatic control method for an elevator during a power outage, wherein an emergency battery is used to keep the elevator car running during a power outage, characterized in that... The automatic control method for this elevator during a power outage includes the following steps: Step 1: Detect the power outage; Step 2: Determine whether the destination floor was registered when the power outage occurred; Step 3: After registering the destination floor, use the emergency battery to move the car stopped between floors to the nearest floor. as well as Step 4: If the destination floor has not been registered and the door opening button on the car control panel is activated, the emergency battery is used to open the car door.

6. An automatic control method for an elevator during a power outage, wherein an emergency battery is used to keep the elevator car running during a power outage, characterized in that, The automatic control method for this elevator during a power outage includes the following steps: Step 1: Detect the power outage; Step 2: Determine whether the destination floor was registered when the power outage occurred; In the third step, after the destination floor registration is completed, power is supplied from the emergency battery to the control power circuit of the control panel control circuit of the traction machine and the car door control power circuit of the car door control circuit, so that the car stopped between floors moves to the nearest floor. as well as Step 4: If the destination floor has not been registered and the door opening button on the car control panel of the car has been operated, power is supplied from the emergency battery to the car door control power circuit of the car door control circuit to open the car door.

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