Diagnostic device

Abstract

Diagnostic device for a transport system, preferably an elevator system, comprising a conveyor (4), preferably a storage, transport or conveying basket, drive elements (1) for the conveyor (4) and a control system, with a sensor (10) installable in the conveyor (4) for detecting one or more physical parameters of the conveyor (4), an evaluation unit (8) arranged outside the conveyor (4) and a data transmission device for direct data transmission of the measured physical parameters to the evaluation unit (8), wherein the data transmission device comprises a line (6) connecting the evaluation unit (8) to the sensor (10), wherein the sensor (10) is designed as an acceleration sensor (10), characterized in that the line (6) is designed as a power supply line (6) connected to the transporter and supplying it with electricity, wherein the data transmission device comprises a PowerLine modem device (9) for generating a PLC signal, and wherein the PowerLine modem device (9) is designed for frequency-modulated data transmission, wherein the power supply line (6) is designed to be switched without voltage for data transmission and wherein the evaluation unit (8) is designed as a Personal Digital Assistant (8).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a diagnostic device for a transport system, preferably an elevator system, which has a conveyor, preferably a storage, driving or conveyor cage, drive elements for the conveyor and a control system, with a measuring sensor which can be installed in the conveyor for detecting one or more physical characteristics of the conveyor, an evaluation unit arranged outside the conveyor and a data transmission device for the direct data transmission of the measured physical characteristics to the evaluation unit.

[0002] Such a diagnostic device is described, for example, in EP 0 573 432. In this previously known diagnostic device, it is proposed that a measuring sensor be designed as a portable measuring unit detachably attached to the elevator car to record the acceleration value of a passenger or freight elevator. Provision is made for the acceleration values ​​determined by the measuring sensor to be temporarily stored in a buffer. According to this prior art, this buffer is a component of the measuring sensor, which is attached to the elevator car. Furthermore, according to the prior art, the measuring sensor to be attached to the elevator car comprises a trigger module, which initiates the recording and storage of the measured values ​​using a timer. The buffering of the measured values ​​should enable the measuring sensor to be used independently of the evaluation unit.Direct data transmission between the sensor and the evaluation unit is not provided.

[0003] A disadvantage of this previously known diagnostic device, however, is that direct evaluation of the data in real-time operation is not possible due to the lack of direct data transmission. Instead, the evaluation must be carried out later in the evaluation unit. The use of the previously known diagnostic device, for example, for remote maintenance is therefore not possible.

[0004] Another diagnostic device for diagnosing elevator systems is known from DE 101 50 284. This device presents a diagnostic device and an associated method for diagnosing elevator systems in which the acceleration of a moving elevator car is continuously measured using an accelerometer. In contrast to the previously known diagnostic device described above, in this case, a direct transmission of the measured acceleration data to an evaluation unit is provided. The evaluation unit is located outside the elevator car. To transmit the measured data from the accelerometer to the evaluation unit, a wireless transmission of the acceleration data to the evaluation unit is proposed.

[0005] While this diagnostic device overcomes the disadvantage of the aforementioned system, namely its inability to transmit data in real time, by directly transmitting the measured acceleration data to the evaluation unit, it also has the disadvantage that the wireless data transmission provided is potentially error-prone. This is primarily due to the fact that elevator systems typically experience strong electromagnetic interference, and the routing of the radio signal out of the elevator shaft can also be problematic. In many cases, it may be necessary to install a radio receiver unit inside the elevator shaft, and the signal received by the receiver must ultimately be routed from the elevator shaft to the evaluation unit via a wired cable.In any case, a considerable amount of additional technical effort is required to transmit data through the elevator shaft to the outside.

[0006] The document DE 101 50 284 A1 discloses a diagnostic device for diagnosing elevator systems, wherein the elevator car has an acceleration sensor for determining acceleration values ​​of the elevator car, wherein the acceleration values ​​are transmitted as a digital pulse-width modulated signal via a data transmission interface to an evaluation unit, and wherein the data transmission takes place according to the RS232 or Centronics standard.

[0007] Document US 6,357,554 B1 discloses an elevator equipped with a matrix of weight sensors on the floor of the elevator car. The weight sensors are connected via a cable to an evaluation unit located outside the elevator car.

[0008] The document DE 42 07 466 A1 discloses an elevator control, but not a diagnostic device for a transport system.

[0009] The document DE 693 11 082 T2 discloses a system for the supervision and monitoring of an elevator installation, wherein a pair of conductors is provided for data and audio transmission as well as for the transmission of electrical power between a car unit and a base unit.

[0010] The document EP 0 573 432 B1 discloses a diagnostic device for a transport system equipped with a measuring sensor and an evaluation unit, wherein direct data transmission between the measuring sensor and the evaluation unit is not provided.

[0011] US 2003 / 0089558 A1 discloses a PLC system used in an elevator system.

[0012] From DE 295 03 121 U1 a control system for a cabin, transport platform or the like of an elevator is already known.

[0013] GB 2 300 849 A concerns a communications system.

[0014] JP H10 - 231 070 A describes a diagnostic device for detecting an anomaly in an elevator.

[0015] The Japanese laid-open publication JP 2001 - 341 956 A discloses a method and a system for remote maintenance of an elevator.

[0016] A method for testing elevator, storage or conveyor systems is already known from DE 42 17 587 C2.

[0017] A PLC system using anti-resonance isolation and virtual ground signaling is previously known from US 6 417 762 B1.

[0018] US 5 818 127 A discloses the transmission of frequency-modulated video signals over different lines.

[0019] From US 3 810 096 A a method and a system for transmitting data and for displaying a room status are already known.

[0020] US Patent Application No. 4,307,380 A concerns the transmission of signals over alternating current networks.

[0021] A communication system for an electrical power grid is previously known from US 3 702 460 A.

[0022] Finally, US 2004 / 0 177 167 A1 discloses network audio systems.

[0023] The present invention is therefore based on the object of providing an improved diagnostic device of the type mentioned at the outset, which allows a direct evaluation of the measured data with the least possible additional effort.

[0024] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a diagnostic device according to claim 1.

[0025] A diagnostic device of the type mentioned above is described, in which the data transmission device comprises a cable connecting the evaluation unit to the measuring sensor. The advantage is that this enables data transmission to the evaluation unit located outside the conveyor in a particularly simple and, above all, less susceptible to failure manner.

[0026] If the line is designed as a separate measuring line, the data can be transmitted via the separate measuring line without causing interference that could possibly be caused by the simultaneous use of this line for other purposes.

[0027] A particularly advantageous design of the diagnostic device is achieved if the cable is designed as a power supply line connected to the conveyor and supplies it with power. In this case, no additional structures are required for data transmission. As a rule, the elevator cars are supplied with power by a power cable, which ensures the supply of power to the electrical components installed in and on the car. The inventive use of this power supply line, which is already present in every elevator system, for data transmission is therefore particularly simple and cost-effective. In particular, there is no need to worry about problems with the cable routing of the data transmission cable for the diagnostic device, since the power supply line of the elevator car is already laid in such a way that it does not obstruct the travel path.Likewise, the transmission of the signal from the elevator shaft to the outside has already been solved with the inventive use of the power supply line as a data transmission line.

[0028] In a special embodiment of the diagnostic device, the data transmission device includes a power line modem for generating a PLC signal. This advantageously enables the data transmission of the measurement data even when the power supply line is simultaneously supplying the elevator car with electrical power. The measurement signal is superimposed on the mains voltage by the PLC modem. On the receiving side, the mains voltage is demodulated outside the elevator shaft to recover the measurement signal information. PLC modems are particularly readily available on the market, making the use of standard components from series production simple and cost-effective. The PLC signal can comply with the CENELEC standard. PLC modems are generally known for universal data acquisition and system control.They are therefore particularly well-suited for data acquisition in building automation and for remote maintenance, especially remote diagnostics, of systems. The inventive use of a power line modem device for the generic diagnostic device for a transport system, preferably an elevator system, is therefore advantageously cost-effective and highly reliable.

[0029] It is particularly beneficial for the electromagnetic environment of transportation systems if the power line modem device is designed for frequency-modulated data transmission. Frequency-modulated data transmission via the power cable has proven to be particularly immune to interference in such systems.

[0030] In the diagnostic device according to the invention, the power supply line for data transmission is designed to be switchable to de-energize. This advantageously allows the direct connection of the elevator car power supply to the control cabinet, which is usually located in the machine room or at a landing, to eliminate all interference from sources such as frequency converters by simply disconnecting the cable from the power supply cabinet.

[0031] A particularly flexible embodiment of the diagnostic device according to the invention, which can be adapted to the specific environmental conditions of the transport system to be tested, is obtained if the data transmission device is designed for analog and / or digital data transmission and includes an amplifier. Depending on the distance to be bridged by the data transmission, the signal can be amplified appropriately using the amplifier.

[0032] To prevent data loss in the event of faulty transmissions, it is advantageous according to the invention for the data transmission device to include a buffer memory. The buffer memory advantageously makes it possible to resend faulty transmitted data, thus preventing data loss.

[0033] The invention is particularly practical because the evaluation unit is designed as a personal digital assistant (PDA). The storage and often also computing power of these particularly handy pocket computers has reached a level in recent years that easily allows the storage of measurement data from a generic diagnostic device. Even simple evaluations can be easily performed with the particularly handy PDA. A significantly more cumbersome PC or laptop is advantageously dispensable with this variant of the invention.

[0034] The invention is described by way of example in a preferred embodiment with reference to a drawing, wherein further advantageous details can be taken from the figures of the drawing.

[0035] Functionally identical parts are provided with the same reference symbols.

[0036] The figures in the drawing show in detail: Fig. 1: Schematic representation of an elevator system with traction sheave drive with the diagnostic device according to the invention. Fig. 2: schematic representation of an elevator system with hydraulic drive with the diagnostic device according to the invention

[0037] The Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows an elevator system with traction sheave drive, which is equipped with the diagnostic device according to the invention. In an elevator shaft 7 there is a car 4 and a counterweight 3. The car 4 and the counterweight 3 are held by a suspension cable 2. The suspension cable 2 is guided over a traction sheave 1. The traction sheave 1 transmits forces to the suspension cable 2 through static or sliding friction. The forces transmitted to the suspension cable 2 compensate for the mass difference between the car 4 and the counterweight 3 and thus accelerate the masses. The traction sheave 1 is located in a machine room 14 above an elevator shaft ceiling 5. Alternatively, the traction sheave 1 or the complete drive can also be located in the shaft head. This is shown in the Fig. 1 is represented by the dashed line, where the dashed line represents the course of the elevator shaft ceiling and the upper course of the elevator shaft for this case.

[0038] The elevator car 4 is connected at its lower end to a traveling cable 6. The other end of the traveling cable 6 is routed outside the elevator shaft 7 into a control cabinet 12, which can also be located in the machine room. The traveling cable 6 supplies the elevator car 4 with power. In particular, power is required in the elevator car 4 for lighting a passenger compartment inside the elevator car 4 as well as for a control system in the elevator car 4. Both the elevator car 4 and the control cabinet 12 are equipped with sockets 11, which are connected to the standard 230 V AC power grid.

[0039] Due to the design of the elevator system, the hanging cable 6 is mounted in such a way that the movement of the elevator car 4 and the counterweight 3 is not impeded by the hanging cable 6. An acceleration sensor 10 is mounted on the elevator car 4. The acceleration sensor 10 includes a PLC modem.

[0040] An evaluation unit 8 is located outside the elevator shaft 7. The evaluation unit 8 is connected to the socket 11 via a receiving PLC modem 9.

[0041] To carry out a diagnosis of the elevator, certain operating states of the elevator are approached by appropriately influencing the traction sheave 1, the counterweight 3 or the elevator car 4.

[0042] The resulting accelerations are measured by the acceleration sensor 10, which is mounted on the elevator car 4. The acceleration sensor 10 comprises a transducer that outputs a measurement signal correlated with the measured acceleration. The measurement signal output by the acceleration sensor 10 is then directly transmitted to the integrated PLC modem. Within the PLC modem, the acceleration measurement signal is frequency-modulated, and this frequency-modulated acceleration measurement signal is applied to the mains voltage within the traveling cable 6.

[0043] The power is physically fed via socket 11 on the elevator car 4. At the receiving end of the traveling cable 6, the modulated acceleration measurement signal is demodulated at the receiving end via socket 11 located in the control cabinet 12 using the PLC modem 9. The demodulated signal then corresponds to the acceleration signal originally recorded by the acceleration sensor 10.

[0044] The demodulated acceleration signal is sent to the evaluation unit 8 for storage and evaluation. The evaluation unit 8 is regularly synchronized with a database 15 to enable access to system data for evaluation as well as access to measurement results from past measurements.

[0045] Data transmission via the traveling cable 6 can alternatively also be carried out via the previously de-energized traveling cable 6. The direct connection of the car power supply to the control cabinet 12 allows for the exclusion of any interference from, for example, frequency converters by simply disconnecting the cable from the power supply in the control cabinet 12.

[0046] However, it is best if the measurement data is superimposed on the usual 50 Hz, 230 V AC voltage via frequency modulation (analog) or digitally via PLC via the hanging cable 6 and transmitted in this way to the evaluation unit 8. The evaluation unit 8 and the receiving PLC modem 9 are thus connected to the easily accessible socket 11 in the control cabinet 12 of the elevator car 4.

[0047] In addition, a buffer memory can be provided in the acceleration sensor 10 in addition to the integrated PLC modem in order to avoid losing the data in the event of faulty transmissions, but to be able to send them again without data loss.

[0048] The direct transmission of the acceleration data measured by the acceleration sensor 10 via the hanging cable 6 and the associated possibility of tapping this measurement signal without any time delay via a socket 11 outside the elevator shaft 7 also opens up the possibility of remote maintenance or remote diagnosis, if necessary in real-time operation.

[0049] The Fig. Figure 2 schematically shows a hydraulically operated elevator system equipped with the diagnostic device according to the invention. A car 4 is located in a shaft 7, which is lifted by a hydraulic jack 17 directly or, as shown in Figure 1, Fig. 2, is moved indirectly via a pulley 16 and a support cable 2. The associated hydraulic unit 19 is connected to the hydraulic jack via a hydraulic line 18 and is located in a drive room 14 located near the elevator shaft 7. The remaining components and the mode of operation of the invention correspond to those described in connection with the Fig. 1 described conditions.

[0050] Hereby, two embodiments of a diagnostic device for a transport system, preferably for elevator systems, are proposed, which enable the direct data transmission in a particularly simple, cost-effective and reliable manner via the already existing hanging cable 6 of the elevator car 4 without any problems and surprisingly simply. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 1 traction sheave 2 suspension rope 3 Counterweight 4 car 5 Elevator shaft ceiling 6 hanging cables 7 Elevator shaft 8 Evaluation unit 9 PLC modem (reception) 10 acceleration sensors with integrated PLC modem 11 sockets 12 Control cabinet 14 Engine room 15 Database 16 pulley 17 hydraulic jack 18 Hydraulic line 19 Hydraulic unit

Claims

[1] Diagnostic device for a transport system, preferably an elevator system, which has a conveyor (4), preferably a storage, driving or conveyor cage, drive elements (1) for the conveyor (4) and a control system, with a measuring sensor (10) which can be installed in the conveyor (4) for detecting one or more physical characteristics of the conveyor (4), an evaluation unit (8) arranged outside the conveyor (4) and a data transmission device for direct data transmission of the measured physical characteristics to the evaluation unit (8), wherein the data transmission device comprises a line (6) connecting the evaluation unit (8) to the measuring sensor (10), wherein the measuring sensor (10) is designed as an acceleration sensor (10), characterized by , that the line (6) is designed as a power supply line (6) connected to the conveyor and supplying it with power, wherein the data transmission device comprises a PowerLine modem device (9) for generating a PLC signal, and wherein the PowerLine modem device (9) is designed for frequency-modulated data transmission, wherein the power supply line (6) is designed to be switchable in a voltage-free manner for data transmission and wherein the evaluation unit (8) is designed as a personal digital assistant (8). [2] Diagnostic device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the data transmission device is designed for analog and / or digital data transmission and / or comprises an amplifier. [3] Diagnostic device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the data transmission device comprises a buffer memory.

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