Elevator maintenance support system

Abstract

To provide a maintenance support system capable of further improving the efficiency of elevator maintenance work.SOLUTION: A maintenance support system 14 for an elevator 2 includes a management unit 20 and an operation unit 17 mounted on each maintenance terminal 16. The management unit 20 grants operation authority to one of the maintenance terminals 16 to output a command signal for the running of the car 8 to a control panel 10 during maintenance work on the elevator 2. The operation unit 17 accepts normal maintenance operations when the operation authority is granted to the mounted maintenance terminal 16. The operation unit 17 disables normal maintenance operations when the operation authority is not granted to the mounted maintenance terminal 16. The normal maintenance operations include the running of the car 8 during maintenance work.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a maintenance support system for an elevator. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a device for elevator inspection work. When a maintenance worker is detected by an infrared sensor in the elevator shaft through which the elevator car travels, the car is operated during maintenance work by a mobile terminal in the car or a computer in a remote office. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-74521 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In Patent Document 1, the car operation during maintenance work is performed inside the car separated from the hoistway or at a remote office. Therefore, the efficiency of the maintenance work may decrease if there is a problem with the cooperation between the worker in the hoistway and the car operator.

[0005] The present disclosure relates to solving such problems, and provides a maintenance support system that can further improve the efficiency of elevator maintenance work. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The maintenance support system disclosed herein is a maintenance support system that supports maintenance work on an elevator in which a car that travels up and down within a hoistway and a control panel that controls the travel of the car are provided and a plurality of connection nodes are provided, using a plurality of maintenance terminals that are each carried by a corresponding one of a plurality of maintenance personnel and each connected to one of the plurality of connection nodes, and is equipped with a management unit that grants to one of the plurality of maintenance terminals operation authority to output a command signal regarding the travel of the car to the control panel during the maintenance work, and an operation unit that is mounted on each of the plurality of maintenance terminals and accepts normal maintenance operations including the travel of the car during the maintenance work when the operation authority is granted to the mounted maintenance terminal, and disables the normal maintenance operation when the operation authority is not granted to the mounted maintenance terminal. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the maintenance support system of the present disclosure, the efficiency of elevator maintenance work can be further improved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram of an elevator system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 6 is a diagram showing an example of a display on a display unit when an operation right is given to the maintenance terminal according to the first embodiment; FIG. [Diagram 3] 11 is a diagram showing an example of a display on a display unit when an operation right is not given to the maintenance terminal according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the maintenance support system according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of a main part of a maintenance support system according to a first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] The embodiments for carrying out the subject of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions are appropriately simplified or omitted. Note that the subject of the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and any component of the embodiment may be modified or omitted within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure.

[0010] Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an elevator system 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0011] The elevator system 1 includes an elevator 2. The elevator 2 is applied to a building having a plurality of floors. A hoistway 3 for the elevator 2 is provided in the building. The hoistway 3 is a long space in the vertical direction spanning the plurality of floors. A pit 4 is provided at the bottom of the hoistway 3. A landing 5 adjacent to the hoistway 3 is provided at each floor of the building. The elevator 2 includes a hoisting machine 6, a main rope 7, a car 8, a counterweight 9, and a control panel 10.

[0012] The hoisting machine 6 is disposed, for example, at the upper or lower part of the hoistway 3. For example, when a machine room of the elevator 2 is provided above the hoistway 3, the hoisting machine 6 may be disposed in the machine room. The hoisting machine 6 includes a motor and a sheave. The motor of the hoisting machine 6 is a device that generates driving force. The sheave of the hoisting machine 6 is a device that rotates by the driving force generated by the motor of the hoisting machine 6.

[0013] The main ropes 7 are wound around the sheaves of the hoisting machine 6. The main ropes 7 support the load of a car 8 on one side of the sheaves of the hoisting machine 6. The main ropes 7 support the load of a counterweight 9 on the other side of the sheaves of the hoisting machine 6. The main ropes 7 move such that either side of the sheaves of the hoisting machine 6 is wound up by the rotation of the sheaves of the hoisting machine 6.

[0014] The car 8 is a device that transports users of the elevator 2 between multiple floors by traveling up and down the hoistway 3. The car 8 travels up and down the hoistway 3 in conjunction with the movement of the main rope 7 caused by the rotation of the sheave of the hoisting machine 6. The car 8 is equipped with a car operation panel 11. The car operation panel 11 is a device that accepts operations such as call registration by users in the car 8. In this example, the car operation panel 11 is equipped with a function that accepts normal maintenance operations in maintenance work on the elevator 2. Here, the normal maintenance operations include operations performed by the maintenance staff 12 who perform the maintenance work, and do not include operations performed by users during normal operation. The car operation panel 11 is switched to a state that accepts normal maintenance operations, for example, by a special switching operation by the maintenance staff 12. The normal maintenance operations include manual operations for the travel of the car 8, such as raising and lowering the car 8.

[0015] The counterweight 9 is a device that balances the load acting on both sides of the sheave of the hoisting machine 6 between the car 8 and the counterweight 9. The counterweight 9 travels in the hoistway 3 on the opposite side of the car 8 in the vertical direction in conjunction with the movement of the main rope 7 caused by the rotation of the sheave of the hoisting machine 6.

[0016] The control panel 10 is a device that controls the operation of the elevator 2. The control panel 10 is arranged, for example, at the upper or lower part of the hoistway 3. For example, when a machine room of the elevator 2 is provided above the hoistway 3, the control panel 10 may be arranged in the machine room. The operation of the elevator 2 controlled by the control panel 10 includes the running of the car 8. The control panel 10 includes a control unit 13. The control unit 13 is a part that has a function of controlling the running of the car 8. For example, the control unit 13 causes the car 8 to run between a plurality of floors so as to respond to a registered call. The control of the running of the car 8 by the control unit 13 includes, for example, starting, accelerating, running at a constant speed, decelerating, and stopping of the car 8.

[0017] A maintenance support system 14 is applied to the elevator 2. The maintenance support system 14 is a system that supports maintenance work on the elevator 2 by a maintenance technician 12. In this example, the maintenance work on the elevator 2 is performed by a plurality of maintenance technicians 12. A part or all of the maintenance support system 14 may be an internal system included in the elevator system 1, or may be an external system applied to the elevator system 1 from the outside. The maintenance support system 14 includes a plurality of connection nodes 15 and a plurality of maintenance terminals 16.

[0018] Each connection node 15 is provided in the elevator 2. In this example, any one of the connection nodes 15 is provided inside the car 8. Any other connection node 15 is provided in the pit 4. The multiple connection nodes 15 may include a connection node 15 provided in another location, such as a connection node 15 provided on the upper outside of the car 8. Each connection node 15 has a function of becoming a node of a communication network in the maintenance support system 14. Each connection node 15 is connected to the control panel 10. Each connection node 15 has a function of wireless communication, for example. Each connection node 15 may be, for example, a wireless beacon.

[0019] Each maintenance terminal 16 is carried by a corresponding maintenance technician 12. In this example, a plurality of maintenance technicians 12 performing maintenance work each carry a maintenance terminal 16. The maintenance terminal 16 is, for example, a portable general-purpose information processing device such as a smartphone, a tablet PC (PC: Personal Computer), or a laptop PC. In this example, the maintenance terminal 16 is equipped with a wireless communication function. Each maintenance terminal 16 is configured so as to be connectable to any of the connection nodes 15 by wireless communication or wired communication. The function of each maintenance terminal 16 is realized, for example, based on an application program pre-installed in the maintenance terminal 16.

[0020] Each maintenance terminal 16 includes an operation unit 17, a display unit 18, and a photographing unit 19. The operation unit 17 is a unit equipped with a function of accepting operations by the maintenance personnel 12 who holds the maintenance terminal 16. The operation unit 17 is, for example, a pointing device including a touch panel. The display unit 18 is a unit equipped with a function of presenting information to the maintenance personnel 12 who holds the maintenance terminal 16 by display. The display unit 18 is, for example, a liquid crystal display panel. The operation unit 17 and the display unit 18 may be integrally configured, for example, as a touch panel display. The photographing unit 19 is a unit equipped with a function of photographing an image of the maintenance personnel 12 who holds the maintenance terminal 16. The photographing unit 19 is, for example, a camera. The photographing unit 19 is configured to be arranged, for example, on the edge of the display unit 18 facing the front of the display unit 18, so that it can photograph an image of the maintenance personnel 12 who performs operations while looking at the display unit 18.

[0021] The maintenance worker 12 performs normal maintenance operations such as running the car 8 during maintenance work through the maintenance terminal 16. In order to prevent normal maintenance operations from being performed simultaneously from multiple maintenance terminals 16, the maintenance support system 14 grants operation rights to one of the maintenance terminals 16. The operation rights include, for example, the authority to output a command signal for running the car 8 during maintenance work to the control panel 10. The maintenance support system 14 includes a management unit 20 that manages operation rights. In this example, the management unit 20 is mounted on the control panel 10 of the elevator 2. The management unit 20 may be mounted on one of the connection nodes 15, or may be mounted on a dedicated management device separate from the control panel 10 of the elevator 2. The management unit 20 may be mounted on one or more server devices that can communicate with the maintenance terminals 16 and the control panel 10 through a communication network such as the Internet. The management unit 20 is directly or indirectly connected to each connection node 15. In this example, the management unit 20 grants operation rights to at most one of the maintenance terminals 16 connected to any of the connection nodes 15. In other words, the management unit 20 may not grant operation rights to any of the maintenance terminals 16.

[0022] Next, an example of maintenance work using the maintenance support system 14 will be described.

[0023] After confirming with each other the procedures for maintenance work, the multiple maintenance personnel 12 move to their respective work locations. In this example, maintenance work on the elevator 2 is performed by the maintenance personnel 12 inside the car 8 and the maintenance personnel 12 in the pit 4. The maintenance personnel 12 inside the car 8 connects the maintenance terminal 16 he or she possesses to a connection node 15 provided inside the car 8 via wireless communication. The maintenance personnel 12 in the pit 4 connects the maintenance terminal 16 he or she possesses to the connection node 15 provided in the pit 4 via wireless communication.

[0024] The management unit 20 monitors the connection between each connection node 15 and any of the maintenance terminals 16. The management unit 20 starts managing the operation rights, for example, when a connection between any of the connection nodes 15 and any of the maintenance terminals 16 is established. At this time, the management unit 20 causes the control unit 13 of the control panel 10 to disable the normal maintenance operation through the car operation panel 11. The management unit 20 may disable the normal maintenance operation through the car operation panel 11 regardless of the state of the car operation panel 11. In addition, the management unit 20 may disable the normal maintenance operation through the car operation panel 11 only when the first connection between the connection node 15 and the maintenance terminal 16 is established, or may disable the normal maintenance operation through the car operation panel 11 every time the connection between the connection node 15 and the maintenance terminal 16 is established. Here, when the normal maintenance operation through the car operation panel 11 has already been disabled, the disablement of the normal maintenance operation through the car operation panel 11 continues. For example, when wireless communication is established between any of the connection nodes 15 and any of the maintenance terminals 16, the management unit 20 determines that the connection between the connection node 15 and the maintenance terminal 16 is established. Alternatively, for example, when a wired connection between any of the connection nodes 15 and any of the maintenance terminals 16 is detected, the management unit 20 may determine that the connection between the connection node 15 and the maintenance terminal 16 is established.

[0025] In this example, when starting management of the operation right, the management unit 20 does not grant the operation right to any of the maintenance terminals 16. The management unit 20 notifies each maintenance terminal 16 connected to any of the connection nodes 15 of the status of granting the operation right. For example, the management unit 20 notifies each maintenance terminal 16 every time the status of granting the operation right changes. The status of granting the operation right includes, for example, information on whether or not the operation right has been granted, and, if granted, which maintenance terminal 16 has been granted the operation right. The management unit 20 may notify each maintenance terminal 16 of the status of granting the operation right at a preset regular or non-regular timing, or may notify in response to a request from the maintenance terminal 16.

[0026] Each maintenance terminal 16 judges the status of granting of operation rights based on information notified from the management unit 20. When operation rights have not been granted to any of the maintenance terminals 16, each maintenance terminal 16 is in a state in which it can accept an acquisition operation to acquire operation rights. At this time, the maintenance worker 12 holding any of the maintenance terminals 16 performs an acquisition operation to acquire operation rights. In this example, the maintenance worker 12 in the pit 4 performs an acquisition operation to acquire operation rights through the maintenance terminal 16. The maintenance terminal 16 that has accepted the acquisition operation notifies the management unit 20 of the acquisition of operation rights, for example, via the connection node 15. When the management unit 20 receives a notification of the acquisition of operation rights from any of the maintenance terminals 16 in a state in which operation rights have not been granted to any of the maintenance terminals 16, it grants operation rights to that maintenance terminal 16.

[0027] The maintenance terminal 16 to which the operation right has been granted captures an image of the maintenance worker 12 holding the maintenance terminal 16 by the image capturing unit 19. The maintenance terminal 16 to which the operation right has been granted is in a state in which it can accept a normal maintenance operation by the maintenance worker 12. The maintenance terminal 16 that has accepted the normal maintenance operation outputs a command signal corresponding to the normal maintenance operation to the control panel 10, for example, through the connection node 15. For example, when accepting a manual ascent operation as a normal maintenance operation, the maintenance terminal 16 outputs a command signal corresponding to upward travel to the control panel 10. Also, when accepting a manual descent operation as a normal maintenance operation, the maintenance terminal 16 outputs a command signal corresponding to downward travel to the control panel 10. For example, the maintenance worker 12 in the pit 4 performs maintenance work by running the car 8 by performing a normal maintenance operation through the maintenance terminal 16 according to the work procedure at his / her work place. The maintenance terminal 16 to which the operation right has been granted is in a state in which it can accept a release operation for releasing the operation right. The maintenance terminal 16 that has accepted the release operation notifies the management unit 20 of the release of the operation right, for example, via the connection node 15. When the management unit 20 receives a notification of the release of the operation right from the maintenance terminal 16 to which it had granted the operation right, it withdraws the operation right from that maintenance terminal 16, and brings about a state in which the operation right is not granted to any maintenance terminal 16.

[0028] Regardless of whether or not the operation right is granted, each maintenance terminal 16 is in a state in which it can accept an emergency operation by the maintenance person 12. The emergency operation includes, for example, an emergency stop of the running of the car 8. The maintenance terminal 16 that has accepted the emergency operation outputs a command signal corresponding to the emergency operation to the control panel 10 via, for example, the connection node 15.

[0029] A maintenance terminal 16 to which no operation authority has been granted invalidates normal maintenance operations by a maintenance technician 12. In other words, even if a maintenance technician 12 attempts normal maintenance operations, the maintenance terminal 16 does not output a command signal corresponding to the normal maintenance operation to the control panel 10. A maintenance terminal 16 to which no operation authority has been granted displays, on the display unit 18, an image of the maintenance technician 12 captured by the image capturing unit 19 of a maintenance terminal 16 to which operation authority has been granted. This allows the maintenance technician 12 holding a maintenance terminal 16 to which no operation authority has been granted to check the status of the maintenance technician 12 holding a maintenance terminal 16 to which operation authority has been granted. Therefore, even if an abnormality occurs in a maintenance technician 12 performing normal maintenance operations, other maintenance technicians 12 are more likely to notice the abnormality.

[0030] The management unit 20 monitors disconnection of the maintenance terminal 16 and the corresponding connection node 15. For example, when the connection between any of the maintenance terminals 16 and the corresponding connection node 15 is disconnected, the management unit 20 causes the control panel 10 to enable normal maintenance operation through the car operation panel 11. The management unit 20 may enable normal maintenance operation through the car operation panel 11 only when the connection between the maintenance terminal 16 and the corresponding connection node 15 is first disconnected, or may enable normal maintenance operation through the car operation panel 11 every time the connection between the maintenance terminal 16 and the corresponding connection node 15 is disconnected. Here, when the normal maintenance operation through the car operation panel 11 is already enabled, the enablement of the normal maintenance operation through the car operation panel 11 continues. For example, when wireless communication between the maintenance terminal 16 and the corresponding connection node 15 is disconnected, the management unit 20 determines that the connection between the connection node 15 and the maintenance terminal 16 has been disconnected. Alternatively, the management unit 20 may determine that the connection between the connection node 15 and the maintenance terminal 16 has been disconnected, for example, when a wired connection between the maintenance terminal 16 and the corresponding connection node 15 is no longer detected. The maintenance worker 12 disconnects the connection between the maintenance terminal 16 he possesses and the corresponding connection node 15, for example, when the maintenance work is completed. Alternatively, the maintenance worker 12 may disconnect the connection between the maintenance terminal 16 he possesses and the corresponding connection node 15, for example, when an abnormality occurs during the maintenance work. For example, the maintenance worker 12 in the car 8 who possesses the maintenance terminal 16 to which no operation authority has been granted may disconnect the connection when he notices an abnormality that has occurred in the maintenance worker 12 in the pit 4 who possesses the maintenance terminal 16 to which operation authority has been granted through a video or the like. Thereafter, the maintenance worker 12 in the car 8 may perform normal maintenance operations of the car 8 through the car operation panel 11 as necessary.

[0031] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a display on the display unit 18 when the operation right is given to the maintenance terminal 16 according to the first embodiment.

[0032] The maintenance technician 12 operates the maintenance terminal 16 by operating the operation unit 17 via an interface included in an operation screen 21 displayed on the display unit 18. The operation screen 21 includes an operation authority switch 22, a drive switch 23, a manual drive button 24, and a disconnect button 25 as interfaces for accepting operations by the maintenance technician 12. The operation screen 21 includes a display area 26 that presents information to the maintenance technician 12.

[0033] The operation authority switch 22 is a part that accepts operations such as obtaining operation authority. When the operation authority is granted to the maintenance terminal 16, the state of the operation authority switch 22 becomes "MAIN." At this time, the maintenance terminal 16 accepts a release operation for releasing the operation authority by operating the operation authority switch 22. When the operation authority is not granted to the maintenance terminal 16, the state of the operation authority switch 22 becomes "SUB."

[0034] The travel switch 23 is a part that accepts an operation to switch whether the car 8 is allowed to travel or not. When the travel switch 23 is in the "OFF" state, the car 8 remains stopped and does not travel. On the other hand, when the travel switch 23 is in the "RUN" state, the car 8 travels in the elevator 3 based on normal maintenance operations by the maintenance staff 12, etc. When the travel switch 23 is switched to the "OFF" state, the car 8 comes to an emergency stop. Switching the travel switch 23 to the "OFF" state is an example of an emergency operation.

[0035] The manual travel button 24 is a section that accepts manual operation of the car 8 as a normal maintenance operation by the maintenance worker 12. In this example, the manual travel button 24 includes an "UP" button representing ascent and a "DOWN" button representing descent. While the "UP" button is operated, the car 8 is controlled to ascend. On the other hand, while the "DOWN" button is operated, the car 8 is controlled to descend. Note that the travel speed of the car 8 when manually traveling with the manual travel button 24 is, for example, a speed that is lower than the rated speed of the car 8 in normal operation, etc.

[0036] The disconnect button 25 is a part that accepts an operation to disconnect the connection between the maintenance terminal 16 and the connection node 15 to which the maintenance terminal 16 is connected. When the disconnect button 25 is operated, the maintenance terminal 16 disconnects from the connection node 15.

[0037] In this example, a message for the maintenance staff 12 is displayed in the display area 26. Note that instead of or together with the message, an image of the maintenance staff 12 captured by the image capturing unit 19 of a maintenance terminal 16 to which operation rights have not been granted may be displayed in the display area 26. When there are multiple maintenance terminals 16 to which operation rights have not been granted, the display area 26 may display images of the multiple maintenance staff 12 in a split screen. The display area 26 may display the status of the elevator 2, such as the current position of the car 8.

[0038] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a display on the display unit 18 when the operation right is not given to the maintenance terminal 16 according to the first embodiment.

[0039] In the maintenance terminal 16, normal maintenance operations are disabled. At this time, the manual travel button 24 may be displayed in gray, for example, to indicate that it is disabled. Also, when operation rights are granted to any other maintenance terminal 16, acquisition of operation rights is disabled. At this time, the operation rights switch 22 may be displayed in gray, for example, to indicate that it is disabled.

[0040] Meanwhile, the emergency operation is enabled in the maintenance terminal 16. The maintenance man 12 can bring the car 8 to an emergency stop, for example, by switching the traveling switch 23 to the "OFF" state.

[0041] The display area 26 displays the video of the maintenance personnel 12 captured by the photographing unit 19 of the maintenance terminal 16 to which the operation right has been granted. If there is another maintenance terminal 16 to which the operation right has not been granted, the display area 26 may display the video of the maintenance personnel 12 captured by the photographing unit 19 of the other maintenance terminal 16 by splitting the screen.

[0042] Next, an example of the operation of the maintenance support system 14 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the maintenance support system 14 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 4, an example of the operation of the management unit 20 is shown.

[0043] In step S1, the management unit 20 determines whether a connection has been established between each connection node 15 and any of the maintenance terminals 16. If a connection has been established, the process of the management unit 20 proceeds to step S2. On the other hand, if a connection has not been established, the process of the management unit 20 proceeds to step S1 again.

[0044] In step S2, the management unit 20 causes the control unit 13 to disable normal maintenance operations performed through the car operating panel 11. After that, the processing of the management unit 20 proceeds to step S3.

[0045] In step S3, the management unit 20 determines whether an operation to obtain operation rights has been performed in any of the maintenance terminals 16. If an acquisition operation has been performed, the processing of the management unit 20 proceeds to step S4. On the other hand, if an acquisition operation has not been performed, the processing of the management unit 20 proceeds to step S5. Note that if the management unit 20 has already granted operation rights to any of the maintenance terminals 16 and has received a notification of an acquisition operation from another maintenance terminal 16, the management unit 20 may ignore the notification of the acquisition operation, determining that a legitimate acquisition operation has not been performed.

[0046] In step S4, the management unit 20 grants operation authority to the maintenance terminal 16 that has accepted a valid acquisition operation of the operation authority. After that, the process of the management unit 20 proceeds to step S5.

[0047] In step S5, the management unit 20 judges whether an operation to release the operation rights has been performed on the maintenance terminal 16 to which the operation rights have been granted. If the release operation has been performed, the processing of the management unit 20 proceeds to step S6. On the other hand, if the release operation has not been performed, the processing of the management unit 20 proceeds to step S7. Note that when the management unit 20 receives a notification of a release operation from a maintenance terminal 16 to which the operation rights have not been granted, the management unit 20 may ignore the notification of the release operation, assuming that a valid release operation has not been performed.

[0048] In step S6, the management unit 20 withdraws the operation right from the maintenance terminal 16 that has accepted the valid release operation of the operation right, and sets the state in which the operation right is not granted to any maintenance terminal 16. After that, the process of the management unit 20 proceeds to step S7.

[0049] In step S7, the management unit 20 determines whether the connection between the maintenance terminal 16 and the corresponding connection node 15 has been disconnected. If the connection has not been disconnected, the process of the management unit 20 proceeds to step S3. On the other hand, if the connection has been disconnected, the process of the management unit 20 proceeds to step S8.

[0050] In step S8, the management unit 20 causes the control unit 13 to enable normal maintenance operations via the car operating panel 11. Thereafter, the processing of the management unit 20 ends.

[0051] The management unit 20 may be mounted on any of the maintenance terminals 16. For example, each maintenance terminal 16 may play the role of the management unit 20 when first establishing a connection with a connection node 15 in a case where no other maintenance terminals 16 are connected to any of the connection nodes 15. The maintenance terminal 16 playing the role of the management unit 20 grants operation rights to at most one of the multiple maintenance terminals 16 including itself.

[0052] As described above, the maintenance support system 14 according to the first embodiment includes the management unit 20 and the operation unit 17 mounted on each maintenance terminal 16. The management unit 20 grants operation authority to one of the maintenance terminals 16 to output a command signal regarding the running of the car 8 to the control panel 10 during maintenance work on the elevator 2. The operation unit 17 accepts normal maintenance operations when the operation authority is granted to the mounted maintenance terminal 16. The operation unit 17 disables normal maintenance operations when the operation authority is not granted to the mounted maintenance terminal 16. The normal maintenance operations include the running of the car 8 during maintenance work.

[0053] With this configuration, for example, a maintenance worker 12 in the elevator shaft 3 can perform normal maintenance operations on the car 8 through a maintenance terminal 16 carried by the maintenance worker 12, thereby making maintenance work on the elevator 2 more efficient.

[0054] The maintenance support system 14 also includes a display unit 18 mounted on each maintenance terminal 16. When the mounted maintenance terminal 16 is not given operation rights, the display unit 18 displays an image of the maintenance staff 12 captured by the image capturing unit 19 of the maintenance terminal 16 to which operation rights have been given. This configuration makes it easier for other maintenance staff 12 to grasp the status of the maintenance staff 12 performing normal maintenance operations. This makes it possible to perform maintenance work on the elevator 2 more efficiently. Furthermore, even if an abnormality occurs in the maintenance staff 12 performing normal maintenance operations, it becomes possible to deal with the problem more quickly.

[0055] Furthermore, when any of the maintenance terminals 16 is connected to any of the connection nodes 15, the management unit 20 causes the control panel 10 to disable normal maintenance operations by the car operating panel 11. This configuration prevents normal maintenance operations from being performed simultaneously from the maintenance terminal 16 and the car operating panel 11 that have been granted operating rights, and more reliably prevents the car 8 from traveling in a manner different from that intended by the maintenance worker 12. This allows maintenance work on the elevator 2 to be performed more efficiently.

[0056] Furthermore, when the management unit 20 disconnects the connection with the connection node 15 to which at least one of the maintenance terminals 16 was connected, it causes the control panel 10 to enable normal maintenance operations by the car operation panel 11. With this configuration, by disconnecting the connection from a maintenance terminal 16 that has not been granted operation rights, it becomes possible to operate the car 8 from the car operation panel 11, etc., so that a quicker response, such as operation of the car 8, can be made when an abnormality occurs.

[0057] Furthermore, the operation unit 17 accepts a release operation to release the operation right when the operation right is granted to the mounted maintenance terminal 16. The operation unit 17 accepts an acquisition operation to acquire the operation right when the operation right is not granted to any maintenance terminal 16. The management unit 20 transfers the operation right from the maintenance terminal 16 for which the release operation is accepted to the maintenance terminal 16 for which the acquisition operation is accepted. With this configuration, after the maintenance terminal 16 to which the operation right was granted releases the operation right, another maintenance terminal 16 can acquire the operation right, so that it becomes easier to switch the maintenance terminal 16 to which the operation right is granted, and it becomes easier to avoid a situation in which multiple maintenance terminals 16 have the operation right.

[0058] Furthermore, the operation unit 17 accepts emergency operations including an emergency stop of the car 8, regardless of whether or not the operation right is given to the on-board maintenance terminal 16. With this configuration, emergency operations are possible from the maintenance terminal 16 regardless of whether or not the operation right is given, so that a quicker response such as an emergency stop of the car 8 can be made when an abnormality occurs.

[0059] Next, an example of the hardware configuration of the maintenance support system 14 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a hardware configuration diagram of a main part of the maintenance support system 14 according to the first embodiment.

[0060] Each function of the maintenance support system 14 may be realized by a processing circuit. The processing circuit includes at least one processor 100a and at least one memory 100b. The processing circuit may include at least one dedicated hardware 200 in addition to or in place of the processor 100a and the memory 100b.

[0061] When the processing circuit includes the processor 100a and the memory 100b, each function of the maintenance support system 14 is realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. At least one of the software and firmware is written as a program. The program is stored in the memory 100b. The processor 100a realizes each function of the maintenance support system 14 by reading and executing the program stored in the memory 100b.

[0062] The processor 100a is also called a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a processing device, an arithmetic device, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, or a DSP. The memory 100b is composed of a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as a RAM, a ROM, a flash memory, an EPROM, or an EEPROM.

[0063] Where the processing circuitry comprises dedicated hardware 200, the processing circuitry may be implemented, for example, as a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination thereof.

[0064] Each function of the maintenance support system 14 can be realized by a processing circuit. Alternatively, each function of the maintenance support system 14 can be realized collectively by a processing circuit. Some of the functions of the maintenance support system 14 may be realized by dedicated hardware 200, and the other parts may be realized by software or firmware. In this way, the processing circuit realizes each function of the maintenance support system 14 by dedicated hardware 200, software, firmware, or a combination of these.

[0065] To summarize the above explanation, possible configurations of the technology according to the present disclosure include the configurations listed below as appendices. (Appendix 1) A maintenance support system for an elevator having a plurality of connection nodes including a car that travels vertically within a hoistway and a control panel that controls the travel of the car, the system supporting maintenance work of the elevator using a plurality of maintenance terminals each carried by a corresponding one of a plurality of maintenance personnel and each connected to one of the plurality of connection nodes, a management unit that grants an operation right to output a command signal regarding the running of the car to the control panel during the maintenance work to one of the plurality of maintenance terminals; an operation unit that is mounted on each of the plurality of maintenance terminals, and that accepts normal maintenance operations including running of the car during the maintenance work when the operation authority is granted to the mounted maintenance terminal, and that disables the normal maintenance operations when the operation authority is not granted to the mounted maintenance terminal; A maintenance support system comprising: (Appendix 2) When each of the plurality of maintenance terminals is equipped with a photographing unit that photographs an image of a maintenance worker carrying the maintenance terminal, a display unit that is mounted on each of the plurality of maintenance terminals and displays an image of a maintenance worker captured by a capture unit of a maintenance terminal to which the operation right has been assigned when the operation right has not been assigned to the mounted maintenance terminal; 2. The maintenance support system of claim 1, comprising: (Appendix 3) When a car operation panel that receives the normal maintenance operation is provided in the car, the management unit causes the control panel to disable the normal maintenance operation by the car operating panel when at least one of the plurality of maintenance terminals is connected to one of the plurality of connection nodes. 3. A maintenance support system according to claim 1 or 2. (Appendix 4) the management unit causes the control panel to enable the normal maintenance operation by the car operating panel when at least any one of the plurality of maintenance terminals disconnects a connection from a connected connection node among the plurality of connection nodes. 4. A maintenance support system as described in appendix 3. (Appendix 5) the operation unit accepts an operation to release the operation right when the operation right has been granted to a maintenance terminal mounted thereon, and accepts an operation to acquire the operation right when the operation right has not been granted to any of the plurality of maintenance terminals; The management unit transfers the operation right from the maintenance terminal where the operation to release the operation right is accepted to the maintenance terminal where the operation to acquire the operation right is accepted. A maintenance support system according to any one of claims 1 to 4. (Appendix 6) The operation unit accepts an emergency operation including an emergency stop of the car regardless of whether the operation right is given to the maintenance terminal mounted thereon. A maintenance support system according to any one of claims 1 to 5. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1 elevator system, 2 elevator, 3 hoistway, 4 pit, 5 landing, 6 hoisting machine, 7 main rope, 8 car, 9 counterweight, 10 control panel, 11 car operation panel, 12 maintenance staff, 13 control section, 14 maintenance support system, 15 connection node, 16 maintenance terminal, 17 operation section, 18 display section, 19 photography section, 20 management section, 21 operation screen, 22 operation authority switch, 23 travel switch, 24 manual travel button, 25 disconnect button, 26 display area, 100a processor, 100b memory, 200 dedicated hardware

Claims

1. A maintenance support system for an elevator having a plurality of connection nodes including a car that travels vertically within a hoistway and a control panel that controls the travel of the car, the system supporting maintenance work of the elevator using a plurality of maintenance terminals each carried by a corresponding one of a plurality of maintenance personnel and each connected to one of the plurality of connection nodes, a management unit that grants an operation right to output a command signal regarding the running of the car to the control panel during the maintenance work to one of the plurality of maintenance terminals; an operation unit that is mounted on each of the plurality of maintenance terminals, and that accepts normal maintenance operations including running of the car during the maintenance work when the operation authority is granted to the mounted maintenance terminal, and that disables the normal maintenance operations when the operation authority is not granted to the mounted maintenance terminal; A maintenance support system comprising:

2. When each of the plurality of maintenance terminals is equipped with a photographing unit that photographs an image of a maintenance worker carrying the maintenance terminal, a display unit that is mounted on each of the plurality of maintenance terminals and displays an image of a maintenance worker captured by a capture unit of a maintenance terminal to which the operation right has been assigned when the operation right has not been assigned to the mounted maintenance terminal; The maintenance support system according to claim 1 .

3. When a car operation panel that receives the normal maintenance operation is provided in the car, the management unit causes the control panel to disable the normal maintenance operation by the car operating panel when at least one of the plurality of maintenance terminals is connected to one of the plurality of connection nodes. The maintenance support system according to claim 1 .

4. the management unit causes the control panel to enable the normal maintenance operation by the car operating panel when at least any one of the plurality of maintenance terminals disconnects a connection from a connected connection node among the plurality of connection nodes. The maintenance support system according to claim 3 .

5. the operation unit accepts an operation to release the operation right when the operation right has been granted to a maintenance terminal mounted thereon, and accepts an operation to acquire the operation right when the operation right has not been granted to any of the plurality of maintenance terminals; The management unit transfers the operation right from the maintenance terminal where the operation to release the operation right is accepted to the maintenance terminal where the operation to acquire the operation right is accepted. The maintenance support system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The operation unit accepts an emergency operation including an emergency stop of the car regardless of whether the operation right is given to the maintenance terminal mounted thereon. The maintenance support system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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