Flaw detector of elevator wire rope

Abstract

To provide a flaw detector of an elevator wire rope capable of surely following up a flaw detecting section according to a wire rope displacement.SOLUTION: A wire rope flaw detector 10 comprises an inspection unit 2 and a supporting unit 30 for supporting the inspection unit 2. The supporting unit 30 comprises a mounting bracket 31, a first supporting part 35, a second supporting part 36, a third supporting part 37, and a supporting rod 32. The mounting bracket 31 is installed in a hoistway with an elevator installed. The first supporting part 35 is provided in the mounting bracket 31. The second supporting part 36 is rotatably connected to the first supporting part 35 via a rotary member 34. The third supporting part 37 is connected in an extendable / contractible manner to the second supporting part 36 via an extension / contraction connecting part 33. The supporting rod 32 is installed to the third supporting part 37 and supports the inspection unit 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a wire rope flaw detector for an elevator. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, elevator main ropes are made up of multiple strands of steel wires (hereafter referred to as "wires"). When such main ropes (wire ropes) pass through the sheaves of the hoisting machine, they become fatigued and worn due to bending and contact, and the wires gradually break. When the number of broken wires exceeds a predetermined reference value, the main rope is replaced.

[0003] Therefore, it is necessary to conduct periodic inspections to count the number of broken wires and evaluate whether the main rope can be used safely. The standard for the number of breaks is stipulated as the number of broken wires per unit length, and is stipulated according to the structure of the main rope (number of strands, wire diameter, etc.).

[0004] One method for investigating the damage to the wires is to use, for example, a flaw detector that uses the leakage magnetic flux method. The leakage magnetic flux method magnetizes the main rope in the longitudinal direction and uses a sensor to detect the magnetic flux leaking from the broken wire (hereinafter, the damaged part) to check for the presence or absence of a break.

[0005] An example of this type of prior art is described in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 describes a technique including a pair of first supports attached to a machine base, a second support provided on the first supports, one side of which is rotatably attached to the second support, and a fourth support provided on the other side. Patent Document 1 also describes a technique including a third support configured such that the relative distance between one side and the other side is variable, a fourth support provided on the other side of the third support and supporting a rope tester, and a fifth support provided on the other side of the third support in a position adjustable manner and configured to be able to come into contact with the rope tester. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-56657 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] In addition, when the wire rope, which is the main rope, is moved, as the cage, counterweight, or pulleys attached to the cage or counterweight approach the sheave of the hoisting machine, an angle called a fleet angle is formed on the wire rope, and the wire rope is greatly displaced. However, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, the flaw detection unit can follow minute vibrations and swings of the wire rope, but cannot follow large displacements of the wire rope caused by the fleet angle. As a result, the technology described in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that the flaw detection unit separates from the wire rope, making it impossible to perform stable inspection.

[0008] In consideration of the above problems, the object of the present invention is to provide a wire rope flaw detector for elevators that can reliably cause the flaw detection section to follow the displacement of the wire rope. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above problems and achieve the present object, the wire rope flaw detector for an elevator is a wire rope flaw detector that inspects the wire rope of an elevator. The wire rope flaw detector includes an inspection unit having a flaw detector that inspects damage to the wire rope, and a support unit that supports the inspection unit. The support unit includes a mounting bracket, a first support part, a second support part, a third support part, and a support rod. The mounting bracket is installed in a hoistway in which the elevator is installed. The first support part is provided on the mounting bracket. The second support part is rotatably connected to the first support part via a rotating part. The third support part is telescopically connected to the second support part via a telescopic connection part. The support rod is attached to the third support part and supports the inspection unit. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the elevator wire rope flaw detector having the above configuration, the flaw detection section can be reliably caused to follow the displacement of the wire rope. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an elevator in which a wire rope flaw detector according to an embodiment of the present invention is used; [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic diagram showing another example of an elevator in which a wire rope flaw detector according to an embodiment of the present invention is used. FIG. [Diagram 3] 1 is a perspective view showing a wire rope flaw detector according to an embodiment; [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view showing a wire rope flaw detector according to an embodiment; [Diagram 5] 1 is a side view showing an inspection unit of a wire rope flaw detector according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the cage pulley, weight pulley, main rope, and wire rope flaw detector viewed from above. [Figure 7]7A and 7B are diagrams showing the positional relationship between the car-side pulley and the weight-side pulley and the hoist when the main rope is moved. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, an elevator wire rope flaw detector according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 7B. Note that the same reference numerals are used to designate common members in each drawing.

[0013] 1. Example of embodiment 1-1.1:1 Roping Elevator First, an example of the configuration of an elevator to which a wire rope flaw detector according to an embodiment (hereinafter referred to as "this example") is applied will be described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2.

[0014] 1-1.1:1 Roping Elevator The configuration of a 1:1 roping elevator, as an example of an elevator, will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a 1:1 roping elevator.

[0015] The elevator 1 shown in Fig. 1 is an elevator in which a machine room 160 is provided at the top of a hoistway 110. A pit 111 is provided at the bottom of the hoistway 110. A buffer and the like (not shown) are disposed in the pit 111. The elevator 1 is provided in the hoistway 110 formed in an architectural structure 200. Furthermore, a boarding and disembarking area 201 is provided at a floor in the architectural structure 200 where the car 120 stops.

[0016] The elevator 1 is provided with a car 120 that moves up and down within a hoistway 110 and carries people and luggage, a main rope 130 which is an example of a wire rope, a counterweight 140, and a hoist 100.

[0017] The hoisting machine 100 is disposed in a machine room 160. A main rope 130 is wound around a sheave of the hoisting machine 100. The car 120 rises and falls when the hoisting machine 100 is driven. In addition, a deflector sheave 150 on which the main rope 130 is mounted is provided near the hoisting machine 100. A control panel 190 that controls the elevator 1 is disposed in the machine room 160.

[0018] One axial end of the main rope 130 is connected to the upper part of the car 120, and the other axial end of the main rope 130 is connected to the upper part of the counterweight 140. Therefore, the car 120 is connected to the counterweight 140 via the main rope 130. Note that a plurality of main ropes 130 are provided. The plurality of main ropes 130 are connected to the car 120 and the counterweight 140, respectively, and wound around a sheave of the hoisting machine 100.

[0019] When the hoist 100 is driven, the car 120 moves up and down in the hoistway 110 along a car-side guide rail (not shown), and the counterweight 140 moves up and down in the hoistway 110 along a weight-side guide rail (not shown). The direction in which the car 120 and the counterweight 140 move up and down is the up-down direction. The up-down direction is parallel to the vertical direction.

[0020] 1-2.2:1 Roping Elevator Next, the configuration of a 2:1 roping elevator, as another example of an elevator, will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a 2:1 roping elevator. In addition, parts common to the 1:1 roping elevator 1 shown in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals and duplicated explanations are omitted.

[0021] The elevator 1B shown in Fig. 2 is an elevator that does not have a machine room 160 at the top of the hoistway 110. In addition, a pit 111 is provided at the bottom of the hoistway 110. As shown in Fig. 2, the elevator 1B has a hoisting machine 100 installed in the hoistway 110 or in the pit 111, a car 120, a main rope 130, and a counterweight 140. In addition, the elevator 1B has a first pulley 171 and a second pulley 172.

[0022] A car-side pulley 121 is provided at the bottom of the car 120. The counterweight 140 has a weight-side pulley 141. A main rope 130 is wound around the car-side pulley 121 and the weight-side pulley 141.

[0023] The first pulley 171 and the second pulley 172 are installed on a machine beam 180 installed at the top of the hoistway 110. One end 131 and the other end 132 of the main rope 130 are fixed to the top of the hoistway 110. The main rope 130 is wound around the car side pulley 121, the first pulley 171, the sheave of the hoisting machine 100, the second pulley 172, and the weight side pulley 141 in this order from the other end 132. Note that a plurality of main ropes 130 are provided. The plurality of main ropes 130 are wound around the car side pulley 121, the first pulley 171, the sheave of the hoisting machine 100, the second pulley 172, and the weight side pulley 141, respectively.

[0024] In the example shown in Figure 2, an example is described in which the hoisting machine 100 is installed at the bottom of the elevator shaft 110, but this is not limited to this, and the hoisting machine 100 may also be installed on a machine beam 180 installed at the top of the elevator shaft 110.

[0025] The main rope 130 of the elevators 1 and 1B described above is generally made up of a plurality of strands each made up of a plurality of steel wires (hereinafter referred to as "wires"). The main rope 130 is periodically inspected using a wire rope flaw detector 10 (described later) to count the number of broken wires and to determine whether it is safe to use.

[0026] 2. Wire rope flaw detector Next, the configuration of the wire rope flaw detector 10, which is a device for inspecting the condition of the main ropes 130 of the above-mentioned elevators 1 and 1B, will be described with reference to Figs. 3 and 4 are perspective views showing the wire rope flaw detector 10, and Fig. 5 is a side view showing the inspection unit 2 of the wire rope flaw detector 10. Note that in the example shown in Fig. 3, only one inspection unit 2, which will be described later, is shown. Also, in the example shown in Fig. 4, a mounting bracket 31, a first support portion 35, a second support portion 36, and a third support portion 37 of a support unit 30, which will be described later, are omitted.

[0027] 3 and 4, the wire rope flaw detector 10 has a plurality of inspection units 2 and a support unit 30. The support unit 30 has a mounting bracket 31, a support rod 32, a first support portion 35, a second support portion 36, a third support portion 37, and an elastic member 38 (see FIG. 4). The support unit 30 also has a rotating portion 34 and an expandable connecting portion 33.

[0028] [Support unit] The support unit 30 is disposed near a machine base 250 on which the hoist 100 is installed. The mounting bracket 31 of the support unit 30 is installed, for example, on a car-side guide rail 240 that slidably supports the car 120. The location where the mounting bracket 31 is installed is not limited to the car-side guide rail 240. The location where the mounting bracket 31 is installed may be a machine base installed in the hoistway 110, a weight-side guide rail that slidably supports the counterweight 140, the car 120, the counterweight 140, or the like.

[0029] The mounting bracket 31 is provided with a first support part 35. The first support part 35 is bent from the mounting bracket 31 and protrudes toward the main rope 130. The first support part 35 is formed in a substantially flat plate shape. A second support part 36 is connected to an end of the first support part 35 opposite the mounting bracket 31 via a rotating part 34. The second support part 36 is supported by the rotating part 34 to be rotatable on the first support part 35.

[0030] Further, the rotating part 34 is provided with an elastic member such as a torsion coil spring or a leaf spring (not shown). The elastic member provided in the rotating part 34 biases the second support part 36 toward a predetermined position relative to the first support part 35. Therefore, when the second support part 36 rotates around the rotating part 34 against the biasing force of the elastic member, the second support part 36 returns to its initial position by the elastic member.

[0031] Similarly to the first support portion 35, the second support portion 36 and the third support portion 37 are formed in a generally flat plate shape. The second support portion 36 and the third support portion 37 are connected via a telescopic connecting portion 33. An telescopic opening 36a is formed at the end portion of the second support portion 36 opposite the rotating portion 34. An telescopic opening 37a is formed at a location of the third support portion 37 that overlaps with the end portion of the second support portion 36 where the telescopic opening 36a is provided.

[0032] The telescopic connector 33 is inserted into the telescopic opening 36a of the second support 36 and the telescopic opening 37a of the third support 37. The telescopic connector 33 slides in the telescopic openings 36a and 37a. As a result, the third support 37 is telescopically connected to the second support 36. The telescopic connector 33 is provided with an elastic member (not shown) that biases the third support 37 to a predetermined position. As a result, after the third support 37 telescopically expands, the third support 37 returns to its initial position by the elastic member. Note that the telescopic mechanism that telescopically expands and contracts the third support 37 relative to the second support 36 is not limited to the above-mentioned configuration, and various other configurations can be applied.

[0033] The support rod 32 is fixed to the end of the third support part 37 opposite to the second support part 36 via a fixing part 41. The support rod 32 is configured in a substantially cylindrical shape. The support rod 32 protrudes substantially perpendicularly from the end of the third support part 37. The axial direction of the support rod 32 is perpendicular to the direction in which the main ropes 130 extend. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the axial direction of the support rod 32 is arranged parallel to the direction in which the multiple main ropes 130 are arranged.

[0034] 3 and 4, connecting jigs 13 of a plurality of inspection units 2, which will be described later, are attached to the support rod 32. The connecting jigs 13 are supported so as to be movable along the axial direction of the support rod 32. Furthermore, by using a cylindrical member as the support rod 32, the connecting jigs 13 are supported so as to be rotatable about the support rod 32.

[0035] 4, an elastic member 38 is interposed between the connecting jigs 13, 13 of two adjacent inspection units 2. As the elastic member 38, a coil spring, rubber, or other various elastic members are used.

[0036] [Inspection unit] Next, the configuration of the inspection unit 2 will be described. 5, the inspection unit 2 has a flaw detection section 3 that inspects the main rope 130, which is a wire rope, for damage, a connecting jig 13, a connecting rod 17, and a rotating support section 20. The flaw detection section 3 has a magnetization section that magnetizes the main rope 130 in the longitudinal direction, and a magnetic sensor. The flaw detection section 3 inspects the damage state of the wires of the main rope 130 by detecting leakage magnetic flux from the damaged section of the main rope 130 with the magnetic sensor.

[0037] A rotating support part 20 is provided on an end of the flaw detection part 3 opposite to the surface facing the main rope 130. One end of the connecting rod 17 is connected to the rotating support part 20 via a joint 21. The joint 21 is also supported rotatably by the rotating support part 20. Therefore, the flaw detection part 3 is supported rotatably by one end of the connecting rod 17.

[0038] The connecting rod 17 extends from the pivot support part 20 along the extending direction of the main rope 130. The other end of the connecting rod 17 opposite the pivot support part 20 is inserted into the connecting jig 13. In addition, a stopper 22 is provided on the other end of the connecting rod 17. This makes it possible to prevent the connecting jig 13 from falling off the connecting rod 17.

[0039] The connecting jig 13 has a screw hole 18 formed therein, which communicates with an insertion hole into which the connecting rod 17 is inserted. A fixing screw 11 is screwed into the screw hole 18. This allows the connecting rod 17 inserted into the connecting jig 13 to be fixed at any position.

[0040] Further, a cutout portion 19 is formed in the connecting jig 13. The cutout portion 19 is open on the side opposite to the side on which the screw holes 18 are formed in the connecting jig 13. A support rod 32 of the support unit 30 is inserted into the cutout portion 19.

[0041] Furthermore, the locking member 12 is attached to the connecting jig 13. The locking member 12 is attached to the connecting jig 13 so as to be able to close and open the opening of the cutout portion 19. This allows the connecting jig 13 to be easily attached to and detached from the support rod 32.

[0042] Further, the locking member 12 is provided with a biasing member 14. The biasing member 14 is an elastic body formed of, for example, a coil spring or the like. The biasing member 14 biases the locking member 12 in a direction to close the opening of the cutout portion 19. Furthermore, a bracket 15 having an insertion hole into which the locking member 12 can be inserted is fixed to the side surface of the connecting jig 13. The biasing member 14 is interposed between a spring seat 16 provided on the locking member 12 and the piece of the bracket 15 in which the insertion hole is formed.

[0043] In this embodiment, the cutout portion 19, which is partially open, is applied to the connecting jig 13 as a configuration for inserting the support rod 32, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a support hole into which the support rod 32 is inserted may be formed in the connecting jig 13.

[0044] 3. Example of operation of wire rope flaw detector Next, an example of the operation of the wire rope flaw detector 10 having the above-mentioned configuration will be described. First, the worker fixes the mounting bracket 31 of the support unit 30 to, for example, the car-side guide rail 240 that slidably supports the car 120. Next, the connecting jig 13 is attached to the support rod 32 of the support unit 30, and multiple inspection units 2 are installed on the support unit 30. At this time, the inspection units 2 are installed so that the flaw detection section 3 of the inspection unit 2 faces the main rope 130. The number of inspection units 2 is set according to the number of main ropes 130 of the elevators 1, 1B to be inspected. Furthermore, an elastic member 38 is interposed between the multiple connecting jigs 13.

[0045] When the installation work of the support unit 30 and the inspection unit 2 is completed, the hoisting machine 100 is driven to move the main rope 130 along the direction in which it extends. Then, the main rope 130 is magnetized by the magnetizing section of the flaw detection unit 3, and the damage state of the wires of the main rope 130 is inspected by detecting leakage magnetic flux from the damaged part of the main rope 130 by the magnetic sensor.

[0046] Furthermore, when the main rope 130 moves, it moves in a direction approaching and receding from the flaw detection section 3 of the inspection unit 2. Here, the flaw detection section 3 is rotatably supported on the connecting rod 17 by the pivot support section 20, and the connecting jig 13 is rotatably supported on the support rod 32 of the support unit 30. This allows the flaw detection section 3 to follow the behavior of the main rope 130, and allows the flaw detection section 3 to be reliably opposed to the main rope 130.

[0047] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the car pulley 121, the weight pulley 141, the main rope 130, and the wire rope flaw detector 10 as viewed from above. 6, when the main rope 130 moves, the orientations of the car-side pulley 121 and the weight-side pulley 141 also change. Therefore, the main rope 130 not only changes slightly in the direction toward and away from the flaw detection unit 3, but also changes greatly in the horizontal direction, which is perpendicular to the direction in which the main rope 130 extends, with an angle called a fleet angle.

[0048] In contrast, in the support unit 30 of the wire rope flaw detector 10 of this example, the first support part 35 and the second support part 36 are connected by the rotating part 34 so as to be rotatable in the horizontal direction, and the second support part 36 and the third support part 37 are connected by the telescopic connecting part 33 so as to be telescopic in the horizontal direction. As a result, the rotating part 34 and the telescopic connecting part 33 can move in response to the horizontal displacement of the main rope 130, so that the entire inspection unit 2 can be made to follow the main rope 130.

[0049] Moreover, the rotating portion 34 and the telescopic connecting portion 33 are provided with elastic members (not shown). Therefore, the relative position between the support rod 32 of the support unit 30 and the main rope 130 can be kept constant according to the position of the main rope 130. As a result, the entirety of the multiple inspection units 2 attached to the support rod 32 can be made to follow the main rope 130, enabling stable inspection to be performed.

[0050] 7A and 7B are diagrams showing the positional relationship between the car-side pulley 121 and the weight-side pulley 141 and the hoisting machine 100 when the main rope 130 is moved. As shown in Figures 7A and 7B, when the hoist 100 is driven to move the main ropes 130, the intervals between the car-side pulley 121 and the weight-side pulley 141 and the hoist 100 are displaced. Then, as shown in Figure 7B, when the car-side pulley 121 and the weight-side pulley 141 approach the hoist 100, they are displaced significantly due to the fleet angle, and the orientation and intervals of the multiple main ropes 130 are displaced. Here, even if the orientation of the main ropes 130 is displaced, the entire inspection unit 2 can be made to follow the main ropes 130 by moving the rotating part 34 and the telescopic connecting part 33 as described above.

[0051] Moreover, the multiple connecting jigs 13 are supported so as to be movable along the axial direction of the support rod 32, and an elastic member 38 is interposed between adjacent connecting jigs 13. Moreover, the axial direction of the support rod 32 is arranged parallel to the direction in which the multiple main ropes 130 are arranged. Therefore, as shown in Figs. 7A and 7B, when the interval between the multiple main ropes 130 is displaced, the multiple connecting jigs 13 move along the axial direction of the support rod 32. This allows the multiple inspection units 2 to move independently according to the movement of the multiple main ropes 130, and the flaw detection unit 3 can be reliably opposed to the main ropes 130. Furthermore, the elastic member 38 interposed between the connecting jigs 13 allows the relative position between the inspection unit 2 and the main ropes 130 to be kept constant.

[0052] In the examples shown in Fig. 6 to Fig. 7B, the 2:1 roped elevator 1B shown in Fig. 2 has been described as an elevator, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In the 1:1 roped elevator 1 shown in Fig. 1, the movement of the main rope 130 displaces the interval between the hoist 100 and the car 120 or the counterweight 140. Therefore, not only does the main rope 130 displace in the horizontal direction, but the interval between the multiple main ropes 130 also displaces. Therefore, the wire rope flaw detector 10 of this example is also effective for inspecting the main rope 130 of the 1:1 roped elevator 1 shown in Fig. 1.

[0053] The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above and shown in the drawings, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention described in the claims.

[0054] In the above-described embodiment, a flaw detection unit using a leakage magnetic flux method consisting of a magnetization unit and a magnetic sensor is applied as the flaw detection unit 3, but the present invention is not limited to this. As the flaw detection unit, a flaw detection unit using an optical sensor or various other flaw detection units may be applied.

[0055] In this specification, the words "parallel" and "orthogonal" are used, but these do not mean only "parallel" and "orthogonal" in the strict sense, but may also mean a "substantially parallel" or "substantially orthogonal" state that includes "parallel" and "orthogonal" and is within a range in which the respective functions can be exerted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1, 1B... elevator, 2... inspection unit, 3... flaw detection unit, 10... wire rope flaw detection device, 11... fixing screw, 12... locking member, 13... connecting jig, 14... biasing member, 15... bracket, 16... spring seat, 17... connecting rod, 18... screw hole, 19... cutout portion, 20... rotating support portion, 21... joint, 22... fastener, 30... support unit, 31... mounting bracket, 32... support rod, 33... telescopic connecting portion, 34... rotating portion, 35... first support portion, 36... second support portion, 36a, 37a... telescopic opening, 37... third support portion, 38... elastic member, 41... fixed portion, 100... hoist, 110... elevator shaft, 120... car, 121... cage side pulley, 130... main rope (wire rope), 131... one end, 132... other end, 141... weight side pulley, 180... machine beam, 200... building structure, 201... boarding / disembarking platform, 240... side guide rail, 250... machine base

Claims

1. In a wire rope flaw detector for inspecting elevator wire ropes, An inspection unit having a flaw detector for inspecting damage to the wire rope; A support unit that supports the inspection unit, The support unit includes: A mounting bracket is installed in a hoistway in which the elevator is installed; A first support portion provided on the mounting bracket; A second support portion rotatably connected to the first support portion via a rotation portion; A third support portion that is expandable and contractible connected to the second support portion via an expansion and contraction connecting portion; a support rod attached to the third support portion and supporting the inspection unit; An elevator wire rope flaw detector equipped with this device.

2. an elastic member is provided on the rotation portion to bias the second support portion toward a predetermined position relative to the first support portion; The telescopic connector is provided with an elastic member that biases the third support portion toward a predetermined position relative to the second support portion.

2. The elevator wire rope flaw detector according to claim 1.

3. The inspection unit is supported by the support rod so as to be movable along the axial direction of the support rod.

2. The elevator wire rope flaw detector according to claim 1.

4. The inspection unit is provided in plurality according to the number of the wire ropes of the elevator, The support rod is arranged so that its axial direction is parallel to the direction in which the plurality of wire ropes are arranged, A plurality of the inspection units are supported on the support rod.

4. The elevator wire rope flaw detector according to claim 3.

5. the inspection unit has a connecting jig attached to the support rod, An elastic member is interposed between the connection jigs of two adjacent inspection units among the plurality of inspection units.

5. The elevator wire rope flaw detector according to claim 4.

6. The support rod is formed in a cylindrical shape, The connecting jig is supported by the support rod so as to be rotatable around the support rod.

6. The elevator wire rope flaw detector according to claim 5.

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