Elevator safety system and elevator

Abstract

To provide an elevator safety system capable of improving the reliability of work while having a safety controller having a function of monitoring a state of a car during a brake release operation, and an elevator equipped with the safety system.SOLUTION: In an elevator safety system, when a car (105) stopped by a safety controller (1) is moved by releasing a brake device (102) using power from backup power supply means (11), the safety controller detects a speed or a position of the car and detects an abnormality in the speed or the position based on a detected value of the speed or the position. Furthermore, the elevator safety system includes a safety power supply unit (10) that permits the release of the brake device when the safety controller is normal, and supplies power from the backup power supply means to the brake device in response to a predetermined operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an elevator safety system including a safety controller that detects an abnormality in an elevator and executes a safety process, and an elevator including the safety system.

Background Art

[0002] In an elevator, when a failure or an abnormality in the operating state is detected, the power supply to the motor and the brake device provided in the hoist is cut off to stop the car. When the stop position of the car is between floors, a maintenance technician supplies power from the brake release power supply to the brake device to release the brake device, and moves the car to the nearest floor by the weight difference between the car and the counterweight.

[0003] As a prior art related to such work by a maintenance technician, the technique described in Patent Document 1 (paragraphs 0036 to 0040) is known.

[0004] In this prior art, a safety controller that controls a safety device, which is provided separately from an elevator controller that controls the normal operation of the elevator, operates by a brake release power supply and monitors the speed of the car during the brake release operation.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In the above prior art, the operating state of the safety controller when the power supply for brake release is connected to the safety controller is not considered. For this reason, depending on the operating state of the safety controller, it may be difficult to ensure sufficient work reliability.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention provides an elevator safety system capable of improving work reliability while the safety controller has a function of monitoring the state of the car during a brake release operation, and an elevator equipped with this safety system.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] To solve the above problems, an elevator safety system according to the present invention includes a safety controller that operates a brake device to stop the car when an abnormality is detected in the operation of the car. When moving the car stopped by the safety controller by releasing the brake device with electric power from backup power supply means, the safety controller detects the speed or position of the car and detects an abnormality in the speed or position based on the detected value of the speed or position. Further, the elevator safety system according to the present invention includes a safety power supply unit that permits the release of the brake device and supplies electric power from the backup power supply means to the brake device in response to a predetermined operation when the safety controller is normal.

[0009] To solve the above problems, an elevator according to the present invention includes an elevator controller that controls the operation of the car by controlling a motor that drives a sheave, a car and a counterweight suspended on both sides of the sheave via a main rope wound around the sheave, and further includes the elevator safety system according to the present invention.

Effects of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, the reliability of the work of releasing the brake device and moving the car is improved.

[0011] Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will be clarified by the following description of the embodiments.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, an elevator which is an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings according to Examples 1 to 2. In each figure, components with the same reference numerals indicate the same components or components having similar functions.

Examples

[0014] FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing the elevator which is Example 1 of the present invention.

[0015] The car 105 is connected to the counterweight 107 via the main rope 106 in the hoistway. The main rope 106 is wound around the sheave 104 and the deflection pulley 108 provided in the hoisting machine. Thereby, the car 105 and the counterweight 107 are suspended on both sides of the sheave 104 via the main rope 106 in the hoistway.

[0016] When power is supplied to the motor 103 provided in the hoist by the power converter 101 controlled by the elevator controller 100, the sheave 104 rotates by the motor 103. When the rotating sheave 104 drives the main rope 106, the car 105 and the counterweight 107 move between a plurality of floors in opposite vertical directions in the hoistway.

[0017] A rotary encoder (not shown) is attached to the motor 103 provided in the hoist. The elevator controller 100 counts the pulses generated according to the rotation of the motor 103 by the rotary encoder. The elevator controller 100 calculates the moving amount, speed, etc. of the car 105 based on the counting of the pulses. Further, a position detection sensor (not shown) is provided in the car 105. The position detection sensor detects a detection plate (not shown) provided at a specific position in the hoistway (for example, a predetermined position near the floor position). The elevator controller 100 determines that the car 105 is located at the position where the detection plate is provided based on the detection signal of the position detection sensor that has detected the detection plate.

[0018] The elevator controller 100 controls the operation (speed, acceleration, position, etc.) of the car 105 based on the moving amount and speed of the car 105 detected by the rotary encoder, and the position of the car 105 detected by the position detection sensor and the detection plate.

[0019] The brake power supply 2 outputs the brake device power supply to the brake device 102 provided in the motor 103 via the brake electromagnetic contactor. The power supply 3 outputs the motor drive power supply to the power converter 101 via the motor electromagnetic contactor. When the elevator controller 100 brakes the car 105, it commands each electromagnetic contactor to open each contact. Thereby, the power supply to the brake device 102 and the motor 103 is cut off.

[0020] For example, a commercial AC power supply is used as the brake device power supply and the motor drive power supply.

[0021] The car 105 is provided with a car-side door 60. Further, a landing-side door 70 is provided at the landing. When the car 105 is located within the door zone which is an area where the door can be opened, the car-side door 60 engages with the landing-side door 70 and is opened and closed together with the landing-side door 70 by a door drive device (not shown) provided in the car 105.

[0022] The car 105 is provided with an emergency stop device 50 that operates by means of a governor 20. An endless governor rope 23 connected to the car 105 via a connecting member 25 is wound around a governor pulley 21 provided on the governor 20. Further, the governor rope 23 is wound around a tension pulley 22 provided in a pit at the bottom of the hoistway. The tension pulley 22 applies tension to the governor rope 23. As a result, the governor rope 23 is stretched without slack in the height direction within the hoistway from the lowest floor to the highest floor.

[0023] In the first embodiment, the governor 20 has a known mechanism. Similar to a known governor, when the car 105 enters an overspeed state, the governor 20 operates to activate the emergency stop device 50 provided below the car 105.

[0024] At the bottom of the hoistway, that is, in the pit, a buffer 30 for receiving the car 105 is provided when the car 105 descends beyond the terminal floor.

[0025] Next, the safety system provided in the elevator of the first embodiment will be described.

[0026] When the safety controller 1 determines an abnormality in the operating state of the car 105 based on each signal from the position detector 6, the car door switch 61, the landing door switch 71, and the limit switch 9, it executes safety processing.

[0027] In the first embodiment, the safety controller 1 includes a computer system such as a microcomputer, and executes safety processing by executing a predetermined program by the computer system. The computer system has a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, a watchdog timer, and a power supply monitoring circuit. Further, in the computer system, the CPU may be duplicated in order to detect a processing abnormality of the CPU.

[0028] The elevator controller 100 also includes a computer system for operation control. The computer system included in the safety controller 1 and the computer system included in the elevator controller 100 are independent of each other.

[0029] The position detector 6 is attached to a governor pulley 21 that rotates following the movement of the car 105, and detects the rotation amount of the governor pulley 21. In the first embodiment, a rotary encoder is applied as the position detector 6. The position detector 6 outputs a pulse signal in response to the movement of the car 105.

[0030] The safety controller 1 calculates the movement amount of the car 105 based on the pulse signal input from the position detector 6, and detects the position of the car 105 by integrating the calculated movement amount. The safety controller 1 detects the speed of the car 105 by calculating the time change of the movement amount of the car 105. Further, the safety controller 1 detects the acceleration / deceleration of the car 105 by calculating the time change of the calculated speed.

[0031] As the position detector 6, a rotary encoder provided in the car 105, in contact with the guide rail, and attached to a rotating roller that rotates as the car 105 moves may be applied. Also, the guide rail may be magnetized in a predetermined pattern, and the position of the car 105 may be detected based on the signal of a magnetic detector that detects the magnetization pattern. Further, an image sensor that images the surface of the guide rail may be provided in the car 105, and the position of the car 105 may be detected based on the image detection signal of the image sensor.

[0032] When the safety controller 1 determines that the detected speed of the car 105 exceeds the first overspeed (for example, a speed not exceeding 1.3 times the rated speed), it issues commands to the motor electromagnetic contactor provided in the power supply 3 and the brake electromagnetic contactor provided in the brake power supply 2 to open these contacts. Thereby, the safety controller 1 brings the car 105 to an emergency stop.

[0033] In addition, when the speed of the car 105 exceeds a second overspeed greater than the first overspeed (for example, a speed not exceeding 1.4 times the rated speed), the governor 20 operates and the emergency stop device 50 operates, whereby the car 105 is braked.

[0034] Based on the signals from the car door switch 61 and the landing door switch 71, when the safety controller 1 determines that any door is in the open state, and based on the signal from the position detector 6, when it determines that the car 105 is traveling outside the door open zone, the safety controller 1 brings the car 105 to an emergency stop.

[0035] Based on the signal from the position detector 6, when the safety controller 1 determines that the car 105 is exceeding a predetermined speed at a predetermined position near the terminal floors (the lowest floor and the highest floor), it operates the braking device 102 to forcibly decelerate and stop the car 105.

[0036] When the safety controller 1 determines that the car 105 has passed the terminal floor (the lowest floor in FIG. 1) based on the signal from the limit switch 9, the safety controller 1 will cause the car 105 to make an emergency stop.

[0037] Next, the car movement operation by brake release and the operation of the safety system during this operation in Embodiment 1 will be described.

[0038] The maintenance technician responsible for the car movement operation to release the brake device 102 first shuts off the power supply to the entire elevator at the start of the operation. For example, the maintenance technician shuts off the breaker at the power receiving part of the commercial AC power supply in the elevator. Thereby, the movement of the car 105 is restricted to the movement accompanying the release of the brake device 102 by the maintenance technician. After that, the maintenance technician connects the backup power supply means 11 and the brake release switch 12 to the safety power supply unit 10.

[0039] The backup power supply means 11 is a portable power supply equipped with a storage battery, which serves as the power supply for releasing the brake device 102 and also serves as the operating power supply for the safety system (safety controller 1, safety power supply unit 10, position detector 6, limit switch 9, car door switch 61, landing door switch 71, notification means 13 (described later)). The brake release switch 12 is manually operated by the maintenance technician when releasing the brake device 102.

[0040] The backup power supply means 11 and the brake release switch 12 are electrically connected at a predetermined location in the elevator. For example, the backup power supply means 11 and the brake release switch 12 are connected to a plurality of connectors provided in the landing operation panel equipped with hall call buttons via a connection cable. The plurality of connectors are electrically connected to the safety power supply unit 10. Therefore, the backup power supply means 11 is electrically connected to the output section (the electrical connection section between the brake electromagnetic contactor and the brake device 102) of the brake power supply 2 to the brake device 102 via the connection cable, the connectors, and the safety power supply unit 10. Also, the brake release switch 12 is electrically connected to the safety power supply unit 10 via the connection cable and the connectors.

[0041] When the safety power supply unit 10 connects the backup power supply means 11 to the safety controller 1 and power is supplied from the backup power supply means 11 to the safety controller 1, the safety controller 1 starts up. When starting up, the safety controller 1 determines the presence or absence of abnormalities in the safety system by performing initial processing (such as self-diagnosis). If the safety controller 1 determines that there is no abnormality in the safety system, it outputs a feedback signal indicating that it has started up normally to the safety power supply unit 10. Also, if the safety controller 1 determines that there is an abnormality in the safety system, it does not output a feedback signal.

[0042] Based on the feedback signal received from the safety controller 1, when the safety power supply unit 10 determines that the safety controller 1 has started up normally, it enters a state of waiting for the brake release switch 12 to be turned on.

[0043] At this time, the safety power supply unit 10 may inform maintenance technicians that the safety controller 1 has started up normally and brake release is permitted by lighting an LED (light-emitting diode) or the like. The LED is provided at a predetermined location in the elevator. For example, the LED is provided in the landing operation panel together with the aforementioned connectors for connecting the backup power supply means 11 and the brake release switch 12.

[0044] When the safety power supply unit 10 is in a state of waiting for the operation of the brake release switch 12 and a maintenance technician turns on the brake release switch 12 to release the brake device 102, the safety power supply unit 10 sends a brake release notification signal notifying the release of the brake device 102 to the safety controller 1. At this time, the safety power supply unit 10 also connects the backup power supply means 11 to the brake power supply 2 to supply power to the brake device 102. As a result, since the brake device 102 is released, the car 105 moves due to the weight difference between the car 105 and the counterweight 107.

[0045] When the safety controller 1 receives a brake release notification signal from the safety power supply unit 10, it changes the position and speed monitoring threshold values to values for brake release, and performs position and speed monitoring based on those threshold values.

[0046] The threshold value of the first overspeed is changed from about 1.3 times the rated speed to a speed lower than the rated speed. Also, the overspeed threshold value used for terminal stage deceleration stop is changed to a value lower than that during normal operation. That is, the remaining distance at which forced deceleration starts for the same overspeed is increased. The safety controller 1 detects the position and speed of the car 105 and compares the detected speed and detected position with the threshold values, but does not execute the safety process for operating the brake device 102.

[0047] In addition, when the safety controller 1 detects speed exceeding or overshooting based on the threshold values for brake release, it commands the notification means 13 to output abnormal occurrence information in order to notify the maintenance technician of the occurrence of an abnormality. As the notification means 13, a sound generating device such as a speaker or a light emitting device such as an LED is applied. Also, the notification means 13 may display the speed and position of the car 105 detected by the safety controller 1.

[0048] When the maintenance technician checks the information output from the notification means 13, the activation of the brake release switch 12 is temporarily canceled, the braking device 102 is operated, and the car 105 is stopped. As a result, the maintenance technician can quickly respond to the overspeed of the car 105 and overshoot at the terminal floor. Therefore, the reliability and safety of the car movement operation due to brake release are improved.

[0049] Instead of temporarily canceling the activation of the brake release switch 12, the safety controller 1 may cut off the power supply to the braking device 102.

[0050] The notification means 13 is provided, for example, in the landing operation panel, similar to the aforementioned connector for connecting the backup power supply means 11 and the brake release switch 12. Note that a wireless terminal device such as a smartphone carried by the maintenance technician may be applied as the notification means 13.

[0051] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the safety power supply unit 10 in the first embodiment. The description will be made with reference to FIG. 1 as appropriate.

[0052] In the first embodiment, the safety power supply unit 10 includes a relay and a microcomputer that controls the relay. As the relay, an electromagnetic relay or a semiconductor relay can be applied. The safety power supply unit 10 executes a power supply operation for brake release when the microcomputer executes a predetermined program.

[0053] Note that instead of the microcomputer, another logic circuit such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) may be applied.

[0054] When the safety power supply unit 10 starts processing, first in step S101, it determines whether there is a power input from the backup power supply means 11 for the car cage movement operation (brake release, speed and position detection) by brake release. The safety power supply unit 10 determines the presence or absence of power input based on the input voltage from the backup power supply means 11 to the relay. When the safety power supply unit 10 determines that there is a power input (YES in step S101), it then executes step S102. When the safety power supply unit 10 determines that there is no power input (NO in step S101), the safety power supply unit 10 itself is not powered and does not operate.

[0055] According to step S101, even if the brake release switch 12 is turned on before the connection of the backup power supply means 11, the brake release is prevented, so the reliability of the brake release operation is improved.

[0056] In step S102, the safety power supply unit 10 turns on the relay and connects the backup power supply means 11 to the safety controller 1. Thereby, power is supplied to the safety controller 1. When the safety power supply unit 10 executes step S102, it then executes step S103.

[0057] In step S103, the safety power supply unit 10 determines whether the safety controller 1 has started up normally based on the reception of the feedback signal from the safety controller 1. When the safety power supply unit 10 has received the feedback signal and determines that the safety controller 1 has started up normally (YES in step S103), it then executes step S104. When the safety power supply unit 10 has not received the feedback signal and determines that the safety controller 1 has not started up normally (NO in step S103), it ends the series of processes.

[0058] According to step S103, when there is an abnormality in the safety system and the safety controller 1 fails to start up normally, the brake device 102 cannot be released. Therefore, the reliability and safety of the car movement operation by brake release are improved. Abnormalities in the safety system include failures in the initial processing in the safety controller 1, malfunctions of the position detector 6, the limit switch 9, and the notification means 13, etc.

[0059] In step S104, the safety power supply unit 10 permits the release of the brake device 102. That is, the safety power supply unit 10 becomes in a state where it can receive a signal from the brake release switch 12 and waits for the brake release switch 12 to be turned on. When the safety power supply unit 10 executes step S104, next, it executes step S105.

[0060] In step S105, the safety power supply unit 10 determines whether the brake release switch 12 has been turned on based on the presence or absence of a turn-on signal from the brake release switch 12. When the safety power supply unit 10 determines that there is a turn-on signal from the brake release switch 12 and the brake release switch 12 has been turned on (YES in step S105), next, it executes step S106. When the safety power supply unit 10 determines that there is no turn-on signal from the brake release switch 12 and the brake release switch 12 has not been turned on (NO in step S105), it ends a series of processes.

[0061] In step S106, the safety power supply unit 10 notifies the safety controller 1 to release the brake device 102. Note that the operation of the safety controller 1 that receives the notification will be described later. When the safety power supply unit 10 executes step S106, next, it executes step S107.

[0062] In step S107, the safety power supply unit 10 turns on the relay to connect the backup power supply means 11 to the brake power supply 2. As a result, power is supplied to the brake device 102, and the brake device 102 is released. When the safety power supply unit 10 executes step S107, it ends a series of processes.

[0063] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the safety controller 1 in the first embodiment. The description will be made with reference to FIG. 1 as appropriate.

[0064] When starting the process, the safety controller 1 first inputs, in step S201, power from the backup power supply means 11 from the safety power supply unit 10. When the safety controller 1 executes step S201, it then executes step S202.

[0065] In step S202, the safety controller 1 performs initial processing.

[0066] In the initial processing, the safety controller 1 executes confirmation processes such as abnormal checks of the I / O and sensors of the input / output destinations, and failure checks of the CPU, power supply circuit, and memory (including ROM, RAM, non-volatile memory, etc.) within the safety controller 1 in a predetermined order. Also, when the information on the current position stored in the RAM is lost due to a power failure or the like, the safety controller 1 reads out the position information stored in a non-volatile memory or the like and sets it in the RAM.

[0067] When the safety controller 1 executes step S202, it then executes step S203.

[0068] In step S203, the safety controller 1 determines whether the initialization process has been performed normally and whether the safety controller 1 has started up normally. If the safety controller 1 determines that it has started up normally (YES in step S203), it then executes step S204. If the safety controller 1 determines that it has not started up normally (NO in step S203), it then executes step S205.

[0069] In step S204, the safety controller 1 outputs a feedback signal indicating that it has started up normally to the safety power supply unit 10. After executing step S204, the safety controller 1 then executes step S206.

[0070] In step S205, the safety controller 1 ends a series of processes without outputting a feedback signal indicating that it has started up normally.

[0071] As described above, if the safety power supply unit 10 does not receive a feedback signal, the closing of the brake release switch 12 is not permitted (steps S103 and S104 in FIG. 2). That is, when the safety controller 1 does not start up normally and cannot monitor the speed and position of the car 105, the brake cannot be released by the brake release switch 12. Therefore, the reliability and safety of the car movement operation by brake release are improved.

[0072] In step S206, the safety controller 1 determines whether there is a notification from the safety power supply unit 10 that the brake release switch 12 has been closed to release the brake device 102 (see step S106 in FIG. 2 above). If the safety controller 1 determines that there is a brake release notification (YES in step S206), it then executes step S207. If the safety controller 1 determines that there is no brake release notification (NO in step S206), it ends a series of processes.

[0073] In step S207, the safety controller 1 changes the monitoring thresholds for the speed and position of the car 105, specifically, in the first embodiment, each detection threshold for overspeed and overposition, to the thresholds for the case where the car 105 is moved by releasing the brake, and monitors the position and speed based on the changed thresholds.

[0074] The thresholds at the time of brake release are set to an overspeed value lower than the speed threshold for emergency stop and a position before the terminal floor so that maintenance technicians can respond to abnormalities quickly. For example, a speed value lower than the speed during maintenance operation (<rated speed) (for example, 10 m / min) and a threshold are set at the midpoint between the first floor (terminal floor) and the second floor.

[0075] In this way, by changing the thresholds for position and speed monitoring, the reliability and safety of the car movement operation by brake release are improved.

[0076] When the safety controller 1 executes step S207, it then executes step S208.

[0077] In step S208, the safety controller 1 detects the speed and position of the car 105, and detects whether it is in an overspeed state or an overposition state by comparing each detected value with the changed threshold. When the safety controller 1 detects overspeed or overposition of the car 1 (YES in step S208), it then executes step S209. When the safety controller 1 does not detect overspeed and overposition of the car 1 (NO in step S208), it ends the series of processes.

[0078] In step S209, the safety controller 1 commands the notification means 13 to output information for notifying maintenance technicians of abnormalities such as overspeed and overposition. When receiving the command, the notification means 13 outputs visual information (for example, lighting or blinking of an LED) and audible information (for example, an alarm sound). When the maintenance technician confirms such information, the maintenance technician releases the activation of the brake release switch 12, operates the brake device 102, and stops the car 105.

[0079] When the safety controller 1 executes step S209, a series of processes are terminated.

[0080] According to the above-described embodiment 1, when a maintenance technician releases and moves the brake device 102 of the emergency-stopped car 105 using the backup power supply means 11, the safety controller 1 detects the speed or position of the car 105. As a result, the maintenance technician can quickly respond when an abnormality occurs. Further, even if the elevator controller 100 fails, the speed or position of the car 105 can be monitored. Therefore, the reliability and safety of the work by the maintenance technician are improved.

[0081] Also, according to embodiment 1, when the safety power supply unit 10 determines that the safety controller 1 is normal, it supplies power from the backup power supply means to the brake device 102 by turning on the brake release switch 12. As a result, the brake device 102 is released in a state where the safety controller 1 can surely monitor the speed or position of the car 105. Thereby, the reliability and safety of the work of releasing the brake device 102 using the backup power supply means 11 and moving the car 105 are improved.

[0082] Also, according to embodiment 1, when releasing and moving the brake device 102 using the backup power supply means 11, if the speed or position of the car 105 is abnormal, the safety controller 1 outputs information for notifying the notification means of the abnormality. As a result, the maintenance technician can quickly respond when an abnormality occurs. Therefore, the reliability and safety of the work by the maintenance technician are improved.

Embodiment

[0083] Hereinafter, embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described. Note that mainly, differences from embodiment 1 will be described.

[0084] FIG. 4 is an overall configuration diagram showing an elevator according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0085] The elevator of Example 2 is provided with a so-called rope-less governor system that does not use a governor rope. In Example 2, the rope-less governor system is composed of a position detector 6 and a safety controller 1 that determines the overspeed state of the car 105 based on the detection signal of the position detector 6.

[0086] Similar to Example 1, when the safety controller 1 determines that the detected speed of the car 105 exceeds the first overspeed (for example, a speed not exceeding 1.3 times the rated speed), the safety controller 1 commands the electromagnetic contactor for the motor provided in the power supply 3 and the electromagnetic contactor for the brake provided in the brake power supply 2 to open these contacts. Thereby, the safety controller 1 brings the car 105 to an emergency stop. Further, in Example 2, when the descending speed of the car 105 reaches the second overspeed (for example, a speed not exceeding 1.4 times the rated speed), the electric emergency stop device 51 provided on the car 105 is activated. Thereby, the car 105 is brought to an emergency stop.

[0087] Similar to a known emergency stop device, when a pair of brake shoes are pulled up by a pulling mechanism, the electric emergency stop device 51 generates a braking force by clamping and contacting a guide rail. The electric emergency stop device 51 is provided with an electric operator that drives the pulling mechanism. When the electric operator is energized, it is in a standby state without driving the pulling mechanism. When the safety controller 1 determines that the descending speed of the car 105 detected based on the detection signal of the position detector 6 has reached the second overspeed, the safety controller 1 cuts off the power supply to the electric operator. Thereby, the pulling mechanism is driven and the electric emergency stop device 51 is activated.

[0088] In Example 2, the position detector 6 is provided on the car 105. The position detector 6 outputs a detection signal according to the movement of the car 105. The position detector 6 is communicably connected to the safety controller 1. In order to shorten the wiring length of the communication line, the safety controller 1 is also provided on the car 105. In addition, in Example 2, the safety power supply unit 10 is also provided on the car 105.

[0089] For example, as the position detector 6, a rotary encoder attached to a rotary roller that is in contact with the guide rail and rotates as the car 105 moves is applicable. Also, a magnetic detector that magnetizes the guide rail in a predetermined pattern and detects the magnetization pattern may be used as the position detector 6. Further, an image sensor that images the surface of the guide rail may be used as the position detector 6. In this case, the safety controller 1 detects the speed of the car 105 by calculating the temporal change in the displacement amount of the image feature amount based on the output signal of the image sensor. Also, the safety controller 1 detects the position of the car 105 by integrating the displacement amount of the image feature amount based on the output signal of the image sensor.

[0090] Similar to the first embodiment, the maintenance technician responsible for the operation of releasing the brake device 102 and moving the car 105 first shuts off the power supply to the entire elevator at the start of the operation. For this reason, since the energization to the electric actuator is cut off, the brake is pulled up. Therefore, the pair of brakes sandwich the guide rail and come into contact with the guide rail.

[0091] When the brake is in contact with the guide rail, the frictional force acting between the brake and the guide rail makes it difficult for the car 105 to move. In particular, when the weight on the car 105 side is greater than the weight of the counterweight 107 and the car 105 descends, it becomes difficult to move the car 105 due to the wedge effect of the brake. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the safety controller 1 energizes the electric actuator by the backup power supply means 11 and returns the electric actuator to the standby state. As a result, the pulling mechanism is returned to the normal state, the brake is pulled down to the normal position, and the contact state between the brake and the guide rail is released.

[0092] Incidentally, depending on its structure, the electric emergency stop device 51 may be provided with a return mechanism for returning the electric actuator to the standby state. For example, when the lifting mechanism is driven by the elastic force of an elastic body such as a spring, the electric actuator, while energized, restrains the movement of the lifting mechanism against the elastic force by the electromagnetic force generated by an electromagnet or a solenoid. When the power supply to the electric actuator is cut off, the lifting mechanism is driven by the elastic force and the rotor is lifted. In such an electric emergency stop device 51, while energizing the electric actuator, the return mechanism returns the lifting mechanism to the normal state and deforms the elastic body to return to the state where elastic energy is accumulated.

[0093] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the safety controller 1 in the second embodiment. This will be described with reference to FIG. 4 as appropriate.

[0094] Incidentally, the different operations of the safety power supply unit 10 in the second embodiment from those in the first embodiment will also be described below.

[0095] When starting the process, the safety controller 1 sequentially executes step S301, step S302, and step S303. Step S301, step S302, and step S303 respectively correspond to step S201, step S202, and step S203 in the first embodiment (FIG. 3).

[0096] If the safety controller 1 determines that it has not started up normally (NO in step S303), it then executes step S307, which will be described later.

[0097] If the safety controller 1 determines that it has started up normally (YES in step S303), it then sequentially executes step S304 and step S305.

[0098] In step S304, the safety controller 1 uses the backup power means 11 to return the electric actuator provided in the electric emergency stop device 51 to the standby state, thereby returning the electric emergency stop device 51 to the standby state.

[0099] At this time, the safety controller 1 commands the safety power supply unit 10 to electrically connect the backup power supply means 11 to the electric emergency stop device 51. As a result, the electric emergency stop device 51 is energized by the power of the backup power supply means 11 supplied via the safety power supply unit 10. Such an operation of the safety power supply unit 10 is executed in the flowchart of FIG. 2 described above as a step of determining the presence or absence of a command after step S102 and a step of connecting the backup power supply means 11 to the electric emergency stop device 51 when it is determined that there is a command.

[0100] Next, in step S305, the safety controller 1 determines whether the electric emergency stop device 51 has normally returned to the standby state. When the safety controller 1 determines that it has returned normally (YES in step S305), it then executes step S306. When the safety controller 1 determines that it has not returned normally (NO in step S305), it then executes step S307.

[0101] The fact that the electric emergency stop device 51 has returned to the standby state is detected by a position detector that detects the position of the movable part of the electric emergency stop device 51 or the electric operator. If the position detector detects that the movable part is in the standby position, the safety controller 1 determines that the electric emergency stop device 51 has normally returned to the standby state.

[0102] Step S306 and step S307 respectively correspond to step S204 and step S205 in Embodiment 1 (FIG. 3). The feedback signal in Embodiment 2 indicates that the safety controller 1 has started up normally and that the electric emergency stop device 51 has normally returned to the standby state. Also, in Embodiment 2, the safety controller 1 does not output a feedback signal if it does not start up normally. Furthermore, the safety controller 1 does not output a feedback signal even if it starts up normally but the electric emergency stop device 51 does not normally return to the standby state.

[0103] Therefore, in the first embodiment, the safety power supply unit 10 determines whether the safety controller is normal based on the feedback signal (step S103 in FIG. 2). In the second embodiment, based on the feedback signal, it is determined that the safety controller 1 is normal and the electric emergency stop device 51 has returned to normal.

[0104] When the safety controller executes step S306, it sequentially executes steps S308, S309, S310, and S311. Steps S308, S309, S310, and S311 respectively correspond to steps S206, S207, S208, and S209 in the first embodiment (FIG. 3).

[0105] According to the above-described second embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, the reliability and safety of the operation of releasing the brake device 102 using the backup power supply means 11 to move the car 105 are improved.

[0106] Furthermore, according to the second embodiment, for an elevator provided with the electric emergency stop device 51, the operation of releasing the brake device 102 to move the car 105 can be surely executed.

[0107] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes various modifications. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail for easy understanding of the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to those having all the configurations described. Also, for a part of the configuration of the embodiment, addition, deletion, or replacement with other configurations is possible.

[0108] For example, the elevator may have a machine room or may be a so-called machine roomless elevator without a machine room.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0109] 1 Safety controller 2 Brake power supply 3 Power supply 6 Position detector 9 Limit switch 10 Safety power supply unit 11 Backup power means 12 Brake release switch 13 Notification means 20 Governor 21 Governor pulley 22 Tension pulley 23 Governor rope 25 Connecting member 30 Buffer 50 Emergency stop device 51 Electric emergency stop device 60 Car side door 61 Car door switch 70 Landing side door 71 Landing door switch 100 Elevator controller 101 Power converter 102 Brake device 103 Motor 104 Sheave 105 Carriage 106 Main rope 108 Direction change pulley

Claims

1. In an elevator safety system comprising a safety controller that activates a braking device to stop the car when an abnormality is detected in the operation of the car, when moving the car stopped by the safety controller by releasing the braking device with power from backup power means, the safety controller detects the speed or position of the car, and based on the detected value of the speed or the position, detects an abnormality in the speed or the position, when the safety controller is normal, permits the release of the braking device, and comprises a safety power supply unit that supplies power from the backup power means to the braking device in response to a predetermined operation. An elevator safety system characterized by this.

2. In the elevator safety system according to Claim 1, the safety power supply unit operates with power from the backup power means, the safety power supply unit supplies the power from the backup power means to the safety controller. An elevator safety system characterized by this.

3. In the elevator safety system according to Claim 1, when the safety power supply unit determines that there is a power input from the backup power means, the safety power supply unit connects the backup power means to the safety controller. An elevator safety system characterized by this.

4. In the elevator safety system according to Claim 1, when the safety controller normally executes initial processing, the safety controller outputs a feedback signal to the safety power supply unit, when the safety power supply unit receives the feedback signal, the safety power supply unit determines that the safety controller is normal. An elevator safety system characterized by this.

5. In the elevator safety system according to Claim 1, the predetermined operation is the turning on of a brake release switch connected to the safety power supply unit. An elevator safety system characterized by this.

6. In the elevator safety system according to Claim 5, the brake release switch is manually operated. An elevator safety system characterized by this.

7. In the elevator safety system according to Claim 5, The safety power supply unit waits for the closing of the brake release switch when the safety controller determines that it is normal, which is a safety system for an elevator.

8. In the elevator safety system according to claim 5, The safety power supply unit supplies power from the backup power means to the braking device when the brake release switch is closed, which is a safety system for an elevator.

9. In the elevator safety system according to claim 1, The elevator is equipped with an electric emergency stop device, which is a safety system for an elevator.

10. In the elevator safety system according to claim 9, The safety power supply unit supplies power from the backup power means to the electric emergency stop device, The safety controller returns the electric emergency stop device to the standby state by the power, The safety power supply unit supplies the power from the backup power means to the braking device when the electric emergency stop device returns to the standby state normally, which is a safety system for an elevator.

11. A car and a counterweight suspended on both sides of the sheave via a main rope wound around the sheave, An elevator controller that controls the operation of the car by controlling a motor that drives the sheave, In an elevator comprising: An elevator characterized by comprising the safety system according to claim 1.

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