Elevator control system and elevator control method

The elevator control system centralizes sensor and control functions on the car, reducing installation and maintenance labor by using a car-side sensor and calculation unit to manage safety devices on both the car and counterweight, enhancing operational efficiency.

JP2025177427AActive Publication Date: 2025-12-05TOSHIBA ELEVATOR KK
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2024084256
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-05-23
Publication Date
2025-12-05
Estimated Expiration
2044-05-23

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing elevator systems require labor-intensive installation and maintenance of electronic governors on both the car and counterweight sides, limiting the labor-saving benefits of electronic safety devices.

Method used

An elevator control system with a sensor on the car to read position information, a calculation unit to determine car and counterweight speeds, and actuation units to activate safety devices on the car and counterweight, eliminating the need for a sensor on the counterweight and allowing centralized control from the car side.

Benefits of technology

Reduces installation and maintenance labor by centralizing sensor and control functions on the car, ensuring efficient and effective operation of safety devices on both the car and counterweight.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To provide an elevator control system and an elevator control method that are able to effectively save labor for the installation of a safety device.SOLUTION: An elevator control system includes a structure, a sensor, a calculation unit, and an operation unit. The structure extends along a hoistway of the elevator, and position information indicating an absolute position is disposed on the structure. The sensor is installed in an elevator car and reads the position information disposed on the structure. Based on the position information read by the sensor, the calculation unit calculates both a speed of the elevator car and a speed of the counterweight. Based on the speed of the elevator car and the speed of the counterweight calculated by the calculation unit, the operation unit operates a first emergency stop device provided in the elevator car and a second emergency stop device provided in the counterweight.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an elevator control system and an elevator control method. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, electronic safety devices have become popular in elevators, replacing conventional mechanical safety devices. For example, an electronic governor is known that uses a sensor installed in the elevator car to read a code printed on a tape placed opposite the elevator car and monitors the elevator car's speed based on the read code. By adopting electronic safety devices, it is possible to reduce the labor required to install the safety devices compared to mechanical safety devices.

[0003] However, simply replacing a mechanical governor with an electronic governor requires an electronic governor on both the car side and the counterweight side, which means that the benefits of reduced installation labor cannot be fully utilized. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-126164 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] An object of the embodiments is to provide an elevator control system and an elevator control method that can effectively reduce the labor required for installing a safety device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An elevator control system according to an embodiment includes a structure, a sensor, a calculation unit, and an actuation unit. The structure extends along an elevator shaft and has position information indicating an absolute position disposed thereon. The sensor is installed in the car and reads the position information disposed on the structure. The calculation unit calculates both the speed of the car and the speed of the counterweight based on the position information read by the sensor. The actuation unit activates a first safety device provided in the car and a second safety device provided in the counterweight based on the speed of the car and the speed of the counterweight calculated by the calculation unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an elevator apparatus equipped with an elevator control system according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a rope breakage detection device of the elevator apparatus shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an emergency stop device of the elevator apparatus shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an elevator control system according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the elevator control system according to this embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the details of the process of measuring the speeds of the car and the counterweight in the flowchart of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the elevator control system following FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to these embodiments. In addition, in the drawings referred to in the embodiments, identical or similar reference numerals are used to designate identical parts or parts having similar functions, and repeated description thereof will be omitted.

[0009] As shown in FIG. 1, an elevator control system 10 is mounted on an elevator apparatus 1 and can be used, for example, for the safe operation of the elevator apparatus 1. The elevator apparatus 1 includes a car 3 that can ascend and descend within a hoistway 2, and a counterweight 4 connected (i.e., coupled) to the car 3 via a main rope 5. The main rope 5 is wound around a main sheave 6a and a camber sheave 7 provided on a hoisting machine 6. The car 3 and the counterweight 4 may be connected via multiple main ropes 5. The hoisting machine 6 winds up the main rope 5, causing the car 3 and the counterweight 4 to ascend and descend. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the hoisting machine 6 is disposed above the hoistway 2. However, the configuration is not limited to this, and the hoisting machine 6 may be disposed in a machine room provided above the hoistway 2. The lower part of the car 3 and the lower part of the counterweight 4 are connected by a compensating rope 8. The compensating rope 8 corrects the imbalance between the weight applied to the main rope 5 on the car 3 side and the weight applied to the main rope 5 on the counterweight 4 side. The compensating rope 8 is wound around a compensating sheave 9.

[0010] The elevator control system 10 includes an electronic governor 20, a first safety device 32 provided on the car 3, and a second safety device 42 provided on the balance weight 4. The electronic governor 20 is a device that electronically monitors the speeds of the car 3 and the balance weight 4. The electronic governor 20 can also be called an electronic governor or a safety device. The electronic governor 20 includes a tape 12, a sensor 31, and a control panel 50. The tape 12 is an example of a structure.

[0011] The tape 12 is arranged to extend along the elevator shaft 2 of the elevator device 1. That is, the tape 12 is arranged facing the car 3 along the ascending / descending direction of the car 3. Position information 12a indicating an absolute position (i.e., height) is arranged on the tape 12. Note that while only one piece of position information 12a is representatively shown in FIG. 1, in reality, multiple pieces of position information 12a are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the tape 12. The position information 12a is, for example, a position code printed on the surface of the tape 12 on the car 3 side. The position code may be, but is not limited to, a two-dimensional code indicating an absolute position, such as a barcode or a gray code. Instead of arranging the position information 12a on the tape 12, the position information 12a may be arranged on a guide rail that guides the running of the car 3.

[0012] The sensor 31 is installed on the car 3. The sensor 31 is not installed on the counterweight 4. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the sensor 31 is arranged near the tape 12 on the upper part of the car 3 (i.e., on the upper surface of the ceiling). The sensor 31 optically reads the position information 12a arranged on the tape 12. The sensor 31 outputs the read position information 12a (i.e., data acquired by reading the position information 12a) to the control panel 50. For example, the sensor 31 is a camera that captures the position information 12a. The control panel 50 monitors the speeds of the car 3 and the counterweight 4 based on the position information 12a read by the sensor 31 and controls emergency stops of the car 3 and the counterweight 4. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the control panel 50 is arranged in the elevator shaft 2. The configuration is not limited to this, and the control panel 50 may be arranged in a machine room, for example.

[0013] The first safety device 32 is provided at the bottom of the car 3. The first safety device 32 brings the car 3 to an emergency stop in accordance with control by the control panel 50 in response to the monitoring result of the speed of the car 3. In other words, the first safety device 32 brings the car 3 to an emergency stop in accordance with an electrical signal transmitted from the control panel 50 in accordance with the speed of the car 3.

[0014] The second safety device 42 is provided below the counterweight 4. The second safety device 42 brings the counterweight 4 to an emergency stop under the control of the control panel 50, which is based on the results of monitoring the speed of the counterweight 4. In other words, the second safety device 42 brings the counterweight 4 to an emergency stop in accordance with an electrical signal sent from the control panel 50 in accordance with the speed of the counterweight 4.

[0015] 1, a rope breakage detection device 41 is provided on the upper part of the counterweight 4. The rope breakage detection device 41 detects a break in the main rope 5 and outputs the detection result to the control panel 50.

[0016] The control panel 50 is electrically connected to the electrical equipment mounted on the car 3 via the tail cord 11. The control panel 50 controls the operation of the electrical equipment mounted on the car 3. For example, the control panel 50 controls the operation of the first safety device 32 and the sensor 31 mounted on the car 3. In addition, the control panel 50 also controls the operation of the door opening and closing mechanism mounted on the car 3. The control panel 50 is also electrically connected to the hoisting machine 6 via wiring (not shown). The control panel 50 controls the operation of the hoisting machine 6. The control panel 50 is also electrically connected to the electrical equipment mounted on the counterweight 4. Specifically, the control panel 50 is electrically connected to the second safety device 42 and the rope breakage detection device 41 mounted on the counterweight 4. The control panel 50 controls the operation of the second safety device 42.

[0017] For example, the control panel 50 may be electrically connected to the electrical equipment mounted on the counterweight 4 via the tail cord 11 and a power transmission line (not shown) in the main rope 5. In this case, the tail cord 11 and the power transmission line in the main rope 5 function as a power supply unit that supplies power (including an electrical signal) to the second safety device 42. Alternatively, the power supply device 13 shown in FIG. 1 may be installed as a power supply unit that supplies power to the second safety device 42. The power supply device 13 is installed in the hoistway 2 facing the counterweight 4. A plurality of power supply devices 13 may be installed along the hoistway 2. The power supply device 13 wirelessly feeds power to the second safety device 42 under the control of the control panel 50. For example, the power supply device 13 may feed power wirelessly to the second safety device 42 by electromagnetic induction using a feeding coil provided in the power supply device 13 and a receiving coil provided in the second safety device 42. The power supply device 13 may be configured to transmit an electric signal to the second safety device 42 to activate the second safety device 42 in a state where all of the main ropes 5 (i.e., power transmission lines) are broken, under the control of the control panel 50. Alternatively, the power supply unit that supplies power to the second safety device 42 may be configured by the tail cord 11 and a second tail cord (not shown) provided between the lower part of the car 3 and the lower part of the counterweight 4.

[0018] The rope breakage detection device 41 will be described in further detail. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the rope breakage detection device 41 is disposed in the rope hitch section 15 that connects the main rope 5 to the counterweight 4. The rope breakage detection device 41 includes a compression spring 41a, a first plate 41b, a second plate 41c, and a switch 41d. The upper end of the compression spring 41a is fixed to the first plate 41b. The counterweight 4 is connected to the first plate 41b. The lower end of the compression spring 41a is fixed to the second plate 41c. The lower end of the main rope 5 is fixed to the second plate 41c, passing through the first plate 41b and the compression spring 41a. The switch 41d is fixed to the second plate 41c. In this configuration, the weight of the counterweight 4 acts on the first plate 41b. The tension of the main rope 5 acts on the second plate 41c. Under normal circumstances when the main ropes 5 are not broken, the tension of the main ropes 5 and the mass of the counterweight 4 keep the compression spring 41a in a compressed state. By keeping the compression spring 41a in a compressed state, the first plate 41b and the second plate 41c are kept in close proximity. By keeping the first plate 41b and the second plate 41c in close proximity, the switch 41d is kept in an on state. On the other hand, when the main ropes 5 break, the weight of the counterweight 4 no longer acts, and the compressed compression spring 41a is released (i.e., extended). By releasing the compression spring 41a, the first plate 41b and the second plate 41c move away from each other, and the switch 41d is turned off. The control panel 50 can detect a break in the main ropes 5 by electrically detecting the off state of the switch 41d.

[0019] The first safety device 32 will be described in further detail. In the example shown in Fig. 3, the first safety device 32 includes a roller 32a, an actuator 32b, a friction material 32c, and a spring 32d. The roller 32a is rotatably arranged near the side of the guide rail 16 that guides the elevator car 3. The roller 32a can be moved linearly by the actuator 32b in a direction toward contact with the guide rail 16 and in a direction away from the guide rail 16. The friction material 32c is arranged in a position facing the roller 32a with the guide rail 16 therebetween. The spring 32d applies an elastic force to the friction material 32c toward the guide rail 16. The actuator 32b may be configured to move the roller 32a toward the guide rail 16, for example, by energizing a solenoid (not shown). In this configuration, the actuator 32b causes the roller 32a to press the guide rail 16 in response to an input of an electric signal (i.e., energization) from the control panel 50. When the roller 32a presses the guide rail 16, the guide rail 16 is sandwiched between the roller 32a and the friction material 32c. When the guide rail 16 is sandwiched between the roller 32a and the friction material 32c, the car 3 stops. The configuration of the second safety device 42 is similar to the configuration of the first safety device 32 shown in FIG. 3.

[0020] The control panel 50 will now be described in more detail. As shown in FIG. 4, the control panel 50 includes a calculation unit 51, an operation unit 52, and a power cutoff unit 53.

[0021] The calculation unit 51 calculates both the speed of the car 3 and the speed of the counterweight 4 based on the position information 12a read by the sensor 31. Specifically, the calculation unit 51 calculates the same speed as the speed of the car 3 as the speed of the counterweight 4. Here, if the main rope 5 is not completely broken, the counterweight 4 connected to the car 3 via the main rope 5 can be considered to be moving in the opposite direction to the car 3 at the same speed as the car 3 (i.e., a speed with the same absolute value). Therefore, the calculation unit 51 can calculate the same speed as the speed of the car 3 as the speed of the counterweight 4. Note that the specific manner of calculating the speed based on the read result of the position information 12a is not particularly limited. For example, the calculation unit 51 may calculate the speed at which the read absolute position changes based on the position information 12a read by the sensor 31. Then, the calculation unit 51 may determine the calculated speed at which the absolute position changes as the speed of the car 3 and the counterweight 4.

[0022] The actuation unit 52 actuates the first safety device 32 provided on the car 3 and the second safety device 42 provided on the counterweight 4 based on the speed of the car 3 and the speed of the counterweight 4 calculated by the calculation unit 51. The actuation unit 52 activates the first safety device 32 and the second safety device 42 by transmitting an electric signal to the first safety device 32 and the second safety device 42. The transmission of the electric signal from the actuation unit 52 to the first safety device 32 is performed by wire via the tail cord 11. The transmission of the electric signal from the actuation unit 52 to the second safety device 42 may also be performed by wire via the tail cord 11 and the power transmission line in the main rope 5, which serve as the above-mentioned power supply unit. Alternatively, the transmission of the electric signal from the actuation unit 52 to the second safety device 42 may be performed wirelessly via the power supply unit 13, which serves as the power supply unit. Alternatively, the transmission of an electrical signal from the operating unit 52 to the second safety device 42 may be performed by wire via the tail cord 11 and a second tail cord connecting the lower part of the car 3 and the lower part of the counterweight 4.

[0023] The power supply cutoff unit 53 cuts off the power supply to the hoist 6, which winds up the main rope 5 connecting the car 3 and the counterweight 4, when the speeds of the car 3 and the counterweight 4 calculated by the calculation unit 51 reach a switch operating speed. The switch operating speed is the speed of the car 3 and the counterweight 4 at which a switch that switches between supplying and cutting off power to the hoist 6 should be operated to the cutoff side. The switch operating speed is an example of a first threshold speed. More specifically, if a break in the main rope 5 is not detected by the rope break detection device 41 installed in the rope hitch unit 15 of the counterweight 4, the power supply cutoff unit 53 cuts off the power supply to the hoist 6 when the speeds of the car 3 and the counterweight 4 calculated by the calculation unit 51 reach the switch operating speed. In response to the cutoff of the power supply to the hoist 6, a brake (not shown) provided in the hoist 6 is activated to stop the rotation of the hoist 6.

[0024] The operation unit 52 activates the first safety device 32 or the second safety device 42 when the speed of the car 3 and the speed of the counterweight 4 calculated by the calculation unit 51 do not decrease to zero after the power is cut off by the power cut-off unit 53. A speed of zero is an example of a second threshold speed that is lower than the first threshold speed. Specifically, when the car 3 is descending, the operation unit 52 activates the first safety device 32 mounted on the car 3. On the other hand, when the car 3 is ascending, the operation unit 52 activates the second safety device 42 mounted on the counterweight 4.

[0025] When the rope breakage detection device 41 detects a break in the main rope 5, the calculation unit 51 calculates the acceleration of the car 3 based on the position information 12a read by the sensor 31. The specific manner of calculating the acceleration based on the read result of the position information 12a is not particularly limited. For example, the calculation unit 51 may calculate the rate of change per unit time of the speed at which the read absolute position changes based on the position information 12a read by the sensor 31. Then, the calculation unit 51 may determine the calculated rate of change as the acceleration of the car 3. When the acceleration of the car 3 calculated by the calculation unit 51 reaches a threshold acceleration, the operation unit 52 activates the first safety device 32 and the second safety device 42. The threshold acceleration may be, for example, 1 G, that is, the acceleration of gravity (9.8 m / s 2 In this case, the operating unit 52 detects that the car 3 and the counterweight 4 are falling freely due to the complete breakage of the main rope 5, and activates the first safety device 32 and the second safety device 42.

[0026] Next, an example of the operation of the above-mentioned elevator control system 10 will be described. As shown in Fig. 5, first, the control panel 50 of the electronic governor 20 determines whether the rope breakage detection device 41 is not operating (step S1). That is, the control panel 50 determines whether breakage of one or more main ropes 5 has been detected.

[0027] If the rope breakage detection device 41 is not operating (step S1: Yes), the calculation unit 51 of the control panel 50 measures the speeds of the car 3 and the counterweight 4 (step S2). That is, the calculation unit 51 starts continuous calculation of the speeds of the car 3 and the counterweight 4.

[0028] 6, first, the calculation unit 51 causes the sensor 31 to read the position information 12a printed on the tape 12 (step S21). If the sensor 31 is a camera, the sensor 31 captures an image of the position information 12a printed on the tape 12, converts the captured image into an electrical signal (i.e., image data), and outputs the electrical signal to the calculation unit 51.

[0029] After the position information 12a is read, the calculation unit 51 calculates the speed of the car 3 and the speed of the counterweight 4 based on the read position information 12a (step S22).

[0030] After the speeds of the car 3 and the counterweight 4 are measured, as shown in FIG. 5, the power cutoff unit 53 of the control panel 50 cuts off the power to the hoisting machine 6 when the measured speeds of the car 3 and the counterweight 4 reach the switch operating speed (step S3).

[0031] After the power supply to the hoisting machine 6 is cut off, the operation unit 52 of the control panel 50 determines whether the car 3 has stopped (step S4). That is, the operation unit 52 determines whether the speed of the car 3 calculated by the calculation unit 51 has decreased to zero.

[0032] If the car 3 has stopped (Step S4: Yes), the process ends. On the other hand, if the car 3 has not stopped (Step S4: No), the operation unit 52 determines whether the car 3 is moving downward (Step S5). For example, the operation unit 52 may determine whether the car 3 is moving downward based on whether the absolute position indicated in the position information 12a read by the sensor 31 has changed from a higher position to a lower position. The operation unit 52 is not limited to this configuration, and may, for example, determine whether the car 3 is moving downward based on the content of the drive control of the hoist 6 (i.e., the rotation direction of the hoist 6) immediately before the power supply to the hoist 6 is cut off.

[0033] If the elevator car 3 is moving downward (step S5: Yes), the operating unit 52 activates the first emergency stop device 32 when the speed of the elevator car 3 reaches a catch operation speed that should bring the elevator car 3 to an emergency stop (step S6).

[0034] On the other hand, if the car 3 is not moving downward (step S5: No), that is, if the car 3 is moving upward, the operating unit 52 activates the second emergency stop device 42 when the speed of the balance weight 4, which is equal to the speed of the car 3, reaches the catch operation speed that should bring the balance weight 4 to an emergency stop (step S7).

[0035] On the other hand, if the rope breakage detection device 41 is operating (step S1: No), as shown in Figure 7, the power supply cut-off unit 53 of the control panel 50 cuts off the power supply to the hoisting machine 6 in response to the detection of a break in the main rope 5 by the rope breakage detection device 41 (step S8).

[0036] After the power supply to the hoisting machine 6 is cut off, the calculation unit 51 of the control panel 50 measures the speeds of the car 3 and the counterweight 4 (step S9). That is, the calculation unit 51 starts continuously calculating the speeds of the car 3 and the counterweight 4. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the calculation unit 51 causes the sensor 31 to read the position information 12a printed on the tape 12 (step S21). After the position information 12a is read, the calculation unit 51 calculates the speed of the car 3 and the speed of the counterweight 4 based on the read position information 12a (step S22).

[0037] After measuring the speed of the car 3 and the speed of the counterweight 4, the operating unit 52 of the control panel 50 determines whether the car 3 has stopped (step S10). That is, the operating unit 52 determines whether the speed of the car 3 calculated by the calculation unit 51 has decreased to zero.

[0038] If the car 3 has stopped (Step S10: Yes), the process ends. On the other hand, if the car 3 has not stopped (Step S10: No), the operation unit 52 determines whether the car 3 is moving upward (Step S11). For example, the operation unit 52 may determine whether the car 3 is moving upward based on whether the absolute position indicated in the position information 12a read by the sensor 31 has changed from a lower position to a higher position.

[0039] If the car 3 is moving upward (step S11: Yes), it is considered that the car 3 and the counterweight 4 are connected by an unbroken main rope 5 among the multiple main ropes 5. In this case, the operating unit 52 activates the second safety device 42 of the counterweight 4 (step S12).

[0040] After activating the second safety device 42, the activation unit 52 determines whether or not the car 3 has stopped (step S13).

[0041] If the car 3 has stopped (step S13: Yes), the process is terminated. On the other hand, if the car 3 has not stopped (step S13: No), it is considered that the main ropes 5 that were not broken at the time of step S11 have subsequently broken. In other words, it is considered that all of the main ropes 5 have broken and the car 3 has fallen. In this case, the operating unit 52 activates the first safety device 32 of the car 3 when the speed of the car 3 reaches the catching operation speed (step S14).

[0042] On the other hand, if the car 3 is not moving upward (step S11: No), the calculation unit 51 calculates the acceleration of the car 3, which is the rate of change per unit time of the speed of the car 3. Based on the calculated acceleration of the car 3, the operation unit 52 determines whether the car 3 is moving downward at an acceleration of 1 G, i.e., gravitational acceleration (step S15). In other words, the operation unit 52 determines whether all of the main ropes 5 have completely broken and the car 3 is falling freely.

[0043] If the car 3 is moving downward at an acceleration of 1G (step S15: Yes), the operating unit 52 activates the first safety device 32 when the speed of the car 3 reaches the catching operation speed (step S16).

[0044] After activating the first safety device 32, the operating unit 52 activates the second safety device 42 (step S17). That is, since it is considered that the counterweight 4 is also in free fall when the car 3 is in free fall, the second safety device 42 brings the counterweight 4 to an emergency stop.

[0045] On the other hand, if the car 3 is not moving downward at an acceleration of 1G (step S15: No), it is considered that the car 3 and the counterweight 4 are connected by an unbroken main rope 5 among the multiple main ropes 5, and braking deceleration or the like is being applied. In this case, the operating unit 52 activates the first safety device 32 but does not activate the second safety device 42 (step S18).

[0046] As described above, according to the elevator control system 10 of this embodiment, the sensor 31 installed in the car 3 reads the position information 12a arranged on the tape 12. Furthermore, the calculation unit 51 calculates both the speed of the car 3 and the speed of the counterweight 4 based on the position information 12a read by the sensor 31. Furthermore, the operation unit 52 activates the first safety device 32 installed in the car 3 and the second safety device 42 installed in the counterweight 4 based on the speed of the car 3 and the speed of the counterweight 4 calculated by the calculation unit 51.

[0047] This allows the speeds of both the car 3 and the counterweight 4 to be monitored by the sensor 31 installed in the car 3. In other words, emergency stops of both the car 3 and the counterweight 4 can be controlled without the need to install a sensor 31 on the counterweight 4. This eliminates the need to install the sensor 31 on the counterweight 4, effectively reducing the labor required to install the electronic governor 20 (i.e., the safety device). Furthermore, this also eliminates the labor required to maintain the sensor 31 installed on the counterweight 4, effectively reducing the labor required to maintain the electronic governor 20.

[0048] Furthermore, according to the elevator control system 10 of this embodiment, the power supply cut-off unit 53 cuts off the power supply to the hoist 6 that winds up the main rope 5 connecting the car 3 and the counterweight 4 when the speeds of the car 3 and the counterweight 4 calculated by the calculation unit 51 reach the switch operation speed. Furthermore, the operation unit 52 activates the first safety device 32 or the second safety device 42 when the speeds of the car 3 and the counterweight 4 calculated by the calculation unit 51 do not decrease to zero after the power supply is cut off by the power supply cut-off unit 53.

[0049] This ensures an opportunity to stop the car 3 and the counterweight 4 by cutting off the power supply to the hoisting machine 6, thereby shortening the time required for the elevator device 1 to return to normal operation compared to when the emergency stop devices 32, 42 are immediately activated.

[0050] Furthermore, according to the elevator control system 10 of this embodiment, the operating unit 52 activates the first emergency stop device 32 when the car 3 is descending, and activates the second emergency stop device 42 when the car 3 is ascending.

[0051] This allows the appropriate safety devices 32, 42 to be activated depending on the traveling direction of the car 3.

[0052] Furthermore, according to the elevator control system 10 of this embodiment, if no break in the main rope 5 is detected by the rope break detection device 41 installed in the rope hitch portion 15 of the balance weight 4, the power supply cut-off unit 53 cuts off the power supply to the hoisting machine 6 when the speed of the car 3 calculated by the calculation unit 51 and the speed of the balance weight 4 reach the switch operating speed.

[0053] This makes it possible to appropriately secure an opportunity to stop the car 3 and the counterweight 4 by shutting off the power to the hoist 6 in a situation where the car 3 and the counterweight 4 may stop due to a power outage of the hoist 6, such as when the main rope 5 is not broken. As a result, it becomes possible to shorten the time required for the elevator apparatus 1 to return to normal operation, compared to when the emergency stop devices 32, 42 are immediately activated when the main rope 5 is not broken.

[0054] Furthermore, according to the elevator control system 10 of this embodiment, when the rope breakage detection device 41 detects a breakage of the main rope 5, the calculation unit 51 calculates the acceleration of the car 3 based on the position information 12a read by the sensor 31. Furthermore, when the acceleration calculated by the calculation unit 51 reaches a threshold acceleration, the operation unit 52 activates the first safety device 32 and the second safety device 42.

[0055] As a result, when the main rope 5 is completely broken and the car 3 and the counterweight 4 are falling freely, the first safety device 32 and the second safety device 42 can be operated appropriately.

[0056] Furthermore, according to the elevator control system 10 of this embodiment, the operating unit 52 activates the first emergency stop device 32 and the second emergency stop device 42 by sending an electrical signal to the first emergency stop device 32 and the second emergency stop device 42.

[0057] This allows the first emergency stop device 32 and the second emergency stop device 42 to be electrically controlled, allowing the easy-to-install electronic governor 20 to function properly in operating the first emergency stop device 32 and the second emergency stop device 42.

[0058] Moreover, the elevator control system 10 of this embodiment further includes a power supply unit (that is, the tail cord 11, the power transmission line in the main rope 5, the power supply device 13, etc.) that supplies power to the second safety device .

[0059] This allows the electronic governor 20 to appropriately control the second safety device 42 electrically.

[0060] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as the inventions described in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1 elevator device, 10 elevator control system, 3 car, 31 sensor, 32 first emergency stop device, 4 balancing weight, 41 rope breakage detection device, 42 second emergency stop device, 5 main rope, 51 calculation unit, 52 operating unit, 53 power supply cutoff unit, 6 hoisting machine

Claims

1. a structure extending along the elevator shaft and having position information indicating an absolute position disposed thereon; a sensor installed in the elevator car and configured to read the position information arranged in the structure; a calculation unit that calculates both the speed of the car and the speed of the counterweight based on the position information read by the sensor; an operating unit that operates a first safety device provided in the car and a second safety device provided in the counterweight based on the speed of the car and the speed of the counterweight calculated by the calculating unit; An elevator control system comprising:

2. Further provided is a power cut-off unit that cuts off the power supply of a hoist that winds up a rope connecting the car and the counterweight when the speed of the car calculated by the calculation unit and the speed of the counterweight reach a first threshold speed, 2. The elevator control system according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit activates the first safety device or the second safety device when, after the power supply is cut off by the power supply cut-off unit, the speed of the car and the speed of the counterweight calculated by the calculation unit do not decrease to a second threshold speed that is lower than the first threshold speed.

3. 3. The elevator control system according to claim 2, wherein the actuation unit activates the first safety device when the car is descending, and activates the second safety device when the car is ascending.

4. 4. The elevator control system according to claim 2, wherein the power supply cut-off unit cuts off the power supply to the hoist when the speed of the car calculated by the calculation unit and the speed of the counterweight reach the first threshold speed, if a break in the rope is not detected by a break detection device installed at a rope hitch portion of the counterweight.

5. The calculation unit calculates an acceleration of the car based on the position information read by the sensor when the breakage detection device detects a breakage of the rope, 5. The elevator control system according to claim 4, wherein the activation unit activates the first safety device and the second safety device when the acceleration calculated by the calculation unit reaches a threshold acceleration.

6. The elevator control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the actuation unit activates the first emergency stop device and the second emergency stop device by transmitting an electrical signal to the first emergency stop device and the second emergency stop device.

7. The elevator control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a power supply unit that supplies power to the second safety device.

8. a step of reading position information indicating an absolute position disposed on a structure extending along the elevator shaft by a sensor installed in the elevator car; calculating both the speed of the car and the speed of the counterweight based on the position information read by the sensor; a step of activating a first safety device provided in the car and a second safety device provided in the counterweight based on the calculated speed of the car and the speed of the counterweight; An elevator control method comprising:

Citation Information

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