Elevator system and power supply control method during power failure

Abstract

To provide a system that appropriately responds to cases where automatic landing during power failure is not possible when a battery capacity of a power-failure-time automatic landing device is zero or when a battery capacity of each elevator control device is zero, and where the power-failure-time automatic landing device is shared by a set of two cars but is unable to operate appropriately according to a usage status inside the car.SOLUTION: There is provided an elevator system comprising a plurality of elevators, and a power-failure-time power supply control device connected to a battery in each elevator. The power-failure-time power supply control device has: a priority setting unit for setting priorities for operating the plurality of elevators using power supplied from the batteries in the event of a power failure based on a status of cars; and a circuit switching unit that switches a circuit based on the priorities so that power is supplied from at least one battery to the control device of an elevator with a higher priority that is different from the elevator equipped with that battery.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an elevator system having a plurality of elevators and a power failure power supply control method in the event of a power failure. [Background technology]

[0002] If an elevator experiences a power outage and loses power, the car will stop midway through the elevator shaft, trapping passengers inside. To prevent this, conventional systems have switched the power source from commercial power to a battery in the event of a power outage, automatically landing the car at the nearest floor and opening the doors.

[0003] In Patent Document 1, a common automatic landing device in the event of a power outage is installed for multiple elevators, with a C-system battery installed in the automatic landing device in the event of a power outage and D-system batteries installed in each individual elevator control device. The D-system battery is used as the power source for the operation control unit and power outage indicator light, which are always required during a power outage, while the C-system battery is used to drive the elevators. In this case, the battery capacity is checked, and if there is only enough capacity to move one car, the order in which the cars will move is determined. The document describes how the battery is charged with regenerative power generated when the first car is operating. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-254096 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the system disclosed in Patent Document 1, if the battery capacity of the automatic landing device during a power outage is zero, or if the battery capacity of each elevator control device is zero, automatic landing during a power outage may not be possible. Also, although the automatic landing device during a power outage is shared by a pair of cars, it may not operate appropriately depending on the usage status inside the car.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems. In the event of a power outage, the battery of an elevator with a low operational priority is connected to the control device of an elevator with a high operational priority. This aims to allow passengers inside the elevator car to escape from the car efficiently and appropriately. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The elevator system of the present disclosure comprises a plurality of elevators each having a hoist that raises and lowers the car, a control device that controls the car and the hoist, and a battery that stores power to be supplied to the control device in the event of a power outage, and a power outage power control device connected to the battery.The power outage power control device has a priority setting unit that sets priorities for operating the plurality of elevators using power supplied from the battery in the event of a power outage based on the status of the car, and a circuit switching unit that switches the circuit based on the priorities so that power is supplied from at least one battery to the control device of an elevator with a higher priority that is different from the elevator equipped with this battery. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] During a power outage, the battery of a lower-priority elevator can be connected to the control device of a higher-priority elevator to supply power, allowing passengers in the elevator car to evacuate efficiently and appropriately. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of an elevator in a first embodiment. [Figure 2]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a car in the first embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a conceptual diagram of a connection configuration between a control device and a power failure power supply control device in the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control unit in the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 4 is a flowchart showing a battery switching operation of the elevator system when a power outage occurs in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing a battery switching operation of the elevator system when a power outage occurs in the second embodiment. [Figure 7] 11 is a flowchart showing a battery switching operation of the elevator system when a power outage occurs in the third embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of hardware resources of a control unit. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of hardware resources of the control unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The following detailed description will be given with reference to the drawings. Duplicate descriptions will be simplified or omitted as appropriate. In each drawing, the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts.

[0011] Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of an elevator in the first embodiment. In FIG. 1, the elevator is provided with a hoistway 1 and a machine room 2 above the hoistway 1. In the machine room 2, a hoisting machine 3 and a control device 4 are installed. In the hoistway 1, a counterweight 5 and a car 6 are connected by a rope 7, and this rope 7 is wound around the hoisting machine 3. As a result, when the hoisting machine 3 operates, the counterweight 5 and the car 6 move up and down in the hoistway 1.

[0012] The control device 4 is connected to the hoisting machine 3, the car 6, and an in-car function control device 8 provided in the car 6 via electrical wiring 9. The control device 4 supplies power to the hoisting machine 3, the car 6, and the in-car function control device 8 via the electrical wiring 9. The control device 4 also instructs the hoisting machine 3 to raise and lower the car 6 via the electrical wiring 9. The control device 4 also instructs the in-car function control device 8 to control the devices in the car 6 via the electrical wiring 9.

[0013] Further, the hoisting machine 3 is provided with an encoder 10, and the control device 4 uses this encoder 10 to grasp the elevation state of the car 6 and the like.

[0014] Next, the internal configuration of the car 6 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the car 6. Inside the car 6, a position detection unit 60, a load measurement unit 61, a door 62, a control panel 63, lighting 64, a camera 65, an intercom 66, an in-car battery 67, and a power outage light 68 are provided.

[0015] The position detection unit 60 detects marks arranged in the hoistway 1 and determines the current position of the car. The load measuring unit 61 measures the load of luggage and passengers in the car. This value makes it possible to determine whether there are passengers or luggage in the car. The position information detected by the position detecting unit 60 and the load information measured by the load measuring unit 61 are transmitted to the control device 4 via the electric wiring 9.

[0016] Doors 62 open and close at each floor to allow passengers to board and disembark. A control panel 63 includes buttons for passengers to select their destination floors. Lights 64 are installed on the ceiling and illuminate the interior of the car 6. Cameras 65 capture images from inside the car 6. Intercoms 66 are used by passengers to communicate with the guard room or elevator maintenance company. The car battery 67 switches on when power is no longer supplied through the electrical wiring 9 during a power outage. The power outage light 68 illuminates the interior of the car in place of the lights 64 during a power outage. The car battery 67 supplies power to the power outage light 68, intercom 66, camera 65, and car function control device 8, enabling these devices to operate even during a power outage. The car battery 67 is an example of a car battery, and may be located outside the car to supply power to these devices during a power outage.

[0017] The car interior function controller 8 controls the doors 62, operation panel 63, lighting 64, camera 65, intercom 66, and power outage light 68. Information on the status of these devices is transmitted from the car interior function controller 8 to the controller 4 via electrical wiring 9.

[0018] Next, we will explain how the power supply control device controls the power supply of each elevator control device. Figure 3 is a conceptual diagram of the connection between the control device and the power supply control device during power outages. In this example, three elevators are individually equipped with control devices 4, each connected to a power outage power supply control device 50. However, the number of devices is not limited to three, and four or more devices are also possible. The three control devices are designated as a first control device 4a, a second control device 4b, and a third control device 4c. The first control device 4a, the second control device 4b, and the third control device 4c each have a first power receiving panel 41a, a second power receiving panel 41b, and a third power receiving panel 41c inside. Furthermore, these devices normally receive power from a first commercial power source 100a, a second commercial power source 100b, and a third commercial power source 100c, respectively.

[0019] The first control device 4a, the second control device 4b, and the third control device 4c each have a first battery 42a, a second battery 42b, and a third battery 42c built in. These batteries are normally charged by power supplied from the first commercial power source 100a, the second commercial power source 100b, and the third commercial power source 100c, respectively.

[0020] The first battery 42a, the second battery 42b, and the third battery 42c are connected to the power failure control device 50 by the first battery line 30a, the second battery line 30b, and the third battery line 30c, respectively. Furthermore, the power failure control device 50 is connected to the first power receiving panel 41a, the second power receiving panel 41b, and the third power receiving panel 41c by the first power feed line 31a, the second power feed line 31b, and the third power feed line 31c, respectively.

[0021] The first control device 4a, the second control device 4b, the third control device 4c and the power failure power supply control device 50 are also connected by a first communication line 32a, a second communication line 32b and a third communication line 32c. Then, through these communication lines, each control device 4 transmits to the power outage power control device 50 information such as the position information of the car 6, the load information of the car 6, the opening and closing information of the door 62, the image information from the camera 65, the power supply voltage information to the intercom 66, the power supply voltage information of the power outage light 68, and the voltage information of the battery 67 inside the car. The information sent from the first control device 4a via the first communication line 32a is referred to as car information C1, the information sent from the second control device 4b via the second communication line 32b is referred to as car information C2, and the information sent from the third control device 4c via the third communication line 32c is referred to as car information C3.

[0022] Next, the configuration of the power failure power supply control device 50 will be described. First, the power failure power supply control device 50 is equipped with an independent battery and can operate independently even in the event of a power failure.

[0023] The power failure power supply control device 50 includes a first voltage measuring meter 51a connected to the first battery line 30a and a first switching unit 52a. The voltage value V1 measured by the first voltage measuring meter 51a is input to the control unit 53.

[0024] Similarly, power failure power supply control device 50 includes a second voltmeter 51b connected to second battery line 30b and a second switching unit 52b. The voltage value V2 measured by second voltmeter 51b is input to control unit 53. Similarly, power failure power supply control device 50 includes a third voltmeter 51c connected to third battery line 30c and a third switching unit 52c. The voltage value V3 measured by third voltmeter 51c is input to control unit 53.

[0025] The first switching unit 52a, the second switching unit 52b, and the third switching unit 52c are indicated as SWa, SWb, and SWc in FIGS. 3 and 4, respectively. The first communication line 32 a, the second communication line 32 b, and the third communication line 32 c are connected to the control unit 53.

[0026] Each of the first switching unit 52a, the second switching unit 52b, and the third switching unit 52c can switch two contacts. One contact is connected to the first power supply line 31a, the second power supply line 31b, and the third power supply line 31c, respectively. The other contact is connected to the fourth switching unit 52d. The fourth switching unit 52d has three outputs, which are connected to the first power supply line 31a, the second power supply line 31b, and the third power supply line 31c, respectively. The fourth switching unit 52d is designated SW0 in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit 53. The control unit 53 receives the car information C1, car information C2, car information C3, and the voltage values ​​V1, V2, and V3 at the input unit 531. Based on these, the circuit switching unit 532 switches the contacts at the first switching unit 52a, the second switching unit 52b, the third switching unit 52c, and the fourth switching unit 52d. This switches the circuits from the first battery 42a, the second battery 42b, and the third battery 42c to the first power receiving board 41a, the second power receiving board 41b, and the third power receiving board 41c. At this time, the priority setting unit 533 determines which car should be operated first.

[0028] Here, the basic concept of this disclosure will be explained. First, each of the elevator's control devices has a built-in battery. In this case, if a power outage occurs and the elevator is no longer able to obtain power from the commercial power source, the car will stop, but the power source will automatically switch to the battery, allowing the elevator to automatically land on its floor.

[0029] Automatic floor arrival operation is an operation to allow passengers in the car to escape to the floor. Specifically, if a power outage causes the car to stop at a floor where the doors can be opened and closed, the doors will open and passengers will be allowed to escape to that floor. If the car stops at a location where the doors cannot be opened and closed, the switched battery will be used as the power source to operate the hoist, the car will land at the nearest floor, the car doors will open, and passengers will be allowed to escape to that floor.

[0030] However, if the battery of the control device is not sufficiently charged, the automatic landing operation cannot be performed. The power supply control device 50 in the event of a power failure shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 takes into consideration the shortage of battery power and responds by disconnecting the battery in each control device from that control device and supplying power to the other control devices. That is, the first voltmeter 51a, the second voltmeter 51b, and the third voltmeter 51c constantly measure the voltages of the batteries connected to them. Then, they transmit the voltage values ​​V1, V2, and V3 to the control unit 53. Therefore, in the event of a power outage, the circuit switching unit 532 determines whether these voltages are sufficient to perform automatic landing operation. Note that this voltage sufficient to perform automatic landing operation is hereinafter referred to as the specified operating voltage.

[0031] If all of the voltage values ​​V1, V2, and V3 are greater than the specified operating voltage, the switching unit is switched so that the battery of each control device is supplied to the power receiving panel of each control device.

[0032] However, there may be cases where one of the batteries does not reach the specified operating voltage. In such cases, the switching unit switches so that the battery with a voltage higher than the specified operating voltage among the first battery 42a, the second battery 42b, and the third battery 42c is connected to one of the first power receiving board 41a, the second power receiving board 41b, and the third power receiving board 41c.

[0033] That is, the first switching unit 52a, the second switching unit 52b, and the third switching unit 52c switch to contacts connected to the fourth switching unit 52d, and the fourth switching unit 52d switches to any of contacts connected to the first power supply line 31a, the second power supply line 31b, and the third power supply line 31c. In this way, the circuit is switched so that one of the three batteries supplies power to one control device in turn, making it possible to operate the three elevators automatically when they land on their floors.

[0034] In this case, it is necessary to decide which elevators should be automatically operated to land first. For example, one method is to use the order in which emergency buttons are pressed. However, this method could leave behind cars that really should be rescued quickly.

[0035] Therefore, the priority setting unit 533 sets the priority for automatic floor landing operation based on the status in each car. That is, since car information C1, C2, and C3 is sent, the priority is decided based on this.

[0036] In the first embodiment, the priority is set based on the following idea. When a power outage occurs, power is supplied from each car's in-car battery 67 to the camera 65, intercom 66, power outage light 68, and in-car function control device 8. The power supply voltage of the power outage light 68 and intercom 66 in each car is checked. Cars with a power supply voltage lower than the specified voltage for keeping the intercom 66 operating and the power outage light 68 lit are given higher priority. This is because if the power supply voltage of the intercom 66 and the power outage light 68 is lower than the specified voltage, they cannot be used. Even if they are usable, they may soon become unusable. If the power outage light 68 goes out or the intercom 66 becomes unusable, passengers will become anxious. Therefore, it is necessary to immediately evacuate the car to the floor. The specified voltage for the intercom is referred to as the intercom specified voltage. The specified voltage for the power outage light is referred to as the power outage light specified voltage.

[0037] The load of each car is measured and compared, and the heavier car is given higher priority. Since it is assumed that a car with a heavier load has a larger number of passengers, this is done to allow as many passengers as possible to evacuate as quickly as possible. Note that the car information C1, C2, and C3 includes load information, so even if the load measuring unit 61 becomes inoperable due to a power outage, the most recent information transmitted can be used. Note that a car with a load of 0 kg has no passengers.

[0038] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the battery switching operation of the elevator system when a power outage occurs. The battery switching operation of the elevator system will be described with reference to FIG. 5, and FIGS. First, the voltage of the power supplied from the commercial power source to the power receiving panel for the control device is constantly monitored. When a power outage occurs, the voltage of the commercial power source for the target elevator drops to zero. This triggers the circuit switching unit 532 to determine whether the battery voltages of the target control device are all greater than the specified operating voltage (step S001). In the case of Figures 3 and 4, the voltage values ​​V1, V2, and V3 are greater than the specified operating voltage.

[0039] In step S001, if all voltages are greater than the specified operating voltage, the switching units are switched so that the circuit connects the battery of each control device to the power receiving panel of each control device (step S002). In the case of Figures 3 and 4, the first switching unit 52a (SWa) connects the first battery line 30a to the first power supply line 31a. The second switching unit 52b (SWb) connects the second battery line 30b to the second power supply line 31b. The third switching unit 52c (SWc) connects the third battery line 30c to the third power supply line 31c.

[0040] After that, automatic floor landing operation is performed individually in each elevator (step S003). In the case of Figures 3 and 4, the car door 62 is opened, or the first control device 4a, the second control device 4b, and the third control device 4c supply power to the hoisting machine 3, and after the car lands at the nearest floor, the door 62 is opened. This allows passengers to escape from the car. This corresponds to the first power supply step.

[0041] Also, suppose that it is determined in step S001 that there is a battery whose voltage is lower than the specified operating voltage. For example, in the case of FIGS. 3 and 4, it is assumed that only the first battery 42a has a voltage lower than the specified operating voltage. In this case, a process for determining the priority is performed. This process is performed by the priority setting unit 533.

[0042] First, the priority setting unit 533 determines whether there is a car in the target elevator where the power supply voltage of the power failure light or intercom is lower than the power failure light specified voltage or the intercom specified voltage (step S004). In the case of Figures 3 and 4, the car information C1, C2, and C3 includes the power supply voltage value, so the determination is made based on that.

[0043] In step S004, if there is a car whose voltage is below the power outage light regulated voltage or the intercom regulated voltage, the weights of the target cars are compared. Then, the car is assigned a priority order of 1, 2, etc., starting with the heaviest (step S005). In the cases of FIGS. 3 and 4, the car information C1, C2, and C3 also contain load information, so the priority order is set based on that information. For example, suppose that only the power outage light or intercom power supply voltage contained in the car information C1 is below the power outage light regulated voltage or the intercom power supply voltage. In this case, if the car load is not 0 kg, the elevator of the first control device 4a is assigned priority order 1. Furthermore, suppose that the power outage light or intercom power supply voltage contained in the car information C1 and C2 is below the power outage light regulated voltage or the intercom power supply voltage. In this case, the load information contained in the car information C1 and C2 is compared. If the load contained in the car information C1 is 50 kg and the load contained in the car information C2 is 100 kg, the elevator of the second control device 4b is assigned priority order 1. The elevator of the first control device 4a is then given the second priority.

[0044] If there are no cars with voltages below the power outage light regulated voltage or the intercom regulated voltage in step S004, the loads of each elevator car for which a priority has not yet been assigned are compared, and priorities are assigned in descending order of heaviness (step S006). Note that even after processing step S005, the process proceeds to step S006. In the case of FIGS. 3 and 4, it is assumed that the elevator of the first control device 4a is assigned priority 1 in step S005. Then, the load information contained in the car information C2 and C3 is compared. If the load contained in the car information C2 is 50 kg and the load contained in the car information C3 is 100 kg, the elevator of the second control device 4b is assigned priority 3. Then, the elevator of the third control device 4c is assigned priority 2.

[0045] In this way, the priority setting unit 533 sets the priority in steps S004 to S006, which correspond to the priority setting step. After that, the circuit switching unit 532 switches the switching unit based on the priority, thereby supplying power from the battery to the control device. In other words, the following steps correspond to the second power supply step.

[0046] First, the priority level N is set to 1 (step S007). Next, the switching unit is switched so that the battery is connected to the control device with priority level N (step S008). After that, automatic floor arrival operation is performed by the elevator with priority level N (step S009). In the case of FIGS. 3 and 4, the elevator with priority level 1 is assigned to the first control device 4a. Therefore, the first switching unit 52a (SWa) connects the first battery line 30a to the fourth switching unit 52d (SW0). The second switching unit 52b (SWb) connects the second battery line 30b to the fourth switching unit 52d (SW0). The third switching unit 52c (SWc) connects the third battery line 30c to the fourth switching unit 52d (SW0). Then, the fourth switching unit 52d (SW0) connects the second battery line 30b to the first power supply line 31a. This forms a circuit through which power is supplied from the second battery 42b to the first control device 4a. The first control device 4a cannot operate with power from the first battery 42a, but can operate with power from the second battery 42b. Note that the first control device 4a may be connected to the third battery line 30c instead of the second battery line 30b.

[0047] As a result, the first control device 4a provides power to the hoisting machine 3 to operate it. At this time, the position detection unit 60, load measurement unit 61, and door 62 of the car 6 also become operable. Therefore, the car can be landed at the nearest floor, and the doors can be opened to allow passengers to escape. In this state, the measurement result of the load measurement unit 61 becomes 0 kg, so it can be determined that the passengers have been evacuated. Note that if, at the time of the power outage, the car was stopped at a floor where the doors could be opened and closed, the doors simply open.

[0048] After the automatic floor arrival operation is completed in step S009, it is determined whether the automatic floor arrival operation has been completed for all elevators (step S010). If the operation has not been completed, the priority is incremented (step S011), and step S008 and subsequent steps are performed. If it is determined in step S010 that all elevators have been processed, the process ends.

[0049] In this way, batteries are installed in each control device of multiple elevators, and in the event of a power outage, if a control device has insufficient battery voltage, i.e., insufficient battery capacity, power is supplied from the battery of another control device. This makes it possible for multiple target elevators to perform automatic floor arrival operation in the event of a power outage, regardless of the battery status.

[0050] Furthermore, priorities are set according to the situation inside the car, and responses are made in order, allowing for efficient control, such as reducing the anxiety felt by passengers inside the car.

[0051] In step S004, the status of the power failure light and intercom is determined based on the power supply voltage. The status of the power failure light may be determined based on still or video images taken by a camera 65 installed inside the car. The status of the intercom 66 may be determined by an external communicator based on the communication status, etc.

[0052] Furthermore, in steps S005 and S006, the priority is determined based on the load. This is to estimate the number of passengers in the elevator. Therefore, instead of measuring the load, the number of passengers may be determined based on still or video images taken by a camera 65 installed inside the elevator.

[0053] Furthermore, if the capacity of the battery being used becomes insufficient between steps S008 and S009, a switch to another battery may be made. For example, in Figures 2 and 3, the fourth switcher 52d (SW0) connects the second battery line 30b to the first power supply line 31a, but if the capacity of the second battery 42b becomes insufficient during this process, the connection may be switched to the third battery line 30c.

[0054] Embodiment 2 In the first embodiment, the priority is determined based on the state of the intercom 66 and the power outage light 68, and the load. In the second embodiment, the priority is determined based on the position of the car that has stopped due to the occurrence of a power outage.

[0055] Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the battery switching operation of the elevator system when a power outage occurs according to embodiment 2. Note that this flowchart differs from the flowchart of Fig. 5 only in that a priority setting process based on the car position is added instead of S004. In Figure 6, if it is determined in step S001 that there is a battery with a voltage lower than the specified operating voltage, it is determined whether each car is at a floor position (step S020). If there is a car at a floor position in step S020, the loads of the target cars are compared in step S005, and the priority is set as 1, 2, etc., starting with the heaviest car. Note that cars with a load of 0 kg are excluded from the target.

[0056] In this way, if the car stops at a floor location, passengers can escape by opening the door, so by giving priority to this, passengers can escape quickly.

[0057] In addition, the second embodiment may include the setting of priorities based on the power supply voltage of the power outage light 68 and the intercom 66 in the first embodiment. In this case, steps S004 and S005 in Fig. 5 are inserted between steps S020 and S006 in Fig. 6.

[0058] Embodiment 3 In the first embodiment, the priority is determined based on the status of the intercom 66 and the power outage light 68, and the load. In the third embodiment, the priority is determined based on still or video images taken by a camera 65 installed inside the car. That is, if a child or elderly person is captured on camera 65, the car is given a higher priority. The camera 65 operates even during a power outage using an in-car battery 67. The camera 65 recognizes the situation using visible light, infrared light, or ultraviolet light.

[0059] Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the battery switching operation of the elevator system when a power outage occurs according to embodiment 3. Note that this flowchart differs from the flowchart in Fig. 5 only in that instead of S004, a priority setting process based on an image is added when a child or elderly person is present. In Figure 7, if it is determined in step S001 that there is a battery with a voltage lower than the specified operating voltage, it is determined whether there is a child or an elderly person in the car (step S030). If there is a child or an elderly person in step S030, the load of the target car is compared and the priority is set as 1, 2, etc. in order of heaviest to lightest.

[0060] Since children and the elderly are more likely to become ill if trapped inside the car, giving them priority will enable efficient evacuation of passengers.

[0061] In addition, in the third embodiment, it is also possible to incorporate the priority setting based on the power supply voltage of the power outage light 68 and the intercom 66 in the first embodiment, or the priority setting based on the stopped position of the car in the second embodiment. In this case, steps S004 and S005 in Fig. 5 are inserted between steps S030 and S006 in Fig. 7. Alternatively, steps S020 and S005 in Fig. 6 are inserted. Alternatively, both of these steps are inserted in order.

[0062] 8 is a diagram showing an example of hardware resources of the control unit 53. The control unit 53 includes, as hardware resources, a processor 535 and a memory 536. Note that there may be a plurality of processors 535 and a plurality of memories 536.

[0063] In the embodiment, memory 536 is responsible for temporarily storing information received by input unit 531, priorities set by priority setting unit 533, and information being processed. Memory 536 also stores programs, and processor 535 performs the functions of setting priorities in priority setting unit 533 and switching the switching unit of circuit switching unit 532.

[0064] The processor 535 is also called a CPU (Central Processing Unit), central processing unit, arithmetic unit, microprocessor, microcomputer, or DSP. The memory 536 may be a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, a flexible disk, an optical disk, a compact disk, a minidisk, or a DVD. Usable semiconductor memory includes RAM, ROM, flash memory, EPROM, EEPROM, etc.

[0065] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing another example of hardware resources of the control unit 53. In the example of Fig. 9, the control unit 53 includes a processing circuit including a processor 535, a memory 536, and dedicated hardware 537. Fig. 9 shows an example in which some of the functions of the control unit 53 are realized by the dedicated hardware 537. It is also possible to realize all of the functions of the control unit 53 by the dedicated hardware 537. The dedicated hardware 537 can be a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination thereof. [Industrial Applicability]

[0066] In this way, the elevator system of the present disclosure is useful for performing automatic floor landing operation during a power outage. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1 elevator shaft, 2 machine room, 3 hoisting machine, 4 control device, 4a first control device, 4b second control device, 4c third control device, 5 counterweights, 6 cages, 7 rope, 8 car function control device, 9 electrical wiring, 10 encoder, 30a first battery line, 30b second battery line, 30c 3rd battery line, 31a first power supply line, 31b second power supply line, 31c third power supply line, 41a First power receiving board, 41b Second power receiving board, 41c Third power receiving board, 42a 1st battery, 42b 2nd battery, 42c 3rd battery 50 Power supply control device during power outages, 51a first voltage measuring meter, 51b second voltage measuring meter, 51c third voltage measuring meter, 52a first switching section, 52b second switching section, 52c third switching section, 52d fourth switching section, 53 control section, 60 position detection unit, 61 load measurement unit, 62 door, 63 operation panel, 64 lighting, 65 Camera, 66 Intercom, 67 Battery in the car, 68 Power outage light, 100a First commercial power source, 100b Second commercial power source, 100c Third commercial power source 531 input unit, 532 circuit switching unit, 533 priority setting unit, 535 Processor, 536 Memory, 537 Dedicated Hardware

Claims

1. An elevator system including a plurality of elevators each having a hoist that raises and lowers a car, a control device that controls the car and the hoist, and a battery that stores power to be supplied to the control device in the event of a power outage, and a power outage power control device connected to the battery, The power failure power supply control device comprises: a priority setting unit that sets, for the plurality of elevators, priorities for operating using power supplied from the batteries during a power failure based on the status of the cars; and a circuit switching unit that switches a circuit based on the priorities so that power is supplied from at least one of the batteries to the control device of an elevator with a higher priority that is different from the elevator in which the battery is installed.

2. An elevator system including a plurality of elevators each having a hoist that raises and lowers a car, a control device that controls the car and the hoist, and a battery that stores power to be supplied to the control device in the event of a power outage, and a power outage power control device connected to the battery, the power failure power supply control device includes a priority order setting unit that sets, for the plurality of elevators, priorities for executing automatic floor arrival operation using power supplied from the battery during a power failure based on the status of the cars; and a circuit switching unit that, when the requirement that the output voltages of all of the connected batteries be greater than a specified voltage value necessary for executing the automatic floor arrival operation is satisfied, switches the circuit so that power is supplied from the battery to the control device of the elevator equipped with that battery, and, when the requirement is not satisfied, switches the circuit so that power is supplied from at least one battery having an output voltage greater than the specified voltage value to the control device of an elevator equipped with a battery that is different from the elevator equipped with that battery, has a higher priority, and has an output voltage smaller than the specified voltage value.

3. 3. The elevator system according to claim 1, wherein the priority setting unit sets the priority based on a load of the car.

4. 3. The elevator system according to claim 1, wherein the car includes a car battery and a power outage light that receives power from the car battery in the event of a power outage, and the priority setting unit sets the priority based on a state of the power outage light.

5. 3. The elevator system according to claim 1, wherein the car includes a car battery and a power failure light that receives power from the car battery in the event of a power failure, and the priority setting unit sets the priority based on a power supply voltage value to the power failure light.

6. 3. The elevator system according to claim 1, wherein the car has a position detection unit that detects a position of the car, and the priority setting unit sets the priority based on the position of the car at the time of the power outage, which is detected by the position detection unit.

7. 3. The elevator system according to claim 1, wherein the car has a car battery and a monitor that receives power from the car battery during a power outage and displays an image inside the car, and the priority setting unit sets the priority based on an image from the monitor.

8. A power supply control method in an elevator system including a plurality of elevators each including a hoist that raises and lowers a car, a control device that controls the car and the hoist, and a battery that stores power to be supplied to the control device in the event of a power failure, and a power supply control device in the event of a power failure connected to the battery, a priority setting step of setting, for the plurality of elevators, priorities for operating the elevators using power supplied from the battery during a power outage based on the status of the cars; a power supply step of switching a circuit to supply power from at least one of the batteries to the control device of an elevator having a higher priority, different from the elevator in which the battery is installed, based on the priority; A power supply control method during a power outage, comprising:

9. A power supply control method in an elevator system including a plurality of elevators each including a hoist that raises and lowers a car, a control device that controls the car and the hoist, and a battery that stores power to be supplied to the control device in the event of a power failure, and a power supply control device in the event of a power failure connected to the battery, a determining step of determining whether the output voltages of all the connected batteries satisfy a requirement that the output voltages are greater than a specified voltage value required to perform an automatic bed landing operation; a first power supply step of switching a circuit so that power is supplied from the battery to the control device of the elevator equipped with the battery when it is determined that the condition is satisfied in the determination step; a priority setting step of setting, when it is determined in the determination step that the condition is not satisfied, priorities for executing the automatic floor arrival operation using power supplied from the battery during a power outage for the plurality of elevators based on a status of the cars; a second power supply step of switching a circuit to supply power from at least one battery having an output voltage greater than the specified voltage value to the control device of an elevator having a battery with a higher priority and an output voltage less than the specified voltage value, different from the elevator having the battery; A power supply control method during a power outage, comprising:

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