Movement distance measuring device

Abstract

To provide a moving distance measuring device capable of accurately measuring the moving distance of a car during maintenance and inspection work.SOLUTION: The movement distance measuring device 20 includes a measuring instrument and a holding part. The measuring instrument is arranged above or below the car 3 and attached to the guide rail 7. The holding portion holds the measuring instrument with respect to the guide rail 7. When the car 3 moves up and down, the measuring instrument is pushed by the car 3 and moves along the guide rail 7.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a movement distance measuring device used during maintenance and inspection work on an elevator. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, elevators are equipped with a car, a counterweight, a rope connecting the car and the counterweight, and a hoist around which the rope is wound. Furthermore, elevators are required to be equipped with an emergency stop device as a safety device that automatically stops the car when the speed of the car ascending or descending along the guide rail exceeds a specified value.

[0003] An example of such technology is described in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 describes a technology related to a braking device that includes a braking arm, an operating arm, an operating elastic body and an actuator interposed between the operating arms, and a braking section that includes a brake shoe.

[0004] Furthermore, during maintenance and inspection work, the braking distance of the emergency stop device is measured. Here, the braking distance of the emergency stop device is the distance traveled by the car from when the emergency stop device is activated until the car stops.

[0005] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the operation of measuring the moving distance of a car during conventional maintenance and inspection work. As shown in Fig. 9, the elevator 1 includes a car 3, a counterweight 4, a rope 5 connecting the car 3 and the counterweight 4, and a hoist 6 around which the rope 5 is wound. The car 3 is also provided with an ascent emergency stop device 9 that stops the car 3 when the speed of the car 3 during ascent exceeds a specified value. Note that the example shown in Fig. 9 describes an example in which the distance traveled by the car 3 during ascent is measured during maintenance and inspection work.

[0006] As shown in Figure 9, when the ascent emergency stop device 9 is activated, the ascending operation of the car 3 is braked. During maintenance and inspection work, the distance traveled by the car 3 from when the ascent emergency stop device 9 is activated until the car 3 stops is measured. Note that during this work, the weight of the counterweight 4 is heavier than the weight of the car 3. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-83640 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] However, as shown in Figure 9, when the car 3 stops, the rope 5 connecting the car 3 and the counterweight 4 stretches due to its elasticity. The counterweight 4 then moves further by the amount of stretch of the rope 5. Then, when the stretched rope 5 returns to its original position due to its elastic force, a moment occurs when the tension in the rope 5 is released.

[0009] Here, as in the technology described in Patent Document 1, a safety device generally has a slight stroke because the brake shoe clamps the guide rail. Therefore, when the tension in the rope 5 is released, the car 3 moves (descends) a little before stopping, as shown in Fig. 9. As a result, even if the stopping position of the car is measured after the car has completely stopped, it is not possible to measure the exact distance traveled by the car.

[0010] In consideration of the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a moving distance measuring device that can accurately measure the moving distance of a car during maintenance and inspection work. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] To solve the above problems and achieve the present object, a travel distance measuring device is used to measure the travel distance of an elevator car during maintenance and inspection work. The travel distance measuring device includes a measuring instrument and a holding unit. The measuring instrument is placed on the top or bottom of the car and attached to a guide rail that movably supports the car. The holding unit holds the measuring instrument relative to the guide rail. When the car moves up or down, the measuring instrument is pushed by the car and moves along the guide rail. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the moving distance measuring device having the above configuration, the moving distance of the car can be accurately measured during maintenance and inspection work. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an elevator to which a travel distance measurement device according to a first embodiment is applied. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a travel distance measuring device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a travel distance measuring device according to a first embodiment is attached to a guide rail. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram showing the operation of measuring the moving distance of a car using a moving distance measuring device according to a first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a diagram showing the operation of measuring the moving distance of a car using a moving distance measuring device according to a first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a travel distance measuring device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a front view showing a travel distance measuring device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a side view showing a travel distance measuring device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the operation of measuring the moving distance of a car during conventional maintenance and inspection work. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, a travel distance measuring device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 9. Note that common members in each figure are given the same reference numerals.

[0015] 1. First embodiment 1-1. Elevator configuration example First, the configuration of an elevator to which a travel distance measuring device according to a first embodiment (hereinafter referred to as "this example") is applied will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of an elevator.

[0016] As shown in Figure 1, elevator 1 has a car 3, which is an example of an elevator that moves up and down in a hoistway formed within a building structure, a counterweight 4, a rope 5, and a hoist 6. The hoist 6 is installed in a machine room located at the top of the hoistway. The rope 5 is wound around a sheave of the hoist 6. In addition, two guide rails 7 that guide the up and down movement of car 3 are installed upright within the hoistway.

[0017] One end of the rope 5 is connected to the upper part of the car 3, and the other end of the rope 5 is connected to the upper part of the counterweight 4. When the hoist 6 is driven, the car 3 and the counterweight 4 move up and down in the hoistway. Hereinafter, the direction in which the car 3 and the counterweight 4 move up and down is referred to as the up and down direction. The above-mentioned guide rail 7 extends in the up and down direction within the hoistway.

[0018] The car 3 has a guide device 10 that slides on the guide rail 7, a descending emergency stop device 8, and an ascending emergency stop device 9. The descending emergency stop device 8 is disposed at the lower end of the car 3 in the vertical direction, and the ascending emergency stop device 9 is disposed at the upper end of the car 3 in the vertical direction.

[0019] The descent emergency stop device 8 and the ascent emergency stop device 9 each have a brake (not shown) that clamps the guide rail 7. The descent emergency stop device 8 makes an emergency stop on the descent movement of the car 1 when the descent speed of the car 1 exceeds the rated speed and reaches a predetermined speed. The ascent emergency stop device 9 makes an emergency stop on the ascent movement of the car 1 when the ascent speed of the car 1 exceeds the rated speed and reaches a predetermined speed.

[0020] During maintenance and inspection work, the braking distance of the descending emergency stop device 8 and the ascending emergency stop device 9, i.e., the travel distance of the car 3, is measured. In order to measure the travel distance of the car 3, a travel distance measuring device 20 is detachably attached to the guide rail 7 at the top or bottom of the car 3.

[0021] 1-2. Example of configuration of moving distance measuring device Next, the configuration of the traveled distance measurement device 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the travel distance measurement device 20. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the state in which the travel distance measurement device 20 is attached to the guide rail 7.

[0022] 2 and 3, the travel distance measurement device 20 includes a roughly U-shaped measurement tool 21, a holding part 23, and an anti-fall-off screw 25 that serves as a retaining part. The measurement tool 21 is attached to the guide rail 7 and is movably supported by the guide rail 7. The measurement tool 21 is pushed by the car 3 and moves along the guide rail 7.

[0023] The measuring instrument 21 has a main surface portion 21a and two opposing surface portions 21b, 21b that face each other. The opposing surface portions 21b, 21b are connected substantially perpendicularly to both ends of the main surface portion 21a.

[0024] 3, the guide rail 7 has a flange portion 7a, a sliding portion 7b along which the guide device 10 slides, and a constricted portion 7c connecting the sliding portion 7b and the flange portion 7a. When the measuring instrument 21 is attached to the guide rail 7, the main surface portion 21a faces the end face of the sliding portion 7b. The two opposing surface portions 21b, 21b face each other with the sliding portion 7b sandwiched therebetween. The opposing surface portion 21b faces the side surface of the sliding portion 7b.

[0025] When measuring the travel distance of the car 3 during maintenance and inspection work, as shown in Fig. 1, the measuring device 21 is detachably attached to the guide rail 7 at the top or bottom of the car 3 in the vertical direction. The measuring device 21 then abuts against the devices that make up the car 3, such as the guide device 10 of the car 3, the emergency stop device for ascent 9, and the ceiling.

[0026] The measuring instrument 21 is also provided with a holding portion 23 that holds the measuring instrument 21 relative to the guide rail 7. The holding portion 23 is formed, for example, by a magnet that is attracted to the guide rail 7 by magnetic force. The holding portion 23 is fixed to the main surface portion 21a and one of the two opposing surface portions 21b, 21b via fixing screws 27.

[0027] The holding portion 23 provided on the main surface portion 21a is fixed to an inner wall surface of the main surface portion 21a that faces the end face of the sliding portion 7b of the guide rail 7. The holding portion 23 provided on the opposing surface portion 21b is fixed to an inner wall surface of the opposing surface portion 21b that faces the side face of the sliding portion 7b of the guide rail 7. In other words, the holding portions 23 are provided on two surfaces of the measuring instrument 21 that are perpendicular to each other.

[0028] In this example, two holders 23 are provided, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of holders 23 may be one as long as it is possible to support the weight of the measuring instrument 21. However, in order to prevent the measuring instrument 21 from tilting when moved, as described above, it is preferable to provide holders 23 on two orthogonal surfaces of the measuring instrument 21. Furthermore, holders 23 may be provided on all of the main surface 21a and the two opposing surfaces 21b, 21b.

[0029] When the measuring instrument 21 is attached to the guide rail 7, the tip of the opposing surface portion 21b, 21b opposite to the main surface portion 21a faces the constricted portion 7c of the guide rail 7. In addition, a captive screw 25 is attached to the tip of the opposing surface portion 21b.

[0030] The captive screws 25 penetrate from the outer wall surface to the inner wall surface of the opposing surface portion 21b. The tips of the captive screws 25 face the constricted portion 7c of the guide rail 7 with a gap between them. The distance between the tips of the two captive screws 25 is set shorter than the width of the sliding portion 7b of the guide rail 7. As a result, if an impact causes the holding portion 23 to come off the measuring tool 21 or if the measuring tool 21 moves in a direction away from the guide rail 7, the tips of the captive screws 25 will catch on the constricted portion 7c or the sliding portion 7b. As a result, the measuring tool 21 can be prevented from falling off the guide rail 7 against the user's intention.

[0031] Although the measuring device 21 has been described as being formed in a generally U-shape consisting of the main surface 21a and the two opposing surface portions 21b, 21b, the present invention is not limited to this. The shape of the measuring device 21 may be a flat plate having only the main surface 21a or one opposing surface portion 21b, or may be formed in various other shapes, such as a generally L-shape consisting of the main surface 21a and one opposing surface portion 21b.

[0032] 1-3. Measuring the distance traveled by the car Next, the operation of measuring the distance traveled by the car 3 using the travel distance measuring device 20 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 4 and 5. FIG. 4 and 5 are explanatory diagrams showing the operation of measuring the moving distance of the car 3 using the moving distance measuring device 20. In the following explanation, an example will be described in which the braking distance of the ascent safety device 9, that is, the moving distance of the car 3 when it is raised and stopped, is measured.

[0033] First, as shown in Fig. 1, the measuring tool 21 is detachably attached to the guide rail 7 at the top in the vertical direction of the car 3. Then, the measuring tool 21 comes into contact with the guide device 10 of the car 3, the emergency stop device for ascent 9, the frame body, and other devices that make up the car 3. In addition, the position where the measuring tool 21 comes into contact with the top of the car 3 is recorded as the initial position.

[0034] Next, as shown in Fig. 4, when the car 3 moves upward, the measuring device 21 is pushed by the car 3 and moves upward together with the car 3. Then, when the ascent safety device 9 is activated, the upward movement of the car 3 stops. Therefore, the upward movement of the measuring device 21 also stops. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 9 above, when the rope 5 returns to its original length and the tension in the rope 5 is momentarily relaxed, the car 3 moves (descends) a little and then stops.

[0035] However, the measuring tool 21 is provided with a holding part 23 that holds the weight of the measuring tool 21. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 5, even if the car 3 returns to the lower side, the measuring tool 21 automatically stays at the position of the guide rail 7 at the maximum distance that the car 3 has moved.

[0036] Then, the distance from the initial position of the measuring tool 21 to the position where it has moved and stopped as shown in Fig. 5 is measured. As described above, the position where the measuring tool 21 has stopped is the distance that the car 3 has moved the most. As a result, even if the car 3 returns to the lower side after stopping, the moving distance of the car 3 can be accurately measured by measuring the position of the measuring tool 21. In this way, since the moving distance of the car 3 can be accurately measured, the braking distance of the ascending safety device 9 can also be accurately measured.

[0037] In the above example, an example has been described in which the braking distance of the ascent safety device 9, i.e., the distance traveled by the car 3 when it is raised and stopped, is measured, but the example in which the travel distance measuring device 20 is used is not limited to this. That is, the travel distance measuring device 20 of this example can also be applied to an example in which the braking distance of the descent safety device 8, i.e., the distance traveled by the car 3 when it is lowered and stopped, for example. In this case, the measuring device 21 is placed below the car 3 in the up-down direction. Then, when the car 3 moves downward, the measuring device 21 comes into contact with the guide device 10 of the car 3, the descent safety device 8, the frame, and other devices that constitute the car 3.

[0038] 2. Second embodiment Next, a travel distance measuring device according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8 are diagrams showing a travel distance measuring device according to a second embodiment.

[0039] The difference between the travel distance measurement device 30 according to the second embodiment and the travel distance measurement device 20 according to the first embodiment is that a contact plate is provided. Therefore, parts common to the travel distance measurement device 20 according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0040] 6 to 8, the travel distance measurement device 30 includes a measuring tool 31, a holding part 33, and a captive screw 35 that serves as a retaining part. The configurations of the holding part 33 and the captive screw 35 are the same as those of the holding part 23 and the captive screw 25 according to the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. The holding part 33 is fixed to the measuring tool 31 via a fixing screw 37.

[0041] The measuring tool 31 has a main surface 31a, two opposing surface portions 31b, 31b, and an abutment plate 31d. The measuring tool 31 is formed in a generally U-shape by the main surface 31a and the two opposing surface portions 31b, 31b. A holding portion 33 is provided on the main surface 31a and one of the two opposing surface portions 31b, 31b. Furthermore, a captive screw 35 is attached to each of the two opposing surface portions 31b, 31b.

[0042] The abutment plate 31d is disposed on the main surface 31a and the lower or upper end of the two opposing surface portions 31b, 31b in the vertical direction. The abutment plate 31d is formed in a substantially flat plate shape. A notch 31e is formed on the end edge of the abutment plate 31d facing the guide rail 7. The guide rail 7 is inserted into this notch 31e. This prevents the abutment plate 31d from coming into contact with the guide rail 7 when the measuring instrument 31 is attached to the guide rail 7.

[0043] Furthermore, during maintenance and inspection work, the abutment plate 31d abuts against devices constituting the car 3, such as the guide device 10 of the car 3, the ascent safety device 9, the descent safety device 8, and the frame body. By abutting the flat abutment plate 31d against the car 3 in this way, the contact area with the car 3 can be made larger than that of the measuring device 21 according to the first embodiment. As a result, when the measuring device 31 is pushed by the car 3 and moves, the measuring device 31 can move without rattling.

[0044] Other configurations are the same as those of the travel distance measurement device 20 according to the first embodiment described above, and therefore description thereof will be omitted. The travel distance measurement device 30 according to the second embodiment can also achieve the same actions and effects as those of the travel distance measurement device 20 according to the first embodiment described above.

[0045] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the claims.

[0046] In the above-described embodiment, examples have been described in which magnets are used as the holding units 23, 33, but this is not limiting. Various other configurations can be used as the holding units, such as a friction material that holds the measuring instrument by friction with the guide rail 7. The holding force of the holding unit only needs to be strong enough to hold the weight of the measuring instrument, and is set to be weaker than the force that pushes the measuring instrument to move when pushed by the car. This prevents the holding force of the holding unit from restricting the movement of the car during maintenance and inspection work.

[0047] If the frictional force of a friction material is applied as the holding part, there is a risk that the holding part will damage the guide rail 7 when the measuring tool moves. Furthermore, if the holding force of the holding part becomes excessive, there is a risk that the measuring tool will be deformed by the holding force of the holding part when the measuring tool moves. For this reason, it is preferable to use a magnet as the holding part.

[0048] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the ascending emergency stop device 9 and the descending emergency stop device 8 are provided at the top and bottom of the car 3, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an emergency stop device that operates when the car 3 ascends and descends may be provided at the top or bottom of the car 3.

[0049] In the above-described embodiment, the configuration of the elevator 1 is not limited to the 1:1 roping elevator shown in FIG. 1, but various other elevators such as a 2:1 roping elevator and a machine room-less elevator that does not have a machine room can also be applied.

[0050] In this specification, the words "parallel" and "orthogonal" are used, but these do not mean only "parallel" and "orthogonal" in the strict sense, but also include "parallel" and "orthogonal" and may also mean a "substantially parallel" or "substantially orthogonal" state within a range in which the functions can be exerted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 1...Elevator, 3...Cab, 4...Counterweight, 5...Rope, 6...Hoist, 7...Guide rail, 7a...Flange portion, 7b...Sliding portion, 7c...Neck portion, 8...Emergency stop device for descent (emergency stop device), 9...Emergency stop device for ascent (emergency stop device), 10...Guide device, 20, 30...Travel distance measuring device, 21, 31...Measuring instrument, 21a, 31a...Main surface portion, 21b, 31b...Facing surface portion, 31d...Abutment plate, 23, 33...Holding portion, 25, 35...Anti-falling screw (retaining portion)

Claims

1. A travel distance measuring device used to measure the travel distance of an elevator car during maintenance and inspection work, A measuring instrument is disposed above or below the car and attached to a guide rail that movably supports the car; a holding portion that holds the measuring instrument relative to the guide rail, When the car moves up and down, the measuring device is pushed by the car and moves along the guide rail. Travel distance measuring device.

2. The holding force of the holding part is set to a force that holds the weight of the measuring instrument. The travel distance measuring device according to claim 1 .

3. The holding portion is a magnet. The travel distance measuring device according to claim 1 .

4. The measuring instrument comprises: a main surface portion facing an end surface of the sliding portion of the guide rail; two opposing surface portions connected to both ends of the main surface portion and opposing side surfaces of the sliding portion of the guide rail; The moving distance measuring device according to claim 1 , further comprising:

5. The holding portions are provided on two perpendicular surfaces of the measuring instrument.

5. The moving distance measuring device according to claim 4.

6. The two opposing surfaces are provided with retaining portions whose tip portions face the narrowed portion of the guide rail with a gap therebetween.

5. The moving distance measuring device according to claim 4.

7. The measuring device has a flat contact plate that contacts the car. The travel distance measuring device according to claim 1 .

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