Elevator work support device, elevator work support method, and elevator work support system

Abstract

To provide an elevator work support device, an elevator work support method, and an elevator work support system in which a worker hardly mistakes an elevator to be maintained even when a plurality of elevators are managed as a group.SOLUTION: An elevator work support device that supports a process in which a worker calls a car of an elevator 150 to be maintained when performing maintenance of a plurality of elevators 150 to be group-managed, the elevator work support device comprising: a transmission / reception unit 123 that receives a request for calling the car of the elevator 150 to be maintained from the worker; and a specified elevator call setting unit 122 that performs call setting for separating the elevator 150 to be maintained from group management and moving the car to a floor according to the request when receiving the request.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an elevator operation support device, an elevator operation support method, and an elevator operation support system, and more particularly to an elevator operation support device that can be suitably used when performing elevator maintenance. [Background technology]

[0002] Group control, a system that balances the operation of multiple elevators while taking into account waiting times, has been used for some time. When a worker performs elevator maintenance, he or she must call the elevator car that needs maintenance from among the multiple elevators to the floor where the worker is located.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes that a combination determination unit determines the combination of an elevator car identified by the hall door whose open / closed state has been determined by the door state determination unit, and a wireless module installed in the hall door. A display unit displays the captured image together with multiple images showing the installation positions of the wireless modules that emit radio waves detected by the radio wave detection unit, according to the combination of the car car and the wireless module. A selection unit selects a specific image from the multiple images displayed on the display unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-114646 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When multiple elevators are managed in groups, it is difficult to determine from their appearance which elevator is the one requiring maintenance. Furthermore, in a configuration where a specific elevator communicates directly with a maintenance terminal, there is a risk of connecting to the wrong elevator. This means that workers may mistake the elevator that requires maintenance. An object of the present invention is to provide an elevator work support device, an elevator work support method, and an elevator work support system that make it difficult for workers to confuse elevators that require maintenance, even when multiple elevators are managed in groups. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an elevator work support device that supports a worker in the process of calling the car of an elevator to be maintained when performing maintenance on multiple elevators that are group-managed, and includes a transmitter / receiver unit that receives a request from the worker to call the car of the elevator to be maintained, and a setting unit that, upon receiving the request, performs call settings for the elevator to be maintained, separating it from group management and moving the car to a floor corresponding to the request. In this case, an elevator work support device can be provided that makes it difficult for a worker to mistake the elevator to be maintained even when multiple elevators are managed in a group.

[0007] Here, for example, a worker position determination unit is further provided that determines whether the position of the worker coincides with the position of the elevator to be maintained, and the setting unit performs call setting when they coincide. In this case, when the worker arrives at the elevator to be maintained, the start of maintenance work can be permitted. Furthermore, for example, the location of the worker is determined based on the location of the terminal device carried by the worker, which makes it easier to grasp the location of the worker. Furthermore, for example, the transceiver unit transmits the operation status of multiple elevators, including the elevator for which the call was set, to the terminal device, and the terminal device displays the operation status of the multiple elevators. In this case, it is possible to further reduce the likelihood of misidentifying the elevator that is the target of maintenance. Furthermore, for example, the transceiver unit notifies the terminal device when a car arrives at the requested floor as a result of the call setup, so that the worker can be notified that maintenance work may begin. For example, the setting unit detects that maintenance work has started when a switch that switches the elevator to a maintenance-only mode is turned on. In this case, it is possible to know that maintenance work has actually started. Furthermore, for example, when the switch of an elevator other than the elevator to be maintained is turned on, the setting unit notifies the worker that a maintenance work mistake has occurred. In this case, it is possible to make it even more difficult to mistake the elevator to be maintained.

[0008] The present invention also provides an elevator work support method that supports a worker in calling the car of an elevator to be maintained when performing maintenance on multiple elevators that are group-controlled, by receiving a request from the worker to call the car of the elevator to be maintained, and upon receiving the request, performing a call setting for the elevator to be maintained, detaching it from group control and moving the car to a floor corresponding to the request. In this case, an elevator work support method can be provided that makes it difficult for a worker to mistake the elevator to be maintained even when multiple elevators are group-controlled.

[0009] Furthermore, the present invention is an elevator work support system comprising a plurality of elevators that are managed in groups, a monitoring device that controls the operation of the plurality of elevators by performing group management, and an elevator work support device that supports a worker in the process of calling the car of an elevator that is to be maintained when performing elevator maintenance, wherein the elevator work support device receives a request from the worker to call the car of the elevator that is to be maintained, and when the elevator work support device receives the request, the monitoring device separates the elevator that is to be maintained from group management and moves the car to the floor corresponding to the request. In this case, an elevator work support system can be provided that makes it difficult for a worker to mistake the elevator that is to be maintained even when a plurality of elevators are managed in groups.

[0010] Here, for example, an elevator is equipped with a detection sensor that detects whether or not a passenger is in the car, and when no passenger is in the car, the car moves to a floor according to the request. In this case, it is possible to prevent maintenance work from starting when a passenger is in the car. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an elevator work support device, an elevator work support method, and an elevator work support system that make it difficult for workers to mistake the elevator that needs maintenance, even when multiple elevators are managed in groups. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an elevator operation support system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of the elevator operation assistance system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an elevator operation support system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 4]FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of the elevator operation assistance system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an elevator operation support system according to a third embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of the elevator operation assistance system according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, with reference to first to third embodiments.

[0014] [First embodiment] <Overall Description of Elevator Work Support System 100> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of an elevator operation support system 100 according to the first embodiment. 1 shows only the functional configuration related to this embodiment among the various functions of the elevator operation assistance system 100. As shown in the figure, the elevator work support system 100 includes a maintenance terminal 110, a center system 120, a monitoring device 140, and multiple elevators 150. The maintenance terminal 110, the center system 120, and the monitoring device 140 are connected to a communication network and can communicate with each other. The communication network can be a wired communication network such as an optical communication line or a public telephone line. Alternatively, a wireless communication network such as a mobile phone line or Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity, registered trademark) can be used. The Internet or the like may also be used in combination. The elevators 150 are connected to the monitoring device 140 so that they can communicate with each other. This is done by wireless communication using Wi-Fi or the like, or serial communication via a communication cable, or the like.

[0015] The maintenance terminal 110 is a terminal device carried by a worker and used by the worker during maintenance work on the elevator 150. The maintenance terminal 110 is a computer device capable of wireless communication, such as a PC (Personal Computer) or a smartphone. The maintenance terminal 110 includes a specific elevator call request unit 111 that generates a communication command to call a specific elevator among multiple elevators 150 that is to be maintained, a Global Positioning System (GPS) 112 that acquires location information, and a transceiver unit 113 that communicates with each element. The transceiver unit 113 functions as an input device that receives information from other elements with which it can communicate, and can also function as an output device that transmits information to other elements with which it can communicate. This also applies to transceivers 123, 134, 141, and 151, which will be described later. For the location information, location information from Japan's Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) is used, but location information from Russia's Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) or location information from the European Union's Galileo may also be used.

[0016] The center system 120 is an example of an elevator work support device that supports a worker in the process of calling the car of an elevator 150 to be maintained when performing maintenance on a plurality of elevators 150 that are group-managed. The center system 120 is a system that mainly receives requests from the maintenance terminal 110 and issues commands to the elevators 150. The center system 120 may be configured to include one or more computers. The center system 120 is a cloud system, a server device, or the like.

[0017] The center system 120 is composed of an operation status monitor unit 121 that displays the operation status of multiple elevators 150, a specific elevator call setting unit 122 that sets a specific elevator to be called from among the multiple elevators 150, a transmitter / receiver unit 123 that communicates with each element, a memory unit 132 that has a work schedule 131, and a worker position determination unit 133 that determines the location of the worker.

[0018] The operation status monitor unit 121 checks the operation status of the elevator 150 acquired from the monitoring device 140. The operation status refers to the operation (stopped / running) of the elevator 150, the floor it stops at, the operation mode (normal / maintenance), a trouble code, etc. In addition, the operation status can also be monitored simultaneously for the status of multiple elevators 150. In response to a request from the maintenance terminal 110, the specific elevator call setting unit 122 issues a call command to a specific elevator among the multiple elevators 150 via the monitoring device 140. When the specific elevator call setting unit 122 receives a request to call the car of the elevator 150 that is the object of maintenance, it functions as a setting unit that performs call setting for the elevator 150 that is the object of maintenance, separating it from group management and moving the car to the floor that corresponds to the request. The transmitter / receiver 123 receives a request to call the car of the elevator 150 to be maintained from the maintenance terminal 110 carried by the worker.

[0019] The memory unit 132 is a device that stores data including a work schedule 131 of the name of the work site where the work will be performed, the location (address, unit number information, co-worker information, etc.). The memory unit 132 is configured to include a main memory device, an auxiliary memory device, etc. The main memory device is, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a RAM (Random Access Memory). The ROM is, for example, a mask ROM (Mask Read Only Memory) or a PROM (Programmable ROM). The RAM is, for example, a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory). The auxiliary memory device is, for example, a hard disk drive, a flash memory, an SSD (Solid State Drive), an optical storage device, etc. The optical storage device is, for example, a CD (Compact Disc), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), etc. The programs, data, etc. stored in the auxiliary memory device are loaded into the main memory device as needed.

[0020] The worker position determination unit 133 determines whether a worker is at the work site. This determination is made by comparing the location information received from the maintenance terminal 110 as the worker's current location with the site address (coordinates) information in the work schedule 131. In other words, the worker position determination unit 133 determines whether the worker's location matches the location of the elevator 150 to be maintained. The worker's location is determined from the location of the maintenance terminal 110 carried by the worker, using a GPS 112 or the like. Then, the specific elevator call setting unit 122 sets a call for the elevator 150 to be maintained when they match. Note that "matching locations" here does not mean that the two locations are exactly the same, but rather that they are roughly the same. In other words, it is sufficient that the two locations are within a predetermined distance.

[0021] The monitoring device 140 monitors the status of the elevators 150 and manages and controls the operation of the elevators 150. As the operation management of the elevators 150, the monitoring device 140 controls the operation of multiple elevators 150 by performing group management. Group management is a control method that operates multiple elevators 150 in a balanced manner, taking waiting times into consideration. Group management allows the multiple elevators 150 to be operated efficiently.

[0022] The monitoring device 140 includes a transmitting / receiving unit 141 that communicates with each element, and an operation control unit 142 . The operation control unit 142 is responsible for group management. It calculates which elevator to send to which floor in response to a hall call at each floor, and controls the operation of each elevator 150 so as to transport passengers efficiently. The operation control unit 142 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), MPU (Micro Processing Unit), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), AI (Artificial Intelligence) chip, etc.

[0023] It is assumed that there are at least two elevators 150. In Fig. 1, it is assumed that there are N elevators 150, which are illustrated as elevators No. 1 to No. N. These multiple elevators are managed in groups.

[0024] Each elevator 150 includes a transmitter / receiver 151 that communicates with each element, a controller 152, a load sensor 153, and a specific elevator call controller 154. The control unit 152 controls the operation of the elevator 150 . The load sensor 153 is an example of a detection sensor that detects whether or not a passenger is in the car, and is used to detect the presence or absence of a passenger in the car. The load sensor 153 is, for example, a pressure sensor, a photoelectric sensor, etc. However, since it is only necessary to detect the presence or absence of a passenger in the car, it may be substituted by image recognition using a camera, etc. When the specific car call control unit 154 receives a specific car call setting signal from the center system 120 via the monitoring device 140, it operates the elevator 150 in a mode dedicated to this function until the setting is released.

[0025] <Operation of the elevator operation support system 100> Next, the operation of the elevator operation assistance system 100 will be described. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of the elevator operation assistance system 100 in the first embodiment. In step 201, the worker operates the screen of the maintenance terminal 110 to register the work to be performed. In step 202, step 201 is used as a trigger, and the maintenance terminal 110 transmits a request for work start registration and the location information of the maintenance terminal 110 to the center system 120.

[0026] In step 203, the center system 120 compares the local coordinates managed by the center system 120 with the location information received from the maintenance terminal 110 to check whether they are within an acceptable range. The acceptable range can be, for example, a location difference of within 30 m. However, this is not limited to this range, as it depends on the accuracy of the GPS 112 installed in the maintenance terminal 110, the local environment, etc. As a result of the comparison, if the location difference exceeds the acceptable range (No in step 203), the center system 120 displays an error message and does not allow work start registration. On the other hand, if the difference in position is within an allowable range (Yes in step 203), the process proceeds to step 204.

[0027] In step 204, the center system 120 performs work start registration. In step 205, the worker operates the maintenance terminal 110 to specify the elevator and floor to be called. The specifiable range may be limited to selecting only the elevator to be worked on, as necessary. The specified information is sent by the maintenance terminal 110 to the center system 120 as elevator specification information. In step 206, the center system 120 sets the specific car call mode for the designated car. Then, the center system 120 transmits the car designation information received from the maintenance terminal 110 to the monitoring device 140.

[0028] In step 207, the monitoring device 140 sets the call mode of the specified car and separates the specified car from group control. If the group control separation process is not performed, the car may respond to hall calls, which could affect overall operating efficiency. In step 208, to prevent the mistake of selecting the specified elevator, the maintenance terminal 110 displays either a floor plan of the local elevator hall or the operation status of the elevator 150, or both. In this case, it can be said that the transmitter / receiver 123 of the center system 120 transmits the operation status of multiple elevators, including the elevator 150 for which the call was set up, to the maintenance terminal 110, and the maintenance terminal 110 displays the operation status of the multiple elevators 150.

[0029] In steps 209 and 210, the elevator 150 determines whether or not to set the specific car call mode. In this case, the elevator 150 checks that there are no passengers in the car. Specifically, in step 209, the elevator 150 checks the load in the car using the load sensor 153. Then, in step 210, the elevator 150 checks that the load in the car is 0 kg and that the car doors are closed. If the load in the car is 0 kg and the doors are closed, it can be determined that there are no passengers in the car. Furthermore, when determining using an in-car camera, the elevator 150 uses image recognition to confirm the presence or absence of passengers and that the car doors are closed. If it is determined that there is a passenger (No in step 210), the checks in steps 209 and 210 are repeated. On the other hand, if the load inside the car is 0 kg and the car door is closed (Yes in step 210), it is determined that there are no passengers in the car, and the process proceeds to step 211.

[0030] In step 211, the elevator 150 registers a designated floor call. That is, the elevator 150 moves the car to the floor corresponding to the request when there are no passengers in the car. In step 212, the center system 120 reads out the floor information of the elevator 150 and checks whether the elevator has arrived at the designated floor. As a result, if the vehicle has not landed on the designated floor (No in step 212), the process returns to step 212. On the other hand, if the elevator has landed on the designated floor (Yes in step 212), the process proceeds to step 213. In step 213 , the center system 120 transmits to the elevator 150 a setting to cancel the specific car call mode set in step 206 .

[0031] According to this embodiment, when a car to be worked on is called among a plurality of elevators 150 that are group-managed, the operating status of each car can be checked to prevent mistakes in the car to be worked on.

[0032] Second Embodiment In the second embodiment, the transmitting / receiving unit 123 of the center system 120 notifies the maintenance terminal 110 when a car arrives at the floor corresponding to the request as a result of the call setup.

[0033] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of an elevator operation support system 100 according to the second embodiment. Compared with the elevator work assistance system 100 in FIG. 2, the elevator work assistance system 100 in FIG. 3 is different in that the center system 120 is provided with a notification creation unit 821, but is otherwise similar.

[0034] The notification creation unit 821 transmits a notification to the maintenance terminal 110 when the elevator car arrives at the floor corresponding to the request. In other words, after a worker sets up a call for the elevator 150 to be maintained from the maintenance terminal 110, when the elevator car actually arrives at the floor where the worker is located, the notification creation unit 821 notifies the worker of the arrival. The notification method can be, for example, a push notification. However, the notification method is not limited to this, and other possible notification methods include voice notification, email, vibration, etc.

[0035] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of the elevator operation assistance system 100 in the second embodiment. Steps 401 to 412 in FIG. 4 are the same as steps 201 to 212 in FIG. 2, and therefore will not be described. In step 412, when the specified elevator 150 has landed at the specified floor specified by the worker and this is detected on the center system 120 side (Yes in step 412), the center system 120 notifies the maintenance terminal 110 of this fact. Then, in step 413, the maintenance terminal 110 receives this notification and displays it on the maintenance terminal 110. The maintenance terminal 110 also displays an instruction for the worker to get into the car. It is also possible for the center system 120 to notify the co-workers by utilizing the co-worker information in the work schedule 131. Step 414 in FIG. 4 is similar to step 213 in FIG.

[0036] According to this embodiment, by combining the operation monitor information displayed on the maintenance terminal 110 with the designated floor arrival notification, it is possible to further prevent the misidentification of the working vehicle.

[0037] Third Embodiment In the third embodiment, the specific elevator call setting unit 122 of the center system 120 detects that maintenance work has started when a switch for switching the elevator 150 to a maintenance-only mode is turned on. When a switch for an elevator 150 other than the elevator 150 that is the target of maintenance is turned on, the specific elevator call setting unit 122 notifies the worker that a maintenance work mistake has occurred.

[0038] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of an elevator operation support system 100 according to the third embodiment. Compared with the elevator work assistance system 100 in FIG. 3, the elevator work assistance system 100 in FIG. 5 is different in that the elevator 150 is provided with an in-car SW (switch) 955, but is otherwise similar.

[0039] The in-car SW955 is located inside the elevator car and is normally locked. The in-car SW955 can switch the operation mode (normal / dedicated). The in-car SW955 is composed of a wave switch, a toggle switch, or the like. During maintenance work, the elevator 150 is switched to the dedicated operation mode, so it can be determined that work has started when the in-car SW955 is turned on.

[0040] FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of the elevator operation assistance system 100 in the third embodiment. Steps 601 to 613 in FIG. 6 are the same as steps 401 to 413 in FIG. 4, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. In step 614, the center system 120 checks the state of the SW 955 in the car. If it is detected that the SW 955 in a car other than the designated car number has been turned on (No in step 614), it is highly likely that the work car number has been mistaken, so the center system 120 notifies (alerts) the maintenance terminal 110. In this case, the maintenance terminal 110 receives the alert and displays it (step 916). On the other hand, if it is detected that the SW 955 in the car of the specified car has been turned on (Yes in step 614), the process proceeds to step 616. Step 616 in FIG. 6 is similar to step 213 in FIG.

[0041] According to this embodiment, if an operator mistakenly attempts to perform work on a machine other than the one designated, the system can immediately alert the operator that the machine being worked on has been mistaken.

[0042] In the above embodiment, the person who maintains the elevator 150 is referred to as a worker, but this name is not particularly limited and may be, for example, a worker, a maintenance worker, or the like. Furthermore, the functions of the maintenance terminal 110, the center system 120, the monitoring device 140, and the elevator 150 described above may be performed elsewhere. For example, some of the functions of the monitoring device 140 may be performed by the center system 120 or the elevator 150. Furthermore, at least two of these devices may be combined into one device. Furthermore, these devices may be further divided into multiple devices.

[0043] <Explanation of elevator operation support method> The processing performed by the center system 120 described above can be considered as an elevator work support method that supports a worker in calling the car of an elevator 150 that is the target of maintenance when performing maintenance on multiple elevators 150 that are group-managed, and that receives a request from a worker to call the car of the elevator 150 that is the target of maintenance, and upon receiving the request, performs a call setting for the elevator 150 that is the target of maintenance, separating it from group management and moving the car to a floor according to the request. This makes it possible to provide an elevator work support method that makes it difficult for a worker to mistake the elevator that is the target of maintenance, even when multiple elevators are group-managed.

[0044] Furthermore, the processing performed by the center system 120 is realized by the cooperation of software and hardware resources. That is, a processor such as a CPU provided in the center system 120 loads a program that realizes each function of the center system 120 into a main memory and executes it to realize each function. The program that realizes this embodiment can be provided not only by communication means but also by being stored on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

[0045] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope of the above embodiment. It is clear from the claims that various modifications and improvements to the above embodiment are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 100... elevator work support system, 110... maintenance terminal, 120... center system, 121... operation status monitor unit, 122... specific elevator call setting unit, 123... transmission / reception unit, 133... worker position determination unit, 140... monitoring device, 142... operation control unit, 150... elevator, 821... notification creation unit, 955... car in-car SW

Claims

1. An elevator work support device that supports a worker in calling a car of an elevator to be maintained when performing maintenance on a plurality of elevators that are group-managed, a transmitter / receiver unit that receives a request from a worker to call the elevator car that is the object of maintenance; a setting unit that, when receiving the request, performs call setting for the elevator to be maintained, separating it from group control and moving the elevator car to the floor corresponding to the request; An elevator work support device comprising:

2. further comprising an operator position determination unit that determines whether the position of the operator coincides with the position of the elevator to be maintained; The elevator work support device according to claim 1 , wherein the setting unit performs the call setting when the match occurs.

3. 3. The elevator operation support device according to claim 2, wherein the location of the worker is determined based on the location of a terminal device carried by the worker.

4. 4. The elevator work support device according to claim 3, wherein the transmitting / receiving unit transmits operation statuses of a plurality of elevators including the elevator for which the call setting has been performed to the terminal device, and the terminal device displays the operation statuses of the plurality of elevators.

5. 4. The elevator operation support device according to claim 3, wherein the transmitting / receiving unit notifies the terminal device when a car arrives at the floor corresponding to the request as a result of the call setting.

6. 2. The elevator operation support device according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit detects that maintenance work has started when a switch for switching the elevator to a maintenance-only mode is turned on.

7. 7. The elevator work support device according to claim 6, wherein the setting unit notifies a worker that a maintenance work mistake has occurred when the switch of an elevator other than the elevator that is the maintenance target is turned on.

8. An elevator operation support method for supporting a worker in a process of calling a car of an elevator to be maintained when performing maintenance on a plurality of elevators that are group-managed, comprising: A request is received from a worker to call the elevator car that is the object of maintenance, When the request is received, the elevator to be maintained is separated from the group control and a call is set up to move the elevator car to the floor corresponding to the request. Elevator work support method.

9. A plurality of elevators that are group-controlled; a monitoring device that controls the operation of a plurality of elevators by performing the group management; an elevator work support device that supports a worker in calling a car of an elevator to be maintained when performing elevator maintenance; Equipped with the elevator work assistance device receives a request from a worker to call a car of an elevator that is a maintenance target; When the elevator work support device receives the request, the monitoring device separates the elevator to be maintained from group management and moves the elevator car to the floor corresponding to the request. Elevator work support system.

10. 10. The elevator operation support system according to claim 9, wherein the elevator is equipped with a detection sensor that detects whether or not a passenger is in the elevator car, and when no passenger is in the elevator car, the elevator car is moved to a floor corresponding to the request.

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