Elevator system

Abstract

To provide a sufficient function as a protection function for protecting an emergency power generation part without complicating a configuration.SOLUTION: An emergency power generation unit 3 for supplying power to a emergency elevator 2 during a power failure and a regenerative power consumption unit 7 for protecting the emergency power generation unit 3 by consuming regenerative power generated by the emergency elevator 2 are provided, and the regenerative power consumption unit 7 is a power consumption dedicated device 71 which is provided as a non-combustible device dedicated to consuming regenerative power and which is capable of adjusting the amount of power consumed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an elevator system having an emergency elevator that can be used in an emergency. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Elevator systems are known that are provided with an emergency power generation unit that supplies power to an emergency elevator in an emergency such as a power outage, thereby enabling the emergency elevator to be used in an emergency (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

[0003] In such elevator systems, if regenerative power is generated by the emergency elevator and exceeds an allowable value, problems such as an emergency stop of the emergency power generation unit may occur. Therefore, the elevator systems described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are provided with a regenerative power consumption unit that consumes the regenerative power generated by the emergency elevator to protect the emergency power generation unit.

[0004] In Patent Document 1, only a predetermined number of elevators are operated among a plurality of elevators, and the remaining elevators are put into a stopped state. At this time, the motors of the stopped elevators are used as regenerative power consumers, and the regenerative power generated by the emergency elevators is supplied to the motors of the stopped elevators to consume the regenerative power.

[0005] In Patent Document 2, the regenerative power consumption unit is a water pump installed on the upper floors of an apartment building, and regenerative power generated by an emergency elevator is supplied to the water pump to consume the regenerative power. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 60-023066 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 5741686 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, in Patent Document 1, when the regenerative power is consumed by the motor of an elevator that is out of service, it is necessary to activate the brake to prevent the elevator from moving. Therefore, it is necessary not only to have the motor that serves as the regenerative power consumer simply consume the regenerative power, but also to take measures such as a brake to prevent the elevator from moving, which leads to a more complicated configuration.

[0008] Furthermore, in emergency elevators, regenerative power is generated, causing the emergency power generating unit to stop in an emergency, such as during a power outage or fire. Therefore, the power consuming equipment that consumes the regenerative power is required to be non-flammable, for example, electrically connected to the emergency elevator by a fire-resistant cable.

[0009] However, in Patent Document 1, it is unclear whether the motor of the elevator that is out of service is fireproof, and in Patent Document 2, the motor is a water pump, which is a general load, and is not fireproof.

[0010] Furthermore, in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the motors and pumping pumps of idle elevators are used for both their intended purpose and to consume regenerative power, so there is a possibility that they may deteriorate or become damaged when being used for their intended purpose, and may become unusable when the time comes to use them to consume regenerative power.

[0011] Therefore, the protection functions of the patent documents 1 and 2 for protecting the emergency power generating unit are not sufficient, and there is room for improvement.

[0012] In view of this situation, a main object of the present invention is to provide an elevator system that can be provided with a sufficient function as a protective function for protecting an emergency power generating unit without complicating the configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] A first characteristic configuration of the present invention is an emergency power generation unit that supplies power to an emergency elevator during a power outage; a regenerative power consumption unit that consumes regenerative power generated by the emergency elevator to protect the emergency power generation unit, The regenerative power consumption unit is a non-combustible dedicated device for consuming regenerative power, and is a dedicated power consumption device that can freely adjust the amount of power consumed.

[0014] According to this configuration, when regenerative power is generated by the emergency elevator during an emergency such as a power outage or fire, the regenerative power is consumed by the regenerative power consumption unit, thereby protecting the emergency power generation unit. Since the regenerative power consumption unit is a dedicated power consumption device whose power consumption amount can be freely adjusted, it is sufficient to simply consume the regenerative power with the dedicated power consumption device, and the emergency power generation unit can be protected without introducing complexity into the configuration.

[0015] Furthermore, the dedicated power consumption equipment is non-flammable, so it can be used even in the event of a fire, and because it is dedicated to consuming regenerative power, it can consume the regenerative power appropriately and reliably without being used for other purposes. Therefore, providing dedicated power consumption equipment that is non-flammable and dedicated to consuming regenerative power can be said to be sufficient as a protective function for protecting the emergency power generation unit.

[0016] A second characteristic configuration of the present invention is a regenerative power calculation unit that calculates the magnitude of regenerative power generated by the emergency elevator; The electric power consumption adjusting section adjusts the amount of electric power consumed by the dedicated electric power consuming device in accordance with the magnitude of the regenerative electric power calculated by the regenerative electric power calculating section.

[0017] According to this configuration, when the magnitude of the regenerative power generated by the emergency elevator changes, the regenerative power calculation unit calculates the magnitude of the regenerative power after the change, and the power consumption adjustment unit can adjust the power consumption of the dedicated power-consuming equipment according to the magnitude of the regenerative power calculated by the regenerative power calculation unit. This makes it possible to flexibly respond to changes in the magnitude of the regenerative power generated by the emergency elevator, and while being able to appropriately protect the emergency power generation unit, by reducing the output of the emergency power generation unit, it is possible to suppress energy consumption in the emergency power generation unit and operate the emergency power generation unit for a long period of time.

[0018] A third characteristic feature of the present invention is that the regenerative power consumption unit is made non-flammable by electrically connecting the dedicated power consumption device to the emergency elevator via a fire-resistant cable.

[0019] According to this configuration, the dedicated power consumption equipment can be made non-flammable simply by electrically connecting it to the emergency elevator with a fire-resistant cable, so that it is possible to provide dedicated power consumption equipment with non-flammable specifications that can appropriately consume regenerative power even in the event of a fire while simplifying the configuration. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an elevator system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an elevator system according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] An embodiment of an elevator system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. [First embodiment] As shown in FIG. 1, this elevator system 1 includes an emergency elevator 2 and an emergency power generation unit 3 that can generate power in an emergency and supply the generated power to the emergency elevator 2.

[0022] The emergency elevator 2 has a bucket-type counterweight 23 attached to a car 21 via a rope 22, and is equipped with a hoist 24 that winds up the rope 22 to raise and lower the car 21. The emergency elevator 2 is equipped with an elevator control unit 25 that controls the operation of the emergency elevator 2 by controlling the operating state of the hoist 24 and the like.

[0023] In the event of an emergency such as a fire or power outage, power is supplied from the emergency power generation unit 3 to the emergency elevator 2, causing the hoisting machine 24 to drive the car 21 up and down, making the emergency elevator 2 usable.

[0024] This elevator system 1 is not only equipped with an emergency power generation unit 3 as equipment for supplying power to the emergency elevator 2, but also with a power receiving and transforming facility 4 capable of supplying power to the emergency elevator 2. As a result, the emergency elevator 2 is not dedicated to use only in emergencies, but during normal times other than emergencies, power is supplied to the emergency elevator 2 from the power receiving and transforming facility 4, and the car 21 is driven to rise and fall by the hoist 24, making it possible to use the emergency elevator 2 for normal use as well.

[0025] The system is equipped with a power switching unit 5 that switches the power supply state to the emergency elevator 2 between a normal supply state and an emergency supply state. The power switching unit 5 is equipped with a plurality of connection terminals A1-A4 and a plurality of changeover switches B1-B2, and switches the connection state of the plurality of connection terminals A1-A4 using the plurality of changeover switches B1-B2 to switch the power supply state to the emergency elevator 2 between the normal supply state and the emergency supply state. Incidentally, in FIG. 1, the changeover states of the changeover switches B1-B2 are indicated by solid lines and dotted lines.

[0026] A first connection terminal A1 in the power switching unit 5 is connected to a first electric cable C1, and the first electric cable C1 electrically connects the hoisting machine 24 of the emergency elevator 2 and the like to the power switching unit 5. A second connection terminal A2 in the power switching unit 5 is connected to a second electric cable C2, and the second electric cable C2 electrically connects the power receiving and transforming equipment 4 to the power switching unit 5. A third connection terminal A3 in the power switching unit 5 is connected to a third electric cable C3, and the third electric cable C3 electrically connects the emergency power generating unit 3 and the power switching unit 5.

[0027] 1, the power switching unit 5 electrically connects the power receiving and transforming equipment 4 and the hoist 24 of the emergency elevator 2 and the like via the power switching unit 5 by connecting the first connection terminal A1 and the second connection terminal A2 via the first changeover switch B1, thereby switching to a normal supply state in which power is supplied from the power receiving and transforming equipment 4 to the hoist 24 of the emergency elevator 2 and the like. Conversely, as shown by a solid line in FIG. 1, the power switching unit 5 electrically connects the emergency power generating unit 3 and the hoist 24 of the emergency elevator 2 and the like via the power switching unit 5 by connecting the first changeover switch B1 and the third connection terminal A3, thereby switching to an emergency supply state in which power is supplied from the emergency power generating unit 3 to the hoist 24 of the emergency elevator 2 and the like.

[0028] Regarding the power supply state to the emergency elevator 2, during normal times, the power switching unit 5 switches to the normal supply state (see dotted line in Figure 1), and the emergency elevator 2 is used for normal use using power from the substation equipment 4, and only during an emergency, the power switching unit 5 switches to the emergency supply state (see solid line in Figure 1), and the emergency elevator 2 is used using power from the emergency power generation unit 3.

[0029] In order for the power switching unit 5 to switch to an emergency supply state in an emergency, the emergency elevator 2 is provided with an emergency operation unit 26 (e.g., an emergency command button) that can be operated by a person in an emergency. As shown by a first signal path D1 with a dotted arrow in Fig. 1, when the emergency operation unit 26 is operated, the elevator control unit 25 receives a signal from the emergency operation unit 26 and outputs an emergency signal commanding that an emergency has occurred to the power switching unit 5. As a result, upon receiving the emergency signal from the elevator control unit 25, the power switching unit 5 switches the state of power supply to the hoisting machine 24 and the like of the emergency elevator 2 from a normal supply state (see dotted line in Fig. 1) to an emergency supply state (see solid line in Fig. 1).

[0030] A regular load 6 is connected to the power receiving and transforming equipment 4 via a fourth electric cable C4, so that power can be supplied from the power receiving and transforming equipment 4 to the regular load 6. As the regular load 6, for example, various electrical devices and power storage devices that are used during normal times can be applied.

[0031] When the emergency elevator 2 is in use during normal operation, there are times when regenerative power is generated by the emergency elevator 2. At this time, the hoisting machine 24 of the emergency elevator 2 is electrically connected to the regular load 6 via the power switching unit 5 and the power receiving and transforming equipment 4, so the regenerative power generated by the emergency elevator 2 can be consumed by the regular load 6.

[0032] When the emergency elevator 2 is in use even in an emergency, regenerative power may be generated by the emergency elevator 2, and if this regenerative power exceeds an allowable value, problems such as an emergency stop of the emergency power generation unit 3 may occur. Therefore, this elevator system 1 is provided with a regenerative power consumption unit 7 that consumes the regenerative power generated by the emergency elevator 2 to protect the emergency power generation unit 3.

[0033] The regenerative power consumption unit 7 is a non-flammable dedicated power consumption device 71 provided as a dedicated device for consuming regenerative power, and the dedicated power consumption device 71 can be configured, for example, by a load testing device. The power switching unit 5 and the dedicated power consumption device 71 are electrically connected by a fifth electric cable C5, and the fourth connection terminal A4 of the power switching unit 5 is connected to the fifth electric cable C5. The third connection terminal A3 and the fourth connection terminal A4 can be freely switched between a connected state (see solid line in FIG. 1) and a disconnected state (see dotted line in FIG. 1) by a second changeover switch B2.

[0034] The power switching unit 5 switches the second changeover switch B2 to a non-connected state (see dotted line in FIG. 1) during normal operation. Upon receiving an emergency signal from the elevator control unit 25, the power switching unit 5 switches the second changeover switch B2 from a non-connected state (see dotted line in FIG. 1) to a connected state (see solid line in FIG. 1) only during an emergency.

[0035] In an emergency, the emergency power generation unit 3 and the hoist 24 of the emergency elevator 2 and the like are electrically connected via the power switching unit 5, and the emergency elevator 2 can be used using power from the emergency power generation unit 3. As shown by the outline arrow in Fig. 1 , the hoist 24 of the emergency elevator 2 and the like are electrically connected via the power switching unit 5 to the dedicated power consumption device 71, and regenerative power generated by the hoist 24 of the emergency elevator 2 can be consumed by the dedicated power consumption device 71. The dedicated power consumption device 71 is configured to be able to freely adjust the amount of power it consumes, and can adjust its power consumption amount according to the amount of regenerative power generated by the hoist 24 of the emergency elevator 2, thereby consuming an amount of power commensurate with the amount of regenerative power generated by the hoist 24 of the emergency elevator 2.

[0036] The first electric cable C1, the third electric cable C3, and the fifth electric cable C5 are all made of fire-resistant cables, as indicated by the thick lines in Fig. 1. The cables inside the power switching unit 5 are also made of fire-resistant cables. This allows not only the emergency power generating unit 3 but also the dedicated power consuming equipment 71 to be made non-flammable. Therefore, even in an emergency such as a fire, the emergency elevator 2 can be used appropriately using power from the emergency power generating unit 3, and the regenerative power generated by the hoisting machine 24 of the emergency elevator 2 can be appropriately consumed by the dedicated power consuming equipment 71.

[0037] Second Embodiment The second embodiment is an alternative embodiment of the regenerative power consumption unit 7 in the first embodiment, and therefore the following description will focus on the regenerative power consumption unit 7 in the second embodiment, with reference to Fig. 2. The other configurations are basically the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore the same reference numerals will be used and the description will be omitted.

[0038] 2, in the second embodiment, the regenerative power consumption unit 7 is provided with a power consumption control unit 72 that controls the operating state of the dedicated power consumption device 71. In the second embodiment, since the power consumption control unit 72 is provided, the fourth connection terminal A4 and the second changeover switch B2 in the first embodiment are provided in the power consumption control unit 72.

[0039] As shown by the first signal path D1 with a dotted arrow in Figure 2, an emergency signal from the elevator control unit 25 in an emergency is output to the power switching unit 5, and although not shown, the emergency signal from the elevator control unit 25 is also input to the power consumption control unit 72 via the power switching unit 5. Incidentally, the emergency signal input to the power consumption control unit 72 can also be output directly from the elevator control unit 25 to the power consumption control unit 72, and how the emergency signal is transmitted to the power consumption control unit 72 can be changed as appropriate.

[0040] The power consumption control unit 72 switches the second changeover switch B2 to a non-connected state (see dotted line in FIG. 2) during normal operation. The power consumption control unit 72 switches the second changeover switch B2 from a non-connected state (see dotted line in FIG. 2) to a connected state (see solid line in FIG. 2) only during an emergency, upon receiving an emergency signal from the elevator control unit 25. This allows the hoisting machine 24 of the emergency elevator 2 and the dedicated power consumption device 71 to be electrically connected via the power switching unit 5 and the power consumption control unit 72 during an emergency. Incidentally, in FIG. 2, as in FIG. 1, the switching states of the changeover switches B1-B2 are indicated by solid and dotted lines.

[0041] The power consumption control unit 72 is equipped with a regenerative power calculation unit 73 that calculates the magnitude of the regenerative power generated by the emergency elevator 2, and a power consumption adjustment unit 74 that adjusts the power consumption of the dedicated power consumption equipment 71 in accordance with the magnitude of the regenerative power calculated by the regenerative power calculation unit 73.

[0042] The hoist 24 of the emergency elevator 2 is equipped with a rotation speed sensor 27 that detects the rotation direction and rotation speed of the hoist 24, and as shown by a second signal path D2 with a dotted arrow in Fig. 2, the detection information of the rotation speed sensor 27 is input to the power consumption control unit 72. A regenerative power calculation unit 73 of the power consumption control unit 72 calculates the amount of regenerative power actually generated in the hoist 24 based on the detection information of the rotation speed sensor 27. A power consumption adjustment unit 74 inputs power of an amount equivalent to the amount of regenerative power calculated by the regenerative power calculation unit 73 to the dedicated power consumption device 71, and causes the dedicated power consumption device 71 to consume power of an amount equivalent to the amount of regenerative power.

[0043] In this way, when the magnitude of the regenerative power generated by the emergency elevator 2 changes, the regenerative power calculation unit 73 calculates the magnitude of the regenerative power after the change, and the power consumption adjustment unit 74 can adjust the power consumption of the dedicated power consumption device 71 in accordance with the magnitude of the regenerative power calculated by the regenerative power calculation unit 73, thereby making it possible to flexibly respond to changes in the regenerative power generated by the emergency elevator 2. Therefore, by reducing the output of the emergency power generation unit 3 while appropriately protecting the emergency power generation unit 3, it is possible to suppress the energy consumption of the emergency power generation unit 3 and operate the emergency power generation unit 3 for a long period of time.

[0044] [Another embodiment] Other embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Note that the configurations of the embodiments described below are not limited to being applied independently, but can also be applied in combination with the configurations of other embodiments.

[0045] (1) In the above embodiment, the emergency operation unit 26 is provided to be operated by a person in an emergency in order to transmit an emergency signal to the power switching unit 5 and the power consumption control unit 72. Alternatively or in addition to this, an emergency detection device may be provided to detect the occurrence of an emergency such as a power outage or fire, and when the emergency detection device detects an emergency, an emergency signal may be transmitted to the power switching unit 5 and the power consumption control unit 72.

[0046] (2) In the above embodiment, the emergency elevator 2 can be used during normal times, but it can also be provided as an emergency elevator exclusively for use in emergencies.

[0047] (3) In the above embodiment, the emergency elevator 2 is of a rope type having the rope 22, but it may be of another type, such as a hydraulic type or a water pressure type. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1. Elevator System 2 Emergency elevator 3 Emergency power generation unit 7 Regenerative power consumption section 71 Dedicated power consuming equipment 73 Regenerative power calculation unit 74 Power consumption adjustment section

Claims

1. an emergency power generation unit that supplies power to the emergency elevator during a power outage; a regenerative power consumption unit that consumes regenerative power generated by the emergency elevator to protect the emergency power generation unit, The regenerative power consumption unit is a non-flammable dedicated device for consuming regenerative power, and is a dedicated power consumption device that can freely adjust the amount of power consumed in the elevator system.

2. a regenerative power calculation unit that calculates the magnitude of regenerative power generated by the emergency elevator; 2. The elevator system according to claim 1, further comprising a power consumption adjusting section for adjusting the power consumption of the dedicated power consuming device in accordance with the magnitude of the regenerative power calculated by the regenerative power calculating section.

3. 3. The elevator system according to claim 1, wherein the regenerative power consumption unit is made non-flammable by electrically connecting the dedicated power consumption device to the emergency elevator with a fire-resistant cable.

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