Driving control system

Abstract

To reduce a burden of maintenance and inspection work of an elevator.SOLUTION: The operation control system for controlling the operation of the elevator 1 is provided in a building 200 in which the elevator 1 is installed, and includes operation control equipment 70 for operating the elevator 1. This elevator control system has a remote control device 40 arranged outside of a building 200 and controlling operation of the elevator 1 by transmitting a control signal to operation control equipment 70, and a communication terminal 40 arranged in the building 200 and relaying communication between the remote control device 40 and the operation control equipment 70.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an operation control system, and more particularly to an elevator operation control system. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, a control panel that controls elevator operation is installed directly above or within the hoistway where the car ascends and descends. The control panel is equipped with control software based on the specifications of each elevator, such as its load capacity and running speed, and controls the hoisting machine, car doors, landing doors, and car operation panel.

[0003] Prior Art Document 1 discloses an elevator system in which an elevator information management device is installed outside the elevator, and any abnormality occurring in the elevator can be detected remotely. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-112524 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Generally, the control panel that controls the operation of an elevator is installed in the building where the elevator is installed. Therefore, maintenance work such as maintenance inspection of the control panel requires maintenance workers to go to the building where the elevator is installed and directly access the control panel. As a result, there is a problem that the burden of elevator maintenance and inspection work increases. Note that even the elevator system disclosed in Prior Art Document 1 cannot solve this problem. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The operation control system according to the present invention is an operation control system for controlling elevator operation, and is equipped with an operation control device installed in a building where the elevator is installed and that operates the elevator. It is characterized by having a remote control device installed outside the building that controls elevator operation by sending control signals to the operation control device, and a communication terminal installed in the building that relays communication between the remote control device and the operation control device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The operation control system of the present invention makes it possible to remotely control elevators, eliminating the need for maintenance workers to visit the building where the elevator is installed to rewrite software, etc. As a result, it is possible to reduce the burden of elevator maintenance and inspection work. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an elevator according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram illustrating an operation control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an elevator according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing a case where control by the remote control device becomes impossible. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an operation control system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The embodiment described below is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment. Furthermore, the present invention also includes forms obtained by selectively combining multiple embodiments and modified examples described below.

[0010] The operation control system 100 according to this embodiment is a control system that controls the operation of the elevator 1, and is provided in a building 200 in which the elevator 1 is installed, and includes operation control equipment that operates the elevator 1. As will be described in detail later, the operation control equipment 70 is, for example, a hoisting machine 3 and a door drive motor 12.

[0011] The operation control system 100 is provided outside the building 200 and includes a remote control device 40 that controls the operation of the elevator 1 by sending control signals to the operation control device 70. The operation control system 100 also includes a communication terminal 30 that is provided in the building 200 and relays communication between the remote control device 40 and the operation control device 70.

[0012] The elevator 1 according to this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating the elevator 1 according to this embodiment.

[0013] The elevator 1 is an elevator device that transports people and objects by having a car 10 that carries people and objects and that moves up and down in a hoistway 2 and stopping at landings 20 on each floor. The elevator 1 is equipped with a hoisting machine 3 as a drive device that raises and lowers the car 10. Inside the hoistway 2, there are installed a wire rope 4 that is wound around the hoisting machine 3 and has one end connected to the top of the car 10, and a counterweight 5 that is connected to the other end of the wire rope 4.

[0014] The car 10 is provided with a car door 11 which serves as an entrance and exit for the car 10. The landing 20 is provided with a landing door 21 which separates the landing 20 from the elevator shaft 2. An engaging device and an engaged device are installed on the opposing surfaces of the car door 11 and the landing door 21. The engaging device is provided on the car door 11, and when the car 10 arrives at the landing 20, it engages with the engaged device provided on the landing door 21, thereby linking the landing door 21 to the opening and closing operation of the car door 11.

[0015] The car 10 is equipped with a door drive motor 12 as a door drive device that drives the car door 11 and the hall door 21 to open and close. The door drive motor 12 is provided on the outside of the car 10, for example, on the top of the car 10. The drive force of the door drive motor 12 is transmitted to the car door 11 using a transmission mechanism (not shown) such as a link mechanism. This causes the car door 11 to open and close. Furthermore, when the hall door 21 and the car door 11 are engaged with each other by an engaging device and an engaged device, the hall door 21 also opens and closes in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the car door 11 by the door drive motor 12.

[0016] The elevator 1 has a transmitting / receiving device 60 that transmits and receives signals to and from a remote control device 40 installed outside the building 200. The location where the transmitting / receiving device 60 is installed is not particularly limited, and it may be installed, for example, in a machine room located directly above the elevator shaft 2. The elevator 1 has a communication terminal 30 that relays communication between the remote control device 40 and the operation control device 70. The location where the communication terminal 30 is installed is not particularly limited, and it may be installed, for example, on the car 10. The transmitting / receiving device 60 and the communication terminal 30 may be integrated.

[0017] The operation control system 100 according to this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the operation control system 100 according to this embodiment. Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating the elevator 1 according to this embodiment.

[0018] As described above, the operation control system 100 includes a remote control device 40 that controls the operation of the elevator 1 by sending control signals to the operation control device 70, and a communication terminal 30 that relays communication between the remote control device 40 and the operation control device 70. Here, the operation control device 70 is installed in the building 200 and is a device that controls the operation of the elevator 1, and is, for example, a hoisting machine 3 and a door drive motor 12, as shown in FIG. 3. The operation control device 70 also includes a car button 13, a hall button 22, and the like.

[0019] The remote control device 40 is installed outside the building 200 in which the elevator 1 is installed. The remote control device 40 is installed, for example, within an elevator company. The remote control device 40 is, for example, a server installed within the elevator company. The remote control device 40 may also be a cloud server installed outside the elevator company. The remote control device 40 has control information capable of controlling the operation of the elevator 1. The control information is control data for operating the elevator 1, specification information for the elevator 1, etc.

[0020] The remote control device 40 may control the operation of multiple elevators 1. When controlling multiple elevators 1, for example, the remote control device 40 may control elevators 1 under the jurisdiction of the elevator company where the remote control device 40 is installed. Alternatively, the remote control device 40 may control multiple elevators 1 of the same type.

[0021] The remote control device 40 is configured to be able to communicate with the elevator 1. The communication between the remote control device 40 and the elevator 1 may be performed using a high-speed data communication network. The high-speed data communication network is, for example, a wired data communication network that allows mutual communication. The high-speed data communication network is formed by, for example, a communication line such as the Internet.

[0022] The remote control device 40 is a control device that controls the operation of the elevator 1 by transmitting a control signal to the operation control device 70 of the elevator 1 via the communication terminal 30 of the elevator 1. Communication between the remote control device 40 and the operation control device 70 is two-way communication. That is, the remote control device 40 transmits a control signal based on a signal from the elevator 1 side. For example, when a hall button 22 provided at a hall 20 is pressed and the car 10 is called to the hall 20, the remote control device 40 controls the rotation of the hoisting machine 3 to move the car 10 toward the hall 20.

[0023] The operation control system 100 may have multiple remote control devices 40 as shown in Fig. 2. The multiple remote control devices 40 may be in a relationship where they back up each other. For example, the remote control device 40A backs up the control information of the elevator 1B controlled by the remote control device 40B, and the remote control device 40B backs up the control information of the elevator 1A controlled by the remote control device 40A.

[0024] It is preferable that the remote control device 40 is configured to be able to communicate with each of the elevators 1 controlled by the multiple remote control devices 40. For example, it is preferable that the remote control device 40A is configured to be able to communicate with the elevator 1B controlled by the remote control device 40B. Furthermore, it is preferable that the remote control device 40B is configured to be able to communicate with the elevator 1A controlled by the remote control device 40A. As a result, if it becomes impossible to control the operation of the elevator 1A using the remote control device 40A, the remote control device 40B can control the operation of the elevator 1A.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, the operation control system 100 may have an integrated remote control device 50 that manages multiple remote control devices 40 outside the building 200. The integrated remote control device 50 may be installed, for example, in a different location from the remote control devices 40. The integrated remote control device 50 has control information that can control the elevator 1 controlled by the multiple remote control devices 40 that it manages. As will be described in detail later, the integrated remote control device 50 controls the operation of the elevator 1 when it becomes impossible for the remote control devices 40 to control the operation of the elevator 1.

[0026] The integrated remote control device 50 may be configured to be able to communicate directly with the elevator 1. This makes it possible to control the operation of the elevator 1 using the integrated remote control device 50 even if a communication failure occurs between the remote control device 40 and the elevator 1.

[0027] The operation control system 100 may have multiple integrated remote control devices 50. By having multiple integrated remote control devices 50, it is possible to reduce the load on the integrated remote control devices 50. As will be described in detail later, the integrated remote control device 50 may normally control the operation of the elevator 1. On the other hand, if it becomes impossible for the integrated remote control device 50 to control the operation of the elevator 1, one of the multiple integrated remote control devices 50 may control the operation of the elevator 1.

[0028] The relationship between the elevator 1 and the remote control device 40 will be described with further reference to Fig. 3. In Fig. 3, solid lines with arrows connecting each element indicate signal paths.

[0029] 3, the remote control device 40 is connected to an operation control device 70 of the elevator 1 via a transceiver 60 and a communication terminal 30. The communication terminal 30 is also connected to other operation control devices 70 not shown.

[0030] The operation control system 100 has a communication terminal 30 in a building 200 in which an elevator 1 is installed. The communication terminal 30 transmits control signals from a remote control device 40 to the hoist 3, the door drive motor 12, and other devices. Furthermore, it transmits input signals, such as car call signals from car buttons 13 and hall buttons 22, to the remote control device 40. Here, communication between the communication terminal 30 and each operation control device 70 and the transceiver 60 is preferably performed via wireless communication. Performing the above communication via wireless communication eliminates the need for wiring from the communication terminal 30 to each operation control device 70, thereby reducing the burden of installation and maintenance. The wireless communication from the communication terminal 30 to each operation control device 70 and the transceiver 60 is performed via wireless LAN (Wireless Local Area Network), 4G (Fourth Generation Mobile Communication System), 5G (Fifth Generation Mobile Communication System), or other wireless communication.

[0031] The communication terminal 30 may have control information that enables operation of the elevator 1. The communication terminal 30 may control operation of the elevator 1 when it becomes impossible to control operation of the elevator 1 using the remote control device 40. Note that the control information held by the communication terminal 30 may be control information that enables minimum operations such as hall calls, car calls, opening and closing of the car doors 11, and disaster operation.

[0032] A case where operation control of the elevator 1 by the remote control device 40 becomes impossible will be described in detail below with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing a case where operation control of the elevator 1 by the remote control device 40 becomes impossible.

[0033] 4 is a flowchart showing the normal operation of the elevator 1 by the remote control device 40. First, if the remote control device 40 is capable of controlling the elevator 1 (YES in step S1), the operation of the elevator 1 is controlled using the remote control device 40 (step S2).

[0034] On the other hand, if operation control of the elevator 1 by the remote control device 40 is not possible for some reason (NO in step S1), it is determined whether operation control of the elevator 1 by the integrated remote control device 50 is possible (step S3). If operation control of the elevator 1 by the integrated remote control device 50 is possible (YES in step S3), operation control of the elevator 1 is performed by the integrated remote control device 50 (step S4).

[0035] Next, a maintenance worker starts recovery work to resolve the malfunction of the remote control device 40 (step S7). Step S7 is, for example, work to restore communication between the remote control device 40 and the communication terminal 30. As soon as the recovery work by the maintenance worker is completed, the process returns to step S1, and it is determined whether operation control of the elevator 1 is possible using the remote control device 40.

[0036] If operation control of the elevator 1 is not possible using the integrated remote control device 50 (NO in step S3), it is determined whether operation control of the elevator 1 is possible using the communication terminal 30 installed in the elevator 1 (step S5). If operation control of the elevator 1 is possible using the communication terminal 30 (YES in step S5), the operation of the elevator 1 is controlled using the communication terminal 30 (step S6).

[0037] As with the operation control by the integrated remote control device 50, the maintenance worker starts work to resolve the malfunction of the remote control device 40 (step S7). At this point, recovery work may also be performed to resolve the malfunction of the integrated remote control device 50. As soon as the recovery work by the maintenance worker is completed, the process returns to step S1, and a determination is made as to whether operation control of the elevator 1 by the remote control device 40 is possible.

[0038] If operation control of the elevator 1 using the communication terminal 30 is not possible (NO in step S5), a maintenance worker repairs the defective part and restores the operation control system 100 (step S7). Here, in step S7, the defective parts of the remote control device 40, the integrated remote control device 50, and the communication terminal 30 may be repaired.

[0039] As described above, even if operation control by the remote control device 40 becomes impossible, if either the integrated remote control device 50 or the communication terminal 30 is available, the operation of the elevator 1 can be controlled by either the integrated remote control device 50 or the communication terminal 30. As a result, the risk of the elevator 1 stopping operation can be reduced.

[0040] As described above, operation control system 100 having the above configuration makes it possible to control the operation of elevator 1 from outside building 200 in which elevator 1 is installed. As a result, it is no longer necessary for maintenance workers to visit building 200 for maintenance and inspection work such as updating control software, and the burden of maintenance and inspection work for elevator 1 can be reduced.

[0041] The above embodiment may be appropriately modified in design without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the operation control system 100 may be configured such that the integrated remote control device 50 normally controls the operation of the elevator 1. In this case, the remote control device 40 controls the operation of the elevator 1 when the integrated remote control device 50 is unable to control the operation of the elevator 1.

[0042] The integrated remote control device 50 is connected to multiple remote control devices 40 and controls the operation of multiple elevators 1 connected to the remote control devices 40. The remote control device 40 normally relays communication between the integrated remote control device 50 and a communication terminal 30 provided in the elevator 1. If it becomes impossible for the integrated remote control device 50 to control the operation of the elevator 1, the remote control device 40 may control the operation of the elevator 1. On the other hand, the communication terminal 30 may control the operation of the elevator 1.

[0043] As described above, even if operation control by the integrated remote control device 50 becomes impossible, if either the remote control device 40 or the communication terminal 30 is available, it is possible to control the operation of the elevator 1 by either the remote control device 40 or the communication terminal 30. As a result, the risk of the elevator 1 stopping operation can be reduced.

[0044] The present invention is further illustrated by the following embodiments. Configuration 1: An operation control system for controlling elevator operation, an operation control device that is provided in the building in which the elevator is installed and that operates the elevator; a remote control device that is installed outside the building and controls operation of the elevator by transmitting a control signal to the operation control device; a communication terminal provided in the building for relaying communication between the remote control device and the operation control device; An operation control system having: Configuration 2: The communication terminal has control information capable of controlling the operation of the elevator, 2. The operation control system according to claim 1, wherein the communication terminal controls the operation of the elevator when the remote control device is unable to control the operation of the elevator. Configuration 3: An integrated remote control device that manages a plurality of the remote control devices, 2. The operation control system according to claim 1, wherein the integrated remote control device controls the operation of the elevator when the remote control device is unable to control the operation of the elevator. Configuration 4: The operation control system according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, wherein communication between the communication terminal and the operation control device is performed via wireless communication. Configuration 5: An operation control system for controlling elevator operation, an operation control device that is provided in the building in which the elevator is installed and that operates the elevator; an integrated remote control device that is installed outside the building and controls the operation of the elevator by transmitting a control signal to the operation control device; a communication terminal installed in the building and transmitting the control signal to the operation control device; a remote control device provided outside the building for relaying communication between the integrated remote control device and the communication terminal; and In normal times, the integrated remote control device controls the operation of the elevator, An operation control system in which the remote control device controls the operation of the elevator when the integrated remote control device becomes unable to control the operation of the elevator. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 1, 1A, 1B elevator, 2 elevator shaft, 3 hoist, 4 wire rope, 5 counterweight, 10 car, 11 car door, 12 door drive motor, 13 car button, 20 landing, 21 landing door, 22 landing button, 30 communication terminal, 40, 40A, 40B remote control device, 50 integrated remote control device, 60 transmitter / receiver, 70 operation control equipment, 100 operation control system, 200 building

Claims

1. An operation control system for controlling elevator operation, an operation control device that is provided in the building in which the elevator is installed and that operates the elevator; a remote control device that is installed outside the building and controls operation of the elevator by transmitting a control signal to the operation control device; a communication terminal provided in the building for relaying communication between the remote control device and the operation control device; An operation control system having:

2. the communication terminal has control information capable of controlling the operation of the elevator, 2. The operation control system according to claim 1, wherein the communication terminal controls the operation of the elevator when the operation control of the elevator by the remote control device becomes impossible.

3. an integrated remote control device that manages a plurality of the remote control devices; 2. The operation control system according to claim 1, wherein the integrated remote control device controls the operation of the elevator when the remote control device is unable to control the operation of the elevator.

4. 4. The operation control system according to claim 1, wherein communication between the communication terminal and the operation control device is performed via wireless communication.

5. An operation control system for controlling elevator operation, an operation control device that is provided in the building in which the elevator is installed and that operates the elevator; an integrated remote control device that is installed outside the building and controls the operation of the elevator by transmitting a control signal to the operation control device; a communication terminal installed in the building and transmitting the control signal to the operation control device; a remote control device provided outside the building for relaying communication between the integrated remote control device and the communication terminal; and In normal times, the integrated remote control device controls the operation of the elevator, An operation control system in which the remote control device controls the operation of the elevator when the integrated remote control device becomes unable to control the operation of the elevator.

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