Inspection system and inspection method for elevator external communication device

Abstract

To provide a technology capable of efficiently performing operation inspection of an external communication device for an elevator by work of one worker.SOLUTION: An inspection system of an external communication device for an elevator for performing a telephone call between a master unit interphone installed outside a car of the elevator and a slave unit interphone installed inside the car is configured to receive, from an external device, an input of an execution timing of an inspection operation of calling from the slave unit interphone to the master unit interphone and outputting an announcement sound from a speaker inside the car, set a timer time so as to output an execution command of the inspection operation in accordance with the execution timing, and execute the inspection operation upon receiving the execution command.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an inspection system and an inspection method for an external communication device for an elevator. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses technology related to a system for inspecting the emergency communication function of elevators. With this technology, even if a maintenance worker is located far away from the inspection site, he or she can access the monitoring device at the monitoring center from a mobile terminal via a public line and switch the communication mode of the handset. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-264810 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Inspecting an elevator's external communication device typically requires two people to operate both the master intercom and the slave intercom. However, as in the technology described in Patent Document 1, for example, a maintenance worker can operate the external communication device from a location far away from the inspection site, making it possible to inspect the device's operation by one person. However, operation instructions sent via public lines, etc., can be delayed due to line congestion, etc. This increases the worker's waiting time, resulting in inefficiency.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide technology that enables efficient operation inspection of an external communication device for an elevator by a single worker. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present disclosure relates to an inspection system for an external communication device for an elevator, which is used to communicate between a main intercom installed outside the elevator car and a sub-intercom installed inside the car, and which includes a reception unit that receives input from an external device of the timing to execute an inspection operation that calls the main intercom from the sub-intercom and outputs an announcement sound from a speaker inside the car, a timer setting unit that sets the timer time to output an execution command for the inspection operation in accordance with the execution timing, and a control unit that receives the execution command and executes the inspection operation.

[0007] The present disclosure also provides an inspection method for an external communication device for an elevator, which is used to communicate between a main intercom installed outside the elevator car and a sub-intercom installed inside the car, in which a computer is caused to perform the following steps: receiving input from an external device of the timing to execute an inspection operation that calls the main intercom from the sub-intercom and outputs an announcement sound from a speaker inside the car; setting a timer time to output an execution command for the inspection operation in accordance with the execution timing; and executing the inspection operation upon receiving the execution command. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The technology of the elevator external communication device inspection system disclosed herein enables a single worker to inspect the operation of the elevator external communication device at any time, thereby reducing waiting time during the inspection and improving the efficiency of the inspection work. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an elevator device to which an inspection system according to an embodiment is applied. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram for explaining the functions of the inspection system according to the embodiment. [Figure 3]10 is a flowchart showing a control routine of timer setting control executed by the communication device of the inspection system. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of hardware resources of a communication device. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of hardware resources of a communication device. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an elevator device to which a modified inspection system is applied. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that elements common to the various drawings are given the same reference numerals and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0011] Embodiment 1. Elevator equipment configuration FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an elevator apparatus to which an inspection system according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. The elevator apparatus includes, for example, a car 1 and a counterweight 2. The car 1 moves up and down in a hoistway 3. The counterweight 2 moves up and down in the hoistway 3. The car 1 and the counterweight 2 are suspended from the hoistway 3 by a main rope 4.

[0012] The main rope 4 is wound around a driving sheave 6 of the traction machine 5. The car 1 is driven by the traction machine 5. The traction machine 5 is controlled by an elevator control device 7. FIG. 1 shows an example in which the traction machine 5 and the elevator control device 7 are installed in a machine room 8 above the hoistway 3. The traction machine 5 and the elevator control device 7 may also be installed in the hoistway 3. When the traction machine 5 is installed in the hoistway 3, the traction machine 5 may be installed at the top of the hoistway 3 or in the pit of the hoistway 3.

[0013] The car 1 is equipped with, for example, an operation panel 9. The operation panel 9 is equipped with a speaker 10 and a sub-interphone 11 as an external communication device for the elevator. The speaker 10 functions as a sound output device that outputs sound to the inside of the car 1. The sub-interphone 11 is a device that allows a person inside the car 1 to communicate with a person outside the car 1 via a main interphone 13.

[0014] A master intercom 13 is provided as an external communication device for the elevator in a control room 12 of a building where the elevator equipment is installed. The master intercom 13 is a device that allows a person in the control room 12 to communicate with a person in the car 1 via a slave intercom 11.

[0015] The handset intercom 11 is provided with a call button that requests a call from the main intercom 13. When a person in the car 1 operates the call button of the handset intercom 11, a call tone is emitted from the main speaker of the main intercom 13. If a person in the control room 12 removes the receiver from the main body while the call tone is being emitted, they can talk to the person in the car 1. Then, when the receiver is placed back on the main body, the call with the handset intercom 11 is ended.

[0016] A communication device 20 is connected to the elevator control device 7 via a communication path. The communication device 20 communicates with a maintenance computer 30, which is an external device carried by, for example, a maintenance worker. The communication device 20 is installed in the same location as the elevator device. The maintenance computer 30 is connected to the communication device 20 via a communication network such as a wireless LAN or a wired LAN.

[0017] 2. Inspection system for elevator external communication devices Next, we will explain the inspection system for elevator external communication devices. During maintenance inspections, the operation of elevator external communication devices may be checked. When multiple workers are performing an operation check, one worker is stationed inside car 1 and one in the control room 12. The worker in car 1 then operates the call button to call the main intercom 13 from the handset intercom 11. This causes a call tone to be emitted from the main speaker of the main intercom 13. If the worker in the control room 12 performs a call operation from the main intercom 13 while the call tone is being emitted, the handset intercom 11 and the main intercom 13 will be in communication. Then, as one item in the operation check, it is confirmed whether the voice of the worker in car 1 can be heard by the worker in the control room 12.

[0018] However, when a single worker checks the operation of an elevator external communication device, the above-described operation check method cannot be used. The inspection system of this embodiment is a system equipped with a function that enables a single worker to check the operation of an elevator external communication device. The functional configuration of the inspection system will be described below.

[0019] 2 is a functional block diagram for explaining the functions of the inspection system according to the embodiment. The inspection system 100 includes a reception unit 22 and a timer setting unit 24 as functions of the communication device 20, and a control unit 70 as a function of the elevator control device 7.

[0020] The reception unit 22 is a functional block that receives the timing for performing an inspection operation from the maintenance computer 30 connected to the communication device 20. The inspection operation here is an operation in which the sub-intercom 11 calls the main intercom 13 and outputs an announcement sound from the speaker 10 in the car 1. The worker specifies the timing for performing the inspection operation via the maintenance computer 30. The execution timing here may be specified, for example, by time or by the amount of time elapsed from the current time.

[0021] The timer setting unit 24 is a functional block that sets a timer for the timing of sending an inspection operation execution command to the control unit 70. Here, the timer setting unit 24 sets the timer time so that the inspection operation execution command is sent to the control unit 70 in accordance with the execution timing accepted by the accepting unit 22.

[0022] The control unit 70 is a functional block that receives an execution command and executes the inspection operation. Here, the control unit 70 calls the master intercom 13 from the slave intercom 11 in accordance with the execution command, and outputs an announcement sound from the speaker 10 in the car 1.

[0023] 3. Inspection of external communication devices using the inspection system Next, an inspection operation and an inspection method when inspecting an external inspection device using the inspection system 100 will be described.

[0024] 3-1. Preparation process In the preparation process, the worker sets the elevator device to maintenance mode. The maintenance mode here is a mode that the worker sets when performing maintenance and inspection, and is set by turning on a maintenance switch, inspection switch, or the like. Then, the worker connects the maintenance computer 30 to the communication device 20 in the machine room 8 and sets the execution timing of the inspection operation of the elevator external communication device. Because the worker needs to perform the inspection work in the control room 12 where the master intercom 13 is installed, the execution timing is set at any time at least when the worker can arrive at the control room 12. After setting the execution timing, the worker moves to the control room 12. Note that once the execution timing is set, the maintenance computer 30 may be disconnected from the communication device 20.

[0025] 3-2. Inspection operation process In the inspection operation process, timer setting control is executed by the communication device 20 of the inspection system 100. Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing a control routine for timer setting control executed by the communication device of the inspection system. Note that the processing of the flowchart shown in Fig. 3 also represents a part of an inspection method in which a computer is caused to execute an inspection operation in accordance with the execution timing.

[0026] In step S100 of this routine, the communication device 20 determines whether the maintenance mode has been set by an operator. The process of step S100 is repeatedly executed until the determination is affirmative. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S102.

[0027] In step S102, it is determined whether or not the timing to perform the inspection operation has been accepted by the accepting unit 22. The processing of step S102 is repeatedly executed until the judgment is established, and when the judgment is established, the processing proceeds to step S104.

[0028] In step S104, the timer setting unit 24 sets the timer time in accordance with the received execution timing so as to output an operation designation for the inspection operation to the elevator control device 7. After the processing of step S104 is executed, the processing proceeds to step S106.

[0029] In step S106, it is determined whether or not the timer time set in the timer setting unit 24 has elapsed. If the determination is not successful, the process proceeds to step S108.

[0030] In step S108, it is determined whether the maintenance mode setting has been cancelled by an operator in the timer setting unit 24. If the determination is not affirmative, the process returns to step S106, and if the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S110.

[0031] In step S110, the timer time set in the process of step S104 is canceled in the timer setting unit 24. When the process of step S110 is executed, the process of this routine ends.

[0032] On the other hand, if the determination in step S106 is found to be positive, the processing proceeds to step S112. In step S112, the timer setting unit 24 outputs an operation command for the inspection operation to the elevator control device 7. The operation command here is a command to the handset intercom 11 to call the main intercom 13, and a command to the speaker 10 in the car 1 to output an announcement sound. Having received the operation command, the handset intercom 11 and the speaker 10 respectively call the main intercom 13 and output an announcement sound. Once the processing of step S112 is executed, the processing of this routine is terminated.

[0033] 3-3.Confirmation process The worker moves to the control room 12 before the timer time has elapsed. When the timer time has elapsed, a call tone is emitted from the main speaker of the main intercom 13. The worker in the control room 12 performs a call operation from the main intercom 13 while the call tone is being emitted. This puts the sub-intercom 11 and the main intercom 13 into a call state. An announcement tone is emitted from the speaker 10 inside the car 1. Therefore, whether the sub-intercom 11 and the main intercom 13 are in a normal call state can be confirmed by whether or not the announcement tone can be heard from the main intercom 13.

[0034] According to the inspection method for an external communication device using the inspection system 100 configured as described above, a single worker can inspect the communication function of the external communication device. In addition, the start time of the inspection operation can be set to match the timing of the confirmation work in the control room 12, thereby shortening waiting time and improving work efficiency.

[0035] Furthermore, according to the inspection system 100, the timing for executing the inspection operation can be set from the maintenance computer 30 connected via wireless LAN or wired LAN, thereby eliminating problems such as communication congestion or delays that may occur when the timing for executing the inspection operation is set via an external server using a public line, for example.

[0036] Furthermore, if the maintenance mode is cancelled by an operator before the timer expires, the set timer is cancelled, which prevents unintended inspection operations from being performed due to operator oversight or other reasons.

[0037] 4. Modifications of the embodiment The inspection system 100 according to the embodiment may be modified as follows.

[0038] 4-1.Communication equipment In this embodiment, the reception unit 22 and the timer setting unit 24 represent functions possessed by the communication device 20. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of hardware resources of the communication device. The communication device 20 includes, as hardware resources, a processing circuit 200 including, for example, a processor 201 and a memory 202. The processor 201 is also referred to as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a central processing unit, a processing device, an arithmetic unit, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, or a DSP. The memory 202 is, for example, a semiconductor memory. The communication device 20 realizes the functions of the reception unit 22 and the timer setting unit 24 by causing the processor (computer) 201 to execute a program stored in the memory 202.

[0039] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing another example of hardware resources of a communication device. In the example shown in Fig. 5, a communication device 20 includes a processing circuit 200 including, for example, a processor 201, a memory 202, and dedicated hardware 203. Fig. 5 shows an example in which some of the functions of the communication device 20 are realized by the dedicated hardware 203. All of the functions of the communication device 20 may also be realized by the dedicated hardware 203. The dedicated hardware 203 may be a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination thereof.

[0040] In the inspection operation step, if the maintenance mode setting is cancelled before the timer time has elapsed, the timer time setting is cancelled, but this operation is not essential. In this case, in the flowchart shown in Figure 3, if the determination is not made in step S106, the process of step S106 may be repeated without proceeding to step S108 until the determination is made.

[0041] 4-2. Maintenance Computer 30 The maintenance computer 30 may be configured to be remotely operable from another mobile terminal carried by a worker. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an elevator apparatus to which a modified inspection system is applied. In the modified example shown in this figure, a worker waiting in the control room 12 carries a mobile terminal 40. The mobile terminal 40 is a terminal device that can remotely operate the maintenance computer 30 connected to the communication device 20, and examples of the mobile terminal 40 include a mobile phone, a tablet, etc.

[0042] The following describes the inspection operation and inspection method when inspecting an external inspection device using the inspection system of the modified example. In the preparation process, a worker sets the elevator device to maintenance mode. Then, the worker connects the maintenance computer 30 to the communication device 20 in the machine room 8 and moves to the control room 12. In the control room 12, the worker remotely operates the maintenance computer 30 using a mobile terminal 40 to set the execution timing of the inspection operation for the elevator external communication device. In this case, since the worker is already waiting in the control room 12, the execution timing is set to, for example, the current time. As a result, in the inspection operation process, an operation command for the inspection operation is immediately output to the elevator control device 7, and the inspection operation is started. This allows the worker waiting in the control room 12 to immediately perform the confirmation process. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 1 car, 2 counterweight, 3 hoistway, 4 main rope, 5 hoist, 6 driving sheave, 7 elevator control device, 8 machine room, 9 operation panel, 10 speaker, 11 sub-interphone, 12 control room, 13 main interphone, 20 communication device, 22 reception unit, 24 timer setting unit, 30 maintenance computer, 40 mobile terminal, 70 control unit, 100 inspection system, 200 processing circuit, 201 processor, 202 memory, 203 dedicated hardware

Claims

1. An inspection system for an external communication device for an elevator, which is used to communicate between a master intercom installed outside an elevator car and a slave intercom installed inside the car, a reception unit that receives, from an external device, an input of the execution timing of an inspection operation that calls the master intercom from the slave intercom and outputs an announcement sound from a speaker in the car; a timer setting unit that sets a timer time so as to output an execution command for the inspection operation in accordance with the execution timing; a control unit that receives the execution command and executes the inspection operation; An inspection system for an external communication device for an elevator.

2. the reception unit is configured to receive input of the execution timing from the external device during a period when the elevator is set to a maintenance mode, If the maintenance mode setting is cancelled before the timer time has elapsed, the timer setting unit cancels the timer time that has been set.

2. The inspection system for an elevator external communication device according to claim 1, which is configured as follows:

3. the external device is configured to be remotely operable from a mobile terminal; The reception unit receives an input from the external device remotely controlled by the mobile terminal, the input specifying the execution timing of the inspection operation as a current time.

2. The inspection system for an elevator external communication device according to claim 1, which is configured as follows:

4. An inspection method for an external communication device for an elevator, which is used to communicate between a master intercom installed outside an elevator car and a slave intercom installed inside the car, comprising: receiving, from an external device, an input of the timing to execute an inspection operation that calls the master intercom from the slave intercom and outputs an announcement sound from a speaker in the car; setting a timer time so as to output an execution command for the inspection operation in accordance with the execution timing; receiving the execution command and executing the inspection operation; The method for inspecting an external communication device for an elevator comprises the steps of:

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