Elevator diagnostic device and elevator diagnostic method

Abstract

To provide an elevator diagnostic device and elevator diagnostic method that can appropriately diagnose the health of an elevator while shortening the elevator's downtime. [Solution] The elevator diagnostic device according to this embodiment comprises a sensor and a diagnostic unit. The sensor detects elastic waves from at least one of a guide rail and a rail bracket installed in the elevator shaft. The diagnostic unit diagnoses whether at least one of the guide rail and the rail bracket has deformed based on the elastic wave detection result by the sensor.

Description

Technical Field

[0004] , ,

[0005] , ,

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to an elevator diagnostic device and an elevator diagnostic method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in order to restart an elevator stopped in response to an earthquake, a maintenance worker had to go to the elevator site to check the condition of elevator supplies. In such conventional response work, a long operation stop time occurred until the elevator was restored. Recently, after an earthquake, an automatic diagnostic operation has been adopted to check the condition of each elevator supply while operating the elevator at a low speed, and if there is no problem with the condition of each elevator supply, the elevator can be temporarily operated. According to such a function, it is possible to shorten the operation stop time. However, when the guide rail is deformed by an earthquake, it is difficult to appropriately perform the automatic diagnostic operation. Therefore, conventionally, it has been difficult to appropriately diagnose the soundness of an elevator while shortening the operation stop time of the elevator.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An embodiment aims to provide an elevator diagnostic device and an elevator diagnostic method capable of appropriately diagnosing the soundness of an elevator while shortening the operation stop time of the elevator.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The elevator diagnostic device according to this embodiment comprises a sensor and a diagnostic unit. The sensor detects elastic waves from at least one of a guide rail and a rail bracket installed in the elevator shaft. The diagnostic unit diagnoses whether at least one of the guide rail and the rail bracket has deformed based on the elastic wave detection result from the sensor. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows a schematic configuration of an elevator system equipped with an elevator diagnostic device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an elevator diagnostic device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the elevator diagnostic device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a graph showing an example of the operation of the elevator diagnostic device according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. These embodiments are not limiting to the present invention. In the drawings referenced in the embodiments, the same or similar reference numerals are used for identical parts or parts having similar functions, and repeated descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0008] As shown in Figure 1, the elevator diagnostic device 10 according to this embodiment is mounted on the elevator device 1 and can be used, for example, to diagnose the integrity of at least one of the guide rail and rail bracket during an earthquake. The elevator device 1 includes an elevator car 3 that can move up and down within the hoistway 2 along a guide rail 5 that extends in the vertical direction. The elevator car 3 is connected to one end of a main rope wound around the main sheave of a hoisting machine (not shown). A counterweight (not shown) is connected to the other end of the main rope. The elevator car 3 and the counterweight are examples of lifting bodies. The counterweight can also move up and down within the hoistway 2 along a guide rail for the counterweight. That is, as the hoisting machine winds up the main rope, the elevator car 3 and the counterweight move up and down along their respective guide rails. The drive of the hoisting machine is controlled by the elevator control unit 13 shown in Figure 2.

[0009] In addition to driving the hoisting machine, the elevator control unit 13 performs various controls related to the operation of the elevator system 1, such as opening and closing the doors of the elevator car 3. In other words, the elevator control unit 13 controls the operation of the entire elevator system 1 (i.e., the operation of the elevator). The elevator control unit 13 is built into a control panel. The control panel is installed, for example, in the hoistway 2. The control panel is not limited to the hoistway 2; it may also be installed in a machine room located above the hoistway 2.

[0010] The guide rail 5 is equipped with guide members, such as guide shoes and roller guides (not shown), which guide the elevator car 3 in moving up and down. As shown in Figure 1, a rail bracket 6 for holding the guide rail 5 within the elevator shaft 2 and a building side beam 8 are provided between the back surface 5b of the guide rail 5 and the side wall 7 of the elevator shaft 2. The rail bracket 6 is fastened to the guide rail 5 and the building side beam 8, respectively, by bolts.

[0011] The elevator diagnostic device 10 includes an AE (Acoustic Emission) sensor 11 and a sensor control unit 12. The AE sensor 11 is an example of a sensor.

[0012] The AE sensor 11 detects elastic waves from at least one of the guide rails 5 and rail brackets 6 installed in the hoistway 2 of the elevator device 1. That is, the AE sensor 11 outputs a detection signal corresponding to the amplitude and frequency of the elastic waves. Elastic waves are typically generated in the guide rails 5 and rail brackets 6, which are made of metal material, in response to impacts applied to them by earthquakes. The cause of elastic wave generation is not limited to earthquakes; other impacts may also be present.

[0013] The AE sensor 11 includes a piezoelectric element made of ceramic, such as PZT (lead zirconate titanate), which converts the impact into an electrical detection signal and outputs it. The detection signal output from the piezoelectric element is weak. Therefore, as shown in Figure 2, the AE sensor 11 may be equipped with an amplifier 111 that amplifies and outputs the detection signal. The AE sensor 11 makes it possible to easily and quickly detect deformation of the guide rail 5 and rail bracket 6.

[0014] In the example shown in Figure 1, the AE sensor 11 is installed (i.e., permanently installed) at the upper end 5a (i.e., the top) of the guide rail 5. Although one guide rail 5 is typically shown in Figure 1, an AE sensor 11 may also be installed at the upper end 5a of another guide rail 5 that guides the raising and lowering of the elevator car 3. Furthermore, AE sensors 11 may also be installed at the upper ends of two guide rails that guide the raising and lowering of the counterweight.

[0015] By installing the AE sensor 11 on the upper end 5a of the guide rail 5, the AE sensor 11 and the sensor control unit 12 can be easily connected by wire when the sensor control unit 12 is installed near the upper end 5a of the guide rail 5, as described later.

[0016] However, the AE sensor 11 is not limited to being installed on the upper end 5a of the guide rail 5. For example, as indicated by reference numeral 11A in Figure 1, the AE sensor 11A may be installed on the back surface 5b of the guide rail 5. Alternatively, as indicated by reference numeral 11B in Figure 1, the AE sensor 11B may be installed at an intermediate position between the upper end 5a and the lower end 5c of the guide rail 5. By installing the AE sensor 11B at an intermediate position between the upper end 5a and the lower end 5c of the guide rail 5, elastic waves can be detected from the guide rail 5 over a wide area from the upper end 5a to the lower end 5b. Alternatively, as indicated by reference numeral 11C in Figure 1, the AE sensor 11C may be installed near the lower end 5c of the guide rail 5. Or, if the guide rail 5 is composed of multiple rail sections connected by a joint plate, the AE sensor 11 may be installed on the joint plate.

[0017] Furthermore, the AE sensor 11 is not limited to being installed at a rate of one per guide rail 5; two or more AE sensors 11 may be installed at a rate of two or more per guide rail 5. In this case, for example, the average or maximum value of the elastic waves detected by two or more AE sensors 11 may be used as the elastic wave detection result.

[0018] The sensor control unit 12 is hardware that supplies power to and controls the AE sensor 11. To control the AE sensor 11 stably and quickly, the sensor control unit 12 is connected to the AE sensor 11 via a wire. The sensor control unit 12 is built into a control panel, for example, together with the elevator control unit 13. When the AE sensor 11 is installed at the upper end 5a of the guide rail 5, the control panel containing the sensor control unit 12 may be installed on the side wall 7 at the upper end of the hoistway 2. In this case, the distance between the AE sensor 11 and the sensor control unit 12 can be shortened, thereby reducing the length of the power line and control line connecting the AE sensor 11 and the sensor control unit 12 and thus reducing costs. The sensor control unit 12 is not limited to being connected to the AE sensor 11 via a wire; it may also be connected to the AE sensor 11 via wireless.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the sensor control unit 12 includes a receiving unit 121, a result storage unit 122, a diagnosis unit 123, and a communication unit 124. The sensor control unit 12 may be a processor that executes the functions of the receiving unit 121, the result storage unit 122, the diagnosis unit 123, and the communication unit 124 by reading and executing a program stored in a memory unit (not shown). The sensor control unit 12 may include circuit elements other than the processor.

[0020] The receiving unit 121 receives the detection result of the elastic wave (that is, the detection signal) from the AE sensor 11. When the AE sensor 11 is provided with an amplifier 111, the receiving unit 121 receives the detection result of the elastic wave amplified by the amplifier 111. The result storage unit 122 stores, in a readable manner, the detection result of the elastic wave received by the receiving unit 121, that is, stores it. The diagnosis unit 123 reads and obtains the detection result of the elastic wave by the AE sensor 11 from the result storage unit 122.

[0021] The diagnostic unit 123 diagnoses whether at least one of the guide rail 5 and the rail bracket 6 has deformed (specifically, plastically deformed) based on the elastic wave detection results obtained from the result storage unit 122 by the AE sensor 11. If the AE sensor 11 is installed on each of the multiple guide rails 5 of the elevator device 1, the diagnostic unit 123 may diagnose whether at least one of the guide rail 5 and the rail bracket 6 has deformed for each guide rail 5 based on the elastic wave detection results obtained from the AE sensor 11. If the sensor control unit 12 is connected to the AE sensor 11 via a wire, the diagnostic unit 123 obtains the elastic wave detection results from the AE sensor 11 via the wire and diagnoses whether at least one of the guide rail 5 and the rail bracket 6 has deformed. On the other hand, if the sensor control unit 12 is connected to the AE sensor 11 via wireless, the diagnostic unit 123 obtains the elastic wave detection results from the AE sensor 11 via wireless and diagnoses whether at least one of the guide rail 5 and the rail bracket 6 has deformed. Furthermore, if the AE sensor 11 has a built-in amplifier 111, the diagnostic unit 123 uses the amplified detection signal output from the amplifier 111 as the detection result of elastic waves to diagnose whether or not at least one of the guide rail 5 and the rail bracket 6 has deformed.

[0022] For example, the diagnostic unit 123 diagnoses that at least one of the guide rail 5 and rail bracket 6 has deformed if the elastic wave detected by the AE sensor 11 exceeds a threshold. On the other hand, the diagnostic unit 123 diagnoses that the guide rail 5 and rail bracket 6 have not deformed if the elastic wave detected by the AE sensor 11 does not exceed a threshold. The threshold is, for example, a threshold for the amplitude of the elastic wave, a threshold for the frequency of the elastic wave, or both. Alternatively, the diagnostic unit 123 may use a trained model that has learned the elastic waves when the guide rail 5 and rail bracket 6 are deformed. In this case, the diagnostic unit 123 may diagnose that the guide rail 5 and rail bracket 6 have deformed if the difference between the elastic wave detected by the AE sensor 11 and the elastic wave shown in the trained model is less than or equal to a threshold.

[0023] Based on the detection result of elastic waves by the AE sensor 11, the diagnosis unit 123 may further diagnose at least one of whether there is a displacement in the bolt fastening part of the rail bracket 6 and whether rust has occurred on the guide rail 5. Also, before diagnosing whether there is deformation in at least one of the guide rail 5 and the rail bracket 6, the diagnosis unit 123 may determine whether an earthquake has occurred. In this case, when it is determined by the diagnosis unit 123 that an earthquake of a certain magnitude or more has occurred, the elevator control unit 13 may stop the lifting and lowering of the car 3 (i.e., the lifting and lowering of the counterweight). Then, after the lifting and lowering of the car 3 has stopped, the diagnosis unit 123 may proceed to diagnose whether there is deformation in at least one of the guide rail 5 and the rail bracket 6. Note that the stop of the lifting and lowering of the car 3 due to such an earthquake occurrence is not a stop of the elevator service, that is, a complete stop of the operation of the entire elevator device 1, but a partial stop, and it is a stop with the possibility of an automatic temporary recovery operation. The determination of whether an earthquake has occurred may be made based on the detection result of P waves by a P wave sensor (not shown) installed in the hoistway 2. Alternatively, the determination of whether an earthquake has occurred may be made based on the detection result of elastic waves by the AE sensor 11.

[0024] The communication unit 124 transmits the diagnosis result by the diagnosis unit 123 to the elevator control unit 13. The communication unit 124 may further transmit the diagnosis result by the diagnosis unit 123 to the processing terminal 9 of the monitoring center.

[0025] The elevator control unit 13 stops the elevator service if the diagnostic result transmitted from the communication unit 124 indicates deformation of at least one of the guide rail 5 and the rail bracket 6. If the diagnostic unit 123 diagnoses whether or not each of the multiple guide rails 5 is deformed, the elevator control unit 13 may stop the elevator service if, for example, any one of the guide rails 5 is diagnosed as deformed. After stopping the elevator service, the elevator control unit 13 transmits stop information indicating that the elevator service has been stopped to the processing terminal 9 of the monitoring center. In response to the transmission of the stop information, the monitoring center contacts the repair company to dispatch workers to the site for inspection and repair of the elevator device 1.

[0026] On the other hand, if the diagnostic results transmitted from the communication unit 124 indicate that the guide rail 5 and rail bracket 6 are not deformed, the elevator control unit 13 performs an automatic diagnostic operation of the elevator system 1. During the automatic diagnostic operation, the elevator car 3 is raised and lowered at a low speed while each elevator component (e.g., the main rope and counterweight) is checked for any abnormalities. Furthermore, the elevator car 3 is raised and lowered at a normal speed to confirm whether the elevator car 3 operates, stops, and its doors open and close normally. If the automatic diagnostic operation determines that there are no problems, the elevator control unit 13 switches to temporary recovery operation and continues elevator service. This eliminates the need to stop the elevator system 1 for an extended period, thus shortening the downtime of the elevator system 1. After the temporary recovery operation, the elevator control unit 13 resumes normal operation after inspection by a worker.

[0027] Next, an example of the operation of the elevator diagnostic device 10 described above will be explained. As shown in Figure 3, first, the AE sensor 11 detects elastic waves from at least one of the guide rail 5 and the rail bracket 6 (step S1). In the example shown in Figure 2, the AE sensor 11 outputs the elastic wave detection result to the sensor control unit 12. Specifically, the AE sensor 11 outputs an elastic wave detection signal to the sensor control unit 12 corresponding to the amplitude and frequency of the elastic wave. The elastic wave detection result output to the sensor control unit 12 is received by the receiving unit 121 and then stored by the result storage unit 122.

[0028] After elastic waves are detected, the diagnostic unit 123 determines whether or not an earthquake has occurred (step S2), as shown in Figure 3. For example, the diagnostic unit 123 determines whether or not an earthquake has occurred based on the P-wave detection result from the P-wave sensor installed in the elevator shaft 2.

[0029] If it is determined that an earthquake of a certain magnitude or greater has occurred (Step S2: YES), the elevator control unit 13 stops the elevator car 3 by stopping the drive of the hoisting machine (Step S3). On the other hand, if it is not determined that an earthquake of a certain magnitude or greater has occurred (Step S2: NO), the elevator control unit 13 terminates the process.

[0030] After the elevator car 3 comes to a stop, the diagnostic unit 123 reads the elastic wave detection results from the result storage unit 122. Then, based on whether the read elastic wave detection results exceed a threshold, the diagnostic unit 123 diagnoses whether at least one of the guide rail 5 and the rail bracket 6 is deformed (step S4).

[0031] The diagnostic unit 123 diagnoses that at least one of the guide rail 5 and the rail bracket 6 is deformed if the detection result of the elastic wave exceeds a threshold (Step S4: YES). Figure 4 is a graph showing an example of the operation of the elevator diagnostic device 10 according to an embodiment. For example, the horizontal axis in Figure 4 is time, and the vertical axis is the amplitude of the elastic wave corresponding to time. Alternatively, the horizontal axis in Figure 4 may be the frequency of the elastic wave, and the vertical axis may be the amplitude of the elastic wave corresponding to the frequency. For example, as shown in Figure 4, if the amplitude of the elastic wave exceeds the threshold TH, the diagnostic unit 123 diagnoses that at least one of the guide rail 5 and the rail bracket 6 is deformed. On the other hand, if the detection result of the elastic wave does not exceed the threshold, the diagnostic unit 123 diagnoses that the guide rail 5 and the rail bracket 6 are not deformed (Step S4: NO). The diagnostic unit 123 outputs the diagnostic result to the elevator control unit 13.

[0032] If it is determined that at least one of the guide rail 5 and the rail bracket 6 is deformed (step S4: YES), the elevator control unit 13 stops the elevator service, i.e., the operation of the entire elevator system 1 (step S5).

[0033] On the other hand, if it is determined that the guide rail 5 and rail bracket 6 are not deformed (step S4: NO), the elevator control unit 13 switches to automatic diagnostic operation (step S6). In automatic diagnostic operation, the elevator control unit 13 checks for any abnormalities in each elevator component (main rope and counterweight) while raising and lowering the elevator car 3 at a slower speed than during normal operation. For example, the elevator control unit 13 may have a rope scratching device (not shown) check for any abnormalities such as elongation of the main rope using electromagnetic scratching technology. The elevator control unit 13 may also check for any collisions between the counterweight and the elevator car 3. After raising and lowering the elevator car 3 at a slow speed, the elevator control unit 13 checks whether the elevator car 3 travels, stops, and its doors open and close normally while raising and lowering the elevator car 3 at a normal speed.

[0034] After performing an automatic diagnostic operation, the elevator control unit 13 determines whether or not there are any problems with the elevator device 1 based on the results of the automatic diagnostic operation (step S7).

[0035] If there is no problem with elevator device 1 (Step S7: YES), the elevator control unit 13 switches to temporary recovery operation and continues elevator service (Step S8). After inspection by workers, the elevator control unit 13 resumes normal operation of elevator device 1. On the other hand, if there is a problem with elevator device 1 (Step S7: NO), the elevator control unit 13 stops elevator service (Step S5).

[0036] Furthermore, if the diagnostic unit 123 can diagnose which of the guide rail 5 and rail bracket 6 has deformed based on the amplitude and frequency characteristics of the elastic wave, the diagnostic result may include which of the guide rail 5 and rail bracket 6 has deformed.

[0037] As described above, in this embodiment, the AE sensor 11 detects elastic waves from at least one of the guide rail 5 and rail bracket 6 installed in the hoistway 2 of the elevator device 1. The diagnostic unit 123 also diagnoses whether at least one of the guide rail 5 and rail bracket 6 has deformed based on the elastic wave detection result by the AE sensor 11.

[0038] This allows for a proper diagnosis of the elevator's condition while reducing the downtime of the elevator.

[0039] In this embodiment, the communication unit 124 transmits the diagnostic results from the diagnostic unit 123 to the elevator control unit 13.

[0040] As a result, the elevator control unit 13 can appropriately utilize the diagnostic results from the diagnostic unit 123 transmitted by the communication unit 124 for controlling the elevator device 1.

[0041] In this embodiment, the elevator control unit 13 stops the elevator service (i.e., the operation of the elevator) in accordance with the diagnostic result transmitted from the communication unit 124, and transmits stop information indicating that the elevator service has been stopped to the processing terminal 9 of the monitoring center.

[0042] This allows the monitoring center to quickly dispatch personnel, thereby shortening the time it takes for elevator system 1 to return to normal operation.

[0043] In this embodiment, the diagnostic unit 123 diagnoses that at least one of the guide rail 5 and the rail bracket 6 has deformed when the elastic wave detected by the AE sensor 11 exceeds a threshold.

[0044] This allows for a simple and accurate diagnosis of whether or not deformation has occurred in at least one of the guide rail 5 and the rail bracket 6, based on the elastic wave threshold.

[0045] In this embodiment, the diagnostic unit 123 acquires the detection result of elastic waves from the AE sensor 11 via a wired connection.

[0046] This allows for the rapid and stable acquisition of elastic wave detection results.

[0047] In this embodiment, the diagnostic unit 123 may acquire the detection result of elastic waves from the AE sensor 11 via wireless communication.

[0048] This allows the diagnostic unit 123 to be placed in a location where wired connection to the AE sensor 11 is difficult, thereby improving the flexibility of the placement of the diagnostic unit 123.

[0049] In addition, in this embodiment, the diagnostic unit 123 may further diagnose, based on the elastic wave detection results from the AE sensor 11, whether or not there is misalignment of the bolt fastening portion of the rail bracket 6, and whether or not rust has occurred on the guide rail 5.

[0050] This allows for a more detailed diagnosis of the integrity of the elevator system 1.

[0051] In this embodiment, the AE sensor 11 may also include an amplifier 111 that amplifies and outputs a detection signal corresponding to the elastic wave. The diagnostic unit 123 may also use the detection signal output from the amplifier 111 as the detection result of the elastic wave to diagnose whether or not at least one of the guide rail 5 and the rail bracket 6 has deformed.

[0052] This improves the accuracy of elastic wave detection, thereby improving the accuracy of diagnosing the integrity of the elevator device 1.

[0053] In this embodiment, the AE sensor 11 is installed on the guide rail 5.

[0054] As a result, the AE sensor 11 can detect elastic waves generated in at least one of the guide rail 5 and the rail bracket 6 with high accuracy in the vicinity of the guide rail 5. This further improves the accuracy of diagnosing the integrity of the elevator system 1 based on elastic waves.

[0055] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be carried out in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0056] 1 Elevator system, 2 Hoistway, 3 Elevator car, 5 Guide rail, 6 Rail bracket, 9 Processing terminal, 10 Elevator diagnostic device, 11 AE sensor, 123 Diagnostic unit, 124 Communication unit, 13 Elevator control unit

Claims

1. A sensor that detects elastic waves from at least one of a guide rail and a rail bracket installed in the elevator shaft, A diagnostic unit that diagnoses whether or not at least one of the guide rail and the rail bracket has deformed based on the detection result of the elastic wave by the sensor, An elevator diagnostic device equipped with [a specific feature / feature].

2. The elevator diagnostic device according to claim 1, further comprising a communication unit for transmitting the diagnostic results from the diagnostic unit to an elevator control unit that controls the operation of the elevator.

3. The elevator diagnostic device according to claim 2, wherein the elevator control unit stops the operation of the elevator in accordance with the diagnostic result transmitted from the communication unit, and transmits stop information indicating that the operation of the elevator has been stopped to a monitoring center.

4. The elevator diagnostic device according to claim 1, wherein the diagnostic unit diagnoses that at least one of the guide rail and the rail bracket has deformed when the elastic wave detected by the sensor exceeds a threshold.

5. The elevator diagnostic device according to claim 1, wherein the diagnostic unit acquires the detection result of the elastic wave from the sensor via a wire.

6. The elevator diagnostic device according to claim 1, wherein the diagnostic unit acquires the detection result of the elastic wave from the sensor via wireless communication.

7. The elevator diagnostic device according to claim 1, wherein the diagnostic unit further diagnoses, based on the detection result of the elastic wave by the sensor, whether or not there is misalignment of the bolt fastening portion of the rail bracket and whether or not rust has occurred on the guide rail.

8. The sensor includes an amplifier that amplifies and outputs a detection signal corresponding to the elastic wave. The elevator diagnostic device according to claim 1, wherein the diagnostic unit uses the detection signal output from the amplifier as the detection result of the elastic wave to diagnose whether or not at least one of the guide rail and the rail bracket has been deformed.

9. The elevator diagnostic device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the sensor is installed on the guide rail.

10. A step of detecting elastic waves from at least one of a guide rail and a rail bracket installed in the elevator shaft, A step of diagnosing whether or not at least one of the guide rail and the rail bracket has deformed based on the detection results of the elastic wave, An elevator diagnostic method comprising [a specific feature / feature].

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