elevator

Abstract

This invention provides an elevator that can prevent people from being trapped inside a stalled elevator car through controlled operation. [Solution] The elevator comprises a car, a car door installed in the car, a control panel that controls the operation of the car and the car door, and landing equipment installed at the landing on the floor where it is installed. The control panel opens the car door for an emergency opening time only when an emergency operation is performed on the landing equipment while the car is in a stationary state on the floor where it is installed due to emergency control operation.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present disclosure relates to an elevator.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an elevator system. According to the elevator system, when it is detected that long-period vibrations are occurring in a building due to an earthquake or the like, a controlled operation is performed. In the controlled operation, the control panel runs the car to a specific floor, opens the door, closes the door after that, and sets it to a standby state. In the elevator system, when the floor where the car is stopped in the standby state is a non-resonant floor, the car performs an inspection operation. Therefore, the elevator system can return early.

Prior Art Documents

[0007] According to this disclosure, even when the elevator car is stopped during controlled operation, the car doors will open when the landing equipment is operated on the floor where the elevator is installed. This prevents people from being trapped inside the elevator car while it is stopped during controlled operation. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing the configuration of a building to which the elevator in Embodiment 1 is applied. [Figure 2] This diagram shows the main parts of the elevator landing in Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] This is a front view of the elevator switch in Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] This diagram shows the essential electrical connection details for the elevator switch in Embodiment 1. [Figure 5] This is a functional block diagram of the elevator in Embodiment 1. [Figure 6] This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operations performed by the elevator in Embodiment 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments for implementing this disclosure will be described with reference to the attached drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. The explanation of such parts will be simplified or omitted as appropriate.

[0010] Embodiment 1. Figure 1 is a diagram of the building to which the elevator in Embodiment 1 is applied. Figure 2 is a diagram showing the main parts of the elevator landing in Embodiment 1.

[0011] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, elevator 1 is installed in building B. In this example, building B has basement floors 1 through 3 and a rooftop floor. That is, building B has five floor levels. The hoistway 2 penetrates each floor level of building B. The machine room 3 is located directly above the hoistway 2. Multiple landings 4 are provided on each floor level of building B. In this example, the multiple landings 4 consist of landings 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, and 4e, in order from the lowest floor level.

[0012] As shown in Figure 2, each of the multiple landings 4 is provided with multiple landing doors 5 at the boundary with the elevator shaft 2. In this example, the multiple landing doors 5 consist of landing doors 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, and 5e, in order from the lowest floor.

[0013] Multiple landings 4 are each equipped with multiple landing control panels 6 as landing equipment. In one landing 4, the landing control panel 6 is located to the side of the landing door 5. In this example, the multiple landing control panels 6 consist of landing control panels 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, and 6e, arranged in order from the lowest floor. The landing control panel 6 receives landing calls from users, including the departure floor.

[0014] Multiple landings 4 are each provided with multiple indicators 7. In one landing 4, the indicator 7 is located above the landing door 5. In this example, the multiple indicators 7 consist of indicators 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, and 7e, in order from the lowest floor. The indicators 7 visually display information.

[0015] Multiple landings 4 are each equipped with multiple switches 8 as landing equipment. In one landing 4, the switches 8 are located above the landing control panel 6. For example, the switches 8 are located approximately 150 cm above the floor. In this example, the multiple switches 8 consist of switches 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, and 8e, in order from the lowest floor.

[0016] The hoist 9 is provided in the machine room 3. The car 10 is provided inside the hoistway 2. The car 10 is suspended by a main rope wound around the hoist 9.

[0017] The car 10 is provided with a car door 11, a car light 12, a car operation panel 13, and a person detector 14. The car door 11 shields the entrance and exit of the car 10. The car door 11 can be opened and closed by a drive mechanism not shown. The car light 12 illuminates the inside of the car 10. The car operation panel 13 receives an operation of a car call including a destination floor from a user.

[0018] The person detector 14 is a device that detects the presence of a person inside the car 10. For example, the person detector 14 is a weighing device of the car 10. Although not shown, the person detector 14 may be a camera that photographs the inside of the car 10, or may be a sensor such as a pyroelectric sensor.

[0019] The earthquake detector 15 is provided at the bottom of the hoistway 2. The earthquake detector 15 can detect a shake exceeding a specified magnitude as an earthquake. For example, the emergency power supply device 16 is provided in the machine room 3. The emergency power supply device 16 can supply power to each device of the elevator 1 when the building B has a power outage.

[0020] The control panel 20 is provided in the machine room 3. The control panel 20 is electrically connected to each device provided in the hoist 9, the person detector 14, and the car 10. The control panel 20 is electrically connected to a plurality of landing operation panels 6, a plurality of indicators 7, and a plurality of switches 8 via a relay 17. The control panel 20 can overall control each device of the elevator 1.

[0021] During normal operation, the control panel 20 generates a call based on a landing call from the landing operation panel 6 or a car call from the car operation panel 13. The control panel 20 registers the generated call in the car 10. The control panel 20 controls the hoist 9 to operate the car 10 based on the registered call. The indicator 7 indicates the floor where the car 10 is currently located.

[0022] In the event of an emergency such as an earthquake, long-period vibration, fire, or power outage in building B, the control panel 20 of elevator 1 switches from normal operation to emergency control operation. For example, when an earthquake occurs, the earthquake detector 15 transmits a signal to the control panel 20 indicating that an earthquake has occurred. The control panel 20 performs earthquake control operation, which is a controlled operation during an earthquake. The control panel 20 stops the elevator car 10 at the nearest floor. In this example, the floor where the elevator car 10 stops at this time is referred to as the installation floor. Note that the installation floor may refer only to the floor where the switch 8 is installed. In this case, the operation of this embodiment can be performed when the elevator car 10 stops at the installation floor.

[0023] In controlled operation, the control panel 20 maintains the car door 11 open for an initial opening time after the car 10 has stopped at the installation floor. The landing door 5 on the installation floor opens due to the force received from the car door 11.

[0024] After the initial opening time has elapsed, the control panel 20 closes the car door 11 and puts the car 10 into a dormant state. This is to ensure that no landing door 5 remains open for longer than the time stipulated by fire safety regulations.

[0025] In the idle state, the car light 12 is turned off. The open button on the car control panel 13 blinks. When the open button on the car control panel 13 is pressed in the idle state, the control panel 20 temporarily opens the car door 11 so that a user can escape from inside the car 10.

[0026] However, there are cases where a person trapped inside the idle cage 10 is unaware that they can escape by pressing the open button, or even if they are aware, they are unable to press the open button. For example, building B may be a nursing home, care facility, developmental support facility, kindergarten, or daycare center. In this case, there is a risk that a person who is trapped inside the idle cage 10 may not realize that they need to press the open button due to reasons such as impaired or underdeveloped cognitive function. For example, if the trapped person is injured or in a state of panic, they may be unable to press the open button.

[0027] In this case, staff members of building B operate switch 8 located on the floor where the elevator is installed. Operating switch 8 is an emergency procedure. When switch 8 is operated, the control panel 20 opens the elevator car door 11 of the elevator car 10 parked on the floor where the elevator is installed. In this way, staff members can rescue people trapped in the elevator car 10.

[0028] Furthermore, during controlled operation, if a special emergency operation is performed on the landing control panel 6, which is a landing device, rather than on switch 8, the control panel 20 may open the car door 11. For example, if a special button operation is performed on the landing control panel 6, the control panel 20 may detect that an emergency operation has been performed.

[0029] Next, we will explain switch 8 using Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3 is a front view of the elevator switch in Embodiment 1. Figure 4 is a diagram showing the main electrical connection details for the elevator switch in Embodiment 1.

[0030] Figure 3 shows an example of switch 8. As an example, switch 8 is a spring-back type key switch. Specifically, the housing 80 of switch 8 is provided with a keyhole 81. Only a dedicated key can be inserted into the keyhole 81. The dedicated key is held by staff members of building B.

[0031] When the special key is inserted into the keyhole 81 and turned in the opening direction, the switch 8 transmits a signal to the control panel 20 indicating that an emergency operation has been performed. Because the switch 8 is a spring-back type, when the special key is inserted and no force is applied in the opening direction, a force is generated in the keyhole 81 that returns it to the closed position, so that the signal is not transmitted.

[0032] Although not shown in the illustration, switch 8 may have a color and pattern that makes it easily visible in an emergency. For example, switch 8 may be red, or it may have a yellow and black tiger stripe pattern.

[0033] Switch 8 may also be a card reader or similar device capable of reading dedicated cards.

[0034] As shown in Figure 4, the multiple switches 8 are electrically connected to the general power supply E of building B. For example, each of the multiple switches 8 may generate a signal to the control panel 20 based on the power supplied from power supply E.

[0035] Furthermore, the multiple switches 8 are electrically connected to the emergency power supply unit 16. For example, in the event of a power outage, each of the multiple switches 8 may generate a signal to the control panel 20 based on the power supplied from the emergency power supply unit 16. Although not shown in the figures, power may also be supplied from the emergency power supply unit 16 to the multiple landing control panels 6 and the multiple indicators 7.

[0036] Furthermore, the switch 8 may communicate with the control panel 20 using a wireless method that utilizes radio waves or the like, rather than a wired method as shown in Figure 4.

[0037] Next, the functions of the control panel 20 will be explained using Figures 5 and 6. Figure 5 is a functional block diagram of the elevator in Embodiment 1. Figure 6 is a flowchart of an example of the operation performed by the elevator in Embodiment 1.

[0038] As shown in Figure 5, the control panel 20 includes, functionally, an operation unit 21, a signal receiving unit 22, a display control unit 23, and a corresponding unit 24. The operation unit 21 controls the operation of the elevator car 10. The signal receiving unit 22 receives signals from the landing equipment. In particular, the signal receiving unit 22 receives signals from the switch 8.

[0039] The display control unit 23 controls the content displayed by each of the multiple indicators 7. For example, when the elevator car 10 is in a stopped state due to emergency control operation, the display control unit 23 causes each of the multiple indicators 7 to display the floor on which the elevator car 10 is stopped. For example, when the elevator car 10 is in a stopped state due to emergency control operation, the display control unit 23 causes each of the multiple indicators 7 to display the detection result of the human detector 14.

[0040] The response unit 24 performs emergency response processing. Specifically, if it receives a signal from the earthquake detector 15 indicating that an earthquake has been detected, the response unit 24 performs earthquake-induced control operation. If the response unit 24 detects that a power outage has occurred, it performs power outage-induced control operation. In power outage-induced control operation, the response unit 24 may use power from the emergency power supply device 16 to operate the elevator car 10.

[0041] The flowchart in Figure 6 is initiated when an emergency occurs, such as an earthquake or power outage. The following section will explain an example of what happens when a relatively large earthquake occurs.

[0042] In step S1, the response unit 24 receives a signal from the earthquake detector 15 indicating that an earthquake has been detected, as an emergency situation. The response unit 24 then starts earthquake control operation.

[0043] Subsequently, in step S2, the operation unit 21 stops the elevator car 10 at the nearest floor based on the command from the response unit 24. At this time, the elevator car 10 stops at the floor where it is installed.

[0044] Subsequently, in step S3, the corresponding unit 24 opens the car door 11 only for the initial opening time.

[0045] Subsequently, after the initial opening time has elapsed since step S3, in step S4, the corresponding unit 24 closes the car door 11.

[0046] Subsequently, in step S5, the corresponding unit 24 puts the car 10 into a dormant state. In this state, the car lighting 12 is turned off. The car control panel 13 flashes the open button. At this time, an audio message prompting the passenger to press the open button may be broadcast inside the car 10.

[0047] Subsequently, in step S6, the display control unit 23 causes each of the multiple indicators 7 to display information indicating the floor on which the car 10 is stopped in a idle state. For example, each of the multiple indicators 7 flashes the number of the floor on which the car 10 is stopped in an idle state. For example, each of the multiple indicators 7 displays the number of the floor on which the car 10 is stopped, along with the fact that it is in an idle state.

[0048] Furthermore, in step S6, the display control unit 23 displays the detection result of the person detector 14 on each of the multiple indicators 7. For example, the indicators 7 may display whether a person is on board or whether no one is on board.

[0049] In step S6, the display control unit 23 may display the floor level on each of the multiple indicators 7 where the car 10 is stopped if the person detector 14 detects that a person is in the car 10. That is, if the person detector 14 does not detect that a person is in the car 10, the display control unit 23 may turn off each of the multiple indicators 7.

[0050] After step S6, in step S7, the response unit 24 determines whether or not an emergency operation has been performed on the landing equipment. For example, if it receives a signal from a switch 8, the response unit 24 determines that an emergency operation has been performed on the landing equipment. If no emergency operation has been performed in step S7, the operation of step S7 is repeated.

[0051] If an emergency operation is performed in step S7, in step S8, the response unit 24 opens the car door 11.

[0052] Subsequently, in step S9, the corresponding unit 24 determines whether or not the emergency opening time has elapsed since the car door 11 opened. The emergency opening time may be shorter than the initial opening time, such as 20 seconds. If, in step S9, the emergency opening time has not elapsed since the car door 11 opened, the operation of step S9 is repeated.

[0053] If the emergency opening time has elapsed since the cage door 11 was opened in step S9, the corresponding unit 24 closes the cage door 11 in step S10. The operations from step S6 onward are then repeated.

[0054] In other words, unless any other special operation such as extending the opening time is performed, the car door 11 will open only for the emergency opening time and then close. This is to prevent another person from mistakenly boarding the car 10 when the car door 11 remains open due to an emergency operation.

[0055] The flowchart above indicates that the controlled operation will terminate when the termination conditions are met.

[0056] Furthermore, if the open button is pressed on the car control panel 13 after step S6, the corresponding unit 24 will open the car door 11 for the duration of the emergency opening time.

[0057] Furthermore, if a power outage occurs and emergency control operation is performed, the same operations as in the flowchart above should be carried out. In this case, in step S2, the elevator car 10 may be brought to a stop at the nearest floor or other location using power from the emergency power supply unit 16.

[0058] According to Embodiment 1 described above, the elevator 1 comprises a car 10, a car door 11, a control panel 20, and landing equipment. When the car 10 is in a stationary state on the floor where it is installed due to emergency control operation, the control panel 20 opens the car door 11 for only the emergency opening time if an emergency operation is performed on the landing equipment. Even if the user inside the car 10 is unaware of the open button, an employee or other person at the landing 4 on the floor where it is installed can open the car door 11. Therefore, the elevator 1 can prevent people from being trapped inside the car 10 when it is stationary during control operation.

[0059] Furthermore, the controlled operation may be an earthquake-induced controlled operation performed when an earthquake is detected by the earthquake detector 15. The controlled operation may also be a power outage-induced controlled operation performed when a power outage occurs. In addition, the controlled operation may be a fire-induced controlled operation, or a long-period vibration-induced controlled operation performed in building B. In this way, elevator 1 can prevent people from being trapped in the car 10 during emergency controlled operation.

[0060] Furthermore, elevator 1 is equipped with an emergency power supply unit 16. The emergency power supply unit 16 supplies power to the control panel 20 and other components during a power outage. Power is also supplied to the landing equipment. Specifically, the emergency power supply unit 16 supplies power to the landing operation panel 6 and switches 8 during a power outage. The emergency power supply unit 16 may also supply power to the indicator 7 during a power outage. Normally, the car 10 can be stopped at the nearest floor even without supplying power to the landing equipment. However, in this case, a signal indicating that an emergency operation has been performed is not sent from the landing equipment to the control panel 20. In this embodiment, since the power from the emergency power supply unit 16 is also supplied to the landing equipment, elevator 1 can suppress the possibility of people being trapped in the car 10 even during a power outage.

[0061] Furthermore, the control panel 20 opens the car door 11 only during the emergency opening time because, in controlled operation, the car 10 is first stopped on the floor where it is installed, and the doors have been opened and closed. This prevents the operation signals from overlapping during rescue, which could lead to improper processing.

[0062] Furthermore, the emergency opening time is set to be shorter than the initial opening time. The emergency opening time is set solely in case of entrapment in the car 10 while it is stationary. If the emergency opening time is too long, there is a risk that another person may mistakenly enter the open car door 11. By setting the emergency opening time to a short time, elevator 1 can prevent another person from becoming trapped in car 10.

[0063] Furthermore, the landing equipment is switch 8. Switch 8 is a key switch. This prevents ordinary users who do not have a special key from accidentally operating switch 8. Also, because switch 8 is a spring-back type, it prevents the car door 11 from remaining open after a person trapped inside car 10 has been rescued. As a result, elevator 1 can prevent another person from becoming trapped inside car 10.

[0064] Furthermore, elevator 1 is equipped with an indicator 7. The control panel 20 displays the floor on which the idle elevator car 10 is stopped on the indicator 7. This allows staff to quickly locate the location of the elevator car 10 in an emergency. As a result, people trapped inside the elevator car 10 can be rescued quickly.

[0065] Furthermore, elevator 1 is equipped with a human detector 14. When emergency control operation is in place, the control panel 20 displays the detection result of the human detector 14 on the indicator 7. This allows staff to quickly determine whether or not there is a person trapped in the elevator car 10. As a result, everyone in building B can be evacuated early.

[0066] In addition, during controlled operation, if a switch 8 located at a landing 4 on a floor where the elevator car 10 is not stopped is operated, the control panel 20 may perform control to prevent the elevator car doors 11 from opening. That is, the control panel 20 may perform control to open the elevator car doors 11 only when a switch 8 located at a landing 4 on a floor where the elevator car 10 is stopped in a stationary state is operated.

[0067] Switch 8 may be installed only on the representative floor. In this case, if switch 8 is operated on the representative floor while emergency control operation is in place, the doors may be opened on the floor where the elevator car 10 is stopped.

[0068] Furthermore, each function of the control panel 20 can be realized by a processing circuit. For example, the processing circuit includes a processor and memory. In addition, for example, the processing circuit may include dedicated hardware.

[0069] Each function of the control panel 20 is implemented by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. At least one of the software and firmware is written as a program. At least one of the software and firmware is stored in memory. The processor implements each function of the control panel 20 by reading and executing the program stored in the memory.

[0070] If the processing circuit includes dedicated hardware, the processing circuit may be implemented as, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination thereof. For example, each function of the control panel 20 may be implemented by a processing circuit individually, or they may be implemented together by a processing circuit. Furthermore, some of the functions of the control panel 20 may be implemented by dedicated hardware, while others are implemented by software or firmware.

[0071] To summarize the above explanation, the possible configurations of the technology relating to this disclosure include the configurations listed below as appendices. (Note 1) basket, The cage door provided in the aforementioned cage, A control panel that controls the operation of the cage and the cage door, Landing equipment installed at the landing on the floor level where the equipment is installed, Equipped with, The control panel, when the elevator car is in a dormant state on the floor where it is installed due to emergency control operation, will open the elevator car doors for the duration of the emergency opening time if an emergency operation is performed on the landing equipment. Elevator. (Note 2) The aforementioned controlled operation is an earthquake-related controlled operation performed when an earthquake is detected by an earthquake detector. The elevator described in Appendix 1. (Note 3) The aforementioned control operation is a control operation performed during a power outage when a power outage occurs in the building where the control panel is installed. The elevator described in Appendix 1. (Note 4) Emergency power supply device that provides power during a power outage. Furthermore, The aforementioned landing equipment transmits a signal to the landing equipment indicating that an emergency operation has been performed using power supplied from the emergency power supply device. The elevator described in Appendix 2. (Note 5) The aforementioned control panel is In the aforementioned controlled operation, the elevator car is stopped on the floor where it is installed, the elevator car door is opened for an initial opening time, and then the elevator car door is closed to put it into the paused state. Subsequently, if an emergency operation is performed on the landing equipment, the elevator car door will be opened for the duration of the emergency opening time. The elevator listed in any one of the appendices 1 through 4. (Note 6) The emergency opening time is set to be shorter than the initial opening time. The elevator described in Appendix 5. (Note 7) The aforementioned landing equipment is a key switch that transmits a signal to the control panel indicating that an emergency operation has been performed when a dedicated key is inserted into the keyhole and turned in the opening direction. The keyhole is a spring-back type that returns to a position where the signal is not transmitted unless force is applied in the opening direction while the dedicated key is inserted. The elevator listed in any one of the appendices 1 through 6. (Note 8) An indicator that displays information is provided at the landing of the aforementioned floor level. Furthermore, The control panel, when the elevator car is in a stationary state due to the controlled operation, displays the floor on which the elevator car is stopped on the indicator. The elevator listed in any one of the appendices 1 through 7. (Note 9) A human detector that detects the presence of a person inside the aforementioned cage. Furthermore, The control panel, when the elevator car is in a stationary state due to the controlled operation, displays the detection result of the human detector on the indicator. The elevator described in Appendix 8. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0072] 1 Elevator, 2 Hoistway, 3 Machine room, 4,4a,4b,4c,4d,4e Landing, 5,5a,5b,5c,5d,5e Landing door, 6,6a,6b,6c,6d,6e Landing control panel, 7,7a,7b,7c,7d,7e Indicator, 8,8a,8b,8c,8d,8e Switch, 9 Hoisting machine, 10 Car, 11 Car door, 12 Car lighting, 13 Car control panel, 14 Person detector, 15 Earthquake detector, 16 Emergency power supply, 17 Repeater, 20 Control panel, 21 Operation unit, 22 Signal receiving unit, 23 Display control unit, 24 Corresponding unit, 80 Enclosure, 81 Keyhole, B Building, E power supply

Claims

1. basket, The cage door provided in the aforementioned cage, A control panel that controls the operation of the cage and the cage door, Landing equipment installed at the landing on the floor level where the equipment is installed, Equipped with, The control panel, when the elevator car is in a dormant state on the floor where it is installed due to emergency control operation, will open the elevator car doors for the duration of the emergency opening time if an emergency operation is performed on the landing equipment. Elevator.

2. The aforementioned controlled operation is an earthquake-related controlled operation performed when an earthquake is detected by an earthquake detector. The elevator according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned control operation is a control operation performed during a power outage when a power outage occurs in the building where the control panel is installed. The elevator according to claim 1.

4. Emergency power supply device that provides power during a power outage. Furthermore, The aforementioned landing equipment transmits a signal to the landing equipment indicating that an emergency operation has been performed using power supplied from the emergency power supply device. The elevator according to claim 2.

5. The aforementioned control panel is In the aforementioned controlled operation, the elevator car is stopped on the floor where it is installed, the elevator car door is opened for an initial opening time, and then the elevator car door is closed to put it into the paused state. Subsequently, if an emergency operation is performed on the landing equipment, the elevator car door will be opened for the duration of the emergency opening time. An elevator according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The emergency opening time is set to be shorter than the initial opening time. The elevator according to claim 5.

7. The aforementioned landing equipment is a key switch that transmits a signal to the control panel indicating that an emergency operation has been performed when a dedicated key is inserted into the keyhole and turned in the opening direction. The keyhole is a spring-back type that returns to a position where the signal is not transmitted unless force is applied in the opening direction while the dedicated key is inserted. An elevator according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

8. An indicator that displays information is provided at the landing of the aforementioned floor level. Furthermore, The control panel, when the elevator car is in a stationary state due to the controlled operation, displays the floor on which the elevator car is stopped on the indicator. An elevator according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

9. A human detector that detects the presence of a person inside the aforementioned cage. Furthermore, The control panel, when the elevator car is in a stationary state due to the controlled operation, displays the detection result of the human detector on the indicator. The elevator according to claim 8.

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