Elevator operation monitoring device and elevator maintenance support method

Abstract

This invention provides an elevator operation monitoring device and an elevator maintenance support method that can more reliably ensure the appropriate timing of maintenance and inspection work for elevators. [Solution] The operation information acquired by the operation monitoring device 61 from the elevator 2 includes cumulative values ​​accumulated during normal operation for one or more monitoring items related to the operation of the car 21 as operational performance values. When the operational performance value for at least one of the monitoring items exceeds a set threshold, the operation monitoring device 61 identifies the elevator 2 in which the operational performance value exceeds the set threshold as an elevator recommended for maintenance. When the operation monitoring device 61 identifies the elevator 2 as an elevator recommended for maintenance, it produces maintenance support information regarding the implementation of maintenance and inspection work for the elevator recommended for maintenance. The notification unit 62 notifies the maintenance support information in the control room 5 of the building 3 where the elevator 2 is installed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an elevator operation monitoring device and an elevator maintenance support method.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an elevator failure prediction system that collects diagnostic data by remotely performing a diagnostic operation to move an elevator car at a low speed, and identifies abnormal devices and predicts the failure occurrence date from the collected diagnostic data. The implementation time of elevator maintenance work is determined based on the failure occurrence date predicted from the diagnostic data.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the conventional elevator failure prediction system disclosed in Patent Document 1, diagnostic data is collected by an elevator diagnostic operation. Therefore, when the frequency of elevator use by elevator users increases, it becomes difficult to secure a time slot for performing the diagnostic operation. In this case, the frequency of predicting the failure occurrence date may decrease, and there is a risk that the implementation time of elevator maintenance work may be delayed.

[0005] In addition, elevator maintenance inspection work is usually carried out regularly. However, when there is a sudden change in the operating conditions of the elevator, such as a sudden increase in the number of elevator users after the maintenance inspection work is carried out, there is also a risk that the required implementation time of the elevator maintenance inspection work may be advanced.

[0006] This disclosure aims to solve the above-mentioned problems and to provide an elevator operation monitoring device and an elevator maintenance support method that can more reliably optimize the timing of maintenance and inspection work for elevators. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The elevator operation monitoring device relating to this disclosure includes an operation monitoring device main unit that acquires elevator operation information from the elevator, determines whether or not to designate the elevator as an elevator requiring maintenance based on the operation information, and, when the elevator is designated as an elevator requiring maintenance, produces maintenance support information regarding the implementation of maintenance inspection work for the elevator requiring maintenance; and a notification unit that notifies the management room of the building where the elevator is installed of the maintenance support information produced by the operation monitoring device main unit. The operation information includes cumulative values ​​accumulated during normal operation for one or more monitoring items related to the operation of monitored equipment in the elevator, and the operation monitoring device main unit designates the elevator whose operational performance value exceeds the set threshold as an elevator requiring maintenance when the operational performance value exceeds a set threshold for at least one of the monitoring items. Furthermore, the elevator maintenance support method relating to this disclosure comprises an information acquisition step in which the operation monitoring device main unit of the operation monitoring device acquires elevator operation information from the elevator; a determination step in which, after the information acquisition step, the operation monitoring device main unit determines whether or not to identify the elevator as an elevator recommended for maintenance based on the operation information; a production step in which, when the elevator is identified as an elevator recommended for maintenance in the determination step, the operation monitoring device main unit produces maintenance support information regarding the implementation of maintenance inspection work for the elevator recommended for maintenance; and a notification step in which, after the production step, the notification unit of the operation monitoring device notifies the management room of the building where the elevator is installed of the maintenance support information produced in the production step. The operation information includes cumulative values ​​accumulated during normal operation for one or more monitoring items relating to the operation of monitored equipment in the elevator, and in the determination step, when the operation performance value for at least one of the one or more monitoring items exceeds a set threshold, the operation monitoring device main unit identifies the elevator whose operation performance value exceeds the set threshold as an elevator recommended for maintenance. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this disclosure, it is possible to more reliably ensure that the timing of maintenance and inspection work on elevators is optimized. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a configuration diagram showing a monitoring system having an elevator operation monitoring device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a front view showing the display panel with maintenance support information displayed. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a flowchart showing the operation of the monitoring device. [Figure 4] This is a configuration diagram showing a first example of a processing circuit that realizes the functions of the main unit of the operation monitoring device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 5] This is a configuration diagram showing a second example of a processing circuit that realizes the functions of the operation monitoring device main unit according to Embodiment 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The embodiments for carrying out the subject matter of this disclosure will be described with reference to the attached figures. In each figure, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are simplified or omitted as appropriate. The subject matter of this disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and any modification of any component of the embodiments or omission of any component of the embodiments is possible without departing from the spirit of this disclosure.

[0011] Embodiment 1. Figure 1 is a configuration diagram showing a monitoring system having an elevator operation monitoring device according to Embodiment 1. Maintenance Office 1 is responsible for multiple buildings 3. Each building 3 under the jurisdiction of Maintenance Office 1 is equipped with one or more elevators 2. In Figure 1, only one building 3 is shown out of the multiple buildings 3 under the jurisdiction of Maintenance Office 1. Also, in Figure 1, only one elevator 2 is shown out of the multiple elevators 2 installed in the one building 3.

[0012] Maintenance Office 1 is located in a remote location, away from each site where Building 3 is situated. Maintenance Office 1 is equipped with a remote monitoring device 4 for elevators. The remote monitoring device 4 centrally monitors each elevator 2 located in each Building 3 under the jurisdiction of Maintenance Office 1.

[0013] Each site on which a building 3 exists is provided with a management office 5 for the building 3. The management office 5 for the building 3 is a place for managing one or more buildings 3 located on the same site as the management office 5. In this embodiment, the management office 5 is provided in either of the two buildings 3 located on the same site as the west wing and the east wing.

[0014] In each management room 5, an elevator operation monitoring device 6 is installed. The operation monitoring device 6 monitors the operation of one or more elevators 2 provided in the building 3 that is the management target of the management room 5 where the operation monitoring device 6 is installed. In each management room 5, a monitoring panel for monitoring and controlling a plurality of building facilities such as electrical facilities, air conditioning facilities, and water supply and drainage facilities provided in the building 3 is also installed together with the elevator operation monitoring device 6.

[0015] Each elevator 2 has a car 21, a counterweight 22, a suspension 23, a hoisting machine 24, a control device 25, and a remote monitoring repeater 26. In each building 3, a hoistway 31 is provided corresponding to the elevator 2.

[0016] The car 21 and the counterweight 22 are suspended in the hoistway 31 by the suspension 23. As the suspension 23, a rope, a belt, etc. are used.

[0017] The hoisting machine 24 is installed in the hoistway 31. The hoisting machine 24 is a driving device that generates a driving force for running the car 21 and the counterweight 22. The suspension 23 is wound around the drive sheave 241 of the hoisting machine 24. The drive sheave 241 rotates by the driving force of the hoisting machine 24. The car 21 and the counterweight 22 travel up and down in the hoistway 31 as the drive sheave 241 rotates.

[0018] The control device 25 controls the operation of the elevator 2 based on information from a plurality of types of detectors that detect the operation of a plurality of devices in the elevator 2. In the present embodiment, the control device 25 is installed in the hoistway 31. The travel of the car 21 and the counterweight 22 is controlled by the control of the hoisting machine 24 by the control device 25. The car 21 can be stopped at each floor of the building 3 by the control of the hoisting machine 24 by the control device 25.

[0019] On each floor of the building 3, a landing operation panel (not shown) is provided. On the floors where the landing operation panel is provided, elevator users can operate the landing operation panel. Inside the car 21, a car operation panel (not shown) is provided. Inside the car 21, elevator users can operate the car operation panel.

[0020] The control device 25 determines one of the plurality of floors as the destination floor of the car 21 based on the operation states of the car operation panel and the landing operation panels on each floor. The control device 25 controls the hoist 24 based on the determined destination floor of the car 21, causing the car 21 to travel and stop the car 21 at the destination floor.

[0021] A car entrance / exit 211 is formed in the car 21. Also, a car door device 212 is provided in the car 21. The car door device 212 has a pair of car doors 213 and a door drive machine (not shown). The pair of car doors 213 move relative to the car 21 in the width direction of the car entrance / exit 211 by the driving force of the door drive machine. The car entrance / exit 211 is opened and closed when the pair of car doors 213 move in the width direction of the car entrance / exit 211. That is, the car door device 212 performs an opening / closing operation to open and close the car entrance / exit 211. The car door device 212 is controlled by the control device 25.

[0022] On each floor of the building 3, a landing entrance / exit (not shown) is formed. At each landing entrance / exit, a landing door device (not shown) is provided individually. The landing door device has a pair of landing doors (not shown). Each landing entrance / exit is opened and closed when the pair of landing doors move in the width direction of the landing entrance / exit. That is, each landing door device performs an opening / closing operation to open and close the landing entrance / exit where the landing door device is provided.

[0023] When the car 21 is stopped at a floor, the car door device 212 faces the landing door device. Thus, when the car door device 212 operates, the landing door device interlocks with the car door device 212. Therefore, when the car 21 is stopped at a floor, the opening / closing operation of the landing door device is performed in conjunction with the opening / closing operation of the car door device 212.

[0024] In each elevator 2, operating information for elevator 2 is recorded in the control device 25 during normal operation. The operating information for elevator 2 is information that indicates the operating status of elevator 2. The operating information for elevator 2 includes car position information and actual usage information.

[0025] The car position information indicates which floor car 21 is currently located on. The performance information individually shows the cumulative values ​​accumulated during normal operation for one or more monitoring items related to the operation of the monitored equipment of elevator 2, as the operational performance values.

[0026] In this embodiment, the monitored device is the elevator car 21. In this embodiment, the monitoring items related to the operation of the elevator car 21 are individually set in the control device 25 as the distance traveled by the elevator car 21, the travel time of the elevator car 21, and the number of times the elevator car 21 has been started. In other words, in this embodiment, three monitoring items related to the operation of the elevator car 21 are set in the control device 25. Accordingly, in this embodiment, for each of the distance traveled by the elevator car 21, the travel time of the elevator car 21, and the number of times the elevator car 21 has been started, the cumulative values ​​accumulated during normal operation according to the operation of the elevator car 21 are individually recorded in the control device 25 as operational performance values. The number of times the elevator car 21 has been started indicates the number of times the elevator car 21 departs from the floor where it is stopped. In this embodiment, the total number of times the elevator car 21 departs, without distinguishing which floor the elevator car 21 is stopped on, is defined as the number of times the elevator car 21 has been started.

[0027] The remote monitoring repeater 26 is electrically connected to the control device 25. In this embodiment, the remote monitoring repeater 26 is installed in the elevator shaft 31. The control device 25 can communicate with the remote monitoring device 4 via the remote monitoring repeater 26. The control device 25 can also communicate with the operation monitoring device 6 installed in the control room 5.

[0028] The operating information recorded in the control device 25 is transmitted to the remote monitoring device 4 via the remote monitoring relay 26, and is also continuously transmitted to the operation monitoring device 6. In addition, in each elevator 2, the control device 25 generates an abnormality detection signal when an abnormality occurs in the equipment of the elevator 2. The abnormality detection signal generated by the control device 25 is transmitted to the remote monitoring device 4 via the remote monitoring relay 26, and is also transmitted to the operation monitoring device 6.

[0029] The remote monitoring device 4 records the operating information received from the control device 25 of each elevator 2. The remote monitoring device 4 remotely monitors each elevator 2 based on the operating information from each elevator 2. Furthermore, when the remote monitoring device 4 receives an abnormality detection signal from at least one of the elevators 2, it notifies the maintenance office 1 of the abnormality of the elevator 2 that transmitted the abnormality detection signal.

[0030] Furthermore, the remote monitoring device 4 periodically transmits diagnostic operation commands to the control devices 25 of each elevator 2, enabling remote diagnostic operation of each elevator 2. Diagnostic operation involves running the car 21 at a low speed while collecting diagnostic data necessary to determine whether or not there is an abnormality in the elevator 2. The diagnostic data collected by the diagnostic operation is transmitted from the control device 25 of the elevator 2 on which the diagnostic operation was performed to the remote monitoring device 4.

[0031] The remote monitoring device 4 determines whether there is an abnormality in elevator 2 based on diagnostic data acquired from the control device 25 of elevator 2. When the remote monitoring device 4 determines that an abnormality has occurred in elevator 2 based on the diagnostic data, it notifies the maintenance office 1 of the abnormality in elevator 2 that has been operated on.

[0032] The remote monitoring device 4 uses methods such as displaying information on a screen and generating audio through a speaker to notify of abnormalities in elevator 2. Personnel who manage the remote monitoring device 4 are permanently stationed at the maintenance office 1. The maintenance office 1 is also capable of arranging for the dispatch of maintenance personnel to building 3 in the event of a disaster or an abnormality in elevator 2.

[0033] The operation monitoring device 6 comprises an operation monitoring device main unit 61 and a notification unit 62. Both the operation monitoring device main unit 61 and the notification unit 62 are installed in the control room 5.

[0034] The operation monitoring device unit 61 is capable of communicating with the control device 25 of the elevator 2 located in the building 3, which is managed by the control room 5. The control room 5 is capable of operating the operation monitoring device unit 61.

[0035] Of the operating information recorded in the control device 25, the operating performance values ​​for one or more monitoring items in the performance information can be reset to an initial value such as "0" by performing a reset operation on the operation monitoring device main unit 61. Therefore, the operating performance values ​​for one or more monitoring items become cumulative values ​​accumulated according to the operation of the monitored equipment from the time of the reset operation on the operation monitoring device main unit 61.

[0036] In the event of a disaster such as an earthquake or fire, the operation of elevator 2 automatically switches from normal operation to emergency control operation by the control device 25. Emergency control operation involves stopping the car 21 at a floor during a disaster, opening the car entrance 211 and landing entrance for a certain period of time at the floor where the car 21 stopped, and then keeping the car entrance 211 and landing entrance closed. Each elevator 2 can return from emergency control operation to normal operation by performing a reset operation on the operation monitoring device main unit 61.

[0037] Furthermore, the operation monitoring device unit 61 has an external communication device (not shown). In the control room 5, it is possible to communicate with elevator users inside the car 21 by operating the external communication device on the operation monitoring device unit 61.

[0038] When the operation monitoring device 61 receives an abnormality detection signal from the control device 25 of the elevator 2, it identifies the elevator 2 that transmitted the abnormality detection signal as an abnormal elevator. Once the operation monitoring device 61 identifies the abnormal elevator, it produces elevator abnormality information indicating the location of the abnormal elevator.

[0039] Furthermore, the operation monitoring device unit 61 constantly acquires operation information of elevator 2 from the control device 25 of elevator 2 located in building 3, which is managed by the control room 5. Based on the operation information acquired from elevator 2, the operation monitoring device unit 61 determines for each elevator 2 whether or not to designate it as an elevator recommended for maintenance. The determination of whether or not to designate elevator 2 as an elevator recommended for maintenance is made based on the performance information included in the operation information.

[0040] The operation monitoring device unit 61 has setting thresholds that serve as criteria for recommending the performance of maintenance and inspection work, with each threshold individually corresponding to one or more monitoring items. The operation monitoring device unit 61 determines whether or not to identify elevator 2 as an elevator that requires maintenance by individually comparing the actual operating value with the setting threshold for one or more monitoring items.

[0041] In this embodiment, setting thresholds are individually set for each of the three monitoring items: the distance traveled by the car 21, the travel time of the car 21, and the number of times the car 21 is started. Therefore, the operation monitoring device 61 determines whether or not to identify elevator 2 as an elevator recommended for maintenance by individually comparing the actual operating value with the setting threshold for each of the distance traveled by the car 21, the travel time of the car 21, and the number of times the car 21 is started.

[0042] The operation monitoring device unit 61 identifies elevator 2 as an elevator recommended for maintenance when the operational performance value for at least one of one or more monitoring items exceeds a set threshold. On the other hand, the operation monitoring device unit 61 does not identify elevator 2 as an elevator recommended for maintenance when the operational performance value for any of one or more monitoring items is below the set threshold. Therefore, in this embodiment, elevator 2 is identified as an elevator recommended for maintenance when the operational performance value for at least one of the following exceeds the set threshold: the distance traveled by the car 21, the travel time of the car 21, and the number of times the car 21 is started. On the other hand, elevator 2 is not identified as an elevator recommended for maintenance when the operational performance value for any of the following is below the set threshold: the distance traveled by the car 21, the travel time of the car 21, and the number of times the car 21 is started.

[0043] When the operation monitoring device unit 61 identifies elevator 2 as an elevator recommended for maintenance, it produces maintenance support information regarding the implementation of maintenance and inspection work for the identified elevator recommended for maintenance.

[0044] Maintenance support information includes elevator identification information, monitoring item identification information, and maintenance recommendation information. Elevator identification information identifies elevators that require maintenance. Monitoring item identification information identifies monitoring items, out of one or more monitoring items, whose operational performance values ​​have exceeded a set threshold. Maintenance recommendation information indicates that maintenance inspection work is recommended. In maintenance support information, elevator identification information, monitoring item identification information, and maintenance recommendation information are all interconnected.

[0045] The notification unit 62 notifies the control room 5 of information regarding the elevator 2 located in building 3, which is under the management of the control room 5, as control room notification information. The operation of the notification unit 62 is controlled by the operation monitoring device main unit 61. In this embodiment, the notification unit 62 has a display panel 621. The display panel 621 displays the control room notification information. The notification unit 62 notifies the control room 5 of the control room notification information by displaying it on the display panel 621.

[0046] The display panel 621, controlled by the operation monitoring device main unit 61, constantly displays the car position information included in the operation information of elevator 2 as notification information for the control room. As a result, the control room 5 is constantly notified of which floor each elevator car 21 is currently located on.

[0047] Furthermore, when the operation monitoring device main unit 61 generates elevator abnormality information, the display panel 621 displays the elevator abnormality information as notification information for the control room, under the control of the operation monitoring device main unit 61. As a result, when an abnormality occurs in elevator 2, the control room 5 can identify the abnormal elevator in which the abnormality occurred.

[0048] Furthermore, when the operation monitoring device main unit 61 generates maintenance support information, the display panel 621 displays the maintenance support information as notification information for the control room, under the control of the operation monitoring device main unit 61.

[0049] Figure 2 is a front view showing the state in which maintenance support information is displayed on the display panel 621 of Figure 1. The display panel 621 constantly displays a building display section 3a indicating the building 3 managed by the control room 5, and an elevator display section 2a indicating the location of the elevators 2 in building 3. In this embodiment, the display panel 621 constantly displays two building display sections 3a indicating the two buildings 3, the west wing and the east wing, and multiple elevator display sections 2a indicating the locations of multiple elevators 2 in each building 3.

[0050] The notification unit 62 notifies the control room 5 of maintenance support information by displaying a warning message on the display panel 621. The warning message includes the display of a pop-up window 622 and the display of a warning mark 623.

[0051] The popup window 622 is positioned in front of all other displays. At least some of the maintenance support information is displayed in the popup window 622. In this embodiment, the monitoring item identification information and maintenance recommendation information from the maintenance support information are displayed in the popup window 622.

[0052] Figure 2 shows the display of maintenance support information when the operational performance value for the number of times the cage 21 is started exceeds the set threshold, which is one of the three monitoring items. Specifically, as shown in Figure 2, the message "The number of times it has been started has exceeded the set number, so we recommend maintenance and inspection" is displayed in the pop-up window 622 as monitoring item identification information and maintenance recommendation information.

[0053] Furthermore, in this embodiment, elevator identification information is displayed on the display panel 621 by changing the display of the elevator display unit 2a that indicates an elevator recommended for maintenance, among the multiple elevator display units 2a that are always displayed on the display panel 621, to a warning display. Changes in the display of the elevator display unit 2a include changes in the color, shape, and size of the elevator display unit 2a. In Figure 2, among the multiple elevator display units 2a, the elevator display unit 2a with hatching is shown as the elevator display unit 2a that indicates an elevator recommended for maintenance.

[0054] In this embodiment, when an abnormality occurs in elevator 2, the display on the elevator display unit 2a indicating the abnormal elevator is changed, and the elevator abnormality information is displayed on the display panel 621.

[0055] The display of the warning mark 623 is different from the display of the pop-up window 622. The display of the warning mark 623 is a display that shows the warning mark 623 in a different position on the display panel 621 than the pop-up window 622. In this embodiment, the warning mark 623 is displayed in the lower right position of the display panel 621, and the pop-up window 622 is displayed closer to the center of the display panel 621 than the warning mark 623.

[0056] The pop-up window 622 disappears from the display panel 621 when the operation monitoring device main unit 61 is operated to cancel the pop-up. The pop-up window 622 displays an "OK" button. In this embodiment, the operation of the operation monitoring device main unit 61 that selects the "OK" button displayed in the pop-up window 622 is considered the pop-up cancel operation.

[0057] On the other hand, the display panel 621 continues to display the warning mark 623 even after the pop-up window 622 disappears. The warning mark 623 disappears from the display panel 621 when the mark is cleared by a mark clearing operation on the operation monitoring device main unit 61. The mark clearing operation is a different operation from the pop-up clearing operation.

[0058] In control room 5, maintenance support information is notified via a warning display on display panel 621, allowing monitoring personnel such as the building manager to recognize the maintenance support information. When the maintenance support information is recognized by the monitoring personnel, it is expected that a request for maintenance inspection work to be carried out on the elevators that are recommended for maintenance as identified by the maintenance support information will be sent to maintenance office 1.

[0059] When a request for maintenance work on an elevator recommended for maintenance is made to maintenance office 1, the date for the maintenance work on the elevator is determined at maintenance office 1, and maintenance personnel are dispatched to building 3 on the determined date. In this way, the operation monitoring device 6 provides support for determining the timing of maintenance work on each elevator 2 by broadcasting maintenance support information to the control room 5.

[0060] Next, we will explain the elevator maintenance support method for which maintenance support information is notified in the control room 5. Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the operation monitoring device 6 in Figure 1. The processing operation in the operation monitoring device 6 is repeated with each processing cycle of the operation monitoring device 6.

[0061] In step S1, the main unit 61 of the operation monitoring device 6 acquires operation information for each elevator 2 installed in the building 3, which is managed by the control room 5, from the control device 25 of each elevator 2. After this, the operation monitoring device 6 proceeds to step S2. The processing in step S1 is the information acquisition process in the elevator maintenance support method.

[0062] The operating information for each elevator 2 includes actual operating values ​​for three monitoring items: the distance traveled by the car 21, the travel time of the car 21, and the number of times the car 21 has been started. In step S2, the operation monitoring device 61 individually compares the actual operating values ​​with the set thresholds for each of the three monitoring items for each elevator 2, thereby individually determining whether the actual operating values ​​have exceeded the set thresholds for each of the three monitoring items.

[0063] The operation monitoring device unit 61 terminates processing if, in any of the elevators 2, the operating performance values ​​for all three monitoring items are below the set threshold, indicating that there is no need to perform maintenance work. On the other hand, if, in at least one of the elevators 2, the operation monitoring device unit 61 proceeds to step S3, the operating performance values ​​for at least one of the three monitoring items exceed the set threshold.

[0064] In step S3, the operation monitoring device 61 identifies elevator 2 whose operating performance value exceeds a set threshold as an elevator recommended for maintenance. After this, the operation monitoring device 6 proceeds to step S4. The processing in steps S2 and S3 constitutes the determination process in the elevator maintenance support method.

[0065] In step S4, the operation monitoring device main unit 61 produces maintenance support information regarding the implementation of maintenance and inspection work for elevators recommended for maintenance, based on the results of the processes in steps S2 and S3. The maintenance support information includes monitoring item identification information that indicates monitoring items whose operating performance values ​​exceeded a set threshold in step S2, elevator identification information that indicates the elevators recommended for maintenance identified in step S3, and maintenance recommendation information that indicates that the implementation of maintenance and inspection work is recommended. The process in step S4 is a production process in the elevator maintenance support method.

[0066] After producing maintenance support information in step S4, the operation monitoring device 6 proceeds to step S5. In step S5, the notification unit 62 of the operation monitoring device 6, under the control of the operation monitoring device main unit 61, notifies the control room 5 of the maintenance support information as control room notification information.

[0067] In control room 5, maintenance support information is notified by a warning display on the display panel 621. This allows the monitor in control room 5 to recognize the maintenance support information. Once the monitor recognizes the maintenance support information, it is expected that customers using building 3 will request maintenance inspection work for the elevators that require maintenance from the maintenance sales office 1.

[0068] The warning display includes the display of a pop-up window 622 and the display of a warning mark 623. The warning display also includes a display in which the display of the elevator display unit 2a indicating the elevator recommended for maintenance is changed to a different display from the other elevator display units 2a. In this embodiment, the monitoring item identification information and maintenance recommendation information in the maintenance support information are displayed in the pop-up window 622. In this embodiment, the elevator identification information in the maintenance support information is notified by the display of the elevator display unit 2a indicating the elevator recommended for maintenance.

[0069] The pop-up window 622 disappears when the "OK" button is selected via a pop-up cancellation operation on the operation monitoring device unit 61. At this time, the warning mark 623 continues to be displayed even after the pop-up window 622 disappears. This prevents maintenance work on elevators that are recommended for maintenance from being left unattended.

[0070] When a request for maintenance work on an elevator recommended for maintenance is made to the maintenance office 1, maintenance personnel dispatched to building 3 perform the maintenance work on the elevator recommended for maintenance. When maintenance work is performed on an elevator recommended for maintenance, not only is maintenance work performed on the monitored equipment, but maintenance work on equipment related to the monitored equipment is also performed with a focus on that. In this embodiment, since the monitored equipment is the car 21, maintenance work is performed with a focus on equipment such as the suspension system 23 and the hoisting machine 24 in addition to the car 21 in the elevator recommended for maintenance. Furthermore, maintenance work is also performed with a focus on equipment related to the monitoring items identified by the monitoring item identification information. For example, since the number of times the car 21 is started is related to the opening and closing operation of the car door device 212, if the operating performance value for the number of times the car 21 is started exceeds a set threshold, maintenance work on equipment such as the car door device 212 in the elevator recommended for maintenance is also performed with a focus on that.

[0071] After the maintenance work on the elevators recommended for maintenance is completed, the maintenance personnel perform a mark removal operation on the operation monitoring device unit 61. The warning mark 623 disappears as a result of the mark removal operation on the operation monitoring device unit 61. In this way, the notification of maintenance support information in the control room 5 is used to determine the timing of maintenance work on each elevator 2.

[0072] In this type of elevator operation monitoring device 6, the main unit 61 of the operation monitoring device determines whether or not to designate elevator 2 as an elevator recommended for maintenance, based on the operation information acquired from elevator 2. The operation information includes, individually, the cumulative values ​​accumulated during normal operation for three monitoring items related to the operation of the car 21, which is the monitored equipment, as operational performance values. When the operational performance value for at least one of the three monitoring items exceeds a set threshold, the main unit 61 of the operation monitoring device identifies elevator 2 as an elevator recommended for maintenance. When the main unit 61 of the operation monitoring device identifies elevator 2 as an elevator recommended for maintenance, it produces maintenance support information regarding the implementation of maintenance and inspection work for the elevator recommended for maintenance. The notification unit 62 notifies the maintenance support information in the control room 5 of the building 3 where elevator 2 is installed.

[0073] Therefore, monitoring of the necessity of maintenance work for each elevator 2 can be performed by the operation monitoring device 6 installed in the control room 5, regardless of the operating status of each elevator 2. This allows the control room 5 of the building 3 to prompt maintenance work for elevator 2 even at times different from the regular maintenance work schedule, for example, if deterioration of equipment parts is expected due to increased operating load in elevator 2. Consequently, the timing of maintenance work for elevator 2 can be more reliably optimized. This allows for, for example, if deterioration of elevator 2 parts is progressing due to the operation of the car 21, parts can be replaced before an abnormality occurs in elevator 2, making elevator 2 less likely to malfunction. Furthermore, since maintenance support information is disseminated in the control room 5, which is easily accessible to customers using the building 3, it can be expected that customers using the building 3 will have a greater awareness of safety regarding elevator 2.

[0074] Furthermore, the monitored equipment whose operation during normal operation is monitored is the elevator car 21. The distance traveled by the car 21, the travel time of the car 21, and the number of times the car 21 is started are each used as three monitoring items. Therefore, three monitoring items can be used to monitor the operation of the car 21, making it possible to more accurately determine whether or not to designate elevator 2 as an elevator requiring maintenance. This makes it possible to more reliably optimize the timing of maintenance and inspection work for elevators requiring maintenance.

[0075] Furthermore, the notification unit 62 notifies maintenance support information by having the display panel 621 display a warning message, including the display of a pop-up window 622. This makes it easier for monitoring personnel, such as the building manager of 3, to recognize the warning message in the control room 5 through the display of the pop-up window 622. This further ensures that the timing of maintenance and inspection work on elevator 2 is optimized.

[0076] Furthermore, the warning display provided by the display panel 621 includes a warning mark 623, which is different from the display of the pop-up window 622. The display panel 621 continues to display the warning mark 623 even after the pop-up window 622 disappears. Therefore, if maintenance work on an elevator that requires maintenance is not yet completed, the control room 5 can be constantly notified that the maintenance work is incomplete by continuing to display the warning mark 623. This makes it more reliable to prevent maintenance work on elevators that require maintenance from being left unattended, and further ensures that the timing of maintenance work on elevator 2 is optimized.

[0077] Furthermore, in this elevator maintenance support method, when the operational performance value for at least one of the three monitoring items exceeds a set threshold, the elevator 2 whose operational performance value exceeds the set threshold is identified as an elevator recommended for maintenance. Subsequently, maintenance support information recommending maintenance inspection work for the elevator recommended for maintenance is produced. After this, the maintenance support information is broadcast in the control room 5 of building 3 where elevator 2 is installed. Therefore, even at times different from the regular maintenance inspection work schedule, for example, if deterioration of equipment parts is expected due to an increase in the operating volume of the equipment in elevator 2, the control room 5 of building 3 can be prompted to perform maintenance inspection work on elevator 2. This makes it possible to more reliably optimize the timing of maintenance inspection work for elevator 2. It is also possible to expect that customers using building 3 will have a greater awareness of safety regarding elevator 2.

[0078] In the above embodiment, the monitoring items set in the operation monitoring device 6 are the distance traveled by the car 21, the travel time of the car 21, and the number of times the car 21 has been started. However, one or two of the distance traveled by the car 21, the travel time of the car 21, and the number of times the car 21 has been started may be used as monitoring items. Therefore, at least one of the distance traveled by the car 21, the travel time of the car 21, and the number of times the car 21 has been started may be used as a monitoring item. In addition, four or more monitoring items related to the operation of the monitored equipment may be set in the operation monitoring device 6.

[0079] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the monitored equipment is the car 21. However, it is not limited to this. For example, the car door device 212 may be the monitored equipment. In this case, the number of opening and closing operations of the car door device 212 is the monitored item. Therefore, the operation information acquired by the operation monitoring device 6 from the control device 25 of the elevator 2 includes the cumulative value accumulated during normal operation for the number of opening and closing operations of the car door device 212 as the operational performance value. In this case, when maintenance inspection work is carried out on an elevator that is recommended for maintenance, maintenance inspection work on the car door device 212 is carried out with particular emphasis.

[0080] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the monitoring item is the number of times the car 21 departs without distinguishing the floor where the car 21 stops, that is, the number of times the car 21 is started without distinguishing the departure floor. However, the monitoring item may also be the number of times the car 21 departs, distinguishing each floor where the car 21 stops, that is, the number of times the car 21 is started with the departure floor distinguished for each floor. In this way, it is possible to identify which of the multiple floors has exceeded the set threshold for the number of times the car 21 has started. Consequently, among the multiple floors, floors where the car 21 stops frequently can be identified as floors that require priority maintenance. This makes it possible to identify, for example, areas of the suspension body 23 that are likely to wear out, or landing door devices that are at risk of deterioration, based on the floors that require priority maintenance, and to more accurately identify areas where maintenance and inspection work should be carried out intensively.

[0081] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the monitoring item identification information is included in the maintenance support information. However, the monitoring item identification information does not necessarily have to be included in the maintenance support information. If the maintenance support information is notified in the control room 5, it is possible to prompt the implementation of maintenance inspection work on the elevators recommended for maintenance, even if the monitoring item identification information is not included in the maintenance support information.

[0082] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the notification unit 62 has a display panel 621, and maintenance support information is notified in the control room 5 by the display panel 621 displaying a warning. However, notification of maintenance support information in the control room 5 is not limited to notification by the warning display of the display panel 621. For example, the notification unit 62 may have a speaker that generates sound. In this case, the notification unit 62 notifies the control room 5 of maintenance support information by generating sound related to maintenance support information through the speaker. In this way, maintenance support information can be notified in the control room 5, and the implementation of maintenance inspection work on elevators that are recommended for maintenance can be encouraged. Moreover, the notification unit 62 may have both a display panel 621 and a speaker. In this case, the notification unit 62 can notify the control room 5 of maintenance support information by both the warning display of the display panel 621 and the generation of sound by the speaker. This makes it possible to more reliably encourage the implementation of maintenance inspection work on elevators that are recommended for maintenance. Furthermore, the notification unit 62 may have an indicator light, such as an LED light, on a monitoring panel without a display panel. In this case, the notification unit 62 notifies the control room 5 of the maintenance support information by selecting and illuminating an indicator light from among a plurality of indicator lights corresponding to each elevator 2, according to the maintenance support information.

[0083] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the operation monitoring device 6 acquires operation information from a machine-room-less elevator in which the hoisting machine 24 and control device 25 are installed in the hoistway 31. However, the operation monitoring device 6 may also acquire operation information from an elevator in which the machine room in which the hoisting machine 24 and control device 25 are installed is located above the hoistway 31.

[0084] Furthermore, the functions of the operation monitoring device main unit 61 according to the above embodiment are realized by a processing circuit. Figure 4 is a configuration diagram showing a first example of a processing circuit that realizes the functions of the operation monitoring device main unit 61 according to Embodiment 1. The processing circuit 100 in the first example is dedicated hardware.

[0085] Furthermore, the processing circuit 100 may include, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof.

[0086] Figure 5 is a configuration diagram showing a second example of a processing circuit that realizes the functions of the operation monitoring device main unit 61 according to Embodiment 1. The processing circuit 200 of the second example includes a processor 201 and a memory 202.

[0087] In the processing circuit 200, the functions of the operation monitoring device main unit 61 are realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The software and firmware are written as programs and stored in memory 202. The processor 201 realizes the functions of the operation monitoring device main unit 61 by reading and executing the programs stored in memory 202.

[0088] A program stored in memory 202 can be said to cause the computer to execute the procedures or methods described above. Here, memory 202 refers to non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), flash memory, EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), and EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory). Magnetic disks, flexible disks, optical disks, compact disks, minidiscs, DVDs, etc., also fall under the category of memory 202.

[0089] Furthermore, some of the functions of the operation monitoring device main unit 61 described above may be implemented using dedicated hardware, while others may be implemented using software or firmware.

[0090] Thus, the processing circuit can realize the above-described functions of the operation monitoring device main unit 61 through hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.

[0091] The configurations shown in the embodiments described above are merely examples of the content of this disclosure. The embodiments can be combined with other known technologies. Some parts of the configurations of the embodiments can be omitted or modified without departing from the gist of this disclosure. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0092] 2 Elevator, 3 Building, 5 Control room, 6 Operation monitoring device, 21 Car, 61 Operation monitoring device main unit, 62 Notification unit, 621 Display panel, 622 Pop-up window, 623 Warning mark.

Claims

1. An operation monitoring device main unit which acquires elevator operation information from the elevator, determines whether or not to designate the elevator as an elevator requiring maintenance based on the operation information, and when the elevator is designated as an elevator requiring maintenance, produces maintenance support information regarding the implementation of maintenance and inspection work for the elevator requiring maintenance, The maintenance support information produced by the operation monitoring device is broadcast in the control room of the building where the elevator is installed. Equipped with, The aforementioned operating information includes, as operational performance values, cumulative values ​​accumulated during normal operation for one or more monitoring items related to the operation of the monitored equipment in the elevator. The operation monitoring device main body is an elevator operation monitoring device that, when the operating performance value for at least one of the one or more monitoring items exceeds a set threshold, identifies the elevator whose operating performance value exceeds the set threshold as the elevator recommended for maintenance.

2. The aforementioned monitored device is a cage, The elevator operation monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the one or more monitoring items are at least one of the distance traveled by the car, the travel time of the car, and the number of times the car has been started.

3. The aforementioned notification unit has a display panel, The elevator operation monitoring device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the notification unit notifies the maintenance support information by having the display panel display a warning display including the display of a pop-up window.

4. The aforementioned warning display includes a warning mark that is different from the display in the pop-up window. The elevator operation monitoring device according to claim 3, wherein the display panel continues to display the warning mark even after the pop-up window display disappears.

5. The operation monitoring device includes an information acquisition step in which the operation monitoring device itself acquires elevator operation information from the elevator, After the information acquisition step, the operation monitoring device itself performs a determination step in which it determines whether or not to identify the elevator as an elevator recommended for maintenance based on the operation information. When the elevator is identified as an elevator recommended for maintenance in the determination step, the operation monitoring device itself produces maintenance support information regarding the implementation of maintenance and inspection work for the elevator recommended for maintenance, Following the production process, the maintenance support information produced in the production process is notified by the notification unit of the operation monitoring device in the control room of the building where the elevator is installed in the notification process. Equipped with, The aforementioned operating information includes, as operational performance values, cumulative values ​​accumulated during normal operation for one or more monitoring items related to the operation of the monitored equipment in the elevator. The operation monitoring device main body, in the determination step, identifies the elevator whose operation performance value exceeds the set threshold for at least one of the one or more monitoring items as the elevator recommended for maintenance.

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