Elevator control device and elevator control method

Abstract

The present invention provides an elevator control device that can appropriately control the opening and closing of the doors between the elevator landing and the elevator car using a non-contact sensor for elevator landing call operations. [Solution] The elevator control device (1) includes a door control unit (12) that controls the opening and closing of the door (22), and a receiving unit (10) provided on the landing control panel (3) that receives detection signals from a non-contact sensor (31). The door control unit (12) controls the door (22) to open when the receiving unit (10) receives a detection signal indicating that the non-contact sensor (31) has detected an object while the door (22) is closing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an elevator control device and an elevator control method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, for example, Patent Document 1 describes an elevator that can operate a door opening operation in a non-contact manner inside a car. This elevator shifts to a door opening mode when a non-contact sensor is shielded from light for a predetermined time or more. On the other hand, when the non-contact sensor is shielded from light during the door closing mode, it shifts to the door opening mode without determining the elapse of a predetermined time.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] There may be a case where it is necessary to open the door by non-contact operation even at a landing. On the other hand, if a non-contact sensor for door opening is installed separately from the non-contact sensor for normal landing call operation (upward call operation or downward call operation), there is a problem that the cost increases and the operation becomes complicated.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention aims to provide an elevator control device capable of appropriately controlling the opening and closing of a door between an elevator landing and a car by a non-contact sensor for elevator landing call operation.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, an elevator control device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a door control unit that controls the opening and closing of the door between the elevator landing and the elevator car, and a receiving unit that receives a detection signal from a non-contact sensor provided on the control panel of the landing, which is a non-contact sensor that detects an object present in a predetermined spatial area and accepts registration of an upward call or a downward call. The door control unit controls the door to open when the receiving unit receives a detection signal indicating that the non-contact sensor has detected an object during the operation to close the door.

[0007] Furthermore, an elevator control method according to one aspect of the present invention includes the steps of: receiving a detection signal from a non-contact sensor provided on the control panel of the elevator landing, which detects an object present in a predetermined spatial area and accepts registration of an upward call or a downward call; and controlling the elevator to open the door when the non-contact sensor receives a detection signal indicating that it has detected the object during the operation of closing the door between the landing and the elevator car. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, a non-contact sensor for elevator landing call operation can appropriately control the opening and closing of the doors between the elevator landing and the elevator car. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an elevator system equipped with an elevator control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing the configuration of an elevator according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the control panel according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of elevator car operation control by an elevator control device according to the embodiment. [Figure 5]This flowchart shows an example of the control flow for closing the door by the elevator control device according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] This diagram shows the relationship between the direction of the elevator car and the operation of the doors, depending on the location of the boarding area. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Hereinafter, an elevator control device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 6.

[0011] [Elevator system configuration] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an elevator system 100 equipped with an elevator control device 1. As shown in Figure 1, the elevator system 100 comprises an elevator control device 1, an elevator 2, and an operation panel 3 provided at the landing of each floor.

[0012] [Elevator control system configuration] The elevator control device 1 is located, for example, in a machine room (not shown) above the hoistway (not shown) of the elevator 2, and is a device for comprehensively controlling the operation of the elevator 2. As shown in Figure 1, the elevator control device 1 has a receiving unit 10, an operation control unit 11, a door control unit 12, and a storage unit 13.

[0013] The receiving unit 10 receives detection signals from the non-contact sensor 31 and operation buttons 32 of the control panel 3. Details of the control panel 3 will be described later. The storage unit 13 stores various control programs for, for example, controlling the operation of the elevator car 21, controlling the opening and closing of the doors 22, and controlling the illumination of the display unit 33.

[0014] The operation control unit 11 controls the upward or downward movement of the elevator car 21 by reading and executing a control program related to the operation of the elevator car 21 from the storage unit 13.

[0015] The door control unit 12 controls the opening and closing of the door 22 by reading and executing a control program regarding the opening and closing of the door 22 from the storage unit 13. Note that the door 22 is provided between the landing P of the elevator 2 and the car 21 (see FIG. 2).

[0016] Although not shown in the drawings, a car operation panel for receiving registration of the destination floor of the user is installed on the side wall inside the car 21. The car operation panel inside the car 21 is provided with a plurality of destination floor buttons, a door open button, a door close button, etc. for the user to select the destination floor.

[0017] [Configuration of Elevator] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the elevator 2 as viewed from the landing P. As shown in FIG. 2, the elevator 2 has a car 21 and a door 22. The elevator 2 is a device for transporting people, luggage, etc. in the vertical direction inside a building such as a hospital or a residence.

[0018] The car 21 is controlled by the operation control unit 11 and moves between a plurality of floors of the building through a hoistway provided in the building. The door 22 performs an opening and closing operation by being controlled by the door control unit 12.

[0019] The elevator 2 is driven, for example, by a rope-type traction system. In the traction-type elevator 2, a machine room is provided above the hoistway, and one end of the main rope hung on the drive sheave of the hoisting machine installed in the machine room is connected to the car 21, and a counterweight is connected to the other end.

[0020] The hoisting machine has an electric motor. When the rotational power from the electric motor is transmitted to the drive sheave via a power transmission mechanism and the drive sheave is rotationally driven, the car 21 and the counterweight connected to the main rope hung on the drive sheave are guided by guide rails provided respectively and move up and down in the hoistway in opposite directions to each other.

[0021] [Configuration of Operation Panel] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the control panel 3. As shown in Figure 3, the control panel 3 has an upper control section 3U and a lower control section 3D. The upper control section 3U and the lower control section 3D are arranged side by side in the vertical direction.

[0022] Each control panel 3 is located on the wall near the door 22 of each landing P. Landings P are located on each floor of the building. Figure 3 shows the control panels 3 installed on regular floors, excluding the top and bottom floors. The control panel 3 on the top floor has only a lower control section 3D. The control panel 3 on the bottom floor has only an upper control section 3U.

[0023] The upper control unit 3U is located above the control panel 3 and is operated when moving upwards from the landing P. The upper control unit 3U includes an upper non-contact sensor 31U, an upper operation button 32U, and an upper display unit 33U. The upper non-contact sensor 31U is built into the upper operation button 32U.

[0024] The upper non-contact sensor 31U detects an object M, such as a person's hand, that is present in a predetermined spatial area. When the upper non-contact sensor 31U detects an object M, it accepts registration of an upward call. The upper non-contact sensor 31U then transmits a detection signal to the receiving unit 10.

[0025] The predetermined spatial area refers to an area approximately 1 to 5 cm away from the upper non-contact sensor 31U. The upper non-contact sensor 31U is, for example, a reflective photoelectric sensor in which a light emitter and a light receiver are integrated. In the upper non-contact sensor 31U, the light emitter emits light such as infrared light, and the light receiver receives the reflected light from the object M that has been illuminated with the light.

[0026] The upper non-contact sensor 31U detects a nearby object M based on the amount of light received by the photodetector. The detection distance of the non-contact sensor 31 can be adjusted by adjusting the amount of light received on the photodetector side of the reflective photoelectric sensor.

[0027] The upper operation button 32U has a mechanical switch such as a tactile switch. When the upper operation button 32U is turned ON, it accepts registration of an upward call. The upper operation button 32U then transmits an ON signal to the receiving unit 10.

[0028] The upper display unit 33U has a translucent section indicating the upward direction and is configured to emit light when a lamp installed inside is lit. The upper display unit 33U lights up when it receives registration of an upward call via the upper non-contact sensor 31U or the upper operation button 32U, and turns off when the registration of an upward call is canceled.

[0029] The lower control unit 3D is located below the control panel 3 and is operated when moving downwards from the landing P. The lower control unit 3D includes a lower non-contact sensor 31D, a lower operation button 32D, and a lower display unit 33D. The lower non-contact sensor 31D is built into the lower operation button 32D.

[0030] The lower non-contact sensor 31D has the same configuration as the upper non-contact sensor 31U and detects an object M present in a predetermined spatial area. The predetermined spatial area is, for example, an area 1 to 5 cm away from the lower non-contact sensor 31D. When the lower non-contact sensor 31D detects an object M, it accepts registration of a downward call. The lower non-contact sensor 31D then transmits a detection signal to the receiving unit 10.

[0031] The lower operation button 32D has a mechanical switch such as a tactile switch. When the lower operation button 32D is turned ON, it accepts registration of a downward call. The lower operation button 32D transmits an ON signal to the receiving unit 10.

[0032] The lower display unit 33D has a translucent section that indicates downwards and is configured to emit light when a lamp installed inside is lit. The lower display unit 33D lights up when it receives registration of a downward call via the lower non-contact sensor 31D or the lower operation button 32D, and turns off when the registration of the downward call is canceled.

[0033] [Flow of elevator operation control] Next, the flow of operation control of the elevator car 21 by the elevator control device 1 will be explained with reference to Figure 4. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of operation control of the elevator car 21 by the elevator control device 1.

[0034] In the flowchart shown in Figure 4, the operation control unit 11 determines whether it has received a detection signal from the upper non-contact sensor 31U or the lower non-contact sensor 31D for a first time T1 or longer during the period when the door 22 is not being closed (step S1). The first time T1 is, for example, 3 seconds.

[0035] The operation control unit 11 repeats step S1 until it receives a detection signal from the upper non-contact sensor 31U or the lower non-contact sensor 31D for a first time T1 or longer (step S1: NO). On the other hand, if the operation control unit 11 receives a detection signal from the upper non-contact sensor 31U or the lower non-contact sensor 31D for a first time T1 or longer (step S1: YES), it registers an upward call or a downward call and controls the operation of the elevator car 21 (step S2).

[0036] In step S2, if the operation control unit 11 receives a detection signal from the upper non-contact sensor 31U for a first time T1 or longer, it registers an upward call. On the other hand, if the operation control unit 11 receives a detection signal from the lower non-contact sensor 31D for a first time T1 or longer, it registers a downward call. Then, the operation control unit 11 moves the elevator car 21 to the floor of the landing P where the upper non-contact sensor 31U or the lower non-contact sensor 31D was operated.

[0037] In step S1, the operation control unit 11 registers an upward call when it receives a detection signal from the upper operation button 32U, and registers a downward call when it receives a detection signal from the lower operation button 32D.

[0038] After step S2, the operation control unit 11 determines whether the elevator car 21 has arrived at the registered floor (step S3). The operation control unit 11 repeats step S3 until the elevator car 21 arrives at the registered floor (step S3: NO). If the elevator car 21 arrives at the registered floor (step S3: YES), the operation control unit 11 stops the elevator car 21 (step S4).

[0039] After step S4, the door control unit 12 opens the door 22 (step S5). After step S5, the operation control unit 11 cancels the registration of the upward call or downward call (step S6). With this, the process of controlling the operation of the elevator car 21 by the elevator control device 1 is completed.

[0040] [Control flow for closing the door] Next, the control flow for closing the door 22 by the elevator control device 1 will be explained with reference to Figures 5 and 6. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the control flow for closing the door 22 by the elevator control device 1.

[0041] In the flowchart shown in Figure 5, the door control unit 12 determines whether or not it has received a detection signal from the non-contact sensor 31 for a second time T2 or longer while the door 22 is closing, as indicated by the white arrow in Figure 2 (step S11). The second time T2 is, for example, 0.3 [s]. In step S11, the door control unit 12 may determine only whether or not a detection signal has been received from the non-contact sensor 31, without considering the time it took to receive the detection signal from the non-contact sensor 31.

[0042] If the detection of object M by the non-contact sensor 31 continues for a second time T2 or longer (step S11: YES), the door control unit 12 determines whether or not to include detection signals from both the upper non-contact sensor 31U and the lower non-contact sensor 31D (step S12).

[0043] On the other hand, if the door control unit 12 has not received a detection signal from the non-contact sensor 31 for a second time T2 or longer (step S11: NO), it proceeds to step S19.

[0044] If the door control unit 12 receives detection signals from both the upper non-contact sensor 31U and the lower non-contact sensor 31D (step S12: YES), it controls the door 22 to open (step S14).

[0045] At this time, the operation control unit 11 controls the operation of the elevator car 21, assuming that no call registration for the elevator car 21 has been made by the non-contact sensor 31 corresponding to the direction opposite to the direction in which the elevator car 21 will move next.

[0046] On the other hand, if the door control unit 12 does not receive detection signals from both the upper non-contact sensor 31U and the lower non-contact sensor 31D (step S12: NO), it determines whether or not the detection signal is from the non-contact sensor 31 corresponding to the direction in which the elevator car 21 will move next (step S13).

[0047] Here, Figure 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the direction of the elevator car 21 and the operation of the door 22 according to the position of the landing P. As shown in Figure 6, the direction of the non-contact sensor 31 and the operation button 32 is upward and downward on normal floors, upward on the lowest floor, and downward on the top floor.

[0048] In this embodiment, the door control unit 12 determines a non-contact sensor 31 that will accept an operation to open the door 22 while the door 22 is closing, depending on the direction in which the elevator car 21 will move next. Specifically, when the elevator car 21 moves upward, the door will only open when an upward call is made on normal floors, and the door will open on the lowest floor. Since there is no upward call on the top floor, it is indicated as "×" in Figure 6. In Figure 6, "door open" refers to the operation of opening the door 22 in response to an operation to open the door 22.

[0049] On the other hand, when elevator car 21 moves downwards, the doors open only for downward calls on normal floors, and open on the top floor. Since there are no downward calls on the lowest floor, it is marked with "×" in Figure 6. If there is no direction for elevator car 21 to move next, the doors open for both upward and downward calls on normal floors, and open on both the lowest and top floors.

[0050] Returning to Figure 5, the door control unit 12 controls the door 22 to open if the detection signal from the non-contact sensor 31 corresponds to the direction in which the elevator car 21 will move next (step S13: YES), for example, if the direction in which the elevator car 21 will move next is upward and the detection signal is from the upper non-contact sensor 31U (step S14).

[0051] On the other hand, if the door control unit 12 does not receive a detection signal from the non-contact sensor 31 corresponding to the direction in which the elevator car 21 will move next (step S13: NO), that is, if the non-contact sensor 31 detects an object M corresponding to the direction opposite to the direction in which the elevator car 21 will move next, it proceeds to step S15 and does not perform the control to open the door 22.

[0052] In step S15, for example, if the elevator car 21 is to move upwards next, and the lower non-contact sensor 31D receives a detection signal, the operation control unit 11 registers a call for the corresponding downward direction and proceeds to step S19.

[0053] After step S14, the door control unit 12 determines whether or not it has received an instruction to close the door 22 from the control panel inside the elevator car 21 (step S16). If the door control unit 12 has received an instruction to close the door 22 (step S16: YES), it proceeds to step S18.

[0054] If the door control unit 12 has not received an instruction to close the door 22 (step S16: NO), it determines whether or not the third time T3 has elapsed with the door 22 open (step S17).

[0055] If the third time T3 has not elapsed with the door 22 open (step S17: NO), the door control unit 12 returns to step S16. The third time T3 is, for example, 4 seconds.

[0056] On the other hand, if the door control unit 12 has elapsed for a third time T3 with the door 22 open (step S17: YES), it proceeds to step S18.

[0057] Next, in step S18, the door control unit 12 resumes the control to close the door 22. After step S18, the door control unit 12 determines whether the door 22 has been completely closed (step S19).

[0058] If the door control unit 12 finds that the door 22 is not completely closed (step S19: NO), it returns to step S11 and repeats steps S11 to S18.

[0059] On the other hand, if the door 22 is completely closed (step S19: YES), the door control unit 12 terminates the control process for closing the door 22 by the elevator control device 1 shown in Figure 5.

[0060] [Effects of the Embodiment] According to the elevator control device 1 of this embodiment described above, the door control unit 12 controls the door 22 to open when the receiving unit 10 receives a detection signal indicating that the non-contact sensor 31 has detected an object M during the closing operation of the door 22 (step S14). This allows the opening and closing of the door 22 between the elevator landing P and the elevator car 21 to be appropriately controlled by the non-contact sensor 31 for calling the elevator 2 to the landing.

[0061] Furthermore, by using the non-contact sensor 31 for registering a landing call while the door 22 is closing, it is possible to accept an operation to open the door 22. This eliminates the need to install an additional dedicated non-contact sensor 31 for opening the door 22, making it possible to easily open the door 22 at the landing P while keeping costs down.

[0062] In particular, the door control unit 12 controls the door 22 to open if, during the closing operation of the door 22, the detection of object M by the non-contact sensor 31 continues for a second time T2 or longer, which is shorter than the first time T1 (step S11: YES). This allows the operation to open the door 22 in a shorter time than a normal landing call operation. As a result, the door 22 can be opened quickly.

[0063] Furthermore, if the door control unit 12 detects an object M by the non-contact sensor 31 corresponding to the direction the elevator car 21 will move next (step S13: YES) while the door 22 is closing, it controls the door 22 to open (step S14). With this control, a user who wants to move in the same direction as the elevator car 21 will move next can open the closing door 22 by using the non-contact sensor 31 corresponding to the direction they want to move. Thus, user convenience can be improved.

[0064] On the other hand, if, while the door 22 is closing, the non-contact sensor 31 is operated in the opposite direction to the direction the elevator car 21 will move next, that is, in the direction in which the user cannot enter (step S13: NO), it can be interpreted that the user does not want to open the door 22, but rather wants to register a call in the opposite direction to the direction the elevator car 21 will move next. Therefore, in this case, the door control unit 12 does not perform the control to open the door 22. In this way, by not performing the control to open the door 22 more than necessary, a decrease in the operational efficiency of the elevator 2 can be suppressed.

[0065] Furthermore, if the door control unit 12 detects object M with both the upper non-contact sensor 31U and the lower non-contact sensor 31D while closing the door 22 (step S12: YES), it controls the door 22 to open (step S14).

[0066] Therefore, for example, even if the upper non-contact sensor 31U and the lower non-contact sensor 31D simultaneously detect object M when the door 22 is opened quickly, the operation to open the door 22 can still be accepted. This allows the door 22 to be opened quickly in emergencies, such as when a person is caught in the door 22, preventing the person from being trapped.

[0067] Furthermore, if object M is detected by both the upper non-contact sensor 31U and the lower non-contact sensor 31D while the door 22 is closing (step S12: YES), the operation control unit 11 controls the operation of the elevator car 21 by not registering a call for the elevator car 21 by the non-contact sensor 31 corresponding to the direction opposite to the direction in which the elevator car 21 will move next. This suppresses the generation of unnecessary calls and prevents a decrease in the operational efficiency of the elevator 2.

[0068] [Other Embodiments] In the embodiment described above, the elevator 2 is shown as being driven by a rope-type traction system, but it is not limited to this, and other elevators may also be driven by a rope-type drum system, or by a hydraulic system that raises and lowers the elevator car 21 using hydraulic jacks.

[0069] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, a reflective photoelectric sensor is used as the non-contact sensor 31, but the invention is not limited to this, and other sensors such as proximity sensors and ultrasonic sensors may also be used.

[0070] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the upper non-contact sensor 31U is built into the upper operation button 32U and the lower non-contact sensor 31D is built into the lower operation button 32D. However, the embodiment is not limited to this, and the upper non-contact sensor 31U may be provided separately at a position adjacent to the upper operation button 32U, and the lower non-contact sensor 31D may be provided separately at a position adjacent to the lower operation button 32D.

[0071] [Examples of implementation using software] The function of the elevator control device 1 (hereinafter referred to as "the device") is a program that causes the device to function as a computer, and can be realized by a program that causes the computer to function as each control block of the device (in particular, the operation control unit 11 and the door control unit 12).

[0072] In this case, the device includes a computer having at least one control device (e.g., a processor) and at least one storage device (e.g., memory) as hardware for executing the program. By executing the program using this control device and storage device, each of the functions described in the above embodiment is realized.

[0073] The above program may be recorded on one or more computer-readable recording media, not temporary ones. These recording media may or may not be provided by the above device. In the latter case, the program may be supplied to the above device via any wired or wireless transmission medium.

[0074] Furthermore, some or all of the functions of each of the above control blocks can also be realized by logic circuits. For example, an integrated circuit in which logic circuits functioning as each of the above control blocks are formed is also included in the scope of the present invention. In addition, it is also possible to realize the functions of each of the above control blocks by, for example, a quantum computer.

[0075] Furthermore, each process described in the above embodiment may be executed by AI (Artificial Intelligence). In this case, the AI ​​may operate on the control device described above, or it may operate on other devices (for example, an edge computer or a cloud server).

[0076] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0077] 1. Elevator control device 2 Elevators 3 Control panel 10 Receiver 11 Operation Control Unit 12 Door Control Unit 21 Car 22 doors 31 Non-contact sensors 31U Upper Non-Contact Sensor 31D Lower non-contact sensor 32 operation buttons 100 Elevator Systems

Claims

1. A door control unit that controls the opening and closing of the door between the elevator landing and the elevator car, A non-contact sensor provided on the control panel of the aforementioned landing, which detects an object present in a predetermined spatial area, and a receiving unit that receives a detection signal from the non-contact sensor which accepts registration of an upward call or a downward call, Equipped with, The door control unit controls the elevator control to open the door when the receiving unit receives a detection signal indicating that the non-contact sensor has detected an object during the closing operation of the door.

2. The operation control unit further comprises, which controls the operation of the elevator car if, during a period when the door closing operation is not performed, the detection of the object by the non-contact sensor continues for one hour or more, and it is assumed that the upward call or the downward call has been registered at the landing where the non-contact sensor is installed. The elevator control device according to claim 1, wherein the door control unit controls the door to open if the detection of the object by the non-contact sensor continues for a second time or longer, which is shorter than the first time, while the door is closing.

3. The elevator control device according to claim 1, wherein the door control unit, in control of a landing where both the non-contact sensor for receiving the registration of an upward call and the non-contact sensor for receiving a downward call are provided, determines the non-contact sensor for receiving an operation to open the door while the door is closing, according to the direction in which the elevator car will move next.

4. The door control unit is During the closing operation of the door, if the non-contact sensor detects an object corresponding to the direction in which the elevator car will next move, control is performed to open the door. The elevator control device according to claim 3, wherein, during the operation to close the door, if the non-contact sensor detects an object in a direction opposite to the direction in which the elevator car will next move, the control to open the door is not performed.

5. The elevator control device according to claim 1, wherein the door control unit controls the opening of the door when, during the operation of closing the door, an object is detected by both the non-contact sensor that receives registration of an upward call and the non-contact sensor that receives a downward call.

6. The elevator control device according to claim 5, further comprising: an operation control unit that controls the operation of the elevator car if, during the operation of closing the door, the non-contact sensor that receives registration of an upward call and the non-contact sensor that receives a downward call detect an object, and the non-contact sensor that receives the downward call registers a call for the elevator car in the direction opposite to the direction in which the elevator car will next move.

7. A non-contact sensor installed on the elevator landing control panel, which detects objects in a predetermined spatial area, and the step of receiving a detection signal from a non-contact sensor that accepts registration of an upward call or a downward call, An elevator control method comprising the step of controlling the door to open when the non-contact sensor receives a detection signal indicating that it has detected an object during the operation of closing the door between the landing and the elevator car.

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