Method for adjusting the load detection mechanism of an elevator

Abstract

This invention allows for the inspection and adjustment of load detection means without the use of test weights. [Solution] The present invention provides an inspection and adjustment method for an elevator load detection means, wherein the elevator car 30 is supported within a car frame 21 via an elastic member 18, and the car 30 has a beam section 33 below the car floor 32 that can be detected by a first load detection means 40 and a second load detection means 50. A spacer 70 is inserted between the first load detection means and the beam section, the spacer is pressed against the beam section and the load output by the first load detection means is referenced, the thickness of the spacer is changed to determine a spacer of a thickness that the first load detection means outputs the rated load, the spacer is inserted between the second load detection means and the beam section, and the height of the second load detection means is adjusted so as to detect that the mounted load of the elevator car has reached the rated load while the spacer is pressed against the beam section.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for inspecting and adjusting load detection means for measuring the load carried in an elevator car.

Background Art

[0002] An elevator car is configured by arranging a car cabin in a car frame suspended by a main rope. A limit on the weight of passengers and goods that can be loaded into the car cabin, that is, a rated load, is set. Therefore, when the elevator operates, the weight of the car cabin is detected, and when the load in the car cabin exceeds the rated load, a warning sound or the like is emitted, and the car door is kept open until some passengers get off and the state where the load exceeds the rated load is eliminated, so that the elevator does not run.

[0003] To detect the weight of the car cabin, for example, in Patent Document 1, the car cabin is supported by a car frame via an elastic member, and the elastic member is deformed by the weight of the car cabin, and the load detection means detects that the car cabin has moved downward within the car frame.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Disclosure of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In order to improve safety, a dual system of load detection means is required. In this case, the two load detection means must detect the rated load at the same timing.

[0006] Over long-term operation of an elevator, elastic components may shrink or their elastic modulus may change due to aging, and discrepancies may occur in the detection results of the two load detection devices. Therefore, it is necessary to periodically inspect whether the two load detection devices can correctly detect the rated load. In this inspection, a test weight equivalent to the actual rated load is loaded into the elevator car, and the load detection devices are checked to see if they both detect the correct rated load. If there is any discrepancy, adjustments are made.

[0007] However, regularly bringing in test weights equivalent to the rated load, loading them into a cage, and inspecting and adjusting the load detection system is not only time-consuming but also laborious.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a method for inspecting and adjusting load detection means without using test weights equivalent to the rated load. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The inspection and adjustment method for the load detection means of an elevator according to the present invention is as follows: An elevator car having a car frame suspended by a main rope, with the car compartment supported by an elastic member, wherein the car compartment has a beam section below the car floor that can be detected by a first load detection means and a second load detection means. The first load detection means is positioned on the cage frame and has a sensor unit capable of measuring the distance to the beam unit without contact, and can output the load of the cage by converting the distance detected by the sensor unit. The second load detection means is arranged in the cage frame and includes a switch that detects that the load on the cage has reached the rated load when the cage moves downward due to the elastic deformation of the elastic member, thereby contacting the beam portion. A method for inspecting and adjusting the first load detection means and the second load detection means of an elevator, A spacer is inserted between the sensor portion and the beam portion of the first load detection means, and with the spacer pressed against the beam portion, the load output by the first load detection means is referenced, and the thickness of the spacer is changed to determine a spacer with a thickness at which the first load detection means outputs the rated load. The determined spacer is inserted between the switch portion and the beam portion of the second load detection means, and with the spacer pressed against the beam portion, the height of the second load detection means is adjusted so that the switch portion contacts the spacer and detects that the mounted load of the elevator car has reached the rated load.

[0010] The spacer can be made of the same material as the beam.

[0011] Furthermore, the inspection and adjustment method for the load detection means of the elevator according to the present invention is An elevator car having a car frame suspended by a main rope, with the car compartment supported by an elastic member, wherein the car compartment has a beam section below the car floor that can be detected by a first load detection means and a second load detection means. The first load detection means is positioned on the cage frame and has a sensor unit capable of measuring the distance to the beam unit without contact, and can output the load of the cage by converting the distance detected by the sensor unit. The second load detection means is arranged in the cage frame and includes a switch that detects that the load on the cage has reached the rated load when the cage moves downward due to the elastic deformation of the elastic member, thereby contacting the beam portion. A method for inspecting and adjusting the first load detection means and the second load detection means of an elevator, A jack is inserted between the cage floor and the beam section, and the beam section is pushed down by the jack. The load output by the first load detection means is referenced, and the amount of downward pressure on the beam section is changed to cause the first load detection means to output the rated load. In this state, adjust the height of the second load detection means so that the switch section contacts the spacer and it is detected that the load carried in the basket chamber has reached the rated load.

Advantages of the Invention

[0012] According to the inspection and adjustment method of the load detection means of the elevator of the present invention, the inspection and adjustment of the load detection means can be performed without using a test weight corresponding to the rated load. Therefore, the labor and time required for the inspection and adjustment of the load detection means can be significantly reduced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an elevator. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic front view of the lower side of the car. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is an enlarged view of part A in Figure 2. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the first load detection means, the second load detection means and their surroundings. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a control block diagram of the main part of the elevator. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the inspection and adjustment method of the load detection means according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the inspection and adjustment method of the load detection means according to the first embodiment of the present invention following Figure 6. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the inspection and adjustment method of the load detection means according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the inspection and adjustment method of the load detection means according to the second embodiment of the present invention following Figure 8. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the inspection and adjustment method of the load detection means according to the second embodiment of the present invention following Figure 9.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] The embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an elevator 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The elevator 10 includes a car 20 in which passengers board, and a counterweight 11 that balances the car 20 is connected by a main rope 12. The main rope 12 is hung on a sheave 13 and a deflecting car 14. A motor 15 serving as a hoisting machine and a brake 16 are connected to the sheave 13. By rotating the motor 15, the car 20 is raised and lowered.

[0016] The car 20 includes a car compartment 30 in which passengers board within a car frame 21, and the car compartment 30 is provided with car door opening and closing means 63 (see FIG. 5) for opening and closing a car door 31. As shown in FIG. 2 which is a schematic view, the car compartment 30 is disposed in the car frame 21 via an elastic member 18 such as rubber. When passengers or the like board the car 20 and a load is applied, the elastic member 18 elastically deform by the load, and the car compartment 30 moves downward relative to the car frame 21.

[0017] A beam portion 33 passing through a substantially central position of a car floor 32 is provided below the car compartment 30, and the beam portion 33 moves up and down integrally with the car compartment 30 within the car frame 21. In the present embodiment, by detecting the beam portion 33 by load detecting means 40 and 50 serving as a detection portion, the load of the car compartment 30 is detected. Note that the beam portion 33 may be made of a steel material or a thin plate having an L-shaped cross section, and may be columnar, block-shaped, or the like. Further, the beam portion 33 may be a part of a frame constituting the car compartment 30.

[0018] In the present embodiment, the load detecting means 40 and 50 are duplicated in order to enhance safety. The first load detecting means 40 and the second load detecting means 50 are means for detecting the load of the car compartment 30 or that the car compartment 30 has reached the rated load by different methods. For example, the rated load is a load 1.1 times the number of passengers (weight 65 kg in Japan).

[0019] Specifically, the first load detection means 40 is a means for measuring the distance to the beam section 33, which is the object to be detected, and outputting a load from that distance, for example, a load cell. As shown in Figure 3, the first load detection means 40 has a sensor section 41 with a detection coil built into its tip, and detects the magnetic loss of the detection coil to obtain an induced current generated when the beam section 33 approaches the sensor section 41, and converts this into a distance D to the beam section 33. The measured distance D is converted into a load. Note that the conversion from the distance D measured by the first load detection means 40 to a load can be performed by the first load detection means 40 or by the elevator control means 60 described later. In this specification, it is stated that the first load detection means 40 performs the conversion, but this conversion may also be performed by the elevator control means 60 or the like.

[0020] As shown in Figure 3, the first load detection means 40 is positioned below the beam portion 33. In a specific embodiment, the first load detection means 40 is attached to a mounting plate 22 provided on the cage frame 21 via a first mounting member 42.

[0021] The second load detection means 50 is a means for detecting contact with the object to be detected, and is, for example, a contact-type switch of an overload switch. The second load detection means 50 has a switch part 51, and when the switch part 51 comes into contact with the beam part 33, it is detected that the beam part 33 has descended to the position of the rated load.

[0022] As shown in Figure 3, the second load detection means 50 is positioned below the beam portion 33. The second load detection means 50 can be attached, for example, to the cage frame 21 via a second mounting member 52. Preferably, the second mounting member 52 is positioned so as to be height-adjustable, and can be adjusted so that it matches the timing of detecting the rated load with the first load detection means 40. In a specific embodiment, the second mounting member 52 can be mounted to the mounting plate 22 of the cage frame 21 so as to be vertically slidable. The second load detection means 50 is attached to the second mounting member 52 such that the switch portion 51 protrudes upward, and in the figure, a height adjustment mechanism 55 is provided to the right of the second load detection means 50. The height adjustment mechanism 55 includes a height adjustment screw 57 that loosely fits into an upper bent piece 53 formed by bending the upper right side of the second mounting member 52 at a right angle, and a biasing means such as a coil spring 56 fitted to the height adjustment screw 57. The cage frame 21 has a lower bent piece 23 attached to the mounting plate 22 side in the same direction as the upper bent piece 53, and the lower end of the height adjustment screw 57 is screwed into this lower bent piece 23. With this configuration, when the height adjustment screw 57 is tightened or loosened, the biasing force of the coil spring 56 biases the second mounting member 52 so that it can swing up and down, and the protruding height of the switch part 51 of the second load detection means 50 can be adjusted. Furthermore, even if the load of the cage 30 causes the switch part 51 of the second load detection means 50 to hit the beam part 33, and the beam part 33 moves further downward from that state, the coil spring 56 compresses, preventing damage to the second load detection means 50.

[0023] The mounting positions of the first load detection means 40 and the second load detection means 50, that is, the positions where the first mounting member 42 and the second mounting member 52 are attached to the mounting plate 22 of the cage frame 21, are set according to the following procedure.

[0024] The first load detection means 40 and the second load detection means 50 are temporarily attached to the mounting plate 22 of the car frame 21 by mounting members 42 and 52. Then, when the elevator 10 is manufactured in the factory or when it is newly installed in a building, a test weight equivalent to the rated load is brought into the car 30. As a result, the car 30 sinks downward relative to the car frame 21 due to the elastic deformation of the elastic member 18. Figure 4 shows the state in which the car 30 has sunk relative to the car frame 21 due to the rated load, that is, the beam section 33 has moved toward the load detection means 40 and 50.

[0025] In this state, the load detection means 40 and 50 are initialized. For example, as shown in Figure 4, the mounting height of the first load detection means 40 is adjusted so that the converted value of the distance H1 (for example, 8 mm) to the beam section 33 becomes the rated load, and the first mounting member 42 is fixed to the cage frame 21. Alternatively, the first mounting member 42 may be fixed to the cage frame 21, and the distance to the beam section 33 in this state may be set to be converted to the rated load.

[0026] Furthermore, the second load detection means 50 is fixed by operating the height adjustment mechanism 55 so that the tip of the switch part 51 contacts the beam part 33.

[0027] During normal operation of the elevator 10 with the load detection means 40 and 50 adjusted, the load in the elevator car 30 is detected by the two load detection means 40 and 50.

[0028] Figure 5 is a control block diagram of the main components of the elevator 10. The elevator 10 is controlled by an elevator control means 60 that controls the motor 15 and brake 16, and a car control means 62. The operation control of the elevator 10 as usual will not be explained here, but by calling the landing or car from the control panel mounted on the landing or car 20, the motor 15 and brake 16 are activated and the elevator lands at the designated landing. After landing, the car door opening and closing means 63 is operated to open and close the car door 31. Reference numeral 61 denotes an alarm means that emits a warning in the car 30 by an announcement, a buzzer or other sound, or light when the load in the car 30 exceeds the rated load.

[0029] In the elevator 10 configured as described above, the load detection means 40 and 50 are electrically connected to, for example, the elevator control means 60. They constantly detect the load in the elevator car 30 and transmit it to the elevator control means 60. In this invention, the load detection means 40 and 50 are redundant, so when either load detection means 40 or 50 detects the rated load, the elevator control means 60 performs the rated load detection operation described below.

[0030] The rated load detection operation is performed when the car 20 is on the ground and either load detection means 40 or 50 detects the rated load. In this operation, the car door 31 is kept open by the car door opening / closing means 63 while the brake 16 is applied, and an alarm is issued inside the car compartment 30 by the notification means 61. The brake 16 generates a torque corresponding to the load detected, for example, by the first load detection means 40, to prevent the car 20 from moving.

[0031] Based on this alarm, when some passengers disembark, and the load in the car compartment 30 falls below the rated load according to either load detection means 40 or 50, the alarm of the notification means 61 is stopped, the car door opening / closing means 63 closes the car door 31, the brake 16 is released, and the motor 15 is driven to raise or lower the car 20.

[0032] However, with prolonged use, the load detection means 40 and 50 may fail to correctly detect the rated load. If the timing of load detection by the two load detection means 40 and 50 differs, the redundancy of the system is negated. Therefore, it is necessary to periodically inspect and adjust the load detection means 40 and 50 so that they detect the rated load at the same time.

[0033] The following describes in detail the inspection and adjustment methods for the load detection means 40 and 50 of the elevator 10 with the above configuration during prolonged use. In any embodiment, it is not necessary to bring a test weight equivalent to the rated load into the elevator car 30 for inspection and adjustment.

[0034] First, prior to inspection and adjustment, it is confirmed that the load detected by the first load detection means 40 is correct. Specifically, the load detection value output by the first detection means 40 is referenced for the load on the cage 20, and it is confirmed whether this load detection value is correct. This confirmation is performed with two or more, preferably three or more, different loads. For example, this includes the case when the cage 20 is unoccupied (no load) and when a maintenance worker whose weight has been measured in advance is riding in the cage 20. Alternatively, the detection value may be when multiple maintenance workers whose weight has been measured in advance are riding in the cage 20, or when a test weight lighter than the rated load, for example about 1 / 2 to 1 / 3, is placed on the cage 20. If the load detection value of the first load detection means 40 is correct for these loads, the following inspection and adjustment are performed. If the load detection value of the first load detection means 40 differs from the load by a predetermined amount or more, the present invention cannot be applied, and it is necessary to bring in a test weight equivalent to the rated load and perform inspection and adjustment as in the conventional method.

[0035] <First Embodiment> In the first embodiment of the present invention, the spacer 70 is used to inspect and adjust the load detection means 40 and 50.

[0036] Specifically, as shown in Figure 6, a spacer 70 is inserted between the beam section 33 and the load detection means 40 and 50 of the elevator car 30. The spacer 70 is thin and preferably made of the same material as the beam section 33. If the magnetic properties of the spacer 70 differ from those of the beam section 33, the magnetic loss detected by the first load detection means 40 will also differ, causing distance measurement errors in the first load detection means 40. As will be explained below, multiple types of spacers 70 with different thicknesses are prepared. For example, it is desirable to have multiple types of spacers 70 with thicknesses that differ by, for example, 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm, centered around a spacer 70 with a thickness of the height H1 at which the first load detection means 40 detected the rated load during initial installation.

[0037] Before inserting the spacer 70, first, as shown in Figure 6, tighten the height adjustment screw 57 so that the switch portion 51 of the second load detection means 50 does not collide with the spacer 70. This causes the second load detection means 50, which is attached to the second mounting member 52, to be moved downward by the biasing force of the coil spring 56, leaving a gap between the switch portion 51 and the beam portion 33 for the insertion of the spacer 70.

[0038] From this state, a spacer 70 with a thickness of H1 (the same as the initial distance H1 (Figure 4)) is inserted between the beam section 33 and the load detection means 40, 50. The spacer 70 is positioned so that its upper surface is in close contact with the lower surface of the beam section 33. It is desirable to fix the spacer 70 to the beam section 33 with a clamp (not shown) or the like to prevent the spacer 70 from shifting or falling. After positioning the spacer 70, the first load detection means 40 generates a high-frequency current between the beam section 33 and the first load detection means 40, and checks from the magnetic loss whether the distance between the spacer 70 and the first load detection means 40 is the distance H1 corresponding to the rated load output of the first load detection means 40. If the check confirms that the first load detection means 40 outputs the rated load with the spacer 70, the next step is to inspect and adjust the second load detection means 50. The inspection results indicate that if the first load detection means 40 detects a load smaller or larger than the rated load in the spacer 70, the distance between the first load detection means 40 and the spacer 70 will be longer or shorter than the rated load detection distance of the first load detection means 40. Therefore, if the detection distance is long, a thicker spacer 70 is inserted, and if the detection distance is short, a thinner spacer 70 is inserted to check whether the output of the first load detection means 40 is the rated load. The inspection is carried out by changing the thickness of the spacer 70 until the output of the first load detection means 40 becomes the rated load, and the thickness of the spacer 70 that outputs the rated load is determined. The determined thickness of the spacer 70 is denoted as HS. The first load detection means 40 will detect the rated load when the beam section 33 has been lowered by a height of HS.

[0039] Next, the second load detection means 50 is inspected and adjusted using the spacer 70 with thickness HS.

[0040] As shown in Figure 7, with a spacer 70 of thickness HS located between the switch portion 51 and the beam portion 33 of the second load detection means 50, gradually loosening the height adjustment screw 57 causes the second load detection means 50, attached to the second mounting member 52, to move upward while extending the coil spring 56. Continue loosening the height adjustment screw 57 until the switch portion 51 of the second load detection means 50 touches the spacer 70. Once the switch portion 51 of the second load detection means 50 touches the spacer 70, stop loosening the height adjustment screw 57. This allows the distance from the tip of the switch portion 51 to the beam portion 33 to be adjusted to the thickness HS of the spacer 70.

[0041] Once the adjustment is complete, the spacer 70 can be removed. This allows the second load detection means 50, like the first load detection means 40, to detect the rated load when the beam section 33 is lowered by the height HS.

[0042] In the above description, the spacer 70 is of a length that faces both the first load detection means 40 and the second load detection means 50 simultaneously. However, a shorter spacer 70 may be used, and the thickness may be determined by first facing the first load detection means 40 and the spacer 70. Then, the spacer 70 may be moved to the second load detection means 50 side to perform inspection and adjustment of the second load detection means 50.

[0043] <Second Embodiment> In this embodiment, the beam section 33 is deflected by the jack 80 to simulate a rated load state, and the first load detection means 40 is inspected and adjusted, and then the second load detection means 50 is inspected and adjusted.

[0044] For example, the jack 80 is inserted between the beam section 33 and the cage floor 32 located above the beam section 33, as shown in Figure 8.

[0045] With respect to the second load detection means 50, in order to prevent the beam portion 33 from hitting the switch portion 51 when the beam portion 33 is lowered, the height adjustment screw 57 is tightened, as in Figure 6 of the first embodiment, and the biasing force of the coil spring 56 causes the second load detection means 50 attached to the second mounting member 52 to be retracted downward.

[0046] In this state, when the jack 80 is extended, the beam section 33 bends and is pushed down, as shown in Figure 9. Note that the bending of the beam section 33 is exaggerated in the figure for the purpose of understanding the invention. Then, while the amount of pressure on the beam section 33 is adjusted up and down, the rated load (or distance) detected by the first load detection means 40 is referenced, and when the rated load is output, the jack 80 is fixed at that height.

[0047] Next, the inspection and adjustment of the second load detection means 50 is performed. As shown in Figure 10, when the height adjustment screw 57 is gradually loosened relative to the height-adjusted beam section 33, the second load detection means 50 attached to the second mounting member 52 moves upward while extending the coil spring 56. The height adjustment screw 57 is then gradually loosened until the switch section 51 of the second load detection means 50 touches the beam section 33. When the switch section 51 of the second load detection means 50 touches the beam section 33, the loosening of the height adjustment screw 57 is stopped. As a result, the tip of the switch section 51 can detect the beam section 33 when the elevator car 30 reaches its rated load.

[0048] Once the adjustments are complete, simply loosen and remove the jack 80.

[0049] As a result, the first load detection means 40 and the second load detection means 50 can detect the rated load when the elevator car 30 has dropped by the amount of the rated load.

[0050] According to the first and second embodiments described above, the timing of detection of the rated load by the redundant first load detection means 40 and second load detection means 50 can be synchronized without bringing in test weights, thereby reducing the working time to 1 / 2 to 1 / 3 or less.

[0051] The above description is for the purpose of explaining the present invention and should not be interpreted as limiting or restricting the scope of the invention described in the claims. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the configuration of each part of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be modified in various ways within the technical scope described in the claims.

[0052] For example, the first load detection means 40 and the second load detection means 50 are not limited to the detection means described above, but may be a combination of sensors capable of detecting various loads. For example, the first load detection means 40 may measure the distance to the beam unit 33 using infrared light or a laser and convert it into a load. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0053] 10 Elevators 18 Elastic members 20 baskets 21 Basket Frame 30 cage compartments 33 Beam section 40. First load detection means 50 Second load detection means 55 Height adjustment mechanism 70 Spacer 80 Jack

Claims

1. An elevator car having a car frame suspended by a main rope, with the car compartment supported by an elastic member, wherein the car compartment has a beam section below the car floor that can be detected by a first load detection means and a second load detection means. The first load detection means is arranged on the cage frame and has a sensor unit capable of measuring the distance to the beam unit without contact, and can output the load of the cage by converting the distance detected by the sensor unit. The second load detection means is arranged in the cage frame and includes a switch that detects that the load on the cage has reached the rated load when the cage moves downward due to the elastic deformation of the elastic member, thereby contacting the beam portion. A method for inspecting and adjusting the first load detection means and the second load detection means of an elevator, A spacer is inserted between the sensor portion and the beam portion of the first load detection means, and with the spacer pressed against the beam portion, the load output by the first load detection means is referenced, and the thickness of the spacer is changed to determine a spacer with a thickness at which the first load detection means outputs the rated load. The determined spacer is inserted between the switch portion and the beam portion of the second load detection means, and with the spacer pressed against the beam portion, the height of the second load detection means is adjusted so that the switch portion contacts the spacer and detects that the load on the elevator car has reached the rated load. Methods for inspecting and adjusting load detection devices in elevators.

2. The spacer is made of the same material as the beam section. A method for inspecting and adjusting the load detection means of an elevator as described in claim 1.

3. An elevator car having a car frame suspended by a main rope, with the car compartment supported by an elastic member, wherein the car compartment has a beam section below the car floor that can be detected by a first load detection means and a second load detection means. The first load detection means is arranged on the cage frame and has a sensor unit capable of measuring the distance to the beam unit without contact, and can output the load of the cage by converting the distance detected by the sensor unit. The second load detection means is arranged in the cage frame and includes a switch that detects that the load on the cage has reached the rated load when the cage moves downward due to the elastic deformation of the elastic member, thereby contacting the beam portion. A method for inspecting and adjusting the first load detection means and the second load detection means of an elevator, A jack is inserted between the cage floor and the beam section, and the beam section is pushed down by the jack. The load output by the first load detection means is referenced, and the amount of pressure applied to the beam section is changed to cause the first load detection means to output the rated load. In this state, the height of the second load detection means is adjusted so that the switch unit contacts the spacer and detects that the load on the elevator car has reached the rated load. Methods for inspecting and adjusting load detection devices in elevators.

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