Elevator control system

Abstract

This invention provides a technology that enables the appropriate restoration of elevators in the event of an earthquake. [Solution] After performing earthquake control (earthquake-induced controlled operation), the elevator control device 20 has the camera 19 take pictures of the inside of the elevator shaft 8 and acquires the captured images as earthquake images. In determining whether the elevator is ready to run, the elevator control device 20 determines that the elevator is ready to run based on a comparison between the installation image and the earthquake image, provided that it determines that the shaking of the elevator equipment 30 installed in the elevator 1 has subsided. If the elevator control device 20 determines that the elevator is not ready to run, it transmits information about the determination at the time of the determination, along with a request for the elevator 1 maintenance personnel to perform restoration work on the elevator 1, to the monitoring device 80.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present disclosure relates to an elevator control system.

Background Art

[0002] When an earthquake occurs in a building equipped with an elevator and the earthquake sensor detects a certain degree of shaking, an earthquake control operation is performed to open the door after running the elevator car in motion to the nearest floor. When it is detected by a sensor such as an accelerometer that the shaking of the building has subsided, a diagnostic operation (restart) is performed to diagnose whether the elevator can be restored. When the elevator is diagnosed as normal, the elevator is automatically restored and the passengers can use the elevator.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, even if the shaking of the building itself has subsided, in reality, the elevator equipment including the elevator ropes may still be shaking. It is desirable to wait for the shaking of the elevator equipment to subside before starting the restart, but when there is no means to detect the shaking of the elevator equipment, the presence or absence of the shaking of the building becomes the criterion for the restart decision. Also, when the restart cannot be performed, it is necessary to dispatch a maintenance worker to the site to perform the restoration work of the elevator.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a technology capable of suitably restoring an elevator during an earthquake.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The elevator control system according to this disclosure comprises an elevator control device, a camera, and a communication device. The elevator control device performs earthquake control to move the elevator car to the nearest floor in the event of an earthquake, and then performs a travel determination to determine whether the car is in a state where it can be moved again. The camera photographs the inside of the hoistway in which the car travels. The communication device is configured to communicate with a monitoring device that monitors the elevator. The elevator control device includes a memory device. The memory device stores a first image taken by the camera when the camera is not experiencing an earthquake. After the execution of earthquake control, the elevator control device has the camera photograph the inside of the hoistway and acquires the captured image as a second image. In the travel determination, the elevator control device determines that the elevator is in a state where it can be moved, based on a comparison between the first image and the second image, and on the condition that it has determined that the shaking of the equipment installed in the elevator has stopped. If the elevator control device determines that the elevator is not in a condition to be operated, it transmits information about the determination at the time of the determination, along with a request for elevator maintenance personnel to restore the elevator.

[0007] The system determines whether the elevator car can be restarted once the shaking of the equipment installed in the elevator has subsided, allowing for a more reliable and safe restart. If it is determined that the car cannot be restarted, the system transmits information about this determination to maintenance personnel to request recovery work, enabling them to make appropriate preparations and recovery plans according to the situation at the time of the earthquake. This allows for the elevator to be restored appropriately in the event of an earthquake. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this disclosure, elevators can be suitably restored in the event of an earthquake. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1]This figure shows an example of the overall configuration of the elevator control system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of the hardware configuration of an elevator control system. [Figure 3] This is a diagram illustrating the process of photographing the inside of an elevator shaft during an earthquake. [Figure 4] This is a diagram illustrating an example of a judgment table. [Figure 5] This is a flowchart of the processes performed by the elevator control system. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of training data according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a learning device. [Figure 8] This is a flowchart showing the learning process of the learning device. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of the configuration of the inference processing unit. [Figure 10] This is a flowchart illustrating the inference procedure performed by the inference processing unit. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions of them will not be repeated.

[0011] [First Embodiment] Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of the elevator control system 100 according to the first embodiment. The elevator control system 100 comprises an elevator 1, an earthquake sensor 40 for detecting earthquakes, a communication device 50, and a plurality of imaging devices 19 (Figure 2). The elevator 1 comprises an elevator control device 20 for controlling the elevator 1 and an elevator device 30 (Figure 2).

[0012] The elevator control system 100 can be communicatively connected to the monitoring device 80 via the communication device 50. The monitoring device 80 is provided in the information center 3 of a maintenance company that performs elevator maintenance. The monitoring device 80 managed by this maintenance company manages the elevators 1 installed in a plurality of buildings (in this example, buildings 2, 2a, and 2b). The monitoring device 80 is configured to be communicable with these plurality of elevators 1. The monitoring device 80 monitors the occurrence status of earthquakes in each elevator 1 and manages earthquake recovery responses in each elevator 1, etc.

[0013] When the earthquake detector 40 provided in the elevator 1 detects an earthquake (for example, the P wave which is the initial micro-vibration) during the travel of the car 10 of the elevator 1, the elevator control device 20 causes the car 10 to travel to the nearest floor and then open the door, and executes an earthquake-time control operation (also referred to as "earthquake-time control") to open the door of the car 10. When the door of the car 10 opens at the nearest floor, passengers can get off. For example, when the car 10 senses the above-mentioned shaking while traveling between the 1st floor and the 2nd floor, the car 10 travels to the nearest floor, which is the 1st floor or the 2nd floor, and then the door opens.

[0014] In this embodiment, after the earthquake detector 40 detects an earthquake and the car 10 stops at the nearest floor, the elevator control device 20 executes a diagnostic operation (also referred to as "restart" in this embodiment) to make the car 10 travel in order to diagnose the presence or absence of abnormalities in the elevator 1. For example, by the diagnostic operation, the car 10 is made to perform a round-trip operation from the lowest floor to the highest floor, and it is diagnosed whether there are any abnormalities in the elevator 1, such as the running state of the car 10 and the opening and closing of the doors. If the result of the diagnostic operation of the elevator 1 is normal, the car 10 is temporarily restored without being put into休止状态. As a result, the car 10 becomes available.

[0015] When a plurality of elevators 1 are installed in the building 2, an earthquake detector 40, an elevator control device 20, and a communication device 50 are installed for each elevator 1.

[0016] Hereinafter, the building 2 shown in FIG. 1 will be exemplified and described in detail. The elevator control device 20 is a control board that controls the elevator device 30. The elevator device 30 includes a hoist 250, a landing device (not shown) installed at each landing from the first floor to the top floor, a car device (not shown) installed in the car 10, and various sensors and various switches used in the elevator 1.

[0017] The hoist 250 is a motor that drives to raise and lower the car 10 of the elevator 1. The car device is various devices installed in the car 10 and includes a destination floor button (car call button) (not shown) for registering the destination floor. The landing device is various devices installed at each landing and includes a landing call button (not shown) for registering a landing call.

[0018] The car 10 is installed in the hoistway 8 provided in the building 2. The car 10 moves up and down in the hoistway 8 and moves between multiple floors. In the present embodiment, the car 10 can stop at each floor from the first floor to the top floor. Above the hoistway 8, a machine room 5 is provided. In the machine room 5, a hoist 250, an elevator control device 20, a seismic sensor 40, and a communication device 50 are provided.

[0019] In the present embodiment, the elevator 1 is a rope-type elevator in which the car 10 is suspended by the main rope 11. As the elevator device 30, this elevator 1 further includes a car 10, a counterweight 12, the main rope 11 which is a long object, and a deflecting sheave 13. The main rope 11 is hung on the hoist 250 and the deflecting sheave 13. At both ends of the main rope 11, the car 10 and the counterweight 12 are in a suspended state. Note that the long object also includes a control cable not shown.

[0020] Elevator 1 can move the car 10 installed in the hoistway 8 upward (also referred to as the "UP direction") or downward (also referred to as the "DN direction") by driving the hoisting machine 250. A buffer 14 is installed in the pit 6, which is the bottom of the hoistway 8. The buffer 14 is a device that absorbs the impact of a fall if the car 10 falls due to an abnormality.

[0021] Figure 2 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the elevator control system 100. The elevator control device 20 comprises a processing unit 21, a storage device 22, and a communication interface (IF) (not shown). These are connected to each other via a bus so that they can communicate with one another.

[0022] The processing unit 21 is, for example, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The storage device 22 includes, for example, ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), and a non-volatile storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0023] The processing unit 21 loads programs stored in ROM into RAM and executes them to realize various functions of the elevator control device 20. The processing unit 21 executes the process of controlling the elevator 1. ROM stores programs that describe the processing procedures for the processes executed by the elevator control device 20. RAM is the workspace for the processor when executing programs, and temporarily stores programs and data used when executing programs. The communication interface has the function of communicating with various devices connected to the elevator control device 20.

[0024] The monitoring device 80 includes a control unit 81. Similar to the elevator control device 20, the control unit 81 also includes a processor (CPU), memory (ROM, RAM), and a communication interface (not shown). These are interconnected via a bus to enable communication with each other.

[0025] The monitoring device 80 has the function of acquiring and storing control information broadcast (transmitted) by the communication interface of the elevator control device 20 via the communication device 50. The monitoring device 80 acquires information from the elevator control devices 20 installed in each elevator 1 in each building and monitors the elevators 1 in each building.

[0026] The communication device 50 transmits (issues) various information about the elevator 1 acquired from the elevator control device 20 to the monitoring device 80. The communication device 50 also includes a processor (CPU), memory (ROM, RAM), and a communication interface (not shown). These are connected to each other via a bus so that they can communicate with one another.

[0027] The earthquake sensor 40 is a device that detects earthquakes. The elevator control device 20 acquires earthquake signals from the earthquake sensor 40 (for example, signals that identify P-waves or S-waves and signals that identify the strength of the earthquake (seismic intensity, weak, strong, etc.)).

[0028] The elevator control device 20 can cause the elevator car 10 to perform actions (earthquake-induced controlled operation) based on the earthquake signal detected by the earthquake sensor 40. Specifically, when the elevator control device 20 detects an earthquake signal, it causes the elevator car 10 to travel to the nearest floor. Furthermore, the elevator control device 20 performs the diagnostic operation (restart) described above.

[0029] The monitoring device 80 communicates with elevators 1 (elevator control devices 20) installed in buildings such as buildings 2a and 2b managed by the information center 3, via the communication devices 50 of each elevator 1. The communication devices 50 transmit various elevator signals, including earthquake signals detected by the earthquake sensors 40, to the monitoring device 80. The monitoring device 80 acquires this various information. As a result, the monitoring device 80 can acquire various elevator information and understand that an earthquake has occurred in the building where the elevator is installed.

[0030] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the imaging of the elevator shaft 8 during an earthquake. As shown in Figure 3, multiple imaging devices 19 are installed in the elevator shaft 8 to photograph the interior of the elevator shaft 8 as the elevator car 10 travels. For example, the imaging devices 19 are cameras installed on the walls of each floor of the elevator shaft 8. In addition, lighting fixtures to illuminate the inside of the elevator shaft are also provided along with the imaging devices 19. This makes it possible to photograph the interior of each floor of the elevator shaft 8. Furthermore, imaging devices 19 are also installed in the machine room 5 as appropriate. Note that the imaging devices 19 are not limited to cameras; they may also be laser devices that scan three-dimensional objects.

[0031] Multiple imaging devices 19 are connected to the elevator control device 20 and transmit images captured by the imaging devices 19 to the elevator control device 20. Note that there may be only one imaging device 19, and it may fly within the elevator shaft 8, move along rails installed within the elevator shaft 8, move along the walls of the elevator shaft 8, or be any device capable of capturing images of each floor within the elevator shaft 8. In addition, a dedicated control device may be provided separately from the elevator control device 20 to receive and process the images captured by the imaging devices 19.

[0032] If an earthquake occurs in building 2, damage to the walls and other surfaces within the hoistway 8, or deformation of the elevator equipment 30 (elevator machinery), may occur. For example, in the example shown in Figure 3, the rails installed in the hoistway 8, such as rail A4, may become distorted (shift). In this case, the elevator car 10 will be unable to travel.

[0033] The elevator system 30 may be deformed, moved, or lost (parts of the equipment may detach and be lost). If an earthquake occurs in building 2, long objects such as the main rope 11 and control cables in the hoistway 8 will sway. If the shaking is strong, these long objects may move and get caught on the elevator equipment, etc.

[0034] Alternatively, some kind of detached material may adhere to the main rope 11 as deposit A2. This deposit A2 may get caught in the hoisting machine 250, which is the drive device, along with the main rope 11, potentially damaging the hoisting machine 250. In this way, the entanglement of deposits in the drive parts of the drive device can cause malfunctions in the drive device.

[0035] On the other hand, a portion of the beam 18 inside the elevator shaft 8 peeled off as shown in section A0 and fell into pit 6 as falling object A1. In this way, even if equipment other than the elevator itself is damaged and falling objects fall to locations unrelated to the operation of the elevator, it does not adversely affect the operation of elevator 1.

[0036] In this embodiment, when the elevator 1 is installed, and no earthquake is occurring, multiple camera devices 19 are used to photograph the condition of each floor inside the elevator shaft 8. The elevator control device 20 then stores these images of each floor at the time of installation (hereinafter also referred to as "installation images") in the storage device 22.

[0037] When an earthquake occurs, multiple imaging devices 19 periodically capture images of each floor in the elevator shaft 8 as earthquake images (hereinafter also referred to as "earthquake images"). The elevator control device 20 then performs a comparison process between the installation images of each floor and the earthquake images captured during the earthquake to determine whether or not the vibration of long objects such as the main rope 11 has stopped.

[0038] In the above comparison process, the elevator control device 20 uses a known method to take the difference between the image at the time of installation and the image during the earthquake for each floor. If the image of the main rope 11 at the time of installation is not shaking, but the image of the main rope 11 during the earthquake is shaking, the amount of shaking of the main rope 11 can be detected by taking the difference. Using a known method, the elevator control device 20 determines that vibration is occurring if an amount of shaking greater than a predetermined amount is detected, and determines that the vibration has stopped (the shaking has subsided) if an amount of shaking less than the predetermined amount is detected.

[0039] When the elevator control device 20 determines that the vibration has stopped, it determines the extent of the damage based on the determination table 90. Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the determination table 90. The determination table 90 records the image comparison results, the damage category, and the damage level.

[0040] The image comparison results are based on the difference between the images of each floor at the time of installation (installation images) and the images of each floor taken during the earthquake (earthquake images) when it was determined that the vibration had stopped. The results determine whether or not there was any attachment of an object (foreign object) in the elevator shaft 8, and whether or not there was any deformation, movement, or loss of an object in the elevator shaft 8. The elevator control device 20 determines that attachment occurred if an object that was not present at the time of installation appeared during the earthquake when comparing the images. Also, when comparing the images, it determines that deformation occurred if an object that was present at the time of installation was deformed, moved, or lost (disappeared) during the earthquake.

[0041] The damage classification indicates the type of damage that occurred within the elevator shaft 8 in the event of adhesion or deformation. The damage level indicates the level of damage in three stages: low, medium, and high. If the damage level is "low," it is not necessary to dispatch maintenance personnel to restore elevator 1. The damage level is "low" when adhesion or deformation occurs in locations (equipment) other than the elevator control device 20.

[0042] If the damage level is "medium" or "high," maintenance personnel will need to be dispatched to restore elevator 1. The damage level will be "medium" or "high" if there is adhesion or deformation in the elevator control device 20. A "high" damage level means that it will take longer for maintenance personnel to respond than a "medium" damage level; for example, if elevator equipment needs to be replaced, the damage level will be set to "high."

[0043] For example, in the judgment table 90, when the image comparison result is "adhesion," the damage category is recorded as "foreign object adhering to the rope," "foreign object adhering to the drive mechanism," "object falling into the pit," etc. In the judgment table 90, when the image comparison result is "deformation, etc. (deformation, movement, loss)," the damage category is recorded as "movement of the rope," "damage to the door device," "deformation of the rail," "damage to the wall," etc.

[0044] If the damage category is "foreign matter attached to the rope," as explained in Figure 3, foreign matter is attached to the main rope 11, and there is a risk that the attached matter may get caught in the drive part of the drive device (hoisting machine 250) and damage the device. For this reason, the damage level is set to "medium." In this case, restarting is not possible, and the dispatch of maintenance personnel is necessary. The maintenance personnel will perform restoration work on elevator 1 and remove the attached foreign matter, etc.

[0045] If the damage category is "Foreign object attached to the drive unit," the damage level is set to "medium" because there is a risk of damage to the device due to the attached object getting caught in the drive part of the drive unit. In this case as well, restarting is not possible, and the dispatch of a maintenance worker is required. The maintenance worker will perform the restoration work on elevator 1 and remove the attached foreign object.

[0046] If the damage category is "Falling object into the pit," for example, as shown in Figure 3, object A1 has fallen into pit 6. In this case, there is no impairment to the operation of elevator 1, so the damage level is set to "low." In this case, it is possible to restart, and dispatching maintenance personnel is not necessary. If the diagnostic operation of elevator 1 is normal, car 10 will be temporarily restored.

[0047] If the damage category is "rope movement," it means that the main rope 11 has moved and is caught on other equipment. In this case, the damage level is set to "medium" (requiring dispatch of maintenance personnel).

[0048] If the damage category is "damage to the door mechanism," it means that the door mechanism, which is the drive unit, is damaged, making it impossible to operate elevator 1, and the damaged device needs to be replaced. For this reason, the damage level is set to "high" (requiring the dispatch of maintenance personnel). If it takes time to procure the damaged device, the restoration of elevator 1 will be delayed.

[0049] If the damage category is "rail deformation," it means that the rail is deformed (shifted) as shown in rail A4 of Figure 3, making it impossible to operate elevator 1, and requiring rail repair. For this reason, the damage level is set to "high" (requiring dispatch of maintenance personnel).

[0050] If the damage category is "wall damage," then the peeled-off section A0 is detached from beam 18 in Figure 3. However, in this case, unless the detached material adheres to the elevator equipment, the operation of elevator 1 will not be affected, and the damage level is set to "low" (no dispatch of maintenance personnel is required). However, if the peeled-off section A0 adheres to the main rope 11, the damage category "foreign object adhering to the rope" is detected, and the damage level is set to "medium" (dispatch of maintenance personnel is required).

[0051] The above judgment table 90 is merely an example, and does not have to be exactly as shown. For example, in the above, "rope movement" is defined as a "medium" damage level, but it could also be defined as a "high" damage level. Also, depending on the extent of the damage, it may take time to confirm and restore it, so the damage levels may be further subdivided according to the degree of time required.

[0052] The elevator control device 20 detects elevator equipment and facilities within the hoistway corresponding to the images from the installation images of each floor (installation images). For example, it detects "ropes," "door devices," "rails," "beams," etc. from the images.

[0053] Based on the difference between the images of each floor at the time of installation (installation images) and the images of each floor taken during the earthquake (earthquake images), the presence or absence of adhesion or deformation is determined. If adhesion or deformation is found, the location of the adhesion or deformation (elevator equipment, equipment in the hoistway) is identified, and the damage category and damage level are determined based on the determination table 90. For example, if deformation of the area corresponding to the door device in the image is detected from the comparison (difference) between the installation image and the earthquake image, the damage category "damage to door device" and the damage level "high" are set.

[0054] Furthermore, the method for detecting image comparison results, damage classifications, and damage levels may be different from the method described above, using the method shown in Figures 6 to 10.

[0055] The following explanation will use a flowchart. Figure 8 is a flowchart of the process performed by the elevator control system 100. Hereafter, "step" will also be simply referred to as "S". This process is initiated when the elevator car 10 stops at the nearest floor due to earthquake-resistant control operation.

[0056] The storage device 22 stores installation images taken by the camera 19 inside the elevator shaft 8 when no earthquake occurred. These installation images were created when the elevator 1 was installed (when no earthquake occurred), and the elevator control device 20 instructed the camera 19 to take pictures inside the elevator shaft 8 at each floor it stopped on, and stored the captured images in the storage device 22.

[0057] The elevator control device 20 performs earthquake control (earthquake-induced controlled operation) to move the elevator car 10 to the nearest floor when an earthquake occurs, and then performs a run determination to determine whether the car 10 is in a runnable state (restartable state) and can be moved again. After the execution of earthquake control (earthquake-induced controlled operation), the elevator control device 20 has the camera 19 take pictures of the inside of the hoistway 8 at each floor the elevator stops on, and acquires the captured images as earthquake images. The following is a detailed explanation following the flowchart.

[0058] When this process begins, the elevator control device 20 acquires images of each floor at the time of installation (installation images) from the storage device 22 in S101. In S102, the elevator control device 20 causes multiple imaging devices 19 to capture images of each floor (earthquake images).

[0059] The following processes S103 to S107 correspond to the process for determining whether the elevator is ready to travel. In determining whether the elevator is ready to travel, the elevator control device 20 determines that the shaking of the elevator device 30 installed in the elevator 1 has subsided, based on a comparison between the installation images and the earthquake images. Specifically, in S103, the elevator control device 20 performs a comparison process between the installation images of each floor (installation images) and the captured images of each floor (earthquake images) using the method described above.

[0060] In S104, the elevator control device 20 detects the amount of sway of long objects such as the main rope 11 from the difference between the installation image and the earthquake image during travel determination, and determines whether the shaking of the elevator device 30 has stopped (vibration has ceased) based on the detected amount of sway. If the elevator control device 20 does not determine that the vibration has stopped (NO in S104), it returns to S102. This repeats the capture of images of each floor (S102) and the comparison process between the installation images of each floor and the captured images of each floor (S103) at regular intervals. If the elevator control device 20 determines that the vibration (swaying) has stopped (YES in S104), it proceeds to S105.

[0061] In its operation determination, the elevator control device 20 detects, based on the difference between the installation image and the earthquake image, that an object has adhered to the elevator device 30. In this case, the damage level is set to "medium" or "high," and the elevator is determined to be in an unoperable state (restart impossible, request for dispatch of maintenance personnel). Furthermore, in its operation determination, the elevator control device 20 detects, based on the difference between the installation image and the earthquake image, that at least a part of the elevator device 30 has been deformed, moved, or lost. In this case, the damage level is set to "medium" or "high," and the elevator is determined to be in an unoperable state (restart impossible, request for dispatch of maintenance personnel).

[0062] On the other hand, when the elevator control device 20 determines whether the elevator is operational, if it detects the attachment or deformation of an object to a location other than the elevator device 30 based on the difference between the installation image and the earthquake image, the damage level is set to "low," and it is determined that the elevator is operational (restartable, no request for maintenance personnel).

[0063] Specifically, in S105, the elevator control device 20 determines whether there is adhesion and whether the damage level is medium or higher. This is determined in S105 as YES if the image comparison result in the determination table 90 is determined to be "adhesion" and the damage level is determined to be "medium" or "high" (in other words, if there is adhesion to the elevator device 30). If the determination in S105 is NO, the process proceeds to S106, and if the determination in S105 is YES, the process proceeds to S108.

[0064] In S106, the elevator control device 20 determines whether there is deformation or other damage and whether the damage level is moderate or higher. This is determined in S106 as YES if the image comparison result in the determination table 90 is determined to be "deformation or other damage" and the damage level is determined to be "moderate" or "high" (in other words, if there is deformation or other damage to the elevator device 30). If the determination in S106 is NO, the process proceeds to S107, and if the determination in S106 is YES, the process proceeds to S108.

[0065] In S107, the elevator control device 20 determines that the elevator is in a drivable state (restartable), performs a restart (diagnostic operation), and terminates this process. In other words, if no adhesion or deformation has occurred, or if adhesion or deformation has occurred but the damage level is "low" (adhesion or deformation of an object to a location other than the elevator device 30), a restart (diagnostic operation) can be performed.

[0066] The elevator control device 20 generates damage information during the operation determination process, including image comparison results, the extent of damage caused by the earthquake within the hoistway 8 (damage classification), and the level of damage (damage level). If the elevator control device 20 determines that the elevator is not in a drivable state, it transmits the determination information, along with request information requesting the maintenance personnel of elevator 1 to restore elevator 1, to the monitoring device 80 managed by the maintenance company. The determination information includes installation images, earthquake images, and damage information.

[0067] Specifically, in S108, the elevator control device 20 determines that the elevator is not in a drivable state (cannot be restarted), transmits the information at the time of determination along with a request for dispatch of maintenance personnel to the monitoring device 80, and terminates this process. In other words, if there is adhesion or deformation and the damage level is moderate or higher (such as an object adhering to or deforming the elevator device 30), a restart (diagnostic operation) cannot be performed, and a request for dispatch of maintenance personnel is made.

[0068] The maintenance worker checks the details of the dispatch request sent to the monitoring device 80 via a terminal owned by the maintenance worker. The maintenance worker then rushes to the site of the earthquake to restore elevator 1. The maintenance worker can assess the extent and level of damage in advance by reviewing the captured images.

[0069] In the S105 and S106 processes, the system detects whether there are any events that could hinder the movement of the elevator car 10. For example, even if a part of the building structure falls, if it does not adhere to the drive unit, sliding unit, or elevator device 30 installed in the hoistway 8, it will not affect the restart. On the other hand, if a part falls onto the motor or adheres to the rope, it is judged to be dangerous, and a decision is made not to restart, and a request is made to dispatch maintenance personnel. Furthermore, if a decision is made not to restart, the degree of damage that hinders movement is classified into several categories, and the system also reports the damage category, such as when foreign objects or fallen objects are observed to be attached, when the elevator device 30 is deformed, or when the elevator device 30 has moved or is lost. In this way, this embodiment realizes an elevator control system 100 that has an image-based hoistway condition determination function and an automatic restart function.

[0070] As described above, the elevator control system 100 comprises an elevator control device 20, a camera 19, and a communication device 50. The elevator control device 20 performs earthquake control (earthquake-induced controlled operation) to move the elevator car 10 to the nearest floor when an earthquake occurs, and then performs a run determination to determine whether the car 10 is in a runnable state and can be moved again. The camera 19 takes pictures of the inside of the hoistway 8 in which the car 10 travels. The communication device 50 is configured to communicate with a monitoring device 80 that monitors the elevator 1. The elevator control device 20 includes a storage device 22. The storage device 22 stores installation images taken by the camera 19 inside the hoistway 8 when no earthquake has occurred. After the execution of earthquake control (earthquake-induced controlled operation), the elevator control device 20 has the camera 19 take pictures inside the hoistway 8 and acquires the captured images as earthquake images. In determining whether the elevator is operational, the elevator control device 20 determines that it is operational based on a comparison of the installation image and the earthquake image, provided that it determines that the shaking of the elevator device 30 installed in the elevator 1 has subsided. If the elevator control device 20 determines that it is not operational, it transmits information about the determination at the time of the determination, along with a request for the elevator 1 maintenance personnel to perform restoration work on the elevator 1, to the monitoring device 80.

[0071] If the elevator car 10 were restarted based on the shaking of the building, the elevator equipment 30, including the main rope 11, would still be shaking, potentially damaging equipment that would not have been damaged by the earthquake, leading to an expansion of the damage. In this embodiment, the determination of whether or not it is possible to restart the elevator car 10 is made only after the shaking of the elevator equipment 30 installed in the elevator 1 has subsided, allowing the elevator car 10 to be restarted with greater certainty and safety. If it is determined that the elevator car 10 cannot be restarted, information regarding this determination is transmitted to maintenance personnel to request restoration work, enabling maintenance personnel to make appropriate preparations and restoration plans according to the situation at the time of the earthquake. This allows the elevator 1 to be restored effectively in the event of an earthquake.

[0072] The elevator system 30 includes long objects such as the main rope 11. In determining whether the elevator is running, the elevator control device 20 detects the amount of shaking of the long objects such as the main rope 11 from the difference between the installation image and the earthquake image, and determines whether the shaking of the elevator system 30 has stopped based on the detected amount of shaking. This allows the elevator to restart only after confirming that the shaking of the long objects such as the main rope 11 has stopped, thus avoiding risks such as restarting with the long objects such as the main rope 11 caught on other equipment.

[0073] In determining whether the elevator is operational, the elevator control device 20 detects from the difference between the installation image and the earthquake image that at least a part of the elevator device 30 has been deformed, moved, or lost, and determines that it is not in an operational state. This prevents the elevator from restarting with a malfunction in the elevator device 30, such as when repair or replacement work on the elevator device 30 is required.

[0074] In determining whether the elevator is operational, the elevator control device 20 detects the presence of an object attached to the elevator device 30 based on the difference between the installation image and the earthquake image, and determines that the elevator is not in a state where it can be operated. This prevents problems such as damaged drive units being damaged if a broken and fallen object becomes attached to the elevator device 30 and jams into it.

[0075] In determining whether the elevator is operational, the elevator control device 20 detects the presence of an object attached to a location other than the elevator device 30 based on the difference between the installation image and the earthquake image, and determines that the elevator is operational. By distinguishing whether the object is attached to the elevator device 30 or not, it becomes possible to restart the elevator in situations that do not hinder the operation of the car 10, such as when a damaged object falls into the pit 6.

[0076] The elevator control device 20 generates damage information indicating the extent and level of damage caused by the earthquake within the hoistway 8 during the travel determination process. The information used for determination includes installation images, earthquake images, and damage information. This allows maintenance personnel to understand the extent and level of damage caused by the earthquake within the hoistway 8 by comparing installation images and earthquake images before performing on-site restoration work. This provides maintenance personnel with extremely useful information for making decisions, such as determining the extent of the disruption to travel, the extent of the failure of each piece of equipment, and whether equipment replacement is necessary. As a result, maintenance personnel can make appropriate preparations and restoration plans according to the situation at the time of the earthquake. This enables the elevator 1 to be restored effectively in the event of an earthquake.

[0077] [Second Embodiment] In the second embodiment, the elevator control system 100 is configured to estimate the extent of damage from image data using AI (Artificial Intelligence). Specifically, the elevator control device 20 infers damage information from installation images and earthquake images using a trained model for inferring damage information indicating the extent and level of damage caused by the earthquake within the elevator shaft 8 from installation images and earthquake images. The following describes the differences from the elevator control system 100 according to the first embodiment, and omits the description of the parts that are the same as the elevator control system 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0078] Figure 6 shows an example of training data 91 according to the second embodiment. Training data 91 is data that represents the training dataset used for training.

[0079] The input data for training data 91 includes installation images and earthquake images. The output data for training data 91 is the output result given the input data. The output results include image comparison results, damage classification, and damage level. In training data 91, the output results are used as ground truth data (training data). The image comparison results, damage classification, and damage level in the output data are the same as those in judgment table 90.

[0080] For example, suppose the input data consists of an installation image A1 taken during installation and an earthquake image B1 taken during an earthquake, and the earthquake image B1 shows foreign matter attached to the main rope 11. In this case, the worker (e.g., maintenance worker) sets the image comparison result to "attached," the damage category to "foreign matter attached to rope," and the damage level to "medium" as output data (ground truth data) for the input data of installation image A1 and earthquake image B1, and prepares these as a training dataset.

[0081] For example, suppose the input data includes an installation image A4 taken during installation and an earthquake image B4 taken during an earthquake, and the earthquake image B4 shows the main rope 11 getting caught on other equipment. In this case, the worker sets the output data for the input data of installation image A4 and earthquake image B4 as image comparison result "deformation, etc.", damage classification "rope movement", and damage level "medium", and prepares these as a training dataset.

[0082] In this way, the worker sets the image comparison results, damage classification, and damage level for the set of installation images and earthquake images. Note that this training data 91 may belong to the target elevator, but is not limited to this; data from elevators in other properties may also be used.

[0083] Figure 7 shows an example configuration of the learning device 201. In the second embodiment, the elevator control system 100 includes the learning device 201. The functions realized by the learning device 201 may also be realized by the elevator control device 20.

[0084] The learning device 201 includes a data acquisition unit 202 and a model generation unit 203. The functions of the data acquisition unit 202 and the model generation unit 203 are realized by the processor executing a program stored in memory.

[0085] The processor acquires training data including installation images, earthquake images, image comparison results, damage classifications, and damage levels. Using this training data, it generates a trained model that infers image comparison results, damage classifications, and damage levels (output data) from the installation images and earthquake images (input data).

[0086] The data acquisition unit 202 acquires input data and output data (ground truth data (training data)) as training data. The model generation unit 203 generates a trained model that infers output data from input data based on the training data consisting of the combination of input data and output data output from the data acquisition unit 202. The model generation unit 203 can perform training using, for example, supervised learning using a neural network.

[0087] The model generation unit 203 can also use deep learning, which learns to extract features themselves, as its learning algorithm. The model generation unit 203 stores the trained model generated by performing the learning process in the trained model memory device 300.

[0088] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the learning process of the learning device 201. In S501, the data acquisition unit 202 acquires input data and output data (training data).

[0089] In S502, the model generation unit 203 generates a trained model that infers output data from input data using so-called supervised learning, according to training data consisting of a combination of input data and output data (training data) acquired by the data acquisition unit 202.

[0090] In other words, as shown in Figure 7, the trained model, when inputting installation images and earthquake images, infers image comparison results, damage classification, and damage level as output data.

[0091] In S503, the trained model storage device 300 stores the trained model generated by the model generation unit 203.

[0092] Figure 9 shows an example of the configuration of the inference processing unit 401. In the elevator control system 100 according to the second embodiment, the elevator control device 20 includes the inference processing unit 401.

[0093] The inference processing unit 401 includes a data acquisition unit 402 and an inference unit 403. The functions of the data acquisition unit 402 and the inference unit 403 are realized, for example, by the processing unit 21 of the elevator control device 20 executing a program stored in the storage device 22.

[0094] The elevator control device 20 uses a trained model to infer image comparison results, damage classification, and damage level from installation images and earthquake images. The data acquisition unit 402 acquires installation images and earthquake images as input data.

[0095] The inference unit 403 uses the trained model to infer image comparison results, damage classification, and damage level as output data. In other words, the inference unit 403 can output output data inferred from the input data by inputting the input data acquired by the data acquisition unit 402 into the trained model.

[0096] Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the inference procedure performed by the inference processing unit 401. In S601, the data acquisition unit 402 acquires input data. In S602, the inference unit 403 inputs the input data to the trained model stored in the trained model memory device 300 and obtains output data. In S603, the inference unit 403 outputs the output data obtained by the trained model, namely the image comparison result, damage classification, and damage level.

[0097] In the first embodiment, in S103, a comparison process is performed between the images of each floor at the time of installation and the captured images of each floor. In the second embodiment, the comparison process is performed using the method described above.

[0098] As explained above, the elevator control device 20 uses a trained model to infer damage information indicating the extent and level of damage caused by the earthquake within the hoistway 8 from the installation image and the earthquake image. In this way, the trained model is used to automatically generate the extent and level of damage caused by the earthquake within the hoistway 8, allowing maintenance personnel to accurately grasp the extent and level of damage and to develop appropriate preparation and recovery plans according to the extent and level of damage. For example, if the object is attached to the pit 6, it is determined that a restart is possible, while if the object is attached to the main rope 11, it is determined that a restart is not possible. In this way, accurate situational judgments can be made using the trained model. This allows the elevator 1 to be restored effectively in the event of an earthquake.

[0099] In the second embodiment, the inference processing by the inference unit 403 may be performed on an external server. The external server is, for example, a web server equipped with an artificial intelligence inference processing unit. For example, the inference unit 403 in Figure 9 transmits the installation image and earthquake image (input information) acquired from the data acquisition unit 402 to the external server. The installation image and earthquake image are input to the artificial intelligence inference processing unit on the external server, and image comparison results, damage classification, and damage level are obtained as output information. For example, when the installation image and earthquake image are input, the inference unit 403 sends a request to the external server via an API (Application Programming Interface) to obtain image comparison results, damage classification, and damage level as output information. The inference unit 403 obtains the image comparison results, damage classification, and damage level from the external server and outputs the image comparison results, damage classification, and damage level as estimation results.

[0100] The artificial intelligence described above may be a generative AI (Generative Artificial Intelligence) that includes large language models (LLMs) and diffusion models. The generative AI may also be a multimodal AI that handles input and output of text, images, audio, and video, such as GPT, Gemini, Claude, Llama, and Grok. Furthermore, the generative AI may be configured to undergo additional training through fine-tuning to improve the accuracy of the output (image comparison results, damage classification, and damage level) in relation to the input (installation images and earthquake images). Alternatively, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) may be applied to improve output accuracy by searching a database of past maintenance information accumulated by the maintenance company and then inputting the search results, along with other input information, into the generative AI.

[0101] [Note] The embodiments described above are specific examples of the following appendix.

[0102] (Note 1) An elevator control device that performs earthquake control to move the elevator car to the nearest floor in the event of an earthquake, and then performs a running determination to determine whether the car is in a state where it can be run again, and A camera that photographs the inside of the elevator shaft in which the aforementioned elevator car travels, The system includes a monitoring device for monitoring the elevator and a communication device configured to communicate with it. The elevator control device includes a storage device that stores a first image taken by the camera inside the elevator shaft when no earthquake is occurring. The elevator control device is After the execution of the earthquake control described above, the camera is instructed to photograph the inside of the elevator shaft, and the captured image is acquired as the second image. In the aforementioned driving determination, based on the comparison between the first image and the second image, it is determined that the elevator is in a state where it can be driven, provided that it is determined that the shaking of the equipment installed in the elevator has stopped. An elevator control system that, when it is determined that the elevator is not in a drivable state, transmits to the monitoring device information regarding the determination at the time of the determination, along with a request for the elevator maintenance personnel to restore the elevator.

[0103] (Note 2) The aforementioned equipment includes long objects, The elevator control device, in the travel determination, detects the amount of sway of the long object from the difference between the first image and the second image, and determines whether or not the sway of the equipment has stopped based on the detected amount of sway, as described in Appendix 1.

[0104] (Note 3) The elevator control system according to Appendix 1 or Appendix 2, wherein, in the travel determination, if the elevator control device detects from the difference between the first image and the second image that at least a part of the equipment is deformed, moved, or missing, it determines that the elevator is not in a state where it can travel.

[0105] (Note 4) The elevator control system according to any one of the appendices 1 to 3, wherein, in the elevator travel determination, if the elevator control device detects the attachment of an object to the equipment from the difference between the first image and the second image, it determines that the elevator is not in a state where it can travel.

[0106] (Note 5) The elevator control system according to any one of the appendices 1 to 4, wherein, in the elevator travel determination, if the elevator control device detects the attachment of an object to a location other than the equipment from the difference between the first image and the second image, it determines that the elevator is in a state where it can travel.

[0107] (Note 6) The elevator control device generates damage information indicating the extent and level of damage caused by the earthquake within the elevator shaft during the travel determination process. The elevator control system described in any of Appendix 1 to Appendix 5 includes the first image, the second image, and the damage information at the time of the determination.

[0108] (Note 7) The elevator control device is an elevator control system according to any one of the appendices 1 to 6, wherein the elevator control device infers damage information indicating the situation and level of damage caused by an earthquake in the elevator shaft from the first image and the second image using a trained model for inferring the damage information from the first image and the second image.

[0109] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative and not limited to those described above. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0110] 1 Elevator, 2,2a,2b Building, 3 Information Center, 5 Machine Room, 6 Pit, 8 Hoistway, 10 Car, 11 Main Rope, 12 Counterweight, 13 Deflection Vehicle, 14 Shock Absorber, 18 Beam, 19 Imaging Device, 20 Elevator Control Device, 21 Processing Device, 22 Storage Device, 30 Elevator Device, 40 Earthquake Sensor, 50 Communication Device, 80 Monitoring Device, 81 Control Unit, 90 Judgment Table, 91 Training Data, 100 Elevator Control System, 201 Learning Device, 202 Data Acquisition Unit, 203 Model Generation Unit, 300 Trained Model Storage Device, 401 Inference Processing Unit, 402 Data Acquisition Unit, 403 Inference Unit, A0 Detachment Location, A1 Fallen Object, A2 Adhered Object, A4 Rail.

Claims

1. An elevator control device that performs earthquake control to move the elevator car to the nearest floor in the event of an earthquake, and then performs a running determination to determine whether the car is in a state where it can be run again, and A camera that photographs the inside of the elevator shaft in which the aforementioned elevator car travels, The system includes a monitoring device for monitoring the elevator and a communication device configured to communicate with it. The elevator control device includes a storage device that stores a first image taken by the camera inside the elevator shaft when no earthquake is occurring. The elevator control device is After the execution of the earthquake control described above, the camera is instructed to photograph the inside of the elevator shaft, and the captured image is acquired as the second image. In the aforementioned driving determination, based on the comparison between the first image and the second image, it is determined that the elevator is in a state where it can be driven, provided that it is determined that the shaking of the equipment installed in the elevator has stopped. An elevator control system that, when it is determined that the elevator is not in a drivable state, transmits to the monitoring device information regarding the determination at the time of the determination, along with a request for the elevator maintenance personnel to restore the elevator.

2. The aforementioned equipment includes long objects, The elevator control system according to claim 1, wherein the elevator control device, in the travel determination, detects the amount of sway of the long object from the difference between the first image and the second image, and determines whether or not the sway of the equipment has stopped based on the detected amount of sway.

3. The elevator control system according to claim 1, wherein the elevator control device, in the travel determination, determines that the elevator is not in a state where it can travel if it detects from the difference between the first image and the second image that at least a part of the equipment is deformed, moved, or missing.

4. The elevator control system according to claim 1, wherein, in the elevator travel determination, if the elevator control device detects the attachment of an object to the equipment from the difference between the first image and the second image, it determines that the elevator is not in a state where it can travel.

5. The elevator control system according to claim 1, wherein, in the elevator travel determination, if the elevator control device detects the attachment of an object to a location other than the equipment from the difference between the first image and the second image, it determines that the elevator is in a state where it can travel.

6. The elevator control device generates damage information indicating the extent and level of damage caused by the earthquake within the elevator shaft during the travel determination process. The elevator control system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the information at the time of determination includes the first image, the second image, and the damage information.

7. The elevator control system according to claim 1, wherein the elevator control device infers damage information from the first image and the second image using a trained model for inferring damage information indicating the situation and level of damage caused by an earthquake in the elevator shaft.

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