Elevator management systems and their on-site equipment
The elevator management system addresses unreliable operation data by using on-site equipment to distinguish between certain and uncertain states, maintaining data reliability and ensuring accurate elevator operation.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC BUILDING SOLUTIONS CORP
- Filing Date
- 2024-11-29
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-10
AI Technical Summary
Existing elevator car position identification systems, independent of the elevator, can lead to unreliable operation data during abnormalities, reducing the reliability of elevator operation.
An elevator management system with on-site equipment that includes an observation device, calculation unit, detection unit, and storage units to manage and store operation data, distinguishing between certain and uncertain states to maintain data reliability.
The system effectively suppresses the deterioration of operational data reliability by separating and managing certain and uncertain states, ensuring accurate elevator operation.
Smart Images

Figure 2026094871000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present disclosure relates to an elevator management system and its on-site equipment.
Background Art
[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an example of an elevator car position identification device. The car position identification device acquires air pressure data from an air pressure sensor provided in the elevator car. The car position identification device identifies the stop floor of the car based on the air pressure sensor.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] However, since the car position identification device of Patent Document 1 is a device independent of the elevator itself, even in a state where the position of the car such as the stop floor specified due to an abnormality occurring in the car position identification device is not reliable, the elevator continues to operate. Regarding the operation of the elevator during this period, the position of the car specified and recorded by the car position identification device may not be reliable, and the reliability of the operation data of the elevator such as the position of the car may decrease.
[0005] The present disclosure relates to the solution of such problems. The present disclosure provides an elevator management system capable of suppressing a decrease in the reliability of operation data to be stored, and its on-site equipment.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0006] The on-site equipment for an elevator according to this disclosure is installed in a building to which an elevator including a car that travels in the vertical direction is applied, and is included in the management system of the elevator, and comprises: an observation device installed in the car that observes observation data including information on the movement of the car; a calculation unit that calculates operation data including the position of the car based on the observation data observed by the observation device when the car stops; a detection unit that detects a preset uncertainty state in which the position of the car in the operation data calculated by the calculation unit may not be certain; a normal storage unit that stores the operation data calculated by the calculation unit when the detection unit has not detected the uncertainty state; and a temporary storage unit that stores the operation data calculated by the calculation unit when the detection unit has detected the uncertainty state.
[0007] The elevator management system relating to this disclosure is a management system for an elevator including a car that travels in the vertical direction, and comprises: a local device installed in a building to which the elevator is applied, and a management device that communicates with the local device, wherein the local device comprises: an observation device installed in the car that observes observation data including information on the movement of the car; a calculation unit that calculates operation data including the position of the car based on the observation data observed by the observation device when the car stops; a detection unit that detects a preset uncertainty state in which the position of the car in the operation data calculated by the calculation unit may not be certain; a normal storage unit that stores the operation data calculated by the calculation unit when the detection unit has not detected the uncertainty state; and a temporary storage unit that stores the operation data calculated by the calculation unit when the detection unit has detected the uncertainty state. [Effects of the Invention]
[0008] The elevator management system or its on-site equipment related to this disclosure suppresses the deterioration of the reliability of the stored operational data. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0009] [Figure 1]This is a diagram showing the configuration of an elevator according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the elevator management system according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] This figure shows examples of information managed in a management system. [Figure 4] This flowchart shows an example of the operation of the management system according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 5] This is a hardware configuration diagram of the main components of the management system according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 6] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the elevator management system according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 7] This flowchart shows an example of the operation of the management system according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 8] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the elevator management system according to Embodiment 3. [Figure 9] This flowchart shows an example of the operation of the management system according to Embodiment 3. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0010] The embodiments for carrying out the subject matter of this disclosure will be described with reference to the attached drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are simplified or omitted as appropriate. However, the subject matter of this disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and any modification of any component of the embodiments or omission of any component of the embodiments is possible without departing from the spirit of this disclosure.
[0011] Embodiment 1. Figure 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of elevator 1 according to Embodiment 1.
[0012] Elevator 1 is installed in building 2. Elevator 1 is a device that transports users of building 2 between multiple floors of building 2. A hoistway 3 for elevator 1 is provided in building 2. The hoistway 3 is a long vertical space spanning multiple floors. A landing 4 for elevator 1 is provided on each floor of building 2. The landing 4 is a place that leads to the hoistway 3. A landing door 5 is provided at each landing 4. The landing door 5 is a door that separates the landing 4 from the hoistway 3.
[0013] Elevator 1 comprises a hoisting machine 6, a main rope 7, a car 8, a counterweight 9, and a control panel 10. The hoisting machine 6 includes a motor that generates driving torque and a sheave that rotates due to the driving torque generated by the motor. The hoisting machine 6 is located, for example, at the top or bottom of the hoistway 3. The main rope 7 is wound around the sheave of the hoisting machine 6. The main rope 7 supports the load of the car 8 on one side of the sheave of the hoisting machine 6. The main rope 7 supports the load of the counterweight 9 on the other side of the sheave of the hoisting machine 6. The main rope 7 moves so that when the sheave of the hoisting machine 6 rotates, one side of the sheave of the hoisting machine 6 is wound up. The car 8 and the counterweight 9 are located in the hoistway 3. The car 8 and the counterweight 9 travel in opposite directions vertically when the main rope 7 is moved by the hoisting machine 6. The elevator car 8 is a device that transports passengers and other passengers between multiple floors by traveling vertically in the hoistway 3. The elevator car 8 is equipped with a car door 11. The car door 11 is a door that separates the interior and exterior of the elevator car 8. When the elevator car 8 arrives at any floor, the car door 11 opens and closes in conjunction with the landing door 5 provided at the landing 4 of that floor so that passengers can board and alight. The counterweight 9 is a device provided to balance the loads on both sides of the sheave of the hoisting machine 6 with the elevator car 8. The control panel 10 is a device that controls the movement of the elevator car 8 through the control of the hoisting machine 6, etc. The control panel 10 is connected to the hoisting machine 6 and the elevator car 8, etc. so that it can acquire operating information including the position of the elevator car 8. The control panel 10 is located, for example, at the top or bottom of the hoistway 3. If a machine room for the elevator 1 is located above the hoistway 3, the hoisting machine 6 and the control panel 10 may be located in the machine room.
[0014] Management system 12 is applied to elevator 1. Management system 12 is a system that manages elevator 1 by monitoring its operating status, etc. Management system 12 may be an external elevator system that is added to an existing elevator 1, or it may be an internal system that is part of the elevator system including elevator 1. Management system 12 comprises on-site equipment 13, a management device 14, and a monitoring terminal 15.
[0015] Local equipment 13 is equipment installed in building 2 to which elevator 1 is applied. Local equipment 13 is installed in elevator 1 applied to building 2, for example. Local equipment 13 comprises car equipment 16 and edge equipment 17. Car equipment 16 is installed in car 8. Car equipment 16 moves vertically in the hoistway 3 along with the movement of car 8. In this example, car equipment 16 is located at the top of car 8. Car equipment 16 may be equipment located at the bottom of car 8, or it may be multiple pieces of equipment located at both the top and bottom of car 8. Car equipment 16 is equipment that acquires information such as the movement of car 8. Edge equipment 17 is communicably connected to car equipment 16. Edge equipment 17 is located, for example, in the hoistway 3, for example. Edge equipment 17 may be located at other locations in building 2, for example. Edge equipment 17 may be installed in car 8 as equipment integrated with car equipment 16. The edge device 17 collects information acquired by the cage device 16. The edge device 17 is connected to the communication network 18 so that it can communicate the collected information. The communication network 18 includes, for example, the Internet, a telephone network, or an optical communication network. The communication network 18 may also include a local network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) within the building 2. The communication network 18 may also include a wired or wireless intranet.
[0016] The management device 14 is a device that performs processes such as information management in the management system 12. The management device 14 is, for example, arranged in an information center or the like. The information center is a base for collecting and managing information of the elevator 1. In this example, the information center is located at a remote location from the building 2. The management device 14 communicates with external devices via, for example, the communication network 18 or the like. The management device 14 is, for example, a computer system composed of one or more server devices or the like, or a device including such a system. The plurality of server devices constituting the management device 14 may be arranged at different locations from each other. At this time, the plurality of server devices communicate information with each other via, for example, the communication network 18. Part or all of the functions of the management device 14 may be implemented, for example, on a virtual machine on a cloud service, or may be implemented by processing or storage resources on a cloud service or the like.
[0017] The management device 14 communicates with the edge device 17 via, for example, the communication network 18 or the like. The management device 14 collects information from the external service 19 via, for example, the communication network 18 or the like. The external service 19 is an information providing service outside the management system 12 or the like. The external service 19 is, for example, a weather information providing service that distributes weather information or the like. The weather information providing service is a system operated by, for example, a public agency that handles weather information such as the Japan Meteorological Agency in Japan, a private company such as a weather information company, or other agencies. The management device 14 acquires weather data from the external service 19. The weather data includes information such as the atmospheric pressure at the location where the building 2 is provided. The atmospheric pressure in the weather data may be the surface atmospheric pressure at the position where the building 2 is provided, or may be the sea-level atmospheric pressure converted to the height of the sea surface or the like. The atmospheric pressure in the weather data may be the atmospheric pressure at a representative point in the area where the building 2 is provided, or may be the average atmospheric pressure in the area, or may be the atmospheric pressure at a grid point in a region including the area.
[0018] The monitoring terminal 15 is an information processing terminal device that monitors the operating status of the elevator 1, etc. The monitoring terminal 15 is provided, for example, in an information center or the like. The monitoring terminal 15 is a device used by an operator, who is a person engaged in business at the information center, etc., for monitoring operations such as the operating status of the elevator 1.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the elevator 1 management system 12 according to Embodiment 1.
[0020] The local device 13 includes an observation device 20, a calculation unit 21, a detection unit 22, a first communication unit 23, a first storage unit 24, and an integration unit 25.
[0021] The observation device 20 is a device that observes quantities or information representing the environment or other conditions around the observation device 20 as observation data. The observation device 20 is installed on the elevator car equipment 16. The observation device 20 moves vertically along the elevator shaft 3 in conjunction with the movement of the elevator car 8 to observe observation data, so the observation data includes information about the movement of the elevator car 8. The observation device 20 may be a single device equipped with one or more sensors, or it may be a group of separable devices. In this example, the observation device 20 includes a pressure sensor 26, an acceleration sensor 27, and a camera 28. The pressure sensor 26 is a sensor that measures the atmospheric pressure at its own position. Since the pressure sensor 26 moves vertically along the elevator shaft 3 in conjunction with the movement of the elevator car 8, the atmospheric pressure measured by the pressure sensor 26 reflects information about the position of the elevator car 8. The pressure sensor 26 is fixedly mounted, for example, on the top surface of the elevator car 8. The acceleration sensor 27 is a sensor that measures the acceleration of its own motion. In this example, the acceleration sensor 27 measures acceleration in at least the vertical direction. Since the acceleration sensor 27 moves vertically along the elevator shaft 3 as the elevator car 8 travels, the acceleration measured by the acceleration sensor 27 reflects the travel information of the elevator car 8, such as its acceleration, velocity, and position. The acceleration sensor 27 may be a 3-axis acceleration sensor or the like. The acceleration sensor 27 may be fixedly mounted on, for example, the top surface of the elevator car 8, or it may be attached to the elevator car door 11, etc. The camera 28 is a device that takes images of the elevator shaft 3, etc. Since the camera 28 takes images of the elevator shaft 3 as it moves vertically along the elevator car 8 travels, the images taken by the camera 28 reflect the travel information of the elevator car 8. The camera 28 may be fixedly mounted on, for example, one or both of the top and bottom surfaces of the elevator car 8. The observation device 20 may include a switch or sensor installed on the car door 11 that observes whether the car door 11 is open or closed, or the degree to which the car door 11 is open, as observation data.
[0022] The calculation unit 21 is a part equipped with the function of calculating elevator 1 operation data based on observation data observed by the observation device 20. The calculation unit 21 is provided, for example, in the edge equipment 17. The operation data is data representing the operation history or operating status of elevator 1. The operation data includes information on the vertical position of the car 8. In this example, the operation data includes information such as the number of times the car 8 travels, the distance traveled, and the travel time, as well as the number of times the car door 11 is opened and closed on each floor. The operation data may also include information such as the number of times the main rope 7 is bent.
[0023] The calculation unit 21 calculates the position of the elevator car 8 based on, for example, the measured values of the pressure sensor 26 and the acceleration sensor 27. In this example, the calculation unit 21 calculates the position of the elevator car 8 based on information acquired by the on-site equipment 13, without relying on information from the control panel 10 of the elevator 1. The calculation unit 21 calculates the position of the elevator car 8 based on, for example, the difference between the pressure measured by the pressure sensor 26 when the elevator car 8 stops and a reference pressure previously measured by the pressure sensor 26. Here, the difference between the two pressures is expressed by a ratio or difference between the two pressures. The reference pressure is the pressure measured by the pressure sensor 26 when the elevator car 8 is on the ground floor of building 2. The ground floor is one of several floors that have been set in advance in building 2. The ground floor is, for example, the entrance floor where the entrance to building 2 is located, or the main floor. The calculation unit 21 may, for example, detect that the elevator car 8 is stopped based on the acceleration measured by the acceleration sensor 27, or detect that the elevator car 8 is stopped based on the atmospheric pressure measured by the pressure sensor 26 being constant, or detect that the elevator car 8 is stopped based on the image of the elevator shaft 3 taken by the camera 28. The calculation unit 21 may, for example, calculate the position of the elevator car 8 by integrating the measured value of the acceleration sensor 27 over time. The calculation unit 21 may independently calculate the position of the elevator car 8 based on the measured value of the pressure sensor 26 and the position of the elevator car 8 based on the measured value of the acceleration sensor 27. The position of the elevator car 8 calculated by the calculation unit 21 may, for example, be one of several floors in the building 2.
[0024] The calculation unit 21 calculates information such as the number of times the car 8 travels, the distance traveled, and the travel time, for example, based on the measured values of the acceleration sensor 27. The calculation unit 21 calculates information such as the number of times the main rope 7 is bent, for example, based on the position of the car 8, the number of times the car 8 travels, the distance traveled, and the travel time, calculated based on observation data. The calculation unit 21 calculates information such as the number of times the car door 11 is opened and closed, based on the presence or absence of opening or the degree of opening of the car door 11, observed by an observation device 20 such as a switch or sensor installed on the car door 11. The calculation unit 21 may also calculate information such as the number of times the car door 11 is opened and closed, based on the horizontal acceleration measured by the acceleration sensor 27 when the acceleration sensor 27 is installed on the car door 11. The calculation unit 21 may use the position of the car 8 calculated based on observation data as the floor on which the car door 11 opens and closes. The calculation unit 21 may use the observation data itself as operation data. The calculation unit 21 may, for example, use the image of the elevator shaft 3 taken by the camera 28 when the elevator car 8 stops as operational data.
[0025] The detection unit 22 is a part equipped with a function to detect uncertain states. The detection unit 22 is provided, for example, in the edge device 17. An uncertain state is a state that is pre-set as a state in which the position of the car 8 in the operating data calculated by the calculation unit 21 may not be certain. An uncertain state includes, for example, a state in which an abnormal stop of the car 8 occurs. An abnormal stop of the car 8 includes, for example, an abnormality in the stop sequence when the car 8 stops, or an abnormality in the stopping position where the car 8 stops. The detection unit 22 detects an abnormality in the stop sequence when, for example, the change in the measured value of the acceleration sensor 27 deviates from a pre-set acceleration profile. The detection unit 22 also detects an abnormality in the stopping position based on the atmospheric pressure measured by the pressure sensor 26 when the car 8 stops. The detection unit 22 may also detect an abnormal stop of the car 8 based on an external signal output by equipment of the elevator 1, such as the control panel 10, when an abnormality occurs. When an abnormal stop of car 8 is detected, it may be due to an actual abnormal stop or a false detection where there is an error in calculating the position of car 8. Therefore, when an abnormal stop of car 8 is detected, the position of car 8 may not be reliable. Furthermore, uncertain conditions may include situations where the current position of car 8 is unknown, such as during the initial startup of the on-site equipment 13, after restarting after maintenance work, or after recovery from a power outage, or when a normal value is not stored as the reference atmospheric pressure. When the current position of car 8 is unknown, the position of car 8 calculated based on the movement of car 8 may not be reliable. Furthermore, uncertain conditions may include situations where the position of car 8 based on the measurement value of the pressure sensor 26 does not match the position of car 8 based on the measurement value of the acceleration sensor 27.
[0026] The first communication unit 23 is responsible for communication between the local device 13 and the outside world. The first communication unit 23 is installed, for example, in the edge device 17. The first communication unit 23 communicates information with the management device 14, for example, through a communication network 18. The first communication unit 23 notifies the management device 14, for example, of the detection of an uncertain state by the detection unit 22. The first communication unit 23 is an example of a notification unit that notifies the management device 14.
[0027] The first storage unit 24 is a part equipped with the function of storing information. The first storage unit 24 is provided, for example, in the edge device 17. The first storage unit 24 stores, for example, information communicated by the first communication unit 23 to the management device 14. The first storage unit 24 comprises a normal storage unit 29 and a temporary storage unit 30. The normal storage unit 29 is a part that stores operational data during normal operation. When the detection unit 22 has not detected an uncertain state, the normal storage unit 29 stores observation data observed by the observation device 20 and operational data calculated by the calculation unit 21, such as measured values from the pressure sensor 26 and acceleration sensor 27, and calculated information on the position of the elevator car 8. The temporary storage unit 30 is a part that temporarily stores operational data of the elevator 1 when the detection unit 22 has detected an uncertain state. When the detection unit 22 detects an uncertain state, the provisional storage unit 30 stores and stores observation data observed by the observation device 20 and operational data calculated by the calculation unit 21, such as the measured values of the pressure sensor 26 and the acceleration sensor 27, as well as the calculated position information of the cage 8.
[0028] The integration unit 25 is a part equipped with the function of performing integration processing to integrate the operational data stored in the provisional storage unit 30 with the operational data stored in the normal storage unit 29. The integration unit 25 is provided, for example, in the edge device 17. The integration unit 25 performs integration processing, for example, after the uncertainty state detected by the detection unit 22 has been resolved. The integration unit 25 performs integration processing, for example, after the observation data and operational data acquired while the detection unit 22 was detecting the uncertainty state have been confirmed to be valid.
[0029] The management device 14 comprises a second communication unit 31, a second storage unit 32, a determination unit 33, and a generation unit 34.
[0030] The second communication unit 31 is responsible for communication between the management device 14 and the outside world. The second communication unit 31 communicates information with the local equipment 13, for example, through the communication network 18. The second communication unit 31 receives notifications from the local equipment 13 at pre-set timings. Notifications from the local equipment 13 may be periodic and occur at pre-set intervals, or they may be irregular and occur when pre-set events occur. Notifications from the local equipment 13 may include, for example, notifications of the detection of an uncertain state by the detection unit 22. Notifications from the local equipment 13 may include, for example, information such as the reference atmospheric pressure used by the calculation unit 21 to calculate the position of the cage 8. Notifications from the local equipment 13 may also include observation data observed by the observation device 20 and operational data calculated by the calculation unit 21 at the time of notification, such as atmospheric pressure measured by the pressure sensor 26 and information on the position of the cage 8 calculated from there. Notifications from the local equipment 13 may also include, for example, information such as the reference atmospheric pressure used by the calculation unit 21 to calculate the position of the cage 8. The second communication unit 31 communicates information with, for example, an external service 19 via a communication network 18. The second communication unit 31 obtains weather data, including atmospheric pressure at the location where building 2 is located, from the external service 19. The second communication unit 31 obtains weather data at a predetermined timing. The acquisition of weather data from the external service 19 may be periodic and performed at predetermined intervals, or it may be irregular and performed when predetermined events occur. The second communication unit 31 communicates information with the monitoring terminal 15. For example, when the second communication unit 31 receives a notification from local equipment 13, such as an abnormal stop of the elevator car 8, it transmits the information of the notification to the monitoring terminal 15. The operator who receives the notification through the monitoring terminal 15 may, for example, dispatch maintenance personnel to building 2 where elevator 1 is located.
[0031] The second storage unit 32 is a part equipped with the function of storing information. The second storage unit 32 stores, for example, information communicated by the second communication unit 31 with the local equipment 13 and the external service 19. The second storage unit 32 stores, for example, information such as observation data and operational data included in notifications from the local equipment 13. The second storage unit 32 stores, for example, information such as reference atmospheric pressure included in notifications from the local equipment 13. The second storage unit 32 stores, for example, information such as meteorological data acquired from the external service 19. If the meteorological data includes atmospheric pressure information from multiple locations, the second storage unit 32 stores, for example, the atmospheric pressure at the location closest to where the building 2 is located, associating it with the building 2. If the meteorological data represents current information such as measured atmospheric pressure, the second storage unit 32 may update and store the atmospheric pressure information stored as associated with the building 2 each time meteorological data is acquired. If the weather data represents information for one or more future points in time, such as a forecast value for atmospheric pressure, the second storage unit 32 may store the atmospheric pressure at the point closest to the current time, associated with the building 2.
[0032] The determination unit 33 is a part equipped with a function to determine the validity of the relationship between observation data and operational data included in the notification from the field equipment 13. The determination unit 33 determines the validity of the relationship between the atmospheric pressure included in the observation data and the position of cage 8 included in the operational data by, for example, whether the atmospheric pressure in the meteorological data and the reference atmospheric pressure included in the notification from the field equipment 13 are consistent. The determination unit 33 determines consistency by, for example, whether the difference between the atmospheric pressure in the meteorological data and the reference atmospheric pressure is outside a preset error range. When the atmospheric pressure in the meteorological data and the reference atmospheric pressure are not consistent, the position of cage 8 calculated based on the atmospheric pressure may not be accurate, and the relationship between the observation data and operational data may not be valid. The determination unit 33 may determine the validity of the relationship between the observation data and operational data by other methods.
[0033] The generation unit 34 is equipped with a function to generate correction information used to correct the calculation of operational data by the calculation unit 21. The correction information is generated based on, for example, atmospheric pressure from weather data obtained from an external service 19. The correction information includes, for example, atmospheric pressure from weather data and a correction coefficient. The atmospheric pressure from weather data is used, for example, to update the reference atmospheric pressure. The correction coefficient is used, for example, to correct the atmospheric pressure measured by the pressure sensor 26 at each floor, or the difference between that atmospheric pressure and the reference atmospheric pressure. The correction information is transmitted to the local equipment 13 via the second communication unit 31.
[0034] Figure 3 shows an example of information managed by the management system 12.
[0035] In the field device 13, the first memory unit 24 stores information that identifies the ground floor. In this example, the ground floor is set to the 1st floor. The first memory unit 24 stores the reference atmospheric pressure. The first memory unit 24 stores the correction coefficient. If the first memory unit 24 does not have a function to retain information when the field device 13 is powered off, or if measurements such as the reference atmospheric pressure have not yet been taken, initial values for the reference atmospheric pressure and correction coefficient may be pre-set in the field device 13.
[0036] The reference pressure is measured, for example, by the pressure sensor 26 during a learning operation. A learning operation is an operation performed in elevator 1 to configure the management system 12, such as when the management system 12 is started. A learning operation is performed, for example, based on the actions of a maintenance worker. During a learning operation, the maintenance worker stores the pressure measured by the pressure sensor 26 when the elevator car 8 is stopped on the ground floor as the reference pressure in the first storage unit 24. During a learning operation, the maintenance worker stops the elevator car 8 on each floor, for example. During a learning operation, the maintenance worker stores the pressure measured by the pressure sensor 26 when the elevator car 8 is stopped on each floor as the stored pressure associated with the floor where it is stopped in the first storage unit 24. In this example, the first storage unit 24 stores the measured pressure value associated with each floor and the reference pressure as separate pieces of information.
[0037] In this example, the calculation unit 21 calculates the height of the elevator car 8 in the elevator shaft 3 by multiplying the ratio of the atmospheric pressure measured by the pressure sensor 26 to the reference atmospheric pressure by a correction coefficient, and then multiplying it again by a conversion coefficient. The conversion coefficient is set based on, for example, a height measurement formula. The calculation unit 21 may also calculate the height of the elevator car 8 without using a correction coefficient. The calculation unit 21 reads the reference atmospheric pressure and correction coefficient from the first storage unit 24 and calculates the height of the elevator car 8. The calculation unit 21 compares the height of the elevator car 8 calculated based on atmospheric pressure with the height of the elevator car 8 that has been set in advance for each floor, and calculates the floor with the height closest to the height of the elevator car 8 calculated based on atmospheric pressure as the position of the elevator car 8. The height of each floor is set in advance by a maintenance worker, for example, during learning operation. The calculation unit 21 may also calculate the height of the elevator car 8 in the elevator shaft 3 based on the atmospheric pressure measured by the pressure sensor 26 and the reference atmospheric pressure during learning operation. At this time, the maintenance worker stores the height calculated by the calculation unit 21 in the first storage unit 24, associating it with each floor. The maintenance worker may also store the height of each floor in the first storage unit 24 based on design values or other information.
[0038] During normal operation of elevator 1, the calculation unit 21 acquires the atmospheric pressure measured by the pressure sensor 26 when the car 8 stops. The calculation unit 21 uses the atmospheric pressure measured at this time, along with information such as the reference atmospheric pressure and correction coefficient stored in the first storage unit 24, to calculate the floor on which the car 8 stopped as the position of the car 8. Here, the detection unit 22 has not detected an uncertain state. At this time, the normal storage unit 29 stores, for example, the stopping floor calculated as operational data and the measured value of atmospheric pressure observed by the observation device 20 when the car 8 stopped on that floor as observation data. The normal storage unit 29 may also store other observation data observed at this time and other operational data calculated based on that data.
[0039] The detection unit 22 determines whether the height of the elevator car 8 in the elevator shaft 3, calculated by the calculation unit 21 based on the atmospheric pressure measured by the pressure sensor 26 when the elevator car 8 stops, is within a preset stopping range for each floor. If the height of the elevator car 8 is not within the stopping range for any floor, the detection unit 22 detects an abnormal stop of the elevator car 8 as an indication of uncertainty. The detection unit 22 may also detect an uncertainty as a defect in the observation data if the difference between the stored atmospheric pressure of the stopping floor calculated by the calculation unit 21 as the position of the elevator car 8 and the atmospheric pressure measured when the elevator car 8 stops on that floor is outside a preset error range. In this case, the detection unit 22 may detect the uncertainty after multiplying these atmospheric pressure differences by a preset correction parameter or the like.
[0040] The detection unit 22 may update the stored atmospheric pressure as needed during normal operation of the elevator 1. For example, each time the car 8 stops at the ground floor, the detection unit 22 updates the stored atmospheric pressure based on the atmospheric pressure measured by the pressure sensor 26. The detection unit 22 updates the stored atmospheric pressure at the ground floor based on the atmospheric pressure measured by the pressure sensor 26. The detection unit 22 updates the stored atmospheric pressure of the primary adjacent floor adjacent to the ground floor by adding the difference between the stored atmospheric pressures of the ground floor and the primary adjacent floor before the update to the stored atmospheric pressure of the ground floor after the update. The detection unit 22 may multiply the difference in stored atmospheric pressure before the update by a preset correction parameter and add it to the stored atmospheric pressure of the ground floor after the update. The detection unit 22 updates the stored atmospheric pressure of the secondary adjacent floor further adjacent to the primary adjacent floor by adding the difference between the stored atmospheric pressures of the primary adjacent floor and the secondary adjacent floor before the update to the stored atmospheric pressure of the primary adjacent floor after the update. In this case, the detection unit 22 may update the stored atmospheric pressure using a correction parameter, similar to the primary adjacent floor. The detection unit 22 also updates the stored atmospheric pressure of other floors by sequentially adding the difference in stored atmospheric pressure between each floor. The difference in stored atmospheric pressure between each floor can be positive or negative depending on the vertical relationship of each floor. The detection unit 22 may also update the stored atmospheric pressure of non-adjacent floors that are not adjacent to the ground floor by directly adding the difference in stored atmospheric pressure between the ground floor and non-adjacent floors before the update to the stored atmospheric pressure of the ground floor after the update. In this case, the detection unit 22 may also update the stored atmospheric pressure using correction parameters, similar to the primary adjacent floors.
[0041] The first communication unit 23 notifies the management device 14 when the detection unit 22 detects an uncertain state due to the startup of the field equipment 13, an abnormal stop of the elevator car 8, or faulty observation data from the observation device 20. The notification from the field equipment 13 includes, for example, information on the reference atmospheric pressure and the stored atmospheric pressure of each floor stored in the first storage unit 24. The notification may also include, for example, some or all of the observation data observed when the uncertain state was detected and the operation data calculated based thereon. The notification may further include information representing the content of the uncertain state detected by the detection unit 22.
[0042] In the control device 14, the second storage unit 32 stores information contained in notifications received from the on-site equipment 13. For example, the second storage unit 32 stores information such as the reference atmospheric pressure and the stored atmospheric pressure of each floor.
[0043] When the determination unit 33 receives a notification from the local equipment 13, it determines whether the difference between the atmospheric pressure in the weather data previously obtained from the external service 19 and the reference pressure included in the notification from the local equipment 13 is outside a preset error range. This error range may be set with a certain margin to allow for differences in atmospheric pressure, such as the difference between the height of the point corresponding to the atmospheric pressure in the weather data and the height of the ground floor of building 2. The determination unit 33 determines that the weather data and the reference pressure do not match when the difference between the atmospheric pressure in the weather data and the reference pressure is outside the error range. On the other hand, the determination unit 33 determines that the weather data and the reference pressure match when the difference between the atmospheric pressure in the weather data and the reference pressure is within the error range. The determination unit 33 may also determine whether the stored atmospheric pressure of the ground floor, etc., and the weather data match.
[0044] When the determination unit 33 determines that the meteorological data and the reference pressure or stored pressure are consistent, the management device 14 determines that the relationship between the observation data and the operational data is valid and outputs a return command to the field equipment 13 via the second communication unit 31. The second communication unit 31 is an example of a command unit that outputs a return command to the field equipment 13.
[0045] On the other hand, when the determination unit 33 determines that the weather data and the reference pressure or stored pressure do not match, the generation unit 34 generates correction information. The correction information includes the pressure of the weather data and a correction coefficient. The generation unit 34 calculates the correction coefficient so that it can improve the accuracy of calculating the position of the elevator car 8 by incorporating the unique conditions of building 2. The correction coefficient is calculated based, for example, on experiments and simulations that take into account the conditions of building 2, as well as machine learning or other pre-set models using historical information from other buildings with similar conditions. The generation unit 34 may also calculate the correction coefficient using information such as the pressure and temperature of the weather data obtained from an external service 19. The generation unit 34 calculates the correction coefficient as a tuning parameter to improve the accuracy of calculating the position of the elevator car 8, for example. The correction information generated by the generation unit 34 is output to the first communication unit 23 of the local equipment 13 along with a return command via the second communication unit 31.
[0046] The detection unit 22 cancels the detection of an uncertain state when the first communication unit 23 receives a return command from the management device 14. Subsequently, the integration unit 25 performs integration processing to integrate the operational data stored in the provisional storage unit 30 with the operational data stored in the normal storage unit 29, assuming that the uncertain state has been resolved. The integration unit 25 performs integration processing by, for example, adding the operational data stored in the provisional storage unit 30 to the operational data stored in the normal storage unit 29. When correction information is included in the return command, the first storage unit 24 updates the stored reference atmospheric pressure using the atmospheric pressure data included in the correction information transmitted by the management device 14. The first storage unit 24 also updates the stored correction coefficient using the correction coefficient included in the correction information transmitted by the management device 14.
[0047] Next, we will explain an example of the operation of the management system 12 using Figure 4. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the management system 12 according to Embodiment 1.
[0048] The management device 14 acquires weather data from the external service 19 via the second communication unit 31 at a predetermined acquisition timing (S01). The acquisition timing is, for example, a predetermined periodic timing such as once or multiple times a day.
[0049] The management device 14 updates the atmospheric pressure and other weather data stored in the second storage unit 32 based on information obtained from the external service 19 (S02).
[0050] During normal operation of elevator 1, the calculation unit 21 of the on-site equipment 13 acquires observational data, including the atmospheric pressure measured by the pressure sensor 26 when the car 8 stops. Using the acquired observational data, the calculation unit 21 calculates operational data, including the position of the car 8 (S03).
[0051] The field device 13 determines whether the detection unit 22 has detected an uncertain state (S04). If no uncertain state is detected, the field device 13 stores the observed data and the operational data calculated based thereon in the normal storage unit 29 (S05). On the other hand, if an uncertain state is detected, the field device 13 stores the observed data and the operational data calculated based thereon in the provisional storage unit 30 (S06). The first communication unit 23 notifies the management device 14 of the detection of an uncertain state by the detection unit 22 (S07).
[0052] When the determination unit 33 of the management device 14 receives notification from the field equipment 13 of the detection of an uncertain state, it determines whether the relationship between the observation data and the operation data is valid (S08). If the relationship between the two data is not determined to be valid, the generation unit 34 generates correction information (S09). Subsequently, the management device 14 outputs a return command to the field equipment 13 from the second communication unit 31 (S10). When the generation unit 34 is generating correction information, the return command includes that correction information. In the determination of validity, for example, if the determination unit 33 determines that the uncertain state cannot be resolved by correction using the correction information alone, the management device 14 may withhold output of the return command. At this time, operation data calculated by the field equipment 13 regarding the operation of elevator 1 while the uncertain state has not been resolved is stored in the provisional storage unit 30.
[0053] The integration unit 25 of the local equipment 13 performs integration processing after receiving a return command from the management device 14 (S11). If the return command includes correction information, the first storage unit 24 updates information such as the correction coefficient using the correction information.
[0054] As described above, the management system 12 according to Embodiment 1 includes a field device 13. The field device 13 is installed in the building 2 to which the elevator 1 is applied. The field device 13 includes an observation device 20, a calculation unit 21, a detection unit 22, a normal storage unit 29, and a temporary storage unit 30. The observation device 20 is installed in the elevator car 8. The observation device 20 observes observation data including information on the movement of the elevator car 8. The calculation unit 21 calculates operation data including the position of the elevator car 8 based on the observation data observed by the observation device 20 when the elevator car 8 stops. The detection unit 22 detects an uncertain state. An uncertain state is preset as a state in which the position of the elevator car 8 in the operation data calculated by the calculation unit 21 may not be certain. The normal storage unit 29 stores the operation data calculated by the calculation unit 21 when the detection unit 22 has not detected an uncertain state. The provisional storage unit 30 stores the operational data calculated by the calculation unit 21 when the detection unit 22 detects an uncertain state.
[0055] With this configuration, normal operating data, such as data from when no uncertain state is detected, and operating data from when an uncertain state is detected are stored separately in the normal storage unit 29 and the temporary storage unit 30. For example, if there is no continuity in operating data such as the position of the elevator car 8 before and after an uncertain state is detected, and the data before and after the detection is stored together, the discontinuity may cause operational data such as the number of times the elevator car door 11 is opened and closed on each floor to become inaccurate. Even in such cases, separating the operating data before and after the detection of an uncertain state suppresses the generation of inaccurate operating data due to data discontinuity. In addition, since the operating data from when an uncertain state is detected is also temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit 30, the complete loss of operating data during this period is avoided. In this way, the possibility of generating inaccurate data and data loss is suppressed, thus preventing a decrease in the reliability of the operating data stored by the on-site equipment 13.
[0056] Furthermore, the observation device 20 includes a pressure sensor 26 that measures the atmospheric pressure at the elevator car 8's position when the car 8 stops. The observation data includes the atmospheric pressure measured by the pressure sensor 26. The detection unit 22 detects an uncertain state based on the position of the elevator car 8 calculated by the calculation unit 21 from the atmospheric pressure in the observation data. The observation device 20 also includes an acceleration sensor 27 that measures the vertical acceleration of the elevator car 8. The observation data includes the acceleration measured by the acceleration sensor 27. The detection unit 22 detects an uncertain state based on the acceleration in the observation data. The detection unit 22 also detects an uncertain state when the field equipment 13 is started up. As a result, even if the calculated position of the elevator car 8 cannot be said to be certain due to an abnormal stop of the elevator car 8 or a defect in the observation data from the observation device 20, the operational data before and after the detection of such an uncertain state is stored separately. Furthermore, even if the field equipment 13 does not know the current floor of the elevator car 8, such as immediately after the field equipment 13 is started up, the operational data before and after the detection of such an uncertain state is stored separately. This helps to suppress the decline in the reliability of the operational data stored by the on-site equipment 13. Furthermore, since the on-site equipment 13 detects uncertain states using its own observation device 20, it becomes possible to separately store operational data before and after the detection of uncertain states, even when it is difficult to obtain information from the control panel 10 of the elevator 1, such as when applying the management system 12 to an existing elevator 1.
[0057] The field device 13 also includes a first communication unit 23 and an integration unit 25. The first communication unit 23 notifies the management device 14 of the observation data observed by the observation device 20 and the operation data calculated by the calculation unit 21 when the detection unit 22 detects an uncertain state. The management device 14 includes a determination unit 33 and a second communication unit 31. The determination unit 33 determines the validity of the relationship between the observation data and the operation data included in the notification from the field device 13. The second communication unit 31 outputs a return command to the field device 13 when the determination unit 33 determines that the relationship between the observation data and the operation data is valid. After receiving the return command from the management device 14, the integration unit 25 performs integration processing to integrate the operation data stored in the provisional storage unit 30 with the operation data stored in the normal storage unit 29. As a result, after the validity is confirmed in the management device 14, the operation data before and after the detection of the uncertain state, which were stored separately, are integrated. Therefore, the reliability of the integrated operation data is further enhanced.
[0058] Furthermore, the management device 14 includes a generation unit 34. The generation unit 34 generates correction information used to correct the calculation of operational data by the calculation unit 21. The correction information includes a correction coefficient used to correct the observation data observed by the observation device 20. The second communication unit 31 outputs the correction information generated by the generation unit 34 to the field equipment 13 along with a return command. The calculation unit 21 calculates the operational data after correcting the observation data with the correction coefficient. In this way, the observation data used by the field equipment 13 to calculate the position of the elevator car 8 is corrected by the correction information generated by the management device 14. As a result, the position of the elevator car 8 calculated based on the observation data becomes more accurate. Note that the calculation unit 21 does not need to perform correction using the correction information on information that is not affected by the difference in the position of the elevator car 8, such as the travel time of the elevator car 8.
[0059] The operational data may include first data that is affected by the position of the elevator car 8 and second data that is not affected by the position of the elevator car 8. The first data may include, for example, the number of times the elevator car door 11 is opened and closed on each floor. The second data may include, for example, the travel time of the elevator car 8. In this case, when the detection unit 22 detects an uncertain state, the on-site equipment 13 may distribute and store the first data and the second data in the normal storage unit 29 and the temporary storage unit 30. That is, the normal storage unit 29 stores both the first data and the second data of the operational data when the detection unit 22 does not detect an uncertain state. The normal storage unit 29 also stores the second data of the operational data even when the detection unit 22 detects an uncertain state. The temporary storage unit 30 stores the first data of the operational data when the detection unit 22 detects an uncertain state. By narrowing down the data to be stored separately in this way, it becomes easier to perform processing such as integration processing.
[0060] Furthermore, the first memory unit 24 may store the stored atmospheric pressure associated with the ground floor as the same information as the reference atmospheric pressure. That is, the field equipment 13 may treat the stored atmospheric pressure stored by the first memory unit 24 in association with the ground floor as the reference atmospheric pressure used as a basis for calculating the position of the elevator car 8. In this case, when the elevator car 8 stops at the ground floor, the first memory unit 24 updates and stores the reference atmospheric pressure based on the atmospheric pressure measured by the pressure sensor 26.
[0061] Furthermore, the first storage unit 24 may include multiple temporary storage units 30. In this case, when an uncertain state is detected, the field equipment 13 stores operational data, etc., in one of the temporary storage units 30. However, before the uncertain state is resolved, other uncertain states may occur for other reasons. In this case, the field equipment 13 further separates and stores the operational data, etc., after the occurrence of the other uncertain state in another temporary storage unit 30. That is, the first storage unit 24 hierarchically separates and stores the operational data each time an uncertain state occurs. The integration unit 25 sequentially integrates the hierarchically separated and stored operational data in the reverse order of separation.
[0062] Next, we will explain an example of the hardware configuration of the management system 12 using Figure 5. Figure 5 is a hardware configuration diagram of the main parts of the management system 12 according to Embodiment 1.
[0063] The main components of the management system 12 include, for example, edge devices 17 and management devices 14. Some or all of the functions of the management system 12 can be implemented by processing circuits. Each processing circuit comprises at least one processor 100a and at least one memory 100b. The processing circuit may include at least one dedicated hardware component together with, or as a substitute for, the processor 100a and memory 100b.
[0064] When the processing circuit includes a processor 100a and memory 100b, each function of the management system 12 is implemented by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. At least one of the software and firmware is written as a program. This program is stored in memory 100b. The processor 100a implements each function of the management system 12 by reading and executing the program stored in memory 100b. The program may also be a program package containing multiple subprograms, modules, or libraries. The program is sometimes called a program product.
[0065] The processor 100a is also called a CPU (Central Processing Unit), processing unit, arithmetic unit, microprocessor, microcomputer, or DSP. The memory 100b is composed of non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as RAM, ROM, flash memory, EPROM, or EEPROM.
[0066] When a processing circuit has dedicated hardware, it can be implemented as, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination thereof.
[0067] Each function of the management system 12 can be implemented by a processing circuit. Alternatively, each function of the management system 12 can be implemented collectively by a processing circuit. For each function of the management system 12, some may be implemented by dedicated hardware, and others by software or firmware. In this way, the processing circuit implements each function of the management system 12 using dedicated hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.
[0068] Embodiment 2. In Embodiment 2, the differences from the example disclosed in Embodiment 1 will be explained in particular detail. For features not described in Embodiment 2, any of the features from the example disclosed in Embodiment 1 may be adopted.
[0069] Figure 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the management system 12 of the elevator 1 according to Embodiment 2.
[0070] The field equipment 13 of the management system 12 includes an observation device 20, a calculation unit 21, a detection unit 22, a first communication unit 23, a first storage unit 24, an integration unit 25, and a correction unit 35.
[0071] The correction unit 35 is a part equipped with a function to correct the operational data stored in the provisional storage unit 30. The correction unit 35 is provided, for example, in the edge device 17. The correction unit 35 self-corrects the operational data stored in the provisional storage unit 30 based on the operational data calculated by the calculation unit 21 when the detection unit 22 detects an uncertain state. For example, the correction unit 35 self-corrects the operational data when upward and downward thrusts occur at the position of the cage 8 calculated by the calculation unit 21.
[0072] Here, the self-correction of operating data by the correction unit 35 will be explained using the example of an elevator 1 with 7 stops that can stop at each floor from the 1st to the 7th floor of building 2. In this example of elevator 1, the 1st floor is set to the ground floor.
[0073] For example, when an uncertain state is detected, such as when the on-site equipment 13 is started up, the on-site equipment 13 does not know the exact position of the elevator car 8. In this case, the calculation unit 21 calculates one of the floors as the temporary position of the elevator car 8. In this example, the calculation unit 21 calculates the 1st floor, which is the ground floor, as the temporary position of the elevator car 8. On the other hand, the actual position of the elevator car 8 when the uncertain state is detected is the 4th floor. Thus, the position of the elevator car 8 recognized by the on-site equipment 13 in the provisional storage unit 30 does not match the actual position of the elevator car 8. In this example, the position of the elevator car 8 known by the on-site equipment 13 is not used for controlling the movement of the elevator car 8. For this reason, the control panel 10 of the elevator 1 performs normal operation by accurately determining the position of the elevator car 8 using sensors or switches on the elevator 1 itself.
[0074] Subsequently, the control panel 10 moves the elevator car 8 down two floor levels in response to user calls during normal operation. The calculation unit 21 calculates the movement of the elevator car 8 down two floor levels as operational data, for example, based on the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor 27. At this time, the actual position of the elevator car 8 is the second floor, but the position of the elevator car 8 recognized by the on-site equipment 13 in the provisional storage unit 30 is equivalent to the second basement floor. Here, since the second basement floor does not actually exist as it is below the lowest floor (the first floor), a downward thrust occurs, where the on-site equipment 13 recognizes the elevator car 8 as being on a non-existent floor below the lowest floor. When such a downward thrust occurs, the correction unit 35 corrects the position of the elevator car 8 as recognized by the on-site equipment 13 in the provisional storage unit 30 to the lowest floor (the first floor). Similarly, even if a jolt occurs when the on-site equipment 13 recognizes that the elevator car 8 is on a floor above the top floor where no floor exists, the correction unit 35 corrects the position of the elevator car 8, as determined by the on-site equipment 13 in the provisional storage unit 30, to the top floor.
[0075] Subsequently, the control panel 10 moves the elevator car 8 down by the equivalent of one floor level in response to user calls during normal operation. The calculation unit 21 calculates that the elevator car 8 has moved down by the equivalent of one floor level. At this point, the actual position of the elevator car 8 is on the first floor, but the position of the elevator car 8 recognized by the on-site equipment 13 in the provisional storage unit 30 is equivalent to the first basement floor. When another downward thrust occurs, the correction unit 35 corrects the position of the elevator car 8 recognized by the on-site equipment 13 in the provisional storage unit 30 to the lowest floor, the first floor. At this point, the position of the elevator car 8 recognized by the on-site equipment 13 in the provisional storage unit 30 and the actual position of the elevator car 8 match, but the on-site equipment 13 cannot be certain that no further downward thrusts will occur. Therefore, the correction unit 35 continues its self-correction.
[0076] Subsequently, the control panel 10 moves the elevator car 8 up six floor levels in response to user calls during normal operation. The calculation unit 21 calculates that the elevator car 8 has moved up six floor levels. At this time, both the actual position of the elevator car 8 and the position of the elevator car 8 recognized by the on-site equipment 13 in the provisional storage unit 30 are on the seventh floor. Since the on-site equipment 13 recognizes in the provisional storage unit 30 that the elevator has stopped on both the lowest floor (1st floor) and the highest floor (7th floor), it confirms that no further downward movement or downward movement will occur. At this time, the correction unit 35 completes its self-correction.
[0077] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the management system 12 according to Embodiment 2.
[0078] The management system 12 according to Embodiment 2 performs the same processing as the management system 12 according to Embodiment 1 in steps S01 to S06 and steps S08 to S11. In step S12, after step S06, the correction unit 35 of the field equipment 13 performs self-correction based on the operating data calculated by the calculation unit 21. In step S07a, after the self-correction is completed, the first communication unit 23 notifies the management device 14 of the detection of an uncertain state by the detection unit 22. This notification may include information representing the content of the self-correction performed by the correction unit 35.
[0079] As described above, the field equipment 13 of the management system 12 according to Embodiment 2 includes a correction unit 35. The correction unit 35 corrects the operational data stored in the provisional storage unit 30 based on the operational data calculated by the calculation unit 21 when the detection unit 22 detects an uncertain state. Since integration processing and the like are performed after self-correction by the correction unit 35, the reliability of the integrated operational data is further enhanced.
[0080] Embodiment 3. In Embodiment 3, the differences from the examples disclosed in Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2 will be described in particular detail. For features not described in Embodiment 3, any of the features from the examples disclosed in Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2 may be adopted.
[0081] Figure 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the management system 12 of the elevator 1 according to Embodiment 3.
[0082] The field equipment 13 of the management system 12 includes an observation device 20, a calculation unit 21, a detection unit 22, a first communication unit 23, a first storage unit 24, an integration unit 25, a display unit 36, and an operation unit 37.
[0083] The display unit 36 is a part equipped with the function of displaying information outside the field equipment 13. The display unit 36 is, for example, a monitor lamp using LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) or a 7-segment display. The display unit 36 may also be an interface to which maintenance terminal equipment used by maintenance personnel is connected and which outputs display signals to the maintenance terminal equipment. The display unit 36 is provided on either the car equipment 16 or the edge equipment 17, or both. The display unit 36 displays information for maintenance personnel of the elevator 1. The operation unit 37 is a part equipped with the function of receiving operation from outside the field equipment 13. The operation unit 37 is, for example, a rotary switch or a button. The operation unit 37 receives operation by maintenance personnel. The operation unit 37 may also be an interface to which maintenance terminal equipment used by maintenance personnel is connected and which receives operation signals from the maintenance terminal equipment. The operation unit 37 is provided on either the car equipment 16 or the edge equipment 17, or both. The display unit 36 and the operation unit 37 are provided, for example, in close proximity to each other in the field equipment 13.
[0084] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the management system 12 according to Embodiment 3.
[0085] The management system 12 according to Embodiment 3 processes steps S03 to S06 in the same manner as the management system 12 according to Embodiment 1. In step S13, following step S06, the display unit 36 of the on-site equipment 13 displays to the maintenance worker that the detection unit 22 has detected an uncertain state. The display unit 36 may display the uncertain state even if the maintenance worker is not in building 2. The maintenance worker is dispatched to building 2 based on instructions from an operator at the information center or during periodic inspections of elevator 1. Based on the display on the display unit 36, the maintenance worker determines whether the operational data stored in the provisional storage unit 30 is valid. Subsequently, in step S14, the operation unit 37 of the on-site equipment 13 accepts a reset operation from the maintenance worker. The reset operation may include manual correction of operational data such as the position of the car 8 stored in the provisional storage unit 30. Subsequently, in step S11b, the integration unit 25 of the on-site equipment 13 performs integration processing after the reset operation by the maintenance worker.
[0086] As described above, the field equipment 13 of the management system 12 according to Embodiment 3 comprises a correction unit 35 and an operation unit 37. The display unit 36 indicates to the maintenance worker that the detection unit 22 has detected an uncertain state. The operation unit 37 accepts operations from the maintenance worker. The integration unit 25 performs integration processing after the operation unit 37 has received a return operation from the maintenance worker. As a result, after the validity is confirmed by the maintenance worker, the operational data before and after the detection of the uncertain state, which were stored separately, are integrated. Therefore, the reliability of the integrated operational data is further enhanced.
[0087] To summarize the above explanation, the possible configurations of the technology relating to this disclosure include the configurations listed below as appendices. (Note 1) An on-site device installed in a building to which an elevator, including a car that travels vertically, is applied, and is included in the management system of the said elevator. An observation device provided in the aforementioned cage, which observes observation data including information about the movement of the cage, A calculation unit calculates operational data, including the position of the cage, based on the observation data observed by the observation device when the cage stops. A detection unit detects a preset uncertainty state in which the position of the cage in the operating data calculated by the calculation unit may not be certain. When the detection unit does not detect the uncertain state, the normal storage unit stores the operation data calculated by the calculation unit, When the detection unit detects the uncertain state, a provisional storage unit stores the operational data calculated by the calculation unit, Local equipment for elevator management systems, equipped with the necessary components. (Note 2) The observation device includes a pressure sensor that measures the atmospheric pressure at the position of the cage when it stops. The aforementioned observation data includes the atmospheric pressure measured by the pressure sensor. The detection unit detects the uncertain state based on the position of the cage calculated by the calculation unit from the atmospheric pressure of the observation data. On-site equipment for the elevator management system described in Appendix 1. (Note 3) The observation device includes an acceleration sensor for measuring the vertical acceleration of the cage. The aforementioned observation data includes acceleration measured by the acceleration sensor, The detection unit detects the uncertain state based on the acceleration of the observed data. Local equipment for the elevator management system as described in Appendix 1 or Appendix 2. (Note 4) The detection unit detects the uncertain state when the local equipment is started up. On-site equipment for the elevator management system described in any of the appendices 1 through 3. (Note 5) Display unit that indicates to the maintenance worker that the detection unit has detected the uncertain state. Local equipment for an elevator management system as described in any of the appendices 1 to 4, comprising the above. (Note 6) An operating unit that accepts operations from the aforementioned maintenance personnel, After the operation unit receives the return operation by the maintenance worker, the integration unit performs integration processing to integrate the operation data stored in the temporary storage unit with the operation data stored in the normal storage unit. Local equipment for the elevator management system described in Appendix 5, which includes the above. (Note 7) The aforementioned operational data includes first data that is affected by the position of the cage and second data that is not affected by the position of the cage. The normal storage unit stores both the first data and the second data when the detection unit has not detected the uncertain state, and stores the second data when the detection unit has detected the uncertain state. The provisional storage unit stores the first data when the detection unit detects the uncertain state. On-site equipment for the elevator management system described in any of the appendices 1 through 6. (Note 8) A correction unit corrects the operational data stored in the provisional storage unit based on the operational data calculated by the calculation unit when the detection unit detects the uncertain state. Local equipment for an elevator management system as described in any of the appendices 1 to 7, comprising the above. (Note 9) This is a management system for elevators, including the car that travels vertically. Local equipment installed in the building to which the elevator is applied, A management device that communicates with the aforementioned local equipment, Equipped with, The aforementioned local equipment is An observation device provided in the aforementioned cage, which observes observation data including information about the movement of the cage, A calculation unit calculates operational data, including the position of the cage, based on the observation data observed by the observation device when the cage stops. A detection unit detects a preset uncertainty state in which the position of the cage in the operating data calculated by the calculation unit may not be certain. When the detection unit does not detect the uncertain state, the normal storage unit stores the operation data calculated by the calculation unit, When the detection unit detects the uncertain state, a provisional storage unit stores the operational data calculated by the calculation unit, Equipped with, Elevator management system. (Note 10) The aforementioned local equipment is When the detection unit detects the uncertain state, the notification unit notifies the management device of the observation data observed by the observation device and the operation data calculated by the calculation unit, An integration unit performs integration processing to integrate the operational data stored in the temporary storage unit with the operational data stored in the normal storage unit. Equipped with, The aforementioned control device is A determination unit that determines the validity of the relationship between the observation data and the operation data included in the notification from the local equipment, When the determination unit determines that the relationship between the observation data and the operation data is valid, the command unit outputs a return command to the on-site equipment. Equipped with, The integration unit performs the integration process after receiving the return command from the management device. The elevator management system described in Appendix 9. (Note 11) The aforementioned control device is Generation unit that generates correction information used to correct the calculation of the operation data by the calculation unit. Equipped with, The correction information includes a correction coefficient used to correct the observation data observed by the observation device, The command unit outputs the correction information generated by the generation unit together with the return command to the local equipment. The calculation unit calculates the operational data after correcting the observed data with the correction coefficient. The elevator management system described in Appendix 10. [Explanation of symbols]
[0088] 1 Elevator, 2 Building, 3 Hoistway, 4 Landing, 5 Landing door, 6 Hoisting machine, 7 Main rope, 8 Car, 9 Counterweight, 10 Control panel, 11 Car door, 12 Management system, 13 On-site equipment, 14 Management device, 15 Monitoring terminal, 16 Car equipment, 17 Edge equipment, 18 Communication network, 19 External services, 20 Observation device, 21 Calculation unit, 22 Detection unit, 23 First communication unit, 24 First memory unit, 25 Integration unit, 26 Barometric pressure sensor, 27 Acceleration sensor, 28 Camera, 29 Normal memory unit, 30 Temporary memory unit, 31 Second communication unit, 32 Second memory unit, 33 Judgment unit, 34 Generation unit, 35 Correction unit 36 Display unit, 37 Control unit, 100a Processor, 100b Memory, 200 Dedicated hardware
Claims
1. An on-site device installed in a building to which an elevator, including a car that travels vertically, is applied, and is included in the management system of the said elevator. An observation device provided in the aforementioned cage, which observes observation data including information about the movement of the cage, A calculation unit calculates operational data, including the position of the cage, based on the observation data observed by the observation device when the cage stops. A detection unit detects a preset uncertainty state in which the position of the cage in the operating data calculated by the calculation unit may not be certain. When the detection unit does not detect the uncertain state, the normal storage unit stores the operation data calculated by the calculation unit, When the detection unit detects the uncertain state, a provisional storage unit stores the operational data calculated by the calculation unit, Local equipment for elevator management systems, equipped with the necessary components.
2. The observation device includes a pressure sensor that measures the atmospheric pressure at the position of the cage when it stops. The aforementioned observation data includes the atmospheric pressure measured by the pressure sensor. The detection unit detects the uncertain state based on the position of the cage calculated by the calculation unit from the atmospheric pressure of the observation data. Local equipment for the elevator management system according to claim 1.
3. The observation device includes an acceleration sensor for measuring the vertical acceleration of the cage. The aforementioned observation data includes acceleration measured by the acceleration sensor, The detection unit detects the uncertain state based on the acceleration of the observed data. Local equipment for the elevator management system according to claim 1.
4. The detection unit detects the uncertain state when the local equipment is started up. Local equipment for the elevator management system according to claim 1.
5. Display unit that indicates to the maintenance worker that the detection unit has detected the uncertain state. Local equipment for an elevator management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising:
6. An operating unit that accepts operations from the aforementioned maintenance personnel, After the operation unit receives the return operation by the maintenance worker, the integration unit performs integration processing to integrate the operation data stored in the temporary storage unit with the operation data stored in the normal storage unit. Local equipment for the elevator management system according to claim 5, comprising:
7. The aforementioned operational data includes first data that is affected by the position of the cage and second data that is not affected by the position of the cage. The normal storage unit stores both the first data and the second data when the detection unit has not detected the uncertain state, and stores the second data when the detection unit has detected the uncertain state. The provisional storage unit stores the first data when the detection unit detects the uncertain state. Local equipment for an elevator management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
8. A correction unit corrects the operational data stored in the provisional storage unit based on the operational data calculated by the calculation unit when the detection unit detects the uncertain state. Local equipment for an elevator management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising:
9. This is a management system for elevators, including the car that travels vertically. Local equipment installed in the building to which the elevator is applied, A management device that communicates with the aforementioned local equipment, Equipped with, The aforementioned local equipment is An observation device provided in the aforementioned cage, which observes observation data including information about the movement of the cage, A calculation unit calculates operational data, including the position of the cage, based on the observation data observed by the observation device when the cage stops. A detection unit detects a preset uncertainty state in which the position of the cage in the operating data calculated by the calculation unit may not be certain. When the detection unit does not detect the uncertain state, the normal storage unit stores the operation data calculated by the calculation unit, When the detection unit detects the uncertain state, a provisional storage unit stores the operational data calculated by the calculation unit, Equipped with, Elevator management system.
10. The aforementioned local equipment is When the detection unit detects the uncertain state, the notification unit notifies the management device of the observation data observed by the observation device and the operation data calculated by the calculation unit, An integration unit performs integration processing to integrate the operational data stored in the temporary storage unit with the operational data stored in the normal storage unit. Equipped with, The aforementioned control device is A determination unit that determines the validity of the relationship between the observation data and the operation data included in the notification from the local equipment, When the determination unit determines that the relationship between the observation data and the operation data is valid, the command unit outputs a return command to the on-site equipment. Equipped with, The integration unit performs the integration process after receiving the return command from the management device. The elevator management system according to claim 9.
11. The aforementioned control device is Generation unit that generates correction information used to correct the calculation of the operation data by the calculation unit. Equipped with, The correction information includes a correction coefficient used to correct the observation data observed by the observation device, The command unit outputs the correction information generated by the generation unit together with the return command to the local equipment. The calculation unit calculates the operational data after correcting the observed data with the correction coefficient. The elevator management system according to claim 10.