Elevator control system

Abstract

To provide an elevator control system that can safely and efficiently restore elevators in the event of an earthquake. [Solution] When an earthquake sensor 270 detects an earthquake, each of the multiple elevators 20 performs stop control to stop the car 10, and after the stop control, performs travel control to control the movement of the car 10 based on a decision by the group control device 220. The multiple cars 10 include car A and car B. The group control device 220 decides to have car B perform travel control after having car A perform travel control. Depending on the result of the travel control of car A, the group control device 220 decides whether or not to perform travel control of car B, and the travel speed if travel control of car B is performed.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] As a conventional technique, there is known an earthquake-time automatic recovery system that performs a diagnostic operation to automatically diagnose the state of an elevator while it is running for an elevator that has detected an earthquake shake and stopped at the nearest floor, and resumes the operation of the elevator if there is no problem. When there is no problem with the elevator equipment, the work by the elevator maintenance staff becomes unnecessary, enabling early recovery of the elevator.

[0003] In addition, when an elevator running in an express zone such as a non-service floor section detects a high-intensity earthquake, the elevator stops between floors within the express zone. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-359405 (Patent Document 1) discloses a technique that enables early recovery of an elevator by performing a rescue operation using an earthquake-time remote rescue method.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] When performing running control such as the above diagnostic operation or rescue operation, the car is made to run at a low speed so that it can be suddenly stopped when an abnormality in the elevator equipment is detected. Therefore, in the case of a high-rise building with a long running distance, it takes time until the running control is completed and the elevator is recovered, resulting in a delay in the recovery of the elevator. Further, when an abnormality in the elevator equipment is detected during the running control, the car is suddenly stopped at the detection timing, but there is still room for study regarding the method for detecting and predicting the abnormality.

[0006] This disclosure was made to solve the aforementioned problems, and its purpose is to provide an elevator control system that can safely and efficiently restore elevators in the event of an earthquake. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The elevator control system according to this disclosure comprises a plurality of elevators, each equipped with a plurality of cars, and a group control device that controls the plurality of elevators. When an earthquake sensor detects an earthquake, each of the plurality of elevators performs stop control to stop the car, and after the stop control, performs travel control to control the movement of the car based on a decision by the group control device. The plurality of cars include a first car and a second car. After causing the first car to perform travel control, the group control device decides to cause the second car to perform travel control. Depending on the result of the travel control of the first car, the group control device decides whether or not to cause travel control of the second car, and the travel speed if travel control of the second car is to be caused. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this disclosure, elevators can be safely and efficiently 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 a monitoring system. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of the hardware configuration of a monitoring system. [Figure 3] This is the database of the results of the diagnostic operation. [Figure 4] This is the database of the results of the diagnostic operation. [Figure 5] This is a diagram to explain rescue operations. [Figure 6] This is a flowchart of the processes performed by the elevator control system. [Figure 7]This is the database of the results of the diagnostic operation related to the modification. [Figure 8] This is the database of the results of the diagnostic operation related to the modification. [Figure 9] This is a flowchart of the process performed by the elevator control system according to a modified example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, identical 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] Figure 1 shows an example of the overall configuration of the monitoring system 100. Figure 2 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the monitoring system 100.

[0012] The monitoring system 100 comprises a monitoring device 300 and an elevator control system 1. The elevator control system 1 comprises multiple elevators 20, a group control device 220 that controls the multiple elevators 20, and an earthquake sensor 270 that detects earthquakes (Figures 1 and 2). Each of the multiple elevators 20 is provided with multiple cars 10 (each elevator 20 is provided with one car 10).

[0013] In this embodiment, it is assumed that the building 2 is equipped with three or more elevators 20, including elevator 20a (hereinafter also referred to as "Elevator A"), elevator 20b (hereinafter also referred to as "Elevator B"), and elevator 20c (hereinafter also referred to as "Elevator C"). The fourth elevator and subsequent elevators will be referred to as Elevator D, E, etc.

[0014] The monitoring device 300 is installed in the information center 3 of a maintenance company that maintains the elevator 20. The monitoring device 300 managed by this maintenance company manages a plurality of elevators 20 respectively installed in a plurality of buildings (in this example, buildings 2, 2a, 2b, etc.). The monitoring device 300 is configured to be communicable with these plurality of elevators 20. The monitoring device 300 monitors the occurrence status of earthquakes in each elevator 20 and manages earthquake recovery responses in each elevator 20, etc.

[0015] When the earthquake sensor 270 of each of the plurality of elevators 20 (each unit management control device 230) senses an earthquake, it executes stop control to stop the car 10, and after the stop control, it executes travel control to control the travel of the car 10 based on the decision of the group management control device 220. The travel control includes a diagnostic operation to run the car 10 to diagnose whether the elevator 20 can be restored, and a rescue operation to run the car 10 stopped (inter-floor stop) between floors to the nearest floor.

[0016] When an earthquake occurs and the earthquake sensor 270 provided in the elevator 20 senses a certain degree of shaking, if the car 10 of the elevator 20 is in motion, stop control (control by earthquake-time control operation) is performed so that the car 10 runs to the nearest floor. When the car 10 arrives at the nearest floor, the door opens, enabling the user 89 to get off. For example, if the above-mentioned shaking is detected while the car 10 is running between the 6th and 7th floors, the door opens after the car 10 runs to the 6th or 7th floor, which is the nearest floor.

[0017] After the car 10 stops at the nearest floor, a diagnostic operation is executed to run the car 10 to diagnose whether there is any abnormality in the elevator 20. 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 to diagnose whether there is any abnormality in the elevator 20, 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 20 is normal, the car 10 is temporarily restored without being put on hold. Thereby, the car 10 becomes available.

[0018] On the other hand, when a major earthquake occurs or when some abnormality or power failure occurs in the elevator 20 due to an earthquake, stop control is executed to stop the car 10 between floors (intermediate stop). In this case, a confinement state may occur in which the user 89 is trapped inside the car 10 and cannot get off.

[0019] Although not shown in the figure, an intercom is provided inside the car 10. By pressing the button of the intercom, it becomes possible to talk to the elevator 20 administrator (or maintenance staff) in the monitoring room of the building 2. Also, the administrator can talk to each car 10 using the intercom.

[0020] When confinement occurs due to an intermediate stop, the administrator can perform a rescue operation while talking to the user 89 inside the car 10 using the intercom. By the rescue operation, the car 10 can be moved to the nearest floor and the user 89 can be escaped from the car 10. For example, when the car is stopped at an intermediate stop in the express zone described later, if the administrator sets the earthquake low-speed operation switch to ON and the user 89 continuously presses the door close button inside the car 10, the car 10 will run slowly in the direction away from the counterweight 12 and stop at the nearest floor.

[0021] Hereinafter, the building 2 shown in FIG. 1 will be exemplified and described in detail. The building 2 has seven floors, and the elevators 20a to 20c (Machine No. A to Machine No. C, etc.) can each stop at the stoppable floors. In the present embodiment, the second to fourth floors are non-stoppable floors, and the running section from the first floor to the fifth floor is an express zone.

[0022] In the present embodiment, each of the plurality of elevators 20 is a rope-type elevator. The elevator 20 includes a car device 260 (FIG. 2), a hoist 50, a car 10, a counterweight 12, a rope 11, and a deflector sheave 13. A rope (main rope) 11 is hung on the hoist 50 and the deflector sheave 13. One end of the rope 11 is suspended with the car 10. The counterweight 12 is suspended at the other end of the rope 11.

[0023] The hoisting machine 50 is a motor that drives the elevator car 10 of the elevator 20 to raise and lower it. The car device 260 consists of various devices installed in the car 10, including a destination floor button (car call button) (not shown) for registering the destination floor. A landing device 250 (Figure 2) is installed at the landing of each floor. The landing device 250 consists of various devices installed at the landing of each floor, including a landing call button (not shown) for registering the landing call.

[0024] The elevator car 10 is installed in an elevator shaft 8 located within the building 2. The elevator car 10 moves up and down within the elevator shaft 8 to travel between multiple floors. In this embodiment, elevator cars 10, such as cars A to C, can stop on each floor from the 1st floor (1F) to the 5th floor (5F) to the 7th floor (7F).

[0025] A machine room 5 is located directly above the hoistway 8. The machine room 5 houses the hoisting machine 50 and other equipment. The elevator 20 can move the car 10 installed in the hoistway 8 upwards (also referred to as the "UP direction") or downwards (also referred to as the "DN direction") by driving the hoisting machine 50. 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.

[0026] When a landing call button for either the UP or DN direction on any floor is pressed, one of the elevator cars 10 (A, B, C, etc.) is assigned. The assigned elevator car 10 responds to the landing call and travels to the registered floor. If a destination floor call button located inside elevator car 10 is pressed, elevator car 10 travels to the destination floor indicated by the pressed elevator car call button.

[0027] As shown in Figure 2, in this embodiment, the elevator control system 1 is configured to include the elevators 20a to 20c, etc. (e.g., elevators A to C). The elevator control system 1 includes a remote monitoring device 210 connected to each elevator 20, a group control device 220, an individual elevator control device 230, a car device 260, a landing device 250, and a monitoring panel 240 for the elevator 20. Each elevator 20 includes an individual elevator control device 230, a car device 260, and an earthquake sensor 270.

[0028] The group management control device 220 comprises a processor 221, a memory 222, and a communication interface (not shown). These are connected to each other via a bus so that they can communicate with one another.

[0029] The processor 221 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The memory 222 may be configured to include ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), and a storage unit. The storage unit is a non-volatile storage device. The storage unit may be, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0030] The processor 221 loads programs stored in ROM into RAM and executes them to implement various functions of the group control device 220. ROM stores programs that describe the processing procedures of the group control device 220. RAM serves as a workspace for the processor 221 when executing programs, and temporarily stores programs and data used for program execution.

[0031] The group control device 220 controls multiple elevators 20 (multiple cars 10). The group control device 220 is configured to communicate with individual control devices 230 for elevators A to C, etc., and can transmit control commands to the car devices 260 via the individual control devices 230, and can also acquire signals output by the car devices 260. The group control device 220 is configured to communicate with the landing devices 250, and can transmit control commands to the landing devices 250, and can also acquire signals output by the landing devices 250.

[0032] The group control device 220 is configured to communicate with the monitoring panel 240 and transmits signals output by the group control device 220, the individual control devices 230 for machines A through C, etc., and the landing devices 250 to the monitoring panel 240. The monitoring panel 240 displays the signals acquired from the group control device 220.

[0033] The monitoring device 300 monitors the elevator 20. Like the group control device 220, the monitoring device 300 also includes a processor (CPU), memory (ROM, RAM, storage unit), a communication interface, a display unit, and an input unit. The monitoring device 300 can be connected via the communication interface to remote monitoring devices 210 installed in each elevator in each building. The display unit displays various information. The display unit is, for example, a liquid crystal display or a display. The input unit receives input from the user to the monitoring device 300. The input unit is, for example, a keyboard or mouse.

[0034] The remote monitoring device 210 is a communication device that transmits (issues) various information about the elevators 20 acquired from the individual elevator management control devices 230 to the monitoring device 300. The remote monitoring device 210 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.

[0035] Each individual control unit 230 for units A through C controls its respective cage device 260 (including cage 10), etc. Each individual control unit 230 also includes a processor (CPU), memory (ROM, RAM), and a communication interface (not shown). These are interconnected via a bus so that they can communicate with each other.

[0036] When a landing button is pressed and a landing call is registered, the group control device 220 assigns the landing call to one of the elevator cars 10, such as cars A through C. For example, suppose a landing call for the first floor UP direction is registered, and the group control device 220 assigns the landing call to car B. In this case, the group control device 220 transmits a response command for the landing call to the individual control device 230 of car B. The individual control device 230 of car B then drives car 10 of car B, which has been assigned the landing call for the first floor UP direction, to the first floor to respond to the landing call.

[0037] The earthquake sensor 270 is a device that detects earthquakes. The individual elevator control unit 230 acquires earthquake signals from the earthquake sensor 270 (for example, signals that identify P-waves or S-waves and signals that identify the intensity of the earthquake (seismic intensity, weak, strong, etc.)). The individual elevator control unit 230 can cause the elevator car 10 to perform actions (earthquake-induced controlled operation) based on the earthquake signals detected by the earthquake sensor 270. Specifically, when the individual elevator control unit 230 detects an earthquake signal, it causes the elevator car 10 to travel to the nearest floor. If the earthquake is large or if the individual elevator control unit 230 detects any abnormality, it will stop the elevator car in place without traveling to the nearest floor. In this case, a trapped state may occur.

[0038] Furthermore, the monitoring device 300 can communicate with elevators 20 (individual elevator control devices 230) installed in each building, such as buildings 2a and 2b, managed by the information center 3, via the remote monitoring devices 210 for each elevator. The individual elevator control devices 230 can send various elevator signals, including earthquake signals detected by earthquake sensors, to the monitoring device 300. The monitoring device 300 acquires various elevator information, including earthquake signals from earthquake sensors installed in each building.

[0039] This allows the monitoring device 300 to acquire various information about the elevator and to determine if an earthquake has occurred in the building where the elevator is installed. The signals acquired by the monitoring device 300 are not limited to earthquake signals (P-waves, S-waves, earthquake magnitude, etc.), but may also include signals indicating that the elevator is stopped due to an earthquake, signals that can identify a trapped state, etc.

[0040] First, let's explain an example where the driving control is in the "diagnostic operation" mode. Figure 3 shows the execution result DB91 of the diagnostic operation. The execution result DB91 is stored in the memory 222 of the group control device 220. The execution result DB91 records the execution results of the diagnostic operation.

[0041] In this embodiment, the group control device 220 decides to have car B perform travel control after having car A perform travel control. Depending on the result of the travel control of car A, the group control device 220 determines a travel control command that includes whether or not to perform travel control of car B and the travel speed if travel control of car B is performed. The result of the travel control includes whether or not an abnormality of elevator 20 was detected during the travel control.

[0042] The order in which the diagnostic results are implemented is predetermined as follows: Unit A, Unit B, Unit C, Unit D, and so on. Once the driving control of Unit B is completed, the driving control command for Unit C is determined using the results of Unit B's driving control. The driving control is then executed sequentially for each unit.

[0043] The execution results DB91 records the number of elevator that performed the diagnostic operation, whether the diagnostic operation was possible or not, the travel speed of elevator car 10, the success or failure of the diagnostic operation, the cause of failure (type of abnormality) if it failed, the floor on which the diagnostic operation was interrupted if it failed, the ascent / descent route of elevator car 10 from the lowest floor (1st floor) to the highest floor (7th floor), and the current stopping floor of elevator car 10.

[0044] Specifically, the execution result DB91 records that the first elevator used was elevator A (car A), the lifting distance was L [m], the floor where the elevator stopped before the diagnostic operation was the 1st floor, and that car A was to be run at speed V2 for the diagnostic operation. As a result of running the diagnostic operation on car A, an abnormality in rope interference was detected near the Nth floor, and the diagnostic operation was interrupted. For example, speed V2 is slower than the rated speed of car A.

[0045] For example, an earthquake can cause rope interference to occur if rope 11 gets caught on some elevator equipment. On the elevator 20 side, the torque value of the hoisting machine 50 is constantly measured while car 10 is in motion. The measured torque value is compared with a torque reference value stored during learning operation, and if a value higher than a predetermined value (high torque value due to the load caused by rope 11 getting caught) is detected, rope interference abnormality is detected. As a result of detecting the abnormality, the diagnostic operation of car A is judged to be a "failure". Therefore, car A cannot be restored.

[0046] In this way, the diagnostic operation checks for any abnormalities in rope interference with the long rope 11. In addition, the diagnostic checks for any abnormalities in cable interference, rail derailment, rope friction, door opening abnormalities, etc., with respect to the long control cable. If any abnormality is detected, the diagnostic operation is judged to be a "failure," and if no abnormality is detected, the diagnostic operation is judged to be a "success."

[0047] Next, the travel control command for the second operational elevator, elevator car B (cargo B), is determined based on the results of the diagnostic operation of car A. Since the elevation journey of car B is L [m] and the stopping floor is the 1st floor, it can be inferred that the damage caused by the earthquake will be similar to that of car A (it is inferred that rope 11 will shake in the same way). Therefore, if the elevation journey and stopping floor are the same (or close), it is possible that an abnormality in rope interference will be detected in car B as well, around the Nth floor.

[0048] Therefore, the system is configured so that the diagnostic operation of car B is not started at the same time as car A (waiting for a certain period of time for the shaking to subside), but only after the diagnostic operation of car A is completed (in conventional technology, the diagnostic operation of all cars 10 was started simultaneously).

[0049] Furthermore, car B is set to run at a speed V1 slower than speed V2, and its diagnostic operation is enabled. By performing a slow diagnostic operation, if an abnormality is detected, it can be stopped immediately, thereby reducing the risk of equipment damage.

[0050] The diagnostic operation of car B, like that of car A, detected a rope interference anomaly near the Nth floor, and the diagnostic operation was interrupted. Therefore, car B cannot be restored. Note that instead of running the entire route at speed V1, the speed may be reduced to V1 only near the Nth floor where the anomaly occurred.

[0051] Next, the travel control command for the third elevator unit, unit C (car C), is determined based on the results of the diagnostic operation performed on cars A and B. Since the elevation travel distance of car C is L [m] and the stopping floor is the 1st floor, it can be inferred that the damage situation caused by the earthquake is similar to that of cars A and B. As the same abnormality has been detected in the two cars A and B, there is a high probability that the same abnormality will be detected in the third car C. For this reason, the diagnostic operation is set to be disabled for car C. As a result, car C cannot be restored either.

[0052] In the above scenario, if the diagnostic operation of one car 10 fails, the travel speed of a car 10 with similar conditions is reduced, and then the diagnostic operation is performed. Furthermore, if multiple cars 10 with similar conditions fail, the diagnostic operation is disabled. The above is just one example of how to determine whether or not to perform a diagnostic operation, and the determination may be made using methods other than those described above.

[0053] Let's explain an example different from the execution result DB91. Figure 4 shows the execution result DB92 of the diagnostic operation. As with execution result DB91, the diagnostic operation is performed in the order of car A, car B, car C, etc., and the lifting and lowering distances and stopping floors are the same.

[0054] In this example, no abnormalities were detected during the diagnostic run of car A (Execution Result DB92). Therefore, the execution result of the diagnostic run of car A was determined to be "successful". As a result, it is highly likely that the execution result of the diagnostic run of car B, which has similar conditions, will also be determined to be successful. For this reason, the diagnostic run of car B will be allowed to proceed, and the diagnostic run will be performed at a speed V3, which is faster than speed V2. For example, speed V3 is the rated speed of car B.

[0055] As a result, no abnormalities were detected during the diagnostic operation of car B, and the diagnostic operation of car B was judged as "successful." Similarly, the diagnostic operation of car C was deemed possible and performed at speed V3. As a result, cars A through C were restored to normal operation.

[0056] Next, we will explain an example where the travel control is in "rescue operation" mode. Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating rescue operation. The travel paths of elevators A to C include express zones (zones with long ascent / descent distances) where elevator car 10 can stop and the distance between floors is greater than or equal to a specified distance. In this example, building 2 has floors 1 to 7, and of these, elevators A to C can stop on floors 1, 5, 6, and 7.

[0057] For example, suppose the distance between floors 1 through 7 is 3.5m. In this case, the distance between the 1st and 5th floors, where the train can stop, is 14m (4th floor × 3.5m). The distance between the 5th and 6th floors, where the train can stop, is 3.5m. The distance between the 6th and 7th floors, where the train can stop, is also 3.5m. For example, suppose the above "specified distance" = 10m. In this case, the area between the 1st and 5th floors, where the train can stop, becomes an express zone (distance between the 1st and 5th floors is 14m ≥ 10m).

[0058] Furthermore, if there is one (or more) floors between floors where stopping is not possible, this section between floors may be designated as an express zone. In this embodiment, the zone with a long ascent / descent distance is conveniently defined as the "express zone."

[0059] If an earthquake occurs while the train is traveling in the express zone, car 10 may stop midway through the express zone (inter-floor stop), potentially trapping passengers inside. Specifically, if the "high" earthquake sensor is activated while the train is traveling in the express zone, it will stop between floors.

[0060] In this case, for the administrator (or maintenance worker) to rescue passenger 89, the elevator car 10 would need to be moved to the nearest floor, either the 1st or 5th floor. If the entrapment occurs in the middle of the express zone, the distance the elevator car 10 will have to travel will be longer than if the entrapment occurred between the 5th and 7th floors, thus increasing the time required for rescue.

[0061] In this embodiment, the group control device 220 determines, based on the results of the rescue operation of car A which is performed first, whether to travel to the nearest upper floor or the nearest lower floor in the rescue operation of car B which is performed afterward. The determined direction is set as the travel control command.

[0062] During a rescue operation, the elevator car 10 is driven to the nearest floor above or below it. If the car 10 is stopped between floors within the express zone, for safety reasons, the rescue operation is performed to drive the car 10 to the nearest floor in the direction away from the counterweight 12 (hereinafter referred to as the "anti-counterweight direction"). However, even when driven in this manner, an abnormality in the elevator 20 may be detected during the rescue operation, causing the rescue operation to fail.

[0063] In this case, if the other elevator cars 10 are also driven in the opposite direction to the counterweight, an abnormality may be detected for the same reason. For this reason, if an abnormality in elevator 20 is detected as a result of the rescue operation in which car A travels to the nearest floor in the opposite direction to the counterweight, the group control device 220 decides to drive car B in the rescue operation to the nearest floor in the direction approaching the counterweight 12 (hereinafter referred to as the "counterweight direction").

[0064] As shown in Figure 5, the 2nd to 4th floors are non-stopping floors, and the 1st to 5th floors are express zones. In this example, due to the earthquake, elevator car A of unit A is stopped between the 3rd and 4th floors. The counterweight 12 is located above elevator car A.

[0065] In elevator car B, cage B is stopped between the 3rd and 4th floors, and the counterweight 12 is positioned above cage B. In elevator car C, cage C is stopped between the 2nd and 3rd floors, and the counterweight 12 is positioned above cage C.

[0066] In this state, rescue operations for units A to C are performed. In this example, the group control device 220 performs rescue operations in the order of car A, car B, car C, etc., and determines a travel control command so that all cars 10 perform rescue operations at a predetermined speed. Note that the order in which rescue operations are performed may be arbitrarily determined by the administrator. The group control device 220 determines a travel control command for car A, which will perform the rescue operation first, so that it travels in the counterweight direction.

[0067] As a result, elevator car A of unit A begins a rescue operation towards the nearest floor (1st floor) below, which is in the opposite direction of the counterweight. In this example, an abnormality in elevator 20 is detected during the rescue operation, and the result of the rescue operation is determined to be "failure".

[0068] Therefore, for elevator car B of unit B, which will be the second to perform a rescue operation, it is determined that the operation is feasible, and the rescue operation is started towards the nearest floor (5th floor) in the direction of the weight. If no abnormality is detected in elevator 20 during the rescue operation of car B, the result of the rescue operation is determined to be "successful". In this case, similarly, for elevator car C of unit C, which will be the third to perform a rescue operation, it is determined that the operation is feasible, and the rescue operation is started towards the nearest floor (5th floor) in the direction of the weight.

[0069] On the other hand, if an abnormality is detected in elevator 20 during the rescue operation of car B, the rescue operation will be judged as a "failure." In this case, since there is a high probability that an abnormality will be detected in car C of elevator C, which will be the third to be rescued, whether it is traveling upwards or downwards, the rescue operation will be deemed impossible.

[0070] As explained above, the driving control command during rescue operation is determined, but the above is merely an example, and the driving control command may be determined by other methods. In addition, during rescue operation, it may be decided that rescue operation can be performed for all cars 10 regardless of the results of the rescue operation of other cars 10.

[0071] The following explanation will use a flowchart. Figure 6 is a flowchart of the process performed by the elevator control system 1. This process includes processes performed by the group control device 220 and processes performed by the individual elevator control devices 230. These processes only need to be started periodically (for example, once every 100 msec). Hereafter, "step" will also be simply referred to as "S".

[0072] As described above, if the earthquake sensor 270 detects an earthquake, earthquake control operation is performed, and the elevator car 10 travels to the nearest floor, then stops and opens its doors.

[0073] After the start of this process, in each machine process A, the individual machine control device 230 of machine A executes a stop control based on the earthquake detection by the earthquake sensor 270 (S101), and transmits the result of the stop control to the group control device 220 (S102).

[0074] Similarly, in the individual machine processing B, the individual machine control device 230 of machine B also executes a stop control based on the earthquake detection by the earthquake sensor 270 (S301), and transmits the result of the stop control to the group control device 220 (S302). Although not shown in the diagram, machines C and other machines undergo similar processing.

[0075] In the group control process, the group control device 220 determines the type of travel control, the travel sequence, and the travel control command for the first elevator car 10 (S201). If elevator car 10 is stopped at the nearest floor, the type of travel control is set to "diagnostic operation". If elevator car 10 is stopped between floors, the type of travel control is set to "rescue operation". Examples of the determination made in S201 are shown in Figures 3 to 5.

[0076] In this embodiment, the travel order is predetermined and set in the order of A, B, C, etc. However, if the travel control type is "rescue operation", the group control device 220 determines that the car 10 that does not have a passenger 89 on board from among the multiple cars 10 will be the first car 10 (car A) to perform the rescue operation. In this example, car A is assumed to be empty. If the travel control type is "rescue operation", the rescue operation may be performed in any order at the discretion of the administrator.

[0077] The group control device 220 transmits the travel control command determined in S201 to the first elevator car 10 (car A) (S202). The individual control device 230 of car A executes travel control according to the travel control command determined by the group control device 220 (S103), transmits the result of the travel control execution to the group control device 220 (S104), and terminates the process. In the case of diagnostic operation, travel control is performed automatically. On the other hand, in the case of rescue operation, for example, the administrator (maintenance worker) sets the earthquake low-speed operation switch to ON and continues to press the door closing button inside car 10, causing car 10 to travel.

[0078] The group control device 220 determines whether or not to execute the travel control for the second car 10 (car B), the travel speed, etc., based on the execution result of the travel control of the first car 10 (car A) (S203). An example of the decision made in S203 is shown in Figures 3 to 5.

[0079] If the type of travel control is "rescue operation," the group control device 220 detects an abnormality in elevator 20 as a result of the execution of a rescue operation in which car A travels to the nearest floor in the counterweight direction, and decides to have car B travel to the nearest floor in the counterweight direction during the rescue operation.

[0080] The group control device 220 transmits the travel control command determined in S203 to the second cage 10 (unit B) (S204). The individual control device 230 of unit B executes the travel control according to the travel control command determined by the group control device 220 (S303), transmits the result of the travel control execution to the group control device 220 (S304), and terminates the process.

[0081] The group control device 220 determines whether or not to execute the travel control for the third car 10 (car C), the travel speed, etc., based on the execution result of the travel control of the second car 10 (car B) (S205). Similarly, the group control device 220 transmits the travel control command determined in S205 to the third car 10 (car C). The same processing is performed for cars C and subsequent cars. Once processing for all cars is complete, the group control device 220 terminates its processing.

[0082] [Differentiation] Figure 7 shows the results DB93 of the diagnostic operation related to the modified example. The status of each elevator car 10 in the results DB93 after the earthquake is the same as the status in the results DB91 described in Figure 3. In all cases, the lifting distance is L [m] and the stopping floor is the 1st floor.

[0083] In this embodiment, a diagnostic operation was first performed on one car A, and based on the results of the diagnostic operation of car A, a travel control command for the next diagnostic operation of car B was determined. In this modified example, a diagnostic operation is performed on N cars (a predetermined number) of cars 10, and based on the results of the diagnostic operations of the N cars 10, a travel control command for the next diagnostic operation of car 10 is determined. In this modified example, N cars = 2 cars, and the first two cars to undergo a diagnostic operation are car A and car C, and the next car to undergo a diagnostic operation is car B.

[0084] The group control device 220 decides to have a predetermined number of cars (=N cars = 2 cars), including cars A and C, execute travel control, without referring to the execution results of the travel control of the other cars 10, and then decides to have car B execute travel control. Based on the execution results of the travel control of the predetermined number of cars, the group control device 220 determines a travel control command that includes whether or not to execute travel control for car B, and the travel speed if travel control for car B is executed.

[0085] In this way, by determining the travel control command for the next elevator car 10 based on the diagnostic results of N elevator cars 10, the accuracy of predicting the occurrence of abnormalities can be further improved. Note that the diagnostic results are not limited to those of elevator cars 10 affected by the current earthquake; diagnostic results from past earthquakes that occurred within the same building may also be used. Furthermore, past diagnostic results from other buildings with similar elevator specifications may also be used.

[0086] In Figure 7, car A of unit A and car C of unit C are subjected to diagnostic operation at speed V2. As a result, both car A and car C experienced an abnormality due to rope interference near the Nth floor, and the operation was judged as "failure." Since abnormalities occurred in both cars, there is a high probability that an abnormality will also occur in car B, which is scheduled to undergo diagnostic operation next. For this reason, the diagnostic operation of car B has been deemed impossible to perform.

[0087] Figure 8 shows the results DB94 of the diagnostic operation related to the modified example. The status of each cage 10 in the results DB94 after the earthquake is the same as the status in the results DB93 explained in Figure 7.

[0088] In this case, the diagnostic operation of car A of unit A and car C of unit C at speed V2 resulted in no abnormalities occurring, and the execution result was judged as "successful." Since no abnormalities occurred in either car, there is a high probability that no abnormalities will occur in car B, which is scheduled to undergo diagnostic operation next. For this reason, the diagnostic operation of car B was deemed permissible, and the travel speed was set to speed V3, which is faster than speed V2.

[0089] Figure 9 is a flowchart of the processes performed by the modified elevator control system. In this modified version, the processes in this flowchart are similar to those in the flowchart described in Figure 6, and each process is activated periodically, similar to the flowchart in Figure 6. Processes A and C for each elevator refer to the processes performed by the elevator control control devices 230 230 for elevator A and elevator control control devices 230 230, respectively.

[0090] After this process begins, in each machine process A and C, the individual machine control device 230 of machine A executes a stop control based on the earthquake detection by the earthquake sensor 270 (S401) and transmits the result of the stop control to the group control device 220 (S402). The individual machine control device 230 of machine C also executes the same process (S401, S402). In each machine process B, the individual machine control device 230 of machine B also executes the same process (S601, S602). Although not shown in the diagram, the other machines also perform similar processes.

[0091] In the group control process, the group control device 220 determines the type of travel control, the travel order, and the travel control command for the N elevator cars 10 that will travel first (S501). This process is basically the same as the process in S201. However, the travel command is sent not to one elevator car, but to N elevator cars (a predetermined number) 10. In this example, N = predetermined number = 2, and the N elevator cars are designated as cars A and C. The travel order is set to car A, car C, car B, etc.

[0092] The group control device 220 transmits the travel control command determined in S501 to the N cages 10 (units A and C) (S502). The individual control device 230 of unit A executes the travel control according to the travel control command determined by the group control device 220 (S403), transmits the result of the travel control execution to the group control device 220 (S404), and terminates processing. The individual control device 230 of unit C also performs the same processing (S404, S405) and terminates processing.

[0093] The group control device 220 determines whether or not to execute travel control for the N+1th car 10 (car B), its travel speed, etc., based on the execution results of travel control for N cars 10 (cars A and C) (S503). This process differs from the process in S203 in that it makes the decision based on the execution results of travel control for N cars 10, not just one car 10.

[0094] The group control device 220 transmits the travel control command determined in S503 to the N+1th cage 10 (Cage B) (S504), and terminates processing. The individual control devices 230 of Cage B execute travel control according to the travel control command determined by the group control device 220 (S603), transmit the result of the travel control execution to the group control device 220 (S604), and terminate processing.

[0095] The group control device 220 determines whether or not to execute the travel control for the N+1th car 10 (car B), the travel speed, etc., based on the execution result of the travel control for the N+1th car 10 (car B) (S505). Similarly, the group control device 220 transmits the travel control command determined in S505 to the N+2nd car 10 (car D). The same processing is performed for cars D and subsequent cars. Once processing for all cars is complete, the group control device 220 terminates its processing.

[0096] As described above, the elevator control system 1 comprises multiple elevators 20, each equipped with multiple cars 10, and a group control device 220 that controls the multiple elevators 20. When the earthquake sensor 270 detects an earthquake, each of the multiple elevators 20 performs stop control to stop the car 10, and after the stop control, performs travel control to control the movement of the car 10 based on a decision by the group control device 220. The multiple cars 10 include car A and car B. After causing car A to perform travel control, the group control device 220 decides to cause car B to perform travel control. Depending on the result of the travel control of car A, the group control device 220 decides whether or not to cause travel control of car B, and the travel speed if travel control of car B is to be caused.

[0097] If an abnormality in the elevator equipment is detected during travel control, car 10 is brought to an abrupt stop at the moment the abnormality is detected. Detecting an abnormality at this timing may, in some cases, damage to the elevator equipment. In this case, it would actually delay the recovery of elevator 20. On the other hand, as described above, by determining whether or not to execute travel control for car B, and the travel speed if travel control for car B is executed, based on the results of the travel control of car A, it is possible to reduce the risk of further damage to the equipment of car 10, which will travel next, taking into account the results of the travel control of other cars, and to improve the safety and success rate of travel control. By reducing the extent of equipment damage, the workload on maintenance personnel for recovery can be reduced, and recovery time can be shortened. This allows for safe and efficient recovery of the elevator in the event of an earthquake.

[0098] The results of the travel control include whether or not an abnormality in the elevator 20 was detected during the travel control. The travel control includes a diagnostic operation in which the car is moved to diagnose whether or not the elevator 20 can be restored, and a rescue operation in which the car that has stopped between floors is moved to the nearest floor. This allows the elevator to be restored safely and efficiently when a diagnostic operation or rescue operation is performed in the event of an earthquake.

[0099] The travel control is for rescue operations. The group control device 220 determines, based on the results of the rescue operation of car A, whether to travel to the nearest upper floor or the nearest lower floor in the rescue operation of car B. This allows the rescue operation to be performed by traveling in a safe direction, taking into account the results of the rescue operations of other units.

[0100] Each of the multiple elevators 20 is a rope-type elevator in which a car 10 is suspended from one end of a rope 11, and a counterweight 12 is suspended from the other end of the rope 11. If the group control device 220 detects an abnormality in elevator 20 as a result of performing a rescue operation in which car A travels to the nearest floor in a direction away from the counterweight 12, it decides to have car B travel to the nearest floor in a direction approaching the counterweight 12 during the rescue operation. The direction of operation for a rescue operation when an elevator stops between floors in the express zone is set to the direction away from the counterweight 12, taking into consideration the safety of the passengers 89. However, depending on the extent of damage to the elevator equipment, the above direction is not necessarily the direction in which rescue is possible. By configuring the system as described above, it is possible to perform a rescue operation by traveling in a safe direction based on the results of rescue operations of other elevators, thereby improving the success rate of rescue operations. By improving the success rate of rescue operations, the time that passengers 89 are trapped can be shortened.

[0101] The group control device 220 decides to execute travel control on a predetermined number of cars, including cars A and C, without referring to the execution results of travel control on other cars 10, and then decides to execute travel control on car B. Based on the execution results of travel control on the predetermined number of cars, the group control device 220 decides whether or not to execute travel control on car B, and if so, the travel speed of car B. In this way, by deciding the next travel control command for car B based on the diagnostic results of a predetermined number of cars 10, the accuracy of predicting the occurrence of an anomaly can be further improved. This makes it possible to restore the elevator safely and efficiently in the event of an earthquake.

[0102] The group control device 220 determines that one of the multiple elevator cars 10 that does not carry passengers 89 will be the first elevator car 10 to perform the rescue operation (car A). By performing a simulated rescue operation in an elevator car 10 that does not carry passengers 89 in this way, the optimal direction of travel for an actual rescue operation can be simulated in advance.

[0103] [Note] The embodiments described above are specific examples of the following appendix.

[0104] (Note 1) Multiple elevators, each equipped with multiple cages, The system includes a group control device that controls the aforementioned multiple elevators, Each of the aforementioned multiple elevators is When the earthquake sensor detects an earthquake, it executes a stop control to stop the elevator car. After the stop control, based on the decision of the group control device, travel control is performed to control the movement of the car. The aforementioned plurality of baskets include a first basket, a second basket, The group management control device is After the first car is made to perform the aforementioned driving control, it is decided to have the second car perform the aforementioned driving control. An elevator control system that determines whether or not to perform the travel control of the second car, and the travel speed of the second car if the travel control is performed, according to the result of performing the travel control of the first car.

[0105] (Note 2) The execution result of the aforementioned travel control includes whether or not an elevator abnormality was detected during the travel control. The elevator control system described in Appendix 1 includes a diagnostic operation in which the elevator car is driven to diagnose whether or not the elevator can be restored, and a rescue operation in which the car that has stopped between floors is driven to the nearest floor.

[0106] (Note 3) The group management control device is Without referring to the execution results of the aforementioned travel control of other cars, after having a predetermined number of cars, including the first car and the third car, execute the aforementioned travel control, it is decided to have the second car execute the aforementioned travel control. An elevator control system according to Appendix 1 or Appendix 2, which determines whether or not to perform the travel control of the second car, and the travel speed of the second car if the travel control is performed, according to the results of performing the travel control of the predetermined number of cars.

[0107] (Note 4) The aforementioned driving control is the rescue operation, The elevator control system according to Appendix 2 or Appendix 3, wherein the group control device determines, in accordance with the result of the rescue operation of the first car, whether to travel to the upper nearest floor or the lower nearest floor during the rescue operation of the second car.

[0108] (Note 5) Each of the aforementioned elevators is a rope-type elevator in which a car is suspended from one end of a rope and a counterweight is suspended from the other end of the rope. The elevator control system according to Appendix 4, wherein if an elevator abnormality is detected as a result of the rescue operation in which the first car travels to the nearest floor in a direction away from the counterweight, the rescue operation of the second car is to be made to travel to the nearest floor in a direction approaching the counterweight.

[0109] (Note 6) The elevator control system according to Appendix 4 or Appendix 5, wherein the group control device determines, among the plurality of elevator cars, the elevator car that does not have a passenger on board as the first elevator car to perform the rescue operation.

[0110] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative and not limited to those described herein. 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 to be included. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0111] 1 Elevator control system, 2,2a,2b Building, 3 Information center, 5 Machine room, 6 Pit, 8 Hoistway, 10 Car, 11 Rope, 12 Counterweight, 13 Deflection vehicle, 14 Shock absorber, 20,20a~20c Elevator, 50 Hoisting machine, 89 Users, 91~94 Execution result DB, 100 Monitoring system, 210 Remote monitoring device, 220 Group control device, 221 Processor, 222 Memory, 230 Individual unit control device, 240 Monitoring panel, 250 Landing device, 260 Car device, 270 Earthquake sensor, 300 Monitoring device.

Claims

1. Multiple elevators, each equipped with multiple cages, The system includes a group control device that controls the aforementioned multiple elevators, Each of the aforementioned multiple elevators is When the earthquake sensor detects an earthquake, it executes a stop control to stop the elevator car. After the stop control, based on the decision of the group control device, travel control is performed to control the movement of the car. The aforementioned plurality of baskets include a first basket and a second basket, The group management control device is After the first car is made to perform the driving control, it is decided to have the second car perform the driving control. An elevator control system that determines whether or not to perform the travel control of the second car, and the travel speed of the second car if the travel control is performed, according to the result of performing the travel control of the first car.

2. The execution result of the aforementioned travel control includes whether or not an elevator abnormality was detected during the travel control. The elevator control system according to claim 1, wherein the travel control includes a diagnostic operation in which the car is moved to diagnose whether or not the elevator can be restored, and a rescue operation in which the car that has stopped between floors is moved to the nearest floor.

3. The group management control device is Without referring to the execution results of the aforementioned driving control of other cars, after having a predetermined number of cars, including the first car and the third car, execute the aforementioned driving control, it is decided to have the second car execute the aforementioned driving control. The elevator control system according to claim 1, wherein, according to the results of executing the travel control of the predetermined number of elevator cars, the system determines whether or not to execute the travel control of the second elevator car and the travel speed of the second elevator car if the travel control is executed.

4. The aforementioned driving control is the rescue operation, The elevator control system according to claim 2, wherein the group control device determines, in accordance with the result of the rescue operation of the first car, whether to travel to the upper nearest floor or the lower nearest floor in the rescue operation of the second car.

5. Each of the aforementioned elevators is a rope-type elevator in which a car is suspended from one end of a rope and a counterweight is suspended from the other end of the rope. The elevator control system according to claim 4, wherein if an elevator abnormality is detected as a result of the rescue operation in which the first car travels to the nearest floor in a direction away from the counterweight, the group control device decides to have the second car travel to the nearest floor in a direction approaching the counterweight during the rescue operation.

6. The elevator control system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the group control device determines that, among the plurality of elevator cars, the car that does not have a passenger on board is the first car to perform the rescue operation.

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