Method and device for detecting the position of a train car

Abstract

To provide a elevator car position detection device that can safely and accurately detect the position of an elevator car with a simple configuration. [Solution] The elevator car position detection device is installed on either the elevator shaft or the elevator car and includes first to fifth optical sensors that detect objects on a straight line perpendicular to the floor surface of the other member by emitting light sequentially from the top toward different positions on the straight line, and a first marker and a second marker provided on the straight line. The position detection device determines that the elevator car has reached a predetermined landing position when the elevator car moves and, within a predetermined period, the first and second optical sensors detect the first marker, the fourth and fifth optical sensors detect the second marker, and the light emitted from the third optical sensor switches from detecting the first or second marker to not detecting it.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method for detecting the position of a car and a device for detecting the position of a car.

Background Art

[0002] When the elevator car lands on the landing on the building side and the door opens, in order for users to smoothly get on and off the car, it is necessary to land the car so that the floor surface of the car and the floor surface of the landing are at the same height.

[0003] In view of this, in an elevator, a car position detection device including a landing detection plate (hereinafter referred to as "landing detection plate") and a plate detection device is installed. A plurality of landing detection plates are installed for each floor in correspondence with the height of the floor surface of the floor in the hoistway. The plate detection device has a function of detecting the landing detection plate and is installed on the car. By using this position detection device to stop the car when the plate detection device detects the landing detection plate during the movement of th e car, the car can be landed so that the floor surface of the car and the floor surface of the landing are at the same height.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004] "

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a method and device for detecting the position of a train car that can safely and accurately detect the position of a train car with a simple configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to an embodiment for achieving the above objective, the elevator car position detection device includes first to fifth optical sensors installed on either the elevator shaft or the elevator car, which detect objects on a straight line by emitting light sequentially from the top of a straight line perpendicular to the floor surface of the other member toward different positions, and a first marker and a second marker provided on the straight line. The position detection device determines that the elevator car has reached a predetermined landing position when the elevator car moves and, within a predetermined period, the first and second optical sensors switch to a state in which they detect the first marker, and the fourth and fifth optical sensors detect the second marker, and the light emitted from the third optical sensor switches from a state in which it detects the first or second marker to a state in which it does not detect it. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is an overall diagram showing the configuration of an elevator (with a machine room) using a car position detection device according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] This is an overall diagram showing the configuration of an elevator (without a machine room) using a car position detection device according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] (a) is an external perspective view of a guide rail inside an elevator according to one embodiment, and (b) is a front view. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view of the external appearance of the guide rail, sensor bracket, first hole, second hole, and first to fifth optical sensors inside an elevator according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view of the external appearance of the guide rail, sensor bracket, first hole, second hole, and first to fifth optical sensors inside the elevator in a different configuration. [Figure 6]This is a top view of the guide rail, sensor bracket, first hole, second hole, and first to fifth optical sensors inside an elevator according to one embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a side view of the guide rail, sensor bracket, first hole, second hole, and first to fifth optical sensors inside an elevator according to one embodiment. [Figure 8] This is an explanatory diagram showing the ON / OFF detection results (detection of the first and second holes by the first to fifth optical sensors) that change over time when the elevator car is moving upward according to one embodiment. [Figure 9] (a) is a side view of the state at time t5 in Figure 6, where light is emitted from the first to fifth light sensors onto the guide rail, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship between the height of the elevator car floor and the height of the landing floor. [Figure 10] (a) is a side view of the state at time t6 in Figure 6, where light is emitted from the first to fifth light sensors onto the guide rail, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship between the height of the elevator car floor and the height of the landing floor. [Figure 11] (a) is a side view of the state at time t11 in Figure 6, where light is emitted from the first to fifth light sensors onto the guide rail, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship between the height of the elevator car floor and the height of the landing floor. [Figure 12] This is a front view showing an adjustment mechanism installed on the guide rail inside an elevator according to one embodiment. [Figure 13] (a) is a cross-sectional view of a guide rail when the first and second markers in an elevator are made up of triangular prism-shaped recesses according to one embodiment, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of a guide rail when they are made up of triangular prism-shaped protrusions. [Figure 14] (a) is a cross-sectional view of a guide rail when the first and second markers in an elevator are made up of prism-shaped recesses according to one embodiment, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of a guide rail when they are made up of prism-shaped protrusions. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] An elevator using the car position detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

[0010] <<First Embodiment>> FIG. 1 is an overall view showing the configuration of an elevator 1A according to the first embodiment. The elevator 1A includes a hoist 4 installed in a machine room 3 above a hoistway 2, a car 6 suspended from one end of a rope 5 wound around the hoist 4, a counterweight 7 suspended from the other end, and an elevator control device 9 installed in the machine room 3 and connected to the car 6 via a tail cord 8. A landing door 12 is installed at each floor landing 11. The floor surface of the landing 11 is defined as the landing floor surface 13. The car 6 has a car door 61. The floor surface of the car 6 is defined as the car floor surface 62.

[0011] In addition, in the present embodiment, an elevator 1B without a machine room as shown in FIG. 2 may be used. In the elevator 1B, the hoist 4 and the elevator control device 9 are installed in the hoistway 2.

[0012] In the hoistway 2, guide rails 10 for guiding the movement of the car 6 are installed such that the major axis directions are aligned in a direction perpendicular to the floor surface. The hoist 4 is driven under the control of the elevator control device 9. The car 6 moves up and down along the guide rails 10 in the hoistway 2 by the operation of the hoist 4.

[0013] FIG. 3(a) is an external perspective view of the guide rail 10, and FIG. 3(b) is a front view. The guide rail 10 is configured by connecting a plurality of rails 10a, 10b,... formed for each floor with a gusset plate 100. At predetermined positions of each of the plurality of rails 10a, 10b,..., there are engraved marks 101a, 101b,... serving as identification information indicating the connection order. At predetermined positions of the plurality of rails 10a, 10b,..., a first hole 21a serving as a first marker and a second hole 22a serving as a second marker are formed as will be described later.

[0014] When installing the guide rail 10, by connecting the guide rail 10 based on the identification information indicated by these markings 101a and 101b and installing it in the hoistway 2, the first hole portion 21a and the second hole portion 22a can be provided at appropriate positions. The positions of the first hole portion 21a and the second hole portion 22a will be described later.

[0015] FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of the guide rail 10, the sensor bracket 30, the first hole portion 21a, the second hole portion 22a, and the first to fifth optical sensors 31 to 35. FIG. 6 is a view of these from above, and FIG. 7 is a view of these from the side.

[0016] The guide rail 10 has a substantially T-shaped horizontal cross-section. On the upper and lower parts of the car 6, a guide shoe 104 or a roller guide 105 is installed along the substantially T-shaped convex portion 103 of the guide rail 10. On the upper or lower part of the car 6, a sensor bracket 30 is installed on the guide shoe 104 or the roller guide 105. The sensor bracket 30 may be installed on the upper part of the car 6 or the lower part of the car 6 via an attachment member 30a. FIG. 5 is an external perspective view when the sensor bracket 30 is installed on the upper part of the car ⑥. In the present embodiment, the case where the sensor bracket 30 is installed on the guide shoe 104 or the roller guide 105 on the upper part of the car 6 will be described as an example.

[0017] On the sensor bracket 30, the first optical sensor 31, the second optical sensor 32, the third optical sensor 33, the fourth optical sensor 34, and the fifth optical sensor 35 are installed in order from above at a predetermined distance L interval. These first to fifth optical sensors 31 to 35 emit laser light in a direction parallel to the floor surface toward different positions on a straight line X perpendicular to the floor surface in the guide rail 10.

[0018] In other words, the light emitted from the first to fifth light sensors 31 to 35 is incident on a straight line X at different positions, starting from the top and ending at equal intervals of distance L. This distance L is the maximum distance at which the elevator car 6 can move from the landing position on a predetermined floor when the doors are open. The first to fifth light sensors 31 to 35 also receive reflected light that has been emitted and reflected by an object.

[0019] The first to fifth optical sensors 31 to 35 each determine that they have detected the incident hole 21a or 22a when the emitted light enters the first hole 21a or the second hole 22a and they stop detecting reflected light. The first to fifth optical sensors 31 to 35 transmit detection information of the holes 21a and 22a, based on the reception state of the reflected light when the laser beam was emitted, to the elevator control device 9 via the tail code 8.

[0020] The first to fifth light sensors 31 to 35 may be installed in the sensor bracket 30 at positions offset from each other in the direction of light emission, as shown in Figure 3, or they may be installed in a straight line perpendicular to the floor at equal intervals.

[0021] A constriction 102 is formed in the roughly T-shaped protrusion 103 of the guide rail 10. The first hole 21a and the second hole 22a are located at different positions on a straight line X perpendicular to the floor surface within this constriction 102.

[0022] The first hole 21a and the second hole 22a have the same shape and are sized to allow up to two adjacent laser beams from the first to fifth optical sensors 31 to 35 to enter and pass through simultaneously.

[0023] Specifically, as shown in Figure 7, the first hole 21a and the second hole 22a have a length (L+a) in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 10, which is the distance L plus a tolerance a. The tolerance a is a margin provided to allow two beams of light incident at a distance L to pass through simultaneously.

[0024] The first hole 21a and the second hole 22a are positioned on a straight line X such that when the elevator car 6 reaches a predetermined landing position, the first optical sensor 31 and the second optical sensor 32 detect the first hole 21a, and the fourth optical sensor 34 and the fifth optical sensor 35 detect the second hole 22a.

[0025] The elevator control device 9 includes a car position detection unit 91 and an operation control unit 92. The car position detection unit 91 detects the position of the elevator car 6 based on detection information from the holes 21a and 22a acquired from the first optical sensors 31 to the fifth optical sensors 35. The operation control unit 92 controls the hoisting machine 4 and other equipment based on the position information of the elevator car 6 detected by the car position detection unit 91 to move the elevator car 6 as appropriate.

[0026] In this embodiment, the elevator car position detection device is comprised of the first hole 21a, the second hole 22a, the sensor bracket 30, and the elevator car position detection unit 91.

[0027] The elevator car position detection process performed by the elevator car position detection unit 91 will be explained with reference to Figure 8. Figure 8 is a table showing the detection status of the holes 21a or 22a by the first optical sensors 31 to the fifth optical sensors 35 at times t1 to t6 and t11 to t15 when the elevator car 6 is moving upward. The first optical sensors 31 to the fifth optical sensors 35 determine that they have not detected the holes 21a or 22a (detection OFF) when they receive reflected light from the emitted laser beam, and determine that they have detected the holes 21a or 22a (detection ON) when they do not receive reflected light from the emitted laser beam.

[0028] While the elevator car 6 is moving, laser light is emitted from the first optical sensor 31 to the fifth optical sensor 35 at predetermined time intervals. At time t1, all the laser light emitted from the first optical sensor 31 to the fifth optical sensor 35 is reflected by the guide rail 10 and received by the first optical sensor 31 to the fifth optical sensor 35, respectively. As a result, at time t1, all of the first optical sensor 31 to the fifth optical sensor 35 determine that detection is OFF.

[0029] The detection results from the first optical sensors 31 to the fifth optical sensors 35 are transmitted to the elevator control device 9. Based on the acquired detection results, the elevator control device 9 recognizes that the distance between the car floor 62 of the elevator car 6 and the landing floor 13 of the landing 11 is greater than L × 4, and that the elevator car 6 is between floors.

[0030] Next, at time t2, the laser beam emitted from the first optical sensor 31 passes through the second hole 22a, and the laser beams emitted from the second optical sensors 32 to the fifth optical sensors 35 are reflected by the guide rail 10. As a result, at time t2, the first optical sensor 31 determines that detection is ON, and the second optical sensors 32 to the fifth optical sensors 35 determine that detection is OFF.

[0031] Based on this detection result, the elevator car position detection unit 91 recognizes that the elevator car 6 has risen higher than it was at time t1 and is approaching the landing 11, and that the distance between the floor of the elevator car 6 and the floor of the landing 11 is between distance L × 4 and distance L × 3.

[0032] Next, at time t3, the laser beams emitted from the first optical sensor 31 and the second optical sensor 32 pass through the second hole 22a, and the laser beams emitted from the third optical sensor 33 to the fifth optical sensor 35 are reflected by the guide rail 10. As a result, at time t3, the first optical sensor 31 and the second optical sensor 32 determine that detection is ON, and the third optical sensor 33 to the fifth optical sensor 35 determine that detection is OFF.

[0033] Based on this detection result, the elevator car position detection unit 91 recognizes that the elevator car 6 has risen higher than it was at time t2 and is approaching the landing 11, and that the distance between the floor of the elevator car 6 and the floor of the landing 11 has become distance L × 3.

[0034] Next, at time t4, the laser beams emitted from the second optical sensor 32 and the third optical sensor 33 pass through the second hole 22a, while the laser beams emitted from the first optical sensor 31, the fourth optical sensor 34, and the fifth optical sensor 35 are reflected by the guide rail 10. As a result, at time t4, the second optical sensor 32 and the third optical sensor 33 determine that detection is ON, while the first optical sensor 31, the fourth optical sensor 34, and the fifth optical sensor 35 determine that detection is OFF.

[0035] Based on this detection result, the elevator car position detection unit 91 recognizes that the elevator car 6 has risen higher than it was at time t3 and is approaching the landing 11, and that the distance between the floor of the elevator car 6 and the floor of the landing 11 has become distance L × 2.

[0036] Next, at time t5, the laser beam emitted from the first optical sensor 31 passes through the first hole 21a, the laser beams emitted from the third optical sensor 33 and the fourth optical sensor 34 pass through the second hole 22a, and the laser beams emitted from the second optical sensor 32 and the fifth optical sensor 35 are reflected by the guide rail 10. As a result, at time t5, the first optical sensor 31, the third optical sensor 33, and the fourth optical sensor 34 determine that detection is ON, while the second optical sensor 32 and the fifth optical sensor 35 determine that detection is OFF.

[0037] Based on this detection result, the elevator car position detection unit 91 recognizes that the elevator car 6 has risen higher than it was at time t4 and is approaching the landing 11, and that the distance between the floor of the elevator car 6 and the floor of the landing 11 has become distance L.

[0038] Figure 9(a) is a side view of the state at time t5 when light is emitted from the first light sensor 31 to the fifth light sensor 35 onto the guide rail. At this time, the light emitted from the second light sensor 32 passes through the first hole 21a, the light emitted from the third light sensor 33 and the fourth light sensor 34 passes through the second hole 22a, and the light emitted from the second light sensor 32 and the fifth light sensor 35 is reflected by the guide rail 10.

[0039] Figure 9(b) is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship between the elevator car floor 62 and the landing floor 13 at time t5. At this time, the height of the elevator car floor 62 is lower than the height of the landing floor 13, and the difference is a distance L.

[0040] Next, at time t6, the laser beams emitted from the first optical sensor 31 and the second optical sensor 32 pass through the first hole 21a, the laser beams emitted from the fourth optical sensor 34 and the fifth optical sensor 35 pass through the second hole 22a, and the laser beam emitted from the third optical sensor 33 is reflected by the guide rail 10. As a result, at time t6, the first optical sensor 31, the second optical sensor 32, the fourth optical sensor 34, and the fifth optical sensor 35 determine that detection is ON, and the third optical sensor 33 determines that detection is OFF.

[0041] Based on this detection result, the elevator car position detection unit 91 recognizes that the elevator car 6 has risen higher than it was at time t5, and that the floor of the elevator car 6 and the floor of the landing 11 are at the same height when it reaches the landing position.

[0042] In this way, the car position detection unit 91 determines that the car 6 has reached a predetermined landing position when, as the car 6 moves, the first light sensor 31 and the second light sensor 32 detect the second hole 22a and then the first hole 21a within a predetermined period, and the fourth light sensor 34 and the fifth light sensor 35 switch to a state where they detect the second hole 22a, and the light emitted from the third light sensor 33 switches from a state where it detects the second hole 22a to a state where it does not detect it.

[0043] Figure 10(a) is a side view of the state at time t6 when light is emitted from the first light sensor 31 to the fifth light sensor 35 onto the guide rail. At this time, the light emitted from the first light sensor 31 and the second light sensor 32 passes through the first hole 21a, the light emitted from the fourth light sensor 34 and the fifth light sensor 35 passes through the second hole 22a, and the light emitted from the third light sensor 33 is reflected by the guide rail 10.

[0044] Figure 10(b) is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship between the elevator car floor 62 and the landing floor 13 at time t6. At this time, the elevator car floor 62 and the landing floor 13 are at the same height.

[0045] When the car position detection unit 91 recognizes that the floor of the elevator car 6 and the floor of the landing 11 are at the same height, the operation control unit 92 stops the elevator car 6 and opens the car door 61 and the landing door 12. After passengers have finished boarding and alighting from the elevator car 6, the operation control unit 92 closes the car door 61 and the landing door 12 and starts moving the elevator car 6 again. " After the elevator car 6 begins to move, at time t11, the laser beams emitted from the second optical sensor 32 and the third optical sensor 33 pass through the first hole 21a, the laser beam emitted from the fifth optical sensor 35 passes through the second hole 22a, and the laser beams emitted from the first optical sensor 31 and the fourth optical sensor 34 are reflected by the guide rail 10. As a result, at time t11, the second optical sensor 32, the third optical sensor 33, and the fifth optical sensor 35 determine that detection is ON, while the first optical sensor 31 and the fourth optical sensor 34 determine that detection is OFF.

[0046] Based on this detection result, the elevator car position detection unit 91 recognizes that the elevator car 6 has risen higher than it was at time t6 and moved away from the landing 11, and that the distance between the floor of the elevator car 6 and the floor of the landing 11 has become distance L.

[0047] Figure 11(a) is a side view of the state at time t11 when light is emitted from the first to fifth light sensors 31 to 35 onto the guide rail. At this time, the light emitted from the second light sensor 32 and the third light sensor 33 passes through the first hole 21a, the light emitted from the fifth light sensor 35 passes through the second hole 22a, and the light emitted from the first light sensor 31 and the fourth light sensor 34 is reflected by the guide rail 10.

[0048] Figure 11(b) is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship between the elevator car floor 62 and the landing floor 13 at time t11. At this time, the height of the elevator car floor 62 is higher than the height of the landing floor 13, and the difference is a distance L.

[0049] Next, at time t12, the laser beams emitted from the third optical sensor 33 and the fourth optical sensor 34 pass through the first hole 21a, while the laser beams emitted from the first optical sensor 31, the second optical sensor 32, and the fifth optical sensor 35 are reflected by the guide rail 10. As a result, at time t12, the third optical sensor 33 and the fourth optical sensor 34 determine that detection is ON, while the first optical sensor 31, the second optical sensor 32, and the fifth optical sensor 35 determine that detection is OFF.

[0050] Based on this detection result, the elevator car position detection unit 91 recognizes that the elevator car 6 has risen higher than it was at time t11 and moved away from the landing 11, and that the distance between the floor of the elevator car 6 and the floor of the landing 11 has become distance L × 2.

[0051] Next, at time t13, the laser beams emitted from the fourth optical sensor 34 and the fifth optical sensor 35 pass through the first hole 21a, while the laser beams emitted from the first optical sensor 31 to the third optical sensor 33 are reflected by the guide rail 10. As a result, at time t13, the fourth optical sensor 34 and the fifth optical sensor 35 determine that detection is ON, and the first optical sensor 31 to the third optical sensor 33 determine that detection is OFF.

[0052] Based on this detection result, the elevator car position detection unit 91 recognizes that the elevator car 6 has risen higher than it was at time t12 and moved away from the landing 11, and that the distance between the floor of the elevator car 6 and the floor of the landing 11 has become distance L × 3.

[0053] Next, at time t14, the laser beam emitted from the fifth optical sensor 35 passes through the first hole 21a, and the laser beams emitted from the first optical sensors 31 to the fourth optical sensors 34 are reflected by the guide rail 10. As a result, at time t14, the fifth optical sensor 35 determines that detection is ON, and the first optical sensors 31 to the fourth optical sensors 34 determine that detection is OFF.

[0054] Based on this detection result, the elevator car position detection unit 91 recognizes that the elevator car 6 has risen higher than it was at time t13 and moved away from the landing 11, and that the distance between the floor of the elevator car 6 and the floor of the landing 11 is now between distance L×4 and distance L×3.

[0055] Next, at time t15, all the laser light emitted from the first optical sensor 31 to the fifth optical sensor 35 is reflected by the guide rail 10 and received by the first optical sensor 31 to the fifth optical sensor 35, respectively. As a result, at time t15, all of the first optical sensor 31 to the fifth optical sensor 35 determine that detection is OFF.

[0056] Based on this detection result, the elevator car position detection unit 91 recognizes that the elevator car 6 has risen higher than at time t14 and is now further away from the floor of the elevator car 6 than the distance L×4 between the floor of the landing 11, and that the elevator car 6 is now in the middle of a floor.

[0057] Furthermore, the car position detection unit 91 can similarly detect the position of the car 6 when the car 6 moves downward.

[0058] As described above, the operation control unit 92 controls the hoisting machine 4 and the like based on the position information of the elevator car 6 detected by the elevator car position detection unit 91 to move the elevator car 6. For example, when the operation control unit 92 transitions from time t5 to time t6, and during a predetermined time period, the first optical sensor 31 and the second optical sensor 32 detect the first hole 21a, and the fourth optical sensor 34 and the fifth optical sensor 35 detect the second hole 22a, and the light emitted from the third optical sensor 33 switches from detecting the first hole 21a or the second hole 22a to not detecting it, the operation control unit 92 recognizes that the floor of the elevator car 6 and the floor of the landing 11 are at the same height when it stops the elevator car 6 and opens the doors.

[0059] Furthermore, when the elevator car 6 is stopped at a predetermined landing position and its doors are open, if the height of the elevator car 6 shifts slightly due to passengers getting on or off, etc., and the elevator car position detection unit 91 recognizes that the distance between the floor of the elevator car 6 and the floor of the landing 11 has become less than distance L, as at time t5 or t11, the operation control unit 92 uses wire stretch adjustment to adjust the floor of the elevator car 6 and the floor of the landing 11 so that they are at the same height.

[0060] Furthermore, while the doors of the elevator car 6 are open, if the car position detection unit 91 recognizes that the distance between the floor of the elevator car 6 and the floor of the landing 11 has become greater than the distance L, such as at time t4 or t12, the operation control unit 92 determines that the elevator car 6 is traveling with its doors open and stops the movement of the elevator car 6.

[0061] In this way, elevator 1A is configured to safely and accurately detect the position of the elevator car 6 with a simple configuration without the need for an inspection plate. As a result, when an earthquake or other event causes the elevator car 6 to sway laterally, contact between the elevator car 6 and the inspection plate is prevented, thus preventing damage to the components inside elevator 1A.

[0062] Furthermore, by constructing elevator 1A without providing an inspection plate, there are no members protruding from the guide rail towards the elevator car, which improves the flexibility of the layout within the hoistway 2 and the elevator car 6, and also reduces the amount of work required when installing the elevator.

[0063] Furthermore, if the sensor bracket 30 is installed on the top of the elevator car, installation and inspection can be performed from the top of the elevator car 6. If the sensor bracket 30 is installed on the bottom of the elevator car, installation and inspection can be performed from the pit, allowing workers to easily perform these management tasks.

[0064] Furthermore, the car position detection unit 91 can determine that an abnormality has occurred in the third optical sensor 33 if, as the car 6 moves, the first optical sensor 31 and the second optical sensor 32 switch to detecting the first hole 21a and the fourth optical sensor 34 and the fifth optical sensor 35 switch to detecting the second hole 22a within a predetermined period, but the third optical sensor 33 remains in a state where it does not detect either the first hole 21a or the second hole 22a.

[0065] Furthermore, the car position detection unit 91 can determine that an abnormality has occurred in the optical sensor whose detection state did not switch, even though the third optical sensor 33 has switched from detecting the first hole 21a or the second hole 22a to not detecting it, if the first optical sensor 31 or the second optical sensor 32 has not switched to detecting the first hole 21a, or if the fourth optical sensor 34 or the fifth optical sensor 35 has not switched to detecting the second hole 22a.

[0066] In other words, the car position detection unit 91 performs the detection process for the position of the elevator car 6 in a redundant manner using a group of optical sensors consisting of a first optical sensor 31, a second optical sensor 32, a fourth optical sensor 34, and a fifth optical sensor 35, and a third optical sensor 33, thereby easily determining the normal / abnormal state of each optical sensor.

[0067] When the car position detection unit 91 determines that an abnormality has occurred in any of the optical sensors, the operation control unit 92 switches to low-speed operation mode and moves the elevator car 6, using the normal optical sensors to land the elevator car 6 at a predetermined landing position. This ensures that even if an abnormality occurs in any of the optical sensors, the elevator car 6 can be landed in the correct position while maintaining safety.

[0068] In the embodiment described above, the case was explained in which the light emitted from the first to fifth light sensors 31 to 35 is set to incident at different positions at equal intervals along a straight line X. However, the invention is not limited to this, and the position and emission direction of each light sensor can be set such that the first distance between the incident position of the light emitted from the first light sensor 31 and the incident position of the light emitted from the second light sensor 32, and the second distance between the incident position of the light emitted from the fourth light sensor 34 and the incident position of the light emitted from the fifth light sensor 35 are the same along a straight line X.

[0069] Furthermore, the first and second markers may be configured to slide while maintaining a constant distance between them along a straight line X. For example, as shown in Figure 12, a third hole 23 larger than the first marker and a fourth hole 24 larger than the second marker are formed at predetermined positions on the guide rail 10, and the adjustment member 200 is installed on top of them.

[0070] The adjustment member 200 has a fifth hole 201 shaped to correspond to the first marker and a sixth hole 202 shaped to correspond to the second marker. The adjustment member 200 also has a first rail portion 203 and a second rail portion 204 provided in the longitudinal direction, a first threaded portion 205 installed at a predetermined position on the guide rail 10 to fix the adjustment member 200 to the guide rail 10 at any position within the first rail portion 203, and a second threaded portion 206 to fix the adjustment member 200 to the guide rail 10 at any position within the second rail portion 204. The adjustment member 200 is installed so that the first rail portion 203 and the second rail portion 204 align with a straight line X.

[0071] By installing the adjustment member 200 configured in this way such that the fifth hole 201 and the sixth hole 202 are positioned on the third hole 23 and the fourth hole 24, respectively, the first rail section 203 and the second rail section 204 can be slid to adjust the positions of the fifth hole 201 and the sixth hole as needed. This allows the positional relationship between the markers and the optical sensors to be adjusted as needed after the first marker, the second marker, and the first to fifth optical sensors 31 to 35 have been installed.

[0072] Furthermore, although the above-described embodiment described a case in which the first marker and the second marker are composed of hole-shaped portions, the invention is not limited to this, and other shapes are also acceptable as long as they can be detected by the first to fifth light sensors 31 to 35.

[0073] For example, as in the embodiment described above, if the detection state of the first and second markers is determined by whether or not the first to fifth light sensors 31 to 5 receive reflected light emitted from the first light sensors 31 to 5 light sensors 35, the first and second markers may be configured to refract the light emitted from the first to fifth light sensors 31 to 5 light sensors 35 in a direction other than the source of emission.

[0074] Specifically, the first and second markers are composed of triangular prism-shaped recesses 21b and 22b. Figure 13(a) is a cross-sectional view of the guide rail 10 when the first and second markers are composed of recesses 21b and 22b. Alternatively, the first and second markers are composed of triangular prism-shaped protrusions 21c and 22c. Figure 13(b) is a cross-sectional view of the guide rail 10 when the first and second markers are composed of protrusions 21c and 22c.

[0075] By configuring the first and second markers with recesses 21b and 22b, or protrusions 21c and 22c, the light emitted by the first to fifth light sensors 31 to 35 is refracted in a direction other than the light sensor from which it was emitted when it enters the first or second marker. As a result, the first to fifth light sensors 31 to 35 can detect the first or second marker when they do not receive reflected light from the emitted light.

[0076] Reflectors (not shown) may be attached to the surfaces of these recesses 21b, recesses 22b, protrusions 21c, and protrusions 22c. This allows for even more precise refraction of light in a predetermined direction.

[0077] Alternatively, the first to fifth optical sensors 31 to 35 may be composed of distance measuring sensors such as LiDAR, and the first and second markers may be composed of rectangular prism-shaped recesses 21d and 22d, or rectangular prism-shaped protrusions 21e and 22e. Figure 14(a) is a cross-sectional view of the guide rail 10 when the first and second markers are composed of recesses 21d and 22d, and Figure 14(b) is a cross-sectional view of the guide rail 10 when the first and second markers are composed of protrusions 21e and 22e.

[0078] By configuring the first and second markers with recesses 21d and 22d in this way, the first to fifth optical sensors 31 to 35 can detect the first or second marker when the distance to the guide rail 10 to be measured changes.

[0079] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the mechanism, which is composed of a combination of the first to fifth light sensors 31 to 5 and the first and second markers that receive the light emitted from them, may be provided corresponding to the lower part of the elevator car 6, or it may be provided corresponding to both the upper and lower parts of the elevator car 6. By providing this mechanism corresponding to both the upper and lower parts of the elevator car 6, the position of the elevator car 6 can be detected with even greater accuracy.

[0080] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, multiple mechanisms consisting of a combination of the first to fifth light sensors 31 to 35 and the first and second markers that receive the light emitted from them may be installed at different locations within the elevator 1A. For example, since there are two guide rails 10 installed on both sides of the elevator car 6, the first and second markers are provided on the guide rails 10 on different sides for each floor, and the sensor brackets 30 are installed at two locations within the elevator car 6 corresponding to each of the two guide rails 10.

[0081] With this configuration, for example, when using a position detection device in an elevator where car doors are installed on two sides of the car and doors open and close in different directions for each floor of the building, even if the height difference between different landings is smaller than that between normal floors, the landing position can be accurately detected for each floor even if the above-described mechanism is installed on both the upper and lower parts of the car 6.

[0082] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, while the elevator car 6 is in motion, the operation control unit 92 may measure the time from when one of the multiple markers provided on the guide rail 10 is detected by any of the optical sensors to when it is no longer detected, until the next marker is detected, and calculate the travel speed of the elevator car 6 based on the measured time and the distance between these markers. The operation control unit 92 can use the calculated travel speed information to control the operation of the elevator car 6.

[0083] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case in which the sensor bracket 30 is installed on the elevator car 6 and the first and second markers are provided on the guide rail 10 on the hoistway 2 side was explained, but the installation positions of these may be reversed. In other words, the sensor bracket 30 may be installed on the member on the hoistway 2 side and the first and second markers may be provided on the elevator car 6.

[0084] Furthermore, the position detection device described above may also be equipped with optical sensors and markers to detect when the elevator car reaches an emergency stop position to prevent overwinding of the rope, in addition to the landing positions corresponding to each floor landing of the elevator car 6.

[0085] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be carried out in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0086] 1A, 1B...Elevator, 2...Hoistway, 3...Machine room, 4...Hoisting machine, 5...Rope, 6...Car, 7...Counterweight, 8...Tail cord, 9...Elevator control device, 10...Guide rail, 10a, 10b...Rail, 11...Landing, 12...Landing door, 13...Landing floor, 21a...First hole, 21b...Recess, 21c...Convex, 21d...Recess, 21e...Convex, 22a...Second hole, 22b...Recess, 22c...Convex, 22d...Recess, 22e...Convex, 23...Third hole, 24...Fourth hole, 30...Sensor Racket, 31...First light sensor, 32...Second light sensor, 33...Third light sensor, 34...Fourth light sensor, 35...Fifth light sensor, 61...Car door, 62...Car floor, 91...Car position detection unit, 92...Operation control unit, 100...Side plate, 101a,101b...Engraving, 103...Protrusion, 104...Guide shoe, 105...Roller guide, 200...Adjustment member, 201...Fifth hole, 202...Sixth hole, 203...First rail, 204...Second rail, 205...First screw, 206...Second screw

Claims

1. A first, second, third, fourth, and fifth optical sensor are installed on either the elevator shaft or the elevator car, and detect objects along a straight line perpendicular to the floor surface of the other member by emitting light sequentially from the top toward different positions along the straight line. A position detection device comprising, on the straight line of the other member, a first marker provided to receive light emitted by the first and second light sensors when the elevator car reaches a predetermined landing position, and a second marker provided to receive light emitted by the fourth and fifth light sensors, A method for detecting the position of an elevator car, wherein, as the elevator car moves, the first and second optical sensors detect the first marker, and the fourth and fifth optical sensors switch to a state in which they detect the second marker, and the third optical sensor switches from a state in which it detects the first or second marker to a state in which it does not detect either the first or second marker, thereby determining that the elevator car has reached the landing position.

2. As a result of the aforementioned elevator car moving, during a predetermined period, When the first and second light sensors detect the second marker and then detect the first marker, and the fourth and fifth light sensors switch to a state where they detect the second marker, and the third light sensor switches from a state where it has detected the first or second marker to a state where it does not detect either the first or second marker, or The method for detecting the position of an elevator car according to claim 1, wherein the first and second light sensors detect the first marker, and the fourth and fifth light sensors switch to a state in which they detect the second marker after detecting the first marker, and the third light sensor switches from a state in which it has detected the first or second marker to a state in which it does not detect either the first or second marker, and it is determined that the elevator car has reached the landing position.

3. On the aforementioned straight line, A first distance between the incident position of light emitted from the first light sensor and the incident position of light emitted from the second light sensor, The second distance between the incident position of the light emitted from the fourth light sensor and the incident position of the light emitted from the fifth light sensor, The elevator car position detection method according to claim 1, wherein the positions and emission directions of the first light sensor, the second light sensor, the fourth light sensor, and the fifth light sensor are set so that they are the same.

4. The method for detecting the position of an elevator car according to claim 3, wherein the first distance and the second distance are the maximum distances at which the elevator car is set to be movable from the landing position with its doors open.

5. The elevator shaft member is a guide rail that guides the movement of the elevator car, and the first marker and the second marker are provided on the guide rail. The guide rail is constructed by connecting multiple rails formed on each floor, and each of the multiple rails is marked at a predetermined position with identification information indicating the connection order. The elevator car position detection method according to claim 1, wherein the positions of the first marker and the second marker are determined based on the position of the identification information.

6. As a result of the movement of the aforementioned elevator car, during the predetermined period, If the first and second optical sensors detect the first marker, and the fourth and fifth optical sensors switch to a state where they detect the second marker, but the third optical sensor remains in a state where it does not detect either the first or second marker, then it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the third optical sensor. The method for detecting the position of a ride car according to claim 1, wherein if the third optical sensor switches from a state of detecting the first marker or the second marker to a state of not detecting it, but the first optical sensor or the second optical sensor does not switch to a state of detecting the first marker, or the fourth optical sensor or the fifth optical sensor does not switch to a state of detecting the second marker, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the optical sensor whose detection state did not switch.

7. The first marker and the second marker have a hole shape or a shape that refracts the light emitted from the first to fifth light sensors in a direction other than the direction of emission, The method for detecting the position of a train car according to claim 1, wherein the first light sensor, the second light sensor, the third light sensor, the fourth light sensor, and the fifth light sensor determine that they have detected the first marker or the second marker if they do not receive reflected light when they emit light.

8. The method for detecting the position of a train car according to claim 1, wherein the first marker and the second marker are configured to slide along the straight line while maintaining a constant distance between them.

9. The elevator car position detection method according to claim 1, wherein a mechanism comprising a combination of the first light sensor, the second light sensor, the third light sensor, the fourth light sensor, and the fifth light sensor, and the first marker and the second marker that receive light emitted from these, is installed in multiple locations at different positions within the elevator.

10. A first, second, third, fourth, and fifth optical sensor are installed on either the elevator shaft or the elevator car, and detect objects along a straight line perpendicular to the floor surface of the other member by emitting light sequentially from the top toward different positions along the straight line. On the straight line of the other member, a first marker is provided to receive light emitted by the first and second light sensors when the elevator car reaches a predetermined landing position, and a second marker is provided to receive light emitted by the fourth and fifth light sensors. An elevator car position detection device comprising: an elevator car position detection unit that determines that the elevator car has reached the landing position when, as the elevator car moves, the first and second optical sensors detect the first marker, the fourth and fifth optical sensors switch to a state in which they detect the second marker, and the third optical sensor switches from a state in which it detects the first or second marker to a state in which it does not detect it, within a predetermined period of time.

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