Portable distance measuring device and method for adjusting an elevator encoder using the same

Abstract

The present invention provides a portable distance measuring device particularly suitable for adjusting elevator encoders. [Solution] The portable distance measuring device 10 of the present invention has a measuring unit 22 and comprises an optical distance sensor 20 for measuring the distance from the measuring unit to the object to be measured 60, an adjuster switch 40 for zeroing the measuring distance of the optical distance sensor, a mounting fixture 30, and a battery 50, wherein the optical distance sensor is mounted on the mounting fixture, the adjuster switch and the battery are connected to wiring 41, 51 extending from the optical distance sensor, and the mounting fixture is attached to a structure 90 near the object to be measured such that the measuring unit faces the object to be measured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a portable distance measuring device that can be carried and can precisely measure the distance to a measurement object. More specifically, it relates to a portable distance measuring device that can be used for adjusting the core deviation of an elevator encoder.

Background Art

[0002] An encoder for detecting the motor rotation speed is attached to a motor, which is an elevator hoist, via an adapter to the motor shaft. If there is a core deviation between the motor shaft and the encoder shaft, the rotation speed cannot be correctly detected. Therefore, during maintenance and inspection, it is necessary to adjust so that the core deviation between the encoder shaft and the motor shaft is below a predetermined threshold value.

[0003] For example, in Patent Document 1, the swing amplitude of the encoder when the motor shaft rotates is measured using a dial gauge, and when the swing amplitude exceeds a predetermined threshold value, it is corrected so that the core deviation of the encoder returns.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Disclosure of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, since there may be a cover attached around the motor shaft or the encoder, it is narrow and sometimes it is impossible to secure a sufficient working space. Also, the encoder may be dark due to the cover and visibility may not be ensured. Therefore, it is extremely difficult to correctly attach a dial gauge to the encoder and correctly read the value indicated by the dial gauge.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a portable distance measuring device that is particularly suitable for adjusting elevator encoders. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The portable distance measuring device of the present invention, An optical distance sensor having a measuring unit that measures the distance from the measuring unit to the object to be measured, An adjuster switch for zeroing the measurement distance of the optical distance sensor, Mounting hardware and Battery and A portable distance measuring device having, The optical distance sensor is mounted on the mounting fixture, The adjuster switch and the battery are connected to the wiring extending from the optical distance sensor. The mounting fixture is attached to a structure near the object to be measured such that the measuring part faces the object to be measured.

[0008] The mounting device has a base that is attracted by a magnet, and can be attached to the structure by attracting the magnet to it.

[0009] The mounting fixture has one or more arm portions between the base and the optical distance sensor, and the arm portions and the base, and / or the arm portions and the optical distance sensor can be connected by universal joints.

[0010] The object being measured can be an elevator encoder.

[0011] Furthermore, the method for adjusting the misalignment of the elevator encoder of the present invention is: A method for adjusting the misalignment between the motor shaft of the elevator and the encoder attached to the motor shaft using the above-mentioned portable distance measuring device, The mounting fixture is attached to a structure near the encoder. The measuring section of the optical distance sensor is directed toward the circumferential surface of the encoder. After operating the adjuster switch to zero-set the measurement distance of the optical distance sensor, The motor shaft is rotated to continuously measure the distance between the measuring unit and the circumferential surface of the encoder. The rotation of the motor shaft is stopped at the position where the distance becomes the smallest negative value or the largest positive value. The circumferential surface of the encoder on the side of that position or the circumferential surface of the encoder on the opposite side of that position is then struck to adjust the misalignment of the encoder. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] The portable distance measuring device of the present invention is portable, and the optical distance sensor can be attached to a desired structure around the object to be measured to measure the distance to the object. Therefore, it can be suitably used for adjusting the misalignment of elevator encoders in situations where sufficient workspace cannot be secured or where visibility is poor due to darkness. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the portable distance measuring device of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram of a motor with an encoder attached. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a portable distance measuring device arranged on an encoder. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the measurement of the encoder's misalignment using an optical distance sensor. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of adjusting the misalignment of the encoder. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the process of adjusting the misalignment of the encoder. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the process of adjusting the tilt of the encoder.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

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

[0015] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a portable distance measuring device 10 (hereinafter referred to as a "distance measuring device") according to an embodiment of the present invention. The distance measuring device 10 includes an optical distance sensor 20, a fixture 30 to which the optical distance sensor 20 is attached, wirings 41 and 51 extending from the optical distance sensor 20, an adjuster switch 40 connected to the wirings 41 and 51, and a power source (battery) 50.

[0016] The optical distance sensor 20 is a sensor that measures distance based on the phase difference of light, and a commercially available portable type can be adopted. Although the detailed functions and configurations of the optical distance sensor 20 will be omitted, the optical distance sensor 20 has a measuring unit 21 (arranged on the back side of the display unit 22 in FIG. 1) that includes a light emitting unit that oscillates light and a light receiving unit that receives reflected light, and converts the time difference between the oscillation timing of the irradiated light and the reception timing of the reflected light from the object into distance (Time of Flight). For example, the measuring unit 21 has a light emitting unit such as an LED and a light receiving unit such as a CMOS, and receives the red laser light L (see FIG. 4) oscillated from the light emitting unit with the light receiving unit.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the optical distance sensor 20 has a display unit 22. The display unit 22 displays the distance to the measured object (the encoder 60 of the elevator in the following embodiments) measured by the measuring unit 21. The distance displayed on the display unit 22 can be zero-set to the distance to the measured object by the adjuster switch 40 described below (0.000 in the illustration). Then, when the distance from the state where the distance on the display unit 22 is zero-set to the measured object becomes longer, the distance displayed on the display unit 22 is a positive display (for example, +0.300), and when the distance to the measured object becomes shorter, the distance displayed on the display unit 22 is a negative display (for example, -0.300).

[0018] The optical distance sensor 20 is equipped with an on / off switch 23 and a main unit-side adjuster switch 24 for zeroing the display distance shown on the display unit 22.

[0019] In addition, an adjuster switch 40 is separately connected to the optical distance sensor 20 by wiring 41. As shown above, the adjuster switch 40 is a button that zeros the measurement distance displayed on the display unit 22. In the illustration, the adjuster switch 40 is a push-type physical switch that operates the adjuster function built into the optical distance sensor 20 to zero the distance display on the display unit 22. The wiring 41 is preferably about 50 cm to 1 m in length.

[0020] Power can be supplied to the optical distance sensor 20 by connecting the wiring 51 connected to the power supply section of the optical distance sensor 20 to the battery 50. The battery 50 is, for example, a mobile battery. The wiring 51 can be about the same length as the wiring 41 of the adjuster switch 40, and a length of about 50 cm to 1 m is preferable. If the voltage of the optical distance sensor 20 and the mobile battery 50 are different, a transformer can be used in between. Of course, the optical distance sensor 20 may also be powered by a commercial power supply.

[0021] The mounting fixture 30 is a jig for positioning and fixing the optical distance sensor 20 near the object to be measured. As shown in Figure 1, the mounting fixture 30 includes a mounting portion 31 for attaching the optical distance sensor 20, one or more arm portions 32, 33 extending from the mounting portion 31, and a base 34 provided on the end arm portion 33.

[0022] The mounting portion 31 is, for example, an L-shaped bracket, and the optical distance sensor 20 can be mounted using screws (not shown). An arm portion 32 is connected to the mounting portion 31. In the illustration, there are two arm portions 32 and 33, with one arm portion 32 connected to the mounting portion 31. The other arm portion 33 has one end connected to arm portion 32 and the other end connected to the base 34. The arm portions 32 and 33 are rod-shaped.

[0023] The base 34 is a component for attaching and fixing the portable distance measuring device 10 to a component 90 (hereinafter referred to as "structure") near the object to be measured. When the object to be measured is an elevator encoder 60, the structure 90 is often a cover, frame, or support column of the motor 80, and is often made of magnetic or ferromagnetic material. For this reason, it is desirable that the base 34 be equipped with a magnet 35, and that the mounting fixture 30 be attracted to the structure 90 by the magnet 35. In Figure 1, the magnet 35 is placed on the underside of the base 34. This allows the mounting fixture 30 to be easily attached and fixed to the structure 90 without the need for tools such as a wrench, and can be easily removed. Of course, the base 34 can also be attached to the structure 90 by clips, clamps, bolts, etc., in addition to the magnet 35, and a configuration with two or more of these may also be used.

[0024] The mounting fixture 30 is required to be able to adjust the orientation, position, and angle of the optical distance sensor 20 attached to the mounting part 31 relative to the base 34. Therefore, it is desirable that the mounting fixture 30 connects the arm part 32 to the mounting part 31, the arm part 33 to the base 34, and the arm parts 32 and 33 to each other using universal joints 36, 37, and 38. It is preferable that the universal joints 36, 37, and 38 be able to be adjusted in angle and fixed using tightening and loosening devices such as wing bolts and thumb screws, or by sliding resistance. In addition, by using flexible arms that can be deformed and fixed at any angle instead of the rod-shaped arm parts 32 and 33, universal joints can be made unnecessary.

[0025] Thus, as shown in Figure 1, the distance measuring device 10 of the present invention is configured by connecting the adjuster switch 40 and the battery 50 to the optical distance sensor 20 via wiring 41 and 51, and by attaching the optical distance sensor 20 to the mounting part 31 of the mounting fixture 30.

[0026] The distance measuring device 10 can be used, for example, to adjust the misalignment of an elevator encoder 60.

[0027] Figure 2 is a side view of the main components of the motor 80, including the elevator encoder 60. Please understand that Figure 2 and the following description are based on one embodiment and do not limit the structure of the encoder 60, etc.

[0028] The elevator motor 80 rotates the sheave over which the main rope connecting the car and counterweight is hoisted. A coupling 82 is attached concentrically to the motor shaft 81, which is rotatably mounted on the motor 80, as shown in Figure 2. An encoder 60 is attached to this coupling 82 via an adapter 70.

[0029] As a specific embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the adapter 70 is axial, and the coupling 82 has a sleeve portion 83 into which the adapter 70 fits with radial play. An encoder 60 is attached to the tip of the adapter 70, and the encoder 60 is fixed by the motor 80 by a bracket 63. The adapter 70 and the encoder 60 are connected concentrically, but the adapter 70 and the coupling 82 are attached by bolts 71 (for example, 3 to 4 bolts in the circumferential direction). Therefore, repeated rotation of the motor 80 can cause misalignment between the motor shaft 81 and the adapter 70, that is, between the adapter 70 and the concentric encoder 60. If there is misalignment between the encoder 60 and the motor shaft 81, pulsation occurs in the detection of the rotational speed of the motor shaft 81, making it impossible to accurately measure the speed of the cage. For this reason, the misalignment between the motor shaft 81 and the encoder 60 needs to be adjusted to a predetermined threshold, for example, on the order of 1 / 100 mm. The misalignment can be measured by the amount of eccentricity of the encoder 60 that occurs when the motor shaft 81 is rotated. If there is misalignment, the bolt 71 can be loosened and the adapter 70 or encoder 60 can be adjusted by tapping it with a hammer or similar tool from the direction of the larger misalignment.

[0030] As described above, the motor 80, motor shaft 81, adapter 70, encoder 60, etc., may be covered by a cover (not shown), making it difficult to secure sufficient working space, and visibility may be poor due to darkness. Therefore, the distance measuring device 10 of the present invention is used to measure and adjust the misalignment of the encoder 60.

[0031] The maintenance worker brings the distance measuring device 10 and the hammer for adjusting the misalignment into the machine room. First, as shown in Figure 3, the magnet 35 on the base 34 is attached to a structure 90 to which magnets can be attracted, such as the motor 80, cover, or frame, and the base 34 is fixed in place. In the illustration, the structure 90 is the frame that fixes the motor 80 and the like.

[0032] Next, the tightening and loosening devices of the universal joints 36, 37, and 38 are loosened, the optical distance sensor 20 is positioned so that it faces the circumferential surface 61 of the encoder 60, and the tightening and loosening devices are tightened to fix the universal joints 36, 37, and 38. Figure 4 is a view from the axial side showing the encoder 60 and the optical distance sensor 20, and exaggerates the misalignment of the encoder 60 (adapter 70) with respect to the motor shaft 81 (the rotation center is indicated by reference numeral 81).

[0033] From this state, the misalignment is measured. Figure 5 is a flowchart of the misalignment adjustment. As shown in Figure 5, the maintenance worker first turns on the switch 23 of the optical distance sensor 20 (step S1). As a result, as shown in Figure 4, a laser beam L is emitted and received from the measuring unit 21, and the distance to the opposing circumferential surface 61 of the encoder 60 is measured and displayed on the display unit 22. After this, the adjuster switch 40 is operated to zero-set the measured distance of the optical distance sensor 20 (step S2). As a result, the distance display on the display unit 22 is reset to zero. Note that the adjuster switch 40 and the display unit 22 are brought close to the maintenance worker by wiring 41 and 51, so they are easy to operate and easy to see.

[0034] From this state, the motor shaft 81 is rotated slowly, for example, at a rate of about 3 to 10 seconds per revolution (step S3), and the distance S between the optical distance sensor 20 (measuring unit 21) and the circumferential surface 61 of the encoder 60 is continuously measured. Note that the motor shaft 81 is rotated at least once, preferably two to three or more revolutions.

[0035] If the displayed measurement distance (absolute value) is below a predetermined threshold (Yes in step S4), there is no misalignment between the encoder 60 and the motor shaft 81, and no misalignment adjustment is necessary, so the adjustment work can be completed (step S5), the magnet 35 can be removed from the structure 90, and the distance measuring device 10 can be removed.

[0036] If the measurement distance S (either positive or negative, or both) displayed on the display unit 22 exceeds a predetermined threshold (No. in step S4), the direction of the misalignment is checked, and the misalignment is corrected.

[0037] Specifically, while continuously measuring the distance S with the optical distance sensor 20, the motor shaft 81 is slowly rotated again in the same manner as described above (step S6). Referring to the display unit 22, the rotation of the motor shaft 81 is stopped when the measured distance S reaches its smallest negative value (Smin), that is, when the encoder 60 is closest to the optical distance sensor 20, as shown in Figure 6 (Yes in step S7) (step S8). Note that if the zero-set position is the most misaligned towards the optical distance sensor 20, the smallest negative value of the measured distance Smin is zero.

[0038] As shown in Figure 6, the position where the rotation of the motor shaft 81 is stopped in step S8 is when the optical distance sensor 20 and the encoder 60 are closest together, so the misalignment direction of the encoder 60 is towards the optical distance sensor 20. Therefore, the bolt 71 that fixes the adapter 70 to the coupling 82 of the motor shaft 81 is slightly loosened, and the encoder 60 or adapter 70 is struck with a hammer to correct the misalignment (step S9). The position to be struck with the hammer is the circumferential surface 61 of the encoder 60 facing the optical distance sensor 20 (the striking point is indicated by the star mark P and the striking direction by the symbol Q). By striking this striking point P in the direction of arrow Q with a hammer, the encoder 60 moves in a direction that corrects the misalignment relative to the motor shaft 81. If the optical distance sensor 20 is in the way when striking with the hammer, the adapter 70 may be struck instead. Then, the bolt 71 is tightened again to fix the encoder 60 (adapter 70) to the motor shaft 81. In the figure, the encoder 60 and adapter 70 with corrected misalignment are shown by dashed lines (symbols 60a and 70a).

[0039] After correcting the misalignment of the encoder 60, return to step S2 in flowchart 5, zero-set the optical distance sensor 20 again, and repeat steps S2 to S9. Finally, when step S4 is Yes, tighten the bolt 71 that secures the adapter 70 to the motor shaft 81, remove the magnet 35 from the structure 90, and remove the distance measuring device 10 to complete the adjustment work.

[0040] As described above, the misalignment can be adjusted by operating and referring to the adjuster switch 40 and display unit 22 at a distance from the encoder 60. Therefore, even if the encoder 60 has a cover attached and the workspace is limited or it is in a position that is difficult to see, the misalignment adjustment can be performed efficiently. This has the effect of reducing the working time by more than 30 minutes compared to directly measuring the misalignment of the encoder 60 with a dial gauge and adjusting the misalignment.

[0041] In the above explanation, the misalignment is corrected by striking the side of the optical distance sensor 20 that has the smallest negative value with a hammer. However, the encoder 60 may also detect the position where the measured distance S of the optical distance sensor 20 has the largest positive value, and then strike the side of the encoder 60 that is diametrically opposite to the optical distance sensor 20 across the motor shaft 81 with a hammer. Whether to use the smallest or largest negative value should be determined appropriately based on the workspace, etc.

[0042] Furthermore, although the bolts 71 of the adapter 70 are tightened and loosened when adjusting the misalignment in the above description, the encoder 60 and bracket 63, and the bracket 63 and motor 80 may be fixed together with bolts, and a certain degree of relative movement may be allowed when the bolts are loosened, and the misalignment of the encoder 60 may be adjusted by tightening and loosening these bolts.

[0043] In the above embodiment, the radial misalignment of the encoder 60 with respect to the axis of the motor shaft 81 is adjusted. In addition, as shown in Figure 7, the distance measuring device 10 of the present invention can also be used to correct the tilt of the encoder 60 when it is tilted with respect to the rotation center of the motor shaft 81 (indicated by the dashed line O).

[0044] Specifically, as shown in Figure 7, the mounting bracket 30 is adjusted so that the optical distance sensor 20 is positioned opposite the top surface 62 of the encoder 60 (as far to the outer edge as possible). Next, the motor shaft 81 is rotated in the same manner as in flowchart Figure 5, while referring to the measurement distance S of the optical distance sensor 20. Then, the rotation of the encoder 60 is stopped at the position where the measurement distance S to the top surface 62 of the encoder 60 is minimized, and the tilt is corrected so that this position is lower in Figure 7. If it is difficult to adjust by hammering, the tilt can be corrected by inserting a shim or the like between the encoder 60 or adapter 70 and the motor shaft 81.

[0045] By correcting both the misalignment and tilt of the encoder 60, the encoder 60 can be properly mounted on the motor shaft 81. As a result, the encoder 60 can accurately measure the rotation of the motor shaft 81 and accurately derive the speed of the cage.

[0046] Furthermore, the distance measuring device 10 of the present invention can be used not only for adjusting the misalignment of the encoder 60 and adapter 70, but also for precise measurement of relatively short distances in elevators.

[0047] For example, the distance measuring device 10 can be used to precisely measure the distance between a contact-type or non-contact-type load sensing means installed in the passenger cabin and the detected part on the cabin side, and to adjust the said distance.

[0048] Of course, the distance measuring device 10 of the present invention can be used not only for elevators, but also for measuring distances in escalators and other machinery and equipment.

[0049] The above description is for the purpose of explaining the present invention and should not be interpreted as limiting or restricting the scope of the invention described in the claims. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the configuration of each part of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be modified in various ways within the technical scope described in the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0050] 10 Portable distance measuring device 20 Optical distance sensor 21 Measuring part 22 Display section 30 Mounting hardware 31 Mounting part 32 Arm section 33 Arm section 34 Pedestal 35 Magnets 40 Adjuster Switch 50 batteries 60 Encoder (object being measured) 70 adapter 80 motor 81 Motor shaft 90 Structures

Claims

1. An optical distance sensor having a measuring unit that measures the distance from the measuring unit to the object to be measured, An adjuster switch for zeroing the measurement distance of the optical distance sensor, Mounting hardware and Battery and A portable distance measuring device having, The optical distance sensor is mounted on the mounting fixture, The adjuster switch and the battery are connected to the wiring extending from the optical distance sensor. The mounting fixture is attached to a structure near the object to be measured such that the measuring part faces the object to be measured. Portable distance measuring device.

2. The aforementioned mounting device has a base that is attracted by a magnet, and is attached to the structure by attracting the magnet to it. The portable distance measuring device according to claim 1.

3. The mounting fixture has one or more arm portions between the base and the optical distance sensor, and the arm portions and the base, and / or the arm portions and the optical distance sensor are connected by a universal joint. The portable distance measuring device according to claim 2.

4. The object being measured is an elevator encoder. The portable distance measuring device according to claim 2.

5. A method for adjusting the misalignment between the motor shaft of the elevator and the encoder attached to the motor shaft, using the portable distance measuring device described in claim 4, The mounting fixture is attached to a structure near the encoder. The measuring section of the optical distance sensor is directed toward the circumferential surface of the encoder. After operating the adjuster switch to zero-set the measurement distance of the optical distance sensor, The motor shaft is rotated to continuously measure the distance between the measuring unit and the circumferential surface of the encoder. The rotation of the motor shaft is stopped at the position where the distance becomes the smallest negative value or the largest positive value. The circumferential surface of the encoder on the side of the position or the circumferential surface of the encoder on the opposite side of the position is then struck to adjust the misalignment of the encoder. How to adjust the misalignment of an elevator encoder.

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