Wire Rope Inspection Equipment

Abstract

To provide a wire rope inspection device capable of easily arranging a detection part so as to approach a wire rope as close as possible when the detection part for detecting a magnetic flux of the wire rope is moved by the remote control.SOLUTION: This wire rope inspection device 101 includes: an exciting part 20 for applying a magnetic flux to a wire rope W to be inspected; a detection part 30 for detecting the magnetic flux of the wire rope W to which the magnetic flux is applied by the exciting part 20; a biasing part 54 which biases the detection part 30 by an elastic force in the direction close to the wire rope W up to an inspection position where the detection part 30 is arranged during the inspection operation for performing the inspection on the wire rope W; and a drive part 51 for moving the detection part 30 in the direction away from the wire rope W up to a normal operation position where the detection part 30 is arranged during the normal operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a wire rope inspection device. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a wire rope inspection device that detects a change in magnetic flux of a wire rope by a detection coil (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The above-mentioned Patent Document 1 discloses a wire rope inspection device (magnetic material inspection device) that includes an excitation unit provided for a wire rope (magnetic material) and a detection coil that detects the magnetic flux (magnetic field) of the wire rope. The wire rope inspection device described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 is configured to detect a change in the magnetic flux of the wire rope caused by the application of magnetic flux by the excitation unit using the detection coil. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2019 / 171667 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Although not described in the above Patent Document 1, in a wire rope inspection device, during normal operation when no inspection is performed, the detector coil is moved away from the wire rope to prevent the wire rope from vibrating and coming into contact with the detector coil, and during inspection operation when inspection is performed, the detector coil is moved closer to the wire rope to perform inspection with high accuracy. In this case, if the detector coil is installed in a location such as inside the housing of the device in which the wire rope to be inspected is used, it is possible to move the detector coil by remote control using a driving force such as a motor when moving the detector coil closer to the wire rope.

[0006] However, when using a driving force such as a motor to place the detector coil at an inspection position where the wire rope is inspected, it is necessary to control the driving of the motor to control the movement of the detector coil. In this case, in order to obtain accurate detection results using the detector coil, it is necessary to bring the detector coil as close as possible to the wire rope, and therefore it is necessary to finely control the movement of the detector coil. For this reason, it is considered that the processing load of the control process increases in order to finely control the movement of the detector coil. Therefore, when the detector coil (detection unit) that detects the magnetic flux of the wire rope is moved by remote control, it is desired to easily place the detection unit as close as possible to the wire rope.

[0007] This invention has been made to solve the problems described above, and one object of the invention is to provide a wire rope inspection device that can easily position a detection unit that detects the magnetic flux of the wire rope as close as possible when the detection unit is moved by remote control. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] This invention No. 1 The wire rope inspection device in this aspect includes an excitation unit that applies a magnetic flux to the wire rope to be inspected, a detection unit that detects the magnetic flux of the wire rope to which the magnetic flux is applied by the excitation unit, and an elastic force that biases the detection unit in a direction approaching the wire rope to an inspection position where the detection unit is located during inspection operation to inspect the wire rope. Move by The device includes a biasing unit and a drive unit that moves the detection unit in a direction away from the wire rope to a normal operation position where the detection unit is located during normal operation. A wire rope inspection device in a second aspect of the present invention comprises an excitation unit that applies magnetic flux to a wire rope to be inspected, a detection unit that detects the magnetic flux of the wire rope to which magnetic flux is applied by the excitation unit, a biasing unit that biases the detection unit by elastic force in a direction approaching the wire rope to an inspection position where the detection unit is located during inspection operation for inspecting the wire rope, and a drive unit that moves the detection unit in a direction away from the wire rope to a normal operation position where the detection unit is located during normal operation, wherein the detection unit includes a first part that is located on one side in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the wire rope and a second part that is located on the other side, and the biasing unit is configured to bias the first part and the second part by elastic force to the inspection position so as to approach each other. A wire rope inspection device in a third aspect of the present invention comprises an excitation unit that applies magnetic flux to the wire rope to be inspected, a detection unit that detects the magnetic flux of the wire rope to which magnetic flux is applied by the excitation unit, a biasing unit that elastically biases the detection unit in a direction approaching the wire rope to an inspection position where the detection unit is located during inspection operation for inspecting the wire rope, and a drive unit that moves the detection unit in a direction away from the wire rope to a normal operation position where the detection unit is located during normal operation, and further comprises a damping unit that dampens the moving speed of the detection unit when the detection unit is biased by the biasing unit to move in a direction approaching the wire rope. Effect of the Invention

[0009] The present invention 1st~3rdIn the wire rope inspection device according to the aspect, as described above, the wire rope inspection device includes a biasing unit that biases the detection unit by elastic force in a direction approaching the wire rope to an inspection position where the detection unit is disposed during inspection operation for inspecting the wire rope. As a result, the detection unit can be moved to the inspection position where inspection is performed by being biased by the biasing unit, so that the detection unit can be disposed as close to the wire rope as possible by biasing it by the elastic force of the biasing unit without controlling the movement of the detection unit. Therefore, the detection unit can be disposed as close to the wire rope as possible without finely controlling the movement of the detection unit. As a result, it is possible to suppress an increase in the processing load of the control process, so that when the detection unit that detects the magnetic flux of the wire rope is moved by remote control, the detection unit can be easily disposed so as to be as close to the wire rope as possible. In addition, during normal operation, there is no need to finely control the placement of the detection unit. Therefore, the detection unit can be easily disposed at the normal operation position by moving the detection unit against the elastic force (biasing force) of the biasing unit in a direction away from the wire rope to the normal operation position where the detection unit is disposed during normal operation by the drive unit. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a wire rope inspection system according to a first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a wire rope inspection system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a wire rope inspection device according to a first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a diagram showing the arrangement of a magnetic field application unit, an excitation unit, and a detection unit in the wire rope inspection device of the first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 5] 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of a detection coil of a detection unit. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a drive mechanism according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7]1 is a diagram showing the arrangement of a detection unit and a drive mechanism of the wire rope inspection device of the first embodiment during normal operation. FIG. [Figure 8] 2 is a diagram showing the arrangement of a detection unit and a drive mechanism during inspection operation by the wire rope inspection device of the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a wire rope inspection system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the configuration of a wire rope inspection device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 11] 13 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the detection unit and the drive mechanism during normal operation of the wire rope inspection device of the second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 12] 13 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the detection unit and the drive mechanism during inspection operation by the wire rope inspection device of the second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 13] 13A and 13B are diagrams for explaining a one-way clutch in a second embodiment, in which (A) is a diagram seen from the X1 direction side, and (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 400-400 in (A). [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a wire rope inspection system according to a third embodiment. [Figure 15] 13 is a diagram showing a schematic arrangement of a detection unit and a drive mechanism during inspection operation by a wire rope inspection device according to a third embodiment. FIG. [Figure 16] 11A and 11B are diagrams showing movement of a detection unit due to contact with a foreign object. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0012] [First embodiment] First, the configurations of a wire rope inspection system 100 and a wire rope inspection device 101 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 8. In the following description, "orthogonal" means intersecting at an angle of 90 degrees or an angle close to 90 degrees. Furthermore, "parallel" includes parallel and approximately parallel.

[0013] (Wire rope inspection system configuration) As shown in Fig. 1, wire rope inspection system 100 includes wire rope inspection device 101 and processing device 102. Wire rope inspection system 100 inspects a wire rope W installed in an elevator 103. Specifically, wire rope inspection system 100 is a system for inspecting abnormalities (such as broken wires) in the wire rope W of elevator 103, which is the object of inspection.

[0014] Furthermore, the wire rope inspection system 100 is a system capable of checking for abnormalities in the wire rope W that are difficult to check visually, using a total magnetic flux method that measures the magnetic flux inside the wire rope W. If the wire rope W contains an abnormal portion (broken wire, thinning, rust, etc.), the magnetic flux in the abnormal portion will be different from that in a normal portion. Unlike a method that measures leakage magnetic flux from an abnormal portion on the surface of the wire rope W, the total magnetic flux method is a method that can also measure abnormal portions inside the wire rope W. Furthermore, the wire rope inspection system 100 is configured so that inspection of the wire rope W is performed (started) based on an input operation by an inspection operator to the processing device 102.

[0015] (Elevator configuration) As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the elevator 103 includes a car room 103a, a sheave 103b, a sheave 103c, a housing 103d, a control device 103e, and a wire rope W. The elevator 103 is configured to move the car room 103a carrying people and cargo in the vertical direction by rotating a sheave 103b (pulley) provided on the hoist to wind up the wire rope W. The elevator 103 is a rope elevator of a double wrap type (full wrap type) including two sheaves 103b and 103c, for example. The double wrap type is a structure in which the wire rope W is wrapped around the sheave 103b twice by returning the wire rope W led from the sheave 103b of the hoist to the sheave 103c, which is a deflector, back to the sheave 103b of the hoist. Moreover, the sheaves 103b and 103c are disposed inside the housing 103d.

[0016] The control device 103e includes a control panel that controls the operation of each part of the elevator 103. The control device 103e also includes a wireless communication module and is configured to be able to communicate with the wire rope inspection device 101 and the processing device 102. The control device 103e is configured to change the moving speed (operating speed) of the cage 103a of the elevator 103 between a normal operation (normal operation mode) in which the elevator operates with people and cargo loaded and an inspection operation (inspection operation mode) in which the wire rope W is inspected, based on an input operation to the processing device 102. For example, during normal operation, the operating speed (moving speed of the wire rope W) is about 500 m / min, and during inspection operation, the operating speed is about 10 m / min or more and 40 m / min or less. The vibration of the wire rope W increases according to the operating speed of the elevator 103.

[0017] The wire rope W is formed by weaving (for example, strand weaving) magnetic wire material, and is a magnetic body made of a long material. The wire rope W is inspected for condition (presence or absence of scratches, etc.) by a wire rope inspection device 101 to prevent breakage due to deterioration. If the wire rope W is determined to have a degree of deterioration exceeding a predetermined standard as a result of measuring the magnetic flux of the wire rope W, it is replaced by an inspection operator. Note that, for convenience, only one wire rope W is shown in the example shown in FIG. 1, but the elevator 103 is equipped with multiple wire ropes W. For example, the elevator 103 is equipped with four wire ropes W (see FIGS. 7 and 8).

[0018] The wire rope W is disposed so as to extend in the X direction (see FIG. 3) at the position of the wire rope inspection device 101. The wire rope inspection device 101 measures the magnetic flux of the wire rope W while it is moving along the surface of the wire rope W in the direction in which the wire rope W extends (X direction). Specifically, like the wire rope W used in an elevator 103, the wire rope inspection device 101 measures the magnetic flux of the wire rope W while moving the wire rope W in the X direction by a hoist. In this way, the wire rope inspection device 101 inspects the wire rope W for damage at each position in the X direction by measuring the magnetic flux at each position in the X direction of the wire rope W.

[0019] (Processing device configuration) 2, the processing device 102 includes a communication unit 102a, a control unit 102b, a storage unit 102c, and a display unit 102d. The processing device 102 displays the measurement results of the magnetic flux of the wire rope W by the wire rope inspection device 101, performs analysis based on the measurement results of the magnetic flux of the wire rope W by the wire rope inspection device 101, and performs other operations. Specifically, the processing device 102 is configured to acquire detection signals from detection coils 31a and 31b of the detection unit 30 described below, and to determine the presence or absence of an abnormality in the wire rope W based on the acquired detection signals. The processing device 102 is, for example, a personal computer used by an inspection operator who inspects the wire rope W.

[0020] The communication unit 102a is configured to be able to communicate with the wire rope inspection device 101 and the control device 103e of the elevator 103. The communication unit 102a is an interface for communication. Specifically, the communication unit 102a includes a wireless communication module capable of wireless communication by wireless LAN, Bluetooth (registered trademark), and the like. The processing device 102 receives the measurement results (magnetic flux signals) of the wire rope W by the wire rope inspection device 101 via the communication unit 102a. The processing device 102 is also configured to be able to acquire information on the operation mode of the elevator 103 (information on switching of the operation mode) from the elevator 103 (the control device 103e of the elevator 103) side.

[0021] The control unit 102b controls each unit of the processing device 102. The control unit 102b includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, etc. The control unit 102b analyzes damage (abnormality) of the wire rope W, such as a wire break (wire cut), based on the measurement result (detection signal) of the wire rope W received via the communication unit 102a.

[0022] The memory unit 102c is, for example, a storage medium including a flash memory, and stores (preserves) information such as the measurement results of the wire rope W from the detector coils 31a and 31b, and the analysis results of the measurement results of the wire rope W by the control unit 102b.

[0023] The display unit 102d is, for example, a liquid crystal monitor, and displays information such as the measurement results of the wire rope W and the analysis results of the measurement results of the wire rope W by the control unit 102b.

[0024] (Configuration of wire rope inspection device) Next, the configuration of the wire rope inspection device 101 in the first embodiment will be described.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the wire rope inspection device 101 includes a magnetic field application unit 10, an excitation unit 20, a detection unit 30, and a control board 40 as components for measuring the magnetic flux (magnetic field) of the wire rope W.

[0026] In the first embodiment, the magnetic field application unit 10 adjusts the direction of magnetization of the wire rope W by applying a magnetic field to the wire rope W in advance. The magnetic field application unit 10 is, for example, a permanent magnet. The magnetic excitation unit 20 is configured to apply a magnetic field (magnetic flux) to the wire rope W. Specifically, the magnetic excitation unit 20 includes an excitation coil 21 that excites (vibrates) the magnetization state of the wire rope W. The magnetic field application unit 10 and the magnetic excitation unit 20 will be described in detail later.

[0027] In the first embodiment, the detection unit 30 is configured to detect the magnetic flux of the moving wire rope W when the wire rope W provided in the elevator 103 moves along the extension direction (X direction) of the wire rope W by the drive of the elevator 103. The detection unit 30 includes a first portion 30a arranged on one side (Z1 direction side) of the direction (Z direction) perpendicular to the extension direction (X direction) of the wire rope W, and a second portion 30b arranged on the other side (Z2 direction side). The detection unit 30 also includes a detection coil 31a and a detection coil 31b arranged in the first portion 30a and the second portion 30b, respectively. In the first embodiment, the detection coils 31a and 31b detect the magnetic flux of the wire rope W to which a magnetic field is applied by the excitation unit 20. The detection coils 31a and 31b also output a magnetic flux signal as a detection signal by detecting the magnetic flux inside the wire rope W by a total magnetic flux method. The detection unit 30 will be described in detail later.

[0028] The control board 40 includes a processing unit 41, a magnetic flux signal acquisition unit 42, and a communication unit 43. The control board 40 controls the operation of the excitation unit 20 (excitation coil 21) based on a control signal from the processing unit 41. The control board 40 also controls each unit of the wire rope inspection device 101 by the control processing by the processing unit 41. The processing unit 41 includes a processor such as a CPU, a memory, and an AD converter. The magnetic flux signal acquisition unit 42 also acquires (receives) a magnetic flux signal from the detection unit 30 (detection coils 31a and 31b). The magnetic flux signal acquisition unit 42 includes an amplifier. The magnetic flux signal acquisition unit 42 amplifies the acquired magnetic flux signal and outputs (transmits) it to the processing unit 41. The communication unit 43 is configured to be able to communicate with the processing device 102 and the control device 103e of the elevator 103. The communication unit 43 includes a wireless communication module capable of wireless communication by wireless LAN, Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like. The communication unit 43 outputs (transmits) the acquired magnetic flux signal to the processing device 102. Note that the connection between the wire rope inspection device 101, the processing device 102, and the control device 103e of the elevator 103 via the communication unit 43 may be a wired connection.

[0029] <Anomaly detection using total magnetic flux method> As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, in the wire rope inspection system 100 according to the first embodiment, during the inspection operation (inspection operation mode), the wire rope W is guided toward the X2 direction with respect to the wire rope inspection device 101 by the rotation of the sheave 103b. The wire rope W guided to the wire rope inspection device 101 is first pre-adjusted in magnetic field by the magnetic field application unit 10. Then, the excitation coil 21 of the excitation unit 20 excites the magnetization state of the wire rope W whose magnetic field has been pre-adjusted (magnetized). Then, the detection coils 31a and 31b of the detection unit 30 detect the magnetic flux of the wire rope W whose magnetization state has been excited after the magnetization by the total magnetic flux method. That is, in the first embodiment, the detection coils 31a and 31b are configured to detect the magnetic flux of the wire rope W after the magnetic field is applied in advance by the magnetic field application unit 10 (after the magnetization).

[0030] The magnetic field application unit 10 includes a pair of magnetic field application units 10a and 10b arranged in a direction (Z direction) perpendicular to the extension direction of the wire rope W. The pair of magnetic field application units 10a and 10b are arranged on both sides of the short direction of the wire rope W (direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the wire rope W, Z direction) so as to sandwich the wire rope W. Specifically, the magnetic field application unit 10a is arranged on the Z1 direction side of the wire rope W. The magnetic field application unit 10b is arranged on the Z2 direction side of the wire rope W. The magnetic field application unit 10 is provided so that the N pole (hatched) of the magnetic field application unit 10a facing the Z2 direction and the N pole (hatched) of the magnetic field application unit 10b facing the Z1 direction face each other across the wire rope W. The magnetic field application units 10a and 10b are configured to be capable of applying a relatively strong magnetic field in order to arrange the magnetization direction of the wire rope W approximately uniformly.

[0031] The excitation coil 21 is provided so as to wind all of the multiple (four) wire ropes W together along the extension direction (X direction) of the wire rope W. The excitation coil 21 is provided so as to wind the outside of the detection coils 31a and 31b with respect to the wire rope W. When an excitation AC current flows through the excitation coil 21, the excitation coil 21 generates a magnetic flux (magnetic field) along the extension direction (X direction) of the wire rope W inside the coil (inside the coil loop). The excitation coil 21 applies the generated magnetic flux (magnetic field) to the wire rope W. Specifically, an AC current (excitation current) having a constant magnitude and a constant frequency is caused to flow through the excitation unit 20 (excitation coil 21) under the control of the processing unit 41, so that a magnetic field is applied so as to vibrate in the extension direction (X direction) of the wire rope W. That is, in the wire rope W, the magnetic field (magnetic flux) previously adjusted by the magnetic field application unit 10 is vibrated by the magnetic excitation unit 20 so that a magnetic field in the X1 direction and a magnetic field in the X2 direction appear periodically.

[0032] <Detection of magnetic flux by a detection coil> In the first embodiment, the detector coils 31a and 31b are arranged such that one wire rope W is sandwiched between the two coils. The detector coils 31a and 31b are provided on each of the multiple (four) wire ropes W. That is, two coils, the detector coil 31a and the detector coil 31b, are provided on each of the multiple (four) wire ropes W. Therefore, four detector coils 31a and four detector coils 31b are arranged on each of the first portion 30a and the second portion 30b.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 5, the detector coil 31a and the detector coil 31b are each an independent saddle-shaped coil. The detector coil 31a and the detector coil 31b are arranged so as to cover half of the wire rope W during the inspection operation. Therefore, the detector coil 31a and the detector coil 31b are combined to surround the entire circumference of the wire rope W. The detector coils 31a and 31b are each formed of a conductor pattern provided on a flexible substrate. The detector coils 31a and 31b are arranged so as to be wound around the wire rope W along the direction in which the wire rope W extends. That is, the detector coils 31a and 31b are arranged so as to wind the entire circumference of the wire rope W with the two saddle-shaped coils along the direction in which the wire rope W extends (X direction). The first portion 30a and the second portion 30b are arranged so as to abut against each other during the inspection operation. The first portion 30a and the second portion 30b are provided with grooves so that the wire rope W is surrounded by the detector coils 31a and 31b when they are in contact with each other. In this specification, the term "winding" is used to refer not only to winding (wrapping) the wire rope W around one or more times, but also to winding the wire rope W around a number (angle) of less than one turn (for example, half a turn).

[0034] Moreover, each of the detector coils 31a and 31b is wound along the extension direction (X direction) of the wire rope W, and thus detects (measures) magnetic flux that penetrates the inside of the coil along the extension direction (X direction) of the wire rope W. The detector coils 31a and 31b are configured to detect a change in magnetic flux (magnetic field) that is periodically changed over time by the excitation unit 20 (excitation coil 21). Each of the detector coils 31a and 31b outputs a magnetic flux signal (detection signal) indicating the detected magnetic flux to the magnetic flux signal acquisition unit 42 of the control board 40. For example, when magnetic flux detection is performed on four wire ropes W, a total of eight magnetic flux signals are acquired by the magnetic flux signal acquisition unit 42.

[0035] (Disposition of the detector during normal operation and inspection operation) Next, the movement of the detection unit 30 in the wire rope inspection device 101 will be described with reference to FIG. 3 and FIGS. 6 to 8. As described above, in the wire rope inspection device 101 in the first embodiment, during normal operation, the movement speed of the wire rope W relative to the detection unit 30 is relatively large, and the amplitude of vibration due to vibration in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the wire rope W (the direction in which the wire rope W extends, the X direction) is also large. During inspection operation, the movement speed of the wire rope W relative to the detection unit 30 is relatively small, and the amplitude of vibration in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the wire rope W is also small. The wire rope inspection device 101 in the first embodiment is configured to change the separation distance of the detection unit 30 from the wire rope W during normal operation (normal operation mode) and inspection operation (inspection operation mode) by control by the processing unit 41 of the control board 40.

[0036] Specifically, the wire rope inspection device 101 is configured to dispose the detection unit 30 at a normal operation position so as to relatively increase the distance between the detection unit 30 and the wire rope W when the operation mode of the elevator 103 is set to a normal operation mode (during normal operation). When the operation mode of the elevator 103 is switched to an inspection operation mode in which the moving speed of the wire rope W is slower than in the normal operation mode (during inspection operation), the wire rope inspection device 101 is configured to dispose the detection unit 30 at an inspection position where the wire rope W is inspected so as to relatively decrease the distance between the detection unit 30 and the wire rope W. In detail, in order to increase the sensitivity of signals generated in the detection coils 31a and 31b during inspection operation, the detection unit 30 (detection coils 31a and 31b) is disposed to surround the wire rope W so as to relatively decrease the distance between the detection unit 30 and the wire rope W. In addition, during normal operation, the detection unit 30 (detection coils 31a and 31b) is positioned so that its distance from the wire rope W is relatively large so that the wire rope W does not come into contact with the detection unit 30 (detection coils 31a and 31b) even when the swing range of the wire rope W becomes large.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 3, the wire rope inspection device 101 includes a housing 101a and a base unit 101b. The magnetic field application unit 10 and the excitation unit 20 (excitation coil 21) are fixed to the housing 101a. That is, the positions of the magnetic field application unit 10 and the excitation unit 20 (excitation coil 21) are not changed during normal operation and during inspection operation. On the other hand, the detection unit 30 (first part 30a and second part 30b) is fixed to a drive mechanism 50 (see FIG. 2) described later, and is configured to be able to change its position. The base unit 101b is fixed inside a housing 103d of the elevator 103. The housing 101a and a drive unit base unit 50a described later are fixed to the base unit 101b.

[0038] <Configuration for moving detection unit> 6, the wire rope inspection device 101 includes a drive mechanism 50. The drive mechanism 50 includes a drive unit base 50a, a drive unit 51, holding plates 52a and 52b, linear guides 53a and 53b, and a linear guide rail 53c. The drive unit 51 is an example of a "solenoid type drive unit" in the claims.

[0039] The driving unit base part 50a is attached to the base part 101b to which the housing 101a of the wire rope inspection device 101 is fixed. The holding plates 52a and 52b hold the detection part 30. Specifically, the holding plate 52a holds the first part 30a in which the detection coil 31a is arranged. The holding plate 52b holds the second part 30b in which the detection coil 31b is arranged. The holding plates 52a and 52b are fixed with linear guides 53a and 53b, respectively. The linear guides 53a and 53b engage with a linear guide rail 53c fixed to the driving unit base part 50a. The linear guides 53a and 53b and the linear guide rail 53c allow the holding plates 52a and 52b to move linearly along the Z direction relative to the driving unit base part 50a. Therefore, the first portion 30a held by the holding plate 52a and the second portion 30b held by the holding plate 52b are configured to be movable along the Z direction.

[0040] In the first embodiment, the driving unit 51 moves the detection unit 30 (detection coils 31a and 31b) to a normal operation position in a direction (Z1 direction and Z2 direction) away from the wire rope W. Specifically, the driving unit 51 includes a solenoid type driving unit (solenoid actuator) that moves the detection unit 30 in a direction away from the wire rope W by generating a magnetic field by an electric current. For example, the driving unit 51 has a solenoid coil and a movable iron core. The driving unit 51 moves the movable iron core in a direction (Z2 direction) away from the wire rope W by passing an electric current through the solenoid coil. In addition, the solenoid coil portion of the driving unit 51 is fixed to the driving unit base unit 50a. The movable iron core of the driving unit 51 is fixed to a metal fitting 51a. The metal fitting 51a is fixed to a holding plate 52b. Therefore, when the driving portion 51 moves the movable core along the Z2 direction, the holding plate 52b holding the second portion 30b moves along the Z2 direction.

[0041] The driving mechanism 50 also includes a biasing unit 54. In the first embodiment, the biasing unit 54 biases the detection unit 30 (detection coils 31a and 31b) by elastic force in a direction approaching the wire rope W to the inspection position. Specifically, the biasing unit 54 is configured to bias the first portion 30a and the second portion 30b by elastic force toward the inspection position so as to bring them closer to each other.

[0042] In detail, the biasing unit 54 has a spring 54a and spring fixing units 54b and 54c. The spring 54a is arranged so as to expand and contract along the Z direction. The end of the spring 54a on the Z1 direction side is fixed to the spring fixing unit 54b. The end of the spring 54a on the Z2 direction side is fixed to the spring fixing unit 54c. The spring fixing unit 54b on the Z1 direction side is fixed to the drive unit base unit 50a. The spring fixing unit 54c on the Z2 direction side is fixed to the holding plate 52b. The biasing unit 54 is configured so that the spring 54a, which is stretched along the Z direction, generates an elastic force in a contracting direction to bias the holding plate 52b toward the Z1 direction.

[0043] The drive mechanism 50 also has a damper portion 55, a rack portion 56a, and a rack portion 56b as a damping mechanism. The damper portion 55 is an example of the "damping portion" in the claims.

[0044] In the first embodiment, the damper unit 55 attenuates the moving speed of the detection unit 30 when the detection unit 30 is moved in a direction approaching the wire rope W by being biased by the biasing unit 54. Specifically, the damper unit 55 attenuates the moving speed of the detection unit 30 by the viscous resistance of the fluid filled inside. The damper unit 55 also has a gear part 55a. The gear part 55a rotates while meshing with teeth of rack parts 56a and 56b described later. The damper unit 55 is fixed to the drive unit base part 50a so that the gear part 55a can rotate in the s direction and the t direction in FIG. 6 with an axis along the X direction as the rotation axis. The damper unit 55 is a rotary damper configured to attenuate the rotation speed of the gear part 55a in at least one direction (the direction in which the detection unit 30 approaches the wire rope W) by the viscous resistance of the fluid. The damper portion 55 is disposed at a center position between the first portion 30a and the second portion 30b of the detection portion 30 in the Z direction.

[0045] In the first embodiment, the rack portion 56a and the rack portion 56b are rod-shaped members extending linearly along the Z direction. The rack portions 56a and 56b each have a tooth portion that meshes with the gear portion 55a of the damper portion 55. That is, a rack-and-pinion structure is formed by the rotating gear portion 55a and the linear rack portions 56a and 56b. Specifically, the tooth portions of the rack portions 56a and 56b are arranged so as to be aligned linearly along the Z direction. In the first embodiment, the rack portion 56a moves in conjunction with the first portion 30a of the detection portion 30 by fixing one end of the rack portion 56a on the Z1 direction side to the holding plate 52a. The rack portion 56a is configured so that the other end of the rack portion 56a on the Z2 direction side meshes with the gear portion 55a of the damper portion 55. The rack portion 56b moves in conjunction with the second portion 30b of the detection portion 30 by fixing one end of the rack portion 56a on the Z2 direction side to the holding plate 52b. The rack portion 56b is configured so that the other end on the Z1 direction side meshes with the gear portion 55a of the damper portion 55.

[0046] The teeth of the rack portion 56a are arranged to mesh with the gear portion 55a on the Y1-direction side of the gear portion 55a, which rotates around an axis along the X-direction as its rotation axis. The teeth of the rack portion 56b are arranged to mesh with the gear portion 55a on the Y2-direction side of the gear portion 55a, which rotates around an axis along the X-direction as its rotation axis. Therefore, when the gear portion 55a rotates in the s direction in FIG. 6, the rack portion 56a and the rack portion 56b move in a direction away from each other in the Z direction in conjunction with each other. When the gear portion 55a rotates in the t direction in FIG. 6, the rack portion 56a and the rack portion 56b move in a direction approaching each other in conjunction with each other in the Z direction in conjunction with each other. Therefore, in the drive mechanism 50 of the first embodiment, the two rack portions 56a and 56b move in conjunction with each other by the rotational motion of one gear portion 55a, so that the first portion 30a and the second portion 30b are configured to move in conjunction with each other by an equal distance. Furthermore, the rotation speed of the gear portion 55a at least in the direction t (the direction in which the rack portion 56a and the rack portion 56b approach each other) is damped in the damper portion 55. Therefore, the first portion 30a and the second portion 30b are configured to damp the moving speed in cooperation with each other.

[0047] Moreover, the drive mechanism 50 of the wire rope inspection device 101 includes a position detection unit 57 and a fixing unit 58. In the first embodiment, the detection unit 30 is fixed to a normal operation position during normal operation.

[0048] In the first embodiment, the position detection unit 57 detects that the detection unit 30 is placed in the normal operation position. Specifically, the position detection unit 57 is fixed to the drive unit base unit 50a. The position detection unit 57 includes a mechanical switch that is turned on by contacting the holding plate 52a when the first portion 30a moves in the Z1 direction and is placed in the normal operation position. The position detection unit 57 outputs a position detection signal indicating that the first portion 30a has been detected to the control board 40 based on the switch being turned on.

[0049] The fixing part 58 fixes the first part 30a of the detection part 30 in a state in which the detection part 30 is disposed in the normal operation position. Specifically, the fixing part 58 has a fixing pin 58a, a spring 58b, and an actuator 58c. The fixing part 58 is fixed to the drive part base part 50a. The fixing part 58 fixes the first part 30a held by the rack part 56a by engaging (inserting) the fixing pin 58a into a hole part 56c (see FIG. 8) provided in the rack part 56a. The fixing pin 58a is biased by the spring 58b in a direction (X1 direction) in which the fixing pin 58a is inserted into the hole part 56c. The actuator 58c applies a force to the fixing pin 58a so as to move the fixing pin 58a in a direction (X2 direction) in which the fixing pin 58a is pulled out of the hole part 56c. Specifically, the actuator 58c is a solenoid actuator having a solenoid coil and a movable iron core. The actuator 58c releases the fixing of the detection unit 30 by the fixing part 58 by pulling the fixing pin 58a out of the hole 56c based on a control signal from the control board 40. Therefore, the fixing part 58 is configured to move the fixing pin 58a toward the first part 30a of the detection unit 30 by the biasing force of the spring 58b when no driving force is generated by the actuator 58c. In other words, even when no driving signal (driving power) is generated from the control board 40, the fixing part 58 continues to fix the detection unit 30 (first part 30a) in the normal operation position with the fixing pin 58a inserted into the hole 56c.

[0050] In addition, when the detection unit 30 (first portion 30a) is disposed at the inspection position, the rack portion 56a is configured to extend to a position above (in the Z1 direction) the fixed pin 58a in the Z direction. Therefore, the drive mechanism 50 of the wire rope inspection device 101 is configured so that the fixed pin 58a does not protrude beyond the rack portion 56a in the X1 direction even when the driving force of the actuator 58c of the fixed portion 58 is stopped when the detection unit 30 is disposed at the inspection position. As a result, the drive mechanism 50 of the wire rope inspection device 101 is configured to suppress the fixed pin 58a protruding in the X1 direction from interfering with the movement of the rack portion 56a (first portion 30a) in the Z1 direction when the detection unit 30 is moved from the inspection position to the normal operation position.

[0051] <Moving the detector to the normal operating position> 7 and 8, when the operation of the elevator 103 is switched from the inspection operation mode to the normal operation mode based on an input operation to the processing device 102, the processing unit 41 of the control board 40 controls each part of the drive mechanism 50 so that the detection unit 30 moves from the inspection position to the normal operation position. In addition, in Fig. 7 and Fig. 8, the parts shown as being connected to earth indicate that they are fixed to the drive unit base part 50a.

[0052] Specifically, when driving power is supplied from the control board 40 to the driving unit 51, the driving unit 51 moves the holding plate 52b in the Z2 direction so that the second portion 30b of the detection unit 30 moves in the Z2 direction. At this time, the first portion 30a is moved in the Z1 direction by the driving force of the driving unit 51 because the holding plates 52a and 52b move in conjunction with each other due to the damper portion 55 (gear portion 55a), rack portion 56a, and rack portion 56b. That is, the driving unit 51 moves the first portion 30a and the second portion 30b so as to be spaced apart from the wire rope W by an equal distance while resisting the elastic force of the biasing portion 54.

[0053] Then, when the first part 30a that has moved in the Z1 direction reaches the normal operation position, the position detection unit 57 detects that the first part 30a is disposed at the normal operation position. Then, the fixing unit 58 fixes the first part 30a. For example, when the detection unit 30 is disposed at the inspection position, the control board 40 (processing unit 41) stops supplying a driving force to the actuator 58c of the fixing unit 58. In this case, the fixing pin 58a of the fixing unit 58 stops in a state of abutting against the surface of the rack part 56a in the X2 direction while being biased in the X1 direction by the spring 58b. Then, when the first part 30a moves to the normal operation position by the movement of the rack part 56a by the driving unit 51, the fixing pin 58a is inserted into the hole part 56c by the spring 58b of the fixing unit 58, and the first part 30a is fixed. In addition, the first portion 30a and the second portion 30b are configured to operate in conjunction with each other by the rack portions 56a and 56b and the gear portion 55a, so that when the position of the first portion 30a is fixed, the position of the second portion 30b is also fixed.

[0054] As described above, when the operation of the elevator 103 is switched from the inspection operation mode to the normal operation mode, the detection unit 30 (the first part 30a and the second part 30b) moves to the normal operation position by the driving force of the drive unit 51 while resisting the elastic force of the biasing unit 54. Then, the detection unit 30 arranged at the normal operation position is fixed by the fixing unit 58. When the detection unit 30 (the first part 30a and the second part 30b) is moved from the inspection position to the normal operation position, the fixing pin 58a may be moved in the X2 direction by supplying a driving force to the actuator 58c of the fixing unit 58. In that case, the drive mechanism 50 may be configured to stop supplying the driving force to the actuator 58c based on a position detection signal from the position detection unit 57, thereby inserting the fixing pin 58a into the hole 56c of the rack unit 56a.

[0055] <Moving the detection unit to the inspection position> In addition, when the operation of the elevator 103 is switched from the normal operation mode to the inspection operation mode based on an input operation to the processing device 102, the processing unit 41 of the control board 40 controls each part of the drive mechanism 50 so that the detection unit 30 moves from the normal operation position to the inspection position.

[0056] Specifically, first, the detection unit 30 (the first portion 30a and the second portion 30b) fixed to the normal operation position by the fixing portion 58 is released. That is, the fixing pin 58a is pulled out of the hole portion 56c of the rack portion 56a by supplying driving power to the actuator 58c of the fixing portion 58. As a result, the first portion 30a is released from the fixed position, and the first portion 30a and the second portion 30b are urged to approach each other by the elastic force of the spring 54a of the urging portion 54. At this time, the moving speed of the first portion 30a and the second portion 30b is damped by the damper portion 55. In addition, the first portion 30a and the second portion 30b move at the same moving speed because the rack portion 56a and the rack portion 56b are engaged with the gear portion 55a of the damper portion 55. In addition, since the first part 30a and the second part 30b are spaced equal distances from the wire rope W, they are biased by the elastic force of the biasing section 54 to move at equal speeds in a direction approaching the wire rope W, and as a result, they stop moving in a state where they abut against each other at the position of the wire rope W.

[0057] As described above, when the operation of the elevator 103 is switched from the normal operation mode to the inspection operation mode, the detection unit 30 (the first portion 30a and the second portion 30b) moves to the inspection position by the elastic force of the biasing unit 54 while the moving speed is damped by the damper unit 55. In the first embodiment, the first portion 30a and the second portion 30b are configured to be disposed at the inspection position in a state where they are positioned by being biased by the biasing unit 54 to come into contact with each other.

[0058] (Effects of the first embodiment) The wire rope inspection device 101 of the first embodiment has the following advantages.

[0059] As described above, the wire rope inspection device 101 of the first embodiment includes the biasing unit 54 that biases the detection unit 30 by elastic force in a direction approaching the wire rope W to the inspection position where the detection unit 30 is disposed during the inspection operation for inspecting the wire rope W. As a result, the detection unit 30 can be moved to the inspection position where the inspection is performed by being biased by the biasing unit 54, so that the detection unit 30 can be disposed as close to the wire rope W as possible by biasing it by the elastic force of the biasing unit 54 without controlling the movement of the detection unit 30. Therefore, the detection unit 30 can be disposed as close to the wire rope W as possible without finely controlling the movement of the detection unit 30. As a result, it is possible to suppress an increase in the processing load of the control process, so that when the detection unit 30 that detects the magnetic flux of the wire rope W is moved by remote control, the detection unit 30 can be easily disposed so as to be as close to the wire rope W as possible. In addition, during normal operation, it is not necessary to finely control the placement of the detection unit 30. Therefore, the detection unit 30 can be easily positioned at the normal operation position by moving the detection unit 30 against the elastic force (biasing force) of the biasing unit 54 in the direction away from the wire rope W to the normal operation position where the detection unit 30 is positioned during normal operation using the drive unit 51.

[0060] Moreover, in the first embodiment, by being configured as follows, the following further effects can be obtained.

[0061] That is, in the first embodiment, the detection unit 30 includes a first portion 30a arranged on one side (Z1 direction side) in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the wire rope W, and a second portion 30b arranged on the other side (Z2 direction side), and the biasing portion 54 is configured to bias the first portion 30a and the second portion 30b to the inspection position so as to approach each other by elastic force. With this configuration, the first portion 30a and the second portion 30b of the detection unit 30 are biased by the biasing portion 54 so as to approach each other, so that the first portion 30a and the second portion 30b can be easily brought close to the wire rope W from both sides of the wire rope W. Therefore, the detection unit 30 divided into the first portion 30a and the second portion 30b can be easily arranged so as to surround the wire rope W as close as possible.

[0062] In the first embodiment, the driving unit 51 is configured to move the first part 30a and the second part 30b so as to be spaced apart from the wire rope W by an equal distance. With this configuration, the first part 30a and the second part 30b can be moved by the driving unit 51 to be positioned at an equal distance from the wire rope W. Therefore, when the first part 30a and the second part 30b are biased by the elastic force of the biasing unit 54 to move in a direction approaching the wire rope W, the wire rope W can be positioned at a position intermediate between the first part 30a and the second part 30b. Therefore, the distance between the first part 30a and the second part 30b and the wire rope W can be made equal, so that when the first part 30a and the second part 30b are disposed so as to surround the wire rope W, the detection result by the first part 30a and the second part 30b can be obtained with high accuracy.

[0063] In the first embodiment, the first portion 30a and the second portion 30b are configured to be arranged at the inspection position in a state where they are positioned by being biased by the biasing portion 54 and coming into contact with each other. With this configuration, the first portion 30a and the second portion 30b are positioned in a state where they are in contact with each other by being biased by the biasing portion 54, so that the first portion 30a and the second portion 30b can be arranged around the wire rope W in a state where they are biased in a direction in which they come into close contact with each other by the elastic force of the biasing portion 54. As a result, it is possible to suppress the positional deviation of the first portion 30a and the second portion 30b while bringing the first portion 30a and the second portion 30b into close contact with each other, so that the detection result by the detection portion 30 can be obtained with high accuracy.

[0064] Moreover, in the first embodiment, a fixing portion 58 is provided that fixes the detection unit 30 in a state in which the detection unit 30 is disposed in the normal operation position. With this configuration, the detection unit 30 is fixed by the fixing portion 58 in the normal operation position, so that the detection unit 30 can be fixed in the normal operation position without generating a driving force in the drive unit 51 to resist the elastic force of the biasing portion 54. Therefore, the detection unit 30 can be fixed in the normal operation position by the fixing portion 58 without constantly supplying power to the drive unit 51 during normal operation, so that an increase in power consumption during normal operation can be suppressed.

[0065] Moreover, in the first embodiment, a damper section 55 (attenuation section) is provided that attenuates the moving speed of the detection section 30 when the detection section 30 is urged by the urging section 54 to move in a direction approaching the wire rope W. With this configuration, the moving speed of the detection section 30, which moves as a result of being urged by the elastic force of the urging section 54, can be attenuated, so that the moving speed of the detection section 30 moving toward the inspection position can be prevented from becoming unnecessarily large. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a large force from being applied to the detection section 30 when it is disposed at the inspection position, and therefore it is possible to prevent abnormalities from occurring in the detection section 30.

[0066] In the first embodiment, the driving unit 51 includes a solenoid type driving unit that generates a magnetic field by a current to move the detection unit 30 in a direction away from the wire rope W, and the damper unit 55 (damping unit) damps the moving speed of the detection unit 30 by the viscous resistance of the fluid filled inside when the detection unit 30 is moved in a direction approaching the wire rope W by being biased by the biasing unit 54. With this configuration, the moving speed of the detection unit 30 when moving in a direction approaching the wire rope W can be damped by the damper unit 55, so that the detection unit 30 can be moved while suppressing the moving speed from becoming too high without using the driving force of the driving unit 51 when moving the detection unit 30 in a direction approaching the wire rope W toward the inspection position. Therefore, it is possible to easily suppress the moving speed of the detection unit 30 when moving in a direction approaching the wire rope W from becoming too high without controlling the magnitude of the driving force of the driving unit 51.

[0067] In the first embodiment, the damper unit 55 includes the rack portions 56a and 56b having teeth and extending linearly, the gear portion 55a rotating while meshing with the teeth of the rack portions 56a and 56b, and is configured to attenuate the rotation speed of the gear portion 55a, and the rack portions 56a and 56b are fixed at one end to the detection unit 30 and configured to mesh with the gear portion 55a of the damper unit 55 at the other end. With this configuration, the movement speed of the rack portions 56a and 56b meshing with the gear portion 55a can be attenuated by attenuating the rotation speed of the gear portion 55a of the damper unit 55. Therefore, the movement speed of the detection unit 30 fixed to one end of the rack portions 56a and 56b can be easily attenuated by the damper unit 55. Also, as in the first embodiment, by arranging the two rack parts 56a and 56b so as to face each other with respect to one gear part 55a of the damper part 55, the two rack parts 56a and 56b can be moved the same distance while attenuating the moving speed at the same speed by the rotation of one gear part 55a of the damper part 55. Therefore, when two different detection parts 30 (the first part 30a and the second part 30b) are arranged on both sides of the damper part 55, the moving distances of the two different detection parts 30 can be made equal and the moving speeds of the two different detection parts 30 can be attenuated in common. Therefore, when two different detection parts 30 are provided, the moving speeds of the two different detection parts 30 can be attenuated by one common attenuation part (the damper part 55) compared to the case where the moving speeds of the two different detection parts 30 are attenuated by separate attenuation parts, so that the complication of the device configuration can be suppressed.

[0068] Moreover, in the first embodiment, a position detection unit 57 is provided that detects that the detection unit 30 is placed in the normal operation position. With this configuration, the position detection unit 57 can easily detect that the detection unit 30 is placed in the normal operation position, and therefore, based on a position detection signal from the position detection unit 57, it is possible to easily execute, for example, control for fixing the detection unit 30 in the normal operation position or control for starting normal operation assuming that the inspection is completed.

[0069] In the first embodiment, the detection unit 30 is configured to detect the magnetic flux of the moving wire rope W in a state in which the wire rope W provided in the elevator 103 moves along the extension direction (X direction) of the wire rope W by driving the elevator 103, the biasing unit 54 is configured to bias the detection unit 30 to an inspection position where the detection unit 30 is disposed during an inspection operation of the elevator 103 in which the moving speed of the wire rope W relative to the detection unit 30 is relatively slow, and the driving unit 51 is configured to move the detection unit 30 to a normal operation position where the detection unit 30 is disposed during a normal operation of the elevator 103 in which the moving speed of the wire rope W relative to the detection unit 30 is relatively fast. Here, when inspecting the wire rope W provided in the elevator 103, the swing width of the wire rope W in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction (travel direction) of the wire rope W becomes small during an inspection operation in which the moving speed of the wire rope W is relatively slow. On the other hand, during normal operation when the moving speed of the wire rope W is relatively large, the swing width of the wire rope W in the direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the wire rope W becomes large. In contrast, in the first embodiment, the biasing unit 54 is configured to bias the detection unit 30 to the inspection position where the detection unit 30 is disposed during the inspection operation of the elevator 103 when the moving speed of the wire rope W relative to the detection unit 30 is relatively small. The driving unit 51 is configured to move the detection unit 30 to the normal operation position where the detection unit 30 is disposed during the normal operation of the elevator 103 when the moving speed of the wire rope W relative to the detection unit 30 is relatively large. With this configuration, when inspecting the wire rope W of the elevator 103, the biasing unit 54 can bias the detection unit 30 so as to be disposed as close as possible to the wire rope W during the inspection operation when the swing width of the wire rope W is relatively small. Also, the driving unit 51 can move the detection unit 30 so as to be disposed at a position separated from the wire rope W during the normal operation when the swing width of the wire rope W is relatively large.Therefore, by using the biasing unit 54 and the driving unit 51, the detection unit 30 can be positioned to improve detection sensitivity during inspection operation, and during normal operation, the detection unit 30 can be moved by remote control to position the detection unit 30 to avoid contact between the wire rope W and the detection unit 30. As a result, even when the detection unit 30 is moved by remote control relative to the wire rope W of the elevator 103, by using the biasing unit 54 and the driving unit 51, the detection unit 30 can be easily positioned as close as possible to the wire rope W during inspection operation, and the detection unit 30 can be easily positioned at a position separated from the wire rope W during normal operation.

[0070] In addition, in the first embodiment, a magnetic field application unit 10 is provided which applies a magnetic field to the wire rope W in advance to adjust the direction of magnetization of the wire rope W, the excitation unit 20 includes an excitation coil 21 which excites the magnetization state of the wire rope W after a magnetic field has been applied in advance by the magnetic field application unit 10, the detection unit 30 includes detection coils 31a and 31b which are wound around the wire rope W along the direction in which the wire rope W extends and which detect the magnetic flux of the wire rope W whose magnetization state is excited by the excitation coil 21 using a total magnetic flux method, the biasing unit 54 is configured to bias the detection coils 31a and 31b to the inspection position by elastic force, and the drive unit 51 is configured to move the detection coils 31a and 31b to the normal operation position. With this configuration, even when the wire rope W is inspected by the total magnetic flux method, the detection coils 31a and 31b that detect the magnetic flux inside the wire rope W can be moved by remote control using the biasing unit 54 and the driving unit 51 so as to be wound around the wire rope W. As a result, even when the wire rope W is inspected by the total magnetic flux method, the detection unit 30 can be easily positioned as close to the wire rope W as possible.

[0071] [Second embodiment] The configuration of a wire rope inspection device 201 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9 to Fig. 13. Unlike the first embodiment in which the detection unit 30 is moved away from the wire rope W by a solenoid drive unit, this second embodiment is configured to move the detection unit 30 away from the wire rope W by a motor 251. In the drawings, parts having the same configuration as the first embodiment are shown with the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

[0072] (Configuration of the wire rope inspection system according to the second embodiment) 9 and 10, a wire rope inspection system 200 according to the second embodiment includes a wire rope inspection device 201. The wire rope inspection device 201 includes a control board 240 and a drive mechanism 250. The configuration for measuring the magnetic flux (magnetic field) of the wire rope W according to the second embodiment (magnetic field application unit 10, excitation unit 20, and detection unit 30) is similar to that of the first embodiment.

[0073] The control board 240 includes a processing unit 241, a magnetic flux signal acquisition unit 42, and a communication unit 43. The control board 240 controls the operation of the excitation unit 20 (excitation coil 21) based on a control signal from the processing unit 241, similar to the control board 40 of the first embodiment. Also, the control board 240 controls each unit of the wire rope inspection device 201 by control processing by the processing unit 241, similar to the first embodiment. Then, the processing unit 241 of the control board 240 according to the second embodiment is configured to execute speed control of a motor 251, which will be described later. The other configurations of the control board 240 are similar to those of the control board 40 of the first embodiment. Also, the details of the speed control of the motor 251 will be described later.

[0074] (Movement of the detection unit according to the second embodiment) 11 and 12, the drive mechanism 250 includes a drive unit base part 250a. The drive unit base part 250a is attached to a base part 101b (see FIG. 10) to which a housing 101a of the wire rope inspection device 201 is fixed, similar to the drive unit base part 50a of the first embodiment. The drive mechanism 250 includes a biasing part 54. The biasing part 54 is configured to bias the first part 30a and the second part 30b to the inspection position by elastic force so as to bring them closer to each other, similar to the first embodiment.

[0075] The driving mechanism 250 also includes a motor 251. The motor 251 is fixed to the driving unit base unit 250a. The motor 251 also has a rotating shaft 251a (see FIG. 13). The motor 251 rotates the rotating shaft 251a in the u direction and the v direction under the control of the processing unit 241 of the control board 240. The motor 251 is configured to be speed-controllable. Specifically, the control board 240 includes a motor driver (not shown). The motor 251 is, for example, a stepping motor that rotates the rotating shaft 251a by driving power from the motor driver. The motor driver outputs driving power for driving the motor 251 based on the control by the processing unit 241. The processing unit 241 is also configured to execute control to change the rotation speed (number of rotations) of the motor 251 by controlling the operation of the motor driver. The motor 251 is an example of the "driving unit" and the "attenuation unit" in the claims.

[0076] The drive mechanism 250 also includes toothed pulleys 261a and 261b and a belt 262. The toothed pulley 261a is connected to a rotating shaft 251a of the motor 251 via a one-way clutch 263 (see FIG. 13) described later. The belt 262 transmits the rotation of the toothed pulley 261a to the toothed pulley 261b. The toothed pulley 261b is rotatably attached to the drive unit base part 250a. The belt 262 has fixed points 262a and 262b. The fixed point 262a is fixed to the holding plate 52a. The fixed point 262b is fixed to the holding plate 52b. In the drive mechanism 250 of the second embodiment, when the toothed pulley 261a rotates in the u direction, the fixed point 262a of the belt 262 moves in the Z2 direction and the fixed point 262b moves in the Z1 direction, so that the first portion 30a and the second portion 30b move in a direction toward each other in an interlocking manner. When the toothed pulley 261a rotates in the v direction, the fixed point 262a of the belt 262 moves in the Z1 direction and the fixed point 262b moves in the Z2 direction, so that the first portion 30a and the second portion 30b move in a direction away from each other in an interlocking manner.

[0077] Here, as shown in FIG. 13, the drive mechanism 250 includes a one-way clutch 263. In the second embodiment, the one-way clutch 263 is connected to the rotating shaft 251a of the motor 251. The one-way clutch 263 has a clutch mechanism that transmits a rotational force in only one rotational direction. Specifically, when the rotating shaft 251a of the motor 251 applies a rotational force in the v direction, the one-way clutch 263 rotates in synchronization with the rotating shaft 251a. When the rotating shaft 251a of the motor 251 applies a rotational force in the u direction, the one-way clutch 263 rotates idly with respect to the rotating shaft 251a.

[0078] The drive mechanism 250 also includes a brake 258. The brake 258 is configured to suppress the rotation of the rotating shaft 251a of the motor 251 (fix the rotating shaft 251a) based on a control signal from the processing unit 241 of the control board 240. The processing unit 241 of the control board 240 fixes the rotating shaft 251a of the motor 251 by the brake 258 based on a position detection signal from the position detection unit 57. Then, the brake 258 fixes the rotating shaft 251a of the motor 251, so that the first part 30a and the second part 30b of the detection unit 30 are fixed in a state in which they are arranged in a normal operation position. The brake 258 is an example of a "fixing unit" in the claims. At this time, it is preferable that the brake 258 releases the brake (fixing) of the rotating shaft 251a when electricity is supplied from the control board 240, and the brake works when electricity (power supply) is cut off.

[0079] <Moving the detector to the normal operating position> As shown in Figures 11 and 12, as in the first embodiment, when the operation of the elevator 103 is switched from the inspection operation mode to the normal operation mode based on an input operation to the processing device 102, each part of the drive mechanism 250 is controlled by the processing unit 241 of the control board 240 so that the detection unit 30 moves from the inspection position to the normal operation position.

[0080] In the second embodiment, the motor 251 moves the detection unit 30 (detection coils 31a and 31b) in a direction (Z1 direction and Z2 direction) away from the wire rope W. Specifically, the motor 251 rotates in one rotation direction (v direction in FIG. 11) against (against) the elastic force of the biasing unit 54 under the control of the processing unit 241 of the control board 240. Here, the motor 251 applies a rotational force to rotate the rotating shaft 251a in the v direction against the elastic force of the biasing unit 54, so that the one-way clutch 263 rotates in synchronization with the rotating shaft 251a. As a result, when the motor 251 rotates in the v direction to move the first portion 30a and the second portion 30b in a direction away from each other, the toothed pulley 261a rotates in synchronization with the rotating shaft 251a of the motor 251.

[0081] When the motor 251 rotates in the v direction, the toothed pulley 261a rotates in synchronization with the rotating shaft 251a of the motor 251, whereby the first portion 30a and the second portion 30b move in the Z1 direction and the Z2 direction, respectively. Therefore, the motor 251 rotates in the v direction to move the detection coils 31a and 31b (the first portion 30a and the second portion 30b) in a direction away from each other, thereby moving them in a direction away from the wire rope W. In the second embodiment, the one-way clutch 263 is configured to rotate together with the rotating shaft 251a of the motor 251 when the motor 251 applies a driving force to the detection unit 30 in a direction away from the wire rope W.

[0082] Then, when the first portion 30a, which has moved in the Z1 direction, reaches the normal operation position, the position detection unit 57 detects that the first portion 30a is disposed in the normal operation position. In this case, the brake 258 inhibits the rotation of the rotating shaft 251a of the motor 251 (the rotating shaft 251a is fixed), thereby inhibiting the movements of the first portion 30a and the second portion 30b. Then, the detection unit 30 (the first portion 30a and the second portion 30b) is fixed in the normal operation position.

[0083] <Moving the detection unit to the inspection position> Also, as in the first embodiment, when the operation of the elevator 103 is switched from the normal operation mode to the inspection operation mode based on an input operation to the processing device 102, each part of the drive mechanism 250 is controlled by the processing unit 241 of the control board 240 so that the detection unit 30 moves from the normal operation position to the inspection position.

[0084] Specifically, first, the fixing of the rotating shaft 251a of the motor 251 by the brake 258 is released. Then, since the fixing of the rotating shaft 251a is released, the first part 30a and the second part 30b are urged to approach each other by the elastic force of the urging part 54. Here, in the second embodiment, the motor 251 is configured to attenuate the moving speed of the detection part 30 when the detection part 30 moves in a direction approaching the wire rope W by being urged by the urging part 54, by rotating while limiting the speed in another rotation direction (u direction) opposite to one rotation direction (v direction). Specifically, the motor 251 rotates at a constant speed in the u direction against the elastic force of the urging part 54 so as to attenuate the moving speed when the first part 30a and the second part 30b move to approach each other. In this case, the belt 262 applies a force to rotate in the u direction to the toothed pulley 261a by the elastic force of the urging part 54. The motor 251 rotates the rotating shaft 251a in the u direction at a constant speed while applying a force in the v direction so as to support the rotating shaft 251a against the elastic force of the biasing portion 54. At this time, the one-way clutch 263 rotates in synchronization with the rotating shaft 251a because the rotating shaft 251a of the motor 251 applies a force in the v direction.

[0085] The first part 30a and the second part 30b are arranged at the inspection position and come into contact with each other. At this timing, the first part 30a and the second part 30b come into contact with each other and stop moving, so that the driving force (rotational force) of the motor 251 tries to apply a force in the u direction. Therefore, the one-way clutch 263 rotates idly with respect to the rotating shaft 251a, so that the driving force of the motor 251 is not transmitted to the toothed pulley 261a. That is, in the second embodiment, the one-way clutch 263 is configured to rotate idly with respect to the rotating shaft 251a of the motor 251 when the motor 251 applies a driving force to the detection unit 30 in a direction approaching the wire rope W. Therefore, the first part 30a and the second part 30b arranged at the inspection position so as to come into contact with each other are held (fixed) at the inspection position only by the elastic force of the biasing part 54 without applying a driving force from the motor 251, even when the motor 251 continues to rotate.

[0086] Other configurations of the second embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment.

[0087] (Effects of the second embodiment) In the second embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0088] In the second embodiment, the motor 251 (drive unit, damping unit) moves the detection unit 30 in a direction away from the wire rope W by rotating in one rotation direction (v direction). The motor 251 is configured to be speed-controllable, and when the detection unit 30 is biased by the biasing unit 54 to move in a direction approaching the wire rope W, the motor 251 rotates while limiting the speed in another rotation direction (u direction) opposite to the one rotation direction (v direction), thereby damping the moving speed of the detection unit 30. With this configuration, the speed-controllable motor 251 can commonly move the detection unit 30 to a normal operation position and damp the moving speed when moving the detection unit 30 to an inspection position. Therefore, unlike a case in which a configuration for damping the moving speed is provided separately from the motor 251, the device configuration can be simplified.

[0089] Furthermore, in the wire rope inspection device 201 according to the second embodiment, the following further effects can be obtained by configuring it as follows.

[0090] That is, in the second embodiment, a one-way clutch 263 connected to the rotating shaft 251a of the motor 251 is provided, and the one-way clutch 263 is configured to rotate together with the rotating shaft 251a of the motor 251 when the motor 251 applies a driving force to the detection unit 30 in a direction away from the wire rope W, and to rotate freely with respect to the rotating shaft 251a of the motor 251 when the motor 251 applies a driving force to the detection unit 30 in a direction approaching the wire rope W. With this configuration, when the motor 251 tries to apply a driving force to the detection unit 30 in a direction approaching the wire rope W, the one-way clutch 263 rotates freely, so that the motor 251 can be prevented from applying a force to the detection unit 30 in a direction approaching the wire rope W. Therefore, a force is applied to the detection unit 30 in a direction approaching the wire rope W only by the elastic force of the biasing unit 54, so that it is possible to prevent a force other than the elastic force of the biasing unit 54 from acting on the detection unit 30 arranged at the inspection position. As a result, it is possible to prevent a force larger than necessary from acting on the detection unit 30 placed at the inspection position, and therefore it is possible to prevent a load larger than necessary from being applied to the detection unit 30.

[0091] Other effects of the second embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment.

[0092] [Third embodiment] The configuration of a wire rope inspection device 301 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 14 to Fig. 16. In this third embodiment, a first portion 330a and a second portion 330b have inclined surfaces 332a and 332b on the surfaces facing the wire rope W, respectively. In the drawings, parts having the same configuration as those in the first and second embodiments are shown with the same reference numerals and will not be described.

[0093] (Configuration of the wire rope inspection system according to the third embodiment) As shown in FIG. 14, a wire rope inspection system 300 according to the third embodiment includes a wire rope inspection device 301. The wire rope inspection device 301 includes a detection unit 330. The detection unit 330 includes a first portion 330a and a second portion 330b. The first portions 330a and 330b have detection coils 31a and 31b, respectively. The configurations of the detection coils 31a and 31b are the same as those in the first embodiment. The configuration for measuring the magnetic flux (magnetic field) of the wire rope W according to the third embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment.

[0094] As shown in FIG. 15, the wire rope inspection device 301 includes a driving mechanism 50 similar to that of the first embodiment. The first part 330a and the second part 330b of the detection unit 330 are held by the holding plates 52a and 52b of the driving mechanism 50, respectively, similar to the first part 30a and the second part 30b of the first embodiment. That is, the detection unit 330 (the first part 330a and the second part 330b) is moved to a normal operation position by the driving unit 51 of the driving mechanism 50, and is biased to an inspection position by the biasing unit 54, similar to the detection unit 30 (the first part 30a and the second part 30b) of the first embodiment, and is disposed so as to surround the wire rope W in a state where the parts are positioned by abutting against each other at the inspection position. In the third embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, the detection unit 330 is configured to detect the magnetic flux of the moving wire rope W when the wire rope W is moving along the extension direction (X2 direction) of the wire rope W.

[0095] In the third embodiment, the first portion 330a and the second portion 330b respectively have an inclined surface 332a and an inclined surface 332b on a surface facing the wire rope W. Specifically, the inclined surface 332a is provided on a surface on the Z2 direction side of the first portion 330a provided on the Z1 direction side with respect to the wire rope W. The inclined surface 332b is provided on a surface on the Z1 direction side of the second portion 330b provided on the Z2 direction side with respect to the wire rope W.

[0096] Further, the first portion 330a and the second portion 330b are provided with a groove so that the wire rope W is surrounded by the detector coils 31a and 31b in a state where they are in contact with each other. The groove has a semicircular cross section along the outer surface of the wire rope W. The first portion 330a and the second portion 330b are arranged at the inspection position in a state where they are in contact with each other, and thus the grooves of the first portion 330a and the second portion 330b form a cylindrical (cylindrical) space in which the wire rope W is arranged. In the third embodiment, the grooves (surfaces facing the wire rope W) in the first portion 330a and the second portion 330b are provided with inclined surfaces 332a and 332b on the upstream side (X1 direction side) where the wire rope W moves.

[0097] Further, the inclined surfaces 332a and 332b are provided so that the upstream side (X1 direction side) of the wire rope W expands in a direction away from the wire rope W when the first portion 330a and the second portion 330b are arranged at the inspection position so that the first portion 330a and the second portion 330b are in contact with each other. Specifically, the inclined surfaces 332a and 332b are provided so that the cross-sectional area of ​​the cylindrical space formed by the grooves of the first portion 330a and the second portion 330b gradually increases toward the X1 direction side. Therefore, the inclined surfaces 332a and 332b are provided so that the cylindrical space formed by the grooves of the first portion 330a and the second portion 330b expands in a trumpet shape.

[0098] 16, the first portion 330a and the second portion 330b of the third embodiment are configured to move in a direction away from each other (in a direction away from the wire rope W) by coming into contact with a foreign matter Wa adhering to the outer surface of the wire rope W when placed at the inspection position. The foreign matter Wa is, for example, oil (grease) adhering to the outer surface of the wire rope W.

[0099] Here, the first part 330a and the second part 330b are arranged at the inspection position in a state where they are in contact with each other while being urged in a direction approaching each other by the elastic force of the urging part 54. When a foreign object Wa is attached to the outer surface of the wire rope W moving from the X1 direction side to the X2 direction side, the foreign object Wa comes into contact with the inclined surface 332a of the first part 330a and the inclined surface 332b of the second part 330b arranged at the inspection position. When the foreign object Wa comes into contact with the inclined surfaces 332a and 332b, a force is applied to the first part 330a and the second part 330b in a direction to push them apart from each other while resisting the elastic force of the urging part 54. In this case, the first part 330a and the second part 330b move linearly along the Z direction by the linear guides 53a and 53b and the linear guide rail 53c of the drive mechanism 50. After the foreign object Wa has passed, the first portion 330a and the second portion 330b are again biased by the elastic force of the biasing portion 54, and the moving speed is damped by the damper portion 55, so that the first portion 330a and the second portion 330b are positioned at the inspection position.

[0100] The other configurations of the third embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment.

[0101] (Effects of the third embodiment) In the third embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0102] In the third embodiment, the detection unit 330 is configured to detect the magnetic flux of the moving wire rope W in a state in which the wire rope W moves along the extension direction (X direction) of the wire rope W. The first part 330a and the second part 330b are arranged to surround the wire rope W at the inspection position, and have inclined surfaces 332a and 332b provided on the surface facing the wire rope W so as to expand in a direction away from the wire rope W on the upstream side (X1 direction side) of the wire rope W. With this configuration, when a foreign object Wa is attached to the outer surface of the wire rope W moving from the upstream side with respect to the detection unit 330, the foreign object Wa can be brought into contact with the inclined surfaces 332a and 332b provided on the upstream side so as to expand in a direction away from the wire rope W. Therefore, when the foreign object Wa moving from the upstream side of the wire rope W comes into contact with the inclined surface 332a and the inclined surface 332b, a force is applied to the first portion 330a and the second portion 330b so as to spread them apart, so that when the foreign object Wa comes into contact with the detection unit 30, the first portion 330a and the second portion 330b of the detection unit 30 can be moved (avoided) in a direction away from the wire rope W. As a result, when the foreign object Wa is attached to the outer surface of the wire rope W to be inspected, it is possible to prevent a large force from being applied to the detection unit 330 (detection coils 31a and 31b) due to contact with the foreign object Wa, and therefore it is possible to prevent an abnormality from occurring in the detection unit 330.

[0103] Other effects of the third embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment.

[0104] [Variations] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, not by the description of the embodiments above, and further includes all modifications (variations) within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0105] For example, in the above first to third embodiments, the first portion 30a (330a) and the second portion 30b (330b) are disposed on one side (X1 direction side) and the other side (X2 direction side) in the direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the wire rope W, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, a single coil formed on a flexible substrate such as a flexible substrate may be used as the detection coil, and the position of the detection unit relative to the wire rope may be changed by deforming the single coil.

[0106] In the above first to third embodiments, the first portion 30a (330a) and the second portion 30b (330b) are moved to be spaced an equal distance from the wire rope W, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first portion 30a (330a) and the second portion 30b (330b) may be configured to be spaced apart from the wire rope W by different distances.

[0107] In the above first to third embodiments, the first portion 30a (330a) and the second portion 30b (330b) are positioned by abutting against each other and are arranged at the inspection position, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a stopper member may be provided separately from the first portion 30a (330a) and the second portion 30b (330b), and the first portion 30a (330a) and the second portion 30b (330b) may be arranged at the inspection position and positioned by abutting against the stopper member.

[0108] In the above first and third embodiments, the fixing unit 58 is provided to fix the detection unit 30 (330) in the normal operation position, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the detection unit 30 may be fixed in the normal operation position by continuously applying the driving force of the driving unit 51 without providing the fixing unit 58.

[0109] In the above first and third embodiments, the moving speed of the detection unit 30 (330) is attenuated by the viscous resistance of the fluid filled inside the damper unit 55 (damping unit), but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the damping unit may be configured to attenuate the moving speed by frictional force.

[0110] In the above first and third embodiments, the driving unit 51, which is a solenoid driving unit, is provided as a driving unit that moves the detection unit 30 (330) in a direction away from the wire rope W, and in the second embodiment, the motor 251 is provided, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, an actuator other than a solenoid driving unit and a motor may be provided. For example, an actuator such as a pneumatic cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, or a water pressure cylinder may be provided.

[0111] In the above first and third embodiments, the damper portion 55 has the gear portion 55a that rotates while meshing with the teeth of the rack portions 56a and 56b, and attenuates the rotation speed of the gear portion 55a, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a cylindrical oil damper that moves linearly may be connected to each of the first portion 30a (330a) and the second portion 30b (330b).

[0112] In the above second embodiment, an example has been shown in which the motor 251 attenuates the moving speed of the detection unit 30 by rotating while restricting the speed in one rotation direction (v direction) and the other rotation direction (u direction) opposite to one rotation direction (v direction) when the detection unit 30 is urged by the urging unit 54 to move in the direction approaching the wire rope W, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, by providing a damper unit that attenuates the moving speed, the motor 251 may be configured to rotate idly when the detection unit 30 is urged by the urging unit 54 to move in the direction approaching the wire rope W. In that case, a one-way clutch may not be provided.

[0113] In the above first to third embodiments, an example is shown in which the position detection unit 57 is provided as a mechanical switch that detects that the detection unit 30 (330) is placed in the normal operation position, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the position detection unit 57 may be configured as a non-contact optical sensor instead of a mechanical switch. In addition, when the drive unit is a motor, the rotation speed may be controlled without providing the position detection unit 57 so that it is determined that the drive unit is placed in the normal operation position when the drive unit is operated at a predetermined rotation speed by controlling the rotation speed.

[0114] In addition, in the above first to third embodiments, the wire rope W of the elevator 103 is inspected, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention may be configured to inspect wire ropes other than those of elevators, such as cranes and ropeways.

[0115] In the above first to third embodiments, the magnetic flux of the wire rope W is detected by the total magnetic flux method, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the detection unit 30 (330) may be configured to detect leakage magnetic flux from the outer surface of the wire rope W.

[0116] In the above first to third embodiments, the two detection coils 31a and 31b of the detection unit 30 (330) are each an independent saddle-shaped coil, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the detection unit 30 (330) may be configured to form a single solenoid coil wound around the wire rope W by combining the first portion 30a (330a) and the second portion 30b (330b).

[0117] In the above first to third embodiments, the excitation coil 21 is wound around the outside of the detection coils 31a and 31b with respect to the wire rope W, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the excitation unit 20 and the detection unit 30 (330) may be arranged side by side along the direction in which the wire rope W extends.

[0118] In the above first to third embodiments, the magnetic field application unit 10 and the excitation unit 20 are fixed to the housing 101a, and the detection unit 30 (330) is movably fixed to the drive mechanism 50, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, not only the detection unit 30 (330), but also the magnetic field application unit 10 or the excitation unit 20 may be configured to be movable so that the distance from the wire rope W can be changed between inspection operation and normal operation.

[0119] In the above first to third embodiments, an example has been shown in which the detection signal acquired by the detection unit 30 (330) of the wire rope inspection device 101 (201, 301) is output to the outside of the device (processing device 102) via the communication unit 43, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, by providing a notification unit or a display unit in the wire rope inspection device, the wire rope inspection device may be configured to notify an inspection operator of the detection result (inspection result) based on the signal from the detection unit.

[0120] In the above first to third embodiments, the magnetic field applying unit 10a and the magnetic field applying unit 10b are arranged to face each other across the wire rope W, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the two magnetic field applying units may be arranged to face the N pole and the S pole, respectively, toward the wire rope W. The two magnetic field applying units may be arranged so that the N pole and the S pole are arranged along the extension direction of the wire rope W, rather than facing each other. In this case, the two magnetic field applying units may be arranged in the same direction or different directions. The magnetic field applying units may be arranged to apply a magnetic field in a direction that is shifted obliquely from a direction parallel to the extension direction of the wire rope W. One magnetic field applying unit may be arranged on one side of the direction intersecting the extension direction of the wire rope W. The magnetic field applying unit may not be provided, and the magnetic flux may be detected without adjusting the magnetic field.

[0121] In addition, in the above first to third embodiments, the magnetic field applying unit 10 is configured by a permanent magnet, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the magnetic field applying unit may be configured by an electromagnet.

[0122] In the above first to third embodiments, the detector coils 31a and 31b are provided on each of the four wire ropes W, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the detector coils may be configured to detect the magnetic flux of one to three wire ropes W, or may be configured to detect the magnetic flux of five or more wire ropes. Also, the magnetic flux of a plurality of wire ropes W may be detected by one detector coil.

[0123] In the above first to third embodiments, an example has been shown in which the distance of the detection unit 30 (330) from the wire rope W is changed by switching the operation mode of the elevator 103 based on an input operation to the processing device 102, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the distance of the detection unit 30 (330) from the wire rope W may be changed based on an input operation by an operator to a button or the like provided on the wire rope inspection device.

[0124] In the third embodiment, the first portion 330a and the second portion 330b of the detection unit 330 are provided with the inclined surfaces 332a and 332b that come into contact with the foreign object Wa, respectively, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the detection unit 330 may be configured so that an inclined surface is provided on either one of the first portions 330a and 330b.

[0125] In the third embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the detection unit 330 is moved by the drive unit 51 of the solenoid drive unit, and the detection unit 330 is provided with the inclined surfaces 332a and 332b that come into contact with a foreign object, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the detection unit may be moved by a motor as in the second embodiment, and the detection unit may be provided with an inclined surface.

[0126] In the above third embodiment, the first and second parts 330a and 330b of the detection unit 330 are moved in a direction away from the wire rope W by contacting the inclined surfaces 332a and 332b with a foreign object Wa attached to the outer surface of the wire rope W, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first and second parts may be configured to move in a direction away from the wire rope W by contacting not only a foreign object Wa attached to the outer surface of the wire rope W, but also a wire protruding from the outer surface of the wire rope W or an abnormal part such as a kink.

[0127] [Aspects] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the exemplary embodiments described above are examples of the following aspects.

[0128] (Item 1) an excitation unit that applies a magnetic flux to the wire rope to be inspected; A detection unit that detects the magnetic flux of the wire rope to which the magnetic flux is applied by the excitation unit; A biasing unit that biases the detection unit by elastic force in a direction approaching the wire rope to an inspection position where the detection unit is located during an inspection operation for inspecting the wire rope; A wire rope inspection device comprising: a drive unit that moves the detection unit in a direction away from the wire rope to a normal operation position where the detection unit is located during normal operation.

[0129] (Item 2) The detection unit includes a first portion arranged on one side in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the wire rope and a second portion arranged on the other side, The wire rope inspection device according to item 1, wherein the biasing portion is configured to bias the first portion and the second portion toward each other to the inspection position by elastic force.

[0130] (Item 3) 3. The wire rope inspection device of claim 2, wherein the drive unit is configured to move the first portion and the second portion an equal distance away from the wire rope.

[0131] (Item 4) The wire rope inspection device according to item 2 or 3, wherein the first part and the second part are configured to be positioned at the inspection position in a state in which they are abutted against each other by being biased by the biasing portion.

[0132] (Item 5) The detection unit is configured to detect a magnetic flux of the moving wire rope in a state in which the wire rope moves along an extension direction of the wire rope, The wire rope inspection device according to any one of items 2 to 4, wherein the first part and the second part are arranged to surround the wire rope at the inspection position, and have an inclined surface on the surface facing the wire rope such that the upstream side of the wire rope widens in a direction away from the wire rope.

[0133] (Item 6) 6. The wire rope inspection device according to any one of items 1 to 5, further comprising a fixing part that fixes the detection part in a state in which the detection part is disposed in the normal operation position.

[0134] (Item 7) The wire rope inspection device according to any one of items 1 to 6, further comprising a damping section which damps the moving speed of the detection section when the detection section is biased by the biasing section to move in a direction approaching the wire rope.

[0135] (Item 8) The drive unit includes a solenoid drive unit that generates a magnetic field by a current to move the detection unit in a direction away from the wire rope, 8. The wire rope inspection device according to item 7, wherein the damping section includes a damper section that damps the moving speed of the detection section by viscous resistance of a fluid filled therein when the detection section is biased by the biasing section to move in a direction approaching the wire rope.

[0136] (Item 9) Further comprising a rack portion having teeth and extending linearly, the damper portion has a gear portion that rotates while meshing with the tooth portion of the rack portion, and is configured to damp a rotation speed of the gear portion, 9. The wire rope inspection device according to item 8, wherein one end of the rack portion is fixed to the detection portion and the other end is configured to mesh with the gear portion of the damper portion.

[0137] (Item 10) The drive unit includes a motor that rotates in one rotation direction to move the detection unit in a direction away from the wire rope, The motor is configured to be speed controllable, and when the detection unit is biased by the biasing unit to move in a direction approaching the wire rope, the motor also serves as the damping unit to dampen the moving speed of the detection unit by rotating while limiting the speed in another rotation direction opposite to the one rotation direction.

[0138] (Item 11) A one-way clutch connected to a rotary shaft of the motor is further provided. The wire rope inspection device described in item 10, wherein the one-way clutch is configured to rotate together with the motor's rotating shaft when the motor applies a driving force to the detection unit in a direction away from the wire rope, and to rotate freely relative to the motor's rotating shaft when the motor applies a driving force to the detection unit in a direction approaching the wire rope.

[0139] (Item 12) 12. The wire rope inspection device according to any one of items 1 to 11, further comprising a position detection unit that detects that the detection unit is placed in the normal operation position.

[0140] (Item 13) The detection unit is configured to detect a magnetic flux of the moving wire rope in a state in which the wire rope provided in the elevator moves along an extension direction of the wire rope by driving the elevator, The biasing unit is configured to bias the detection unit to the inspection position where the detection unit is located during an inspection operation of the elevator in which a moving speed of the wire rope relative to the detection unit is relatively slow, The wire rope inspection device described in any one of items 1 to 12, wherein the drive unit is configured to move the detection unit to the normal operation position where the detection unit is located during normal operation of the elevator, when the moving speed of the wire rope relative to the detection unit is relatively high.

[0141] (Item 14) Further, a magnetic field applying unit is provided which applies a magnetic field to the wire rope in advance to adjust the direction of magnetization of the wire rope, The excitation unit includes an excitation coil that excites the magnetization state of the wire rope after a magnetic field is applied in advance by the magnetic field application unit, The detection unit includes a detection coil that is wound around the wire rope along the extension direction of the wire rope and detects the magnetic flux of the wire rope whose magnetization state is excited by the excitation coil by a total magnetic flux method; The biasing unit is configured to bias the detector coil to the inspection position by an elastic force, 14. The wire rope inspection device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the drive unit is configured to move the detector coil to the normal operation position. [Explanation of symbols]

[0142] 10, 10a, 10b Magnetic field application unit 20 Excitation section 21 Excitation coil 30, 330 Detection unit 30a, 330a 1st part 30b, 330b 2nd part 31a, 31b Detector coil 51 Drive unit (solenoid drive unit) 54 Pressurizing section 55 Damper section (damping section) 55a Gear section 56a, 56b Rack section 57 Position detection unit 58 Fixed part 101, 201, 301 Wire rope inspection equipment 103 Elevator 251 Motor (drive section, damping section) 251a Rotating shaft 258 Brake (fixed part) 263 One-way clutch 332a, 332b sloped surface

Claims

1. an excitation unit that applies a magnetic flux to the wire rope to be inspected; A detection unit that detects the magnetic flux of the wire rope to which the magnetic flux is applied by the excitation unit; A biasing unit that biases the detection unit by an elastic force in a direction approaching the wire rope to an inspection position where the detection unit is located during an inspection operation for inspecting the wire rope; and A wire rope inspection device comprising: a drive unit that moves the detection unit in a direction away from the wire rope to a normal operation position where the detection unit is located during normal operation.

2. An excitation unit that applies a magnetic flux to the wire rope to be inspected; A detection unit that detects the magnetic flux of the wire rope to which the magnetic flux is applied by the excitation unit; A biasing unit that biases the detection unit by elastic force in a direction approaching the wire rope to an inspection position where the detection unit is located during an inspection operation for inspecting the wire rope; A drive unit that moves the detection unit in a direction away from the wire rope to a normal operation position where the detection unit is disposed during normal operation, The detection unit includes a first portion disposed on one side in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the wire rope and a second portion disposed on the other side, A wire rope inspection device, wherein the biasing portion is configured to bias the first portion and the second portion toward the inspection position by elastic force so as to bring the first portion and the second portion closer to each other.

3. 3. The wire rope inspection device of claim 2, wherein the drive is configured to move the first portion and the second portion an equal distance away from the wire rope.

4. The wire rope inspection device of claim 2 or 3, wherein the first part and the second part are configured to be positioned at the inspection position in a state in which they are abutted against each other by being biased by the biasing portion.

5. The detection unit is configured to detect a magnetic flux of the moving wire rope in a state in which the wire rope moves along an extension direction of the wire rope, A wire rope inspection device as described in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the first and second parts are arranged to surround the wire rope at the inspection position, and have an inclined surface on the surface facing the wire rope such that the upstream side of the wire rope expands in a direction away from the wire rope.

6. The wire rope inspection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a fixing portion for fixing the detection portion when disposed in the normal operating position.

7. An excitation unit that applies a magnetic flux to the wire rope to be inspected; A detection unit that detects the magnetic flux of the wire rope to which the magnetic flux is applied by the excitation unit; A biasing unit that biases the detection unit by elastic force in a direction approaching the wire rope to an inspection position where the detection unit is located during an inspection operation for inspecting the wire rope; A drive unit that moves the detection unit in a direction away from the wire rope to a normal operation position where the detection unit is disposed during normal operation, The wire rope inspection device further includes a damping section that damps the moving speed of the detection section when the detection section is biased by the biasing section to move in a direction approaching the wire rope.

8. The drive unit includes a solenoid drive unit that generates a magnetic field by a current to move the detection unit in a direction away from the wire rope, The wire rope inspection device of claim 7, wherein the damping section includes a damper section that damps the moving speed of the detection section by the viscous resistance of a fluid filled therein when the detection section is forced by the force of the force applying section to move in a direction approaching the wire rope.

9. Further comprising a rack portion having teeth and extending linearly, the damper portion has a gear portion that rotates while meshing with the tooth portion of the rack portion, and is configured to damp a rotation speed of the gear portion, The wire rope inspection device according to claim 8 , wherein one end of the rack portion is fixed to the detection portion and the other end is configured to mesh with the gear portion of the damper portion.

10. The drive unit includes a motor that rotates in one rotation direction to move the detection unit in a direction away from the wire rope, The motor is configured to be speed controllable, and when the detection unit is forced by the force of the force generating unit to move in a direction approaching the wire rope, the motor also serves as the damping unit, which damps the moving speed of the detection unit by rotating while limiting the speed in another rotation direction opposite to the one rotation direction.

11. A one-way clutch connected to a rotary shaft of the motor is further provided. The wire rope inspection device of claim 10, wherein the one-way clutch is configured to rotate together with the motor's rotating shaft when the motor applies a driving force to the detection unit in a direction away from the wire rope, and to rotate freely relative to the motor's rotating shaft when the motor applies a driving force to the detection unit in a direction approaching the wire rope.

12. The wire rope inspection device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising a position detection unit that detects that the detection unit is disposed in the normal operation position.

13. The detection unit is configured to detect a magnetic flux of the moving wire rope in a state in which the wire rope provided in the elevator moves along an extension direction of the wire rope by driving the elevator, The biasing unit is configured to bias the detection unit to the inspection position where the detection unit is located during an inspection operation of the elevator in which a moving speed of the wire rope relative to the detection unit is relatively slow, A wire rope inspection device as described in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the drive unit is configured to move the detection unit to the normal operation position where the detection unit is located during normal operation of the elevator, where the movement speed of the wire rope relative to the detection unit is relatively high.

14. Further, a magnetic field applying unit is provided which applies a magnetic field to the wire rope in advance to adjust the direction of magnetization of the wire rope, The excitation unit includes an excitation coil that excites the magnetization state of the wire rope after a magnetic field is applied in advance by the magnetic field application unit, The detection unit includes a detection coil that is wound around the wire rope along the extension direction of the wire rope and detects the magnetic flux of the wire rope whose magnetization state is excited by the excitation coil by a total magnetic flux method; The biasing unit is configured to bias the detector coil to the inspection position by an elastic force, The wire rope inspection device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the drive unit is configured to move the detector coil to the normal operating position.

Images