Elevator door opening / closing detection system

Abstract

To improve detection accuracy of opening / closing of an elevator door.SOLUTION: In a door opening / closing detection system including a magnetic sensor installed in a car of an elevator and an opening / closing detection device for detecting the opening / closing of a landing door made of metal based on whether or not a difference in measured values between time intervals of the magnetic sensor exceeds a threshold, a magnet is provided in the landing door or in the vicinity of the landing door.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention generally relates to technology for detecting the opening and closing of elevator doors. [Background technology]

[0002] A technology has been proposed for detecting whether an elevator door is open or closed from the output value (measurement value) of a magnetic sensor installed in the elevator car (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-185107 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When the magnetic field environment changes as the door opens or closes, the output value of the magnetic sensor changes. The opening or closing of the door can be detected from the change in the output value of the magnetic sensor.

[0005] However, it is difficult to detect magnetic changes with high accuracy due to the installation environment (building structure, materials, etc.) and noise.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to improve the detection accuracy of the opening and closing of elevator doors. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In a door opening / closing detection system including a magnetic sensor installed in an elevator car and an opening / closing detection device that detects the opening / closing of a metal landing door based on whether a difference in measurement values ​​over a time interval of the magnetic sensor exceeds a threshold, a magnet is provided on the landing door or near the landing door. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, the accuracy of detecting the opening and closing of elevator doors is improved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram of a door opening / closing detection system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an equipment arrangement according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 4 is an example of a time chart of a measurement value of a magnetic sensor according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart of a door opening detection process according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 4 is an example of a time chart of a measurement value of a magnetic sensor according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a mechanism of a door pocket according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7A] 10 is an example of a time chart of measurement values ​​of a magnetic sensor whose magnetic poles are oriented in a vertical direction in the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7B] 10 is an example of a time chart of measurement values ​​of a magnetic sensor whose magnetic pole orientation is horizontal in the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 10 is a part of a flowchart of a door opening / closing detection process according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a magnetic pole orientation change according to a third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, several embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. [First embodiment]

[0011] First, the configuration of a door opening / closing detection system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

[0012] The door open / close detection unit 101 is installed on the elevator car 201. The door open / close detection unit 101 includes a magnetic sensor 102 and an open / close detection device 110. The open / close detection device 110 includes a receiving device 103, a calculation device 104 (e.g., a processor), a storage device 105 (e.g., a memory), and a communication device 106. The magnetic sensor 102 and the open / close detection device 110 do not necessarily have to be in one unit.

[0013] The magnetic sensor 102 detects magnetism and outputs a measurement value representing the detected magnetism (magnetic flux density). The magnetic sensor 102 may be a sensor with a single detection axis, but in this embodiment, the magnetic sensor 102 is a sensor with three detection axes.

[0014] The receiving device 103 receives the measurement value of the magnetic sensor 102. The arithmetic device 104 stores the received measurement value in the storage device 105 and detects the opening and closing of the landing door 202 based on a change in the output value. The arithmetic device 104 records a log of the opening and closing detection (for example, a log including the number of openings and closings) in the storage device 105. The arithmetic device 104 transmits information including the opening and closing detection log to the control center 107 via the communication device 106. The information is transmitted to the control center 107 via a communication network.

[0015] The control center 107 estimates wear and deterioration of equipment related to the landing door 202 and the car 201 door (not shown) based on the information received from the opening / closing detection device 110 (information including the opening / closing detection log), and if the estimated wear and deterioration exceeds a certain level, transmits inspection instructions or adjustment instructions to, for example, an operator's information processing terminal.

[0016] In this embodiment, the "door" of the elevator is a general term for the landing door 202 and the door of the car 201. One or both of the landing door 202 and the door of the car 201 are made of metal. When the metal door is opened or closed, the magnetism detected by the magnetic sensor 102 changes.

[0017] In order to increase the magnetic change (difference in the measured values ​​of the magnetic sensor 102) accompanying the opening and closing of the door, the magnet 108 is provided at the landing door 202 or in the vicinity of the landing door 202. This improves the detection accuracy of the opening and closing of the elevator door. In this embodiment, the magnet 108 is provided in a door pocket 601, which is a door hanger of the landing door 202. The door pocket 601 is made of metal, and the magnet 108 sticks to the door pocket 601 by the magnetic force of the magnet 108.

[0018] Next, magnetic changes occurring when the door is opened and closed in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG.

[0019] Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an elevator car 201 and the arrangement of equipment on several floors. Fig. 3 is an example of a time chart of the magnetic sensor measurement value.

[0020] When installing the door opening / closing detection unit 101 as an example of a monitoring device in an elevator that does not have an interface for monitoring, installation on a moving part such as a door requires verification of the installation location and fixing of wiring so as not to affect the operation of the elevator. In an elevator that is already in operation, there is not enough space for work between the hoistway and the side of the car 201, making it difficult to wire the side of the car 201. On the other hand, there is enough space for work above the car, since it is assumed that an operator will be riding there to work. In addition, there is no equipment above the car that will interfere with the ascending and descending direction during operation. Therefore, above the car is suitable for installation of the door opening / closing detection unit 101 on the car 201.

[0021] An opening / closing detector 110 in a door opening / closing detection unit 101 installed on the car acquires a sensor signal (measurement value of a magnetic sensor 102) accompanying the opening / closing operation of the car 201 and performs processing.

[0022] When the car 201 has landed at the landing 203 and the door is closed, the measurement value of the magnetic sensor 102 is α1. When the door is open to allow passengers to board and disembark, the measurement value is α2. The section in which the value changes from α1 to α2 occurs when the door is opening or closing. The magnetic change ΔM that accompanies the opening and closing of the door is due to the change in position of the metal equipment (the change in position of the metal equipment around the magnetic sensor 102) due to the movement of the door panel, etc.

[0023] The magnets 108 may be provided on all floors, but in this embodiment, there are floors on which the magnets 108 are provided and floors on which the magnets 108 are not provided.

[0024] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the door open detection process.

[0025] In S401, when the opening / closing detection device 110 detects that the car 201 is moving based on the measurement values ​​of sensors such as an acceleration sensor (not shown), an air pressure sensor (not shown) or a magnetic sensor 102 provided in the elevator (No in S401), the processing ends since doors are generally not opened or closed while the car is moving.

[0026] When completion of travel is detected (Yes in S401), the open / close detection device 110 determines in S402 that the door state is "closed" since the door was closed when the car 201 landed on the floor.

[0027] Next, in S403, the open / close detection device 110 acquires the measurement value (magnetic value) of the magnetic sensor 102.

[0028] Next, in S404, since the measurement value by the sensor contains noise, the open / close detection device 110 smoothes it in a certain interval t. Specifically, for example, the open / close detection device 110 calculates an average value of a plurality of measurement values ​​for each interval t, and sets the average value as the measurement value in the interval t. The open / close detection device 110 calculates the difference between the maximum value (e.g., α1 in FIG. 3) and the minimum value (e.g., α2 in FIG. 3) of the measurement value in the time interval T (T>t) as ΔM. Note that in S404, the open / close detection device 110 may perform filtering using a low-pass filter or the like.

[0029] Next, in S405, the open / close detector 110 judges whether ΔM is greater than the first threshold value Th1. If ΔM is greater than the first threshold value Th1 (Yes in S405), in S406, the open / close detector 110 judges the door state to be "open." In S405, the magnetic average value α1 in the door closed state is used as a reference to judge the magnetic change within the time interval T (the time corresponding to the door opening / closing operation time). If there is no magnetic change (No in S405), the process returns to S403.

[0030] The first threshold value Th1 may be set in the storage device 105, for example, as follows. That is, when the door opening / closing detection unit 101 is attached, a maintenance person opens and closes the door, and the first threshold value Th1 may be determined by the calculation device 104 (or a maintenance person) based on a change in a measurement value (a change in a measurement value (magnetic value) of the magnetic sensor 102) in a time interval T detected during the door opening and closing operation, and the first threshold value Th1 may be set in the storage device 105.

[0031] Next, the influence of the magnet 108 on the measurement value of the magnetic sensor will be described with reference to FIG.

[0032] When the magnet 108 is close to the magnetic sensor 102, the magnetic flux density increases as the metal door opens and closes, thus significantly affecting the measurement value of the magnetic sensor 102.

[0033] The door opening / closing detection unit 101 including the magnetic sensor 102 may be an example of a monitoring device that monitors states other than the opening / closing of the door (for example, the raising and lowering operation of the car 201), and is installed on the car. Note that, in order to easily detect the opening and closing of the door, at least the magnetic sensor 102 is installed near the door (near the door of the car 201).

[0034] For example, in a seven-story building, magnets 108 are not installed on the first and seventh floors, but magnets 108 are installed on the upper surface of door pockets 601 on each of the second to sixth floors.

[0035] There is a magnetic change due to the door opening and closing on both floors where the magnet 108 is not installed and floors where the magnet 108 is installed. However, the magnetic change amount ΔM on the floor where the magnet 108 is not installed 1 is smaller than the magnetic fluctuation width caused by the movement of the magnetic sensor 102 while the car 201 is traveling, and therefore there is a possibility that the door opening / closing may be erroneously detected.

[0036] On the other hand, the magnetic change amount ΔM caused by the door opening and closing on the floor where the magnet 108 is installed 2 is the magnetic change amount ΔM on the floor where the magnet 108 is not installed. 1 Therefore, even if the signal contains noise, the door opening / closing can be detected with high accuracy.

[0037] Next, an example of the location where the magnet 108 is installed will be described with reference to FIG.

[0038] The magnetic field attenuates in proportion to the square of the distance. Therefore, the magnet 108 needs to be installed close to the magnetic sensor 102. Specifically, for example, the magnet 108 is located in a position facing the magnetic sensor 102 on the landed cage 201 (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

[0039] Furthermore, the magnet 108 must be installed on an extension of the detection axes (X, Y, and Z axes) of the magnetic sensor 102. This is because if the magnet 108 is installed at an angle to the detection axes, the detection values ​​will be dispersed because changes are detected on each axis. Since the door opens and closes in a straight line (the X direction in FIG. 6), one axis of the magnetic sensor 102 is parallel to the door opening and closing direction.

[0040] When installing the door opening / closing detection unit 101 on the car, the possible installation location varies depending on the model and building, depending on the on-car equipment and wiring. It is desirable to be able to arbitrarily install the magnet in accordance with the installation location of the magnetic sensor 102.

[0041] As a standard elevator structure, the hall door on each floor has a metal door panel 602 that constitutes the landing door 202, and a door pocket 601 from which the door panel 602 is suspended. The door pocket 601 has a door rail 603 for sliding the door panel 602, and is a mechanism that covers the equipment above the hall door (door panel 602). The door pocket 601 is the top of the hall door mechanism, and an upper surface 605 of the door pocket 601 is flat and made of metal. In addition, the door pocket 601 (particularly its upper surface 605) is positioned close to the car 201 that has landed on the floor.

[0042] In this embodiment, the magnet 108 is installed in the door pocket 601. Therefore, the magnet 108 is located in a position close to the magnetic sensor 102 on the car 201 that has landed. In addition, since the magnet 108 is fixed to the door pocket 601 by the magnetic force of the magnet 108, there is little possibility that the magnet 108 will become detached and fall while the elevator is in operation.

[0043] Door pocket 601 (and roughly its upper surface 605) has a length equal to or greater than that of door rail 603. At least upper surface 605 of door pocket 601 is made of metal, and magnet 108 that is long in the direction in which the door opens and closes is installed on upper surface 605. Magnet 108 is installed on upper surface 605 of door pocket 601. For this reason, magnet 108 is positioned at a position that allows easy access from above car 201, improving workability and maintainability. [Second embodiment]

[0044] The second embodiment of the present invention will be described below, focusing mainly on the differences from the first embodiment, and explanations of the commonalities with the first embodiment will be omitted or simplified.

[0045] The polarity of the magnet 108 affects the measurement value. In the second embodiment, a magnet 108 having a magnetic pole orientation according to the detection item is used. When the magnet 108 is installed on the upper surface 605 of the door pocket 601, the change in the measurement value of the magnetic sensor 102 differs depending on the orientation of the magnet's pole (N or S). Examples of the magnetic pole orientation and the change in the measurement value will be described using Figures 7A and 7B. Note that the time charts in Figures 7 and 7B correspond to a detection axis different from the detection axis corresponding to the time charts in Figures 3 and 5.

[0046] 7A is an example of a measurement value time chart when the magnetic poles are oriented in the ascending / descending direction (vertical direction). One of the N or S poles is in contact with the top surface 605 of the door pocket 601, and the other faces the space above. The magnetic flux draws a vertical circle, and vertical changes in the car 201 are detected primarily on the vertical detection axis of the magnetic sensor 102. At this time, for example, slight movements of the car due to many passengers getting on and off can be detected based on the amount of change ΔM3 in the measurement value of the magnetic sensor 102.

[0047] 7B is an example of a measurement value time chart when the magnetic poles are oriented horizontally. Both the N and S poles come into contact with the top surface 605 of the door pocket 601. At this time, most of the magnetic flux is absorbed by the metal. Therefore, compared to when the magnetic poles are oriented vertically, the amount of magnetic field detected in the vertical direction is small. Therefore, it is difficult to detect slight movements of the car caused by passengers getting on and off.

[0048] In this way, by changing the magnetic pole orientation, it is possible to capture magnetic changes appropriate for the detection item.

[0049] When a magnet 108 with magnetic poles oriented in a vertical direction is used, a door opening / closing detection process may be performed that is composed of the door opening detection process shown in FIG. 4 and the door closing detection process shown in FIG.

[0050] That is, after performing S406 (determining that the door state is "open"), the open / close detection device 110 acquires the measurement value of the magnetic sensor 102 in S802, and calculates ΔM in S802.

[0051] In S803, the open / close detection device 110 judges whether ΔM after detecting the open state of the door is greater than a second threshold value Th2. Th2 is smaller than Th1. Until the result of the judgment in S803 becomes false, it means that the movement of the car 201 is detected, which means that there is a possibility that passengers are getting on or off.

[0052] After the result of the determination in S803 becomes false (NO in S803), in S804, the open / close detection device 110 determines whether or not ΔM is greater than Th1 (that is, determines whether or not the door has been opened or closed).

[0053] If the result of the determination in S804 is true (YES in S804), the car 201 starts traveling in S805. [Third embodiment]

[0054] The third embodiment of the present invention will be described below, focusing mainly on the differences from the first and second embodiments, and explanations of the commonalities with the first and second embodiments will be omitted or simplified.

[0055] 9, an electromagnet 912 capable of switching the magnetic pole orientation between vertical and horizontal directions is used as the magnet 108. This makes it possible to arbitrarily change the magnetic pole orientation.

[0056] For example, the electromagnet 912 has a first coil 921 corresponding to the vertical magnetic pole orientation and a second coil 922 corresponding to the horizontal magnetic pole orientation. A power supply circuit 911 causes a current to flow through the first coil 921 and the second coil 922.

[0057] Information including a door opening / closing log is transmitted from the door opening / closing detection unit 101 to the control device 910 via or without the control center 107 .

[0058] The control device 910 is an example of a magnetic pole direction changing device that changes the magnetic pole direction. Immediately after the door open state is detected, the control device 910 controls the power supply circuit 911 so that the power supply circuit 911 passes a current through the first coil 921. As a result, immediately after the door open state is detected, the magnetic pole direction becomes vertical, and it is possible to detect passengers getting on and off with priority (see FIG. 8).

[0059] After a certain time has elapsed since the door was opened, or after the determination result in S803 in Fig. 8 becomes false, the control device 910 controls the power supply circuit 911 so that the power supply circuit 911 passes a current through the second coil 922. This causes the magnetic pole to be oriented horizontally, enabling priority detection of the door closing or reversal of the door closing state.

[0060] Although several embodiments have been described above, these are merely examples for the purpose of explaining the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. The present invention can be implemented in various other forms. That is, it is possible to replace a certain component with another component, or to add another component to a certain component. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 101 Door opening / closing detection unit 102 Magnetic sensor 108... Magnet 110 Open / close detector 201... Basket 202 Landing door

Claims

1. A door opening / closing detection system including a magnetic sensor installed in an elevator car and an opening / closing detection device that detects whether a metal door is opened or closed based on whether a difference in a measurement value of the magnetic sensor in a time interval exceeds a first threshold, A magnet is provided at a landing door or in the vicinity of the landing door, The magnetic poles of the magnets are oriented vertically. The open / close detection device is performing a first determination as to whether or not a difference in measurement values ​​of the magnetic sensor after detecting an open state of the door is greater than a second threshold value that is smaller than the first threshold value; after the result of the first determination is false, a second determination is made as to whether or not a difference in the measurement values ​​of the magnetic sensor in the time interval is greater than the first threshold value. A door opening / closing detection system.

2. The vicinity of the landing door is a metal door hanger of the landing door.

2. The door opening / closing detection system according to claim 1.

3. The magnetic sensor is installed on the car, The magnet is provided on the upper surface of the door hanger.

3. The door opening / closing detection system according to claim 2.

4. The magnet is on an extension of the detection axis of the magnetic sensor.

3. The door opening / closing detection system according to claim 2.

5. The magnet is positioned to face the magnetic sensor of the landed cage.

2. The door opening / closing detection system according to claim 1.

6. A magnetic pole direction changing device for changing the magnetic pole direction of the magnet is provided, the magnet is an electromagnet, The magnetic pole orientation changing device is The magnetic pole direction after the door opening state is detected is set to the vertical direction, a certain time has elapsed since the open state of the door was detected, or the result of the first determination becomes false, the magnetic pole direction is set to the horizontal direction; 2. The door opening / closing detection system according to claim 1.

7. The magnet is an electromagnet whose magnetic pole orientation can be switched between vertical and horizontal.

2. The door opening / closing detection system according to claim 1.

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