Elevator

Abstract

Provided is an elevator capable of suppressing noise that occurs in a car. This elevator comprises a car including a ceiling with an air vent hole formed therein, cover members that are provided in the car and move between an open position in which the air vent hole is open and a closed position in which the air vent hole is closed, a cover driving device that moves the cover members, a driving device that raises and lowers the car, and a control device that controls each of the driving of the cover driving device and the driving of the car driving device. The control device raises the car in a state in which the position of the cover members is set to the open position, thereby enabling ventilation in the car.

Description

elevator

[0001] The present disclosure relates to elevators.

[0002] Conventionally, elevators have been known that include a car with a ceiling formed with an air vent and a fan installed in the ceiling of the car. When the fan is driven, an air current is generated that flows from the outside of the car to the inside through the air vent. This allows ventilation inside the car (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-6584

[0004] However, the configuration described in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that noise is generated inside the car when the fan is driven.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide an elevator that can reduce noise generated inside the car.

[0006] The elevator of the present disclosure comprises a car having a ceiling with an air vent formed therein, a lid member attached to the car and movable between an open position where the air vent is open and a closed position where the air vent is closed, a lid drive device that moves the lid member, a car drive device that raises and lowers the car, and a control device that controls the drive of both the lid drive device and the car drive device, and the control device allows ventilation inside the car by raising the car with the lid member in the open position.

[0007] According to the elevator of the present disclosure, noise generated inside the car can be reduced.

[0008] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an elevator according to embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a main part of the car of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 2. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing how the inside of the car of FIG. 1 is ventilated. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the elevator according to embodiment 1.

[0009] Embodiment 1. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an elevator according to embodiment 1. The elevator according to embodiment 1 includes a car 1, a cover member 2, a cover member 3, an operating member 4, an operating member 5, a cover drive device 6, a car drive device 7, a passenger detection device 8, and a control device 9.

[0010] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a main part of the car 1 in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Fig. 2. Fig. 2 shows a main part of the car 1 as seen from inside the car 1 looking upward.

[0011] The car 1 has a ceiling 101. Eight vents 102 are formed in the ceiling 101. Each of the eight vents 102 penetrates the ceiling 101 in the height direction.

[0012] The eight ventilation holes 102 are divided into a first ventilation hole group 102A and a second ventilation hole group 102B. Four of the eight ventilation holes 102 are included in the first ventilation hole group 102A, and the other four of the eight ventilation holes 102 are included in the second ventilation hole group 102B.

[0013] The cover member 2 is provided on the ceiling 101. The cover member 2 is provided to correspond to the four vents 102 included in the first vent group 102A. The cover member 2 moves between an open position where each of the four vents 102 included in the first vent group 102A is open, and a closed position where each of the four vents 102 included in the first vent group 102A is closed.

[0014] The cover member 2 is provided so as to be slidable relative to the ceiling 101. By sliding the cover member 2 relative to the ceiling 101, the cover member 2 moves between an open position and a closed position.

[0015] The cover member 3 is provided on the ceiling 101. The cover member 3 is provided to correspond to the four vents 102 included in the second vent group 102B. The cover member 3 moves between an open position where each of the four vents 102 included in the second vent group 102B is open, and a closed position where each of the four vents 102 included in the second vent group 102B is closed.

[0016] The cover member 3 is provided so as to be slidable relative to the ceiling 101. By sliding the cover member 3 relative to the ceiling 101, the cover member 3 moves between an open position and a closed position.

[0017] The operating member 4 is attached to the cover member 2. The operating member 4 is composed of a lever. The operating member 4 is provided on the ceiling 101 of the car 1 via the cover member 2. A portion of the operating member 4 is disposed inside the car 1. Therefore, passengers inside the car 1 can operate the operating member 4. By operating the operating member 4, the cover member 2 moves between the open position and the closed position.

[0018] The operating member 5 is attached to the cover member 3. The operating member 5 is composed of a lever. The operating member 5 is provided on the ceiling 101 of the car 1 via the cover member 3. A part of the operating member 5 is disposed inside the car 1. Therefore, passengers inside the car 1 can operate the operating member 5. By operating the operating member 5, the cover member 3 moves between an open position and a closed position.

[0019] The lid drive device 6 separately moves the lid member 2 and the lid member 3. When the lid drive device 6 is driven, the lid member 2 moves between an open position and a closed position, and the lid member 3 moves between an open position and a closed position.

[0020] The car drive device 7 is composed of a hoist. A main rope (not shown) is hung on the car drive device 7. The car 1 is attached to the main rope. Therefore, when the car drive device 7 is driven, the car 1 moves up and down the hoistway.

[0021] The passenger detection device 8 is provided in the car 1. The passenger detection device 8 detects passengers in the car 1. Examples of methods for detecting passengers in the car 1 using the passenger detection device 8 include a method for detecting passengers in the car 1 using infrared rays and a method for detecting passengers in the car 1 by measuring the weight of an object placed on the car 1. Examples of methods for detecting passengers in the car 1 using the passenger detection device 8 include a method for detecting passengers in the car 1 using an image taken of the inside of the car 1.

[0022] The detection result of the passenger detection device 8 is input to the control device 9. The control device 9 determines whether or not there is a passenger in the car 1 based on the detection result of the passenger detection device 8.

[0023] The control device 9 controls the driving of the lid driving device 6 based on the determination result of whether or not there is a passenger in the car 1. Specifically, when the control device 9 determines that there is no passenger in the car 1, the control device 9 drives the lid driving device 6 to set the position of at least one of the lid members 2 and 3 to the open position.

[0024] Furthermore, when the control device 9 determines that there is a passenger in the car 1, the control device 9 drives the cover drive device 6 to bring the cover members 2 and 3 into their closed positions.

[0025] If a passenger in car 1 operates operating member 4 to change the position of cover member 2 to the open position after cover member 2 and cover member 3 have each been placed in the closed position, control device 9 will leave cover member 2 in the open position. In this case, car 1 moves up and down toward the passenger's destination floor with cover member 2 remaining in the open position.

[0026] Furthermore, if a passenger in car 1 operates operating member 5 to place cover member 3 in the open position after cover member 2 and cover member 3 have both been placed in the closed position, control device 9 will leave cover member 3 in the open position. In this case, car 1 moves up and down toward the passenger's destination floor with cover member 3 remaining in the open position.

[0027] The control device 9 controls the driving of the car drive device 7 based on the determination result of whether or not there is a passenger in the car 1. Specifically, when the control device 9 determines that there is no passenger in the car 1, the control device 9 drives the car drive device 7 with the cover members 2 and 3 each in the open position to raise the car 1. In other words, the control device 9 raises the car 1 with the cover members 2 and 3 each in the open position, thereby enabling ventilation inside the car 1.

[0028] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing how the inside of the car 1 in Fig. 1 is ventilated. Fig. 5 shows a state in which the position of the cover member 2 is in the open position. When at least one of the cover members 2 and 3 is in the open position, the car 1 rises, generating an airflow A that flows from the outside to the inside of the car 1 through the air vent 102. The airflow A that has entered the inside of the car 1 flows from the inside to the outside of the car 1 through a gap formed between the wall 103 and the baseboard 104 of the car 1. This allows the inside of the car 1 to be ventilated.

[0029] Next, the operation of ventilating the inside of car 1 in the elevator according to the first embodiment will be described. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the elevator according to the first embodiment. First, in step S101, the control device 9 determines whether or not there is a passenger in car 1 based on the detection result of the passenger detection device 8. If the control device 9 determines in step S101 that there is a passenger in car 1, the operation of the elevator to ventilate the inside of car 1 ends.

[0030] On the other hand, if the control device 9 determines in step S101 that there is no passenger in the car 1, the elevator process for ventilating the inside of the car 1 proceeds to step S102.

[0031] In step S102, the control device 9 drives the cover drive device 6 to set the cover members 2 and 3 to the open positions. Thereafter, the elevator process for ventilating the inside of the car 1 proceeds to step S103.

[0032] In step S103, the control device 9 drives the car drive device 7 to raise the car 1. This allows ventilation inside the car 1. Thereafter, the elevator processing for ventilating the inside of the car 1 proceeds to step S104.

[0033] In step S104, the control device 9 stops the driving of the car drive device 7 to stop the car 1. Thereafter, the elevator processing for ventilating the inside of the car 1 proceeds to step S105.

[0034] In step S105, the control device 9 drives the cover drive device 6 to place the cover members 2 and 3 in the closed positions. This completes the elevator operation for ventilating the inside of the car 1.

[0035] As described above, the elevator according to the first embodiment includes car 1, cover member 2 and cover member 3 provided on car 1, cover drive device 6 for moving each of cover member 2 and cover member 3, car drive device 7 for raising and lowering car 1, and control device 9. A vent 102 is formed in the ceiling 101 of car 1. Cover member 2 and cover member 3 each move between an open position where vent 102 is open and a closed position where vent 102 is closed. Control device 9 controls the driving of cover drive device 6 and car drive device 7. The control device 9 raises car 1 with cover member 2 and cover member 3 in the open position, thereby enabling ventilation inside car 1. With this configuration, car 1 rises with vent 102 in the ceiling 101 of car 1 open. This generates airflow A that passes through vent 102 and flows from the outside to the inside of car 1, enabling ventilation inside car 1. As a result, noise generated inside the car 1 can be reduced compared to when the inside of the car is ventilated by driving a fan.

[0036] The elevator according to the first embodiment is also equipped with a passenger detection device 8 that detects a passenger in car 1. When the passenger detection device 8 detects a passenger in car 1, the control device 9 sets the positions of the lid members 2 and 3 to the closed position. When the passenger detection device 8 does not detect a passenger in car 1, the control device 9 raises car 1 with the positions of the lid members 2 and 3 in the open position, thereby enabling ventilation inside car 1. According to this configuration, when there is a passenger in car 1, ventilation inside car 1 is not performed, and when there is no passenger in car 1, ventilation inside car 1 is enabled. This allows ventilation inside car 1 when the elevator is not being used by passengers.

[0037] The elevator according to the first embodiment also includes an operating member 4 provided on the car 1. Operating the operating member 4 moves the cover member 2. When the passenger detection device 8 detects a passenger in the car 1 and the operating member 4 is operated so that the cover member 2 is in the open position, the control device 9 keeps the cover member 2 in the open position. With this configuration, when a passenger in the car 1 operates the operating member 4 to change the position of the cover member 2 to the open position, the car 1 can be raised or lowered toward the passenger's destination floor with the cover member 2 remaining in the open position.

[0038] The elevator according to the first embodiment also includes an operating member 5 provided on the car 1. Operating the operating member 5 moves the cover member 3. When the passenger detection device 8 detects a passenger in the car 1 and the operating member 5 is operated so that the cover member 3 is in the open position, the control device 9 keeps the cover member 3 in the open position. With this configuration, when a passenger in the car 1 operates the operating member 5 to bring the cover member 3 into the open position, the car 1 can be raised or lowered toward the passenger's destination floor with the cover member 3 remaining in the open position.

[0039] Furthermore, in the elevator according to the first embodiment, cover member 2 and cover member 3 are each provided so as to be slidable relative to ceiling 101. Cover member 2 and cover member 3 slide relative to ceiling 101, thereby moving each of cover member 2 and cover member 3 between an open position and a closed position. This configuration allows vent opening 102 to be opened and closed with a simple structure.

[0040] In the elevator according to the first embodiment, a configuration has been described in which, when the control device 9 determines that there is no passenger in the car 1, the car drive device 7 is driven with the cover members 2 and 3 in the open position, thereby raising the car 1. However, a configuration may also be adopted in which, when the control device 9 determines that there is no passenger in the car 1, the car drive device 7 is driven with either the cover member 2 or the cover member 3 in the open position, thereby raising the car 1.

[0041] By opening both the cover members 2 and 3, the amount of airflow A directed from the outside to the inside of the car 1 is increased compared to when either one of the cover members 2 and 3 is in the open position. Therefore, the control device 9 may determine whether to open both the cover members 2 and 3 or to open either one of the cover members 2 and 3, depending on the number of passengers in the car 1 immediately before ventilation is performed inside the car 1. In this case, if the number or weight of passengers in the car 1 immediately before ventilation is performed is equal to or greater than a preset value, the control device 9 opens both the cover members 2 and 3. On the other hand, if the number or weight of passengers in the car 1 immediately before ventilation is performed is less than a preset value, the control device 9 opens either one of the cover members 2 and 3. In this case, the elevator is equipped with a passenger volume measurement device that measures the number or weight of passengers in the car 1.

[0042] In addition, in the elevator according to the first embodiment, the configuration has been described in which the operating members 4 and 5 are provided on the ceiling 101 of the car 1. However, the operating members 4 and 5 may be provided on the wall 103 of the car 1.

[0043] Furthermore, in the elevator according to the first embodiment, a configuration has been described in which the operating member 4 is attached to the cover member 2, and the operating member 5 is attached to the cover member 3. However, the operating members 4 and 5 may be electrically connected to the cover drive device 6. In this case, when the operating member 4 is operated, the cover drive device 6 moves the cover member 2, and when the operating member 5 is operated, the cover drive device 6 moves the cover member 3.

[0044] Although the elevator according to the preferred embodiment 1 has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the elevator according to the above-described embodiment 1. Various modifications and alterations can be made to the elevator according to the above-described embodiment 1 without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0045] 1 Cage, 2 Lid member, 3 Lid member, 4 Operating member, 5 Operating member, 6 Lid drive device, 7 Cage drive device, 8 Passenger detection device, 9 Control device, 101 Ceiling, 102 Vent, 102A First vent group, 102B Second vent group, 103 Wall, 104 Baseboard.

Claims

1. An elevator comprising: a car having a ceiling with an air vent formed therein; a lid member attached to the car and movable between an open position where the air vent is open and a closed position where the air vent is closed; a lid drive device that moves the lid member; a car drive device that raises and lowers the car; and a control device that controls the drive of both the lid drive device and the car drive device, wherein the control device raises the car with the lid member in the open position, thereby enabling ventilation inside the car.

2. An elevator as described in claim 1, further comprising a passenger detection device that detects a passenger in the car, wherein the control device positions the cover member in the closed position when the passenger detection device detects the passenger in the car, and raises the car with the cover member in the open position when the passenger detection device does not detect the passenger in the car, thereby enabling ventilation inside the car.

3. An elevator as described in claim 2, further comprising an operating member provided on the car and operated to move the cover member, wherein the control device causes the cover member to remain in the open position when the passenger detection device detects a passenger in the car and the operating member is operated to place the cover member in the open position.

4. An elevator as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cover member is slidably mounted relative to the ceiling, and the cover member moves between the open position and the closed position by sliding relative to the ceiling.

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