Elevator guide rail deformation detection system and deformation detection method

Abstract

Provided are a deformation detection system and a deformation detection method that allow for detection of deformation of a guide rail. In the deformation detection system (23), a command unit (24) outputs a speed command corresponding to the speed of a car (10) to a hoisting machine (8). A hoisting machine encoder (13) measures the actual speed corresponding to the speed of the car (10) being moved by the hoisting machine (8) in accordance with the speed command outputted by the command unit (24). A computation unit (25) calculates the speed deviation between the speed command outputted by the command unit (24) and the actual speed measured by the hoisting machine encoder (13) for the car (10). A determination unit (26) determines that the speed deviation is outside an allowable range when the magnitude of the speed deviation calculated by the computation unit (25) is greater than a first threshold value. A detection unit (27) detects deformation of a guide rail (5) on the basis of the determination result from the determination unit (26).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a deformation detection system and a deformation detection method for an elevator guide rail.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an example of an elevator. In the elevator, diagnostic operation is performed when a low-sensor seismometer operates. When no abnormality of the elevator is detected in the diagnostic operation, the elevator is automatically restored.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In an elevator, a guide rail that guides the travel of a car or a counterweight may be deformed due to an earthquake or the like. However, in the elevator of Patent Document 1, deformation of the guide rail is not detected. For this reason, the elevator may be automatically restored regardless of the presence or absence of deformation of the guide rail.

[0005] The present disclosure provides a deformation detection system and a deformation detection method capable of detecting deformation of a guide rail.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An elevator guide rail deformation detection system according to the present disclosure includes a hoist that causes an elevator car to travel along a guide rail in an elevator hoistway, a command unit that outputs a speed command corresponding to the speed of the elevator car, a measurement unit that measures an actual speed corresponding to the speed of the elevator car that the hoist travels according to the speed command output by the command unit, an arithmetic unit that calculates a speed deviation between the speed command output by the command unit and the actual speed measured by the measurement unit for the elevator car, and when the magnitude of the speed deviation of the elevator car calculated by the arithmetic unit exceeds a preset first threshold value when the magnitude of the amount of change over time of the speed deviation of the lifting body calculated by the arithmetic unit does not exceed a preset fourth threshold value, it is determined that the speed deviation of the elevator car has deviated from the allowable range and when the magnitude of the amount of change over time of the speed deviation of the lifting body calculated by the arithmetic unit exceeds the fourth threshold value, it is not determined that the speed deviation of the lifting body has deviated from the allowable range regardless of the magnitude of the speed deviation of the lifting body a determination unit, and a detection unit that detects deformation of the guide rail based on the determination result of the determination unit .

[0007] An elevator guide rail deformation detection method according to the present disclosure includes a command step of outputting a speed command corresponding to the speed of an elevator car to a hoist that causes the elevator car to travel along a guide rail in an elevator hoistway, a measurement step of measuring an actual speed corresponding to the speed of the elevator car that the hoist travels according to the speed command output in the command step, an arithmetic step of calculating a speed deviation between the speed command output in the command step and the actual speed measured in the measurement step for the elevator car, and when the magnitude of the speed deviation of the elevator car calculated in the arithmetic step exceeds a preset first threshold value In it is determined that the speed deviation of the elevator car has deviated from the allowable range when the magnitude of the amount of change over time of the speed deviation of the lifting body calculated in the arithmetic step does not exceed a preset fourth threshold value, a determination step, and a detection step of detecting deformation of the guide rail based on the determination result in the determination step and when the magnitude of the amount of change over time of the speed deviation of the lifting body calculated in the arithmetic step exceeds the fourth threshold value, it is not determined that the speed deviation of the lifting body has deviated from the allowable range regardless of the magnitude of the speed deviation of the lifting body including .

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to the deformation detection system or deformation detection method according to the present disclosure, deformation of the elevator guide rail is detected.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] The embodiments for carrying out the subject matter of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each figure, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions are appropriately simplified or omitted. Note that the subject matter of the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and within the scope not departing from the gist of the present disclosure, deformation of any component of the embodiment or omission of any component of the embodiment is possible.

[0011] Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an elevator system 1 according to Embodiment 1.

[0012] The elevator system 1 includes an elevator 2. The elevator 2 is applied to, for example, a building having a plurality of floors. In the building, a hoistway 3 of the elevator 2 is provided. The hoistway 3 is a vertically long space extending over a plurality of floors. A pit 4 is provided at the lower part of the hoistway 3. Guide rails 5 are provided in the hoistway 3. In this example, two sets of pairs of guide rails 5 are arranged. Each guide rail 5 is a device having the vertical direction of the hoistway 3 as its longitudinal direction. Each set of guide rails 5 is arranged parallel to each other along the vertical direction in the hoistway 3. Each set of guide rails 5 faces each other. On each floor of the building, a landing 6 adjacent to the hoistway 3 is provided. On the landing 6 of each floor, a landing door 7 is provided. The landing door 7 is a door that partitions the hoistway 3 and the landing 6. The elevator 2 includes a hoisting machine 8, a main rope 9, a car 10, a counterweight 11, and a control panel 12.

[0013] The hoisting machine 8 is arranged, for example, at the upper part or the lower part of the hoistway 3. For example, when a machine room of the elevator 2 is provided above the hoistway 3 or the like, the hoisting machine 8 may be arranged in the machine room. The hoisting machine 8 includes a motor and a sheave. The motor of the hoisting machine 8 is a device that generates a driving force. The sheave of the hoisting machine 8 is a device that rotates by the driving force generated by the motor of the hoisting machine 8. A hoisting machine encoder 13 is applied to the hoisting machine 8. The hoisting machine encoder 13 is a device that measures the rotation amount of the motor or the sheave of the hoisting machine 8.

[0014] The main rope 9 is wound around the sheave of the hoisting machine 8. The main rope 9 supports the load of the car 10 on one side of the sheave of the hoisting machine 8. The main rope 9 supports the load of the counterweight 11 on the other side of the sheave of the hoisting machine 8. The main rope 9 moves so that either side of the sheave of the hoisting machine 8 is wound up by the rotation of the sheave of the hoisting machine 8.

[0015] The car 10 is a device that transports users of the elevator 2, etc. between multiple floors by traveling up and down the hoistway 3. The counterweight 11 is a device that balances the loads applied to both sides of the sheave of the hoisting machine 8 with the car 10. The car 10 and the counterweight 11 travel in opposite directions vertically in the hoistway 3 in conjunction with the movement of the main rope 9 due to the rotation of the sheave of the hoisting machine 8. That is, the rotational speed of the sheave of the hoisting machine 8 corresponds to the traveling speeds of the car 10 and the counterweight 11. Each of the car 10 and the counterweight 11 is an example of a lifting body that travels up and down the hoistway 3. The car 10 is arranged between one set of guide rails 5. The counterweight 11 is arranged between the other set of guide rails 5. The guide rails 5 arranged on both sides of the car 10 guide the traveling of the car 10 vertically. The guide rails 5 arranged on both sides of the counterweight 11 guide the traveling of the counterweight 11 vertically. The car 10 is provided with a car door 14. The car door 14 is a door that partitions the inside and outside of the car 10. The car door 14 is a device that opens and closes in conjunction with the landing door 7 of the corresponding floor when the car 10 stops at any floor.

[0016] The control panel 12 is a device that controls the operation of the elevator 2. The control panel 12 is arranged, for example, at the upper part or the lower part of the hoistway 3. For example, when a machine room of the elevator 2 is provided above the hoistway 3, etc., the control panel 12 may be arranged in the machine room. The operations of the elevator 2 controlled by the control panel 12 include the traveling of the car 10 and the opening and closing of the car door 14. For example, the control panel 12 causes the car 10 to travel between multiple floors so as to respond to the registered calls. When the control panel 12 stops the car 10 at any floor, it opens the car door 14 in conjunction with the landing door 7. The control panel 12 maintains the fully open state of the car door 14 and the landing door 7 for a preset door opening time. After the door opening time has elapsed since the car door 14 was fully opened, the control panel 12 closes the car door 14 in conjunction with the landing door 7.

[0017] The elevator 2 includes a speed governor 15, a speed governor rope 16, and a speed governor rope tensioning sheave 17. The speed governor 15 is arranged, for example, at the upper part or the lower part of the hoistway 3. When a machine room of the elevator 2 is provided, for example, above the hoistway 3, the speed governor 15 may be arranged in the machine room. The speed governor 15 is a device for suppressing the excessive running speed of the car 10. The speed governor 15 has a sheave. The speed governor rope 16 is wound around the sheave of the speed governor 15. Both ends of the speed governor rope 16 are attached to the car 10. The speed governor rope 16 is wound around the speed governor rope tensioning sheave 17. The speed governor rope tensioning sheave 17 is a sheave that applies tension to the speed governor rope 16. The speed governor rope tensioning sheave 17 is provided, for example, in the pit 4. The speed governor rope 16 moves as the car 10 runs. The sheave of the speed governor 15 and the speed governor rope tensioning sheave 17 rotate as the speed governor rope 16 moves. That is, the rotation speed of the sheave of the speed governor 15 corresponds to the running speed of the car 10. The speed governor 15 suppresses the running speed of the car 10, for example, by braking the movement of, for example, the speed governor rope 16 when the rotation speed of the sheave becomes excessive. In the speed governor 15 of this example, a speed governor encoder 18 is applied. The speed governor encoder 18 is a device that measures the rotation amount of the sheave of the speed governor 15.

[0018] The elevator 2 includes a seismic sensor 19. The seismic sensor 19 is arranged, for example, in the pit 4. The seismic sensor 19 is configured to be able to detect an earthquake with shaking above a threshold value. The threshold value is represented by the value of the acceleration due to the shaking of the earthquake. When the seismic sensor 19 detects an earthquake with shaking above the threshold value, the elevator 2 switches its operation mode, for example, from normal operation to diagnostic operation. Normal operation is the normal operation mode in which users are transported between multiple floors in response to calls. Diagnostic operation is an operation mode in which an automatic diagnosis is performed to determine the presence or absence of abnormalities in each device and apparatus of the elevator 2. For example, in the control panel 12 or the like, based on the result of the automatic diagnosis in the diagnostic operation, it is determined whether or not automatic recovery to normal operation is possible.

[0019] The elevator system 1 includes a remote monitoring device 20. The remote monitoring device 20 is a device used for remotely monitoring the state of the elevator 2. The remote monitoring device 20 is connected to the control panel 12 or the like so as to be able to collect information on the state of the elevator 2. The remote monitoring device 20 collects, as information on the state of the elevator 2, for example, information input to the control panel 12 and information output from the control panel 12. The information collected by the remote monitoring device 20 is output to, for example, a central management device 22 or the like through a communication network 21 such as the Internet or a telephone line network. The central management device 22 is a device that collects, stores, or manages information on the state of the elevator 2 or the like. The central management device 22 is arranged, for example, in an information center or the like. The information center is a base for collecting and managing information on the state of the elevator 2. Here, the control panel 12 of the elevator 2 may receive a control signal for remote control or the like from outside the elevator 2. The control signal for remote control is input to the control panel 12 through, for example, the remote monitoring device 20 or the like.

[0020] In the elevator 2, a deformation detection system 23 is applied. When an earthquake occurs at a location where a building or the like to which the elevator 2 is applied is provided, deformation may occur in any of the guide rails 5 due to the shaking of the earthquake. At this time, even if the deformation is minor enough for the car 10 or the counterweight 11 to travel, an influence due to the deformation such as shaking during travel may occur. For this reason, in a diagnostic operation or the like performed after an earthquake has occurred, the deformation detection system 23 detects the deformation of the guide rail 5. The deformation detection system 23 may be an external system applied to the elevator 2 or an internal system included in the elevator 2.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the deformation detection system 23 according to Embodiment 1.

[0022] The deformation detection system 23 includes a command unit 24, an arithmetic unit 25, a determination unit 26, a detection unit 27, and a notification unit 28. In this example, the command unit 24, the arithmetic unit 25, the determination unit 26, the detection unit 27, and the notification unit 28 are mounted on the control panel 12.

[0023] The command unit 24 is a part equipped with a function of outputting a speed command corresponding to the speed of the cage 10 to the hoist 8. The speed command corresponding to the speed of the cage 10 is, for example, a command value for the vertical traveling speed of the cage 10 or the rotational speed of the hoist 8.

[0024] The hoist 8 generates a driving force by a motor according to the speed command output by the command unit 24. As a result, the sheave of the hoist 8 rotates, and the cage 10 and the counterweight 11 travel in the vertical direction. At this time, the sheave of the speed regulator 15 rotates as the cage 10 travels. In the deformation detection system 23, the actual speed corresponding to the speed of the cage 10 is measured. The actual speed corresponding to the speed of the cage 10 is, for example, the actual vertical traveling speed of the cage 10 or the counterweight 11, the actual rotational speed of the sheave of the hoist 8, or the actual rotational speed of the sheave of the speed regulator 15. In this example, the actual speed corresponding to the speed of the cage 10 is measured by the hoist encoder 13 as the rotational speed of the sheave of the hoist 8. Alternatively, the actual speed corresponding to the speed of the cage 10 may be measured by the speed regulator encoder 18 as the rotational speed of the sheave of the speed regulator 15. The hoist encoder 13 and the speed regulator encoder 18 are examples of the measurement unit in the deformation detection system 23. The actual speed measured in the deformation detection system 23 may be a converted value such as the rotational speed of the sheave of the hoist 8 obtained by multiplying the rotational speed of the sheave of the speed regulator 15 measured by the speed regulator encoder 18 by a coefficient.

[0025] The calculation unit 25 is a part equipped with a function of calculating the speed deviation between the speed command output by the command unit 24 and the actual speed measured in the deformation detection system 23. The calculation unit 25 calculates the speed deviation, for example, by taking the difference between the measured value of the actual speed and the command value of the speed command. The calculation unit 25 sequentially calculates the speed deviation of the cage 10, for example, while the cage 10 is traveling during the diagnostic operation.

[0026] The determination unit 26 is a part equipped with a function of determining that the speed deviation has deviated from the allowable range when the magnitude of the speed deviation calculated by the calculation unit 25 exceeds the first threshold value. The first threshold value is a threshold value preset for the speed. The allowable range is, for example, a range in which the speed deviation from the commanded value of the speed command is smaller than the first threshold value.

[0027] The detection unit 27 is a part equipped with a function of detecting deformation of any one of the guide rails 5 based on the determination result of the determination unit 26. When the deformation of the guide rail 5 is minor, for example, the part that guides the car 10 or the counterweight 11 on the guide rail 5 may tilt slightly in the vertical direction. At this time, the tilted part of the guide rail 5 acts as a running resistance of the car 10 or the counterweight 11. Therefore, due to the deformation of the guide rail 5, a difference may occur between the commanded value of the speed command and the measured value of the actual speed. Using this, the detection unit 27 detects the deformation of the guide rail 5 based on the determination result of the determination unit 26 as to whether the speed deviation has deviated from the allowable range. For example, when the determination unit 26 determines that the speed deviation has deviated from the allowable range, the detection unit 27 detects the deformation of the guide rail 5 at the vertical position in the hoistway 3 where the car 10 or the counterweight 11 was running at that time. Alternatively, for example, when the number of times that the determination unit 26 determines that the speed deviation has deviated from the allowable range exceeds the second threshold value when the car 10 or the counterweight 11 is running at the same vertical position in the hoistway 3, the detection unit 27 detects the deformation of the guide rail 5 at that position. Here, the second threshold value is a threshold value preset for the number of times. For example, when the second threshold value is set to 1 time, the deformation of the guide rail 5 is detected when a plurality of deviations from the allowable range are determined. In addition, when the vertical positions of the car 10 or the counterweight 11 when the deviation from the allowable range of the speed deviation is determined match within the error range, the detection unit 27 may determine these positions as the same position. For example, when the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of a plurality of positions in the vertical direction is smaller than a preset value, the detection unit 27 determines that these plurality of positions match within the error range.

[0028] The notification unit 28 is a part equipped with the function of notifying the detection result of the detection unit 27. The detection result of the detection unit 27 may include information on the vertical position in the hoistway 3 regarding the location where the deformation of the guide rail 5 is detected. The notification unit 28 notifies, for example, the central management device 22 through the remote monitoring device 20 and the communication network 21 or the like. Alternatively, the notification unit 28 may notify a maintenance terminal held by a maintenance staff of the elevator 2 through the communication network 21 or the like. The maintenance terminal is, for example, a portable general-purpose information terminal such as a smartphone or the like. Further, when a management room or the like is provided in the building to which the elevator 2 is applied, the notification unit 28 may notify the management room.

[0029] Note that part or all of each function such as the arithmetic unit 25, the determination unit 26, the detection unit 27, and the notification unit 28 of the deformation detection system 23 may be mounted on other devices of the control panel 12. Part or all of these functions may be mounted on other devices including the remote monitoring device 20, the central management device 22, or a server device outside the information center or the like.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the speed deviation in the elevator 2 according to the first embodiment. The horizontal axis in FIG. 3 represents the passage of time while the car 10 is running. The vertical axis in FIG. 3 represents the speed. In FIG. 3, the thick dashed line represents the time change of the command value of the speed command corresponding to the speed of the car 10. In FIG. 3, the thick solid line represents the time change of the measured value of the actual speed corresponding to the speed of the car 10.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 3, while the car 10 is running in a section where the guide rail 5 has no deformation, the command value of the speed command and the measured value of the actual speed match within the allowable range. When the car 10 runs in a section where the guide rail 5 is deformed, for example, due to the inclination of the guide rail 5 caused by the deformation, the speed deviation of the car 10 deviates from the allowable range. At this time, the detection unit 27 detects the deformation of the guide rail 5 based on the determination result of the deviation of the speed deviation from the allowable range by the determination unit 26.

[0032] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the deformation detection system 23 according to Embodiment 1. The process in FIG. 4 is performed, for example, during a diagnostic operation of the elevator 2.

[0033] In step S01, the command unit 24 outputs a speed command to the hoist 8. In this example, the speed command is a command value for the rotational speed of the sheave of the hoist 8. Thereafter, the process of the deformation detection system 23 proceeds to step S02.

[0034] In step S02, the hoist encoder 13 measures the rotational speed of the sheave of the hoist 8 as the actual speed corresponding to the speed of the car 10. Thereafter, the process of the deformation detection system 23 proceeds to step S03.

[0035] In step S03, the calculation unit 25 calculates the speed deviation between the speed command output by the command unit 24 and the actual speed measured by the hoist encoder 13. Thereafter, the process of the deformation detection system 23 proceeds to step S04.

[0036] In step S04, the determination unit 26 determines whether the speed deviation of the car 10 exceeds a first threshold value. When the speed deviation of the car 10 exceeds the first threshold value, the determination unit 26 determines that the speed deviation of the car 10 has deviated from the allowable range. When the determination unit 26 determines that the speed deviation of the car 10 has not deviated from the allowable range, the process of the deformation detection system 23 proceeds to step S01. On the other hand, when the determination unit 26 determines that the speed deviation of the car 10 has deviated from the allowable range, the process of the deformation detection system 23 proceeds to step S05.

[0037] In step S05, the detection unit 27 acquires information on the current position of the car 10 in the vertical direction of the hoistway 3. The detection unit 27 may acquire information on the position of the car 10 based on, for example, the rotation angle of the sheave of the hoist 8 measured by the hoist encoder 13. Thereafter, the process of the deformation detection system 23 proceeds to step S06.

[0038] In step S06, the detection unit 27 determines whether the number of times the determination unit 26 has determined a deviation from the allowable range exceeds the second threshold value. If the determination result is NO, the process of the deformation detection system 23 proceeds to step S01. On the other hand, if the determination result is YES, the process of the deformation detection system 23 proceeds to step S07.

[0039] In step S07, the detection unit 27 determines whether the positions of the basket 10 acquired each time the determination unit 26 determines a deviation from the allowable range match within the error range. If the determination result is NO, the process of the deformation detection system 23 proceeds to step S01. On the other hand, if the determination result is YES, the process of the deformation detection system 23 proceeds to step S08.

[0040] In step S08, the detection unit 27 detects that deformation has occurred in the guide rail 5 at the position of the basket 10 or the counterweight 11 when the determination unit 26 determines a deviation from the allowable range. Here, the detection unit 27 detects that deformation has occurred in one or both of the guide rail 5 that guides the basket 10 and the guide rail 5 that guides the counterweight 11. In this example, the detection unit 27 does not specify which of the guide rails 5 for guiding the basket 10 and the guide rail 5 for guiding the counterweight 11 has deformation. The detection unit 27 detects the position of the basket 10 when a deviation from the allowable range is determined as the position of the deformed portion when the guide rail 5 that guides the basket 10 is deformed. The detection unit 27 detects the position of the counterweight 11 when a deviation from the allowable range is determined as the position of the deformed portion when the guide rail 5 that guides the counterweight 11 is deformed. Thereafter, the process of the deformation detection system 23 proceeds to step S09.

[0041] In step S09, the notification unit 28 notifies the detection result by the detection unit 27. Thereafter, the process of the deformation detection system 23 ends.

[0042] Note that the process in FIG. 4 may be performed in parallel with the running of the car 10 for determination such as the presence or absence of other abnormalities during the diagnostic operation. At this time, the process in FIG. 4 ends, for example, when the diagnostic operation automatically recovers to the normal operation without other abnormalities being determined. Also, the process in FIG. 4 may be constantly performed during the normal operation.

[0043] As described above, the deformation detection system 23 according to the first embodiment includes a command unit 24, a hoist encoder 13, an arithmetic unit 25, a determination unit 26, and a detection unit 27. The hoist 8 causes the car 10 and the counterweight 11 to travel along the guide rail 5 in the hoistway 3 of the elevator 2. The command unit 24 outputs a speed command corresponding to the speed of the car 10 or the counterweight 11 to the hoist 8. The hoist encoder 13 measures the actual speed corresponding to the speed of the car 10 or the counterweight 11 that the hoist 8 causes to travel according to the speed command output by the command unit 24. The arithmetic unit 25 calculates the speed deviation between the speed command output by the command unit 24 and the actual speed measured by the hoist encoder 13 for the car 10 or the counterweight 11. The determination unit 26 determines that the speed deviation has deviated from the allowable range when the magnitude of the speed deviation calculated by the arithmetic unit 25 exceeds the first threshold value. The detection unit 27 detects the deformation of the guide rail 5 based on the determination result of the determination unit 26. The deformation detection method according to Embodiment 1 includes a command step, a measurement step, a calculation step, a determination step, and a detection step. The command step is a step of outputting a speed command corresponding to the cage 10 or the counterweight 11 to the hoist 8. The measurement step is a step of measuring the actual speed corresponding to the speed of the cage 10 or the counterweight 11 that the hoist 8 runs according to the speed command output in the command step. The calculation step is a step of calculating the speed deviation between the speed command output in the command step and the actual speed measured in the measurement step for the cage 10 or the counterweight 11. The determination step is a step of determining that the speed deviation has deviated from the allowable range when the magnitude of the speed deviation calculated in the calculation step exceeds the first threshold value. The detection step is a step of detecting the deformation of the guide rail 5 based on the determination result in the determination step.

[0044] With such a configuration, even when the deformation of the guide rail 5 is minor enough for the cage 10 or the counterweight 11 to travel, the deformation of the guide rail 5 is detected based on the speed deviation. As a result, it becomes possible to automatically recover after confirming that there is no deformation of the guide rail 5, so that the elevator 2 after recovery can be operated in a better state. Also, even when a maintenance worker performs manual inspection after automatic recovery, the inspection items by the maintenance worker can be reduced. For this reason, the work load of the maintenance worker is reduced and the time required for recovery is shortened.

[0045] Further, the detection unit 27 detects the deformation of the guide rail 5 when the number of times the determination unit 26 determines that the speed deviation has deviated from the allowable range exceeds the second threshold value, and the positions of the cage 10 or the counterweight 11 at each time when the determination unit 26 determines that the speed deviation has deviated from the allowable range match within the error range.

[0046] With such a configuration, since the deformation of the guide rail 5 is detected after the deviation of the speed deviation from the allowable range is confirmed with reproducibility, the accuracy of deformation detection is further enhanced.

[0047] Also, while the car 10 or the counterweight 11 is running, the arithmetic unit 25 sequentially calculates the speed deviation between the speed command output by the command unit 24 for the car 10 or the counterweight 11 and the actual speed measured by the hoist encoder 13. While the car 10 or the counterweight 11 is running, the determination unit 26 sequentially determines whether the speed deviation deviates from the allowable range based on whether the magnitude of the speed deviation exceeds a first threshold value. At this time, the detection unit 27 may detect the deformation of the guide rail 5 when the length of the travel section traveled by the car 10 or the counterweight 11 exceeds a third threshold value while the determination unit 26 continuously determines that the speed deviation deviates from the allowable range. The third threshold value is a threshold value preset for the length of the section where the car 10 or the counterweight 11 travels.

[0048] With such a configuration, even when the guide rail 5 is gently deformed over a section of a certain length, the deformation of the guide rail 5 can be detected based on the speed deviation.

[0049] Further, the arithmetic unit 25 may calculate the magnitude of the time change amount of the speed deviation. The magnitude of the time change amount of the speed deviation is calculated, for example, as the time derivative of the speed deviation. At this time, when the magnitude of the time change amount of the speed deviation exceeds a fourth threshold value, the determination unit 26 does not determine that the speed deviation deviates from the allowable range regardless of the magnitude of the speed deviation. The fourth threshold value is a threshold value preset for the magnitude of the time change amount of the speed deviation for the car 10 or the counterweight 11. The determination unit 26 may maintain a state where it does not determine that the speed deviation deviates from the allowable range regardless of the magnitude of the speed deviation until a preset time elapses after the magnitude of the time change amount of the speed deviation exceeds the fourth threshold value.

[0050] With such a configuration, even when the speed deviation changes rapidly due to vibrations of the cage 10 that do not depend on the deformation of the guide rail 5, the occurrence of false detection of the deformation of the guide rail 5 due to the change in the speed deviation at this time can be suppressed. For example, when the elevator system 1 includes a plurality of cages 10, the cage 10 may vibrate due to an air flow generated when adjacent cages 10 pass by each other, without depending on the deformation of the guide rail 5.

[0051] Further, the control panel 12 may run the cage 10 or the counterweight 11 so as to more reliably detect the deformation of the guide rail 5 based on the determination result by the determination unit 26. For example, when the determination unit 26 determines that the speed deviation has deviated from the allowable range, the control panel 12 may run the cage 10 or the counterweight 11 so as to pass the position of the cage 10 or the counterweight 11 at that time again at the same speed and in the same direction. Alternatively, when the determination unit 26 determines that the speed deviation has deviated from the allowable range, the control panel 12 may run the cage 10 or the counterweight 11 so as to pass the position of the cage 10 or the counterweight 11 at that time again at a different speed or in a different direction.

[0052] Subsequently, an example of the hardware configuration of the deformation detection system 23 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a hardware configuration diagram of the main part of the deformation detection system 23 according to the first embodiment.

[0053] Each function of the processing in the deformation detection system 23 can be realized by a processing circuit. The processing circuit includes at least one processor 100a and at least one memory 100b. The processing circuit may include at least one dedicated hardware 200 together with the processor 100a and the memory 100b, or as a substitute for them.

[0054] When the processing circuit includes the processor 100a and the memory 100b, each function of the deformation detection system 23 is realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. At least one of the software and the firmware is described as a program. The program is stored in the memory 100b. The processor 100a realizes each function of the deformation detection system 23 by reading and executing the program stored in the memory 100b.

[0055] The processor 100a is also referred to as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a processing device, an arithmetic device, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, or a DSP. The memory 100b is composed of, for example, a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as a RAM, a ROM, a flash memory, an EPROM, or an EEPROM.

[0056] When the processing circuit includes the dedicated hardware 200, the processing circuit is realized by, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel-programmed processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination thereof.

[0057] Each function of the processing in the deformation detection system 23 can be realized by the processing circuit respectively. Alternatively, each function of the deformation detection system 23 can also be realized by the processing circuit collectively. Regarding each function of the deformation detection system 23, a part can be realized by the dedicated hardware 200, and the other part can be realized by software or firmware. Thus, the processing circuit realizes each function of the deformation detection system 23 by the dedicated hardware 200, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.

Industrial Applicability

[0058] The deformation detection system and the deformation detection method according to the present disclosure can be applied to the guide rails of an elevator.

Explanation of Signs

[0059] 1 Elevator system, 2 Elevator, 3 Hoistway, 4 Pit, 5 Guide rail, 6 Landing, 7 Landing door, 8 Hoisting machine, 9 Main rope, 10 Car, 11 Counterweight, 12 Control panel, 13 Hoisting machine encoder, 14 Car door, 15 Speed governor, 16 Speed governor rope, 17 Speed governor rope tensioner, 18 Speed governor encoder, 19 Earthquake sensor, 20 Remote monitoring device, 21 Communication network, 22 Central management device, 23 Deformation detection system, 24 Command section, 25 Arithmetic section, 26 Judgment section, 27 Detection section, 28 Notification section, 100a Processor, 100b Memory, 200 Dedicated hardware

Claims

1. In a hoist that causes a lifting body to travel along a guide rail in an elevator hoistway, a command unit that outputs a speed command corresponding to the speed of the lifting body, A measurement unit that measures an actual speed corresponding to the speed of the lifting body that the hoist travels according to the speed command output by the command unit, An arithmetic unit that calculates a speed deviation between the speed command output by the command unit and the actual speed measured by the measurement unit for the lifting body, When the magnitude of the speed deviation of the lifting body calculated by the arithmetic unit exceeds a preset first threshold value, and when the magnitude of the time change amount of the speed deviation of the lifting body calculated by the arithmetic unit does not exceed a preset fourth threshold value, it is determined that the speed deviation of the lifting body has deviated from the allowable range. When the magnitude of the time change amount of the speed deviation of the lifting body calculated by the arithmetic unit exceeds the fourth threshold value, it is not determined that the speed deviation of the lifting body has deviated from the allowable range regardless of the magnitude of the speed deviation of the lifting body. A determination unit; A detection unit that detects deformation of the guide rail based on the determination result of the determination unit, comprising A deformation detection system for an elevator guide rail.

2. The detection unit detects deformation of the guide rail when the number of times the determination unit determines that the speed deviation of the lifting body has deviated from the allowable range exceeds a preset second threshold value, and when the positions of the lifting body at each time when the determination unit determines that the speed deviation of the lifting body has deviated from the allowable range coincide within a preset error range. The deformation detection system for an elevator guide rail according to claim 1.

3. The arithmetic unit calculates a speed deviation between the speed command output by the command unit and the actual speed measured by the measurement unit while the lifting body is traveling, The determination unit determines whether the speed deviation of the lifting body has deviated from the allowable range based on whether the magnitude of the speed deviation of the lifting body exceeds the first threshold value while the lifting body is traveling, When the length of the travel section traveled by the lifting body while the determination unit continuously determines that the speed deviation of the lifting body has deviated from the allowable range exceeds a preset third threshold value, the detection unit detects deformation of the guide rail. A deformation detection system for an elevator guide rail according to claim 1.

4. In a hoisting machine that causes a lifting body to travel along a guide rail in an elevator hoistway, a command step of outputting a speed command corresponding to the speed of the lifting body; A measurement step of measuring an actual speed corresponding to the speed of the lifting body that the hoisting machine causes to travel according to the speed command output in the command step; An arithmetic step of calculating a speed deviation between the speed command output in the command step and the actual speed measured in the measurement step for the lifting body; When the magnitude of the speed deviation of the lifting body calculated in the arithmetic step exceeds a preset first threshold value, and when the magnitude of the time change amount of the speed deviation of the lifting body calculated in the arithmetic step does not exceed a preset fourth threshold value, it is determined that the speed deviation of the lifting body has deviated from the allowable range, and when the magnitude of the time change amount of the speed deviation of the lifting body calculated in the arithmetic step exceeds the fourth threshold value, it is not determined that the speed deviation of the lifting body has deviated from the allowable range regardless of the magnitude of the speed deviation of the lifting body; a determination step; A detection step of detecting deformation of the guide rail based on the determination result in the determination step; comprising A method for detecting deformation of an elevator guide rail.

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