Elevator device, elevator control method, and elevator operation panel

Abstract

To provide an elevator device capable of suppressing erroneous registration of a destination floor.SOLUTION: An elevator device includes: a car 3 lifted / lowered inside a hoistway 2; a hoisting machine 6 lifting / lowering the car 3; an elevator control device 7 controlling the hoisting machine 6; and destination floor sensors 32a to 32f provided on a car control panel 30 for operating the car 3 and detecting an object in a non-contact system to register a destination floor. The plurality of destination floor sensors 32a to 32f are arranged side by side in a vertical direction. The elevator control device 7 includes an operation control unit 70 receiving signals detected by the destination floor sensors 32a to 32f and performing registration processing of the destination floor. The operation control unit 70 registers a floor corresponding to a destination floor sensor positioned above as the destination floor when the destination floor sensors vertically adjacent to each other among the plurality of destination floor sensors 32a to 32f simultaneously detect the object.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an elevator device, a control method for an elevator, and an operation panel for an elevator.

Background Art

[0002] Inside an elevator car, there is an operation panel on which a plurality of destination floor buttons for inputting the destination floor are arranged. A passenger selects an arbitrary destination floor from among the plurality of destination floor buttons.

[0003] For the destination floor buttons, in addition to the push button method in which a passenger directly touches the destination floor button and the touch sensor method, there is a non-contact sensor method in which a passenger does not directly touch the destination floor button.

[0004] In the case of a non-contact sensor type destination floor sensor (button), there is a possibility that a passenger may erroneously register a destination floor that the passenger does not intend, and thus countermeasures have been taken to prevent this. As a technique for preventing erroneous registration, for example, the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 have been proposed.

[0005] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which when a destination floor sensor is continuously operated until a first threshold time elapses, the destination floor is registered, and when both the destination floor sensor and an adjacent sensor (another destination floor sensor) adjacent to the destination floor sensor are operated before the first threshold time elapses, the destination floor is not registered.

[0006] Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a technique in which, in a device provided with a non-contact operation unit, when a plurality of operation signals of a destination floor operation unit that continue for a threshold time or more within a predetermined time are output, the destination floor corresponding to the one with the longest signal continuation time or the one with the maximum signal intensity among these operation signals is registered.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0007]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] In the technology described in Patent Document 1, when both of the adjacent sensors (another destination floor sensor) adjacent to the destination floor sensor are operated, the destination floor becomes unregistered, so the destination floor has to be registered again, which makes the operation troublesome. Also, if one of the destination floor sensors malfunctions or foreign matter adheres to the destination floor sensor, even if the adjacent destination floor sensor is operated, the destination floor will become unregistered and there is a problem that the destination floor cannot be registered.

[0009] In the technology described in Patent Document 2, there is a problem that when the destination floor operation unit reacts to the luggage or the like held by the passenger and detects that the signal duration is the longest or the signal intensity is the maximum, a destination floor unintended by the passenger is registered.

[0010] An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and provide an elevator device, a control method for an elevator, and an operation panel for an elevator that can suppress incorrect registration of the destination floor.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0011] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an elevator device including a car that moves up and down in a hoistway and a destination floor sensor provided on a car operation panel that operates the car, the destination floor sensor detecting an object in a non-contact manner and registering the destination floor. A plurality of the destination floor sensors are provided side by side in the vertical direction, and the elevator device includes an operation control unit that receives signals detected by the destination floor sensors and performs registration processing of the destination floor. The operation control unit If the time delay from when the first destination floor sensor detects an object until the second destination floor sensor detects the object is within 0.5 seconds, it is determined to be simultaneous, When adjacent upper and lower destination floor sensors among the plurality of destination floor sensors simultaneously detect an object, registers the floor corresponding to the upper destination floor sensor as the destination floor and if the time delay from when the first destination floor sensor detects an object until the second destination floor sensor detects the object exceeds 0.5 seconds, the floor corresponding to the first destination floor sensor is registered as the destination floor characterized by doing so.

[0012] In addition, the present invention provides a method for controlling an elevator, which includes a car that moves up and down in a hoistway and a car operation panel for operating the car. The elevator is provided with a destination floor sensor that detects an object in a non-contact manner and registers the destination floor. A plurality of the destination floor sensors are provided side by side in the vertical direction. It includes a driving control unit that receives the signal detected by the destination floor sensor and performs the registration process of the destination floor. If the time delay from when the first destination floor sensor detects an object until the second destination floor sensor detects the object is within 0.5 seconds, the driving control unit determines it to be simultaneous, When the upper and lower adjacent destination floor sensors among the plurality of destination floor sensors detect an object at the same time, the floor corresponding to the upper destination floor sensor is registered as the destination floor, and the car is moved. and if the time delay from when the first destination floor sensor detects an object until the second destination floor sensor detects the object exceeds 0.5 seconds, the floor corresponding to the first destination floor sensor is registered as the destination floor, and the car is moved This is the gist of the present invention.

[0013] Furthermore, the present invention provides an elevator operation panel provided on an operation panel for operating a car, the elevator operation panel including a destination floor sensor that detects an object in a non-contact manner and registers the destination floor. A plurality of the destination floor sensors are provided side by side in the vertical direction. The operation panel includes an operation control unit that receives a signal detected by the destination floor sensor and performs a registration process for the destination floor. The operation control unit If the time delay from when the first destination floor sensor detects an object until the second destination floor sensor detects the object is within 0.5 seconds, it is determined to be simultaneous, When the upper and lower adjacent destination floor sensors among the plurality of destination floor sensors detect an object at the same time, the floor corresponding to the upper destination floor sensor is registered as the destination floor and if the time delay from when the first destination floor sensor detects an object until the second destination floor sensor detects the object exceeds 0.5 seconds, the floor corresponding to the first destination floor sensor is registered as the destination floor This is the gist of the present invention.

Advantages of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an elevator device, a method for controlling an elevator, and an operation panel for an elevator that suppress misregistration of the destination floor.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals are given to the same components, and the same description will not be repeated.

[0017] The various components of the present invention do not necessarily have to exist independently. It is allowed that one component consists of a plurality of members, a plurality of components consist of one member, a certain component is a part of another component, and a part of a certain component overlaps with a part of another component, etc.

Embodiment

[0018] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an elevator device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The elevator device 1 includes a car 3 that moves up and down in a hoistway 2, a counterweight 5 connected to the car 3 via a rope 4, a hoisting machine 6 that winds up the rope 4 to move the car 3 and the counterweight 5 up and down, an elevator control device 7 that controls the hoisting machine 6, a car operation panel 30 (operation panel) installed in the car 3, and a tail cord 8 that electrically connects the elevator control device 7 and performs signal transmission and reception. In Embodiment 1, the hoisting machine 6 and the elevator control device 7 are provided in a machine room 9 located at the upper part of the hoistway 2.

[0019] In addition, in the elevator device 1, elevator landings 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, and 10f are installed on each floor. In the first embodiment, the elevator device 1 is installed in a six-story building. The elevator landings 10a to 10f correspond to the first to sixth floors respectively. On each floor's elevator landing 10, car call operation panels 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, and 11f (operation panels) for calling the car 3 are installed. The car call operation panels 11b to 11e are provided with two buttons for specifying movement to the upper floor or the lower floor and calling the car to the floor where the operated car call operation panel is installed. The car call operation panel 11a is provided with one button for specifying movement to the upper floor, and the car call operation panel 11f is provided with one button for specifying movement to the lower floor. That is, the car operation panel 30 installed in the car 3 and the car call operation panels installed in the elevator landings 10a to 10f are for operating the car 3.

[0020] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the car operation panel according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The car operation panel 30 is provided with a destination floor operation unit 31 for a passenger to perform an operation of specifying the destination floor of the car 3. The destination floor operation unit 31 is provided with a plurality of destination floor sensors 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d, 32e, and 32f for registering the destination floor, and an open button 35a and a close button 35b for performing an opening and closing operation of the door of the car 3. The destination floor sensors 32a to 32f correspond to the floors of the elevator landings 10a to 10f respectively and are arranged side by side in the vertical direction.

[0021] The destination floor sensors 32a to 32f are each provided with a sensor unit 33a, 33b, 33c, 33d, 33e, and 33f for detecting an object in a non-contact manner, and a lighting display unit 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d, 34e, and 34f for indicating that the sensor units 33a to 33f have detected an object and the destination floor has been registered. The lighting display units 34a to 34f light up to indicate that the destination floor has been registered when a light source such as an LED emits light.

[0022] In addition, the car operation panel 30 is provided with an information display unit 36 that displays information such as the current position of the elevator car 3 and the next stop floor.

[0023] For the sensor units 33a to 33f of the destination floor sensors 32a to 32f, for example, a capacitive proximity sensor, an infrared sensor, or the like is used.

[0024] When a capacitive proximity sensor is used, a detection electrode is installed facing the inside of the elevator car. When an object enters the electric field generated by the detection electrode, the charge amount of the detection electrode changes. Therefore, this change is detected by a detection circuit to detect the presence or absence of the object.

[0025] When an infrared sensor is used, infrared rays are radiated toward the inside of the elevator car. When an object enters the radiated infrared rays, the infrared rays are reflected by the object, and the reflected infrared rays are detected by a detection circuit to detect the presence or absence of the object.

[0026] Note that the types of non-contact sensors are not limited to these, and an optimal sensor may be appropriately selected according to the specifications of the elevator and the like.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a control block diagram showing the configuration of the elevator control device and the car operation panel according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0028] The elevator control device 7 includes an operation control unit 70 that receives operation inputs from the car operation panel 30a and processes signals, and a hoist drive control unit 71 that controls the hoist 6 based on signals from the operation control unit 70. The operation control unit 70 includes a sensor input processing unit 72 that receives operation inputs from each of the sensor units 33a to 33f of the car operation panel 30a and processes signals, and a destination floor registration processing unit 73 that receives signals from the sensor input processing unit 72, determines the destination floor and performs registration processing, and outputs a command signal to the hoist drive control unit 71. Further, after determining the destination floor, the destination floor registration processing unit 73 transmits a signal to the car operation panel 30a and outputs a command signal to turn on the lighting display units 34a to 34f corresponding to the determined destination floor. The transmission and reception of signals between the operation control unit 70 and the car operation panel 30a are performed via the tail cord 8.

[0029] Figure 4 is an enlarged view of a part of the in-car control panel. (a) is a view of the destination floor sensor seen from the front, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the destination floor sensor taken in the vertical direction.

[0030] The passenger registers the destination floor by bringing the fingertip 40 close to the sensor unit of the destination floor sensor. For example, when registering the 6th floor as the destination floor, the passenger brings the fingertip 40 close to the sensor unit 33f of the destination floor sensor 32f as shown in Fig. 4(a). The sensor unit 33f detects the fingertip 40 (object) and transmits it to the sensor input processing unit 72 as input information, and the destination floor is registered.

[0031] Below the destination floor sensor 32f for registering the 6th floor, a destination floor sensor 32e for registering the 5th floor adjacent to it is installed. When the passenger brings the fingertip 40 close to the sensor unit 33f, the other finger 41 may come close to the sensor unit 33e of the destination floor sensor 32e, and the sensor unit 33e may detect the other finger 41 as an object.

[0032] The distances between the sensor unit 33f and the fingertip 40, and between the sensor unit 33e and the other finger 41 are in a substantially equal state as shown in FIG. 4(b). In the state shown in FIG. 4(b), since the sensor units 33f and 33e detect input operations simultaneously, in addition to the 6th floor, the 5th floor is also registered as the destination floor, and there is a possibility that a destination floor unintended by the passenger is registered. Means for suppressing this will be described below.

[0033] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The sensor input processing unit 72 determines whether or not the sensor units 33a to 33f of the destination floor sensors 32a to 32f have detected an object (step S101). If the sensor units 33a to 33f do not detect an object (No in step S101), the determination in step S101 is repeated.

[0034] When the sensor units 33a to 33f detect an object (Yes in step S101), the sensor input processing unit 72 determines whether or not the sensor unit that has detected the object is any one of the sensor units 33a to 33f (step S102).

[0035] When any one of the sensor units 33a to 33f detects an object (Yes in step S102), the sensor input processing unit 72 transmits the information of the destination floor corresponding to the detected sensor unit to the destination floor registration processing unit 73.

[0036] The destination floor registration processing unit 73 registers the destination floor corresponding to the detected sensor unit (step S103), transmits a signal to the car operation panel 30a, and lights up the lighting display units 34a to 34f corresponding to the registered destination floor (step S107). Further, the destination floor registration processing unit 73 outputs a command signal for moving the car to the destination floor registered in the hoist drive control unit 71 to the hoist drive control unit 71.

[0037] The hoist drive control unit 71 receives the command signal from the destination floor registration processing unit 73 and controls the hoist to move the car to the destination floor (step S108).

[0038] In step S102, when two or more adjacent sensor units detect an object (No in step S102), the sensor input processing unit 72 determines whether two or more sensor units detect the object simultaneously (step S104). In the first embodiment, "simultaneously" means that, for example, the time delay from when the first sensor unit detects the object to when the second sensor unit detects the object is within the range of 0 second to 0.5 seconds.

[0039] When two or more adjacent sensor units among the sensor units 33a to 33f detect an object simultaneously (Yes in step S104), the sensor input processing unit 72 sets the floor corresponding to the sensor unit located above as the destination floor and transmits the information to the destination floor registration processing unit 73.

[0040] The destination floor registration processing unit 73 registers only the destination floor corresponding to the sensor unit located above (step S105), transmits a signal to the car operation panel 30a, and turns on the lighting display units 34a to 34f corresponding to the registered destination floor (step S107). Further, the destination floor registration processing unit 73 outputs a command signal for moving the car to the destination floor registered in the hoist drive control unit 71 to the hoist drive control unit 71.

[0041] In step S104, when two or more sensor units detect an object beyond a predetermined time (for example, 0.5 seconds) (No in step S104), the sensor input processing unit 72 transmits only the information on the destination floor corresponding to the first detected sensor unit to the destination floor registration processing unit 73.

[0042] The destination floor registration processing unit 73 registers the destination floor corresponding to the first detected sensor unit (step S106), transmits a signal to the car operation panel 30a, and turns on the lighting display units 34a to 34f corresponding to the registered destination floor (step S107). Further, the destination floor registration processing unit 73 outputs a command signal for moving the car to the destination floor registered in the hoist drive control unit 71 to the hoist drive control unit 71.

[0043] When two or more sensor units simultaneously detect an object, the operation control unit of the first embodiment is characterized by registering only the destination floor corresponding to the sensor unit located at the upper part and controlling the hoisting machine. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when a passenger registers the 6th floor with the fingertip 40 as the destination floor, the other finger 41 approaches the sensor unit 33e that registers the 5th floor, and the sensor unit 33e may detect the other finger 41 as an object. At this time, registering the 5th floor as the destination floor would be a misregistration.

[0044] Therefore, in the first embodiment, focusing on the fact that the passenger can register with the fingertip 40, only the destination floor corresponding to the sensor unit located at the upper part is registered to suppress misregistration of the destination floor. When registering the destination floor, since there is a high possibility that there is no object that the sensor unit can detect above the fingertip 40, when two or more sensor units are detected simultaneously, if only the destination floor corresponding to the sensor unit located at the upper part is registered, the destination floor intended by the passenger can be registered and false detection can be suppressed.

[0045] According to the first embodiment, it is possible to provide an elevator device and an elevator control method that suppress misregistration of the destination floor.

Embodiment

[0046] An embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a control block diagram showing the configuration of an elevator control device and a car operation panel according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0047] In the first embodiment, the operation control unit is provided in the elevator control device. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the operation control unit is provided in the car operation panel.

[0048] The car operation panel 30b is provided with an operation control unit 37. The operation control unit 37 includes a sensor input processing unit 38 that receives operation inputs from each of the sensor units 33a to 33f and processes signals, and a destination floor registration processing unit 39 that receives signals from the sensor input processing unit 38, determines and registers the destination floor, and outputs a command signal to the hoist drive control unit 71. Further, after determining the destination floor, the destination floor registration processing unit 39 outputs a command signal for lighting up the lighting display units 34a to 34f corresponding to the determined destination floor. The transmission and reception of signals between the elevator control device 7 and the car operation panel 30b are performed via the tail cable 8.

[0049] Since the processing content of the control is the same as that of FIG. 5 in the first embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0050] According to the second embodiment, it is possible to provide an elevator operation panel that suppresses incorrect registration of the destination floor.

[0051] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and includes various modifications. The above-described embodiments have been described in detail for easy understanding of the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to those having all the configurations described.

[0052] In the above-described first and second embodiments, the description has been given by taking as an example the application to the car operation panels 30a and 30b installed in the car 3. However, for example, it may be applied to a car call operation panel installed at an elevator landing. At each floor elevator landing 10, car call operation panels 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, and 11f for calling the car 3 are installed. The car call operation panels 11b to 11e are provided with two buttons for designating the upper or lower floor, arranged vertically. Sensor units for detecting an object in a non-contact manner are provided for each of these two buttons. Alternatively, the sensor units may be provided in an arrangement where they are arranged vertically (above or below the button, or to the right or left of the button), in combination with the button. Further, the sensor units may be provided instead of the buttons.

[0053] When two sensor units arranged vertically detect an object at the same time, the floor where the operated car call operation panel is installed is registered as the destination floor of the car with the direction corresponding to the upper sensor unit as the destination direction. The car operation panel of the present invention includes a car call operation panel installed in the elevator landing.

[0054] Furthermore, for example, it may be applied to a landing destination floor registration device installed in the elevator landing and capable of registering the destination floor at the landing. In the elevator landing, there may be provided a landing destination floor registration that allows passengers to register the destination floor at the landing. In this case, sensor units for detecting an object in a non-contact manner are provided for each destination floor button provided in the destination floor registration device. Or, the sensor units may be provided in an arrangement where they are arranged vertically (above or below the button, or to the right or left of the button) in combination with the destination floor button. Furthermore, the sensor unit may be provided instead of the button.

[0055] When two sensor units arranged vertically detect an object at the same time, the floor corresponding to the upper sensor unit is registered as the destination floor. The car operation panel of the present invention includes a landing destination floor registration device installed in the elevator landing.

Explanation of Signs

[0056] 1... Elevator device, 2... Hoistway, 3... Car, 4... Rope, 5... Counterweight, 6... Hoisting machine, 7... Elevator control device, 8... Tail cable, 9... Machine room, 10, 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f... Elevator landing, 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f... Car call operation panel, 30, 30a, 30b... Car operation panel, 31... Destination floor operation unit, 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d, 32e, 32f... Destination floor sensor, 33a, 33b, 33c, 33d, 33e, 33f... Sensor unit, 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d, 34e, 34f... Lighting display unit, 35a... Open button, 35b... Close button, 36... Information display unit, 37... Operation control unit, 38... Sensor input processing unit, 39... Destination floor registration processing unit, 40... Finger tip, 41... Other finger, 70... Operation control unit, 71... Hoisting machine drive control unit, 72... Sensor input processing unit, 73... Destination floor registration processing unit

Claims

1. In an elevator apparatus comprising a car that moves up and down in a hoistway, and a car operation panel that operates the car, the elevator apparatus being provided with a destination floor sensor that detects an object in a non-contact manner and registers a destination floor, a plurality of the destination floor sensors are provided side by side in the vertical direction, the elevator apparatus includes an operation control unit that receives a signal detected by the destination floor sensor and performs a registration process for the destination floor, the operation control unit, if the delay in time from when the first destination floor sensor detects an object until the second destination floor sensor detects the object is within 0.5 seconds, determines that they are simultaneous, when adjacent upper and lower destination floor sensors among the plurality of destination floor sensors detect an object simultaneously, registers the floor corresponding to the upper destination floor sensor as the destination floor, and if the delay in time from when the first destination floor sensor detects an object until the second destination floor sensor detects the object exceeds 0.5 seconds, registers the floor corresponding to the first destination floor sensor as the destination floor. The elevator apparatus is characterized by this.

2. In Claim 1, the destination floor sensor includes a sensor unit that detects an object in a non-contact manner, and a lighting display unit that lights up and displays the registered destination floor. The elevator apparatus is characterized by this.

3. In Claim 1 or 2, the elevator apparatus includes a hoisting machine that raises and lowers the car, and an elevator control device that controls the hoisting machine, and the operation control unit is provided in the elevator control device. The elevator apparatus is characterized by this.

4. In Claim 1 or 2, the operation control unit is provided in a car operation panel installed in the car. The elevator apparatus is characterized by this.

5. In Claim 1 or 2, the operation control unit is provided in a car operation panel installed at an elevator landing. The elevator apparatus is characterized by this.

6. In a control method for an elevator comprising a car that moves up and down in a hoistway, and a car operation panel that operates the car, the elevator being provided with a destination floor sensor that detects an object in a non-contact manner and registers a destination floor, a plurality of the destination floor sensors are provided side by side in the vertical direction, the elevator control method includes an operation control unit that receives a signal detected by the destination floor sensor and performs a registration process for the destination floor, the operation control unit, if the delay in time from when the first destination floor sensor detects an object until the second destination floor sensor detects the object is within 0.5 seconds, determines that they are simultaneous, When adjacent upper and lower destination floor sensors among the plurality of destination floor sensors detect an object at the same time, the floor corresponding to the upper destination floor sensor is registered as the destination floor, and the car is moved. A method for controlling an elevator, characterized in that when the delay in time from when the first destination floor sensor detects an object until the second destination floor sensor detects the object exceeds 0.5 seconds, the floor corresponding to the first destination floor sensor is registered as the destination floor, and the car is moved.

7. In an elevator operation panel provided with a destination floor sensor that is provided on an operation panel for operating a car, detects an object in a non-contact manner, and registers a destination floor, a plurality of the destination floor sensors are provided side by side in the vertical direction. The operation panel includes an operation control unit that receives a signal detected by the destination floor sensor and performs a registration process for the destination floor. The operation control unit determines that they are simultaneous if the delay in time from when the first destination floor sensor detects an object until the second destination floor sensor detects the object is within 0.5 seconds. When adjacent upper and lower destination floor sensors among the plurality of destination floor sensors detect an object at the same time, the floor corresponding to the upper destination floor sensor is registered as the destination floor. An elevator operation panel, characterized in that when the delay in time from when the first destination floor sensor detects an object until the second destination floor sensor detects the object exceeds 0.5 seconds, the floor corresponding to the first destination floor sensor is registered as the destination floor.

8. In Claim 7, the destination floor sensor includes a sensor unit that detects an object in a non-contact manner and a lighting display unit that lights up and displays the registered destination floor. An elevator operation panel characterized by this.

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