Elevator device

Abstract

To provide an elevator apparatus that passengers can easily recognize their own standing positions in a car.SOLUTION: An elevator apparatus comprises a car 1. The car 1 comprises a floor 11. Multiple standing positions for passengers are set on the floor 11. The car 1 comprises a projector 19. The projector 19 projects images in a space above each of the multiple standing positions. The projector 19 may project a stereoscopic image in the space. The projector 19 may project a hologram in the space.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an elevator device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an elevator device. In the elevator device described in Patent Document 1, a display is provided in the car. The standing positions of individual passengers are displayed on the display. Patent Document 1 also describes illuminating the floor for guiding passengers.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the elevator device described in Patent Document 1, although the standing positions of passengers are displayed, the display is difficult to see and it is difficult to recognize the standing positions. For this reason, passengers board at positions other than the designated standing positions.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-described problems. An object of the present disclosure is to provide an elevator device that allows passengers to easily recognize their standing positions in the car.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The elevator device according to the present disclosure includes a car in which a plurality of standing positions for passengers are set on the floor and driving control means, an operation panel provided at a landing where the car stops, and second detection means and includes a projector for projecting an image into the space above each of the plurality of standing positions. The second detection means detects that there is a passenger at a specific prohibited position different from a plurality of standing positions. The driving control means does not cause the car to depart from the landing while the second detection means detects that there is a passenger at the prohibited position after the car stops at the landing in response to a call registered from the operation panel. The elevator device according to the present disclosure includes a car in which a plurality of standing positions for passengers are set on the floor. The car includes a projector for projecting an image into the space above each of the plurality of standing positions. A first value and a second value can be set as the rated capacity of the car. The first value is determined based on the load weight of the car or the floor area of the car. The second value is smaller than the first value. When the first value is set as the rated capacity of the car, the projector does not project an image.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] In the elevator device according to the present disclosure, passengers can easily recognize their standing positions in the car.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, a detailed description will be given with reference to the drawings. Redundant descriptions will be simplified or omitted as appropriate. In each figure, the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts.

[0010] Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an elevator device in Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the functions of the elevator device. The elevator device includes a car 1 and a counterweight 2. The car 1 moves up and down in a hoistway 3. The counterweight 2 moves up and down in the hoistway 3. The car 1 and the counterweight 2 are suspended in the hoistway 3 by a rope 4.

[0011] The rope 4 is wound around the hoist 5. The hoist 5 is an example of a driving device that drives the car 1. The control device 6 controls the hoist 5. That is, the movement of the car 1 is controlled by the control device 6. In addition, the control device 6 controls the equipment provided in the car 1.

[0012] FIG. 1 shows an example in which the hoist 5 and the control device 6 are installed in the machine room 7 above the hoistway 3. The hoist 5 and the control device 6 may be installed in the hoistway 3. When the hoist 5 is installed in the hoistway 3, the hoist 5 may be installed at the top of the hoistway 3 or in the pit of the hoistway 3.

[0013] The car 1 includes a floor 11, a door 12, a motor 13, a weighing device 14, a camera 15, an operation panel 16, sensors 17, 18, and a projector 19.

[0014] The car cabin 20 is a space for passengers to board. A plurality of standing positions for passengers are preset on the floor 11 that forms the car cabin 20. A predetermined capacity is set for the car 1 in advance. As an example, the number of standing positions set on the floor 11 is the same as the capacity. If the capacity of the car 1 is 6 people, 6 standing positions are set on the floor 11.

[0015] In recent years, as a measure against the novel coronavirus infection, passengers are required to maintain social distance even inside the car 1. The standing positions may be set so that passengers in the car cabin 20 can maintain social distance.

[0016] Normally, the capacity of the car 1 is determined to be a first value based on the load weight of the car 1 or the area of the floor 11. However, when the car 1 is full when the capacity is set to the first value, passengers in the car cabin 20 cannot maintain social distance. For this reason, multiple values may be set as the capacity of the car 1.

[0017] For example, as the capacity of the car 1, the above first value and second value can be set. The second value is smaller than the first value. As an example, if the first value is 10 people, the second value is 5 people. That is, when the capacity of the car 1 is set to the second value, if there are 5 passengers in the car 1, it is determined to be full. In such a case, the same number of standing positions as the second value are set on the floor 11.

[0018] The entrance and exit of the car 1 is opened and closed by the door 12. The motor 13 drives the door 12. The weighing device 14 measures the load weight of the car 1. FIG. 1 shows an example where the weighing device 14 is arranged under the floor 11. The weighing device 14 may be provided at the end of the rope 4. As an example, the full-load determination of the car 1 is performed based on the load weight measured by the weighing device 14. The camera 15 photographs the car compartment 20.

[0019] The operation panel 16 includes a display 21, a speaker 22, and a button 23. The display 21 and the speaker 22 are examples of notification devices for notifying passengers in the car compartment 20 of information. The operation panel 16 may be provided with only one of the display 21 or the speaker 22. The button 23 includes a destination button for registering a destination call, an open button for opening the door 12, and a close button for closing the door 12. The button 23 may include other buttons.

[0020] The sensors 17 and 18 are, for example, infrared sensors. The sensor 17 emits infrared rays toward each standing position set on the floor 11. When the infrared rays from the sensor 17 hit the floor 11, the sensor 17 outputs an on signal. When the infrared rays from the sensor 17 hit an obstacle before hitting the floor 11, the sensor 17 outputs an off signal. The car 1 may be provided with the same number of sensors 17 as the number of standing positions set on the floor 11.

[0021] Sensor 18 emits infrared rays towards a specific prohibited position. The prohibited position is a position where passengers in the car cabin 20 are prohibited from standing so that they can maintain social distancing. The prohibited position is set at a position different from the standing positions. As an example, the prohibited position is set in the middle of two adjacent standing positions. When the infrared rays from sensor 18 hit the floor 11, sensor 18 outputs an on signal. When the infrared rays from sensor 18 hit an obstacle before hitting the floor 11, sensor 18 outputs an off signal.

[0022] Sensors 17 and 18 are not limited to infrared sensors. As sensors 17 and 18, sensors other than infrared sensors may be used.

[0023] The projector 19 is a device for projecting an image into the car cabin 20 in order to have passengers stand at preset standing positions. The projector 19 projects an image into the space above each standing position. The projector 19 may project a stereoscopic image into the space. The projector 19 may project a hologram into the space.

[0024] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the car cabin 20 in which an image from the projector 19 is projected. FIG. 3 shows an example in which six standing positions 24a to 24f are set on the floor 11. The standing positions 24a to 24f may be set as a specific range as shown in FIG. 3. The standing positions 24a to 24f may be set so as not to be visible to passengers. The projector 19 projects an image into the space above each of the standing positions 24a to 24f. The image projected by the projector 19 may be a still image or a moving image. When the elevator device is in a theme park, the projector 19 may project the characters of that theme park.

[0025] An operation panel 9 is provided at each landing 8 where the car 1 stops. FIG. 1 shows an example in which the operation panel 9 includes an up button and a down button. As another example, the operation panel 9 may include a destination button.

[0026] The control device 6 includes a storage unit 31, a registration unit 32, an operation control unit 33, a projection control unit 34, a detection unit 35, a detection unit 36, and a notification control unit 37. The projection control unit 34 controls the projector 19. The notification control unit 37 controls the notification device provided in the car 1. Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6 as well, the operation of this elevator device will be described in detail.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the control device 6. In the control device 6, it is determined whether a call registration request is received from the operation panel 9 at the landing 8 (S101). For example, if the button on the operation panel 9 is not operated, it is determined as No in S101. When it is determined as No in S101, the projection control unit 34 turns off the projector 19. Therefore, when it is determined as No in S101, the projector 19 does not project an image.

[0028] When a passenger operates the operation panel 9, a call registration request is transmitted from the operation panel 9. When the control device 6 receives the registration request, it is determined as Yes in S101. When it is determined as Yes in S101, the registration unit 32 registers a call based on the registration request received in S101 (S103). For example, when a passenger presses the up button at the landing 8 on the 5th floor, in S103, an upward landing call for the 5th floor is registered. Hereinafter, an example in which the landing call is registered will be described in detail. Also, the landing call is denoted as landing call C1.

[0029] The operation control unit 33 sequentially responds to the registered calls with the car 1 (S104). For example, after dropping off passengers on the 2nd floor, the operation control unit 33 responds the car 1 to the landing call C1. As a result, the car 1 moves from the 2nd floor towards the 5th floor. In the control device 6, it is determined whether the car 1 has arrived at the landing 8 on the 5th floor (S105). When the car 1 arrives at the landing 8 on the 5th floor in response to the landing call C1, it is determined as Yes in S105.

[0030] When the car 1 stops at the landing 8 on the 5th floor in response to the landing call C1, the projection control unit 34 turns on the projector 19 (S106). As a result, the projector 19 projects an image onto the space above each standing position.

[0031] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing another operation example of the control device 6. Figure 5 shows another operation example performed in S106 of FIG. 4.

[0032] The detection unit 35 detects that there is a passenger in the standing position. The detection unit 35 performs detection for each standing position. In the following, as shown in FIG. 3, an example in which standing positions 24a to 24f are set on the floor 11 will be described.

[0033] In the control device 6, the standing position where there is a passenger is specified (S201). For example, when the detection unit 35 receives an off signal from the sensor 17 corresponding to the standing position 24a, it detects that there is a passenger in the standing position 24a. When the detection unit 35 receives an on signal from the sensor 17 corresponding to the standing position 24a, it does not detect that there is a passenger in the standing position 24a.

[0034] The same applies to other standing positions. For example, when the detection unit 35 receives an off signal from the sensor 17 corresponding to the standing position 24f, it detects that there is a passenger in the standing position 24f. When the detection unit 35 receives an on signal from the sensor 17 corresponding to the standing position 24f, it does not detect that there is a passenger in the standing position 24f.

[0035] The detection unit 35 may also detect that there is a passenger in the standing position by using the image captured by the camera 15.

[0036] The projection control unit 34 controls the projector 19 and projects the video from the projector 19 according to the standing position where there is no passenger (S202). That is, the projection control unit 34 prevents the video from being projected above the standing position where there is a passenger. For example, if the detection unit 35 does not detect that there is a passenger in the standing position 24a, the projector 19 projects the video into the space above the standing position 24a. When the detection unit 35 detects that there is a passenger in the standing position 24a, the projector 19 does not project the video into the space above the standing position 24a.

[0037] The same applies to other standing positions. For example, if the detection unit 35 does not detect a passenger at the standing position 24f, the projector 19 projects an image onto the space above the standing position 24f. If the detection unit 35 detects a passenger at the standing position 24f, the projector 19 does not project an image onto the space above the standing position 24f.

[0038] After the image from the projector 19 is projected, the operation control unit 33 controls the motor 13 to open the door 12 (S107). As a result, the passengers in the landing 8 on the 5th floor board the car 1. At this time, the passengers check their standing positions while looking at the image projected from the projector 19. After the door 12 is opened in S107, the notification control unit 37 may notify the passengers of guidance for guiding them to the standing position from the notification device.

[0039] When a passenger who has boarded the car 1 presses the button 23, a destination call is registered. For example, when a passenger presses the button 23 for the 10th floor, a destination call C2 for the 10th floor is registered. Also, when the door 12 is opened in S107, the control device 6 performs a process for confirming that a passenger is at the standing position (S108).

[0040] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing another operation example of the control device 6. FIG. 6 shows an example of the operation performed in S108 of FIG. 4.

[0041] The detection unit 36 detects that there is a passenger at the prohibited position. If a plurality of prohibited positions are set on the floor 11, the detection unit 36 performs detection for each of the prohibited positions.

[0042] The control device 6 determines whether there is a passenger at the prohibited position (S301). For example, when the detection unit 36 receives an off signal from the sensor 18, it detects that there is a passenger at the prohibited position. When the detection unit 36 receives an on signal from the sensor 18, it does not detect that there is a passenger at the prohibited position. As another example, the detection unit 36 may use the image captured by the camera 15 to detect that there is a passenger at the prohibited position.

[0043] When the detection unit 36 detects that there is a passenger in the prohibited position, the notification control unit 37 notifies the passengers in the car cabin 20 through the notification device to stand at the pre-specified standing positions (S302). For example, in S302, the notification control unit 37 displays on the display 21 a guidance such as "Currently, as a measure against COVID-19, the standing positions inside the car are restricted. Please board in accordance with the position of the projected video." Also, for example, in S302, the notification control unit 37 plays from the speaker 22 a guidance such as "Currently, as a measure against COVID-19, the standing positions inside the car are restricted. Please board in accordance with the position of the projected video." After that, when the detection unit 36 no longer detects that there is a passenger in the prohibited position, the confirmation process of S108 ends.

[0044] When the confirmation process of S108 ends, the operation control unit 33 controls the motor 13 to close the door 12 (S109). Also, when the confirmation process of S108 ends, the projection control unit 34 turns off the projector 19 (S110). As a result, the video projected from the projector 19 disappears. When the projector 19 is turned off, the operation control unit 33 makes the car 1 respond to the destination call C2 (S111). That is, the car 1 starts running toward the landing 8 on the 10th floor.

[0045] In the elevator device shown in this embodiment, the projector 19 projects a video into the space above each of the standing positions. With this elevator device, passengers can easily recognize their standing positions inside the car 1.

[0046] In this embodiment, an example of performing the confirmation process in S108 has been described. That is, in the example shown in this embodiment, the operation control unit 33 does not start the car 1 from the landing 8 on the 5th floor while the detection unit 36 detects that there is a passenger in the prohibited position. As another example, the confirmation process of S108 may not be performed.

[0047] In this embodiment, an example where the projector 19 turns off before the car 1 responds to the destination call C2 has been described. That is, in the example shown in this embodiment, while the car 1 is moving, the projector 19 does not project an image. As another example, the projector 19 may project an image even while the car 1 is moving. For example, when the elevator device is in a theme park, the projector 19 may project the characters of the theme park above the standing positions where there are no passengers even while the car 1 is moving.

[0048] In this embodiment, an example where the projector 19 turns on immediately after the car 1 stops at the landing 8 has been described. This is just an example. The projector 19 may turn on immediately before the car 1 stops. As another example, the projector 19 may turn on immediately after the door 12 opens after the car 1 stops at the landing 8.

[0049] As described above, when the first value is set as the capacity of the car 1, it becomes difficult for the passengers in the car cabin 20 to maintain social distancing. Therefore, when the first value is set as the capacity of the car 1, the projector 19 may not project an image.

[0050] In this embodiment, each part indicated by reference numerals 31 to 37 shows the functions of the control device 6. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware resources of the control device 6. The control device 6 includes a processing circuit 40 including a processor 41 and a memory 42 as hardware resources. The control device 6 realizes the functions of each part indicated by reference numerals 32 to 37 by executing the program stored in the memory 42 by the processor 41. The function of the storage unit 31 is realized by the memory 42. As the memory 42, a semiconductor memory or the like can be adopted.

[0051] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another example of the hardware resources of the control device 6. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the control device 6 includes a processing circuit 40 including a processor 41, a memory 42, and dedicated hardware 43. FIG. 8 shows an example in which a part of the functions of the control device 6 is realized by the dedicated hardware 43. All of the functions of the control device 6 may be realized by the dedicated hardware 43. As the dedicated hardware 43, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel-programmed processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination thereof can be adopted.

Explanation of Signs

[0052] 1 car, 2 balance weights, 3 hoistway, 4 rope, 5 hoisting machine, 6 control device, 7 machine room, 8 landing, 9 operation panel, 11 floor, 12 door, 13 motor, 14 weighing device, 15 camera, 16 operation panel, 17-18 sensors, 19 projector, 20 car cabin, 21 display, 22 speaker, 23 button, 24a-24f standing positions, 31 storage unit, 32 registration unit, 33 operation control unit, 34 projection control unit, 40 processing circuit, 41 processor, 42 memory, 43 dedicated hardware

Claims

1. A cage having a plurality of standing positions for passengers set on the floor, operation control means, an operation panel provided at a landing where the cage stops, second detection means, and comprising: the cage is provided with a projector for projecting an image into the space above each of the plurality of standing positions, the second detection means detects that there is a passenger in a specific prohibited position different from the plurality of standing positions, the operation control means does not start the cage from the landing while the second detection means detects that there is a passenger in the prohibited position after the cage stops at the landing in response to a call registered from the operation panel. An elevator device.

2. The elevator device according to claim 1, wherein the projector projects a stereoscopic image.

3. further comprising first detection means, the plurality of standing positions includes a first standing position, the first detection means detects that there is a passenger in the first standing position, the projector, if the first detection means does not detect that there is a passenger in the first standing position, projects an image into the space above the first standing position, The elevator device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein when the first detection means detects that there is a passenger in the first standing position, no image is projected into the space above the first standing position.

4. The elevator device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the projector does not project an image while the cage is moving.

5. A cage having a plurality of standing positions for passengers set on the floor, the cage is provided with a projector for projecting an image into the space above each of the plurality of standing positions, a first value and a second value can be set as the rated capacity of the cage, the first value is determined based on the load weight of the cage or the floor area of the cage, the second value is smaller than the first value, when the first value is set as the rated capacity of the cage, the projector does not project an image. An elevator device.

6. The elevator device according to claim 5, wherein the projector projects a stereoscopic image.

7. further comprising an operation panel provided at a landing where the cage stops, when the cage stops at the landing in response to a call registered from the operation panel, the projector projects an image. The elevator device according to claim 5 or claim 6.

Images