Sensor abnormality detection method and elevator

Abstract

Provided is an operation panel for an elevator capable of detecting abnormalities of an optical sensor which identifies the operation position in a noncontact manner. Provided is an operation panel for an elevator, the operation panel comprising a display panel and an optical sensor which receives reflected light of light emitted along the display panel and comprises a reflective side wall which reflects the light emitted from the optical sensor toward the optical sensor at a position across the display panel from the optical sensor.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an elevator control panel, a sensor abnormality detection method, and an elevator. [Background technology]

[0002] Regarding technology relating to elevator control panels, the following Patent Document 1 describes the following: "The elevator control panel is equipped with an optical sensor that detects the position coordinates of an object that approaches a plurality of characters or letters arranged to specify the destination floor of the elevator, and a display unit that displays the elevator number selected by the elevator group management control device based on the destination floor identified using the position coordinates of the object detected by the optical sensor." [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2018 / 015993 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The elevator control panel described in Patent Document 1 allows users to specify a destination floor without touching the character string indicating the destination floor. However, it is not possible to detect deterioration or malfunction of the optical sensor itself, which is used to detect an object such as a finger specifying the destination floor.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an elevator control panel, a sensor abnormality detection method, and an elevator that are capable of detecting abnormalities in an optical sensor that identifies an operating position without contact. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, for example, the configurations described in the claims are adopted. The present application includes multiple means for solving the above-mentioned problems, and one example is an elevator control panel that includes a display panel and an optical sensor that receives reflected light of light irradiated along the display panel, and that has a reflective side wall that reflects light irradiated from the optical sensor toward the optical sensor, at a position between the display panel and the optical sensor. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an elevator control panel, a sensor abnormality detection method, and an elevator that are capable of detecting abnormalities in an optical sensor that identifies an operating position in a non-contact manner. Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an elevator according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a front view showing an elevator control panel according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] 4 is a flowchart (part 1) illustrating a sensor abnormality detection method according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is a second flowchart illustrating the sensor abnormality detection method according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a modified example of an elevator control panel according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the elevator control panel, sensor abnormality detection method, and elevator of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that in each of the drawings used to explain the following embodiments and modifications, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0010] <Elevator> Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of an elevator 1 according to an embodiment. As shown in this figure, the elevator 1 is equipped with an elevator control device 1a. The elevator control device 1a is connected to, for example, elevator control devices 2 for other elevators, and further to a management device 3 for managing the operation of multiple elevators, and controls the operation of the elevator 1.

[0011] Such an elevator control device 1a is connected to a motor control device 10, a car control device 20, and a hall control device 30. Each of these control devices is connected to each device equipped in the elevator 1 and controls the operation of each device. Each of these control devices is configured by a computer. A computer is hardware used as a so-called computer, and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), and a non-volatile storage unit such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) or HDD (Hard Disk Drive), as well as a network interface as necessary. Each control device configured by a computer executes each control according to a program stored in the computer. It is assumed that the control devices of each device described below are also configured by a similar computer.

[0012] Next, each device provided in the elevator 1 will be described.

[0013] The elevator 1 includes a motor 10a controlled by a motor control device 10. The motor 10a is, for example, a hoist for moving a car (not shown) of the elevator 1.

[0014] The elevator 1 is equipped with an in-car control device 20a controlled by an in-car control device 20. The in-car control device 20a has a door control device 21 and a door motor 21a controlled by the door control device 21. The door motor 21a is a motor for opening and closing the car doors. The in-car control device 20a also has an in-car camera 22a and a load sensor 23a. The in-car camera 22a and the load sensor 23a detect information for controlling the operation of the elevator 1 and transmit the detected information to the in-car control device 20 and the elevator control device 1a.

[0015] The in-car control device 20a also has the components of the in-car operation panel 100, which will be described in detail below. That is, the in-car control device 20a has, as the components of the in-car operation panel 100, an in-car display control device 24 and a liquid crystal panel 24a controlled by the in-car display control device 24. The in-car control device 20a also has a non-contact panel control device 25 and a non-contact panel 25a controlled by the non-contact panel control device 25.

[0016] Furthermore, the in-car control device 20a includes an in-car operation button control device 26 and a push button switch 26a as components of another in-car operation panel 200. Such another in-car operation panel 200 is provided as an operation panel for emergency use and for visually impaired persons, for example.

[0017] The elevator 1 also includes a hall control device 30a controlled by the hall control device 30. The hall control device 30a is, for example, a hall operation panel having call buttons for calling a car.

[0018] <In-car operation panel 100> Fig. 2 is a front view showing an elevator control panel 100 according to an embodiment, and is a diagram for explaining the in-car control panel 100 shown in Fig. 1. The in-car control panel 100 shown in Fig. 2 has a configuration in which a liquid crystal panel 24a, an in-car display control device 24, a non-contact panel 25a, and a non-contact panel control device 25 are fixed to a housing panel 100a installed inside the elevator car. These will be described in order below.

[0019] [Housing panel 100a] The housing panel 100a is a plate-like material installed inside the car, for example, beside the car door. The housing panel 100a has a recess 101 for installing the non-contact panel 25a, which will be described later. The recess 101 is also a part that constitutes the non-contact panel 25a, which will be described later. Therefore, the configuration of the recess 101 will be described in detail below.

[0020] [LCD panel 24a] The liquid crystal panel 24a is a display panel for displaying the current floor of the elevator car and other information, and is fixed to the top of the housing panel 100a. The liquid crystal panel 24a may be, for example, flush with the panel surface of the housing panel 100a, but is not limited to this. Such a liquid crystal panel 24a also serves as a notification unit for notifying of abnormalities in various parts of the elevator 1. The liquid crystal panel 24a may also be another thin display panel.

[0021] [In-car display control device 24] The car interior display control device 24 controls the display on the liquid crystal panel 24a and is fixed as a control board to the rear side of the housing panel 100a. The car interior display control device 24 controls the display on the liquid crystal panel 24a based on instructions from the car interior control device 20.

[0022] [Non-contact panel 25a] The non-contact panel 25a is, for example, an operation panel for passengers in the car to specify their destination floor, and is fixed in the middle of the vertical direction of the housing panel 100a at a height that is easy for passengers to operate. The non-contact panel 25a is disposed in a recess 101 provided in the housing panel 100a, and has a display panel 102 and an optical sensor 103. By disposing the non-contact panel 25a in the recess 101 of the housing panel 100a, there is no need to form an extra protrusion on the front surface of the housing panel 100a that constitutes the in-car operation panel 100, and this also results in excellent design.

[0023] Here, the recess 101 in which the non-contact panel 25a is provided has at least one pair of opposing side walls. As an example, the recess 101 has a rectangular bottom surface 101a and two pairs of side walls surrounding the bottom surface 101a. Specifically, the recess 101 is configured with the rectangular bottom surface 101a, two opposing side walls 101b extending in the vertical direction (hereinafter referred to as the y direction), and two other side walls 101c extending in the horizontal direction (hereinafter referred to as the x direction).

[0024] In particular, one of the two opposing side walls 101b is a reflective side wall 101r made of a material that reflects the light [h] used in the optical sensor 103. When the light [h] used in the optical sensor 103 is infrared light, the reflective side wall 101r is preferably made of a metal material, and particularly preferably made of aluminum.

[0025] The display panel 102 displays operation buttons for destination floors that can be specified by passengers in the elevator car. In the illustrated example, the display panel 102 displays each of the first to ninth floors as operation buttons for specifying the destination floor. The display panel 102 also displays, for example, text for prompting the user to specify the destination floor or other image information. Furthermore, the display panel 102 also functions as, for example, an optical sensor 103 or a notification unit for notifying the user of an abnormality in the elevator 1. Although not illustrated here, the display panel 102 may also display operation buttons for specifying the opening and closing operations of the elevator doors.

[0026] Such a display panel 102 is a thin display device that constitutes the bottom surface 101a of the recess 101, and may be, for example, a liquid crystal panel.

[0027] The optical sensor 103 is an optical distance sensor composed of a light-emitting element 103a that emits light [h] and a light-receiving element 103b that receives the light [h]. The optical sensor 103 is provided on one of the two opposing side walls 101b that constitute the recess 101, the opposing side wall 101b that faces the reflective side wall 101r. The optical sensor 103 on the opposing side wall 101b is provided so that the light-emitting element 103a emits light [h] in the x-direction that is substantially parallel to the display surface of the display panel 102, and the emitted light [h] is reflected by the reflective side wall 101r and received by the light-receiving element 103b.

[0028] As a result, the optical sensor 103 forms an optical path for the light [h] that is approximately parallel to the display surface of the display panel 102. When the optical path of the light [h] is blocked by an object such as a finger, the light [h] reflected by the object and received by the light receiving element 103b is analyzed, thereby detecting the distance in the x direction from the optical sensor 103 to the object, i.e., the coordinate in the x direction.

[0029] In addition, in this non-contact panel 25a, a plurality of optical sensors 103 are provided along the extension direction on the opposing side wall 101b that constitutes the recess 101 of the housing panel 100a. The optical sensors 103 are arranged, for example, at equal pitches along the extension direction of the opposing side wall 101b. The arrangement pitch of the optical sensors 103 in the y direction corresponds to the arrangement pitch of the operation buttons on the display panel 102 in the y direction, and is preferably at least the same as or smaller than the arrangement pitch of the operation buttons. As a result, the y-direction coordinate of the object that interrupted the light [h] is detected depending on the position in the y direction at which the optical path of the light [h] of the optical sensor 103 is interrupted, and the operation button pointed by the object is identified.

[0030] Here, the area of the display panel 102 where operation buttons for indicating the destination floor and the like are arranged is referred to as the operation area [Z1], and the area where text and other image information is displayed is referred to as the notification area [Z2]. If the operation area [Z1] and the notification area [Z2] are fixed areas on the display panel 102, the optical sensor 103 may be arranged so as to cover at least the operation area [Z1] and form an optical path for the light [h]. On the other hand, if the operation area [Z1] and the notification area [Z2] are areas that can be freely changed by the non-contact panel control device 25, the optical sensor 103 is arranged so as to cover the entire area of the display surface of the display panel 102 and form an optical path for the light [h], as shown in the figure.

[0031] [Non-contact panel control device 25] The non-contact panel control device 25 controls the non-contact panel 25a and is fixed as a control board to the rear side of the housing panel 100a. The non-contact panel control device 25 controls the non-contact panel 25a based on instructions from the in-car control device 20. The non-contact panel control device 25 has a sensor control unit 201, a display control unit 202, and a sensor abnormality detection unit 203.

[0032] The sensor control unit 201 controls the driving of the optical sensor 103 based on instructions from the in-car control device 20. The sensor control unit 201 also identifies the specified destination floor based on the output from the optical sensor 103. The sensor control unit 201 then transmits the identified destination floor to the elevator control device 1a shown in FIG. 1 via the in-car control device 20. As a result, the elevator control device 1a instructs the motor control device 10 to control the motor 10a so as to land the elevator car at the identified destination floor.

[0033] 2, the display control unit 202 controls the display of the display panel 102 based on instructions from the in-car control device 20. The display control unit 202 controls the display of both the operation area [Z1] and the notification area [Z2] on the display panel 102.

[0034] The sensor abnormality detection unit 203 detects an abnormality in the optical sensor 103 based on an instruction from the car in-car control device 20. The procedure for detecting an abnormality by the sensor abnormality detection unit 203 will be explained in the next section on a sensor abnormality detection method.

[0035] <Sensor abnormality detection method> Next, the procedure for detecting a sensor abnormality performed by the sensor abnormality detection unit 203 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart (part 1) showing a sensor abnormality detection method according to an embodiment. The procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3 is a procedure for detecting an abnormality in the optical sensor 103, which is performed in accordance with the program stored in the sensor abnormality detection unit 203 described using FIG. 2. The sensor abnormality detection method will be described below in accordance with the flowchart of FIG. 3 and with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0036] [Step S01] In step S01, the sensor abnormality detection unit 203 determines whether or not it is the inspection period for the optical sensor 103. Upon receiving a notification from the car in-car control device 20 that it is the inspection period, the sensor abnormality detection unit 203 determines that it is the inspection period (YES) and proceeds to the next step S02. Otherwise, it waits for communication from the car in-car control device 20 and repeats the determination. Note that the inspection period is a period that is set in advance and does not interfere with the operation of the elevator 1. This inspection period will be explained below.

[0037] [Step S02] In step S02, the sensor abnormality detection unit 203 acquires the detection signals of the optical sensors 103. In this case, the sensor abnormality detection unit 203 acquires the detection signals of the light receiving elements 103b of all the optical sensors 103. It is assumed that during this inspection period, the optical sensors 103 are in operation and light [h] is being emitted from the light emitting elements 103a of the optical sensors 103.

[0038] [Step S03] In step S03, the sensor abnormality detection unit 203 determines whether the acquired detection signals contain any abnormal values different from the normal values [xn]. Here, the normal values [xn] and abnormal values are detection signals from the light-receiving elements 103b of each optical sensor 103, i.e., outputs from the optical sensors 103. These values correspond to the distance between the optical sensor 103 and an object that reflected the light [h] emitted from the light-emitting elements 103a of the optical sensors 103. Among these, the normal values [xn] correspond to the distance from the optical sensor 103 to the reflective sidewall 101r. The abnormal values are defined as values outside the range of the normal values [xn] including errors. The normal values [xn] including errors are, for example, values held by the elevator control device 1a via the car control device 20 and set by input from an external input device (not shown).

[0039] If there is even one abnormal value among the detection signals acquired from all the optical sensors 103, the sensor abnormality detection unit 203 determines that there is an abnormal value (YES) and proceeds to step S04. On the other hand, in other cases, it determines that there is no abnormal value (NO) and ends the process.

[0040] [Step S04] In step S04, the sensor abnormality detection unit 203 determines whether the optical sensor 103 that detected the abnormal value is provided corresponding to the operation area [Z1]. Based on information from the in-car control device 20 or the display control unit 202, the sensor abnormality detection unit 203 identifies each of the multiple optical sensors 103 as either one that corresponds to the operation area [Z1] or the notification area [Z2] of the display panel 102. If it is determined that the optical sensor 103 that detected the abnormal value is provided corresponding to the operation area [Z1] (YES), the process proceeds to step S05. On the other hand, if it is determined that the optical sensor 103 that detected the abnormal value is not provided corresponding to the operation area [Z1] (NO), the process proceeds to step S06.

[0041] [Step S05] In step S05, the sensor abnormality detection unit 203 instructs the display control unit 202 to display a message indicating that the non-contact panel is unusable. As a result, the display control unit 202 displays a message in the notification area [Z2] indicating that the non-contact panel is unusable. Thereafter, the sensor abnormality detection unit 203 proceeds to step S06.

[0042] [Step S06] In step S06, the sensor abnormality detection unit 203 notifies the car in-car control device 20 of the abnormality of the optical sensor 103. This ends the processing.

[0043] As a result, the car control device 20 that has received the report notifies the elevator control device 1a of the abnormality in the optical sensor 103. Then, the elevator control device 1a or the management device 3 that has received a normal report from the elevator control device 1a can issue a report urging an operator to perform maintenance on the optical sensor 103.

[0044] Furthermore, the car interior control device 20 may be configured to notify the car interior display control device 24 of an abnormality in the optical sensor 103 and instruct the car interior display control device 24 to display that the non-contact panel is unusable.

[0045] The above-described procedure has been described for the case where an operation area [Z1] and a notification area [Z2] are set on the display panel 102. However, when only the operation area [Z1] is set on the display panel 102, if it is determined in step S03 that an abnormal value is present (YES), it is sufficient to proceed from step S03 to step S06 without performing steps S04 and S05.

[0046] <Determining the inspection period> Fig. 4 is a flowchart (part 2) showing the sensor abnormality detection method according to the embodiment, and shows the procedure for determining the inspection period for detecting an abnormality in the optical sensor 103 shown in Fig. 2. This procedure is performed according to the programs stored in the in-car control device 20 and elevator control device 1a shown in Fig. 1. Below, the procedure for determining the inspection period for performing sensor abnormality detection will be explained along the flowchart in Fig. 4 and with reference to Figs. 1 and 2.

[0047] [Step S101] In step S101, when the car inside control device 20 detects that there is no passenger in the car and that the car is unmanned based on signals from the load sensor 23a and the car inside camera 22a, the process proceeds to the next step S101.

[0048] [Step S102] In step S102, the car inside control device 20 notifies the elevator control device 1a that there is no one in the car.

[0049] [Step S103] In step S103, the elevator control device 1a counts a predetermined time period during which there are no hall calls via the hall control device 30 after receiving a notification that the car is empty. This time period may be, for example, a time period set for when the elevator 1 is in eco mode, and is, for example, three minutes. When three minutes is reached, the process proceeds to the next step S104. Note that if a call occurs before the predetermined time period is reached, the process returns to step S101.

[0050] [Step S104] In step S104, the elevator control device 1a notifies each control device including the car control device 20 that a predetermined time (3 minutes) has elapsed without any call.

[0051] [Step S105] In step S105, the car in-control device 20 notifies the car in-control device 20a that a predetermined time (3 minutes) has elapsed without any calls.

[0052] [Step S106] In step S106, the non-contact panel control device 25 of the in-car control device 20a receives from the in-car control device 20 that a predetermined time (3 minutes) has elapsed without a call, and proceeds to the next step S107.

[0053] [Step S107] In step S107, the sensor abnormality detection unit 203 of the non-contact panel control device 25 performs the process shown in FIG. flowchart The sensor abnormality detection process described above is performed using the

[0054] [Step S108] In step S108, the elevator control device 1a performs an eco-mode operation in which the elevator 1 consumes less power.

[0055] <Effects of the embodiment> As shown in Fig. 2, the elevator 1 according to the embodiment described above has a configuration in which a reflective side wall 101r is provided opposite the optical sensor 103 on the non-contact panel 25a of the in-car operation panel 100. This makes it possible to detect an abnormality in the optical sensor 103 based on the normal value [xn] based on the light reception signal when the light [h] handled by the normally operating optical sensor 103 is not blocked by an object.

[0056] <<Variations>> Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a modified example of the elevator control panel according to the embodiment, and is a diagram showing another example of the in-car control panel 100' shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 5, the housing panel 100a' constituting the in-car control panel 100' does not need to have the recess 101 (see Fig. 3) for providing the non-contact panel 25a', but only needs to have a reflective side wall 101r for reflecting light [h] from the optical sensor 103 back to the optical sensor 103.

[0057] 5, the housing panel 100a' may have two wall portions 101' protruding along both sides of the display panel 102 that constitutes the optical sensor 103. These wall portions 101' extend, for example, in the y direction, and their two opposing surfaces form opposing side walls 101b. One of these opposing side walls 101b is a reflective side wall 101r made of a material that reflects the light [h] used by the optical sensor 103. The optical sensor 103 is provided on the other opposing side wall 101b. As in the embodiment, the optical sensor 103 is arranged on the opposing side wall 101b so that light [h] is emitted from the light-emitting element 103a in the x direction substantially parallel to the display surface of the display panel 102, and the emitted light [h] is reflected by the reflective side wall 101r and received by the light-receiving element 103b.

[0058] Even with this configuration, the optical sensor 103 forms an optical path for the light [h] that is approximately parallel to the display surface of the display panel 102. When the optical path of the light [h] is blocked by an object such as a finger, the light [h] reflected by the object and received by the light receiving element 103b is analyzed, thereby detecting the distance in the x direction from the optical sensor 103 to the object, i.e., the coordinate in the x direction.

[0059] Furthermore, since the reflective side wall 101r is provided opposite the optical sensor 103 on the non-contact panel 25a' in the car operation panel 100', it is possible to detect abnormalities in the optical sensor 103 in the same way as in the embodiment.

[0060] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and includes various other modifications. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to those including all of the described configurations. Furthermore, it is possible to replace part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, or to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. Furthermore, it is possible to add, delete, or replace part of the configuration of each embodiment with other configurations.

[0061] For example, in the above-described embodiment and modified example, a configuration in which multiple optical sensors 103 and reflective sidewalls 101r are arranged along the vertical direction (y direction) has been described. However, the optical sensors 103 and reflective sidewalls 101r may be arranged along the horizontal direction (x direction). Furthermore, while a configuration in which multiple optical sensors 103 are arranged has been described, this is not limiting. A configuration using only one optical sensor 103 is also possible by detecting the distance, angle, and position coordinates of an object from received information of light [h] reflected by the object. Furthermore, the elevator control panel of the present invention is not limited to application to an in-car control panel, but can also be applied to a hall control panel constituting the hall control device 30a, and similar effects can be obtained. Furthermore, the sensor abnormality detection unit 203 is not limited to being provided in the non-contact panel control device 25, but may also be provided in the in-car control device 20 or the elevator control device 1a. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1. Elevator 1a...Elevator control device 100,100'...In-car control panel 102...Display panel (notification unit) 103...Optical sensor 101r…Reflection side wall 101...Depression 100a, 100a'...Housing panel 101b…Opposite side wall 203...Sensor abnormality detection unit [xn]…normal value [h]…light

Claims

1. A method for detecting an abnormality in an optical sensor in an elevator car control panel, the method comprising: a display panel; an optical sensor that receives reflected light of light irradiated along the display panel; and a reflective sidewall that reflects the light irradiated from the optical sensor toward the optical sensor, the reflective sidewall being positioned between the display panel and the optical sensor, the method comprising: When the elevator control device detects a state in which there is no passenger in the elevator car, the sensor abnormality detection unit determines that there is no object between the optical sensor and the reflective sidewall, The sensor abnormality detection unit determines an abnormality in the optical sensor based on an output from the optical sensor in a state where no object is present between the optical sensor and the reflective sidewall. Sensor abnormality detection method.

2. The sensor abnormality detection unit determines an output obtained from the optical sensor in a state where no object exists between the optical sensor and the reflective side wall when the optical sensor is normal as a normal value, and performs the determination by comparing the output with the normal value. The sensor abnormality detection method according to claim 1 .

3. An elevator equipped with an in-car operation panel installed in the car and an elevator control device that controls the car based on signals from the in-car operation panel, The car operation panel is A display panel; an optical sensor that receives reflected light of light irradiated along the display panel; a reflective sidewall that reflects light emitted from the optical sensor toward the optical sensor, the reflective sidewall being disposed at a position between the optical sensor and the display panel; a sensor abnormality detection unit that determines an abnormality in the optical sensor based on an output from the optical sensor when no object is present between the optical sensor and the reflective sidewall; When the elevator control device detects a state in which there is no passenger in the elevator car, the sensor abnormality detection unit determines that there is no object between the optical sensor and the reflective sidewall, and performs the determination. Elevator.

4. The sensor abnormality detection unit determines an output obtained from the optical sensor in a state where no object exists between the optical sensor and the reflective side wall when the optical sensor is normal as a normal value, and performs the determination by comparing the output with the normal value.

4. The elevator according to claim 3.

5. The elevator control device or the sensor abnormality detection unit stores the normal value in advance.

5. The elevator according to claim 4.

6. a notification unit for notifying an abnormality in the optical sensor when the sensor abnormality detection unit detects an abnormality in the optical sensor; 4. The elevator according to claim 3.

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