Elevator Control System

Abstract

Provided is an elevator control system that can suppress the effects of car displacement, even when the length of a detection tape changes over time. A control system (8) has a detection tape (9) that is arranged on a hoistway (3) so as to have a fixed end (14) and a mobile end (15) in the vertical direction. A reading device (10) that is provided to a car (7) reads information on the detection tape (9) that indicates a position in the longitudinal direction. A detection device (11) detects that the car (7) is at a reference position that is on the mobile end (15) side of the hoistway (3) as a result of a detection switch (17) that is provided at the reference position detecting a detection target cam (16) that is provided to the car (7). A control device (13) performs control processing that treats the position read by the reading device (10) as the absolute position of the car (7). The control device (13) corrects the absolute position of the car (7) using the position in the longitudinal direction read by the reading device (10) at the time of detection by the detection device (11).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to elevator control systems. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an example of an elevator. In the elevator, a magnetic tape is placed in the elevator shaft. A car position detection device detects the position of the car in the elevator shaft by reading the data on the magnetic tape with a magnetic sensor. In adjusting the car position detection device, the car is manually moved to the top floor and the bottom floor, and the data on the positions of the top floor and the bottom floor are read. Based on the error between the read data and the preset design positions of the bottom floor and the top floor, the preset positions of each floor are corrected. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2015-113180 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the length of the detection tape used to detect the car's position, such as the magnetic tape placed in the elevator shaft, can change over time due to factors such as expansion and contraction caused by temperature changes in the elevator shaft.In the elevator of Patent Document 1, the car position corresponding to each floor, which is adjusted by manual operation, can shift significantly over time.

[0005] The present disclosure is directed to solving such problems, and provides an elevator control system that can suppress the effects of misalignment of the car even when the length of the detection tape changes over time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The elevator control system according to the present disclosure includes a detection tape on which information indicating a position in the longitudinal direction is attached along the longitudinal direction, the detection tape is arranged in an elevator shaft spanning multiple floors of a building so that the longitudinal direction is the vertical direction, and one vertical end is fixedly installed as a fixed end relative to the elevator shaft and the other vertical end is installed as a movable end so as to be movable in the vertical direction relative to the elevator shaft; a reading device that is installed on a car traveling in the vertical direction in the elevator shaft and that reads the information indicating the position in the longitudinal direction attached to the detection tape; and a detectable object and a detector that detects the detectable object. a detection device in which one of the detected object and the detector is installed on the car, and the other of the detected object and the detector is installed at a preset reference position on the movable end side in the vertical direction of the elevator shaft, and the detector detects the detected object to detect that the car is at the reference position; and a control process for the car is performed using the longitudinal position read by the reading device as the absolute position of the car in the vertical direction in the elevator shaft, and when the detection device detects that the car is at the reference position, The position is detected based on the longitudinal position read by the reading device. and a control device that corrects the absolute position of the car. The elevator control system according to the present disclosure includes a detection tape on which information indicating a position in the longitudinal direction is attached along the longitudinal direction, the detection tape is arranged in a hoistway spanning multiple floors of a building so that the longitudinal direction is the vertical direction, and one vertical end is fixedly installed as a fixed end relative to the hoistway and the other vertical end is installed as a movable end so that it can move up and down relative to the hoistway, a reading device that is installed on a car traveling up and down in the hoistway and reads the information indicating the position in the longitudinal direction attached to the detection tape, and a detectable object and a detector that detects the detectable object, one of the detectable object and the detector is installed on the car, and the other of the detectable object and the detector is installed in advance on the movable end side in the vertical direction of the hoistway. a detection device that is installed at a predetermined reference position and that detects that the car is at the reference position when the detector detects the object to be detected; and a control device that performs control processing for the car using the longitudinal position read by the reading device as the absolute position of the car in the up and down direction in the elevator shaft, and corrects the absolute position of the car using the longitudinal position read by the reading device when the detection device detects that the car is at the reference position, and the control device determines whether the amount of change before and after correction of the absolute position of the car corresponding to at least one of the stop positions of each of the plurality of floors and the reference position is within a predetermined tolerance range, and corrects the absolute position of the car if the amount of change is within the tolerance range. The elevator control system according to the present disclosure includes a detection tape on which information indicating a position in the longitudinal direction is attached along the longitudinal direction, the detection tape is arranged in a hoistway spanning multiple floors of a building so that the longitudinal direction is the vertical direction, and one vertical end is fixedly installed as a fixed end relative to the hoistway and the other vertical end is installed as a movable end so that it can move up and down relative to the hoistway, a reading device that is installed on a car traveling up and down in the hoistway and reads the information indicating the position in the longitudinal direction attached to the detection tape, and a detectable object and a detector that detects the detectable object, one of the detectable object and the detector is installed on the car, and the other of the detectable object and the detector is installed on the movable end side in the vertical direction of the hoistway. The system comprises a detection device that is installed at a predetermined reference position and that detects that the car is at the reference position when the detector detects the object to be detected, and a control device that performs control processing for the car using the longitudinal position read by the reading device as the absolute position of the car in the up and down direction in the elevator shaft, and corrects the absolute position of the car using the longitudinal position read by the reading device when the detection device detects that the car is at the reference position, and the control device determines whether an error in the absolute position of the car corresponding to at least one of the stop positions of each of the plurality of floors and the reference position is within a predetermined tolerance range, and corrects the absolute position of the car if the error is within the tolerance range. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] With the elevator control system according to the present disclosure, the effects of misalignment of the car can be reduced even when the length of the detection tape changes over time. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an elevator according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the control system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of a main part of a control system according to a first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The following describes embodiments of the subject matter of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each drawing, identical or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are appropriately simplified or omitted. Note that the subject matter of the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and any component of the embodiments may be modified or omitted within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure.

[0010] Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an elevator 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0011] The elevator 1 is applied to, for example, a building 2 having multiple floors. A hoistway 3 for the elevator 1 is provided in the building 2. The hoistway 3 is a long space extending vertically across multiple floors. A landing 4 for the elevator 1 is provided on each floor of the building 2. The landing 4 is located adjacent to the hoistway 3. The elevator 1 includes a hoisting machine 5, a main rope 6, a car 7, and a control system 8.

[0012] The hoisting machine 5 includes a motor and a sheave. The hoisting machine 5 is provided, for example, at the upper or lower part of the hoistway 3. For example, when a machine room for the elevator 1 is provided at the upper part of the hoistway 3, the hoisting machine 5 may be disposed in the machine room. The motor of the hoisting machine 5 is a device that generates driving force. The sheave of the hoisting machine 5 is connected to the rotating shaft of the motor of the hoisting machine 5. The sheave of the hoisting machine 5 rotates by the driving force generated by the motor of the hoisting machine 5.

[0013] The main ropes 6 are wound around the sheaves of the hoisting machine 5. The main ropes 6 move so as to be wound up or unwound by the rotation of the sheaves of the hoisting machine 5. The main ropes 6 support the load of the car 7 on one side of the sheaves of the hoisting machine 5.

[0014] The car 7 is placed in the elevator shaft 3. The car 7 travels up and down the elevator shaft 3 as the hoist 5 moves the main rope 6. The car 7 is a device that transports passengers between multiple floors by traveling up and down the elevator shaft 3. A stop position is set on each floor. The stop position on a floor of the building 2 is the vertical position on the building 2 at which the car 7 stops on that floor.

[0015] The control system 8 comprises a detection tape 9 , a reading device 10 , a detection device 11 , a temperature sensor 12 and a control device 13 .

[0016] The detection tape 9 is a tape-like device that is long in one direction. Information indicating the longitudinal position on the detection tape 9 is attached along the length of the detection tape 9. For example, if the detection tape 9 is a magnetic tape, the information indicating the longitudinal position is attached to the detection tape 9 as magnetic data. Alternatively, the information indicating the longitudinal position may be attached to the surface of the detection tape 9 as an encoded image including a two-dimensional code, for example. The detection tape 9 is placed in the hoistway 3 so that its longitudinal direction is oriented vertically. One vertical end of the detection tape 9 is fixed to the hoistway 3 as a fixed end 14. The other vertical end of the detection tape 9 is movable vertically relative to the hoistway 3 as a movable end 15. In this example, the upper end of the detection tape 9 is attached as the fixed end 14. In this example, the fixed end 14 is directly attached to the structure of the building 2. The structure of the building 2 includes, for example, the interior walls, columns, or beams of the hoistway 3. The lower end of the detection tape 9 is attached as the movable end 15. The movable end 15 is installed, for example, via a spring so as to apply tension to the detection tape 9. Alternatively, the movable end 15 may be supported by a slide bearing or the like so as to be slidable in the vertical direction.

[0017] The reading device 10 is a device that reads information indicating the longitudinal position attached to the detection tape 9. The reading device 10 is installed in the car 7. The reading device 10 moves up and down in the elevator shaft 3 together with the car 7. The reading device 10 reads the longitudinal position information from the detection tape 9 using, for example, a magnetic sensor, a camera, or other equipment. The reading device 10 is connected to the control device 13 so that it can output the reading results.

[0018] A reference position is preset in the control system 8. The reference position is set on the movable end 15 side in the vertical direction of the elevator shaft 3. The reference position is a vertical position on the building 2. In this example, since the lower end of the detection tape 9 is installed as the movable end 15, the reference position is set below the elevator shaft 3. The reference position is set, for example, below the middle of the elevator shaft 3. The reference position is set, for example, near a frequent stop floor. Here, a frequent stop floor is a floor that is preset as a floor where the car 7 stops more frequently than other floors. A frequent stop floor is, for example, a floor where the car 7 stops more frequently than the average stopping frequency of each floor in the building 2. A frequent stop floor is, for example, a base floor, entrance floor, lobby floor, or ground floor of the building 2. A frequent stop floor may be, for example, a floor where a front desk or the like is provided. The vicinity of the frequent stop floor is, for example, a range from the stopping position of the car 7 at the frequent stop floor to the stopping position of the car 7 at a floor adjacent to the frequent stop floor. Here, the range may include the stopping position of the frequent stop floor. The reference position may be set to the stopping position of the frequent stop floor.

[0019] The detection device 11 includes a detectable object and a detector. The detector is a device that detects the detectable object. One of the detectable object and the detector is installed on the car 7. The other of the detectable object and the detector is installed at a reference position in the hoistway 3. The detectable object or the detector installed on the car 7 moves up and down the hoistway 3 as the car 7 travels. The detection device 11 detects that the car 7 is in the reference position when the detector detects the detectable object. The detector is connected to the control device 13 so as to output the detection result. In this example, the detection device 11 includes a detectable cam 16 and a detection switch 17. The detectable cam 16 is an example of the detectable object. The detectable cam 16 is installed on the car 7. The detection switch 17 detects the detectable cam 16 by contact when the car 7 passes the reference position. The detection switch 17 is an example of a detector. The detection switch 17 is installed at the reference position. In this example, the detection switch 17 is attached directly to the structure of the building 2. The detection device 11 may include a detector that detects the object to be detected without contact. The detection device 11 may include, for example, an iron plate and a magnetic sensor, an optical reflector and a photoelectric sensor, or a marker and a camera as the object to be detected and the detector. The object to be detected may also be installed at a reference position. In this case, the object to be detected is attached directly to the structure of the building 2, for example. The detector is installed in the car 7. In this example, the control system 8 includes only one pair of the object to be detected and the detector of the detection device 11.

[0020] The temperature sensor 12 is disposed in the hoistway 3. The temperature sensor 12 measures the temperature inside the hoistway 3. The temperature sensor 12 is connected to the control device 13 so as to be able to output the measurement result.

[0021] The control device 13 is, for example, a control panel for the elevator 1. The control device 13 is provided, for example, at the upper or lower part of the hoistway 3. For example, when a machine room for the elevator 1 is provided at the upper part of the hoistway 3, the control device 13 may be located in the machine room. The control device 13 is connected to the hoisting machine 5 so as to be able to communicate control signals and the like. The control device 13 includes a control processing unit 18 and a correction processing unit 19.

[0022] The control processing unit 18 is a unit equipped with a function for performing control processing of the elevator 1. The control processing includes operation control or safety monitoring of the elevator 1. Operation control of the elevator 1 includes, for example, control of running and stopping of the car 7. Safety monitoring of the elevator 1 includes, for example, terminal speed monitoring including a terminal floor forced deceleration device, monitoring of safety devices such as a final limit switch or a door-open running protection device, and operation control of the elevator 1 based on the results of the monitoring. In this example, the absolute position of the car 7 is detected based on the longitudinal position on the detection tape 9 read by the reader 10. That is, the control processing unit 18 performs control processing of the elevator 1 using the longitudinal position read from the detection tape 9 as the absolute position of the car 7 in the vertical direction of the hoistway 3.

[0023] The correction processing unit 19 is a part that has a function of correcting the absolute position of the car 7. For example, when the detection device 11 detects that the car 7 is at a reference position, the correction processing unit 19 corrects the absolute position of the car 7. The correction processing unit 19 calculates a correction coefficient C, for example, by the following equation (1).

[0024]

number

[0025] Here, y0 represents the position of the fixed end 14 of the detection tape 9 in the longitudinal direction. * represents the longitudinal position of the detection tape 9 read by the reading device 10 when the detection device 11 detects that the car 7 is at the reference position. * represents the length on the detection tape 9 from the fixed end 14 to the point where the reading device 10 reads the information indicating the longitudinal position when the detection device 11 detects that the car 7 is at the reference position. Also, x0 represents the installation position of the fixed end 14 of the detection tape 9 on the building 2. * represents the reference position, i.e., x0-x *represents the length on the building 2 from the installation position of the fixed end 14 to the reference position. The correction coefficient C is calculated as the ratio of these lengths. Note that the position y0 of the fixed end 14 of the detection tape 9 on the detection tape 9 and the installation position x0 of the fixed end 14 of the detection tape 9 on the building 2 are set in advance in the control system 8 using, for example, design values.

[0026] In this example, the correction processing unit 19 corrects the absolute position x of the car 7 from the position y in the longitudinal direction on the detection tape 9 using the following equation (2) or the like.

[0027]

number

[0028] Here, x(n) represents the stopping position of the nth floor of building 2, where n is a natural number equal to or less than the number of floors of building 2. The nth floor of building 2 may be a frequently-stopped floor or another floor. The stopping position x(n) of each floor is set in advance in control system 8, for example, as a design value or by adjustment or learning at the initial installation stage. The control processing unit 18 stops car 7 at the stopping position of the floor by controlling the corrected absolute position x of car 7, for example, with the stopping position x(n) of the nth floor as the target position.

[0029] The correction processing unit 19 may perform corrections without using a method that accurately proportions the length on the building 2 or the length on the detection tape 9. For example, the correction processing unit 19 may perform stepwise corrections according to the length on the building 2 or the length on the detection tape 9. Alternatively, if the distribution characteristics of the detection tape 9 are known, the correction processing unit 19 may perform corrections in accordance with the distribution characteristics. The distribution characteristics of the detection tape 9 are characteristics that represent, for example, the longitudinal distribution of the material, physical properties, dimensions, shape, tension, etc. of the detection tape 9.

[0030] Next, an example of the operation of the control system 8 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the control system 8 according to the first embodiment.

[0031] In step S01, the correction processing unit 19 determines whether the current time satisfies a preset time condition. The time condition for the current time is, for example, when the current time matches a preset correction time. The correction time may be a time that is set periodically. Alternatively, the time condition for the current time may be, for example, when a preset time interval has elapsed since the time the correction processing unit 19 performed the previous correction. If the current time satisfies the time condition, the processing of the control system 8 proceeds to step S02. If the current time does not satisfy the time condition, the processing of the control system 8 proceeds to step S03.

[0032] In step S02, the control processing unit 18 generates a call for the car 7 to pass through the reference position. Here, the call generated by the control processing unit 18 is, for example, a call that runs from a frequent stop floor in the direction of the adjacent floor when the reference position is in the range from the stopping position of a frequent stop floor to the stopping position of the adjacent floor. Alternatively, when the reference position is the stopping position of a frequent stop floor, the call generated by the control processing unit 18 is, for example, a call that runs the car 7 to the frequent stop floor, or a call that runs the car 7 through the frequent stop floor. The control processing unit 18 runs the car 7 in the elevator shaft 3 so as to respond to the calls generated by the control processing unit 18 and calls registered by users. Thereafter, the processing of the control system 8 proceeds to step S03.

[0033] When the control processing unit 18 causes the car 7 to respond to a call generated by the control processing unit 18, the control processing unit 18 may cause the car 7 to travel at a reduced speed so that the car 7 passes through the reference position at a speed slower than the running speed during normal operation. At this time, the control processing unit 18 may cause the car 7 to respond to the call after confirming that no user is in the car 7. The fact that no user is in the car 7 is confirmed, for example, based on the live load measured by a weighing device (not shown) provided in the car 7.

[0034] In step S03, the correction processing unit 19 determines whether the detection device 11 has detected that the car 7 is at the reference position. At this time, the car 7 may be running in response to a call registered by a user. Alternatively, the car 7 may be running in response to a call issued by the control processing unit 18. Alternatively, the car 7 may be running without responding to a call in order to move to a standby position or the like. If the detection device 11 does not detect that the car 7 is at the reference position, the processing of the control system 8 proceeds to step S01. If the detection device 11 detects that the car 7 is at the reference position, the processing of the control system 8 proceeds to step S04.

[0035] In step S04, the correction processing unit 19 determines whether the traveling speed of the car 7 when the detection device 11 detects that the car 7 is at the reference position satisfies a preset speed condition. The speed condition for the traveling speed of the car 7 is, for example, a condition in which the traveling speed is lower than a preset speed threshold. Here, the speed threshold is set, for example, as a speed that can suppress errors in reading the absolute position of the car 7 due to the influence of detection delay in the detection device 11 to within the allowable error required for the entire control system 8. The speed threshold is set, for example, to a speed slower than the rated traveling speed between floors during normal operation of the car 7. The speed threshold may also be the speed after deceleration when the car 7 decelerates to stop at a frequent stop floor. In this case, the speed condition is satisfied when the car 7 stops at a frequent stop floor. If the traveling speed of the car 7 does not satisfy the speed condition, the processing of the control system 8 proceeds to step S01. If the traveling speed of the car 7 satisfies the speed condition, the processing of the control system 8 proceeds to step S05.

[0036] In step S05, the reading device 10 detects the position y * The correction processing unit 19 reads the longitudinal position y on the detection tape 9 read by the reading device 10. * After that, the process of the control system 8 proceeds to step S06.

[0037] In step S06, the correction processing unit 19 calculates the correction coefficient C using, for example, equation (1). Thereafter, the processing of the control system 8 proceeds to step S07.

[0038] In step S07, the correction processing unit 19 calculates the amount of change in the current absolute position of the car 7 before and after the calculation of the correction coefficient C. Alternatively, the correction processing unit 19 may calculate the amount of change in the absolute position of the car 7 corresponding to the stopping position of any floor in the building 2, including a frequently stopping floor, before and after the calculation of the correction coefficient C. For example, the correction processing unit 19 calculates the amount of change as the difference between the absolute position x of the car 7 calculated using equation (2) before the new correction coefficient C was calculated in step S06 and the absolute position x of the car 7 calculated using equation (2) after the new correction coefficient C was calculated in step S06. The correction processing unit 19 may calculate the amount of change in the absolute position of the car 7 corresponding to the stopping position of another floor. Alternatively, the correction processing unit 19 may calculate the amount of change in the absolute position of the car 7 corresponding to the reference position. The correction processing unit 19 determines whether the calculated amount of change is within a predetermined tolerance range. The correction processing unit 19 may calculate the amount of change for each function of the control processing unit 18 that requires the absolute position of the car 7. In the correction processing unit 19, the allowable range of the amount of change may be set for each function of the control processing unit 18 that requires the absolute position of the car 7. For example, for terminal end speed monitoring, the amount of change or the allowable range for the ascending / descending stroke may be used for judgment. Alternatively, for the door-open running protection device, the amount of change or the allowable range for the floor closest to the movable end 15 of the detection tape 9 may be used for judgment. If the amount of change is within the allowable range, the processing of the control system 8 proceeds to step S08. If the amount of change is not within the allowable range, the processing of the control system 8 proceeds to step S09.

[0039] In step S08, the correction processing unit 19 corrects the absolute position of the car 7, for example, by updating the correction coefficient C used in equation (2). After that, the processing of the control system 8 proceeds to step S01.

[0040] In step S09, the control processing unit 18 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the control system 8. The control processing unit 18 determines that an abnormality has occurred in, for example, the detection tape 9. The control processing unit 18 may issue a report of the abnormality that has occurred. The report may be issued, for example, to an information center (not shown) that collects information about the elevator 1, via a communication network such as the Internet. Alternatively, the report may be issued, for example, to a mobile terminal carried by the manager of the elevator 1, via a communication network such as the Internet. Thereafter, the processing of the control system 8 ends.

[0041] As described above, the control system 8 according to the first embodiment includes the detection tape 9, the reading device 10, the detection device 11, and the control device 13. The detection tape 9 has information indicating the longitudinal position written along its length. The detection tape 9 is arranged in the elevator shaft 3, which spans multiple floors of the building 2, with its longitudinal direction aligned vertically. One vertical end of the detection tape 9 is fixed to the elevator shaft 3 as a fixed end 14. The other vertical end of the detection tape 9 is movable up and down relative to the elevator shaft 3 as a movable end 15. The reading device 10 is installed on the car 7, which travels up and down in the elevator shaft 3. The reading device 10 reads the information indicating the longitudinal position written on the detection tape 9. The detection device 11 includes a detectable cam 16 and a detection switch 17 that detects the detectable cam 16. The detection switch 17 is installed on the car 7. The detectable cam 16 is installed at a reference position. The reference position is a position set in advance on the movable end 15 side in the vertical direction of the hoistway 3. The detection device 11 detects that the car 7 is in the reference position when the detection switch 17 detects the detectable cam 16. The control device 13 performs control processing for the car 7, using the longitudinal position read by the reading device 10 as the absolute vertical position of the car 7 in the hoistway 3. The control device 13 corrects the absolute position of the car 7 using the longitudinal position read by the reading device 10 when the detection device 11 detects that the car 7 is in the reference position.

[0042] This configuration allows the control system 8 to correct the absolute position of the car 7 each time the car 7 passes the reference position. Therefore, even if the length of the detection tape 9 changes over time, the impact of deviations in the position of the car 7 is reduced. The length of the detection tape 9 can change over time due to, for example, expansion and contraction caused by temperature changes in the hoistway 3. For example, if the elevator 1 is a high-lift elevator with a glass-walled hoistway 3, such as a see-through observation elevator, the temperature change in the hoistway 3 can be significant. In such an elevator 1, temperature changes over a period of approximately one hour can be significant, and the detection tape 9 may expand and contract by, for example, 5 mm or more over the course of one hour. In such cases, the impact of expansion and contraction of the detection tape 9 cannot be ignored. The control system 8 can correct the absolute position of the car 7 based on the information read from the detection tape 9 when the car 7 passes the reference position. Therefore, even if the length of the detection tape 9 changes over time, the impact of such changes can be reduced by the correction. This reduces the likelihood of deviations in the car 7's landing position, allowing passengers to use the elevator 1 more comfortably. Furthermore, there is no need to place a detectable object or detector of the detection device 11 on each floor of the building 2. One set of a detectable object and detector of the detection device 11 is sufficient, so the costs of installing and maintaining the equipment can be reduced, especially in elevators 1 with a high lift and many floors.

[0043] In the control system 8, the reference position is set to a range from the stop position of the frequent stop floor to the stop position of the adjacent floor. Here, the range includes the stop position of the frequent stop floor. The frequent stop floor is set in advance as a floor where the car 7 stops more frequently than at other floors.

[0044] This configuration causes the car 7 to frequently pass through the reference position during normal operation. That is, during normal operation, the control system 8 has frequent opportunities to correct the absolute position of the car 7. This makes it possible to more effectively suppress the effects of deviations in the position of the car 7, even when the length of the detection tape 9 changes over time.

[0045] Furthermore, the control device 13 generates a call for the car 7 to pass through the reference position when the current time satisfies a preset time condition.

[0046] With this configuration, even when the car 7 is traveling in a range away from the reference position, such as on an upper floor, due to a call from a user, the control system 8 has the opportunity to correct the absolute position of the car 7 at a preset timing. This prevents a long period of time from passing without correcting the absolute position, and therefore, even when the length of the detection tape 9 changes over time, the effects of deviations in the position of the car 7 can be more effectively suppressed.

[0047] The control system 8 may also include a temperature sensor 12. The temperature sensor 12 is installed in the hoistway 3. In this case, the control processing unit 18 of the control device 13 may generate a call for the car 7 to pass through the reference position when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 12 satisfies a preset temperature condition. The temperature condition for the temperature of the hoistway 3 measured by the temperature sensor 12 is, for example, when the temperature of the hoistway 3 exceeds a preset temperature threshold, or when the temperature of the hoistway 3 falls within a preset temperature range.

[0048] This configuration allows the control system 8 to have an opportunity to correct the absolute position of the car 7 as needed due to temperature changes in the hoistway 3. This prevents the absolute position from being left uncorrected even when temperature changes occur in the hoistway 3, and therefore more effectively suppresses the impact of deviations in the position of the car 7 even when the length of the detection tape 9 changes over time. Note that the control system 8 may generate a call based on both the time condition and the temperature condition. The control system 8 may generate a call based on only one of the time condition and the temperature condition. Alternatively, the control system 8 may not generate a call based on either the time condition or the temperature condition.

[0049] Furthermore, the control device 13 corrects the absolute position of the car 7 corresponding to the stopping position at each floor, on the condition that the speed of the car 7 when passing through the reference position is slower than a preset speed threshold. At this time, the control device 13 uses, for this correction, the longitudinal position read by the reading device 10 when the detection device 11 detects that the car 7 is at the reference position when this condition is met.

[0050] With this configuration, reading of the absolute position of the car 7 used for correction is less susceptible to detection delays in the detection device 11. As a result, the information used for correction can be obtained with higher accuracy, and the accuracy of correction can be further improved. Note that the control device 13 may correct the absolute position every time the car 7 passes through the reference position, regardless of the traveling speed of the car 7.

[0051] Furthermore, the control device 13 calculates a correction coefficient as the ratio of the length from the fixed end 14 to the point where the reading device 10 reads information indicating the longitudinal position when the detection device 11 detects that the car 7 is at the reference position, to the length from the installation position of the fixed end 14 to the reference position. The control device 13 corrects the absolute position of the car 7 using a value obtained by multiplying the length based on the fixed end 14 by the calculated correction coefficient.

[0052] With this configuration, the absolute position of the car 7 can be easily corrected by calculating a single correction coefficient.

[0053] Furthermore, the control device 13 determines whether the amount of change before and after correction in the absolute position of the car 7 corresponding to at least one of the stop position and the reference position of each floor is within a preset tolerance range. If the amount of change is within the tolerance range, the control device 13 corrects the absolute position of the car 7.

[0054] With this configuration, the control system 8 can detect an abnormality that occurs in the detection tape 9. Since it becomes easier to respond to an abnormality that occurs in the detection tape 9, the elevator 1 can operate more stably.

[0055] The correction processing unit 19 of the control device 13 may calculate the error in the absolute position of the car 7 corresponding to the stopping position of one of the floors of the building 2, after calculating the correction coefficient. The correction processing unit 19 calculates, for example, the difference between the stopping position of a frequent stopping floor and the absolute position of the car 7 corresponding to that stopping position as the error. The correction processing unit 19 may also calculate the error in the absolute position of the car 7 corresponding to the stopping position of another floor. Alternatively, the correction processing unit 19 may calculate the error in the absolute position of the car 7 corresponding to the reference position. The correction processing unit 19 determines whether the calculated error is within a predetermined tolerance. Here, the tolerance ranges set for the error in the absolute position of the car 7 and the amount of change before and after correction may be different from each other or may be similar to each other. If the error is within the tolerance range, the control device 13 corrects the absolute position of the car 7. On the other hand, if the error is not within the tolerance range, the control device 13 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the control system 8.

[0056] Even with this configuration, the control system 8 can detect an abnormality occurring in the detection tape 9. The control system 8 may determine an abnormality based on both the amount of change and the error in the absolute position of the car 7. The control system 8 may determine an abnormality based on only one of the amount of change or the error in the absolute position of the car 7. Alternatively, the control system 8 does not have to determine an abnormality based on the amount of change or the error in the absolute position of the car 7.

[0057] Furthermore, the fixed end 14 of the detection tape 9 is attached to the structure of the building 2. In the detection device 11, the object to be detected and the detector, whichever is to be installed at the reference position, are attached to the structure of the building 2.

[0058] With this configuration, the installation position and reference position of fixed end 14 of detection tape 9 are displaced due to factors such as shrinkage of the building 2 itself, so that the effects of shrinkage of the building 2 itself are incorporated into the correction of the absolute position of the car 7. This makes it less likely that the landing position of the car 7 will shift, allowing passengers to use the elevator 1 more comfortably.

[0059] The detection tape 9 may be installed in the elevator shaft 3 with its lower end as the fixed end 14. In this case, the detection tape 9 is installed in the elevator shaft 3 with its upper end as the movable end 15. In this case, the reference position is set at the upper side of the elevator shaft 3. The frequent stop floor may also be set at, for example, a transfer floor above the elevator shaft 3.

[0060] Furthermore, in the example shown above, the correction processing unit 19 corrects the absolute position of the car 7 by using the correction coefficient C to convert the position y on the detection tape 9 into the position x on the building 2, but the method of correcting the absolute position of the car 7 is not limited to this. The correction processing unit 19 may correct the absolute position of the car 7 by updating the target position corresponding to the stopping position of each floor using the correction coefficient C' as follows, for example. The correction processing unit 19 calculates the correction coefficient C' by the following equation (3), for example.

[0061]

number

[0062] The correction processing unit 19 updates the longitudinal position y(n) on the detection tape 9 corresponding to the stopping position on the n-th floor of the building 2 using the correction coefficient C' according to the following equation (4).

[0063]

number

[0064] At this time, the control processing unit 18 controls the position of the car 7, for example, by setting the position y(n) on the detection tape 9 corresponding to the nth floor as the target position of the longitudinal position y to be read by the reading device 10 moving together with the car 7, thereby stopping the car at the stopping position of that floor.

[0065] Next, an example of the hardware configuration of the control system 8 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of the main part of the control system 8 according to the first embodiment.

[0066] Each function of the control system 8 may be realized by a processing circuit. The processing circuit includes at least one processor 100 a and at least one memory 100 b. The processing circuit may include at least one dedicated hardware 200 in addition to or in place of the processor 100 a and the memory 100 b.

[0067] When the processing circuit includes a processor 100a and a memory 100b, each function of the control system 8 is realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. At least one of the software and firmware is written as a program. The program is stored in the memory 100b. The processor 100a realizes each function of the control system 8 by reading and executing the program stored in the memory 100b.

[0068] The processor 100a is also called a CPU (Central Processing Unit), processing device, arithmetic unit, microprocessor, microcomputer, or DSP. The memory 100b is configured by, for example, a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as RAM, ROM, flash memory, EPROM, or EEPROM.

[0069] Where the processing circuitry comprises dedicated hardware 200, the processing circuitry may be implemented, for example, as a single circuit, multiple circuits, a programmed processor, parallel programmed processors, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination thereof.

[0070] Each function of the control system 8 can be realized by a processing circuit. Alternatively, all functions of the control system 8 can be realized collectively by a processing circuit. Some of the functions of the control system 8 may be realized by dedicated hardware 200, and other parts may be realized by software or firmware. In this way, the processing circuit realizes each function of the control system 8 by dedicated hardware 200, software, firmware, or a combination of these. [Industrial Applicability]

[0071] The control system according to the present disclosure can be applied to elevators. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 1 elevator, 2 building, 3 elevator shaft, 4 landing, 5 hoisting machine, 6 main rope, 7 car, 8 control system, 9 detection tape, 10 reading device, 11 detection device, 12 temperature sensor, 13 control device, 14 fixed end, 15 moving end, 16 detected cam, 17 detection switch, 18 control processing section, 19 correction processing section, 100a processor, 100b memory, 200 dedicated hardware

Claims

1. a detection tape on which information indicating a position in the longitudinal direction is provided along the longitudinal direction, the detection tape is arranged in an elevator shaft spanning multiple floors of a building so that the longitudinal direction is the vertical direction, one end in the vertical direction is fixed to the elevator shaft as a fixed end, and the other end in the vertical direction is movable in the vertical direction to the elevator shaft as a movable end; a reading device that is installed in a car that travels up and down in the elevator shaft and that reads information indicating a longitudinal position attached to the detection tape; a detection device including a detectable object and a detector that detects the detectable object, wherein one of the detectable object and the detector is installed in the car, and the other of the detectable object and the detector is installed at a preset reference position on the movable end side in the vertical direction of the elevator shaft, and the detector detects the detectable object to detect that the car is at the reference position; a control device that performs control processing for the car using the longitudinal position read by the reading device as the absolute position of the car in the up-down direction in the elevator shaft, and corrects the absolute position of the car detected based on the longitudinal position read by the reading device when the detection device detects that the car is in the reference position, using the longitudinal position read by the reading device; An elevator control system comprising:

2. a detection tape on which information indicating a position in the longitudinal direction is provided along the longitudinal direction, the detection tape is arranged in an elevator shaft spanning multiple floors of a building so that the longitudinal direction is the vertical direction, one end in the vertical direction is fixed to the elevator shaft as a fixed end, and the other end in the vertical direction is movable in the vertical direction to the elevator shaft as a movable end; a reading device that is installed in a car that travels up and down in the elevator shaft and that reads information indicating a longitudinal position attached to the detection tape; a detection device including a detectable object and a detector that detects the detectable object, wherein one of the detectable object and the detector is installed in the car, and the other of the detectable object and the detector is installed at a preset reference position on the movable end side in the vertical direction of the elevator shaft, and the detector detects the detectable object to detect that the car is at the reference position; a control device that performs control processing for the car using the longitudinal position read by the reading device as an absolute position of the car in the vertical direction in the elevator shaft, and corrects the absolute position of the car using the longitudinal position read by the reading device when the detection device detects that the car is at the reference position; Equipped with the control device determines whether an amount of change before and after correction in the absolute position of the car corresponding to at least one of the stop positions of each of the plurality of floors and the reference position is within a preset tolerance range, and corrects the absolute position of the car if the amount of change is within the tolerance range. Elevator control system.

3. the control device determines whether an amount of change before and after correction in the absolute position of the car corresponding to at least one of the stop positions of each of the plurality of floors and the reference position is within a preset tolerance range, and determines that an abnormality has occurred when the amount of change is not within the tolerance range.

3. The elevator control system according to claim 2.

4. a detection tape on which information indicating a position in the longitudinal direction is provided along the longitudinal direction, the detection tape is arranged in an elevator shaft spanning multiple floors of a building so that the longitudinal direction is the vertical direction, one end in the vertical direction is fixed to the elevator shaft as a fixed end, and the other end in the vertical direction is movable in the vertical direction to the elevator shaft as a movable end; a reading device that is installed in a car that travels up and down in the elevator shaft and that reads information indicating a longitudinal position attached to the detection tape; a detection device including a detectable object and a detector that detects the detectable object, wherein one of the detectable object and the detector is installed in the car, and the other of the detectable object and the detector is installed at a preset reference position on the movable end side in the vertical direction of the elevator shaft, and the detector detects the detectable object to detect that the car is at the reference position; a control device that performs control processing for the car using the longitudinal position read by the reading device as an absolute position of the car in the vertical direction in the elevator shaft, and corrects the absolute position of the car using the longitudinal position read by the reading device when the detection device detects that the car is at the reference position; Equipped with the control device determines whether an error in the absolute position of the car corresponding to at least one of the stop positions of each of the plurality of floors and the reference position is within a preset tolerance range, and corrects the absolute position of the car if the error is within the tolerance range; Elevator control system.

5. the control device determines whether an error in the absolute position of the car corresponding to at least one of the stop positions of each of the plurality of floors and the reference position is within a preset tolerance range, and determines that an abnormality has occurred when the error is not within the tolerance range.

5. The elevator control system according to claim 4.

6. the reference position is set in a range from a stop position of a frequent stop floor, which is preset as a floor at which the car stops more frequently than at other floors, to a stop position of an adjacent floor, An elevator control system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. the control device generates a call in which the car passes through the reference position when the current time satisfies a preset time condition; An elevator control system according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A temperature sensor installed in the elevator shaft Equipped with the control device generates a call for the car to pass through the reference position when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor satisfies a preset temperature condition. An elevator control system according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

9. the control device corrects the absolute position of the car using the longitudinal position read by the reading device when the detection device detects that the car is at the reference position, provided that the speed of the car when passing through the reference position is slower than a preset speed threshold value, if the condition is satisfied; An elevator control system according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. the control device calculates, as a correction coefficient, a ratio of a length from the fixed end to a point where the reading device reads information representing the longitudinal position when the detection device detects that the car is at the reference position, and a length from an installation position of the fixed end to the reference position, and corrects the absolute position of the car using a value obtained by multiplying the length based on the fixed end by the correction coefficient. An elevator control system according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. the fixed end is attached to the building structure; The one of the detected object and the detector to be installed at the reference position is attached to a structure of the building. An elevator control system according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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