How to adjust elevator load detection means

Abstract

The present invention inspects and adjusts the load sensing means without using test weights. [Solution] The method for inspecting and adjusting the load detection means of an elevator of the present invention comprises: a car chamber (30) supported within a car frame (21) via an elastic member (18); the car chamber has a beam section (33) below the car floor (32) that can be detected by a first load detection means (40) and a second load detection means (50); a spacer (70) is inserted between the first load detection means and the beam section; the spacer is pressed against the beam section, the load output by the first load detection means is referenced; the thickness of the spacer is changed to determine a spacer of a thickness that causes the first load detection means to output the rated load; the spacer is inserted between the second load detection means and the beam section; and, with the spacer pressed against the beam section, the height of the second load detection means is adjusted so that it detects that the load carried by the car chamber has reached the rated load.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for inspecting and adjusting a load detection means for measuring the load of an elevator car. [Background technology]

[0002] An elevator car is constructed by placing a cab inside a car frame suspended by a main rope. The car has a set limit on the weight of passengers and objects that can be loaded into the car, i.e., a rated load. For this reason, when an elevator is in operation, the weight of the cab is detected, and if the load in the cab exceeds the rated load, a warning sound is sounded and the car doors are kept open to prevent the elevator from moving until some of the passengers have exited and the condition of exceeding the rated load is resolved.

[0003] In order to detect the weight of the cab, for example, in Patent Document 1, the cab is supported on the car frame via an elastic member, and the weight of the cab causes the elastic member to deform, causing the cab to move downward within the car frame, which is detected by a load detection means. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-047403 DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] To improve safety, dual load detection systems are required, in which the two load detection systems must detect the rated load at the same time.

[0006] When an elevator is operated over a long period of time, the elastic components may shrink or their elastic coefficients may change due to aging, which may result in discrepancies in the detection results of the two load detection means. For this reason, it is necessary to periodically inspect whether the two load detection means can correctly detect the rated load. In this inspection, a test weight equivalent to the actual rated load is loaded into the car, and it is checked whether both load detection means detect the correct rated load. If there is any discrepancy, adjustments are made.

[0007] However, periodically bringing in a test weight equivalent to the rated load, loading it into the car, and inspecting and adjusting the load detection means is not only laborious but also time-consuming.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a method for inspecting and adjusting a load detection means without using a test weight equivalent to the rated load. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The method for inspecting and adjusting a load detection means of an elevator of the present invention comprises the steps of: An elevator car having a car room supported via elastic members within a car frame suspended from a main rope, the car room having a beam portion below a car floor that can be detected by first load detection means and second load detection means, the first load detection means has a sensor unit that is arranged on the car frame and is capable of measuring a distance to the beam unit in a non-contact manner, and is capable of outputting a load of the car room by converting the distance detected by the sensor unit; the second load detection means includes a switch unit that is disposed on the car frame and that, when the load carried by the car reaches a rated load, contacts the beam portion as the car moves downward due to elastic deformation of the elastic member, thereby detecting that the load carried by the car has reached the rated load. A method for inspecting and adjusting a first load detection means and a second load detection means of an elevator, comprising: inserting a spacer between the sensor portion of the first load detection means and the beam portion, and in a state where the spacer is pressed against the beam portion, referring to the load output by the first load detection means, changing the thickness of the spacer, and determining a spacer of a thickness at which the first load detection means outputs a rated load; The determined spacer is inserted between the switch unit and the beam unit of the second load detection means, and with the spacer pressed against the beam unit, the height of the second load detection means is adjusted so that the switch unit comes into contact with the spacer and detects that the load on the car chamber has reached the rated load.

[0010] The spacer may be made of the same material as the beam portion.

[0011] Further, the method for inspecting and adjusting the load detection means of the elevator of the present invention includes: An elevator car having a car room supported via elastic members within a car frame suspended from a main rope, the car room having a beam portion below a car floor that can be detected by first load detection means and second load detection means, the first load detection means has a sensor unit that is arranged on the car frame and is capable of measuring a distance to the beam unit in a non-contact manner, and is capable of outputting a load of the car room by converting the distance detected by the sensor unit; the second load detection means includes a switch unit that is disposed on the car frame and that, when the load carried by the car reaches a rated load, contacts the beam portion as the car moves downward due to elastic deformation of the elastic member, thereby detecting that the load carried by the car has reached the rated load. A method for inspecting and adjusting a first load detection means and a second load detection means of an elevator, comprising: inserting a jack between the car floor and the beam section, pushing down the beam section with the jack, referring to the load output by the first load detection means, changing the amount of pushing down of the beam section, and causing the first load detection means to output a rated load; In this state, the height of the second load detecting means is adjusted so that the switch unit comes into contact with the spacer and detects that the load on the car has reached the rated load. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the method for inspecting and adjusting the load detection means of an elevator of the present invention, the load detection means can be inspected and adjusted without using a test weight equivalent to the rated load, thereby significantly reducing the time and effort required for inspecting and adjusting the load detection means. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an elevator. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the underside of the car. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of part A in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the first load detection means, the second load detection means and their surroundings. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a control block diagram of the main parts of the elevator. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a method for inspecting and adjusting the load detection means according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the method of inspecting and adjusting the load detecting means according to the first embodiment of the present invention, following FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a method for inspecting and adjusting a load detection means according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the inspection and adjustment method of the load detection means according to the second embodiment of the present invention, following FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the inspection and adjustment method of the load detection means according to the second embodiment of the present invention, following FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0015] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an elevator 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The elevator 10 is configured by connecting a car 20, in which passengers board, and a counterweight 11 that balances the car 20 with a main rope 12, which is then stretched over a sheave 13 and a deflector pulley 14. A motor 15, which serves as a hoisting machine, and a brake 16 are connected to the sheave 13, and the car 20 is raised and lowered by rotating the motor 15.

[0016] The car 20 includes a car chamber 30 in a car frame 21 where passengers board, and the car chamber 30 is equipped with a car door opening / closing means 63 (see FIG. 5) for opening and closing the car door 31. As shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 2, the car chamber 30 is disposed on the car frame 21 via an elastic member 18 such as rubber. When a load is applied to the car 20 by passengers or the like boarding the car chamber 30, the elastic member 18 is elastically deformed by the load, and the car chamber 30 moves downward relative to the car frame 21.

[0017] A beam 33 is installed below the car 30, passing through approximately the center of the car floor 32, and the beam 33 moves up and down integrally with the car 30 within the car frame 21. In this embodiment, the load of the car 30 is detected by the load detection means 40, 50, which detects the beam 33 as the detected part. The beam 33 can be made of a steel material or thin plate with an L-shaped cross section, and may be in the shape of a pillar or block. The beam 33 may also be part of the frame that constitutes the car 30.

[0018] In this embodiment, the load detection means 40, 50 are configured as a dual system to enhance safety. The first load detection means 40 and the second load detection means 50 use different methods to detect the load of the car 30 or whether the car 30 has reached the rated load. For example, the rated load is a load that is 1.1 times the passenger capacity (65 kg body weight in Japan).

[0019] Specifically, the first load detection means 40 is a means, such as a load cell, that measures the distance to the beam 33, which is the object to be detected, and outputs the load from that distance. As shown in FIG. 3 , the first load detection means 40 includes a sensor unit 41 with a built-in detection coil at its tip. When the beam 33 approaches the sensor unit 41, an induced current is generated. The sensor unit 41 detects magnetic loss in the detection coil and converts the induced current into a distance D to the beam 33. The measured distance D is converted into a load. The conversion from the distance D measured by the first load detection means 40 to a load can be performed by the first load detection means 40, the elevator control means 60 (described later), or the like. Although this specification describes the first load detection means 40 as performing the conversion, this conversion may also be performed by the elevator control means 60 or the like.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 3, the first load detection means 40 is disposed below the beam portion 33. In a specific embodiment, the first load detection means 40 is attached to a mounting plate 22 provided on the car frame 21 via a first mounting member 42.

[0021] The second load detection means 50 is a means for detecting contact with an object to be detected, and is, for example, a contact-type switch such as an overload switch. The second load detection means 50 has a switch unit 51, and when the switch unit 51 comes into contact with the beam unit 33, it detects that the beam unit 33 has descended to the rated load position.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 3 , the second load detection means 50 is disposed below the beam portion 33. The second load detection means 50 can be attached to the car frame 21 via a second mounting member 52, for example. The second mounting member 52 is preferably disposed so that its height can be adjusted so that the timing of detecting the rated load coincides with that of the first load detection means 40. In a specific embodiment, the second mounting member 52 can be attached to the mounting plate 22 of the car frame 21 so that it can slide up and down. The second load detection means 50 is attached to the second mounting member 52 so that the switch unit 51 protrudes upward. In the drawing, a height adjustment mechanism 55 is provided on the right side of the second load detection means 50. The height adjustment mechanism 55 includes a height adjustment screw 57 that fits loosely into an upper bent piece 53 formed by bending the upper right side of the second mounting member 52 at a right angle, and a biasing means such as a coil spring 56 fitted into the height adjustment screw 57. A lower bent piece 23 is attached to the car frame 21 on the mounting plate 22 side in the same direction as the upper bent piece 53, and the lower end of the height adjustment screw 57 is threaded into this lower bent piece 23. With this configuration, when the height adjustment screw 57 is tightened or loosened, the second mounting member 52 is urged up and down by the urging force of the coil spring 56, making it possible to adjust the protruding height of the switch unit 51 of the second load detection means 50. Furthermore, even if the load of the car chamber 30 causes the switch unit 51 of the second load detection means 50 to hit the beam unit 33 and the beam unit 33 moves further downward from that state, the coil spring 56 compresses, preventing damage to the second load detection means 50.

[0023] The mounting positions of the first load detecting means 40 and the second load detecting means 50, that is, the positions at which the first mounting member 42 and the second mounting member 52 are mounted on the mounting plate 22 of the car frame 21, are set as follows.

[0024] The first load detection means 40 and the second load detection means 50 are temporarily attached to the mounting plate 22 of the car frame 21 by mounting members 42, 52. Then, when the elevator 10 is manufactured in a factory or when it is newly installed in a building, a test weight equivalent to the rated load is brought into the car chamber 30. As a result, the elastic members 18 of the car chamber 30 elastically deform, causing the car chamber 30 to sink downward relative to the car frame 21. Figure 4 shows a state in which the car chamber 30 has sunk relative to the car frame 21 due to the rated load, i.e., the beam section 33 has moved toward the load detection means 40, 50.

[0025] In this state, the load detection means 40, 50 are initialized. For example, as shown in Fig. 4, the mounting height of the first load detection means 40 is adjusted so that the converted value of the distance H1 (e.g., 8 mm) to the beam portion 33 becomes the rated load, and the first mounting member 42 is fixed to the car frame 21. Alternatively, the first mounting member 42 may be fixed to the car frame 21, and the distance to the beam portion 33 in this state may be set to be converted into the rated load.

[0026] Further, the second load detecting means 50 is fixed by operating the height adjusting mechanism 55 so that the tip of the switch portion 51 comes into contact with the beam portion 33 .

[0027] During normal operation of the elevator 10 with the load detection means 40, 50 adjusted, the load in the cab 30 is detected by the two load detection means 40, 50.

[0028] Figure 5 is a control block diagram of the main components of the elevator 10. The elevator 10 is controlled by elevator control means 60, which controls the motor 15 and brake 16, and car control means 62. A description of normal elevator operation control is omitted here, but by issuing hall or car calls from an operation panel mounted on the hall or car 20, the motor 15 and brake 16 are activated and the elevator lands at the designated hall. Once the elevator lands, car door opening / closing means 63 is operated to open or close the car doors 31. Reference numeral 61 denotes alarm means that issues an alarm in the car 30 by an announcement, a buzzer, or other sound or light when the load on the car 30 exceeds the rated load.

[0029] In the elevator 10 configured as described above, the load detection means 40, 50 are electrically connected to, for example, the elevator control means 60. The load detection means 40, 50 constantly detects the load in the car 30 and transmits the detected load to the elevator control means 60. In the present invention, the load detection means 40, 50 are configured as a dual system, so when either of the load detection means 40, 50 detects the rated load, the elevator control means 60 executes the rated load detection operation described next.

[0030] The rated load detection operation is an operation in which, when the car 20 is on the floor and either of the load detection means 40, 50 detects the rated load, the car door 31 is kept open by the car door opening / closing means 63 while the brake 16 is applied, and an alarm is issued in the car room 30 by the notification means 61. The brake 16 generates a torque corresponding to the load detected by, for example, the first load detection means 40, to prevent the car 20 from moving.

[0031] When some of the passengers disembark based on this alarm, and the load on the car room 30 falls below the rated load as measured by either of the load detection means 40, 50, the alarm from the notification means 61 is stopped, and the car door opening / closing means 63 closes the car door 31, releases the brake 16, and drives the motor 15, allowing the car 20 to rise and fall.

[0032] As a result, over time, the load detection means 40, 50 may become unable to detect the rated load correctly. If the timing at which the two load detection means 40, 50 detect the rated load differs, the dual system configuration becomes meaningless. For this reason, it is necessary to periodically inspect and adjust the load detection means 40, 50 so that they detect the rated load at the same timing.

[0033] The following is a specific description of the inspection and adjustment methods for the load detection means 40, 50 after extended use for the elevator 10 configured as described above. In any of the embodiments, inspection and adjustment do not require the bringing into the car room 30 of a test weight equivalent to the rated load.

[0034] First, prior to inspection and adjustment, the load detected by the first load detection means 40 is confirmed to be correct. Specifically, the load detection value output by the first detection means 40 for the loaded car 20 is referenced to confirm whether the detected load value is correct. This confirmation is performed with two or more, preferably three or more, different loads. For example, this occurs when the car 20 is unmanned (no load) and when a maintenance worker whose weight has been measured in advance rides the car 20. It may also be the detected value when multiple maintenance workers whose weights have been measured in advance ride the car 20, or the detected value when a test weight that is lighter than the rated load, for example, about 1 / 2 to 1 / 3, is placed on the car 20. If the load detection value of the first load detection means 40 is correct for these loads, the following inspection and adjustment are performed. If the load detection value of the first load detection means 40 differs from the load by more than a predetermined amount, the present invention cannot be applied, and inspection and adjustment must be performed using a test weight equivalent to the rated load, as in the conventional method.

[0035] First Embodiment In the first embodiment of the present invention, the spacer 70 is used to inspect and adjust the load detection means 40, 50.

[0036] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, a spacer 70 is inserted between the beam 33 and the load detection means 40, 50 of the cage 30. The spacer 70 is thin and preferably made of the same material as the beam 33. If the magnetic properties of the spacer 70 differ from those of the beam 33, the magnetic loss detected by the first load detection means 40 will also differ, resulting in a distance measurement error in the first load detection means 40. As will be explained below, multiple types of spacers 70 with different thicknesses are prepared. For example, it is desirable to have multiple types of spacers 70 with thicknesses that vary in increments of 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm, with the center being the spacer 70 with a height H1 at which the first load detection means 40 detects the rated load during initial installation.

[0037] Before inserting the spacer 70, first, to prevent the switch portion 51 of the second load detection means 50 from colliding with the spacer 70, as shown in Figure 6, the height adjustment screw 57 is tightened and the second load detection means 50 attached to the second mounting member 52 is moved downward by the biasing force of the coil spring 56, leaving a gap between the switch portion 51 and the beam portion 33 that allows the spacer 70 to be inserted.

[0038] From this state, a spacer 70, for example, with a thickness H1 (the same as the initial setting distance H1 (Figure 4)), is inserted between the beam portion 33 and the load detection means 40, 50. The spacer 70 is positioned so that its upper surface is in close contact with the lower surface of the beam portion 33. To prevent the spacer 70 from shifting or falling, it is desirable to secure the spacer 70 to the beam portion 33 using a clamp (not shown). After the spacer 70 is positioned, the first load detection means 40 generates a high-frequency wave between the beam portion 33 and the first load detection means 40, and the magnetic loss is used to confirm whether the distance between the spacer 70 and the first load detection means 40 is the distance H1, which corresponds to the output of the first load detection means 40 at the rated load. If the confirmation result shows that the first load detection means 40 outputs the rated load with the spacer 70, the next step is to inspect and adjust the second load detection means 50. If the test results show that the first load detection means 40 detects a load smaller or larger than the rated load for the spacer 70, the distance between the first load detection means 40 and the spacer 70 is longer or shorter than the rated load detection distance of the first load detection means 40. Therefore, if the detection distance is long, a thicker spacer 70 is inserted, and if the detection distance is short, a thinner spacer 70 is inserted to confirm whether the output of the first load detection means 40 is at the rated load. Tests are performed by changing the thickness of the spacer 70 until the output of the first load detection means 40 is at the rated load, and the thickness of the spacer 70 that outputs the rated load is determined. The determined thickness of the spacer 70 is designated as HS. The first load detection means 40 detects the rated load when the beam portion 33 is lowered by the height HS.

[0039] Next, the second load detection means 50 is inspected and adjusted using the spacer 70 having the thickness HS.

[0040] As shown in Figure 7, when the height adjustment screw 57 is gradually loosened with the spacer 70 of thickness HS present between the switch portion 51 of the second load detection means 50 and the beam portion 33, the second load detection means 50 attached to the second mounting member 52 moves upward while expanding the coil spring 56. In this state, the height adjustment screw 57 is gradually loosened until the switch portion 51 of the second load detection means 50 touches the spacer 70. When the switch portion 51 of the second load detection means 50 touches the spacer 70, loosening of the height adjustment screw 57 is stopped. In this way, the distance from the tip of the switch portion 51 to the beam portion 33 can be adjusted to the thickness HS of the spacer 70.

[0041] Once the adjustment is complete, the spacer 70 can be removed. This allows the second load detection means 50, like the first load detection means 40, to detect the rated load when the beam portion 33 is lowered by the height HS.

[0042] In the above, the spacer 70 is long enough to face both the first load detection means 40 and the second load detection means 50 at the same time, but it is also possible to use a shorter spacer 70 and first face the first load detection means 40 and the spacer 70 to determine the thickness, and then move the spacer 70 toward the second load detection means 50 to inspect and adjust the second load detection means 50.

[0043] Second Embodiment In this embodiment, the beam portion 33 is bent by the jack 80 to create a pseudo rated load state, and the first load detection means 40 is inspected and adjusted, and then the second load detection means 50 is inspected and adjusted.

[0044] For example, the jack 80 is inserted between the beam section 33 and the car floor 32 above the beam section 33, as shown in FIG.

[0045] Regarding the second load detection means 50, in order to prevent the beam portion 33 from hitting the switch portion 51 when the beam portion 33 is lowered, the height adjustment screw 57 is tightened and the second load detection means 50 attached to the second mounting member 52 is retracted downward by the biasing force of the coil spring 56, as in Figure 6 of the first embodiment described above.

[0046] In this state, when the jack 80 is extended, the beam portion 33 bends and is pushed down, as shown in Figure 9. Note that the bending of the beam portion 33 is exaggerated in the figure to facilitate understanding of the invention. Then, while the amount of depression of the beam portion 33 is increased or decreased, the rated load (or distance) detected by the first load detection means 40 is referenced, and when the rated load is output, the jack 80 is fixed at that height.

[0047] Next, the process moves to inspecting and adjusting the second load detection means 50. As shown in Figure 10, when the height adjustment screw 57 is gradually loosened relative to the height-adjusted beam portion 33, the second load detection means 50 attached to the second mounting member 52 moves upward while expanding the coil spring 56. In this state, the height adjustment screw 57 is gradually loosened until the switch portion 51 of the second load detection means 50 comes into contact with the beam portion 33. When the switch portion 51 of the second load detection means 50 comes into contact with the beam portion 33, loosening of the height adjustment screw 57 is stopped. This allows the tip of the switch portion 51 to detect the beam portion 33 when the car 30 reaches the rated load.

[0048] Once the adjustment is complete, the jack 80 can be loosened and removed.

[0049] As a result, the first load detecting means 40 and the second load detecting means 50 can detect the rated load when the car chamber 30 has dropped by the amount of the rated load.

[0050] According to the first and second embodiments, the timing at which the dual-system first load detection means 40 and second load detection means 50 detect the rated load can be synchronized without introducing a test weight, thereby reducing the working time to 1 / 2 to 1 / 3 or less.

[0051] The above description is for the purpose of explaining the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the invention described in the claims or narrowing its scope. Furthermore, the configuration of each part of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the technical scope described in the claims.

[0052] For example, the first load detection means 40 and the second load detection means 50 are not limited to the detection means described above, and may be a combination of sensors capable of detecting various loads. For example, the first load detection means 40 may use infrared rays or a laser to measure the distance to the beam portion 33 and convert it into a load. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 10. Elevator 18 Elastic member 20 baskets 21 Basket Frame 30 Cage 33 Beam section 40 First load detection means 50 Second load detection means 55 Height adjustment mechanism 70 spacer 80 Jack

Claims

1. An elevator car having a car chamber supported via elastic members within a car frame suspended from a main rope, the car chamber having a beam portion below a car floor that can be detected by first load detection means and second load detection means, the first load detection means has a sensor unit that is disposed on the car frame and is capable of measuring a distance to the beam unit in a non-contact manner, and is capable of outputting a load of the car room by converting the distance detected by the sensor unit; the second load detection means includes a switch unit that is disposed on the car frame and that, when the load carried by the car reaches a rated load, comes into contact with the beam portion as the car moves downward due to elastic deformation of the elastic member, thereby detecting that the load carried by the car has reached the rated load. A method for inspecting and adjusting a first load detection means and a second load detection means of an elevator, comprising: inserting a spacer between the sensor portion of the first load detection means and the beam portion, and in a state in which the spacer is pressed against the beam portion, referring to the load output by the first load detection means, changing the thickness of the spacer, and determining a spacer of a thickness at which the first load detection means outputs a rated load; the determined spacer is inserted between the switch unit and the beam unit of the second load detection means, and the height of the second load detection means is adjusted so that, with the spacer pressed against the beam unit, the switch unit comes into contact with the spacer and detects that the load on the car has reached the rated load. Methods for inspecting and adjusting elevator load detection means.

2. The spacer is made of the same material as the beam portion.

2. The method for inspecting and adjusting a load detection means of an elevator according to claim 1.

3. An elevator car having a car chamber supported via elastic members within a car frame suspended from a main rope, the car chamber having a beam portion below a car floor that can be detected by first load detection means and second load detection means, the first load detection means has a sensor unit that is disposed on the car frame and is capable of measuring a distance to the beam unit in a non-contact manner, and is capable of outputting a load of the car room by converting the distance detected by the sensor unit; the second load detection means includes a switch unit that is disposed on the car frame and that, when the load carried by the car reaches a rated load, comes into contact with the beam portion as the car moves downward due to elastic deformation of the elastic member, thereby detecting that the load carried by the car has reached the rated load. A method for inspecting and adjusting a first load detection means and a second load detection means of an elevator, comprising: inserting a jack between the car floor and the beam section, pushing down the beam section with the jack, referring to the load output by the first load detection means, changing the amount of pushing down of the beam section, and causing the first load detection means to output a rated load; In this state, the height of the second load detection means is adjusted so that the switch unit comes into contact with the beam unit and detects that the load on the car has reached the rated load. Methods for inspecting and adjusting elevator load detection means.

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