Elevator ventilation system and control method for elevator ventilation system

Abstract

To provide an elevator ventilation system capable of quickly exhibiting a ventilation function according to changes in the number of passengers, and a control method for the elevator ventilation system.SOLUTION: An elevator ventilation system calculates the number of passengers riding in a car from load data detected by a load sensor device, calculates the number of standby passengers waiting at a boarding area from the data detected by a detection unit, and calculates the number of users from the sum of the number of passengers and the number of standby passengers. The system then controls the output of a ventilation device according to the calculated number of users.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an elevator ventilation system and a control method for an elevator ventilation system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, technologies related to ventilation devices for ventilating the inside of elevator cars have been proposed. Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for estimating the carbon dioxide concentration inside the car until it reaches the destination floor and controlling the output of the ventilation device. In Patent Document 1, the carbon dioxide concentration inside the car is estimated from the volume of the car, the opening and closing times of the car doors, and detection data from a load sensor.

[0003] In this way, the carbon dioxide concentration inside the elevator car is estimated and the ventilation valve or elevator door is controlled according to that carbon dioxide concentration, thereby preventing passengers inside the elevator car from suffering from oxygen deficiency. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-3793 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, which estimates the carbon dioxide concentration inside the car until it arrives at the destination floor, no consideration is given to new passengers boarding from the destination floor. Therefore, when many passengers board at the destination floor, there is a possibility that sufficient ventilation will not be achieved.

[0006] In recent years, the need for ventilation in crowded spaces has increased as a measure against infectious diseases such as COVID-19. Therefore, there is a demand to implement sufficient ventilation before passenger numbers increase.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention provides an elevator ventilation system that can quickly perform ventilation function in response to changes in the number of passengers, and a control method for an elevator ventilation system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the above problems and achieve the object of the present invention, the elevator ventilation system of the present invention comprises a car that moves up and down in a hoistway and a ventilation device that ventilates the car. The system also comprises a load sensor device that detects the load inside the car, and a detection unit installed at each landing floor that can detect the status of the landing where the car entrance and exit are located. The system also comprises a user number calculation unit that calculates the number of passengers in the car from load data detected by the load sensor device, calculates the number of people waiting at the landing from image data detected by the detection unit, and calculates the number of users from the sum of the number of passengers and the number of people waiting. The system also comprises a ventilation device control unit that controls the output of the ventilation device in accordance with the number of users calculated by the user number calculation unit.

[0009] In addition, the control method for an elevator ventilation system of the present invention includes: a load sensor device installed in the car detects the load inside the car; a detection unit installed on each landing floor and capable of detecting the status of the landing where the entrance and exit to the car is located captures an image of the landing; the number of passengers in the car is calculated from the load data detected by the load sensor device, and the number of people waiting at the landing is calculated from the data detected by the detection unit; and the number of users is calculated from the sum of the number of passengers and the number of people waiting; and the output of a ventilation device installed in the car is controlled according to the calculated number of users. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, ventilation can be performed quickly in response to changes in the number of passengers. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1]1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an elevator 100 including an elevator ventilation system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a control system of an elevator ventilation system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a flowchart showing an elevator ventilation method according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] An example of an elevator ventilation system and a ventilation system control method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following example. In each of the drawings described below, common components are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0013] 1. Elevator configuration First, an elevator according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an elevator 100 including an elevator ventilation system 1 (see Fig. 2) according to one embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as this embodiment). Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a control system for the elevator ventilation system 1 according to this embodiment.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 1, elevator 100 moves up and down in a hoistway 110 formed in a building structure. Elevator 100 includes a car 120 for carrying people and luggage, a main rope 130, a counterweight 140, and a hoist 170. Elevator 100 also includes a load sensor device 10 provided in car 120, a ventilation device 20, and imaging units C1 to CN (corresponding to the detection unit of the present invention) installed at the landings on each floor. Although not shown in Fig. 1, elevator 100 also includes elevator control unit 30 (see Fig. 2) that controls each unit.

[0015] [Elevator shaft] The elevator shaft 110 is a space for the elevator car 120 to ascend and descend, and is provided vertically through each floor inside the building. Guide rails (not shown) that guide the elevator car 120 as it ascends and descends are attached to the inner wall surface of the elevator shaft 110. Furthermore, landing doors 111 that lead to each floor are provided on the wall surface of the elevator shaft 110 at height positions corresponding to each floor. Furthermore, a machine room 160 is provided at the top of the elevator shaft 110, and a pit 180 is provided at the bottom.

[0016] [Car] The car 120 is formed in a hollow, approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape. The car 120 is connected to a counterweight 140 via a main rope 130, and moves up and down within the hoistway 110. The car 120 is guided by guide rails provided on the wall surface within the hoistway 110, and moves up and down within the hoistway 110. A car door (not shown) is provided on the side of the car 120 at a position corresponding to the landing door 111, and when the car 120 stops at each floor, the car door and landing door 111 open, allowing people and luggage to get on and off the car 120.

[0017] [Main rope] One axial end of the main rope 130 is connected to the upper part of the car 120, and the other end is connected to the upper part of the counterweight 140. The middle part of the main rope 130 is wound around a hoist 170 arranged in a machine room 160, and is also mounted on a deflector sheave 150 arranged near the hoist 170.

[0018] [Counterweight] The counterweight 140 is housed in the hoistway 110 in a state in which it is suspended from the other end of the main rope 130. The counterweight 140 moves up and down in the hoistway 110 along a weight-side guide rail (not shown).

[0019] [Image capture unit] The imaging units C1 to CN are provided for each landing floor. Each of the imaging units C1 to CN is provided near the landing door, for example, on the upper frame (not shown) of a three-sided jamb provided on the landing side, on the ceiling, etc. The imaging units C1 to CN are configured to be able to detect at least the entire landing near the landing door 111.

[0020] The imaging units C1 to CN can be configured with devices such as an image sensor that outputs image data, a stereo camera that outputs distance images, etc. In this embodiment, the imaging units C1 to CN are configured with an image sensor that captures an image of the entire hall. The image data acquired by the imaging units C1 to CN is transmitted to the elevator control unit 30, which will be described later.

[0021] [Load sensor device] The load sensor device 10 is a device that detects a load acting on the car 120. The load sensor device 10 is installed, for example, on a lower frame that supports the car floor of the car 120. The load sensor device 10 detects the load acting on the car 120 by detecting the amount of displacement of a plurality of vibration-isolating rubbers installed below the car floor. A commonly used device can be applied as the load sensor device 10. In this embodiment, the load sensor device 10 is installed below the car floor, but various forms can be adopted as long as it is configured to detect the load acting on the car 120. The load data acquired by the load sensor device 10 is transmitted to an elevator control unit 30, which will be described later.

[0022] [Ventilation equipment] The ventilation device 20 is a device that ventilates the air inside the car 120, and is arranged, for example, on the ceiling side of the car 120. Although not shown, the ventilation device 20 is composed of a ventilation valve that opens and closes a ventilation window, and a fan that expels air from inside the car 120 or introduces air into the car 120. The output of the ventilation device 20 is controlled based on a control signal from a ventilation device control unit 33, which will be described later, and the ventilation volume is controlled.

[0023] [Elevator control unit] As shown in FIG. 2, the elevator control unit 30 includes an elevation control unit 31, a user number calculation unit 32, and a ventilation device control unit 33.

[0024] The lift control unit 31 controls the hoist 170 (main engine) and the like that are responsible for the operation of the car 2. As described above, the car 120 that carries people and objects is connected to one end of the hoist 170, and the main rope 130 connected to the counterweight 140 is wound around the other end. In this embodiment, under the control of the lift control unit 31, the hoist 170 operates, and the car 120 moves up and down in the hoistway 110. The lift control unit 31 stops the car 120 at a predetermined landing floor in response to input signals input from a call button installed at the landing and a stop floor input button installed in the car 120. In this manner, the elevator 100 provides services related to the lifting and lowering movement of the elevator 100 to people and objects aboard the car 120. In this embodiment, the lift control unit 31 transmits information regarding the lifting and lowering direction and stop floors of the car 120 to the passenger number calculation unit 32.

[0025] The user number calculation unit 32 calculates the number of users based on the load data transmitted from the load sensor device 10 and the image data transmitted from each of the imaging units C1 to CN. Here, an example of a method for calculating the number of users in the user number calculation unit 32 will be described.

[0026] First, the number of passengers calculation unit 32 calculates the number of passengers currently riding in the elevator 120 based on the load data transmitted from the load sensor device 10. The number of passengers calculation unit 32 calculates the number of passengers by dividing the load in the elevator 120 by the average weight of a person.

[0027] Next, the user number calculation unit 32 acquires image data from the imaging units C1 to CN installed at the landings of the stop floors, based on the information about the ascending / descending direction and the stop floors transmitted from the elevator control unit 31. Then, the user number calculation unit 32 calculates, from the acquired image data, the cumulative number of people waiting at the landing where the elevator car 120 is scheduled to stop. The user number calculation unit 32 calculates the number of people waiting based on the image data.

[0028] Thereafter, the user number calculation unit 32 calculates the number of users by calculating the sum of the number of passengers on board the elevator 120 and the cumulative number of people waiting at the platform where the elevator will stop.

[0029] For example, if it is determined that the elevator 120 stopped on the 5th floor will move downwards next and stop on the 4th and 3rd floors, the number of passengers is calculated as the sum of the number of passengers in the elevator 120 stopped on the 5th floor and the cumulative number of people waiting at the boarding areas on the 4th and 3rd floors.

[0030] In this embodiment, the cumulative number of people waiting at the landings where the elevator 100 will stop is calculated based on information about the stop floors and information about the ascending / descending direction of the car 120 transmitted from the elevator control unit 31. However, the method of calculating the number of people in the user number calculation unit 32 is not limited to this. For example, the cumulative number of people waiting at all landing floors of the elevator 100 may be calculated, and the sum of this cumulative number and the number of passengers in the car 120 may be calculated as the number of people.

[0031] Information on the number of users calculated by the user number calculation unit 32 is sent to the ventilation device control unit 33.

[0032] The ventilation device control unit 33 determines whether the number of users exceeds a predetermined threshold based on the information on the number of users transmitted from the user number calculation unit 32. Furthermore, if the ventilation device control unit 33 determines that the number of users exceeds the predetermined threshold, it controls the output of the ventilation device 20.

[0033] As a method for controlling the output of the ventilation device 20, more specifically, the ventilation device control unit 33 controls the opening and closing of the ventilation valve in the ventilation device 20 and the rotation speed of the fan according to the number of users. This allows the ventilation device control unit 33 to change the ventilation volume according to the number of users. The ventilation volume of the ventilation device 20 controlled by the ventilation device control unit 33 is set based on a predetermined ventilation volume that is determined in advance according to the number of users.

[0034] Incidentally, each of the above-mentioned components of the elevator control unit 30 is controlled under the control of a control processing unit (not shown). The control processing unit includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a non-volatile storage, each connected to a bus.

[0035] The CPU reads out the program code of the software that realizes each function according to this embodiment from the ROM, expands it into the RAM, and executes it in each part. Note that the control processing unit may include a processing device such as an MPU (Micro-Processing Unit) instead of the CPU. Variables, parameters, etc. that arise during the calculation process are temporarily written to the RAM.

[0036] Examples of nonvolatile storage that can be used include a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a flexible disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, and a nonvolatile memory card. In addition to an operating system (OS) and various parameters, programs for operating the control processing unit are also recorded in this nonvolatile storage. The programs may be stored in a read-only memory (ROM).

[0037] The program is stored in the form of a computer-readable program code, and the CPU sequentially executes operations in accordance with the program code. In other words, a ROM or non-volatile storage is used as an example of a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium that stores a program to be executed by a computer.

[0038] In the elevator ventilation system 1 having the above configuration, the inside of the elevator car 120 is ventilated.

[0039] 2. Elevator ventilation methods Next, a description will be given of a ventilation method carried out in the elevator ventilation system 1 according to this embodiment. Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing the ventilation method in the elevator ventilation system 1 according to this embodiment.

[0040] The flowchart shown in Fig. 3 starts, for example, when the ascending / descending direction of the car 120 changes in the elevator 100. For example, it starts when the car 120 that was moving in an ascending direction moves in a descending direction, or when the car 120 that was moving in a descending direction moves in an ascending direction. Alternatively, if the car 120 has been stopped without being driven for a certain period of time, the flowchart may be configured to start when a call button is pressed from the landing floor.

[0041] First, the user number calculation unit 32 calculates the number of users from the sum of the number of passengers in the car 120 and the cumulative number of people waiting at the landing floor where the car will stop (step S1). As described above, the number of passengers in the car 120 is calculated based on the load data transmitted from the load sensor device 10. Furthermore, the cumulative number of people waiting at the landing floor where the car will stop is calculated based on image data transmitted from the imaging units C1 to CN installed at each landing floor. Therefore, in step S1, first, the number of passengers is calculated based on the load data transmitted from the load sensor device 10, and the cumulative number of people waiting is calculated based on the image data transmitted from the imaging units C1 to CN. Thereafter, the number of users is calculated from the sum of the number of passengers and the number of people waiting.

[0042] As described above, the method for calculating the cumulative number of people waiting at the platform may be based on information about the stop floors and information about the ascending / descending direction of the car 120 transmitted from the elevator control unit 31. In this case, the cumulative number of people waiting at the platform floor where the car 120 is scheduled to stop in the current ascending / descending direction is calculated based on information about the stop floor, ascending / descending direction, and platform floor where the car 120 is scheduled to stop. That is, when the car 120 is moving in a downward direction, the cumulative number of people waiting at the stop floors below the current position of the car 120 is calculated. Conversely, when the car 120 is moving in an upward direction, the cumulative number of people waiting at the stop floors above the current position of the car 120 is calculated.

[0043] Alternatively, in step S1, a method of calculating the cumulative number of people waiting at all the landing floors may be applied, regardless of the ascending / descending direction of the car 120 or the information on the landing floor where the car is scheduled to stop.

[0044] Next, the user number calculation unit 32 determines whether the number of users calculated in step S1 exceeds a predetermined threshold (step S2). The "threshold" in step S2 is a value determined according to the number of people who require ventilation, and is a value set for each elevator according to the volume of the car 120, for example.

[0045] If the determination in step S2 is "NO," that is, if it is determined that the number of users is within the threshold, the process ends.

[0046] If the determination in step S2 is "YES," that is, if it is determined that the number of users exceeds the threshold, the process proceeds to step S3.

[0047] In step S3, the ventilation device control section 33 controls the ventilation device 20 to start operating the ventilation device 20 with an output according to the number of users.

[0048] Next, after the operation of the ventilation device 20 is started, the user number calculation unit 32 again calculates the number of users from the sum of the number of passengers in the car 120 and the cumulative number of people waiting at the landing floor where the car will stop (step S4). The method of calculating the number of users in step S4 is the same as in step S1. Note that, because the position of the car 120 in the elevator shaft 110, the number of passengers, etc. change between steps S1 and S4, the number of users calculated in step S4 may differ from the number of users calculated in step S1.

[0049] Next, the user number calculation unit 32 determines whether the number of users calculated in step S4 exceeds a predetermined threshold (step S5). As in step S1, the "threshold" in step S5 is a value determined according to the number of people who require ventilation, and is a value set for each elevator according to the volume of the car 120, for example.

[0050] If the determination in step S5 is "YES", that is, if it is determined that the number of users exceeds the threshold, the process returns to step S3.

[0051] On the other hand, if the determination in step S5 is "NO," that is, if it is determined that the number of users is within the threshold, the process proceeds to step S6.

[0052] In step S6, the ventilation device control unit 33 stops the operation of the ventilation device 20 after a certain period of time has elapsed. The "certain period of time" in step S6 is set, for example, to a ventilation time that will provide sufficient ventilation when the number of passengers calculated in step S4 has boarded the elevator car 120. Thereafter, the processing of the flowchart in FIG. 3 ends.

[0053] When the processing of the flowchart in Fig. 3 is completed, for example, the flowchart in Fig. 3 is executed (started) again at the timing when the moving direction of the car 120 changes. Alternatively, the flowchart in Fig. 3 may be configured to start again after a certain period of time has elapsed.

[0054] According to this embodiment, the number of passengers is calculated as the sum of the number of passengers on the car 120 and the cumulative number of people waiting at each landing floor, and the ventilation volume of the ventilation device 20 is controlled according to this number of passengers. This makes it possible to detect passengers waiting at each landing floor in advance and control the output of the ventilation device 20 before the car 120 arrives at each landing. Therefore, it is possible to increase the ventilation volume before the inside of the car 120 becomes crowded, and to implement smoother ventilation. This can improve the effectiveness of infection prevention, etc.

[0055] In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the imaging units C1 to CN are used as an example of the detection unit of the present invention. However, for example, a distance detection unit or a beacon capable of communicating with a smartphone can be used as the detection unit. When a distance detection unit is used, the distance to an object present at the platform can be detected, and the user number calculation unit 32 can calculate the number of users at the platform from the distance to the object detected by the detection unit. Furthermore, when a beacon is used as the detection unit, information from smartphones near the platform can be received by communication with the smartphones of users at the platform. Then, the user number calculation unit 32 can calculate the number of users at the platform based on the received smartphone information. In this way, various configurations can be used as the detection unit as long as they are capable of detecting the status of the platform (more specifically, the number of users waiting at the platform).

[0056] The above-described embodiment has been described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and is not necessarily limited to having all of the described configurations. For example, it is possible to replace part of the configuration of the embodiment with another configuration, or to add another configuration to the configuration of the embodiment. It is also possible to add, delete, or replace part of the configuration of the embodiment with another configuration. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1... ventilation system, 10... load sensor device, 20... ventilation device, 30... elevator control unit, 31... lift control unit, 32... number of users calculation unit, 33... ventilation device control unit, 100... elevator, 110... hoistway, 111... landing door, 130... main rope, 160... machine room, 170... hoisting machine, 180... pit, C1 to CN... imaging unit

Claims

1. A car that moves up and down within the elevator shaft, A ventilation device that performs ventilation inside the car; a load sensor device that detects a load inside the car; A detection unit that is installed on each landing floor and is capable of detecting the status of a landing where an entrance / exit to the elevator car is located; a user number calculation unit that calculates the number of passengers in the elevator car from the load data detected by the load sensor device, calculates the number of people waiting at the platform from the image data detected by the detection unit, and calculates the number of users from the sum of the number of passengers and the number of people waiting; a ventilation device control unit that controls an output of the ventilation device in accordance with the number of users calculated by the user number calculation unit; Equipped with the ventilation device control unit controls the ventilation device depending on whether the number of users calculated by the user number calculation unit exceeds a predetermined threshold, When the ventilation device control unit determines that the number of users calculated by the user number calculation unit is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold, the ventilation device control unit stops operation of the ventilation device after a certain period of time has elapsed. Elevator ventilation system.

2. The user number calculation unit calculates the number of users based on information regarding the stopping floor of the elevator car and information regarding the ascending and descending direction of the elevator car.

2. The elevator ventilation system according to claim 1.

3. The detection unit is configured with an imaging unit capable of capturing an image of the platform.

2. The elevator ventilation system according to claim 1.

4. A load sensor device provided in the elevator car detects the load inside the elevator car, a detection unit that is installed on each landing floor and that is capable of detecting the status of the landing where the entrance to the car is located detects the status of the landing; The number of passengers in the elevator car is calculated from the load data detected by the load sensor device, and the number of people waiting at the platform is calculated from the data detected by the detection unit, and the number of users is calculated from the sum of the number of passengers and the number of people waiting, controlling an output of a ventilation device provided in the elevator car according to the calculated number of users; controlling the ventilation device depending on whether the calculated number of users exceeds a predetermined threshold; If the ventilation device control unit determines that the calculated number of users is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold, the ventilation device control unit stops the operation of the ventilation device after a certain period of time has elapsed. Control method for elevator ventilation system.

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