Elevator control device and elevator control method

Abstract

An elevator control device is provided that can appropriately control the opening and closing of a door between an elevator hall and a car using a non-contact sensor for elevator hall call operation. The elevator control device (1) includes a door control unit (12) that controls the opening and closing of a door (22), and a receiving unit (10) that is provided on a hall control panel (3) and receives a detection signal from a non-contact sensor (31). The door control unit (12) controls the door (22) to open when the receiving unit (10) receives a detection signal indicating that the non-contact sensor (31) has detected an object during an operation to close the door (22).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an elevator control device and an elevator control method. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 describes an elevator in which the door can be opened without contact inside the car. This elevator switches to door-open mode when the non-contact sensor is blocked from light for a predetermined period of time or more. On the other hand, if the non-contact sensor is blocked from light while in door-close mode, the elevator switches to door-open mode without determining whether the predetermined period of time has elapsed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6856160 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Even at landings, there are cases where doors need to be opened by non-contact operation. However, if a non-contact sensor for door opening is installed separately from the non-contact sensor for normal landing call operation (upward call operation or downward call operation), it will lead to problems such as increased costs and complicated operation.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention aims to provide an elevator control device that can appropriately control the opening and closing of doors between an elevator hall and a car using a non-contact sensor for elevator hall call operation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, an elevator control device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a door control unit that controls opening and closing of a door between an elevator hall and a car, and a receiving unit that receives a detection signal from a non-contact sensor that is provided on a control panel of the elevator hall and detects an object present in a predetermined spatial region and that accepts registration of an up call or a down call. The door control unit controls the door to open when the receiving unit receives a detection signal indicating that the non-contact sensor has detected the object during a door closing operation.

[0007] In addition, an elevator control method according to one aspect of the present invention includes the steps of receiving a detection signal from a non-contact sensor that is provided on an elevator hall control panel and detects an object present in a predetermined spatial region, the non-contact sensor accepting registration of an upward call or a downward call, and controlling the door to open when the non-contact sensor receives a detection signal indicating that it has detected the object during the operation of closing the door between the hall and the car. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, the opening and closing of the door between the elevator hall and the elevator car can be appropriately controlled by a non-contact sensor for elevator hall call operation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an elevator system including an elevator control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an elevator according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a control panel according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of car operation control by the elevator control device according to the embodiment. [Figure 5]4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control flow for closing a door by the elevator control device according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the direction of the car and the operation of the door according to the position of the landing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An elevator control device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0011] [Configuration of elevator system] Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an elevator system 100 including an elevator control device 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the elevator system 100 includes the elevator control device 1, an elevator 2, and an operating panel 3 provided at a landing on each floor.

[0012] [Configuration of elevator control device] The elevator control device 1 is disposed, for example, in a machine room (not shown) above a shaft (not shown) of the elevator 2, and is a device for comprehensively controlling the operation of the elevator 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the elevator control device 1 has a receiving unit 10, an operation control unit 11, a door control unit 12, and a memory unit 13.

[0013] The receiving unit 10 receives detection signals from the non-contact sensor 31 and the operation button 32 of the operation panel 3. Details of the operation panel 3 will be described later. The memory unit 13 stores various control programs for, for example, controlling the operation of the car 21, controlling the opening and closing of the door 22, and controlling the light emission of the display unit 33.

[0014] The operation control unit 11 reads out a control program related to the operation of the car 21 from the storage unit 13 and executes it to control the upward or downward operation of the car 21.

[0015] The door control unit 12 reads out from the storage unit 13 a control program related to the opening and closing of the door 22 and executes it to control the opening and closing of the door 22. The door 22 is provided between a hall P of the elevator 2 and a car 21 (see FIG. 2).

[0016] Although not shown, a car control panel for receiving registration of destination floors by users is installed on the side wall inside the car 21. The car control panel inside the car 21 is provided with a plurality of destination floor buttons, a door open button, a door close button, etc., which allow users to select a destination floor.

[0017] [Elevator configuration] Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the elevator 2 as seen from the landing P. As shown in Fig. 2, the elevator 2 has a car 21 and a door 22. The elevator 2 is a device for transporting people, luggage, etc. in the vertical direction within a building such as a hospital or a residence.

[0018] The car 21 moves between multiple floors of a building through an elevator shaft provided in the building under the control of the operation control unit 11. The door 22 opens and closes under the control of the door control unit 12.

[0019] The elevator 2 is driven, for example, by a rope-type traction system. In the traction-type elevator 2, a machine room is provided above the elevator shaft, and one end of a main rope hung on a drive sheave of a hoisting machine installed in the machine room is connected to the car 21, and the other end is connected to a counterweight.

[0020] The hoist has an electric motor, and the rotational power from the electric motor is transmitted to the drive sheave via a power transmission mechanism. When the drive sheave is rotated, the car 21 and the counterweight, which are connected to the main rope hung on the drive sheave, are guided by the guide rails provided on each and rise and fall in opposite directions within the elevator shaft.

[0021] [Control panel configuration] Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the control panel 3. As shown in Fig. 3, the control panel 3 has an upper operation section 3U and a lower operation section 3D. The upper operation section 3U and the lower operation section 3D are arranged side by side in the vertical direction.

[0022] Each control panel 3 is disposed on a wall near the door 22 of each landing P. Landings P are provided on each floor of the building. Note that FIG. 3 shows control panels 3 installed on normal floors excluding the top and bottom floors. The control panel 3 on the top floor has only a lower operation unit 3D. The control panel 3 on the bottom floor has only an upper operation unit 3U.

[0023] The upper operation unit 3U is disposed above the operation panel 3, and is operated when going upward from the landing P. The upper operation unit 3U has an upper non-contact sensor 31U, upper operation buttons 32U, and an upper display unit 33U. The upper non-contact sensor 31U is built into the upper operation buttons 32U.

[0024] The upper non-contact sensor 31U detects an object M, such as a human hand, that is present in a predetermined spatial area. When the upper non-contact sensor 31U detects the object M, it accepts registration of an upward call. Then, the upper non-contact sensor 31U transmits a detection signal to the receiving unit 10.

[0025] The predetermined spatial region is, for example, a region approximately 1 to 5 cm away from the upper non-contact sensor 31U. The upper non-contact sensor 31U is, for example, a reflective photoelectric sensor that integrates a light emitter and a light receiver. In the upper non-contact sensor 31U, the light emitter emits light such as infrared light, and the light receiver receives the light reflected from the object M that is irradiated with the light.

[0026] The upper non-contact sensor 31U detects an object M in proximity based on the amount of light received by the receiver. The non-contact sensor 31 is capable of adjusting the detection distance of the non-contact sensor 31 by adjusting the amount of light received by the receiver side of the reflective photoelectric sensor.

[0027] The upper operation button 32U has a mechanical switch such as a tactile switch. When the upper operation button 32U is turned on, it accepts the registration of an upward call. Then, the upper operation button 32U transmits an on signal to the receiving unit 10.

[0028] The upper display unit 33U has a light-transmitting portion that indicates the upward direction, and is configured to emit light by lighting a lamp provided inside. The upper display unit 33U emits light when an upward call registration is accepted via the upper non-contact sensor 31U or the upper operation button 32U, and turns off when the upward call registration is canceled.

[0029] The lower operation unit 3D is disposed below the operation panel 3, and is operated when going downward from the landing P. The lower operation unit 3D has a lower non-contact sensor 31D, lower operation buttons 32D, and a lower display unit 33D. The lower non-contact sensor 31D is built into the lower operation buttons 32D.

[0030] The lower non-contact sensor 31D has a similar configuration to the upper non-contact sensor 31U and detects an object M present in a predetermined spatial area. The predetermined spatial area is, for example, an area 1 to 5 cm away from the lower non-contact sensor 31D. When the lower non-contact sensor 31D detects the object M, it accepts the registration of a downward call. Then, the lower non-contact sensor 31D transmits a detection signal to the receiving unit 10.

[0031] The lower operation button 32D has a mechanical switch such as a tactile switch. When the lower operation button 32D is turned on, it accepts registration of a downward call. The lower operation button 32D transmits an on signal to the receiving unit 10.

[0032] The lower display unit 33D has a light-transmitting portion that indicates the downward direction and is configured to emit light by lighting a lamp provided inside. The lower display unit 33D emits light when a downward call registration is accepted via the lower non-contact sensor 31D or the lower operation button 32D, and turns off when the registration of the downward call is canceled.

[0033] [Flow of car operation control] Next, the flow of operation control of the car 21 by the elevator control device 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of operation control of the car 21 by the elevator control device 1.

[0034] 4, the operation control unit 11 determines whether or not a detection signal from the upper non-contact sensor 31U or the lower non-contact sensor 31D has been received for a first time T1 or longer during a period when the operation to close the door 22 is not being performed (step S1). The first time T1 is, for example, 3 seconds.

[0035] The operation control unit 11 repeats step S1 until it receives a detection signal from the upper non-contact sensor 31U or the lower non-contact sensor 31D for the first time T1 or more (step S1: NO). On the other hand, when it receives a detection signal from the upper non-contact sensor 31U or the lower non-contact sensor 31D for the first time T1 or more (step S1: YES), the operation control unit 11 registers an upward call or a downward call and controls the operation of the car 21 (step S2).

[0036] In step S2, if the operation control unit 11 receives a detection signal from the upper non-contact sensor 31U for the first time T1 or more, it registers an upward call. On the other hand, if the operation control unit 11 receives a detection signal from the lower non-contact sensor 31D for the first time T1 or more, it registers a downward call. Then, the operation control unit 11 moves the car 21 to the floor of the hall P where the upper non-contact sensor 31U or the lower non-contact sensor 31D was operated.

[0037] In step S1, when the operation control unit 11 receives a detection signal from the upper operation button 32U, it registers an upward call, and when it receives a detection signal from the lower operation button 32D, it registers a downward call.

[0038] After step S2, the operation control unit 11 determines whether the car 21 has arrived at the registered floor (step S3). The operation control unit 11 repeats step S3 until the car 21 arrives at the registered floor (step S3: NO). When the car 21 has arrived at the registered floor (step S3: YES), the operation control unit 11 stops the car 21 (step S4).

[0039] After step S4, the door control unit 12 opens the door 22 (step S5). After step S5, the operation control unit 11 cancels the registration of the upward call or the downward call (step S6). This completes the process of operation control of the car 21 by the elevator control device 1.

[0040] [Control flow for closing the door] Next, the control flow of closing the door 22 by the elevator control device 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the control flow of closing the door 22 by the elevator control device 1.

[0041] 5, the door control unit 12 determines whether or not a detection signal from the non-contact sensor 31 has been received for a second time T2 or longer during the closing operation of the door 22 as indicated by the outline arrow in FIG. 2 (step S11). The second time T2 is, for example, 0.3 seconds. Note that in step S11, the door control unit 12 may determine only whether or not a detection signal has been received from the non-contact sensor 31, without taking into consideration the time for which the detection signal was received from the non-contact sensor 31.

[0042] If the detection of object M by non-contact sensor 31 continues for more than the second time T2 (step S11: YES), door control unit 12 determines whether the detection signals include those of both upper non-contact sensor 31U and lower non-contact sensor 31D (step S12).

[0043] On the other hand, if the door control unit 12 has not received a detection signal from the non-contact sensor 31 for the second time period T2 or longer (step S11: NO), the process proceeds to step S19.

[0044] If the detection signals include those of both the upper non-contact sensor 31U and the lower non-contact sensor 31D (step S12: YES), the door control unit 12 controls the door 22 to open (step S14).

[0045] At this time, the operation control unit 11 controls the operation of the car 21, assuming that a call for the car 21 has not been registered by the non-contact sensor 31 corresponding to the direction opposite to the direction in which the car 21 will next move.

[0046] On the other hand, if the detection signal does not include both the upper non-contact sensor 31U and the lower non-contact sensor 31D (step S12: NO), the door control unit 12 determines whether the detection signal is from a non-contact sensor 31 corresponding to the direction in which the elevator 21 will next move (step S13).

[0047] 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the direction of the car 21 and the operation of the door 22 according to the position of the landing P. As shown in FIG. 6, the directions of the non-contact sensor 31 and the operation button 32 are upward and downward on normal floors, upward on the lowest floor, and downward on the highest floor.

[0048] In this embodiment, the door control unit 12 determines the non-contact sensor 31 that accepts an operation to open the door 22 while the door 22 is being closed, depending on the direction in which the car 21 will move next. Specifically, when the car 21 moves upward, the door opens only for upward calls on normal floors, and opens on the lowest floor. Since there are no upward calls on the highest floor, this is indicated by "x" in FIG. 6. Note that in FIG. 6, door opening refers to the operation of accepting an operation to open the door 22 and opening the door 22.

[0049] On the other hand, when the car 21 moves downward, the doors only open for downward calls on normal floors, and the doors open on the top floor. Since there are no downward calls on the bottom floor, this is indicated by "x" in Figure 6. When there is no direction for the car 21 to move next, the doors open for up and down calls on normal floors, and the doors open on both the bottom and top floors.

[0050] Returning to Figure 5, if the detection signal from the non-contact sensor 31 corresponds to the direction in which the car 21 will next move (step S13: YES), for example, if the detection signal is from the upper non-contact sensor 31U when the direction in which the car 21 will next move is upward, the door control unit 12 controls the door 22 to open (step S14).

[0051] On the other hand, if the detection signal from the non-contact sensor 31 does not correspond to the direction in which the car 21 will next move (step S13: NO), that is, if object M is detected by the non-contact sensor 31 corresponding to the direction opposite to the direction in which the car 21 will next move, the door control unit 12 proceeds to step S15 and does not control the door 22 to open.

[0052] In step S15, for example, when the next direction in which the elevator 21 will move is upward and a detection signal is received from the lower non-contact sensor 31D, the operation control unit 11 registers a call in the corresponding downward direction and proceeds to step S19.

[0053] After step S14, the door control unit 12 determines whether or not an instruction to close the door 22 has been received from the operation panel in the car 21 (step S16). If the door control unit 12 has received an instruction to close the door 22 (step S16: YES), the process proceeds to step S18.

[0054] If the door control unit 12 has not received an instruction to close the door 22 (step S16: NO), the door control unit 12 determines whether or not a third time T3 has elapsed with the door 22 open (step S17).

[0055] If the third time T3 has not elapsed while the door 22 is open (step S17: NO), the door control unit 12 returns to step S16. The third time T3 is, for example, 4 seconds.

[0056] On the other hand, if the third time T3 has elapsed with the door 22 in an open state (step S17: YES), the door control unit 12 proceeds to step S18.

[0057] Next, in step S18, the door control unit 12 resumes the control to close the door 22. After step S18, the door control unit 12 determines whether the door 22 is completely closed (step S19).

[0058] If the door 22 is not completely closed (step S19: NO), the door control unit 12 returns to step S11 and repeats steps S11 to S18.

[0059] On the other hand, if the door 22 is completely closed (step S19: YES), the door control unit 12 ends the control process for closing the door 22 by the elevator control device 1 shown in FIG.

[0060] [Effects of the embodiment] According to the elevator control device 1 of this embodiment described above, when the receiving unit 10 receives a detection signal indicating that the non-contact sensor 31 has detected the object M during the operation of closing the door 22, the door control unit 12 controls the door 22 to open (step S14). As a result, the non-contact sensor 31 for the hall call operation of the elevator 2 can appropriately control the opening and closing of the door 22 between the hall P of the elevator 2 and the car 21.

[0061] Furthermore, by using the non-contact sensor 31 for hall call registration during the operation of closing the door 22, it is possible to accept an operation to open the door 22. This eliminates the need to provide an additional non-contact sensor 31 dedicated to opening the door 22, making it possible to easily open the door 22 at the hall P while keeping costs down.

[0062] In particular, if the detection of the object M by the non-contact sensor 31 continues for at least a second time T2 that is shorter than the first time T1 during the operation of closing the door 22 (step S11: YES), the door control unit 12 controls the door 22 to open (step S14). This allows the operation to open the door 22 to be performed in a shorter time than a normal hall call operation. Therefore, the door 22 can be opened quickly.

[0063] Furthermore, if the non-contact sensor 31 corresponding to the next moving direction of the car 21 detects an object M during the closing operation of the door 22 (step S13: YES), the door control unit 12 controls the door 22 to open (step S14). According to this control, a user who wants to move in the same direction as the next moving direction of the car 21 can open the door 22 that is almost closed by a natural operation of using the non-contact sensor 31 corresponding to the desired moving direction. This improves convenience for users.

[0064] On the other hand, if the non-contact sensor 31 is operated in the direction opposite to the next direction the car 21 will move, i.e., in a direction that the user cannot enter directly, during the operation of closing the door 22 (step S13: NO), it can be interpreted that the user does not want the door 22 to open, but rather wants to register a call in the direction opposite to the next direction the car 21 will move. Therefore, in this case, the door control unit 12 does not control the door 22 to open. In this way, by not controlling the door 22 to open more than necessary, a decrease in the operating efficiency of the elevator 2 can be suppressed.

[0065] Furthermore, if an object M is detected by both the upper non-contact sensor 31U and the lower non-contact sensor 31D during the operation of closing the door 22 (step S12: YES), the door control unit 12 controls the door 22 to open (step S14).

[0066] Therefore, for example, when an operation to quickly open the door 22 is performed, even if the upper non-contact sensor 31U and the lower non-contact sensor 31D simultaneously detect the object M, the operation to open the door 22 can be accepted. As a result, in an emergency such as when a person is caught in the door 22, the door 22 can be opened quickly, thereby preventing the person from being caught in the door 22.

[0067] Furthermore, if the object M is detected by both the upper non-contact sensor 31U and the lower non-contact sensor 31D during the operation of closing the door 22 (step S12: YES), the operation control unit 11 controls the operation of the car 21 by assuming that a call for the car 21 will not be registered by the non-contact sensor 31 corresponding to the direction opposite to the direction in which the car 21 will next move. This makes it possible to suppress the generation of unnecessary calls and prevent a decrease in the operation efficiency of the elevator 2.

[0068] Other Embodiments In the above embodiment, the elevator 2 is driven by a rope-type traction system, but this is not limited to this, and the elevator may also be driven by a rope-type drum system, or by a hydraulic system in which the elevator car 21 is raised and lowered by a hydraulic jack.

[0069] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a reflective photoelectric sensor is used as the non-contact sensor 31, but this is not limiting, and other sensors such as a proximity sensor and an ultrasonic sensor may also be used.

[0070] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the upper non-contact sensor 31U is built into the upper operation button 32U, and the lower non-contact sensor 31D is built into the lower operation button 32D, but this is not limited thereto, and the upper non-contact sensor 31U may be provided separately at a position adjacent to the upper operation button 32U, and the lower non-contact sensor 31D may be provided separately at a position adjacent to the lower operation button 32D.

[0071] [Software implementation example] The functions of the elevator control device 1 (hereinafter referred to as the "device") are realized by a program for causing a computer to function as the device, and by a program for causing a computer to function as each control block of the device (particularly, the operation control unit 11 and the door control unit 12).

[0072] In this case, the device includes a computer having at least one control device (e.g., a processor) and at least one storage device (e.g., a memory) as hardware for executing the program. The control device and storage device execute the program, thereby realizing each function described in the above embodiment.

[0073] The program may be non-transitory and may be recorded on one or more computer-readable recording media. The recording media may or may not be included in the device. In the latter case, the program may be supplied to the device via any wired or wireless transmission medium.

[0074] Furthermore, some or all of the functions of the control blocks can be realized by logic circuits. For example, an integrated circuit in which a logic circuit that functions as each of the control blocks is formed is also included in the scope of the present invention. In addition, the functions of the control blocks can also be realized by, for example, a quantum computer.

[0075] Furthermore, each process described in the above embodiment may be executed by AI (Artificial Intelligence). In this case, the AI ​​may run on the control device or on another device (for example, an edge computer or a cloud server).

[0076] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 1. Elevator control device 2. Elevator 3 Control panel 10 Receiving unit 11 Operation Control Unit 12 Door control unit 21 Car 22 doors 31 Non-contact sensor 31U Upper non-contact sensor 31D Lower non-contact sensor 32 Operation buttons 100 Elevator System

Claims

1. a door control unit that controls opening and closing of a door between the elevator hall and the elevator car; a receiving unit that receives a detection signal from a non-contact sensor that is provided on the operation panel of the landing and detects an object present in a predetermined spatial area, and that accepts registration of an upward call or a downward call; Equipped with The door control unit controls the door to open when the receiving unit receives a detection signal indicating that both the non-contact sensor that accepts the registration of the upward call and the non-contact sensor that accepts the downward call have detected the object during the operation of closing the door.

2. and an operation control unit that, when the detection of the object by the non-contact sensor continues for a first time or more during a period in which the door is not being closed, controls the operation of the elevator car, assuming that the upward call or the downward call has been registered at the hall where the non-contact sensor is installed, 2. The elevator control device according to claim 1, wherein the door control unit controls the door to open when detection of the object by the non-contact sensor continues for a second time period shorter than the first time period during the operation of closing the door.

3. 2. The elevator control device according to claim 1, wherein the door control unit determines the non-contact sensor that accepts the operation to open the door during the operation to close the door, depending on the direction in which the elevator car will next move, in control at a landing where both the non-contact sensor that accepts the registration of the upward call and the non-contact sensor that accepts the downward call are provided.

4. The door control unit During the operation of closing the door, when the object is detected by the non-contact sensor corresponding to the direction in which the elevator car will next move, control is performed to open the door, 4. The elevator control device according to claim 3, wherein when the object is detected by the non-contact sensor corresponding to a direction opposite to a direction in which the elevator car will next move during the operation of closing the door, the elevator control device does not perform control to open the door.

5. 2. The elevator control device according to claim 1, further comprising an operation control unit that, when the object is detected by both the non-contact sensor that receives the registration of the upward call and the non-contact sensor that receives the downward call during the operation of closing the door, controls the operation of the car, assuming that the call for the car has not been registered by the non-contact sensor corresponding to the direction opposite to the direction in which the car will next move.

6. receiving a detection signal from a non-contact sensor that is provided on an elevator hall control panel and detects an object present in a predetermined spatial region, the non-contact sensor accepting registration of an up call or a down call; and controlling the door to open when, during an operation of closing the door between the landing and the car, both the non-contact sensor that accepts the registration of the upward call and the non-contact sensor that accepts the downward call receive detection signals indicating that the object has been detected.

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