elevator equipment

Abstract

In an encoderless elevator device, the state of a detection object provided in a hoistway is determined. [Solution] The elevator device includes a position detection unit 3 that detects the absolute vertical position of the car in the elevator shaft by reading position information attached to the linear scale; a car control unit 30 that controls the running of the car based on the absolute position of the car detected by the position detection unit 3; a deflection amount detection unit 20 that detects the left-right deflection amount of the linear scale; a threshold memory unit 32 that stores thresholds for the deflection amount of the linear scale for each of a plurality of absolute positions of the car; and a state determination unit 31 that acquires information on the absolute position of the car detected by the position detection unit 3 and the deflection amount of the linear scale detected by the deflection amount detection unit 20, and determines the state of the linear scale based on the acquired information and the threshold information stored in the threshold memory unit 32.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] In recent years, elevator systems that control the running of a car without using an encoder have been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an encoder-less elevator system that includes a car that runs in a hoistway, a code tape that serves as a long object to be detected and that is suspended in the hoistway, a code reading sensor that reads the code written on the code tape, a code tape expansion / contraction detection unit that detects the amount of expansion / contraction of the code tape, and a control unit that calculates corrected position information based on car position information determined based on the code and the amount of expansion / contraction of the code tape, and controls the car using the corrected position information. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7347689 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the elevator device described in Patent Document 1, it is not possible to determine the state of the object to be detected, such as when the cord tape is shaking violently due to some abnormality, when a foreign object is caught on the cord tape, or when the cord tape is broken.

[0005] The present disclosure is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide an encoder-less elevator system that is capable of determining the state of a detection object provided in a hoistway. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The elevator apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a linear scale provided along a travel path of a car traveling up and down in an elevator shaft, the linear scale having up and down position information in the elevator shaft attached along the longitudinal direction; a position detection unit provided in the car and detecting the absolute up and down position of the car in the elevator shaft by reading the position information attached to the linear scale; a car control unit that controls the travel of the car based on the absolute position of the car detected by the position detection unit; a deflection amount detection unit that detects the amount of deflection in the left and right direction of the linear scale; a threshold memory unit that stores thresholds for the deflection amount of the linear scale for each of a plurality of absolute positions of the car; and a state determination unit that acquires information on the absolute position of the car detected by the position detection unit and the deflection amount of the linear scale detected by the deflection amount detection unit, and determines the state of the linear scale based on the acquired information and the threshold information stored in the threshold memory unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, in an encoder-less elevator system, it is possible to determine the state of a detection object provided in a hoistway. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a normal state of the elevator device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 2] 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an abnormal state of the elevator apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration around a lower fixing part that fixes a lower part of a linear scale provided in the elevator apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an elevator apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 5] 4 is a diagram illustrating a first example of state determination by a state determination unit included in the elevator apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6]FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a second example of state determination by the state determination unit included in the elevator apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a third example of state determination by the state determination unit included in the elevator apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a modified example of the elevator apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] 1 is a hardware configuration diagram showing a configuration example of a main part of an elevator device according to a first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals. In this disclosure, duplicated descriptions will be appropriately simplified or omitted. Note that this disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments and their modifications. Any components described in the following embodiments and their modifications can be freely combined, modified, or omitted within the scope of the spirit of this disclosure.

[0010] Embodiment 1 1 and 2 are schematic diagrams showing the configuration of an elevator apparatus according to embodiment 1. FIG. 1 shows an example of a normal state of the elevator apparatus according to embodiment 1, and FIG. 2 shows an example of an abnormal state of the elevator apparatus according to embodiment 1. The elevator apparatus according to this embodiment is an encoderless elevator apparatus. The elevator apparatus according to this embodiment includes a linear scale 1 as a long object to be detected. FIG. 2 shows a state in which a foreign object 50 is caught on this linear scale 1.

[0011] The linear scale 1 is provided along the travel path of the car 2 that travels up and down in the hoistway. The linear scale 1 has vertical position information in the hoistway attached along its longitudinal direction. The elevator system according to this embodiment also includes a position detection unit 3 provided in the car 2. The position detection unit 3 detects the absolute vertical position of the car 2 in the hoistway by reading the position information attached to the linear scale 1, which is the object to be detected. The travel of the car 2 in the hoistway is controlled based on the absolute position of the car 2 detected by the position detection unit 3.

[0012] The linear scale 1 is fixed in the hoistway by any fixing method. For example, the upper end of the linear scale 1 is fixed to the top of the hoistway by any fixing member. The linear scale 1 with its upper end fixed to the top of the hoistway is installed so as to be suspended in the hoistway.

[0013] In this embodiment, the lower end of linear scale 1 is supported at the bottom of the hoistway by support part 10. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration around support part 10 that supports the lower end of linear scale 1 provided in the elevator system according to embodiment 1. As an example, the lower end of linear scale 1 is fixed by support part 10 consisting of lower end fixing bracket 11 and lower end fixing member 12. Lower end fixing member 12 is composed of, for example, a torsion spring or the like, and pulls the lower end of linear scale 1 downward. This lower end fixing member 12 is fixed to the bottom of the hoistway by lower end fixing bracket 11.

[0014] The elevator device according to this embodiment includes a deflection amount detection unit 20 that detects the amount of deflection in the left-right direction of the linear scale 1. The deflection amount detection unit 20 is configured with any sensor or the like that can detect the left-right displacement of the linear scale 1. For example, if the linear scale 1 is magnetic, a magnetic distance measuring sensor that can detect the distance between the linear scale 1 can be used for the deflection amount detection unit 20.

[0015] The amount of runout in the left-right direction of the linear scale 1 increases the closer it is to the center in the up-down direction. Therefore, the runout amount detection unit 20 should be configured to detect the amount of runout at the upper or lower end of the linear scale 1. This makes it possible to avoid interference with peripheral equipment in the elevator shaft or interference between the linear scale 1 and the runout amount detection unit 20.

[0016] In this embodiment, as an example, the runout amount detection unit 20 is provided on a support unit 10 that supports the lower end of the linear scale 1 at the bottom of the elevator shaft. By utilizing a member that supports the lower end of the linear scale 1, the runout amount detection unit 20 can be installed without complicating the structure inside the elevator shaft. The runout amount detection unit 20 is fixed to the lower end fixing bracket 11 via, for example, a bracket 13 that is a fixing member.

[0017] In the present disclosure, the installation position and installation method of the runout amount detection unit 20 are not limited to the above example. For example, the runout amount detection unit 20 may be installed near the center of the linear scale 1 in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the runout amount detection unit 20 may be installed on, for example, a wall surface of the hoistway, or may be fixed by a fixing member provided on the wall surface of the hoistway. The runout amount detection unit 20 may be fixed to a predetermined position within the hoistway.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the elevator apparatus according to the first embodiment. As described above, the elevator apparatus according to this embodiment is an encoder-less elevator apparatus. Travel of the car 2 in the hoistway is controlled based on the absolute position of the car 2 detected by the position detection unit 3. The elevator apparatus according to this embodiment includes a car control unit 30 that controls the travel of the car 2. Information on the absolute position of the car 2 detected by the position detection unit 3 is output to the car control unit 30. The car control unit 30 controls the travel of the car 2 based on the absolute position of the car 2 detected by the position detection unit 3.

[0019] The elevator device according to this embodiment also includes a state determination unit 31 that determines the state of the linear scale 1. The state determination unit 31 determines the state of the linear scale 1, for example, whether an abnormality has occurred in the linear scale 1, whether elongation has occurred in the linear scale 1, etc.

[0020] Information on the absolute position of the car 2 detected by the position detection unit 3 is output to the state determination unit 31. Information on the current amount of deflection of the linear scale 1 detected by the deflection amount detection unit 20 is output to the state determination unit 31. The state determination unit 31 acquires information on the absolute position of the car 2 detected by the position detection unit 3 and the amount of deflection of the linear scale 1 detected by the deflection amount detection unit 20, and determines the state of the linear scale 1 based on the acquired information.

[0021] The elevator device according to this embodiment includes a threshold storage unit 32 that stores threshold values ​​for the amount of deflection of the linear scale 1 for each of a plurality of absolute positions of the car 2. The state determination unit 31 reads threshold value information stored in the threshold storage unit 32. The state determination unit 31 determines the state of the linear scale 1 based on information acquired from the position detection unit 3 and the deflection amount detection unit 20 and the threshold value information stored in the threshold storage unit 32. More specifically, the state determination unit 31 determines the state of the linear scale 1 by comparing the amount of deflection of the linear scale 1 at the current absolute position with the threshold value for the amount of deflection at the current absolute position stored in the threshold storage unit 32.

[0022] With further reference to the drawings, an example of state determination of the linear scale 1 by the state determination unit 31 will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a first example of state determination by the state determination unit 31 provided in the elevator apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a second example of state determination by the state determination unit 31 provided in the elevator apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a third example of state determination by the state determination unit 31 provided in the elevator apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 show waveforms of the deflection amount of the linear scale 1 when the car 2 is in a specific absolute position. In FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, the vertical axis represents the position of the linear scale 1, i.e., the displacement from the reference position.

[0023] 5, the waveform of the shake amount detected by the shake amount detection unit 20 is in a state where the position of the linear scale 1 is offset by a certain amount with respect to the waveform of the threshold value stored in the threshold value storage unit 32. The state determination unit 31 compares the shake amount detected by the shake amount detection unit 20 with the threshold value stored in the threshold value storage unit 32, and if there is a deviation by a certain amount as in the example of FIG. 5, it determines that the linear scale 1 has extended by the amount of this deviation.

[0024] 6, the waveform of the shake amount detected by the shake amount detection unit 20 has a larger amplitude than the waveform of the threshold value stored in the threshold value storage unit 32. The state determination unit 31 compares the shake amount detected by the shake amount detection unit 20 with the threshold value stored in the threshold value storage unit 32, and when the shake amount detected by the shake amount detection unit 20 is larger than the threshold value stored in the threshold value storage unit 32 as in the example of FIG. 6, it determines that an abnormal state has occurred in which the linear scale 1 is vibrating more than usual due to some factor, for example, an earthquake or the like.

[0025] In the example of Fig. 7, the amount of shake detected by the shake amount detection unit 20 stops changing midway. In other words, the linear scale 1 stops displacing. The state determination unit 31 compares the amount of shake detected by the shake amount detection unit 20 with the threshold value stored in the threshold value storage unit 32, and if the amount of shake does not change like the threshold value and remains constant as in the example of Fig. 7, it determines that an abnormal state exists, such as a foreign object 50 being caught on the linear scale 1 or the linear scale 1 being broken.

[0026] The state determination unit 31 may output the state determination result of the linear scale 1 to the car control unit 30. The car control unit 30 may control the running of the car 2 based on the determination result by the state determination unit 31. For example, if it is determined that the linear scale 1 is extended, the car control unit 30 may correct the detection result of the absolute position of the car 2 by the position detection unit 3 in accordance with the amount of extension of the linear scale 1, and control the running of the car 2 based on the corrected absolute position. Furthermore, for example, if it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the linear scale 1, the car control unit 30 may stop the running of the car 2 until it is determined that the state of the linear scale 1 is normal.

[0027] The elevator apparatus according to this embodiment may be configured to notify the result of the state determination of the linear scale 1. For example, if it is determined that the linear scale 1 is extended, information on the extension amount of the linear scale 1 may be notified to a manager, a maintenance person, or the like. Furthermore, if it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the linear scale 1, it may notify a user that an abnormality has occurred in the elevator apparatus, that operation is not possible, or the like. For example, if it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the linear scale 1, it may notify a manager, a maintenance person, or the like that maintenance work is required.

[0028] In this embodiment, the process of determining the state of the linear scale 1 may be performed, for example, every time before the car 2 starts traveling. Alternatively, the process of determining the state of the linear scale 1 may be performed, for example, during maintenance work on the elevator device.

[0029] As described above, the elevator apparatus according to this embodiment is provided along the travel path of the car 2 that travels up and down in the hoistway, and is equipped with linear scale 1 on which up and down position information in the hoistway is attached along the longitudinal direction. The elevator apparatus according to this embodiment is provided with position detection unit 3 that is attached to the car 2 and detects the absolute up and down position of the car 2 in the hoistway by reading the position information attached to linear scale 1. The elevator apparatus according to this embodiment is equipped with car control unit 30 that controls the travel of the car 2 based on the absolute position of the car 2 detected by position detection unit 3. An elevator apparatus configured in this manner is capable of controlling the travel of the car without using an encoder.

[0030] The elevator system according to this embodiment also includes a deflection amount detection unit 20 that detects the amount of deflection of the linear scale 1 in the left-right direction, a threshold value storage unit 32 that stores threshold values ​​for the deflection amount of the linear scale 1 for each of a plurality of absolute positions of the car 2, and a state determination unit 31 that acquires information on the absolute position of the car 2 detected by the position detection unit 3 and the deflection amount of the linear scale 1 detected by the deflection amount detection unit 20, and determines the state of the linear scale 1 based on the acquired information and the threshold value information stored in the threshold value storage unit 32. According to this embodiment, in an encoder-less elevator system, it is possible to determine the state of the linear scale 1, which is a detectable object provided in the hoistway. In particular, by setting multiple threshold values ​​for each absolute position of the car 2, highly accurate state determination is possible.

[0031] Here, a specific example of a method for calculating the thresholds stored in the threshold memory unit 32 will be described. The length L of the linear scale 1 is calculated from the hoistway length TR. The length from the top end of the linear scale 1 to the position where wind force W is applied is defined as L1. The length from the bottom end of the linear scale 1 to the position where wind force W is applied is defined as L2 = L - L1. In this case, the maximum value σmax of the deflection of the linear scale 1 due to wind force W in the hoistway can be calculated using the longitudinal elastic modulus E and the second moment of area I of the linear scale 1 using the general formula (1) below.

[0032] TIFF0007786636000002.tif13150

[0033] The lengths L1 and L2 to the position where the wind force W is applied vary depending on the position of the car 2. Furthermore, the wind force W in the hoistway varies depending on the specifications of the hoistway, such as whether the hoistway is surrounded by hoistway walls or is open without hoistway walls. Therefore, the threshold value σ of the swing amount stored in the threshold value storage unit 32 can be calculated from the following equation (2) using the length L2' that takes into account the absolute position of the car 2 and the wind force W' that takes into account the specifications of the hoistway.

[0034] TIFF0007786636000003.tif13150

[0035] 8 is a block diagram showing a modification of the elevator apparatus according to the first embodiment. The threshold value storage unit 32 may store a threshold value calculated in advance, or may store a threshold value calculated with reference to the current state. The elevator apparatus according to the present embodiment may include, for example, a swing amount calculation unit 33 that calculates a swing amount threshold value to be stored in the threshold value storage unit 32 with reference to the current state.

[0036] The swing amount calculation unit 33 calculates the threshold value based on the absolute position of the car 2 detected by the position detection unit 3. The swing amount calculation unit 33 calculates the threshold value, for example, by the above formula (2). By calculating the threshold value each time based on the absolute position of the car 2 detected by the position detection unit 3, the storage capacity of the threshold value storage unit 32 can be reduced.

[0037] Furthermore, the elevator system according to this embodiment may include, for example, a temperature detection unit 34 that detects the temperature inside the hoistway through which the car 2 travels. The swing amount calculation unit 33 may calculate the threshold value based on the temperature inside the hoistway detected by the temperature detection unit 34.

[0038] The length of linear scale 1 is affected by temperature changes within the hoistway. The Young's modulus of linear scale 1 is also affected by temperature changes within the hoistway. Therefore, deflection amount calculation unit 33 may refer to the temperature within the hoistway detected by temperature detection unit 34, and use the length L' and Young's modulus E' of linear scale 1 that take into account the temperature within the hoistway to determine threshold value σ' from the following equation (3).

[0039] TIFF0007786636000004.tif13150

[0040] It should be noted that the formulas (1) to (3) are merely examples of calculation methods, and the threshold values ​​may be calculated using any other calculation method.

[0041] FIG. 9 is a hardware configuration diagram showing a configuration example of the main parts of the elevator apparatus according to the first embodiment. The functions of each part constituting the elevator apparatus can be realized by a processing circuit. The processing circuit includes at least one processor 110a and at least one memory 110b. The processing circuit may include at least one dedicated hardware 200 together with the processor 110a and the memory 110b, or as a substitute for them. The processing circuit is mounted on, for example, a device or apparatus constituting the elevator apparatus.

[0042] When the processing circuit includes the processor 110a and the memory 110b, each function of the elevator device is realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. At least one of the software and firmware is written as a program. The program is stored in the memory 110b. The processor 110a realizes each function of the authentication system by reading and executing the program stored in the memory 110b. The program realizing each function of the authentication system may be a software package or the like including multiple pieces of software that are respectively applied to multiple computers or the like.

[0043] The processor 110a is also referred to as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), processing device, arithmetic device, microprocessor, microcomputer, or DSP. The memory 110b is configured by, for example, a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as RAM, ROM, flash memory, EPROM, or EEPROM.

[0044] Where the processing circuitry comprises dedicated hardware 200, the processing circuitry may be implemented, for example, as a single circuit, multiple circuits, a programmed processor, parallel programmed processors, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination thereof.

[0045] Each function of the elevator system can be realized by a processing circuit. Alternatively, all functions of the elevator system can be realized collectively by a processing circuit. Some of the functions of the elevator system may be realized by dedicated hardware 200, and other parts may be realized by software or firmware. In this way, the processing circuit realizes each function of the elevator system by dedicated hardware 200, software, firmware, or a combination of these. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 1 linear scale, 2 car, 3 position detection unit, 10 support unit, 11 lower end fixing bracket, 12 lower end fixing member, 13 bracket, 20 deflection amount detection unit, 30 car control unit, 31 state determination unit, 32 threshold value storage unit, 33 deflection amount calculation unit, 34 temperature detection unit, 50 foreign object, 110a processor, 110b memory, 200 dedicated hardware

Claims

1. a linear scale provided along a travel path of a car traveling up and down in the elevator shaft, the linear scale having up and down position information in the elevator shaft written along its longitudinal direction; a position detection unit that is provided in the car and detects an absolute position of the car in the vertical direction in the elevator shaft by reading the position information attached to the linear scale; a car control unit that controls running of the car based on the absolute position of the car detected by the position detection unit; a deflection amount detection unit that detects a deflection amount of the linear scale in the left-right direction; a threshold value storage unit that stores a threshold value of the deflection amount of the linear scale for each of a plurality of absolute positions of the car; a state determination unit that acquires information on the absolute position of the car detected by the position detection unit and the deflection amount of the linear scale detected by the deflection amount detection unit, and determines the state of the linear scale based on the acquired information and information on the threshold value stored in the threshold value storage unit; An elevator device comprising:

2. a deflection amount calculation unit that calculates a threshold value of the deflection amount of the linear scale based on the absolute position of the car detected by the position detection unit, The elevator apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the threshold value stored in the threshold value storage unit is calculated by the swing amount calculation unit.

3. 3. The elevator apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the deflection amount detection unit is configured to detect the deflection amount of an upper end or a lower end of the linear scale.

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