Elevator, elevator control device, and elevator control method

Abstract

To provide an elevator, an elevator control device, and an elevator control method capable of improving safety when detecting reverse running during maintenance operation and braking a car.SOLUTION: An elevator 1 has a car 2, a driving device to move the car 2, and a control device 3 to control the movement of the car 2. The control device 3 brakes the car 2 when detecting the reverse running of the car 2 during maintenance operation and changes the sensitivity to detect the reverse running of the car 2 according to the position of the car 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] When the elevator car descends while instructed to ascend, or ascends while instructed to descend, this is called reverse running.

[0003] Regarding technology relating to reverse running when an elevator starts up, for example, the abstract of Patent Document 1 states that the problem is to "provide an elevator abnormality detection device that can detect a reverse shock that can be felt when the elevator starts up," and as a solution, it states that "the device is provided with a reverse running detection unit 15 that compares the running direction command signal of the elevator signal input unit 11 with the actual running direction signal and detects reverse running at startup, a running speed calculation unit 12 that calculates the running speed using the pulse signal of the rotary encoder when the elevator is running in reverse, an acceleration calculation unit 13 that calculates the acceleration from the running speed, and a comparison and judgment unit 14 that compares the acceleration with a pre-stored abnormality judgment value." [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-169002 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, Patent Document 1 describes detecting reverse running and calculating acceleration during reverse running in order to detect the reversal shock that can be felt when the elevator starts, but does not take into consideration maintenance operations.

[0006] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an elevator, an elevator control device, and an elevator control method that can improve safety when detecting reverse running during maintenance operation and braking the car. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the elevator of the present invention is characterized in that, for example, in an elevator having a car, a drive unit for moving the car, and a control unit for controlling the movement of the car, the control unit brakes the car when it detects that the car is traveling in the opposite direction during maintenance operation, and changes the sensitivity for detecting the car's traveling in the opposite direction depending on the position of the car.

[0008] Furthermore, an elevator control device of the present invention is, for example, an elevator control device that controls the movement of an elevator car, and includes a reverse running determination unit that detects reverse running of the car during maintenance operation, and a maintenance running command unit that controls the car to brake when the reverse running determination unit detects reverse running of the car during the maintenance operation, and is characterized in that the reverse running determination unit changes the sensitivity for detecting reverse running of the car depending on the position of the car.

[0009] Furthermore, the elevator control method of the present invention is characterized in that, for example, in an elevator control method for controlling the movement of an elevator car, the car is braked when reverse running of the car is detected during maintenance operation, and the sensitivity for detecting reverse running of the car is changed depending on the position of the car. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, by changing the sensitivity for detecting reverse running of a car depending on the position of the car, it is possible to improve safety when reverse running is detected and the car is braked during maintenance operation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1]FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of an elevator according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1A and 1B are schematic diagrams of an elevator according to an embodiment and diagrams illustrating a descent determination threshold and an ascent determination threshold. [Figure 3] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control flow of an elevator according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or similar components are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an elevator according to an embodiment.

[0014] The elevator 1 of the first embodiment includes a car 2 (not shown in FIG. 1, see FIG. 2), a drive device that moves the car 2, and a control device 3 that controls the movement of the car 2.

[0015] The drive device that moves the car 2 has an inverter 4 controlled by a control device 3 and a hoist 5 driven by the inverter 4. The car 2 is connected to a counterweight via a rope so as to balance with the counterweight, and the elevator 1 moves the car 2 by driving the rope with the hoist 5. The basic configuration and basic operation of the elevator 1 are the same as those of a general elevator, so a detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0016] The elevator 1 of the embodiment also has a motor encoder 6 that functions as a sensor for detecting the position of the motor of the hoisting machine 5, a governor encoder 7 that functions as a sensor for detecting the position of the car 2, and an on-car maintenance terminal 8 and an in-pit maintenance terminal 9 that are used for maintenance work, all of which are connected to the control device 3. Note that the on-car maintenance terminal 8 and the in-pit maintenance terminal 9 are examples of maintenance terminals, and either one of them may be used alone, or they may be installed in other locations.

[0017] The control device 3 is a control device for the elevator 1 that controls the movement of the car 2 of the elevator 1, and includes a maintenance terminal operation detection unit 31, a maintenance travel command unit 32, a car position detection unit 33, a hoisting machine control unit 34, a travel direction determination unit 35, a travel distance calculation unit 36, and a reverse travel determination unit 37. The control device 3 is, for example, a microcomputer having an input unit, an output unit, a calculation processing unit, and a memory, and each functional unit is realized by executing a program in the calculation processing unit, but other configurations are also possible.

[0018] The control device 3 detects operation instructions from the on-car maintenance terminal 8 and the pit maintenance terminal 9 via the maintenance terminal operation detection unit 31, and inputs the detection results of the operation instructions to the maintenance running command unit 32, the travel distance calculation unit 36, and the reverse running determination unit 37.

[0019] The control device 3 detects the position of the car 2 by the car position detection unit 33 based on the input from the governor encoder 7 , and inputs the position to the movement distance calculation unit 36 ​​and the reverse running determination unit 37 .

[0020] The control device 3 detects the moving direction of the car 2 by the moving direction determining unit 35 based on the input from the governor encoder 7 , and inputs it to the reverse running determining unit 37 .

[0021] The control device 3 calculates in the movement distance calculation unit 36 ​​the distance that the position of the car 2 has moved from the start of operation of the maintenance terminal, based on inputs from the maintenance terminal operation detection unit 31 and the car position detection unit 33. Since reverse running is likely to occur when the maintenance terminal starts operating to move the car 2, in this embodiment the movement distance of the car 2 from that point is calculated.

[0022] The control device 3 detects reverse running of the car 2 during maintenance operation in the reverse running determination unit 37. Specifically, when the operation instruction direction of the car 2 by operation of the maintenance terminal differs from the actual movement direction of the car 2 and the movement distance of the car 2 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, it determines that reverse running is occurring. Details of this determination will be described later. The detection result of reverse running is input to the maintenance running command unit 32.

[0023] During maintenance, the control device 3 controls the inverter 4 via the hoisting machine control unit 34 in the maintenance travel command unit 32 to move the car 2 in the direction of operation instructions given by operation of the maintenance terminal, thereby moving the car 2. At that time, the hoisting machine control unit 34 also uses information from the motor encoder 6 to perform control. Furthermore, when the maintenance travel command unit 32 stops the car 2, the control device 3 controls the inverter 4 via the hoisting machine control unit 34 to stop the car 2.

[0024] Furthermore, when the control device 3 detects reverse running by the reverse running determination unit 37 during maintenance operation, the maintenance running command unit 32 controls the inverter 4 via the hoisting machine control unit 34 to brake the car 2. Note that the braking of the car 2 by the control device 3 may be controlled using a brake (not shown).

[0025] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an elevator according to an embodiment and a diagram illustrating a descent determination threshold and an ascent determination threshold.

[0026] Here, the illustration shows a case where a worker 10 is present on top of the car 2 and in the pit during maintenance.

[0027] In the elevator 1 of the embodiment, the control device 3 brakes the car 2 when it detects that the car 2 is running in the reverse direction during maintenance operation, and changes the sensitivity for detecting the car 2 running in the reverse direction depending on the position of the car 2. More specifically, the reverse running determination unit 37 changes the sensitivity for detecting the car 2 running in the reverse direction depending on the position of the car 2.

[0028] For example, when the position of car 2 is low, there is a possibility that the head of a worker 10 in the pit may collide with car 2, or that the worker 10 may be pinned between a structure in the pit and car 2. Therefore, when the position of car 2 is low, it is desirable to brake car 2 over a shorter distance if car 2 starts to run in the opposite direction.

[0029] Therefore, when determining that car 2 has reversed its running if it descends a distance equal to or greater than the descent judgment threshold during an upward operation instruction, it is desirable that the control device 3 be configured so that the descent judgment threshold when the position of car 2 is low is smaller than the descent judgment threshold when the position of car 2 is high, i.e., easier to detect. Fig. 2 shows an example in which the descent judgment threshold gradually decreases as the position of car 2 becomes lower. However, this is not limiting, and for example, the sensitivity of the descent judgment threshold may be changed in two stages, and the control device 3 may be configured to use a first descent judgment threshold when the position of car 2 is equal to or less than a first height, and a second descent judgment threshold when the position of car 2 is greater than the first height, with the first descent judgment threshold being smaller than the second descent judgment threshold.

[0030] Similarly, when car 2 is positioned high, the head of worker 10 on car 2 may collide with the top of the hoistway, or worker 10 may be pinned between the top of the hoistway and the safety fence on car 2. Therefore, even when car 2 is positioned high, it is desirable to brake car 2 over a shorter distance if car 2 starts to reverse direction.

[0031] Therefore, when determining that car 2 has traveled in the opposite direction if it has ascended a distance equal to or greater than the ascending judgment threshold during a descending operation instruction, it is desirable that the control device 3 be configured so that the ascending judgment threshold when the position of car 2 is high is smaller than the ascending judgment threshold when the position of car 2 is low, i.e., is easier to detect. Fig. 2 shows an example in which the ascending judgment threshold gradually decreases as the position of car 2 increases. However, this is not limiting, and for example, the sensitivity of the ascending judgment threshold may be changed in two stages, and the control device 3 may be configured to use a first ascending judgment threshold when the position of car 2 is equal to or greater than a second height, and a second ascending judgment threshold when the position of car 2 is less than the second height, with the first ascending judgment threshold being smaller than the second ascending judgment threshold.

[0032] The method of changing the sensitivity for detecting reverse running of the car 2 according to the position of the car 2 is not limited to the above-mentioned method, and various other methods are possible, such as changing the sensitivity in three or more stages.

[0033] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control flow of the elevator according to the embodiment.

[0034] Here, an example of a flowchart is shown in which there are two levels of sensitivity for detecting reverse running, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0035] The maintenance terminal has an UP button for issuing an instruction to operate the lift and a DN button for issuing an instruction to operate the lift. Here, the lift is abbreviated as UP and the descent as DN.

[0036] The flowchart shown in FIG. 3 is periodically executed by the control device 3.

[0037] In step S1, it is determined whether only one of the UP and DN buttons on all maintenance terminals is pressed. If two or more buttons are pressed, or if none are pressed, the process moves to step S11, where car 2 is stopped. If only one button is pressed, the process moves to step S2.

[0038] In step S2, it is determined whether the UP button of any maintenance terminal has been pressed. If the UP button has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S3. If the UP button has not been pressed, this means that the DN button has been pressed, and the process proceeds to step S7.

[0039] In step S3, the UP button is pressed. Therefore, it is determined whether the moving direction of car 2 (actual moving direction) is DN. If it is not DN, there is no reverse running, so the process moves to A and ends. If it is DN, there is a possibility that reverse running is occurring, so the process moves to step S4.

[0040] In step S4, in order to select the sensitivity for detecting reverse running, it is determined whether the position of car 2 is within 2 m of the lowest floor level. If this is the case, the process proceeds to step S5. If not, the process proceeds to step S6.

[0041] In step S5, since the situation requires increased sensitivity for detecting reverse running, a first descent judgment threshold smaller than the second descent judgment threshold is used as the descent judgment threshold to determine whether the travel distance of car 2 is equal to or greater than the first descent judgment threshold. If this is the case, reverse running is occurring, so the process moves to step S11, where car 2 is braked to stop. If this is not the case, the process moves to A and ends.

[0042] In step S6, it is determined whether the travel distance of car 2 is equal to or greater than the second descent determination threshold. If this is the case, then reverse running is occurring, and the process moves to step S11, where car 2 is braked to a stop. If this is not the case, the process moves to A, and the process ends.

[0043] In step S7, the DN button is pressed. Therefore, it is determined whether the direction of movement of car 2 (actual direction of movement) is UP. If it is not UP, there is no reverse running, so the process moves to A and ends. If it is UP, there is a possibility that reverse running is occurring, so the process moves to step S8.

[0044] In step S8, in order to select the sensitivity for detecting reverse running, it is determined whether the position of car 2 is within 2 m of the top floor level. If this is the case, the process proceeds to step S9. If not, the process proceeds to step S10.

[0045] In step S9, since the situation requires increased sensitivity for detecting reverse running, a first rise judgment threshold smaller than the second rise judgment threshold is used as the rise judgment threshold to determine whether the travel distance of car 2 is equal to or greater than the first rise judgment threshold. If this is the case, reverse running is occurring, so the process proceeds to step S11, where car 2 is braked to stop. If this is not the case, the process proceeds to A and ends.

[0046] In step S10, it is determined whether the travel distance of car 2 is equal to or greater than the second rise determination threshold. If this is the case, then reverse running is occurring, and the process moves to step S11, where car 2 is braked to a stop. If this is not the case, the process moves to A, where the process ends.

[0047] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. In addition, some or all of the configurations described in the embodiments may be combined and applied. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1. Elevator 2 baskets 3. Control device 4 inverters 5 Hoisting machine 6 Motor Encoder 7 Governor Encoder 8 On-car maintenance terminal 9 Pit maintenance terminal 10 Workers 31 Maintenance terminal operation detection unit 32 Maintenance and Operation Control Center 33 Cage position detection unit 34 Hoisting machine control unit 35 Movement direction determination unit 36 Travel distance calculation unit 37 Reverse running determination unit

Claims

1. An elevator having a car, a drive device for moving the car, and a control device for controlling the movement of the car, The elevator is characterized in that the control device brakes the car when it detects that the car is traveling in the opposite direction during maintenance operation, and changes the sensitivity for detecting the car's traveling in the opposite direction depending on the position of the car.

2. In claim 1, The control device determines that the car has reversed its running direction if the car descends a distance equal to or greater than a descent determination threshold during an upward running instruction, and the descent determination threshold when the car is in a low position is smaller than the descent determination threshold when the car is in a high position.

3. In claim 2, The control device uses a first descent determination threshold as the descent determination threshold when the position of the car is equal to or less than a first height, and uses a second descent determination threshold when the position of the car is greater than the first height, and the first descent determination threshold is smaller than the second descent determination threshold.

4. In claim 1, The control device determines that the car has reversed its running direction if the car has risen a distance equal to or greater than an ascent determination threshold during a descent operation instruction, and the ascent determination threshold when the car is in a high position is smaller than the ascent determination threshold when the car is in a low position.

5. In claim 4, The control device uses a first rise judgment threshold as the rise judgment threshold when the position of the car is equal to or greater than a second height, and uses a second rise judgment threshold when the position of the car is lower than the second height, and the first rise judgment threshold is lower than the second rise judgment threshold.

6. In an elevator control device that controls the movement of an elevator car, a reverse running determination unit that detects reverse running of the car during maintenance operation; a maintenance running command unit that controls the car to brake when the reverse running determination unit detects reverse running of the car during the maintenance operation, The elevator control device is characterized in that the reverse running determination unit changes sensitivity for detecting reverse running of the car depending on the position of the car.

7. An elevator control method for controlling movement of an elevator car, comprising: An elevator control method comprising: braking the car when reverse running of the car is detected during maintenance operation; and changing sensitivity for detecting reverse running of the car according to the position of the car.

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