elevator

Abstract

To provide an elevator capable of achieving the safety of an operator and maintenance work efficiency by restricting operation of the movement of a car by a maintenance terminal in accordance with the position of the car and the maintenance terminal when two maintenance terminals are provided on the car or in a pit.SOLUTION: An elevator has a first maintenance terminal and a second maintenance terminal on a car or in a pit. The first maintenance terminal can be operated while standing and the second maintenance terminal is located in a position where it is difficult to be operated while standing. When a direction toward the position where the first maintenance terminal and the second maintenance terminal exist from the car is a first direction and an opposite side of the first direction is a second direction, a control device permits the second maintenance terminal to move the car in the first direction while restricting the first maintenance terminal to move the car in the first direction when the position of the car is within a predetermined range.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an elevator. [Background technology]

[0002] An example of an elevator system that supports the safety of maintenance personnel is Patent Document 1. The abstract of Patent Document 1 states, "An elevator system according to one embodiment includes a first elevator control device that controls the operation of a first elevator, and a terminal device that acquires first elevator information including at least first car position information and switch information from the first elevator control device and is portable by a maintenance personnel. The terminal device includes an operation state determination means that determines the operation state of the first elevator based on the first car position information, a position estimation means that estimates the position of the maintenance personnel based on the switch information, a danger determination means that determines the danger to the maintenance personnel based on the operation state of the first elevator and the position of the maintenance personnel, and a warning means that issues a warning when the danger determination means determines that the maintenance personnel is in danger." [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-145005 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, according to Figure 3 and paragraphs 0044 to 0045 of Patent Document 1, Patent Document 1 issues a warning depending on the operating status of the first elevator (normal operating mode, inspection mode, car direction, etc.) and the maintenance worker's location (on the car, in the pit), but does not restrict the maintenance worker from operating the portable terminal device.

[0005] Furthermore, Patent Document 1 does not take into consideration a configuration in which two terminal devices are provided on the car or a configuration in which two terminal devices are provided in the pit.

[0006] The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide an elevator that can achieve both worker safety and efficient maintenance work by restricting the operation of the maintenance terminal to move the car depending on the position of the car and the maintenance terminal when there are two maintenance terminals either on top of the car or in the pit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the elevator of the present invention is, for example, an elevator having a car, a drive device for moving the car, and a control device for controlling the movement of the car, Pi tt Within The car has a first maintenance terminal and a second maintenance terminal, the first maintenance terminal can be operated while standing, and the second maintenance terminal is located in a position where it is difficult to operate while standing, and when the direction from the car toward the location where the first maintenance terminal and the second maintenance terminal are located is defined as a first direction and the direction opposite to the first direction is defined as a second direction, the control device, when the position of the car is within a predetermined range, allows the second maintenance terminal to operate to move the car in the first direction but restricts the first maintenance terminal to operate to move the car in the first direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the elevator of the present invention, by restricting the operation of the car movement by the maintenance terminal depending on the position of the car and the maintenance terminal, it is possible to achieve both the safety of workers and the efficiency of maintenance work. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an elevator according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2]FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the state above the elevator car during maintenance of the elevator of the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the state above the elevator car during maintenance of the elevator of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control flow of an elevator according to the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing and each embodiment, the same or similar components are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted. [Example]

[0011] The first embodiment is an example in which two maintenance terminals are provided on the car.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an elevator according to a first embodiment.

[0013] 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.

[0014] 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.

[0015] In addition, the elevator 1 of Example 1 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, a first maintenance terminal 8A and a second maintenance terminal 8B used in maintenance work, and a buzzer 9 that emits a warning sound, each of which is connected to the control device 3.

[0016] The control device 3 has a first maintenance terminal operation detection unit 31A, a second maintenance terminal operation detection unit 31B, a maintenance travel command unit 32, a car position detection unit 33, a hoist control unit 34, and a buzzer control unit 35. 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.

[0017] The control device 3 detects operation instructions from the first maintenance terminal 8A via the first maintenance terminal operation detection unit 31A, and detects operation instructions from the second maintenance terminal 8B via the second maintenance terminal operation detection unit 31B, and inputs the detection results of each operation instruction to the maintenance travel command unit 32.

[0018] 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 it to the maintenance travel command unit 32 .

[0019] The control device 3 determines in the maintenance travel command unit 32 whether to allow or restrict the movement of the car 2 during maintenance based on the operation instructions from the first maintenance terminal 8A or the second maintenance terminal 8B and the position of the car 2.

[0020] When the maintenance travel command unit 32 permits the car 2 to move, the control device 3 controls the inverter 4 via the hoisting machine control unit 34 to move 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.

[0021] When the maintenance travel command unit 32 of the control device 3 determines that it is necessary to issue a warning, the control device 3 causes the buzzer 9 to sound via the buzzer control unit 35.

[0022] 2 and 3 are perspective views for explaining the state above the elevator car during maintenance of the elevator of the first embodiment.

[0023] In the first embodiment, an example will be described in which two maintenance terminals, a first maintenance terminal 8A and a second maintenance terminal 8B, are provided on the car 2.

[0024] 2, the first maintenance terminal 8A is a maintenance terminal that can be operated by the worker 10 while standing. The first maintenance terminal 8A is preferably connected, for example, by wire or wirelessly, and its installation position is changeable as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, but is not limited to this and may be fixed.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 3, the second maintenance terminal 8B is located in a position that makes it difficult to operate while standing. For example, it is desirable that the second maintenance terminal 8B is fixed to the floor above the car 2, fixed at a position below a predetermined height from the floor above the car 2, or connected by a short cable or the like so that its installation position can be changed within a predetermined height range from the floor above the car 2. Therefore, when operating the second maintenance terminal 8B, the worker 10 will operate it while crouching as shown in Fig. 3.

[0026] When performing maintenance work on top of car 2, caution is required regarding safety when raising car 2 in an area where car 2 is located near the top of the hoistway. This is because there is a safety risk that, for example, worker 10's head may collide with the top of the hoistway or worker 10 may be pinched between the top of the hoistway and a safety fence installed above car 2. This safety risk is greater when worker 10 operates the maintenance terminal while standing, as in Figure 2, than when worker 10 operates it while crouching, as in Figure 3.

[0027] Therefore, in the elevator 1 of Example 1, the direction from the car 2 toward the location where the first maintenance terminal 8A and the second maintenance terminal 8B are located is defined as the first direction, and the opposite direction to the first direction is defined as the second direction. When the position of the car 2 is within a predetermined range, the control device 3 permits the second maintenance terminal 8B to move the car 2 in the first direction, but restricts the first maintenance terminal 8A from moving the car 2 in the first direction. In Example 1, the first direction is upward, and the second direction is downward. This reduces the safety risks described above. In this way, restricting the operation of the maintenance terminal to move the car in accordance with the car's position and the maintenance terminal makes it possible to achieve both worker safety and efficient maintenance work.

[0028] At this time, when the position of the car 2 is within a predetermined range, it is desirable that the control device 3 set the running speed when moving the car 2 in the first direction by the second maintenance terminal 8B to be slower than the running speed when the position of the car 2 is on the second direction side of the predetermined range. In other words, in the area close to the top of the hoistway, operation by the first maintenance terminal 8A is restricted and operation by the second maintenance terminal 8B is permitted, thereby reducing the safety risk, but the safety risk remains, so the safety risk can be further reduced by setting the running speed slower than normal.

[0029] Similarly, when the position of the car 2 is within a predetermined range, the control device 3 preferably controls the buzzer 9 to sound when the second maintenance terminal 8B moves the car 2 in the first direction. This makes it possible to alert the worker 10 and further reduce safety risks.

[0030] It is desirable that when the position of the car 2 is on the second direction side of the predetermined range, the control device 3 permits the operation of moving the car 2 in the first direction by either the first maintenance terminal 8A or the second maintenance terminal 8B. In other words, since there is little safety risk in areas where the car 2 is located far from the top of the elevator shaft, normal maintenance runs are permitted by either of the two maintenance terminals. This improves the efficiency of maintenance work.

[0031] Furthermore, when the position of the car 2 is further toward the first direction than the predetermined range, it is desirable that the control device 3 restricts the operation of moving the car 2 in the first direction by either the operation by the first maintenance terminal 8A or the second maintenance terminal 8B. In other words, when the position of the car 2 approaches the top of the hoistway, the operation of raising the car 2 by either of the two maintenance terminals is not permitted, and the car is stopped, thereby further reducing safety risks.

[0032] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control flow of the elevator according to the first embodiment.

[0033] In order to realize the operations described above, the maintenance travel command unit 32 of the control device 3 periodically executes control according to the flowchart shown in Fig. 4. Note that this flowchart is merely an example and can be modified as appropriate.

[0034] The first maintenance terminal 8A has an UP button for performing an operation to raise the car 2 and a DN button for performing an operation to lower the car 2. Here, DN stands for DOWN. The second maintenance terminal 8B also has an UP button and a DN button.

[0035] Furthermore, the predetermined range of the position of the car 2 in the area close to the top of the elevator shaft explained above is defined as being equal to or greater than the first threshold value and equal to or less than the second threshold value (first threshold value<second threshold value).

[0036] In step S1, it is determined whether only one of the four UP and DN buttons on the first maintenance terminal 8A and the second maintenance terminal 8B has been pressed. If none of the buttons has been pressed, or if two or more buttons have been pressed, the process moves to step S12, where car 2 is stopped. If only one button has been pressed, the process moves to step S2.

[0037] In step S2, it is determined whether the position of car 2 is equal to or greater than a first threshold value. That is, it is determined whether the position of car 2 is beyond the lower limit of a predetermined range. If it is less than the first threshold value, the process proceeds to step S3. If it is equal to or greater than the first threshold value, the process proceeds to step S6.

[0038] In step S3, since the position of car 2 is in the second direction, i.e., below the predetermined range, the safety risk is small and car 2 can be moved freely. Therefore, in step S3, it is determined whether the DN button on the first maintenance terminal 8A or the second maintenance terminal 8B has been pressed. If it has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S4, where car 2 is made to run in the DN direction at a first speed. Here, DN running means to descend or move in a downward direction. The first speed is assumed to be a normal speed. On the other hand, if the button has not been pressed in step S3, the process proceeds to step S5, where car 2 is made to run in the UP direction at a first speed. Here, UP running means to raise or move in an upward direction.

[0039] In step S6, the position of car 2 is beyond the lower limit of a predetermined range. In this state, an upward operation poses a safety risk, but a downward operation poses a small safety risk. Therefore, in step S6, it is determined whether the DN button on the first maintenance terminal 8A or the second maintenance terminal 8B has been pressed. If it has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S7, where car 2 is caused to run DN at the first speed. If it has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step S8.

[0040] In step S8, the position of car 2 is below the lower limit of a predetermined range, and the UP button of either the first maintenance terminal 8A or the second maintenance terminal 8B is pressed. In step S8, it is determined whether the position of car 2 is higher than the second threshold value. In other words, it is determined whether the position of car 2 is in the first direction beyond the predetermined range. If it is higher, the process proceeds to step S9. If it is not higher, the process proceeds to step S10.

[0041] In step S9, if the result is YES in step S8, the position of car 2 is on the first direction side of the predetermined range, that is, the position of car 2 exceeds the upper limit of the predetermined range and is very close to the top of the elevator shaft. Therefore, whether operated by the first maintenance terminal 8A or the second maintenance terminal 8B, operation of the UP button that moves car 2 in the first direction is restricted, and car 2 is stopped.

[0042] In step S10, the position of car 2 is within a predetermined range. Therefore, in step S10, it is determined whether the UP button of second maintenance terminal 8B has been pressed. If it has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S11. If it has not been pressed, this means that the UP button of first maintenance terminal 8A, which can be operated while standing, has been pressed, so operation using the UP button of first maintenance terminal 8A is restricted, and the process proceeds to step S9, where car 2 is stopped.

[0043] In step S11, the position of the car 2 is within a predetermined range, and the UP button of the second maintenance terminal 8B, which is difficult to operate while standing, is pressed. Therefore, the car 2 is made to travel in the UP direction at a second speed that is slower than the first speed (first speed > second speed) while the buzzer sounds.

[0044] Note that Figure 4 shows an example in which whether the position of car 2 is within a predetermined range is determined by comparing it with a first threshold value and a second threshold value, but this is not limited to this. For example, the distance from the position of car 2 to the top of the elevator shaft may be calculated, and the distance to the top of the elevator shaft may be used to determine whether the position of car 2 is within a predetermined range. [Example]

[0045] The second embodiment is an example in which two maintenance terminals are provided in a pit located below the elevator shaft.

[0046] The functional block diagram of the elevator 1 of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. The difference from the first embodiment is that the first maintenance terminal 8A and the second maintenance terminal 8B are provided in the pit.

[0047] In the pit, as in the case of being on top of the car 2, lowering the car 2 while standing increases the safety risk of the worker 10's head colliding with the car 2 or the worker 10 being pinned between the structure in the pit and the car 2 compared to lowering the car 2 while crouching.

[0048] Therefore, in the elevator 1 of Example 2, as in Example 1, the direction from the car 2 toward the location where the first maintenance terminal 8A and the second maintenance terminal 8B are located is defined as the first direction, and the opposite direction to the first direction is defined as the second direction. When the position of the car 2 is within a predetermined range, the control device 3 permits the second maintenance terminal 8B to operate to move the car 2 in the first direction, but restricts the first maintenance terminal 8A to operate to move the car 2 in the first direction. In Example 2, the first direction is downward, and the second direction is upward. In Example 1, the predetermined range is set to an area close to the top of the elevator shaft, and in Example 2, it is set to an area close to the pit.

[0049] The flowchart can also be basically realized by slightly modifying the flowchart in Fig. 4. For example, in Fig. 4, the UP button and DN button are reversed, UP running and DN running are reversed, the first threshold value is set to be greater than the second threshold value, the determination in step S2 of whether the value is equal to or greater than the first threshold value is changed to a determination of whether the value is equal to or less than the first threshold value, and the determination in step S8 of whether the value is higher than the second threshold value is changed to a determination of whether the value is lower than the second threshold value.

[0050] Other than this, the second embodiment is basically the same as the first embodiment, so a duplicated explanation will be omitted. [Example]

[0051] The third embodiment is a combination of the first and second embodiments.

[0052] The elevator 1 of the third embodiment is configured such that, compared to the elevator 1 of the first embodiment, it further has a third maintenance terminal and a fourth maintenance terminal on top of the car 2 or elsewhere in the pit (here, inside the pit).

[0053] Here, the third maintenance terminal can be operated while standing, similar to the first maintenance terminal 8A, and the fourth maintenance terminal is located in a position where it is difficult to operate while standing, similar to the second maintenance terminal 8B.

[0054] When the direction from car 2 toward the location where the third maintenance terminal and the fourth maintenance terminal are located is defined as the third direction (here, a downward direction opposite to the first direction), and the opposite side of the third direction is defined as the fourth direction (here, an upward direction opposite to the second direction), when the position of car 2 is within another specified range different from the specified range, the control device 3 allows the fourth maintenance terminal to perform an operation to move car 2 in the third direction, but restricts the third maintenance terminal from performing an operation to move car 2 in the third direction.

[0055] This corresponds to replacing the first maintenance terminal 8A of Example 2 with a third maintenance terminal, replacing the second maintenance terminal 8B with a fourth maintenance terminal, replacing the first direction with the third direction, replacing the second direction with the fourth direction, and replacing first threshold > second threshold with third threshold > fourth threshold.

[0056] Therefore, after making such substitutions, the operation of Example 3 can be realized by executing both the flowchart of Example 1 and the flowchart of Example 2, or by switching between and executing the flowchart of Example 1 and the flowchart of Example 2 depending on the position of cage 2.

[0057] Moreover, a third maintenance terminal and a fourth maintenance terminal may be added to the functional block diagram of FIG. 1, and a third maintenance terminal operation detection unit and a fourth maintenance terminal operation detection unit may be added to the control device 3.

[0058] Other than this, the present embodiment is basically the same as the first and second embodiments, so a duplicated description will be omitted.

[0059] 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 each embodiment may be combined and applied. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 1. Elevator 2 baskets 3. Control device 4 inverters 5 Hoisting machine 6 Motor Encoder 7 Governor Encoder 8A First Maintenance Terminal 8B Second maintenance terminal 9 Buzzer 10 Workers 31A First maintenance terminal operation detection unit 31B Second maintenance terminal operation detection unit 32 Maintenance and Operation Control Center 33 Cage position detection unit 34 Hoisting machine control unit 35 Buzzer control 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, a first maintenance terminal and a second maintenance terminal in the pit; the first maintenance terminal can be operated while standing, the second maintenance terminal is located at a position where it is difficult to operate it while standing, When a direction from the car toward a location where the first maintenance terminal and the second maintenance terminal are present is defined as a first direction, and a direction opposite to the first direction is defined as a second direction, The control device is characterized in that, when the position of the car is within a predetermined range, the control device allows the second maintenance terminal to operate to move the car in the first direction, but restricts the first maintenance terminal to operate to move the car in the first direction.

2. In claim 1, The elevator is characterized in that the installation position of the first maintenance terminal is changeable.

3. In claim 1, The elevator, wherein the second maintenance terminal is fixed to a floor surface.

4. In claim 1, The elevator is characterized in that the second maintenance terminal is fixed at a position below a predetermined height from the floor surface.

5. In claim 1, The elevator is characterized in that the installation position of the second maintenance terminal can be changed within a predetermined height range from the floor surface.

6. In claim 1, the control device, when the position of the car is within the predetermined range, causes the travel speed when the car is moved in the first direction by the second maintenance terminal to be slower than the travel speed when the position of the car is on the second direction side of the predetermined range.

7. In claim 1, It has a buzzer, The control device controls the buzzer to sound when the car is moved in the first direction by the second maintenance terminal when the position of the car is within the specified range.

8. In claim 1, The control device is characterized in that, when the position of the car is on the second direction side of the specified range, an operation to move the car in the first direction is permitted by either the first maintenance terminal or the second maintenance terminal.

9. In claim 1, The control device is characterized in that, when the position of the car is on the first direction side of the predetermined range, the control device restricts the operation of moving the car in the first direction, regardless of whether the operation is performed by the first maintenance terminal or the second maintenance terminal.

10. In any one of claims 1 to 9, a third maintenance terminal and a fourth maintenance terminal on the car; the third maintenance terminal can be operated while standing, the fourth maintenance terminal is located at a position where it is difficult to operate it while standing, When a direction from the car toward a location where the third maintenance terminal and the fourth maintenance terminal are present is defined as a third direction, and the opposite side to the third direction is defined as a fourth direction, The control device, when the position of the car is within another predetermined range different from the predetermined range, allows the fourth maintenance terminal to operate to move the car in the third direction, but restricts the third maintenance terminal to operate to move the car in the third direction.

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