Elevator maintenance support system

Abstract

To provide a maintenance support system capable of further improving the efficiency of elevator maintenance work.SOLUTION: A maintenance support system 14 for an elevator 2 includes a management unit 20 and an operation unit 17 mounted on each maintenance terminal 16. The management unit 20 grants operation authority to one of the maintenance terminals 16 to output a command signal for the running of the car 8 to a control panel 10 during maintenance work on the elevator 2. The operation unit 17 accepts normal maintenance operations when the operation authority is granted to the mounted maintenance terminal 16. The operation unit 17 disables normal maintenance operations when the operation authority is not granted to the mounted maintenance terminal 16. The normal maintenance operations include the running of the car 8 during maintenance work.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a maintenance support system for an elevator. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an example of an elevator inspection device. When a maintenance worker is detected by an infrared sensor in the elevator shaft through which the car travels, the car is operated during maintenance work by a mobile terminal inside the car or a computer at a remote office. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-74521 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In Patent Document 1, car operation during maintenance work is performed inside the car separated from the hoistway or at a remote service office. Therefore, if there is a problem with the coordination between the workers in the hoistway and the car operator, the efficiency of the maintenance work may decrease.

[0005] The present disclosure relates to solving such problems, and provides a maintenance support system that can further improve the efficiency of elevator maintenance work. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A maintenance support system according to the present disclosure is a maintenance support system that supports maintenance work of an elevator provided with a plurality of connection nodes, the elevator including a car that travels up and down within a hoistway and a control panel that controls the travel of the car, by a plurality of maintenance terminals that are each carried by a corresponding one of a plurality of maintenance personnel and each connected to one of the plurality of connection nodes, the system comprising: a management unit that grants, to one of the plurality of maintenance terminals, an operation authority for outputting a command signal for the travel of the car to the control panel during the maintenance work; and an operation unit that is mounted on each of the plurality of maintenance terminals, and that accepts normal maintenance operations including the travel of the car during the maintenance work when the operation authority is granted to the mounted maintenance terminal, and disables the normal maintenance operation when the operation authority is not granted to the mounted maintenance terminal. When a car operating panel that accepts the normal maintenance operation is provided on the car, the management unit causes the control panel to disable the normal maintenance operation by the car operating panel when at least one of the plurality of maintenance terminals is connected to one of the plurality of connection nodes, and the management unit causes the control panel to enable the normal maintenance operation by the car operating panel when at least one of the plurality of maintenance terminals disconnects from a connection node to which it was connected among the plurality of connection nodes. . The maintenance support system according to the present disclosure is a maintenance support system for an elevator in which a plurality of connection nodes are provided, the maintenance support system including a car that travels up and down in a hoistway and a control panel that controls the travel of the car, and the system supports maintenance work of the elevator by a plurality of maintenance terminals that are each carried by a corresponding one of a plurality of maintenance personnel and each connected to one of the plurality of connection nodes, the system including a management unit that grants, to one of the plurality of maintenance terminals, an operating authority to output a command signal regarding the travel of the car to the control panel during the maintenance work, and a maintenance terminal that is mounted on each of the plurality of maintenance terminals and and an operation unit that accepts normal maintenance operations including running the car during the maintenance work when the operation right has finally been granted and disables the normal maintenance operations when the operation right has not been granted to the on-board maintenance terminal, wherein the operation unit accepts an operation to let go of the operation right when the operation right has been granted to the on-board maintenance terminal and accepts an operation to acquire the operation right when the operation right has not been granted to any of the plurality of maintenance terminals, and the management unit transfers the operation right from the maintenance terminal that has accepted the operation to let go of the operation right to the maintenance terminal that has accepted the operation to acquire the operation right. The maintenance support system according to the present disclosure is a maintenance support system that supports maintenance work on an elevator provided with a plurality of connection nodes, including a car that travels up and down within a hoistway and a control panel that controls the travel of the car, using a plurality of maintenance terminals that are each carried by a corresponding one of a plurality of maintenance personnel and each connected to one of the plurality of connection nodes, and is equipped with: a management unit that grants, to one of the plurality of maintenance terminals, operation authority to output a command signal regarding the travel of the car to the control panel during the maintenance work; and an operation unit that is mounted on each of the plurality of maintenance terminals and that accepts normal maintenance operations including the travel of the car during the maintenance work when the operation authority has been granted to the mounted maintenance terminal, and disables the normal maintenance operations when the operation authority has not been granted to the mounted maintenance terminal, and the operation unit accepts emergency operations including an emergency stop of the car regardless of whether the operation authority has been granted to the mounted maintenance terminal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the maintenance support system of the present disclosure, the efficiency of elevator maintenance work can be further improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram of an elevator system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display on a display unit when an operation right is given to the maintenance terminal according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display on a display unit when an operation right is not given to the maintenance terminal according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the maintenance support system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of a main part of a maintenance support system according to a first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The following describes embodiments of the subject matter of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each drawing, identical or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are appropriately simplified or omitted. Note that the subject matter of the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and any component of the embodiments may be modified or omitted within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure.

[0010] Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an elevator system 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0011] The elevator system 1 includes an elevator 2. The elevator 2 is applied to a building having multiple floors. A hoistway 3 for the elevator 2 is provided in the building. The hoistway 3 is a long space extending vertically across multiple floors. A pit 4 is provided at the bottom of the hoistway 3. A landing 5 adjacent to the hoistway 3 is provided on each floor of the building. The elevator 2 includes a hoisting machine 6, a main rope 7, a car 8, a counterweight 9, and a control panel 10.

[0012] The hoisting machine 6 is arranged, for example, at the top or bottom of the hoistway 3. For example, if a machine room for the elevator 2 is provided above the hoistway 3, the hoisting machine 6 may be arranged in the machine room. The hoisting machine 6 includes a motor and a sheave. The motor of the hoisting machine 6 is a device that generates driving force. The sheave of the hoisting machine 6 is a device that rotates by the driving force generated by the motor of the hoisting machine 6.

[0013] The main ropes 7 are wound around the sheaves of the hoisting machine 6. The main ropes 7 support the load of the car 8 on one side of the sheaves of the hoisting machine 6. The main ropes 7 support the load of the counterweight 9 on the other side of the sheaves of the hoisting machine 6. The main ropes 7 move as the sheaves of the hoisting machine 6 rotate, causing either side of the sheaves of the hoisting machine 6 to be wound up.

[0014] The car 8 is a device that transports passengers of the elevator 2 between multiple floors by traveling up and down the hoistway 3. The car 8 travels up and down the hoistway 3 in conjunction with the movement of the main rope 7 caused by the rotation of the sheave of the hoisting machine 6. The car 8 is equipped with a car operation panel 11. The car operation panel 11 is a device that accepts operations such as call registration by passengers inside the car 8. In this example, the car operation panel 11 is equipped with a function that accepts normal maintenance operations during maintenance work on the elevator 2. Here, normal maintenance operations include operations performed by a maintenance technician 12 performing maintenance work, but do not include operations performed by passengers during normal operation. The car operation panel 11 is switched to a state that accepts normal maintenance operations, for example, by a special switching operation by the maintenance technician 12. Normal maintenance operations include, for example, manual operations related to the running of the car 8, such as raising and lowering the car 8.

[0015] Counterweight 9 is a device that balances the load acting on both sides of the sheave of hoisting machine 6 with car 8. Counterweight 9 travels up and down in hoistway 3 on the opposite side of car 8 in the vertical direction in conjunction with the movement of main rope 7 caused by the rotation of the sheave of hoisting machine 6.

[0016] The control panel 10 is a device that controls the operation of the elevator 2. The control panel 10 is disposed, for example, at the top or bottom of the hoistway 3. For example, if a machine room for the elevator 2 is provided above the hoistway 3, the control panel 10 may be disposed in the machine room. The operation of the elevator 2 controlled by the control panel 10 includes the running of the car 8. The control panel 10 is equipped with a control unit 13. The control unit 13 is a part that has a function for controlling the running of the car 8. For example, the control unit 13 causes the car 8 to run between multiple floors so as to respond to registered calls. The control of the running of the car 8 by the control unit 13 includes, for example, starting, accelerating, running at a constant speed, decelerating, and stopping of the car 8.

[0017] A maintenance support system 14 is applied to the elevator 2. The maintenance support system 14 is a system that supports maintenance work on the elevator 2 by a maintenance technician 12. In this example, the maintenance work on the elevator 2 is performed by a plurality of maintenance technicians 12. Part or all of the maintenance support system 14 may be an internal system included in the elevator system 1, or may be an external system applied to the elevator system 1 from outside. The maintenance support system 14 includes a plurality of connection nodes 15 and a plurality of maintenance terminals 16.

[0018] Each connection node 15 is provided in the elevator 2. In this example, one of the connection nodes 15 is provided inside the car 8. Any other connection node 15 is provided in the pit 4. The multiple connection nodes 15 may include connection nodes 15 provided in other locations, such as a connection node 15 provided on the upper outside of the car 8. Each connection node 15 is equipped with a function to function as a node in a communication network in the maintenance support system 14. Each connection node 15 is connected to the control panel 10. Each connection node 15 is equipped with, for example, a wireless communication function. Each connection node 15 may be, for example, a wireless beacon.

[0019] Each maintenance terminal 16 is carried by a corresponding maintenance technician 12. In this example, multiple maintenance technicians 12 performing maintenance work each carry their own maintenance terminal 16. The maintenance terminal 16 is, for example, a portable general-purpose information processing device such as a smartphone, a tablet PC (PC: Personal Computer), or a laptop PC. In this example, the maintenance terminal 16 is equipped with a wireless communication function. Each maintenance terminal 16 is configured to be able to connect to any of the connection nodes 15 by wireless communication or wired communication. The function of each maintenance terminal 16 is realized, for example, based on an application program pre-installed in the maintenance terminal 16.

[0020] Each maintenance terminal 16 includes an operation unit 17, a display unit 18, and a photographing unit 19. The operation unit 17 is a unit equipped with a function to accept operations by the maintenance technician 12 carrying the maintenance terminal 16. The operation unit 17 is, for example, a pointing device including a touch panel. The display unit 18 is a unit equipped with a function to display information to the maintenance technician 12 carrying the maintenance terminal 16. The display unit 18 is, for example, a liquid crystal display panel. The operation unit 17 and the display unit 18 may be integrated, for example, as in a touch panel display. The photographing unit 19 is a unit equipped with a function to photograph an image of the maintenance technician 12 carrying the maintenance terminal 16. The photographing unit 19 is, for example, a camera. The photographing unit 19 is configured to be disposed, for example, on the edge of the display unit 18 facing the front of the display unit 18, so as to be able to photograph an image of the maintenance technician 12 performing operations while looking at the display unit 18.

[0021] The maintenance technician 12 performs normal maintenance operations, such as running the car 8, during maintenance work through the maintenance terminal 16. To prevent multiple maintenance terminals 16 from simultaneously performing normal maintenance operations, the maintenance support system 14 assigns operation rights to one of the maintenance terminals 16. The operation rights include, for example, the authority to output a command signal regarding the running of the car 8 during maintenance work to the control panel 10. The maintenance support system 14 includes a management unit 20 that manages operation rights. In this example, the management unit 20 is mounted on the control panel 10 of the elevator 2. The management unit 20 may be mounted on one of the connection nodes 15 or on a dedicated management device separate from the control panel 10 of the elevator 2. The management unit 20 may be mounted on one or more server devices that can communicate with the maintenance terminals 16 and the control panel 10 via a communication network such as the Internet. The management unit 20 is directly or indirectly connected to each connection node 15. In this example, the management unit 20 grants operation rights to at most one of the maintenance terminals 16 connected to any of the connection nodes 15. In other words, the management unit 20 may not grant operation rights to any of the maintenance terminals 16.

[0022] Next, an example of maintenance work using the maintenance support system 14 will be described.

[0023] After confirming with each other the procedures for the maintenance work, the multiple maintenance personnel 12 move to their respective work locations. In this example, maintenance work on the elevator 2 is performed by the maintenance personnel 12 inside the car 8 and the maintenance personnel 12 inside the pit 4. The maintenance personnel 12 inside the car 8 connects the maintenance terminal 16 they are carrying to the connection node 15 provided inside the car 8 via wireless communication. The maintenance personnel 12 in the pit 4 connects the maintenance terminal 16 they are carrying to the connection node 15 provided in the pit 4 via wireless communication.

[0024] The management unit 20 monitors the connection between each connection node 15 and any of the maintenance terminals 16. The management unit 20 starts managing the operation rights, for example, when a connection between any of the connection nodes 15 and any of the maintenance terminals 16 is established. At this time, the management unit 20 causes the control unit 13 of the control panel 10 to disable normal maintenance operations through the car operating panel 11. The management unit 20 may disable normal maintenance operations through the car operating panel 11 regardless of the state of the car operating panel 11. Furthermore, the management unit 20 may disable normal maintenance operations through the car operating panel 11 only when an initial connection between the connection node 15 and the maintenance terminal 16 is established, or may disable normal maintenance operations through the car operating panel 11 each time a connection between the connection node 15 and the maintenance terminal 16 is established. Here, if normal maintenance operations through the car operating panel 11 have already been disabled, the disabling of normal maintenance operations through the car operating panel 11 continues. For example, when wireless communication is established between any of the connection nodes 15 and any of the maintenance terminals 16, the management unit 20 determines that the connection between the connection node 15 and the maintenance terminal 16 has been established. Alternatively, for example, when a wired connection between any of the connection nodes 15 and any of the maintenance terminals 16 is detected, the management unit 20 may determine that the connection between the connection node 15 and the maintenance terminal 16 has been established.

[0025] In this example, when starting management of the operation right, the management unit 20 does not grant operation right to any of the maintenance terminals 16. The management unit 20 notifies each maintenance terminal 16 connected to any of the connection nodes 15 of the status of the granting of operation right. The management unit 20 notifies each maintenance terminal 16, for example, every time the status of the granting of operation right changes. The status of the granting of operation right includes, for example, information on whether or not the operation right has been granted, and, if so, which maintenance terminal 16 has been granted the operation right. The management unit 20 may notify each maintenance terminal 16 of the status of the granting of operation right at predetermined regular or irregular timing, or may notify in response to a request from the maintenance terminal 16.

[0026] Each maintenance terminal 16 determines the status of the granting of operation rights based on information notified by the management unit 20. When operation rights have not been granted to any of the maintenance terminals 16, each maintenance terminal 16 is in a state where it can accept an acquisition operation to acquire operation rights. At this time, the maintenance worker 12 holding one of the maintenance terminals 16 performs the acquisition operation to acquire operation rights. In this example, the maintenance worker 12 in the pit 4 performs the acquisition operation to acquire operation rights through the maintenance terminal 16. The maintenance terminal 16 that has accepted the acquisition operation notifies the management unit 20, for example, via the connection node 15, that it has acquired operation rights. When the management unit 20 receives a notification from any of the maintenance terminals 16 that operation rights have been acquired while operation rights have not been granted to any of the maintenance terminals 16, it grants operation rights to that maintenance terminal 16.

[0027] The maintenance terminal 16 to which the operation authority has been granted captures an image of the maintenance technician 12 holding the maintenance terminal 16 using the imaging unit 19. The maintenance terminal 16 to which the operation authority has been granted becomes ready to accept a normal maintenance operation from the maintenance technician 12. The maintenance terminal 16 that has accepted the normal maintenance operation outputs a command signal corresponding to the normal maintenance operation to the control panel 10, for example, via the connection node 15. For example, when accepting a manual raising operation as a normal maintenance operation, the maintenance terminal 16 outputs a command signal corresponding to upward travel to the control panel 10. Furthermore, when accepting a manual lowering operation as a normal maintenance operation, the maintenance terminal 16 outputs a command signal corresponding to downward travel to the control panel 10. For example, the maintenance technician 12 in the pit 4 performs maintenance work by running the car 8 by performing a normal maintenance operation through the maintenance terminal 16 in accordance with the work procedure for his or her work location. The maintenance terminal 16 to which the operation authority has been granted becomes ready to accept a release operation to release the operation authority. The maintenance terminal 16 that has accepted the release operation notifies the management unit 20 of the release of the operation right, for example, via the connection node 15. When the management unit 20 receives a notification of the release of the operation right from the maintenance terminal 16 to which it had granted the operation right, it withdraws the operation right from that maintenance terminal 16, and puts the management unit 20 into a state in which the operation right is not granted to any maintenance terminal 16.

[0028] Regardless of whether or not the operation right is granted, each maintenance terminal 16 is in a state where it can accept an emergency operation from the maintenance personnel 12. An emergency operation includes, for example, an emergency stop of the running of the car 8. The maintenance terminal 16 that has accepted the emergency operation outputs a command signal corresponding to the emergency operation to the control panel 10 via, for example, the connection node 15.

[0029] A maintenance terminal 16 to which operation authority has not been granted disables normal maintenance operations by a maintenance technician 12. In other words, even if the maintenance technician 12 attempts a normal maintenance operation, the maintenance terminal 16 does not output a command signal corresponding to the normal maintenance operation to the control panel 10. A maintenance terminal 16 to which operation authority has not been granted displays, on the display unit 18, an image of the maintenance technician 12 captured by the image capturing unit 19 of a maintenance terminal 16 to which operation authority has been granted. This allows a maintenance technician 12 holding a maintenance terminal 16 to which operation authority has not been granted to check the status of a maintenance technician 12 holding a maintenance terminal 16 to which operation authority has been granted. Therefore, even if an abnormality occurs in a maintenance technician 12 performing normal maintenance operations, other maintenance technicians 12 are more likely to notice the abnormality.

[0030] The management unit 20 monitors disconnection of the maintenance terminals 16 and the corresponding connection nodes 15. For example, when the connection between any of the maintenance terminals 16 and the corresponding connection nodes 15 is disconnected, the management unit 20 causes the control panel 10 to enable normal maintenance operation through the car operating panel 11. The management unit 20 may enable normal maintenance operation through the car operating panel 11 only when the connection between the maintenance terminal 16 and the corresponding connection node 15 is first disconnected, or may enable normal maintenance operation through the car operating panel 11 each time the connection between the maintenance terminal 16 and the corresponding connection node 15 is disconnected. Here, if normal maintenance operation through the car operating panel 11 is already enabled, the enablement of normal maintenance operation through the car operating panel 11 continues. For example, when wireless communication between the maintenance terminal 16 and the corresponding connection node 15 is disconnected, the management unit 20 determines that the connection between the maintenance terminal 16 and the corresponding connection node 15 has been disconnected. Alternatively, the management unit 20 may determine that the connection between the maintenance terminal 16 and the corresponding connection node 15 has been disconnected, for example, when a wired connection between the maintenance terminal 16 and the corresponding connection node 15 is no longer detected. The maintenance technician 12 disconnects the connection between the maintenance terminal 16 and the corresponding connection node 15, for example, when maintenance work is completed. Alternatively, the maintenance technician 12 may disconnect the connection between the maintenance terminal 16 and the corresponding connection node 15 when an abnormality occurs during maintenance work. For example, a maintenance technician 12 in a car 8 who is holding a maintenance terminal 16 to which he / she does not have operating rights may disconnect the connection when he / she notices, through video or other means, that an abnormality has occurred in a maintenance technician 12 in a pit 4 who is holding a maintenance terminal 16 to which he / she has operating rights. Thereafter, the maintenance technician 12 in the car 8 may perform normal maintenance operations on the car 8 via the car operating panel 11 as necessary.

[0031] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a display on the display unit 18 when operation authority is given to the maintenance terminal 16 according to the first embodiment.

[0032] The maintenance technician 12 operates the maintenance terminal 16 by operating the operation unit 17 via an interface included in an operation screen 21 displayed on the display unit 18. The operation screen 21 includes an operation authority switch 22, a travel switch 23, a manual travel button 24, and a disconnect button 25 as interfaces for accepting operations by the maintenance technician 12. The operation screen 21 also includes a display area 26 that presents information to the maintenance technician 12.

[0033] The operation authority switch 22 is a part that accepts operations such as the acquisition of operation authority. When the operation authority is granted to the maintenance terminal 16, the state of the operation authority switch 22 becomes "MAIN." At this time, the maintenance terminal 16 accepts a release operation to release the operation authority by operating the operation authority switch 22. When the operation authority is not granted to the maintenance terminal 16, the state of the operation authority switch 22 becomes "SUB."

[0034] The travel switch 23 is a part that accepts an operation to switch whether the car 8 is allowed to travel. When the travel switch 23 is in the "OFF" state, the car 8 remains stopped and does not travel. On the other hand, when the travel switch 23 is in the "RUN" state, the car 8 travels in the hoistway 3 based on normal maintenance operations by the maintenance personnel 12, etc. When the travel switch 23 is switched to the "OFF" state, the car 8 comes to an emergency stop. Switching the travel switch 23 to the "OFF" state is an example of an emergency operation.

[0035] The manual travel button 24 is a section that accepts manual operation of the car 8 as a normal maintenance operation by the maintenance worker 12. In this example, the manual travel button 24 includes an "UP" button that indicates ascending and a "DOWN" button that indicates descending. While the "UP" button is operated, the car 8 is controlled to ascend. On the other hand, while the "DOWN" button is operated, the car 8 is controlled to descend. Note that the travel speed of the car 8 when manually traveling using the manual travel button 24 is, for example, a speed that is lower than the rated speed of the car 8 during normal operation.

[0036] The disconnect button 25 is a part that accepts an operation to disconnect the connection between the maintenance terminal 16 and the connection node 15. When the disconnect button 25 is operated, the maintenance terminal 16 disconnects from the connection node 15.

[0037] In this example, a message for the maintenance staff 12 is displayed in the display area 26. Note that instead of or together with the message, an image of the maintenance staff 12 captured by the image capturing unit 19 of a maintenance terminal 16 to which operation authority has not been granted may be displayed in the display area 26. When there are multiple maintenance terminals 16 to which operation authority has not been granted, the display area 26 may display images of the multiple maintenance staff 12 in a split screen. The display area 26 may also display the status of the elevator 2, such as the current position of the car 8.

[0038] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a display on the display unit 18 when the operation authority is not given to the maintenance terminal 16 according to the first embodiment.

[0039] Normal maintenance operations are disabled in the maintenance terminal 16. At this time, the manual travel button 24 may be displayed in gray, for example, to indicate that it is disabled. Also, when operation authority is granted to any other maintenance terminal 16, acquisition of operation authority is disabled. At this time, the operation authority switch 22 may be displayed in gray, for example, to indicate that it is disabled.

[0040] Meanwhile, the emergency operation is enabled in the maintenance terminal 16. The maintenance person 12 can bring the car 8 to an emergency stop by, for example, switching the traveling switch 23 to the "OFF" state.

[0041] The display area 26 displays the video of the maintenance personnel 12 captured by the imaging unit 19 of the maintenance terminal 16 to which the operation right has been granted. If there is another maintenance terminal 16 to which the operation right has not been granted, the display area 26 may display the video of the maintenance personnel 12 captured by the imaging unit 19 of the other maintenance terminal 16 in a split screen.

[0042] Next, an example of the operation of the maintenance support system 14 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the maintenance support system 14 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 shows an example of the operation of the management unit 20.

[0043] In step S1, the management unit 20 determines whether a connection has been established between each connection node 15 and any of the maintenance terminals 16. If a connection has been established, the processing of the management unit 20 proceeds to step S2. On the other hand, if a connection has not been established, the processing of the management unit 20 proceeds to step S1 again.

[0044] In step S2, the management unit 20 causes the control unit 13 to disable normal maintenance operations performed through the car operating panel 11. Thereafter, the processing of the management unit 20 proceeds to step S3.

[0045] In step S3, the management unit 20 determines whether an operation to acquire operation rights has been performed on any of the maintenance terminals 16. If an acquisition operation has been performed, the processing of the management unit 20 proceeds to step S4. On the other hand, if an acquisition operation has not been performed, the processing of the management unit 20 proceeds to step S5. Note that if the management unit 20 has already granted operation rights to any of the maintenance terminals 16, when it receives a notification of an acquisition operation from another maintenance terminal 16, it may ignore the notification of the acquisition operation, assuming that a legitimate acquisition operation has not been performed.

[0046] In step S4, the management unit 20 grants operation authority to the maintenance terminal 16 that has accepted a valid operation to acquire the operation authority. After that, the processing of the management unit 20 proceeds to step S5.

[0047] In step S5, the management unit 20 determines whether an operation to release the operation right has been performed on the maintenance terminal 16 to which the operation right has been granted. If a release operation has been performed, the processing of the management unit 20 proceeds to step S6. On the other hand, if a release operation has not been performed, the processing of the management unit 20 proceeds to step S7. Note that when the management unit 20 receives a notification of a release operation from a maintenance terminal 16 to which the operation right has not been granted, the management unit 20 may ignore the notification of the release operation, assuming that a legitimate release operation has not been performed.

[0048] In step S6, the management unit 20 withdraws the operation right from the maintenance terminal 16 that has accepted the valid release operation of the operation right, and sets the state in which the operation right is not granted to any maintenance terminal 16. Thereafter, the processing of the management unit 20 proceeds to step S7.

[0049] In step S7, the management unit 20 determines whether the connection between the maintenance terminal 16 and the corresponding connection node 15 has been disconnected. If the connection has not been disconnected, the processing of the management unit 20 proceeds to step S3. On the other hand, if the connection has been disconnected, the processing of the management unit 20 proceeds to step S8.

[0050] In step S8, the management unit 20 causes the control unit 13 to enable normal maintenance operations via the car operating panel 11. Thereafter, the processing of the management unit 20 ends.

[0051] The management unit 20 may be installed in any of the maintenance terminals 16. For example, when no other maintenance terminals 16 are connected to any of the connection nodes 15, each maintenance terminal 16 may take on the role of the management unit 20 when first establishing a connection with the connection node 15. The maintenance terminal 16 taking on the role of the management unit 20 grants operation rights to at most one of the multiple maintenance terminals 16, including itself.

[0052] As described above, the maintenance support system 14 according to the first embodiment includes the management unit 20 and the operation unit 17 mounted on each maintenance terminal 16. The management unit 20 grants operation authority to one of the maintenance terminals 16 to output a command signal regarding the running of the car 8 to the control panel 10 during maintenance work on the elevator 2. The operation unit 17 accepts normal maintenance operations when the operation authority is granted to the mounted maintenance terminal 16. The operation unit 17 disables normal maintenance operations when the operation authority is not granted to the mounted maintenance terminal 16. The normal maintenance operations include running of the car 8 during maintenance work.

[0053] This configuration allows a maintenance worker 12, for example, located in the elevator shaft 3, to perform normal maintenance operations on the car 8 through a maintenance terminal 16 carried by the worker, thereby making maintenance work on the elevator 2 more efficient.

[0054] The maintenance support system 14 also includes a display unit 18 mounted on each maintenance terminal 16. When the mounted maintenance terminal 16 does not have operating rights, the display unit 18 displays an image of the maintenance personnel 12 captured by the image capturing unit 19 of the maintenance terminal 16 to which operating rights have been granted. This configuration makes it easier for other maintenance personnel 12 to understand the status of the maintenance personnel 12 performing normal maintenance operations. This allows maintenance work on the elevator 2 to be performed more efficiently. Furthermore, even if an abnormality occurs in the maintenance personnel 12 performing normal maintenance operations, it becomes possible to take action more quickly.

[0055] Furthermore, when any of the maintenance terminals 16 is connected to any of the connection nodes 15, the management unit 20 causes the control panel 10 to disable normal maintenance operations by the car operating panel 11. This configuration prevents normal maintenance operations from being performed simultaneously from the maintenance terminal 16 and the car operating panel 11 that have been granted operating rights, and more reliably prevents the car 8 from running in a manner contrary to the intention of the maintenance worker 12. This allows maintenance work on the elevator 2 to be performed more efficiently.

[0056] Furthermore, when the management unit 20 disconnects the connection with the connection node 15 to which at least one of the maintenance terminals 16 was connected, it causes the control panel 10 to enable normal maintenance operations by the car operating panel 11. With this configuration, by disconnecting the connection from a maintenance terminal 16 that has not been granted operating authority, it becomes possible to operate the car 8 from the car operating panel 11, etc., thereby enabling a quicker response, such as operating the car 8, when an abnormality occurs.

[0057] Furthermore, the operation unit 17 accepts a release operation to release the operation right when the operation right has been granted to the installed maintenance terminal 16. The operation unit 17 accepts an acquisition operation to acquire the operation right when the operation right has not been granted to any maintenance terminal 16. The management unit 20 transfers the operation right from the maintenance terminal 16 for which the release operation has been accepted to the maintenance terminal 16 for which the acquisition operation has been accepted. With this configuration, after the maintenance terminal 16 to which the operation right has been granted releases the operation right, another maintenance terminal 16 can acquire the operation right, making it easier to switch the maintenance terminal 16 to which the operation right is granted and more easily avoiding situations where multiple maintenance terminals 16 have the operation right.

[0058] Furthermore, the operation unit 17 accepts emergency operations, including an emergency stop of the car 8, regardless of whether the operation authority has been granted to the on-board maintenance terminal 16. With this configuration, emergency operations can be performed from the maintenance terminal 16 regardless of whether the operation authority has been granted, thereby enabling a quicker response, such as an emergency stop of the car 8, when an abnormality occurs.

[0059] Next, an example of the hardware configuration of the maintenance support system 14 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a hardware configuration diagram of the main part of the maintenance support system 14 according to the first embodiment.

[0060] Each function of the maintenance support system 14 may be realized by a processing circuit. The processing circuit includes at least one processor 100 a and at least one memory 100 b. The processing circuit may include at least one dedicated hardware 200 in addition to or in place of the processor 100 a and the memory 100 b.

[0061] When the processing circuit includes a processor 100a and a memory 100b, each function of the maintenance support system 14 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 100b. The processor 100a realizes each function of the maintenance support system 14 by reading and executing the program stored in the memory 100b.

[0062] The processor 100a is also called a CPU (Central Processing Unit), processing device, arithmetic unit, microprocessor, microcomputer, or DSP. The memory 100b is configured by, for example, a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as RAM, ROM, flash memory, EPROM, or EEPROM.

[0063] 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.

[0064] Each function of the maintenance support system 14 can be realized by a processing circuit. Alternatively, all functions of the maintenance support system 14 can be realized collectively by a processing circuit. Some of the functions of the maintenance support system 14 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 maintenance support system 14 by dedicated hardware 200, software, firmware, or a combination of these.

[0065] To summarize the above explanation, possible configurations of the technology according to the present disclosure include the configurations listed below as appendices. (Appendix 1) A maintenance support system for an elevator in which a plurality of connection nodes are provided, the maintenance support system including a car that travels up and down within a hoistway and a control panel that controls the travel of the car, supports maintenance work on the elevator using a plurality of maintenance terminals that are each carried by a corresponding one of a plurality of maintenance personnel and each connected to one of the plurality of connection nodes, a management unit that grants, to one of the plurality of maintenance terminals, an operation right to output a command signal regarding the running of the car to the control panel during the maintenance work; an operation unit that is mounted on each of the plurality of maintenance terminals, and that accepts normal maintenance operations including running of the car during the maintenance work when the operation authority is granted to the mounted maintenance terminal, and that disables the normal maintenance operations when the operation authority is not granted to the mounted maintenance terminal; A maintenance support system comprising: (Appendix 2) When each of the plurality of maintenance terminals is equipped with a photographing unit that photographs an image of a maintenance worker holding the terminal, a display unit mounted on each of the plurality of maintenance terminals, for displaying an image of the maintenance worker captured by a capturing unit of a maintenance terminal to which the operation right has been assigned when the operation right has not been assigned to the mounted maintenance terminal; 2. The maintenance support system of claim 1, comprising: (Appendix 3) When a car operation panel that accepts the normal maintenance operation is provided in the car, the management unit causes the control panel to disable the normal maintenance operation by the car operating panel when at least one of the plurality of maintenance terminals is connected to any one of the plurality of connection nodes. 10. The maintenance support system according to claim 1 or 2. (Appendix 4) the management unit causes the control panel to enable the normal maintenance operation by the car operating panel when at least one of the plurality of maintenance terminals disconnects from a connection node to which it was connected among the plurality of connection nodes. 3. A maintenance assistance system as described in Appendix 3. (Appendix 5) the operation unit accepts an operation to release the operation right when the operation right has been granted to the maintenance terminal mounted thereon, and accepts an operation to acquire the operation right when the operation right has not been granted to any of the plurality of maintenance terminals; the management unit transfers the operation right from the maintenance terminal on which the operation to release the operation right has been accepted to the maintenance terminal on which the operation to acquire the operation right has been accepted; A maintenance support system according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 4. (Appendix 6) the operation unit accepts an emergency operation including an emergency stop of the car regardless of whether the operation authority is granted to the maintenance terminal mounted thereon. A maintenance support system according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 5. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1 elevator system, 2 elevator, 3 hoistway, 4 pit, 5 landing, 6 hoisting machine, 7 main rope, 8 car, 9 counterweight, 10 control panel, 11 car operation panel, 12 maintenance worker, 13 control unit, 14 maintenance support system, 15 connection node, 16 maintenance terminal, 17 operation unit, 18 display unit, 19 photography unit, 20 management unit, 21 operation screen, 22 operation authority switch, 23 travel switch, 24 manual travel button, 25 disconnect button, 26 display area, 100a processor, 100b memory, 200 dedicated hardware

Claims

1. A maintenance support system for an elevator in which a plurality of connection nodes are provided, the maintenance support system including a car that travels up and down within a hoistway and a control panel that controls the travel of the car, supports maintenance work on the elevator using a plurality of maintenance terminals that are each carried by a corresponding one of a plurality of maintenance personnel and each connected to one of the plurality of connection nodes, a management unit that grants, to one of the plurality of maintenance terminals, an operation right to output a command signal regarding the running of the car to the control panel during the maintenance work; an operation unit that is mounted on each of the plurality of maintenance terminals, and that accepts normal maintenance operations including running of the car during the maintenance work when the operation authority is granted to the mounted maintenance terminal, and that disables the normal maintenance operations when the operation authority is not granted to the mounted maintenance terminal; Equipped with When a car operation panel that accepts the normal maintenance operation is provided in the car, the management unit causes the control panel to disable the normal maintenance operation by the car operating panel when at least one of the plurality of maintenance terminals is connected to any of the plurality of connection nodes, the management unit causes the control panel to enable the normal maintenance operation by the car operating panel when at least one of the plurality of maintenance terminals disconnects from a connection node to which it was connected among the plurality of connection nodes. Maintenance support system.

2. A maintenance support system for an elevator in which a plurality of connection nodes are provided, the maintenance support system including a car that travels up and down within a hoistway and a control panel that controls the travel of the car, supports maintenance work on the elevator using a plurality of maintenance terminals that are each carried by a corresponding one of a plurality of maintenance personnel and each connected to one of the plurality of connection nodes, a management unit that grants, to one of the plurality of maintenance terminals, an operation right to output a command signal regarding the running of the car to the control panel during the maintenance work; an operation unit that is mounted on each of the plurality of maintenance terminals, and that accepts normal maintenance operations including running of the car during the maintenance work when the operation authority is granted to the mounted maintenance terminal, and that disables the normal maintenance operations when the operation authority is not granted to the mounted maintenance terminal; Equipped with the operation unit accepts an operation to release the operation right when the operation right has been granted to the maintenance terminal mounted thereon, and accepts an operation to acquire the operation right when the operation right has not been granted to any of the plurality of maintenance terminals; the management unit transfers the operation right from the maintenance terminal on which the operation to release the operation right has been accepted to the maintenance terminal on which the operation to acquire the operation right has been accepted; Maintenance support system.

3. A maintenance support system for an elevator in which a plurality of connection nodes are provided, the maintenance support system including a car that travels up and down within a hoistway and a control panel that controls the travel of the car, supports maintenance work on the elevator using a plurality of maintenance terminals that are each carried by a corresponding one of a plurality of maintenance personnel and each connected to one of the plurality of connection nodes, a management unit that grants, to one of the plurality of maintenance terminals, an operation right to output a command signal regarding the running of the car to the control panel during the maintenance work; an operation unit that is mounted on each of the plurality of maintenance terminals, and that accepts normal maintenance operations including running of the car during the maintenance work when the operation authority is granted to the mounted maintenance terminal, and that disables the normal maintenance operations when the operation authority is not granted to the mounted maintenance terminal; Equipped with the operation unit accepts an emergency operation including an emergency stop of the car regardless of whether the operation authority is granted to the maintenance terminal mounted thereon. Maintenance support system.

4. When each of the plurality of maintenance terminals is equipped with a photographing unit that photographs an image of a maintenance worker holding the terminal, a display unit mounted on each of the plurality of maintenance terminals, for displaying an image of the maintenance worker captured by a capturing unit of a maintenance terminal to which the operation right has been assigned when the operation right has not been assigned to the mounted maintenance terminal; The maintenance support system according to claim 1 , comprising:

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