Elevator system

Abstract

To provide an elevator system that can operate in response to long-period seismic motion and suppress a decrease in operation efficiency.SOLUTION: An elevator system comprises an elevator device, a server device, and a remote monitoring device. The server device receives long-period seismic motion data distributed by the Japan Meteorological Agency when an earthquake occurs and estimates the magnitude class of long-period seismic motion occurring in a target building. The control device includes an operation control unit that controls car operation using a response operation corresponding to the estimated magnitude class, and a determination unit that determines whether the absolute value of acceleration measured by an accelerometer in the remote monitoring device is smaller than a threshold value corresponding to the current response operation. If the absolute value of acceleration measured by the accelerometer is smaller than the threshold value corresponding to the current response operation, the operation control unit starts a response operation corresponding to a class with a smaller long-period seismic motion than the class corresponding to the current response operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an elevator system that performs operation corresponding to long-period seismic motion during an earthquake.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a long-period seismic motion prediction system. According to this system, when an emergency earthquake warning is issued, the occurrence of long-period seismic motion that may occur in a building provided with an elevator device can be predicted based on the emergency earthquake warning and information regarding the building. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide equipment for dealing with long-period seismic motion for each building.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the elevator system described in Patent Document 1, when the occurrence of long-period seismic motion is predicted in a building, the car of the elevator device provided in the building evacuates to the nearest floor. However, even when the prediction is incorrect and long-period seismic motion does not occur much in the building, the car continues to stop at that floor after evacuation. Therefore, the operation efficiency of the elevator device may decrease.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems. An object of the present disclosure is to provide an elevator system that can perform operation corresponding to long-period seismic motion and suppress a decrease in operation efficiency.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The elevator system relating to this disclosure comprises an elevator car, a control device for controlling the operation of the car, an elevator device installed in a target building, a server device installed in a building separate from the target building, and a remote monitoring device having an accelerometer that collects information from the control device and transmits it to the server device. The server device receives long-period ground motion data distributed by the Japan Meteorological Agency when an earthquake occurs, and estimates the magnitude class of the long-period ground motion occurring in the target building based on the building information of the target building and the long-period ground motion data. The control device has an operation control unit that controls the operation of the car with a corresponding operation corresponding to the magnitude of the estimated class when the server device estimates the magnitude of the long-period ground motion, and a determination unit that determines whether the absolute value of the acceleration measured by the accelerometer of the remote monitoring device is smaller than a threshold corresponding to the current corresponding operation. If the absolute value of the acceleration measured by the accelerometer is smaller than the threshold corresponding to the current corresponding operation, the operation control unit starts a corresponding operation corresponding to a class of long-period ground motion smaller than the class corresponding to the current corresponding operation. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, the control device controls the operation of the elevator car with a corresponding operation that corresponds to the magnitude of the class estimated by the server device. Furthermore, the operation control unit starts a corresponding operation corresponding to a class of long-period ground motion that is smaller than the class corresponding to the current corresponding operation when the absolute value of the acceleration measured by the accelerometer is smaller than the threshold corresponding to the current corresponding operation. In this way, it is possible to perform a corresponding operation to long-period ground motion while suppressing a decrease in operating efficiency. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of the elevator system in Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] This is a functional block diagram of the elevator system in Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] This flowchart shows an example of the control performed by the server device of the elevator system in Embodiment 1. [Figure 4]This is a flowchart of a first example of the control performed by the control device of the elevator system in Embodiment 1. [Figure 5] This is a flowchart of a second example of the control performed by the control device of the elevator system in Embodiment 1. [Figure 6] This is a hardware configuration diagram of the control device for the elevator system in Embodiment 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments for implementing this disclosure will be described with reference to the attached drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. The explanation of such parts will be simplified or omitted as appropriate.

[0010] Embodiment 1. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the elevator system in Embodiment 1. Figure 2 is a functional block diagram of the elevator system in Embodiment 1.

[0011] The elevator system 1 in Figure 1 includes an elevator device 2 installed in building 50, which is the target building. Building 50 is provided with an elevator shaft 51 that runs through each floor. The elevator device 2 includes a control device 3, a drive unit 4, a car 5, and an earthquake detector 6. The control device 3 controls the elevator device 2 as a whole and controls the operation of the car 5. The drive unit 4 raises and lowers the car 5 inside the elevator shaft 51 via a main rope.

[0012] For example, the earthquake detector 6 is installed at the bottom of the elevator shaft 51. For example, the earthquake detector 6 has a three-stage resolution: acceleration less than or equal to the acceleration indicating a P wave, acceleration between the acceleration indicating a P wave and the acceleration indicating an S wave, and acceleration greater than or equal to the acceleration indicating an S wave. When the earthquake detector 6 detects a P wave caused by an earthquake, it transmits a signal indicating the detection of a P wave to the control device 3. When the earthquake detector 6 detects an S wave caused by an earthquake, it transmits a signal indicating the detection of an S wave to the control device 3. When the control device 3 receives a signal indicating the detection of a P wave or an S wave, it operates the elevator car 5 in a manner corresponding to the signal.

[0013] The elevator system 1 further comprises a remote monitoring device 7 and a server device 8. The remote monitoring device 7 is installed in the building 50 near the control device 3. The remote monitoring device 7 is electrically connected to the control device 3 and can communicate with the control device 3. The remote monitoring device 7 can communicate with the server device 8 via a network. The remote monitoring device 7 mediates communication between the control device 3 and the server device 8. The remote monitoring device 7 collects information regarding the operation and equipment of the elevator device 2 from the control device 3 and transmits it to the server device 8 at predetermined intervals.

[0014] The remote monitoring device 7 has an accelerometer 7a. The accelerometer 7a is capable of measuring acceleration. The acceleration resolution measured by the accelerometer 7a is higher than the acceleration resolution measured by the seismic detector 6.

[0015] Server device 8 is located in building 60, which is separate from building 50. Server device 8 is managed by the company that maintains and manages elevator equipment 2. Server device 8 performs maintenance and management of elevator equipment 2 based on information about the operation and equipment of elevator equipment 2 received from remote monitoring device 7. Server device 8 can communicate with external device 9 via a network.

[0016] External device 9 is a device that distributes information related to earthquakes. For example, external device 9 is a device that distributes earthquake early warnings installed at the Japan Meteorological Agency. Earthquake early warnings include long-period ground motion data. For example, the long-period ground motion data may include at least one of the following: latitude, longitude, and depth of the epicenter, magnitude, time of earthquake occurrence, and area where long-period ground motion of class 3 or higher is expected. The long-period ground motion data may also include at least one of the following information for each region: the maximum value of the long-period ground motion class, and for each individual observation point: the long-period ground motion class, the class of long-period ground motion by period, the maximum value of the absolute velocity response spectrum value in the period band from 1.6 seconds to 7.8 seconds, and the maximum value of the absolute velocity response spectrum value.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2, the server device 8 includes, as functions, an early warning reception unit 8a, an estimation unit 8b, and a command unit 8c. The early warning reception unit 8a receives an emergency earthquake early warning including long-period seismic motion data from an external device 9.

[0018] Building information regarding the building 50 is stored in the estimation unit 8b in advance. For example, the building information may include at least one of the latitude and longitude of the location of the building, the height of the building, and the structural type of the building (S structure, RC structure, SRC structure, etc.). The estimation unit 8b may calculate the resonance frequency of the building 50 from the height and structure of the building 50.

[0019] The estimation unit 8b estimates a class of long-period seismic motion indicating the magnitude of the long-period seismic motion of the building 50 based on the building information and the long-period seismic motion data. For example, the classes include, in order from the smallest magnitude of long-period seismic motion, the first class, the second class, and the third class.

[0020] The first class of long-period seismic motion corresponds to a somewhat large shake, and the following events may occur. Most people indoors feel the shake. Some people are surprised. Suspended objects such as blinds shake greatly.

[0021] The second class of long-period seismic motion corresponds to a large shake, and the following events may occur. A large shake is felt indoors, and one feels like holding onto something. It is difficult to walk without holding onto something, etc., and one feels hindered in movement. Furniture with casters moves slightly. Dishes on shelves and books on bookshelves may fall.

[0022] The third class of long-period seismic motion corresponds to a very large shake, and the following events may occur. It becomes difficult to stand. Furniture with casters moves greatly. Unfixed furniture may move, and unstable furniture may fall. Cracks may appear in partition walls, etc.

[0023] The command unit 8c transmits a command to the control device 3 via the remote monitoring device 7, which includes the class estimated by the estimation unit 8b and instructs the control device 3 to perform the corresponding operation for that class. At this time, the command unit 8c may also determine the corresponding operation for the estimated class and transmit a command to the control device 3 that includes the details of that operation.

[0024] For example, in the first corresponding operation for the first class, car 5 operates at a slower speed than in normal operation. In the first corresponding operation, controls other than the slow speed of car 5, specifically controls such as responding to calls to car 5, are performed in the same way as in normal operation. In the second corresponding operation for the second and third classes, car 5 remains stopped at one of the landings on any floor.

[0025] The control device 3 includes, functionally, a receiving unit 10, an operation control unit 11, and a determination unit 12. The receiving unit 10 receives commands from the server device 8 via the remote monitoring device 7. The receiving unit 10 receives the acceleration measurement values ​​from the accelerometer 7a at a predetermined period.

[0026] The operation control unit 11 controls the operation of the elevator car 5. For example, the operation control unit 11 controls the normal operation of the elevator car 5. The operation control unit 11 has in advance stored the correspondence between the class of long-period ground motion and the corresponding operation. When it receives a command from the command unit 8c, the operation control unit 11 starts the corresponding operation that corresponds to the class included in the command. After that, the operation control unit 11 starts the corresponding operation based on the content determined by the determination unit 12.

[0027] The determination unit 12 has pre-stored the classification of long-period ground motion and the corresponding acceleration thresholds. The first threshold corresponding to the first classification is smaller than the second threshold corresponding to the second classification. The second threshold may be smaller than the third threshold corresponding to the third classification, or it may be the same as the third threshold.

[0028] The determination unit 12 identifies the class of long-period ground motion corresponding to the current response operation and retrieves the threshold corresponding to the identified class. The determination unit 12 determines whether the absolute value of the acceleration measured by the accelerometer 7a is smaller than the threshold corresponding to the current response operation. Here, the acceleration measured by the accelerometer 7a is the largest or smallest acceleration detected by the accelerometer 7a during the specified decision time interval. This is because, when shaking occurs periodically, the measured value of acceleration can fluctuate over time as a wave.

[0029] If the determination unit 12 determines that the absolute value of the acceleration measured by the accelerometer 7a is smaller than the threshold corresponding to the current response operation, the operation control unit 11 switches to a response operation corresponding to a class of long-period ground motion one level lower than the class corresponding to the currently executed response operation, and starts the switched response operation.

[0030] Next, we will explain the control performed in the elevator system 1 using Figures 3 to 5. Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an example of control performed by the server device of the elevator system in Embodiment 1. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing a first example of control performed by the control device of the elevator system in Embodiment 1. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing a second example of control performed by the control device of the elevator system in Embodiment 1.

[0031] For example, the flowchart in Figure 3 is initiated when an earthquake occurs that triggers an earthquake early warning.

[0032] In step S01, the early warning receiving unit 8a receives an earthquake early warning including long-period ground motion data from an external device 9. Then, in step S02, the estimation unit 8b estimates the long-period ground motion class of the building 50 in which the elevator device 2 is installed. Then, in step S03, the command unit 8c transmits a command including the estimated long-period ground motion class to the control device 3.

[0033] The flowchart in Figure 4 starts when a command is sent from the server device 8 to the control device 3.

[0034] In step S11, the receiving unit 10 receives a command from the server device 8. Then, in step S12, the operation control unit 11 starts controlling the operation of the elevator car 5 with a corresponding operation corresponding to the class of long-period ground motion included in the command. Then, in step S13, the determination unit 12 waits for a predetermined waiting time.

[0035] Subsequently, in step S14, the determination unit 12 determines whether the absolute value of the acceleration measured by the accelerometer 7a is smaller than the threshold corresponding to the current corresponding operation. Specifically, if the first corresponding operation is currently being performed, the determination unit 12 determines whether the absolute value of the measured acceleration is smaller than the first corresponding threshold. If the second corresponding operation is currently being performed, the determination unit 12 determines whether the absolute value of the measured acceleration is smaller than the second corresponding threshold.

[0036] If the absolute value of the measured acceleration in step S14 is greater than or equal to the corresponding threshold, the operations from step S13 onward are repeated. Note that the waiting time when step S13 is performed after step S14 may be shorter than the waiting time when step S13 is performed after step S12.

[0037] If, in step S14, the absolute value of the measured acceleration is smaller than the corresponding threshold, the operation in step S15 is performed. In step S15, the operation control unit 11 starts an operation corresponding to a class in which the long-period ground motion is smaller than the class corresponding to the current operation. Specifically, if the absolute value of the measured acceleration is smaller than the second threshold while the second operation is being performed, the operation control unit 11 starts a first operation corresponding to the first class, which has a long-period ground motion one level smaller than the second class. If, while the first operation is being performed, the absolute value of the measured acceleration is smaller than the first threshold, the operation control unit 11 starts normal operation as an operation corresponding to class 0, which has a long-period ground motion smaller than the first class.

[0038] After step S15, the flowchart operation ends. For example, if the first corrective operation is being performed at the end of the flowchart, the operation control unit 11 may continue the first corrective operation until a maintenance worker confirms safety on-site.

[0039] In the flowchart of Figure 5, steps S11 to S15 are the same as in the flowchart of Figure 4.

[0040] After step S15, in step S16, the operation control unit 11 determines whether the current operation is normal operation corresponding to class 0. If normal operation is currently being performed in step S16, the flowchart operation ends.

[0041] In step S16, if the current operation is not normal operation, the operations from step S13 onward are repeated. That is, the control device 3 continues or changes the corresponding operation until normal operation begins, according to the absolute value of the acceleration measured by the accelerometer 7a. Note that the waiting time when step S13 is performed after step S16 may be shorter than the waiting time when step S13 is performed after step S12.

[0042] According to Embodiment 1 described above, the elevator system 1 comprises an elevator device 2, a remote monitoring device 7, and a server device 8. The server device 8 estimates the magnitude class of long-period ground motion occurring in the target building, building 50. The control device 3 comprises an operation control unit 11 and a determination unit 12. The operation control unit 11 starts a response operation corresponding to a class of long-period ground motion smaller than the class corresponding to the current response operation when the absolute value of the acceleration measured by the accelerometer 7a is smaller than the threshold corresponding to the current response operation. For example, conventionally, even if long-period ground motion hardly occurred, the response operation was continued until the human verification work was completed. According to the elevator system 1 of this embodiment, if the long-period ground motion is smaller than a specified threshold, the response operation corresponding to a class of even smaller long-period ground motion is started. Therefore, the elevator system 1 can perform a response operation to long-period ground motion while suppressing a decrease in operating efficiency.

[0043] Furthermore, the classification includes at least a first classification and a second classification in which the long-period ground motion is greater than that of the first classification. In particular, the first threshold corresponding to the first classification is smaller than the second threshold corresponding to the second classification. In the first response operation, the operation control unit 11 moves the car 5 at a slower speed than normal operation. In the second response operation, the operation control unit 11 stops the car 5 at one of the landings. When the second response operation is being performed, the first response operation of a lower classification is performed, allowing the elevator system 2 to start transporting passengers while ensuring the safety of the car 5. As a result, operating efficiency can be improved. In addition, passenger evacuation can be facilitated.

[0044] Furthermore, the corresponding operation for classes smaller than the first class is normal operation. That is, when the absolute value of the acceleration measured while the first corresponding operation is being performed becomes smaller than the first acceleration, the operation control unit 11 returns the car 5 to normal operation. This improves operating efficiency.

[0045] Note that the locations of the remote monitoring device 7 and the accelerometer 7a in the building 50 do not have to be those shown in Figure 1. Also, the location of the earthquake detector 6 does not have to be those shown in Figure 1; it may be inside the machine room at the top of the building 50.

[0046] The control device 3 may be a control panel for the elevator device 2, or it may be a group control panel that manages multiple elevator devices 2 installed in the building 50.

[0047] Furthermore, the content of the corresponding operation for each class may be arbitrarily changed by the maintenance company's administrator, the owner of elevator device 2, etc., via a web server or the like (not shown in the diagram). For example, in the first corresponding operation for the first class, the same control as normal operation may be performed; in the second corresponding operation for the second class, control may be performed so that car 5 is operated at a low speed; and in the third corresponding operation for the third class, control may be performed so that car 5 remains stopped at one of the floor landings. In addition, the control performed in each corresponding operation may be arbitrarily changed.

[0048] Next, an example of the hardware constituting the control device 3 will be explained using Figure 6. Figure 6 is a hardware configuration diagram of the control device for the elevator system in Embodiment 1.

[0049] Each function of the control device 3 can be realized by a processing circuit. For example, the processing circuit comprises at least one processor 100a and at least one memory 100b. For example, the processing circuit comprises at least one dedicated hardware 200.

[0050] When the processing circuit comprises at least one processor 100a and at least one memory 100b, each function of the control device 3 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. At least one of the software and firmware is stored in at least one memory 100b. At least one processor 100a realizes each function of the control device 3 by reading and executing the program stored in at least one memory 100b. At least one processor 100a is also called a central processing unit, processing unit, arithmetic unit, microprocessor, microcomputer, or DSP. For example, at least one memory 100b is a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as RAM, ROM, flash memory, EPROM, EEPROM, magnetic disk, flexible disk, optical disk, compact disk, minidisc, DVD, etc.

[0051] If the processing circuit includes at least one dedicated hardware 200, the processing circuit may be implemented as, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination thereof. For example, each function of the control unit 3 may be implemented by a processing circuit. For example, each function of the control unit 3 may be implemented together by a processing circuit.

[0052] For each function of the control device 3, some may be implemented by dedicated hardware 200, and others by software or firmware. For example, the function of the determination unit 12 may be implemented by a processing circuit as dedicated hardware 200, while functions other than those of the determination unit 12 may be implemented by at least one processor 100a reading and executing a program stored in at least one memory 100b.

[0053] In this way, the processing circuit realizes each function of the control device 3 using hardware 200, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.

[0054] Although not shown in the diagram, each function of the server device 8 is implemented by processing circuits equivalent to those that implement each function of the control device 3.

[0055] Furthermore, at least some of the functions of the control device 3 or the server device 8 may be implemented on the cloud server. In this case, the processing circuit is composed of multiple sub-circuits. These multiple sub-processing circuits are provided in each of the multiple devices that make up the cloud server. The multiple devices that make up the cloud server may each be located in a different building. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0056] 1 Elevator system, 2 Elevator device, 3 Control device, 4 Drive unit, 5 Car, 6 Earthquake detector, 7 Remote monitoring device, 7a Accelerometer, 8 Server device, 8a Rapid report receiving unit, 8b Estimation unit, 8c Command unit, 9 External device, 10 Receiving unit, 11 Operation control unit, 12 Judgment unit, 50 Building, 51 Elevator shaft, 60 Building, 100a Processor, 100b Memory, 200 Hardware

Claims

1. An elevator system installed in a target building comprises a car and a control device for controlling the operation of the car. A server device located in a building separate from the aforementioned target building, A remote monitoring device having an accelerometer that collects information from the control device and transmits it to the server device, Equipped with, The server device receives long-period ground motion data distributed by the Japan Meteorological Agency when an earthquake occurs, and estimates the magnitude class of the long-period ground motion occurring in the target building based on the building information of the target building and the long-period ground motion data. The control device is When the magnitude of the long-period ground motion is estimated by the server device, the operation control unit starts the operation of the elevator car in a corresponding operation that corresponds to the estimated magnitude of the class, A determination unit that determines whether the absolute value of the acceleration measured by the accelerometer of the remote monitoring device is smaller than the threshold corresponding to the current operation, It has, The operation control unit initiates an operation corresponding to a class of long-period ground motion that is smaller than the class corresponding to the current operation, when the absolute value of the acceleration measured by the accelerometer is smaller than the threshold corresponding to the current operation. Elevator system.

2. The classifications estimated by the server device include a first classification and a second classification in which the long-period ground motion is greater than that of the first classification. The aforementioned operation control unit, In the first corresponding operation corresponding to the first class, the cage is moved at a lower speed than in normal operation. In the second corresponding operation corresponding to the second class, the elevator car is stopped at the landing. The elevator system according to claim 1.

3. The first threshold corresponding to the first corresponding operation is smaller than the second threshold corresponding to the second corresponding operation. The elevator system according to claim 2.

4. When the operation control unit is performing the first corresponding operation, if the absolute value of the acceleration measured by the accelerometer is smaller than the first threshold corresponding to the first corresponding operation, it returns to the normal operation of the cage. The elevator system according to claim 2 or claim 3.

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