Detection device and detection method

Abstract

This system detects a malfunction where the safety shoe is incorrectly detected as having moved, even though no object is in contact with it, when the door is not fully closed. [Solution] One embodiment of the present disclosure is a detection device for detecting a malfunction of a safety shoe provided at the closing end of a door in an elevator car (10) and movable in the opening and closing direction of the door. The detection device comprises a shoe switch (13) that detects that the safety shoe has moved a predetermined distance from its initial state to a first state in the opening direction of the door; a detection unit (14) that detects an object in the first area in which the door is movable; and a detection unit (24) that detects the malfunction based on the detection result from the shoe switch (13) and the detection result from the detection unit (14).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a detection device for detecting a failure of a safety tissue, etc.

Background Art

[0002] An elevator may be provided with a door safety tissue provided in a car as one of the safety devices. In such an elevator, when a shoe switch detects that the safety tissue has been moved by being pressed by an object such as a passenger's body or an object, the door is controlled to open. This can prevent a person from being pinched by the door and injured or an object from being pinched and the elevator from malfunctioning.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a device that determines the presence or absence of a failure in which, although no object is in contact with the safety tissue, the safety tissue is erroneously detected as having moved, in a state where the door is fully closed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, the above failure may occur even when the door is open, and it is desirable to be able to detect the above failure in a state where the door is not fully closed.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is to provide a detection device or the like that can detect a failure in which, although no object is in contact with the safety tissue, the safety tissue is erroneously detected as having moved, in a state where the door is not fully closed.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To solve the above problems, a detection device according to embodiment 1 of the present invention is a detection device for detecting a malfunction of a safety shoe provided at the closing end of a door provided in an elevator car and movable in the opening and closing direction of the door, comprising: a shoe switch that detects that the safety shoe has moved a predetermined distance from an initial state to a first state in the opening direction of the door; a detection unit that detects an object in the first region in which the door is movable; and a detection unit that detects the malfunction based on the detection result from the shoe switch and the detection result from the detection unit.

[0008] With the above configuration, a malfunction of the safety shoe can be detected based on the detection results from the shoe switch and the detection unit, so a malfunction of the safety shoe can be detected even when the door is not fully closed.

[0009] In the detection device according to aspect 2 of the present invention, in aspect 1, the detection unit may be configured to detect the fault if the detection unit does not detect an object in the first area within a predetermined time from the time the shoe switch detects that the safety shoe has changed to the first state.

[0010] If the safety shoe is not malfunctioning and the shoe switch is in the first state, the detection unit will detect the object during the period from a short time before or a short time after the time the safety shoe changes to the first state. However, if the safety shoe is malfunctioning and the shoe switch is in the first state despite not being pressed by an object, the detection unit will not detect the object. Therefore, with the above configuration, the detection unit can detect that a first malfunction has occurred in the safety shoe if it does not detect an object in the first area within a predetermined time from the time the shoe switch detects that the safety shoe has changed to the first state.

[0011] In the detection device according to embodiment 3 of the present invention, in embodiment 1 or 2 above, the detection unit may be configured to detect the fault when the shoe switch detects that the safety shoe is in the first state at a predetermined time after the detection unit has stopped detecting an object in the first region.

[0012] When the detection unit stops detecting an object in the first region, there is no object in the first region, and therefore no object to press against the safety shoe. Therefore, if there is no abnormality with the safety shoe, the safety shoe will return to its initial state at least a short time after the detection unit stops detecting an object in the first region, and the shoe switch will no longer detect that the safety shoe is in the first state. However, if a malfunction occurs in the safety shoe, the safety shoe will not return to its initial state even after the detection unit stops detecting an object in the first region, and the shoe switch will detect that the safety shoe is in the first state. Therefore, according to the above configuration, if the shoe switch detects that the safety shoe is in the first state at a predetermined time after the detection unit stops detecting an object in the first region, the detection unit can detect that a malfunction has occurred in the safety shoe.

[0013] In the detection device according to aspect 4 of the present invention, in any of aspects 1 to 3 above, the detection unit may be configured to be a detection unit that detects an object in the first region using light. With the above configuration, the detection unit can detect an object in the first region.

[0014] In the detection device according to embodiment 5 of the present invention, in any of embodiments 1 to 3 above, the detection unit may be configured to detect an object in the first region by analyzing an image or video captured in the first region.

[0015] According to the above configuration, by analyzing images or videos captured in the first region, objects in the first region can be detected.

[0016] To solve the above problems, a detection method according to aspect 6 of the present invention is a detection method for detecting a malfunction of a safety shoe provided at the closing end of a door provided in an elevator car and movable in the opening and closing direction of the door, comprising: a first detection step of detecting whether the safety shoe is in a first state, having moved a predetermined distance from an initial state in the opening direction of the door; a second detection step of detecting an object in a first region in which the door is movable; and a detection step of detecting the malfunction based on the detection result obtained by the first detection step and the detection result obtained by the second detection step.

[0017] The above configuration provides the same effects as in the first embodiment described above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to one aspect of the present invention, a malfunction in which the safety shoe is incorrectly detected as having moved even though no object is in contact with the safety shoe can be detected while the door is not fully closed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0019] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing the main components of an elevator system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a front view of the elevator car in the elevator system described above. [Figure 3] This is a view of the inside of the elevator car shown above, seen from above. [Figure 4] This flowchart shows an example of a detection method for detecting a malfunction of the safety shoe in the elevator system described above. [Figure 5] This flowchart shows another example of a detection method for detecting a malfunction of the safety shoe in the elevator system described above. [Figure 6] Figure 5 is an illustrative diagram of the detection pattern of the detection unit and shoe switch in the detection method.

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0020] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of an elevator system 100 (elevator) in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the elevator system 100 includes a car 10 and an elevator control unit 20.

[0021] The car 10 is configured to carry people and goods and move up and down in a hoistway. FIG. 2 is a front view of the car 10. FIG. 3 is a view of the interior of the car 10 seen from above. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the car 10 includes a pair of doors 11, a safety shoe 12, a shoe switch 13, and a detection unit 14.

[0022] The doors 11 are movable in the horizontal direction. In the elevator system 100 in this embodiment, the doors 11 are double-opening type doors, but in an elevator system according to an aspect of the present disclosure, the doors 11 may be single-opening type doors each composed of one door leaf.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 3, the pair of doors 11 are each composed of two doors, a landing door 11A on the landing side and a car door 11B on the car 10 side. A motor (not shown) is attached to the car door 11B, and the landing door 11A is configured to be pulled by the car door 11B so that the landing door 11A and the car door 11B open and close simultaneously.

[0024] The safety shoe 12 is provided at the closing end of each of the pair of doors 11. More specifically, the safety shoe 12 is provided at the closing end of the car door 11B of the door 11. The safety shoe 12 is a bar with a height approximately equal to the height of the door 11. The safety shoe 12 is movable in the opening and closing direction (horizontal direction) of the door 11. When the safety shoe 12 comes into contact with an object such as a passenger's body or other object while the door 11 is moving in the closing direction, it is pressed in the opening direction of the door 11 and is configured to move from its initial state in the opening direction of the door 11. When the safety shoe 12 is pressed by an object and moves relative to the door 11 in the opening direction of the door 11, it is pulled up vertically, and when the pressing force from the object is removed, it returns to its initial state by its own weight.

[0025] The shoe switch 13 is a switch for detecting that the safety shoe 12 has moved a predetermined distance from its initial state relative to the door 11 to a first state. The shoe switch 13 is located inside the car door 11B of the door 11. The shoe switch 13 may be, for example, a mechanical switch. In this embodiment, the shoe switch 13 is connected to the safety shoe 12 by a link-cam mechanism (not shown), and when the safety shoe 12 is pushed in by the predetermined distance from its initial state, the link-cam mechanism switches from OFF to ON. As a result, the shoe switch 13 detects that the safety shoe 12 has entered the first state. In other words, the shoe switch 13 detects that the safety shoe 12 is in the first state. The shoe switch 13 outputs the detection result (hereinafter also referred to as the first detection result) to the elevator control unit 20.

[0026] The detection unit 14 detects objects in a first region, which is the area in the elevator car 10 where the door 11 is movable. The first region is the area between a pair of doors 11. As an example, the first region in Figure 3 is shown as region A. The detection unit 14 is a door sensor that detects objects in the first region using light. The detection unit 14 may be, for example, a single-axis or multi-axis infrared sensor. In this embodiment, the detection unit 14 is a multi-axis infrared sensor having multiple optical axes in the vertical direction. The detection unit 14 comprises an infrared irradiating unit 14A and an infrared receiving unit 14B. The infrared irradiating unit 14A is provided on one of the two elevator car doors 11B provided on the door 11, and the infrared receiving unit 14B is provided on the other elevator car door 11B. The detection unit 14 detects the presence of an object in the first region if the infrared receiver 14B fails to receive any of the multiple infrared rays emitted from the infrared irradiator 14A toward the infrared receiver 14B. The detection unit 14 outputs the detection result (hereinafter also referred to as the second detection result) to the elevator control unit 20. As a modified example, the detection unit 14 may be installed on the landing door 11A side.

[0027] The elevator control unit 20 controls the operation of each part of the elevator system 100. The elevator control unit 20 includes a first detection result acquisition unit 21, a second detection result acquisition unit 22, a door opening / closing control unit 23, a detection unit 24, and a notification unit 25.

[0028] The first detection result acquisition unit 21 acquires a first detection result from the shoe switch 13, which is the result of detecting that the safety shoe 12 has moved a predetermined distance in the opening direction of the door 11 from its initial state to a first state.

[0029] The second detection result acquisition unit 22 acquires the second detection result from the detection unit 14, which is the result of detecting an object in the first area in which the door 11 can move.

[0030] The door opening / closing control unit 23 controls the opening and closing of the door 11. The door opening / closing control unit 23 controls the opening and closing of the door 11 when the elevator car 10 arrives at the destination floor, and controls the opening and closing of the door 11 based on door opening / closing instructions for the door 11 received from passengers by operating units (not shown) installed inside the elevator car 10 and in the elevator landing.

[0031] Furthermore, when the first detection result acquisition unit 21 acquires the first detection result, the door opening / closing control unit 23 moves the door 11 in the opening direction. This causes the partially closing door 11 to reverse and open if a person or object touches the safety shoe 12 and presses against it while the door 11 is closing. Therefore, it is possible to prevent people from getting caught in the door 11 and getting injured, or objects getting caught and causing the elevator to malfunction.

[0032] Furthermore, when the second detection result acquisition unit 22 acquires the second detection result, the door opening / closing control unit 23 moves the door 11 in the opening direction. This causes the partially closing door 11 to reverse and open if a person or object is in the first area where the door 11 can move while it is closing. Therefore, it is possible to prevent people from getting caught in the door 11 and getting injured, or objects getting caught and causing the elevator to malfunction.

[0033] The detection unit 24 detects a malfunction of the safety shoe 12. First, let's explain the malfunctions that the detection unit 24 detects. If the guide of the safety shoe 12 and / or the link cam mechanism connected to the safety shoe 12 are clogged with debris, stuck, or deteriorated, the safety shoe 12 may malfunction in which it fails to return from the pressed-in state (first state) to its original position (initial state). In other words, even though no object is in contact with the safety shoe 12, it may be incorrectly detected as if the safety shoe 12 has moved (hereinafter referred to as the first malfunction). The detection unit 24 detects this first malfunction based on the detection result from the shoe switch 13 and the detection result from the detection unit 14.

[0034] Specifically, the detection unit 24 detects the first fault using two patterns, the first detection pattern and the second detection pattern described below. The first detection pattern and the second detection pattern will be explained in detail.

[0035] (First detection pattern) In the first detection pattern, the detection unit 24 detects a first fault if it does not detect an object in the first area within a predetermined time from the time the shoe switch 13 detects that the safety shoe 12 has changed to a first state.

[0036] Here, we will explain the case where there is no abnormality in the safety shoe 12 and the safety shoe 12 is pressed by an object and enters the first state. In this case, the object that pressed the safety shoe passes through the area between the infrared irradiator 14A and the infrared receiver 14B during the period from a little before the time the first state was entered, or during the period from a little after the time the first state was entered, and the detection unit 14 detects the object.

[0037] However, if a first malfunction occurs in the safety shoe 12 and the shoe switch 13 is in the first state despite not being pressed by an object, the detection unit 14 will not detect an object. Therefore, the detection unit 24 can detect that a first malfunction has occurred in the safety shoe 12 if the detection unit 14 does not detect an object in the first area within a predetermined time from the time the shoe switch 13 detects that the safety shoe 12 has changed to the first state. In other words, based on the first detection result from the shoe switch 13 and the second detection result from the detection unit 14, the detection unit 24 detects that a first malfunction has occurred in the safety shoe 12 if the detection unit 14 does not detect an object in the first area within a predetermined time from the time the shoe switch 13 detects that the safety shoe 12 has changed to the first state. As a result, the first malfunction can be detected even when the door 11 is not fully closed.

[0038] Depending on the range of motion of the object, only the safety shoe 12 or the detection unit 14 may activate, potentially leading to false detection by the detection unit 24. Therefore, a predetermined time margin is provided to prevent such false detections. The predetermined time may be approximately 1 second, such as 0.5 seconds, 1.0 seconds, or 1.5 seconds, and may be adjusted as appropriate depending on the responsiveness of the input circuit and the positional relationship between the safety shoe 12 and the detection unit 14. For example, the predetermined time may be shorter than 1.0 second if speed of detection is desired, or longer than 1.0 second to further prevent false detections.

[0039] (Second detection pattern) In the second detection pattern, the detection unit 24 detects a first fault when the shoe switch 13 detects that the safety shoe 12 is in the first state at a predetermined time after the detection unit 14 has stopped detecting an object in the first region.

[0040] Here, we will explain the case where there is no abnormality in the safety shoe 12 and the detection unit 14 no longer detects an object in the first region. In this case, since there is no object between the infrared irradiation unit 14A and the infrared light receiving unit 14B, there is no object pressing against the safety shoe 12. Therefore, at least a short time after the detection unit 14 stops detecting an object in the first region, the safety shoe 12 returns to its initial state, and the shoe switch 13 no longer detects that the safety shoe 12 is in the first state.

[0041] However, if a first fault occurs in the safety shoe 12, the safety shoe 12 will not return to its initial state even after the detection unit 14 stops detecting an object in the first area. Therefore, the shoe switch 13 detects that the safety shoe 12 is in the first state. Consequently, the detection unit 24 can detect that a first fault has occurred in the safety shoe 12 if the shoe switch 13 detects that the safety shoe 12 is in the first state at a predetermined time after the detection unit 14 stops detecting an object in the first area. In other words, the detection unit 24 detects that a first fault has occurred in the safety shoe 12 if the shoe switch 13 detects that the safety shoe 12 is in the first state at a predetermined time after the detection unit 14 stops detecting an object in the first area. Therefore, a first fault can be detected even when the door 11 is not fully closed. The predetermined time in the second detection pattern may be about 1 second, such as 0.5 seconds, 1.0 seconds, or 1.5 seconds, just like the predetermined time in the first detection pattern.

[0042] The notification unit 25 notifies an external party, such as the elevator monitoring center, of the detection result of the detection unit 24's detection of the first malfunction of the safety shoe 12, and requests the dispatch of a repairman. The notification unit 25 may notify an external party each time the detection unit 24 detects the first malfunction of the safety shoe 12, or it may notify an external party if the first malfunction is detected at a predetermined rate or higher (for example, three or more times in one day).

[0043] (Detection method) Next, an example of a detection method for detecting a first fault in the safety shoe 12 of the elevator system 100 will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a detection method for detecting a first fault in the safety shoe 12 of the elevator system 100. The example shown in Figure 4 is an example of a detection method using the first detection pattern described above.

[0044] In the detection method using the first detection pattern, as shown in Figure 4, the shoe switch 13 first detects that the safety shoe 12 has entered a first state (step S1, first detection step). The safety shoe 12 outputs the detection result to the elevator control unit 20.

[0045] Next, the detection unit 14 detects whether or not an object exists in the first region (step S2, second detection step). The detection unit 14 outputs the detection result to the elevator control unit 20.

[0046] Next, the detection unit 24 determines whether the detection unit 14 detected an object in the first area within a predetermined time from the time the shoe switch 13 detected that the safety shoe 12 had changed to the first state (step S3). If the detection unit 14 did not detect an object in the first area within the predetermined time (NO in step S3), the detection unit 24 detects a first malfunction of the safety shoe 12 (step S4, detection step).

[0047] On the other hand, if the detection unit 14 detects an object in the first area within a predetermined time (YES in step S3), the process is terminated because the first malfunction has not occurred in the safety shoe 12.

[0048] Next, an example of a detection method using the second detection pattern described above will be explained with reference to Figures 5 and 6. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of another detection method for detecting a first fault in the safety shoe 12 in the elevator system 100. The detection method in Figure 5 adds steps S5 and S6, which serve as a false detection suppression function, between steps S1 and S2 of the detection method in Figure 4. Figure 6 is an image diagram of the detection pattern of the detection unit and shoe switch in the detection method in Figure 5.

[0049] In the detection method using the second detection pattern, first, the shoe switch 13 detects that the safety shoe 12 is in the first state (step S1, first detection step). Next, the detection unit 24 determines whether or not the detection unit 14 has detected an object (step S5). If the detection unit 14 has detected an object at the time of detection by the shoe switch 13 (corresponding to the second stage in Figure 6) (YES in step S5, corresponding to the first stage in Figure 6), the detection unit 24 determines that the first fault has not occurred and terminates the process without performing steps S2 to S4.

[0050] If the detection unit 14 has not detected an object at the time of detection of the shoe switch 13 (NO in step S5), the detection unit 24 determines whether it is within a predetermined period from the most recent time the detection unit 14 stopped detecting an object (step S6). If the time of detection of the shoe switch 13 is within the predetermined period from the time the detection unit 14 stopped detecting an object (YES in step S6, corresponding to the third stage in Figure 6), the detection unit 24 determines that the first fault has not occurred and terminates the process without performing steps S2 to S4.

[0051] To rephrase the determination processes in steps S5 and S6, if the detection unit 14 detects an object at the time the shoe switch 13 detects an object, or if the shoe switch 13 detects that the safety shoe 12 is in the first state within a predetermined period from the time the detection unit 14 stops detecting an object in the first region, the detection unit 24 determines that there is no malfunction.

[0052] If the detection of the shoe switch 13 does not occur immediately after the detection unit 14 stops detecting an object (NO in step S6, corresponding to the 4th stage in Figure 6), the detection unit 14 detects whether or not an object exists in the first region (step S2, second detection step). Next, the detection unit 14 detects whether or not an object exists in the first region (step S2, second detection step). The detection unit 14 outputs the detection result to the elevator control unit 20.

[0053] Next, the detection unit 24 determines whether the detection unit 14 detected an object in the first area within a predetermined time from the time the shoe switch 13 detected that the safety shoe 12 had changed to the first state (step S3). If the detection unit 14 did not detect an object in the first area within the predetermined time (NO in step S3), the detection unit 24 detects a first malfunction of the safety shoe 12 (step S4, detection step).

[0054] On the other hand, if the detection unit 14 detects an object in the first area within a predetermined time (YES in step S3), the process is terminated because the first malfunction has not occurred in the safety shoe 12.

[0055] If the shoe switch 13 operates while the detection unit 14 is operating, or within a predetermined period after the operation is canceled, it is assumed that the first fault has not occurred, and the process is terminated. This is because the operation of the shoe switch 13 that occurred in the second and third stages of Figure 6 is highly likely to have been caused by an object detected by the detection unit 14. The detection method in Figure 5 can have a function to suppress false detections in addition to the fault detection function in Figure 4.

[0056] As described above, in the elevator system 100, the shoe switch 13, detection unit 14, and detection unit 24 function as detection devices for detecting a first malfunction of the safety shoe 12. That is, the detection unit 24 detects the first malfunction of the safety shoe 12 based on the detection result from the shoe switch 13 and the detection result from the detection unit 14. With the above configuration, since the first malfunction of the safety shoe 12 can be detected based on the detection results from the shoe switch 13 and the detection unit 14, the first malfunction of the safety shoe 12 can be detected even when the door 11 is not fully closed.

[0057] Furthermore, in the elevator system 100 of this embodiment, since the detection unit 14 that is originally installed in the elevator car 10 is used, the first fault of the safety shoe 12 can be detected without introducing any new hardware to detect the first fault.

[0058] In this embodiment, the detection device uses a detection unit 14 as a detection unit for detecting objects in the first region where the door 11 can move, but the detection device of this disclosure is not limited to this. In one aspect of the detection device of this disclosure, the elevator control unit 20 may have a function for detecting objects in the first region by analyzing images or videos captured of the first region, as a detection unit for detecting objects in the first region where the door 11 can move. In this case, the camera for capturing images of the first region is preferably installed above or below the first region so as to facilitate capturing images of objects present in the first region.

[0059] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0060] 10 Car 11 doors 12 Safety Shoes 13 Shoe switch 14 Detection unit 24 Detection unit 100 Elevator Systems

Claims

1. A detection device for detecting a malfunction of a safety shoe, which is provided at the closing end of a door in an elevator car and is movable in the opening and closing direction of the door, A shoe switch that detects that the safety shoe has moved a predetermined distance from its initial state to a first state in the direction of opening the door, A detection unit that detects an object in a first region where the door is movable, The system includes a detection unit that detects the fault based on the detection result from the shoe switch and the detection result from the detection unit, The detection unit is If the detection unit does not detect an object in the first area within a first predetermined time from the time the shoe switch detects that the safety shoe has changed to the first state, the fault is detected, or A detection device for detecting a malfunction when the shoe switch detects that the safety shoe is in the first state at a time after a second predetermined time has elapsed from the point in time when the detection unit stops detecting an object in the first region.

2. If the shoe switch detects an object, and the detection unit has detected an object, or If, within a third predetermined period from the time when the detection unit stops detecting an object in the first region, the shoe switch detects that the safety shoe is in the first state, The detection unit determines that there is no fault. The detection device according to claim 1.

3. The detection device according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit is a door sensor that detects an object in the first region using light.

4. The detection device according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit detects an object in the first region by analyzing an image or video captured of the first region.

5. A detection method for detecting a malfunction of a safety shoe provided at the closing end of a door in an elevator car, which is movable in the opening and closing direction of the door, A first detection step that detects whether the safety shoe has moved a predetermined distance from its initial state to a first state in the direction of opening the door, A second detection step involves detecting an object in a first region where the door is movable, The process includes a detection step that detects the fault based on the detection result obtained in the first detection step and the detection result obtained in the second detection step, In the detection step, If, within a first predetermined time from the time the shoe switch detects that the safety shoe has changed to the first state, no object is detected in the first area during the second detection step, then the fault is detected, or A detection method for detecting a malfunction when the shoe switch detects that the safety shoe is in the first state at a time after a second predetermined time has elapsed from the point in the second detection step when an object is no longer detected in the first region.

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