Elevator system

Abstract

The objective is to provide a device that detects the usage status of a disaster prevention cabinet without requiring electrical wiring to the cabinet and without affecting the design of the cabinet's interior. [Solution] An elevator system having a door that can be opened freely from a closed state and cannot be closed from an open state without a predetermined operation, and equipped with a disaster prevention cabinet inside the car for storing emergency supplies, the elevator system being characterized by comprising: an imaging means installed inside the car for imaging an area including the disaster prevention cabinet; a detected object installed in the disaster prevention cabinet that is displaced when the door is opened from a closed state; and a displacement determination means for determining whether or not the door has been displaced from its closed position based on the detected object imaged by the imaging means.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an elevator system.

Background Art

[0002] In an elevator car, a disaster prevention cabinet storing emergency supplies may be installed in case of being confined during an emergency such as a disaster. Since the emergency supplies in the disaster prevention cabinet need to be replenished by the next disaster when they are used, it is necessary to regularly check whether the disaster prevention cabinet is being used or not. The door of the disaster prevention cabinet can be opened by passengers but cannot be locked. Therefore, the administrator has to go to the site to check the status of the door and determine whether the emergency supplies have been used and whether replenishment is required.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] For example, in Patent Document 1, in order to reduce the burden on the administrator, a sensor for detecting that the emergency supplies placed on the storage shelf of the disaster prevention storage box have been moved is provided. When the sensor reacts, a closing door control member is projected by a driving device to prevent the door from being closed, and a transmission device is used to transmit the fact that the sensor has reacted to a monitoring center.

[0005] The method disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires power to be supplied to sensors, drive devices, transmitters, etc., but the method of drilling holes in the elevator car and drawing in electrical wiring from outside the car is not recommended for electrical wiring to the disaster prevention storage box. Therefore, the common method is to run electrical wiring from the elevator car control panel, etc., through the elevator car to the disaster prevention storage box, but this wiring affects the design inside the elevator car. It is also conceivable to install a battery inside the disaster prevention storage box, but this presents the problem of requiring the administrator to replace the battery.

[0006] This disclosure addresses the above-mentioned problems and aims to provide a device that detects the usage status of a disaster prevention cabinet without requiring electrical wiring to the cabinet and without affecting the design inside the cabinet. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An elevator system comprising a car containing a disaster prevention cabinet for storing emergency supplies, having a door that can be opened freely from a closed state and cannot be closed from an open state without a predetermined operation, wherein the system comprises: an imaging means installed inside the car for imaging an area including the disaster prevention cabinet; a detectable object installed in the disaster prevention cabinet that displaces when the door is opened from a closed state; and a displacement determination means for determining whether the door has displaced from its closed position based on the detectable object imaged by the imaging means. The object to be detected is passed through a through hole provided in the top plate of the disaster prevention cabinet in a state that allows it to move up and down, and the displacement determination means determines that the door has been displaced from the closed position when the length of the object to be detected protruding from the top plate is less than a predetermined value. An elevator system characterized by [feature]. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, in an elevator car, there is no need to supply power to the disaster prevention cabinet and no electrical wiring is required, so the opening of the door can be detected by reading the displacement of the object to be detected when the door of the disaster prevention cabinet is opened using an imaging means, without affecting the design of the elevator car. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1]This is an overall system configuration diagram in Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] This is a structural diagram showing the door closed state of the disaster prevention cabinet in Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] This is a structural diagram showing the door of the disaster prevention cabinet in the open state in Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart showing the operation for detecting the open state of the door of the disaster prevention cabinet in Embodiment 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] A detailed explanation follows, with reference to the drawings. Repetitive explanations will be simplified or omitted as appropriate. In each drawing, the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts.

[0011] Embodiment 1. Figure 1 is an overall system configuration diagram for realizing Embodiment 1. In Figure 1, a disaster prevention cabinet 2 is installed inside the elevator car 1 in which passengers ride, and a camera 3 of the imaging means captures images of the inside of the car 1, including the disaster prevention cabinet 2.

[0012] A CPU board 5 is located inside the car-top control device 4, which is installed on top of the car 1. The CPU board 5 has a microcontroller 6 built into it. The CPU board 5 controls the control panel, lighting (not shown), and camera 3 inside the car 1.

[0013] The image extraction unit 7 extracts still image data from the video data captured by the camera 3. The reference image storage unit 8 stores still image data that confirms the door of the disaster prevention cabinet 2 in an unused state after installation. The monitoring image storage unit 9 stores and updates still image data that confirms the status of the disaster prevention cabinet 2 at regular time intervals, as recorded by the image extraction unit 7.

[0014] The displacement determination means 10 compares the still image data stored in the reference image storage unit 8 with the still image data stored in the monitoring image storage unit 9. First, by pattern matching of the still images, it confirms that the disaster prevention cabinet 2 shown in the still image data stored in the monitoring image storage unit 9 is the same as the still image data stored in the reference image storage unit 8, without any obstructions such as passengers. Next, based on the still image data also stored in the reference image storage unit 8, it recognizes whether the disaster prevention cabinet 2 in the still image data stored in the monitoring image storage unit 9 is in a closed state based on the displacement of the detected object 21.

[0015] The communication means 12 is provided on the CPU board 5 and, if the displacement determination means 10 determines that the disaster prevention cabinet 2, as seen in the still image data stored in the monitoring image storage unit 9, is not in a closed state, it transmits information indicating that the door is open to the elevator control panel 13. The information indicating that the door is open may also be transmitted to the monitoring room 14.

[0016] The elevator control panel 13 primarily controls the raising and lowering of the elevator car 1 and also receives information transmitted from the communication means 12.

[0017] In the monitoring room 14, the elevator system is managed and its operating status is checked. When the alarm device 15 installed in the monitoring room 14 determines that the door of the disaster prevention cabinet 2 is open, it receives an alarm instruction from the elevator control panel 13 and emits an alarm in the monitoring room 14. The alarm device 15 may also emit an alarm upon receiving information indicating that the door is open directly from the communication means 12.

[0018] Next, the structure of the disaster prevention cabinet 2 will be described. Figure 2 shows the door of the disaster prevention cabinet 2 in the closed position. Figure 2(2.1) is a front view, Figure 2(2.2) is a cross-sectional view along line AA in Figure 2(2.1), and Figure 2(2.3) is a view in direction B in Figure 2(2.1). Figure 3 shows the door of the disaster prevention cabinet 2 in the open position. Figure 3(3.1) is a front view, Figure 3(3.2) is a cross-sectional view along line AA in Figure 3(3.1), and Figure 3(3.3) is a view in direction B in Figure 3(3.1).

[0019] The storage box 16 for storing emergency supplies installs a door 18 with a hinge 17 and fixes a top plate 19 with a fitting (not shown).

[0020] The top plate 19 is provided with a through hole 20. A detected body 21 that penetrates the through hole 20 of the top plate and protrudes outside the storage box 16 in a direction perpendicular to the top plate 19 is provided. Also, inside the top plate 19, a latch body 23 for accommodating a latch claw 22 is provided. The top plate 19 has a thickness capable of accommodating the latch body 23, and the latch body 23 is buried and fixed inside the top plate 19. Or, the top plate 19 is a box, and in a state where the inside of the top plate 19 is a space, the latch body 23 may be fixed to the side surface inside the box. The latch claw 22 protrudes from the side wall of the through hole 20 of the top plate and engages with a latch receiver 24 provided on the upper part of the detected body 21. In FIGS. 2 and 3, the latch body 23 is provided inside the top plate 19, but it is not limited to being inside the top plate 19 as long as it is fixed to the outer surface of the top plate 19 and the latch claw 22 can engage with the latch receiver 24.

[0021] When the latch claw 22 receives stress from above, it is drawn into the latch body 23 inside the top plate 19. Conversely, when it receives stress from below, it is not drawn into the latch body 23. Also, the latch body 23 is provided with a latch release button 25, and when pressed, the latch claw 22 is drawn into the latch body 23.

[0022] The detected body 21 has a latch receiver 24 at the upper part and an opening 26 at the lower part. When the door 18 is opened, the detected body 21 descends along the through hole 20 of the top plate due to its own weight and is fixed by the engagement of the latch receiver 24 and the latch claw 22. Also, even if an attempt is made to raise the fixed detected body 21 again along the through hole 20 of the top plate, the engagement with the latch claw 22 is not released. Also, since the upper and lower ends of the detected body 21 are larger than the through hole 20 of the top plate, the detected body 21 does not come out of the through hole 20 of the top plate.

[0023] The object to be detected support rod 27 is provided on the door 18. By pressing the latch release button 25 and raising the object to be detected 21, then closing the door 18, the bottom of the object to be detected 21 is supported by the object to be detected support rod 27. If the object to be detected 21 is raised to a position higher than the object to be detected support rod 27, the object to be detected 21 will descend due to its own weight and stop at the position of the object to be detected support rod 27, where it will be supported.

[0024] Furthermore, when the door 18 is opened, the detected object 21 descends, and the latch receiver 24 and the latch claw 22 engage, if the door 18 is to be closed again, the detected object support rod 27 does not interfere with the detected object 21, but passes through the opening 26 in the detected object 21 and fits inside the disaster prevention cabinet 2, allowing the door 18 to be closed. In Figures 2 and 3, an opening 26 is provided in the detected object 21, but it is also possible to have a specification in which the door 18 cannot be closed once it has been opened by causing the detected object support rod 27 and the detected object 21 to interfere with each other when trying to close the door 18 again.

[0025] Next, based on the structure of the disaster prevention cabinet 2, the operation of the detected object 21 when the door 18 is opened and closed will be explained. When the door 18 has never been opened and is closed, as shown in Figure 2(2.1), the detected object 21 is supported at its bottom by the detected object support rod 27 and protrudes above the top plate 19. When the door 18 is opened, as shown in Figure 3(3.1), the detected object 21 loses the support of the detected object support rod 27 at its bottom and descends due to its own weight, but is fixed in place when the latch receiver 24 and the latch claw 22 engage. At this time, the detected object 21 no longer protrudes above the top plate 19 and is contained within the disaster prevention cabinet 2.

[0026] As a result, when the door 18 is closed, the detected object 21 protrudes above the top plate 19, and after the door 18 is opened, the detected object 21 does not protrude above the top plate 19. This difference allows for visual confirmation of the state of the disaster prevention cabinet 2 and the open / closed state of the door 18. The opening of the door 18 is detected by reading and recognizing the displacement of this detected object 21 from the still image data captured by the camera 3.

[0027] Furthermore, once the door 18 is opened and the detected object 21 is secured by the latch claw 22, it is not possible to raise the detected object 21 and make it protrude above the top plate 19. Therefore, even if the door 18 is closed afterward, it can still be confirmed that the door 18 was opened first, while the detected object 21 was not protruding above the top plate 19. Also, the latch release button 25 is known only to the administrator. After checking and adjusting the status of the disaster prevention cabinet 2, the administrator can press the latch release button 25 to raise the detected object 21, making its bottom support the detected object support rod 27, and then close the door 18.

[0028] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating the detection operation for the open state of the emergency cabinet 2 door. Based on Figure 4, the detection operation for the open state of the door will be explained. First, in step S001, the emergency cabinet 2, which stores emergency supplies, is installed inside the elevator car 1. To avoid obstructing passengers and to efficiently use the space inside the elevator car 1, the emergency cabinet 2 is generally installed in one of the four corners of the elevator car 1. In this case, as an example, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the external shape of the emergency cabinet 2 is such that its back fits into one of the four corners. Sometimes, the entire external shape is made thin and installed along the wall inside the elevator car 1.

[0029] When the disaster prevention cabinet 2 is installed, in step S002, the disaster prevention cabinet 2 is imaged by camera 3, still image data is extracted by the image extraction unit 7, and the still image data is stored in the reference image storage unit 8. This still image data becomes a reference image showing the state in which the door 18 of the disaster prevention cabinet 2 is closed. Camera 3 may be installed for monitoring the disaster prevention cabinet 2, or it may be a security camera that monitors the situation inside the cage 1.

[0030] Next, in step S003, the disaster prevention cabinet 2 is imaged by the camera 3, still image data is extracted by the image extraction unit 7, and the still image data is stored in the monitoring image storage unit 9. This still image data is for monitoring the current state of the disaster prevention cabinet 2, and still image data is extracted at regular time intervals and overwritten in the monitoring image storage unit 9 as the still image data is stored.

[0031] Next, in step S004, the displacement determination means 10 compares the still image data stored in the monitoring image storage unit 9 with the still image data stored in the reference image storage unit 8. First, the disaster prevention cabinet 2 is extracted from the still image data stored in the reference image storage unit 8 as the object to be detected. Next, by pattern matching, similar parts are extracted from the still image data stored in the monitoring image storage unit 9 to the disaster prevention cabinet 2 extracted earlier from the still image data stored in the reference image storage unit 8, and the matching rate is checked. This allows the monitoring image storage unit 9 to determine whether the still image data allows for confirmation of the state of the disaster prevention cabinet 2, similar to the still image data stored in the reference image storage unit 8, without any obstructions such as passengers. If, based on the matching rate check, it is determined that there are obstructions such as passengers in front of the disaster prevention cabinet 2 and the still image data does not allow for confirmation of the state of the disaster prevention cabinet 2, the process returns to step S003, and the still image data stored in the monitoring image storage unit 9 is updated.

[0032] In step S004, if it is determined that the still image data stored in the monitoring image storage unit 9 can confirm the state of the disaster prevention cabinet 2, in step S005, the object to be detected 21 is extracted from the still image data of the disaster prevention cabinet 2 with the door closed, which is stored in the reference image storage unit 8, as the object to be detected. Next, similar to step S004, the same as in step S004, the similar parts between the still image data stored in the monitoring image storage unit 9 and the object to be detected 21 extracted earlier from the still image data stored in the reference image storage unit 8 are extracted by pattern matching, and the matching rate is checked. If the matching rate is below a predetermined level and it is confirmed that the object to be detected 21 has been displaced, it is determined that the door is open. If the displacement of the object to be detected 21 cannot be confirmed and it is determined that the door is closed, the process returns to step S003, and the still image data stored in the monitoring image storage unit 9 is updated. In addition, for determining whether the door 18 is open or closed, a standard may be set for the length of the object to be detected 21 protruding from the top plate 19, and if it is longer than a predetermined length, it may be considered as the door closed state, and if it is shorter than the predetermined length, it may be considered as the door open state.

[0033] In step S005, if the still image data stored in the monitoring image storage unit 9 determines that the disaster prevention cabinet 2 is in an open state, then in step S006, the communication means 12 of the CPU board 5 transmits information indicating the open state to the elevator control panel 13. The communication means 12 may be wired or wireless, and there is no specified communication method.

[0034] Next, in step S006, the alarm device 15 located in the monitoring room 14 receives an alarm command from the elevator control panel 13 and issues an alarm. The alarm may be issued by voice or display. The location of the alarm device 15 is not limited to the monitoring room 14, but may be in a remote location. The alarm device 15 may also receive an alarm command directly from the communication means 12.

[0035] In this way, by checking the displacement of the detected object 21, it is possible to check the open / closed state of the door 18 of the disaster prevention cabinet 2 without requiring electrical wiring to the cabinet 2 and without affecting the design inside the cage 1. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0036] 1. Elevator car, 2. Disaster prevention cabinet, 3. Camera, 4. Elevator car control device, 5. CPU board, 6. Microcontroller, 7. Image extraction unit, 8. Reference image storage unit, 9. Monitoring image storage unit, 10. Displacement determination means, 12. Communication means, 13. Elevator control panel, 14. Monitoring room, 15. Alarm device, 16. Storage box body, 17. Hinge, 18. Door, 19. Top plate, 20. Hole through top plate, 21. Detected object, 22. Latch claw, 23. Latch body, 24. Latch receiver, 25. Latch release button, 26. Opening, 27. Detected object support rod

Claims

1. It has a door that can be opened freely from the closed state, and is designed so that it cannot be closed from the open state without performing a predetermined operation. An elevator system equipped with a disaster prevention cabinet inside the car for storing emergency supplies, An imaging means installed inside the cage and for imaging the area including the disaster prevention cabinet, A detection object is installed in the aforementioned disaster prevention cabinet and is displaced when the door is opened from a closed state, A displacement determination means for determining whether the door has been displaced from its closed position, based on the detected object captured by the imaging means, An elevator system comprising the following: the object to be detected is passed through a through hole provided in the top plate of the disaster prevention cabinet in a state that allows it to move up and down; and the displacement determination means determines that the door has been displaced from the closed position when the length of the object to be detected protruding from the top plate is less than a predetermined value.

2. The object to be detected is provided with a latch receiver, When the length of the detected object protruding from the top plate is less than a predetermined value, a latching claw engages with the latch receiver, A latch body that retracts the latching claw when it receives stress from above, and does not retract the latching claw when it receives stress from below, The elevator system according to claim 1, characterized by having the following:

3. The elevator system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that when the displacement determination means determines that the detected object has been displaced, it transmits a signal indicating the open state to a remote alarm device.

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