How to check the operation of elevator sensors

Abstract

Provided is an elevator detector operation checking system in which the work of checking the operation of an elevator detector can be performed by a single maintenance personnel, even when a maintenance computer and a control panel cannot be connected through a wireless LAN. An operation checking system of a detector (60) of an elevator (20) includes: the detector (60); and a control panel (30) that receives a detection signal transmitted from the detector (60). The system includes: a server (40) that is connected to the control panel (30) via a dedicated communication line (11) and acquires the reception of the detection signal by the control panel; and a maintenance computer (50) that is connected to the server (40) via a general communication line (12) and acquires, via the server (40), the reception of the detection signal by the control panel (20).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an operation confirmation system for a sensor of an elevator having a sensor and a control panel that receives a detection signal of the sensor.

Background Art

[0002] An elevator is provided with sensors that detect abnormal conditions of a building in which the elevator is installed. Examples of these sensors include earthquake sensors, waterlogging sensors, etc. (for example, Patent Document 1). In an elevator, when an earthquake tremor is detected by an earthquake sensor or when pit waterlogging is detected by a waterlogging sensor, the elevator operation is stopped in consideration of safety. These sensors are subjected to operation confirmation during maintenance inspection work. In the operation confirmation of the sensors, a maintenance worker manually operates the sensors and checks whether the control panel has received the detection signal transmitted from the sensors.

[0003] By the way, sensors such as the above-described earthquake sensors and waterlogging sensors are generally provided in the pit of an elevator. Conventionally, as a method for confirming the operation of the sensors, a maintenance worker carried a maintenance computer, entered the pit, connected the maintenance computer and the control panel via a wireless LAN, manually operated the sensors, and confirmed whether the control panel had received the detection signal transmitted from the sensors by the maintenance computer.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in elevators with long travel distances where the control panel is located on the top floor, the distance between the maintenance computer and the control panel may be too great, preventing wireless LAN connectivity between them. Note that the travel distance refers to the distance between the top floor and the bottom floor where the elevator stops.

[0006] As mentioned above, if the maintenance computer and the control panel cannot be connected via wireless LAN, two maintenance workers perform a check of the sensor's operation. Specifically, one maintenance worker carries the maintenance computer and waits on the top floor, connecting the maintenance computer to the control panel via wireless LAN, while the other maintenance worker enters the pit and manually activates the sensor. The maintenance worker on the top floor then uses the maintenance computer to confirm whether the detection signal transmitted from the sensor has been received by the control panel.

[0007] In situations where the number of maintenance workers required to check the operation of the sensors increases depending on the elevator layout or specifications, the efficiency of maintenance work was poor. Even if the maintenance computer and control panel cannot be connected via wireless LAN, it would be desirable if the operation check of the elevator sensors could be performed by a single maintenance worker.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide an elevator sensor operation verification system that allows a single maintenance worker to perform operation verification of the elevator sensors even when the maintenance computer and the control panel cannot be connected via wireless LAN. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The elevator sensor operation confirmation system according to the present invention is an elevator sensor operation confirmation system comprising a sensor and a control panel that receives a sensing signal transmitted from the sensor, and is characterized by comprising a server connected to the control panel via a first communication line and acquiring the reception of the sensing signal from the control panel, and a maintenance and inspection terminal connected to the server via a second communication line and acquiring the reception of the sensing signal from the control panel via the server.

[0010] In the elevator sensor operation confirmation system according to the present invention, the server is preferably a remote monitoring server that monitors the elevator's operating status. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the elevator sensor operation verification system of the present invention, even if the maintenance computer and the control panel cannot be connected via wireless LAN, the sensor operation verification work can be performed by a single maintenance worker. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operational verification system. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram of an elevator. [Figure 3] This is a cylinder showing the configuration of the operational verification system. [Figure 4] This is a block diagram showing the flow of operational verification information. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram showing the operation confirmation screen. [Figure 6] This is a flowchart illustrating the procedure for verifying the operation of a detector. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. In the following description, specific shapes, materials, directions, numerical values, etc. are examples for facilitating the understanding of the present invention and can be appropriately changed according to applications, purposes, specifications, etc.

[0014] "Operation confirmation system" Using FIG. 1, an operation confirmation system 10 which is an example of an embodiment will be described.

[0015] The operation confirmation system 10 of this embodiment is a system for performing an operation confirmation of a sensor 60 of an elevator 20. According to the operation confirmation system 10, although details will be described later, even when the maintenance computer 50 and the control panel 30 cannot be connected via the wireless LAN 13, the operation confirmation work of the sensor 60 can be performed by a single maintenance worker.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the operation confirmation system 10 includes a control panel 30 of an elevator 20, a server 40 connected to the control panel 30 via a dedicated communication line 11 as a first communication line, and a maintenance computer 50 as a maintenance inspection terminal that is connected to the server 40 via a general communication line 12 as a second communication line and performs an operation confirmation of the sensor 60.

[0017] Hereinafter, when the sensor 60 is described, it includes all devices that sense an abnormal state of a building in which the elevator 20 is installed, and includes an earthquake sensor 61 and a waterlogging sensor 62 whose details will be described later.

[0018] "Elevator" Using FIG. 2, the elevator 20 according to the embodiment will be described.

[0019] The elevator 20 is a machine roomless elevator. A machine roomless elevator is an elevator without a machine room on the rooftop, and a hoist 27 is provided in a pit 23. The elevator 20 carries passengers in a car room 21, and according to the passengers' requests, raises and lowers the car room 21 and stops it at the landing 24 on each floor. The elevator 20 has a hoistway 22 extending in the height direction within a building and a pit 23 located below the lower part of the hoistway 22.

[0020] In the hoistway 22, a wire rope 25 with one end fixed to the upper part of the car room 21 and the other end fixed to the ceiling of the hoistway 22, and a counterweight 26 whose weight is set to balance with the car room 21 are accommodated. At the uppermost part of the hoistway 22, a control panel 30 for controlling the operation and speed of the elevator 20 is provided. Details of the control panel 30 will be described later.

[0021] The pit 23 is a space below the floor surface of the lowest floor where the elevator 20 stops. In the pit 23, a hoist 27 for winding up or paying out the wire rope 25 to raise and lower the car room 21 is provided. The hoist 27 is driven by a motor. Also, in the pit 23, a seismic sensor 61 and a waterlogging sensor 62 as sensors 60 are provided.

[0022] The seismic sensor 61 is a device for sensing seismic waves such as the P wave (Primary Wave) or S wave (Secondary Wave) of an earthquake. The seismic sensor 61 is connected to the control panel 30. The seismic sensor 61 is set to output a sensing signal when, for example, it senses a seismic wave with an amplitude larger than a preset magnitude.

[0023] The waterlogging sensor 62 is a device for detecting waterlogging in the pit 23 and outputting a detection signal. The waterlogging sensor 62 is connected to the control panel 30. The waterlogging sensor 62 may be a float switch in which a float floats due to buoyancy and the circuit becomes conductive when the surrounding water level is above a threshold value.

[0024] In elevator 20, if an earthquake is detected by the earthquake sensor 61, or if flooding is detected in the pit 23 by the flood sensor 62, the elevator 20 is shut down for safety reasons. These sensors 60 are checked for operation during maintenance work. During the operation check of the sensors 60, maintenance workers manually activate the sensors 60 and confirm whether the control panel 30 has received the detection signal transmitted from the sensors 60.

[0025] The method for confirming the operation of the detector 60 involved a maintenance worker entering the pit 23 with the maintenance computer 50, connecting the maintenance computer 50 to the control panel 30 via wireless LAN, manually activating the detector 60, and confirming whether the control panel 30 received the detection signal transmitted from the detector 60 by the maintenance computer 50.

[0026] However, in the case of an elevator 20 in which the control panel 30 is located on the top floor, as in this embodiment, and the elevator has a long ascent / descent journey, the distance between the maintenance computer 50 and the control panel 30 will be large, and it may not be possible to connect the maintenance computer 50 and the control panel 30 using the wireless LAN 13 (see Figure 3) described later.

[0027] Therefore, in the operation verification system 10 of this embodiment, if the maintenance computer 50 and the control panel 30 cannot be connected via wireless LAN 13, the maintenance computer 50 uses the server 40 to perform operation verification of the sensor 60.

[0028] An example of an embodiment, the operation verification system 10, will be described in more detail using Figures 3 to 5.

[0029] As shown in Figure 3, the operation confirmation system 10 described above includes a control panel 30 for the elevator 20, a server 40 connected to the control panel 30 via a dedicated communication line 11 as the first communication line, and a maintenance computer 50 connected to the server 40 via a general communication line 12 as the second communication line, which serves as a maintenance and inspection terminal for confirming the operation of the sensors 60. The maintenance computer 50 is also connected to the control panel 30 via a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) 13 as the third communication line.

[0030] "Control panel" The control panel 30 receives the sensing signal transmitted from the sensor 60. As shown in Figure 3, the control panel 30 is a computer having a processor 31 with a CPU for information processing, a memory 32 for storing software, programs, or data executed by the processor 31, a first communication unit 33 that can connect to a dedicated communication line 11, and a third communication unit 34 that can connect to a wireless LAN 13.

[0031] As shown in Figure 4, the control panel 30 has a sensing signal receiving unit 35 that receives sensing signals from the sensor 60, and an operation confirmation information transmitting unit 36 ​​that transmits information about the sensing signals received by the sensing signal receiving unit 35 (including the type of sensor 60 and the time the sensing signal was received (hereinafter referred to as operation confirmation information)) to the server 40 (see Figure 3). The sensing signal receiving unit 35 and the operation confirmation information transmitting unit 36 ​​are realized by the processor 31 executing a program stored in the memory 32. Furthermore, the state in which the operation confirmation information transmitting unit 36 ​​is executable is referred to as "operation confirmation mode".

[0032] As shown in Figure 3, the dedicated communication line 11 connects the control panel 30 of the elevator 20 to the server 40, and may be a remote monitoring line owned by the management company that manages the elevator 20. The dedicated communication line 11 includes telephone lines, data communication lines, and internet lines, but a highly reliable line such as a dedicated line or VPN (Virtual Private Network) can be used.

[0033] "server" Server 40 acquires the aforementioned sensing signal information. Preferably, Server 40 is a remote monitoring server owned by the management company that manages the elevator 20. The remote monitoring server may remotely monitor the operating status of the elevator 20, measure and manage the operating information of the elevator 20, and acquire faults and abnormalities of the elevator 20.

[0034] As shown in Figure 3, the server 40 is a computer having a processor 41 with a CPU that performs information processing, a memory 42 that stores software, programs, or data executed by the processor 41, a first communication unit 43 that can connect to a dedicated communication line 11, and a second communication unit 44 that can connect to a general communication line 12.

[0035] As shown in Figure 4, the server 40 includes an operation confirmation information receiving unit 45 that receives operation confirmation information from the control panel 30, and an operation confirmation information transmitting unit 46 that transmits the operation confirmation information to the maintenance computer 50. The operation confirmation information receiving unit 45 and the operation confirmation information transmitting unit 46 are realized by the processor 41 executing a program stored in the memory 42.

[0036] As shown in Figure 3, the general communication line 12 connects the maintenance computer 50 and the server 40, and may be a wide-area communication line provided by a major telecommunications company. The general communication line 12 includes telephone lines, data communication lines, and internet lines, and a highly versatile line can be used.

[0037] "Maintenance Computer" The maintenance computer 50 is connectable to the server 40 via a general communication line 12 and acquires operational confirmation information via the server 40. The maintenance computer 50 is preferably a computer carried by maintenance workers during maintenance and inspection work, and can be a portable or mobile computer such as a notebook personal computer. The maintenance computer 50 may display maintenance and inspection procedures, or store the results of maintenance and inspection as maintenance history in the memory 52.

[0038] As shown in Figure 3, the maintenance computer 50 is a computer having a processor 51 with a CPU that performs information processing, a memory 52 that stores software, programs, or data executed by the processor 51, a second communication unit 53 that connects to a general communication line 12, and a third communication unit 54 that can connect to a wireless LAN 13.

[0039] As shown in Figure 4, the maintenance computer 50 includes an operation confirmation mode setting unit 55, an operation confirmation information receiving unit 56, and an operation confirmation information display unit 57, each of which will be described in detail later. The operation confirmation mode setting unit 55, the operation confirmation information receiving unit 56, and the operation confirmation information display unit 57 are realized by the processor 51 executing a program stored in the memory 52.

[0040] The operation confirmation mode setting unit 55 sets the control panel 30 to the aforementioned operation confirmation mode via the wireless LAN 13 while the maintenance computer 50 and the control panel 30 are connected via the wireless LAN 13. In other words, the operation confirmation mode setting unit 55 enables the operation confirmation information transmission unit 36 ​​of the control panel 30.

[0041] The operation confirmation information receiving unit 56 receives the above-mentioned operation confirmation information via the dedicated communication line 11, the server 40, and the general communication line 12 when the maintenance computer 50 and the control panel 30 are not connected via the wireless LAN 13.

[0042] As shown in Figure 5, the operation confirmation information display unit 57 displays the operation confirmation information received by the operation confirmation information receiving unit 56. Preferably, the operation confirmation information display unit 57 displays the time when the earthquake sensor 61 was turned ON or OFF, and the time when the flood sensor 62 was turned ON or OFF.

[0043] Alternatively, a smartphone may be used as the maintenance computer 50, and the smartphone carried by the maintenance worker may be connected to the server 40 to receive and display the aforementioned operational confirmation information via the smartphone.

[0044] Alternatively, instead of the operation confirmation information receiving unit 56 of the maintenance computer 50, the server 40 may send the sensing signal operation confirmation to the maintenance computer 50 via email. That is, a smartphone can be connected to the server 40, and the smartphone can send an operation status confirmation request to the server 40, and receive the sensing signal operation confirmation as a response via email.

[0045] "Procedure for operational verification" Figure 6 will be used to explain the flow of the operational verification procedure.

[0046] In step S11, the maintenance worker connects the maintenance computer 50 and the control panel 30 via wireless LAN 13 at the top floor of the elevator 20. In step S12, the maintenance worker sets the control panel 30 to operation confirmation mode using the operation confirmation mode setting unit 55 of the maintenance computer 50. In step S13, the maintenance worker moves from the top floor of the elevator 20 to the pit 23.

[0047] In step S14, the maintenance worker manually activates the earthquake sensor 61 in the pit 23. Activation of the earthquake sensor 61 includes turning it ON and OFF. At this time, as a means of turning the earthquake sensor 61 ON, the maintenance worker may actually move the earthquake sensor 61 by hand. Alternatively, as a means of turning the earthquake sensor 61 ON, the test button on the earthquake sensor 61 may be pressed. The test button is a button that, when pressed, transmits a detection signal to the control panel 30.

[0048] As a means of turning OFF the earthquake sensor 61, the reset button on the earthquake sensor 61 may be pressed. The reset button, when pressed, puts the sensor in a state where it does not transmit a detection signal. Alternatively, as a means of turning OFF the earthquake sensor 61, if the earthquake sensor 61 will stop transmitting a detection signal after a predetermined time has elapsed, the earthquake sensor 61 may be turned ON and left unattended.

[0049] In step S15, the control panel 30 transmits operation confirmation information of the earthquake sensor 61 to the server 40. In step S16, the server 40 transmits the operation confirmation information to the maintenance computer 50.

[0050] In step S17, the maintenance worker manually activates the flood detector 62 in the pit 23. Activation of the flood detector 62 includes turning it ON and OFF. As a means of turning OFF the flood detector 62, the maintenance worker may actually press the float switch.

[0051] In step S18, the control panel 30 transmits operation confirmation information of the flood detector 62 to the server 40. In step S19, the server 40 transmits the operation confirmation information to the maintenance computer 50.

[0052] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and their modifications described above, and various changes and improvements are possible within the scope of the claims of this application. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0053] 10 Operation confirmation system, 11 Dedicated communication line, 12 General communication line, 13 Wireless LAN, 20 Elevator, 21 Car, 22 Hoistway, 23 Pit, 24 Landing, 25 Wire rope, 26 Counterweight, 27 Hoisting machine, 30 Control panel, 31 Processor, 32 Memory, 33 First communication unit, 34 Third communication unit, 35 Sensing signal receiving unit, 36 Operation confirmation information transmission unit, 40 Server, 41 Processor, 42 Memory, 43 First communication unit, 44 Second communication unit, 45 Operation confirmation information receiving unit, 46 Operation confirmation information transmission unit, 50 Maintenance computer, 51 Processor, 52 Memory, 53 Second communication unit, 54 Third communication unit, 55 Operation confirmation mode setting unit, 56 Operation confirmation information acquisition unit, 57 Operation confirmation information display unit, 60 Sensor, 61 Earthquake sensor, 62 flood detector

Claims

1. A method for confirming the operation of a sensor that detects abnormalities in a building where an elevator is installed, The steps include setting the control panel that controls the elevator to operation confirmation mode using a maintenance and inspection terminal, In the aforementioned operation confirmation mode, when the sensor is activated, the control panel receives the sensing signal output from the sensor, The steps include: transmitting operation confirmation information indicating the information of the sensing signal received by the control panel from the control panel to the server via the first communication line; The steps include transmitting the operation confirmation information from the server to the maintenance terminal via a second communication line, The step of setting the control panel to the operation confirmation mode includes setting the control panel to the operation confirmation mode using the maintenance terminal while the maintenance terminal and the control panel are connected via a wireless LAN, A method for confirming the operation of an elevator sensor, wherein the step of transmitting the operation confirmation information to the server includes the step of transmitting the operation confirmation information from the control panel to the server via the first communication line when the maintenance terminal and the control panel are not connected by the wireless LAN.

2. The method for confirming the operation of an elevator sensor according to claim 1, wherein the server is a remote monitoring server that monitors the operating status of the elevator.

3. The first communication line is a dedicated communication line connecting the control panel and the server. The method for confirming the operation of an elevator sensor according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second communication line is a general communication line.

4. The method for confirming the operation of an elevator sensor according to claim 1, further comprising the step of displaying the operation confirmation information received from the server on the maintenance and inspection terminal.

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