Brake force measurement and control device and brake force measurement method

Abstract

The present invention reduces the amount of wear of a brake pad. In the present invention, when measuring the braking force of a brake device disposed in a hoisting machine which raises / lowers a car, an operation control unit of a brake braking force measurement control device drives the hoisting machine to execute braking force measurement operation. A brake control unit operates the brake device during the braking force measurement operation. A brake braking force measurement unit measures the braking force of the brake device when the speed of the car has reached a predetermined speed during the braking force measurement operation. A car driving time measurement unit measures car driving time, that is, the time during which the braking force measurement operation is executed. A car stop determination unit determines whether or not to stop the braking force measurement operation on the basis of the speed of the car and the car driving time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a brake braking force measurement control device and a brake braking force measurement method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a brake device has been provided in an elevator hoist. The brake torque generated by the brake device needs to be of a magnitude necessary to stop the elevator car and not cause the car to stop suddenly. Therefore, the brake torque (braking force) is adjusted within an appropriate range.

[0003] Some of the brake devices provided in hoists, for example, have two brake pads. In such a hoist, the braking force of each brake is measured separately. For example, a method of measuring the braking force of a brake is known in which the car is moved while generating a braking force by one of the brake pads, and the braking force is calculated from the motor output at that time (see Patent Document 1).

[0004] The torque acting on an elevator mainly consists of an imbalance torque, a brake torque, and an output torque. The imbalance torque is caused by the difference in mass between the elevator car and the counterweight. The brake torque is caused by the state of pulling the brake drum by operating the brake device. The output torque is caused by the rotational force applied by the motor.

[0005] The imbalance torque can be obtained as unique information, for example, from the specifications of the elevator. The output torque can be obtained, for example, from the specifications of the motor or by actual measurement. Then, the brake torque (braking force) can be calculated from the imbalance torque and the output torque.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2004-168501 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] However, in the brake torque measurement method described in Patent Document 1, the brake force measurement begins only after the elevator car reaches a predetermined speed. Therefore, if the elevator car's speed is insufficient, the brake force measurement does not begin, and the brake drum continues to drag. As a result, the amount of wear on the brake pads increases.

[0008] The objective of this invention is to provide a brake force measurement control device and a brake force measurement method that can reduce the amount of brake pad wear, taking into consideration the above-mentioned problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To solve the above problems and achieve the objective, one aspect of the present invention, a brake force measurement and control device, comprises an operation control unit, a brake control unit, a brake force measurement unit, a car drive time measurement unit, and a car stop determination unit. The operation control unit drives the hoisting machine to perform a brake force measurement operation when measuring the brake force of a brake device provided on the hoisting machine that raises and lowers the elevator car. The brake control unit activates the brake device during the brake force measurement operation. The brake force measurement unit measures the brake force of the brake device when the speed of the elevator car reaches a predetermined speed during the brake force measurement operation. The car drive time measurement unit measures the car drive time, which is the time during which the brake force measurement operation is performed. The car stop determination unit determines whether or not to stop the brake force measurement operation based on the speed of the elevator car and the car drive time.

[0010] Furthermore, in a brake force measurement method according to one aspect of the present invention, when measuring the braking force of a brake device provided on a hoisting machine that raises and lowers an elevator car, the operation control unit drives the hoisting machine to perform a brake force measurement operation. The brake control unit activates the brake device during the brake force measurement operation. The brake force measurement unit measures the braking force of the brake device when the speed of the elevator car reaches a predetermined speed during the brake force measurement operation. The elevator car driving time measurement unit measures the elevator car driving time, which is the time during which the brake force measurement operation is being performed. Then, the elevator car stop determination unit determines whether or not to stop the brake force measurement operation based on the speed of the elevator car and the elevator car driving time. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the brake force measurement control device and brake force measurement method configured above, the amount of wear on the brake pads can be reduced. Other issues, configurations, and effects will be clarified by the following description of the embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is an overall configuration diagram of an elevator according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a front view of a hoisting machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a control panel according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] This graph illustrates the elevator car driving time threshold according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] This flowchart shows an example of a brake force measurement process according to one embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this specification and the drawings, elements having substantially the same function or configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0014] 1. Embodiment [Elevator] First, the configuration of an elevator according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an elevator according to an embodiment.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the elevator 1 is installed in a hoistway 110 formed in a building structure. The elevator 1 includes a car 120 for carrying people and goods, a main rope 130, a counterweight 140, a hoisting machine 100, and a control panel 200. The control panel 200 constitutes the braking force measurement control device according to the present invention.

[0016] A machine room 160 is provided at the top of the hoistway 110. The hoisting machine 100 is disposed in the machine room 160. The main rope 130 is wound around the hoisting machine 100. The hoisting machine 100 is a device that winds up the main rope 130 to raise and lower the car 120. A deflecting pulley 150 is provided near the hoisting machine 100. The main rope 130 is mounted on the deflecting pulley 150.

[0017] The car 120 is formed in a hollow substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The car 120 is connected to the counterweight 140 via the main rope 130. When the hoisting machine 100 winds up the main rope 130, the car 120 and the counterweight 140 move up and down in opposite directions.

[0018] The control panel 200 is disposed in the machine room 160. The control panel 200 is provided with an operation control unit 201 (see FIG. 3) for controlling the drive of the hoisting machine 100. The operation control unit 201 controls the torque (output torque) of the hoisting machine 100 by controlling the value of the current sent to the hoisting machine 100. Therefore, when inspecting the elevator 1, the torque of the hoisting machine 100 can be measured by detecting the value of the current supplied to the hoisting machine 100.

[0019] [Hoisting Machine] Next, the configuration of the hoisting machine 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. Figure 2 is a front view of the hoist 100.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, the hoist 100 includes a frame 2, a main shaft 3, and a rotating body 4. The rotating body 4 is rotatably supported on the main shaft 3 via a bearing. An annular stator 6 (see FIG. 3) is attached to the frame 2. An annular rotor is attached to the rotating body 4. The rotor is disposed outside the stator 6. That is, the hoist 100 is an outer rotor type hoist.

[0021] In the following description, the axial direction of the main shaft 3 is defined as the X direction. Also, the vertical direction with respect to the axial direction of the main shaft 3 and the lifting direction of the car 120 are defined as the Y direction. And the direction orthogonal to the X direction and the Y direction is defined as the Z direction. The frame 2 and the rotating body 4 face each other in the X direction. Further, in the X direction, the rotating body 4 side is taken as one side. Also, in the X direction, the frame 2 side is taken as the other side.

[0022] The frame 2 has a shaft fixing portion to which the main shaft 3 is fixed and a stator mounting portion to which the stator 6 (see FIG. 3) is attached. The main shaft 3 is formed in a columnar shape with the X direction as the axial direction. The other side of the main shaft 3 in the X direction is fixed to the shaft fixing portion of the frame 2. One side of the main shaft 3 in the X direction protrudes from the shaft fixing portion. One side of the main shaft ۳ in the X direction rotatably supports the rotating body 4 around the axis.

[0023] An encoder chamber is provided inside the main shaft 3. The encoder chamber opens to the end face on one side of the main shaft 3 in the X direction. The encoder chamber houses an encoder 10 (see FIG. 3). An encoder connection member of the rotating body 4 is connected to the encoder 10.

[0024] The rotating body 4 has a boss portion 41 that rotatably fits onto the main shaft 3, a drum 42 to which the rotor is attached, and a connecting portion 43 that connects the boss portion 41 and the drum 42. The boss portion 41 is formed in a cylindrical shape with the X direction as its axial direction. The drum 42 is also formed in a cylindrical shape with the X direction as its axial direction. The inner diameter of the drum 42 is larger than the outer diameter of the boss portion 41.

[0025] The connecting portion 43 consists of an annular plate. The plane of the connecting portion 43 is approximately perpendicular to the X direction. The inner circumference of the connecting portion 43 is continuous with one end of the boss portion 41 in the X direction. The outer circumference of the connecting portion 43 is continuous with the other end of the drum 42 in the X direction.

[0026] A bearing is interposed between the inner circumference of the boss portion 41 and the outer circumference of the main shaft 3. The boss portion 41 slidably engages with the bearing. A sheave 11 is attached to the outer circumference of the boss portion 41. The sheave 11 is formed in a cylindrical shape with the X direction as its axial direction. Multiple grooves are formed on the outer circumference of the sheave 11 around which the main rope 130 is wound.

[0027] An encoder connecting member 44 is attached to the other end of the boss portion 41 in the X direction. The encoder connecting member 44 covers the opening at the other end of the boss portion 41 in the X direction. The encoder connecting member 44 also has a connecting shaft that extends in the X direction. The connecting shaft of the encoder connecting member 44 is connected to an encoder (see Figure 3) housed in the encoder chamber of the main shaft 3. A rotor is attached to the inner circumference of the drum 42.

[0028] The stator 6 (see Figure 3), attached to the stator mounting portion of frame 2, is formed in an annular shape along the circumferential direction of the main shaft 3. The stator 6 consists of an iron core and a coil wound around the iron core. The rotor is formed in a cylindrical shape with the X direction as its axis. The rotor is made of a magnetic material. The rotor faces the stator 6 across an air gap in the radial direction of the main shaft 3.

[0029] A pair of brake devices 9 are provided on the upper part of the frame 2. Each of the pair of brake devices 9 has a brake pad. The brake pads face the outer circumference of the drum 42. When the hoisting machine 100 is being braked, the pair of brake devices 9 move the brake pads toward the outer circumference of the drum 42. This causes the brake pads to press against the outer circumference of the drum 42. As a result, the rotation of the rotating body 4, which has the drum 42 and the sheave 11, is braked.

[0030] [Control panel configuration] Next, the functional configuration of the control panel 200 will be explained with reference to Figure 3. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the control panel 200.

[0031] As shown in Figure 3, the control panel 200 includes an operation control unit 201, a brake control unit 202, a braking force calculation unit 203, and a braking force measurement feasibility determination unit 204. The control panel 200 shows one specific example of a brake braking force measurement control device according to the present invention.

[0032] The operation control unit 201 is electrically connected to the motor (stator 6) of the hoisting machine 100. The operation control unit 201 controls the torque (output torque) of the hoisting machine 100 by controlling the value of the current sent to the motor (stator 6). When measuring the braking force of the brake device 9, the operation control unit 201 switches the elevator 1 to operation for braking force measurement and raises the elevator car 120 from the measurement start position. In addition, when the operation control unit 201 switches the elevator 1 to operation for braking force measurement, it turns on the car UP operation start flag.

[0033] The brake control unit 202 is electrically connected to a pair of brake devices 9 of the hoisting machine 100. The brake control unit 202 can send current to the pair of brake devices 9 to drive the brake pads and release the brake devices 9. The brake control unit 202 can control the pair of brake devices 9 individually.

[0034] The braking force calculation unit 203 calculates the braking force, which is the braking torque of the brake device 9, from the torque command value output from the driving control unit 201 and the unbalanced torque caused by the difference in mass between the elevator car 120 and the counterweight 140. By having the brake control unit 202 brake one brake device 9 and release the other brake device 9, the braking force calculation unit 203 can calculate the braking force of one brake device 9. The braking force calculation unit 203 then transmits the calculation result (braking force of brake device 9) to the external device 301.

[0035] The external device 301 is an information display device such as a portable terminal or tablet terminal carried by the worker. The external device 301 is electrically connected to the control panel 200, for example, when measuring the braking force of the brake device 9. The external device 301 has a display unit that displays the received braking force of the brake device 9. The external device 301 may also send a command to the operation control unit 201 to measure the braking force of the brake device 9 in response to the worker's operation.

[0036] The braking force measurement feasibility determination unit 204 includes a car drive time measurement unit 211, a count determination unit 212, a car speed detection unit 213, a speed determination unit 214, and a car stop determination unit 215. The car drive time measurement unit 211 starts measuring the car drive time (timer count) when the car UP operation start flag is ON. The car drive time measurement unit 211 transmits the car drive time (timer count value) to the count determination unit 212.

[0037] The count determination unit 212 determines whether the timer count value exceeds a predetermined elevator car driving time threshold. The count determination unit 212 then transmits the determination result to the elevator car stop determination unit 215. The elevator car speed detection unit 213 receives the pulse signal output from the encoder 10 and detects (calculates) the speed of the elevator car 120 from the pulse signal. The elevator car speed detection unit 213 then transmits the speed of the elevator car 120 to the speed determination unit 214.

[0038] The speed determination unit 214 determines whether the speed of the elevator car 120 exceeds a predetermined braking force measurement start speed. The speed determination unit 214 then transmits the determination result to the elevator car stop determination unit 215.

[0039] The car stop determination unit 215 determines whether or not to stop the braking force measurement operation of the elevator 1 based on the determination result of the count determination unit 212 and the determination result of the speed determination unit 214. In other words, the car stop determination unit 215 determines whether or not to stop the upward movement of the elevator car 120 during the braking force measurement operation.

[0040] The car stop determination unit 215 determines to "stop the braking force measurement operation" if the timer count value is equal to or greater than the car driving time threshold, and the speed of the car 120 is equal to or less than the braking force measurement start speed. On the other hand, the car stop determination unit 215 determines not to "stop the braking force measurement operation" if the timer count value has not reached the car driving time threshold, or if the braking force measurement has started.

[0041] The car stop determination unit 215 transmits the determination result to the driving control unit 201 and the brake control unit 202. If the determination result of the car stop determination unit 215 is "do not stop the operation for measuring braking force", the driving control unit 201 continues the upward movement of the car 120. The brake control unit 202 also continues braking with (one of) the brake devices 9.

[0042] On the other hand, if the determination result of the car stop determination unit 215 is "stop the operation for measuring braking force", the operation control unit 201 stops the upward movement of the elevator car 120. Also, the brake control unit 202 continues braking with (one) brake device 9 and applies braking with the other brake device 9.

[0043] Furthermore, the car stop determination unit 215 transmits a braking force measurement error signal to the external device 301 when it decides to stop the upward movement of the elevator car 120. Upon receiving the braking force measurement error signal, the external device 301 displays an error message on its display unit indicating that the braking force measurement of the brake device 9 was stopped midway.

[0044] [Car driving time threshold] Next, we will explain the elevator car driving time threshold using Figure 4. Figure 4 is a graph illustrating the elevator car driving time threshold.

[0045] In the graph shown in Figure 4, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the speed of the elevator car 120. When the braking force measurement operation is started, output torque is applied to the hoisting machine 100. As a result, the output torque gradually increases, and when time Ta has elapsed, the output torque exceeds the static friction force, and the elevator car 120 begins to move.

[0046] Subsequently, the speed of the elevator car 120 gradually increases until it reaches the braking force measurement start speed. When the speed of the elevator car 120 reaches the braking force measurement start speed, the braking force of (one of) the brake devices 9 is measured. To measure the braking force of (one of) the brake devices 9, time Tc is required after reaching the braking force measurement start speed.

[0047] Normally, after time Tb has elapsed since the elevator car 120 started moving, the speed of the elevator car 120 reaches the braking force measurement start speed. However, if any malfunction occurs in the elevator car 120 or the hoisting machine 100, the speed of the elevator car 120 will be insufficient. As a result, even after time Tb has elapsed, the speed of the elevator car 120 will not reach the braking force measurement start speed, delaying the start of braking force measurement by (one of) the brake devices 9. Consequently, the time during which braking by the brake device 9 is performed increases, leading to increased wear on the brake pads.

[0048] In this embodiment, the sum of time Ta and time Tb is set as the elevator car driving time threshold. Time Ta, time Tb, and the braking force measurement start speed vary depending on the weight of the elevator car 120, the weight of the counterweight 140, the specifications of the hoisting machine 100 and the braking device 9, etc. Therefore, the elevator car driving time threshold and the braking force measurement start speed are preset according to the type of elevator 1.

[0049] Furthermore, the elevator car drive time threshold and the braking force measurement start speed are stored in a memory unit (not shown) provided in the control panel 200. The elevator car drive time threshold and the braking force measurement start speed may also be provided to the control panel 200 from an external device 301 or other devices. Alternatively, the elevator car drive time threshold and the braking force measurement start speed may be input to the control panel 200 by an operator via an input device.

[0050] [Brake force measurement process] Next, the brake force measurement process performed by the control panel 200 will be explained with reference to Figure 5. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a brake force measurement process.

[0051] When the brake force measurement process is started, first the elevator car 120 is moved to the measurement start position (S1). Then, the elevator car drive time measurement unit 211 resets the timer count, and the elevator car stop determination unit 215 resets the timer count exceeding flag (S2). The timer count exceeding flag is turned ON when the timer count exceeds the elevator car drive time threshold.

[0052] Next, the brake control unit 202 releases the brake pad of one of the pair of brake devices 9 and presses the brake pad of the other brake device 9 against the drum 42 (S3). This causes the other brake device 9 to apply braking force.

[0053] Next, the operation control unit 201 starts the operation for measuring braking force (S4). This causes the elevator car 120 to move upward from the measurement start position. The operation control unit 201 also turns on the braking force measurement operation start flag when it switches the elevator 1 to braking force measurement operation. Generally, the counterweight 140 is heavier than the elevator car 120. Therefore, when measuring braking force, raising the elevator car 120 rather than raising the counterweight 140 reduces the load on the hoisting machine 100 because the unbalanced torque acts in the direction of raising the elevator car 120.

[0054] The braking force measurement operation may also be performed manually by an operator (for example, by pressing a button). In this case, when the braking force measurement operation is started by the operator, the operation control unit 201 turns on the braking force measurement operation start flag.

[0055] Next, the car drive time measurement unit 211 increases the timer count (S5). For example, the car drive time measurement unit 211 adds "1" to the timer count value. Subsequently, the count determination unit 212 determines whether the timer count value is less than the car drive time threshold (S6).

[0056] In step S6, if the timer count value is determined not to be less than the elevator car driving time threshold (if S6 is determined to be NO), the elevator car stop determination unit 215 turns on the timer count exceeding flag (S7). After the processing in step S7, the control panel 200 proceeds to the processing in step S11.

[0057] On the other hand, in step S6, if it is determined that the timer count value is less than the elevator car driving time threshold (if S6 is determined to be YES), the speed determination unit 214 determines whether the speed of the elevator car 120 is greater than the braking force measurement start speed (S8). In step S8, if it is determined that the speed of the elevator car 120 is not greater than the braking force measurement start speed (if S8 is determined to be NO), the control panel 200 proceeds to the processing in step S5. As a result, the timer count value is updated.

[0058] On the other hand, in step S8, if it is determined that the speed of the elevator car 120 is greater than the braking force measurement start speed (if S8 is determined to be YES), the braking force calculation unit 203 measures the braking force of the brake device 9 (S9). That is, the braking force calculation unit 203 calculates the braking force of the brake device 9 from the measured torque of the hoisting machine 100 and the unbalanced torque.

[0059] After time Tc has elapsed since the start of step S9, the braking force calculation unit 203 finishes measuring the braking force of the brake device 9 (S10). After the processing of step S10 or step S7, the operation control unit 201 stops the elevator car 120 (S11).

[0060] Next, the car stop determination unit 215 determines whether the timer count exceeding flag is OFF or not (S12). If the timer count exceeding flag is OFF, the braking force of the brake device 9 is measured in step S9. If the timer count exceeding flag is not OFF (ON), the process in step S9 is not performed, and therefore the braking force of the brake device 9 is not measured.

[0061] In step S12, if the timer count exceeding flag is determined to be OFF (if S12 is determined to be YES), the car stop determination unit 215 sends a command to the braking force calculation unit 203 to transmit the measurement result. As a result, the braking force calculation unit 203 transmits the measurement result of the braking force to the external device 301 (S13).

[0062] Subsequently, the operation control unit 201 starts automatic recovery operation (S14). In automatic recovery operation, the elevator car 120 is moved to the nearest floor. Next, the operation control unit 201 determines whether or not the elevator car 120 has arrived at the nearest floor (S15).

[0063] If, in step S15, it is determined that the elevator car 120 has not arrived at the nearest floor (if S15 is determined to be NO), the operation control unit 201 repeats the process of step S15. On the other hand, if, in step S15, it is determined that the elevator car 120 has arrived at the nearest floor (if S15 is determined to be YES), the control panel 200 stops the elevator car 120 (S19) and terminates the brake force measurement process.

[0064] In step S12, if the timer count exceeding flag is determined not to be OFF (if S12 is determined to be NO), the car stop determination unit 215 transmits a braking force measurement error signal to the external device 301 (S16). Upon receiving the braking force measurement error signal, the external device 301 displays an error message on its display unit indicating that the braking force measurement of the brake device 9 was stopped midway.

[0065] Next, the operation control unit 201 starts the elevator DOWN operation (S17). In the elevator DOWN operation, the elevator car 120 is lowered and moved toward the measurement start position. Next, the operation control unit 201 determines whether or not the elevator car 120 is positioned at the measurement start position (S18).

[0066] In step S18, if it is determined that the elevator car 120 is not positioned at the measurement start position (if S18 is determined to be NO), the operation control unit 201 repeats the process of step S18. On the other hand, in step S18, if it is determined that the elevator car 120 is positioned at the measurement start position (if S18 is determined to be YES), the control panel 200 stops the elevator car 120 (S19) and terminates the brake force measurement process.

[0067] Thus, in the brake force measurement process, if the timer count value exceeds the elevator car driving time threshold before the elevator car 120 reaches the braking force measurement start speed, the operation for brake force measurement is stopped. This prevents the brakes from being applied by the brake device 9 if the time spent driving the elevator car 120 exceeds the elevator car driving time threshold. As a result, the amount of wear on the brake pads can be reduced.

[0068] Furthermore, in the brake force measurement process, if the measurement of the braking force of the brake device 9 is stopped midway, the elevator car 120 is placed at the measurement start position before the brake force measurement process is terminated. This allows the brake force measurement process to be started quickly when it is to be performed again.

[0069] Furthermore, the car stop determination unit according to the present invention may determine whether or not to stop the braking force measurement operation before the time for driving the car 120 exceeds the car driving time threshold. For example, the car stop determination unit calculates the change in speed by dividing the speed of the car 120 by the driving time of the car 120 during the period from when the car 120 starts moving until it reaches the braking force measurement start speed. The change in speed is the slope of the car's speed at time Tb in the graph shown in Figure 4.

[0070] Next, the car stop determination unit determines whether the amount of change in speed is less than a predetermined determination threshold. If it determines that the amount of change in speed is less than the predetermined determination threshold, the car stop determination unit stops the braking force measurement operation. On the other hand, if it determines that the amount of change in speed is not less than the determination threshold, the car stop determination unit continues the braking force measurement operation. This makes it possible to decide whether or not to stop the braking force measurement operation before the time the elevator car 120 is driven exceeds the elevator car driving time threshold. As a result, the amount of wear on the brake pads can be reduced.

[0071] 2. Summary (1) As described above, the control panel 200 (brake force measurement control device) of the above embodiment comprises an operation control unit 201, a brake control unit 202, a brake force calculation unit 203 (brake force measurement unit), a car drive time measurement unit 211, and a car stop determination unit 215. The operation control unit 201 drives the hoisting machine 100 to perform a brake force measurement operation when measuring the braking force of the brake device 9 provided on the hoisting machine 100 that raises and lowers the elevator car 120. The brake control unit 202 operates the brake device 9 during the brake force measurement operation. The brake force calculation unit 203 calculates (measures) the braking force of the brake device 9 when the speed of the elevator car 120 reaches the brake force measurement start speed (predetermined speed) during the brake force measurement operation. The car drive time measurement unit 211 measures the car drive time, which is the time during which the brake force measurement operation is performed. The car stop determination unit 215 determines whether or not to stop the braking force measurement operation based on the speed of the car 120 and the car driving time. This allows the elevator car 120 to be stopped without continuing braking by the brake device 9 if the elevator car 120's speed is insufficient. As a result, the amount of wear on the brake pads can be reduced.

[0072] (2) In the above-described embodiment, the car stop determination unit 215 determines that if the car driving time exceeds a predetermined car driving time threshold before the speed of the car 120 reaches the braking force measurement start speed (predetermined speed), it will stop the operation for braking force measurement. This allows the elevator car 120 to be stopped without continuing braking by the brake device 9 if the elevator car driving time exceeds the elevator car driving time threshold before the elevator car's speed reaches the braking force measurement start speed. As a result, the amount of wear on the brake pads can be reduced.

[0073] (3) In the embodiment described above, if the car stop determination unit 215 determines to stop the brake force measurement operation before the brake force calculation unit 203 (brake force measurement unit) measures the brake force of the brake device 9, it transmits a brake force measurement error signal to the external device 301 indicating that the measurement of the brake force of the brake device 9 was stopped midway. This allows the worker to be notified via the external device 301 that the measurement of the braking force of the brake device 9 has been stopped midway.

[0074] (4) If the car stop determination unit 215 determines to stop the operation for measuring braking force before the braking force calculation unit 203 (braking force measurement unit) in the above-described embodiment measures the braking force of the brake device 9, the operation control unit 201 returns the elevator car 120 to the measurement start position. This allows for a quick start of the braking force measurement operation when the braking force of the brake device 9 needs to be measured again.

[0075] (5) The braking force calculation unit 203 (braking force measurement unit) in the above-described embodiment transmits the measured braking force of the brake device 9 to the external device 301. This allows the braking force of the brake device 9 to be communicated to the worker via the external device 301.

[0076] (6) The car stop determination unit according to the present invention may also determine to stop the braking force measurement operation if, during the period from when the car 120 starts moving until it reaches the braking force measurement start speed (predetermined speed), the amount of change in speed obtained by dividing the speed of the car 120 by the car driving time is less than a predetermined determination threshold. This makes it possible to determine whether or not to stop the braking force measurement operation before the time required for a normal elevator car 120 to reach the braking force measurement start speed has elapsed. As a result, the amount of brake pad wear can be reduced compared to when the decision to stop the braking force measurement operation is made after the time required for a normal elevator car 120 to reach the braking force measurement start speed has elapsed.

[0077] (7) In the brake force measurement process (brake force measurement method) in the above-described embodiment, when measuring the braking force of the brake device provided on the hoisting machine that raises and lowers the elevator car, the operation control unit 201 drives the hoisting machine 100 to perform a brake force measurement operation. The brake control unit 202 activates one of the brake devices 9 during the brake force measurement operation. The brake force calculation unit 203 (brake force measurement unit) calculates (measures) the braking force of the brake device 9 when the speed of the elevator car 120 reaches the brake force measurement start speed (predetermined speed) during the brake force measurement operation. The elevator car driving time measurement unit 211 measures the elevator car driving time, which is the time during which the brake force measurement operation is performed. The elevator car stop determination unit 215 then determines whether or not to stop the brake force measurement operation based on the speed of the elevator car 120 and the elevator car driving time. This allows the elevator car 120 to be stopped without continuing braking by the brake device 9 if the elevator car 120's speed is insufficient. As a result, the amount of wear on the brake pads can be reduced.

[0078] The brake force measurement control device and brake force measurement method of the present invention have been described above, including their effects. However, the brake force measurement control device and brake force measurement method of the present invention are not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention as described in the claims.

[0079] The embodiments described above are explained in detail for the purpose of clearly illustrating the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to those comprising all the configurations described. Furthermore, it is possible to add, delete, or replace some of the configurations in the embodiments with other configurations.

[0080] For example, in the embodiment described above, the braking force calculation unit 203 transmits the measured braking force of the brake device 9 to the external device 301, and the car stop determination unit 215 transmits a braking force measurement error signal to the external device 301. However, the brake braking force measurement control device (control panel 200) according to the present invention may also include a display unit that displays the braking force of the brake device 9 and error indications.

[0081] In this specification, although terms such as "parallel" and "orthogonal" are used, these do not mean only strictly "parallel" and "orthogonal," but also include states such as "approximately parallel" and "approximately orthogonal," which are within the range in which they can perform their functions. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0082] 1…Elevator, 2…Frame, 3…Main shaft, 4…Rotating body, 6…Motor, 9…Brake device, 10…Encoder, 11…Sheave, 41…Boss section, 42…Drum, 43…Connecting section, 44…Encoder connecting member, 100…Hoisting machine, 110…Hoistway, 120…Elevator car, 130…Main rope, 140…Counterweight, 150…Bend wheel, 160…Machine room, 200…Control panel, 201…Operation control section, 202…Brake control section, 203…Brake force calculation section (Brake force measurement section), 204…Brake force measurement feasibility determination section, 211…Drive time measurement section, 212…Count determination section, 213…Speed ​​detection section, 214…Speed ​​determination section, 215…Stop determination section, 301…External device

Claims

1. When measuring the braking force of a brake device installed on a hoisting machine that raises and lowers an elevator car, an operation control unit drives the hoisting machine to perform an operation for measuring the braking force, A brake control unit that operates the brake device during the aforementioned braking force measurement operation, In the aforementioned braking force measurement operation, when the speed of the elevator car reaches a predetermined speed, a braking force measuring unit measures the braking force of the brake device, A car drive time measuring unit measures the car drive time, which is the time during which the aforementioned braking force measurement operation is performed. The system includes a car stop determination unit that determines whether or not to stop the braking force measurement operation based on the speed of the car and the car driving time. Brake force measurement and control device.

2. The car stop determination unit determines that if the car driving time exceeds a predetermined car driving time threshold before the car's speed reaches the predetermined speed, it will stop the braking force measurement operation. The brake force measurement and control device according to claim 1.

3. If the car stop determination unit determines to stop the braking force measurement operation before the braking force measurement unit measures the braking force of the brake device, it transmits a braking force measurement error signal to an external device indicating that the measurement of the braking force of the brake device was stopped midway. The brake force measurement and control device according to claim 1.

4. If the car stop determination unit determines to stop the operation for measuring the braking force before the braking force measuring unit measures the braking force of the brake device, the operation control unit returns the elevator car to the measurement start position. The brake force measurement and control device according to claim 1.

5. The braking force measuring unit transmits the measured braking force of the brake device to an external device. The brake force measurement and control device according to claim 1.

6. The car stop determination unit determines to stop the braking force measurement operation if, during the period from when the car starts moving until it reaches the predetermined speed, the amount of change in speed obtained by dividing the car's speed by the car driving time is less than a predetermined determination threshold. The brake force measurement and control device according to claim 1.

7. When measuring the braking force of the brake device installed on the hoisting machine that raises and lowers the elevator car, the operation control unit drives the hoisting machine to perform a braking force measurement operation. The brake control unit activates the brake device during the braking force measurement operation. When the speed of the elevator car reaches a predetermined speed during the braking force measurement operation, the braking force measurement unit measures the braking force of the brake device. The car drive time measurement unit measures the car drive time, which is the time during which the braking force measurement operation is performed. The car stop determination unit determines whether or not to stop the braking force measurement operation based on the speed of the car and the car driving time. Brake force measurement method.

Images