Apparatus and method for inspecting wetness of drive transmission elements

Abstract

The present invention provides a wetness inspection device and wetness inspection method for drive transmission elements that can easily confirm whether the surface of the drive transmission element is wet due to the adhesion of either water, oil, or both. [Solution] The wetting inspection device 5 comprises a circular rotating body 50 that contacts the first surface 46a of the surface of the drive transmission element 46 that is in contact with the drive sheave 42a, and rotates as the drive transmission element 46 travels due to the rotational drive of the drive sheave 42a, and an inspection agent 51 that contains either or both of a colorant that develops color when it comes into contact with water, or a colorant that develops color when it comes into contact with oil, and is applied to the circumferential surface of the rotating body 50.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wetness inspection device and a wetness inspection method for a drive transmission element such as a drive belt or a drive rope that has a smooth surface along the longitudinal direction and is wound around a drive sheave of an elevator or a passenger conveyor, for inspecting whether either or both of water and oil adhere to the surface of the drive transmission element and the surface is wet or not.

Background Art

[0002] As a drive transmission element for transmitting rotational drive of a drive sheave of an elevator or a passenger conveyor, a type of drive transmission element having a smooth surface along the longitudinal direction, such as a flat belt or a resin-coated rope, may be used (Patent Documents 1 and 2). These drive transmission elements generally consist of a core wire and a covering. The core wire functions as a strength member. The covering is resin, covers the core wire, and constitutes the surface of the drive transmission element.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When either or both of water and oil adhere to the surface of this type of drive transmission element and the surface is wet, the friction coefficient with the drive sheave decreases, making it prone to slip, and there is a risk that the desired traction ability cannot be obtained. For this reason, for example, there is a desire to check whether either or both of water and oil adhere to the surface of the drive transmission element during maintenance work.

[0005] However, the inspection work is performed in dimly lit or confined spaces, which presents a problem in terms of work efficiency. Furthermore, the inspection work is performed while the drive transmission elements are in motion, resulting in a time-consuming process.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and aims to provide a wetness inspection device and wetness inspection method for a drive transmission element that can easily confirm whether the surface of the drive transmission element is wet due to the adhesion of either water, oil, or both. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The wett testing apparatus for drive transmission elements according to the present invention is A drive transmission element wetting inspection device for inspecting whether the surface of a drive transmission element, which has a smooth surface along its longitudinal direction and is wrapped around a drive sheave of an elevator or passenger conveyor, is wet due to the adhesion of either water, oil, or both, the surface of the drive transmission element, A circular rotating body that contacts the first surface of the drive transmission element that is in contact with the drive sheave, and rotates as the drive transmission element moves due to the rotational drive of the drive sheave, The inspection agent comprises a color-developing agent that develops color upon contact with water, a color-developing agent that develops color upon contact with oil, or both of these, and is applied to the circumferential surface of a rotating body. This is a wettability inspection device for drive transmission elements.

[0008] As one embodiment of the wet inspection apparatus for drive transmission elements according to the present invention, The rotating body is positioned to contact one of the two parts of the drive transmission element that are folded back by the drive sheave. This configuration can be adopted.

[0009] As one embodiment of the wet inspection apparatus for drive transmission elements according to the present invention, The rotating body is a sheave sized so as not to come into contact with the other part of the drive transmission element. This configuration can be adopted.

[0010] As one embodiment of the wet inspection apparatus for drive transmission elements according to the present invention, The rotating body is positioned near the drive sheave. This configuration can be adopted.

[0011] As one embodiment of the wet inspection apparatus for drive transmission elements according to the present invention, The drive transmission element connects the elevator car to the counterweight. This configuration can be adopted.

[0012] The method for inspecting wetness of a drive transmission element according to the present invention is: A method for inspecting the wetness of a drive transmission element, which has a smooth surface along its longitudinal direction and is wrapped around a drive sheave of an elevator or passenger conveyor, for inspecting whether the surface of the drive transmission element is wet due to the adhesion of either water, oil, or both, the water, oil, or both, to the surface, Installation steps include: installing a circular rotating body in contact with the first surface of the drive transmission element that contacts the drive sheave, so that it rotates as the drive transmission element moves due to the rotational drive of the drive sheave; A coating step involves applying an inspection agent containing either a color-developing agent that develops color upon contact with water, or a color-developing agent that develops color upon contact with oil, or both, to the circumferential surface of a rotating body. The system includes an inspection process in which the drive transmission element is run at a slower speed than that during normal operation of the elevator or passenger conveyor. This is a method for inspecting wetness in drive transmission elements.

[0013] As one embodiment of the method for inspecting wetness of a drive transmission element according to the present invention, The coating process is performed additionally during the inspection process. This configuration can be adopted. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, when either one or both of water and oil adhere to the surface of the drive transmission element and the surface is wet, the colorant comes into contact with either one or both of water and oil and develops color. The operator only needs to check whether this color development occurs. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily check whether either one or both of water and oil adhere to the surface of the drive transmission element and the surface is wet.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1(a) is a schematic view of an elevator according to the first embodiment, in which the car is located at the lowest position. FIG. 1(b) is a schematic view of an elevator according to the first embodiment, in which the car is located at the highest position. [Figure 2] FIG. 2(a) is a schematic view of an elevator according to the second embodiment, in which the car is located at the lowest position. FIG. 2(b) is a schematic view of an elevator according to the second embodiment, in which the car is located at the highest position. [Figure 3] FIG. 3(a) is a schematic view of an elevator according to the third embodiment, in which the car is located at the lowest position. FIG. 3(b) is a schematic view of an elevator according to the third embodiment, in which the car is located at the highest position. [Figure 4] FIG. 4(a) is a schematic view of an elevator according to the fourth embodiment, in which the car is located at the lowest position. FIG. 4(b) is a schematic view of an elevator according to the fourth embodiment, in which the car is located at the highest position. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a wetness inspection device according to Embodiment 1 during application of an inspection agent. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a wetness inspection device according to Embodiment 1 after application of an inspection agent. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of wetness inspection. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram following FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a wetness inspection device according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a perspective view of the wetting inspection apparatus according to Embodiment 3. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] The following describes the wetness inspection device, but first, we will explain the overall configuration of the elevator, which is the object of inspection by the wetness inspection device.

[0017] <First form of elevator> As shown in Figure 1, the elevator 1 comprises a hoistway 2, a car 3, and a drive unit 4 for the car 3. The hoistway 2 extends vertically within a building with multiple floors. The car 3 moves up and down within the hoistway 2 by the drive unit 4, and stops at a designated floor when the drive unit 4 is stopped.

[0018] The drive unit 4 comprises a cage sheave 40, a first upper sheave 41, a hoisting machine 42, a second upper sheave 43, a counterweight 44, a counterweight sheave 45, and a drive belt 46. A sheave is a type of sheave.

[0019] The cage sheave 40 is located at the bottom of the car 3. The upper sheaves 41 and 43 are located at the top of the hoistway 2. The hoisting machine 42 is located at the bottom of the hoistway 2. In other words, elevator 1 is a so-called machine room-less type elevator, which does not have a machine room above the hoistway 2 in order to accommodate the hoisting machine 42. The counterweight 44 is located in the space extending vertically between the wall of the hoistway 2 and the car 3, and moves up and down within the hoistway 2. The counterweight sheave 45 is located above the counterweight 44.

[0020] The drive belt 46 is a flat, even belt with a predetermined width and a smooth surface along its longitudinal direction. A flat belt is also called a flat rope. The drive belt 46 may have a jacket or grooves on its smooth surface.

[0021] The drive belt 46 has one end fixed to the upper part of the hoistway 2, and is wrapped around the cage sheave 40, the first upper sheave 41, the drive sheave 42a of the hoisting machine 42, the second upper sheave 43, and the counterweight sheave 45, with the other end fixed to the upper part of the hoistway 2. When the drive sheave 42a of the hoisting machine 42 is rotated, the drive belt 46 moves, and consequently the cage 3 to which the cage sheave 40 is attached moves up and down within the hoistway 2. Similarly, as the drive belt 46 moves, the counterweight 44 to which the counterweight sheave 45 is attached moves up and down within the hoistway 2.

[0022] Assuming that the cage 3 moves between the highest (usually the top floor) and the lowest (usually the bottom floor), the drive belt 46 comes into contact with the drive sheave 42a of the hoisting machine 42 over a portion of its total length. In Figure 1, this contact area is shown by a thick line.

[0023] The drive belt 46 is composed of a core wire and a covering. Multiple core wires are provided along the longitudinal direction of the drive belt 46, spaced apart in the width direction of the drive belt 46. The core wires are made of metal, high-strength fiber resin, or a combination thereof, and function as strength members. As an example, the core wire is steel wire. The covering covers the multiple core wires and constitutes the surface of the drive belt 46. The surface is a first surface on the side that contacts the drive sheave 42a and a second surface on the opposite side. The covering is made of resin. As an example, urethane resin is used for the covering in terms of high friction and wear resistance.

[0024] <Second form of elevator> As shown in Figure 2, in elevator 1, the hoisting machine 42 is located at the top of the hoistway 2. Consequently, the upper sheaves 41 and 43 are not required. The other configurations are the same as described above and are therefore omitted from the description.

[0025] <The third form of elevator> As shown in Figure 3, elevator 1 is a so-called machine-room type elevator, which has a machine room above the hoistway 2 to house the hoisting machine 42. The other configurations are the same as described above and are therefore omitted from the description.

[0026] <The fourth form of elevator> Elevator 1 according to the first to third forms is a so-called 2:1 roping type elevator in which both ends of the drive belt 46 are fixed to the upper part of the hoistway 2, and the drive belt 46 is wrapped around the car sheave 40 and the counterweight sheave 45, thereby connecting the drive belt 46 to the car 3 and the counterweight 44. In contrast, as shown in Figure 4, elevator 1 according to the fourth form is a so-called 1:1 roping type elevator in which one end of the drive belt 46 is fixed to the car 3 and the other end of the drive belt 46 is fixed to the counterweight 44. Other configurations are the same as described above and are therefore omitted from the description.

[0027] <First form of wetness inspection device> As shown in Figure 5, the wetness inspection device 5 is a device that inspects whether water has adhered to the first surface 46a of the drive belt 46 and whether the first surface 46a is wet. The causes of water wetting (water adhesion) include, for example, condensation that occurs in the hoistway 2, or water used for cleaning the elevator landing 1 that unintentionally falls into the hoistway 2 from the landing entrance. The wetness inspection device 5 comprises an inspection sheave 50 and an inspection agent 51.

[0028] The inspection sheave 50 contacts the first surface 46a of the drive belt 46 and rotates as the drive belt 46 moves due to the rotational drive of the drive sheave 42a. The inspection sheave 50 is positioned parallel to the drive sheave 42a. That is, the axis of rotation of the inspection sheave 50 is parallel to the axis of rotation of the drive sheave 42a. The inspection sheave 50 is positioned in the vicinity of the drive sheave 42a.

[0029] The inspection sheave 50 is positioned so as to contact one of the two portions of the drive belt 46 that are folded back by the drive sheave 42a. In the elevator 1 of the first and second embodiments, the two portions of the drive belt 46 are positioned vertically and parallel to each other. In the elevator 1 of the third and fourth embodiments, one portion of the drive belt 46 is positioned vertically, and the other portion of the drive belt 46 is positioned at an angle. The inspection sheave 50 is sized so as not to contact the other portion of the drive belt 46. That is, the diameter of the inspection sheave 50 is smaller than the diameter of the drive sheave 42a.

[0030] The axial length of the inspection sheave 50 is longer than the width of the drive belt 46. The inspection sheave 50 is a cylindrical body with the same diameter from one end to the other. The inspection sheave 50 does not have flanges attached to one end or the other end. However, flanges may be attached.

[0031] The inspection agent 51 contains a color-developing agent that changes color upon contact with water and is applied to the circumferential surface of the inspection sheave 50. The inspection agent 51 is contained in a spray can and sprayed from the can to be applied to the circumferential surface of the inspection sheave 50. In order to apply the inspection agent 51 to the entire circumference of the inspection sheave 50, the inspection sheave 50 is rotated and the spray can is moved back and forth as needed while the inspection agent 51 is sprayed onto the circumferential surface of the inspection sheave 50. At this time, care is taken to prevent the inspection agent 51 from coming into contact with (as much as possible) the first surface 46a of the drive belt 46.

[0032] As an example, the test agent 51 is a commercially available leak test agent (product name "Moremir W": Taseto Co., Ltd.). This agent contains a volatile solvent, white inorganic fine powder (particle size 10 microns or less, 5-60% by weight), and a water-soluble dye (0.5-3% by weight). The water-soluble dye is insoluble in the solvent, and when it comes into contact with water, it turns red, spreads along the white inorganic fine powder, and is adsorbed onto the surface of the powder and fixed in place. In other words, the test agent 51 appears white when applied, but when it comes into contact with water, the area turns red.

[0033] The configuration of the wetting inspection device 5 is as described above. Next, the wetting inspection method will be explained. The wetting inspection shall be performed, for example, during elevator maintenance work, which is carried out at a frequency of once every three months or once every six months. The wetting inspection method comprises an installation step, an application step, and an inspection step.

[0034] In the installation process, as shown in Figure 5, the inspection sheave 50 is brought into contact with the first surface 46a of the drive belt 46 and installed so that it rotates in conjunction with the movement of the drive belt 46 due to the rotational drive of the drive sheave 42a. The wetness inspection device 5 is installed for wetness inspection. Alternatively, the wetness inspection device 5 may be permanently installed.

[0035] In the coating process, as shown in Figure 5, the inspection agent 51 is applied to the circumferential surface of the inspection sheave 50. More specifically, the inspection agent 51 is sprayed towards the circumferential surface of the inspection sheave 50 while the drive belt 46 is moved a short distance to rotate the inspection sheave 50 approximately once, and the spray can is moved back and forth (in the width direction of the drive belt 46) as needed. This coats the entire circumference of the inspection sheave 50 with the inspection agent 51. The coating process is performed prior to the inspection process. Alternatively, the coating process is performed at the start of the inspection process. Furthermore, the coating process may be performed one or more times at appropriate intervals during the inspection process.

[0036] In the inspection process, as shown in Figure 6, the drive belt 46 is made to travel at a slower speed than during normal operation of the elevator 1. At this time, the drive sheave 42a is rotated so that the car 3 moves across the entire area between the top (usually the top floor) and the bottom (usually the bottom floor). As a result, the inspection sheave 50 comes into contact with (almost) the entire area of ​​the contact region between the drive belt 46 and the drive sheave 42a (see the thick lines in Figures 1 to 4), allowing the (almost) entire contact region to be inspected.

[0037] Then, as shown in Figure 7, if water L adheres to the surface of the contact area and the surface is wet, as shown in Figure 8, part of the inspection agent 51 comes into contact with the water and turns red. The worker checks for the presence or absence of this colored area 51a.

[0038] As described above, according to the wetness inspection device 5 and wetness inspection method of this embodiment, if water adheres to the first surface 46a of the drive belt 46 and the first surface 46a is wet, the coloring agent comes into contact with the water and develops color. The worker only needs to check whether or not this color development occurs. For this reason, according to the wetness inspection device 5 and wetness inspection method of this embodiment, it is possible to easily check whether or not water adheres to the first surface 46a of the drive belt 46 and the first surface 46a is wet, even when working in places with low illumination or in confined spaces.

[0039] Incidentally, near the drive sheave 42a, the drive belt 46 is divided into two sections by the drive sheave 42a. As shown in Figure 5, the spray can is located at a point that extends laterally from between the two sections of the drive belt 46, and the inspection agent 51 is sprayed from here. In this case, when spraying and applying the inspection agent 51 to the first surface 46a of the drive belt 46, the angle from the side is steep, which may prevent proper application. However, according to the wetting inspection device 5 and wetting inspection method of this embodiment, the inspection agent 51 can be sprayed and applied to the circumferential surface of the inspection sheave 50 from an oblique upward or oblique downward direction at a moderate angle. Therefore, according to the wetting inspection device 5 and wetting inspection method of this embodiment, the inspection agent 51 can be properly applied.

[0040] In the first place, the wetting inspection apparatus 5 and wetting inspection method according to this embodiment do not envision the inspection agent 51 being directly applied to the first surface 46a of the drive belt 46. This is to eliminate any concern that the frictional characteristics of the drive belt 46 may be affected in any way.

[0041] Incidentally, the drive sheave 42a has a crown shape for the purpose of ensuring the running stability of the drive belt 46. A crown shape refers to a shape (convex shape) in which the diameter gradually increases from both ends in the axial direction toward the center of the drive sheave 42a. This makes it difficult for the drive belt 46 to meander from side to side. However, it cannot be denied that under certain circumstances the drive belt 46 may momentarily or temporarily shift slightly from side to side. In contrast, according to the wetting inspection device 5 and wetting inspection method of this embodiment, the axial length of the inspection sheave 50 is longer than the width of the drive belt 46. Preferably, the inspection agent 51 is applied over a wider area than the width of the drive belt 46. Therefore, according to the wetting inspection device 5 and wetting inspection method of this embodiment, even if the drive belt 46 momentarily or temporarily shifts slightly from side to side, the drive belt 46 will come into contact with the coating layer of the inspection agent 51 over its entire width, and inspection can be performed without omission.

[0042] <Second form of wetness inspection device> If wetness is detected as a result of the wetness inspection, the corrective action is to wipe the affected area of ​​the drive belt 46. Therefore, as shown in Figure 9, the wetness inspection device 5 is further equipped with an absorbent 52. The absorbent 52 is positioned downstream of the inspection sleeve 50 in the direction of travel of the drive belt 46. The absorbent 52 is positioned in the vicinity of the inspection sleeve 50.

[0043] The absorbent body 52 is in contact with the first surface 46a of the drive belt 46 and slides against it as the drive belt 46 moves due to the rotational drive of the drive sheave 42a. The absorbent body 52 is a porous sheet having a predetermined thickness and a certain degree of absorbency. The absorbent body 52 is made of, for example, sponge, cloth, felt, nonwoven fabric, etc.

[0044] <Third form of wetness inspection device> The effects of wetting are primarily due to wetting of the first surface 46a of the drive belt 46. However, wetting of the second surface 46b of the drive belt 46 is also undesirable. Therefore, as shown in Figure 10, the wetting inspection device 5 further includes another inspection sheave 50. The other inspection sheave 50 is in contact with the second surface 46b of the drive belt 46 and rotates as the drive belt 46 moves due to the rotational drive of the drive sheave 42a.

[0045] The two inspection sheaves 50, 50 are positioned opposite each other with the drive belt 46 in between, and are connected at each end of the shaft by an elastic material 53, applying an elastic force in a direction that brings them closer together. As a result, each inspection sheave 50 is pressed against the surface of the drive belt 46, and high detection accuracy can be obtained. However, the two inspection sheaves 50, 50 may not be connected and may be positioned offset in the direction of travel of the drive belt 46. Alternatively, the other sheave 50 may not carry the inspection agent 51, with the aim of increasing the pressure of one inspection sheave 50 on the drive belt 46.

[0046] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0047] In the above embodiment, the test agent 51 detects water wetting (water adhesion). However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The test agent may contain a color-developing agent that develops color when it comes into contact with oil to detect oil wetting (oil adhesion). Alternatively, the test agent may contain both color-developing agents to detect both water wetting and oil wetting. As an example, a commercially available leak detection agent (product name "Moremir Oil": Taseto Co., Ltd.) is used for oil detection. This test agent contains a volatile solvent, white inorganic fine powder (particle size 10 microns or less, 5-60% by weight), and a lipid-soluble dye (0.5-3% by weight). The lipid-soluble dye is insoluble in the solvent, and when it comes into contact with oil, it develops a red color, spreads along the white inorganic fine powder, and is adsorbed and fixed to the surface of the powder. That is, this test agent appears white when applied, but when it comes into contact with oil, the area turns red. The cause of the oil spill is, for example, oil splattering from elevator equipment (such as sheaves or guide rails).

[0048] In the above embodiment, the inspection sheave 50 is positioned to contact one of the two portions of the drive belt 46 that are folded back by the drive sheave 42a. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The wet inspection device may further include another inspection sheave that contacts the other portion. As a result, if there is only one inspection sheave, one end of the contact area between the drive belt 46 and the drive sheave 42a (see the thick line in Figures 1 to 4) cannot be inspected (although this is a small area and not a particular problem), but by providing two inspection sheaves, the entire contact area can be inspected.

[0049] In the above embodiment, there is one drive belt 46. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. There may be multiple drive belts arranged side by side with spacing between them. In this case, each drive belt may be provided with an inspection sheave, or a single axially long inspection sheave may span across multiple drive belts and make contact with them simultaneously.

[0050] In the above embodiment, the object to be inspected is a flat belt. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The object to be inspected may be a V-belt, a round belt, a V-ribbed belt, etc. It may also be a rope instead of a belt. In short, any drive transmission element having a smooth surface along its longitudinal direction can be inspected according to the present invention.

[0051] In the above embodiment, the object of inspection is the drive transmission element of an elevator. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The object of inspection may also be the drive transmission element of a passenger conveyor. A passenger conveyor refers to an escalator or moving walkway. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0052] 1...Elevator, 2...Hoistway, 3...Car, 4...Drive unit, 40...Car sheave, 41...Upper sheave, 42...Hoisting machine, 42a...Drive sheave, 43...Upper sheave, 44...Counterweight, 45...Counterweight sheave, 46...Drive belt, 46a...First surface, 46b...Second surface, 5...Wetting inspection device, 50...Inspection sheave, 51...Inspection agent, 51a...Coloring part, 52...Absorbent, 53...Elastic material, L...Water or oil

Claims

1. A drive transmission element wetting inspection device for inspecting whether the surface of a drive transmission element, which has a smooth surface along its longitudinal direction and is wrapped around a drive sheave of an elevator or passenger conveyor, is wet due to the adhesion of either water, oil, or both, the surface of the drive transmission element, A circular rotating body that contacts the first surface of the drive transmission element that is in contact with the drive sheave, and rotates in conjunction with the movement of the drive transmission element due to the rotational drive of the drive sheave, The inspection agent comprises a color-developing agent that develops color upon contact with water, a color-developing agent that develops color upon contact with oil, or both of these, and is applied to the circumferential surface of a rotating body. A device for inspecting wetness of drive transmission elements.

2. The rotating body is positioned to contact one of the two parts of the drive transmission element that are folded back by the drive sheave. The wet inspection apparatus for a drive transmission element according to claim 1.

3. The rotating body is a sheave sized so as not to come into contact with the other part of the drive transmission element. The wet inspection apparatus for a drive transmission element according to claim 2.

4. The rotating body is positioned near the drive sheave. The wet inspection apparatus for a drive transmission element according to claim 1.

5. The drive transmission element connects the elevator car to the counterweight. A wet inspection device for a drive transmission element according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A method for inspecting the wetness of a drive transmission element, which has a smooth surface along its longitudinal direction and is wrapped around a drive sheave of an elevator or passenger conveyor, for inspecting whether the surface of the drive transmission element is wet due to the adhesion of either water, oil, or both, the water, oil, or both, to the surface, Installation steps include: installing a circular rotating body in contact with the first surface of the drive transmission element that contacts the drive sheave, so that it rotates as the drive transmission element moves due to the rotational drive of the drive sheave; A coating step involves applying an inspection agent containing either a color-developing agent that develops color upon contact with water, or a color-developing agent that develops color upon contact with oil, or both, to the circumferential surface of a rotating body. The system includes an inspection process in which the drive transmission element is run at a slower speed than that during normal operation of the elevator or passenger conveyor. A method for inspecting wetness in drive transmission elements.

7. The coating process is performed additionally during the inspection process. The method for inspecting wetness of a drive transmission element according to claim 6.

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