Rope flaw detection jig

Abstract

To provide a rope flaw detection jig that can simplify the work involved in rope flaw detection inspection. [Solution] A rope flaw detection jig 10 that uses a sensor head 1 to magnetize a rope R placed in an elevator shaft and detect leakage magnetic flux from the rope R is configured to include a frame member 12, which is a movable range defining part that defines the vertical movable range of the sensor head 1 attached to the rope R by the magnetic force generated between it and the rope R, and a magnetic sheet 14, which is a mounting part that detachably attaches the frame member 12 to a specific position in the elevator shaft. Since the movable range of the sensor head 1 only needs to be defined by the movable frame member 12, there is no need to fix the sensor head 1 in place, and the work involved in rope flaw detection is simplified.

Description

Technical Field

[0005]

[0001] The present invention relates to a jig for rope flaw detection, and particularly to a jig for rope flaw detection using a sensor head that magnetizes a rope arranged in an elevator hoistway and detects leakage magnetic flux from the rope.

Background Art

[0002] Regular inspections are performed on the elevator ropes to check whether damage has occurred to the extent that replacement is necessary. As a method for this rope flaw detection, a method called the leakage magnetic flux method is known. In the leakage magnetic flux method, the degree of damage to the rope is determined by magnetizing the rope arranged in the elevator hoistway with the sensor head of a rope tester and detecting the leakage magnetic flux from the rope.

[0003] By the way, in the above-described rope flaw detection, usually, the sensor head is arranged near the drive sheave of the winch, which is a fixed pulley, but there may be cases where stable inspection cannot be carried out depending on the roping in the hoistway. For example, in the case of a machine-roomless elevator where the winch is above the hoistway, the pulleys other than the drive sheave become movable pulleys, and as the car or counterweight approaches the winch, the angle change of the rope located near the drive sheave becomes larger. As a result, the position of the rope with respect to the sensor head changes, and the expected inspection accuracy may not be obtained.

[0004] Regarding this point, Patent Document 1 discloses a rope tester provided with a support unit capable of making the sensor head follow the angle change of the rope.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, in the rope tester described in Patent Document 1, the sensor head is fixed to the support unit, and the support unit itself, which supports the sensor head in a movable state, has a complex configuration. Furthermore, when using multiple sensor heads simultaneously, it is necessary to prepare the same number of support units as the number of sensor heads, making the setup work before inspection and the removal work after inspection cumbersome.

[0007] In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention aims to provide a rope flaw detection jig that can simplify the work involved in rope flaw detection inspection. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides a rope flaw detection jig that uses a sensor head to magnetize a rope arranged in an elevator shaft and detect leakage magnetic flux from the rope, characterized in that it comprises a movable range defining part that defines the vertical movable range of the sensor head attached to the rope by the magnetic force generated between the sensor head and the rope, and a mounting part that detachably attaches the movable range defining part to a specific position in the elevator shaft.

[0009] In the rope flaw detection jig having the above configuration, a gap may be formed between the movable range defining part and the sensor head.

[0010] Furthermore, the movable range defining section may be configured to define the range in which the sensor head can rotate around the rope.

[0011] Furthermore, the movable range defining portion may be made of a non-magnetic material, and the mounting portion may include a magnet.

[0012] In addition, a connecting member may be provided to connect the sensor head to the movable range defining section in a movable state. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the rope flaw detection jig of the present invention, the movable range of the sensor head attached to the rope is simply defined by the movable range defining part due to the magnetic force generated between the sensor head and the rope, eliminating the need to fix the sensor head in place. This simplifies the work involved in rope flaw detection. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] (a) A plan view and (b) A front view schematically show the external appearance of the sensor head. [Figure 2] (a) A plan view, (b) A front view, and (c) A side view schematically show the general configuration of the rope flaw detection jig according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] (a) A plan view and (b) A side view schematically show the general configuration of the rope flaw detection jig according to the second embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a schematic side view showing the general configuration of a rope flaw detection jig according to a modified example of the second embodiment. [Figure 5] (a) A plan view, (b) A front view, and (c) A side view schematically show the general configuration of the rope flaw detection jig according to the third embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the rope flaw detection jig (hereinafter simply referred to as "the jig") according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0016] <First Embodiment> The jig 10 (Figure 2) according to the first embodiment is a specialized device used when performing rope flaw detection inspections on elevators. A known rope tester (not shown) is used in this rope flaw detection inspection.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the rope tester includes a sensor head 1. The sensor head 1 has a rectangular inspection unit 3. In the inspection unit 3, a magnet (not shown) for magnetizing the rope R to be inspected and a sensor (not shown) for detecting leakage magnetic flux from the magnetized rope R are incorporated. On the longitudinal end side surface of the inspection unit 3, a guide groove 5 for guiding the rope R to be inspected is formed. Further, on the longitudinal end side surface of the inspection unit 3 opposite to the guide groove 5, a handle 7 made of a non-magnetic material such as resin is provided.

[0018] For the elevator rope R, a wire rope formed by twisting a plurality of strands each formed by twisting a plurality of steel wires (also referred to as "element wires") is used. When performing a rope flaw detection inspection using the jig 10 described later, the inspection target portion of the rope R is accommodated in the guide groove 5 of the inspection unit 3, and the sensor head 3 is attached to the rope R by the magnetic force generated between the magnet incorporated in the inspection unit 3 and the rope R.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the jig 10 of the present embodiment is disposed near the sensor head 1 attached to the rope R. The jig 10 has a frame member 12 made of resin, which is a non-magnetic material. The frame member 12 is a three-sided frame having a "C" shape in side view, and includes a vertical plate 12A, an upper plate 12B, and a lower plate 12C. The upper plate 12B extends from the upper part of the vertical plate 12A in a direction orthogonal to the vertical plate 12A. Similarly, the lower plate 12C extends from the lower part of the vertical plate 12A in a direction orthogonal to the vertical plate 12A.

[0020] The vertical plate 12A is designed to have a larger width dimension than the upper plate 12B and the lower plate 12C. A magnet sheet 14 is attached to the outer surface of the vertical plate 12A (the main surface opposite to the side where the upper plate 12B and the lower plate 12C extend).

[0021] In the jig 10 having the above configuration, the vertical interval d between the upper plate 12B and the lower plate 12C is designed to be larger than the longitudinal dimension h (height) of the sensor head 1 (d>h). By setting such dimensional design, there is a margin such that a gap is formed between the sensor head 1 and the frame member 12, and the sensor head 1 can be accommodated within the frame of the frame member 12. Thereby, it becomes possible to flexibly cope with the attitude change of the sensor head 1 accompanying the angle change of the rope R.

[0022] Subsequently, while explaining the usage method of the jig 10 during the rope flaw detection inspection, the functional role of the jig 10 during the inspection will be explained.

[0023] First, as a preparation work, the sensor head 1 and the jig 10 are attached to predetermined positions within the hoistway. Specifically, the sensor head is attached to the rope R portion located near the drive sheave by a worker who has moved onto the cage. Also, using the magnetic force of the magnet sheet 14 of the vertical plate 12A, the jig 10 is attached to a metal structure such as a beam (not shown) within the hoistway near the drive sheave. At this time, it is necessary to arrange the jig 10 so that the sensor head 1 is accommodated within the frame of the frame member 12. However, since the dimensional design has a margin such that a gap is formed between the sensor head 1 and the frame member 12, the positioning of the jig 10 can be easily performed. In addition, preparation work necessary for the rope flaw detection inspection such as operation confirmation of the rope tester is performed.

[0024] Once the preparation work is complete, the elevator car is moved back and forth between the top and bottom floors of the elevator shaft, and the leakage magnetic flux from the rope R is detected to inspect the extent of damage to the rope R. At this time, the rope R moves vertically as the elevator car moves up and down, and the sensor head 1 attached to the rope R also tries to move with the rope R. However, since there is an upper plate 12B of the frame member 12 above the sensor head 1 and a lower plate 12C of the frame member 12 below the sensor head 1, the vertical movement of the sensor head 1 is restricted by the upper plate 12B and lower plate 12C of the frame member 12. As a result, when performing rope flaw detection inspection, the range of motion of the sensor head 1 in the vertical direction is defined within the frame of the frame member 12, while the moving rope R is maintained in a state where it is housed in the guide groove 5 by magnetic force. In this way, the frame member 12 that constitutes the jig 10 functions as a range of motion defining part that defines the range of motion of the sensor head 1 in the vertical direction.

[0025] Furthermore, when rope flaw detection is performed, the angle of the rope R may change within the movable range of the sensor head 1 due to the raising and lowering of the elevator car. In this case, the posture of the sensor head 1 attached to the rope R will also change, such as tilting or displacement. However, since a gap is formed between the sensor head 1 and the frame member 12, the change in the posture of the sensor head 1 due to the change in the angle of the rope R is permitted within the frame of the frame member 12. As a result, the posture of the sensor head 1 relative to the rope R can be maintained in a state that allows for proper detection of leakage magnetic flux.

[0026] Once the rope flaw detection inspection is complete, the worker removes the sensor head 1 and other equipment and fixture 10 used for the inspection. At this time, since the sensor head 1 is not fixed to the fixture 10, it is only necessary to remove the sensor head 1 from the rope R against the magnetic force. Similarly, for the fixture 10, it is only necessary to remove the frame member 12 from the beam against the magnetic force of the magnet sheet 14. Thus, in this embodiment, the magnet sheet 14 functions as a mounting part that allows the frame member 12, which functions as a movable range defusing part, to be detachably attached to a specific position in the elevator shaft (in this example, a beam near the drive sheave).

[0027] As described above, with the jig 10 of this embodiment, the movable range of the sensor head 1 attached to the rope R is simply defined by the frame member 12 due to the magnetic force generated between it and the rope R, so there is no need to fix the sensor head 1 in place. Furthermore, since the magnetic force of the magnet sheet 14 is used for attaching and detaching the frame member 12, installation and removal work can be easily performed within the elevator shaft. As a result, the amount of work involved in rope flaw detection inspection can be simplified.

[0028] <Second Embodiment> In the first embodiment described above, the frame member 12 constituting the jig 10 defines the range of motion of the sensor head 1 in the vertical direction. In contrast, the jig 20 according to the second embodiment has a configuration that defines not only the range of motion of the sensor head 1 in the vertical direction, but also the range in which the sensor head 1 can rotate around the rope R.

[0029] The second embodiment has essentially the same configuration as the first embodiment, except that it has a configuration that defines the range in which the sensor head 1 can rotate around the rope R. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for components that are substantially the same as in the first embodiment, and their descriptions are limited to mentions as necessary, with the focus being on the differences.

[0030] As shown in Figure 3, the jig 20 has an upper bent portion 22B in which the tip of the upper plate 12B is bent downward in an L shape, and a lower bent portion 22C in which the tip of the lower plate 12C is bent upward in an L shape.

[0031] According to the jig 20 of this embodiment, even if the sensor head 1 undergoes a change in posture such as rotating around the rope R during rope flaw detection (see the arc arrow shown in Figure 3(a)), the upper bent portion 22B and the lower bent portion 22C act as stoppers, keeping the sensor head 1 within the frame of the frame member 12. Thus, in the jig 20, the frame member 12 having the upper bent portion 22B and the lower bent portion 22C is configured to define the range of motion of the sensor head 1 in the vertical direction and in the direction of rotation around the rope.

[0032] In the jig 20 described above, the upper bent portion 22B and the lower bent portion 22C define the range in which the sensor head 1 can rotate around the rope R. However, as a modified example, a configuration such as the frame member 24 shown in Figure 4, in which a square frame with a "square" shape in side view surrounds the sensor head 1, may also be adopted.

[0033] <Third Embodiment> In the first embodiment described above, rope flaw detection testing is performed with the frame member 12 and the sensor head 1 constituting the jig 10 separated and not fixed to each other. In contrast, the jig 30 according to the third embodiment is configured to include a connecting member that connects the sensor head 1 to the frame member 12 in a movable state.

[0034] The third embodiment has the same basic configuration as the first embodiment, except for the inclusion of connecting members. Therefore, in the third embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for components that are substantially the same as in the first embodiment, and their descriptions are limited to mentions as necessary, with the focus being on the differences.

[0035] As shown in Figure 5, the jig 30 is equipped with a flexible string 32. Note that, to avoid complexity, the string 32 is not shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(c). A through hole 34 is provided in the upper plate 12B of the frame member 12. The string 32, which is inserted through the through hole 34, is then placed over the handle 7 of the sensor head 1, and both ends of the string 32 are tied together (the knot is not shown). In this way, the sensor head 1 and the frame member 12 are connected to each other by the string 32 in the jig 30. Although not shown, from the viewpoint of improving workability, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a ring is provided on one end of the string 32 and a hook is provided on the other end.

[0036] According to the jig 30 of this embodiment, since the string 32 is flexible, the mobility of the sensor head 1 is maintained, while the range in which the sensor head 1 can rotate around the rope R is limited to a range corresponding to the length of the string 32. In addition, even if the sensor head 1 were to detach from the rope R for some reason during rope flaw detection testing, it would be possible to prevent the sensor head 1 from falling. Thus, in the jig 30, the string 32 serves both as a connecting member that connects the sensor head 1 and the frame member 12, and as a component that defines the range in which the sensor head 1 can rotate around the rope R.

[0037] The rope flaw detection jig according to the present invention has been described above based on embodiments, but of course the present invention is not limited to the above-described form, and may be implemented in modified forms, for example, as follows.

[0038] <Variation> (1) In each of the embodiments described above, an example is shown in which a flaw detection inspection is performed on one rope R using one sensor head 1. However, if there are multiple ropes R, it is also possible to perform flaw detection inspections on multiple ropes R simultaneously using multiple sensor heads 1. In that case, a jig can be used in which the lengths of the upper plate 12B and lower plate 12C of the frame member 12 are extended.

[0039] (2) In each of the embodiments described above, a magnetic sheet 14 is used as a mounting part that detachably attaches the frame member 12 to a specific position in the elevator shaft (such as a beam near the drive sheave), but other configurations may be used. For example, clips that clamp the beam from above and below or from the front and back may be used, or these may be used in combination with the magnetic sheet 14. The configuration of the mounting part can be appropriately changed depending on the form of the structure to which the frame member 12 is attached.

[0040] The present invention can be implemented in various forms with improvements, modifications, or alterations based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, without departing from its spirit. Furthermore, the invention may be implemented in a form in which any of its defining features is replaced with other technologies, as long as the same function or effect is achieved. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0041] 10 jigs 12 Frame members 14 Magnetic Sheets

Claims

1. A rope flaw detection jig that uses a sensor head to magnetize a rope placed in an elevator shaft and detect the magnetic flux leakage from the rope, A movable range defining unit that defines the vertical movable range of the sensor head attached to the rope by the magnetic force generated between it and the rope, A mounting part for detachably attaching the aforementioned movable range defining part to a specific position in the elevator shaft, Equipped with, A jig for rope flaw detection inspection, characterized in that a gap is formed between the movable range defining part and the sensor head.

2. The rope flaw detection jig according to claim 1, wherein the movable range defining part further defines the range in which the sensor head can rotate around the rope.

3. The rope flaw detection jig according to claim 1, wherein the movable range defining portion is made of a non-magnetic material, and the mounting portion includes a magnet.

4. The rope flaw detection jig according to claim 1, further comprising a connecting member for connecting the sensor head to the movable range defining portion in a movable state.

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