Abnormality diagnosis system for elevator

Abstract

Provided is an abnormality diagnosis system for detecting abnormal noise or abnormal vibration of an elevator, the abnormality diagnosis system comprising a microphone that collects sound inside a car, an operation control unit that causes the car to move in accordance with a diagnosis pattern when specific diagnosis conditions are met, and an abnormality detection unit that detects an irregularity of the elevator while the car is moving in accordance with the diagnosis pattern. The diagnosis conditions include a diagnosis time period during which the diagnosis is performed. The abnormality diagnosis system also comprises a condition changing unit that measures background noise using the microphone in each of a plurality of diagnosis time periods and changes the diagnosis time period in the diagnosis conditions on the basis of the measured background noise, if the abnormality detection unit detects an irregularity but the elevator is normal.

Description

Elevator abnormality diagnosis system

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology related to an elevator inspection device. In this technology, an elevator operating sound signal during inspection operation is collected by a sound-collecting microphone installed in the elevator car and stored in association with the car's position data. The amplitude of the operating sound signal is then compared with a set limit amplitude value to determine whether it is abnormal sound data.

[0003] Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-228443

[0004] Depending on the time of day when the inspection operation is performed, the accuracy of abnormality diagnosis may be reduced due to the influence of external noise. The technology of Patent Document 1 does not consider reducing the influence of external noise, and there is still room for improvement.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a technology that is advantageous in suppressing a decrease in diagnostic accuracy due to the influence of external noise.

[0006] The elevator abnormality diagnosis system disclosed herein is an abnormality diagnosis system that detects abnormal sounds or abnormal vibrations in an elevator, and includes: a microphone that collects sounds inside the elevator car; an operation control unit that moves the car according to a diagnostic pattern when specific diagnostic conditions are met; and an abnormality detection unit that detects elevator modulation while the car is moving according to the diagnostic pattern. The diagnostic conditions include a diagnostic time period during which the diagnosis is performed. If the abnormality detection unit detects modulation and the elevator is normal, the abnormality diagnosis system includes a condition change unit that measures background noise using the microphone during each of a plurality of diagnostic time periods and changes the diagnostic time period of the diagnostic conditions based on the measured background noise.

[0007] In addition, the elevator abnormality diagnosis system of the present disclosure is an abnormality diagnosis system that detects abnormal sounds or abnormal vibrations in an elevator, and includes a microphone that collects sounds inside the elevator car, an operation control unit that moves the car according to a diagnostic pattern when specific diagnostic conditions are met, a memory unit that stores a sound pressure reference value for determining elevator modulation, a sound pressure calculation unit that calculates sound pressure data of the sound collected by the microphone while the car is moving according to the diagnostic pattern, an abnormality detection unit that detects elevator modulation based on the sound pressure data and the sound pressure reference value stored in the memory unit, and a reference value change unit that changes the sound pressure reference value to a higher value if the abnormality detection unit detects modulation and the elevator is normal.

[0008] According to the elevator abnormality diagnosis system of the present disclosure, when elevator modulation is detected and the elevator is normal, the diagnosis time period of the diagnosis conditions is changed based on the background noise measured in each of the plurality of diagnosis time periods. This makes it possible to suppress a decrease in diagnostic accuracy due to the influence of disturbance sounds in elevator abnormality diagnosis.

[0009] Furthermore, according to the elevator abnormality diagnosis system of the present disclosure, when elevator modulation is detected and the elevator is normal, the sound pressure reference value used to determine the modulation is changed, thereby making it possible to suppress a decrease in diagnostic accuracy due to the influence of disturbance sounds in elevator abnormality diagnosis.

[0010] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an elevator abnormality diagnosis system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a routine for abnormality diagnosis processing executed by the control device 10. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing specific steps of diagnosis condition change processing executed by the control device 10. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing specific steps of sound pressure reference value change processing executed by the control device 10. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a routine for abnormality diagnosis processing executed by the control device 10. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing specific steps of acceleration reference value change processing executed by the control device 10. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing examples of hardware resources of the abnormality diagnosis system 100. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another example of hardware resources of the abnormality diagnosis system 100.

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that elements common to the various drawings are given the same reference numerals and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0012] Embodiment 1. Configuration of an elevator abnormality diagnosis system FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an elevator abnormality diagnosis system according to this embodiment. The elevator abnormality diagnosis system 100 is a system that detects abnormal sounds or abnormal vibrations in an elevator. The abnormality diagnosis system 100 includes a control device 10, a microphone 12, and a speedometer 14. The microphone 12 is installed in the elevator car. The microphone 12 is, for example, a microphone for an intercom installed in the car. A sound signal measured by the microphone 12 is sent to the control device 10. The speedometer 14 is installed in the elevator car. The speedometer 14 measures the speed of the car. A speed signal measured by the speedometer 14 is sent to the control device 10.

[0013] The control device 10 controls the operation of the elevator. That is, the movement of the elevator car is controlled by the control device 10. There are no limitations on the installation location of the control device 10. The control device 10 is installed, for example, in a machine room above the elevator shaft. Alternatively, the control device 10 may be installed in the elevator shaft. The control device 10 has a function for communicating with external devices. For example, the control device 10 is connected to a remote information center via a network. The external devices include a management server installed in the information center. The external devices also include a mobile terminal for maintenance. The mobile terminal is owned by an elevator maintenance worker. For example, the maintenance worker uses the mobile terminal to perform elevator maintenance work. Alternatively, the maintenance worker performs maintenance work remotely from the information center.

[0014] The control device 10 has a function for diagnosing elevator abnormalities. Specifically, the control device 10 has a sound pressure calculation unit 20, an acceleration calculation unit 22, a memory unit 24, a condition determination unit 26, an abnormality detection unit 28, a communication unit 30, an operation control unit 32, and a condition change unit 34. The sound pressure calculation unit 20 is a functional block for calculating sound pressure data based on a sound signal measured by the microphone 12. The acceleration calculation unit 22 is a functional block for calculating car acceleration data based on a speed signal measured by the speedometer 14.

[0015] The memory unit 24 is a functional block for storing various data processed in the elevator abnormality diagnosis. The memory unit 24 stores sound pressure data, acceleration data, a sound pressure reference value, an acceleration reference value, and diagnostic conditions. The sound pressure reference value is a judgment reference value for determining whether the sound pressure data detected by the microphone 12 at the time of abnormality diagnosis is within a normal range. The sound pressure reference value may be a constant value or may be a value associated with each diagnosis time or car position. The acceleration reference value is a judgment reference value for determining whether the acceleration data detected by the speedometer 14 is within a normal range. The diagnostic conditions include a diagnostic time period. The diagnostic time period includes the start time and frequency of the diagnosis, for example, 0:00 AM every day, 3:00 AM every Monday, etc.

[0016] The condition determination unit 26 is a functional block for determining whether a diagnostic condition for performing an abnormality diagnosis is met. The abnormality detection unit 28 is a functional block for determining whether a modulation is detected in the elevator. The communication unit 30 is a functional block for the control device 10 to send and receive data to and from external devices. The operation control unit 32 is a functional block for controlling the operation of the elevator car. The operation control unit 32 moves the car according to, for example, a specific diagnostic pattern. The diagnostic pattern here is, for example, a pattern in which the car moves back and forth from the lowest floor to the top floor.

[0017] The condition change unit 34 is a functional block for changing the diagnostic conditions. The reference value change unit 36 ​​is a functional block for changing the judgment reference value. The condition change unit 34 and the reference value change unit are essential parts of the abnormality diagnosis system 100 of the present disclosure, and therefore will be described in detail below.

[0018] 2. First Example of Operation of Elevator Abnormality Diagnosis System 100 Next, a first example of operation executed in the elevator abnormality diagnosis system 100 will be described.

[0019] 2-1. Abnormality diagnosis processing The control device 10 executes abnormality diagnosis processing when specific diagnosis conditions are met. In the abnormality diagnosis processing, when the sound pressure of the sound inside the car collected by the microphone 12 exceeds a sound pressure reference value, elevator modulation is detected. Specific processing of the abnormality diagnosis processing will be described below.

[0020] 2 is a flowchart showing a routine for abnormality diagnosis processing executed by the control device 10. In step S100 of the routine shown in FIG. 2, the condition determination unit 26 determines whether specific diagnosis conditions are met. The diagnosis conditions here include that the elevator is not in use during the current time period and that the current time period is a diagnosis time period. If the determination is not met, the processing of this routine is terminated, and if the determination is met, the processing proceeds to step S102.

[0021] In step S102, the operation control unit 32 executes a diagnostic operation in which the car is moved according to a specific diagnostic pattern. In step S104, while the car is moving during the diagnostic operation, the microphone 12 measures the sound inside the car. The detected sound signal is sent to the sound pressure calculation unit 20. In step S106, sound pressure data during the diagnostic operation is calculated from the received sound signal.

[0022] In step S108, the abnormality detection unit 28 reads the sound pressure reference value stored in the storage unit 24. Then, in step S110, the abnormality detection unit 28 compares the sound pressure data with the sound pressure reference value to determine whether elevator modulation has been detected. Here, if the sound pressure data is greater than the sound pressure reference value, the abnormality detection unit 28 determines that elevator modulation has been detected, and the process proceeds to step S112. On the other hand, if the sound pressure data is equal to or less than the sound pressure reference value, the abnormality detection unit 28 determines that elevator modulation has not been detected, and the process proceeds to step S118.

[0023] In step S112, the abnormality detection unit 28 increments the modulation count, which indicates the number of consecutive times modulation has been detected, by +1. In step S114, the abnormality detection unit 28 determines whether the modulation count has reached a reference count. The reference count here is a threshold value for determining the likelihood of modulation, and is, for example, three times. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S116; if the determination is negative, the routine ends.

[0024] In step S116, the communication unit 30 reports the modulation information, including the fact that modulation has been detected, to the information center. In step S118, the abnormality detection unit 28 resets the number of modulations to zero.

[0025] According to the above abnormality diagnosis process, an elevator abnormality can be diagnosed based on the sound inside the car measured using the microphone 12. Furthermore, if elevator modulation is detected a predetermined number of times in succession, a notification is sent to the information center, thereby reducing the possibility of misdiagnosis.

[0026] 2-2. Diagnostic Condition Change Processing In the abnormality diagnosis processing described above, when an elevator malfunction is reported to the information center, a maintenance person remotely diagnoses the abnormality from the information center. Specifically, the maintenance person actually listens to the sounds collected during the diagnostic operation and checks whether there are any abnormal sounds. The diagnosis results by the maintenance person are sent to the control device 10.

[0027] If the maintenance technician's diagnosis results do not reveal any abnormal sounds, it is possible that the abnormality diagnosis process misdetected modulation due to the influence of disturbance sounds. Disturbance sounds include environmental sounds that occur during the same time period. Examples of environmental sounds that depend on the time of day include sounds from a nearby construction site and sounds from delivery vehicles passing by early in the morning. It is desirable to eliminate the influence of such disturbance sounds as much as possible from the abnormality diagnosis process. Therefore, if the received diagnosis results from the maintenance technician indicate that the elevator is normal, the control device 10 executes a diagnostic condition change process to change the diagnostic conditions of the abnormality diagnosis process. In the diagnostic condition change process, the control device 10 changes the diagnosis time period to a time period with less disturbance sounds. Alternatively, in the diagnostic condition change process, the control device 10 executes a reference value change process to increase the sound pressure reference value. Specific steps of the abnormality diagnosis process and the reference value change process are described below.

[0028] 3 is a flowchart showing the specific steps of the diagnostic condition change process executed by the control device 10. In step S130 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 3, the condition change unit 34 determines whether the diagnosis result by the maintenance technician is normal. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S132, and if the determination is negative, the process of this flowchart ends.

[0029] In step S132, the condition changing unit 34 stops the elevator car at an intermediate floor and measures background noise over multiple time periods using the microphone 12. Here, for example, the background noise is measured once a day for each day of the week, shifting the time period by approximately 15 minutes, for the time required for diagnostic operation. The measured background noise is associated with the time period and stored in the memory unit 24.

[0030] In step S134, the time period with the lowest sound pressure is identified from among the background noises measured in step S132. Then, in step S136, the condition change unit 34 changes the diagnostic time period of the diagnostic conditions to the time period identified in step S134.

[0031] According to the above-described diagnostic time change process, the diagnostic time is changed to a time period when background noise is at a minimum, thereby reducing erroneous diagnosis due to the influence of external noise in the abnormality diagnosis process.

[0032] 2-3. Sound pressure reference value change process When the received diagnosis result from the maintenance worker indicates that the elevator is normal, the control device 10 may execute a sound pressure reference value change process to change the sound pressure reference value to a higher value. Specific steps of the sound pressure reference value change process are described below.

[0033] 4 is a flowchart showing the specific steps of the sound pressure reference value change process executed by the control device 10. In step S140 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, the condition change unit 34 determines whether the diagnosis result by the maintenance person is normal. If the result is positive, the process proceeds to step S142, and if the result is negative, the process of this flowchart ends.

[0034] In step S142, the reference value modification unit 36 ​​modifies the sound pressure reference value to a value greater than the sound pressure data calculated in step S106 of the abnormality diagnosis process, or adds a predetermined additional value to the sound pressure reference value.

[0035] According to the sound pressure reference value changing process described above, the sound pressure reference value changed to a larger value is used in the abnormality diagnosis process, so that erroneous diagnosis due to the influence of disturbance sounds can be reduced.

[0036] 3. Second Example of Operation of Elevator Abnormality Diagnosis System 100 Next, a second example of operation executed in the elevator abnormality diagnosis system 100 will be described.

[0037] 3-1. Abnormality Diagnosis Processing In the abnormality diagnosis system 100 of the second embodiment, abnormality diagnosis is performed based on the acceleration of the car instead of abnormality diagnosis based on the sound inside the car. Specifically, when acceleration that differs from the normal acceleration pattern is detected, such as when the acceleration suddenly increases, there is a high possibility that some abnormality has occurred in the elevator. Therefore, the control device 10 executes abnormality diagnosis processing when specific diagnostic conditions are met. In the abnormality diagnosis processing, when the acceleration of the car measured by the speedometer 14 exceeds an acceleration reference value, elevator modulation is detected. Specific steps of the abnormality diagnosis processing are described below.

[0038] 5 is a flowchart showing a routine for abnormality diagnosis processing executed by the control device 10. In steps S150 and S152 of the routine shown in FIG. 5, processing similar to steps S100 and S102 of the routine shown in FIG. 2 is executed.

[0039] In step S154, while the car is moving during the diagnostic operation, the speed of the car is detected by the speedometer 14. The detected speed signal is sent to the acceleration calculation unit 22. In step S156, acceleration data during the diagnostic operation is calculated from the received speed signal.

[0040] In step S158, the abnormality detection unit 28 reads the acceleration reference value stored in the storage unit 24. Then, in step S160, the abnormality detection unit 28 compares the acceleration data with the acceleration reference value to determine whether elevator modulation has been detected. Here, if the acceleration data is greater than the acceleration reference value, the abnormality detection unit 28 determines that elevator modulation has been detected, and the process proceeds to step S162. On the other hand, if the acceleration data is equal to or less than the acceleration reference value, the abnormality detection unit 28 determines that elevator modulation has not been detected, and the process proceeds to step S168.

[0041] In step S162, the abnormality detection unit 28 increments the modulation count, which indicates the number of consecutive times modulation has been detected, by +1. In step S164, the abnormality detection unit 28 determines whether the modulation count has reached a reference count. The reference count here is a threshold value for determining the likelihood of modulation, and is, for example, three times. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S166; if the determination is negative, the routine ends.

[0042] In step S166, the communication unit 30 reports the modulation information, including the fact that modulation has been detected, to the information center. In step S168, the abnormality detection unit 28 resets the number of modulations to zero.

[0043] According to the above abnormality diagnosis process, an elevator abnormality can be diagnosed based on the car acceleration detected using the speedometer 14. Furthermore, if elevator modulation is detected a predetermined number of times in succession, a notification is sent to the information center, thereby reducing the possibility of misdiagnosis.

[0044] 3-2. Acceleration Reference Value Change Processing In the abnormality diagnosis processing described above, when an elevator modulation is reported to the information center, a maintenance technician remotely performs an abnormality diagnosis from the information center. If the diagnosis results by the maintenance technician do not reveal any abnormal sounds or vibrations, it is possible that the abnormality diagnosis processing erroneously detected modulation within a normal range of acceleration change. Therefore, if the received diagnosis results from the maintenance technician indicate that the elevator is normal, the control device 10 executes acceleration reference value change processing to change the acceleration reference value to a higher value. Specific processing of the acceleration reference value change processing will be described below.

[0045] 6 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure for the acceleration reference value change process executed by the control device 10. In step S170 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, the reference value change unit 36 ​​determines whether the diagnosis result by the maintenance person is normal. If the result is positive, the process proceeds to step S172, and if the result is negative, the process of this flowchart ends.

[0046] In step S172, the reference value changing unit 36 ​​changes the acceleration reference value to a value greater than the acceleration data calculated in step S206 of the abnormality diagnosis processing, or adds a predetermined additional value to the acceleration reference value.

[0047] According to the acceleration reference value changing process described above, the acceleration reference value changed to a larger value is used in the abnormality diagnosis process, so that erroneous diagnosis can be reduced.

[0048] 4. Modifications The abnormality diagnosis system 100 of this embodiment may be modified as follows.

[0049] 4-1. Hardware resources of the abnormality diagnosis system 100

[0050] 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of hardware resources of the abnormality diagnosis system 100. The control device 10 of the abnormality diagnosis system 100 includes, as hardware resources, a processing circuit 41 including a processor 42 and a memory 43. The processing circuit 41 may include multiple processors 42. The processing circuit 41 may include multiple memories 43.

[0051] In this embodiment, the units denoted by reference numerals 20 to 36 represent functions possessed by the control device 10. The function of the storage unit 24 is realized by a memory 43. The functions of the units denoted by reference numerals 20 to 36 can be realized by software written as a program, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The program is stored in the memory 43. The control device 10 realizes the functions of the units denoted by reference numerals 20 to 36 by executing the program stored in the memory 43 using a processor 42 (computer).

[0052] The processor 42 is also called a CPU (Central Processing Unit), central processing unit, processing unit, arithmetic unit, microprocessor, microcomputer, or DSP. The memory 43 may be a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, a flexible disk, an optical disk, a compact disk, a minidisk, or a DVD. Usable semiconductor memories include RAM, ROM, flash memory, EPROM, and EEPROM.

[0053] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing another example of hardware resources of the abnormality diagnosis system 100. In the example shown in Fig. 8, the control device 10 includes a processing circuit 41 including a processor 42, a memory 43, and dedicated hardware 44. Fig. 8 shows an example in which some of the functions of the control device 10 are realized by the dedicated hardware 44. All of the functions of the control device 10 may also be realized by the dedicated hardware 44. The dedicated hardware 44 may be a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination thereof.

[0054] In the abnormality diagnosis process, the problematic disturbance sound may be cancelled out using an antiphase sound. In this case, the process of cancelling out the disturbance sound may be performed in the process of step S106 for calculating the sound pressure data.

[0055] 4-3 Acceleration Calculation Unit 22 The acceleration calculation unit 22 calculates acceleration data using the speed signal measured by the speedometer 14, but may also use a signal from an acceleration sensor provided in the car.

[0056] 4-4. Others In the process according to the first embodiment, the speedometer 14 and the acceleration calculation unit 22 are not essential components. In the process according to the second embodiment, the microphone 12, the sound pressure calculation unit 20, and the condition change unit 34 are not essential components.

[0057] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 control device, 12 microphone, 14 speedometer, 20 sound pressure calculation unit, 22 acceleration calculation unit, 24 storage unit, 26 condition determination unit, 28 abnormality detection unit, 30 communication unit, 32 operation control unit, 34 condition change unit, 36 reference value change unit, 41 processing circuit, 42 processor, 43 memory, 44 dedicated hardware, 100 abnormality diagnosis system

Claims

1. An abnormality diagnosis system for detecting abnormal sounds or abnormal vibrations in an elevator, A microphone that collects sounds from inside the elevator car; an operation control unit that moves the car in accordance with a diagnostic pattern when a specific diagnostic condition is satisfied; an abnormality detection unit that detects a modulation of the elevator while the car is being moved according to the diagnostic pattern, the diagnostic condition includes a diagnostic time period during which the diagnosis is to be performed; The abnormality diagnosis system includes: When the abnormality detection unit detects the modulation, if the elevator is normal, the elevator abnormality diagnosis system includes a condition change unit that measures background noise using the microphone in each of a plurality of diagnosis time periods and changes the diagnosis time period of the diagnosis conditions based on the measured background noise.

2. A storage unit that stores a sound pressure reference value for determining the modulation of the elevator; a sound pressure calculation unit that calculates sound pressure data of the sound collected by the microphone while the car is being moved according to the diagnostic pattern, The abnormality detection unit Detecting modulation of the elevator based on the sound pressure data and the sound pressure reference value stored in the storage unit. The elevator abnormality diagnosis system according to claim 1, configured as follows.

3. A communication unit that communicates with an external device of the elevator, The communication unit is When the abnormality detection unit detects the modulation a reference number of times in succession, modulation information including the detection of the modulation of the elevator is transmitted to the external device; A diagnosis result of the elevator by a maintenance worker is received from the external device. It is configured as follows: The condition changing unit is The elevator abnormality diagnosis system according to claim 1 , configured to change the diagnosis time zone included in the diagnosis conditions when the diagnosis result is normal.

4. The condition changing unit is The diagnostic time period included in the diagnostic condition is changed to a diagnostic time period in which the background noise is the lowest among the plurality of diagnostic time periods. The elevator abnormality diagnosis system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, configured as follows.

5. A storage unit that stores an acceleration reference value for determining the modulation of the elevator; an acceleration calculation unit that calculates acceleration data of the car while the car is being moved in accordance with the diagnosis pattern, The abnormality detection unit Detecting modulation of the elevator based on the acceleration data and the acceleration reference value stored in the storage unit. The elevator abnormality diagnosis system according to claim 1, configured as follows.

6. An abnormality diagnosis system for detecting abnormal sounds or abnormal vibrations in an elevator, A microphone that collects sounds from inside the elevator car; an operation control unit that moves the car in accordance with a diagnostic pattern when a specific diagnostic condition is satisfied; A storage unit that stores a sound pressure reference value for determining the modulation of the elevator; a sound pressure calculation unit that calculates sound pressure data of the sound collected by the microphone while the car is being moved according to the diagnostic pattern; an abnormality detection unit that detects a modulation of the elevator based on the sound pressure data and the sound pressure reference value stored in the storage unit; a reference value changing unit that changes the sound pressure reference value in a direction to increase the sound pressure reference value if the elevator is normal when the abnormality detection unit detects the modulation; A communication unit that communicates with an external device of the elevator, The communication unit is When the abnormality detection unit detects the modulation a reference number of times in succession, the abnormality detection unit transmits modulation information including the detection of the modulation of the elevator to the external device, and receives a diagnosis result of the elevator by a maintenance worker from the external device, The reference value changing unit is An elevator abnormality diagnosis system configured to change the sound pressure reference value in an upward direction when the diagnosis result is normal.