Deformation detection system and deformation detection method for elevator guide rail

Abstract

Provided are a deformation detection system and a deformation detection method that allow for detection of deformation of a guide rail. In the deformation detection system (23), a command unit (24) outputs a speed command corresponding to the speed of a car (10) to a hoisting machine (8). A hoisting machine encoder (13) measures the actual speed corresponding to the speed of the car (10) being moved by the hoisting machine (8) in accordance with the speed command outputted by the command unit (24). A computation unit (25) calculates the speed deviation between the speed command outputted by the command unit (24) and the actual speed measured by the hoisting machine encoder (13) for the car (10). A determination unit (26) determines that the speed deviation is outside an allowable range when the magnitude of the speed deviation calculated by the computation unit (25) is greater than a first threshold value. A detection unit (27) detects deformation of a guide rail (5) on the basis of the determination result from the determination unit (26).

Description

Elevator guide rail deformation detection system and deformation detection method

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a system and method for detecting deformation of an elevator guide rail.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an example of an elevator. In the elevator, a diagnostic operation is performed when a low-detection seismometer is activated. If no abnormality is detected in the elevator during the diagnostic operation, the elevator is automatically restored.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-151660

[0004] In elevators, the guide rails that guide the car or counterweight may be deformed due to an earthquake or other event. However, the elevator disclosed in Patent Document 1 does not detect the deformation of the guide rails. Therefore, the elevator may automatically recover regardless of whether the guide rails are deformed.

[0005] The present disclosure provides a deformation detection system and a deformation detection method that can detect deformation of a guide rail.

[0006] The elevator guide rail deformation detection system according to the present disclosure comprises a command unit that outputs a speed command corresponding to the speed of an elevator body to a hoist that causes an elevator body to travel along a guide rail in an elevator shaft; a measurement unit that measures an actual speed corresponding to the speed of the elevator body caused to travel by the hoist in accordance with the speed command output by the command unit; a calculation unit that calculates a speed deviation between the speed command output by the command unit and the actual speed measured by the measurement unit for the elevator body; a determination unit that determines that the speed deviation of the elevator body has deviated from an allowable range when the magnitude of the speed deviation of the elevator body calculated by the calculation unit exceeds a predetermined first threshold; and a detection unit that detects deformation of the guide rail based on the determination result of the determination unit.

[0007] The method for detecting deformation of an elevator guide rail according to the present disclosure includes a command step of outputting a speed command corresponding to the speed of an elevator body to a hoist that causes an elevator body to travel along a guide rail in an elevator shaft; a measurement step of measuring an actual speed corresponding to the speed of the elevator body caused to travel by the hoist in accordance with the speed command output in the command step; a calculation step of calculating a speed deviation between the speed command output in the command step and the actual speed measured in the measurement step for the elevator body; a determination step of determining that the speed deviation of the elevator body has deviated from an allowable range when the magnitude of the speed deviation of the elevator body calculated in the calculation step exceeds a predetermined first threshold; and a detection step of detecting deformation of the guide rail based on the determination result in the determination step.

[0008] According to the deformation detection system or deformation detection method of the present disclosure, deformation of an elevator guide rail is detected.

[0009] 1 is a configuration diagram of an elevator system according to embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a deformation detection system according to embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a speed deviation in an elevator according to embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the deformation detection system according to embodiment 1. FIG. 5 is a hardware configuration diagram of a main part of the deformation detection system according to embodiment 1.

[0010] The following describes embodiments of the subject matter of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each drawing, identical or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are appropriately simplified or omitted. Note that the subject matter of the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and any component of the embodiments may be modified or omitted within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure.

[0011] First Embodiment Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram of an elevator system 1 according to a first embodiment.

[0012] The elevator system 1 includes an elevator 2. The elevator 2 is applied, for example, to a building having multiple floors. A hoistway 3 for the elevator 2 is provided in the building. The hoistway 3 is a vertically long space spanning multiple floors. A pit 4 is provided at the bottom of the hoistway 3. Guide rails 5 are provided in the hoistway 3. In this example, two sets of two guide rails 5 are arranged. Each guide rail 5 is a device whose longitudinal direction is the vertical direction of the hoistway 3. The guide rails 5 of each set are arranged parallel to each other in the vertical direction in the hoistway 3. The guide rails 5 of each set face each other. On each floor of the building, a landing 6 adjacent to the hoistway 3 is provided. A landing door 7 is provided at the landing 6 on each floor. The landing door 7 is a door that separates the hoistway 3 from the landing 6. The elevator 2 includes a hoist 8, a main rope 9, a car 10, a counterweight 11, and a control panel 12.

[0013] The hoisting machine 8 is arranged, for example, at the top or bottom of the hoistway 3. For example, if a machine room of the elevator 2 is provided above the hoistway 3, the hoisting machine 8 may be arranged in the machine room. The hoisting machine 8 includes a motor and a sheave. The motor of the hoisting machine 8 is a device that generates driving force. The sheave of the hoisting machine 8 is a device that rotates by the driving force generated by the motor of the hoisting machine 8. A hoisting machine encoder 13 is applied to the hoisting machine 8. The hoisting machine encoder 13 is a device that measures the amount of rotation of the motor or sheave of the hoisting machine 8.

[0014] The main ropes 9 are wound around the sheaves of the hoisting machine 8. The main ropes 9 support the load of the car 10 on one side of the sheaves of the hoisting machine 8. The main ropes 9 support the load of the counterweight 11 on the other side of the sheaves of the hoisting machine 8. The main ropes 9 move so that either side of the sheaves of the hoisting machine 8 is wound up by the rotation of the sheaves of the hoisting machine 8.

[0015] The car 10 is a device that travels up and down the hoistway 3 to transport elevator 2 passengers and the like between multiple floors. The counterweight 11 is a device that balances the load acting on both sides of the sheave of the hoisting machine 8 between the car 10 and the counterweight 11. The car 10 and the counterweight 11 travel up and down the hoistway 3 in opposite directions in conjunction with the movement of the main rope 9 due to the rotation of the sheave of the hoisting machine 8. In other words, the rotation speed of the sheave of the hoisting machine 8 corresponds to the traveling speed of the car 10 and the counterweight 11. The car 10 and the counterweight 11 are each an example of a lifting body that travels up and down the hoistway 3. The car 10 is disposed between one set of guide rails 5. The counterweight 11 is disposed between the other set of guide rails 5. The guide rails 5 disposed on both sides of the car 10 guide the travel of the car 10 in the up and down direction. Guide rails 5 arranged on both sides of the counterweight 11 guide the travel of the counterweight 11 in the vertical direction. The car 10 is equipped with a car door 14. The car door 14 is a door that separates the interior and exterior of the car 10. The car door 14 is a device that opens and closes the landing door 7 of a floor in conjunction with the car door 14 when the car 10 stops at that floor.

[0016] The control panel 12 is a device that controls the operation of the elevator 2. The control panel 12 is located, for example, above or below the hoistway 3. For example, if a machine room for the elevator 2 is provided above the hoistway 3, the control panel 12 may be located in the machine room. The operation of the elevator 2 controlled by the control panel 12 includes the running of the car 10 and the opening and closing of the car doors 14. For example, the control panel 12 causes the car 10 to run between multiple floors to respond to registered calls. When the control panel 12 stops the car 10 at any floor, it links the landing doors 7 to open the car doors 14. The control panel 12 maintains the car doors 14 and the landing doors 7 in a fully open state for a preset door-opening time. After the door-opening time has elapsed since the car doors 14 were fully opened, the control panel 12 links the landing doors 7 to close the car doors 14.

[0017] The elevator 2 includes a governor 15, a governor rope 16, and a governor rope tension pulley 17. The governor 15 is disposed, for example, at the top or bottom of the hoistway 3. For example, if a machine room for the elevator 2 is provided above the hoistway 3, the governor 15 may be disposed in the machine room. The governor 15 is a device that suppresses excessive traveling speed of the car 10. The governor 15 has a sheave. The governor rope 16 is wound around the sheave of the governor 15. Both ends of the governor rope 16 are attached to the car 10. The governor rope 16 is wound around a governor rope tension pulley 17. The governor rope tension pulley 17 is a sheave that applies tension to the governor rope 16. The governor rope tension pulley 17 is disposed, for example, in the pit 4. The governor rope 16 moves as the car 10 travels. The sheave of the governor 15 and the governor rope tension pulley 17 rotate in accordance with the movement of the governor rope 16. That is, the rotational speed of the sheave of the governor 15 corresponds to the running speed of the car 10. For example, when the rotational speed of the sheave becomes excessive, the governor 15 reduces the running speed of the car 10 by, for example, braking the movement of the governor rope 16 or the like. A governor encoder 18 is applied to the governor 15 in this example. The governor encoder 18 is a device that measures the amount of rotation of the sheave of the governor 15.

[0018] The elevator 2 is equipped with an earthquake sensor 19. The earthquake sensor 19 is placed, for example, in the pit 4. The earthquake sensor 19 is configured to be able to detect earthquakes with shaking equal to or greater than a threshold value. The threshold value is represented by the value of the acceleration caused by the earthquake shaking. When the earthquake sensor 19 detects an earthquake with shaking equal to or greater than the threshold value, the elevator 2 switches its operation mode, for example, from normal operation to diagnostic operation. Normal operation is a normal operation mode in which passengers are transported between multiple floors in response to calls. Diagnostic operation is an operation mode in which automatic diagnosis is performed to determine whether or not there are any abnormalities in the devices and equipment of the elevator 2. For example, in the control panel 12, it is determined whether or not to automatically restore normal operation based on the results of the automatic diagnosis during diagnostic operation.

[0019] The elevator system 1 includes a remote monitoring device 20. The remote monitoring device 20 is a device used for remotely monitoring the status of the elevator 2. The remote monitoring device 20 is connected to a control panel 12 or the like so as to collect status information of the elevator 2. The remote monitoring device 20 collects, for example, information input to the control panel 12 and information output from the control panel 12 as status information of the elevator 2. The information collected by the remote monitoring device 20 is output to, for example, a central management device 22 via a communication network 21 such as the Internet or a telephone line network. The central management device 22 is a device that collects, stores, or manages status information of the elevator 2. The central management device 22 is located, for example, in an information center. The information center is a base that collects and manages status information of the elevator 2. Here, the control panel 12 of the elevator 2 may receive a remote control control signal from outside the elevator 2. The remote control control signal is input to the control panel 12 via, for example, the remote monitoring device 20.

[0020] A deformation detection system 23 is applied to the elevator 2. When an earthquake occurs at a location where a building or the like to which the elevator 2 is applied is installed, deformation may occur in one of the guide rails 5 due to the shaking of the earthquake. At this time, even if the deformation is minor enough to allow the car 10 or the counterweight 11 to travel, it may be affected by deformation such as shaking during travel. For this reason, the deformation detection system 23 detects deformation of the guide rail 5 during diagnostic operation or the like performed after the earthquake. The deformation detection system 23 may be an external system applied to the elevator 2, or an internal system included in the elevator 2.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a deformation detection system 23 according to the first embodiment.

[0022] The deformation detection system 23 includes a command unit 24, a calculation unit 25, a determination unit 26, a detection unit 27, and a notification unit 28. In this example, the command unit 24, the calculation unit 25, the determination unit 26, the detection unit 27, and the notification unit 28 are mounted on the control panel 12.

[0023] The command unit 24 is a part that has a function of outputting a speed command corresponding to the speed of the car 10 to the hoist 8. The speed command corresponding to the speed of the car 10 is, for example, a command value for the vertical running speed of the car 10 or the rotation speed of the hoist 8.

[0024] The hoist 8 generates a driving force by the motor in accordance with a speed command output by the command unit 24. As a result, the sheave of the hoist 8 rotates, and the car 10 and the counterweight 11 travel up and down. At this time, the sheave of the governor 15 rotates as the car 10 travels. The deformation detection system 23 measures an actual speed corresponding to the speed of the car 10. The actual speed corresponding to the speed of the car 10 is, for example, the actual traveling speed of the car 10 or the counterweight 11 in the up and down direction, the actual rotational speed of the sheave of the hoist 8, or the actual rotational speed of the sheave of the governor 15. In this example, the actual speed corresponding to the speed of the car 10 is measured by the hoist encoder 13 as the rotational speed of the sheave of the hoist 8. Alternatively, the actual speed corresponding to the speed of the car 10 may be measured by the governor encoder 18 as the rotational speed of the sheave of the governor 15. The hoist encoder 13 and the governor encoder 18 are examples of measuring units in the deformation detection system 23. The actual speed measured in the deformation detection system 23 may be a converted value such as the rotational speed of the sheave of the hoist 8 obtained by multiplying the rotational speed of the sheave of the governor 15 measured by the governor encoder 18 by a coefficient, for example.

[0025] The calculation unit 25 is a part that has a function of calculating the speed deviation between the speed command output by the command unit 24 and the actual speed measured by the deformation detection system 23. The calculation unit 25 calculates the speed deviation, for example, by taking the difference between the measured value of the actual speed and the command value of the speed command. The calculation unit 25 sequentially calculates the speed deviation of the car 10 while the car 10 is traveling during diagnostic operation, for example.

[0026] The determination unit 26 is a part that has a function of determining that the speed deviation has deviated from the allowable range when the magnitude of the speed deviation calculated by the calculation unit 25 exceeds a first threshold value. The first threshold value is a threshold value that is set in advance for the speed. The allowable range is, for example, a range in which the speed deviation from the command value of the speed command is smaller than the first threshold value.

[0027] The detection unit 27 is a component equipped with a function for detecting deformation of any of the guide rails 5 based on the determination result of the determination unit 26. When deformation of the guide rail 5 is slight, the portion of the guide rail 5 that guides the car 10 or the counterweight 11 may be slightly tilted in the vertical direction. In this case, the tilted portion of the guide rail 5 acts as a resistance to the travel of the car 10 or the counterweight 11. For this reason, deformation of the guide rail 5 may cause a difference between the command value of the speed command and the measured value of the actual speed. Using this, the detection unit 27 detects deformation of the guide rail 5 based on the determination result by the determination unit 26 as to whether the speed deviation has deviated from the allowable range. For example, when the determination unit 26 determines that the speed deviation has deviated from the allowable range, the detection unit 27 detects deformation of the guide rail 5 at the vertical position in the hoistway 3 where the car 10 or the counterweight 11 was traveling at that time. Alternatively, the detection unit 27 detects deformation of the guide rail 5 at a position when, for example, the determination unit 26 determines that the speed deviation has deviated from the allowable range while the car 10 or the counterweight 11 is traveling at the same vertical position in the hoistway 3, the number of times exceeding a second threshold. Here, the second threshold is a threshold value set in advance for the number of times. For example, if the second threshold is set to one time, deformation of the guide rail 5 is detected when multiple deviations from the allowable range are determined. Furthermore, the detection unit 27 may determine that the vertical positions of the car 10 or the counterweight 11 are the same when deviations from the allowable range of the speed deviation are determined to be within an error range. For example, the detection unit 27 determines that the multiple positions are the same within an error range when the difference between the highest value and the lowest value at multiple vertical positions is smaller than a preset value.

[0028] The notification unit 28 is a component equipped with a function for notifying the detection result of the detection unit 27. The detection result of the detection unit 27 may include information on the vertical position in the hoistway 3 of the point where deformation of the guide rail 5 is detected. The notification unit 28 notifies the central management device 22, for example, via the remote monitoring device 20 and the communication network 21. Alternatively, the notification unit 28 may notify a maintenance terminal carried by a maintenance worker of the elevator 2, for example, via the communication network 21. The maintenance terminal is, for example, a portable general-purpose information terminal such as a smartphone. Furthermore, the notification unit 28 may notify a management room, if such a room is provided in a building in which the elevator 2 is used.

[0029] Some or all of the functions of the deformation detection system 23, such as the calculation unit 25, the determination unit 26, the detection unit 27, and the notification unit 28, may be installed in other devices of the control panel 12. Some or all of these functions may be installed in other devices, such as the remote monitoring device 20, the central management device 22, or a server device outside the information center.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a speed deviation in the elevator 2 according to the first embodiment. The horizontal axis of FIG. 3 represents the passage of time while the car 10 is traveling. The vertical axis of FIG. 3 represents the speed. In FIG. 3, the thick dashed line represents the change over time in the command value of the speed command corresponding to the speed of the car 10. In FIG. 3, the thick solid line represents the change over time in the measured value of the actual speed corresponding to the speed of the car 10.

[0031] 3, while the car 10 is traveling in a section where there is no deformation of the guide rail 5, the command value of the speed command and the measured value of the actual speed match within the tolerance range. When the car 10 is traveling in a section where there is deformation of the guide rail 5, the speed deviation of the car 10 deviates from the tolerance range, for example, due to tilt of the guide rail 5 caused by the deformation. At this time, the detection unit 27 detects deformation of the guide rail 5 based on the determination result by the determination unit 26 that the speed deviation has deviated from the tolerance range.

[0032] Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the deformation detection system 23 according to embodiment 1. The processing in Fig. 4 is performed, for example, during diagnostic operation of the elevator 2.

[0033] In step S01, the command unit 24 outputs a speed command to the hoist 8. In this example, the speed command is a command value for the rotational speed of the sheave of the hoist 8. Thereafter, the processing of the deformation detection system 23 proceeds to step S02.

[0034] In step S02, the hoist encoder 13 measures the rotation speed of the sheave of the hoist 8 as the actual speed corresponding to the speed of the car 10. After that, the processing of the deformation detection system 23 proceeds to step S03.

[0035] In step S03, the calculation unit 25 calculates the speed deviation between the speed command output by the command unit 24 and the actual speed measured by the hoist encoder 13. After that, the processing of the deformation detection system 23 proceeds to step S04.

[0036] In step S04, the determination unit 26 determines whether the speed deviation of the car 10 exceeds a first threshold value. When the speed deviation of the car 10 exceeds the first threshold value, the determination unit 26 determines that the speed deviation of the car 10 has deviated from the allowable range. When the determination unit 26 determines that the speed deviation of the car 10 has not deviated from the allowable range, the processing of the deformation detection system 23 proceeds to step S01. On the other hand, when the determination unit 26 determines that the speed deviation of the car 10 has deviated from the allowable range, the processing of the deformation detection system 23 proceeds to step S05.

[0037] In step S05, the detection unit 27 acquires information about the current position of the car 10 in the vertical direction of the hoistway 3. The detection unit 27 may acquire the information about the position of the car 10 based on, for example, the rotation angle of the sheave of the hoist machine 8 measured by the hoist machine encoder 13. Thereafter, the processing of the deformation detection system 23 proceeds to step S06.

[0038] In step S06, the detection unit 27 determines whether the number of times the determination unit 26 has determined that the deformation has deviated from the allowable range exceeds a second threshold. If the determination result is NO, the processing of the deformation detection system 23 proceeds to step S01. On the other hand, if the determination result is YES, the processing of the deformation detection system 23 proceeds to step S07.

[0039] In step S07, the detection unit 27 determines whether the position of the car 10 acquired each time the determination unit 26 determines that the car 10 has deviated from the allowable range coincides within the error range. If the determination result is NO, the processing of the deformation detection system 23 proceeds to step S01. On the other hand, if the determination result is YES, the processing of the deformation detection system 23 proceeds to step S08.

[0040] In step S08, the detection unit 27 detects that deformation has occurred in the guide rail 5 at the position of the car 10 or the counterweight 11 when the determination unit 26 determines that there has been a deviation from the allowable range. Here, the detection unit 27 detects that deformation has occurred in one or both of the guide rail 5 that guides the car 10 and the guide rail 5 that guides the counterweight 11. In this example, the detection unit 27 does not specify which of the guide rails 5 that guide the car 10 or the guide rail 5 that guides the counterweight 11 has been deformed. The detection unit 27 detects the position of the car 10 when a deviation from the allowable range has been determined as the position of the deformed location in the guide rail 5 that guides the car 10. The detection unit 27 detects the position of the counterweight 11 when a deviation from the allowable range has been determined as the position of the deformed location in the guide rail 5 that guides the counterweight 11. Thereafter, the processing of the deformation detection system 23 proceeds to step S09.

[0041] In step S09, the notification unit 28 notifies the user of the detection result by the detection unit 27. After that, the processing of the deformation detection system 23 ends.

[0042] The processing in Fig. 4 may be performed in parallel with the running of the car 10 during diagnostic operation to determine whether or not other abnormalities exist. In this case, the processing in Fig. 4 ends, for example, when no other abnormalities are detected during diagnostic operation and normal operation is automatically restored. The processing in Fig. 4 may also be performed constantly during normal operation.

[0043] As described above, the deformation detection system 23 according to the first embodiment includes the command unit 24, the hoist encoder 13, the calculation unit 25, the determination unit 26, and the detection unit 27. The hoist 8 causes the car 10 and the counterweight 11 to travel along the guide rail 5 in the hoistway 3 of the elevator 2. The command unit 24 outputs a speed command corresponding to the speed of the car 10 or the counterweight 11 to the hoist 8. The hoist encoder 13 measures an actual speed corresponding to the speed of the car 10 or the counterweight 11 traveled by the hoist 8 in accordance with the speed command output by the command unit 24. The calculation unit 25 calculates a speed deviation between the speed command output by the command unit 24 and the actual speed measured by the hoist encoder 13 for the car 10 or the counterweight 11. The determination unit 26 determines that the speed deviation has deviated from the allowable range when the magnitude of the speed deviation calculated by the calculation unit 25 exceeds a first threshold value. The detection unit 27 detects deformation of the guide rail 5 based on the determination result of the determination unit 26. The deformation detection method according to the first embodiment includes a command step, a measurement step, a calculation step, a determination step, and a detection step. The command step is a step of outputting a speed command corresponding to the car 10 or the counterweight 11 to the hoist 8. The measurement step is a step of measuring an actual speed corresponding to the speed of the car 10 or the counterweight 11 traveled by the hoist 8 in accordance with the speed command output in the command step. The calculation step is a step of calculating a speed deviation between the speed command output in the command step and the actual speed measured in the measurement step for the car 10 or the counterweight 11. The determination step is a step of determining that the speed deviation has deviated from the allowable range when the magnitude of the speed deviation calculated in the calculation step exceeds a first threshold value. The detection step is a step of detecting deformation of the guide rail 5 based on the determination result in the determination step.

[0044] With this configuration, even when deformation of the guide rail 5 is minor enough that the car 10 or counterweight 11 can still travel, deformation of the guide rail 5 is detected based on the speed deviation. This allows automatic recovery after confirming that there is no deformation of the guide rail 5, allowing the elevator 2 to operate in better condition after recovery. Furthermore, even when a maintenance technician manually inspects after automatic recovery, the number of inspection items required by the technician can be reduced. This reduces the workload of the technician and shortens the time required for recovery.

[0045] In addition, the detection unit 27 detects deformation of the guide rail 5 when the number of times that the judgment unit 26 judges that the speed deviation has deviated from the allowable range exceeds a second threshold value and the positions of the cage 10 or the counterweight 11 each time that the judgment unit 26 judges that the speed deviation has deviated from the allowable range match within the error range.

[0046] With this configuration, the deviation of the speed deviation from the allowable range is confirmed with reproducibility before the deformation of the guide rail 5 is detected, thereby further improving the accuracy of deformation detection.

[0047] Furthermore, while the car 10 or counterweight 11 is traveling, the calculation unit 25 sequentially calculates the speed deviation between the speed command output by the command unit 24 for the car 10 or counterweight 11 and the actual speed measured by the hoist encoder 13. While the car 10 or counterweight 11 is traveling, the determination unit 26 sequentially determines whether the speed deviation deviates from the allowable range based on whether the magnitude of the speed deviation exceeds a first threshold. At this time, the detection unit 27 may detect deformation of the guide rail 5 when the length of the travel section over which the car 10 or counterweight 11 has traveled exceeds a third threshold while the determination unit 26 continues to determine that the speed deviation deviates from the allowable range. The third threshold is a threshold value that is set in advance for the length of the section over which the car 10 or counterweight 11 has traveled.

[0048] With this configuration, even if the guide rail 5 is deformed gradually over a section of a certain length, the deformation of the guide rail 5 can be detected based on the speed deviation.

[0049] The calculation unit 25 may also calculate the magnitude of the amount of change in the speed deviation over time. The magnitude of the amount of change in the speed deviation over time is calculated, for example, as the time derivative of the speed deviation. In this case, when the magnitude of the amount of change in the speed deviation over time exceeds a fourth threshold, the determination unit 26 does not determine that the speed deviation has deviated from the allowable range, regardless of the magnitude of the speed deviation. The fourth threshold is a threshold that is set in advance for the magnitude of the amount of change in the speed deviation over time for the car 10 or the counterweight 11. For example, the determination unit 26 may maintain a state in which it is not determined that the speed deviation has deviated from the allowable range, regardless of the magnitude of the speed deviation, until a preset time has elapsed since the magnitude of the amount of change in the speed deviation over time exceeded the fourth threshold.

[0050] This configuration makes it possible to reduce the occurrence of erroneous detection of deformation of the guide rail 5 due to changes in speed deviation, even when the speed deviation changes suddenly due to vibration of the car 10 that is not caused by deformation of the guide rail 5. For example, if the elevator system 1 includes multiple cars 10, the cars 10 may vibrate due to air currents that are generated when adjacent cars 10 pass each other, regardless of deformation of the guide rail 5.

[0051] Furthermore, the control panel 12 may cause the car 10 or the counterweight 11 to travel so as to more reliably detect deformation of the guide rail 5 based on the determination result by the determination unit 26. For example, when the determination unit 26 determines that the speed deviation has deviated from the allowable range, the control panel 12 may cause the car 10 or the counterweight 11 to travel so as to pass again at the same speed and in the same direction the position of the car 10 or the counterweight 11 at that time. Alternatively, when the determination unit 26 determines that the speed deviation has deviated from the allowable range, the control panel 12 may cause the car 10 or the counterweight 11 to travel so as to pass again at a different speed or in a different direction the position of the car 10 or the counterweight 11 at that time.

[0052] Next, an example of the hardware configuration of the deformation detection system 23 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a hardware configuration diagram of the main part of the deformation detection system 23 according to the first embodiment.

[0053] Each processing function in the deformation detection system 23 may be realized by a processing circuit. The processing circuit includes at least one processor 100 a and at least one memory 100 b. The processing circuit may include at least one dedicated hardware 200 in addition to or in place of the processor 100 a and the memory 100 b.

[0054] When the processing circuit includes a processor 100a and a memory 100b, the functions of the deformation detection system 23 are realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. At least one of the software and firmware is written as a program. The program is stored in the memory 100b. The processor 100a realizes the functions of the deformation detection system 23 by reading and executing the program stored in the memory 100b.

[0055] The processor 100a is also called a CPU (Central Processing Unit), processing unit, arithmetic unit, microprocessor, microcomputer, or DSP. The memory 100b is composed of non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as RAM, ROM, flash memory, EPROM, or EEPROM.

[0056] Where the processing circuitry comprises dedicated hardware 200, the processing circuitry may be implemented, for example, as a single circuit, multiple circuits, a programmed processor, parallel programmed processors, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination thereof.

[0057] Each processing function in the deformation detection system 23 can be realized by a processing circuit. Alternatively, each function of the deformation detection system 23 can be realized collectively by a processing circuit. Some of the functions of the deformation detection system 23 may be realized by dedicated hardware 200, and the other parts may be realized by software or firmware. In this way, the processing circuit realizes each function of the deformation detection system 23 by dedicated hardware 200, software, firmware, or a combination of these.

[0058] The deformation detection system and deformation detection method according to the present disclosure can be applied to elevator guide rails.

[0059] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Elevator system, 2 Elevator, 3 Hoistway, 4 Pit, 5 Guide rail, 6 Landing, 7 Landing door, 8 Hoisting machine, 9 Main rope, 10 Cage, 11 Counterweight, 12 Control panel, 13 Hoisting machine encoder, 14 Cage door, 15 Governor, 16 Governor rope, 17 Governor rope tension wheel, 18 Governor encoder, 19 Earthquake sensor, 20 Remote monitoring device, 21 Communication network, 22 Central control unit, 23 Deformation detection system, 24 Command unit, 25 Calculation unit, 26 Determination unit, 27 Detection unit, 28 Notification unit, 100a Processor, 100b Memory, 200 Dedicated hardware

Claims

1. a command unit that outputs a speed command corresponding to a speed of the lifting body to a hoist that runs the lifting body along a guide rail in an elevator shaft; A measuring unit that measures an actual speed corresponding to the speed of the lifting body caused to travel by the hoist in accordance with a speed command output by the command unit; a calculation unit that calculates a speed deviation between a speed command output by the command unit and an actual speed measured by the measurement unit for the lifting body; a determination unit that determines that the speed deviation of the ascending / descending body has deviated from a tolerable range when the magnitude of the speed deviation of the ascending / descending body calculated by the calculation unit exceeds a preset first threshold value; a detection unit that detects deformation of the guide rail based on a determination result of the determination unit; Equipped with the determination unit does not determine that the velocity deviation of the ascending / descending body has deviated from the allowable range, regardless of the magnitude of the velocity deviation of the ascending / descending body, when the magnitude of the time change amount of the velocity deviation of the ascending / descending body calculated by the calculation unit exceeds a fourth threshold value set in advance. Deformation detection system for elevator guide rails.

2. The detection unit detects the deformation of the guide rail when the number of times that the determination unit has determined that the speed deviation of the lifting body has deviated from the allowable range exceeds a preset second threshold value, and when the determination unit has determined that the speed deviation of the lifting body has deviated from the allowable range, the position of the lifting body coincides within a preset error range. The elevator guide rail deformation detection system according to claim 1.

3. The calculation unit calculates a speed deviation between the speed command output by the command unit and the actual speed measured by the measurement unit while the lifting body is traveling, the determination unit determines whether a speed deviation of the ascending / descending body deviates from a tolerable range based on whether a magnitude of the speed deviation of the ascending / descending body exceeds the first threshold while the ascending / descending body is traveling; The detection unit detects the deformation of the guide rail when the length of a travel section traveled by the lifting body exceeds a preset third threshold while the determination unit continues to determine that the speed deviation of the lifting body deviates from the allowable range. The elevator guide rail deformation detection system according to claim 1.

4. a command step of outputting a speed command corresponding to a speed of the lifting body to a hoist that runs the lifting body along a guide rail in an elevator shaft; a measuring step of measuring an actual speed corresponding to a speed of the lifting body caused to travel by the hoist in accordance with the speed command outputted in the command step; a calculation step of calculating a speed deviation between a speed command outputted in the command step and an actual speed measured in the measurement step for the lifting body; a determination step of determining that the speed deviation of the ascending / descending body has deviated from a tolerable range when the magnitude of the speed deviation of the ascending / descending body calculated in the calculation step exceeds a preset first threshold value; a detection step of detecting deformation of the guide rail based on a result of the determination step; Equipped with In the determination step, when the magnitude of the time change amount of the velocity deviation of the ascending / descending body calculated in the calculation step exceeds a fourth threshold value set in advance, it is not determined that the velocity deviation of the ascending / descending body has deviated from the allowable range regardless of the magnitude of the velocity deviation of the ascending / descending body. A method for detecting deformation of elevator guide rails.