Elevator device and elevator system

Abstract

This elevator device (2) is provided with a car (4), an acceleration sensor (16), a calculation unit (22), and an operation control unit (21). The acceleration sensor (16) is provided at the top portion of a building (7) or a hoistway (6). The calculation unit (22) calculates the acceleration of the ground surface portion in the building (7) on the basis of earthquake information distributed from external sources after the earthquake. The operation control unit (21) controls the operation of the car (4) after the earthquake on the basis of both the acceleration measured by the acceleration sensor (16) and the acceleration calculated by the calculation unit (22).

Description

Elevator equipment and elevator system

[0001] The present disclosure relates to elevator devices and elevator systems.

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an elevator device. The elevator device described in Patent Document 1 includes an earthquake sensor. The earthquake sensor detects when shaking caused by an earthquake reaches a first level and a second level.

[0003] Japanese Patent Publication No. 11-79595

[0004] In the elevator system described in Patent Document 1, automatic operation is resumed in response to the detection results of the earthquake sensor. However, the earthquake sensor can only detect when the shaking caused by the earthquake reaches the first level and the second level. Therefore, it is not possible to perform appropriate control in response to the acceleration generated in the building during the earthquake.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide an elevator device and an elevator system that can perform appropriate control in response to the acceleration generated in a building during an earthquake.

[0006] The elevator device according to the present disclosure includes a car that moves in an elevator shaft formed in a building, a first acceleration sensor provided at the top of the building or the elevator shaft, a calculation unit that calculates the acceleration of the ground surface of the building based on earthquake information distributed from outside after an earthquake, and an operation control unit that controls the operation of the car after an earthquake based on both the acceleration measured by the first acceleration sensor and the acceleration calculated by the calculation unit.

[0007] An elevator system according to the present disclosure includes the elevator apparatus described above and an external device communicating with the elevator apparatus. The elevator apparatus further includes a communication unit that transmits information correlating the acceleration measured by the first acceleration sensor and the acceleration calculated by the calculation unit to the external device. The external device includes a second identification unit that identifies a correlation between the acceleration at the top of the building and the acceleration at the ground surface of the building based on the information received from the communication unit.

[0008] The elevator system according to the present disclosure includes a car that travels in a shaft formed in a building, a first acceleration sensor provided at the top of the building or the shaft, an earthquake sensor provided on the ground surface of the building that outputs a detection signal when it detects a preset acceleration, a calculation unit that calculates an acceleration for determining the ground surface of the building based on the acceleration measured by the first acceleration sensor when the detection signal is output from the earthquake sensor, and an operation control unit that controls the operation of the car after an earthquake based on both the acceleration measured by the first acceleration sensor and the acceleration calculated by the calculation unit.

[0009] The elevator system according to the present disclosure includes a car that moves in a shaft formed in a building, a first acceleration sensor provided at the top of the building or the shaft, a second acceleration sensor provided in the car, a calculation unit that calculates an acceleration for determining the ground surface of the building based on the acceleration measured by the second acceleration sensor during an earthquake, the position of the car when the acceleration was measured, and the acceleration measured by the first acceleration sensor, and an operation control unit that controls the operation of the car after an earthquake based on both the acceleration measured by the first acceleration sensor and the acceleration calculated by the calculation unit.

[0010] According to the present disclosure, in an elevator device, appropriate control can be performed in accordance with the acceleration occurring in a building during an earthquake.

[0011] 1 is a diagram showing an example of an elevator system in embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a control device. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of the elevator device in embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing another example of an operation of the elevator device in embodiment 1. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the function of a calculation unit. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing another example of an operation of the elevator device in embodiment 1. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of hardware resources of a control device. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another example of hardware resources of a control device.

[0012] The following detailed description will be given with reference to the drawings. Duplicate descriptions will be simplified or omitted as appropriate. In each drawing, the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts.

[0013] 1 is a diagram showing an example of an elevator system 1 according to an embodiment 1. The elevator system 1 includes an elevator apparatus 2 and an external device 3. The external device 3 is capable of communicating with the elevator apparatus 2.

[0014] The elevator system 2 includes a car 4 and a counterweight 5. The car 4 moves up and down in a hoistway 6. The hoistway 6 is a vertically extending space formed in a building 7. As an example, a landing 8 at which the car 4 can stop is provided on each floor of the building 7. The car 4 and the counterweight 5 are suspended in the hoistway 6 by a rope 9. FIG. 1 shows an example of an elevator system 2 using a 1:1 roping system.

[0015] The rope 9 is wound around a drive sheave 11 of the hoisting machine 10. The hoisting machine 10 is controlled by a control device 12. When the drive sheave 11 rotates, the rope 9 moves in a direction corresponding to the direction in which the drive sheave 11 rotates. The car 4 moves up or down the hoistway 6 depending on the direction in which the rope 9 moves. The counterweight 5 moves in the direction opposite to the direction in which the car 4 moves. The hoisting machine 10 is an example of a device that drives the car 4. The movement of the car 4 is controlled by the control device 12. In addition, the equipment provided on the car 4 is controlled by the control device 12.

[0016] Fig. 1 shows an example in which a machine room 13 is located above a hoistway 6. The machine room 13 is formed at the top of a building 7. In the example shown in Fig. 1, a hoisting machine 10 and a control device 12 are installed in the machine room 13. The hoisting machine 10 and the control device 12 may also be installed in the hoistway 6.

[0017] A communication device 14 is connected to the control device 12. The communication device 14 controls the communication function with the outside in the elevator device 2. For example, the communication device 14 communicates with an external device 3 via a network 15. As an example, the external device 3 is a device provided in an information center. The information center is operated by a management company that manages the elevator device 2. The external device 3 may be a specific server device managed by the management company. The external device 3 may be a specific plurality of server devices managed by the management company. The external device 3 may be realized by a cloud server. The network 15 may be the Internet, and the external device 3 may be a device that communicates with the outside via the Internet.

[0018] The communication device 14 receives earthquake information distributed from an external source after an earthquake. As an example, the communication device 14 receives earthquake information from a public institution such as the Japan Meteorological Agency. The earthquake information preferably includes information on acceleration waveforms measured at multiple points, i.e., acceleration time-series data. The communication device 14 may also obtain other distributed information as earthquake information.

[0019] The elevator device 2 includes an acceleration sensor 16. The acceleration sensor 16 is provided at the top of the building 7. The acceleration sensor 16 may also be provided at the top of the hoistway 6. The acceleration sensor 16 measures the acceleration of the building 7. Information indicating the acceleration measured by the acceleration sensor 16 is input to the control device 12. Hereinafter, the acceleration at the top of the building 7 or the hoistway 6 will also be referred to as top acceleration. Furthermore, information indicating the acceleration measured by the acceleration sensor 16 will also be referred to as top acceleration information. The top acceleration information preferably includes acceleration waveform information, i.e., time-series data of acceleration. The top acceleration information is preferably input to the control device 12 at an extremely short, constant period.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the control device 12. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the control device 12 includes a memory unit 20, an operation control unit 21, a calculation unit 22, and a determination unit 23. The operation control unit 21 controls the operation of equipment including the car 4 in each operation mode. The operation modes include, for example, automatic operation, controlled operation, and recovery operation. Automatic operation is an operation in which the car 4 responds sequentially to registered calls. Controlled operation is an operation for evacuating passengers in the car 4 immediately after an earthquake occurs. Recovery operation is an operation for determining whether recovery is possible. Recovery operation is performed by actually moving the car 4 after an earthquake occurs.

[0021] 1 shows an example in which the communication function, i.e., the communication unit, of the elevator device 2 is provided as a dedicated device separate from the control device 12. As another example, the communication function may be provided in the control device 12.

[0022] The functions of the elevator apparatus 2 will be described in detail below with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the elevator apparatus 2 in the first embodiment.

[0023] In the control device 12, the operation control unit 21 performs automatic operation (S101). While automatic operation is being performed, the control device 12 determines whether an earthquake has occurred (S102). The control device 12 may determine whether an earthquake has occurred by any method. For example, the control device 12 may determine whether an earthquake has occurred based on acceleration measured by the acceleration sensor 16. As another example, the control device 12 may determine whether an earthquake has occurred based on information from a specific device provided in the elevator device 2. The control device 12 may also determine whether an earthquake has occurred based on information from an external source.

[0024] When it is determined that an earthquake has occurred (Yes in S102), the operation control unit 21 performs controlled operation (S103). In controlled operation, the car 4 stops at the hall 8 of the nearest floor. When the car 4 stops at the hall 8, the door is opened. Note that if an earthquake occurs when an unmanned car 4 is stopped at the hall 8, controlled operation does not have to be performed.

[0025] Furthermore, if the determination in S102 is Yes, the control device 12 determines whether or not earthquake information distributed from an external source after the earthquake has occurred (S104). The process shown in S104 may be performed in parallel with the process shown in S103. If the communication device 14 receives earthquake information distributed from the Japan Meteorological Agency or the like, the determination in S104 is Yes.

[0026] If the determination in S104 is Yes, the calculation unit 22 calculates the acceleration of the ground surface portion of the building 7 (S105). The ground surface portion preferably includes a portion of the building 7 that is at the same height as the ground surface. The calculation unit 22 calculates the acceleration of the ground surface portion of the building 7 based on the earthquake information received in S104.

[0027] The calculation unit 22 may calculate the acceleration of the ground surface of the building 7 by any method. When the earthquake information includes information on acceleration waveforms measured at multiple points, the calculation unit 22 may calculate the acceleration using the acceleration waveform measured at the point closest to the building 7, or may calculate the acceleration using acceleration waveforms measured at multiple points close to the building 7. The calculation unit 22 may use the peak value of the acceleration waveform to calculate the acceleration, or may use the average value for a specific period that includes the peak value. The calculation unit 22 may also use other values ​​to calculate the acceleration.

[0028] As described above, the control device 12 acquires top acceleration information from the acceleration sensor 16. Furthermore, in S105, the acceleration of the ground surface of the building 7 is calculated by the calculation unit 22. When an earthquake occurs, the operation control unit 21 controls the operation of the car 4 after the earthquake based on both the top acceleration measured by the acceleration sensor 16 and the acceleration of the ground surface calculated by the calculation unit 22 (S106).

[0029] As an example, consider a case where, after an earthquake, one of automatic restoration, restoration diagnosis, or suspension is performed. In automatic restoration, car 4 is stopped for a certain period of time and then an operation is performed to automatically restore the car. In other words, when automatic restoration is selected, car 4 is stopped for a certain period of time and then automatic operation is resumed. In restoration diagnosis, restoration operation is performed, and if no abnormality is detected during the restoration operation, an operation is performed to automatically restore the car. This restoration may be a temporary restoration that requires inspection by a maintenance technician later. In suspension, an operation is performed to prevent restoration unless an inspection by a maintenance technician is performed.

[0030] As an example, threshold values ​​Th-T for the acceleration of the top are set for automatic restoration, restoration diagnosis, and rest. That is, threshold values ​​Th1-T for automatic restoration, threshold values ​​Th2-T for restoration diagnosis, and threshold values ​​Th3-T for rest are stored in advance in the storage unit 20. Furthermore, threshold values ​​Th-B for the acceleration of the ground surface are set for automatic restoration, restoration diagnosis, and rest. For example, threshold values ​​Th1-B for automatic restoration, threshold values ​​Th2-B for restoration diagnosis, and threshold values ​​Th3-B for rest are stored in advance in the storage unit 20.

[0031] The determination unit 23 compares the top acceleration measured by the acceleration sensor 16 with thresholds Th1-T to Th3-T. The determination unit 23 compares the ground acceleration calculated by the calculation unit 22 with thresholds Th1-B to Th3-B. The operation control unit 21 may determine whether to perform automatic recovery, recovery diagnosis, or pause, based on the comparison results between the two by the determination unit 23.

[0032] In the example shown in this embodiment, the acceleration sensor 16 measures the acceleration at the top of the building 7 or the acceleration at the top of the elevator shaft 6. Using earthquake information distributed from outside after an earthquake, the calculation unit 22 calculates the acceleration of the ground surface of the building 7. Therefore, the operation control unit 21 can control the operation of the car 4 after an earthquake based on the specific acceleration values ​​measured and calculated. Furthermore, the operation control unit 21 can control the operation of the car 4 after an earthquake based on both the value of the acceleration at the top and the value of the acceleration at the ground surface. In the example shown in this embodiment, it is possible to perform appropriate control according to the acceleration occurring in the building 7 during an earthquake.

[0033] In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the operation control unit 21 performs any one of automatic recovery, recovery diagnosis, or pause in S106. The operation control unit 21 may control another operation in S106. For example, the operation control unit 21 may control another operation instead of recovery diagnosis in S106. The operation control unit 21 may control another operation in addition to recovery diagnosis in S106. In such a case, the operation control unit 21 also controls the operation of the car 4 after an earthquake based on both the top acceleration measured by the acceleration sensor 16 and the ground acceleration calculated by the calculation unit 22.

[0034] 2 , the control device 12 may further include an identification unit 24. The identification unit 24 identifies the correlation between the top acceleration and the acceleration of the ground surface of the building 7. The identification unit 24 identifies the correlation based on the top acceleration measured by the acceleration sensor 16 and the acceleration of the ground surface calculated by the calculation unit 22.

[0035] As an example, the correlation is a relational expression that can derive one of the top acceleration and the ground acceleration from the other. In the simplest example, the correlation may be a simple multiplication factor. If the correlation can be identified, the correlation can be used in other elevator systems to derive the ground acceleration from the top acceleration or the top acceleration from the ground acceleration, thereby making it possible to appropriately control the operation of the car 4 after an earthquake.

[0036] The correlation identified by the identification unit 24 is preferably stored in the storage unit 20 so that elevator maintenance personnel or the like can use the correlation later. Furthermore, the correlation identified by the identification unit 24 is preferably used in other elevator devices installed in buildings with specifications similar to those of the building 7 in which the elevator device 2 is installed. For this reason, the correlation identified by the identification unit 24 and the specifications of the building 7 may be stored in association with each other in the storage unit 20. The specifications of the building 7 may include the height of the building 7, the structure of the building 7, etc.

[0037] The communication device 14 may transmit information indicating the correlation identified by the identification unit 24 to the external device 3 so that an elevator maintenance worker or the like can use the correlation later. The communication device 14 may transmit information associating the correlation identified by the identification unit 24 with the specifications of the building 7 to the external device 3.

[0038] If the control device 12 does not include the identification unit 24, the external device 3 may be provided with a function (second identification unit) similar to the function of the identification unit 24. In such a case, the communication device 14 transmits information associating the summit acceleration measured by the acceleration sensor 16 with the acceleration of the ground surface calculated by the calculation unit 22 to the external device 3. The communication device 14 may also transmit information associating the summit acceleration measured by the acceleration sensor 16, the acceleration of the ground surface calculated by the calculation unit 22, and the specifications of the building 7 to the external device 3. Similar to the identification unit 24, the second identification unit of the external device 3 identifies the correlation between the summit acceleration and the acceleration of the ground surface of the building 7 based on the information received from the communication device 14.

[0039] This correlation can be very useful information for other elevator systems. To utilize this correlation in other elevator systems, that is, to perform appropriate control in other elevator systems according to the acceleration occurring in a building during an earthquake, a device can be realized that aims to collect this useful information.

[0040] In a device for achieving such an object, after the process shown in S105 in FIG. 3 is performed, the process of identifying the correlation described above and the process of storing the correlation are performed. In the device, after the process shown in S105 is performed, the process of identifying the correlation described above and the process of transmitting the correlation may be performed. Note that in the device, instead of the process of storing the correlation, a process of associating the correlation with the specifications of the building 7 and storing it may be performed. Instead of the process of transmitting the correlation, a process of transmitting information associating the correlation with the specifications of the building 7 may be performed. In the device, the process shown in S106 does not need to be performed.

[0041] Next, an example will be described in which earthquake information distributed from an external source is not used. Note that, in the following, explanations of matters common to the above-mentioned example will be omitted as appropriate. In the example shown below, an acceleration sensor 16 is also provided at the top of the building 7 or the top of the elevator shaft 6. It is preferable that the top acceleration information includes acceleration waveform information, i.e., acceleration time series data. It is preferable that the top acceleration information be input to the control device 12 at an extremely short, constant cycle.

[0042] In a first example in which external earthquake information is not used, an earthquake sensor 17 is provided on the ground surface of building 7. Earthquake sensor 17 may be placed inside or outside hoistway 6. Earthquake sensor 17 outputs a detection signal when it detects a preset acceleration. Earthquake sensor 17 may output detection signals of multiple levels. For example, earthquake sensor 17 outputs a first detection signal when it detects a first level acceleration. Earthquake sensor 17 outputs a second detection signal when it detects a second level acceleration that is greater than the first level acceleration.

[0043] The function of the elevator system 2 equipped with the earthquake sensor 17 will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing another example of the operation of the elevator system 2 in embodiment 1. The processes shown in S201 to S203 in Figure 4 are similar to the processes shown in S101 to S103 in Figure 3. In this example, when the earthquake sensor 17 detects an acceleration level even lower than the first level acceleration, an earthquake occurrence signal indicating the occurrence of an earthquake may be output from the earthquake sensor 17.

[0044] If the determination in S202 is Yes, the control device 12 determines whether or not a detection signal has been acquired from the earthquake sensor 17 (S204). The process shown in S204 may be performed in parallel with the process shown in S203.

[0045] As described above, the earthquake sensor 17 outputs a detection signal when it detects a preset acceleration. When the detection signal from the earthquake sensor 17 is input to the control device 12, a determination of Yes is made in S204.

[0046] If S204 returns Yes, the calculation unit 22 calculates the acceleration for determination of the ground surface of the building 7 (S205). This acceleration for determination is a value used to determine the control content after an earthquake. The acceleration for determination is preferably a value based on the maximum acceleration measured by the acceleration sensor 16. The maximum acceleration may be the peak value of the acceleration waveform, or may be the average value for a specific period including the peak value. The maximum acceleration may also be some other value.

[0047] Fig. 5 is a diagram for explaining the function of the calculation unit 22. The waveform shown in Fig. 5 shows an example of acceleration measured by the acceleration sensor 16. As an example, consider a case where a detection signal is output from the earthquake sensor 17 at time t1. Assume that the earthquake sensor 17 outputs the detection signal when it detects an acceleration of 80 gal.

[0048] In this case, the acceleration measured by acceleration sensor 16 when a detection signal is output from earthquake sensor 17 is the acceleration that occurs at the top of building 7 or the top of elevator shaft 6 when an acceleration of 80 gal occurs at the ground surface of building 7. Therefore, by using this relationship, calculation unit 22 calculates the acceleration for determination in S205 based on the acceleration measured by acceleration sensor 16 when a detection signal is output from earthquake sensor 17.

[0049] As an example, the identification unit 24 identifies the correlation between the top acceleration and the acceleration of the ground surface of the building 7 based on the acceleration measured by the acceleration sensor 16 when a detection signal is output from the earthquake sensor 17. The calculation unit 22 may calculate the acceleration for determination using the correlation identified by the identification unit 24. The calculation unit 22 may also calculate the acceleration for determination using another method.

[0050] The process shown in S206 in Fig. 4 is the same as the process shown in S106 in Fig. 3. When an earthquake occurs, the operation control unit 21 controls the operation of the car 4 after the earthquake based on both the top acceleration measured by the acceleration sensor 16 and the ground acceleration calculated by the calculation unit 22, i.e., the acceleration for determination (S206).

[0051] In this example as well, the correlation identified by the identification unit 24 may be stored in the storage unit 20 so that an elevator maintenance worker or the like can use the correlation later. The correlation identified by the identification unit 24 and the specifications of the building 7 may be stored in association with each other in the storage unit 20. Furthermore, the communication device 14 may transmit information indicating the correlation identified by the identification unit 24 to the external device 3. The communication device 14 may transmit information associating the correlation identified by the identification unit 24 with the specifications of the building 7 to the external device 3.

[0052] When the external device 3 includes a second identification unit, the communication device 14 may transmit to the external device 3 information correlating the acceleration measured by the acceleration sensor 16 when a detection signal is output from the earthquake sensor 17 with the set acceleration at which the detection signal is output from the earthquake sensor 17. The communication device 14 may transmit to the external device 3 information correlating the acceleration measured by the acceleration sensor 16 when a detection signal is output from the earthquake sensor 17 with the set acceleration at which the detection signal is output from the earthquake sensor 17, and the specifications of the building 7. Similar to the identification unit 24, the second identification unit of the external device 3 identifies the correlation between the top acceleration and the acceleration of the ground surface of the building 7 based on the information received from the communication device 14.

[0053] In this example, a device for collecting correlations can also be realized. Such a device may perform a process for identifying correlations and a process for storing correlations, or a process for identifying correlations and a process for transmitting correlations. The device may not necessarily perform the process shown in S206.

[0054] Next, a second example will be described that does not utilize earthquake information distributed from an external source. In this example, an acceleration sensor 18 is provided in the car 4. The acceleration sensor 18 measures the acceleration of the car 4. Information indicating the acceleration measured by the acceleration sensor 18 is input to the control device 12. This information preferably includes acceleration waveform information, i.e., acceleration time series data. This information is preferably input to the control device 12 at an extremely short, constant cycle.

[0055] The function of the elevator apparatus 2 equipped with the acceleration sensor 18 will be described in detail below with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing another example of the operation of the elevator apparatus 2 in Embodiment 1. The processes shown in S301 to S303 in Fig. 6 are similar to the processes shown in S101 to S103 in Fig. 3.

[0056] If S302 returns Yes, the control device 12 determines whether or not information indicating the acceleration measured by the acceleration sensor 18 has been acquired (S304). The process shown in S304 may be performed in parallel with the process shown in S303. For example, if information indicating the acceleration of the car 4 is input to the control device 12 at an extremely short, constant cycle, S304 returns Yes.

[0057] If S304 is judged as Yes, the calculation unit 22 calculates the acceleration for determination of the ground surface of the building 7 (S305). In the control device 12, the position of the car 4 is always identified in order to control the operation of the car 4. Therefore, the control device 12 can link the acceleration of the car 4 measured by the acceleration sensor 18 with the position of the car 4 at the time the acceleration was measured. Furthermore, the position of the acceleration sensor 16 does not change. Therefore, in S305, the calculation unit 22 can calculate the acceleration for determination based on the acceleration of the car 4 measured by the acceleration sensor 18, the position of the car 4 at the time the acceleration was measured, and the top acceleration measured by the acceleration sensor 16.

[0058] For example, the identification unit 24 identifies a first correlation between the top acceleration measured by the acceleration sensor 16 and the acceleration of the car 4 measured by the acceleration sensor 18. This first correlation is a correlation between the top acceleration and the acceleration at the position where the car 4 was located. The identification unit 24 identifies a second correlation between the top acceleration and the acceleration of the ground surface of the building 7 based on this first correlation. The calculation unit 22 can calculate the acceleration for determination using the second correlation identified by the identification unit 24. The calculation unit 22 may calculate the acceleration for determination using another method.

[0059] The process shown in S306 in Fig. 6 is the same as the process shown in S106 in Fig. 3. When an earthquake occurs, the operation control unit 21 controls the operation of the car 4 after the earthquake based on both the top acceleration measured by the acceleration sensor 16 and the ground acceleration calculated by the calculation unit 22, i.e., the acceleration for determination (S306).

[0060] In this example as well, the second correlation identified by the identification unit 24 may be stored in the storage unit 20 so that an elevator maintenance worker or the like can use the second correlation later. The second correlation identified by the identification unit 24 and the specifications of the building 7 may be stored in association with each other in the storage unit 20. Furthermore, the communication device 14 may transmit information indicating the second correlation identified by the identification unit 24 to the external device 3. The communication device 14 may transmit information associating the second correlation identified by the identification unit 24 with the specifications of the building 7 to the external device 3.

[0061] When the external device 3 includes a second identification unit, the communication device 14 may transmit to the external device 3 information correlating the acceleration of the car 4 measured by the acceleration sensor 18 and the position of the car 4 when the acceleration was measured with the top acceleration measured by the acceleration sensor 16. The communication device 14 may transmit to the external device 3 information correlating the acceleration of the car 4 measured by the acceleration sensor 18 and the position of the car 4 when the acceleration was measured with the top acceleration measured by the acceleration sensor 16 and the specifications of the building 7. The second identification unit of the external device 3, like the identification unit 24, identifies the correlation between the top acceleration and the acceleration of the ground surface of the building 7 based on the information received from the communication device 14.

[0062] In this example, a device for collecting second correlations can also be realized. Such a device may perform a process for identifying second correlations and a process for storing the second correlations, or a process for identifying second correlations and a process for transmitting the second correlations. The device may not necessarily perform the process shown in S306.

[0063] 7 is a diagram showing an example of hardware resources of the control device 12. The control device 12 includes, as hardware resources, a processing circuit 30 including a processor 31 and a memory 32. The processing circuit 30 may include multiple processors 31. The processing circuit 30 may include multiple memories 32.

[0064] In this embodiment, the units denoted by reference numerals 20 to 24 represent functions possessed by the control device 12. The function of the storage unit 20 is realized by a memory 32. The functions of the units denoted by reference numerals 21 to 24 can be realized by software written as a program, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The program is stored in the memory 32. The control device 12 realizes the functions of the units denoted by reference numerals 21 to 24 by executing the program stored in the memory 32 using a processor 31 (computer).

[0065] The processor 31 is also called a CPU (Central Processing Unit), central processing unit, processing unit, arithmetic unit, microprocessor, microcomputer, or DSP. The memory 32 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.

[0066] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing another example of hardware resources of the control device 12. In the example shown in Fig. 8, the control device 12 includes a processing circuit 30 including a processor 31, a memory 32, and dedicated hardware 33. Fig. 8 shows an example in which some of the functions of the control device 12 are realized by the dedicated hardware 33. All of the functions of the control device 12 may be realized by the dedicated hardware 33. The dedicated hardware 33 may be a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination thereof.

[0067] The hardware resources of the communication device 14 are similar to those shown in FIG. 7 or 8 . The communication device 14 includes, as its hardware resources, a processing circuit including a processor and a memory. The processing circuit may include multiple processors. The processing circuit may include multiple memories. The communication device 14 realizes the above-mentioned functions by executing a program stored in the memory using a processor (computer). The communication device 14 may include, as its hardware resources, a processing circuit including a processor, a memory, and dedicated hardware. Some or all of the functions of the communication device 14 may be realized by dedicated hardware.

[0068] The hardware resources of the external device 3 are similar to those shown in Fig. 7 or 8. The external device 3 includes a processing circuit including a processor and a memory as its hardware resources. The processing circuit may include multiple processors. The processing circuit may include multiple memories. The external device 3 realizes the above-mentioned functions by executing a program stored in the memory using a processor (computer). The external device 3 may include a processing circuit including a processor, memory, and dedicated hardware as its hardware resources. Some or all of the functions of the external device 3 may be realized by dedicated hardware.

[0069] The elevator device according to the present disclosure can be applied to an elevator equipped with an acceleration sensor at the top of a building or at the top of a hoistway.

[0070] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 elevator system, 2 elevator device, 3 external equipment, 4 car, 5 counterweight, 6 hoistway, 7 building, 8 landing, 9 rope, 10 hoisting machine, 11 driving sheave, 12 control device, 13 machine room, 14 communication device, 15 network, 16 acceleration sensor (first acceleration sensor), 17 earthquake detector, 18 acceleration sensor (second acceleration sensor), 20 memory unit, 21 operation control unit, 22 calculation unit, 23 determination unit, 24 identification unit, 30 processing circuit, 31 processor, 32 memory, 33 dedicated hardware

Claims

1. An elevator system comprising: a car that moves in an elevator shaft formed in a building; a first acceleration sensor provided at the top of the building or the elevator shaft; a calculation unit that calculates the acceleration of the ground surface of the building based on earthquake information distributed from outside after an earthquake; and an operation control unit that controls the operation of the car after an earthquake based on both the acceleration measured by the first acceleration sensor and the acceleration calculated by the calculation unit.

2. The elevator device described in claim 1 further comprising: a first determination unit that determines the correlation between the acceleration of the top and the acceleration of the ground surface of the building based on the acceleration measured by the first acceleration sensor and the acceleration calculated by the calculation unit; and a memory unit that stores the correlation determined by the first determination unit.

3. An elevator device as described in claim 2, wherein the correlation identified by the first identification unit and the building specifications are stored in association with each other in the storage unit.

4. An elevator system comprising: an elevator device according to any one of claims 1 to 3; and an external device communicating with said elevator device, wherein said elevator device further comprises a communication unit that transmits to said external device information correlating the acceleration measured by said first acceleration sensor with the acceleration calculated by said calculation unit, and said external device comprises a second identification unit that identifies the correlation between the acceleration at the top and the acceleration at the ground surface of the building based on the information received from said communication unit.

5. The elevator system described in claim 4, wherein the communication unit transmits information relating the acceleration measured by the first acceleration sensor, the acceleration calculated by the calculation unit, and the building specifications to the external device.

6. An elevator system comprising: a car that moves in an elevator shaft formed in a building; a first acceleration sensor provided at the top of the building or the elevator shaft; an earthquake sensor provided on the ground surface of the building that outputs a detection signal when it detects a preset acceleration; a calculation unit that calculates an acceleration for determining the ground surface of the building based on the acceleration measured by the first acceleration sensor when a detection signal is output from the earthquake sensor; and an operation control unit that controls the operation of the car after an earthquake based on both the acceleration measured by the first acceleration sensor and the acceleration calculated by the calculation unit.

7. The elevator device described in claim 6, further comprising: a first determination unit that determines the correlation between the acceleration of the top and the acceleration of the ground surface of the building based on the acceleration measured by the first acceleration sensor when a detection signal is output from the earthquake sensor; and a memory unit that stores the correlation determined by the first determination unit.

8. An elevator device according to claim 7, wherein the storage unit stores the correlation identified by the first identification unit and the building specifications in association with each other.

9. An elevator system comprising: a car that moves in an elevator shaft formed in a building; a first acceleration sensor provided at the top of the building or the elevator shaft; a second acceleration sensor provided in the car; a calculation unit that calculates an acceleration for determining the ground surface of the building based on the acceleration measured by the second acceleration sensor during an earthquake, the position of the car when the acceleration was measured, and the acceleration measured by the first acceleration sensor; and an operation control unit that controls the operation of the car after an earthquake based on both the acceleration measured by the first acceleration sensor and the acceleration calculated by the calculation unit.

10. An elevator device as described in claim 9, further comprising: a first determination unit that determines the correlation between the acceleration at the top and the acceleration at the ground surface of the building based on the acceleration measured by the second acceleration sensor, the position of the car at the time the acceleration was measured, and the acceleration measured by the first acceleration sensor; and a memory unit that stores the correlation determined by the first determination unit.

11. An elevator device according to claim 10, wherein the storage unit stores the correlation identified by the first identification unit and the building specifications in association with each other.