Monitoring device for monitoring the state of a passenger transportation system

Abstract

The invention relates to a monitoring device for monitoring the state of a passenger transportation system. The passenger transportation system contains a lockable control cabinet having a control component located in the control cabinet. The control component comprises an actuatable input unit. The monitoring device is intended to be fixedly mounted in the control cabinet and has an actuator for actuating the input unit.

Description

[0001] Monitoring device for monitoring the condition of a passenger transport system

[0002] The invention relates to a monitoring device for monitoring the condition of a passenger transport system.

[0003] There is a need to be able to monitor the condition of a passenger transport system, in particular an elevator system, in order to be able to initiate appropriate countermeasures as quickly as possible if faults occur or to check and readjust parameters.

[0004] Such a passenger transport system is known from WO 2020 / 254601 A1. In this known passenger transport system, a control device of the passenger transport system is connected to a communication unit in order to transmit data to an instance remote from the passenger transport system. The control device of the passenger transport system has a detection unit designed to detect the state of physical variables of the passenger transport system. By evaluating the state of the physical variables, conclusions can be drawn as to whether the passenger transport system is currently functional or whether there is a malfunction in the operation of the passenger transport system. If there is a malfunction in the passenger transport system, the presence of this malfunction can be reported to a control center. Suitable countermeasures can be initiated from this control center.Furthermore, the communication unit can also receive a reset command and generate a reset signal for the control device of the passenger transport system.

[0005] Furthermore, WO 2020 / 047242 A1 discloses a camera system for remotely monitoring an elevator control system. This elevator control system has one or more visual indicators that provide information about the status of the elevator. These visual indicators include, for example, LED indicator lights and an LCD display. Furthermore, the known system has an optical device, such as a digital camera, positioned to provide images of the visual indicators to a processor. The processor analyzes these images and provides processed data and further information relating to the operation of the elevator. A communication device transmits the processed data. A device located remotely from the elevator receives the processed data, which may contain the aforementioned images or information about possible elevator problems.

[0006] Furthermore, EP 3 533 748 A2 discloses a system which allows the speed limiter of an elevator system to be reset remotely.

[0007] The object of the invention is to provide a device for monitoring the condition of a passenger transport system with increased performance, in particular increased flexibility, with regard to the passenger transport system to be monitored and / or the information to be monitored.

[0008] This object is achieved by a monitoring device having the features specified in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0009] According to claim 1, a monitoring device is provided for monitoring the status of a passenger transport system, wherein the passenger transport system contains a lockable control cabinet with a control component arranged in the control cabinet, and wherein the control component has an actuatable unit. The monitoring device is intended for permanent installation in the control cabinet and has an actuator for actuating the input unit. Such a monitoring device has the advantage, among other things, that performance can be increased, since even information that is only output by the control component after the actuatable unit has been actuated can be retrieved. Since the monitoring can also be applied to such control components, the flexibility of the monitoring device is also increased.In addition, information or commands can also be entered into the control component using the unit.

[0010] If the control component merely indicates the presence of an error, but only outputs the type of error after the actuatable unit has been actuated, the monitoring device can be configured to actuate the actuatable unit upon indication of an error in such a way that the control component outputs the type of error, thus providing more precise information on the type of error. This is particularly useful if the monitoring device is additionally configured to record the type of error and transmit it to a remote central monitoring and control unit, which may be configured to monitor a plurality of elevator systems. Alternatively, this transmission can also be carried out by the control component itself. Depending on the type and configuration of the control component, this can occur automatically or by further actuation of the actuatable unit.In the latter case, the monitoring device can be configured to actuate the (e.g. haptically) actuatable unit in such a way (e.g. haptically) that the control component transmits the type of error to the central monitoring and control unit.

[0011] For example, if the control component has an optical output for displaying status information, a camera of the monitoring device can capture the displayed status information. The status information can, for example, comprise one or more items from the list comprising a state variable, an error code, a counter, and a parameter that contain information about a state of the passenger transport system. According to one aspect, the monitoring device can be configured to initiate measures for changing the state of the passenger transport system using the actuator. For this purpose, the displayed status information can be forwarded in advance to a central monitoring and control unit.Alternatively or additionally, for the rapid rectification of a detected error, automatic, rule-based actuation of the actuatable unit by the actuator can ensure that a necessary change in the state of the passenger transport system can be made to rectify the detected error. This necessary change in the state of the passenger transport system occurs, for example, depending on provided error code signals by an instantaneous change to one or more parameters of the passenger transport system based on rules stored in the monitoring device.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the control component has an output unit for outputting status information of the passenger transport system and the monitoring device contains a detection unit for detecting status signals output by the output unit and preferably also a processing unit (e.g. integrated in a control module) for determining status information on the basis of the detected status signals by means of stored diagnostic rules.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the output unit is an optical output unit and the detection unit is an optical detection unit. Preferably, the output unit is a display, for example a display for outputting alphanumeric characters or a display on which LEDs are shown, and the detection unit is a camera.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the status information displayed on the display is data corresponding to different current states of the passenger transport system. According to one embodiment, the input unit comprises control panel elements provided on the display.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the input unit comprises mechanical keys.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the actuator is a robot arm and / or a plurality of movable actuator elements, wherein each of the actuator elements is fixedly assigned to a respective input element from a plurality of input elements of the input unit.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the monitoring device further comprises a communication interface for communicating with a (e.g., central) monitoring and control unit. This communication can take place via a digital data network, such as the Internet or a mobile radio or other remote communication network. The communication can include receiving commands, such as reset commands, or can be configured to execute received commands or transmit determined status information. The monitoring and control unit can be located remotely, e.g., in a different building than the passenger transport system.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the passenger transport system is an elevator system having an elevator car, elevator call buttons and an elevator car control.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the control component is configured to change a state of the elevator system based on an input to the input unit, and the monitoring device is configured to change the state of the elevator system by actuating the input unit. According to one embodiment, the control component is configured to output status information associated with a current state of the passenger transport system based on an input to the input unit, and the monitoring device is configured to initiate the output of the status information by actuating the input unit.

[0020] According to one embodiment, a passenger transport system has a monitoring device for monitoring the state of the passenger transport system.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the passenger transport system has a protective device for protecting against operation of the input unit by an unauthorized passenger of the passenger transport system, wherein the protective device can be deactivated by authorized service personnel in order to gain access to the input unit.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the passenger transport system further comprises a call control, wherein the input unit is different from the call control.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the monitoring device is used to monitor the condition of a passenger transport system.

[0024] An embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. It shows

[0025] Figure 1a shows a block diagram of a passenger transport system; Figure 1b shows a block diagram of a device for monitoring - also referred to as a monitoring device - the status of a passenger transport system; and

[0026] Figure 2 shows a block diagram of an alternative design of the actuator for automatic haptic actuation of the input unit.

[0027] Figure 1a shows a block diagram of a passenger transport system. This passenger transport system is an elevator system 9. The elevator system 9 is arranged in an elevator shaft 15. It has an elevator car 10. This elevator car 10 can be moved vertically between individual floors in the elevator shaft, as indicated by the double arrow 13. Furthermore, the elevator system 9 has an elevator call button 11 on each floor of the elevator system, which, when pressed, moves the elevator car 10 to the respective floor. Furthermore, the elevator system 9 has an elevator control (controller) 12. This controls the operation of the elevator system 9 according to a stored control program.

[0028] In the present embodiment, shown in Fig. 1a, the control system 12 is arranged in the shaft 15. Since the shaft 15 is only accessible to certain persons, it forms an area protected against unauthorized access. Thus, the control system 12 itself is also protected against unauthorized access. However, this is only an example, and the control system can also be provided at any other location that is protected against unauthorized access—for example, by means of a lock. For example, the control system 12 can be arranged near the elevator system 9 in a control cabinet protected against unauthorized access by means of a lock. This control cabinet forms the space protected against unauthorized access. The control cabinet can be located next to a shaft door, for example, or integrated into a frame of the shaft door. Furthermore, the control cabinet can be attached to or in the elevator car 10 of the elevator system 9.Alternatively, the controller 12 can be arranged separately from other parts of the elevator system 9 in a cabinet or room protected against unauthorized access, and the controller is connected to relevant other parts of the elevator system 9 via a data connection. It is also conceivable to arrange the controller in a machine room of the elevator system protected against unauthorized access. The controller can also be arranged in a distributed manner; in this case, "controller" is understood to mean a part of the distributed controller arranged in an area protected against unauthorized access, comprising the control component described below.

[0029] Since the control unit 12 is located in an area protected against unauthorized access and accessible only to persons responsible for maintaining the elevator system, the control unit 12 differs in particular from the elevator call buttons 11 shown in Fig. 1a or from the floor call buttons provided in the car. Both the elevator call buttons 11 and the floor call buttons are part of the call control system.

[0030] The controller 12 is shown in greater detail in Fig. 1 b. The controller 12 comprises a control component 1 with an actuatable input unit 5, which has actuatable input elements. These input elements 5 are, for example, input keys or control panel elements on a display. The input keys can be input keys with a stroke that can be pressed down to enter a desired command. The control panel elements can be flat, labeled control panels configured for the haptic input of operating commands.

[0031] A monitoring device 14 is also provided in the area protected against unauthorized access. The monitoring device 14 has an actuator 6, which is designed to actuate the input elements 5 of the input unit. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 1a, this actuator 6 is implemented in the form of a robot arm. This robot arm is capable of navigating within the input elements 5 and selectively actuating one or more of these input elements in order to enter inputs (e.g., commands). The monitoring device 14 further has a control module 8. The control module 8 is configured to control the actuator 6. In particular, the control module 8 is configured to control the actuator 6 for actuating the input elements 5. This allows the monitoring device 14 to send inputs to the control component 1. These inputs can, for example, trigger the outputs or other actions of the control component 1.

[0032] The control module 8 of the monitoring device 14 optionally further includes a communication interface for communication with a remote control center 16 (central control and monitoring unit). The control module 8 can be configured to control the actuator 6 in response to signals received from the control center 16.

[0033] In the example of Fig. 1b, the control component 1 further includes an output unit for outputting status information 2a, 2b of the passenger transport system 9 (status signals). The output unit can comprise a display 3, and the status information 2a can be shown on the display, for example as alphanumeric information. In another example, the output unit can comprise one or more LEDs 4, and the status information 2b can be displayed using the LEDs 4. The output unit can also comprise both a display 3 and LEDs 4, as illustrated in Fig. 1b. The displayed status information can, in particular, indicate the current state of the elevator system 9. This can, for example, signal whether a specific parameter of the elevator system 9 is OK or faulty.

[0034] The monitoring device 14 optionally contains a detection unit 7, such as an optical camera, for detecting the status signals output by the output unit 1, and a processing unit (such as in the control module 8) for determining status information based on the detected status signals using stored diagnostic rules. The control module 8 can further be configured to actuate the actuatable unit (input elements 5) using the actuator 6 when an error is indicated, such that the control component 1 outputs the type of error on the output unit, thus providing more precise information about the type of error. Furthermore, the monitoring device 1 can be configured to detect this provided more precise information using the detection unit 7.

[0035] The control module 8 can be further configured to control the actuator 6 to actuate the input elements 5 in response to error code signals detected by the camera 7, for example to display more detailed information about the detected error or to change the state of the elevator system 9, for example to change parameters, correct the error or shut down the elevator system 9 or put it into an emergency mode.

[0036] The control module 8 can also be configured to control the actuator 6 to actuate the input elements 5 in response to signals received from the control center, for example to display more detailed information or to change the state of the elevator system 9, for example to change parameters or to shut down the elevator system 9 or to put it into an emergency mode.

[0037] As part of such an actuation of the input elements 5 by the actuator 6, parameters of the elevator system 9 can be changed. For example, the opening time of the elevator car doors can be extended, the landing accuracy of the elevator car on one or more specific floors can be increased, the status information display can be reset, or any other parameters of the elevator system can be changed.

[0038] According to one embodiment, it is also possible to first enter a password to change the parameters of the elevator system as described above. This can prevent unauthorized persons or accidental changes to the parameters of the elevator system. The control module 8 can be configured to control the actuator 6 for entering the password into the actuatable unit.

[0039] The status information output on the output unit 3, 4 and acquired by the acquisition unit 7 (including any information derived therefrom, such as the error code signals determined by the control module) can be further processed by the monitoring device 14 and / or fed to the control center 16 and further processed by it. This further processing can, for example, consist in storing the aforementioned information in a memory of the control module 8 or the control center 16. It can also consist in transmitting the aforementioned data via the Internet to operators who are located near the elevator system 9 and can reach it quickly in order to carry out measures that cannot be triggered using the input elements 5.

[0040] Figure 2 shows a block diagram of an alternative embodiment of the actuator 6 for automatically actuating the input unit. In this alternative embodiment, the actuator 6 comprises a plurality of movable actuator elements 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, wherein each of these actuator elements 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d is permanently assigned to a respective input element 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d from a plurality of input elements of the input unit and is in particular arranged to actuate (only) the respectively assigned input element. Thus, the actuator element 6a is permanently assigned to the input element 5a, the actuator element 6b to the input element 5b, the actuator element 6c to the input element 5c, and the actuator element 6d to the input element 5d.For example, actuator 6 can comprise a plurality of actuator elements 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, which are mounted on the respectively associated input element 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d such that when the respective actuator element is actuated, the respectively associated input element is actuated. List of reference symbols.

[0041] I Control component

[0042] 2a Status information (display)

[0043] 2b Status information (LEDs)

[0044] 3 Display

[0045] 4 LEDs

[0046] 5 Input unit (input elements)

[0047] 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d input elements

[0048] 6 Actuator (robot arm)

[0049] 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d actuator elements

[0050] 7 Detection unit (camera)

[0051] 8 Control module

[0052] 9 Elevator system

[0053] 10 elevator cars

[0054] II Elevator call buttons

[0055] 12 Elevator control (control)

[0056] 13 Direction of movement of the elevator car

[0057] 14 Monitoring device

[0058] 15 Elevator shaft

[0059] 16 Central monitoring and control unit (control center)

Claims

Patent claims:

1. Monitoring device (14) for monitoring the state of a passenger transport system (9), wherein the passenger transport system contains an area protected against unauthorized access with a control component (1) arranged in the area and the control component has an actuatable input unit (5), wherein the monitoring device (14) is provided for fixed installation in the area, characterized in that the monitoring device (14) has an actuator (6) for actuating the input unit (5).

2. Monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the control component (1) has an output unit (3, 4) for outputting status information (2a, 2b) of the passenger transport system (9) and the monitoring device (14) has a detection unit (7) for detecting status signals (2a, 2b) output by the output unit (3, 4).

3. Monitoring device according to claim 2, wherein the output unit (3, 4) is an optical output unit and the detection unit (7) is an optical detection unit (7), preferably the output unit (3) is a display and the detection unit (7) is a camera.

4. Monitoring device according to claim 3, wherein the status information (2a, 2b) displayed on the output unit (3, 4) is data corresponding to different instantaneous states of the passenger transport system (9).

5. Monitoring device according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the input unit (5) comprises control panel elements provided on the display (3).

6. Monitoring device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the input unit (5) comprises mechanical buttons.

7. Monitoring device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the actuator (6) a) is a robot arm and / or b) comprises a plurality of movable actuator elements (6a, ... , 6d), wherein each of the actuator elements (6a, ... , 6d) is permanently assigned to a respective input element (5a, ... , 5d) from a plurality of input elements of the input unit (5).

8. Monitoring device according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a communication interface for communicating with a central monitoring and control unit (16).

9. Monitoring device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the passenger transport system (9) is an elevator system which has an elevator car (10), elevator call buttons (11) and an elevator control (12) with the control component (1).

10. Monitoring device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control component (1) is configured to change a state of the elevator installation (9) on the basis of an input into the input unit (5), and wherein the monitoring device (14) is configured to change the state of the elevator installation (9) by actuating the input unit (5).

11. Monitoring device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the control component (1) is arranged to generate, on the basis of an input into the input unit (5), a current state of the passenger transport system to output associated status information, and wherein the monitoring device (14) is configured to cause the output of the status information by actuating the input unit (5).

12. Passenger transport system with a monitoring device (14) according to one of the preceding claims.

13. Passenger transport system according to claim 12, wherein the passenger transport system has a protective device for protecting against operation of the input unit by an unauthorized passenger of the passenger transport system, wherein the protective device can be deactivated by authorized service personnel in order to gain access to the input unit.

14. Passenger transport system according to one of claims 11 or 12, wherein the passenger transport system has a call control and the input unit (5) is different from the call control.

15. Use of the monitoring device (14) according to one of claims 1 to 11 for monitoring the condition of a passenger transport system.

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