Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to an elevator apparatus having an electronic overspeed
detecting device for monitoring whether or not a speed of a car reaches an overspeed
monitoring pattern.
Background Art
[0002] A speed detecting device of a conventional elevator apparatus employs a pulse disc
composed of a first circular plate and a second circular plate that are superposed
one on another. By changing the angle of superposition of the second circular plate
with respect to the first circular plate, the number of effective through-holes of
the pulse disc is changed. More specifically, during an inspective operation of checking
whether or not the speed detecting device operates normally, the number of the effective
through-holes is doubled, so a speed of a hoisting machine that is twice as high as
a normal speed thereof is detected in a simulative manner (e.g., see Patent Document
1).
[0003] Document
US 4, 128, 141 shows a system wherein a speed signal is continously modified by a signal selected
to the acceleration, in particular towards the end terminals, in order to facilitate
the overspeed detection. The system includes a teachemeter with self-checking circuit.
Disclosure of the Invention
Problem to be solved by the Invention
[0005] In the conventional elevator apparatus constructed as described above, when performing
an operation of inspecting the speed detecting device, an operator needs to carry
out a troublesome procedure of manually changing the angle of superposition of the
second circular plate with respect to the first circular plate at a place where the
speed detecting device is installed, namely, in a hoistway or a machinery room.
[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the problem as described above, and
it is therefore an obj ect of the present invention to obtain an elevator apparatus
allowing an operation of inspecting an electronic safety system including an electronic
overspeed detecting device to be performed with ease.
Means for solving the Problem
[0007] An elevator apparatus according to the present invention includes: an electronic
overspeed detecting device, which has an overspeed monitoring pattern set to change
continuously at least with respect to a position within a car slowdown section of
a terminal portion of a hoistway, for monitoring whether or not a speed of a car reaches
the overspeed monitoring pattern, and in the elevator apparatus, the electronic overspeed
detecting device has operation modes including an inspection mode for inspecting the
electronic overspeed detecting device itself, and the overspeed monitoring pattern
can be changed in the inspection mode.
[0008] Further, the elevator apparatus according to the present invention includes: an electronic
overspeed detecting device having an overspeed monitoring pattern set to change continuously
at least with respect to a position within a car slowdown section of a terminal portion
of a hoistway, for monitoring whether or not a speed of a car reaches the overspeed
monitoring pattern, and in the elevator apparatus, the electronic overspeed detecting
device has operation modes including an inspection mode for inspecting the electronic
overspeed detecting device itself, and the electronic overspeed detecting device monitors
the speed of the car on an assumption that a position of the car is fixed to a predetermined
fixed position within the car slowdown section despite a running state of the car,
in the inspection mode.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0009]
[Fig. 1] A structural diagram of an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of
the present invention.
[Fig. 2] A graph of a pattern of overspeed set in speed governor and an ETS circuit
portion of Fig. 1.
[Fig. 3] A block diagram showing functions of the ETS circuit portion of Fig. 1.
[Fig. 4] A graph showing a first example of an overspeed monitoring pattern in an
inspection mode of the ETS circuit portion of Fig. 1.
[Fig. 5] A graph showing a second example of the overspeed monitoring pattern in the
inspection mode of the ETS circuit portion of Fig. 1.
[Fig. 6] A graph showing a third example of the overspeed monitoring pattern in the
inspection mode of the ETS circuit portion of Fig. 1.
[Fig. 7] A graph showing a fourth example of the overspeed monitoring pattern in the
inspection mode of the ETS circuit portion of Fig. 1.
[Fig. 8] A block diagram showing functions of an ETS circuit portion of an elevator
apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
[Fig. 9] A graph showing an example of an overspeed monitoring pattern in an inspection
mode of the ETS circuit portion of Fig. 8.
[Fig. 10] A block diagram showing an essential part of an elevator apparatus according
to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
[Fig. 11] A block diagram showing an essential part of an elevator apparatus according
to Embodiment 4 which does not form a part of the present invention.
[Fig. 12] A block diagram showing a state of an essential part of an elevator apparatus
according to Embodiment 5 which does not form a part of the present invention during
normal operation.
[Fig. 13] A block diagram showing a state of the elevator apparatus of Fig. 12 in
an inspection mode.
[Fig. 14] A block diagram showing functions of an ETS circuit portion of an elevator
apparatus according to Embodiment 6 which does not form a part of the present invention.
[Fig. 15] A front view showing an example of a display screen according to a relative
position displaying portion and a reference position displaying portion of Fig. 14.
Best Mode for carrying out the Invention
[0010] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be hereinafter described with
reference to the drawings.
Embodiment 1
[0011] Fig. 1 is a structural diagram of an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 1
of the present invention. In the drawing, a hoistway 1 includes a pair of car guide
rails 2 and a pair of counterweight guide rails (not shown) provided therein. A car
3 is raised and lowered in the hoistway 1 while being guided by the car guide rails
2. A counterweight 4 is raised and lowered in the hoistway 1 while being guided by
the counterweight guide rail.
[0012] Provided in a lower part of the car 3 is a safety device 5 that engages with the
car guide rails 2 to stop the car 3 in case of an emergency. The safety device 5 has
a pair of braking pieces (wedge members) 6 that are moved by mechanical operation
to be pushed against the car guide rails 2.
[0013] In the upper part of the hoistway 1, a driving apparatus (hoisting machine) 7 that
raises and lowers the car 3 and the counterweight 4 via a main rope is provided. The
driving apparatus 7 has: a drive sheave 8; a motor portion (not shown) that rotates
the drive sheave 8; a brake portion 9 that brakes the rotation of the drive sheave
8; and a motor encoder 10 that generates a detection signal according to the rotation
of the drive sheave 8.
[0014] The brake portion 9 is, for example, an electromagnetic brake apparatus. In the electromagnetic
brake apparatus, a spring force of a braking spring is used to push a brake shoe against
a braking surface to brake the rotation of the drive sheave 8 and an electromagnetic
magnet is excited to separate the brake shoe from the braking surface to cancel the
braking.
[0015] An elevator control panel 11 is provided, for example, in a lower part of the hoistway
1. The elevator control panel 11 includes: an operation control portion 12 that controls
operation of the driving apparatus 7; and a safety circuit portion (relay circuit
portion) 13 that suddenly stops the car 3 when the elevator has abnormality. The operation
control portion 12 is input with a detection signal from the motor encoder 10. Based
on the detection signal from the motor encoder 10, the operation control portion 12
calculates the position and speed of the car 3 to control the driving apparatus 7.
[0016] When the relay circuit of the safety circuit portion 13 is opened, an electric current
to the motor portion of the driving apparatus 7 is blocked and an electric current
to the electromagnetic magnet of the brake portion 9 is also blocked, whereby the
drive sheave 8 is braked.
[0017] In the upper part of the hoistway 1, a speed governor (mechanical speed governor)
14 is provided. The speed governor 14 includes: a speed governor sheave 15, an overspeed
detection switch 16, a rope catch 17, and a speed governor encoder 18 serving as a
sensor. The speed governor sheave 15 is wound at a speed governor rope 19. Both ends
of the speed governor rope 19 are connected to an operational mechanism of the safety
device 5. The lower end of the speed governor rope 19 is wound around a tension sheave
20 provided in the lower part of the hoistway 1.
[0018] When the car 3 is raised or lowered, the speed governor rope 19 is moved in circulation
and the speed governor sheave 15 is rotated at a rotation speed corresponding to a
traveling speed of the car 3. The speed governor 14 mechanically detects that the
traveling speed of the car 3 reaches an overspeed. Set as overspeeds to be detected
are a first overspeed (OS speed) that is higher than a rated speed and a second overspeed
(Trip speed) that is higher than the first overspeed.
[0019] When the traveling speed of the car 3 reaches the first overspeed, the overspeed
detection switch 16 is operated. When the overspeed detection switch 16 is operated,
the relay circuit of the safety circuit portion 13 is opened. When the traveling speed
of the car 3 reaches the second overspeed, the rope catch 17 grips the speed governor
rope 19 to stop the circulation of the speed governor rope 19. When the circulation
of the speed governor rope 19 is stopped, the safety device 5 provides a braking operation.
[0020] The speed governor encoder 18 generates a detection signal according to the rotation
of the speed governor sheave 15. The speed governor encoder 18 employs a dual sense
type encoder that simultaneously outputs two types of detection signals, i.e. , a
first detection signal and a second detection signal.
[0021] The first detection signal and the second detection signal from the speed governor
encoder 18 are input to an ETS circuit portion 22 (electronic overspeed detection
device) of an Emergency Terminal Slowdown apparatus (ETS apparatus) provided at an
electronic safety controller 21. The ETS circuit portion 22 detects, based on a detection
signal from the speed governor encoder 18, abnormality of an elevator and outputs
a command signal for shifting the elevator to a safe state. More specifically, the
ETS circuit portion 22 calculates, independently from the operation control portion
12, the traveling speed and a position of the car 3 based on the signal from the speed
governor encoder 18, and monitors whether the traveling speed of the car 3 reaches
an overspeed monitoring pattern (overspeed detection level). The overspeed monitoring
pattern is set to change continuously with respect to a position within a car slowdown
section of a terminal portion of the hoistway.
[0022] The ETS circuit portion 22 also converts the signal from the speed governor encoder
18 to a digital signal to perform a digital calculation processing and determine whether
the traveling speed of the car 3 reaches an ETS monitoring overspeed. When the ETS
circuit portion 22 determines that the traveling speed of the car 3 has reached the
ETS monitoring overspeed, the relay circuit of safety circuit portion 13 is opened.
[0023] The ETS circuit portion 22 can also detect abnormality of the ETS circuit portion
22 itself and abnormality of the speed governor encoder 18. When the ETS circuit portion
22 detects abnormality of the ETS circuit portion 22 itself or abnormality of the
speed governor encoder 18, a nearest floor stop command signal is output from the
ETS circuit portion 22 to the operation control portion 12 as a command signal for
shifting the elevator to a safe state. Interactive communication is also possible
between the ETS circuit portion 22 and the operation control portion 12.
[0024] In predetermined positions in the hoistway 1, there are provided first to fourth
reference sensors 23 to 26 for detecting that the car 3 is located at a reference
position in the hoistway. Top and bottom terminal landing switches can be used for
the reference sensors 23 to 26. Detection signals from the reference sensors 23 to
26 are input to the ETS circuit portion 22. Based on the detection signals from the
reference sensors 23 to 26, the ETS circuit portion 22 corrects the information for
the position of the car 3 calculated in the ETS circuit portion 22.
[0025] On a bottom face of the hoistway 1, a car buffer 27 and a counterweight buffer 28
are provided. These buffers 27 and 28 may be, for example, an oil-filled-type or spring-type
buffer.
[0026] Fig. 2 is a graph of overspeed patterns set in the speed governor 14 and the ETS
circuit portion 22 of Fig. 1. In the drawing, when the car 3 travels at a normal speed
(rated speed) from a bottom terminal landing to a top terminal landing, the car 3
draws a normal speed pattern V
0. The speed governor 14 is associated with a first overspeed pattern V
1 and a second overspeed pattern V
2 by a mechanical position adjustment. The ETS circuit portion 22 is associated with
an ETS overspeed monitoring pattern V
E.
[0027] The ETS overspeed monitoring pattern V
E is set to be higher than the normal speed pattern V
0. The ETS overspeed monitoring pattern V
E is also set to have an equal interval from the normal speed pattern V
0 in the entire ascending/descending process. In otherwords, the ETS overspeed monitoring
pattern V
E changes according to a car position. More specifically, the ETS overspeed monitoring
pattern V
E is set to be fixed in the vicinity of an intermediate floor and is set to continuously
and smoothly decline, in the vicinity of a terminal landing, while being closer to
an end of the hoistway 1 (upper end and lower end). In this manner, the ETS circuit
portion 22 monitors the traveling speed of the car 3 not only in a position in the
vicinity of terminal landings but also in a position in the vicinity of an intermediate
floor (a fixed speed traveling zone in the normal speed pattern V
0). However, the ETS circuit portion 22 does not always have to monitor the traveling
speed of the car 3 in a position in the vicinity of the intermediate floor.
[0028] The first overspeed pattern V
1 is set to be higher than the ETS overspeed monitoring pattern V
E. The second overspeed pattern V
2 is set to be higher than the first overspeed pattern V
1. The first overspeed pattern V
1 and the second overspeed pattern V
2 are fixed at all heights in the hoistway 1.
[0029] Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing functions of the ETS circuit portion 22 of Fig.
1. The ETS circuit portion 22 has a speed detecting portion 31, a position calculating
portion 32, an overspeed monitoring portion 33, and an inspection mode setting portion
34. The speed detecting portion 31 detects a running speed of the car 3 based on a
signal from the speed governor encoder 18. The position calculating portion 32 calculates
a position of the car 3 based on signals from the reference position sensors 23 to
26 and information on the speed of the car 3 which is obtained from the speed detecting
portion 31.
[0030] The overspeed monitoring portion 33 monitors whether or not the speed of the car
3 reaches a preset overspeed monitoring pattern, based on the information on the speed
of the car 3 which is obtained from the speed detecting portion 31, information on
the position of the car 3 which is obtained from the position calculating portion
32, and the overspeed monitoring pattern. When the speed of the car 3 reaches an overspeed
level of the overspeed monitoring pattern, a forcible slowdown command is output to
the safety circuit portion 13 to open the relay circuit thereof.
[0031] Included in operation modes of the ETS circuit portion 22 are a normal mode and an
inspection mode for inspecting the ETS circuit portion 22 itself. In the inspection
mode, the overspeed monitoring pattern can be changed. The inspection mode setting
portion 34 sets a change in the overspeed monitoring pattern in the inspection mode.
[0032] The ETS circuit portion 22 has a computer (not shown) having a calculation processing
portion (a CPU), a storage portion (a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk, and the like), and
signal input/output portions. The functions of the speed detecting portion 31, the
position calculating portion 32, the overspeed monitoring portion 33, and the inspection
mode setting portion 34, which are illustrated in Fig. 3, are realized by the computer
of the ETS circuit portion 22. In other words, programs for realizing the functions
of the speed detecting portion 31, the position calculating portion 32, the overspeed
monitoring portion 33, and the inspection mode setting portion 34 are stored in the
storage portion of the computer. Based on the programs, the calculation processing
portion performs calculation processings regarding the functions of the speed detecting
portion 31, the position calculating portion 32, the overspeed monitoring portion
33, and the inspection mode setting portion 34.
[0033] The operation control portion 12 is constituted by a computer that is different from
the computer of the ETS circuit portion 22.
[0034] Fig. 4 is a graph showing a first example of the overspeed monitoring pattern in
the inspection mode of the ETS circuit portion 22 of Fig. 1. In the first example,
the overspeed monitoring pattern V
E within a car slowdown section in a terminal portion of the hoistway 1 is directly
shifted to an intermediate portion of a raising/lowering stroke of the car 3, so an
inspective monitoring pattern V
EC is set. In inspecting the ETS circuit portion 22, the car 3 is caused to run within
the hoistway 1 according to the normal speed pattern V
0. However, since the overspeed monitoring pattern has been changed, the running pattern
of the car 3 during the inspection coincides with an inspection-time running pattern
V
0c.
[0035] As described above, the change in the overspeed monitoring pattern is set in the
inspection mode, so an overspeed can be detected in the intermediate portion of the
hoistway 1 even when the car 3 is caused to run at a rated speed. Consequently, the
operation of inspecting the ETS circuit portion 22 can be performed with ease. There
is no need to cause the car 3 to run at a speed higher than the rated speed in order
to inspect the ETS circuit portion 22. Therefore, there is no need to increase the
capacity of the motor portion of the drive device 7 only for the purpose of inspection.
[0036] Fig. 5 is a graph showing a second example of the overspeed monitoring pattern in
the inspection mode of the ETS circuit portion 22 of Fig. 1. In the second example,
the overspeedmonitoring pattern V
E within the car slowdown section in the terminal portion of the hoistway 1 is shifted
to a lower value than the normal mode, so an inspective monitoring pattern V
EC is set.
[0037] As described above, the operation of inspecting the ETS circuit portion 22 can also
be performed with ease by setting the inspective monitoring pattern V
EC, which is lower in speed than the overspeed monitoring pattern in the normal mode,
in the inspection mode.
[0038] Fig. 6 is a graph showing a third example of the overspeed monitoring pattern in
the inspection mode of the ETS circuit portion 22 of Fig. 1. In the third example,
the overspeed monitoring pattern V
E within the car slowdown section in the terminal portion of the hoistway 1 is shifted
by an arbitrary distance in a raising/lowering direction of the car 3, so an inspective
monitoring pattern V
EC is set.
[0039] The inspective monitoring pattern V
EC as described above also enables detection of an overspeed when the car 3 runs at
a speed equal to or lower than the rated speed. As a result, the operation of inspecting
the ETS circuit portion 22 can be performed with ease.
[0040] Fig. 7 is a graph showing a fourth example of the overspeed monitoring pattern in
the inspection mode of the ETS circuit portion 22 of Fig. 1. In the fourth example,
the inspective monitoring pattern V
EC is so set as to make an overspeed detecting level constant and equal to or lower
than the rated speed regardless of the position within the hoistway 1.
[0041] The inspective monitoring pattern V
EC as described above also enables detection of an overspeed when the car 3 runs at
a speed equal to or lower than the rated speed. As a result, the operation of inspecting
the ETS circuit portion 22 can be performed with ease.
Embodiment 2
[0042] Reference will be made next to Fig. 8, which is a block diagram showing functions
of the ETS circuit portion 22 of an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of
the present invention. The elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 2 is different
from the elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 1 only in the functional structure
of the ETS circuit portion 22. The entire construction of the elevator apparatus according
to Embodiment 2 is identical to that of the elevator apparatus according to Embodiment
1.
[0043] In this example, during the inspection mode, the inspection mode setting portion
34 changes information on the position of the car 3, which is transmitted from the
position calculating portion 32 to the overspeed monitoring portion 33. More specifically,
in the inspection mode, the ETS circuit portion 22 fixes the information on the position
of the car 3, which is transmitted from the position calculating portion 32 to the
overspeed monitoring portion 33, to information indicating a predetermined fixed position
within the car slowdown section without changing the overspeed monitoring pattern
V
E itself, as shown in, for example, Fig. 9. That is, in the inspection mode, the speed
of the car 3 is monitored on the assumption that the position of the car 3 is fixed
to the fixed position, although the car 3 is actually running.
[0044] Thus, the same state as in the case where the inspective monitoring pattern V
EC is so set as to make the overspeed detecting level constant and equal to or lower
than the rated speed regardless of the position within the hoistway 1 is substantially
established, so an overspeed can be detected when the car 3 runs at a speed equal
to or lower than the rated speed. As a result, the operation of inspecting the ETS
circuit portion 22 can be performed with ease.
[0045] The fixed position may be variable within the car slowdown section as circumstances
demand. The inspection of the ETS circuit portion 22 can thereby be conducted a plurality
of times as well while changing the fixed position.
Embodiment 3
[0046] Reference will be made next to Fig. 10, which is a block diagram showing an essential
part of an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 3. Referring to Fig. 10, an
automatic inspection command input portion 35 for inputting thereto a command to conduct
the inspection of the ETS circuit portion 22 automatically is connected to the ETS
circuit portion 22 and the operation control portion 12. When the automatic inspection
command is input to the automatic inspection command input portion 35, an inspection
mode setting command is input to the inspection mode setting portion 34 of the ETS
circuit portion 22, and an inspective running pattern is input to the operation control
portion 12.
[0047] When the inspection mode setting command is input to the inspection mode setting
portion 34, the operation mode of the ETS circuit portion 22 is switched to the inspection
mode, so the change in setting as described in Embodiment 1 or 2 is made. Meanwhile,
when the inspective running pattern is input to the operation control portion 12,
the operation control portion 12 causes the car 3 to run according to the inspective
running pattern. Embodiment 3 is identical to Embodiment 1 or 2 in other constructional
details.
[0048] In the elevator apparatus constructed as described above, the inspection of the ETS
circuit portion 22, including the inspective running of the car 3 and the change in
the setting of the ETS circuit portion 22, can be automatically conducted simply by
inputting an inspection command to the automatic inspection command input portion
35. In consequence, the burden cast on a maintenance worker or an installation operator
during inspection can be lightened.
[0049] The inspection mode setting command and the inspective running pattern may be input
to the ETS circuit portion 22 and the operation control portion 12 respectively either
at the same time or with a time difference. For instance, the inspective running pattern
may be input to the operation control portion 12 as soon as a predetermined time elapses
after the inspection mode setting command has been input to the ETS circuit portion
22. The car 3 may be caused to start running as soon as a predetermined time elapses
after the inspective running pattern has been input to the operation control portion
12.
[0050] Furthermore, two or more inspective running patterns may be input to the operation
control portion 12. For example, in the case where an initial position of the car
3 for inspection has been determined, a running command according to a corresponding
one of the inspective running patterns may be input to the operation control portion
12 after a command to move the car 3 to the initial position has been input to the
operation control portion 12 and then an inspection mode setting command has been
input to the ETS circuit portion 22.
[0051] Still further, the automatic inspection command input portion 35 may be provided
independently from the ETS circuit portion 22 and the operation control portion 12,
but may also be provided as part of the ETS circuit portion 22 or the operation control
portion 12.
Embodiment 4
[0052] Reference will be made next to Fig. 11, which is a block diagram showing an essential
part of an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 4 which does not form a part
of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 11, an interlock switch 36 is connected
to the ETS circuit portion 22. When a first switch 36a of the interlock switch 36
is closed, an inspection mode starting circuit is short-circuited, so the inspection
mode setting portion 34 sets an inspection mode.
[0053] The interlock switch 36 is provided with a second switch 36b, which is connected
in series to the safety circuit portion 13. The second switch 36b is opened/closed
in such a manner as to be interlocked with the opening/closing of the first switch
36a mechanically. More specifically, the second switch 36b is opened when the first
switch 36a is closed. Accordingly, the safety circuit portion 13 is opened when the
first switch 36a is closed.
[0054] In the elevator apparatus constructed as described above, since the setting of an
inspection mode and the opening of the safety circuit portion 13 are carried out in
an interlocking manner, the inspection mode can be set with the car 3 stopped more
reliably. An operator is allowed to perform an operation of inspecting the ETS circuit
portion 22, which requires the operator to move onto the car 3 or into the hoistway
1, with the car 3 stopped more reliably.
Embodiment 5
[0055] Reference will be made next to Figs. 12 and 13, which are a block diagram showing
a state of an essential part of an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 5 which
does not form a part of the present invention during normal operation and a block
diagram showing a state of the elevator apparatus of Fig. 12 in an inspection mode,
respectively. Referring to Figs. 12 and 13, the safety circuit portion 13 and the
inspection mode starting circuit are selectively short-circuited using a jumper plug
37. That is, during a normal operation, while the safety circuit portion 13 is short-circuited
by the jumper plug 37, the inspection mode starting circuit is open. On the other
hand, in the inspection mode, while the inspection mode starting circuit is short-circuited
by the jumper plug 37, the safety circuit portion 13 is open.
[0056] Included in methods of inspecting the ETS circuit portion 22 with the car 3 stopped
is the following method. First of all, information on the position of the car 3, which
is transmitted from the position calculating portion 32 to the speed calculating portion
33, is fixed according to the method described in Embodiment 2. Then, the speed governor
rope 19 is temporarily removed from the speed governor sheave 15. After that, the
speed governor sheave 15 is rotated using an electric drill or the like, so a signal
corresponding to a rotational speed of the speed governor sheave 15 is output from
the speed governor encoder 18. By conducting the inspection in this manner, a speed
of the car 3 can be detected by the speed detecting portion 31 without actually causing
the car 3 to run. By looking at the manner in which the switch of the safety circuit
portion 13 operates when the speed of the car 3 has exceeded the overspeed monitoring
pattern V
E, it becomes possible to confirm whether or not the ETS circuit portion 22 operates
correctly.
[0057] In the elevator apparatus constructed as described above, since the setting of the
inspection mode and the opening of the safety circuit portion 13 are carried out in
an interlocking manner, the inspection mode can be set with the car 3 stopped more
reliably. The operator is allowed to perform an operation of inspecting the ETS circuit
portion 22, which requires the operator to move onto the car 3 or into the hoistway
1, with the car 3 stopped more reliably.
Embodiment 6
[0058] Reference will be made next to Fig. 14, which is a block diagram showing functions
of the ETS circuit portion 22 of an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 6 which
does not form a part of the present invention. The ETS circuit portion 22 has the
speed detecting portion 31, the position calculating portion 32, the overspeedmonitoringportion
33, a floor stopposition storing portion 38, a reference position storing portion
39, a relative position displaying portion 40, and a reference position displaying
portion 41.
[0059] When the car 3 stops at a predetermined floor, a floor stop signal is transmitted
from the operation control portion 12 to the floor stop position storing portion 38.
Information on the position of the car 3, which has been calculated by the position
calculating portion 32, is transmitted to the floor stop position storing portion
38. The floor stop position storing portion 38 thereby stores the position of the
car 3 upon stoppage of the car 3 at the predetermined floor, which has been calculated
by the position calculating portion 32.
[0060] Reference position detection signals from the reference position sensors 23 to 26
and the information on the position of the car 3, which has been calculated by the
position calculating portion 32, are transmitted to the reference position storing
portion 39. The reference position storing portion 39 thereby stores the position
of the car 3 upon passage of the car 3 past a reference position, which has been calculated
by the position calculating portion 32.
[0061] The relative position displaying portion 40 calculates a distance between two predetermined
floors based on the information from the floor stop position storing portion 38, and
causes a monitor (not shown) to display the distance as shown in, for example, Fig.
15.
[0062] The reference position displaying portion 41 calculates distances from a predetermined
floor to the reference position sensors 23 to 26 based on the information from the
floor stop position storing portion 38 and the reference position storing portion
39, and causes the monitor to display the distances as shown in, for example, Fig.
15.
[0063] The functions of the floor stop position storing portion 38, the reference position
storing portion 39, the relative position displaying portion 40, and the reference
position displaying portion 41 are realized by the computer of the ETS circuit portion
22. In other words, programs for realizing the functions of the floor stop position
storing portion 38, the reference position storing portion 39, the relative position
displaying portion 40, and the reference position displaying portion 41 are stored
in the storage portion of the computer. Based on the programs, the calculation processing
portion performs calculation processings regarding the functions of the floor stop
position storing portion 38, the reference position storing portion 39, the relative
position displaying portion 40, and the reference position displaying portion 41.
[0064] Accordingly, an inter-floor distance calculating portion and a reference position
calculating portion according to Embodiment 6 are constituted by the computer of the
ETS circuit portion 22.
[0065] In the elevator apparatus as described above, a distance between predetermined floors,
which has been output from the relative position displaying portion 40, can be compared
with an actual distance between floors of a building. Thus, it is possible to easily
check whether or not the ETS circuit portion 22 correctly performs the function of
calculating a relative distance.
[0066] A distance from a predetermined floor to a reference position, which has been output
from the reference position displaying portion 41, can be compared with a predetermined
distance from the predetermined floor to the reference position, so it is possible
to easily check whether or not the reference position sensors 23 to 26 are positioned
correctly. In addition, since the position of the car 3 upon passage thereof past
the reference position has been obtained, it is also possible to easily check whether
or not the reference position sensors 23 to 26 operate correctly.
[0067] Although the functions of the floor stop position storing portion 38, the reference
position storing portion 39, the relative position displaying portion 40, and the
reference position displaying portion 41 are realized by the computer of the ETS circuit
portion 22 in Embodiment 6, they may also be realized by a computer separated from
the ETS circuit portion 22.
[0068] The outputs from the relative position displaying portion 40 and the reference position
displaying portion 41 may also be displayed on a monitoring panel installed in an
administrative room of the building. Thus, the function of calculating a relative
distance and the functions of the reference position sensors 23 to 26 can be confirmed
with ease from a remote place.
1. Aufzugsvorrichtung mit einer elektronischen Übergeschwindigkeits-Detektionseinrichtung
(22), die ein Übergeschwindigkeits-Überwachungsmuster aufweist, das eingestellt ist,
um sich kontinuierlich, zumindest mit Bezug zu einer Position innerhalb eines Kabinenverlangsamungsabschnitts
eines Endabschnitts eines Aufzugsschachts zu verändern, zum Überwachen ob oder ob
nicht die Geschwindigkeit einer Kabine das Übergeschwindigkeits-Überwachungsmuster
erreicht,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
die elektronische Übergeschwindigkeits-Detektionseinrichtung (22) Betriebsmodi aufweist,
die einen Inspektionsmodus zum Inspizieren der elektronischen Übergeschwindigkeits-Detektionseinrichtung
(22) selbst, aufweisen; und
das Übergeschwindigkeits-Überwachungsmuster in dem Inspektionsmodus geändert werden
kann.
2. Aufzugsvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
die elektronische Übergeschwindigkeits-Detektionseinrichtung (22) das Übergeschwindigkeits-Überwachungsmuster
für den Kabinenverlangsamungsabschnitt in dem Inspektionsmödus hin zu einem Zwischenabschnitt
eines Anhebe-/Absenktakts der Kabine, verschiebt.
3. Aufzugsvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
die elektronische Übergeschwindigkeits-Detektionseinrichtung (22) das Übergeschwindigkeits-Überwachungsmuster
für den Kabinenverlangsamungsabschnitt in dem Inspektionsmodus zu einer langsameren
Geschwindigkeit als in einem normalen Betrieb verschiebt.
4. Aufzugsvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
die elektronische Übergeschwindigkeits-Detektionseinrichtung (22) das Übergeschwindigkeits-Überwachungsmuster
für den Kabinenverlangsamungsabschnitt in dem Inspektionsmodus um eine beliebige Distanz
in eine Anhebe-/Absenkrichtung der Kabine (3) verschieben kann.
5. Aufzugsvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
die elektronische Übergeschwindigkeits-Detektionseinrichtung (22) in dem Inspektionsmodus
ein Übergeschwindigkeits-Detektionsniveau auf einen Wert, der konstant und gleich
oder niedriger ist als eine Nenngeschwindigkeit, unabhängig von der Position innerhalb
des Aufzugschachts (1), einstellt.
6. Aufzugsvorrichtung, mit:
einer elektronischen Übergeschwindigkeits-Detektionseinrichtung (22), die ein Übergeschwindigkeits-Überwachungsmuster
aufweist, das eingestellt ist, um sich kontinuierlich zumindest mit Bezug auf eine
Position innerhalb eines Kabinenverlangsamungsabschnitts eines Endabschnitts eines
Aufzugsschachts zu ändern, zum Überwachen ob oder ob nicht eine Geschwindigkeit einer
Kabine das Übergeschwindigkeits-Überwachungsmuster erreicht,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:
die elektronische Übergeschwindigkeits-Detektionseinrichtung (22) Betriebsmodi aufweist,
die einen Inspektionsmodus zum Inspizieren der elektronischen Übergeschwindigkeits-Detektionseinrichtung
(22) selbst, aufweisen; und
die elektronische Übergeschwindigkeits-Detektionseinrichtung (22) in dem Inspektionsmodus
die Geschwindigkeit der Kabine unter der Annahme überwacht, dass eine Position der
Kabine trotz eines Fahrzustands der Kabine (3) auf eine vorbestimmte feste Position
innerhalb des Kabinenverlangsamungsabschnitts festgelegt ist.
7. Aufzugsvorrichtung nach Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
die feste Position geändert werden kann.
8. Aufzugsvorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 7, ferner mit
einem Betriebssteuerabschnitt (12) zum Steuern des Betriebs der Kabine (3),
gekennzeichnet durch Aufweisen
eines automatischen Inspektionsbefehls-Eingabeabschnitts (35) zum darin Eingeben eines
Befehls zum automatischen Durchführen einer Inspektion der elektronischen Übergeschwindigkeits-Detektionseinrichtung
(22),
wobei ein Betriebsmodus der elektronischen Übergeschwindigkeits-Detektionseinrichtung
(22) in den Inspektionsmodus geschaltet wird und automatisch bewirkt wird, dass die
Kabine (3) durch Eingeben eines Inspektionsbefehls in den automatischen Inspektionsbefehls-Eingabeabschnitt
(35) gemäß einem Inspektionsfahrmuster zu fahren beginnt.
9. Aufzugsvorrichtung nach Anspruch 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
die Kabine (3) automatisch zu einer Inspektionsstartposition in einem normalen Fahrzustand
bewegt wird, ein Betriebsmodus der elektronischen Übergeschwindigkeits-Detektionseinrichtung
(22) dann in den Inspektionsmodus geschaltet wird und bewirkt wird, dass die Kabine
(3) gemäß dem Inspektionsfahrmuster zu fahren beginnt, wenn der Inspektionsbefehl
in den automatischen Inspektionsbefehl-Eingabeabschnitt (35) eingegeben wird.