RESIN ROPE AND ELEVATOR POSITION SENSOR EMPLOYING IT

Abstract

 Provided are a resin rope (5) having an object to be detected (7), which has information capable of being detected by a detection device (8), and an elevator position detection device which detects, by use of this resin rope (5), the position of a car (4) which ascends and descends within an elevator shaft (1). Position information of multiple objects to be detected (7), which are provided on the resin rope (5) from which the car (4) is suspended, is read by one detection device (8) provided within the shaft (1) opposite to the resin rope (5) with a small spacing thereto, and the position of the car (4) is detected:

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a resin rope provided with objects which are to be detected and have information capable of being detected by a detection device, and an elevator position detection device which detects the position of a car which ascends and descends through an elevator shaft by use of this resin rope.

Background Art

[0002] In conventional elevator apparatus, when an elevator car approaches the upper limit or lower limit of an allowable ascent/descent range of a shaft, in order to detect the travel position of this car, there has hitherto been adopted an elevator position detection device, for example, described in the Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-34070. In this device, when an elevator car approaches the upper limit or lower limit of an allowable ascent/descent range of the shaft, shielding plates provided in the shaft pass between light projecting means and light receiving means which are opposed to multiple stages provided in the car. Furthermore, the shielding plates are constructed in such a manner that output signals obtained by the light receiving means are outputted as binary number and a deceleration position of the car is detected from the output signals. However, because it is necessary that the shielding plates provided within the shaft be installed in positions corresponding to the deceleration position of the car, in particular, in in a case where a car is to be decelerated by stages in order to stop the car safer, it was necessary to install shielding plates in a wide range of the upper part and lower part of the shaft. Also, when a car is to be stopped at each landing zone provided on each story of a building by using such a position detection device, it is necessary that shielding plates be installed also near the landing zone of each story within the shaft. Thus the installation and adjustment of shielding plates required much time and labor. In particular, when the number of stories of a building increases, it is necessary to increase also the number of shielding plates for position detection installed on the shaft side and hence it was necessary to perform the installation, adjustment, wiring, etc. of position detection devices for each story. Also, because position detection devices are provided along the full length of the shaft, it takes time to perform adjustment etc. of the shielding plates during maintenance work, posing the problem that workability is poor.

[0003] The present invention has been made to solve these conventional problems and ensures that the position of a car which ascends and descends through an elevator shaft can be detected with a simple structure.

Disclosure of the Invention

[0004] The present invention provides a resin rope which is provided with an object to be detected, which has information capable of being detected by a detection device.

[0005] In an elevator position detection device which uses the above-described resin rope, the resin rope which suspends an elevator car is provided with an object to be detected, which has position information, this position information is read by the detection device provided opposite to the resin rope with a small spacing thereto, and the position of the car is detected. As a result of this, an elevator position detection device excellent in the ease of work, such as installation and maintenance, can be provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006] 

Figure 1 is a general side view of an elevator position detection device related to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a partial side view of a detection device and an object to be detected in the first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a partial side view of a detection device and an object to be detected in the second embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a partial side view of a detection device and an object to be detected in the third embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 5A to 5C are each a side view of an elevator position detection device in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 6A and 6B are each a side view of an elevator position detection device in the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

Best Mode of Carrying Out the Invention

[0007] The present invention will be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0008] Figure 1 is a general side view of an elevator position detection device related to the present invention. Figure 2 is a partial side view of a detection device and an object to be detected in the first embodiment. Figure 3 is a partial side view of a detection device and an object to be detected in the second embodiment. Figure 4 is a partial side view of a detection device and an object to be detected in the third embodiment.

[0009] In Figure 1, a landing zone 2 of each story of a building leading to an elevator shaft 1 is provided with a landing zone door 3 to prevent falls into the shaft 1. An elevator car 4 which ascends and descends within the shaft 1 by being guided by guide rails (not shown) is suspended from a resin rope 5, and this resin rope 5 is wound on a driving sheave of a hoist 6 which is installed in the upper part of the shaft, a machine room or the lower part of the shaft 1 etc. Therefore, when the driving sheave of this hoist 6 rotates, the resin rope 5 moves in synchronization with the rotation by a frictional force with the driving sheave and the car 4 suspended from this resin rope 5 ascends and descends within the shaft 1. This resin rope 5 which suspends the car 4 is provided with multiple objects to be detected 7, and a detection device 8 which detects the objects to be detected 7 is provided in the upper part of the shaft 1 opposite to the resin rope 5 with a small spacing thereto. These multiple objects to be detected 7, which are provided on the resin rope 5, are arranged so as to become level with the detection device 8 when the car 4 is in a stop position of the landing zone 2 of each story, that is, when the floor surface within the car becomes substantially level with the floor surface of the landing zone 2 of each story, and at the same time, the multiple objects to be detected 7 are arranged so as to become level with the detection device 8 when the car 4 is in a deceleration position provided in the upper part and lower part of the shaft 1 so that the car 4 can stop safely. Incidentally, when the car 4 is decelerated by stages in order that the car 4 is stopped more safely in the upper part and lower part of the shaft, multiple objects to be detected 7 are provided to serve each deceleration position of terminal story. In order to keep the spacing between the moving resin rope 5 and the detection device 8 fixed in the upper part of the shaft 1 constant, for example, a guiding device (not shown) of the resin rope 5 which is provided with rollers and the like which guides the resin rope 5 by coming into contact therewith from three or four directions may be provided in a position above and below the detection device 8.

[0010] In the elevator position detection device constructed as described above, different kinds of position information of the car 4, such as a stop position in each story of the car 4, the upper limit or lower limit of an allowable ascent/descent range of the shaft 1 are inputted in the object to be detected 7, which is provided on the resin rope 5, and when the object to be detected 7 passes near the detection device 8 provided in the upper part of the shaft 1 or stops opposite to the detection device 8, the position information is read by this detection device 8 and the position of the car 4 corresponding to the obj ect to be detected 7 is detected. And on the basis of this detection result, the control of a stop position or a deceleration position of the car 4 is performed. Incidentally, because of the use of the resin rope 5 as the rope which suspends the car 4, it is unnecessary to use a lubricating oil in the driving sheave of the hoist 6, a return sheave (not shown) provided in the upper part or the lower part of the shaft 1 and the like. Therefore, there is no possibility that a lubricating oil might adhere to the resin rope 5, and no problem will occur in the reading of the position information of the object to be detected 7 by the detection device 8, either. In an elevator apparatus in which a machine room is provided in the upper part of the shaft 1, it is also possible to perform installation, maintenance, etc. more efficiently by installing the detection device 8 in the machine room.

[0011] The construction of the detection device 8 and the object to be detected 7 will be concretely described below.

[0012] The elevator position detection device shown in Figure 2 comprises one proximity sensor 9 provided in the upper part of a shaft 1 and an object to be detected 7, which is provided on a resin rope 5. This object to be detected 7 is constituted by a metal member 10 in the form of a thin mesh provided on the surface of the resin rope 5 in the circumferential direction, and a protective member 11 which completely covers the metal member 10 in order to prevent the wear of this metal member 10. The proximity sensor 9 detects changes in a magnetic field generated by the passing of the metal member 10 in the vicinity during the movement of the resin rope 5, by the approach of the metal member 10 for the purpose of stopping a car 4, and on other occasions. For this reason, the protective member 11 of the object to be detected 7 is provided in a small thickness so that the protective member 11 exerts no effect on a magnetic field detected by the proximity sensor 9 and can pass smoothly when wound onto the driving sheave of the hoist 6.

[0013] The elevator position detection device shown in Figure 3 comprises one proximity sensor 9 provided in the upper part of a shaft 1 and an object to be detected 7, which is provided on a resin rope 5. In this object to be detected 7, multiple metal members 12 in the form of a thin ring are equally spaced in such a manner that a resin rope 5 pierces through the hollow parts of the metal members 12. And in order to prevent the wear of the metal members 12, a protective member 11 is provided on the resin rope 5 in a small thickness so as to completely cover all of the metal members 12. The proximity sensor 9 detects changes in a magnetic field generated by the passing of the metal members 12 in the vicinity during the movement of the resin rope 5, by the approach of the metal members 12 for the purpose of stopping a car 4, and on other occasions.

[0014] The elevator position detection device shown in Figure 4 comprises one photoelectric sensor 13 provided in the upper part of a shaft 1, a reflecting body 14 provided by lustrous coloring or the like on the surface of a resin rope 5 in the circumferential direction, and brushes 15 provided respectively in positions above and below the photoelectric sensor 13 in such a manner that one end portion of each of the brushes 15 is in contact with the resin rope 5 in the circumferential direction. This photoelectric sensor 13 detects reflected light from the reflecting body 14 which is generated by the passing of the reflecting body 14 in the vicinity, by the stop of the reflecting body 14 opposite to the photoelectric sensor 13, and on other occasions. The miss detection by the photoelectric sensor 13 is prevented by removing soil, dust, etc. adhering to the reflecting body 14 by use of the brushes 15.

[0015] Incidentally, if an object to be detected 7 as described above is used, the object to be detected 7 can be later installed on a resin rope 5 which has already been installed. Therefore, this elevator position detection device can be applied also to an existing elevator apparatus which uses the resin rope 5.

[0016] Next, a method of detecting the position of the car 4 will be described in a case where the detection device 8 and object to be detected 7 as described above are used.

[0017] Figures 5A to 5C are each a side view of an elevator position detection device in the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and Figures 6A and 6B are each a side view of an elevator position detection device in the fifth embodiment.

[0018] In Figures 5A to 5C, in the upper part of an elevator shaft 1, multiple detection devices 8a to 8d (four in Figures 5A to 5C) are equally spaced from each other opposite to a resin rope 5 with a small spacing thereto. Multiple objects to be detected 7a to 7d are provided on the resin rope 5 which suspends a car 4. Among these detection devices 8a to 8d and objects to be detected 7a to 7d, the detection device 8a installed in the top part and the object to be detected 7a positioned in the top part of the resin rope 5 disposed on the car 4 side are respectively a detection device and an object to be detected for detection trigger. The detection devices 8b to 8d provided below the detection device 8a for detection trigger and the objects to be detected 7b to 7d provided below the object to be detected 7a for detection trigger are respectively a detection device and an object to be detected for the detection of the position of the car 4. The objects to be detected 7b to 7d for position detection are arranged in such a manner as to be opposite to any of the detection devices 8b to 8d when the object to be detected 7a for inspection trigger assumes a position opposite to the detection device 8a.

[0019] When the object to be detected 7a for detection trigger is detected by the detection device 8a for detection trigger, the detection of the objects to be detected 7b to 7d is performed by the detection devices 8b to 8d provided below the detection device 8a. In the case of Figure 5A, the objects to be detected 7b to 7d for position detection are detected by all of the detection devices 8b to 8d, and in the case of Figure 5B and 5C the objects to be detected 7b and 7c, and the objects to be detected 7b and 7d are detected, respectively. The detection results of the detection devices 8b to 8d are inputted to a control panel and the like, and on the basis of the combination of the detection devices 8b to 8d which have detected the objects to be detected 7b to 7d, a judgment is made on a story on which the car is to stop and the like.

[0020] In Figures 6A and 6B, in the upper part of an elevator shaft 1, three detection devices 8a to 8c are equally spaced from each other opposite to a resin rope 5 with a small spacing thereto. Multiple objects to be detected 7a and 7e, 7f are provided on the resin rope 5 which suspends a car 4. Among these detection devices 8a to 8c and objects to be detected 7a, 7e, 7f, the detection device 8a installed in the top part and the object to be detected 7a positioned in the top part of the resin rope 5 disposed on the car 4 side are respectively a detection device and an object to be detected for detection trigger. The detection devices 8b and 8c provided below the detection device 8a for detection trigger and the objects to be detected 7e and 7f provided below the object to be detected 7a for detection trigger are respectively a detection device and an object to be detected for the detection of the position of the car 4. The objects to be detected 7e and 7f are arranged in such a manner as to be opposite to the detection devices 8b or both of the detection devices 8b and 8c provided below the detection device 8a when the object to be detected 7a for inspection trigger assumes a position opposite to the detection device 8a. The object to be detected 7e is detected by one detection device 8b, whereas the object to be detected 7f, which is longer than this object to be detected 7e in the longitudinal direction of the resin rope 5, is simultaneously detected by the two detection devices 8b and 8c which are arranged in vertical upper and lower positions.

[0021] When the object to be detected 7a for detection trigger is detected by the detection device 8a for detection trigger, the detection of the objects to be detected 7e and 7f is performed by the detection devices 8b and 8c provided below the detection device 8a. In the case of Figure 6A, the object to be detected 7e is detected by the detection device 8b, and no object to be detected is detected by the detection device 8c. When the object to be detected 7e is detected only by the detection device 8b as in this case, a stop position of the car 4 on each story is judged on the basis of the inspection result. In contrast, in the case of Figure 6B, because the object to be detected 7f is installed along the detection devices 8b and 8c, which are arranged in vertical upper and lower positions, the object to be detected 7f is detected by both of the detection devices 8b and 8c. When detection is performed by both of the detection devices 8b and 8c as in this case, the top end or bottom end of an allowable ascent/descent rage of the car 4 is detected on the basis of the detection device. Incidentally, because the object to be detected 7f is provided along the detection devices 8b and 8c, positive inspection is possible even when the stop position of the car 4 shifts a little, and this provides an effective means when the spacing of the inspection devices is narrow. As described above, the stop position of each story and the allowable ascent/descent range of the car 4 are judged on the basis of the combination of the detection devices 8b and 8c which have detected the objects to be detected 7e and 7f, which have different lengths.

Industrial Applicability

[0022] As described above, according to the resin rope 5 of the present invention, it is possible to detect various conditions of the resin rope 5 by changing the installation position and information contents of the object to be detected 7. For example, the wear condition of the resin rope 5 can be detected by embedding the object to be detected 7 in the interior of the resin rope 5 and detecting the exposure of this object to be detected 7 to the surface of the resin rope 5 by the detection device 8. Also, it is possible to directly detect the travel speed of the resin rope 5 by installing multiple objects to be detected 7 on the surface of the resin rope 5 at given intervals and detecting the passing time of each of the objects to be detected 7.

[0023] According to the elevator position detection device of the present invention, the position information of multiple objects to be detected 7 provided on the resin rope 5 can be detected by the detection device 8 provided only in the upper part of the shaft 1. Therefore, for example, in a case where the building is a high-rise one and there are many stop positions of elevator car, this elevator position detection device is excellent in the ease of work, such as installation and maintenance, and hence particularly effective.

Claims

1. A resin rope for elevator, characterized in that the resin rope for elevator is provided with an object to be detected, which can be detected by a detection device.

2. The resin rope for elevator according to claim 1, characterized in that the object to be detected has a metal member.

3. The resin rope for elevator according to claim 1, characterized in that the object to be detected has a reflecting body provided on the surface thereof.

4. An elevator position detection device, characterized in that the elevator position detection device comprises a car which ascends and descends within an elevator shaft, a resin rope which suspends the car, a hoist which has a driving sheave on which this resin rope is wound, multiple objects to be detected which are provided on the resin rope, and a detection device which is provided opposite to the resin ripe with a prescribed spacing thereto and detects position information that the objects to be detected has.

5. The elevator position detection device according to claim 4, characterized in that the objects to be detected have a metal member provided on a surface of the resin rope and in that the detection device detects changes in a magnetic field generated by the metal member.

6. The elevator position detection device according to claim 5, characterized in that the metal member is in the form of a mesh.

7. The elevator position detection device according to claim 5, characterized in that the metal member is in the form of a ring and in that the resin rope pierces through a hollow portion of this ring.

8. The elevator position detection device according to claim 4, characterized in that the objects to be detected comprises a reflecting body provided on a surface of the resin rope and in that the detection device detects reflected light from the reflecting body.

9. The elevator position detection device according to claim 4, characterized in that the detection device detects different kinds of position information on the basis of the length of the objects to be detected.

Drawing