ELEVATOR DEVICE

Abstract

 In an elevator apparatus, a weighing apparatus is used to detect live load in a car. The weighing apparatus has: a displacing member that is displaced in response to changes in the live load inside the car; and a plurality of displacement detecting portions that detect displacement of the displacing member and output a detection signal that corresponds to the live load. In other words, the weighing apparatus outputs a plurality of detection signals in response to mechanical displacement of a single displacing member.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an elevator apparatus that has a weighing apparatus for detecting a live load inside a car.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] In conventional elevator apparatuses, a plurality of weighing apparatuses are installed between a lower portion of a car and a car frame. The presence or absence of abnormalities in the weighing apparatuses is determined by comparing signals from the weighing apparatuses using monitoring apparatuses. If an abnormality is detected in the weighing apparatuses, warning of the abnormality is performed by a warning portion (see Patent Document 1, for example).

[0003] Patent Document 1
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. HEI 6-234476 (Gazette)

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0004] In conventional elevator apparatuses such as that described above, costs are increased since a plurality of weighing apparatuses are used. Furthermore, since the detecting positions are dispersed, irregularities may arise in the detected values depending on positions of passengers in the car, etc., making precision poor.

[0005] The present invention aims to solve the above problems and an object of the present invention is to provide an elevator apparatus that enables costs to be reduced by reducing weighing apparatuses in size, and that also enables precision in detecting live loads to be improved.

PORTION FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM

[0006] An elevator apparatus according to the present invention includes a weighing apparatus that has: a displacing member that is displaced in response to changes in live load inside a car; and a plurality of displacement detecting portions that detect displacement of the displacing member and output a detection signal that corresponds to the live load.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] 

Figure 1 is a structural diagram showing an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a front elevation showing a car from Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlargement showing part of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a cross section showing an internal construction of a weighing apparatus from Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a side elevation showing part of the weighing apparatus from Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a cross section taken along line VI - VI in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a side elevation showing a state in which a displacing member from Figure 5 has been displaced downward;

Figure 8 is a cross section taken along line VIII - VIII in Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a block diagram showing functions of a control apparatus from Figure 1;

Figure 10 is a structural diagram showing part of a weighing apparatus of an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

Figure 11 is a graph showing relationships between positions of a core and output from first and second signal receiving coils from Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a structural diagram showing part of a weighing apparatus of an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention;

Figure 13 is a structural diagram showing part of a weighing apparatus of an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention;

Figure 14 is a structural diagram showing part of a weighing apparatus of an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention;

Figure 15 is a front elevation showing a car of an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention;

Figure 16 is a block diagram showing functions of a control apparatus of the elevator apparatus in Figure 15;

Figure 17 is a block diagram showing part of a control system of an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention; and

Figure 18 is a block diagram showing part of a control system of an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0008] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be explained with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1

[0009] Figure 1 is a structural diagram showing an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In the figure, a car 1 and a counterweight 2 are suspended inside a hoistway by a plurality of main ropes 3, and are raised and lowered inside the hoistway by a driving force from a hoisting machine 4. The hoisting machine 4 has: a drive sheave 5 onto which the main ropes 3 are wound; a motor 6 that rotates the drive sheave 5; and a brake 7 that brakes rotation of the drive sheave 5 by friction. The motor 6 and the brake 7 are controlled by a control apparatus 8.

[0010] The car 1 has: a car frame 9; a cage 10 that is supported by the car frame 9; and a plurality of vibration isolating members 11 that are disposed between a lower portion of the cage 10 and the car frame 9. A weighing apparatus 12 for detecting live load inside the car 1 is disposed on an upper beam of the car frame 9. The weighing apparatus 12 generates detection signals in response to the live load inside the car 1. The detection signals from the weighing apparatus 12 are input into the control apparatus 8.

[0011] Figure 2 is a front elevation showing the car 1 from Figure 1, and Figure 3 is an enlargement showing part of Figure 2. Rope end fixing rods 13 are connected to end portions of each of the main ropes 3. A plurality of insertion apertures 9a through which the rope end fixing rods 13 are inserted are disposed on the upper beam of the car frame 9. Flange-shaped retainers 13a that prevent the rope end fixing rods 13 from being pulled out of the insertion apertures 9a are disposed on lower end portions of each of the rope end fixing rods 13.

[0012] Shackle springs 14 are disposedbetween each of the retainers 13a and the upper beam of the car frame 9. The car frame 9 is displaced vertically relative to the rope end fixing rods 13 in response to changes in the live load inside the car 1. The shackle springs 14 are expanded and contracted together with the vertical displacement of the car frame 9 relative to the rope end fixing rods 13.

[0013] A detecting plate 15 is mounted to the rope end fixing rods 13 above the car frame 9. The detecting plate 15 is pivotably linked to the rope end fixing rods 13 by means of a pivoting shaft 15a.

[0014] The weighing apparatus 12 has: a plurality of supporting members 16 that are installed on the upper beam of the car frame 9; a weighing apparatus main body 17 that is supported by the supporting members 16; and a displacing member (the shaft core) 18 that comes into contact with the detecting plate 15 and displaces vertically relative to the weighing apparatus main body 17 together with the vertical movement of the detecting plate 15 relative to the car frame 9.

[0015] Figure 4 is a cross section showing an internal construction of the weighing apparatus 12 from Figure 3, Figure 5 is a side elevation showing part of the weighing apparatus 12 from Figure 4, and Figure 6 is a cross section taken along line VI - VI in Figure 5. A core portion 18a that has a cross sectional diameter that changes continuously in an axial direction is formed on an intermediate portion of the displacing member 18. The core portion 18a is formed so as to have a conical shape in which the cross sectional diameter decreases continuously from an upper end portion thereof toward a lower end portion. A flange-shaped spring stopping portion 18b is formed in a vicinity of an upper end portion of the displacing member 18.

[0016] The core portion 18a is disposed inside an outer frame 19. Upper and lower end portions of the displacing member 18 project outside the outer frame 19. A preloading spring 20 is disposed between an upper portion of the outer frame 19 and the spring stopping portion 18b. A stopper 21 for restricting upward movement of the displacing member 18 is fixed above the outer frame 19.

[0017] A magnet 22 and first and second yokes 23 and 24 are fixed to the outer frame 19. The first yoke 23 has: a first connecting end portion 23a that is connected to a North-seeking (N) pole of the magnet 22; and a first facing end portion 23b that faces the core portion 18a. The second yoke 24 has: a second facing end portion 24a that is connected to a South-seeking (S) pole of the magnet 22; and a second connecting end portion 24b that faces the core portion 18a. The first facing end portion 23b and the second connecting end portion 24b face each other from opposite sides of the core portion 18a.

[0018] A first magnetic sensor 25 that functions as a displacement detecting portion that outputs detection signals that correspond to the amount of magnetic flux between the first and second facing end portions 23b and 24b is fixed to the first facing end portion 23b. A second magnetic sensor 26 that functions as a displacement detecting portion that outputs detection signals that correspond to the amount of magnetic flux between the first and second facing end portions 23b and 24b is fixed to the second connecting end portion 24b.

[0019] Figure 7 is a side elevation showing a state in which the displacing member 18 from Figure 5 has been displaced downward, and Figure 8 is a cross section taken along line VIII - VIII in Figure 7. When the detecting plate 15 is displaced vertically due to a change in the live load inside the car 1, the displacing member 18 is also mechanically displaced vertically together therewith. When the displacing member 18 is displaced vertically, the cross-sectional area of the core portion 18a that is positioned between the facing end portions 23b and 24b changes. For example, when the cross-sectional area of the core portion 18a is increased, the amount of magnetic flux passing between the facing endportions 23b and 24b increases, as shown in Figure 8. Consequently, the magnetic sensors 25 and 26 respectively output detection signals that correspond to the live load inside the car 1.

[0020] Figure 9 is a block diagram showing functions of the control apparatus 8 from Figure 1. The control apparatus 8 has: first and second load converting portions 27 and 28; first and second determining portions 29 and 30; first and second OR operation portions 31 and 32; and first and second warning issuing portions 33 and 34. The detection signals from the magnetic sensors 25 and 26 are converted to a digital form and processed arithmetically in the control apparatus 8.

[0021] The first load converting portion 27 finds the displacement of the displacing member 18 based on the detection signals from the first magnetic sensor 25, and also calculates the live load inside the car 1 using the displacement of the displacing member 18 and the spring modulus of the shackle springs 14. The second load converting portion 28 finds the displacement of the displacing member 18 based on the detection signals from the second magnetic sensor 26, and also calculates the live load inside the car 1 using the displacement of the displacing member 18 and the spring modulus of the shackle springs 14.

[0022] The first determining portion 29 determines whether a difference between the loads that have been found by the first and second load converting portions 27 and 28 has reached a preset threshold value, and sends an abnormality detection signal to the first and second OR operation portions 31 and 32 if the threshold value has been reached. The second determining portion 30 determines whether a difference between the loads that have been found by the first and second load converting portions 27 and 28 has not reached a preset threshold value, and sends an abnormality detection signal to the first and second OR operation portions 31 and 32 if the threshold value has been reached.

[0023] The first OR operation portions 31 sends a warning issuing command to the first warning issuing portion 33 when an abnormality detection signal is sent from at least one of the first and second determining portions 29 and 30. The second OR operation portions 32 sends a warning issuing command to the second warning issuing portion 34 when an abnormality detection signal is sent from at least one of the first and second determining portions 29 and 30.

[0024] The first and second warning issuing portions 33 and 34 transmit signals that notify of an abnormality in the weighing apparatus 12 to a control room if a warning issuing command is received. The control apparatus 8 controls operation of the car 1 based on the live load information that has been found by the first or the second load converting portion 27 and 28 if the weighing apparatus 12 is normal.

[0025] Here, the control apparatus 8 is constituted by a computer that has: an arithmetic processing portion (CPU); a storage portion (ROM, RAM, hard disk, etc.); and a signal input/output portion. The functions of the converting portions 27 and 28, the determining portions 29 and 30, the OR operation portions 31 and 32, and the warning issuing portions 33 and 34 are implemented by the computer.

[0026] In other words, a program for implementing the functions of the converting portions 27 and 28, the determining portions 29 and 30, the OR operation portions 31 and 32, and the warning issuing portions 33 and 34 is stored in the storage portion of the computer. The arithmetic processing portion carries out arithmetic processing relating to the functions of the control apparatus 8 based on the control program.

[0027] A first computer that implements the functions of the first load converting portion 27, the first determining portion 29, the first OR operation portion 31, and the first warning issuing portion 33 and a second computer that implements the functions of the second load converting portion 28, the second determining portion 30, the second OR operation portion 32, and the second warning issuing portion 34 may also be used and communication made mutually possible between the first and second computers.

[0028] In an elevator apparatus of this kind, because the displacement of a single displacing member 18 is detected by two magnetic sensors 25 and 26, the weighing apparatus 12 is reduced in size, enabling costs to be reduced. Because two detection signals are output simultaneously by the weighing apparatus 12, precision in detecting live loads can also be improved.
Because the presence or absence of abnormalities in the weighing apparatus 12 is determined in the control apparatus 8 based on the difference between the two detection signals and an abnormality detection signal is output when there is an abnormality, the reliability of the weighing apparatus 12 can be improved.

Embodiment 2

[0029] Next, Figure 10 is a structural diagram showing part of a weighing apparatus of an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In the figure, a displacing member 41 is placed in contact with a detecting plate 15 that is similar to that of Embodiment 1, for example, and is displaced in a vertical direction (an axial direction) in response to changes in a live load inside a car 1. A cylindrical core 41a is mounted to the displacing member 41. A flange-shaped spring stopping portion 41b is formed in a vicinity of an upper end portion of the displacing member 41.

[0030] The core 41a is disposed inside an outer frame 42. An upper end portion of the displacing member 41 projects outside the outer frame 42. A preloading spring 43 is disposed between an upper portion of the outer frame 42 and the spring stopping portion 41b.

[0031] First and second signal transmitting coils 44 and 45 that surround the core 41a and first and second signal receiving coils 46 and 47 that function as a displacement detecting portion are disposed inside the outer frame 42. High-frequency current is passed through the first and second signal transmitting coils 44 and 45. Thus, an induced current is induced in the signal receiving coils 46 and 47. High-frequency output signals from the signal receiving coils 46 and 47 are rectified by diodes, etc., and are sent to a control apparatus 8 (Figure 9) as detection signals.

[0032] Figure 11 is a graph showing relationships between positions of the core 41a and output from the first and second signal receiving coils 46 and 47 from Figure 10, output from the first signal receiving coil 46 being represented by a solid line and output from the second signal receiving coil 47 by a broken line. As shown in Figure 11, the degree of coupling of electromagnetic induction between the signal transmitting coils 44 and 45 and the signal receiving coils 46 and 47 changes as the core 41a is displaced downward (to the right in Figure 11) such that the current that is output from the first signal receiving coil 46 decreases whereas the current that is output from the second signal receiving coil 47 increases.

[0033] The control apparatus 8 has similar functions to those in Figure 9. A first load converting portion 27 calculates the live load inside the car 1 based on the detection signals from the first signal receiving coil 46. A second load converting portion 28 calculates the live load inside the car 1 based on the detection signals from the second signal receiving coil 47. The rest of the configuration is similar to that of Embodiment 1.

[0034] In an elevator apparatus of this kind, because the displacement of a single displacing member 41 is detected by two signal receiving coils 46 and 47, the weighing apparatus 12 is reduced in size, enabling costs to be reduced. Because two detection signals are output simultaneously by the weighing apparatus 12, precision in detecting live loads can also be improved.
Because the displacement of the displacing member 41 is detected using electromagnetic induction that results from high-frequency currents, even if there are static magnetic disturbances such as when magnetic bodies are in close proximity to the weighing apparatus 12, etc., the magnetic disturbances have no effect, enabling detecting precision to be improved further.

Embodiment 3

[0035] Next, Figure 12 is a structural diagram showing part of a weighing apparatus of an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In the figure, a displacing member 51 is placed in contact with a detecting plate 15 that is similar to that of Embodiment 1, for example, and is displaced in a vertical direction (an axial direction) in response to changes in a live load inside a car 1. A flange-shaped reflecting plate 51a is mounted to the displacing member 51. A flange-shaped spring stopping portion 51b is formed in a vicinity of an upper end portion of the displacing member 51.

[0036] The reflecting plate 51a is disposed inside an outer frame 52. Upper and lower end portions of the displacing member 51 project outside the outer frame 52. A preloading spring 53 is disposed between an upper portion of the outer frame 52 and the spring stopping portion 51b.

[0037] A first supporting plate 54 that is positioned above the reflecting plate 51a and a second supporting plate 55 that is positioned below the reflecting plate 51a are fixed to the outer frame 52. A first photoemitter 56 and a first photodetector 57 that face an upper surface (first reflecting surface) of the reflecting plate 51a are mounted to the first supporting plate 54. A second photoemitter 58 and a second photodetector 59 that face a lower surface (second reflecting surface) of the reflecting plate 51a are mounted to the second supporting plate 55.

[0038] The photoemitters 56 and 58 aim light toward the reflecting plate 51a. The photodetectors 57 and 59 receive light that has been reflected by the reflecting plate 51a and generate detection signals that correspond to the intensity of the light received. The detection signals from the photodetectors 57 and 59 are sent to a control apparatus 8 (Figure 9).

[0039] The control apparatus 8 has similar functions to those in Figure 9. A first load converting portion 27 finds the displacement of the displacing member 51 based on the detection signals from the first photodetector 57, and also calculates the live load inside the car 1 using the displacement of the displacing member 51 and the spring modulus of the shackle springs 14. A second load converting portion 28 finds the displacement of the displacing member 51 based on the detection signals from the second photodetector 59, and also calculates the live load inside the car 1 using the displacement of the displacing member 51 and the spring modulus of the shackle springs 14. The load converting portions 27 and 28 may also use differences in the phases of the light received by the photodetectors 57 and 59 to find the displacement of the displacing member 51. The rest of the configuration is similar to that of Embodiment 1.

[0040] In an elevator apparatus of this kind, because the displacement of a single displacing member 51 is detected by two photodetectors 57 and 59, the weighing apparatus 12 is reduced in size, enabling costs to be reduced. Because two detection signals are output simultaneously by the weighing apparatus 12, precision in detecting live loads can also be improved.
Because the displacement of the displacing member 51 is detected by optical sensors, magnetic disturbances have no effect, enabling detecting precision to be improved further.

Embodiment 4

[0041] Next, Figure 13 is a structural diagram showing part of a weighing apparatus of an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. In the figure, a displacing member 61 is placed in contact with a detecting plate 15 that is similar to that of Embodiment 1, for example, and is displaced in a vertical direction (an axial direction) in response to changes in a live load inside a car 1. A conical reflecting body 61a is mounted to the displacing member 61. A flange-shaped spring stopping portion 61b is formed in a vicinity of an upper end portion of the displacing member 61.

[0042]  The reflecting body 61a is disposed inside an outer frame 62. Upper and lower end portions of the displacing member 61 project outside the outer frame 62. A preloading spring 63 is disposed between an upper portion of the outer frame 62 and the spring stopping portion 61b.

[0043] First and second supporting plates 64 and 65 are fixed to the outer frame 62. A first photoemitter 56 and a first photodetector 57 that face a side surface (reflecting surface) of the reflecting body 61a are mounted to the first supporting plate 64. A second photoemitter 58 and a second photodetector 59 that face the side surface of the reflecting body 61a on an opposite side from the first photoemitter 56 and the first photodetector 57 are mounted to the second supporting plate 65. The rest of the configuration is similar to that of Embodiment 3.

[0044] In an elevator apparatus of this kind, because the displacement of a single displacing member 61 is detected by two photodetectors 57 and 59, the weighing apparatus 12 is reduced in size, enabling costs to be reduced. Because two detection signals are output simultaneously by the weighing apparatus 12, precision in detecting live loads can also be improved.
Because the displacement of the displacing member 61 is detected by optical sensors, magnetic disturbances have no effect, enabling detecting precision to be improved further.

Embodiment 5

[0045] Next, Figure 14 is a structural diagram showing part of a weighing apparatus of an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. In the figure, first and third magnetic sensors 25 and 35 that function as a displacement detecting portion that outputs detection signals that correspond to the amount of magnetic flux between first and second facing end portions 23b and 24b of a first yoke 23 and a second yoke 24 are fixed to the first facing end portion 23b. Second and fourth magnetic sensors 26 and 36 that function as a displacement detecting portion that outputs detection signals that correspond to the amount of magnetic flux between the first and second facing end portions 23b and 24b are fixed to the second connecting end portion 24b.

[0046] The first and second magnetic sensors 25 and 26 are disposed symmetrically on opposite sides of a shaft axis of a displacing member 18 from each other in a first plane that is perpendicular to the shaft axis of the displacing member 18. The third and fourth magnetic sensors 35 and 36 are disposed symmetrically on opposite sides of the shaft axis of the displacing member 18 from each other in a second plane that is parallel to the plane in which the first and second magnetic sensors 25 and 26 are disposed.

[0047] The detection signals from the first and second magnetic sensors 25 and 26 are input into a first averaging circuit 37. The first averaging circuit 37 inputs a signal to the control apparatus 8 that is an average of the detection signals from the first and second magnetic sensors 25 and 26. The detection signals from the third and fourth magnetic sensors 35 and 36 are input into a second averaging circuit 38. The second averaging circuit 38 inputs a signal to the control apparatus 8 that is an average of the detection signals from the third and fourth magnetic sensors 35 and 36.

[0048] The control apparatus 8 has similar functions to those in Figure 9. A first load converting portion 27 calculates the live load inside the car 1 based on the signals from the first averaging circuit 37. A second load converting portion 28 calculates the live load inside the car 1 based on the signals from the second signal averaging circuit 38. The rest of the configuration is similar to that of Embodiment 1.

[0049] In an elevator apparatus of this kind, because signals from sensors that are positioned on mutually opposite sides of the displacing member 18 are averaged, irregularities in the detection signals that result from shaft deviation of the displacing member 18 are canceled out, enabling detecting precision to be improved.

[0050] Moreover, averaging processes such as those shown in Embodiment 5 can also be applied to the sensors of detection methods such as those shown in Embodiments 2 through 4, enabling the effects of shaft deviation of the displacing member to be reduced in a similar manner.
The averaging processes may be performed on the signals before they are input into the control apparatus, or they may also be performed inside the control apparatus.
In addition, if the averaging processes are performed inside the control apparatus, the data may be averaged either before load conversion or after load conversion.

Embodiment 6

[0051] Next, Figure 15 is a front elevation showing a car of an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention. In this example, a car 1 is suspended at two positions that are spaced in a width direction of the car 1. Consequently, first and second weighing apparatuses 12a and 12b are installed on a car frame 9. The configuration of each of the weighing apparatuses 12a and 12b is similar to that of Embodiment 1.

[0052] Figure 16 is a block diagram showing functions of a control apparatus 8 of the elevator apparatus in Figure 15. A first load converting portion 71 calculates load based on the detection signals from the first magnetic sensor 25 of the first weighing apparatus 12a. A second load converting portion 72 calculates load based on the detection signals from the second magnetic sensor 26 of the first weighing apparatus 12a. A third load converting portion 73 calculates load based on the detection signals from the first magnetic sensor 25 of the second weighing apparatus 12b. A fourth load converting portion 74 calculates load based on the detection signals from the second magnetic sensor 26 of the second weighing apparatus 12b.

[0053] The loads that were found by the first load converting portion 71 and the third load converting portions 73 are added together by the first adding operation portion 75, thereby obtaining the live load inside the car 1. The loads that were found by the second load converting portion 72 and the fourth load converting portion 74 are added together by the second adding operation portion 76, thereby obtaining another calculated result for the live load inside the car 1. The rest of the configuration is similar to that of Embodiment 1.

[0054] Thus, if a plurality of suspension points are disposed so as to be distributed on the car 1, a plurality of calculated results for the live load inside the car 1 can be obtained by installing weighing apparatuses 12a and 12b having a plurality of sensors 25 and 26 at each of the suspension points and adding combinations of signals from different sensors 25 and 26 on different weighing apparatuses 12a and 12b.

[0055] Moreover, the installation positions of the weighing apparatuses are not limited to car suspension portions (main rope connection portions), and may also be between the car frame and a lower portion of the cage, or on a supporting portion of the hoisting machine, etc., for example.
In the above examples, mechanical displacement of the displacing member is detected using magnetic sensors, induced current sensors, or optical sensors, but the displacement detecting portion is not limited to these detection methods, and strain sensors, etc., may also be used, for example.
In addition, in Embodiments 1 through 6, the presence or absence of abnormality is determined by comparing a plurality of calculated results for the live load, but a process of comparative determination does not necessarily have to be carried out, and the calculated results of the live load can also be used respectively for distinct purposes.

Embodiment 7

[0056] Next, Figure 17 is a block diagram showing part of a control system of an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention. In the figure, a displacing member (not shown) that is displaced in response to changes in a live load inside a car 1 (Figure 1) and first and second displacement detecting portions 82 and 83 that detect the displacement of the displacing member and output detection signals that correspond to the live load are disposed on a weighing apparatus 81. The specific construction of the weighing apparatus 81 is similar to any of those shown in Embodiments 1 through 6, for example.

[0057] The detection signals from the first displacement detecting portion 82 are input into a control apparatus 8 that controls operation of the car 1. The control apparatus 8 has a first load converting portion 84 and a driving pattern operation portion 85. The first load converting portion 84 calculates the live load inside the car 1 based on the detection signals from the first displacement detecting portion 82. The driving pattern operation portion 85 calculates the driving pattern of a hoisting machine 4 (Figure 1) so as to correspond to the live load that has been found by the first load converting portion 84.

[0058] The detection signals from the second displacement detecting portion 83 are input into a safety apparatus 86 that monitors the presence or absence of abnormalities in the elevator apparatus. The safety apparatus 86 has a second load converting portion 87 and an emergency braking portion 88. The second load converting portion 87 calculates the live load inside the car 1 based on the detection signals from the second displacement detecting portion 83.

[0059] The emergency braking portion 88 determines the presence or absence of abnormalities in the elevator apparatus based on car position information and car velocity information, and outputs a command signal to make the car 1 perform an emergency stop if an abnormality is detected. Here, the emergency braking portion 88 controls the emergency braking method so as to correspond to the live load that has been found by the second load converting portion 87.

[0060] The emergency braking portion 88 may vary the braking force during emergency braking so as to correspond to the live load, for example, to avoid subjecting the passengers in the car 1 to discomfort due to unnecessary deceleration. Examples of methods for controlling the braking force include methods in which a plurality of brakes 7 are disposed on a single hoisting machine 4 and the timing of operation of the brakes 7 is offset during emergency braking, etc., for example.

[0061] The control apparatus 8 can be constituted by a computer. In that case, the functions of the first load converting portion 84 and the driving pattern operation portion 85 are implemented by the computer of the control apparatus 8. The safety apparatus 86 can be constituted by a separate computer from the computer of the control apparatus 8, for example. In that case, the functions of the second load converting portion 87 and the emergency braking portion 88 are implemented by the computer of the safety apparatus 86. The safety apparatus 86 can also be constituted by an analog electrical circuit.

[0062] In an elevator apparatus of this kind, because the detection signals for the control apparatus 8 and the detection signals for the safety apparatus 86 are obtained from a single weighing apparatus 81, the weighing apparatus 81 is reduced in size, enabling costs to be reduced. Because the detection signals for the control apparatus 8 and the detection signals for the safety apparatus 86 are obtained separately, reliability can be improved.

[0063] Moreover, in Embodiment 7, the detection signals that are output from the weighing apparatus 81 are assigned to the control apparatus 8 and the safety apparatus 86, but the detection signals may also be assigned to other apparatuses.

Embodiment 8

[0064] Next, Figure 18 is a block diagram showing part of a control system of an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention. In the figure, electric power is supplied to a first displacement detecting portion 82 and a control apparatus 8 from a first power source 89. Electric power is supplied to a second displacement detecting portion 83 and a safety apparatus 86 from a second power source 90. A battery 91 is also connected to the second power source 90. The second power source 90 is backed up by the battery 91 during power outages. The rest of the configuration is similar to that of Embodiment 7.

[0065] In an elevator apparatus of this kind, because the live load can be found and the emergency braking method controlled even during power outages, reliability can be improved.

Claims

1. An elevator apparatus comprising:

a weighing apparatus that has:

a displacing member that is displaced in response to changes in live load inside a car; and

a plurality of displacement detecting portions that detect displacement of the displacing member and output a detection signal that corresponds to the live load.

2. An elevator apparatus according to Claim 1, further comprising:

a control apparatus that controls operation of the car based on a signal from the displacement detecting portions,

wherein:

the displacement detecting portions include first and second displacement detecting portions, and

the control apparatus determines whether a difference between a detection signal from the first displacement detecting portions and a detection signal from the second displacement detecting portions has reached a threshold value, and generates an abnormality detection signal if the threshold value has been reached.

3. An elevator apparatus according to Claim 1, further comprising:

a control apparatus that controls operation of the car; and

a safety apparatus for emergency braking the car if there is an abnormality,

wherein:
the displacement detecting portions include first and second displacement detecting portions;
the control apparatus controls operation of the car in response to a detection signal from the first displacement detecting portions; and
the safety apparatus controls a braking force during emergency braking in response to a detection signal from the second displacement detecting portions.

4. An elevator apparatus according to Claim 3, further comprising a battery that supplies electric power to the safety apparatus during power outages.

Drawing