RU2778858C2 - Method and device for control of state of installation for passenger transportation, using digital double - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: transportation.

SUBSTANCE: method and device (1) for control of a state of physical installation (2) for passenger transportation are described. The method includes control of the state of installation (2) for passenger transportation, using updated data unit (102) of a digital double, which reproduces in a machine-processing way characteristic properties of structural elements of installation (2) for passenger transportation in the actual configuration after its assembly and mounting in structure (5). At least one recording device (200) is located in physical installation (2) for passenger transportation, which recognizes changes in at least one characteristic property, which occur as a result of wear in rotating physical structural element (7, 11) of physical installation (2) for passenger transportation. These changes are transmitted to ADDD unit (102), wherein, by means of control using ADDD unit (102), based on calculations and/or static and dynamic simulations, changes and trends in structural elements are tracked and assessed. Physical installation (2) for passenger transportation and a computer-readable environment are also proposed.

EFFECT: control of characteristics of an installation for passenger transportation can be carried out more efficiently, easier, at lower cost, without the need for on-site inspection and/or with better prediction.

14 cl, 6 dwg

Description

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for monitoring the performance of a passenger transport facility which is in the form of an escalator or travelator. Further, the invention relates to a passenger transportation installation equipped with the proposed device, designed to implement the proposed method, to a computer program product, as well as to a medium storing this computer program product in memory.

Installations for the transport of passengers in the form of escalators or travolators are used to transport passengers inside buildings or structures. At the same time, a sufficient degree of operational safety must always be ensured, as well as, however, and, if possible, comprehensive readiness. To this end, regular monitoring and/or maintenance of passenger transport installations is usually carried out. In this case, the service intervals are determined based on the experience of using similar conveying installations, and the service intervals to maintain operational safety should be chosen short enough so that control or maintenance is carried out in a timely manner before the onset of possible safety-threatening operating conditions.

In this case, in the case of older passenger transport installations, monitoring is often carried out completely independently of the actual current state of the passenger transport installation. This means that a technician must visit the passenger transport facility and perform an on-site inspection. In this case, it often turns out that there is no urgent need for any maintenance. Thus, the visit of the technician is unnecessary and causes unnecessary costs. On the other hand, if the technician actually states the need for maintenance, in many cases a follow-up visit is necessary, since only on site the technician can determine which components of the passenger transport installation need maintenance and, therefore, only on site. it becomes clear that maintenance or repairs require, for example, spare parts or special tools. The next problem is that after a couple of years - in particular if maintenance is carried out by third parties - the technical documentation for the installation is no longer comprehensive and only on site can it be determined which components are original and which have been replaced by third-party products, because in There are a lot of providers in this industry exclusively for spare parts and maintenance.

In the case of younger passenger transport installations, it is already partially possible to obtain, for example, by means of sensors and/or by monitoring their active components, i.e., for example, by monitoring the operation of the drive mechanism of the passenger transport installation, first from an external monitoring center instructions on changing the state of the installation for transporting passengers and the need for inspection work or maintenance work on the installation for transporting passengers. Such installations for the transport of passengers are described, for example, in WO 2018/177708 A1 and CN 106 586 796 A. Due to this, under circumstances, maintenance intervals can be extended or adapted to needs. Of course, also in this case, the technician can often recognize the actual need for maintenance or the possible need for spare parts or special tools only on site. Also with these installations, depending on the maintenance contractor, a complete technical documentation can no longer be expected after a certain time has elapsed.

Among other things, there may be a need for a method or apparatus by which the performance of a passenger transport facility can be monitored more efficiently, more easily, at lower cost, without the need for on-site inspection, and/or with better prediction. Further, there may be a need for a suitably equipped passenger transport facility, a computer program product for carrying out the method on a programmable device, as well as a computer-readable environment with such computer program product stored therein.

Such a need can be satisfied by the subject matter in accordance with the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims as well as in the following description.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a method is provided for monitoring the status of a passenger transport facility using an updated digital twin data set. It covers the machine-machinable characteristic properties of the structural elements of a physical installation for transporting passengers after it has been assembled and installed in a structure. The updated data block of the digital twin is referred to in the following in the abbreviated form “block ADDD”.

Further, in the physical apparatus for transporting passengers, at least one recording device is located, which registers changes in at least one characteristic characteristic due to wear on a rotating physical structural element of the apparatus for transporting passengers.

To implement the method, as mentioned above, an ADDD block is required. In this case, the development of the ADDD block includes at least the following steps, preferably not necessarily strictly in the specified sequence:

(i) compiling a set-related digital twin of the component model data blocks with predetermined data that reproduces the characteristic properties of the structural elements of the passenger transport facility in the predetermined configuration;

(ii) compiling the final digital twin dataset based on the acquisition-related digital twin dataset by measuring actual values that reproduce the characteristic properties of the structural elements of the physical passenger transport installation in the actual configuration of the passenger transport installation immediately after its assembly and installation in setting, and replacing the given data in the acquisition-related data block of the digital twin with the corresponding actual data; and

(iii) compilation and continuous updating of the ADDD block based on the final digital twin data block by modifying the final digital twin data block during the operation of the physical installation for transporting passengers, taking into account the measurement values recognized by the recording device that reproduce changes in the characterizing properties of the rotating structural elements of the physical installation for transportation of passengers during its operation. The compilation and continuous updating of the ADDD block is carried out, in particular, by transmitting these changes as measurement data to the updated ADDD block and, in accordance with them, the characteristic properties of the component model data blocks related to the transmitted measurement data are updated.

In other words, the compilation and updating of the ADDD block can be done in several partial steps. At the same time, the data contained in the data block can be consistently improved and made more accurate, as a result of which, during the compilation, the characteristic properties of the installed in the physical installation for transporting passengers become more and more accurately reproducible in relation to their actual configuration in the ADDD block and remain relevant as the physical installation is in operation. facilities for transporting passengers.

This means that the changes registered on the physical structural element affect at least one characteristic property of at least one structural element model data block or that this characteristic property of the structural element model data block is to be updated accordingly. As explained in detail below in conjunction with the figures, the recorded changes are typically related to several characteristic properties of several data blocks of the structural element model. Each individual of these characteristic properties must be calculated for each corresponding data block of the structural element model from the registered change and using the geometric relationships present in the updated digital twin data block, embedded in the data sets of the structural element model of physical characteristics, as well as known methods of calculation from areas physics, mechanics and theory of resistance of materials. The characteristic properties determined on the basis of the recorded changes now replace the corresponding, former characteristic properties of the respective component model data blocks, as a result of which they, or the ADDD block, are updated.

By controlling with the auxiliary involvement of the ADDD unit, by means of calculations and/or static and dynamic simulation, it is possible to monitor and evaluate the changes and trend of at least one updated characteristic property of the mounted rotating physical structural element.

Numerous evaluation criteria, which are assigned to the characteristic properties of the structural elements, can be used for evaluation, such as the maximum elongation of the transport chains, the upper limit of the power consumption of the drive unit, the maximum and/or minimum tolerance deviation at wear points, etc. They allow a simple comparison (static consideration) of the changed characteristic property to be made and set, for example, the maximum allowable deviations based on the given values. With these evaluation criteria, it is possible to compare the characteristic properties of the structural elements in the ADDD block. Further, using dynamic simulations (for example, using finite element analysis of strength reduction due to material removal due to wear), it is possible to evaluate the effect of changed characteristic properties on the corresponding structural element and their effect on structural elements interacting with this structural element (for example, increased freedom of movement or play due to wear and thus risk of collision).

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a device for monitoring the status of a passenger transport facility. It contains the block ADDD, which reproduces the characteristic properties of the structural elements of the physical passenger transport installation in the actual configuration of the physical passenger transport installation after it has been assembled and installed in the structure in a machine-processing manner. In addition, the device contains at least. one recording device with which it is possible to register changes in at least one characteristic property resulting from wear in a rotating physical structural element. These changes can be transferred as measurement data to the ADDD block in order to update the data present.

As already mentioned, the ADDD block can be generated using the following operations:

(i) compiling an acquisition-related digital twin with predetermined data that reproduces the characteristic properties of the structural elements of the passenger transport installation in the predetermined configuration;

(ii) compiling the final digital twin dataset, based on the acquisition-related digital twin dataset, by measuring actual data that reproduces the characteristic properties of the structural elements of the physical passenger transport installation in the actual configuration of the passenger transport installation immediately after its assembly and installation in constructing and replacing the given data in the acquisition-related data block of the digital twin with the corresponding actual data; and

(iii) compiling and constantly updating the ADDD block based on the final digital twin data block by modifying the final digital twin data block during the operation of the physical installation (2) for transporting passengers, taking into account the measurement values recorded by the recording device (200) that reproduce changes in characteristic properties rotating structural elements of a physical installation for the transportation of passengers during its operation.

With the help of static and dynamic simulations on an updated digital twin dataset, wear-related changes and trends in the characteristic properties of a rotating virtual component and their effect on the virtual components interacting with this component can be monitored and evaluated at any time. Since the virtual features of the ADDD block represent the corresponding physical features of the physical passenger transport facility with the utmost accuracy, the cognition and evaluation virtual features are valid in a ratio of almost 1:1 also for the corresponding physical features of the physical passenger transport facility.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for transporting passengers, which comprises a device according to the embodiment of the second aspect of the invention.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer program product comprising machine-readable program instructions which, when executed on a programmable device, cause the device to execute or control a method in accordance with an embodiment of the first aspect of the invention.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, a computer-readable medium is provided in which a computer program product according to an embodiment of the fourth aspect of the invention is stored.

The possible features and advantages of the embodiments of the invention may, inter alia, and without limiting the invention, be considered as based on the ideas and knowledge described below.

As noted in the introduction, in the past, passenger transport installations often had to be inspected on site to determine whether maintenance or repairs were actually needed and, if so, what specific measures needed to be taken, i.e., for example, what spare parts were needed. frequently and/or tools.

In order to avoid this, to control the properties characterizing the actual state of the installation for transporting passengers, it is proposed to use the so-called ADDD block. At the same time, the ADDD block must contain data that characterize the characteristic properties of the structural elements that form the installation for transporting passengers, and represents in the aggregate, if possible, a complete, digital representation of the physical installation for transporting passengers assigned to the ADDD block. At the same time, the data of the ADDD block should characterize the properties of the structural elements in their actual configuration, that is, in the configuration in which the structural elements were completely manufactured to the finished state and assembled in the structure. The ADDD unit is also fed current changes during operation, so that it is also always tuned to the actual state of the assigned physical installation for the transport of passengers throughout its entire service life.

In other words, the data contained in the updated data block of the digital twin does not exclusively reproduce the specified characteristics of structural elements, determined during planning, development or acquisition and, for example, extracted from the data of a computer-aided design (CAD) system used in this case in relation to structural elements. Instead, the data contained in the updated digital twin data block should reproduce the actual characteristics of the structural elements incorporated into the fully wired and assembled passenger transport unit. Thus, the ADDD block can be considered as a virtual representation of the finished installation for transporting passengers or the structural elements contained in it.

At the same time, the data contained in the updated data block of the digital twin must reflect the characteristic properties of the structural elements in sufficient detail in order to draw conclusions about the actual structural and / or functional characteristics of the physical installation for transporting passengers on their basis. In particular, it shall be possible to judge, on the basis of the ADDD block, the actual structural and/or functional characteristics that characterize the updated state of the entire installation for transporting passengers as a whole and which can be used to assess its actual or prospective operational safety, its actual or prospective readiness and/or actual or future need for maintenance or repair.

A particular advantage arises from the use of the ADDD unit throughout the lifetime of the physical installation for the transport of passengers. Namely, if the ADDD block is to be used in the future, there is a need for end-to-end documentation or maintenance of the ADDD block data, since otherwise the operational control, maintenance forecasts and condition determination will be based on erroneous data. This means that when replacing structural elements, it is necessary to carry out a digital registration of the characteristic properties of spare parts. When performing maintenance work, the characteristic properties of the dismantled structural elements are replaced in the updated digital twin data block with the characteristic properties of spare parts. In the same way, possible installation dimensions must be registered and transferred to the ADDD unit. To facilitate the work of fitters, work on measuring structural elements and measuring installation dimensions can be performed on the construction site using optical recording devices, such as a laser scanner or a TOF video camera (TOF = time of flight camera, long-range imaging camera). Their data is then automatically evaluated by the processing program, prepared for and transferred to the ADDD block.

Thus, the block ADDD differs, for example, from digital data that is usually generated or used in the manufacture of installations for transporting passengers. For example, when planning, developing or completing a plant for the transport of passengers, the usual process is to plan or design the structural elements used for this with the help of computers and using computer-aided design (CAD) programs, so that the corresponding CAD data reproduces, for example, a given geometry constructive element. Such CAD data, however, does not provide information about what geometry the manufactured structural element actually has, for example manufacturing tolerances or the like. may cause the actual geometry to differ significantly from the target geometry.

In particular, conventional CAD data does not contain information about what characteristic properties the structural elements acquired after they were assembled into a type of installation for transporting passengers and assembled in a structure. Depending on how the assembly and installation has been carried out, there may be significant changes in the characteristic properties of structural elements in comparison with their originally designed target characteristics and/or in comparison with their properties immediately after their manufacture, but before their assembly or installation.

The ADDD block is also different from the data that is usually partly used during the manufacture of complex parts or machines. For example, DE 102015 217 855 A1 describes a method for checking the consistency between the reference data of a normalized object and the data of a so-called digital twin of a normalized object. In this case, the display of the part, called a digital twin, is synchronized during production with the state of the part. With regard to the manufacturing process, this means that after each manufacturing step, the data reproducing the digital twin is modified in such a way that it becomes necessary to take into account changes in the properties of the part caused by the manufacturing step.

For example, at the technological stage, material may be removed in the area of the part by grinding, turning, or the like. according to the assigned predetermined data, so that after the execution of the process step, the digital twin is also modified according to the predetermined data. Thus, the digital twin must constantly provide information about the actual intermediate state of the part during its manufacturing process.

Of course, in accordance with the application DE 10 2015 217 855 A1, in particular, in the manufacture of structural elements for installations for transporting passengers, there is no provision in the digital twin for data that reproduce the actual characteristic properties of structural elements, in particular, the actual characteristic properties of structural elements after their assembly to the type of the finished installation for the transportation of passengers and their installation in the building. Instead, the data recorded in the digital twin is based for the most part solely on predetermined characteristics, which can be reproduced, for example, in the form of CAD data.

In order to accurately and/or reliably monitor or, under circumstances, even predict the state of a passenger transport facility, it is now proposed to provide data that can be used for this in the form of an ADDD block. At the same time, the ADDD unit makes available information that goes beyond the simply specified characteristics, continuously or periodically coordinated with the physical installation for transporting passengers and updated information on the characteristic properties of the structural elements assembled in the installation for transporting passengers in their actual configuration. Such information can be used advantageously, for example, to make it possible to recognize deviations of the actual performance properties from the originally intended performance properties of the passenger transport installation. Based on such deviations, useful conclusions can then be drawn, for example, whether there is already a need for maintenance or repair, whether there is a risk of increased or premature wear, etc. Deviations can be caused, for example, by technological tolerances that occur during the manufacture of structural elements, changes in the characteristic properties of structural elements that occur during assembly of structural elements or when they are installed in a building, and / or changes in the characteristic properties of structural elements that occur during the final operation of the transport installation passengers due to wear and tear.

Due to the fact that the ADDD block, as a virtual digital copy of the actual passenger transport installation, makes it possible to draw conclusions about the characteristic properties actually prevailing in the passenger transport installation, at best, only by analyzing and/or processing the ADDD block, it is possible to obtain information that allows draw conclusions about the current state of the installation for the transport of passengers and, in particular, conclusions about possible maintenance or repairs that may be necessary. In this case, under circumstances, you can even get information from it about what spare parts and / or tools will be required for future maintenance or repairs.

In this case, the block ADDD can be stored, analyzed and/or processed in a computer or data processing installation configured to implement the method proposed here. In particular, the computer or data processing facility may be located remotely from the controlled passenger transport facility, such as at a remote control center.

Accordingly, the use of the ADDD unit makes it possible to continuously or at suitable intervals monitor the status of features characterizing the passenger transport installation away from the physical passenger transport installation in order to recognize, in particular, changes requiring maintenance or repair. Under the circumstances, based on this specific information about the work to be performed in maintenance or repair, can be obtained in advance, based only on the analysis of the ADDD unit, without the need for an actual on-site inspection of the passenger transport installation by a technician. Due to this, significant costs and expenses can be avoided.

In accordance with the embodiment, the measurement data transmitted by the recording device are recorded together with time information in a change file. This has the advantage, on the one hand, that there is a history of measurement data from which, for example, special events can be read, such as excessive force due to unskilled use or external influences such as seismic shocks, etc.

On the other hand, by means of the changes in the measurement data recorded in the file, as well as the changes in the operating data stored in the file, the trend of the measurement values can be determined by statistical methods. Operational data are data generated during the operation of the passenger transport facility, such as total operating time, power consumption of the drive unit, ambient temperature, operating temperature, etc. etc. Obtained on the basis of this knowledge can be applied in a variety of ways. If the trend of change is linear, then for the structural element related to it, it is possible to accurately predict the end of the service life due to constant wear. If the trend is decreasing, this indicates a run-in characteristic and therefore an increasingly stable state of the respective component. With an increasing trend of changes, it is possible to diagnose increased wear phenomena. Further benefits are listed below.

According to a further embodiment, the transmission of the measured values can be carried out continuously, intermittently and/or depending on the trend of the measured values. In the case of trend dependence, this means that if the trend is linear, a fixed period can be chosen. With a falling trend, the length of the period can be increased, while with a falling trend, the length of the period between two measurements can be shortened.

In accordance with the following embodiment, the characteristic properties of a rotating physical structural element to be taken into account when updating the ADDD block due to wear are the geometric dimensions of the structural element, the weight of the structural element and/or the surface structure of the structural element.

In other words, several characteristic properties of various kinds of one or more structural elements of the passenger transport apparatus, which are subject to changes due to wear, can be measured using a single sensor device mounted in the passenger transport apparatus. The results of the change can be stored in the form of data in the updated data block of the Digital Twin. The geometric dimensions may be, for example, length, width, height, cross section, radii, roundings, etc. constructive element. The surface structure of structural elements may cover, for example, roughness, texture, coatings, color, reflective properties, and so on. structural elements.

Characteristic properties can relate to individual structural elements or groups of structural elements. For example, characteristic properties may relate to individual structural elements from which larger and more complex groups of structural elements are assembled. Alternatively or additionally, the properties can also apply to devices assembled from several structural elements, for example, drive motors, gearboxes, conveyor chains, etc.

Characteristic properties can be determined or measured with high accuracy. In particular, the characteristic properties can be determined or measured with an accuracy that is higher than the tolerance accuracy that must be observed in the manufacture of structural elements.

Since in installations for the transport of passengers, such as escalators and moving walks, in particular, rotating parts may be subject to wear, a characteristic property of a rotating physical structural element, measured by a recording device, changed due to wear, may be:

- the length of the drive chain or the sag of the drive chain resulting from the change in length due to wear;

- the length of the transport chain or the deflection of the arc of the travel path or the redirecting sprocket relative to the tensioning device of the transport chain resulting from a change in length due to wear; and/or

- the length of the moving handrail or the deflection of the roller bend relative to its tensioning device of the moving handrail due to a change in length due to wear.

According to a further embodiment, monitoring the state of the physical passenger transport installation also includes modeling the prospective characteristic properties of the passenger transport installation using the ADDD block.

In other words, with the help of the ADDD block it is necessary not only to control only the properties actually existing in the passenger transport installation, but also to be able to draw conclusions about the prospective characteristic properties of the passenger transport installation by means of the simulations carried out using the ADDD block.

In this case, the simulation can be carried out using a computer system. With the help of simulations, it is possible, based on the data actually contained in the updated Digital Twin data block, and also, under circumstances, taking into account the data that was previously contained in the updated Digital Twin data block, to draw conclusions about the temporal development with the presented characteristic properties and, thereby, make predictions or extrapolations regarding the future characteristic properties of structural elements. When modeling, one can both take into account the features corresponding to the law of nature, and refer to the experience of using other installations for transporting passengers.

For example, simulations can take into account, for example, how changes in characteristic properties of structural elements that have already occurred, due to wear, affect other changes in these characteristic properties that are expected in the future. Alternatively or additionally, these simulations can take into account experience gained from experimentation and/or observation of other passenger transport installations, from which it can be concluded, for example, when a change in the characteristic properties of a structural element that has occurred or is expected to occur in the future can be be considered so essential to the function of the entire installation for the transport of passengers that suitable measures must be taken, for example within the framework of maintenance or repair.

Using the ADDD data block, it is also possible to develop and test new, improved physical components and, in particular, control components (hardware and software). In this case, in accordance with the hardware-software simulation, it is possible to deactivate the data block of the model of the structural element of the component to be tested in the updated data block of the digital twin and connect it via suitable interfaces to the structural element to be tested. In this case, a suitable interface may be a test bench, coordinated with the mechanical and/or electrical interfaces of the physical structural unit, connected to a computer system containing the ADDD unit. In other words, in accordance with the method of hardware-software simulation, thus, the implemented system (for example, a real electronic control device or a real mechatronic component, a physical structural element or a physical group of structural elements) is connected through its inputs and outputs with an updated digital data set. twin, and the ADDD block serves to simulate the real environment of the system or the entire escalator or the entire travolator. As a result, the ADDD unit can serve as a test for the protection of embedded systems for support during development as well as for early commissioning of machines and plants.

A further advantage of the ADDD block is its inherent suitability for use in systems engineering. The main task of systems engineering is to fulfill the client's desired requirements for the system to be delivered, which are contained in the specification, within the cost and time range, while breaking down, firstly, the system into subsystems, devices and software and specifying it and, secondly second, by continuously monitoring the implementation at all levels up to handover to the client. The whole problem must be taken into account (operation, costs, schedule, performance, training and support, testing, production and reuse). Systems engineering integrates all these engineering disciplines and abilities into a single, team-oriented, structured process that, depending on the complexity of the system, can extend through several levels all the way to the subcontractor device. This process is used from the concept of production and manufacture to operation and in some cases, dismantling or recycling. By displaying all physical structural elements in the form of a structural element model data block with all its characteristic properties and interface information - in a combined form and constantly updated in an updated digital twin data block - it creates an excellent platform for systems engineering in order to, in the shortest possible time implement the customer's desired requirements for the escalator to be delivered or the travelator to be delivered up to the installation of the physical product.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the method proposed here can further cover the planning of the maintenance work to be carried out on the passenger transport installation based on the controlled properties of the passenger transport installation.

In other words, the information that has been obtained by monitoring the performance of a passenger transport installation according to the invention can be used to achieve the possibility of already in advance, suitable planning of future maintenance work, including possibly necessary possible repairs. In this case, it can be advantageous if valuable information can already be obtained by analyzing the ADDD unit, for example, what changes have taken place in the monitored installation for transporting passengers and/or what wear of the structural elements really needs to be taken into account. This information can be used to create the ability to plan maintenance work, for example, in relation to the time of the maintenance and/or in relation to the work to be carried out during maintenance and/or in relation to the spare parts or tools required for maintenance and/or or in relation to maintenance personnel, who may need to have specialized skills or knowledge. At the same time, the planning of maintenance work in most cases can be carried out purely on the basis of the analysis of the updated set of the digital twin, that is, without the need for technicians to inspect the installation for transporting passengers on site.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, the proposed method further comprises an evaluation of the qualitative characteristics of the rotating structural element based on the analysis of updated data blocks of digital twins of several installations for transporting passengers containing the corresponding structural element.

In other words, it is proposed to use updated data sets of digital twins of several different installations for transporting passengers and analyze them in the sense that from their respective information it is possible to compose and analyze a rotating structural element to be investigated. The analysis may include, for example, a comparison of actual values relating to the characteristic properties of the structural element in its actual configuration after assembly and installation of the passenger transport installation with pre-assigned setpoints and, in circumstances, taking into account the tolerance values assigned to these setpoints. In this case, not only a comparison of the actual values of an individual rotating structural element with the given values for this structural element is carried out. Moreover, the actual values of several rotating structural elements of the same type are compared with the given values of this type of structural elements.

For example, on the basis of frequently occurring excessive wear phenomena or even defects in a certain type of moving handrails, which, after manufacture, satisfactorily corresponded to the assigned target values for this type of structural elements, it can be concluded that already the design of the corresponding type of moving handrails contains quality flaws that Subsequently, in the process of actual operation, they lead to newly emerging problems. For example, it can be established that it is already in the design of a structural element that with this type of structural elements, after assembly and installation of a passenger transport installation or at the latest during its operation, excessive changes occur, in particular excessive wear, which reduce the service life of the structural elements of this type. In this regard, it is possible to suitably change the design of the structural element type in order to minimize wear phenomena, ie to increase its strength and increase the service life of the structural element type.

The digital twin dataset described above cannot, however, be used simply as a "finished product". In accordance with the following form of execution, the compilation of a digital twin data record related to acquisition includes pre-compilation of the digital twin data record taking into account customer-defined configuration data, as well as the compilation of production data by modifying the digital twin data record, taking into account production-specific data .

In other words, both customer-defined configuration data and production-specific data must be taken into account when initially compiling the digital twin data set related to the picking. In this case, as a rule, a digital twin data block is first formed from the data blocks of the structural element model, taking into account the configuration data specified by the client, and then this digital twin data block is modified or refined, taking into account the data determined by the specifics of production. It is possible that the compilation of the acquisition-related digital twin data set also involves iteratively recalculating and modifying the data of the digital twin data set taking into account customer-specific configuration data and/or production-specific data.

In this case, customer-specific configuration data can be understood as a task that is issued by the user, taking into account the specifics of each individual case, for example, when ordering a plant for transporting passengers. In this case, the customer-specific configuration data usually refers to one single, to be manufactured installation for transporting passengers. For example, configuration data according to the wishes of the customer may contain the prevailing spatial conditions at the installation site, interface information for mounting on the supporting structures of the structure, etc. In other words, the configuration data according to the wishes of the customer may indicate, for example, how long the passenger transport installation should be, how the passenger transport installation should be connected to the supporting structures inside the structure, and the like. The configuration data according to the customer's wishes may also include the customer's wishes regarding functionality, performance, optics, etc. The data of a digital twin data set may be present, for example, in the form of a computer-aided design data set which, among other things, reproduces as characteristic properties the geometrical dimensions and/or other characteristic properties of the structural elements constituting the passenger transport installation.

Production-specific data usually refers to properties or tasks within the production facility or production line on which the passenger transport unit is to be manufactured. For example, depending on which country or locality the manufacturing plant is located in, the manufacturing plant may have different conditions and/or predetermined conditions. For example, some manufacturing plants may not have or cannot process certain materials, raw materials, blanks, or the like. Certain manufacturing plants may use machines that are not available in other factories. Some manufacturers, due to their layout, face restrictions that prevent the manufacture of passenger transport units or their components there. Some manufacturing plants allow a high degree of automation of production, in contrast to which in other manufacturing plants, for example, as a result of low wage costs, only manual production is possible. There may be many other conditions and/or tasks in relation to which the production environment may differ. All these production-specific data must usually be taken into account when planning or completing a passenger transport installation, since they can determine how the passenger transport installation can actually be built. Under circumstances, it may be necessary to fundamentally modify the originally compiled Digital Twin dataset, which took into account only configuration data in accordance with the wishes of the customer, in order to take into account production-specific data.

Preferably, static and/or dynamic simulations are carried out already when compiling the digital twin data set and, taking into account the results of the simulation, the acquisition-related digital twin data set is compiled. One of these dynamic simulations could be, for example, the start-up behavior of an escalator. In this case, all frictional forces are simulated, as well as backlashes and characteristics that depend on the drive motor from the moment of a standstill until the nominal speed is reached. With these simulations, all collision-critical points as well as the dynamic forces that act on individual structural elements or the component model data block during start-up can be controlled.

In other words, in order to compile a digital twin data set which, taking into account customer-specific configuration data, forms the basis for a digital twin data set related to the acquisition, simulations can be carried out that simulate the static and/or dynamic properties of a complete transport plant. passengers. Simulations can be performed, for example, on a computer system.

In this case, static simulations analyze, for example, the static interaction of several structural elements assembled together. With the help of static simulations, it is possible, for example, to analyze whether it is possible that difficulties may arise when assembling several predefined structural units or, based on the datasets of the structural element model, specific to the case of structural elements, since, for example, each structural unit are manufactured to known manufacturing tolerances, so problems can arise when modeling manufacturing tolerances unfavorably.

Dynamic simulations analyze, for example, the dynamic response of structural elements during operation of an assembled passenger transport installation. With the help of dynamic simulations, it is possible, for example, to analyze whether movable structural elements, in particular rotating structural elements, can be displaced in the desired manner within a passenger transport installation or whether, for example, there is a risk of collision between movable structural elements relative to each other.

It can be deduced from the previous implementations that only predetermined data, which are based on data determined when planning or completing the passenger transport installation, is first written to the acquisition data set of the digital twin. Among other things, the predetermined values can be obtained, for example, by calculating the characteristic properties of the passenger transport installation to be manufactured, depending on the configuration data in accordance with the wishes of the user, for example, using computerized picking tools. For example, data relating to target dimensions, target quantities, target material properties, target surface properties, and so on can be written to a picking data block of a digital twin. structural elements to be used in the manufacture of installations for the transportation of passengers.

Thus, the acquisition data set of the digital twin is a virtual representation of the passenger transport plant in its planning phase or the acquisition phase, i.e. before the passenger transport unit is actually manufactured and assembled on the basis of the digital twin data set associated with the assembly. .

Starting from the digital twin data set related to the acquisition, the target data contained therein can be gradually replaced with actual data as the production rate increases, and thus a digital twin data set related to the finished state is generated. In this case, the actual data reproduces the characteristic properties of the structural elements of the passenger transport installation, which were initially determined only in relation to their given configuration, in their actual configuration immediately after the assembly of the passenger transport installation and its installation in the building. The actual data can be determined by manual and/or machine measurement of the characteristic properties of structural elements. For this, separate measuring devices and/or sensors integrated in the structural elements or located on the structural elements can be used.

The data set of the digital twin relating to the completed state is thus a virtual representation of the passenger transport system immediately after its manufacture, i.e. after the assembly of the structural elements and installation in the structure.

When a physical installation for transporting passengers is commissioned, its digital twin data block related to the completed state is supplemented with the resulting operating data and operating adjustment data to the block type ADDD. During the subsequent operation of the installation for transporting passengers, the ADDD unit is updated continuously or at suitable intervals. To do this, the data initially recorded in the ADDD block is modified during the operation of the passenger transportation installation in the sense that the observed changes in the characteristic properties of the structural elements that form the passenger transportation installation are taken into account.

To this end, a recording device with sensors as measuring devices can be provided in the passenger transport installation, with which the observed changes in characteristic properties can be monitored. Such sensors are able to control, for example, the geometric dimensions of individual or several structural elements. Alternatively or additionally, the sensors are capable of measuring forces acting between structural elements, temperatures of structural elements, mechanical stresses acting inside or between structural elements, electric and/or magnetic fields acting on structural elements, and much more. Since during operation, in particular, rotating physical structural elements of an escalator or moving walkway, such as a stairway or sections of a moving web, a moving railing or a drive chain, are subject to wear, in accordance with the invention, suitable sensors.

Changes in the measured values generated by the sensors over time indicate changes in the registered characteristic properties, after which the data contained in the ADDD block can be modified accordingly. The thus modified block ADDD is therefore a virtual representation of the passenger transport installation during its operation and taking into account changes due to wear, for example, compared to the original characteristic properties measured immediately after production to the finished state and can thus be , used as an ADDD unit for continuous or repetitive monitoring of the performance of a passenger transport facility.

It is logical to conclude that updating with the help of the actual data of the structural element is not necessarily subject to all the characteristic properties of the structural element that are present as given data. In accordance with this, the characteristic properties of most of the structural elements related to the ready state of the digital twin data block and the block ADDD created from it are characterized by a mixture of given data and actual data.

Specific embodiments of the ability to compose an ADDD block for an escalator or moving walker, and the ability to monitor the state of the escalator or moving walk based thereon, are shown below with reference to preferred embodiments.

The embodiments of the method presented here for monitoring the status of a passenger transport facility can be implemented using a device specifically configured for this. The device may contain one or more computers. In particular, the device may be formed by a computer network that processes data in the form of an IT cloud (Cloud). To do this, the device must be equipped with a storage device in which the data of the ADDD unit can be stored, for example in electronic or magnetic form. Further, the device may have data processing capabilities. For example, the device may include a processor with which data from the ADDD block can be processed. Further, the device must contain interfaces through which data can be entered into and/or output from the device. In particular, the device may include a recording device with sensors that are located on or in the passenger transport installation and with which it is possible to measure the characteristic properties of the structural elements of the passenger transport installation. In principle, the device can be an integral part of the installation for transporting passengers.

The device is, however, preferably not located in the passenger transport installation, but at a distance from it, for example, in a remote monitoring center from which the status of the passenger transport installation is to be monitored. The device can also be implemented with spatial separation, for example, if the data is processed by several computers distributed in the IT cloud.

In particular, the device can be programmable, that is, by means of a suitable computer software product, it can carry out or control the method according to the invention. The computer program product may contain instructions or codes that instruct the processor of the device to store, read, process, modify, etc., for example. data block data of the digital twin. The computer software product may be written in any programming language.

The computer program product may be written to any computer-readable medium, such as a flash card, CD, DVD, RAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM, and so on. The computer software product and/or the data processed by it can also be stored on a server or several servers, for example in an IT cloud, from where it can be downloaded via a network, for example the Internet.

In conclusion, it is indicated that some of the possible features and advantages of the invention are described here with reference to various forms of execution of both the proposed method and a correspondingly made device for monitoring the characteristics of a passenger transport installation. The person skilled in the art will appreciate that, in order to achieve the following embodiments, the features can be suitably combined, transferred, adjusted or replaced.

The embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, and neither the drawings nor the description should be construed as limiting the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a device according to the invention, comprising a recording device which is located in the physical passenger transport installation, and also representing the physical passenger transport installation, an updated digital twin data block (ADDD), which is stored in the IT cloud (Cloud) and with which the device can carry out the method according to the invention.

Fig. 2 shows a sectional side view of the escalator of FIG. one.

Fig. 3A-3C show, on an enlarged scale, those of FIGS. 2, different areas, and in each of these areas parts of the recording device corresponding to the invention of the device are located.

Fig. 4 clearly illustrates the compilation of the updated digital twin data set (ADDD) and the production of the physical passenger transport installation, as well as its commissioning and the continuous updating of the updated digital twin data set (ADDD) from the moment of configuration until the moment of operation of the physical passenger transport installation.

The figures are purely schematic and are not drawn to scale. Like reference numerals designate the same or similarly functioning features in the various figures.

Fig. 1 shows a device 1 according to the invention, comprising a recording device 220 which is located in the physical passenger transport facility 2, as well as an updated digital twin data block (ADDD) 102 of the physical passenger transport facility 2 stored in the IT cloud 50 (Cloud), moreover, using the device 1, the method 100 according to the invention can be carried out.

Shown in FIG. 1 and 2 (described jointly below), the physical installation 2 is in the form of an escalator and connects levels E1 and E2 at different heights and horizontally spaced apart in structure 5. With the physical installation 2 for transporting passengers, it is possible to transport passengers between both levels E1 and E2. With its opposite ends, the physical installation 2 for transporting passengers rests on the supporting surfaces 9 of the structure 5.

Further, the physical installation 2 for the transport of passengers comprises, indicated in FIG. 2 only by its contours, the supporting structure 19, which carries all the following structural elements of the physical installation 2 for transporting passengers. This includes statically located physical structural elements such as rail guides 25, drive motor 33, transmission line 35, control system 17, driven by drive engine 33 via transmission line 35, drive sprockets 37, and guide curve 39. Physical Setup 2 for transporting passengers further comprises balustrades 13, which are located on the supporting structure 19 with their longitudinal side over it. The guide curvature 39 is part of the tensioner 40 of the traction chain.

In addition, the physical installation 2 for transporting passengers also contains rotating structural elements 7, 11, 31, 36, which are naturally subject to wear during operation. This is, in particular, the ladder leaf 7, which is located rotatably between the drive chain wheels 37 and the guide curvature 39, two moving handrails 11 or belt handrails, which are located rotatably on the balustrade 13, as well as the drive chain 36, which is the transmission link transmission rope 35. Ladder fabric 7 contains steps 29 of the escalator and traction chains 31, as well as many other elements, such as step rollers, chain rollers, step axles and much more.

Alternatively, the physical installation 2 for transporting passengers can also be in the form of a travelator (not shown), which, with respect to many of its structural elements, has a design similar or similar to that of the installation 2 for transporting passengers, made in the form of an escalator.

As shown in FIG. 1, many of the structural elements of the physical installation 2 for transporting passengers, such as the truss 19, rail guides 25, the entire drive mechanism 35, drive sprockets 37 and guide rounding 39, electrical components, such as conductive and signal lines, sensors and control system 17 closed and protected by the cladding elements 15 and are therefore not visible from the outside. Also on the stairway 17 in FIG. 1, only part of the steps 29 of the passenger platform escalator is visible.

In accordance with FIG. 1, device 1 also contains an updated digital twin data block 102, which in the following is abbreviated ADDD 102 for better readability. assigned to the physical passenger transport facility 2 by the virtual passenger transportation facility. This means that the ADDD 102 block is not only a virtual three-dimensional model of the physical installation 2 for transporting passengers, approximately reproducing its dimensions, but in the ADDD 102 block, each individual physical structural element from the moving handrail 11 to the last bolt is also digitally present and displayed. with all their characteristic properties if possible.

According to the invention, the characteristic properties of the structural elements can be the geometric dimensions of the structural elements, such as length, width, height, cross section, radii, roundings, etc. Surface properties of structural elements, such as roughness, texture, coatings, color, reflectivity, etc. are also referred to as characteristic properties. Further, material properties such as modulus of elasticity, symmetrical flexural endurance, hardness, notched impact strength, tensile strength, etc. can also be considered as characteristic properties of the respective structural element. In this case, we are not talking about theoretical properties (given data), which can be found, for example, on a working drawing, but about characteristic properties actually determined on a physical structural element (actual data). Preferably, data important for installation are also determined for the respective component, such as the actually applied tightening torque of the bolt and thus the pretensioning force.

The device 1 may include, for example, one or more computer systems 111. In particular, the device 1 may contain a computer network that stores and processes data in the form of an IT cloud (Cloud) 50. To do this, the device 1 may have a storage device or, as symbolically shown to have memory resources in the IT cloud 50, in which the data of the ADDD unit 102 (symbolically represented as a three-dimensional representation of the physical installation 2 for transporting passengers) can be stored, for example, in electronic or magnetic form. This means that the block ADDD 102 can be stored anywhere in memory.

Further, the device 1 may have data processing capabilities. For example, device 1 may include a processor with which data from ADDD 102 can be processed. Further, device 1 may include interfaces 53, 54 through which data can be input to and/or output from device 1. In particular, the device 1 may comprise internal interfaces 51, 52, wherein the interface 51 between the ADDD unit 102 and the physical passenger transport unit 2 allows communication with the sensors of the recorder 200, which are located in the passenger transport unit 2 and which can directly or indirectly measure and to determine the characteristic properties of the structural elements of the installation 2 for transporting passengers.

In principle, the device 1 can be implemented as a whole in a physical installation 2 for transporting passengers, with its block ADDD 102 stored, for example, in its control system 17 and its data can be processed by the control system 17 . However, the ADDD 102 of the device 1 is stored not in the physical passenger transportation facility 2, but at a distance from it, for example, in a remote control center from which it is necessary to monitor the state of the physical passenger transportation facility 2, or in reach from anywhere, for example, via the Internet. -connection, IT cloud 50. The device 1 can also be implemented spatially distributed, for example, if the data processing of the ADDD 102 unit is carried out through several distributed computers in the IT cloud 50.

In particular, the device 1 can be programmable, that is, by means of a suitably programmed computer program product 101 containing the ADDD 102 unit, it can be used to carry out or control the method 100 according to the invention. The computer program product 101 may contain instructions or codes, whereby, for example, the processor of the device 1 may issue instructions for storing, reading, processing, modifying, and so on. block data ADDD 102 in accordance with the implemented method 100. The computer program product 101 may be written in any programming language.

The computer program product 101 may be stored in any computer-readable medium such as a flash card, CD, DVD, RAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM, and so on. The computer program product 101, or the data to be processed therewith, may also be stored on a server or multiple servers, such as an IT cloud, from where it can be downloaded via a network, such as the Internet.

Based on the data present in the ADDD 102, by executing the computer program product 101, its virtual feature or its virtual features can be called up in the computer system 111 and displayed as a 3D virtual passenger transport installation. With flexible zoom and motion functions, you can virtually walk through it and get the information you need. In this case, motion processes, collision simulation, static and dynamic strength analysis using the finite element method and interactive polls of the actual characteristic properties of individual virtual structural elements and groups of structural elements are also possible. This means that, for example, from the ADDD block 102 it is possible to select a virtual rotating stairway 107 representing the pandan of the physical stairway 7 and interrogate its updated, characteristic property, for example, a change in length due to wear compared to the new state.

In order to perform a reliable condition analysis and condition simulation with the ADDD 102, it is necessary to continuously or periodically update, in particular, the characteristic properties of wear-prone structural elements in the virtual data blocks of the ADDD 102 structural element. These updating polls can be triggered automatically with using the method 100 implemented in the computer software product 101. They can, however, also be initiated "from the outside", that is, by entering, for example, from the interface 53 depicted as a keyboard of the computer system 111. The actual actualization of the characteristic properties is carried out via the interface 51 between physical installation 2 for transporting passengers and block ADDD 102 or running a computer program (method 100) of a computer software product 101. In this case, the measurement values are read from the corresponding sensors or sensor systems of the recording device 200 (cm. also fig. 3A-3C) and subsequent processing of these measurement values, if necessary, in order to achieve characteristic properties of the structural elements affected by or affected by the measurement value. The measurement values as well as the resulting characteristic properties can be recorded in the change file 104 . For the historical ordering of these inputs, their recording in the file 104 changes can be done together with the time information 103. The registration of the measurement values, as well as their subsequent processing to achieve the characteristic properties of structural elements influenced by the measurement value or affected by it, are explained in more detail below in relationship with FIG. 3A-3C.

As shown schematically in FIG. 1, a user, such as a technician, may query the status of the physical passenger transport facility 2 by running or accessing the computer program 100 of the computer program product 101 through the computer system 111. The computer system 111 may be a fixed integral part of the device 1, but may also accept temporary ownership when accessing with its help through the interface 52 to the data of the ADDD block 102.

In the present embodiment according to FIG. 1, the technician has selected an area 60 of the ADDD 102 using the flexible zoom function. The data output display 54 then displays a brief navigation graphical information 55, on which the selected area 60 is displayed using the pointer 56. In the case of the selected area 60, it is about the virtual entrance area present at level E2, in which the virtual steps 129 of the escalator pass under the virtual comb 132 located there. As a result of scaling the image of the area 60, only the virtual rails 125, the virtual comb 132, and also two virtual steps 129 of the stairway 107 are visible.

Since the physical ladder 7 has already been running for several hours, the articulation points of its traction chains are already worn to a certain extent due to the constant relative movements between chain links under load. This wear leads to an elongation of the stairway 7, as a result of which the gap between the two steps 29 of the escalator may increase slightly. As described below in connection with FIG. 3A., it is possible to measure the wear-related elongation of the ladder leaf 7 and transmit this measurement value to the ADDD 102, updating the corresponding characteristic properties of the affected virtual structural elements. In the case of transferring the measurement value with all its influences on the structural elements affected by it to the ADDD 102, the structural elements of the virtual staircase 107, for example, the links 128 of its traction chains 131, also have the same wear-related changes, so that the gap between two virtual steps 129 also slightly increases in block ADDD 102.

Concretely, this means that the elongation of the traction chains 131 registered as a measurement value is divided by the number of links of the traction chains 131, so that the change in clearance for each link 128 can be determined. link 28, divided into the inner diameter of the sleeve 123 of the chain and the outer diameter of the pin 134 of the chain. As a result, the characteristic property "inner diameter" of the chain sleeve 123 and the characteristic property "outer diameter" of each link 128 of the traction chains 131 are changed.

On the basis of this, for example, strength calculations can be made for chain pins 134, so that within the framework of the analysis to be carried out in accordance with the method 100 according to the invention, it is also possible to determine the actual safety factor with regard to the destruction of the virtual traction chain 131 and thus the physical traction chain. 31.

The wear described above leads, however, not only to weakening the chain pin 134, but also to increasing the clearance within the links 128. Using dynamic simulations on the ADDD 102, the effect of this increased clearance can be assessed. In these simulations, for example, the step 129 of the escalator can move within this gap orthogonally (in Fig. 1 it is shown unnecessarily exaggerated) to the intended direction Z of movement and, under an unfavorable load F for this case, can somewhat warp to a greater extent than would be permissible with normal gap between the chain roller 127 and the guide rail 125. If the gap is too large and the distortion is too strong, then the guide edge 122 of the escalator step 129 may collide with the comb 132.

As already explained above, the measured values transmitted by the recording device can be equipped with time information 103 and stored in a change file 104 . It goes without saying that the same can be done also with the characteristic properties of the virtual structural elements ADDD 102, so that there is also a traceable history with respect to the characteristic properties, and from this history the trend of the corresponding characteristic properties can be calculated using known analytical methods. With suitable extrapolation from history, it is possible to determine the point in time at which a possible damage event occurs and to plan and carry out preventive maintenance work by that point in time. In the example described above, it is possible to extrapolate the remaining time during which the decrease in the diameter of the chain pin 134 due to wear will occur until the prescribed safety factor for the chain pin 134 is underestimated. In the same way, using the simulation described below, it is possible to determine the possible time for the steps to collide with the comb 132, and for the time of waiting, the earliest possible time of both events is decisive.

In order to limit the amount of data that arises, a traceable history can also be made with only some selected characteristic properties of some selected structural elements, in particular structural elements subject to wear.

Due to manufacturing tolerances of structural elements and adjustments made during manufacture and/or during commissioning and/or during previous maintenance work, not every physical installation 2 for transporting passengers has exactly the same geometric relationships with respect to structural elements and their installation position. In essence, each physical installation for transporting passengers in the totality of the characteristic properties of its structural elements is unique and, accordingly, all ADDD 102 also differ from each other (even if only slightly). In an approximately selected area 60, this leads to the fact that a certain wear phenomenon (the same in quantitative terms, on a certain structural element) of one physical installation 2 for transporting passengers can already lead to a collision of the escalator step 29 with the comb, while on another physical In a passenger transport system 2 of a similar design, there is still no risk of collision for a long time. Based on this example, it is easy to understand that, based on the analysis capabilities provided by the ADDD 102 with its virtual structural elements, for each structural element of the installation 2 for transporting passengers, it is possible to determine its further use, its adjustment in its environment or its use with the application unit ADDD 102 and schedule appropriate maintenance work.

Below, based on FIG. 3A-3C show by way of example how the wear measurements of the rotating structural members of the physical plant 2 can be recorded. 2 areas shown on an enlarged scale in FIG. 3A-3C, each of these areas containing components of the recording device 200 of the device 1 according to the invention.

Fig. 3A shows the one shown in FIG. 2 is a guide curvature 39 of the physical installation 2 for transporting passengers, which is located on the first level E1. The guide curvature 39 is used to guide the stairway 7 from the entrance platform V to the area R of the reverse movement.

For better clarity, only one rung 29 and a part of the traction chain 31 are shown for the ladder leaf 7. In addition, the guide rounding 39 is part of the tensioner 40 of the traction chain. To do this, it is fortified with the possibility of movement in a horizontal linear guide 61, so that it is possible to move the guide rounding 39 relative to the rail guides 25 permanently mounted on the supporting structure 19. The tensioning means is a compression spring 63 located between the supporting structure 19 and the guide rounding 39. In place direction of the traction chain 31 is the rotary movement of its links 28 of the chain. These relative movements cause friction between the chain pin 34 and the chain hub 23 which form the chain link 28 and thus remove material from the chain pin 34 and the chain hub 23. As a result of these wear phenomena, there is a constant increase in play in the links 28 of the chain and the sum of the backlashes increasing in all links 28 of the chain leads to an elongation of the traction chain 31.

The elongation of the rail leads in turn to a displacement of the guide curve 39 with respect to the guide rails 25 or with respect to the supporting structure 19. This displacement, as shown, can be measured continuously or intermittently, for example with a distance sensor 65 . These measured values can be transmitted to the control system 17 of the installation 2 for transporting passengers using a suitable transmission medium 66, for example via a CAN data bus line or a Bluetooth connection. The sensor 65 as well as the transmission means 66 are integral parts of the recording device 200.

As already shown in FIG. 1, the control device 17 communicates with the ADDD 102 installed in the IT cloud 50 via the interface 51, so that the measurement value detected by the distance sensor 65 can be transmitted. After that, on the basis of this measurement value for the structural elements affected by the measurement value, in the ADDD 102 block, their characteristic properties are updated. In this case, for example, the measurement value can be directly used to update the characteristic property "horizontal position" present in the block ADDD 102 virtual guide rounding. As already explained above, in order to update the outer diameter of the chain pin 34 and the inner diameter of the chain bushing 23, it is first necessary to calculate their diameters changed as a result of wear, and therefore, in relation to these structural elements, there is an indirect registration of their characteristic properties by the distance sensor 65.

As a result of wear, it is also possible to change the diameter of the chain rollers 27, which may cause an additional displacement of the guide rounding 39. In order to refine the classification of the various characteristic properties of the respective structural elements, it is necessary, under circumstances, to provide additional sensors or other registration principles (for example, optical).

Fig. 3B shows the one shown in FIG. 2 drive mechanism 35 of the physical installation 2 for transporting passengers. It is located in the second level of E2. Located in the drive unit 35 between the drive sprocket 37 and the drive gear 38 of the gearbox, the drive chain 36 is also a rotating structural element that must meet stringent safety requirements. As has already been described in detail in connection with the traction chain 31, the links of the traction chain 36 are also subject to wear, which leads to an elongation of the traction chain 36. There are various possibilities for determining with one or at least. one part of the recording device 200 to extend the drive chain 36 and thus change the characteristic properties of the structural elements affected by these wear phenomena and transfer this value to the ADDD 102 unit.

The simplest possibility is that a competent maintenance technician checks the tension of the drive chain 36 as part of the inspection work and re-adjusts it by moving the drive gear 38 of the gearbox or motor/gearbox relative to the drive sprocket 37. In doing so, he measures the dimension X of the offset and enters him to the mobile input device 67, from which he also receives his maintenance instructions. This input device 67 via the control system 17 of the installation 2 for transporting passengers or directly communicates with the ADDD 102 implemented in the IT cloud 50. In the ADDD 102, important maintenance requests can also be recorded, which make, for example, the resumption of operation physical installation 2 for transporting passengers dependent on input by a technician of size X displacement.

A further possibility is that by means of a gauge wheel 69 with pretension or a chain tensioning wheel which engages with the sling of the drive chain 36, the slack is recorded when the position of the gauge wheel 69 is continuously or intermittently read by the sensor 71. Based on this position or based on the change in position, taking into account the geometrical relationships in this area, in particular on the basis of the diameter and position of the drive gear 38 and the diameter and position of the drive sprocket 37, it is possible to calculate the elongation of the drive chain 36 and thus the play in its individual links. Based on this, as explained in FIG. 3A, it is possible, in turn, to determine the characteristic properties of the individual structural elements of the drive circuit 36. The transmission of the measured values determined by the sensor 71 can be carried out via the control system 17 or via wireless connections from the sensor 71 directly to the ADDD 102. The determination of the characteristic properties described above in general terms The structural elements affected by the measurement value of the sensor 71 are preferably carried out using the ADDD 102 block, in particular the geometric relationships and relationships present in accordance with the virtual model of the structural elements.

A much more direct method of measuring the elongation of the drive chain 36 is to mark the drive chain 36 with a marking 73 (magnet, paint marking, RFID chip, etc.). As the drive chain 37 rotates, a suitable sensor 75 (optical, magnetic, RFID reader) detects the passing of the marking 73 in the form of a pulse. The time measured between two recorded pulses expresses, in relation to the speed of the drive chain 36, its effective length. The running speed of the drive chain 36 can be calculated based on the speed of the ladder 7, which is predetermined by the control device 17, by means of a gear ratio.

From two measurements spaced apart in time, it is possible to determine the difference in time, which, using the speed that was effective during the measurements, can be converted into an elongation of the drive chain 36 due to wear. The above-described general determination of the characteristic properties of the structural elements affected by the measurement value can preferably be carried out using the ADDD 102 stored in the IT cloud and then updated accordingly.

In FIG. 3C depicts a moving handrail tensioner 80. It contains a roller rounding 83 guided on the supporting structure 19 by means of linear guides 81. Roller rounding 83 is pre-tensioned relative to the supporting structure 19 by means of a spring element 85. moving handrail 11 due to the linear movement of the roller curvature 83. Using the sensor 87 mounted on the supporting structure 19, it is possible to measure the distance Y to the roller curvature 83. The sensor 87 can also be an integral part of the recording device 200. The measurement value of the sensor 87 is transmitted to the ADDD unit 102, the characteristic properties of the virtual structural elements affected by this measurement value are determined from it and the corresponding virtual structural elements of the ADDD block 102 are updated accordingly.

Since the prestressing of the spring element 85 at a predetermined adjustment also depends on the distance Y, the tensile force in the running rail 11 or the running rail straps can be calculated from the existing geometry. From this tensile force one can then calculate the pressing force F _P and the transmission of the force of the drive gear 88 of the moving handrail to the moving handrail 11 (Euler-Eitelwein formula). All of these forces are also characteristic properties for the features they act on and replace, in ADDD 102, the corresponding, older characteristic properties of their virtual features or their feature model data blocks.

Fig. 4, on the basis of a diagram provided with additional information, clearly explains the most important steps of the method 100 according to the invention (marked with a broken line) for compiling the ADDD 102 block, manufacturing the physical installation 2 for transporting passengers within this compilation, and commissioning the physical installation 2 for transportation of passengers and continuous updating of the ADDD block 102. The main steps of the method 100 are divided into:

- in the first step 110 of the method: registration data 113 configuration in accordance with the wishes of the customer;

- in the second step 120 of the method: compiling a digital twin related to the acquisition of the data block using the data blocks of the structural element model and configuration data 113 in accordance with the wishes of the customer;

- in the third step 130 of the method: converting a digital twin data set related to the assembly into a digital twin data set related to production;

- in the fourth step 140 of the method: production of a physical installation 2 for transporting passengers on the basis of a digital twin related to the production of a data block; as well as

- at the fifth stage 150 of the method: installation of the physical installation 2 for transporting passengers in the building 5 and continuous updating of the ADDD 102 unit.

In this case, all data processing and data storage, as well as the phased compilation of the ADDD 102 block, are carried out, for example, via the IT cloud 50.

The initial state 99 for carrying out the method 100 according to the invention may be the planning and subsequent fabrication of a structure 5, such as a shopping center, an airport building, a subway station, and the like. This also provides for installation 2 for transporting passengers, made in the form of an escalator or travolator. The desired passenger transport installation 2 is configured based on the usage profile and installation conditions.

To do this, for example, a web-based configuration program can be available, which is permanently or temporarily installed in the computer system 111. Using various input masks 112, the configuration data 113 is requested in accordance with the wishes of the customer and stored in the change file 104 under an identification number. . The file 104 of changes can be saved, for example, in the IT cloud 50. Optionally, a three-dimensional digital model can be provided to the architect of the structure 5 based on the configuration data 113 in accordance with the wishes of the customer, which he can enter into his digital model to visualize the planned building building. As the configuration data 113 according to the user's wishes, for example, the coordinates of the envisaged building space, the required maximum capacity, the conveying height, the environment of the working area, etc. can be requested.

If the architect is satisfied with the passenger transport unit 2 he has configured, he can order it from the manufacturer with configuration data 113 according to the customer's wishes, for example with reference to the identification number or identification code of the change file 104.

When an order change referring to file 104, represented by the second step 120 of the method, arrives, a digital twin data block 121 is first composed, which gives information about the desired configuration. When compiling the data block 121 of the digital twin, the data blocks 114, 115, ..., NN are used, which are provided for the manufacture of physical structural elements. This means that for each physical structural element, for example, in the IT cloud 50, a data block 114, 115, ..., NN is recorded, which contains all characteristic properties (dimensions, tolerances, material characteristics, surface quality factor, interface information for the following data blocks models of structural elements, etc.) of this structural element in a given configuration.

Now, with the help of the configuration data 113, in accordance with the wishes of the customer, the blocks 114, 115, ..., NN of the structural element model data necessary to compile the digital twin data block 112 are selected, and also determine their number and location in three-dimensional space. Finally, these data blocks 114, 115, ..., NN of the model data of the structural element are combined with the help of their interface information to the form of the corresponding data block 121 of the digital twin of the passenger transportation installation 2. At the same time, it is obvious that an escalator or travolator consists of several thousand individual parts (represented by the designations ..., NN) and, accordingly, to compile a digital twin data block 121, it is necessary to involve and process the same number of data blocks 114, 115, ..., NN of the structural element model data. The digital twin data block 121 contains, for all physical components to be manufactured or purchased, predetermined data that reproduces the characteristic properties of the passenger transport plant 2 required for the production of structural components, in a predetermined configuration. The digital twin data block 121 can, as indicated by the arrow 161, be stored in the IT cloud 50, and to a certain extent it also forms the initial base for the ADDD block 102.

In the third step 130 of the method, by supplementing the digital, three-dimensional twin data block 121 with production-specific data 136, a digital twin data block 135 related to the configuration is then generated, which contains all the technological data necessary for the manufacture of a complete installation 2 for transporting passengers. Such manufacturing-specific data 136 may include information such as the place of manufacture, the raw materials used at that place of manufacture, the means of production used to manufacture the physical structural elements, continuous life, and more. etc. As indicated by arrow 162, this padding step is performed on the ADDD block 102, which is still in the compilation state.

According to the fourth step 140 of the method, the acquisition-related digital twin data block 135 can be used finally on the production equipment of the manufacturer (indicated by the image of the welding template for the supporting structure 19) in order to enable the production of physical structural elements (indicated by the image supporting structure 19) of the physical installation 2 for transporting passengers. In the configuration data block 135 of the digital twin, the installation steps of the physical installation 2 for transporting passengers are also defined. During and after the manufacture of physical structural elements, as well as the assembly of the physical installation 2 formed by them for transporting passengers, using measurements and non-destructive control methods, at least part of the characteristic properties of structural elements and mounted assemblies are recorded, assigned to the corresponding virtual structural elements and is transferred to the ADDD 102, which is not yet completely ready. In this case, the actual data measured on the physical structural elements replace the given data of the digital twin data unit 135 related to the configuration as characteristic properties. With this transfer, indicated by arrow 163, the digital twin data block 135 related to assembly changes more and more to the type of block ADDD 102 as production progresses. digital twin data.

Physical installation 2 for transporting passengers after its final production, as shown in the fifth stage 150 of the method, can be built into the structure designed according to the plans of the architect. Since certain adjustment work must be carried out during installation and operational data already arise during the first commissioning, these data are also transferred to the final production data set of the digital twin and converted into characteristic properties of the structural elements affected by them. With this update, represented by the dotted arrow 164, the final production data block of the digital twin is converted into the ADDD 102, which is fully ready for use, as well as the physical installation 2 for transporting passengers. From this point on, the ADDD 102 can be downloaded to the computer system 111 at any time and used for a more detailed analysis of the state of the physical installation 2 for transporting passengers.

The fifth step 150 of the method, however, does not mean the actual completion of the method 100 according to the invention. This completion only comes with the durability of the physical installation 2 for transporting passengers, whereby the data of the ADDD 102 can be usefully used for the recycling process of the physical structural elements for the last time.

As detailed below and shown by the dotted arrow 164, the ADDD 102 is continuously and/or periodically updated throughout the lifetime of the passenger transport unit 2 by transmitting measurement data. These measurement data, as already mentioned, can be recorded both with the recording device 200, and by input, for example, by service personnel, and transmission to the ADDD 102. Of course, the ADDD 102, together with the program instructions 166 necessary for operation with the ADDD block 102 can be stored in any memory medium as the computer program product 101.

Although FIG. 1-4 refer to various aspects of the present invention and have been described in detail with the example of an escalator, it is obvious that the described method steps and the corresponding device can equally be used also for travolators. In conclusion, it should be pointed out that such concepts as “comprising”, “including”, etc. do not exclude any other elements or steps, and the terms "one" or "one" do not exclude the plural. Further, it should be pointed out that the features or steps that have been described with reference to one of the above embodiments can also be used in combination with other features or steps of the other embodiments described above. Reference designations in the claims should not be construed as limiting.

Claims (23)

1. Method (100) for monitoring the state of the physical installation (2) for transporting passengers using the updated block ADDD (102) of digital twin data, which contains the characteristic properties of the structural elements of the physical installation (2) for transporting passengers processed by the machine after its assembly and installation in structure (5), and at least one recording device (200) is located in the physical installation (2) for transporting passengers, which registers changes in at least one characteristic property that occurs due to wear on a rotating physical structural element (7, 11, 31 , 36) of a physical installation (2) for transporting passengers, characterized in that the ADDD unit (102) is generated using: - compiling a digital twin related to the configuration data block (135) from data blocks (114-NN) of the structural element model with given data that reproduce the characteristic properties of the structural elements of the installation (2) for transporting passengers in a given configuration; - compiling a ready-made digital twin data block, based on the configuration-related digital twin data block (135), by measuring actual data that reproduces the characteristic properties of the structural elements of the physical installation (2) for transporting passengers in the actual configuration of the installation (2) for transporting passengers immediately after its assembly and installation in the structure (5), and replacing the given data in the acquisition-related data block (135) of the digital twin with the corresponding actual data; - compiling and continuously updating the ADDD block (102) based on the digital twin data block related to the ready state, by modifying the digital twin data block related to the ready state during the operation of the physical installation (2) for transporting passengers, taking into account the registered by the recording device (200 ) measurement values that reproduce the changes in the characteristic properties of the rotating structural elements (7, 11, 31, 36) of the physical installation (2) for transporting passengers during its operation; while these changes are transmitted as measurement data to the block ADDD (102) and correspondingly update the characteristic properties of the structural element model-related blocks (114-NN) affected by the transmitted measurement data. 2. The method (100) according to claim 1, moreover, with the help of control using the ADDD block (102), by means of calculations and / or static and dynamic simulations, changes and trends in at least one updated property of a rotating physical structural element are monitored and evaluated (7, 11, 31, 36) and its effect on the structural element (7, 11, 31, 36) and on the structural elements interacting with this structural element. 3. The method (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the measurement data transmitted by the recording device (200) is recorded together with time information (103) in a change file (104). 4. The method (100) according to claim 3, wherein the changes in the measurement data stored in the file (104) and the changes in the operating data stored in the file (104) are used to determine the tendency of the measurement values to change using statistical methods. 5. Method (100) according to claim 4, wherein the transmission of the measurement values is carried out periodically or depending on the tendency of the measurement values to change. 6. The method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the wear characteristic property of the rotating physical structural element (7, 11, 31, 36) is selected from the group consisting of geometrical dimensions of the structural element, the weight of the structural element, and the surface properties of the structural element. . 7. The method (100) according to claim 6, wherein the characteristic property of the rotating structural element (7, 11, 31, 36) measured by the recording device (200) is the length of the drive chain (36) or the wear-induced change drive chain slack length (36); the length of the traction chain (31) or the displacement of the guide curve (39) relative to its tensioner (40) due to wear due to change in length of the traction chain or the length of the moving handrail (11) or the displacement of the roller curve (83) relative to its tensioner caused by wear due to a change in length (80) moving handrail. 8. The method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein monitoring the state of the physical installation (2) for transporting passengers includes modeling the prospective characteristic properties of the physical installation (2) for transporting passengers using the ADDD block (102). 9. The method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising scheduling maintenance work to be carried out on the physical passenger transport facility (2) based on information about the monitored status of the passenger transportation facility (1). 10. The method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising estimating the performance characteristics of one of the rotating structural elements (7, 11, 31, 36) based on the analysis of ADDD blocks (102) of several containing the corresponding rotating structural element (7, 11, 31, 36) installations (2) for the transportation of passengers. 11. The method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition of the digital twin data block (135) related to the acquisition includes leaving the digital twin data block (125) of the data blocks (114, ..., N) related to the model of the structural element taking into account the configuration data (113) in accordance with the wishes of the client, as well as the compilation of technological data by modifying the digital twin data block (121) taking into account the data (136) determined by the specifics of the production. 12. Device (1) for implementing the method according to one of paragraphs 1-11, containing: - block ADDD (102), which reproduces in a machine-processing way the characteristic properties of the structural elements of the physical installation (2) for transporting passengers in the actual configuration of the physical installation (2) for transporting passengers after its assembly and installation in the structure (5); - at least one recording device (200), with which it is possible to register changes in at least one characteristic property that occur as a result of wear on a rotating physical structural element (7, 11, 31, 36) of the physical installation (2) for transportation passengers; and these changes can be transmitted in the form of measurement data to the block ADDD (102) to update existing data, characterized in that the block ADDD (102) can be created using: - compiling a digital twin data block (135) related to the configuration with predetermined data that reproduce the characteristic properties of the structural elements of the installation (2) for transporting passengers in a predetermined configuration; - compiling a ready-made digital twin data block, based on the configuration-related digital twin data block (135), by measuring actual data that reproduces the characteristic properties of the structural elements of the physical installation (2) for transporting passengers in the actual configuration of the installation (2) for transporting passengers immediately after its assembly and installation in the structure (5), and replacing the given data in the digital twin data block (135) related to the configuration with the corresponding actual data; and - compilation and continuous updating of the block ADDD (102), based on the digital twin data block related to the production, by modifying the digital twin related to the production data block during the operation of the physical installation (2) for transporting passengers, taking into account the values registered by the recording device (200) measurements that reproduce changes in the characteristic properties of the rotating structural elements (7, 11, 31, 36) of the physical installation (2) for transporting passengers during its operation. 13. Physical installation (2) for the transportation of passengers, containing the device (1) in accordance with paragraph 12. 14. A computer-readable environment with a computer program product (101) stored therein, containing machine-readable program instructions (166), which, when executed on a programmable device (50, 111), induce the device (50, 111) to implement the method ( 100) or managing it in accordance with one of paragraphs. 1-11.

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