EP0140802B1 - Discerning device for lift alarms and for ascertaining the proper functioning - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an improved device which makes it possible to analyze the pressures exerted on the alarm button of an elevator, or of a freight elevator, or any other equivalent installation, and to decide whether the call is to be answered. in consideration or if this call results from malice or inattention of the user.

It also relates to a device of the aforementioned type which can be coupled to a control system which automatically checks the proper functioning of the elevator.

All elevators currently have an alarm system capable of being activated by the user in the event of an operating anomaly. In addition, they are all fitted with safety circuits enabling them to be put out of service in the event of a malfunction. Alarm systems are generally limited to a simple doorbell (or siren, lamp) placed in the elevator shaft or on the landing, said alarm being possibly echoed in a central room, for example at the caretaker of the building. This device is powered by batteries.

To date, no simple monitoring device has been proposed making it possible to detect nuisance calls resulting, for example, from a user error.

Regarding the proper functioning of the device in the event of a breakdown, this is generally noted by the user, who must then notify the persons authorized to carry out troubleshooting.

Admittedly, in the technical field of alarms, solutions have already been proposed which make it possible to avoid triggering in the event of a false maneuver, as is shown in particular from US-A-3,688,293.

These solutions, to the extent that it would have been envisaged to adapt them to control the alarm system of an elevator, would however not have made it possible to automatically eliminate nuisance calls or to consider using them to control the good operation of the installation.

However, we have found, and this is what is the subject of the present invention, a simple device, economical to produce, which not only makes it possible to ensure the control of the alarm system so that nuisance calls are not taken into account and which, moreover, can be associated with an assembly which also makes it possible to control the correct operation of the installation. In addition, the device according to the invention can be adapted to any type of existing elevator, regardless of their operating principle, electric or hydraulic, of all generations, of all brands, without intervention on the circuits of security of existing installations.

In general, the invention therefore relates to an elevator alarm discriminating device, a device capable of being connected between an alarm control button arranged in the car and an external alarm system, the device comprising a first timer which is triggered by the control button, said timer defining, after a first push on the control button, a first time period, and a second timer defining a second time period, the second time period ending after the end of the first period of time, the device being reset at the end of the second period of time, the device being characterized by the fact that it does not take into account the pulses on the alarm control button that after the first period of time, said period of time being a function of the travel of the installation and the possible rate of unmotivated calls, said discriminator enabling first period of time and before the end of the second period of time to transmit the alarm if a new press on the control button takes place.

Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said alarm control device is associated with an assembly also making it possible to control the proper functioning of the elevator control members. In this embodiment, the means making it possible to control this correct operation consist, on the one hand, of a sensor placed opposite a movable member of the elevator (traction sheave, deflection pulley, regulator pulley, etc.). .), this sensor being able to be a photoelectric cell, a magnetic detector, or a contact, said sensor being associated with means of automatic control of the starting of the elevator, actuable after a predetermined time, these means allowing two calls to be triggered, at two different levels so as to cause the machine to rotate and the device to be reset. It also includes basic means for transmitting information signaling an operating anomaly in the elevator.

• la figure 1 illustre un discriminateur d'alarme conforme à l'invention ;
• la figure 2 illustre le schéma de principe d'un ensemble permettant la surveillance du bon fonctionnement de l'appareil, susceptible d'être associé au discriminateur d'alarme illustré à la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 est un schéma de détail montrant la manière dont est réalisé un dispositif conforme à l'invention comportant à la fois un discriminateur d'alarme ainsi qu'un ensemble de surveillance.

The invention and the advantages which it brings will however be better understood thanks to the embodiment given below by way of indication but not limitation and which is illustrated by the appended diagrams in which:

• FIG. 1 illustrates an alarm discriminator according to the invention;
• Figure 2 illustrates the block diagram of an assembly for monitoring the proper functioning of the device, which can be associated with the alarm discriminator illustrated in Figure 1;
• FIG. 3 is a detailed diagram showing the manner in which a device according to the invention is produced, comprising both an alarm discriminator and a monitoring assembly.

If reference is made to the appended figures, as is apparent from FIG. 1, the alarm discriminator is disposed between the button (1) located at cabin and the actual alarm transmitter (2) for transmitting the information, for example to a service provider providing permanent monitoring for a plurality of devices.

This alarm assembly essentially comprises a holding relay (3), timing means (4-5) and a discriminator proper (6).

A monitoring system making it possible to verify the correct operation of the elevator is preferably combined with the alarm assembly illustrated in FIG. 1. Such a system has a structure of the type illustrated in FIG. 2. This system of monitoring essentially comprises a device (7) for detecting the rotation of the machine (8), placed opposite a movable member of said machine. Such a device is constituted by a sensor (photoelectric cell, magnetic detector, dry contact, etc.) placed opposite, for example, the traction sheave or the deflection pulley that the elevator (8) comprises. This set consists essentially of a timer (9) associated with a reset clutch system (10).

The timer (9) controls two successive calls (11-12) on two different stages (13-14), calls which must cause the machine to rotate and the device to be reset.

Such an assembly allowing both the control of the alarm system as well as the control of the correct operation of the machine is illustrated in the detailed diagram of FIG. 3.

• l'alimentation,
• les batteries (15) chargées du maintien en fonctionnement en cas de panne de secteur,
• les temporisations et relais nécessaires aux différentes fonctions, en processus électromécanique ou électronique (ces différents éléments n'étant pas décrits en détail dans la suite de la description mais permettant à un homme du métier en partant du schéma annexé, de reproduire le dispositif conforme à l'invention),
• un détecteur extérieur,
• les sorties sur bornes de raccordement.

As can be seen from this figure, this set consists essentially of a box (not shown) in which there are:

• food,
• the batteries (15) responsible for maintaining operation in the event of a power failure,
• the timers and relays necessary for the different functions, in electromechanical or electronic process (these different elements not being described in detail in the following description but allowing a person skilled in the art starting from the appended diagram, to reproduce the device in accordance with the invention),
• an outdoor detector,
• the outputs on connection terminals.

The operation of such an apparatus is as follows.

Regarding the alarm discriminator (1), the circuit connected to the alarm allows an analysis to be carried out in three stages.

After a first press on the button (1), the device is put on standby.

After a period determined by the timer T2 and before the end of listening determined by the timer T1, if the button (1) is always or again pressed the alarm is transmitted outside, to a service provider for example, ensuring permanent monitoring of a plurality of devices.

At the end of the listening period determined by the timer T1 the device is automatically reset.

Regarding the proper functioning control assembly, which is connected to the sector, a main delay is reset to zero each time it is operated by the sensor placed opposite a movable member (traction sheave for example).

If the device has not operated after a predetermined time in advance, for example after six hours, the timer (9) triggers two successive calls at two different levels.

If after the first call, the elevator works, the timer is reset.

However, if after the first call, the elevator does not work, it triggers a second call sending the elevator to another floor. If it works, the timer is reset.

On the other hand, if the elevator does not work, the alarm is transmitted indicating the non-operation.

Such an assembly, of a very great simplicity, and of a very high efficiency is capable of being adapted, on all types of existing elevators without having to intervene on the safety circuits that such installations comprise.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but it covers all the variants produced in the same spirit. Thus, it is possible to add to the alarm discriminator means enabling the reception notice to be displayed in the cabin by the control center, the establishment of a telephone link with the user, emergency lighting in cabin...

Finally, if in the illustrated embodiment, the device according to the invention is produced from electromagnetic elements, it is obvious that it could be produced by means of electronic elements.

Claims (2)

1. Discriminator device for an alarm in lifts, which device is capable of being connected between an alarm push-button (1) arranged in the cabin and an external alarm system (2), the device comprising a first automatic time switch which is capable of being triggered by the push-button, the said automatic time switch defining, after a first pressing of the push-button, a first period of time, and a second automatic time switch defining a second period of time, the second period of time ending after the end of the first period of time, the device being reset at zero at the end of the second period of time, the device being characterized in that it takes into consideration the pressings of the alarm push-button (1) only after the first period of time, the said period of time being a function of the run of the equipment and of the possible proportion of unwarranted calls, the said discriminator permitting, after the first period of time and before the end of the second period of time, the alarm to be transmitted if a new pressing of the push-button has occurred.

2. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the said alarm discriminator device is associated with an assembly which also permits the proper operation of the lift control devices to be monitored, this assembly consisting, on the one hand, of a sensor (7) placed opposite a movable member of the lift, the said sensor being associated with automatic control means for starting the lift which are capable of being actuated after a predetermined time, these means permitting two successive calls to be triggered, at two different levels, so as to give rise to the rotation of the machine and the resetting of the device to zero.

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