EP0847954A1 - Operation monitoring system for one elevator or more - Google Patents

Abstract

The system includes devices (22,24,26) for measuring the characteristics representing the functions of the lift and a processing unit (18) acting on the measured signals in order to detect any malfunction of the lift. Each lift comprises a cabin and associated motors controlled by an operational control unit (16). The sensing devices include detectors sensing the position of the cabin which are dissociated from the control unit. The processing unit compares the real position of the cabin from the action of the lift motors with a threshold value corresponding to a position determined by the control unit. The system is able to activate indicators showing the ascent or descent of the lift cabin, and also an alarm signalling device if necessary.

Description

The present invention relates to a system monitoring the operation of at least one elevator.

An elevator conventionally comprises a cabin movable mounted in a sheath under the action of means motors controlled by operating control means from the cabin.

The control means are generally constituted by an electrical, electronic or programmable system, controlling the lifting motors of the cabin and landing door displacement motors from orders given by a user and variables condition of the booth, such as its position in the sheath elevator.

They also manage the operation of means of lighting the cabin so that it is lit in the presence of a user, or permanently.

Conventional surveillance systems operation of such an elevator include means for measuring characteristics representative of operation of this elevator and a processing unit signals from the measuring means for the purpose of detection of a malfunction of this elevator.

To this end, the measuring means carry out a measurement of electrical signals. presented as input control means and delivered to the motors and to the cabin.

This type of system allows effective detection of a malfunction and in this case issue a alarm at a central monitoring station.

However, it often happens that such systems must be mounted on elevators already installed and operational. Due to their nature, their installation is a relatively long operation and complex, which also requires perfect knowledge of the elevator electrical system.

In addition, the diversity of existing elevators in this day contributes to increasing the complexity of the installation of such a system.

Taking information on the control means of an elevator is also tricky and may be prohibited by regulations.

The object of the invention is to overcome these drawbacks.

It therefore relates to a monitoring system the operation of at least one elevator of the aforementioned type, characterized in that said measuring means include means for detecting the position of the cabin separated from the control means, and in that said processing unit includes means for compare the actual position of the cabin resulting from the action of the driving means and a threshold value corresponding to a position controlled by the means of ordered.

Thus, the detection of malfunctions of a lift performed from the detection of effects caused by such malfunctions, namely a faulty position of the cabin in the duct elevator, installing such a surveillance system is a relatively simple operation.

• ladite cabine étant équipée d'au moins une porte actionnable par les moyens moteurs, lesdits moyens de mesure comportent en outre des moyens de détection de la position réelle desdites portes, ladite unité de traitement assurant le calcul de la comparaison entre la position réelle desdites portes et une valeur de seuil correspondant à la position commandée par les moyens de commande;
• ladite cabine étant équipée de moyens d'éclairage, lesdits moyens de mesure comportent en outre un capteur photosensible de mesure de l'état d'éclairement de la cabine, ladite unité de traitement assurant la comparaison entre l'état réel d'éclairement de la cabine et une valeur de seuil correspondant à l'état d'éclairement prédéterminé;
• ladite unité de traitement comporte en outre des moyens de communication avec lesdits moyens de commande du fonctionnement de la cabine en vue de provoquer, en cas d'un dysfonctionnement détecté de celle-ci, l'action des moyens de commande pour l'élimination dudit dysfonctionnement;
• ladite unité de traitement comporte en outre des moyens d'émission d'un signal d'alarme en cas de persistance du dysfonctionnement après action sur les moyens de commande;
• ladite cabine étant munie d'un bouton de commande de moyens d'alarme actionnable manuellement par un utilisateur, ledit bouton est relié à l'unité de traitement en vue de la validation de la commande des moyens d'alarme en cas de détection d'un dysfonctionnement;
• l'unité de traitement comporte des moyens de réinitialisation des moyens de commande en cas de détection d'un dysfonctionnement;
• l'unité de traitement est munie d'une interface de connexion d'un terminal pour l'interrogation des moyens de mesure et le paramétrage de ladite unité de traitement par stockage, dans une mémoire, desdites valeurs de seuil correspondant chacune à une desdites positions ou à un état d'éclairement commandé par les moyens de commande;
• ladite unité de traitement comporte des moyens d'adaptation des valeurs de seuil stockées en fonction du nombre de dysfonctionnements détectés;
• le système comporte en outre une unité centrale de surveillance d'un réseau d'ascenseurs reliée auxdites unités de traitement et comportant des moyens d'adressage desdites unités et desdits au moins un ascenseur correspondant.

The system according to the invention can also include one or more of the following characteristics:

• said cabin being equipped with at least one door operable by the motor means, said measuring means further comprise means for detecting the real position of said doors, said processing unit ensuring the calculation of the comparison between the real position of said doors and a threshold value corresponding to the position controlled by the control means;
• said cabin being equipped with lighting means, said measuring means further comprises a photosensitive sensor for measuring the state of lighting of the cabin, said processing unit ensuring the comparison between the actual state of lighting of the cabin and a threshold value corresponding to the predetermined lighting state;
• said processing unit further comprises means of communication with said means for controlling the operation of the cabin with a view to causing, in the event of a detected malfunction thereof, the action of the control means for eliminating said dysfunction;
• said processing unit further comprises means for transmitting an alarm signal in the event of the malfunction persisting after action on the control means;
• said cabin being provided with an alarm means control button operable manually by a user, said button is connected to the processing unit for validation of the control of the alarm means in the event of detection of a dysfunction;
• the processing unit comprises means for resetting the control means in the event of detection of a malfunction;
• the processing unit is provided with a terminal connection interface for interrogating the measurement means and parameterizing said processing unit by storing, in a memory, said threshold values each corresponding to one of said positions or in a state of illumination controlled by the control means;
• said processing unit comprises means for adapting the stored threshold values as a function of the number of detected malfunctions;
• the system further comprises a central monitoring unit of an elevator network connected to said processing units and comprising means for addressing said units and said at least one corresponding elevator.

• la figure 1 est un schéma synoptique illustrant la structure du système de surveillance du fonctionnement d'un ou plusieurs ascenseurs selon l'invention ; et
• la figure 2 est un organigramme montrant les différentes étapes d'une procédure d'adaptation des valeurs de seuil.

Other characteristics and advantages will emerge from the following description, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the structure of the system for monitoring the operation of one or more elevators according to the invention; and
• FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the different steps of a procedure for adapting the threshold values.

There is shown in Figure 1 a block diagram of the monitoring system according to the invention.

It is intended for monitoring operation a set of elevators and allows monitoring one or more elevators. Each elevator is consisting in a known manner of a movable mounted cabin 10 in an elevator shaft (not shown), under the action of a conventional elevator machine 12 and comprising a lifting motor 14 and a box of control 16 comprising suitable programmable means to control the operation of the cabin.

In particular, the 16 pilot control unit the operation of the lifting motor 14 and of the motors actuating the doors (not shown) of the cabin 10 and, if necessary, landing doors.

It also controls the operation cabin lighting means (not shown) conventionally equipping the elevator, to provoke its lighting either permanently or in the presence of a user.

The surveillance system includes a set means for measuring representative characteristics of the elevator operation, connected to a unit 18 for processing signals from the measurement means for allow the detection of an elevator malfunction and in which are stored algorithms appropriate signal processing and calculation.

It is also equipped with a central unit of monitoring 20 ensuring reception of alarm signals sent by the processing unit 18 in the event of detection of a malfunction.

The measuring means comprise a set of sensors for detecting the effects generated on the cabin 10 in the presence of a malfunction.

This set of sensors includes a sensor 22 measuring the position of the cabin 10 in the sheath, a sensor 24 for measuring the position of the doors of the cabin and if necessary landing doors, and a 26 photosensitive sensor for detecting the lighting state from the cabin.

It should be noted that, preferably, the unit of processing 18, sensors 22 and 24 for measuring cab and door positions are positioned on the roof 28 of the cabin, the photosensitive sensor 26 being positioned inside the interior volume 30 defined by cabin 10.

In the example shown, the detection sensor 22 of the cabin position is constituted by a 22-a photocell cooperating with a strip notched 22-b. However, other known suitable sensors for the intended use may be used, including an accelerometer, a telemetry system, or similar.

The sensor 24 for measuring the position of the doors can also consist of any type of sensor known, in particular a proximity detector, capacitive or inductive, or a simple contact sensor delivering binary information corresponding to positions open or closed doors.

The signal processing unit 18 receives at input signals from position sensors 22,24 and by the photosensitive sensor 26. It receives also input signals from a microphone 34 and a button 36 for controlling alarm means manually operable by a user.

Furthermore, the processing unit 18 is connected, at the output, to the control box 16 of the machinery 12 and, inside the cabin, to a loudspeaker 38, to members for controlling the movement of cabin 10, uphill 40 and downhill 42, and at a warning light 44.

The processing unit 18 is further connected, by via a bidirectional transmission bus 46 digital data to a terminal 48 placed in the cabin 10, for the connection of a terminal 50 of a maintenance operator, consisting for example of a microcomputer, allowing the interrogation of means of measurement and configuration of the system.

It is also connected by bus 46 to a input / output card 52 for data acquisition from operation of machinery 12, such as temperature engine oil 14 or information related to the general condition of the machinery or relating to particular operations of the elevator, in particular its decommissioning, or its operation under the control firefighters, as well as a connection interface 54 a microcomputer for setting the system in view of the acquisition of its operating data.

We also see in this figure 1 that the processing unit 18 communicates bidirectionally, through a telecommunication box 56 and by means of a telephone line 58 and a corresponding interface 59 with the central unit 20 monitoring for transmitting data signals of elevator operation and alarm signals.

We finally see in Figure 1 that this unit of surveillance 20 consists of two surveillance stations 60 and 62, constituted respectively by the post of monitoring of a maintenance company, which includes a microcomputer 64 and a telephone set 66, and through the owner’s monitoring post the customer elevator of this maintenance company, which station is equipped with a microcomputer 68.

Finally, the processing unit 18 and the unit central 20 are provided with transmission means and reception of conventional data allowing transmission and the acquisition of signals useful for operation of the system.

This monitoring system works the way next.

The signal processing unit 18 receives at permanently and in real time the measurement signals supplied by sensors 22, 24 and 26 and compares, using algorithms stored in a memory, these values of measure, corresponding to real characteristics of operation, with stored and corresponding values respectively at positions of the elevator car in the sheath, at positions of the doors of the cabin and in an illuminated state, in configurations specific operating conditions, in the absence of elevator malfunction.

So when a user presses a key call the elevator car or send it up to a certain floor, this action causes the programming, by the control box 16, of the movement from the cabin to this floor, from the opening of cabin doors and interior lighting the cabin, in the case of lighting controlled by the user presence. For this purpose, the box of command 16 sends corresponding orders to motor 14 and to the cabin lighting means in the case of lighting controlled by the presence of a user.

The processing unit 18 calculates, using a algorithm stored in its memory, the comparison between the actual position of the cabin resulting from the action of the motor 14 and a threshold value corresponding to a theoretical stop position programmed by the control unit command 16, such as one of the accessible levels, between the actual position of the cabin doors and a value threshold corresponding to the commanded and programmed position by the box 16 thus verifying the arrival at a level and opening the doors and between the actual state cabin lighting detected by sensor 26 and a threshold value corresponding to an illumination state predetermined, i.e. either a state of controlled lighting in response to input from a user, either a state of permanent lighting.

If the measured value of these characteristics of operations does not correspond to the programmed value, the processing unit 18 causes the emission of a signal in the direction of the control keys 40 and 42 of the movement from the cabin, uphill or downhill, or in the direction motor means for controlling the movement of doors to position them in their programmed state, depending on the type of malfunction detected.

In the event of a malfunction, the processing 18 furthermore transmits a signal towards a reset input of control box 16 for cause a total reset of the elevator, a such reset being likely as is known, in some cases, to cause the disappearance of dysfunction.

If the malfunction persists, the unit processing 18 emits, in the direction of the central unit of monitoring 20 an alarm signal to trigger the intervention maintenance teams, and connects, to by means of the telephone link 58, the microphone 34 and the loudspeaker 38 with the telephone set 66 of the monitoring unit 20 to allow communication between a user likely to be blocked in the elevator and a maintenance operator located at monitoring unit level 20.

As mentioned earlier, the unit processing ensures, in real time, the comparison between measured values of representative characteristics elevator operation and threshold values corresponding to the value of these characteristics in absence of malfunction.

These threshold values are stored in a processing unit memory 18 and can either be transferred from terminals 50 and 52 connected to bus 46, or be acquired during a configuration phase of the system, especially during its installation.

Such a configuration phase is carried out in causing the elevator car to move up to each level of the sheath and storing the values of the operating characteristics, conveyed by the signals delivered by the sensors 22, 24 and 26 in the absence of a malfunction.

Note that when a user presses the button 36 for controlling the alarm means, the processing 18 checks the operation of the elevator according to the procedure described above before confirming this order, which avoids interventions untimely and unnecessary maintenance teams.

In the example of realization which has just been describes, monitoring the operation of the elevator takes place only when a user sends an order call or send the cabin to a predetermined floor.

However, in a particular embodiment, the processing unit 18 transmits at times appropriate and according to a determined rate of orders in direction of the control keys 40 and 42 for movement cabin to periodically monitor operation of the elevator when it is not requested by a user.

Furthermore, according to another embodiment, the processing unit 18 comprises software means for setting the threshold values stored in its memory, according to the procedure illustrated in Figure 2.

During a first step 70, the data of elevator operation, i.e. the position of the cabin, doors and cabin lighting status, are acquired by the processing unit 18 and stored, according to the procedure described above.

During a next step 72, the processing unit 18 assigns a detection threshold value to each of these acquired values. During step 74 next, the threshold values are adjusted, namely increased or decreased, if in a later stage it is decided that the number of exceedances of these values is too important, this adjustment step being inactive when no malfunction has been detected.

After adjustment, the system monitors, during from steps 76 to 80 following, the gap, as mentioned previously, between the measured values and the values threshold. If, during step 80, the system detects an overshooting of values, it causes (step 82), a memorization of the value of this overshoot and a count the number of overruns detected.

Then, during the next step 84, it is carried out a comparison of the number of exceedances of the values threshold with a predetermined number. As mentioned previously, if the difference between a measured value and a corresponding threshold value is low and that the number of exceedances of this threshold value is high, the system changes the threshold value to remove this difference and cause, as described above, an adjustment of the threshold values during step 74.

If this is not the case, the unit checks during of step 86 if the central processing unit 20 requests that these value overruns are stored in a memory for historical archiving.

If such an order is sent by unit 20, the information is stored in a memory stack (step 88), then, if the central unit 20 has sent a transmission control order (step 90), the information of malfunction are transmitted to him, at during step 92.

During the next step 94 it is checked that the transmission has been completed. If this is the case, a flag is positioned indicating that the transmission has been completed (step 96). If not case, a flag indicating that the transmission was not performed is positioned during step 98.

This procedure for adjusting the detection thresholds of faults allows by successive adjustments of threshold values to avoid untimely intervention maintenance teams, in cases where malfunctions minors are detected.

It is understood that the installation of the surveillance that has just been described is relatively quick and easy since it is enough to connect the treatment 18 to the control unit 16 and to equip the sensor cabin suitable for detecting its position in the elevator shaft, the position of the doors of the cabin and to detect the lighting state of the cabin.

In the system described above, the unit central 20 is connected to a single elevator for the monitoring of its operation.

Of course, such a system allows, as mentioned above, to monitor the operation of several elevators.

In this case, all elevators monitored by the same central unit are connected to each other by the bus 46 (figure 1) and communicate with the central unit 20 via telephone link 58 and interface 59 and are each assigned an address.

For addressing an elevator with which the central unit 20 communicates, the signals transmitted in the telephone line come in the form of raster signals with a useful signal in which are coded the operating data exchanged between the central unit 20 and the elevator, and a header signal in which the address of the central unit and of the elevator at which the data contained in the signal useful are intended or the elevator having issued the signal transmitted.

Claims (10)

System for monitoring the operation of minus an elevator, each with an associated cabin to motor means (14) controlled by programmable means (16) for controlling the operation of said cabin, comprising means (22,24,26) for measuring characteristics representative of the operation of said at least one elevator and, connected to said means of control (16) and said measuring means (22,24,26), at at least one unit (18) for processing signals from said measuring means (22,24,26) for the detection a malfunction of said elevator, characterized in that said measuring means include means detecting (22) the position of the dissociated cabin control means (16), and in that said unit of processing includes means to compare the position real cabin resulting from the action of the means motors (14) and a threshold value corresponding to a position controlled by the control means (16). System according to claim 1, characterized in that said cabin being equipped with at least one door operable by the motor means (14), said means measurement means further include means for detection (24) of the actual position of said doors, said processing unit calculating the comparison between the actual position of said doors and a threshold value corresponding to the commanded position by the control means. System according to either of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said cabin being equipped with lighting means, said measuring means comprise furthermore a photosensitive sensor (26) for measuring the state of lighting of the cabin, said unit (18) of processing ensuring the calculation of the comparison between the actual state of the cabin lighting and a value of threshold corresponding to the predetermined lighting state. System according to any of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said unit (18) of processing further includes means of communication with said control means (16) for the operation of the cabin to cause, in the event of a malfunction detected from it, the action of the control means (16) for the elimination of said dysfunction. System according to claim 4, characterized in that said processing unit further comprises means for transmitting an alarm signal in the event of persistence of the dysfunction after action on the control means (16). System according to any of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said cabin being provided with a button (36) for controlling alarm means manually operable by a user, said button (36) is connected to the processing unit (18) for the purpose of validation of the command of the alarm means in the event of detection of a malfunction. System according to any of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the processing unit (18) includes means for resetting the means control (16) in the event of a malfunction being detected. System according to any of the claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the processing unit is provided with a terminal connection interface (50) for interrogation of the measurement means and configuration of said storage processing unit (18), in a memory, said corresponding threshold values each in one of said positions or in a state of illumination controlled by the control means (16). System according to claim 8, characterized in that said processing unit (18) includes means for adapting the threshold values stored in depending on the number of malfunctions detected. System according to any of the claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it further comprises a central unit (20) for monitoring a network elevators connected to said processing units and comprising means for addressing said units and said at least one corresponding elevator.

Images