EP1914186B1 - Method and device for checking suspension means on lifts - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves permanently providing an evaluation unit (2) on a lifting mechanism, temporarily providing a sensor device (1) with at least one sensor for detecting sensor signals as a basis for checking wear of the lifting gear traction arrangement, bringing the evaluation unit and sensor device into interaction to evaluate the sensor signals to provide wear information. An independent claim is also included for an arrangement for checking lifting gear traction arrangements.

Description

The present invention relates to a method and a car unit with a device for supporting means testing of hoists according to the preambles of the independent claims 1 and 4, respectively.

Lifting means of lifting equipment, in particular hoisting ropes of elevator installations, do not constitute durable components. Rather, they have only a limited service life. For this reason, the condition of the suspension elements in hoists must be checked at regular intervals.

According to the current state of the art, such a check is carried out in hoists, especially in elevator systems with conventional wire ropes, exclusively by means of visual inspections by experts in the context of periodic inspections of the entire system.

A visual inspection includes the counting of externally visible wire breaks and their evaluation regarding the detection of the Ablegereife the suspension means according to DIN 15020.

Counting the wire breaks proves to be extremely time-consuming, depending on the delivery height. Moreover, due to poorly detectable wire breaks, the result depends on the particular accuracy of the examining expert, which may be, for example, conditional can by its visual acuity or care. The visual inspection is made even more difficult in today's engine-room-less elevators, that it must be performed in the shaft pit or from the car roof in the shaft in low light conditions.

For example, metrological test methods are known from the mountain railway sector which make it possible to evaluate a rope condition by means of a sensor system. Magnetic-inductive measurements should be mentioned in this context in particular. In such test methods, the wire ropes go through a magnetic field, which undergoes a change in the occurrence of wire breaks. These changes are detected by means of measuring coils or Hall sensors, and evaluated in an evaluation unit. The known measuring techniques are very expensive and require a high metrological effort.

The WO 2005/040028 A1 shows an apparatus for testing aramid fiber elevator ropes. The device comprises a transmitter for outputting acoustic waves and at least two receivers for receiving the waves. The transmitter, which gives vibrations to the rope, is placed on the rope at one point. Subsequently, one or more receivers are placed on the rope, which evaluate the vibrations transmitted via the rope. From the determined transfer duration and the rope length a residual strength of the rope can be calculated. A test of steel cables is not possible with the device shown.

In the WO 00/58706 A1 a magnet system for testing metallic elevator ropes is disclosed.

With the present invention, a quick, inexpensive to perform and reliable inspection of suspension means of hoists, especially wire ropes of elevator systems, sought. In particular, the development of a method and a concept for a rope testing device is sought, which allows a lift expert to quickly and reliably recognize the Ablegereife the wire ropes on lifts on site. The evaluation should be carried out by an expert who checks the hoist in its entirety, and should not require another specialist.

Therefore, a method with the features of patent claim 1 and a car unit with the features of patent claim 4 are proposed.

With the invention, a simple and inexpensive review of the Ablegereife suspension elements of hoists, especially ropes of elevator systems, possible.

According to the invention, sensitive and costly sensor units for measuring wire breaks only have to be installed temporarily on an elevator installation, while an evaluation unit, which can be integrated in an elevator control, is permanently kept at the elevator installation. This minimizes the expense of an expert testing a lift installation, as he only has to position the sensor device at a designated location on the lift installation.

The maintenance costs for elevator installations are minimized overall since one sensor unit can be used for a plurality of individual elevator installations.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

According to the invention, a holder is permanently held on the hoist, to which the sensor device to be temporarily positioned can be attached. With such a holder, the position of the sensor device can be clearly specified, whereby the effort for an operator or a elevator expert is reduced.

Appropriately, the sensor signals are transmitted in un-evaluated and / or at least partially evaluated form, as well as additionally or alternatively the information regarding the Ablegereife the suspension means to a provided remote from the hoist service center. With this measure, a remote diagnosis from a maintenance center is possible in addition to or as an alternative to an on-site inspection. Furthermore, in each case determined data can be stored there centrally, or in case of doubt by a specialist to be evaluated.

It is preferred that the sensor unit uses a magnetically inductive method to provide the sensor signals. Such methods are relatively inexpensive to perform appropriately usable sensor devices prove to be in practice as inexpensive, robust and reliable. According to the invention, the evaluation unit is integrated in a microprocessor control of the hoist. The evaluation device can thus be designed essentially in terms of software, whereby additional costs can be minimized.

According to the invention, the microprocessor control of a hoist designed as an elevator system is mounted on or in a car unit of the elevator installation, wherein the car unit is further formed with the holder and at least one interface for connecting the sensor device to the evaluation unit.

An embodiment of the holder on the car proves to be very favorable for a variety of cable guides of elevator systems, since in this case a particularly large part of the total cable length can be guided past the sensor device.

Conveniently, the inventively usable sensor devices are hinged, divisible or partially openable formed. With such embodiments, the introduction of cables to be tested, in particular a plurality of simultaneously to be tested ropes, in the sensor devices in a particularly simple manner bewerkstelligbar.

Expediently, the sensor devices which can be used according to the invention have a number of sensors, so that a corresponding number of cables of an elevator installation can be tested simultaneously.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the sensor device or individual sensors of the sensor device are mounted horizontally movably on the holder permanently provided on the hoist. With this measure, in particular ropes can be tested, which have a variable distance to the car along the length of an elevator shaft.

figure description

Figur 1

eine nicht Anordnung einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung in einem Triebwerksraum einer Aufzugsanlage in perspektivischer Darstellung,

Figur 2

eine bevorzugte Anordnung einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung an einem Fahrkorb einer Aufzugsanlage in perspektivischer Darstellung,

Figur 3

eine nicht Anordnung einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung im Schacht einer Aufzugsanlage in perspektivischer Darstellung,

Figur 4

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäß einsetzbaren Sensors,

Figuren 5a, 5b

zwei perspektivische Ansichten einer ersten bevorzugten Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäß einsetzbaren Sensoreinrichtung in einer Prüf- und einer Montagestellung,

Figuren 6a, 6b

zwei perspektivische Ansichten einer zweiten bevorzugten Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäß einsetzbaren Sensoreinrichtung in einer Prüf- und einer Montagestellung

Figuren 7a, 7b

zwei perspektivische Ansichten einer dritten bevorzugten Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäß einsetzbaren Sensoreinrichtung in einer Prüf- und einer Montagestellung, und

Figuren 8a, 8b

perspektivische Darstellungen zur Erläuterung der Montage einer erfindungsgemäß verwendeten Sensoreinrichtung an einem Fahrkorb einer Aufzugsanlage,

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this shows or show

FIG. 1

a not arrangement of a device according to the invention in an engine room of an elevator installation in a perspective view,

FIG. 2

a preferred arrangement of a device according to the invention on a car of a lift installation in perspective view,

FIG. 3

a non-arrangement of a device according to the invention in the shaft of an elevator installation in a perspective view,

FIG. 4

a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of an inventively usable sensor,

FIGS. 5a, 5b

2 perspective views of a first preferred embodiment of an inventively usable sensor device in a test and a mounting position,

FIGS. 6a, 6b

two perspective views of a second preferred embodiment of an inventively usable sensor device in a test and a mounting position

FIGS. 7a, 7b

two perspective views of a third preferred embodiment of an inventively usable sensor device in a test and a mounting position, and

Figures 8a, 8b

perspective views for explaining the mounting of a sensor device according to the invention used on a car of a lift installation,

In FIG. 1 an elevator system is generally designated 10. The representation of essential components of the elevator installation, such as car and counterweight, was omitted for reasons of simplification of the presentation.

The elevator installation 10 has an engine compartment 14 provided above an elevator shaft 12. In the engine room 14, a drive 16 is provided, which via a traction sheave 18 and elevator cables 20 a car and a counterweight (in the illustration of the FIG. 1 not shown) drives. In the engine room 14, a control cabinet 22 is further provided, in which a control device 24 of the elevator system is provided. The control device comprises an evaluation unit 2, which serves to evaluate signals of a sensor device 1. The sensor unit 1 is used, as will be explained further below, to check the discard condition of the elevator ropes 20.

It should be noted that the evaluation unit 2 is also independent of the control device 24, d. H. as a separate component can be provided.

The sensor device 1 is attachable to a permanently mounted in the engine room 14 bracket 4. The holder 4 may, for example, on the housing of the drive Be provided 16, or on the floor 14a of the engine compartment 14, in particular in the immediate vicinity of a bottom opening 14b, through which the driven by the traction sheave 18 elevator cables 20 extend.

The transmission of measured data determined by the sensor device 1 to the evaluation unit 2 can take place via a correspondingly formed line in the engine room (not shown) or also wirelessly. For this purpose, corresponding interfaces or interfaces can be provided on the sensor device 1 and the evaluation unit 2.

In FIG. 2 an efindungsgemäß positioning of a sensor device 1 and an evaluation unit 2 is shown on or in a designated 30 car.

The car 30 can be moved by being acted upon by the elevator cables 20 in an elevator shaft which is again denoted by 12.

By means of pulleys 34, the elevator cables 20 are guided below the car, and extend along the side walls of the car 30 upwards.

The sensor device 1 is (temporarily) attachable to a holder 4 permanently held on the car 30. In order to enable the easiest possible mounting of the sensor device 1 on the holder 4, the holder is preferably attached to the roof 30a of the car in the region of one of the side edges 30b, 30c, where the ropes 20 pass by. Depending on the dimensioning of the sensor device 1, the holder 4 protrudes more or less over the edge 30b in order to enable a positioning of the sensor device 1 directly to the elevator cables.

The sensor device 1 expediently has a number of sensors corresponding to the number of elevator cables 20, as described below with reference to FIGS FIGS. 5 to 7 will be explained.

Also in the in FIG. 2 illustrated embodiment, the evaluation unit 2 is provided in a control cabinet 22 which is mounted here within the car 30. The evaluation unit 2 is again preferably designed as part of a control device or microprocessor control 24 of the elevator. In the FIG. 2 illustrated embodiment is particularly, but not only, for engine roomless elevators.

Another not inventive possibility of positioning the sensor device 1 and the evaluation unit 2 is in FIG. 3 shown. FIG. 3 shows a partial view of an elevator shaft 12, wherein the drive 16 is mounted on a shaft wall 12a. As in the previously described embodiments, the drive 16 drives a traction sheave 18, via which cables 20 of the elevator are driven.

A holder permanently held in the elevator shaft 12, for example on the shaft wall 12a or the drive 16, serves for the temporary mounting of a sensor device 1 in the immediate vicinity of the elevator cables 20. The sensor device 1 expediently again has a number of sensors which corresponds to the number of sensors Ropes 20 corresponds.

The evaluation unit 2 is in accordance with the embodiment FIG. 3 attached to the shaft wall 12a. As with the embodiments described above, this evaluation unit is provided in a control cabinet 22, and conveniently integrated in the control 24 of the elevator. The transmission of the measurement data of the sensor device 1 can in turn be accomplished via a corresponding line extending through the shaft 12, or wirelessly.

The arrangement of in FIG. 3 shown elevator components corresponds to that of a machine roomless elevator.

The positioning of the sensor unit 1 according to the embodiment of the FIG. 2 is, as mentioned, both for engine roomless lifts as well as with engine room trained elevators.

In particular, depending on the specific course of the cable, it may be expedient or necessary, in addition to a cable test, by arranging a sensor device on the drive 16, as in FIG FIG. 1 respectively. FIG. 3 shown to make a further rope test directly to the ropes 30 passing on the car 20, as it is in FIG. 2 is described. This is possible by means of a corresponding successive positioning of the sensor unit which can be used according to the invention, for example, to those in the FIGS. 1 and 2 or 2 and 3 shown positions, to accomplish in a costly manner.

Depending on a specific rope course, it is possible to test a larger rope area of the total rope length.

However, in certain cable guides, it may also be sufficient merely to position a sensor unit according to the embodiment of FIG FIG. 2 provided.

It should be noted that the invention is usable not only for traction sheave elevators, but rather for elevator systems using all types of ropes.

Preferred embodiments within the scope of the invention usable sensors or sensor devices will now be with reference to the FIGS. 4 to 7 explained.

In FIG. 4 is shown in a simplified schematic manner, a magnetic inductive sensor 40. The sensor 40 has means 41 for generating a magnetic field and measuring means 42 for measuring a magnetic field change. The magnetic field generating means 41 may comprise coils or permanent magnets. As measuring means 42 are also coils, or Hall sensors can be used. The magnetic field generating means have two parts 41a, 41b which can be positioned against one another, which are each formed with a semicircular recess. The measuring means 42 are shaped according to the shape of these recesses.

The illustrated sensor 40 is used to perform a magnetic inductive test method. It should be noted that optical, high-frequency or fluoroscopic Test method can be used with appropriately trained sensors in the context of the present invention.

The magnetic field generating means 41 and the measuring means 42 are shaped such that an elevator cable 20 can be guided past the sensor 40 in the greatest possible proximity. In the illustrated embodiment, the sensor 40 has a through hole 44 through which an elevator rope can pass. The hole is formed by positioning the two semicircular recesses of the parts 41a, 41b against each other.

It should be noted that the through hole 44 may be dimensioned such that it can accommodate several or all lift cables of an elevator installation. However, it is preferred to dimension the through hole 44 such that its diameter is slightly larger than a diameter of one of the cables 20 to be tested.

For simultaneously checking a plurality of parallel elevator cables, as already described with reference to FIGS FIGS. 1 to 3 has been described, a plurality of sensors 44 are expediently combined to form a sensor device or a sensor head 1. Various embodiments of such sensor units are in the FIGS. 5 to 7 shown. For the sake of simplicity of illustration, only the magnetic field generating means 41 are shown here. On a representation of the measuring means 42 has been omitted.

To introduce the elevator cables 20 into the corresponding through holes 44, it is necessary to open the sensor device.

For this purpose, the sensor unit 1 according to the embodiment of the FIGS. 5a, 5b divisible into two parts 1a, 1b. FIG. 5a shows a test position, in which both parts 1a, 1b abut each other. In FIG. 5b the two parts 1a, 1b are shown in their mounting position, in which ropes 20 in the individual holes 44 and recesses can be introduced.

An assembly of the sensor unit 1 on the respective holder 4 can in this case be configured such that first of all the first part 1a is fastened to the holder. Subsequently, the ropes are introduced into the respective recesses, whereafter the second part 1b, including the ropes in the recesses or the holes 44 formed by them, is brought to the first part.

The FIGS. 6a, 6b show a corresponding sensor unit 1, in which the two parts 1a, 1b are formed against each other hinged. For this purpose, the parts 1a, 1b are pivotally mounted at one end to a bracket 43.

In the FIGS. 7a, 7b a further embodiment of a sensor device 1 is shown. Here, the magnetic field generating means comprises a first part 1a and a number of further parts 1b 'to 1b''''. The parts 1b 'to 1b''''are individually movable with respect to the part 1a or removably formed. This embodiment of a sensor device proves to be particularly useful when used in confined spaces. Furthermore, here the effort for mounting the sensor unit and for attaching elevator cables in the respective holes 44th be minimized according to a number of concrete elevator ropes.

The individual parts 1a, 1b, 1b '- 1b "" are by suitable means, for. B. screws or clamps can be fixed together.

Based on Figures 8a, 8b Now, the attachment of a sensor unit 1 to a holder 4, which is permanently held on the roof 30a of a car, further described. The illustrated arrangement of the holder 4 corresponds to the in FIG. 2 illustrated arrangement. Unlike the FIG. 2 the individual elevator ropes 20 do not run equidistant from the wall of the car, but one behind the other, ie in a plane perpendicular to the wall of the car 30th

The two parts 1a, 1b of the sensor unit 1 are, as in the Figures 8a, 8b shown, brought from opposite sides of the elevator cables 20 so that the cables 20 pass through the thus formed through holes 44, and attached to an end face on the holder 4. With this holder 4, a precise positioning of the sensor unit 1 with respect to the ropes 20 in a simple manner can be realized.

In the presentation of the Figures 8a, 8b , as well as the representation of the FIG. 2 , The individual ropes 20 extend along the entire elevator shaft substantially at a constant distance with respect to the car.

In the event that the horizontal distance of the ropes along the shaft changes with respect to the car, it is provided according to a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the sensor device 1 and / or individual sensors 40 of a sensor device to the permanently held holder 4 to mount horizontally movable, so that the sensor unit 1 and the individual sensors can follow the rope course. For this purpose, the holder 4 may be formed for example with a rail guide.

Claims (11)

1. Method of testing carrying means for a hoisting mechanism constructed as a lift installation with lift cage unit (30), particularly cables (20), comprising the following steps:

   - permanently providing an evaluating unit (2) on the hoisting mechanism, the evaluating unit (2) being integrated in a microprocessor control, the microprocessor control being mounted on or in the lift cage unit (30) of the lift installation,

   - temporarily providing a sensor device (1) having at least one sensor (40), on a holder (4) permanently provided on the lift cage unit (30), for detecting sensor signals as the basis for testing the discard readiness of the carrying means on the hoisting mechanism, wherein the lift cage unit (30) is also constructed to have an interface for connecting the sensor device (1) with the evaluating unit (2),

   - operatively connecting the permanently provided evaluating unit (2) with the temporarily provided sensor device (1) for evaluating the sensor signals detected in order to provide information regarding the discard readiness of the carrying means.
2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the sensor signals are transmitted in unevaluated and/or at least partially evaluated form and additionally or alternatively the information regarding discard readiness is transmitted to a service centre provided at a location remote from the hoisting mechanism.
3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor device (1) uses a magnetic induction process for providing the sensor signals.
4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the evaluating unit (2) is integrated in the lift control.
5. Lift cage unit having an apparatus for testing carrying means of a hoisting mechanism constructed as a lift installation with the lift cage unit (30), particularly cables (20), comprising:

   - an evaluating unit (2) permanently provided on the hoisting mechanism, the evaluating unit (2) being integrated in a microprocessor control, the microprocessor control being mounted on or in the lift cage unit (30) of the lift installation,

   - a sensor device (1) which may be temporarily provided on the hoisting mechanism and which has at least one sensor (40), for providing sensor signals as the basis for testing the discard readiness of a carrying means of the hoisting mechanism,

   - a holder (4) permanently provided on the lift cage unit (30) for temporarily mounting the sensor device (1), wherein the lift cage unit (30) is also constructed to have an interface for connecting the sensor device (1) with the evaluating unit (2),

   - means provided in the evaluating unit (2) for evaluating the sensor signals detected for providing information regarding the discard readiness of the carrying means when the evaluating unit (2) and sensor device (1) are operatively connected.
6. Lift cage unit according to claim 5, characterised by a data bus by means of which unevaluated or at least partially evaluated sensor signals and additionally or alternatively information regarding the discard readiness of the carrying means can be passed on to a service centre.
7. Lift cage unit according to one of claims 5 or 6, wherein the sensor device (1) has at least one magnetic induction-type sensor (40).
8. Lift cage unit according to one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the sensor device (1) is constructed to be able to fold up, be divided or be partially opened.
9. Lift cage unit according to one of claims 5 to 8, wherein a number of sensors (40) are arranged in a sensor device (1) constructed as a sensor head, so that a corresponding number of cables of a lift installation can be tested simultaneously.
10. Lift cage unit according to one of the preceding claims 5 to 9, wherein the sensor device (1) and/or individual sensors (40) of the sensor device (1) can be mounted in horizontally movable manner on the holder (4) permanently provided on the hoisting mechanism.
11. Lift cage device according to one of the preceding claims 5 to 10, wherein the evaluating unit (2) is integrated in the lift control.

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