EP2824056A1 - Vandal-proofing of a lift assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a device for vandal-proof operation of an elevator installation with at least one elevator car system comprising at least one elevator car (2) and at least one suspension element (5) connected to the elevator car (2), and at least one with a control unit (4). connected, in or on the elevator car (2) arranged sensor unit (3). According to the invention, at least one amplitude value of a vertical oscillation of the elevator car system is determined by the at least one sensor unit (3) and compared by the control unit (3) with a previously defined amplitude value, and depending on the comparison, a special mode is initiated by the control unit (4).

Description

The invention relates to a method and a device for vandal-proof operation of an elevator installation with at least one elevator car system, comprising at least one elevator car and at least one suspension element connected to the elevator car, and at least one sensor unit connected to a control unit, arranged in or on the elevator car.

An elevator installation has an elevator cage system which consists of at least one elevator cage and at least one suspension element connected to the elevator cage, for example a belt, a rope, etc. The at least one support means is connected to a drive unit, so that the elevator car can be moved vertically in a lift shaft of a building between floors of the building. In a hydraulic elevator, the elevator car system consists at least of the elevator car and the hydraulic ram.

The elevator car system can perform vertical vibrations while driving or at a standstill, the amplitude of these vibrations u. a. depends on the payload and the position of the elevator car in the elevator shaft. In the worst case, the amplitude of the vertical vibrations can be so great that the elevator car system is excited in its resonant frequency.

In general, the resonance frequency is understood to be that frequency at which the amplitude of a system capable of oscillating is greater than when excited by adjacent frequencies. If the vibration system, such as the elevator car system, is excited near the resonance frequency, large amplitudes occur at low attenuation. The vibration system may also have a plurality of resonance frequencies. The resonant frequency of the elevator car system is usually 0.5 to 12 Hz; However, it can also be above it and depends at least on the stiffness or length of the suspension element and the mass of the elevator car. But also other parameters of the elevator system, such as parameters of an elevator control unit, the mass of a counterweight or moments of inertia of a drive pulley or traction sheave can have an influence.

The vertical vibrations may be caused by a person jumping up and down in the elevator car or otherwise attempting to generate such vibrations. It may happen that the elevator car system is excited in its resonance frequency, for example by rhythmic movements of the person, and the amplitude of the vertical vibrations becomes maximum. This leads to a dangerous condition for the elevator installation, which in extreme cases can lead to a triggering lever of a safety brake of the elevator installation being actuated.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an efficient and cost effective way of ensuring safe elevator travel.

The invention is solved by the features of the independent claims. Continuations are given in the dependent claims.

A core of the invention is to be seen in that in an elevator installation of at least one sensor unit, which is arranged in or on an elevator car of an elevator car system of the elevator system and connected to a control unit via a communication network, at least one amplitude value of a vertical vibration of the elevator car system is determined. The elevator car system consists at least of the elevator car and a suspension means connected to the elevator car. The control unit compares the at least one specific amplitude value with a previously defined amplitude value and initiates or activates a special mode of the elevator installation as a function of this comparison. As at least one sensor unit, an acceleration sensor can be used.

The determination of the at least one amplitude value takes place during an elevator journey or when the elevator car is at a standstill. Depending on the requirement, it can be carried out several times in one second or at other time intervals. Of course, the determination of the at least one amplitude value can also be continuous or permanent.

As a communication network, any type of connection between the control unit and the at least one sensor unit can be considered. The communication network may be wired or wireless.

The special mode can be initiated by the control unit, for example, when the at least one specific amplitude value is at least as large as the previously defined amplitude value. But other criteria, such as an average of at least two specific amplitude values, can be used for this.

In this case, the special mode may be that an emergency braking or stop at a next floor is initiated. Also could be done by the initiation of the special mode an alarm signal and / or a voice message. Of course, a combination of these actions is possible. Thus, in a first step, an alarm signal could be output and in a second step, if, for example, the at least one specific amplitude value continues to reach at least the value of the previously defined amplitude value, emergency braking is initiated.

The at least one specific amplitude value can be evaluated by the control unit prior to comparison with the previously defined amplitude value by means of a mathematical method. As a mathematical method, for example, a fast Fourier transform, a radix-4 algorithm, a Winograd algorithm, a prime factor algorithm, a Goertzel algorithm, a chirp-z transformation, a filtering by means of a bandpass filter, a determination of a maximum Amplitude (without a previous filtering) can be used.

The at least one amplitude value can be determined by a frequency of a previously defined frequency band or interval. For example, only amplitude values of frequencies in an interval between 0.5 Hz and 12 Hz could be determined.

The at least one sensor unit may be a unit of a safety chain of the elevator installation. For this purpose, the at least one sensor unit may have a switching unit or be designed as a switching unit.

As a control unit, an elevator control unit of the elevator installation or a control unit of the at least one sensor unit can be used. The control unit of the at least one sensor unit can be integrated in the at least one sensor unit or constitute a separate entity.

An advantage of the invention is that a dangerous situation can be averted in an efficient manner.

Another advantage is that the method is particularly simple and cost-effective.

Figur 1

eine Beispiel für die Erzeugung von Vertikalschwingungen bei einem Aufzugkabinensystem und

Figur 2

ein zweites Beispiel einer erfindungsgemässen Aufzugsanlage.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment shown in FIGS. Show

FIG. 1

an example of the generation of vertical vibrations in an elevator car system and

FIG. 2

a second example of an elevator system according to the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a simplified representation of an inventive elevator system. An elevator car 2 moves in an elevator shaft 1 of a building in the vertical direction between floors of the building. For this purpose, the elevator car 2 is connected via at least one support means 5, for example a carrying strap, a rope, etc., to a drive unit (not shown). Furthermore, the elevator installation has a control unit 4 and at least one sensor unit 3, which is arranged in or on the elevator car 2. In this example, the at least sensor unit 3 is arranged on the cabin roof of the elevator car 2. However, it can be arranged as desired on or on or below the elevator car 2, depending on the requirement.

The at least one sensor unit 3 is connected to the elevator control 4 via a wired or wireless communication network. At least one amplitude value of a vertical oscillation of an elevator car system, which consists of at least the elevator car 2 and the suspension means 5 connected to the elevator car 2, is determined by the at least one sensor unit 3. The at least one amplitude value of the vertical vibration can be determined by the sensor unit 3 continuously or at intervals. The time interval is arbitrary and can be, for example, in the millisecond or second range. So could be regulated that the at least one amplitude value 32 times in the second is determined by the at least one sensor unit 3.

The vertical vibration or vibrations may be caused by at least one person in the elevator car 2 by jumping up and down in the elevator car 2 or otherwise attempting to generate such vibrations. Thus, rhythmic movements of the person in the resonance frequency of the elevator car system can cause the amplitude values of the vertical vibrations to become maximal or reach dangerous values for the elevator installation or person in the elevator car 2.

For determining the at least one amplitude value, the sensor unit 4 may be designed as an acceleration sensor. The at least one amplitude value is determined by taking into account only one acceleration in the z direction, ie in the vertical direction (upwards / downwards). The horizontal vibrations are of secondary importance. The at least one amplitude value generally becomes maximum at the resonant frequency of the elevator car system. In elevator systems, the resonance frequency is about 0.5 to 12 Hz. Therefore, the inventive method can be designed so that only in this frequency range, the at least one amplitude value of the sinusoidal vertical vibration is determined. Of course, however, the at least one amplitude value can also be determined over the entire frequency range of the elevator installation. The resonant frequency of the elevator system is primarily determined by the stiffness or length of the suspension and the mass of the cabin. But also other parameters such as control parameters, a countermass mass and moments of inertia of a traction sheave of the drive can have an influence.

The at least one amplitude value of the vertical oscillation is compared by the control unit 4 with a previously defined amplitude value, and depending on the comparison, a special mode is initiated by the control unit 4. The control unit may be a control unit of the sensor unit 3, which is integrated in the sensor unit 3 or connected as a separate unit with her (3), or the elevator control of the elevator system. If the control unit 4 is a unit of the at least one sensor unit 3, it sends (4) the elevator control after a comparison at least one signal to initiate or activate the special mode. If the elevator control is used as the control unit 4, then this also activates the special mode. Of course, according to the invention It is also conceivable that although the sensor unit 4 has a control unit, the comparison is performed by the elevator control.

The special mode can then be initiated by the control unit 4 when the at least one specific amplitude value is at least as great as the previously defined amplitude value. Previously, the at least one specific amplitude value can be evaluated with a mathematical method. In this case, a fast Fourier transform, a Radix-4 algorithm, a Winograd algorithm, a prime factor algorithm, a Goertzel algorithm, a chirp z transformation, a filtering by means of a bandpass filter or a determination of the maximum amplitude value can be used , The amplitude value evaluated with such a mathematical method is then compared with the previously defined amplitude value.

As a special mode, for example, an initiation of an emergency stop or a stop at a next floor can be used. It is also conceivable that first initiated an emergency braking the elevator car and then moved to the nearest floor. The special mode can also be that an alarm signal or a voice message is output. Or an evacuation trip could be carried out. This is that the elevator car 2 is moved at a slowed speed to an evacuation floor.

In fast Fourier transform, the algorithm can be described as follows: $$\begin{array}{ll}{f}_m& ={\displaystyle \underset{k=0}{\overset{n-1}{\Sigma }}}{\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="x"\; filenames="imgf0002.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">x</figure-callout>}}_{2k}{e}^{-\frac{2\mathit{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="\pi i"\; filenames="imgf0002.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">\pi i</figure-callout>}}{2n}m\left(2k\right)}+{\displaystyle \underset{k=0}{\overset{n-1}{\Sigma }}}{\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="x"\; filenames="imgf0002.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">x</figure-callout>}}_{2k+1}{e}^{-\frac{2\mathit{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="\pi i"\; filenames="imgf0002.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">\pi i</figure-callout>}}{2n}m\left(2k+1\right)}\\ & ={\displaystyle \underset{k=0}{\overset{n-1}{\Sigma }}}{x}_k^{\text{'}}{e}^{-\frac{2\mathit{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="\pi i"\; filenames="imgf0002.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">\pi i</figure-callout>}}{2n}\mathit{mk}}+e^{-\frac{\mathit{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="\pi i"\; filenames="imgf0002.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">\pi i</figure-callout>}}{2n}}m{\displaystyle \underset{k=0}{\overset{n-1}{\Sigma }}}{x}_k^{"}{e}^{-\frac{2\mathit{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="\pi i"\; filenames="imgf0002.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">\pi i</figure-callout>}}{2n}\mathit{mk}}\\ & =\{\begin{array}{ll}{f}_m^{\text{'}}+e^{-\frac{\mathit{\pi i}}{n}m}{f}_m^{"}& \mathit{if\; m}<n\\ f_{m-n}^{\text{'}}-e^{-\frac{\mathit{\pi i}}{n}\left(m-n\right)}{f}_{m-n}^{"}& \mathit{if\; m}\ge n\end{array}\end{array}$$

With such an algorithm, amplitude values of the entire frequency range or spectrum of an elevator installation can be determined or only such Values that are in a certain frequency range, for example in an interval between 0.5 and 12 Hz.

FIG. 2 shows a second example of an elevator system according to the invention. This elevator system, as well as in FIG. 1 , Has at least one elevator car 2, which is connected via a support means 5 with a drive unit 7 and a counterweight 6. Of course, it is also conceivable according to the invention that a hydraulic elevator is used as elevator installation. In a hydraulic elevator, the elevator car system consists at least of the elevator car 2 and the hydraulic ram.

In this embodiment, the at least one sensor unit 3 is a unit of a safety chain or a safety circuit with safety units 8, which are arranged, for example, as door contacts on the individual floors 0. SW to 4. SW. Also, the security units for monitoring the drive unit 7, the shaft 1, etc. may be provided. In this example, it is indicated that the at least one sensor unit 3 can be arranged both in and on the elevator car 2. The security units 8 and the at least one sensor unit 3 are connected to each other via a wired or wireless communication network.

Due to the evaluation and the comparison, as in FIG. 1 are described, the special mode is activated or initiated by the at least one sensor unit 3 sends a corresponding signal to the control unit 4. Also, the at least one sensor unit 3 could be designed so that it interrupts the safety chain and thus the special mode is activated. This interruption can be short-term or permanent. The sensor unit 3 can either be designed as a switching unit or have a switching unit.

Claims (14)

Method for the vandal-proof operation of an elevator installation with at least one elevator cage system, consisting of at least one elevator car (2) and at least one suspension element (5) connected to the elevator car (2) and at least one connected to a control unit (4) in or on the elevator car ( 2) arranged sensor unit (3), characterized
that at least one amplitude value of a vertical vibration of the elevator car system is determined by the at least one sensor unit (3) and compared by the control unit (3) with a previously defined amplitude value, and
that from the control unit (4) is initiated in response to the comparison, a special mode of the control unit (4). Method according to claim 1,
characterized,
that the special mode is initiated by the control unit (4) when the at least a certain amplitude value at least equal to the predefined amplitude value. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the at least a certain amplitude value from the control unit (4) is evaluated by means of a mathematical method. Method according to claim 3,
characterized,
that as a mathematical method a fast Fourier transform, a Radix-4 algorithm, a Winograd algorithm, a prime factor algorithm, a Goertzel algorithm, a chirp z transformation, a filtering by means of a bandpass filter and / or a determination of a maximum amplitude value can be used. Method according to one of claims 3 or 4,
characterized,
that the at least one evaluated amplitude value with the previously defined Amplitude value is compared. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the control unit (4) with the at least one sensor unit (3) is connected via a wired or wireless communication network unbound. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
in that a special mode is an initiation of emergency braking, an output of an alarm signal, an output of a voice message or a stop at a next floor. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
the at least one amplitude value of frequencies of a predefined frequency band is determined. Method according to claim 8,
characterized,
that an interval of 0.5 Hz to 12 Hz is used as the frequency band. Device for the vandal-proof operation of an elevator installation with at least one elevator cage system, comprising at least one elevator car (2) and at least one suspension element (5) connected to the elevator car (2) and at least one connected to a control unit (4) in or on the elevator car ( 2) arranged sensor unit (3), characterized
at least one sensor unit (3) determines at least one amplitude value of a vertical vibration of the elevator car system,
the control unit (4) compares the at least one determined amplitude value with a previously defined amplitude value and initiates a special mode as a function of the comparison. Device according to claim 10,
characterized,
the at least one sensor unit (3) is a unit of a safety chain of the elevator installation. Device according to claim 11,
characterized,
that the sensor unit (3) comprises a switching unit. Device according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
in that a lift control unit and / or a control unit of the at least one sensor unit (3) are provided as the control unit (4). Device according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
the at least one sensor unit (3) is an acceleration sensor.

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