EP3326954A1 - Système d'ascenseur avec une caméra d'inspection visuelle d'un élément de traction de suspension - Google Patents

Système d'ascenseur avec une caméra d'inspection visuelle d'un élément de traction de suspension Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3326954A1
EP3326954A1 EP16200551.6A EP16200551A EP3326954A1 EP 3326954 A1 EP3326954 A1 EP 3326954A1 EP 16200551 A EP16200551 A EP 16200551A EP 3326954 A1 EP3326954 A1 EP 3326954A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
camera
traction member
stm
images
suspension traction
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Application number
EP16200551.6A
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German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Andrea CAMBRUZZI
Christian Studer
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Inventio AG
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Inventio AG
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Filing date
Publication date
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Priority to EP16200551.6A priority Critical patent/EP3326954A1/fr
Publication of EP3326954A1 publication Critical patent/EP3326954A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
    • B66B—ELEVATORS; ESCALATORS OR MOVING WALKWAYS
    • B66B7/00—Other common features of elevators
    • B66B7/12—Checking, lubricating, or cleaning means for ropes, cables or guides
    • B66B7/1207—Checking means
    • B66B7/1215—Checking means specially adapted for ropes or cables
    • B66B7/1238—Checking means specially adapted for ropes or cables by optical techniques

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an elevator assembly. Particularly, the present invention relates to an approach for monitoring an integrity of a suspension traction member (STM) in an elevator assembly.
  • STM suspension traction member
  • An elevator serves for transporting people or goods within a building, typically in a vertical direction.
  • An elevator car accommodating the people or goods may be displaced within an elevator shaft.
  • the elevator car is generally suspended by a suspension traction member typically comprising several load carrying ropes or belts.
  • the ropes or belts comprise load-carrying cords which are included in an overcoat, sheath or envelope of an elastomer material such as rubber or silicone.
  • the suspension traction member may suspend the loads of the elevator car.
  • the suspension traction member may be displaced using a drive engine with a traction sheave cooperating with the suspension traction member in order to thereby displace the suspended elevator car within the elevator shaft.
  • the suspension traction member also suspends a counterweight.
  • An integrity of the ropes or belts of the suspension traction member is critical for a safe operation of the elevator assembly. Therefore, such integrity is to be monitored and various deteriorations or failures of the suspension traction member are to be detected with a high degree of reliability.
  • Such deteriorations or failures comprise, inter-alia, broken or cracked cords or strands of the suspension traction member, local cracks or abrasion in the overcoat enclosing the cords, damages caused by corrosion or fretting corrosion, a presence of contaminants on a surface of the suspension traction member, etc.
  • "deterioration” or “failing” shall be interpreted in a broad sense not just meaning any traction member rupture but an inability to fulfil operational requirements of the elevator assembly.
  • lifetime expectations may be taken into account. Thereby, it may be ensured that the STM may be dismissed before, for example, any rubber material starts to degrade.
  • lifetime of an STM is also limited by a number of bending cycles and therefore a trip counter or a more sophisticated bending cycle counter may be employed.
  • an elevator assembly comprising an elevator car, a suspension traction member, a drive engine, a camera and an image processing unit.
  • the elevator car is displaceable within an elevator shaft.
  • the suspension traction member suspends the elevator car.
  • the drive engine drives a traction sheave for displacing the suspension traction member running along a traction surface of the traction sheave.
  • the camera is directed towards the suspension traction member for acquiring images of a surface of the suspension traction member during a monitoring procedure for monitoring a deterioration state of the suspension traction member.
  • the image processing unit is adapted for processing and analysing the images acquired by the camera during the monitoring procedure for detecting visual deteriorations of the suspension traction member and for generating a signal upon detection of such visual deteriorations.
  • the camera and the image processing unit are adapted for, during the monitoring procedure, acquiring and processing images of a focus area in predetermined time intervals such as to acquire images of non-consecutive regions of the surface of the suspension traction member while the suspension traction member moves through the focus area.
  • techniques based on measuring electrical characteristics of cords of the STM may generally reliably indicate an occurrence of ruptures in cords of the STM as such ruptures result in an increased electrical resistance through the cords.
  • such measurements may indicate an occurrence of broken cords penetrating through the enclosing polymer overcoat thereby inducing an electric earth-fault upon coming into contact with other components of the elevator assembly such as the traction sheave or pulleys being on an electrical earth potential.
  • measured changes in electrical characteristics of the cords may be useful for indicating any corrosion at the cords as such corrosion may reduce an effective cross section of the cords which may result in an increased electric resistance of these cords.
  • counting effective bending cycles of the STM may be used as another or additional measure for determining a deterioration state of the STM.
  • an allowable over-all number of bending cycles may be assumed based for example on lifetime measurements of the STM.
  • the technique described herein intends to provide an alternative or supplementary approach for detecting at least some of possible damages, deteriorations or failures in an STM.
  • the technique described herein may be applied in combination with other conventional monitoring techniques in order to increase an overall spectrum of detecting possible damages, deteriorations or failures in the STM thereby enabling an improved safety level of the elevator assembly.
  • the technique described herein mainly relates to visual inspection of a surface of the STM.
  • visual inspection means that changes or abnormalities of an optical appearance of the monitored surface of the STM may be detected.
  • Such visual inspection shall be performed not by human maintenance staff but using technical means such as to allow at least some degree of automation and/or remote control.
  • the elevator assembly with a camera and an image processing unit.
  • the camera is a technical device which may acquire 1D or preferably 2D images of an area of interest (herein also referred to as focus area).
  • the camera should be adapted for acquiring the images with a sufficiently high resolution such that information about any critical changes or abnormalities in the visual appearance of the imaged object is contained in the acquired images.
  • the image processing unit is a technical device which may process the acquired images.
  • the image processing unit may be adapted for processing and analysing the acquired images in such a manner that the information about the critical changes or abnormalities in the imaged object may be detected. Upon detecting such critical changes or abnormalities, the image processing unit may generate a signal and may transmit this signal to other components of the elevator assembly in order to thereby indicate the detected deterioration or failure of the imaged object.
  • the camera and the image processing unit shall be configured such that, during the monitoring procedure, images of the focus area may be acquired and processed in predetermined time intervals such as to acquire images of non-consecutive regions of the surface of the suspension traction member while the suspension traction member moves through the focus area.
  • the camera and the image processing unit may acquire images and process acquired images periodically while the STM is gradually displaced through the imaged focus area. Accordingly, a multiplicity of images may be acquired at various locations along the STM. Such locations should preferably be spaced apart from each other such that images are acquired of non-consecutive regions, i.e.
  • the regions imaged during a single run of the suspension traction member do not overlap and do not directly adjoin to each other but there are (significant) spaces between those regions which are imaged during a single run.
  • the spaces between imaged regions may be same or longer than the imaged regions.
  • the spaces between imaged regions may be at least 20%, preferably at least 50%, of the length of the imaged regions.
  • a periodicity with which the images are acquired and processed could be set such that succeeding images represent consecutive areas of the STM which directly adjoin to each other or even overlap each other.
  • the entire STM could be examined by moving all portions of the STM through the imaged focus area in a single run, i.e. upon moving the elevator cabin only once between its opposite extremum positions.
  • the STM is moved through the focus area at high velocities, this may require a high periodicity in image acquisition, i.e. a high frame rate, as well as very fast image processing, both resulting in increased requirements to the camera and the image processing unit.
  • successively acquired images typically do not represent consecutive portions of the STM which directly adjoin each other but, instead, non-imaged areas of the STM remain between imaged areas of the STM upon a single image acquisition run, i.e. when the STM is moved at high velocity through the focus area only a single time.
  • the camera may be installed in the elevator assembly such as to be directed towards the STM, i.e. the STM is the imaged object. Accordingly, the camera may acquire images of a surface of the STM to be observed during a monitoring procedure.
  • the camera should be adapted to acquire the images with a sufficiently high spatial resolution such that any critical microscopic deteriorations or damages at the observed surface of the STM are visible in the acquired images.
  • the camera should have a spatial resolution at least in a millimetre range, i.e. structures with a size of more than one or more than a few millimetres should be visible in the acquired images.
  • the camera may have a spatial resolution in a 100 ⁇ m range or even 10 ⁇ m range such that even very small structures such as microscopic cracks or fissures may be resolved.
  • the camera should be adapted for acquiring images of at least a portion of the surface of the observed STM.
  • the camera should be adapted for acquiring images including an entire width of for example a belt or rope of the STM. Accordingly, by sequentially displacing the STM through the area imaged by the camera, the camera may provide images covering for example almost the entire length of the surface of the STM directed towards the camera.
  • the camera may be relatively simple and may therefore be of low costs.
  • the camera may be provided with a fixed focus, i.e. no complicated focusing optics may be needed.
  • the camera may be provided with a one-dimensional or two-dimensional array of light-sensitive electronic sensors such as a CCD or CMOS array sensor.
  • a fixed focus optics comprising for example one or more stationary lenses, mirrors, etc. may be used for imaging a surface of an observed object onto a light-sensitive surface of the sensor.
  • the sensor may generate a serial or parallel set of electronic signals representing optical characteristics of the imaged surface. These electronic signals may be submitted to the image processing unit.
  • the image processing unit may process and analyse the signals such as to enable distinguishing intact areas from deteriorated or defective areas of the observed STM.
  • image processing and analysing may be based on various techniques. For example, acquired images may be compared with reference images in order to determine any differences for example between an actual imaged surface area of an STM and a reference non-deteriorated surface area of the STM.
  • a non-deteriorated pattern on a surface of an imaged STM may be distinguished from a deteriorated pattern thereby indicating some visible deteriorations or failures at the surface of the STM.
  • the image processing unit may generate a suitable signal.
  • a suitable signal may be transmitted for example to other components of the elevator assembly in order to inform about the occurrence of a deterioration at the STM and/or to instruct the other components to initiate suitable measures.
  • the signal issued by the image processing unit may be transmitted to an elevator control.
  • the elevator control may stop an elevator operation.
  • the elevator control may modify the elevator operation for example by reducing a displacement velocity and/or reducing an allowable payload.
  • the camera and the image processing unit may be adapted for, during the monitoring procedure, acquiring and processing images of the focus area during various runs of the suspension traction member through the focus area at time-shifted intervals.
  • the monitoring procedure may be performed not only during a single run of the STM but is extended to a plurality of runs. Therein, during each run, the STM is moved through the focus area of the camera and images are acquired by the camera in certain time intervals.
  • the time intervals may be relatively long such that, due to the high velocity with which the STM is moved through the focus area, two images are taken in non-consecutive succession during a single run and do therefore not represent portions of the STM directly adjoining each other but being spaced from each other.
  • the monitoring procedure may be extended to a plurality of runs. In each of the runs, images are acquired at specific time intervals and the time intervals are time-shifted at different runs.
  • a second multiplicity of images is taken during a second run at locations which, due to the time-shift with respect to the image acquisition in the first run, are locally shifted with respect to the first multiplicity of images.
  • plural first, second and, optionally, third, fourth, etc. multiplicities of images may be acquired in a way such that the sum of all images may cover the surface of the STM along the entire length of the STM.
  • a frame rate of the camera may be reduced to e.g. between 25 and 150 Hz.
  • the camera is arranged at a stationary position within the elevator shaft.
  • the camera may be installed at a fixed position in the elevator shaft such as for example at a shaft wall or at another elevator component fixedly attached to such shaft wall. Installing the camera at a stationary position within the elevator shaft enables simple installation and/or wiring of the camera.
  • the camera may be constantly directed to a stationary focus area and may acquire images from such focus area.
  • the location of the focus area may be selected such that upon displacing the STM for displacing the elevator car, portions of the STM move relative to the camera and move through the camera's focus area. Accordingly, during normal operation of the elevator assembly, almost each portion of the STM will sooner or later be moved throughout the focus area of the stationary camera.
  • the camera is arranged adjacent to the drive engine.
  • the camera may be fixed at a location in close neighbourhood to the drive engine, for example less than 5 m, preferably less than 2 m or less than 1 m, away from the drive engine.
  • the camera may be attached directly to the drive engine or may even be included in a housing enclosing the drive engine and/or its traction sheave.
  • the camera When being positioned adjacent to the drive engine, the camera may acquire images of the STM upon the STM being displaced by the traction sheave of the drive engine. Accordingly, it has been found that by positioning the camera near the drive engine, all or almost all relevant portions of the STM may be visually monitored using the camera.
  • the elevator assembly further comprises a counterweight which is suspended by the STM.
  • the suspension traction member extends from the counterweight via a traction sheave of the drive engine to the elevator car.
  • the camera is preferably arranged at the drive engine at a position in close proximity to where the suspension traction member coming from the counterweight reaches the traction sheave.
  • the camera may be placed right next to the traction sheave such that it may acquire images of the STM engaging with this traction sheave upon being displaced.
  • the camera may be incorporated into a housing enclosing the traction sheave and/or the drive engine.
  • the camera is directed to a rear side surface of the suspension traction member.
  • the rear side surface is opposite to a front side surface coming into contact with the traction surface of the traction sheave, i.e. the rear side surface at a portion of the STM engaging with the traction sheave faces away from the traction sheave.
  • the camera may, in principle, visually monitor all surfaces of the STM, it may be preferable to use and configure the camera at least for monitoring the rear side surface of the STM. It has been found that this rear side surface is specifically susceptible to visually detectable deteriorations or failures of the STM.
  • a polymer overcoating enclosing load carrying cords of the STM is typically thinner at the rear side than at the front side of the STM. Accordingly, damages or deteriorations of such overcoating preferably occur at this rear side.
  • some typical deteriorations or failures in an STM are preferably visible on the rear side of the STM but do not visibly change the front side of the STM.
  • free ends of the broken cord may penetrate through the enclosing overcoating. Such penetration typically occurs through the overcoating at the rear side of the STM as the free ends of the broken cord are pressed towards this rear side upon the STM being deflected for example at the traction sheave or at a pulley.
  • the rear side of the STM is typically flat, i.e. non-textured or non-profiled
  • the front side of the STM has to provide for suitable traction and guidance for example upon cooperating with the traction sheave of the drive engine and may therefore be textured or profiled. It may be easier to detect any visual changes or deteriorations on the flat rear side surface than on a textured or profiled front side surface.
  • the elevator assembly may further comprise a second camera.
  • the second camera may be directed to a front side surface of the suspension traction member. This front side surface is the surface which, when the STM is displaced and is locally engaging with the traction sheave of the drive engine, comes into contact with this traction surface.
  • abrasion or wear may occur at the front side surface of the STM due to, for example, dust or dirt being deposited on such front side surface.
  • front side surface of the STM may be profiled or textured and, therefore, it may be more sophisticated to detect any visual deteriorations or failures at such front side surface, it may nevertheless be beneficial to specifically monitor this front side surface as for example some specific deteriorations or failures exclusively occur at profiled or textured surfaces. For example, interruptions or ruptures of a profile or damages of a texture pattern may occur due to wear or erosion/corrosion and may for example degrade a traction capability or guidance capability upon interaction of the front side surface of the STM with the traction surface of the traction sheave of the drive engine.
  • the elevator assembly may further comprise a light source which is configured and arranged for illuminating the surface of the suspension traction member where the camera acquires the images, i.e. in the focus area.
  • a lamp or any other illumination means may be provided within the elevator assembly, preferably within the elevator shaft.
  • the camera may be supported in acquiring images of the STM's surface by additionally illuminating the imaged area on the surface of the STM. By increasing the light intensity emitted from such imaged area, an imaging quality of the camera may be enhanced.
  • the light source may be located at or close to the camera. Generally, a spectrum of the light emitted by the light source should be adapted to a sensitivity spectrum of the camera.
  • the light source is configured to emit white light, i.e. light with a broad spectrum extending substantially throughout the entire visible frequency range.
  • any type of light source may be applied for illuminating the imaged area.
  • light such as infrared light which is invisible for humans for illuminating the imaged area. Thereby, any disturbances for passengers or users of the elevator assembly might be avoided.
  • the light source should be as simple as possible and it may therefore be preferable to apply a monochromatic light source such as for example a single-coloured LED (light emitting diode).
  • a monochromatic light source such as for example a single-coloured LED (light emitting diode).
  • a light source emitting white light it has been found that it may be beneficial to use a light source emitting white light as it enables visually detecting some failures or deteriorations on the STM's surface which would remain invisible in infrared light and/or in monochromatic light.
  • rust i.e. small red particles, and/or specific types of dust and dirt may only be visually detected when illuminated with white light.
  • the light source is configured to emit stroboscopic light, i.e. is a stroboscopic light source.
  • a stroboscopic light source is configured to emit light in short flashes.
  • light emission may be restricted to less than 100 ms, preferably less than 10 ms or even less than 1 ms.
  • a duration of the stroboscopic light flash may be shorter than an image acquisition time of the camera, i.e. the time the camera needs for acquiring a single image. Due to such timely limited illumination, image acquisition by the camera may be improved.
  • the STM is typically displaced with the relatively high velocity with respect to the stationary camera, illuminating the surface of the STM with stroboscopic light flashes may enable acquiring sharper images of the observed surfaces of the STM.
  • a periodicity of the stroboscopic light source may be set such that the non-consecutive regions of the suspension traction member to be imaged are suitably illuminated.
  • the stroboscopic light source may emit the light flashes periodically.
  • a periodicity may be adapted to characteristics of the camera, specifically to image acquisition times, imaging rates and/or inter-imaging down-times of the camera.
  • flash emission at frequencies of less than 100 Hz, preferably less than 10 Hz or even less than 1 Hz may be applied.
  • the camera is adapted for acquiring colour images.
  • a monochromatic approach may reduce costs and/or complexity of the camera.
  • an image processing of a monochromatic image may be assumed to be significantly less complex than in case of a coloured image.
  • deteriorations or failures in an STM are found to be only visually detectable if colours in an acquired image may be suitably resolved.
  • deteriorations resulting from corrosion or fretting corrosion may be indicated by the presence of rust or coloured dust which may beneficially be visible in colour images but which may remain invisible in monochromatic images.
  • the image processing unit comprises a digital signal processor.
  • a digital signal processor may continuously process digital signals such as video signals transmitted by the camera using digital signal processing.
  • Analogue signals may be processed using AD (analogue - digital) converters and DA converters, respectively.
  • DSPs may not only be applied for replacing complex analogue filter techniques but may also fulfil further tasks which may hardly be realised using conventional analogue techniques, such as, inter-alia, frequency filtering at low phase errors, dynamic compression and noise reduction, echo suppression, data compression, very fast digital image processing, etc.
  • DSPs may be provided at low costs and high reliability.
  • the image processing unit is adapted for comparing the acquired images with reference images and detecting the deterioration in the STM based upon such comparison.
  • the image processing unit may determine whether or not visually detectable deteriorations or changes are present at the observed surface of the STM based on a comparison of actually acquired images with reference images. Accordingly, a currently acquired image of the surface of the STM may be compared with a reference image and, upon detecting significant differences between the acquired image and the reference image, the image processing unit may determine whether such differences relate to a critical deterioration or failure of the STM, such as e.g. a crack or rupture, or whether the differences only relate to minor changes, such as e.g. a local imprint or a noncritical deposit of dust.
  • a critical deterioration or failure of the STM such as e.g. a crack or rupture
  • minor changes such as e.g. a local imprint or a noncritical deposit of dust.
  • the reference images may be for example images previously taken from the STM in a non-deteriorated state, i.e. for example directly after fabrication of the STM.
  • the reference images may be previously acquired images of other portions of the surface of the STM.
  • a multiplicity of reference images may represent an average state of the STM and significant deviations from such average state in locally imaged areas may be taken as indicating local deteriorations or failures of the STM.
  • the reference images may be stored for example in a machine readable form, i.e. for example in electronic or magnetic memory provided in the image processing unit.
  • Image processing based on comparing acquired images with reference images may be simple and fast. Furthermore, typically no high processing power has to be provided as for example no complex algorithms are to be performed. Accordingly, a relatively simple and cheap CPU may be applied in the image processing unit.
  • the elevator assembly may be adapted to, during the monitoring procedure, displace the suspension traction member at a reduced velocity compared to a normal operation velocity.
  • the STM is moved through the focus area of the camera with a reduced speed. Accordingly, the camera may acquire images of succeeding neighbouring areas of the surface of the STM with a relatively low frame rate.
  • the displacement velocity may be reduced during the monitoring procedure to 50% or less, preferably to 30% or less or even 10% or less, compared to a displacement velocity during normal operation of the elevator assembly.
  • the monitoring procedure may be performed during a specific monitoring run in which the STM is moved through the camera's focus area at a low speed of for example less than 2m/s, preferably less than 1m/s or even less than 0,3m/s.
  • Such slow monitoring run may be performed for example in times in which the elevator assembly is typically not used such as for example during early morning times.
  • position information in particular absolute position information is provided and associated with an acquired image to define a position, in particular an absolute position, of an acquired image on the surface of the suspension traction member.
  • (absolute) position information is acquired and preferably stored associated to an acquired image so as to allow retaining information of where along the length of the suspension traction member a particular image was acquired.
  • the (absolute) position information may be stored together with the acquired image information, e.g. as a location stamp embedded within the image information or in a separate database linked to a single image or a series of images. Further a certain timestamp may be associated with the image information comparably with the above described position/location information to allow an analysis of the suspension traction member over time.
  • Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of an elevator assembly 1.
  • the elevator assembly 1 comprises an elevator car 3 which may be displaced within an elevator shaft 5.
  • the elevator car 3 is suspended by a suspension traction member 7.
  • the STM 7 typically comprises several belts 43 or ropes.
  • each belt 43 may comprise a plurality of load carrying cords embedded in a polymer matrix material forming an overcoat.
  • opposite ends of the STM 7 are attached to a fixation point 31, respectively, being provided for example at a ceiling or at walls of the elevator shaft 5.
  • the STM 7 also suspends a counterweight 27 via a pulley 29 attached thereto.
  • the STM 7 is wound around a traction sheave 11 of a drive engine 9 such that the drive engine 9 may displace the STM 7, thereby suitably displacing the elevator car 3 and the counterweight 27.
  • Operation of the drive engine 9 is controlled by an elevator control 23.
  • front side surface 6 of the STM 7 A surface of the STM 7 coming into contact with a traction surface of the traction sheave 11 will be referred to herein as front side surface 6 of the STM 7.
  • front side surface 6 may be profiled or textured.
  • elongate grooves may extend along the length of the front side surface 6 and may support guidance of the STM 7 on the traction sheave 11.
  • Such rear side surface 8 is typically non-profiled and non-textured, i.e. may be for example flat.
  • the camera system 13 comprises a camera 15 and an image processing unit 17.
  • the camera 15 comprises an optics 14 and a light-sensitive sensor 16.
  • the optics 14 may project a focus area 18 onto a light receiving surface of the light-sensitive sensor 16 such that the light-sensitive sensor 16 may acquire an image of the focus area 18.
  • the STM 7 or at least one of its belts 43 may be arranged in the focus area 18 of the camera 15, with its rear side surface 8 preferably being directed towards the camera 15.
  • the STM 7 may be displaced through the focus area 18 in motion directions indicated with the arrow 20.
  • This image processing unit 17 may comprise for example a digital signal processor (DSP) and may process and analyse data of the acquired images of the observed rear side surface 8 of the STM 7 in order to thereby detect any abnormalities.
  • DSP digital signal processor
  • Such abnormality may be for example a cord or wire break coming out of the overcoat, a longitudinal or transverse crack or abrasion, a piercing of the overcoat, corrosion or fretting corrosion and/or a damage of an edge of the belt 43. All such abnormalities may result in a change of a visual appearance of the rear side surface 8 of the STM and may therefore be observed by the camera 15.
  • the image processing unit 17 may compare actually acquired images of a portion of the rear side surface 8 of the STM 7 with previously acquired reference images.
  • Such reference images may be acquired at a point in time where the STM 7 definitely does not yet comprise any deteriorations.
  • the reference images may be acquired from other definitely non-deteriorated portions of the STM 7.
  • the image processing unit 17 may detect abnormalities in the visual appearance of the STM's 7 surface.
  • the image processing unit 17 may issue a signal. Such signal may then for example be transmitted to a contactor 19 being part of a safety chain 21 of the elevator assembly 1 such that, upon interruption of the contactor 19, the safety chain 21 is opened and, in response thereto, the elevator control 23 therefore may stop or modify the operation of the elevator assembly 1.
  • the signal issued by the image processing unit 17 could for example be transmitted to the elevator control 23 via a data bus system.
  • the signal may also be transmitted to a remote control or monitoring unit which controls and/or supervises correct operation of the elevator assembly.
  • the camera system 13 may further comprise a light source 25 for illuminating the focus area 18.
  • a light source 25 may be included in a common housing of the camera system 13 or may be provided as a separate device.
  • the light source 25 emits white light or at least light with a broad spectrum.
  • the camera 15 may be adapted for acquiring colour images. Accordingly, some deteriorations such as local occurrence of rust or fretting corrosion may be well visible in acquired high-contrast colour images and may therefore be reliably detected by the image processing unit 17.
  • the light source 25 may be adapted for emitting stroboscopic light flashes. Operation of the light source 25 may be controlled for example via the image processing unit 17. Accordingly, an image acquisition by the camera 15 and an emission of light flashes by the light source 25 may be synchronised.
  • an image frame rate could be reduced to between 25 and 150 Hz.
  • images may be taken at relatively long time intervals of more than e.g. 5 ms or even up to 40 ms. While such relatively slow repetitive image acquisition may enable using electronic components of relatively low complexity and costs, in some cases, resulting snapshots of the surface of the STM 7 may be non-adjacent and the surface of the entire STM 7 could not be recorded entirely in a single trip or run, i.e. upon displacing the elevator car 3 from one extreme petition to the opposite extreme position.
  • the monitoring procedure may be extended over more than one trip, for example over two, three or even more trips and, in each of these trips. Images may be acquired (i.e. snapshots may be taken) in each of the trips at a variable time delay, i.e. at time-shifted intervals. The variable time delay between the image series could then be implemented to achieve a full coverage of the STM's 7 surface in several trips or runs.
  • a specific monitoring run may be performed for the monitoring procedure, during which monitoring run the STM 7 is displaced with a significantly reduced velocity compared to a normal operation velocity.
  • the camera system 13 may be arranged at a stationary position within the elevator shaft 5. Preferably, it is arranged close to the drive engine 9. Such positioning could be used both in the exemplary 2:1 installation shown in Fig. 1 and 3 as well as in other possible installations such as for example a 1:1 installation (not shown). An actual scanning and monitoring of the STM 7 may then be achieved when the elevator is moving and the STM 7 is running under the camera system 13.
  • the camera system 13 may be installed at or close to the drive engine 9 at a location in close proximity to where the STM 7 coming from the counterweight 27 reaches the traction sheave 11.
  • Fig. 3 shows an extreme situation in which the elevator car 3 is driven to its lowermost position and the counterweight 27 is driven to its uppermost position
  • Fig. 3(b) shows the other extreme situation in which the elevator car 3 is driven to its uppermost position and the counterweight 27 is driven to its lowermost position.
  • those portions which may be monitored with the camera system 13 are indicated with a thicker line for the STM 7 (of course the actual STM has a uniform thickness). It may be seen that in such configuration in which the camera system 13 is arranged close to the drive engine 9, the STM 7 may be monitored along major portions of its entire length and only some minor regions close to the fixation point 31 may not be monitored with the camera system 13.
  • a camera system 13 for an elevator assembly 1 Components of the camera system 13 are comprised within a common housing 41.
  • This housing 41 is arranged at or closely neighbouring to the drive engine 9 and may be attached for example to a motor mount 10.
  • Several belts 43 of an STM 7 being driven by the drive engine 9 are guided through the housing 41.
  • the camera system 13 comprises a master sensor board 33 and a slave sensor board 35 being electrically connected to the master sensor board 33.
  • a camera 15 is arranged at each of opposite sides of the belts 43.
  • At least one camera 15 is provided at the master sensor board 33 and at least one camera 15 is provided at the slave sensor board 35, respectively, such that both of opposite front and rear surfaces 6, 8 of the belts 43 may be observed by the cameras 15.
  • one camera 15 is associated to two of the belts 43 such that an optics and a light-sensitive sensor (not specifically visualised in figure 4 ) are adapted for acquiring images of a front side surface 6 or rear side surface 8 of both belts 43, respectively.
  • light sources is 25 comprising for example several light emitting diodes (LEDs) 37 are provided adjacent to the respective camera 15 at both the master sensor board 33 and the slave sensor board 35.
  • the LEDs 37 preferably emit white light and the cameras 15 acquire colour images.
  • Image data acquired by the cameras 15 is transmitted to a central processing unit (CPU) 39 forming or being part of the image processing unit 17.
  • CPU central processing unit

Landscapes

  • Maintenance And Inspection Apparatuses For Elevators (AREA)
  • Indicating And Signalling Devices For Elevators (AREA)
EP16200551.6A 2016-11-24 2016-11-24 Système d'ascenseur avec une caméra d'inspection visuelle d'un élément de traction de suspension Withdrawn EP3326954A1 (fr)

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Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2019105910A1 (fr) 2017-11-28 2019-06-06 Inventio Ag Élément de raccordement destiné à la mise en contact électrique de tirants dans une courroie apte à porter une charge destinée à une installation d'ascenseur, ainsi que procédé de montage d'un élément de raccordement sur la courroie
CN110255324A (zh) * 2019-07-19 2019-09-20 中国计量大学 一种电梯曳引轮滑移量检测装置及方法
CN111071898A (zh) * 2018-10-18 2020-04-28 奥的斯电梯公司 用于对电梯系统进行健康监测的就地系统
CN113200431A (zh) * 2021-04-25 2021-08-03 南京云将新材料应用科技研究院有限公司 一种基于机器视觉的电梯钢丝绳状态检测装置及预警系统
CN114728765A (zh) * 2019-11-27 2022-07-08 通力股份公司 电梯系统的监控

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2010092619A1 (fr) * 2009-02-12 2010-08-19 Otis Elevator Company Dispositif d'inspection d'image d'organe de tension d'ascenseur
JP2011011870A (ja) * 2009-07-02 2011-01-20 Daiichi Jitsugyo Viswill Co Ltd 索状体検査装置
EP3135621A1 (fr) * 2015-08-31 2017-03-01 Kone Corporation Procédé, dispositif et ascenseur

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2010092619A1 (fr) * 2009-02-12 2010-08-19 Otis Elevator Company Dispositif d'inspection d'image d'organe de tension d'ascenseur
JP2011011870A (ja) * 2009-07-02 2011-01-20 Daiichi Jitsugyo Viswill Co Ltd 索状体検査装置
EP3135621A1 (fr) * 2015-08-31 2017-03-01 Kone Corporation Procédé, dispositif et ascenseur

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2019105910A1 (fr) 2017-11-28 2019-06-06 Inventio Ag Élément de raccordement destiné à la mise en contact électrique de tirants dans une courroie apte à porter une charge destinée à une installation d'ascenseur, ainsi que procédé de montage d'un élément de raccordement sur la courroie
US11174126B2 (en) 2017-11-28 2021-11-16 Inventio Ag Connection element for electrically contacting tension members in a load-bearing belt for an elevator system, and method for assembling the connection element on the belt
CN111071898A (zh) * 2018-10-18 2020-04-28 奥的斯电梯公司 用于对电梯系统进行健康监测的就地系统
EP3647249A1 (fr) * 2018-10-18 2020-05-06 Otis Elevator Company Système in situ de surveillance de l'état d'un système d'ascenseur
CN110255324A (zh) * 2019-07-19 2019-09-20 中国计量大学 一种电梯曳引轮滑移量检测装置及方法
CN114728765A (zh) * 2019-11-27 2022-07-08 通力股份公司 电梯系统的监控
CN113200431A (zh) * 2021-04-25 2021-08-03 南京云将新材料应用科技研究院有限公司 一种基于机器视觉的电梯钢丝绳状态检测装置及预警系统

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