EP3426587A1

EP3426587A1 - Supporting means for an elevator installation, with multiple sensors arranged along the supporting means

Info

Publication number: EP3426587A1
Application number: EP17707904.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Volker Zapf
Original assignee: Inventio AG
Current assignee: Inventio AG
Priority date: 2016-03-10
Filing date: 2017-03-02
Publication date: 2019-01-16
Anticipated expiration: 2037-03-02
Also published as: HK1257064A1; EP3426587B1; CN108712996A; CA3014710A1; US20190071282A1; WO2017153250A1; CN108712996B

Abstract

A supporting means (3) for an elevator installation is proposed, which supporting means has at least one elongate load-bearing element (3) and has a casing (5) surrounding the load-bearing element (3) and has a multiplicity of sensors (7). The sensors (7) are arranged on the supporting means (3) at multiple positions which are spaced apart from one another along a longitudinal direction of extent (9) of the supporting means (3). The sensors (7) are designed to determine at least one physical characteristic of the load-bearing element (3) in a region locally adjacent to the respective sensor (7) and to output a signal (11) which indicates the determined physical characteristic. For example, a sensor (7) may determine a local expansion, a local bending, a local acceleration, a locally acting force, a local temperature and/or an electrical conductivity at, in or through the supporting means (1). The state of the supporting means (1) can thereby be determined not only as an average for the entire supporting means (1) but with regard to multiple positions along the length of the supporting means (1), which can inter alia allow improved statements to be made regarding a discard criteria of the supporting means (1).

Description

Support means for an elevator installation with several along the suspension means

arranged sensors

The present invention relates to a suspension element such as a belt for an elevator system and a lift system equipped therewith and a method for monitoring a state of a suspension element.

Elevator systems generally serve to be able to transport persons or objects in a building in a generally vertical direction. In this case, an elevator car is generally displaced within a hoistway. The

Elevator car is held by a suspension. Such a suspension means may comprise, for example, one or more cables or one or more belts. The suspension element can be displaced by means of a drive in order to move the elevator car held thereon. The drive may, for example, have a motor which rotatably drives a traction sheave in order to be able to move the carrying means which extends over the traction sheave.

Suspension systems used for elevator systems usually have one or preferably a plurality of elongated load-bearing elements. Such load-bearing elements may be, for example, individual wires or strands, or may comprise a plurality of such wires or strands, which are normally stranded or otherwise combined to form stranded tensile members, for example. Load bearing elements are sometimes referred to as cords. The load-bearing elements may consist of materials which are heavy-duty to mechanical train. For example, the load-bearing elements may be made of metal, in particular of steel. Alternatively, non-metallic materials such as synthetic materials, in particular synthetic fibers such as carbon fibers, Kevlar fibers, etc. may also be used for load-bearing elements.

To protect load bearing elements, for example, against mechanical damage and / or corrosion and to increase traction, they are often with a

Surrounded by sheathing. Such a sheath may completely or partially encase a single or multiple load bearing elements. In other words, one or more load bearing elements may be formed into a sheath forming matrix be embedded mechanically and / or chemically resilient material. The casing may for example consist of a plastic material. In particular, elastomeric materials such as polyurethane are often used for such sheaths.

Suspension means often become high during operation of an elevator installation

exposed to mechanical stress. For example, the suspension means must be kept statically and dynamically reliable by an elevator car suspended therefrom and optionally also the loads caused by a counterweight suspended therefrom. In this case, the support means is moved and this often deflected several times via a drive pulley and / or pulleys, on the drive pulley is applied by the traction additional burden. In particular, such multiple bending of the suspension element under load can lead to increased wear on the suspension element during the life of the elevator installation, for example due to material fatigue and mechanical external abrasion.

Since the suspension means, inter alia, must hold the elevator car with the passengers therein and various load conditions and therefore applies as a safety-relevant component within the elevator system, it must always be ensured that the suspension element can perform its function holding the elevator car reliably. For example, regulations may be provided which permit the operation of an elevator installation only if sufficient monitoring of an integrity of the suspension element can be ensured.

For example, in conventional support means in the form of non-jacketed steel ropes, monitoring of the integrity of the suspension means may be accomplished, for example, by visually inspecting the steel cord along its entire length within the service interval. Human maintenance personnel can inspect the suspension means of an elevator installation on site at regular intervals and, for example, in this case

Signs of mechanical wear and the permissible number of trips to check. In the case of suspension elements in which a sheathing surrounds one or more load-bearing elements, such a visual inspection of expected wear is generally not possible since only the sheath is visible from the outside and it is not possible to detect whether load-bearing elements accommodated therein have been damaged , Only unforeseen mechanical damage can be visually detected.

Therefore, alternative methods have been developed to ensure the integrity of such a suspension with jacketed load-bearing elements. In this case, one or more physical properties of the suspension element are usually monitored in order to permit a conclusion about the condition of the suspension element. Essential here is the discard state after the allowed number of trips.

For example, methods have been developed to draw conclusions about the. By passing an electric current through electrically conductive load-bearing elements of a support means and determining, for example, an electrical resistance acting

Integrity of the suspension element. Such methods and related aspects have been described, inter alia, in EP 1 730 066 B1, US Pat. No. 7,123,030 B2, US Pat. No. 2011/0284331 A1, US Pat. No. 8,424,653 B2, US 2008/0223668 A1, US Pat. No. 8,011,479 B2, US 2013/0207668 A1 , Other approaches are also in WO 2011/098847 AI, WO 2013/135285 AI, EP 1 732 837 Bl and a

scientific article by Huaming Lei et al. "Health Monitoring for Coated Steel Belts in An Elevator System" in the Journal of Sensors, Volume 2012, Article ID 750261, 5 pages, DOI: 10.1155 / 2012 / 750261. US 2014/0306829 A1 also describes a voltage sensor arrangement using of which a correct tension in an elevator cable can be detected and corrected if necessary WO 2011/131574 A1 describes a

Operating condition monitoring of suspension elements in an elevator system.

WO 2012/004268 A1 describes a possibility for monitoring suspension elements in an elevator installation. WO 2010/007112 Al describes a method and a device for determining the Ablegereife a support means of a lift. There may be, inter alia, a need for a suspension means, an elevator installation equipped with such suspension means, and a method for monitoring a condition of a suspension means in which a condition of the suspension means can be advantageously monitored and, in particular, an integrity of the suspension means can be reliably verified. Furthermore, there may be a need for a suspension means, an elevator system or a monitoring method in which opportunities are created by means of suitable technical measures, a state of wear of the

To determine suspension means advantageous and optionally determine a Ablegereife the support means with high accuracy and / or reliability.

At least such a need can be met with the subject invention as claimed in any one of the independent claims of the present patent application. Advantageous embodiments are in the dependent

Claims and the following description.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a suspension system for an elevator installation is proposed, wherein the suspension element has at least one elongate load-bearing element, a jacket surrounding the load-bearing element and a plurality of sensors. The sensors are arranged on the support means at a plurality of positions spaced apart along a longitudinal direction of the support means. The sensors are designed to determine at least one physical property of the suspension element in a region locally adjacent to the respective sensor and to output a signal indicating the determined physical property.

According to a second aspect of the invention, an elevator installation is proposed which has an elevator car, a drive and a suspension element according to an embodiment of the above first aspect of the invention. The elevator car is held on the support means and to be displaced by moving the support means by means of the drive.

According to a third aspect of the invention, a method for monitoring a state of a suspension element according to an embodiment of the above-mentioned first aspect of the invention is proposed. The method has the following steps First of all, signals are received which each indicate a determined physical property of a suspension element which differs from a plurality of different ones

Positions on the suspension means mounted sensors were determined. Then, the received signals are suitably processed to determine therefrom information about the state of the suspension element.

Possible features and advantages of embodiments of the invention may be considered, inter alia, and without limiting the invention, as being based on the ideas and findings described below.

As stated in the introduction, the integrity of a suspension in one

Elevator system always be guaranteed. Therefore, as also stated in the introduction, various provisions and / or methods have been developed for monitoring a condition of a suspension.

However, these conventional approaches to monitoring the suspension means are generally designed to monitor physical properties of the suspension as a whole. For example, is proposed in

About erwachungs method in which an electric current is passed through a load-bearing element of the support means and thereby acting electrical resistance is observed, the electrical current regularly coupled at one end in the support means and coupled out again at the other end, so that a current flow through the entire suspension along its entire length. If an unusual increase in the electrical resistance is detected by the suspension element, damage to the load-bearing element accommodated therein can be inferred. If necessary, countermeasures can then be taken or the suspension element can be replaced.

A disadvantage of the known solutions is the distinction based on the information obtained over the entire support medium length whether it is a large local damage or a long wear over the length because the resistance values can be identical. This thus has a significant influence on the remaining load-bearing breaking load. Furthermore, such conventional approaches can in particular provide no information as to where, that is, at which position on the suspension means, damage has occurred.

Furthermore, such conventional approaches usually do not allow properties of the

To monitor suspension means that allow a conclusion on a current state of the suspension element before actually has already adjusted damage to the suspension element. For example, when monitoring the electrical resistance through the suspension means only a deterioration of the state of the support means can be detected, if in fact already a damage to the electrically conductive load-bearing elements received therein has occurred and therefore a

Resistance increase has resulted. However, stages of a change of state preceding the actual damage to the suspension element can thus be used in the

Generally not recognized.

There is therefore proposed a modified suspension system for an elevator installation in which physical properties of one or more load-bearing elements can be monitored at several positions along the suspension element, so that not only the fact can be determined that physical properties change in a load-bearing element, but also a location information can be determined about in which area of the suspension means such a change of physical properties has occurred.

It is proposed for this purpose to equip the suspension element with a plurality of sensors. These sensors should not only be arranged at one or both opposite ends of the suspension element, but at many different positions preferably along the entire longitudinal extent of the suspension element.

Each of the sensors should thereby be designed to measure or determine one or more physical properties of the suspension element or of a load-bearing element accommodated in the sheathing of the suspension element in a region locally adjacent to the respective sensor. The term "physical property of the suspension means" is intended to be construed broadly and is intended to include both physical properties of one or more in the

Carrying means recorded load-bearing elements or physical properties of the casing as well as physical properties in a vicinity of the support means, which influence the suspension means include. Examples are explained below.

The "area locally adjacent to the respective sensor" can be interpreted in such a way that each position on the support means within this area is closer to the respective sensor than any of the other provided on the support means

Sensors. Each position along the suspension means is thus assigned to one of the multiple areas locally adjacent to one of the respective plurality of sensors.

For a realization of the suspension means proposed herein, it can be advantageously used inter alia that a variety of sensors have already been developed for other technical areas, which sensors can be used at different positions along the suspension element. In particular, small or even miniaturized sensors have been developed which can be easily attached to a suspension element of an elevator system or can even be integrated into this suspension element.

For example, sensors in the form of miniaturized semiconductor-based components have been developed by means of which physical properties can be detected by means of a component formed, for example, on a microchip. Such sensors may have dimensions and structures, due to which they can be easily and reliably attached to or preferably in a sheath of a suspension means or introduced. For example, such sensors may have dimensions of a few centimeters or even only a few millimeters, in particular less than 5 cm, less than 2 cm or less than 1 cm. Furthermore, in particular sensors have been developed which, not only because of their dimensions but also because of their workability and workability, appear well suited for use in a suspension element of an elevator installation and fundamentally do not adversely affect the service life of the suspension elements. For example, sensors have been developed for use in motor vehicle tires, which can be integrated into an elastomeric mixture of a tire and, for example, an internal tire pressure and / or occurring there on the tire

Can measure accelerations. It is assumed that such sensors can also be advantageously used in suspension systems for elevator installations.

The sensors provided along the suspension element can be designed to have as physical property a local elongation of the suspension element, a local bending of the suspension element, a local acceleration of the suspension element, a locally acting force on the suspension element, a local temperature of the suspension element and / or an electrical

Conductivity determined by the load-bearing element of the suspension element.

Each of the physical properties determined by means of such a sensor can, in principle, be used to derive information about a current state of the suspension element. As a result, information can be determined, for example, can give a conclusion on already existing damage to the load-bearing element of the suspension element or the best case already hints

May give rise to changes within the suspension means which may possibly lead to such damage.

For example, mechanical stresses on the suspension element and in particular of the load-bearing element accommodated therein may increase with time

Cause material fatigue. During operation of an elevator system, there are repeated to be seen as normal stretching of the load-bearing

Elements, for example, when the recorded in an elevator car and thus held by the support means temporarily changes. In addition, it may occasionally come to extraordinary strains of the suspension element, for example in the case of emergency braking. An elongation of the suspension element and the load-bearing element accommodated therein can be more pronounced in certain areas of the suspension element than in other areas. For example, where a suspension element is currently deflected, for example, around a roll, a locally increased elongation at load change may occur. Local strains of the suspension element and, in particular, load-bearing elements accommodated therein can have a wear-promoting effect. In addition, during operation of the elevator installation, local bending of the suspension element repeatedly occurs, for example when it is deflected around the roller, and it has been observed that such bending of the suspension element can greatly increase its wear.

By means of the plurality of sensors provided on the support means to locally monitor whether the suspension element is stretched and / or bent in partial areas, valuable information about the mechanical load of the suspension element can thus be derived in the course of its use. In particular, it can be recognized, for example, that the suspension element was deflected particularly frequently in certain subregions and thereby bent, and thus a risk of damage in these areas can be particularly high. Such information can be used, for example, to focus other inspection measures specifically on these areas or to reduce by appropriate measures a load of the suspension element especially in these areas.

As another physical property, a sensor can monitor a local acceleration of the load bearing element. On the one hand, the monitoring of such local accelerations can give an indication of how heavily the respective area of the suspension element is mechanically stressed. On the other hand, observing an excessively high local acceleration in a region of the suspension element may indicate an already existing defect on the suspension element. The local accelerations can be measured in one or more spatial directions. Preferably, local accelerations are at least in a direction transverse to a

Longitudinal movement direction of the support means measured.

As a further physical property, the sensor can determine a force acting locally on the load-bearing element. Such locally acting forces may or may not necessarily cause accelerations on the load bearing member. However, they usually act as a mechanical load and thus as potentially increasing wear. As a further physical property to be monitored, a local temperature of the suspension element can be determined. The prevailing in some areas of the suspension means temperatures can change over time due to different influences. In the simplest case, only the ambient temperature can change, for example in an elevator shaft. Such temperature changes are usually large-scale, that is not limited to local areas of the suspension means, and are generally not critical.

However, local temperature changes only in partial areas of the suspension element may indicate potentially damaging conditions or may already be the result of local damage to the suspension element. For example, a permanently occurring and limited to a small portion of the support means temperature increase on a local damage to the suspension means or with this locally in thermal contact other components indicate. A repeated but temporally limited increase in temperature in a portion of the support means may, for example, indicate that the suspension means repeatedly at a hot area or

Subject such as an overheated traction sheave or pulley is passed. Local temperature increases due to fires prevailing in or adjacent to an elevator shaft may also be detected by monitoring the temperature at the load-bearing element, for example, and advantageous countermeasures, such as restricting the route of an elevator installation, may be initiated.

An information about locally prevailing temperatures to be determined by one or a multiplicity of sensors on the suspension element can thus be advantageously used to derive information not only about the state of the suspension element but also about other environmental conditions which are important for operation of an elevator installation. Furthermore, electrical conductivity to be monitored by the load-bearing element of the suspension element can be determined as the physical property to be monitored. Such an electrical conductivity can, for example, also be determined locally between two adjacently arranged sensors, so that changes in conductivity can be detected not only along the entire suspension element but also within subregions of the same and, for example, conclusions about local damage can be drawn therefrom.

A sensor may be configured to determine a single physical property. However, it can also be used sensors that several

determine different physical property and transmit corresponding measurement signals. For example, a sensor can measure both accelerations and temperatures. A sensor may be designed to determine one or more physical properties continuously, quasi-continuously or at intervals, preferably periodically. The signals indicating the physical properties determined can also be output continuously, quasi-continuously or at intervals, preferably periodically.

According to a further embodiment, the sensors can be designed to transmit the signal indicating the determined physical property to a remote control and / or an external monitoring device.

In other words, the sensors should not only be able to monitor a physical property of the suspension element and store the obtained measurement results, for example, but to provide associated measurement signals to a remote control.

This control can be arranged, for example, in another area of the elevator installation or completely outside the elevator installation, that is to say, for example, in a remote control center. The controller can be designed to process and evaluate the signals received by the sensors in order to be able to determine therefrom the desired information about the state of the suspension element. By means of the support means proposed herein and the measurement signals to be provided by the sensors arranged thereon to external locations, a current state of the Tragmittels be monitored from a remote location. A so-called so-called tele-monitoring system made possible thereby, for example, an online query a current suspension state of an elevator system allow at any time, without this, for example, a person would locally inspect the support means locally.

As a result, for example, a timely service planning allows and

Downtime of the elevator system can be minimized.

According to one embodiment, the sensors may in particular be designed to transmit their signals wirelessly to the remotely located controller. Such a wireless signal transmission can be done for example by means of radio signals or the like. In addition to a measuring unit, a sensor can also have a wireless signal transmission unit which, for example, can translate the measured signals into radio signals and transmit them to the external controller. The signal transmission unit can be designed for transmitting and / or receiving signals. As a result, in particular a cabling effort for the herein

proposed support means are significantly reduced.

Additionally or alternatively, according to one embodiment, at least one of the sensors can be designed to be in contact with the at least one load-bearing element in such a way that signal transmission can take place between the respective sensor and a remote control through the load-bearing element.

In other words, the sensors need not necessarily be set up for wireless signaling. Instead or as a supplement, the sensors can also transmit the measurement signals determined by them via the load-bearing element of the suspension element, which is in any case usually made of an electrically conductive material

For example, transmit a remote control. Such

Signaling is often less prone to interference than a wireless one

Signal transmission, especially in a narrow and often provided with many metallic components elevator shaft. An additional cabling effort for each of the sensors can be avoided or minimized in this case because of the

Suspension means no additional cables are provided for a signal transmission but such signal transmission can take place via the load-bearing element serving as data line in this case.

Several sensors can transmit their signals, for example via various in the

Carrying support provided load-bearing elements to an external point out. Alternatively, a plurality of sensors may also transmit their signals via one and the same load-carrying element, each sensor being able to codify, for example, individually mark the signals transmitted by it or mark them with an individual marker, e.g. to allow an external control between

different sensors can distinguish different signals.

According to one embodiment, at least a part of a sensor is designed and arranged such that it penetrates the sheath of the suspension element and comes into contact with the load-bearing element. In such an embodiment, a sensor can be arranged, for example, on an outer surface of the suspension element and fastened there. In principle, a sensor may be mounted on any outer surface of the suspension means, however, it may be preferable to locate the sensor on a rear surface which does not or less contact pulleys and / or pulleys than an oppositely disposed front surface contact surface of the suspension means. Corresponding sensors can be retrofitted in particular to conventional support means or even to already installed suspension elements. In this case, the sheathing merely needs to be opened or penetrated locally in order to enable the sensor to make mechanical, electrical and / or thermal contact with the load-bearing element surrounding the sheath.

For example, a sensor may have contact pins passing through the

Sheath punctured and can be pressed into the load-bearing element. This makes it possible to retrofit a suspension element after (initial) installation with at least one sensor or even several.

According to a further embodiment, at least one of the sensors may be integrated in the casing around the load-bearing element. In other words, a sensor may be completely housed or encapsulated in the sheath. The sensor can thus become part of the suspension element. The sensor can by the

Sheath similar to the load-bearing element encased and against, for example external mechanical or chemical influences are protected. Although retrofitting existing suspension elements with sensors would hardly be possible in this case, the sensors can, for example, be integrated directly into an elastomer jacket, for example, during manufacture of the suspension element. The sensors can be integrated into the suspension element such that they are advantageously in mechanical, electrical and / or thermal contact with one or more load-bearing elements.

According to one embodiment, at least one of the sensors is designed to determine the physical properties without own power supply and to transmit the associated signal. Such a sensor can also be referred to as "passive", since it can not become active on its own and can be read out passively, for example a power source assigned only to an individual sensor, such as a dedicated one, can be used under its own power supply Battery understood.

The provision of the support means with such passive sensors can both a

Simplify production and maintenance of the support means, for example, since no variety of batteries for the plurality of sensors held, maintained and / or needs to be replaced at regular intervals.

For example, it is conceivable that, for example, electrical or magnetic properties of a sensor change as a function of physical properties of the load-bearing element acting on it in an adjacent local area, and that these changed properties can be read from the outside, for example. For example, electromagnetic radiation could be emitted from a controller to the sensor and be reflected by the sensor in a modified manner depending on the currently prevailing conditions and then the reflected radiation can be detected and evaluated by the controller.

Alternatively, the sensor can be designed for self-sufficient energy generation, for example by providing suitable energy-generating elements, for example at least one piezoelectric element. As an alternative, energy can be supplied externally on a case-by-case basis, for example by means of an RF signal. This energy can be stored in a suitable energy storage element, so that the sensor, at least for a certain time after the energy production or the external power supply, is operable. For example, the time between two trips can be bridged, which drive either generates the energy (piezo technology) or alternatively brings a sensor close to the energy source (externally supplied energy).

According to a further embodiment, at least one of the sensors may be designed to be in contact with the at least one load-bearing element in such a way that an electrical power supply of the sensor can take place via an electrical current flow through the load-bearing element.

In other words, a sensor need not be "passive" in the sense outlined above, but a sensor power supply does not need to be established via a plurality of decentralized and individual sensor associated power sources such as batteries Electrically isolated regions of a load-bearing element or, preferably, two separate electrically conductive load-bearing elements can be used as electrical conductors to which, for example, an external electrical voltage can be applied and the thus can serve as leads for providing an electrical power supply for one or more sensors attached thereto.

According to a further embodiment, the support means comprises a plurality of load-bearing elements running parallel to one another and the sensors are designed to locally adjacent the at least one physical property in at least one of the load-bearing elements, but preferably in several or even all of the load-bearing elements to determine the respective sensor.

In other words, similarly to conventional belts used as suspension means of an elevator system, the suspension element may be provided with a plurality of elongate load-bearing elements, often referred to as cords, which are housed together in a casing. At suitable intervals along the support means In this case, sensors can be arranged on or in the suspension element or on or in its sheathing. Each sensor can thereby determine one or more physical properties in one or more of the load-bearing elements in an adjacent area and output corresponding signals to the outside.

According to a further embodiment, the sensors can travel along the

Longitudinal direction of the support means to be arranged equidistantly spaced from each other. In other words, a distance between in

Longitudinal direction adjacent sensors for all of the sensors provided on the support means to be equal. A suspension element can thus be produced and provided, for example, as a standardized and / or prefabricated component. For example, a suspension in the form of a belt equipped with sensors can be made with a very long length and then cut off in each case for a specific application in the appropriate length.

In principle, however, distances between sensors which are adjacent in the extension direction of the suspension element can also be non-equidistant. For example, it is conceivable that the distances between sensors should be narrower in areas that appear to be particularly worth monitoring than in less-risky areas.

Depending on the physical property to be determined and / or the desired local resolution in the physical properties to be determined, a distance between adjacent sensors can be suitably selected. For example, a distance between adjacent sensors in the range of a few centimeters, for example, 10 cm, up to many meters, for example, 5, 10 or even 20m, are selected.

In an elevator installation which is equipped with a suspension element according to the invention, a monitoring device can also be provided which is designed to receive in each case a signal indicating the determined physical property from various sensors mounted on the suspension element and information about processing of received signals to determine a current state of the suspension element. The monitoring device can be arranged away from the support means. Signals can be transmitted between the sensors and the monitoring device, for example wirelessly, via a specially provided wiring to the suspension element or by transmitting the signals through the electrically conductive load-bearing elements provided in the suspension element.

The monitoring device can be designed to carry out a method according to an embodiment of the third aspect of the present invention, that is, to process the signals received from different sensors in order to determine therefrom information about the state of the suspension element.

In this case, it may be advantageous if in the processing of the received

Sensor signals in addition to the information contained therein on the physical property determined by the sensor also information about the position at which the sensor is arranged on the support means, is available. Such information may either be communicated by the sensor along with the physical property indicating signals or otherwise derived.

For example, after an installation of the suspension element in the elevator installation, a "learning phase" can be carried out during which, for example, the suspension element is deliberately displaced by a drive of the elevator installation, thereby learning a behavior of the sensors or signals transmitted by the sensors " becomes.

Alternatively or additionally, each sensor may have a kind of individual identifier which, for example, together with the signals coding the physical properties, can be transmitted to the monitoring device. An individual position of an individualized by its identifier sensor can be determined and stored in advance, learned in a learning phase and / or be determined, for example, due to other position-dependent characteristics. It should be understood that some of the possible features and advantages of the invention are described herein with reference to different embodiments. In particular, some possible features and advantages are described with reference to a suspension element designed according to the invention, with reference to an elevator system designed according to the invention or with reference to a method to monitor a state of a suspension element. A person skilled in the art can recognize that the features described and the advantages resulting therefrom can be suitably combined, adapted, transferred or exchanged in order to arrive at further embodiments of the invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein neither the drawings nor the

Description are to be construed as limiting the invention.

Fig. 1 shows an elevator system with a suspension means according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 shows a perspective sectional view through a support means according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 shows a perspective sectional view through a support means according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 shows a perspective sectional view through a support means according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

The figures are only schematic and not to scale. Like reference numerals designate like or equivalent features throughout the several figures

1 shows an elevator installation 100 with a suspension element 1 inserted therein according to an embodiment of the present invention. The elevator installation 100 has an elevator car 102 which can be moved up and down within a hoistway 106 by means of a drive 104. The drive 104 is in the example shown attached to a ceiling 108 of the elevator shaft 106, but could alternatively be housed for example in a separate machine room. The drive 104 has an electric motor 110, by means of which a drive pulley 112 can be rotationally driven. A surface of the traction sheave 112 may be in frictional contact with a

Contact surface of the support means 1 are available, so that by rotating the traction sheave 112, the support means 1 along its longitudinal extension direction 9 can be moved. In the illustrated example, one end of the support means 1 is attached to the elevator car 102 to hold the elevator car 102. Alternatively, the suspension element 1 can also wrap around, for example, a deflection roller attached to the elevator car 102 and be fastened with its end to the ceiling 108. An opposite end of the support means 1 may optionally hold a counterweight (not shown). By moving the suspension element 1, the elevator car 102 and, if appropriate, the counterweight can thus be moved within the elevator shaft 106. The drive 104 can in this case be controlled by a controller 114.

During operation of the elevator installation 100, it must be ensured that the suspension element 1 can always reliably fulfill its task of holding the elevator car 102. For this purpose, a state of the suspension element 1 reproducing the integrity of the suspension element 1 should be monitored permanently or at least at suitable time intervals.

The elevator installation 100 proposed here has a plurality of sensors 7 on its suspension element 1 for this purpose. The sensors 7 are arranged on the suspension element 1 at a plurality of positions spaced apart along the longitudinal direction 9 of the suspension element 1. In other words, not only at the ends of the support means 1 sensors 7 are arranged or the entire suspension means connected to an external sensor, as was usually the case, but there are several sensors 7 distributed over the length of the support means 1, so that, for example, one or more sensors 7 are located in or near a center of the suspension element 1 in the direction of longitudinal extent 9. Each of the sensors 7 is designed to determine at least one physical property of the suspension element 1 in a region locally adjacent to the respective sensor 7 and to output a suitable signal 11 based on the determined physical property. As a physical property, for example, a local elongation of the support means 1, a local bending of the support means 1, a local acceleration of the support means 1, a local force acting on the support means 1, a local temperature on the support means 1 and / or an electrical conductivity the suspension means 1 are determined. For this purpose, a sensor 7 may be in mechanical, electrical, thermal or similar contact with the suspension element 1 or with its components such as, for example, load-bearing elements or a surrounding enclosure.

A sensor 7 is designed to output the physical property measured or detected by it in the form of the signal 11. The signal 11 can be output, for example, as a radio signal, that is to say in the form of an electromagnetic wave 13. In or on the elevator shaft 106, receivers 15, 17 can then be provided which can receive this signal 11 and forward it appropriately.

For example, a receiver 15 may be mounted on the elevator car 102 so that it is driven together with the elevator car 102 through the elevator shaft 106, for example in the vicinity of sensors 7, in an area of the suspension means 1 near the end opposite the elevator car 102 are arranged, is passed by. Such a receiver 15 attached to the elevator car 102 thus repeatedly passes in the vicinity of many of the sensors 7 attached to the suspension element 1 in the course of operation of the elevator system 100 or is located in the vicinity of those sensors 7 which are connected to the suspension element 1 are mounted near the elevator car 102. A data transmission to this receiver 15 thus may need to bridge only short distances. Thus, a good quality in the data transmission can be achieved.

Alternatively or in addition to such a mounted on the elevator car 102 and with this moving receiver 15, a receiver 17 can be installed stationarily in or on the elevator shaft 106. For example, such a stationary receiver 17 may be located near the center of the hoistway 106. Many of the attached to the suspension means sensors 7 are doing during the operation of the Elevator system 100 taking place process of the support means 1 passes several times near the receiver 17. Signal transmissions therefore only need to be made over short distances. Also in this way is thus a reliable

Data signal transmission from each of the sensors 7 to the receiver 17 possible.

It is also possible to provide a plurality of receivers 15, 17. For example, a plurality of stationary receivers 17 can be arranged along the height of the elevator shaft 106.

The receivers 15, 17 can forward the signals 11 of the sensors 7 received by them, for example, to the controller 114. There, the signals 11 can be processed in order to be able to determine the desired information about the condition of the suspension element 1. Alternatively or additionally, the signals 11 can be transmitted to an external monitoring device 116 to from there, that is, for example, from a remote control center to be able to evaluate the signals 11 and the state of the elevator system 100 and in particular of the support means 1 recorded therein to be able to monitor remotely.

As an alternative to wireless transmission of the signals 11 using the

Electromagnetic waves 13, the signals 11, for example, by recorded in the support means 1 or attached to the support means 1 electrical lines to the controller 114 and / or to the external monitoring device 116 are passed.

In particular, it can be advantageously used that electrically conductive structures in the form of metallic load-bearing elements accommodated therein are normally accommodated in the suspension element 1, which ultimately also leads to the control 114 or the external monitoring device 116 for signal transmission through the suspension element 1 can be used. For this purpose, the sensors 7 can couple the signals generated by them into one of the electrically conductive load-bearing elements, for example. At one point, such as at one end of the suspension element 1, the load-bearing element used for the signal line can then be connected to the outside, for example with a line connecting to the controller 114 or the monitoring device 116. FIGS. 2 to 4 show different embodiments of suspension elements 1 in a perspective sectional view.

Each suspension element 1 has load-bearing elements 3, which are surrounded by a shell 5. In the illustrated suspension means 1 is a flat belt, in which a plurality of load-bearing elements 3 are parallel to the

Longitudinal direction 9 of the support means 1 extend and are arranged parallel to each other next to each other. Such load-bearing elements 3 of a belt are also referred to as "cords" and may for example comprise or consist of a braid or a bundle of metal wires The load-bearing elements 3 may have a diameter in the range of typically one or a few

Millimeters to a few centimeters. A lateral distance between adjacent load-bearing elements 3 can be approximately of the same order of magnitude as the diameter of the load-bearing elements, that is, they can range from a few millimeters to a few centimeters.

In the exemplary embodiment of the suspension element 1 designed as a belt, each of the load-bearing elements 3 is surrounded by a part of the jacket 5, so that the load-bearing elements 3 are separated from one another both mechanically and electrically. The casing 5 may consist of a plastic material, in particular of a polymer material, preferably an elastomeric material. The

Sheath 5 forms together with the load-bearing elements 3 received therein a unit in the form of the support means 1 forming belt.

A front surface 19 of the belt forms during use of the

Supporting means 1, the contact surface over which the support means 1 is in frictional contact, for example with the traction sheave 112 of the drive 104. This front surface 19 may be textured or flat, for example. For example, a textured front surface 19 may have a plurality of grooves or grooves 21 extending parallel to each other. One of the front surface 19 opposite back

Surface 21 is usually flat, that is not textured. As an alternative to a belt provided with a plurality of load-bearing elements 3, the suspension element 1 could also be provided with only a single load-bearing element 3 as a core and a shell surrounding this core.

In the example of a belt-like support means 1 shown in FIG. 2, several sensors 7 are attached to the rear surface 21 of the casing 5 along the direction of longitudinal extension 9. The sensors 7 are applied to the rear surface 21 and mechanically connected to this or mechanically anchored in this.

In this case, for example, an extension 23 projects into the casing 5. This extension 23 can on the one hand provide for the mechanical anchoring of the sensor 7. On the other hand, this extension 23 can produce a sensory contact with one of the load-bearing elements 3 within the casing 5, so that the sensor 7 is connected via this extension 23, for example mechanically, electrically, thermally or in a similar manner to the load-bearing element 3. In this way, the sensor 7 physical properties of the support means 1 and in particular of the recorded therein

determine load bearing element 3.

For example, the sensor 7 via the extension 23 detect a locally occurring on the load-bearing element 3 strain or bending. For this, e.g.

Length changes, orientation changes and / or voltage changes within the load-bearing element 3 are measured.

Alternatively or additionally, forces or accelerations acting locally on the suspension element 1, or forces or accelerations acting locally on the load-bearing element 3 accommodated therein, can be measured directly or optionally via its extension.

Also, temperatures that prevail locally on the rear surface 21 or how they prevail within the suspension element 1, for example, on a contacted load-bearing element 3, can be measured by means of the sensor 7. It is also conceivable to design the sensors 7 in such a way and to attach them to the suspension element 1 that with their help electrical currents can be generated locally by one of the load-bearing elements 3. For example, an electrical voltage can be generated between two adjacently arranged sensors 7, thereby causing an electrical current flow through the load-bearing element 3 connecting between them. In particular, changes in such an electrical current can then give indications of possible damage to the load-bearing element 3. The damage can advantageously not only be detected but also localized as being located in the region between the two sensors 7.

In the illustrated example, each sensor 7 is provided with a sensor 25 as well as with a transmitting and / or receiving unit 27. The sensor 25 serves to measure the physical property of the suspension element 1 to be determined. The transmitting and / or receiving unit 27 can then convert the determined measuring signal into a signal 11 to be output. This signal 11 can then be transmitted to the controller 114 and / or the external monitoring device 116 for further processing and evaluation, for example.

Such signal transmission can again be wireless, for example by means of electromagnetic waves 13. Alternatively, the transmission and / or

Receiving unit 27 also couple the generated signal 11, for example via the extension 23 in the electrically conductive load-bearing element 3 and via this

For example, to the controller 114 and optionally from there on to the external monitoring device 116 transmit. As a further alternative, individual wiring of each sensor 7 would be conceivable.

Further, in the example shown in FIG. 2, adjacent sensors 7 can not receive signals 11 and data with only the controller 114 and / or the external one

Monitor device 116 exchange, but it is also a signal transmission between adjacent sensors 7 conceivable. The adjacent sensors 7 can communicate with each other wirelessly, for example by means of electromagnetic waves 14, for example. In this way, for example, an exchange of information between sensors 7 is conceivable. In particular, it is conceivable that adjacent sensors 7, for example, an electric current flow through a connecting portion of a load-carrying

Elements 3 can coordinate in this way, in particular to be able to determine a change in electrical resistance or other electrical variable within the load-bearing element 3 locally. In this way, it is possible in particular to make changes in electrical properties within load-bearing elements 3 of a suspension element 1 not only globally, that is, for the entire load-bearing element 3, but also locally, that is, for example, in regions between two adjacent sensors, determinable and evaluable ,

In the example shown in FIG. 2, sensors 7 can be arranged along the

Longitudinal direction 9 be attached to the support means 1, that they each contact one and the same load-bearing element 3 (in the example shown, the third from the left) and determine in the vicinity of this load-bearing element 3 corresponding local physical properties. However, it can also be provided that additional sensors 8 are arranged on the suspension element 1, by means of which, for example, other physical properties, such as, for example, a temperature or the like, are locally measured, by means of which they are preferably supplementary

Information about a current local state of the suspension element 1 can be derived.

In the example of a suspension element 1 shown in FIG. 3, a sensor 7 is integrated into the shell 5 of the suspension element 1. In other words, the sensor 7 is located completely inside the casing 5 and is thus protected by the casing 5 in a manner similar to the load-bearing elements 3 against mechanical and / or chemical influences. In the illustrated example, the sensor 7 extends substantially over the entire width of the belt-like support means 1. Several extensions 23 contact each of the load-bearing elements 3 accommodated in the suspension element 1. Physical properties of the suspension element 1 can occur in areas adjacent to or adjacent to each of them load-bearing elements 3 are determined locally.

In the embodiment shown by way of example in FIG. 4, a sensor 7 is received even deeper inside the suspension element 1. In particular, the sensor 7 is received laterally between adjacent load-bearing elements 3 and thus is located deep inside the casing 5. The sensor 7 can in turn contact, for example via projections 23 or, in the example shown, two load-bearing elements 3 running adjacent to it in order to determine their physical properties locally.

In addition to an already explained possibility of signal transmission from the sensor 7 through one of the load-bearing elements 3 to the controller 114 and / or the external monitoring device 116, a power supply of the sensor 7 with the aid of one or more recorded in the support means 1 load-bearing elements 3 , For example, a sensor, as shown in Fig. 4, with the extensions 23 or other contacting options contact two separate load-bearing elements 3 to which an appropriate voltage has been externally applied to a current flow through the load-bearing elements 3 for a power supply for the Sensor 7 to be able to provide.

Alternatively, the sensors 7 may be formed as passive components or each equipped with its own power supply such as a battery.

Finally, possible embodiments of embodiments of a suspension element according to the invention or of a lift system or a monitoring method executable therewith, and any advantages that may be achieved therewith, can be summarized as follows, in part using an alternative wording to the above description:

As a core aspect can be considered to arrange a plurality of sensors on or within a suspension means distributed over the length thereof.

The sensors can be sufficiently small in order to attach them only locally to the suspension means or even to be able to integrate into this. With the aid of these sensors, physical properties such as, for example, a bend, a load, a temperature and / or a vibration can be detected on or in the suspension element. For example, it can be determined by means of the sensors in the suspension means how often a section of the suspension element is bent. From this it can be deduced, for example, when a discard condition for the suspension element has been reached. This can, inter alia, have the advantage that a history can be determined over an entire travel range of the suspension element and the suspension element can be exchanged at the right time without, for example, dropping below a required breaking load.

Inadmissibly high local accelerations can indicate a defect, so that, for example, the elevator system can be taken out of service. The determined based on the signals from the sensors state of the suspension element can be evaluated by a controller or an external monitoring device and, for example, associated information is passed to an elevator control. in the

Essentially, a change in an acceleration behavior compared to, for example, a new state can lead to a premature end of use of the suspension element.

With a history of the complete carrier length and the respective bending profile can be possible depending on the elevator use better utilization to the Ablegereife the support means. So far, this was only a number of trips the

Lift system evaluated. Furthermore, an online query of a suspension state of the elevator installation is possible at any time via a tele-monitoring system. For example, timely service planning can prevent downtime, for example.

In a specific embodiment, a load state can be determined very accurately, for example, by information regarding a respective tensile stress in a suspension element, which is detected by the sensors. This information can provide the controller with the loading condition of the car. In addition, for example, differences in voltage within a plurality of support means can be displayed to an installer and can be readjusted within an assembly or in a service case.

As a result, inter alia, a lifetime of the support means can be better utilized and ride comfort can be maintained. If, for example, an accident results in a flaccid segment or a whole suspension element area, this can be detected immediately. There is advantageously no delay within a sensor chain.

Furthermore, an accurate suspension monitoring can be adapted in one

Safety considerations lead to historical safety factors

re-evaluate inadequate state information.

Temperatures in individual segments of the suspension can provide information in the

Deliver fire. For example, a route within the elevator system can be restricted and thus the system remain in operation for longer.

According to a possible embodiment, a plurality of individual sensors are mounted at a certain distance in or on the support means. The sensors can be arranged, for example, on the back or on a running profile of the suspension element or in the suspension element. The sensors may be attached to electrically conductive cords and / or fibers or may be electrically insulated. A signal can either be transmitted via a conductor to an endpoint or directly via telemetry to a receiver. During an initial assembly or service, a position of the sensors can be learned by a teach-in process, which can provide additional information but is optional. Information on the suspension element such as production time, production lot and carrier type can be stored directly in the sensor system by the supplier. Temperature information,

Acceleration states and suspension medium stresses via local sections can be supplied to the controller for further processing.

Finally, it should be noted that terms such as "comprising,""comprising," etc., do not exclude other elements or steps, and terms such as "a" or "an" do not exclude a variety. It should also be appreciated that features or steps described with reference to any of the above embodiments may also be used in combination with other features or steps of other embodiments described above. Reference signs in the claims are not to be considered as limiting. Reference list

I suspension means

3 load-bearing element

5 sheathing

7 sensor

8 additional sensors

9 longitudinal direction

I I signal

13 electromagnetic wave

14 electromagnetic wave

15 recipients

17 recipients

19 front surface

21 back surface

23 extension

25 sensors

27 transmitting and / or receiving unit

100 elevator system

102 elevator car

104 drive

106 elevator shaft

108 ceiling

110 engine

112 traction sheave

114 control

1 16 external monitoring device

Claims

claims

A suspension element (1) for an elevator installation (100), wherein the suspension element (1) comprises: at least one elongate load-bearing element (3);

a shell (5) surrounding the load-bearing element (3);

a plurality of sensors (7) arranged on the support means (3) at a plurality of positions spaced apart along a longitudinal direction (9) of the support means (1),

wherein the sensors (7) are designed to determine at least one physical property of the suspension element (1) in a region locally adjacent to the respective sensor (7) and to output a signal (11) indicating the determined physical property,

characterized in that the sensors (7) are adapted to at least one physical property selected from a group comprising a local elongation of the suspension element (1), a local bending of the suspension element (1), a local acceleration of the suspension element (1) on the support means (1) locally acting force to determine a local temperature of the support means (1) and an electrical conductivity through the support means (1).

2. Supporting means according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensors (7) are adapted to transmit the detected the physical property indicating signal (11) to at least one of a remote control (114) and an external monitoring device (116).

3. Supporting means according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the sensors (7) is adapted to transmit the signal (11) wirelessly.

4. Supporting means according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the sensors (7) is designed and in such a way with the at least one load-bearing element (3) is in contact that a signal transmission between the sensors (7) and a remote control ( 114) or an external

Monitoring device (116) through the load-bearing element (3) can be carried out.

5. Supporting means according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least part of a sensor (7) penetrates the sheath (5) and is in contact with the load-bearing element (3).

6. Supporting means according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the sensors (7) in the sheath (5) is integrated.

7. Supporting means according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the sensors (7) is provided as a miniaturized semiconductor-based component.

8. Supporting means according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the sensors (7) is adapted to determine the physical property without own power supply and to transmit the signal (11).

9. Supporting means according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the sensors (7) is designed and in such a way with the at least one load-bearing element (3) is in contact, that an electrical power supply of the sensor (7) via an electric current flow through the load-bearing element (3) can take place.

10. A suspension element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the support means (1) has a plurality of mutually parallel load-bearing elements (3) and the sensors (7) are adapted to the at least one physical property in at least one of the load-bearing elements in a region locally to determine adjacent to the respective sensor (7).

11. Supporting means according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensors (7) along the longitudinal extension direction (9) are arranged equidistant from each other.

12. elevator installation (100) comprising:

an elevator car (102);

a drive (104);

a suspension element (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11,

wherein the elevator car (102) is held on the suspension element (1) and the elevator car (102) is to be displaced by moving the suspension element (1) by means of the drive (104).

13. Elevator installation according to claim 12, further comprising an external

Monitoring device (116) which is designed to receive a signal (11) indicating the determined physical property from various sensors (7) attached to the suspension element (1) and by processing received signals (11) to provide information about a state of the device Determine suspension (1).

A method of monitoring a condition of a suspension (1) according to any of claims 1 to 11, said method comprising:

Receiving signals (11) each indicative of a determined physical property of the support means (1) detected by sensors (7) mounted on the support means (1) at a plurality of different positions, the physical property being one of a group comprising a localized one Elongation of the suspension element (1), a local bending of the suspension element (1), a local acceleration of the suspension element (1), a locally acting on the support means (1) force, a local temperature of the support means (1) and an electrical conductivity through the Tragmittel (1) is selected, and

Processing of the received signals (11) to determine therefrom information about the state of the support means (1).