FI120874B - Lift system - Google Patents

Description

ELEVATOR SYSTEM

The invention relates to a method as described in the preamble of claim 1 and to an apparatus for monitoring the condition of an elevator battery as described in the preamble of claim 13.

In most countries, elevators require a battery to power some of the elevator's equipment if normal power supply is interrupted for some reason, such as in the case of a power failure. For example, the elevator car emergency light and alarm system, which also includes a telephone, must operate in such exceptional cases. In addition, the battery will also be powered by the door area indicator sensors when manually operating the elevator during the rescue phase to stop the elevator at the correct position relative to the floor level. Similarly, the elevator intercom system from the dashboard and / or service center to the elevator car operates on said battery, whereby the intercom can be used, for example, in the event of a power failure.

20

Usually, such a spare battery is a standard lead or lead-acid battery, which is simply referred to hereinafter as the battery. Charging and discharging such a battery must be done properly to maximize the life of the battery. Nonetheless, such a battery has a limited life span and, over time, becomes obsolete so that it can no longer provide enough power for the abovementioned emergency functions. In this case: Y: a badly worn-out battery must be replaced.

. ** ·. 30 • · ···

It is known that the condition of the battery can be tested first by the battery. is fully charged, then discharged and the number of · · hours of amperes retrieved from the battery. Although this • ·. The method is to measure the condition of the battery almost invariably • · · • *. 35, the problem is that the measurement is time consuming and cannot be performed when the elevator is in operation (in transport mode), as if • · * ·.! power failure, elevator emergency equipment would not work. Because of this, the elevator should always be switched off for the duration of the measurement.

2

Because the condition of the battery cannot be measured in this way for the reasons stated above, the battery is usually replaced at intervals, for example two years, for safety reasons. However, this solution has the disadvantage that the battery 5 may be replaced unnecessarily too early, even if the battery is still in good working order. This results in unnecessary additional costs as new batteries have to be replaced and used batteries become a lot of extra hazardous waste.

10

Similarly, in some cases, the capacity of the battery may be reduced before it is replaced, for example, if the battery is new when it is new. If this occurs, the emergency equipment of the elevator will not function in the event of a power failure 15 and passengers may remain trapped in the elevator car for a long time before the situation is detected. In the worst case, lives can be endangered if, for example, passengers are trapped in a rarely used elevator and the trapped are prevented from communicating the emergency in any way.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the above drawbacks and to provide a simple and inexpensive method and apparatus for monitoring the condition of an elevator battery. The process of the invention is characterized by what is · · · ··. 25 is shown in the characterizing part of claim 1. Correspondingly, the apparatus according to the invention is characterized by what is stated in the characterizing part of claim 13. Other embodiments of the invention are characterized by the following: ... * characterized by what is stated in the other claims.

30: ***: Inventive embodiments are also disclosed in the Explanatory Memorandum of this application. The inventive content contained in the application may also be defined otherwise than as set forth in the following claims. The inventive content may also consist of several separate inventions, especially if the invention is considered in the light of its expressive or implicit subtasks, or in terms of the benefits or groups of benefits achieved. In this case, some of the attributes contained in the claims below may be redundant for separate inventive ideas, and similarly, the various details set forth in connection with each embodiment of the invention may be used in other embodiments. .

The invention relates to a method for monitoring the condition of an elevator battery, which comprises a control system and a battery connected to the control system. The method measures the condition of the elevator battery by measuring the internal resistance of the battery by temporarily loading the battery with a known load current. As used herein, the term "instantaneous" means that the measurement period is sufficiently short to ensure the operational capability of the elevator emergency functions at least immediately after measurement, i.e., internal battery resistance is measured without discharging battery capacity during measurement below the required threshold to maintain emergency functions.

20

The invention also relates to an apparatus for monitoring the condition of a lift battery, which comprises a control system and a control

»M

: Battery connected to the system. The apparatus shall include at least a voltage measuring element connected to the terminals of the battery and a measuring circuit with load resistance and switching means.

• M *. ···. According to the invention, the voltage measuring element and the measuring circuit • · are arranged to measure the internal resistance of the battery by loading the battery with a momentarily known load current.

In one embodiment of the invention, the internal resistance of the battery is increased when the elevator is in transit.

• · · · · · · · · ·

In one embodiment of the invention, the internal resistance of the battery is · · · • ·. ···. • · * 1 * 35 by means of a voltage measuring device connected in parallel with the battery terminals by allowing • ·: the load current to pass between the battery terminals through the • •!. * ·· resistor.

4

In one embodiment of the invention, the measurement of the internal resistance is made either manually or at intervals automatically by a measuring circuit with switching means.

In one embodiment of the invention, the temperature of the battery or the immediate vicinity of the battery is measured when measuring the internal resistance.

In one embodiment of the invention, the measurement of the internal resistance as well as the temperature of 10 accumulators or near-accumulators that may be associated with the result of the measurement are stored in a database, based on the metering data collected. The database is arranged at the elevator and / or at a remote service center.

In one embodiment of the invention, a battery replacement time point is predicted when the internal resistance has increased to a predetermined first threshold.

In one embodiment of the invention, information on the predicted battery replacement time is transmitted to the service technician 20.

In one embodiment of the invention, the replacement of the battery by a sudden change in the internal resistance of the battery is detected.

♦ · · • ♦ • ♦ ·. In one embodiment of the invention, the measurement data is collected in a centralized database in a service center by battery types, and the collected measurement data is utilized to determine the time-varying characteristics for different battery types.

In one embodiment of the invention, the service provider is provided with information about the battery replacement time and / or other information that determines the battery replacement time, based on which the service technician can determine the battery replacement time.

• ♦ • · *: * 35 ·· · In the following, the method and apparatus of the invention are collectively referred to as the solution of the invention.

• · ·

An advantage of the solution according to the invention is that it enables the condition of the battery of the elevator 5 to be measured quickly and reliably without the elevator having to be taken out of transport during the determination of the condition of the battery. The measurement of the battery condition can be automated, so that no measurement visit to the customer is required and the measurement can be carried out at desired intervals. A further benefit is that the elevator battery does not have to be replaced too early for safety, thus avoiding unnecessary additional costs for new, too early replaced batteries, and the excess of 10 problematic wastes of previously disused batteries. The measurement data collected at the service center can also be used to determine the performance parameters that determine the optimal replacement time for different battery types. It is also an advantage that the solution according to the invention is simple and inexpensive to implement. There is also the benefit of improved user safety, since a situation where the battery does not work in an emergency is very unlikely with the solution of the invention.

In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail by way of one embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a system according to the invention for monitoring the condition of elevator batteries. FIG. 2 shows a graph showing information about the condition of the elevator battery at certain measuring times, FIG. 3 shows one measuring system according to the invention, and. Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of a control unit associated with the system of the invention.

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of an arrangement whereby the condition of the batteries of * · *: 35 elevators of buildings in a certain area is monitored by Service Center 1. The service center • ·: *** 1 has communication means 3 by means of which the service center • · · 1 communicates with the elevators A, B, ... N of structures 6 covered by the service center 1, for example the public telephone network 5 or other similar communication network. through. Buildings A-N have one or more elevators AI-NN, each of which has a battery for emergencies, as described above. The maintenance center 1 database (monitoring database) 2 stores basic information about the battery AI-NN in each elevator. This information includes, for example, battery manufacturer, battery type, and commissioning date, etc. Service center 1 is configured to receive multi-10 information, among other information, about the condition of Ai-NN elevators batteries at specific intervals, such as once a day or once a week. The monitoring information is, for example, the internal resistance Ri of the battery and the temperature of the battery or its vicinity at the time of measuring the internal resistance.

15

The service center 1 further comprises analysis means 4 arranged to analyze the measurement data stored in the database 2 and to draw conclusions based on this information on the condition of each battery. The data can be used as a pretext to indicate that the battery is in good condition and no action is required; whether the battery capacity has declined, requiring replacement, for example, at the next service visit; or if there is a significant reduction in the capacity of the battery, which may require immediate replacement. Database 2 collector • ··. • · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · The monitoring system 1 of the service center 30 is also arranged to automatically alert you if a battery is so bad that it needs to be replaced immediately. In this case, information on the need to replace the battery may be transmitted, for example, to the service technician 6 responsible for the maintenance of the elevator in question to the terminal in his possession. Service Center 1 has ana-: 1 · lysing equipment 4 to identify a new battery and 2 • · Φ ·

ί to start the torque cycle when taking an elevator Ai-NN

• · Replace with a new battery. In this case, said analyzing means 7 will automatically detect a new battery based on a sudden decrease in the internal resistance of the battery.

Fig. 2 is a graph showing information on the battery condition of the elevator 5 at certain measuring times. One battery whose internal resistance R j at different times t represents a curve 7 is connected to the elevator at time t0. The internal resistance R 1 of the battery is measured at appropriate intervals, for example once a day or once a week, and the measurement results are stored, for example, in the database 2 of the service center 1 for processing by the analysis tools 4. Preferably, the measurement is made with a full battery, i.e., before the measurement, it is ensured that the battery is fully charged. It can be seen from Figure 2 that the internal resistance R 1 thus measured remains essentially constant until time t 1. Then the internal resistance Ri begins to increase and the curve 7 increases from its initial value. An increase in internal resistor Rz indicates a deterioration of the battery condition, but the battery can be expected to perform reasonably well for some time and, based on the 20 measurement data accumulated in Service Center 1 database 2, for example, analysis tools 4 can estimate this remaining battery life. When the internal resistor Rj; is at time t2. ···. has risen to a predetermined first limit R2, ai · · ·.! Prepare the system for battery replacement and analysis • * • · · *. By means of these 4, the time t3 at which the internal resistance of the battery • · * ... * will rise to another value R3 such that the · · · · · · * battery will change. Thus, the first R2 value of the internal resistor can be considered as a threshold value above which the battery replacement operation is completed by Saturday. The future time t3 can be adjusted, for example, for the next scheduled maintenance visit • ·. ···. unless the service visit is too far in time.

The sudden change in measurement results shown in Fig. 2 ··· · ... * 35 further shows that the new battery has been replaced according to the instructions at time t3, after which the new battery has been replaced. internal ··· ♦. ·. : The resistor is again initially a constant displayed by the measurement results, · · · represented by a curve 8 in the measurement result line. The same situation 8 is also seen in the data sent to service center 1, so service center 1 can detect a new battery in time. The values of the internal resistance 1¾ shown by the curve 8 appear initially to be smaller than the measurement results shown by the previous battery 5 at the beginning of the application of the curve 7. This is natural because the characteristics of different batteries may vary within certain limits.

Figure 3 shows one measuring arrangement implementing the solution 10 according to the invention with a circuit 9 illustrating the connection of the battery A, the internal resistance of the battery A with all its elements and losses is shown in simplified form with a resistance of 1¾. The battery is connected from its terminals X1, X2 to the elevator control system 12, in which the battery has a marked current I0 in the circuit, which is indicated as the basic load. The circuit 9 is further connected to the battery terminals by a measuring circuit 11 of an internal battery resistor R1 having at least a load resistor 13 and a switch 14 as a switching means of the measuring circuit, such as a relay or a MOSFET transistor or other controllable switch. In addition, a voltage measuring element 10 is applied to the terminals of the battery adjacent to the measuring circuit 11, acting on the terminals.

• · · • · · · ·: 1. In order for the internal resistance R of the battery to be reliably measured, the load resistor 13 must be substantially small.

* 111 e Typically, in the solutions of prior art • ·! 2, the load resistance has been approx. 15-20 ohms, but then · · · the internal resistance of the battery cannot be reliably measured. The load resistor 13 according to the invention is suitably dimensioned for measuring 30 internal resistors R 1 and has a value of, for example, only about 0.1 to 3 ohms, preferably about 0, 5 ... 1.5 • · ·

ohms and most preferably about 1 ohm. Then, the load current IT passing through the measuring circuit 11 and thus the load resistor 13

The load currents used in the prior art solutions are considerably higher, for example between 5 and 30 'and preferably about 10A.

• · · ♦ -> · • · · • · · 2 • · 9

According to the invention, the switch 14 is closed periodically by the service center 1, the elevator operating system or the measuring circuit 11 itself, for example once a day, while measuring the operating voltage Ui between the poles 5 of the circuit 9 by the measuring element 10. In addition, the voltage U0 between the battery terminals is measured before switch 14 is closed. The measurement circuit only lasts less than one second or up to a few seconds, so that the load resistor 13 and the switch 14 do not overload the load current IT during the measuring circuit 10 and the battery is not discharged below the capacity limit required to maintain emergency functions. In addition, the measurement can advantageously be made while the elevator is in use for transportation. The resistor 13 is, for fire safety purposes, such that, when overheated, it burns across and acts as a fuse. The internal resistance of the battery is now calculated from the formula

Ri = AU / ΔΙ where Δυ = U0 - Ui ΔΙ = IT = Ui / R

20 and

Uo is the battery pole voltage unloaded (switch 14 open)

Ui is the battery pole voltage during measurement (switch • · ·.! 14 closed) • · • · · *. 25 R = value of load resistor 13

On the basis of the measured values obtained, the internal resistance R · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · of the battery at that time is calculated, for example, by a control unit (Fig. 4).

30 Internal resistance also depends on temperature, so battery condition; V. • ·. * ·· will also be measured with the battery connection. ambient temperature, which is stored together with the internal resistance measurement result in database 2.

Analyzing means 4 compensates for the measured internal resistance R 35 based on the measured temperature and thus the combined measurement result is shown in Figure 2. . ·. in curves 7 and 8.

• · · • · 10

Fig. 4 schematically shows a control unit 40 for measuring the internal resistance of a battery. The control unit comprises a processor, memory, and an interface 41 for measuring battery terminal voltage, an interface 42 for connecting a battery or battery temperature sensor 5 to the control unit, and an interface 44 for transmitting measurement data to a service center. The control unit further comprises an interface 43 for controlling the switch 14 on / off.

10 Not all countries have service centers, so the solution according to the invention is also arranged to operate without a service center 1. In this case, the control unit 40 has a database 2 for storing the results locally the determination. The control unit 40 then has means by which the service technician 6 can check the condition of the battery during the service run (not shown in Figure 4). The control unit 20 may itself indicate the need for replacement of the battery, or the service technician 6 may determine the condition of the battery and the need for replacement on the basis of the information received. For example, in order to monitor the internal resistance of the battery and to detect the need to replace the battery, the control unit has stored and programmed an * / 25 limit value R2 or R3 of the internal resistor R1 to which the internal resistor may increase before the control unit requests • · to replace the battery.

Similarly, in a simpler arrangement, the internal resistance Ri is not necessarily measured automatically at regular intervals, but the service resistance 6 is measured manually by the service technician 6 each time a maintenance visit is performed. At the time of measurement, Service Provider 6 has information on how large the internal resistance Ri • · · • · * of the battery was new, and Service Provider 6 can compare the internal resistance of the new battery with the newly measured internal resistance. At the same time · * · *: For example, service technician 6 may look at a separate table, • ·. ** ·. how much internal resistance Rz must have increased before · · · 11 before the battery needs to be replaced. Based on his review, the service technician 6 decides whether to replace the battery.

Another possible solution is that the service tool included with the service technician 5 (e.g., a wireless terminal) has different limit values for different functions in addition to the troubleshooting instructions, for example, the service tool 6 can see the internal resistance limit R3 / convertible. For example, the Service Tool 10 can be downloaded via the Internet or similar network with new, updated service instructions and limits for serviceable batteries, such as the internal resistance of batteries R3.

In summary, the method for monitoring the condition of an elevator battery according to the invention determines the internal resistance R 1 of a fully charged battery at regular intervals by measuring the voltage drop AU at the battery terminals when the battery is loaded with a known tes-20 The internal resistance Ri of the battery is given by the formula Ri = Δυ / ΔΙ mentioned above. The measurement data, or more particularly the value of the internal resistor Rj, is stored: * · *: in a suitable memory, for example, in database 2, service center 1, or control unit 40 or other suitable location from which it is readily available. When the value of the internal resistance R1 exceeds a predetermined first limit value, R2, the time t3 is determined, for example, from measurement data collected in the database · · · 2, whereby the battery has to be replaced.

30 «·

It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the examples above but may vary. within the scope of the following claims. Thus, for example, the internal resistance measurement circuit may be implemented differently than described above.

• · · · · · · · · · · ·

It will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the time to replace the battery may be determined differently from the above.

12

For example, one way to determine the time of replacement is to change the internal resistance of the battery to double, triple, or quadruple the internal resistance of a new battery.

5

It will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the functionalities required by the solution of the invention may be distributed differently between the service center and the local control unit than described above. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the control unit 40 may be integrated either partially or fully into the elevator control system 12.

15 · 1 1 »» 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 • • · * * * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ··· · ♦ • · ♦ • · · · ·

Claims (17)

A method for monitoring the condition of an elevator (AA-NN) battery, comprising the control system (12) and a battery connected to the control system (12), wherein the condition of the elevator (AA-NN) battery is measured by measuring the battery internal resistor (Ri) by temporarily loading the battery with a load current (IT), the measurement result of which is stored in a database (2) connected to the service center, characterized in that the battery replacement in the service center is automatically detected by a sudden reduction of the internal battery resistance. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the measurement of the internal resistance of the battery is carried out when the elevator 15 is in use for transportation. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by measuring the internal resistance (Ri) of the battery by means of a load resistor (13) connected to the battery terminals and a voltage measuring element (10) connected thereto by allowing the load current (IT) to travel between the battery terminals. through a resistor (13). • · · ί ί ί .. *. The ··· 25 method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the internal resistance measurement is carried out manually or at regular intervals by means of switching means (14). with measuring circuit di). • · ·· · ... 30 A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by measuring the temperature of the battery or of the immediate vicinity of the battery in the course of measuring the internal resistance • · · '' · · * ·; · ': (T). • ». ·. 35 A method according to claim 5, characterized in that the battery or near-battery temperature (T) associated with the measurement of the internal resistance (Rx) is stored in a database (2). Method according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, based on the measurement data collected in the database (2), the battery replacement time (t3) is determined. 5 A method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the battery replacement time (t3) is predicted when the internal resistor (R1) has increased to a predetermined first limit value (R2). 10 Method according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that information on the time of battery replacement (t3) is transmitted to the service tower (6). A method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by transmitting to the service technician (6) during the service visit information about the battery replacement time (t3) and / or other information defining the battery replacement time, . 11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the method further comprises the steps of: ··· 25 collecting measurement data by type of battery in a database located at the service center. ; and • · · is used to determine the collected measurement data • · · • ·. ···. key performance indicators for different battery types. 30 • · »il * 12. Apparatus for monitoring the condition of a lift (AA-NN) battery comprising: a control system (12) and a battery (A) connected to a control system (12), the control system (12), and which equipment • j ··· includes at least a voltage measuring element connected to the terminals of the battery. 35 (10) measuring circuit (11) with both a load resistor (13) and switching means (14), the measuring element (10) and the measuring circuit (11) arranged to measure the internal resistance of the battery (Rx) by temporarily charging the battery with a load current (Ιτ), and including a database (2) and analysis means (4) associated with the service center (1), and a communication link (5) for transmitting measurement results from the elevator (AA-NN) to the 5, characterized in that the analyzing means (4) are arranged to detect a change of the battery in the event of a sudden decrease in the internal resistance of the battery. Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the apparatus is adapted to measure the internal resistance of the battery while the elevator is in use. Apparatus according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the apparatus is adapted to measure the internal resistance of the battery 15 either manually or at regular intervals automatically. Apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the apparatus comprises means 20 (40) for measuring the temperature of the battery or of the vicinity of the battery. Apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that the apparatus is arranged to store in the database (T) the temperature of the battery or the near-ambient temperature (T) associated with the measurement of the internal resistance ··· 1 ··. 2). ··· • · · · ··· A · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·. apparatus, characterized in that the apparatus comprises analyzing means (4) for determining the time of replacement of the battery (t3) based on the measurement data collected in the database (2). • · • ♦ ··· • 1 • · • · ♦ ♦ · · · ♦ · 1 · · ♦ 1 ♦ • ·· •