GB2110388A - Improvements relating to electrical controls for lifts, hoists and the like - Google Patents
Improvements relating to electrical controls for lifts, hoists and the like Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2110388A GB2110388A GB08231050A GB8231050A GB2110388A GB 2110388 A GB2110388 A GB 2110388A GB 08231050 A GB08231050 A GB 08231050A GB 8231050 A GB8231050 A GB 8231050A GB 2110388 A GB2110388 A GB 2110388A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- diagnostic
- diagnostic unit
- diagnostic device
- interlock
- unit
- 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.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
- B66B—ELEVATORS; ESCALATORS OR MOVING WALKWAYS
- B66B13/00—Doors, gates, or other apparatus controlling access to, or exit from, cages or lift well landings
- B66B13/22—Operation of door or gate contacts
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
- B66B—ELEVATORS; ESCALATORS OR MOVING WALKWAYS
- B66B5/00—Applications of checking, fault-correcting, or safety devices in elevators
- B66B5/0006—Monitoring devices or performance analysers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
- B66B—ELEVATORS; ESCALATORS OR MOVING WALKWAYS
- B66B5/00—Applications of checking, fault-correcting, or safety devices in elevators
- B66B5/0006—Monitoring devices or performance analysers
- B66B5/0018—Devices monitoring the operating condition of the elevator system
- B66B5/0031—Devices monitoring the operating condition of the elevator system for safety reasons
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
- B66B—ELEVATORS; ESCALATORS OR MOVING WALKWAYS
- B66B5/00—Applications of checking, fault-correcting, or safety devices in elevators
- B66B5/0087—Devices facilitating maintenance, repair or inspection tasks
- B66B5/0093—Testing of safety devices
Landscapes
- Control And Safety Of Cranes (AREA)
Abstract
A diagnostic device (24) is connected to lift gate interlock switches (14, 16, 18, 20, 22) for indicating whether any one or more of these switches is open and for identifying that switch. <IMAGE>
Description
SPECIFICATION
Improvements relating to electrical controls for lifts, hoists and the like
The present invention relates to electrical controls for lifts, hoists and the like and more particularly to means for monitoring the function of safety interlocks provided on lifts, hoists and the like.
The control system for an electrically operated lift, hoist or the like usually incorporates a series of electro-mechanical interlocks, for example on doors, these interlocks serving to prevent the lift or hoist from being operated or to stop the lift or hoist in the event of one of the electro-mechanical interlocks being in a state indicating that the lift or hoist is unsafe to operate, i.e. that a door is not properly closed in the case of lift doors. Under continued use, electro-mechanical interlocks are prone to failure. When such failure is an electrical failure, identification of the source of the fault can be very difficult and usually involves a prolonged systematic examination of all of the interlocks.
According to the present invention, a diagnostic device is provided for a control system for a lift, hoist or the like provided with a series of electromechanical interlocks, said diagnostic device comprising a plurality of detector circuits each provided with means for connecting that circuit to a respective electro-mechanical interlock, and a single diagnostic unit to which all of the detector circuits are connected, said diagnostic unit being adapted to indicate the state of each of the electro-mechanical interlocks as detected by the respective detector circuits.
It is preferable for each detector circuit to be connected to its respective electro-mechanical interlock via a safety device which is adapted to disconnect the detector circuit from the interlock in the event of a fault in the detector circuit itself.
More particularly in the case of an electrical switch which is closed only when it is safe for the lift, hoist or the like to move, the safety device would prevent the respective detector circuit from short-circuiting the interlock switch.
Each detector circuit can simply comprise a respective indicator system monitored within the diagnostic unit. The diagnostic unit may thus include an indicator panel which can indicate the state of all of the interlocks and these states may be displayed simultaneously or sequentially. In the latter case, the indicator panel would be connected sequentially to the individual detector circuits by the diagnostic unit rather than simultaneously. Whilst visual indicators would normally be preferred, it is possible to replace or supplement visual indication by audible indication.
The switching systems and circuitry used in the diagnostic unit may be electro-mechanical or solid state.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the diagnostic unit contains a scanner system which is adapted to sequentially monitor the state of each electro-mechanical interlock and to compare this state with information stored in a memory which has been pre-programmed with information concerning the correct state of each electromechanical interlock. Such a scanner system automatically detects and indicates any interlock found to be in the wrong state.
The diagnostic unit may be situated at any convenient point to which the detector circuits may be routed. The diagnostic unit can be an integral part of the control system for the lift, hoist or the like. Alternatively, it can be portable and in that event it is convenient for it to be connected to a monitoring point provided in the control system only when required for use. The diagnostic unit can take its power supply from that of the control system or it may be internally powered, e.g., by batteries.
In another embodiment of the invention, the diagnostic unit contains at least one memory and the memory or memories have stored therein information relating to various different control systems for lifts, hoists and the like (hereinafter referred to as a "lift installation"). The information relating to any particular lift installation can thus be retrieved selectiveiy. Such selection can be effected manually, particularly in the case of a portable diagnostic device. In a fixed diagnostic device permanently connected to the control system of a lift installation, the memory or memories can be scanned by the diagnostic unit itself until the information relating to the control system to which the device has been fitted has been found.
It is advantageous for the diagnostic unit to contain a fault memory such that information relating to any fault of an electro-mechanical interlock which has been detected is stored while the diagnostic unit continues to monitor the other interlocks.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the diagnostic unit contains self-testing circuitry so that a fault in the diagnostic unit itself can be indicated. In embodiments wherein the diagnostic unit contains a memory, facilities may be provided for pre-programming the memory and reading the memory without the diagnostic device being connected to the control system for the lift installation.
The invention is further described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a block circuit diagram of a diagnostic device according to the present invention connected to a control system for a lift installation,
Fig. 2 is a block circuit diagram of one embodiment of diagnostic unit for the device,
Fig. 3 is a detailed example of the embodiment of Fig. 2,
Fig. 4 is a block circuit diagram of another embodiment of diagnostic unit,
Fig. 5 is a detailed example of the embodiment ofFig.4, Fig. 6 is a block circuit diagram of a further embodiment of diagnostic unit, and
Fig. 7 is a block circuit diagram of a further embodiment of diagnostic unit as applied to a multilift installation.
Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, a control system for a lift installation incorporates a lift
control panel 10 which incorporates an interlock
loop 12. The lift installation cannot be operated or
will not operate if the interlock loop 12 is
interrupted. The interlock loop contains a number
of switches arranged in series so that the loop is
interrupted when any one of the switches is
opened. By way of example in the case of a lift or
hoist there is shown a switch 14 operated by a
hoist slide gate, a switch 1 6 operated by lift doors
on a second floor, a switch 1 8 operated by lift
doors on a first floor, a switch 20 operated by lift
doors on a ground floor and a switch 22
responsive to the motor of the lift installation
experiencing overload.Accordingly the switches 14, 16, 1 8 and 20 are opened mechanically
whenever the respective doors are open or are not
properly closed.
A diagnostic device 24 is connected by signal
lines 26, 28, 30, 32 and 34 to the switches 14, 16, 1 8, 20 and 22. An electric current will
normally be flowing through the interlock loop 12
when all of the switches are closed and thus,
when any one of the switches is open, a potentia!
difference will appear across the contacts of that
switch and this potential difference can be
detected by the diagnostic device. The diagnostic device can thereby detect which of the switches is open.It is also possible for the diagnostic device
itself to supply electrical signals along the signal
lines 26 to 34 to detect the state of the switches, but in such event the electrical signals must be so chosen that they will not interfere with the operation of the lift control panel 1 0. For example,
in the simple case if the current in the interlock
loop 12 is a DC current, the signals fed along the signal lines can be high frequency AC signals which could be filtered out of the interlock loop 12 and the DC current could be prevented from flowing along the signal lines by inserting
appropriately poled rectifier diodes in these lines.
In the embodiment of diagnostic device shown
in Fig 2, the signal lines 26 to 34 are connected
by respective safety devices 36 to a switching device 38. The switching device contains detector
circuits for detecting the state of the interlocked
switches to which the signal lines are connected,
In the event of a fault in the switching device 38, the respective safety device 36 disconnects the switching device from the interlock switches, thus preventing the switching device from placing a short circuit across the interlock switches. The switching device 38 is connected to an indicator 40 which indicates the detected state of the interlocked switches either visually or audibly or both. Thus the switching device can sequentially connect the detector circuits to the indicator 40.
Fig. 3 shows one example of how the diagnostic unit may work in practice, this being one of the simplest possible circuits. The switching device 38 is shown as a simple selector switch having a switch arm 37 which co-operates with contacts 39 individual to the lines 26 to 34.
If, as is common practice, the control loop 12 forms the live or positive feed to the control circuit, with one end of this loop being connected to the live or positive supply, any point on the control loop will be live or positive with respect to earth or to the neutral or negative potential supply of the control circuit, provided that all interlock switches remain closed. Thus, as the switching device 38 connects each line 26 to 34 sequentially to the lift control circuit voltage reference, i.e. to earth or to the neutral or negative supply, via the indicator 40, the latter will indicate a potential difference across it as long as all the interlock switches 14 to 22 are closed.If, for example, a fault develops on the interlock switch 1 8 so that it becomes open circuit, the indicator 40 will indicate the presence of a potential difference when connected by the switching device 38 to the lines 26 and 28 but not when connected to the lines 30, 32 and 34. Thus, as the switching device 38 moves sequentially between lines 26 to 34, it will indicate, as it reaches line 30, that the interlock switch 1 8 is open circuit and hence faulty. In its simplest form, the switching device 38 is a manually operated rotary switch and the indicator 40 is a lamp or light (e.g.
tungsten filament, suitably protected l.e.d. or where, as is common, the control loop is AC, a neon indicator may be used). The diagnostic unit in this simple form indicates only the first faulty interlock switch in the control loop. Once this fault is repaired the unit can then proceed, if necessary, to look for further faults.
In a refinement of the diagnostic device shown in Fig. 3, an additional switch position on switch 38 connects the indicator 40 directly to the live or positive supply of the control circuit, thus providing the diagnostic device with a means of checking the correct functioning of the indicator 40.
In the embodiment of Fig. 4, the diagnostic device contains individual indicators 42, each of which contains its own detector circuit connected by a respective safety device 36 to the respective one of the signal lines 26 to 34.
Fig. 5 shows a simple circuit, by way of example, for a diagnostic device as shown in
Fig. 4. In Fig. 5, each line 26 to 34 is connected via its own indicator 42 to the lift control circuit voltage reference, i.e., to earth or to the neutral or negative potential supply of the control circuit. In this case, all the indicators 42 will indicate the presence of a potential difference across them provided that the interlock switches 1 4 to 22 remain closed. If, for example, these indicators are lights, then a correctly functioning control loop will be indicated by all the lights being lit. If, for example, interlock switch 20 is faulty (i.e. open circuit) then the indicator lights 42 connected to lines 32 and 34 will be extinguished whilst those indicator lights connected to lines 26 to 30 will remain lit. This will therefore visually indicate a fault on switch 20.
As with Fig. 3, this simple circuit indicates only the first faulty interlock switch on the interlock loop. Once this is repaired, the device will then indicate, if necessary, the position of the next faulty switch.
In order to indicate the position of all interlock switches simultaneously, it would be necessary for the diagnostic unit to supply its own signals to each switch individually whilst ensuring that these signals can in no way interfere with the safety function of these switches.
In the embodiment of Fig. 6, a detector unit 44 contains detector circuits (not shown) connected by respective safety devices 36 to the signal lines 26 to 34. A switching device 46 is connected to the detector circuits in the unit 44. Each detector circuit is designed to respond to the state of a respective interlock switch. As shown in Fig. 6, a scanner unit 50 is connected to the switching device 46 and is adapted to scan the detector circuits in the unit 44 and cause the states of the detector circuits of the detector unit to be fed sequentially to a comparator 52.Simultaneously corresponding information is caused to be transmitted from a memory 54 to the comparator 52 so that an indicator 56 connected to the comparator can indicate whether the information obtained from the detector circuits in the unit 44 agrees with the information obtained from the memory 54 and in the event of inequality between this information a fault signal is transmitted to the indicator 56 where the fault information can be indicated visually or audibly or both.
In the embodiment of Fig. 7 for a multi-lift installation, the circuit has, for each lift, a detector/ switching unit 48 incorporating the safety devices 36, the detector unit 44 and the switching device 46 of Fig. 6. The detector/switching unit 48 is connected sequentially by a scanner unit 62 to a comparator 64. Simultaneously, corresponding information is transmitted from memories 66 to the comparator 64 so that it can indicate whether the information obtained from the detector/switching unit 48 agrees with the information obtained from the respective memory.
Each lift unit has its own memory 66 which can be preprogrammed by programmer 68. Faults in any interlock detected by the comparator 64 are transmitted for storage to a memory/display unit 70 whilst the comparator continues to scan the multi-lift installation. The memory/display unit 70 will display the position of the fault either continuously or on demand until its memory is cleared. Three lift/hoist detector/switching units 48 are illustrated by way of example.
Claims (22)
1. A diagnostic device for a control system for lifts, hoists or the like, provided with a series of electro-mechanical interlocks, comprising a plurality of detector circuits each provided with means for connecting that circuit to a respective electro-mechanical interlock, and a single diagnostic unit to which all of the detector circuits are connected, said diagnostic unit being adapted to indicate the state of each of the electromechanical interlocks as detected by the respective detector circuits.
2. A diagnostic device as claimed in claim 1, in which each detector circuit is connected to its respective electro-mechanical interlock via a safety device which is adapted to disconnect the detector circuit from the interlock in the event of a fault in the detector circuit itself.
3. A diagnostic device as claimed in claim 2, in which the interlock is an electrical switch which is closed only when it is safe for the lift, hoist or the like to move, and the safety device prevents the respective detector circuit from short-circuiting the interlock switch.
4. A diagnostic device as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, in which each detector circuit comprises a respective indicator system monitored within the diagnostic unit.
5. A diagnostic device as claimed in claim 4, in which the diagnostic unit includes an indicator panel which can simultaneously indicate the state, at any given time, of all of the interlocks.
6. A diagnostic device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, in which the diagnostic unit includes an indicator panel and is such that the indicator panel is connected sequentially to the indicator systems by the diagnostic unit so that the states of the interlocks are displayed sequentially.
7. A diagnostic device as claimed In claim 5 or 6, in which visual indication is replaced or supplemented by audible indication.
8. A diagnostic device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7, in which the switching systems and circuitry used in the diagnostic unit are electromechanical.
9. A diagnostic device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7, in which the switching systems and circuitry used in the diagnostic unit are solid state.
10. A diagnostic device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9, in which the device itself is adapted to apply electrical signals to the interlocks by means of which it can detect the state of the interlocks, said signals being such as not to interfere with operation of said control system.
11. A diagnostic device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 and 6 to 10, in which the diagnostic unit contains a scanner system which is adapted to sequentially monitor the state of each electromechanical interlock and to compare this state with information stored in a memory which has been pre-programmed with information concerning the correct state of each electromechanical interlock.
12. A diagnostic device as claimed in claim 11, in which facilities are provided for preprogramming the memory and reading the memory without the diagnostic device being connected to the control system for the lift installation.
13. A diagnostic device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 12, in which the diagnostic unit is portable and is adapted to be connected to a monitoring point provided in the control system only when required for use.
14. A diagnostic device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 12, in which the diagnostic unit is an integral part of the control system for the lift, hoist or the like.
15. A diagnostic unit as claimed in any of claims 1 to 14, in which the diagnostic unit contains at least one memory and the memory or memories have stored therein information relating to various different control systems for lifts, hoists and the like (herein referred to as a "lift installation"), whereby the information relating to any particular lift installation can be retrieved selectiveiy.
16. A diagnostic unit as claimed in claim 15, in which such selection can be effected manually.
17. A diagnostic unit as claimed in claim 1 5, in which the memory or memories can be scanned by the diagnostic unit itself until the information relating to the control system to which the device has been fitted has been found.
1 8. A diagnostic device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 17, in which the diagnostic unit is adapted so that it can take its power supply from that of the control system.
19. A diagnostic device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 17, in which the diagnostic unit is internally powered, e.g., by batteries.
20. A diagnostic device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 19, in which the diagnostic unit contains a fault memory such that information relating to any fault of an electro-mechanical interlock which has been detected is stored while the diagnostic unit continues to monitor the other interlocks.
21. A diagnostic device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 20, in which the diagnostic unit contains self testing circuitry so that a fault in the diagnostic unit itself can be indicated.
22. A diagnostic device for a control system for a lift, constructed and adapted to operate substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB08231050A GB2110388A (en) | 1981-10-30 | 1982-10-29 | Improvements relating to electrical controls for lifts, hoists and the like |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB8132741 | 1981-10-30 | ||
| GB08231050A GB2110388A (en) | 1981-10-30 | 1982-10-29 | Improvements relating to electrical controls for lifts, hoists and the like |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB2110388A true GB2110388A (en) | 1983-06-15 |
Family
ID=26281124
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB08231050A Withdrawn GB2110388A (en) | 1981-10-30 | 1982-10-29 | Improvements relating to electrical controls for lifts, hoists and the like |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2110388A (en) |
Cited By (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0149727A1 (en) * | 1983-11-30 | 1985-07-31 | Thyssen-M.A.N. Aufzüge GmbH | Supervisory circuit for the safety contacts of elevators |
| EP0171219A1 (en) * | 1984-07-19 | 1986-02-12 | Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha | Method and apparatus for indicating the contact structure of an electromagnetic contactor on the housing thereof using laser light |
| GB2249840A (en) * | 1990-11-13 | 1992-05-20 | Alireza Ghazi Hessami | Universal digital input channel |
| WO1992018410A1 (en) * | 1991-04-18 | 1992-10-29 | Thyssen Aufzüge Gmbh | Device for monitoring a control unit |
| EP0903314A1 (en) * | 1997-09-22 | 1999-03-24 | Inventio Ag | Device for monitoring the drive control of elevators |
| EP3333110A1 (en) * | 2016-12-09 | 2018-06-13 | Otis Elevator Company | Elevator safety system, elevator system and method of operating an elevator system |
| US11390487B2 (en) | 2018-08-21 | 2022-07-19 | Otis Elevator Company | Automated elevator safety chain diagnosis |
-
1982
- 1982-10-29 GB GB08231050A patent/GB2110388A/en not_active Withdrawn
Cited By (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0149727A1 (en) * | 1983-11-30 | 1985-07-31 | Thyssen-M.A.N. Aufzüge GmbH | Supervisory circuit for the safety contacts of elevators |
| EP0171219A1 (en) * | 1984-07-19 | 1986-02-12 | Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha | Method and apparatus for indicating the contact structure of an electromagnetic contactor on the housing thereof using laser light |
| GB2249840A (en) * | 1990-11-13 | 1992-05-20 | Alireza Ghazi Hessami | Universal digital input channel |
| GB2249840B (en) * | 1990-11-13 | 1995-01-11 | Alireza Ghazi Hessami | Universal digital input channel |
| WO1992018410A1 (en) * | 1991-04-18 | 1992-10-29 | Thyssen Aufzüge Gmbh | Device for monitoring a control unit |
| US5487448A (en) * | 1991-04-18 | 1996-01-30 | Thyssen Aufzuge Gmbh | Device for monitoring a control unit |
| EP0903314A1 (en) * | 1997-09-22 | 1999-03-24 | Inventio Ag | Device for monitoring the drive control of elevators |
| US6056088A (en) * | 1997-09-22 | 2000-05-02 | Inventio Ag | Elevator safety circuit monitor and control for drive and brake |
| EP3333110A1 (en) * | 2016-12-09 | 2018-06-13 | Otis Elevator Company | Elevator safety system, elevator system and method of operating an elevator system |
| US11390487B2 (en) | 2018-08-21 | 2022-07-19 | Otis Elevator Company | Automated elevator safety chain diagnosis |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |