JP2006525925A - Absolute position inquiry system - Google Patents

Abstract

A position reference system used in a transportation device such as an elevator (12). The system includes a cord applied to or embedded in a suspension device or main motion fitting, such as a rope or coated steel belt (16). A reader (28) in place identifies the position of the transport device.

Description

  The present invention relates generally to elevators, and more particularly to an apparatus for detecting the position of an elevator car.

  Absolute position query systems are known in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 5,023,434 relates to a position indicating device, particularly for an overhead transport system. The position pointing device includes an elongated code carrier that carries multi-value code marks along its length. A code reader secured to a transport support, such as a trolley, crane, or other moving mechanism, reads the code marks on the code carrier. In order to prevent reading errors when the transport support, i.e. the code reader, is tilted or twisted with respect to the code carrier and to ensure the accuracy of the position read from the code carrier, the code mark is on the carrier, Arranged adjacent to each other in a single row or track, the code mark “m” is formed to give one codeword. Codewords are located adjacent to each other and occur only once, i.e. are unique across the entire code carrier. The code reader has a read position for each bit, and three sets of read heads per position are evenly distributed, which is at least equivalent to the number of digits in the codeword and processes the output of all three read heads To provide unambiguous location indication.

  U.S. Pat. No. 5,138,560 to Lanfer et al. Illustrates a position pointing device with a code carrier that is multi-valued on one track along its length. Carries a code mark. The code mark is combined in a block with a block identification indicator. A code reader and an auxiliary reader cooperate with the code carrier and the block identification mark, respectively. Along the travel path, the code carrier and the code reader are arranged to oppose each other. In order to allow an increase in the length of the addressable travel path without compromising position accuracy or without increasing the number of code marks in one code word, block identification indicators are associated with the blocks. Let From the block identification indicator, an auxiliary reader can determine whether the code reader is reading only code marks from one block. In this way, the travel path is just a gap between the critical zones that must be able to identify the exact location of the vehicle and that must be assigned blocks, and the blocks that connect the critical zones together. Divided into non-critical zones.

  U.S. Pat. No. 5,821,477 issued to Gerstencorn illustrates a reflector attached to an elevator shaft and having coded symbols in two tracks in the stop floor area. When the car is in the stop floor arrival and reset areas, the detector on the car reads the coded symbols for bridging the door contacts. The symbol is detected and evaluated by a two-channel evaluation circuit having a light transmitter that illuminates the track and a charge coupled device (CCD) that detects the reflected image. A pattern recognition logic system and computer for each channel recognizes the pattern in the image, generates car position and speed information, and activates the repeater to bridge the door contacts.

  Zaharia U.S. Pat. No. 6,435,315 relates to an apparatus for locating an elevator car in a hoistway, the hoistway being mounted in the hoistway adjacent to the car travel path. And a code rail including an optically readable authentication mark. At least one camera is mounted on the car, moves with the car, and scans the code rail authentication marks to provide car position data to the car controller.

  Wegener et. Al., PCT Publication No. WO 01/83352, relates to a device for detecting the position of an elevator car being parked, comprising an endless cable with marks connected to the elevator car. . A unit for detecting the mark is provided.

  While these location query systems work well, there remains a need for improved systems that do not have auxiliary equipment along the travel path, such as elevator hoistway walls.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a system for detecting the position of a transport device without auxiliary equipment along a travel path wall.

  The above objective is accomplished by the location query system of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, a position inquiry system for providing information related to the position of a transport device such as an elevator is provided. The position query system includes a code attached to or embedded in a suspension or main motion joint, such as a rope or a covered steel belt. The position query system further comprises a reader in place for reading the code and detecting the position of the transport equipment.

  A method is provided for detecting the elongation of a main motion joint of an elevator car. The method includes providing a main motion joint with a cord, measuring the actual length of each certification mark forming the cord, and detecting changes in the actual length resulting from the elongation of the main motion joint. And a step of detecting elongation from the detected actual length change.

  A method for detecting elevator car slip is also provided. This method generally uses a position query system comprising a step of generating a drive command for a main motion actuator, a code on a main motion joint attached to an elevator car, and a reader for reading the code. Measuring the position of the elevator car and comparing the position change by the position inquiry system with the position change by the drive command.

  Other details of the absolute position query system of the present invention, as well as other objects and advantages associated therewith, are set forth in the detailed description below and in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference designations indicate like elements.

  Referring to FIG. 1, an elevator system 10 has an elevator car 12 that moves vertically within a hoistway 14 in a building structure. The main motion joint 16 extends from the end point 18 through the idler pulley 20 attached to the car 12, over the drive pulley 22 and to the counterweight 24. The drive pulley 22 can be driven by any suitable means known in the art to move the elevator car 12 within the hoistway between a series of landings (not shown). The main motion joint 16 is used to suspend the car 12 and may be a rope, a plurality of ropes, or a coated steel belt (CSB) as shown in FIG. Also as shown in FIG. 2, the main motion joint 16 may include a plurality of cables 40 and / or sheaths 42.

  In accordance with the present invention, the position query system of the present invention includes a code 26 attached to or embedded in the main motion joint 16, as shown in FIG. The elevator positioning system further comprises a reader 28 in place. The reader 28 is used to read the code 26 and calculate the absolute position, velocity, acceleration, and jerk of the car 12. Reader 28 may be any suitable reader known in the art. The type of reader 28 used is a function of the nature of the code 26.

  The code 26 and reader 28 can also be used to directly measure the elongation or slip of the main motion joint 16 of the elevator car 12. Elongation can be measured by direct measurement of the cord. The cord has a known length when applied to a new main motion joint. If the main motion joint is stretched due to load or wear, the cord markings are stretched as well. High resolution signal processing algorithms well known in the art can be applied to measure the actual length of the code sign, thereby allowing the elongation to be measured directly. Slip can be measured by comparing the measured position with the drive command. The transport equipment controller uses the feedback from the position query system to generate a drive command to the main motion actuator to affect the position control of the transport equipment. Ideally, the drive command exactly matches the position change. However, only if the position query system does not rely on slip, any slippage between the drive actuator and the main motion joint will result in a position change between the position query system and the position change due to the drive command. Differences occur. This difference is a direct measure of slip, which corresponds to wear of the main motion actuator main motion joint.

  In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reader 28 is positioned along the main motion joint 16 in a fixed position between the drive pulley 22 and the end point 18. Thus, the slippage of the drive pulley is not important for position measurement. Thus, from the difference between the absolute position measurement and the drive command, the slip and the corresponding wear can be calculated. This calculation can be performed using a lookup table, an equivalent function diagram, or any of various means known in the art.

  Compensation for the elongation of the main motion joint 16 may be measured directly from the cord 26 and may be estimated from empirical functions of load and temperature based on tests of the main motion joint. Depending on the accuracy of this estimation, a separate sill sensor (not shown) may be required. In that case, the information can be used in an estimation algorithm to improve the position accuracy.

  The cord 26 can be embedded in the main motion joint 16 such as a coated steel belt in a variety of ways. For example, the cord 26 may be a physical, optical, or magnetic label or material on the surface of the main motion joint 16. Since the edge of the main motion joint does not contact either the drive pulley 22 or the idler pulley 20 and wear is low, it is preferable to provide a mark along the edge of the main motion joint 16. It is not preferable to provide a physical mark such as a groove on the surface of the main motion joint because it may cause noise. However, a groove having a given location, distribution, shape, etc. may be designed to give an acceptable noise level of, for example, 48 dB or less, and may be allowed to be used as a location query system code.

  The cord 26 may be a physical, optical, or magnetic label or material embedded in the coating 42 of the main motion joint 16, such as the coated steel belt shown in FIG. This means that the main motion joint 16 may have to be slightly wider, having a cable-free part in the lower region of the covering, preferably in the middle. The embedding cord 26 may be a hole provided through the main motion joint 16. Alternatively, the main motion joint 16, such as the belt shown in FIG. 2, may be assembled by laminating a single layer having a cord 26.

  The cord 26 may also be an auxiliary cable or cord in the main motion joint 16 such as the belt shown in FIG. 2, whose material attributes are sensed through a coating such as the belt covering 42. .

  The cord 26 may also change or strengthen one or more cables 40 in the main motion joint 16, such as the cable 40 in the belt shown in FIG. Detected through the coating.

  The most preferred embodiment of the cord 26 consists of a magnetic material embedded in the coating of the main motion joint 16, such as a belt coating 42. If these materials are sensitive to an applied magnetic field, such as ferric oxide, the entire main motion coupling 16 such as a coated steel belt becomes a magnetic tape. In this case, the reader 26 can also write, rewrite, or encode information on the belt.

  While the preferred embodiment utilizes encoding into suspension means between the moving cab and the fixed drive system, the present invention provides a drive provided in the moving cab 12 having suspension means mounted in place. It works equally well for the system as well.

  By using the location query system of the present invention, equipment costs can be saved compared to methods that require separate hoistway equipment. In addition, further savings arise due to the reduction of alternative equipment items that are not required. In order not to increase the number of components, it is preferred that all coded main motion joints are identical.

  Although the present invention has been described in the context of an elevator system, the location query system of the present invention can also be utilized in other transport devices.

  Obviously, the present invention provides an apparatus and method for an absolute position query system that fully satisfies the objects, means, and advantages set forth above. Although the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, other alternatives, changes, and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art who understand the above description. Accordingly, the scope of the claims is intended to generally encompass these alternatives, changes, and modifications.

1 is a schematic diagram of an elevator system including a position inquiry system of the present invention. It is the schematic of the main movement joint used for the position inquiry system of this invention.

Claims (12)

A cord on the main motion fitting of the elevator car,
Reader for reading the code,
A position query system for use in detecting the position of an elevator car relative to a positioning reference in the elevator system.   2. A position query system according to claim 1, wherein the reader is mounted in a hoistway at a position between the end point of the main motion joint and a drive pulley.   The main motion coupling comprises a coated steel belt and the cord comprises at least one of physical, optical and magnetic markings on the surface of the belt. 1. The position inquiry system according to 1.   The main motion coupling comprises a coated steel belt and the cord comprises at least one of physical, optical, and magnetic markings embedded in the belt coating. Item 1. The location inquiry system according to item 1.   The position inquiry system according to claim 1, wherein the main motion coupling includes a belt, and the cord includes a hole provided through the belt.   The position query system of claim 1, wherein the main motion joint comprises a laminated belt having the cords contained within a layer.   The main motion coupling comprises a belt and the cord comprises at least one of a cable and a cord in the belt having a material attribute detectable through a coating on the belt. Item 1. The location inquiry system according to item 1.   The position query system according to claim 1, wherein the main motion joint comprises a coated belt and the cord is made of a magnetic material embedded in the belt coating.   The location reference system according to claim 1, wherein the code is attached or embedded in the main motion joint. A cord on the suspension means;
A reader in place to read the code and detect the position of the transport equipment,
A position inquiry system for use in a transportation device having a suspension means. Providing a code for the main motion fitting;
Measuring the actual length of each recognition mark forming the code;
Detecting the actual length change due to the extension of the main motion joint;
Checking elongation from the actual change in length detected,
A method for measuring elongation at a main motion joint for an elevator car, characterized in that Generating a drive command for the main motion joint;
Measuring the position of the elevator car after the drive command using a code on the main motion joint and a position query system with a reader;
Comparing the position change by the position inquiry system with the position change by the drive command;
A method for measuring the slip of an elevator car, comprising:

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