JP3415930B2 - Chain breaking detection method and device for lifting device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a chain break detecting method and device for a lifting device, and more particularly to a chain break detecting method and device capable of quickly detecting a chain break.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a multi-story parking system, an automated warehouse, and the like, an elevating device such as an elevator is used for vertically moving an automobile or luggage. An example of a multi-story parking system equipped with such an elevating device. Is shown in FIG. In this figure, reference numeral 1 is a multilevel parking apparatus, and 2 is this multilevel parking apparatus 1.
A hoistway defined in the inside, 3 is an elevator installed in the hoistway 2 of the multi-story parking apparatus 1, and 4 is an elevator 3
The lift built into the 5 is a chain for lifting the lift 4, and 6 is a chain for hoisting the chain 4 to lift the lift 4.
Is a motor as a drive source for hoisting, and the motor 6 causes the lift 4 to ascend and descend along the hoistway 2 while always maintaining the same speed and the same height.

The chain 5 has a lift 4 at one end and a counterweight at the other end. The chain 5 is engaged with the sprocket 7 and extends via the output shaft of the motor 6. Since the chain 5 is an automobile or heavy luggage, or because a counterweight or the like for suspending the balance with the automobile is suspended, the chain 5 may sometimes be broken. The device is equipped with a chain break detection device,
When the breakage occurs, the operation of the lifting device is stopped.

Conventionally, the detection of a chain break is performed by operating a sensor provided at the drop point because an object suspended by the chain 5 falls due to the chain break, or the chain is broken. There is a method in which a detection device is placed in the longitudinal direction of the chain 5, and the chain 5 is detected when it is completely broken.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional chain breakage detecting device, the chain 5 is broken by detecting the fall of the article or the complete breakage of the chain 5. There is a problem that chain break cannot be detected unless 5 is broken almost completely. Further, in a lifting device using a double chain such as two or three chains, there is a problem that the chain cannot be broken unless all of the chains 5 that are doubled are broken.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a chain breakage detecting method and device capable of surely detecting a chain breakage judgment and advance notice due to extension of a chain or the like. Is.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a method for detecting a chain break in a lifting device.
A sensor is arranged facing the pin row of the chain of the lifting device, and while operating the lifting device, the sensor detects the presence or absence of the pin of the chain to detect the operating state of the chain and determine its operating speed, The speed information is taken from the drive source of the chain, this speed is set as the reference speed of the chain, the operating speed and the reference speed are compared, the chain break is judged based on the comparison result, and a notice of the chain break is given. The point is that the display is performed. Further, the present invention, as a chain breakage detection device for an elevating device, includes a lift on which an article is mounted, a counterweight exerting a weight effect against the lift, and a sprocket that is connected between the lift and the counterweight and extends around the sprocket. In a lifting device including a chain and a drive source for lifting and lowering a lift, a sensor that is arranged so as to face a pin row of the chain and detects and outputs the operating state of the chain by detecting the presence or absence of the pin of the chain. While driving the chain, the speed information from the chain drive source is fetched and this speed is set as the reference speed of the chain, while the operating speed of the chain is obtained based on the detection signal from the sensor. And a means for displaying a notice of chain break based on the comparison result of the control means. Determines the chain sectional analyzes the control means a detection signal sent from the sensor, and gist that it has to be notice displayed on the display means.

[0008]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the sensor is attached so as to face the pin row of the chain, the sensor is intermittently turned on / off by the movement of the chain during the operation of the elevating device so that the pulse signal is generated. Occurs to monitor the normality and abnormality of the chain. If the chain speed calculated from the pulse signal from the sensor does not match the reference speed, or if the pulse signal input does not match the normal movement of the chain during lifting or lowering, it is determined that the chain is broken, and a notice of chain break is displayed. Is performed.

[0009]

1 to 6 are perspective views showing a chain breakage detecting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In these figures, reference numeral 11 is a chain for driving up and down in the lifting device, 12 is a light emitting element, 13 is a light receiving element, and these light emitting element 12 and light receiving element 13 constitute a sensor 14 as a chain break detecting device. There is. Light emitting element 12
The light receiving element 13 and the light receiving element 13 are arranged at positions facing each other with the row of the pins 15 of the chain 11 interposed therebetween. Therefore, looking at the positional relationship between the chain 11 and the light emitting element 12 and the light receiving element 13 of the sensor 14, as shown in FIG. 2, a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical path 16 between the light emitting element 12 and the light receiving element 13. A row of pins 15 is extended to the plurality of pins 15, and the plurality of pins 15 are connected to the light emitting element 1 as the chain 11 moves.
The optical path 16 between the light receiving element 13 and the light receiving element 13 is sequentially cut off. Further, the sensor 14 composed of the light emitting element 12 and the light receiving element 13 has an A /
The controller 1 is connected to the controller 18 via the D converter 17.
The chain break is determined by 8. It should be noted that the sensor 14 is different from the one composed of the light emitting element 12 and the light receiving element 13 of the type that are arranged to face each other, and detects the reflected light by shining light on the pin 15 row of the chain 11. A light reflection type may be used.

A display panel 21 is connected to the control unit 18, and when the control unit 18 determines that the chain is broken, the worker is notified of the chain break. This display panel 21 is an indicator light 2 for notifying the chain break.
2 is provided, and this indicator light 22 is turned on to give advance notice of a chain break. The indicator light 22 is for the chain 11
If more than one is used, each chain 11
A plurality of (22A and 22B) are provided corresponding to
The correspondence between these indicator lights 22A and 22B and the chain 11 is clarified. In addition, the control unit 18 is connected to a notification device 31 provided in a centralized monitoring unit such as the management room 30. The notification device 31 is provided with an indicator light 32 similar to that on the display panel 21, and in addition to this, an audio notification device such as a buzzer 33 is provided so that a chain break can be notified by sound.

The control unit 18 has a storage unit 35 therein for storing the operation history of the chain break detecting device. The storage unit 35 has a personal computer interface for matching operations with a personal computer, and is connected to a personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as personal computer) 36 via the personal computer interface. The contents of the storage unit 35 can be output to the personal computer 36, and by connecting the personal computer 36 as necessary, the operation history of the chain break detecting device can be obtained. In addition, the control unit 18
As shown in FIG. 4, a counter 37 and a selector 38 for setting the timing of the counter 37 are provided as means for detecting the chain break in this embodiment. While the clock signal is input to the counter 37, the pulse signal from the sensor 14 is input as a signal for clearing the count value of the clock. Further, the speed signal of the inverter is input to the selector 38 as speed information, and the selector 38 sets the timing of the counter 37 (that is, the setting of the reference speed) based on this speed information.

When the chain 11 of the lifting device has a double structure such as two or three chains, it is preferable that the chain break detecting device is provided for each chain 11, but a part of the plurality of chains 11 is provided. It may be provided.

The operation of the chain break detecting device having the above configuration will be described. 5 and 6 are flow charts for explaining the operation of the chain breakage detecting device according to this embodiment. As shown in this figure, when the operation of the lifting device is started, the chain break detecting device is switched on, and the chain break detecting operation is started. With the start of the chain break detection operation, a clock signal is started to be input to the counter 37 in the control unit 18. This clock signal is supplied to the counter 37
Is continuously entered in. Further, in the processing step (hereinafter, simply referred to as step) ST1, the control unit 18 takes in speed information from the inverter in the chain 11 drive device and sets this speed as the reference speed of the chain 11. In this reference speed setting operation, the speed signal from the inverter in FIG.
8 is input, the selector 38 selects the timing set value of the counter 37 which takes in the allowable limit with respect to the reference speed according to the speed information at that time, and outputs this set value to the counter 37 to output the counter 37. Set the timing of. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the chain break is detected, the chain break can be detected irrespective of whether the chain drive device is accelerating operation or constant speed or decelerating operation. Also,
It is possible to detect not only disconnection of the chain 11 but also accident such as disconnection of the chain 11.

On the other hand, since the row of pins 15 of the chain 11 moves upward or downward at the portion where the sensor 14 is installed by the lifting operation of the lifting device, a plurality of pins 15 emit light as the chain 11 moves. Element 12
The optical path 16 between the light receiving element 13 and the light receiving element 13 is moved while being cut off sequentially, whereby the sensor 14 intermittently performs on / off operation and generates a pulse signal. The pulse signal generated by the sensor 14 is output to the A / D converter 17 as a detection signal. The A / D converter 17 digitizes the detection signal by analog-digital conversion, and sends the digital signal to the control unit 18.

The control unit 18 takes in this pulse signal and calculates the speed of the chain 11 (step ST2).
That is, in the control unit 18, under the situation where the timing is set as described above, the clock signal is continuously input to the counter 37 as described above (see FIG. 5B). , This clock signal counter 37
Is counting. Then, the pulse signal from the sensor 14 is supplied to the counter 37 every time the pulse signal is input.
When a clear signal is input to (see FIG. 5A), the number of clocks counted between the input of the previous pulse signal and the input of the current pulse signal (represented by n in FIG. 5B) is The speed of the chain 11 is calculated from this clock number. This is the velocity calculated from the pulse signal. When the chain 11 is normal (that is, the chain is not broken), the pulse signal which is the sensor input is input one after another within a fixed time interval, that is, within the range of the timing set value that defines the reference speed. The clock is counted while the count value is cleared at every constant time interval (this is the operation of comparing the speed calculated from the pulse signal with the reference speed). However, if the chain 11 is extended to such an extent that it is judged to be broken, it takes longer than the normal time from the input of one pulse signal to the input of the next pulse signal, and the pulse is output within the time set by the timing. There is no input of, and the allowable limit is exceeded. Then, the counter 37 causes the overflow signal (OVF
) Is output. This is the chain break determination in the control unit 18.

The control unit 18 compares the speed obtained from the pulse signal as described above with the reference speed based on the chain speed information previously input from the chain drive device, and the error between them is within an allowable limit (for example, 10). It is checked whether it is within the (percentage) and whether the chain 11 is normal or abnormal is monitored. That is, the speed of the chain 11 is determined from the intermittent pulse signal input as the detection signal from the sensor 14, while the speed value is compared with the reference speed based on the chain speed information fetched from the drive device (step ST
3).

If the speed value calculated from the pulse signal matches the reference speed set on the chain drive side,
It is judged that the chain 11 is normal, that is, normal,
(Step ST4) Next, it is checked again whether or not to check the chain break again (step ST5). If not, the chain break detection operation is terminated, while if it is carried out, the process returns to step ST1. In step ST3, if the difference between the reference speed and the calculated speed value exceeds the allowable limit, it is determined that the chain 11 is broken even if the chain 11 is not actually cut yet, and a chain break signal is output. Yes (step ST6).

When this chain break is determined, the control unit 18
Turns on the indicator light 22 (22A, 22B) of the display panel 21 (step ST7). In this case, the chain 11
Are arranged in two rows, the sensor 14 and the A / D converter 17 are installed corresponding to each of them, and the control unit 18 corresponds to each sensor 14 to determine whether the chain is broken or not. judge. The indicator lights 22A and 22B of the display panel 21 are installed corresponding to the respective chains 11, and in the vicinity of the indicator lights 22A and 22B, which chain 11 these indicator lights 22A and 22B correspond to. It is displayed. In addition, a facility using an elevating device, for example, a notifying device 31 installed in a multi-level parking device or a manager's room 30 of an automated warehouse is operated to turn on an indicator light 32 thereof and sound a buzzer 33 to notify a manager. Notify (step ST8). In this embodiment, there is only one indicator light 32 incorporated in the notification device 31 and there is no means for distinguishing a plurality of chains 11, but in this case,
The indicator lights 22A and 22B are turned on and a service company that manages and repairs the equipment is notified using a telephone line.

7 and 8 are views for explaining a second embodiment of the chain breakage detecting device according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the speed information of the chain 11 is taken in from different parts of the lifting device and the deviation of the pulse between the two, that is, the irregularity is captured to detect the chain break. As an example, as shown in FIG.
While installing the same sensor on a predetermined part of the chain 11 itself, another sensor is attached to a part of the chain driving member that comes into contact with the teeth of the sprocket, and the pulse signals obtained from both sensors are compared. By.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the chain break detecting device according to the second embodiment. As shown in this figure, when the operation of the lifting device is started, the chain break detecting device is switched on, and the chain break detecting operation is started. In this case, the control unit 18 takes in the pulse signal from the gear side sensor in ST11, and at the same time, in step ST12, the chain side sensor 14
Capture the pulse signal from. The pulse signals generated by the two sensors 14 are A as detection signals, respectively.
It is output to the / D converter 17. The A / D converter 17 digitizes the detection signal by analog-digital conversion, and sends the digital signal to the control unit 18.
The control unit 18 compares the two types of pulse signals and checks whether or not the chain side pulse signal is irregular with respect to the gear side pulse signal (step ST13). That is, in FIG. 8, assuming that the pulse signal on the gear side is (a) and the pulse signals on the chain side are (b) and (c), the chain 11 is not broken, that is, when the chain signal is normal, (a) and (b) As shown in (a) and (c), when the chain 11 is broken, a pulse difference occurs between both pulse signals, and a pulse train is generated. Becomes irregular. That is, when the chain 11 breaks during the lifting operation of the lifting device, the pin 11 forming the chain is deformed or the plate connecting the pins 15 is broken rather than the chain 11 being instantly broken. The phenomenon that a part of it is extended appears first. Since such a phenomenon is detected by the control unit 18 as irregularity of the pulse signal, according to this embodiment, the chain break can be detected before the chain 11 is completely broken. it can.

When both pulses are not irregular in step ST13, the control unit 18 determines that the chain 11 is not broken, that is, normal (step S).
T14) Next, it is checked again whether or not the chain break is checked (15). If not, the chain break detection operation is terminated, while if it is carried out, step ST is executed.
Returning to the processing of 11. When it is determined in step ST13 that the chain-side pulse signal is regular with respect to the gear-side pulse signal, it is determined that the chain is broken even if the chain 11 is not actually cut yet. A disconnection signal is output (step ST16).

When this chain break is determined, the control unit 18
Performs the same operation as in the first embodiment.
That is, first, the indicator light 22 of the display panel 21 (22A,
22B) is turned on (step ST17). In this case, assuming that the chains 11 are arranged in two rows, the sensor 14 and the A / D converter 17 are installed corresponding to each of them, and the control unit 18 corresponds to each sensor 14 and Determine if the chain is broken. The indicator lights 22A and 22B of the display panel 21 are installed corresponding to the respective chains 11, and the indicator lights 22A and 22B are
In the vicinity of B, it is displayed which chain 11 these indicator lights 22A and 22B correspond to. Also,
A facility using an elevating device, for example, an alarm device 31 installed in a manager's room 30 of a multilevel parking device or an automated warehouse is operated,
The indicator lamp 32 is turned on and the buzzer 33 is sounded to notify the administrator (step ST18). Also in this second embodiment, the notification device 31 is provided with the indicator light 22.
A and 22B may be turned on and a telephone company may be used to notify a service company that manages or repairs the equipment. Further, in the second embodiment as well, as in the first embodiment, the operating condition of the chain drive device during the acceleration operation, the constant speed operation, or the deceleration operation at the time of detecting the chain disconnection It is possible to detect a chain break without asking, and it is possible to detect not only a break of the chain 11 but also an accident such as a disconnection of the chain 11.

Further, in the above-mentioned two embodiments, the chain breakage detecting device is provided for each chain 11 in the elevating and lowering device of the multiple chain, so that this is detected when the chain breakage occurs for one chain 11. can do. For this reason, the following measures such as maintenance and inspection of the lifting device can be taken early while the other chains 11 have no failure. In particular, in the case of an elevating device using a double chain, a chain break detection device provided corresponding to each chain 11 has indicators such as identification numbers such as 1, 2, 3 ... If you have some means,
Among the plurality of chain break detecting devices, the broken chain 11 can be identified depending on which chain break detecting device detects the chain break, which is convenient for maintenance and inspection of the lifting device. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the plurality of indicator lights 22A and 22B are provided corresponding to the plurality of chains 11 and the reference numerals are displayed, but the number of indicator lights may be one. In this case, the determination result of the chain break is stored as the operation history in the storage unit 35 incorporated in the control unit 18 in association with the chain 11. When the indicator light 22 is turned on, the driving history is output from the storage unit 35 and displayed on the display of the personal computer 36 to recognize the chain 11 that is broken.

[0024]

As described above, according to the present invention, as a chain breakage detecting device for a lifting device, the chain breakage detecting device is arranged so as to face a pin row of the chain, and the presence or absence of the chain pin is detected to detect the chain. A sensor that detects and outputs the operating status and speed information from the chain drive source during chain driving are set and this speed is set as the reference speed of the chain, while the chain operation is based on the detection signal from the sensor. The control means for obtaining the speed and comparing the reference speed with the operating speed and means for displaying a notice of chain break based on the comparison result of the control means are provided, and the control means analyzes the detection signal sent from the sensor. Since the chain break is determined and a notice is displayed on the display means,
Regarding the chain drive of the lifting device, whether it is accelerated drive, decelerated drive, or constant speed drive, regardless of the operating condition, the chain The movement allows the sensor to intermittently perform on / off operations to constantly monitor the normality and abnormality of the chain and detect the chain break before the chain is completely broken.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an arrangement state of sensors in an embodiment of a chain breakage detecting device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view for explaining a correspondence relationship between a sensor and a chain pin in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing a circuit configuration of a chain break detecting device in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a control unit used in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a chain speed calculation processing operation of the chain breakage detecting device in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a chain break detection operation in the chain break detection device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a chain break detection operation in the chain break detection device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a comparison state of pulse signals during a chain break detection operation in the chain break detection device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a front view of a multi-level parking device incorporating a lifting device to which the chain breakage detection device of the present invention is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 chains 12 Light emitting element 13 Light receiving element 14 sensors 15 pin 16 optical paths 17 A / D converter 18 Control unit 21 Display panel 22 Indicator light 31 Notification device 33 buzzer 35 storage 36 personal computer 37 counter 38 Selector

Continuation of the front page (56) Bibliographic data Sho 64-14722 (JP, U) Real development Sho 58-17505 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G01M 13 / 02 B65G 43/02

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. An operating state of a chain is detected by detecting the presence or absence of a pin of the chain by a sensor while arranging a sensor so as to face a pin row of a chain of the lifting device and operating the lifting device. While obtaining the speed, the speed information is fetched from the drive source of the chain, this speed is set as the reference speed of the chain, the operating speed is compared with the reference speed, and the chain break is judged based on the comparison result. A method for detecting a chain break in a lifting device, characterized by displaying a notice of a chain break. 2. A lift for carrying an article, a counterweight for exerting a weight effect against the lift, a chain connected between the lift and the counterweight and extending around a sprocket, and a drive source for moving the lift up and down. In a lifting device equipped with, a sensor that is arranged to face the chain of pins of the chain, that detects the output of the chain by detecting the presence or absence of the chain pin, and the drive source of the chain during chain drive. The speed information from the controller is taken in, and this speed is set as the reference speed of the chain.On the other hand, the operating speed of the chain is determined based on the detection signal from the sensor, and the control means for comparing the operating speed with the reference speed, A means to give advance notice of chain breaks based on the comparison result is provided to detect the detection signal sent from the sensor. Determines the chain cross by control means analyzes, the chain break detection device of the lifting device, characterized in that the warning displayed on the display means. 3. The lifting / lowering device according to claim 2, wherein the speed information of the drive source of the chain is acquired from the operating state of the sprocket by a sensor attached to the sprocket side which is a part of the chain drive member. Chain break detection device. 4. The chain breakage detecting device for a lifting machine according to claim 2, wherein the lifting device comprises a plurality of chains, and a chain breakage detecting device is provided corresponding to each chain.