JP5764848B2 - Elevator control device - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to an elevator control device capable of changing a load weight of a counterweight.

  In a traction type elevator, a car is suspended from one end of a main rope wound around a sheave of a hoist, and a counterweight is suspended from the other end. When the sheave is rotated by driving the hoist, the car and the counterweight are moved up and down in opposite directions through the main rope.

  Normally, in such a traction type elevator, the weight of the counterweight is determined to be balanced at 50% of the rated load of the car. This state is called an overbalance rate (hereinafter referred to as OB rate) 50%. The OB rate refers to the loading rate of the car that balances the mass of the counterweight.

  In a state where the counterweight and the car are balanced at an OB rate of 50%, no load is applied to the hoisting machine, so that the car can be operated with the least power. However, the loading capacity of the car is not always constant and varies depending on the number of passengers. When the balance between the counterweight and the car is lost, for example, when the car is driven in the upward direction while the car is heavier than the counterweight, electric power is required. The same applies to driving the car in the downward direction with the car lighter than the counterweight, and requires electric power. In this way, the operation that requires electric power is called “power running operation”.

On the other hand, when the car is driven in the downward direction in a state where the car is heavier than the counterweight, electric power is not required because the weight of the car can be used. The same is true when the car is driven in the upward direction while the car is lighter than the counterweight, and no power is required. In this way, the operation that does not require electric power is called “regenerative operation”.

  In addition, during the regenerative operation, the hoisting machine works as a generator, so that electric power is generated. This power is called “regenerative power”.

  Here, in response to the recent demand for power saving, an elevator capable of changing the loading amount of the counterweight has been proposed. As a method of changing the loading amount of the counterweight, for example, there is a method of providing a liquid tank in the counterweight and injecting or discharging the liquid into the liquid tank. Further, there is a method of attaching an additional weight to the counterweight in a detachable manner.

JP 2008-162882 A JP 2009-215049 A JP 2012-56692 A Japanese Patent No. 484951

  Generally, in the morning commute time zone, the demand in the UP (up) direction from the reference floor increases, and in the evening commute time zone, the demand in the DN (down) direction increases from each floor. In conventional elevators, the OB rate is uniformly determined in advance for such a time zone. However, since the demand in each time zone changes each time, the operation using a uniform OB rate cannot always reduce power consumption.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an elevator control device capable of reducing power consumption by operating by changing the OB rate as appropriate according to the time zone.

The elevator control apparatus according to the present embodiment is an elevator control apparatus provided with a mechanism capable of changing the load weight of the counterweight, and determines the load when the car stops on each floor in a preset time zone. A calculated load calculation means, and a power consumption calculation means for calculating power consumption while changing the OB rate between the car and the counter weight based on the load of each floor calculated by the load load calculation means And an optimal OB rate determining unit that determines an OB rate at which the power consumption calculated by the power consumption calculating unit is the lowest as an optimal OB rate in the time period, and the power consumption calculating unit includes the loading of each floor Obtaining power during powering operation and power during regenerative operation from the relationship between load and OB rate, and calculating the difference between these powers as power consumption To.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an elevator according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the elevator control apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the OB rate in the embodiment. FIG. 3A shows a normal state, FIG. 3B shows a congested state, and FIG. 3C shows a quiet state. . FIG. 4 is a graph showing the load on each floor when the car travels (turns around) in an arbitrary time zone in the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a relationship between the power consumption PS and the OB rate in the same embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the elevator control apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the optimum OB rate set for each time slot in the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an elevator group management system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the group management control apparatus according to the embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of the elevator according to the first embodiment. Here, the configuration of an elevator including a flexible counterweight (F CW ) is schematically shown.

  An elevator car 12 and a counterweight (suspending weight) 13 are provided in the hoistway 11 and are supported by guide rails (not shown) so as to be able to move up and down. The car 12 and the counterweight 13 are connected by a rope 14 and are moved up and down in opposite directions by driving the hoisting machine 15.

  In the example of FIG. 1, the car 12 and the counterweight 13 are supported in a 2: 1 roping format, and one end of the rope 14 is fixed to the upper part of the hoistway 11 by a hitch 16. The other end side of the rope 14 is wound around the hoisting machine 15 via a sheave 17 provided at the bottom of the car 12. The other end of the rope 14 wound around the hoisting machine 15 is fixed to the upper part of the hoistway 11 by a hitch 19 via a sheave 18 provided on the counterweight 13.

  Here, the counterweight 13 is provided with a mechanism capable of changing the loading amount. Specifically, a subweight mounting portion 20 is provided on the counterweight 13, and at least one or more subweights 22 supplied from the subweight supply portion 21 are stacked on the subweight mounting portion 20. . Further, the subweight supply unit 21 also has a function of collecting the subweight 22 stacked on the subweight mounting unit 20.

  The subweight supply unit 21 is installed near the top of the hoistway 11. When changing the loading amount of the counterweight 13, the car 12 is lowered and the counterweight 13 is moved to the installation position of the subweight supply unit 21. In this state, the driving mechanism of the subweight supply unit 21 (not shown) is operated, and the subweights 22 are supplied to the subweight mounting unit 20 one by one or the subweights stacked on the subweight mounting unit 20 22 is recovered.

  The specific configuration of each mechanism such as the subweight mounting unit 20 and the subweight supply unit 21 is not directly related to the present invention, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the elevator control apparatus according to the embodiment. In addition, about the structure of an elevator, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same part as FIG. 1, and the detailed description shall be abbreviate | omitted.

  The elevator control device includes a setting unit 31, a storage unit 32, and a control unit 33. The setting unit 31 includes an input device having various buttons and keys, for example, and performs various settings including a time zone setting by the operation of maintenance personnel. The storage unit 32 stores various data necessary for the processing operation of the control unit 33, such as the time zone set by the setting unit 31 and the OB rate (overbalance rate) for the time zone.

  The control part 33 consists of CPU and controls the whole elevator. In the present embodiment, the control unit 33 is provided with a load load calculation unit 33a, a power consumption calculation unit 33b, an optimum OB rate determination unit 33c, and an operation control unit 33d as functions for realizing the present invention. .

  The loaded load calculation unit 33a calculates a loaded load when the car 12 stops on each floor in a preset time zone.

  The power consumption calculation unit 33b calculates the power consumption while changing the OB rate between the car 12 and the counterweight 13 based on the load on each floor calculated by the load load calculation unit 33a.

  The optimal OB rate determination unit 33c determines the OB rate at which the power consumption calculated by the power consumption calculation unit 33b is the lowest as the optimal OB rate in the time period.

  The operation control unit 33d performs operation control by changing the loading amount of the counterweight 13 based on the optimum OB rate determined by the optimum OB rate determining unit 33c.

  In FIG. 2, 34 is a load detector provided at the bottom of the car 12. The load detector 34 detects the loaded load of the car 12, and outputs a detection signal to the control unit 33 via a transmission cable 35 called a tail cord.

  Here, in order to facilitate understanding, the OB rate between the car 12 and the counterweight 13 will be described.

  3A and 3B are diagrams for explaining the OB rate. FIG. 3A shows a normal state, FIG. 3B shows a busy state, and FIG. 3C shows a quiet state.

  Usually, the mass of the counterweight 13 is determined so as to be balanced at half the rated load of the car 12. For example, if the rated load (maximum load capacity) of the car 12 is 500 kg and the weight of the car body is 100 kg, the weight of the counterweight 13 is 250 kg + 100 kg = 350 kg.

  This state is shown in FIG. In other words, the car 12 and the counterweight 13 are balanced at an OB rate = 50% (250 kg / 500 kg × 100%).

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3 (b), the load on the car 12 increases at the time of congestion as compared with the normal time, and accordingly, the OB rate also varies. For example, if the loading load of the car 12 is 450 kg, the OB rate = 90% (450 kg / 500 kg × 100%). At this time, if the weight of the counterweight 13 is adjusted from 350 kg to 550 kg, the counterweight 13 can be balanced with the car 12, so that it can be operated without requiring much electric power.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3 (c), the load on the car 12 decreases during a quiet time as compared with the normal time, and accordingly, the OB rate also varies. For example, if the loading load of the car 12 is 100 kg, the OB rate = 20% (100 kg / 500 kg × 100%). At this time, if the weight of the counterweight 13 is adjusted from 350 kg to 200 g, the counterweight 13 can be balanced with the car 12, so that it can be operated without requiring much electric power.

Next, a description will seek Me how optimal OB rate.

  The load capacity on each floor when the car 12 travels (turns around) in the ascending direction and the descending direction is graphed, and the OB rate at which the power consumption is the smallest is the optimal OB rate. Specific examples are shown in FIGS.

  FIG. 4 is a graph showing the loading load on each floor when the car 12 travels (circulates) in an arbitrary time zone. In the figure, L is the load on the car 12, and x is the OB rate.

  In this example, the car 12 operates in the upward direction from the first floor to the second floor with a load L = 30%, and then operates in the upward direction from the second floor to the third floor with a load L = 50%. The state is shown. In addition, the car 12 turns back on the third floor, operates in the downward direction with the load L = 20% from the third floor to the second floor, and then the load L = 40% from the second floor to the first floor. The state which is driving in the downward direction in the state is shown.

Here, when the power consumption is PS, it is expressed by the following equation.
PS = C-kG (1)
In addition, k is a regenerative loss ratio with the power running, and takes a value of 0 to 1 depending on the structure of the elevator. C indicates power consumed during power running, and G indicates power obtained during regenerative operation.

  The power during the power running operation and the power during the regenerative operation differ depending on the relationship between the loaded load and the OB rate x. Now, when the power consumption PS is obtained for each range while changing the OB rate x in the range of 10%, it is as follows.

(A) 0 <x ≦ 20
PS = (30−x) + (50−x) − (20−x) k− (40−x) k
= -2 (1-k) x + (80-60k)
(B) 20 <x ≦ 30
PS = (30−x) + (50−x) + (x−20) − (40−x) k
=-(1-k) x + (60-40k)
(C) 30 <x ≦ 40
PS = − (x−30) k + (50−x) + (x−20) − (40−x) k
= -10k + 30
(D) 40 <x ≦ 50
PS = − (x−30) k + (50−x) + (x−20) + (x−40)
= (1-k) x + (30k-10)
FIG. 5 is a graph of these power consumption PS equations.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between the power consumption PS and the OB rate. In this example, a graph of power consumption PS when k = 0 and a graph of power consumption PS when k = 1 are shown. As can be seen, the value of the power consumption PS is the smallest when x = 30% to 40%. Therefore, the optimum OB rate is determined as 30% to 40%.

  Similarly, the optimum OB rate is obtained for each time zone. Thereafter, if the operation is controlled at the optimum OB rate in each time zone, the power consumption per day can be greatly reduced.

  Next, the operation of the embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the elevator control apparatus according to the embodiment. In addition, the process shown by this flowchart is performed when the control part (CPU) 33 with which the elevator control apparatus was equipped reads a predetermined | prescribed program.

  First, an arbitrary time zone for which the OB rate is to be changed is set through the setting unit 31 (step S11). For example, time zones where traffic demand fluctuates significantly compared to normal times (for example, when driving can be continued at an OB rate of about 50%), such as in the morning and evening mixed time zones and quiet hours in the evening It is preferable. The time zone set here is stored in the storage unit 32.

  The controller 33 calculates the load when the car 12 stops on each floor during the set time period (step S12). Specifically, the loading load when the car 12 stops on each floor during one run (lap) and carries passengers is acquired from the load detector 34 installed on the car 12.

  If the elevator has a landing destination floor registration device capable of registering the user's destination floor at the landing on each floor, the number of passengers on each floor can be accurately determined from the information on the destination floor registered by the landing destination floor registration device. Since it can be obtained, the number of passengers can be treated as a load.

  Next, the control unit 33 calculates power consumption from the relationship between the load on each floor and the OB rate obtained in step S12 (step S13). Specifically, as described in FIG. 4, the OB rate is set to x, and the power value during power running and the power during regenerative operation are calculated while changing the value of x for each predetermined range (for example, 10%). The power consumption PS is obtained from the power of the above according to the above equation (1).

  When the power consumption PS is calculated for each range of x, the control unit 33 obtains an OB rate at which the power consumption PS is the smallest (step S14). Specifically, as described with reference to FIG. 5, the expression of the power consumption PS obtained for each range of x is graphed, and the OB rate that minimizes the power consumption PS is extracted by analyzing the graph. This OB rate becomes the optimum OB rate in the time zone.

  The control unit 33 stores the optimum OB rate thus obtained in the storage unit 32 in association with the time zone. If another time zone is set (Yes in step S15), the control unit 33 obtains the optimum OB rate in the same manner as described above and stores it in the storage unit 32 in association with the time zone at that time. . FIG. 7 shows an example of the optimum OB rate set for each time slot.

  Thereafter, the control unit 33 reads the optimum OB rate for each time period from the storage unit 32 and controls the operation of the car 12 while adjusting the loading amount of the counterweight 13. In detail, the counterweight 13 is moved to the installation position of the subweight supply unit 21 slightly before entering each time zone, and the subweight 22 loaded on the subweight mounting unit 20 is increased or decreased. Match the optimal OB rate for the time zone.

  Thus, it becomes possible to reduce the power consumption of an elevator efficiently by changing and operating an OB rate suitably in each time slot | zone.

(Second Embodiment)
In the first embodiment, one elevator has been described, but the same applies to a group management system having a plurality of elevators. In this case, the optimum OB rate is obtained from the viewpoint of the power consumption of each elevator as a whole.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an elevator group management system according to the second embodiment. Hereinafter, each elevator is referred to as “unit”. In the example of FIG. 8, a configuration in which three units A, B, and C are group-managed is shown, but the number of group management targets is not limited to three and any number may be used.

  The group management control device 41 controls the operation of each car in response to a hall call or a car call. “Place call” is a call signal registered by operating a hall call button installed at a hall on each floor. This hall call includes information on the registered floor and the destination direction (up / down). The “car call” is a call signal registered by operating a destination floor button provided in the car. This car call includes information on the destination floor.

  The control devices 42 a, 42 b, 42 c... Of each unit control the operation of each unit in accordance with instructions from the group management control device 41. In addition, in FIG. 8, although the structure of each number machine is shown simply, it has a structure like FIG.

  The No. A machine includes a hoisting machine 43a, a car 44a that moves up and down by the hoisting machine 43a, and a counterweight 45a. Further, a subweight mounting portion 46a is provided on the upper portion of the counterweight 45a, and has a configuration in which the loading amount can be varied by connecting with a subweight supply portion 47a installed near the uppermost portion of the hoistway.

The same configuration applies to Unit B and Unit C.
That is, the B machine includes a hoisting machine 43b, a car 44b, and a counterweight 45b. The counterweight 45b is provided with a subweight mounting portion 46b, and has a configuration in which the loading amount can be varied by being connected to the subweight supply portion 47b.

  The C machine includes a hoisting machine 43c, a car 44c, and a counterweight 45c. The counterweight 45c is provided with a subweight mounting portion 46c, and has a configuration in which the load amount can be changed by connecting with the subweight supply portion 47c.

  Here, the group management control device 41, which is the main control device, is provided with the same functions as the processing units 33a, 33b, 33c, and 33d of the setting unit 31, the storage unit 32, and the control unit 33 shown in FIG. Thereby, the group management control device 41 executes the following processing.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the group management control device 41 in the same embodiment. Note that the processing shown in this flowchart is executed by the group management control device 41 reading a predetermined program.

  The basic processing flow is the same as that in the first embodiment. That is, first, an arbitrary time zone for which the OB rate is to be changed is set (step S21). The group management control device 41 calculates the load when each of the cars 44a, 44b, 44c,... Of each car stops on each floor during the set time period (step S22).

  Next, the group management control device 41 calculates power consumption from the relationship between the load on each floor and the OB rate obtained in step S22 for each unit (step S23). Specifically, as described in FIG. 4, the OB rate is set to x, and the power value during power running and the power during regenerative operation are calculated while changing the value of x for each predetermined range (for example, 10%). The power consumption PS is obtained from the power of the above according to the above equation (1). This power consumption PS is calculated for each unit.

  For each unit, when the power consumption PS is calculated for each range of x, the group management control device 41 obtains the OB rate at which the power consumption PS is the smallest (step S24). Specifically, as described with reference to FIG. 5, the expression of the power consumption PS obtained for each range of x is graphed, and the OB rate that minimizes the power consumption PS is extracted by analyzing the graph. For each unit, such an OB rate is obtained, and the average value is determined as the optimum OB rate in the time zone.

  The group management control device 41 stores the optimum OB rate obtained in this way in a storage unit (not shown) in association with the time zone. If another time zone is set (Yes in step S25), the group management control device 41 obtains the optimum OB rate in the same manner as described above, and stores it in the storage unit in association with the time zone at that time. deep.

  Thereafter, the group management control device 41 reads the optimum OB rate for each time period from the storage unit, and adjusts the loading amount of the counterweights 45a, 45b, 45c. Control the operation. It is assumed that each unit is adjusted to the same loading capacity. This is because the loading load does not differ greatly between each unit, and for example, if it is congested, the loading load increases at all units.

  In this way, in the group management system, the power consumption of the entire elevator can be reduced by operating with the OB rate appropriately changed in each time zone in consideration of the power consumption of each unit.

  According to at least one embodiment described above, it is possible to provide an elevator control device capable of reducing power consumption by operating with an OB rate appropriately changed according to a time zone.

  In addition, although some embodiment of this invention was described, these embodiment is shown as an example and is not intending limiting the range of invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Hoistway, 12 ... Ride car, 13 ... Counterweight, 14 ... Rope, 15 ... Hoisting machine, 16 ... Hitch, 17 ... Sheave, 18 ... Sheave, 19 ... Hitch, 20 ... Subweight mounting part, 21 ... Sub weight supply unit, 22 ... sub weight, 31 ... setting unit, 32 ... storage unit, 33 ... control unit, 33a ... load load calculation unit, 33b ... power consumption calculation unit, 33c ... optimal OB rate determination unit, 33d ... operation Control unit, 41 ... group management control device, 42a, 42b, 42c ... control device, 43a, 43b, 43c ... hoisting machine, 44a, 44b, 44c ... car, 45a, 45b, 45c ... counterweight, 46a, 46b , 46c... Subweight mounting portion, 47a, 47b, 47c.

Claims (4)

In an elevator control device provided with a mechanism capable of changing the load weight of the counterweight,
A load calculation means for calculating a load when the car stops on each floor in a preset time zone;
Power consumption calculating means for calculating power consumption while changing the OB rate between the car and the counterweight based on the load on each floor calculated by the load load calculating means;
An optimal OB rate determining unit that determines an OB rate at which the power consumption calculated by the power consumption calculating unit is lowest as an optimal OB rate in the time period ;
The power consumption calculation means is:
A control apparatus for an elevator characterized in that a power during a power running operation and a power during a regenerative operation are obtained from a relationship between a load on each floor and an OB rate, and a difference between these powers is calculated as power consumption .   2. The elevator control device according to claim 1, wherein a time zone in which the traffic demand largely fluctuates compared to a normal time is set as the time zone. The optimum OB rate determining means is:
2. The OB rate at which the power consumption calculated for each elevator by the power consumption calculation means is lowest when there are a plurality of elevators is determined as the optimum OB rate in the time zone. The elevator control device described.   2. The elevator control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising operation control means for controlling operation by changing a loading amount of the counterweight based on the optimum OB rate determined by the optimum OB rate determining means. .

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