JP7346629B2 - Elevator control system and elevator control method - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an elevator control system and an elevator control method.

In recent years, technology has become known for registering (designating) a destination floor in an elevator car without contact. For example, a non-contact sensor is placed near the display of the destination floor in the car, and when a passenger approaches the display of the desired destination floor, the non-contact sensor detects the finger. Register the destination floor.

When using such technology, for example, when the car is crowded, the passenger's body or bag may approach the non-contact sensor regardless of the passenger's intention to register the destination floor. Sometimes it is necessary to avoid registering the destination floor.

As a countermeasure against this, there is a conventional technique that, for example, when the detection time of an object by a non-contact sensor exceeds a predetermined time, it is determined that the destination floor registration is an erroneous operation (false detection) without the intention of registering the destination floor, and the destination floor registration is canceled. However, this prior art cannot be said to be a sufficient countermeasure because it cannot avoid false detection when the detection time of an object by the non-contact sensor does not exceed a predetermined time.

Therefore, for example, in order to reduce false detections, it is conceivable to narrow the detection range of the non-contact sensor.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-142686 JP 2020-125213 Publication

However, by narrowing the detection range of the non-contact sensor, false detections can be reduced, but the problem is that the responsiveness when a passenger approaches the non-contact sensor with the intention of registering the destination floor decreases. be.

Therefore, the problem of this embodiment is that when registering a destination floor in a non-contact manner in an elevator car, it is possible to reduce incorrect destination floor registration without narrowing the detection range of the non-contact sensor. An object of the present invention is to provide an elevator control system and an elevator control method.

The elevator control system of the embodiment includes a plurality of distance sensors that are provided corresponding to a plurality of display sections each displaying a destination floor of a car moving in a hoistway, and that detect a distance to an object existing in a predetermined range. and a plurality of temperature sensors that are provided corresponding to the plurality of distance sensors and detect the surface temperature of the object, and whether or not a destination floor is registered based on information detected by the distance sensor and the temperature sensor. and a control unit that determines.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of an elevator control system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the inside of the car in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing by the elevator control system of the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing how passive sensors are installed in the car in the second embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing by the elevator control system of the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing by the elevator control system of the third embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing processing by the elevator control system of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing processing by the elevator control system of the fifth embodiment.

[Embodiment]
Embodiments (first to fifth embodiments) of the elevator control system and elevator control method of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that in the second embodiment and subsequent embodiments, descriptions of matters similar to those in the previous embodiments will be omitted as appropriate.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of an elevator control system 100 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the elevator control system 100 includes a control panel 10 and a destination floor calling device 30. The elevator that is controlled by the elevator control system 100 includes a car 1, a drive device 2, a counterweight 3, a rope 4, and the like.

The car 1 moves up and down within a hoistway (not shown) in order to transport the users (passengers) who have boarded the car to other floors. The car 1 and the counterweight 3 are connected by a rope 4. The rope 4 is spanned over the drive device 2. The drive device 2 is, for example, a hoist or the like, and can move the car 1 up and down in the hoistway by driving it.

The control panel 10 includes a control section 11, a communication section 12, and a storage section 13, and controls the entire elevator. The control panel 10 is connected to the driving device 2, the destination floor calling device 30 installed inside the car 1, etc., and the landing calling device (not shown) installed at each landing so that various signals can be sent and received. ), etc., and are connected by wire or wirelessly.

The control unit 11 performs call registration when there is a destination floor call from a user in the car 1 or a platform call from a user at a landing. The control unit 11 may store the contents of the call registration in the storage unit 13.

Here, the destination floor call is an operation performed by the user in the car 1 to direct the car 1 to a desired destination floor. In addition, a platform call is an operation performed by a user of a platform in order to cause the car 1 headed for either the upper or lower destination direction to arrive at the platform.

The control unit 11 drives the drive device 2 in response to a destination floor call or a landing call to raise or lower the car 1. Furthermore, when the car 1 arrives at a predetermined floor, the control unit 11 opens and closes the doors of the car 1 and the landing area.

When there is a destination floor call from a user in the car 1 or a platform call from a user at a landing, the communication unit 12 transmits the information to the destination floor call device 30 or the platform call device ( (not shown) etc. Furthermore, the communication unit 12 transmits various commands and the like from the control unit 11 to the drive device 2, the destination floor calling device 30, and the like.

The storage unit 13 stores various programs and various data for causing the control panel 10 to control the elevator. As described above, the storage unit 13 may store destination floor call registration, platform call registration, and the like.

Hereinafter, FIG. 2 will also be referred to. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the inside of the car 1 in the first embodiment. The destination floor calling device 30 includes a push detection section 32, push buttons 312 (312a, 312b, 312c...), a distance detection section 33, a distance sensor 313 (313a, 313b, 313c...), a temperature detection section 34, It includes a temperature sensor 314 (314a, 314b, 314c...), a communication section 35, a notification control section 36, a display device 37, a sound generator 371, an open button 38, and a close button 39.

Further, the destination floor calling device 30 includes an operation panel 300 installed inside the car 1, as shown in FIG. The installation position of the operation panel 300 is, for example, on the right side of the door in the car 1, that is, on the right wing wall when facing the landing side when the user gets into the car 1. Note that the operation panel 300 may be installed in other parts of the car 1, such as the left wing wall part or the side plate part.

On the operation panel 300, a distance sensor 313 and a temperature sensor 314 are arranged corresponding to each push button 312. For example, a distance sensor 313a and a temperature sensor 314a are arranged next to a push button 312a whose destination floor is the first floor. As a result, when the user holds a finger near the push button 312a, the distance sensor 313a and the temperature sensor 314a detect the finger. Furthermore, each push button 312 also serves as a display section that displays the destination floor. The same applies to cases where the destination floor is the second to sixth floors.

Push buttons 312 are provided corresponding to the respective display sections, and are contact-type push buttons for specifying the destination floor. In other words, a user who wishes to call a predetermined destination floor can register the destination floor by pressing the corresponding push button 312, for example, if the distance sensor 313 does not detect the user's hand or finger. can.

Distance sensor 313 is provided corresponding to each display section, and detects the distance to an object existing within a predetermined range (hereinafter also referred to as object distance). The distance sensor 313 is, for example, a TOF (Time Of Flight) sensor, a laser range sensor, or the like. When a user who wishes to call a predetermined destination floor places a finger or the like near the corresponding distance sensor 313, the distance sensor 313 detects the distance to the object such as the finger or the like.

The temperature sensor 314 is provided corresponding to each display section, and detects the surface temperature of the object whose distance is detected by the distance sensor 313 (hereinafter also referred to as object surface temperature).

When any of the push buttons 312 is pressed by the user, the press detection unit 32 determines that there is a call to the destination floor corresponding to the pressed button 312.

The distance detection unit 33 acquires information on the object distance detected by the distance sensor 313.

The temperature detection unit 34 acquires information about the object surface temperature detected by the temperature sensor 314.

The communication unit 35 transmits information acquired from the press detection unit 32, the distance detection unit 33, and the temperature detection unit 34 to the control panel 10. Furthermore, the communication unit 35 transmits information acquired from the control panel 10 to the notification control unit 36 and the like.

The notification control unit 36 performs various notifications to the user by displaying information on the display device 37 or generating sound from the sound generation device 371 in accordance with instructions from the control panel 10.

The display device 37 is configured as, for example, a liquid crystal panel as a liquid crystal display section, and displays various information according to instructions from the notification control section 36.

The sound generating device 371 is configured as, for example, a speaker, and generates sounds corresponding to various information according to instructions from the notification control unit 36.

The open button 38 is a button operated to open the door 5 when the car 1 is stopped.

The close button 39 is a button operated to close the door 5 when the car 1 is stopped.

Note that the destination floor call device 30 can be provided with various configurations other than those described above for operation by the user of the car 1.

The control unit 11 of the control panel 10 determines whether the destination floor has been registered based on information detected by the distance sensor 313 and temperature sensor 314. For example, if the distance to the object detected by the distance sensor 313 is less than or equal to a predetermined distance, and the surface temperature of the object is within a predetermined temperature range set as the human body temperature, the control unit 11 registers the destination floor. do.

Next, the physical configuration of the elevator control system 100 of the embodiment will be explained. The control panel 10 is configured as a computer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a storage device, and the like.

The ROM stores various programs related to elevator control, such as a control program and a call registration program. These programs stored in the ROM are read out and developed in the RAM, and the CPU executes these programs, thereby realizing the function of the control panel 10 as an elevator control device.

Moreover, the above-described control unit 11, communication unit 12, storage unit 13, etc. are realized by executing the call registration program by the CPU.

The destination floor calling device 30 is configured as a computer including a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like. The ROM stores, for example, programs related to reception of destination floor calls such as destination floor call programs, and various programs such as control of sensor contact signals and pushbutton contact signals. The destination floor call program, signal control program, etc. stored in the ROM are read out, expanded to the RAM, and executed by the CPU, thereby detecting the press detection unit 32, distance detection unit 33, and temperature detection of the destination floor call device 30. A section 34, a communication section 35, a notification control section 36, etc. are implemented.

Here, the call registration program, destination floor call program, signal control program, etc. are computer-executable non-transitory computer readable recording media containing multiple instructions related to elevator control. It is a computer program product with a medium. These have, for example, a modular configuration, and these modules are loaded onto the main memory.

These programs are provided, for example, stored in a recording medium or the like so that they can be read by a computer. The recording medium is, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a flash memory, or the like. However, these programs may be provided by various other methods, such as being distributed by a server placed on a network, or configured to be downloadable.

Next, with reference to FIG. 3, processing by the elevator control system 100 of the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing by the elevator control system 100 of the first embodiment. Note that at the time this series of processing starts, the distance sensor 313 is powered on (ON), and the temperature sensor 314 is powered off (OFF).

In step S1, the distance detection unit 33 determines whether or not an object exists within the detection range of the distance sensor 313. If Yes, the process proceeds to step S2, and if No, the process proceeds to step S4.

In step S2, the control unit 11 turns on the power of the temperature sensor 314.

Next, in step S3, the control unit 11 determines whether the surface temperature of the object detected by the distance sensor 313 is within a predetermined temperature range set as the human body temperature, and if Yes, proceeds to step S5, If No, proceed to step S4.

In step S4, the control unit 11 turns off the power to the temperature sensor 314, and returns to step S1.

In step S5, the control unit 11 registers the destination floor corresponding to the distance sensor 313 that detected the object.

Next, in step S6, the control unit 11 performs control to move the car 1 to the destination floor.

In this way, according to the elevator control system 100 of the first embodiment, when registering a destination floor in the elevator car 1 without contact, information detected by the distance sensor 313 and the temperature sensor 314 is used. Based on this, it is determined whether the destination floor is registered or not. Thereby, incorrect destination floor registration can be reduced without narrowing the detection range of the distance sensor 313 (non-contact sensor).

For example, if a passenger holds their finger near the distance sensor 313 with the intention of registering the destination floor, it is determined that the passenger has the intention to register the destination floor because the temperature of the finger is the human body temperature. , register the destination floor.

Furthermore, for example, if a passenger unconsciously brings his/her bag close to the distance sensor 313 without intending to register the destination floor, the passenger may not have the intention to register the destination floor because the temperature of the bag is not the human body temperature. It is determined that there is no destination floor and the destination floor is not registered.

In this way, by reducing the number of incorrect destination floor registrations, the operating efficiency of the elevator can be improved.

(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing how the passive sensor 6 is installed inside the car 1 in the second embodiment.

Passive sensor 6 is an example of passenger detection means that detects passenger M present in front of operation panel 300. The passive sensor 6 is installed on the car ceiling 1C, detects the passenger M by receiving infrared rays emitted from the passenger M, and transmits a detection signal to the control unit 11.

Further, the control unit 11 (power control unit) controls power on/off of the distance sensor 313 and the temperature sensor 314 based on information detected by the passive sensor 6.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing by the elevator control system 100 of the second embodiment. Compared to the flowchart of FIG. 3, steps S11 and S12 are added, and step S4 is replaced with step S4a. Processes similar to those in FIG. 3 are given the same step numbers as in FIG. 3, and description thereof will be omitted (same also in FIGS. 6 to 8). Note that at the start of this series of processes, the passive sensor 6 is powered on (ON), and the distance sensor 313 and temperature sensor 314 are powered off (OFF) (the same applies to FIGS. 6 to 8).

In step S11, the control unit 11 determines whether the passive sensor 6 has detected the passenger M in front of the operation panel 300. If Yes, the process proceeds to step S12, and if No, the process returns to step S11.

In step S12, the control unit 11 turns on the power of the distance sensor 313.

Furthermore, in step S4a, the control unit 11 turns off the power to the distance sensor 313 and the temperature sensor 314, and returns to step S11.

As described above, according to the elevator control system 100 of the second embodiment, it is confirmed whether or not the passenger M exists in front of the operation panel 300 using the passive sensor 6, and when the passenger M is present, the distance sensor 313 is activated. By turning on the power, the power consumption of the distance sensor 313 can be reduced. Thereby, the risk of failure of the distance sensor 313 can be reduced.

Note that the passive sensor 6 is also generally called a human sensor, and because it checks only changes in the amount of infrared light received, its power consumption is lower than that of an active sensor (for example, a sensor that detects a human body by emitting infrared light).

Furthermore, the installation position of the passive sensor 6 is not limited to the car ceiling 1C shown in FIG. good. Furthermore, instead of the passive sensor 6, a surveillance camera inside the car 1 or the like may be used to detect the passenger M present in front of the operation panel 1.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, when an object is simultaneously detected by a plurality of distance sensors 313, the control unit 11 does not register the destination floor.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing by the elevator control system 100 of the third embodiment. Compared to the flowchart of FIG. 5, step S21 is added after Yes in step S1.

After Yes in step S1, in step S21, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the plurality of distance sensors 313 have detected an object, and if Yes, proceed to step S4a, and if No, proceed to step S2. . In other words, when multiple distance sensors 313 detect an object, it is assumed that a person is standing near the operation panel 300, so the destination floor is registered as an erroneous operation without the intention of registering the destination floor. do not.

In this way, according to the elevator control system 100 of the third embodiment, the operational efficiency of the elevator can be improved by preventing erroneous destination floor registration.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. In the fourth embodiment, when an object is simultaneously detected by a plurality of distance sensors 313 and another object is detected by one distance sensor 313 at a position closer to the plurality of display units than the object, the control unit 11 registers the destination floor if the surface temperature of another object detected by the temperature sensor 314 is within a predetermined temperature range set as the human body temperature.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing processing by the elevator control system 100 of the fourth embodiment. Compared to the flowchart of FIG. 6, step S31 is added after YES in step S21.

After Yes in step S21, in step S31, the distance detection unit 33 determines whether another object has been detected in front of the object detected by the plurality of distance sensors 313 (at a position close to the operation panel 300). , in the case of Yes, the process proceeds to step S2, and in the case of No, the process returns to step S21.

As described above, according to the elevator control system 100 of the fourth embodiment, even when the plurality of distance sensors 313 detect a person standing near the operation panel 300, the hand of another passenger from the side may be detected. When it is inserted and an action is taken to register the destination floor, the destination floor can be registered.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. In the fifth embodiment, when an object is detected by one distance sensor 313 for a predetermined time or longer and the temperature of the object detected by the temperature sensor 314 is outside the predetermined temperature range set as the human body temperature, the notification control is performed. The unit 36 notifies the passenger to press the push button 312 through a display on the display device 37 and/or a sound from the audio generator 371.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing processing by the elevator control system 100 of the fifth embodiment. Compared to the flowchart of FIG. 7, steps S41 and S42 are added after No in step S3.

After No in step S3, the distance detection unit 33 determines whether the distance sensor 313 continues to detect an object for a predetermined period of time or more, and if Yes, the process proceeds to step S42, and if No, the process proceeds to step S4a. return.

In step S42, the notification control unit 36 notifies (announces) the passenger to press the push button 312 through a display on the display device 37 and/or a sound from the audio generator 371.

As described above, according to the elevator control system 100 of the fifth embodiment, for example, if the passenger M brings his/her finger in front of the distance sensor 313 with gloves on, or When goods for passengers who do not want to touch the buttons are brought in front of the distance sensor 313, the above-mentioned notification can prompt the passenger M to register the destination floor. At this time, the passenger M can press the push button 312 with anything other than his bare hands, so it is possible to avoid the risk of various virus infections caused by pressing the push button 312 with his bare hands.

Although several embodiments of the invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and gist of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.

1...Car, 2...Drive device, 3...Counterweight, 4...Rope, 10...Control panel, 11...Control unit, 12...Communication unit, 13...Storage unit, 30...Destination floor calling device, 32...Press detection Part, 33...Distance detection unit, 34...Temperature detection unit, 35...Communication unit, 36...Notification control unit, 37...Display device, 371...Sound generation device, 38...Open button, 39...Close button, 100...Elevator control System, 300...Operation panel, 312...Push button, 313...Distance sensor, 314...Temperature sensor

Claims (5)

a plurality of distance sensors, each of which is provided corresponding to a plurality of display sections each displaying a destination floor of a car moving on a hoistway, and which detects a distance to an object existing within a predetermined range;
a plurality of temperature sensors that are provided corresponding to the plurality of distance sensors and detect the surface temperature of the object;
passenger detection means for detecting a passenger present in front of the plurality of display units;
a power supply control unit that controls power on/off of the distance sensor and the temperature sensor based on information detected by the passenger detection means;
a control unit that determines whether or not a destination floor is registered based on information detected by the distance sensor and the temperature sensor;
The elevator control system wherein the control unit does not register a destination floor when an object is detected by a plurality of the distance sensors simultaneously. a plurality of distance sensors, each of which is provided corresponding to a plurality of display sections each displaying a destination floor of a car moving on a hoistway, and which detects a distance to an object existing within a predetermined range;
a plurality of temperature sensors that are provided corresponding to the plurality of distance sensors and detect the surface temperature of the object;
a control unit that determines whether or not a destination floor is registered based on information detected by the distance sensor and the temperature sensor;
If an object is detected by one of the distance sensors for a predetermined time or more, and the temperature of the object detected by the temperature sensor is outside the predetermined temperature range set as the human body temperature, the display section for destination floor designation An elevator control system comprising: a notification control unit that notifies passengers by display and/or voice to press a contact-type push button provided near the elevator. If an object is simultaneously detected by a plurality of the distance sensors, and another object is detected by one of the distance sensors at a position closer to the plurality of display units than the object, the control unit controls the temperature sensor. The elevator control system according to claim 1 , wherein the destination floor is registered if the surface temperature of the other object detected by the sensor is within a predetermined temperature range set as a human body temperature. An elevator control method executed by an elevator control system, the method comprising:
The elevator control system includes:
a plurality of distance sensors, each of which is provided corresponding to a plurality of display sections each displaying a destination floor of a car moving on a hoistway, and which detects a distance to an object existing within a predetermined range;
a plurality of temperature sensors that are provided corresponding to the plurality of distance sensors and detect the surface temperature of the object;
passenger detection means for detecting a passenger present in front of the plurality of display units;
A power supply control unit that controls power on/off of the distance sensor and the temperature sensor based on information detected by the passenger detection means,
a control step of determining whether or not a destination floor is registered based on information detected by the distance sensor and the temperature sensor ;
If an object is detected simultaneously by a plurality of distance sensors, the control step does not register a destination floor . An elevator control method executed by an elevator control system, the method comprising:
The elevator control system includes:
a plurality of distance sensors, each of which is provided corresponding to a plurality of display sections each displaying a destination floor of a car moving on a hoistway, and which detects a distance to an object existing within a predetermined range;
a plurality of temperature sensors that are provided corresponding to the plurality of distance sensors and detect the surface temperature of the object;
If an object is detected by one of the distance sensors for a predetermined time or more, and the temperature of the object detected by the temperature sensor is outside the predetermined temperature range set as the human body temperature, the display section for destination floor designation a notification control unit that notifies passengers by display and/or voice to press a contact-type push button installed near the
An elevator control method including a control step of determining whether or not a destination floor is registered based on information detected by the distance sensor and the temperature sensor.

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