JP7669601B1 - Elevator - Google Patents

Abstract

A first measuring device (160) is installed as a retrofit at a predetermined position in the machine room or hoistway (HW) of the elevator (100) and measures the air pressure at the predetermined position. A second measuring device (170) is installed as a retrofit outside the car (102) moving in the hoistway (HW) and measures the air pressure at the position of the car (102). The status of the car (102) in the hoistway (HW) (the position of the car, whether it is moving or stopped, etc.) is determined based on the difference between the first air pressure value measured by the first measuring device (160) and the second air pressure value measured by the second measuring device (170) or the amount of change in that difference. This allows for easy retrofitting and makes it possible to reliably grasp the status of the car without obtaining information from the control panel.

Description

This invention relates to an elevator that determines the status of the car in the elevator shaft.

Previously, there was technology for detecting the relative vertical positions of an elevator car and a maintenance worker based on the difference between a first atmospheric pressure measured by a first atmospheric pressure measuring unit attached to the elevator car or counterweight, and a second atmospheric pressure measured by a second atmospheric pressure measuring unit provided in a terminal device carried by the maintenance worker (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below).

Patent No. 6702518

However, conventional technologies including the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 use a terminal device carried by the maintenance staff, so they can only be used during maintenance inspections and cannot be used during normal operation. In addition, they only detect the relative position between the car and the maintenance staff, and cannot determine the status of the elevator in the hoistway (such as its current position or whether it is moving or stopped).

For this reason, with conventional technology, in order to know the status of the cage during normal operation, it was necessary to use information output from the control panel, and if information from the control panel could not be obtained, there was a problem that information regarding the status of the cage could not be obtained from a remote location.

In order to solve the problems associated with the conventional technology described above, the object of this invention is to provide an elevator that can be easily retrofitted to any type of elevator, and that, by using this device, can determine the status of the car without obtaining information from the control panel, and that can know the results of this determination even in a remote location.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the elevator of the present invention comprises a first measuring device which is retrofitted at a predetermined position in the hoistway or machine room and measures the air pressure at the predetermined position, and a second measuring device which is retrofitted on the outside of a car moving in the hoistway and measures the air pressure at the position of the car, and is characterized in that the status of the car in the hoistway is determined based on the air pressure value measured by the first measuring device (hereinafter referred to as the "first air pressure value") and the air pressure value measured by the second measuring device (hereinafter referred to as the "second air pressure value").

The elevator of this invention is also characterized in that, in the above invention, if it is determined that the status of the car is abnormal, information regarding the status is output to an external device.

The elevator of this invention is also characterized in that, in the above invention, when an external device requests the output of the status of the car, the elevator outputs information regarding the status to the external device.

The elevator of this invention is also characterized in that, in the above invention, the status of the car is the position of the car in the elevator shaft, which is determined based on the difference between the first air pressure value and the second air pressure value.

The elevator of this invention is also characterized in that, in the above invention, the status of the car is whether the car is stopped or moving, which is determined based on the amount of change in the second air pressure value or the amount of change in the difference between the first air pressure value and the second air pressure value.

The elevator of this invention is also characterized in that, in the above invention, when the status of the car is such that the position of the car in the elevator shaft is between floors and the car is stopped, information regarding the status is output to an external device.

The elevator of this invention is also characterized in that, in the above invention, when the status of the car is that the position of the car in the elevator shaft is between floors and the car is stopped, the car is moved to the nearest floor from its current position.

In addition, the elevator of this invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the first measuring device and the second measuring device are connected so as to be able to communicate with each other, the first measuring device transmits the first air pressure value to the second measuring device at a predetermined time interval, and the second measuring device judges the status of the car in the elevator shaft based on the first air pressure value received and the second air pressure value measured at the same time as the first air pressure value.

In addition, the elevator of this invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the first measuring device and the second measuring device are connected so as to be able to communicate with each other, the first measuring device transmits the first air pressure value to the second measuring device in response to a request from the second measuring device or an external device, and the second measuring device determines the status of the car in the elevator shaft based on the received first air pressure value and the second air pressure value measured at the same time as the first air pressure value.

In addition, the elevator of this invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the second measuring device transmits information regarding the situation to the first measuring device, and the first measuring device is communicatively connected to an external device and transmits the information regarding the situation received from the second measuring device to the external device.

In addition, the elevator of this invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the first measuring device is installed in a position capable of wireless communication with an external device via a network.

With the elevator of this invention, regardless of the type of elevator, a measuring device that easily measures air pressure can be attached later, and by using this measuring device, the status of the car can be determined without obtaining information from the control panel, and the results of this determination can be known even in remote locations.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of an elevator according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a first measurement device and a second measurement device of an elevator according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a first measurement device and a second measurement device of an elevator according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flowchart (part 1) showing the procedure of processing by the first measurement device of the elevator according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart (part 2) showing the procedure of processing by the first measurement device of the elevator according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart (part 3) showing the procedure of processing by the first measurement device of the elevator according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a flowchart (part 1) showing the procedure of processing by the second measurement device of the elevator according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a flowchart (part 2) showing the procedure of processing by the second measurement device of the elevator according to the embodiment of the present invention.

A preferred embodiment of the elevator of the present invention is described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

(Elevator configuration)
First, the configuration of an elevator according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of an elevator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In Fig. 1, an elevator 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention can be realized, for example, by a rope-type (traction-type) elevator 100. The elevator 100 is installed, for example, in a building such as a multi-story building.

Each component of the elevator 100 is driven and controlled by a control panel 101. The control panel 101 is connected to each component of the elevator 100, and outputs, for example, a signal from the control panel 101 to each component of the elevator 100, known as a "down signal." The control panel 101 also receives, for example, a signal from each component of the elevator 100 to the control panel 101, known as an "up signal."

Furthermore, the control panel 101 is connected to a management server computer 150 via a network such as the Internet (such as the network NW shown in FIG. 3 described later). The management server computer 150 is installed in a remote location different from the location where the elevator 100 to be monitored is installed, and away from the location where the elevator 100 is installed. The management server computer 150 can be installed, for example, in a maintenance management company responsible for the maintenance management of the elevator 100. The external device may be this management server computer 150.

The control panel 101 transmits an alarm signal to, for example, the management server computer 150. The control panel 101 outputs an alarm signal, for example, when a fault is detected in the elevator 100 or when the operation mode of the elevator 100 changes. The control panel 101 also receives various instructions, such as an instruction to execute a diagnostic operation, transmitted from the management server computer 150, and outputs a down signal in accordance with the received instructions to each component of the elevator 100.

The diagnostic operation is realized by outputting signals from the control panel 101 to each component of the elevator 100, causing the component to operate in a predetermined order, and outputting signals from the control panel 101 to the management server computer 150 indicating whether the component operated normally or not in accordance with the output signals. The management server computer 150 outputs an instruction to execute the diagnostic operation periodically (e.g., every time the last day of the month arrives), for example.

By connecting the control panel 101 and the management server computer 150 via the Internet rather than a public voice network such as a telephone line, it is possible to avoid delays in understanding the status of the elevator 100 due to telephone line congestion in an emergency such as a natural disaster such as an earthquake. This makes it possible to take prompt action if a malfunction occurs in the operation of the elevator 100 when the elevator 100 is remotely monitored using the management server computer 150.

The control panel 101 may further be connected to a public voice network. The public voice network includes a fixed telephone network (public switched telephone network) and a mobile phone network. The public voice network is composed of multiple switches (not shown), such as a subscriber line switch that accommodates telephone lines, a relay switch that bundles the subscriber line switches, and a gateway switch that connects to the telephone networks of other carriers. The public voice network is a well-known technology, so a description thereof will be omitted.

The elevator 100 has a hoistway HW that runs vertically through each floor of the building. One hoistway HW is provided for each elevator 100. A car (passenger car) 102 for carrying people and goods is provided within the hoistway HW. One car 102 is provided for each elevator 100, i.e., one hoistway HW, and moves up and down in the direction of the hoistway HW, i.e., the vertical direction. The car 102 is supported by a car frame (not shown) and moves up and down together with the frame.

Guide rails (not shown) are provided on the sides of the elevator shaft HW to guide the elevator position of the cage 102 (cage frame). A shock absorber 103 is provided at the bottom of the elevator shaft HW to cushion the impact if the cage 102 falls and hits the bottom surface. The shock absorber 103 may be a spring type shock absorber that uses the elastic force of a spring to cushion the impact, or an oil-filled type shock absorber that uses hydraulic resistance to cushion the impact. The shock absorber 103 may also be provided on the ceiling surface of the elevator shaft HW.

Doors 104a are provided at positions (landings) 104 in the elevator shaft HW corresponding to each floor. The doors 104a provided at the landings 104 are locked by a device called an interlock (not shown). The interlock engages with the opening and closing mechanism of the door 102a of the car 102 to release the lock only when a motor that opens and closes the door 102a of the car 102 is driven when the car 102 has arrived at a stopping floor. This allows only the door 104a provided at the landing 104 on the floor where the car 102 is located to be opened and closed in conjunction with each other.

An operation panel 105 is installed at each platform 104. Each operation panel 105 is equipped with a platform call button 105a, a display 105b that displays the floor on which the car 102 is located, and the like. Each operation panel 105 is also equipped with a control board 105c for the operation panel 105. Each operation panel 105 is connected to the control panel 101 via the control board 105c that it is equipped with.

The cage 102 is connected to one end of a rope 106. The rope 106 is hung in a bucket-like manner on a pulley (not shown) and a hoist (traction machine) 107, and the other end is connected to a counterweight 108. Specifically, the rope 106 can be realized by, for example, a steel wire.

The hoist 107 in the rope-type elevator 100 is installed, for example, in a machine room provided at the top of the elevator 100. The hoist 107 can be provided at the top of the elevator 100 regardless of whether or not there is a machine room. Alternatively, if the elevator 100 is a type that does not have a machine room, the hoist 107 may be provided at the bottom of the elevator 100.

The hoist 107 is connected to the control panel 101 via, for example, an inverter, and is controlled by the control panel 101 to stop rotation at the floor where the car 102 is to be stopped. In the rope-type elevator 100, the car 102 is raised and lowered by utilizing the frictional force (traction) between the rope 106 and the pulley, which is generated by driving the hoist 107.

The hoist 107 is equipped with an encoder (not shown), and the control panel 101 can determine the rotation speed and rotation position of the hoist 107 based on the output signal from the encoder. The encoder may be, for example, an absolute encoder or an incremental encoder.

One end of a wire rope (or chain) for adjusting the weight balance is connected to the bottom of the counterweight 108 and the other end is connected to the bottom of the cage 102 (not shown). This reliably prevents the rope 106 from slipping off the sheave of the hoist 107 due to an imbalance in the weight between the cage 102 and the counterweight 108 near the top floor or bottom (bottom) in an elevator 100 installed in a high-rise building, for example.

The elevator 100 also includes an electromagnetic brake 109, a governor machine 110, and a limit switch 111. The electromagnetic brake 109 includes a coil, and is driven and controlled by the control panel 101 to stop the rotation of the hoisting machine 107 by utilizing the electromagnetic force generated by passing current through the coil. The electromagnetic brake 109 can maintain the state in which the rotation of the hoisting machine 107 is stopped.

The electromagnetic brake 109 stops the rotation of the hoist 107 when the power supply is stopped due to a power outage or the like. Specifically, the electromagnetic brake 109 may be a non-excitation type electromagnetic brake 109 that operates by spring force to stop the rotation of the hoist 107 when the current to the coil is cut off due to a power outage or the like.

The governor 110 detects when the cage 102 exceeds its speed limit. The governor 110 can be realized, for example, by a centrifugal governor equipped with a governor rope 110a, a governor pulley 110b, and a rotor (not shown). In such a governor 110, the governor rope 110a is linked to the operation of the cage 102. The governor pulley 110b rotates in conjunction with the operation of the governor rope 110a.

The rotor operates according to the rotation speed of the governor pulley 110b, i.e., the magnitude of the centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the governor pulley 110b. Specifically, the rotor operates to open to the outer periphery of the governor pulley 110b when the rotation speed of the governor pulley 110b is high, and operates to close to the inner periphery of the governor pulley 110b when the rotation speed of the governor pulley 110b is low.

The limit switch 111 is equipped with a switch lever (not shown) that switches between supplying and cutting off power to the hoist 107. The switch lever is normally positioned in a position that supplies power to the hoist 107, and when biased by the rotor of the governor 110, it is displaced to a position that cuts off the supply of power to the hoist 107.

The rotor of the speed governor 110 biases the switch lever so that, when the ascending/descending speed of the cage 102 reaches a certain speed or higher relative to the rated speed, the switch lever displaces to a position that cuts off the supply of power to the hoist 107. This stops the operation of the hoist 107 and stops the cage 102 when the cage 102 exceeds its rated speed.

Furthermore, the elevator 100 may be equipped with an emergency stop device (not shown). The emergency stop device forcibly stops the movement of the car 102 when the movement of the car 102 and the movement of the governor rope 110a differ, i.e., when the car 102 is moving even though the governor rope 110a has stopped. The emergency stop device can be easily realized using various known technologies, so a description thereof will be omitted.

The cage 102 is provided with an in-cage operation panel 102b. The in-cage operation panel 102b is equipped with various operation buttons and a display that displays the floor on which the cage 102 is located. The cage 102 is also provided with a motor that opens and closes the door 102a, a door opening/closing sensor, an obstacle detection device, various sensors such as a load sensor, and a buzzer (not shown).

An above-car box 112 (hereinafter referred to as the "above-car box" or "above-car control board") equipped with an above-car control board is provided on the top of the car 102. The above-car box 112 is provided, for example, on the ceiling board of the car 102, i.e., on the outside of the car 102. The above-car box 112 houses an electric circuit equipped with a power supply circuit and a control circuit. Various loads provided on the car 102, such as the in-car operation panel 102b, the motor for opening and closing the door 102a, the door opening/closing sensor, the obstacle detection device, the various sensors such as the load sensor, and the buzzer, are connected to the electric circuit housed in the above-car box 112.

The car-mounted control board (car-mounted box) 112 centralizes the control of car-related equipment. Specifically, the car control board 112 controls inside the car, such as displaying on a display inside the car which operation buttons have been pressed, showing floors and directional arrows, controlling the motors that open and close the doors, and understanding the status of safety switches.

The motor that opens and closes the door 102a can rotate in both forward and reverse directions, for example, rotating in the forward direction when the door 102a is opened and rotating in the reverse direction when the door 102a is closed. The motor that opens and closes the door 102a is provided, for example, on the ceiling board of the cage 102. The door opening and closing sensor detects the open/closed state of the door 102a. The door opening and closing sensor can be realized, for example, by a microswitch or a photoelectric sensor whose output changes depending on whether the door 102a or the door 104a is in an open or closed state.

The obstacle detection device detects whether an object, such as a person, is caught between the pair of doors 102a. Specifically, the obstacle detection device can be configured, for example, by a safety shoe provided between the pair of doors 102a and biased to protrude in the opening direction of the door 102a, or a microswitch that outputs a signal indicating that an object has been detected as being caught between the pair of doors 102a when the safety shoe is pushed into the inside of the door 102a.

The load sensor detects the load on the cage 102. Specifically, the load sensor can be realized by, for example, a load cell. The load cell is provided, for example, between the bottom of the cage 102 and the cage frame. The buzzer outputs a buzzer sound in response to the detection result of the load sensor. The buzzer outputs a buzzer sound when the load (mass) on the cage 102 exceeds a predetermined mass, such as the rated load (mass) on the cage 102.

The car operation panel 102b is provided inside the elevator car. Specifically, it is provided at a position that is outside the car 102 from the inner wall surface of the car 102, such as behind the operation buttons, and is not visible to users. The car operation panel 102b receives operation signals from each of the operation buttons via a signal line.

The cage operation panel 102b and cage control board 112 are connected by a wired signal line. Signal exchange between the cage operation panel 102b and cage control board 112 is not limited to wired (signal line) communication, but may be via wireless communication (such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark)).

The car operation panel 102b determines which signal line the operation signal comes from based on the operation signal received via the signal line, and based on the result of the determination, transmits the operation signal (car call signal) for the corresponding floor to the car control board 112 via the signal line.

The control panel 101 is connected to the car control board 112 by a wired signal line (e.g., a tail cord), and transmits and receives signals between the car control board 112. The car control board 112 receives an operation signal (car call signal) from the car operation panel 102b via the signal line, and transmits the operation signal to the control panel 101 via the tail cord.

The first measuring device 160 is installed as a retrofit at a predetermined position in the elevator shaft HW or in the machine room. Specifically, for example, it is installed at the top of the elevator shaft HW as shown in Figure 1. Alternatively, it may be installed at the bottom of the elevator shaft HW (near the buffer 103) or at a predetermined position in the elevator shaft HW (such as near the middle position of the elevator shaft HW). Furthermore, the number of first measuring devices 160 is not limited to one, and multiple devices may be installed.

The first measuring device 160 may be provided in a position that allows wireless communication with an external device (such as the management server computer 150) via a network (such as the network NW shown in FIG. 2). The first measuring device 160 is provided in a fixed location without moving, so that it is always capable of wireless communication with the external device via the network.

The first measuring device 160 is a housing (box) equipped with a CPU 201, memory 202, communication interface 203, microphone 204, speaker 205, various sensors 206 including an air pressure sensor, etc., which will be described later in Figures 2 and 3, and can be made relatively compact enough to accommodate these components, so it does not require a large space for installation. The housing is fixed in the elevator shaft HW or in the machine room using screws or magnets, etc.

In this way, the first measuring device 160 can be retrofitted with simple installation work. Therefore, it can be easily installed in any elevator, regardless of the type of elevator. Furthermore, replacement or removal (restoration to original condition) of the first measuring device 160 can also be performed more easily, just like installation.

The second measuring device 170 is installed on the outside of the car 102 as a retrofit. Specifically, for example, as shown in Fig. 1, it is installed on the ceiling panel of the car 102 near the car-top box 112. The second measuring device 170 may be installed on the outside of the car 102 in a location other than on the ceiling panel of the car 102, depending on the structure of the elevator 100, the structure of the hoistway HW, the structure of the car 102, the circumstances of retrofitting, etc.

The second measuring device 170 is connected to the car box 112 and is powered by receiving power from the car box 112. The second measuring device 170 is equipped with various sensors 206, as described later in FIG. 2, but instead of the second measuring device 170 being equipped with various sensors 206, it may be configured to acquire detection data from various sensors equipped in the car box 112.

The second measuring device 170 is a housing (box) equipped with a CPU 201, memory 202, communication interface 203, microphone 204, speaker 205, various sensors 206 including an air pressure sensor, etc., which will be described later in Figures 2 and 3. Like the first measuring device 160, it can be made relatively compact enough to accommodate these components, and does not require a large space for installation. The housing is fixed to the top of the cage 102, for example, by using screws or magnets. Then, it receives power from the cage box 112 by inserting a power supply plug into the outlet of the cage box 112.

In this way, the second measuring device 170 can be retrofitted with simple installation work. Therefore, it can be easily installed in any elevator, regardless of the type of elevator. Furthermore, replacement or removal (restoration to original condition) of the second measuring device 170 can also be performed more easily than installation.

The elevator 100 may also be equipped with a remote monitoring device 140. The remote monitoring device 140 may be attached, for example, to a housing that houses the control panel 101 of the elevator 100 or to a wall of the elevator shaft HW. The remote monitoring device 140 may be connected to the control panel 101. The remote monitoring device 140 is also connected to the management server computer 150 via a network such as the Internet (such as the network NW shown in FIG. 3). The external device may be this remote monitoring device 140.

The remote monitoring device 140 can acquire signals (control signals) output from the control panel 101 to each component of the elevator 100, generate notification information based on the acquired control signals, and transmit the generated notification information to the management server computer 150 on behalf of the control panel 101. The notification information includes information regarding the status of the elevator 100 and identification information of the elevator 100 that is the sender of the notification information.

The information on the state of the elevator 100 indicates, for example, the direction in which the car 102 ascends and descends, the floor to which the car 102 will move, whether the car 102 has stopped at the floor to which it will move, whether the motors that open and close the doors 102a and 104a are operating, etc. The information on the state of the elevator 100 also indicates, for example, the floor on which the car 102 is currently located, whether various safety devices are operating, etc.

The remote monitoring device 140, for example, is connected to the control panel 101 and acquires an output from a relay whose output (output state) changes according to a control signal output from the control panel 101. In this case, the remote monitoring device 140 can acquire the control signal output from the control panel 101 from the relay.

In addition, the remote monitoring device 140 can be connected to the control panel 101 via contacts provided on the legs (wires connecting the control panel 101 and the IC chip) of an IC chip provided on the control panel 101 corresponding to each component of the elevator 100. In this case, the contacts may be provided on the legs (wires connecting the control panel 101 and the IC chip) for signals input from the control panel 101 to the IC chip, or on the legs (wires connecting the control panel 101 and the IC chip) for signals output from the IC chip to the control panel 101.

(Elevator control device hardware configuration)
Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the first and second measurement devices of an elevator according to an embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 2, the second measurement device 170 includes a CPU 201, a memory 202, a communication interface 203, a microphone 204, a speaker 205, and a sensor 206 in a relatively compact housing (box) about the size of a commercially available Wi-Fi router.

The CPU 201 controls the entire second measuring device 170 by performing arithmetic processing using the programs and data stored in the memory 202. The CPU 201 also has a clock that keeps track of the current time. The memory 202 stores various information, such as information on various conditions related to the programs executed by the CPU 201, information on the relationship between atmospheric pressure and sea level (for example, the relationship between altitude and Pa when the temperature is constant and the reference pressure is fixed), sound information collected by the microphone 204, and information on the sound (audio) output by the speaker 205.

Instead of CPU 201, it may be realized using, for example, an LSI (Large Scale Integration) or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array).

The memory 202 can be realized by a non-volatile storage medium that retains stored information even when the power supply is cut off. Specifically, the memory 202 can be realized by, for example, a flash memory, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), etc. The memory 202 can also be realized by an IC memory, an SSD (Solid State Drive), a hard disk, etc.

The memory may be a memory card that is detachable from the first measuring device 160 and the second measuring device 170 via a card slot (not shown) provided in the first measuring device 160 and the second measuring device 170. The memory card may be an IC card such as an SD (Secure Digital) memory card. The memory may be an external USB memory or the like.

The communication interface (I/F) 203 is a wireless communication interface that connects the first measuring device 160, the second measuring device 170, and the network NW, and is responsible for interfacing between the network and the inside of the first measuring device 160 and the second measuring device 170, and controls the input of data from and the output of data to external devices (specifically, the management server computer 150, etc.) connected via the network. The network is realized, for example, by the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), etc.

The communication interface (I/F) 203 is a wireless communication interface that connects the first measuring device 160 and the first measuring device 170, and is responsible for the interface between the first measuring device 160 and the inside of the first measuring device 170, and controls the input and output of data between each device.

The communication interface (I/F) 203 is a wireless communication interface that connects the first measuring device 160, the first measuring device 170 and the remote monitoring device 140, and is responsible for interfacing with the inside of the first measuring device 160, the first measuring device 170 and the remote monitoring device 140, and controls the input and output of data between each device.

The communication I/F 203 can be realized, for example, by a wireless interface using a LoRa (Long Range) communication system. This enables communication between the first measuring device 160 and the second measuring device 170 with low power consumption.

The communication I/F 203 can be realized, for example, by a wireless interface using Wi-Fi. This allows communication with a remote monitoring device 140 located in close proximity.

Furthermore, the communication I/F 203 may be a wireless communication interface such as a mobile phone line (e.g., LTE (Long Term Evolution) or PHS (Personal Handy-phone System). This enables communication with a management server computer 150 located at a long distance.Furthermore, the communication I/F 203 is not limited to a wireless communication interface, and may be a wired communication interface.

The communication via the communication I/F 203 may be performed periodically, such as at a predetermined time or every predetermined period of time, or may be performed at any timing depending on the status of the communication line, etc. The memory 202 may store information acquired by the communication via the communication I/F 203.

The microphone 204 collects surrounding sounds, that is, sounds generated outside the cage 102 and sounds (including voice) generated inside the cage 102. A single microphone 204 may collect sounds outside and inside the cage 102. Alternatively, multiple microphones 204 may be provided, and the microphone for sounds outside the cage 102 and the microphone for sounds inside the cage 102 may be of a type that is easy to collect sounds outside the cage 102 and sounds inside the cage 102, respectively, and the microphones may be arranged in a manner that makes it easy to collect sounds within the housing.

Specifically, the microphone 204 may be a moving coil type microphone that is composed of a diaphragm (vibration plate), a moving coil, a magnet, etc. Alternatively, the microphone 204 may be a ribbon type microphone that is composed of a ribbon of thin metal foil made of aluminum or the like with creases that is hung between slits sandwiched between magnetic poles. The microphone 204 converts the sound input as analog data into an electrical signal. Specifically, the microphone 204 converts the analog sound signal input as analog data into digital form, generating digital sound data.

The speaker 205 outputs sound toward the outside or inside of the cage. There may be one speaker 205 that outputs sound toward both the outside and inside of the cage 102. Alternatively, multiple speakers 205 may be provided, and the speakers for the outside of the cage 102 and the speakers for the inside of the cage 102 may be of a type or be positioned within the housing such that the sound can easily reach the outside and inside of the cage 102, respectively.

The speaker 205 generates sound by vibrating a diaphragm with an electrical signal, which is an audio signal. Specifically, the speaker 205 can be realized by, for example, a dynamic speaker equipped with a magnet, a speaker cone, a voice coil, etc. The speaker 205 may be a so-called directional speaker that generates sound in only one direction.

Sensor 206 is made up of various sensors. Examples of the various sensors include an air pressure sensor, an acceleration sensor, an infrared sensor, a capacitance sensor, a gyro sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a magnetic orientation sensor, a GPS sensor, and the like.

The air pressure sensor detects the air pressure at the first measuring device 160 and the second measuring device 170, and can also calculate the altitude (above sea level) at the setting location of the air pressure sensor from the detected air pressure value or the amount of change in the air pressure value.

The acceleration sensor detects gravity, motion such as vibration, and impacts acting on the second measuring device 170. For example, a frequency change type acceleration sensor such as a quartz acceleration sensor, which has low noise and high stability, may be used as the acceleration sensor. Alternatively, a piezoelectric acceleration sensor, a capacitance acceleration sensor, a piezo-resistance acceleration sensor, or the like may be used as the acceleration sensor.

The gyro sensor detects the amount of change in the angle of the second measuring device 170. The gyro sensor detects the amount of change in the angle of the second measuring device 170, for example, by measuring angular velocity using the Coriolis force.

The ultrasonic sensor detects the distance from an object (such as a wall of the elevator shaft HW or an obstacle) located around the second measuring device 170. The ultrasonic sensor detects the distance from an object located around the second measuring device 170, for example, by utilizing the rebound of emitted ultrasonic waves.

The magnetic orientation sensor detects whether the second measurement device 170 is facing north, south, east or west. This makes it possible to detect how much the orientation of the second measurement device 170, which normally does not shift, has shifted.

The GPS sensor identifies the current positions of the first measuring device 160 and the second measuring device 170. Specifically, the GPS sensor includes, for example, a GPS antenna, an RF (Radio Frequency) unit, and a baseband unit. The GPS antenna receives radio waves broadcast by GPS satellites. The RF unit demodulates the pre-modulation signal received by the GPS antenna into a baseband signal. The baseband unit calculates the current positions of the first measuring device 160 and the second measuring device 170 based on the baseband signal demodulated by the RF unit. The GPS sensor may further include a filter that removes unnecessary components and an amplifier such as an LNA (Low Noise Amplifier) or a PA (Power Amplifier).

The current positions of the first measuring device 160 and the second measuring device 170 can be determined by positioning based on radio waves transmitted from multiple GPS satellites. The baseband unit calculates the distances to each of the four GPS satellites and performs positioning by calculating the position where the respective distances intersect. Instead of GPS, which determines the geometric positions of the GPS satellites and the first measuring device 160 and the second measuring device 170 based on radio waves received from the GPS satellites, the current positions of the first measuring device 160 and the second measuring device 170 may be determined using satellite positioning systems such as Michibiki, GLONASS, and Galileo.

Although not shown in the figures, the first measuring device 160 and the second measuring device 170 may be equipped with a battery. By providing a battery, the first measuring device 160 and the second measuring device 170 can be operated for a predetermined time even if the power supply from the car box 112 is cut off due to a power outage or the like.

The battery supplies the power required for the operation of each component of the first measuring device 160 and the second measuring device 170. The battery can be realized, for example, by a secondary battery (rechargeable battery, storage battery) such as a lithium battery. The battery realized by the secondary battery may be detachable from the second measuring device 170.

(Functional configuration of the first measuring device and the second measuring device)
Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the first and second measurement devices of the elevator according to the embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 3, the first measurement device 160 includes a control unit 301, an air pressure measurement unit 302, an elevator shaft communication unit 303, and an external communication unit 304. The second measurement device 170 includes a control unit 351, an air pressure measurement unit 352, an elevator shaft communication unit 353, and an external communication unit 354.

The control unit 301 of the first measuring device 160 and the control unit 351 of the second measuring device 170 can realize their functions by, for example, the CPU 201 shown in Figure 2 executing a program stored in the memory 202. The air pressure measurement unit 302 of the first measuring device 160 and the air pressure measurement unit 352 of the second measuring device 170 can realize their functions by, for example, the sensor 206 shown in Figure 2, particularly the air pressure sensor. In addition, the hoistway communication unit 303 and the external communication unit 304 of the first measuring device 160 and the hoistway communication unit 353 and the external communication unit 354 of the second measuring device 170 can realize their functions by, for example, the communication I/F 203 shown in Figure 2.

In the first measuring device 160, the control unit 301 is responsible for controlling the entire first measuring device 160. The air pressure measurement unit 302 measures the air pressure at the position where the first measuring device 160 is installed, and outputs the measured air pressure value to the control unit 301. The intra-hoistway communication unit 303 performs communication within the hoistway with the second measuring device 170. Communication within the hoistway is performed by a wireless interface using a LoRa communication system or a wireless interface using Wi-Fi. Communication may also be by wire (such as a communication cable).

The external communication unit 304 communicates with external devices (such as the remote monitoring device 140, the management server computer 150, and the robot 300). The external communication unit 304 can communicate wirelessly with the external devices via a network NW such as the Internet. Since the remote monitoring device 140 may be installed near the first measuring device 160, such as in the elevator shaft HW or in the machine room, the external communication unit 304 may communicate with the remote monitoring device 140 by wired communication or a wireless interface using a LoRa communication system or a wireless interface using Wi-Fi without going through the network NW. Also, instead of the external communication unit 304, the elevator shaft communication unit 303 may be used to communicate with the remote monitoring device 140.

The control unit 301 then transmits the air pressure value information regarding the air pressure value output from the air pressure measurement unit 302 to the second measurement device 160 via the elevator shaft communication unit 303. Specifically, for example, the air pressure measurement unit 302 measures the air pressure at the position where the first measurement device 160 is installed at a predetermined time interval (for example, every second). Then, the air pressure value measured at the predetermined time interval (for example, every second) is output to the control unit 301.

The control unit 301 outputs information on the air pressure value output from the air pressure measurement unit 302 at a predetermined time interval (for example, every second) ("first air pressure value information") to the hoistway communication unit 303. At that time, current time information held by the CPU 201 shown in FIG. 2 may also be output to the hoistway communication unit 303 together with the first air pressure value information. The control unit 301 may also store the first air pressure value information in the memory 202 shown in FIG. 2 in association with the time information.

The hoistway communication unit 303 transmits the first air pressure value information and its time information to the second measuring device 170 (the hoistway communication unit 353) at a predetermined time interval (for example, every second). In this way, the first air pressure value information can be transmitted to the second measuring device 170 in real time. However, the predetermined time interval at which the air pressure is measured by the air pressure measurement unit 302 and the predetermined time interval at which the air pressure is transmitted to the second measuring device 170 by the hoistway communication unit 303 do not necessarily have to be the same. In other words, the hoistway communication unit 303 may transmit a plurality (for example, five) of the first air pressure value information measured, for example, every second by the air pressure measurement unit 302, to the second measuring device 170, for example, every five seconds. This can reduce the power required for transmitting information between the first measuring device 160 and the second measuring device 170.

In this way, the predetermined time interval at which the air pressure measurement unit 302 measures the air pressure and the predetermined time interval at which the elevator shaft communication unit 302 transmits the air pressure to the second measurement device 170 may be synchronous or asynchronous. The predetermined time interval at which the air pressure measurement unit 302 measures the air pressure may be variable depending on the time of day or the status of the elevator 100 (for example, the time interval at which the air pressure is measured may be longer during the night, when the frequency of use is low. Also, the time interval at which the air pressure is measured may be shorter in situations or time periods when the frequency of use is high).

Similarly, the specified time interval at which the elevator shaft communication unit 303 transmits the first air pressure value information to the second measuring device 170 may be made variable depending on the time of day and the status of the elevator 100 (for example, the time interval for measuring air pressure may be longer during the night, when usage is less frequent. Also, the time interval for measuring air pressure may be shorter in situations or time periods when usage is more frequent).

In addition, the intra-hoistway communication unit 303 receives information ("request information") relating to a request to obtain the first air pressure value information sent from the second measuring device 170. Upon receiving this request information, the intra-hoistway communication unit 303 outputs this request information to the control unit 301. Upon receiving this request information from the intra-hoistway communication unit 303, the control unit 301 outputs information ("first air pressure value information") relating to the latest air pressure value output from the air pressure measurement unit 302 to the intra-hoistway communication unit 303 and current time information to the intra-hoistway communication unit 303.

The elevator shaft communication unit 303 then transmits the first air pressure value information and its time information to the second measurement device 170 (the elevator shaft communication unit 353). The latest first air pressure value information transmitted may be one, or multiple (for example, five pieces of first air pressure value information per second over a five-second period). The number (how many seconds the information covers) may be included in the request information transmitted from the second measurement device 170.

The first air pressure value information differs from the second air pressure value information of the second measuring device 170 described below in that the position (height) of the first measuring device 160 is fixed, and therefore the air pressure value changes little (almost none) over a short period of time. Therefore, one piece of first air pressure value information is sufficient. However, taking into account measurement errors, etc., multiple pieces of first air pressure value information may be obtained, and a more accurate standard of judgment can be established based on the multiple pieces of first air pressure value information obtained.

The external communication unit 304 receives information ("request information") regarding a request to obtain first air pressure value information sent from an external device (remote monitoring device 140, management server computer 150, robot 300). This request information is requested by the external device to know the status of the cage 102, and upon receiving this request information, the external communication unit 304 outputs this request information to the control unit 301. Upon receiving this request information from the intra-hoistway communication unit 303, the control unit 301 outputs information regarding the latest air pressure value output from the air pressure measurement unit 302 ("first air pressure value information") to the intra-hoistway communication unit 303 and current time information to the intra-hoistway communication unit 303. The intra-hoistway communication unit 303 transmits the first air pressure value information and its time information to the second measurement device 170 (the intra-hoistway communication unit 353 of the second measurement device 170).

In this way, the output of the first air pressure value information by the first measuring device 160 (transmission to the second measuring device 170) can be performed at predetermined time intervals, and can be performed in response to a request from the second measuring unit 170 or a request from an external device.

Although the first air pressure value information is output by transmitting it from the elevator communication unit 303 to the second measuring device 170, it may also be transmitted from the external communication unit 304 to an external device. Specifically, for example, a request may be made from the management server computer 150 to determine the appropriateness of the first air pressure value information. The management server computer 150 can periodically determine whether the air pressure value is appropriate (e.g., whether the first measuring device 160 is operating normally or has broken down) based on the first air pressure value information obtained from the first measuring device 160.

In the second measuring device 170, the control unit 351 is responsible for controlling the entire second measuring device 170. The air pressure measurement unit 352 measures the air pressure at a position outside the car 102 where the second measuring device 170 is installed, and outputs the measured air pressure value to the control unit 351. The intra-hoistway communication unit 353 performs communication within the hoistway with the first measuring device 160 (its intra-hoistway communication unit 303).

The external communication unit 354 communicates with external devices (such as the remote monitoring device 140, the management server computer 150, and the robot 300) in the same manner as the external communication unit 304 of the first measuring device 160. The external communication unit 354 can perform wireless communication with the external device via a network NW such as the Internet. Since the remote monitoring device 140 may be installed in the elevator shaft HW or in a machine room, the external communication unit 354 may communicate with the remote monitoring device 140 by wired communication or a wireless interface using a LoRa communication system or a wireless interface using Wi-Fi without going through the network NW. Also, instead of the external communication unit 354, the elevator shaft communication unit 353 may be used to communicate with the remote monitoring device 140.

In FIG. 3, the first measurement unit 160 has an external communication unit 304, and the second measurement unit 17 has an external communication unit 354, but when communicating with an external device, it is sufficient to have either the external communication unit 304 of the first measurement unit 160 or the external communication unit 354 of the second measurement unit 170. This can reduce the overall cost of the two measurement devices. In addition, by having both the external communication unit 304 of the first measurement unit 160 and the external communication unit 354 of the second measurement unit 170, the two may be used separately depending on the communication situation, etc. For example, the external communication unit 354 of the second measurement device 170 is usually used, but when communication by the external communication unit 354 is not stable, the external communication unit 304 of the first measurement device 160 may be used. This allows communication with an external device to be performed more smoothly and reliably.

The control unit 351 judges the status of the car 102 in the elevator shaft HW based on the first air pressure value (measured by the first measuring device 160 and acquired from the first measuring device 160, i.e., the first air pressure value related to the first air pressure value information transmitted at predetermined time intervals from the elevator shaft communication unit 303 of the first measuring device 160 or transmitted in response to a transmission request from the second measuring device 170) and the air pressure value measured by the air pressure measurement unit 352 (the "second air pressure value"). The control unit 351 may also store the second air pressure value information and information related to the judgment result in the memory 202 shown in FIG. 2 in association with time information.

When comparing the first and second air pressure values, the first and second air pressure values are compared with the second air pressure value information measured at the same time as the time information obtained together with the first air pressure value information, based on the time information. Therefore, it is necessary to always synchronize the time information between the first measuring device 160 and the second measuring device 170.

The status of the cage 102 may be, for example, the position of the cage 102 in the hoistway HW. The position of the cage 102 in the hoistway HW can be determined based on the difference between the first air pressure value and the second air pressure value. For example, if the difference between the first air pressure value and the second air pressure value is small, it can be determined that the position of the cage 102 in the hoistway is located at an altitude close to the first measuring device 160. More specifically, if the first measuring device 160 is provided at a position close to the top of the hoistway HW, the "first air pressure value > second air pressure value", and it can be determined that the smaller the difference between the first air pressure value and the second air pressure value, the higher the cage 102 is located in the hoistway HW, and the larger the difference between the first air pressure value and the second air pressure value, the lower the cage 102 is located in the hoistway HW.

Furthermore, when the first measuring device 160 is provided at a position close to the lowest part (bottom) of the elevator shaft HW, it can be determined that the "first air pressure value < the second air pressure value", and the smaller the difference between the first air pressure value and the second air pressure value, the lower the car 102 is located in the elevator shaft HW, and the larger the difference between the first air pressure value and the second air pressure value, the higher the car 102 is located in the elevator shaft HW.

Furthermore, if the first measuring device 160 is provided at a position near the middle of the hoistway HW, the smaller the difference between the first and second air pressure values, the closer the car 102 is to the height of the first measuring device 160 in the hoistway HW, and the larger the difference between the first and second air pressure values, the farther the car 102 is to the height of the first measuring device 160 in the hoistway HW. If the "first air pressure value > second air pressure value", it can be determined that the car 102 is located below the position of the first measuring device 160 in the hoistway HW, and if the "first air pressure value < second air pressure value", it can be determined that the car 102 is located above the position of the first measuring device 160 in the hoistway HW.

In addition, the numerical difference in the air pressure values indicates the height within the elevator shaft HW where the car 102 is located, and therefore indicates on which floor the car 102 is located, or between which floors.

The second air pressure value alone can be used to determine a certain height within the elevator shaft HW of the car 102, but considering that atmospheric pressure changes depending on the climate, the position (height) of the car 102 within the elevator shaft HW can be determined more accurately based on the difference between the first air pressure value and the second air pressure value.

The status of the cage 102 may also be, for example, whether the cage 102 is stopped or moving, determined based on the amount of change in the difference between the first and second air pressure values. For example, the amount of change is obtained based on the difference between the first and second air pressure values every second. If the difference between the first and second air pressure values does not change, or if the range of the amount of change is smaller than a predetermined range, including the margin of error, it is determined that the cage 102 is stopped.

Furthermore, if the difference has changed, or if the range of the change is greater than a predetermined range, it can be determined that the car 102 is moving (rising or descending) within the elevator shaft HW. More specifically, if the first measuring device 160 is provided in a position close to the top of the elevator shaft HW, then "the first air pressure value > the second air pressure value", and if the amount of change in the difference between the first and second air pressure values is small, it can be determined that the car 102 is ascending the elevator shaft HW, and if the amount of change in the difference between the first and second air pressure values is large, it can be determined that the car 102 is descending the elevator shaft HW.

Furthermore, when the first measuring device 160 is provided at a position close to the lowest part (bottom) of the elevator shaft HW, the "first air pressure value < second air pressure value", and if the amount of change in the difference between the first air pressure value and the second air pressure value is large, it can be determined that the car 102 is ascending up the elevator shaft HW, and if the amount of change in the difference between the first air pressure value and the second air pressure value is small, it can be determined that the car 102 is descending up the elevator shaft HW.

In addition, when the first measuring device 160 is provided at a position near the middle of the elevator shaft HW, if the amount of change in the difference between the first and second air pressure values is small, it is determined that the car 102 is approaching the first measuring device 160 of the elevator shaft HW, and if the amount of change in the difference between the first and second air pressure values is large, it is determined that the car 102 is moving away from the first measuring device 160 of the elevator shaft HW. In addition, when the "first air pressure value > second air pressure value", the car 102 is located below the position of the first measuring device 160 of the elevator shaft HW, so if the amount of change in the difference between the first and second air pressure values is small, the car 102 is rising to approach the first measuring device 160 of the elevator shaft HW, and if the amount of change in the difference between the first and second air pressure values is large, the car 102 is descending to move away from the first measuring device 160 of the elevator shaft HW. Furthermore, when "the first air pressure value < the second air pressure value," the car 102 is located above the position of the first measuring device 160 in the elevator shaft HW, so if the amount of change in the difference between the first air pressure value and the second air pressure value is large, the car 102 is rising away from the first measuring device 160 in the elevator shaft HW, and if the amount of change in the difference between the first air pressure value and the second air pressure value is small, the car 102 is descending toward the first measuring device 160 in the elevator shaft HW.

In addition, the numerical value of the difference in the air pressure values indicates at what height in the elevator shaft HW the car 102 is stopped or moving, so it is possible to know at what floor the car 102 is stopped or between which floors it is stopped. It is also possible to know near which floor the car is moving or between which floors it is moving.

In addition, if it is only about whether the cage 102 is stopped or moving, it can be determined from only the change in the second air pressure value. In other words, if the second air pressure value changes to a smaller value, it is understood that the cage 102 is rising, and if the second air pressure value changes to an larger value, it is understood that the cage 102 is descending. However, since the atmospheric pressure changes, there are cases where a more accurate position (height) of the cage 102 cannot be determined from only the second air pressure value.

The control unit 351 may store information regarding the result of the determination of the situation as to whether the cage 102 is stopped or moving, which is determined based on the amount of change in the difference between the first air pressure value and the second air pressure value, in the memory 202 shown in Figure 2 in association with time information.

When there is a request from an external device to output the status of the car 102, the control unit 351 determines the status of the car 102 based on the first air pressure value and the second air pressure value, and outputs information related to the determined status of the car 102 to the external device using the external communication unit 354. Alternatively, the information related to the status may be output to the external device using the intra-hoistway communication unit 353 via the intra-hoistway communication unit 303 and the external communication unit 304 of the first measurement unit 160.

The control unit 351 judges the status of the car 102 based on the first air pressure value and the second air pressure value, and if it determines that the judged status of the car 102 is an abnormal state, it outputs information related to the status to an external device using the external communication unit 354. Alternatively, the information related to the status may be output to an external device using the intra-hoistway communication unit 353 via the intra-hoistway communication unit 303 and the external communication unit 304 of the first measurement unit 160. The information related to the status may include identification information of the elevator 100, etc.

An abnormal state is, for example, when the car 102 is located between floors in the elevator shaft HW and the car 102 is stopped. In this case, an occupant may be trapped inside the car 102, and therefore the abnormal state can be determined. In such a state, as described below, sound from inside the car 102 may be collected by the microphone 204 shown in FIG. 2, and an abnormal state may be determined based on the collected sound. Also, an infrared sensor or the like of the sensors 206 shown in FIG. 2 may be used to determine whether an occupant is inside the car, and whether entrapment has occurred may be determined based on the result of this determination.

In addition, if the first air pressure value and the second air pressure value exceed the normal range, this may be considered to be an abnormal state, as this may indicate that some abnormality or malfunction has occurred in the elevator 100.

The control unit 351 judges the status of the cage 102 based on the first air pressure value and the second air pressure value, and when the judged status of the cage 102 is that the position of the cage 102 in the elevator shaft HW is between floors (a position between floors where the door of the cage 102 cannot be opened or closed) and the cage 102 is stopped, the cage 102 is moved to the floor (floor) closest to the current position because there is a possibility that a passenger is trapped in the cage 102. In such a state, as described later, the microphone 204 shown in FIG. 2 collects sounds in the cage 102, and when the microphone 204 collects a predetermined sound or a sound similar to the sound based on the collected sounds and the detection results of the infrared sensor, it may be determined whether or not an abnormal state exists based on the collected sounds. Then, when it is determined that a trapping has occurred, the cage 102 may be moved.

Specifically, when the determined status of the car 102 is that the position of the car 102 in the elevator shaft HW is between floors and the car 102 is stopped, the control unit 351 estimates the current position (height) of the car 102 based on the first air pressure value and the second air pressure value, and determines the nearest floor from the current position. For example, when it is estimated that the car 102 is stopped between the third and fourth floors, it determines which of the third and fourth floors is closer.

Then, the call signal for the floor that is determined to be close (for example, the third floor) is sent to the car operation panel 102b. Specifically, for example, a signal line (branch wiring) is individually connected to the middle of the signal line (existing wiring) between the operation button 101 and the car operation panel 102b, and a signal similar to the button operation signal (car call signal) is sent to the branch wiring for the fourth floor among the branch wiring, so that the call signal can be sent (input) to the car operation panel 102b. When the signal is input, the car operation panel 102 determines that a car call operation for the third floor has been performed and sends a signal to that effect to the car control board 112, and the car control board 112 that receives the signal sends a signal related to the car call operation for the third floor to the control panel 101. As a result, the control panel 101 can perform the operation of moving the car to the third floor.

The control unit 351 may also be configured to transmit a call signal directly to the car control board 112 instead of transmitting it to the car internal operation panel 102b.

The control unit 301, 351 may then transmit the judgment result, i.e., information regarding the judged abnormality (including the pressing of the direct talk button), to an external device using the external communication unit 304, 354.

2 to output sound related to predetermined information toward outside or inside the cage 102. The control unit 301, 351 may also use the speaker 205 shown in FIG. 2 to output sound related to information received by the external communication unit 304, 354 from an external device toward outside or inside the cage 102. The control unit 301 also transmits information related to the sound collected by the microphone 204 to the external device 300 using the external communication unit 304, 354.

Furthermore, the control unit 351 may determine that a low pressure is approaching when both the first and second air pressure values are lower than a predetermined value based on the first and second air pressure values, and move the cage 102 to the top floor or a higher floor. In this way, it is possible to prevent the cage 102 from becoming flooded due to heavy rain caused by a low pressure. In this way, when a low pressure is approaching, the first measuring device 160 and the second measuring device 170 can determine to switch to a flood avoidance mode.

In this flood avoidance mode, even during normal operation, if a passenger gets off, the car is moved to the top floor or a higher floor and stopped there. Also, when the frequency of use decreases, such as late at night, the car is similarly moved to the top floor or a higher floor and stopped there. Also, an external device may be notified that the car has been moved to the top floor or a higher floor and stopped there after switching to the flood avoidance mode. When both the first air pressure value and the second air pressure value become higher than a predetermined value, the flood avoidance mode is released and normal operation is resumed.

The external device may also be a robot 300. The robot 300 may be, for example, a self-propelled, autonomous transport robot that can move by itself, without relying on human hands, actually enter the car 102 of the elevator 100, and move between floors of a building.

Specifically, for example, assume that robot 300 on the first floor moves to the desired floor, the fourth floor. First, information about the floor robot 300 is currently on, i.e., the floor the user wishes to board (first floor), is input to robot 300. The information about the floor the user wishes to board may be input to robot 300 manually by an operator directly using a touch panel, which will be described later, or may be input remotely via wireless communication. Information about the floor robot 300 is currently on may be input to robot 300 in advance, or robot 300 itself may obtain information about the floor the user is currently on.

When information regarding the desired floor to board (first floor) is input, the robot 300 transmits request information requesting the movement of the car to that floor (first floor) to the first measuring device 160 or the second measuring device 170 via the network NW, either directly or via the management server computer 150 or the remote monitoring device 140. When transmitting to the first measuring device 160, the request information is transmitted to the second measuring device 170 by the elevator shaft communication units 303, 353. This request information includes information regarding the desired floor to board (first floor), as well as the ID information of the robot 300 itself and the ID information of the elevator (cage) to board.

When the second measuring device 170 receives the operation command information, it transmits information regarding the desired boarding floor (first floor) to the car operation panel 102b or the car control board 112. The specific transmission method is as described above.

The signal sent to the car operation panel 102b is sent to the car control board 112. The car control board 112 sends the information to the control panel 101. This allows the car to be moved to the first floor, so that the robot 300 can get into the car on the first floor without manually operating the operation button "1" in the car 102 or operating the call button at the boarding area on the first floor.

After getting into the elevator car, the robot 300 similarly transmits request information requesting movement to the desired floor (fourth floor) to the second measuring device 170. This request information may include information about the desired floor (fourth floor), as well as ID information of the robot 300 and ID information of the elevator that moves the car.

When the control unit 351 of the second measuring device 170 receives the request information from the robot 300, the second measuring device 170 transmits information about the desired boarding floor (first floor) to the car operation panel 102b or the car control board 112. As a result, the robot 300 that boards the car on the first floor can move up to the fourth floor in the car and then get off the car on the fourth floor, so that it can move from the first floor to the fourth floor without manually operating an operation button.

Here, the robot 300 transmits the movement floor information, but this is not limited to the robot 300, and communication devices such as a personal computer with communication functions or a smartphone may be used instead of the robot 300. This makes it possible to easily and reliably give instructions to move the car even when it is not possible to directly operate the call button at the elevator hall or the operation button inside the car.

Specifically, when the travel floor information is sent using a computer or smartphone, the travel floor information is sent to the first measuring device 160 or the second measuring device 170 via the network NW directly or via the management server computer 150 and the remote monitoring device 140. When sent to the first measuring device 160, it is sent to the second measuring device 170 by the elevator shaft communication units 303, 353. This allows the car to be moved to the desired floor, and the elevator can be controlled to move to the destination floor from a remote location.

(Procedure for processing elevator control devices)
4 and 5 are flow charts showing the procedure of processing by the first measurement device of the elevator according to the embodiment of the present invention, and show the basic operation of outputting air pressure value information of the first measurement device 160.

In the flowchart of FIG. 4, it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed (step S401). Here, after waiting for the predetermined time to elapse (step S401: No), if the predetermined time has elapsed (step S401: Yes), the elevator shaft communication unit 303 transmits the air pressure value information of the air pressure measured by the air pressure measurement unit 302 to the second measurement device 170 (step S402). Then, the process returns to step S401, and the processes of steps S401 and S402 are repeatedly executed. This allows the first measurement device 160 to continuously transmit the first air pressure value to the second measurement device 170 at a predetermined time interval.

5, it is determined whether or not a request for transmission of the first air pressure value information has been received from an external device or the second measuring device 170 (step S501). Specifically, it is determined whether the external communication unit 304 of the first measuring device 160 has received information regarding the transmission request transmitted from an external device, or whether the intra-hoistway communication unit 303 of the first measuring device 160 has received information regarding the transmission request transmitted from the intra-hoistway communication unit 353 of the second measuring device 170.

Here, the system waits for a transmission request (step S501: No), and if a transmission request has been received (step S501: Yes), the intra-hoistway communication unit 303 transmits the air pressure value information of the air pressure measured by the air pressure measurement unit 302 to the second measurement device 170 (step S502), and the series of processes ends. This allows the first measurement device 160 to transmit the first air pressure value to the second measurement device 170 in response to a request from the second measurement device 170 or an external device.

In this way, the first measuring device 160 can transmit the first air pressure value information measured by the first measuring device 160 to the second measuring device 170 by either the processing procedure of the flowchart of Figure 4 or the processing procedure of the flowchart of Figure 5.

Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the processing steps of the first measuring device of an elevator in an embodiment of the present invention, and shows the basic operation of outputting status information of the car 102 of the first measuring device 160.

In the flowchart of Figure 6, the elevator communication unit 303 determines whether or not it has received status information of the cage 102 from the second measuring device 170 (step S601). Here, it waits for the status information to be received (step S601: No), and if the status information has been received (step S601: Yes), the external communication unit 304 transmits the received status information to an external device (step S602), and the series of processes ends. This allows the first measuring device 160 to transmit status information regarding the status of the cage 102 determined by the second measuring device 170 to the external device.

Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the processing steps of the second measuring device of an elevator in an embodiment of the present invention, and shows the basic operation of determining the status of the car 102 of the second measuring device 170.

In the flowchart of Figure 7, the hoistway communication unit 353 of the second measuring device 170 determines whether it has received first air pressure value information from the first measuring device 160 (its hoistway communication unit 303) (step S701). The first air pressure value information was transmitted from the first measuring device 160 to the second measuring device 170 in step S402 of the flowchart of Figure 4 or in step S502 of the flowchart of Figure 5.

Here, the system waits for reception of the first air pressure value information (step S701: No), and if the first air pressure value is received (step S701: Yes), the system judges the status of the cage 102 based on the air pressure value associated with the received first air pressure value information and the second air pressure value measured by the air pressure measurement unit 352 (step S702).

Next, it is determined whether or not to report the status of the cage 102 determined in step S702 to an external device (step S703). If it is determined that the status should not be reported (no need to report) (step S703: No), the process proceeds to step S705. On the other hand, if it is determined that the status should be reported (no need to report) (step S703: Yes), the intra-hoistway communication unit 353 transmits status information of the cage 102 to the first measuring device 160 (step S704). The transmitted status information is received by the intra-hoistway communication unit 303 of the first measuring device 160 in step S601 of the flowchart in FIG. 6. Then, the process proceeds to step S705.

Next, based on the status of the cage 102 determined in step S702, it is determined whether or not to move the cage 102 (step S705). If it is determined that the cage 102 should be moved (no need to be moved) (step S705: No), the series of processes ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that the cage 102 should be moved (no need to be moved) (step S705: Yes), the control unit 351 generates a call signal and outputs the generated call signal to the cage operation panel 102b or cage control board 112 (step S706). This ends the series of processes.

Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the processing steps of the second measuring device of an elevator in an embodiment of the present invention, showing the basic operation in which the second measuring device 170 requests first air pressure value information from the first measuring device 160.

In the flowchart of Figure 8, the second measuring device 170 determines whether a predetermined condition is satisfied (step S801). The predetermined condition is when an external device requests the status of the car 102, when the second air pressure value exceeds the normal range, when an earthquake or an abnormality in the operation of the elevator 100 is detected by another sensor, etc.

At this point, the process waits for a predetermined condition to be satisfied (step S801: No), and if the predetermined condition is satisfied (step S801: Yes), the intra-hoistway communication unit 353 transmits information regarding a request to transmit the first air pressure value information to the first measuring device 160 (step S802). The transmitted information regarding the transmission request is received by the intra-hoistway communication unit 303 of the first measuring device 160 in step S501 of the flowchart in Figure 5. This ends the series of processes.

As described above, the elevator 100 of an embodiment of the present invention comprises a first measuring device 160 that is retrofitted at a predetermined position in the elevator shaft HW or the machine room and measures the air pressure at the predetermined position, and a second measuring device 170 that is retrofitted on the outside of the car 102 moving in the elevator shaft HW and measures the air pressure at the position of the car 102, and is characterized in that the status of the car 102 in the elevator shaft HW is determined based on the air pressure value measured by the first measuring device 160 (hereinafter referred to as the "first air pressure value") and the air pressure value measured by the second measuring device 170 (hereinafter referred to as the "second air pressure value").

According to the elevator 100 of the embodiment of the present invention, the measuring devices (first measuring device 160, second measuring device 170) can be easily attached to any type of elevator. By using the attached first measuring device 160 and second measuring device 170, no information is acquired from the control panel 101, so the status of the car 102 can be grasped by air pressure independently of the control panel 101 and regardless of the type of elevator, and the judgment result can be known even at a remote location (external device).

Furthermore, the elevator 100 of the embodiment of the present invention is further characterized in that, when it is determined that the status of the car 102 is abnormal, information regarding the status is output to an external device.

According to the elevator 100 of the embodiment of the present invention, an abnormal condition of the car 102 (an abnormality in the operation of the elevator 100) can be detected from a remote location and a rapid response can be made, thereby enabling the elevator to be operated more safely.

Furthermore, the elevator 100 of the embodiment of the present invention is further characterized in that, when an output request for the status of the car 102 is received from an external device (remote monitoring device 140, management server computer 150, robot 300), information regarding the status is output to the external device (remote monitoring device 140, management server computer 150, robot 300).

According to the elevator 100 of the embodiment of the present invention, when an external device wants to know the status of the elevator 100, the status can be easily known. This makes it possible to perform remote monitoring and remote diagnosis more easily and reliably. In addition, since the robot 300 using the elevator 100 can know the status of the car 102 in advance, the robot 300 can use the elevator 100 more efficiently.

Furthermore, the elevator 100 of the embodiment of the present invention is further characterized in that the status of the car 102 is determined based on the difference between the first air pressure value and the second air pressure value, that is, the position of the car 102 in the elevator shaft HW.

According to the elevator 100 of this embodiment of the present invention, the position of the car 102 in the elevator shaft HW is determined based on the difference between a first air pressure value at a fixed position and a second air pressure value at the position of the car 102 moving in the elevator shaft HW, so that a more accurate position can be determined without being affected by fluctuations in atmospheric pressure.

Furthermore, the elevator 100 of the embodiment of the present invention is further characterized in that the status of the car 102 is whether the car 102 is stopped or moving, which is determined based on the amount of change in the second air pressure value or the amount of change in the difference between the first air pressure value and the second air pressure value.

According to the elevator 100 of the embodiment of the present invention, a judgment is made based on the amount of change caused by a change in the position of the car 102 moving in the elevator shaft HW, so that it is possible to more accurately judge whether the car 102 is stopped or moving.

Furthermore, the elevator 100 of the embodiment of the present invention is further characterized in that, when the status of the car 102 is such that the position of the car 102 in the elevator shaft HW is between floors and the car 102 is stopped, information regarding the status is output to an external device (remote monitoring device 140, management server computer 150, robot 300).

According to the elevator 100 of the embodiment of the present invention, the car 102 does not normally stop between floors in the elevator shaft HW, and in such a case, it is determined that there is an operational abnormality and output to an external device, so that the external device can more quickly grasp and deal with the operational abnormality, thereby ensuring safer operation of the elevator 100.

Furthermore, the elevator 100 of the embodiment of the present invention is further characterized in that, when the status of the car 102 is such that the position of the car 102 in the elevator shaft HW is between floors and the car 102 is stopped, the car 102 is moved from its current position to the nearest floor.

According to the elevator 100 of the embodiment of the present invention, during normal operation, the car 102 does not stop between floors in the elevator shaft HW, and in such a case, an operational abnormality is determined and output to an external device, so that any entrapment of passengers inside the car 102 can be automatically and more quickly resolved, thereby ensuring safer operation of the elevator 100.

Furthermore, the elevator 100 of the embodiment of the present invention is further characterized in that the first measuring device 160 and the second measuring device 170 are communicatively connected, the first measuring device 160 transmits a first air pressure value to the second measuring device 170 at a predetermined time interval, and the second measuring device 170 determines the status of the car 102 in the elevator shaft HW based on the received first air pressure value and a second air pressure value measured at the same time as the first air pressure value.

Furthermore, the elevator 100 of the embodiment of the present invention is further characterized in that the first measuring device 160 and the second measuring device 170 are communicatively connected, the first measuring device 160 transmits a first air pressure value to the second measuring device 170 in response to a request from the second measuring device 170 or an external device (remote monitoring device 140, management server computer 150, robot 300), and the second measuring device 170 determines the status of the car 102 in the elevator shaft HW based on the received first air pressure value and a second air pressure value measured at the same time as the first air pressure value.

According to the elevator 100 of the embodiment of the present invention, a first measuring device 160 that measures air pressure at a position of fixed height and a second measuring device 170 that measures air pressure at the position of the car 102 whose height varies operate in conjunction with each other, so that the status of the car 102 can be grasped more quickly.

Furthermore, the elevator 100 of the embodiment of the present invention is further characterized in that the second measuring device 170 transmits information regarding the status to the first measuring device 160, and the first measuring device 160 is communicatively connected to an external device (remote monitoring device 140, management server computer 150, robot 300) and transmits the information regarding the status received from the second measuring device 170 to the external device.

Furthermore, the elevator 100 of the embodiment of the present invention is further characterized in that the first measuring device 160 is provided at a position capable of wireless communication with external devices (remote monitoring device 140, management server computer 150, robot 300) via the network NW.

According to the elevator 100 of the embodiment of the present invention, the first measuring device 160 and the second measuring device 170 operate in conjunction with each other, so that the status of the car 102 can be more quickly and reliably notified to an external device.

Other Embodiments
In the above embodiment, the first air pressure value information is transmitted from the first measuring device 160 to the second measuring device 170, and the second measuring device 170 judges the status of the car 102 based on the first air pressure value information received and the second air pressure value information measured by the second measuring device 170. In contrast, the second air pressure value information may be transmitted from the second measuring device 170 to the first measuring device 160, and the first measuring device 160 may judge the status of the car 102 based on the second air pressure value information received and the first air pressure value information measured by the first measuring device 160. In this case, the status information is transmitted to an external device using the external communication unit 304. In addition, the call signal of the car 102 is transmitted to the car operation panel 102b or the car control board 112 via the second measuring device 170 through the hoistway communication units 303 and 353.

In yet another embodiment, both the first measuring device 160 and the second measuring device 170 may independently determine the status of the car 102 based on the first air pressure value information and the second air pressure value information. This allows a more accurate determination of the status of the car 102. Furthermore, if there is a discrepancy between the two determinations, it can be determined that one of the devices is broken or that an abnormal condition has occurred in the elevator 100.

As described above, the elevator of the present invention is useful for elevators that can determine the status of the car, and is particularly suitable for elevators that can be easily retrofitted regardless of the type of elevator and can determine the status of the car without obtaining information from the control panel.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Elevator 101 Control panel 102 Cage 102b Cage operation panel 112 Cage control board 140 Remote monitoring device 150 Management server computer 160 First measuring device 170 Second measuring device 300 Robot 301, 351 Control unit 302, 352 Air pressure measuring unit 303, 353 Hoistway internal communication unit 304, 354 External communication unit HW Hoistway NW Network

Claims (10)

a first measuring device that is retrofitted at a predetermined position in the elevator shaft or the machine room and measures air pressure at the predetermined position;
a second measuring device that is provided on the outside of the car moving in the elevator shaft and measures air pressure at the position of the car;
Equipped with
determining a state of the car in the elevator shaft (hereinafter referred to as a "car state") based on an air pressure value measured by the first measuring device (hereinafter referred to as a "first air pressure value") and an air pressure value measured by the second measuring device (hereinafter referred to as a "second air pressure value");
An elevator, characterized in that the car status is a status regarding whether the car is stopped or moving, determined based on the amount of change in the difference between the first air pressure value and the second air pressure value. a first measuring device that is retrofitted at a predetermined position in the elevator shaft or the machine room and measures air pressure at the predetermined position;
a second measuring device that is provided on the outside of the car moving in the elevator shaft and measures air pressure at the position of the car;
Equipped with
determining a state of the car in the elevator shaft (hereinafter referred to as a "car state") based on an air pressure value measured by the first measuring device (hereinafter referred to as a "first air pressure value") and an air pressure value measured by the second measuring device (hereinafter referred to as a "second air pressure value");
The elevator, characterized in that the car status is the position of the car in the elevator shaft, which is determined based on the difference between the first air pressure value and the second air pressure value, and a status regarding whether the car is stopped or moving, which is determined based on the amount of change in the second air pressure value or the amount of change in the difference between the first air pressure value and the second air pressure value. 3. The elevator according to claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that, when it is determined that the car status is in an abnormal state, information regarding the car status is output to an external device. 3. The elevator according to claim 1 , wherein when an output request for the car status is received from an external device, information regarding the car status is output to the external device. the first measuring device and the second measuring device are communicatively connected;
the first measuring device transmits the first air pressure value to the second measuring device at a predetermined time interval;
3. The elevator according to claim 1, wherein the second measuring device determines the state of the car in the elevator shaft based on the received first air pressure value and the second air pressure value measured at the same time as the first air pressure value. the first measuring device and the second measuring device are communicatively connected;
the first measurement device transmits the first air pressure value to the second measurement device in response to a request from the second measurement device or an external device;
3. The elevator according to claim 1, wherein the second measuring device determines the state of the car in the elevator shaft based on the received first air pressure value and the second air pressure value measured at the same time as the first air pressure value. the first measuring device and the second measuring device are communicatively connected;
The first measurement device transmits the first air pressure value to the second measurement device;
the second measuring device determines a state of the car in the elevator shaft based on the received first air pressure value and the second air pressure value measured at the same time as the first air pressure value, and transmits information regarding the state of the car to the first measuring device;
3. The elevator according to claim 1, wherein the first measurement device is communicatively connected to an external device and transmits information regarding the car status received from the second measurement device to the external device. 3. The elevator according to claim 1, wherein the first measuring device is provided at a position capable of wireless communication with an external device via a network. 3. The elevator according to claim 2 , wherein when the car status indicates that the position of the car in the elevator shaft is between floors and the car is stopped, information regarding the car status is output to an external device. 3. The elevator according to claim 2 , wherein the car status is such that, when the position of the car in the hoistway is between floors and the car is stopped, the car is moved to the nearest floor from its current position.

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