SG192362A1 - Electric safety elevator - Google Patents

Abstract

- 16 - OF THE DISCLOSUREThe electronic safety elevator (1) has a cab (10) operated by driving force generated by a motor (21), a controlling controller (41) that controls the operation of the cab (10), a safety device (241) for stopping the operation of the cab (10), an electric power supply controlling device (242) for controlling supply of electric power that activates the safety device (241), and an electronic controller (42) providing safety control by diagnosing operation of the electric power supply controlling device (242). The electronic controller (42) diagnoses the operation of the electric power supply controlling device (242) during a period from the start of opening of a door of the cab (10) at halt to completion of the opening of the door.FIG 2

Description

ELECTRIC SAFETY ELEVATOR

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an electric safety elevator and can be suitably applied to an electric safety elevator that provides safety control using an electronic controller.

In the past, various safety devices have been mounted to an elevator to secure safe operation of its cab. Each safety device is equipped with a detector for detecting an abnormality of the cab and with an execution unit for bringing the cab into a safety state.

The detector detects whether the cab is being operated within prescribed operating speed limits or the cab is within an operating range in the hoistway. One example of the detector is a final switch. Another example is a governor. A further example is a door switch.

When an abnormality is detected, the detector gives a notice to a controller.

The execution unit carries out given operations under the control of the controller to bring the cab into a safe state. One example of the execution unit is a deenergization device for deenergizing the drive motor to stop the operation of the hoist. Another example is an emergency stopper which is coupled to the cab and directly stops the motion of the cab.

In the past, controllers using mechanical control have been prevalent. In recent years, elevators equipped with electrically controlled controllers have been on the increase.

For example, safety devices for use with an elevator to self-diagnose faults of two relay drivers, respectively, mounted corresponding to relays for cutting off power supplied to a motor or a brake are disclosed in patent literature 1 (W0/2011/048664A1). In the safety devices described in patent literature No. 1 and for use with an elevator, if the cab of the elevator comes to a stop during normal operation, a self-diagnosis for detecting faults in the relay drivers is carried out.

Furthermore, patent literature 2 (W0/2005/082765) discloses a technique for carrying out a diagnosis of the operation of the cab whenever it comes to a halt at an accessible floor during normal operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Under the condition where an elevator comes to a halt and the door of its cab is open, the weight inside the cab increases or decreases when elevator’s users get into or out of the elevator or baggage is put into or out of the cab. Concomitantly, the main rope suspending the elevator elongates or shrinks, producing a step between the floor surface of the cab and the floor surface of the elevator lobby in front of the elevator. Thus, it is necessary to provide control such that these two floor surfaces are aligned (floor realignment control). If the floor realignment control is not provided and the step between the cab’s floor surface and the floor surface of the elevator lobby remains, it is dangerous for users who get into or out of the elevator. Also, itis inconvenient to load and unload freight.

However, the diagnoses set forth in patent literature 1 and 2 cannot be carried out if devices other than the subject of diagnosis are in operation and, therefore, it is impossible to provide the floor realignment control during a diagnosis. That is, the diagnoses set forth in patent literature 1 and 2 have the problem that the floor realignment control cannot be provided during a diagnosis because the diagnosis is made when the cab of the elevator is at halt.

In view of the foregoing, the present invention has been made. The invention is intended to propose an electric safety elevator providing safety control without hindering the control of the cab that is in normal operation.

To solve this problem, an electric safety elevator according to the present invention has: a cab operated by driving force generated by a motor; a controlling controller that controls the operation of the cab; safety devices for stopping the operation of the cab; electric power supply controlling devices for controlling supply of electric power that activates the safety devices; and an electronic controller providing safety control by diagnosing operation of the electric power supply controlling devices. The electric safety elevator is characterized in that the electronic controller diagnoses the operation of the electric power supply controlling devices during a period from the start of opening of a door of the cab at halt to completion of the opening of the door.

According to the present invention, in the electric safety elevator providing safety control using the electronic controller, the device that activates the safety device without hindering the control of the cab which is in normal operation can be diagnosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view showing an example of the whole configuration of an electric safety elevator according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the relations of a controller to various parts of the electronic safety elevator.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a device diagnosis made by the electronic controller.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the states (levels) of signals in the electronic controller and in a brake cutoff device.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of processing for giving a notice of detection of an abnormality using the mode of operation of the electronic safety elevator.

FIGS. 6A-6C are views showing examples of display on the display portion of a control panel inside the cab.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention is hereinafter described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an example of the whole configuration of an electronic safety elevator 1 according to the present embodiment. The electronic safety elevator 1 shown in FIG. 1 is an elevator that provides safety control using an electronic controller 42, and has a cab 10, a hoist 20, a main rope 30, and a controller 40.

The cab 10 is a cab for carrying people and freight and is run through an elevator shaft 50 by means of driving force supplied from a motor 21 via the main rope 30.

An in-cab control panel 11 and a cab door switch 12 are mounted inside the cab 10. The in-cab control panel 11 has a manual control portion (not shown) on which manipulations for giving an instruction about the destination of the cab 10 and an instruction for opening or closing the door are performed and a display portion (not shown) for displaying the destination of the cab 10, its state, and so on. The cab door switch 12 is a switch for sensing operations for opening and closing the door of the cab 10.

An emergency stopper 13 and a position detection sensor 14 are mounted on the outside of the cab 10. The emergency stopper 13 is fixedly mounted to the cab 10. In an emergency, the emergency stopper quickly stops the cab 10 by squeezing a rail within this stopper. The position detection sensor 14 is a sensor for sensing the distance to each of shielding plates 81-83 mounted respectively to floors at which the cab 10 comes to a halt.

Final limit switches 51 and 52 are mounted near the upper and lower ends, respectively, of the elevator shaft 50 through which the cab 10 ascends and descends. The final limit switches 51 and 52 are switches which are turned ON when the cab 10 goes beyond a prescribed range of travel to thereby detect an abnormality.

A shock absorber 53 is mounted at the lower end of the elevator shaft 50. The shock absorber 53 is a physical stopping device which, when the cab 10 cannot be brought into a complete stop by the braking force of the hoist 20 or emergency stopper 13, makes direct contact with the cab 10 and absorbs the shock, thus stopping the cab 10.

At each floor where the electronic safety elevator 1 comes to a halt, there are mounted elevator lobby door switches 64-66 for detecting the open/close operations of elevator lobby doors 61-63 and elevator lobby buttons 67-69 manipulated by users of the electronic safety elevator 1.

The hoist 20 is a device for moving the cab 10 through the elevator shaft 50 by supplying the driving force to the main rope 30, the driving force being generated by rotation of the motor 21. The hoist has the motor 21, a hoist brake 22, an inverter 23, a breaker circuit 24, and an AC power supply 25.

The main rope 30 is connected to the cab 10 at its one end. A counterweight 31 is connected near the other end. The route of the main rope 30 is constituted by one or more pulleys 32-35.

A governor rope 36 interlocking with the motion of the cab 10 is connected to the cab 10. A governor 37 is a speed-adjusting machine which rotates according to the motion of the governor rope 36. The governor 37 has a rotary encoder 38 and a grabbing device 39 grabbing the governor rope 36.

For example, the rotary encoder 38 rotates concomitantly with rotation of the governor 37 and outputs a pulse signal to the electronic controller 42. The electronic controller 42 can calculate the position and speed of operation of the cab 10 based on the amount of variation of the pulse signal.

The controller 40 has the controlling controller 41 and electronic controller 42 which can operate independently of each other. Mainly, the controlling controller 41 controls the operation of mechanical parts and electronic parts of the electronic safety elevator 1. The electronic controller 42 electronically controls the operation of various safety devices. The electronic controller 42 is realized, for example, by one or more microcontrollers. In particular, the electronic controller 42 which provides control while taking synchronization may be accomplished using two microcontrollers which communicate signals with each other.

The relationships among the parts of the controller 40 and electronic safety elevator 1 are now described by referring to FIG. 2. Electric power is supplied from the AC power supply 25 to the motor 21 shown in FIG. 2 via the inverter 23 to which a power supply breaker 241 is connected.

The power supply breaker 241 operates according to electric power supplied from a power supply 244 via a power supply-interrupting device 242 (drive system-interrupting device) for a drive system for the electronic controller and via a power supply-interrupting device 243 (drive system-interrupting device) for a drive system for the controlling controller.

a -

As shown in FIG. 2, the power supply breaker 241 is not electrically energized unless the drive system-interrupting device 242 and the drive system-interrupting device 243 are both in a closed state.

As one example, it is here assumed that the power supply breaker 241 is in an energized state during normal operation of the electronic safety elevator 1. In the energized state, the power supply breaker 241 connects together the AC power supply 25 and the inverter 23, and electric power is supplied from the AC power supply 25 to the inverter 23 through this breaker 241. In a deenergized state, the power supply breaker 241 disconnects the AC power supply 25 from the inverter 23, cutting off the supply of the electric power from the AC power supply 25 to the inverter 23.

As another example, the power supply breaker 241 may be so mounted that it disconnects the AC power supply 25 from the inverter 23 in an energized state and that it connects together the AC power supply 25 and the inverter 23 in a deenergized state.

On the other hand, near the motor 21 the hoist brake 22 is mounted. Electric power is supplied from a power supply 223 to the hoist brake 22 via a brake power supply cutoff device (brake cutoff device) 221 for the electronic controller and via a brake power supply cutoff device (brake cutoff device) 222 for the controlling controller. As shown in FIG. 2, the hoist brake 22 is not electrically energized unless the brake cutoff device 221 and the brake cutoff device 222 are both in a closed state.

As one example, it is now assumed that the hoist brake 22 is in an energized state during normal operation of the electronic safety elevator 1. In an energized state, the hoist brake 22 keeps refraining from applying brake to the motor 21. In a deenergized state, the hoist brake 22 applies brake to the motor 21, reducing the rotation of the motor 21.

Furthermore, as a further example, the hoist brake 22 may be so configured that brake is applied to the motor 21 in an energized state and that no brake is applied to the motor 21 in a deenergized state. In such a case, the hoist brake 22 is not energized during normal operation of the electronic safety elevator 1 and is deenergized.

The power supply breaker 241, drive system-interrupting device 242, and drive system-interrupting device 243 are constituted inside the breaker circuit 24 shown in FIG. 1.

The controlling controller 41 controls the driving force of the motor 21 supplied to the main rope 30 by controlling the electric power supplied to the motor 21 from the AC power supply 25 while exchanging signals with the inverter 23. Also, the controlling controller 41 controls the energizations to the power supply breaker 241 and to the hoist brake 22 by giving a notice of a control signal to the driving system-interrupting device 243 and brake cutoff device

Signals are applied to the electronic controller 42 from the governor 37, sensors 260, and switches 270. For example, the sensors are equivalent to the position detection sensor 14 and the rotary encoder 38. For instance, the switches are equivalent to the cab door switch 12 and the elevator lobby door switches 64-66. The electronic controller 42 controls the energizations to the power supply breaker 241 and to the hoist brake 22 by giving a notice of a control signal to the drive system-interrupting device 242 and brake cutoff device 221 based on these input signals. Furthermore, the electronic controller 42 gives a notice of log information consisting of information indicating the result of the control provided by the controller itself to the controlling controller 41.

Under circumstances where users of the electronic safety elevator 1, freight, and so on get into and out of the elevator less frequently and floor realignment control is performed less frequently, i.e., during the interval from the start of opening of the door of the cab 10 to the completion of the opening of the door, the electronic controller 42 inhibits execution of the floor realignment control and performs operation tests (hereinafter may also be referred to as device diagnosis) on the brake cutoff device and drive system-interrupting device 242.

Processing of the device diagnosis using the electronic controller 42 is next described by referring to FIG. 3. To simplify the explanation, processing for diagnosing the brake cutoff device 221 by the electronic controller 42 is described. The electronic controller 42 can also conduct a device diagnosis of the drive system-interrupting device 242 by a similar procedure.

In the device diagnosis shown in FIG. 3, an ON fault diagnosis and an OFF fault diagnosis are performed on the brake cutoff device 221. The ON fault diagnosis is a diagnosis for checking whether a device in a closed state continues to be closed without being opened normally when the device is attempted to be disconnected (ON fault). The OFF fault diagnosis is a diagnosis for checking whether a device in an open state continues to be open without being connected normally when the device is attempted to be closed and connected (OFF fault). The diagnoses done by the electronic controller 42 as to ON and OFF faults can also be carried out on the drive system-interrupting device 242 as well as on the brake cutoff device 221.

First, at step S101, the electronic controller 42 updates input information entered from the governor 37, sensors, and switches. At this time, the electronic controller 42 sets an allowable time for operation (allowable operating time) of the brake cutoff device 221. For example, a time within 5% error of a reference time required as a response processing time is set as the allowable operating time. The electronic controller 42 may set the allowable operating time based on statistical data obtained heretofore, the data being stored in a storage device (not shown).

Then, at step S102, the electronic controller 42 makes a decision as to whether the cab 10 in normal operation has come to a halt and the door has begun to be opened, based on the input signals from the cab door switch 12 and the elevator lobby door switches 64-66. If the electronic controller 42 has determined that the door has begun to be opened, control proceeds to step S103. If the controller has determined that the door has not begun to be opened, the processing is terminated.

At step S103, the electronic controller 42 outputs an instruction to the controlling controller 41 to inhibit the execution of floor realignment control. The controlling controller 41 receiving the instruction does not perform a floor realignment control until an instruction permitting the execution of the floor realignment control is entered at step S116 (described later).

Then, the electronic controller 42 executes an ON fault diagnosis by releasing the connection of the brake cutoff device 221 in a closed state using the processing illustrated in steps S104-S1009.

FIG. 4 shows the state (level) of each signal in the electronic controller 42 and brake cutoff device 221. A signal S11 is a signal indicating whether the electronic controller 42 is conducting a device diagnosis. The signal S11 goes high when the electronic controller 42 is conducting a device diagnosis and goes low when the electronic controller 42 is not.

A signal S12 is a control signal delivered from the electronic controller 42 to the brake cutoff device 221. An instruction given from the electronic controller 42 to the brake cutoff device 221 to energize the device 221 (device driving instruction) is indicated by a high level of the signal S12. An instruction given from the electronic controller 42 to the brake cutoff device 221 to deenergize it (device deenergizing instruction) is indicated by a low level of the signal S12.

A signal S13 is a signal indicating how the brake cutoff device 221 is connected.

The signal S13 indicates a high level when the brake cutoff device 221 is in a closed state and indicates a low level when the brake cutoff device 221 is in an open state.

The initial condition of FIG. 3 is a state prior to start of an ON fault diagnosis at step S104. The cab 10 is at halt at a floor but the door is not yet started to be opened. In order to maintain the cab 10 stationary, the controlling controller 41 provides control such that the brake cutoff device 222 is opened and deenergized. On the other hand, the electronic controller 42 is outputting the signal S12 at high level, i.e., is outputting a device driving instruction, and so the brake cutoff device 221 is in a closed state.

When an ON fault diagnosis is started, the signal S11 goes high (time tI in FIG 4). The electronic controller 42 outputs a device-interrupting instruction to the brake cutoff device 221 (step S104). At this time, the signal S12 goes low (time t2 in FIG. 4). The electronic controller 42 begins to measure the time using a timer having a time-measuring function (step S105).

At step S104, the brake cutoff device 221 to which a device-interrupting instruction is entered varies the state of connection inside the device from a closed state to an open state. When the state of connection is shifted to the open state, the signal S13 in the brake cutoff device 221 goes from high to low level (time t3 in FIG. 4).

Then, at step S106, the electronic controller 42 checks whether or not the brake cutoff device 221 is in an open state, depending on the state of the signal S13 in the brake cutoff device 221. Where the signal S13 is at a high level (NO at step S106), control goes to step

S107.

At step S107, the electronic controller 42 makes a decision as to whether the elapsed time (time (t3 — t2) in FIG. 4) from the beginning of the measurement using the timer at step S105 has become longer than the preset allowable operating time. If the decision is that the elapsed time does not go beyond the allowable operating time (NO at step S107), control goes back to step S106.

If the decision at step S107 is that the elapsed time has gone beyond the allowable operating time (YES), it follows that the brake cutoff device 221 remains open if the allowable operating time has elapsed. Therefore, the electronic controller 42 determines that an ON fault has occurred. Control goes to step S117.

On the other hand, where the signal S13 is at a low level (YES) at step S106, the brake cutoff device 221 is in an open state within the allowable operating time. Therefore, the electronic controller 42 determines that no ON fault takes place, and control goes to step S108.

At step S108, the electronic controller 42 ends the measurement using the timer started at step S105.

Then, at step S109, the electronic controller 42 updates statistical data stored in the storage device. In particular, the time (t3-t2) from the instant when the signal S12 in the brake cutoff device 221 goes low to the instant when the signal S13 goes low, for example, is taken as the time taken to switch the state of connection of the brake cutoff device 221 and stored in the storage device.

Then, the electronic controller 42 executes an OFF fault diagnosis by connecting the brake cutoff device 221 in an open state by the processing of steps S110-S115.

First, when an OFF fault diagnosis is started, the electronic controller 42 outputs a device driving instruction to the brake cutoff device 221 (step S110). At this time, the signal

S12 goes high (time t4 in FIG. 4). The electronic controller 42 starts a measurement using the timer (step S111).

At step S110, the brake cutoff device 221 to which the device driving instruction is entered varies the state of connection within the device from an open state to a closed state.

When the state of connection makes the transition to the closed state, the signal S13 in the brake cutoff device 221 goes from low to high level (time t5 in FIG. 4).

Then, at step S112, the electronic controller 42 checks whether or not the brake cutoff device 221 is in a closed state, depending on the state of the signal S13 in the brake cutoff’ device 221. Where the signal S13 is at a low level (NO at step S112), control proceeds to step

S113.

At step S113, the electronic controller 42 makes a decision as to whether the elapsed time (time (t5 —t4) in FIG. 4) from the beginning of the measurement using the timer at step S111 has exceeded the preset allowable operating time. If the decision is that the elapsed time has not exceeded the allowable operating time (NO at step S113), control goes back to step

S112.

If the decision at step 113 is that the elapsed time has exceeded the allowable operating time (YES), it follows that the brake cutoff device 221 will remain in a closed state even if the allowable operating time elapses. Therefore, the electronic controller 42 determines that an OFF fault has occurred. Control proceeds to step S117.

On the other hand, if the signal S13 is at a high level at step S112 (YES), the brake cutoff device 221 is not in a closed state within the allowable operating time. Therefore, the electronic controller 42 determines that no OFF fault takes place. Control goes to step

S114.

At step 5114, the electronic controller 42 terminates the measurement using the timer started at step S111.

Then, at step S115, the electronic controller 42 updates the statistical data stored in the storage device. In particular, the time (t5-t4) from the instant when the signal S12 in the brake cutoff device 221 goes high to the instant when the signal S13 goes high, for example, is taken as the time taken to switch the state of connection of the brake cutoff device 221 and stored in the storage device.

As described so far, the ON fault diagnosis is completed by the processing at steps S104-8109. The OFF fault diagnosis is completed by the processing at steps S110-S115.

Since no abnormality is detected in the ON fault diagnosis and OFF fault diagnosis, the device diagnosis ends normally. The signal S11 goes low (time t6 in FIG. 4).

Then, at step S116, the electronic controller 42 outputs an instruction permitting execution of floor realignment control to the controlling controller 41. The controlling controller 41 to which the permitting instruction has been entered resumes the execution of floor realignment control.

Where an ON fault is detected at step S107 or an OFF fault is detected at step

S113, the electronic controller 42 determines that an abnormality has occurred. Processing at the following steps S117-S119 is performed.

First, at step S117, the electronic controller 42 ends the measurement using the timer started at step S105 or S111.

Then, at step S118, the electronic controller 42 outputs an instruction for stopping the operation of the cab 10.

Furthermore, at step S119, the electronic controller 42 performs processing for displaying a warning on the in-cab control panel 11, the warning being issued when an abnormality is detected. In particular, for example, the electronic controller 42 displays a warning on the in-cab control panel 11, gives a voice notice of a warning, and gives an instruction for lighting of buttons. These warnings prompt the users of the electronic safety elevator 1 to get out of the cab 10 quickly. The display provided when an abnormality is detected at step S119 will be described in further detail by referring to FIGS. 5 and 6.

Processing at steps S101-S119 may be accomplished at given intervals of time (e.g., 0.1 second) by making use of the timer of a CPU (not shown) incorporated within the electronic controller 42. This electronic controller 42 can quickly carry out a device diagnosis during the time from the start of opening of the door of the cab 10 to the completion of the opening of the door.

At step S109 or step S115, processing for collecting (accumulating) the operating time taken to conduct a given operation, taking the collected operating time as statistical data, and storing the time into the storage device is set forth. Furthermore, the electronic controller 42 may perform processing for comparing the operating time with the statistical data.

Specifically, for example, the operating time collected within the past one month is taken as statistical data. The electronic controller 42 compares the average operating time of statistical data and the operating time collected in the current device diagnosis. The results of the comparison are stored in the storage device and output to the display portion or the like.

Especially, where the operating time collected this time is statistically longer than the average operating time of data, it can be estimated that the possibility of generation of an abnormality in the device cut off is increased. Therefore, the electronic controller 42 may give a notice of the results of the decision to maintenance workers. Note that the above-described collection time of the past one month is one example. The intervals at which a periodic inspection for maintenance may be set as a collection time.

A method of giving a notice of detection of an abnormality using the mode of operation of the electronic safety elevator 1 is next described. The mode of operation of the electronic safety elevator 1 has a normal mode in which normal operation is performed and a maintenance mode in which maintenance work is performed by maintenance workers.

The maintenance mode is activated, for example, by manipulating a stop switch for stopping the operation of the cab 10 or a control switch for varying the electronic safety elevator 1 to the maintenance operating mode. The stop switch and control switch are referred to as the maintenance switches. When the maintenance switches are in an ON state, the electronic safety elevator 1 is operated in the maintenance mode. The maintenance mode involves a state in which, when a fault occurs during the normal mode and the electronic safety elevator 1 has come to a halt, repair and inspection are done until the electronic safety elevator 1 resumes its normal state.

FIG. 5 illustrates processing for giving a notice of detection of an abnormality using the mode of operation of the electronic safety elevator 1. Where an abnormality is detected by a device diagnosis, the electronic controller 42 gives an instruction for processing of display to secure safety of passengers if during the normal mode and gives an instruction for processing for display for giving a notice of the location where the abnormality has been detected if in the maintenance mode.

First, at step S201, the electronic controller 42 checks whether an abnormality (ON fault or OFF fault) has been detected in a device diagnosis. If an abnormality is detected (YES), control proceeds to step S202. If no abnormality has been detected (NO), control goes to step S205. Processing at step S201 is performed, for example, whenever the electronic controller 42 conducts a device diagnosis.

At step S202, the electronic controller 42 checks whether or not each maintenance switch is in an ON state. If the maintenance switch is ON, i.e., in the maintenance mode (YES), control goes to step S203. If the maintenance switch is not ON, i.e., in the normal mode (NO), control goes to step S205.

In step S203, the electronic controller 42 performs processing for providing a display for giving a notice of an abnormality in the maintenance mode. In particular, the controller performs display processing for giving a notice of a location (e.g., the brake cutoff device 221) where an abnormality has been detected in a device diagnosis.

Then, at step S204, the electronic controller 42 sends display data processed at step S203, for example, to the display portion of the in-cab control panel 11 and displays the display data on the display portion.

On the other hand, at step S205, the electronic controller 42 checks whether the maintenance switch was in an ON state during execution of the previous device diagnosis. If the maintenance switch was in an ON state during execution of the previous device diagnosis (YES), control proceeds to step S206. If the maintenance switch was not in an ON state during the previous device diagnosis, the processing is ended as it is.

At step S205, the electronic controller 42 may check the presence or absence of

ON state of the maintenance switch during execution of previous plural device diagnoses or within a given time instead of checking the presence or absence of ON state of the maintenance switch during execution of the previous device diagnosis.

At step S206, a notice of the display processing in the normal mode is given to the display portion of the in-cab control panel because the previous mode was the maintenance mode although the current state is not the maintenance mode. In the display processing in the normal mode, if an abnormality is detected, a display is provided to prompt the users of the electronic safety elevator 1 to get off the cab 10.

FIGS. 6A-6C show examples of display provided on the display portion of the in- cab control panel 11. FIG. 6A is an example of display in a case where no abnormality is detected in the normal mode. Where the electronic safety elevator 1 is operating in the normal mode without detecting any abnormality, an image, for example, in FIG. 6A is displayed on the display portion.

FIG. 6B is an example of display in a case where an abnormality has been detected in the normal mode. The image of FIG. 6B shows that the operation of the electronic safety elevator 1 has stopped at the third floor and that a notice is given to prompt the users to get out of the cab 10 after depressing the door open button. For example, at step S206, the image of FIG. 6B is displayed on the display portion.

FIG. 6C is an example of display in a case where an abnormality is detected in the maintenance mode. The image of FIG. 6C shows that the operation of the electronic safety elevator 1 has stopped at the third floor and that the location at which the abnormality has occurred is the brake cutoff device 221. For example, at step S204, the image of FIG. 6C is displayed on the display portion.

In this electronic safety elevator 1, the electronic controller 42 can check whether the safety devices (hoist brake 22 and power supply breaker 241) operate normally by diagnosing the operation of the electric power supply control devices (brake cutoff device 221 and drive system-interrupting device 242) that control the supply of electric power for activating the safety devices.

This device diagnosis can be conducted whenever the cab 10 comes to a halt at a floor and, therefore, safety of the safety devices can be secured during normal operation.

Furthermore, in this electronic safety elevator 1, a device diagnosis is carried out during a period from the start of opening of the door to the completion of the opening of the door, i.e., during the time in which less passengers and freight get into and out of the electronic safety elevator 1. Therefore, after the completion of the opening of the door, floor realignment control can be provided. The floor realignment control can secure safety for users of the electronic safety elevator 1 and, at the same time, secure safety of the safety devices using a device diagnosis.

Additionally, in such electronic safety elevator 1, in a case where an abnormality is detected in a device diagnosis, the operation is stopped at a floor at which the cab 10 comes to a halt and so appropriate countermeasures can be quickly carried out. It can be expected to have the advantageous effect that steps taken until normal operation of the electronic safety elevator 1 is resumed can be reduced greatly.

The present invention can be applied to an electronic safety elevator that provides safety control using an electronic controller.

It should be further understood by those skilled in the art that although the foregoing description has been made on embodiments of the invention, the invention is not limited thereto and various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (11)

CLAIMS:

1. An electronic safety elevator (1) comprising: a cab (10) operated by driving force generated by a motor (21); a controlling controller (41) that controls the operation of the cab (10); safety devices (22, 241) for stopping the operation of the cab (10); electric power supply controlling devices (221, 242) for controlling supply of electric power that activates the safety devices (22, 241); and an electronic controller (42) providing safety control by diagnosing operation of the electric power supply controlling devices (221, 242); wherein the electronic controller (42) diagnoses the operation of the electric power supply controlling devices (221, 242) during a period from the start of opening of a door of the cab (10) at halt to completion of the opening of the door.

2. The electronic safety controller (1) according to claim 1, wherein said electronic controller (42) provides said safety control when said cab (10) operates in normal mode.

3. The electronic safety controller (1) according to claim 1, wherein said electronic controlier (42) conducts at least one diagnosis of the operation of said electric power supply controlling devices (221, 242} during a period starting from the start of opening of a door of the cab (10) at halt to completion of the opening of the door.

4. The electronic safety controller (1) according to claim 1, wherein said electronic controller (42) outputs an instruction for inhibiting execution of floor realignment control to said controlling controller (41) when diagnosing the operation of said electric power supply controlling devices (221, 242).

5. The electronic safety controller (1) according to claim 1, wherein said safety devices (22, 241) include a power supply breaker (241) for cutting off supply of electric power that rotates said motor (21), and wherein said electronic controller (42) performs said diagnosis by causing the power supply controlling devices (221, 242} to enable or disable supply of electric power that activates said power supply breaker (241).

6. The electronic safety controller (1) according to claim 1, wherein said safety devices (22, 241) include a brake (22) for reducing rotation of said motor (21), and wherein said electronic controller (42) conducts said diagnosis by causing said electric power supply controlling devices (221, 242) to enable or disable supply of electric power that activates the brake (22).

7. The electronic safety controller (1) according to claim 1, wherein said cab (10) includes a display portion for displaying information of which a notice is given to users of the cab (10), and wherein said electronic controller (42) provides a display on the display portion inside the cab to prompt the users to get out of the cab in a case where an abnormality is detected as a result of the diagnosis of the operation of the electric power supply controlling devices (221, 242).

8. The electronic safety controller (1) according to claim 7, wherein, in a case where an abnormality is detected by a diagnosis of the operation of said electric power supply controlling devices (221, 242) when said cab (10) is operating in a maintenance mode, said electronic controller (42) displays a notice of any of the electric power supply controlling devices (221, 242) for which the abnormality has been detected on the display portion inside said cab (10).

0. The electronic safety controller (1) according to claim 1, wherein said electronic controller (42) collects an operating time taken to execute a given operation in a diagnosis of the operation of said electric power supply controlling devices (221, 242) and has a storage device in which the collected operating time is stored as statistical data.

10. The electronic safety controller (1) according to claim 9, wherein said operating time collected within a given period in which a periodic inspection is done is stored as said statistical data by said electronic controller (42).

11. The electronic safety controller (1) according to claim 9, wherein said electronic controller (42) makes a decision as to whether said operating time in a diagnosis of the operation of said electric power supply controlling devices (221, 242) is longer than an average operating time of said statistical data stored in said storage device and stores results of the decision in the storage device.