WO2006065804A2

WO2006065804A2 - Sensor for controlling an elevator door

Info

Publication number: WO2006065804A2
Application number: PCT/US2005/045045
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tadaaki Nabetani; Jiro Kashima; Atsushi Yamada; Satoshi Hayashi
Original assignee: Otis Elevator Company
Priority date: 2004-12-13
Filing date: 2005-12-13
Publication date: 2006-06-22
Also published as: JP2006168843A; WO2006065804A3

Abstract

An elevator control system includes a sensor mounted on a first panel for detecting an obstacle in a region between the panel and a second panel and an alarm system that issues a warning when the sensor detects an obstacle during a period from deceleration of movement of an elevator to control for opening of an elevator door. A controller is configured to delay a start of the control for opening of the door when the sensor detects an obstacle while the elevator is stopped.

Description

SENSOR FOR CONTROLLING AN ELEVATOR DOOR

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The application relates to a type of controller and a control method of an elevator that helps to prevent an accident in which a portion of the passenger, such as a hand, is caught in the gap between the car door and the return panel when the car door of the elevator is being opened, while minimizing degradation in the function of the elevator. [0002] In the prior art, many schemes have been proposed as a safety design to prevent an accident caused by the following problem: when the door set at the elevator entrance is being opened, a portion of an object or passenger may be caught in the gap between the door and the accommodating part for the door (door recess).

[0003] For many of the schemes, the objective is to detect the catching state as soon as possible so as to minimize the harm. Usually, in such case, the door is not opened or is stopped. As a result, the intrinsic function of the elevator degrades in the operation in order to solve the problem.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-26382 teaches a first light beam and a second light beam that traverses the entrance of the elevator. When blocking of the first beam of light is detected, an alarm is issued. When blocking of a second light beam is detected, the intrinsic elevator function, such as the open/close operation of the car door and the door of the landing site is restricted for a safety device of the entrance of an elevator. Thus, even in the case of error operation (such as when a portion of the bodies of passengers packed in the car is detected), the open/close operation of the car door and the door of the landing site is restricted. Consequently, the operational efficiency of the elevator is very poor. In the prior art, in order to maintain the function of the elevator, the door should be opened, while from the viewpoint of safety as the priority, the door has to be kept closed. For this dilemma, there are few schemes proposed from the viewpoint of the users. In addition, the first light beam and the second light beam are both light beams for single-axis optical sensors. As a result, the detection range is narrow, and this is undesired. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Exemplary embodiments of the invention include a controller and a control method of an elevator that can reliably prevent an accident without degradation in the intrinsic function of the elevator.

[0006] In particular, exemplary embodiments of the invention include optical sensors that detect when passengers in the car are near the door, and the elevator controller issues an alarm before performing control for opening of the door. Also, in order to guarantee safety without stopping the function of the elevator, when a signal is detected by the sensor at the time control for opening of the door is started, the door is kept closed for a prescribed time before the door is opened under the control.

[0007] For instance, one exemplary embodiment of the invention is an elevator control system includes a sensor mounted on a first panel for detecting an obstacle in a region between the panel and a second panel and an alarm system that issues a warning when the sensor detects an obstacle during a period from deceleration of movement of an elevator to control for opening of an elevator door. A controller is configured to delay a start of the control for opening of the door when the sensor detects an obstacle while the elevator is stopped.

[0008] Further exemplary embodiments of the invention include a method of controlling an elevator. The method includes first judging whether a sensor detects an obstacle during a deceleration operation of an elevator car and issuing an alarm when the sensor detects an obstacle. The method also includes second judging whether the sensor detects any obstacle when the elevator is stopped and delaying a start of control for opening of a door by a prescribed time if the sensor detects an obstacle.

[0009] The various features and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0010] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating control of the overall constitution of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 2 illustrates the constitution of the main portion of an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2(a) is a plan view illustrating the portion near the entrance of the car. Figure 2(b) is a front view of the entrance as viewed from within the car. [0012] Figure 3 is a flow chart illustrating the control procedure in an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating an elevator control system. The system includes an elevator controller (controller) 1, which can be located any place, but in an exemplary embodiment is located in a machine chamber to control the various operations of the elevator. The system includes a sensor 2 for detecting the danger signal of a catching accident and it is set in the return panel (a panel for accommodating the door) in the car. A detection signal of sensor 2 is fed via an I/F (interface) 3 and a door controller 4 to elevator controller 1.

[0014] The system also includes an alarm system that has a voice/image controller 5 that generates an alaπn from a voice generator 6 set in the car and, together with it, outputs an image of alarm on an image device 7 when elevator controller 1 detects (deflects) an abnormal signal from sensor 2 indicating the danger of a catching accident. It is understood that the alarm system could also include only the voice generator 6 or the image device 7. [0015] For example, as shown in Figure 2, the sensor 2 includes five optical sensors 12a-12e set apart by about 30 cm from one another in the vertical direction from the floor on the inner side of a return panel 1 Ia set facing a car door panel 10a. It is noted that while the drawing illustrates a two car door panel arrangement, a single car door arrangement is also contemplated.

[0016] Each of the optical sensors 12a-12e is of the reflective type without using a reflective mirror, such as the type described in the Background of the Invention section, which has both a light emitting element and a light receiving element integrated in a single body. Instead, a visible light beam is emitted in the horizontal direction. When the light beam is reflected by a passenger or another obstacle, the catching danger state is detected. [0017] Figure 2(a) is a plan view of the portion near the entrance of the car. Figure 2(b) is a front view as the entrance is viewed from within the car.

[0018] For the optical sensors 12a-12e, because sensing is performed at positions that do not interfere with passengers in the normal state, except for the packed state of the car, there is little chance of mis-operation, and, since there are five optical sensors, the detection range is large, and there is no chance of lack of detection. [0019] The detection signal from sensor 2 (optical sensors 12a-12e) is sent to elevator controller 1, and elevator controller 1 performs the following control corresponding to the state of the elevator.

[0020] That is, immediately before the control for opening of the door, an alarm of danger is issued by voice or image. Here, "immediately before" means the period from the time the elevator responds to calling, etc. and determines the destination floor and starts deceleration to the time the door (car door panels 10a, 10b) actually starts opening under control of door controller 4.

[0021] Also, whether there is an alarm or not, when a danger signal is detected and it lasts even after the elevator has reached the floor due to the elevator being full of passengers, mis-operation of the sensor, etc., control is performed automatically so that the door is opened a prescribed time after the elevator settles at the floor. [0022] In the following, an explanation will be given regarding an example of the procedure of the control with reference to Figure 3. Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the control flow executed by the computer of elevator controller 1. First, in step Sl, whether the elevator is stopped is judged. When the elevator runs, in step S2, judgment is made on whether the elevator has determined the destination floor and has started to decelerate. [0023] When the elevator starts to decelerate, in step S3, judgment is made whether sensor 2 is ON (detection of an obstacle). When sensor 2 is ON, in step S4, an alarm is issued in the form of a voice announcement from voice generator 6. In step S5, an alarm is issued in the form of an image message from image device 7.

[0024] When the judgment result of the step S2 or S3 is "NO", the treatment comes to an end after execution of step S5. Also, when it is judged that the elevator is stopped in the step Sl, in step S6, judgment is made whether sensor 2 is ON. If sensor 2 is ON, in step S8, judgment is made whether a prescribed time has lapsed after performing a timer treatment, such as a delay treatment of a prescribed time (e.g., about 3 sec), in step S7. [0025] When the prescribed time has not yet lapsed, the process returns to step S6. When it has lapsed, in step S9, judgment is made whether a door opening instruction has been issued. When a door opening instruction has been issued, the door opening control is carried out (step SlO). Then, when the treatment is finished and a door opening instruction has not been issued, door closing control or a door closing state is maintained (step SI l). Then, the treatment comes to an end. When the judgment result of the step S6 is "NO", steps S7 and S8 are not executed, and the process jumps to step S9. [0026] In the aforementioned control, as in steps S3-S5, an alarm is issued during deceleration of the elevator. As a result, before the elevator is stopped, a passenger in a state of danger can leave the door or retract his hand or the like to get out of the area having a catching danger. As a result, it is possible to prevent a catching accident.

[0027] Also, when the judgment result of step S2 is "NO", that is, when the elevator is in the normal running state without deceleration, steps S3-S5 are not executed, and detection of sensor 2 is not carried out. As a result, the treatment is simplified.

[0028] Also, when the aforementioned elevator is in the normal running state, no alarm by voice and image is performed. As a result, energy conservation can be realized.

[0029] Also, only when sensor 2 is ON while the elevator is stopped, is the delay treatment of about 3 sec carried out by the timer (steps S7, S8), and the passenger in the state of danger can leave the door or can retract his hand or the like to get out of the area. As a result, there is greater safety, and, the control for opening of the door is then carried out.

Consequently, the operational efficiency of the elevator does not significantly decrease.

[0030] In addition, even when sensor 2 is ON during the deceleration operation of the elevator (step S3), if sensor 2 is not ON while the elevator is stopped (step S6), the delay treatment by the timer is not performed. Consequently, there is no undesired delay in the door opening treatment, and the operational efficiency of the elevator does not decrease.

[0031] It is also possible to prevent a catching accident when an abnormality is detected, and the door makes an emergency stop during the door opening process

[0032] It is possible to detect an obstacle by setting the optical sensors 12a-12e only on the light^' projecting side (such as the side of return panel 1 Ia) in a range of about 1-2 m.

However, the sensor of the present invention is not limited to this scheme.

[0033] For example, it is also possible to set optical sensors 12a-12e on the side of return panel lib, and it is also possible to appropriately change the setting interval and setting number.

[0034] Also, one may use optical sensors having a reflective mirror or cutoff type optical sensors.

[0035] In addition, instead of the optical sensors 12a-12e of visible light, one may also use a horizontal beam type laser sensor (digital laser sensor) that has an optical system for irradiating a laser beam and an optical system for condensing and detecting a reflected light from the detected object.

[0036] This laser sensor includes the long-distance spot reflection type. For example, by setting in the same way as for optical sensors 12a-12e shown in Figure 2(b), laser beams are emitted in the horizontal direction, and, when reflected from a passenger or another obstacle, the catching danger can be detected.

[0037] The sensor of the present invention is not limited to optical sensors. One may also use a tape sensor (very thin contact sensor), mechanical switches having contact points, etc.

[0038] Also, the timer time for delaying start of the opening operation of the door is not limited to 3 sec. It is also possible set other times.

[0039] The control procedure of elevator controller 1 is not limited to the flow chart shown in

Figure 3 and other procedures may be included and adopted as part of the control procedure.

[0040] In addition, exemplary embodiments of the invention include the following examples:

[0041] In order to detect the danger of being caught, optical sensors that use e.g., visible light, are set in the return panel so that the elevator controller detects when a passenger is near the car door.

[0042] For example, five optical sensors are set spaced about 30 cm from each other from the car floor, and they emit light beams in the horizontal direction, so that the elevator controller detects a danger signal when a passenger or another obstacle blocks the light.

[0043] When the danger signal is detected, the elevator controller issues an alaπn to warn the passengers. In this case, in order to prevent degradation or stoppage of functioning of the elevator, the following control is performed.

[0044] Detection of the danger signal is performed only immediately before opening of the door. Here, "immediately before" means the period from the time the elevator responds to calling, etc. and determines the destination floor and starts deceleration to the time the door actually starts opening.

[0045] Whether there is an alarm or not, when a danger signal is detected and it lasts even after the elevator has reached the floor due to the elevator being full of passengers, mis-operation of the sensor, etc., control is performed automatically so that the door is opened a prescribed time after the elevator settles at the floor.

[0046] The device for issuing the alarm may be a voice generator or an image generator set in the elevator car to give a voice or a text as the alarm.

[0047] Thus, it is possible to detect the danger of catching a portion of the body of a passenger between the door and the panel with the alarm means, so that it is possible to prevent a catching accident. [0048] Also, when the elevator has reached the destination floor and stopped, if the sensor detects a portion of a passenger, the operation for starting the opening operation of the door is delayed. Consequently, the passenger can get his/her body out of the detecting area of the sensor (the region where a catching accident may take place) during the delay time. After the delay time, it is possible to perform the control for opening of the door. Also, when the elevator is stopped, if there is no detection by the sensor, there is no need to provide an undesired delay. Consequently, there is little decrease in the operation efficiency of the elevator.

[0049] Also, because the opening operation of the door is not restricted by a detection signal of a sensor according to the present invention, in case of error operation of a sensor due to a packed car, no failure of the door to open or interruption or the like will occur during the opening operation. Consequently, degradation in the elevator function can be suppressed to a minimum level.

[0050] Further exemplary embodiments include plural optical sensors that are used. There is little chance of failure of detection, and it is possible to detect over a wide range. [0051] Thus, it is possible to learn of the danger when a portion of a passenger is caught between the door and the panel for the door, and it is possible to prevent a catching accident. [0052] Also, when the elevator stops at a prescribed floor, if a portion of the passenger is detected by the aforementioned sensor, the start of the opening operation of the door is delayed by means of a delay treatment. Consequently, it is possible for the passenger get out of the detection area of the sensor (the region where a catching accident may take place) during the delay time. Then, after the lapse of the delay time, opening control of the door can be carried out. Also, when the elevator is stopped, if there is no detection by the sensor, the undesired delay is not carried out. Consequently, there is little decrease in the operational efficiency of the elevator.

[0053] Also, the opening operation of the door is not restricted by the detection signal of the sensor. Consequently, in case of mis-operation of the sensor due to a packed car or the like, the opening operation of the door is not carried out, and the opening operation is not interrupted during the opening operation. As a result, degradation of the function of the elevator can be suppressed to a minimum.

[0054] Also, detection does not have to be continuously carried out by the sensor. Instead, detection by the sensor may be carried out only during the deceleration operation of the elevator (first judgment treatment) and when the elevator is stopped (second judgment treatment), the treatment can be significantly simplified, and the energy consumption can be reduced.

[0055] This application claims priority to Japanese application 2004-359581, which was filed on December 13, 2004, and which is incorporated herein in its entirety. [0056] While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An elevator control system comprising: a sensor mounted on a first panel for detecting an obstacle in a region between the panel and a second panel; an alarm system that issues a warning when the sensor detects an obstacle during a period from deceleration of movement of an elevator to control for opening of an elevator door; and a controller configured to delay a start of the control for opening of the door when the sensor detects an obstacle while the elevator is stopped.

2. The system described in Claim 1 wherein the sensor includes a plurality of optical sensors mounted on the first panel with a prescribed spacing from one another in the vertical direction of the panel.

3. The system described in Claim 1 wherein the alarm system includes a voice/image controller coupled to at least one of a voice generator and an image generator.

4. A method of controlling an elevator, the method comprising: first judging whether a sensor detects an obstacle during a deceleration operation of an elevator car; issuing an alarm when the sensor detects an obstacle; second judging whether the sensor detects any obstacle when the elevator is stopped; and delaying a start of control for opening of a door by a prescribed time if the sensor detects an obstacle.

5. An elevator system comprising: an elevator car having a first panel, a second panel, and a region located between the first panel and the second panel; at least one car door positioned to close the region between the first panel and the second panel; a sensor mounted on the first panel for detecting an obstacle in the region between the panel and a second panel; an alarm system that issues a warning when the sensor detects an obstacle during a period from deceleration of movement of the elevator car to control for opening of the car door; and a controller that delays a start of the control for opening of the door when the sensor detects an obstacle while the elevator is stopped.