JP7633198B2 - Car worker detection system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a car worker detection system.

Elevators are configured so that the main rope is hung from a hoist installed at the top or bottom of the elevator shaft, the car is hung from one end of the main rope, and a counterweight is hung from the other end. The hoist is driven to wind up the main rope, allowing the car and counterweight to rise and fall in the elevator shaft in a bucket-like fashion.

In elevators with this configuration, inspection work such as regular inspections and maintenance requires workers to stand on the top of the car and raise and lower the car to access the equipment installed in the elevator shaft.

When inspecting the various devices installed in the elevator shaft, measurement workers carry out their work while directly touching each device, with their hands and heads hanging over the handrail above the elevator car. If no stopping measures are taken, such as cutting off the elevator's main power supply or turning on the safety switch, other workers may carelessly operate the elevator car, which could cause it to rise or fall unintentionally, putting the workers in danger.

In addition, if a worker is carelessly placed on the car and their body hangs over the handrail while ascending or descending the car, the worker may be in danger.

Therefore, a technology has been proposed that determines whether maintenance and inspection work in the elevator is being performed correctly and grasps the position and posture of workers working on the elevator car (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2017-141081 A

The technology described in Patent Document 1 compares the worker's position and posture with pre-stored correct work information to determine pass or fail.

However, with the conventional technology described in Patent Document 1, it is difficult for a single detection means to detect a worker on a car without blind spots within the detection range of a camera or infrared sensor that is assumed to be used to detect the worker, and to accurately detect the position and posture of the worker.

For example, when inspecting the interior of an elevator shaft, the equipment to be inspected is arranged on each of the four walls of the shaft, and also differs depending on the height. In an elevator with this configuration, it is possible to increase the detection accuracy of the worker by providing multiple detection devices, but this creates problems such as a complex configuration and increased costs.

The object of the present invention is to variably adjust the detection range corresponding to a portion of the work area on the elevator car according to the elevator car position, and to detect workers in the work area.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an on-car worker detection system for detecting a worker on an elevator car, the system comprising: a worker detection unit that detects a worker present within a detection range that is a part of a work area set on the car; a detection range drive unit that drives the worker detection unit to variably adjust the detection range; and an equipment layout information storage unit that stores equipment layout information including the installation height position of each of a plurality of devices arranged in the elevator hoistway and a detection direction indicating the center of the detection range corresponding to the installation height position of each of the devices. The elevator includes a car position detection unit that detects the position of the car in the elevator shaft and generates car position information, and a control unit that compares the car position information generated by the car position detection unit with the equipment layout information stored in the equipment layout information storage unit, identifies the detection direction at the car position based on the comparison result, and controls the drive of the detection range drive unit using the identified detection direction as a target value for the detection range drive unit, and the detection range drive unit drives the worker detection unit in a direction such that its optical axis is in the detection direction.

According to the present invention, the detection range corresponding to a part of the work area on the elevator can be variably adjusted according to the position of the elevator, and a worker in the work area can be detected.

Problems, configurations, and advantages other than those described above will become clear from the description of the embodiments below.

1 is a schematic diagram showing a main part of an elevator in which an on-car worker detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of the configuration of an on-car worker detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 1 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of an equipment layout information table stored in an equipment layout information storage unit of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 1 is a top view of the top floor of an elevator in which an on-car worker detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed. FIG. 1 is a top view of the top of an elevator in which an on-car worker detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention is disposed. FIG. 1 is a top view of the top floor of an elevator in which an on-car worker detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed. FIG. 2 is a top view of an intermediate floor of an elevator in which an on-car worker detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention is arranged. FIG. 1 is a top view of an elevator at an intermediate floor in which an on-car worker detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed. 1 is an example of a flowchart for explaining processing in an elevator in which an on-car worker detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed. 1 is an example of a flowchart for explaining the process of detecting work non-performance by the car-mounted worker detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the main parts of an elevator in which a car-top worker detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed. In Figure 1, elevator 1 is a general rope-type machine room-less elevator. In this elevator 1, a car 4 and a counterweight 5 connected via a main rope 3 move up and down by the driving force of a hoist 6 in a hoistway 2 installed in a building. The hoistway 2 is divided into a top 2a, a top floor 2b, an intermediate floor 2c, a middle floor 2d, an intermediate floor 2c, and a bottom 2e. In the hoistway 2, the car 4 and the counterweight 5 are arranged so as to be able to move up and down freely via the main rope 3. The hoist 6 is installed at the top 2a in the hoistway 2, and its drive is controlled by a control device 9 installed on the top floor 2b. When the drive of the hoist 6 stops, a braking force is applied to the hoist 6 by brake devices 13a and 13b. One of the ends of the main rope 3, main rope end 7a, is fixed to the top beam 7a, and the other main rope end 7b is fixed to the top beam 7b. The connection between main rope end 7a and main rope end 7b is wound around the hoist 6 via the counterweight 5, and then arranged in a path that passes under the car 4.

In the elevator shaft 2, a pair of counterweight guide rails (not shown) that guide the counterweight 5 in the ascending and descending direction (vertical direction) of the car 4, and a pair of car guide rails (not shown) that guide the car 4 in the ascending and descending direction (vertical direction) of the car 4 are arranged.

In the following explanation, a coordinate system is used in which the depth direction of the car 4 is the x-axis, the width direction of the car 4 is the y-axis, and the ascending and descending direction of the car 4 is the z-axis.

A governor 10 is installed at the top 2a of the elevator 2, and a governor weight 11 is installed at the bottom 2e of the elevator 2. A ring-shaped governor rope 12 connected to the car 4 is wound around the governor 10 via the governor weight 11. One end of the governor rope 12 is connected to the car top (car top surface) 4a, and the other end is connected to the bottom of the car 4, forming a ring shape as a whole. The governor rope 12 moves with the elevator 4 moving up and down. The movement of the governor rope 12 causes the governor 10 to rotate in conjunction with the elevator 4 moving up and down. A car position detection device 10a installed on the governor 10 detects the position and speed of the car 4 in the z-axis direction by measuring the rotation of the governor 10.

In the elevator 2, various devices including the speed governor 10 and the car position detector 10a are installed in four directions. Therefore, when inspecting each device, a worker stands on the car upper part 4a, which is the upper surface of the elevator 4, and uses the car upper part 4a as a work platform (work area) to access each device in the elevator 2. At this time, the worker operates the control panel 17 in the elevator 4 to switch the operation mode from the normal mode to the work mode, then opens the landing door 15 provided at the landing 14 of each floor to form an opening, and gets on the car upper part 4a through the opening. A car upper handrail (not shown in FIG. 1) is provided on the car upper part 4a along the edge of the car upper part 4a. This car upper handrail is a frame that prevents the worker from falling into the elevator 2, and indicates the safe working area of the worker. Additionally, in order to access each piece of equipment installed at different positions in the z-axis direction (ascending and descending direction) in the elevator 2, a worker on the car 4a moves the car 4 up and down by operating the car-top control device 16 according to the position of each piece of equipment. A worker detection device 102 for detecting the position of the worker is disposed on the top of the car-top control device 16 that controls the ascent and descent of the car 4.

In addition, because the bottom 2e of the elevator shaft 2 is below the lowest stopping position of the car 4, the top of the car 4a is not used as a work platform. Therefore, in this embodiment, the equipment at the top 2a of the elevator shaft 2, the top floor 2b, the intermediate floors 2c, and the intermediate floors 2d are the targets of inspection work.

Figure 2 is a configuration diagram showing an example of the configuration of a car worker detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 2, the car worker detection system 101 includes a control device 1a for the elevator 1 and a worker detection device 102. The control device 1a includes a control device 9 that performs overall control of the elevator 1, a car position detection device 10a that detects the position and speed of the car 4 in the z-axis direction and transmits car position information including the position and speed of the car 4 in the z-axis direction to the control device 9, an operation panel 17 that generates operation mode information in response to an operation by an operator, and a car control device 16 that receives the car position information transmitted from the control device 9 and the operation mode information transmitted from the operation panel 17 and transmits the received car position information and operation mode information to the worker detection device 102. In this case, the car position detection device 10a functions as a car position detection unit that detects the position of the car 4 in the hoistway of the elevator 1 and generates car position information.

The worker detection device 102 includes a control unit 103, a worker detection unit 104, a detection range drive unit 105, an equipment layout information storage unit 106, a judgment unit 107, a notification unit 108, and a display unit 109. The control unit 103 transmits and receives information to and from the car-mounted control device 16, and controls the entire worker detection device 102. The worker detection unit 104 is attached to a drive shaft (not shown) that is disposed on the car-mounted control device 16 and is disposed along at least the z direction among the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis. By rotating the drive shaft, for example, the optical axis of the worker detection unit 104 changes 180 degrees on the x-y plane based on the drive shaft, and the detection range is a part of the working area on the car-mounted 4a, and the detection target present within the detection range, for example, a worker, is detected and the worker information is output.

The equipment layout information storage unit 106 stores equipment layout information regarding the layout of each piece of equipment arranged in the elevator shaft 2. For example, the equipment layout information storage unit 106 stores equipment layout information including the installation height position of each piece of equipment and the detection direction indicating the center of the detection range corresponding to the installation height position of each piece of equipment. The detection range drive unit 105 rotates the drive shaft of the worker detection unit 104 based on a control signal from the control unit 103, and variably adjusts the detection range of the worker detection unit 104. In other words, the detection range drive unit 105 rotates the drive shaft of the worker detection unit 104 so as to point the optical axis of the worker detection unit 104 toward the equipment to be inspected.

At this time, the control unit 103 compares the car position information received from the car-mounted control device 16 with the equipment layout information stored in the equipment layout information storage unit 106, generates a control signal according to the comparison result, and drives the detection range driving unit 105 based on the generated control signal to direct the worker detection unit 104 toward the equipment to be inspected. For example, the control unit 103 compares the car position information with the equipment layout information, identifies the detection direction at the car position based on the comparison result, and controls the driving of the detection range driving unit 105 with the identified detection direction as the target value for the detection range driving unit 105.

The determination unit 107 determines whether or not the worker's body is protruding from the upper handrail of the car based on the worker information detected by the worker detection unit 104, and transmits the determination result to the control unit 103. The notification unit 108 issues a warning to the worker when the determination unit 107 determines that the worker's body is protruding and no measures have been taken to stop the car 4. The display unit 109 displays information indicating the processing content and processing results of the control unit 103 on the screen.

The worker detection unit 104 is a device that detects the human body of a worker. For example, it may be an imaging means such as a digital camera, an infrared sensor as a human sensor, or a combination of these.

The detection range drive unit 105 is a device that rotates the drive shaft of the worker detection unit 104 to orient the optical axis of the worker detection unit 104 in the direction in which the worker should be detected. For example, it is a servo motor.

The equipment layout information storage unit 106 is a device that stores the layout information of each piece of equipment in the elevator 2. For example, it is a hard disk drive (HDD), a flash memory, etc.

The control unit 103 and the determination unit 107 are devices that perform arithmetic processing. For example, they are configured with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an AI (Artificial Intelligence) chip, etc.

The notification unit 108 is a device that issues a warning to the worker when the judgment unit 107 judges that the worker has engaged in unsafe behavior or neglected work and receives a notification command from the control unit 103. For example, it is a speaker or a buzzer.

The display unit 109 is a screen display device that receives the judgment result of the judgment unit 107 from the control unit 103 and displays the judgment result of the judgment unit 107. For example, it is configured with a liquid crystal monitor.

Furthermore, as a complement to the car-mounted worker detection system 101, a planned work DB 202 and a work history DB 203 are connected to the car-mounted worker detection system 101 via the network 201. The planned work DB 202 records information (work plan information) indicating plans for inspection work by workers. The work history DB 203 records information indicating the work history of workers, such as unsafe behavior by the worker at the judgment unit 107, such as leaning out of the body, and the results of work non-performance, which will be described later. The car-mounted worker detection system 101 communicates with the planned work DB 202 and the work history DB 203 via the network 201.

Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of an equipment layout information table stored in the equipment layout information storage unit of the elevator on-car worker detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 3, the equipment layout information table 301 is a table for managing equipment layout information, and is stored in the equipment layout information storage unit 106 separately for each model information of the elevator 1. Each equipment layout information table 301 is composed of a management number 302 assigned to each equipment unit, equipment 303 describing each equipment arranged in the elevator shaft 2, equipment installation height position 304 which is the height position in the z-axis direction where the equipment is installed, equipment installation plan position 305 which indicates the planar position in the elevator shaft 2 where the equipment is installed as the wall surface position of the elevator shaft 2, target planned work 306 which describes the work item for which the equipment is to be performed, and key sensing coordinates 307 which indicate the direction of the optical axis of the worker detection unit 104 (detection direction indicating the center of the detection range) in three-axis (X, Y, Z) coordinates according to the work item.

The management number 302 stores numerical information assigned to each device. The device 303 stores the name of each device arranged in the elevator 2, for example, information on the "hoist". The device installation height position 304 stores numerical information indicating the height position in the z-axis direction based on the floor of the reference floor (the lowest floor between the bottom 2e and the intermediate floor 2c). Note that the device installation height position 304 can also store information indicating the top 2a, the top floor 2b, the intermediate floor 2c, and the intermediate floor 2d as information indicating the height position in the z-axis direction. For example, if the hoist 6 is arranged at the top 2a, the device installation height position 304 corresponding to the hoist 6 can store information on the "top".

Instrument installation plan position 305 stores information on the plan position in the elevator shaft 2 where the equipment is installed; for example, if the equipment is located in the area on the left side as seen from the landing door, "left side" information is stored. In target planned work 306, information on the work item for which the equipment is the target of work; for example, if all equipment is the target of work, "A" information is stored. In priority sensing coordinates 307, information on the coordinates of three axes (X, Y, Z) that indicate the rotational position of the drive shaft when the optical axis of the worker detection unit 104 is directed toward the equipment to be inspected is stored.

The control unit 103 compares the car position information received from the car-mounted control device 16 with the equipment installation height position 304 stored in the equipment layout information storage unit 106, identifies the corresponding equipment as the equipment to be inspected, and drives the detection range driving unit 105 based on the priority sensing coordinates 307 linked to the identified equipment to be inspected, thereby directing the optical axis of the worker detection unit 104 to the priority sensing position.

Figure 4 is a top view of an elevator on the top floor in which an on-car worker detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed. In Figure 4, on the car top 4a of the elevator 1, a car top handrail 20 is installed along the three edges of the car top 4a. The area of the car top 4a surrounded by the car top handrail 20 is the work area of the worker 21. On the car top 4a, on the landing door 15 side, a car top control device 16 and a worker detection device 102 are installed. In the worker detection unit 104 belonging to the worker detection device 102, a part of the work area of the worker 21 is set as the detection range 22. For example, when the work area of the worker 21 is divided into two work areas by the diagonal line shown by the dashed line, the left work area is set as the detection range 22.

When the car 4 is located on the top floor 2b, in the area (equipment arrangement area) between the wall of the elevator 2 and the car upper handrail 20, parts of the counterweight guide rails 18a, 18b that guide the movement of the counterweight 5 in the z-axis direction and part of the car guide rail 19a that guides the movement of the car 4 in the z-axis direction are arranged in the area to the left of the worker 21 located at the landing 14 on the top floor 2b, and the control device 9 and main rope end 8b are arranged in the area to the right, as well as part of the car guide rail 19b. The worker 21 located at the landing 14 on the top floor 2b can open the landing door 15 and get on to the car upper part 4a.

Figure 5 is a top view of the elevator top where the car worker detection system according to the embodiment of the present invention is arranged. In Figure 5, the car top control device 16 and the worker detection device 102 are arranged on the car top 4a. When the car 4 is located at the top 2a, in the area (equipment arrangement area) between the wall surface of the elevator shaft 2 and the car top handrail 20, parts of the counterweight guide rails 18a, 18b and part of the car guide rail 19a are arranged in the area to the left of the car top control device 16 located at the top 2a, and further, the hoist 6, main lobe end 8a, governor 10, and brake devices 13a, 13b are arranged, and part of the car guide rail 19b is arranged in the area to the right.

When the car 4 is located at the top 2a, the hoist 6, main lobe end 8a, governor 10, and brakes 13a and 13b are each inspected by the worker 21, and information on the equipment installation height position 304 and key sensing coordinates 307 of these inspection targets is recorded in the equipment layout information table 301. In the worker detection unit 104 belonging to the worker detection device 102, a part of the work area of the worker 21 is set as the detection range 22. In this case, since each inspection target is located in the area to the left as seen from the car on-board control device 16 located at the top 2a, the area to the left as seen from the worker detection unit 104 belonging to the worker detection device 102 located at the top 2a is set as the detection range 22.

Figure 6 is a top view of an elevator on the top floor in which an on-car worker detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed. In Figure 6, an on-car control device 16 and a worker detection device 102 are installed above the car 4a. When the car 4 is located on the top floor 2b, in the area between the wall of the elevator shaft 2 and the handrail 20 above the car, parts of the counterweight guide rails 18a, 18b and part of the car guide rail 19a are installed in the area to the left of the on-car control device 16 located on the top floor 2b, and the control device 9, main rope end 8b and part of the car guide rail 19b are installed in the area to the right.

When the car 4 is located on the top floor 2b, the control device 9 and main rope end 8b are each subject to inspection by the worker 21, and information regarding the equipment installation height position 304 and key sensing coordinates 307 of these inspection targets is recorded in the equipment layout information table 301. In the worker detection unit 104 belonging to the worker detection device 102, a part of the work area of the worker 21 is set as the detection range 22. In this case, since each inspection target is located in the area to the right as seen from the car-mounted control device 16 located on the top floor 2b, the area to the right as seen from the worker detection unit 104 belonging to the worker detection device 102 located on the top floor 2b is set as the detection range 22.

Figure 7 is a top view of an elevator on an intermediate floor in which an on-car worker detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention is arranged. In Figure 7, an on-car control device 16 and a worker detection device 102 are arranged on the upper part of the car 4a. When the car 4 is located on the intermediate floor 2d, in the area between the wall surface of the elevator shaft 2 and the handrail 20 on the upper part of the car, the counterweight 5, part of the main rope 3, parts of the counterweight guide rails 18a, 18b, part of the car guide rail 19a, and part of the governor rope 12 are arranged in the area on the left side as viewed from the on-car control device 16 located on the intermediate floor 2d, and part of the main rope 3 and part of the car guide rail 19b are arranged in the area on the right side.

When the car 4 is located on the intermediate floor 2d, the counterweight 5, main rope 3, counterweight guide rails 18a, 18b, car guide rail 19a, and governor rope 12 are each inspected by the worker 21, and information on the equipment installation height position 304 and key sensing coordinates 307 of these inspection targets is recorded in the equipment layout information table 301. In the worker detection unit 104 belonging to the worker detection device 102, a part of the work area of the worker 21 is set as the detection range 22. In this case, since each inspection target is located in the area to the left as seen from the car on-board control device 16 located on the intermediate floor 2d, the area to the left as seen from the worker detection unit 104 belonging to the worker detection device 102 located on the intermediate floor 2d is set as the detection range 22.

Figure 8 is a top view of an elevator at an intermediate floor in which an on-car worker detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed. In Figure 8, an on-car control device 16 and a worker detection device 102 are installed above the car 4a. When the car 4 is located at an intermediate floor 2c, in the area between the wall of the elevator shaft 2 and the handrail 20 above the car, a part of the main rope 3, a part of the counterweight guide rails 18a, 18b, a part of the car guide rail 19a, a part of the governor rope 12, and the landing door 15 are installed in the area to the left of the on-car control device 16 located at the intermediate floor 2c, and a part of the main rope 3 and a part of the car guide rail 19b are installed in the area to the right.

When the car 4 is located on the intermediate floor 2c, the main rope 3, governor rope 12, and landing door 15 are each inspected by the worker 21, and information on the equipment installation height position 304 and key sensing coordinates 307 of these inspection targets is recorded in the equipment layout information table 301. In the worker detection unit 104 belonging to the worker detection device 102, a part of the work area of the worker 21 is set as the detection range 22. In this case, since each inspection target is located in the area on the left side as seen from the car on-board control device 16 located on the intermediate floor 2c, the area on the left side as seen from the worker detection unit 104 belonging to the worker detection device 102 located on the intermediate floor 2c is set as the detection range 22.

Note that the equipment layout of the elevator 1 shown in this embodiment is just one example, and the equipment arranged in the y-axis direction may be mirrored, or the counterweight 5 may be installed on the back side inside the hoistway 2.

Figure 9 is an example of a flowchart for explaining the processing in an elevator in which an on-car worker detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed. In Figure 9, a worker 21 operates the operation panel 17 in the car 4 to switch the operation mode from normal mode to work mode in order to carry out planned inspection work. The operation mode information generated by the operation panel 17 is transmitted to the control unit 103 via the on-car control device 16.

When the control unit 103 receives operation mode information, it determines the received operation mode information, and if it determines that the operation mode is a work mode, it activates the worker detection unit 104 (step S11).

When the worker 21 gets on the elevator car 4a, he or she must pass through the landing door 15. Therefore, the control unit 103 drives the detection range drive unit 105 to orient the optical axis of the worker detection unit 104 toward the landing door 15 as shown in FIG. 4, and sets the detection range 22 of the worker detection unit 104 in the direction of the landing door 15 (step S12).

Then, the worker 21 opens the landing door 15 to create an opening, and enters the car top 4a through the opening.

At this time, the worker detection unit 104 detects the position and posture of the worker 21 and transmits the detection result to the determination unit 107 as worker information (step S13).

A worker 21 who gets on top of the car 4a operates the car top control device 16 to raise and lower the car 4 according to the height at which the equipment to be inspected is installed.

When the car 4 reaches the top 2a shown in FIG. 5, the hoisting machine 6, braking devices 13a, 13b, main rope end 8a, and governor 10 are inspected at the top 2a, so in the equipment layout of the elevator 1 in this embodiment, the area on the left side of the car top 4a becomes the work area. At this time, the car position information detected by the car position detection device 10a is transmitted to the control unit 103 in the worker detection device 102 via the control device 9 and car top control device 16 (step S14).

The control unit 103 compares the transmitted car position information with the equipment layout information recorded in the equipment layout information table 301 stored in the equipment layout information storage unit 106, and drives the detection range drive unit 105 according to the comparison result, so as to orient the optical axis of the worker detection unit 104 toward the left side of the car top 4a, as shown in FIG. 5 (step S15).

At the top 2a position, the worker 21 carries out the planned inspection work at the top 2a position. After completing the inspection work at the top 2a position, the worker 21 drives the car 4 down and stops it at the top floor 2b position. From here on, the process from step S14 to step S15 is repeated until the planned work is completed, so the key points regarding the position within the elevator shaft 2 will be described.

The objects to be inspected at the top floor 2b are the control device 9 and the main rope end 8b, and in the equipment layout of the elevator 1 in this embodiment, the area to the right of the car top 4a is the work area. Therefore, based on the information for the top floor 2b among the information recorded in the equipment layout information table 301, the control unit 103 drives the detection range drive unit 105 to orient the optical axis of the worker detection unit 104 toward the right of the car top 4a, as shown in FIG. 6 (step S15).

At the intermediate floor 2d, the height of the car 4 and the counterweight 5 are at the same position, so the inspection objects at the intermediate floor 2d are the counterweight 5, the main rope 3, and the governor rope 12. At the intermediate floor 2d, the worker 21 inspects the counterweight 5, the main rope 3, and the governor rope 12. Therefore, in the equipment layout of the machine room elevator 1 in this embodiment, the area to the left of the car top 4a becomes the work area. Therefore, based on the information at the intermediate floor 2d among the information recorded in the equipment layout information table 301, the control unit 103 drives the detection range drive unit 105 to direct the optical axis of the worker detection unit 104 toward the left side of the car top 4 as shown in FIG. 7 (step S15).

For the sake of explanation, the section from the top floor 2b to the intermediate floor 2d and the section to the lowest position reached by the car 4 are referred to as the intermediate floor 2c. The inspection objects at the intermediate floor 2c position are the main rope 3 and governor rope 12, as well as the landing doors 15 at each floor. Therefore, in the equipment layout of the elevator 1 shown in this embodiment, the area on the left front side above the car 4a is the work area, so the control unit 103 drives the detection range driving unit 105 based on the information at the intermediate floor 2c position among the information recorded in the equipment layout information table 301, and directs the optical axis of the worker detection unit 104 toward the left side above the car 4, as shown in FIG. 8 (step S15).

In this way, the worker 21 performs the planned inspection work, and when the inspection work is completed, the worker 21 opens the landing door 15 in order to move from the car top 4a to the landing 14, gets off from the car top 4a, and moves to the landing 14. After this, the worker 21 operates the operation panel 17 in the car 4 to switch the operation mode from the work mode to the normal mode.

The operation mode information generated by the operation panel 17 is transmitted to the control unit 103 via the car-mounted control device 16. The control unit 103 judges the transmitted operation mode information, and if it judges that the operation mode is the normal mode, it ends the worker detection process by activating the worker detection unit 104 (step S16), and then ends the processing in this routine.

From the time when the worker 21 gets on the car upper part 4a until he/she gets off the car upper part 4a, the judgment unit 107 judges whether or not the body of the worker 21 is sticking out from the car upper handrail 20 based on the worker information transmitted from the worker detection unit 104 (step S17). That is, the judgment unit 107 judges whether or not the body of the worker 21 is sticking out from the car upper handrail 20, and outputs the judgment result to the control unit 103.

If the determination unit 107 determines in step S17 that the body is not protruding, it determines that the worker 21 is not engaging in unsafe behavior and proceeds to the process of step S16.

On the other hand, if the determination unit 107 obtains a result of the determination in step S17 that the body is protruding, it determines whether or not an elevator stop measure has been taken (step S18). In other words, the determination unit 107 determines whether or not elevator stop measure information transmitted from the control device 9 to the control unit 103 via the car-mounted control device 16 has been received from the control unit 103.

This elevator stop action information is information indicating that the main power switch (not shown) installed in elevator 1 has been shut off by an operator, or information indicating that the safety stop device (not shown) has been activated by an operator.

If the determination unit 107 has not received elevator stop action information from the control unit 103, i.e., if the elevator 1 has not been stopped, the determination unit 107 generates unsafe behavior information and transfers the generated unsafe behavior information to the control unit 103. Having received the unsafe behavior information, the control unit 103 drives the notification unit 108, which then issues a warning to the worker (step S19).

The control unit 103 transmits the stop command to the control device 9 via the car-mounted control device 16. The control device 9, which has received the stop command, stops the drive command for the hoisting machine 6 and operates the brake devices 13a and 13b to apply the braking force of the brake devices 13a and 13b to the hoisting machine 6 (step S20).

By performing the above process, during the inspection of each piece of equipment in the elevator shaft 2, the work area (position) on the car top 4a is identified based on the position of the car 4 in the z-axis direction, and the direction in which detection should be focused is identified. By operating the detection range 22 of the worker detection device 102 in that direction, it is possible to improve the detection accuracy of the worker 21 on the car top 4a and further improve the safety of the worker 21.

In addition, the car-top worker detection system 101 according to this embodiment can manage the performance (history) of inspection work on the equipment to be inspected that is included in the work plan information acquired from the planned work DB 202.

Figure 10 is an example of a flowchart for explaining the process of work non-performance detection in the car-mounted worker detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 10, the control unit 103 of the worker detection device 102 receives the relevant work plan information from the work plan DB 202 via the network 201 (step S101).

The control unit 103 identifies the equipment to be inspected based on the received work plan information (step S102).

The control unit 103 compares the equipment layout information in the equipment layout information table 301 recorded in the equipment layout information storage unit 106 with the car position information detected by the car position detection device 10a. At this time, the control unit 103 compares the equipment layout information of the inspection target equipment identified in step S102 from the equipment layout information in the equipment layout information table 301 with the car position information. For example, if the work plan information indicates that the target planned work 306 is "B", the inspection target equipment identified in step S102 is the "hoist", so the control unit 103 compares the equipment layout information of the "hoist" from the equipment layout information with the car position information, and calculates the key sensing coordinates 307 as the direction of the inspection target equipment corresponding to the position of the car 4 (the direction of the optical axis of the worker detection unit 104) based on the comparison result (step S103).

The control unit 103 controls the driving of the detection range driving unit 105 using the direction of the inspection target device calculated in step S103 as a target value, and points the optical axis of the operator detection unit 104 in the direction of the inspection target device calculated in step S103 (step S104).

Next, the worker 21 operates the operation panel 17 to switch the operation mode from the work mode to the normal mode (step S105).

After this, until the work by the worker 21 is completed, the determination unit 107 mainly performs the following processing.

First, the determination unit 107 takes in the output of the worker detection unit 104, and determines whether or not the worker detection unit 104 has detected a worker 21 within the detection range 22 in the direction calculated in step S103 (the direction of the equipment to be inspected) at the equipment installation height position 304 of the equipment to be inspected matched in step S103 (step S106).

If the determination unit 107 determines in step S106 that the worker detection unit 104 has detected the worker 21, it determines that the work has been completed and outputs the determination result to the control unit 103. The control unit 103, which has received the determination result that the work has been completed, generates work completion information indicating that the work has been completed, and registers the generated work completion information in the work history DB 203 via the network 201 (step S107), and then ends the processing in this routine.

On the other hand, if the determination unit 107 determines in step S106 that the worker detection unit 104 has not detected the worker 21, it determines that the worker has not performed the work and transfers this determination result to the control unit 103. The control unit 103, which has received the determination result that the worker has not performed the work, outputs an alarm command to the notification unit 108 to drive the notification unit 108. This causes the notification unit 108 to warn the worker (step S108).

Then, the determination unit 107 determines whether the number of warnings by the notification unit 108 is one or less, or whether the current time is within the scheduled work end time registered in the work plan information by referring to the built-in clock (step S109), and if the number of warnings is one or less, or if the current time is within the scheduled work end time (Yes), outputs a positive determination result to the control unit 103. The control unit 103 executes a process to display a warning on the display unit 109 (step S110), and returns to the process of step S103. After this, the processes of steps S103 to S106 are repeated.

On the other hand, if the notification unit 108 has issued multiple warnings, or if the current time exceeds the scheduled work end time and the work is not completed (No), the determination unit 107 outputs a negative determination result to the control unit 103. The control unit 103, which has received the negative determination result, registers work non-performance information indicating work non-performance in the work history DB 203 via the network 201 (step S111).

The control unit 103 also transmits the work non-performance information to an external notification unit (not shown) via the network 201. The external notification unit that receives the work non-performance information notifies the administrator (not shown) that a work non-performance has occurred (step S111), and then ends the processing of this routine.

When detecting a non-performance of a task in this embodiment, the control unit 103 compares the work plan information received from the work plan DB 202 via the network 201 with the planned task recorded in the target planned task 307, identifies the equipment to be inspected based on the comparison result, calculates the key sensing coordinate 307 linked to the identified equipment to be inspected as the direction (detection direction) of the equipment to be inspected, controls the driving of the detection range driving unit 105 with the calculated direction of the equipment to be inspected as a target value, and executes control to orient the optical axis of the worker detection unit 104 in the calculated direction of the equipment to be inspected. As a result, the drive shaft rotates to the position of the key sensing coordinate 307, and the optical axis of the worker detection unit 104 is positioned at the position where the rotation of the drive shaft stops.

The method of specifying the key sensing coordinate 307 may be as a coordinate on one axis or a coordinate on two axes depending on the configuration of the detection range drive unit 105, or it may be specified as the angle of the drive axis instead of a coordinate.

According to this embodiment, the detection range corresponding to a part of the work area on the car can be variably adjusted according to the position of the car, and a worker in the work area can be detected. As a result, even a single worker detection unit can reliably detect a worker in the work area, and the configuration can be simplified. Also, according to this embodiment, a warning is issued when the worker's body protrudes from the work area, which contributes to improving safety for the worker. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to reliably perform inspection work, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of human error such as omission of inspection work, as well as to prevent a decrease in maintenance quality due to non-performance of work. Also, according to this embodiment, it is possible to manage the performance (history) of inspection work for inspection target equipment included in the work plan information.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes various modifications and equivalent configurations within the spirit of the appended claims. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to those having all of the configurations described.

Furthermore, each of the configurations, functions, etc. described above may be realized in part or in whole in hardware, for example by designing them as integrated circuits, or in software, by a processor interpreting and executing a program that realizes each function.

Information such as programs, tables, and files that realize each function can be stored in a storage device such as a memory, a hard disk, or an SSD (Solid State Drive), or in a recording medium such as an IC (Integrated Circuit) card, an SD (Secure Digital) card, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc).

1 elevator, 2 hoistway, 2a top, 2b top floor, 2c mid-floor, 2d intermediate floor, 2e bottom, 3 main rope, 4 car, 4a car top, 5 counterweight, 6 hoist, 9 control device, 10 governor, 10a car position detection device, 16 car top control device, 17 operation panel, 20 car top handrail, 21 worker, 22 detection range, 101 car top worker detection system, 102 worker detection device, 103 control unit, 104 worker detection unit, 105 detection range drive unit, 106 judgment unit, 107 notification unit, 201 network, 202 work plan DB, 203 work history DB, 301 equipment layout information table

Claims (2)

In an elevator car worker detection system that detects a worker on the car,
a worker detection unit that detects a worker present within a detection range that is a part of a work area set on the elevator car;
a detection range driving unit that drives the worker detection unit to variably adjust the detection range;
an equipment layout information storage unit that stores equipment layout information including an installation height position of each of a plurality of equipments arranged in the elevator shaft and a detection direction indicating the center of the detection range corresponding to the installation height position of each of the equipments;
a car position detection unit that detects a position of the car in a hoistway of the elevator and generates car position information;
a control unit that compares the car position information generated by the car position detection unit with the equipment layout information stored in the equipment layout information storage unit, identifies the detection direction at the car position based on the comparison result, and controls the drive of the detection range drive unit using the identified detection direction as a target value for the detection range drive unit,
The detection range driving unit is
A car-mounted worker detection system, characterized in that the worker detection unit is driven in a direction such that its optical axis is the detection direction. In the elevator car worker detection system according to claim 1,
a determination unit that determines whether or not the body of the worker protrudes from the working area based on a detection result of the worker detection unit, and outputs the determination result to the control unit;
Further provided is an alarm unit that issues a warning to the worker on the elevator on condition that a warning command is received from the control unit,
The control unit is
A car worker detection system characterized by outputting the notification command to the alarm unit when it is determined that the worker's body is protruding from the work area, provided that elevator stop action information indicating a stop action for the elevator has not been input.

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