FI20235604A1 - Condition monitoring device for a synthetic rope - Google Patents

Abstract

A rope condition monitoring device (100) for monitoring the condition of a synthetic rope, comprising a body (50) removably attachable around a synthetic rope (30) on a rope so that the rope (30) runs along a track (60) on the body of the device (50); at least one imaging means (10a-c) for imaging the rope over the entire circumference thereof; at least one lighting means (40) for illuminating the rope (30); wherein said at least one imaging means (10a-c) are placed on the body of the fitness monitoring device (100) such that their optical axis is parallel to the rope (30) and that the field of view of the imaging means is turned to direct it towards an imaging area by means of at least one optical element (20a-c) so that the fitness monitoring device requires less space around the rope (30) without the imaging distance becoming shorter.

Description

SYNTHETIC ROPE CONDITION MONITORING DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to the condition monitoring of a rope hoist. In particular, the invention relates to the condition monitoring of a rope hoist by imaging. In particular, the invention relates to a condition monitoring device for — a synthetic — rope — of a rope hoist, which is suitable for installation in various types of rope hoists.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information useful to the reader without intending to admit that the technology described herein necessarily represents the state of the art. — Synthetic ropes are used in rope hoists because of their advantageous properties compared to steel ropes. Synthetic ropes are lightweight, do not require grease for lubrication, and can withstand conditions where steel ropes would be susceptible to rusting.

Various solutions have been proposed for the condition monitoring of steel ropes, for example those based on ferromagnetic properties. The condition monitoring of synthetic ropes is typically carried out manually, i.e. visually.

Some condition monitoring methods have also been proposed for synthetic ropes, but they are not suitable for situations where there is limited space around the rope, for example when using electric bridge cranes.

Therefore, there is a need for a solution that enables the condition monitoring of synthetic ropes — in confined spaces without compromising the quality of the monitoring. n SUMMARY

S

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a condition monitoring device 3 for monitoring the condition of a synthetic rope, comprising:

O

9 frame, which is detachably attached to the synthetic rope of the rope hoist

I

= 25 — around so that the rope runs along the track included in the body of the device; <t 3 at least one imaging means for imaging the rope along its entire circumference; 0

N at least one lighting means for illuminating the rope; where

The at least one imaging means mentioned in N is placed in the body of the condition monitoring device such that their optical axis is parallel to the rope and that the field of view of the imaging means is turned to align with the imaging area by means of at least one optical element such that the space required by the condition monitoring device around the rope is reduced without reducing the imaging distance.

Said at least one imaging means may comprise three imaging means which are — placed at substantially equal intervals around the rope along its circumference.

At least one of the imaging means may comprise digital cameras.

At least one optical element may comprise a mirror.

At least one of the lighting means may comprise LED lights.

The body of the rope condition monitoring device may consist of parts that can be installed around the rope and fastened together.

The body of the rope condition monitoring device may consist of two parts hinged together, which can be closed around the rope and locked together.

The rope condition monitoring device may be mounted around the rope in such a way that it moves laterally with the rope, following the lateral movement of the rope as it is reeled in. — The rope condition monitoring device may be attached to the rope guide of the rope reel of the rope hoist.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a condition monitoring system for monitoring the condition of a synthetic rope, comprising a rope condition monitoring device according to the first aspect; a processor; and means for image processing and determining the condition of the rope, wherein the condition monitoring device is in wired or wireless communication with the processor and said means.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a rope hoist comprising a synthetic rope; and the rope according to the first aspect

N.

E condition monitoring device. 3 According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for equipping a rope hoist 2 25 — with a condition monitoring device, the method comprising installing a rope condition monitoring device according to the first aspect on the rope hoist =E. a 3 According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a rope

O condition monitoring method for monitoring the condition of a synthetic rope, in which the method

S — a rope condition monitoring device according to the first aspect is installed on the rope hoist; — the rope hoist is used, whereby the rope moves in the running track;

illuminating the rope with at least one illumination means; imaging the rope with at least one imaging means to obtain images; and determining the condition of the synthetic rope based on said images.

The various embodiments of the present invention are or have been described only in connection with one or more aspects of the invention. One skilled in the art will understand that any embodiment of any aspect of the invention may be applied to the same aspect and other aspects of the invention alone or in combination with other embodiments.

BRIEF INTRODUCTION OF THE PATTERNS

— The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 schematically shows a rope hoist on which a rope condition monitoring device according to one embodiment is installed;

Figure 2 schematically shows a schematic diagram of a rope condition monitoring device according to an embodiment;

Figure 3 shows — schematically — a rope condition monitoring device — according to an — embodiment;

Figure 4 shows — schematically — a rope condition monitoring device — according to one embodiment;

Figure 5 shows — schematically — the body of a — rope — condition monitoring device — according to — one — embodiment;

Figure 6 shows a simplified diagram of a rope condition monitoring method according to an embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 7 shows a simplified block diagram of a condition monitoring system according to an embodiment of the invention.

S 25 —DETAILED EXPLANATION re In the following description, like reference numerals refer to similar parts

S or steps. It should be noted that the figures shown are not entirely to scale, and that they mainly serve only the purpose of illustrating embodiments of the invention. 3 30 — Figure 1 schematically shows a rope hoist in which an embodiment is installed

S compliant rope condition monitoring device.

Figure 1 schematically shows a rope hoist 200 comprising a rope roller 210 for a synthetic rope 30. Figure 1 further shows a hook block 220 having a hook 230.

The hook block 20 may have one or more rope sheaves through which the rope 10 is arranged to run. It should be noted that although Figure 1 shows a rigging, or rigging, in which two up-down passes are made with one rope (1x2), the rope condition monitoring device according to embodiments of the invention can also be used in other types of — ropes (e.g. 1x4, 1x6, or 1x8). In Figure 1, a rope condition monitoring device 100 according to one embodiment of the invention is mounted on the rope 30 next to the rope roller 210 such that the synthetic rope 30 passes through it when the rope hoist is used. In one exemplary embodiment, the rope condition monitoring device 100 is attached to a rope guide that moves laterally on the rope reel so that the condition monitoring device also moves laterally with the rope when the rope winding or release point moves laterally when winding the rope onto or releasing it from the reel. The rope guide to which the condition monitoring device is attached comprises, in an exemplary embodiment, either a guide that moves on a rail or a ring-shaped guide that moves around the rope reel. The rope is placed on the rope reel in an ascending spiral groove reserved for the rope. If the length of the rope to be wound is — adapted to more than one layer, we can speak of multi-layer winding. In this case, the second, third and subsequent layers are placed on top of the previous rope layer.

The load can be attached to the hook 230, for example, by means of lifting eyes, lifting slings or chains. The hook 230 can also be adapted to lift a container gripper, if the rope hoist is used to lift port containers. The hook 230 can also be adapted to — lift a lifting boom, which can be used to lift, for example, long horizontal shafts.

In Figure 1, the ropes directed upwards can be connected to a rope roller (“right rope”) and to a fixed rope end attachment (“left rope?”). Depending on the layout of the rope, the “right rope” can also be connected to said rope roller via one or more rope sheaves. — According to Figure 1, the rope 30 can run, for example, as follows: the left-hand rope & is attached at its upper end to a fixed rope attachment point. The rope runs downwards

N to hook block 220, where there is a rope pulley fold. From the rope pulley the rope continues

S as the right-hand rope from hook block 220 upwards. Depending on the type of rigging > the right-hand rope is guided through the rope condition monitoring device 100 at the top

E 30 — to the rope roller when the sheave is of type 1x2. If the sheave is of type 1x4, the rope is led up through the <+ sheave fold and down again towards the hook block 220, where it is folded again through another 2 sheave (not shown) and up again and then to the rope roller with the rope 30

N attaching the other end. Up-down rope runs can be implemented in a similar way.

N falls) for example in 1x6 and 1x8 rigs. — In one exemplary embodiment, the rope condition monitoring device 100 is placed next to the rope roller 210, i.e. below the rope roller 210. In one exemplary embodiment, the rope condition monitoring device 100 is attached to the rope roller. In one exemplary embodiment, the rope condition monitoring device 100 is attached to the rope guide of the rope hoist. The rope condition monitoring device 100 is attached to the rope hoist in such a way that it moves laterally as needed, following the lateral movement of the rope when the rope 30 is wound onto or released from the rope reel in a significantly vertical direction. In one exemplary embodiment, the force exerted by the rope itself on the condition monitoring device 100 when it is under tension is sufficient to move the condition monitoring device in a lateral direction so that no folds are created in the rope or its course is disturbed. In one exemplary embodiment, the rope condition monitoring device 100 is attached to a separate guide or rail that allows lateral movement due to the force exerted by the rope.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the rope condition monitoring device is removably attached to the rope hoist in such a way that it is possible to attach the same condition monitoring device to several rope hoists, each in turn, for example to determine the condition of the rope when servicing the rope hoist.

In one exemplary embodiment, especially if the rope condition monitoring device 100 is only used temporarily to monitor the condition of the rope of the rope hoist in question, for example in connection with maintenance, the rope condition monitoring device can be attached to the hook block, which makes its attachment easier and safer.

Figure 2 schematically shows a principle view of a rope condition monitoring device according to an embodiment. The rope condition monitoring device 100 comprises at least one imaging means 10a-c for imaging a synthetic rope 20. Figure 2 shows three —imaging means, but in some exemplary embodiments the number of imaging means & may differ from this. The imaging means 10a-c are intended to form an image a of the entire circumference of the rope 30. In one exemplary embodiment the imaging means <Q 10a-c — comprise — digital — cameras. = In one exemplary embodiment the imaging means 10a-c comprise cameras intended for industrial use. In one

E 30 — in an exemplary embodiment, the imaging means comprises s camera modules implemented on an integrated circuit. 3 In a further exemplary embodiment, the imaging means comprises a visible light

O — imaging means operating in the — near-infrared — range or — imaging means operating in the — near-infrared — range. In some exemplary embodiments, the imaging means are placed around the — rope at equal intervals along the circumference of the rope. In one exemplary embodiment, the imaging means are located at the same height in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the rope. In one exemplary embodiment, the imaging means are located at different heights in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the rope.

Figure 2 further shows optical elements 20a-c, by means of which the image of the rope 30 is directed to the availability of imaging means, for example to the sensor of a digital camera. In one exemplary embodiment, the optical elements 20a-c comprise mirrors. In another exemplary embodiment, the optical elements comprise other optical components, such as prisms and optical fibers, in addition to or instead of mirrors. In some exemplary embodiments, the optical elements are placed around the rope at substantially even intervals around the circumference of the rope, with the help of which elements a uniform image printout can be formed, if desired, surrounding the rope from the surface of the rope.

Figure 3 shows — schematically — a rope condition monitoring device — according to an — embodiment. For the sake of clarity, one imaging means 10a and one optical element 20a are shown in Figure 3, although in some exemplary embodiments the rope condition monitoring device comprises more imaging means, for example at least three, for imaging the rope 30 along its entire circumference.

Figure 3 shows an imaging area, or window, 300, imaged by the imaging means.

The imaging area covers a certain length of the rope 30 along its entire circumference. In order for the images obtained to be utilized in condition monitoring, the conditions in the imaging area must remain as even as possible and the lighting must be sufficient for imaging.

In one — exemplary embodiment — rope condition monitoring device 100 — comprises lighting means 40. Figure 3 shows one lighting means, but in one exemplary embodiment there are more lighting means, for example at least three, to illuminate the rope in the imaging window along its entire circumference, or at least two on both sides of each at least one imaging means 10a-c. In one

In an exemplary embodiment, the lighting means are placed at substantially equal intervals ro around the rope along its circumference. In an exemplary embodiment, the lighting means = 40 are arranged to illuminate the rope at a certain angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the rope r to better highlight the rope's — surface features — when imaging. In an exemplary embodiment, the lighting means = 40 are arranged to illuminate the rope at a certain angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the rope r to better highlight the rope's — surface features — when imaging.

E 30 — in the exemplary embodiment, said angle is 35-60 degrees, preferably about 45 degrees. 5 In a further exemplary embodiment — the illumination means are placed in connection with the & imaging means. In such an embodiment, optical elements 20a-c

N can be utilized to provide illumination to the imaging area. In an exemplary embodiment, the illumination means 40 comprises an LED light or a group of LEDs.

In one exemplary embodiment, the lighting means 40 are arranged to produce visible light or near-infrared light, at a certain wavelength or a certain color temperature, to illuminate the imaging area.

Figure 3 shows the imaging means 10a positioned according to an exemplary embodiment — such that their optical axis is parallel to the rope 30 and the field of view of the imaging means is turned to be aligned with the imaging area by means of the optical element 20a. By positioning the imaging means in this way, in some exemplary embodiments, the space required by the rope monitoring device 100 around the rope is reduced without the imaging distance becoming too short.

Figure 4 shows — schematically — a rope condition monitoring device 100 according to an embodiment. The rope condition monitoring device 100 comprises a body 50, inside of which there is a running groove, or tunnel 60, arranged for a synthetic rope 30. According to an exemplary embodiment, the body 50 is substantially cylindrical and the running groove — runs in the middle of the body — in the direction of the vertical axis of the body. = In an exemplary embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the running groove 60 corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the rope 30, being typically circular. In an exemplary embodiment, the diameter of the running groove 60 is adapted to the diameter of the rope 30 so that the rope can move freely, but nevertheless remains in the same position in the running groove sufficiently to standardize the imaging conditions. In one exemplary embodiment, the diameter of the passage groove 60 is 1-3 mm, preferably about 2 mm larger than the diameter of the rope 30 when new.

In one exemplary embodiment, the diameter of the rope 30 is between 5-25 mm, preferably 8-20 mm.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the frame consists of several, for example two, parts that can be removably attached around the rope. In such an embodiment, the parts of the frame are attached to each other by conventional fastening means, such as & for example quick-locking latches or bolts. Furthermore, according to an exemplary embodiment, the frame 50 comprises two parts that are attached to each other by hinges so that the hinged frame 50 can be closed around the rope and locked, for example, with a latch. In an exemplary embodiment, the openings for the rope at the first and second ends of the frame 50 open in a trumpet-like manner to ensure movement of the rope.

S Further, according to an exemplary embodiment, the material around the openings

O can be a replaceable material with a low coefficient of friction as a rope vs. material pair,

O whereby the wear resistance of the material is good in relation to the wear effect of the rope and preferably also so that the rope does not wear easily.

The frame 50 further comprises rope guide means 70,80 at least at the upper and lower ends of the running groove 60. In one exemplary embodiment — the rope guide means — comprise guide rollers arranged to enable the rope to move in the running groove 60 without interference and arranged to keep the rope 30 in a substantially the same position — in the imaging area to standardize the imaging conditions. Further, according to one exemplary embodiment, the rope guide means comprise sliding surfaces in addition to or instead of the guide rollers.

In one exemplary embodiment, cleaning means, for example brushes or the like (not shown), are arranged at the upper and/or lower end of the passage groove 60, between which the rope 30 passes and which clean the rope of any mechanical dirt. In one exemplary embodiment, the brushes or the like may also be arranged to prevent unwanted light from entering the body 50 in order to stabilize the imaging conditions.

The rope condition monitoring device 100 further comprises imaging means 10a, which are placed in the imaging means housing 15a in the frame 50. For the sake of clarity, Figure 4 shows one imaging means 10a, although in some exemplary embodiments the rope condition monitoring device comprises more imaging means, for example at least three, for imaging the rope 30 along its entire circumference.

Figure 4 shows the imaging means 10a positioned according to an exemplary embodiment such that their optical axis is parallel to the rope 30 and the field of view of the imaging means is turned to align with the imaging area by means of the optical element 20a. By positioning the imaging means in this manner, in some exemplary embodiments, the space required by the rope monitoring device 100 around the rope is reduced without the imaging distance becoming too short.

The rope condition monitoring device 100 further comprises lighting means 40, which are placed in the lighting means housing 45 in the frame 50, for illuminating the imaging area. Figure 4 shows

For the sake of clarity, there are one lighting means, but in some exemplary embodiments there are more lighting means, for example at least three, to illuminate the rope = in the imaging window along its entire circumference.

E In one exemplary embodiment, the inside or inner surface of the passageway 60 in at least + 30 — imaging area has been treated, or material has been arranged on the inner surface, so that 3 imaging conditions are improved. In one exemplary embodiment, the passageway

The inner surface of N comprises a surface color that improves contrast when imaging. Such contrast

The enhancing color N is chosen according to the color of the rope so that the rope stands out as clearly as possible from its background in the image, for example from the colors white and green when the rope is orange or red. In a further exemplary embodiment, the inner surface of the running groove is — treated to be matte to avoid reflections, for example by using a pile surface.

The rope condition monitoring device 100 further comprises elements that are not shown.

In Figure 4. In some exemplary embodiments, such means include, for example, means for wired or wireless communication for transmitting, for example, captured images, a processor for controlling various elements of the condition monitoring device 100, memory means for intermediate and/or long-term storage of captured images, and a voltage source, e.g. a battery or mains connection, for generating the operating power for the components of the rope condition monitoring device.

Figure 5 shows — schematically — a frame 50 of a rope condition monitoring device — according to an — embodiment. As mentioned above, according to an exemplary embodiment, the frame consists of several, for example two 50a, 50b parts, which are removably attachable around the rope. Figure 5 shows — the frame of the rope condition monitoring device opened and mounted around the rope 30.

The frame of the rope condition monitoring device comprises parts 50a, 50b hinged to each other by a hinge element 52 so that the frame can be opened and closed. In one exemplary embodiment, the hinged parts 50a, 50b are secured closed to each other by locking means 54. — In one exemplary embodiment, the hinging of the frame is arranged so that the parts 50a, 50b of the frame are pressed into a closed space, for example by means of a spring, whereby they remain closed around the rope without separate locking means or with very light locking means, e.g. a magnet. In such an arrangement, the frame can open in a situation where, for example, a tangle in the rope cannot properly pass through the frame 50 and could — cause a malfunction of the rope hoist or a dangerous situation. The spring arrangement pressing the frame is in an exemplary embodiment integrated into the hinge element 52. Figure 6a shows a simplified diagram of a synthetic rope condition monitoring method according to an embodiment of the invention. In step 610, a rope condition monitoring device 100 is installed or is installed in a rope hoist. The synthetic rope 30 of the rope hoist runs through the travel path of the condition monitoring device.

S in the groove 60. 3

N At step 620, the rope hoist is used and the synthetic rope moves in the running track 60.

N In step 630, the rope is illuminated by the illumination means 40 and imaged by the imaging means 10a-c to obtain images. Metadata, or ancillary information, is stored in connection with the images resulting from the imaging. In one exemplary embodiment, such ancillary information, or metadata, comprises the coordinate of the imaged point, i.e. the distance along the rope from, for example, a certain predetermined point on the rope, and/or a time stamp.

In step 640, the condition of the rope is determined based on the captured images. Steps 630 and 640 are repeated while the rope hoist is operating at predetermined intervals or continuously.

In one exemplary embodiment, an alarm is given in step 640 if the condition of the rope has deteriorated. In one exemplary embodiment, in connection with or after the alarm, the user of the rope hoist has the opportunity to visually inspect the point on the rope that caused the alarm, i.e. the captured image material is presented to the user, e.g. on a screen.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the image material is presented to the user so that the maintenance worker can check the success of the recording after the installation and commissioning of the condition monitoring device.

In an exemplary embodiment, steps 630 and 640 are performed in the manner described in unpublished Finnish patent application FI20225694, for example — in Figures 7a and 7b and the accompanying description, by imaging a synthetic rope moving through a condition monitoring device to obtain multiple images, preprocessing the images, and determining the condition of the rope using a neural network, for example a convolutional neural network.

Figure 7 shows a simplified block diagram of a rope condition monitoring system 700 according to an embodiment of the invention, which comprises a rope condition monitoring device 100, which is in wired or wireless communication with other components, and: 710. A processor or processing functionality (for example —as a cloud computing functionality); & 25 720. A memory and stored therein computer program code 730, which computer program code is arranged to control the operation of the condition monitoring system 700;

O z 730. A user interface element that enables the presentation of the results of the condition monitoring to the user and the use of the system and which may include a display on which the image material 3 30 — is presented, or the condition monitoring system may include a separate display 735;

N 740. data transfer interface or functionality for receiving data from a cable

N from the condition monitoring device 100 and for providing information to the condition monitoring device 100 and to the control system of the rope hoist or its place of use, which is not shown in the figure; and

760. tools for image processing and rope condition determination.

In Figure 7, the means for image processing and rope condition determination 760 are drawn as a separate block. Optionally, the processor or processor functionality 710 may implement these. In Figure 7, various elements, for example, the means for image processing and rope condition determination 760 are shown as being located outside the rope condition monitoring device. Optionally, at least some of them may be located in the rope condition monitoring device 100.

One technical advantage of the invention presented above can be considered to be the provision of a condition monitoring device that enables the condition monitoring of synthetic ropes by imaging.

Another technical advantage of the above invention can be considered to be the provision of a condition monitoring device that can be simply installed on various types of rope hoists without changing or dismantling their structure.

A third technical advantage of the above invention can be considered to be the improvement of the safety of rope hoists by providing the possibility of continuous rope sound monitoring.

A fourth technical advantage of the above invention can be considered to be the provision of a condition monitoring device that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

A fifth technical advantage of the invention presented above can be considered the relative ease of installing the rope condition monitoring device, which allows the condition monitoring device to be easily installed as a new or retrofit installation and also for temporary use, for example in connection with maintenance.

The above description provides non-limiting examples of some embodiments of the invention. It will be clear to a person skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the details set forth, but that the invention may also be implemented in other equivalent ways.

I Some features of the embodiments shown may be utilized without the use of other features. The above description should be considered as such only as a summary of the principles of the invention.

S as a descriptive description and not as a limitation of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is limited only by the appended claims.

O

OF

Claims (13)

PATENT CLAIMS 1. A rope condition monitoring device for monitoring the condition of a synthetic rope, comprising a frame that can be removably attached around a synthetic rope (30) of a rope hoist such that the rope (30) runs along a track comprised by the frame (50) of the device; at least one imaging means (10a-c) for imaging the rope along its entire circumference; at least one lighting means (40) for illuminating the rope (30); characterized in that said at least one imaging means (10a-c) are placed in the frame of the condition monitoring device (100) such that their optical axis is parallel to the rope (30) and that — the field of view of the imaging means is turned to align with the imaging area by means of at least one optical element (20a-c) such that the space required by the condition monitoring device around the rope (30) is reduced without reducing the imaging distance. 2. A rope condition monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one imaging means comprises three imaging means (10a-c) which are - placed at substantially equal intervals around the rope along its circumference. 3. Rope condition monitoring device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the imaging means comprises digital cameras. A rope condition monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least one optical element comprises a mirror. 5. A rope condition monitoring device according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein at least one of the lighting means comprises LED lights. 6. A rope condition monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the body (50) of the condition monitoring device (100) consists of parts that can be mounted around 2 ropes and secured to each other. O a 25 7. A rope condition monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the body (50) of the condition monitoring device (100) consists of two parts hinged together, which can be closed around the rope and locked together. I [an - 8. A rope condition monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the condition monitoring device (100) is mounted around the rope so that it moves laterally with the rope, following the lateral movement of the rope as the rope (30) N is wound. 9. A rope condition monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the condition monitoring device (100) is attached to the rope guide of the rope drum of the rope hoist. 10. A condition monitoring system (600) for monitoring the condition of a synthetic rope, comprising a rope condition monitoring device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9; a processor (610); and means (660) for image processing and determining the condition of the rope, wherein the condition monitoring device is in wired or wireless communication with the processor and said means (660). 11. A rope hoist comprising a synthetic rope (30); and a rope condition monitoring device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9. 12. A method for equipping a rope hoist with a rope condition monitoring device, the method comprising installing a rope condition monitoring device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 on the rope hoist. 13. A rope condition monitoring method for monitoring the condition of a synthetic rope, wherein — the method comprises installing a rope condition monitoring device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 on a rope hoist; operating a rope hoist, whereby the rope (30) moves in a running track (60); illuminating the rope with at least one lighting means (40); imaging the rope with at least one imaging means (10a-c) to obtain images; and determining the condition of the synthetic rope (30) based on said images. = 25 O N LÖ <Q O O I [an a <t O O LO 0 N O N