JP7362884B1 - elevator system - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to perform stable wireless communication between a master unit and a slave unit in a hoistway without being affected by a car or a counterweight. [Solution] An elevator system according to an embodiment provides communication between a first communication terminal provided in a control panel and a second communication terminal provided in a car or a counterweight that moves up and down in a hoistway. perform wireless communication. The elevator system includes a first antenna provided on the car side in the hoistway, and a second antenna provided on the counterweight side in the hoistway at the same position as the first antenna. a third antenna provided on the second communication terminal, a car position detecting means for detecting the position of the car, and a car position detecting means according to the position of the car detected by the car position detecting means. The first communication terminal includes antenna switching means for switching an antenna for transmitting and receiving radio waves to and from the third antenna to the first antenna or the second antenna. [Selection diagram] Figure 1

Description

Embodiments of the invention relate to elevator systems.

BACKGROUND ART For elevators, a system is being considered in which data related to the operating state of the elevator is wirelessly communicated between a master unit and a slave unit installed in a hoistway. The parent device and the slave device are terminal devices (communication terminals) equipped with wireless functionality. Usually, the master unit is installed in an elevator control device (control panel), and the slave unit is installed in a car or counterweight.

Here, the car and the counterweight are moving in opposite directions within the hoistway. For this reason, for example, when transmitting data from a child device installed in a car to a parent device, the counterweight, which is a metal body, may interfere, making it impossible to stably send data. The same is true when transmitting data from a child device installed on a counterweight to a parent device, and the metal car may interfere, making it impossible to send data stably. The same applies when transmitting data from the parent device to a child device installed in a car or a child device installed on a counterweight, and the car or counterweight may interfere.

JP2019-165275A JP2016-037388A

As described above, in the hoistway, cars and counterweights may cause radio wave interference, which may affect wireless communication between the base unit and slave unit.

Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an elevator system that can perform stable wireless communication between a master unit and a slave unit without being affected by the car or counterweight in the hoistway. .

An elevator system according to one embodiment performs wireless communication between a first communication terminal provided in a control panel and a second communication terminal provided in a car or a counterweight that moves up and down in a hoistway. conduct. The elevator system includes a first antenna provided on the car side in the hoistway, and a second antenna provided on the counterweight side in the hoistway at the same position as the first antenna. a third antenna provided on the second communication terminal, a car position detecting means for detecting the position of the car, and a car position detecting means according to the position of the car detected by the car position detecting means. The first communication terminal includes antenna switching means for switching an antenna for transmitting and receiving radio waves to and from the third antenna to the first antenna or the second antenna.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration example of an elevator system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the slave CS according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the base device CM according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the car and the counterweight inside the hoistway, viewed from the ceiling. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a case where the car is positioned lower than the counterweight. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a case where the car is positioned higher than the counterweight. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a case where the position of the car according to the same embodiment is lower than the counterweight. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a case where the car according to the embodiment is positioned higher than the counterweight. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the antenna switching device according to the same embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a modification of the same embodiment. FIG. 11 is an example of the configuration of an antenna switching device according to a modification of the same embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example in which the car passes upward through a first position, and then passes downward through a first position P1 and a second position P2 in this order, in a modification of the same embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the car passes downward through the second position, and then passes upward through the second position and then the first position in that order, in a modification of the same embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a modification of the same embodiment in which a third detector is provided in the hoistway. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a case where the position of the car according to the second embodiment is lower than the counterweight. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a case where the position of the car according to the second embodiment is higher than the counterweight. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an antenna switching device according to a modification of the second embodiment.

Each embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.
Note that the disclosure is merely an example, and the invention is not limited to the content described in the embodiments below. Variations that are readily available to those skilled in the art are naturally within the scope of the disclosure. In order to make the explanation more clear, in the drawings, the size, shape, etc. of each part may be changed from the actual embodiment and schematically represented. In some drawings, corresponding elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof may be omitted.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration example of an elevator system according to a first embodiment. The X-axis and the Y-axis indicate the width direction and height direction of the hoistway 2, respectively. The Z axis indicates the depth direction of the hoistway 2. In the example of FIG. 1, an elevator control panel 10 and a hoisting machine 17 that control the entire elevator are provided in the upper machine room 1. Note that in a machine room type elevator that does not have a machine room, the control panel 10 and the hoist 17 are arranged in the upper part of the hoistway 2.

The control panel 10 includes a control device 11 for controlling the entire elevator, and a communication terminal (hereinafter referred to as a master device) CM having a wireless function. An antenna MA1 and an antenna MA2 are switchably connected to the base device CM via an antenna switching device 9. Antenna MA1 is installed at the top of the hoistway 2 on the car 12 side, and antenna MA2 is installed at the top of the hoistway 2 on the counterweight 13 side. Base device CM performs wireless communication via antenna MA1 or antenna MA2.
The antenna switching device 9 switches the antenna used for wireless communication by the base device CM to the antenna MA1 or the antenna MA2. Note that if communication is performed using both antenna MA1 and antenna MA2, the specified low power (20 mW) will be exceeded, so it is necessary to connect one of them to base unit CM for communication.

As shown in FIG. 1, a car 12 and a counterweight 13 are provided in the hoistway 2, and each is supported by guide rails 14a to 14d so as to be movable up and down. Guide rails 14a and 14b are guide rails for the car 12, and guide rails 14c and 14d are guide rails for the counterweight 13. The car 12 is slidably attached to guide rails 14a, 14b via guide shoes 15a, 15b. The counterweight 13 is slidably provided on the guide rails 14c and 14d via guide shoes 15c and 15d.

The car 12 is provided with an acceleration sensor S1 for detecting (measuring) the shaking of the car 12 and a child unit CS1 at the top of the car 12. Note that the child device CS1 is a communication terminal that has a function of wirelessly communicating with the parent device CM. The acceleration sensor S1 and the child unit CS1 are connected by wire, and are used as a sensor device (also referred to as a sensor terminal) having a wireless communication function. An antenna SA1 for wireless communication is connected to the slave CS1. Antenna SA1 is installed at the top of the car 12. The child device CS1 performs wireless communication with the parent device CM via the antenna SA1. The slave device CS1 and the acceleration sensor S1 may be housed in the same housing.

Similarly, the counterweight 13 is provided with an acceleration sensor S2 for detecting (measuring) the shaking of the counterweight 13 and a child unit CS2. Note that the child device CS2 is a communication terminal that has a function of wirelessly communicating with the parent device CM. The acceleration sensor S2 and the child unit CS2 are connected by wire, and are used as a sensor device with a wireless communication function. An antenna SA2 for wireless communication is connected to the slave CS2. Antenna SA2 is installed above the counterweight 13. The child device CS2 performs wireless communication with the parent device CM via the antenna SA2. The slave device CS2 and the acceleration sensor S2 may be housed in the same housing.

A car 12 is connected to one end of the main rope 16, and a counterweight 13 is connected to the other end of the main rope 16. The main rope 16 is wound around a main sheave 18a attached to the rotating shaft of the hoist 17. 18b is a deflection sheave.

The hoist 17 includes a motor 19 for rotating the main sheave 18a. When the motor 19 of the hoist 17 is driven by a drive instruction from the control panel 10, the main sheave 18a rotates in a predetermined direction, and the car 12 moves up and down in a hanging manner together with the counterweight 13 via the main rope 16. do.

A pulse generator 20 (position detector) is installed in the main sheave 18a. The pulse generator 20 outputs a pulse signal corresponding to the rotation direction to the control panel 10 in synchronization with the rotation of the motor 19 of the hoist 17. The control panel 10 detects the amount of movement of the car 12 and the position of the car 12 in the hoistway 2 by counting pulse signals output from the pulse generator 20.

The car 12 is provided with a car control device 21 and a door control device 22. The car control device 21 and the door control device 22 are connected to the control panel 10 (control device 11).
The car control device 21 performs drive control of lighting equipment and air conditioning control in the car 12 according to instructions from the control panel 10 . The car control device 21 also transmits information regarding the operation panel 4 provided in the car, specifically, information regarding the destination floor button, door opening/closing button, etc. pressed by the passenger to the control panel 10 and the door control device 22. Output.

The door control device 22 controls opening and closing of the door of the car 12 according to instructions from the control panel 10 and the car control device 21. The door control device 22 is connected to a motor 23 for opening and closing the door of the car 12, and controls the opening and closing of the door by driving the motor 23.

A hall call button 6 and a hall control device 30 are provided at the hall 5 of each floor where the car 12 lands. The hall call button 6 is a button for registering the position (floor) of the hall where the passenger boards the car 12 and the destination direction (upward/downward). The hall control device 30 is connected to the control panel 10 (control device 11), and outputs information registered by the hall call button 6 to the control panel 10.

Next, an example of the functional configuration of the slave CS will be described with reference to the functional block diagram of FIG. 2. Note that the slave unit CS1 installed in the car 12 and the slave unit CS2 installed in the counterweight 13 have similar functional parts. Here, the slave unit CS2 installed on the counterweight 13 will be explained as a representative example, and the explanation of the slave unit CS1 will be omitted. In the following explanation as well, the slave device CS2 will be basically explained as a representative example, and the explanation regarding the slave device CS1 will be omitted.

Handset CS2 is connected to acceleration sensor S2. The child unit CS2 has a function of inputting acceleration data (measurement data) indicating the strength of shaking of the counterweight 13 detected by the acceleration sensor S2, and transmitting it wirelessly to the main unit CM at a predetermined timing. .

As shown in FIG. 2, slave unit CS2 includes a battery 100, a power supply control section 101, an input section 103, a storage section 104, a communication control section 106, and an antenna SA2.
Battery 100 is rechargeable or replaceable, and is used as a power source for slave device CS2 and acceleration sensor S2. The power supply control section 101 supplies the power of the battery 100 to each functional section including the communication control section 106 in the slave device CS2, and also supplies it to the acceleration sensor S2.

The input unit 103 receives input of acceleration data from the acceleration sensor S2 at a detection period T, which is a predetermined time interval for detecting the swing of the counterweight 13. The storage unit 104 stores acceleration data input through the input unit 103 in chronological order.

The communication control unit 106 controls communication between the slave device CS2 and the master device CM. The communication control unit 106 transmits acceleration data, a battery replacement request that is transmitted when the battery is insufficient, etc. to the base device CM via the antenna SA2.

Further, the communication control unit 106 performs life-or-death monitoring to cause the control panel 10 to check the operating states of the slave device CS2 and the acceleration sensor S2 at a predetermined timing. Specifically, the communication control unit 106 transmits a trigger signal for requesting a life-and-death monitoring signal at a preset monitoring cycle W to the base unit CM provided in the elevator control panel 10, and in response to the trigger signal. Receives the life-and-death monitoring signal sent from the base unit CM. The monitoring period W is set to, for example, 10 minutes. When the life-or-death monitoring signal can be received, the communication control unit 106 returns an ACK (Acknowledge) signal to the base device CM.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the base machine CM.
The master device CM is wirelessly connected to the slave devices CS1 and CS2. Moreover, the master device CM is connected to the control device 11 by wire. As shown in FIG. 3, the master device CM includes a communication control section 201, a reply control section 202, an output section 203, and the like. Note that since the master device CM receives power supply from the control device 11, it may not require a battery.

Communication control unit 201 receives various signals transmitted by slave units CS1 and CS2. Specifically, the communication control unit 201 receives acceleration data, battery replacement requests, etc. transmitted from the slave units CS1 and CS2, and sends the response control unit 202 and the output unit 203 together with the identification code accompanying these signals. Output to. The reply control unit 202 transmits an ACK signal (affirmative response) to the slave units CS1 and CS2 via the communication control unit 201 to notify that the signal has been received normally.

Here, the communication control unit 201 transmits and receives signals via antenna MA1 or antenna MA2. The antenna used for transmission and reception is switched by the antenna switching device 9 based on a signal from the control device 11.
The output unit 203 receives various signals and identification codes via the communication control unit 201 and outputs them to the control device 11 . The control device 11 is equipped with various functions related to elevator operation control. In order to simplify the explanation, the explanation will be given below assuming that the elevator control panel 10 executes various functions.

For example, when a high-gal earthquake is detected by an earthquake sensor (not shown) installed in an elevator, the control panel 10 holds (latches) the high-gal detection signal, and there is a release operation from the outside. Equipped with a function to stop elevator operation until The control panel 10 also performs processing such as acquiring acceleration data detected by the acceleration sensors S1 and S2 from the slave units CS1 and CS2 when an earthquake occurs, and sending the acceleration data to a monitoring center (not shown) for analysis. .

Wireless communication between the master machine CM and the slave machines CS1 and CS2 is performed within the hoistway 2. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the car 12 and the counterweight 13 inside the hoistway 2, viewed from the ceiling. The X-axis and the Z-axis indicate the width direction and depth direction of the hoistway, respectively. The Y-axis indicates the height direction of the hoistway. As shown in FIG. 4, since the interior of the hoistway 2 occupies a large proportion of the car 12 and the counterweight 13, the space through which radio waves can pass (the shaded area in FIG. 4) is narrow. Therefore, if only one antenna of the base unit CM is installed in the hoistway 2, depending on the position of the car 12 or counterweight 13, which is made of iron, the radio waves from the slave units CS1 and CS2 may be affected. It may be reflected by the car 12 or the counterweight 13 and may not reach the antenna of the base unit CM.

With reference to the examples of FIGS. 5 and 6, a case where the base unit CM has one antenna will be described. 5 and 6, one antenna MA of the base unit CM is installed on the side of the car 12 in the hoistway 2, and one antenna of the slave units CS1 and CS2 is installed on the car 12 and the counterweight 13, respectively. has been done.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the position of the car 12 is lower than the counterweight 13, both the radio waves from the slave units CS1 and CS2 tend to reach the antenna MA of the base unit CM.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, when the position of the car 12 is higher than the counterweight 13, the radio waves from the child unit CS2 of the counterweight 13 will be reflected (interfered) with the car 12. Similarly, the radio waves transmitted from the base unit CM to the slave unit CS2 are also reflected by the car 12. Therefore, the master device CM and the slave device CS2 of the counterweight 13 cannot stably transmit and receive data.

The same applies when the antenna MA of the base unit CM is installed on the counterweight 13 side. That is, when the position of the car 12 is higher than the counterweight 13, both radio waves from the slave units CS1 and CS2 reach the antenna of the base unit CM. On the other hand, when the position of the car 12 is lower than the counterweight 13, the radio waves from the child unit CS1 of the car 12 are reflected by the counterweight 13. The same applies to the radio waves transmitted from the base unit CM to the slave unit CS1. For this reason, the master device CM and the child device CS1 of the car 12 cannot stably transmit and receive data.

Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the antenna MA1 is placed on the car 12 side at the top of the hoistway 2, and the antenna MA2 is placed on the counterweight 13 side at the same height position as the antenna MA1. Be prepared. Furthermore, an antenna switching device 9 is provided that switches antennas MA1 and MA2 depending on the position of the car 12.

For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when the position of the car 12 is lower than the counterweight 13, the antenna switching device 9 switches to the antenna MA1 installed on the car 12 side. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, when the position of the car 12 is higher than the counterweight 13, the antenna switching device 9 switches to the antenna MA2 installed on the counterweight 13 side. Thereby, wireless communication can be performed between the base unit CM and the slave units CS1 and CS2 without being interfered with by the car 12 or the counterweight 13.

FIG. 9 shows an example of the configuration of the antenna switching device 9.
The antenna switching device 9 includes a relay 91 and a switch circuit 92. The switch circuit 92 includes a switch SW1 and a switch SW2 which are turned ON/OFF by the relay 91 at a c contact. When switch SW1 is OFF (open state) and switch SW2 is ON (closed state), antenna MA1 is connected to base unit CM. When switch SW1 is ON and switch SW2 is OFF, antenna MA2 is connected to base unit CM.

Relay 91 is operated by a switching signal output from control device 11 . The control device 11 detects the position of the car 12 based on a signal from a pulse generator 20 installed in the hoisting machine 17, and outputs a switching signal based on the position of the car 12.

Specifically, the control device 11 determines that the car 12 is located at a higher position than the position where the car 12 and the counterweight 13 are at the same height (that is, the position of the car 12 is higher than the position where the counterweight 13 is at the same height). is also high), a switching signal is output to switch the antenna connected to the base unit CM to the antenna MA2 on the counterweight 13 side. The antenna switching device 9 turns on the switch SW1 and turns off the switch SW2 via the relay 91 in response to a switching signal from the control device 11. As a result, the antenna through which base unit CM transmits and receives radio waves between antennas SA1 and SA2 is switched to antenna MA2.

On the other hand, the control device 11 is located at a position where the car 12 is lower than the position where the car 12 and the counterweight 13 are at the same height (that is, the position of the car 12 is lower than the counterweight 13). In this case, a switching signal for switching the antenna connected to the base unit CM to the antenna MA1 on the car 12 side is output. The antenna switching device 9 turns off the switch SW1 and turns on the switch SW2 via the relay 91 in response to a switching signal from the control device 11. As a result, the antenna through which the base unit CM transmits and receives radio waves between the antennas SA1 and SA2 is switched to the antenna MA1.

Note that "the position where the car 12 and the counterweight 13 are at the same height" refers to, for example, the position in the hoistway 2 where the top surface of the car 12 and the top surface of the counterweight 13 are at the same height. be. When the car 12 and the counterweight 13 are at the same height, the center position of the car 12 in the height direction is set as a reference position.

When the center position of the car 12 in the height direction is at the reference position, the car 12 and the counterweight 13 do not interfere with the wireless communication between the base unit CM and the slave units CS1 and CS2. may be switched to

As described above, according to the first embodiment, depending on the position of the car 12, the antenna through which the base unit CM transmits and receives radio waves to and from the antennas SA1 and SA2 is switched to the antenna MA1 or the antenna MA2. Specifically, when the position of the car 12 is higher than the counterweight 13, the antenna MA2 installed on the counterweight 13 side is switched, and when the position of the car 12 is lower than the counterweight 13, the antenna MA2 installed on the car 12 side is switched. Can be switched to MA1. Thereby, in the hoistway 2, radio waves can be transmitted and received between the main unit CM and the slave units CS1 and CS2 without being affected by the car 12 or the counterweight 13, and stable wireless communication can be performed.

Note that if the timing at which data is transmitted from the slave unit CS1 or CS2 to the base unit CM is the same as the timing at which the antenna switching device 9 switches the antenna, the base unit CM transmits data from the slave unit CS1 or CS2. You may not be able to receive it. Therefore, when data is transmitted from the slave device CS1 or CS2 to the base device CM, if an ACK signal is not returned from the base device CM within a certain period of time, it is preferable to retransmit the data.

In addition, for example, in the event of a disaster, signals necessary for operation, including signals from the pulse generator 20, are restricted in order to operate the elevator while saving power. In such a case, the position of the car 12 cannot be detected from the signal of the pulse generator 20, so an alternative method is to determine the degree of deterioration (if an error is detected) of data transmission between the base unit CM and the slave units CS1 and CS2. The antenna (MA1 or MA2) connected to the base unit CM may be switched by paying attention to

For example, if the degree of data transmission degradation between the base unit CM and slave units CS1 and CS2 is higher than the specified value (if there are many errors), the antenna (MA1 or In MA2), it can be determined that stable communication is not possible due to the interference of the car 12 and counterweight 13, so the antenna is switched to the other antenna. As a result, even in a situation where the signal from the pulse generator 20 cannot be received (that is, a situation where the car position cannot be detected), stable communication can be performed by appropriately switching the antenna connected to the base unit CM.

(Modified example of the first embodiment)
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a modification of the first embodiment.
A first detector 81 that detects passage of the car 12 at a first position P1 on the travel route side of the car 12 in the hoistway 2, and a second detector 81 that detects passage of the car 12 at a second position P2. 82 will be installed. The first position P1 is higher than the reference position. The second position P2 is a position lower than the reference position. The first position P1 and the second position P2 are set apart by a distance corresponding to the height of the car 12, for example.

That is, the fact that passage of the car 12 is detected at the first position P1 means that the center position of the car 12 in the height direction is higher than the reference position (that is, higher than the counterweight 13). means. Furthermore, the fact that passage of the car 12 is detected at the second position P2 means that the center position of the car 12 in the height direction is lower than the reference position (that is, lower than the counterweight 13). means.

The antenna switching device 9 switches to the antenna MA2 installed on the counterweight 13 side when the first detector 81 detects that the car 12 has passed the first position P1, and the second detector 82 switches the antenna to the antenna MA2 installed on the counterweight 13 side. When it is detected that the car 12 has passed the second position P2, the antenna MA1 installed on the car 12 side is switched.

FIG. 11 is an example of the configuration of the antenna switching device 9 according to a modification of the first embodiment.
The antenna switching device 9 includes a relay 91, a switch circuit 92, and switches SW3, SW4, and SW5. Switches SW3 and SW4 are a contacts, and switch SW5 is a b contact.

The switch SW3 is turned ON/OFF by the relay 91. The switch SW4 is turned ON/OFF when the first detector 81 detects that the car 12 passes through the first position P1. The switch SW5 is turned ON/OFF when the second detector 82 detects passage of the car 12 through the second position P2. Further, as described with reference to FIG. 9, the switch circuit 92 switches the antenna connected to the base device CM via the relay 91 to the antenna MA1 or the antenna MA2.

Here, the operation of the antenna switching device 9 according to the modification of the first embodiment will be described with reference to specific examples in FIGS. 12 and 13.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example in which the car 12 passes upward from the reference position through a first position P1, and then passes downward in the order of the first position P1 and the second position P2.

When the center position of the car 12 in the height direction is at the reference position (FIG. 12(a)), the switch SW5 is ON and the switch SW4 is OFF. Therefore, the antenna connected to the base unit CM is the antenna MA2 on the car 12 side.

When the car 12 moves upward to a position higher than the counterweight 13 (FIG. 12(b)), the passage of the car 12 is detected by the first detector 81, and the switch SW4 is turned on. becomes. Since both the switch SW5 and the switch SW4 are turned on, the switch SW3 is turned on via the relay 91, and the antenna connected to the base unit CM is switched to the antenna MA2 on the counterweight 13 side.

Thereafter, when the car 12 moves downward and passes through the first position P1 again (FIG. 12(c)), the passage of the car 12 is detected by the first detector 81, and the switch SW4 is turned OFF. becomes. However, since the switch SW3 maintains the ON state, the antenna connected to the base unit CM is the antenna MA2 installed on the counterweight 13 side.

When the car 12 moves further downward to a position lower than the counterweight 13 (FIG. 12(d)), the second detector 82 detects that the car 12 passes through the second position P2. As a result, the switch SW5 is turned off. Therefore, the switch SW3 is turned off via the relay 91, and the antenna connected to the base unit CM is switched to the antenna MA1 on the car 12 side.

Although not shown, when the car 12 moves upward again, the passage of the car 12 is detected by the second detector 82, and the switch SW5 is turned on. Therefore, the states of the switch SW5, the switch SW4, the switch SW3, and the antenna connected to the base unit CM are similar to those in FIG. 12(a).

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example in which the car 12 passes downward from the reference position through the second position P2, and then passes upward in the order of the second position P2 and the first position P1.
When the center position of the car 12 in the height direction is at the reference position (FIG. 13(a)), similarly to FIG. 12(a), the switch SW5 is ON, the switch SW4 is OFF, and the connection is made to the base machine CM. The antenna is antenna MA2 on the car 12 side.

When the car 12 moves downward to a position lower than the counterweight 13 (FIG. 13(b)), the passage of the car 12 is detected by the second detector 82, and the switch SW5 is turned OFF. becomes. Since the switches SW5 and SW4 are both OFF, the antenna connected to the base unit CM is the antenna MA2 on the car 12 side.

Thereafter, when the car 12 moves upward and passes through the second position P2 again (FIG. 13(c)), the passage of the car 12 is detected by the second detector 82, and the switch SW5 is turned ON. becomes. However, since the switch SW4 maintains the OFF state, the antenna connected to the base unit CM is the antenna MA2 installed on the counterweight 13 side.

When the car 12 moves further upwards to a position higher than the counterweight 13 (FIG. 13(d)), the passage of the car 12 is detected by the first detector 81, and the switch SW4 is activated. It becomes ON. Since both the switch SW5 and the switch SW4 are turned on, the switch SW3 is turned on via the relay 91, and the antenna connected to the base unit CM is switched to the antenna MA2 on the counterweight 13 side. Although not shown in FIG. 13, when the car 12 moves downward again, the antenna connected to the base unit CM is switched in the same way as in FIGS. 12(c) and 12(d).

With this configuration, the antenna switching device 9 switches to the antenna MA1 on the car 12 side when the first detector 81 detects that the car 12 has passed the first position P1, and switches the antenna to the antenna MA1 on the car 12 side when the first detector 81 detects that the car 12 has passed the first position P1. When it is detected by 82 that the car 12 has passed the second position P2, the antenna MA2 on the counterweight 13 side is switched.

In the first embodiment, the control device 11 detects the position of the car 12 based on the signal from the pulse generator 20. Therefore, the existing control device 11 can handle the process of switching to the antenna switching device 9 by updating the software, and the problem can be solved from a software perspective.

In the modified example, the position of the car 12 is detected using the first detector 81 and the second detector 82, and the antenna connected to the base unit CM via the antenna switching device 9 (the base unit CM is connected to the antenna SA1 , SA2) is switched to the antenna MA2 on the counterweight 13 side or the antenna MA1 on the car 12 side. In other words, the antenna can be switched without using the control device 11. Therefore, the problem can be solved in terms of hardware.

Further, as described above, in the event of a disaster, it may not be possible to obtain a signal from the pulse generator 20. According to the modification, the antenna can be switched without requiring the signal from the pulse generator 20, so that stable wireless communication can be performed even in the event of a disaster.

Note that although the first detector 81 and the second detector 82 in the modified example detect the passage of the car 12, they may be installed so as to detect the passage of the counterweight 13. In this case, the antenna switching device 9 switches to the antenna MA1 installed on the car 12 side when the first detector 81 detects that the counterweight 13 has passed the first position P1, and switches the antenna to the antenna MA1 installed on the car 12 side. When it is detected by 82 that the counterweight 13 has passed the second position P2, the antenna MA1 installed on the counterweight 13 side is switched.

Furthermore, in the modification described above, an example was shown in which the position of the car 12 is detected by two detectors, but the number of detectors is not limited to two. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, a third detector 83 may be provided in the hoistway 2 to detect when the car 12 has passed the reference position upward or downward. The fact that the car 12 has passed the reference position upward means that the center position of the car 12 in the height direction is higher than the reference position (that is, the position of the car 12 is higher than the counterweight 13). It means that. The fact that the car 12 has passed the reference position downward means that the center position of the car 12 in the height direction is lower than the reference position (that is, the position of the car 12 is lower than the counterweight 13). It means that.

In this case, the antenna switching device 9 switches to the antenna MA2 on the counterweight 13 side when the third detector 83 detects that the car 12 has passed the reference position upward, so that the car 12 is at the reference position. When it is detected that the vehicle has passed downward, the antenna MA1 on the car 12 side is switched.

In addition, in the above modification, since the antenna switching is performed without going through the control device 11, the control device 11 cannot confirm whether or not the antenna switching has been performed correctly. Therefore, the control device 11 may determine whether the antenna switching has been performed correctly based on the radio field strength of the wireless communication between the master device CM and each slave device CS1 and CS2. For example, if the difference between the radio field intensity measured when the car 12 is on the lowest floor and the radio field intensity measured when the car 12 is on the top floor is within a specified value, the control device 11 , it is determined that the antenna switching was performed correctly.

(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described.
The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the antennas MA1 and MA2 are installed at the lowest part of the hoistway 2 (near the pit 3). Further, this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the antenna SA1 is installed at the bottom of the car 12, and the antenna SA2 is installed at the bottom on the counterweight 13 side. The other configurations are the same as the first embodiment described using FIGS. 1 to 3.

15 and 16 are diagrams showing an example of the second embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the antenna MA1 is installed at the lowest part of the hoistway 2 on the car 12 side. Antenna MA2 is installed at the bottom of the hoistway 2 on the counterweight 13 side. Further, the antenna SA1 installed on the child unit CS1 is installed at the bottom of the car 12. The antenna SA2 installed on the slave unit CS2 is installed at the bottom on the counterweight 13 side.

For example, as shown in FIG. 15, when the position of the car 12 is lower than the counterweight 13, the antenna switching device 9 switches to the antenna MA2 installed on the counterweight 13 side. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 16, when the position of the car 12 is higher than the counterweight 13, the antenna switching device 9 switches to the antenna MA1 installed on the car 12 side. Thereby, as in the first embodiment, wireless communication can be performed between the base unit CM and the slave units CS1 and CS2 without being interfered with by the car 12 or the counterweight 13.

The configuration of the antenna switching device 9 is similar to that of the first embodiment described using FIG. 9. However, the switching signal output from the control device 11 depending on the position of the car 12 differs from that of the first embodiment. Specifically, when the center position of the car 12 in the height direction is higher than the reference position (that is, the position of the car 12 is higher than the counterweight 13), the control device 11 connects the car 12 to the base machine CM. outputs a signal for switching the antenna on the car 12 side to the antenna MA1 on the car 12 side. On the other hand, if the center position of the car 12 in the height direction obtained from the hoisting machine 17 is lower than the reference position (that is, the position of the car 12 is lower than the counterweight 13), A signal is output to switch the antenna connected to the base unit CM to the antenna MA2 on the counterweight 13 side.

According to the second embodiment, when the antennas MA1 and MA2 are installed at the lowest part of the hoistway 2, if the position of the car 12 is higher than the counterweight 13, the antennas MA1 and MA2 are installed on the car 12 side. When the antenna MA1 is lower than the counterweight 13, the antenna MA2 is switched to the antenna MA2 provided on the counterweight 13 side. Thereby, in the hoistway 2, radio waves can be transmitted and received between the main unit CM and the slave units CS1 and CS2 without being affected by the car 12 or the counterweight 13, and stable wireless communication can be performed.

In the first embodiment, when the top surface of the car 12 and the top surface of the counterweight 13 are at the same height position, it is determined that "the car 12 and the counterweight 13 are at the same height." However, in the second embodiment, when the lower surface of the car 12 and the lower surface of the counterweight 13 are at the same height position, it is determined that "the car 12 and the counterweight 13 are at the same height". You may decide.

(Modified example of second embodiment)
In a modification of the second embodiment, the position of the car 12 is detected using a first detector 81 and a second detector 82 installed as shown in FIG.
FIG. 17 is an example of the configuration of the antenna switching device 9 in a modification of the second embodiment. Note that the same parts as those of the antenna switching device 9 according to the modification of the first embodiment described using FIG. 11 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

An antenna switching device 9 according to a modification of the second embodiment includes a relay 91, a switch circuit 92, and switches SW3, SW4, and SW5. The switch circuit 92 includes a switch SW1 and a switch SW2 which are turned ON/OFF by the relay 91 at a c contact. When switch SW1 is OFF and switch SW2 is ON, antenna MA2 is connected to base unit CM. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the antenna MA1 is connected to the base unit CM when the switch SW1 is ON and the switch SW2 is OFF.

The other configurations are the same as the modified example of the first embodiment. Thereby, the antenna switching device 9 switches to the antenna MA1 on the car 12 side when the first detector 81 detects that the car 12 passes the first position P1, and the second detector 82 switches the antenna to the antenna MA1 on the car 12 side. When passing through the second position P2 is detected, switching can be made to the antenna MA2 on the counterweight 13 side.

According to at least one embodiment described above, stable wireless communication can be performed between the base unit CM and slave units CS1 and CS2 within the hoistway 2 without being affected by the car 12 or the counterweight 13. An elevator system can be provided.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and gist of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.

1... Upper machine room, 2... Hoistway, 3... Pit, 4... Operation panel, 5... Landing, 6... Landing call button, 9... Antenna switching device, 10... Control panel, 11... Control device, 12... Car , 13... Counterweight, 14a to 14d... Guide rail, 15a to 15d... Guide shoe, 16... Main rope, 17... Hoisting machine, 18a... Main sheave, 18b... Deflection sheave, 19... Motor, 20... Pulse generator, 21... Car control device, 22... Door control device, 23... Motor, 30... Hall control device, 81... First detector, 82... Second detector, 83... Third detector, CM... Base unit, CS1, CS2...Slave unit, MA1, MA2, SA1, SA2...Antenna

Claims (8)

In an elevator system that performs wireless communication between a first communication terminal provided in a control panel and a second communication terminal provided in a car or a counterweight that moves up and down in a hoistway,
a first antenna provided on the car side in the hoistway;
a second antenna provided on the counterweight side in the hoistway at a position comparable to that of the first antenna;
a third antenna provided on the second communication terminal;
car position detection means for detecting the position of the car;
Depending on the position of the car detected by the car position detection means, the first communication terminal selects an antenna for transmitting and receiving radio waves to and from the third antenna as either the first antenna or the second antenna. An elevator system comprising an antenna switching means for switching to an antenna. The first antenna and the second antenna are installed at the top of the hoistway,
The third antenna is installed on the top of the car or the counterweight,
The antenna switching means includes:
The elevator system according to claim 1, wherein when the position of the car is higher than the counterweight, the antenna is switched to the second antenna, and when the position of the car is lower than the counterweight, the antenna is switched to the first antenna. The first antenna and the second antenna are installed at the lowest part in the hoistway,
The third antenna is installed at a lower part of the car or the counterweight,
The antenna switching means includes:
The elevator system according to claim 1, wherein the first antenna is switched when the position of the car is higher than the counterweight, and the second antenna is switched when the position of the car is higher than the counterweight. The elevator system according to claim 1, wherein the car position detection means includes a pulse generator installed in a hoisting machine. The car position detection means includes:
a first detection means for detecting passage of the car at a first position; and a second detection means for detecting passage of the car at a second position;
When the reference position is a position where the car and the counterweight are at the same height, the first position is set higher than the reference position, and the second position is set lower than the reference position. ,
The antenna switching means includes:
When the first detection means detects that the car has passed the first position, the antenna is switched to the second antenna, and the second detection means detects that the car has passed the second position. The elevator system according to claim 2, wherein the elevator system switches to the first antenna when it is detected that the antenna has passed through. The car position detection means includes:
a first detection means for detecting passage of the car at a first position; and a second detection means for detecting passage of the car at a second position;
When the reference position is a position where the car and the counterweight are at the same height, the first position is set higher than the reference position, and the second position is set lower than the reference position. ,
The antenna switching means includes:
When the first detection means detects that the car has passed the first position, the antenna is switched to the first antenna, and the second detection means detects that the car has passed the second position. The elevator system according to claim 3, wherein the elevator system switches to the second antenna when it is detected that the antenna has passed through the elevator. The car position detection means includes:
When the reference position is a position where the car and the counterweight are at the same height, the car includes a detection means for detecting that the car has passed the reference position upwardly or downwardly,
The antenna switching means includes:
Switching to the second antenna when the detection means detects that the car has passed the reference position in an upward direction, and detects that the car has passed the reference position in a downward direction. The elevator system according to claim 2, wherein the elevator system switches to the first antenna when the antenna is in use. The car position detection means includes:
When the reference position is a position where the car and the counterweight are at the same height, the car includes a detection means for detecting that the car has passed the reference position upwardly or downwardly,
The antenna switching means includes:
Switching to the first antenna when the detection means detects that the car has passed the reference position in an upward direction, and detects that the car has passed the reference position in a downward direction. The elevator system according to claim 3, wherein the elevator system switches to the second antenna when the antenna is switched to the second antenna.

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