HK1241335B - Elevator system - Google Patents

Description

Elevator equipment

Technical Field

The invention relates to a device and a method for monitoring at least one support means in an elevator installation.

Background Art

In elevator systems, steel cables are conventionally used as support means for supporting and/or driving the elevator car. Further developments of these cables have also led to the use of belt-like support means comprising a tensile support and a sheathing arranged around the tensile support. However, these belt-like support means cannot be monitored in the conventional manner, as the tensile support, which determines the breaking load of the support means, is not visible through the sheathing.

To monitor the tensile loads in such belt-like support structures, a test current can be applied to the tensile loads. In this circuit, the current or current intensity, voltage, resistance, or conductivity are measured. The measured values can be used to infer the integrity of the tensile loads in the support structure.

Publication DE 3934654 A1 discloses a device or method for determining the state of tension members of a belt-like support structure. By means of a circuit in which all tension members of the support structure are connected in series, it is possible to easily determine whether at least one tension member is broken.

Although the monitoring method described in the prior art is reliable in monitoring the fracture of the tension carrier, it cannot detect other damages to the support structure.

Summary of the Invention

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a device and a method for monitoring a support mechanism in an elevator system, which device or method allows for a reliable diagnosis of different damages to the support mechanism and which should also be robust to disruptive influences.

To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, an elevator system having a support mechanism is first proposed, wherein the support mechanism includes a plurality of electrically conductive tensile carriers arranged parallel to one another in a common plane, the tensile carriers being electrically insulated from one another and surrounded by a common sheath. All the tensile carriers of the support mechanism are electrically connected to one another in an electrical circuit. This electrical circuit includes a current or voltage source and a measuring device. The measuring device is arranged between a first group of tensile carriers and a second group of tensile carriers, such that the current of the current or voltage source first flows through the first group of tensile carriers, then through the measuring device, and finally through the second group of tensile carriers back to the current or voltage source. The first group of tensile carriers and/or the second group of tensile carriers are connected in series.

The device has the advantage that, with this circuit arrangement, different states of the support means can be reliably detected. Firstly, it can be determined whether one or more tension members of the support means are broken. The measuring device can thus easily determine whether current is generally flowing through the circuit or whether no current is generally flowing through the circuit.

In an advantageous embodiment, each tension carrier of the first group is directly adjacent to only tension carriers of the second group, and tension carriers of the second group are directly adjacent to only tension carriers of the first group.

By dividing the tension carriers into a first group and a second group of tension carriers for interconnection, wherein the measuring device is arranged between the first and second groups, and the tension carriers are alternately assigned to the first and second groups, it is also possible to detect the presence of electrical contact between two adjacent tension carriers. When such contact occurs between adjacent tension carriers, the circuit is short-circuited to a certain extent, resulting in a clear reduction in current intensity or voltage that can be easily detected by the measuring device.

The proposed device not only detects electrical contact between directly adjacent tension carriers, but also detects situations where two tension carriers from different groups that are not directly adjacent are electrically connected to each other via other conductive elements. This situation could arise, for example, if the sheathing of the support structure is damaged. In this case, two tension carriers from different groups that are not directly adjacent are guided over the damaged area via conductive pulleys, such as deflection pulleys on a counterweight. In this case, the circuit is also somewhat short-circuited, making it easy to detect a significant drop in current intensity or voltage on the measuring device.

Because the proposed device does not need to acquire precise values from the measuring device, it is highly robust against disruptive influences such as temperature fluctuations, electromagnetic radiation, movements of the support, etc. A change in the state of the support leads to a significant change in the current intensity, voltage, or resistance in the measuring device. Therefore, it is only necessary to determine whether the acquired value exceeds or falls below a predefined value.

In an advantageous embodiment, the first group of tension carriers and the second group of tension carriers have the same number of tension carriers.

In an advantageous embodiment, the measuring device is designed as a current measuring device or a voltage measuring device. Depending on whether a current source or a voltage source is used, a current measuring device or a voltage measuring device can be selected as the measuring device.

In an advantageous embodiment, the current source or voltage source is designed to generate alternating current or direct current.

In an advantageous embodiment, the circuit also includes an insulation monitor. This is advantageous in that it allows monitoring of other conditions of the support structure. When the tension carrier is exposed or the wire protrudes from the sheath, a ground connection may occur with a grounded object in the elevator system. For example, the exposed tension carrier or the protruding wire may come into contact with the drive wheel or deflection pulley. In this case, the insulation monitor can easily detect whether a ground connection exists.

In an advantageous embodiment, two tension carriers are each connected to one another at a first end of the support means. Furthermore, two tension carriers are electrically connected to a current or voltage source at a second end of the support means, two further tension carriers are electrically connected to a measuring device, and, if necessary, further support means are electrically connected to one another in pairs. This is advantageous in that the current or voltage source and the measuring device are arranged at the same end of the support means. This eliminates the need to connect other equipment to the respective other end of the support means. This simplifies the monitoring system in the elevator installation.

To achieve the initially stated object, a method for monitoring at least one support means in an elevator installation is also proposed, wherein the support means comprises a plurality of electrically conductive tension members arranged parallel to one another in the same plane, the tension members being electrically insulated from one another and surrounded by a common sheath. The method comprises the following steps: conducting a test current through a first group of tension members; conducting the test current through a second group of tension members; and determining a characteristic value of the test current by means of a measuring device, wherein the test current is conducted through the measuring device after the test current has been conducted through the first group of tension members and before the test current has been conducted through the second group of tension members.

This method offers the advantage of being able to easily determine different states of the support structure. This allows for highly reliable determination of whether a tension member is broken and whether electrical contact exists between adjacent tension members. In both cases, the current intensity or voltage at the measuring device is significantly reduced. This eliminates the need for precise values using a measuring device. This makes the method highly robust against disruptive influences such as temperature fluctuations, electromagnetic radiation, and movement of the support structure.

In an advantageous embodiment, when the test current is conducted through the first group of tension carriers, the tension carriers in the first group of tension carriers are respectively spaced apart from each other by one of the tension carriers in the second group of tension carriers, and when the test current is conducted through the second group of tension carriers, the tension carriers in the second group are respectively spaced apart from each other by one of the tension carriers in the first group of tension carriers.

In an advantageous embodiment, when conducting the test current through the first and the second group of tension carriers, the tension carriers of the first group of tension carriers and/or the tension carriers of the second group of tension carriers are connected in series.

In an advantageous embodiment, the test current is conducted through all tension loads of the support means.

In an advantageous embodiment, when conducting the test current, an alternating current or a direct current or an electrical signal is conducted through the tensile carrier.

In an advantageous embodiment, when determining the characteristic value of the test current, the voltage or current intensity or the signal property is determined.

In an advantageous embodiment, when the characteristic value of the test current is determined, it is determined whether the characteristic value is above a predefined threshold value or below a predefined threshold value.

In an advantageous embodiment, the method includes the step of checking the grounding of a circuit formed by at least the first and second groups of tension carriers. This has the advantage of providing information on other states of the support mechanism. By checking the grounding of the circuit, it is possible to detect whether the tension carriers are exposed or whether the wires are protruding from their sheaths. In this case, a grounding element of the elevator system can be connected to the grounding of the tension carriers.

The device or method disclosed herein for monitoring support means in an elevator system can be used in various types of elevator systems. Thus, for example, elevator systems with or without a shaft, with or without a counterweight, or with different transmission ratios can be used. Thus, each support means in an elevator system comprising a plurality of electrically conductive tension supports can be individually monitored using the method or device disclosed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is explained in greater detail symbolically and by way of example with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG1 shows an example embodiment of an elevator installation;

FIG2 illustrates an example embodiment of a carrier mechanism; and

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of a support mechanism with a monitoring device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The elevator system 40, shown schematically and by way of example in FIG1 , comprises an elevator car 41, a counterweight 42, a support means 1, and a drive pulley 43 with an associated drive motor 44. The drive pulley 43 drives the support means 1, thereby moving the elevator car 41 and the counterweight 42 in opposite directions. The drive motor 44 is controlled by an elevator control 45. The car 41 is designed to carry and transport people or goods between floors of a building. The car 41 and the counterweight 42 are guided along guides (not shown). In this example, the car 41 and the counterweight 42 are each suspended on a support roller 46. The support means 1 is fixed to a first support means fixture 47 and then initially guided around the support rollers 46 of the counterweight 42. The support means 1 is then placed on the drive pulley 43 to guide the support rollers 46 of the car 41 and finally connected to a fixed point by means of a second support means fixture 47. This means that the support means 1 is moved by means of the drives 43, 44 at a higher speed corresponding to the roping factor than the movement of the car 41 or the counterweight 42. In the present example, the roping factor is 2:1.

The free ends 1.1 of the support means 1 are provided with contact devices 2 for temporary or permanent electrical contact with the tension carrier and thus for monitoring the support means 1. In the example shown, such contact devices 2 are arranged at both ends 1.1 of the support means 1. The support means ends 1.1 are no longer subject to the tensile forces in the support means 1, as these forces have already been introduced into the building via the support means fastening devices 47. The contact devices 2 are arranged in the area where the support means 1 is not rolled over and outside the area where the support means 1 is loaded.

In this example, the contact device 2 is connected to a monitoring device 3 at one end of the support means 1.1. The monitoring device 3 comprises a current or voltage source and a measuring device. Furthermore, the monitoring device 3 is connected to the elevator control 45. This connection can be designed, for example, as a parallel relay or bus system. This allows, for example, signals or measured values to be transmitted from the monitoring device 3 to the elevator control 45 so that the status of the support means 1 (e.g., as obtained from the monitoring device 3) can be taken into account in the control concept of the elevator 40.

The elevator system 40 shown in FIG1 is an example. Other roping factors and arrangements (e.g., elevator systems without counterweight) are possible. The contact device 2 for contacting the support means 1 is then arranged corresponding to the placement of the support means fixing device 47.

FIG2 shows a section of an exemplary embodiment of a support arrangement 1. The support arrangement 1 comprises a plurality of electrically conductive tension carriers arranged in parallel alongside one another in a common plane, which are surrounded by a common electrically insulating sheath. To electrically contact the tension carriers 5, the sheath 6 can, for example, be pierced or removed, or the tension carriers 5 can also be electrically contacted at the end by the contact device 2. Furthermore, contact elements can also be attached to the tension carriers 5, which can then be connected to the contact device 2 in a simple manner. In this example, the support arrangement 1 is constructed with longitudinal ribs on the traction side. These longitudinal ribs improve the traction behavior of the support arrangement 1 on the drive wheel 43 and also facilitate lateral guidance of the support arrangement 1 on the drive wheel 43. However, the support arrangement 1 can also be constructed differently, for example without longitudinal ribs or with a different number or arrangement of tension carriers 5. The key to the present invention is that the tension carriers 5 are constructed electrically conductively.

FIG3 shows an exemplary embodiment of a support mechanism 1 together with a contact device 2 and a monitoring device 3. At a first end of the support mechanism 1, the tension carriers 5 are each contacted by a contact device 2, and two tension carriers 5 are electrically connected to one another. At a second end of the support mechanism 1, two tension carriers are electrically connected to a voltage source 12, two further tension carriers 5 are connected to a measuring device 13, and the remaining tension carriers 5 are each electrically connected to one another in pairs. At the second end of the support mechanism 1, all tension carriers 5 of the support mechanism 1 are also electrically contacted by the contact device 2.

Here, the voltage source 12 and the measuring device 13 form the monitoring device 3. By connecting the tension carriers 5 in a single circuit in the manner shown and by the specific arrangement of the measuring device 13 and the voltage source 12, different states of the support means 1 can be reliably detected. In particular, this arrangement also allows electrical contact between two adjacent tension carriers 5 to be detected.

Claims (13)

1. An elevator device (40) having a load-bearing mechanism (1), wherein the load-bearing mechanism (1) comprises a plurality of conductive tension carriers (5) arranged in parallel side by side in a common plane, the tension carriers being electrically insulated from each other, the tension carriers being surrounded by a common sheath (6), and all the tension carriers (5) of the load-bearing mechanism (1) being electrically connected to each other in a circuit, the circuit comprising a current source or voltage source (12) and a measuring device (13). Its features are, The measuring device (13) is arranged between the first group of tension carriers (5) and the second group of tension carriers (5), such that the current flows from the current source or voltage source (12) first through the first group of tension carriers (5), then through the measuring device (13), and finally through the second group of tension carriers (5) back to the current source or voltage source (12). The tension carriers (5) in the first group of tension carriers (5) and/or the tension carriers (5) in the second group of tension carriers (5) are connected in series. Each tension carrier (5) in the first group is directly adjacent to only the tension carrier (5) in the second group, and each tension carrier (5) in the second group is directly adjacent to only the tension carrier (5) in the first group. 2. The elevator equipment according to claim 1, wherein the first group of tension carriers (5) and the second group of tension carriers (5) have the same number of tension carriers (5). 3. The elevator equipment according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the measuring device (13) is designed as a current measuring device or as a voltage measuring device. 4. The elevator equipment according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the current source or voltage source (12) is designed to generate alternating current or direct current. 5. The elevator equipment according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the circuit further comprises an insulation monitor. 6. The elevator equipment according to claim 1 or 2, wherein two tension carriers (5) are electrically connected to each other at the first end (1.1) of the bearing mechanism, and two tension carriers (5) are electrically connected to a current source or voltage source (12) at the second end (1.1) of the bearing mechanism, and two other tension carriers (5) are electrically connected to a measuring device (13), and other tension carriers (5) present if necessary are electrically connected to each other in pairs. 7. A method for monitoring at least one load-bearing mechanism (1) in an elevator device (40), wherein the load-bearing mechanism (1) comprises a plurality of conductive tension carriers (5) arranged in parallel side-by-side in a common plane, the tension carriers being electrically insulated from each other, the tension carriers being surrounded by a common sheath (6), the method comprising: The inspection current is guided through the first set of tension carriers (5); The inspection current is guided through the second set of tension carriers (5); and The characteristic value of the test current is obtained by means of a measuring device, wherein the test current is guided through the measuring device after passing through the first set of tension carriers (5) and before passing through the second set of tension carriers (5). In this group, each tension carrier (5) in the first group is directly adjacent to only the tension carrier (5) in the second group, and each tension carrier (5) in the second group is directly adjacent to only the tension carrier (5) in the first group. 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein when the test current is guided through the first group of tension carriers (5), the tension carriers in the first group are spaced apart from each other by passing through one of the tension carriers (5) in the second group of tension carriers (5), and when the test current is guided through the second group of tension carriers (5), the tension carriers (5) in the second group are spaced apart from each other by passing through one of the tension carriers (5) in the first group of tension carriers (5). 9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the current is checked through all tensioned carriers (5) of the bearing mechanism (1). 10. The method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein when the inspection current is guided, the alternating current or direct current or electrical signal is guided through the tension carrier (5). 11. The method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein, when the characteristic value of the inspection current is known, voltage, current intensity, resistance, or signal attribute is also known. 12. The method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein, when the characteristic value of the inspection current is known, it is known whether the characteristic value is higher than a predefined threshold or lower than a predefined threshold. 13. The method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the method comprises the following steps: Check the grounding of the circuit consisting of at least the first set of tension carriers (5) and the second set of tension carriers (5).