METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CARRYING OUT AN AT LEAST PARTIALLY VIRTUALISED CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT FOR A PASSENGER TRANSPORT SYSTEM USING A DIGITAL DUPLICATED DATA SET

Abstract

The disclosure relates to carrying out a partially virtualized conformity assessment in a passenger transport system. The assessment is carried out according to a specified test protocol. A digital twin data record depicting an individually designed passenger transport system is created, in which data record physical properties of components of the passenger transport system are reproduced in a machine-processable manner. During the conformity assessment, it is checked whether properties of the passenger transport system correspond to target specifications. When carrying out the conformity assessment, at least some of the properties of the passenger transport system to be checked during the conformity assessment are determined as part of virtualized conformity assessment steps by deriving values from the digital twin data record or by simulations based on the digital twin data record, and indicated as virtual values in a results log.

Claims

1. A method for carrying out an at least partially virtualized conformity assessment on a passenger transport system, the method comprising: performing a conformity assessment according to a specified test protocol before providing the passenger transport system to a user, wherein the passenger transport system was designed in advance so as to be individually customized for a specific purpose with a plurality of components, wherein a digital twin data record depicting the individually designed passenger transport system is created, in which data record physical properties of components of the passenger transport system are reproduced in a machine-processable manner, wherein, during the conformity assessment, it is checked whether the properties of the passenger transport system correspond to target specifications which define at least a correct function of the components and/or a correct cooperation of the components with one another and/or safety-relevant properties of the passenger transport system, and wherein, when carrying out the conformity assessment, at least some of the properties of the passenger transport system that are to be checked during the conformity assessment and are based on physical properties of components are determined as part of virtualized conformity assessment steps by deriving values from the digital twin data record or by simulations based on the digital twin data record, and indicated as virtual values in a results log.

2-15. (canceled)

16. The method of claim 1, wherein, as part of designing the passenger transport system, target design data are created for components to be installed in the passenger transport system, which data indicate design-specific target properties of the relevant component, and wherein the physical properties of a component are indicated in the digital twin data record on the basis of their target design data.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein, as part of manufacturing a component of the passenger transport system that is to be installed in the passenger transport system, actual manufacturing data are determined which indicate actual properties of the relevant component that are realized during manufacturing, and wherein the physical properties of the component are indicated in the digital twin data record on the basis of their actual manufacturing data.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein, as part of installing components of the passenger transport system that are to be installed in the passenger transport system in the passenger transport system, actual installation data are determined which indicate actual properties of the relevant component that are realized during installation, and wherein the physical properties of the component are indicated in the digital twin data record on the basis of their actual installation data.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein all of the properties of the passenger transport system to be checked during the conformity assessment are derived from the digital twin data record or are determined by simulations based on the digital twin data record.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein: the passenger transport system has, as one of its components, a controller by means of which other components of the passenger transport system can be controlled, during the conformity assessment, a real existing controller communicates with a computer in which the components to be controlled are simulated on the basis of data from the digital twin data record, in order to virtually control the simulated components, and the properties of the passenger transport system to be checked during the conformity assessment are derived from physical properties of the real existing controller and from physical properties of the components as indicated in the digital twin data record or as determined by simulations based on the digital twin data record.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein properties to be checked that cannot be sufficiently derived solely on the basis of information contained in the digital twin data record are indicated with predefined default properties in the results log.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the properties which cannot be sufficiently derived solely on the basis of information contained in the digital twin data record are specifically characterized in the results log.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein, in addition to the partially virtualized conformity assessment, a reality-based conformity assessment is also carried out after completion of the passenger transport system, in which reality-based conformity assessment all of the properties of the passenger transport system to be checked during the conformity assessment are determined on the real passenger transport system and additionally indicated as real values in the results log.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the virtual values are also compared with the real values in the results log in order to identify deficits in the design and/or the implementation of the passenger transport system.

25. The method of claim 1, wherein the passenger transport system is selected from a group comprising escalators and moving walkways, and wherein the components of the passenger transport system are selected from a group comprising: components of a framework comprising a plurality of components selected from a subgroup comprising upper chords, lower chords, uprights, transverse struts, diagonal struts, gusset plates, support brackets and framework separation points; and components of a conveying apparatus comprising at least one component selected from a subgroup comprising escalator steps, moving walkway pallets, conveyor chains, conveyor belts, deflection sprockets, deflection pulleys, drive machines, service brakes and controllers.

26. The method of claim 1, wherein the passenger transport system is an elevator and wherein the components of the passenger transport system are selected from a group comprising: components of a support structure comprising a plurality of components selected from a subgroup comprising guide rails, wall fastenings, support frames, floor fastenings, transverse struts, longitudinal struts and diagonal struts; and components of a conveying apparatus comprising at least one component selected from a subgroup comprising elevator cars, counterweights, suspension means, drive machines, braking devices and controllers.

27. A system for carrying out an at least partially virtualized conformity assessment in a passenger transport system, the system comprising: at least one non-transitory computer storage medium comprising instructions; and at least one processor that executes the instructions to: perform a conformity assessment according to a specified test protocol before providing the passenger transport system to a user, wherein the passenger transport system was designed in advance so as to be individually customized for a specific purpose with a plurality of components, wherein a digital twin data record depicting the individually designed passenger transport system is created, in which data record physical properties of components of the passenger transport system are reproduced in a machine-processable manner, wherein, during the conformity assessment, it is checked whether the properties of the passenger transport system correspond to target specifications which define at least a correct function of the components and/or a correct cooperation of the components with one another and/or safety-relevant properties of the passenger transport system, and wherein, when carrying out the conformity assessment, at least some of the properties of the passenger transport system that are to be checked during the conformity assessment and are based on physical properties of components are determined as part of virtualized conformity assessment steps by deriving values from the digital twin data record or by simulations based on the digital twin data record, and indicated as virtual values in a results log.

28. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions that configure a processor to: perform a conformity assessment according to a specified test protocol before providing the passenger transport system to a user, wherein the passenger transport system was designed in advance so as to be individually customized for a specific purpose with a plurality of components, wherein a digital twin data record depicting the individually designed passenger transport system is created, in which data record physical properties of components of the passenger transport system are reproduced in a machine-processable manner, wherein, during the conformity assessment, it is checked whether the properties of the passenger transport system correspond to target specifications which define at least a correct function of the components and/or a correct cooperation of the components with one another and/or safety-relevant properties of the passenger transport system, and wherein, when carrying out the conformity assessment, at least some of the properties of the passenger transport system that are to be checked during the conformity assessment and are based on physical properties of components are determined as part of virtualized conformity assessment steps by deriving values from the digital twin data record or by simulations based on the digital twin data record, and indicated as virtual values in a results log.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0070] An embodiment of the disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, with neither the drawings nor the description being intended to be interpreted as limiting the disclosure.

[0071] FIG. 1 shows a passenger transport system in the form of an elevator, with respect to which a method according to the disclosure can be carried out. FIG. 1 is merely schematic and not to scale. The same reference signs indicate the same or equivalent features.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0072] First, a passenger transport system to be checked as part of a conformity assessment is described briefly and only very schematically with regard to the components and parts used therein.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 1, in one embodiment the passenger transport system 1 is designed as an elevator 3. The elevator 3 has an elevator shaft 5 in which a conveying apparatus 7 and a support structure 9 holding this conveying apparatus 7 are housed. An elevator car 11 and a counterweight 13 are suspended from suspension means 15 in the form of belts. A drive machine 17 and a braking device 19 drive the suspension means 15 or brake them if necessary. A controller 21 controls the operation of the elevator 3, in particular of its drive machine 17 and its braking device 19. The elevator car 11 and optionally also the counterweight 13 are guided by guide rails 23 as they move through the elevator shaft 5. The guide rails 23 are connected to supporting structures within the elevator shaft 5 via wall fastenings 25, support frames 27 and floor fastenings 29. Furthermore, cross struts 31, longitudinal struts 33 and diagonal struts 35 may ensure sufficient mechanical stabilization of the guide rails 23. The apparatuses mentioned by way of example and potentially any further apparatuses are also referred to herein as components 2 (only shown schematically by a reference sign in FIG. 1) of the passenger transport system 1.

[0074] Elevators 3 are traditionally designed so as to be individually customized for a specific purpose. During a design phase, the components 2 required for an individual elevator 3 are planned in terms of their physical target properties so as to be adapted, for example, to the conditions in the building to be supplied with the elevator 3, to a specification sheet drawn up by an operator in which requirements for functionalities, conveying capacities and the like are indicated, and to specifications regulated by regulations or laws. The design and the configuration of the components 2 carried out in the process are mostly carried out by means of a computer. The computer can have access to a database in which physical properties of pre-assembled components and/or of components that can be produced for individual purposes are stored. In addition or as an alternative, a CAD program, for example, can be used on the computer in order to be able to design the components and their target component properties.

[0075] The components designed in this way are then manufactured, transported to the place of use and lastly installed there, i.e. connected to one another and integrated into the building to be supplied.

[0076] Before the passenger transport system 1 is handed over to the operator and put into operation, it is generally subjected to a conformity assessment. It is then checked, in accordance with a test protocol, whether the passenger transport system 1 corresponds to predefined target specifications.

[0077] In the example of an elevator 3 shown above, as part of the conformity assessment it can be checked, for example, whether the components 2 of the support structure 9, i.e. in particular the transverse, longitudinal and diagonal struts 31, 33, 35 and the wall, ceiling and floor fastenings 25, 27, 29 have been correctly dimensioned, can interact correctly and have been correctly installed in order to achieve target physical properties such as mechanical resistance. Physical properties of the elevator car 11, the counterweight 13, the suspension means 15 connecting these, the drive machine 17 driving the suspension means 15, the braking devices 19 and functions of the controller 21 controlling these components 2 can also be determined or checked by various tests to be carried out during the conformity assessment. For example, the controller 21 can control the drive machine 17 to move the elevator car 11 and the counterweight 13 to specific positions and/or at specific speeds and it can be checked whether the movements are being carried out as required. Braking processes, which are particularly essential for the safe operation of the elevator 3, can also be controlled in a targeted manner and it can be checked whether the braking processes are being carried out as required.

[0078] In order to be able to carry out the conformity assessment not only after the passenger transport system 1 has been fully installed, a method for carrying out an at least partially virtualized conformity assessment is proposed.

[0079] For this purpose, a digital twin data record depicting the individually designed passenger transport system 1 is created. Physical properties of components 2 of the passenger transport system 1 are reproduced in the digital twin data record in a machine-processable manner.

[0080] For example, the data that were established in the design phase as target design data for the components 2 of the individual passenger transport system 1 can be recorded in the digital twin data record for this purpose. Specifically, the digital twin data record can be created for the passenger transport system 1 using the CAD data determined during the design phase.

[0081] By way of explanation using the example of the above passenger transport system 1 in the form of the elevator 3, data relating to physical properties of the various fastenings 25, 27, 29 and struts 31, 33, 35 such as data on geometries, dimensions, materials used and their material properties, surface characteristics and the like can be recorded in the digital twin data record, for example. Similar data can also be recorded in the digital twin data record for the elevator car 11, the counterweight 13 and the suspension means 15. In addition to this data, it is also possible to record data for the drive machine 17, the braking devices 19 and the controller 21 in the digital twin data record, which data relates, for example, to an electrical configuration of these components 2 and/or also relates, for example, to functionalities as intended to be realized by these components 2.

[0082] Further possibilities and details regarding the creation of a digital twin data record and the subsequent possible uses thereof are set out in an earlier patent application WO 2019/115378 A1 from the applicant of the present patent application, and can also be used in a similar or adapted manner for the creation of a digital twin data record as can be used for the present disclosure. The content of the earlier application is therefore incorporated in full into the present application by way of reference.

[0083] Using the previously generated digital twin data record, it is possible, as part of the partially virtualized conformity assessment before the passenger transport system is completed or even before its components have been manufactured, to check whether, on the basis of the physical properties of the components used in the design of the passenger transport system, which properties are reproduced in the digital twin data record, it can be assumed that the resulting properties of the passenger transportation system manufactured therewith satisfy predefined target specifications.

[0084] For this purpose, values can be derived from the digital twin data record, which values provide information about the properties of the passenger transport system that are to be checked. Alternatively or in addition, computer simulations can be carried out using the data contained in the digital twin data record, in which computer simulations properties of the passenger transport system are simulated and values are determined therefrom which reproduce these properties to be checked.

[0085] The determined values can then be stored as virtual values in a results log. By analyzing these values, it can ultimately be decided, for example, whether the passenger transport system 1 was designed correctly.

[0086] In contrast to a conventional conformity assessment, the passenger transport system 1 preferably does not yet completely exist as a physical apparatus at the point in time at which the method presented here is carried out. Instead, at least parts of the passenger transport system 1 only exist as a virtual model and are reproduced by the digital twin of the passenger transport system 1.

[0087] In the digital twin data record, the components 2 that form these parts of the passenger transport system 1 can, however, be reproduced or modeled precisely enough with regard to their physical properties that the conformity assessment can be carried out with the aid of the virtual model in a similar manner as was the case with the conventional reality-based conformity assessment. In particular, individual conformity assessment steps can be carried out on the virtual model or with the aid of the virtual model in a similar manner as is the case with the reality-based conformity assessment. The same or a similarly adapted test protocol can be followed as for the reality-based conformity assessment.

[0088] If desired, the results log generated by the partially virtualized conformity assessment can be improved by the virtual values determined therefor not only based on target design data that indicate design-specific target properties of components, but also or alternatively based on actual manufacturing data that indicate actual properties of the respective components that are realized during manufacturing or possibly even based on actual installation data that indicate actual properties of the respective components that are realized during installation. As a result, it is possible to take into account in the digital twin data record that, when manufacturing components and/or installing same, there may be differences in their physical properties by comparison with the target properties indicated in the target design data. A virtualized conformity assessment based on the digital twin data record provided with the actual data can thus provide even more precise information as to whether properties of the passenger transport system correspond to target specifications.

[0089] If certain properties to be checked cannot be reliably derived or cannot be derived with sufficient accuracy as part of the at least partially virtualized conformity assessment, predefined default properties (“default values”) can be indicated in the results log for these properties. This may be specifically characterized in the results log in order to simplify later evaluation and in particular to be able to identify that some of the values in the results log are not actual results of a conformity assessment step that can be reliably carried out.

[0090] If necessary, in addition to one or more at least partially virtualized conformity assessments, a reality-based conformity assessment can also be carried out after completion of the passenger transport system 1 and the properties of the passenger transport system determined in the process can be indicated as real values in the results log. These real values can then be compared with the virtual values in order to be able to identify deficits in the design and/or manufacturing and/or installation of components 2 for the passenger transport system 1. For this purpose, deviation criteria can be stored in the digital twin data record, and, if these criteria are exceeded, the corresponding determined values are highlighted as deficient in the results log.

[0091] Using the approach described herein of an at least partially virtualized conformity assessment, various other advantages can be achieved in addition to the already described possibility of being able to identify deficits or errors in the design, manufacturing and/or installation of components of the passenger transport system. For example, the virtual values recorded in the results log can be stored in the digital twin data record and then used over the lifetime of components or apparatus parts in order to be able to detect changes and in particular deteriorations. The quality of components and apparatuses parts can be consistently increased, since potential problems can be detected very early, ideally before material is transported to the place of use, for example. If necessary, properties of apparatus parts can also be easily reproduced on the basis of very clear criteria. In addition, the fact that virtual values and real values from the results log may be compared with one another can ideally be used to derive a pattern which indicates which of the tests carried out during the conformity assessment may not be relevant, since, for example, their results always correspond to the target specifications. It is also possible to derive indications as to which properties that can lead to problems should also be tested. Altogether, the use of the data from the digital twin of the passenger transport system enables various types of analyzes.

[0092] For a manufacturer of a passenger transport system, this makes high product quality possible as a result of it being possible to identify problems in the planning and manufacturing of the passenger transport system early. For example, problems can be identified during configuration and corrected at an early stage, which can save installation and commissioning time. It is also possible to achieve better traceability by comparing the results from the virtual conformity assessment with those from the reality-based conformity assessment for each specific installation. Finally, an analysis of large amounts of data (big data analysis) is also made possible, in which analysis, for example, the digital twin data record and the values in the results log can be assigned to a very detailed product configuration.

[0093] Finally, it should be noted that terms such as “comprising”, “having”, etc. do not preclude other elements or steps and terms such as “a” or “an” do not preclude a plurality. Furthermore, it should be noted that features or steps that have been described with reference to one of the above embodiments may also be used in combination with other features or steps of other embodiments described above. Reference signs in the claims should not be considered to be limiting.