Device and method for monitoring a maintenance mode of an elevator installation

Abstract

A control unit, an elevator-monitoring apparatus and a method are used to monitor a maintenance mode of an elevator installation. The control unit has a controller and a memory device, wherein the controller receives a first signal when a locking device of shaft door is locked and receives a second signal when the locking device is unlocked. The controller compares a chronological signal sequence of first signals and second signals with a reference sequence stored in the memory device for actuation of the locking device and, if the signal sequence of the first signals and second signals matches the reference sequence, ends the maintenance mode and releases a car of the elevator installation for a traveling operation.

Claims

1. A control unit for monitoring a maintenance mode of an elevator installation, comprising: a controller; a memory device connected to the controller, wherein the controller receives a first signal when a locking device of a shaft door of the elevator installation, whereby an elevator shaft of the elevator installation is accessible via the shaft door for maintenance work, is locked and receives a second signal when the locking device is unlocked; wherein the controller disregards ones of the first and second signals that last less than a lower limit predetermined time thereby distinguishing from bounce signals to identify a chronological signal sequence of the first and second signals; wherein the controller compares the chronological signal sequence of at least two of the first signal received and at least two of the second signal received with a reference sequence stored in the memory device for actuation of the locking device, wherein the reference sequence is specific to the elevator installation by being retrievable from the memory device for comparison with the one chronological signal sequence dependent on an individual identification of the elevator installation; and wherein the controller ends the maintenance mode and releases a car of the elevator installation for a driving operation in response to the one chronological signal sequence matching the reference sequence.

2. The control unit according to claim 1 wherein the reference sequence comprises a chronological sequence of the first signal, the second signal, the first signal, the second signal, and the first signal, or wherein the reference sequence comprises a chronological sequence of the second signal, the first signal, the second signal, the first signal, and the second signal.

3. The control unit according to claim 1 wherein the controller includes in the chronological signal sequence only those of the first signal which last at least 0.1 seconds and at most 10 seconds, or only those of the second signal which last at least 0.1 seconds and at most 10 seconds, or only those of both the first signal and the second signal which last at least 0.1 seconds and at most 10 seconds.

4. The controller according to claim 1 wherein the controller includes in the chronological signal sequence only intermediate sequences of the first signal and the second signal that last between 0.1 seconds and 10 seconds, and wherein each of the intermediate sequences is a chronological sequence of the first signal, the second signal, and the first signal, or a chronological sequence of the second signal, the first signal, and the second signal.

5. The control unit according to claim 1 wherein the controller releases the car only when at least two consecutive chronological signal sequences of the first signals and the second signals each match the reference sequence.

6. An elevator-monitoring apparatus for monitoring a maintenance mode of an elevator installation including a control unit according to claim 1, comprising: a plurality of locking devices for a plurality of shaft doors respectively, of the elevator installation; and wherein the locking devices each have at least one sensor element, each of the sensor elements being coupled to the controller of the control unit and being adapted to generate the first signal in response to locking of the respective locking device and to generate the second signal in response to unlocking of the respective locking device.

7. The elevator-monitoring apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the sensor elements of the locking devices each have at least one electro-mechanical switch for generating the first signal and the second signal.

8. The elevator-monitoring apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the controller is coupled to a drive of the car and to a safety chain of the elevator installation, wherein the safety chain has a plurality of safety switches, wherein the safety switches are each coupled to at least one of the locking devices, wherein the safety switches each interrupt the safety chain when the associated locking device is unlocked, and wherein the controller is further coupled to at least one maintenance switch to indicate a maintenance mode of the elevator installation to the controller.

9. The elevator-monitoring apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the controller blocks the drive of the car when at least one of the at least one maintenance switch is activated and the safety chain is interrupted, and wherein the controller releases the drive of the car after activation of the at least one maintenance switch and subsequent deactivation of the at least one maintenance switch only when the safety chain is completely closed and the chronological signal sequence matches the reference sequence for the actuation of the locking device that is stored in the memory device.

10. The elevator-monitoring apparatus according to claim 6 including a signal generator being at least one of an acoustic generator and an optical generator that is coupled to the controller of the control unit, and wherein the controller controls the signal generator in response to at least one of the chronological signal sequence matches the reference sequence and the chronological signal sequence deviates from the reference sequence.

11. The elevator-monitoring apparatus according to claim 6 including a device for at least one of storing and resetting the reference sequence in the memory device.

12. The elevator-monitoring apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the device for at least one of storing and resetting the reference sequence has at least one operating switch on an operating terminal or on a service terminal of the elevator installation.

13. A method for ending a maintenance mode of an elevator installation, the method comprising the steps of: in response to multiple successive instances of actuation of a locking device of a shaft door of the elevator installation, generating a chronological signal sequence of at least two first signals and at least two second signals, wherein the first signals are generated upon locking of the locking device and the second signals are generated upon unlocking of the locking device; disregarding ones of the first and second signals that last less than a lower limit predetermined time when generating the chronological signal sequence thereby distinguishing from bounce signals; comparing, with a control unit of the elevator installation, the chronological signal sequence with a reference sequence for actuating the locking device that is stored in the control unit, wherein the reference sequence is specific to the elevator installation by being retrievable from a memory device of the control unit for the comparing with the chronological signal sequence dependent on an individual identification of the elevator installation; and releasing, by the control unit, of a car of the elevator installation for a driving operation in response to the chronological signal sequence matching the reference sequence.

14. The method according to claim 13 including a step of deactivating a maintenance switch of the elevator installation and closing a safety chain of the elevator installation prior to the multiple successive instances of actuation of the locking device.

15. The method according to claim 13 wherein the multiple successive instances of actuation of the locking device is carried out at least twice in succession, such that a first signal sequence of the first signals and the second signals and a second signal sequence of the first signals and the second signals are generated, wherein the step of comparing compares the first signal sequence and the second signal sequence with the reference sequence, and wherein the car is released in response to the first signal sequence and the second signal sequence matching the reference sequence.

16. A method for ending a maintenance mode of an elevator installation, the method comprising the steps of: in response to multiple successive instances of actuation of a locking device of a shaft door of the elevator installation, generating a chronological signal sequence of first signals and second signals, wherein the first signals are each generated upon locking of the locking device and the second signals are each generated upon unlocking of the locking device; wherein the chronological signal sequence includes only those of the first signals which last at least 0.1 seconds and at most 10 seconds, or only those of the second signals which last at least 0.1 seconds and at most 10 seconds, or only those of both the first signals and the second signals which last at least 0.1 seconds and at most 10 seconds, and does not include ones of the first and second signals that last less than 0.1 second thereby distinguishing from bounce signals; wherein the chronological signal sequence includes only intermediate sequences of the first signals and the second signals, and wherein each of the intermediate sequences is a chronological sequence of one of the first signals, one of the second signals, and another of the first signals, or a chronological sequence of one of the second signals, one of the first signals, and another of the second signals; comparing, with a control unit of the elevator installation, the chronological signal sequence with a reference sequence for actuating the locking device that is stored in the control unit; and releasing, by the control unit, of a car of the elevator installation for a driving operation in response to the chronological signal sequence matching the reference sequence.

17. The method according to claim 16 wherein the control unit releases the car only when at least two consecutive chronological signal sequences of the first signals and the second signals each match the reference sequence.

18. The method according to claim 13 including storing a predetermined time duration of each of the first and second signals in the reference sequence and comparing the chronological signal sequence with the reference sequence on a time-resolved actuation pattern basis.

19. The method according to claim 1 including storing a predetermined time duration of each of the first and second signals in the reference sequence and comparing the chronological signal sequence with the reference sequence on a time-resolved actuation pattern basis.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 illustrates a control unit for monitoring a maintenance mode of an elevator installation according to one embodiment of the invention;

(2) FIG. 2 illustrates an elevator-monitoring apparatus for monitoring a maintenance mode of an elevator installation according to one embodiment of the invention; and

(3) FIG. 3 illustrates a flow chart for illustrating steps of a method for ending a maintenance mode of an elevator installation according to one embodiment of the invention.

(4) The drawings are only schematic and are not true to scale. Like reference signs refer in different drawings to like or analogous features.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(5) FIG. 1 illustrates a control unit 10 for monitoring a maintenance mode and/or a shaft inspection of an elevator installation 100 according to one embodiment of the invention.

(6) The control unit 10 has a controller 12 and a memory device 14. The controller 10 may have, for example, a logic device, a microcontroller, an FPGA, and/or another type of data processing device. The memory device 14 may refer to any device for storing and/or retrieving data, and may have, for example, a disk, a hard drive, a USB storage device, a RAM, a ROM, a FLASH memory, and/or an EROM.

(7) The controller 12 is designed and, for example, set up with appropriate programming technology to receive a first signal when a locking device 18 of a shaft door 16 of the elevator installation 100 is locked and receive a second signal when the locking device 18 is unlocked. For this purpose, the control unit 10 may have a suitable interface 11 that may be coupled and/or connected to the locking device 18. Alternatively or additionally, the controller 12 itself may have a suitable interface 13 via which same may be coupled and/or connected to the locking device 18.

(8) For the actual detection of an unlocking operation and/or a locking operation of the shaft door 16, the locking device 18 has a sensor element 20. The sensor element 20 may have, for example, an electromechanical switch 21, which may be coupled to a lock 22 of the shaft door 16 or the locking device 18. The lock 22 may be actuated, i.e., locked and unlocked, by personnel with a key, e.g. a triangular key. If the lock 22 is locked, then the sensor element 20 generates the first signal in response to the locking operation, and can transfer and/or send the first signal via the interface 11 and/or the interface 13 to the controller 12. Accordingly, the sensor element 20 may itself comprise a logic device. If the lock 22 and thus the locking device 18 and the shaft door 16 are unlocked, the sensor element 20 generates the second signal in response to the unlocking process and can transfer and/or send same via the interface 11 and/or the interface 13 to the controller 12.

(9) Alternatively or additionally, the controller 12 may monitor and/or read out a state of the sensor element 20 and/or the locking device 18, so that the controller 12 can thus detect an actuation of the locking device 18. In turn, the controller 12 may further process the first and/or second signals received from the locking device 18 and/or the sensor element 20 of the locking device 18 and optionally deposit and/or store same in the memory device 14.

(10) Monitoring of the maintenance mode with the control unit 10 according to the invention may be carried out as described below. If leaving the elevator shaft after maintenance work, the personnel can actuate the lock 22 and/or the locking device multiple times/alternate lock and unlock same, for example, with the triangular key. According to the invention, this multiple actuation of the locking device 18 is to take place in accordance with a defined pattern or actuation pattern. Multiple instances of actuation of the locking device 18 causes a chronological signal sequence and/or sequence of first and second signals to be generated via the sensor element 20 of the locking device 18. The signal sequence may then be an alternating sequence of first and second signals. The signal sequence can then be received by the controller 12 and compared with a reference sequence stored in the memory device 14, wherein the defined operation pattern is mapped and/or stored in the reference sequence. If the signal sequence matches the reference sequence, the controller 12 ends the maintenance mode of the elevator installation 100 and releases, for example, a car of the elevator installation for regular driving operation.

(11) In principle, the reference sequence may represent any conceivable sequence of first and second signals. Also, in the reference sequence, a duration may be stored for certain positions of the sequence, similar to a Morse code. However, in order not to make the actuation pattern too complex for the personnel, it may be advantageous if the reference sequence is a chronological sequence of first signal, second signal, first signal, second signal, and first signal, or a chronological sequence of second signal, first signal, second signal, first signal, and second signal.

(12) Furthermore, as described in detail above, in order to be able to distinguish, e.g. bouncing signals of the electro-mechanical switch 21 of the sensor element 20 and/or regular actuation operations of the locking device 18 during the maintenance work from those signal sequences that are generated according to the defined actuation pattern by the personnel in order to end the maintenance mode, it may be provided that the controller 12 considers only those first signals and/or second signals that last at least 0.1 seconds and at most 10 seconds, preferably at least 0.5 seconds and at most 2.0 seconds.

(13) It may also be provided that the controller 12 takes into account only those intermediate sequences of first signals and second signals that last between 0.1 seconds and 10 seconds, preferably between 0.5 seconds and 2.0 seconds. The intermediate sequence may comprise a chronological signal sequence of first signal, second signal, and first signal, or a chronological signal sequence of second signal, first signal, and second signal.

(14) In order to further increase the safety of the elevator installation 100, it may also be provided that the personnel operate the locking device 18 twice in succession in accordance with the predefined operating pattern. Thus, a first signal sequence and a second signal sequence, which can each be compared with the reference sequence, can be generated and be received by the controller 12. Accordingly, it may be provided that the first and second signal sequence should respectively match the reference sequence in order to end the maintenance mode and to release the car of the elevator installation 100.

(15) FIG. 2 illustrates an elevator-monitoring apparatus 50 having a control unit 10 for monitoring a maintenance mode of an elevator installation 100 according to one embodiment of the invention. Unless otherwise described, the elevator-monitoring apparatus 50 may have all of the features, functions, and characteristics described with FIG. 1.

(16) The elevator-monitoring apparatus 50 has a control unit 10 with a controller 12 and a memory device 14 as well as a plurality of locking devices 18 for a plurality of shaft doors 16. The shaft doors 16 may be arranged approximately on different floors of a building, between which a car 52 can be moved in an elevator shaft 54 of the elevator installation 100. As described with FIG. 1, the locking devices 18 each have at least one sensor element 20 and/or one electro-mechanical switch 21, which are each coupled or connected to the control unit 10 and/or the controller 12. The sensor elements 20 are each configured to monitor an actuation state of the respective shaft door 16 and to generate the first signal when the respective locking device 18 is locked and the second signal when the respective locking device is unlocked, which signals can in turn be received by the control device 10 and/or the controller 12.

(17) Furthermore, the control unit 10 and/or the controller 12 is coupled to a drive 58 of the elevator installation 100, which is configured to move the car 52 within the elevator shaft.

(18) Further, the control unit 10 and/or the controller 12 is coupled to a safety chain 56 having a plurality of series-connected safety switches 24. The safety switches 24 may be provided by the locking devices 18 and/or the associated sensor elements 20 or the electro-mechanical switches 21. Also, additional safety switches 24 coupled to the locking devices 18 may be provided. The safety switches 24 are each configured to interrupt the safety chain 56 when one of the locking devices 18 is unlocked, and thus to prevent a driving operation of the car 52, for example, by interrupting a power supply to the drive 58.

(19) Furthermore, the control unit 10 and/or the controller 12 is coupled and/or connected to at least one maintenance switch 60. For example, such a maintenance switch 60 may be arranged and/or provided on each floor within the elevator shaft 54 near each shaft door 16. Accordingly, the control unit 10 may be coupled to a plurality of maintenance switches 60.

(20) The elevator-monitoring apparatus 50 further has an acoustic and/or optical signal generator 62, which is coupled to the controller 12 and/or the control unit 10. The signal generator 62 may have, for example, a loudspeaker and/or a signal lamp.

(21) Monitoring of the maintenance mode with the aid of the elevator-monitoring apparatus 50 according to the invention may be carried out as described below. The personnel open one of the shaft doors 16 and unlock then one of the locking devices 18, whereby in turn one of the safety switches 24 and the safety chain 56 are opened. In response to the unlocked locking device 18 and/or the safety chain 56, the control unit 10/the controller 12 blocks and/or prevents the drive 58 of the elevator system 100 so that the car 52 can not be moved any more. The personnel can then enter the elevator shaft 52 and activate at least one of the maintenance switches 60, whereby the elevator installation can be put into the maintenance mode and the drive can be further blocked. When leaving the elevator shaft 54 after the maintenance work, the personnel disable the maintenance switch 60 and lock the locking device 18, whereby the safety chain 56 can be closed again. According to the invention, the control unit 10 or the controller 12 furthermore prevents and/or blocks the drive until, analogously to the procedure described under FIG. 1, the personnel actuate the locking device 18 in accordance with the defined actuation pattern, whereupon the signal sequence of first and second signals is again generated and received by the controller 12. Only when the signal sequence matches the reference sequence stored in the memory device 14 does the control unit 10 or the controller 12 end the maintenance mode and release the drive 58 again, so that the car 52 can be moved in a regular driving operation. In other words, according to the invention, the maintenance mode is only ended when the safety chain 56 is completely closed, all maintenance switches 60 are deactivated, and the signal sequence matches the reference sequence. It may also be provided that the actuation pattern is to be input twice in succession by the personnel in order to end the maintenance mode. If the signal sequence matches the reference sequence, the control unit 10 and/or the controller 12 may also control the signal generator 62 in such a manner as to output an acoustic and/or visual confirmation signal as feedback for the personnel. Even if the signal sequence deviates from the reference sequence, the control unit 10 and/or the controller 12 may control the signal generator 62 in such a manner as to output an error signal as feedback for the personnel.

(22) Furthermore, the elevator-monitoring apparatus 50 may optionally have a device 64 for storing and/or resetting the reference sequence in the memory device 14.

(23) The device 64 for storing and/or resetting the reference sequence has at least one operating switch on an operating terminal and/or on a service terminal of the elevator installation. For example, the device 64 for storing and/or resetting the reference sequence may have a switch on a landing operating panel (LOP), which can be actuated, in particular for resetting, for example, with a key. It is also conceivable that the reference sequence can be entered by inputting of a switching pattern on a LOP and thus stored in the memory device 14. Furthermore, for example, a box that can be closed and opened with a key, for example, a triangular key, and/or a case or a flap may be arranged in the vicinity of a shaft door, for instance, on a lowest floor, wherein a switch of the device 64 for resetting the reference sequence can be arranged may be arranged in the box or the case or behind the flap. Furthermore, a menu item for storing and/or resetting the reference sequence may be provided on a service terminal of the elevator installation 100 which can be operated by a member of service personnel.

(24) FIG. 3 illustrates a flow chart for illustrating steps of a method for ending a maintenance mode of an elevator installation 100 according to one embodiment of the invention.

(25) The method has a step S1 of multiple successive instances of actuation of the locking device 18, which step may comprise multiple successive instances of locking and unlocking of the locking device 18. Thus, as described above, a chronological signal sequence of first signals and second signals, which is received by the control unit 10 and/or the controller 12, is generated.

(26) Optionally, the step S1 may comprise a substep of deactivating the maintenance switch 60 of the elevator installation 100 and/or closing the safety chain 56 of the elevator installation 100 before the multiple successive actuation operating the locking device 18.

(27) The method furthermore comprises a step S2 of comparing, with the control unit 10 and/or the controller 12, the chronological signal sequence of first signals and second signals with the reference sequence for actuating the locking device 18 that is stored in the memory device 14 of the control unit 10. Optionally, the step S2 of comparing may comprise a substep of the controlling, through the control unit 10 and/or the controller 12, the signal generator 64 if the signal sequence and the reference sequence match and/or deviate. Alternatively or additionally, the step S2 of comparing may comprise a substep of outputting a confirmation signal via the signal generator 64 and/or outputting an error signal via the signal generator 64.

(28) Furthermore, it may optionally be provided that, after the step S2, the locking device 18 is repeatedly and successively actuated according to the actuation pattern again, in another step S1′, so as to generate a further signal sequence, which in turn can be compared with the reference sequence, analogously to step S2. Optionally, in turn, it may be provided that the signal generator 64 is controlled again to output the confirmation signal and/or the error signal.

(29) The method furthermore comprises a step S3 of releasing, by the control unit 10 and/or the controller 12, the car 52 of the elevator installation 100 for a driving operation if the chronological signal sequence of first signals and second signals matches the reference sequence. If the step S1 comprises deactivating the maintenance switch 60 and/or closing the safety chain 56, then in step S3 it may be provided that the car 52 is only released when the maintenance switch 60 is deactivated, the safety chain 56 is closed, and the signal sequence matches the reference sequence.

(30) In general, the method may be carried out as described below during maintenance work on an elevator installation 100. For maintenance work, the personnel can access the elevator shaft 54 via one of the shaft doors 16 and/or via a maintenance hatch.

(31) If the personnel enter the elevator shaft 54 via the shaft door 16, it may be ensured that the car 52 is not at a base terminus of the elevator installation 100. The personnel can unlock the locking device 18 and open the shaft door 16, whereby the safety chain 56 can be interrupted. The car 52 may then remain stationary. The personnel can make sure that the car 52 is stationary. The personnel may activate a light switch of the elevator shaft 54 and the maintenance switch 60. The elevator installation 100 can then switch to a rest or stop state or the maintenance mode, whereupon the safety chain 56 remains interrupted and door movement can be prevented as long as the maintenance switch 60 is activated. The personnel can then enter the elevator shaft 54, for example via a ladder, and, if necessary, close the shaft door 16 again and lock the locking device 18. The safety switch 24 of the safety chain 56 on the corresponding shaft door 16 can be closed thereby, but the safety chain 56 remains interrupted when the maintenance switch 60 is activated. After the maintenance work, the personnel can open the shaft door 16 again and unlock the locking device 18 again. The associated safety switch 24 is opened and the drive 58 of the elevator car 52 can remain blocked. The personnel can exit elevator shaft 54, deactivate the light switch and the maintenance switch 60, close the shaft door 16 again, and lock the locking device 18. The safety chain 56 can thereby be completely closed, but the drive 58 remains blocked. The personnel may then operate the locking device 18 once or twice according to the operation pattern, which may be recognized by the control unit 10 and/or the controller 12. If the generated signal sequence or signal sequences match(es) the reference sequence, the drive 58 can be released again, the elevator installation 100 can optionally carry out a correction and/or test drive and then resume the regular driving operation.

(32) If the personnel enter the elevator shaft 54 via the service hatch, it can be opened and/or unlocked. The maintenance hatch may then itself have a safety switch or not be coupled to the safety chain 56. If the maintenance hatch has a safety switch, the safety chain 56 is interrupted in the same way as described above when the maintenance hatch is opened, and the drive 58 is blocked. The personnel can enter the elevator shaft 54, activate the light switch and the maintenance switch 60, thereby placing the elevator installation 100 in the rest or stop state or the maintenance mode. The personnel enters the elevator shaft 54 and closes the maintenance hatch, whereby—if present—the safety switch can be closed. The drive 58 remains blocked again when the maintenance switch 60 is activated. After the maintenance work, the personnel re-open the maintenance hatch, whereby the safety switch—if present—can opened again. The personnel can deactivate the light switch and the maintenance switch 60 and close and/or lock the maintenance hatch again, whereby the safety chain 56 can be closed. However, the drive 58 can remain blocked. The personnel may go to one of the shaft doors 16 and actuate the interlocking device 18 once or twice according to the actuation pattern, which can be recognized by the control unit 10 and/or the controller 12. If the generated signal sequence or signal sequences match(es) the reference sequence, the drive 58 can be released again, the elevator installation 100 can optionally carry out a correction and/or test drive and then resume the regular driving operation.

(33) Finally, it should be noted that terms such as “comprising” and the like do not preclude other elements or steps, and terms such as “a” or “one” 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.

(34) In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the present invention has been described in what is considered to represent its preferred embodiment. However, it should be noted that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or scope.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

(35) 10 Control unit 11 Interface 12 Controller 13 Interface 14 Memory device 16 Shaft door 18 Locking device 20 Sensor element 21 Switch 22 Lock 24 Safety switch 50 Elevator-monitoring apparatus 52 Car 54 Elevator shaft 56 Safety chain 58 Drive 60 Maintenance switch 62 Signal generator 64 Device for storing/resetting the reference sequence 100 Elevator installation