METHOD FOR EXCHANGING A COMPONENT IN A PASSENGER TRANSPORT SYSTEM AND DEVICE TO BE USED IN SAID METHOD

Abstract

A method and a corresponding device for exchanging a component in a passenger transport system are proposed. In this case, a digital double dataset, which is digitally stored in a computer and can also be processed, exists parallel to the passenger transport system, wherein said digital double dataset comprises data concerning physical properties of the passenger transport system. The method comprises the steps of physically exchanging the component by removing an existing component from the passenger transport system and replacing the existing component with a replacement component; and exchanging component data concerning physical properties of the component in an at least partially automated manner by replacing component data concerning physical properties of the existing component with component data concerning physical properties of the replacement component in the digital double dataset.

Claims

1-13. (canceled)

14. A method for exchanging a component in a passenger transport system, wherein a digital double dataset representative of the passenger transport system is digitally stored in a computer system or on a machine-readable medium and can be processed by a computer system, wherein said digital double dataset comprises data concerning physical properties of the passenger transport system, the method comprising: physically exchanging the component by removing an existing component from the passenger transport system and replacing the existing component with a replacement component; wherein component data concerning physical properties of the component is exchanged in an at least partially automated manner by replacing component data concerning physical properties of the existing component with component data concerning physical properties of the replacement component in the digital double dataset, wherein the digital double dataset comprises a plurality of component dataset modules, wherein each of these component dataset modules respectively describes component data concerning physical properties of one of the components in the passenger transport system, wherein the physical properties described in the component data take into account the respective degree of wear of the existing component, which degree of wear can be determined by sensors integrated into the passenger transport system, wherein an entire component dataset module is respectively replaced in the digital double dataset during an exchange of component data, and wherein the simulations can be respectively broken down to the individual component or its component dataset module by a current analysis of the digital double dataset, as well as due to the aforementioned structuring of the digital double dataset by means of component dataset modules, and the failing physical component can thereby be directly identified.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein each component dataset module comprises component unit data concerning physical properties of the component itself, as well as interface data concerning physical properties that describe a cooperation of the component with other components.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the component data concerning physical properties of the replacement component also comprises installation data that is affected by the type of installation of the replacement component in the passenger transport system.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the installation data comprises forces and/or torques that were applied for fixing the replacement component in the passenger transport system during the replacement of the component.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein the installation data is automatically acquired by a tool used for the installation and transmitted in an automated manner to the computer system that stores the digital double dataset.

19. The method according to claim 14, wherein the component data concerning a replacement component is stored in a data storage unit provided on the replacement component and transmitted in an automated manner to the computer, storing the digital double dataset.

20. The method according to claim 14, wherein a unique identification is provided on the component and the component data concerning the replacement component is stored in a data storage unit that is arranged remotely from the component, and wherein the component data concerning the replacement component is transmitted from the data storage unit to the computer storing the digital double dataset in an automated manner by transmitting the identification.

21. The method according to claim 14, wherein work steps to be carried out for the physical exchange of the component are specified by a computer program with consideration of the component data concerning the component.

22. The method according to claim 14, wherein actual data concerning currently prevailing physical properties of the passenger transport system is acquired during the method and associated data in the digital double dataset is replaced with the actual data.

23. A method for monitoring current physical properties of a passenger transport system, wherein initial physical properties of the passenger transport system are specified in a computer in a digitally stored digital double dataset that can also be processed, wherein the current physical properties of the passenger transport system are determined by means of calculations, simulations and/or models based on the initial physical properties specified in the digital double dataset, and wherein individual components of the passenger transport system are exchanged by means of a method according to one of the preceding claims.

24. A computer program product with machine-readable instructions, upon the execution of which a computer system is instructed to carry out or control process steps of the method of claim 14, which effect the exchange of the component data in the digital double dataset.

25. A machine-readable medium with a computer program product according to claim 24 stored thereon.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0070] Embodiments of the disclosure are described below with reference to the attached drawings, wherein neither the drawings nor the description should be interpreted as restrictions of the disclosure.

[0071] FIG. 1 shows a highly schematic representation of a passenger transport system consisting of multiple physical components.

[0072] FIG. 2 shows a digital double dataset that forms a virtual electronic image of the passenger transport system illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0073] The figures are merely schematic and not true-to-scale. Identical or identically acting characteristics are identified by the same reference symbols in the different figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0074] FIG. 1 shows a simplified representation of a passenger transport system 1 with components 2 to 8 installed therein. In this case, the passenger transport system 1, as well as the components 2 to 8, are merely illustrated in a highly schematic manner because the concrete illustration of the passenger transport system 1 and its components is not important for understanding the present disclosure. For example, the passenger transport system specifically may be an escalator or moving walkway and its component may be typical components of such an escalator or such a moving walkway, e.g., step elements, pallet elements, elements of a conveyor chain, drive elements, elements of a supporting framework, etc. Alternatively, the passenger transport system may be an elevator and its components may form part of an elevator cabin, a counterweight, guide rails, fixing elements, a drive, multiple cable-like or belt-like suspension means, elevator doors, etc. In this case, the individual components 2 to 8 may be fastened on one another and/or on supporting structures within the passenger transport system 1 by means of fastening means 9 such as screws.

[0075] Physical properties of the components 2 to 8 of the passenger transport system can be determined during its planning, commissioning and/or completion. The thusly obtained information may be stored in the form of component data 31 in a digital double dataset 21. For example, the digital double dataset 21 may be stored in a storage unit of a computer 20. This computer 20 may be located remotely from the passenger transport system 1.

[0076] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a digital double dataset 21. In this case, the digital double dataset 21 is composed of a plurality of individual component dataset modules 22, 23, 24. Each of these component dataset modules 22, 23, 24 contains component data 31 concerning physical properties Dla, Dlb, Dlc, D2a, D2b, . . . , Dna, . . . , Dnx of an associated component 2 to 8. Since these component dataset modules 22, 23, 24 concern datasets, by means of which a virtual three-dimensional image of the passenger transport system 1 according to FIG. 1 can be displayed, for example, on the screen of the computer 20, these component dataset modules 22, 23, 24 in fact have the same shape as their physical equivalents, but are illustrated with broken lines. For example, the component data 31 may contain information on a geometry, materials used and/or other physical properties Dna, . . . , Dnx of the associated component 2 to 8. Furthermore, other physical properties Dna, . . . , Dnx such as installation data 32 may be stored in a component dataset module 22, 23, 24. This installation data 32 refers to the type of installation of a component 2 to 8 in the passenger transport system 1. For example, the installation data 32 may contain information on torques D2c, D2d, D3d, with which the fastening elements 9 in the form of screws were tightened during the installation.

[0077] A state of the passenger transport system 1 can be monitored with the aid of the digital double dataset 21. To this end, information on changes in the physical properties Dna, . . . , Dnx of the passenger transport system 1 and its components 2 to 8, which occur over time, can be determined based on the component data 31 and installation data 32 contained in the digital double dataset 21 with the aid of computer simulations and/or computer models.

[0078] If components 2 to 8 are exchanged when the passenger transport system 1 is serviced, a few of the characteristic physical properties of these components typically change. Consequently, these changes should also be updated in the digital double dataset 21, which exists parallel to the passenger transport system 1 and can be used as simulation environment, for example, for monitoring the passenger transport system 1 and/or for preparing a proactive service schedule therefrom.

[0079] Embodiments of the present disclosure propose that, during a physical exchange of one of the components 2 to 8 in the passenger transport system 1, the component dataset module 22, 23, 24 associated with the respective component is also exchanged. In this case, component data 31 concerning the replacement component 2 to 8 is stored in the replacement component dataset module 22, 23, 24. This component data may comprise component unit data that describes physical properties Dna, . . . , Dnx of the component itself, as well as interface data Dna, . . . , Dnx that describes physical properties regarding a cooperation of the component with other components.

[0080] It is preferably possible to operate with different versions (releases) of the digital double dataset 21, wherein the last state of the “old version” can be frozen and a “new version” can be generated from the “old version” by replacing the respective component dataset module 22, 23, 24 of the exchanged component 2 to 8.

[0081] Installation data such as tightening torques of screws or other fastening means 9 can also be incorporated in this case. To this end, it would be possible, for example, to use a tool 10 that is equipped with a sensor 11. Measurement data regarding forces and torques applied during the installation, which is acquired by the sensor 11, can be evaluated in an evaluation unit 12 in the tool 10 and then transmitted, for example, in a wireless manner, to the computer 20 that stores and processes the digital double dataset 21. The thusly transmitted installation data 32 can be associated, for example, with a virtual model of the fastening means 9 or specifically the screw in the digital double dataset 21. The installation data 32 may alternatively also be input by an installer or adopted from a previously used screw, but this leads to a reduced data quality in the digital double dataset 21. It is preferred that such characteristic physical data Dna, . . . , Dnx can be correspondingly identified, e.g., it can be specified whether it was adopted, measured or input. A subsequent error analysis can thereby be simplified.

[0082] A prerequisite for carrying out the method proposed herein is a digital double dataset 21, which analogous to the physical passenger transport system 1 is composed of separate or separable component dataset modules 22, 23, 24 that are virtually connected to one another by interface data. In this case, the interface data may describe interface information such as coordinates in a three-dimensional space.

[0083] Multiple options are conceivable for replacing individual component dataset modules 22, 23, 24 with the component data 31 and optional installation data 32 contained therein. For example, data may be incorporated into the digital double dataset 21 in an automated manner by adopting new component dataset modules 22, 23, 24 with characteristic physical properties Dna, . . . Dnx during an order of the already manufactured and stocked replacement component. The new version of the digital double dataset 21 should be released by an installer, wherein installation data should optionally be acquired and input.

[0084] Depending on its design, a physical replacement component may comprise, for example, a local data storage unit 14 in the form of a chip with data stored thereon, wherein said data can be read out, for example, by a tool 10 and automatically adopted into the digital double dataset 21.

[0085] It would alternatively be conceivable that an identification 15 in the form of a serial number or a machine-readable code is provided on or with the replacement component and a data file containing component data with information regarding the physical properties Dna, . . . , Dnx of the replacement component is stored on a computer or in a data cloud that acts as remote data storage unit 16. When the replacement component is installed, for example, by the installer, the serial number or the code can be acquired and the associated dataset can thereby be retrieved from the computer or the data cloud (cloud) acting as remote data storage unit 16 and adopted into the digital double dataset 21.

[0086] The specially designed tool 10 may form a device 17 together with the computer 20 storing the digital double dataset 21 and, if applicable, the remote data storage unit 16, wherein the digital double dataset 21 can be updated with the aid of said device in the course of an exchange of components 2 to 8 in the passenger transport system 1.

[0087] As an alternative to this procedure, the characteristic physical properties Dna, . . . , Dnx of the replacement component may be scanned, for example, on the construction site, and this component data may optionally be supplemented with additional component such as material data. After the transmission of this component dataset module 22, 23, 24 to the computer 20 and its replacing incorporation into the digital double dataset 21, a new version can be generated and subsequently released by the installer.

[0088] The removal of an existing component 2 to 8 and the subsequent installation of a replacement component may be accompanied by a computer, for example, in the form of a laptop, a tablet, a mobile telephone, VR goggles or the like, which can access component data 31 of the digital double dataset 21. In this case, it would be possible to provide an installation program that specifies installation steps by accessing involved component dataset modules 22, 23, 24 in the digital double dataset 21.

[0089] As a supplement, different verification routines may be carried out. For example, a comparison of identification numbers, a confirmation by the installer or the like may be respectively required or checked. Error messages can optionally be generated.

[0090] In conclusion, it should be noted that terms such as “having,” “comprising,” etc. do not preclude any other elements or steps and that terms such as “a” or “an” do not preclude a plurality. It should furthermore be noted that characteristics or steps, which were described above with reference to one of the exemplary embodiments, can also be used in combination with other characteristics or steps of other above-described exemplary embodiments. The reference symbols in the claims should not be interpreted in a restrictive sense.