Abstract:
Method for the condition monitoring of the safety switches of the safety circuit of an elevator. Inferences can be made about the condition of a safety switch by measuring and examining the current of the safety circuit of the elevator after the state of the safety circuit has changed. The current signal is filtered, after which the amount of interference caused by contact malfunctions of the switch is determined from it. Based on the amount of interference it is possible to determine in what condition the switch is.
Abstract:
The present invention deals with a method and an apparatus for the input call needed in an elevator system by means of a wireless call input device. The call input device may be a device provided with a display and a keypad, designed especially for this use. In a preferred embodiment, the call input device is the user's mobile telephone and the system utilizes technology consistent with the Bluetooth standard. RFID technology or the use of bar codes is also possible. For the user a profile is created which contains the user's name, statistical information regarding the destination floors most frequently selected by the user, and possible additional services. The user can input a call from an elevator lobby before arriving to the elevator. After the system has allocated the most suitable elevator to the user, corresponding information is presented on the display of the call input device. This information can be accompanied by guidance information and information about an estimated waiting time. The destination floor alternatives can also be programmed to the call input device by the user him/herself. Additional services can be provided to the user of the call system and to other parties working in the building by connecting the control system to the Internet e.g. via an embedded mobile telephone.
Abstract:
Elevator group control method for the allocation of landing calls, in which method a target value is assigned to a given service time of the elevator group and landing calls are so allocated to elevators that the assigned target value of the service time is realized on the average, the energy consumption of the elevator group being thereby reduced.
Abstract:
A method for allocating calls entered via the landing call devices of elevators belonging to an elevator group so that there are simultaneously at least one floor to be signaled according to the service routes of the elevators. The allocation decision is made by a genetic allocation method. The allocation decision is input into a call fixation control unit, which takes care of the reservation and release of landing calls and the control of signaling. In the case of a reserved landing call, the range of values of the gene is limited.
Abstract:
Method for displaying the position of a multi-car elevator at a landing. In the floor display on a given floor, the floor symbol of the car closest to this floor is displayed.
Abstract:
The present invention discloses an extension to a prior-art genetic algorithm, with which the routing of elevators based on the calls given in an elevator system is formed. A new type of gene, a so-called run type gene, is connected to the chromosome of the genetic algorithm according to the invention, with which gene the desired speed profile for the elevator trip can be set. In this way e.g. an upper limit can be set for the acceleration or for the maximum travel speed of the elevator. By means of the run type gene a kinetic energy term is included in the optimization. The energy consumed by the system can thus be minimized more effectively by means of the algorithm, because the varying travel speeds of the elevators create more freedom of choice for the chromosomes of the algorithm.
Abstract:
The method of the invention can be used to improve the performance of an elevator system. In the method, the acceleration and/or velocity of at least one door in the elevator system is measured and a dynamic model of the door is created. Using the model, an estimation of acceleration and velocity can be calculated as a function of unknown parameters. From the estimated acceleration or velocity and the measured acceleration or velocity an error function is obtained, and a search is performed in an optimizer to find its minimum value. The unknown parameters corresponding to the minimum value indicate the value of the kinetic parameters of the door at the instant being considered. By utilizing the calculated values of the kinetic parameters, the functions of the doors in the elevator system are optimized separately for each door. Using a genetic algorithm, it is possible to determine, in addition to the unknown kinetic parameters, the operational state of the door closing device as well.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to an elevator condition monitoring system, which comprises at least a control unit (104) and a sensor arrangement (250) connected to the control unit, while the elevator comprises an elevator car (100), an elevator drive machine (109) and a control system (110) including the required safety circuit and actuators. The control unit of the condition monitoring system and the sensor arrangement connected to the control unit have been fitted in conjunction with the elevator car. The sensor arrangement comprises at least a sensor which measures the current of the safety circuit and is galvanically separated from the elevator safety circuit and connected to the safety circuit without interrupting the safety circuit wiring.
Abstract:
The invention concerns a method and a system for monitoring the operation of the safety circuit of an elevator, said safety circuit containing safety switches connected in series with a contactor and a static circuit. In the method, the current flowing in the safety circuit is measured and the state of the safety circuit is determined on the basis of the measured current. The measurement of the safety circuit current is preferably performed without a galvanic connection to the safety circuit. The state of the safety circuit is determined on the basis of the magnitude of the measured current, from which the positions of the safety switches during the current measurement can be inferred.