Patent Description:
When an elevator is reformed, a part of or all of devices thereof are replaced. In addition, unnecessary devices are removed and necessary devices are newly added. Performing such work requires accurate dimensional data on a current shaft. For example, when there is not enough space to install a new device, to what extent a wall of the shaft needs to be scraped off has to be determined on the basis of the dimensional data.

Patent Literature <NUM> describes a system for measuring dimensions of a shaft. The system described in Patent Literature <NUM> includes a laser range finder. The laser range finder is provided on an elevator car. With the laser range finder, a distance to a wall of the shaft is measured while the car moves.

The laser range finder described in Patent Literature <NUM> is provided on an elevator car. Therefore, shaft portions below the car cannot be measured with the laser range finder. In other words, dimensional data on an entire shaft cannot be obtained with the system described in Patent Literature <NUM>.

The present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem. An object of the present invention is to provide a method for measuring a shaft, which enables dimensional data on an entire shaft to be obtained. Another object of the present invention is to provide an interference determination system which uses dimensional data obtained by the method.

According to the present disclosure, a method and an interference determination system as defined in the independent claims are provided. Further embodiments of the claimed invention are defined in the dependent claims. Although the claimed invention is only defined by the claims, the below embodiments, examples, and aspects are present for aiding in understanding the background and advantages of the claimed invention.

According to the present invention, dimensional data on an entire shaft can be obtained and an interference determination system that uses the dimensional data can be provided.

The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Redundant descriptions will be simplified or omitted as appropriate. In each of the drawings, the same reference signs refer to the same or comparable parts.

<FIG> is a diagram showing an example of an interference determination system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

The present interference determination system includes, for example, a measurement apparatus <NUM>, a data acquisition unit <NUM>, a storage unit <NUM>, a data integration unit <NUM>, a comparison unit <NUM>, a notification apparatus <NUM>, and an input apparatus <NUM>.

The measurement apparatus <NUM> is an apparatus for acquiring dimensional data on a shaft <NUM> (not shown in <FIG>). The measurement apparatus <NUM> is constituted by, a sensor which three-dimensionally detects a distance to a measurement object in a noncontact manner. For example, the measurement apparatus <NUM> includes an emission unit <NUM>, a reception unit <NUM>, and a measurement unit <NUM>.

The emission unit <NUM> emits energy. Examples of energy emitted from the emission unit <NUM> include light (for example, laser), ultrasonic waves, and electromagnetic waves. The emission unit <NUM> is provided to be rotatable around two axes, which are orthogonal to each other. Therefore, the emission unit <NUM> can emit energy in a radial pattern.

The reception unit <NUM> receives energy (hereinafter, referred to as "reflected energy"), which is from the emission unit <NUM> and which is reflected by the measurement object. For example, when the emission unit <NUM> emits laser, the reception unit <NUM> receives laser reflected by the measurement object.

The measurement unit <NUM> measures a distance from the measurement apparatus <NUM> (for example, the emission unit <NUM>) to the measurement object. The measurement unit <NUM> performs a distance measurement on the basis of energy emitted from the emission unit <NUM> and reflected energy received by the reception unit <NUM>.

The data acquisition unit <NUM> acquires data obtained by performing a measurement with the measurement apparatus <NUM>. The data acquisition unit <NUM> stores the acquired data in the storage unit <NUM>. The data integration unit <NUM> integrates a plurality of pieces of data to create a single data. The data created by the data integration unit <NUM> is stored in the storage unit <NUM>. The comparison unit <NUM> performs data comparison. A comparison result provided by the comparison unit <NUM> is notified from the notification apparatus <NUM>. For example, a display is adopted as the notification apparatus <NUM>. Alternatively, a speaker may be adopted as the notification apparatus <NUM>. The input apparatus <NUM> is used when inputting data.

Respective units denoted by reference signs <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> represent functions of the present interference determination system. The present system is provided with, as a hardware resource, for example, circuitry including an input/output interface, a CPU, and a memory. The storage unit <NUM> represents a partial function of the memory. The present system implements respective functions of the units <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> by causing the CPU to execute a program stored in the memory. A part of or all of the functions of the respective units denoted by reference signs <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be implemented by hardware.

In order to use the present interference determination system, dimensions of the shaft <NUM> have to be measured. Therefore, with reference also to <FIG>, the present interference determination system as well as a method for measuring dimensions of the shaft <NUM> will be described below. <FIG> is a diagram for explaining a method for measuring dimensions of the shaft <NUM>.

A dimensional measurement of the shaft <NUM> is performed, for example, when the elevator is reformed. In order to measure the dimensions of the shaft <NUM>, first, a car <NUM> of the elevator is stopped in a lower part of the shaft <NUM>. For example, the car <NUM> is stopped at a stop position of a lowermost floor. In <FIG>, a car stopped at the stop position of the lowermost floor is denoted by a reference sign 12a.

Next, the measurement apparatus <NUM> is attached to a guide rail <NUM> for the car <NUM>. The guide rail <NUM> is a rail for guiding movement of the car <NUM>. The guide rail <NUM> is vertically provided in the shaft <NUM> over a range of vertical movement of the car <NUM>. The measurement apparatus <NUM> is attached to the guide rail <NUM> above the car <NUM>. Alternatively, the measurement apparatus <NUM> may be attached to a guide rail for a counterweight (not shown). The guide rail for the counterweight is vertically provided in the shaft <NUM> over a range of vertical movement of the counterweight.

<FIG> is a diagram showing a cross section taken along A-A in <FIG>. The measurement apparatus <NUM> is provided at an attachment member <NUM>. , the measurement apparatus <NUM> is attached to the guide rail <NUM> via the attachment member <NUM>. The attachment member <NUM> is configured so as to be attachable to and detachable from the guide rail <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram showing a state where the measurement apparatus <NUM> has been attached to the guide rail <NUM>. The guide rail <NUM> for the car <NUM> has a T-shaped cross section. For example, the guide rail <NUM> includes a flange section <NUM> and a guide section <NUM>. The guide section <NUM> protrudes from the flange section <NUM>. A guide surface 16a for guiding movement of the car <NUM> is formed on the guide section <NUM>. The guide rail <NUM> is installed with high precision over the range of vertical movement of the car <NUM> so that a predetermined distance from a sill <NUM> in a hall of each floor to the guide surface 16a of the guide section <NUM> is maintained.

A guide surface 14a is formed on the attachment member <NUM>. The guide surface 14a opposes the guide surface 16a of the guide section <NUM> when the attachment member <NUM> is attached to the guide rail <NUM>. When the measurement apparatus <NUM> is attached to the guide rail <NUM> via the attachment member <NUM>, the measurement apparatus <NUM> is arranged to be always on the same position on a horizontal plane of projection with respect to the sill <NUM> in a hall. In addition, when attached to the guide rail <NUM> via the attachment member <NUM>, the measurement apparatus <NUM> is arranged so that an orientation thereof is always the same. For example, the measurement apparatus <NUM> is arranged so that a certain surface thereof is always oriented horizontally.

The attachment member <NUM> may be fixed to the guide rail <NUM> by any method. For example, the attachment member <NUM> may be fixed to the guide rail <NUM> using a magnetic force. In another example, the attachment member <NUM> may be fixed to the guide rail <NUM> using a force of a spring. In another example, the attachment member <NUM> may sandwich the guide rail <NUM> to be fixed thereto.

After the measurement apparatus <NUM> is attached to the guide rail <NUM> above the car <NUM>, a measurement by the measurement apparatus <NUM> is performed. Accordingly, first dimensional data on the shaft <NUM> is acquired. The first dimensional data is data including dimensional data on an upper part of the shaft <NUM>. The first dimensional data at least includes dimensional data on an uppermost part of the shaft <NUM>. Since the measurement apparatus <NUM> is arranged above the car <NUM>, dimensional data on a lowermost part of the shaft <NUM> cannot be acquired in this measurement. Therefore, the first dimensional data does not include dimensional data on the lowermost part of the shaft <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram for explaining contents of the first dimensional data. For example, the first dimensional data includes data indicating a lower surface of a top jamb <NUM> in a specific hall and data indicating an upper surface of the sill <NUM> in the hall. To include such data pieces in the first dimensional data, the measurement apparatus <NUM> is attached at a height which is lower than the lower surface of the top jamb <NUM> in the hall and which is higher than the upper surface of the sill <NUM> in the hall.

When the measurement by the measurement apparatus <NUM> is performed, the data acquisition unit <NUM> acquires the first dimensional data on the shaft <NUM>. The first dimensional data on the shaft <NUM> acquired by the data acquisition unit <NUM> is stored in the storage unit <NUM>.

After the first dimensional data on the shaft <NUM> is acquired, the measurement apparatus <NUM> is detached from the guide rail <NUM>. After the measurement apparatus <NUM> is detached from the guide rail <NUM>, the car <NUM> is moved upward and then stopped. For example, the car <NUM> is stopped in the upper part of the shaft <NUM>. In <FIG>, a car stopped at a stop position of the uppermost floor is denoted by a reference sign 12b.

When the car <NUM> is stopped in the upper part of the shaft <NUM>, the measurement apparatus <NUM> is attached again to the guide rail <NUM> for the car <NUM>. At this point, the measurement apparatus <NUM> is attached to the guide rail <NUM> below the car <NUM>.

When the measurement apparatus <NUM> is attached to the guide rail <NUM> below the car <NUM>, a measurement by the measurement apparatus <NUM> is performed. Accordingly, second dimensional data on the shaft <NUM> is acquired. The second dimensional data is data including dimensional data on the lower part of the shaft <NUM>. The second dimensional data at least includes dimensional data on the lowermost part of the shaft <NUM>. Since the measurement apparatus <NUM> is arranged below the car <NUM>, dimensional data on the uppermost part of the shaft <NUM> cannot be acquired in this measurement. Therefore, the second dimensional data does not include dimensional data on the uppermost part of the shaft <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram for explaining contents of the second dimensional data. For example, the second dimensional data includes data indicating the lower surface of the top jamb <NUM> in the specific hall and data indicating the upper surface of the sill <NUM> in the hall. In other words, data indicating same locations is included in both the first dimensional data and the second dimensional data. To include such data pieces in the second dimensional data, the measurement apparatus <NUM> is attached at a height which is lower than the lower surface of the top jamb <NUM> in the hall and which is higher than the upper surface of the sill <NUM> in the hall.

When the measurement by the measurement apparatus <NUM> is performed, the data acquisition unit <NUM> acquires the second dimensional data on the shaft <NUM>. The second dimensional data on the shaft <NUM> acquired by the data acquisition unit <NUM> is stored in the storage unit <NUM>.

When both the first dimensional data and the second dimensional data on the shaft <NUM> are stored in the storage unit <NUM>, the data integration unit <NUM> integrates the first dimensional data and the second dimensional data. Due to integration of the first dimensional data and the second dimensional data, dimensional data on the entire shaft <NUM> is created.

The data integration unit <NUM> performs the integration by matching common data included in both the first dimensional data and the second dimensional data. For example, the data integration unit <NUM> matches data indicating the lower surface of the top jamb <NUM> in the specific hall included in the first dimensional data with data indicating the lower surface of the top jamb <NUM> in the hall included in the second dimensional data. In addition, the data integration unit <NUM> matches data indicating the upper surface of the sill <NUM> in the specific hall included in the first dimensional data with data indicating the upper surface of the sill <NUM> in the hall included in the second dimensional data.

As described above, the installation precision of the guide rail <NUM> is extremely high and the guide section <NUM> is arranged over the range of vertical movement of the car <NUM> so that a predetermined distance from the sill <NUM> in the hall of each floor to the guide section <NUM> is maintained. In addition, a positional relationship between the sill 17and the top jamb <NUM> in the hall is predetermined. By using data acquired with the guide rail <NUM> as a reference, even when data indicating a surface on which the same shape continues as in the case of a wall surface forming the shaft <NUM> is integrated, the integration can be readily performed. Hence, accurate dimensional data on the entire shaft <NUM> can be readily obtained.

The dimensional data on the entire shaft <NUM> created by the data integration unit <NUM> is stored in the storage unit <NUM>.

The dimensional data on the entire shaft <NUM> stored in the storage unit <NUM> is compared with dimensional data at the time of completion of reform of the elevator. For example, the dimensional data at the time of completion of reform is input from the input apparatus <NUM>. The comparison unit <NUM> compares the dimensional data input from the input apparatus <NUM> with the dimensional data on the entire shaft <NUM> stored in the storage unit <NUM>. A comparison result provided by the comparison unit <NUM> is notified from the notification apparatus <NUM>. For example, a difference between the dimensional data input from the input apparatus <NUM> and the dimensional data stored in the storage unit <NUM> is displayed on a display.

The interference determination system having the functions described above can perform a comparison with accurate dimensional data on the entire shaft <NUM>. For example, when an elevator is reformed, information about an appropriate amount of scraping off a wall of the shaft <NUM> can be readily and accurately obtained.

The interference determination system having the functions described above may also be used in other applications. For example, the present interference determination system may be used to detect displacement of devices in the elevator after an occurrence of an earthquake. In this case, for example, dimensional data on the entire shaft <NUM> is stored in the storage unit <NUM> according to the procedure described above upon completion of installation of the elevator. In addition, dimensional data on the entire shaft <NUM> is stored in the storage unit <NUM> according to the procedure described above after reform of the elevator.

The measurement apparatus <NUM> is attached to the guide rail <NUM> after the occurrence of an earthquake. Alternatively, the measurement apparatus <NUM> is attached to the guide rail <NUM> in advance at a position where the measurement apparatus <NUM> does not interfere with the car <NUM>. After the occurrence of the earthquake, a measurement by the measurement apparatus <NUM> is performed and dimensional data on the entire shaft <NUM> or a part of the shaft <NUM> is acquired. The comparison unit <NUM> compares dimensional data on shaft portions, which is acquired after the earthquake, with dimensional data on corresponding portions, which is stored in advance in the storage unit <NUM>. A comparison result provided by the comparison unit <NUM> is notified from the notification apparatus <NUM>. For example, a difference between the dimensional data acquired after the earthquake and dimensional data stored in advance in the storage unit <NUM> is displayed on a display.

<FIG> is a diagram showing a state where a device <NUM> in the shaft <NUM> has been displaced by an earthquake. <FIG> shows a state where a measurement by the measurement apparatus <NUM> is performed upon completion of installation of the elevator or after reform of the elevator. <FIG> shows a state where a measurement by the measurement apparatus <NUM> is performed after the occurrence of an earthquake. Dimensional data acquired by the measurement shown in <FIG> is stored in advance in the storage unit <NUM>. The comparison unit <NUM> causes a display to display a difference between the dimensional data stored in the storage unit <NUM> and dimensional data acquired in the measurement shown in <FIG>. Moreover, when distortion of the guide rail <NUM> occurs due to tremors of the earthquake, the abovementioned difference becomes extremely large. Therefore, an occurrence of an abnormality can be readily detected.

In the present embodiment, a case where the car <NUM> is initially moved to the lower part of the shaft <NUM> in the dimensional measurement of the shaft <NUM> has been described. This is merely an example. The car <NUM> may be initially moved to the upper part of the shaft <NUM>. In this case, the measurement apparatus <NUM> is attached to the guide rail <NUM> below the car <NUM> and first dimensional data is acquired. The first dimensional data includes dimensional data on the lower part of the shaft <NUM>. Subsequently, the car <NUM> is moved downward and stopped in the lower part of the shaft <NUM>. The measurement apparatus <NUM> is attached to the guide rail <NUM> above the car <NUM> and second dimensional data is acquired. The second dimensional data includes dimensional data on the upper part of the shaft <NUM>. Other procedures are the same as the procedures disclosed in the present embodiment.

<FIG> is a diagram showing an example of attachment of the measurement apparatus <NUM>. In the present embodiment, a case where the measurement apparatus <NUM> is attached to the guide rail <NUM> in a central part of the shaft <NUM> has been described. As shown in <FIG>, the measurement apparatus <NUM> may be attached to the guide rail <NUM> in the upper part or the lower part of the shaft <NUM>.

In addition, in the present embodiment, a case where a comparison result provided by the comparison unit <NUM> is simply notified from the notification apparatus <NUM> has been described. However, a warning may be issued when a difference obtained by the comparison performed by the comparison unit <NUM> is larger than a reference value.

The present invention can be used when a dimensional measurement of a shaft is required.

Claim 1:
A method for measuring a shaft (<NUM>), the method comprising:
a step of attaching, above/below a car (<NUM>) of an elevator, a measurement apparatus (<NUM>) to a car-guide rail (<NUM>) in the shaft (<NUM>), wherein the measurement apparatus (<NUM>) is constituted by a sensor configured to three-dimensionally detect a distance to a measurement object in a noncontatct manner;
a step of performing a measurement with the measurement apparatus (<NUM>) after the measurement apparatus (<NUM>) is attached to the car-guide rail (<NUM>), and acquiring first dimensional data including dimensional data on an upper/lower part of the shaft (<NUM>);
a step of detaching the measurement apparatus (<NUM>) from the car-guide rail (<NUM>) after the first dimensional data is acquired, and moving the car (<NUM>) upward/downward and then stopping the car (<NUM>);
a step of attaching the measurement apparatus (<NUM>) to the car-guide rail (<NUM>) below/above the car (<NUM>) after the car (<NUM>) is stopped;
a step of performing a measurement with the measurement apparatus (<NUM>) after the measurement apparatus is attached to the car-guide rail (<NUM>), and acquiring second dimensional data including dimensional data on a lower/upper part of the shaft (<NUM>); and
a step of integrating the acquired first dimensional data and the acquired second dimensional data, and creating dimensional data on the entire shaft (<NUM>),
wherein the first dimensional data includes data indicating a lower surface of a top jamb (<NUM>) in a specific hall and data indicating an upper surface of a sill (<NUM>) in the specific hall, and
wherein the second dimensional data includes data indicating the lower surface of the top jamb (<NUM>) in the specific hall and data indicating the upper surface of the sill (<NUM>) in the specific hall.