阅读说明：本技术 承载机构的状态确定 (State determination of a support means ) 是由 弗罗里安·多尔德 沃尔克·扎普夫 于 2020-03-16 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种用于监控与电梯轿厢11连接并能够使电梯轿厢移动的承载机构23的物理状态的方法和装置21。承载机构23沿其长度具有标记25,该标记将承载机构23分成区段S-(1)、S-(2)、S-(n)。根据本发明,能够逐区段地监控承载机构23的伸长量差Δε,方式为,借助信号处理单元31基于在两个选定的由检测装置29检测到的标记25之间的距离来确定在第一载荷F-(1)下的第一伸长量ε-(1)和在第二载荷F-(2)下的第二伸长量ε-(2),并且由两个伸长量ε-(1)、ε-(2)算出代表区段S-(1)、S-(2)、S-(n)的弹性性能的伸长量差Δε,其中,借助载荷测量装置33能够测量在两个选定的标记25之间作用于承载机构23上的载荷F-(1)、F-(2)。(The invention relates to a method and a device 21 for monitoring the physical state of a support means 23 connected to and able to move an elevator car 11. The support means 23 has markings 25 along its length which divide the support means 23 into sections S 1 、S 2 、S n . According to the invention, the difference Δ ∈ in the extension of the support means 23 can be monitored segment by determining the distance between two selected markers 25 detected by the detection device 29 at the first load F by means of the signal processing unit 31 1 First elongation ε 1 And under a second load F 2 Second elongation ε 2 And is composed of two elongations epsilon 1 、ε 2 Calculating a representative section S 1 、S 2 、S n The difference in the amount of elongation of the elastic properties of (a),wherein the load F acting on the support means 23 between two selected markings 25 can be measured by means of the load measuring device 33 1 、F 2 。)

1. Method for monitoring the physical state of a support means (23, 23A, 23B, 23C) connected to and movable with an elevator car (11), wherein the support means (23, 23A, 23B, 23C) has markings (25, 25A, 25B, 25C) along its length which divide the support means (23, 23A, 23B, 23C) into sections (S)₁、S₂、S_n) And the marks (25, 25A, 25B, 25C) can be detected by means of a detection device (29), characterized in that the difference in the elongation (Delta epsilon) of the support means (23, 23A, 23B, 23C) is monitored segment by segment in that a first load (F) is determined by means of a signal processing unit (31) on the basis of the distance between two selected marks (25, 25A, 25B, 25C) detected by the detection device (29)₁) First elongation (e) of₁) And at a second load (F)₂) Second elongation (e) of₂) And consists of two elongations (. epsilon.)₁、ε₂) Calculating a representative segment (S)₁、S₂、S_n) Wherein the load (F) acting on the support means (23, 23A, 23B, 23C) between two selected markers (25, 25A, 25B, 25C) can be measured by means of the load measuring device (33, 33A, 33B, 33C)₁、F₂)。

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the calculated difference in elongation (Δ ∈) is compared to an elongation difference limit value (Δ ∈)_Grenz) Comparing the cross-sectional loss (Delta A) with the maximum permissible cross-sectionLimit value of section loss (. DELTA.A)_Grenz) Comparing them, or calculating the breaking load loss (Δ F) from the difference in elongation (Δ ε)_Bruch) And the breaking load loss is compared with the maximum permissible limit value (delta F) of the breaking load loss_{Bruch Grenz}) A comparison is made.

3. Method according to claim 2, wherein each segment (S)₁、S₂、S_n) Are compared with each other to establish a section (S)₁、S₂、S_n) A hierarchical structure with respect to the difference in the amount of elongation (Delta epsilon) thereof, and selecting the sections (S) similarly to the hierarchical structure₁、S₂、S_n) So as to be different from a section (S) having a constant elongation difference (Delta epsilon)₁、S₂、S_n) In contrast, the sections (S) having an increased difference in elongation (Δ ε) are determined more frequently₁、S₂、S_n) The difference in the amount of elongation (Δ ∈).

4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a detectability criterion is set with respect to the detectability of the marks (25, 25A, 25B, 25C), and when a mark (25, 25A, 25B, 25C) does not meet the detectability criterion and is therefore unreadable or difficult to read, the next readable mark (25, 25A, 25B, 25C) is selected.

5. Method according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein each section (S) is measured and stored while the carrier (23, 23A, 23B, 23C) is commissioning₁、S₂、S_n) Difference in elongation in New State (. DELTA.. di-elect cons.)_NEU) And each section (S) is periodically switched during operation₁、S₂、S_n) Is different from the corresponding elongation amount difference (delta epsilon) in the new state_NEU) A comparison is made.

6. Device (21) for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said method is carried out in a single operationThe device (21) has at least one segment (S) divided by means of a marking (25, 25A, 25B, 25C)₁、S₂、S_n) The load-bearing means (23, 23A, 23B, 23C), the load-measuring device (33, 33A, 33B, 33C), the signal processing unit (31) and the detection device (29) for detecting the marking (25, 25A, 25B, 25C), characterized in that the signal processing unit (31) is designed to monitor the difference in elongation (Deltaepsilon) of the load-bearing means (23, 23A, 23B, 23C) on a segment-by-segment basis in such a way that a first load (F) acting on the load-bearing means (23, 23A, 23B, 33B) and detected by the measurement device (23, 23A, 23B, 33C) is determined on the basis of the distance between two selected markings (25, 33A, 25B, 25C) detected by the detection device (29)₁) First elongation (e) of₁) And a second load (F) acting on the support means (23, 23A, 23B, 33B) and detected by the measuring device (23, 23A, 23B, 33C)₂) Second elongation (e) of₂) And consists of two elongations (. epsilon.)₁、ε₂) Calculating a representative segment (S)₁、S₂、S_n) The difference in the amount of elongation (Δ ∈) of the elastic properties.

7. The device (21) as claimed in claim 6, wherein a section (S) can be selected by the signal processing unit (31) according to a predefined criterion₁、S₂、S_n) And two markers (25, 25A, 25B, 25C) corresponding thereto, and capable of communicating the selection to the detection device (29).

8. The device (21) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein each marker (25, 25A, 25B, 25C) has an identification that can be unambiguously distinguished from the other markers (25, 25A, 25B, 25C).

9. Device (21) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein two selected markers (25, 25A, 25B, 25C) are arranged one after the other on the carrying means (23, 23A, 23B, 23C) and delimit the section (S) for which the difference in elongation (Δ ε) needs to be calculated₁、S₂、S_n)。

10. Device (21) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein two selected markers (25, 25A, 25B, 25C) define the section (S) for which the difference in elongation (Δ ε) needs to be calculated₁、S₂、S_n) And further markers (25, 25A, 25B, 25C) arranged on the support means (23, 23A, 23B, 23C) are provided between two selected markers (25, 25A, 25B, 25C).

11. An elevator installation (1) having a device (21) according to any one of claims 7 to 10.

12. Elevator installation (1) according to claim 11, wherein the elevator installation comprises an instantaneously updated digital avatar data set (101) containing the physical components (11, 17, 49) of the elevator installation (1) in digital form as component model data sets (111, 117, 149) with characterizing characteristics, wherein the signal processing unit (31) is designed to exchange data with the instantaneously updated digital avatar data set (101).

13. Elevator installation (1) according to claim 12, wherein the data transmitted by the signal processing unit (31) comprise segments (S)₁、S₂、S_n) Can be transmitted as a characteristic feature to an associated virtual section of the instantaneously updated digital avatar data set (101) representing the support means (123, 123A, 123B, 123C) of the digital component model data set, and replaces said section (S)₁、S₂、S_n) Corresponding to the characteristic features of (a).

14. Elevator installation (1) according to claim 13, wherein a static and dynamic simulation is performed with the aid of the immediately updated digital avatar data set (101) in order to determine the end-of-life status or remaining life (t)_AB) And simulating a junctionThe result can be transmitted to a control unit (45) of the elevator installation (1) and/or to an output unit (122).

Technical Field

The invention relates to a method for monitoring the physical state of a support means, to a device for carrying out the method and to an elevator installation having the device.

Background

An elevator or an elevator installation has an elevator car for receiving persons and/or objects and a drive with a drive pulley and a conventional support means. The support means is connected to the elevator car and guided by a drive sheave so that the drive can move the elevator car. According to the design of the elevator installation, the support means are also connected to the counterweight. Furthermore, different support means guiding variants are possible. According to the variant of the support means guidance, a force transmission capability is provided, as is known, for example, from hoisting ropes. Furthermore, the elevator installation can also have a plurality of support means which are guided parallel to one another.

The most critical component of an elevator installation is the support means. The important reason is that on the one hand, the load carrier is required and on the other hand, for functional reasons, the highest loads are to be borne, such as higher increased drag forces and bending alternations. The support means of the type mentioned above can be a load-bearing traction support made of steel strands, aramid fibers or carbon fibers or a manufactured rope, which if appropriate has a plastic sheathing. But it can also be an elevator belt, which is usually made of polyurethane and has load-bearing traction carriers in its interior, which are made of steel strands, aramid fiber bundles and/or carbon fiber bundles.

Due to the guidance of the support means by the drive pulley and, if applicable, by the deflection roller, not every longitudinal section of the support means is subjected to the same load, so that the individual longitudinal sections exhibit different wear phenomena after a certain operating time. The wear phenomenon limiting the service life is a reduction in the load-bearing cross section due to a wire or fiber fracture of the load-bearing traction means of the load-bearing means.

Due to this wear phenomenon, the support means must be replaced regularly, wherein logically the most severely damaged longitudinal section of the support means is decisive. Hitherto, the number of bending alternations of the support means has generally been taken into account as the degree of wear, irrespective of the actual state of the support means. Such replacement is very expensive and therefore of great concern to the operator, who uses the carrier as long as possible without risking that the carrier breaks during operation.

To meet this requirement, US 2003/0111298a1 proposes a method for monitoring a support means in an elevator installation. For this purpose, the support means are divided into segments by means of markings. The marks may be detected by a detection device, whereby the length change of the individual segments may be measured. The change in length of each section is then compared to a limit value. As soon as one of the sections reaches a limit value, the support means must be replaced. With this monitoring method, the point in time of a support means change, which is often also referred to as the state of failure, no longer depends on the hours of operation but on the actual state of the elevator support means.

However, according to the description of US 2003/0111298a1, the proposed method assumes that the length change is always determined under the same load, e.g. when an empty elevator car is traveling. Such empty drives provided for measurement purposes limit the availability of the elevator installation. Furthermore, the measured length changes also include sagging of the steel strands or fiber bundles (Setzen), which has no effect on the load-bearing capacity of the load-bearing mechanism. The proposed solution may lead to premature replacement of the carrier mechanism due to an inherently negligible sag effect (Setzeffkte) contained in the measurement results.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the invention is therefore to determine the state of wear more precisely also as a function of the state of the support means without restricting the usability.

This object is achieved by a method for monitoring the physical state of a support means which is connected to an elevator car and can move the elevator car. The carrier means has markings along its length which can be detected by means of a detection device. The marking can be applied to the surface of the support means, for example by colour printing or by a thermal method such as a laser baking method. The marking can be in particular in the form of dots, horizontal lines, matrix codes, bar codes, etc. The indicia may be of other nature such as an RFID tag or the like disposed within the carrier. Accordingly, the detection device is coordinated with the markings used and can be a laser scanner, an RFID reading device, a camera, etc.

In order to ensure that the sagging effect has no influence on the state determination, the difference in the elongation of the support means is monitored according to the invention instead of a simple change in length or elongation section by section. The difference in elongation is determined by determining, by means of the signal processing unit, a first strain under a first load and a second strain under a second load from the distance between two selected marks detected by the detection means, and calculating from the two elongations the difference in elongation representing the elastic properties of the section. In order to detect the load acting during the elongation measurement, a load measuring device is provided, by means of which the load acting on the support means between two selected markings can be measured.

The consideration of the difference in elongation as a criterion for determining the state of failure is based on the knowledge that, when the individual steel strands or fibers are subjected to a break or wear and the load-bearing cross section of the load-bearing means is reduced, an additional change in length occurs for the sagging effect. This reduction results in a change in the elastic properties of the support means segments in that the support means segments become more easily extensible or "softer". In other words, the difference in elongation of the sections with strand breaks or fiber breaks is changed or increased. It can be seen here that the proposed method determines the end-of-life state, i.e. the reduction in the load cross section of the load carrier, taking into account the most important criteria. Since the measurement for determining the difference in the amount of elongation can be carried out independently of the fixed load by detecting the load acting, the difference in the amount of elongation at any point in time and therefore during normal operation can be determined.

The calculated difference in elongation can then be compared to an elongation difference limit. If the difference in the amount of elongation of a section is equal to or greater than the difference in the amount of elongation limit, the signal processing unit preferably sends an alarm signal to the control unit of the elevator installation and/or to the output unit, for example to fix the elevator installation and/or to indicate that the support means needs to be replaced.

Alternatively or additionally, the cross-sectional loss of the load-bearing cross-section can be calculated from the difference in elongation and compared with a limit value for the maximum permissible cross-sectional loss, or the breaking load loss can be calculated from the difference in elongation and compared with a limit value for the maximum permissible breaking load loss.

If the calculated difference in elongation or the calculated cross-sectional loss or the calculated load loss at break of a section falls below the elongation difference limit, the cross-sectional loss limit or the load loss at break limit, the remaining life of the load carrier used can be calculated in the signal processing unit, for example by means of an extrapolation of the previously determined difference in elongation, cross-sectional loss or load loss at break values and the currently determined value. With the aid of this residual life, replacement of the support means can be planned for the operator and the maintenance company in the sense of a predictive maintenance plan.

In order to reduce the amount of data derived from the measurements and calculations, the differences in elongation of the individual segments can be compared with one another and a hierarchical structure of the segments with respect to their differences in elongation can be established. Similarly to the hierarchical structure, the segments may be selected such that the difference in elongation of a segment having an increased difference in elongation is determined more frequently than a segment having a constant difference in elongation and compared to an elongation difference limit. Furthermore, a random algorithm can be provided, according to which sections having a constant or slightly changing difference in elongation up to the start are randomly selected and their difference in elongation is determined.

The markings may also be affected by wear due to their location on the carrier. In order to be able to determine the difference in elongation further without interference, a detectability criterion can be set on the basis of the detectability of the markers. If the mark does not meet this detectability criterion and is therefore unreadable or difficult to read, the next readable mark can be selected by the detection means or the signal processing unit.

In order to be able to determine the change in stiffness more precisely, it is advantageous not to consider the standard values of the manufacturer, but to analyze the actually used support means in its new state. For this purpose, when the support means is put into operation, the difference in elongation can be measured and stored in the new state of each section by measuring a plurality of elongations of the section under different loads in the new state and storing them as a force/elongation curve representing the difference in elongation in the new state. During operation, the difference in elongation of the individual segments can be regularly compared with the respectively associated difference in elongation of the force/elongation curve in the new state.

From the change in the difference in the elongation of a section, the cross-sectional loss of the load-bearing cross-section of the section can also be calculated and the result transmitted to the output unit.

In order to carry out the method, a device is required, wherein the device has at least one support means which is divided into a plurality of segments by means of a marking, a load measuring device, a signal processing unit and a detection device for detecting the marking. The load measuring device can be designed very differently. The load measuring device may for example comprise a force measuring unit arranged in the load carrier. Preferably, however, the force-measuring unit is not arranged in the support means, but rather at a part of a support means end fixing at which one of the support means ends of the support means is fixed to the car, the counterweight or a part of the building logically containing the elevator installation with the support means to be monitored.

The signal processing unit is designed to monitor the difference in the elongation of the load carrier section by determining a first elongation under a first measured load exerted by the load measuring device on the load carrier and a second elongation under a second measured load exerted by the load measuring device on the load carrier on the basis of the distance between two selected markers detected by the detection device and calculating a difference in the elongation representing the elastic properties from the two elongations. For this purpose, the signal processing unit has corresponding hardware with a processor and a memory unit, as well as suitable software in which, in particular, the formulae listed in the description of the figures are also implemented.

Depending on the programmed method sequence in the software, a section and the corresponding two tags can be selected by the signal processing unit according to predetermined criteria. The selection may be transmitted to a detection device which then detects the distance between two selected marks. Preferably, an optical system is used here and the length of the segments is selected such that at least two markers can be detected simultaneously. In order to determine the elongation of the section, the detection time difference of the two selected markers and the speed or speed profile of the support means relative to the detection device can also be detected and taken into account if necessary in order to determine the correct distance between the two markers or the elongation of the section.

In order to be able to unambiguously locate the most severe wear position, it is advantageous if each marking has an identification which can be unambiguously distinguished from the other markings.

For the purpose of detection, two selected markers are preferably arranged one after the other on the support means and define the section for which the difference in elongation should be calculated.

However, it is also possible to provide further markings between two selected markings delimiting the sections, which markings are provided on the carrier means. If the two selected marks can no longer be detected simultaneously by the detection means, the length of the section must be calculated from the detection time and the velocity as mentioned above.

The above-mentioned means can be a fixed, permanently present component of the elevator installation. However, it is also conceivable for the above-described device to be installed only temporarily in the elevator installation in order to be able to estimate the end of the service life presented more precisely and to plan the replacement waiting better. Of course, existing equipment can also be retrofitted with the apparatus.

Particularly accurate monitoring can be achieved when the elevator installation comprises an instantaneously updated digital substitute data set which contains the physical components of the elevator installation in digital form as interconnected and interacting component model data sets with characteristic features. The signal processing unit is here designed to exchange data with the digital avatar data set updated on the fly.

The data transmitted by the signal processing unit to the immediately updated digital avatar data set may include the difference in the elongation of the sections, which may be transmitted as characteristic features to the associated virtual section of the support means of the immediately updated digital avatar data set, which is represented as a digital component model data set. In this case, the respective previous characteristic features or elongation differences of the virtual section are replaced and the instantaneously updated digital avatar data set is updated instantaneously.

With the aid of the digital substitute data set updated on-the-fly, a static and dynamic simulation can be carried out to determine the state of scrap or the remaining service life. The simulation with immediate updating provides a very good virtual simulation environment, since the virtual simulation environment contains all the important characterizing features of the physical components of the elevator installation and represents them. Thus, for example, additional loads, such as vibrations of the support means, which are caused by the changed stiffness, can be simulated and their influence on other components examined, so that, for example, an increased difference in the elongation of the sections or a correspondingly reduced support cross section does not directly determine the state of wear, but rather the changed vibration behavior of the support means and its influence on, for example, the ride comfort and other components of the elevator installation, such as guide rails, guide shoes of the elevator car, etc. The simulation results thus obtained can then be evaluated in the signal processing unit by means of a correspondingly programmed logic circuit, and if necessary an alarm signal can be generated by the signal processing unit and transmitted to the control unit and/or the output unit of the elevator installation. The output unit can have different designs. The output unit may for example have a display device, such as a loudspeaker or a screen. Furthermore, the simulation result is processed by the output unit with the other data of the immediately updated digital avatar data set and is shown on the screen as a three-dimensional virtual display. Such a display can also be dynamic, i.e., allow the component model data set, which is represented in a three-dimensional manner in the virtual display of the elevator installation analogously to the physical elevator installation, to move and to behave dynamically in accordance with its physical equivalent.

Drawings

Embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawings, wherein neither the drawings nor the description should be regarded as limiting the invention. Wherein:

fig. 1 schematically shows an elevator installation with a device according to the invention with a support means divided into sections by means of markings, a detection device for detecting the markings and a load measuring device;

fig. 2A to 2C show, in one possible embodiment, parts of a support means divided into segments by reference numerals, the figures showing different phases of the same part;

FIG. 3 shows a graph with force-elongation curves according to the invention, wherein the elongation difference of a segment in a new state at the top of the first curve and the elongation difference of the same segment when reaching a discard state are represented by the second curve;

fig. 4 shows a three-dimensional information view of the elevator installation of fig. 1 with the device according to the invention and of an immediately updated digital avatar data set (ADDD) representing a physical people mover, which is stored in a data Cloud (Cloud) and with which the signal processing unit can exchange data.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 schematically shows an elevator installation 1 arranged in an elevator shaft 3 of a building 5. The elevator installation 1 connects a plurality of floors 7, 9 of the building 5 in the vertical direction and is used for transporting people and/or objects.

The elevator installation 1 has an elevator car 11, a drive 13 with a drive sheave 15 and a counterweight 17. In addition, a device 21 according to the invention is provided in the elevator installation 1, which device comprises a support means 23 divided into sections S by means of markings 25, a detection device 29, a signal processing unit 31 and a load measuring device 33.

Depending on the type of elevator installation, steel wire ropes, aramid ropes, carbon fiber ropes or belts with a traction carrier are used as the support means 23. As the traction carriers, steel strands, aramid fiber bundles or carbon fiber bundles can be arranged inside the belt in such a manner that they are wrapped with a polyurethane jacket.

The markings 25 shown in fig. 1 are arranged along the length of the carrier 23 and are shown as smaller projections. In order not to impair the driving comfort, the markings 25 are preferably not of a protruding design but are applied to the surface of the support means 23, for example by color printing or by thermal methods such as laser baking. Notches or recesses arranged transversely to the longitudinal extension in the support means 23 can also be used as markings. The markings 25 can be designed as dots, horizontal lines, matrix codes, bar codes, etc. But the marker 25 may also be of other nature, such as an RFID tag or the like disposed inside the carrier.

The detection means 29 are coordinated with the used markers 25 and may be laser scanners, RFID reading devices, cameras, etc., so that the markers 25 can be detected without problems. As shown in fig. 1, a plurality of marks 25 can be detected simultaneously by the detecting device 29. This has the decisive advantage that the distance of at least two adjacent markings 25 and thus the section length L of the section S defined by the detectable markings 25 can be determined directly from the picture taken by the detection device 29 and that it is not necessary to detect the speed of the carriage 23 passing past the detection device 29 in order to calculate the section length L of the section S between two markings 25 by means of the speed and the detection time.

The support means guide variant shown in fig. 1 shows a support means 23, the two ends of which are connected to the building 5 by means of a support means connection 35 and which is guided via the drive pulley 15 and via the counterweight 17 and the deflecting rollers 19 of the elevator car 11. It is thus clearly discernible which bending alternating load the support means 23 are subjected to during operation of the elevator installation 1. The support means 23 is also loaded with a high traction force by the elevator car 11 and the counterweight 17. Since the elevator car 11 and the counterweight 17 are accelerated and braked again in both vertical directions, an increased traction force is additionally superimposed to the traction force. The drag force or load acting on the support means 23 can be measured by means of load measuring devices 33, which in the present embodiment are arranged at two support means end connections 35.

The load measuring device 33 and the detection device 29 are connected to the signal processing unit 31 via signal lines 37, 39, which are shown by a dash-dot line.

As explained in more detail below with reference to fig. 2A to 2C and 3, the condition of the support means 23 can be monitored by the elevator system 1 with the corresponding device 21. The values calculated here for the tensile difference, the section loss or the breaking load loss can then be compared with corresponding limit values. If these calculated values of the section S are equal to or greater than the respective limit values, the signal processing unit 31 can send an alarm signal via the signal line 43 to the control unit 45 of the elevator installation 1 and/or to the output unit 47 in a wired or wireless manner in order to trigger further actions, for example fixing of the elevator installation 1 and/or display a necessary change of the support means 23.

Fig. 2A to 2C show possible embodiments of the division into sections S at different stages by means of the markings 25A, 25B, 25C₁、S₂、S_nThe same part of the support means 23. Each of the markings 25A, 25B, 25C is a matrix code printed on the material of the carrier 23 with unambiguous or uniquely distinguishable markings, whereby the reference numerals of the markings 25A, 25B, 25C shown are supplemented in alphanumeric fashion.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the markers 25A, 25B, 25C define a segment S₁、S₂、S_nWherein in the present embodiment the zone boundaries 41 are defined by the lower edges of the markers 25A, 25B, 25C. Of course, the center, upper edge, defined centering point, or other uniquely identifiable characteristic of each marker 25A, 25B, 25C may also be considered for defining the segment boundary 41.

Selected to define the section S for ease of detection₁、S₂、S_nPreferably, two marks 25A, 25B, 25C are arranged one after the other on the support means 23 and delimit a section S₁、S₂、S_nThe difference in elongation Δ ∈ for these sections should be calculated (see fig. 3). In this example, the segmentsS₁Having a segment length L₁Section S₂Having a segment length L₂。

Logically, there is not only a field length L₁、L₂Two sections S of₁、S₂Moreover, the entire support means 23 is preferably divided into segments of comparable length L_nSection S of_nAs shown in fig. 1.

However, it is also possible that the marks 25A, 25B, 25C can no longer be detected by the detection device 29 due to wear phenomena on the surfaces of the support means. In this case, the unreadable marks 25A, 25B, 25C may be skipped, and the next mark 25A, 25B, 25C may be selected. In the present exemplary embodiment, the middle mark of the three illustrated marks 25B is not readable by the detection device 29, so that it is skipped and is located in two selected delimited sections S₃Between the marks 25A, 25C there is another mark 25B arranged on the carrier 23. Thereby, a newly defined section S₃Having a segment length L₃. If the two selected marks 25A, 25C can no longer be detected simultaneously by the detection means 29, the section S is, as described above₃Length L of the section₃It must be calculated from the detection times of the two markers 25A, 25C and the speed of the carrier 23.

In order to be able to better illustrate the different influences on the support means 23, fig. 2A shows a part of the support means 23 in a completely new, unloaded state, so that the section S₁、S₂Having a segment length L produced by printing indicia 25A, 25B, 25C₁、L₂。

Fig. 2B shows the same part as fig. 2A also in the new state, but exemplarily below a load FN which corresponds, for example, to the maximum permissible load or the maximum permissible load of the elevator car 11. In this case, the support means 23 is extended, so that the section S₁Having a segment length L₁+ε_NS1And a section S₂Having a segment length L₂+ε_NS2。

FIG. 2C shows the load at F_NBottom and top views of the drawings2B, but after a long use of the support means 23, the support means 23 has now reached its service life or end-of-life state. As clearly seen in comparison with FIG. 2B, at the same load F_NAt the bottom, the first section S₁Length L of the section₁+R+ε_ABS1At least with a drooping effect R. Is simply a section S₁The drooping effect R of (a) also does not lead to rejection, since it is mainly due to irreversible alignment of the traction carriers under load and/or to irreversible or permanent elongation due to the rolling effect at the deflection rollers, and thus does not significantly reduce the load-bearing cross section of the load-bearing means 23.

As indicated by the index, at end of life ε_ABS1Length of elongation at and in the new state_NS1The lower elongated length section may also be different. However, this can only be determined if the pure length part of the drooping effect R is known. However, this cannot be determined separately from the elongation.

Section S₂Also has a sag effect R such that the segment has a segment length L₂+R+ε_NS2AB. Since the two segments shown in FIG. 2A originally have substantially the same segment length L₁、L₂And as shown in FIG. 2B, each section S₁、S₂Also having a comparable elongation epsilon_NS1、ε_NS2And therefore a comparable difference in elongation Δ ε, the segment length L in FIG. 2C₁、L₂And must also have approximately the same length. However, this is not the case because of the section S₂Is significantly longer than the section S₁. This difference is due to the fact that in this section S₂The elongation amount difference Δ ∈ in (d) is decreased. This change is directly linked to a reduction in the load cross section of the load carrier 23, since the section S is reduced by this reduction₂Becomes "softer" and can elongate to a greater extent with the same load FN. By means of a control system for each section S during operation of the elevator installation 1₁、S₂、S_nThe problem described above with respect to the drooping effect R can be avoided by determining the difference in elongation Δ ∈ in the manner according to the invention.

With reference to the reference character L₁、L₂、R、ε_NS1、ε_NS2ABIt should be noted that these reference numerals will have different units according to the usual meaning. The selected added reference numerals in fig. 2A-2B are intended to indicate only the portions of the length variation for different reasons.

FIG. 3 shows a force-elongation curve D according to the invention_NEU、D_ABAnd D_S1A graph of (a). First force-elongation curve D_NEUIndicates that the section S is in the new state₁、S₂、S_nDifference in elongation of (a) epsilon_NEUAnd the second force-elongation curve D_ABIndicating that segment S has reached a scrap state₁、S₂、S_nDifference in elongation of (a) epsilon_AB. In the ordinate of the diagram with respect to the initial segment length L₁、L₂、L_nIs shown as a percentage of section S₁、S₂、S_nAnd in the abscissa shows the effect on the section S₁、S₂、S_nOr the load F at the load bearing means 23.

As is clear from the diagram shown, the drooping effect R has no effect on the state of the monitoring carriage 23. Sag effect R is two force-elongation curves D_NEU、D_ABA pure offset between. According to the invention, instead of the pure elongation, the difference Δ ∈ in the elongation of the support means 23 is monitored segment by segment. The difference in the amount of elongation Δ ∈ is determined by the distance or the section length L between two selected marks 25 detected by the detection device 29 using the signal processing unit 31 shown in fig. 1₁、L₂、L_nIs determined at a first load F₁First elongation ε₁And under a second load F₂Second elongation ε₂And is composed of two elongations epsilon₁、ε₂The difference in elongation Δ ∈ representing the elastic properties was calculated according to the following formula:

elongation difference delta epsilon ═ epsilon₂-ε₁

For the cases "new state" and "retired state" shown in the diagram, apply:

difference in elongation in new state: delta epsilon_NEU＝ε_NEU2-ε_NEU1

Difference in elongation in scrap state: delta epsilon_AB＝ε_AB2-ε_AB1

Wherein, the formula symbol is:

ε_NEU1under load F₁Elongation in the New State

ε_NEU2Under load F₂Elongation in the New State

ε_AB1Under load F₁Elongation in scrapped state

ε_AB2Under load F₂Elongation in scrapped state

By the determined difference in elongation Δ ε_NEU、Δε_ABOr in the corresponding section S₁、S₂、S_nThe cross-sectional loss Δ a of the bearing cross section of the bearing means 23 is calculated:

wherein, the formula symbol is:

F₁first load

F₂First load F ═ ratio₁Large second load

E-modulus of elasticity of the loaded cross section

Δε_NEUDifference in elongation in New State

Δε_ABDifference in elongation at discard

The section S can also be calculated₁、S₂、S_nBreaking load loss in (1):

wherein, the formula symbol is:

F_{Bruch NEU}load-bearing mechanism breaking load in new state

A_NEUCross-sectional area of the support cross-section of the support means in the new state

Δ a ═ cross-sectional loss

As can be seen from the foregoing explanation, the cross-sectional loss Δ A or the breaking load loss Δ F_BruchCan be used for the maximum allowable cross-section loss Delta A_GrenzOr maximum permissible breaking load loss Δ F_{Bruch Grenz}Is compared with the determined limit value. The end-of-life condition is also reached when these limit values are reached.

Furthermore, fig. 3 shows a force-elongation curve D by a dashed line_S1For example, the force-elongation curve shows the section S after several operating hours₁Difference in elongation of (a) epsilon_S1. For the specific section S₁It can also be seen that not so much drooping effect R has occurred_S1. As can be clearly seen, the section S which has been loaded as a result of operation₁Force-elongation curve D of_S1Run parallel to that in the new state D_NEUForce-elongation curve at bottom, although run hours have been completed, section S₁Difference in elongation of (a) epsilon_S1And in the new state Δ ε_NEUThe difference in the lower elongation is not different and therefore the support means 23 is associated with this section S₁The scrapped state has not been reached. Even if section S₁Drooping effect of R_S1Equal to the sag effect R, due to the difference in elongation Delta epsilon_S1、Δε_NEUWithout distinction, the support means 23 with respect to the section S has not yet been reached₁The scrapped state of (1).

The consideration of the difference in elongation Δ ∈ as a criterion for determining the state of wear is based on the knowledge that, when individual strands or fibers of the load-bearing cross section of the load-bearing means 23 break and thus the load-bearing cross section of the load-bearing means 23 decreases, an additional change in length occurs for the sagging effect R. This reduction results in a section S weakened by breakage and wear₁、S₂、S_nBecause the segments are easily stretched or "softer". In other words, with strand breaksOr sections S in which the fibres are broken₁、S₂、S_nIs changed or increased. It can be seen here that the proposed method determines the state of wear, i.e. the reduction in the bearing cross section of the bearing means 23, taking into account the most important criteria. Due to the load F acting by detection₁、F₂Can be matched with a fixed load F₁、F₂The measurement for determining the difference in elongation Δ ∈ is carried out independently of this, so that the difference in elongation Δ ∈ can be determined at any point in time and therefore during normal operation of the elevator installation 1. Here, two loads F₁、F₂The logic should be different and the measurements are preferably made with the same direction of travel of the elevator car 11. In order to detect the load F acting on the support means 23 between two selected markers 25 during the measurement of the elongation₁、F₂A load measuring device 33 shown in fig. 1 is provided.

When section S₁、S₂、S_nIs below the elongation difference limit value delta epsilon_GrenzThe remaining service life of the support means 23 in use can then be calculated in the signal processing unit 31, for example by means of an extrapolation of the previously determined difference in elongation Δ ∈ and the latest difference in elongation Δ ∈. With the aid of this residual life, replacement of the carrier 23 can be planned for the operator and the maintenance company in the sense of a predictive maintenance plan.

In order to be able to determine the change in the difference in elongation Δ ∈ more precisely, it is advantageous not to use the manufacturer's standard values, but rather to analyze the actually used support means 23 in its new state. For this purpose, during operation of the support means 23, the section S is measured in the new state₁、S₂、S_nAt different loads F₁、F₂A plurality of elongation amounts in the new state and storing it as representing the difference in elongation amount Δ ∈ in the new state_NEUCan measure and store each section S₁、S₂、S_nIn the new state, the difference of elongation Delta epsilon_NEU. During operation, each section S₁、S₂、S_nElongation of (2)The difference can be periodically correlated with the difference in elongation Δ ε in the new state_NEUA comparison is made.

Fig. 4 shows the elevator installation 1 of fig. 1 with the device 21 according to the invention in a three-dimensional view in more detail. In contrast to fig. 1, which is very schematically illustrated, three support means 23A, 23B, 23C, which are arranged parallel to one another and belong to the device 21, are clearly present in the elevator installation 1 of fig. 4. Due to different sagging effects, dynamic load differences, friction, etc., not all three support means 23A, 23B, 23C are loaded simultaneously, i.e. with the same load. In order to take this into account and to determine the section S of each individual support means 23A, 23B, 23C as precisely as possible₁、S₂、S_nThe difference in the amount of elongation Δ ∈ (see fig. 2A to 2C) is associated with a load measuring device 33A, 33B, 33C, which likewise belongs to device 21, for each of the three support means 23A, 23B, 23C. The provided detection device 29 of the device 21 can detect the not shown markings of all three support means 23A, 23B, 23C.

Particularly precise monitoring of the state of the support means can be achieved if the elevator installation 1 comprises an instantaneously updated digital substitute data set 101 which contains the physical components of the elevator installation 1 in digital form as interconnected and interacting component model data sets with characteristic properties. The signal processing unit 31 of the device 21 is designed here, as is indicated by the double arrow 161, to exchange data 131 with the immediately updated digital avatar data set 101. For better readability the immediately updated digital avatar data set 101 of the elevator installation 1 will be presented in the following simply as ADDD 101.

The ADDD 101 is a virtual representation which follows the current physical state of the elevator installation 1 as comprehensively as possible and thus refers to the virtual elevator installation assigned to the elevator installation 1. This means that not only is ADDD 101 a virtual housing model of the elevator installation 1 approximately representative of its dimensions, but also each individual physical component from the elevator car 11, the shaft door 49, the counterweight 17 up to the last screw, in ADDD 101 there is and is present in digitized form as a component model data set of the elevator car 111, a component model data set of the shaft door 149, a component model data set of the counterweight 117, etc., with as many characterizing features of these components as possible. Likewise, interfaces of the elevator installation 1, for example an elevator shaft 3 associated with the building 5, can be represented in the ADDD 101 as component model data sets 103.

The characterizing features of the physical counterparts of the elevator installation 1 contained in the component model data sets 111, 149, 117 can be the geometric dimensions of the components, such as length, width, height, cross section, radius, rounded corners, etc. Surface properties of the component, such as roughness, texture, coating, color, reflectivity, etc., are also characterizing properties. Furthermore, material values, such as modulus of elasticity, alternating bending fatigue strength values, hardness, notched impact toughness values, tensile strength values, etc., can also be stored as characterizing properties of the respective component. In this case, the theoretical characteristics (setpoint data) are not involved, as they can be found, for example, on a production map, but rather the characterizing characteristics (actual data) actually determined on the physical component. The data relating to the installation, such as the tightening torque of the actually applied bolt and thus its pretensioning force, preferably correspond to the respective component.

At each determination of the respective section S₁、S₂、S_nDifference in elongation of (a) epsilon_S1、Δε_S2、Δε_SnThese elongation differences may then be transferred from signal processing unit 31 to ADDD 101. The newly determined difference Δ ∈ in the extension amounts of the individual support means 23A, 23B, 23C is thereby determined_S1、Δε_S2、Δε_SnThe replacement support means 123A, 123B, 123C are likewise divided into sections S₁、S₂、S_nThe difference in elongation Δ ∈ existing up to now in the component model data set of (2)_S1、Δε_S2、Δε_SnTo thereby continuously update ADDD 101 on the fly.

In other words, data 131 transferred from signal processing unit 31 to ADDD 101 may include segment S₁、S₂、S_nDifference in elongation of (a) epsilon_s1、Δε_S2、Δε_SnThese sections are made asAssociated virtual section S, which is transmitted to a support means 123A, 123B, 123C in the form of a digital component model data set for characterizing a property₁、S₂、S_n. Logically, the section S can also be transmitted₁、S₂、S_nIs measured to a length L₁、L₂、L_nAnd thus the component model data set of the carrier 123A, 123B, 123C also has the effective length of its physical counterpart.

ADDD 101 is not bound to a particular storage location or processing location. ADDD 101 may be stored, for example, in the signal processing unit 31 of the device, but may also be stored in the control unit 45, in the computer 121 or in a network with a plurality of computer systems. Specifically, as shown, ADDD 101 may be implemented in a computer network that stores and processes data in the form of a data cloud 50 (cloud). To this end, the computer network may have a memory or, as is symbolically shown, a storage source 151 in the data cloud 50, in which the data of the ADDD 101 (symbolically shown in dashed lines as a three-dimensional image of the physical people conveyor 1) may be stored, for example, in electronic or magnetic form. This means that ADDD 101 may be stored at any storage location.

With the aid of the ADDD 101, static and dynamic simulations can be carried out to determine the state of exhaustion or the remaining service life t_AB. ADDD 101 here provides a good virtual simulation platform, since the virtual simulation platform contains all the important characterizing features of the physical components and presents them. The simulation may be performed, for example, in the data cloud 50, but may also be performed by temporarily storing and processing the ADDD 101 in the signal processing unit 31. Thus, additional loads can be simulated, for example based on a varying difference in elongation Δ ε_S1、Δε_S2、Δε_SnAnd/or by means of a carrier oscillation of varying length of the carrier 23A, 23B, 23C, and the influence on other components is investigated, for example, in order to segment S₁、S₂、S_nIncreased difference in elongation Δ ε_S1、Δε_S2、Δε_SnOr the correspondingly reduced load-bearing cross section does not directly determine the state of scrap but rather the load-bearing machineThe changed vibration behavior of the means 23A, 23B, 23C and its influence on e.g. driving comfort and on components of the elevator installation 1, such as the guide rails 55, guide shoes of the elevator car 11, etc. Using previously determined differences in elongation Δ ε stored in chronological order_S1、Δε_S2、Δε_SnBy means of analog interpolation, the remaining time until the end of life, also called the remaining life t, can also be calculated_AB。

The simulation result 159 thus obtained may then be transmitted, as indicated by the arrow 163, to an output unit, in this example the screen 122 of the portable computer 121. Furthermore, an alarm signal 155 can be generated and transmitted to the output unit 122, of course in particular when calculations and/or simulations have shown that the carrying means 23A, 23B, 23C have reached their end-of-life state. The output unit need not be the screen 122, but can also be a loudspeaker or the like, for example. The alarm signal 155 can also be processed, for example, to be transmitted to the control unit 45 of the physical elevator installation 1 or the like and to trigger corresponding actions there.

Further, the simulation results may be rendered with other data of ADDD 101 and presented as a three-dimensional virtual display 128 on screen 122, as symbolized by arrow 157. Such a virtual display 128 can also be dynamic, which means that in the virtual display 128 of the elevator installation, the data via the ADDD 101 can move all three-dimensionally represented component model data sets 111, 117, 149 provided with degrees of freedom, as in the physical elevator installation 1, and can be dynamically represented in accordance with their physical equivalents.

Although fig. 1 to 4 relate to different aspects of the invention, and are illustrated as having a so-called 2: the elevator installation 1 of the support means guidance variant of 1 describes these aspects in detail by way of example, but it is obvious that the method steps and the corresponding devices can also be applied equally well to elevator installations with other support means guidance variants such as 1: 1. 3: 1, etc. of an elevator installation 1. Furthermore, the signal processing unit 31 is shown in fig. 1 and 4 as a separate unit composed of hardware and software. However, the signal processing unit 31 can also be implemented separately from the physical elevator installation 1, for example on the portable computer 121 or in the data cloud 50.

Finally it is pointed out that concepts such as "having", "comprising", and the like do not exclude other elements or steps, and that concepts such as "a" or "an" do not exclude a plurality. Furthermore, it should be pointed out that characteristics or steps which have been described with reference to one of the above embodiments can also be used in combination with other characteristics or steps of other embodiments described above. Reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting.