WO2013011175A1

WO2013011175A1 - Diagnostic device for lift manoeuvres

Info

Publication number: WO2013011175A1
Application number: PCT/ES2012/070319
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marco GUZMÁN ARROYO; Jeroni FORS GALI; Juan IZQUIERDO BLAZQUEZ
Original assignee: Thyssenkrupp Elevadores, S.L.U.
Priority date: 2011-07-18
Filing date: 2012-05-07
Publication date: 2013-01-24
Also published as: ES2401793A2; ES2401793B1; ES2401793R1

Abstract

The device of the invention makes it possible to diagnose very diverse types of lifts and elevators, making it possible to wirelessly communicate with a computer for managing the received information such that the diagnosis is independent of the board to be diagnosed. For this purpose, the analysis apparatus (1) is formed from a processor (10), provided with at least one pair of connectors (3) and (4) for communication via CAN BUS, via RS232 or via ES 422/485 by means of the corresponding drivers and controllers, to which a single Ethernet cable (5) can be selectively coupled for fast connection, the other end of which cable ends in a connector with a series of adapters (6,6',6",6' ",...) in order to allow connection to various types of apparatuses, said device including hardware for displaying the state of the apparatus (20) as well as a wireless module (21) for communicating with the computer provided with the diagnostic software.

Description

DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE FOR MANEUVERS OF

ELEVATORS

D E S C R I P C I Ó N

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device that has been specially designed to diagnose the operation of elevators.

The object of the invention is to provide a device that is valid for the diagnosis of very different types of elevators and elevators, allowing wireless communication with a computer equipment for the management of the information received, so that the diagnosis is independent of the board diagnose, avoiding possible problems or damage between equipment, all with a simple structure, in which only a connection cable participates.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the practical scope of the invention, the diagnosis of control circuits or boards in elevator and elevator maneuvers, are known diagnostic terminals with serial communications or with independent CAN BUS communications and for a single maneuver model, not knowing devices that simultaneously group CAN BUS, RS232, RS422 and RS485 communications and that are valid for various maneuver models. Thus, these are very versatile devices specially designed for a specific elevator / elevator model.

To this problem, we must add the fact that when making a diagnosis, in most cases, said diagnosis is carried out through the corresponding wired connection, which can cause electrical problems or damage between the equipment diagnosis and the equipment to diagnose.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The diagnostic device for elevator maneuvers that has been recommended has been conceived to solve the problem described above in the different aspects mentioned.

For this, the device of the invention is constituted from an analysis equipment and software intended to be implanted in a PC, Tablet, PDA, pocket PC or similar element.

More specifically, the analysis equipment constitutes a multistandard communications interface that allows communication with several maneuver models.

The analysis equipment is connected to the equipment to be diagnosed through a single cable, which is assisted by a series of adapters, through which it is able to adapt to different types of systems.

If the system to be diagnosed incorporates a bus of communications between the devices that form it, it is possible to connect the adapter to any point of the bus, and from it to be able to access the different subsystems and elements that form the bus.

On the other hand, the computer equipment in which the control and management software resides and runs, allows to connect via wireless to the analysis equipment, thus linking with the circuit or bus shared by the components of the system under analysis.

Thus, the analysis equipment consists of a multistandard communications interface that allows you to communicate via RS232, RS422 and RS485 and CAN BUS series and send the information via Wireless to the computer equipment.

More specifically, said equipment is constituted from a microprocessor that allows managing the information through the program associated with the computer equipment, and thus acts as a wireless gateway between the two, microprocessor with its corresponding RAM, which is associated with a Wireless communications module, incorporating two RJ45 model connectors for RS232, RS422, RS485 or CAN connections.

In these connectors the power input of the analysis equipment is provided, which takes the power of the equipment itself to be diagnosed, being prepared for different ranges of supply voltages, by means of a switched power supply.

In the event that the equipment to be diagnosed communicates via CAN BUS, the existence of drivers and controllers that link to the processor is planned, incorporating a circular communications buffer. If the equipment communicates via RS232 series, said connector will be assisted by the corresponding drivers, with a switching logic and appropriate controllers, also incorporating the complementary communications buffer.

This structuring is equally valid if the equipment to be diagnosed communicates via RS422 / 485 series.

Finally, it is worth noting the fact that the analysis equipment will incorporate a hardware for displaying the status of the equipment, with function indicators such as wireless link connected, existence of telegrams on the communication bus, selected communications protocol, etc.

As for the software of the computer equipment, as previously mentioned, it is a software that is installed in a computer equipment and that is linked wirelessly with the communications interface, analysis equipment to establish a connection with the selected plate and make a complete diagnosis of it. In this way, failures of different maneuvering models and their components can be diagnosed and thus be able to perform more efficient maintenance and resolve the faults more quickly.

The application allows access to the configuration parameters of the maneuver. The modification of these parameters, in the field of elevator diagnosis and maintenance, never affects the safety of the elevator. In the aforementioned software, these parameters are blocked or are not accessible to users who have not received the necessary training in their handling. This software allows to select the maneuver to be connected and in the cases that the maneuver allows, connect to the rest of the existing boards on the communication bus to be able to check the existing faults as well as to be able to reset them in those cases in which It is an essential requirement to erase faults to confirm its commissioning after a blocking fault situation.

When connected via wireless, the diagnosis has an independent power supply of the board to be diagnosed, thus avoiding possible problems or damage between devices.

The device that connects with the maneuver allows different communication protocols (series, CAN BUS) and different configurations depending on the equipment to be diagnosed adapting to the particular characteristics and needs of each model.

The analysis device can be reconfigured via wireless through its management software. This process is automatic in the case of maneuvers already supported by the software and is completely reconfigurable.

Finally, it is worth noting the fact that by having a single connection cable, possible connection errors that can affect the analysis device or the equipment to be diagnosed are eliminated.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description that will then be made and in order to help a better understanding of the features of the invention, in accordance with a preferred example of practical implementation thereof, a set of said description is attached as an integral part of said description. Drawings where, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented:

Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of the different elements that participate in the device of the invention.

Figure 2.- It shows a representation similar to that of figure 1 but in which the device is connected to a system in which different devices connected through a communication bus participate.

Figure 3.- Shows a block diagram of the different components that constitute the analysis equipment itself.

Figure 4.- Finally, it shows a block diagram corresponding to the functional operation of the software that complements the device of the previous figures and that is installed in a computer equipment equipped with means of communication via wireless.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

As can be seen in the aforementioned figures, the device that is recommended is constituted from an analysis device (1) and software designed to be implanted in a PC, Tablet, PDA, pocket PC or similar element (2,2 ' ....)

The aforementioned analysis equipment will be equipped with a pair of connectors (3) and (4) type RJ45, with different functions, to which a single Ethernet cable (5) can be selectively coupled for a connection fast, which will be terminated by its other end in a connector with a series of adapters (6.6 ', 6 ", 6"', ...) in order to allow to connect to various types of equipment (7.7 ', 7 ", 7"', ...).

As can be seen in Figure 2, the analysis equipment (1) can also be connected to devices (8.8 ', 8 ", 8'", ...) connected through a bus (9) of communications by connecting the adapter (6) to any point on the bus (9).

Turning to analyze the internal structure of the analysis device (1), the one shown in Figure 3, it will be constituted from a processor (10) with its corresponding RAM (11) and its internal programming software (12 ), in which the communication protocol configuration is programmed to adapt to the configuration of the equipment to which it is connected. This programming is determined by the computer application based on the equipment to which we connect. In one of the functions included in the software, it is the user who defines the configuration of the analysis equipment (1), thus giving it greater versatility.

Thus, by means of the two connectors (3) and (4) it is possible to communicate via CAN BUS, via RS232 or via RS 422/485.

More specifically, the connector (4) is intended for communications via RS 422/485, while the connector (3) is intended for communications via CAN BUS as well as via RS232.

To do this, the connector (3) is connected in parallel to an RS232 driver (13) and a can bus driver / controller (14) with its corresponding buffer (15) that connects to the processor (10), while the RS232 driver ( 13) connects in parallel with the RS 422/485 driver (16) associated with the connector (4) to a switching logic circuit (17) associated with a serial controller (18) with its corresponding communications buffer (15 ') associated with the processor (10).

Both connectors (3) and (4) allow the analysis device (1) to be electrically supplied, so that it takes the power of the equipment to be diagnosed and is prepared for a range of 5 to 28 V DC power supplies.

Said power is adapted to the needs of the equipment by means of a switched power supply (19).

The device thus described is complemented by a hardware for displaying the status of the equipment (20), consisting of LED indicators of:

• Wireless link connected

• Existence of telegrams on the communications bus (in any of the 2 directions between the equipment to be diagnosed and the computer equipment)

• Selected communications protocol

According to another of the characteristics of the invention, a wireless module (21) is associated to said processor (10), specific for the link with the computer equipment (2,2 ', ...). This module requires an antenna (22) to improve the range of the wireless signal.

Other models not currently provided that use the standard RS232, RS422, RS485 and CAN bus communication protocols can be connected and analyzed with the appropriate adapters. On the other hand, and as for the software destined to be implanted in the PC, Tablet, PDA, pocket PC or similar element (2,2 '....), it consists of an application that allows access to the configuration parameters maneuver. The modification of these parameters, in the field of elevator diagnosis and maintenance, never affects the safety of the elevator. In the software, these parameters are blocked or not accessible to users who have not received the necessary training in their handling.

This software allows to select the maneuver to be connected and in the cases that the maneuver allows, connect to the rest of the existing boards on the communication bus to be able to check the existing faults as well as to be able to reset them in those cases in which It is an essential requirement to erase faults to confirm its commissioning after a blocking fault situation.

According to the functional diagram of Figure 4, the designed software previously performs an access management (23). That is, depending on the privileges determined by the administrator (depending on certain requirements) it is allowed or not to access the modification of specific parameters, in certain elevator maneuvers. For this, 2 levels of access have been initially determined, the "full access" (24) and the "basic access" (25). Full access is defined for users with specific training about the model in question and allows a series of privileges (26) such as modifying certain parameters, in the field of elevator maintenance. Basic access provides limited privileges (27) so that it allows only diagnostic functions to be performed.

Access management is done by "username" and "password". Once the user is accepted, access is allowed without a password request during the rest of the day.

Once the application is accessed, the model to be diagnosed must be selected (28). For those cases in which the model is not yet implemented in the application, the option "TERMINAL" is provided, which with the appropriate adapter and the programming of the hardware of the appropriate analysis device (1) allows us to connect with the equipment to to diagnose. You must also select the Wireless communication link (29) to establish a connection with the analysis equipment.

If the equipment to be diagnosed (7.7 ', ...) is of a model implemented in the software of the computer equipment, the reconfiguration of the analysis device hardware is automatic, so it adapts to the communications configuration ( 31) of the equipment to be diagnosed. In the case of a model that is not previously implemented in the analysis device software (1) the hardware configuration of said device is done manually (30, 30 ', ...).

Once the configuration and the model to be diagnosed have been selected, screens (32) have been designed in the software of the computer equipment that perfectly adapt to the model to be diagnosed and that facilitate the handling of the computer equipment in a simple, practical and intelligible graphic environment. the user.

Depending on the equipment to be selected, software has been created with its own menus (33) and its own databases (34) for the conversion of the telegrams involved in the communication to text understandable by the user. The software of the computer equipment is linked via wireless (35) with the hardware of the analysis equipment (1) at a defined speed. The software communicates with the analysis device (1) and depending on the board to be diagnosed, it sends the appropriate commands to it to be reconfigured to adapt to the type of communication (serial or CAN BUS) and the connection configuration depending on the equipment to be diagnosed.

The application communicates with the maneuver and is able to send (36) the telegrams required by the maneuver to be able to carry out specific queries and receive (37) and interprets the telegrams sent by the board and represents its meaning on the computer equipment screen.

The application has different menus depending on the maneuver to which it will be connected. The menus have been created to give the application more agility. Databases have been created that are consulted in case of telegrams that are not in ASCII format or that require a conversion.

A block of notes has been implemented in the application where you can store the information that appears on the screen for all the equipment to be diagnosed.

The application has a "TERMINAL" function that allows the configuration of the interface configuration (1) to be connected to any board that has a serial or CAN BUS communication. In this case, an adapted connector must be available, with the "pin out" corresponding to the hardware of the board to be diagnosed.

Claims

R E I V I N D I C A C I O N E S

I ^a .- Diagnostic device for elevator maneuvers, characterized in that it is constituted from an analysis device (1) and software designed to be implanted in a PC, Tablet, PDA, pocket PC or similar element (2,2 ' ....), with the particularity that the analysis equipment (1) is constituted from a processor (10), equipped with at least one pair of connectors (3) and (4) type RJ45, for communication via CAN BUS, via RS232 or via RS 422/485 through the corresponding drivers and controllers, connectors (3) and (4) to which a single Ethernet cable (5) is selectively coupled for a fast connection, which is terminated by its other end in a connector with a series of adapters (6.6 ', 6 ", 6'", ...) in order to allow connection to various types of equipment (7.7 ', 7 ", 7'" , ...) or to devices (8.8 ', 8 ", 8'", ...) connected through a communications bus (9), processor (10) with its corresponding RAM (11) and its program software internal ion (12), in which the configuration of the communication protocol is programmed to adapt to the configuration of the equipment to which it is connected, with the device being provided to incorporate hardware for displaying the state of the equipment (20), as well as a wireless module (21), specific for the link with the computer equipment (2,2 ', ...), in which the software is installed to establish a connection with the selected board and make a complete diagnosis of it.

2 .- Diagnostic device for elevators maneuvers, according to previous claim, characterized in that the analysis device (1) is electrically powered equipment to diagnose, through both connectors (3) and (4), with a source switching power supply (19) prepared for different ranges of DC power supplies. 3 .- Diagnostic device for elevators maneuvers, according ^to claim I, wherein the hardware display state (20) consisting of some LEDs:

• Wireless link connected

• Selected communications protocol

4 .- Diagnostic device for elevators maneuvers, according ^to claim I, wherein the connector (3) is connected parallel to a RS232 driver (13) and to a driver / controller can bus (14) with its corresponding buffer (15 ) which is connected to the processor (10), while the RS232 driver (13) is connected in parallel with the RS 422/485 driver (16) associated with the connector (4) to a switching logic circuit (17) associated with a serial controller (18) with its corresponding communications buffer (15 ') associated with the processor (10).