Testing apparatus and safety arrangement

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9580273-B2
Application number	US-201414491252-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 19, 2014
Priority date	Apr 20, 2012
Publication date	Feb 28, 2017
Grant date	Feb 28, 2017

Abstract

The invention relates to a safety arrangement and also a testing apparatus for testing the operation of an extreme limit switch in a conveying system, which can be removed from service on the basis of a signal to be received from the extreme limit switch. The testing apparatus comprises a microprocessor and a memory, in which is recorded a testing program to be run with the microprocessor, which testing program comprises instructions for preventing removal of the conveying system from service occurring on the basis of a signal from an extreme limit switch as well as for testing the operation of the extreme limit switch when removal of the conveying system from service has been prevented.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A testing apparatus to test operation of an extreme limit switch in a conveying system, the conveying system configured to be removed from service based on a signal from the extreme limit switch, and the testing apparatus including a microprocessor configured to execute a testing program stored on a memory, the testing program including instructions for
preventing removal of the conveying system from service based on the signal from the extreme limit switch; and
testing operation of the extreme limit switch when removal of the conveying system from service has been prevented; wherein
the testing apparatus is configured to perform a testing task specified by the testing program after a start command for the testing has been supplied to the testing apparatus.

2. The testing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein
the memory is configured to record a specification of a correct operation of the extreme limit switch; and
the testing program further includes instructions for removing the conveying system from service if the testing indicates that the extreme limit switch is not operating correctly.

3. The testing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein
the extreme limit switch includes a measuring device configured to generate the signal; and
the testing program further includes instructions for moving the measuring device into an area within range of a wireless connection between an actuator and the measuring device, to test the extreme limit switch.

4. The testing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein
the extreme limit switch includes a measuring device and an actuator; and
the testing program further includes instructions for controlling the measuring device with the actuator to generate a testing signal.

5. The testing apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein
the testing signal is a signal removing the conveying system from service; or
the testing signal results from a same operation of the extreme limit switch as the signal removing the conveying system from service.

6. The testing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein
the extreme limit switch includes a measuring device and an actuator; and
the testing program further includes instructions for testing the operation of the extreme limit switch by measuring a distance between the actuator and the measuring device when the extreme limit switch is in an area within range of a wireless connection between the measuring device and the actuator.

7. The testing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein
the extreme limit switch includes a measuring device and an actuator; and
the testing program further includes instructions for
displacing the measuring device from a reference point to an operating point of the extreme limit switch in connection with the actuator;
measuring a distance traveled from the reference point to the operating point of the extreme limit switch in connection with the actuator; and
removing the conveying system from service if the measured distance differs from a distance associated with correct operation of the extreme limit switch.

8. The testing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the testing program further includes instructions for
driving an elevator car, in an elevator hoistway, from reference point to an operating point of the extreme limit switch;
measuring a distance traveled by the elevator car from the reference point to the operating point of the extreme limit switch; and
removing the conveying system from service if the measured distance differs from a distance associated with correct operation of the extreme limit switch.

9. A safety arrangement comprising:
a testing apparatus according to claim 1 ; and
an operation prevention apparatus including
the extreme limit switch, and
a supervision circuit configured to remove the conveying system from service based on the signal from the extreme limit switch; wherein
the testing apparatus is connected to the operation prevention apparatus for preventing removal of the conveying system from service.

10. The safety arrangement according to claim 9 , wherein
the memory is configured to record a specification of a correct operation of the extreme limit switch; and
the testing program further includes instructions for removing the conveying system from service if the testing indicates that the extreme limit switch is not operating correctly.

11. The safety arrangement according to claim 9 , wherein
the extreme limit switch includes a measuring device configured to generate the signal; and
the testing program further includes instructions for moving the measuring device into an area within range of a wireless connection between an actuator and the measuring device, to test the extreme limit switch.

12. The safety arrangement according to claim 9 , wherein
the extreme limit switch includes a measuring device and an actuator; and
the testing program further includes instructions for controlling the measuring device with the actuator to generate a testing signal.

13. The safety arrangement according to claim 12 , wherein
the testing signal is a signal removing the conveying system from service; or
the testing signal results from a same operation of the extreme limit switch as the signal removing the conveying system from service.

14. The safety arrangement according to claim 9 , wherein
the extreme limit switch includes a measuring device and an actuator; and
the testing program further includes instructions for testing the operation of the extreme limit switch by measuring a distance between the actuator and the measuring device when the extreme limit switch is in an area within range of a wireless connection between the measuring device and the actuator.

15. The safety arrangement according to claim 9 , wherein
the extreme limit switch includes a measuring device and an actuator; and
the testing program further includes instructions for
displacing the measuring device from a reference point to an operating point of the extreme limit switch in connection with the actuator;
measuring a distance traveled from the reference point to the operating point of the extreme limit switch in connection with the actuator; and
removing the conveying system from service if the measured distance differs from a distance associated with correct operation of the extreme limit switch.

16. The safety arrangement according to claim 9 , wherein the testing program further includes instructions for
driving an elevator car, in an elevator hoistway, from a reference point to an operating point of the extreme limit switch;
measuring a distance traveled by the elevator car from the reference point to the operating point of the extreme limit switch; and
removing the conveying system from service if the measured distance differs from a distance associated with correct operation of the extreme limit switch.

17. A testing apparatus for testing operation of a mechanical safety device in an elevator system, the testing apparatus configured to be removed from service based on a signal from an extreme limit switch, the elevator system including a mechanical safety device configured to operate closer to an end of an elevator hoistway than the extreme limit switch, and the testing apparatus including a microprocessor configured to execute a testing program stored on a memory, the testing program comprising instructions for
preventing removal of the elevator system from service based on the signal from the extreme limit switch; and
testing the operation of the mechanical safety devic

Assignees

• Kattainen Ari
• Hovi Antti
• Kone Corp

Inventors

• Kattainen Ari
• Hovi Antti

Classifications

• B66B5/00

  Applications of checking, fault-correcting, or safety devices in elevators · CPC title

• B65G43/06

  interrupting the drive in case of driving element breakage; Braking or stopping loose load-carriers · CPC title

• B66B5/0031 Primary

  for safety reasons · CPC title

• B66B1/48 Primary

  Adaptations of mechanically-operated limit switches (for cranes B66C13/50; for winding mechanisms B66D1/56) · CPC title

• B66B5/0087

  Devices facilitating maintenance, repair or inspection tasks (devices incorporated in the buffer B66B5/288; railings on top of the car B66B11/0226) · CPC title