1. An elevator with an operation switching system for switching from a normal operation to an inspection operation, comprising: a change-over switch for switching between the normal operation and the inspection operation; an inspection operation device which is provided with an inspection operation switch for switching between an inspection side and a normal side, and lifts or lowers a car in the inspection operation if the inspection operation switch is switched to the inspection side; and a safety controller to which signals of the change-over switch and the inspection operation device are inputted and which outputs a command signal for shutting off a brake power source or a motive power source to brake the car, wherein the safety controller deactivates the normal operation and activates the inspection operation if the change-over switch is switched to the inspection operation.

2. The elevator with the operation switching system according to claim 1, wherein the change-over switch is installed in an elevator hall.

3. The elevator with the operation switching system according to claim 1, wherein if the change-over switch is switched to the inspection operation, the normal operation is deactivated even if an elevator landing door, a car door, or an inspection door leading to a car canopy or a worktable in a hoistway is all closed.

4. The elevator with the operation switching system according to claim 1, wherein if the inspection operation switch is returned to the normal side, the elevator landing door, the car door, or the inspection door leading to the car canopy or the worktable in the hoistway is all closed, and the change-over switch is switched to the normal operation, the normal operation is activated.

5. The elevator with the operation switching system according to claim 1, further comprising: a car position sensor for detecting a detection plate installed in the hoistway correspondingly to a door zone on each floor; a landing door switch for detecting opening and closing of a landing door; and a car door switch for detecting opening and closing of a car door, wherein if the safety controller detects, by the car position sensor, the landing door switch, and the car door switch, that the car door or the landing door is opened outside the door zone, the safety controller deactivates the normal operation and activates only the inspection operation.

6. The elevator with the operation switching system according to claim 1, wherein the safety controller has operation mode holding processing for storing two states which are a state of holding a maintenance operation and a state of not holding the maintenance operation and are inverted by switching of the change-over switch, if a state of the operation mode holding processing and a state of the inspection operation device match the maintenance operation, a maintenance operation manipulation from only one of the plurality of inspection operation devices is permitted, if the state of the operation mode holding processing and a state of the change-over switch match the normal operation, only the normal operation is permitted, if the state of the operation mode holding processing and the state of the change-over switch do not match, the maintenance operation is activated, and a display for displaying the state of the operation mode holding processing is provided.

7. The elevator with the operation switching system according to claim 1, further comprising: a database which indicates a relationship between a temporal input history of a plurality of safety devices and an estimated position of a maintenance worker; and maintenance worker estimation processing for outputting a position of the maintenance worker estimated by referring to the input history of the safety devices and the database, wherein movement of the car is limited by the output of the maintenance worker estimation processing.

TITLE OF THE INVENTION
ELEVATOR WITH OPERATION SWITCHING SYSTEM
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an elevator which is inspected by switching from a normal operation to an inspection operation (maintenance operation), and particularly suitable for an elevator for enhancing the safety of a worker at the time of inspection and safety at the time of returning to the normal operation.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In conventional elevator systems, maintenance of a device located in a hoistway requires a maintenance worker to step into the hoistway. As devices for safe work in the hoistway, a switch and a console panel for stopping an elevator car are provided on the car or in a pit. The maintenance worker performs maintenance from the hoistway, normally using these inspection operation devices for maintenance. The worker activates a maintenance operation by manipulating e.g. an inspection operation device installed on the car, continues the maintenance operation until a car floor matches a landing floor, and then restores a normal operation by returning the inspection operation device to the normal operation side.
Further, when an elevator landing door, an elevator car door, or an inspection door leading to a car canopy or a worktable in the hoistway as a door installed at the elevator is opened (door is opened), the maintenance (inspection) operation is performed. For example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid open No. Hei 4-323181) discloses that even when an inspection operation device is mistakenly switched to the normal operation, particularly outside a door zone, during maintenance work; the maintenance operation, i.e., low speed operation is continued until the car floor matches the landing floor to ensure the safety of the maintenance worker.
Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid open No. 2004-277147, FIG. 4) discloses that an in-car operation switch is provided in the car and an on-car operation switch is provided on the car to ensure the safety of the maintenance worker so as to prevent the car from accidentally suddenly start moving during the inspection of the car.
In Patent Document 1 of the above conventional technique, the operation is not deactivated at the time of switching to the maintenance (inspection) operation; therefore, it is difficult to say that the safety is extremely high, and there is a possibility that the inspection has not necessarily been completed by the time of the normal operation after the continuation of the low speed operation. Further, when the elevator landing door, the elevator car door, or the inspection door leading to the car canopy or the worktable in the hoistway is opened, the inspection is needed immediately, and the operation does not necessarily return to the normal operation after reliable inspection.
Further, in Patent Document 2, since the in-car operation switch is provided in the car, the maintenance worker can still manipulate it, which does not lead to enhancement in safety at the time of returning to the normal operation, and therefore requires further improvement.
It is an object of the present invention to enhance the safety of a worker at the time of inspection and safety at the time of returning to a normal operation, and particularly to ensure higher safety against a blackout or the like during an inspection operation by a series of manipulations, operations, etc. before returning to the normal operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To attain the above object, according to the invention, an elevator with an operation switching system for switching from a normal operation to an inspection operation includes a change-over switch for switching between the normal operation and the inspection operation, an inspection operation device which is provided with an inspection operation switch for switching between an inspection side and a normal side, and lifts or lowers a car in the inspection operation if the inspection operation switch is switched to the inspection side, and a safety controller to which signals of the change-over switch and the inspection operation device are inputted and which outputs a command signal for shutting off a brake power source or a motive power source to brake the car. The safety controller deactivates the normal operation and activates the inspection operation if the change-over switch is switched to the inspection operation.
According to the invention, since the safety controller to which signals of the change-over switch and the inspection operation device are inputted and which outputs the command signal for shutting off the brake power source or the motive power source to brake the car deactivates the normal operation and activates the inspection operation if the change-over switch is switched to the inspection operation, the safety controller confirms that the change-over switch has been switched to the inspection operation, which can enhance the safety of the worker at the time of inspection and safety at the time of returning to the normal operation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a general configuration diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a safety controller according to the one embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing by the safety controller according to the one embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a data table showing processing by the safety controller according to the one embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing by the safety controller according to the one embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a safety controller according to another embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing processing by the safety controller according to the another embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a data table showing processing by the safety controller according to the another embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a safety controller according to yet another embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a data table showing processing by the safety controller in FIG. 9.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 is a general configuration diagram showing an elevator system. The movement of an elevator car 105 is controlled by an elevator controller 100. The car 105 moves, between landing floors, in a hoistway formed in a building, and is connected through a rope to a weight called a “counter weight” for balancing with the car 105. The car 105 is provided with a car door which opens and closes in engagement with a landing door. A motor 103 drives a sheave 104 to move the car 105. Power for driving is supplied to the motor 103 by a power converter 101.
The power converter 101 outputs power for controlling the motor103 in accordance with a car position control command from the elevator controller 100. Further, the motor 103 is equipped with a pulse generator such as an encoder. The elevator controller 100 calculates the speed of the motor 103, a moving direction, a position, a moving distance, etc., in the hoistway, of the car 105 by counting pulses generated by the rotation of the encoder attached on motor 103. When the elevator controller 100 brakes the car, it outputs a stop command to a brake power source 2 and a motive power source 3. In response to the stop command, the brake power source 2 actuates a brake 102 and the motive power source 3 cuts power supply to the power converter 101, thus braking the car 105. The brake power source 2 and the motive power source 3 are circuits including an electromagnetic contactor called a contactor.
As a plurality of safety devices, a safety controller 1 brakes the car 105 by shutting off the brake power source 2 and the motive power source 3 independently of the elevator controller 100 in response to a signal input indicating the opening and closing of an elevator landing door switch 5, a car door, or an inspection door leading to a car canopy or a worktable in the hoistway. That is, the safety controller 1 is a controller constituting a safe system. The safety controller 1 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) for executing processing, and also has a watchdog timer for detecting an abnormality of the CPU and a circuit for monitoring a power abnormality. Further, to detect the processing abnormality of the CPU, it is desirable to perform mutual comparison by duplexing the CPU. Signals of a change-over switch 4 provided in an elevator hall, a plurality of safety devices (not shown) including the landing door switch 5, a pit inspection operation device 6, an on-car inspection operation switch 7, and a car position sensor 8 are inputted to the safety controller. The inspection operation device is provided with an inspection operation switch for switching between a normal operation and a maintenance operation, a RUN button for instructing a run to move the car, an UP button for instructing an ascent of the car, and a DN button for instructing a descent. The car position sensor 8 detects a detection plate installed in the hoistway correspondingly to a door open position (door zone) on each floor.
The outputs of the safety controller 1 are a brake power source shutoff output and a motive power source shutoff output. The brake power source shutoff output is an output for shutting off the brake power source 2 to actuate the brake 102. The motive power source shutoff output is an output for shutting off the motive power source 3 and thereby shutting off power to the power converter 101 to stop the motor 103. Both outputs brake the car 105.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the safety controller. Safety device detection processing 21 detects actuation of a safety device based on signals of a plurality of safety devices inputted to the safety controller 1. The plurality of safety devices include not only a plurality of safety devices (not shown) including the landing door switch 5 and a car door switch, but also the change-over switch 4 provided in the elevator hall, the pit inspection operation device 6, the on-car inspection operation switch 7, and the car position sensor 8.
Operation mode detection processing 22 detects a normal operation state or an inspection operation state based on the signal of the change-over switch 4. Operation mode detection processing 23 detects a normal operation or a maintenance operation as an operation mode, based on the signal of the on-car inspection operation switch 7 or the pit inspection operation device 6. Car movement input processing 24 detects a car movement command signal of the RUN button for instructing a run, the UP button for instructing an ascent of the car, and the DN button for instructing a descent when the on-car inspection operation switch 7 or the inspection operation switch of the pit inspection operation device 6 is switched to the inspection operation.
Safety device determination processing 25 outputs the brake power source shutoff output and the motive power source shutoff output for stopping the car, at the time of actuation of the safety device, based on information about the safety device detected by the safety device detection processing 21. Further, the safety device determination processing 25 outputs the operating state of the safety device to car movement command output processing 28.
Maintenance operation setting processing 26 determines the normal operation or the maintenance operation from the operation mode detection processing 22 based on the change-over switch 4 and the operation mode detection processing 23 based on the inspection operation device, and outputs an operation mode and a manipulation operation permission signal to the car movement command output processing 28. The manipulation operation permission signal is a signal for determining whether or not to permit a manipulation input for car movement by the inspection operation device. If the operation mode detection processing 22 based on the change-over switch detects the maintenance operation, the maintenance operation setting processing 26 outputs a maintenance operation mode. Further, if the operation mode detection processing 23 based on the inspection operation device also detects the maintenance operation, the maintenance operation setting processing 26 further outputs the manipulation operation permission signal.
The operating state of the safety device inputted from the safety device determination processing 25, the operation mode and the manipulation operation permission signal inputted from the maintenance operation setting processing 26, and a signal from the car movement input processing 24 are inputted to the car movement command output processing 28, and the car movement command output processing 28 outputs a car movement command output and an operation mode output to the elevator system. If the operation mode inputted from the maintenance operation setting processing 26 is the maintenance operation and a manipulation is permitted by the manipulation operation permission signal, the car movement command output processing 28 outputs the car movement command output to the elevator system. Further, upon detection of actuation of the safety device from the safety device determination processing 25, the car movement command output processing 28 outputs the maintenance operation to the elevator system. That is, the car movement command output processing 28 confirms the validity of car movement, based on the combination of input signals, and outputs it to the elevator system.
Next, the detailed operation of the maintenance operation setting processing 26 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. First, in step S101, the maintenance operation setting processing 26 determines whether the detected operation mode of the change-over switch is the maintenance operation. If the operation mode is the maintenance operation, in step S102 the maintenance operation setting processing 26 outputs the maintenance operation. Otherwise, in step S103 the maintenance operation setting processing 26 outputs the normal operation. In step S104, the maintenance operation setting processing 26 determines whether only one of the plurality of inspection operation devices is in the maintenance operation state. If the operation modes of the change-over switch and the one of the inspection operation devices are the maintenance operation, in step S105 the maintenance operation setting processing 26 outputs the manipulation operation permission signal. Otherwise, the maintenance operation setting processing 26 does not output the manipulation operation permission signal.
FIG. 4 is a data table with sequence Nos. in the case of performing processing based on the flowchart of FIG. 3. Sequence No. 1 indicates the normal operation state. Sequence No. 2 indicates that a maintenance worker has switched the change-over switch 4 to the maintenance operation. In this state, a car movement manipulation from the other inspection operation devices is not accepted. Sequence No. 3 indicates that the maintenance worker has switched any one of the inspection operation devices to the maintenance operation to manipulate the car through the inspection operation device. In this state, by switching both the change-over switch 4 and the one of the inspection operation devices to the maintenance operation, it is possible to manipulate the car.
Sequence No. 4 indicates that the maintenance worker has finished the maintenance work and switched the inspection operation device to the normal operation. At this time, since the operation mode input of the change-over switch 4 and the operation mode input of the inspection operation device do not match, the maintenance operation setting processing 26 outputs the maintenance operation. That is, the maintenance operation is continued if the maintenance worker is within the hoistway. Sequence No. 5 indicates that the maintenance worker has switched the change-over switch 4 in the elevator hall outside the hoistway to the normal operation, and the maintenance operation setting processing 26 outputs the normal operation. Thus, the priority processing of the maintenance operation of the change-over switch 4 in the elevator hall enables a return to the normal operation only after the maintenance worker has finished the maintenance work and returned to the elevator hall.
Further, a series of steps of the safety controller 1 shown in FIGS. 2, 3 are executed at intervals of a sampling period set in the safety controller 1. That is, the state of the change-over switch 4 in the elevator hall is checked at intervals of the sampling period. By setting the sampling period to a short time such as 1 second or less with respect to an overall maintenance work time, the change-over switch 4 in the elevator hall is constantly monitored. The change-over switch 4 in the elevator hall is monitored by a duplexed system, and respective acquired states are compared. If the acquired states do not match, the motive power source shutoff output and the brake power source shutoff output are outputted as an abnormality. This processing is performed by the safety device determination processing 25.
Further, the change-over switch 4 may be monitored at time intervals between manipulations of the change-over switch 4. For example, assume that the change-over switch is mischievously switched more than once in a short time. In this case, the safety controller 1 detects the number of switchings at predetermined time intervals. If the number of switchings exceeds a threshold, the safety device determination processing 25 outputs each shutoff output, and a command for switching to the maintenance operation is outputted. For example, if the change-over switch is switched more than thrice in 5 seconds set as a monitoring time interval, each shutoff output and the maintenance operation mode are outputted. This can prevent misoperation caused by mischief or the like.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the car movement command output processing 28. In step S201, the car movement command output processing 28 acquires the operation mode from the maintenance operation setting processing 26. In step S202, the car movement command output processing 28 detects whether the safety device is inactive. If the safety device is active, in step S203 the car movement command output processing 28 sets the operation mode to the maintenance operation. In step S204, the car movement command output processing 28 determines whether the operation mode is the maintenance operation. If the operation mode is the maintenance operation mode, in step S205 the car movement command output processing 28 outputs the maintenance operation mode to the elevator system. In step S206, the car movement command output processing 28 detects whether the manipulation operation permission signal is inputted from the maintenance operation setting processing 26 and a car movement command is inputted from only one inspection operation device. If the manipulation operation permission signal is detected and the car movement command is inputted from only one inspection operation device (YES in step S206), the car movement command output processing 28 outputs an output according to the inputted car movement command to the elevator system.
In step S206, if a plurality of inputs are detected simultaneously from a plurality of inspection operation devices, the car movement command output processing 28 determines that there is a possibility that the maintenance worker is at the inspection operation device, and stops the car. This can prevent the maintenance worker from being sandwiched by car movement. Further, upon detection of actuation of the safety device, the car movement command output processing 28 forcibly switches the operation mode to the maintenance operation. The elevator remains in the maintenance operation state unless the maintenance worker conducts checking work and cancels the maintenance operation with the change-over switch 4 in the elevator hall.
For example, a door-open run in which the elevator starts moving with the door open is detected by the combination of the car position sensor 8, the landing door switch, and the car door switch, which leads to actuation of the safety device and continues to output the brake power source shutoff output and the motive power source shutoff output for stopping the car and the maintenance operation to deactivate the normal operation and activate only the inspection operation. This operation applies not only to the safety device for detecting the door-open run, but also to general safety devices such as a governor for detecting the excessive speed of the car, the switch of a buffer for detecting the collision of the car, and the like.
Further, by the safety controller 1, the normal operation is deactivated even if the elevator landing door, the car door, or the inspection door leading to the car canopy or the worktable in the hoistway is all closed. Further, if the inspection operation switch is returned to the normal side, the elevator landing door, the car door, or the inspection door leading to the car canopy or the worktable in the hoistway is all closed, and the change-over switch 4 is switched to the normal operation, the normal operation is activated.
As described above, if the change-over switch 4 outside the hoistway and the inspection operation device within the hoistway are switched to the maintenance operation, an input from only one of the plurality of inspection operation devices is permitted; therefore, in the case of inputs from a plurality of inspection operation devices, the elevator is stopped, which can prevent the maintenance worker from being unintentionally sandwiched. Further, due to the priority switching of the change-over switch 4 to the maintenance operation, the elevator returns to the normal operation only by resetting the maintenance operation with the change-over switch 4 provided in the elevator hall outside the hoistway. That is, the elevator returns to the normal operation only after the maintenance worker has moved outside the hoistway, which can prevent the maintenance worker from being unintentionally sandwiched. Further, the change-over switch 4 is manipulated from outside the hoistway and structured to be manipulated only by a professional technologist, provided with a misoperation preventing mechanism, which can further enhance the safety of the elevator.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a safety controller having operation mode holding processing 27 added thereto. The maintenance operation setting processing 26 determines the normal operation or the maintenance operation from the operation mode detection processing 22 based on the change-over switch 4 and the operation mode detection processing 23 based on the inspection operation device. If the maintenance operation is determined, then the operation mode holding processing 27 stores the state of holding the maintenance operation. That is, as to the operation state before the operation mode is switched, the operation mode holding processing 27 stores two states which are the state of holding the maintenance operation and the state of not holding the maintenance operation. Further, the change-over switch 4 inverts the state of the operation mode holding processing 27 by switching thereof. Further, a display for displaying the state of the operation mode holding processing 27 is provided. This enables safe switching between the maintenance operation and the normal operation. FIG. 7 is a flowchart thereof.
In step S301, the maintenance operation setting processing 26 determines whether the detected state of the change-over switch is the maintenance operation. If the state is determined to be the maintenance operation, in step S302 the maintenance operation setting processing 26 outputs a signal indicating the maintenance operation, and in step S303 the operation mode holding processing 27 cancels the maintenance operation holding state. In step S304, the maintenance operation setting processing 26 determines whether only one of the plurality of inspection operation devices is in the maintenance operation state. If the states of the change-over switch 4 and the one of the inspection operation devices are the maintenance operation, in step S305 the maintenance operation setting processing 26 outputs the manipulation operation permission signal. Otherwise, the maintenance operation setting processing 26 does not output the manipulation operation permission signal. In step S306, the maintenance operation setting processing 26 determines whether only one of the plurality of inspection operation devices is in the maintenance operation state in a state where the change-over switch 4 is not switched to the maintenance operation. If the state of the one of the inspection operation devices is the maintenance operation, in step S307 the maintenance operation setting processing 26 outputs the maintenance operation and the operation mode holding processing 27 sets the maintenance operation holding state because the maintenance worker is assumed to input a manipulation for moving the car.
In step S308, the maintenance operation setting processing 26 outputs the manipulation operation permission signal. If every inspection device is in the normal operation state, in step S309 the maintenance operation setting processing 26 determines whether the operation mode holding processing 27 is in the maintenance operation holding state. If the operation mode holding processing 27 is in the maintenance operation holding state, the maintenance worker is assumed to be still within the hoistway but do not manipulate the inspection operation device; therefore, in step S310 the maintenance operation setting processing 26 outputs the maintenance operation which requires the remanipulation of the change-over switch 4 outside the hoistway to restore the normal operation. Otherwise, the maintenance operation setting processing 26 outputs the normal operation.
FIG. 8 shows a sequence example in the case of performing processing based on the flowchart of FIG. 7, which is an example of switching to the maintenance operation through the inspection operation device within the hoistway. Since the case of switching to the maintenance operation through the change-over switch 4 in the elevator hall has already been described in the first embodiment, its description will be omitted. Sequence No. 1 indicates the normal operation state. Sequence No. 2 indicates that the maintenance worker has switched any one of the inspection operation devices to the maintenance operation. In this state, a car movement manipulation from only the switched inspection operation device is accepted.
Sequence No. 3 indicates that the maintenance worker has switched the inspection operation device to the normal operation. At this time, the operation mode holding processing 27 is in the maintenance operation holding state; accordingly, the maintenance operation is continued. However, a manipulation from any inspection operation device is not accepted. Sequence No. 4 indicates that the maintenance worker has left the hoistway after finished the maintenance work ,and switched the change-over switch 4 to the maintenance operation. At this time, the operation mode holding processing 27 cancels the maintenance operation holding state, but the change-over switch 4 is in the maintenance operation state; accordingly, the maintenance operation is continued. Sequence No. 5 indicates that the maintenance worker has switched the change-over switch 4 in the elevator hall outside the hoistway to the normal operation, and the maintenance operation setting processing 26 outputs the normal operation. As described above, if the states of the operation mode holding processing and the inspection operation device match the maintenance operation, the maintenance operation manipulation from only one of the plurality of inspection operation devices is permitted. If the states of the operation mode holding processing and the change-over switch match the normal operation, only the normal operation is permitted. If the states of the operation mode holding processing and the change-over switch do not match, the maintenance operation is activated. Thus using the maintenance operation holding state restores the normal operation only after the maintenance worker has finished the maintenance work and returned to the elevator hall, even in the case of switching to the maintenance operation through the inspection operation device.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a safety controller having maintenance worker estimation processing 29 added thereto. The maintenance worker estimation processing 29 receives inputs from a plurality of safety devices (not shown), estimates the maintenance worker’s position in the hoistway based on the input history of the safety devices, and outputs the estimated position to the car movement command output processing 28. FIG. 10 is a data table for estimating the maintenance worker’s position by the maintenance worker estimation processing. The data table records the temporal input history (event) of the safety devices.
The maintenance worker estimation processing 29 has detected the open of the landing door at 00:00 and the input of the pit inspection operation device at 00:02. At this time, the maintenance worker manipulates the inspection operation device; accordingly, the maintenance worker estimation processing 29 estimates that at least the maintenance worker is at the pit, and outputs the estimated position of the maintenance worker as the pit.
In most cases, it is through the landing door on the bottom floor that the maintenance worker leaves the hoistway from the pit in a standard type elevator having a hoistway stroke of about 10 to 20 m. Therefore, if there is no operation of the safety device after the detection of the pit inspection operation device at 00:02, the maintenance worker estimation processing determines that there is a high possibility that the maintenance worker is still within the hoistway, and outputs the estimated position of the maintenance worker as the pit. Upon detection of opening of the landing door at 01:11, the maintenance worker estimation processing determines that there is a high possibility that the maintenance worker has left the hoistway, and outputs the estimated position of the maintenance worker as the outside of the hoistway.
Many of the safety devices of the elevator are provided to eliminate elevator-specific risk, and it is easy to estimate the maintenance worker’s location in the hoistway with a high possibility based on the actuated safety device. For example, in the case of an inspection door provided in the landing door or the car, it is detected that the maintenance worker enters or leaves the hoistway or the car. In the case of the inspection operation device, the maintenance worker performs a manipulation at the location of the inspection operation device; accordingly, the position of the maintenance worker is estimated based on the installation location of the device. Further, in the data table of FIG. 10, safety device actuation sequences differ according to the type of elevator, installation environment, and the maintenance method of a maintenance company, which makes it possible to meet various elevators in agreement therewith.
The car movement command output processing 28 outputs the car movement command output as movement limitation according to the position by referring to the estimated position of the maintenance worker inputted from the maintenance worker estimation processing 29. For example, if the maintenance worker estimation processing 29 estimates that the maintenance worker is in the pit; in the descent of the car in the maintenance operation, the car can be moved down to a height (height of the typical maintenance worker: 2 m) that keeps the maintenance worker in the pit from being sandwiched, and the car movement command output processing 28 outputs a stop output if the car is moved thereunder. This limits a car movement distance in the direction of the maintenance worker estimated to be within the hoistway, which can prevent the maintenance worker from being sandwiched and enhance the safety of the elevator.

CLAIMS:WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. An elevator with an operation switching system for switching from a normal operation to an inspection operation, comprising:
a change-over switch for switching between the normal operation and the inspection operation;
an inspection operation device which is provided with an inspection operation switch for switching between an inspection side and a normal side, and lifts or lowers a car in the inspection operation if the inspection operation switch is switched to the inspection side; and
a safety controller to which signals of the change-over switch and the inspection operation device are inputted and which outputs a command signal for shutting off a brake power source or a motive power source to brake the car,
wherein the safety controller deactivates the normal operation and activates the inspection operation if the change-over switch is switched to the inspection operation.

2. The elevator with the operation switching system according to claim 1, wherein the change-over switch is installed in an elevator hall.

3. The elevator with the operation switching system according to claim 1, wherein if the change-over switch is switched to the inspection operation, the normal operation is deactivated even if an elevator landing door, a car door, or an inspection door leading to a car canopy or a worktable in a hoistway is all closed.

4. The elevator with the operation switching system according to claim 1, wherein if the inspection operation switch is returned to the normal side, the elevator landing door, the car door, or the inspection door leading to the car canopy or the worktable in the hoistway is all closed, and the change-over switch is switched to the normal operation, the normal operation is activated.

5. The elevator with the operation switching system according to claim 1, further comprising:
a car position sensor for detecting a detection plate installed in the hoistway correspondingly to a door zone on each floor;
a landing door switch for detecting opening and closing of a landing door; and
a car door switch for detecting opening and closing of a car door,
wherein if the safety controller detects, by the car position sensor, the landing door switch, and the car door switch, that the car door or the landing door is opened outside the door zone, the safety controller deactivates the normal operation and activates only the inspection operation.

6. The elevator with the operation switching system according to claim 1, wherein the safety controller has operation mode holding processing for storing two states which are a state of holding a maintenance operation and a state of not holding the maintenance operation and are inverted by switching of the change-over switch,
if a state of the operation mode holding processing and a state of the inspection operation device match the maintenance operation, a maintenance operation manipulation from only one of the plurality of inspection operation devices is permitted,
if the state of the operation mode holding processing and a state of the change-over switch match the normal operation, only the normal operation is permitted,
if the state of the operation mode holding processing and the state of the change-over switch do not match, the maintenance operation is activated, and
a display for displaying the state of the operation mode holding processing is provided.

7. The elevator with the operation switching system according to claim 1, further comprising:
a database which indicates a relationship between a temporal input history of a plurality of safety devices and an estimated position of a maintenance worker; and
maintenance worker estimation processing for outputting a position of the maintenance worker estimated by referring to the input history of the safety devices and the database,
wherein movement of the car is limited by the output of the maintenance worker estimation processing.