Escalator pedestrian detection device

Abstract

To detect when passengers walk on an escalator and issue a warning without introducing any hardware equipment. [Solution] The drive current of the motor that drives the escalator steps is detected, the detected current value is recorded, the slope of the torque fluctuation is calculated from the change in motor current per unit time and compared with a standard value, and if the comparison shows that the slope of the torque fluctuation exceeds the standard value, a warning is issued indicating that a user is walking on the escalator steps.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a pedestrian detection device and a pedestrian detection method for an escalator. [Background technology]

[0002] Although walking on escalators is usually prohibited, passengers in a hurry continue to walk on them, which is a problem. Also, when passengers board an escalator, instead of boarding in two rows, it is customary to leave one row on either side open for passengers in a hurry, which results in encouraging walking.

[0003] Previously, it has been proposed to use cameras to detect passengers walking on escalators and issue warnings, but the cost of installing and maintaining the cameras has been a drawback, and this method has not yet become widespread. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-256010 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-160884 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] As mentioned above, in the conventional example of installing cameras to detect walking and issue warnings, it is necessary to install cameras in each unit and analyze the camera images to determine whether walking has occurred, which increases equipment costs.

[0006] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to provide a pedestrian detection device and a pedestrian detection method for an escalator that detects when a passenger is walking on an escalator and issues a warning without introducing any hardware equipment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An embodiment for achieving the above object is an escalator pedestrian detection device comprising: a motor current detection unit that detects the drive current of a motor that drives the escalator steps; a standard value setting unit that sets a standard value for the drive current; a state analysis unit that records the current value detected by the motor current detection unit, calculates a slope value of torque fluctuation from the amount of change in motor current per unit time, and compares it with the standard value; and an alert unit that issues an alert if, as a result of the comparison, the slope value of torque fluctuation exceeds the standard value, indicating that a user is walking on the escalator steps. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 4 is a waveform diagram illustrating the operation of the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a waveform diagram illustrating the setting of standard values. [Figure 4] 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] First Embodiment Configuration of the First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the first embodiment.

[0010] In the figure, a three-phase power supply 1 supplies three-phase AC voltage to a power converter (inverter) 2, which converts the three-phase AC voltage into three-phase AC of the desired voltage and frequency to control the drive of a drive motor 3. The drive motor 3 is connected to drive wheels 4, which drive the steps (not shown) of the escalator to transport users on the steps.

[0011] The output current of the power converter 2 supplied to the drive motor 3 is detected by a current detector 10 and output to a pedestrian detection device 20A.

[0012] The pedestrian detection device 20A includes a motor current detection unit 21, a state analysis unit 22, a standard value setting unit 23, a warning unit 24, and a learning unit 25.

[0013] The motor current detection unit 21 receives the current detection value of the drive motor detected by the current detector 10 .

[0014] The state analysis unit 22 calculates the gradient of the torque fluctuation from the amount of change in the motor current per unit time and compares it with a standard value.

[0015] The standard value setting unit 23 sets a standard value for the amount of torque fluctuation based on the drive current of the motor that drives the steps of the escalator.

[0016] If the slope value of the torque fluctuation (torque fluctuation speed) exceeds the standard value, the warning unit 24 outputs a warning signal to the speaker 31, buzzer 32, and display panel 33, indicating that a user is walking on the escalator steps.

[0017] The learning unit 25 records past data for the same time period and the same day of the week, and by combining these past data, calculates the standard value S std This is useful for predicting timing when a judgment process is required, such as when a train is arriving and there is a high probability that a user will be walking.

[0018] 《Operation overview》 Figure 2(a) shows the waveform of the current control pattern (up operation) when, for example, all 30 users are standing on the steps of an escalator. This waveform is taken as the standard value S std Let's say.

[0019] Figure 2(b) shows the current control pattern when 20 of the 30 users stop and use the vehicle, and 10 start walking along the way. The dashed-dotted line indicates the maximum torque fluctuation when only stationary users are loaded. When this maximum value is exceeded, the presence of a pedestrian is detected.

[0020] The torque (motor current) of the escalator drive motor 3 is sampled at Δt, and the torque fluctuation speed S cal (ΔN / Δt: torque fluctuation per unit time) is calculated. cal is the standard value S std If the torque fluctuation is greater than or equal to Δt2 and Δt5 (when only stationary users are present), the system detects the presence of a walking user and issues a warning. This corresponds to Δt2 and Δt5 in Figure 2(b).

[0021] When ΔN<standard value, it is determined that there is no user walking. This is detected at Δt2 and Δt5 above.

[0022] If ΔN≧standard value, it is determined that there is a walking user.

[0023] <<Setting the standard value>> Using Figure 3, the torque pattern and standard value S for standing users only std The calculation procedure is shown below.

[0024] Measure the actual data when the average weight of the user is set to 60 kg in advance, and set the standard value S as follows: std get.

[0025] In Figure 3, S shown in pattern A stda This is a pattern where users board only on the left side, leaving one step open, and indicates a general pattern without pedestrian use.

[0026] S shown in pattern B stdb This is the pattern when users are riding on both the left and right sides, with one step between them, and shows the maximum load pattern without walking. This is the maximum torque when only standing users are loaded.

[0027] Then, as shown by the hatching in FIG. 3, the average torque fluctuation speed from no load to the section where all users have boarded the stairs is set as the standard value S std and set.

[0028] 《Processing Procedure of the First Embodiment》 Based on the flowchart of FIG. 4, the processing procedure of the first embodiment will be described.

[0029] During the driving of the escalator (S1 YES), the motor current detection unit 21 samples and detects the current amount of the drive motor 3 in Δt time (S2). Based on the sampled motor current, the torque fluctuation speed Scal is calculated according to the following formula (1) (S3).

[0030] (Scal = ΔN / Δt)…(1) Next, the obtained torque fluctuation speed Scal is compared with its standard value Sstd (S4).

[0031] If Scal ≥ Sstd (S4 YES), it is determined that there are pedestrians (S5). If Scal < Sstd (S4 NO), the process of sampling and detecting the current amount of the drive motor 3 in Δt time is continued.

[0032] When it is determined that there are pedestrians, the caution prompting unit 24 may emit a voice "Please stop walking." from the speaker 31 and sound the buzzer 32. A caution message is displayed on the display panel 33 (S6).

[0033] Thus, according to the first embodiment, without introducing hardware devices, it is possible to detect that escalator passengers use it while walking and issue a caution. In addition, for existing escalators, the above functions of the first embodiment can be realized by retrofitting the current detector 10 and the pedestrian detection device 20A.

[0034] <Modification Example> S which is the torque Max. at the time of loading only standing users stdbIf the threshold value exceeds this threshold, it may be detected that a pedestrian is present.

[0035] Alternatively, sampling may be started only when torque fluctuations start from an unladen state.

[0036] For a normal load on the steps (maximum of two people per step), if a torque fluctuation occurs that is greater than the standard fluctuation (loading for n x 2 people) for n step strokes, it may be determined that a walking user is present.

[0037] Second Embodiment 5 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the second embodiment. Note that since the device configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description will be given with reference to FIG.

[0038] The second embodiment is characterized in that the state analysis unit 22 sets an attention level according to the amount of change in motor torque per unit time, and the attention unit 24 issues a step-by-step attention based on the attention level. In this case, the attention unit 24 has a function of changing the content and volume of the announcement. For example, the announcement is usually changed from "Please hold on to the handrail and stop before riding" to "It's dangerous! Please stop before riding" and the volume of the announcement is changed to issue a step-by-step attention.

[0039] Specifically, in Fig. 5, the processing of steps S1 to S6 is the same as in Fig. 4. When issuing a warning, the level is determined as one of three levels: level 1, level 2, and level 3 (S11). Level 1 is a weak warning (S12), level 2 is a medium warning (S13), and level 3 is a strong warning (S12).

[0040] Specifically, the torque fluctuation speed S calculated during actual operation cal But, S stda cal stdb If so, the volume of the announcement voice is changed to warn passengers "please stop and get on" (S12). ​​On the other hand, level 2 processing is S stdb cal If so, the message is changed to a warning announcement. For example, a voice message saying "Running uphill or downhill is dangerous" is output to call attention. The display on the display panel 33 is changed, and an indicator is made to flash, etc., to call attention (S13).

[0041] Furthermore, in level 3 processing, S stdb <S cal If so, an alarm is output and the buzzer 32 sounds (S14). In some cases, the speed may be reduced to bring the steps to a slow stop.

[0042] After a certain period of time from the above detection, the torque fluctuation speed S cal is the standard value S std When it drops to , the announcement returns to normal.

[0043] As described above, according to the second embodiment, the level of the warning is set in stages, so that users can be further discouraged from walking and can use the escalator with peace of mind.

[0044] <Third embodiment> As shown in FIG. 6, the third embodiment includes a rotation speed detector 40 for detecting the rotation speed of the drive motor 3 in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment.

[0045] There is a proportional relationship between the drive current and motor torque of the motor 3, but there is an inverse proportional relationship between the rotation speed and motor torque of the motor 3.

[0046] ​In the third embodiment, rotation speed detector 40 outputs the rotation speed detection value (motor rotation speed) of drive motor 3 to motor rotation speed detection unit 26 of pedestrian detection device 20B. State analysis unit 22 of pedestrian detection device 20B records the current value detected by motor current detection unit 21 and calculates the amount of change in motor torque per unit time from the amount of change in motor current per unit time. By comparing the calculated amount of change in motor torque with a standard amount of change in motor torque corresponding to the moving speed of the escalator steps, which is obtained from the rotation speed of motor 3, walking use of the escalator by a user is detected.

[0047] As described above, according to the third embodiment, the walking of a user is detected by taking into consideration the standard motor torque change amount corresponding to the moving speed of the escalator steps, which is obtained from the rotation speed of the motor 3, thereby enabling highly accurate walking detection.

[0048] <Modification> In addition to the configurations of the first to third embodiments, a camera may be optionally installed to register images taken at the time of detection, thereby making it possible to register frequent pedestrians.

[0049] Furthermore, torque fluctuations in response to the actual number of passengers standing still may be recorded as standard data, and a warning may be issued when torque deviates from the standard data. This allows for more accurate detection.

[0050] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 1... Three-phase power supply, 2... Power conversion device (inverter), 3... Drive motor, 4... Drive wheel, 10... Current detector, 20A, 20B... Pedestrian detection device, 21... Motor current detection unit, 22... State analysis unit, 23... Standard value setting unit, 24... Warning unit, 25... Learning unit, 26... Motor rotation speed detection unit, 31... Speaker, 32... Buzzer, 33... Display panel, 40... Rotation speed detector

Claims

1. a motor current detection unit that detects a drive current of a motor that drives the steps of the escalator; a standard value setting unit that sets a standard value of the torque fluctuation amount based on the drive current; a state analysis unit that records the current value detected by the motor current detection unit, calculates a slope value of torque fluctuation from the amount of change in motor current per unit time, and compares the slope value with the standard value; and a warning unit that warns a user walking on the steps of the escalator when the comparison result shows that the slope value of the torque fluctuation exceeds the standard value, The state analysis unit starts sampling only when torque fluctuations start from an unloaded state, and calculates the amount of change in motor torque.

2. a motor current detection unit that detects a drive current of a motor that drives the steps of the escalator; a standard value setting unit that sets a standard value of the torque fluctuation amount based on the drive current; a state analysis unit that records the current value detected by the motor current detection unit, calculates a slope value of torque fluctuation from the amount of change in motor current per unit time, and compares the slope value with the standard value; an alert unit that issues an alert to a user walking on the steps of the escalator when the comparison result indicates that the slope value of the torque fluctuation exceeds the standard value; a learning unit that learns and updates the standard value by superimposing past data obtained under the same conditions.

3. a motor current detection unit that detects a drive current of a motor that drives the steps of the escalator; a motor rotation speed detection unit that detects the rotation speed of the motor; a standard value setting unit that sets a standard value of the torque fluctuation amount based on the drive current; a state analysis unit that detects whether an escalator user is walking on the escalator by recording the current value detected by the motor current detection unit, calculating a change in motor torque per unit time from the change in motor current per unit time, and comparing the calculated change in motor torque with a standard change in motor torque corresponding to the moving speed of the escalator steps, which is obtained from the rotation speed of the motor; and and an alert unit that issues an alert to a user walking on the escalator steps if the comparison result shows that the slope value of the torque fluctuation exceeds the standard value.

4. 4. The pedestrian detection device for an escalator according to claim 3, wherein the state analysis unit starts sampling only when torque fluctuations start from an unloaded state, and calculates the amount of change in motor torque.

5. 4. The escalator pedestrian detection device according to claim 3, further comprising a learning unit that learns and updates the standard value by superimposing past data obtained under the same conditions.

6. 4. The escalator pedestrian detection device according to claim 1, wherein the standard value is the torque fluctuation amount when all users are standing still.

7. the state analysis unit sets a warning level according to a change in motor torque per unit time; 4. The escalator pedestrian detection device according to claim 1, wherein the warning unit issues warnings in stages based on the warning levels.

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