Passenger transport devices

Abstract

Disclosed is a passenger transport device configured to transport passengers along a predetermined route, the passenger transport device comprising: a plate conveyor that performs a circular operation on the predetermined route; a handrail that performs a circular operation synchronously with the plate conveyor; a light source that divides the plate conveyor along the predetermined route into first and second types of sections alternating with each other through the light emission pattern of the light source during each circular operation of the plate conveyor, wherein the first type of section is identified by a first light emitted by the light source, and the first light accompanies the plate conveyor as it moves along the predetermined route; and a control module configured to control the light emission pattern of the light source during each circular operation of the plate conveyor.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to passenger transportation devices. Background Art

[0002] In human activities, many viruses and bacteria can be transmitted through contact and cause various diseases. Therefore, maintaining a reasonable social distance can reduce the spread of disease. Currently, when passengers use passenger conveyors, such as escalators or moving walkways, they often subconsciously enter the conveyor directly upon approaching the entrance, without first proactively assessing the passenger load, such as whether the conveyor is crowded or whether passengers are maintaining a sufficient safe distance from each other. Furthermore, passengers about to board a conveyor are unable to determine whether a particular area of ​​the conveyor's handrail has just been touched by a previous passenger, and thus avoid that area to avoid any possible viruses or bacteria left behind by the previous passenger.

[0003] Therefore, there is a need for a passenger conveyor that can remind people to keep a safe distance from each other when riding the passenger conveyor and can relatively reliably ensure that people do not touch the same area on the handrail in succession during several consecutive cycles of operation of the passenger conveyor. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To this end, the present invention proposes a passenger transportation device, which is configured to transport passengers along a predetermined route. According to one embodiment, the passenger transportation device includes: a plate conveyor, which performs a circulation operation on the predetermined route; a handrail, which performs a circulation operation synchronously with the plate conveyor; a light source, which is a device for each circulation operation of the plate conveyor, and divides the plate conveyor along the predetermined route into first and second types of sections alternating with each other through the light emission pattern of the light source, wherein the first type of section is identified by a first light emitted by the light source, and the first light accompanies the plate conveyor along the predetermined route; a control module, which is configured to control the light emission pattern of the light source during each circulation operation of the plate conveyor.

[0005] According to the passenger transport device of this embodiment, the light source, under the control of the control module, provides visual instructions to passengers through its lighting pattern during each cycle of the slat conveyor. For example, it instructs passengers to ride only on the first-category sections of the slat conveyor that are marked with the first type of light, or only on the first-category sections of the slat conveyor that are not marked with the first type of light, thereby instructing passengers to ride the slat conveyor at intervals. In addition, because the control module controls its corresponding lighting pattern during each cycle of the slat conveyor, it is possible to prevent the first type of light from marking the exact same sections of the slat conveyor during several consecutive cycles, thereby preventing passengers riding the passenger transport device from touching the same area of ​​their handrail during consecutive cycles.

[0006] According to some embodiments, the control module is configured to control the length of each first type of segment identified by the first light during each cycle of the slat conveyor.

[0007] According to some embodiments, the control module is further configured to at least partially change the section of the slat conveyor identified by the first light between adjacent cycles of the slat conveyor.

[0008] According to some embodiments, the control module is further configured to at least partially vary the length of the first type of segment of the slat conveyor identified by the first type of light between adjacent cycles of the slat conveyor.

[0009] According to some embodiments, the light source is further configured to emit a second light different from the first light, the second type of segments are identified by the second light, and the second light also accompanies the plate conveyor along the predetermined route.

[0010] According to some embodiments, the control module is configured to control the length of each first-type segment and / or second-type segment identified by the first light and / or the second light during each cycle of the slat conveyor.

[0011] According to some embodiments, the control module is further configured to at least partially change the section of the slat conveyor identified by the first light and / or the second light between adjacent cycles of the slat conveyor.

[0012] According to some embodiments, the control module is further configured to at least partially change the length of the first and / or second type of segments of the slat conveyor identified by the first and / or second light between adjacent cycles of the slat conveyor.

[0013] According to some embodiments, the control module is configured to change the length of only one specific second type segment identified by the second type of light in each of several consecutive cycles of operation of the slat conveyor.

[0014] According to some embodiments, passengers are only allowed to stand on sections of the slat conveyor of the first type that are identified by the first type of light.

[0015] According to certain embodiments, the passenger mover further includes a monitoring module configured to monitor the number of passengers entering the passenger mover and capable of communicating with the control module.

[0016] According to some embodiments, when the monitoring module detects that multiple people arriving together will board the passenger transport device together, the control module is configured to lengthen the length of the first type of section of the plate conveyor identified by the first light and which will carry the multiple people.

[0017] According to some embodiments, when the monitoring module detects a large flow of people, the control module is configured to reduce the length of the second type of section and / or the first type of section of the plate conveyor identified by the second light and / or the first light.

[0018] According to some embodiments, the passenger transportation device further comprises an ultraviolet disinfection device, which is configured to disinfect the handrail belt periodically or as needed.

[0019] According to some embodiments, the control module is further configured to control the on / off and / or intensity of the ultraviolet disinfection device.

[0020] According to some embodiments, the first light is green light and the second light is red light.

[0021] According to some embodiments, the light source includes an LED light strip, and the LED light strip is arranged on the skirt board and / or near the handrail belt so as to extend along the predetermined route.

[0022] According to some embodiments, the light source includes one or more first projectors that emit the first light and one or more second projectors that emit the second light.

[0023] According to some embodiments, the passenger mover further includes a speaker configured to play voice prompts to passengers entering the passenger mover to remind the passengers to stand on the first type of segment identified by the first type of light.

[0024] According to some embodiments, the passenger transportation device further includes a virtual assistance device capable of displaying a virtual humanoid image and / or issuing voice prompts to convey information to passengers visually and / or aurally.

[0025] According to some embodiments, the passenger transport device is an escalator or a moving walkway. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments. It should be understood that the following drawings only illustrate certain embodiments of the present disclosure and should not be considered as limiting the scope. A person of ordinary skill in the art can also derive other relevant drawings based on these drawings without inventive effort. In the drawings:

[0027] Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a passenger transporter according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 2 is a schematic side view of a passenger transporter according to one embodiment of the present invention, showing a section in one cycle of the passenger transporter indicating that a user should stand when riding the passenger transporter;

[0029] Figure 3 is a schematic side view of a passenger transporter according to one embodiment of the present invention, showing a section indicating that a user should stand when riding the passenger transporter in another cycle of the passenger transporter;

[0030] Figure 4 is a schematic front view of a passenger transporter according to one embodiment of the present invention, showing a virtual assist device.

[0031] Reference Signs List

[0032] 11 LED light strips on the skirt

[0033] 12 LED light strips near the handrails

[0034] 20 Plate conveyor

[0035] 21 First category section

[0036] 22 Second category section

[0037] 30 Detection Module

[0038] 40 Control Module

[0039] 70 Handrails DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] Below, a passenger transportation device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. To make the purpose, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model more clear, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present disclosure, but not all of them.

[0041] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present disclosure provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure as claimed, but merely represents selected embodiments of the present disclosure. All other embodiments derived by persons of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present disclosure without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0042] Unless the context otherwise defines, the singular includes the plural. Throughout the specification, the terms "including", "having", etc. are used herein to specify the presence of the features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, parts or their combination, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, parts or their combination.

[0043] In addition, even though terms including ordinal numbers such as "first," "second," etc. may be used to describe various components, these components are not limited by these terms, and these terms are only used to distinguish one element from other elements. For example, a first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, a second component may be referred to as a first component without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0044] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "up", "down", "left", "right", "inside", "outside", etc. indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, or are the orientations or positional relationships in which the disclosed product is conventionally placed when in use, or are the orientations or positional relationships conventionally understood by those skilled in the art. These are merely for the convenience of describing the present disclosure and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on the present disclosure.

[0045] like Figure 1-4 As shown, the passenger transport device is an escalator. However, it should be noted that the passenger transport device may also be an automatic walkway. The passenger transport device is configured to transport passengers along a predetermined route. For example, the passenger transport device may transport passengers obliquely upward, obliquely downward, or horizontally forward. The passenger transport device includes a plate conveyor 20 for passengers to stand on and a handrail 70. The plate conveyor 20 circulates along the predetermined route, and the handrail 70 circulates substantially synchronously with the plate conveyor 20. Figure 1-4In the illustrated embodiment, the slat conveyor 20 forms a plurality of steps for passengers to stand on.

[0046] like Figure 1-3 As shown, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the passenger transport device further includes a light source, which includes, for example, an LED light strip 11 arranged at the skirt board extending along the above-mentioned predetermined route; optionally, the light source may also include an LED light strip 12 arranged near the handrail extending along the above-mentioned predetermined route; further optionally, the light source may be one or more projectors (not shown) capable of emitting light toward the plate conveyor. In addition, the passenger transport device includes a control module 40, which is configured to control the light emission mode of the light source during each cycle operation of the plate conveyor 20. Depending on the specific application, it can be stipulated that when there are passengers riding the passenger transport device, the light source is enabled as described above. When there are no passengers riding the passenger transport device, the light source may not be enabled, or the light source may be allowed to emit only decorative light.

[0047] In one embodiment, the light source is configured to emit a first light, which identifies the spaced-apart sections of the plate conveyor 20 during each cycle of the plate conveyor 20 and accompanies the plate conveyor 20 as it moves along the predetermined route. Thus, the plate conveyor 20 can be divided into the first type of sections 21 and the second type of sections 22 (e.g., sections 21 and 22) alternating with each other along the predetermined route by the first light emitted by the light source. Figure 2-3 As shown), wherein the first type of section 21 is identified by a first light emitted by a light source. The first type of section 21 of the plate conveyor 20 identified by the first light can be regarded as a section that allows passengers to stand. According to a specific embodiment, the control module 40 can be used to control the LED light strips 11 arranged at the skirt along a predetermined route and / or the LED light strips 12 arranged near the handrail to emit a first light to identify the first type of section 21 of the plate conveyor 20 and the second type of section 22 alternating with the first type of section 21. According to another specific embodiment, the control module 40 can be used to control the one or more projectors to project 20 first lights onto the plate conveyor to identify the first type of section of the plate conveyor and the second type of section alternating with the first type of section. For example, Figure 2 and 3 As shown, the solid line segments on which passengers stand correspond to the first type segments 21 identified by the first type of light, and the segments between the solid line segments correspond to the second type of segments 22. During a given cycle of the plate conveyor 20, the first type of light will move together with the first type of segments 21 identified by it. Of course, depending on the actual application, the first type of segments 21 identified by the first type of light may also be segments on which passengers are not allowed to stand, while the second type of segments 22 not identified by the first type of light are segments on which passengers are allowed to stand.

[0048] Thus, according to the passenger transport device of this embodiment, the light source, under the control of the control module 40, provides visual instructions to passengers through its lighting pattern during each cycle of the slat conveyor 20, such as allowing passengers to ride only the first-type sections 21 of the slat conveyor 20 that are identified by the first light or allowing passengers to ride only the second-type sections 22 of the slat conveyor 20 that are not identified by the first light, thereby instructing passengers to ride the slat conveyor 20 at intervals. In addition, because the control module 40 controls the corresponding lighting pattern during each cycle of the slat conveyor 20, it is possible to avoid the first light identifying the exact same section of the slat conveyor 20 during several consecutive cycles, thereby preventing passengers riding the passenger transport device from touching the same area of ​​their handrails 70 during consecutive cycles.

[0049] According to one specific embodiment, the light source is further configured to emit a second light different from the first light. The second section 22 of the slat conveyor 20 is identified by the second light, and the second light also accompanies the slat conveyor 20 as it moves along the predetermined route. According to one specific embodiment, the control module 40 can control the LED light strips 11 arranged on the skirt and / or the LED light strips 12 arranged near the handrail along the predetermined route to emit the first light and the second light. According to another specific embodiment, the control module 40 can control the one or more projectors (not shown) to project the first light and the second light, respectively, onto the slat conveyor 20. More specifically, the first light and the second light have different colors, for example, the first light is red and the second light is green. Alternatively, the first light and the second light have different patterns, for example, the first light is a striped light pattern and the second light is a dotted pattern. Of course, the first light and the second light can also be configured to have different colors and patterns. Other methods for distinguishing the first light from the second light are also possible, and this is merely an illustrative example. In this embodiment, it can be stipulated that passengers are only allowed to stand on the first type of section 21 of the plate conveyor 20 marked by the first light, and are not allowed to stand on the second type of section 22 marked by the second light, so as to instruct passengers to board the passenger transport device in a manner spaced apart from each other; of course, the opposite stipulation is also feasible. In this case, for example, Figure 2 and 3 As shown, the solid line segments on which the passengers stand correspond to the first type of segments 21 identified by the first light, and the segments between the solid line segments correspond to the second type of segments 22 identified by the second light.

[0050] According to some specific embodiments, Figure 2-3In the case where the light source emits only the first type of light, the control module 40 may be configured to control the length of each first type segment 21 identified by the first type of light during each cycle of operation of the slat conveyor 20. For example, the control module 40 may be configured to change the length of one or more of the first type segments 21 identified by the first type of light during adjacent cycles of operation of the slat conveyor 20. The control module 40 may also be configured to at least partially change the segments identified by the first type of light during adjacent cycles of operation of the slat conveyor 20.

[0051] For example, if the passenger conveyor 20 is an escalator, the passenger conveyor 20 includes a plurality of steps. Assuming that the steps are sequentially labeled as step a, step b, step c, step d, ..., step h (not shown), the control module 40 can be used to control the light source to emit the following light pattern during a first cycle of operation of the slat conveyor 20: step a, step b; step e, step f; i.e., steps ab and ef are first-category sections; while steps c, step d, step g, and step h are not identified by the first light pattern, i.e., steps cd and step gh are second-category sections. Subsequently, during a second cycle of operation of the slat conveyor 20, the control module 40 can control the light source to emit the following light pattern to identify steps cd and gh; i.e., steps cd and gh are first-category sections; while steps ab and step ef are not identified by the first light pattern, i.e., steps ab and step ef are second-category sections. That is, between the first and second cycles of the plate conveyor 20, the section marked by the first light is changed; thereafter, during the third cycle of the plate conveyor 20, the control module 40 can be used to control the light source to emit the first light to mark step bd and step gh, while step ef and step a are not marked by the first light. It can be seen that the section marked by one light and its length are partially changed at this time. Of course, the examples listed here are only for illustrative purposes and are not restrictive. The controller can realize multiple lighting modes of the light source as needed, and the multiple lighting modes are changed between several cycles of the plate conveyor to stagger the steps or sections where passengers stand between adjacent cycles as much as possible, thereby avoiding passengers riding the passenger transportation device from touching the same area of ​​the handrail 70 during consecutive cycles.

[0052] According to some specific embodiments, Figure 2-3When the light source is controlled to emit the first light and the second light, the control module 40 can be configured to control the length of each first-category segment 21 and / or second-category segment 22 identified by the first light and / or the second light during each cycle of the slat conveyor 20. For example, the control module 40 can be configured to change the length of the first-category segment 21 and / or the second-category segment 22 identified by the first light and / or the second light during adjacent cycles of the slat conveyor 20. The control module 40 can also be configured to at least partially change the segment of the slat conveyor identified by the first light and / or the second light during adjacent cycles of the slat conveyor 20. This can also be understood with reference to the above-mentioned specific examples.

[0053] In a specific embodiment, in a case where passengers are only allowed to stand on the first type section 21 of the plate conveyor 20 identified by the first light, there may be a specific second type section. During several continuous cycles of the plate conveyor 20, the length of the specific second type section can be changed only by the controller, and all the first type sections 21 and other second type sections 22 are staggered along the plate conveyor 20 with their original lengths according to the change in the length of the specific second section. In this way, the corresponding sections identified by the first light and the second light can be changed, thereby avoiding as much as possible that passengers riding the passenger transportation device touch the same area of ​​the handrail 70 during continuous cycles.

[0054] It should be noted that the control of the control module can be performed randomly during each cycle operation, or can be performed based on certain logic, rules and algorithms, for example, at least based on the length or number of steps and speed of the plate conveyor, so as to more accurately control the distribution of the first type of segments and the second type of segments during each cycle operation.

[0055] According to some embodiments, Figure 1 As shown, the passenger transport device further includes a monitoring module 30, which can be configured to monitor the number of passengers entering the passenger transport device and can communicate with the control module 40. The monitoring module 30 includes, for example, a camera. According to a specific embodiment, when the monitoring module 30 detects, for example, through a camera, that multiple people arriving together will ride the passenger transport device together, such as a family, the control module 40 can be configured to, in this case, extend the length of the first type section 21 of the plate conveyor 20 that is identified by the first light and will carry these multiple people, so as to allow multiple people arriving together (such as a family) to ride together on the same first type section 21 of the plate conveyor 20. This is particularly useful when there are elderly people or children who need to be cared for.

[0056] In addition, it can also be stipulated that when the monitoring module 30 detects that the flow of people riding the passenger transport device is large, the control module 40 is configured to reduce the length of the second type section 22 and / or the first type section 21 of the plate conveyor 20 identified by the second light and / or the first light, that is, in this case, the distance between the passengers on the plate conveyor 20 can be appropriately reduced to increase the carrying capacity of the passenger transport device, which is also conducive to evacuating dense crowds as soon as possible.

[0057] According to some embodiments, the passenger transport device further includes an ultraviolet disinfection device (not shown) configured to disinfect the handrail 70 on a scheduled basis or as needed. For example, the ultraviolet disinfection device can complete a single disinfection of the handrail 70 during several cycles of operation of the slat conveyor 20. In this case, the control module 40 is controlled to stagger the distribution of the first type of segments 21 and / or the second type of segments 22 on the slat conveyor 20, particularly between these cycles. In a more specific embodiment, the control module 40 is further configured to control the on / off and / or intensity of the ultraviolet disinfection device.

[0058] According to some embodiments, for example Figure 1 As shown, the passenger transport device may further include one or more speakers 50, one of which may be provided at the entrance of the passenger transport device. It should be noted that since the forward direction of the passenger transport device may be changed, speakers 50 may be provided at both ends, such as Figure 1 The speaker 50 is configured to play a voice prompt to passengers entering the passenger transportation device, reminding the passengers to stand on the first type of section 21 identified by the first type of light. Furthermore, when the monitoring device detects a passenger violating the rules, the speaker can also play a voice prompt to remind the passenger violating the rules to stand on the first type of section 21.

[0059] In addition, for example Figure 4 As shown, according to some embodiments, a passenger transportation device may further include a virtual assistant device 60, which may be located, for example, at the entrance of the passenger transportation device. The virtual assistant device 60 may be capable of displaying virtual humanoid images, including but not limited to images of adults, children, cartoon characters, etc., and / or may be capable of emitting voice prompts to convey information to passengers visually and / or aurally. Alternatively, the virtual assistant device may only display a virtual humanoid image to convey information visually to passengers, while simultaneously cooperating with the speaker 50 to deliver aural information, such as a welcome message to passengers entering the passenger transportation device or a reminder to stand on the first-type section 21 rather than the second-type section 22.

[0060] The exemplary implementation of the passenger transportation device proposed in the present invention is described in detail above with reference to the preferred embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will understand that, without departing from the concept of the present invention, various variations and modifications can be made to the above-mentioned specific embodiments, and various technical features and structures proposed in the present invention can be combined in various ways without exceeding the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0061] The scope of the present disclosure is not limited by the above-described embodiments but by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A passenger transporter configured to transport passengers along a predetermined route, the passenger transporter comprising: a plate conveyor, which performs a circular operation on the predetermined route; A handrail belt circulates synchronously with the plate conveyor; a light source, wherein during each cycle of the slat conveyor, the slat conveyor is divided into first-type segments and second-type segments alternating with each other along the predetermined route by a light emission pattern of the light source, wherein the first-type segments are identified by a first light emitted by the light source, and the first light accompanies the slat conveyor as it moves along the predetermined route; a control module configured to control a lighting pattern of the light source during each cycle of the slat conveyor, wherein the control module is configured to at least partially change the section of the slat conveyor identified by the first light between adjacent cycles of the slat conveyor; The lighting pattern is changed between several cycles of the plate conveyor to stagger sections where passengers stand between adjacent cycles.

2. The passenger transport device according to claim 1, wherein: The control module is configured to control the length of each first type of segment identified by the first light during each cycle of the slat conveyor.

3. The passenger transport device according to claim 2, wherein: The control module is further configured to at least partially vary the length of the first type of segment of the slat conveyor identified by the first type of light between adjacent cycles of the slat conveyor.

4. The passenger transport device of claim 1, wherein: The light source is further configured to emit a second light different from the first light, the second type of segments are identified by the second light, and the second light also accompanies the plate conveyor as it moves along the predetermined route.

5. The passenger transport device according to claim 4, wherein: The control module is configured to control the length of each first type of segment identified by the first type of light and / or the length of each second type of segment identified by the second type of light during each cycle of the slat conveyor.

6. The passenger transport device of claim 4, wherein: The control module is further configured to at least partially change the section of the slat conveyor identified by the first light and / or the second light between adjacent cycles of the slat conveyor.

7. The passenger transport device of claim 5, wherein: The control module is further configured to at least partially change the length of the first type of segment of the slat conveyor identified by the first light and / or the length of the second type of segment identified by the second light between adjacent cycles of the slat conveyor.

8. The passenger transport device of claim 7, wherein: The control module is configured to change the length of only one specific second type segment identified by the second type of light in each of several consecutive cycles of operation of the slat conveyor.

9. The passenger transport device according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein: Passengers are only allowed to stand on the first type of sections of the slat conveyor that are marked by the first type of light.

10. The passenger transport device of claim 9, wherein: The passenger mover also includes a monitoring module configured to monitor the number of passengers entering the passenger mover and capable of communicating with the control module.

11. The passenger transport device of claim 10, wherein: When the monitoring module detects that a plurality of people arriving together will board the passenger transport device together, the control module is configured to lengthen the length of the first type of section of the plate conveyor identified by the first light and intended to carry the plurality of people.

12. The passenger transporter of claim 10, wherein: When the monitoring module detects a large flow of people, the control module is configured to reduce the length of the second type of section of the plate conveyor identified by the second type of light and / or the length of the first type of section identified by the first type of light.

13. The passenger transporter of claim 9, wherein: The passenger transportation device further comprises an ultraviolet disinfection device, which is configured to disinfect the handrail at regular intervals or as needed.

14. The passenger transporter of claim 13, wherein: The control module is further configured to control the opening, closing and / or intensity of the ultraviolet disinfection device.

15. The passenger transporter of claim 9, wherein: The first light is green light, and the second light is red light.

16. The passenger transporter of claim 15, wherein: The light source includes an LED light strip, and the LED light strip is extended along the predetermined route and is arranged at the skirt board and / or near the handrail.

17. The passenger transporter of claim 15, wherein: The light source includes one or more first projectors that emit the first light and one or more second projectors that emit the second light.

18. The passenger transporter of claim 9, wherein: The passenger mover further includes a speaker configured to play voice prompts to passengers entering the passenger mover to remind the passengers to stand on the first type of segment identified by the first type of light.

19. The passenger transporter of claim 9, wherein: The passenger transportation device further includes a virtual assistance device capable of displaying a virtual humanoid image and / or issuing voice prompts to convey information to passengers visually and / or aurally.

20. The passenger transporter of claim 9, wherein: The passenger transport device is an escalator or a moving walkway.

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