Passenger conveyor equipment stairway operation monitoring device

Abstract

The present invention discloses a device for monitoring the operation of an elevator path of a passenger conveyor, comprising: a radar device, arranged below a step or a pedal at a comb plate of the passenger conveyor, the radar device transmitting and receiving wave signals, scanning the connection between adjacent steps or pedals, calculating a preset parameter, and sending the calculated value of the preset parameter to a control device; a control device storing a threshold value of the preset parameter, receiving the calculated value of the preset parameter, comparing the calculated value with the threshold value, and outputting an alarm message when the calculated value exceeds the threshold value. The present invention compares the actual measured calculated value of the preset parameter with the threshold value, and if a pre-diagnosis indicates an abnormality, further measures such as an alarm and elevator shutdown are taken to avoid the occurrence of potential safety hazards.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of passenger conveying equipment, and in particular relates to a stairway operation monitoring device for passenger conveying equipment. Background Art

[0002] With the rapid development of science and technology and the vigorous advancement of modernization, passenger transport equipment such as escalators and moving walkways has become an indispensable part of people's daily lives and is widely used in crowded places such as shopping malls and subways. While these passenger transport equipment brings great convenience to people, they also pose many safety risks, such as the potential for collision between steps or pedals and the comb plates at entrances and exits.

[0003] Currently, mechanical comb plate safety devices are commonly used to address safety issues caused by collisions between steps or pallets and comb plates at the entrances and exits of passenger conveying equipment such as escalators and moving walkways. These devices activate the comb plate safety switch only when a step or pallet hits the comb plate, causing the escalator or moving walkway to stop. However, by this point, the impact has already caused the steps, pallets, and comb plates to deform or become severely damaged, posing a threat to passenger safety.

[0004] In patent document CN201710478005.9, a displacement sensor is set under the comb plate to detect the displacement between the comb plate and the steps or pedals that continuously enter the meshing area. When the displacement exceeds a certain threshold, the control system is triggered. The disadvantage is that because the displacement sensor is set under the comb plate in the meshing area, the prerequisite for effectively detecting the displacement is that the steps or pedals must first be able to smoothly engage the area. In fact, collisions caused by foreign objects getting stuck, misaligned teeth, or abnormal lifting of steps and pedals often occur at the moment when the steps or pedals and the comb plate begin to mesh.

[0005] In patent document CN202010724450.0, a light range sensor is set inside the truss to receive external light that shines into the truss from the gap between the two steps, and the gap value is detected to predict the risks of different levels. In theory, the step gap value can be detected more accurately by the light range sensor, but in fact, the light is easily affected by factors such as the external environment. For example, when a passenger's feet or luggage are on two steps at the same time, part of the step gap will inevitably be blocked. At this time, the light range sensor may detect abnormal conditions such as foreign objects being stuck, so the accuracy cannot be guaranteed. At the same time, although the detected gap value can reflect the abnormal stretching of the chain to a certain extent, it is difficult to be effective for the collision problem between the steps or pedals and the comb plate caused by foreign objects being stuck, misaligned teeth or abnormal lifting.

[0006] Therefore, it is urgent to develop a monitoring device that can monitor the operation process of passenger conveying equipment such as escalators and moving walkways in real time to ensure safe operation. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides a stairway operation monitoring device for passenger conveying equipment, comprising:

[0008] A radar device is installed below the steps or pedals at the comb plate of the passenger conveyor, the radar device transmits and receives wave signals, scans the connection between adjacent steps or pedals, calculates preset parameters, and sends the calculated values ​​of the preset parameters to the control device;

[0009] a control device storing a threshold value of a preset parameter, receiving a calculated value of the preset parameter, comparing the calculated value with the threshold value, and outputting an alarm message when the calculated value exceeds the threshold value;

[0010] Preferably, the preset parameters include at least one or more of the following: the first preset parameter is the front-to-rear gap between the leading edge and the trailing edge of adjacent steps or pedals, gap X1 and gap X2, and gap X1 and gap X2 are separated by a preset distance; the second preset parameter is the absolute value of the difference between gap X1 and gap X2; the third preset parameter is the absolute value of the difference between gap Y1 and gap Y2; gap Y1 and gap Y2 are the left and right gaps between the leading edge and the trailing edge of adjacent steps or pedals, and gap Y1 and gap Y2 are separated by a preset distance; the fourth preset parameter is the absolute value of the difference between the distance Z1 of the lower surface of the step or pedal from the preset reference point and the reference value Z0; the fifth preset parameter is any gap between adjacent steps or pedals.

[0011] Preferably, the threshold value of the first preset parameter is 6 mm. When the gap X1 or the gap X2 is greater than 6 mm, the control device outputs a first alarm message.

[0012] Preferably, the threshold of the second preset parameter is W, and when |X1-X2| is greater than W, the control device outputs a second alarm message.

[0013] Preferably, the value range of W is 1 mm to 2 mm.

[0014] Preferably, the threshold value of the third preset parameter is M. When |Y1-Y2| is greater than M, the control device outputs a third alarm message.

[0015] Preferably, the value range of M is 0.5 mm to 1 mm.

[0016] Preferably, the threshold value of the fourth preset parameter is 4 mm, and when |Z1-Z0| is greater than 4 mm, the control device outputs a fourth alarm message.

[0017] Preferably, the threshold value of the fifth preset parameter is zero, and when any gap between adjacent steps or pedals is zero, the control device outputs a fifth alarm message.

[0018] Preferably, the radar device is a millimeter wave radar or a laser radar.

[0019] Preferably, when the control device outputs the alarm information, the control device also outputs a signal for the passenger conveyor equipment to stop operating.

[0020] Compared to existing technologies, this invention compares the actual measured values ​​of the preset parameters with threshold values. This allows for pre-diagnosis of the stairway system's operating status before the steps or pallets engage with the comb plates. This includes detecting abnormal lifting or sinking of steps or pallets, foreign objects trapped between steps or pallets, abnormal gaps between steps or pallets, or misaligned teeth. If the pre-diagnosis indicates an abnormality, further measures such as alarms and elevator shutdowns can be taken to prevent potential safety hazards. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of a stairway operation monitoring device for passenger conveying equipment according to the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of each preset parameter;

[0023] Figures 3 to 7 A schematic diagram of the step or pedal gap for outputting each alarm information. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] In order to make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more obvious and easy to understand, the structure and working process of the ladder operation monitoring device are further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] like Figure 1 As shown, the present invention provides a stairway operation monitoring device for passenger conveying equipment, comprising:

[0026] A radar device is installed below the steps or pedals at the comb plate of the passenger conveyor, the radar device transmits and receives wave signals, scans the connection between adjacent steps or pedals, calculates preset parameters, and sends the calculated values ​​of the preset parameters to the control device;

[0027] a control device storing a threshold value of a preset parameter, receiving a calculated value of the preset parameter, comparing the calculated value with the threshold value, and outputting an alarm message when the calculated value exceeds the threshold value;

[0028] The radar device is installed within the stairway system below the steps or pallets at the comb plate, and in the vicinity of the step or pallet before it enters the meshing area with the comb plate. The radar device is communicatively connected to the control device of passenger conveying equipment such as escalators and moving walkways. The control device can also be connected to a fault alarm device and the braking system of the passenger conveying equipment.

[0029] Radar devices can be millimeter-wave radars or lidars. For example, millimeter-wave radars use high-frequency circuits to generate electromagnetic waves at a specific modulation frequency. These waves are transmitted and received via antennas, and various parameters of the targets are calculated based on the parameters of the transmitted and received electromagnetic waves. This allows for simultaneous range, velocity, and azimuth measurements of multiple targets.

[0030] In the present invention, a radar device can be used to acquire a real-time model of the actual meshing clearance between adjacent steps or treads. Because the detection area is located before a step or tread enters the meshing area with the comb plate, the acquired actual meshing clearance model between adjacent steps or treads can be used to diagnose and monitor abnormal stairway operation in real time. This prevents abnormal meshing between steps or treads from entering the meshing area with the comb plate, thereby avoiding potential safety hazards such as collisions between the steps or treads and the comb plate.

[0031] like Figure 2 As shown, in the elevator operation monitoring device of the passenger conveyor equipment, the preset parameters include at least one or more of the following:

[0032] The first preset parameter is the front-to-back gap between the leading and trailing edges of adjacent steps or pedals, gap X1 and gap X2, and gap X1 and gap X2 are separated by a preset distance; the second preset parameter is the absolute value of the difference between gap X1 and gap X2; the third preset parameter is the absolute value of the difference between gap Y1 and gap Y2; gap Y1 and gap Y2 are the left and right gaps between the leading and trailing edges of adjacent steps or pedals, and gap Y1 and gap Y2 are separated by a preset distance; the fourth preset parameter is the absolute value of the difference between the distance Z1 from the lower surface of the step or pedal to the preset reference point and the reference value Z0; the fifth preset parameter is any gap between adjacent steps or pedals.

[0033] The following further describes each preset parameter, its corresponding threshold value and alarm information.

[0034] The threshold value of the first preset parameter is 6mm. When the gap X1 or gap X2 is greater than 6mm, the control device outputs a first alarm message. If the actual meshing gap of the step or pedal measured by the ladder operation monitoring device is as Figure 3As shown, it can be determined that the chain on that side of the ladder is severely stretched, and there is a hidden danger of collision between the steps or pedals and the comb plate. An alarm is issued, the elevator is stopped, and the maintenance personnel are prompted to adjust the chain tension as soon as possible.

[0035] The threshold value of the second preset parameter is W. When |X1-X2| is greater than W, the control device outputs a second alarm message. The value range of W is 1mm to 2mm. If the actual meshing clearance of the step or pedal measured by the ladder operation monitoring device is as follows: Figure 4 As shown, it is trumpet-shaped, that is, |X1-X2| exceeds the threshold value of the theoretical meshing model W. It can be judged that the chain stretching difference on the left and right sides of the ladder is large, and there is a hidden danger of collision between the steps or pedals and the comb plate. An alarm is issued and the maintenance personnel are prompted to adjust the tension of the chains on the left and right sides as soon as possible.

[0036] The threshold value of the third preset parameter is M. When |Y1-Y2| is greater than M, the control device outputs a third alarm message. The value range of M is 0.5mm to 1mm. If the actual meshing clearance of the step or pedal measured by the ladder operation monitoring device is as follows: Figure 5 As shown, that is, |Y1-Y2| exceeds the threshold value of the theoretical meshing model W, it can be judged that the third fault signal of serious tooth misalignment in the ladder path exists, and there is also a hidden danger of collision between the steps or pedals and the comb plate. An alarm is issued and the maintenance personnel are prompted to adjust the ladder path as soon as possible to eliminate the tooth misalignment phenomenon.

[0037] The threshold value of the fourth preset parameter is 4mm. When |Z1-Z0| is greater than 4mm, the control device outputs the fourth alarm information. Figure 6 As shown,

[0038] If |Z1-Z0|>4mm, it can be determined that there is an abnormal lifting or sinking of adjacent steps or pedals, which can easily cause the steps or pedals to collide with the comb plate. An alarm will be issued, the elevator will be stopped, and maintenance personnel will be prompted to immediately find the cause of the abnormal lifting or sinking.

[0039] The threshold value of the fifth preset parameter is zero. When any gap between adjacent steps or pedals is zero, the control device outputs the fifth alarm information. Figure 7 As shown, if there is a shaded area in the gap between the steps or pedals and any gap is zero, it can be determined that there is a foreign object stuck in the gap between adjacent steps or pedals, which can easily cause the steps or pedals to collide with the comb plate, and an alarm will be issued, the elevator will be stopped, and maintenance personnel will be prompted to immediately remove the stuck foreign object.

[0040] In addition, when the control device outputs the alarm information, the control device also outputs a signal to stop the operation of the passenger conveyor equipment, so that the passenger conveyor equipment stops operating.

[0041] By comparing the actual measured values ​​of the above preset parameters with the thresholds, the system can pre-diagnose the operating status of the stairway system before the steps or pallets engage with the comb plates. This includes abnormal lifting or sinking of steps or pallets, foreign objects stuck between steps or pallets, abnormal gaps between steps or pallets, or misaligned teeth. If the pre-diagnosis indicates an abnormality, further measures such as alarms and elevator shutdowns are taken to avoid potential safety hazards.

[0042] The above-described embodiments merely illustrate several implementations of the present invention. While the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. It should be noted that a person skilled in the art would be able to make numerous variations and improvements without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and all such variations and improvements fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A device for monitoring the operation of a stairway of a passenger conveying equipment, characterized in that: include: A radar device is installed below the steps or pedals at the comb plate of the passenger conveyor, the radar device transmits and receives wave signals, scans the connection between adjacent steps or pedals, calculates preset parameters, and sends the calculated values ​​of the preset parameters to the control device; a control device storing a threshold value of a preset parameter, receiving a calculated value of the preset parameter, comparing the calculated value with the threshold value, and outputting an alarm message when the calculated value exceeds the threshold value; The preset parameters include at least one or more of the following: The first preset parameter is the front-to-back gap between the leading edge and the trailing edge of adjacent steps or treads. The gap X1 and the gap X2 are both the front-to-back gaps between the leading edge and the trailing edge of adjacent steps or treads. The gaps X1 and X2 are separated by a preset distance in the left-right direction of the steps or treads. The second preset parameter is the absolute value of the difference between the gap X1 and the gap X2; The third preset parameter is the absolute value of the difference between gap Y1 and gap Y2; gap Y1 and gap Y2 are the left and right gaps between the leading and trailing edges of adjacent steps or pedals, and gap Y1 and gap Y2 are separated by a preset distance in the left and right directions of the steps or pedals.

2. The elevator operation monitoring device for passenger conveyor equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The threshold value of the first preset parameter is 6 mm. When the gap X1 or the gap X2 is greater than 6 mm, the control device outputs a first alarm message.

3. The elevator operation monitoring device for passenger conveyor equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that: The threshold of the second preset parameter is W. When |X1-X2| is greater than W, the control device outputs a second alarm message.

4. The device for monitoring the operation of a stairway of a passenger conveyor according to claim 3, wherein: The value range of W is 1mm~2mm.

5. The elevator operation monitoring device for passenger conveyor equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that: The threshold value of the third preset parameter is M. When |Y1-Y2| is greater than M, the control device outputs a third alarm message.

6. The elevator operation monitoring device for passenger conveyor equipment according to claim 5, characterized in that: The value range of M is 0.5mm~1mm.

7. The elevator operation monitoring device for passenger conveyor equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The radar device is a millimeter wave radar or a laser radar.

8. The device for monitoring the operation of a stairway of a passenger conveyor according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: When the control device outputs the alarm information, the control device also outputs a signal for the passenger conveyor to stop operating.

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