Missing step safety device based on radio frequency identification technology

Abstract

The present invention discloses a step-missing safety device based on radio frequency identification technology, comprising: at least one RFID reader / writer, M passive RFID step tags, and a control system. The RFID reader / writer has a built-in antenna, and establishes a communication connection with the passive RFID step tags via the built-in antenna. The passive RFID step tags have preset step numbers, and the step numbers are different and have a preset sequence. The RFID reader / writer has a preset effective reading distance, within which the RFID reader / writer can simultaneously read the step numbers of N passive RFID step tags, where N is greater than or equal to 3. The control system determines whether an escalator or a sidewalk has a step-missing fault based on the number or sequence of the simultaneously read passive RFID step tags.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of passenger conveying devices, and in particular relates to a step loss safety device based on radio frequency identification technology. Background Art

[0002] The steps are connected in a ring shape within the truss of an escalator or moving walkway, moving in a circular motion along a preset track on the guide rails to transport passengers. The national standard GB16899-2011 requires that escalators and moving walkways should be able to detect the absence of steps or pallets using a device installed at the drive station or turning station, and should stop before the gap (caused by the missing step or pallet) appears from the comb plate position.

[0003] The gap may be caused by: maintenance workers removing one or more steps during maintenance and not restoring them when the maintenance is completed; after long-term operation, the fixings of the steps fall off, causing the steps to fall from the shaft or chain; the steps fail after entering the flipping area and fall from the chain, etc.

[0004] The reliability and safety of missing step detection are crucial. While various methods and devices have been proposed, some still present flaws, such as sensor failure, contaminated detection surfaces, improper proximity sensor distance adjustment, and displacement of the sensor mounting bracket, leading to false detections and missed detections.

[0005] Patent CN201010564674.6 uses a sensor at a specific installation location to continuously detect steps. During normal operation, the sensor outputs a continuous signal, but when a step is missing, it outputs a discontinuous signal, indicating that the step is missing. However, if the sensor fails and continues to output "step detected" regardless of the presence of a step, this judgment logic presents a significant risk.

[0006] Patent CN201420038008.2 utilizes two sensors positioned directly opposite the step rollers. When the escalator is not missing a step, the sensors will either simultaneously detect the step rollers or simultaneously fail to detect them. However, when a step is missing, one of the sensors will fail to detect the step rollers. This invention places high demands on the proximity sensor's adjustment. Adjusting it too close could result in collision with the step rollers, while adjusting it too far could cause a false stop.

[0007] Patent CN200980105347.X compares the phases of signals from sensor A, installed at the drive station, and sensor B, installed at the steering station, to determine whether a step is missing. However, if a step is missing at both sensor A and sensor B, the safety function loses its protective effect.

[0008] Patent CN202010406946.3 uses a QR code sticker and a QR code scanner to scan and judge QR codes that are coded alternately as 0s and 1s. However, this design is sensitive to the operating environment. If the QR code is contaminated or corroded, it will cause frequent false detections and elevator stops.

[0009] Patent CN201810991008.7 uses a combination of a first and a second proximity sensor installed near the top edge of a step to determine whether the pulse interval exceeds a threshold. Similarly, this invention requires high installation precision for the proximity sensors, and the proximity of the sensors to the step makes collisions more likely. The sensor mounting bracket also poses a risk of displacement. Summary of the Invention

[0010] To solve the aforementioned technical problems, the present invention provides a step-missing safety device based on radio frequency identification technology, comprising:

[0011] At least one RFID reader / writer, M passive RFID step tags, and a control system, where M is equal to the total number of steps in an escalator or sidewalk, and one passive RFID step tag is fixed to each step; the RFID reader / writer has a built-in antenna, and a communication connection is established with the passive RFID step tags via the built-in antenna; the passive RFID step tags have preset step numbers, each of which is different and has a preset sequence; the RFID reader / writer has a preset effective reading distance, within which the RFID reader / writer can simultaneously read the step numbers of N passive RFID step tags, where N is greater than or equal to 3; and the control system determines whether there is a step missing fault in the escalator or sidewalk based on the number or sequence of the simultaneously read passive RFID step tags.

[0012] Preferably, the RFID reader is installed at one or more of the following locations: a driving station, a turning station, a handrail corner railing, or an inner or outer cover plate.

[0013] Preferably, the passive RFID step tag is fixed to a non-visible portion of the step.

[0014] Preferably, the distance between the farthest end of the preset effective reading distance and the preset end of the comb teeth is greater than the stopping distance.

[0015] Preferably, the control system determines whether there is a step missing fault in the escalator or the walkway by:

[0016] The RFID reader reads the step number of the RFID passive step tag; when the number of RFID passive step tags read simultaneously is equal to N and the order conforms to a preset order, the control system outputs a normal signal; when the number of RFID passive step tags read simultaneously is less than N and the order does not conform to the preset order, the control system outputs a first fault signal.

[0017] Preferably, when the number of RFID passive step tags read simultaneously is greater than N, the control system outputs a second fault signal.

[0018] Preferably, when the number of RFID passive step tags read simultaneously is equal to N, but the order does not conform to a preset order, the control system outputs a third fault signal.

[0019] Preferably, when the control system outputs the first fault signal, the second fault signal or the third fault signal, it simultaneously issues an instruction to stop the escalator or the walkway.

[0020] Preferably, the RFID reader reads the step number of the RFID passive step tag before or after the escalator or walkway is started. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a step-missing safety device based on radio frequency identification technology according to the present invention;

[0022] Figures 2 to 6 Schematic diagram of step label identification for determining step missing according to the present invention;

[0023] Figure 7 The figure is a schematic diagram of the passenger carrying section of the escalator or walkway according to the present invention.

[0024] Reference numerals:

[0025] 1. RFID reader / writer; 2. Passive RFID ladder tag; 3. Control system; 4. Built-in antenna; 5. Effective reading distance; 6. Comb teeth DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, but they are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0027] like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment provides a step missing safety device based on radio frequency identification technology, including:

[0028] At least one RFID reader / writer 1, M passive RFID step tags 2, and a control system 3, where M is equal to the total number of steps in the escalator or sidewalk, and one passive RFID step tag 2 is fixed to each step; the RFID reader / writer 1 has a built-in antenna 4, which establishes a communication connection with the passive RFID step tag 2 via the built-in antenna 4; the passive RFID step tag 2 has a preset step number, and the step numbers are different and have a preset sequence; the RFID reader / writer 1 has a preset effective reading distance 5, within which the RFID reader / writer 1 can simultaneously read the step numbers of N passive RFID step tags 2, where N is greater than or equal to 3; the control system 3 determines whether the escalator or sidewalk has a step missing fault based on the number or sequence of the simultaneously read RFID passive step tags 1.

[0029] The FRID reader / writer 1 is installed at one or more of the following locations: a driving station, a turning station, a handrail corner railing, or an inner or outer cover plate.

[0030] The RFID passive step tag 2 is fixed to the non-visible part of the step. The non-visible part of the step refers to the part that passengers cannot directly see or touch when the step is in the passenger section; the passenger section refers to the section where the escalator or walkway can transport passengers, such as Figure 7 a to b.

[0031] The non-visible part can be, for example, a triangular bracket, the back of a step tread or kick plate, a reinforcing rib, etc., and the step tag 2 is fixed by a mechanical structure or adhesive. The tag is an RFID passive tag 2 .

[0032] Each step tag 2 is pre-programmed with numbers and installed sequentially on escalators or sidewalks. When a RFID reader reads the information in the step tag, it contains the step number, such as 4, 5, 6, etc. If these numbers come within the reading range in sequence, it is normal. However, if the numbers 4, 6, and 7 come within the reading range in sequence, it means that step 5 was missing before it came within the reading range. Sequential reading requires that the numbers are continuous and uninterrupted.

[0033] The RFID reader 1 placed anywhere in the drive station or steering station communicates with the step tag 2 within the effective reading distance 5 through its built-in antenna 4 to read the step number information;

[0034] The escalator or moving walkway control system 3 parses the step number information in the signal according to the RFID protocol and determines whether a step is missing.

[0035] The method for the control system 3 to determine whether there is a step missing fault in the escalator or the walkway is as follows:

[0036] The RFID reader 1 reads the step number of the RFID passive step tag 2; when the number of RFID passive step tags 2 read at the same time is equal to N, and the order conforms to the preset order, the control system 3 outputs a normal signal, such as Figure 2 ;

[0037] When the number of RFID passive step tags read simultaneously is less than N and the order does not conform to the preset order, the control system outputs a first fault signal. Figure 3 , within the effective reading distance 5, the FRID reader 1 simultaneously recognizes the signals sent by the (N-1) group of step tags and the signals sent by the (N-2) group of step tags, and the step numbers are discontinuous, it is determined that the step is missing, and the control system 3 outputs the first fault signal and issues a stop command.

[0038] When the number of RFID passive step tags read simultaneously is greater than N, the control system 3 outputs a second fault signal. Figure 4 If, within the effective reading distance 5, the RFID reader 1 simultaneously recognizes the signals emitted by (N+1) groups of step tags, the step may have fallen and been stuck at the turning point, and it is judged that the step is missing. The step missing signal is transmitted to the escalator or moving walkway control system 3, and the control system 3 outputs a second fault signal and issues a stop command.

[0039] like Figure 5 ,Within the effective reading distance 5, RFID reader 1 recognizes the signals sent by N groups of step tags at the same time, and the step numbers are continuous, but the steps have fallen and stayed at the turning point. At this time, it is mistakenly judged that there is no step missing. Only when step 10 enters the detection range, such as Figure 6 As shown, the RFID reader 1 simultaneously recognizes the signals sent by (N+1) groups of step tags, determines that a step is missing, and transmits the step missing signal to the escalator or moving walkway control system 3, which outputs a second fault signal and issues a stop command.

[0040] To further ensure safety, preferably, the distance between the farthest end of the preset effective reading distance and the preset end of the comb teeth is greater than the stopping distance, so that the second fault signal is output to the empty step missing after the escalator stops and does not enter the passenger section, ensuring passenger safety.

[0041] Furthermore, before the escalator starts, Figures 2 to 5 Detection can predict in advance whether there are missing steps within the effective reading distance 5.

[0042] Furthermore, when the number of RFID passive step tags read simultaneously equals N, but the order does not conform to the preset sequence, the control system outputs a third fault signal and issues a stop command. This is because the discontinuous step numbering does not meet the maintenance requirements.

[0043] The above descriptions are merely embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the implementation and protection scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should be aware that any solutions obtained by equivalent substitutions and obvious changes made using the description and illustrations of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A step missing safety device based on radio frequency identification technology, characterized in that: include: At least one RFID reader, M RFID passive step tags and a control system, where M is equal to the total number of steps in the escalator or walkway, and one RFID passive step tag is fixed on each step; The RFID reader / writer has a built-in antenna, and establishes a communication connection with the RFID passive ladder tag through the built-in antenna; The RFID passive step tags have preset step numbers, the step numbers are different and have a preset order; The RFID reader / writer has a preset effective reading distance, within which the RFID reader / writer can simultaneously read the step numbers of N RFID passive step tags, where N is greater than or equal to 3; The control system determines whether there is a step missing fault in the escalator or the walkway based on the number and order of simultaneously reading the RFID passive step tags; The distance between the farthest end of the preset effective reading distance and the preset end of the comb teeth is greater than the stopping distance; The control system determines whether there is a step missing fault in the escalator or the walkway by: The RFID reader reads the step number of the RFID passive step tag; when the number of RFID passive step tags read simultaneously is equal to N and the order conforms to a preset order, the control system outputs a normal signal; when the number of RFID passive step tags read simultaneously is less than N and the order does not conform to the preset order, the control system outputs a first fault signal; When the number of RFID passive step tags read simultaneously is greater than N, the control system outputs a second fault signal; When the number of RFID passive step tags read simultaneously is equal to N, but the order does not conform to the preset order, the control system outputs a third fault signal.

2. The step-missing safety device based on radio frequency identification technology according to claim 1, characterized in that: The RFID reader is installed at one or more of the following locations: a driving station, a turning station, a handrail corner railing, or an inner or outer cover plate.

3. The step-missing safety device based on radio frequency identification technology according to claim 1, characterized in that: The RFID passive step tag is fixed to the non-visible part of the step.

4. The step-missing safety device based on radio frequency identification technology according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the control system outputs the first fault signal, the second fault signal or the third fault signal, it simultaneously issues an instruction to stop the escalator or the walkway.

5. The step-missing safety device based on radio frequency identification technology according to claim 1, characterized in that: Before or after the escalator or walkway is started, the RFID reader reads the step number of the RFID passive step tag.

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