Safety device for passenger conveyor

Abstract

Safety device of passenger conveyor. Detects a user who is about to enter a landing on one side or the other and gives a notification, while preventing the case where a worker is detected while performing maintenance work at the landing on one side or the other and the notification is continuously given. Safety device of passenger conveyor has: one-side detection unit that detects a person in a predetermined detection area located near the landing on one side; other-side detection unit that detects a person in a predetermined detection area located near the landing on the other side; notification unit that gives a notification in the case where a person is detected by at least one of the one-side detection unit and the other-side detection unit; one-side switching unit that is provided near the landing on one side and switches on and off of the one-side detection unit; and other-side switching unit that is provided near the landing on the other side and switches on and off of the other-side detection unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a safety device arranged on a passenger conveyor such as an escalator and a moving walkway. Background Art

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses an escalator: when the escalator stops for maintenance work, human sensors installed at the upper floor side entrance and the lower floor side entrance detect the entry of users and notify the users that the escalator cannot be used because it is undergoing maintenance work.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-69965 Summary of the Invention

[0006] However, during maintenance work, workers sometimes remain near the gate to perform their work. In such cases, the presence sensors installed to detect the entry of users will repeatedly detect workers and issue notifications each time, which can hinder the workers' maintenance work. Furthermore, if workers are detected and notifications are continuously issued, even if a user entering the other gate is detected and notified, the workers may not notice.

[0007] Therefore, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a safety device for a passenger conveyor, which has the function of detecting users who are about to enter the boarding and alighting entrance and notifying them, while preventing the situation where the operator is detected and continuously notified when performing maintenance work at the boarding and alighting entrance.

[0008] The safety device of the passenger conveyor of the present invention is a safety device arranged on the passenger conveyor, wherein the passenger conveyor has a conveying unit that conveys passengers from a boarding and alighting gate on one end side to a boarding and alighting gate on the other end side, wherein the safety device of the passenger conveyor comprises: a detection unit on the one end side, which detects people within a predetermined detection area near the boarding and alighting gate on the one end side; a detection unit on the other end side, which detects people within a predetermined detection area near the boarding and alighting gate on the other end side; a notification unit, which notifies when a person is detected by at least one of the detection unit on the one end side and the detection unit on the other end side; a switching unit on the one end side, which is arranged near the boarding and alighting gate on the one end side, which switches the detection unit on and off on the one end side; and a switching unit on the other end side, which is arranged near the boarding and alighting gate on the other end side, which switches the detection unit on and off on the other end side.

[0009] Effects of the Invention

[0010] The safety device of the passenger conveyor according to the present application can provide a safety device of a passenger conveyor having a function of detecting a user who is about to enter one end-side or the other end-side landing and giving a notification, while preventing the case where a worker is detected while performing maintenance work at the one end-side or the other end-side landing and the notification is continuously given. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 is a diagram showing an outline structure of an escalator of the first embodiment.

[0012] Figure 2 is a diagram showing Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a structure of a control system of the escalator shown in FIG. 1.

[0013] Figure 3 is a diagram showing an outline structure of an escalator of the second embodiment.

[0014] Figure 4 is a diagram showing an outline structure of an escalator of the third embodiment.

[0015] REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0016] 1, 100: escalator; 2A: upper floor side person detection sensor; 2B: lower floor side person detection sensor; 3A: upper floor side notification portion; 3B: lower floor side notification portion; 4A, 104A: upper floor side switch; 4B, 104B: lower floor side switch; 11: step chain; 12: step; 13: truss; 14A: upper machine room; 14B: lower machine room; 15: motor; 16A, 16B: inlet portion; 17: moving handrail; 18: driving wheel; 19: driven wheel; 21A, 21B: detection area; 22 skirt guard; 40: control panel; 41: control portion; 42: first circuit breaker; 43: second circuit breaker; 50: power supply. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] [First Embodiment]

[0018] The first embodiment will be described below. Figure 1 is a diagram showing an outline structure of an escalator 1 of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the escalator 1 includes an upper floor side person detection sensor 2A, an upper floor side notification portion 3A, an upper floor side switch 4A, a lower floor side person detection sensor 2B, a lower floor side notification portion 3B, a lower floor side switch 4B, a step chain 11, a step 12, a truss 13, an upper machine room 14A, a lower machine room 14B, a motor 15, an inlet portion 16A, a moving handrail 17, a driving wheel 18, a driven wheel 19, a detection area 21A, a skirt guard 22, a control panel 40, a control portion 41, a first circuit breaker 42, a second circuit breaker 43, and a power supply 50. Figure 1As shown, the escalator 1 comprises a truss 13, which is installed between an upper floor entrance A and a lower floor entrance B, which are located on adjacent floors along a building; and an upper machine room 14A and a lower machine room 14B, which are respectively located on the upper and lower floors of the truss 13. The upper machine room 14A is provided with a motor 15 serving as a drive unit, a drive wheel 18 rotated by the motor 15, and a control panel 40 for controlling the operation of the escalator 1. The lower machine room 14B is provided with a driven wheel 19 that is driven by the rotation of the drive wheel 18.

[0019] The escalator 1 includes a step chain 11 looped around a drive pulley 18 and a driven pulley 19. The escalator 1 includes a plurality of steps 12 connected to the step chain 11 in a loop, which travel in a circular motion to transport passengers between an upper-floor entrance A and a lower-floor entrance B. The escalator 1 also includes a moving handrail 17 that moves synchronously with the steps 12. Furthermore, apron panels 22 are provided on both sides of the steps 12, each with a gap therebetween.

[0020] The escalator 1 includes an upper-floor-side human detection sensor 2A, which is installed at the entrance 16A of the upper-floor-side entrance A and is used to detect people within a predetermined detection area 21A immediately in front of the upper-floor-side entrance A. The escalator 1 includes a lower-floor-side human detection sensor 2B, which is installed at the entrance 16B of the lower-floor-side entrance B and is used to detect people within a predetermined detection area 21B immediately in front of the lower-floor-side entrance B. The upper-floor-side human detection sensor 2A and the lower-floor-side human detection sensor 2B are infrared sensors, temperature sensors, cameras, or the like capable of detecting people within their predetermined detection areas.

[0021] As the detection area 21A, Figure 1 As shown, for example, an area can be set from the position where the moving handrail 17 of the upper floor boarding and landing gate A starts to a range of about 1 to 2 meters toward the front side (opposite side of the escalator 1). Alternatively, if a pole with a display such as a running direction indicator is installed near the upper floor boarding and landing gate A, the area from the installation position of the pole to the moving handrail 17 can be set as the detection area 21A. Similarly, as the detection area 21B, for example, an area can be set from the position where the moving handrail 17 of the lower floor boarding and landing gate B starts to a range of about 1 to 2 meters toward the front side (opposite side of the escalator 1). Alternatively, if a pole with a display such as a running direction indicator is installed near the lower floor boarding and landing gate B, the area from the installation position of the pole to the moving handrail 17 can be set as the detection area 21B.

[0022] Furthermore, an upper-floor notification unit 3A is provided at the entrance 16A of the upper-floor entrance A. This upper-floor notification unit 3A notifies when at least one of the upper-floor person detection sensor 2A and the lower-floor person detection sensor 2B detects the entry of a user. A lower-floor notification unit 3B is also provided at the entrance 16B of the lower-floor entrance B. This lower-floor notification unit 3B notifies when at least one of the upper-floor person detection sensor 2A and the lower-floor person detection sensor 2B detects the entry of a user.

[0023] The upper floor notification unit 3A and the lower floor notification unit 3B are, for example, loudspeakers, which notify users of the direction and destination of the escalator 1 during normal operation and, during maintenance work, alert users that the escalator 1 is unavailable due to maintenance work. Maintenance worker M, upon hearing the notification from the upper floor notification unit 3A or the lower floor notification unit 3B, recognizes the entry of a user and can take appropriate measures, such as guiding the user, as needed.

[0024] Furthermore, an upper switch 4A is provided in the upper machine room 14A, located below the upper entrance A, to switch the upper human detection sensor 2A on and off. A lower switch 4B is provided in the lower machine room 14B, located below the lower entrance B, to switch the lower human detection sensor 2B on and off. Consequently, the upper and lower switches 4A and 4B can be switched on and off only by an operator M who has access to both the upper and lower machine rooms 14A and 14B. This prevents ordinary users from erroneously operating the upper and lower switches 4A and 4B.

[0025] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 The block diagram of the structure of the control system of the escalator 1 is shown. Figure 2 As shown, the control panel 40 includes: a control unit 41, which controls the operation of each unit in the escalator 1; and a first circuit breaker 42 and a second circuit breaker 43, which are arranged between the power supply 50 and the connection device and can supply power from the power supply 50 to the connection device or stop the supply.

[0026] During normal operation, the control unit 41 controls the operation of the motor 15 based on user detection information from the upper-floor human detection sensor 2A and the lower-floor human detection sensor 2B. Specifically, the control unit 41 stops the operation of the motor 15 if no user is present for a specified period of time, and restarts the operation upon detection of a user. Furthermore, during maintenance work, the control unit 41 monitors whether the upper-floor human detection sensor 2A and the lower-floor human detection sensor 2B detect the entry of a user. If a user's entry is detected, the control unit 41 activates the upper-floor notification unit 3A and the lower-floor notification unit 3B to provide notification. The control unit 41 can determine whether normal operation or maintenance work is in progress automatically or manually. For example, the control unit 41 can determine this automatically based on the presence or absence of power supplied to the motor 15, or it can determine this based on information manually input by the operator M.

[0027] The first circuit breaker 42 is connected to the motor 15. Furthermore, the first circuit breaker 42 is connected to the upper floor human detection sensor 2A, the upper floor notification unit 3A, the upper floor switch 4A, the lower floor human detection sensor 2B, the lower floor notification unit 3B, and the lower floor switch 4B. The second circuit breaker 43 is connected to the upper floor human detection sensor 2A, the upper floor notification unit 3A, the upper floor switch 4A, the lower floor human detection sensor 2B, the lower floor notification unit 3B, and the lower floor switch 4B.

[0028] The first circuit breaker 42 and the second circuit breaker 43 can supply power to the connected device or stop the supply according to the manual on and off settings. Specifically, power can be supplied when connected, and the power supply can be stopped when disconnected. Under normal operation, the first circuit breaker 42 is set to be turned on and the second circuit breaker 43 is set to be turned off, and during maintenance work, the first circuit breaker 42 is set to be turned off and the second circuit breaker 43 is set to be turned on. Thus, during maintenance work, the power supply to the motor 15 is stopped. On the other hand, the power supply to the upper floor side human detection sensor 2A, the upper floor side notification unit 3A, the upper floor side switch 4A, the lower floor side human detection sensor 2B, the lower floor side notification unit 3B and the lower floor side switch 4B is maintained in both normal operation and maintenance work.

[0029] When performing maintenance work on the escalator 1, the operator M must first set the first circuit breaker 42 to off and the second circuit breaker 43 to on. This stops the power supply to the motor 15. The control unit 41 determines that maintenance work is in progress through the above-mentioned method, automatically or manually, and monitors whether the upper floor side human detection sensor 2A and the lower floor side human detection sensor 2B detect the entry of a user. When the entry of a user is detected, the upper floor side notification unit 3A and the lower floor side notification unit 3B are activated to notify. The operator M continues to perform maintenance work. When he stays near the upper floor side boarding and alighting gate A to perform work, he temporarily disconnects the upper floor side switch 4A installed in the upper machine room 14A to prevent the upper floor side human detection sensor 2A from repeatedly detecting the operator M and continuously notifying. When the worker M is working near the lower floor boarding and alighting gate B, the lower floor switch 4B provided in the lower machine room 14B is temporarily turned off to prevent the lower floor human detection sensor 2B from repeatedly detecting the worker M and continuously notifying the worker.

[0030] As described above, the escalator 1 of the first embodiment includes an upper-floor person detection sensor 2A that detects people within a predetermined detection area 21A located near the upper-floor entrance A. Furthermore, the escalator 1 includes a lower-floor person detection sensor 2B that detects people within a predetermined detection area 21B located near the lower-floor entrance B. The escalator 1 includes an upper-floor notification unit 3A and a lower-floor notification unit 3B that provide notification when at least one of the upper-floor person detection sensor 2A and the lower-floor person detection sensor 2B detects a person. The escalator 1 includes an upper-floor switch 4A, located in the upper machine room 14A near the upper-floor entrance A, for switching the upper-floor person detection sensor 2A on and off. The escalator 1 has a lower floor side switch 4B, which is installed in the lower machine room 14B near the lower floor side boarding and alighting entrance B, and is used to switch the lower floor side human detection sensor 2B on and off. As a result, the escalator 1 has the function of detecting and notifying users who are about to enter the upper floor side boarding and alighting entrance A or the lower floor side switch 4B, and can also prevent the operator M from being detected and continuously notified when performing maintenance work at the upper floor side boarding and alighting entrance A or the lower floor side switch 4B. In other words, it is possible to prevent the generation of unnecessary notifications. Specifically, when the operator M stays near the upper floor side boarding and alighting entrance A to perform work, the upper floor side switch 4A installed in the upper machine room 14A is temporarily disconnected, which can prevent the upper floor side human detection sensor 2A from repeatedly detecting the operator M and continuously notifying. Similarly, when the operator M stays near the lower floor boarding and alighting gate B to perform work, the lower floor switch 4B installed in the lower machine room 14B is temporarily disconnected, which can prevent the lower floor human detection sensor 2B from repeatedly detecting the operator M and continuously notifying.

[0031] In addition, as described above, by independently providing two switches for switching the human detection sensor on and off at the upper and lower floors of the escalator 1, when a user's entry is detected at the boarding and alighting entrance on the side opposite to the side where the operator M is working and a notification is given, the operator M can also be aware of the notification more quickly and thus quickly take necessary countermeasures.

[0032] [Second embodiment]

[0033] Below, refer to Figure 3The escalator 100 of the second embodiment will be described. The escalator 100 of the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the upper floor side switch 104A is a key switch provided to the entrance portion 16A near the upper floor side boarding and alighting port A, and the lower floor side switch 104B is a key switch provided to the entrance portion 16B near the lower floor side boarding and alighting port B, and is the same as the first embodiment in other respects. In the following description, only the differences will be described, and the description of the same structure as the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0034] Although the entrance portion 16A and the entrance portion 16B are places where ordinary users can reach by hand, since the upper floor side switch 104A and the lower floor side switch 104B are set as key switches that require a special key for on and off operations, only the worker M can perform the on and off switching operation. Thus, it is possible to prevent the ordinary user from mistakenly operating the upper floor side switch 4A and the lower floor side switch 4B.

[0035] In addition, the case where the upper floor side switch 104A and the lower floor side switch 104B are key switches is described here, but is not limited thereto. The upper floor side switch 104A and the lower floor side switch 104B can have any structure as long as only the worker M can perform the on and off operation.

[0036] [Third Embodiment]

[0037] Hereinafter, the escalator 200 of the third embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 4 The escalator 200 of the third embodiment will be described. The escalator 200 of the third embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that the upper floor side switch 204A is a key switch provided to the entrance portion 16A near the upper floor side boarding and alighting port A of the skirt plate 22, and the lower floor side switch 204B is a key switch provided to the entrance portion 16B near the lower floor side boarding and alighting port B of the skirt plate 22, and is the same as the second embodiment in other respects. Here, the entrance portion 16A near the upper floor side boarding and alighting port A of the skirt plate 22 can be set, for example, to a range of 2 m or less from the end portion on the upper floor side of the skirt plate 22. In addition, the entrance portion 16B near the lower floor side boarding and alighting port B of the skirt plate 22 can be set, for example, to a range of 2 m or less from the end portion on the lower floor side of the skirt plate 22.

[0038] According to the escalator 200 of the third embodiment, the worker M can easily switch the on and off of the upper floor side switch 204A when working near the upper floor side boarding and alighting port A. In addition, the worker M can easily switch the on and off of the lower floor side switch 204B when working near the lower floor side boarding and alighting port B.

[0039] In addition, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, either the upper floor side boarding and alighting entrance A or the lower floor side boarding and alighting entrance B corresponds to the one end side boarding and alighting entrance of the present invention, and the other corresponds to the other end side boarding and alighting entrance of the present invention. Similarly, either the upper floor side human detection sensor 2A or the lower floor side human detection sensor 2B corresponds to the one end side detection unit of the present invention, and the other corresponds to the other end side detection unit of the present invention. Either the upper floor side notification unit 3A or the lower floor side notification unit 3B corresponds to the one end side notification unit of the present invention, and the other corresponds to the other end side notification unit of the present invention. Either the upper floor side switch 4A or the lower floor side switch 4B corresponds to the one end side switching unit of the present invention, and the other corresponds to the other end side switching unit of the present invention.

[0040] In addition, in the above-described embodiments, the upper-floor side human detection sensor 2A and the lower-floor side human detection sensor 2B are described as being located at the entrance 16A and the entrance 16B, respectively, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The upper-floor side human detection sensor 2A only needs to be located at a position where it can detect people within the predetermined detection area 21A located near the upper-floor side entrance A. For example, if a pole with a display such as a running direction indicator is located near the upper-floor side entrance A, the upper-floor side human detection sensor 2A can be located at that pole. Similarly, the lower-floor side human detection sensor 2B only needs to be located at a position where it can detect people within the predetermined detection area 21B located near the lower-floor side entrance B. For example, if a pole with a display such as a running direction indicator is located near the lower-floor side entrance B, the lower-floor side human detection sensor 2B can be located at that pole.

[0041] Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments, the upper-floor notification unit 3A and the lower-floor notification unit 3B are described as being located at the entrance 16A and the entrance 16B, respectively, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The upper-floor notification unit 3A only needs to be located in a position that transmits notifications from the upper-floor notification unit 3A to at least those located near the upper-floor boarding and alighting entrance A. For example, if a pole with a display such as a running direction indicator is located near the upper-floor boarding and alighting entrance A, the upper-floor notification unit 3A may be located at the pole. Similarly, the lower-floor notification unit 3B only needs to be located in a position that transmits notifications from the lower-floor notification unit 3B to at least those located near the lower-floor boarding and alighting entrance B. For example, if a pole with a display such as a running direction indicator is located near the lower-floor boarding and alighting entrance B, the lower-floor notification unit 3B may be located at the pole.

[0042] Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the case where two notification sections, the upper floor side notification section 3A and the lower floor side notification section 3B, are provided is described, but the same function can be exerted by one or more than three notification sections. Further, it is more preferable that the number, position, arrangement direction, and the like of the notification sections are adjusted in such a manner that the notification is conveyed not only to the people located in the vicinity of the upper floor side landing A and the lower floor side landing B but also to the people located in the section between the upper floor side landing A and the lower floor side landing B. Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the upper floor side notification section 3A and the lower floor side notification section 3B notify by sound is described, but the notification can be made by light instead of sound, or the notification can be made by sound plus light.

[0043] Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the safety device of the passenger conveyor of the present application is applied to escalators is described, but the application to moving walks is also possible.

Claims

1. A safety device for a passenger conveyor, wherein the safety device is provided on the passenger conveyor, wherein the passenger conveyor has a conveying unit for conveying passengers from a boarding gate at one end to a boarding gate at the other end, The safety device of the passenger conveyor comprises: a first-end-side detection unit configured to detect a person located within a predetermined detection area near the first-end-side boarding / alighting entrance; a second end side detection unit configured to detect a person located within a predetermined detection area near the second end side boarding and alighting gate; a first-end-side notification unit configured to perform notification when a person is detected by at least one of the first-end-side detection unit and the second-end-side detection unit; another end-side notification unit configured to perform notification when a person is detected by at least one of the one-end-side detection unit and the other-end-side detection unit; a first-end-side switching unit, which is provided near the first-end-side boarding / alighting gate, and switches the first-end-side detection unit on and off, thereby switching between the following two states: a state in which notification is performed when a person is detected by at least one of the first-end-side detection unit and the second-end-side detection unit; and a state in which notification is performed when a person is detected by the second-end-side detection unit; as well as The other-end-side switching unit is arranged near the other-end-side boarding and alighting entrance, and switches the other-end-side detection unit on and off, thereby switching between the following two states: a state in which notification is performed when a person is detected by at least one of the one-end-side detection unit and the other-end-side detection unit; and a state in which notification is performed when a person is detected by the one-end-side detection unit.

2. The safety device for a passenger conveyor according to claim 1, wherein: The one-end side switching unit is arranged in a one-end side machine room, and the one-end side machine room is arranged below the one-end side boarding and alighting entrance.

3. The safety device for a passenger conveyor according to claim 1, wherein: The one-end side switching unit is a key switch provided at the entrance of the one-end side boarding and alighting door or near the one-end side boarding and alighting door on the apron plate.

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