Control device for a passenger conveyor

Abstract

A control device for a passenger conveyor is aimed at further improving the operation efficiency. It has a control device main body (110) that controls a conveying body (107) based on a user detection signal from a user detection sensor (103a) and a distance detection signal from a distance sensor (104a). The control device main body (110) determines whether a preceding user is stopped at a boarding gate based on the user detection signal, determines whether there is a following user and calculates the moving speed based on the distance detection signal. The conveying speed is reduced from a rated speed when the preceding user is stopped at the boarding gate and there is no following user, the conveying speed is reduced from the rated speed when the preceding user is stopped at the boarding gate and the moving speed of the following user is below a threshold value, and the conveying speed is kept unchanged at the rated speed when the preceding user is stopped at the boarding gate and the moving speed of the following user exceeds the threshold value.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a control device for passenger conveyors. Background Technology

[0002] In existing passenger conveyors, a passenger detection unit detects passengers entering and exiting the entrance. While the passenger detection unit continuously detects passengers during a first time period, the control unit causes the speed of the steps to be lower than the normal speed during a second time period. When the second time period has elapsed, the control unit restores the speed of the steps to the normal speed (e.g., Patent Document 1).

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-153539 Summary of the Invention

[0005] In existing passenger conveyors as described above, subsequent users other than those hesitating about boarding the passenger conveyor are not considered. Therefore, even if a subsequent user passes by and boards the conveyor next to a user who is hesitating about boarding, the steps are at a low speed.

[0006] The present invention was made to solve the aforementioned problems, and its object is to provide a control device for passenger conveyors that can further improve operating efficiency.

[0007] The control device for the passenger conveyor of the present invention includes a control device main body. This control device main body controls the conveying speed of the conveyor body to transport users based on user detection signals from user detection sensors and distance detection signals from distance sensors. The user detection sensors detect users located at the escalator entrance, and the distance sensors detect the distance from the escalator entrance to the user. Assuming the user located at the escalator entrance is the preceding user, and the user moving towards the escalator entrance after the preceding user is the following user, the control device main body determines whether the preceding user is stopped at the escalator entrance based on the user detection signals, determines whether there is a following user based on the distance detection signals, and calculates the moving speed of the following user based on the time change of the distance detection signals. If the preceding user is stopped at the escalator entrance and there is no following user, the conveying speed is reduced from the rated speed. If the preceding user is stopped at the escalator entrance and the moving speed of the following user is below a threshold, the conveying speed is reduced from the rated speed. If the preceding user is stopped at the escalator entrance and the moving speed of the following user exceeds the threshold, the conveying speed is kept constant at the rated speed.

[0008] Invention Effects

[0009] The passenger conveyor according to the present invention can further improve operating efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 This is a side view showing the schematic structure of the passenger conveyor of Embodiment 1.

[0011] Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 A top view of the lower floor side of the passenger conveyor 100 shown.

[0012] Figure 3 It is shown Figure 1 The diagram shows an example of the operating mode of the conveyor under the control of the main control device.

[0013] Figure 4 It is shown Figure 1 The flowchart shows a control example of the main body of the control device.

[0014] Figure 5 It is shown Figure 1 The image shown is a top view of the first example of user detection status obtained through a distance sensor.

[0015] Figure 6 It is shown Figure 1 The image shown is a top view of the second example of user detection status obtained through a distance sensor.

[0016] Figure 7 This is a top view showing examples of countermeasures to reduce the generation of blind spots.

[0017] Figure 8 This is a structural diagram showing a first example of a processing circuit that implements the functions of the main body of the control device in Embodiment 1.

[0018] Figure 9 This is a structural diagram of a second example showing the processing circuitry that implements the functions of the control device main body in Embodiment 1.

[0019] Label Explanation

[0020] 100: Passenger conveyor; 102a: Elevator entrance; 102b: Elevator exit; 103a, 103b: User detection sensors; 104a, 104b, 104c: Distance sensors; 107: Conveyor body; 109: Control device; 110: Main body of control device. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0022] Implementation Method 1

[0023] Figure 1 This is a side view showing the schematic structure of the passenger conveyor of Embodiment 1. Figure 1 The passenger conveyor 100 is an escalator that transports users from the lower floor to the upper floor in an upward motion.

[0024] exist Figure 1 In the passenger conveyor 100, a truss 101 is erected between the lower and upper floors. A conveyor body 107 is supported within the truss 101. The conveyor body 107 is formed by multiple steps connected in a ring. The conveyor body 107 transports passengers by circulating.

[0025] A pair of skirts 111, a pair of railings 105, and a pair of movable handrails 106 are provided on the truss 101. Figure 1 Only one of the pair of skirt panels 111, one of the pair of railings 105, and one of the pair of movable handrails 106 are shown. Furthermore, each movable handrail 106 circulates synchronously with the conveyor body 107.

[0026] An electric motor 108 and a control device 109 are installed inside the truss 101.

[0027] The electric motor 108 rotates a drive sprocket (not shown). The rotation of the drive sprocket causes the conveyor body 107 and each moving handrail 106 to circulate.

[0028] The control device 109 controls the operation of the passenger conveyor 100, that is, the operation of various equipment within the passenger conveyor 100.

[0029] The control device 109 includes a control device main body 110. The control device main body 110 controls the motor 108.

[0030] A user detection sensor 103a and a distance sensor 104a are provided on the skirt panel 111 on the lower floor side.

[0031] User detection sensor 103a detects users located at elevator entrance 102a. User detection sensor 103a outputs a user detection signal indicating the presence or absence of a user to the control device main body 110.

[0032] Distance sensor 104a detects the distance from the elevator entrance 102a to the user. Distance sensor 104a outputs a distance detection signal, representing the detected distance, to the control unit body 110.

[0033] The control device main body 110 sends control commands to the motor 108 based on the user detection signal and the distance detection signal. The motor 108 controls the conveying speed of the conveyor 107 to transport the user according to the control commands from the control device main body 110.

[0034] The skirt panel 111 on the upper floor side is equipped with a user detection sensor 103b and a distance sensor 104b, just like the skirt panel 111 on the lower floor side.

[0035] User detection sensor 103b is the same as user detection sensor 103a located on the lower floor side, and is used to detect users located at the lower stairwell 102b. User detection sensor 103b outputs a user detection signal indicating whether a user is present to the control device main body 110.

[0036] Distance sensor 104b is the same as distance sensor 104a located on the lower floor side, and is used to detect the distance from the lower stairwell 102b to the user. Distance sensor 104b outputs a distance detection signal, representing the detected distance, to the control device body 110.

[0037] User detection sensor 103b and distance sensor 104b are mainly used when the passenger conveyor 100 is in a downward operation to transport users from the upper floor to the lower floor. In addition, in the case of upward operation, user detection sensor 103b is used to determine whether the user has reached the lower staircase 102b.

[0038] Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 A top view of the lower floor side of the passenger conveyor 100 shown.

[0039] exist Figure 2 In the view of the passenger conveyor 100 from directly above, the boarding gate 102a is an area adjacent to the conveyor body 107. Furthermore, the boarding gate 102a is an area for users to enter before boarding the conveyor body 107.

[0040] A comb plate 120 and a user detection sensor 103a are provided at the elevator entrance 102a.

[0041] The comb plate 120 is located at the boundary between the conveyor body 107 and the elevator entrance 102a.

[0042] The user detection sensor 103a is a transmission type sensor, consisting of a light-emitting device and a light-receiving device.

[0043] A light-projecting device is disposed on one of a pair of skirts 111. A light-receiving device is disposed on the other of the pair of skirts 111. The light-projecting device projects light in a direction intersecting the conveying direction of the conveyor 107. The light-receiving device receives the light projected from the light-projecting device.

[0044] When the illumination light from the projection device is blocked by a user, the user detection sensor 103a outputs an ON signal as a user detection signal. Furthermore, when the illumination light from the projection device reaches the light receiving device, the user detection sensor 103a outputs an OFF signal as a user detection signal.

[0045] The control device main body 110 determines whether the user has passed through based on the user detection signal. In addition, the control device main body 110 determines whether the user is stopped at the elevator entrance 102a based on the user detection signal.

[0046] Distance sensor 104a is a ranging sensor that determines the distance to the user while performing a two-dimensional laser scan. The detection area of ​​distance sensor 104a is farther from the conveyor body 107 than the detection position of user detection sensor 103a.

[0047] The control unit 110 determines whether a user is moving towards the elevator entrance 102a based on a distance detection signal from the distance sensor 104a. Furthermore, the control unit 110 calculates the user's movement speed based on the time variation of the distance detection signal. In addition, the control unit 110 monitors the user's movement by sequentially calculating the user's movement speed.

[0048] Figure 3 It is shown Figure 1 This diagram illustrates an example of the operating mode of the conveyor 107 under the control of the control device main body 110. Furthermore, Figure 3 This illustrates an example of controlling the transport speed when a user hesitates and stops at the elevator entrance 102a while boarding the transport vehicle 107.

[0049] At time t0, the user enters the elevator entrance 102a and is detected by the user detection sensor 103a. Then, when the user is continuously detected until time t1, the control device body 110 reduces the conveying speed of the conveyor 107 from the rated speed to make it easier to board.

[0050] exist Figure 3 In this example, if the control unit 110 detects a user for 5 consecutive seconds, it reduces the conveying speed of the conveyor 107 from its rated speed. The control unit 110 continues to reduce the conveying speed of the conveyor 107 until the user boards the vehicle. Furthermore, if the conveying speed of the conveyor 107 reaches its lower limit, the control unit 110 stops the reduction.

[0051] exist Figure 3 In this example, the rated speed of the conveyor 107 is 30 m / min, and the lower limit speed is 10 m / min. Furthermore, Figure 3The result of continuously reducing the conveying speed of the conveyor 107 is shown as reaching a lower limit speed of 10 m / min. Furthermore, Figure 3 This shows the situation where the machine will operate at that lower speed until the user boards it.

[0052] At time t2, the user boardes the transport vehicle 107. At this time, the user detection sensor 103a switches the user detection signal from ON to OFF and outputs it to the control device main body 110.

[0053] When the user detection signal is switched from ON to OFF, the control device main body 110 assumes that the user has boarded the conveyor 107, thereby increasing the conveying speed of the conveyor 107.

[0054] Then, as the conveying speed continues to increase, the conveying speed of the conveyor 107 reaches the rated speed. However, depending on the floor height, there are cases where the rated speed is not reached.

[0055] Then, the control unit 110 reduces the conveying speed of the conveyor 107 from the stage before the user approaches the lower step 102b. The control unit 110 reduces the conveying speed of the conveyor 107 until it reaches the same conveying speed as when the user is riding. Figure 3 This shows the transport speed at time t3 when the user is riding.

[0056] Then, at time t4, the user detection sensor 103b located at the lower stairwell 102b detects a user. At this time, the user detection signal from the user detection sensor 103b is switched from OFF to ON.

[0057] When the user detection signal from the user detection sensor 103b is switched from OFF to ON, the control device main body 110 determines that the user has disembarked from the conveyor 107. Then, the control device main body 110 restores the conveying speed of the conveyor 107 to the rated speed.

[0058] As and by Figure 3 The different operating modes shown can also maintain a low speed at time t2 without increasing the conveying speed of the conveyor 107 until the user gets off the conveyor 107.

[0059] Furthermore, the control unit 110 can also accelerate or decelerate from time t2 to time t3 when operating upwards, and maintain a low speed when operating downwards until the user disembarks from the conveyor 107. In this way, the control unit 110 can switch between accelerating / decelerating and maintaining a low speed according to the operating direction of the passenger conveyor 100.

[0060] Figure 3 The example given is a control example in the case where there are no users other than the user who is hesitating about boarding. In contrast, the following section will describe a control example in the case where there are other users moving toward the elevator entrance 102a, in addition to the user who is hesitating about boarding.

[0061] Figure 4 It is shown Figure 1 A flowchart illustrating the control example of the control device main body 110 shown. Repeated execution. Figure 4 The flowchart.

[0062] Furthermore, in the following description, users who hesitate and remain at the elevator entrance 102a will be considered as first users. In contrast, users who move towards the elevator entrance 102a after the first users will be considered as subsequent users.

[0063] In step S101, the main body 110 of the control device controls the conveying speed of the conveyor 107 to be the rated speed.

[0064] In step S102, the control device main body 110 determines whether the first user is stuck at the elevator entrance 102a. The control device main body 110 determines whether the first user is stuck at the elevator entrance 102a by comparing the continuous detection time of the user detection sensor 103a with the set time.

[0065] If the control device 110 determines that the user has not stopped at the boarding gate 102a, it returns the process to step S101 and keeps the conveying speed of the conveyor 107 constant at the rated speed. On the other hand, if the control device 110 determines that the user has stopped at the boarding gate 102a, it assumes that the user is hesitating about boarding and thus proceeds to step S103.

[0066] In step S103, the control device main body 110 determines whether there is a follower based on the distance detection signal from the distance sensor 104a. The presence of a follower differs from the absence of a follower in terms of the distance obtained from the distance sensor 104a. The control device main body 110 determines the presence of a follower based on the length of the distance obtained from the distance sensor 104a.

[0067] If a subsequent user is present, the control device main body 110 causes the process to proceed to step S104. If no subsequent user is present, the control device main body 110 causes the process to proceed to step S105.

[0068] In step S104, the main body 110 of the control device determines whether the user is in a state of stagnation.

[0069] During the determination in step S104, the control device main body 110 calculates the moving speed of the user following behind based on the time change of the distance detection signal.

[0070] If the movement speed of the following user is below a threshold, the control device 110 determines that the following user is stationary. In this case, the control device 110 considers that congestion has occurred because the preceding user at the elevator entrance 102a failed to board, and thus proceeds to step S105.

[0071] On the other hand, if the movement speed of the subsequent user exceeds a threshold, the control device 110 determines that the subsequent user intends to overtake the preceding user and board the conveyor 107 first. In this case, the control device 110 returns the process to step S101, keeping the conveying speed of the conveyor 107 constant at the rated speed.

[0072] In step S105, the main body 110 of the control device reduces the conveying speed of the conveyor 107.

[0073] In step S106, the control device main body 110 determines whether the user located at the elevator entrance 102a has already boarded the elevator. The control device main body 110 determines whether the user has boarded the elevator by setting whether the detection of the user detection sensor 103a has been deactivated as a determination condition.

[0074] If the control device body 110 determines that the previous user has already boarded the vehicle, it initiates the process in step S107.

[0075] On the other hand, if the control device 110 determines that the previous user has not boarded the vehicle, it returns the process to step S105, further reducing the conveying speed of the conveyor 107. Through this cycle from step S106 to step S105, the control device 110 continuously reduces the conveying speed of the conveyor 107 until the user has boarded the vehicle. Alternatively, it can be as follows... Figure 3 The example sets a lower speed limit, like in the example.

[0076] In step S107, the control device body 110 calculates the operating mode of the passenger conveyor 100 afterward. This operating mode is the mode from when a user boards the conveyor 107 until they disembark from it. For example, this operating mode is the mode from... Figure 3 The velocity change pattern from time t2 to time t4.

[0077] The control unit 110 calculates the operation mode based on the floor height of the passenger conveyor 100, the acceleration when the conveyor speed of the conveyor 107 increases, and the negative acceleration when the conveyor speed of the conveyor 107 decreases. Furthermore, the control unit 110 calculates the operation mode based on the conveyor speed of the conveyor 107 at the time the first user boards. In addition to calculating the operation mode, the control unit 110 also calculates the predicted arrival time of the first user at the lower escalator 102b.

[0078] In step S108, the control device body 110 increases the conveying speed of the conveyor body 107 according to the calculated operating mode.

[0079] In step S109, the main body 110 of the control device operates at a rated speed according to the calculated operating mode.

[0080] In step S110, the control device main body 110 reduces the conveying speed of the conveyor 107 according to the calculated operating mode. The control device main body 110 reduces the conveying speed of the conveyor 107 to the conveying speed when the previous user boarded.

[0081] Furthermore, when the passenger conveyor 100 has a low floor height, the control unit 110 reduces the conveying speed of the conveyor 107 before it reaches the rated speed. In this case, the operation at the rated speed in step S109 is no longer performed.

[0082] In step S111, the control device main body 110 maintains the transport speed of the first user as they board. In step S112, the control device main body 110 determines whether the first user has reached the lower entrance 102b. The control device main body 110 determines whether the first user has reached the lower entrance 102b based on the user detection signal from the user detection sensor 103b and the calculated predicted arrival time.

[0083] If the first user has not reached the lower staircase 102b, the control device body 110 returns the process to step S111. If the first user has reached the lower staircase 102b, the control device body 110 causes the process to proceed to step S113.

[0084] In step S113, the control device body 110 restores the conveying speed of the conveyor body 107 to the rated speed. The control device body 110 then terminates after step S113. Figure 4 The processing.

[0085] Alternatively, instead of step S112, the control device body 110 may determine that the user has descended the stairs when the step the user was riding has reached the comb plate of the lower staircase 102b.

[0086] In addition, as Figure 4 In addition to the processing described in the flowchart, the control device main body 110 can also restore the conveying speed of the conveyor 107 to the rated speed if the previous user abandons and leaves. The control device main body 110 can also perform this processing in step S106 described above.

[0087] In this case, in step S106 described above, the control device main body 110, in addition to determining whether the user detection sensor 103a has been deactivated, also determines whether the preceding user has moved away from the elevator entrance 102a in the departure direction. This departure determination is based on the distance detection signal from the distance sensor 104a.

[0088] Figure 5 It is shown Figure 1 A top view of the first example of the user detection state of the distance sensor 104a shown.

[0089] As described above, the distance sensor 104a measures the distance to the user while simultaneously performing a two-dimensional laser scan. Here, as... Figure 5 As shown, if user X and user Y are present at the location reached by the laser from distance sensor 104a, user X and user Y can be detected without any problems.

[0090] Figure 6 It is shown Figure 1 A top view of the second example of the user detection state of the distance sensor 104a shown. Figure 6 In the experiment, because user Y is located in a position where the laser is blocked by user X, user Y becomes a blind spot and is not detected.

[0091] Figure 7 This is a top view illustrating countermeasures to reduce the generation of blind spots. As a response to... Figure 6 The solution to this problem is to install a new distance sensor at a different location than the original distance sensor 104a. For example, as... Figure 7 As shown, a new distance sensor 104c is installed on the opposite side of the skirt panel 111. Therefore, even if other users are in the blind spot of the distance sensor 104a on one side, they can be detected by the distance sensor 104c.

[0092] Thus, when at least one distance sensor is installed at a different location than distance sensor 104a, the following user can be detected with high accuracy. Therefore, the accuracy of determining whether the following user has stopped can be improved.

[0093] In the control device 109 of the passenger conveyor 100 in Embodiment 1, the control device main body 110 reduces the conveying speed of the conveyor body 107 from the rated speed when a preceding user stops at the boarding gate 102a and there are no subsequent users. Furthermore, the control device main body 110 reduces the conveying speed of the conveyor body 107 from the rated speed when a preceding user stops at the escalator gate 102a and the movement speed of the subsequent user is below a threshold. Additionally, the control device main body 110 maintains the conveying speed of the conveyor body 107 at the rated speed when a preceding user stops at the escalator gate 102a and the movement speed of the subsequent user exceeds the threshold.

[0094] Therefore, when a user is hesitant about boarding the conveyor 107, the control unit 110 can reduce the conveying speed to assist the user by confirming the status of the subsequent user. Furthermore, when a subsequent user boards the conveyor after passing by a hesitant user, the control unit 110 can maintain the rated speed without reducing the conveying speed. Therefore, operating efficiency can be further improved.

[0095] Furthermore, if the control unit 110 determines that the user has not stopped at the boarding gate 102a after reducing the conveying speed of the conveyor 107 from the rated speed, it assumes that the user has boarded the conveyor 107 and thus increases the conveying speed of the conveyor 107. Therefore, compared to keeping the conveying speed of the conveyor 107 reduced, operating efficiency can be improved.

[0096] Furthermore, the control device 110 reduces the conveying speed of the ascending conveyor 107 to the speed at which the first user boarded the ladder until the first user reaches the lower escalator 102b. Therefore, the control device 110 can also reduce the speed to assist the first user who has previously been assisted by reducing the speed when boarding the ladder.

[0097] Furthermore, if the control unit 110 determines that the preceding user has not stopped and has moved in the direction of leaving the elevator entrance 102a after reducing the conveying speed of the conveyor 107 from the rated speed, it restores the conveying speed of the conveyor 107 to the rated speed. Therefore, the control unit 110 can restore the conveying speed of the conveyor 107 to the rated speed after the preceding user has left, thereby reducing the reduction in operating efficiency.

[0098] In addition, passenger transport aircraft 100 is not limited to Figure 1The escalator shown can also be a moving walkway. In this case, the moving walkway can be horizontal or inclined. Furthermore, the conveyor 107 can also be a belt conveyor type.

[0099] Furthermore, each function of the control device main body 110 in Embodiment 1 is implemented by a processing circuit. Figure 8 This is a structural diagram showing a first example of the processing circuitry that implements the functions of the control device main body 110 of Embodiment 1. The processing circuitry 600 in the first example is dedicated hardware.

[0100] The processing circuit 600 corresponds to, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programming processor, a parallel programming processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof. Alternatively, the various functions of the control device main body 110 can be implemented separately by the processing circuit 600. Or, the various functions of the control device main body 110 can be centrally implemented through the processing circuit 600.

[0101] also, Figure 9 This is a diagram showing a second example of a processing circuit that implements the functions of the control device main body 110 of Embodiment 1. The processing circuit 700 of the second example includes a processor 710 and a memory 720.

[0102] In the processing circuit 700, the functions of the control device main body 110 are implemented through software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The software and firmware are described as programs. Furthermore, the software and firmware are stored in the memory 720. The processor 710 implements the functions of each part by reading and executing the programs stored in the memory 720.

[0103] The program stored in memory 720 can also be described as a program that causes the computer to execute the steps or methods described above. Here, for example, non-volatile or non-volatile semiconductor memories such as RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), flash memory, EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), and EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory) correspond to memory 720. Furthermore, disks, floppy disks, optical disks, CDs (compact disks), mini discs, and DVDs (Digital Versatile Disk) also correspond to memory 720.

[0104] The functions of the aforementioned components can be implemented partly through dedicated hardware and partly through software or firmware.

[0105] In this way, the processing circuit can implement the functions of the above-mentioned parts through hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.

Claims

1. A control device for a passenger conveyor, wherein, The control device for the passenger conveyor includes a main control unit. This main control unit controls the conveyor speed of the conveyor body to transport users based on user detection signals from user detection sensors and distance detection signals from distance sensors. The user detection sensors detect users located at the escalator entrance, and the distance sensors detect the distance from the escalator entrance to the user. When the user located at the elevator entrance is designated as the first user, and the user moving towards the elevator entrance after the first user is designated as the subsequent user,... The main body of the control device The user detection signal is used to determine whether the preceding user is stopped at the elevator entrance. The presence of the following user is determined based on the distance detection signal, and the movement speed of the following user is calculated based on the time change of the distance detection signal. If the preceding user stops at the elevator entrance and there are no subsequent users, the conveyor speed is reduced from the rated speed. If the preceding user stops at the escalator entrance and the subsequent user's movement speed is below a threshold, the conveyor speed is reduced from the rated speed. If the first user stops at the elevator entrance and the subsequent user's movement speed exceeds the threshold, the conveying speed is maintained at the rated speed.

2. The control device for the passenger conveyor according to claim 1, wherein, If the control device determines that the first user has not stopped at the elevator entrance after reducing the conveyor from the rated speed, it considers that the first user has boarded the conveyor and thus increases the conveyor speed.

3. The control device for the passenger conveyor according to claim 2, wherein, The main body of the control device reduces the ascending conveyor speed to the speed at which the first user boarded the elevator until the first user reaches the lower escalator.

4. The control device for the passenger conveyor according to claim 1, wherein, After the control device reduces the conveyor from the rated speed, it determines that the first user has not stopped at the elevator entrance, and determines, based on the time change of the distance detection signal from the distance sensor, that the first user has moved in the direction of leaving the elevator entrance, and then restores the conveyor speed to the rated speed.

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