Tooth skipping detection device of passenger conveyor

Abstract

The invention relates to a gear skipping detection device of a passenger conveyor. The gear skipping detection device comprises a motor; an input shaft of the speed reducer is connected with a rotating shaft of the motor; a plurality of steps connected in a ring shape; the step chain wheel is used for driving the steps; the first chain wheel and the step chain wheel are coaxially arranged; the annular driving chain is erected between an output chain wheel of the speed reducer and the first chain wheel; the handrail driving wheel is driven by the step chain wheel; the handrail driven wheel and the handrail driving wheel are driven by clamping a handrail belt; a first speed sensor outputting a first pulse signal corresponding to a first rotational speed of the input shaft; the second speed sensor outputs a second pulse signal corresponding to a second rotating speed of the armrest driven wheel; and a control unit that detects the skipping of the output sprocket on the basis of the second pulse signal output during a period in which the first pulse signal having a predetermined number of pulses is output.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a tooth skipping detection device for a passenger conveyor.

[0002] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-098620 (filing date: June 15, 2023) and claims the priority benefit of the aforementioned application, and the present application incorporates the entire contents of the aforementioned application by reference. Background Art

[0003] Conventionally, passenger conveyors such as escalators and moving walkways use a driving device having a motor to circulate a plurality of steps. In order to circulate the steps, a plurality of power transmission devices are interposed from the motor to the drive sprocket that drives the steps. Among them, a drive chain responsible for power transmission between the output sprocket of the reducer connected to the motor and the drive sprocket is provided with a cut-off sensor and a loosening sensor in order to detect the cut-off and loosening of the drive chain.

[0004] As described above, a sensor is provided to detect abnormalities in the drive chain, but sometimes the drive chain accidentally jumps teeth due to wear of the output sprocket of the reducer. However, in the past, there was a problem that there was no device for detecting the jump of the output sprocket. For example, when the output sprocket jumps teeth, other safety devices accidentally work due to the jump and the passenger conveyor stops, it takes a long time to determine that the real cause is the jump of the output sprocket. Summary of the invention

[0005] An embodiment of the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a tooth skipping detection device for a passenger conveyor capable of detecting tooth skipping of an output sprocket of a speed reducer.

[0006] An embodiment of the present invention is a tooth skipping detection device for a passenger conveyor, comprising: a motor; a reducer, an input shaft of which is connected to the rotating shaft of the motor; a plurality of steps connected in a ring shape; a step sprocket for driving the steps; a first sprocket coaxially arranged with the step sprocket; an annular drive chain spanned between the output sprocket of the reducer and the first sprocket; a handrail driving wheel driven by the step sprocket; a handrail driven wheel clamping a handrail belt with the handrail driving wheel to make the handrail belt travel; a first speed sensor outputting a first pulse signal corresponding to a first rotational speed of the input shaft; a second speed sensor outputting a second pulse signal corresponding to a second rotational speed of the handrail driven wheel; and a control unit for detecting tooth skipping of the output sprocket based on the second pulse signal output during the period of outputting the first pulse signal of a specified number of pulses.

[0007] The embodiment of the present invention can detect tooth skipping of the output sprocket of the speed reducer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 This is an explanatory diagram of the escalator according to Embodiment 1 as viewed from the left side.

[0009] Figure 2 This is an enlarged illustration of the drive device, step sprocket, handrail sprocket, and handrail drive device.

[0010] Figure 3 It is a top view of the drive device.

[0011] Figure 4 This is the timing diagram when the output sprocket is in normal state.

[0012] Figure 5 This is a timing diagram of the state in which the output sprocket jumps teeth during the ascending operation.

[0013] Figure 6 This is a timing diagram of a state in which the output sprocket jumps teeth during descending operation.

[0014] Figure 7 This is a timing diagram of the handrail slipping during operation.

[0015] Figure 8 It is an explanatory diagram of the drive device, step sprocket, and handrail sprocket of the second embodiment.

[0016] Fig. 9 It is an explanatory diagram of the drive device, step sprocket, and handrail sprocket in the normal descending operation of the second embodiment.

[0017] Fig.10 It is an explanatory diagram of the drive device, step sprocket, and handrail sprocket in descending operation when skipping one tooth in embodiment 2.

[0018] Fig.11 This is an actual timing diagram of a state in which the output sprocket jumps teeth during the descending operation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Hereinafter, a tooth skipping detection device for a passenger conveyor according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment, an escalator 10 will be described as a passenger conveyor.

[0020] [Implementation method 1]

[0021] Reference Figure 1 to Figure 7 An escalator 10 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described.

[0022] (1) Escalator 10

[0023] First, the structure of the escalator 10 will be described. Figure 1This is an explanatory diagram of the escalator 10 viewed from the left side. However, in order to make the internal structure of the escalator 10 easier to understand, the illustration of the components on one side (left side) of the escalator 10 is omitted. In addition, when describing the front and rear directions of the escalator 10, it is assumed that the upper floor is viewed from the upper floor downward, and the lower floor is the front side.

[0024] A truss 12 which is a frame of the escalator 10 spans the upper and lower floors of the building 1 and is supported in the front-rear direction using support angles 2 and 3 .

[0025] A driving device 18 for moving the steps 30, a pair of left and right step sprockets 24, 24, and a pair of left and right handrail sprockets 27, 27 are provided inside the machine room 14 on the upper layer side of the upper end of the truss 12. The driving device 18 has a motor 20 and a reducer 82. The drive chain 22 is driven by the output sprocket 90 installed on the output shaft of the reducer 82 to rotate the step sprocket 24. The pair of left and right step sprockets 24, 24 and the pair of left and right handrail sprockets 27, 27 are connected by a connecting belt and rotate synchronously. The structure of the driving device 18, the step sprocket 24, and the handrail sprocket 27 will be described in detail later. A control unit 50 for controlling the motor 20 and the like is provided inside the machine room 14 on the upper layer side.

[0026] A driven sprocket 26 is provided inside the machine room 16 on the lower layer side at the lower end of the truss 12. A pair of left and right endless step chains 28, 28 are spanned between the step sprocket 24 on the upper layer side and the driven sprocket 26 on the lower layer side. That is, wheels 301 of a plurality of steps 30 are mounted at equal intervals on the pair of left and right step chains 28, 28. The wheels 301 of the steps 30 run along a guide rail (not shown) fixed to the truss 12, and engage with a recessed portion on the outer periphery of the step sprocket 24 and a recessed portion on the outer periphery of the driven sprocket 26 to be turned upside down. In addition, the wheels 302 run along the guide rail 25 fixed to the truss 12.

[0027] A pair of left and right handrails 36, 36 are erected on the left and right sides of the truss 12. A handrail rail 39 is provided on the upper part of the handrail 36, and a ring-shaped handrail belt 38 moves along the handrail rail 39. An upper layer side front skirt guard 40 is provided on the lower front part of the upper layer side of the handrail 36, and a lower layer side front skirt guard 42 is provided on the lower front part of the lower layer side. Entrances 46, 48 as entrances and exits of the handrail belt 38 protrude from the front skirt guards 40, 42, respectively.

[0028] A skirt guard 44 is provided at a lower side of the handrail 36 , and the step 30 runs between a pair of left and right skirt guards 44 , 44 .

[0029] When the escalator 10 is in ascending operation, the pair of left and right handrail belts 38 enter the front skirt guard plate 40 from the entrance portion 46 on the upper layer side, and each handrail belt 38 is driven by the handrail driving device 70 driven by the handrail sprocket 27, moves in the skirt guard plate 44, and emerges from the entrance portion 48 on the lower layer side to the outside of the front skirt guard plate 42. When the escalator 10 is in descending operation, each handrail belt 38 enters the skirt guard plate 44 from the entrance portion 48 on the lower layer side, and emerges from the entrance portion 46 on the upper layer side to the outside of the front skirt guard plate 40.

[0030] An upper-level boarding board 32 is horizontally provided at the boarding and alighting port on the ceiling surface of the machine room 14 on the upper level, and a lower-level boarding and alighting port 34 is horizontally provided at the boarding and alighting port on the ceiling surface of the machine room 16 on the lower level. A comb-tooth-shaped comb plate 60 is provided at the front end of the boarding and alighting port 32, and the steps 30 are driven out of the comb-tooth plate 60 or enter the comb-tooth plate 60. In addition, a comb-tooth-shaped comb plate 62 is also provided on the boarding and alighting port 34.

[0031] (2) Structure of the drive device 18, the step sprocket 24, and the handrail sprocket 27

[0032] Next, refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 The structures of the drive device 18, the step sprocket 24, and the handrail sprocket 27 will be described.

[0033] The drive device 18 is installed on the truss 12 of the machine room 14 on the upper side. Figure 3 As shown, the rotating shaft 86 of the motor 20 is connected to the input shaft 84 of the speed reducer 82 via the coupling device 88. The connection mechanism between the input shaft 84 and the rotating shaft 86 is not limited to the coupling device 88, and a V-belt may be used.

[0034] like Figure 2 With Figure 3 As shown, an output sprocket 90 is provided on the output shaft of the speed reducer 82. Output teeth (not shown) protrude from the outer periphery of the output sprocket 90 at regular intervals.

[0035] like Figure 2 As shown, a first sprocket 92 is provided coaxially with the step sprocket 24. An endless drive chain 22 is provided between the output sprocket 90 of the reducer 82 and the first sprocket 92. A second sprocket 94 is also provided coaxially with the step sprocket 24. In addition, a third sprocket 96 is provided coaxially with the handrail sprocket 27. An endless transmission chain 98 is provided between the second sprocket 94 and the third sprocket 96.

[0036] like Figure 2 With Figure 3As shown, an input shaft speed sensor (first speed sensor) 52 composed of a proximity sensor is provided on the input shaft 84 of the speed reducer 82, and a first pulse signal having a pulse interval corresponding to the rotation speed of the input shaft 84, i.e., the first rotation speed, is output to the control unit 50. For example, a detection piece is provided on the input shaft 84, and the input shaft speed sensor 52 as a proximity sensor detects the detection piece and outputs a pulse (first pulse signal) every time the input shaft 84 rotates one circle. The control unit 50 detects the stoppage of the operation of the motor 20 and the deceleration based on the first pulse signal of the input shaft speed sensor 52, and also detects abnormality of the V-belt when a V-belt is used.

[0037] like Figure 2 As shown, since the drive chain 22 is mounted on the output sprocket 90 and the step sprocket 24, when the motor 20 of the drive device 18 rotates, the output sprocket 90 of the reducer 82 also rotates therewith, and the first sprocket 92 rotates via the drive chain 22. When the first sprocket 92 rotates, the step sprocket 24 rotates, and the step 30 moves. Figure 2 When the sprocket 92 rotates clockwise, the step 30 rises, and when the sprocket 92 rotates counterclockwise, the step 30 falls. The second sprocket 94 also rotates with the rotation of the first sprocket 92, and the third sprocket 96 rotates through the transmission chain 98. When the third sprocket 96 rotates, the handrail sprocket 27 rotates, and the handrail driving device 70 described below is driven to move the handrail belt 38.

[0038] (3) Structure of the handrail driving device 70

[0039] Next, refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 The handrail drive device 70 is described. The handrail drive device 70 is provided inside the escalator 10 surrounded by the skirt guard 44. The handrail drive device 70 is a linear drive type, and includes a horizontally long base plate 64 provided above the truss 12 and inside the skirt guard 44, four handrail drive wheels 72, four handrail driven wheels 74, four handrail drive sprockets 66, and an auxiliary sprocket 68.

[0040] like Figure 1 As shown, four handrail drive sprockets 66 are arranged in a straight line in the horizontal direction and are rotatably mounted on the base plate 64. In addition, an auxiliary sprocket 68 is provided between the two central handrail drive sprockets 66, 66. The handrail drive wheel 72 is not mounted on the auxiliary sprocket 68.

[0041] like Figure 1 As shown, four handrail drive wheels 72 arranged in a straight line are coaxially mounted with the four handrail drive sprockets 66 , and the handrail drive wheels 72 rotate together with the handrail drive sprockets 66 .

[0042] On the base plate 64, four handrail driven wheels 74 are arranged in a straight line below the four handrail driving wheels 72 so as to be opposed to the four handrail driving wheels 72. The handrail belt 38 runs between the four handrail driving wheels 72 and the four handrail driven wheels 74, and the four handrail driven wheels 74 press the handrail belt 38 against the four handrail driving wheels 72.

[0043] Two guide sprockets 76 and 78 are rotatably provided between the handrail sprocket 27 and the handrail driving device 70 described above. An endless handrail chain 80 is provided over the handrail sprocket 27, the four handrail driving sprockets 66, the one auxiliary sprocket 68, and the guide sprockets 76 and 78. That is, the handrail chain 80 passes through the lower peripheral surface of the handrail sprocket 27, the upper peripheral surface of the first handrail driving sprocket 66, the upper peripheral surface of the second handrail driving sprocket 66, the lower peripheral surface of the auxiliary sprocket 68, the upper peripheral surface of the third handrail driving sprocket 66, and the upper peripheral surface of the fourth handrail driving sprocket 66, and is guided by the guide sprocket 76 and the guide sprocket 78 to reach the handrail sprocket 27 again.

[0044] Thus, when the handrail sprocket 27 rotates synchronously with the step sprocket 24 driving the step 30, the four handrail driving wheels 72 coaxially arranged with the four handrail driving sprockets 66 also rotate. Then, the handrail belt 38 sandwiched between the rotating four handrail driving wheels 72 and the four handrail driven wheels 74 travels.

[0045] A handrail speed sensor (second speed sensor) 54 composed of a proximity sensor is provided on one of the four handrail driven wheels 74 described above. The handrail speed sensor 54 outputs a second pulse signal having a pulse interval corresponding to the rotation speed of the handrail driven wheel 74, i.e., the second rotation speed, to the control unit 50. For example, a detection piece is provided on the handrail driven wheel 74, and the handrail speed sensor 54 as a proximity sensor detects the detection piece and outputs a pulse (second pulse signal) every time the handrail driven wheel 74 rotates one circle. The control unit 50 detects the stoppage, slippage, etc. of the handrail belt 38 based on the second pulse signal of the handrail speed sensor 54.

[0046] (4) Device for detecting tooth skipping of output sprocket 90

[0047] Next, refer to Figures 4 to 7 The tooth skipping detection device of the output sprocket 90 of the speed reducer 82 is described. The tooth skipping detection device is composed of a control unit 50, an input shaft speed sensor 52, and a handrail speed sensor 54. Here, "tooth skipping" refers to the phenomenon that the meshing of the gears (output teeth) of the chain, sprocket, etc. is poor, and when force is applied, the chain slips and the input force is not transmitted to the driven object. Figures 4 to 7In the timing diagram, the horizontal axis is time t, and the vertical axis represents, from the top, a conceptual diagram of the state of the output teeth of the output sprocket 90, the waveform of the first pulse signal output by the input shaft speed sensor 52, and the waveform of the second pulse signal output by the handrail speed sensor 54.

[0048] The first column of figures is a conceptual diagram of the output teeth showing vertical lines when the output teeth of the output sprocket 90 rotate one tooth. The solid vertical lines indicate that the output teeth are in normal motion, and the dotted vertical lines indicate that the output teeth have skipped due to wear, etc. In addition, the time required for one output tooth to rotate to the position of the adjacent output tooth is set to a.

[0049] The first pulse signal of the second column is a pulse signal outputted together with the rotation of the input shaft 84. When the rotation speed of the input shaft 84, i.e., the first rotation speed, is constant, the first pulse signal becomes a pulse signal with a constant pulse interval. Furthermore, a predetermined number of pulses are outputted during the a time required for the output tooth to rotate by one tooth. For example, when the input shaft 84 rotates two times, the first pulse signal is as follows: Figures 4 to 7 Two pulses are output as shown.

[0050] The second pulse signal of the third column is a pulse signal outputted together with the rotation of the handrail driven wheel 74. When the rotation speed of the handrail driven wheel 74, i.e., the second rotation speed, is constant, the second pulse signal becomes a pulse signal with a constant pulse interval. Furthermore, during the a time required for the output tooth to rotate one tooth, for example, when the handrail driven wheel 74 rotates four times, the second pulse signal is outputted as follows: Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , four pulses are output. The faster the second rotation speed is, the more the number of pulses during the a time period increases (refer to FIG. 1 ). Figure 6 ).

[0051] (4-1) Normal state

[0052] Reference Figure 4 The timing chart of will be described when the output teeth of the output sprocket 90 are in a normal state.

[0053] When the output teeth of the output sprocket 90 are normal, the solid vertical line in the conceptual diagram of the output teeth is protruded according to the a time during which the output teeth rotate by one tooth. The number of pulses of the first pulse signal during the a time can be obtained based on the rotation speed of the motor 20, the reduction ratio of the reducer 82, and the number of output teeth of the output sprocket 90. Figure 4 This is an example of a normal state, showing a case where the first pulse signal includes two pulses with a constant pulse interval during a time period, and the second pulse signal includes four pulses with a constant pulse interval during a time period.

[0054] When the first pulse signal and the second pulse signal in this state are input, the control unit 50 determines that the output teeth of the output sprocket 90 have not skipped.

[0055] (4-2) Tooth jumping during ascending operation

[0056] The following describes the detection of a tooth skipping when the tooth skipping occurs by one tooth (n=1), that is, when the first pulse signal of two pulses is output. However, even if a tooth skipping occurs by one tooth, the time is usually short and the second pulse signal changes less, so the detection is clearer when multiple tooth skipping occurs. In this case, the number of first pulse signals during a time × n (n>1) is counted. This n can also be determined in advance.

[0057] First, refer to Figure 5 The timing diagram of FIG. 1 will be used to explain the situation in which the output teeth of the output sprocket 90 jump when the step 30 is in ascending operation.

[0058] exist Figure 5 The conceptual diagram of the output tooth in the first column of the timing diagram shows a situation where a tooth jump occurs through the dotted vertical line.

[0059] Since the input shaft 84 is located in front of the output sprocket 90 in the power transmission system, the first pulse signal is the same as the pulse signal when the output teeth are normal, and the number of pulses and the pulse interval are constant.

[0060] Regarding the second pulse signal, since the output teeth of the output sprocket 90 skip a tooth, the drive chain 22 stops temporarily, the step sprocket 24 does not rotate, and the step 30 also stops temporarily. The stop time at this time is proportional to the number of teeth that skip a tooth. That is, the stop time is the product of the time a required for the output teeth of the output sprocket 90 to rotate one tooth and the number of teeth that skip a tooth. Figure 5 , the number of teeth n = 1. When the drive chain 22 stops, the stop is transmitted to the first sprocket 92, the step sprocket 24, the second sprocket 94, the third sprocket 96, and the handrail sprocket 27 in sequence, and then transmitted from the handrail chain 80 to the handrail driving wheel 72. During this period, the movement of the handrail belt 38 stops, so the handrail driven wheel 74 does not rotate, the handrail speed sensor 54 cannot detect the rotation of the handrail driven wheel 74, and the second pulse signal does not change. That is, the on or off state of the second pulse signal lasts for a time (where n = 1).

[0061] When performing an ascending operation, if the first pulse signal of the input shaft speed sensor 52 is normal but the second pulse signal of the handrail speed sensor 54 stops for a constant time (n times the a time), the control unit 50 determines that the output sprocket 90 has skipped teeth and records it, and notifies the outside as needed.

[0062] (4-3) Tooth skipping during descending operation

[0063] Next, refer to Figure 6 The timing diagram of FIG. 1 is used to illustrate the situation in which the output sprocket 90 jumps teeth when the step 30 is in descending operation.

[0064] The conceptual diagram of the output teeth and the first pulse signal of the input shaft speed sensor 52 are the same as those in the case where tooth skipping occurs during the ascending operation.

[0065] When the output sprocket 90 skips one tooth during the descending operation, the force driving the drive chain 22 disappears, and the step 30 descends to the lower side by its own weight. Therefore, the drive chain 22 is pulled by the movement of the step 30, and the step sprocket 24 instantly rotates faster than the output sprocket 90. Then, the high-speed rotation speed is transmitted to the first sprocket 92, the step sprocket 24, the second sprocket 94, the third sprocket 96, and the handrail sprocket 27, and further to the handrail driving wheel 72, and the handrail belt 38 also temporarily moves at a high speed. Along with this, the handrail driven wheel 74 also rotates at a high speed, so the pulse interval of the second pulse signal of the handrail speed sensor 54 becomes narrower due to the abnormal acceleration. For example, in Figure 6 , an example is shown in which the pulse interval is compressed to 1 / 2 on average during the a time period. However, the extent to which the pulse interval is narrowed is determined by the number of output teeth of the output sprocket 90, the first sprocket 92, the step sprocket 24, the second sprocket 94, the third sprocket 96, and the handrail sprocket 27, and the ratio of the number of these output teeth, and 1 / 2 is used as an example. In addition, regarding the situation in which the output sprocket 90 skips one tooth during the descending operation, it is explained in an easy-to-understand manner based on the second embodiment, which has a simpler structure than the first embodiment.

[0066] When the first pulse signal is normal and the pulse interval of the second pulse signal is narrower than normal during the descending operation, the control unit 50 determines that the output sprocket 90 has skipped a tooth, records the information, and notifies the outside as necessary.

[0067] (4-4) Slippage of the handrail 38 during ascending or descending operation

[0068] There may be a case where the handrail belt 38 slips during movement even though the output sprocket 90 does not skip a tooth. Figure 7 The timing diagram illustrates the difference between the slipping state at this time and the state when tooth jumping occurs.

[0069] The conceptual diagram of the output teeth and the first pulse signal of the input shaft speed sensor 52 are the same as those in the normal state.

[0070] However, when the handrail belt 38 slips due to some reasons, although the rotation of the handrail driving wheel 72 is in a normal state, the moving speed of the handrail belt 38 will decrease, so the speed of the handrail driven wheel 74 will also decrease, and at the same time, at least one of the pulse width and pulse interval of the second pulse signal of the handrail speed sensor 54 will be larger than normal. This can be distinguished from the tooth skipping of the output sprocket 90.

[0071] Thus, when the pulse width and pulse interval of the second pulse signal from the handrail speed sensor 54 are larger than normal even though the first pulse signal from the input shaft speed sensor 52 is normal, the control unit 50 determines that the handrail belt 38 is slipping rather than tooth skipping.

[0072] (5) Effect

[0073] According to the present embodiment, whether the escalator 10 is in an ascending operation or a descending operation, it is possible to reliably detect a tooth jump of the output sprocket 90 .

[0074] In addition, it is possible to distinguish the slippage of the handrail belt 38 from the tooth skipping and detect the slippage of the handrail belt 38 .

[0075] In addition, the input shaft speed sensor 52 and the handrail speed sensor 54 can respectively utilize sensors that have already been set up to detect the speed of the motor 20 and the speed of the handrail belt 38, so there is no need to re-set them to detect tooth skipping of the output sprocket 90, which will not lead to increased costs or increased installation time and labor.

[0076] [Implementation method 2]

[0077] Next, refer to Figure 8 The escalator 10 according to Embodiment 2 will be described. This embodiment is different from Embodiment 1 in that the structure for driving the handrail belt 38 is different.

[0078] In this embodiment, a handrail driving wheel 100 is installed coaxially with the third sprocket 96, not the handrail sprocket 27, to drive the handrail belt 38. In addition, in order to press the handrail belt 38 against the handrail driving wheel 100, a plurality of handrail driven wheels 102 are provided on the lower outer periphery of the handrail driving wheel 100. In addition, a handrail speed sensor 54 is provided on one of the handrail driven wheels 102. In addition, a plurality of guide rollers 104 are provided to guide the handrail belt 38 to the handrail driving wheel 100, and a plurality of guide rollers 106 are provided to guide the handrail belt 38 from the handrail driving wheel 100 to the inside of the skirt guard 44.

[0079] Thus, when the second sprocket 94 rotates together with the step sprocket 24 and the third sprocket 96 rotates via the transmission chain 98, the handrail driving wheel 100 rotates and the handrail belt 38 moves. When the handrail belt 38 moves, the handrail driven wheel 102 also rotates, and the handrail speed sensor 54 outputs a second pulse signal corresponding to the speed of the handrail belt 38.

[0080] In this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to detect tooth skipping of the output sprocket 90 during the ascending operation or the descending operation. In addition, it is possible to detect slippage of the handrail belt 38 in a manner different from tooth skipping.

[0081] Based on this embodiment, refer to Figures 9 to 11 A case where one tooth jump occurs in the output sprocket 90 of the speed reducer 82 during the descending operation will be described.

[0082] like Fig. 9 and Fig.10 As shown, in the descending operation, the output sprocket 90, the first sprocket 92, the second sprocket 94, the third sprocket 96, and the handrail driving wheel 100 rotate counterclockwise, and the handrail driven wheel 102 rotates clockwise. In order to understand the rotation state in the figure, a tooth as a reference is represented by a thick line.

[0083] like Fig. 9 As shown, in normal operation, the output sprocket 90 is at the 0 o'clock position (refer to Fig. 9 (a)) to the 9 o'clock position (refer to Fig. 9 (b)) advances one tooth (equivalent to Fig.11 The handrail driving wheel 100 (the detection piece of the handrail speed sensor 54) rotates from the 0 o'clock position to the 4 o'clock position (four pulses).

[0084] like Fig.10 As shown, when the output sprocket 90 of the reducer 82 is at the 0 o'clock position (refer to Fig.10 When a tooth jump occurs at (a)), the handrail drive wheel 100 rotates from the 0 o'clock position to the 4 o'clock position (see Fig.10 Meanwhile, the output sprocket 90 rotates from the 0 o'clock position to the 9 o'clock position as usual, so the handrail drive wheel 100 rotates from the 4 o'clock position to the 8 o'clock position (refer to Fig.10 (c)). In the above situation, during the period when the output sprocket 90 advances one tooth ( Fig.11 The handrail speed sensor 54 with a detection piece rotating in the same manner as the handrail drive wheel 100 generates eight pulse rises twice as many as usual. Figure 6 As shown in the figure, when the average is performed within a time, the pulse interval is 1 / 2 of the normal time, but in reality Fig.11 As shown, the interval becomes extremely narrow only after the jump tooth is tight, and becomes a normal interval from midway. That is, the drive chain 22 is hung on the tooth behind the jump tooth.

[0085] [Change example]

[0086] In the above embodiment, proximity sensors are used as the input shaft speed sensor 52 and the handrail speed sensor 54 , but instead, a high-resolution sensor such as an encoder rotating together with the input shaft 84 or a rotary encoder rotating together with the handrail driven wheel 74 may be used.

[0087] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the escalator 10 is described. However, the present invention may be applied to a moving walkway instead of the escalator 10.

[0088] In addition, one embodiment of the present invention is described above, but the embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These new embodiments can be implemented in various other ways, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the subject matter of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and subject matter of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A tooth skipping detection device for a passenger conveyor, comprising: motor; A speed reducer, the input shaft of which is connected to the rotating shaft of the motor; Multiple steps connected in a ring shape; a step sprocket for driving the steps; A first sprocket, coaxially arranged with the step sprocket; An annular drive chain is arranged between the output sprocket of the reducer and the first sprocket; A handrail driving wheel driven by the step sprocket; A handrail driven wheel, which clamps the handrail belt with the handrail driving wheel to make the handrail belt travel; a first speed sensor, outputting a first pulse signal corresponding to a first rotation speed of the input shaft; a second speed sensor, outputting a second pulse signal corresponding to a second rotation speed of the handrail driven wheel; as well as The control unit detects tooth skipping of the output sprocket based on the second pulse signal output during a period in which the first pulse signal having a predetermined number of pulses is output.

2. The tooth skipping detection device for a passenger conveyor according to claim 1, wherein: When the step is performing an ascending operation, if the second pulse signal is continuously turned on or off while the first pulse signal having a predetermined number of pulses is output, the control unit determines that the output sprocket has skipped a tooth.

3. The tooth skipping detection device for a passenger conveyor according to claim 1, wherein: When the step is in descending operation, during the period of outputting the first pulse signal with a specified number of pulses, if the pulse interval of the second pulse signal becomes narrower than the pulse interval of the second pulse signal in a normal state where no tooth skipping occurs, the control unit determines that the output sprocket has skipped a tooth.

4. The tooth skipping detection device for a passenger conveyor according to claim 1, wherein: The predetermined number of pulses of the first pulse signal refers to the number of pulses output during the time of the product of a time required for the output sprocket to rotate by one output tooth and a predetermined number of teeth n, where n=>1.

5. The tooth skipping detection device for a passenger conveyor according to claim 1, wherein: have: Handrail sprocket; A second sprocket is coaxially arranged with the step sprocket; A third sprocket is coaxially arranged with the handrail sprocket; An annular transmission chain is mounted on the second sprocket and the third sprocket; as well as The ring-shaped handrail chain is mounted on the plurality of handrail driving wheels and the handrail sprocket wheels.

6. The tooth skipping detection device for a passenger conveyor according to claim 1, wherein: have: A second sprocket is coaxially arranged with the step sprocket; a third sprocket coaxially disposed with one of the handrail drive wheels; and The annular transmission chain is mounted on the second sprocket and the third sprocket.

Images