Infrared probe device for escalator
By processing the analog signals of the infrared sensor into digital signals and combining this with filtering and amplification techniques, the problems of escalator malfunctions and delayed startup were solved, thus improving safety and stability.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- HANGZHOU XINMA ELEVATOR
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-28
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-31
AI Technical Summary
The design of existing infrared detectors in escalators has problems such as frequent malfunctions leading to mechanical wear and energy waste, or delayed activation causing passenger safety risks.
An infrared detector device is used, including an infrared detector unit, a signal amplification unit, a microcontroller, a power supply, and an MOD communication interface. It processes analog signals into digital signals, combines filtering and amplification techniques, and utilizes signal sensitivity and gain adjustment, along with address and baud rate setting switches, to achieve accurate detection of personnel presence and location.
This avoids escalator malfunctions, improves operational safety and stability, reduces mechanical wear and energy waste, and ensures passenger safety and efficiency.
Smart Images
Figure CN224577830U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of escalator technology, and in particular to an infrared detector device for escalators. Background Technology
[0002] With the continuous advancement of technology, the public's demands for public service products are increasing, especially in terms of safety, convenience, and user-friendliness. As a common mode of public transportation, the optimization of escalator performance has attracted much attention.
[0003] Currently, the infrared sensors used at escalator entrances and exits typically employ a switch design. When a person enters the escalator entrance / exit area, the infrared switch activates, and the escalator starts according to the programmed sequence.
[0004] However, this switch design has the following shortcomings: The challenge of adjusting infrared detection: If the detection range of the infrared probe is increased, the escalator will frequently malfunction, which not only increases the wear and tear on the mechanical parts of the escalator and shortens its service life, but also causes unnecessary energy waste. Conversely, if the detection range is reduced, the escalator will suddenly start when the passenger is about to step onto the step or has just stepped onto the step, causing the passenger to be unprepared for emergency response and thus creating danger.
[0005] To solve the problem of adjusting infrared detection, the debugging personnel often increase the infrared sensitivity appropriately and then increase the acceleration time of the escalator. In this way, even if there is a malfunction, the speed of the escalator will not be too high when it stops due to the long acceleration time, and the mechanical impact will be relatively small. However, this results in a slow acceleration process when someone is riding the escalator. By the time a person reaches the middle of the escalator, the escalator has not yet reached its rated speed, which greatly reduces the passenger's riding experience and efficiency. Utility Model Content
[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide an infrared sensor device for escalators. This invention has the advantages of preventing escalator malfunctions and improving the safety and stability of escalator operation.
[0007] The technical solution of this utility model is as follows: an infrared probe device for escalators, comprising a correspondingly connected infrared probe unit, a microcontroller, a power supply, an MOD communication interface, and a baud rate and address setting switch; the infrared probe unit includes an infrared probe, a filtering component, and a signal amplification unit.
[0008] In the aforementioned infrared detector device for escalators, the signal amplification unit includes a primary signal amplifier, a secondary signal amplifier, a signal sensitivity adjustment potentiometer, and a gain adjustment potentiometer, wherein the gain adjustment potentiometer is connected to the secondary signal amplifier; the output terminal of the signal amplification unit is connected to the analog input terminal of the microcontroller.
[0009] In the aforementioned infrared sensor device for escalators, the power supply is a DC power supply, and a DC / DC converter is provided to convert the 24V power supply of the MOD communication interface into a 5V DC power supply.
[0010] In the aforementioned infrared detector device for escalators, the baud rate and address setting switch has eight DIP switches, which are connected to the I / O ports of the microcontroller; of the eight DIP switches, five are address code switches and three are baud rate switches.
[0011] In the aforementioned infrared detector device for escalators, the microcontroller is equipped with an analog-to-digital A / D converter, a CPU, an 8-bit I / O port, and a serial communication port.
[0012] In the aforementioned infrared sensor device for escalators, the MOD communication interface (4) is provided with at least four interface lines, including a +24V interface, a MOD+ interface, a MOD- interface and a 0V interface; the MOD communication interface is connected to the system control motherboard of the escalator.
[0013] Compared with the prior art, this application has the following advantages: 1) Digital signal processing: The infrared analog signal is processed by a single-chip microcomputer A / D conversion to convert the infrared intensity into a digital signal, which can more accurately detect the presence and position of people, avoid the limitations of traditional switch design, and reduce the shortcomings when the escalator starts automatically. 2) Strong environmental adaptability: By digitally processing the filtered and amplified signal, the impact of changes in ambient illumination on the detection results is effectively reduced, improving the stability and reliability of the probe; 3) Flexible configuration: The design of the baud rate and address setting switch allows the probe's address and communication baud rate to be flexibly set according to actual needs, making it easy to adapt to different system control motherboards; 4) Standard Interface: The MOD communication interface adopts a standard hardware interface and MOD communication protocol, which facilitates connection and communication with escalator systems and improves the system's compatibility and scalability.
[0014] Therefore, this utility model has the advantages of avoiding escalator malfunctions and improving the safety and stability of escalator operation. Attached Figure Description
[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the principle of this utility model.
[0016] The labels in the attached diagram are: 1-Infrared probe unit, 2-Microcontroller, 3-Power supply, 4-MOD communication interface, 5-Baud rate and address setting switch, R1-Signal sensitivity adjustment potentiometer, R2-Gain adjustment potentiometer. Detailed Implementation
[0017] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments, but this should not be construed as limiting the present invention.
[0018] Example. An infrared sensor device for escalators, such as... Figure 1 As shown, it includes an infrared probe unit 1, a microcontroller 2, a power supply 3, an MOD communication interface 4, and a baud rate and address setting switch 5, all connected accordingly. The infrared probe unit 1 includes an infrared probe, a filtering component, and a signal amplification unit.
[0019] The signal amplification unit includes a first-stage signal amplifier, a second-stage signal amplifier, a signal sensitivity adjustment potentiometer R1, and a gain adjustment potentiometer R2. The gain adjustment potentiometer R2 is connected to the second-stage signal amplifier. The output terminal of the signal amplification unit is connected to the analog input terminal of the microcontroller 2.
[0020] Both the first-stage and second-stage signal amplifiers use the EL8202 dual op-amp chip, which has low noise, low voltage, and high bandwidth. It is placed as close as possible to the infrared probe. The circuit board uses a large area of copper foil for grounding, and the entire circuit except for the gain adjustment potentiometer R2 is shielded with a shielding cover.
[0021] The analog signal detected by the infrared probe first passes through a filter component to remove interference components and make the signal purer. Then, the signal enters a first-stage signal amplifier for amplification to increase the signal strength. After passing through a second-stage signal amplifier for sensitivity and gain adjustment, the processed signal is directly connected to the analog input port of the microcontroller 2.
[0022] The power supply 3 is a DC power supply and is equipped with a DC / DC converter, which can convert the 24V power supply of the MOD communication interface 4 into a 5V DC power supply, providing a stable operating voltage for the microcontroller 2, the signal amplification unit, and various components inside the infrared probe.
[0023] The baud rate and address setting switch 5 has 8 DIP switches, which are connected to the I / O ports of the microcontroller 2; of the 8 DIP switches, 5 are address code switches and 3 are baud rate switches.
[0024] The probe's address and communication baud rate can be flexibly set by manually adjusting the state of the DIP switch, facilitating communication with the escalator control system.
[0025] The microcontroller 2 is equipped with an analog-to-digital A / D converter, a CPU, an 8-bit I / O port, and a serial communication port. Microcontroller 2 is a surface-mount 51 series microcontroller, offering powerful functionality, practicality, and a reasonable price.
[0026] The A / D converter converts the analog signal from infrared probe unit 1 into an 8-bit digital signal. The CPU reads the processed 8-bit digital signal into the communication transmission register. According to the communication requirements of the main control board, and based on the set address code and baud rate, when the escalator main control system polls for the address of the intelligent infrared probe, it adds the header file, address code, feature code, check code, etc., to the communication output port.
[0027] The MOD communication interface 4 adopts a standard MOD communication hardware interface, including a MOD communication chip MAX485, peripheral components, and a 4-pin MOD communication socket. The MOD communication sockets are +24V, MOD+, MOD-, and 0V interfaces. The MOD communication interface 4 is connected to the system control motherboard of the escalator.
[0028] MOD communication interface 4 converts the TTL level of the output port of microcontroller 2 to the standard MOD communication level. It consists of a communication chip MAX485 and some peripheral components. According to the signal requirements of the communication bus, it sends the communication data from the communication bus to the communication read input of microcontroller 2, and sends the communication signal output by microcontroller 2 to the bus.
[0029] Working principle: like Figure 1 As shown, the electrical signal output from the infrared probe (HP) is filtered by an inductor and a ceramic capacitor before entering a first-stage signal amplifier. The amplified signal has sufficient anti-interference strength and power. This signal is then input to a second-stage signal amplifier for sensitivity (i.e., intensity) and gain (amplification factor) control to obtain an appropriate electrical signal. This signal is then input to microcontroller 2, where it is converted into an 8-bit digital signal. The data is then averaged by reading five consecutive data points in microcontroller 2 (to eliminate interference) to obtain relatively reliable infrared intensity data. This data is sent to the communication module during bus access and then transmitted to the communication bus by the MOD communication module.
[0030] Practical applications: (a) Hardware installation Install this application at the entrance / exit of the escalator to replace the original infrared sensor.
[0031] Connect this application to the system bus using the +24V, MOD+, MOD-, and 0V hardware sockets of MOD communication interface 4.
[0032] Set the baud rate and address using DIP switches. According to system requirements, set the 5 address code switches and 3 baud rate switches to the address and communication baud rate required by the escalator main control system.
[0033] (II) Software Configuration The microcontroller 2 is configured with analog-to-digital A / D conversion parameters according to design requirements and a communication protocol is written according to the communication rules required by the escalator main control system.
[0034] Set the communication baud rate according to the table below. Set the address code according to the table below Initialize the I / O ports, setting P0.0 as an analog input port, P0.5 as a communication interrupt port, and P0.6 and P0.7 as communication RX and TX ports; P1.0-P1.7 are read-only ports, connected to the address code and baud rate DIP switches.
[0035] The working procedure of the microcontroller 2 is relatively simple. The specific steps are as follows: 1. Read the data from port P1 and determine the communication address code and communication baud rate according to the table above; 2. Read the infrared probe intensity data converted from P0.0 port, and use the average value of 5 consecutive readings as the current infrared intensity data; 3. Read the data from communication port P0.6, (RX). If the read data contains a communication request that matches the address code of this module, send an interrupt signal during the gap when the bus communication ends. Then, add the obtained infrared intensity data, address code, feature value, check code and other data text that meet the bus requirements to the bus and send it to the bus through the MOD communication port.
[0036] (III) Debugging and Optimization After installing this application and connecting the MOD communication cable, test the communication data of the escalator's main control system to check if the communication data from this application is received normally. Adjust the sensitivity of this application. Adjust the sensitivity adjustment resistor. When someone stands 1.2 meters away from the center of the escalator comb plate, adjust the sensitivity potentiometer so that the data intensity of the intelligent infrared probe read by the escalator main control system is between 28-30 (about 45%). When the person walks to the front plate and is 0.6 meters away from the center of the comb plate, adjust the gain potentiometer so that the data intensity read by the escalator main control system is between 40-45 (about 70%). Repeatedly adjust these two parameters so that the data read by the escalator main control system meets the above requirements. When debugging the escalator's main control system, the escalator automatically starts when the data detected by the intelligent infrared sensor is greater than or equal to 35. At this point, the passenger is approximately 0.8 meters away from the comb plate. If the data does not increase, the escalator maintains low speed; if the data remains unchanged or decreases, it stops after a set running time. If the data increases and exceeds 45, the escalator enters the acceleration phase. At this point, the passenger is only about 0.5 meters away from the comb plate, and their hand can already touch the handrail. The escalator is running at this time, giving the passenger sufficient time to mentally prepare for riding. This prevents passengers from being unprepared for an emergency response due to a sudden start-up of the escalator, thus avoiding potential danger.
[0037] This design ensures both passenger safety and the efficiency and comfort of using the elevator.
Claims
1. An infrared probe device for an escalator, characterized by: It includes a corresponding connected infrared probe unit (1), a microcontroller (2), a power supply (3), a MOD communication interface (4), and a baud rate and address setting switch (5); the infrared probe unit (1) includes an infrared probe, a filtering component, and a signal amplification unit; The signal amplification unit includes a first-stage signal amplifier, a second-stage signal amplifier, a signal sensitivity adjustment potentiometer (R1), and a gain adjustment potentiometer (R2). The gain adjustment potentiometer (R2) is connected to the second-stage signal amplifier. The output terminal of the signal amplification unit is connected to the analog input terminal of the microcontroller (2). The power supply (3) is a DC power supply and is equipped with a DC / DC converter, which can convert the 24V power supply of the MOD communication interface (4) into a 5V DC power supply. The baud rate and address setting switch (5) has 8 DIP switches, which are connected to the I / O ports of the microcontroller (2); of the 8 DIP switches, 5 are address code switches and 3 are baud rate switches. The microcontroller (2) is equipped with an analog-to-digital A / D converter, a CPU, an 8-bit I / O port and a serial communication port; The MOD communication interface (4) is equipped with a +24V interface, a MOD+ interface, a MOD- interface and a 0V interface line; the MOD communication interface (4) is connected to the system control motherboard of the escalator.