escalator

Abstract

To provide an escalator that can effectively sterilise bacteria on the clothing of passengers being transported, without being affected by the airflow of an air conditioning system.SOLUTION: The escalator comprises a plurality of steps 12 endlessly connected to travel in a circular motion, and a UV irradiation device 68 irradiating a passenger P being transported on the plurality of steps 12 with UV light from the side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an escalator, and more particularly to an escalator capable of sterilizing clothes, etc. of passengers being transported thereon. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, in commercial facilities such as department stores and large shopping malls, multiple escalators are installed in appropriate locations for transport efficiency, and customers can take the escalators from the entrance floor to their destination floor.

[0003] Incidentally, one of the countermeasures against the recent spread of infectious diseases is to disinfect the clothes of customers, thereby preventing the spread of infection within commercial facilities, etc. It is considered effective to intensively disinfect the clothes of escalators, which many customers pass through, and prevent infection at the destination floor.

[0004] An escalator capable of sterilizing the clothes of passengers transported by the escalator is described in Patent Document 1. The escalator described in Patent Document 1 (hereinafter referred to as the "conventional escalator") has multiple electrostatic atomizers 11 provided on the ceiling part 53 above the escalator body (paragraph

[0033] , FIG. 3 of Patent Document 1).

[0005] The electrostatic atomizer 11 emits charged fine particle water M, which is effective in deodorizing, disinfecting, and inactivating allergens (paragraph

[0039] and FIG. 2 of Patent Document 1). Paragraph

[0039] of Patent Document 1 states, "Furthermore, the charged fine particle water M can be emitted to people riding on the escalator 50, and the charged fine particle water M can be attached to the hair or clothes of the people riding on the escalator 50 for deodorizing, disinfecting, or inactivating allergens." [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-66925 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, since conventional escalators release the charged fine particle water M from above passengers (vertically relative to passengers), it is believed that even if some of the charged fine particle water M adheres to the head (human hair), only a small amount of the charged fine particle water M adheres to the clothes. Furthermore, the charged fine particle water M released from the ceiling is likely to diffuse, and may not reach passengers due to the influence of the air blown from the air conditioner in the facility. As a result, it is believed that the sterilization effect of the electrostatic atomizer 11 is not fully exerted.

[0008] In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention aims to provide an escalator that is not affected by air blown from an air conditioning unit and can effectively sterilize bacteria attached to the clothes, etc. of passengers being transported. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the escalator of the present invention is characterized by having a plurality of steps that are endlessly connected and run in a circular motion, and an ultraviolet irradiation device that irradiates ultraviolet rays from the side toward passengers transported on the steps.

[0010] The vehicle also includes a height measuring device that measures the height of the passenger, and a control device that controls the turning on of the ultraviolet irradiation device, and the control device controls the turning on of the ultraviolet irradiation device so that ultraviolet rays are irradiated below the face of the passenger based on the height measured by the height measuring device.

[0011] Furthermore, the ultraviolet irradiation device includes a plurality of ultraviolet light-emitting units spaced apart in parallel to the running direction of the steps, the control device controls the on / off of each of the plurality of ultraviolet light-emitting units, the escalator is an upward escalator, and further includes a transfer detection means for detecting a passenger getting on to one of the plurality of steps, and the control device turns on an ultraviolet light-emitting unit located above the one step detected by the transfer detection means in the running direction and below the face of the passenger based on the height measured by the height measurement device.

[0012] In addition, the following features (1) to (5) may be included.

[0013] (1) The control device further controls the light emission intensity of each of the plurality of ultraviolet light-emitting units, and is characterized in that, among the ultraviolet light-emitting units that are turned on, the farther the ultraviolet light-emitting unit is horizontally from the first step, the higher the light emission intensity.

[0014] (2) The control device further controls the light emission intensity of each of the plurality of ultraviolet light-emitting units, and when the one step detected by the transfer detection means is close to another step detected after the one step, the control device reduces the light emission intensity of the ultraviolet light-emitting unit that emits light corresponding to the one step.

[0015] (3) The light emission intensity is set to be proportional to the running speed of the steps, and the control device causes the ultraviolet light emitting unit to emit light at a light emission intensity proportional to the running speed.

[0016] (4) The multiple ultraviolet light-emitting units are arranged along the running paths of the multiple steps, and the control device is characterized in that it turns on an ultraviolet light-emitting unit that is below the passenger's face in response to the progress of one of the steps detected by the transfer detection means.

[0017] (5) Each of the multiple ultraviolet light-emitting units is provided inside each step and emits ultraviolet light through a window opened in a riser, and the control device is characterized in that it turns on an ultraviolet light-emitting unit provided on a step above the one step detected by the transfer detection means and below the passenger's face.

[0018] In the above cases (1) to (5), the following features may further be included.

[0019] The control device has a congestion index acquisition means for acquiring a congestion index which indicates the degree of congestion of passengers on the plurality of steps, and the control device reduces the emission intensity of the ultraviolet light-emitting unit that is turned on while the congestion index acquired by the congestion index acquisition means is higher than a predetermined congestion index, compared to when the congestion index is less than the predetermined congestion index.

[0020] Alternatively, the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a visible light emitting unit provided corresponding to each of the plurality of ultraviolet light emitting units and turned on and off in synchronization with the on and off of the corresponding ultraviolet light emitting unit, and a walking detection means for detecting passengers walking on the plurality of steps, and when the walking detection means detects walking, the control means turns off the visible light emitting unit. Effect of the Invention

[0021] According to the escalator of the present invention having the above-mentioned configuration, ultraviolet rays are irradiated from the side of the passengers being transported, so that bacteria attached to the passengers' clothes, etc. are effectively sterilized. In addition, because sterilization is performed by ultraviolet rays, there is no influence of air blown from an air conditioner. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an escalator according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the escalator as viewed from a different direction than that shown in FIG. [Diagram 3](a) is a side view of the escalator showing the step drive mechanism, and (b) is an enlarged view of the steps. [Figure 4] 3(a) is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 3(a), and (b) is a partial plan view of the escalator. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1(a) is a front view of the escalator, and FIG. 1(b) is a plan view of the boarding / alighting entrance on the lower floor and its vicinity. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a side view of an escalator according to a second embodiment, in which (a) shows the boarding / alighting entrance on the lower floor side and the driving mechanism of the steps in the vicinity of the entrance / alighting entrance, (b) is an enlarged side view of the steps, and (c) is an enlarged side view of the reference step. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an escalator according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] 10(a) is a part of a cross-sectional view of an escalator according to a second embodiment, taken at the center in the width direction of the passage, and FIG. 10(b) is a part of a plan view of the same escalator. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a control device according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an escalator according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. <Embodiment 1> [Overall structure] Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 are perspective views showing a schematic configuration of the escalator 10 according to the first embodiment, seen from different directions. Note that Fig. 1 shows a part of a balustrade 16, which will be described later, and Fig. 2 shows a part of a balustrade 14, which will be described later. Fig. 3(a) is a side view of the escalator 10, showing a drive mechanism of the steps 12, which will be described later, and Fig. 3(b) is an enlarged view of the steps 12. Note that Fig. 3(a) does not show the steps 12 at the top of the escalator 10, and does not show a first height measurement device 76 and a second height measurement device 78, which will be described later.

[0024] Escalator 10 has a number of steps 12, which are connected in a ring and are an endless conveyor that travels in a circular motion. Escalator 10 includes a section where the steps 12 travel in a staircase-like fashion, and transports passengers from the boarding entrance to the exit entrance. Parapets 14 and 16 are installed on both sides of passenger passage PW, which includes the path along which the steps 12 run and the upper and lower boarding and alighting entrances.

[0025] Skirt guards 18, 20 made of panels such as stainless steel plates are provided on the sides of the lower ends of the balustrades 14, 16, respectively, and are arranged along the running path with a small gap between them and the endless conveyor (the connected steps 12). In addition, inner decks 22, 24 made of panels such as stainless steel plates are provided between the lower ends of the balustrades 14, 16, respectively, and the skirt guards 18, 20.

[0026] Escalator 10 is installed, for example, between a lower floor DS and an upper floor US in a building. Escalator 10 is used for going up or down by switching the direction of travel of steps 12, and passengers standing on the steps 12 are transported from the lower floor DS to the upper floor US, or from the upper floor US to the lower floor DS. In other words, the lower floor DS side may be the entrance or exit (hereinafter, both are collectively referred to as "entrance / exit").

[0027] At the entrance of escalator 10, a comb plate 26 and a floor plate 28 adjacent to comb plate 26 are provided. When escalator 10 is used for going up, the multiple steps 12 that run in a circular motion are extended horizontally one after another from comb plate 26. Passengers who enter the entrance of escalator 10 transfer onto (get on to) the steps 12 that are extended from comb plate 26 and run horizontally. As described above, escalator 10 can be used for both going up and down, but the following explanation will be given taking the case where it is used for going up as an example.

[0028] [Drive mechanism] Next, a drive mechanism for the steps 12 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. The escalator 10 has a drive device 32 installed in an upper machine room 30.

[0029] The driving device 32 has an electric motor 34 capable of forward and reverse rotation, and the power of the electric motor 34 is transmitted to an output shaft (neither shown) via a reduction gear. A driving sprocket 36 journaled on the output shaft is then driven to rotate. The driving device 32 also has a driven sprocket 38 having a larger pitch circle than the driving sprocket 36, and the driven sprocket 38 is journaled on a shaft 40 so as to be freely rotatable. A roller chain 42, which is an endless chain, is wound around the driving sprocket 36 and the driven sprocket 38. A main step sprocket 44 is fixed coaxially to the shaft 40.

[0030] Meanwhile, a secondary step sprocket 50 supported on a shaft 48 is provided in the lower machine room 46. A step chain 52 is wound between the main step sprocket 44 and the secondary step sprocket 50. A plurality of steps 12, which are endless transport bodies connected in a ring shape, are attached to the step chain 52. The step chain 52 is guided between the main step sprocket 44 and the secondary step sprocket 50 by a first guide rail (not shown), which will be described later.

[0031] In escalator 10 configured as described above, when electric motor 34 is started, its rotational power is transmitted via the reducer (not shown) and the output shaft (not shown), and drive sprocket 36 is rotated. When drive sprocket 36 rotates, roller chain 42 wound around drive sprocket 36 and driven sprocket 38 runs in a circle, and the rotational power from drive sprocket 36 is transmitted to driven sprocket 38.

[0032] When the driven sprocket 38 rotates, the main step sprocket 44, which is provided coaxially with the driven sprocket 38 (on the shaft 40), is also rotated. As a result, the step chain 52, which is wound around the main step sprocket 44 and the secondary step sprocket 50, runs in a circle guided by the first guide rail (not shown), and accordingly, the multiple steps 12 connected in a ring shape run in a circular manner along the path shown in Fig. 3(a) in the same manner as the step chain 52. That is, in the passenger transport area, the steps 12 run horizontally, then move obliquely in a straight line, and then run horizontally again.

[0033] 3(b), the step 12 has a structure in which a rectangular step 56 and a riser 58 are attached to a frame 54, which serves as a main frame. A step shaft 60 and a step shaft 62 are also supported by the frame 54.

[0034] The step shaft 60 is attached to the step chain 52. A drive roller 64 is rotatably provided on each end of the step shaft 60 (only one of the drive rollers 64 is shown in the figure), and each of the pair of drive rollers 64 is guided by a first guide rail (not shown) that is installed corresponding to the pair.

[0035] The step shaft 62 is shorter than the step shaft 60, and a driven roller 66 is rotatably provided at each end of the step shaft 62 (only one of the driven rollers 66 is shown in the figure). Each of the pair of driven rollers 66 is guided by a second guide rail (not shown) that is installed corresponding to the pair of driven rollers 66.

[0036] [Ultraviolet irradiation device] The escalator 10 has a first ultraviolet irradiation device 68 and a second ultraviolet irradiation device 72. The first ultraviolet irradiation device 68 includes a plurality of ultraviolet LED units 70, which are ultraviolet light emitting units. The plurality of ultraviolet LED units 70 are provided at intervals parallel to the running direction of the steps 12. Specifically, each of the ultraviolet LED units 70 is provided inside the skirt guard 18 (on the opposite side of the steps 12 with the skirt guard 18 in between).

[0037] The skirt guard 18 has windows corresponding to each of the ultraviolet LED units 70 through which ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet LED units 70 can pass. For convenience, the ultraviolet LED units 70 are shown at the positions of the windows in Fig. 1 and Fig. 4(a). Fig. 4(a) is a partially enlarged view of Fig. 3(a). Fig. 4(b) shows a part of a plan view of the escalator 10.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 4, the ultraviolet ray UV is projected horizontally toward the lower DS side. As shown in FIG. 4(b), the direction of projection in plan view is, for example, a direction in which the optical axis UVx of the ultraviolet ray UV intersects with the center line C in the length direction of the step 12 at a distance of several steps (seven steps in this example) of the step 12 on the lower DS side. With the above configuration, the first ultraviolet ray irradiation device 68 can irradiate the ultraviolet ray UV from the lateral direction to the passenger P who is on the left side of the step 12 in the traveling direction. Here, the "lateral direction" has a meaning opposite to the "vertical direction" and does not mean only the "right direction" or "left direction" for the passenger. The installation interval of the ultraviolet ray LED units 70 is, for example, the same as the interval of the steps 12.

[0039] The second ultraviolet irradiation device 72 includes a plurality of ultraviolet LED units 74. The second ultraviolet irradiation device 72 has the same configuration as the first ultraviolet irradiation device 68, except that the ultraviolet LED unit 70 of the first ultraviolet irradiation device 68 is provided inside the skirt guard 18, while the ultraviolet LED unit 74 is provided inside the other skirt guard 20. That is, the second ultraviolet irradiation device 72 is disposed symmetrically with the first ultraviolet irradiation device 68 with respect to the center line C in a plan view, and has basically the same configuration as the first ultraviolet irradiation device 68, except that it mainly irradiates ultraviolet rays to passengers who are on the right side of the steps 12 in the traveling direction. Therefore, a detailed description of the second ultraviolet irradiation device 72 will be omitted. Note that the ultraviolet LED unit 74 of the second ultraviolet irradiation device 72 is also illustrated at the position of a window opened in the skirt guard 20 (FIG. 2).

[0040] [Height measuring device] Escalator 10 has a first height measurement device 76 and a second height measurement device 78 that measure the height of passengers in a non-contact manner. Fig. 5(a) shows a front view of escalator 10, and Fig. 5(b) shows a plan view of escalator 10 at the boarding / alighting entrance of the lower floor DS and in the vicinity thereof.

[0041] The first height measurement device 76 is a known ultrasonic height gauge. A support pillar 76A is erected on the lower DS, and a cylindrical arm 76B is attached to the upper end of the support pillar 76A. The first height measurement device 76 has an ultrasonic sensor (not shown) built into the hollow part of the tip of the arm 76B. The ultrasonic sensor is installed directly above the standing position of a passenger who will board on the left side of the step 12 when one step 12 is fully extended from the comb plate 26.

[0042] In the first height measurement device 76, the ultrasonic sensor emits ultrasonic waves directly downward from a window (not shown) opened in the arm 76B, captures the reflected sound, and measures the distance to the reflecting object. As an initial setting, the first height measurement device 76 measures the distance from the ultrasonic sensor to the step 56 and stores the measurement result as a "reference distance". After that, it continues to measure the distance in real time. When a passenger enters directly under the ultrasonic sensor, that is, when a passenger gets on the left side of the step 12, the distance changes, so the first height measurement device 76 stores it as the "distance to the top of the head". Then, it calculates the passenger's height using the formula: "height" = "reference distance" - "distance to the top of the head", and outputs the calculation result (passenger's height) to the control device 80 (CPU 82) described later.

[0043] In this manner, the first height measurement device 76 measures the height of a passenger who has boarded on the left side of the steps 12 (i.e., a passenger who is being carried on the steps 12). Since the first height measurement device 76 outputs the height every time the measurement distance changes, that is, every time a passenger boards a step 12 extended from the comb board 26, the first height measurement device 76 also functions as a transfer detection device that detects a passenger boarding one of the steps 12.

[0044] The second height measurement device 78 measures the height of a passenger standing on the right side of the steps 12 (i.e., a passenger carried by the steps 12). A support post 78A and an arm 78B are installed symmetrically with respect to the center line C. The second height measurement device 78 has the same configuration as the first height measurement device 76, except that the ultrasonic sensor is housed in the cylindrical arm 78B. Therefore, a detailed description of the second height measurement device 78 will be omitted.

[0045] [Control device] As shown in Fig. 3, a control device 80 is installed in the upper machine room 30. A block diagram of the control device 80 is shown in Fig. 6. The control device 80 has a configuration in which a CPU 82 is at the center, to which a ROM 84, a RAM 86, an operation control unit 88, a load detection unit 90, a first height measurement device 76, and a second height measurement device 78 are connected. In addition, a control line for controlling the emission of each of the multiple first ultraviolet LED units 70 and each of the multiple second ultraviolet LED units 74 is connected to the CPU 82.

[0046] The control device 80 (CPU 82) controls the lighting of each of the multiple first ultraviolet LED units 70 and each of the multiple second ultraviolet LED units 74 by individually turning them on and off, and controls the light emission intensity of the lit first ultraviolet LED units 70 and second ultraviolet LED units 74.

[0047] Here, the multiple (n: n is a positive integer) first ultraviolet LED units 70 and second ultraviolet LED units 74 are distinguished by their installation positions. When distinguishing the first ultraviolet LED units 70 by their installation positions, they are designated L(1), L(2), ..., L(x), ..., L(n) from the bottom. Similarly, the second ultraviolet LED units 74 are designated R(1), R(2), ..., R(x), ..., R(n) from the bottom.

[0048] The operation control unit 88 controls the travel speed of the steps 12, i.e., the operating speed, by controlling the rotation speed of the electric motor 34 according to instructions from the CPU 82. Three travel speed stages, for example, a first speed, a second speed, and a third speed, are stored in the ROM 84. The first speed, the second speed, and the third speed are faster in this order (first speed>second speed>third speed). The escalator 10 has a changeover switch (not shown) for manually changing over the speed, and the CPU 82 detects the state of the changeover switch and controls the operating speed at the corresponding speed stored in the ROM 84 .

[0049] The load detection unit 90 detects the magnitude of the load applied to the electric motor 34 by detecting the magnitude of the drive current flowing through the electric motor 34. The detection result is used as an index of the degree of congestion of passengers on the multiple steps 12.

[0050] In order for the vehicle to travel at a constant speed up the steps 12, it is necessary to supply a current (drive current) to the motor 34 according to the load, i.e., the number of passengers on the multiple steps 12. By detecting the magnitude of the drive current, it is possible to know the load on the motor 34 and, ultimately, the number of passengers (i.e., the degree of congestion).

[0051] The magnitude of the drive current flowing through the motor 34 is "In", and "In" is a "crowding degree index" that indicates the degree of congestion of passengers on the steps 12. For example, the magnitude of the drive current flowing through the motor 34 when 10 adults of average weight are being carried on the steps 12 over the entire length of the transport area of ​​the steps 12 is Is1. If the drive current In is equal to or greater than Is1 (In≧Is1), it can be estimated that at least 10 passengers are being carried on the steps 12. On the other hand, if the drive current In is less than Is1, it can be estimated that there are fewer than 10 passengers on the steps 12. In this example, "Is1" is used as a threshold value (a predetermined congestion degree index) for determining the degree of congestion on the steps 12. A specific use of the magnitude In of the drive current flowing through the motor 34 (the magnitude of the load on the motor 34) will be described later.

[0052] The ROM 84 stores the programs executed by the CPU 82. The RAM 86 serves as a work area when the CPU 82 executes the programs.

[0053] Next, the lighting control of the first ultraviolet LED unit 70 and the second ultraviolet LED unit 74 executed by the control device 80 (CPU 82) will be described. The first ultraviolet LED unit 70 and the second ultraviolet LED unit 74 irradiate ultraviolet light to passengers to sterilize bacteria attached to their clothes, etc., but the lighting control for both is basically the same except that the first ultraviolet LED unit 70 is mainly intended for passengers on the left side, whereas the second ultraviolet LED unit 74 is mainly intended for passengers on the right side.

[0054] Therefore, hereinafter, the lighting control of the first ultraviolet LED unit 70 will be explained as a representative, and an explanation of the second ultraviolet LED unit 74 will be omitted.

[0055] [Basic control] (a) When a passenger is detected by the first height measurement device 76 and his / her height is measured, the CPU 82 determines which of the multiple first ultraviolet LED units 70 are to be turned on simultaneously based on the measurement result. Specifically, the CPU 82 calculates the "irradiation height" by subtracting the average head length (vertical length) for the height from the measured height. The relationship between height and the average head length is stored in the ROM 84 in advance.

[0056] The CPU 82 turns on all the first ultraviolet LED units 70 located within the irradiation height range from the step 12 immediately after it is extended from the comb plate 26, i.e., the first step 12 when the first height measurement device 76 detects that the passenger is getting on (hereinafter, referred to as the "first boarding step 12"). This causes ultraviolet rays to be irradiated to a range below the passenger's head. In other words, ultraviolet rays are irradiated to a range below the passenger's face.

[0057] (b) In order to continue irradiating the above-mentioned range of the passenger being transported with ultraviolet light, the CPU 82 sequentially switches the first ultraviolet LED units 70 to be turned on according to the travel speed of the steps 12 (either the first speed, the second speed, or the third speed). That is, the CPU 82 controls the on / off of the multiple first ultraviolet LED units 70 so that the first ultraviolet LED units 70 in the height range above one boarding step 12 and below the passenger's face are turned on according to the travel speed. This allows ultraviolet light to continue to be irradiated below the passenger's face except for the section approaching the exit, effectively sterilizing clothing, etc.

[0058] The following controls may be added to the above basic controls. [Light emission control according to distance from passengers] In the above basic control, the ultraviolet light from the first ultraviolet LED unit 70 farther from the passenger becomes weaker in reaching the passenger. In other words, the sterilization effect of the upper part of the clothes, etc. is lower than that of the lower part. Therefore, the control device 80 (CPU 82) controls the lighting so that the first ultraviolet LED units 70 farther from the boarding step 12 in the horizontal direction, among the first ultraviolet LED units 70 that are lit (turned on) at the same time, have higher light emission intensity. In this way, the passenger's clothes, etc. can be sterilized uniformly in the vertical direction.

[0059] [Light emission control according to driving speed] According to the basic control, the amount of ultraviolet radiation received by passengers while riding is the light emission intensity of the first ultraviolet LED unit 70 times the radiation time. Regardless of the first, second, and third speeds, the travel distance (passenger transport distance) is the same, so the radiation time is longer the slower the travel speed of the steps 12, and shorter the faster the travel speed. Therefore, the light emission may be controlled so that the amount of ultraviolet radiation is constant regardless of the travel speed. Specifically, the first ultraviolet LED unit 70 is controlled to emit light at a light emission intensity proportional to the travel speed. The light emission intensities corresponding to the first, second, and third speeds are stored in the ROM 84 in advance, and the CPU 82 detects the state of the changeover switch and controls the first ultraviolet LED unit 70 to emit light at a light emission intensity corresponding to the detected set speed.

[0060] [Light emission control when boarding different steps] There are cases where the first height measurement device 76 detects one passenger getting on to the step 12 and then detects another passenger getting on within a short time. That is, there are cases where the distance between the step 12 on which the one passenger has gotten on and the step 12 on which the other passenger has gotten on is, for example, only about one to three steps.

[0061] The distance between the first passenger and the second passenger, calculated as the number of steps in the step 12, can be obtained by measuring the time from when the first height measurement device 76 detects the first passenger stepping onto the step 12 to when it detects the second passenger stepping onto the step 12, and dividing the measured time by the width of the step 12. An internal timer (not shown) of the control device 80 (CPU 82) is used to measure the time. The width of the step 12 is stored in the ROM 84 in advance.

[0062] In the above case, among the first ultraviolet LED units 70 that are turned on for the one passenger, ultraviolet rays from one located relatively higher may hit the face of the other passenger. Therefore, when a step on which the one passenger has stepped, detected by the first height measurement device 76, is close to another step on which another passenger has stepped, detected after the detection of the one passenger, the control device 80 (the CPU 82 of the control device 80) controls to reduce the emission intensity of the first ultraviolet LED unit 70 that emits light corresponding to the one step.

[0063] In the above embodiment, the first ultraviolet LED unit 70 is provided inside the skirt guard 18, and the second ultraviolet LED unit 74 is provided inside the skirt guard 20, but the locations are not limited to this. For example, the first ultraviolet LED unit 70 may be provided on the balustrade 14, and the second ultraviolet LED unit 74 may be provided on the balustrade 16. What is important is that they are provided parallel to the running direction of the steps 12 with an interval between them.

[0064] <Embodiment 2> In the escalator 10 of embodiment 1, a plurality of first ultraviolet LED units 70 are provided inside the skirt guard 18, and a plurality of second ultraviolet LED units 74 are provided inside the skirt guard 20, whereas in the escalator 110 of embodiment 2, the ultraviolet LED units are provided inside the step 112, spaced apart and parallel to the running direction of the step 12.

[0065] The escalator 110 has the same configuration as the escalator 10, except that the location of the ultraviolet LED unit and its lighting control are different. Therefore, the components of the escalator 110 are given numbers in the hundreds, and the last two digits are given the numbers of the corresponding components in the escalator 10. The explanation of these components will be limited to the appropriate references, and the following explanation will focus on the differences.

[0066] FIG. 7(a) shows a side view of the lower floor entrance and the driving mechanism of the steps in the vicinity thereof, FIG. 7(b) shows an enlarged side view of the steps, and FIG. 7(c) shows an enlarged side view of the reference steps. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the escalator 110. FIG. 9(a) shows a part of a cross-sectional view of the escalator 110 cut at the center of the width direction of the passage, and FIG. 9(b) shows a part of a plan view of the escalator 110. Note that the first height measurement device 176 and the second height measurement device 178 are omitted in FIG. 7 to FIG. 9. Also, the first ultraviolet LED unit 170 and the second ultraviolet LED unit 174, which will be described later, are omitted in FIG. 7(a).

[0067] A first ultraviolet LED unit 170 and a second ultraviolet LED unit 174 are attached to the frame 154 inside each step 112 (only the second ultraviolet LED unit 174 at the front is shown in Fig. 7(b) and Fig. 7(c)). The first ultraviolet LED unit 170 and the second ultraviolet LED unit 174 emit ultraviolet rays horizontally toward the downstairs DS side.

[0068] Each of the risers 158 has windows 158A and 158B for passing ultraviolet light emitted from the first ultraviolet LED unit 170 and the second ultraviolet LED unit 174. In Fig. 8, when facing the front, the left window 158A is a window for passing ultraviolet light from the first ultraviolet LED unit 170, and the right window 158B is a window for passing ultraviolet light from the second ultraviolet LED unit 174.

[0069] The first ultraviolet LED unit 170 and the second ultraviolet LED unit 174 are each composed of a plurality of LED elements (not shown) arranged in a horizontal row, and have a light distribution characteristic that forms a substantially band shape in a plan view, as shown in FIG. 9(b).

[0070] The first ultraviolet LED unit 170 mainly irradiates ultraviolet light from the side to passengers standing on the left side of the step 112, and the second ultraviolet LED unit 174 mainly irradiates ultraviolet light from the side to passengers standing on the right side of the step 112. The meaning of "sideways" is the same as in the first embodiment described above.

[0071] The first ultraviolet LED unit 170 and the second ultraviolet LED unit 174 are supplied with power by, for example, the following known techniques. (i) Power is supplied from a storage battery provided for each step 112. The storage battery is charged periodically, for example, during maintenance of the escalator 110. (ii) Power is supplied by a sliding contact method. That is, two strip-shaped fixed contacts are provided along the circular path of the multiple steps 112, one of which is a positive fixed contact and the other is a negative fixed contact. A positive movable contact is provided in correspondence with the positive fixed contact, and a negative movable contact is provided in correspondence with the negative fixed contact, on the frame 154 of the steps 112. Then, power is supplied from an external power source to the first ultraviolet LED unit 170 and the second ultraviolet LED unit 174, which are connected to the movable contacts by electric wires, via the two fixed contacts and the two movable contacts that slide against them.

[0072] The first ultraviolet LED unit 170 and the second ultraviolet LED unit 174 are remotely controlled by the control device 180 (CPU 182) via wireless communication (FIG. 10). The control contents are on / off control and light emission intensity control, as in the first embodiment. Each of the multiple steps 112 is associated with the first ultraviolet LED unit 170 and the second ultraviolet LED unit 174 built therein, which will be described later.

[0073] As shown in Fig. 7, a reflector 191 is attached to the side of the frame 154 of each step 112. A reflective photoelectric sensor 192 for detecting the reflector 191 is provided on the side of the step 112 that travels in a circular motion. The photoelectric sensor 192 is installed at a position where it can detect that the step 112 that travels in a circular motion has been extended from the comb plate 126 and is in a position where a passenger can transfer from the floor plate 128 to the step 112.

[0074] Another reflector 193 (hereinafter referred to as the "reference reflector 193") is affixed to the side surface of the frame 154 of one of the multiple steps 112 (hereinafter referred to as the "reference step 112"). Also, a reflective photoelectric sensor 194 is provided to detect the reference reflector 193. The photoelectric sensor 194 is provided in a position where it detects the reference reflector 193 at the same time that the photoelectric sensor 192 detects the reflector 191 affixed to the reference step 112. That is, in the reference step 112, the photoelectric sensor 192 detects the reflector 191 and the photoelectric sensor 194 detects the reference reflector 193 at the same time.

[0075] The first ultraviolet LED unit 170 and the second ultraviolet LED unit 174 built into each step 112 are identified for each step 112. The first ultraviolet LED units 170 are numbered L(1), L(2), ..., L(x), ..., L(n) in a counterclockwise direction in the right side view (the direction shown in FIG. 7(a)) of the steps 112 connected in a ring shape, starting from the one built into the reference step 112 (FIG. 10).

[0076] Similarly, each of the second ultraviolet LED units 174, starting from the one built into the standard step 112, is numbered R(1), R(2), ..., R(x), ..., R(n) in a counterclockwise direction when viewed from the right side (FIG. 10).

[0077] Next, the lighting control of the first ultraviolet LED unit 170 and the second ultraviolet LED unit 174 executed by the control device 180 (the CPU 182) will be described. The first ultraviolet LED unit 170 and the second ultraviolet LED unit 174 irradiate ultraviolet light to passengers to sterilize bacteria attached to their clothes, etc., but the lighting control of both units is basically the same except that the first ultraviolet LED unit 170 is mainly intended for passengers on the left side, whereas the second ultraviolet LED unit 174 is mainly intended for passengers on the right side.

[0078] Therefore, the following will mainly describe the lighting control of the first ultraviolet LED unit 170, and will omit a description of the second ultraviolet LED unit 174. FIG. 10 shows a block diagram of the control device 180 in the second embodiment.

[0079] [Basic control] (a) When the photoelectric sensor 194 detects the reference reflector 193 while the escalator 110 is in operation, the CPU 182 sets an internal counter (not shown) to "1". After that, the CPU 182 increments the count value of the internal counter by one each time the photoelectric sensor 192 detects the reflector 191. This allows the CPU 182 to recognize which of the first ultraviolet LED units 170 L(1), L(2), ..., L(x), ..., L(n) is built into the step 112 immediately after it is unrolled from the comb plate 126.

[0080] (b) When a passenger is detected by the first height measurement device 176 and his / her height is measured, the CPU 182 determines which of the multiple first ultraviolet LED units 170 are to be turned on simultaneously based on the measurement result. Specifically, the CPU 182 calculates the "irradiation height" by subtracting the average head length (vertical length) for the height from the measured height. The relationship between height and the average head length is stored in the ROM 184 in advance.

[0081] The CPU 182 identifies the first ultraviolet LED unit 170 built into the step 112 immediately after it is unrolled from the comb plate 126, i.e., the first step 112 (hereinafter referred to as the "first boarding step 112") when the first height measurement device 176 detects that a passenger has boarded, from the count value of the internal counter. For example, if the count value is "5", the first ultraviolet LED unit 170 built into the first boarding step 112 is identified as "L(5)".

[0082] Based on the irradiation height and the rise height of the steps 112, the CPU 182 determines the first ultraviolet LED unit 170 that irradiates ultraviolet light to an area below the head of a passenger standing on one of the boarding steps 112. For example, if the number of steps 112 corresponding to the irradiation height is six and the first ultraviolet LED unit 170 built into one of the boarding steps 112 is L(x), then, as shown in Fig. 9(a), the CPU 182 determines L(x-1), L(x-2), ..., L(x-6) as the first ultraviolet LED units 170 to be turned on, and turns on these first ultraviolet LED units.

[0083] As a result, the ultraviolet rays are irradiated to a range below the passenger's head. In other words, the ultraviolet rays are irradiated to a portion below the passenger's face. The light is turned on until the steps 112 move to horizontal travel on the upper US side, and is turned off at that point.

[0084] The following controls may be added to the above basic controls. [Light emission control according to distance from passengers] In the above basic control, the ultraviolet light from the first ultraviolet LED unit 170 farther from the passenger becomes weaker. In other words, the sterilization effect of the upper part of the clothes, etc. is lower than that of the lower part. Therefore, the control device 180 (CPU 182) controls the lighting so that the first ultraviolet LED unit 170 farther from the boarding step 112 in the horizontal direction among the first ultraviolet LED units 170 that are lit (turned on) at the same time has a higher light emission intensity.

[0085] For example, in the example shown in Fig. 9(a), the light emission intensity of each of the first ultraviolet LED units 170 is controlled so that the magnitude relationship is L(x-6)>L(x-5)>..., L(x-2)>L(x-1). By doing so, passengers' clothes can be sterilized uniformly in the vertical direction.

[0086] [Light emission control when boarding different steps] There are cases where the first height measurement device 176 detects one passenger getting on to the step 112 and then detects another passenger getting on within a short time. That is, there are cases where the distance between the step 112 on which the one passenger has gotten on and the step 112 on which the other passenger has gotten on is only about 1 to 3 steps, for example.

[0087] The distance between the one passenger and the other passenger, calculated in terms of the number of steps 112, can be determined from the count value of the counter (not shown) when each passenger gets on.

[0088] In the above case, among the first ultraviolet LED units 170 that are turned on for the one passenger, ultraviolet rays from one located relatively higher may hit the face of the other passenger. Therefore, when a step on which the one passenger has stepped, detected by the first height measurement device 176, is close to another step on which another passenger has stepped, detected after the detection of the one passenger, the control device 180 (CPU 182 of the control device 180) controls to reduce the emission intensity of the first ultraviolet LED unit 170 that emits light corresponding to the one step.

[0089] [Light emission control according to driving speed] As in the first embodiment, the light emission of the first ultraviolet LED unit 170 may be controlled so that the amount of ultraviolet radiation received by the clothes of the passengers per ride is constant regardless of the running speed of the steps 112. In other words, the light emission of the first ultraviolet LED unit 170 is controlled to have a light emission intensity proportional to the running speed.

[0090] The escalator according to the present invention has been described above based on the first and second embodiments, but it may be modified as follows. Note that the following modifications are applicable to the second embodiment in the same way as the first embodiment, so the first embodiment will be described and the description of the second embodiment will be omitted.

[0091] (Variation 1) When the driving current In (i.e., the magnitude of the load on the motor 30) is equal to or greater than the threshold value Is1 (a predetermined magnitude), as described above, it is estimated that at least 10 passengers are being transported on the multiple steps 12, and the multiple steps 12 are considered to be relatively crowded.

[0092] When the steps 12 are crowded, the distance between passengers being transported is relatively short. In this case, there is a possibility that the ultraviolet light from the first ultraviolet LED unit 70 that is turned on for passengers on the upper steps may be irradiated onto the face of a passenger on the lower step.

[0093] Therefore, while the congestion level is high, such as when the congestion level index "In" is equal to or greater than a predetermined congestion level index "Is1", the light emission intensity of the first ultraviolet LED unit that is turned on may be reduced compared to when the congestion level index is less than "Is1".

[0094] (Variation 2) The current rule on escalators is that passengers must stand on them and not walk on them. Despite this, there is no end to passengers who walk on them. If a passenger walks on step 12, the time that the passenger (or their clothes) is exposed to ultraviolet rays is extremely short, and the sterilization effect is lost.

[0095] Therefore, a walking detection means (not shown) is provided to detect passengers walking on the steps 12, and when the walking detection means recognizes that a passenger is walking on the steps 12, the passenger is made aware that sterilization will not be performed, and is prevented from walking on the escalator the next time he or she uses the escalator.

[0096] In order to let passengers know that sterilization is not being performed, a visible light LED unit (not shown) that is a visible light emitting unit is provided for each first ultraviolet LED unit 70. For example, blue light is used as the visible light. That is, it is conceivable to provide a blue LED unit. The blue LED unit is turned on and off in synchronization with the corresponding first ultraviolet LED unit 70.

[0097] When a passenger walking on the steps 12 is detected by the walking detection means, the first ultraviolet LED unit 70 and the corresponding blue LED unit that are turned on for the passenger are turned off. This allows the passenger to recognize that the blue LED unit that is turned on when the passenger gets on the escalator 10 is turned off when the passenger walks on the steps 12, and therefore sterilization is not performed, and it is expected that the passenger will refrain from walking on the escalator the next time he or she uses it.

[0098] The walking detection means for detecting passengers walking on the conveyor can use publicly known technologies, for example, those described in JP 2020-097457 A and JP 2015-113211 A.

[0099] Although the escalator according to the present invention has been described above based on the embodiments, the present invention is of course not limited to the above embodiments, and other embodiments such as those described below are also acceptable. Note that the other embodiments are applicable to both the first and second embodiments, so the following description will primarily focus on the first embodiment, and only make reference to the second embodiment where appropriate.

[0100] (1) In the above embodiment, the first height measurement device 76 and the second height measurement device 78 are of the ultrasonic type. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a laser distance measuring type may be used.

[0101] (2) In the above embodiment, the magnitude of the current flowing through the motor 34 (the load on the motor 34) is used as an index of the degree of congestion on the steps 12, but the index is not limited to this. For example, the following may be used.

[0102] (a) Passengers being carried up the multiple steps 12 are photographed by a camera. The photographed image is subjected to known image processing to extract the number of passengers in the image photographed at one time, which is used as an index of the degree of congestion. If the extraction result shows that there are 10 or more passengers, it is determined that the area is crowded (the degree of congestion is high), and if there are fewer than 10 people, it is determined that the area is not crowded (the degree of congestion is low). Photography is performed, for example, every second, and the number of passengers is extracted each time, and the result is reflected in the light emission intensity control of the control device 80 (CPU 82).

[0103] In the above embodiment, where the load on the motor 34 is used as an index of the degree of congestion, the index may also reflect the weight of luggage to some extent, but in the case of the above-mentioned photographing, the congestion index can be obtained based only on the number of passengers, making it possible to obtain a more accurate congestion index. In addition, in the case of photographing, the congestion index may take into account not only the number of passengers but also the distance between passengers, etc.

[0104] (3) In the above embodiment, the passengers on the left side and the passengers on the right side of the steps are provided with separate ultraviolet irradiation devices (the first ultraviolet LED unit 70 and the second ultraviolet LED unit 74 in the first embodiment, and the first ultraviolet LED unit 170 and the second ultraviolet LED unit 174 in the second embodiment), but this is not limiting and only either the first ultraviolet LED unit or the second ultraviolet LED unit may be provided. In other words, the ultraviolet irradiation device may be configured with only either the first ultraviolet LED unit or the second ultraviolet LED unit.

[0105] In this case, in the first embodiment, the orientation and / or light distribution characteristics of the ultraviolet LED unit are changed so that ultraviolet light is irradiated as evenly as possible on passengers on the left and right sides of the steps.

[0106] In the second embodiment, the ultraviolet LED unit is installed in the center of the length of the step 112 (the width of the passage PW) (of course, the window opened in the riser 158 is also aligned with the installation position of the ultraviolet LED unit), and a unit with wider light distribution characteristics is used.

[0107] When the ultraviolet LED unit is used for both passengers riding on the left side and passengers riding on the right side as described above, if two passengers ride on the same step and there is a difference in height between the heights measured by the first height measuring device 76 (176) and the second height measuring device 78 (178), the lighting of the ultraviolet LED unit is controlled to suit the shorter passenger.

[0108] (4) In the above embodiment, an upward escalator has been described as an example. However, the present invention may be applied to a downward escalator as far as possible. [Industrial Applicability]

[0109] The escalator according to the present invention can be suitably used as an escalator for sterilizing clothes and the like of passengers while riding the escalator. [Explanation of symbols]

[0110] 10, 110 Escalator 12, 112 steps 68, 168 1st ultraviolet irradiation device 72, 172 Second ultraviolet irradiation device

Claims

1. A plurality of steps that are endlessly connected and run in a circular motion; an ultraviolet ray irradiation device that irradiates ultraviolet rays from a lateral direction to passengers being transported on the steps; An escalator comprising:

2. a height measuring device for measuring the height of the passenger; A control device that controls the lighting of the ultraviolet irradiation device; having 2. The escalator according to claim 1, wherein the control device controls the turning on of the ultraviolet ray irradiation device so that the ultraviolet ray is irradiated below the face of the passenger based on the height measured by the height measuring device.

3. The ultraviolet ray irradiation device includes a plurality of ultraviolet ray light emitting units provided at intervals in parallel with the running direction of the steps, The control device controls the on / off of each of the plurality of ultraviolet light emitting units, The escalator is an ascending escalator, further comprising: a transfer detection means for detecting a passenger getting on one of the steps, The control device includes:

3. The escalator according to claim 2, wherein an ultraviolet light emitting unit located above the step detected by the transfer detection means in the direction of travel and below the face of the passenger is turned on based on the height measured by the height measuring device.

4. The control device further controls the light emission intensity of each of the plurality of ultraviolet light emitting units, 4. The escalator according to claim 3, wherein among the ultraviolet light emitting units that are turned on, the ultraviolet light emitting units that are farther from the one step in the horizontal direction have a higher light emission intensity.

5. The control device further controls the light emission intensity of each of the plurality of ultraviolet light emitting units, 4. The escalator according to claim 3, wherein when the one step detected by the transfer detection means is close to another step detected after the one step, the control device reduces the emission intensity of the ultraviolet light emitting unit that emits light corresponding to the one step.

6. The light emission intensity is determined to be proportional to the running speed of the steps, 4. The escalator according to claim 3, wherein the control device causes the ultraviolet light emitting unit to emit light with a light emission intensity proportional to the traveling speed.

7. The ultraviolet light emitting units are arranged along the running paths of the steps, The control device includes:

4. The escalator according to claim 3, wherein an ultraviolet light emitting unit located below a face of the passenger is turned on in response to the progress of the one step detected by the transfer detection means.

8. Each of the plurality of ultraviolet light emitting units is provided inside each step, and emits ultraviolet light through a window provided in a riser, The control device includes:

4. The escalator according to claim 3, further comprising: an ultraviolet light emitting unit provided on a step above the one step detected by the transfer detection means and below the face of the passenger;

9. a congestion degree index acquiring means for acquiring a congestion degree index indicating a congestion degree of passengers on the plurality of steps, An escalator as described in any one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the control device reduces the light emission intensity of the ultraviolet light-emitting unit that is turned on while the congestion index acquired by the congestion index acquisition means is high and equal to or higher than a predetermined congestion index, compared to when the congestion index is less than the predetermined congestion index.

10. a visible light emitting unit provided corresponding to each of the plurality of ultraviolet light emitting units and turned on and off in synchronization with the on and off of the corresponding ultraviolet light emitting unit; a walking detection means for detecting passengers walking on the steps; having 9. The escalator according to claim 3, wherein when the walking detection means detects walking, the control means turns off the visible light emitting unit.

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