Man conveyor

Abstract

To provide a man conveyor that can suppress change in a chain travel speed.SOLUTION: A man conveyor comprises: a plurality of steps; an endless annular chain to which the plurality of steps are connected; a rotatable sprocket on which a first end in a first lateral direction of the chain is wound; a support part which supports a second end in the first lateral direction of the chain; an elastic part which adds elastic restoration force in the first lateral direction to the support part in order to apply tensile force to the chain; a motor for rotating the chain; an inverter which changes a frequency of electric power supplied t the motor; a speed detection part which detects a travel speed of the chain; and a processing part which controls the inverter. The processing part executes frequency control for changing the frequency of electric power on the basis of detection of the speed detection part so that the chain travel speed becomes constant.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This specification relates to a people conveyor. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, for example, a man conveyor has been provided with a plurality of steps, an endless circular chain to which the plurality of steps are connected, a rotatable sprocket around which a first end of the chain in a first horizontal direction is wound, a support part that supports a second end of the chain in the first horizontal direction, and an elastic part that applies an elastic restoring force in the first horizontal direction to the support part in order to apply tension to the chain (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] In the passenger conveyor of Patent Document 1, when the conveying load changes due to a person getting on or off the steps, or walking on the steps, the elastic parts repeat a state of large elastic deformation and a state of small elastic deformation from a standard state of elastic deformation (e.g., repeating expansion and contraction). This generates pulsation in the chain. Specifically, the traveling speed of the chain periodically increases and decreases. As a result, for example, a person standing on the steps may feel uncomfortable. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-143677 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Therefore, the object is to provide a people conveyor that can suppress changes in the running speed of the chain. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] [1] Man conveyor is Multiple steps and an endless circular chain to which the plurality of steps are connected; a rotatable sprocket around which a first lateral end of the chain is wound; a support portion supporting a second end portion of the chain in the first lateral direction; an elastic portion that applies an elastic restoring force in the first lateral direction to the support portion to apply tension to the chain; A motor that rotates the sprocket; an inverter that changes the frequency of the power supplied to the motor; a speed detection unit for detecting a running speed of the chain; A processing unit that controls the inverter, The processing unit executes frequency control for changing a frequency of the power based on detection by the speed detection unit so that the traveling speed of the chain is constant.

[0007] [2] In addition, the man conveyor mentioned above in [1] is A person detection unit is provided for detecting a person riding on the person conveyor, The processing unit executes a reference control to keep the frequency of the power constant; The processing unit executes the frequency control when the human detection unit detects a human. The following configuration is also possible.

[0008] [3] In addition, in the case of the man conveyor described in [1] or [2] above, The processing unit executes a reference control to keep the frequency of the power constant; The processing unit executes the frequency control when a magnitude of a change in the traveling speed detected by the speed detection unit is greater than a set value. The following configuration is also possible.

[0009] [4] In addition, in any one of the above-mentioned [1] to [3] man conveyors, The processing unit executes a reference control to keep the frequency of the power constant; The processing unit executes the frequency control when a length of a period of a change in the traveling speed detected by the speed detection unit is longer than a set value. The following configuration is also possible.

[0010] [5] In addition, any one of the man conveyors [1] to [4] above, a deformation detection unit that detects a change in elastic deformation of the elastic portion, The processing unit executes a reference control to keep the frequency of the power constant; The processing unit executes the frequency control when the deformation detection unit detects a change in elastic deformation. The following configuration is also possible.

[0011] [6] In addition, any one of the man conveyors [1] to [5] above, a torque detection unit that detects an output torque of the motor, The processing unit executes a reference control to keep the frequency of the power constant; The processing unit executes the frequency control when a change in the magnitude of the output torque detected by the torque detection unit is greater than a set value. The following configuration is also possible. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] Schematic diagram of a people conveyor according to one embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a step and a chain according to the embodiment; [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a front view of a sprocket according to the embodiment; [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a front view of a support portion and an elastic portion according to the embodiment; [Diagram 5] Control block diagram of the passenger conveyor according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a relationship between time and velocity showing pulsation caused by the elastic portion according to the embodiment; [Figure 7]FIG. 13 is a time-speed relationship diagram showing pulsation caused by the chain and sprocket according to the embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] In each drawing, the dimensions of the components may be enlarged or reduced relative to the actual dimensions in order to facilitate understanding, and the dimensional ratios between the drawings may not be consistent. Note that in each drawing, some of the components may be omitted in order to facilitate understanding.

[0014] Terms including ordinal numbers such as first, second, etc. are used to describe various components, but these terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another, and the components are not particularly limited by these terms. The number of components including ordinal numbers is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, one. In addition, the ordinal numbers used in the following specification and drawings may differ from the ordinal numbers described in the claims.

[0015] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the passenger conveyor will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 7. Note that the following embodiment is provided as an example to aid in understanding the configuration of the passenger conveyor, and is not intended to limit the configuration of the passenger conveyor.

[0016] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a person conveyor 1 may include, for example, a structure 2 installed on a main body, a transport section 3 for transporting people (passengers), a pair of balustrade sections 4 (only one is shown in Figure 1) arranged to sandwich the transport section 3 in the second direction D2, a drive section 5 for driving the transport section 3 and the balustrade section 4, and a processing section 6 for controlling the entire device.

[0017] In each figure, the first direction D1 is the first horizontal direction (also called the "front-to-back direction") D1 which is a direction parallel to the horizontal direction, the second direction D2 is the second horizontal direction (also called the "width direction") D2 which is parallel to the horizontal direction and perpendicular to the first horizontal direction D1, and the third direction D3 is a vertical direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction D1 and the second horizontal direction D2, and is the up-down direction D3.

[0018] The passenger conveyor 1 according to this embodiment is an escalator with a stepped tread surface for transporting passengers, but is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the passenger conveyor 1 may be a moving walkway with a flat tread surface for transporting passengers.

[0019] The conveying section 3 may, for example, as in this embodiment, include a pair of endless circular chains 7, 7 spaced apart in the second horizontal direction D2, connecting shafts 8 each connected to the pair of chains 7, 7, and a plurality of steps 9 arranged between the pair of chains 7, 7 and rotatably connected to the connecting shafts 8, thereby connected to the chains 7.

[0020] As a result, the steps 9 run together with the chain 7 and are connected to the chain 7 so as to be rotatable about an axis in the second lateral direction D2. The chain 7 runs while rotating when driven by the drive unit 5.

[0021] The chain 7 may include, for example, links 7a rotatably connected to each other and rollers 7b rotatably connected to the links 7a, as in this embodiment. That is, in this embodiment, the chain 7 is a roller chain. However, the chain 7 is not limited to this configuration.

[0022] The step 9 may include, for example, a step body 9a and a roller 9b rotatably connected to the step body 9a as in this embodiment. The step body 9a may also include, for example, a tread portion 9c on which a person stands, a rise portion 9d formed in a curved shape, and a connecting portion 9e rotatably connected to the connecting shaft 8 as in this embodiment.

[0023] The balustrade section 4 may include, for example, an endless circular handrail belt 4a that rotates and runs, a balustrade main body section 4b that supports the handrail belt 4a, and a cover section 4c that covers the lower part of the balustrade main body section 4b. Note that, for example, the handrail belt 4a may run by being driven by the drive section 5, and the running of the handrail belt 4a may be synchronized with the running of the steps 9.

[0024] The drive unit 5 may, for example, as in this embodiment, include a rotatable sprocket (also referred to as a "drive sprocket") 10 around which the first end of the chain 7 in the first horizontal direction D1 is wound, a support unit 11 that supports the second end of the chain 7 in the first horizontal direction D1, a motor 12 that rotates the sprocket 10, and a transmission unit 13 that transmits the drive of the motor 12 to the sprocket 10.

[0025] The transmission unit 13 may include, for example, as in this embodiment, a rotating body 13a that rotates integrally with the sprocket 10, and an endless annular transmission body 13b that is wound around the drive shaft of the motor 12 and the rotating body 13a, respectively. In this way, the drive force of the motor 12 is transmitted to the sprocket 10.

[0026] 3, the sprocket 10 may be fixed to the rotor 13a so as to be coaxial with the rotor 13a. As a result, the sprocket 10 rotates integrally with the rotor 13a about an axis in the second lateral direction D2. The sprocket 10 may have a plurality of teeth 10a that hook the rollers 7b of the chain 7, as in this embodiment.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 4, the structure 2 may be, for example, a truss structure or a girder structure composed of a plurality of frame members 2a to 2c. The support portion 11 may be, for example, as in this embodiment, equipped with a guide portion 11a that guides the chain 7 (only roller 7b is shown in Fig. 4). However, without being limited to such a configuration, the support portion 11 may be, for example, a sprocket (driven sprocket) around which the chain 7 is wound and which can rotate about an axis in the second horizontal direction D2.

[0028] The people conveyor 1 may, for example, as in this embodiment, include a guide mechanism 14 that guides the support portion 11 in the first lateral direction D1, and a tension applying portion 15 that applies tension to the chain 7. The guide mechanism 14 may, for example, as in this embodiment, include a roller 14a fixed to the support portion 11, and a rail 14b fixed to the structure 2 and extending along the first lateral direction D1 to guide the roller 14a in the first lateral direction D1.

[0029] The tension applying portion 15 may include, for example, an elastic portion 15a that applies an elastic restoring force in the first horizontal direction D1 to the support portion 11 as in this embodiment. Although not particularly limited, for example, as in this embodiment, the elastic portion 15a may be a helical spring, and the tension applying portion 15 may include a connecting portion 15b that is fixed to the support portion 11 and extends in the first horizontal direction D1, a first holding portion 15c that is fixed to the connecting portion 15b and holds a first end of the elastic portion 15a, and a second holding portion 15d that is fixed to the frame material 2c of the structure 2 and holds a second end of the elastic portion 15a.

[0030] As a result, the elastic portion 15a undergoes elastic deformation by compression in the first horizontal direction D1, and an elastic restoring force in the first horizontal direction D1 (specifically, the left direction in FIG. 4) is applied to the support portion 11, thereby applying tension to the chain 7. Note that the configuration is not limited to this, and the tension applying portion 15 may be configured in any way as long as the elastic portion 15a applies an elastic restoring force in the first horizontal direction D1 to the support portion 11, thereby applying tension to the chain 7.

[0031] 5, the passenger conveyor 1 may include, for example, an input unit 16 to which various information is input, and an output unit 17 to which various information is output. Although not particularly limited, the input unit 16 may be, for example, a switch (push button switch, select switch, etc.) or a touch panel, and the output unit 17 may be, for example, a display unit that displays information (for example, an electronic bulletin board, a signal light), a sound generating unit that emits information as sound (for example, a buzzer, a speaker), or a signal output unit that outputs a signal to the outside (for example, a central monitoring panel, etc.).

[0032] Furthermore, the people conveyor 1 may be equipped with, for example, a speed detection unit 18 that detects the running speed of the chain 7, a person detection unit 19 that detects people riding on the people conveyor 1, and an inverter 20 that changes the frequency of the power supplied to the motor 12, as in this embodiment.

[0033] The speed detection unit 18 may be, for example, a sensor (for example, a proximity sensor or a photoelectric sensor) that detects the teeth on the outer periphery of the rotating body 13a, or may be, for example, a sensor (for example, an encoder) that detects the rotation of the rotating body 13a or the sprocket 10, or may be, for example, a sensor (for example, an encoder) that detects the rotation of a roller that rotates by contacting the step 9. The speed detection unit 18 may also be, for example, a sensor (for example, an encoder) that detects the rotation of a roller that rotates by contacting the chain 7.

[0034] In this way, the speed detection unit 18 may indirectly detect the running speed of the chain 7, for example, by detecting the rotational speed of the rotating body 13a, the rotational speed of the sprocket 10, and the running speed of the step 9, or may directly detect the running speed of the chain 7, for example, by detecting the running speed of the chain 7.

[0035] The human detection unit 19 may, for example, detect whether or not a person is present at the boarding and disembarking section in order to detect a person getting on the passenger conveyor 1. Although not particularly limited, the human detection unit 19 may, for example, be a photoelectric sensor disposed inside the balustrade 4, or may, for example, be a camera that captures images from above and the sides of the boarding and disembarking section, or may, for example, be a load cell that detects the weight of a person from below the boarding and disembarking section.

[0036] The processing unit 6 may include, for example, an acquisition unit 6a that acquires each piece of information (data) from each unit 16, 18, 19, a storage unit 6b that stores each piece of information, a calculation unit 6c that calculates each piece of information, and a control unit 6d that controls each unit, as in this embodiment. Note that in this specification, storing does not only include the case where data is stored until it is deleted by inputting a deletion instruction, but also the case where data is temporarily stored for use in the calculation of the calculation unit 6c and deleted after the calculation is completed regardless of the input of a deletion instruction.

[0037] The processing unit 6 may be a computer including a processor such as a CPU and an MPU (e.g., a calculation unit 6c, a control unit 6d), a memory such as a ROM and a RAM (e.g., an acquisition unit 6a, a storage unit 6b), various interfaces, etc. As a result, the processor executes a program stored in the memory, and the respective units 6a to 6d of the processing unit 6 are realized by the cooperation of the software and hardware.

[0038] The processing unit 6 may be configured, for example, as one device, or may be configured, for example, as multiple devices that can communicate with each other. Specifically, the units 6a to 6d of the processing unit 6 may be provided, for example, in one device, or may be provided, for example, as distributed across multiple devices that can communicate with each other.

[0039] The control unit 6d of the processing unit 6 controls, for example, the inverter 20 to control the frequency of the power supplied by the inverter 20 to the motor 12. As a result, the frequency of the supplied power changes, which in turn changes the rotational speed of the rotating body 13a and the sprocket 10, and therefore the running speed of the chain 7 can be changed.

[0040] The configuration of the passenger conveyor 1 according to this embodiment is as described above, and next, the control of the passenger conveyor 1 according to this embodiment will be described. Note that the following content is provided as an example to help understand the control of the passenger conveyor 1, and does not limit the control of the passenger conveyor 1.

[0041] The processing unit 6 normally executes a reference control for keeping the frequency of the power supplied to the motor 12 (hereinafter referred to as "supply power frequency") constant. However, when the reference control is executed, pulsation may occur in the chain 7. Here, the pulsation of the chain 7 will be described with reference to Figs. 6 and 7.

[0042] First, when the conveying load changes, for example, when a person steps on or off the step 9, or when a person walks on the step 9, the elastic portion 15a repeats a state of large elastic deformation and a state of small elastic deformation from a reference state of elastic deformation (for example, repeats expansion and contraction). This generates a first pulsation in the chain 7, as shown in FIG. 6.

[0043] In the first pulsation, the magnitude V1 of the change speed relative to the rated speed V0 is, for example, 5% to 10% of the rated speed V0. Also, in the first pulsation, the length T1 of the cycle of the speed change is, for example, 0.25 seconds to 0.30 seconds.

[0044] On the other hand, for example, the torque applied to the sprocket 10 changes depending on the timing at which the rollers 7b of the chain 7 are hooked onto the teeth 10a of the sprocket 10, causing the sprocket 10 to vibrate (see, for example, JP 2015-117092 A). This causes a second pulsation of the chain 7, as shown in FIG. 7.

[0045] In the second pulsation, the magnitude V2 of the change rate relative to the rated speed V0 is, for example, 0.5% to 1.0% of the rated speed V0. Also, in the second pulsation, the length T2 of the cycle of the speed change is, for example, 0.05 seconds to 0.10 seconds.

[0046] In this way, in the first pulsation, the magnitude V1 of the rate of change in the traveling speed of the chain 7 is large, so that when the first pulsation occurs, for example, a person standing on the step 9 may feel uncomfortable. On the other hand, in the second pulsation, the magnitude V2 of the rate of change in the traveling speed of the chain 7 is small, so that even when the second pulsation occurs, for example, there is almost no effect on a person standing on the step 9.

[0047] In response to this, the processing unit 6 executes frequency control when it is determined that the first pulsation of the chain 7 has occurred. In the frequency control, the processing unit 6 performs feedback control to change the frequency of the supplied power so that the running speed of the chain 7 is constant, for example, based on detection by the speed detection unit 18. This makes it possible to suppress changes in the running speed of the chain 7 even if the first pulsation of the chain 7 has occurred.

[0048] In the second pulsation, the length T2 of the speed change period is short, and therefore, when the second pulsation of the chain 7 occurs, the processing unit 6 continues to execute the reference control. This makes it possible to prevent, for example, the frequency control from being unable to follow the second pulsation, causing the pulsation of the chain 7 to become unnecessarily large.

[0049] Next, the conditions for the calculation unit 6c of the processing unit 6 to determine that the first pulsation of the chain 7 has occurred will be described.

[0050] First, since the first pulsation of the chain 7 is caused by a person (specifically, a transport load), the first requirement is that the human detection unit 19 detects a human. Although not particularly limited, for example, the first requirement may be a period from when the human detection unit 19 detects a human to when a set time has elapsed.

[0051] Although not particularly limited, for example, the first requirement may be that the chain 7 runs at a rated speed during automatic operation. During automatic operation, for example, when the human detection unit 19 detects a human, the processing unit 6 runs the chain 7 at the rated speed, and when a predetermined time (for example, the time for the step 9 to run a distance of 1 / 2 revolution + 30 seconds) has elapsed since the human detection unit 19 last detected a human, the processing unit 6 may run the chain 7 at a low speed.

[0052] 6 and 7, in the first pulsation of the chain 7, the magnitude V1 of the change rate of the traveling speed is large, so the second requirement is that the magnitude V1 of the change rate of the traveling speed detected by the speed detection unit 18 is larger than a set value. Although not particularly limited, the set value may be, for example, 3% to 10% of the rated speed V0, or may be, for example, 5% to 10% of the rated speed V0. Furthermore, although not particularly limited, the set value may be, for example, 31 m / min to 31.5 m / min, or may be, for example, 31.5 m / min to 33 m / min.

[0053] Furthermore, since the length T1 of the period of change in the running speed is long in the first pulsation of the chain 7, the third requirement is that the length T1 of the period of change in the running speed detected by the speed detection unit 18 is longer than a set value. Although not particularly limited, the set value may be, for example, 0.20 seconds to 0.30 seconds, or may be, for example, 0.25 seconds to 0.30 seconds.

[0054] Although not particularly limited, the calculation unit 6c may determine that the first pulsation of the chain 7 occurs when the first requirement and at least one of the second requirement and the third requirement are satisfied. As a result, when the first pulsation of the target chain 7 occurs, the frequency control is executed.

[0055] From the above, the passenger conveyor 1, as in this embodiment, Multiple steps 9 and an endless circular chain 7 to which the plurality of steps 9 are connected; a rotatable sprocket 10 around which a first end of the chain 7 in the first transverse direction D1 is wound; a support portion 11 that supports a second end portion of the chain 7 in the first horizontal direction D1; an elastic portion 15a that applies an elastic restoring force in the first horizontal direction D1 to the support portion 11 in order to apply tension to the chain 7; A motor 12 for rotating the sprocket 10; an inverter 20 for changing the frequency of the power supplied to the motor 12; A speed detection unit 18 for detecting a running speed of the chain 7; A processing unit 6 that controls the inverter 20, The processing unit 6 executes frequency control to change the frequency of the power based on the detection of the speed detection unit 18 so that the running speed of the chain 7 is constant. This configuration is preferred.

[0056] According to this configuration, the processing unit 6 executes frequency control to change the frequency of the power based on the detection by the speed detection unit 18. As a result, even if pulsation occurs in the chain 7, the frequency control is executed so that the running speed of the chain 7 is constant. Therefore, it is possible to suppress changes in the running speed of the chain 7.

[0057] In addition, the passenger conveyor 1, as in this embodiment, A person detection unit 19 is provided to detect a person riding on the person conveyor 1, The processing unit 6 executes a reference control to keep the frequency of the power constant, The processing unit 6 executes the frequency control when the human detection unit 19 detects a human. This configuration is preferred.

[0058] According to such a configuration, the processing unit 6 executes a reference control to keep the frequency of the power constant. Then, since the pulsation of the target chain 7 is caused by a person (specifically, a conveyed load), when the human detection unit 19 detects a person, the processing unit 6 executes the frequency control. As a result, when there is a risk of pulsation of the target chain 7 occurring, the frequency control is executed.

[0059] In addition, in the passenger conveyor 1, as in this embodiment, The processing unit 6 executes a reference control to keep the frequency of the power constant, The processing unit 6 executes the frequency control when the magnitude V1 of the change in the traveling speed detected by the speed detection unit 18 is greater than a set value. The following configuration is also possible.

[0060] According to this configuration, the processing unit 6 executes a reference control to keep the frequency of the power constant. Since the magnitude V1 of the change in the running speed is large in the pulsation of the target chain 7, the processing unit 6 executes the frequency control when the magnitude V1 of the change in the running speed detected by the speed detection unit 18 is larger than a set value. As a result, the frequency control is executed when the pulsation of the target chain 7 occurs.

[0061] In addition, in the passenger conveyor 1, as in this embodiment, The processing unit 6 executes a reference control to keep the frequency of the power constant, The processing unit 6 executes the frequency control when a length T1 of a period of change in the traveling speed detected by the speed detection unit 18 is longer than a set value. This configuration is preferred.

[0062] According to this configuration, the processing unit 6 executes a reference control to keep the frequency of the power constant. In the pulsation of the target chain 7, the length T1 of the cycle of the change in the running speed is long, so when the length T1 of the cycle of the change in the running speed detected by the speed detection unit 18 is longer than a set value, the processing unit 6 executes the frequency control. As a result, when the pulsation of the target chain 7 occurs, the frequency control is executed.

[0063] The passenger conveyor 1 is not limited to the configuration of the embodiment described above, nor is it limited to the above-mentioned effects. Furthermore, the passenger conveyor 1 can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, it is possible to select one or more of the configurations and methods of the various modified examples described below and adopt them in the configurations and methods of the embodiment described above.

[0064] (A) In the people conveyor 1 according to the above embodiment, the processing unit 6 is configured to execute frequency control when at least one of the following is satisfied: the first requirement (when the people detection unit 19 detects a person), the second requirement (when the magnitude V1 of the change in the running speed detected by the speed detection unit 18 is greater than a set value), and the third requirement (when the length T1 of the period of the change in the running speed detected by the speed detection unit 18 is longer than a set value). However, the people conveyor 1 is not limited to such a configuration.

[0065] (A-1) The processing unit 6 may be configured to execute frequency control when, for example, the first requirement is met, or may be configured to execute frequency control when, for example, the second requirement is met, or may be configured to execute frequency control when, for example, the third requirement is met. The processing unit 6 may also be configured to execute frequency control when, for example, the second and third requirements are met, or may be configured to execute frequency control when, for example, the first to third requirements are met.

[0066] (A-2) The first pulsation of the target chain 7 is caused by a change in the amount of elastic deformation of the elastic part 15a. In response to this, for example, the passenger conveyor 1 may be configured to include a deformation detection unit that detects a change in the elastic deformation of the elastic part 15a, and the processing unit 6 may execute frequency control when the deformation detection unit detects the change in the elastic deformation. Although not particularly limited, for example, the passenger conveyor 1 may be configured to include a deformation detection unit that detects a change in the elastic deformation of the elastic part 15a, and the processing unit 6 may execute frequency control when the deformation detection unit detects that the amount of elastic deformation of the elastic part 15a has exceeded a set amount.

[0067] The deformation detection unit may be, for example, a vibration sensor fixed to the connecting portion 15b, and may indirectly detect a change in elastic deformation of the elastic portion 15a by detecting vibration of the connecting portion 15b. The deformation detection unit may also be, for example, a position detection sensor that detects the position of the tip of the connecting portion 15b, and may indirectly detect a change in elastic deformation of the elastic portion 15a by detecting movement of the tip of the connecting portion 15b.

[0068] Thus, the man conveyor 1 is A deformation detection unit is provided to detect a change in elastic deformation of the elastic portion 15a. The processing unit 6 executes a reference control to keep the frequency of the power constant, The processing unit 6 executes the frequency control when the deformation detection unit detects a change in elastic deformation. The following configuration is also possible.

[0069] According to this configuration, the processing unit 6 executes a reference control to keep the frequency of the power constant. Since the pulsation of the target chain 7 is caused by a change in the amount of elastic deformation of the elastic part 15a, the processing unit 6 executes frequency control when the deformation detection unit detects a change in the elastic deformation of the elastic part 15a. As a result, frequency control is executed when there is a risk of pulsation occurring in the target chain 7.

[0070] (A-3) The pulsation of the target chain 7 is caused by the conveying load. In response to this, for example, the people conveyor 1 may be equipped with a torque detection unit that detects the output torque of the motor 12, and the processing unit 6 may execute frequency control when the change in the magnitude of the output torque detected by the torque detection unit is greater than a set value.

[0071] The torque detection unit may, for example, directly detect the output torque of the motor 12, or may indirectly detect the output torque of the motor 12 by detecting information (e.g., the output power, output voltage, current, etc. of the inverter 20) that has a correlation with the output torque of the motor 12.

[0072] Thus, the man conveyor 1 is A torque detection unit is provided to detect the output torque of the motor. The processing unit 6 executes a reference control to keep the frequency of the power constant, The processing unit 6 executes the frequency control when a change in the magnitude of the output torque detected by the torque detection unit is greater than a set value. The following configuration is also possible.

[0073] According to this configuration, the processing unit 6 executes a reference control to keep the frequency of the power constant. Then, since the pulsation of the target chain 7 is caused by the conveying load, when the change in the magnitude of the output torque detected by the torque detection unit is greater than a set value, the processing unit 6 executes the frequency control. As a result, when there is a risk of pulsation of the target chain 7 occurring, the frequency control is executed.

[0074] (A-4) Note that the fourth requirement is when the deformation detection unit detects a change in the elastic deformation of the elastic portion 15a, and the fifth requirement is when the change in the magnitude of the output torque detected by the torque detection unit is greater than a set value, and at least one requirement may be arbitrarily selected from the first to fifth requirements as the requirement for executing the frequency control. For example, at least one requirement may be selected from the first to fifth requirements, and the processing unit 6 may execute the frequency control when one requirement, a plurality of requirements, or all of the selected requirements are satisfied.

[0075] (B) For example, the order of execution of each process, such as operations, procedures, steps, and stages, in the systems, methods, programs, and devices shown in the claims, specifications, and drawings, can be arbitrary, as long as the output of a previous process is not used in a subsequent process. For example, even if the description uses "first," "next," etc. for convenience, it does not mean that the processes must be executed in that order. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 1...people conveyor, 2...structure, 2a...frame material, 2b...frame material, 2c...frame material, 3...transport section, 4...parapet section, 4a...handrail belt, 4b...parapet main body section, 4c...cover section, 5...drive section, 6...processing section, 6a...acquisition section, 6b...storage section, 6c...calculation section, 6d...control section, 7...chain, 7a...link, 7b...roller, 8...connecting shaft, 9...step, 9a...step main body, 9b...roller, 9c...tread section, 9d...rise section, 9e...connecting section, 10...sprocket , 10a...tooth, 11...support portion, 11a...guide portion, 12...motor, 13...transmission portion, 13a...rotating body, 13b...transmission body, 14...guide mechanism, 14a...roller, 14b...rail, 15...tension applying portion, 15a...elastic portion, 15b...connection portion, 15c...first holding portion, 15d...second holding portion, 16...input portion, 17...output portion, 18...speed detection portion, 19...person detection portion, 20...inverter, D1...first horizontal direction, D2...second horizontal direction, D3...up-down direction

Claims

1. Multiple steps and an endless circular chain to which the plurality of steps are connected; a rotatable sprocket around which a first lateral end of the chain is wound; a support portion supporting a second end portion of the chain in the first lateral direction; an elastic portion that applies an elastic restoring force in the first lateral direction to the support portion to apply tension to the chain; A motor that rotates the sprocket; an inverter that changes the frequency of the power supplied to the motor; a speed detection unit for detecting a running speed of the chain; A processing unit that controls the inverter, A man conveyor, wherein the processing unit performs frequency control to change the frequency of the power based on detection by the speed detection unit so that the running speed of the chain is constant.

2. A person detection unit is provided for detecting a person riding on the person conveyor, The processing unit executes a reference control to keep the frequency of the power constant; The passenger conveyor according to claim 1 , wherein the processing unit executes the frequency control when the person detection unit detects a person.

3. The processing unit executes a reference control to keep the frequency of the power constant; 3. The passenger conveyor according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit executes the frequency control when the magnitude of the change in the traveling speed detected by the speed detection unit is greater than a set value.

4. The processing unit executes a reference control to keep the frequency of the power constant; 3. The passenger conveyor according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit executes the frequency control when a period of change in the travel speed detected by the speed detection unit is longer than a set value.

5. a deformation detection unit that detects a change in elastic deformation of the elastic portion, The processing unit executes a reference control to keep the frequency of the power constant; 3. The passenger conveyor according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit executes the frequency control when the deformation detection unit detects a change in elastic deformation.

6. a torque detection unit that detects an output torque of the motor, The processing unit executes a reference control to keep the frequency of the power constant; 3. A passenger conveyor according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the processing unit executes the frequency control when a change in the magnitude of the output torque detected by the torque detection unit is greater than a set value.

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