Passenger conveyor system, mobile body for inspecting passenger conveyor, and abnormality determination program

Abstract

To provide a passenger conveyor system capable of determining a place of a guide rail of a passenger conveyor where there is an abnormality or determining which footstep roller of a footstep has an abnormality, a mobile body for inspecting the passenger conveyor, and an abnormality determination program.SOLUTION: A vibration sensor 110 executes detection while a mobile body 100 moves on a footstep 30 on an approach route. When a vibration wave exceeds a predetermined rail reference value F, a position exceeding the reference value is recorded as an abnormality location on the approach route. While the mobile body moves on the footstep on a return route, the vibration sensor 110 executes detection. When the vibration wave exceeds the rail reference value F, a position exceeding the reference value is recorded as an abnormality location on the return route. When the abnormality location on the approach route and the abnormality location on the return route match each other, an abnormality is determined to exist in a first guide rail 29 or a second guide rail 25 in the matched abnormality locations.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a passenger conveyor system, a moving body for inspecting a passenger conveyor, and an abnormality determination program.

Background Art

[0002] In passenger conveyors such as escalators and moving walkways, step rollers run on a pair of left and right guide rails attached to a truss. Therefore, due to aging deterioration caused by the operation of the passenger conveyor, a part of the guide rail may bend or be damaged, and the step roller may also be dented or damaged, resulting in abnormalities.

[0003] As a method for inspecting abnormalities in the guide rail and the step roller, there is a method in which a maintenance worker visually inspects or a vibration sensor incorporated inside the passenger conveyor detects vibration and analyzes whether there is abnormal vibration.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, it takes time and effort for a maintenance worker to visually inspect, and although the vibration sensor can detect the presence or absence of an abnormality, it is unclear where on the guide rail the abnormality is, and it is impossible to determine which step roller of which of the multiple steps has an abnormality.

[0006] Therefore, in view of the above problems, an embodiment of the present invention aims to provide a passenger conveyor system capable of determining, using a moving body, a location where there is an abnormality in the guide rail of the passenger conveyor and which step roller of which step has an abnormality, a moving body for inspecting the passenger conveyor, and an abnormality determination program.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] Embodiments of the present invention are in a passenger conveyor system including a passenger conveyor and a moving body. The passenger conveyor includes a truss provided in the front-rear direction from one boarding and alighting opening to the other boarding and alighting opening, a pair of left and right balustrades provided on the upper part of the truss, a pair of left and right first guide rails fixed to the truss in the front-rear direction, a pair of left and right second guide rails fixed to the truss in the front-rear direction, a plurality of steps connected in an endless manner and moving in the front-rear direction between the pair of left and right balustrades from one boarding and alighting opening to the other boarding and alighting opening, a driving device for moving the steps, and a control device for controlling the driving device. The steps have a pair of left and right first rollers and a pair of left and right second rollers. The pair of left and right first rollers run on the pair of left and right first guide rails respectively, and the pair of left and right second rollers run on the pair of left and right second guide rails respectively. The moving body includes a moving body main body that moves while riding on the steps, a vibration sensor provided on the moving body main body, and a moving body control unit provided on the moving body main body and controlling the control device via communication. The moving body control unit records the vibration waves of the forward path detected by the vibration sensor in time series while the moving body main body moves while riding on the steps from one boarding and alighting opening to the other boarding and alighting opening, and when the vibration waves exceed a predetermined rail reference value, records the exceeded position as an abnormal location on the forward path. While the moving body main body moves while riding on the steps from the other boarding and alighting opening to the one boarding and alighting opening on the return path, the vibration waves of the return path detected by the vibration sensor are recorded in time series, and when the vibration waves exceed the rail reference value, the exceeded position is recorded as an abnormal location on the return path. When the abnormal location on the forward path and the abnormal location on the return path coincide, it is determined that there is an abnormality in the first guide rail or the second guide rail at the coincided abnormal location. This is a passenger conveyor system characterized by the above.

[0008] Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, in a passenger conveyor system including a passenger conveyor and a moving body, the passenger conveyor includes a truss provided in the front-rear direction from one boarding and alighting opening to the other boarding and alighting opening, a pair of left and right balustrades provided on the upper part of the truss, a pair of left and right first guide rails fixed to the truss in the front-rear direction, a pair of left and right second guide rails fixed to the truss in the front-rear direction, a plurality of steps connected in an endless manner and moving in the front-rear direction between the pair of left and right balustrades from one boarding and alighting opening to the other boarding and alighting opening, a driving device for moving the steps, and a control device for controlling the driving device. The steps have a pair of left and right first rollers and a pair of left and right second rollers. The pair of left and right first rollers run on the pair of left and right first guide rails respectively, and the pair of left and right second rollers run on the pair of left and right second guide rails respectively. The moving body includes a moving body main body that moves while riding on the steps, a vibration sensor provided on the moving body main body, and a moving body control unit provided on the moving body main body and controlling the control device via communication. The moving body control unit records, in time series, vibration waves detected by the vibration sensor while the moving body main body riding on the steps moves in a predetermined inspection section, and when the vibration waves exceed a roller reference value at a period corresponding to the outer diameter length of the first roller or the second roller, it determines that there is an abnormality in the first roller or the second roller, and performs the determination for each of the plurality of steps one by one. This is a passenger conveyor system characterized by the above.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] An escalator 10 which is one of the passenger conveyors according to an embodiment of the present invention and a moving body 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. In this embodiment, the escalator 10 and the moving body 100 constitute a passenger conveyor system.

[0011] (1) Escalator 10 The overall structure of the escalator 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The uppermost drawing in FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of the escalator 10 seen from the left side. However, in order to clearly show the internal structure of the escalator 10, the illustration of the members on the right side of the escalator 10 is omitted. When explaining the front-rear direction of the escalator 10, it is assumed that looking up from the lower floor to the upper floor, the upper floor is the front side and the lower floor is the rear side.

[0012] A truss 12 which is the framework of the escalator 10 straddles the upper and lower floors of the building 1 and is supported in the front-rear direction using support angles 2 and 3.

[0013] Inside the upper floor mechanical room 14 at the upper end of the truss 12, there are provided a driving device 18 for running the steps 30, a pair of left and right step sprockets 24, 24, and a pair of left and right belt sprockets (not shown). This driving device 18 includes a motor 20, a speed reducer 21, a driving small sprocket 19 attached to the output shaft of this speed reducer 21, and a disk-type electromagnetic brake 23 for stopping the rotation of the motor 20 and holding the stopped state. An endless driving chain 22 is bridged between the pair of left and right step sprockets 24, 24 and the driving small sprocket 19. Also, inside the upper floor mechanical room 14, a control device 50 for controlling the motor 20, the electromagnetic brake 23, etc. is provided.

[0014] Inside the lower floor mechanical room 16 at the lower end of the truss 12, a pair of left and right driven sprockets 26, 26 are provided. Between the pair of left and right step sprockets 24, 24 on the upper floor side and the pair of left and right driven sprockets 26, 26 on the lower floor side, a pair of endless step chains 28, 28 (see Fig. 2) are bridged. Between the pair of left and right step chains 28, 28, a pair of first rollers 301, 301 of a plurality of steps 30 are connected at regular intervals. When the motor 20 rotates, the first roller 301 of the step 30 runs on the first guide rail 29 dedicated to the first roller fixed to the truss 12, and the second roller 302 of the step 30 runs on the second guide rail 25 dedicated to the second roller fixed to the truss 12.

[0015] On both the left and right sides at the upper part of the truss 12, a pair of left and right balustrades 36, 36 are erected. A handrail rail 39 is provided at the upper part of this balustrade 36, and an endless handrail belt 38 moves along this handrail rail 39. The handrail belt 38 moves in synchronization with the steps 30 when a belt sprocket (not shown) rotates together with the step sprocket 24.

[0016] On the lower front part of the upper level of the pair of left and right balustrades 36, an upper-level front skirt guard 40 is provided, and on the lower front part of the lower level, a lower-level front skirt guard 42 is provided. Inlets 46 and 48, which are the entrances and exits of the handrail belt 38, protrude from the front skirt guards 40 and 42 respectively. On the lower side of the side of the pair of left and right balustrades 36, skirt guards 44 are provided respectively, and the tread 30 runs between the pair of left and right skirt guards 44 and 44.

[0017] On the ceiling surface of the machine room 14, which is the upper-level boarding and alighting opening, an upper-level boarding plate 32 is horizontally provided. On the ceiling surface of the machine room 16, which is the lower-level boarding and alighting opening, a lower-level boarding plate 34 is horizontally provided. At the tip of the upper-level boarding plate 32, a comb-shaped comb 60 is provided, and the tread 30 enters and exits this comb 60. Also, a comb-shaped comb 62 is provided at the tip of the lower-level boarding plate 34.

[0018] (2) Tread 30 Next, the structure of the tread 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 2.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the tread 30 is made of non-magnetic aluminum die-cast, and has a pair of left and right tread frames 303 and 303 formed in a triangular shape, a cleat surface 304 provided on the upper surfaces of the pair of left and right tread frames 303 and 303, a riser surface 305 provided on the rear surfaces of the pair of left and right tread frames 303 and 303, a pair of left and right first rollers 301 and 301 provided at the front parts of the pair of left and right tread frames 303 and 303, and a pair of left and right second rollers 302 and 302 provided at the lower part of the rear surfaces of the pair of left and right tread frames 303 and 303, that is, at the lower part of the riser surface 305. The pair of left and right first rollers 301 of the plurality of treads 30 are connected by an endless tread chain 28.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first roller 301 of the step 30 runs on the first guide rail 29 dedicated to the first roller fixed to the truss 12, and the second roller 302 of the step 30 runs on the second guide rail 25 dedicated to the second roller fixed to the truss 12. The diameters of the first roller 301 and the second roller 302 are the same size, and are set to R (for example, 80 mm).

[0021] (3) Moving body 100 Next, the moving body 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. This moving body 100 rides on the step 30 of the escalator 10 and inspects the escalator 10 while moving from the lower floor to the upper floor. This moving body 100 is a robot capable of autonomous driving, and its purpose is to inspect the escalator 10 without a person.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, the moving body main body 102 of the moving body 100 is substantially cubic, and its size is designed to be able to ride on one step 30. Inside the moving body main body 102, as shown in FIG. 2, a movement control unit 104 composed of a computer is provided. Also, as shown in FIG. 2, four wheels 106 are provided at the lower part of the moving body main body 102, and these four wheels 106 are rotated by a movement motor 108. The movement control unit 104 can move the moving body 100 forward, backward, stop, or rotate to the right or left by controlling the operation, stop, and rotation direction of the movement motor 108. Also, as shown in FIG. 2, a vibration sensor 110 for detecting the vibration of the step 30 and a moving body communication unit 112 are provided on the moving body main body 102. The vibration sensor 110 is controlled by the movement control unit 104 and detects the vibration of the step 30 on which the moving body 100 is riding. The movement control unit 104 communicates with the communication unit 64 of the control device 50 via the moving body communication unit 112.

[0023] (4) Electrical configuration of the escalator 10 and the moving body 100 Next, the electrical configuration of the escalator 10 and the moving body 100 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 3.

[0024] In the control device 50 inside the upper-level machine room 14, a communication unit 64 and a drive circuit 66 for controlling the motor 20 and the electromagnetic brake 23 in the drive device 18 are connected. The control device 50 controls the motor 20 and the electromagnetic brake 23 by the drive circuit 66, and controls the operation and stop of the tread 30, the operation direction (ascending, descending), and the operation speed.

[0025] The communication unit 64 communicates with the mobile body communication unit 112 of the mobile body 100 and the monitoring device 200 of the external maintenance center. Further, the communication unit 64 communicates with a short-range wireless function that communicates by Bluetooth (registered trademark), Wifi, NFC (Near Field Communication), etc., and a normal communication function that communicates using a wireless or wired public commercial line.

[0026] The movement control unit 104 is connected to the control device 50 via the mobile body communication unit 112 and the communication unit 64, and can control the operation and stop of the tread 30, the operation direction (ascending, descending), and the operation speed.

[0027] (5) Abnormality determination method by the mobile body 100 Next, with reference to FIG. 1, an abnormality determination method for the first guide rail 29 or the second guide rail 25 of the escalator 10 and an abnormality determination method for the first roller 301 and the second roller 302 of all the treads 30 using the mobile body 100 will be described. In order to execute this abnormality determination method, an abnormality determination program is stored in the movement control unit 104, and the movement control unit 104 controls and executes the control device 50 in accordance with this abnormality determination program. The movement control unit 104 has previously acquired the specification information (floor height, number of treads n, operation speed v) of the escalator 10 from the control device 50. The number of treads 30 is, for example, n = 60. FIGS. 1(a) to 1(c) are waveform diagrams of vibration waves detected by the vibration sensor 110, where the vertical axis is the amplitude and the horizontal axis is the time t, and this horizontal axis t corresponds to the position of the first guide rail 29 or the second guide rail 25 in the side view of the escalator 10 shown at the uppermost stage of FIG. 1.

[0028] (5-1) The method for determining abnormalities in the first guide rail 29 or the second guide rail 25 will be described.

[0029] First, move the moving body 100 to the lower landing 34 of the escalator 10.

[0030] Next, stop the running steps 30.

[0031] Next, move the moving body 100 to the lowermost step 30 that has stopped, that is, the step 30 at the same height as the lower landing 34. This step 30 is not limited to a specific step 30 and can be any step 30. And this step 30 will be referred to as the "first step 30" hereinafter. Note that the central position in the front-rear direction of the upper surface (the grate surface 304) of the lowermost step 30 is referred to as the "starting point P".

[0032] Next, raise the first step 30 with the moving body 100 on it. The path during the ascent will be referred to as the "outward path" hereinafter. At the start of the ascent, the vibration sensor 110 starts detecting from the position of the starting point P and detects the vibration wave transmitted from the first step 30 to the vibration sensor 110 during the outward path movement (hereinafter referred to as the "vibration wave of the outward path"). The movement control unit 104 records the vibration wave of the outward path in time series.

[0033] Next, when the first step 30 reaches the uppermost position, that is, the position at the same height as the upper landing 32, stop the ascent of the first step 30 and end the detection of the vibration wave of the outward path. Note that the central position in the front-rear direction of the upper surface (the grate surface 304) of the uppermost step 30 is referred to as the "end point Q".

[0034] Next, lower the first step 30 with the moving body 100 still on it. The path during the descent will be referred to as the "return path" hereinafter. At the start of the descent, the vibration sensor 110 starts detecting from the position of the end point Q and detects the vibration wave transmitted from the first step 30 to the vibration sensor 110 during the return path movement (hereinafter referred to as the "vibration wave of the return path"). The movement control unit 104 records the vibration wave of the return path in time series.

[0035] Next, when the first step 30 reaches the lowermost step, that is, the position at the same height as the landing 34 on the lower floor, the descent is stopped and the detection of the vibration wave on the return path also ends.

[0036] Next, the moving body 100 is moved from the lowermost first step 30 to the landing 34 on the lower floor.

[0037] Next, using the vibration waves on the forward path and the return path of the entire journey, it is checked whether there is an abnormality in the step rollers of the first step 30. This check is performed because if there is an abnormality in the step rollers of the first step 30, the abnormal location of the first guide rail 29 or the second guide rail 25 cannot be accurately recognized. The method for checking the step rollers of the first step 30 will be described in detail later. When there is an abnormality in the step rollers of the first step 30, the step 30 is raised one step, the moving body 100 is placed on the second step 30, and the check is performed in the same manner. When there is also an abnormality in the step rollers of the second step 30, the step rollers of the next step 30 are checked, and finally, using the vibration waves on the forward path and the return path detected by the step 30 of the step without abnormality in the step rollers, the abnormal location of the first guide rail 29 or the second guide rail 25 is determined.

[0038] Next, the movement control unit 104 analyzes the vibration wave on the forward path from the starting point P to the end point Q shown in Fig. 1(a), and in the pulsed vibration wave, obtains the time t1 when the amplitude exceeds the rail reference value F. This time t1 is the time when the moving body 100 passes through the abnormal location of the first guide rail 29 or the second guide rail 25. Then, based on the time t1 from the starting point P and the driving speed v, the distance L1 (= t1 × v) from the starting point P to the abnormal location is calculated. The location at the distance L1 from the starting point P is the abnormal location where there is an abnormality in the first guide rail 29 or the second guide rail 25. However, since it cannot be determined which of the first guide rail 29 and the second guide rail 25 has an abnormality, hereinafter, they are collectively referred to as the "guide rail".

[0039] Next, the movement control unit 104 analyzes the vibration wave of the return path from the end point Q to the start point P shown in Fig. 1(a), and obtains the time t2 when the rail reference value F is exceeded among the pulsed vibration waves. This time t2 is the time when the moving body 100 passes through the abnormal portion of the guide rail. Then, based on the time t2 from the end point Q and the driving speed v, the distance L2 (= t2 × v) from the end point Q to the abnormal portion is calculated. The location at a distance L2 from this end point Q is the abnormal portion where there is an abnormality in the guide rail.

[0040] Next, the movement control unit 104 stores in advance the distance L0 from the start point P to the end point Q. Then, the distance L2 from the end point Q to the abnormal portion in the return path is converted into the distance L2' (= L0 - L2) from the start point P to the abnormal portion.

[0041] Next, when the distance L1 from the start point P in the forward path and the distance L2' from the start point P in the return path match, that is, when L1 = L2', the movement control unit 104 determines that there is an abnormality at that location. If there is an abnormal portion only in either the forward path or the return path, although it is not a definite abnormal portion, it is recorded as a portion to be inspected.

[0042] (5-2) The method for determining abnormalities in the first roller 301 and the second roller 302 of the step 30 will be described. Since the abnormality determination method is performed according to a plurality of rules, those rules will be described.

[0043] Regarding the first rule, the moving body 100 inspects each of the n steps 30, that is, from the first step 30 to the nth step 30 one by one. As a method of inspection one by one, for example, when the inspection of the third step 30 on which the moving body 100 has boarded is completed, the third step 30 is lowered to the lowermost step of the lower floor, and the moving body 100 is retracted to the boarding and alighting plate 34 of the lower floor. Next, the step 30 is raised by one step, and the fourth step 30 is set at the position of the boarding and alighting plate 34. Next, the moving body 100 is placed on the fourth step 30, and the fourth step 30 is inspected.

[0044] Regarding the second rule, the staircase 30 has a pair of left and right first rollers 301, 301 and a pair of right second rollers 302, 302. However, since the moving body 100 rides on the staircase 30 to detect vibrations, it is not possible to specify which staircase roller has an abnormality. Therefore, only the staircase 30 with a problem in the staircase roller is specified, and which staircase roller has an abnormality is later visually identified by the maintenance staff for each of the four staircase rollers. Since it is not possible to specify which of the four staircase rollers provided on the staircase 30 has an abnormality, the pair of left and right first rollers 301, 301 and the second rollers 302, 302 are simply grouped together and called "staircase rollers".

[0045] Regarding the third rule, instead of reciprocally moving the staircase 30 from the starting point P on the lower floor to the end point Q on the upper floor like a guide rail, the inspection is performed by reciprocally moving the inspection section for at least two or more revolutions of the staircase roller. For example, when the diameter R of the staircase roller is 80 mm, the distance for one revolution (outer diameter length) is πR = approximately 252 mm, so it travels at least 504 mm. However, to surely detect abnormalities, on the other hand, as the distance increases, the inspection time for one staircase 30 becomes longer. Therefore, for example, 4 to 5 revolutions are appropriate. Hereinafter, as shown in FIGS. 1(b) and 1(c), the start position of the inspection section for inspecting the staircase roller is defined as the "measurement start position A", and the end position of the inspection section is defined as the "measurement end position B".

[0046] Regarding the fourth rule, when an abnormality is determined in the inspection of the guide rail, the staircase roller is inspected in the inspection section other than the abnormal location and the location determined to be abnormal. This is because even if vibrations are detected, it is unclear whether they are from the guide rail or from the staircase roller. By inspecting the staircase roller in the inspection section other than the abnormal location and the location determined to be abnormal, vibrations from the guide rail can be excluded while vibrations from the staircase roller can be detected.

[0047] Regarding the fifth rule, as shown in FIGS. 1(b) and 1(c), the vibration sensor 110 detects the vibration wave from the measurement start position A to the measurement end position B on the upward path of the step 30, and detects the vibration wave from the measurement end position B to the measurement start position A on the downward path of the step 30. The reason for detecting both the upward and downward paths is that there are cases where abnormal vibrations occur only when the step roller rotates in a specific direction. For example, rattling occurs only in one direction, and periodic vibrations may be detected in either the upward or downward path.

[0048] Regarding the sixth rule, as shown in FIGS. 1(b) and 1(c), the vibration wave of the upward path of the step 30 from the measurement start position A to the measurement end position B and the vibration wave of the downward path of the step 30 from the measurement end position B to the measurement start position A are analyzed to determine whether the roller reference value G is exceeded among the pulse-shaped vibration waves. Then, regarding the vibration wave of the upward path or the vibration wave of the downward path, if the interval of the vibration waves exceeding the roller reference value G occurs at a period corresponding to the outer peripheral length (=πR) of the diameter R of the step roller (=πR / v), it is determined that there is an abnormality in the step roller. For example, regarding the step roller of the second step 30 in FIG. 1(b), it is determined that there is no abnormality, and regarding the step roller of the nth step 30 in FIG. 1(c), it is determined that there is an abnormality during the upward movement and no abnormality during the downward movement. Note that the abnormality of the step roller such as the first step 30 is determined before determining the abnormality of the guide rail. At this time, instead of analyzing the vibration wave of the upward path of the step 30 from the measurement start position A to the measurement end position B and the vibration wave of the downward path of the step 30 from the measurement end position B to the measurement start position A, the vibration waves of the upward and downward paths of the entire stroke are used for analysis. The analysis method is the same as the sixth rule described above.

[0049] (6) Abnormality determination method Next, the abnormality determination method for the guide rail of the escalator 10 and the step rollers of the n steps 30 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 to 6. The time zone for starting the inspection mode for performing this abnormality determination is outside the business hours of the building where the escalator 10 is installed.

[0050] Steps S1 to S19 in the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 and 5 show the control flow for the inspection of the guide rail. However, in order to correctly perform the inspection of the guide rail, the control flow for inspecting whether there is an abnormality in the step roller of the step 30 on which the moving body 100 rides is also included.

[0051] As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4, in step S1, the inspection mode of the escalator 10 is started, and the process proceeds to step S2.

[0052] In step S2, the moving body 100 moves to the landing 34 on the lower floor of the escalator 10, and the process proceeds to step S3.

[0053] In step S2, set m = 1. Note that 1 <= m <= n.

[0054] In step S3, the movement control unit 104 raises and sets the m-th step 30 (hereinafter referred to as the "m-th step 30") to the same height as the landing 34 via the control device 50. For the first step 30 when m = 1, any step 30 is set to the same height as the landing 34. Then the process proceeds to step S5.

[0055] In step S5, the moving body 100 moves from the landing 34 to the m-th step 30. This position becomes the starting point P. Then the process proceeds to step S6.

[0056] In step S6, the ascent of the first step 30 is started. Then the process proceeds to step S7.

[0057] In step S7, the detection of the forward vibration wave (described as "forward vibration wave" in the figure) from the starting point P is started as it ascends. This detection is continuously performed until the moving body 100 reaches the uppermost step on the upper floor, and the vibration waves are recorded in time series. Then the process proceeds to step S8.

[0058] In step S8, when the m-th step 30 reaches the uppermost step on the upper floor, the ascent is stopped. Then the process proceeds to step S9.

[0059] In step S9, the detection and recording of the vibration wave in the forward path are completed. This position becomes the end point Q. Then, proceed to step S10.

[0060] In step S10, the descent of the m-th step 30 is started. Then, proceed to step S11.

[0061] In step S11, the detection of the vibration wave in the return path (described as "return path vibration wave" in the figure) from the end point Q is started as the descent progresses. This detection is continuously performed until the m-th step 30 reaches the lowermost step of the lower floor, and the vibration wave is recorded in time series. Then, proceed to step S12.

[0062] In step S12, when the m-th step 30 reaches the lowermost step, the descent is stopped. Then, proceed to step S13.

[0063] In step S13, the detection and recording of the vibration wave in the return path are completed. This end position is the starting point P. Then, proceed to step S14.

[0064] In step S14, the moving body 100 is moved to the landing board 34 of the lower floor, and proceed to step S14.

[0065] As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, in step S15, using the detected vibration waves in the forward path and the return path of the entire travel, the presence or absence of an abnormality in the step roller of the m-th step 30 is determined according to the above-described sixth rule. Then, proceed to step S16.

[0066] In step S16, if there is an abnormality in the step roller of the m-th step 30, proceed to step S17 (in the case of y), and if there is no abnormality, proceed to step S18 (in the case of n).

[0067] In step S17, since there is an abnormality in the step roller of the m-th step 30, set m = m + 1, and raise it one step to inspect the step 30 of the next step. Then, return to step S4 in FIG. 4.

[0068] In step S18, since there is no abnormality in the step roller of the m-th step 30, the movement control unit 104 determines the presence or absence of an abnormality in the guide rail using the detected vibration wave in the forward path and the vibration wave in the return path by the inspection method described above. Then, it proceeds to step S19.

[0069] In step S19, the movement control unit 104 stores the determination result of the guide rail. Then, it proceeds to step S19.

[0070] Steps S20 to S40 in the flowchart of FIG. 6 are the control flow for inspecting the abnormality of the step rollers of the (m + 1)-th step 30 to the n-th step 30. The reason for inspecting from the (m + 1)-th step 30 is that the step rollers of the steps 30 from the 1st to the m-th steps have already had their presence or absence of abnormality determined.

[0071] As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6, in step S20, set k = m + 1. Note that 1 <= m < k <= n. Then, it proceeds to step S21.

[0072] In step S21, based on the stored determination result of the guide rail, in a section other than the abnormal section of the guide rail, determine the measurement start position A and the measurement end position B of the inspection section for measuring the step roller. If there is no abnormality in the guide rail, determine the measurement start position A and the measurement end position B of the predetermined inspection section. Then, it proceeds to step S22.

[0073] In step S22, set the k-th step 30 at the same height position as the lower landing plate 34. Then, it proceeds to step S23.

[0074] In step S23, move the moving body 100 to the k-th step 30, and proceed to step S24.

[0075] In step S24, start the ascent of the k-th step, and proceed to step S25.

[0076] In step S25, when the k-th step 30 arrives at the measurement start position A, proceed to step S26.

[0077] In step S26, detection and time-series recording of the vibration wave of the forward path for the step roller are started, and the process proceeds to step S27.

[0078] In step S27, when the k-th step 30 reaches the measurement end position B, the process proceeds to step S28.

[0079] In step S28, the k-th step 30 is stopped, and the process proceeds to step S29.

[0080] In step S29, detection and recording of the vibration wave of the forward path are terminated, and the process proceeds to step S30.

[0081] In step S30, the descent of the k-th step 30 is started, and the process proceeds to step S31.

[0082] In step S31, detection and time-series recording of the vibration wave of the return path are started, and the process proceeds to step S32.

[0083] In step S32, when the k-th step 30 reaches the measurement start position A, the process proceeds to step S33.

[0084] In step S33, detection and recording of the vibration wave of the return path are terminated, and the process proceeds to step S34.

[0085] In step S34, when the k-th step 30 reaches the lowermost step of the lower floor, it is stopped. Then the process proceeds to step S35.

[0086] In step S35, the moving body 100 is moved to the landing plate 34 of the lower floor, and the process proceeds to step S36.

[0087] In step S36, if k = n, the process proceeds to step S39 (in the case of y), and if k < n, the process proceeds to step S37 (in the case of n). That is, when all inspections of the n steps (= 60 steps) of the step 30 are completed, the inspection of the step roller is completed, and when not all inspections of all steps 30 are completed, the process proceeds to step S37.

[0088] In step S37, since the inspection of all the steps 30 from the (m + 1)-th to the n-th step has not been completed, the k-th step 30 at the same height as the lower landing 34 is raised by one step, and the (k + 1)-th step 30 is set at a position horizontal to the lower landing 34, and the process proceeds to step S38.

[0089] In step S38, let k = k + 1. By this, the step roller of the next step 30 can be inspected. Then, the process returns to step S22.

[0090] In step S39, since the forward vibration wave and the return vibration wave of the step rollers of all the steps 30 from the (m + 1)-th to the n-th step are detected and recorded, the steps 30 with abnormalities in the step rollers among them are determined based on the sixth rule described above. Then, the process proceeds to step S40.

[0091] In step S40, the movement control unit 104 transmits the inspection result of the guide rail and the inspection results of the step rollers of all the n steps 30 to the control device 50, and the control device 50 transmits them to the monitoring device 200.

[0092] (7) Effects According to the present embodiment, the inspection of the guide rail and the step rollers of each step 30 can be automatically performed by the moving body 100 without the maintenance staff directly going to the site.

[0093] In addition, the moving body 100 on the first step 30 reciprocates from the starting point P on the lower floor to the end point Q on the upper floor to detect the vibration wave, and it can be determined whether there is an abnormality in the guide rail and, if there is an abnormality, where the abnormality is located.

[0094] In addition, it is possible to inspect which step roller of each of the n steps 30 has an abnormality by riding on each of the n steps 30.

[0095] Also, before inspecting the guide rail, inspect the tread rollers of the treads 30 on which the moving body 100 rides for inspecting the guide rail. Avoid the treads with abnormalities in the tread rollers and ride on the treads without abnormalities in the tread rollers for inspection, so that abnormalities in the guide rail can be reliably determined.

[0096] (8) Modification Example Next, a modification example of the above embodiment will be described.

[0097] In the above embodiment, the forward journey is when moving from the lower floor to the upper floor, and the return journey is when moving from the upper floor to the lower floor. Conversely, the moving body 100 may be set at the uppermost step on the upper floor, and the inspection may be performed with the forward journey from the upper floor to the lower floor and the return journey from the lower floor to the upper floor.

[0098] Also, in the above embodiment, when inspecting the tread rollers of the treads 30, the moving body 100 was retracted to the landing plate 34 on the lower floor, the tread 30 was raised by one step and placed on the next tread 30, and the tread rollers were inspected. However, instead of this, when the moving body 100 has a function of ascending the tread 30, the tread 30 may be ascended one step at a time from the tread where the inspection has been completed without returning to the lower floor to inspect the tread rollers.

[0099] Also, in the above embodiment, the inspection of the guide rail and the inspection of the tread rollers were performed continuously in one body. Instead of this, the inspection of the guide rail and the inspection of the tread rollers may be performed independently.

[0100] Also, in the above embodiment, the escalator 10 was described as a passenger conveyor. Instead of this, it may be applied to a moving walkway.

[0101] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, this embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0102] 10... escalator, 25... second guide rail, 29... first guide rail, 30... step, 301... first roller, 302... second roller, 32... boarding and alighting platform, 34... boarding and alighting platform, 64... communication unit, 100... moving body, 102... moving body main body, 104... movement control unit, 110... vibration sensor

Claims

1. In a passenger conveyor system including a passenger conveyor and a moving body, the passenger conveyor includes: a truss provided in the front-rear direction from one boarding and alighting opening to the other boarding and alighting opening; a pair of left and right balustrades provided on the upper part of the truss; a pair of left and right first guide rails fixed to the truss in the front-rear direction; a pair of left and right second guide rails fixed to the truss in the front-rear direction; a plurality of steps connected in an endless manner and moving in the front-rear direction between the pair of left and right balustrades from one boarding and alighting opening to the other boarding and alighting opening; a driving device for moving the steps; a control device for controlling the driving device; and has the steps have a pair of left and right first rollers and a pair of left and right second rollers, the pair of left and right first rollers respectively run on the pair of left and right first guide rails, the pair of left and right second rollers respectively run on the pair of left and right second guide rails, the moving body includes a moving body main body that rides on the steps and moves, a vibration sensor provided on the moving body main body, a moving body control unit provided on the moving body main body and controlling the control device via communication, and has the moving body control unit records the vibration waves of the forward path detected by the vibration sensor in time series while the moving body main body moves on the steps from one boarding and alighting opening to the other boarding and alighting opening, and when the vibration waves exceed a predetermined rail reference value, records the exceeding position as an abnormal location on the forward path, records the vibration waves of the return path detected by the vibration sensor in time series while the moving body main body moves on the steps from the other boarding and alighting opening to one boarding and alighting opening, and when the vibration waves exceed the rail reference value, records the exceeding position as an abnormal location on the return path, and when the abnormal location on the forward path and the abnormal location on the return path match, determines that there is an abnormality in the first guide rail or the second guide rail at the matching abnormal location, A passenger conveyor system characterized by the above.

2. The moving body control unit sets the position of the step at one boarding and alighting opening as the starting point P, sets the position of the step at the other boarding and alighting opening as the end point Q, obtains the time t1 when the amplitude exceeds the rail reference value among the vibration waves of the forward path from the starting point P to the end point Q, obtains the distance L1 from the starting point P to the abnormal location on the forward path based on the time t1 and the operating speed v of the steps, Among the vibration waves of the return path from the end point Q to the start point P, obtain the time t2 when the amplitude exceeds the rail reference value. Based on the time t2 and the driving speed v, obtain the distance L2 from the end point Q to the abnormal location on the return path. Subtract the distance L2 from the distance L0 from the start point P to the end point Q to obtain the distance L2' from the start point P to the abnormal location on the return path. When the distance L1 and the distance L2' match, determine that there is an abnormality at that location. The passenger conveyor system according to claim 1.

3. The movement control unit While the moving body main body on the step moves through a predetermined inspection section, record the vibration waves detected by the vibration sensor in time series. When the vibration waves exceed the roller reference value for each period corresponding to the outer diameter length of the first roller or the second roller, determine that there is an abnormality in the first roller or the second roller. Perform all of the above determinations one by one for each of the multiple steps. The passenger conveyor system according to claim 2.

4. The movement control unit Regarding the step on which the moving body main body rides when determining the first guide rail or the second guide rail, Use the vibration waves of the inspection section in the vibration waves of the forward path from the start point P to the end point Q or the vibration waves of the inspection section in the vibration waves of the return path from the end point Q to the start point P used when determining the first guide rail or the second guide rail to perform the determination of the first roller or the second roller. When there is no abnormality in the first roller or the second roller, perform the determination of the first guide rail or the second guide rail. The passenger conveyor system according to claim 3.

5. In a passenger conveyor system including a passenger conveyor and a moving body, The passenger conveyor Has a truss provided in the front-rear direction from one boarding and alighting opening to the other boarding and alighting opening, A pair of left and right handrails provided on the upper part of the truss, A pair of left and right first guide rails fixed to the truss in the front-rear direction, A pair of left and right second guide rails fixed to the truss in the front-rear direction, Steps that are connected in an endless manner and move in the front-rear direction between the pair of left and right handrails from one boarding and alighting opening to the other boarding and alighting opening, A driving device for moving the steps, A control device for controlling the driving device, And has The steps have a pair of left and right first rollers and a pair of left and right second rollers. The pair of left and right first rollers travel on the pair of left and right first guide rails respectively, The pair of left and right second rollers travel on the pair of left and right second guide rails respectively, The moving body is A moving body main body that rides on the tread and moves, A vibration sensor provided on the moving body main body, A movement control unit provided on the moving body main body and controlling the control device via communication, and has The movement control unit While the moving body main body riding on the tread moves through a predetermined inspection section, records the vibration waves detected by the vibration sensor in time series, and when the vibration waves exceed a roller reference value for each period corresponding to the outer diameter length of the first roller or the second roller, determines that there is an abnormality in the first roller or the second roller, Performs all of the above determinations one by one for each of the plurality of treads. A passenger conveyor system characterized by the above.

6. A moving body for inspecting a passenger conveyor, The passenger conveyor is A truss provided in the front-rear direction from one boarding and alighting opening to the other boarding and alighting opening, A pair of left and right handrails provided on the upper part of the truss, A pair of left and right first guide rails fixed in the front-rear direction to the truss, A pair of left and right second guide rails fixed in the front-rear direction to the truss, A plurality of treads connected in an endless manner and moving in the front-rear direction from one boarding and alighting opening to the other boarding and alighting opening between the pair of left and right handrails, A driving device for moving the tread, A control device for controlling the driving device, and has The tread has a pair of left and right first rollers and a pair of left and right second rollers, The pair of left and right first rollers travel on the pair of left and right first guide rails respectively, The pair of left and right second rollers travel on the pair of left and right second guide rails respectively, The moving body is A moving body main body that rides on the tread and moves, A vibration sensor provided on the moving body main body, A movement control unit provided on the moving body main body and controlling the control device via communication, and has The movement control unit While the moving body main body moves on the tread along the forward path from one boarding and alighting opening to the other boarding and alighting opening, records the vibration waves of the forward path detected by the vibration sensor in time series, and when the vibration waves exceed a predetermined rail reference value, records the exceeded position as an abnormal location on the forward path. While the moving body moves on the steps along the return path from the other boarding and alighting opening to the one boarding and alighting opening, the vibration sensor records the vibration waves of the return path detected in time series, and when the vibration waves exceed the rail reference value, the exceeded position is recorded as an abnormal location on the return path. When the abnormal location on the forward path and the abnormal location on the return path match, it is determined that there is an abnormality in the first guide rail or the second guide rail at the matching abnormal location. A moving body for inspecting a passenger conveyor, characterized by the above.

7. A moving body for inspecting a passenger conveyor, The passenger conveyor includes: A truss provided in the front-rear direction from one boarding and alighting opening to the other boarding and alighting opening, A pair of left and right balustrades provided on the upper part of the truss, A pair of left and right first guide rails fixed to the truss in the front-rear direction, A pair of left and right second guide rails fixed to the truss in the front-rear direction, Steps that move in the front-rear direction from one boarding and alighting opening to the other boarding and alighting opening between a pair of left and right balustrades, A driving device for moving the steps, A control device for controlling the driving device, And has The steps have a pair of left and right first rollers and a pair of left and right second rollers, A pair of left and right first rollers run on a pair of left and right first guide rails respectively, A pair of left and right second rollers run on a pair of left and right second guide rails respectively, The moving body A moving body main body that moves on the steps, A vibration sensor provided on the moving body main body, A moving body control unit provided on the moving body main body and controlling the control device via communication, And has The moving body control unit While the moving body main body on the steps moves in a predetermined inspection section, records the vibration waves detected by the vibration sensor in time series, and when the vibration waves exceed the roller reference value for each period corresponding to the outer diameter length of the first roller or the second roller, determines that there is an abnormality in the first roller or the second roller. Perform all of the above determinations one by one for a plurality of the steps. A moving body for inspecting a passenger conveyor, characterized by the above.

8. An abnormal determination program for a moving body to inspect a passenger conveyor, The passenger conveyor includes: A truss provided in the front-rear direction from one boarding and alighting opening to the other boarding and alighting opening, A pair of left and right balustrades provided on the upper part of the truss, A pair of left and right first guide rails fixed to the truss in the front-rear direction, A pair of left and right second guide rails fixed in the front-rear direction to the truss; Steps that are connected in a plurality of endless forms and move in the front-rear direction between a pair of left and right balustrades from one of the boarding and alighting openings to the other boarding and alighting opening; A driving device for moving the steps; A control device for controlling the driving device; It has, The steps have a pair of left and right first rollers and a pair of left and right second rollers. The pair of left and right first rollers run on the pair of left and right first guide rails respectively. The pair of left and right second rollers run on the pair of left and right second guide rails respectively. The moving body, A moving body main body that rides on the steps and moves; A vibration sensor provided on the moving body main body; A moving body control unit comprising a computer provided on the moving body main body and controlling the control device via communication; It has, In the moving body control unit, While the moving body main body moves on the steps from one of the boarding and alighting openings to the other boarding and alighting opening on the forward path, the vibration waves on the forward path detected by the vibration sensor are recorded in time series, and when the vibration waves exceed a predetermined rail reference value, the exceeded position is recorded as an abnormal location on the forward path. While the moving body main body moves on the steps from the other boarding and alighting opening to one of the boarding and alighting openings on the return path, the vibration waves on the return path detected by the vibration sensor are recorded in time series, and when the vibration waves exceed the rail reference value, the exceeded position is recorded as an abnormal location on the return path. When the abnormal location on the forward path and the abnormal location on the return path match, it is determined that there is an abnormality in the first guide rail or the second guide rail at the matching abnormal location. An abnormality determination program for realizing this.

9. An abnormality determination program for a moving body to inspect a passenger conveyor, The passenger conveyor, A truss provided in the front-rear direction from one boarding and alighting opening to the other boarding and alighting opening; A pair of left and right balustrades provided on the upper part of the truss; A pair of left and right first guide rails fixed in the front-rear direction to the truss; A pair of left and right second guide rails fixed in the front-rear direction to the truss; Steps that are connected in a plurality of endless forms and move in the front-rear direction between a pair of left and right balustrades from one of the boarding and alighting openings to the other boarding and alighting opening; A driving device for moving the steps; A control device for controlling the driving device; It has, The steps have a pair of left and right first rollers and a pair of left and right second rollers. The pair of left and right first rollers travel on the pair of left and right first guide rails respectively. The pair of left and right second rollers travel on the pair of left and right second guide rails respectively. The moving body includes a moving body main body that rides on the tread and moves, a vibration sensor provided on the moving body main body, and a movement control unit that is provided on the moving body main body and consists of a computer that controls the control device via communication. It has In the movement control unit, while the moving body main body riding on the tread moves through a predetermined inspection section, the vibration waves detected by the vibration sensor are recorded in time series, and when the vibration waves exceed a roller reference value for each period corresponding to the outer diameter length of the first roller or the second roller, it is determined that there is an abnormality in the first roller or the second roller. The above determination is performed one by one for all of the plurality of treads. An abnormality determination program for realizing this.

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