Passenger conveyor control device and control method

Abstract

To reduce power consumption and operate a passenger conveyor in accordance with the usage status of passengers.SOLUTION: A passenger conveyor control device 36 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a load information acquisition unit 363 that acquires load information for a drive unit that drives the passenger conveyor for a predetermined period of time and records the load information in association with information on the time at which the load information was acquired; a calculation unit 364 that outputs information on a standby operation mode that can further reduce the power consumption of the passenger conveyor when set to a time period corresponding to the time at which the load information was acquired, out of multiple standby operation modes; and an operation control unit 367 that controls the operation of the passenger conveyor based on the output information on the standby operation mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a passenger conveyor control device and control method. [Background technology]

[0002] Scheduled operation is a conventionally known passenger conveyor operation method. In scheduled operation, the operation of the passenger conveyor is controlled based on a schedule set in advance by a user for each day of the week and time. However, this operation method requires the user to set the passenger conveyor operation schedule. Furthermore, if the passenger conveyor is operated according to a preset schedule when the usage situation of the passenger conveyor changes, problems such as the inability to transport passengers appropriately may occur. In this case, the convenience of passengers using the passenger conveyor is impaired.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an escalator control system that analyzes the operation status of an escalator based on the number of passengers detected, the weight of the passengers, and images from a surveillance camera stored over a certain period of time, and controls the operation of the escalator based on an operation schedule data table created based on the analysis. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-143450 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, passenger conveyors may be operated in a standby operation mode, which is an operation mode of the passenger conveyor during a standby period when no passengers are detected.

[0006] The standby operation mode includes, for example, an automatic operation mode and a slow speed operation mode. The automatic operation mode is an operation mode in which operation is stopped before a passenger is detected and operation is started when a passenger is detected. The slow speed operation mode is an operation mode in which operation is performed at a slow speed slower than the rated speed before a passenger is detected and operation speed is increased to the rated speed when a passenger is detected. These standby operation modes are sometimes switched based on a predetermined schedule.

[0007] However, if one of the standby operation modes is used permanently, or if the standby operation mode switching schedule is not properly set, the energy conservation of the passenger conveyor may not be effectively achieved depending on the usage situation of the escalator. For example, consider a usage situation where the standby operation continues for a long period of time without passengers being detected. If the escalator is operated in the slow speed operation mode under such usage situation, the power consumption of the passenger conveyor will be greater than when it is operated in the automatic operation mode.

[0008] Also, assume a usage situation in which passengers are detected at regular time intervals. When the automatic operation mode is applied in such a usage situation, the passenger conveyor will stop and start repeatedly in short cycles. In other words, the passenger conveyor will generate startup power many times. In this case, the power consumption of the passenger conveyor will be greater than when it is operating in the slow-speed operation mode.

[0009] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to reduce power consumption and enable operation of a passenger conveyor in accordance with the usage situation of passengers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] A passenger conveyor control device according to one aspect of the present invention is a passenger conveyor control device that operates in a standby operation mode during a standby period when no passengers are detected by a passenger detection unit. The passenger conveyor control device according to one aspect of the present invention includes: a load information acquisition unit that acquires load information for a drive device that drives the passenger conveyor for a predetermined period of time and records the load information in association with information on the time when the load information was acquired; a calculation unit that outputs information on a standby operation mode that can further reduce power consumption of the passenger conveyor when the standby operation mode is set to a time period corresponding to the time when the load information was acquired; and an operation control unit that controls operation of the passenger conveyor based on the standby operation mode information output from the calculation unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce power consumption and operate a passenger conveyor in accordance with the usage status of passengers. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic side view showing a configuration example of a passenger conveyor according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the transition of power consumption of a passenger conveyor during automatic operation in an automatic operation mode according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the transition of the amount of power consumption of a passenger conveyor during slow-speed operation in a slow-speed operation mode according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 10 is a graph showing an example of a usage situation in which standby times occur at short intervals according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 10 is a graph showing an example of a usage situation in which the waiting time per session is long according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a passenger conveyor control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a passenger conveyor schedule according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for a control process of a passenger conveyor by a control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this specification and the drawings, elements having substantially the same functions or configurations are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0014] <Passenger conveyor configuration> Fig. 1 is a schematic side view showing a configuration example of a passenger conveyor according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the passenger conveyor 10 is an inclined passenger conveyor, i.e., an escalator, that transports passengers 12 between upper and lower floors of a building structure. In this embodiment, the passenger conveyor 10 is described as an escalator that transports passengers 12 from lower floors to upper floors, i.e., an ascending escalator, but the present invention is also applicable to descending escalators, moving walkways, etc.

[0015] The passenger conveyor 10 includes a frame 14, an endless step chain 16, a lower sprocket 18, an upper sprocket 20, a plurality of steps 22 for carrying and transporting passengers, and a parapet panel 24.

[0016] The frame 14 spans between the lower and upper floors of the building structure. A lower machine room 26 is provided at one longitudinal end of the frame 14, and an upper machine room 27 is provided at the other longitudinal end of the frame 14. The lower machine room 26 is closed by a lower boarding and alighting floor 28, and the upper machine room 27 is closed by an upper boarding and alighting floor 29. In this embodiment, since the passenger conveyor 10 is an upward escalator, the lower boarding and alighting floor 28 is located at a boarding entrance 30, and the upper boarding and alighting floor 29 is located at a disembarking entrance 31.

[0017] The step chain 16 is a chain for circulating the steps 22. The step chain 16 is wound around a lower sprocket 18 and an upper sprocket 20. The lower sprocket 18 is disposed in a lower machine room 26, and the upper sprocket 20 is disposed in an upper machine room 27. A drive unit 34 and a control unit 36 are also disposed in the upper machine room 27.

[0018] The drive unit 34 is a device that drives the rotation of the upper sprocket 20. The drive unit 34 is equipped with a motor 38, which is a drive source. The motor 38 is connected to an inverter 32 (see FIG. 6), which controls the rotation speed of the motor 38. The inverter 32 controls the rotation speed of the motor 38 by changing the frequency of the power supplied to the motor 38. The inverter 32 controls the rotation speed of the motor 38 in accordance with a speed command signal given by the control unit 36. The rotation speed of the upper sprocket 20 and the movement speed of the steps 22 described above are determined by the rotation speed of the motor 38.

[0019] The drive unit 34 also includes a reducer 40 that transmits the driving force of the motor 38 to the upper sprocket 20. The reducer 40 has an output sprocket 42, and a drive chain 44 is wound around the output sprocket 42 and the upper sprocket 20.

[0020] The steps 22 are each connected to a step chain 16. The steps 22 move while being guided by a pair of left and right rails (not shown). Within the range visible to passengers 12, the steps 22 move from a boarding entrance 30 toward a disembarking entrance 31 between a lower boarding / alighting floor 28 and an upper boarding / alighting floor 29.

[0021] The balustrade panels 24 are disposed above the frame 14. One balustrade panel 24 is disposed on each side of the width of the frame 14 so as to be positioned on both sides of the multiple steps 22. A movable handrail 46 is provided on the periphery of the balustrade panel 24. The movable handrail 46 is constituted by a handrail, which is an endless belt member.

[0022] In the passenger conveyor 10 configured as described above, when the upper sprocket 20 receives the driving force of the drive unit 34 and rotates, the driving force is transmitted to the lower sprocket 18 via the step chain 16. As a result, the lower sprocket 18 rotates together with the upper sprocket 20. The step chain 16 also moves circulating between the lower sprocket 18 and the upper sprocket 20, and the steps 22 move circulating together with the step chain 16. Meanwhile, the moving handrail 46 receives the driving force for movement from the step chain 16, and moves circulating at the same speed as the steps 22.

[0023] The passenger conveyor 10 also includes an entrance-side passenger sensor 51 and an exit-side passenger sensor 52. The entrance-side passenger sensor 51 (an example of a passenger detection unit) is a passenger sensor provided on the entrance 30 side. The exit-side passenger sensor 52 is a passenger sensor provided on the exit 31 side.

[0024] The boarding entrance side passenger sensor 51 and the exit entrance side passenger sensor 52 can be configured using, for example, a reflective sensor. Note that the boarding entrance side passenger sensor 51 and the exit entrance side passenger sensor 52 may also be configured using other sensors such as a scanner-type range sensor or an image sensor. Furthermore, the boarding entrance side passenger sensor 51 and the exit entrance side passenger sensor 52 may also be configured using sensors of different types.

[0025] In this embodiment, the control device 36 of the passenger conveyor 10 includes a calculation unit 364 (see FIG. 6) that receives as input usage status information of the passenger conveyor 10 acquired by a load information acquisition unit 363 (see FIG. 6) and outputs information on the standby operation mode of the passenger conveyor 10. More specifically, the calculation unit 364 outputs information on the standby operation mode that results in a smaller predicted power consumption of the passenger conveyor 10, calculated based on the usage status information of the passenger conveyor 10. The usage status information is information indicated by correspondence information between load information of the drive device 34 acquired from the inverter 32 and the acquisition time of the load information.

[0026] Then, the operation control unit 367 (see Figure 6) of the control device 36 switches the standby operation mode based on a switching schedule (hereinafter also simply referred to as "schedule") for the standby operation mode of the passenger conveyor 10, which is generated based on the output from the calculation unit 364.

[0027] <Types of standby operation modes> The standby operation modes of the passenger conveyor 10 include, for example, an automatic operation mode and a slow speed operation mode. In the automatic operation mode, the passenger conveyor 10 stops operation while no passenger 12 is detected, and starts (commences operation) when a passenger 12 is detected. In the slow speed operation mode, the passenger conveyor 10 operates at a slow speed slower than the rated speed while no passenger 12 is detected, and accelerates the operation speed to the rated speed when a passenger 12 is detected.

[0028] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the transition of power consumption of the passenger conveyor 10 during automatic operation in the automatic operation mode. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the transition of power consumption of the passenger conveyor 10 during slow-speed operation in the slow-speed operation mode. The vertical axes of the graphs shown in Figs. 2 and 3 represent the operating speed V [m / min] and power consumption W [Va] of the passenger conveyor 10, and the horizontal axes represent time T [s]. In Figs. 2 and 3, the operating speed of the passenger conveyor 10 is shown by a dashed line, and the power consumption of the passenger conveyor 10 is shown by a solid line.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, in the automatic operation mode, the passenger conveyor 10 is activated and begins operation at time T1 when a passenger 12 is detected. At this time, a large amount of startup power is applied to the passenger conveyor 10. After startup power is applied, the power consumption of the passenger conveyor 10 drops sharply, and becomes even lower after time T2 when the operating speed of the passenger conveyor 10 reaches the rated speed of 30 m / min. Then, at time T3 when a passenger 12 is detected again, startup power is again applied to the passenger conveyor 10.

[0030] On the other hand, in the slow-speed operation mode, the passenger conveyor 10 operates at 30 m / min while transporting passengers 12. Then, at time T11 when passengers 12 leave, the operation of the passenger conveyor 10 transitions to slow-speed operation at 10 m / min. At time T12 when passengers 12 are detected again, the operating speed of the passenger conveyor 10 is accelerated, and this acceleration continues until the operating speed reaches the rated speed of 30 m / min.

[0031] The power consumption while passengers 12 are waiting is greater when operating in the slow speed operation mode than when operating in the automatic operation mode. However, in a usage situation where the passenger conveyor 10 is repeatedly placed in standby and started state in short cycles, the power consumption of the passenger conveyor 10 is greater when operating in the automatic operation mode, which generates startup power many times.

[0032] Fig. 4 is a graph showing an example of a usage situation where the waiting time occurs periodically, and Fig. 5 is a graph showing an example of a usage situation where the waiting time per session is long. The vertical axis of the graphs in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 shows the number of passengers (people), and the horizontal axis shows time T (s).

[0033] In the graph shown in Figure 4, there are frequent periods of time when the number of passengers is high, so the waiting time of the passenger conveyor 10 per trip is short and the waiting period is also short. Such a usage situation for passengers 12 is expected to occur, for example, in a train station during busy periods. If the automatic operation mode is applied in such a usage situation, the passenger conveyor 10 will require startup power many times, and the power consumption of the passenger conveyor 10 will be high.

[0034] On the other hand, in the graph shown in Figure 5, there is only one waiting period during the period shown in the graph, and each waiting period is long. Such a usage situation is expected to occur, for example, in a station building with few passengers or in a connecting passageway during off-peak hours. In such a usage situation, the power consumption of the passenger conveyor 10 will be lower if automatic operation is performed, which consumes less power during waiting.

[0035] In both the automatic operation mode and the slow-speed operation mode, the passenger conveyor 10 performs a basic operation of operating for one cycle, which is half the operation time plus a margin of about 40 seconds, after detecting a passenger 12. In a usage situation where there is a high possibility that a passenger 12 will board the passenger conveyor 10 while the passenger conveyor 10 is performing one cycle of the basic operation, operation in the slow-speed operation mode can reduce the power consumption of the passenger conveyor 10.

[0036] On the other hand, a usage situation is assumed in which there is a low possibility that a passenger 12 will board the passenger conveyor 10 while the basic operation of the passenger conveyor 10 is being performed, and the power consumption during the waiting time until the next passenger 12 is detected is greater than the startup power generated in automatic operation. In such a usage situation, the power consumption of the passenger conveyor 10 can be reduced by operating in the automatic operation mode.

[0037] In this embodiment, the machine learning unit 365 of the control device 36 of the passenger conveyor 10 learns in advance the usage status information of the passenger conveyor 10. Then, the machine learning unit 365 outputs information on an appropriate standby operation mode, i.e., automatic operation mode or slow speed operation mode, based on the predicted power consumption of the passenger conveyor 10 calculated based on the usage status information.

[0038] <Configuration of passenger conveyor control system> Next, the configuration of the control system of the passenger conveyor 10 according to this embodiment will be described. Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the control device 36 of the passenger conveyor 10.

[0039] The control device 36 can be configured by a computer, and includes a control unit 361 and a nonvolatile storage 362, each connected to the bus B. The control device 36 also includes a load information acquisition unit 363, a calculation unit 364, a schedule creation unit 366, an operation control unit 367, and a communication I / F (Interface) 368.

[0040] The control unit 361 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 361a, a read only memory (ROM) 361b, and a random access memory (RAM) 361c.

[0041] The CPU 361a reads out the program code of the software that realizes each function according to this embodiment from the ROM 361b, expands it into the RAM 361c, and executes it. Variables, parameters, etc. that are generated during the calculation processing by the CPU 361a are temporarily written to the RAM 361c.

[0042] The control unit 361 may include a processing device such as an MPU (Micro-Processing Unit) instead of the CPU 361a. The control unit 361 may also use a CPU and an MPU together. The control unit 361 may also be configured with an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or the like.

[0043] The nonvolatile storage 362 may be, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), an optical disk, or a nonvolatile memory card. In addition to an operating system (OS) and various parameters, software programs for implementing the various functions according to this embodiment are also recorded in this nonvolatile storage 362. The programs may be stored in the ROM 361b.

[0044] The program is stored in the form of a computer-readable program code, and the CPU 361a sequentially executes operations in accordance with the program code. In other words, the ROM 361b or the non-volatile storage 362 is used as an example of a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium that stores a program to be executed by a computer.

[0045] Furthermore, the nonvolatile storage 362 stores the usage status information generated by the load information acquisition unit 363 .

[0046] The load information acquisition unit 363 acquires load information of the drive device 34 (see FIG. 1) from the inverter 32 for a predetermined period. The load information includes, for example, torque and output power. The load information acquired from the inverter 32 changes depending on the number of passengers 12 using the passenger conveyor 10. In other words, the time-series information of the load information is information indicating the usage status of the passenger conveyor 10 by the passengers 12.

[0047] The load information acquisition unit 363 stores, as usage status information, information corresponding to the load information acquired from the inverter 32 and time information such as the day of the week and time period when the load information was acquired, in the non-volatile storage 362. Note that if the building (facility) in which the passenger conveyor 10 is installed is, for example, a shopping mall, it is desirable that the time information also include information regarding specific situations such as events being held in the facility.

[0048] The calculation unit 364 inputs the usage information to the machine learning unit 365 and obtains an output from the machine learning unit 365 . The machine learning unit 365 receives usage status information as input and outputs information about a standby operation mode that is preferably implemented on a day of the week and at a time. The standby operation mode is the "slow speed operation mode" or "automatic operation mode" described above. In this embodiment, the machine learning unit 365 outputs information about the standby operation mode that consumes less power while the passenger conveyor 10 is in standby on that day of the week and in that time period.

[0049] The power consumption of the passenger conveyor 10, that is, the power consumption P of the motor 38 (see FIG. 1), can be calculated using, for example, the following formula (1).

[0050]

number

[0051] In the above formula (1), "X" represents the load [N] of the passenger 12, "Y" represents the running resistance [N] of the step 22 (see FIG. 1), and "Z" represents the running resistance [N] of the moving handrail 46. Also, in the above formula (1), "η" represents the efficiency [%] of the motor 38.

[0052] For example, suppose the power required to start the passenger conveyor 10 is equivalent to the power required to maintain 150% of the motor's rated output for five seconds. Furthermore, suppose the power consumption required when there are no passengers 12 and only running resistance is present is approximately 10% of the motor's rated output. Furthermore, suppose the power consumption during standby in the slow-speed operation mode is 3% of the motor's rated output. If the output of the motor 38 is 5.5 kW, the power consumption when the motor 38 starts up, i.e., the startup power, is 5.5 kW x 150% x 5 s = 41.25 kWs.

[0053] Furthermore, the power consumption per second of the motor 38 during slow-speed operation in the slow-speed operation mode is 5.5 kW × 3% × 1 s = 0.165 kWs. Therefore, in a situation where standby operation is expected to continue for 250 seconds or more, standby in the automatic operation mode, that is, standby in which the passenger conveyor 10 is temporarily stopped, consumes less power than the motor 38. On the other hand, in a situation where standby operation is expected to last less than 250 seconds, standby in the slow-speed operation mode consumes less power than the motor 38.

[0054] As shown in the above formula (1), the power consumption of the motor 38 also changes depending on the running resistance of the steps 22 and the floor height of the passenger conveyor 10. For example, in a passenger conveyor 10 with a high floor height, the running resistance is large, and therefore the power consumption during no-load operation when there are no passengers 12 on board is larger than that of a passenger conveyor 10 with a low floor height. Therefore, the power consumption of the passenger conveyor 10 can be reduced by performing automatic operation in the automatic operation mode rather than by using a slow-speed operation mode in which the passenger conveyor 10 operates at a slow speed even during no-load operation. On the other hand, in a passenger conveyor 10 with a low floor height, the running resistance is small, and therefore the power consumption during no-load operation can be reduced. Therefore, in a passenger conveyor 10 with a low floor height, the power consumption can be reduced by applying the slow-speed operation mode.

[0055] The machine learning unit 365 according to this embodiment predicts (infers) the power consumption of the passenger conveyor 10 using the input load information of the drive device 34. More specifically, the machine learning unit 365 predicts the power consumption of the passenger conveyor 10 when operating in standby operation mode during a time period associated with the load information. The load information of the drive device 34 is information indicated by the power consumption P calculated by the above formula (1). In other words, it is information that reflects the characteristics of the passenger conveyor 10, such as the floor height.

[0056] Then, the machine learning unit 365 outputs information about the standby operation mode that predicts lower power consumption in association with time information such as the day of the week and the time period. The machine learning unit 365 can be constructed using, for example, a neural network.

[0057] The schedule creation unit 366 creates a standby operation mode switching schedule for the passenger conveyor 10 based on the information on the standby operation mode for each day of the week and time period output from the machine learning unit 365. The schedule created by the schedule creation unit 366 will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 7.

[0058] The operation control unit 367 switches the standby operation mode of the passenger conveyor 10 based on the schedule created by the schedule creation unit 366. More specifically, the operation control unit 367 outputs a speed command signal (not shown), a stop signal, a start signal, etc. to the inverter 32 based on the schedule and the detection results of the entrance-side passenger sensor 51, etc.

[0059] For example, a network interface card (NIC) is used as the communication I / F 368. The communication I / F 368 is capable of transmitting and receiving various types of data to and from external devices via a network or a communication line.

[0060] <Schedule example> Next, an example of a standby operation mode switching schedule for the passenger conveyor 10 created by the schedule creation unit 366 (see FIG. 6) will be described. FIG.

[0061] In the example shown in FIG. 7, the schedule Sc has the items "day of the week," "time period," and "standby operation mode." The "day of the week" item stores information about each day of the week from Sunday to Saturday. In FIG. 7, only information about "day" (Sunday) is shown. The "time period" information stores information about each time period divided into 10-minute intervals. Note that the time period divisions are not limited to 10 minutes, and may be other time units.

[0062] In the schedule Sc shown in Fig. 7, the "slow speed operation mode" is set for the period from 10:00 to 10:10 and from 10:10 to 10:20 on Sundays. Similarly, the "automatic operation mode" is set for the period from 14:00 to 14:10 on Sundays. The operation control unit 367 (see Fig. 6) switches the standby operation mode of the passenger conveyor 10 based on this schedule Sc.

[0063] <Passenger conveyor control processing> Next, a method for controlling the passenger conveyor 10 by the control device 36 according to this embodiment will be described. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure for controlling the passenger conveyor 10 by the control device 36.

[0064] First, the load information acquisition unit 363 (see FIG. 6) of the control device 36 acquires load information of the drive device 34 (see FIG. 1) from the inverter 32 (step S1). Next, the load information acquisition unit 363 associates the load information acquired in step S1 with information on the time when the load information was acquired (time information), and stores the association as usage status information in the nonvolatile storage 362 (see FIG. 6) or the like (step S2).

[0065] Next, the control unit 361 of the control device 36 inputs the usage status information (correspondence information between load information and time information) stored in step S2 to the machine learning unit 365 (step S3). Next, the machine learning unit 365 outputs information on a standby operation mode that can reduce the power consumption of the passenger conveyor 10 more effectively, in association with time zone information, based on the usage status information input in step S3 (step S4). Next, the schedule creation unit 366 creates a schedule for the passenger conveyor 10 based on the information on the standby operation mode output from the machine learning unit 365 in step S4 (step S5). More specifically, the schedule creation unit 366 creates a schedule for switching the standby operation mode of the passenger conveyor 10. The processes from step S1 to step S5 are processes performed at a stage before the operation control of the passenger conveyor 10 is performed by the operation control unit 367.

[0066] Next, the operation control unit 367 switches the standby operation mode of the passenger conveyor 10 between an automatic operation mode and a slow-speed operation mode based on the schedule created in step S5 (step S6). The processing of step S6 is continuously performed while the operation control of the passenger conveyor 10 is being performed by the operation control unit 367. After the processing of step S6, the control processing of the passenger conveyor 10 by the control device 36 ends.

[0067] In the above-described embodiment, the load information acquisition unit 363 acquires load information of the drive device 34 that drives the passenger conveyor 10 for a predetermined period of time, and records the load information in association with information on the time at which the load information was acquired. Furthermore, the calculation unit 364 outputs information on a standby operation mode that can further reduce the power consumption of the passenger conveyor 10 when one of a plurality of standby operation modes is set for a time period corresponding to the time at which the load information was acquired. Furthermore, the operation control unit 367 controls the operation of the passenger conveyor 10 based on the information on the standby operation mode output from the calculation unit 364. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to operate the passenger conveyor 10 in a standby operation mode that can further reduce the power consumption of the passenger conveyor 10 in the usage status of the passenger conveyor 10 indicated by the load information.

[0068] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the operation control unit 367 only switches the standby operation mode of the passenger conveyor 10, and does not control the operation state of the passenger conveyor after it reaches the rated speed. In other words, a situation such as being transported to the exit gate at a speed less than the rated speed does not occur. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the passenger conveyor 10 without impairing the convenience of passengers who use the passenger conveyor 10.

[0069] In the above-described embodiment, an example was given in which a prior learning period is set by the machine learning unit 365, but the present invention is not limited to this. The machine learning unit 365 may perform learning in real time during the operation stage in which control is being performed by the operation control unit 367. Furthermore, when the machine learning unit 365 is made to perform learning in real time, the machine learning unit 365 may have a function of detecting a discrepancy between the learned usage status information of the passenger conveyor 10 and the input usage status information, and correcting the learning content based on the amount of discrepancy. Configuring the machine learning unit 365 in this manner makes it possible to further improve the accuracy of inference by the machine learning unit 365 when learning in real time.

[0070] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the schedule creation unit 366 may set a time period in the created schedule during which neither the automatic operation mode nor the slow speed operation mode is applied, and the operation of the passenger conveyor 10 is completely turned off. In an operation mode in which there are time periods during which the passenger conveyor 10 is not expected to be used, such as late at night after the building has been locked, creating such a schedule can further enhance the energy-saving effect of the passenger conveyor 10.

[0071] Furthermore, the above-described embodiments and variants provide detailed and specific descriptions of the configurations of the devices and systems in order to clearly explain the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to those having all of the configurations described.

[0072] 6, the control lines or information lines shown by solid lines are those considered necessary for explanation, and do not necessarily show all control lines or information lines in the product. In reality, it can be considered that almost all components are interconnected.

[0073] Furthermore, in this specification, processing steps describing chronological processing include not only processing that is performed chronologically in the order described, but also processing that is not necessarily performed chronologically but is performed in parallel or individually (for example, parallel processing or processing by objects). [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 10... passenger conveyor, 32... inverter, 34... drive device, 36... control device, 38... motor, 51... entrance side passenger sensor, 361... control unit, 363... load information acquisition unit, 364... calculation unit, 365... machine learning unit, 366... schedule creation unit, 367... operation control unit

Claims

1. A passenger conveyor control device that operates in a standby operation mode during a standby period when no passengers are detected by a passenger detection unit, a load information acquisition unit that acquires load information of a drive device that drives the passenger conveyor for a predetermined period of time and records the load information in association with information on the time when the load information was acquired; a calculation unit that outputs information about a standby operation mode that can further reduce power consumption of the passenger conveyor when the standby operation mode is set during a time period corresponding to the time when the load information is acquired, among the plurality of standby operation modes; an operation control unit that controls operation of the passenger conveyor based on information about the standby operation mode output from the calculation unit; Passenger conveyor control device.

2. The calculation unit includes a machine learning unit that receives as input correspondence information between the load information and information on the acquisition time of the load information, and outputs correspondence information between a time period corresponding to the acquisition time of the load information and the standby operation mode that can further reduce power consumption of the passenger conveyor. The passenger conveyor control device according to claim 1.

3. The plurality of standby operation modes include an automatic operation mode in which operation of the passenger conveyor is stopped while the passenger is not detected and operation of the passenger conveyor is started when the passenger is detected, and a slow speed operation mode in which operation speed of the passenger conveyor is set to a slow speed slower than a rated speed while the passenger is not detected and operation of the passenger conveyor is increased to the rated speed when the passenger is detected. The passenger conveyor control device according to claim 2.

4. The machine learning unit outputs the slow speed operation mode in association with a time period in which the waiting time of the passenger conveyor indicated in the load information is short and the waiting time is expected to occur in short cycles, based on learned information on correspondence between the load information and the acquisition time of the load information. The passenger conveyor control device according to claim 3.

5. The machine learning unit outputs the slow speed operation mode in association with a time period in which it is assumed that the passenger is likely to board the passenger conveyor within a time period equivalent to one cycle of operation performed by the passenger conveyor after the passenger is detected, based on the learned content of the correspondence information between the load information and the acquisition time of the load information. The passenger conveyor control device according to claim 4.

6. The machine learning unit, based on learned information on correspondence between the load information and the acquisition time of the load information, outputs the automatic operation mode in association with a time period during which the standby time of the passenger conveyor indicated in the load information is expected to be long and during which predicted power consumption during slow speed operation during the standby time of the passenger conveyor is expected to be higher than the startup power applied to the passenger conveyor during the standby time. The passenger conveyor control device according to claim 3.

7. The machine learning unit outputs the automatic operation mode in association with a time period in which it is assumed that the passenger is unlikely to board the passenger conveyor until a time equivalent to one cycle of operation performed by the passenger conveyor after the passenger is detected has elapsed, based on the learned content of correspondence information between the load information and the acquisition time of the load information. The passenger conveyor control device according to claim 6.

8. A control method for a passenger conveyor control device that operates in a standby operation mode during a standby period when no passengers are detected by a passenger detection unit, comprising: a step of acquiring load information of a drive device that drives the passenger conveyor for a predetermined period of time, and recording the load information in association with information on the time when the load information was acquired; a step of outputting information on a standby operation mode that can further reduce power consumption of the passenger conveyor when the standby operation mode is set during a time period corresponding to the time when the load information is acquired, among the plurality of standby operation modes; and a procedure for controlling the operation of the passenger conveyor based on the output information on the standby operation mode. Control method.

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