Passenger conveyor

Abstract

To provide a passenger conveyor capable of setting the traveling speed of a step to an appropriate speed when a person with a slow walking speed boards a step alone.SOLUTION: The passenger conveyor includes: a step that travels to convey a person; a first human detection unit that detects a person at a first fixed position of a boarding section; a second human detection unit that detects a person at a second fixed position of the boarding section; and a processing device that controls the traveling speed of the step. The processing device calculates the walking speed of the person based on the detection by the first and second human detection units, and executes a low-speed control to reduce the traveling speed of the step to the set traveling speed or lower when the calculated walking speed is equal to or lower than a set walking speed and the traveling speed of the step is higher than the set traveling speed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, for example, people conveyors are equipped with steps that travel to transport people and a processing device that controls the travel speed of the steps (for example, Patent Document 1). However, when a specific person with a slow walking speed, such as an elderly person or a child, tries to step onto a step, if the step's travel speed is fast, the specific person may have difficulty getting onto the step.

[0003] In contrast, in the passenger conveyor described in Patent Document 1, the processing device changes the travel speed of the steps based on information from the portable devices carried by the passengers. However, elderly people and children often do not have portable devices. Also, if there is no one else on the platform and the specific person is standing on the steps alone, they will not be able to get help from those around them. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-37201 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Therefore, the problem to be solved is to provide a people conveyor that can adjust the running speed of the steps to an appropriate speed when a person with a slow walking speed steps on the steps alone. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] Man conveyors are a step of traveling to transport a person; a first person detection unit that detects a person at a first fixed position in the riding portion; a second person detection unit that detects a person at a second fixed position of the riding portion; a processing device for controlling the travel speed of the step; The processing device includes: calculating a walking speed of a person based on the detection by the first person detection unit and the second person detection unit; When the running speed of the step is faster than the set running speed and the calculated walking speed is equal to or lower than the set walking speed, low speed control is executed to make the running speed of the step equal to or lower than the set running speed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] Schematic diagram of a people conveyor according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a front view of a main part of a passenger conveyor according to the embodiment; [Figure 3] A plan view of the main part of the passenger conveyor according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] Control block diagram of the passenger conveyor according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] Plan view of the main part of a passenger conveyor according to another embodiment [Figure 6] A plan view of the main part of a passenger conveyor according to still another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] In each drawing, the dimensions of the components may be enlarged or reduced relative to the actual dimensions, for example, to facilitate understanding, and the dimensional ratios between the drawings may not be consistent. Note that in each drawing, for example, to facilitate understanding, some of the components may be omitted.

[0009] Terms including ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" are used to describe various components, but these terms are used only to distinguish one component from another, and the components are not particularly limited by these terms. The number of components including ordinal numbers is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, one. Furthermore, the ordinal numbers used in the following specification and drawings may differ from the ordinal numbers described in the claims.

[0010] An embodiment of a passenger conveyor will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 4. Note that the following embodiment is provided as an example to aid in understanding the configuration of the passenger conveyor, and is not intended to limit the configuration of the passenger conveyor.

[0011] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the passenger conveyor 1 may include, for example, a structure 2 installed on a main body, a transport section 3 for transporting people (passengers), a pair of balustrade sections 4 arranged to sandwich the transport section 3 in a first direction D1, a drive section 5 for driving the transport section 3 and the balustrade sections 4, and a processing device 6 for controlling the entire device.

[0012] In each figure, the first direction D1 is the first horizontal direction (also called the "width direction") D1, which is a direction parallel to the horizontal direction, the second direction D2 is the second horizontal direction (also called the "front-to-back direction") D2, which is a direction parallel to the horizontal direction and perpendicular to the first horizontal direction D1, and the third direction D3 is the vertical direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction D1 and the second horizontal direction D2, which is the up-down direction D3.

[0013] The passenger conveyor 1 according to this embodiment is an escalator with stepped treads for transporting passengers, but is not limited to this configuration. For example, the passenger conveyor 1 may be a moving walkway with flat treads for transporting passengers.

[0014] The conveying unit 3 may include, for example, as in this embodiment, an endless annular running unit 3a that rotates and runs when driven by the drive unit 5, and a plurality of steps 3b that are connected to the running unit 3a and run together with the running unit 3a, and have treads for people to stand on. Although not particularly limited, the running unit 3a may be, for example, a roller chain.

[0015] Alternatively, for example, a pair of running sections 3a may be provided spaced apart in the first horizontal direction D1, and multiple steps 3b may be disposed between the pair of running sections 3a, 3a. The steps 3b may be connected to each running section 3a so as to be rotatable about an axis in the first horizontal direction D1.

[0016] The driving unit 5 may include, for example, as in this embodiment, a rotating unit 5a around which a first end of the traveling unit 3a in the second horizontal direction D2 is wound and which rotates about an axis in the first horizontal direction D1, a supporting unit 5b that supports a second end of the traveling unit 3a in the second horizontal direction D2, and a driving source 5c that rotates the rotating unit 5a. As a result, the step 3b is reversed by the rotating unit 5a and also by the supporting unit 5b.

[0017] Although not particularly limited, the rotating portion 5a may be, for example, a sprocket. Furthermore, although not particularly limited, the support portion 5b may be, for example, a guide member that guides the running portion 3a so that it rotates in the reverse direction, or may be, for example, a rotating member (e.g., a sprocket) around which the running portion 3a is wound and which rotates about an axis in the first horizontal direction D1. Furthermore, although not particularly limited, the drive source 5c may be, for example, a motor.

[0018] The balustrade section 4 may include, for example, an endless circular handrail belt 4a that rotates and runs, a balustrade main body section 4b that supports the handrail belt 4a, and a cover section 4c that covers the lower part of the balustrade main body section 4b. Note that, for example, the handrail belt 4a may run by being driven by the drive section 5, and the running of the handrail belt 4a may be synchronized with the running of the steps 3b.

[0019] The structure 2 may, for example, as in this embodiment, include machine rooms 2a arranged at each end in the second horizontal direction D2. The passenger conveyor 1 may, for example, as in this embodiment, include a floor plate 1a attached to the structure 2 so as to cover the machine room 2a from above. As a result, the floor plate 1a constitutes boarding and disembarking sections 1b, 1c arranged at each end of the transport section 3 in the second horizontal direction D2 for passengers to get on and off the transport section 3.

[0020] The passenger conveyor 1 may be configured to transport passengers diagonally upward from a first boarding / alighting section 1b located below to a second boarding / alighting section 1c located above, as in this embodiment. In such a configuration, the first boarding / alighting section 1b becomes the boarding section 1b, and the second boarding / alighting section 1c becomes the disembarking section 1c.

[0021] For example, the passenger conveyor 1 may be configured to transport passengers diagonally downward from the second boarding / alighting section 1c located above to the first boarding / alighting section 1b located below. In such a configuration, the first boarding / alighting section 1b serves as a disembarking section, and the second boarding / alighting section 1c serves as a boarding section.

[0022] 2 and 3, the passenger conveyor 1 is equipped with a first person detection unit 7 that detects a person at a first fixed position P1 on the passenger boarding section 1b, a second person detection unit 8 that detects a person at a second fixed position P2 on the passenger boarding section 1b, and a third person detection unit 9 that detects a person at a third fixed position P3 on the exposed step 3b. Note that each of the fixed positions P1 to P3 is a predetermined fixed position (unchanging position) in the second lateral direction D2.

[0023] The second fixed position P2 is a position between the first fixed position P1 and the third fixed position P3 in the second lateral direction D2. That is, the second fixed position P2 is a position closer to the exposed step 3b than the first fixed position P1. In other words, the first fixed position P1 is a position upstream of the second fixed position P2, and the second fixed position P2 is a position downstream of the first fixed position P1.

[0024] The distance W1 between the first fixed position P1 and the second fixed position P2 in the second lateral direction D2 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 0.5 m to 1.0 m. The distance W2 between the third fixed position P3 and the riding portion end position P4 (the position of the riding portion 1b's end in the second lateral direction D2) in the second lateral direction D2 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 0.5 m to 1.0 m.

[0025] The first person detection unit 7 includes a first left person detection unit 7a that detects a person at a first fixed position P1 on the left side of the riding portion 1b, and a first right person detection unit 7b that detects a person at a first fixed position P1 on the right side of the riding portion 1b. Although not particularly limited, the first person detection units 7 (7a, 7b) may be disposed on a pole 10 that is disposed away from the balustrade portion 4 in the second lateral direction D2, for example, as in this embodiment.

[0026] The second person detection unit 8 includes a second left person detection unit 8a that detects a person at the second fixed position P2 on the left side of the riding portion 1b, and a second right person detection unit 8b that detects a person at the second fixed position P2 on the right side of the riding portion 1b. Although not particularly limited, the second person detection units 8 (8a, 8b) may be disposed, for example, as in this embodiment, at the end of the balustrade portion 4 in the second horizontal direction D2 (specifically, the end of the balustrade main body portion 4b in the second horizontal direction D2).

[0027] The third person detection unit 9 may, for example, include a third left person detection unit 9a that detects a person at the third fixed position P3 on the left side of the step 3b, and a third right person detection unit 9b that detects a person at the third fixed position P3 on the right side of the step 3b, as in this embodiment. Although not particularly limited, the third person detection unit 9 (9a, 9b) may, for example, be disposed inside the cover portion 4c of the balustrade portion 4, as in this embodiment.

[0028] The left-right direction is the direction seen from the perspective of the person being transported. Specifically, the left side is the side indicated by the arrow in the first horizontal direction D1 in each drawing (for example, the upper side in FIG. 3), and the right side is the side opposite to the arrow in the first horizontal direction D1 in each drawing (for example, the lower side in FIG. 3). In FIG. 3, the dashed-dotted line indicates the center line between the left and right. Also, in FIG. 3 (as in FIGS. 5 and 6), the dashed-dotted line indicates the area (area where light is projected) where the person detection units 7 (7a, 7b), 8 (8a, 8b), and 9 (9a, 9b) can detect people.

[0029] The human detection units 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, and 9b are not particularly limited, and may be, for example, photoelectric sensors (reflective type) that project light in the first horizontal direction D1, specifically, photoelectric sensors in which the light-projecting unit and the light-receiving unit are provided in the same component, as in the present embodiment. Note that the human detection units 7 (7a, 7b), 8 (8a, 8b), and 9 (9a, 9b) are not limited to such a configuration, and may be, for example, cameras that capture images from above or from the side.

[0030] 4, the passenger conveyor 1 may include, for example, a speed detection unit 11 that detects the travel speed of the step 3b and a distance detection unit 12 that detects the travel distance of the step 3b. The drive unit 5 may also include, for example, a change unit 5d that changes the travel speed of the step 3b, as in this embodiment.

[0031] The change unit 5d is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, an inverter that changes the frequency of the power supplied to the motor that is the driving source 5c in order to change the rotation speed of the rotating unit 5a, or may be, for example, a gear device that switches the gear that meshes with the rotating unit 5a in order to change the rotation speed of the rotating unit 5a.

[0032] The speed detection unit 11 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, a sensor (e.g., a proximity sensor or a photoelectric sensor) that detects the teeth on the outer periphery of the rotating part 5a, or may be, for example, a sensor (e.g., an encoder) that detects the rotation of the rotating part 5a, or may be, for example, a sensor (e.g., an encoder) that detects the rotation of a roller that rotates by contacting the step 3b.

[0033] Distance detection unit 12 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a sensor (for example, a proximity sensor or a photoelectric sensor) that detects teeth on the outer periphery of rotating unit 5a, or a sensor (for example, an encoder) that detects the rotation of rotating unit 5a, or a sensor (for example, an encoder) that detects the rotation of a roller that rotates by contacting step 3b. Distance detection unit 12 may also function as speed detection unit 11, for example.

[0034] Furthermore, the people conveyor 1 may be equipped with, for example, an input unit 13 to which various information is input, and an output unit 14 to which various information is output, as in this embodiment. Although not particularly limited, for example, the information input to the input unit 13 may be operation mode information (manual operation selection, automatic operation selection), operation instruction information (operation start instruction, operation stop instruction), step travel direction information (upper side conveyance selection, lower side conveyance selection), step travel speed information (rated speed operation selection, low speed operation selection), etc.

[0035] Furthermore, although not particularly limited, the input unit 13 may be, for example, a switch (push button switch, select switch, etc.), a touch panel, etc. Furthermore, although not particularly limited, the output unit 14 may be, for example, a display unit that displays information (for example, an electronic bulletin board, an indicator light), a sound generating unit that emits information as sound (for example, a buzzer, a speaker), a signal output unit that outputs a signal to the outside (for example, a central monitoring panel, etc.), etc.

[0036] The processing device 6 may include, for example, as in this embodiment, an acquisition unit 15 that acquires each piece of information (data) from each of the units 7, 8, 9, 11 to 13, a storage unit 16 that stores each piece of information, a calculation unit 17 that calculates each piece of information, and a control unit 18 that controls each of the units 5 and 14. The processing device 6 may also be a computer that includes, for example, a processor such as a CPU and an MPU (for example, the calculation unit 17, the control unit 18), memories such as a ROM and a RAM (for example, the acquisition unit 15, the storage unit 16), various interfaces, etc.

[0037] As a result, the processor executes the program stored in the memory, and the software and hardware work together to realize the units 15, 16, 17, and 18 of the processing device 6. The processing device 6 may be configured, for example, with a software circuit, or may be configured, for example, with a hardware circuit, or may be configured, for example, with a combination of a software circuit and a hardware circuit.

[0038] The processing device 6 may be configured as a single device, or may be configured as a plurality of devices that can communicate with each other. Specifically, the units 15, 16, 17, and 18 of the processing device 6 may be provided in a single device, or may be distributed across a plurality of devices that can communicate with each other.

[0039] The calculation unit 17 may, for example, as in this embodiment, be equipped with a presence determination unit 17a that determines whether or not there is a person on the people conveyor 1 based on the detection of the person detection units 7, 8, and 9, a walking speed calculation unit 17b that calculates the walking speed of people based on the detection of the first person detection unit 7 (7a, 7b) and the second person detection unit 8 (8a, 8b), and a congestion determination unit 17c that determines whether or not there is a congestion of people in the boarding area 1b.

[0040] For example, as in the present embodiment, the control unit 18 may include a drive control unit 18a that controls the change unit 5d and an output control unit 18b that controls the output unit 14 in order to control the traveling speed of the step 3b. The drive control unit 18a may control the traveling speed of the step 3b based on the detection of the speed detection unit 11, for example.

[0041] The configuration of the passenger conveyor 1 according to this embodiment is as described above. Next, we will explain the method for controlling the running speed of step 3b according to this embodiment. Note that the following method is an example to help understand the method for controlling the running speed of step 3b, and does not limit the method for controlling the running speed of step 3b.

[0042] <Operation / standby switching control> First, a description will be given of a method for controlling the traveling speed in step 3b when the processing device 6 is executing the driving / standby switching control. The driving / standby switching control is a control for switching between a driving state when transporting a person and a standby state when not transporting a person.

[0043] The manned presence determination unit 17a determines the presence or absence of a person based on the detection by the person detection units 7, 8, and 9. Although not particularly limited, for example, when the first person detection unit 7 (the first left person detection unit 7a or the first right person detection unit 7b) detects a person, the manned presence determination unit 17a may determine that a person is present, and when a predetermined time (for example, the time it takes for step 3b to travel a half-circle distance + 30 seconds) has elapsed since the second person detection unit 8 (the second left person detection unit 8a or the second right person detection unit 8b) last detected a person, the manned presence determination unit 17a may determine that no person is present.

[0044] When the manned determination unit 17a determines that there is a man, the drive control unit 18a sets the driving state in which the traveling speed in step 3b is the driving speed. On the other hand, when the manned determination unit 17a determines that there is no man, the drive control unit 18a sets the standby state in which the traveling speed in step 3b is a standby speed that is slower than the driving speed (high-speed driving speed and low-speed driving speed, which will be described later).

[0045] The standby speed is not limited to one speed. For example, the standby speed may have a plurality of speeds and may be changed based on time, etc. Although not particularly limited, the standby speed may be, for example, zero (0 m / sec) to 10 m / min.

[0046] <High / low speed switching control> Next, a description will be given of a method for controlling the traveling speed in step 3b when the processing device 6 is executing high / low speed switching control in the driving state. Note that the high / low speed switching control is a control for switching between a high-speed driving state in which high-speed control is executed and a low-speed driving state in which low-speed control is executed in the driving state.

[0047] When the person conveyor 1 is in an operating state, for example, the processing device 6 may first set the travel speed in step 3b to a high-speed operating state, where the travel speed is the high-speed operating speed. That is, the processing device 6 may execute high-speed control. Note that the high-speed operating speed is not limited to one speed. For example, the high-speed operating speed may include multiple speeds, and may be changed based on the number of people riding on the person conveyor 1, etc. Although not particularly limited, the high-speed operating speed may be, for example, 25 m / min to 30 m / min.

[0048] Then, based on the detection by the first left person detector 7a and the second left person detector 8a, the walking speed calculator 17b calculates the walking speed of the person. As a result, the walking speed of the person is calculated based on the detection of the person at the first fixed position P1 on the left side of the riding section 1b and the detection of the person at the second fixed position P2 on the left side of the riding section 1b.

[0049] Furthermore, the walking speed calculation unit 17b calculates the walking speed of the person based on the detection by the first right-hand person detection unit 7b and the second right-hand person detection unit 8b. As a result, the walking speed of the person is calculated based on the detection of the person at the first fixed position P1 on the right side of the riding part 1b and the detection of the person at the second fixed position P2 on the right side of the riding part 1b.

[0050] Therefore, the walking speed of a person walking on the left side of riding section 1b and the walking speed of a person walking on the right side of riding section 1b can be calculated appropriately. Specifically, for example, even if a person walking on the left side of riding section 1b overtakes a person walking on the right side of riding section 1b between first fixed position P1 and second fixed position P2, it is possible to calculate appropriately the walking speed of the person walking on the left side of riding section 1b, and also to calculate appropriately the walking speed of the person walking on the right side of riding section 1b.

[0051] If the calculated walking speed is equal to or less than the set walking speed, the walking speed calculation unit 17b determines that the person is a specific person (a person with a slow walking speed). Note that, since the walking speed of an average person is about 1.0 m / sec, the set walking speed is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 0.4 m / sec to 0.6 m / sec.

[0052] For example, the walking speed calculation unit 17b may be configured to actually calculate the walking speed based on the distance W1 between the first fixed position P1 and the second fixed position P2 and the time from when the first person detection unit 7 (7a, 7b) detects a person to when the second person detection unit 8 (8a, 8b) detects a person, and then compare the set walking speed with the calculated walking speed to determine whether a specific person is present.

[0053] Furthermore, since the distance W1 between the first fixed position P1 and the second fixed position P2 is constant, for example, the walking speed calculation unit 17b may be configured to calculate the time from when the first person detection unit 7 (7a, 7b) detects a person to when the second person detection unit 8 (8a, 8b) detects a person, and then compare the calculated time with the time corresponding to the set walking speed to determine the presence or absence of a specific person. In other words, the walking speed calculation unit 17b may be configured to calculate the time corresponding to the walking speed and determine the presence or absence of a specific person without actually calculating the walking speed.

[0054] Then, when the processing device 6 executes high-speed control (sets the state as high-speed driving) and the traveling speed of step 3b is a high-speed driving speed faster than the set traveling speed, if the walking speed calculation unit 17b determines that the person is a specific person, the processing device 6 executes low-speed control. As a result, the traveling speed of step 3b becomes a low-speed driving speed with the set traveling speed as the maximum speed, so that, for example, when a specific person rides step 3b alone, the traveling speed of step 3b can be slowed down.

[0055] The low-speed operating speed is not limited to one speed. For example, the low-speed operating speed may have multiple speeds and may be changed based on the number of people riding on the people conveyor 1, the time, etc. Although not particularly limited, the low-speed operating speed may be, for example, 15 m / min to 20 m / min. For example, if the low-speed operating speed is one speed, the set travel speed is the low-speed operating speed, and if the low-speed operating speed is multiple speeds, the set travel speed is the maximum speed among the low-speed operating speeds.

[0056] Moreover, in this embodiment, the person detection units 7a, 7b, 8a, and 8b can appropriately calculate the walking speed of a person walking on the left side of the riding section 1b and the walking speed of a person walking on the right side of the riding section 1b. This makes it possible to slow down the traveling speed of the step 3b not only when a specific person rides on the step 3b alone, but also when, for example, a specific person rides on the step 3b from one side of the riding section 1b and another person with a faster walking speed rides on the step 3b from the other side of the riding section 1b.

[0057] Then, after the processing device 6 executes the low-speed control, the third person detection unit 9 detects a person at the third fixed position P3, causing the processing device 6 to terminate the low-speed control and execute the high-speed control. As a result, the low-speed control ends after the specific person gets on step 3b, making it possible to prevent the traveling speed on step 3b from continuing to slow down unnecessarily.

[0058] For example, if the walking speed calculation unit 17b determines that the person walking on the left side of the riding section 1b is a specific person based on the detection by the first left person detection unit 7a and the second left person detection unit 8a, the processing device 6 will terminate the low-speed control when the third left person detection unit 9a detects a person. Also, for example, if the walking speed calculation unit 17b determines that the person walking on the right side of the riding section 1b is a specific person based on the detection by the first right person detection unit 7b and the second right person detection unit 8b, the processing device 6 will terminate the low-speed control when the third right person detection unit 9b detects a person.

[0059] Then, when the third person detection unit 9 detects a person and the low speed control ends, the processing device 6 executes the low speed control when the step 3b has traveled the first set distance. As a result, the low speed control is executed when the specific person gets off the step 3b, so the travel speed of the step 3b can be slowed down.

[0060] Thereafter, when step 3b has traveled the second set distance after the low-speed control has been executed, processing device 6 executes high-speed control. That is, when step 3b has traveled the second set distance after low-speed control has been executed after step 3b has traveled the first set distance, low-speed control ends and high-speed control is executed. As a result, low-speed control ends after the specific person gets off step 3b, and it is possible to prevent the travel speed of step 3b from continuing to slow unnecessarily.

[0061] The first set distance is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, the distance from the third fixed position P3 to a position a predetermined distance (for example, 1 to 2 m) upstream from the descending section 1c. The second set distance may be, for example, the predetermined distance plus a margin distance (1 to 2 m). In order to prevent a sudden change in the traveling speed of the step 3b, the acceleration / deceleration of the traveling speed of the step 3b is not particularly limited, but is preferably, for example, 0.1 m / (sec)2 or less.

[0062] However, when a traffic jam occurs at the riding section 1b, the walking speed of the people at the riding section 1b slows down. As a result, due to the traffic jam, the walking speed of the riding section 1b may become lower than the set walking speed.

[0063] Therefore, for example, if the first left person detection unit 7a detects a person continuously for a set time, the processing device 6 does not execute the low-speed control. Also, for example, if the second left person detection unit 8a detects a person continuously for a set time, the processing device 6 does not execute the low-speed control. Also, for example, if both the first left person detection unit 7a and the second left person detection unit 8a simultaneously (or each within a predetermined time) detect a person continuously for a set time, the processing device 6 does not execute the low-speed control.

[0064] Furthermore, for example, if the first right-hand person detection unit 7b detects a person continuously for a set time, the processing device 6 does not execute the low-speed control. Furthermore, for example, if the second right-hand person detection unit 8b detects a person continuously for a set time, the processing device 6 does not execute the low-speed control. Furthermore, for example, if both the first right-hand person detection unit 7b and the second right-hand person detection unit 8b simultaneously (or each within a predetermined time) detect a person continuously for a set time, the processing device 6 does not execute the low-speed control.

[0065] In this way, when at least one of the first person detection unit 7 and the second person detection unit 8 continuously detects people for the set time, the processing device 6 does not execute low-speed control. This makes it possible to prevent the running speed of step 3b from slowing down when people's walking speed slows due to a congestion of people in riding section 1b. Therefore, for example, it is possible to prevent the congestion of people in riding section 1b from getting worse. The set time is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, 1 to 2 seconds.

[0066] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the human detection units 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, and 9b are photoelectric sensors that project light in the first horizontal direction D1, they may detect, for example, the arms and torso of the same person as different people, or the right leg and left leg of the same person as different people. Therefore, for example, if the human detection units 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, and 9b detect a person multiple times within a predetermined time (for example, 0.1 to 0.3 seconds), the calculation unit 17 may be configured to determine that different parts of the same person have been detected.

[0067] [1] As described above, the passenger conveyor 1, as in this embodiment, Step 3b: moving to transport the person; a first person detection unit 7 that detects a person at a first fixed position P1 of the riding portion 1b; a second person detection unit 8 that detects a person at the second fixed position P2 of the riding portion 1b; a processing device 6 for controlling the travel speed in step 3b; The processing device 6 includes: Calculating a walking speed of a person based on the detection by the first person detection unit 7 and the second person detection unit 8; When the running speed in step 3b is faster than a set running speed and the calculated walking speed is equal to or lower than the set walking speed, low-speed control is executed to make the running speed in step 3b equal to or lower than the set running speed. This configuration is preferable.

[0068] With this configuration, the walking speed of a person is calculated based on the detection of the person at the first fixed position P1 of the riding portion 1b and the detection of the person at the second fixed position P2 of the riding portion 1b. When the traveling speed of the step 3b is faster than the set traveling speed, if the calculated walking speed is equal to or lower than the set walking speed, low-speed control is executed, so that the traveling speed of the step 3b is equal to or lower than the set traveling speed. This makes it possible to set the traveling speed of the step 3b to an appropriate speed when a person with a slow walking speed rides on the step 3b alone.

[0069] [2] In addition, in the passenger conveyor 1 described above in [1], as in this embodiment, The apparatus further includes a third person detection unit 9 that detects a person at a third fixed position P3 above the step 3b, The processing device 6 ends the low-speed control when the third person detection unit 9 detects a person after the low-speed control is executed. This configuration is preferable.

[0070] With this configuration, after the low-speed control is executed, the low-speed control ends when the third person detection unit 9 detects a person at the third fixed position P3 on the step 3b. This ends the low-speed control after a person with a slow walking speed steps onto the step 3b, preventing the travel speed on the step 3b from continuing to slow unnecessarily.

[0071] [3] In addition, in the passenger conveyor 1 described above in [2], as in this embodiment, The processing device 6 executes the low speed control when the third person detection unit 9 detects a person after executing the low speed control and the vehicle has traveled a set distance in the step 3b. This configuration is preferable.

[0072] With this configuration, after the low-speed control is executed, the third person detection unit 9 detects a person at the third fixed position P3 on the step 3b, thereby ending the low-speed control. Then, when the step 3b has traveled a set distance since the third person detection unit 9 detected the person, the low-speed control is executed. This allows the travel speed of the step 3b to be slowed down when a person with a slow walking speed steps off the step 3b.

[0073] [4] In addition, in any one of the passenger conveyors 1 described above in [1] to [3], as in this embodiment, the processing device 6 does not execute the low-speed control when at least one of the first person detection unit 7 and the second person detection unit 8 continuously detects a person for a set time; This configuration is preferable.

[0074] With this configuration, when a congestion of people occurs in riding section 1b and the walking speed of people slows down, low-speed control is not executed if at least one of first person detection unit 7 and second person detection unit 8 continuously detects people for a set time. This makes it possible to prevent the running speed of step 3b from slowing down when a congestion of people occurs in riding section 1b and the walking speed of people slows down.

[0075] [5] In addition, in any one of the passenger conveyors 1 described above in [1] to [4], as in this embodiment, The first person detection unit 7 a first left person detection unit 7a that detects a person at the first fixed position P1 on the left side of the riding portion 1b; a first right person detection unit 7b that detects a person at the first fixed position P1 on the right side of the riding portion 1b, The second person detection unit 8 a second left person detection unit 8a that detects a person at the second fixed position P2 on the left side of the riding portion 1b; a second right person detection unit 8b that detects a person at the second fixed position P2 on the right side of the riding portion 1b, The processing device 6 includes: calculating a walking speed of a person based on the detection by the first left person detection unit 7a and the second left person detection unit 8a, and calculating a walking speed of a person based on the detection by the first right person detection unit 7b and the second right person detection unit 8b; This configuration is preferable.

[0076] With this configuration, the walking speed of a person is calculated based on the detection of a person at the first fixed position P1 on the left side of riding section 1b and the detection of a person at the second fixed position P2 on the left side of riding section 1b. Then, the walking speed of a person is calculated based on the detection of a person at the first fixed position P1 on the right side of riding section 1b and the detection of a person at the second fixed position P2 on the right side of riding section 1b. This makes it possible to appropriately calculate the walking speed of a person walking on the left side of riding section 1b and the walking speed of a person walking on the right side of riding section 1b.

[0077] The passenger conveyor 1 is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, nor is it limited to the above-described effects. Furthermore, various modifications can be made to the passenger conveyor 1 without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, it is possible to select one or more of the configurations and methods of the various modified examples described below and adopt them in the configurations and methods of the above-described embodiment.

[0078] (A) In the passenger conveyor 1 according to the above embodiment, the first person detector 7 is configured to include a first left person detector 7a that detects a person at the first fixed position P1 on the left side of the passenger section 1b, and a first right person detector 7b that detects a person at the first fixed position P1 on the right side of the passenger section 1b. However, the passenger conveyor 1 is not limited to this configuration.

[0079] For example, the first person detection unit 7 may be configured to detect a person at the first fixed position P1 across the entire left and right area of ​​the passenger area 1b. Although not particularly limited, as an example of such a configuration, the passenger conveyor 1 may have the configuration shown in Fig. 5. As shown in Fig. 5, the first person detection unit 7 may be, for example, a photoelectric sensor (transmission type) that projects light in the first lateral direction D1, specifically, a photoelectric sensor in which the component with the light-emitting part and the component with the light-receiving part are different.

[0080] (B) Furthermore, in the passenger conveyor 1 according to the above embodiment, the second person detection unit 8 is configured to include a second left person detection unit 8a that detects a person at the second fixed position P2 on the left side of the passenger boarding section 1b, and a second right person detection unit 8b that detects a person at the second fixed position P2 on the right side of the passenger boarding section 1b. However, the passenger conveyor 1 is not limited to this configuration.

[0081] For example, the second person detection unit 8 may be configured to detect a person at the second fixed position P2 across the entire left and right area of ​​the passenger area 1b. Although not particularly limited, as an example of such a configuration, the passenger conveyor 1 may have the configuration shown in Figure 5 or 6. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the second person detection unit 8 may be, for example, a photoelectric sensor (transmission type) that projects light in the first lateral direction D1, specifically, a photoelectric sensor in which the component with the light-emitting part and the component with the light-receiving part are different.

[0082] (C) Furthermore, in the passenger conveyor 1 according to the above embodiment, the third person detector 9 is configured to include a third left person detector 9a that detects a person at the third fixed position P3 on the left side of the passenger boarding section 1b, and a third right person detector 9b that detects a person at the third fixed position P3 on the right side of the passenger boarding section 1b. However, the passenger conveyor 1 is not limited to this configuration.

[0083] For example, the third person detection unit 9 may be configured to detect a person at the third fixed position P3 across the entire left and right area of ​​the passenger area 1b. Although not particularly limited, as an example of such a configuration, the passenger conveyor 1 may have the configuration shown in Fig. 5 or 6. As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the third person detection unit 9 may be, for example, a photoelectric sensor (transmission type) that projects light in the first lateral direction D1, specifically, a photoelectric sensor in which the component with the light-emitting portion and the component with the light-receiving portion are different.

[0084] (D) Furthermore, in the passenger conveyor 1 according to the above embodiment, the processing device 6 is configured to terminate the low-speed control when the third person detection unit 9 detects a person after the low-speed control has been executed. However, the passenger conveyor 1 is not limited to this configuration. For example, the passenger conveyor 1 does not have to be equipped with the third person detection unit 9 (third left person detection unit 9a and third right person detection unit 9b). And, for example, the processing device 6 may be configured to terminate the low-speed control when a predetermined time has elapsed after the low-speed control has been executed.

[0085] (E) Furthermore, in the people conveyor 1 according to the above embodiment, the processing device 6 is configured to execute low-speed control when step 3b has traveled a set distance since the third person detection unit 9 detected a person after executing low-speed control. However, the people conveyor 1 is not limited to this configuration. For example, the processing device 6 may be configured to continue executing high-speed control even when step 3b has traveled a set distance since the third person detection unit 9 detected a person after executing low-speed control.

[0086] (F) Furthermore, in the passenger conveyor 1 according to the above embodiment, the processing device 6 is configured not to execute low-speed control if the first person detection unit 7 detects a person continuously for a set time. However, the passenger conveyor 1 is not limited to this configuration. For example, even if the first person detection unit 7 detects a person continuously for a set time, the processing device 6 may be configured to execute low-speed control if the walking speed calculated based on the detection by the first person detection unit 7 and the second person detection unit 8 is equal to or lower than the set walking speed when the running speed in step 3b is faster than the set running speed.

[0087] (G) Furthermore, in the passenger conveyor 1 according to the above embodiment, the processing device 6 is configured not to execute low-speed control if the second person detection unit 8 detects a person continuously for a set time. However, the passenger conveyor 1 is not limited to this configuration. For example, even if the second person detection unit 8 detects a person continuously for a set time, the processing device 6 may be configured to execute low-speed control if the walking speed calculated based on the detection by the first person detection unit 7 and the second person detection unit 8 is equal to or lower than the set walking speed when the running speed in step 3b is faster than the set running speed.

[0088] (H) Furthermore, in the passenger conveyor 1 according to the above embodiment, if both the first person detection unit 7 and the second person detection unit 8 detect a person continuously for a set period of time simultaneously (or each within a predetermined period of time), the processing device 6 does not execute low-speed control. However, the passenger conveyor 1 is not limited to this configuration. For example, even if both the first person detection unit 7 and the second person detection unit 8 detect a person continuously for a set period of time simultaneously (or each within a predetermined period of time), the processing device 6 may execute low-speed control if the walking speed calculated based on the detection by the first person detection unit 7 and the second person detection unit 8 is equal to or lower than the set walking speed when the running speed in step 3b is faster than the set running speed.

[0089] (I) Furthermore, in the people conveyor 1, for example, when the processing device 6 is executing low-speed control, the output unit 14 may be configured to output information indicating that low-speed control is being executed. Furthermore, in the people conveyor 1, for example, before the processing device 6 executes low-speed control, the output unit 14 may be configured to output information indicating that low-speed control is about to be executed.

[0090] (J) For example, the order of execution of each step, such as the operations, procedures, steps, and stages, in the methods and apparatuses shown in the claims, specifications, and drawings, can be implemented in any order, as long as the result of a previous step is not used in a subsequent step. For example, even if a description is made using "first," "next," etc. for convenience, this does not mean that the steps must be executed in that order. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 1...people conveyor, 1a...floor plate, 1b...first boarding / alighting section (boarding section), 1c...second boarding / alighting section (disembarking section), 2...structure, 2a...machine room, 3...transport section, 3a...running section, 3b...step, 4...balustrade section, 4a...handrail belt, 4b...balustrade main body section, 4c...cover section, 5...drive section, 5a...rotating section, 5b...support section, 5c...drive source, 5d...changing section, 6...processing device, 7...first person detection section, 7a...first left person detection section, 7b...first right person detection section, 8...second person detection section, 8a...second left person detection section, 8b...second right person detection section unit, 9...third person detection unit, 9a...third left person detection unit, 9b...third right person detection unit, 10...pole, 11...speed detection unit, 12...distance detection unit, 13...input unit, 14...output unit, 15...acquisition unit, 16...storage unit, 17...calculation unit, 17a...person presence determination unit, 17b...walking speed calculation unit, 17c...traffic congestion determination unit, 18...control unit, 18a...drive control unit, 18b...output control unit, D1...first lateral direction, D2...second lateral direction, D3...vertical direction, P1...first fixed position, P2...second fixed position, P3...third fixed position, P4...riding portion end position

Claims

1. Steps for transporting people, A first person detection unit that detects a person in a first fixed position on the boarding area, A second person detection unit for detecting a person at a second fixed position on the aforementioned riding section, The system includes a processing device for controlling the travel speed of the aforementioned step, The aforementioned processing apparatus is Based on the detections by the first person detection unit and the second person detection unit, the walking speed of the person is calculated. A man conveyor that, when the travel speed of the step is faster than the set travel speed and the calculated walking speed is less than or equal to the set walking speed, performs low-speed control to reduce the travel speed of the step to less than or equal to the set travel speed, The processing device is a man conveyor that does not perform the low-speed control when at least one of the first person detection unit and the second person detection unit continuously detects a person for a set time.

2. Further comprising a third person detection unit for detecting a person at a third fixed position on the exposed step, The man conveyor according to claim 1, wherein the processing device terminates the low-speed control when the third person detection unit detects a person after executing the low-speed control.

3. The man conveyor according to claim 2, wherein the processing device performs the low-speed control after the third person detection unit detects a person and the step travels a set distance.

4. The first human detection unit is, A first left person detection unit detects a person at the first fixed position on the left side of the riding section, It includes a first right person detection unit that detects a person at the first fixed position on the right side of the riding section, The second human detection unit is, A second left person detection unit detects a person at the second fixed position on the left side of the riding section, It includes a second right person detection unit that detects a person at the second fixed position on the right side of the riding section, The aforementioned processing apparatus is A man conveyor according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the man's walking speed is calculated based on the detection of the first left man detection unit and the second left man detection unit, and the man's walking speed is calculated based on the detection of the first right man detection unit and the second right man detection unit.

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