Man conveyor

Abstract

To visually recognize a component covered with a cover portion without removing the cover portion.SOLUTION: A man conveyor includes a balustrade portion and a processing unit that controls the balustrade portion. The balustrade portion includes a cover portion disposed at a lower part thereof. The cover portion includes a switching unit that is switchable between a first state and a second state in which light is transmitted more than in the first state. The processing unit switches the switching unit between the first state and the second state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, for example, a passenger conveyor has a parapet, and the parapet has a cover disposed at the bottom (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). However, when viewing the parts covered by the cover, the cover must be removed. Furthermore, afterwards, the cover must be reattached for restoration. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7344364 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-111425 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Therefore, the object is to provide a passenger conveyor that allows the parts covered by the cover portion to be viewed without removing the cover portion. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] [1] Man conveyors are The balustrade and a processing unit for controlling the balustrade, The balustrade portion includes a cover portion disposed at a lower portion thereof, the cover portion includes a switching portion that is switchable between a first state and a second state that transmits more light than the first state, The processing unit switches the switching unit between the first state and the second state.

[0006] [2] In the man conveyor described above in [1], the switching unit is switched between a state in which power is supplied and a state in which power supply is stopped, thereby switching between the first state and the second state in which the light transmittance is higher than the light transmittance in the first state. The following configuration is also possible.

[0007] [3] In the man conveyor [2] above, The switching unit includes a light control film that is set to the first state when power supply is stopped and is set to the second state when power is supplied. The following configuration is also possible.

[0008] [4] In any one of the above [1] to [3] man conveyors, the switching unit includes a transparent display that is set to the first state when power is supplied and is set to the second state when power supply is stopped, the transparent display displays information in the first state. The following configuration is also possible.

[0009] [5] Any one of the above [1] to [4] man conveyors is An input unit is provided to input instruction data for selecting either manual driving or automatic driving, The processing unit sets the switching unit to the first state when instruction data for selecting automatic driving is input to the input unit, and sets the switching unit to the second state when instruction data for selecting manual driving is input to the input unit. The following configuration is also possible. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] Schematic diagram of a people conveyor according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Enlarged cross-sectional view of line II-II in Figure 1 [Figure 3] Enlarged view of region III in Figure 1 (a: view of the switching unit in the first state, b: view of the switching unit in the second state) [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a control panel according to the embodiment; [Figure 5] Enlarged view of the V region in Figure 1 [Figure 6] Control block diagram of the passenger conveyor according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are longitudinal cross-sectional views of a passenger conveyor according to another embodiment (a: a view showing the switching unit in a first state, b: a view showing the switching unit in a second state) [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the main parts of a passenger conveyor according to still another embodiment (a: a diagram illustrating the switching unit in a first state, b: a diagram illustrating the switching unit in a second state) [Figure 9] A longitudinal cross-sectional view of a passenger conveyor according to yet another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] 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.

[0012] 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.

[0013] An embodiment of a passenger conveyor will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 6. 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.

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, the passenger conveyor 1 may include, for example, a structure 2 installed on the main body, a transport section 3 for transporting people (passengers), a pair of balustrade sections 4 (only one is shown in Figure 1) arranged to sandwich the transport section 3 in the first direction D1, a drive section 5 for driving the transport section 3 and the balustrade sections 4, a processing section 6 for controlling the entire device, and an operation panel 7 arranged inside the structure 2.

[0015] 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.

[0016] The fourth direction D4 is the direction in which the conveying unit 3 conveys the person and is referred to as the inclined direction D4 that is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction D2, and the fifth direction D5 is referred to as the vertical direction D5 that is perpendicular to the inclined direction D4. The conveying directions D2 and D4 in which the conveying unit 3 conveys the person are the second lateral direction D2 and the inclined direction D4. The second to fifth directions D2 to D5 are each included in the same predetermined imaginary plane, and the first direction D1 is a direction perpendicular to the imaginary plane.

[0017] 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.

[0018] The structure 2 may include, for example, machine rooms 2a, 2a arranged at each end in the second horizontal direction D2, as in this embodiment. Note that the structure 2 may also have, for example, a truss structure or a girder structure made up of multiple frame members.

[0019] The passenger conveyor 1 may, for example, include a floor plate 8 attached to the structure 2 so as to cover the machine room 2a from above, as in this embodiment. As a result, the floor plate 8 constitutes boarding and disembarking sections 1a located at each end of the transport section 3 in the second lateral direction D2 for passengers to get on and off the transport section 3.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] The drive unit 5 may include, for example, as in this embodiment, a drive wheel 5a around which a first end of the traveling unit 3a in the second lateral direction D2 is wound and which rotates about an axis in the first lateral direction D1, a winding part 5b around which a second end of the traveling unit 3a in the second lateral direction D2 is wound, a drive source 5c that rotates the drive wheel 5a, and a braking part 5d that brakes the rotation of the drive wheel 5a. As a result, the step 3b is reversed by the drive wheel 5a and also reversed by the winding part 5b.

[0023] Although not particularly limited, the drive wheel 5a may be, for example, a sprocket. Furthermore, although not particularly limited, the winding portion 5b may be, for example, a guide member that guides the traveling 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 traveling 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 and an inverter. Furthermore, although not particularly limited, the braking portion 5d may be, for example, a brake.

[0024] The balustrade part 4 may, for example, as in this embodiment, comprise an endless circular handrail belt 4a that rotates and travels, a balustrade main body part 4b that supports the handrail belt 4a, and a cover part 4c that is arranged at the bottom and covers the bottom of the balustrade main body part 4b. Also, the drive part 5 may, for example, as in this embodiment, comprise a drive applying part 5e that applies drive to the handrail belt 4a, and a transmission part 5f that transmits the drive of the drive wheel 5a to the drive applying part 5e.

[0025] As a result, the running section 3a and the handrail belt 4a run by receiving drive from a common drive source 5c. Therefore, the running of the handrail belt 4a is synchronized with the running of the steps 3b. The running speed of the handrail belt 4a is proportional to the running speed of the steps 3b (specifically, it is the same as the running speed of the steps 3b).

[0026] 2, the cover portion 4c may include, for example, an outer cover portion 4d disposed on the outside in the first horizontal direction D1, an upper cover portion 4e disposed on the inside in the first horizontal direction D1 and constituting an upper portion of the cover portion 4c, and a side cover portion 4f disposed on the inside in the first horizontal direction D1 and constituting a side portion of the cover portion 4c. Note that each of the cover portions 4d to 4f may be configured to be detachable from the balustrade main body portion 4b, for example.

[0027] The lower part of the side cover part 4f may overlap the step 3b when viewed in the first horizontal direction D1, as in the present embodiment. The upper cover part 4e may be disposed above and spaced apart from the step 3b when viewed in the first horizontal direction D1, as in the present embodiment. The upper cover part 4e and the side cover part 4f may be configured to be separable from each other, or may be configured, for example, as an inseparable integral part.

[0028] The side cover portion 4f includes a switching unit 10 that can be switched between a first state and a second state that transmits more light than the first state. The switching unit 10 includes a light control film 11 that can be switched between the first state and the second state. The type of the light control film 11 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a PDLC type, a PNLC type, an SPD type, an electrochromic type, a GHLC type, or the like.

[0029] The switching unit 10 may also include a transparent panel 12 to which the light control film 11 is fixed, as in this embodiment. The material of the transparent panel 12 is not particularly limited and may be, for example, glass or hard resin. The light control film 11 may also be fixed to the surface of the transparent panel 12 opposite to the surface facing the step 3b (the left side in FIG. 2), as in this embodiment.

[0030] Furthermore, the balustrade portion 4 may include, for example, a rigid portion 4g having higher rigidity than the switching portion 10, as in the present embodiment. The rigid portion 4g may include, for example, an abutment stop portion 4h that abuts and stops the step 3b in the first horizontal direction D1, and a reinforcing portion 4i that reinforces the abutment stop portion 4h, as in the present embodiment.

[0031] As a result, the step 3b abuts against the abutment portion 4h in the first lateral direction D1, thereby preventing the step 3b from applying force to the switching portion 10. Note that the rigid portion 4g may be fixed to the structure 2 by, for example, a fixing means (not shown).

[0032] The stopper portions 4h extend along the conveying directions D2 and D4 and may be formed in a plate shape as in the present embodiment, or may be formed in a rod shape as in the present embodiment. The entire stopper portions 4h may be arranged to overlap the steps 3b when viewed in the first horizontal direction D1 as in the present embodiment.

[0033] Furthermore, the rigid portion 4g may include, for example, clamping portions 4j and 4k that clamp the lower portion of the switching portion 10 in the first horizontal direction D1, as in the present embodiment. This allows the rigid portion 4g to hold the switching portion 10 by means of the clamping portions 4j and 4k. Note that, as in the present embodiment, for example, the first clamping portion 4j may be configured with an abutment stop portion 4h, and the abutment stop portion 4h may be disposed so as to be flush with the switching portion 10.

[0034] 3(a), the light control film 11 is put into the first state by stopping the supply of power, which makes it impossible (or difficult) to see the components covered by the side cover part 4f (for example, the drive applying part 5e) through the switching part 10.

[0035] Although not particularly limited, the light transmittance of the switching section 10 in the first state may be, for example, less than 50%, or may be, for example, 40% or less, and is preferably, for example, 30% or less, and more preferably, for example, 20% or less.

[0036] 3(b), when power is supplied to the light control film 11, the light control film 11 changes to a second state in which the light transmittance is higher than the light transmittance in the first state. This allows the components covered by the side cover portion 4f (for example, the drive applying portion 5e) to be visible without removing the side cover portion 4f from the balustrade main body portion 4b.

[0037] Although not particularly limited, the light transmittance of the switching section 10 in the second state may be, for example, 50% or more, or may be, for example, 60% or more, and is preferably, for example, 70% or more, and more preferably, for example, 80% or more.

[0038] 2 and 3, the upper part of the switching unit 10 may be disposed above the step 3b when viewed in the first horizontal direction D1, as in this embodiment. This allows the components covered by the side cover 4f to be visible through the switching unit 10 even when the side cover 4f is not removed from the balustrade main body 4b and the step 3b is not removed from the running part 3a.

[0039] The switching unit 10 may be arranged, for example, in a part of the cover unit 4c in the conveying directions D2 and D4, or may be arranged, for example, over the entire length of the cover unit 4c in the conveying directions D2 and D4, i.e., over the entire conveying directions D2 and D4.

[0040] 4, the control panel 7 is provided with an automatic / manual input unit 13a to which instruction data for selecting either manual operation or automatic operation is input. The control panel 7 may also be provided with an emergency stop input unit 13b to which instruction data for an emergency stop is input, and an audio output unit (e.g., buzzer) 14a that outputs data by voice, as in this embodiment.

[0041] The control panel 7 may be located inside each of the machine rooms 2a, 2a, as in this embodiment (see FIG. 1), or may be located inside one of the machine rooms 2a, for example. As a result, the control panel 7 is the panel that is operated when performing maintenance work on the passenger conveyor 1.

[0042] The automatic / manual input unit 13a may receive, for example, automatic driving instruction data that is an instruction to automatically drive through step 3b and manual driving instruction data that is an instruction to manually drive through step 3b. Although not particularly limited, the automatic / manual input unit 13a may be, for example, a select switch as in this embodiment.

[0043] As shown in Figure 5, the people conveyor 1 may be equipped with, for example, a start / stop input unit 13c to which start / stop data for step 3b is input, a running direction input unit 13d to which data on the running direction for step 3b is input, a people detection unit 15 to detect people, and a display output unit 14b to output data on a display.

[0044] The start / stop input unit 13c may receive, for example, start instruction data that is an instruction to start traveling on step 3b and stop instruction data that stops traveling on step 3b. Although not particularly limited, the start / stop input unit 13c may be, for example, as in this embodiment, a key lock switch that is disposed on the cover 4c of the balustrade 4 and can be rotated by inserting a key. This puts the start / stop input unit 13c into one of a state in which start / stop data is input, a state in which stop instruction data is input, and a state in which no data is input.

[0045] The traveling direction input unit 13d may receive input of first direction instruction data, which is an instruction to travel in a first direction (upward) on the step 3b, and second direction instruction data, which is an instruction to travel in a second direction (downward) on the step 3b. Although not particularly limited, the traveling direction input unit 13d may be, for example, as in this embodiment, disposed on the cover 4c of the balustrade 4, and may be a key lock switch that can be turned by inserting a key. This puts the traveling direction input unit 13d into one of a state in which first direction stop data is input, a state in which second direction instruction data is input, and a state in which no data is input.

[0046] The person detection unit 15 may, for example, detect whether or not a person is present at the boarding and disembarking section 1a in order to detect a person getting on the people conveyor 1. Although not particularly limited, the person detection unit 15 may, for example, be a photoelectric sensor placed inside the cover section 4c of the balustrade section 4 as in this embodiment, or may, for example, be a camera that takes images from above and the side, or may, for example, be a load cell that detects the weight of a person from below.

[0047] The display output unit 14b is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, as in this embodiment, a liquid crystal indicator lamp disposed on the cover portion 4c of the balustrade portion 4. When the boarding and alighting section 1a is the entrance, the display output unit 14b may, for example, display an arrow indicating that entry is permitted, and when the boarding and alighting section 1a is the exit, the display output unit 14b may, for example, display a mark indicating that entry is prohibited.

[0048] 6, the passenger conveyor 1 may include, for example, an input unit 13 to which various data are input, and an output unit 14 to which various data are output. Note that, for example, the input unit 13 may include an input unit to which data is input in addition to the input units 13a to 13d, and the output unit 14 may include an output unit to which data is output in addition to the output units 14a and 14b.

[0049] 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 device that outputs data visually (for example, an electronic bulletin board, an indicator light), an audio device that outputs data as sound (for example, a buzzer, a speaker), a signal output device that outputs a signal to the outside (for example, a central monitoring panel, etc.), etc.

[0050] For example, as in this embodiment, the processing unit 6 may include an acquisition unit 6a that acquires each piece of data from each unit 13, 15, a storage unit 6b that stores each piece of data, a calculation unit 6c that calculates each piece of data, and a control unit 6d that controls each unit 5, 10, 14. The processing unit 6 may be a computer that includes, for example, a processor such as a CPU and an MPU (for example, the calculation unit 6c, the control unit 6d), memories such as a ROM and a RAM (for example, the acquisition unit 6a, the storage unit 6b), various interfaces, etc.

[0051] As a result, the processor executes the program stored in the memory, and the software and hardware work together to realize the units 6a to 6d of the processing unit 6. The processing unit 6 may be configured, for example, by a software circuit, or may be configured, for example, by a hardware circuit, or may be configured, for example, by a combination of a software circuit and a hardware circuit.

[0052] The processing unit 6 may be configured as a single device, or may be configured as multiple devices that can communicate with each other. Specifically, the units 6a to 6d of the processing unit 6 may be provided in a single device, or may be distributed across multiple devices that can communicate with each other.

[0053] The configuration of the passenger conveyor 1 according to this embodiment is as described above, and next we will explain the control method for the passenger conveyor 1 according to this embodiment. Note that the control method below is provided as an example to help understand the control method for the passenger conveyor 1, and is not intended to limit the control method for the passenger conveyor 1.

[0054] For example, when automatic driving instruction data is input to the automatic / manual input unit 13a and start instruction data is input to the start / stop input unit 13c, the processing unit 6 may start the running of the steps 3b and the handrail belt 4a and perform automatic driving. Then, for example, when automatic driving is being performed and stop instruction data is input to the start / stop input unit 13c, the processing unit 6 may stop the running of the steps 3b and the handrail belt 4a.

[0055] As a result, when automatic driving is performed, the processing unit 6 continues the automatic driving until stop command data is input to the start / stop input unit 13c. Note that when automatic driving is performed, the running speed of the step 3b and the handrail belt 4a may be constant, for example, or may change based on the detection of the person detection unit 15, for example.

[0056] On the other hand, for example, in a state where manual instruction data is input to the automatic manual input unit 13a, the processing unit 6 may cause the robot to travel in a first direction on the steps 3b only while first direction instruction data is input to the travel direction input unit 13d. Also, for example, in a state where manual instruction data is input to the automatic manual input unit 13a, the processing unit 6 may cause the robot to travel in a second direction on the steps 3b only while second direction instruction data is input to the travel direction input unit 13d.

[0057] When performing maintenance work on the passenger conveyor 1, manual instruction data is generally input to the automatic manual input unit 13a. When manual instruction data is input to the automatic manual input unit 13a, the processing unit 6 sets the light control film 11 to the second state. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3(b), the maintenance worker can visually check the components covered by the side cover portion 4f (for example, the drive applying unit 5e) through the switching unit 10 of the side cover portion 4f without removing the side cover portion 4f from the balustrade main body portion 4b.

[0058] On the other hand, when automatic travel operation of the passenger conveyor 1 is to be performed, automatic instruction data is input to the automatic manual input unit 13a. When the automatic instruction data is input to the automatic manual input unit 13a, the processing unit 6 sets the light control film 11 to the first state. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3(a), the components covered by the side cover portion 4f (for example, the drive applying unit 5e) cannot be seen (or are difficult to see). Therefore, it is possible to prevent passengers on step 3b from seeing the components covered by the side cover portion 4f.

[0059] In this way, when manual instruction data is input to the automatic manual input unit 13a, a maintenance person can visually recognize the parts covered by the side cover portion 4f, whereas when automatic instruction data is input to the automatic manual input unit 13a, a passenger on step 3b cannot visually recognize the parts covered by the side cover portion 4f. As a result, the switching unit 10 is switched based on the instruction data input to the automatic manual input unit 13a, and therefore, the switching unit 10 can be appropriately switched depending on, for example, the operating state.

[0060] Furthermore, the time required to perform maintenance work on the passenger conveyor 1 is generally shorter than the time required to perform automatic travel operation of the passenger conveyor 1. In other words, the time required to visually check the components covered by the side cover portion 4f is shorter than the time required to not visually check those components. In contrast, the light-controlling film 11 enters the second state when power is supplied. This shortens the time required to supply power to the light-controlling film 11, thereby reducing the amount of power supplied to the light-controlling film 11.

[0061] As described above, the passenger conveyor 1, as in this embodiment, Parapet part 4 and a processing unit 6 that controls the balustrade unit 4, The balustrade portion 4 includes a cover portion 4c disposed at the bottom, The cover portion 4c includes a switching portion 10 that can be switched between a first state and a second state that transmits more light than the first state, The processing unit 6 switches the switching unit 10 between the first state and the second state. This configuration is preferable.

[0062] According to this configuration, the switching unit 10 is switched between a first state and a second state that transmits more light than the first state by the processing unit 6. As a result, when the switching unit 10 is in the second state, the components covered by the cover 4c can be viewed without removing the cover 4c.

[0063] In addition, in the passenger conveyor 1, as in this embodiment, The switching unit 10 is switched between a state in which power is supplied and a state in which power supply is stopped, thereby switching between the first state and the second state in which the light transmittance is higher than the light transmittance in the first state. This configuration is preferable.

[0064] With this configuration, by switching between a state in which power is supplied and a state in which power supply is stopped, the switching unit 10 is switched between a first state and a second state in which the light transmittance is higher than the light transmittance in the first state. As a result, when the switching unit 10 is in the second state, the components covered by the cover 4c can be seen through the switching unit 10 without removing the cover 4c.

[0065] In addition, in the passenger conveyor 1, as in this embodiment, The switching unit 10 includes a light control film 11 that is set to the first state when power supply is stopped and is set to the second state when power is supplied. This configuration is preferable.

[0066] With this configuration, the time during which the components covered by the cover portion 4c are generally visible is shorter than the time during which the components are not visible, and the light-control film 11 enters the second state when power is supplied. This allows the components covered by the cover portion 4c to be visible through the light-control film 11 without removing the cover portion 4c. Moreover, because the time during which power is supplied to the light-control film 11 can be shortened, the amount of power supplied to the light-control film 11 can be reduced.

[0067] In addition, the passenger conveyor 1, as in this embodiment, An input unit 13 is provided to input instruction data for selecting either manual driving or automatic driving, The processing unit 6 sets the switching unit 10 to the first state when instruction data for selecting automatic driving is input to the input unit 13, and sets the switching unit 10 to the second state when instruction data for selecting manual driving is input to the input unit 13. This configuration is preferable.

[0068] According to this configuration, generally, when manual driving is being performed, the parts covered by the cover portion 4c are often visible. However, when instruction data for selecting automatic driving is input to the input portion 13, the switching portion 10 goes into the first state, and when instruction data for selecting manual driving is input to the input portion 13, the switching portion 10 goes into the second state. In this way, the switching portion 10 is switched based on the instruction data input to the input portion 13.

[0069] 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.

[0070] (A) In the passenger conveyor 1 according to the above embodiment, the switching unit 10 is configured to switch between a state in which power is supplied and a state in which power supply is stopped, thereby switching between a first state and a second state in which the light transmittance is higher than the light transmittance in the first state. However, the passenger conveyor 1 is not limited to this configuration.

[0071] For example, the switching unit 10 may be configured to be switchable between a first state in which light is blocked and a second state in which light is passed. Although not particularly limited, an example of such a configuration may be the configuration shown in Fig. 7. The configuration according to Fig. 7 will be described below.

[0072] (A-1) As shown in Figure 7, for example, the switching unit 10 of the cover unit 4c may include a cover main body 16 having an opening 16a, a movable cover body 17 that is movable between a first position covering the opening 16a (see Figure 7(a)) and a second position away from the opening 16a (see Figure 7(b)), and a movement source 18 that moves the movable cover body 17.

[0073] The cover body 16 and the movable cover body 17 have a light-blocking property and may be made of, for example, metal, although there is no particular limitation thereto. The movement source 18 may be, for example, a cylinder as shown in FIG. 7, although there is no particular limitation thereto.

[0074] 7(a), when the cylinder, which is the movement source 18, is in an extended state, the movable cover body 17 is located at a first position covering the opening 16a of the cover main body 16, and the switching unit 10 is in a first state in which light is blocked. In other words, the movable cover body 17 closes the opening 16a, and therefore the inside of the cover part 4c cannot be seen.

[0075] 7(b), when the cylinder, which is the movement source 18, is in a contracted state, the movable cover body 17 is located at a second position away from the opening 16a of the cover main body 16, and the switching unit 10 is in a second state in which light passes through the opening 16a. That is, the movable cover body 17 opens the opening 16a, and the inside of the cover part 4c can be seen.

[0076] In this way, the switching unit 10 is switched between a first state and a second state that transmits more light than the first state by the processing unit 6. As a result, when the switching unit 10 is in the second state, the components covered by the cover portion 4c can be viewed through the opening 16a of the switching unit 10 without removing the cover portion 4c.

[0077] In this specification, the term "transmission" refers to light passing through the interior of a substance, and does not include light simply passing through air.

[0078] (B) Furthermore, in the passenger conveyor 1 according to the above embodiment, the light control film 11 is configured to enter the first state when the supply of power is stopped, and enter the second state when power is supplied. However, the passenger conveyor 1 is not limited to this configuration. For example, the light control film 11 may be configured to enter the first state when power is supplied, and enter the second state when power supply is stopped.

[0079] (C) Furthermore, in the passenger conveyor 1 according to the above embodiment, the switching unit 10 is configured to include a light control film 11 that can be switched between a state in which power supply is stopped and a state in which power is supplied, thereby switching between a first state and a second state. However, the passenger conveyor 1 is not limited to this configuration.

[0080] For example, the switching unit 10 may be configured to include a transparent display 19 that can be switched between a first state and a second state by switching between a state in which power supply is stopped and a state in which power is supplied. Although not particularly limited, an example of such a configuration may be the configuration shown in Fig. 8. The configuration related to Fig. 8 will be described below.

[0081] (C-1) As shown in Fig. 8(a), for example, when power is supplied to the transparent display 19, the transparent display 19 enters the first state, displays information, and has low light transmittance. This makes it possible to provide information to passengers getting on step 3b, for example. Note that the information displayed on the transparent display 19 may be, for example, text as shown in Fig. 8, or may be, for example, an image or video.

[0082] On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 8(b), for example, by stopping the supply of power to the transparent display 19, the transparent display 19 enters the second state and exhibits high light transmittance. As a result, when the transparent display 19 enters the second state, the components covered by the cover portion 4c (for example, the drive unit 5e) can be viewed through the transparent display 19 without removing the cover portion 4c. Note that the transparent display 19 may be configured not to display information in the second state, as shown in Fig. 8(b), for example.

[0083] In this way, the passenger conveyor 1, as shown in Figure 8, the switching unit 10 includes a transparent display 19 that is set to the first state when power is supplied and is set to the second state when power supply is stopped; The transparent display 19 displays information in the first state. This configuration is preferable.

[0084] With this configuration, the transparent display 19 is in the first state when power is supplied, and in the second state when power supply is stopped. As a result, when the transparent display 19 is in the second state, the components covered by the cover portion 4c can be seen through the transparent display 19 without removing the cover portion 4c.

[0085] Moreover, the transparent display 19 displays information in the first state, which allows the transparent display 19 to be used effectively even in the first state. For example, the design of the balustrade portion 4 can be improved.

[0086] (D) Furthermore, in the passenger conveyor 1 according to the above embodiment, the processing unit 6 is configured to set the switching unit 10 to the first state when instruction data for selecting automatic operation is input to the automatic / manual input unit 13a, and to set the switching unit 10 to the second state when instruction data for selecting manual operation is input to the automatic / manual input unit 13a. However, the passenger conveyor 1 is not limited to this configuration.

[0087] For example, the input unit 13 may be an input unit separate from the automatic manual input unit 13a, and may include a state input unit to which first state instruction data for setting the switching unit 10 to the first state and second state instruction data for setting the switching unit 10 to the second state are input, and the processing unit 6 may be configured to set the switching unit 10 to the first state when the first state instruction data is input to the state input unit, and to set the switching unit 10 to the second state when the second state instruction data is input to the state input unit.

[0088] Furthermore, for example, the processing unit 6 may be configured to set the switching unit 10 to the first state when the step 3b is moving, and to set the switching unit 10 to the second state when the step 3b is stopped.

[0089] (E) Furthermore, in the passenger conveyor 1 according to the above embodiment, the switching unit 10 is arranged only on the side cover portion 4f of the cover portion 4c. However, the passenger conveyor 1 is not limited to this configuration.

[0090] For example, the switching unit 10 may be arranged not only on the side cover portion 4f of the cover portion 4c (or instead of the side cover portion 4f) but also on the upper cover portion 4e. Also, for example, the switching unit 10 may be arranged not only on the side cover portion 4f of the cover portion 4c (or instead of the side cover portion 4f) but also on the outer cover portion 4d.

[0091] (F) Furthermore, in the passenger conveyor 1 according to the above embodiment, a part (upper part) of the switching section 10 is arranged above the step 3b when viewed in the first horizontal direction D1, and another part (lower part) of the switching section 10 is arranged so as to overlap with the step 3b when viewed in the first horizontal direction D1. However, the passenger conveyor 1 is not limited to this configuration.

[0092] For example, the entire switching unit 10 may be disposed so as to overlap the step 3b when viewed in the first horizontal direction D1. In this configuration, when the step 3b is detached from the running unit 3a, the components covered by the side cover portion 4f can be viewed through the switching unit 10 without removing the side cover portion 4f from the balustrade main body 4b.

[0093] Also, for example, the entire switching unit 10 may be disposed above the step 3b when viewed in the first horizontal direction D1. With this configuration, the components covered by the side cover unit 4f can be seen through the switching unit 10 without removing the side cover unit 4f from the balustrade main body 4b and without removing the step 3b from the running unit 3a.

[0094] (G) In addition, in the passenger conveyor 1 according to the above embodiment, the first clamping portion 4j is configured as a stop portion 4h. However, the passenger conveyor 1 is not limited to this configuration. For example, as shown in Figure 9(a), the rigid portion 4g may have a male screw member 4m that screws into the second clamping portion 4k, and the first clamping portion 4j may be configured as the head of the male screw member 4m.

[0095] (H) Furthermore, in the passenger conveyor 1 according to the above embodiment, the abutment stop portion 4h is arranged so as to be flush with the switching portion 10. However, the passenger conveyor 1 is not limited to such a configuration.

[0096] For example, the abutment stop portion 4h may be arranged closer to the step 3b in the first horizontal direction D1 than the switching portion 10. This causes the step 3b to abut against the abutment stop portion 4h in the first horizontal direction D1, thereby preventing the step 3b from abutting against the switching portion 10.

[0097] (I) Furthermore, for example, as shown in Figure 9(b), in the passenger conveyor 1, the step 3b may be configured to have a contact stop portion 3d that protrudes from the side surface 3c in the first horizontal direction D1 and that is stopped by the contact stop portion 4h. The contact stop portion 3d is arranged, for example, so as to overlap with the contact stop portion 4h when viewed in the first horizontal direction D1. This prevents the side surface 3c of the step 3b from contacting the switching portion 10, since the contact stop portion 3d of the step 3b is stopped by the contact stop portion 4h in the first horizontal direction D1.

[0098] (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]

[0099] 1...people conveyor, 1a...boarding and alighting section, 2...structure, 2a...machine room, 3...transport section, 3a...running section, 3b...step, 3c...side, 3d...contact stop section, 4...balustrade section, 4a...handrail belt, 4b...balustrade main body section, 4c...cover section, 4d...outer cover section, 4e...upper cover section, 4f...side cover section, 4g...rigidity section, 4h...contact stop section, 4i...reinforcement section, 4j...first clamping section, 4k...second clamping section, 4m...male screw material, 5...drive section, 5a...drive wheel, 5b...winding section, 5c...drive source, 5d...braking section, 5e...drive applying section, 5f...transmission section, 6...processing section, 6a...acquisition section, 6 b...memory unit, 6c...calculation unit, 6d...control unit, 7...operation panel, 8...floor plate, 10...switching unit, 11...light control film, 12...transparent panel, 13...input unit, 13a...automatic / manual input unit, 13b...emergency stop input unit, 13c...start / stop input unit, 13d...travel direction input unit, 14...output unit, 14a...audio output unit, 14b...display output unit, 15...person detection unit, 16...cover body, 16a...opening, 17...movable cover body, 18...movement source, 19...transparent display, D1...first horizontal direction, D2...second horizontal direction, D3...up / down direction, D4...tilt direction, D5...vertical direction

Claims

1. The balustrade and a processing unit for controlling the balustrade, The balustrade portion includes a cover portion disposed at a lower portion thereof, the cover portion includes a switching portion that is switchable between a first state and a second state that transmits more light than the first state, The processing unit switches the switching unit between the first state and the second state.

2. 2. A people conveyor as described in claim 1, wherein the switching unit is switched between a state in which power is supplied and a state in which power supply is stopped, thereby switching between the first state and the second state in which the light transmittance is higher than the light transmittance of the first state.

3. 3. The people conveyor according to claim 2, wherein the switching unit is provided with a light-control film that is set to the first state when power supply is stopped and to the second state when power is supplied.

4. the switching unit includes a transparent display that is set to the first state when power is supplied and that is set to the second state when power supply is stopped, 3. The people conveyor of claim 2, wherein the transparent display displays information in the first state.

5. An input unit is provided to input instruction data for selecting either manual driving or automatic driving, A man conveyor as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the processing unit sets the switching unit to the first state when instruction data selecting automatic operation is input to the input unit, and sets the switching unit to the second state when instruction data selecting manual operation is input to the input unit.

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