Automatic door device

Abstract

To provide an automatic door device capable of further improving convenience by controlling a sliding door according to the intention of a user while securing safety.SOLUTION: An automatic door device 10 includes a sliding door that separates indoor from outdoor, a protection sensor 48 that detects a person or object in a detection area near the sliding door, an instruction input section 36 where instructions to open or close the sliding door are input, a multifunctional automatic toilet door controller 54 and a door controller 56 that control the opening or closing of the sliding door, and in which the door controller 54 controls the opening or closing drive of the sliding door as long as the protection sensor 48 is in tits detection state and the opening or closing instruction is input to the instruction input section 36.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic door system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in certain facilities such as public multi-function restrooms, automatic door devices have been used to improve the convenience of users entering and exiting the facility by detecting the presence of users using sensors and opening and closing sliding doors based on the detection results (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-163408

[0004] The automatic door system described in Patent Document 1 is equipped with an open / close switch and a sensor both inside and outside the toilet. When a user wants to use the toilet, they enter the toilet and then operate the open / close switch inside the toilet to close the sliding door. The automatic door system uses sensors inside and outside the toilet to detect the presence of a person or object, and closes the sliding door after confirming that no person or object is present within a specific detection range. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Naturally, it is important to set the sensor's detection range near the sliding door to ensure the safety of people, etc. However, if the sliding door is operated uniformly according to the sensor's detection results, the sliding door may not open or close as intended by the user due to various factors, such as the sensor detecting a person or object that is out of the sliding door's path and preventing the door from closing, or the user entering the sensor's detection range and preventing the door from closing.

[0006] The present disclosure aims to provide an automatic door system that can control a sliding door more in line with the user's intentions while ensuring safety, thereby improving convenience. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In one aspect, the present disclosure includes a sliding door that separates the inside of the room from the outside, a protection sensor that detects a person or object within a detection area provided near the sliding door, an instruction input unit to which an instruction to open or close the sliding door is input, and a control unit that controls the opening or closing of the sliding door, and the control unit controls the opening or closing of the sliding door while the protection sensor is in a detection state and an opening or closing instruction is input to the instruction input unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a front view of the automatic door device. [Figure 2] This is a plan view of a multi-function toilet equipped with an automatic door device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control mechanism of the automatic door system. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a top view of the automatic door system. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a top view of the automatic door system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention will be described below based on preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. The same or equivalent components, parts, and processes shown in each drawing will be given the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted where appropriate. Furthermore, the embodiments are illustrative and do not limit the invention, and all features and combinations thereof described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the invention.

[0010] In this embodiment, an automatic door system installed at the entrance of a multi-function restroom will be described. The automatic door system can also be applied to various places other than multi-function restrooms, such as a factory entrance where an open / close switch is located on either side of the sliding door of the automatic door system.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a front view of an automatic door device, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of a multi-function restroom in which the automatic door device is installed. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the automatic door device 10 is installed at the entrance 16 of a multi-function restroom 14, which is surrounded on all four sides by walls 12. The automatic door device 10 comprises a fixed part 18, a sliding door 20, and a transom 22. The fixed part 18 is fixed to the wall 12 and visually separates the transom 22 from the floor. The sliding door 20 moves horizontally relative to the fixed part 18 between an open state and a closed state. When viewed from the front (the direction of FIG. 1), the sliding door 20 overlaps with the fixed part 18 in the open state, and when the sliding door 20 is in the open state, the entrance 16 (opening) next to the fixed part 18 is open. When closed, the sliding door 20 is aligned side by side with the fixed part 18, closing the entrance 16. In this example, the sliding door 20 is provided on the indoor side of the multi-function toilet 14, and is arranged so that in the open state it faces the indoor side surface of the fixed part 18. However, the sliding door 20 may also be provided on the outdoor side and arranged so that in the open state it faces the outdoor side surface of the fixed part 18.

[0012] The multi-function restroom 14 is equipped with facilities for users, such as a sink 24, a toilet 26, and a diaper changing table 28. In this embodiment, the sink 24 and the toilet 26 are located at the back of the stall, away from the automatic door device 10. Also in this embodiment, the diaper changing table 28 is located at the front of the stall (toward the automatic door device) as shown. A detection area 30 for the automatic door device 10's protective sensor, described below, is located near the automatic door device 10. The detection area 30 includes an exterior closed detection area S2 located on the exterior side of the automatic door device's opening, an interior closed detection area S3 located on the interior side of the opening, and an open detection area S4. The detection areas will be described later along with the configuration of the blind 22. Hereinafter, in this specification, when the exterior closed detection area S2 and the interior closed detection area S3 are not distinguished, they may be collectively referred to as the "closed detection areas S2 and S3."

[0013] The automatic door system 10 includes an instruction input unit 36 ​​through which a user inputs an instruction to open or close the sliding door 20 to the automatic door system 10. The instruction input unit 36 ​​includes an outdoor instruction input unit 36o located on the outdoor side and an indoor instruction input unit 36i located on the indoor side. The indoor instruction input unit 36i and the outdoor instruction input unit 36o are each located near the entrance 16. The outdoor instruction input unit 36o and the indoor instruction input unit 36i each include an open button 38 and a close button 40. The open button 38 and the close button 40 are pressed when a user inputs an instruction to open or close the sliding door 20 to the automatic door system. Hereinafter, in this specification, the indoor open button of the open button 38 will be referred to as the open button 38i, and the outdoor open button will be referred to as the open button 38o. Similarly, the close button 40 will also be referred to as the close button 40i or the close button 40o.

[0014] The automatic door system 10 is equipped with an auxiliary photoelectric sensor 42 having a detection area S1 within the entranceway 16. The auxiliary photoelectric sensor 42 includes a light-emitting unit 44 and a light-receiving unit 46. The light-emitting unit 44 and the light-receiving unit 46 are arranged on opposite sides of the entranceway 16 in the width direction, and the area between them forms the detection area (auxiliary detection area) S1 of the auxiliary photoelectric sensor 42. The auxiliary photoelectric sensor 42 irradiates light from the light-emitting unit 44 toward the light-receiving unit 46, and detects the presence of a person or object within the auxiliary detection area S1 based on whether the light is received (detected) by the light-receiving unit 46. The automatic door system 10 can detect the presence of a person or object within the detection area S1 of the auxiliary photoelectric sensor 42 based on the detection result of the auxiliary photoelectric sensor 42.

[0015] The transom 22 is disposed above the doorway 16 and incorporates a control mechanism for the sliding door 20, including the protection sensor 48 described above. On the surface of the transom 22, there are provided an outdoor-side closed protection sensor 50o having a detection area (outdoor-side closed detection area S2) on the outdoor side of the doorway 16, an indoor-side closed protection sensor 50i having a detection area (indoor-side closed detection area S3) on the indoor side of the doorway 16, and an open protection sensor 52 having a detection area (open detection area S4) that overlaps with the waiting position of the sliding door 20 in the open state. In this specification, the outdoor-side closed protection sensor 50o, the indoor-side closed protection sensor 50i, and the open protection sensor 52 may be collectively referred to as the protection sensor 48. Furthermore, the outdoor-side closed protection sensor 50o and the indoor-side closed protection sensor 50i may be collectively referred to as the close protection sensor 50.

[0016] Each protection sensor 48 is configured with a near-infrared sensor that projects near-infrared rays toward the corresponding detection area S2 to S4 and receives the reflected light. More specifically, the protection sensor 48 divides the detection area S2 to S4 into a plurality of small detection areas and includes a plurality of near-ultraviolet sensors corresponding to each small detection area. Basically, when the protection sensor 48 detects a person or object in any of the small detection areas, it determines that a person or object has been detected in the detection area S2 to S4.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the control mechanism of the automatic door system.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 3, the automatic door system 10 comprises a multi-function restroom automatic door controller (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as the "door controller") 54 and a door controller 56. The door controller 54, which serves as an instruction supply control unit, is a controller for realizing functions specific to multi-function restrooms that are not provided in automatic door systems for general building entrances, for example. Such functions include receiving input from the open / close buttons 38, 40 and supplying the door controller 56 with an instruction to operate the sliding door 20, and issuing a predetermined notification to the user via the notification unit 58, which will be described later. The door controller 54 may also read the detection results of the protection sensor 48 as needed and, based on these, supply the door controller 56 with an instruction to operate the sliding door 20.

[0019] The door controller 56, which serves as a drive control section, controls a motor 60, which serves as a drive source for the sliding door 20, based on the detection results of the protection sensor 48, the detection results of the auxiliary photoelectric sensor 42, and drive instructions from the door control unit 54. The door controller 56 receives input results from the open / close buttons 38, 40 via the door control unit 54, and controls an electric lock 62 for locking the sliding door 20.

[0020] The door control unit 54 and the door controller 56 together constitute the control unit of the automatic door system 10. The door control unit 54 and the door controller 56 may be configured using the same hardware and software, or they may be configured using separate hardware and software. For example, if an automatic door system for an entrance to a general building is to be repurposed as an automatic door system for a multi-function restroom, the automatic door system 10 may be configured by adding the door control unit 54 and the command input unit 36 ​​to the automatic door system for an entrance to a general building.

[0021] The notification unit 58 issues a predetermined notification to people around the automatic door system 10, including the user. The notification unit 58 can be a speaker that notifies people audibly, or an electronic signboard that notifies people visually. The notification output from the notification unit 58 is a notification selected by the door controller 54 from multiple predetermined types of notifications depending on the situation. Such notifications include a notification that the sliding door 20 will operate, guidance on how to operate the sliding door 20, a notification that an abnormality has occurred in the room, etc.

[0022] 3, the door controller 56, the door control unit 54, the motor 60, the protection sensor 48, and the alarm unit 58 are built into the transom 22. Each component does not need to be built into the transom 22, and various arrangements are possible, such as embedding the door control unit 54 together with the command input unit 36 ​​in the wall, or fixing the alarm unit 58 to the wall inside the room.

[0023] Next, the basic operation of the automatic door system 10 will be described.

[0024] When there is no one in the multi-function toilet 14, the automatic door device 10 keeps the sliding door 20 in a closed state. When a user arrives at the outdoor side of the sliding door 20 and presses the open button 38o on the outdoor command input unit 36o once, the open command input via the open button 38o is supplied from the outdoor command input unit 36o to the door control unit 54. The door control unit 54 supplies an open drive command to the door controller 56 to open the sliding door 20. The door controller 56 confirms with the open protection sensor 52 that no person or object is present within the open detection area S4, and drives the motor 60 to transition the sliding door 20 from the closed state to the open state in normal operation. The door controller 54 drives the sliding door 20 in two operating modes: inching operation and normal operation. Inching operation is an operation method in which the sliding door 20 is controlled and driven only while the user is pressing the button on the command input unit 36. In other words, the door controller 54 opens and closes the sliding door 20 by inching operation or small movement operation in response to the user's operation of the button on the command input unit 36. When the sliding door 20 is brought into a fully closed or fully open state by the inching operation, the door controller 54 may return the operation method to normal operation. In normal operation, when a user presses and releases a button once, the sliding door 20 is continuously driven and controlled to a fully closed or fully open state in accordance with the drive instruction corresponding to the pressed button. Once an open command or a close command is input to the command input unit 36 ​​and normal operation begins, the door controller 56 continues to drive the sliding door 20 until the sliding door 20 is fully closed or fully open, unless any of the protection sensors 48 enters a detection state and the door controller 54 issues a priority signal. This opens the doorway 16, allowing the user to enter the room. After entering the room, the user presses the close button 40i on the indoor command input unit 36i once. This sends a close command to the door control unit 54. The door control unit 54 sends a close drive command to the door controller 56 to close the sliding door 20. The door controller 56 confirms using the indoor close protection sensor 50i and the outdoor close protection sensor 50o that no person or object is present in the indoor close detection area S3 or the outdoor close detection area S2, and also confirms using the auxiliary photoelectric sensor 42 that no person or object is present in the auxiliary detection area S1, and then drives the motor 60 to transition the sliding door 20 from the open state to the closed state in normal operation. This allows the sliding door 20 to be opened or closed while ensuring the safety of the user. During this series of operations, when the auxiliary photoelectric sensor 42 that detects within the auxiliary detection area S1 enters a detection state, the door controller 54 stops or reverses the motor 60 via the door controller 56, thereby halting the closing operation of the sliding door 20.

[0025] Next, further operations of the automatic door system 10 will be described.

[0026] [First action] As explained with reference to FIG. 2, the indoor command input unit 36i is located near the entrance 16. Depending on the design of the multi-function toilet 14, the location of the indoor command input unit 36i and the indoor close detection area S3 may be close to or overlap each other in a top view. For example, if a user uses a wheelchair or walking aid, even if the user is outside the indoor close detection area S3, part of the wheelchair or other device may enter the indoor close detection area S3. In such a situation, the indoor close protection sensor 50i detects a person or object within the indoor close detection area S3. Prior art automatic door systems are configured not to close the sliding door even if the close button is pressed in such a situation.

[0027] Furthermore, for example, if the multi-function toilet 14 is located along a busy corridor, a person or object unrelated to the user may enter the exterior closed detection area S2. The automatic door device 10 of the prior art is configured not to close the sliding door 20 even if the user attempts to close it when a person or object unrelated to the user is present in the exterior closed detection area S2.

[0028] It is also conceivable that, for example, a diaper changing table 28 or cleaning tools on the interior side of the multi-function restroom 14 may be present in the open detection area S4. Conventional automatic door systems are configured so that, when the open protection sensor that detects the open detection area detects a person or object (hereinafter simply referred to as "the sensor is in a detection state"), the sliding door will not open even if the user presses the open button on the interior command input unit 36i once. In particular, if the open detection area is set with a large margin relative to the sliding door's movement path, the sliding door may not open even if it does not hit any object within the open detection area.

[0029] The automatic door system 10 according to this embodiment opens and closes the sliding door 20 using inching operation when an open or close command is input to the command input unit 36 ​​and the protection sensor 48 is in a detection state. Inching operation is an operation mode in which the motor 60 is driven only while the close button 40 of the command input unit 36 ​​is pressed. The door control unit 54 supplies a command to the door controller 56 to drive the motor 60 only while the close button 40 is pressed, and stops the command to drive the motor 60 when the close button 40 is released. This allows the sliding door 20 to be driven as intended by the user.

[0030] For example, suppose a wheelchair user enters a room and, with part of the wheelchair inside the room-side close detection area S3, presses the room-side close button 40i once to close the sliding door 20. The automatic door system 10 detects the presence of the wheelchair within the room-side close detection area S3 using the room-side close protection sensor 50i. The automatic door system 10 drives the sliding door 20 from the open position to the closed position only while the user continues to press the close button 40i. As soon as the user releases the close button 40i, the automatic door system 10 stops the sliding door 20. When the room-side close button 40i is pressed once while the room-side close protection sensor 50i, which detects the inside close detection area S3, is in a detection state, the door controller 54 may make an announcement via the alarm unit 58 informing the user that the sliding door 20 will continue to operate only while the close button 40i is being pressed, and to take care not to come into contact with the sliding door 20. During inching operation, it is preferable to drive the sliding door 20 at a slower speed than during normal operation.

[0031] When a user is near the indoor-side closed detection area S3, the outdoor-side closed detection area S2 and the indoor-side closed detection area S3 are within the user's field of vision. Therefore, the user can visually confirm the safety of the outdoor-side closed detection area S2 and the indoor-side closed detection area S3 while controlling the automatic door device 10. This allows the sliding door 20 to be opened or closed according to the user's intention, improving convenience while ensuring safety.

[0032] In particular, in a design in which the open detection area S4 is provided on the inside of the room, the open detection area S4 is also within the user's field of vision. Therefore, the same effect can be obtained by allowing inching operation when the open protection sensor 53 that detects the inside of the open detection area S4 is in a detection state.

[0033] If a person or object moves within the detection area 30 during inching operation and the protection sensor 48 goes into a non-detecting state, the door control device 54 may instruct the door controller 56 to perform normal operation. Specifically, the door control device 54 determines whether the detection state of the protection sensor 48 has changed and changes the operation mode based on the determination result. In other words, the door control device 54 also functions as a determination unit. As a result, the operation mode of the sliding door 20 changes from inching operation to normal operation, and the sliding door 20 continues to operate and transitions to a fully closed state even if the close button 40 is released. When the operation mode is changed, the door control device 54 may announce via the notification unit 58 that the sliding door 20 can transition to a fully closed state even if the close button 40 is released.

[0034] The protection sensor 48 that must be in a detection state for inching operation to be permitted may be set appropriately depending on the environment in which the automatic door system 10 is used (particularly the field of view of the person operating the indoor command input unit 36i).

[0035] [Second action] The automatic door device 10 may perform the following second operation in addition to or instead of the first operation. When the outside-side close protection sensor 50o is in a detection state and the close button 40i of the indoor-side instruction input unit 36i is pressed, the automatic door device 10 may close the sliding door 20 regardless of the detection result of the outside-side close protection sensor 50o. An example of a situation in which the close button 40i of the indoor-side instruction input unit 36i is pressed while the outside-side close protection sensor 50o is in a detection state is when a user is attempting to close the sliding door 20 from inside the room, but a person or object unrelated to the user is present in the outdoor passageway. In such a situation, a conventional automatic door device would not close the sliding door even if the indoor-side close switch was pressed. In response, the door controller 54 of the automatic door device 10 issues a close drive command to the door controller 56 to close the sliding door 20, regardless of the detection result of the outside-side close protection sensor 50o. As shown in FIG. 2 , the outside-side close detection area S2 can be seen from the position where the indoor-side instruction input unit 36i is installed. Therefore, safety can be ensured even if the sliding door 20 is closed regardless of the detection result of the exterior closing protection sensor 50o that is visible to the user. This improves convenience while ensuring safety.

[0036] The door controller 56 also refers to the detection result of the auxiliary photoelectric sensor 42, and if the exterior closing protection sensor 50o and the auxiliary photoelectric sensor 42 are in a detecting state, in order to ensure safety, will not drive the sliding door 20. In other words, the automatic door device 10 drives the sliding door 20 to close only when the auxiliary photoelectric sensor 42 is in a non-detecting state during the second operation.

[0037] Furthermore, when the sliding door 20 is driven to close while the exterior closing protection sensor 50o is in a detection state, the door control unit 54 may provide the door controller 56 with an instruction to change the speed of the sliding door 20 from the normal operating speed to a slower speed, thereby further enhancing safety.

[0038] Furthermore, the door controller 54 may make announcements via the alarm unit 58 when performing the second operation, informing the user that the sliding door 20 will be closed and that caution should be exercised not to touch the sliding door 20. Furthermore, when closing the sliding door 20, the door controller 54 may also notify the user via the alarm unit 58 of an operation method for stopping or controlling the sliding door 20 to open, in addition to informing the user that the sliding door 20 will be closed. In this case, the door controller 54 may announce via the alarm unit 58 that the sliding door 20 can be stopped or controlled to open by pressing the open button 38o of the outdoor instruction input unit 36o, for example. Furthermore, the door controller 54 may notify the user of the operation method by visual means, such as by flashing the open button 38o. In other words, it is conceivable that the instruction input unit 36, such as the open button 38o, may form part of the alarm unit. This makes it possible to inform passersby as well as users of the operation method.

[0039] By performing such a second operation, when a person or object unrelated to the user is present within the detection area 30, convenience for the user can be improved while ensuring safety.

[0040] [Third action] The automatic door system 10 may perform the following third operation in addition to or instead of the first and second operations. When an open or close instruction is input to the instruction input unit 36 ​​and the protection sensor 48 is in a detecting state, the automatic door system 10 may control the sliding door 20 so as not to drive until the protection sensor 48 becomes non-detecting. Specifically, when either the protection sensor 48 is in a detecting state and an open or close instruction is input to the indoor instruction input unit 36i or the outdoor instruction input unit 36o, the door control unit 54 withholds issuing an instruction to the door controller 56 to drive the sliding door 20 until the protection sensor 48 becomes non-detecting. After the protection sensor 48 becomes non-detecting, the door control unit 54 issues an instruction to the door controller 56 to drive the sliding door 20 in accordance with the instruction input to the instruction input unit 36.

[0041] By suspending the drive command from the door control unit 54 to the door controller 56 in this way, the sliding door 20 can be automatically driven after the protection sensor 48 goes into a non-detection state. This eliminates the need for the user to repeatedly operate the command input unit 36.

[0042] In addition, while the door control device 54 is withholding the drive instruction to the door controller 56 in accordance with the third operation, it may make an announcement via the alarm unit 58 that the sliding door 20 will be driven when no person or object is detected within the detection area 30.

[0043] Furthermore, if a person or object is detected again within the detection area 30 while the sliding door 20 is being driven in accordance with the third operation, the door controller 54 may supply an instruction to the door controller 56 to stop the sliding door 20. Furthermore, in this case, the door controller 54 may resume driving the sliding door 20 after a person or object is no longer detected within the detection area 30, without waiting for an open or close instruction from the user. This eliminates the need for the user to operate the instruction input unit 36 ​​every time the sliding door 20 stops.

[0044] [Fourth action] The automatic door system 10 may perform the following fourth operation in addition to or instead of the first to third operations. When an open or close command is input to the command input unit 36 ​​and the protection sensor 48 is in a detection state, the automatic door system 10 may control the sliding door 20 so that it does not operate until a predetermined time has elapsed. Specifically, when either the protection sensor 48 is in a detection state and an open or close command is input to the indoor-side command input unit 36i or the outdoor-side command input unit 36o, the door controller 54 withholds issuing a command to the door controller 56 to operate the sliding door 20 until the predetermined time has elapsed. The predetermined time is determined taking into account the time (e.g., 2 to 10 seconds) required for a user to move to a position where they can ensure their own safety. After the predetermined time has elapsed, the door controller 54 issues a command to the door controller 56 to operate the sliding door 20 in accordance with the command input to the command input unit 36.

[0045] The measurement of the predetermined time may start when an open command or a close command is input, or may start when, for example, the user inputs an open command or a close command again. In either case, the door controller 54 may make an announcement via the notification unit 58 that the sliding door 20 will operate after the predetermined time has elapsed, or that an open command or a close command needs to be input again to start measuring the predetermined time. In this example, the door controller 54 and the notification unit 58 function as a guide unit.

[0046] By not driving the sliding door 20 until a predetermined time has elapsed in this way, it is possible to delay opening or closing the sliding door 20 until the user ensures their own safety after operating the command input unit 36. The fourth operation is particularly useful, for example, when the command input unit 36 ​​is provided within or near one of the detection areas 30.

[0047] By not issuing a drive command from the door control unit 54 to the door controller 56 until a predetermined time has elapsed, the user has time to ensure safety. This allows for improved convenience while ensuring safety, even if the command input unit 36 ​​is located within the detection area 30, for example, because the automatic door system 10 is installed in a narrow space.

[0048] [5th ​​action] When driving the sliding door 20 to open, the automatic door device 10 may change the state of the open detection area S4 depending on the situation, as will be explained in the fifth operation below. The state of the detection area refers to at least one of the shape, area, and position of the detection area. In other words, the automatic door device 10 changes the state of the area, etc. of the detection area S4 to a predetermined state depending on the situation, such as the position of the sliding door 20. Depending on the situation, the automatic door device 10 may not change the state of the detection area S4, but may perform detection while keeping it fixed in its initial state. The control to change the open detection area S4 depending on the situation may be performed when driving the sliding door 20 to open based on the first to fourth operations, or it may be performed independently of the first to fourth operations.

[0049] The door controller 54 of the automatic door system 10 changes the state of the open detection area S4 when the open button 38 of the indoor command input unit 36i or the outdoor command input unit 36o is pressed. In this case, the door controller 54 functions as a detection area control unit. Hereinafter, the changed open detection area is referred to as the "variable open detection area S40." In the example shown in FIG. 2, the space on the trailing edge of the sliding door 20 in the closed state is defined as the open detection area S4, and the open protection sensor 52 detects a person or object within the entire open detection area S4. However, even if the sliding door 20 is opened while a person or object is present near the trailing edge of the open detection area S4, safety is often not immediately compromised. Therefore, the automatic door system 10 makes the open detection area S4 variable, defining only a predetermined distance from the trailing edge of the sliding door 20 as the variable open detection area S40 and excluding the rest of the area from the variable open detection area S40. In other words, the door controller 54 changes the area of ​​the detection area.

[0050] FIG. 4 is a top view of the automatic door system, showing the variable open detection area. The dashed line in the figure indicates the theoretically detectable area (open detection area S4 in FIG. 2) by the open protection sensor. As shown in FIG. 4, the variable open detection area S40 is limited to a certain distance L1 from the rear end of the sliding door 20 and is smaller than the open detection area S4. The door controller 54 also changes the position of the variable open detection area S40 as the sliding door 20 moves. The width W1 of the variable open detection area S40 along the main surface of the sliding door 20 is fixed and always constant. Therefore, the automatic door system 10 opens the sliding door 20 even if a person or object is detected at a position away from the rear end of the sliding door 20. This improves convenience while ensuring safety. When changing the area of ​​the variable open detection area S40, the door controller 54 activates only the near-infrared sensors corresponding to the small detection areas within the certain distance L1 from the rear end of the sliding door 20 and deactivates the other near-infrared sensors. This reduces the variable-open detection area S40. When changing the position of the variable-open detection area S40, the door controller 54 sequentially switches the near-infrared sensors to be activated or deactivated as the sliding door 20 moves.

[0051] Furthermore, changing the area of ​​the variable-open detection area S40 and moving it together with the trailing edge of the sliding door 20 means excluding the area through which the trailing edge of the sliding door 20 passes (the area on the opposite side to the direction of movement of the sliding door) from the variable-open detection area S40. Even if a person or object is detected within the area through which the trailing edge of the sliding door 20 passes while the sliding door 20 is open, it is believed that safety will not be immediately compromised. Therefore, even if a portion of the area is excluded from the variable-open detection area S40 as the sliding door 20 moves, convenience can be improved while ensuring safety.

[0052] Furthermore, in the fifth operation, only when the open button 38 on the outdoor command input unit 36o is pressed, the automatic door system 10 may operate all near-ultraviolet sensors to fix the open detection area S4 without changing the open detection area S4. In this case, the open detection area S4 cannot be seen from the outside, so fixing the open detection area S4 ensures safety.

[0053] [6th action] When driving the sliding door 20 to close, the automatic door device 10 may change the close detection areas S2 and S3 depending on the situation, as will be explained in the sixth operation below. The control to change the close detection areas S2 and S3 depending on the situation may be performed when driving the sliding door 20 to close based on the first to fourth operations, or may be performed independently of the first to fourth operations. Furthermore, when the automatic door device 10 drives the sliding door 20 to open, it may open it using the fifth operation, and when driving the sliding door 20 to close, it may close it using the sixth operation.

[0054] When the close button 40o on the indoor command input unit 36i or the outdoor command input unit 36o is pressed, the door controller 54 of the automatic door system 10 changes the closed detection areas S2 and S3. Hereinafter, the changed, active closed detection area is referred to as the "variable closed detection area S50." In the example shown in FIG. 2, the indoor and outdoor spaces on the door edge side of the sliding door 20 in the open state are defined as the closed detection areas S2 and S3, and the close protection sensor 50 detects people or objects within the entire closed detection area S2 and S3. However, even if the sliding door 20 is closed while a person or object is present near the door edge side of the closed detection areas S2 and S3, safety is often not immediately compromised. Therefore, the automatic door system 10 changes the closed detection areas S2 and S3, so that only a predetermined distance from the door edge side of the sliding door 20 is defined as the variable closed detection area S50, and the rest of the area is excluded from the variable closed detection area S50 (i.e., disabled).

[0055] FIG. 5 is a top view of an automatic door system, showing the variable close detection area. In the figure, the dashed lines indicate the theoretically detectable area (close detection areas S2 and S3 in FIG. 2) by the close protection sensor. While both the indoor and outdoor close detection areas are variable in FIG. 5, only one of the areas may be variable. As shown in FIG. 5, the variable close detection area S50 is limited to a certain distance L2 from the leading edge of the sliding door 20, and the variable close detection area S50 moves within the detectable area as the sliding door 20 moves. The width W2 of the variable close detection area S50 along the main surface of the sliding door 20 is fixed and always constant. Therefore, the automatic door system 10 can close the sliding door 20 even if a person or object is detected at a position away from the leading edge of the sliding door 20. This ensures safety while enhancing convenience. When changing the variable close detection area S50, the door controller 54 operates only the near-infrared sensors corresponding to the small detection area within a certain distance L2 from the edge of the sliding door 20, and stops the other near-infrared sensors. The door controller 54 switches the near-infrared sensors to be operated or stopped as the sliding door 20 moves.

[0056] Furthermore, making the variable closed detection area S50 variable and moving it together with the edge of the sliding door 20 means that the area through which the edge of the sliding door 20 on the door edge side passes (the area on the opposite side to the direction of movement of the sliding door) is excluded from the variable closed detection area S50. Even if a person or object is detected within the area through which the edge of the sliding door 20 on the door edge side passes when the sliding door 20 is closed, it is believed that safety will not be immediately compromised. Therefore, even if a part of the area is excluded from the variable closed detection area S50 as the sliding door 20 moves, convenience can be improved while ensuring safety.

[0057] Furthermore, in the sixth operation, when the sliding door 20 is driven to close due to a factor other than a close command input to the command input unit 36, the close detection areas S2 and S3 may not be variable, and all near-ultraviolet sensors may be operated to fix the close detection areas S2 and S3. An example of a case in which the sliding door 20 is driven to close due to a factor other than a close command input to the command input unit 36 ​​is when a user forgets to close the sliding door 20 after leaving the room, and the sliding door 20 remains open for a predetermined period of time or longer. In such a case, since it is assumed that there is no user nearby, the automatic door device 10 fixes the close detection areas S2 and S3 and drives the sliding door 20 to close based on the detection results within the fixed close detection areas S2 and S3.

[0058] Any combination of the above components, or mutual substitution of the components or expressions of the present invention between methods, devices, systems, etc., are also effective as aspects of the present invention.

[0059] The present invention has been described above based on an embodiment. This embodiment is merely an example, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible in the combination of the components and processing steps, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 10: Automatic door device 20: Sliding door 30: Detection area 36: Instruction input section 36i: Indoor instruction input section 36o: Outdoor instruction input section 42: Auxiliary photoelectric sensor 48: Protective sensor 50: Closed protection sensor 50i: Indoor closed protection sensor 50o: Outdoor closed protection sensor 52: Open protection sensor 54: Multi-function toilet automatic door controller 56: Door controller 58: Information Department S1: Auxiliary detection area S2: Outdoor closed detection area S3: Indoor closed detection area S4: Open detection area S40: Variable open detection area S50: Variable closed detection area

Claims

1. A sliding door that separates the inside from the outside, a closing protection sensor that detects a person or object within a detection area provided near the sliding door; a close command input unit that is provided in the room and into which a command to close the sliding door is input; a control unit that controls the sliding door to close, The control unit controls the sliding door to close when a close command is input to the close command input unit, regardless of the detection result of the close protection sensor in the detection area on the outdoor side. Automatic door device.

2. 2. The automatic door system of claim 1, wherein when a close command is input to the close command input unit and the close protection sensor is in a detecting state, the control unit controls the sliding door to close at a slower speed than when the close protection sensor is in a non-detecting state.

3. an auxiliary sensor having an auxiliary detection area in the opening where the sliding door is provided; 3. The automatic door system of claim 1, wherein the control unit stops the closing drive control of the sliding door when a close command is input to the close command input unit provided on the indoor side and the auxiliary sensor is in a detection state.

4. The automatic door system of any one of claims 1 to 3 further comprises an alarm unit that notifies the user that the sliding door is about to close if the closing protection sensor is in a detection state when the control unit controls the sliding door to close based on a close instruction input to the close instruction input unit.

5. A sliding door that separates the inside from the outside, a protection sensor that detects a person or object within a detection area provided near the sliding door; an instruction input unit to which an instruction to open or close the sliding door is input; a control unit that controls the opening or closing of the sliding door, When an open / close command is input to the command input unit and the protection sensor is in a detection state, the control unit does not control the sliding door to be opened or closed until the protection sensor is in a non-detection state. Automatic door device.

6. The control unit includes a drive control unit that controls a drive source of the sliding door, and an instruction supply control unit that supplies a drive instruction for the drive source to the drive control unit, 6. The automatic door system of claim 5, wherein when an open / close command is input to the command input unit and the protection sensor is in a detecting state, the command supply control unit supplies the drive command to the drive control unit after the protection sensor becomes a non-detecting state.

7. A sliding door that separates the inside from the outside, a protection sensor that detects a person or object within a detection area provided near the sliding door; an instruction input unit to which an instruction to open or close the sliding door is input; a control unit that controls the opening or closing of the sliding door, The control unit does not control the sliding door to open or close until a predetermined time has elapsed when an open / close command is input to the command input unit and the protection sensor is in a detection state.

8. a guidance unit that provides guidance regarding input of an open or close instruction to the instruction input unit, the guidance unit guides the user to re-input an open or close instruction to the instruction input unit, the control unit starts measuring the predetermined time when an open or close instruction identical to the open or close instruction inputted to the instruction input unit is inputted again to the instruction input unit.

8. The automatic door system according to claim 7.

9. A sliding door that separates the inside from the outside, An opening protection sensor that detects a person or object within an opening detection area provided near the door end of the sliding door; an open command input unit that inputs an open command to a control unit that controls the sliding door to open; a detection area control unit that changes the state of the open detection area when an open command is input to the open command input unit provided on the indoor side, Automatic door device.

10. 10. The automatic door system of claim 9, wherein the detection area control unit is provided on the exterior side of the room and does not change the state of the open detection area when an instruction to open the sliding door is input.

11. the detection area control unit changes the position of the opening detection area so that the opening detection area is limited to within a predetermined range from the front end of the sliding door in the moving direction; 11. The automatic door system according to claim 9 or 10.

12. 11. The automatic door system according to claim 9, wherein the detection area control unit changes the area of ​​the open detection area so that a portion of the open detection area through which the front end of the sliding door in the movement direction has passed is excluded from the effective detection area.

13. A sliding door that separates the inside from the outside, A closing protection sensor that detects a person or object within a closing detection area provided near the door end of the sliding door; a close command input unit to which a close command is input to a control unit that controls the sliding door to close; The automatic door system further comprises a detection area control unit that varies the close detection area when a close command is input to the close command input unit provided on the indoor side.

14. The automatic door system of claim 13, wherein the detection area control unit does not change the close detection area when a close command is input to the control unit by any means other than a close command input to the close command input unit provided inside the room.

15. 15. The automatic door system according to claim 13, wherein the detection area control unit changes the position of the close detection area so that the close detection area is limited to a predetermined range from a front end of the sliding door in a moving direction.

16. 15. The automatic door system according to claim 13, wherein the detection area control unit changes the area of ​​the close detection area so that a portion of the close detection area through which the front end of the sliding door in the movement direction has passed is excluded from the effective detection area.

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