Passenger conveyor system

Abstract

To obtain accurate diagnostic results in diagnostic operation of an outdoor passenger conveyor.SOLUTION: A passenger conveyor system according to an embodiment diagnoses the condition of an outdoor passenger conveyor. The passenger conveyor system includes a control device that controls the operation of the passenger conveyor and a remote monitoring device that acquires weather data including at least weather information indicating the weather in the area where the passenger conveyor is installed. The control device includes a memory unit that stores the weather data acquired by the remote monitoring device between the previous start-up time of the passenger conveyor and the current start-up time, a weather determination unit that, at the start-up time, determines whether rain or snow has fallen between the previous start-up time and the current start-up time based on the weather information included in the stored weather data, and an information processing unit that, if it is determined that there has been no rain or snow, starts the passenger conveyor and operates it in a predetermined operating mode, thereby diagnosing the condition of the passenger conveyor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention relates to a passenger conveyor system. [Background technology]

[0002] Some passenger conveyors (e.g., escalators, moving walkways, etc.) are designed to be installed outdoors. Generally, the components that make up such outdoor passenger conveyors are waterproofed, but not all components are waterproofed. For example, drive chains, connecting chains (step chains), handrail drive chains, etc. are not waterproofed. For this reason, when it rains or snows, the lubricating oil applied to the chains can be washed away.

[0003] Incidentally, a passenger conveyor may undergo a diagnostic operation to diagnose the condition of various devices (components) that make up the passenger conveyor. In order to obtain accurate diagnostic results during the diagnostic operation, it is important to match the conditions to those of previous diagnostic operations (for example, to perform the diagnostic operation with no passengers on the passenger conveyor).

[0004] However, in the case of the outdoor passenger conveyor described above, if rain or snow falls and moisture gets into the truss, the lubricating oil on the chains may be washed away, and diagnostic operation may be performed with less lubricating oil than in previous diagnostic operations. In this case, accurate diagnostic results cannot be obtained. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-107837 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 07-305797 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a passenger conveyor system that is capable of obtaining accurate diagnostic results during diagnostic operation of an outdoor passenger conveyor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to one embodiment, a passenger conveyor system diagnoses the condition of an outdoor passenger conveyor. The passenger conveyor system includes a control device that controls the operation of the passenger conveyor and a remote monitoring device that periodically acquires weather data from a weather data server, the weather data including at least weather information indicating the weather in the area where the passenger conveyor is installed. The control device includes a memory unit that stores time information indicating a start time of the passenger conveyor and weather data acquired by the remote monitoring device between the previous start time of the passenger conveyor and the current start time, a weather determination unit that, when the start time indicated by the time information arrives, determines whether rain or snow has fallen between the previous start time and the current start time based on the weather information included in the stored weather data, and an information processing unit that, if the weather determination unit determines that there has been no rain or snow, starts the passenger conveyor, operates it in a predetermined operating mode, and diagnoses the condition of the passenger conveyor. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration example of a passenger conveyor system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of some elements included in the passenger conveyor system according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the passenger conveyor system in the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the disclosure is merely an example, and the invention is not limited to the contents described in the following embodiments. Modifications that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art are naturally included in the scope of the disclosure. For clearer explanation, the size, shape, etc. of each part may be changed from the actual embodiment and shown schematically in the drawings. In multiple drawings, corresponding elements may be given the same reference numerals, and detailed explanations may be omitted.

[0010] In the following, a case will be described in which the passenger conveyor included in the passenger conveyor system is an "outdoor escalator."

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of a passenger conveyor system according to this embodiment. The passenger conveyor system includes an outdoor escalator 10 and is a system capable of diagnosing the status of various pieces of equipment that make up the escalator 10 (a system capable of collecting operational information about the various pieces of equipment that make up the escalator 10). As shown in FIG. 1, the escalator 10 is installed at an angle between a lower floor and an upper floor outdoors, for example. Note that the example shown in FIG. 1 assumes that the lower floor side is the entrance to the escalator 10 and the upper floor side is the exit to the escalator 10.

[0012] The escalator 10 shown in Figure 1 is configured to transport passengers (users) on the steps 11 by moving multiple steps 11, which are connected without gaps, in a circular motion between a lower machine room 12 (entrance) and an upper machine room 13 (exit).

[0013] The steps 11 are connected by an endless connecting chain 14 and are arranged inside a truss 15 installed under the floor. Inside the truss 15, a lower sprocket 16 and an upper sprocket 17 are arranged, and the connecting chain 14 is wound between them.

[0014] In the example shown in Fig. 1, a drive unit 18 having a motor, a reducer, etc. is connected to the upper sprocket 17. The drive unit 18 rotates the lower sprocket 16 and the upper sprocket 17 around which the connecting chain 14 is wound, and the steps 11 move cyclically between the lower machine room 12 and the upper machine room 13 via the connecting chain 14 while being guided by a guide rail (not shown). Although the drive unit 18 is connected to the upper sprocket 17 in Fig. 1, the drive unit 18 may also be connected to the lower sprocket 16.

[0015] Furthermore, a pair of skirt guards (not shown) are installed on the top of the truss 15 along the direction of movement of the steps 11 so as to face both side surfaces of each step 11. A balustrade 19 is erected on top of each pair of skirt guards. In other words, the balustrades 19 are erected on both sides of each step 11. A belt-like handrail 20 is attached around the periphery of the balustrade 19. The handrail 20 is a handrail that is held by passengers on the steps 11, and rotates in synchronization with the movement of the steps 11 by transmitting the driving force of, for example, a drive unit 18.

[0016] The entrances (boarding entrance and exit entrance) of escalator 10 are located above lower machine room 12 and upper machine room 13, and removable boarding and alighting plates 22 and 23 are respectively installed at the entrances. Boarding and alighting plates 22 and 23 correspond to the ceilings of lower machine room 12 and upper machine room 13. Passengers walk over boarding and alighting plate 22 when getting on escalator 10 (steps 11), and walk over boarding and alighting plate 23 when getting off escalator 10 (steps 11).

[0017] In addition to the drive unit 18, a control device 21 is also installed in the upper machine room 13. The control device 21 controls the operation of various devices (for example, the operation of the drive unit 18) installed on the escalator 10 in order to control the operation of the escalator 10.

[0018] An automatic oil supply device 24 is also installed in the upper machine room 13. The automatic oil supply device 24 is a device that can automatically supply oil such as lubricating oil, and supplies the lubricating oil to the connecting chain 14 via an oil suction pipe 25. The automatic oil supply device 24 and the oil suction pipe 25 may also be installed in the lower machine room 12.

[0019] The detection device 26 is, for example, an infrared beam sensor including a light projector 26a and a light receiver 26b, and the light projector 26a and the light receiver 26b are installed near the boarding and disembarking area so as to face each other. For example, the light projector 26a is installed on a deck cover near the boarding entrance with an irradiation port that emits an infrared beam facing the disembarking entrance (facing the light receiver 26b side), and the light receiver 26b is installed on a deck cover near the disembarking entrance with a light receiving surface that receives the infrared beam facing the boarding entrance (facing the light projector 26a side).

[0020] The remote monitoring device 27 is installed near the control device 21 and is connected to the control device 21 by wire. The remote monitoring device 27 is also connected to a monitoring center (not shown) so as to be able to communicate with it. Furthermore, the remote monitoring device 27 is also connected to a weather data server (not shown) so as to be able to communicate with it.

[0021] Remote monitoring device 27 transmits to the monitoring center information indicating the status of various devices constituting escalator 10 (diagnosis result information, the details of which will be described later) obtained from control device 21 and information indicating the operating status of escalator 10. Remote monitoring device 27 also receives various instructions (e.g., diagnostic instructions) from the monitoring center and outputs the received instructions to control device 21.

[0022] Furthermore, the remote monitoring device 27 periodically acquires weather data from the weather data server and outputs the acquired weather data to the control device 21. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the remote monitoring device 27 acquires weather data from the weather data server every hour, but the time interval at which the remote monitoring device 27 acquires weather data from the weather data server may be set to any value.

[0023] The weather data includes at least weather information indicating the weather in the area where the escalator 10 is installed. In addition to the weather information described above, the weather data may further include information indicating the temperature, humidity, amount of precipitation, amount of snowfall, amount of solar radiation, wind direction, wind speed, etc. in the area where the escalator 10 is installed.

[0024] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of some elements included in the passenger conveyor system according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 21 is connected to both the detection device 26 and the remote monitoring device 27.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 2, remote monitoring device 27 includes communication unit 27a, control unit 27b, and storage unit 27c. Communication unit 27a is a communication interface for communicating with control device 21, the monitoring center, and the weather data server. Control unit 27b controls the operation of remote monitoring device 27. Storage unit 27c stores weather data periodically acquired from the weather data server via communication unit 27a. Note that storage unit 27c stores weather data acquired from the weather data server from the previous activation time of escalator 10 to the current activation time.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 21 includes a storage unit 21a, a user presence determination unit 21b, a weather determination unit 21c, an information processing unit 21d, and an operation control unit 21e.

[0027] The storage unit 21a stores start time information indicating the start time (operation start time) of the escalator 10. The storage unit 21a may further store stop time information indicating the stop time (operation end time) of the escalator 10. The storage unit 21a may also store operation schedule information including the start time information and the stop time information.

[0028] In addition to the information relating to the time as described above, memory unit 21a also stores weather data acquired by remote monitoring device 27, more specifically, weather data acquired by remote monitoring device 27 between the previous start-up time of escalator 10 and the current start-up time.

[0029] User presence determination unit 21b continuously (repeatedly) determines whether or not a user is present on escalator 10, based on the detection results obtained from detection device 26, from the start-up time of escalator 10 onward, which is indicated by the start-up time information stored in storage unit 21a. Note that, as an example here, detection device 26 is assumed to be switched from off to on and to start irradiating an infrared beam from projector 26a toward light receiver 26b when the start-up time of escalator 10 arrives, but is not limited thereto, and detection device 26 may be configured to constantly irradiate an infrared beam from projector 26a toward light receiver 26b. Furthermore, detection device 26 may be switched from on to off when, for example, a series of processes shown in FIG. 3, which will be described later, is completed.

[0030] If the result of the determination made by the user presence determination unit 21b at the start time indicates that there are no users on the escalator 10, the weather determination unit 21c determines whether there has been rain or snowfall between the previous start time and the current start time based on the weather information included in the weather data stored in the memory unit 21a.

[0031] If the weather data stored in memory 21a contains weather data including weather information indicating rain or snow, weather determination unit 21c determines that rain or snow has fallen between the previous startup time and the current startup time. On the other hand, if the weather data stored in memory 21a does not contain weather data including weather information indicating rain or snow (for example, if only weather data including weather information indicating sunny or cloudy exists), weather determination unit 21c determines that there has been no rain or snow between the previous startup time and the current startup time.

[0032] If the result of the determination by the weather determination unit 21c indicates that rain or snow has fallen between the previous start-up time and the current start-up time, the information processing unit 21d does not perform a diagnosis in each operation mode, which will be described later. More specifically, after starting the escalator 10, the information processing unit 21d outputs an instruction to the operation control unit 21e to set the operation mode of the escalator 10 to the normal operation mode without performing a diagnosis in each operation mode. Upon receiving the instruction to set the operation mode of the escalator 10 to the normal operation mode from the information processing unit 21d, the operation control unit 21e controls the operation of the drive device 18 so as to operate the escalator 10 normally. The normal operation mode is an operation mode in which the escalator 10 operates at a travel speed of, for example, 30 m / min.

[0033] On the other hand, when the result of the determination by weather determination unit 21c indicates that there has been no rainfall or snowfall between the previous start-up time and the current start-up time, information processing unit 21d starts escalator 10 and outputs an instruction to operation control unit 21e to set the operation mode of escalator 10 to low-speed operation mode (predetermined operation mode). Upon receiving the instruction to set the operation mode of escalator 10 to low-speed operation mode from information processing unit 21d, operation control unit 21e controls the operation of drive device 18 so as to operate escalator 10 at low speed. The low-speed operation mode is an operation mode in which escalator 10 operates at a travel speed of, for example, 10 m / min.

[0034] If the result of the determination made by the user presence determination unit 21b when low-speed operation is initiated indicates that there are no users on the escalator 10, the information processing unit 21d performs a diagnosis of the various devices that make up the escalator 10 while the escalator 10 is operating in low-speed operation mode.

[0035] Furthermore, when the result of the determination made by user presence determination unit 21b upon completion of the diagnosis in the low-speed operation mode indicates that there is no user on escalator 10, information processing unit 21d outputs an instruction to operation control unit 21e to switch the operation mode of escalator 10 from the low-speed operation mode to an energy-saving operation mode (another operation mode). Upon receiving an instruction from information processing unit 21d to switch the operation mode of escalator 10 from the low-speed operation mode to the energy-saving operation mode, operation control unit 21e controls the operation of drive device 18 so as to operate escalator 10 in an energy-saving manner. The energy-saving operation mode is an operation mode in which escalator 10 operates at a travel speed of, for example, 20 m / min.

[0036] If the result of the determination made by the user presence determination unit 21b when energy-saving operation is started indicates that there are no users on the escalator 10, the information processing unit 21d performs a diagnosis of the various devices that make up the escalator 10 while the escalator 10 is operating in energy-saving operation mode.

[0037] Furthermore, when the result of the determination made by user presence determination unit 21b upon completion of the diagnosis in the energy-saving operation mode indicates that there is no user on escalator 10, information processing unit 21d outputs an instruction to operation control unit 21e to switch the operation mode of escalator 10 from the energy-saving operation mode to the normal operation mode. Upon receiving the instruction to switch the operation mode of escalator 10 from the energy-saving operation mode to the normal operation mode from information processing unit 21d, operation control unit 21e controls the operation of drive device 18 so as to operate escalator 10 normally.

[0038] If the result of the determination made by the user presence determination unit 21b when normal operation begins indicates that there are no users on the escalator 10, the information processing unit 21d performs a diagnosis of the various devices that make up the escalator 10 while the escalator 10 is operating in normal operation mode.

[0039] Diagnostic result information indicating the results of the diagnoses performed in the low-speed operation mode, the energy-saving operation mode, and the normal operation mode is stored in the storage unit 21a as soon as the diagnostic result for each operation mode is available. That is, diagnostic result information indicating the results of the diagnosis performed in the low-speed operation mode is stored in the storage unit 21a as soon as the diagnosis in the low-speed operation mode is completed and the diagnostic result is available. Similarly, diagnostic result information indicating the results of the diagnosis performed in the energy-saving operation mode is stored in the storage unit 21a as soon as the diagnosis in the energy-saving operation mode is completed and the diagnostic result is available. Furthermore, diagnostic result information indicating the results of the diagnosis performed in the normal operation mode is stored in the storage unit 21a as soon as the diagnosis in the normal operation mode is completed and the diagnostic result is available. When all the diagnostic result information relating to the current diagnostic operation is stored in the storage unit 21a, the diagnostic result information stored in the storage unit 21a is transmitted via the remote monitoring device 27 to a monitoring center (not shown).

[0040] In addition, if the result of the determination made by the user presence determination unit 21b at the start time indicates that a user is on the escalator 10, the information processing unit 21d will not start the escalator 10 because there is a risk that the user may fall.

[0041] Furthermore, when escalator 10 starts to operate in each operation mode or when diagnosis in each operation mode is completed, if the result of the determination made by user presence determination unit 21b indicates that a user is present on escalator 10, information processing unit 21d outputs to operation control unit 21e an instruction to switch the operation mode of escalator 10 to the normal operation mode. In this case, information processing unit 21d transmits diagnosis result information indicating that the diagnosis of various devices constituting escalator 10 has failed to the monitoring center via remote monitoring device 27. Alternatively, information processing unit 21d transmits diagnosis result information indicating the results of the diagnosis performed before it was determined that a user is present on escalator 10, out of the diagnoses performed in each operation mode, to the monitoring center via remote monitoring device 27.

[0042] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the passenger conveyor system according to this embodiment. When the activation time indicated by the activation time information stored in the memory unit 21a arrives (step S1), the user presence determination unit 21b determines whether or not a user is present on the escalator 10 based on the detection result obtained from the detection device 26 at this timing (step S2).

[0043] As a result of the determination in step S2, if it is determined that a user is on the escalator 10 (Yes in step S2), the information processing unit 21d does not start the escalator 10, and executes the process of step S2 again.

[0044] On the other hand, if the result of the judgment in step S2 is that there is no user on the escalator 10 (No in step S2), the weather judgment unit 21c judges whether there has been rain or snowfall between the previous start-up time and the current start-up time based on the weather information contained in the weather data stored in the memory unit 21a (step S3).

[0045] If it is determined in step S3 that rain or snow has fallen between the previous activation time and the current activation time (Yes in step S3), information processing unit 21d starts escalator 10 and outputs an instruction to operation control unit 21e to set the operation mode of escalator 10 to the normal operation mode. Operation control unit 21e controls the operation of drive device 18 so as to operate escalator 10 normally in accordance with the instruction from information processing unit 21d (step S4). Thereafter, information processing unit 21d transmits diagnosis result information indicating that the diagnosis of various devices constituting escalator 10 has failed to the monitoring center via remote monitoring device 27 (i.e., notifies the monitoring center that the diagnosis has failed) (step S5), and ends the series of operations here. In addition, if the weather determination unit 21c determines that snow has fallen and snow accumulation on the escalator 10 is separately detected, the information processing unit 21d may operate to stop the operation of the escalator 10 without starting the escalator 10.

[0046] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3 that there has been no rain or snowfall between the previous activation time and the current activation time (No in step S3), information processing unit 21d starts escalator 10 and outputs an instruction to operation control unit 21e to set the operation mode of escalator 10 to the low-speed operation mode. Operation control unit 21e controls the operation of drive device 18 to operate escalator 10 at low speed in accordance with the instruction from information processing unit 21d (step S6).

[0047] When the escalator 10 starts to operate in the low-speed operation mode, the user presence determining unit 21b determines whether or not a user is present on the escalator 10 based on the detection result acquired from the detection device 26 at this timing (step S7).

[0048] If it is determined in step S7 that a user is present on escalator 10 (Yes in step S7), the processes in steps S4 and S5 described above are executed in sequence. That is, after switching the operation mode of escalator 10 to the normal operation mode, information processing unit 21d and operation control unit 21e notify the monitoring center that the diagnosis of the various devices constituting escalator 10 has failed, and then the series of operations here is terminated.

[0049] On the other hand, if the result of the judgment in step S7 is that there is no user on the escalator 10 (No in step S7), the information processing unit 21d performs a diagnosis of the various devices that make up the escalator 10 while operating the escalator 10 in low-speed operation mode (step S8).

[0050] When the diagnosis in the low-speed operation mode is completed, user presence determining unit 21b determines whether or not a user is present on escalator 10 based on the detection result acquired from detector 26 at this timing (step S9).

[0051] As a result of the determination in step S9, if it is determined that a user is on the escalator 10 (Yes in step S9), the processes in steps S4 and S5 described above are executed in order.

[0052] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S9 that there is no user on escalator 10 (No in step S9), information processing unit 21d outputs an instruction to operation control unit 21e to switch the operation mode of escalator 10 from the low-speed operation mode to the energy-saving operation mode. In accordance with the instruction from information processing unit 21d, operation control unit 21e controls the operation of drive device 18 so as to operate escalator 10 in an energy-saving manner (step S10).

[0053] When the escalator 10 starts to operate in the energy-saving operation mode, the user presence determining unit 21b determines whether or not a user is present on the escalator 10 based on the detection result acquired from the detection device 26 at this timing (step S11).

[0054] As a result of the determination in step S11, if it is determined that a user is on the escalator 10 (Yes in step S11), the processes in steps S4 and S5 described above are executed in order.

[0055] On the other hand, if the result of the judgment in step S11 is that there is no user on the escalator 10 (No in step S11), the information processing unit 21d performs a diagnosis of the various devices that make up the escalator 10 while operating the escalator 10 in energy-saving operation mode (step S12).

[0056] When the diagnosis in the energy saving operation mode is completed, the user presence determining unit 21b determines whether or not a user is present on the escalator 10 based on the detection result acquired from the detection device 26 at this timing (step S13).

[0057] As a result of the determination in step S13, if it is determined that a user is on the escalator 10 (Yes in step S13), the processes in steps S4 and S5 described above are executed in order.

[0058] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S13 that there is no user on escalator 10 (No in step S13), information processing unit 21d outputs an instruction to operation control unit 21e to switch the operation mode of escalator 10 from the energy-saving operation mode to the normal operation mode. In accordance with the instruction from information processing unit 21d, operation control unit 21e controls the operation of drive device 18 so as to operate escalator 10 normally (step S14).

[0059] When the escalator 10 starts to operate in the normal operation mode, the user presence determining unit 21b determines whether or not a user is present on the escalator 10 based on the detection result acquired from the detection device 26 at this timing (step S15).

[0060] As a result of the determination in step S15, if it is determined that a user is on the escalator 10 (Yes in step S15), the processes in steps S4 and S5 described above are executed in order.

[0061] On the other hand, if the result of the judgment in step S15 is that there is no user on the escalator 10 (No in step S15), the information processing unit 21d performs a diagnosis of the various devices that make up the escalator 10 while operating the escalator 10 in normal operation mode (step S16).

[0062] Thereafter, the information processing unit 21d transmits (notifies) the diagnostic result information indicating the results of the diagnoses performed in each operating mode to the monitoring center via the remote monitoring device 27 (step S17), thereby completing the series of operations.

[0063] As described above, the passenger conveyor system of this embodiment includes a remote monitoring device 27 that periodically acquires weather data including at least weather information indicating the weather in the area where the escalator 10 is installed from a weather data server; a memory unit 21a that stores the weather data acquired by the remote monitoring device 27 between the previous start-up time of the escalator 10 and the current start-up time; a weather determination unit 21c that, when the start-up time of the escalator 10 arrives, determines whether there has been rainfall or snowfall between the previous start-up time and the current start-up time based on the weather information included in the weather data stored in the memory unit 21a; and an information processing unit 21d that controls the operation of the escalator 10 so that a diagnostic operation is carried out if the weather determination unit 21c determines that there has been no rainfall or snowfall, and so that the diagnostic operation is not carried out if it determines that there has been rainfall or snowfall.

[0064] This prevents the lubricating oil applied to chains such as the connecting chain 14 from being washed away due to rain or snow, which can lead to diagnostic operation being performed with a low level of lubricating oil. In other words, the passenger conveyor system according to this embodiment makes it possible to perform diagnostic operation under the same weather conditions, and to obtain accurate diagnostic results from the outdoor escalator 10.

[0065] In this embodiment, the information processing unit 21d does not perform diagnostic operation if the weather determination unit 21c determines that rain or snow has fallen. However, for example, if the diagnostic result information with weather information added is transmitted to the monitoring center, diagnostic operation may be performed even if the weather determination unit 21c determines that rain or snow has fallen.

[0066] If diagnostic operation is not performed when there is rain or snow, accurate diagnostic results can always be obtained, but since there will be days when diagnostic operation is not performed, for example, when performing data analysis on diagnostic result information over a certain period of time, there is a possibility that data will be missing and accurate data analysis will not be possible.In contrast, by performing diagnostic operation even when there is rain or snow and collecting diagnostic result information with weather information added as reference data, the above-mentioned data loss will not occur and accurate data analysis (highly reliable data analysis) can be performed.

[0067] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the information processing unit 21d does not perform diagnostic operation if the weather determination unit 21c determines that rain or snow has fallen. However, even if it is determined that rain or snow has fallen, diagnostic operation may be performed while lubricating oil is supplied to the connecting chains 14 by the automatic oil supply device 24. In this way, even if rain or snow causes moisture to enter the truss interior and the lubricating oil applied to chains such as the connecting chains 14 is washed away, diagnostic operation can be performed while lubricating oil is replenished.

[0068] In this embodiment, the information processing unit 21d does not perform diagnostic operation if the result of the determination by the weather determination unit 21c indicates that rainfall or snowfall has occurred. However, for example, if the weather determination unit 21c determines that rainfall or snowfall has occurred, the weather determination unit 21c may further determine whether or not the escalator 10 is still affected by rainfall or snowfall based on information other than the weather information included in the weather data stored in the memory unit 21a (for example, information on at least one of temperature, humidity, amount of precipitation, amount of snowfall, amount of solar radiation, wind direction, and wind speed), and the information processing unit 21d may determine whether or not to perform diagnostic operation based on the result of this determination by the weather determination unit 21c.

[0069] Specifically, if the result of the above-mentioned judgment by the weather judgment unit 21c indicates that the escalator is still affected by rainfall or snowfall, the information processing unit 21d may operate the escalator 10 in normal operation mode without performing diagnostic operation, and if the result of the above-mentioned judgment by the weather judgment unit 21c indicates that the escalator is no longer affected by rainfall or snowfall (for example, if there has been rainfall or snowfall but the amount of precipitation due to rainfall is small or the amount of snowfall due to snowfall is small, and further consideration of the temperature, humidity, etc. makes it possible to determine that the escalator is no longer affected by rainfall or snowfall), the information processing unit 21d may perform diagnostic operation.

[0070] Furthermore, when the start time indicated by the start time information stored in advance in memory unit 21a arrives, the passenger conveyor system according to this embodiment determines whether or not a user is present on escalator 10 based on the detection result acquired from detection device 24 at that start time, and if it is determined that no user is present, starts escalator 10. This allows escalator 10 to be started safely and automatically, eliminating the need for a manager to visit the site to start escalator 10 and reducing the burden on the manager.

[0071] Furthermore, when the escalator 10 is started, the passenger conveyor system according to this embodiment operates the escalator 10 in succession in a low-speed operation mode, an energy-saving operation mode, and a normal operation mode, each of which has a different movement speed, and diagnoses the various devices that make up the escalator 10. This allows automatic diagnosis of the escalator 10 to be performed every time the escalator 10 is started, making it possible to detect any abnormalities that may occur in the escalator 10 at an early stage. Furthermore, since maintenance personnel can perform periodic inspection work based on the results of the automatic diagnosis performed every time the escalator 10 is started, a reduction in the number of work steps required during periodic inspections (i.e., a reduction in the burden on maintenance personnel during periodic inspection work) can also be expected.

[0072] In this embodiment, the case where the escalator 10 is started safely and automatically has been described, but the escalator 10 can also be stopped safely and automatically by performing the same processing as that performed when starting the escalator 10 (i.e., by executing the processing of steps S1 and S2 shown in FIG. 3). This makes it possible to reduce the burden on the administrator not only when starting the escalator 10, but also when stopping the escalator 10.

[0073] In this embodiment, the case where the detection device 26 is an infrared beam sensor has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the detection device 26 may be any device that can detect the presence of a user on the escalator 10. For example, the detection device 26 may be a camera that is attached to a sensor pole and can take pictures of the top of the escalator 10.

[0074] In addition, in this embodiment, the case where the passenger conveyor included in the passenger conveyor system is an outdoor escalator 10 has been described, but this is not limited to this, and the passenger conveyor included in the passenger conveyor system may be, for example, an "outdoor moving walkway."

[0075] According to the embodiment described above, it is possible to provide a passenger conveyor system that is capable of obtaining accurate diagnostic results in diagnostic operation of an outdoor passenger conveyor.

[0076] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the inventions and their equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 10...escalator, 11...step, 12...lower machine room, 13...upper machine room, 14...connecting chain, 15...truss, 16...lower sprocket, 17...upper sprocket, 18...drive unit, 19...balustrade, 20...handrail, 21...control device, 21a...memory unit, 21b...passenger presence determination unit, 21c...weather determination unit, 21d...information processing unit, 21e...operation control unit, 22, 23...boarding and alighting plate, 24...automatic refueling device, 25...oil suction pipe, 26...detection device, 26a...projector, 26b...receiver, 27...remote monitoring device, 27a...communication unit, 27b...control unit, 27c...memory unit.

Claims

1. A passenger conveyor system for diagnosing the condition of an outdoor passenger conveyor, a control device for controlling the operation of the passenger conveyor; a remote monitoring device that periodically acquires weather data from a weather data server, the weather data including at least weather information indicating the weather in the area where the passenger conveyor is installed; The control device a storage unit that stores time information indicating a start time for starting the passenger conveyor and weather data acquired by the remote monitoring device between the previous start time and the current start time of the passenger conveyor; a weather determination unit that, when the startup time indicated by the time information arrives, determines whether or not there has been rainfall or snowfall between the previous startup time and the current startup time based on the weather information included in the stored weather data; and and an information processing unit that, when the weather determination unit determines that there is no rain or snow, starts the passenger conveyor and operates it in a predetermined operation mode, and diagnoses the state of the passenger conveyor. Passenger conveyor system.

2. The information processing unit When the weather determination unit determines that rain or snow has fallen, the passenger conveyor is started up and operated in a normal operation mode different from the predetermined operation mode without diagnosing the state of the passenger conveyor.

10. The passenger conveyor system of claim 1.

3. The information processing unit When the weather determination unit determines that rain or snow has fallen, the state of the passenger conveyor is diagnosed, and the weather information is added to diagnosis result information indicating the result of diagnosing the state of the passenger conveyor.

10. The passenger conveyor system of claim 1.

4. The passenger conveyor further includes an oil supply device capable of supplying lubricating oil to a connecting chain for connecting steps of the passenger conveyor, The information processing unit When the weather determination unit determines that rain or snow has fallen, the oil supply device supplies lubricating oil to the connecting chain while diagnosing the state of the passenger conveyor.

10. The passenger conveyor system of claim 1.

5. The information processing unit When the weather determination unit determines that snow has fallen and detects snow accumulation on the passenger conveyor, the passenger conveyor is not started.

10. The passenger conveyor system of claim 1.

6. The weather determination unit If it is determined that rain or snow has fallen between the previous activation time and the current activation time, it further determines whether the passenger conveyor is still affected by rain or snow based on at least one or more pieces of information among temperature, humidity, amount of precipitation, amount of snowfall, amount of solar radiation, wind direction, and wind speed included in the stored weather data; The information processing unit If the result of the determination by the weather determination unit indicates that the passenger conveyor is still affected by rainfall or snowfall, the passenger conveyor is started up and operated in a normal operation mode different from the predetermined operation mode without diagnosing the state of the passenger conveyor, When the result of the determination by the weather determination unit indicates that the passenger conveyor is no longer affected by rainfall or snowfall, the state of the passenger conveyor is diagnosed.

10. The passenger conveyor system of claim 1.

7. a detection device installed near a boarding and disembarking section of the passenger conveyor for detecting a user on the passenger conveyor; the control device further includes a user presence determination unit that continuously determines whether or not a user is present on the passenger conveyor based on a detection result from the detection device after the activation time, The weather determination unit if a result of the determination made by the user presence determination unit at the activation time indicates that there is no user on the passenger conveyor, determine whether or not there has been rain or snowfall between the previous activation time and the current activation time. The passenger conveyor system according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The information processing unit If the result of the determination made by the user presence determination unit indicates that there is no user on the passenger conveyor when the diagnosis in the predetermined operation mode is completed, the passenger conveyor is operated in another operation mode having a moving speed faster than that of the predetermined operation mode, and the state of the passenger conveyor is further diagnosed; If the result of the determination made by the user presence determination unit indicates that there is no user on the passenger conveyor when the diagnosis in the other operation mode is completed, the passenger conveyor is operated in a normal operation mode in which the movement speed is faster than in the other operation mode, and the state of the passenger conveyor is further diagnosed.

8. A passenger conveyor system according to claim 7.

9. The information processing unit transmitting diagnostic result information indicating the diagnostic result for each operation mode to a monitoring center via the remote monitoring device; 9. The passenger conveyor system of claim 8.

10. The information processing unit If the result of the determination made by the user presence determination unit at the start time indicates that a user is present on the passenger conveyor, the passenger conveyor is not started, When the diagnosis in the predetermined operation mode or the diagnosis in the other operation mode is completed, if the result of the determination made by the user presence determination unit indicates that a user is present on the passenger conveyor, transmits diagnosis result information to the monitoring center indicating that the diagnosis has failed.

10. The passenger conveyor system of claim 9.

11. The information processing unit If the result of the determination made by the user presence determination unit at the start time indicates that a user is present on the passenger conveyor, the passenger conveyor is not started, When the diagnosis in the predetermined operation mode is completed and the result of the determination made by the user presence determination unit indicates that a user is present on the passenger conveyor, diagnostic result information indicating the result of the diagnosis in the predetermined operation mode is transmitted to the monitoring center; If the result of the determination made by the user presence determination unit indicates that a user is present on the passenger conveyor when the diagnosis in the other operation mode is completed, diagnosis result information indicating the results of the diagnoses made in the predetermined operation mode and the other operation mode is transmitted to the monitoring center.

10. The passenger conveyor system of claim 9.

12. the detection device is an infrared beam sensor including a light projector and a light receiver, The floodlight is installed on a deck cover near the boarding entrance with an irradiation port for irradiating an infrared beam facing the exit entrance, The light receiver is installed on a deck cover near the exit with the light receiving surface that receives the infrared beam facing the boarding entrance.

8. A passenger conveyor system according to claim 7.

13. The detection device is a camera capable of photographing the passenger conveyor.

8. A passenger conveyor system according to claim 7.

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