Escalator

Abstract

To provide a constitution for effectively restraining walking on a footstep of a user, by making an obstacle for physically restraining the walking appear on the footstep of an escalator.SOLUTION: An escalator 30 includes a plurality of steps 1 having a movable stopper 18 projecting upward from a tread to suppress walking of a user 31. The escalator 30 further includes a driving device 24 for moving the stopper 18, and a control device 43 for controlling the driving device 24. A control device 43 controls the driving device 24 so that the stopper 18 of the footstep 1 in front of a predetermined range from the entrance 22 is raised and projected above the tread when the user 31 comes to the entrance 22, and the stopper 18 is stored in the footstep 1 when the footstep 1 comes to this side of the exit 23.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an escalator, and more particularly to an escalator having a function for preventing step walking. [Background technology]

[0002] An escalator is a means of transportation that moves multiple steps connected in an endless fashion, transporting users standing on the steps to different floors.As a general rule, escalators are not intended for users to walk on the steps, and the proper way to use an escalator is to remain on the steps.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses telescopic horizontal bars and swing doors that are stored in the handrail of the escalator during normal operation and that move in a direction that blocks the path when it detects a user walking on the steps, and states that this can physically prevent people from walking on the steps. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-119556 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the above-mentioned conventional technology, the obstacles that block pedestrians from walking on the steps are stored in the escalator's railing, so the railing must be replaced when the technology is introduced. Therefore, adopting the above-mentioned conventional technology on an existing escalator requires extensive renovation work. Furthermore, because the obstacles in the above-mentioned conventional technology are installed at predetermined intervals, pedestrians can walk on the steps between the obstacles. Furthermore, if a legitimate user remains on one side of the steps, the above-mentioned conventional technology's obstacles will not move on that step, allowing pedestrians to walk on the open side of the steps. Thus, the above-mentioned conventional technology cannot completely eliminate pedestrians from walking on the steps. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The escalator of the present invention is an escalator equipped with a plurality of steps, each of which has a movable stopper that protrudes upward from the tread of the step to prevent the user from walking, and further equipped with a drive unit that moves the stopper, and a control unit that controls the drive unit, wherein the control unit controls the drive unit so that when a user reaches the boarding entrance, the stopper of the step a predetermined distance forward from the boarding entrance is raised and protrudes above the tread, and when the step approaches the exit, the stopper is stored in the step. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the escalator of the present invention, steps with movable stoppers for preventing users from walking on the steps can be installed to more effectively prevent users from walking on the steps. Furthermore, since there is no need to renew the balustrade as in the prior art, the configuration of the escalator of the present invention can be easily applied to existing escalators. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an escalator mechanism. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control panel in an escalator according to an embodiment; [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is an overall front view illustrating a sensor for measuring the walking speed of a user at the entrance of an escalator. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is an overall front view for explaining another example of the sensor. [Figure 5] 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of steps of an escalator and the stored state of stoppers according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of steps of an escalator and the protruding state of stoppers according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 7]FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of steps of an escalator and the stored state of stoppers, which is another example of an embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of steps and the protruding state of stoppers of an escalator according to another embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating a process for preventing walking on escalator steps in an example embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the embodiment described below is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment. In the following, the operating state of the escalator will be described as an upward operation. Figure 1 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration for explaining the escalator mechanism.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, escalator 30 allows users 31 to move between floors by circulating multiple steps 1 between lower floor 20, which serves as the boarding and alighting entrance, and upper floor 21. Since escalator 30 shown in FIG. 1 operates in the upward direction, the lower floor 20 side serves as the boarding entrance 22 and the upper floor 21 side serves as the exit entrance 23. At each of the boarding entrance 22 and the exit entrance 23, there is provided a boarding / alighting plate 19 that covers the top of truss 3 that constitutes the framework of escalator 30, and at the boundary between boarding / alighting plate 19 and steps 1, there is provided a comb plate 12 that functions to smoothly connect boarding / alighting plate 19 and steps 1. Truss 3 has a driving wheel 4 on the upper floor side and a driven wheel 5 on the lower floor side, and a step chain 6 that circulates multiple steps 1 is hung between the driving wheel 4 and the driven wheel 5.

[0011] The escalator 30 includes a control panel 10. The control panel 10 is disposed within the truss 3, and has the function of controlling the escalator 30 via the various functional units of a control device 43, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 2. The motor 7 installed within the truss 3 is controlled by the control panel 10 via the control device 43.

[0012] Power is supplied from the motor 7 to the drive wheel 4 via the reducer 8 and the drive chain 9, and the step chain 6 moves in a circular motion between the drive wheel 4 and the driven wheel 5, thereby driving the multiple steps 1 connected endlessly to the step chain 6 in a circular motion.

[0013] The balustrades 11 are erected on both sides of the width of the steps 1, spanning from the lower floor 20 to the upper floor 21, and a belt-like handrail 2 is provided around the periphery of the balustrades 11. A handrail chain (not shown) and a handrail drive device (not shown) are provided within the truss 3, and power is supplied from the motor 7 to the handrail drive device via the handrail chain, causing the handrail 2 to travel in a circular motion in the same direction as the steps 1.

[0014] Next, the process by which stopper 18 is moved to prevent user 31 from walking on escalator 30 will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 4. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control panel in an escalator as an example of an embodiment. Figure 3 is an overall front view illustrating a sensor that measures the walking speed of a user at the entrance to the escalator. Figure 4 is an overall front view illustrating another example of the sensor.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, the control panel 10 is configured by a computer, for example, a microcomputer, and includes a processor 41, a memory 42, and a control device 43. The processor 41 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The memory 42 is configured by a hard disk drive (HDD), a semiconductor memory, etc. The semiconductor memory is configured by a non-volatile memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory). The non-volatile memory has a function of pre-storing control programs, predetermined thresholds, etc. The volatile memory has a function of temporarily storing read programs and processing data. The processor 41 reads programs, etc. pre-stored in the memory 42 and executes each function of the control device 43, thereby controlling the escalator 30 (see FIG. 1). The installation location of each functional unit of the control device 43 is not limited to within the control panel 10, and may be installed outside the control panel 10 as appropriate.

[0016] The control device 43 includes a stopper management unit 51 that controls the drive device 24 that moves the stopper 18. Specifically, the stopper management unit 51 outputs a stopper drive signal to the drive device 24 to control the drive device 24, so that when the user 31 reaches the entrance 22, the stopper 18 of the step 1 a predetermined distance ahead of the entrance 22 is raised and protrudes above the tread, and when the step 1 reaches just before the exit 23, the stopper management unit 51 retracts the stopper 18 into the step 1.

[0017] Whether the user 31 has reached the entrance 22 is determined by a step determination unit 52 (described later) based on information from a sensor 25 (described later), and upon detecting the user 31 entering the entrance 22, the step determination unit 52 outputs a user detection signal to the stopper management unit 51. Alternatively, whether the step 1 has reached the exit 23 may be determined by the stopper management unit 51 based on information from a sensor (not shown) installed near the exit 23. Alternatively, the stopper management unit 51 may have a function for measuring time, and may control the drive device 24 to retract the stopper 18 into the step 1 when a predetermined time has elapsed since the stopper 18 was moved until it reached the exit 23.

[0018] Escalator 30 further includes a sensor 25 for measuring the walking speed of user 31 at entrance 22. Control device 43 further includes a step determination unit 52 for determining the step 1 at which stopper 18 is to be raised based on the measurement information from sensor 25. As shown in FIG. 3 , sensor 25 is provided around entrance 22. If sensor 25 is a transmission-type infrared sensor, for example, it is made up of a light emitter and a light receiver, and at least two pairs of sensors are provided at entrance 22, but this is not limiting.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 4, the sensor 25 may be a postless sensor. A postless sensor does not require the installation of posts or guide fences around the entrance 22, and therefore can be easily installed even when there are many restrictions around the entrance 22. In the case of a postless sensor, the sensor 25 is installed in the inlet portion, which is the base of the balustrade 11. If the sensor 25 is, for example, a microwave Doppler sensor that utilizes the Doppler effect, it is sufficient to install a pair in the inlet portion. It is preferable that the directivity of the microwave Doppler sensor has a certain degree of straightness and a certain width.

[0020] The step determination unit 52 has a function of calculating the walking speed of the user 31 who has entered the entrance 22, based on information on the timing at which the user 31 crosses the multiple sensors 25. If the sensor 25 is a microwave Doppler sensor, the step determination unit 52 calculates the walking speed of the user 31 who has entered the entrance 22, based on information on the transmission wave from the Doppler sensor and the reflected wave generated when the transmission wave is reflected by the user 31 who is heading towards the escalator 30. The step determination unit 52 further has a function of predicting the step 1 on which the user 31 will board, based on the calculated walking speed information of the user 31, and determining the step 1 a predetermined number of steps ahead of the step 1 as the step 1 on which the stopper 18 will be raised. After determining the step 1 on which the stopper 18 will be raised, the step determination unit 52 outputs a step determination signal to the stopper management unit 51 and the user detection unit 53, which will be described later. The stopper 18 of the step 1 a predetermined number of steps ahead of the step 1 where the user 31 is predicted to board is raised in consideration of the case where the user 31 moves up the step 1 by about one step to adjust his / her standing position when he / she boards the escalator 30.

[0021] The escalator 30 further includes a user detection means 44 that detects a user 31 standing on the step 1. The control device 43 further includes a user detection unit 53. The user detection unit 53 determines whether or not a user 31 is present on the step 1 where the stopper 18 should be raised, based on the step determination signal output by the step determination unit 52 and information from the user detection means 44.

[0022] The user detection means 44 is, for example, a piezoelectric element incorporated in the step 13, and the user detection unit 53 determines that the user 31 is standing on the step 1 when it measures the voltage generated when the user 31 steps on the step 1 continuously for a predetermined period of time. If the step 1 on which the user 31 is standing matches the step 1 determined by the step determination unit 52 to raise the stopper 18, the user detection unit 53 determines that the user 31 is standing on the step 1 to raise the stopper 18. When the user detection unit 53 determines that the user 31 is standing on the step 1 to raise the stopper 18, it outputs a user detection signal to the stopper management unit 51. Upon receiving the user detection signal output by the user detection unit 53, the stopper management unit 51 controls the drive device 24 to prohibit the stopper 18 from being raised.

[0023] The escalator 30 further includes a walking detection means 45 for detecting pedestrians on the steps 1. The control device 43 further includes a walking detection unit 54 for detecting pedestrians on the steps 1 based on information from the walking detection means 45. The walking detection means 45 is, for example, a camera installed on the ceiling above the escalator 30. The walking detection unit 54 has the function of converting analog images captured by the camera (walking detection means 45) into digital information and detecting, as pedestrians, a person moving across multiple steps 1 within a predetermined time period using a known object tracking function or the like. Even users 31 using the escalator 30 appropriately may move up the steps 1 by one step or so to avoid interfering with users in front and behind. Therefore, to avoid detecting such users 31 as pedestrians, the detection target is limited to people moving across multiple steps. When the walking detection unit 54 detects a pedestrian on the steps 1, it outputs a drive speed reduction signal to the motor control unit 55 and the attention command unit 56 (described later).

[0024] The control device 43 further includes a motor control unit 55. When the walking detection unit 54 detects a pedestrian on the steps 1 based on information from the walking detection means 45, the walking detection unit 54 outputs a drive speed deceleration signal to the motor 7. The motor control unit 55 then outputs a motor control signal to control the motor 7 and decelerate the circulation speed of the steps 1.

[0025] Escalator 30 further includes an attention alert means 46 that alerts users 31. Control device 43 further includes an attention alert command unit 56 that controls attention alert means 46. Upon receiving the drive speed deceleration signal output by walking detection unit 54, attention alert command unit 56 outputs an attention alert signal to attention alert means 46 to notify the user that "a person walking on the steps has been detected and deceleration operation will be performed." Upon receiving the attention alert signal, attention alert means 46 notifies user 31 that escalator 30 will be decelerating.

[0026] If there is a person walking on the step 1 even though the stopper 18 protrudes upward from the tread surface of the step 1 and prevents the user 31 from walking on the step 1, the escalator 30 slows down the circulation speed of the step 1 and notifies the user that the escalator 30 is operating at a reduced speed due to the pedestrian on the step 1. This makes it known that the correct way to use the escalator 30 is to stay on the step 1 without walking.

[0027] Next, the configuration of the step 1 having a movable stopper 18 for preventing a user 31 from walking and the movement of the stopper 18 will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the step of an escalator according to an embodiment and the stored state of the stopper. Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the step of an escalator according to an embodiment and the protruding state of the stopper.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 5, the step 1 comprises a step 13, which is a flat plate-like member on which a user 31 (see FIG. 1) stands; a riser 14, which is a plate-like member extending downward from the rear end of the step 13; and a frame 15 that is provided below the step 13 and supports the step 13. The step 1 is connected to the step chain 6 (see FIG. 1) via a step shaft 27 fixed by a fixing jig 62 provided on the frame 15. The step 1 also has a drive roller 16 rotatably supported on the step shaft 27 and a driven roller 17 rotatably supported on the frame 15. The step 1 is driven to circulate by being pulled by the step chain 6, which moves in a circulating manner due to the power provided by the motor 7 (see FIG. 1). The drive roller 16 of the step 1 rolls on a drive roller guide rail (not shown), and the driven roller 17 of the step 1 rolls on a driven roller guide rail (not shown).

[0029] The stopper 18 is a flat member of the same size as the step 13, and is rotatably attached to the tread surface of the step 13 of the step 1 via a shaft 60, which will be described later. The step 13 is configured to cover an opening formed in the upper surface of the frame 15, so that when the stopper 18, which is the upper member of the two-plate structure, is rotated to the open state, the step 13 can prevent the user 31 from falling onto the truss 3 (see FIG. 1), etc.

[0030] Stopper 18 is made of metal such as iron or aluminum alloy, just like tread 13 and riser 14, and has recessed cleats parallel to the direction of travel, just like tread 13 and riser 14. Shaft 60 is located at the rear of tread 13, at the corner where it joins with riser 14, and is a member that extends in the width direction of step 1. Shaft 60 is connected to drive device 24, such as a motor, provided within frame 15, and is configured to rotate by the driving force of drive device 24.

[0031] The stopper 18 opens and closes relative to the tread surface in conjunction with the rotation of the shaft 60. When the drive device 24 receives a stopper drive signal output by the stopper management unit 51 (see FIG. 2), it rotates the stopper 18 via the shaft 60 to close the stopper relative to the tread surface, whereby the stopper 18 is stored in a stacked position on top of the tread surface. When the stopper 18 is stored in the step 1, the user 31 can stand on the stopper 18, and the step 1 can be used in the same way as a conventional step 1.

[0032] As shown in Figure 6, when the drive device 24 receives the stopper drive signal output by the stopper management unit 51, it rotates the stopper 18 via the shaft unit 60 to open it perpendicular to the tread surface, causing the stopper 18 to protrude upward from the tread surface of the step 1 and preventing the user 31 from walking on the step 1.

[0033] Next, the configuration of a step 1 having a movable stopper 118 for preventing a user 31 from walking and the movement of the stopper 118 in another embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of an escalator step in another embodiment and the stored state of the stopper. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of an escalator step in another embodiment and the protruding state of the stopper.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 7 , the stopper 118 is supported by a livable support 61 provided within the frame 15. The support 61 is connected to a drive unit 24 provided within the frame 15 and is configured to be raised and lowered by the driving force of the drive unit 24 upon receiving a stopper drive signal output by a stopper management unit 51 (see FIG. 2 ). The step 1 in this embodiment also has an opening 26 near the joint between the tread 13 and riser 14 of the step 1, which is a gap through which the stopper 118 can pass. The opening 26 may be a gap between the tread 13 and riser 14, or it may be a slit-shaped opening 26 formed in the tread surface of the tread 13. The stopper 118 is preferably a self-supporting, approximately rectangular sheet. When the drive unit 24 is lowering the support 61, the stopper 118 is housed within the step 1.

[0035] As shown in Figure 8, when the drive device 24 receives the stopper drive signal output by the stopper management unit 51, it raises the support body 61, causing the stopper 118 to protrude above the tread surface of the step 13 from the opening 26, thereby preventing the user 31 from walking on the step 1.

[0036] Next, a flow of how an escalator 30 having steps 1 with stoppers 18 as an example of an embodiment suppresses walking on the steps 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a flow diagram showing a flow of how an escalator having steps 1 with stoppers 18 suppresses walking on the steps in an example of an embodiment.

[0037] 9, in the escalator 30, first, when the step determination unit 52 detects a user 31 entering the entrance 22 based on information from the sensor 25 (S80 Yes), the step determination unit 52 determines the step 1 at which the stopper 18 should be raised (S81). On the other hand, when the user 31 is not detected at the entrance 22, the step determination unit 52 waits for detection of the user 31 at the entrance 22 (S80 No).

[0038] If the step 1 that the user detection unit 53 determines, based on information from the user detection means 44, is the step 1 on which the stopper 18 determined by the step determination unit 52 should be raised, that is, if the user 31 is already on the step 1 on which the stopper 18 should be raised (S82 Yes), the stopper 18 of the step 1 on which the stopper 18 should be raised is not raised and the process ends.

[0039] On the other hand, if the user 31 is not present on the step 1 where the stopper 18 determined by the step determination unit 52 should be raised (S82 No), the stopper management unit 51, which has received the step determination signal output by the step determination unit 52, raises the stopper 18 via the drive device 24 (S83), and the user 31 steps onto the step 1 behind the step 1 where the stopper 18 has been raised.

[0040] Here, if the walking detection unit 54 detects a pedestrian on the step 1 based on information from the walking detection means 45 (S84 Yes), the warning means 46 issues a notification that "a pedestrian has been detected and the escalator 30 will decelerate" and the escalator 30 will decelerate (S85).

[0041] On the other hand, if the walking detection unit 54 does not detect a pedestrian on the step 1 (No in S84), the escalator 30 continues to operate at the normal speed.

[0042] If, during deceleration operation, step 1 with raised stopper 18 does not come close to exit 23 (S86 No), escalator 30 continues deceleration operation. If, during deceleration operation, step 1 with raised stopper 18 comes close to exit 23 (S86 Yes), stopper management unit 51 lowers stopper 18 via drive device 24 (S87), warning means 46 issues a notification that "return to normal speed," escalator 30 returns to normal speed and continues operation (S88), and the series of steps for preventing walking are completed.

[0043] If, while operating at normal speed, step 1 with raised stopper 18 does not come close to exit 23 (S89 No), escalator 30 continues operating at normal speed. If, while operating at normal speed, step 1 with raised stopper 18 comes close to exit 23 (S89 Yes), stopper management unit 51 lowers stopper 18 via drive device 24 (S90), and the series of steps for preventing walking comes to an end.

[0044] As described above, by using steps 1 having stoppers 18 with the above configuration in escalator 30, it is possible to prevent users 31 from walking on the steps 1. Specifically, because stoppers 18 protrude above the steps 1, users 31 must exceed a height greater than that of a normal step 1 in order to walk on the steps 1, making it physically difficult for them to walk on the steps 1, and as a result, it is expected that walking on the steps 1 will be prevented.

[0045] The above embodiment can be modified as needed without impairing the object of the present invention. For example, the step determination unit 52 may calculate the walking speed of the user 31 based on an image captured by a camera installed on the ceiling above the escalator 30, which is used as the walking detection unit 45, and predict which step 1 the user 31 will board, and then determine which step 1 the stopper 18 will be raised on. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 1 Step, 2 Handrail, 3 Truss, 4 Drive Wheel, 5 Driven Wheel, 6 Step Chain, 7 Motor, 8 Reducer, 9 Drive Chain, 10 Control Panel, 11 Parapet, 12 Comb Plate, 13 Step, 14 Riser, 15 Frame, 16 Drive Roller, 17 Driven Roller, 18 Stopper, 19 Boarding / Alighting Plate, 20 Lower Floor, 21 Upper Floor, 22 Entrance, 23 Exit, 24 Drive Unit, 25 Sensor, 26 Opening, 27 Step Axis, 30 Escalator, 31 User, 41 Processor, 42 Memory, 43 Control Device, 44 User Detection Means, 45 Walking Detection Means, 46 Warning Means, 51 Stopper Management Unit, 52 Step Determination Unit, 53 User Detection Unit, 54 Walking Detection Unit, 55 Motor Control Unit, 56 Attention command unit, 60 shaft unit, 61 support, 62 fixing jig

Claims

1. An escalator with multiple steps, The steps have movable stoppers that protrude upward from the tread surfaces of the steps to restrict the user from walking, a drive device that moves the stopper; a control device that controls the drive device; Furthermore, The control device controls the drive device so that, when a user reaches the entrance, the stopper of the step a predetermined distance ahead of the entrance is raised and protrudes above the tread, and when the step reaches the exit, the stopper is stored in the step.

2. Further comprising a sensor for measuring a walking speed of a user at the entrance; The escalator according to claim 1 , wherein the control device determines the step at which the stopper is to be raised based on measurement information from the sensor.

3. the stopper is attached to the step surface of the step via a shaft connected to the drive device so as to be rotatable relative to the step surface, The drive device rotates the stopper via the shaft portion to open the stopper relative to the tread surface, causing the stopper to protrude upward from the tread surface of the step, The escalator according to claim 1, wherein the drive device rotates the stopper via the shaft portion to close the stopper relative to the tread surface, thereby storing the stopper in a stacked state on an upper surface of the tread surface.

4. The stopper is supported by a liftable support member provided within the step and connected to the drive device, The drive device raises the support, causing the stopper to protrude upward from a gap between the tread and riser of the step or a slit-shaped opening formed on the tread surface through which the stopper can pass, The escalator according to claim 1 , wherein the drive device lowers the support to house the stopper within the step.

5. Further, a user detection means for detecting a user standing on the step is provided, 5. The escalator according to claim 3, wherein the control device controls the drive device to prohibit the stopper from being raised when a user is standing on the step where the stopper should be raised, based on information from the user detection means.

6. Further comprising a walking detection means, 5. The escalator according to claim 3, wherein the control device reduces the speed of the circular drive of the steps when a pedestrian on the steps is detected based on information from the walking detection means.

7. Further provided with a warning means, 7. The escalator according to claim 6, wherein the warning means notifies a user of the deceleration of the escalator when the control device decelerates the speed of the circulating drive of the steps.

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