Passenger conveyor and method for repairing passenger conveyor

Abstract

To provide a passenger conveyor capable of preventing a user from holding a moving handrail at an exit.SOLUTION: This passenger conveyor is provided with a step 2, a moving handrail 18 gripped by a user moving from an entrance 3 to an exit 4 on the step 2, and a guide device 22 guiding the movement of the moving handrail 18. The guiding device 22 comprises an upward displacement portion 29. The upward displacement portion 29 guides the moving handrail 18 so that the hand of the user grasping the moving handrail 18 at the exit 4 is displaced upward.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates to passenger conveyors and methods for retrofitting passenger conveyors. [Background technology]

[0002] A passenger conveyor is described in Patent Document 1. In the passenger conveyor described in Patent Document 1, the upper surface of the handrail at the entrance is inclined so as to gradually lower in the direction of progress of the steps. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2024-11717 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The passenger conveyor described in Patent Document 1 takes into consideration passengers stepping onto the steps at the entrance. However, elderly passengers, in particular, may find themselves unable to let go of the moving handrail when stepping off at the exit. The passenger conveyor described in Patent Document 1 does not take such an event into consideration.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems. An object of the present disclosure is to provide a passenger conveyor that can prevent users from holding onto a moving handrail at the exit. Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a method for modifying an existing passenger conveyor so as to prevent users from holding onto a moving handrail at the exit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A passenger conveyor according to the present disclosure includes a step, a movable handrail for a user to grasp when riding on the step and moving from the boarding entrance to the exit entrance, and a guide device for guiding the movement of the movable handrail. The guide device includes an upward displacement portion that guides the moving handrail so that the hand of the user grasping the moving handrail at the exit entrance is displaced upward.

[0007] The passenger conveyor renovation method disclosed herein is a method for renovating a passenger conveyor equipped with steps, an existing moving handrail to be grasped by a user who moves from the boarding entrance to the exit entrance on the steps, and an existing guide device that guides the movement of the existing moving handrail. The renovation method includes a first step of removing the existing moving handrail from the existing guide device, a second step of removing a portion of the existing guide device that is located at the exit entrance after the first step, a third step of attaching an upward displacement unit to the position where the portion of the existing guide device was attached after the second step, and a fourth step of attaching either the existing moving handrail or a new moving handrail after the third step. The upward displacement unit guides one of the moving handrails so that the hand of a user grasping it at the exit entrance is displaced upward. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent users from holding onto the moving handrail at the exit of the passenger conveyor. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a passenger conveyor according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 taken along line AA. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a portion of the guide device that is arranged at the exit. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a portion of a guide device that is arranged at a boarding entrance. [Figure 5] This is a diagram corresponding to FIG. [Figure 6] 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a method for modifying a passenger conveyor in the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The following detailed description will be given with reference to the drawings. Duplicate descriptions will be simplified or omitted as appropriate. In each drawing, the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts.

[0011] Embodiment 1 Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a passenger conveyor in embodiment 1. Fig. 1 shows an escalator as an example of a passenger conveyor. Passenger conveyors also include moving walkways.

[0012] An escalator comprises a truss 1 and steps 2. The truss 1 spans the upper and lower floors. Passengers ride on the steps 2 to move from the boarding entrance 3 to the exit entrance 4. Figure 1 shows a descending escalator as an example.

[0013] A machine room 5 is provided below the entrance 3. The machine room 5 is a space formed inside the truss 1. A floor panel 6 is provided at the entrance 3. The machine room 5 is closed by the floor panel 6. The floor panel 6 forms the floor of the entrance 3. A com 7 is provided on the edge of the floor panel 6.

[0014] A machine room 8 is provided below the access point 4. The machine room 8 is a space formed inside the truss 1. A floor plate 9 is provided at the access point 4. The machine room 8 is closed by the floor plate 9. The floor plate 9 forms the floor of the access point 4. A comb 10 is provided on the edge of the floor plate 9.

[0015] An electric motor 11 and a control device 12 are provided in the upper machine room 5. The electric motor 11 drives the steps 2. The control device 12 controls the electric motor 11. For example, the electric motor 11 rotates a shaft 14 provided in the machine room 5 via a reducer 13. A sprocket 15 is provided on the shaft 14. A step chain 16 is wound around the sprocket 15. A number of step shafts 17 are provided on the step chain 16. A step 2 is fixed to each step shaft 17. In this way, a number of steps 2 are connected to the step chain 16.

[0016] The steps 2 move by being pulled by the step chain 16. Because the step chain 16 is endless, the steps 2 move in a circular motion. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the steps 2 emerge from under the floorboard 6 at the entrance 3. Cleats are formed on the top surface of each step 2. The comb 7 engages with the cleats of the steps 2 that emerge from under the floorboard 6 at the entrance 3.

[0017] Users transfer from floorboard 6 to step 2 at entrance 3. Step 2 emerges from under floorboard 6 at entrance 3 and moves forward toward exit 4. Users can move from entrance 3 to exit 4 by riding on step 2. Users who ride on step 2 to move from entrance 3 to exit 4 hold onto moving handrails 18 for safety. Moving handrails 18 are located on both sides of the user standing on step 2.

[0018] Step 2 moves under floorboard 9 at exit 4. Comb 10 engages with the cleat of step 2 that moves under floorboard 9 at exit 4. The user moves from step 2 to floorboard 9 at exit 4.

[0019] Each moving handrail 18 is formed endless. The moving handrails 18 are driven by a drive device 19. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the drive device 19 drives the moving handrail 18 by rotating rollers that sandwich the moving handrail 18 from above and below. The drive device 19 may also drive the moving handrail 18 by other driving methods. In the example shown in FIG. 1, a handrail chain 21 is wound around a sprocket 20 provided on the shaft 14. The driving force of the electric motor 11 is transmitted to the drive device 19 via the handrail chain 21.

[0020] 2 is a diagram showing a cross section AA of FIG. 1. The guide device 22 guides the movement of the moving handrail 18. The guide device 22 is provided along the edge of the balustrade 23. The guide device 22 is supported by the balustrade 23. The balustrade 23 may be formed of a metal panel or a glass panel. The balustrade 23 may also be formed of other members. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the guide device 22 includes a rail 24, a rail clip 25, and a rail clip 26.

[0021] The rail 24 is formed, for example, by bending a metal plate-shaped member into a U-shape and then further bending the edge outward. The rail clips 25 and 26 are made of resin. The rail clip 25 is attached to the rail 24 so as to cover one edge of the rail 24. The rail clip 26 is attached to the rail 24 so as to cover the other edge of the rail 24. The moving handrail 18 is attached to the guide device 22 so that the rail clips 25 and 26 are positioned in the space formed inside. Note that the specific configuration of the guide device 22 is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 2.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a portion of the guide device 22 that is arranged at the exit 4. The guide device 22 includes an inclined portion 27. The inclined portion 27 is a portion that guides the moving handrail 18 so that the moving handrail 18 moves diagonally downward in accordance with step 2, which moves diagonally downward on the outbound path. That is, in the inclined portion 27, the upper surface of the guide device 22, i.e., the upper surface of the inclined portion 27, becomes lower as it approaches the exit 4. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the portion of the guide device 22 that is arranged in section G1 is the inclined portion 27. The moving handrail 18, guided by the inclined portion 27, moves in synchronization with step 2.

[0023] The guide device 22 includes a horizontal portion 28, an upward displacement portion 29, and a manual portion 30 as portions disposed at the exit 4. The X direction shown in FIG. 3 indicates the direction in which the step 2 moves at the exit 4. The X direction is the horizontal direction.

[0024] The horizontal section 28 is a section that continues from the inclined section 27. The horizontal section 28 is positioned forward of the inclined section 27 in the X direction, that is, as seen from the user moving on step 2. The horizontal section 28 guides the moving handrail 18 so that the hand of the user grasping the moving handrail 18 at the exit 4 moves horizontally in the X direction. That is, in the horizontal section 28, the upper surface of the guide device 22, i.e., the upper surface of the horizontal section 28, is horizontal. In the example shown in FIG. 3 , the portion of the guide device 22 that is positioned in section G2 is the horizontal section 28. The moving handrail 18, guided by the horizontal section 28, moves in synchronization with step 2.

[0025] The upward displacement section 29 is a section that continues from the horizontal section 28. The upward displacement section 29 is arranged forward of the horizontal section 28 in the X direction. The upward displacement section 29 guides the moving handrail 18 so that the hand of a user grasping the moving handrail 18 at the exit 4 is displaced upward. That is, in the upward displacement section 29, the upper surface of the guide device 22, i.e., the upper surface of the upward displacement section 29, becomes higher as it progresses in the X direction. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the portion of the guide device 22 that is arranged in section G3 is the upward displacement section 29.

[0026] The manual section 30 is a section that continues from the upward displacement section 29. The manual section 30 is positioned forward of the upward displacement section 29 in the X direction. The manual section 30 is formed in a semicircular shape and reverses the moving handrail 18 at the exit 4. In the example shown in Figure 3, the manual section 30 is the portion of the guide device 22 that is positioned in section G4. It is not expected that a user who descends from the step 2 to the floor board 9 at the exit 4 will hold the moving handrail guided by the manual section 30.

[0027] In the example shown in this embodiment, if a user continues to hold onto the moving handrail 18 at the exit 4, the user's hand holding onto the moving handrail 18 will reach the upward displacement section 29, causing the user's hand to move upward. The user's hand moving upward makes them aware that they must release the moving handrail 18. For this reason, the example shown in this embodiment can prevent users from continuing to hold onto the moving handrail 18 at the exit 4.

[0028] 3 shows a preferred example in which the guide device 22 includes both the horizontal portion 28 and the upward displacement portion 29. As another example, the guide device 22 does not need to include the horizontal portion 28. In such a case, only the upward displacement portion 29 may be provided between the inclined portion 27 and the manual portion 30. As another example, a portion for moving the user's hand horizontally or downward may be provided between the upward displacement portion 29 and the manual portion 30.

[0029] Furthermore, it is preferable that the upward displacement portion 29 be disposed forward of the tip 10a of the comb 10 in the X direction so that the user's hands are displaced upward after the user steps down from the step 2. In such a case, the inclined portion 27 or the horizontal portion 28 is disposed at the same position as the tip 10a of the comb 10 in the X direction.

[0030] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a portion of the guide device 22 that is arranged at the entrance 3. The guide device 22 includes a manual portion 31 and a horizontal portion 32 as portions that are arranged at the entrance 3. The Y direction shown in FIG. 4 is the direction in which the step 2 moves at the entrance 3. The Y direction is a horizontal direction, and is parallel to the X direction.

[0031] The manual section 31 is formed in a semicircular shape and reverses the moving handrail 18 at the entrance 3. In the example shown in Fig. 4, the part of the guide device 22 that is arranged in section G5 is the manual section 31. It is not expected that a user attempting to get onto step 2 at the entrance 3 will hold the moving handrail guided by the manual section 31.

[0032] The horizontal section 32 is a section that continues from the manual section 31. The horizontal section 32 is positioned forward of the manual section 31 in the Y direction, that is, as seen from the user about to step onto step 2 at the entrance 3. The horizontal section 32 guides the moving handrail 18 so that the hand of the user grasping the moving handrail 18 at the entrance 3 moves horizontally in the Y direction. That is, in the horizontal section 32, the upper surface of the guide device 22, i.e., the upper surface of the horizontal section 32, is horizontal. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the portion of the guide device 22 that is positioned in section G6 is the horizontal section 32. The moving handrail 18 guided by the horizontal section 32 moves in synchronization with step 2.

[0033] In the example shown in Fig. 4, only the horizontal portion 32 is arranged between the manual portion 31 and the inclined portion 27. That is, in the preferred example shown in Fig. 4, the guide device 22 does not have a portion for guiding the moving handrail 18 so that the hand of the user holding the moving handrail 18 at the entrance 3 moves upward or downward.

[0034] Next, with reference to Figures 5 and 6, we will explain how to renovate an existing escalator to obtain the escalator shown in Figures 1 to 4. Figure 5 is a diagram equivalent to Figure 3. Specifically, Figure 5 shows the escalator before renovation.

[0035] The escalator before renovation is equipped with an existing moving handrail 33 and an existing guide device 34. Note that with regard to step 2, the same one that was equipped on the escalator before renovation may be left as is on the escalator after renovation. The existing moving handrail 33 is held onto for safety by users who move from the boarding entrance 3 to the exit 4 on step 2, and their movement is guided by the existing guide device 34.

[0036] The existing guide device 34 differs from the above-described guide device 22 in that it does not have a portion equivalent to the upward displacement portion 29. That is, the manual portion 31, horizontal portion 32, and inclined portion 27 that were provided in the existing guide device 34 may be provided as is in the new guide device after the renovation, i.e., the guide device 22. The existing guide device 34 also has a horizontal portion 35 and a manual portion 36 as portions that are arranged at the exit 4. In the existing guide device 34, only the horizontal portion 35 is provided between the inclined portion 27 and the manual portion 36.

[0037] Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a method for renovating a passenger conveyor in Embodiment 1. In the renovation method shown in Fig. 6, first, in a first step (S1), the existing moving handrail 33 is removed from the existing guide device 34.

[0038] After the first step, in the second step (S2), a portion of the existing guide device 34 that is located at the exit 4 is removed from the balustrade 23 that supported that portion. Hereinafter, that portion will also be referred to as the replacement portion. The replacement portion includes at least a portion of the horizontal portion 35. The replacement portion may include the entire horizontal portion 35. The replacement portion may also include a portion or all of the manual portion 36.

[0039] After the second step, in a third step (S3), the above-mentioned upward displacement part 29 is attached to the balustrade 23. The upward displacement part 29 is attached to the position where the above-mentioned replacement part of the existing guide device 34 was attached. If the entire horizontal part 35 is removed in the second step, the horizontal part 28 and the upward displacement part 29 may be attached to the balustrade 23 in the third step. If the manual part 36 is removed in the second step, the manual part 30 may be attached to the balustrade 23 in the third step.

[0040] After the third step, in a fourth step (S4), a new movable handrail, i.e., the movable handrail 18, is attached to a new guide device, i.e., the guide device 22, which is equipped with an upward displacement section 29. As a result, the movable handrail 18 is guided by the upward displacement section 29 so that the hand of the user grasping the moving handrail 18 at the exit 4 is displaced upward. When a new movable handrail is used in the fourth step, the new movable handrail is longer than the existing movable handrail 33. Furthermore, if possible, the existing movable handrail 33 removed from the existing guide device 34 in the first step may be attached to the new guide device in the fourth step.

[0041] In this embodiment, an example in which the passenger conveyor is a downward escalator has been described in detail. The passenger conveyor may also be an upward escalator. When the passenger conveyor is an upward escalator, the inclined portion 27 of the guide device 22 guides the moving handrail 18 so that it moves diagonally upward in accordance with the step 2 that moves diagonally upward on the outbound path. The upward displacement portion 29 guides the moving handrail 18 so that the hand of the user holding the moving handrail 18 at the exit 4 is displaced upward, just as in the example shown for the downward escalator.

[0042] Examples of aspects that may be included in the present disclosure are set forth below as appendices.

[0043] [Appendix 1] Steps and A handrail for a user to grab when riding on the step and moving from the boarding entrance to the exit; A guide device that guides the movement of the moving handrail; Equipped with The guide device is a passenger conveyor having an upward displacement portion that guides the moving handrail so that the hand of a user holding the moving handrail at the exit is displaced upward. [Appendix 2] The guide device further includes a first horizontal portion that guides the moving handrail so that the hand of the user holding the moving handrail at the exit moves horizontally, 2. A passenger conveyor according to claim 1, wherein the upward displacement portion is disposed forward of the first horizontal portion in a direction in which the steps move at the exit. [Appendix 3] A floor board provided at the exit; a comb provided on the floor plate; Further provided with The comb engages with the cleat of the step that moves under the floorboard; The passenger conveyor according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the upward displacement portion is arranged forward of the tip of the comb in the direction of travel of the step at the exit. [Appendix 4] The guide device is A manual unit that reverses the moving handrail at the boarding entrance; A second horizontal section that guides the moving handrail so that the hand of the user holding the moving handrail at the entrance moves horizontally; an inclined portion that guides the moving handrail so that the moving handrail moves obliquely in accordance with the steps that move obliquely upward or downward; Further provided with 4. A passenger conveyor according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein only the second horizontal portion is disposed between the manual portion and the inclined portion. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 1 truss, 2 step, 3 entrance, 4 exit, 5 machine room, 6 floor board, 7 comb, 8 machine room, 9 floor board, 10 comb, 10a tip, 11 motor, 12 control device, 13 reducer, 14 shaft, 15 sprocket, 16 step chain, 17 step shaft, 18 moving handrail, 19 drive device, 20 sprocket, 21 handrail chain, 22 guide device, 23 balustrade, 24 rail, 25 rail clip, 26 rail clip, 27 inclined portion, 28 horizontal portion, 29 upward displacement portion, 30 manual portion, 31 manual portion, 32 horizontal portion, 33 existing moving handrail, 34 existing guide device, 35 horizontal portion, 36 Manual Section

Claims

1. Steps and A handrail for a user to grab when riding on the step and moving from the boarding entrance to the exit; A guide device that guides the movement of the moving handrail; Equipped with The guide device is a passenger conveyor having an upward displacement portion that guides the moving handrail so that the hand of a user holding the moving handrail at the exit is displaced upward.

2. The guide device further includes a first horizontal portion that guides the moving handrail so that the hand of the user holding the moving handrail at the exit moves horizontally, The passenger conveyor according to claim 1 , wherein the upward displacement portion is disposed forward of the first horizontal portion in a direction in which the steps move at the exit.

3. A floor board provided at the exit; a comb provided on the floor plate; Further provided with The comb engages with the cleat of the step that moves under the floorboard; 3. The passenger conveyor according to claim 1, wherein the upward displacement portion is disposed forward of a tip of the comb with respect to a direction in which the step moves at the exit.

4. The guide device is A manual unit that reverses the moving handrail at the boarding entrance; a second horizontal portion that guides the moving handrail so that the hand of a user holding the moving handrail at the entrance moves horizontally; an inclined portion that guides the moving handrail so that the moving handrail moves obliquely in accordance with the steps that move obliquely upward or downward; Further provided with 3. The passenger conveyor according to claim 1, wherein only the second horizontal portion is disposed between the vertical portion and the inclined portion.

5. Steps and An existing moving handrail for a user to grab when riding on the step and moving from the boarding entrance to the exit; An existing guide device that guides the movement of the existing moving handrail; A method for retrofitting a passenger conveyor comprising: A first step of removing the existing moving handrail from the existing guide device; a second step of removing a part of the existing guide device disposed at the exit after the first step; a third step of attaching an upward displacement portion to a position where the portion of the existing guide device was attached after the second step; After the third step, a fourth step of attaching one of the existing moving handrail or the new moving handrail; Equipped with A method for modifying a passenger conveyor, wherein the upward displacement section guides one of the two so that the hand of a user grasping the one of the two at the exit is displaced upward.

6. The passenger conveyor repair method according to claim 5, wherein the one of the handrails is a new handrail that is longer than the existing handrail.

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