Measuring device and measuring system

Abstract

This reduces the error that may occur when measuring the dimensions of the gap between the passenger conveyor skirt guard and the steps. [Solution] The measuring device according to the embodiment is attached to the inner side of the skirt guard of the passenger conveyor and comprises a detection unit, a calculation unit, and a storage unit. The detection unit detects that a plurality of steps provided on the passenger conveyor are moving in a circular motion. The calculation unit calculates the dimensions of the gap between each step and the skirt guard. The storage unit stores information indicating the dimensions of each gap calculated by the calculation unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a measuring device and a measuring system.

Background Art

[0002] The dimension of the gap between the skirt guard and the step of an escalator (passenger conveyor) is an important dimension for safety and needs to be maintained within a predetermined range. For this reason, the dimension of the gap between the skirt guard and the step is regularly measured during maintenance inspection and adjusted to be within a predetermined range.

[0003] However, the measurement of the above-described gap dimension is manually performed by a maintenance worker using, for example, a measuring tool or a scale, so an error may occur in the measurement result. Therefore, the realization of a new technology capable of reducing the above-described error is desired.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a measuring device and a measuring system capable of reducing an error that may occur when measuring the dimension of the gap between the skirt guard and the step of a passenger conveyor.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A measuring device according to one embodiment is attached to the inner side of the skirt guard of a passenger conveyor and comprises a detection unit, a calculation unit, and a storage unit. The detection unit detects that a plurality of steps provided on the passenger conveyor are moving in a circular motion. The calculation unit calculates the dimension of the gap between each step and the skirt guard. The storage unit stores information indicating the dimension of each gap calculated by the calculation unit. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This figure shows the configuration of a passenger conveyor to which a measuring device is attached according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of the configuration of the measuring device according to the same embodiment. [Figure 3] This flowchart shows an example of the operation of the measuring device according to the same embodiment. [Figure 4A] This figure shows an example of how the measuring device according to the same embodiment measures the distance in the height direction between itself and the steps. [Figure 4B] This figure shows another example of how the measuring device according to the same embodiment measures the distance in the height direction between itself and the steps. [Figure 5] This graph shows an example of the results obtained when the measuring device according to the same embodiment measures the height distance between the step and the ground. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of how the measuring device according to the same embodiment measures the dimensions of the gap between the step and the skirt guard. [Figure 7] This graph shows an example of the results of measuring the gap between the step and the skirt guard according to the same embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. The drawings include mutually orthogonal X, Y, and Z axes as needed to facilitate understanding. The direction along the X axis is referred to as the first direction X, the direction along the Y axis as the second direction Y, and the direction along the Z axis as the third direction Z. The third direction Z is the normal direction to the plane containing the first direction X and the second direction Y (the XY plane).

[0009] Figure 1 shows a schematic example of the passenger conveyor according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, the case where the passenger conveyor is an escalator will be described.

[0010] As shown in Figure 1, the escalator 10 is installed at an incline, for example, between the lower and upper floors of a building. In the example shown in Figure 1, it is assumed that the lower floor is the entrance to the escalator 10 and the upper floor is the exit.

[0011] The escalator 10 shown in Figure 1 is configured to transport passengers (users) who are standing on the steps 11 by circulating multiple steps 11 that are connected without gaps between the lower machine room 12 (entrance) and the upper machine room 13 (exit).

[0012] Multiple steps 11 are connected by an endless connecting chain 14 and are located within a truss 15 installed beneath the building's floor. Inside the truss 15 are a lower sprocket 16 and an upper sprocket 17, with the connecting chain 14 wrapped between them.

[0013] In the example shown in Figure 1, a drive unit 18, which includes a motor and a reduction gear, is connected to the upper sprocket 17. This drive unit 18 rotates the lower sprocket 16 and the upper sprocket 17, around which a connecting chain 14 is wound. The multiple steps 11 are then guided by a guide rail (not shown) via the connecting chain 14 and move in a circular motion between the lower machine room 12 and the upper machine room 13. In Figure 1, the drive unit 18 is connected to the upper sprocket 17, but it may also be connected to the lower sprocket 16.

[0014] Also, on the upper part of the truss 15, a pair of skirt guards 25 are respectively installed along the moving direction of the treads 11 so as to face both side surfaces of each tread 11. On the upper parts of this pair of skirt guards 25, inner decks 26 are respectively installed. On the opposite side of the inner deck 26, an outer deck (not shown) is installed so as to sandwich the railing 19 together with the inner deck 26.

[0015] The railings 19 are respectively erected on both sides of each tread 11. A belt-shaped handrail 20 is attached around the railing 19. The handrail 20 is a handrail that a passenger boarding the tread 11 holds, and for example, by transmitting the driving force of the driving device 18, it rotates in synchronization with the movement of the tread 11.

[0016] The boarding and alighting openings (boarding opening and alighting opening) of the escalator 10 are located above the lower machine room 12 and the upper machine room 13, and boarding and alighting plates 22 and 23 are respectively detachably installed at the boarding and alighting openings. The boarding and alighting plates 22 and 23 correspond to the ceilings of the lower machine room 12 and the upper machine room 13. When boarding the escalator 10 (tread 11), a passenger passes over the boarding plate 22, and when getting off the escalator 10 (tread 11), a passenger passes over the boarding plate 23.

[0017] In the upper machine room 13, in addition to the driving device 18, a control device 21 is installed. The control device 21 controls the operations of various devices installed in the escalator 10 in order to control the operation of the escalator 1C

[0018] The measuring device 3 is attached to the inner side surface of the skirt guard 25 and measures the dimension of the gap between the tread 11 and the skirt guard 25.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the measuring device 3 according to the embodiment. The measuring device 3 includes an attachment part 31, a control part 32, a measuring part 33, an analysis part 34, a memory part 35, and an output part 36. The attachment part 31 is located on the outer side surface of the housing of the measuring device 3 and detachably attaches the measuring device 3 to the skirt guard 25 of the escalator 10. The attachment part 31 is, for example, a magnet or an adsorbent.

[0020] The control part 32 includes, for example, a CPU (main processing circuit), a ROM (read-only memory), a RAM (random access memory), etc., and performs overall control of each part constituting the measuring device 3.

[0021] The measuring part 33 measures (acquires) the distance in the height direction between the measuring device 3 and the step 11 and the angle corresponding to the distance in the height direction. The measuring part 33 irradiates (transmits) millimeter waves to the step 11, receives the reflected wave reflected by the step 11, and performs signal processing on the reflected wave, thereby measuring (acquiring) the distance in the height direction and the angle corresponding to the distance in the height direction. In addition to the function of measuring the distance in the height direction and the angle corresponding to the distance in the height direction, the measuring part 33 has a function of detecting that each step 11 is moving in a circulating manner. This function will be described together with the flowchart described later.

[0022] The analysis part 34 analyzes the distance in the height direction between the measuring device 3 and the step 11 measured by the measuring part 33 and the angle corresponding to the distance in the height direction, thereby calculating the dimension of the gap between the step 11 and the skirt guard 25. In the present embodiment, the analysis part 34 analyzes the distance in the height direction between the measuring device 3 and the step 11 and the angle corresponding to the distance in the height direction, and calculates the dimension of the gap between the step 11 and the skirt guard 25, which will be described as "measuring the dimension of the gap". The method by which the analysis part 34 measures the dimension of the gap will be described later. The measuring part 33 and the analysis part 34 are, for example, millimeter wave radars that operate under the control of the control part 32.

[0023] The memory unit 35 stores information on the height distance and angle obtained by the measurement unit 33, and information on the gap dimensions obtained by the analysis unit 34. Hereafter, all of this information will be referred to as measurement result information. Specifically, the memory unit 35 stores first measurement result information that correlates the elapsed time since the start of measuring the height distance between the measuring device 3 and the step 11, and second measurement result information that correlates the gap dimension between the step 11 and the skirt guard 25 with the elapsed time since the start of measuring the height distance. As will be described in detail later, it is expected that the timing of starting to measure the height distance and the timing of starting to measure the gap dimension will be approximately the same.

[0024] The output unit 36 ​​outputs the first measurement result information and the second measurement result information stored in the storage unit 35 to the external device 4.

[0025] External device 4 can be connected to measuring device 3 by wire or wireless connection and is, for example, a PC or tablet terminal that can be operated by a maintenance worker. External device 4 receives and displays measurement result information output from measuring device 3. Maintenance workers can check the measurement results of measuring device 3 via external device 4.

[0026] In the embodiment described above, the analysis unit 34 is provided inside the measuring device 3, but this is not limited to this configuration, and the same function may be provided on the external device 4 side. In this case, the storage unit 35 will only store the so-called raw data (distance and angle in the height direction) obtained by the measuring unit 33, and will not store information on the dimensions of the gap.

[0027] Next, we will explain the operation of this measuring device. Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the measuring device. The measuring device 3 is attached to the inner side of the skirt guard 25 by a maintenance worker while the escalator 10 is stopped. After attaching the measuring device 3 to the inner side of the skirt guard 25, the maintenance worker turns on the power to the measuring device 3 to start the measurement and also starts the operation of the escalator 10.

[0028] When the power to the measuring device 3 is turned on, the measuring unit 33 starts measuring the height distance between the measuring device 3 and the step 11, and the angle corresponding to that height distance (step S1). The height distance between the measuring device 3 and the step 11 and the angle corresponding to that height distance, measured by the measuring unit 33, are sequentially stored in the storage unit 35 in association with the elapsed time since the start of measuring the height distance.

[0029] The measuring unit 33 determines whether the height distance between the measuring device 3 and the step 11 has changed. More specifically, the measuring unit 33 compares the height distance sequentially stored in the storage unit 35 with the currently measured height distance to determine whether the height distance has changed (step S2). The measuring unit 33 determines that the height distance has changed if the height distance stored in the storage unit 35 is greater than the current height distance, or if the height distance stored in the storage unit 35 is less than the current height distance.

[0030] In the process of step S2, if it is determined that the distance in the height direction has not changed (step S2 No.), the measuring unit 33 detects that the steps 11 are not moving in a circular motion (in other words, it detects that the escalator 10 is stopped). In this case, the analysis unit 34 does not start measuring the dimensions of the gap between each step 11 and the skirt guard 25 based on the information from the measuring unit 33, but continues to measure only the distance in the height direction between the measuring device 3 and the steps 11 and the angle corresponding to that distance in the height direction by the measuring unit 33, and the process of step S2 is executed again.

[0031] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2 that the distance in the height direction has changed (Yes in step S2), the measuring unit 33 detects that the steps 11 are moving in a circular motion (in other words, it detects that the escalator 10 is operating). In this case, the analysis unit 34 starts measuring the dimensions of the gap between each step 11 and the skirt guard 25 based on the information from the measuring unit 33 (step S3). The dimensions of the gap between the step 11 and the skirt guard 25 measured by the analysis unit 34 are sequentially stored in the storage unit 35 in association with the elapsed time since the start of measuring the distance in the height direction (i.e., the elapsed time since the execution of the process in step S1). The measuring unit 33 continues to measure the distance in the height direction between the measuring device 3 and the step 11, and the angle corresponding to that distance in the height direction, even while the analysis unit 34 is measuring the dimensions of the gap between each step 11 and the skirt guard 25.

[0032] Next, the measuring unit 33 determines whether a certain amount of time has elapsed since the start of measuring the distance in the height direction and the angle corresponding to that distance in the height direction (step S4). The certain amount of time is, for example, the time required for each step 11 to travel around the escalator 10 in a circular motion.

[0033] In the process of step S4, if it is determined that a certain amount of time has not elapsed (step S4 No.), the measurement unit 33 detects that each step 11 has not yet completed one full rotation since the start of measuring the distance in the height direction and the angle corresponding to that distance in the height direction, and determines that the dimensions of the gap between all steps 11 and the skirt guard 25 have not yet been measured. In this case, the analysis unit 34 continues to measure the dimensions of the gap between each step 11 and the skirt guard 25.

[0034] On the other hand, if it is determined that a certain amount of time has elapsed during the process in step S4 (Yes in step S4), the measuring unit 33 detects that each step 11 has completed one full rotation since the start of measuring the distance in the height direction, and determines that it has been able to measure the dimensions of the gap between all steps 11 and the skirt guard 25. In this case, under the control of the control unit 32, the measuring unit 33 finishes measuring the distance in the height direction between the measuring device 3 and the step 11 and the angle corresponding to that distance in the height direction, and the analysis unit 34 finishes measuring the dimensions of the gap between each step 11 and the skirt guard 25 (step S5).

[0035] Furthermore, when the maintenance worker determines that each step 11 has completed one full rotation of the escalator 10, they will terminate the operation of the escalator 10.

[0036] Figures 4A and 4B illustrate the principle by which the measuring unit 33 of the measuring device 3 detects that the steps 11 are moving in a circular motion based on the change in the height distance between the measuring device 3 and the steps 11. In Figures 4A and 4B, the case where each step 11 of the escalator 10 is moving from the lower floor to the upper floor is shown in the YZ plane.

[0037] As shown in Figures 4A and 4B, a comb-shaped comb 27 is provided at the tip of the boarding / alighting plate 22, and each step 11 is extended from the comb 27. Each step 11 moves along the third direction Z when near the comb 27, and moves in a direction that forms an angle θ with the third direction Z when it is a certain distance away from the comb 27.

[0038] Figure 4A shows the case where distance h1 is measured by the measuring unit 33 as the height distance between the measuring device 3 and the step 11. On the other hand, Figure 4B shows the case where distance h2 (>h1) is measured by the measuring unit 33 as the height distance between the measuring device 3 and the step 11.

[0039] Even though the position of the measuring device 3 does not change, the height distance between the measuring device 3 and the step 11 changes because the step 11 is moving in a circular motion, as shown in Figures 4A and 4B. The measuring unit 33 uses this to detect that the step 11 is moving in a circular motion.

[0040] In this case, the measuring unit 33 detects that each step 11 is moving in a circular motion when the distance in the height direction changes even slightly, but it is not limited to this, and it may also detect that each step 11 is moving in a circular motion when it detects a transition as shown in Figure 5, which will be described later.

[0041] Figure 5 is a graph showing an example of the results of measuring the height distance between the measuring device 3 and each step 11. The graph in Figure 5 is a line graph showing the first measurement result information when the measuring device 3 is attached to the upward escalator 10. The first measurement result information is output to the external device 4 via the output unit 36 ​​and displayed on the external device 4 as shown in Figure 5. This line graph corresponds to the situations shown in Figures 4A and 4B. The vertical axis shows the height distance between the measuring device 3 and each step 11, and the horizontal axis shows the elapsed time since the measurement of the height distance began.

[0042] As shown in Figure 5, the height distance between the measuring device 3 and each step 11 follows a pattern of gradually decreasing from distance h2 to distance h1, and then rapidly increasing from distance h1 to distance h2.

[0043] Furthermore, it is preferable that the measuring device 3 is not installed near the comb 27 shown in Figures 4A and 4B. This is because, near the comb 27, the steps 11 move only along the third direction Z and not in the second direction Y, so the height distance between the measuring device 3 and the steps 11 does not change (i.e., it is not possible to detect the transition as shown in Figure 5), and the measurement of the gap between each step 11 and the skirt guard 25 does not begin.

[0044] In addition, the above description explains the case in which the cyclic movement of the steps 11 is detected based on the measurement results of the height distance of the steps 11 of the ascending escalator 10, but the same applies to the descending escalator 10.

[0045] Figure 6 illustrates how the measuring device 3 measures the gap between the step 11 and the skirt guard 25. In Figure 6, the measuring device 3 irradiates the step 11 and the skirt guard 25 with millimeter waves in the XY plane.

[0046] The step 11 has a tread surface 11a along the first direction X, a cleat 11b on the tread surface 11a, and a side surface 11c facing the skirt guard 25 along the second direction Y. The skirt guard 25 has an inner side surface 25a facing the side surface 11c of the step 11 in the first direction X.

[0047] The measuring device 3 is attached to the inner side surface 25a of the skirt guard 25 by the mounting portion 31. In addition, the measuring device 3 is mounted in a position in the second direction Y where the measuring portion 33 of the measuring device 3 faces the tread surface 11a of the step 11 (i.e., a position where millimeter waves can be irradiated onto the tread surface 11a).

[0048] The measuring unit 33 of the measuring device 3 irradiates millimeter waves onto the step 11. The irradiated millimeter waves spread radially and are reflected by the tread surface 11a of the step 11, the cleat 11b, and the inner side surface 25a of the skirt guard 25, and are received by the measuring unit 33 as reflected waves.

[0049] The millimeter wave W1 emitted from the measuring unit 33 propagates, for example, as shown by the arrow in the figure, and is reflected by the tread surface 11a of the step 11 before being received by the measuring unit 33 as a reflected wave. By processing the received reflected wave signal, the measuring unit 33 can obtain the distance between the measuring device 3 and the tread surface 11a, and angle information indicating the angle that the millimeter wave W1 makes with respect to the second direction Y. The analysis unit 34 analyzes the distance between the measuring device 3 and the tread surface 11a based on the angle information, thereby obtaining the distance from the measuring device 3 to the tread surface 11a in the first direction X and the distance from the measuring device 3 to the tread surface 11a in the second direction Y.

[0050] Similarly, by processing the reflected wave signal of the millimeter wave W2 irradiated toward the cleat 11b of the step 11, the measurement unit 33 obtains the distance between the measurement device 3 and the cleat 11b, and angle information indicating the angle that the millimeter wave W2 makes with respect to the second direction Y. Based on this angle information, the analysis unit 34 analyzes the distance between the measurement device 3 and the cleat 11b to obtain the distance from the measurement device 3 to the cleat 11b in the first direction X, and the distance from the measurement device 3 to the cleat 11b in the second direction Y. The height distance between the measurement device 3 and the step 11 described above corresponds to the distance from the measurement device 3 to the cleat 11b in the second direction Y, which is obtained by analyzing the millimeter wave W2.

[0051] Furthermore, by processing the reflected wave signal of the millimeter wave W3 irradiated toward the inner side surface 25a of the skirt guard 25, the measurement unit 33 obtains the distance between the measurement device 3 and the inner side surface 25a, and angle information indicating the angle that the millimeter wave W3 makes with respect to the second direction Y. The analysis unit 34 analyzes the distance between the measurement device 3 and the inner side surface 25a based on the angle information, thereby obtaining the distance from the measurement device 3 to the inner side surface 25a in the first direction X, and the distance from the measurement device 3 to the inner side surface 25a in the second direction Y.

[0052] The analysis unit 34 analyzes the distances between the tread surface 11a, the cleat 11b, and the inner side surface 25a in the first direction X and the second direction Y obtained from the reflected millimeter waves including millimeter waves W1 to W3, and calculates the position and shape of the tread surface 11a, the cleat 11b, and the inner side surface 25a. Based on the calculated position and shape of the tread surface 11a, the cleat 11b, and the inner side surface 25a, the analysis unit 34 calculates the gap dimension L between the side surface 11c of the step 11 and the inner side surface 25a of the skirt guard 25. The calculated gap dimension L is stored in the storage unit 35 in association with the elapsed time since the start of measuring the distance in the height direction.

[0053] The dimensions of the gap stored in the memory unit 35 are output to the external device 4 via the output unit 36. Maintenance personnel can confirm the dimensions of the gap by viewing them on the screen of the external device 4.

[0054] Figure 7 is a graph showing an example of the results obtained when the measurement device 3 analyzes the dimensions of the gap between each step 11 and the skirt guard 25 based on the measurement results of the measurement unit 33, and the analysis unit 34 analyzes these results. The graph in Figure 7 is a line graph showing the change over time for the second measurement result information measured by the method in Figure 6, and shows the case when the gap is not within the predetermined range. Note that under normal circumstances, when the gap dimensions are within the predetermined range, no change should be observed. The second measurement result information is output to the external device 4 via the output unit 36, similar to the first measurement result information, and is displayed on the external device 4 as shown in Figure 7. In the line graph in Figure 7, the vertical axis shows the dimension of the gap between each step 11 and the skirt guard 25, and the horizontal axis shows the elapsed time since the measurement of the height distance began.

[0055] In Figure 7, the gap dimension changes from width L1 to width L2, and then returns to width L1. After that, the gap dimension remains width L1 for a while, changes to width L3, and then returns to width L1 again. The range defined by widths LH and LL shown in Figure 7 corresponds to the inspection standard for the gap dimension between the step 11 and the skirt guard 25. Maintenance personnel determine that the corresponding step 11 is normal if the gap dimension is within the range defined by widths LH and LL, and that there is an abnormality in the corresponding step 11 if the gap dimension is outside the range defined by widths LH and LL.

[0056] For example, since the widths L2 and L3 shown in Figure 7 are outside the range defined by widths LH and LL, there is a possibility that an abnormality has occurred in the step 11 corresponding to the location where widths L2 and L3 were measured.

[0057] As shown in Figure 7, if the measurement result is greater than the upper limit of width LH, it is expected that, for example, the connecting chain 14 or the guide rail has shifted due to the aging deterioration of the escalator 10.

[0058] On the other hand, if the measurement result is smaller than the lower limit of width LL, such as width L3, it is expected that, for example, foreign matter such as gum is attached to the side surface 11c of the corresponding step 11.

[0059] As described above, by referring to the second set of measurement results, maintenance personnel can detect misalignment of the connecting chain 14 or guide rail, and foreign matter attached to the side surface 11c of the step 11. In other words, by referring to the second set of measurement results, maintenance personnel can detect abnormalities occurring in the escalator 10.

[0060] Furthermore, maintenance personnel can identify the step 11 where an abnormality may be occurring by referring to both the first measurement result information in Figure 5 and the second measurement result information in Figure 7.

[0061] First, the maintenance worker refers to the second measurement result information in Figure 7 to identify the time when the dimensions of the gap in step 11 where an abnormality may be occurring were measured. Next, the maintenance worker refers to the first measurement result information in Figure 5 to count the number of times the distance changed from h1 to h2 between the start of measuring the height and the identified time (i.e., the time when the dimensions of the gap in step 11 where an abnormality may be occurring were measured).

[0062] In the first measurement result information, the transition from distance h1 to distance h2 indicates that the step 11 being measured has changed to the next step 11. Therefore, by counting this number of times as described above, the maintenance worker can identify which step 11 from the starting step 11 is where the step 11 where the abnormality may be occurring is. In this case, the maintenance worker stops the operation of the escalator 10 when they determine that one full rotation has been completed from the start of measurement, so the starting step 11 is considered to be directly below the measuring device 3. However, the starting step 11 can be identified by attaching a sticker or other marker to the starting step 11 (i.e., the step 11 located directly below the measuring device 3 at the start of measurement).

[0063] In this way, maintenance personnel can identify the step 11 where an abnormality may be occurring by referring to both the first measurement result information in Figure 5 and the second measurement result information in Figure 7.

[0064] In Figure 7, a graph format is shown as an example of the display format when the second measurement result information is displayed on the external device 4. However, the second measurement result information may also be displayed in a table format that associates the gap dimensions with the elapsed time since the start of measuring the height distance. Similarly, the first measurement result information may be displayed not only in a graph format as shown in Figure 5, but also in a table format that associates it with the elapsed time since the start of measuring the height distance.

[0065] As described above, the measuring device 3 according to this embodiment can automatically measure the dimensions of the gap between the step 11 and the skirt guard 25 using millimeter-wave radar. Conventionally, the dimensions of the gap between the step 11 and the skirt guard 25 were measured manually by maintenance personnel using a measuring tape or scale, but with the measuring device 3 according to this embodiment, it is possible to measure the dimensions of the gap automatically, thereby reducing measurement errors that occurred due to manual work by maintenance personnel.

[0066] Furthermore, manually measuring the gap between each step 11 and the skirt guard 25 was time-consuming and a significant burden for maintenance personnel. However, with the measuring device 3 according to this embodiment, it is possible to automatically measure the gap between each step 11 and the skirt guard 25, thereby reducing the burden on maintenance personnel. In addition, with the measuring device 3 according to this embodiment, it is possible to measure the gap between each step 11 and the skirt guard 25 simply by attaching the measuring device 3 to the skirt guard 25 and then moving the escalator 10 steps 11 around once, thereby shortening the time required to measure the gap dimensions.

[0067] Furthermore, since the measuring device 3 according to this embodiment is detachable, it only needs to be attached to the skirt guard 25 when measuring the gap between the step 11 and the skirt guard 25 (for example, during maintenance inspection). In other words, there is no need to attach the measuring device 3 during normal operation of the escalator 10, so it does not interfere with normal operation.

[0068] In addition, maintenance personnel can detect foreign objects present in the gap between the steps 11 and the skirt guard 25 from the measurement results of the measuring device 3. Therefore, by using the measuring device 3, maintenance personnel can easily detect foreign objects present in the gap between the steps 11 and the skirt guard 25, even in existing escalators 10 that do not have a function to detect foreign objects present in the gap between the steps 11 and the skirt guard 25.

[0069] Furthermore, although the measurement of the height distance between the measuring device 3 and the steps 11 was terminated after a certain period of time from the start of measurement, if the height distance does not change for a predetermined time (i.e., the escalator 10 is not operating and each step 11 is not moving in a circular motion), the measuring device 3 may terminate the measurement of the height distance and the angle corresponding to that height distance. Once the measuring device 3 has terminated the measurement of the height distance and the angle corresponding to that height distance, it also terminates the measurement of the gap between each step 11 and the skirt guard 25.

[0070] The measuring device 3 may also have a communication function for communicating with the control device 21 of the escalator 10. In this case, when the measuring device 3 receives a signal from the control device 21 to operate the escalator 10, it begins measuring the height distance between the measuring device 3 and the step 11, the angle corresponding to that height distance, and the gap between the step 11 and the skirt guard 25. Furthermore, when the measuring device 3 receives a signal from the control device 21 to stop the escalator 10, it ends measuring the height distance between the measuring device 3 and the step 11, the angle corresponding to that height distance, and the gap between the step 11 and the skirt guard 25.

[0071] According to at least one embodiment described above, it is possible to provide a measuring device that can suppress the occurrence of errors when measuring the dimensions of the gap between the skirt guard and the steps of a passenger conveyor.

[0072] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be carried out in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0073] 3... Measuring device, 10... Escalator (passenger conveyor), 11... Step, 11a... Tread, 11b... Cleat, 11c... Side, 25... Skirt guard, 25a... Inner side, 31... Mounting part, 32... Control unit, 33... Measurement unit, 34... Analysis unit, 35... Memory unit, 36... Output unit.

Claims

1. A measuring device attached to the inner side of the skirt guard of a passenger conveyor, A detection unit that detects that multiple steps provided on the passenger conveyor are moving in a circular motion, A calculation unit for calculating the dimensions of the gap between each of the aforementioned steps and the skirt guard, A storage unit that stores information indicating the dimensions of each gap calculated by the calculation unit, A measuring device equipped with the following.

2. The device further comprises a measuring unit for measuring the distance in the height direction between the measuring device and each of the steps, The detection unit detects that each of the steps is moving in a circular motion based on the measurement result of the height direction distance by the measurement unit. The calculation unit calculates the dimensions of each gap based on the height distance to each step measured by the measurement unit. In addition to information indicating the dimensions of each gap, the storage unit further stores information indicating the height distance to each step. The measuring device according to claim 1.

3. The detection unit detects that each step is moving in a circular motion when the measurement result of the height direction distance by the measurement unit changes from the start of measurement. The calculation unit starts calculating the dimensions of the gap when the detection unit detects that each of the steps is moving in a circular motion. The measuring device according to claim 2.

4. The calculation unit terminates the calculation of the gap dimensions when the time required for each step to complete one rotation around the passenger conveyor has elapsed. The measuring device according to claim 3.

5. The detection unit detects that the steps are not moving in a circular motion when the measurement result of the height direction measured by the measurement unit does not change for a certain period of time. The calculation unit terminates the calculation of the gap dimensions when the detection unit detects that the steps are not moving in a circular motion. The measuring device according to claim 3.

6. The measuring device is detachably attached to the inner side surface of the skirt guard of the passenger conveyor. The measuring device according to claim 1.

7. The system further comprises an output unit that outputs to an external device information indicating the dimensions of each gap stored in the memory unit, and information indicating the height distance to each step. The measuring device according to claim 2.

8. The measuring device is connected in a communication manner to a control device that controls the operation of the passenger conveyor. The measuring unit starts calculating the dimensions of the gap when it receives a signal from the control device to start the passenger conveyor, and stops calculating the dimensions of the gap when it receives a signal from the control device to stop the passenger conveyor. The measuring device according to claim 2.

9. A measuring system comprising a measuring device attached to the inner side of the skirt guard of a passenger conveyor and an external device, which are communicated together, The measuring device is, A detection unit that detects that multiple steps on a passenger conveyor are moving in a circular motion, The measuring device and a measuring unit that measures the distance in the height direction between each of the steps, A storage unit that stores information indicating the height distance to each step measured by the measuring unit, An output unit outputs the information stored in the memory unit to the external device as information for calculating the dimensions of the gap between each step and the skirt guard. A measuring system equipped with the following features.

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