Passenger conveyor

Abstract

Objects can sometimes get stuck between the movable handrail and the floor, but the detection accuracy of these objects was not sufficient. [Solution] A passenger conveyor comprising: a plurality of endlessly connected steps; a means for moving the plurality of steps; an endless movable handrail that moves in conjunction with the movement of the plurality of steps; a railing having a handrail guide rail for guiding the movable handrail; a truss located below the railing and having a movable handrail entry opening into which the movable handrail enters after its direction of movement is reversed at the manual section of the railing; a handrail pressure detection means positioned in the manual section below the reversal point where the direction of movement of the movable handrail is reversed and for detecting the pressure applied from the movable handrail in the direction of the handrail guide rail; and a control means that controls the movement of the steps and the movable handrail when pressure is detected by the handrail pressure detection means.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a passenger conveyor that detects being pinched in the vicinity of an entrance into a truss of a moving handrail.

Background Art

[0002] In an escalator, which is one type of passenger conveyor, a moving handrail is provided that moves in the same direction at the same speed as the steps on which users board. Since the space between the lower part from the inversion point where this moving handrail reverses and the floor gradually becomes narrower, there is a concern that a person or foreign object may be drawn into the moving handrail and pinched, resulting in injury or damage to the escalator itself.

[0003] To suppress this, in Patent Document 1, when a human body or foreign object is sandwiched in the gap near the handrail at the boarding and alighting openings, a detection plate moves downward against a spring, thereby pressing a detection rod of a detection switch and opening its contact, causing the drive motor of the escalator to stop.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the escalator described in Patent Document 1, a force is applied downward to the detection plate at the boarding and alighting openings not only when being pinched, but also possibly when accidentally stepped on when boarding, and if it stops every time, it will hinder operation. In particular, when a user is boarding on the steps and suddenly stops, they may fall or trip, so it is necessary to avoid frequent stops.

[0006] This disclosure was made to solve the aforementioned problems and aims to provide a passenger conveyor with improved detection accuracy for pinching. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The passenger conveyor according to this disclosure comprises a plurality of endlessly connected steps, a means for moving the plurality of steps, an endless movable handrail that moves in conjunction with the movement of the plurality of steps, a railing having a handrail guide rail for guiding the movable handrail, a truss located below the railing and having a movable handrail entry opening into which the movable handrail enters after its direction of movement is reversed at the manual section of the railing, a handrail pressure detection means arranged in the manual section below the reversal point where the direction of movement of the movable handrail is reversed and for detecting pressure applied from the movable handrail in the direction of the handrail guide rail, and a control means that controls the movement of the steps and the movable handrail when pressure is detected by the handrail pressure detection means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this disclosure, the accuracy of pinching detection will be improved, and consequently, operational efficiency will be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a configuration diagram showing the escalator configuration in Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] This is a vertical cross-sectional view of the escalator railing in Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] This is a configuration diagram showing the setup near the first entrance / exit of the escalator in Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] This is a configuration diagram showing the details of the roller member in Embodiment 1. [Figure 5] This diagram schematically illustrates what happens when an object, such as a human body, gets trapped. [Figure 6] This is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the escalator control system in Embodiment 1. [Figure 7]This is a flowchart showing the operation of the escalator pinching control means in Embodiment 1. [Figure 8] This is a configuration diagram showing the setup near the first entrance / exit of the escalator in Embodiment 2. [Figure 9] This is a diagram showing the configuration near the first entrance / exit of the escalator in Embodiment 3. [Figure 10] This is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the escalator control system in Embodiment 3. [Figure 11] This is a flowchart showing the operation of the escalator pinching control means in Embodiment 3. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The embodiments for implementing this disclosure will be described with reference to the attached drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are simplified or omitted as appropriate.

[0011] Embodiment 1. Figure 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an escalator, which is a passenger conveyor.

[0012] In the diagram, escalator 1 spans between the upper and lower floors of a building not shown. Here, the upper floor direction is considered forward, and the lower floor direction is considered backward, and this is an example of an upward escalator moving from the lower floor to the upper floor.

[0013] Escalator 1 comprises a first entrance / exit 2a, a second entrance / exit 2b, and a main frame 3. The first entrance / exit 2a is located on an upper floor of the building, and the second entrance / exit 2b is located on a lower floor of the building. The main frame 3 spans between the first entrance / exit 2a and the second entrance / exit 2b, and has a machine room 3a at its upper end and a driven motor room 3b at its lower end. The machine room 3a is located below the first entrance / exit 2a, and the driven motor room 3b is located below the second entrance / exit 2b.

[0014] In addition, the escalator 1 includes a plurality of steps 4, and as moving means for moving the steps 4, it includes a drive sprocket 5, a step chain 6, a drive machine 7, and a driven sprocket 8.

[0015] The plurality of steps 4 are connected in an endless manner and are arranged between the first boarding and alighting opening 2a and the second boarding and alighting opening 2b. The step chain 6 is an endless chain that connects the plurality of steps 4, and a part of it is wound around the drive sprocket 5 installed in the machine room 3a and the driven sprocket 8 installed in the driven machine room 3b.

[0016] The drive machine 7 moves the plurality of steps 4 by driving the drive sprocket 5. The drive machine 7 has a speed reducer 9, a V-belt 10, and a drive motor 11. The speed reducer 9 has an input shaft 9a, a gear part 9b, and an output shaft 9c. The input shaft 9a has a pulley, and when the pulley is rotated, the input shaft 9a receives the input of a rotational driving force. The gear part 9b converts the rotational driving force received by the input shaft 9a into a rotational driving force having the same or different rotational speeds and the same or different torques. The output shaft 9c outputs the rotational driving force converted by the gear part 9b. The output shaft 9c has a pulley, and the output shaft 9c is connected to the drive sprocket 5 via a chain belt hung on the pulley.

[0017] The V-belt 10 is wound around the pulley of the input shaft 9a. In addition, the drive motor 11 has a pulley 12, and the V-belt 10 is wound around it.

[0018] In addition, the escalator 1 includes a pair of handrails 13, a pair of moving handrails 14, and a pair of moving handrail drive machines 15. The moving handrail drive machine 15 receives power from the rotation of the drive sprocket 5 and moves the endless moving handrail 14 on the handrail guide rail of the handrail 13 in cooperation with the movement of the steps 4.

[0019] Figure 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the escalator railing 13 at point A-A' in Figure 1. Although the railing exists on both the left and right sides of step 4, only the right side is shown here because the configuration is similar.

[0020] The railings 13 positioned on both the left and right sides of step 4 include a handrail guide rail 16, an inner plate 17, an outer deck 18, an inner deck 19, and a skirt guard 20.

[0021] The handrail guide rail 16 is a component that guides the movement of the movable handrail 14. The handrail guide rail 16 has a U-shaped portion 16b and a horizontal portion 16c at the open end of the U-shaped portion 16b that faces the groove space 16a, so that a groove space 16a is formed inside along the direction of movement of the movable handrail 14. A resin clip guide 21 is attached so as to surround the horizontal portion 16c.

[0022] The movable handrail 14 is donut-shaped with a portion open and extending to the left and right, and is installed so as to cover the U-shaped section 16b and the horizontal section 16c. The movable handrail 14 and the clip guide 21 are in contact.

[0023] The inner plate 17 is positioned below the movable handrail 14 and the handrail guide rail 16, and is the part that faces the user on step 4 from the left and right directions. The outer deck 18 is located on the opposite side of step 4 from the lower end of the inner plate 17. The inner deck 19 is a plate-shaped member located on the step 4 side from the lower end of the inner plate 17. The skirt guard 20 is a plate-shaped member fixed to the inner deck 19 and positioned to the side of step 4.

[0024] The movable handrail 14 is cyclical; after moving along the handrail guide rail 16, it reverses direction and moves through the space enclosed by the outer deck 18, the inner deck 19, and the skirt guard 20.

[0025] Figure 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the escalator near the first entrance / exit 2a. Figure 3(a) is a view from the side, Figure 3(b) is a cross-sectional view from A to A', and Figure 3(c) is a partial cross-sectional view from B to B'. Note that the configuration of the railing 13 and movable handrail 14 at the second entrance / exit 2b and near the second entrance / exit 2b is the same, except for the direction of movement of the handrail.

[0026] The railing 13 forms an arc-shaped junction 13a near the first entrance / exit 2a. The movable handrail 14, which had been moving along the railing 13 from the lower floor to the upper floor, reverses its direction of movement by moving along the junction 13a and enters the truss 30 formed below the railing 13 through the movable handrail entry point 31. The movable handrail 14 then moves from the upper floor to the lower floor within the space enclosed by the outer deck 18, inner deck 19, and skirt guard 20 connected to the truss 30. A safety device (not shown) that is activated by being pushed from the outside is provided at the movable handrail entry point 31.

[0027] Furthermore, a floor pressure sensor 32 is installed on the floor surface in the lower part of the manual section 13a at the first entrance / exit 2a to detect the pressure applied to the floor surface.

[0028] In the handrail guide rail 16, which is located midway through the vertical direction of the manual section 13a and below the reversal point R where the direction of movement of the movable handrail 14 reverses, particularly in the range of approximately 60 degrees from the lower end of the manual section 13a, multiple roller members 22 are arranged in the groove space 16a. Furthermore, a handrail pressure sensor 23 is positioned between the surface of the U-shaped section 16b facing the groove space 16a and the roller members 22. The roller members 22 and the handrail pressure sensor 23 constitute the handrail pressure detection means 100.

[0029] Figure 4 is a configuration diagram showing the details of the roller member 22, with Figure 4(a) being a side view and Figure 4(b) being a bottom view. The roller member 22 has two side plates 22a, between which three rollers 22b are arranged in the direction of movement of the movable handrail 14 and pivotally supported on the side plates 22a by an axis 22c. In addition, a flat connecting member 22d is fixed to the upper part of the two side plates 22a. The rollers 22b contact the inner circumferential surface of the movable handrail 14 and rotate as the movable handrail 14 moves. Furthermore, the upper surface of the roller member 22, in particular the connecting member 22d, is in contact with the handrail pressure sensor 23.

[0030] Next, we will explain the concept of pinch detection in Embodiment 1. Figure 5 schematically illustrates the case where an object, such as a human body, is trapped. As shown in Figure 5, if an object α is caught between the movable handrail 14 and the floor, it will not press the safety device installed at the movable handrail entry point 31. The movable handrail 14 moves toward the movable handrail entrance 31, and object α is caught in the movable handrail 14, and a force is applied that pulls it toward the movable handrail entrance 31. This force is distributed, with an upward pushing pressure applied to the floor surface and a pushing pressure applied to the movable handrail 14 toward the handrail guide rail.

[0031] The pressure applied to the movable handrail 14 is also applied to the handrail guide rail 16, and because the roller 22b comes into contact with the movable handrail 14, pressure is also applied to the roller member 22, putting pressure on the handrail pressure sensor 23. Therefore, the pressure is measured by the handrail pressure sensor 23 to detect pinching.

[0032] Figure 6 is a configuration diagram showing the control system configuration in Embodiment 1. In Figure 6, the pinching control means 40 includes a pinching detection unit 41, a voice generation unit 42, a message generation unit 43, and a stop command generation unit 44. This pinching control means 40 is located, for example, in the machine room 3a.

[0033] The pinch detection unit 41 is connected to the handrail pressure sensor 23 and the floor pressure sensor 32. The handrail pressure sensor 23 and the floor pressure sensor 32 are installed in a total of four locations, on the left and right sides of the first entrance / exit 2a side and the second entrance / exit 2b side. However, in Embodiment 1, since it is an upward escalator moving from the lower floor to the upper floor, it is connected only to the handrail pressure sensor 23 and the floor pressure sensor 32 in a total of two locations, on the left and right sides of the first entrance / exit 2a side.

[0034] Next, the operation of the pinching control means 40 will be explained based on the flowchart showing the operation of the pinching control means in Embodiment 1 of Figure 7. First, the pinch detection unit 41 constantly receives information on the pressure values ​​detected by the handrail pressure sensor 23 and the floor pressure sensor 32, and determines whether the pressure value detected by the handrail pressure sensor 23 exceeds the threshold P1 (step S001).

[0035] If it is determined in step S001 that the threshold P1 is exceeded, the internal timer starts counting (step S002).

[0036] Next, it is determined whether the pressure value detected by the handrail pressure sensor 23 exceeds the threshold P1 (step S003), and if it exceeds the threshold P1, it is determined whether the elapsed time has reached T1 (step S004). Normally, even if a person's foot accidentally bumps into the handrail and the pressure value detected by the handrail pressure sensor 23 exceeds the threshold, this is only for a moment and does not continue. Therefore, here, it is determined whether or not the condition is due to pinching by whether the state exceeds the threshold P1 for a certain period of time. If the state exceeding the threshold P1 is resolved within T1, the process returns from step S003 to step S001. Note that T1 here is approximately 2 seconds.

[0037] If the elapsed time in step S004 reaches T1, it is determined whether the pressure value detected by the floor pressure sensor 32, located below the handrail pressure sensor 23 where the pressure value exceeds threshold P1, exceeds threshold P2 (step S005).

[0038] If the pressure value in step S005 is determined to exceed the threshold P2, there is a high probability that pinching has occurred, so the stop command generation unit 44 generates a stop command and transmits it to the operation control device 52 that controls the drive unit 7. The operation control device 52 receives the stop command and stops the drive motor 11 (step S006). As a result, step 4 and the movable handrail 14 stop. At the same time, the sound generation unit 42 generates a buzzer sound and transmits it to the speaker 50 installed on the railing 13 or the like to announce the buzzer sound (step S007). In addition, the message generation unit 43 generates a message such as "emergency stop" and transmits it to the display device 51 installed on the railing 13 or the like to display the message (step S008).

[0039] People may unconsciously apply downward force for a certain period of time, such as by standing on something, but it is unlikely that they would unconsciously apply upward force for a certain period of time. Therefore, in Embodiment 1, the manual section 13a detects pinching based on the pressure applied from the movable handrail 14 to the handrail guide rail 16 in the portion below the reversal point R where the direction of movement of the movable handrail 14 reverses, thereby improving detection accuracy.

[0040] Furthermore, by simultaneously detecting the downward pressure from the floor pressure sensor 32, accuracy can be further improved.

[0041] The threshold value set in the pinch detection unit 41 can be changed as appropriate depending on the escalator's installation conditions. Furthermore, if an unexpectedly large pressure is applied to the handrail pressure sensor 23 or the floor pressure sensor 32, steps S006, S007, and S008 may be performed immediately.

[0042] Furthermore, the shape of the roller member 22 can be changed as appropriate, and the number of rollers it has can also be changed.

[0043] Embodiment 2. Figure 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of the escalator near the first entrance / exit in Embodiment 2, where Figure 8(a) is a side view and Figure 8(b) is a cross-sectional view along A-A'. In Figure 8, instead of using a roller member as the handrail pressure detection means, the handrail pressure sensor 23 is sandwiched between the side of the horizontal portion 16c of the handrail guide rail 16 on the moving handrail 14 side and the resin clip guide 21. In Figure 8, components identical to or corresponding to those in Figure 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their explanations are simplified or omitted.

[0044] In this configuration, the handrail pressure sensor 23 can detect the pressure exerted from the movable handrail 14 towards the handrail guide rail 16, such as when an object is caught between the movable handrail 14 and the floor, via the clip guide 21. The control in Embodiment 2 is the same as in Figures 6 and 7, and therefore no further explanation is provided.

[0045] Thus, in Embodiment 2, the detection accuracy is improved, similar to Embodiment 1.

[0046] Embodiment 3. Figure 9 is a configuration diagram showing the escalator configuration near the first entrance / exit of the escalator in Embodiment 3. Figure 9(a) is a partial cross-sectional view from the side, and Figure 9(b) is a cross-sectional view along A-A'. In Figure 9, instead of using roller members, a damper spring is used as the handrail pressure detection means to detect the pressure applied from the moving handrail 14 in the direction of the handrail guide rail 16. In Figure 9, components identical to or corresponding to those in Figure 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their explanations are simplified or omitted.

[0047] In Figure 9, the handrail guide rail of the manual section 13a below the reversal point R where the direction of movement of the movable handrail 14 reverses is separated from the other handrail guide rails 16 to form a handrail guide rail 24, and the handrail guide rail 24 and the inner plate 17 are connected via a damper spring 25 with a built-in lift detection function. This lift detection function detects the degree of lift, which is the distance between the handrail guide rail 24 and the inner plate 17. When an object is caught and pressure is applied from the movable handrail 14 toward the handrail guide rail 16, the damper spring 25 compresses, and the handrail guide rail 24 moves about 2 to 5 mm toward the inner plate 17. In other words, the degree of lift becomes smaller than normal.

[0048] Figure 10 is a configuration diagram showing the control system configuration in Embodiment 3. Note that in Figure 10, components identical to or corresponding to those in Figure 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are simplified or omitted. The damper spring 25's lift detection function detects the degree of lift of the handrail guide rail 24, and the pinch detection unit 45 constantly receives the lift degree. The pinch detection unit 45 determines whether the lift degree has been below a threshold for a certain period of time. At the same time, it also determines whether the pressure value detected by the floor pressure sensor 32 exceeds a threshold.

[0049] Next, the operation of the pinching control means 40 will be explained based on the flowchart showing the operation of the pinching control means in Embodiment 3 of Figure 11. In Figure 11, the same steps as in Figure 7, and corresponding steps, are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the explanation is simplified or omitted.

[0050] First, the pinching detection unit 45 constantly receives the degree of lift detected by the lift detection function of the damper spring 25 and the pressure value detected by the floor pressure sensor 32, and determines whether the detected degree of lift is less than the threshold L1 (step S011). The threshold L1 is the distance between the handrail guide rail 24 and the inner plate 17 when an object is pinched and pressure is applied to the movable handrail 14, causing the handrail guide rail 24 to move in the direction of the inner plate 17, and is a value obtained in advance through experiments, etc.

[0051] If it is determined in step S011 that the value is less than the threshold L1, the internal timer starts counting (step S002).

[0052] Next, it is determined whether the detected degree of buoyancy is less than the threshold L1 (step S013), and if it is less than the threshold L1, it is determined whether the elapsed time has reached T1 (step S004).

[0053] If the elapsed time in step S004 reaches T1, it is determined whether the pressure value detected by the floor pressure sensor 32 exceeds the threshold P2 (step S005).

[0054] If it is determined in step S005 that the pressure value exceeds threshold P2, there is a high possibility that pinching has occurred, so steps S006, S007, and S008 are performed.

[0055] Thus, in Embodiment 3, similar to Embodiment 1, the accuracy of pinching detection is improved.

[0056] Although preferred embodiments have been described in detail above, the invention is not limited to these embodiments. In particular, the handrail pressure detection means may have other configurations as long as it can detect the pressure applied from the movable handrail 14 in the direction of the handrail guide rail 24. Furthermore, various modifications and substitutions can be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the scope of disclosure.

[0057] Furthermore, when referring to the number, quantity, amount, range, etc., of each element in the embodiments, the apparatus of this disclosure is not limited to the referred number unless specifically stated or clearly defined in principle. Also, the structures, etc., described in these embodiments are not necessarily essential unless specifically stated or clearly defined in principle. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0058] 1 Escalator, 2a First entrance / exit, 2b Second entrance / exit, 3 Main frame, 3a machine room, 3b driven machine room, 4 steps, 5 drive sprocket, 6 step chain, 7 drive mechanism, 8 driven sprocket, 9 Reducer, 9a Input shaft, 9b Gear section, 9c Output shaft, 10 V-belt, 11 drive motor, 12 pulley, 13 railing, 13a manual section, 14 movable handrail, 15 movable handrail drive mechanism, 16 handrail guide rail, 16a Groove space, 16b U-shaped part, 16c horizontal part, 17 Inner board, 18 Outer deck, 19 Inner deck, 20 skirt guards, 21 clip guides, 22 Roller member, 22a Side plate, 22b Roller, 22c Shaft, 22d Connecting member, 23 Handrail pressure sensor, 24 Handrail guide rail, 25 Damper spring with built-in lift detection function, 30 Truss, 31 Movable handrail entrance, 32 Floor pressure sensor, 40 Pinch control means, 41 Pinch detection unit, 42 Voice generation unit, 43 Message generation unit, 44 Stop command generation unit, 45. Pinching detection unit, 50 speakers, 51 display devices, 100 handrail pressure detection means

Claims

1. A passenger conveyor characterized by comprising: a plurality of endlessly connected steps; a means for moving the plurality of steps; an endless movable handrail that moves in conjunction with the movement of the plurality of steps; a railing having a handrail guide rail for guiding the movable handrail; a truss located below the railing and having a movable handrail entry opening into which the movable handrail enters after its direction of movement is reversed at a manual section of the railing; a handrail pressure detection means positioned at the manual section below the reversal point where the direction of movement of the movable handrail is reversed, for detecting pressure applied from the movable handrail in the direction of the handrail guide rail; and a control means for controlling the movement of the steps and the movable handrail when pressure is detected by the handrail pressure detection means.

2. The passenger conveyor according to claim 1, further comprising a floor pressure sensor located below the manual section for detecting pressure applied to the floor surface, wherein the control means controls the movement of the step and the movable handrail based on the pressure detected by the floor pressure sensor.

3. The passenger conveyor according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the handrail pressure detection means includes a roller member equipped with a roller that contacts the moving handrail and rotates in conjunction with the movement of the moving handrail, and a handrail pressure sensor provided so as to be sandwiched between the roller member and the handrail guide rail.

4. The passenger conveyor according to claim 3, characterized in that the control means stops the step and the moving handrail when the pressure detected by the handrail pressure sensor exceeds a threshold.

5. The passenger conveyor according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the handrail pressure detection means comprises a clip guide that surrounds at least a portion of the handrail guide rail and contacts the moving handrail, and a handrail pressure sensor that is provided so as to be sandwiched between the clip guide and the handrail guide rail.

6. The passenger conveyor according to claim 5, characterized in that the control means stops the step and the moving handrail when the pressure detected by the handrail pressure sensor exceeds a threshold.

7. The passenger conveyor according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the handrail guide rail provided below the reversal point where the direction of movement of the movable handrail reverses is separated from the other handrail guide rails, and the handrail pressure detection means has a damper spring with a lift detection function provided between the separated handrail guide rail and the inner plate of the railing.

8. The passenger conveyor according to claim 7, characterized in that the control means stops the step and the moving handrail when the degree of buoyancy detected by the buoyancy detection function is less than a threshold.

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