Passenger conveyor

Abstract

In escalators that detect and warn of approach to the truss, even if approach is detected, it is not possible to determine whether or not an actual entrapment has occurred, and therefore, immediate action cannot be taken in the event of entrapment. [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 point into which the movable handrail, whose direction of movement is reversed at the manual part of the railing, enters; a proximity detection device for detecting the approach of an object to the movable handrail entry point; a handrail speed measuring device for measuring the speed of the movable handrail; and a control means for stopping the steps and the movable handrail if, after the proximity detection device detects an approach, the speed measured by the handrail speed measuring device is less than the speed measured before detection.

Description

Technical Field

[0002]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a passenger conveyor that detects pinching near 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 of the moving handrail from the reversal point where it reverses and the floor gradually becomes narrower, there is a concern that a person's body or foreign object may be drawn into the moving handrail and pinched, resulting in injury, or that the escalator itself may be damaged.

[0003] <00..."To suppress this, Patent Document 1 includes a handrail approach detection unit and an inlet approach detection unit, and when the handrail approach detection unit and the inlet approach detection unit detect an object such as a part of a person's body for a predetermined time, a warning sound is output.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] When actual pinching occurs near the entrance into the truss, it is necessary to immediately stop the operation of the escalator. However, in the escalator described in Patent Document 1, even if an approach can be detected, it is impossible to detect whether actual pinching has occurred, and a prompt response cannot be made.

[0006] This disclosure was made to solve the aforementioned problems and aims to provide a passenger conveyor that can detect the approach of objects such as people, as well as detect and respond to situations where objects are caught in the vehicle. [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 point into which the movable handrail enters after its direction of movement is reversed at the manual part of the railing, a proximity detection device for detecting the approach of an object to the movable handrail entry point, a handrail speed measuring device for measuring the speed of the movable handrail, and a control means for stopping the steps and the movable handrail if, after the proximity detection device detects approach, the speed measured by the handrail speed measuring device is less than the speed measured before the proximity detection. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this disclosure, it becomes possible to detect the approach of objects such as people, and to detect and respond quickly to pinching, thereby improving safety. [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 schematic side view showing the configuration near the first entrance / exit of the escalator in Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] This is a schematic front view showing the configuration near the first entrance / exit of the escalator in Embodiment 1. [Figure 5] This is a schematic top view showing the configuration near the first entrance / exit of the escalator in Embodiment 1. [Figure 6]This diagram schematically illustrates what happens when an object, such as a human body, gets trapped. [Figure 7] This is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the escalator control system in Embodiment 1. [Figure 8] This is a flowchart showing the operation of the escalator pinching control means in Embodiment 1. [Figure 9] This is a schematic side view showing the configuration near the first entrance / exit of the escalator in Embodiment 1. [Figure 10] This is a schematic top view showing the configuration near the first entrance / exit of the escalator in Embodiment 1. [Figure 11] This is a flowchart showing the operation of the escalator pinching control means in Embodiment 2. [Figure 12] 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. 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.

[0012] The escalator 1 includes a first boarding and alighting opening 2a, a second boarding and alighting opening 2b, and a main frame 3. The first boarding and alighting opening 2a is provided on the upper floor of the building, and the second boarding and alighting opening 2b is provided on the lower floor of the building. The main frame 3 spans between the first boarding and alighting opening 2a and the second boarding and alighting opening 2b, has a machine room 3a at its upper end, and has a driven machine room 3b at its lower end. Also, the machine room 3a is located below the first boarding and alighting opening 2a, and the driven machine room 3b is located below the second boarding and alighting opening 2b.

[0013] Furthermore, 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.

[0014] 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 ৬ 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 9a and the driven sprocket 8 installed in the driven machine room

[0013] 9b.

[0015] 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 wound around the pulley.

[0016] The V-belt 10 is wound around the pulley of the input shaft 9a. Also, the drive motor 11 has a pulley 12, and the V-belt 10 is wound around it.

[0017] Furthermore, the escalator 1 is equipped with a pair of railings 13, a pair of movable handrails 14, and a pair of movable handrail drive units 15. The movable handrail drive units 15 receive power from the rotation of the drive sprocket 5 and, in conjunction with the movement of step 4, move the endless movable handrails 14 on the handrail guide rails of the railings 13. The movement speed of the movable handrails 14 is measured by a handrail speed measuring device 16.

[0018] Figure 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the railing at point A-A' on the escalator 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.

[0019] Each railing 13 positioned on both the left and right sides of step 4 has a handrail guide rail 17, an inner plate 18, an outer deck 19, an inner deck 20, and a skirt guard 21.

[0020] The handrail guide rail 17 is a component that guides the movement of the movable handrail 14.

[0021] The inner plate 18 is positioned below the movable handrail 14 and the handrail guide rail 17, and is the part that faces the user on step 4 from the left and right directions. The outer deck 19 is located on the opposite side of step 4 from the lower end of the inner plate 18. The inner deck 20 is a plate-shaped member located on the side of step 4 from the lower end of the inner plate 18. The skirt guard 21 is a plate-shaped member fixed to the inner deck 20 and positioned to the side of step 4.

[0022] The movable handrail 14 is circulating, moving from the lower floor to the upper floor via the handrail guide rail 17, then turning back and moving from the upper floor to the lower floor within the space enclosed by the outer deck 19, the inner deck 20, and the skirt guard 21. A handrail speed measuring device 16 is also positioned in this space. The handrail speed measuring device 16 has rollers that contact the underside of the movable handrail 14 (the surface in contact with the handrail guide rail 17) and rotate in conjunction with the movement of the movable handrail 14. The speed of the movable handrail 14 is measured from the rotation of the rollers.

[0023] Figure 3 is a schematic side view showing the configuration of the escalator near the first entrance / exit 2a, Figure 4 is a schematic front view showing the configuration of the escalator near the first entrance / exit 2a, and Figure 5 is a schematic top view showing the configuration of the escalator near the first entrance / exit 2a.

[0024] 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 19, inner deck 20, and skirt guard 21 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.

[0025] Furthermore, on the truss 30, below the movable handrail entrance 31, an object detection device 32 is installed on the movable handrail entrance 31 side to detect the approach of an object to the movable handrail entrance 31. This object detection device 32 has a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit that receives reflected light emitted from the light emitting unit. The detection area is defined as a predetermined distance, in this case, within 400 mm from the light emitting unit (area L in Figures 3 and 5), and the device is configured to output a detection signal when it receives reflected light from an object located within this range.

[0026] Next, we will explain the concept of pinch detection in Embodiment 1. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the case where an object, such as a human body, is trapped. As shown in Figure 6, if object α is caught between the movable handrail 14 and the floor, object α will be within the detection range of the object detection device 32. However, it will not reach the safety device installed at the movable handrail entrance 31 and will not push it.

[0027] 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, and a downward pressure is applied to the floor surface, and a downward pressure is applied to the movable handrail 14 toward the handrail guide rail 17. As a result of the pressure applied to the movable handrail 14, the frictional force between object α and the movable handrail 14 increases, and the speed of the movable handrail 14 slows down.

[0028] Taking advantage of this phenomenon, in Embodiment 1, the trapping of an object is detected from the detection signal of the object detection device 32 and the change in speed of the moving handrail 14.

[0029] Figure 7 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the control system in Embodiment 1. In Figure 7, the pinch control means 40 includes a pinch detection unit 41, a stop processing unit 42, an abnormality alarm unit 43, and a warning voice generation unit 44. This pinch control means 40 is located, for example, in the machine room 3a.

[0030] The pinch detection unit 41 is connected to the handrail speed measuring device 16 and the object detection device 32 by wire or wireless means. The pinch detection unit 41 constantly receives information on the speed of the moving handrail 14 from the handrail speed measuring device 16. It also receives a detection signal from the object detection device 32. The object detection device 32 continues to output the detection signal as long as an object approaches and enters the detection area. When the object leaves the detection area, the output stops. The pinch detection unit 41 then determines whether pinching has occurred based on the speed and the detection signal.

[0031] The stop processing unit 42 performs a process to stop the drive unit 7 when the pinching detection unit 41 determines that a person is pinched. The abnormality alarm unit 43 performs an alarm process to notify the administrator, who monitors the monitoring panel 50 installed in the guard room or elsewhere, that a person has been pinched. The warning voice generation unit 44 generates a voice to encourage the user to move away from the movable handrail entrance 31, and the speaker 60 emits the warning voice.

[0032] Next, the detailed processing in the pinching control means 40 will be explained based on the flowchart in Figure 8. After power is supplied to the escalator 1 and the drive unit 7 is driven, causing step 4 and the movable handrail 14 to start moving, the pinching detection unit 41 starts recording the speed received from the handrail speed measuring device 16 (step S001). Next, it is determined whether a detection signal has been received from the object detection device 32 (step S002).

[0033] If it is determined in step S002 that a detection signal has been received, the internal timer is activated and the elapsed time t is started (step S003). Subsequently, it is determined whether the elapsed time t is less than the threshold time t1 (step S004), and if it is less, it is determined whether a detection signal has been received (step S005).

[0034] Steps S004 and S005 are repeated until the elapsed time t in step S004 becomes equal to or greater than the threshold time t1, or until no detection signal is received in step S005.

[0035] Normally, when a user riding the escalator disembarks at the first entrance / exit 2a, their feet or other body parts may happen to enter the detection area of ​​the object detection device 32, causing the detection signal to be intercepted and received by the determination unit 41. However, since the user leaves the first entrance / exit 2a immediately, the time available for receiving the detection signal from the object detection device 32 is short. Considering this situation, steps S004 and S005 are repeated. It is considered appropriate to set the threshold time t1 in the range of 5 to 10 seconds.

[0036] In step S005, the detection signal stops being received when the foot or other object that entered the detection area is gone, so the timer is terminated (step S006), and the process returns to step S002.

[0037] Furthermore, if the detection signal is continuously received for a threshold time t1 or longer in step S004, there is a possibility that pinching has occurred. Therefore, the pinching determination unit 41 determines whether the handrail speed V received from the handrail speed measuring device 16 is less than the handrail speed V1 recorded a few seconds before the detection signal was received in step S002 (step S007). As already explained, if pinching has occurred, the speed of the moving handrail 14 will decrease.

[0038] In step S007, if the handrail speed V is not less than, i.e., equal to, the handrail speed V1, then it can be inferred that no pinching has occurred and the user is remaining near the movable handrail 14 of the first boarding / alighting door 2a. Therefore, the warning voice generation unit 44 generates a warning voice, for example, "Please refrain from standing near the boarding door," and the speaker 60 emits the voice (step S008), ending the timer (step S009). Then, the process returns to step S002.

[0039] Furthermore, in step S007, if the handrail speed V is less than the handrail speed V1, the stop processing unit 42 determines whether the drive unit 7 has a slow stop function and whether a slow stop is possible (step S010). This determination can be made by querying the drive unit 7 or by obtaining information from the memory unit where the escalator settings are stored. If the escalator comes to a sudden stop while a user is on it, the user may stumble or fall. The slow stop function is a function that stops as quickly as possible while gradually reducing the speed to avoid putting a burden on the user.

[0040] If the stop processing unit 42 determines in step S010 that the drive unit 7 has a slow stop function, it slows down the drive unit 7 (step S011); otherwise, it stops it abruptly (step S012).

[0041] Subsequently, the abnormality alarm unit 43 issues an abnormality alarm for the pinching incident to the monitoring panel 50 installed in the guard room or elsewhere (step S013), causing the monitoring panel 50 to sound a buzzer or display "abnormality occurred" or similar on the monitor.

[0042] Thus, in Embodiment 1, it is possible to alert people who approach or remain near the movable handrail at the entrance / exit, and it is also possible to detect and stop the vehicle in case of entrapment, thereby improving safety.

[0043] Note that the speed of the movable handrail 14 may be affected to some extent by the number of users. Therefore, in step S007, a small buffer β may be introduced, and the recorded handrail speed V1-β may be compared with the handrail speed V.

[0044] Alternatively, the handrail speed measuring device 16 may detect the speed by filming the moving handrail with a video camera or similar device, rather than by measuring the rotation of the rollers.

[0045] Alternatively, the object detection device 32 may be an automatic operation sensor used for the automatic startup of an escalator.

[0046] Figure 9 is a schematic side view of the first entrance / exit 2a and the railing 13 and movable handrail 14 near the first entrance / exit 2a, viewed from the side, and Figure 10 is a schematic top view viewed from above.

[0047] This automatic driving sensor 33 is installed at the entrances and exits where people board the escalator. It stops the escalator when there are no users and automatically starts it when it detects a person approaching. While it is usually installed at the entrances and exits where people board, it can also be installed at the entrances and exits where people disembark and repurposed as an object detection sensor.

[0048] In Embodiment 1, an upward escalator was used as an example, but the same applies to a downward escalator. In this case, the object detection device 32 would be installed at the second entrance / exit 2b on the lower floor.

[0049] Embodiment 2. In Embodiment 1, the object detection device 32 is provided only on the side of the first entrance / exit 2a, but it may also be provided on the side of the second entrance / exit 2b. In this case, the movable handrail 14, which was moving from the upper floor to the lower floor, is discharged from the movable handrail discharge opening formed in the second truss on the side of the second entrance / exit 2b. Then, by moving along the manual section, the direction of movement is reversed, and it moves from the lower floor to the upper floor along the handrail guide rail 17 of the railing 13. The second object detection device on the movable handrail discharge opening side is positioned below the movable handrail discharge opening.

[0050] Figure 11 is a flowchart showing the detailed processing in the pinching control means 40 in Embodiment 2.

[0051] In Figure 11, unlike in Figure 7, if the elapsed time t in step S004 is not less than the threshold time t1, that is, if the detection signal is continuously received for a threshold time t1 or longer, it is determined whether the object detection device 32 emitting the detection signal is on the side of the movable handrail entrance 31 at the first entrance 2a or on the side of the movable handrail discharge at the second entrance 2b (step S014). If it is on the side of the movable handrail entrance 31, steps S007 and later are executed; if it is on the side of the movable handrail discharge, steps S008 and later are executed.

[0052] In this way, even if users riding the escalator remain near the movable handrail 14 at the second entrance / exit 2b, a warning can be issued.

[0053] Embodiment 3. In addition to the pinching issue, there are other phenomena that can cause the speed of the moving handrail to become abnormally slow, such as something getting stuck in the moving handrail drive mechanism 15 or some part being damaged. In this case, the synchronization between step 4 and the moving handrail 14 is lost, which is dangerous and requires immediate stopping.

[0054] In Embodiment 3, the pinching control means 40 is also configured to handle such situations. Figure 12 is a flowchart showing the detailed processing in the pinching control means 40 in Embodiment 3. Note that the processing in Figure 12 is performed in parallel with the processing in Figures 8 and 11.

[0055] In Figure 12, the handrail speed measuring device 16 determines whether the handrail speed V it is measuring is less than the threshold speed V2 (step S100). Here, the threshold speed V2 is a handrail speed that is set in advance assuming a malfunction in the movable handrail drive unit 15, and is approximately 80-85% of the rated speed.

[0056] If, in step S100, it is determined that the handrail speed V is less than the threshold speed V2, then steps S010, S011, S012, and S013 are performed, the escalator stops, and the administrator is notified of the abnormality.

[0057] This approach allows for addressing both pinching and equipment malfunctions, thereby improving safety.

[0058] Although preferred embodiments have been described in detail above, the invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and substitutions can be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the scope of disclosure.

[0059] 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]

[0060] 1 Escalator, 2a First entrance / exit, 2b Second entrance / exit, 3 Main frame, 3a Machine room, 3b Driven room, 4 Step, 5 Drive sprocket, 6 Step chain, 7 Drive unit, 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 speed measuring device, 17 Handrail guide rail, 18 Inner panel, 19 Outer deck, 20 Inner deck, 21 Skirt guard, 30 Truss, 31 Movable handrail entrance, 32 Object detection device, 33 Autonomous driving sensor, 40 Pinching control means, 41 Pinching detection unit, 42 Stop processing unit, 43 Abnormality alarm unit, 44 Warning voice generation unit, 50 Monitoring panel, 60 Speakers

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, whose direction of movement is reversed at the manual portion of the railing, enters; a proximity detection device for detecting the approach of an object to the movable handrail entry opening; a handrail speed measuring device for measuring the speed of the movable handrail; and a control means for stopping the steps and the movable handrail if, after the proximity detection device has detected the approach, the speed measured by the handrail speed measuring device is less than the speed measured before the proximity detection.

2. The passenger conveyor according to claim 1, characterized in that the control means stops the step and the moving handrail by slowly stopping the moving means when the moving means has a slow-stop function.

3. The passenger conveyor according to claim 1, characterized in that the control means, after detecting the approach with the approach detection device, emits a warning sound prompting passengers to move away from the movable handrail entrance if the speed measured by the handrail speed measuring device is not less than the speed measured before detecting the approach.

4. The passenger conveyor according to claim 3, further comprising a second truss located below the railing and having a movable handrail discharge opening for discharging the movable handrail that has entered through the movable handrail entry opening, and a second proximity detection device for detecting the approach of an object to the movable handrail discharge opening, wherein the control means emits a warning sound prompting the user to move away from the movable handrail discharge opening when the second proximity detection device detects the approach.

5. The passenger conveyor according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the control means stops the step and the moving handrail when the speed measured by the handrail speed measuring device is less than a threshold.

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