Pinch detection device and passenger conveyor

Abstract

The present invention provides a pinch detection device and a passenger conveyor that can detect when a foreign object is caught in the inlet. [Solution] The pinch detection device comprises an inlet guard 20 and a detection sensor 24. The inlet guard 20 has a protective plate 21 provided on the front plate 6a of the deck section 6 where the inlet section is provided. The detection sensor 24 detects a load or displacement of the protective plate 21 from the outside to the inside in the width direction. When the detection sensor 24 detects a load or displacement of the protective plate 21 from the outside to the inside in the width direction, it detects an abnormality in the passenger conveyor.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sandwiched detection device and a passenger conveyor.

Background Art

[0002] A passenger conveyor includes a plurality of steps that move in a cycle, a handrail that moves in synchronization with the plurality of steps, a railing panel that supports the handrail movably, and a deck portion that supports the railing panel. And an inlet portion through which the handrail enters and exits is provided in the deck portion. In recent years, in order to suppress the intrusion of foreign objects into the inlet portion, an inlet guard is provided in the vicinity of the inlet portion in the deck portion.

[0003] As such a passenger conveyor provided with an inlet guard, for example, there is one described in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 describes a technique including a safety device that forms an entrance and exit of a handrail and a side protection piece that stands upright so as to cover a side portion of this safety device. And the technique described in Patent Document 1 includes a protection device composed of a hinge body having a structure in which the side protection piece can be fixed to a skirt guard. This side protection piece is arranged in a state where the distance from the outer edge of the handrail is larger on the front end side than on the rear end side, and when a foreign object contacts the front end portions, the front end portions rotate toward the step side.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, while the technology described in Patent Document 1 can suppress damage to the protective plate, it could not detect when foreign objects such as passengers' clothing or luggage became caught in the inlet area, which is an abnormality around the entrance / exit.

[0006] The objective of this invention is to provide a pinch detection device and a passenger conveyor that can detect when a foreign object is caught in the inlet, taking into consideration the above-mentioned problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems and achieve the objective, the pinch detection device reflecting one aspect of the present invention is a pinch detection device that detects foreign objects being caught in the inlet section of a passenger conveyor. The pinch detection device comprises an inlet guard and a detection sensor. The inlet guard is provided on the front panel of the deck section where the inlet section is located and has a protective plate that covers the inside of the passenger conveyor in the width direction at the inlet section. The detection sensor detects a load or displacement of the protective plate from the outside to the inside in the width direction. When the detection sensor detects a load or displacement of the protective plate from the outside to the inside in the width direction, it detects an abnormality in the passenger conveyor.

[0008] A passenger conveyor reflecting one aspect of the present invention comprises a plurality of steps connected in an endless manner and moving in a circulating manner, an endless movable handrail that moves in synchronization with the plurality of steps, a railing panel that movably supports the movable handrail, a deck section that supports the railing panel, an inlet section, and a pinch detection device. The inlet section is provided on the front panel of the deck section, and the movable handrail extends and retracts through it. The pinch detection device is the pinch detection device described above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The pinch detection device and passenger conveyor configured as described above can detect when a foreign object is caught in the inlet. Furthermore, issues, configurations, and effects other than those mentioned above will be clarified by the following description of the embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a passenger conveyor according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing the entrance / exit of a passenger conveyor according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a front view showing the deck and inlet sections of a passenger conveyor according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view obtained by cutting the front part of the deck section of the passenger conveyor according to the first embodiment along the vertical direction. [Figure 5] This is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control system in a passenger conveyor according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view obtained by cutting horizontally the front panel and inlet guard of the deck section of the passenger conveyor according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a cross-sectional view obtained by cutting horizontally the front panel and inlet guard of the deck section of a passenger conveyor according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] This is a cross-sectional view obtained by cutting horizontally the front panel and inlet guard of the deck section of a passenger conveyor according to a third embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] The pinch detection device and passenger conveyor according to the embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 8. Note that common components in each figure are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0012] 1. Example of the first embodiment [Example of passenger conveyor configuration] First, the configuration of the passenger conveyor according to the first embodiment (hereinafter referred to as "this example") will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a configuration example of the passenger conveyor. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the boarding and alighting openings of the passenger conveyor.

[0013] The passenger conveyor 1 shown in FIG. 1 is an inclined passenger conveyor installed on the upper and lower floors of a building structure. As shown in FIG. 1, the passenger conveyor 1 includes a frame installed on the building structure, a boarding and alighting floor 2 serving as the boarding and alighting opening of the passenger conveyor 1, a handrail 3, a railing panel 4, a plurality of steps 5, and a deck portion 6. Further, the passenger conveyor 1 includes a drive mechanism 9, a transmission chain 7, a drive sprocket 8, a driving chain 18, a control panel 10, and an inlet guard 20 (see FIG. 2).

[0014] The frame is installed across the upper and lower floors. Hereinafter, the direction extending from the lower floor to the upper floor in the frame is defined as the longitudinal direction. The direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the frame and also orthogonal to the vertical direction is defined as the width direction.

[0015] The boarding and alighting floor 2 is installed in the upper horizontal section formed on the upper floor side in the longitudinal direction of the frame and the lower horizontal section formed on the lower floor side. Further, below the boarding and alighting floor 2 installed on the upper floor side, the drive mechanism 9, the control panel 10, and the drive sprocket 8 are arranged. In addition, a driven sprocket (not shown) is arranged on the lower floor side of the frame.

[0016] The motor (see FIG. 5) showing the drive mechanism 9 has an electromagnetic brake 13 (see FIG. 5) and a speed reducer. A belt member is wound around the rotating shaft of the drive mechanism 9. Further, this belt member is wound around the driven pulley of the speed reducer. Thereby, the rotational force of the drive mechanism 9 is transmitted to the speed reducer via the belt member.

[0017] The speed reducer has a transmission sprocket to which the rotational force of the driven pulley is transmitted. A transmission chain 7 is wound around the transmission sprocket of the speed reducer. The transmission chain 7 is wound around a drive sprocket 8. Thereby, the rotational force of the drive mechanism 9 is transmitted to the drive sprocket 8 via the speed reducer and the transmission chain 7. Thereby, the drive sprocket 8 rotates.

[0018] A driving chain 18 is wound around the drive sprocket 8 and the driven sprocket. When the drive sprocket 8 rotates, the driven sprocket and the driving chain 18 rotate. The electromagnetic brake 13 brakes the motor of the drive mechanism 9.

[0019] Also, a guide member (not shown) is provided on the frame body. The plurality of steps 5 are movably supported by a guide member (not shown). Also, the plurality of steps 5 are connected in an endless manner via the driving chain 18. The plurality of steps 5 are guided by a guide member attached to the frame body and circulate between the forward and return sides between the boarding and alighting openings on the upper and lower floors. A passenger rides on the step 5 moving on the forward side and is conveyed.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, deck portions 6 are installed at both ends in the width direction of the plurality of steps 5. As shown in FIG. 1, the deck portions 6 are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the frame body. The deck portions 6 cover all of the inclined sections above both ends in the width direction of the frame body and a part of the upper horizontal section and the lower horizontal section.

[0021] A railing panel 4 is supported on the upper surface portion 6d (see FIG. 3) in the vertical direction of the deck portion 6. An endless handrail 3 is attached to the peripheral edge of the railing panel 4. The handrail 3 corresponds to the moving handrail according to the present invention. The handrail 3 is movably supported by the railing panel 4. The handrail 3 is driven by a handrail drive portion (not shown) and circulates between the forward and return sides in the same direction as and in synchronization with the plurality of steps 5. A passenger grasps the handrail 3 moving on the forward side.

[0022] The handrail drive unit includes a handrail drive sprocket (not shown), a handrail drive chain (not shown), a driven sprocket (not shown), and a pulley (not shown). The handrail drive sprocket is fixed to the rotation axis of the drive sprocket 8. The handrail drive sprocket rotates together with the drive sprocket 8.

[0023] The handrail drive chain is wrapped around the handrail drive sprocket and the driven sprocket. The rotation of the handrail drive sprocket is transmitted to the driven sprocket (not shown) by the handrail drive chain (not shown). A pulley is fixed to the rotation axis of the driven sprocket. The handrail 3 is wrapped around the pulley. In this way, the handrail 3 is driven using the rotational force of the drive sprocket 8.

[0024] The handrail 3, having the configuration described above, enters and exits the inlet section 11 provided on the deck section 6.

[0025] Figure 3 is a front view showing the deck section 6 and the inlet section 11, and Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the front section of the deck section 6 cut along the vertical direction. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the deck section 6 has a front panel 6a facing the entrance / exit of the passenger conveyor 1, an inner wall panel 6b facing inward in the width direction, i.e., towards the steps 5, and an upper surface 6d that supports the railing panel 4. A skirt guard is installed on the inner wall panel 6b. The skirt guard is erected vertically upward from the frame and extends along the longitudinal direction of the frame.

[0026] An opening 6c is formed in the front panel 6a through which the handrail 3 is inserted. An inlet portion 11 is positioned in the opening 6c. The inlet portion 11 is formed, for example, in a roughly cylindrical shape, and its cross-sectional shape when cut vertically is roughly C-shaped. The handrail 3 is inserted into the cylindrical hole of this inlet portion 11 so as to be able to move in and out. The inlet portion 11 is made of, for example, rubber.

[0027] Furthermore, an inlet guard 20, which constitutes the pinch detection device 101 (see Figure 5), is fixed to the front panel 6a of the deck section 6. The inlet guard 20 is positioned on the front panel 6a near the inlet section 11. More specifically, the inlet guard 20 is positioned inward in the width direction from the inlet section 11, that is, on the side of the inner wall panel 6b of the deck section 6 and the steps 5.

[0028] The inlet guard 20 comprises a protective plate 21, a fixing plate 22, and fixing bolts 23. The fixing plate 22 is fixed to the front plate 6a of the deck section 6 via the fixing bolts 23. The protective plate 21 is continuously attached approximately vertically to one end of the fixing plate 22 in the width direction, i.e., the end on the side of the inner wall plate 6b of the deck section 6 and the step 5.

[0029] The protective plate 21 protrudes from the front panel 6a of the deck section 6 toward the entrance / exit. Furthermore, the protective plate 21 extends from the lower vertical end to the upper vertical end of the front panel 6a. Therefore, the protective plate 21 covers the inside of the inlet section 11 in the width direction, and the inner wall panel 6b of the deck section 6 and the step 5 side. This prevents foreign objects from entering the inlet section 11 from the inner wall panel 6b of the deck section 6 and the step 5 side. Details of the inlet guard 20 will be described later.

[0030] [Example of control system configuration] Next, the configuration of the control system for the passenger conveyor 1 will be explained with reference to Figure 5. Figure 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control system for the passenger conveyor 1.

[0031] As shown in Figure 5, the control panel 10, which represents the control unit, is composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The CPU reads various processing programs stored in ROM and loads them into RAM. Then, the CPU performs the pinch detection control processing described later, according to the loaded programs.

[0032] The control panel 10 is electrically connected to the inverter 14, the electromagnetic brake 13, the pinch detection device 101, and the notification unit 15.

[0033] The inverter 14 is located inside the control panel 10. The inverter 14 is electrically connected to the motor of the drive mechanism 9. The control panel 10 controls the motor's drive via the inverter 14.

[0034] The electromagnetic brake 13 comprises a brake disc, brake shoes, a compression spring, and an electromagnet. The brake disc rotates with the motor's rotation axis. The compression spring presses the brake shoes against the brake disc. The electromagnet generates an electromagnetic force that attracts the brake shoes away from the brake disc.

[0035] When the control panel 10 generates braking force in the electromagnetic brake 13, it cuts off the current flowing to the electromagnet of the electromagnetic brake 13. As a result, the compression spring of the electromagnetic brake 13 presses the brake shoe against the brake disc. This creates a frictional force between the brake shoe and the brake disc, stopping the rotation of the brake disc and the rotating shaft in the motor.

[0036] The pinch detection device 101 detects whether or not a foreign object is caught in the inlet section 11 based on a signal from the detection sensor 24 (see Figure 6), which will be described later. The pinch detection device 101 outputs the detection result to the control panel 10. Based on the detection result from the pinch detection device 101, the control panel 10 controls the operation of the motor of the drive mechanism 9, the electromagnetic brake 13, and the notification unit 15 via the inverter 14.

[0037] The notification unit 15 is, for example, installed in the deck section 6. The notification unit 15 is a device that notifies passengers when an abnormality occurs in the passenger conveyor 1. The notification unit 15 can be, for example, a speaker that outputs sound, lighting that outputs light, a display device that displays video or images, etc. The notification unit 15 is not limited to being placed in the deck section 6, and its placement can be appropriately set depending on the device used.

[0038] The notification unit 15 is electrically connected to the control panel 10. When an abnormality occurs in the passenger conveyor 1, the control panel 10 controls the notification unit 15 to notify the passenger conveyor 1 of the abnormality and issue a warning. Examples of abnormalities that may occur in the passenger conveyor 1 include foreign objects such as passengers' clothing or luggage getting caught in the inlet section 11.

[0039] [Configuration for pinch detection] Next, the configuration for detecting whether or not a foreign object is caught in the inlet section 11 by the pinch detection device 101 will be described with reference to Figure 6. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view obtained by cutting the front plate 6a and the inlet guard 20 of the deck section 6 along the horizontal direction.

[0040] As shown in Figure 6, the inlet guard 20 has a detection sensor 24. The detection sensor 24 is located at the corner where the protective plate 21 and the fixing plate 22 of the inlet guard 20 are connected. The detection sensor 24 is also located on the inside of the inlet portion 11 and the handrail 3 side at the corner of the protective plate 21 and the fixing plate 22. In this example, the detection sensor 24 is, for example, a strain gauge or a sensor capable of detecting tensile stress. The detection sensor 24 detects the load moving from the outside to the inside in the width direction of the protective plate 21, that is, toward the inner wall plate 6b and the step 5.

[0041] Here, if a foreign object such as a passenger's clothing or luggage gets caught in the inlet section 11, a load is applied to the protective plate 21 of the inlet guard 20 from the outside in the width direction towards the inside. As a result, tensile stress acts on the corners of the protective plate 21 and the fixing plate 22, and the detection sensor 24 detects this tensile stress. The pinch detection device 101 then detects that a foreign object such as a passenger's clothing or luggage has gotten caught in the inlet section 11, i.e., an abnormality, when the signal detected by the detection sensor 24 exceeds a threshold. Thus, the pinch detection device 101 in this example can quickly detect when a foreign object has gotten caught in the inlet section 11.

[0042] Furthermore, if the pinch detection device 101 detects an abnormality, the control panel 10 will activate the electromagnetic brake 13 to perform an emergency stop, or control the inverter 14 to perform deceleration. In addition, the control panel 10 may control the notification unit 15 to issue a warning indicating that there is a possibility that foreign objects such as passenger clothing or luggage are caught in the inlet 11. Thus, a wide variety of control operations can be applied to the control panel 10 when the pinch detection device 101 detects an abnormality.

[0043] Furthermore, when a load is applied to the protective plate 21 from the inside to the outside in the width direction, the protective plate 21 performs its intended function as an inlet guard 20, preventing foreign objects from entering the inlet portion 11. Therefore, the pinch detection device 101 and the detection sensor 24 allow a load applied to the protective plate 21 from the inside to the outside in the width direction. By allowing a load applied to the protective plate 21 from the inside to the outside in the width direction in this way, false detections by the pinch detection device 101 can be prevented.

[0044] 2. Second Embodiment Example Next, with reference to Figure 7, a pinch detection device according to a second embodiment will be described. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the inlet guard, which constitutes the pinch detection device according to the second embodiment, cut along the horizontal direction.

[0045] The difference between this second embodiment of the pinch detection device and the first embodiment of the pinch detection device 101 lies in the configuration of the inlet guard and the detection sensor. Therefore, the same reference numerals are used for parts common to both the first embodiment of the pinch detection device 101 and the second embodiment of the pinch detection device 101, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0046] As shown in Figure 7, the pinch detection device comprises an inlet guard 30, a detection sensor 34, a support pin 35, a detection plate 36, and a biasing member 37. The detection sensor 34, support pin 35, detection plate 36, and biasing member 37 are located inside the deck section 6.

[0047] The inlet guard 30 includes a protective plate 31 and a fixing plate 32. The fixing plate 32 is supported so as to be able to move toward and away from the front plate 6a of the deck section 6. Various support configurations such as a pivot shaft or pins can be applied to support the fixing plate 32 to the front plate 6a.

[0048] The fixed plate 32 is provided with a support pin 35. The support pin 35 is detachably supported on the front plate 6a inside the deck section 6. A biasing member 37, for example, made of a coil spring, is attached to the support pin 35. The biasing member 37 biases the support pin 35 toward the inside of the deck section 6. Therefore, the fixed plate 32, on which the support pin 35 is provided, is biased by the biasing member 37 in a direction that contacts the front plate 6a via the support pin 35.

[0049] A substantially flat detection plate 36 is provided in the axial middle portion of the support pin 35. The detection plate 36 is held in the axial middle portion of the support pin 35 by a biasing member 37 provided on the support pin 35. On the other side of the detection plate 36, opposite to the side facing the front plate 6a of the deck portion 6, the detection switch 34a of the detection sensor 34 is in contact. The detection sensor 34 is, for example, normally closed, with its contacts closed. When the detection plate 36 moves away from the detection switch 34a, the contacts of the detection sensor 34 open.

[0050] In this second embodiment of the pinching detection device, when a foreign object is caught in the inlet portion 11, a load is applied to the protective plate 31 of the inlet guard 30 from the outside in the width direction toward the inside. The inlet guard 30 then rotates around the corner between the protective plate 31 and the fixing plate 32. As a result, the fixing plate 32 moves away from the front plate 6a of the deck portion 6 against the biasing force of the biasing member 37. As the fixing plate 32 moves away from the front plate 6a, the support pin 35 is also pulled by the fixing plate 32 and moves in a direction that protrudes from the inside of the deck portion 6 toward the outside of the front plate 6a.

[0051] As the support pin 35 moves toward the front plate 6a, the detection plate 36 attached to the support pin 35 also moves toward the front plate 6a and moves away from the detection switch 34a. As the detection plate 36 moves away from the detection switch 34a, the contacts of the detection sensor 34 open. As a result, the detection sensor 34 detects that the protective plate 31 has been displaced from the outside to the inside in the width direction. Consequently, the pinch detection device can detect that a foreign object has been pinched in the inlet section 11 based on the detection signal from the detection sensor 34.

[0052] Furthermore, when a load is applied to the protective plate 21 from the inside to the outside in the width direction, the fixing plate 32, support pins 35, and detection plate 36 do not move. Therefore, the pinch detection device and detection sensor 34 allow a load to be applied to the protective plate 31 from the inside to the outside in the width direction.

[0053] The other components are the same as those of the pinch detection device 101 according to the first embodiment described above, so their description will be omitted. The pinch detection device according to this second embodiment can also obtain the same operation and effects as the pinch detection device 101 according to the first embodiment described above.

[0054] In the detection sensor 34 according to the second embodiment, a normally closed switch is used, in which the contacts open when the detection plate 36 moves away from the detection switch 34a. However, the invention is not limited to this. A detection switch for the detection sensor may be provided between the detection plate 36 and the front plate 6a of the deck section 6, and a normally open switch may be used, in which the contacts close when the detection switch is pressed by the detection plate 36. However, with a normally open switch, it takes longer for the contacts to open when the detection plate 36 presses the detection switch than with a normally closed switch. Therefore, in order to quickly detect an abnormality, it is preferable to use a normally closed switch rather than a normally open switch.

[0055] 3. Third Embodiment Example Next, with reference to Figure 8, a pinch detection device according to a third embodiment will be described. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the inlet guard, which constitutes the pinch detection device according to the third embodiment, cut along the horizontal direction.

[0056] The difference between this third embodiment of the pinch detection device and the pinch detection device 101 of the first embodiment lies in the configuration of the inlet guard and the detection sensor. Therefore, the same reference numerals are used for parts common to the pinch detection device 101 of the first embodiment, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0057] As shown in Figure 8, the pinch detection device comprises an inlet guard 40 and a detection sensor 44. The inlet guard 40 has a protective plate 41, a fixing plate 42, and a hinge 45 indicating a pivot axis. The fixing plate 42 is fixed to the front plate 6a of the deck section 6. The protective plate 41 is rotatably supported via the hinge 45 at one end of the fixing plate 42 in the width direction, i.e., the end on the inner wall plate 6b of the deck section 6 and the step 5 side.

[0058] The hinge 45 is provided with a biasing member (not shown). For example, a torsion coil spring can be used as the biasing member. Under normal conditions, the protective plate 41 is held perpendicular to the fixed plate 42 by the biasing member. The protective plate 41 is also supported via the hinge 45 so as to be rotatable in a direction in which the angle it makes with the fixed plate 42 is obtuse.

[0059] Although an example using hinge 45 has been described, the method is not limited to this; any other type of pivot shaft can be used as long as it is a member that can rotatably support the protective plate 41.

[0060] The detection sensor 44 is positioned opposite one outer surface in the width direction of the protective plate 41. Under normal conditions, the detection sensor 44 is in contact with one surface of the protective plate 41. Examples of the detection sensor 44 include a normally closed switch and a pressure sensor.

[0061] In this third embodiment of the pinch detection device, when a foreign object becomes trapped in the inlet portion 11, a load is applied to the protective plate 41 of the inlet guard 40 from the outside in the width direction. The protective plate 41 rotates away from the fixing plate 42 and the inlet portion 11 by the hinge 45. As a result, the protective plate 41 moves away from the detection sensor 44. The detection sensor 44 then detects the displacement of the protective plate 41 from the outside in the width direction by detecting the separation of the protective plate 41. As a result, the pinch detection device can detect that a foreign object has become trapped in the inlet portion 11 based on the detection signal from the detection sensor 44.

[0062] The other components are the same as those of the pinch detection device 101 according to the first embodiment described above, so their description will be omitted. The pinch detection device according to this third embodiment can also obtain the same operation and effects as the pinch detection device 101 according to the first embodiment described above.

[0063] Furthermore, according to the pinch detection device of the third embodiment, the protective plate 41 is supported by a hinge 45 so as to be rotatable away from the fixing plate 42. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the inlet guard 40 from being damaged by the load on the protective plate 41 that occurs when a foreign object is pinched in the inlet portion 11.

[0064] The pinch detection device and passenger conveyor of the present invention have been described above, including their operation and effects. However, the pinch detection device and passenger conveyor of the present invention are not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention as described in the claims.

[0065] Furthermore, although the above-described embodiment illustrates an example of installing the pinch detection device on a new passenger conveyor 1, the invention is not limited to this. For example, during the renewal work of an existing passenger conveyor, the pinch detection device consisting of the inlet guard and detection sensor described above may be newly installed.

[0066] In the embodiments described above, an escalator with steps between multiple steps was used as an example of an inclined passenger conveyor. However, the passenger conveyor according to the present invention can also be applied to electric roads, so-called moving walkways, where there are no steps between multiple steps.

[0067] Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied to passenger conveyors having a frame in which at least a portion of the inclined section is provided with a section parallel to the upper horizontal section and the lower horizontal section. Moreover, the present invention can also be applied to passenger conveyors having a frame in which the extension direction of the upper horizontal section and the lower horizontal section differs as the extension direction of the inclined section curves and changes.

[0068] In this specification, although terms such as "parallel" and "orthogonal" are used, these do not mean only strictly "parallel" and "orthogonal," but may also refer to states that are "approximately parallel" or "approximately orthogonal," which include "parallel" and "orthogonal" and are within a range in which they can perform their functions. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0069] 1...Passenger conveyor, 2...Boarding floor, 3...Handrail (movable handrail), 4...Balustrade panel, 5...Steps, 6...Deck section, 6a...Front panel, 6b...Inner wall panel, 6c...Opening, 6d...Top section, 7...Transmission chain, 8...Drive sprocket, 9...Drive mechanism, 10...Control panel, 11...Inlet section, 13...Electromagnetic brake, 14...Inverter, 15...Notification section, 18...Driving chain, 20, 30, 40...Inlet guard, 21, 31, 41...Protective plate, 22, 32, 42...Fixing plate, 23...Fixing bolt, 24, 34, 44...Detection sensor, 34a...Detection switch, 35...Support pin, 36...Detection plate, 37...Biasing member, 45...Hinge (rotating shaft), 101... Pinch detection device

Claims

1. A device for detecting foreign objects getting caught in the inlet section of a passenger conveyor, An inlet guard is provided on the front panel of the deck section where the inlet section is located, and has a protective plate that covers the inside of the passenger conveyor in the width direction within the inlet section. The protective plate comprises a detection sensor that detects a load directed from the outside to the inside in the width direction or a displacement directed from the outside to the inside in the width direction, When the detection sensor detects a load on the protective plate moving from the outside to the inside in the width direction, or a displacement on the protective plate moving from the outside to the inside in the width direction, it detects an abnormality in the passenger conveyor. Pinch detection device.

2. The inlet guard comprises a fixing plate fixed to the front panel of the deck section, The protective plate is continuous vertically from the inner end in the width direction of the fixing plate, The detection sensor is provided at the corner between the fixed plate and the protective plate, and detects the tensile stress at the corner. The pinch detection device according to claim 1.

3. The inlet guard comprises a fixed plate that is supported so as to be able to move toward and away from the front plate of the deck section, The protective plate is continuous vertically from the inner end in the width direction of the fixing plate, The detection sensor is positioned inside the deck section to detect the displacement of the fixing plate and the protective plate. The pinch detection device according to claim 1.

4. A support pin provided on the aforementioned fixing plate and detachably supported on the front plate of the deck section, A biasing member that biases the support pin and the fixing plate in a direction approaching the front plate, The system comprises a detection plate provided on the support pin, The detection sensor has a detection switch that detects displacement from the outside to the inside in the width direction of the protective plate when the detection plate separates or is pressed. The pinch detection device according to claim 3.

5. The detection switch is a normally closed switch in which the contacts are closed when the detection plate is in contact, and the contacts open when the detection plate separates. The pinch detection device according to claim 4.

6. The inlet guard has a pivot shaft that rotatably supports the protective plate, The detection sensor is positioned opposite one outer surface of the protective plate in the width direction, and detects the separation of the protective plate, thereby detecting the displacement of the protective plate from the outside to the inside in the width direction. The pinch detection device according to claim 1.

7. Multiple steps connected in an endless manner and moving in a circular motion, An endless movable handrail that moves in sync with the aforementioned multiple steps, A railing panel that movably supports the aforementioned movable handrail, The deck section supporting the aforementioned railing panel, An inlet section is provided on the front panel of the deck section, through which the movable handrail extends and retracts, It includes a pinch detection device that detects foreign objects getting caught in the inlet section, The aforementioned pinching detection device, An inlet guard is provided on the front panel of the deck section and has a protective plate that covers the inside of the step in the width direction in the inlet section, The protective plate comprises a detection sensor that detects a load directed from the outside to the inside in the width direction or a displacement directed from the outside to the inside in the width direction, The detection sensor detects an abnormality when it detects a load on the protective plate moving from the outside to the inside in the width direction, or a displacement on the protective plate moving from the outside to the inside in the width direction. Passenger conveyor belt.

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