Escalator device and moving walkway device

Abstract

Improve the energy efficiency of escalator systems and moving walkway systems. [Solution] The escalator apparatus according to the embodiment includes a moving chain wound around a pair of sprockets, a plurality of steps connected to the moving chain, and a drive unit that drives the sprockets. The escalator apparatus according to the embodiment includes a power generating unit that generates power based on the rotation of a motor that drives the sprockets included in the drive unit.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention relates to an escalator system and a moving walkway system. [Background technology]

[0002] In the field of escalator systems and moving walkway systems, research is being conducted to reduce power consumption. The higher the energy efficiency of these systems, the better, and further improvements are desired.

[0003] For example, the invention described in Patent Document 1 focuses on the fact that the heavier the load on the motor that drives the escalator, the lower the output voltage of the power supply that supplies power to the motor, and aims to improve the energy efficiency of the escalator equipment by controlling the output power of the power supply so as to supply power according to the load on the motor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2000-16740 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present invention has been made in light of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to improve the energy efficiency of escalator systems and moving walkway systems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The escalator apparatus according to the embodiment for solving the above problem is an escalator apparatus having a moving chain wound around a pair of sprockets, a plurality of steps connected to the moving chain, and a drive unit for driving the sprockets. The escalator apparatus according to the embodiment has a power generation unit that generates power based on the rotation of a motor that drives the sprockets included in the drive unit. The power generation unit has a rotating shaft connected to the rotating shaft of the motor, While driving the sprocket The power generating system includes a generator that outputs AC power, and a control unit that converts the AC power output by the generator into a predetermined voltage. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram of an escalator device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a control system of the escalator apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] 2 is a configuration diagram of a power generating unit of the escalator apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining power supply to an electronic circuit in the escalator apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of a storage battery of an escalator apparatus according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description, an XYZ coordinate system consisting of an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis that are mutually orthogonal will be used as appropriate.

[0009] 1 is a diagram showing an escalator device 10 according to this embodiment. The escalator device 10 is installed across floors F1 and F2. The escalator device 10 includes a truss 11, a pair of sprockets 21 and 22 arranged inside the truss 11, a moving chain 23 wound around the sprockets 21 and 22, a plurality of steps 25 connected to the moving chain 23, a drive unit 30 that drives the sprocket 21, a casing 12 provided along the truss 11, a guide 13 provided in the casing 12, and a handrail belt 14 that moves along the guide 13.

[0010] The truss 11 is provided between the floors F1 and F2. The sides and bottom of the truss 11 are covered with steel plates. In addition, boarding and alighting plates are fixed to the top surfaces of both ends of the truss 11.

[0011] Sprockets 21 and 22 are disposed on both ends in the X-axis direction inside truss 11. Sprockets 21 and 22 are supported rotatably about axes P1 and P2, respectively, that are parallel to the Y-axis.

[0012] The driving device 30 is a device for driving and rotating the sprocket 21. The driving device 30 includes a motor, a reducer, and the like (not shown). The driving device 30 is disposed near the sprocket 21. The driving device 30 is connected to the sprocket 21 by a driving chain 33.

[0013] A movable chain 23 is suspended between the sprockets 21 and 22. A plurality of steps 25 are connected to the movable chain 23. When the sprocket 21 is driven by the driving device 30, the movable chain 23 goes around the sprockets 21 and 22. As a result, the steps 25 located above the movable chain 23 move between the floors F1 and F2 while being exposed from above the truss 11.

[0014] In addition, the sprocket 21 is connected to the handrail belt 14, which is movably supported by the guide 13, via a chain or the like (not shown). Therefore, when the sprocket 21 is driven by the drive device 30, the steps 25 move between the floors F1 and F2, and the handrail belt 14 also goes around the guide 13.

[0015] 2 is a diagram showing the control system of the escalator device 10. The control panel 80 has a control unit 81 and a drive unit 82. The drive unit 82 drives the drive device 30 based on instructions from the control unit 81. The drive unit 82 supplies power to the drive device 30 to cause the steps 25 and the handrail belt 14 to rotate.

[0016] The control unit 81 is a computer having a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a main memory, an auxiliary memory, and an interface. The CPU executes various processes according to programs stored in the auxiliary memory. The main memory has a RAM (Random Access Memory) and the like. The main memory is used as a working area for the CPU. The auxiliary memory has a ROM (Read Only Memory), a semiconductor memory, and other non-volatile memory. The auxiliary memory stores the programs executed by the CPU, various parameters, and the like.

[0017] The control unit 81 controls the drive unit 82 based on signals from various sensors and switches. For example, when the control unit 81 rotates the motor of the drive device 30 in the forward direction via the drive unit 82, the steps 25 move upward. When the control unit 81 rotates the motor of the drive device 30 in the reverse direction via the drive unit 82, the steps 25 move downward. When the control unit 81 receives a signal notifying an abnormality from a sensor, the control unit 81 controls the drive unit 82 to stop the drive device 30, and stops the upward and downward movement of the steps 25.

[0018] The power generating unit 60 generates power based on the rotation of the motor of the drive device 30. Fig. 3 is a configuration diagram of the power generating unit 60. The power generating unit 60 includes a generator 61 and a control unit 62.

[0019] The generator 61 rotates based on the rotation of the motor of the drive device 30 and outputs AC power. The generator 61 is composed of a motor. The rotating shaft of the motor constituting the generator 61 is connected to the rotating shaft of the motor of the drive device 30 by, for example, gears, a belt, or the like. The rotating shaft of the generator 61 rotates based on the rotation of the rotating shaft of the motor of the drive device 30 and outputs, for example, an AC voltage (AC current) of 100V or 200V. The frequency of the AC voltage output by the generator 61 is determined by the number of poles of the generator 61, the rotation speed of the motor of the drive device 30, the gear ratio of the gears, and the like. When it is not necessary to limit the frequency of the AC voltage output by the generator 61, the rotating shaft of the generator 61 and the rotating shaft of the motor of the drive device 30 may be formed by a single common rotating shaft.

[0020] The control unit 62 converts the AC power output by the generator 61 into a predetermined voltage. The control unit 62 includes a current driver 621, a storage battery 70, and a voltage regulator 623.

[0021] The current driving unit 621 converts the AC voltage output by the generator 61 into a DC voltage suitable for charging the storage battery 70. The current driving unit 621 converts the AC voltage output by the generator 61 into a DC voltage using, for example, a circuit using a capacitor, a diode, etc. Then, the current driving unit 621 converts the DC voltage input by, for example, a DC / DC converter into a voltage suitable for charging the storage battery 70. The current driving unit 621 may be a constant current source that supplies a current suitable for charging the storage battery 70.

[0022] The storage battery 70 is composed of, for example, a lithium ion battery. The storage battery 70 has a charge monitoring sensor 71 that monitors the charge state. The charge monitoring sensor 71 can be composed of a voltage measuring device or the like. The charge monitoring sensor 71 notifies the control unit 81 of information as to whether the storage battery 70 is in a fully charged state (output voltage information of the storage battery 70). The power charged in the storage battery 70 is supplied to electronic circuits in the device. The electronic circuits in the device are, for example, a monitor for the display unit, and LEDs for lighting and illumination.

[0023] The voltage adjustment unit 623 converts the output voltage of the storage battery 70 into a voltage suitable for the electronic circuit in the device. The voltage adjustment unit 623 can be configured, for example, with a DC / DC converter. For example, when the electronic circuit in the device operates at 5V, the voltage adjustment unit 623 outputs DC 5V. When the electronic circuit operates at multiple types of voltages, the voltage adjustment unit 623 may output multiple types of voltages, such as 3V and 5V. When the output voltage of the storage battery 70 is the same as the voltage supplied to the electronic circuit in the device, the voltage adjustment unit 623 can be omitted. Also, when the output voltage of the current drive unit 621 is the same as the voltage supplied to the electronic circuit in the device, the storage battery 70 may be omitted.

[0024] 4 is a diagram for explaining the supply of power to the electronic circuit 90 in the device. The escalator device 10 has an AC / DC converter 95, which converts commercial AC voltage into a DC voltage suitable for the electronic circuit 90 in the device. The electronic circuit 90 is supplied with power from the AC / DC converter 95 and the power generating unit 60. The power supplied from the AC / DC converter 95 and the power supplied from the power generating unit 60 are connected via a backflow prevention circuit 97 constituted of, for example, a diode or the like.

[0025] Next, the operation of the escalator device 10 will be described. Based on the switch settings and information from the sensors, information on ascent, descent, or stop is transmitted to the control unit 81. The control unit 81 controls the drive of the drive device 30 via the drive unit 82 based on the operation information.

[0026] The rotation of the rotating shaft of the motor of the drive device 30 rotates the rotating shaft of the generator 61 of the power generating unit 60, and the generator 61 outputs AC power. The control unit 62 converts the AC power output by the generator 61 into a voltage and current suitable for charging the storage battery 70, and charges the storage battery 70.

[0027] When the storage battery 70 is in a fully charged state, the output voltage of the storage battery 70 tends to be high. The output voltage of the storage battery 70 gradually decreases according to the remaining capacity. Then, when the remaining capacity of the storage battery 70 runs out, the output voltage of the storage battery 70 tends to drop suddenly. The remaining capacity of the storage battery 70 can be estimated by focusing on the voltage characteristics of the storage battery 70. The storage battery 70 has a charge monitoring sensor 71 that monitors the output voltage. The charge monitoring sensor 71 notifies the control unit 81 of the value of the output voltage of the storage battery 70.

[0028] The control unit 81 judges whether the output voltage of the storage battery 70 is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold voltage based on the output information of the charge monitoring sensor 71. The threshold voltage is set to a value of the output voltage when the storage battery 70 has a predetermined remaining capacity (e.g., the remaining capacity is 90% or 95%) compared to when the storage battery 70 is in a fully charged state. When the output voltage of the storage battery 70 is lower than the threshold voltage, the control unit 81 controls the power generating unit 60 to charge the storage battery 70. On the other hand, when the output voltage of the storage battery 70 is equal to or higher than the threshold voltage, the control unit 81 controls the power generating unit 60 not to charge the storage battery 70.

[0029] The power generating unit 60 of the escalator device 10 according to the embodiment includes a generator 61 that rotates based on the rotation of the motor of the drive device 30 and outputs AC power, and a control unit 62 that converts the AC power output by the generator 61 into a predetermined voltage. The escalator device 10 according to the embodiment stores the power output by the power generating unit 60 in a storage battery 70, and uses the power in an electronic circuit within the device.

[0030] The energy supplied to the motor of the drive device 30 is used as energy to rotate the motor. However, a part of the energy supplied to the motor is lost as heat energy in the motor. The escalator device 10 according to the embodiment is provided with the power generation unit 60, thereby making effective use of the heat energy lost in the motor of the drive device 30. As a result, the escalator device 10 according to the embodiment can improve energy efficiency.

[0031] Moreover, the storage battery 70 of the escalator device 10 according to the embodiment has a charging monitoring sensor 71 that monitors the charging state of the storage battery 70. When the charging monitoring sensor 71 detects that the storage battery 70 is not fully charged, the power generating unit 60 charges the generated power to the storage battery 70. On the other hand, when the charging monitoring sensor 71 detects that the storage battery 70 is fully charged, the power generating unit 60 does not charge the generated power to the storage battery 70. In this way, when the storage battery 70 is not saturated, the power generating unit 60 converts the kinetic energy (rotational energy) of the lifting motor 41 and the opening / closing motor 42 into electrical energy to charge the storage battery 70, thereby improving the energy efficiency of the escalator device 10. Furthermore, when the storage battery 70 is saturated, the power generating unit 60 does not charge the storage battery 70, thereby preventing smoke and fire accidents of the storage battery (battery).

[0032] 4, the case has been described in which power is supplied to the electronic circuit 90 from the AC / DC converter 95 and the power generating unit 602, but the electronic circuit that receives power from the AC / DC converter 95 and the electronic circuit that receives power from the power generating unit 60 may be separated. In this case, the backflow prevention circuit 97 is not necessary.

[0033] In addition, in the above explanation, the rotating shaft of the generator 61 of the power generating unit 60 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating shaft of the motor of the drive unit 30. However, the rotating shaft of the generator 61 of the power generating unit 60 may also rotate in conjunction with the rotation of axes P1, P2 (see Figure 1) parallel to the Y axis of the sprockets 21, 22.

[0034] Although not described above, the storage battery 70 can also be charged by a commercial power source. The escalator device 10 supplements the storage battery 70 with the power from the commercial power source to make up for any shortage of power supplied by the power generating unit 60.

[0035] In the above description, the power stored in the storage battery 70 by the control unit 62 is consumed by electronic circuits within the device, but it may be supplied to electronic circuits outside the device. For example, it may be used for indoor lighting such as LEDs, charging a mobile phone, etc.

[0036] (Embodiment 2) In the first embodiment, the case where the storage battery 70 is configured with one storage battery has been described. In the second embodiment, the case where the storage battery 70 includes two storage batteries will be described.

[0037] 5 is a configuration diagram of the storage battery 70 of the escalator device 10 according to embodiment 2. The storage battery 70 has a first storage battery 72, a second storage battery 73, a first switch 74, a second switch 75, and a charge monitoring sensor 71.

[0038] The first storage battery 72 and the second storage battery 73 are, for example, lithium ion batteries. The first switch 74 is a circuit for switching the storage battery to be used. The first switch 74 selects the first storage battery 72 or the second storage battery 73 as the output of the storage battery 70 based on the control of the control unit 81. The second switch 75 is a circuit for selecting the storage battery to be charged by the power generation unit 60. The second switch 75 connects the output of the current drive unit 621 to the first storage battery 72 or the second storage battery 73 based on the control of the control unit 81. The first switch 74 and the second switch 75 can be configured with a FET (Field Effect Transistor), a relay, or the like.

[0039] The control unit 81 monitors the charging states of the first storage battery 72 and the second storage battery 73, for example, based on information on the output voltages of the first storage battery 72 and the second storage battery 73 obtained by the charge monitoring sensor 71. When the first switch 74 selects the first storage battery 72, the control unit 81 controls the first switch 74 to select the second storage battery 73 when the output voltage of the first storage battery 72 falls below a predetermined threshold indicating a decrease in the remaining capacity of the storage battery.

[0040] The control unit 81 controls the second switch 75 so that the storage battery not selected by the first switch 74 is charged. Furthermore, when the output voltage of the storage battery to be charged reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold value indicating that the storage battery is nearly fully charged, the control unit 81 controls the second switch 75 so that the storage battery to be charged is not charged. In this case, the power generation unit 60 is in a state in which neither the first storage battery 72 nor the second storage battery 73 is charged. The reason for not charging the storage battery that is nearly fully charged is to reduce the probability of failure of the storage battery.

[0041] The power generating unit 60 of the escalator device 10 according to the second embodiment switches between the first storage battery 72 and the second storage battery 73. With this configuration, one of the storage batteries mounted on the escalator device 10 can be used while the other storage battery is being charged.

[0042] When the rotation speed of the motor of the drive device 30 changes suddenly, the generator 61 may output a large amount of power (voltage, current). Although it depends on the circuit configuration, when the storage battery is charged while being discharged, an overcurrent or overvoltage may be applied to a semiconductor such as a diode that constitutes a circuit that separates charging and discharging. Semiconductor elements such as diodes are often damaged in a short mode when a voltage or current exceeding the absolute rating is applied. When a diode or the like that constitutes the storage battery is damaged in a short mode, it may cause a smoke or fire accident of the storage battery. The power generation unit 60 of the escalator device 10 according to the second embodiment physically separates the storage battery to be discharged from the storage battery to be charged by using the first switch 74 and the second switch 75. This makes it possible to prevent a smoke or fire accident of the storage battery.

[0043] In addition, in the description of the second embodiment, the case where two batteries are used has been described, but the number of batteries does not need to be limited. The number of batteries may be three or four. The greater the number of batteries, the greater the storage capacity. Therefore, the power generated by the power generation unit 60 in conjunction with the operation of the escalator device 10 can be effectively stored.

[0044] (Embodiment 3) In the first and second embodiments, an escalator device has been described. In the third embodiment, a moving walkway device will be described. The basic configuration of the moving walkway device is the same as that of the escalator device. In the escalator device, as shown in FIG. 1, the steps 25 rotate in a staircase state, whereas in the moving walkway device, the steps rotate in a flat state. The rest of the description is the same as that of the first and second embodiments.

[0045] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 10...Escalator equipment 11…Truss 12…Casing 13. Guide 14...Handrail belt 21, 22…Sprockets 23...Moving chain 25...Steps 30...Drive unit 33...Drive chain 60...Power generation section 61...Generator 62…Control unit 621...Current driver 623…Voltage adjustment unit 70…Battery 71...Charging monitoring sensor 72…First storage battery 73…Second storage battery 74…First switch 75…Second switch 80…Control panel 81…Control unit 82…Drive unit 90...Electronic circuit 95...AC / DC converter 97…Backflow prevention circuit

Claims

1. An escalator device having a moving chain wound around a pair of sprockets, a plurality of steps connected to the moving chain, and a drive device that drives the sprockets, a power generating unit that generates power based on rotation of a motor that drives the sprocket included in the drive device; The power generation unit is a generator having a rotating shaft connected to the rotating shaft of the motor, for driving the sprocket and outputting AC power at the same time; a control unit for converting the AC power output by the generator into a predetermined voltage; having Escalator equipment.

2. The control unit includes a storage battery. The control unit charges the storage battery with electric power generated based on the rotation of the motor. The escalator apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The storage battery has a charge monitoring sensor that monitors a charge state of the storage battery, the power generation unit charges the generated power to the storage battery when it detects that the storage battery is not in a fully charged state based on output information from the charge monitoring sensor, and does not charge the generated power to the storage battery when it detects that the storage battery is in a fully charged state.

3. The escalator apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The storage battery is A first storage battery; A second storage battery; a first switch that selects the first storage battery or the second storage battery as a storage battery that supplies power to an electronic circuit in the device; a second switch that selects the first storage battery or the second storage battery as a storage battery to be charged by the power generation unit; 4. The escalator apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising:

5. A moving walkway device having a moving chain wound around a pair of sprockets, a plurality of steps connected to the moving chain, and a drive device for driving the sprockets, a power generating unit that generates power based on rotation of a motor that drives the sprocket provided in the drive device; The power generation unit is a generator having a rotating shaft connected to the rotating shaft of the motor, for driving the sprocket and outputting AC power at the same time; a control unit for converting the AC power output by the generator into a predetermined voltage; having Moving walkway device.

6. The control unit includes a storage battery. The control unit charges the storage battery with electric power generated based on the rotation of the motor.

6. The moving walkway device of claim 5.

7. The storage battery has a charge monitoring sensor that monitors a charge state of the storage battery, the power generation unit charges the generated power to the storage battery when it detects that the storage battery is not in a fully charged state based on output information from the charge monitoring sensor, and does not charge the generated power to the storage battery when it detects that the storage battery is in a fully charged state.

7. The moving walkway apparatus of claim 6.

8. The storage battery is A first storage battery; A second storage battery; a first switch that selects the first storage battery or the second storage battery as a storage battery that supplies power to an electronic circuit in the device; a second switch that selects the first storage battery or the second storage battery as a storage battery to be charged by the power generation unit; 8. A moving walkway device according to claim 6 or 7, comprising:

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