Fall monitoring system and passenger conveyor equipped with same

Abstract

To provide a fall detection system capable of accurately determining whether a passenger has fallen, and a passenger conveyor equipped with the same.SOLUTION: A fall detection system 41 is a system for monitoring falls of passengers on an escalator 10, and comprises an upstream detection unit PF that detects objects transported by an endless transport body 30 (see Figure 1), a downstream detection unit PR that is adjacent to the detection unit PF and detects objects transported by the endless transport body 30, and a fall presence / absence determination unit 43 that determines that a passenger has fallen if a calculated value U1 calculated from a detection time T1 of an object at the upstream detection unit PF and a transport speed V of the endless transport body 30 is equal to or greater than a threshold value α, and if a calculated value U2 calculated from a detection time T2 of the object at the downstream detection unit PR and the transport speed V becomes equal to or greater than the threshold value α within Δt time after the value U1 becomes equal to or greater than the threshold value α.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fall monitoring system for detecting a fall of a passenger, and a passenger conveyor equipped with the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Passenger conveyors are equipped with various safety devices that have the function of stopping the steps when an abnormality occurs. For example, a safety device is attached to a complate installed at the landing or boarding area of ​​a passenger conveyor, which has the function of stopping the steps if an object such as baggage gets caught between the plate and the steps.

[0003] In this regard, Patent Document 1 discloses a passenger conveyor equipped with a fall monitoring system that has a detection unit that detects the passage of passengers along a passenger passageway along which steps run from the boarding area to the disembarking area, and that determines that a passenger has fallen if a calculation value calculated based on the detection time at which a passenger is detected via the detection unit and the moving speed of the steps is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7074271 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the configuration of the fall monitoring system described in Patent Document 1 above, it is possible that a passenger may be determined to have fallen even when they have not fallen due to factors other than the passenger falling, such as a foreign object such as a flyer adhering to or getting caught in the detection unit or its surroundings, causing the detection unit to detect an object, or a malfunction in the detection unit causing the detection unit to detect an object.

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a fall monitoring system capable of accurately determining whether a passenger has fallen, and a passenger conveyor equipped with the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The fall monitoring system according to the present invention includes an endless conveying vehicle that conveys passengers along a passenger passageway provided between a boarding area and a disembarking area. include In passenger conveyors Whether or not passengers have fallen A fall monitoring system for monitoring an endless conveyor and the area adjacent to a first object detection unit that detects a passing object; The conveyor is disposed immediately downstream of the conveyor and passes through an area adjacent to the endless conveyor. a second object detection unit that detects an object; and a first calculation value calculated from a detection time of the object in the first object detection unit and a conveying speed of the endless conveying body when the first calculation value is equal to or greater than a predetermined first reference value. Detects an object and a determination unit that determines that the passenger has fallen on the condition that the passenger has fallen.

[0008] Fall monitoring system according to the present invention is a fall monitoring system that monitors whether or not passengers have fallen on a passenger conveyor including an endless transport body that transports passengers along a passenger passageway provided between boarding and disembarking areas, and is equipped with a first object detection unit that detects an object passing through an area close to the endless transport body, a second object detection unit that is positioned immediately downstream of the first object detection unit in the transport path and detects an object passing through an area close to the endless transport body, and a judgment unit that judges that a passenger has fallen if a first calculation value calculated from the detection time of the object by the first object detection unit and the transport speed of the endless transport body is equal to or greater than a predetermined first reference value, and a second calculation value calculated from the detection time during which the second object detection unit detects an object and the transport speed of the endless transport body is equal to or greater than a predetermined second reference value when the first calculation value becomes equal to or greater than the predetermined first reference value.

[0009] In the fall monitoring system according to the present invention, The endless conveying body is composed of a number of steps connected in an endless fashion, and the specified time may be set to be a length of time that is greater than or equal to the required time and less than or equal to twice the required time, where the required time is the time required for two steps to pass directly below the position detected by the first object detection unit.

[0010] In the fall monitoring system of the present invention, the endless transport body is composed of a plurality of steps connected in an endless manner, and the first reference value may be set based on the length measured when an object placed lying on two steps passes a position where it is detected by the first object detection unit. In the fall monitoring system of the present invention, the endless transport body is composed of a plurality of steps connected in an endless manner, and the first reference value may be set based on the length measured when an object placed lying on two steps passes a position where it is detected by the first object detection unit. The passenger conveyor of the present invention comprises a fall monitoring system described in any of the above inventions, and an operation control unit that controls the running of the endless conveying body, and when the fall monitoring system determines that a passenger has fallen, the operation control unit executes either a deceleration operation mode in which the running speed of the endless conveying body is slowed down below the operating speed during normal operation, or a stop mode in which the endless conveying body is stopped. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the fall monitoring system of the present invention, when a first calculation value calculated from the object detection time at a first object detection unit and the conveying speed of the endless conveying body is equal to or greater than a predetermined first reference value, it is determined that a passenger has fallen, provided that the object detection state at a second object detection unit adjacent to the first object detection unit satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0012] As a result, a determination that a passenger has fallen is made based on the detection states of both the first object detection unit and the second object detection unit, thereby preventing a mistaken determination that a passenger has fallen when the first object detection unit enters a detection state due to factors other than the passenger falling.

[0013] According to the passenger conveyor of the present invention, when it is determined that a passenger has fallen, it is possible to execute either a deceleration operation mode in which the endless transport body is decelerated, or a stop mode in which the endless transport body is stopped. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a passenger conveyor to which a fall monitoring system according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied, and further includes a partially enlarged view of the area around the steps, a partially enlarged view showing the configuration of a driven sprocket and a driving sprocket, and a partially enlarged view of the area around the steps. [Diagram 2] 2 is a diagram showing a schematic arrangement of each detection unit included in the passenger conveyor shown in FIG. 1 and a comb plate installed at a landing station. FIG. [Diagram 3] 2 is a partially enlarged view showing a schematic arrangement of a landing side detection unit and a comb plate included in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram formed in the passenger conveyor shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 5]Fig. 5(a) is a timing chart showing a detection state when the upstream detection section of the detection unit detects the passage of a passenger during normal operation. Fig. 5(b) is a timing chart showing a detection state when the downstream detection section of the detection unit detects the passage of a passenger during normal operation. Fig. 5(c) is a timing chart showing an example of a detection state when the upstream detection section of the detection unit detects a passenger who has fallen on the steps. Fig. 5(d) is a timing chart showing an example of a detection state when the downstream detection section of the detection unit detects a passenger who has fallen on the steps. [Figure 6] 2 is a flowchart showing a flow of operation control of the passenger conveyor shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 7] 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of a fall occurrence / absence determination subroutine which is a predefined process included in part of FIG. 6. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a block diagram formed on a passenger conveyor according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing a configuration of a fall occurrence / absence determination subroutine in the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an escalator (passenger conveyor) 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 1, a step chain 31 is indicated by a two-dot chain line. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic positional relationship between each detection unit P included in the escalator 10 and a comp plate PL installed at a landing 14. In each diagram, "X" shown in the diagram indicates a horizontal direction X that is approximately parallel to the longitudinal direction of the escalator 10 in a top view, "Y" indicates a horizontal direction Y that is perpendicular to the horizontal direction X, and "Z" indicates a vertical direction Z.

[0016] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, escalator 10 includes a landing 12 provided on an upper floor side, a landing 14 provided on a lower floor side, and a running path SW provided between landing 12 and landing 14, and has the function of transporting passengers along a transport direction A from landing 12 to landing 14. This running path SW includes a diagonal section DL (see Figure 2) in which a plurality of steps 32A, 32B, 32C, ... (hereinafter, steps will be appropriately referred to as "32" unless there is a particular need to distinguish them) run in a staircase-like manner, and horizontal sections HN1, HN2 (see Figure 2) adjacent to landing 12 and landing 14, respectively, in which each step 32 runs approximately horizontally.

[0017] The landing 12 and the landing 14 have almost the same configuration. As shown in Fig. 1, a comb-shaped comb plate PL is attached to the landing 14 at a position where the steps 32 sink into the floor surface. A safety device (not shown) is attached to this comb plate PL, and serves to stop the steps 32 (described later) if a foreign object gets caught between the steps 32 and the comb plate PL.

[0018] 1 and 2, balustrades 21, 22 are provided on both sides of passenger passage 15 consisting of runway SW, boarding platform 12, and disembarking platform 14. Balustrades 21 and 22 are symmetrical across passenger passage 15 and are made of similar components. In the following explanation, balustrade 22 will be mainly explained, and explanation of balustrade 21 will be omitted where appropriate.

[0019] The balustrade section 22 has a balustrade panel 23 erected along the passenger passage 15 and a support section 24 supporting the balustrade panel 23. The balustrade panel 23 is, for example, formed by arranging a plurality of glass sheets in a row and has translucency. The end of the balustrade panel 23 on the landing 12 side and the end on the landing 14 side are each formed in an arc shape. An endless handrail (moving handrail) 27 configured to circulate just above the running path SW in the same direction and at the same speed as the steps 32 is movably attached to the outer periphery of the balustrade section 22. A skirt guard (side plate) 24A is attached to the support section 24 so as to cover the side of the passenger passage 15. Similarly, a skirt guard 25A is also attached to the support section 25 of the balustrade section 21.

[0020] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the skirt guards 24A and 25A are provided with detection units P1, P2, P3, and P4 at preset positions from the upper floor (upstream) side to the lower floor (downstream) side of the travel path SW. More specifically, the detection unit P1 is installed in the horizontal section HN1, the detection units P2 and P3 are installed on the upstream and downstream sides of the diagonal section DL, and the detection unit P4 is installed in the horizontal section HN2. The detection units P1, P2, P3, and P4 have the same configuration (hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between them, they will be referred to as "detection unit P" as appropriate). The following description will be given using the detection unit P4 as an example.

[0021] 1, the detection unit P4 includes an upstream detection section (first object detection section) PF and a downstream detection section (second object detection section) PR disposed adjacent to it immediately downstream, and is the detection unit disposed closest to the comp plate PL among the detection units P. The upstream detection section PF is composed of a transmission type photoelectric sensor including a light-projecting section PX and a light-receiving section PY, and has a function of detecting the passage of an object such as a passenger or baggage standing on the step 32 by blocking (blocking) the light emitted by the light-projecting section PX.

[0022] Here, the partial enlarged view shown in a part of FIG. 1 shows the positional relationship between the step 32 and the skirt guards 24A, 25A when viewed from the landing 14 side shown in FIG. 1. As shown in the partial enlarged view included in a part of FIG. 1, the light-projecting portion PX and the light-receiving portion PY constituting the upstream-side detection portion PF in the detection unit P4 are attached to the skirt guards 24A, 25A so as to face each other with both skirt guards 24A, 25A in between. In addition, the attachment portions of the light-projecting portion PX and the light-receiving portion PY in both skirt guards 24A, 25A are each provided with a through hole so that the light emitted by the light-projecting portion PX is received by the light-receiving portion PY. In addition, the downstream-side detection portion PR of the detection unit P4 also has the same function and configuration as the upstream-side detection portion PF described above.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, the upstream detection section PF and downstream detection section PR of each detection unit P are preferably installed directly above the steps 32 moving along the travel path SW. More specifically, the light projecting section PX (see FIG. 1) and the light receiving section PY (see FIG. 1) constituting the upstream detection section PF are preferably installed at a vertical position where the distance between the steps 32 passing directly below is within 20 cm, more preferably within 10 cm. The vertical positions of the light projecting section and the light receiving section in the downstream detection section PR are also preferably installed in the same manner as in the case of the upstream detection section PF described above. By providing the detection unit P at a position directly above and close to the steps 32 moving along the travel path SW in this way, the detection accuracy can be improved.

[0024] Fig. 3 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of the detection units P4, P3. As shown in Fig. 3, it is preferable to arrange the detection units PF, PR closely so that the interval L1 between the upstream detection unit PF and the downstream detection unit PR of the detection unit P4 arranged in the horizontal section HN2 is equal to or less than the length of the step 32 in the horizontal direction X (in other words, the dimension in the short direction of the step 32). Similarly, it is preferable to set the interval L2 between the upstream detection unit PF and the downstream detection unit PR of the detection unit P3 arranged in the diagonal section DL to the same length as the interval L1, and it is preferable to set the interval between the detection units PF, PR in the other detection units P1, P2 in the same manner.

[0025] In this embodiment, the interval L1 is set to a length (for example, 0.4 m) equivalent to the length in the horizontal direction X of the steps 32 that move along the travel path SW.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 1, the endless conveying body 30 is configured by endlessly connecting the above-mentioned multiple steps 32 via a step chain 31. A rotatably supported step sprocket 14P is provided in a lower floor machine room 14M provided immediately below the landing 14, and a rotatably supported step sprocket 12P is provided in an upper floor machine room 12M provided immediately below the landing 12. A step chain 31 constituting a part of the above-mentioned endless conveying body 30 is wound around each of the step sprockets 12P, 14P, and the step chain 31 is rotated via a driven sprocket 12Q described later, so that the steps 32 move cyclically along the travel path SW from the landing 12 to the landing 14.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 1, speakers SP1, SP2 (hereinafter, referred to as "SP" as appropriate when no particular distinction is required) are built into support parts 24 of balustrade parts 22 of landing 12 and landing 14. Each speaker SP has the role of broadcasting voice guidance and the like. In this embodiment, speaker SP is built into balustrade part 22, but speakers may be provided in other parts of escalator 10, or speakers may be installed on the walls or ceiling of a building around escalator 10.

[0028] An electric motor 34 is installed in the upper floor machine room 12M, and the driving force of the electric motor 34 is transmitted to an output shaft (not shown) via a reducer (not shown), and the drive sprocket 34P is rotated and driven via the output shaft. The rotational power of the drive sprocket 34P is transmitted to the driven sprocket 12Q via a roller chain 34C. The driven sprocket 12Q is attached to the shaft 12X together with the step sprocket 12P, and by rotating the driven sprocket 12Q, the step sprocket 12P is also rotated in conjunction with the step sprocket. As a result, the step chain 31 described above runs in a circle along the guide rail (not shown), and the multiple steps 32 each connected to the chain 31 in an endless manner run in a circular motion.

[0029] A rotation detector 36 (see FIG. 4) that detects the amount of rotation of the driven sprocket 12Q is attached to the shaft 12X. The rotation detector 36 includes a rotary encoder (not shown) and has a function of outputting a pulse signal to a measuring unit 44 (see FIG. 4) described later in accordance with the amount of rotation (angle) of the shaft 12X.

[0030] In this embodiment, the rotation detection unit 36 ​​is attached to the shaft 12X of the driven sprocket 12Q, but it may also be attached to the output shaft (not shown) of the electric motor 34 or another shaft that rotates in conjunction with the drive of the endless conveying body 30.

[0031] As shown in the partially enlarged view of the driven sprocket 12Q and the driving sprocket 34P in FIG. 1, the rotation detection unit 36 ​​may use a proximity sensor 36A having a function of detecting each of the tips of teeth (tooth tips) formed at equal angular intervals on the outer circumference of the driven sprocket 12Q instead of the rotary encoder. In this case, as the driven sprocket 12Q rotates, the tips of the teeth of the driven sprocket 12Q successively arrive at the detection position of the proximity sensor 36A and are detected by the proximity sensor 36A. The detection signal of the proximity sensor 36A is output to a measurement unit 44 (see FIG. 4) described later, so that the conveying speed of the endless conveyor 30 can be calculated in the measurement unit 44 described later, as in the case of using the rotary encoder.

[0032] Next, the configuration of the control device 40 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a block diagram mainly focusing on the control device 40. As shown in Fig. 4, the escalator 10 is provided with the control device 40, which performs overall control of the operation of the escalator 10, in the upper floor machine room 12M (see Fig. 1). The control device 40 is provided with a storage device (not shown) including a ROM, a RAM, an HDD, etc., in which various control programs are stored, and an arithmetic processing device (not shown) such as a CPU. The control device 40 functions as a fall monitoring system 41 and an operation control unit 45 that controls the drive of the electric motor 34 by the arithmetic processing device reading the control programs from the storage device and performing arithmetic processing.

[0033] This fall monitoring system 41 includes a measurement unit 44 that measures the conveying speed of the endless conveying body 30, and a fall presence / absence determination unit (determination unit) 43 that determines whether or not a passenger has fallen on the endless conveying body 30, and has the function of monitoring for a fall of a passenger on the endless conveying body 30.

[0034] The measuring unit 44 has a function of measuring the conveying speed of the endless conveyor 30 based on the pulse signal transmitted from the above-mentioned rotation detection unit 36. The operation control unit 45 also has a function of selecting an operation mode based on the measurement result of the measuring unit 44, and transmitting to the electric motor 34 control signals such as a speed command signal corresponding to the selected operation mode.

[0035] Here, Fig. 5(a) to Fig. 5(d) respectively show timing charts when the above-mentioned detection unit P detects an object. Among these, Fig. 5(a) and Fig. 5(b) are timing charts showing the change in detection state at the upstream detection part PF and downstream detection part PR of the detection unit P when a passenger passes the detection position during normal operation. As shown in Fig. 5(a) and Fig. 5(b), when a passenger standing on the step 32 moves along the travel path SW, after the upstream detection part PF detects the passage of the passenger, in other words, after it changes to the ON state, the downstream detection part PR detects the passage of the passenger.

[0036] 5(c) and 5(d) are timing charts showing an example of a change in detection state when the passage of a passenger is detected by the upstream detection section PF and downstream detection section PR of the detection unit P when the passenger falls. In Fig. 5(c) and 5(d), timing TP1 indicates the timing when the upstream detection section PF detects light interruption and changes from the OFF state to the ON state, and similarly, timing TP2 indicates the timing when the downstream detection section PR detects light interruption and changes from the OFF state to the ON state. Also, timing CR indicates the timing when the fall occurrence determination section 43 determines that the passenger has fallen.

[0037] As shown in Figures 5(c) and 5(d), when a passenger falls, the upstream detection unit PF remains in the ON state for a longer period than during normal operation because the passenger is lying on the steps 32. Similarly, the downstream detection unit also remains in the ON state for a longer period than during normal operation. When a passenger falls, the upstream detection unit PF and the downstream detection unit PR, which are located close to each other, remain in the ON state simultaneously for a relatively long period of time.

[0038] Therefore, the fall determination unit 43 determines whether a passenger has fallen under the condition (predetermined condition) that the following two times occur within a predetermined time: a calculated value U1 (i.e., calculated value U1 = detection time T1 x conveying speed V), which is the product of detection time T1 during which the upstream detection unit PF in the detection unit P continuously detects an object (light blocking) and the conveying speed V of the endless transport body 30 (i.e., the running speed of the steps 32), becomes equal to or exceeds a threshold value α (first reference value); and a calculated value U2, which is the product of detection time T2, which is the light blocking detection time of the downstream detection unit PR in the detection unit P, and the conveying speed V of the endless transport body 30, becomes equal to or exceeds a threshold value α (second reference value). The calculated value U1 corresponds to the first calculated value of the present invention, and the calculated value U2 corresponds to the second calculated value of the present invention.

[0039] In other words, the fall determination unit 43 determines whether or not a passenger has fallen based on whether or not the calculated value U2 at the downstream detection unit PR of the detection unit P becomes equal to or greater than the threshold value α within Δt time from when the calculated value U1 at the upstream detection unit PF of the detection unit P becomes equal to or greater than the threshold value α. Here, the Δt time may be set based on the time FR required for the endless transport body 30 to travel the distance between the upstream detection unit PF and the downstream detection unit PR at the transport speed V. In addition, the Δt time is preferably set to a length of time that includes a small margin of time in addition to the above-mentioned time FR.

[0040] As an example, the time Δt may be set to a time length that satisfies the relationship of the following formula (1). α / V≦Δt≦(2×α) / V···(1) In the formula (1), α is the threshold value α, and V is the conveying speed V.

[0041] In this way, the fall determination unit 43 constantly monitors the detection status at the upstream detection unit PF and the downstream detection unit PR in parallel, and determines that a passenger has fallen if both of the calculated values ​​U1, U2 are equal to or greater than the threshold value α with a time difference of less than Δt.

[0042] As described above, whether or not a passenger has fallen is determined based on the detection states of both the upstream detection unit PF and the downstream detection unit PR. This prevents an erroneous determination that a passenger has fallen when the ON state is caused by factors other than the passenger's fall, such as when a flyer or other debris that accidentally enters the travel path SW adheres to the skirt guards 24A, 25A located around one of the detection units PF, PR, or is caught between the skirt guards 24A, 25A and the step 32, causing the detection unit to turn ON, or when one of the detection units PF, PR breaks down and remains in the ON state continuously.

[0043] The driving control unit 45 executes the normal driving mode when it is not determined via the fall determination unit 43 that a passenger has fallen. On the other hand, the driving control unit 45 executes the deceleration mode when it is determined via any of the detection units P1, P2, and P3 that a passenger has fallen. This makes it easier for the passenger who has fallen to stand up, and for other passengers nearby to help the passenger who has fallen up.

[0044] Furthermore, the operation control unit 45 executes the stop mode when it is determined that a passenger has fallen via the detection unit P4 located at the position closest to the comp plate PL of the landing 14. This makes it possible to stop the steps 32 before the fallen passenger reaches the comp plate PL, or to decelerate the speed of the steps 32 before the fallen passenger reaches the comp plate PL.

[0045] In this embodiment, the normal operation mode is an operation mode in which the steps 32 run at a set speed of 30 meters per minute, the deceleration mode is an operation mode in which the steps 32 run at a set speed of 10 meters per minute, and the stop mode is an operation mode in which the steps 32 stop.

[0046] The deceleration in the deceleration mode (i.e., negative acceleration) may be set to have a smaller absolute value than the deceleration in the stop mode, so that the deceleration rate becomes gentler. Also, instead of the stop mode, a slow speed mode may be executed in which the steps 32 travel at a low speed of, for example, about 1 m per minute, in other words, at a speed slower than the deceleration mode.

[0047] In this embodiment, the operation control unit 45 obtains the conveying speed of the endless conveying body 30 from the measurement unit 44, but it may also be configured to calculate the conveying speed of the endless conveying body 30 based on a speed command signal sent to the electric motor 34, etc.

[0048] In this embodiment, the threshold value α is set to a value such that the length of an object moving while placed on the endless transport body 30 and passing the detection position of the upstream detection unit PF is approximately equivalent to the length SD (see FIG. 1) when two steps 32 pass the detection position. This makes it possible to detect an object longer than the SD, for example, a long object that would not occur under normal use of the escalator 10, such as a passenger who has fallen and is lying on two or more steps 32, via the upstream detection unit PF. Therefore, when an object longer than the SD is detected, it is possible to determine that a passenger has fallen.

[0049] In addition, by using the calculated value U1, which is the product of the conveying speed V and the detection time T1, when the conveying speed of the endless conveying body 30 is different, it is possible to determine whether a passenger has fallen using a judgment criterion that assumes the same length of the object regardless of the conveying speed.

[0050] In this embodiment, the threshold value α is a value equivalent to the above-mentioned length SD, but depending on the usage environment of the escalator 10, a value equivalent to a length shorter than the above-mentioned length SD may be used as the threshold value α, or a value equivalent to a length longer than the above-mentioned length SD may be used as the threshold value α.

[0051] Next, the flow of operation control in the control device 40 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of operation control in the case where a passenger falls during execution of the normal operation mode.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 6, the operation control unit 45 executes the normal operation mode (step S1), and also calls and executes a toppling over occurrence / absence determination subroutine SB1, which is a predefined process.

[0053] 7 is a flowchart showing the configuration of the fall determination subroutine SB1. The fall determination subroutine SB1 is a subroutine for determining whether a passenger has fallen by monitoring in parallel the light interruption detection status of both the upstream detection section PF and the downstream detection section PR included in the detection unit P.

[0054] As shown in Fig. 7, the overturning determination unit 43 determines whether or not light blocking has been detected at the upstream detection unit PF (step B1). If light blocking has been detected at the upstream detection unit PF (step B1: YES), the overturning determination unit 43 calculates a calculated value U1, which is the product of the detection time T1 at the upstream detection unit PF where the light blocking was detected at step B1 and the conveying speed V of the endless conveyor 30 (i.e., detection time T1 x conveying speed V) (step B2), and determines whether or not the calculated value U1 is equal to or greater than a threshold value α (step B3). If the calculated value U1 is equal to or greater than the threshold value α, the overturning determination unit 43 records the timing at which the calculated value U1 is equal to or greater than the threshold value α as timing FT (step B3: YES, step B4).

[0055] In parallel with the processing of steps B1 to B4, the overturning determination unit 43 determines whether or not light blocking has been detected at the downstream detection unit PR disposed adjacent to the upstream detection unit PF immediately downstream (step B5). If light blocking has been detected at the downstream detection unit PR (step B5: YES), the overturning determination unit 43 calculates a calculated value U2 which is the product of the detection time T2 at the downstream detection unit PR where light blocking was detected in step B4 and the conveying speed V of the endless conveyor 30 (i.e., detection time T2 x conveying speed V) (step B6), and determines whether or not the calculated value U2 is equal to or greater than a threshold value α (step B7). If the calculated value U2 is equal to or greater than the threshold value α (step B7: YES), the overturning determination unit 43 determines whether or not the difference time between the timing at which the calculated value U2 became equal to or greater than the threshold value α and the above-mentioned timing FT is within Δt (step B8). In other words, the fall determination unit 43 determines whether the elapsed time from the timing FT recorded in step B4 to the timing when the calculated value U2 becomes equal to or greater than the threshold value α is within Δt (step B8). If the elapsed time is within Δt, the fall determination unit 43 determines that the passenger has fallen (step B9).

[0056] That is, in the process of step B8, if at least one of the calculated values ​​U1, U2 calculated in steps B3, B7 is less than the threshold value α, it is not determined that the passenger has fallen. Furthermore, in the process of steps B3, B7, even if both of the calculated values ​​U1, U2 are equal to or greater than the threshold value α, it is not determined that the passenger has fallen unless the time interval between the timings at which both calculated values ​​are equal to or greater than the threshold value α is within Δt. This makes it possible to accurately determine whether the passenger has fallen.

[0057] Then, the process transitions to step S2 shown in Figure 6, and if the fall determination unit 43 determines in the process of step B9 described above that a passenger has fallen (step S2: YES), the operation control unit 45 makes an announcement via the speaker SP such as "An abnormality has been detected, we will stop, please hold on to the handrail" and executes the stop mode (steps S13, S14) if the upstream detection unit PF and downstream detection unit PR that detected the object in the process of step S2 are the detection units PF, PR of the detection unit P4 (step S3: YES).

[0058] This allows the steps 32 to be decelerated as much as possible before an object runs onto or hits the comb plate PL (see FIG. 1) located immediately downstream of the detection unit P.

[0059] On the other hand, if the detection unit P that detected the passenger's fall in the process of step S3 is a detection unit other than the detection unit P4, i.e., any of the detection units P1 to P3 (step S3: NO), the operation control unit 45 issues an announcement such as "An abnormality has been detected. We will decelerate. Please hold on to the handrail" through the speaker SP, and switches the operation mode from the normal operation mode to the deceleration mode (steps S4 and S5). Furthermore, the operation control unit 45 calculates the deceleration time RE, which is the duration of the deceleration operation mode (step S6).

[0060] This slows down the travelling speed of the steps 32, so that, for example, a passenger who has fallen onto the steps 32 can easily get up because the moving speed of the steps 32 is slower than the normal operating speed, and it also has the advantage that passengers nearby can more easily help a passenger who has fallen up.

[0061] Furthermore, in the process of step S2 described above, if it is not determined that the passenger has fallen, the operation control unit 45 continues to execute the normal operation mode (step S2: NO, step S1).

[0062] Then, after the deceleration mode has started to be executed, if the driving control unit 45 determines through the fall determination subroutine SB2 (see FIG. 7), which has the same configuration as the fall determination subroutine SB1 described above, that the passenger has not fallen (step S7: NO), then it proceeds to processing of step S10.

[0063] In the process of step S10, the operation control unit 45 judges whether the deceleration time RE is equal to or longer than a preset time W (for example, 10 minutes) (step S10). If the deceleration time RE is shorter than the preset time W (step S10: NO), the operation control unit 45 proceeds to the process of step S5 described above.

[0064] In addition, if the operation control unit 45 determines that a passenger has fallen in the processing of the above-mentioned fall occurrence determination subroutine SB2 (step S7: YES), and if the detection unit P that detected the light blocking in the same subroutine SB2 is detection unit P4 (step S8: YES), it makes an announcement via the speaker SP such as "An abnormality has been detected. We will stop, please hold on to the handrail" and executes the stop mode (steps S13, S14).

[0065] Furthermore, if it is determined that a passenger has fallen (step S7: YES), and the detection unit P that detected the light blocking in the processing of the subroutine SB2 is a detection unit other than detection unit P4 (i.e., detection units P1 to P3), the deceleration time RE is reset to 0 (step S8: NO, step S9), and the processing proceeds to step S10 described above.

[0066] If the deceleration time RE is longer than or equal to the preset time W (step S10: YES), the operation control unit 45 resets the deceleration time RE to 0 (step S11) and makes an announcement via the speaker SP such as "The escalator will accelerate to normal speed. Please be careful" (step S12), then transitions to processing of step S1 and switches the operation mode from the deceleration mode to the normal operation mode (step S1).

[0067] As a result, when a passenger's fall is detected, deceleration operation is performed for a certain period of time, and normal operation can be resumed on the condition that the passenger's fall is not detected again during the deceleration operation.

[0068] According to the fall monitoring system 41 of this embodiment, when a calculated value U1 calculated from the detection time T1 of an object at the upstream detection section PF of the detection unit P and the conveying speed V of the endless conveying body 30 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value α, it is determined that a passenger has fallen, provided that a calculated value U2 calculated from the detection time T2 of an object at the downstream detection section PR arranged adjacently immediately downstream and the conveying speed V becomes equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value α within Δt time after the calculated value U1 becomes equal to or greater than the threshold value α.

[0069] As a result, a determination that a passenger has fallen is made based on the detection states of both the upstream detection section PF and the downstream detection section PR that constitute the detection unit P, thereby preventing a mistaken determination that a passenger has fallen when the upstream detection section PF enters a detection state due to factors other than the passenger falling.

[0070] In the above-mentioned first embodiment, the fall monitoring system 41 uses the fall determination subroutines SB1 and SB2 to determine that a passenger has fallen on the condition that the calculated values ​​U1 and U2 at the time of light interruption detection in the detection sections PF and PR of the detection unit P are both equal to or greater than the threshold value α. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be determined that a passenger has fallen on the condition (predetermined condition) that the calculated value U1 described above is equal to or greater than the threshold value α and that the downstream detection section PR simultaneously detects light interruption.

[0071] The configuration of the escalator 100 according to the second embodiment in this case will be described with reference to Figures 8 and 9. In the following description, the description of the parts that are common to the escalator 10 in the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate, and only the parts that are different in configuration will be described.

[0072] Fig. 8 shows a block diagram formed in an escalator 100 according to the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 8, the escalator 100 has the same configuration as the escalator 10 of the first embodiment, except that the control device 40 has a fall monitoring system 141 instead of the fall monitoring system 41 in the first embodiment. The fall monitoring system 141 has the same configuration as the fall monitoring system 41 of the first embodiment, except that the fall monitoring system 141 has a fall presence / absence determining unit (determination unit) 143 described below instead of the fall presence / absence determining unit 43.

[0073] Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing the process flow of the fall presence / absence determination subroutines SB11 and SB12. The fall presence / absence determination subroutine SB11 shown in Fig. 9 is a subroutine used in the process of determining whether a passenger has fallen, instead of the fall presence / absence determination subroutine SB1 of the first embodiment. The fall presence / absence determination subroutine SB12 is a subroutine having the same configuration as the fall presence / absence determination subroutine SB11, and is a subroutine used in the process of determining whether a passenger has fallen, instead of the fall presence / absence determination subroutine SB2 of the first embodiment.

[0074] The fall determination process in the fall monitoring system 141 of the second embodiment differs from the configuration of the fall determination process in the fall monitoring system 41 of the first embodiment only in that the fall presence / absence determination subroutines SB11 and SB12 are used instead of the above-mentioned fall presence / absence determination subroutines SB1 and SB2, respectively. Since the configurations of the fall presence / absence determination subroutines SB11 and SB12 are almost the same, only the configuration of the fall presence / absence determination subroutine SB11 will be described, and a description of the fall presence / absence determination subroutine SB12 will be omitted.

[0075] 9, in the fall determination subroutine SB11, when the upstream detection unit PF detects a light interruption (step B11: YES), the fall determination unit 143 calculates a calculated value U1, which is the product of the detection time T1 at the upstream detection unit PF and the conveying speed V at the endless conveyor 30 (i.e., detection time T1 × conveying speed V) (step B12). Then, when the calculated value U1 is equal to or greater than the threshold value α (step B13: YES), the fall determination unit 43 determines whether or not an object is also detected at the downstream detection unit PR disposed immediately downstream of the upstream detection unit PF that detected the light interruption in step B11 (step B14), and when the downstream detection unit PR detects an object (step B14: YES), it determines that the passenger has fallen (step B15), and transitions to the process of step S2 (see FIG. 6).

[0076] According to this second embodiment of the fall monitoring system 141, when a calculated value U1 calculated from the detection time T1 of an object at the upstream detection section PF of the detection unit P and the conveying speed V of the endless conveying body 30 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value α, it can be determined that a passenger has fallen, provided that an object is simultaneously detected at the downstream detection section PR arranged adjacently immediately downstream.

[0077] As a result, a determination that a passenger has fallen is made based on the detection states of both the upstream detection section PF and the downstream detection section PR that constitute the detection unit P, thereby preventing a mistaken determination that a passenger has fallen when the upstream detection section PF enters a detection state due to factors other than the passenger falling.

[0078] In steps B3 and B6 of the first embodiment, the same threshold value α is used to determine whether or not the vehicle has fallen in light interruption detection by both the upstream detection unit PF and the downstream detection unit PR attached immediately downstream of the upstream detection unit PF, but different threshold values ​​may be used. For example, the threshold value used in the light interruption detection by the downstream detection unit PR may be set to a smaller value (in other words, a value corresponding to a shorter length) than the threshold value used in the light interruption detection by the upstream detection unit PF.

[0079] In the first embodiment, the condition is that the calculated value U1 at the time of light interruption detection in the upstream detection section PF of the detection unit P is equal to or greater than the threshold value α, and the calculated value U2 at the time of light interruption detection in the downstream detection section PR of the same detection unit P is equal to or greater than the threshold value α (hereinafter referred to as the "first fall determination condition"), whereas in the second embodiment, the condition is that the calculated value U1 at the time of light interruption detection in the upstream detection section PF of the detection unit P is equal to or greater than the threshold value α, and the downstream detection section PR simultaneously detects the light interruption (hereinafter referred to as the "second fall determination condition"). However, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0080] For example, the passenger fall determination based on the light interruption detection by any of the detection units P1 to P3 may be set as a first fall determination condition, and the passenger fall determination based on the light interruption detection by the detection unit P4 may be set as a second fall determination condition. In this case, it is possible to set the passenger fall determination condition taking into consideration the installation position of the detection unit P, etc.

[0081] In addition, in the above first and second embodiments, an example has been described in which the conveying direction A of the escalator 10 is a direction from the upper floor to the lower floor, but the conveying direction A may also be a direction from the lower floor to the upper floor.

[0082] In the above embodiment, the escalator 10 has been taken as an example of a passenger conveyor, but the present invention may also be applied to a moving walkway.

[0083] The present invention can be implemented in various forms that include improvements, modifications, or variations based on the knowledge of a person skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In addition, the present invention can be implemented in a form in which any of the invention-specific features are replaced with other technologies within the scope of the same action or effect. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 10,100 Escalator 12 Platform 14 Drop-off point 15 Passenger passage 30 Endless conveyor 32,32A,32B,32C Steps 34 Electric motor 40 Control device 41,141 Fall monitoring system 43,143 Fall detection unit (detection unit) 44 Measuring part 45 Operation control unit P, P1~P4 detection unit PF Upstream detection section (first object detection section) PR Downstream detection section (second object detection section) PL Complate S1~S16, SB1, SB2, SB11, SB12, B1~B4, B10~B15 steps SW Running Track SP, SP1, SP2 speakers U1 calculated value (first calculated value) U2 calculated value (second calculated value)

Claims

1. A fall monitoring system for monitoring whether or not a passenger falls on a passenger conveyor including an endless conveyor that conveys passengers along a passenger passageway provided between a boarding area and a disembarking area, a first object detector that detects an object passing through an area adjacent to the endless transport body; a second object detector disposed immediately downstream of the first object detector in a conveying path and configured to detect an object passing through an area adjacent to the endless conveyor; a determination unit that determines that a passenger has fallen on a condition that the second object detection unit has detected an object when a first calculation value calculated from a detection time of the object by the first object detection unit and a conveying speed of the endless conveying body is equal to or greater than a predetermined first reference value; and A fall monitoring system comprising:

2. A fall monitoring system for monitoring whether or not a passenger falls on a passenger conveyor including an endless conveyor that conveys passengers along a passenger passageway provided between a boarding area and a disembarking area, a first object detector configured to detect an object passing through an area adjacent to the endless transport body; a second object detector disposed immediately downstream of the first object detector in a conveying path and configured to detect an object passing through an area adjacent to the endless conveyor; a determination unit which, when a first calculation value calculated from the detection time of an object by the first object detection unit and the conveying speed of the endless conveying body is equal to or greater than a predetermined first reference value, determines that a passenger has fallen under the condition that a second calculation value calculated from the detection time during which the second object detection unit detects an object and the conveying speed of the endless conveying body within a predetermined time after the first calculation value becomes equal to or greater than the predetermined first reference value, becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined second reference value; A fall monitoring system comprising:

3. The endless conveyor is configured by connecting a plurality of steps in an endless manner, the predetermined time is set to be equal to or longer than the required time and equal to or shorter than twice the required time, when the required time is defined as the time required for two steps to pass directly below the position detected by the first object detection unit. The fall monitoring system of claim 2 .

4. The endless conveyor is configured by connecting a plurality of steps in an endless manner, The first reference value is set based on a length measured when an object placed so as to lie on the two steps passes a position where the object is detected by the first object detection unit. The fall monitoring system of claim 1 .

5. The endless conveyor is configured by connecting a plurality of steps in an endless manner, The first reference value is set based on a length measured when an object placed so as to lie on the two steps passes a position where the object is detected by the first object detection unit. The fall monitoring system of claim 2 .

6. A fall monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 5; An operation control unit that controls the traveling of the endless transport body; Equipped with the operation control unit executes either a deceleration operation mode in which the traveling speed of the endless transport vehicle is decelerated below a normal operating speed, or a stop mode in which the endless transport vehicle is stopped, when the fall monitoring system determines that the passenger has fallen. Passenger conveyor.

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