Passenger conveyor system

Abstract

In the diagnostic operation of a passenger conveyor for outdoor use, obtaining an accurate diagnostic result. 【Solution means】A passenger conveyor system according to an embodiment diagnoses the state of an outdoor passenger conveyor. The passenger conveyor system includes a control device that controls the operation of the passenger conveyor, and a remote monitoring device that acquires meteorological data including at least weather information indicating the weather in the area where the passenger conveyor is installed. The control device includes a storage unit that stores the meteorological data acquired by the remote monitoring device between the previous startup time and the current startup time of the passenger conveyor, and a weather determination unit that determines whether there has been rainfall or snowfall between the previous startup time and the current startup time based on the weather information included in the stored meteorological data when the startup time arrives. When it is determined that there has been no rainfall or snowfall, the control device includes an information processing unit that starts the passenger conveyor and operates it in a predetermined operation mode to diagnose the state of the passenger conveyor.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a passenger conveyor system.

Background Art

[0002] Passenger conveyors (for example, escalators, moving walkways, etc.) are designed to be installed outdoors. Generally, components constituting such outdoor passenger conveyors are waterproofed, but not all components are waterproofed. For example, drive chains, connecting chains (step chains), handrail drive chains, etc. are not waterproofed. Therefore, when there is rainfall or snowfall, the lubricating oil applied to the above-mentioned chains may flow away.

[0003] By the way, in a passenger conveyor, a diagnostic operation for diagnosing the state of various devices (components) constituting the passenger conveyor may be performed. In order to obtain an accurate diagnostic result in the diagnostic operation, it is important to align the conditions with those during past diagnostic operations (for example, performing the diagnostic operation with no passengers on the passenger conveyor).

[0004] However, in the above-mentioned outdoor passenger conveyor, when moisture enters the truss due to rainfall or snowfall, the lubricating oil applied to the above-mentioned chains may flow away, and the diagnostic operation may be performed with less lubricating oil than during past diagnostic operations, unlike in the past. In this case, an accurate diagnostic result cannot be obtained.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a passenger conveyor system capable of obtaining accurate diagnostic results in the diagnostic operation of an outdoor passenger conveyor.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] A passenger conveyor system according to an embodiment diagnoses the state of an outdoor passenger conveyor. The passenger conveyor system includes a control device that controls the operation of the passenger conveyor, and a remote monitoring device that periodically acquires from a weather data server meteorological data including at least weather information indicating the weather of the area where the passenger conveyor is installed. The control device includes a storage unit that stores time information indicating the start time of starting the passenger conveyor and the meteorological data acquired by the remote monitoring device between the previous start time and the current start time of the passenger conveyor, and when the start time indicated by the time information arrives, a weather determination unit that determines whether there has been rainfall or snowfall between the previous start time and the current start time based on the weather information included in the stored meteorological data, and an information processing unit that starts the passenger conveyor and operates it in a predetermined operation mode and diagnoses the state of the passenger conveyor when it is determined by the weather determination unit that there has been no rainfall or snowfall.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the disclosure is merely an example, and the invention is not limited by the content described in the following embodiments. Modifications that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art are naturally included in the scope of the disclosure. For the sake of clearer explanation, in the drawings, the sizes, shapes, etc. of each part may be changed with respect to the actual implementation mode and represented schematically. In a plurality of drawings, the same reference numerals may be assigned to corresponding elements, and detailed descriptions may be omitted.

[0010] In addition, hereinafter, the case where the passenger conveyor included in the passenger conveyor system is an "outdoor escalator" will be described.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration example of a passenger conveyor system according to this embodiment. The passenger conveyor system includes an outdoor escalator 10 and is a system capable of diagnosing the states of various devices constituting the escalator 10 (a system capable of collecting the operation information of various devices constituting the escalator 10). As shown in FIG. 1, the escalator 10 is installed, for example, inclined between the lower floor and the upper floor outdoors. In the example shown in FIG. 1, it is assumed that the lower floor side is the boarding entrance of the escalator 10 and the upper floor side is the alighting entrance of the escalator 10.

[0012] The escalator 10 shown in FIG. 1 is configured to convey passengers (users) boarding on the steps 11 by circulating and moving a plurality of steps 11 connected without gaps between the lower machine room 12 (boarding entrance) and the upper machine room 13 (alighting entrance).

[0013] The plurality of steps 11 are connected by an endless connecting chain 14 and are arranged in a truss 15 installed under the floor. Inside the truss 15, a lower sprocket 16 and an upper sprocket 17 are arranged, and the connecting chain 14 is wound around between them.

[0014] In the example shown in FIG. 1, a driving device 18 having a motor, a speed reducer, etc. is connected to the upper sprocket 17. By this driving device 18, the lower sprocket 16 and the upper sprocket 17 around which the connecting chain 14 is wound rotate, and a plurality of steps 11 circulate and move between the lower machine room 12 and the upper machine room 13 while being guided by a guide rail (not shown) via the connecting chain 14. In FIG. 1, the driving device 18 is connected to the upper sprocket 17, but the driving device 18 may be connected to the lower sprocket 16.

[0015] Also, on the upper part of the truss 15, a pair of skirt guards (not shown) are installed along the moving direction of the steps 11 so as to face both side surfaces of each step 11. Railings 19 are erected on the upper parts of this pair of skirt guards respectively. In other words, the railings 19 are erected on both sides of each step 11 respectively. A belt-shaped handrail 20 is attached around the railings 19. The handrail 20 is a handrail that a passenger boarding the step 11 holds, and for example, by the driving force of the driving device 18 being transmitted, it circulates in synchronization with the movement of the step 11.

[0016] The boarding and alighting openings (boarding opening and alighting opening) of the escalator 10 are located above the lower machine room 12 and the upper machine room 13, and boarding and alighting plates 22 and 23 are removably installed at the boarding and alighting openings respectively. The boarding and alighting plates 22 and 23 correspond to the ceilings of the lower machine room 12 and the upper machine room 13. When boarding the escalator 10 (step 11), a passenger passes over the boarding and alighting plate 22, and when getting off the escalator 10 (step 11), the passenger passes over the boarding and alighting plate 23.

[0017] In the upper machine room 13, in addition to the driving device 18, a control device 21 is installed. The control device 21 controls the operations of various devices (for example, the operation of the driving device 18) installed in the escalator 10 in order to control the operation of the escalator 10.

[0018] In addition, an automatic lubricating device 24 is further installed in the upper machine room 13. The automatic lubricating device 24 is a device capable of automatically supplying oil such as lubricating oil, and supplies lubricating oil to the connecting chain 14 via an oil suction pipe 25. Note that the automatic lubricating device 24 and the oil suction pipe 25 may be installed in the lower machine room 12.

[0019] The detection device 26 is, for example, an infrared beam sensor including a light projector 26a and a light receiver 26b, and the light projector 26a and the light receiver 26b are installed near the boarding and alighting section so as to face each other. For example, the light projector 26a is installed on the deck cover near the boarding door with an irradiation port for irradiating an infrared beam facing the disembarking side (facing the light receiver 26b side), and the light receiver 26b is installed on the deck cover near the disembarking door with a light receiving surface for receiving the infrared beam facing the boarding side (facing the light projector 26a side).

[0020] The remote monitoring device 27 is installed near the control device 21 and is connected to the control device 21 by wire. Further, the remote monitoring device 27 is communicably connected to a monitoring center (not shown). Furthermore, the remote monitoring device 27 is communicably connected to a weather data server (not shown).

[0021] The remote monitoring device 27 transmits information indicating the states of various devices constituting the escalator 10 (diagnosis result information, details of which will be described later) and information indicating the operating state of the escalator 10 obtained from the control device 21 to the monitoring center. Further, the remote monitoring device 27 receives various instructions (for example, diagnosis instructions) from the monitoring center and outputs the received various instructions to the control device 21.

[0022] Furthermore, the remote monitoring device 27 periodically acquires weather data from the weather data server and outputs the acquired weather data to the control device 21. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the remote monitoring device 27 acquires weather data from the weather data server every hour, but the time interval at which the remote monitoring device 27 acquires weather data from the weather data server may be set to any value.

[0023] The meteorological data includes at least weather information indicating the weather in the area where the escalator 10 is installed. In addition to the above-mentioned weather information, the meteorological data may further include information indicating the temperature, humidity, precipitation, snowfall, solar radiation, wind direction, and wind speed in the area where the escalator 10 is installed.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration example of some elements included in the passenger conveyor system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 21 is connected to both the detection device 26 and the remote monitoring device 27.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, the remote monitoring device 27 includes a communication unit 27a, a control unit 27b, and a storage unit 27c. The communication unit 27a is a communication interface for communicating with the control device 21, the monitoring center, and the meteorological data server. The control unit 27b controls the operation of the remote monitoring device 27. The meteorological data periodically acquired from the meteorological data server via the communication unit 27a is stored in the storage unit 27c. Note that the meteorological data acquired from the meteorological data server from the previous startup time to the current startup time of the escalator 10 is stored in the storage unit 27c.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 21 includes a storage unit 21a, a user presence determination unit 21b, a weather determination unit 21c, an information processing unit 21d, and an operation control unit 21e.

[0027] Startup time information indicating the startup time (operation start time) of the escalator 10 is stored in the storage unit 21a. In addition, stop time information indicating the stop time (operation end time) of the escalator 10 may be further stored in the storage unit 21a. Further, operation schedule information including the startup time information and the stop time information may be stored in the storage unit 21a.

[0028] In addition to the time-related information as described above, the storage unit 21a further stores the weather data acquired by the remote monitoring device 27, more specifically, the weather data acquired by the remote monitoring device 27 during the period from the previous start time of the escalator 10 to the current start time.

[0029] Based on the detection results acquired from the detection device 26 after the start time of the escalator 10 indicated by the start time information stored in the storage unit 21a, the user presence determination unit 21b continuously (repeatedly) determines whether or not there is a user on the escalator 10. Here, as an example, it is assumed that when the start time of the escalator 10 arrives, the detection device 26 switches the power from off to on and starts irradiating an infrared beam from the light emitter 26a toward the light receiver 26b. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the detection device 26 may continuously irradiate an infrared beam from the light emitter 26a toward the light receiver 26b. Further, for example, when a series of processes shown in FIG. 3 described later is completed, the detection device 26 may switch the power from on to off.

[0030] When the result of the determination made by the user presence determination unit 21b at the start time indicates that there is no user on the escalator 10, the weather determination unit 21c determines whether or not there has been rainfall or snowfall during the period from the previous start time to the current start time based on the weather information included in the weather data stored in the storage unit 21a.

[0031] When there is weather data including weather information indicating rain or snow in the weather data stored in the storage unit 21a, the weather determination unit 21c determines that there has been rainfall or snowfall during the period from the previous start time to the current start time. On the other hand, when there is no weather data including weather information indicating rain or snow in the weather data stored in the storage unit 21a (for example, when there is only weather data including weather information indicating clear or cloudy), the weather determination unit 21c determines that there has been no rainfall or snowfall during the period from the previous start time to the current start time.

[0032] When the result of the determination by the weather determination unit 21c indicates that there has been rainfall or snowfall between the previous startup time and the current startup time, the information processing unit 21d does not perform the diagnosis in each of the driving modes described later. More specifically, after starting up the escalator 10, the information processing unit 21d outputs an instruction to the operation control unit 21e to set the operation mode of the escalator 10 to the normal operation mode without performing the diagnosis in each operation mode. When the operation control unit 21e receives an instruction from the information processing unit 21d to set the operation mode of the escalator 10 to the normal operation mode, it controls the operation of the drive device 18 so that the escalator 10 operates normally. Note that the normal operation mode is, for example, an operation mode in which the escalator 10 operates at a moving speed of 30 m / min.

[0033] On the other hand, when the result of the determination by the weather determination unit 21c indicates that there has been no rainfall or snowfall between the previous startup time and the current startup time, the information processing unit 21d starts up the escalator 10 and outputs an instruction to the operation control unit 21e to set the operation mode of the escalator 10 to the low-speed operation mode (a predetermined operation mode). When the operation control unit 21e receives an instruction from the information processing unit 21d to set the operation mode of the escalator 10 to the low-speed operation mode, it controls the operation of the drive device 18 so that the escalator 10 operates at low speed. Note that the low-speed operation mode is, for example, an operation mode in which the escalator 10 operates at a moving speed of 10 m / min.

[0034] When the result of the determination made by the user presence determination unit 21b when the low-speed operation is started indicates that there is no user on the escalator 10, the information processing unit 21d performs the diagnosis of various devices constituting the escalator 10 while the escalator 10 is operating in the low-speed operation mode.

[0035] Also, when the result of the determination made by the user presence determination unit 21b when the diagnosis in the low-speed operation mode is completed indicates that there is no user on the escalator 10, the information processing unit 21d outputs an instruction to the operation control unit 21e to switch the operation mode of the escalator 10 from the low-speed operation mode to the energy-saving operation mode (another operation mode). When the operation control unit 21e receives an instruction from the information processing unit 21d to switch the operation mode of the escalator 10 from the low-speed operation mode to the energy-saving operation mode, it controls the operation of the drive device 18 so as to operate the escalator 10 in the energy-saving operation mode. Note that the energy-saving operation mode is, for example, an operation mode in which the escalator 10 is operated at a moving speed of 20 m / min.

[0036] When the result of the determination made by the user presence determination unit 21b when the energy-saving operation is started indicates that there is no user on the escalator 10, the information processing unit 21d performs diagnosis of various devices constituting the escalator 10 in a state where the escalator 10 is operating in the energy-saving operation mode.

[0037] Furthermore, when the result of the determination made by the user presence determination unit 21b when the diagnosis in the energy-saving operation mode is completed indicates that there is no user on the escalator 10, the information processing unit 21d outputs an instruction to the operation control unit 21e to switch the operation mode of the escalator 10 from the energy-saving operation mode to the normal operation mode. When the operation control unit 21e receives an instruction from the information processing unit 21d to switch the operation mode of the escalator 10 from the energy-saving operation mode to the normal operation mode, it controls the operation of the drive device 18 so as to operate the escalator 10 in the normal operation mode.

[0038] When the result of the determination made by the user presence determination unit 21b when the normal operation is started indicates that there is no user on the escalator 10, the information processing unit 21d performs diagnosis of various devices constituting the escalator 10 in a state where the escalator 10 is operating in the normal operation mode.

[0039] Diagnostic result information indicating the results of the diagnoses performed in the low-speed operation mode, energy-saving operation mode, and normal operation mode, respectively, is stored in the storage unit 21a as soon as the diagnosis results for each operation mode are obtained. That is, the diagnostic result information indicating the result of the diagnosis performed in the low-speed operation mode is stored in the storage unit 21a as soon as the diagnosis in the low-speed operation mode is completed and its result is obtained. Similarly, the diagnostic result information indicating the result of the diagnosis performed in the energy-saving operation mode is stored in the storage unit 21a as soon as the diagnosis in the energy-saving operation mode is completed and its result is obtained. Also, the diagnostic result information indicating the result of the diagnosis performed in the normal operation mode is stored in the storage unit 21a as soon as the diagnosis in the normal operation mode is completed and its result is obtained. When all the diagnostic result information regarding the current diagnostic operation is stored in the storage unit 21a, the diagnostic result information stored in the storage unit 21a is transmitted to a monitoring center (not shown) via the remote monitoring device 27.

[0040] Note that when the result of the determination made by the user presence determination unit 21b at the startup time indicates that there is a user on the escalator 10, the information processing unit 21d does not start the escalator 10 because there is a possibility that the user may fall.

[0041] Also, when the escalator 10 starts operating in each operation mode or when the diagnosis in each operation mode is completed, if the result of the determination made by the user presence determination unit 21b indicates that there is a user on the escalator 10, the information processing unit 21d outputs an instruction to switch the operation mode of the escalator 10 to the normal operation mode to the operation control unit 21e. In this case, the information processing unit 21d transmits diagnostic result information indicating that the diagnosis of various devices constituting the escalator 10 has failed to the monitoring center via the remote monitoring device 27. Alternatively, the information processing unit 21d transmits, via the remote monitoring device 27, diagnostic result information indicating the results of the diagnoses performed before the determination that there is a user on the escalator 10 among the diagnoses performed in each operation mode to the monitoring center.

[0042] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the passenger conveyor system according to the present embodiment. When the start time indicated by the start time information stored in the storage unit 21a arrives (step S1), the user presence determination unit 21b determines whether there is a user on the escalator 10 based on the detection result acquired from the detection device 26 at this timing (step S2).

[0043] If it is determined in step S2 that there is a user on the escalator 10 (Yes in step S2), the information processing unit 21d executes the process of step S2 again without starting the escalator 10.

[0044] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2 that there is no user on the escalator 10 (No in step S2), the weather determination unit 21c determines whether there has been rainfall or snowfall between the previous start time and the current start time based on the weather information included in the weather data stored in the storage unit 21a (step S3).

[0045] If it is determined in step S3 that there has been rainfall or snowfall between the previous start time and the current start time (Yes in step S3), the information processing unit 21d starts the escalator 10 and outputs an instruction to set the operation mode of the escalator 10 to the normal operation mode to the operation control unit 21e. The operation control unit 21e controls the operation of the drive device 18 so as to normally operate the escalator 10 according to the above instruction from the information processing unit 21d (step S4). Thereafter, the information processing unit 21d transmits the diagnosis result information indicating that the diagnosis of various devices constituting the escalator 10 has failed to the monitoring center via the remote monitoring device 27 (that is, notifies the monitoring center that the diagnosis has failed) (step S5), and ends the series of operations here. Note that if the weather determination unit 21c determines that there has been snowfall and separate detection of snow accumulation on the escalator 10, the information processing unit 21d may operate to stop the operation of the escalator 10 without starting the escalator 10.

[0046] On the other hand, if it is determined as a result of the determination in step S3 that there has been no rainfall or snowfall from the previous startup time to the current startup time (No in step S3), the information processing unit 21d starts the escalator 10 and outputs an instruction to the operation control unit 21e to set the operation mode of the escalator 10 to the low-speed operation mode. The operation control unit 21e controls the operation of the drive device 18 so as to operate the escalator 10 at low speed in accordance with the above instruction from the information processing unit 21d (step S6).

[0047] When the escalator 10 starts operating in the low-speed operation mode, the user presence determination unit 21b determines whether there is a user on the escalator 10 based on the detection result acquired from the detection device 26 at this timing (step S7).

[0048] If it is determined as a result of the determination in step S7 that there is a user on the escalator 10 (Yes in step S7), the processes of steps S4 and S5 described above are executed in order. That is, after the information processing unit 21d and the operation control unit 21e switch the operation mode of the escalator 10 to the normal operation mode, they notify the monitoring center that the diagnosis of various devices constituting the escalator 10 has failed, and end the series of operations here.

[0049] On the other hand, if it is determined as a result of the determination in step S7 that there is no user on the escalator 10 (No in step S7), the information processing unit 21d performs diagnosis of various devices constituting the escalator 10 while the escalator 10 is operating in the low-speed operation mode (step S8).

[0050] When the diagnosis in the low-speed operation mode is completed, the user presence determination unit 21b determines whether there is a user on the escalator 10 based on the detection result acquired from the detection device 26 at this timing (step S9).

[0051] If, as a result of the determination in step S9, it is determined that there is a user on the escalator 10 (Yes in step S9), the processes of steps S4 and S5 described above are executed in order.

[0052] On the other hand, if, as a result of the determination in step S9, it is determined that there is no user on the escalator 10 (No in step S9), the information processing unit 21d outputs an instruction to the operation control unit 21e to switch the operation mode of the escalator 10 from the low-speed operation mode to the energy-saving operation mode. The operation control unit 21e controls the operation of the drive device 18 so as to operate the escalator 10 in an energy-saving manner according to the above instruction from the information processing unit 21d (step S10).

[0053] When the escalator 10 starts operating in the energy-saving operation mode, the user presence determination unit 21b determines whether there is a user on the escalator 10 based on the detection result acquired from the detection device 26 at this timing (step S11).

[0054] If, as a result of the determination in step S11, it is determined that there is a user on the escalator 10 (Yes in step S11), the processes of steps S4 and S5 described above are executed in order.

[0055] On the other hand, if, as a result of the determination in step S11, it is determined that there is no user on the escalator 10 (No in step S11), the information processing unit 21d performs diagnosis of various devices constituting the escalator 10 while the escalator 10 is operating in the energy-saving operation mode (step S12).

[0056] When the diagnosis in the energy-saving operation mode is completed, the user presence determination unit 21b determines whether there is a user on the escalator 10 based on the detection result acquired from the detection device 26 at this timing (step S13).

[0057] If, as a result of the determination in step S13, it is determined that there is a user on the escalator 10 (Yes in step S13), the processes of steps S4 and S5 described above are executed in order.

[0058] On the other hand, if it is determined as a result of the determination in step S13 that there is no user on the escalator 10 (No in step S13), the information processing unit 21d outputs an instruction to the drive control unit 21e to switch the operation mode of the escalator 10 from the energy-saving operation mode to the normal operation mode. The drive control unit 21e controls the operation of the drive device 18 so as to normally operate the escalator 10 according to the above instruction from the information processing unit 21d (step S14).

[0059] When the escalator 10 starts to operate in the normal operation mode, the user presence determination unit 21b determines whether there is a user on the escalator 10 based on the detection result acquired from the detection device 26 at this timing (step S15).

[0060] If it is determined as a result of the determination in step S15 that there is a user on the escalator 10 (Yes in step S15), the processes of steps S4 and S5 described above are executed in order.

[0061] On the other hand, if it is determined as a result of the determination in step S15 that there is no user on the escalator 10 (No in step S15), the information processing unit 21d diagnoses various devices constituting the escalator 10 in a state where the escalator 10 is operating in the normal operation mode (step S16).

[0062] After that, the information processing unit 21d transmits (notifies) the diagnosis result information indicating the results of the diagnoses respectively performed in each operation mode to the monitoring center via the remote monitoring device 27 (step S17), and ends the series of operations here.

[0063] As described above, the passenger conveyor system according to the present embodiment includes a remote monitoring device 27 that periodically acquires meteorological data including at least weather information indicating the weather in the area where the escalator 10 is installed, from a meteorological data server, a storage unit 21a that stores the meteorological data acquired by the remote monitoring device 27 between the previous start time and the current start time of the escalator 10, and when the start time of the escalator 10 arrives, a weather determination unit 21c that determines whether or not there has been rainfall or snowfall between the previous start time and the current start time based on the weather information included in the meteorological data stored in the storage unit 21a, and an information processing unit 21d that controls the operation of the escalator 10 so as to perform a diagnostic operation when it is determined by the weather determination unit 21c that there has been no rainfall or snowfall, and not to perform a diagnostic operation when it is determined that there has been rainfall or snowfall.

[0064] According to this, it is possible to prevent the lubricating oil attached to chains such as the connecting chain 14 from flowing away due to rainfall or snowfall, and the diagnostic operation from being performed in a state where the lubricating oil is insufficient. That is, according to the passenger conveyor system according to the present embodiment, it is possible to perform a diagnostic operation under the same weather conditions, and it is possible to obtain an accurate diagnostic result from the outdoor escalator 10.

[0065] In the present embodiment, the information processing unit 21d does not perform a diagnostic operation when it is determined by the weather determination unit 21c that there has been rainfall or snowfall. However, for example, if diagnostic result information with added weather information is to be transmitted to the monitoring center, a diagnostic operation may be performed even when it is determined by the weather determination unit 21c that there has been rainfall or snowfall.

[0066] If diagnostic operation is not performed when there is rainfall or snowfall, accurate diagnostic results can always be obtained. However, since days without diagnostic operation will occur, for example, when performing data analysis on diagnostic result information for a certain period, data loss may occur, and accurate data analysis may not be possible. On the contrary, by performing diagnostic operation even when there is rainfall or snowfall and collecting diagnostic result information with weather information added as reference data, data loss as described above does not occur, and accurate data analysis (highly reliable data analysis) can be performed.

[0067] Also, in this embodiment, the information processing unit 21d did not perform the diagnostic operation when it was determined by the weather determination unit 21c that there was rainfall or snowfall. However, for example, even when it is determined that there is rainfall or snowfall, the diagnostic operation may be performed while supplying lubricating oil to the connecting chain 14 by the automatic lubricating device 24. According to this, even if the lubricating oil attached to the chains such as the connecting chain 14 flows away due to moisture entering the truss due to rainfall or snowfall, it is possible to perform the diagnostic operation while replenishing the lubricating oil.

[0068] In this embodiment, the information processing unit 21d did not perform the diagnostic operation when the result of the determination by the weather determination unit 21c indicated that there was rainfall or snowfall. However, for example, when the weather determination unit 21c determines that there is rainfall or snowfall, based on information other than the weather information included in the meteorological data stored in the storage unit 21a (for example, at least one or more pieces of information among temperature, humidity, precipitation amount, snowfall amount, solar radiation amount, wind direction, and wind speed), it is further determined whether the escalator 10 is still affected by rainfall or snowfall, and the information processing unit 21d may determine whether to perform the diagnostic operation based on the result of this determination by the weather determination unit 21c.

[0069] Specifically, when the result of the above determination by the weather determination unit 21c indicates that the escalator 10 is still affected by rainfall or snowfall, the information processing unit 21d operates the escalator 10 in the normal operation mode without performing the diagnostic operation. When the result of the above determination by the weather determination unit 21c indicates that the escalator 10 is no longer affected by rainfall or snowfall (for example, although there was rainfall or snowfall, the amount of precipitation due to rainfall was small or the amount of snowfall due to snow was small, and considering factors such as temperature and humidity, it can be determined that the escalator 10 is no longer affected by rainfall or snow), it may be possible to perform the diagnostic operation.

[0070] In addition, when the start time indicated by the start time information pre-stored in the storage unit 21a arrives, the passenger conveyor system according to the present embodiment determines whether there is a user on the escalator 10 based on the detection result obtained from the detection device 24 at the start time. When it is determined that there is no user, the escalator 10 is started. According to this, since the escalator 10 can be started safely and automatically, it is not necessary for the administrator to go to the site to start the escalator 10, and the burden on the administrator can be reduced.

[0071] Furthermore, when the escalator 10 is started, the passenger conveyor system according to the present embodiment operates the escalator 10 in the low-speed operation mode, energy-saving operation mode, and normal operation mode with different moving speeds in sequence, and performs diagnosis of various devices constituting the escalator 10. According to this, every time the escalator 10 is started, automatic diagnosis of the escalator 10 can be performed, so that it is possible to detect abnormalities that may occur in the escalator 10 at an early stage. In addition, since the maintenance staff can perform the regular inspection work based on the results of the automatic diagnosis performed every time the escalator 10 is started, it is also possible to expect a reduction in the work man-hours during the regular inspection (that is, a reduction in the burden on the maintenance staff during the regular inspection work).

[0072] In addition, in this embodiment, the case where the escalator 10 is safely and automatically started has been described. However, by performing the same processing as when the escalator 10 is started (that is, by executing the processing of steps S1 and S2 shown in FIG. 3), the escalator 10 can also be safely and automatically stopped. According to this, it is possible to reduce the burden on the administrator not only when the escalator 10 is started but also when the escalator 10 is stopped.

[0073] In addition, in this embodiment, the case where the detection device 26 is an infrared beam sensor has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the detection device 26 may be any device as long as it can detect the presence of a user on the escalator 10. For example, the detection device 26 may be a camera attached to a sensor pole and capable of photographing the escalator 10.

[0074] In addition, in this embodiment, the case where the passenger conveyor included in the passenger conveyor system is the outdoor escalator 10 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the passenger conveyor included in the passenger conveyor system may be, for example, an "outdoor moving walkway".

[0075] According to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to provide a passenger conveyor system capable of obtaining an accurate diagnosis result in the diagnostic operation of an outdoor passenger conveyor.

[0076] 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, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and its equivalent scope.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0077] 10…Escalator, 11…Stairs, 12…Lower machinery room, 13…Upper machinery room, 14…Connecting chain, 15…Truss, 16…Lower sprocket, 17…Upper sprocket, 18…Drive device, 19…Railings, 20…Handrail, 21…Control device, 21a…Memory unit, 21b…User presence determination unit, 21c…Weather determination unit, 21d…Information processing unit, 21e…Operation control unit, 22, 23…Landing plates, 24…Automatic fuel supply device, 25…Fuel suction pipe, 26…Detection device, 26a…Light projector, 26b…Light receiver, 27…Remote monitoring device, 27a…Communication unit, 27b…Control unit, 27c…Memory unit.

Claims

1. A passenger conveyor system for diagnosing a condition of an outdoor passenger conveyor, comprising: A control device for controlling the operation of the passenger conveyor; a remote monitoring device that periodically acquires weather data including at least weather information indicating the weather in an area where the passenger conveyor is installed from a weather data server; The control device includes: a storage unit that stores time information indicating a start time for starting the passenger conveyor and weather data acquired by the remote monitoring device during a period from a previous start time to a current start time of the passenger conveyor; a weather determination unit that, when the start-up time indicated by the time information arrives, determines whether or not there has been rain or snowfall between the previous start-up time and the current start-up time based on the weather information included in the stored weather data; and an information processing unit that starts the passenger conveyor and operates it in a predetermined operation mode when the weather determination unit determines that there is no rain or snow, and diagnoses a state of the passenger conveyor. Passenger conveyor system.

2. The information processing unit includes: When the weather determination unit determines that rain or snow has fallen, the passenger conveyor is started without diagnosing the state of the passenger conveyor, and is operated in a normal operation mode different from the predetermined operation mode.

2. The passenger conveyor system of claim 1.

3. The information processing unit includes: when the weather determination unit determines that rain or snow has fallen, a state of the passenger conveyor is diagnosed, and the weather information is added to diagnosis result information indicating a result of diagnosing the state of the passenger conveyor; 2. The passenger conveyor system of claim 1.

4. The passenger conveyor further includes an oil supply device capable of supplying lubricating oil to a connecting chain for connecting steps of the passenger conveyor, The information processing unit includes: When the weather determination unit determines that rain or snow has fallen, a state of the passenger conveyor is diagnosed while lubricating the connecting chain with the oil supply device.

2. The passenger conveyor system of claim 1.

5. The information processing unit includes: When the weather determination unit determines that snow has fallen and detects snow accumulation on the passenger conveyor, the passenger conveyor is not started.

2. The passenger conveyor system of claim 1.

6. The weather determination unit is if it is determined that rain or snow has fallen between the previous start-up time and the current start-up time, further determining whether or not the passenger conveyor is still affected by rain or snow based on at least one or more pieces of information of temperature, humidity, amount of precipitation, amount of snowfall, amount of solar radiation, wind direction, and wind speed included in the stored weather data; The information processing unit includes: When a result of the determination by the weather determination unit indicates that the vehicle is still affected by rainfall or snowfall, the passenger conveyor is started without diagnosing the state of the passenger conveyor, and is operated in a normal operation mode different from the predetermined operation mode; When the result of the determination by the weather determination unit indicates that the vehicle is no longer affected by rainfall or snowfall, a state of the passenger conveyor is diagnosed.

2. The passenger conveyor system of claim 1.

7. Further, a detection device is provided near a boarding and disembarking section of the passenger conveyor for detecting a user on the passenger conveyor, The control device further includes a user presence / absence determination unit that continuously determines whether or not a user is present on the passenger conveyor based on a detection result from the detection device after the start-up time, The weather determination unit is when a result of the determination made by the user presence determination unit at the start time indicates that there is no user on the passenger conveyor, determine whether or not there has been rainfall or snowfall between the previous start time and the current start time. The passenger conveyor system according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The information processing unit includes: When the diagnosis in the predetermined operation mode is completed and the result of the judgment made by the user presence / absence judgment unit indicates that there is no user on the passenger conveyor, the passenger conveyor is operated in another operation mode having a moving speed faster than that of the predetermined operation mode, and the state of the passenger conveyor is further diagnosed; when the diagnosis in the different operation mode is completed and the result of the determination made by the user presence determination unit indicates that there is no user on the passenger conveyor, the passenger conveyor is operated in a normal operation mode having a moving speed faster than that in the different operation mode, and the state of the passenger conveyor is further diagnosed.

8. A passenger conveyor system according to claim 7.

9. The information processing unit includes: Transmitting diagnostic result information indicating a diagnostic result for each operation mode to a monitoring center via the remote monitoring device.

9. A passenger conveyor system according to claim 8.

10. The information processing unit includes: When a result of the determination made by the user presence determination unit at the start time indicates that a user is present on the passenger conveyor, the passenger conveyor is not started, when the diagnosis in the predetermined operation mode is completed, or when the diagnosis in the different operation mode is completed, if a result of the determination made by the user presence determination unit indicates that a user is present on the passenger conveyor, transmits diagnosis result information to the monitoring center indicating that the diagnosis has failed.

10. A passenger conveyor system according to claim 9.

11. The information processing unit includes: When a result of the determination made by the user presence determination unit at the start time indicates that a user is present on the passenger conveyor, the passenger conveyor is not started, when the result of the determination made by the user presence determination unit indicates that a user is present on the passenger conveyor when the diagnosis in the predetermined operation mode is completed, transmits diagnosis result information indicating the result of the diagnosis in the predetermined operation mode to the monitoring center; when the result of the determination made by the user presence determination unit indicates that a user is present on the passenger conveyor when the diagnosis in the other operation mode is completed, diagnosis result information indicating the results of the diagnoses made in the predetermined operation mode and the other operation mode is transmitted to the monitoring center.

10. A passenger conveyor system according to claim 9.

12. the detection device is an infrared beam sensor including a light projector and a light receiver, The floodlight is installed on a deck cover near the boarding entrance with an irradiation port for irradiating an infrared beam facing the exit entrance, The receiver is installed on a deck cover near the exit with a receiving surface for receiving an infrared beam facing the boarding entrance.

8. A passenger conveyor system according to claim 7.

13. The detection device is a camera capable of photographing the passenger conveyor.

8. A passenger conveyor system according to claim 7.

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