passenger conveyor

Abstract

To provide a passenger conveyor that surely notifies a user who is reversing his entry into the entrance of the passenger conveyor. [Solution] The system comprises a vibration device 44 that transmits vibrations to users standing on the boarding / alighting board 16 at the exit, a detection device that detects users who walk from the exit side boarding / alighting board onto the steps 14 in reverse, and a control device 32. When the detection device detects a user's reverse entry, the control device 32 vibrates the boarding / alighting board 16 on the exit side with the vibration device 44 to alert the user of the reverse entry.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention relates to a passenger conveyor. [Background technology]

[0002] On passenger conveyors such as escalators and moving walkways, there are cases where users reverse onto the steps from the exit. Measures to prevent this reverse entry include auditory warning means that sound an alarm buzzer or warning announcement from a speaker installed near the front skirt guard, and visual warning means that display a no entry image on a display device installed on the front skirt guard.

[0003] In addition, for visually impaired users, there is an alarm system that detects their reverse entry and warns them of the danger by flashing the Comlight red or by providing audio guidance. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-031251 [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2021-127209 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] As described above, conventional methods of alerting users to reverse entry often rely on visual or auditory stimulation. However, with the recent improvement in the convenience of smartphones and the miniaturization of portable game consoles, an increasing number of people are walking around with earphones in both ears to block out ambient sounds and keep their eyes fixed on their smartphones, portable game consoles, or other devices (hereinafter referred to as "portable devices"). Because these users reverse into the exit gates while blocking out sound and focusing their gaze on their hands, conventional alert methods pose a risk of unawareness and the risk of falling. Furthermore, while using a buzzer from a speaker as an alert method has the advantage of easily attracting the attention of users reversing, it also has the disadvantage of causing discomfort to users other than the intended target in quiet environments.

[0006] This problem occurs not only when a user reverses direction, but also when multiple users are stranded at the entrance or exit of a passenger conveyor, and when a warning is issued to warn them not to remain stranded.

[0007] Therefore, an object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a passenger conveyor that reliably notifies users who are reversing entry or remaining at the entrance / exit of the passenger conveyor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] An embodiment of the present invention is a passenger conveyor comprising a pair of left and right handrails arranged in the front-to-back direction from one boarding / alighting entrance to the other boarding / alighting entrance, steps that move between the pair of left and right handrails, boarding / alighting boards arranged at one of the boarding / alighting entrances and the other boarding / alighting entrance, respectively, vibration devices arranged at the boarding / alighting board at one of the boarding / alighting entrances and the boarding / alighting board at the other boarding / alighting entrance, respectively, that transmit vibrations to users standing on the boarding / alighting boards, a detection device that detects users who walk on the boarding / alighting board from the boarding / alighting entrance side and reversely enter the steps, and a control device that controls the vibration device, wherein the control device is configured so that when the detection device detects the user's reverse entry, the vibration device vibrates the boarding / alighting board on the boarding / alighting entrance side to alert the user of the reverse entry.

[0009] Moreover, an embodiment of the present invention is a passenger conveyor comprising a pair of left and right handrails arranged in the front-to-back direction from one boarding / alighting entrance to the other boarding / alighting entrance, steps that move between the pair of left and right handrails, boarding / alighting boards arranged at one of the boarding / alighting entrances and the other boarding / alighting entrance, respectively, vibration devices arranged at the boarding / alighting board at one of the boarding / alighting entrances and the boarding / alighting board at the other boarding / alighting entrance, respectively, that transmit vibrations to users standing on the boarding / alighting boards, a detection device that detects users staying on the boarding / alighting board at the boarding / alighting entrance or the boarding / alighting entrance, and a control device that controls the vibration device, wherein when the detection device detects that users are staying on the boarding / alighting board, the control device vibrates the boarding / alighting board using the vibration device on the boarding / alighting board at the boarding / alighting entrance to alert users of the staying. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a simplified explanatory vertical cross-sectional view of the escalator of the present embodiment, seen from the left side. [Figure 2] This is an oblique view of the upper floor entrance / exit of the escalator from the upper left side. [Figure 3] This is a plan view of the upper floor entrance and exit of the escalator. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the boarding and alighting board of the present embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a boarding and alighting board according to a first modified example. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a boarding and alighting board according to a second modified example. [Figure 7] 1 is a front view of an information display device that displays information when a user drives in the wrong direction. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a front view of an information display device that displays information when a user stays in the area; [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an escalator. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing the relationship between the vibration device on the upper floor, the vibration device on the lower floor, and the control device. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart for notifying a user who is reversing into an exit gate. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart for notifying users who are stuck at an exit. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart for notifying users who are staying at the entrance. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] An escalator 10 is used as an example of a passenger conveyor according to one embodiment of the present invention and will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 13. When describing the front-to-rear direction of the escalator 10, it is assumed that the upper floor (e.g., the second floor) is viewed from above (e.g., the second floor) looking down to the lower floor (e.g., the first floor), with the upper floor being the rear side and the lower floor being the front side.

[0012] (1) Escalator 10 The overall structure of the escalator 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a simplified explanatory vertical cross-sectional view of the escalator 10 as seen from the left side, with the left-side members omitted.

[0013] As shown in Figure 1, truss 12, which is the framework of escalator 10, is supported in the front-to-rear direction across the upper and lower floors of building 1 using support angles 2 and 3. A control device 32 for escalator 10 and a drive unit 38 having a motor are installed in a machine room 36 inside truss 12 on the upper floor.

[0014] Within the truss 12, a plurality of steps 14 connected in an endless manner are moved by a drive unit 38.

[0015] A pair of left and right balustrades 20, 20 are erected in the front-to-back direction on both the left and right sides of the upper part of the truss 12. A handrail rail 24 is provided on the top of this handrail 20, and an endless handrail belt 22 is attached to this handrail rail 24 so that it can move freely, and the handrail belt 22 moves in sync with the steps 14. Skirt guards 30 are provided on the lower sides of the handrail 20, and the steps 14 run between the pair of left and right skirt guards 30, 30. An upper floor front skirt guard 31 is provided at the lower front of the upper floor of the handrail 20, and a lower floor front skirt guard 31 is also provided at the lower front of the lower floor. Inlets 40, 40, which are entrances and exits for the handrail belt 22, protrude from the front skirt guards 31.

[0016] At the entrance to the upper floor, a boarding / alighting plate 16 is placed horizontally on the truss 12. At the entrance to the lower floor, a boarding / alighting plate 18 is placed horizontally on the truss 12. A yellow comb-tooth shaped comb 26 is provided at the tip of the boarding / alighting plate 16 for the upper floor, and the steps 14 enter and exit this comb 26. In addition, a yellow comb-tooth shaped comb 28 is also provided at the tip of the boarding / alighting plate 18 for the lower floor.

[0017] (2) Structure near the boarding and alighting doors Next, the structure near the entrance / exit point of escalator 10 will be explained with reference to Figures 1 to 4, using the entrance point on the upper floor as an example. Note that in Figure 2, components such as left-side balustrade 20, handrail belt 22, skirt guard 30, and fence 54 (to be described later) have been omitted for ease of understanding.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 3, the boarding and alighting board 16 is provided horizontally at the bottom of the ends of a pair of left and right parapets 20, 20 on the upper floor, as described above. This boarding and alighting board 16 is horizontal with the floor surface 4 of the upper floor (second floor) of the building 1, and as shown in Figs. 2 to 4, it is made up of three boards: a front boarding and alighting board 161, a middle boarding and alighting board 162, and a rear boarding and alighting board 163, which are located on the step 14 side. The front boarding and alighting board 161, the middle boarding and alighting board 162, and the rear boarding and alighting board 163 are all formed from rectangular metal plates and placed on the machine room 36 of the truss 12.

[0019] As shown in Figure 4, the front board 161 has a comb 26 attached to the front center of the front board 161, and both sides of the comb 26 are provided with a pair of left and right cutouts 42, 42 so that they can fit into a pair of left and right front skirt guards 31, 31.

[0020] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the middle boarding and alighting plate 162 has a vibration device 44 provided in the center of its underside, and as this vibration device 44 vibrates in the vertical direction, the middle boarding and alighting plate 162 vibrates in the vertical direction, transmitting the vibrations to users standing on the middle boarding and alighting plate 162, as shown in Figure 2. As an example of this vibration device 44, a sphere is moved up and down to vibrate. A weight sensor 70 is provided on the vibration device 44 on the underside of the middle boarding and alighting plate 162. This weight sensor 70 measures the weight of users, luggage, etc. standing on the middle boarding and alighting plate 162.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, the rear boarding / alighting plate 163 is placed behind the middle boarding / alighting plate 162 and is in contact with the floor surface 4 of the upper floor of the building 1.

[0022] Four poles, a first pole 46, a second pole 48, a third pole 50, and a fourth pole 52, are erected on the floor surface 4 located on both the left and right sides of the boarding and alighting plate 16. The first pole 46 is erected on both the left and right sides of the front part of the middle boarding and alighting plate 162, the pair of second poles 48 are erected on both the left and right sides of the rear part of the middle boarding and alighting plate 162, the pair of third poles 50 are erected on both the left and right sides of the rear boarding and alighting plate 163, and the pair of fourth poles 52 are erected on both the left and right sides of the rear part of the rear boarding and alighting plate 163.

[0023] Fences 54, 54 for preventing entry are provided on both the left and right sides of the left and right pairs of first poles 46, 46, second poles 48, 48, third poles 50, 50, and fourth poles 52, 52. The front ends of these fences 54 are located at the ends of the parapet 20, and the rear ends extend slightly rearward beyond the fourth pole 52. The boarding and alighting board 16 is located between the pair of left and right fences 54, allowing users to pass between the pair of left and right fourth poles 52, 52 and proceed straight to the steps 14, while also preventing users from cutting in at the boarding and alighting board 16 from the left or right.

[0024] A pair of left and right first sensors 56 are provided below the pair of left and right skirt guards 30. The first sensors 56 are located on both the left and right sides of the upper floor com 26. For example, the first sensor 56 has a light-transmitting unit on the left skirt guard 30 and a light-receiving unit that receives light from the light-transmitting unit on the right skirt guard 30. When a user passes through and blocks the light from the light-transmitting unit of this first sensor 56, preventing the light from reaching the light-receiving unit, it can be detected that the user has passed the position of the first sensor 56.

[0025] Second sensors 58 are provided at the bottom of the pair of left and right third poles 50. A light-transmitting unit of the second sensor 58 is provided on the left third pole 50, and a light-receiving unit that receives light from the light-transmitting unit of the second sensor 58 is provided on the right third pole 50. When a user passes between the pair of left and right third poles 50, 50 and blocks the light from the light-transmitting unit of the second sensor 58, preventing the light from reaching the light-receiving unit, it can be detected that the user has passed the position of the third pole 50.

[0026] A third sensor 60 is provided below the pair of left and right fourth poles 52. A light-transmitting unit of the third sensor 60 is provided on the left fourth pole 52, and a light-receiving unit that receives light from the light-transmitting unit of the third sensor 60 is provided on the right fourth pole 52. When a user passes between the pair of left and right fourth poles 52, 52, blocking light from the light-transmitting unit of the third sensor 60 and preventing the light from reaching the light-receiving unit, it can be detected that the user has passed the position of the fourth pole 52.

[0027] Information display devices 62, 62 are provided on the top of the pair of left and right third poles 50, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 , this information display device 62 is provided with a display unit 64 made of a liquid crystal display (LED), a speaker 66, and a fan unit 68 on its front and rear surfaces, respectively. The speaker 66 produces sound through a plurality of holes 67. The fan unit 68 blows air through the plurality of holes 67 toward users passing between the pair of left and right third poles 50, 50. The reason why the information display device 62 is provided with the display unit 64 made of a liquid crystal display (LED), the speaker 66, and the fan unit 68 on its front and rear surfaces is to be able to provide information whether the user is approaching from the front board 161 side or the rear board 163 side. The display unit 64, the speaker 66, and the fan unit 68 may be provided on the side of the information display device 62.

[0028] The boarding and alighting doors on the lower floors are also provided with components similar to those on the upper floors. For example, the boarding and alighting board 18 is also composed of a front board 181, a middle board 182, and a rear board 183, and a vibration device 44 is provided on the underside of the middle board 182. A weight sensor 70 is provided on the vibration device 44 on the underside of the middle board 182. Furthermore, a pair of left and right first poles 46, 46, a pair of left and right second poles 48, 48, a pair of left and right third poles 50, 50, and a pair of left and right fourth poles 52, 52 are erected on both the left and right sides of the boarding and alighting board 18. A pair of left and right fences 54, 54 for preventing entry are also provided outside of these. A first sensor 56, a second sensor 58, and a third sensor 60 are also provided. Furthermore, information display devices 62, 62 are provided on the upper parts of the pair of left and right third poles 50, 50.

[0029] (3) Electrical configuration of escalator 10 Next, the electrical configuration of the escalator 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0030] 9, the control device 32 is connected to the vibration devices 44 for the upper and lower floors, the weight sensor 70, the first sensor 56, the second sensor 58, the third sensor 60, and the information display device 62. Inside the information display device 62, the display unit 64, the speaker 66, and the fan device 68 are provided as described above.

[0031] A driving device 38 is connected to the control device 32, and the control device 32 can control the raising, lowering or stopping of the steps 14.

[0032] 10, two b-contact relay switches 72, 74 are connected in series to the line that supplies DC power to the control device 32. As will be described later, when the control device 32 detects that a user has reversed into the exit on the upper floor, the vibration device 44 on the upper floor is activated and current flows through the relay (coil) 76, which turns the b-contact relay switch 72 to the OFF state, cutting off the power supplied to the control device 32 and stopping the travel of the steps 14.

[0033] Similarly, when the control device 32 detects that a user has reversed into the exit on the lower floor, the vibration device 44 on the lower floor is activated and current flows through the relay (coil) 78, causing the b-contact relay switch 74 to turn OFF, cutting off the power supplied to the control device 32 and stopping the movement of the steps 14.

[0034] (4) Control method when a user reverses into the road Next, a control method when a user reverses into the entrance / exit gate of escalator 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart in Figure 11. In this description, steps 14 of escalator 10 are operating upward, and the entrance / exit gate on the upper floor is the exit gate for users. In this case, the detection devices that detect a user reversely entering are third sensor 60 and second sensor 58 on the upper floor.

[0035] In step S1, if the escalator 10 is in an upward operation, the process proceeds to step S2.

[0036] In step S2, if the third sensor 60 provided on the fourth pole 52 on the upper floor suddenly detects a user without first sensor 56 and then second sensor 58 on the upper floor detecting the user in that order, the process proceeds to step S3. If the third sensor 60 suddenly detects a user without first sensor 56 and then second sensor 58 on the upper floor detecting the user in that order, this means that the user has reversed into the rear boarding / alighting board 163, which is the exit.

[0037] In step S3, the information display device 62 on the third poles 50 notifies a reverse-entry user who is walking on the rear boarding / alighting ramp 163 between the pair of left and right fourth poles 52. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, a mark indicating reverse driving is prohibited is displayed on the display unit 64, a warning message "reverse driving" is issued through the speaker 66, and air is blown from the fan device 68 to the user driving in the wrong direction, thereby making the user aware of the reverse driving. If the user realizes that they are driving in the wrong direction and passes between the pair of left and right fourth poles 52 and returns to the floor 4, the third sensor 60 detects this and determines that the reverse driving has been prevented. However, if the user continues driving in the wrong direction without noticing the notification from the information display device 62, for example, because they are staring at their mobile device with earphones in their ears, the process proceeds to step S4.

[0038] In step S4, if the second sensor 58 on the third poles 50, 50 detects a user going in the wrong direction, following the third sensor 60, the process proceeds to step S5.

[0039] 2, in addition to the notification from the information display device 62, the vibration device 44 on the middle board 162 is activated to vibrate the middle board 162 in the up and down direction. As a result, even if a user who is going the wrong way and has earphones in both ears and is looking at a mobile device will feel a sense of discomfort as the vibration is transmitted to their feet and body, and they will stop looking at the mobile device, etc., raise their head, and look ahead, realizing that they are going the wrong way. Then, the process proceeds to step S6.

[0040] In step S6, the ascending steps 14 are stopped as a precaution to ensure the safety of the user going in the wrong direction. Note that the information display device 62 continues to issue a warning and the vibration device 44 continues to vibrate until the user notices that they are going in the wrong direction, returns, and exits from the rear boarding / alighting board 163. When the user exits from the rear boarding / alighting board 163, the second sensor 58 and the third sensor 60 detect this, and the steps 14 may be started to ascend again from that point on.

[0041] When the steps 14 are descending, the boarding / alighting entrance on the lower floor becomes the exit, and similar control is performed on the third sensor 60, the second sensor 58, and the information display device 62 at the boarding / alighting entrance on the lower floor to prevent users from running in the wrong direction.

[0042] (5) When passengers are stuck at the exit Next, a control method for the case where multiple users are standing at the exit of the boarding / alighting entrance of escalator 10, i.e., where users are stagnating, will be described with reference to the flowchart in Figure 12. Note that in this explanation, the escalator 10 is operating in an upward direction, and the boarding / alighting entrance on the upper floor is the exit. In this case, the weight sensor 70 on the intermediate boarding / alighting plate 162 on the upper floor corresponds to the detection device for detecting users stagnating.

[0043] In step S11, if the vehicle is in an ascending operation, the process proceeds to step S12.

[0044] In step S12, if the first sensor 56 on the upper floor detects the user, it can be detected that the user has reached the upper floor by standing on the ascending steps 14. Then, the process proceeds to step S13.

[0045] In step S13, if the weight sensor 70 of the middle boarding / alighting platform 162 of the upper floor boarding / alighting platform 16 detects a weight equal to or greater than the allowable weight value, the process proceeds to step S14. Here, the "allowable weight value" refers to the determination that users are staying at the upper floor boarding / alighting entrance if the weight of users (including their luggage) on the middle boarding / alighting platform 162 reaches, for example, three or more.

[0046] In step S14, the vibration device 44 of the middle board 162 of the board 16 on the upper floor is vibrated to notify the user that they are stuck on the board 16, and encourage them to move outward from the exit. Then, the process proceeds to step S15.

[0047] In step S15, in addition to the vibration of the vibration device 44, the information presentation device 62 notifies the user that he or she is staying. For example, as shown in Fig. 8, the display unit 64 displays that stopping is prohibited, the speaker 66 issues a warning saying "Please do not stop," and the fan device 68 blows air toward the user who is staying. Then, the process proceeds to step S16.

[0048] In step S16, if the user exits the boarding / alighting board 16 onto the upper floor 4 due to the vibration and information presented, the user no longer remains, and the weight sensor 70 detects that the weight is below the allowable weight value, the process proceeds to step S17, assuming that the user no longer remains.

[0049] In step S17, since the user's stay has been resolved, the vibration of the vibration device 44 is stopped, and the presentation of information by the information presentation device 62 is also terminated.

[0050] (6) When passengers are stranded at the boarding entrance Next, a control method for the case where multiple users are standing at the entrance, i.e., where users are stagnating, will be described with reference to the flowchart in Figure 13. In this explanation, the escalator 10 is operating upward and the entrance to the lower floor is the entrance. In this case, the weight sensor 70 on the intermediate boarding / alighting plate 182 on the lower floor corresponds to the detection device for detecting users stagnating.

[0051] In step S21, since the escalator 10 is in an upward operation, the process proceeds to step S22.

[0052] In step S22, when the first sensor 56 on the lower floor detects a user, it can be detected that the user is ascending on the steps 14, and the process proceeds to step S23.

[0053] In step S23, if a user is stuck and the weight sensor 70 of the middle boarding / alighting platform 182 of the boarding / alighting platform 18 on the lower floor detects that the weight is above the allowable value, it is determined that a user is stuck, and the process proceeds to step S24.

[0054] In step S24, in order to eliminate the accumulation of users, the vibration device 44 of the intermediate board 182 is vibrated to urge the accumulated users to get on the steps 14 without stopping, and the process proceeds to step S25.

[0055] In step S25, in addition to vibrating the intermediate boarding / alighting plate 182, the information presentation device 62 on the lower floor displays on the display unit 64 that stopping is prohibited as shown in Fig. 8, issues a warning over the speaker 66 saying "Please do not stop," and notifies the user that he or she is staying there by blowing air on the fan device 68. Then, the process proceeds to step S26.

[0056] In step S26, when the user steps onto the step 14 due to the vibration and information presented, and the weight sensor 70 on the middle boarding / alighting board 182 of the boarding / alighting board 18 on the lower floor detects that the weight is below the allowable value, the user's congestion is resolved and the process proceeds to step S27.

[0057] In step S27, since the user's presence has been resolved, the vibration of the vibration device 44 on the lower floor is stopped, and the presentation of information by the information presentation device 62 is also stopped.

[0058] (7) Effects According to this embodiment, when a user reverses into the exit gate, the vibration device 44 on the boarding / alighting platform 16 or 18 vibrates the user, thereby warning the user that they are reverse-entering, even if the user is wearing earphones in both ears and is staring at their mobile device, and is not paying attention to their hearing or sight when walking. Therefore, reverse entry by users can be reliably prevented.

[0059] Furthermore, when a user's reverse entry is detected, the information display device 62 also issues a warning of the reverse entry, so that reverse entry can be prevented more reliably.

[0060] Furthermore, when a user's reverse entry is detected, the steps 14 are stopped, thereby preventing the user from falling or being hit by a rear-end collision.

[0061] Furthermore, even when users are stuck at the boarding / alighting entrance, a warning can be given by vibrating the boarding / alighting plate 16 or 18 with the vibration device 44. This ensures that users are not stuck at the boarding / alighting entrance.

[0062] Furthermore, when a user's lingering is detected, the information presentation device 62 also issues a warning of the lingering, so that lingering can be prevented more reliably.

[0063] Next, a modification of the above embodiment will be described.

[0064] (1) Change example 1 In the above embodiment, the intermediate board 162 is vibrated in the vertical direction by the vibration device 44, but instead, it may be vibrated in the horizontal direction (for example, the left-right direction) as shown in Fig. 5. In this case, horizontal vibration can be generated by arranging multiple spheres on the underside of the intermediate board 162 and vibrating them horizontally as a unit.

[0065] (2) Change example 2 In the above embodiment, the intermediate boarding and alighting plate 162 is vibrated in the up and down direction by the vibration device 44. However, instead of this, a vibrating mat 80 may be installed on the upper surface of the boarding and alighting plate 16 as shown in Fig. 6. Even in this case, vibrations can be transmitted from under the feet of users who are reversing entry or who are staying behind by the vibrating mat 80.

[0066] Since the purpose of the invention in this embodiment is to transmit vibrations to users standing on the boarding and alighting board 16, the vibration device 44 not only vibrates the boarding and alighting board 16 itself, but also includes the case where a vibrating mat 80 is placed on the boarding and alighting board 16, as in this modified example 2.

[0067] (3) Change example 3 In the above embodiment, the weight sensor 70 is provided on the vibration device 44 of the middle board 162, but instead, it may be provided on the underside of the front board 161 or the rear board 163. Also, the vibration device 44 may be provided on two boards, or further, the vibration device 44 may be provided on all three boards 161, 162, and 163.

[0068] (4) Change Example 4 In the above embodiment, the third sensor 60 and the second sensor 58 are provided at the bottom of the fourth pole 52 and the bottom of the third pole 50 as means for detecting a user's reverse entry. However, instead of this, for example, a camera may be provided at the top of the first pole 46, and the image captured by this camera may be analyzed to detect a user's reverse entry.

[0069] (5) Change Example 5 In the above embodiment, the information display device 62 is provided, but if the vibration device 44 is only used to notify the user of a reverse entry or a stagnation, the information display device 62 does not necessarily have to be provided.

[0070] (6) Change Example 6 In the above embodiment, a weight sensor 70 was used as a device for detecting the presence of users, but this is not limited to this. For example, a camera installed on the first pole 46 may be used to photograph the boarding and disembarking entrances, the photographed images may be analyzed to recognize the number of users, and if the number of users is a predetermined number or more, it may be determined that users are present.

[0071] (7) Change Example 7 The device for detecting user congestion may be a means for determining that the distance between users is narrowing and users are accumulating at the exit if the time between when the first sensor 56 installed at the exit detects a user and when the next user is detected is shorter than a predetermined time.

[0072] (8) Change Example 8 As a device for detecting user retention, a timer starts measuring time when the first sensor 56 installed at the exit detects a user, and stops measuring when the third sensor 60 detects that the user has passed, and if the measured time is longer than a predetermined time, it may be determined that multiple users are retained at the exit.

[0073] (9) Change Example 9 In the above embodiment, the information display device 62 is installed in front of the vibrating middle board 162, but instead, it may be installed on the first pole 46 located behind the middle board 162. In this case, when a user reverses into the area and the middle board 162 vibrates, and the user feels something is wrong and looks up from the mobile terminal, the display unit 64 of the information display device 62 is located at that position, making it possible to reliably and clearly inform the user that the user is currently reverse-entering the area.

[0074] (10) Change Example 10 In the above embodiment, a pair of four poles 46, 48, 50, 52 are erected on the left and right sides, but instead, only a pair of left and right fences 54, 54 may be provided without providing a pair of four poles 46, 48, 50, 52 on the left and right sides. In this case, the second sensor 58 and the third sensor 60 are provided below the fence 54.

[0075] (11) Change Example 11 In the above embodiment, four poles 46, 48, 50, 52 are erected as a pair of left and right poles, but the present invention is not limited to this and one to three poles may be erected as a pair of left and right poles.

[0076] Also, if one side of the entrance / exit of the escalator 10 is a wall, a pole or fence 54 may be provided only on the other side.

[0077] Furthermore, if the distance between the poles in the front-to-rear direction is narrow, users will not cut in line from both the left and right sides, and it is not necessary to provide a pair of fences 54, 54 on the outside of the poles.

[0078] Furthermore, when an escalator 10 of the same width as a passageway is installed, no poles or fences 54 are installed because users will not cut in line from either side, and instead a vibration device 44 is installed on the boarding and alighting board, and detection of reverse entry or congestion is performed by analyzing images taken by cameras installed on the escalator 10 or building 1.

[0079] (12) Change Example 12 In the above embodiment, the invention has been described as being applied to an escalator 10, but it may also be applied to a moving walkway instead. Note that on a moving walkway, steps are called "steps."

[0080] (13) Other Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, this embodiment is presented by way of example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 10 escalator, 14 steps, 16 board, 18 board, 20 handrail, 32 control device, 38 drive device, 44 vibration device, 46 first pole, 48 second pole, 50 third pole, 52 fourth pole, 54 fence, 56 first sensor, 58 second sensor, 60 third sensor, 62 information display device, 70 weight sensor, 161 front board, 162 middle board, 163 rear board

Claims

1. A pair of left and right handrails provided in the front-to-back direction from one boarding / alighting entrance to the other boarding / alighting entrance; A step that moves between the pair of left and right handrails; A boarding and alighting board is provided at each of the one boarding and alighting entrance and the other boarding and alighting entrance; a vibration device provided on the board at one of the entrances and the board at the other of the entrances, respectively, for transmitting vibrations to users standing on the boards; a detection device that detects the user walking on the boarding / alighting board from the boarding / alighting entrance on the exit side and reversing onto the steps; a control device that controls the vibration device; and when the detection device detects the user's reverse entry, the control device vibrates the boarding and alighting board located on the exit side using the vibration device to notify the user of the reverse entry. A passenger conveyor characterized by:

2. A pair of left and right handrails provided in the front-to-back direction from one boarding / alighting entrance to the other boarding / alighting entrance; A step that moves between the pair of left and right handrails; A boarding and alighting board is provided at each of the one boarding and alighting entrance and the other boarding and alighting entrance; a vibration device provided on the board at one of the entrances and the board at the other of the entrances, respectively, for transmitting vibrations to users standing on the boards; a detection device that detects the user staying on the boarding / alighting board at the boarding / alighting entrance or the boarding / alighting entrance; a control device that controls the vibration device; and when the detection device detects that the user is staying, the control device vibrates the boarding / alighting board at the entrance or the exit using the vibration device of the boarding / alighting board to notify the user of the staying. A passenger conveyor characterized by:

3. A blower device is provided at one of the boarding / alighting entrances and the other of the boarding / alighting entrances, When the control device vibrates the board using the vibration device, the control device blows air to the user using the air blower located on the board side that is being vibrated.

3. A passenger conveyor according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A display device is provided at one of the boarding and alighting entrances and the other of the boarding and alighting entrances, When the control device vibrates the board using the vibration device, the control device displays the notification content on the display device located on the board side that is being vibrated.

3. A passenger conveyor according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The control device stops the travel of the steps when the vibration device vibrates the boarding and alighting plate.

3. A passenger conveyor according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The vibration device is provided on the underside of the board and vibrates the board vertically or horizontally.

3. A passenger conveyor according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The vibration device is a vibrating mat laid on the upper surface of the boarding and disembarking board.

3. A passenger conveyor according to claim 1 or 2.

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