Measuring Device and Measuring System

Abstract

To reduce errors that may occur when measuring the size of the gap between a skirt guard of a passenger conveyor and a step. [Solution] A measuring device according to an embodiment is attached to the inner side surface of a passenger conveyor's skirt guard and includes a detection unit, a calculation unit, and a memory unit. The detection unit detects the cyclic movement of multiple steps provided on the passenger conveyor. The calculation unit calculates the size of the gap between each step and the skirt guard. The memory unit stores information indicating the size of each gap calculated by the calculation unit.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention relate to a measurement device and a measurement system. [Background technology]

[0002] The gap between the skirt guard and the steps of an escalator (passenger conveyor) is an important dimension for safety, and must be kept within a specified range. For this reason, the gap between the skirt guard and the steps is measured regularly during maintenance and inspection, and adjusted to stay within the specified range.

[0003] However, since the measurement of the above-mentioned gap dimensions is performed manually by a maintenance worker using, for example, a tape measure or a scale, the measurement results may contain errors. For this reason, the realization of a new technology that can reduce the above-mentioned errors is desired. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 08-012238 [Patent Document 2] Special Publication No. 2003-512273 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Therefore, the problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a measuring device and a measuring system that can reduce errors that may occur when measuring the dimensions of the gap between the skirt guard of a passenger conveyor and the step. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The measuring device according to one embodiment is attached to the inner side surface of the skirt guard of the passenger conveyor, A measurement unit; The device includes a detection unit, a calculation unit, and a storage unit. The measuring unit is attached at a position facing the treads of a plurality of steps provided on the passenger conveyor, and measures the height distance between the measuring device and the plurality of steps and the angle corresponding to the height distance. The detection unit Based on the measurement result of the distance in the height direction by the measurement unit, before duplication The calculation unit detects that the number of steps is moving cyclically. Based on the height distance to each step measured by the measuring unit and the angle corresponding to the height distance, The memory unit calculates the size of the gap between each step and the skirt guard. The height distance to each step measured by the measuring unit, and Information indicating the dimensions of each gap calculated by the calculation unit is stored. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a passenger conveyor to which a measuring device according to an embodiment is attached. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a measurement device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the measurement device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4A] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example in which the measuring device according to the embodiment measures the distance in the height direction to a step. [Figure 4B] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating another example in which the measuring device according to the embodiment measures the distance in the height direction to the step. [Figure 5] 10 is a graph showing an example of the results of measuring the height distance between steps using the measuring device according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example in which the measuring device according to the embodiment measures the dimension of the gap between a step and a skirt guard. [Figure 7] 10 is a graph showing an example of the results of measuring the dimensions of the gap between the step and the skirt guard according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, for ease of understanding, mutually perpendicular X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are shown as necessary. The direction along the X-axis is referred to as the first direction X, the direction along the Y-axis is referred to as the second direction Y, and the direction along the Z-axis is referred to as the third direction Z. The third direction Z is a normal direction to a plane (XY plane) that includes the first direction X and the second direction Y.

[0009] 1 shows a schematic configuration example of a passenger conveyor according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, a case where the passenger conveyor is an escalator will be described.

[0010] As shown in Fig. 1, the escalator 10 is installed at an angle between a lower floor and an upper floor of a building, for example. Note that in the example shown in Fig. 1, it is assumed that the lower floor side is the entrance to the escalator 10 and the upper floor side is the exit to the escalator 10.

[0011] The escalator 10 shown in Figure 1 is configured to transport passengers (users) on the steps 11 by moving multiple steps 11, which are connected without gaps, in a circular motion between a lower machine room 12 (entrance) and an upper machine room 13 (exit).

[0012] The steps 11 are connected by an endless connecting chain 14 and are arranged inside a truss 15 installed under the floor of the building. Inside the truss 15, a lower sprocket 16 and an upper sprocket 17 are arranged, and the connecting chain 14 is wound between them.

[0013] In the example shown in Fig. 1, a drive unit 18 having a motor, a reducer, etc. is connected to the upper sprocket 17. The drive unit 18 rotates the lower sprocket 16 and the upper sprocket 17 around which the connecting chain 14 is wound, and the steps 11 move cyclically between the lower machine room 12 and the upper machine room 13 via the connecting chain 14 while being guided by a guide rail (not shown). Although the drive unit 18 is connected to the upper sprocket 17 in Fig. 1, the drive unit 18 may also be connected to the lower sprocket 16.

[0014] Additionally, a pair of skirt guards 25 are installed on the top of the truss 15 along the direction of movement of the steps 11 so as to face both side surfaces of each step 11. An inner deck 26 is installed on the top of each pair of skirt guards 25. On the opposite side of the inner deck 26, an outer deck (not shown) is installed so as to sandwich the parapet 19 between the inner deck 26 and the outer deck 26.

[0015] A balustrade 19 is erected on both sides of each step 11. A belt-like handrail 20 is attached around the balustrade 19. The handrail 20 is a handrail that is held by passengers on the steps 11, and moves in sync with the movement of the steps 11 by transmitting the driving force of the drive unit 18, for example.

[0016] The entrances (entrance and exit) of the escalator 10 are located above the lower machine room 12 and the upper machine room 13, and removable boarding and alighting plates 22 and 23 are respectively installed at the entrances. The boarding and alighting plates 22 and 23 correspond to the ceilings of the lower machine room 12 and the upper machine room 13. Passengers walk over the boarding and alighting plate 22 when getting on the escalator 10 (steps 11), and walk over the boarding and alighting plate 23 when getting off the escalator 10 (steps 11).

[0017] In addition to the drive unit 18, a control device 21 is installed in the upper machine room 13. The control device 21 controls the operation of various devices installed on the escalator 10 in order to control the operation of the escalator 10.

[0018] The measuring device 3 is attached to the inner side surface of the skirt guard 25 and measures the size of the gap between the step 11 and the skirt guard 25.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the measurement device 3 according to the embodiment. The measuring device 3 includes an attachment unit 31, a control unit 32, a measurement unit 33, an analysis unit 34, a memory unit 35, and an output unit 36. The attachment unit 31 is located on the outer side surface of the housing of the measuring device 3, and detachably attaches the measuring device 3 to the skirt guard 25 of the escalator 10. The attachment unit 31 is, for example, a magnet or an adhesive body.

[0020] The control unit 32 includes, for example, a CPU (main processing circuit), a ROM (read only memory), a RAM (random access memory), and the like, and performs overall control of each unit that constitutes the measurement device 3.

[0021] The measurement unit 33 measures (acquires) the height distance between the measurement device 3 and the steps 11 and the angle corresponding to the height distance. The measurement unit 33 irradiates (transmits) millimeter waves onto the steps 11, receives the waves reflected by the steps 11, and performs signal processing on the reflected waves to measure (acquire) the height distance and the angle corresponding to the height distance. In addition to the function of measuring the height distance and the angle corresponding to the height distance, the measurement unit 33 also has the function of detecting that each step 11 is moving cyclically. This function will be described below with reference to a flowchart.

[0022] The analysis unit 34 calculates the size of the gap between the step 11 and the skirt guard 25 by analyzing the height distance between the measuring device 3 and the step 11 measured by the measurement unit 33 and the angle corresponding to the height distance. In this embodiment, the analysis unit 34 analyzing the height distance between the measuring device 3 and the step 11 and the angle corresponding to the height distance and calculating the size of the gap between the step 11 and the skirt guard 25 is described as "measuring the size of the gap." The method by which the analysis unit 34 measures the size of the gap will be described later. The measurement unit 33 and the analysis unit 34 are, for example, millimeter-wave radars that operate under the control of the control unit 32.

[0023] The memory unit 35 stores information on the height distance and angle obtained by the measurement unit 33, and information on the gap dimensions obtained by the analysis unit 34. Hereinafter, both types of information will be referred to as measurement result information. Specifically, the memory unit 35 stores first measurement result information indicating the correspondence between the time elapsed since measurement of the height distance between the measurement device 3 and the step 11 began, and second measurement result information indicating the correspondence between the gap dimensions between the step 11 and the skirt guard 25 and the time elapsed since measurement of the height distance began. Note that, as will be described in detail later, it is expected that the timing at which measurement of the height distance begins and the timing at which measurement of the gap dimensions begin will be approximately the same.

[0024] The output unit 36 ​​outputs the first measurement result information and the second measurement result information stored in the storage unit 35 to the external device 4.

[0025] The external device 4 can be connected to the measurement device 3 via a wired or wireless connection, and is, for example, a PC or tablet terminal that can be operated by a maintenance technician. The external device 4 receives and displays the measurement result information output from the measurement device 3. The maintenance technician can check the measurement results of the measurement device 3 via the external device 4.

[0026] In the above embodiment, the analysis unit 34 is provided inside the measurement device 3, but this is not limiting, and the external device 4 may have a similar function. In this case, the storage unit 35 stores only the so-called raw data (distance and angle in the height direction) obtained by the measurement unit 33, and does not store information on the dimensions of the gap.

[0027] Next, the operation of this measuring device will be described. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of this measuring device. Note that measuring device 3 is attached to the inner side surface of skirt guard 25 by a maintenance person while escalator 10 is stopped. After attaching measuring device 3 to the inner side surface of skirt guard 25, the maintenance person turns on the power of measuring device 3 to start measurement by measuring device 3 and also starts operation of escalator 10.

[0028] When the power of the measuring device 3 is turned on, the measuring unit 33 starts measuring the height distance between the measuring device 3 and the steps 11 and the angle corresponding to the height distance (step S1). The height distance between the measuring device 3 and the steps 11 measured by the measuring unit 33 and the angle corresponding to the height distance are sequentially stored in the memory unit 35 in association with the elapsed time since the start of measuring the height distance.

[0029] The measuring unit 33 determines whether the height distance between the measuring device 3 and the step 11 has changed. More specifically, the measuring unit 33 compares the height distance successively stored in the memory unit 35 with the current measured height distance to determine whether the height distance has changed (step S2). The measuring unit 33 determines that the height distance has changed when the height distance stored in the memory unit 35 is greater than the current height distance, or when the height distance stored in the memory unit 35 is smaller than the current height distance.

[0030] If it is determined in the processing of step S2 that the distance in the height direction has not changed (No in step S2), the measurement unit 33 detects that the steps 11 are not moving circulatingly (in other words, detects that the escalator 10 is stopped). In this case, the analysis unit 34 does not start measuring the dimensions of the gap between each step 11 and the skirt guard 25 based on the information from the measurement unit 33, but continues to measure only the distance in the height direction between the measurement device 3 and the steps 11 and the angle corresponding to that distance in the height direction by the measurement unit 33, and the processing of step S2 is executed again.

[0031] On the other hand, if it is determined in the processing of step S2 that the height distance has changed (Yes in step S2), the measurement unit 33 detects that the steps 11 are moving in a circular motion (in other words, detects that the escalator 10 is operating). In this case, the analysis unit 34 starts measuring the size of the gap between each step 11 and the skirt guard 25 based on the information from the measurement unit 33 (step S3). The gap size between the step 11 and the skirt guard 25 measured by the analysis unit 34 is sequentially stored in the memory unit 35 in association with the elapsed time since the measurement of the height distance began (i.e., the elapsed time since the processing of step S1 was executed). Note that while the analysis unit 34 is measuring the size of the gap between each step 11 and the skirt guard 25, the measurement unit 33 continues to measure the height distance between the measurement device 3 and the step 11 and the angle corresponding to the height distance.

[0032] Next, the measurement unit 33 determines whether a certain time has elapsed since starting to measure the height distance and the angle corresponding to the height distance (step S4). The certain time is, for example, the time required for each step 11 to make one full rotation on the escalator 10.

[0033] In the processing of step S4, if it is determined that the certain time has not elapsed (No in step S4), the measurement unit 33 detects that each step 11 has not yet made one revolution since starting to measure the height distance and the angle corresponding to the height distance, and determines that it has not yet measured the dimensions of the gaps between all steps 11 and skirt guard 25. In this case, the analysis unit 34 continues to measure the dimensions of the gaps between each step 11 and skirt guard 25.

[0034] On the other hand, if it is determined in the processing of step S4 that a certain period of time has elapsed (Yes in step S4), the measurement unit 33 detects that each step 11 has made one revolution since starting to measure the height distance, and determines that it has been able to measure the dimensions of the gaps between all steps 11 and the skirt guard 25. In this case, under the control of the control unit 32, the measurement unit 33 finishes measuring the height distance between the measurement device 3 and the steps 11 and the angle corresponding to that height distance, and the analysis unit 34 finishes measuring the dimensions of the gaps between each step 11 and the skirt guard 25 (step S5).

[0035] When the maintenance person determines that each step 11 has made one full rotation around the escalator 10, the operation of the escalator 10 is terminated.

[0036] 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating the principle by which the measuring unit 33 of the measuring device 3 detects that the steps 11 are moving cyclically based on a change in the height distance between the measuring device 3 and the steps 11. Note that Figs. 4A and 4B show a case in which each step 11 of the escalator 10 moves from a lower floor to an upper floor on the YZ plane.

[0037] 4A and 4B, a comb-like comb 27 is provided at the tip of the boarding / alighting platform 22, and each step 11 is drawn out from the comb 27. Each step 11 moves along the third direction Z when located near the comb 27, and moves in a direction forming an angle θ degrees with respect to the third direction Z when located a certain distance away from the comb 27.

[0038] 4A shows a case where the measuring unit 33 measures a distance h1 as the height distance between the measuring device 3 and the step 11. On the other hand, FIG. 4B shows a case where the measuring unit 33 measures a distance h2 (>h1) as the height distance between the measuring device 3 and the step 11.

[0039] Although the position of the measuring device 3 does not change, the vertical distance between the measuring device 3 and the steps 11 changes because the steps 11 are moving in a circular motion, as shown in Figures 4A and 4B.The measuring unit 33 uses this fact to detect that the steps 11 are moving in a circular motion.

[0040] Here, the measurement unit 33 detects that each step 11 is moving cyclically when there is even a slight change in the vertical distance, but this is not limited to this, and the measurement unit 33 may also detect that each step 11 is moving cyclically when it detects a transition such as that shown in Figure 5, which will be described later.

[0041] FIG. 5 is a graph showing an example of the results of measuring the distance in the height direction between the measuring device 3 and each step 11. The graph in Fig. 5 is a line graph showing first measurement result information when the measuring device 3 is attached to the ascending escalator 10. The first measurement result information is output to the external device 4 via the output unit 36 ​​and displayed on the external device 4 as shown in Fig. 5. This line graph corresponds to the situation shown in Figs. 4A and 4B. The vertical axis indicates the distance in the height direction between the measuring device 3 and each step 11, and the horizontal axis indicates the elapsed time since measurement of the distance in the height direction began.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 5, the height distance between the measuring device 3 and each step 11 repeats a transition in which it gradually decreases from distance h2 to distance h1 and then suddenly increases from distance h1 to distance h2.

[0043] It is desirable that the measuring device 3 not be attached near the comb 27 shown in Figures 4A and 4B. This is because, near the comb 27, the steps 11 move only in the third direction Z and not in the second direction Y, so the heightwise distance between the measuring device 3 and the steps 11 does not change (i.e., the transition shown in Figure 5 cannot be detected), and measurement of the gap between each step 11 and the skirt guard 25 does not begin.

[0044] In the above description, the case where the circular movement of the steps 11 of the ascending escalator 10 is detected based on the measurement results of the distance in the height direction of the steps 11 has been described, but the same applies to the descending escalator 10.

[0045] Fig. 6 is a diagram for explaining a method by which the measuring device 3 measures the dimension of the gap between the step 11 and the skirt guard 25. In Fig. 6, the measuring device 3 irradiates millimeter waves onto the step 11 and the skirt guard 25 on the XY plane.

[0046] The step 11 has a tread surface 11a along the first direction X, a cleat 11b on the tread surface 11a, and a side surface 11c facing the skirt guard 25 along the second direction Y. The skirt guard 25 has an inner side surface 25a facing the side surface 11c of the step 11 in the first direction X.

[0047] The measuring device 3 is attached to the inner side surface 25a of the skirt guard 25 by the attachment part 31. The measuring device 3 is also attached at a position where the measuring part 33 of the measuring device 3 faces the tread surface 11a of the step 11 in the second direction Y (i.e., at a position where millimeter waves can be irradiated onto the tread surface 11a).

[0048] The measuring unit 33 of the measuring device 3 irradiates millimeter waves onto the steps 11. The irradiated millimeter waves spread radially and are reflected by the treads 11a and cleats 11b of the steps 11 and the inner side surfaces 25a of the skirt guards 25, and are received by the measuring unit 33 as reflected waves.

[0049] The millimeter waves W1 emitted from the measuring unit 33 travel, for example, as shown by the arrow in the figure, and are reflected by the tread surface 11a of the step 11, and then received by the measuring unit 33 as reflected waves. By processing the received reflected wave signal, the measuring unit 33 can obtain the distance between the measuring device 3 and the tread surface 11a and angle information indicating the angle the millimeter waves W1 form with respect to the second direction Y. The analyzing unit 34 analyzes the distance between the measuring device 3 and the tread surface 11a based on the angle information, and thereby obtains the distance from the measuring device 3 to the tread surface 11a in the first direction X and the distance from the measuring device 3 to the tread surface 11a in the second direction Y.

[0050] Similarly, by processing the reflected wave signal of the millimeter waves W2 emitted toward the cleat 11b of the step 11, the measurement unit 33 obtains the distance between the measurement device 3 and the cleat 11b and angle information indicating the angle the millimeter waves W2 form with respect to the second direction Y. The analysis unit 34 analyzes the distance between the measurement device 3 and the cleat 11b based on this angle information, and obtains the distance from the measurement device 3 to the cleat 11b in the first direction X and the distance from the measurement device 3 to the cleat 11b in the second direction Y. The height direction distance between the measurement device 3 and the step 11 described above corresponds to the distance from the measurement device 3 to the cleat 11b in the second direction Y, which is obtained by analyzing the millimeter waves W2.

[0051] Furthermore, by performing reflected wave signal processing on the millimeter waves W3 irradiated toward the inner side surface 25a of the skirt guard 25, the measurement unit 33 obtains the distance between the measurement device 3 and the inner side surface 25a and angle information indicating the angle the millimeter waves W3 form with respect to the second direction Y. The analysis unit 34 analyzes the distance between the measurement device 3 and the inner side surface 25a based on the angle information, thereby obtaining the distance from the measurement device 3 to the inner side surface 25a in the first direction X and the distance from the measurement device 3 to the inner side surface 25a in the second direction Y.

[0052] The analysis unit 34 analyzes the distances between the tread 11a, the cleat 11b, and the inner side surface 25a in the first direction X and the second direction Y obtained from the reflected millimeter waves including the millimeter waves W1 to W3, and calculates the positions and shapes of the tread 11a, the cleat 11b, and the inner side surface 25a. Based on the calculated positions and shapes of the tread 11a, the cleat 11b, and the inner side surface 25a, the analysis unit 34 calculates the dimension L of the gap between the side surface 11c of the step 11 and the inner side surface 25a of the skirt guard 25. The calculated gap dimension L is stored in the memory unit 35 in association with the elapsed time since measurement of the height distance began.

[0053] The gap dimensions stored in the memory unit 35 are output to the external device 4 via the output unit 36. The gap dimensions are displayed on the screen of the external device 4, allowing the maintenance personnel to check the gap dimensions.

[0054] FIG. 7 is a graph showing an example of the results of analysis by the analysis unit 34 of the dimensions of the gaps between each step 11 and the skirt guard 25 obtained by the measuring device 3 based on the measurement results of the measurement unit 33. The graph in Figure 7 is a line graph showing the change over time for the second measurement result information measured by the method in Figure 6, and shows a case where the gap is not within a predetermined range. Note that under normal circumstances, when the gap dimension is within the predetermined range, no change should be observed. The second measurement result information, like the first measurement result information, is output to the external device 4 via the output unit 36 ​​and displayed on the external device 4 as shown in Figure 7. In the line graph in Figure 7, the vertical axis represents the gap dimension between each step 11 and the skirt guard 25, and the horizontal axis represents the elapsed time since measurement of the height distance began.

[0055] In Figure 7, the gap dimension changes from width L1 to width L2, and then returns to width L1. After that, the gap dimension remains at width L1 for a while, changes to width L3, and then returns to width L1 again. The range defined by widths LH and LL shown in Figure 7 corresponds to the inspection standard for the gap dimension between the step 11 and the skirt guard 25. If the gap dimension is within the range defined by widths LH and LL, the maintenance worker determines that the corresponding step 11 is normal, and if the gap dimension is outside the range defined by widths LH and LL, the maintenance worker determines that the corresponding step 11 is abnormal.

[0056] For example, since the widths L2 and L3 shown in Figure 7 are outside the range defined by the widths LH and LL, there is a possibility that an abnormality has occurred in the step 11 corresponding to the location where the widths L2 and L3 were measured.

[0057] If the measurement result is greater than the upper limit width LH, such as width L2 in Figure 7, it is expected that there is a misalignment in the connecting chain 14 or the guide rail due to deterioration of the escalator 10 over time, for example.

[0058] On the other hand, when the measurement result is smaller than the lower limit width LL, such as width L3, it is expected that a foreign substance such as gum is attached to the side surface 11c of the corresponding step 11.

[0059] As described above, by referring to the second measurement result information, the maintenance personnel can find misalignment of connecting chain 14 or guide rail, and foreign matter attached to side surface 11c of step 11. In other words, by referring to the second measurement result information, the maintenance personnel can find an abnormality occurring in escalator 10.

[0060] Furthermore, the maintenance personnel can identify the step 11 where an abnormality may be occurring by referring to both the first measurement result information in Figure 5 and the second measurement result information in Figure 7.

[0061] First, the maintenance person identifies the time when the dimension of the gap of the step 11 where an abnormality may have occurred was measured by referring to the second measurement result information in Fig. 7. Next, the maintenance person counts the number of times the distance has changed from h1 to h2 from the start of measuring the height distance until the identified time (i.e., the time when the dimension of the gap of the step 11 where an abnormality may have occurred was measured) by referring to the first measurement result information in Fig. 5.

[0062] In the first measurement result information, a transition from distance h1 to distance h2 indicates that the step 11 being measured has changed to the next step 11, and so by counting this number as described above, the maintenance person can identify the step 11 where a possible abnormality may be occurring, from the step 11 at the start of measurement. Note that, since the maintenance person stops the operation of the escalator 10 when it determines that the escalator has made one full rotation since the start of measurement, the step 11 at the start of measurement is considered to be directly below the measuring device 3, but the step 11 at the start of measurement may be identified by attaching a mark such as a sticker to the step 11 at the start of measurement (i.e., the step 11 located directly below the measuring device 3 at the start of measurement).

[0063] In this way, the maintenance worker can identify a step 11 where an abnormality may be occurring by referring to both the first measurement result information in Figure 5 and the second measurement result information in Figure 7.

[0064] 7 shows a graph format as an example of the display format when the second measurement result information is displayed on the external device 4, the second measurement result information may be displayed in a table format in which the gap dimensions correspond to the elapsed time since the start of measuring the height distance. Similarly, the first measurement result information may be displayed not only in the graph format as in FIG. 5 but also in a table format in which the gap dimensions correspond to the elapsed time since the start of measuring the height distance.

[0065] As described above, the measuring device 3 according to this embodiment can use millimeter-wave radar to automatically measure the size of the gap between the step 11 and the skirt guard 25. Conventionally, the measurement of the size of the gap between the step 11 and the skirt guard 25 has been performed manually by a maintenance worker using a tape measure or scale, but the measuring device 3 according to this embodiment can automatically measure the size of the gap, thereby reducing measurement errors that occur due to manual work by maintenance workers.

[0066] Furthermore, it takes time for a maintenance worker to manually measure the gap dimensions between all steps 11 and skirt guard 25, placing a heavy burden on the maintenance worker. However, the measuring device 3 according to this embodiment makes it possible to automatically measure the gap dimensions between each step 11 and skirt guard 25, thereby reducing the burden on the maintenance worker. In addition, the measuring device 3 according to this embodiment makes it possible to measure the gap dimensions between each step 11 and skirt guard 25 simply by attaching the measuring device 3 to the skirt guard 25 and then moving the steps 11 of the escalator 10 around once, thereby reducing the time required to measure the gap dimensions.

[0067] Furthermore, since the measuring device 3 according to this embodiment is detachable, it is only necessary to attach the measuring device 3 to the skirt guard 25 when measuring the dimension of the gap between the step 11 and the skirt guard 25 (for example, during maintenance and inspection). In other words, there is no need to attach the measuring device 3 during normal operation of the escalator 10, and therefore it does not interfere with normal operation.

[0068] In addition, the maintenance personnel can find foreign objects present in the gap between the steps 11 and the skirt guard 25 from the measurement results of the measuring device 3. Therefore, by using the measuring device 3, the maintenance personnel can easily find foreign objects present in the gap between the steps 11 and the skirt guard 25 even in an existing escalator 10 that does not have the function to detect foreign objects present in the gap.

[0069] Furthermore, in the above, measurement of the height distance between the measuring device 3 and the steps 11 is completed a fixed time after measurement began, but if the height distance does not change for a predetermined time (i.e., if the operation of the escalator 10 has stopped and the steps 11 are not moving circulatingly), the measuring device 3 may complete measurement of the height distance and the angle corresponding to the height distance. Once the measuring device 3 has completed measurement of the height distance and the angle corresponding to the height distance, it also completes measurement of the dimension of the gap between each step 11 and the skirt guard 25.

[0070] The measuring device 3 may have a communication function for communicating with the control device 21 of the escalator 10. In this case, when the measuring device 3 receives a signal from the control device 21 to operate the escalator 10, it starts measuring the height distance between the measuring device 3 and the steps 11, the angle corresponding to the height distance, and the size of the gap between the steps 11 and the skirt guard 25. When the measuring device 3 receives a signal from the control device 21 to stop the escalator 10, it ends measuring the height distance between the measuring device 3 and the steps 11, the angle corresponding to the height distance, and the size of the gap between the steps 11 and the skirt guard 25.

[0071] According to at least one of the embodiments described above, it is possible to provide a measuring device that can suppress the occurrence of errors when measuring the dimension of the gap between the skirt guard of a passenger conveyor and the step.

[0072] Although several 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 embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention described in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 3...measuring device, 10...escalator (passenger conveyor), 11...step, 11a...tread, 11b...cleats, 11c...side, 25...skirt guard, 25a...inner side, 31...mounting part, 32...control part, 33...measuring part, 34...analysis part, 35...memory part, 36...output part.

Claims

1. A measuring device attached to the inner side of the skirt guard of a passenger conveyor, a measuring unit attached to a position facing the treads of a plurality of steps provided on the passenger conveyor, the measuring unit measuring the height distance between the measuring device and the plurality of steps and the angle corresponding to the height distance; a detection unit that detects that the steps are moving cyclically based on the measurement result of the distance in the height direction by the measurement unit; and a calculation unit that calculates the size of the gap between each step and the skirt guard based on the height distance to each step measured by the measurement unit and the angle corresponding to the height distance; a storage unit that stores information indicating the height distance to each step measured by the measurement unit and the size of each gap calculated by the calculation unit; A measuring device comprising:

2. the detection unit detects that the steps are moving cyclically when the measurement result of the distance in the height direction by the measurement unit has changed since the start of measurement, The calculation unit starts calculating the size of the gap when the detection unit detects that the steps are moving cyclically. The measuring device according to claim 1 .

3. The calculation unit ends the calculation of the gap dimension when the time required for each step to make one revolution around the passenger conveyor has elapsed. The measuring device according to claim 2 .

4. the detection unit detects that the steps are not circulating when the measurement result of the distance in the height direction by the measurement unit does not change for a certain period of time; The calculation unit terminates calculation of the gap dimension when the detection unit detects that the steps are not moving cyclically. The measuring device according to claim 2 .

5. The measuring device is detachably attached to the inner side surface of the skirt guard of the passenger conveyor. The measuring device according to claim 1 .

6. The system further includes an output unit that outputs information indicating the dimensions of each gap stored in the storage unit and information indicating the height distance to each step to an external device. The measuring device according to claim 1 .

7. the measuring device is communicably connected to a control device that controls operation of the passenger conveyor; The measurement unit starts calculating the gap size when it receives a signal from the control device to start the passenger conveyor, and ends calculating the gap size when it receives a signal from the control device to stop the passenger conveyor. The measuring device according to claim 1 .

8. A measurement system in which a measurement device attached to an inner side surface of a skirt guard of a passenger conveyor and an external device are communicatively connected, The measuring device is a detection unit that detects that a plurality of steps provided on the passenger conveyor are moving cyclically; a measuring unit attached to a position facing the treads of the plurality of steps, for measuring the height distance between the measuring device and each step and the angle corresponding to the height distance; a storage unit that stores information indicating the height distance to each step measured by the measurement unit and the angle corresponding to the height distance; an output unit that outputs the information stored in the memory unit to the external device as information for calculating the dimension of the gap between each step and the skirt guard; A measurement system comprising:

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