Passenger conveyor wireless system

Abstract

To provide a radio system of a passenger conveyor which can improve security and maintenance inspection workability.SOLUTION: A radio system 10 of an escalator 50 connects a control board 11 of the escalator 50 and a maintenance inspection terminal 65 held by a worker W by radio. The control board 11 has: a proximity detection part 12 which acquires positional information of a portable telephone 15 held by the worker W, calculates a distance between the portable telephone 15 and the control board 65, and detects proximity of the worker W to the control board 11, in a case in which the distance is within a predetermined distance; and a radio emitting / stopping part 13 for transmitting radio waves to the maintenance inspection terminal 65, when the proximity of the worker W to the control board 11 is detected by the proximity detection part 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a wireless system for a passenger conveyor that wirelessly connects a control panel of the passenger conveyor to a maintenance and inspection terminal carried by a maintenance and inspection worker. [Background technology]

[0002] An escalator serving as a passenger conveyor is provided with a control panel that controls each device for operating the escalator. The control panel is provided, for example, in an upper machine room. The upper machine room is an internal space formed at the upper end of the truss. The upper machine room is closed by a manhole cover provided above the upper machine room.

[0003] During maintenance and inspection of escalators, maintenance and inspection workers (hereinafter simply referred to as workers) connect maintenance and inspection terminals such as maintenance computers to the control panel by wire to obtain data on each piece of equipment (for example, Patent Document 1). At this time, it was necessary to remove a manhole cover to enter the machine room where the control panel was installed. In addition, because manhole covers are heavy, removing the manhole cover was a burden for the workers.

[0004] In light of the above background, it was considered to connect the maintenance and inspection terminals of workers to the control panel wirelessly. However, constantly transmitting radio waves from the control panel to the maintenance and inspection terminals of workers was not desirable from the perspectives of safety and power consumption. Therefore, currently, by pressing a combination of key switches located outside the upper machine room, radio waves are transmitted from the control panel inside the upper machine room to the maintenance and inspection terminals of workers, eliminating the need for the workers to remove the manhole cover. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-149497 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, since the key switch located outside the upper machine room can be operated by anyone other than the maintenance and inspection worker, there is a concern that radio waves may be unintentionally emitted. Therefore, there is a need for a wireless system for a passenger conveyor that can improve safety and the ease of maintenance and inspection work by transmitting radio waves without operating the key switch located outside the upper machine room.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a wireless system for a passenger conveyor that can improve safety and ease of maintenance and inspection work. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The wireless system for a passenger conveyor of the present invention is a wireless system for a passenger conveyor that wirelessly connects a control panel of the passenger conveyor and a maintenance and inspection terminal carried by a maintenance and inspection worker, and is characterized in that the control panel has a proximity detection unit that acquires location information of a mobile phone carried by the maintenance and inspection worker, calculates the distance between the mobile phone and the control panel, detects that the maintenance and inspection worker is close to the control panel if the distance is within a predetermined distance, and detects that the maintenance and inspection worker has moved away from the control panel if the distance is greater than the predetermined distance, and a wireless transmission / stop unit that transmits wireless radio waves toward the maintenance and inspection terminal when the proximity detection unit detects that the maintenance and inspection worker is close to the control panel, and stops transmitting wireless radio waves toward the maintenance and inspection terminal when the proximity detection unit detects that the maintenance and inspection worker has moved away from the control panel.

[0009] The wireless system for a passenger conveyor of the present invention is a wireless system for a passenger conveyor that wirelessly connects a control panel of the passenger conveyor with a maintenance and inspection terminal carried by a maintenance and inspection worker, and is characterized in that the control panel has a proximity detection unit that detects that the maintenance and inspection worker is in proximity to the control panel when it receives a specific sound emitted from the speaker of the mobile phone carried by the maintenance and inspection worker, and a wireless transmission unit that transmits wireless radio waves to the maintenance and inspection terminal when the proximity detection unit detects that the maintenance and inspection worker is in proximity to the control panel.

[0010] The wireless system for a passenger conveyor according to the present invention is a wireless system for a passenger conveyor that wirelessly connects a control panel for the passenger conveyor and a maintenance and inspection terminal carried by a maintenance and inspection worker, wherein the control panel is provided in a machine room, and the machine room is blocked by a manhole cover, and the control panel has a proximity detection unit that detects that a maintenance and inspection worker is in proximity to the control panel when it receives an impact sound when the maintenance and inspection worker strikes the manhole cover of the passenger conveyor, and a wireless transmission unit that transmits wireless radio waves to the maintenance and inspection terminal when the proximity detection unit detects that the maintenance and inspection worker is in proximity to the control panel.

[0011] In the wireless system for a passenger conveyor according to the present invention, it is preferable that the control panel is provided in a machine room, a microphone is provided in the machine room, and the proximity detector acquires the specific sound or the impact sound by the microphone.

[0012] In the wireless system for a passenger conveyor according to the present invention, it is preferable that the control panel further has a wireless stopping unit that stops wireless transmissions to the maintenance and inspection terminal when operation of all equipment is restored after maintenance and inspection work on the passenger conveyor and normal operation continues for a predetermined period of time. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the wireless system for a passenger conveyor of the present invention, it is possible to improve safety and ease of maintenance and inspection work. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an escalator according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a wireless system according to a first embodiment; [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a wireless system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a wireless system according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] An example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below. In the following description, specific shapes, materials, directions, numerical values, etc. are examples for facilitating understanding of the present invention, and can be appropriately changed according to the application, purpose, specifications, etc.

[0016] For example, as shown in Fig. 2, wireless system 10 is a system that wirelessly connects control panel 11 of escalator 50, which serves as a passenger conveyor, to maintenance and inspection terminal 65 carried by a maintenance and inspection worker (hereinafter simply referred to as worker W). Wireless system 10 can improve safety and the ease of maintenance and inspection work, as will be described in detail later.

[0017] [escalator] An escalator 50 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0018] Escalator 50 as a passenger conveyor has truss 51 that supports the weight and load of escalator 50, an upper machine room 52 provided at the upper end of truss 51, an upper boarding / alighting entrance 53 provided above the upper machine room 52, an upper manhole cover 54 provided at the upper boarding / alighting entrance 53 and closing the top of the upper machine room 52, a lower machine room 56 provided at the lower end of truss 51, a lower boarding / alighting entrance 57 provided above the lower machine room 56, and a lower manhole cover 58 provided at the lower boarding / alighting entrance 57 and closing the top of the lower machine room 56.

[0019] A plurality of steps 61 that move cyclically between an upper boarding / alighting entrance 53 and a lower boarding / alighting entrance 57 are supported on the truss 51. A pair of balustrades 62 are provided on both sides in the width direction of the truss 51. A moving handrail 63 that moves in synchronization with the steps 61 is provided on the outer periphery of each balustrade 62.

[0020] Inside upper machine room 52 are provided a drive machine (not shown) that generates the drive force to move each step 61 and moving handrail 63, a power transmission device (not shown) that transmits the drive force of the drive machine to the steps 61 and moving handrail 63, and a control panel 11 that controls the operation of each device of escalator 50, such as the drive machine. Also, inside upper machine room 52 may be provided a microphone 26 that picks up abnormal sounds from each device of escalator 50, such as the drive machine.

[0021] [Wireless system of the first embodiment] The wireless system 10 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0022] In the wireless system 10, the control panel 11 acquires location information from the mobile phone 15 carried by the worker W, and when it detects that the worker W is approaching the control panel 11, it wirelessly connects the control panel 11 to the maintenance and inspection terminal 65. The wireless system 10 can improve safety and the ease of maintenance and inspection work.

[0023] The control panel 11 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) which is an arithmetic processing unit, and memory units such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory), and performs signal processing according to a program pre-stored in the ROM while utilizing the temporary storage function of the RAM.

[0024] The control panel 11 has a proximity detection unit 12, the details of which will be described later, and a wireless start / stop unit 13. The proximity detection unit 12 and the wireless start / stop unit 13 are realized by the CPU executing a program stored in the ROM or RAM.

[0025] The proximity detection unit 12 acquires location information of the mobile phone 15 carried by the worker W, calculates the distance between the mobile phone 15 and the control panel 11, and if the distance is within a predetermined distance, detects that the worker W is close to the control panel 11, and if the distance is greater than the predetermined distance, detects that the worker W is away from the control panel 11.

[0026] The proximity detection unit 12 may acquire the location information of the mobile phone 15 by a global positioning system (GPS) installed in the mobile phone 15 carried by the worker W. Alternatively, the proximity detection unit 12 may acquire the location information of the mobile phone 15 by a beacon installed in the mobile phone 15 carried by the worker W.

[0027] When the proximity detection unit 12 detects that the worker W is approaching the control panel 11, the wireless transmission / stop unit 13 transmits wireless radio waves toward the maintenance and inspection terminal 65, and when the proximity detection unit 12 detects that the worker W is moving away from the control panel 11, the wireless transmission / stop unit 13 stops transmitting wireless radio waves toward the maintenance and inspection terminal 65.

[0028] [Wireless system of the second embodiment] A wireless system 20 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0029] In the wireless system 20, details will be described later, the control panel 21 receives a specific sound transmitted from the mobile phone 25 carried by the worker W, thereby detecting that the worker W is in proximity to the control panel 21 and wirelessly connecting the control panel 21 to the maintenance and inspection terminal 65. The wireless system 10 can improve safety and the ease of maintenance and inspection work.

[0030] The control panel 21 has a CPU, which is an arithmetic processing unit, and storage units such as RAM and ROM, and performs signal processing according to a program stored in advance in the ROM while utilizing the temporary storage function of the RAM.

[0031] The control panel 21 has a proximity detection unit 22, a wireless transmission unit 23, and a wireless stopping unit 24, each of which will be described in detail later. The proximity detection unit 22, the wireless transmission unit 23, and the wireless stopping unit 24 are realized by the CPU executing a program stored in the ROM or RAM.

[0032] When proximity detection unit 22 acquires a specific sound emitted from mobile phone 25 carried by worker W, it detects that worker W is approaching control panel 21. Proximity detection unit 22 may acquire the sound using microphone 26 that picks up abnormal sounds from each piece of equipment of escalator 50, such as the drive machine, provided inside upper machine room 52. Note that worker W needs to keep emitting the specific sound from mobile phone 25 carried by him / her when heading towards escalator 50.

[0033] When proximity detection unit 22 detects that worker W is approaching control panel 21, wireless transmission unit 23 transmits wireless radio waves toward maintenance and inspection terminal 65. When operation of all devices of escalator 50 is restored after the maintenance and inspection work is completed and normal operation has continued for a predetermined time, wireless stopping unit 24 stops transmitting wireless radio waves toward maintenance and inspection terminal 65.

[0034] [Wireless system of the third embodiment] A wireless system 30 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0035] In wireless system 30, details will be described later, when worker W strikes upper manhole cover 54 that closes upper machine room 52 of escalator 50, control panel 31 receives the impact sound, thereby detecting that worker W is in proximity to control panel 31 and wirelessly connecting control panel 31 to maintenance and inspection terminal 65. Wireless system 30 can improve safety and the ease of maintenance and inspection work.

[0036] The control panel 31 has a CPU, which is an arithmetic processing unit, and storage units such as RAM and ROM, and performs signal processing according to a program stored in advance in the ROM while utilizing the temporary storage function of the RAM.

[0037] The control panel 31 has a proximity detection unit 32, a wireless transmission unit 33, and a wireless stopping unit 34, each of which will be described in detail later. The proximity detection unit 32, the wireless transmission unit 33, and the wireless stopping unit 34 are realized by the CPU executing a program stored in the ROM or RAM.

[0038] When proximity detection unit 32 acquires the sound of an impact made when upper manhole cover 54 that closes upper machine room 52 of escalator 50 is struck, it detects that worker W is approaching control panel 31. Proximity detection unit 32 may acquire the sound by microphone 26 that picks up abnormal sounds from each piece of equipment of escalator 50, such as the drive machine, provided inside upper machine room 52.

[0039] When proximity detection unit 32 detects that worker W is approaching control panel 31, wireless transmission unit 33 transmits wireless radio waves to maintenance and inspection terminal 65. When operation of all devices of escalator 50 is restored after the maintenance and inspection work is completed and normal operation has continued for a predetermined time, wireless stopping unit 34 stops transmitting wireless radio waves to maintenance and inspection terminal 65.

[0040] [others] The present disclosure is further described by the following embodiments. Configuration 1: A wireless system for a passenger conveyor that wirelessly connects a control panel of a passenger conveyor and a maintenance and inspection terminal carried by a maintenance and inspection worker, wherein the control panel has a proximity detection unit that acquires location information of a mobile phone carried by the maintenance and inspection worker, calculates the distance between the mobile phone and the control panel, and detects that the maintenance and inspection worker is close to the control panel if the distance is within a predetermined distance, and detects that the maintenance and inspection worker has moved away from the control panel if the distance is greater than the predetermined distance, and a wireless transmission / stop unit that transmits wireless radio waves to the maintenance and inspection terminal when the proximity detection unit detects that the maintenance and inspection worker is close to the control panel, and stops transmitting wireless radio waves to the maintenance and inspection terminal when the proximity detection unit detects that the maintenance and inspection worker has moved away from the control panel. Configuration 2: A wireless system for a passenger conveyor that wirelessly connects a control panel of the passenger conveyor with a maintenance and inspection terminal carried by a maintenance and inspection worker, wherein the control panel has a proximity detection unit that detects that the maintenance and inspection worker is in proximity to the control panel when a specific sound emitted from a speaker of a mobile phone carried by the maintenance and inspection worker is received, and a wireless transmission unit that transmits wireless radio waves to the maintenance and inspection terminal when the proximity detection unit detects that the maintenance and inspection worker is in proximity to the control panel. Configuration 3: A wireless system for a passenger conveyor that wirelessly connects a control panel of the passenger conveyor and a maintenance and inspection terminal carried by a maintenance and inspection worker, wherein the control panel is provided in a machine room, and the machine room is closed by a manhole cover, and the control panel has: a proximity detection unit that detects that the maintenance and inspection worker is in proximity to the control panel when it receives an impact sound when the maintenance and inspection worker hits the manhole cover, and a wireless transmission unit that emits wireless radio waves to the maintenance and inspection terminal when the proximity detection unit detects that the maintenance and inspection worker is in proximity to the control panel. Configuration 4: The wireless system for a passenger conveyor according to Configuration 2 or 3, wherein the control panel is provided in a machine room, a microphone is provided in the machine room, and the proximity detection unit acquires the specific sound or the impact sound using the microphone. Configuration 5: A wireless system for a passenger conveyor described in any one of configurations 2 to 4, wherein the control panel further has a wireless stopping unit that stops the transmission of the wireless signals to the maintenance and inspection terminal when operation of all equipment is restored after maintenance and inspection work on the passenger conveyor and normal operation continues for a predetermined time.

[0041] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and its modifications, and various changes and modifications are possible within the scope of the claims of this application. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 10 wireless system, 11 control panel, 12 proximity detection unit, 13 wireless start / stop unit, 15 mobile phone, 20 wireless system, 21 control panel, 22 proximity detection unit, 23 wireless transmission unit, 24 wireless stop unit, 25 mobile phone, 26 microphone, 30 wireless system, 31 control panel, 32 proximity detection unit, 33 wireless transmission unit, 34 wireless stop unit, 50 escalator (passenger conveyor), 51 truss, 52 upper machine room, 53 upper entrance / exit, 54 upper manhole cover, 56 lower machine room, 57 lower entrance / exit, 58 lower manhole cover, 61 step, 62 balustrade, 63 moving handrail, 65 maintenance and inspection terminal, W worker (maintenance and inspection worker)

Claims

1. A wireless system for a passenger conveyor that wirelessly connects a control panel of the passenger conveyor to a maintenance and inspection terminal carried by a maintenance and inspection worker, The control panel has a proximity detection unit that acquires location information of a mobile phone carried by the maintenance and inspection worker, calculates the distance between the mobile phone and the control panel, detects that the maintenance and inspection worker is close to the control panel if the distance is within a predetermined distance, and detects that the maintenance and inspection worker is away from the control panel if the distance is greater than the predetermined distance, and a wireless transmission / stop unit that transmits wireless radio waves toward the maintenance and inspection terminal when the proximity detection unit detects that the maintenance and inspection worker is close to the control panel, and stops transmitting wireless radio waves toward the maintenance and inspection terminal when the proximity detection unit detects that the maintenance and inspection worker is away from the control panel. Passenger conveyor wireless system.

2. A wireless system for a passenger conveyor that wirelessly connects a control panel of the passenger conveyor to a maintenance and inspection terminal carried by a maintenance and inspection worker, The control panel has a proximity detection unit that detects that the maintenance and inspection worker is in proximity to the control panel when a specific sound transmitted from a speaker of a mobile phone carried by the maintenance and inspection worker is received, and a wireless transmission unit that transmits a wireless radio wave to the maintenance and inspection terminal when the proximity detection unit detects that the maintenance and inspection worker is in proximity to the control panel. Passenger conveyor wireless system.

3. A wireless system for a passenger conveyor that wirelessly connects a control panel of the passenger conveyor to a maintenance and inspection terminal carried by a maintenance and inspection worker, The control panel is provided in a machine room, The machine room is closed with a manhole cover, The control panel has a proximity detection unit that detects that the maintenance and inspection worker is in proximity to the control panel when receiving an impact sound when the maintenance and inspection worker hits the manhole cover, and a wireless transmission unit that transmits a wireless radio wave to the maintenance and inspection terminal when the proximity detection unit detects that the maintenance and inspection worker is in proximity to the control panel. Passenger conveyor wireless system.

4. 4. The wireless system for a passenger conveyor according to claim 2 or 3, The control panel is provided in a machine room, A microphone is provided in the machine room, the proximity detection unit acquires the specific sound or the impact sound by the microphone; Passenger conveyor wireless system.

5. 4. The wireless system for a passenger conveyor according to claim 2 or 3, The control panel further includes a wireless stopping unit that stops transmission of the wireless radio waves to the maintenance and inspection terminal when operation of all devices is restored after maintenance and inspection work on the passenger conveyor and normal operation continues for a predetermined time. Passenger conveyor wireless system.

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