Passenger Conveyor Control System

Abstract

To more accurately monitor the moving speed of steps of a passenger conveyor. [Solution] The passenger conveyor control system includes a first step detection device 4 installed above the passenger conveyor to detect steps 3, a second step detection device 5 installed below the passenger conveyor so that its detection period for steps 3 is shifted by a reference period relative to that of the first step detection device, a speed calculation unit 9b that calculates the speed of the steps 3 from a combination of signals detected by the first step detection device 4 and the second step detection device 5 and information about the reference period, and a correction unit 9c that acquires multiple pieces of information about the time difference between the signals detected by the first step detection device 4 and the signals detected by the second step detection device 5 and calculates a correction coefficient from the average of the acquired pieces of information about the time difference. The speed calculation unit 9b corrects the calculated speed of the steps 3 based on the correction coefficient calculated by the correction unit 9c.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to passenger conveyor control systems. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for monitoring the moving speed of steps using a device for detecting missing steps on a passenger conveyor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2012-524009 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In conventional technology such as that described in Patent Document 1, adjustment errors or individual differences in the device that detects chain elongation or missing steps are not taken into consideration, and the moving speed of the steps cannot be monitored correctly.

[0005] The present disclosure is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems. An object of the present disclosure is to realize more accurate monitoring of the moving speed of steps of a passenger conveyor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A passenger conveyor control system according to the present disclosure includes a first step detection device provided above the passenger conveyor for detecting steps, a second step detection device provided below the passenger conveyor such that its step detection period is shifted by a reference period relative to that of the first step detection device, a speed calculation unit that calculates the speed of the steps from a combination of signals detected by the first step detection device and the second step detection device and information about the reference period, and a correction unit that acquires multiple pieces of information about the time difference between the signals detected by the first step detection device and the signals detected by the second step detection device and calculates a correction coefficient from the average of the acquired pieces of information about the time difference. The speed calculation unit corrects the calculated step speed based on the correction coefficient calculated by the correction unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the passenger conveyor control system of the present disclosure, the moving speed of the steps of the passenger conveyor can be monitored more accurately. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a passenger conveyor control system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 5A and 5B are diagrams showing examples of detection results of a first step detection device and a second step detection device in the first embodiment. [Figure 3] 5A and 5B are diagrams showing examples of detection results of a first step detection device and a second step detection device in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart for explaining an outline of the operation of the passenger conveyor control system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 1 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of the configuration of a main part of a passenger conveyor control system according to a first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals. In this disclosure, duplicated descriptions will be appropriately simplified or omitted. Note that this disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments and their modifications. Any components described in the following embodiments and their modifications can be freely combined, modified, or omitted within the scope of the spirit of this disclosure.

[0010] Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a passenger conveyor control system according to a first embodiment. The passenger conveyor control system according to this embodiment is a system having a function of detecting missing steps 3 of the passenger conveyor and a function of detecting abnormalities by monitoring the moving speed of the steps 3. A passenger conveyor that is the target of the passenger conveyor control system according to this embodiment is, for example, an escalator. FIG. 1 shows a general configuration of an escalator as an example of a passenger conveyor. Note that the passenger conveyor that is the target of the passenger conveyor control system according to the present disclosure is not limited to an escalator with a general configuration as shown in FIG. 1, and may be any type, such as a travelator or a moving walkway.

[0011] For example, a passenger conveyor is installed so as to span two adjacent floors. A lower entrance / exit 1 of the passenger conveyor is provided on the lower of the adjacent floors. An upper entrance / exit 2 of the passenger conveyor is provided on the upper of the adjacent floors.

[0012] The passenger conveyor is composed of a plurality of steps 3. The steps 3 are provided between a lower boarding / alighting entrance 1 and an upper boarding / alighting entrance 2. The steps 3 are connected in an endless manner.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the passenger conveyor control system according to this embodiment includes a first step detector 4 and a second step detector 5. The first step detector 4 and the second step detector 5 are each sensor devices that detect steps 3. The first step detector 4 is provided on the upper part of the passenger conveyor. The second step detector 5 is provided on the lower part of the passenger conveyor. The first step detector 4 is provided to detect whether or not a step 3 on the upper side of the passenger conveyor is missing. The second step detector 5 is provided to detect whether or not a step 3 on the lower side of the passenger conveyor is missing.

[0014] The first step detector 4 is provided, for example, near the reversing portion of the step 3 on the upper side of the passenger conveyor. The first step detector 4 is provided, for example, directly above the step 3 on the return side on the upper side of the passenger conveyor. The second step detector 5 is provided, for example, near the reversing portion of the step 3 on the lower side of the passenger conveyor. The second step detector 5 is provided, for example, directly above the step 3 on the return side on the lower side of the passenger conveyor.

[0015] The second step detector 5 is installed so that the detection period of the steps 3 is shifted by a reference period relative to the first step detector 4. For example, the first step detector 4 and the second step detector 5 are installed so that the detection periods of the steps 3 are shifted by exactly half a period.

[0016] The multiple steps 3 are connected by a chain. The steps 3 are driven by the drive of this chain. The chain connecting the steps 3 is driven by the rotation of a drive sprocket 8. The drive sprocket 8 is connected to the output shaft of a reducer 7 by a drive chain. The input shaft of the reducer 7 is connected to the drive shaft of a motor 6 by a belt. By driving the motor 6 at a specified speed by a control device 9, the drive sprocket 8 is driven to rotate, and the steps 3 are driven in a circular motion.

[0017] The passenger conveyor control system according to this embodiment includes the above-described control device 9. As shown in Fig. 1, the control device 9 includes a control unit 9a, a speed calculation unit 9b, a correction unit 9c, and an abnormality determination unit 9d.

[0018] The control unit 9a drives the motor 6 to circulate the steps 3. The speed calculation unit 9b calculates the movement speed of the steps 3 from the time interval during which each signal changes, based on a combination of the first signal acquired from the first step detection device 4 and the second signal acquired from the second step detection device 5. In addition, when calculating the movement speed of the steps 3, the speed calculation unit 9b takes into account a correction coefficient K.

[0019] The correction unit 9c acquires the speed calculated by the speed calculation unit 9b for each section of signal change. The correction unit 9c recognizes an average value of the speeds calculated by the speed calculation unit 9b multiple times, for example, several tens of times, as the correct value for the constant speed of the passenger conveyor in the current state, and updates the correction coefficient K based on this value. The correction process by the correction unit 9c is performed when the passenger conveyor is installed or during maintenance. Alternatively, the correction process by the correction unit 9c is performed periodically during normal operation of the passenger conveyor.

[0020] The abnormality determination unit 9d determines that an abnormality has occurred when the speed calculated by the speed calculation unit 9b deviates from a reference value. For example, the abnormality determination unit 9d determines that an abnormality has occurred when the speed calculated by the speed calculation unit 9b exceeds a reference value. Alternatively, the abnormality determination unit 9d may determine that an abnormality has occurred when the speed calculated by the speed calculation unit 9b is significantly lower than the reference value. For example, when the abnormality determination unit 9d determines that an abnormality has occurred, the control unit 9a controls the motor 6 to stop the passenger conveyor.

[0021] 2 and 3 are diagrams showing examples of the detection results of the first step detection device 4 and the second step detection device 5 in embodiment 1. With reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, examples of a method for calculating the movement speed of the steps 3 and a method for determining whether the step speed is abnormal will be described below.

[0022] Figure 2 shows the signal waveforms detected by the first step detector 4 and the second step detector 5 in an ideal state in which each step detector is installed in an ideal position where the detection period of the first step detector 4 and the detection period of the second step detector 5 are shifted by exactly half a period. Each step detector detects steps 3 at regular intervals, so the signal waveform is a waveform in which a regular cycle is repeated. In Figure 2, the signal waveform detected by the first step detector 4 and the signal waveform detected by the second step detector 5 are shifted by half a period.

[0023] The speed calculation unit 9b combines the detection results of each step detection device and obtains ideal times X1, X2, X3, and X4, which are information on the time differences between each signal. Then, it calculates ideal speeds V1, V2, V3, and V4 from ideal distances Y1, Y2, Y3, and Y4 in each section of these ideal times X1, X2, X3, and X4. For example, the ideal speed V1 can be calculated by dividing the ideal distance Y1 by the ideal time X1.

[0024] The sum of the ideal distances Y1, Y2, Y3, and Y4 is equal to the length of one step 3. In the example of FIG. 2, the sum of the ideal distances Y1 and Y2 is also equal to the sum of Y3 and Y4. The sum of the ideal distances Y1 and Y2 is half the length of the step 3. The ideal distances Y1 and Y2 are design parameters determined by the specifications of the first step detection device 4 and the step 3. The ideal distances Y3 and Y4 are design values ​​determined by the specifications of the second step detection device 5 and the step 3. The ideal distances Y1, Y2, Y3, and Y4 are values ​​determined by the reference period, which is the difference between the detection period of the second step detection device 5 and the first step detection device 4. In this embodiment, the speed calculation unit 9b calculates the speed of the step 3 from the combination of the signal detected by the first step detection device 4 and the signal detected by the second step detection device 5 and information about the reference period.

[0025] The correction unit 9c performs correction processing based on the ideal waveform shown in Figure 2. Figure 3 shows a case where the signal waveforms detected by the first step detector 4 and the second step detector 5 deviate from the ideal reference waveform shown in Figure 2 due to individual sensor differences, adjustment status, chain elongation, etc. The speed calculation unit 9b combines the detection results of each step detector to obtain real times X1', X2', X3', and X4', which are time difference information. The correction unit 9c then obtains multiple sample data of these real times X1', X2', X3', and X4' and calculates their average values ​​X1'ave, X2'ave, X'3ave, and X4'ave. The correction unit 9c calculates correction coefficients K1, K2, K3, and K4 from the calculated average values ​​X1'ave, X2'ave, X'3ave, and X4'ave and the ideal times X1, X2, X3, and X4. For example, the correction coefficient K1 can be calculated by dividing the ideal time X1 by the average value X1'ave.

[0026] The speed calculation unit 9b calculates the actual distances Y1', Y2', Y3', and Y4' by multiplying the calculated correction coefficients K1, K2, K3, and K4 by the ideal distances Y1, Y2, Y3, and Y4. For example, the actual distance Y1' can be calculated as the product of the correction coefficient K1 and the ideal distance Y1.

[0027] Furthermore, the speed calculation unit 9b can calculate actual speeds V1', V2', V3', and V4 from the calculated actual distances Y1', Y2', Y3', and Y4' and actual times X1', X2', X3', and X4'. For example, the actual speed V1' can be calculated by dividing the actual distance Y1' by the actual time X1'.

[0028] As described above, the speed calculation unit 9b corrects the calculation result using the correction coefficient K calculated by the correction unit 9c, and calculates the actual speeds V1', V2', V3', and V4. For example, if the calculated actual speeds V1', V2', V3', and V4 exceed the reference values, an overspeed is detected, and the abnormality determination unit 9d may determine that an abnormality has occurred. The passenger conveyor may then be stopped. Alternatively, if the calculated actual speeds V1', V2', V3', and V4 fall below the reference values, a stall is detected, and the abnormality determination unit 9d may determine that an abnormality has occurred. In this case, the passenger conveyor may also be stopped.

[0029] As described above, the correction process by the correction unit 9c, i.e., the calculation process of the correction coefficient K, is performed when the passenger conveyor is installed or adjusted during maintenance. Alternatively, the calculation process of the correction coefficient K is performed periodically during normal operation of the passenger conveyor while the passenger conveyor is operating at a constant speed under normal conditions.

[0030] 4 is a flowchart for explaining an outline of the operation of the passenger conveyor control system according to Embodiment 1. With reference to FIG. 4, an outline of the operation of the passenger conveyor control system according to this embodiment will be described.

[0031] First, the passenger conveyor control system, for example, determines by the control device 9 whether or not the passenger conveyor has been installed and maintained (step S1). If the passenger conveyor has not been installed and maintained, for example, the control device 9 determines whether or not a specified number of days have passed since the last time the correction coefficient K was updated (step S2). If the specified number of days has not passed, the process ends.

[0032] If it is determined in step S1 that the installation work and maintenance work have been adjusted, or if it is determined in step S2 that the specified number of days has passed, for example, the control device 9 determines whether the passenger conveyor is operating at a constant speed (step S3). If the passenger conveyor is not operating at a constant speed, the process ends. If the passenger conveyor is operating at a constant speed, the control device 9 causes the correction unit 9c to perform an update process of the correction coefficient K (step S4).

[0033] As described above, the passenger conveyor control system according to this embodiment includes a first step detector 4 and a second step detector 5. By combining two step detectors for detecting missing steps 3, the moving speed of the steps 3 can be monitored without the need for a separate governor sensor or the like for monitoring the moving speed of the steps 3. Furthermore, by combining two step detectors, the moving speed of the steps 3 can be monitored with high resolution.

[0034] The passenger conveyor control system according to this embodiment also includes a correction unit 9c that acquires multiple pieces of time difference information between the signal detected by the first step detection device 4 and the signal detected by the second step detection device 5 and calculates a correction coefficient K from the average of the acquired multiple pieces of time difference information. The passenger conveyor control system according to this embodiment also includes a speed calculation unit 9b that calculates the speed of the step 3 from a combination of the signal detected by the first step detection device 4 and the signal detected by the second step detection device 5 and information on the reference period, and corrects the calculated speed of the step 3 based on the correction coefficient K. The passenger conveyor control system configured as described above can correct the monitored speed taking into account chain elongation, adjustment errors in the step detection device, individual differences, etc. For example, even if the reference period is shifted due to chain elongation, correction can be made taking this shift into account. The passenger conveyor control system according to this embodiment enables more accurate monitoring of the moving speed of the steps 3 of the passenger conveyor.

[0035] FIG. 5 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example configuration of the main parts of the passenger conveyor control system according to the first embodiment. Each function of the control device 9, which is the main part of the passenger conveyor control system, can be realized by a processing circuit. The processing circuit includes at least one processor 110a and at least one memory 110b. The processing circuit may include at least one dedicated hardware 200 together with the processor 110a and the memory 110b, or as a substitute for them. The processing circuit is mounted on, for example, a device or apparatus that constitutes the authentication system.

[0036] When the processing circuit includes a processor 110a and a memory 110b, the functions of the control device 9 are implemented by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. At least one of the software and firmware is written as a program. The program is stored in the memory 110b. The processor 110a implements the functions of the authentication system by reading and executing the program stored in the memory 110b. The program implementing the functions of the authentication system may be a software package or the like including multiple pieces of software that are respectively applied to multiple computers or the like.

[0037] The processor 110a is also referred to as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), processing device, arithmetic device, microprocessor, microcomputer, or DSP. The memory 110b is configured by, for example, a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as RAM, ROM, flash memory, EPROM, or EEPROM.

[0038] Where the processing circuitry comprises dedicated hardware 200, the processing circuitry may be implemented, for example, as a single circuit, multiple circuits, a programmed processor, parallel programmed processors, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination thereof.

[0039] Each function of the passenger conveyor control system can be realized by a processing circuit. Alternatively, each function of the passenger conveyor control system can be realized collectively by a processing circuit. Some of the functions of the passenger conveyor control system may be realized by dedicated hardware 200, and other parts may be realized by software or firmware. In this way, the processing circuit realizes each function of the passenger conveyor control system by dedicated hardware 200, software, firmware, or a combination of these.

[0040] Furthermore, at least a part of the functions of the control device 9 may be provided on a network, and may be implemented in, for example, a cloud server or the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 1 Lower boarding / alighting entrance, 2 Upper boarding / alighting entrance, 3 Step, 4 First step detection device, 5 Second step detection device, 6 Motor, 7 Reducer, 8 Drive sprocket, 9 Control device, 9a Control unit, 9b Speed ​​calculation unit, 9c Correction unit, 9d Abnormality determination unit, 110a Processor, 110b Memory, 200 Dedicated hardware

Claims

1. a first step detection device provided on an upper portion of the passenger conveyor and configured to detect steps; a second step detection device provided below the passenger conveyor and installed such that a step detection period is shifted by a reference period from that of the first step detection device; a speed calculation unit that calculates the speed of the step from a combination of the signal detected by the first step detection device and the signal detected by the second step detection device and information about the reference period; a correction unit that acquires a plurality of pieces of information on the time difference between the signal detected by the first step detection device and the signal detected by the second step detection device, and calculates a correction coefficient from an average of the acquired pieces of information on the time difference; Equipped with The speed calculation unit corrects the calculated speed of the steps based on the correction coefficient calculated by the correction unit.

2. an abnormality determination unit that determines that an abnormality has occurred when the speed calculated by the speed calculation unit deviates from a reference speed; 2. The passenger conveyor control system according to claim 1, wherein the passenger conveyor is stopped when the abnormality determination unit determines that an abnormality has occurred.

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