passenger conveyor

Abstract

To provide a novel passenger conveyor capable of identifying users walking on a footboard of a passenger conveyor (such as an escalator and a moving sidewalk), and further making the identified users actively conscious for safety ensuring, in other words, raising awareness.SOLUTION: A passenger conveyor detects that a user walks on a passenger conveyor by vibration detection means through a footboard vibration, identifies the user walking on a footboard by user identification means based on the detected vibration information, and makes the identified user conscious for safety ensuring by safety ensuring conscious means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to passenger conveyors such as escalators and moving walkways, and more particularly to passenger conveyors that can prevent passengers from walking on the treads. [Background technology]

[0002] Escalators, which are a type of passenger conveyor, are basically designed so that users stand on the steps while moving. However, in reality, many users actually walk on the steps. This creates the problem of users coming into contact with users in front of them as they walk, or stumbling or falling while walking (running up or down). In particular, contact with other users increases the risk of both losing balance and leading to an accident. This same phenomenon occurs with moving walkways, but the following explanation focuses on escalators as a representative example.

[0003] In response to such issues, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-272030 (Patent Document 1) discloses the following voice guidance device for escalators. Patent Document 1 discloses a voice guidance device that includes a step that moves between the boarding entrance and the disembarking entrance, a moving handrail whose upper end moves in the same direction and at the same speed as the step, and a directional speaker pointed at passengers moving on the step. This voice guidance device then uses the directional speaker to broadcast messages to passengers walking on the escalator step, urging them to take precautions to ensure safety while using the escalator.

[0004] For example, announcements such as "Please hold on to the handrail while moving," "Please stand inside the yellow lines on the steps," and "Please do not walk on the steps" are made through directional speakers to users walking on the steps, alerting them to the need to be careful to ensure safety while using the escalator. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-272030 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, Patent Document 1 has the problem that it simply uses a directional speaker to broadcast announcements, and is not a sufficient measure to raise safety awareness among users walking on the escalator steps.

[0007] For this reason, there is a demand for passenger conveyors that can proactively identify users walking on the escalator steps and proactively raise safety awareness (calling for safety and issuing warnings) to identified users. Below, we will collectively explain safety calls and warnings as warning information, except in special cases.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a new passenger conveyor that can identify users walking on the treads of a passenger conveyor (such as an escalator or moving walkway) and proactively raise safety awareness among the identified users, in other words, alert them to the need for safety. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In the present invention, a device for moving the steps comprises a plurality of endless step boards, a pair of upright balustrades provided on both the left and right sides of the step boards, a drive unit for moving the step boards, a plurality of vibration detection means arranged along the step boards for detecting a user's walking from the vibration of the step boards, and a user position identification means for identifying the position of a user walking on the step boards based on the detected vibration detection signal. an alert information generating means for determining the walking speed or walking behavior of the identified user from the detection signal from the vibration detecting means and generating alert information for ensuring safety corresponding to the walking speed or walking behavior; For identified users , noteand an attention generating means for providing attention information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, a new function and effect can be achieved in that users walking on the treads of a passenger conveyor can be identified and these identified users can be actively warned to ensure safety. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of a passenger conveyor to which the present invention is applied. [Figure 2] 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which a user is walking on the passenger conveyor shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a first example of arrangement of a vibration detection sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a signal waveform of a vibration detection sensor for detecting a user's walking. FIG. [Figure 5] 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the concept of detecting the walking of a user based on detection signals from a plurality of vibration detection sensors shown in FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a second example of arrangement of the vibration detection sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a third example of arrangement of the vibration detection sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a first example of power supply to a vibration detection sensor. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a second example of power supply to the vibration detection sensor. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a first attention-calling method for calling the attention of a walking user. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a second attention-calling method for calling the attention of a walking user. [Figure 12]FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a third attention-calling method for calling the attention of a walking user. [Figure 13] 1 is a configuration diagram showing a basic configuration of a control device according to the present invention; [Figure 14] 14 is a block diagram illustrating functional blocks in the control device shown in FIG. 13. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment, and various modifications and application examples within the technical concept of the present invention are also included within its scope.

[0013] FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an escalator as a passenger conveyor to which the present invention is applied, but as mentioned above, moving walkways also have a similar configuration.

[0014] In Figure 1, escalator 1 has a frame 4 spanning floor 2F of upper floor 2 and floor 3F of lower floor 3, front wheel guide rails 5 and rear wheel guide rails 6 laid within this frame 4, a plurality of treads 7 along which front wheels 7A and rear wheels 7B are guided and move in a circular motion by the front wheel guide rails 5 and rear wheel guide rails 6, a drive unit 8 that drives these treads 7, a control unit 9 that controls the drive (operation) of this drive unit 8 and activates a speaker SP to call attention, balustrades 10 erected on both sides of the treads 7 in the direction of travel of the frame 3, and moving handrails 11 that are guided along the periphery of this balustrade 10 and are driven in a circular motion in sync with the treads 7.

[0015] The front wheel guide rail 5 and the rear wheel guide rail 6 are shaped to fit the shape of the frame body 3, and the treads 7 are guided along these rails to move in a circular motion. The treads 7 are connected endlessly by a tread chain, and this tread chain is wound around a drive sprocket 12 and a driven sprocket 13 journaled on the frame body 3.

[0016] The drive sprocket 12 is driven by a drive unit 8 controlled by a control unit 9. The drive unit 8, control unit 9, drive sprocket 12, and driven sprocket 13 are covered by an upper boarding and alighting floor 14 and a lower boarding and alighting floor 15, which are used for getting on and off the tread 7.

[0017] Furthermore, the tread 7 supports a front wheel 7A on the upper side and a rear wheel 7B on the lower side at an inclination angle that follows the inclination angles of the front wheel guide rail 5 and the rear wheel guide rail 6. The front wheel 7A has its support shaft connected to a tread chain 17, so that it is forced to run along the front wheel guide rail 5. On the other hand, the rear wheel 7B is a wheel that follows the front wheel 7A and runs along the rear wheel guide rail 6 by its own weight.

[0018] In addition, an exterior panel 16 is provided at the bottom of the frame body 3 to enhance the design effect, and when an escalator is installed on the lower floor side, lighting fixtures for the escalator on the lower floor side are attached to this exterior panel 16 as necessary.

[0019] Next, a case where a user is walking on the tread 7 of the above-mentioned escalator will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Note that the escalator 1 is drawn small due to the size of the drawing.

[0020] In Figure 2, user P2 is walking and trying to overtake user P1, who is stationary. In this situation, if user P2 comes into contact with user P1, there is a high risk that both users will lose their balance and fall, leading to an accident.

[0021] For this reason, one of the features of this embodiment is that in order to identify the walking user P2, the vibration of the tread board 7 caused by the user's walking is detected. There are various methods for detecting the vibration of the tread board 7, but in this embodiment, a vibration detection sensor (vibration detection means) such as a piezoelectric element type vibration sensor, an electromagnetic vibration sensor, or a capacitance type vibration sensor can be used. Of course, other vibration sensors can also be used, and the point is that any type or format is acceptable as long as it can detect that a user is walking.

[0022] Next, the arrangement position of the vibration detection means will be explained. In this embodiment, the following three arrangement positions are proposed.

[0023] 3, vibration detection sensors 17a to 17n are arranged and fixed to the guide rail GR that constitutes the front wheel guide rail 5 and rear wheel guide rail 6 on the side opposite to the side on which the front wheels 7A and rear wheels 7B roll (the lower side in the direction of gravity). Therefore, vibrations of the tread 7 caused by the walking of user P2 are transmitted to the guide rail GR via the front wheels 7A and rear wheels 7B, and further transmitted from the guide rail GR to the vibration detection sensor 17. This makes it possible to detect that user P2 is walking.

[0024] It should be noted that vibration detection sensors are not placed at positions corresponding to the first step 7 to be extended, or up to the position corresponding to the next step forward. This is because, taking into consideration the pitch dimensions of the steps 7, the operating speed of the escalator, and the speed of pedestrians, there is no problem in detecting vibrations caused by walking.

[0025] Next, a vibration detection method of the vibration detection sensors 17a to 17n will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 shows the output waveform of one vibration detection sensor 17, illustrating the transition of the vibration detection signal when the user P2 is walking.

[0026] Before the user P2 steps onto the step board 7, there is no vibration caused by the user P2's walking, and therefore background level vibration is generated in the vibration detection sensor 17. At this time, the value of the output signal of the vibration detection sensor 17 is smaller than the threshold value.

[0027] On the other hand, when an impact acts on the step board 7 due to the user P2 walking, a corresponding vibration occurs in the step board 7, and the value of the output signal of the vibration detection sensor 17 at this time becomes greater than the threshold value.

[0028] Furthermore, when the impact from the tread 7 is removed by the user P2 walking, vibrations caused by the user P2 walking are no longer generated, and background level vibrations are generated in the vibration detection sensor 17. At this time, the value of the output signal from the vibration detection sensor 17 is smaller than the threshold value.

[0029] Therefore, by using a signal comparator to compare the vibration detection signal with a threshold value as a reference, it is possible to determine whether the user P2 is walking or standing still. For example, if the vibration detection signal is detected as a voltage, a well-known voltage comparator can be used.

[0030] In addition, the vibration detection sensors 17 are arranged at intervals between the steps 7 (step arrangement pitch) along the direction of travel of the steps 7, and are configured to be able to detect the direction and position of movement of the user P2 as he walks.

[0031] That is, it is possible to determine in which direction the user is moving (upward or downward) by tracking the temporal changes in the output signals of each vibration detection sensor 7. Furthermore, since the locations of the vibration detection sensors 7 are known, it is possible to determine the location to which user P2 is moving by determining the position at which the vibration detection sensor 17 detects vibration, thereby enabling tracking of the user.

[0032] Figure 5 shows the transition of the detection signals of the vibration detection sensors 17a to 17n generated by the movement of user P2. Figure 5 shows a case where user P2 is walking in the direction of an upper floor while the step 7 is moving in the direction of an upper floor. For the sake of convenience, it is assumed that the step 7 is stationary, but in reality, the step 7 is moving.

[0033] When user P2 starts walking to use the escalator and climbs up the steps 7, a detection signal is generated first from the lower vibration detection sensor 17a, and when he climbs up the next step 7, a detection signal is generated from vibration detection sensor 17b, and then detection signals are generated from vibration detection sensors 17c, 17d, 17e...17n in sequence.

[0034] Therefore, based on the order in which the detection signals of these vibration detection sensors 17a to 17n are generated and the locations of the vibration detection sensors 17a to 17n, it is possible to estimate whether or not the user P2 is walking, the direction in which the user P2 is walking, and the location of the user P2. In other words, if the detection signals of the vibration detection sensors 17a to 17n are detected consecutively, it is possible to determine that the user P2 is walking. Furthermore, the direction in which the user P2 is walking can be determined from the detection order of the detection signals of the vibration detection sensors 17a to 17n. Furthermore, it is possible to estimate the current location of the user P2 by determining which of the vibration detection sensors 17a to 17n the detection signal is from.

[0035] Furthermore, the walking speed of the user P2 can be estimated from the time intervals between occurrences of the detection signals of the vibration detection sensors 17a to 17n, and the behavior of the user P2, such as skipping steps, can be estimated from the absence of detection signals. These estimations can also be used to issue stronger warnings than warnings issued for normal walking behavior. These warnings will be described later.

[0036] In the embodiment described above, the vibration detection sensors 17a to 17n are attached to the guide rail GR, but it is also possible to attach the vibration detection sensors 17a to 17n to the escalator frame 3 separately from the guide rail GR. An example is shown in Figure 6. Incidentally, providing the vibration detection sensors 17a to 17n on the guide rail GR or the component 18 simplifies the installation configuration and the configuration for supplying power via power lines.

[0037] 6, a component 18 of the frame 3 is positioned on the guide rail GR, and the guide rail GR is supported by this component 18. Vibration detection sensors 17a to 17n similar to those described above are attached to the opposite side of the component 18 from the guide rail GR (the lower side in the direction of gravity).

[0038] Therefore, vibrations of the tread 7 caused by the walking of the user P2 are transmitted to the guide rail GR via the front wheel 7A and rear wheel 7B, and are further transmitted from the guide rail GR to the vibration detection sensor 17 via the component 18. This makes it possible to detect that the user P2 is walking.

[0039] With this configuration, similar to the configuration shown in Figure 3, by tracking the changes over time in the output of each vibration detection sensor 17a to 17n, it is possible to estimate that user P2 is walking and to determine in which direction user P2 is moving (upward or downward).Furthermore, since the locations of vibration detection sensors 17a to 17n are known, by determining the locations where vibration detection sensors 17a to 17n detect vibrations, it is possible to determine to which position user P2 is moving, making it possible to track the user.

[0040] In the two examples described above, the vibration detection sensors 17a to 17n are attached to the guide rail GR or the component 18 of the frame body 3, but it is also possible to attach the vibration detection sensors 17a to 17n directly to the treads 7. An example of this is shown in Figure 7.

[0041] In Figure 7, vibration detection sensors 17a-17n similar to those described above are attached to the back surface of the step board 7 (the surface opposite to the surface on which the user stands). Therefore, vibrations of the step board 7 caused by the walking of user P2 are transmitted directly to vibration detection sensor 17. This makes it possible to detect that user P2 is walking. In this way, providing vibration detection sensors 17a-17n directly on the step board 7 makes it possible to increase the vibration detection sensitivity.

[0042] Furthermore, with this configuration, similar to the configuration shown in Figure 3, by tracking the changes over time in the output of each vibration detection sensor 17a to 17n, it is possible to estimate that user P2 is walking and to determine in which direction user P2 is moving (upward or downward).Furthermore, since the locations of vibration detection sensors 17a to 17n are known, by determining the locations where vibration detection sensors 17a to 17n detect vibrations, it is possible to determine to which position user P2 is moving, making it possible to track the user.

[0043] In the above-described embodiment, vibration detection sensors 17a to 17n are provided corresponding to each tread 7, but more or fewer vibration detection sensors may be provided; the point is that it is sufficient to provide a number of vibration detection sensors that can detect the walking of user P2.

[0044] Next, a method for supplying power to the vibration detection sensors 17a to 17n and a method for transmitting detection signals will be described.

[0045] FIG. 8 shows the power supply method and signal transmission method of the embodiment in FIG. 3, but the same method can be adopted for the embodiment in FIG.

[0046] 8, each of the vibration detection sensors 17a to 17n is connected to a power supply line (wired) 19, and this power supply line 19 is supplied with power from the control device 9. This has the effect of simplifying the configuration of the vibration detection sensors 17a to 17n, as they are fixedly attached to the guide rail GR and therefore power can be supplied only through the power line. The control device 9 is equipped with a voltage regulator, which adjusts the voltage to an appropriate level for the vibration detection sensors 17a to 17n.

[0047] Furthermore, a signal transmission line 20 is provided in parallel with the sensors 17a to 17n, and the detection signal is sent to the control device 9, where the internal arithmetic processing unit executes the above-mentioned control. It is desirable to use a shielded wire for the signal transmission line 20 in order to prevent external noise from entering. Furthermore, the vibration detection sensors 17a to 17n may be provided with a transmitting means (not shown) such as an RF module, so that the detection signal can be sent to the control device 9 wirelessly.

[0048] Fig. 9 shows the power supply method and signal transmission method of the embodiment in Fig. 7. In Fig. 9, each of the lead wires 21 of the vibration detection sensors 17a to 17n provided on the back surface of the tread 7 is connected to a power supply line (wired) 19 via a pantograph (current collector) 21A, and this power supply line 19 is supplied with power from the control device 9.

[0049] This is because the vibration detection sensors 17a to 17n move together with the footboard 7, and power cannot be supplied only through the power line without going through the pantograph 21A. Naturally, the pantograph 21A also moves together with the footboard 7. Furthermore, the vibration detection sensors 17a to 17n are provided with transmitting means (not shown) such as an RF module, and are configured to transmit detection signals to the control device 9 wirelessly.

[0050] 8 and 9, a power supply line 19 is used to supply power to the vibration detection sensors 17a to 17n, but power may also be supplied by a battery built into the vibration detection sensors 17a to 17n. In this case, the battery may be replaced or charged periodically.

[0051] Next, a method of calling attention (calling for safety) to the walking user P2 will be described.

[0052] Figure 10 shows a method for issuing an audio warning, characterized by the provision of multiple speakers 23a-23k...23n on the wall surface of the parapet 10 along the direction of movement of the tread 7. These speakers 23a-23n are preferably thin speakers, and for example, recently proposed piezoelectric film speakers can also be used.

[0053] These speakers 23a to 23n operate in response to the walking of the user P2 detected by the vibration detection sensors 17a to 17n, and at least one of the speakers 23a to 23n is selectively operated in accordance with the movement of the user P2 as he walks. In other words, the movement of the user P2 is tracked, and a speaker near the position of the tracked user P2 issues a warning. In this way, the walking user P2 is identified and auditory warning information is provided.

[0054] Speakers 23a to 23n issue warning information specific to walking user P2, such as "Walking on an escalator is dangerous for other customers. Please stop," which allows for proactive calls to ensure safety.

[0055] Figure 11 shows a method of calling attention by lighting, characterized in that a plurality of lighting fixtures 24a to 24f...24n are provided on the upper surface of the skirt guard 23 located below the parapet 10, or on the skirt guard 23 itself or the parapet 10 itself, along the direction of movement of the tread 7. These lighting fixtures 24a to 24n preferably use LEDs or the like, and selectively use light sources of, for example, "red," "yellow," or "blue."

[0056] These lights 24a to 24n operate in response to the walking of the user P2 detected by the vibration detection sensors 17a to 17n, and at least one of the lights 24a to 24n is selectively illuminated in accordance with the movement of the user P2 as he walks. In other words, the movement of the user P2 is tracked, and the lights 24 near the position of the tracked user P2 issue a warning.

[0057] In this way, the walking user P2 is identified and visually alerted. The vibration detection sensors 17a-17n and the lights 24a-24n are provided at the same positions when viewed in the direction of travel of the steps 7, and the light 24 corresponding to the vibration detection sensor 17 that detects the walking of the user P2 is turned on; in FIG. 11, the lights 24c-24e are turned on. (The users are not shown.) Here, "red" is a warning to users P2 who are walking quickly or jumping between steps, "yellow" is a warning to users P2 who are walking at a normal speed, and "green" is a warning to users who are standing still. In this way, the warnings specifically call attention to users P2 who are walking, and this makes it possible to actively call for safety.

[0058] Fig. 12 shows a method of alerting by vibration, characterized in that vibration imparting mechanisms 25a to 25c...25n are provided on the back side of the tread 7. These vibration imparting mechanisms 25a to 25n are preferably piezoelectric vibrators from the viewpoint of ease of installation and handling.

[0059] These vibration applying mechanisms 25a to 25n operate in response to the walking of the user P2 detected by the vibration detection sensors 17a to 17n, and at least one of the vibration applying mechanisms 25a to 25n is selectively vibrated in accordance with the movement of the user P2 as he walks. In this way, the walking user P2 is identified and tactile attention-calling information is given to him.

[0060] Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the control device 9 that issues the above-mentioned warning. Fig. 13 shows the main components that make up the control device 9. In Fig. 13, the control device 9 includes a microcomputer as a main component.

[0061] The microcomputer includes a central processing unit (CPU) 9a with a calculation function, a non-volatile memory (ROM) 9b storing a program for operating the CPU 9a and constants necessary for the calculation, a volatile memory (RAM) 9c temporarily storing the calculation results of the calculation process and information necessary for the calculation process, an input circuit 9d for inputting detection signals from the vibration detection sensors 17a to 17n, and an output circuit 9e for converting the control signal calculated by the CPU 9a into an electrical signal and outputting it.

[0062] The output circuit 9e is connected to speakers 22a to 22n, lighting lamps 24a to 24n, and vibration mechanisms 25a to 25n, and performs an operation to provide the walking user P2 with the above-mentioned attention-calling information. Note that these attention-calling information may be performed singly or in combination.

[0063] Next, the functional blocks that execute the above-mentioned control operations in the CPU 9a will be described. As shown in Fig. 14, these functional blocks are composed of at least a walking motion detection block 26, a user position estimation block 27, and an attention-call generation block 28. The functional blocks are control functions that are obtained by the CPU 9a executing a program stored in the ROM 9b.

[0064] The walking motion detection block 26 is a control block having a function of detecting that the user P2 is walking based on the detection signals from the vibration detection sensors 17. This walking motion detection block 26 extracts the detection signals from the vibration detection sensors 17a to 17n, and determines that the user P2 is walking when the detection signals are continuously detected.

[0065] Furthermore, the user position estimation block 27 determines the walking direction of the user P2 from the detection order of the vibration detection signals of the vibration detection sensors 17a to 17n detected by the walking motion detection block 26. Furthermore, the current position of the user P2 is estimated by determining which of the vibration detection sensors 17a to 17n the vibration detection signal is from. Note that since the user is walking, it is also possible to estimate the next step 7 from the current position of the step 7 as the current position.

[0066] Here, in reality, the walking motion detection block 26 and the user position estimation block 7 are combined to execute the above-mentioned control, so it can be considered that the walking motion detection block 26 is incorporated into the user position estimation block 27.

[0067] In addition, the attention generating block 28 operates the attention generating means (speaker, lighting, vibration applying means) present at the estimated position of the walking user P2 to provide attention generating information to the user P2. This attention generating information is generated by the audio generating signal of the speaker 23, the lighting generating signal of the lighting 24, and the vibration generating signal of the vibration applying means.

[0068] Furthermore, the walking speed of the user P2 can be estimated from the time intervals between occurrences of the detection signals of the vibration detection sensors 17a to 17n, and the behavior of the user P2, such as skipping steps, can be estimated from the absence of detection signals. These estimations can provide a stronger warning than warnings for normal walking behavior.

[0069] For example, "red" is a warning to a user P2 who is walking quickly or jumping between steps, "yellow" is a warning to a user P2 who is walking at a normal speed, and "green" is a warning to a user who is standing still. In this way, the warnings are specific to a walking user P2, and it is possible to proactively call for safety.

[0070] As described above, according to the present invention, a device is characterized by comprising a plurality of endless treads, a pair of upright balustrades provided on both the left and right sides of the treads, a drive device for moving the treads, a plurality of vibration detection means arranged along the treads which detect a user walking on the treads from the vibration of the treads, a user position identification means which identifies the position of a user walking on the treads based on the detected vibration detection signal, and a warning generation means which provides the identified user with warning information to ensure safety.

[0071] This provides a new function and effect of identifying users walking on the steps of the passenger conveyor and proactively alerting these identified users to ensure safety.

[0072] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes various modifications. The above-described embodiments have been described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to those including all of the described configurations. Furthermore, it is possible to replace part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, and it is also possible to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. It is also possible to add, delete, or replace other configurations with respect to the configuration of each embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 1...escalator, 2...upper floor, 3...lower floor, 4...frame, 5...front wheel guide rail, 6...rear wheel guide rail, 7...tread, 7A...front wheel, 7B...rear wheel, 8...drive unit, 9...control unit, 10...balustrade, 11...moving handrail, 12...drive sprocket, 13...driven sprocket, 14...upper boarding / alighting floor, 15...lower boarding / alighting floor, 17a to 17n...vibration detection sensor, 18...frame component, 19...power supply line, 20...signal transmission line, 21...lead wire, 21A...pantograph, 22a to 22n...speaker, 23...skirt guard, 24a to 24n...lighting lamp, 25a to 25n...vibration imparting mechanism

Claims

1. A plurality of endlessly formed treads; A pair of upright balustrades are provided on both the left and right sides of the tread; A drive device that moves the tread; a plurality of vibration detection means arranged along the step boards for detecting a user's walking based on the vibration of the step boards; a user position identifying means for identifying the position of the user walking on the step board based on the detected vibration detection signal; an alert information generating means for determining the walking speed or walking behavior of the identified user from the detection signal from the vibration detecting means, and generating alert information for ensuring safety corresponding to the walking speed or the walking behavior; and an alert generating means for giving the alert information to the identified user. A passenger conveyor characterized by:

2. 2. The passenger conveyor according to claim 1, The vibration detection means is attached to a guide rail that guides a guide wheel provided on the tread. A passenger conveyor characterized by:

3. 2. The passenger conveyor according to claim 1, The vibration detection means is attached to a frame that supports a guide rail that guides a guide wheel provided on the tread. A passenger conveyor characterized by:

4. The passenger conveyor according to claim 2 or claim 3, The vibration detection means is provided at intervals at which the treads are arranged. A passenger conveyor characterized by:

5. A passenger conveyor according to claim 2 or claim 3, The vibration detection means is supplied with power by a power supply line. A passenger conveyor characterized by:

6. The passenger conveyor according to claim 2 or claim 3, The vibration detection means is powered by a battery built into it. A passenger conveyor characterized by:

7. The passenger conveyor according to claim 2 or claim 3, The vibration detection signal from the vibration detection means is transmitted to the user position identification means via a signal transmission line or wirelessly. A passenger conveyor characterized by:

8. 2. The passenger conveyor according to claim 1, The vibration detection means is provided on the footboard. A passenger conveyor characterized by:

9. 9. A passenger conveyor according to claim 8, The vibration detection means is supplied with power from a power supply line via a pantograph. A passenger conveyor characterized by:

10. 9. A passenger conveyor according to claim 8, The vibration detection means is powered by a battery built into it. A passenger conveyor characterized by:

11. 9. A passenger conveyor according to claim 8, The vibration detection signal from the vibration detection means is transmitted to the user position identification means via a signal transmission line or wirelessly. A passenger conveyor characterized by:

12. A passenger conveyor according to any one of claims 2, 3 and 8, The user position specifying means has a function of determining that the user is walking when a vibration detection signal is continuously detected from the vibration detecting means. A passenger conveyor characterized by:

13. 13. A passenger conveyor according to claim 12, The user position specifying means has a function of estimating the current position of the user by determining which of the vibration detection means the vibration detection signal from the vibration detection means is a vibration detection signal. A passenger conveyor characterized by:

14. 14. A passenger conveyor according to claim 13, the alert generating means is a plurality of speakers arranged along the railing; The attention-calling information is notified by the speaker located near the current location of the user estimated by the user location specifying means. A passenger conveyor characterized by:

15. 14. A passenger conveyor according to claim 13, The warning generating means is a plurality of illuminating lights arranged along a skirt guard provided at the base of the balustrade, The attention-calling information is notified by turning on the illumination lamp located near the current location of the user estimated by the user location identification means. A passenger conveyor characterized by:

16. 14. A passenger conveyor according to claim 13, the warning generating means is a vibration applying means provided on the footboard, The attention-calling information is notified by vibrating the vibration applying means of the step corresponding to the current position of the user estimated by the user position identifying means. A passenger conveyor characterized by:

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