Passenger conveyor safety systems

Abstract

To provide a safety system for a passenger conveyor capable of preventing foreign objects from being drawn into an inlet while suppressing mismatch between the movement of a handrail belt and steps. [Solution] A passenger conveyor safety system according to an embodiment includes an idler pulley device that reduces tension in a handrail belt when a foreign object is detected. The handrail device includes a handrail device main body, a handrail device manual part that is movable between a first position that is located during normal operation and a second position that is spaced from the handrail device main body in the direction of movement of the handrail belt, and a biasing mechanism that biases the handrail device manual part toward the second position. When the idler pulley device reduces tension in the handrail belt, the handrail device manual part receives a biasing force from the biasing mechanism and moves to the second position.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The embodiments relate to a passenger conveyor safety system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, an inlet switch is provided at the entrance / exit point of a passenger conveyor where the handrail belt enters or leaves the vehicle to detect foreign objects that may be inserted or pulled in through contact with the inlet. When the inlet switch detects a foreign object, the main braking device is activated to brake the drive unit and stop the circular movement of the steps.

[0003] However, there is a time lag between when the main braking device is activated and when the steps stop, during which time the steps continue to move while decelerating.The handrail belt is linked to the steps to prevent misalignment with the steps during operation, so the handrail belt also moves until the steps stop.As a result, even if the inlet switch detects a foreign object, the handrail belt only moves the distance the steps have moved, making it difficult to stop it immediately and creating a risk of the foreign object being drawn into the inlet. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6305318 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6665534 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The embodiment aims to provide a passenger conveyor safety system that can prevent foreign objects from being drawn into the inlet while suppressing misalignment between the movement of the handrail belt and the steps. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A passenger conveyor safety system according to one embodiment is a system for preventing foreign objects from being drawn into an inlet provided on the passenger conveyor, which draws in a handrail belt that moves circulating together with the steps via a drive device. The safety system includes a main braking device that brakes the drive device when a foreign object is detected to be drawn in, a belt braking device that brakes the handrail belt independently of the main braking device when a foreign object is detected to be drawn in, an idler pulley device that reduces tension in the handrail belt when a foreign object is detected to be drawn in, and a pair of balustrade devices arranged on both sides of the steps along the direction of movement of the steps, each including a balustrade and a handrail rail that extends along the outer periphery of the corresponding balustrade to guide the handrail belt. The balustrade devices include a balustrade device main body, a balustrade device manual part that is movable between a first position located during normal operation and a second position spaced from the balustrade device main body in the direction of movement of the handrail belt, and a biasing mechanism that biases the balustrade device manual part toward the second position. When the idler pulley device reduces the tension of the handrail belt, the manual portion of the handrail device receives the biasing force of the biasing mechanism and moves to the second position. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a passenger conveyor according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a part of the configuration of the safety system according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a normal operating state of the safety system in this embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an operating state of the safety system shown in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 6] 6 is a diagram showing the biasing mechanism and slider mechanism of the balustrade device shown in FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is a top view of the rail guide shown in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the operating state of the safety system of the balustrade device shown in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the method of operating the safety system according to this embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining a method for returning from an activated state of the safety system according to this embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the operating state of the safety system of the modified example of the balustrade device shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, a safety system for a passenger conveyor according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0009] First, a passenger conveyor 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Here, an escalator will be taken as an example of the passenger conveyor 1, but the passenger conveyor 1 according to this embodiment may also be a moving walkway.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, the passenger conveyor 1 includes a plurality of steps 2, a drive device 3, a pair of skirt guards 4, a pair of handrail belts 5, and a safety system 20.

[0011] The steps 2 are connected by an endless step chain 6. The steps 2 are guided by a guide rail 7 and move in a circular motion between a boarding / alighting entrance 8 on a lower floor and a boarding / alighting entrance 9 on an upper floor.

[0012] When driven, the drive device 3 moves the steps 2 in a circular motion together with the handrail belt 5. The drive device 3 is disposed within a truss 10, and the driving force of the drive device 3 is transmitted to a drive sprocket 12 via a drive chain 11. When the drive sprocket 12 is driven to rotate, the step chain 6 stretched across the drive sprocket 12 and the driven sprocket 13 moves in a circular motion together with the steps 2. The drive device 3 may include a drive motor and a reducer, not shown.

[0013] The skirt guards 4 are installed on both the left and right sides of the steps 2. The skirt guards 4 cover the lower part of the corresponding balustrades 31 (described later). The skirt guards 4 are formed from the boarding / alighting entrance 8 on the lower floor to the boarding / alighting entrance 9 on the upper floor.

[0014] The handrail belt 5 moves in a circular motion while being guided by handrail rails 32 (described later) formed on the outer periphery of the parapet 31. The handrail belt 5 extends into the truss 10 through inlets 14 formed in the skirt guard 4 at the entrances 8 and 9, and is hung over a handrail belt sheave 15 arranged inside the truss 10. The handrail belt sheave 15 receives driving force from a drive sprocket 12 via a chain or the like (not shown), and is configured to rotate in synchronization with the drive sprocket 12. As a result, the steps 2 and the handrail belt 5 move in a circular motion in synchronization with each other. In Figure 1, the direction of movement of the handrail belt 5 when transporting passengers from the entrance 8 on the lower floor to the entrance 9 on the upper floor is indicated by the symbol D.

[0015] Next, a safety system for a passenger conveyor according to this embodiment (hereinafter simply referred to as safety system 20) will be described. Safety system 20 is a system for preventing foreign objects from being drawn into inlet 14, which is provided on skirt guard 4 of passenger conveyor 1 and into which handrail belt 5, which moves in a circulating manner together with steps 2 by drive device 3, is drawn in. The following description will be given taking as an example a system for preventing foreign objects from being drawn into inlet 14 at upper floor entrance / exit 9 in passenger conveyor 1 that transports passengers from lower floor entrance / exit 8 to upper floor entrance / exit 9.

[0016] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the safety system 20 may include an inlet switch 21, a main braking device 22, a belt braking device 23, an idler pulley device 24, a pair of parapet devices 30, a clutch device 25, and a control device 26.

[0017] The inlet switch 21 is configured to detect the drawing of a foreign object into the inlet 14. As shown in FIG. 3, the inlet switch 21 is attached to the inlet 14 installed at the upper floor entrance 9. The inlet switch 21 may be disposed inside the skirt guard 4 so as to be able to detect the drawing of a foreign object into the inlet 14. As shown in FIG. 2, the inlet switch 21 transmits a detection signal to the control device 26 when it detects the drawing of a foreign object.

[0018] The main braking device 22 is configured to brake the drive device 3 when it detects that a foreign object has been drawn in. The main braking device 22 may be configured to brake the drive device 3 based on a detection signal from the inlet switch 21. More specifically, when a detection signal is sent from the inlet switch 21 to the control device 26, the control device 26 sends a control signal to the main braking device 22, which then activates. This causes the main braking device 22 to brake the drive device 3 and stop the circular movement of the steps 2. The main braking device 22 may be disposed in a position within the truss 10 where it can brake the drive device 3.

[0019] The belt braking device 23 is configured to brake the handrail belt 5 independently of the main braking device 22 when it detects that a foreign object has been drawn in. The belt braking device 23 may also be configured to brake the handrail belt 5 independently of the main braking device 22 based on a detection signal from the inlet switch 21. As shown in FIG. 3 , the belt braking device 23 may be configured to be able to brake the handrail belt 5 by gripping the handrail belt 5. The belt braking device 23 may also be a clamper. The belt braking device 23 may also be located in a position within the truss 10 where it can grip the handrail belt 5. The belt braking device 23 may also be located between the inlet 14 and the handrail belt sheave 15.

[0020] The belt braking device 23 operates based on instructions from the control device 26. More specifically, when a detection signal is sent from the inlet switch 21 to the control device 26, the control device 26 sends a control signal to the belt braking device 23, which activates the belt braking device 23. As a result, the belt braking device 23 grips and brakes the handrail belt 5, stopping the circular movement of the handrail belt 5.

[0021] The idler pulley device 24 is configured to reduce the tension of the handrail belt 5 when it detects that a foreign object has been drawn in. The idler pulley device 24 may also be configured to reduce the tension of the handrail belt 5 based on a detection signal from the inlet switch 21. More specifically, the idler pulley device 24 may include a pulley 24a and an actuator 24b. The handrail belt 5 is wound around the pulley 24a. The pulley 24a can be moved by driving the actuator 24b. The tension of the handrail belt 5 can be adjusted by moving the pulley 24a. The actuator 24b may be configured, for example, as a hydraulic cylinder or an electric linear actuator.

[0022] The idler pulley device 24 moves the position of the pulley 24a based on instructions from the control device 26. More specifically, when a detection signal is sent from the inlet switch 21 to the control device 26, the control device 26 sends a control signal to the actuator 24b of the idler pulley device 24. Based on this control signal, the actuator 24b adjusts the position of the pulley 24a. This adjusts the tension of the handrail belt 5.

[0023] The idler pulley device 24 may adjust the position of the pulley 24a based on the movement speed or amount of movement of the step 2 after braking by the main braking device 22. For example, if a rotational speed sensor is provided in the motor of the drive device 3, the position of the pulley 24a may be adjusted using the rotational speed of the motor after braking as the movement speed of the step 2. Alternatively, if a sensor is provided to detect the movement amount of the step 2, the position of the pulley 24a may be adjusted based on the movement amount of the step 2 after braking.

[0024] 1 and 3, the balustrade devices 30 are arranged on both the left and right sides of the steps 2 along the direction of movement of the steps 2. The balustrade devices 30 include a balustrade 31 and a handrail 32.

[0025] As shown in Figure 3, the balustrade 31 includes a balustrade main body 31A and a balustrade manual portion 31B. The balustrade main body 31A is a portion that is mainly disposed between the lower floor entrance 8 and the upper floor entrance 9, and extends in a direction inclined relative to the horizontal. The balustrade manual portion 31B is disposed at the upper floor entrance 9, and includes an outer peripheral edge formed in an arc shape.

[0026] The balustrade main body 31A and the balustrade manual portion 31B may be spaced apart from each other. More specifically, even in a normal operating state, the edge 31Ba of the balustrade manual portion 31B on the balustrade main body 31A side may be spaced apart from the edge 31Aa of the balustrade main body 31A on the balustrade manual portion 31B side. Even in an activated state of the safety system 20, the edge 31Ba of the balustrade manual portion 31B may be spaced apart from the edge 31Aa of the balustrade main body 31A.

[0027] 3, the handrail rail 32 extends along the outer periphery of the corresponding balustrade 31. The handrail rail 32 is configured to guide the handrail belt 5. The handrail rail 32 includes an upper rail portion 32A, a lower rail portion 32B, and a lower rail portion 32C.

[0028] The rail upper portion 32A is attached to the upper edge of the balustrade main body portion 31 A. As shown in Fig. 4, the rail upper portion 32A may protrude from the balustrade main body portion 31 A toward the rail lower portion 32B.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 3, the rail manual portion 32B is attached to the outer peripheral edge of the balustrade manual portion 31B. The upstream end of the rail manual portion 32B is attached to the upper edge of the balustrade manual portion 31B and is connected to the rail upper portion 32A via a first rail guide 37 (described later). As shown in Fig. 4, the upstream end of the rail manual portion 32B may protrude from the balustrade manual portion 31B toward the rail upper portion 32A.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 3, the rail upper portion 32A and the rail manual portion 32B may be spaced apart from each other. More specifically, even in a commuter operation state, the rail manual portion 32B may be spaced apart from the rail upper portion 32A. Even in an activated state of the safety system 20, the rail manual portion 32B may be spaced apart from the rail upper portion 32A.

[0031] The rail inner portion 32B may extend through the inlet 14 and into the interior of the corresponding skirt guard 4.

[0032] The downstream end of the rail manual portion 32B is attached to the lower edge of the balustrade manual portion 31B and is connected to the rail lower portion 32C via a second rail guide 38 (described later). As shown in Figure 4, the downstream end of the rail manual portion 32B may protrude from the balustrade manual portion 31B toward the rail lower portion 32C.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 3, the rail lower part 32C is attached to the lower edge of the balustrade main body part 31A. The rail lower part 32C is configured to guide the handrail belt 5 toward the handrail belt sheave 15. As shown in Fig. 4, the rail lower part 32C may protrude from the balustrade main body part 31A toward the downstream end of the rail lower part 32B.

[0034] The rail lower portion 32C and the rail manual portion 32B may be spaced apart from each other. More specifically, even when the balustrade device manual portion 33B, which will be described later, is located in the first position, the rail manual portion 32B may be spaced apart from the rail lower portion 32C. Even when the balustrade device manual portion 33B is located in the second position, the rail manual portion 32B may be spaced apart from the rail lower portion 32C.

[0035] As shown in Figure 3, the balustrade device 30 according to this embodiment may include a balustrade device main body 33A, a balustrade device manual portion 33B, a pair of fixed covers 34, a biasing mechanism 35, a slider mechanism 36, a first rail guide 37, and a second rail guide 38.

[0036] The balustrade device main body 33A is configured to include the balustrade main body 31A, the rail upper part 32A, and the rail lower part 32C. The balustrade device main body 33A is configured to be immovable relative to the skirt guard 4.

[0037] The balustrade device manual part 33B is disposed at the upper floor entrance / exit 9. That is, the balustrade device manual part 33B is configured to include the above-described balustrade manual part 31B and rail manual part 32B. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the balustrade manual part 31B is configured to be movable between a first position (see FIG. 3) and a second position (see FIG. 4), i.e., extendable from the first position, and the balustrade manual part 31B and rail manual part 32B move from the first position to the second position. The first position is the position used during normal operation. The second position is a position spaced apart from the balustrade device main body part 33A in the movement direction of the handrail belt 5, and is the position when the safety system 20 according to this embodiment is activated. The second position is a position spaced apart from the balustrade device main body part 33A in the movement direction of the handrail belt 5 at the upper edge of the balustrade 33. In this embodiment, the movement direction of the balustrade device manual part 33B is approximately horizontal. The balustrade device manual portion 33B is biased by the biasing force of the biasing mechanism 35 in the direction from the first position toward the second position.

[0038] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the fixed covers 34 cover the balustrade device main body 33A and the balustrade device manual part 33B from both sides. As shown in Figure 5, one fixed cover 34 covers the balustrade device main body 33A and the balustrade device manual part 33B from the inside of the passenger conveyor 1 (the side of the steps 2). The other fixed cover 34 covers the balustrade device main body 33A and the balustrade device manual part 33B from the outside of the passenger conveyor 1. A space is formed between each fixed cover 34 and the balustrade main body part 31A, and a space is also formed between each fixed cover 34 and the balustrade manual part 31B.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 6, the fixed cover 34 covers the balustrade main body 31A and the balustrade manual portion 31B, and covers the space between the balustrade main body 31A and the balustrade manual portion 31B. The fixed cover 34 may be formed so as to cover the balustrade manual portion 31B side of the balustrade main body 31A to the balustrade manual portion 31B side of the balustrade main body 31A. For example, the fixed cover 34 may be formed so as to extend from the balustrade manual portion 31B side edge 31Aa of the balustrade main body 31A toward the balustrade manual portion 31B. As shown in FIG. 5, the fixed cover 34 does not cover the rail upper portion 32A or the rail manual portion 32B. The fixed cover 34 may be supported by the skirt guard 4.

[0040] 6, the biasing mechanism 35 is configured to bias the balustrade device manual portion 33B toward the second position. The biasing mechanism 35 according to this embodiment applies a horizontal biasing force to the balustrade device manual portion 33B.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 5, the biasing mechanism 35 is disposed in the space between the fixed cover 34 and the balustrade main body portion 31A and in the space between the fixed cover 34 and the balustrade manual portion 31B.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 6, the biasing mechanism 35 may include a fixed bracket 35a, a manual bracket 35b, and a compression spring 35c. The fixed bracket 35a is immovable relative to the balustrade device main body 33A. The fixed bracket 35a may be supported by the fixed cover 34. The manual bracket 35b is supported by the balustrade device manual portion 33B. The manual bracket 35b may be supported by the balustrade manual portion 31B. The compression spring 35c is interposed in a compressed state between the fixed bracket 35a and the manual bracket 35b. The compression spring 35c applies a biasing force to the balustrade device manual portion 33B via the manual bracket 35b. The compression spring 35c may be arranged horizontally. The compression spring 35c may be a coil spring.

[0043] The biasing force of the biasing mechanism 35 may be smaller than the pressing force with which the balustrade device manual portion 33B, located in the first position, is pressed against the balustrade device main body portion 33A by the tension of the handrail belt 5. As a result, the balustrade device manual portion 33B during normal operation is positioned in the first position (see Figure 3). On the other hand, if the tension of the handrail belt 5 is reduced, this pressing force becomes smaller than the biasing force of the biasing mechanism 35, and the balustrade device manual portion 33B, which is subjected to the biasing force of the biasing mechanism 35, moves to the second position (see Figure 4). The tension of the handrail belt 5 is reduced by the idler pulley device 24 described above.

[0044] 5 and 6, the slider mechanism 36 is configured to guide the movement of the balustrade device manual portion 33B relative to the balustrade device main body portion 33A. The slider mechanism 36 according to this embodiment guides the movement of the balustrade device manual portion 33B so that the movement direction of the balustrade device manual portion 33B is horizontal.

[0045] The slider mechanism 36 may include a slider 36a supported by the balustrade device manual portion 33B, and a slider guide 36b that is immovable relative to the balustrade device main body portion 33A.

[0046] The slider 36a may be supported by the balustrade manual portion 31B. As shown in Fig. 6, the slider 36a may be formed in a rectangular shape with its longitudinal direction parallel to the direction of movement of the steps 2 and in the horizontal direction. The slider 36a may protrude from the balustrade manual portion 31B toward the balustrade main body portion 31A. The slider guide 36b is configured to guide the slider 36a.

[0047] The slider guide 36b is immovable relative to the balustrade device main body 33A. The slider guide 36b may be supported by the fixed cover 34. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the slider guide 36b may be formed to include a groove that extends horizontally in a direction parallel to the direction of movement of the steps 2. By inserting the slider 36a into this groove, the balustrade device main body 33B becomes movable in the horizontal direction.

[0048] 7 and 8, the first rail guide 37 extends from the balustrade device main body 33A to the balustrade device manual portion 33B along the handrail rail 32. As shown in Fig. 6, the first rail guide 37 is disposed at the top of the balustrade device manual portion 33B, and connects the downstream end of the rail upper portion 32A and the upstream end of the rail manual portion 32B.

[0049] 7, the first rail guide 37 may be immovable relative to the balustrade device main body 33A. The first rail guide 37 may be supported by the fixed cover 34. The first rail guide 37 is formed to extend in the direction of movement of the handrail belt 5, and is configured to guide the upstream end of the rail guide portion 32B.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 7, the first rail guide 37 has a cross-sectional shape that allows the rail manual portion 32B to be inserted. The rail manual portion 32B is slidable relative to the first rail guide 37. Although not shown, the rail upper portion 32A may also be inserted into the rail manual portion 32B. That is, the rail upper portion 32A is inserted into one end of the first rail guide 37, and the rail manual portion 32B is inserted into the other end of the first rail guide 37. When the balustrade device manual portion 33B is located in the first position, a gap may be formed between the rail upper portion 32A and the rail manual portion 32B. The handrail rail 32 may be guided by the first rail guide 37 through this gap. When the balustrade device manual portion 33B is located in the second position, as shown in FIG. 9, the gap between the rail upper portion 32A and the rail manual portion 32B becomes larger, but the rail manual portion 32B remains inserted into the first rail guide 37.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 7 , when viewed in a cross section perpendicular to the direction of movement of the handrail belt 5, the handrail rail 32 includes a pair of protrusions 32P protruding toward the balustrade 31 and a pair of folded portions 32T formed at both ends. The balustrade 31 is inserted between the pair of protrusions 32P. A gap is formed inside each folded portion 32T. The first rail guide 37 includes a recess 37a that accommodates the pair of protrusions 32P of the handrail rail 32 and a pair of blades 37b located on both sides of the recess 37a. The blades 37b are inserted into the gap formed inside the folded portion 32T of the handrail rail 32. The protrusions 32P of the handrail rail 32 are slidable in the recess 37a of the first rail guide 37, and the folded portion 32T of the handrail rail 32 is slidable in the blades 37b of the first rail guide 37.

[0052] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the first rail guide 37 may include a notch 37c into which the balustrade manual portion 31B of the balustrade device manual portion 33B is inserted. As shown in FIG. 8, the notch 37c extends from the end of the first rail guide 37 on the rail manual portion 32B side toward the rail upper portion 32A and terminates midway along the first rail guide 37. The upper portion of the balustrade manual portion 31B is inserted into the notch 37c. The balustrade main body 31A is positioned on the left side of the first rail guide 37 in FIG. 8. When the balustrade device manual portion 33B is located in the first position, the balustrade manual portion 31B is inserted relatively deeply into the notch 37c. Even in this case, the balustrade main body 31A and the balustrade manual portion 31B are spaced apart from each other. When the balustrade device manual portion 33B is located in the second position, the balustrade manual portion 31B is inserted relatively shallowly into the notch portion 37c, and the distance between the balustrade main body portion 31A and the balustrade manual portion 31B increases.

[0053] As shown in Figure 6, the second rail guide 38 extends from the balustrade device manual portion 33B to the balustrade device main body portion 33A along the handrail rail 32. The second rail guide 38 is disposed below the balustrade device manual portion 33B, and connects the downstream end of the rail manual portion 32B and the upstream end of the rail lower portion 32C.

[0054] The second rail guide 38 may be immovable relative to the balustrade device main body 33A. The second rail guide 38 may be supported by the fixed cover 34. The second rail guide 38 is formed to extend in the direction of movement of the handrail belt 5, and is configured to guide the downstream end of the rail guide portion 32B.

[0055] The second rail guide 38 may have a cross-sectional shape similar to that of the first rail guide 37. The second rail guide 38 may include a notch 37c similar to that of the first rail guide 37. Although the second rail guide 38 is arranged differently from the first rail guide 37, it can be configured in the same way, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0056] A balustrade device manual part (not shown) similar to the balustrade device manual part 33B configured as described above may be arranged at the lower floor entrance / exit 8 and made movable relative to the balustrade device main body part 33A. This makes it possible to prevent foreign objects from being drawn into the inlet 14 at the lower floor entrance / exit 8 in the passenger conveyor 1 that transports passengers from the upper floor entrance / exit 9 to the lower floor entrance / exit 8. In this case, the components such as the biasing mechanism 35, slider mechanism 36, first rail guide 37, and second rail guide 38 that make the upper floor balustrade device manual part 33B movable may also be used to make the lower floor balustrade device manual part movable.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 2, the clutch device 25 is configured to switch ON / OFF the transmission of the driving force of the drive device 3 to the handrail belt sheave 15. When the clutch device 25 is in the ON state, the driving force of the drive device 3 is transmitted to the handrail belt sheave 15, and the handrail belt 5 moves circulatingly in synchronization with the steps 2. When the clutch device 25 is in the OFF state, the driving force of the drive device 3 is not transmitted to the handrail belt sheave 15, and the handrail belt 5 does not move circulatingly. The clutch device 25 can be configured in any way as long as it can switch ON / OFF the transmission of the driving force. For example, the clutch device 25 may be configured to be connected to the drive sprocket 12, or to the handrail belt sheave 15.

[0058] The control device 26 controls the main braking device 22, the belt braking device 23, the idler pulley device 24, and the clutch device 25 based on the detection signal from the inlet switch 21. The detection signal from the inlet switch 21 is sent to the control device 26. When the control device 26 receives the detection signal from the inlet switch 21, it sends a control signal to the main braking device 22 to brake the drive device 3, and sends a control signal to the belt braking device 23 to brake the handrail belt 5. In this case, the control device 26 may send a control signal to the drive device 3 to stop it. Furthermore, when the control device 26 receives a detection signal from the inlet switch 21, it sends a control signal to the actuator 24b of the idler pulley device 24 to reduce the tension of the handrail belt 5, and sends a control signal to the clutch device 25 to switch it to an OFF state. The control device 26 may be disposed within the truss 10.

[0059] Next, a method of operating the safety system 20 for the passenger conveyor 1 according to this embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG.

[0060] During normal operation of the passenger conveyor 1, when a foreign object is inserted into the inlet 14 provided in the skirt guard 4 at the upper floor entrance 9, the inlet switch 21 detects the foreign object (step S11). The inlet switch 21 transmits a detection signal to the control device 26.

[0061] When the control device 26 receives the detection signal, the main braking device 22 and the belt braking device 23 are activated (step S12). In this case, the control device 26 sends a control signal to the main braking device 22 and also sends a control signal to the belt braking device 23. As a result, the belt braking device 23 grips the handrail belt 5 to stop the circulating movement of the handrail belt 5, and the main braking device 22 stops the circulating movement of the step 2. The clutch device 25 is set to the OFF state. However, there is a time lag between the activation of the main braking device 22 and the stopping of the step 2, and during this time the step 2 continues to move while decelerating.

[0062] The actuator 24b of the idler pulley device 24 moves the pulley 24a so as to reduce the tension of the handrail belt 5 (step S13). In this case, the control device 26 sends a control signal to the actuator 24b of the idler pulley device 24 at the same time that it sends the detection signal to the main brake device 22 and the belt brake device 23. This causes the actuator 24b to move the pulley 24a in a direction toward the boarding / alighting entrance 8 on the lower floor (see FIG. 4), reducing the tension of the handrail belt 5.

[0063] When the tension of the handrail belt 5 is reduced, the balustrade manual part 31B, which receives the biasing force of the biasing mechanism 35, moves from the first position to the second position (step S14). More specifically, the biasing force that pressed the balustrade manual part 33B against the first position is reduced as the balustrade belt 5 receives the tension. As a result, the biasing force of the compression spring 35c of the biasing mechanism 35 becomes greater than the biasing force, and the balustrade manual part 33B moves to the second position. As a result, the part of the handrail belt 5 downstream from the belt braking device 23 moves in the same direction as the movement of the steps 2, preventing misalignment between the steps 2 and the handrail belt 5.

[0064] Thereafter, the steps 2 further decelerate and stop (step S15). At this time, the movement of the pulley 24a of the idler pulley device 24 also stops, and the handrail belt 5 also stops.

[0065] Next, a method for returning the passenger conveyor 1 to a normal operable state after the safety system 20 has been activated will be described with reference to FIG.

[0066] First, a maintenance person checks the safety of the passenger conveyor 1 (step S21).

[0067] Next, a restoration operation is performed by a maintenance person (step S22). For example, the maintenance person operates a restoration button (not shown) provided on the control device 26.

[0068] By the return operation, the pulley 24a of the idler pulley device 24 moves and returns to the position during normal operation, restoring the tension of the handrail belt 5 (step S23).

[0069] The balustrade device manual part 33B moves to the first position (step S24). As the tension of the handrail belt 5 is restored, the balustrade device manual part 33B receives the tension of the handrail belt 5, increasing the pressing force that presses it against the first position. When the pressing force becomes greater than the biasing force of the compression spring 35c of the biasing mechanism 35, the balustrade device manual part 33B moves to the first position.

[0070] Furthermore, the return operation releases the operation of the main braking device 22 and the belt braking device 23. This releases the braking of the drive device 3 by the main braking device 22, and also releases the braking of the handrail belt 5 by the belt braking device 23. Furthermore, the clutch device 25 is switched from the OFF state to the ON state.

[0071] In this way, the return is completed (step S25), after which the passenger conveyor 1 can be operated normally.

[0072] According to this embodiment, when the inlet switch 21 detects that a foreign object has been drawn into the inlet 14, the main brake device 22 brakes the drive device 3, and the belt brake device 23 stops the circular movement of the handrail belt 5 independently of the main brake device 22. The pulley 24a of the idler pulley device 24 also moves to reduce the tension on the handrail belt 5. In this case, the balustrade device manual portion 33B receives the tension of the handrail belt 5, reducing the pressing force that had been pressing it to the first position and becoming smaller than the biasing force of the biasing mechanism 35. This allows the balustrade device manual portion 33B to move to a second position spaced apart from the balustrade device main body 33A in the direction of movement of the handrail belt 5. Therefore, the portion of the handrail belt 5 downstream of the belt brake device 23 can move in the same direction as the movement of the steps 2, preventing misalignment between the steps 2 and the handrail belt 5. As a result, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from being drawn into the inlet 14 while suppressing misalignment between the steps 2 and the handrail belt 5.

[0073] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the idler pulley device 24 reduces the tension of the handrail belt 5 based on the speed or amount of movement of the steps 2 after braking by the main braking device 22. This makes it possible to adjust the tension of the handrail belt 5 according to the speed or amount of movement of the steps 2. This makes it possible to further prevent the steps 2 and the handrail belt 5 from becoming out of synchronization.

[0074] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the biasing mechanism 35 includes a fixed bracket 35a that is immovable relative to the balustrade device main body 33A, a manual bracket 35b that is supported by the balustrade device manual portion 33B, and a compression spring 35c. The compression spring 35c is interposed in a compressed state between the fixed bracket 35a and the manual bracket 35b. This allows the compression spring 35c to bias the balustrade device manual portion 33B toward the second position. Therefore, when the tension of the handrail belt 5 is reduced, the biasing force of the compression spring 35c can move the balustrade device manual portion 33B to the second position.

[0075] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the balustrade device 30 includes a pair of fixed covers 34 that cover both sides of the balustrade device main body 33A and the balustrade device manual portion 33B. The fixed-side bracket 35a of the biasing mechanism 35 is supported by the fixed cover 34. This allows the biasing force of the compression spring 35c of the biasing mechanism 35 to be applied to the balustrade device manual portion 33B via the manual-side bracket 35b, and the balustrade device manual portion 33B can be biased in the direction toward the second position.

[0076] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the slider mechanism 36 of the balustrade device includes a slider 36a supported by the balustrade device manual portion 33B and a slider guide 36b that is immovable relative to the balustrade device main body portion 33A. The slider guide 36b guides the slider 36a, allowing the balustrade device manual portion 33B to move smoothly between the first position and the second position. Therefore, when the tension of the handrail belt 5 is reduced, the balustrade device manual portion 33B can be moved smoothly to the second position, further reducing misalignment between the steps 2 and the handrail belt 5.

[0077] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the balustrade device 30 includes a pair of fixed covers 34 that cover both sides of the balustrade device main body 33A and the balustrade device manual part 33B. The slider guide 36b of the slider mechanism 36 is supported by the fixed covers 34. This allows the balustrade device manual part 33B to move smoothly relative to the balustrade device main body 33A, further reducing misalignment between the steps 2 and the handrail belt 5.

[0078] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the balustrade device 30 includes a first rail guide 37 that extends from the balustrade device main body 33A to the balustrade device manual portion 33B along the handrail rail 32. The first rail guide 37 is immovable relative to the balustrade device main body 33A and guides the rail manual portion 32B of the balustrade device manual portion 33B. This prevents the rail manual portion 32B of the balustrade device manual portion 33B from shifting position, even when the balustrade device manual portion 33B moves between the first and second positions. This allows the handrail belt 5 to move smoothly from the rail upper portion 32A to the rail manual portion 32B, further preventing misalignment between the steps 2 and the handrail belt 5.

[0079] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the first rail guide 37 includes a notch 37c into which the balustrade manual part 31B of the balustrade device manual part 33B is inserted, thereby preventing interference between the first rail guide 37 and the balustrade manual part 31B.

[0080] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the direction of movement of the balustrade device manual portion 33B is approximately horizontal. As a result, when the balustrade device manual portion 33B is moved from the first position to the second position, the handrail belt 5 can be moved approximately horizontally. This allows the handrail belt 5 to move in the direction of movement of the steps 2, further reducing misalignment between the steps 2 and the handrail belt 5.

[0081] In the above-described embodiment, the movement direction of the balustrade device manual portion 33B is approximately horizontal. However, this embodiment is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Fig. 12, the movement direction of the balustrade device manual portion 33B may be inclined relative to the horizontal so that it displaces upward as it moves away from the first position.

[0082] In the example shown in FIG. 12, the balustrade device manual portion 33B positioned at the second position is positioned higher than the balustrade device manual portion 33B positioned at the first position.

[0083] As shown in Figure 12, the biasing mechanism 35 is configured to apply a biasing force to the balustrade device manual portion 33B in an inclined direction inclined relative to the horizontal. In this case, the compression spring 35c may be arranged along the inclined direction. The angle between the inclined direction and the horizontal direction is indicated by α in Figure 12, but the angle indicated by α can be any value as long as it is greater than 0° and less than 90°.

[0084] As shown in Figure 12, the slider mechanism 36 guides the movement of the balustrade device manual portion 33B in the tilt direction. In this case, the slider 36a may be formed in a rectangular shape with its longitudinal direction in the tilt direction. The slider guide 36b may be formed to include a groove extending in the tilt direction.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 12, one end of the first rail guide 37 (the left end in FIG. 12) is fixed to the balustrade device main body 33A and guides the rail upper part 32A. The other end of the first rail guide 37 (the right end in FIG. 12) is fixed to the balustrade device manual part 33B and guides the rail manual part 32B. The first rail guide 37 in the example shown in FIG. 12 may have flexibility that allows it to follow the movement direction of the balustrade device manual part 33B. This allows the first rail guide 37 to flexibly and elastically deform, even when the balustrade device manual part 33B is positioned in the second position, and allows the rail upper part 32A and the rail manual part 32B to be smoothly connected.

[0086] 12, the direction of movement of the balustrade device manual part 33B is inclined relative to the horizontal so that it displaces upward as it moves away from the first position. This increases the distance (β shown in FIG. 12) between the balustrade device manual part 33B and the floor when the balustrade device manual part 33B is positioned in the second position. This prevents foreign objects drawn into the inlet 14 from becoming trapped between the balustrade device manual part 33B and the floor.

[0087] In the example shown in FIG. 12, one end of the first rail guide 37 is fixed to the balustrade device main body 33A, and the other end is fixed to the balustrade device manual portion 33B. The first rail guide 37 has flexibility that allows it to follow the movement direction of the balustrade device manual portion 33B. This allows the rail upper portion 32A and the rail manual portion 32B to be smoothly connected even when the balustrade device manual portion 33B is positioned in the second position. Therefore, the first rail guide 37 can guide the handrail belt 5 in the area between the rail upper portion 32A and the rail manual portion 32B. As a result, the handrail belt 5 can be moved smoothly from the rail upper portion 32A to the rail manual portion 32B, further reducing misalignment between the steps 2 and the handrail belt 5.

[0088] According to the embodiment described above, it is possible to prevent foreign objects from being drawn into the inlet while suppressing misalignment between the movement of the handrail belt and the movement of the steps.

[0089] 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 novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the inventions and their equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] 1: passenger conveyor, 2: step, 3: drive unit, 4: skirt guard, 5: handrail belt, 14: inlet, 20: safety system, 21: inlet switch, 22: main brake unit, 23: belt brake unit, 24: idler pulley unit, 30: balustrade unit, 31: balustrade, 32: handrail rail, 33A: balustrade unit main body, 33B: balustrade unit manual unit, 34: fixed cover, 35: biasing mechanism, 35a: fixed side bracket, 35b: manual side bracket, 35c: compression spring, 36: slider mechanism, 36a: slider, 36b: slider guide, 37: first rail guide

Claims

1. A safety system for preventing foreign objects from being drawn into an inlet that is provided on a passenger conveyor and that draws in a handrail belt that moves circulatingly together with the steps by a drive device, comprising: a main braking device that brakes the drive device when the attraction of the foreign object is detected; a belt braking device that brakes the handrail belt independently of the main braking device when the entrapment of the foreign object is detected; an idler pulley device that reduces the tension of the handrail belt when the entrapment of the foreign object is detected; A pair of balustrade devices are arranged on both sides of the steps along the moving direction of the steps, the pair of balustrade devices including balustrades and handrail rails that guide the handrail belt and extend along the outer periphery of the corresponding balustrades; Equipped with The balustrade device includes a balustrade device main body, a balustrade device manual part that is movable between a first position that is located during normal operation and a second position that is spaced apart from the balustrade device main body in the movement direction of the handrail belt, and a biasing mechanism that biases the balustrade device manual part toward the second position, When the idler pulley device reduces the tension of the handrail belt, the balustrade device manual portion receives the biasing force of the biasing mechanism and moves to the second position. Passenger conveyor safety systems.

2. The idler pulley device reduces the tension of the handrail belt based on the moving speed or moving distance of the step after braking by the main braking device.

10. The passenger conveyor safety system of claim 1.

3. The biasing mechanism includes a fixed-side bracket that is immovable relative to the balustrade device main body, a manual-side bracket supported on the balustrade device manual part, and a compression spring interposed in a compressed state between the fixed-side bracket and the manual-side bracket.

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

4. The balustrade device includes a pair of fixed covers that cover the balustrade device main body and the balustrade device manual portion from both sides, The fixed bracket is supported by the fixed cover.

4. A passenger conveyor safety system according to claim 3.

5. The balustrade device further includes a slider mechanism that guides movement of the balustrade device manual portion relative to the balustrade device main body portion, The slider mechanism includes a slider supported on the balustrade device manual portion, and a slider guide that is immovable relative to the balustrade device main body portion and guides the slider.

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

6. The balustrade device includes a pair of fixed covers that cover the balustrade device main body and the balustrade device manual portion from both sides, The slider guide is supported by the fixed cover.

6. A passenger conveyor safety system according to claim 5.

7. The balustrade device further includes a first rail guide extending from the balustrade device main body to the balustrade device manual portion along the handrail rail, the first rail guide being immovable relative to the balustrade device main body portion and guiding the portion of the handrail rail in the balustrade device manual portion.

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

8. The first rail guide includes a notch into which the balustrade portion in the balustrade device manual portion is inserted, 8. A passenger conveyor safety system according to claim 7.

9. The movement direction of the balustrade device manual part is approximately horizontal.

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

10. The direction of movement of the balustrade device manual part is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction so as to be displaced upward as it moves away from the first position.

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

11. The balustrade device further includes a rail guide extending from the balustrade device main body to the balustrade device manual portion along the handrail rail, one end of which is fixed to the balustrade device main body portion and the other end of which is fixed to the balustrade device manual portion, and which guides the portion of the handrail rail in the balustrade device manual portion, The rail guide has flexibility that allows it to follow the movement direction of the balustrade device manual part.

11. A passenger conveyor safety system according to claim 10.

12. an inlet switch for detecting the drawing of a foreign object into the inlet; The main braking device brakes the drive device based on a detection signal from the inlet switch, The belt braking device brakes the handrail belt based on a detection signal from the inlet switch.

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

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