Man Conveyor

Abstract

To provide a people conveyor capable of reliably detecting that a person has entered between a handrail belt and a floor while reducing erroneous detection. [Solution] The people conveyor comprises a transport section that transports people forward, a descending section that is located at the front end of the transporting section, a circular handrail belt that is located on the outside of the width of the transporting section and rotates endlessly, and a load detector that is embedded in the floor of the descending section in a position that overlaps at least partially with the handrail belt in a plan view and that acquires and outputs load information related to the applied load, the entire load detector being located behind the front end of the handrail belt.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application relates to people conveyors. [Background technology]

[0002] In a passenger conveyor, an endlessly rotating circular handrail belt attached to the parapet approaches the floor at a semicircular folded section and enters an inlet at the exit section. A safety device using an infrared sensor to detect a person approaching the inlet is known (Patent Document 1).

[0003] However, because infrared sensors detect changes in the amount of infrared light emitted by the human body and in temperature, they may not be able to detect people depending on the surrounding environment, etc. Therefore, a method is needed to reliably detect when a person has entered the gap between the handrail belt and the floor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-20864 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Therefore, the challenge is to provide a people conveyor that can reliably detect when a person has entered between the handrail belt and the floor while reducing false detections. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] [1] Man conveyors are a transport unit that transports people forward; a descending section disposed at a front end of the conveying section; a circular handrail belt that is disposed on the outer side of the conveying section in the width direction and rotates endlessly; A load detector is embedded in the floor of the descending section at a position that overlaps at least a part of the handrail belt in a plan view, and acquires and outputs load information related to the applied load, The entire load detector is disposed rearward of the front end of the handrail belt.

[0007] [2] In addition, in the man conveyor described above in [1], The entire load detector overlaps with the handrail belt in a plan view. The following configuration is also possible.

[0008] [3] In addition, in the case of the man conveyor described in [1] or [2] above, a processing unit that determines whether or not a person has entered between the handrail belt and the load detector based on the load information, the load detector has a first detection area and a second detection area behind the first detection area, and acquires the load information in each detection area; The processing unit determines that a person has entered between the handrail belt and the first detection area when the load obtained from the load information in the first detection area exceeds a first threshold, and determines that a person has entered between the handrail belt and the second detection area when the load obtained from the load information in the second detection area exceeds a second threshold that is smaller than the first threshold. The following configuration is also possible.

[0009] [4] In addition, in any one of the above [1] to [3] man conveyors, a processing unit that determines whether or not a person has entered between the handrail belt and the load detector based on the load information, the load detector has a first detection area and a second detection area behind the first detection area, and acquires the load information in each detection area; The processing unit instructs the output unit to output an alarm when it determines, based on the load information in the first detection area, that a person has entered between the handrail belt and the first detection area, and stops the handrail belt when it determines, based on the load information in the second detection area, that a person has entered between the handrail belt and the second detection area. The following configuration is also possible.

[0010] [5] In addition, in any one of the above [1] to [4] man conveyors, a processing unit that determines whether or not a person has entered between the handrail belt and the load detector based on the load information, When the processing unit determines that a person has entered between the handrail belt and the load detector, the processing unit stops the handrail belt, and reverses the rotation of the handrail belt after a predetermined time has elapsed since the handrail belt was stopped. The following configuration is also possible. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] Overall view of a passenger conveyor according to one embodiment [Figure 2] An enlarged view of a main part of the passenger conveyor according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] Enlarged partial cross-sectional view of area III in Figure 2 [Figure 4] A plan view of the main part of the passenger conveyor according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] Partial cross-sectional view according to another embodiment [Figure 6] Partial cross-sectional view according to another embodiment DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] In each drawing, the dimensions of the components may be enlarged or reduced relative to the actual dimensions, for example, to facilitate understanding, and the dimensional ratios between the drawings may not be consistent. Note that in each drawing, for example, to facilitate understanding, some of the components may be omitted.

[0013] Terms including ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" are used to describe various components, but these terms are used only to distinguish one component from another, and the components are not particularly limited by these terms. The number of components including ordinal numbers is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, one. Furthermore, the ordinal numbers used in the following specification and drawings may differ from the ordinal numbers described in the claims.

[0014] An embodiment of a passenger conveyor will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 4. Note that the following embodiment is provided as an example to aid in understanding the configuration of the passenger conveyor, and is not intended to limit the configuration of the passenger conveyor.

[0015] As shown in Figure 1, the people conveyor 1 may include, for example, a structure 2 installed on a main body, a transport unit 3 that transports users (people) forward D21, a pair of balustrade units 4 (only one is shown in Figure 1) arranged to sandwich the transport unit 3 in the first direction D1, a drive unit 5 that drives the transport unit 3 and the balustrade units 4, and a processing unit 6 that controls the entire device.

[0016] In each drawing, the first direction D1 is a first lateral direction (also referred to as a "width direction") D1 that is parallel to the horizontal direction, the second direction D2 is a second lateral direction (also referred to as a "front-rear direction") D2 that is parallel to the horizontal direction and perpendicular to the first lateral direction D1, and the third direction D3 is a vertical direction that is perpendicular to the first lateral direction D1 and the second lateral direction D2, that is, the up-down direction D3. One direction of the front-rear direction D2 is referred to as a forward direction D21, and the other direction is referred to as a backward direction D22.

[0017] The passenger conveyor 1 according to this embodiment is an escalator with stepped treads for transporting passengers, but is not limited to this configuration. For example, the passenger conveyor 1 may be a moving walkway with flat treads for transporting passengers. In this embodiment, the passenger conveyor 1 is configured to transport passengers diagonally downward, but the passenger conveyor 1 may also be configured to transport passengers diagonally upward.

[0018] The transport unit 3 may include, for example, as in this embodiment, a circular running unit 3a that rotates endlessly when driven by the drive unit 5, and a plurality of steps 3b that are connected to the running unit 3a and run together with the running unit 3a, and have tread surfaces on which users stand. Although not particularly limited, the running unit 3a may be, for example, a roller chain.

[0019] Alternatively, for example, a pair of running sections 3a may be provided spaced apart in the first horizontal direction D1, and multiple steps 3b may be disposed between the pair of running sections 3a, 3a. The steps 3b may be connected to each running section 3a so as to be rotatable about an axis in the first horizontal direction D1.

[0020] The driving unit 5 may include, for example, as in this embodiment, a pair of rotating units 5a, 5a around which the running unit 3a is wound so that the step 3b is reversed and which rotate about an axis in the first horizontal direction D1, and a driving source 5b that rotates the rotating unit 5a. Although not particularly limited, the rotating unit 5a may be, for example, a sprocket, and the driving source 5b may be, for example, a motor.

[0021] The balustrade section 4 may include, for example, an endlessly rotating circular handrail belt 4a, a balustrade main body section 4b that supports the handrail belt 4a, and a cover section 4c that covers the lower part of the balustrade main body section 4b. Note that, for example, the handrail belt 4a may be driven by the drive section 5, and the movement of the handrail belt 4a may be synchronized with the movement of the step 3b.

[0022] The structure 2 may, for example, include machine rooms 2a and 2b located at each end in the front-to-rear direction D2, as in this embodiment. The upper machine room 2a is referred to as the first machine room 2a, and the lower machine room 2b is referred to as the second machine room 2b. The structure 2 may also have, for example, a truss structure or a girder structure made up of multiple frame members.

[0023] The passenger conveyor 1 may, for example, be provided with a floor plate portion 1a attached to the structure 2 so as to cover the machine rooms 2a and 2b from above, as in this embodiment. As a result, the floor plate portion 1a forms the floor of the boarding and disembarking sections 1b and 1c that are located at each end of the transporting section 3 in the front-rear direction D2 for passengers getting on and off the transporting section 3.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 3, the floor plate portion 1a may include, for example, a floor plate (riding plate) 11 and a comb plate 12 having combs attached to the ends thereof.

[0025] The floor plate portion 1a may also include a floor plate reinforcement 13 connected to the underside of the floor plate 11 in order to reinforce the floor plate 11. The floor plate reinforcement 13 is in partial contact with the underside of the floor plate 11, and the portion of the floor plate 11 that is not in contact with the floor plate reinforcement 13 will bend due to a load from above.

[0026] The floor plate portion 1a may also include a position changer 14 that can change the position of the floor plate 11 in the up-down direction D3 relative to the structure 2. The configuration of the position changer 14 is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, the position changer 14 includes a nut that is fixed to the floor plate reinforcement 13, and a bolt that screws into the nut and rests on the structure 2. The position of the floor plate 11 in the up-down direction D3 relative to the structure 2 is changed by changing the length of the bolt that protrudes downward from the floor plate reinforcement 13.

[0027] In this embodiment, the passenger conveyor 1 is configured to transport passengers diagonally downward, so the first boarding and alighting section 1b located above becomes the boarding section 1b, and the second boarding and alighting section 1c located below becomes the alighting section 1c. Note that the passenger conveyor 1 may also be configured to transport passengers diagonally upward as described above.

[0028] 2, the handrail belt 4a has arc-shaped folded-back portions 4d at both ends in the front-rear direction D2. That is, the tip of the folded-back portion 4d at the descending portion 1c becomes the front end 4e of the handrail belt 4a.

[0029] The floor plate portion 1a is equipped with a load detector 7 that is embedded in the floor of the descending portion 1c. The load detector 7 may be disposed below the floor plate 11 and detect deformation due to sinking of the floor plate 11 or bending of the floor plate 11. The load detector 7 of this embodiment detects deformation due to bending of the floor plate 11. The load detector 7 can detect a load applied to the floor plate 11 from above.

[0030] The load detector 7 is embedded in a position where it overlaps at least a part of the handrail belt 4a in a plan view (viewed in the up-down direction D3). This allows the load detector 7 to reliably detect the load applied to the floor plate portion 1a directly below the handrail belt 4a.

[0031] The load detector 7 is, for example, a sheet-shaped (or film-shaped) surface pressure sensor 7a. The sheet-shaped surface pressure sensor 7a is laid under the floor plate 11 and acquires data on the pressure distribution of the load applied to the floor plate 11. As in this embodiment, the lower surface of the surface pressure sensor 7a may be supported by a floor plate reinforcing member 13 and the upper surface may be in contact with the floor plate 11, thereby detecting deformation due to bending of the floor plate 11.

[0032] The load detector 7 outputs the acquired pressure distribution data to the processing unit 6. Specifically, the surface pressure sensor 7a is composed of, for example, a plurality of cell surface pressure sensors arranged in a grid pattern, and when a person steps on the surface pressure sensor 7a, each cell surface pressure sensor changes from an OFF state to an ON state, and the position information and ON information of the cell surface pressure sensor are output to the processing unit 6 as sensor information.

[0033] Based on the input pressure distribution data, the processing unit 6 determines whether or not a person has entered between the handrail belt 4a and the load detector 7. Specifically, the processing unit 6 looks at the pressure distribution, and if a load is applied to the load detector 7 directly below the handrail belt 4a, it determines that a person has entered between the handrail belt 4a and the load detector 7. This makes it possible to directly detect that a load is being applied to the floor plate portion 1a directly below the handrail belt 4a, and therefore to reliably detect that a person has entered between the handrail belt 4a and the floor plate portion 1a.

[0034] As shown in Figure 3, the load detector 7 is entirely positioned D22 behind the front end 4e of the handrail belt 4a. This makes it difficult for the load detector 7 to detect the load of a person passing in front of the handrail belt 4a. Therefore, the passenger conveyor 1 can reliably detect that a person has entered between the handrail belt 4a and the floor plate portion 1a while reducing false detections. Alternatively, the load detector 7 may be entirely positioned D21 in front of the cover portion 4c.

[0035] 4, the load detector 7 may entirely overlap the handrail belt 4a in plan view. This makes it difficult for the load detector 7 to detect the load of, for example, a user getting on or off the transport section 3. Therefore, the people conveyor 1 can reliably detect when a person has entered between the handrail belt 4a and the floor plate section 1a while further reducing false detections.

[0036] As described above, the passenger conveyor 1, as in this embodiment, a transport unit 3 that transports a person forward D21; a descending section 1c disposed at the front end of the conveying section 3; A circular handrail belt 4a is disposed on the outer side of the conveying section 3 in the width direction D1 and rotates endlessly; a load detector 7 (in this embodiment, a surface pressure sensor 7a) that is embedded in the floor (in this embodiment, a floor plate portion) 1a of the descending portion 1c at a position where it overlaps at least a part of the handrail belt 4a in a plan view (in this embodiment, as viewed in the up-down direction D3), and that acquires and outputs load information (in this embodiment, pressure distribution data) relating to the applied load, It is preferable that the entire load detector 7 is arranged at a position D22 rearward of the front end 4e of the handrail belt 4a.

[0037] With this configuration, it is possible to directly detect that a load is being applied to the floor directly below the handrail belt 4a, and therefore it is possible to reliably detect that a person has entered between the handrail belt 4a and the floor. Furthermore, the load detector 7 has difficulty detecting the load of a person passing in front of the handrail belt 4a, for example, and this reduces false detections.

[0038] In addition, in the passenger conveyor 1, as in this embodiment, It is preferable that the entire load detector 7 overlaps with the handrail belt 4a in a plan view.

[0039] According to such a configuration, the load detector 7 is less likely to detect the load of, for example, a user getting on or off the transport unit 3, and therefore, false detection can be further reduced.

[0040] The passenger conveyor 1 is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, nor is it limited to the above-described effects. Furthermore, various modifications can be made to the passenger conveyor 1 without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, it is possible to select one or more of the configurations and methods of the various modified examples described below and adopt them in the configurations and methods of the above-described embodiment.

[0041] (A) In the passenger conveyor 1 according to the above embodiment, the entire load detector 7 overlaps with the handrail belt 4a when viewed in the vertical direction D3. However, the passenger conveyor 1 is not limited to this configuration. For example, a portion of the load detector 7 may not overlap with the handrail belt 4a when viewed in the vertical direction D3 (it may be positioned outside the handrail belt 4a).

[0042] (B) In addition, in the passenger conveyor 1 according to the above embodiment, the processing unit 6 is configured to determine that a person has entered between the handrail belt 4a and the load detector 7 if a load is applied to the load detector 7 directly below the handrail belt 4a. However, the passenger conveyor 1 is not limited to this configuration. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the passenger conveyor 1 may be configured such that the load detector 7 has a first detection area 71 and a second detection area 72 located behind the first detection area 71 at a distance D22, and acquires load information for each of the detection areas 71 and 72. The processing unit 6 determines that a person has entered between the handrail belt 4a and the first detection area 71 when the load obtained from the load information in the first detection area 71 exceeds a first threshold, and determines that a person has entered between the handrail belt 4a and the second detection area 72 when the load obtained from the load information in the second detection area 72 exceeds a second threshold that is smaller than the first threshold. With such a configuration, for example, it is possible to prevent false detection when a person simply passes through the first detection area 71, while properly detecting that a person has entered the second detection area 72 closer to the inlet.

[0043] (C) Also, in the people conveyor 1, the load detector 7 has a first detection area 71 and a second detection area 72 located D22 behind the first detection area 71, and acquires load information for each of the detection areas 71, 72, and the processing unit 6 instructs an output unit (for example, a buzzer, speaker, etc.) to output an alarm when it determines, based on the load information in the first detection area 71, that a person has entered between the handrail belt 4a and the first detection area 71, and stops the handrail belt 4a when it determines, based on the load information in the second detection area 72, that a person has entered between the handrail belt 4a and the second detection area 72. With this configuration, by outputting an alarm when a person enters the first detection area 71, it is possible to prevent people from entering the second detection area 72, which is closer to the inlet. Furthermore, by stopping the handrail belt 4a when a person enters the second detection area 72, even if a person enters the second detection area 72, the handrail belt 4a can prevent the person from being pulled further backward D22.

[0044] (D) Furthermore, in the people conveyor 1, the processing unit 6 may be configured to stop the handrail belt 4a when it determines that a person has entered between the handrail belt 4a and the load detector 7, and then reverse the rotation of the handrail belt 4a after a predetermined time has elapsed since the handrail belt 4a stopped. With this configuration, even if a person is pulled backward D22 by the handrail belt 4a, the person can be quickly released.

[0045] (E) Furthermore, the processing unit 6 may be configured so that, when it determines that a person has entered between the handrail belt 4a and the load detector 7, it stops the handrail belt 4a, announces over a speaker that the handrail belt 4a will be rotated in reverse, and then rotates the handrail belt 4a in reverse. With this configuration, passengers are informed in advance that the handrail belt 4a will be rotated in reverse, thereby increasing passenger safety.

[0046] (F) In addition, in the passenger conveyor 1 according to the above embodiment, the lower surface of the surface pressure sensor 7a is supported by the floor plate reinforcement 13, and the upper surface is in contact with the floor plate 11, thereby detecting deformation due to bending of the floor plate 11. However, the passenger conveyor 1 is not limited to this configuration. For example, the surface pressure sensor 7a may be configured to detect sinking of the floor plate 11. In this case, a portion of the floor plate 11 is a separate plate separated from the surrounding area and overlaps the handrail belt 4a in a plan view, allowing it to sink. The surface pressure sensor 7a supports this separate plate from below. This allows the surface pressure sensor 7a to effectively detect the presence of a load on the floor plate portion 1a directly below the handrail belt 4a.

[0047] (G) In the passenger conveyor 1 according to the above embodiment, the load detector 7 is a surface pressure sensor 7a, and when a person steps on the surface pressure sensor 7a, each cell surface pressure sensor changes from an OFF state to an ON state, and the position information and ON information of that cell surface pressure sensor are output as sensor information to the processing unit 6. However, the passenger conveyor 1 is not limited to this configuration. The surface pressure sensor 7a may also be configured such that when a person steps on the surface pressure sensor 7a, each cell surface pressure sensor measures pressure in real time, and outputs the position information and pressure value of that cell surface pressure sensor to the processing unit 6 as sensor information.

[0048] (H) In addition, in the passenger conveyor 1 according to the above embodiment, the load detector 7 is a surface pressure sensor 7a. However, the passenger conveyor 1 is not limited to this configuration. For example, the load detector 7 may be a load cell 7b, as shown in FIG. 6.

[0049] (I) Also, for example, the load detector 7 may be configured as a switch (not shown) that is pressed by the sinking of the floor plate 11 or deformation due to bending of the floor plate 11. When pressed, the switch changes from an OFF state to an ON state, and outputs the ON information to the processing unit 6 or an output unit (for example, a buzzer, speaker, etc.).

[0050] (J) The passenger conveyor 1 may also be configured to include a load detector 7 embedded in the floor of the passenger section 1b at a position that overlaps at least a portion of the handrail belt 4a in a plan view, which acquires and outputs load information related to the applied load, and the entire load detector 7 may be positioned D21 forward of the rear end of the handrail belt 4a. This reduces false detections and ensures that a person has entered the gap between the handrail belt 4a and the floor, even when the conveying direction of the conveyor section 3 is reversed. The processing unit 6 may also be configured to ignore the load information from the load detector 7 on the passenger section 1b side.

[0051] (K) Furthermore, in the people conveyor 1, the processing unit 6 may be configured to determine that a person has entered between the handrail belt 4a and the floor when a load is continuously applied to the load detector 7 for a predetermined time. With this configuration, if a load is applied to the load detector 7 for a short period of time, it can be determined that a person has simply passed, making it possible to properly detect that a person has entered between the handrail belt 4a and the floor. The predetermined time here is, for example, about 5 to 10 seconds. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1...people conveyor, 1a...floor plate section, 1b...boarding section, 1c...disembarking section, 2...structure, 2a...first machine room, 2b...second machine room, 3...transport section, 3a...running section, 3b...step, 4...parapet section, 4a...handrail belt, 4b...parapet main body section, 4c...cover section, 4d...folded section, 4e...front end of handrail belt, 5...drive section, 5a...rotating section, 5b...drive source, 6...processing section, 7...load detection section, 7a...surface pressure sensor, 7b...load cell, 11...floor plate, 12...complate, 13...floor plate reinforcement, 14...position change section, 71...first detection area, 72...second detection area, D1...width direction, D2...front-back direction, D3...up-down direction, D21...forward, D22...rear

Claims

1. a transport unit that transports people forward; a descending section disposed at a front end of the transport section; a circular handrail belt that is disposed on the outer side of the conveying section in the width direction and rotates endlessly; A load detector is embedded in the floor of the descending section at a position that overlaps at least a part of the handrail belt in a plan view, and acquires and outputs load information related to the applied load, The entire load detector is disposed rearward of the front end of the handrail belt, The floor includes a floor plate and a floor plate reinforcement that is connected to and partially contacts the lower surface of the floor plate, A people conveyor, wherein the load detector is disposed below the floor plate and detects sinking of the floor plate or deformation due to bending of the floor plate.

2. A transport unit that transports a person forward; a descending section disposed at a front end of the transport section; a circular handrail belt that is disposed on the outer side of the conveying section in the width direction and rotates endlessly; A load detector is embedded in the floor of the descending section at a position that overlaps at least a part of the handrail belt in a plan view, and acquires and outputs load information related to the applied load, The entire load detector is disposed rearward of the front end of the handrail belt, a processing unit that determines whether or not a person has entered between the handrail belt and the load detector based on the load information, the load detector has a first detection area and a second detection area behind the first detection area, and acquires the load information in each detection area; the processing unit determines that a person has entered between the handrail belt and the first detection area when the load obtained from the load information in the first detection area exceeds a first threshold, and determines that a person has entered between the handrail belt and the second detection area when the load obtained from the load information in the second detection area exceeds a second threshold that is smaller than the first threshold.

3. A transport unit that transports people forward; a descending section disposed at a front end of the transport section; a circular handrail belt that is disposed on the outer side of the conveying section in the width direction and rotates endlessly; A load detector is embedded in the floor of the descending section at a position that overlaps at least a part of the handrail belt in a plan view, and acquires and outputs load information related to the applied load, The entire load detector is disposed rearward of the front end of the handrail belt, a processing unit that determines whether or not a person has entered between the handrail belt and the load detector based on the load information, the load detector has a first detection area and a second detection area behind the first detection area, and acquires the load information in each detection area; the processing unit instructs the output unit to output an alarm when it determines, based on the load information in the first detection area, that a person has entered between the handrail belt and the first detection area, and stops the handrail belt when it determines, based on the load information in the second detection area, that a person has entered between the handrail belt and the second detection area.

4. A transport unit that transports a person forward; a descending section disposed at a front end of the transport section; a circular handrail belt that is disposed on the outer side of the conveying section in the width direction and rotates endlessly; A load detector is embedded in the floor of the descending section at a position that overlaps at least a part of the handrail belt in a plan view, and acquires and outputs load information related to the applied load, The entire load detector is disposed rearward of the front end of the handrail belt, a processing unit that determines whether or not a person has entered between the handrail belt and the load detector based on the load information, When the processing unit determines that a person has entered between the handrail belt and the load detector, it stops the handrail belt and reverses the rotation of the handrail belt after a predetermined time has elapsed since the handrail belt stopped.

5. A passenger conveyor according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the entire load detector overlaps with the handrail belt in a plan view.

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