Door closing detection device, and Ferris wheel gondola

Abstract

To improve safety by surely detecting a locking of a door with a simple structure.SOLUTION: A door closing detection device of a door 1 for a person to get on / get off in an amusement facility comprises: a door lock part 10 in which a latch 12 elongated / contracted by a handle operation is installed in the door 1; and a light sensor 13 that detects the latch which extends and intrudes into a wall part 2 opposing the door 1 when closing the door. The light sensor 13 detects a reflection light by projecting light on the latch from an approximately perpendicular direction to an elongation / expansion direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a door closing and locking device that takes safety into consideration to reliably confirm that the door is closed, and a gondola for an observation wheel.

Background Art

[0002] An observation wheel installed in an amusement park or the like has a plurality of gondolas (cars) that move in a circular motion. The doors are opened at the boarding and alighting positions on the platform for passengers to board and alight, and then an operator closes the doors so that they can safely rotate to a high position and enjoy the view. In such amusement facilities as an observation wheel, when an operator closes the door, there is a risk that the door will be left in a semi-closed state, and it is desired to take safety measures to ensure that the door is fully closed.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a configuration in which a light projected by a reflection-type photoelectric sensor provided outside the orbit along which a plurality of gondolas in an observation wheel move is detected by a reflection member provided in the car, and thereby it is detected whether the locking device of the car is in an unlocked state or a locked state.

[0004] Also, Patent Document 2 describes a configuration in which a detection body 2 made of ferrite embedded in a latch 4 oscillates when a proximity switch 1 faces it when the door is closed, and the closed state of the door is detected.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 6448091 Patent Document 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2004-156312

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, the device described in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that, because the reflective photoelectric sensor is installed outside the circular track of the elevator car, if an obstacle such as a person blocks the light between the reflective photoelectric sensor and the elevator car, it may not be possible to properly confirm that the lock is engaged.

[0007] The device described in Patent Document 2 detects door closing by having a latch and a proximity switch face each other, but it has the problem of having a complex structure because it requires embedding ferrite in the latch or providing an oscillator circuit that oscillates using the proximity switch.

[0008] The present invention aims to solve the above problems and improve security by reliably detecting door locking with a simple structure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a door closing detection device for doors used by people to get on and off in amusement facilities, A door lock unit having a latch on the door that extends and retracts when operated by a handle, When the door is closed, the latch is detected as it extends and penetrates the wall opposite the door. Provided within the aforementioned wall portion Equipped with a light sensor, The light sensor is positioned when viewed from a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of extension and retraction, when the door is closed and the latch is fully extended and inward. Within the wall portion Near the tip of the latch The tapered part The present invention provides a door closing detection device characterized by projecting light onto a surface and detecting the reflected light.

[0010] This configuration improves safety in amusement facilities such as flying towers and Ferris wheels, and allows for reliable detection of door locks. Furthermore, "extending and penetrating the wall" may refer to a form of penetration other than extending and penetrating into the wall, such as extending and penetrating into a hole in a projection provided on the outside of the wall.

[0011] Furthermore, in order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a gondola for a Ferris wheel, A door equipped with a door lock section having a latch that extends and retracts by operating a handle, The wall portion into which the latch extends and enters when the door is closed, The latch that has entered the wall is detected. Provided within the aforementioned wall portion Equipped with a first sensor, The first sensor is positioned when the door is closed and the latch is fully extended and inward, as viewed from a direction substantially perpendicular to the extension and retraction direction of the latch. Within the wall portion Near the tip of the latch The tapered part This invention provides a gondola for a Ferris wheel that is characterized by being a light sensor that projects light onto a surface and detects the reflected light.

[0012] This configuration improves the safety of Ferris wheel gondolas and ensures reliable detection of door locking.

[0013] A gondola for a Ferris wheel may be configured to allow people to board and alight at boarding / alighting positions while moving, and to issue a first alarm if the first sensor does not detect the latch at an alarm activation position after the Ferris wheel gondola has passed the boarding / alighting position.

[0014] This configuration allows for a preventative alarm to sound if the door is not completely closed, thus avoiding potential hazards.

[0015] A gondola for a Ferris wheel may be provided with a rotating fitting on the outside of the door that rotates to straddle the wall, and a second sensor on the wall that detects when the rotating fitting straddles a receiving fitting on the wall and is in a predetermined closed position.

[0016] This configuration doubles the safety of the Ferris wheel gondolas and ensures reliable detection of door locking.

[0017] A gondola for an observation wheel, wherein the wall portion faces the door Small door and has a configuration including a third sensor that detects that a lock bar of a French unlocking device provided in the Small door has penetrated a hole in the bottom of the gondola.

[0018] With this configuration, the safety of the gondola for the observation wheel can be improved threefold, and the locking of the door can be reliably detected.

[0019] A gondola for an observation wheel, wherein when the first sensor does not detect the latch at an alarm - emitting position where the gondola for the observation wheel has passed the boarding / alighting position, a first alarm is emitted; when the second sensor does not detect the Rotating fitting , a second alarm different from the first alarm is emitted; and when the third sensor does not detect the lock bar of the French unlocking device, a third alarm different from the first alarm and the second alarm is emitted.

[0020] With this configuration, by notifying the operator which sensor the alarm for the incomplete closing state of the door comes from, the locking of the door can be reliably performed immediately to respond, and the safety of the gondola for the observation wheel can be improved.

[0021] A gondola for an observation wheel, wherein the first alarm, the second alarm, and the third alarm may each be the light emission of a light emitter having a different emission color.

[0022] With this configuration, it is possible to immediately know which locking device is incomplete.

[0023] A gondola for an observation wheel, wherein when at least one of the first alarm, the second alarm, and the third alarm is not released, the circumferential movement of the gondola for the observation wheel is stopped at a stop position after passing the alarm - emitting position.

[0024] This configuration prevents the gondola from continuing to circle in a dangerous state where any of the alarms remain deactivated. [Effects of the Invention]

[0025] The door locking device and Ferris wheel gondola of the present invention can improve the safety of amusement facilities and the like, and reliably detect when a door is locked. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0026] [Figure 1] This is a diagram illustrating a gondola for a Ferris wheel in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 2] This figure illustrates the door lock mechanism in Embodiment 1 of the present invention, where (a) is a front view and (b) is a cross-sectional view AA'. [Figure 3] This figure illustrates the hook fitting in Embodiment 1 of the present invention, where (a) shows the state in which the rotating fitting is released from the receiving fitting, and (b) shows the state in which the rotating fitting and the receiving fitting are locked together. [Figure 4] This diagram illustrates the French bolt section of a double door in Embodiment 1 of the present invention, where (a) shows the state in which the locking rod is not dropped into the hole, and (b) shows the state in which the locking rod is dropped into the hole. [Figure 5] This figure illustrates the movement of a Ferris wheel gondola on a platform in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 6] This figure illustrates the door lock mechanism in Embodiment 2 of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention] [Examples]

[0027] Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 5. Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating a gondola for a Ferris wheel in Embodiment 1 of the present invention, where (a) is a front view and (b) is a cross-sectional view AA'. Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the door lock part in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating a latch in Embodiment 1 of the present invention, where (a) shows the state in which the rotating fitting is released from the receiving fitting and (b) shows the state in which the rotating fitting and the receiving fitting are locked. Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the French bolt part of a double door in Embodiment 1 of the present invention, where (a) shows the state in which the locking rod is not dropped into the hole and (b) shows the state in which the locking rod is dropped into the hole. Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the movement of a gondola for a Ferris wheel on the platform in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0028] As shown in Figure 1, the Ferris wheel gondola 100 in Embodiment 1 is a rounded box shape with a door 1 for boarding and alighting. After people board and alight by opening the door 1 on the ground platform, the door 1 is closed and the gondola completes one rotation of the circular track. The parent-child door 2 can be opened by pulling up the locking rod 31 of the French drop section 30 through the hole 33 at the bottom when a wider boarding and alighting space is required, such as for wheelchairs.

[0029] To open door 1, first rotate the pivot fitting 21 of the latch fitting 20 clockwise to release the lock from the receiving fitting 26. Next, rotate the handle 11 of the door lock part 10 clockwise to retract the latch 12 and release the lock from the double door 2. Then, simply pull the handle towards you to open door 1.

[0030] Furthermore, to close door 1, the handle 11 of the door lock unit 10 or door 1 itself is pushed, causing the latch 12 to contract and extend due to the action of a spring, entering the hole in the double door 2 and locking door 1 and the double door 2 together. At this time, if the latch 12 does not fully enter the hole in the double door 2, door 1 will open afterward, which is dangerous.

[0031] (Door lock section) Therefore, in Embodiment 1, detection is performed to determine whether the latch 12 of the door lock unit 10 has completely entered the hole in the parent-child door 2. Specifically, there is a light sensor 13 (also referred to as the "first sensor" in this application) that projects light onto the latch 12 from a direction approximately perpendicular to the direction in which the latch 12 extends and retracts (from above in Embodiment 1) and detects the reflected light. When the door 1 is completely closed, the projected light L of the light sensor 13 is pre-set to be projected near the tip of the latch 12 (see Figure 2(b)). As a result, if the door 1 is not closed completely and the latch 12 has not fully entered the parent-child door 2, the projected light L is not projected onto the latch 12 and the reflected light is not reflected by the light sensor, thus detecting that the door 1 is not completely closed.

[0032] Note that in Example 1, the light sensor 13 was provided to project light onto the latch 12 from above in the direction in which the latch 12 extends and retracts, but this is not necessarily limited to this and can be modified as appropriate. For example, the light sensor 13 may be provided to project light onto the latch 12 from below in the direction in which the latch 12 extends and retracts, or at least the light sensor 13 should be provided to project light onto the latch 12 from a direction approximately perpendicular to the direction in which the latch 12 extends and retracts.

[0033] Furthermore, if the light sensor 13 cannot detect the latch 12, the door 1 is not fully closed, and an alarm is issued, as described later. When the alarm is issued, a worker completely closes the door 1 to ensure safety. However, since the door 1 is opened when people get on or off, an alarm being issued during this time would cause confusion. Therefore, as described later, the system is configured to issue an alarm when the Ferris wheel gondola 100 moves from the boarding / alighting position to the alarm issuing position. Also, if this alarm is not deactivated at the stopping position, the rotation of the Ferris wheel gondola 100 is stopped.

[0034] (Hanging hardware) In Embodiment 1, in addition to the light sensor 13, the latch 20 is equipped with a light sensor 25 (also referred to as the "second sensor" in this application) to prevent the door 1 from opening unintentionally. This will be explained. The latch 20 can be positioned to straddle the double door 2 by rotating the pivot 21 counterclockwise around the pivot point 22 from a state in which the locking between the rotating fitting 21 and the receiving fitting 26 is released, as shown in Figure 3(a), so that the rotating fitting 21 and the receiving fitting 26 are locked together, as shown in Figure 3(b). When the rotating fitting 21 and the receiving fitting 26 are locked together, the door 1 cannot be opened even if the door lock part 10 is not completely closed. In other words, in addition to the door lock part 10, a double layer of safety is ensured for the closed state of the door 1.

[0035] The latch 20 has an optical sensor 25 that detects when the rotating fitting 21 is locked to the receiving fitting 26. The optical sensor 25 detects the reflected light emitted from the inside to the outside of the parent-child door 2 and the reflected light off the optical sensor shielding piece 24 of the rotating fitting 21 to confirm that the latch 20 is locked. In other words, in the state shown in Figure 3(a) when the rotating fitting 21 is not locked to the receiving fitting 26, the light projected from the optical sensor 25 is not reflected, and the optical sensor 25 determines that the latch 20 is not locked. Conversely, in the state shown in Figure 3(b) when the rotating fitting 21 is locked to the receiving fitting 26, the light projected from the optical sensor 25 is reflected off the optical sensor shielding piece 24 of the rotating fitting 21, and it can be determined that the latch 20 is locked. That is, a second sensor is provided on the wall that detects when the rotating fitting 21 is positioned in a predetermined closed position across the wall.

[0036] The reason why a large light sensor shielding piece 24 is provided on the rotating fitting 21 is that the position for installing the light sensor 25 is set on the side edge of the double door 2, which is easy to work on. This allows the light sensor 25 to be installed in a position that is easy to work on from the side of the double door 2, thereby improving work efficiency.

[0037] The optical sensor 25 prevents the locking mechanism 20 on the door 1 from being forgotten, and together with the optical sensor 13 mentioned above, a double safety check is performed. As described later, if the optical sensor 25 does not detect the optical sensor shielding piece 24 at the alarm activation position, an alarm is issued. Also, if this alarm is not deactivated at the stop position, the rotational movement of the Ferris wheel gondola 100 is stopped.

[0038] (French drop-off section) The French bolt mechanism 30 will now be described. A French bolt is a type of lock that is installed at the bottom of a door and locks by dropping a thin rod into a small hole drilled in the floor. In Embodiment 1, the French bolt mechanism 30 is installed at the bottom of the double door 2 and is configured to maintain the closed state of the double door 2 by dropping a thin rod (locking rod 31 in Embodiment 1) into a hole 33 provided at the bottom of the Ferris wheel gondola 100.

[0039] A microswitch 32 is installed in a hole 33 at the bottom of the Ferris wheel gondola 100, which can detect when the locking rod 31 has been dropped in. This prevents the parent-child door 2 from being left open and, together with the aforementioned light sensors 13 and 25, provides triple safety checks. As described later, if the microswitch 32 does not detect the locking rod 31 even at the alarm activation position, an alarm will be issued. Furthermore, if this alarm is not deactivated at the stopping position, the rotation of the Ferris wheel gondola 100 will be stopped.

[0040] (Alarm issued) As shown in Figure 5, the Ferris wheel gondola 100 in Example 1 moves in a circular motion from right to left near the platform P on the ground, moving from (a) to (b), from (b) to (c), and from (c) to (d). At position (b), the Ferris wheel gondola 101 is in motion, and this position is designated as the boarding / alighting position. At this point, a worker opens door 1 or door 1 and parent door 2, and people board and alight. Position (c), which is past the boarding / alighting position, is the alarm activation position, and if any of the above-mentioned optical sensors 13, 25, or microswitch 32 in the moving Ferris wheel gondola 103 are not detecting the target object, an alarm is activated.

[0041] In this invention, the light sensor 13 is referred to as the first sensor, the light sensor 25 as the second sensor, and the microswitch 32 as the third sensor. If the first sensor does not detect the latch 12 to be detected, it emits a red light emitter to issue a first alarm. If the second sensor does not detect the light sensor shielding piece 24 to be detected, it emits a blue light emitter to issue a second alarm. If the third sensor does not detect the lock rod 31 to be detected, it emits a yellow light emitter to issue a third alarm.

[0042] In this way, the first, second, and third alarms each emit light from a light source with a different color, allowing workers to instantly distinguish which sensor (first, second, or third) is triggering the alarm and quickly take action to clear it. Any light source can be used, such as an LED or lamp.

[0043] In Example 1, the first, second, and third alarms were each represented by the emission of light from light-emitting elements of different colors, but this is not necessarily limited to this and can be changed as appropriate. For example, they could each be represented by the emission of sounds of different timbres.

[0044] Furthermore, in Example 1, the first alarm was set to emit red light, the second alarm to emit blue light, and the third alarm to emit yellow light, but this is not necessarily limited to this and can be changed as appropriate. For example, the first alarm could emit pink light, the second alarm to emit red light, and the third alarm to emit blue light, and at least the first, second, and third alarms should each emit light from light-emitting elements of different colors. In addition, any of the lights may be set to flashing light.

[0045] The Ferris wheel gondola 104 shown in Figure 5(d) is passing the stopping position. If all alarms issued at the alarm activation position in Figure 5(c) have not been cleared, all Ferris wheel gondolas 100 will be brought to an emergency stop when they reach this stopping position. This prevents the Ferris wheel gondolas 100 from continuing to circle with the doors 1 or the double doors 2 not fully closed.

[0046] In Example 1, the Ferris wheel gondola 100 is configured with a double door 2 facing the door 1, but this configuration is not necessarily limited to this and can be modified as appropriate. For example, it may be a wall that does not open or close, without a double door 2.

[0047] Furthermore, in Example 1, the door 1 was installed in a Ferris wheel gondola 100, but this is not necessarily the only configuration, and it can be modified as appropriate. For example, it may be installed in an amusement facility such as a flying tower.

[0048] Thus, in Example 1, the door closing detection device for a door used by people to get on and off in an amusement facility, A door lock unit having a latch on the door that extends and retracts when operated by a handle, The system includes an optical sensor that detects the latch extending into and entering the wall opposite the door when the door is closed, The aforementioned optical sensor is a door closing detection device characterized by projecting light onto the latch from a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of extension and detecting the reflected light, thereby improving safety in amusement facilities such as flying towers and Ferris wheels and reliably detecting when a door is locked.

[0049] Also, a gondola for a Ferris wheel, A door equipped with a door lock section having a latch that extends and retracts by operating a handle, The wall portion into which the latch extends and enters when the door is closed, It includes a first sensor that detects the latch that has entered the wall portion, The first sensor is a light sensor that projects light onto the latch from a direction substantially perpendicular to the extension and retraction direction of the latch and detects the reflected light. This Ferris wheel gondola improves the safety of the Ferris wheel gondola and ensures reliable detection of door locking. [Examples]

[0050] Embodiment 2 of the present invention differs from Embodiment 1 in that the structure of the door lock portion is different from that of Embodiment 1. Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to Figure 6. Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the door lock portion in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0051] The Ferris wheel gondola 200 in Embodiment 2 has a door locking mechanism 210 on the door 201. The door locking mechanism 210 has a structure in which a latch 212 retracts and retracts when the handle 211 is grasped. When the door 201 is completely closed, the latch 212 enters the opposing wall and the door 201 is locked, putting it in the closed position. Also, by grasping the handle 211 and pulling it towards you, the latch 212 retracts and retracts, allowing the door 201 to be opened. Furthermore, it has a light sensor, similar to Embodiment 1, which projects light onto the latch 212 from a direction approximately perpendicular to the direction of its extension and retraction and detects the reflected light. This allows for confirmation that the door 201 is closed, improving safety.

[0052] Thus, in Example 2 as well, the door closing detection device for a door used by people to get on and off in an amusement facility, A door lock unit having a latch on the door that extends and retracts when operated by a handle, The system includes an optical sensor that detects the latch extending into and entering the wall opposite the door when the door is closed, The aforementioned optical sensor is a door closing detection device characterized by projecting light onto the latch from a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of extension and detecting the reflected light, thereby improving safety in amusement facilities such as flying towers and Ferris wheels and reliably detecting when a door is locked.

[0053] Also, a gondola for a Ferris wheel, A door equipped with a door lock section having a latch that extends and retracts by operating a handle, The wall portion into which the latch extends and enters when the door is closed, It includes a first sensor that detects the latch that has entered the wall portion, The first sensor is a light sensor that projects light onto the latch from a direction substantially perpendicular to the extension and retraction direction of the latch and detects the reflected light. This Ferris wheel gondola improves the safety of the Ferris wheel gondola and ensures reliable detection of door locking. [Industrial applicability]

[0054] The door closing detection device and the Ferris wheel gondola in the present invention can be widely used in the field of amusement facilities. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0055] 1: Door 2: Parent-child door (wall section) 10: Door lock section 11: Handle 12: Latch 13: Light sensor (first sensor) 20: Hanging hardware 21: Rotating fittings 22:Fulcrum 23: Snacks 24: Light sensor shielding piece 25: Light sensor (second sensor) 26: Mounting bracket 30: French Drop-off 31: Locking rod 32: Microswitch (3rd sensor) 33: Hole 100-104: Ferris wheel gondolas 200: Ferris wheel gondola 201: Door 210: Door lock section 211: Handle 212: Latch L: Light ray P: Platform

Claims

1. A door closing detection device for doors used by people to get on and off in amusement facilities, A door lock unit having a latch on the door that extends and retracts when operated by a handle, The system includes an optical sensor installed in the wall that detects the latch extending into and entering the wall opposite the door when the door is closed, The door closing detection device is characterized in that the light sensor projects light onto a tapered portion near the tip of the latch in the wall portion, which is located when the door is closed and the latch is fully extended and inward, as viewed from a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of extension and retraction, and detects the reflected light.

2. It is a gondola for a Ferris wheel, A door equipped with a door lock section having a latch that extends and retracts by operating a handle, The wall portion into which the latch extends and enters when the door is closed, The system includes a first sensor provided within the wall for detecting the latch that has entered the wall, The first sensor is a light sensor that detects reflected light by projecting light onto the tapered portion near the tip of the latch in the wall portion, which is located when the door is closed and the latch is fully extended and has entered, as viewed from a direction substantially perpendicular to the extension and retraction direction of the latch.

3. The Ferris wheel gondola according to claim 2, further comprising a rotating fitting on the outside of the door that rotates to straddle the wall, and a second sensor on the wall that detects when the rotating fitting straddles the wall and is in a predetermined closed position.

4. The Ferris wheel gondola according to claim 3, characterized in that the wall portion is a sub-door facing the main door, and is equipped with a third sensor that detects when the locking rod of a French bolt lock provided on the sub-door enters a hole in the bottom of the gondola.

5. The Ferris wheel gondola according to claim 4, characterized in that, at an alarm activation position where the Ferris wheel gondola has passed the boarding / alighting position, the first sensor activates a first alarm if it does not detect the latch, the second sensor activates a second alarm different from the first alarm if it does not detect the rotating fitting, and the third sensor activates a third alarm different from the first and second alarms if it does not detect the locking rod of the French bolt lock.

6. The Ferris wheel gondola according to claim 5, characterized in that the first alarm, the second alarm, and the third alarm are each emitted by light-emitting elements of different colors.

7. The Ferris wheel gondola according to claim 5, characterized in that if at least one of the first alarm, the second alarm, and the third alarm is not deactivated, the gondola stops its circular movement at a stopping position past the alarm activation position.

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