Speed detection device and passenger conveyor

Abstract

This speed detection device is provided with a housing, a rotating roller, and a speed detection part. The housing is disposed outside a deck part of a passenger conveyor and is attached to a handrail part supported by the deck part. The rotating roller is housed inside the housing, contacts with a handrail of the handrail part, and rotates when the handrail moves. The speed detection part detects the movement speed of the handrail by detecting the rotation of the rotating roller.

Description

Speed ​​detection device and passenger conveyor

[0001] The present invention relates to a speed detection device and a passenger conveyor.

[0002] The passenger conveyor comprises a frame installed in a building structure and a plurality of steps connected in an endless manner within the frame that move in a circular motion. An endless step chain is connected to the steps, and the steps move in a circular motion when the step chain is rotated. For the safety of passengers, the passenger conveyor also has handrails that circulate in synchronization with the steps.

[0003] In addition, there may be a difference between the speed of the steps and the speed of the handrail, causing them to become out of sync. This is undesirable for passengers. In order to detect the difference between the speeds of the steps and the handrail, it is necessary to detect the speed of the handrail.

[0004] One example of a technique for detecting the speed of a handrail is described in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 describes a technique in which magnetic layers are provided at regular intervals on the surface of the handrail. The technique described in Patent Document 1 detects the speed of the handrail by detecting these magnetic layers with a magnetic sensor.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-246676

[0006] Furthermore, in recent years, in order to improve the safety of passenger conveyors, there has been a demand for detecting the speed of a handrail for existing passenger conveyors that do not have a speed detection unit. However, with the technology described in Patent Document 1, a magnetic layer is embedded in the handrail, and a magnetic sensor that detects the speed is located in the deck. Therefore, with the technology described in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to incorporate a new device that detects the speed of a handrail into an existing passenger conveyor that does not have a speed detection unit.

[0007] In consideration of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a speed detection device and a passenger conveyor that can easily incorporate a mechanism for detecting the speed of a handrail.

[0008] To solve the above problems and achieve the object, a speed detection device includes a housing, a rotating roller, and a speed detection unit. The housing is disposed outside the deck of the passenger conveyor and attached to a balustrade supported by the deck. The rotating roller is housed inside the housing, contacts the handrail on the balustrade, and rotates when the handrail moves. The speed detection unit detects the movement speed of the handrail by detecting the rotation of the rotating roller.

[0009] The passenger conveyor also includes a deck section, a balustrade panel supported on the deck section and a handrail movably supported on the outer periphery of the balustrade panel, and a speed detection device disposed outside the deck section. The speed detection device is the same as that described above.

[0010] According to the speed detection device and passenger conveyor having the above configuration, a mechanism for detecting the speed of the handrail can be easily incorporated.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of the configuration of a passenger conveyor according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a speed detection device for a passenger conveyor according to a first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a speed detection device for a passenger conveyor according to a first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a speed detection device for a passenger conveyor according to a first embodiment, in which the traveling direction of the handrail is opposite to that of the example shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a speed detection device for a passenger conveyor according to a second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of a speed detection device and a control system for a passenger conveyor. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing another example of a control system for a speed detection device and a passenger conveyor. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing yet another example of a control system for a speed detection device and a passenger conveyor. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of a speed detection device and a passenger conveyor.

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of a speed detection device and a passenger conveyor will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 9. Note that common members in the figures are given the same reference numerals.

[0013] 1. First Embodiment 1-1. Configuration Example of Passenger Conveyor First, the configuration of a passenger conveyor according to a first embodiment (hereinafter referred to as "this example") will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the passenger conveyor.

[0014] The passenger conveyor 1 of this example shown in Figure 1 is an inclined passenger conveyor, or so-called escalator, installed on the upper and lower floors of a building structure. As shown in Figure 1, the passenger conveyor 1 has a plurality of steps (not shown) for carrying passengers, a balustrade 5, and a deck 2 that supports the balustrade 5.

[0015] The multiple steps are connected endlessly via a step chain. The step chain is wound around an upper sprocket and a lower sprocket of the passenger conveyor 1. A drive unit is connected to the upper sprocket or the lower sprocket. When the drive unit is driven, the upper sprocket and the lower sprocket rotate, and the step chain wound around the upper sprocket and the lower sprocket also rotates. As the step chain rotates, the multiple steps move cyclically between the upper sprocket and the lower sprocket.

[0016] A deck section 2 is provided at both ends of the steps in the width direction, which is perpendicular to the direction of travel. The deck section 2 is arranged along the direction of travel of the steps. A balustrade section 5 is provided at the top end of the deck section 2 in the vertical direction.

[0017] The balustrade section 5 has a balustrade panel 4 supported by the deck section 2, and a handrail 3. The handrail 3 is movably supported on the outer periphery of the balustrade panel 4. The handrail 3 also moves cyclically in synchronization with the cyclical movement of the multiple steps. The handrail 3 enters and exits an inlet provided in the deck section 2. The inlet is provided in front of the entrance to the deck section 2 where passengers enter and exit.

[0018] Furthermore, a speed detection device 10 that detects the speed of the handrail 3 is installed outside the inlet of the deck section 2 in the balustrade section 5. The speed detection device 10 is placed vertically below the horizontal line that passes through the center of the arc section where the traveling direction of the handrail 3 in the balustrade section 5 reverses. This prevents the speed detection device 10 from interfering with passengers using the passenger conveyor 1.

[0019] 1-2. Example of the Configuration of the Speed ​​Detection Device Next, a detailed configuration of the speed detection device 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the speed detection device 10, and Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the speed detection device 10.

[0020] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the speed detection device 10 has a hollow housing 11, an attachment portion 12, a rotating roller 13, a biasing member 14, a support member 15, a swing shaft 16, and a speed detection portion 17.

[0021] As shown in Figure 3, the housing 11 has an opening 11a. The opening 11a is larger than the length of the handrail 3 in the width direction perpendicular to the traveling direction. When the speed detection device 10 is installed on the balustrade part 5, the handrail 3 is inserted into the housing 11 through the opening 11a. Also, a part of the balustrade panel 4 is inserted into the housing 11 through the opening 11a. Furthermore, two mounting parts 12 are installed in the opening 11a.

[0022] The mounting portion 12 is formed, for example, by a bolt or the like. The mounting portion 12 is inserted into the opening 11a from the outside in the width direction of the housing 11. The end of the mounting portion 12 inserted into the housing 11 abuts against the balustrade panel 4. Therefore, the balustrade panel 4 is clamped between the two mounting portions 12. In addition, a pressing portion 12a is provided at the end of the mounting portion 12 that comes into contact with the balustrade panel 4. The pressing portion 12a is formed, for example, by a material with a high coefficient of friction, such as rubber. This prevents the housing 11 from falling off the balustrade panel 4 when the speed detection device 10 is installed on the balustrade portion 5.

[0023] The housing 11 accommodates a rotating roller 13, an urging member 14, a support member 15, a swing shaft 16, and a speed detection unit 17. The support member 15 is arranged parallel to the traveling direction of the handrail 3. A swing shaft 16 is provided on the support member 15 downstream of the traveling direction of the handrail 3. The swing shaft 16 is installed in the housing 11. The support member 15 is supported by the swing shaft 16 so that it can swing. The urging member 14 is installed on the end of the support member 15 opposite to the swing shaft 16 side.

[0024] The biasing member 14 is configured by, for example, a spring. One end of the biasing member 14 is fixed to the support member 15. The other end of the biasing member 14 is fixed to the housing 11 via a spring receiving portion 18. The biasing member 14 biases the support member 15 toward the handrail 3. Although an example in which a spring is used as the biasing member 14 has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and various other elastic members such as rubber may also be used.

[0025] The rotating roller 13 is rotatably supported in the intermediate portion of the support member 15 between the swing shaft 16 and the biasing member 14. The rotating roller 13 is biased against the handrail 3 via the biasing member 14 provided on the support member 15. This ensures that the rotating roller 13 comes into contact with the handrail 3 even if rattles occur as the handrail 3 moves in a circular motion. Then, when the handrail 3 moves in a circular motion, the rotating roller 13 rotates together with the movement of the handrail 3. In addition, a speed detection unit 17 is provided at one axial end of the rotation shaft 13a of the rotating roller 13.

[0026] The speed detection unit 17 is configured by, for example, an encoder, etc. The speed detection unit 17 detects the rotation speed of the rotation shaft 13a, thereby detecting the speed of the handrail 3. The speed detection unit 17 outputs the detected speed information of the handrail 3 to the calculation unit 101 (see FIG. 6) and the control panel 121D of the passenger conveyor 1 (see FIG. 8).

[0027] Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example in which the traveling direction of the handrail 3 is opposite to that shown in Figure 1. In the example shown in Figure 1, the traveling direction of the handrail 3 moves counterclockwise in Figure 1, i.e., in the direction out of the deck section 2. In the example shown in Figure 4, the traveling direction of the handrail 3 moves clockwise in Figure 4, i.e., in the direction into the deck section 2.

[0028] 1 and 4, the speed detection device 10 is installed so that the end of the support member 15 on the swing shaft 16 side is on the downstream side in the traveling direction of the handrail 3. The upstream side of the support member 15 in the traveling direction of the handrail 3, i.e., the end of the housing 11 on the inlet side of the handrail 3, is a free end.

[0029] Here, if a foreign object gets between the handrail 3 and the rotating roller 13, the support member 15 will swing (rotate) around the swing shaft 16. Then, the end of the support member 15 on the upstream side in the traveling direction of the handrail 3 will move in a direction away from the handrail 3 against the biasing force of the biasing member 14. Therefore, according to the speed detection device 10 of this example, by providing a sensor that detects the amount of displacement on the free end side of the biasing member 14 or the support member 15, it is possible to detect that a foreign object has become caught between the rotating roller 13 and the handrail 3.

[0030] 1 and 4, the installation direction of the speed detection device 10 is changed depending on the direction of travel of the handrail 3. This allows the end of the support member 15, which is the free end and on which the biasing member 14 is provided, to be oriented upstream in the direction of travel of the handrail 3. As a result, when a foreign object gets between the handrail 3 and the rotating roller 13, the support member 15 can be smoothly swung around the swing shaft 16.

[0031] As described above, the speed detection device 10 of this example is installed outside the inlet of the deck section 2. Then, to detect the speed of the handrail 3, the speed detection unit 17 detects the rotational speed of the rotating roller 13 that contacts the handrail 3. Therefore, there is no need to process the handrail 3 itself. As a result, the speed detection device 10 of this example can be easily installed on an existing passenger conveyor that is not equipped with a device for detecting the speed of the handrail 3. As a result, the safety of the passenger conveyor can be improved.

[0032] In addition, the opening 11a in the housing 11, into which the handrail 3 is inserted, is formed to be larger than the width direction of the handrail 3. Therefore, the housing 11, which houses the rotating roller 13, the biasing member 14, the support member 15, the swing shaft 16, and the speed detection unit 17, can be easily installed on the balustrade 5.

[0033] 2. Second Embodiment Next, a speed detection device according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the speed detection device according to the second embodiment.

[0034] The speed detection device 10C according to the second embodiment differs from the speed detection device 10 according to the first embodiment in the configuration of the housing. Therefore, parts common to the speed detection device according to the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0035] 5, the speed detection device 10C includes a hollow housing 31, a mounting portion 12, a rotating roller 13, a biasing member 14, a support member 15, a swing shaft 16, and a speed detection portion. The rotating roller 13, the biasing member 14, the support member 15, the swing shaft 16, and the speed detection portion are housed in the housing 31.

[0036] The housing 31 is attached to the balustrade 5 by the mounting portion 12. The housing 31 also covers the inlet portion of the deck portion 2, which is the entrance and exit for the handrail 3. This makes it possible for the housing 31 to prevent foreign matter from entering the inlet portion.

[0037] The other configurations are the same as those of the speed detection device 10 according to the first embodiment described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. The speed detection device 10C having such a configuration can also obtain the same functions and effects as those of the speed detection device 10 according to the first embodiment described above.

[0038] 3. Control System of Speed ​​Detector Next, the control system of the speed detector 10 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing the control system of the speed detector 10 and the passenger conveyor 1.

[0039] As shown in Figure 6, the control system 120 on the passenger conveyor 1 side has a control panel 121 and an audio device 122 that notifies users of various types of information. The control panel 121 is connected to the audio device 122 and a drive unit 6 that circulates the steps and handrails 3. The control panel 121 also controls the drive of the drive unit 6.

[0040] The speed detection device 10 also has a speed detection unit 17, a calculation unit 101, and an audio device 102. The calculation unit 101 is connected to the speed detection unit 17 and the audio device 102 via a wire or wirelessly so as to be able to send and receive information. The calculation unit 101 receives speed information of the handrail 3 detected by the speed detection unit 17. The calculation unit 101 then determines whether or not the received speed information of the handrail 3 deviates from a preset speed. If the calculation unit 101 determines that there is a deviation between the speed of the handrail 3 and the preset speed, it alerts the user via the audio device 102. In this way, the speed detection device 10 can improve the safety of the passenger conveyor 1.

[0041] The calculation unit 101 also transmits information to a mobile terminal owned by a manager or an external management center. This makes it possible to notify the mobile terminal or management center that an abnormality has occurred in the speed of the handrail 3. Although the audio devices 102, 122 are used as a configuration for notifying users, this is not limitative, and information may be notified to users by a display screen that displays information, or by lighting or flashing a lamp, etc.

[0042] Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing another example of the speed detection device 10 and the control system of the passenger conveyor. In the example shown in Fig. 7, the control panel 121B of the control system 120B on the passenger conveyor 1 side and the calculation unit 101B of the speed detection device 10 are connected to each other via wire or wirelessly so as to be able to send and receive information. The calculation unit 101B transmits its determination result to the control panel 121B of the passenger conveyor 1. Then, based on the determination result transmitted from the calculation unit 101B, the control panel 121B controls the driving of the drive unit 6, alerts users via the audio device 122, and so on. This can improve the safety of the passenger conveyor 1.

[0043] Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing yet another example of a speed detection device and a control system for a passenger conveyor. As shown in Fig. 8, a speed detection device 10D does not have a calculation unit or an audio device. A speed detection unit 17D of the speed detection device 10D is connected to a control panel 121D of a control system 120D on the passenger conveyor side by wire or wirelessly so as to be able to send and receive information.

[0044] The control system 120D also has a control panel 121D, a calculation unit 123D, and an audio device 122. The calculation unit 123D is connected to the control panel 121D and the audio device 122. The calculation unit 123D also acquires speed information of the handrail 3 detected by the speed detection unit 17D via the control panel 121D. The calculation unit 123D then determines whether or not the acquired speed information of the handrail 3 deviates from a preset speed. If the calculation unit 123D determines that there is a deviation between the speed of the handrail 3 and the preset speed, it alerts the user via the audio device 122. Furthermore, the calculation unit 123D controls the driving of the drive unit 6 via the control panel 121D.

[0045] 8, there is no need to provide a calculation unit for determining the speed of the handrail 3 or an audio device for notifying the user, which simplifies the speed detection device 10D.

[0046] 4. Example of Operation of Speed ​​Detector and Passenger Conveyor Next, an example of operation of the speed detector and passenger conveyor having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of operation of the speed detector and passenger conveyor. Note that the example of operation shown in Fig. 9 describes a case where the control system shown in Fig. 7 is applied.

[0047] 9, first, the control panel 121B of the passenger conveyor 1 controls the drive unit 6 to circulate the steps and handrail 3, thereby operating the passenger conveyor 1 (step S1). Then, the speed detection device 10 detects the rotation speed of the rotating roller 13 in contact with the handrail 3 using the speed detection unit 17. The speed detection unit 17 outputs the detected speed information of the handrail 3 to the calculation unit 101B.

[0048] Next, the calculation unit 101B determines whether or not there is a deviation between the detected speed of the handrail 3 and a preset speed (step S2). In the process of step S2, if the calculation unit 101B determines that there is no deviation between the detected speed of the handrail 3 and the preset speed (NO determination in step S2), the process proceeds to step S9.

[0049] In the process of step S9, the calculation unit 101B transmits the determination result to the control panel 121B. Then, the control panel 121B controls the drive unit 6 to continue the operation of the passenger conveyor 1. After that, the process returns to step S1.

[0050] Furthermore, in the process of step S2, if the calculation unit 101B determines that there is a discrepancy between the detected speed of the handrail 3 and the preset speed (YES determination in step S2), the process proceeds to step S3. In the process of step S3, the calculation unit 101B determines whether or not a warning setting has been made.

[0051] In the process of step S3, if the calculation unit 101B determines that the attention call setting has not been made (NO in step S3), the process proceeds to step S4. In addition, in the process of step S3, if the calculation unit 101B determines that the attention call setting has been made (YES in step S3), the process proceeds to step S7.

[0052] In the process of step S4, the calculation unit 101B determines whether or not a notification setting to an external terminal has been made. If the calculation unit 101B determines in the process of step S4 that a notification setting to an external terminal has not been made (NO in step S4), the process proceeds to step S7. Also, if the calculation unit 101B determines in the process of step S4 that a notification setting to an external terminal has been made (YES in step S4), the calculation unit 101B notifies the external terminal (step S5).

[0053] After the notification process in step S5, the calculation unit 101B determines whether or not a stop command has been received from the terminal (step S6). If the calculation unit 101B determines in the process of step S6 that a stop command has not been received from the terminal (NO in step S6), the process proceeds to step S7. Then, in the process of step S7, the calculation unit 101B broadcasts a warning to users using the audio devices 102 and 122. This can improve the safety of the passenger conveyor 1.

[0054] In the process of step S3, even if a warning setting has not been made in advance in the speed detection device 10, a warning broadcast is made based on the settings in the external terminal or a command from the external terminal. This ensures that users are notified of speed abnormalities of the handrail 3, thereby improving the safety of the passenger conveyor 1.

[0055] Next, the calculation unit 101B determines whether or not an operation stop command has been set in advance when the attention-calling broadcast is made (step S8). In the process of step S8, if the calculation unit 101B determines that an operation stop command has not been set (NO in step S8), the process proceeds to step S9. That is, the passenger conveyor 1 continues to operate while the audio devices 102, 122 are issuing an attention-calling broadcast to users.

[0056] In addition, in the process of step S6, if the calculation unit 101B determines that there is a stop command from the terminal (YES determination in step S6), the process proceeds to step S10. Furthermore, in the process of step S8, if the calculation unit 101B determines that an operation stop command has been set (YES determination in step S8), the process proceeds to step S10.

[0057] In the processing of step S10, the calculation unit 101B outputs an operation stop command to the control panel 121B. Then, the control panel 121B stops driving the drive unit 6. This stops the operation of the passenger conveyor 1, thereby improving the safety of the passenger conveyor 1. As a result, the operation of the speed detection device and the passenger conveyor is completed.

[0058] In the above example, the calculation unit 101B of the speed detection device 10 performs various determinations, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, various determination processes may be performed by a control panel 121B, which is a control system 120B on the passenger conveyor 1 side shown in Fig. 7, or a calculation unit 123D provided separately from the control panel 121D shown in Fig. 8. Furthermore, the speed information detected by the speed detection unit 17D may be transmitted to a mobile terminal owned by a manager or an external management center, and various determinations may be performed by a calculation unit in the mobile terminal or the management center.

[0059] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

[0060] In the above-described embodiment, an escalator, which is an inclined passenger conveyor with steps between the steps, has been used as an example of the passenger conveyor, but the present invention is not limited to this. The passenger conveyor can also be applied to an electrically operated road with multiple steps without steps between them, a so-called moving walkway.

[0061] The present invention can also be applied to a passenger conveyor having a frame in which at least a portion of the inclined section is provided with a portion parallel to the upper horizontal section and the lower horizontal section.Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied to a passenger conveyor having a frame in which the extending direction of the upper horizontal section and the lower horizontal section differs due to the extension direction of the inclined section being curved and changed.

[0062] In this specification, the words "parallel" and "orthogonal" are used, but these do not mean only "parallel" and "orthogonal" in the strict sense, but also include "parallel" and "orthogonal" and may also mean a "substantially parallel" or "substantially orthogonal" state within a range in which the functions can be exerted.

[0063] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... passenger conveyor, 2... deck section, 3... handrail, 4... balustrade panel, 5... balustrade section, 6... drive section, 10, 10C, 10D... speed detection device, 11, 31... housing, 11a... opening, 12... mounting section, 12a... pressing section, 13... rotating roller, 13a... rotating shaft, 14... biasing member, 15... support member, 16... swinging shaft, 17, 17D... speed detection section, 18... spring bearing section, 101, 101B... calculation section, 102... audio device, 120, 120B, 120D... control system, 121, 121B, 121D... control panel, 122... audio device, 123D... calculation section

Claims

1. A speed detection device comprising: a housing arranged outside the deck of a passenger conveyor and attached to a balustrade supported on said deck; a rotating roller housed inside said housing, which comes into contact with a handrail on said balustrade and rotates when said handrail moves; and a speed detection unit which detects the rotation of said rotating roller to detect the moving speed of said handrail.

2. The speed detection device according to claim 1, further comprising a biasing member that biases the rotating roller toward the handrail.

3. The speed detection device according to claim 2, further comprising a support member supported within the housing so as to be able to swing, wherein the rotating roller is rotatably supported on the support member, and the biasing member biases the rotating roller via the support member.

4. A speed detection device as set forth in claim 3, wherein the support member is arranged parallel to the direction of travel of the handrail, a swing shaft that swingably supports the support member is provided at the end of the support member downstream in the direction of travel of the handrail, the biasing member is arranged at the end of the support member upstream in the direction of travel of the handrail, and the rotating roller is arranged at an intermediate part of the support member between the swing shaft and the biasing member.

5. A speed detection device according to claim 1, wherein the housing has an opening that is larger than the length of the handrail in a width direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the handrail, and the handrail is inserted into the housing through the opening.

6. A speed detection device according to claim 1, wherein the housing is positioned vertically below a horizontal line passing through the center of the arc portion of the balustrade where the direction of travel of the handrail reverses.

7. A speed detection device according to claim 1, further comprising a calculation unit that determines whether or not to issue a warning to users based on the speed information of the handrail detected by the speed detection unit.

8. The speed detection device according to claim 1, wherein the speed detection unit transmits the detected speed information of the handrail to a control panel that controls the passenger conveyor.

9. A passenger conveyor comprising: a deck section; a balustrade section having balustrade panels supported on the deck section and handrails movably supported on the outer periphery of the balustrade panels; and a speed detection device arranged on the outside of the deck section, wherein the speed detection device comprises: a housing attached to the balustrade section; a rotating roller housed inside the housing, in contact with the handrail and rotating when the handrail moves; a speed detection section that detects the rotation of the rotating roller to detect the moving speed of the handrail;

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