Object detection system for elevator doorway, object detection method for elevator doorway, and object detection program for elevator doorway

Abstract

An object detection system for an elevator doorway according to the present disclosure is provided with a landing door 4, a car door 8, a pair of photoelectric sensors 10, first optical systems 11a, 11b, second optical systems 11c, 11d, and an object detection unit 32a. As for an optical axis passing through the space between the landing door 4 and the car door 8, an optical axis passing along the surface of the landing door 4 on the landing 1 side, and an optical axis passing along the surface of the car door 8 on the car 62 side, if an object is present on any of the optical axes, the object blocks the optical axis. Further, when the amount of light received by the photoelectric sensor 10 is smaller than a predetermined first threshold, the object detection unit 32a determines that an object has been detected in the elevator doorway.

Description

Elevator entrance / exit object detection system, elevator entrance / exit object detection method, and elevator entrance / exit object detection program

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an elevator entrance object detection system, an elevator entrance object detection method, and an elevator entrance object detection program.

[0002] Conventional object detection systems for elevator entrances and exits are equipped with a car-side sensor that passes an optical axis along the car-side surface, a hall-side sensor that emits light toward the hall side and receives light that returns from the hall side to the car side, and an optical system that passes the optical axis of the light from the hall side along the hall-side surface of the hall door and returns it to the car side.These systems detect objects that exist in the space between the car and the car door and in the space between the jamb and the hall door, and notify elevator users that an object has been detected at that location (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-8300

[0004] Conventional elevator entrance / exit object detection systems can detect objects in the space between the car and car doors and the space between the jamb and the landing doors, but cannot detect objects in the space between the car doors and the landing doors without increasing the number of photoelectric sensors.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an object detection system for elevator entrances that can detect an object present in the space between the car and car door and the space between the jamb and the landing door, as well as in the space between the car door and the landing door, using a pair of photoelectric sensors.

[0006] The object detection system for an elevator entrance / exit according to the present disclosure includes: a landing door that opens and closes the landing entrance / exit; a car door that opens and closes the car entrance / exit; a pair of photoelectric sensors that are provided in the car and that emit light toward a door pocket of the landing door, a door pocket of the car door, and a space between the landing door and the car door, pass an optical axis through the space between the landing door and the car door, and acquire an amount of incident received light; a first optical system that is provided in the door pocket of the landing door and that reflects the light emitted by the photoelectric sensor toward the door pocket of the landing door, pass an optical axis along a surface of the landing door on the landing side, and guide it to a light receiving side of the photoelectric sensor; The elevator is equipped with a second optical system that is provided in the bag and reflects light emitted by the photoelectric sensor toward the door pocket of the car door, causes the light axis to pass along the car-side surface of the car door, and guides it to the light-receiving side of the photoelectric sensor; and an object detection unit that, when an object is present on the light axis that passes through the space between the landing door and the car door, the light axis that passes along the landing-side surface of the landing door, or the light axis that passes along the car-side surface of the car door, determines that an object has been detected at the elevator entrance / exit when the object blocks the light axis and the amount of light received by the photoelectric sensor is smaller than a predetermined first threshold.

[0007] The method for detecting an object at an elevator entrance / exit according to the present disclosure includes the steps of: using a pair of photoelectric sensors to emit light toward a door pocket of a landing door that opens and closes a landing entrance / exit, a door pocket of a car door, and a space between the landing door and the car door, passing an optical axis through the space between the landing door and the car door, and acquiring an amount of incident received light; passing the optical axis of the light emitted by the photoelectric sensors along a surface of the landing door facing the landing door and guiding it to a light-receiving side of the photoelectric sensor; passing the optical axis of the light emitted by the photoelectric sensor along a surface of the car door facing the car, and guiding it to the light-receiving side of the photoelectric sensor; and, if the amount of light received by the photoelectric sensor is smaller than a predetermined first threshold, an object detection unit determines that an object has been detected at the elevator entrance / exit.

[0008] An object detection program for an elevator entrance / exit according to the present disclosure causes a computer to execute the following steps: using a pair of photoelectric sensors to emit light toward a door pocket of a landing door that opens and closes the landing entrance / exit, a door pocket of a car door, and a space between the landing door and the car door, passing an optical axis through the space between the landing door and the car door, and acquiring an amount of incident received light; passing the optical axis of the light emitted by the photoelectric sensors along the landing-side surface of the landing door and guiding it to a light-receiving side of the photoelectric sensor; passing the optical axis of the light emitted by the photoelectric sensor along the car-side surface of the car door and guiding it to the light-receiving side of the photoelectric sensor; and, if the amount of light received by the photoelectric sensor is smaller than a predetermined first threshold, the object detection unit determines that an object has been detected at the elevator entrance / exit.

[0009] According to the present disclosure, by using a pair of photoelectric sensors, elevator users can be notified that an object has been detected in the space between the car and the car door and in the space between the jamb and the landing door.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a view of the area around an elevator entrance in embodiment 1, seen from the upper frame side of the jamb. FIG. 2 is a view of the area around the car door in embodiment 1, seen from the front. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a photoelectric sensor in embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an elevator entrance notification device in embodiment 1. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of an object detection system for an elevator entrance in embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of an object detection system for an elevator entrance in embodiment 1. FIG. 7 is a view of the area around the car door in a modified example of embodiment 1, seen from the front. FIG. 8 is a view of the area around the car door in a modified example of embodiment 1, seen from the front. FIG. 9 is a view of the area around an elevator entrance in a modified example of embodiment 1, seen from the upper frame side of the jamb. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an object detection system for an elevator entrance in embodiment 2. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of an object detection system for an elevator entrance in embodiment 2.

[0011] Embodiment 1. The configuration of an elevator entrance / exit in embodiment 1 will be described. Fig. 1 is a view of the area around the elevator entrance / exit from the upper frame side of the jamb 2. Fig. 2 is a view of the area around the car door 8 from the front. Note that Figs. 1 and 2 show a state in which the car room 6 has arrived at the hall 1 and the hall door 4 and car door 8 are fully open. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a photoelectric sensor 10. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an object detection system for an elevator entrance / exit. Note that the space including the hall entrance / exit 3, car entrance / exit 7, and threshold 60 is referred to as the elevator entrance / exit.

[0012] In FIG. 1 , the area around the elevator entrance is made up of: a landing 1; a jamb 2 surrounding a landing entrance 3 through which elevator users at the landing 1 get on and off the car 6; landing doors 4 that open and close the landing entrance 3; a car 6 provided in a hoistway 5; car doors 8 that open and close a car entrance 7; a door motor 15 provided on the upper part of the car doors 8; car support pillars 9 that are provided on each of the left and right ends of the car entrance 7 and support the car 6; a pair of photoelectric sensors 10 provided on the car support pillars 9; reflectors 11 a and 11 b that are a first optical system; reflectors 11 c and 11 d that are a second optical system; an alarm device 35 provided in the car 6; a threshold 60 provided between the landing 1 and the car 6; and a door pocket 61 in which the landing doors 4 and the car doors 8 are stored when the doors are open. The car 62 is composed of a car chamber 6, a car entrance / exit 7, a car door 8, and a car support pillar 9.

[0013] The landing doors 4 and the car doors 8 are arranged symmetrically with respect to a threshold line 12 provided between the landing 1 and the car room 6. The landing doors 4 are provided at the landing 1 on each floor. The car doors 8 are connected to a door motor 15. The door motor 15 operates in accordance with instructions from a door control unit 14a provided in an elevator control panel 13a, which controls the opening and closing of the landing doors 4 and the car doors 8. When the car room 6 arrives at the floor on which the landing door 4 is installed, the landing doors 4 and the car doors 8 are connected to each other by a connecting mechanism (not shown). The connected landing doors 4 and car doors 8 slide open and closed in conjunction with the operation of the door motor 15.

[0014] The photoelectric sensor 10 includes a light-emitting device 16 and a light-receiving device 17, and emits light toward the door pocket 61 of the landing door 4, the door pocket 61 of the car door 8, and the space between the landing door 4 and the car door 8, forming an optical axis that passes from the light-emitting device 16 to the light-receiving device 17. The light-receiving device 17 acquires the amount of incident light received. Here, if an object is present so as to block the optical axis of the photoelectric sensor 10, the amount of light received by the light-receiving device 17 will be smaller than normal. In the present disclosure, the photoelectric sensor 10 is installed so that the optical axis passes through the space of the elevator entrance, and when the amount of light received by the light-receiving device 17 is smaller than a predetermined first threshold value T1, the presence of an object at the elevator entrance is detected. The configuration and operation of the elevator entrance object detection system will be described in detail below.

[0015] Next, the installation location of the photoelectric sensor 10 will be described. The light-projecting device 16 is provided on the car support pillar 9 on the left side of the paper in Fig. 1 so as not to interfere with the sliding car door 8. The light-receiving device 17 is provided on the car support pillar 9 on the right side of the paper in Fig. 1 so as not to interfere with the sliding car door 8. Furthermore, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the light-projecting device 16 and the light-receiving device 17 are provided so that an optical axis 50a that is directly incident from the light-projecting device 16 to the light-receiving device 17 passes through the space between the landing door 4 and the car door 8.

[0016] In this way, the optical axis 50a passes through the space between the landing doors 4 and the car doors 8, thereby making it possible to detect an object present in the space between the landing doors 4 and the car doors 8. Specifically, it is possible to detect an object caught between the landing doors 4 and the car doors 8, an object that has fallen on the threshold 60 between the landing doors 4 and the car doors 8, and an object present in the threshold 60 between the landing entrance 3 and the car entrance 7. Note that, the object caught between the landing doors 4 and the car doors 8 is assumed to be, for example, the clothes of an elevator user, a cord for an electronic device, or a pet lead. Note that, the object that has fallen on the threshold 60 between the landing doors 4 and the car doors 8 is assumed to be, for example, a card or wireless earphones. Note that, the object present in the threshold 60 between the landing entrance 3 and the car entrance 7 is assumed to be, for example, an elevator user, a wheelchair, or a cart.

[0017] Next, the light-projecting device 16 and the light-receiving device 17 will be described in detail. As shown in Fig. 3, the light-projecting device 16 includes a light-projecting window 18 for emitting light to the outside, a light-projecting element 19 that emits light, and a light-projection control board 20. The light-receiving device 17 includes a light-receiving window 21 for taking in the light emitted from the light-projecting device 16, a light-receiving element 22 that receives the light emitted from the light-projecting device 16, and a light-receiving control board 23.

[0018] The light-projecting element 19 emits, for example, infrared light as light. The light-projecting element 19 is preferably an element capable of emitting light over a wide range so that light can be incident on the light-receiving element 22 directly and by using the reflector 11. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the light-projecting element 19 may be an element capable of setting its light projection range so that light emitted from the light-projecting window 18 spreads in a fan shape. The light-receiving element 22 is preferably an element capable of receiving light over a wide range so that light emitted from the light-projecting element 19 can be received directly and by using the reflector 11. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the light-receiving element 22 may be an element capable of setting its light reception range so that light incident from the center of the light-receiving window 21 and from an oblique direction is received.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 4 , the light-projection control board 20 includes a light-projection instruction receiving unit 24 and a light-projection control unit 25 .

[0020] The light-projection instruction receiving unit 24 receives a signal indicating an instruction to put the light-projecting element 19 into a standby state, an instruction to start emitting light from the light-projecting element 19, or an instruction to stop emitting light from the light-projecting element 19 from the light-projection instruction transmitting unit 30 in the photoelectric sensor control unit 29a in the control panel 13a.

[0021] When the light-projection instruction receiving unit 24 receives a signal from the light-projection instruction transmitting unit 30, the light-projection control unit 25 controls the light-projecting element 19 to enter a standby state, or controls the light-projecting element 19 to start emitting light or stop emitting light, based on an instruction from the light-projection instruction transmitting unit 30. The light-projection control unit 25 also synchronizes with a light-receiving control unit 26 on a light-receiving control board 23 provided in the light-receiving device 17 to coordinate their operations. Specifically, the light-projection control unit 25 synchronizes information such as the timing to start or stop emitting light and the amount of light to be emitted with the light-receiving control unit 26. This synchronization prevents the light-receiving element 22 from receiving the optical axis of a light source other than the light-projecting element 19, such as sunlight or illumination light, when the light-projecting element 19 is not operating, which could result in the light-receiving element 22 operating erroneously. As a means of synchronization, for example, wireless communication between the light-projection control unit 25 and the light-receiving control unit 26 may be performed.

[0022] 4, the light-receiving control board 23 includes a light-receiving control unit 26, a received-light amount acquiring unit 27, and a received-light amount transmitting unit 28. The light-receiving control unit 26 is synchronized with the light-projecting control unit 25, and based on information synchronized from the light-projecting control unit 25, controls the light-receiving element 22 to enter a standby state to start receiving light, controls the light-receiving element 22 to start receiving light, and controls the light-receiving element 22 to stop receiving light.

[0023] The received light amount acquiring unit 27 acquires the amount of received light from the light receiving element 22. For example, the received light amount may be acquired at intervals of 0.5 seconds.

[0024] The received light amount transmitting unit 28 transmits the received light amount acquired by the received light amount acquiring unit 27 to a received light amount receiving unit 31 provided in the control panel 13a.

[0025] The standby state of the photoelectric sensor 10 refers to a state in which the photoelectric sensor 10 is powered on but is not acquiring the amount of received light.

[0026] Reflectors 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d reflect the incident optical axis. The width and height of each reflector are set so that they can receive and reflect the optical axis from light projector 16 or the optical axis reflected by a reflector provided opposite to it. Furthermore, when car 6 arrives at hall 1, the position of the floor of car 6 may not coincide with the position of the floor of hall 1. In this case, in order for each reflector to reliably reflect the received light, it is desirable to install it at a height position in the elevator entrance that takes into account at least the possible deviation between the position of the floor of car 6 and the position of the floor of hall 1.

[0027] The reflectors 11a and 11b are provided to reflect light emitted by the light-emitting device 16 toward the door pocket 61 of the landing door 4, to pass an optical axis 50c along the surface of the landing door 4 on the landing 1 side, and to return the light to the car 62 side. The reflector 11a is provided in the door pocket 61 of the landing door 4 on the left side of the page in FIG. 1 so as not to interfere with the landing door 4 that slides. The reflector 11b is provided in the door pocket 61 of the landing door 4 on the right side of the page in FIG. 1 so as not to interfere with the landing door 4 that slides. Furthermore, the reflectors 11a and 11b are provided opposite each other so that the optical axis 50c that is directly incident on the reflector 11a from the reflector 11b passes along the surface of the landing door 4 on the landing 1 side. Here, the path of light emitted from the light-emitting device 16 toward the door pocket 61 of the landing door 4 is the light-emitting device 16, the reflector 11a, the reflector 11b, and the light-receiving device 17. 1 , an optical axis 50b emitted from the light-projecting device 16 toward the door pocket 61 of the landing door 4 is incident on the reflector 11a. An optical axis 50c formed by the optical axis 50b being reflected on the reflector 11a is incident on the reflector 11b. An optical axis 50d formed by the optical axis 50c being reflected on the reflector 11b is incident on the light-receiving device 17.

[0028] The reflectors 11c and 11d are provided to reflect light emitted by the light-emitting device 16 toward the door pocket 61 of the car door 8, allow the light axis 50f to pass along the surface of the car door 8 facing the car chamber 6, and return the light to the landing 1 side. The reflector 11c is provided in the door pocket 61 of the car door 8 on the left side of the page in FIG. 1 so as not to interfere with the car door 8 that slides. The reflector 11d is provided in the door pocket 61 of the car door 8 on the right side of the page in FIG. 1 so as not to interfere with the car door 8 that slides. Furthermore, the reflectors 11a and 11b are provided opposite each other so that the light axis 50e that is directly incident on the reflector 11d from the reflector 11c passes along the surface of the car door 8 facing the car chamber 6. Here, the path of light emitted from the light-emitting device 16 toward the door pocket 61 of the car door 8 is the light-emitting device 16, the reflector 11c, the reflector 11d, and the light-receiving device 17. 1, an optical axis 50e emitted from the light-projecting device 16 toward the door pocket 61 of the car door 8 is incident on the reflector 11c. An optical axis 50f formed by the reflection of the optical axis 50e on the reflector 11c is incident on the reflector 11d. An optical axis 50g formed by the reflection of the optical axis 50f on the reflector 11d is incident on the light-receiving device 17.

[0029] In this way, the optical axis 50c passes along the surface of the landing door 4 on the landing 1 side, so that an object present in the space between the jamb 2 and the landing door 4 can be detected. Specifically, it is possible to detect an object that is touching the landing door 4 and the jamb 2, or an object that is caught between the landing door 4 and the jamb 2. Furthermore, the optical axis 50e passes along the surface of the car door 8 on the car chamber 6 side, so that an object present in the space between the car chamber 6 and the car door 8 can be detected. Specifically, it is possible to detect an object that is touching the car door 8 and the car chamber 6, or an object that is caught between the car door 8 and the car chamber 6. It should be noted that these objects are assumed to be, for example, the hands and clothes of an elevator user.

[0030] When an object is detected at the elevator entrance, the notification device 35 notifies elevator users in the car room 6 and at the landing 1 that an object has been detected at the elevator entrance. The notification device 35 may also urge users to move the object detected at the elevator entrance. The notification device 35 is, for example, an announcement device that generates a human voice and issues a notification such as, "An object has been detected at the elevator entrance. Please move the object."

[0031] Next, we will explain the configuration of the elevator entrance object detection system in Embodiment 1. As shown in Figure 4, the elevator entrance object detection system includes a photoelectric sensor 10, a photoelectric sensor control unit 29a, a door control unit 14a, an alarm control unit 34a, a door motor 15, and an alarm device 35. The functions of the photoelectric sensor control unit 29a, the alarm control unit 34a, and the door control unit 14a are realized by the elevator control panel 13a.

[0032] The photoelectric sensor control unit 29a includes a light projection instruction transmitting unit 30, a received light amount receiving unit 31, and an object detecting unit 32a.

[0033] The light-emitting instruction transmitting unit 30 transmits a signal indicating an instruction to control the photoelectric sensor 10 to the light-emitting instruction receiving unit 24 provided in the light-emitting control board 20. When the car room 6 arrives at the landing 1, the light-emitting instruction transmitting unit 30 transmits a signal indicating an instruction to put the light-emitting element 19 into a standby state. When the landing doors 4 and the car doors 8 are fully open, the light-emitting element 19 transmits a signal indicating an instruction to start emitting light. When the landing doors 4 and the car doors 8 have finished closing, the light-emitting element 19 transmits a signal indicating an instruction to stop emitting light.

[0034] The received light amount receiving section 31 receives a signal indicating the amount of received light transmitted by the received light amount transmitting section 28 provided on the light reception control board 23 .

[0035] The object detection unit 32a determines that an object has been detected at the elevator entrance when the amount of received light received by the received light amount receiving unit 31 is smaller than a predetermined first threshold value T1. Here, the threshold value T1 is set as the amount of received light that is assumed to indicate that an object is definitely present at the elevator entrance. For example, the threshold value T1 can be set to 80% of the amount of received light measured when the photoelectric sensor 10 was installed.

[0036] The door control unit 14a controls the opening and closing of the landing doors 4 and the car doors 8. When the object detection unit 32a determines that an object has been detected at the elevator entrance, the door control unit 14a stops the door closing operation of the landing doors 4 and the car doors 8, starts the door opening operation, and controls the door motor 15 so that the doors are completely opened.

[0037] When the notification control unit 34a determines that the object detection unit 32a has detected an object at the elevator entrance, it activates the notification device 35 to notify that an object has been detected at the elevator entrance.

[0038] Here, we will explain the hardware configuration of the elevator control panel 13a in Embodiment 1. Figure 5 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the elevator control panel 13a in Embodiment 1. The elevator control panel 13a is realized by a computer such as a personal computer or a microcontroller.

[0039] The elevator control panel 13 a includes a processor 41 , a memory 42 , an interface 43 , and a secondary storage device 44 , which are connected to each other via a bus 40 .

[0040] The processor 41 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processor 41 loads an operation program stored in the secondary storage device 44 into the memory 42 and executes the program, thereby realizing each function of the elevator control panel 13a.

[0041] The memory 42 is a main storage device configured by, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory). The memory 42 stores programs that the processor 41 reads from the secondary storage device 44. The memory 42 also functions as a work memory when the processor 41 executes the programs.

[0042] The interface 43 is an I / O (Input / Output) interface such as a serial port, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port, a network interface, etc. The interface 43 performs input / output to the photoelectric sensor 10 and output to the door motor and the alarm device 35.

[0043] The secondary storage device 44 is, for example, a flash memory, a hard disk drive (HDD), or a solid state drive (SSD). The secondary storage device 44 stores various information necessary for the operation of the elevator entrance object detection system and programs executed by the processor 41.

[0044] Next, a description will be given of the operation of the elevator entrance object detection system in embodiment 1. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the elevator entrance object detection system in embodiment 1.

[0045] First, when the car 6 arrives at the landing 1, the photoelectric sensor 10 is controlled to a standby state. Specifically, the light-projection instruction receiving unit 24 receives a signal indicating an instruction to put the light-projecting element 19 into a standby state from the light-projection instruction transmitting unit 30. Then, the light-projection control unit 25 controls the light-projecting element 19 into a standby state. The light-projection control unit 25 is also synchronized with a light-receiving control unit 26 provided in the light-receiving device 17. The light-receiving control unit 26 controls the light-receiving element 22 to be in a standby state in order to start receiving light.

[0046] When the landing door 4 and the car door 8 are fully opened (S1), the light-projecting device 16 of the photoelectric sensor 10 starts emitting light. Specifically, the light-projection instruction receiving unit 24 receives a signal from the light-projection instruction transmitting unit 30 indicating an instruction to start emitting light from the light-projecting element 19. Then, the light-projection control unit 25 controls the light-projecting element 19 to start emitting light. The light-projection control unit 25 also synchronizes with the light-receiving control unit 26. The light-receiving control unit 26 controls the light-receiving element 22 to start receiving light. At this time, the received light amount acquiring unit 27 acquires the amount of light received from the light-receiving element 22. For example, the received light amount is acquired at 0.5-second intervals. Then, the received light amount transmitting unit 28 transmits the amount of light received acquired by the received light amount acquiring unit 27 to the received light amount receiving unit 31 (S2).

[0047] Next, the object detection unit 32a compares the amount of received light received by the received light amount receiving unit 31 with a threshold value T1 (S3). The threshold value T1 is set to, for example, 80% of the amount of received light measured when the photoelectric sensor 10 was installed.

[0048] If the received amount of light is smaller than the threshold value T1 (YES in S3), the object detection unit 32a determines that an object has been detected at the elevator entrance and continues to open the door (S4).

[0049] If the received amount of light is equal to or greater than the threshold value T1 (NO in S3), the hall door 4 and the car door 8 start closing (S5). After the door closing starts, the object detection unit 32a again compares the amount of light received by the received light amount receiving unit 31 with the threshold value T1 (S6).

[0050] If the received amount of light is less than the threshold T1 (YES in S6), the object detection unit 32a determines that an object has been detected at the elevator entrance / exit. The door control unit 14a stops the door closing operation of the hall door 4 and the car door 8, starts the door opening operation, and controls the door motor 15 so that the doors are completely open. The notification control unit 34a activates the notification device 35 to notify that an object has been detected at the elevator entrance / exit. For example, the notification device 35, which is an announcement device that produces a human voice, issues a notification such as "An object has been detected at the elevator entrance / exit. Please move the object" (S7).

[0051] The landing door 4 and the car door 8 are fully opened, and after a certain time, for example, 30 seconds, has elapsed since the alarm device 35 was activated, the landing door 4 and the car door 8 start to close again (S5). The steps from S5 onwards are the same as the steps described above, and therefore will be omitted.

[0052] If the received amount of light is equal to or greater than the threshold value T1 (NO in S6), the object detection unit 32a determines that no object has been detected at the elevator entrance and continues the door closing operation of the landing door 4 and the car door 8 (S8). Thereafter, when the landing door 4 and the car door 8 are fully closed (S9), the light-emitting device 16 of the photoelectric sensor 10 stops emitting light. Specifically, the light-emitting instruction receiving unit 24 receives a signal from the light-emitting instruction transmitting unit 30 indicating an instruction to stop the light emission of the light-emitting element 19. Then, the light-emitting control unit 25 controls the light-emitting element 19 to stop emitting light. In addition, the light-emitting control unit 25 is synchronized with the light-receiving control unit 26 provided in the light-receiving device 17. The light-receiving control unit 26 controls the light-receiving element 22 to stop receiving light (S10).

[0053] As described above, the object detection system for an elevator entrance described in the first embodiment includes a pair of photoelectric sensors 10 that are provided on the landing door 4, the car door 8, and the car 62, and that emit light toward the door pocket 61 of the landing door 4, the door pocket 61 of the car door 8, and the space between the landing door 4 and the car door 8, pass an optical axis through the space between the landing door 4 and the car door 8, and acquire the amount of incident received light; The elevator includes reflectors 11a and 11b which are a first optical system that guides light emitted by the photoelectric sensor 10 toward the door pocket 61 of the car door 8, reflectors 11c and 11d which are a second optical system that are provided in the door pocket 61 of the car door 8 and reflect light emitted by the photoelectric sensor 10 toward the door pocket 61 of the car door 8, cause the light axis to pass along the surface of the car 62 side of the car door 8, and guide the light to the light receiving side of the photoelectric sensor 10, and also an object detection unit 32a which determines that an object has been detected at the elevator entrance / exit when the amount of light received by the photoelectric sensor 10 is smaller than a predetermined first threshold T1. Thus, using the pair of photoelectric sensors, it is possible to detect an object present in the space between the car and the car door and the space between the jamb and the landing door, as well as to detect an object present in the space between the car door and the landing door.

[0054] Furthermore, when the object detection unit 32a determines that an object has been detected at the elevator entrance / exit, the notification control unit 34a is provided to notify that an object has been detected at the elevator entrance / exit, thereby preventing the object from colliding with the landing door 4 or the car door 8 or from being pinched between the landing door 4 and the car door 8.

[0055] Furthermore, by providing a door control unit 14a that, when the object detection unit 32a determines that an object has been detected at the elevator entrance / exit, stops the door closing operation of the landing door 4 and the car door 8, starts the door opening operation, and controls the doors to be completely open, it is possible to prevent the object from colliding with the landing door 4 or the car door 8 or from being caught between the landing door 4 and the car door 8. Note that, when the object detection unit 32a determines that an object has been detected at the elevator entrance / exit, it is desirable for the door control unit 14a to perform the above-mentioned operation, but it is sufficient for the object detection system at the elevator entrance / exit to at least allow the notification control unit 34a to notify that an object has been detected at the elevator entrance / exit.

[0056] The light-projecting device 16 and the light-receiving device 17 may be installed in the car 62 at positions that do not interfere with the sliding car door 8 and that allow the optical axis that is directly incident from the light-projecting device 16 to the light-receiving device 17 to pass through the space between the landing door 4 and the car door 8.

[0057] The light-projecting device 16 and the light-receiving device 17 may be provided at the same height from the bottom of the car room 6 as shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 7 is a modification of the first embodiment, showing the area around the car door 8 as viewed from the front when the light-projecting device 16 and the light-receiving device 17 are installed at different heights from the bottom of the car room 6 in the height direction of the elevator entrance. The light-projecting device 16 and the light-receiving device 17 may be installed at different heights from the bottom of the car room 6 as shown in Fig. 7.

[0058] Also, photoelectric sensors 10 that emit light may be installed over the entire range of the vertical frames of the landing entrance 3 and the car entrance 7. Fig. 8 is a modification of the first embodiment, and is a front view of the periphery of the car door 8 when photoelectric sensors 10 that emit light over the entire range of the vertical frames of the landing entrance 3 and the car entrance 7 are installed. When such photoelectric sensors 10 are used, it becomes possible to detect objects that exist in the height direction of the elevator entrance, and the range that can be detected is widened.

[0059] 1 and 2, it is necessary to install reflectors 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d so as to reflect the light incident from the light-projecting device 16. Here, the installation positions of the reflectors 11a and 11b may be such that they do not interfere with the sliding hall door 4 and that the optical axis can pass along the surface of the hall door 4 on the hall 1 side. Furthermore, the installation positions of the reflectors 11c and 11d may be such that they do not interfere with the sliding car door 8 and that the optical axis can pass along the surface of the car door 8 on the car 62 side.

[0060] The light-projecting device 16 is required to include at least the light-projecting element 19. The light-projection instruction receiving unit 24 and the light-projection control unit 25 included in the light-projection control board 20 may be provided in the elevator control panel 13a or a server installed outside the elevator.

[0061] The light-receiving device 17 is only required to include at least the light-receiving element 22. The light-receiving control unit 26, the received-light amount acquiring unit 27, and the received-light amount transmitting unit 28 included in the light-receiving control board 23 may be provided in the elevator control panel 13a or a server installed outside the elevator.

[0062] The light emitted by the light-emitting element 19 may be any light that can acquire the amount of light. However, since the optical axis passes through the periphery of the elevator entrance, if visible light is used, the light may enter the eyes of elevator users directly, which may cause discomfort to the users. Therefore, it is preferable to use invisible light rather than visible light.

[0063] The light-projecting element 19 is not limited to this as long as it can project light directly onto the light-receiving element 22 and by using the reflector 11. For example, the light-projecting element 19, whose optical axis radiates in one direction, may be placed on a base that moves left and right, so that the light projection range can be set.

[0064] The light receiving element 22 may receive the light emitted from the light emitting element 19 directly and by using the reflector 11. For example, the light receiving element 22, whose optical axis is radiated in one direction, may be placed on a base that moves left and right, so that the light receiving range can be set.

[0065] There are no particular limitations on the means of synchronization as long as synchronization can be achieved between the light-projection control unit 25 and the light-reception control unit 26. For example, the light-projection control unit 25 and the light-reception control unit 26 may be synchronized by connecting a communication line between the light-projecting device 16 and the light-receiving device 17.

[0066] The optical system may be any optical system capable of reflecting the light incident on the light projecting device 16 at a predetermined angle. For example, it may be a mirror-finished metal plate, a refractive body, or a prism. The reflective surface may be flat or curved.

[0067] The location of the notification device 35 is not limited to the car 6. The notification device 35 may be any device that can notify people in the car 6 and at the landing 1 that an object has been detected at the elevator entrance and urge them to move the object. For example, the notification device 35 may be a device that displays text on a display board in the car 6.

[0068] Although the above example illustrates a case where the threshold value T1 of the amount of received light used by the object detection unit 32a for determination is set to 80% of the amount of received light measured when the photoelectric sensor 10 was installed, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the threshold value T1 may be set to 50% of the amount of received light measured when the photoelectric sensor 10 was installed. For example, the amount of received light received up to that point may be stored, and 80% of the average amount of received light may be set. Furthermore, the above example illustrates a case where the received light amount acquisition unit 27 acquires the amount of received light at 0.5 second intervals, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the received light amount acquisition unit 27 may acquire the amount of received light at 0.1 second intervals.

[0069] Although the light-projection control unit 25 controls the light-projecting element 19 to be in a standby state, the light-projecting element 19 does not have to be in a standby state. In a case where the light-projecting element 19 is not in a standby state, the light-projection control unit 25 may control the light-projecting element 19 to start emitting light in response to an instruction from the light-projection instruction transmission unit 30 when the hall door 4 and the car door 8 are fully opened (S1).

[0070] In the operation of the object detection system for the elevator entrance / exit, an example has been given in which the landing doors 4 and the car doors 8 are fully opened and the alarm device 35 is activated, and then a certain time, for example, 30 seconds, has elapsed, and then the landing doors 4 and the car doors 8 start closing again (S7 and S5). However, the time from the activation of the alarm device 35 until the landing doors 4 and the car doors 8 start closing again is not limited to this. For example, the landing doors 4 and the car doors 8 may start closing again after a certain time, 15 seconds, has elapsed.

[0071] Furthermore, during operation of the elevator entrance object detection system, the object detection unit 32a may determine that an object has been detected at the elevator entrance (YES in S6) even after a predetermined time, e.g., five minutes, has elapsed since the door closing process began (S5). Furthermore, the object detection unit 32a may determine that an object has been detected at the elevator entrance when it determines that an object has been detected when the hall doors 4 and the car doors 8 are fully closed. In these cases, it is assumed that an abnormality has occurred, such as the object detected at the elevator entrance not being moved or a malfunction in the photoelectric sensor 10. In this case, although not shown in FIG. 6 , the notification control unit 34a may notify an elevator maintenance company or building manager of the detection of the abnormality. This operation allows the elevator maintenance company or building manager to quickly respond to an abnormality that elevator users cannot immediately respond to.

[0072] Note that an elevator entrance object detection system can also be provided in a single-swing elevator. A single-swing elevator is one in which the right or left end of the hall entrance 3 and the car entrance 7 is set as a door-closed position, and the hall doors 4 and car doors 8 open and close from that door-closed position. Figure 9 is a modified example of the first embodiment, and is a view of the area around the elevator entrance in a single-swing elevator as seen from the upper frame side of the jamb 2. Note that Figure 9 shows a state in which the car 6 has arrived at the hall 1 and the hall doors 4 and car doors 8 are fully closed. In Figure 9 as well, a pair of photoelectric sensors 10 is used to detect an object present in the space between the car 6 and the car doors 8 and the space between the jamb 2 and the hall doors 4, as well as in the space between the car doors 8 and the hall doors 4.

[0073] Embodiment 2. The configuration of an object detection system for an elevator entrance in embodiment 2 will be described. Figure 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an object detection system for an elevator entrance. Embodiment 2 differs from embodiment 1 in that, in a photoelectric sensor control unit 29b provided in a control panel 13b, an object detection unit 32b compares the received amount of light with a first threshold value T1 and a second threshold value T2. Note that the same components as in embodiment 1 are assigned the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

[0074] The object detection unit 32b compares the amount of received light received by the received light amount receiving unit 31 with predetermined thresholds T1 and T2 to determine whether the amount is less than threshold T1 or whether it is within a range equal to or greater than threshold T1 and less than threshold T2. Note that threshold T2 indicates an amount of received light greater than T1. For example, if threshold T1 is set to 80% of the amount of received light measured when the photoelectric sensor 10 was installed, threshold T2 can be set to 90% of the amount of received light measured when the photoelectric sensor 10 was installed. If the acquired amount of received light is less than threshold T1, the object detection unit 32b determines that an object has been detected at the elevator entrance. If the acquired amount of received light is within a range equal to or greater than threshold T1 and less than threshold T2, the object detection unit 32b determines that there is a possibility that an object has been detected at the elevator entrance.

[0075] The threshold value T2 is set to the amount of received light that is assumed to indicate the possibility of an object being present at the elevator entrance. Here, the amount of received light that is assumed to indicate the possibility of an object being present at the elevator entrance is the amount of received light when only a small portion of the object blocks the optical axis. When only a small portion of the object is on the optical axis, it is assumed that an object is present around the elevator entrance but is not yet completely trapped. Note that the amount of received light may also be a case where there is no object on the optical axis but a false detection is made. For example, it may be a case where the amount of light reflected by the reflectors 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d has decreased due to some factor. Therefore, when the object detection unit 32b receives an amount of received light that is greater than or equal to the threshold value T1 and less than the threshold value T2, it can be said that there is a possibility of an object being present at the elevator entrance.

[0076] The door control unit 14b controls the opening and closing of the landing doors 4 and the car doors 8. Furthermore, when the door control unit 14b determines that the object detection unit 32b has detected an object at the elevator entrance, the door control unit 14b stops the door closing operation of the landing doors 4 and the car doors 8, starts the door opening operation, and controls the door motor 15 so that the doors are completely open. Furthermore, when the door control unit 14b determines that there is a possibility that the object detection unit 32b has detected an object at the elevator entrance, the door control unit 14b controls the door motor 15 so as to decelerate the door closing operation of the landing doors 4 and the car doors 8.

[0077] When the notification control unit 34b determines that the object detection unit 32b has detected an object at the elevator entrance, it activates the notification device 35 to notify that an object has been detected at the elevator entrance. The notification device 35 issues a notification, for example, stating, "An object has been detected at the elevator entrance. Please move the object." Furthermore, when the notification control unit 34b determines that the object detection unit 32b may have detected an object at the elevator entrance, it activates the notification device 35 to notify that an object may have been detected at the elevator entrance. The notification device 35 issues a notification, for example, stating, "An object may have been detected at the elevator entrance. If the object is near the elevator entrance, please move it."

[0078] Next, the operation of the elevator entrance object detection system in embodiment 2 will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the elevator entrance object detection system. Steps S1 to S5 are the same as those in embodiment 1, and therefore will not be described again. After S5, the object detection unit 32b determines whether the amount of received light received by the received light amount receiving unit 31 is greater than or equal to threshold T1 and less than threshold T2 (S21). Threshold T1 is set to, for example, 80% of the amount of received light measured when the photoelectric sensor 10 was installed. Threshold T2 is set to, for example, 90% of the amount of received light measured when the photoelectric sensor 10 was installed.

[0079] If the amount of received light is greater than or equal to threshold T1 and falls within a range smaller than threshold T2 (YES in S21), the object detection unit 32b determines that an object may have been detected at the elevator entrance / exit. The door control unit 14b controls the door closing operation of the hall door 4 and the car door 8 to slow down. The notification control unit 34b activates the notification device 35 to notify that an object may have been detected at the elevator entrance / exit. The notification device 35 issues a notification, for example, saying, "An object may have been detected at the elevator entrance / exit. If there is an object nearby, please move it" (S22).

[0080] If the amount of light received by the object detection unit is equal to or greater than the threshold T1 and is not within a range smaller than the threshold T2 (NO in S21), the object detection unit 32b determines whether the amount of light received is smaller than the threshold T1 (S23).

[0081] If the object detection unit 32b determines that the amount of received light is less than the threshold value T1 (YES in S23), the door control unit 14b and the notification control unit 34b perform the same operation as in S7 in embodiment 1. Furthermore, the steps from S7 onwards are the same as in embodiment 1, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0082] If the object detection unit 32b determines that the amount of received light is equal to or greater than the threshold value T1 (NO in S23), the operation is the same as S7 in embodiment 1. The steps from S9 onwards are the same as those in embodiment 1, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0083] As described above, in the elevator entrance object detection system according to the second embodiment, the object detection unit 32b determines that an object may have been detected at the elevator entrance if the amount of light received by the photoelectric sensor 10 is greater than or equal to the threshold value T1 and less than a predetermined threshold value T2 that is greater than the threshold value T1. The notification control unit 34b issues a notification that an object may have been detected at the elevator entrance if the object detection unit 32b determines that an object may have been detected at the elevator entrance. This makes it possible to detect a state in which an object is present near the elevator entrance but has not yet become completely trapped. Furthermore, this system alerts elevator users to the vicinity of the elevator entrance, thereby preventing the object from colliding with the hall door 4 or the car door 8 or from becoming trapped between the hall door 4 and the car door 8.

[0084] Furthermore, when the object detection unit 32b determines that there is a possibility that an object has been detected at the elevator entrance / exit, the door control unit 14b controls to decelerate the door-closing operation of the landing doors 4 and the car doors 8. This makes it possible to prevent the object from colliding with the landing doors 4 or the car doors 8 or from being caught between the landing doors 4 and the car doors 8. Furthermore, because the door control unit 14b does not perform control to fully open the landing doors 4 and the car doors 8 and then close the doors, no significant delay occurs in elevator operation, thereby making elevator operation more efficient. Note that, when the object detection unit 32b determines that there is a possibility that an object has been detected at the elevator entrance / exit, it is desirable for the door control unit 14b to perform the above-mentioned operation; however, it is sufficient for the object detection system at the elevator entrance / exit to at least enable the notification control unit 34b to notify that an object may have been detected at the elevator entrance / exit.

[0085] Although the above example shows that the threshold value T1 of the amount of received light used by the object detection unit 32b for determination is set to 80% of the amount of received light measured at the time of installation, and the threshold value T2 is set to 90% of the amount of received light measured at the time of installation, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the threshold value T1 may be set to 70% of the amount of received light measured at the time of installation, and the threshold value T2 may be set to 75% of the amount of received light measured at the time of installation.

[0086] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Landing, 2 Three-sided jamb, 3 Landing entrance / exit, 4 Landing door, 5 Elevator shaft, 6 Cage, 7 Cage entrance / exit, 8 Cage door, 9 Cage support pillar, 10 Photoelectric sensor, 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d Reflector, 12 Threshold line, 13a, 13b Control panel, 14a, 14b Door control unit, 15 Door motor, 16 Light-emitting device, 17 Light-receiving device, 18 Light-emitting window, 19 Light-emitting element, 20 Light-emitting control board, 21 Light-receiving window, 22 Light-receiving element, 23 Light-receiving control board, 24 Light-emitting instruction receiving unit, 25 Light-emitting control unit, 26 Light-receiving control unit, 27 Light-receiving amount acquisition unit, 28 Light-receiving amount transmission unit, 29a, 29b Photoelectric sensor control unit, 30 Light-emitting instruction transmission unit, 31 Light receiving amount receiving unit, 32a, 32b Object detection unit, 34a, 34b Notification control unit, 35 Notification device, 40 Bus, 41 Processor, 42 Memory, 43 Interface, 44 Secondary storage device, 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d, 50e, 50f, 50g Optical axis, 60 Threshold, 61 Door pocket, 62 Cage

Claims

1. Landing doors that open and close landing entrances and exits; car doors that open and close car entrances and exits; a pair of photoelectric sensors that are provided in a car and that emit light toward the landing door door pocket, the car door door pocket, and the space between the landing door and the car door, pass an optical axis through the space between the landing door and the car door, and acquire the amount of incident received light; a first optical system that is provided in the landing door door pocket and reflects the light emitted by the photoelectric sensor toward the landing door door pocket, pass an optical axis along the landing side surface of the landing door and guide it to the light receiving side of the photoelectric sensor; and a second optical system that is provided in the car door door pocket and reflects the light emitted by the photoelectric sensor toward the car door door pocket, pass an optical axis along the car side surface of the car door, and guide it to the light receiving side of the photoelectric sensor. an object detection unit that, when an object is present on an optical axis, blocks the optical axis that passes through a space between the landing door and the car door, the optical axis that passes along the landing-side surface of the landing door, and the optical axis that passes along the car-side surface of the car door; and that determines that an object has been detected at the elevator entrance when the amount of light received by the photoelectric sensor is smaller than a predetermined first threshold.

2. An object detection system for an elevator entrance as described in claim 1, further comprising an alarm control unit that, when the object detection unit determines that an object has been detected at the elevator entrance, issues an alarm that an object has been detected at the elevator entrance.

3. An object detection system for an elevator entrance as described in claim 2, wherein the object detection unit determines that an object may have been detected at the elevator entrance when the amount of light received by the photoelectric sensor is within a range that is equal to or greater than the first threshold value and less than a predetermined second threshold value that is greater than the first threshold value.

4. An object detection system for an elevator entrance as described in claim 3, wherein the notification control unit notifies that an object may have been detected at the elevator entrance if it determines that the object detection unit may have detected an object at the elevator entrance.

5. An object detection system for an elevator entrance / exit as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising a door control unit that, when the object detection unit determines that an object has been detected at the elevator entrance / exit, stops the door closing operation of the landing door and the car door, starts the door opening operation, and controls the doors to open completely.

6. An object detection system for an elevator entrance / exit as described in claim 3 or 4, further comprising a door control unit that controls the speed of the closing operation of the landing door and the car door to slow down when the object detection unit determines that there is a possibility that an object has been detected at the elevator entrance / exit.

7. An object detection system for an elevator entrance / exit described in any one of claims 2 to 4 and 6, wherein the notification control unit issues a notification that an abnormality has been detected at the elevator entrance / exit when a predetermined time has elapsed since the landing doors and the car doors started closing operations, or when the object detection unit determines that an object has been detected at the elevator entrance / exit while the landing doors and the car doors are in a fully closed state.

8. An object detection system for an elevator entrance according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the photoelectric sensor emits invisible light.

9. An object detection system for an elevator entrance / exit according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the photoelectric sensor emits light over the entire range of the platform entrance / exit and the standing frame of the car entrance / exit.

10. A method for detecting an object at an elevator entrance / exit, comprising the steps of: using a pair of photoelectric sensors to emit light toward a door pocket of a landing door that opens and closes a landing entrance / exit, a door pocket of a car door, and a space between the landing door and the car door, passing an optical axis through the space between the landing door and the car door, and acquiring an amount of incident received light; passing the optical axis of the light emitted by the photoelectric sensors along the landing-side surface of the landing door and guiding it to the light-receiving side of the photoelectric sensors; passing the optical axis of the light emitted by the photoelectric sensors along the car-side surface of the car door and guiding it to the light-receiving side of the photoelectric sensors; and a step of an object detection unit determining that an object has been detected at the elevator entrance / exit when the amount of light received by the photoelectric sensors is smaller than a predetermined first threshold.

11. An object detection program for detecting an object at an elevator entrance / exit, causing a computer to execute the following steps: using a pair of photoelectric sensors to emit light toward the door pocket of a landing door that opens and closes a landing entrance / exit, the door pocket of a car door, and the space between the landing door and the car door, passing an optical axis through the space between the landing door and the car door, and acquiring the amount of incident received light; passing the optical axis of the light emitted by the photoelectric sensor along the landing-side surface of the landing door and guiding it to the light-receiving side of the photoelectric sensor; passing the optical axis of the light emitted by the photoelectric sensor along the car-side surface of the car door and guiding it to the light-receiving side of the photoelectric sensor; and a step in which an object detection unit determines that an object has been detected at the elevator entrance / exit when the amount of light received by the photoelectric sensor is smaller than a predetermined first threshold.

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