CN103253587B - Passenger transferring device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention aims to detect objects on stairs and reduce number of detecting sensors. A passenger transferring device is provided and comprises a sensor and a control part. The sensor is vertically arranged on one of two wall surfaces at two sides of stairs, sends signal waves to the other wall surface and receives reflection waves. The length of detection range is specified in a moving direction of stairs. The control part enables stairs to have a displacement distance longer than the length of detection range of the sensor to obtain a reception result of the sensor, and determine whether an object is present or not based on the reception result within a region corresponding to the specified displacement distance.

Description

Passenger Conveyor

technical field

The invention relates to a detection technology for detecting objects on passenger conveying equipment.

Background technique

In order to detect passengers on passenger conveying equipment, a technology using a range sensor (Range Sensor) that scans light and a technology using a plurality of human detection sensors provided on a passenger conveying equipment have been developed (for example, refer to Patent Document 1 and 2).

prior art literature

patent documents

Patent Document 1 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-303057

Patent Document 1 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-68656

Contents of the invention

However, the area where an object can be detected by a range sensor is limited. In order to detect objects in a wide area, it is necessary to install a large number of sensors.

The present invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique that can not only detect an object on a step but also reduce the number of sensors required for detection.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the passenger conveying equipment according to the present invention has a sensor and a control section, the sensor is installed on one of the two wall surfaces vertically arranged on both sides of the step, and transmits a signal wave to the other wall surface. The wall surface receives the reflected wave and has a predetermined detection range length in the step moving direction, the control part moves the step by a predetermined moving distance longer than the detection range length of the sensor, and obtains the sensor's A result is received, and according to the received result, it is judged whether there is an object in the area corresponding to the prescribed moving distance.

Invention effect

According to the present invention, not only can an object on a step be detected, but also the number of sensors required for detection can be reduced.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is a side view showing the structure of an escalator according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the structure of the escalator according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a plan view showing the structure near the exit pedal according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a structure near an exit pedal according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of electrical components of the escalator according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing operation start processing according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the structure near the exit step when there is a space outside the armrest.

Fig. 8 is a plan view showing the structure of the escalator according to the third embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of electrical components of the escalator according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing operation start processing according to the third embodiment.

Fig. 11 is a plan view showing the structure of the escalator according to the fourth embodiment.

12 is a plan view showing a range sensor and a reflector according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing operation start processing according to the fourth embodiment.

Fig. 14 is a plan view showing the structure of the escalator according to the fifth embodiment.

Fig. 15 is a plan view showing the vicinity of the ultrasonic sensor when a passenger remains.

Symbol Description

1a, 1b, 1c, 1d: Escalators

11: Ladder

13: Export pedal

14: Entry pedal

15a, 15b: railing

16a, 16b: Armrest

22a, 22b: skirt guard

31: Drive part

34, 34p: input circuit

35: Control part

36, 36p: output circuit

41: memory

42: CPU

51: range sensor

52a, 52b: light emitting part

53a, 53b: light receiving part

54: reflector

55: Ultrasonic sensor

Detailed ways

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(first embodiment)

In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to an escalator, a range sensor is provided on the escalator, and the condition of the passenger is detected before the operation starts.

First, the structure of the escalator 1a of this embodiment is demonstrated.

Fig. 1 is a side view showing the structure of the escalator 1a according to the first embodiment, and Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the structure of the escalator 1a according to the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the case where the escalator 1a is an upward escalator will be described as an example. The escalator 1a has: a plurality of steps 11, which are connected to each other and circulated; an entrance step 14, which is provided at the end of the direction of travel of the steps 11 exposed from the floor surface (the lowermost step); an exit step 13, It is arranged at the front end (the uppermost step) of the step 11 exposed from the floor surface; the railing 15a is erected on the right side of the step 11 in the direction of travel; the railing 15a is vertically arranged on the left side of the step 11 railing 15b; handrails 16a, 16b, respectively slidably supported on the railings 15a, 15b, and move cyclically in conjunction with the steps; respectively cover the lower part of the railing 15a and the skirt guard 22a of the lower part of the handrail 16a; and cover the railing respectively 15b and the lower skirt guard 22b of the armrest 16b. Moreover, the escalator 1a further has the range sensor 51 provided in the skirt guard 22a so that it may oppose the skirt guard 22b.

During the operation of the escalator 1a, after the passenger steps on the step 11 at the end of the direction of travel from the entrance step 14, moves in the direction of travel together with the steps 11 and handrails 16a, 16b, and steps on the step 13 at the end of the direction of travel from the step 11 at the front end of the direction of travel. . There may be cases where the passenger P enters the step 11 after the operation of the escalator 1a is completed. Therefore, it is necessary to confirm whether or not the passenger P remains on the step 11 before the operation starts. The state in which the passenger P is lying on the step 11 is shown in FIG. 2 mentioned above.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the structure near the exit pedal 13 according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the structure near the exit pedal 13 according to the first embodiment. The range sensor 51 is provided on a portion of the skirt guard 22 a adjacent to the step 11 in the vicinity of the outlet tread 13 .

The range sensor 51 transmits a highly oriented (directivity) beam 57 (signal wave), receives reflected light, and scans the beam 57 . The range sensor 51 scans the laser beam 57 by rotating the laser beam 57 at an angular velocity ω, for example, by a motor, and detects obstacles based on reflected light from an object and the angle of the beam 57 at that time. The area where the range sensor 51 can detect a passenger, that is, the detection area 56 is within a circle centered on the range sensor 51 and having a predetermined detectable distance r as a radius in a plane including the range sensor 51 . In this embodiment, the detectable area 56 is set within a horizontal plane. The detectable distance r is longer than the width W of the step 11 (the distance between the skirt guards 22a, 22b). In addition, the area on the step 11 whose entire width W is included in the detectable area 56 is taken as the detection range, and the length of the detection range in the direction of travel of the step 11 (the length of the detection range in the step moving direction) As the detection range length L. again. Set the moving speed of rung 11 to v.

The height of the range sensor 51 and the detectable area 56 is higher than the upper surface of the nearest step 11 . Also, the height from the step 11 to the range sensor 51 is lower than the height of the passenger P when the passenger P is lying on the step 11 .

Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of electrical components of the escalator 1a according to the first embodiment. The escalator 1a further has a driving part 31 for driving the steps 11 and handrails 16a, 16b; the detection result of the range sensor 51 is converted into an input circuit 34 of detection data; the passenger on the step 11 is detected according to the detection data and calculated according to the detection result A control section 35 that outputs control data for controlling the drive section 31 and the range sensor 51; and an output circuit 36 that controls the drive section 31 and the range sensor 51 based on the control data. The control section 35 has a memory 41 storing programs and data used when the control section 35 performs processing; and a CPU 42 executing processing of the control section 35 in accordance with the programs and data stored in the memory 41 . The CPU 42 executes passenger detection processing and control processing in accordance with programs and data stored in the memory 41 .

The operation start processing of the escalator 1a will be described below. The operation start process is mainly a process of confirming the presence or absence of passengers on the steps 11 and starting the normal operation of the escalator 1a after confirming that there are no passengers on the steps 11 . In addition, before starting this normal operation, as an operation start process, the process for detecting a passenger is performed, Here, this operation is called a preparatory operation, and is distinguished from a normal operation. The speed of the preliminary operation can be set to be the same as the speed of the normal operation, but it is preferable to set the speed of the preliminary operation to be slower than the speed of the normal operation.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing operation start processing according to the first embodiment. After the control unit 35 receives an instruction to start processing, execution of this flow starts. First, the control section 35 makes the exposed steps 11 the target of the passenger detection process before the operation start process, and judges whether or not the passenger detection process has been completed for all the target steps 11 (S411).

When it is judged that the passenger detection process has been completed for all the target steps (YES in S411), the control unit 35 recognizes that it is in a normal state, starts the operation by operating the drive unit 31 (S491), and ends this flow.

On the other hand, when it is determined in S411 that the passenger detection process has not been completed for all the target steps 11 (No in S411), the control unit 35 operates the range sensor 51 through the output circuit 36, thereby obtaining the range sensor 51 from the input circuit 34. 51 detection data (S423), and according to the obtained detection data to determine whether there is a passenger in the detection range (S426).

When it is judged that there is no passenger in the detection range (S426 is No), the control part 35 performs a preparatory operation, and utilizes the output circuit 36 to make the drive part 31 actuate, so that the exposed steps 11 are moved by a length L in the direction of travel (S461), And make the process go to S411. Thereby, the occupant detection process can be performed for the next detection range, and by repeating the above steps, the occupant detection process can be continuously performed until all the target steps 11 enter the lower part of the floor. The time for operating the drive unit 31 in the preliminary operation is calculated in advance from the length L and the speed of the preliminary operation and stored in the memory 41 .

When it is determined in S426 that there is a passenger within the detection range (YES in S426), it is recognized that an abnormality has occurred, and a predetermined recovery process is performed (S481), and the flow proceeds to S491. In the recovery process, the administrator of the escalator 1a is notified of the abnormality, or the administrator is instructed to remind the passengers on the steps 11 to be more careful, or to remind the passengers on the steps 11 to be more careful through broadcasting.

The flow of the operation start processing has been described above.

According to this operation start process, it is possible to detect whether or not passengers are present on the steps 11 for all the target steps 11 using one range sensor 51 .

(second embodiment)

In this embodiment, an embodiment in which the passenger detection process is performed in the continuous preliminary operation will be described.

The structure of the escalator 1a of this embodiment is the same as that of 1st Embodiment.

As shown in S461, a preliminary operation is performed in the operation start process of the first embodiment, and the drive unit 31 is made to perform a stepping operation for each detection range. On the other hand, in the operation start process of this embodiment, the preliminary operation is continuously performed during the operation start process. Other steps in the operation start process of this embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

The conditions for the moving speed of the steps 11 when the passengers on all the target steps 11 are detected while the preliminary operation is continuously performed will be described below.

In this embodiment, the moving velocity v of the step 11 is set to be smaller than the angular velocity ω of the range sensor. When the time when the step 11 passes through the detection range is set as t, and the time when the light beam 57 of the range sensor 51 moves the detection range length L on the skirt guard plate 22b opposite to the range sensor 51 is set as T, use The condition for detecting a passenger can be represented by the following equation.

t>T...(E1)

Formula (E1) can be further represented by the following formula.

L/v＞L/(ω×r)+τ...(E2)

In the formula, τ represents the response time of the range sensor 51 . Equation (E2) represents the condition when passengers are detected on only one horizontal plane. As shown in FIG. 4, when there is no space between the armrests 16a, 16b and the outer walls, and the occupant does not fall toward the outer side of the armrests 16a, 16b, the condition of formula (E2) can be used. In the case where fall-preventing protective materials are provided on both sides of the handrails 16a, 16b, the condition of formula (E2) can also be used.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing a case where there is a space outside the armrests 16a, 16b. If there are passengers on the handrails 16a, 16b before the escalator 1a starts running, the passengers may fall to the outside of the handrails 16a, 16b when the running starts. In this environment, in addition to detecting passengers on the steps 11, the range sensor 51 also detects passengers on the handrails 16a, 16b. Therefore, in addition to scanning the beam 57 around the vertical axis, the driving mechanism of the range sensor 51 can also move the beam 57 in different directions to move the detection range. Therefore, the range sensor 51 has three detection ranges. The detection range lengths of the three detection ranges are represented by L1, L2 and L3 respectively. The conditions for detecting the passenger at this time are represented by the following formula (E3).

L/v＞(3×L/(ω×r)+t1+t2)+τ0……(E3)

In the formula, t1 represents the time for the range sensor 51 to move from the step 11 to the handrail 16b within the detection range, t2 represents the time for the range sensor 51 to move from the handrail 16b to the handrail 16a within the detection range, and τ0 represents each of the range sensors 51. The aggregate value of the response time for the mobile. Wherein, the detection range length L is the shortest length among the lengths L1, L2 and L3 of the three detection ranges in the traveling direction.

When it is necessary to further increase the detection range, the conditions for detecting all passengers within the detection range are represented by the following formula (E4).

L/v＞(n×L/(ω×r)+t1+…+tn)+τ0……(E4)

Among them, t1, t2...tn represent the time required for the range sensor 51 to set the detection position in each detection range.

Among the above conditions, when there are one or two detection ranges, the conditions can be satisfied even if the moving speed v is 30 m/min which is a normal speed. When there are three detection ranges (in the case of formula (E3)), v is preferably set to 30 m/min or less. When there are four or more detection ranges (in the case of formula (E4)), v is preferably set to 20 m/min or less. In addition, the moving speed v that satisfies the condition also varies depending on the detectable distance r, the installation position and the width W of the range sensor 51 , and the like.

At start-up, the steps 11 exert a force on the passengers as the steps 11 accelerate. In addition, as the speed of the step 11 becomes faster, the coefficient of friction of the surface of the step 11 may decrease. The coefficient of friction tends to be inversely proportional to the 1/2 power of the velocity. The reason for the decrease of the friction coefficient may be that the temperature of the friction surface increases as the speed increases, or the influence of the unevenness of the friction surface on the friction coefficient decreases due to the change of the contact state. In addition, it is also possible that the part of the step 11 on which the passengers are located is particularly prone to slipping due to damage or the like. Therefore, it is preferable to set the speed of the preliminary operation to be lower than that of the normal operation.

When the escalator 1a is a downward escalator, passengers on the steps are particularly prone to slipping and falling. When the time when the acceleration of the step 11 reaches α is Ta, the distance traveled during Ta is La, and the speed reached after Ta is v, La and α are expressed by the following formula (E5).

La=1/2×v×Ta...(E5)

α=v/t...(E6)

In the formula, La is the allowable value of passenger movement distance when the preparatory operation is started. When La is set to 120mm, which is about 1/3 of the depth direction dimension in the direction of travel of the step 11, and α is set to 0.1m/ ^sec2 , v is about 0.16/sec (about 10m/min). , Ta is 1.6sec. Therefore, in order to prevent passengers on the steps from slipping, it is preferable to set the speed of the preparatory operation to 10 m/min or less.

By setting the speed of the preparatory operation to be lower than the speed of the normal operation, the current consumption can be reduced compared to the case where the occupant detection process is performed at the speed of the normal operation. That is, by reducing the speed of the preparatory operation and reducing the acceleration, it is possible to reduce the starting current and reduce the power consumption.

According to the operation start process of the present embodiment, it is possible to detect the presence or absence of passengers on all the target steps 11 through continuous preliminary operation.

(third embodiment)

An embodiment in which a passenger near the skirt guards 22a, 22b is detected using a light emitting unit will be described below.

First, the structure of the escalator 1b of this embodiment is demonstrated.

Fig. 8 is a plan view showing the structure of an escalator 1b according to the third embodiment. In the escalator 1b, the same or equivalent members as those of the escalator 1a are denoted by the same symbols. In the escalator 1b, in addition to the members of the escalator 1a, there are also light emitting parts 52a, 52b that are respectively arranged on the opposite positions of the skirt guards 22a, 22b on the exit pedal 13; 14, light receiving portions 53a, 53b are respectively provided at opposing positions of the skirt guards 22a, 22b. The light emitting portions 52a, 52b emit light beams 57a, 57b, respectively. The light beams 57a, 57b travel along the skirts 22a, 22b, respectively, and reach the light receiving portions 53a, 53b, respectively.

Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of electrical components of an escalator 1b according to the third embodiment. In the escalator 1b, the same or equivalent members as those of the escalator 1a are denoted by the same symbols. The escalator 1b has an input circuit 34p instead of the input circuit 34 and an output circuit 36p instead of the output circuit 36 . In addition to the function of the input circuit 34, the input circuit 34p also has a function of converting the signals from the light receiving parts 53a, 53b into detection data. In addition to the function of the output circuit 36, the output circuit 36p also has the function of controlling the light emitting parts 52a, 52b according to the control data.

The operation start process of the escalator 1b is demonstrated below.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing operation start processing according to the third embodiment. In the operation start process of the present embodiment, the same or equivalent steps as those in the operation start process of the first embodiment are denoted by the same symbols. The control unit 35 starts executing this flow after receiving an instruction to start processing.

When it is judged in S426 that there is no passenger within the detection range (No in S426), the control section 35 uses the output circuit 36p to make the light emitting sections 52a, 52b emit light (S432), and obtains the amount of light received by the light receiving sections 53a, 53b from the input circuit 34p. (S434). Next, the control unit 35 judges whether or not a passenger is present near the facing wall surfaces of the skirt panels 22a, 22b based on the amount of light received by the light receiving portions 53a, 53b (S436). That is to judge whether the passenger is in contact with the wall. Here, when the light receiving amounts of the two light receiving parts 53a and 53b both exceed a predetermined threshold value, the control part 35 judges that there is no passenger in the vicinity of the wall surface, and any one of the light receiving amounts of the two light receiving parts 53a and 53b receives light. When the amount is below a predetermined threshold, the control unit 35 judges that there is a passenger near the wall surface. That is, when there is a passenger near the wall surface, the light emitted from the light emitting parts 52a, 52b toward the light receiving parts 53a, 53b is blocked by the passenger.

When it is determined that no passenger exists near the wall surface (NO in S436), the control section 35 advances the flow to S461.

On the other hand, when it is determined that there is a passenger near the wall (YES in S436), the control section 35 advances the flow to S481.

Other steps are the same as the operation start processing of the first embodiment.

The flow of the operation start processing has been described above.

According to the operation start process of the present embodiment, it is possible to detect the presence or absence of passengers on all the target steps 11 and in the vicinity of the skirt guard by using one range sensor 51, two light emitting parts 52a, 52b, and two light receiving parts 53a, 53b. .

(fourth embodiment)

An embodiment in which the presence or absence of a passenger in the vicinity of the skirt guard can be detected without using the light emitting parts 52a and 52b will be described below.

First, the structure of the escalator 1c of this embodiment is demonstrated.

Fig. 11 is a plan view showing the structure of an escalator 1c according to the fourth embodiment. In this escalator 1c, the same or equivalent members as those of the escalator 1b are denoted by the same symbols. In the escalator 1c, the light emitting parts 52a, 52b are omitted, and the light beams 57c, 57d from the range sensor 51 are used instead of the light beams 57a, 57b from the light emitting parts 52a, 52b. Furthermore, the escalator 1c has, in addition to the components of the escalator 1b, a reflection plate 54 (waveguide portion) provided at the end of the detection range in the skirt guard 22b on the opposite side of the range sensor 51, The direction of the beam 57d is changed by reflecting the beam 57b from the range sensor 51 .

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a range sensor 51 and a reflector 54 according to the fourth embodiment. The range sensor 51 scans the detectable area 56, and when the light beam 57d at a certain time point in the scanning reaches the reflector 54, the reflector 54 changes the direction of the light beam 57d to the direction of the light receiving part 53b by reflecting the light beam 57d. direction. Thereby, the light beam 57d from the reflection plate 54 advances toward the light receiving part 53b along the skirt 22b parallel to the inner wall surface. At this time, similarly to the light emitting part 52b and the light receiving part 53b in the escalator 1b, it is possible to detect a passenger near the skirt guard 22b.

In addition, the light beam 57c at another point in time during scanning travels along the skirt guard 22a on the side of the range sensor 51, and advances toward the light receiving portion 53a parallel to the inner wall surface thereof. At this time, similar to the light emitting part 52a and the light receiving part 53a in the escalator 1b, it is possible to detect a passenger near the skirt guard 22a.

In addition, instead of the reflection plate 54, an optical element that changes the direction of the light beam 57d by refraction or the like may be used as the waveguide portion. Moreover, the escalator 1c may have the same optical element as the reflection plate 54 instead of the light receiving part 53b. The optical element guides the light beam 57d toward the light receiving part 53a, and the control part 35 judges whether there are passengers near the walls on both sides according to the amount of light received by the light receiving part 53a.

The operation start process of the escalator 1c will be described below.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing operation start processing according to the fourth embodiment. In the operation start process of the present embodiment, the same or equivalent steps as those in the operation start process of the third embodiment are denoted by the same symbols. The control unit 35 starts executing this flow after receiving an instruction to start processing.

When it is judged in S426 that there is no passenger within the detection range (No in S426), instead of S432 and S434, in S435, the light beam 57d from the range sensor 51 is obtained from the input circuit 34p and reaches the reflector 54 and then along the skirt guard plate The amount of light received by the light receiving portion 53b when the sensor 22b advances, and the amount of light received by the light receiving portion 53a when the light beam 57c from the range sensor 51 advances along the skirt guard 22a (S435). Next, the control section 35 advances the flow to S436. In addition, in S435 , the control unit 35 may obtain the maximum value of the respective light-receiving amounts of the light-receiving parts 53 a and 53 b in one scan of the range sensor 51 . Also, it may be arranged to obtain the light receiving amounts of the respective light receiving parts 53a, 53b in synchronization with the time point when the scanning direction of the range sensor 51 changes to the light beams 57c, 57d.

Other steps are the same as the operation start processing of the third embodiment.

According to the operation start process of the present embodiment, it is possible to detect the presence or absence of passengers on all the target steps 11 and in the vicinity of the skirt guard by using the one range sensor 51 and the two light receiving parts 53a, 53b.

(fifth embodiment)

An embodiment using an ultrasonic sensor will be described below.

First, the structure of 1 d of escalators of this embodiment is demonstrated.

Fig. 14 is a plan view showing the structure of an escalator 1d according to the fifth embodiment. In the escalator 1d, the same or equivalent members as those of the escalator 1a are denoted by the same symbols. The escalator 1d has an ultrasonic sensor 55 instead of the range sensor 51 . The detection range is determined by the beam width of the ultrasonic wave (signal wave) determined by the orientation of the ultrasonic sensor 55 . Here, let the length of the detection range in the horizontal direction (the length of the detection range in the step moving direction) on the skirt guard 22b facing the ultrasonic sensor 55 be the detection range length Lu. In addition, let the shortest distance from the ultrasonic sensor 55 to the opposing skirt guard 22b, that is, the distance in the direction perpendicular to the skirt guard 22b be the predetermined distance D0.

The operation start process of this escalator 1d is the same as that of the second embodiment, and the passenger detection process is performed while the preliminary operation is continuously performed. FIG. 15 is a plan view showing the structure of the vicinity of the ultrasonic sensor 55 when a passenger is present. Moreover, the control part 35 acquires the detection data of the ultrasonic sensor 55 from the input circuit 34, calculates the distance from the ultrasonic sensor 55 to an obstacle based on the detection data of the ultrasonic sensor 55, and uses this distance as a measurement distance d. When d is equal to D0, the control part 35 judges that there is no passenger in the detection range, and when d is smaller than D0, the control part 35 judges that there is a passenger P in the detection range.

In the ultrasonic sensor 55 , L/(ω×r) in the formula (E4) can be regarded as 0. Conditions for detecting the moving speeds of the steps 11 of all the passengers on the target steps 11 are represented by the following formula.

Lu/v＞t1+...+tn+τ0...(E7)

Here, when the ultrasonic sensor 55 has a scanning mechanism that moves the detection range by changing the orientation, there are multiple t1 , . . . , tn, and each t1 , .

According to the operation start process of the present embodiment, the presence or absence of passengers can be detected for all the target steps 11 by performing continuous preliminary operation using one range sensor 55 .

According to the above embodiments, it is not necessary for the manager to confirm the presence of passengers by direct visual inspection of the escalator, nor is it necessary for the manager to confirm the presence of passengers by visual inspection of the captured image of the escalator. In addition, the presence or absence of passengers can be detected in all areas on the steps 11 using sensors provided in a part of the escalator.

The first signal wave receiving portion described in the claims corresponds to, for example, the light receiving portion 53a, the second signal wave receiving portion described in the claims corresponds to, for example, the light receiving portion 53b, and the second signal wave receiving portion described in the claims corresponds to, for example, the light receiving portion 53b. The three signal wave receiving portions correspond to, for example, the light receiving portions 53 a and 53 b , and the waveguide portion described in the claims corresponds to, for example, the reflecting plate 54 .

In addition, the escalators 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d may be descending escalators, and may be other passenger transport equipment such as motorized walkways. In this specification, the definition of steps includes the concept of steps of electric passages.

The range sensor 51 and the ultrasonic sensor 55 may be replaced by other sensors such as electromagnetic wave radar. These sensors are installed on one of the two walls vertically arranged on both sides of the step 11, send signal waves to the other wall, receive reflected waves, and have a predetermined detection range length L in the direction of step movement. When electromagnetic waves are used, narrower orientation can be realized by using high frequencies such as millimeter waves. In addition, the scanning method of the sensor may be a mechanical scanning method such as rotating a transmitting element or a reflector, or an electronic scanning method such as controlling a phase of a transmitting element array.

The light-emitting portions 52a and 52b are light-emitting elements with narrow orientation such as laser light-emitting elements. The light receiving parts 53a, 53b are light emitting diodes, photoelectric tubes, CCDs and the like. The input circuit 34p can measure the amount of light received by the light-emitting diodes, for example, by measuring the current flowing through the light-emitting diodes. In addition, the measured value of the amount of light received by the light receiving portions 53a and 53b may be a value indicating other electrical parameters such as voltage.

Also, the light emitting parts 52a, 52b may be signal wave transmitting parts that transmit signal waves such as electromagnetic waves, and the light receiving parts 53a, 53b may be signal wave receiving parts that receive signal waves from the wave transmitting parts.

The outer cover of the skirt guards 22a, 22b can be arranged above the components such as the range sensor 51, the light emitting parts 52a, 52b, the light receiving parts 53a, 53b, the reflector 54, and the ultrasonic sensor 55, and the outer cover can be compared with the above-mentioned components. It protrudes further toward the step 11 side. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the above-mentioned members from affecting the passage of passengers.

The detection object of the control part 35 may also be other objects such as luggage.

In various embodiments, the control section 35 may also be set to periodically execute the operation start process using a timer. In addition, the control section 35 may also be set to execute the operation start process upon recovery from a power outage.

In addition, the range sensor 51, the light emitting parts 52a, 52b, the reflection plate 54 and the ultrasonic sensor 55 may be arranged at a position within a predetermined distance from the exit pedal 13, and the light receiving parts 53a, 53b may be arranged at a predetermined distance from the entrance pedal 14. location within. The predetermined distance is determined based on the length of one step 11 in the traveling direction or the length L of the detection range.

One of the light emitting parts 52a, 52b may be omitted in the escalator 1b, and one of the light receiving parts 53a, 53b may be omitted in the escalators 1b, 1c. In addition, the reflection plate 54 can be omitted in the escalator 1c.

The object of passenger detection processing may be all exposed steps 11 or a part of steps 11 .

The order of the respective steps in the above-described operation start processing may be reversed. For example, the step of detecting passengers within the detection range may be reversed with the step of detecting passengers near the wall.

Claims (9)

1. an apparatus of passenger conveyor, is characterized in that having sensor and control part,

Signal wave, on the wall being erected to the side be arranged in two walls of step both sides, is sent to the wall of the opposing party, and receives backward wave by described sensor setting, and on step moving direction, have the detection range length of regulation,

Described control part makes described step move the miles of relative movement of the regulation longer than the described detection range length of described sensor, obtain the reception result of described sensor, and judge in the region corresponding to the miles of relative movement of described regulation, whether have object to exist according to described reception result

Described control part, before starting making described apparatus of passenger conveyor usually to run, carry out described movement, described acquisition and described judgement to run as preparation, when being judged as not having object in the region corresponding to the miles of relative movement of described regulation, described control part makes described apparatus of passenger conveyor start usual operation.

2. apparatus of passenger conveyor as claimed in claim 1, is characterized in that,

Described sensor setting is in the distance of regulation from outlet pedal.

3. apparatus of passenger conveyor as claimed in claim 1, is characterized in that,

The miles of relative movement of described regulation equals the length of exposed portion on direct of travel in described step.

4. apparatus of passenger conveyor as claimed in claim 1, is characterized in that,

Described sensor makes the sending direction of described signal wave change.

5. apparatus of passenger conveyor as claimed in claim 1, is characterized in that,

Described control part, by repeatedly carrying out the step of the reception result obtaining described sensor and making described step move the step of the distance shorter than the miles of relative movement of described regulation, makes described step move the miles of relative movement of described regulation.

6. apparatus of passenger conveyor as claimed in claim 1, is characterized in that,

Described control part, while the step of repeatedly carrying out the reception result obtaining described sensor, makes described step move the miles of relative movement of described regulation continuously.

7. the apparatus of passenger conveyor as described in any one in claim 1 to 6, is characterized in that,

Have the first signal wave receiving unit further, described first signal wave receiving unit is arranged on the wall of one, receives the signal wave sent from described sensor,

Described control part, according to the reception result of described first signal wave receiving unit, judges whether to there is the object contacted with described wall.

8. apparatus of passenger conveyor as claimed in claim 7, is characterized in that,

There is waveguides sections and secondary signal ripple receiving unit further,

The signal wave line of propagation of sending from described sensor is changed into the direction parallel with described wall by described waveguides sections, and described secondary signal ripple receiving unit receives the signal wave from described waveguides sections,

Described control part, according to the reception result of the reception result of described first signal wave receiving unit and described secondary signal ripple receiving unit, judges whether to there is the object contacted with described wall.

9. the apparatus of passenger conveyor as described in any one in claim 1 to 6, is characterized in that,

There is signal wave transmitting portion and the 3rd signal wave receiving unit further,

Described signal wave transmitting portion has the orientation in the direction parallel with described wall, and for sending signal wave, described 3rd signal wave receiving unit receives the signal wave sent from described signal wave transmitting portion,

Described control part, according to the reception result of described 3rd signal wave receiving unit, judges whether to there is the object contacted with described wall.