CN114132821B - Strip monitoring system of man conveyor - Google Patents

Abstract

The application provides a long-strip object monitoring system of a manned conveyor, which detects and deals with long-strip objects carried by passengers. The long article monitoring system of the man conveyor according to one embodiment includes a long article detection device and a control device. The long article detection device detects that a long article having a length equal to or longer than a predetermined value in the height direction has entered in the longitudinal direction on a moving path between an entrance and an exit of the man conveyor. The control device performs handling processing for the long object when the long object is detected by the long object detection device.

Description

Strip monitoring system of man conveyor

The present application is based on Japanese patent application 2020-148817 (9/4/2020) and enjoys the priority of that application. The present application is incorporated by reference into this application in its entirety.

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present application relate to a long object monitoring system for a people conveyor such as an escalator or a moving walk.

Background

The man conveyor is configured to move a passenger riding on a step from an entrance to an exit by moving the passenger by a plurality of steps (pallets). Here, when a passenger takes a long article (rod, square, etc.) along the longitudinal direction (vertical direction) and takes it in from the entrance during the upward operation of the man conveyor, the long article may be sandwiched between the ceiling and the steps according to the ceiling structure of the building, and the steps may be pushed down to be detached.

In general, a machine room is disposed below a step of a man conveyor. Thus, when the steps fall off, there is a risk that the passengers fall into the machine room. Thus, safety measures are required for carrying the long article.

Disclosure of Invention

The application provides a long article monitoring system of a man conveyor, which can detect and deal with long articles carried by passengers.

The long object monitoring system of the man conveyor according to one embodiment includes a long object detection unit and a control device. The long article detection unit detects that a long article having a length equal to or longer than a predetermined value in the height direction has entered in the longitudinal direction on a moving path between an entrance and an exit of the man conveyor. The control device is configured to execute handling processing for the long object when the long object is detected by the long object detection device.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of an escalator according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a view schematically showing the overall configuration of the interior including the escalator.

Fig. 3 is a view showing an example in which a sensor is provided on the entrance side of the escalator.

Fig. 4 is a view showing another example in which a sensor is provided on the entrance side of the escalator.

Fig. 5 is a diagram for explaining a problem of a configuration in which a sensor is disposed near an entrance of the escalator and laser light is projected in a direction perpendicular to a moving direction of each step.

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration in a case where a diffuse reflection type photoelectric sensor is used as the sensor.

Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration in a case where a retro-reflective photoelectric sensor is used as the sensor.

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration in a case where a zone sensor is used as the sensor.

Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the long article monitoring system used in the escalator.

Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the long article monitoring system.

Fig. 11 is a diagram for explaining the timing of the handling process performed by the long article monitoring system.

Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example in which a camera is used as an auxiliary device as a modification.

Fig. 13 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the long object monitoring system including the camera.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

In the following, an escalator, which is one of the people conveyors, will be described as an example. In the drawings, the same or corresponding portions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repetitive description thereof will be appropriately simplified or omitted.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of an escalator according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a view schematically showing the overall configuration including the inside of the escalator. 10 in the figure indicates the escalator as a whole.

The escalator 10 is disposed obliquely, for example, between an upper floor and a lower floor of a building. The escalator 10 conveys passengers riding on the steps 11 by circulating a plurality of steps (pallets) 11 connected without gaps between a landing 12 and a landing 13. Landing plates 14, 15 having a predetermined length in the moving direction of the steps 11 are disposed on the ground of the landing openings 12, 13 for passengers to ride on and off the steps 11, respectively.

Each step 11 is connected by an endless connecting chain 18, and is disposed in a truss 19, and the truss 19 is provided under the floor of the building. A lower sprocket 20 and an upper sprocket 21 are disposed inside the truss 19, and a connecting chain 18 is wound between them.

A driving device 22 including a motor, a speed reducer, and the like is connected to either one of the lower sprocket 20 and the upper sprocket 21 (in this example, the upper sprocket 21). By this driving device 22, the lower sprocket 20 and the upper sprocket 21 rotate, and the plurality of steps 11 are circulated between the entrance 12 of the lower machine chamber 16 and the entrance 13 of the upper machine chamber 17 while being guided by a guide rail, not shown, via the connecting chain 18.

A pair of skirt boards 23a and 23b are provided on the upper part of the truss 19 along the moving direction of the steps 11 so as to face both side surfaces of each step 11. Rails 24a, 24b are provided to stand on the pair of skirt boards 23a, 23b, respectively. Around the balustrade 24a, 24b, a belt-shaped handrail belt 25a, 25b is mounted. The handrail belts 25a and 25b are handrails to be gripped by passengers riding on the steps 11, and are rotated in synchronization with the movement of the steps 11 by being transmitted with the driving force of the driving device 22, for example.

In the present embodiment, a sensor 31 is provided on a ceiling surface 30 near the entrance 13 of the building toward the entrance 12. The sensor 31 is, for example, a photoelectric sensor, projects laser light from the entrance 13 toward the entrance 12, and detects a long object 32 having a length in the height direction of a certain value L or more. The long article 32 is, for example, a rod, a square stock, or the like.

Now, assume a case where the escalator 10 is in a rising operation and each step 11 is moving in the direction of arrow a. In this case, the lower entrance 12 is an entrance, and the upper entrance 13 is an exit. When the passenger P1 gets on the entrance 12 while carrying the long article 32 in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction), the distance between the front end portion of the long article 32 and the ceiling surface 30 becomes narrower as the passenger approaches the entrance 13. The fixed value L is determined by the height at which the tip end portion of the long article 32 contacts the ceiling surface 30 until the passenger P1 reaches the entrance 13. The height and orientation of the installation position of the sensor 31 are adjusted such that the laser light of the sensor 31 is blocked when the passenger P1 carries such a long article 32 longitudinally and rides on the escalator 10.

Fig. 3 shows an example in which a sensor 31 is provided on the entrance 12 (entrance) side of the escalator 10. The sensor 31 projects laser light from the entrance 12 toward the entrance 13, for example, toward a wall surface 33 provided near the entrance 12 toward the entrance 13, and detects a long object 32 having a length in the height direction of a certain value L or more.

Fig. 4 shows another example in which a sensor 31 is provided on the entrance 12 (entrance) side of the escalator 10. The sensor 31 is provided, for example, at an upper portion of the wall surface 33 near the entrance 12 toward the entrance 13, projects laser light in a horizontal direction from a position of a predetermined height H toward the entrance 13, and detects a long object 32 having a length of a predetermined value L or more in the height direction. The height H of the installation position of the sensor 31 is adjusted, for example, so that a long object 32 having a length equal to or longer than a certain value L is detected near the intermediate position of the escalator 10. In the example of fig. 4, when the passenger P1 advances to a position above the entrance 12 (after the intermediate position), the laser beam of the sensor 31 is blocked, and the long object 32 can be detected.

Further, for example, as shown in fig. 5, the following configuration can be considered: the sensor 31 is disposed at a predetermined height position near the entrance 12 (entrance), and projects laser light in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of each step 11. However, this configuration has a problem that the long article 32 carried by the passenger P1 can be detected only in the vicinity of the entrance 12. Therefore, for example, when the passenger P1 carries the long article 32 in the lateral direction (horizontal direction) near the entrance 12 and changes the way to carry the long article 32 in the longitudinal direction, the possibility of undetectable is high. Accordingly, in order to continuously detect the long object 32 carried by the passenger P1 from the entrance 12, it is preferable that the laser light of the sensor 31 is projected along the movement path of each step 11 as in the example of fig. 2 or 3.

Fig. 6 to 8 show the structure of the sensor 31.

As shown in fig. 6, as the sensor 31, for example, a diffuse reflection type photosensor 34 is used. The diffuse reflection type photosensor 34 has a structure in which a light projector 34a and a light receiver 34b are integrated, and detects the long object 32 based on the amount of light when the laser light projected from the light projector 34a is reflected by the long object 32 as a detection object and received by the light receiver 34 b.

Further, a retro-reflective photosensor 35 as shown in fig. 7 may be used. The retro-reflective photosensor 35 has a structure in which the projector 35a and the light receiver 35b are integrated, and has a reflecting plate 35c with a detection body interposed therebetween. The laser light projected from the projector 35a is reflected by the reflection plate 35c and returns to the light receiver 35b. When the long object 32 as the detection body blocks the laser light, the amount of light returned to the light receiver 35b decreases. The retro-reflective photosensor 35 detects the long object 32 by acquiring the decrease in the amount of light.

The detection distance of the retro-reflective photosensor 35 is a distance from the main body (the projector 35a and the light receiver 35 b) to the reflection plate 35c, and is longer than the detection distance of the diffuse reflection photosensor 34. In the case where the distance of the escalator 10 is long, it is preferable to use the retro-reflective photosensor 35. However, in both the diffuse reflection type and the retro-reflection type, in the case of a one-dimensional photoelectric sensor (line sensor), there is a possibility that the laser light cannot be irradiated to the long article 32 carried by the passenger P1 and cannot be detected. Therefore, as shown in fig. 8, it is most preferable that the area sensor 36 capable of scanning the laser beam is used to expand the detection range in the width direction of the long object 32 to detect the long object 32.

Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the long article monitoring system.

The long article monitoring system of the present embodiment includes a long article detection device 41, a control device 42, and a warning device 45 in addition to the sensor 31 and the driving device 22 shown in fig. 2.

The sensor 31 is the above-described diffuse reflection type photosensor 34, retro-reflection type photosensor 35, area sensor 36, or the like. The sensor 31 is provided near the entrance 13 of the escalator 10 toward the entrance 12 (see fig. 2), or near the entrance 12 toward the entrance 13 (see fig. 3 or 4).

The long object detection device 41 detects that the long object 32 has entered the escalator 10 in the longitudinal direction based on the signal output from the sensor 31. In the example of fig. 9, the long object detection device 41 is provided separately from the control device 42, but the control device 42 may be provided with the function of the long object detection device 41.

The control device 42 is constituted by a computer, and is provided in the upper machine room 17 shown in fig. 2, and the like. The control device 42 includes a control unit 43 and a storage unit 44 as constituent elements for realizing the present system. Specifically, the control unit 43 is configured by a microprocessor, and when the long object 32 is detected by the long object detection device 41, executes handling processing for the long object 32. At least 3 processes (warning process, deceleration process, stop process) are included in the handling process, and the control unit 43 executes these processes stepwise according to the detected condition of the long object 32. The storage unit 44 contains a program for realizing the present system, and stores information necessary for the processing of the control unit 43.

Further, a terminal device dedicated to the present system may be provided separately from the control device 42, and the terminal device may execute processing related to the present system. The terminal device may be provided in either one of the machine room 16 and the machine room 17 of the escalator 10. The terminal device may be installed in a building in which the escalator 10 is located, and the system may be controlled by communication.

As described with reference to fig. 2, the driving device 22 includes a motor, a speed reducer, and the like, and rotates the lower sprocket 20 and the upper sprocket 21 to cyclically move the plurality of steps 11. The warning device 45 is provided on one of the skirt panels 23a, 23b on the side of the entrance 12, and when the long object 32 is detected near the entrance 12, the passenger P1 is notified of the sound indicating the danger of the long object 32.

Next, the operation of the long article monitoring system according to the present embodiment will be described.

Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the long article monitoring system, and mainly shows the processing operation of the control device 42.

Now, as shown in fig. 2, it is assumed that the escalator 10 is in a rising operation, and each step 11 is moving in the direction of arrow a. In this case, the entrance 12 is an entrance, and the entrance 13 is an exit. A sensor 31 is provided near the entrance 13 toward the entrance 12.

When the passenger P1 enters from the entrance 12 while carrying the long article 32 having a length of a certain value L or more in the height direction longitudinally, it is detected by the sensor 31. The long object detection device 41 receives the signal output from the sensor 31, and detects that the long object 32 has entered in the longitudinal direction on the moving path between the entrance 12 and the exit 13 of the escalator 10.

When the long object 32 is detected by the long object detection device 41 (yes in step S11), the control device 42 executes the following handling processing stepwise according to the detection condition of the long object 32.

That is, first, when the long object 32 is detected at the entrance 12 during the 1 st time t1 or less (no in step S12), the control device 42 starts the warning device 45 as the processing of the 1 st stage, and issues a warning (step S13). Specifically, for example, the passenger P1 is broadcasted with sound in the meaning of the danger of the long object 32 in the form of "there is a danger of touching the ceiling, please note". During this time, the operation of the escalator 10 is continued (step S14).

When the long-length object 32 is continuously detected even after the 1 st time t1 has elapsed since the long-length object 32 was detected, that is, when the long-length object 32 is still carried longitudinally and advanced even if the warning passenger P1 is issued and the long-length object 32 is detected within the 2 nd time t2 (yes in step S12→no in step S15), the control device 42 decelerates the operation of the escalator 10 as a 2 nd-stage countermeasure process (step S16). Specifically, the control device 42 controls the drive device 22 to switch the moving speed of each step 11 to, for example, half the normal speed, and continues the operation. During this time, a warning is continued to be issued.

When the long object 32 is continuously detected even after the 2 nd time t2 (t 2 > t 1) set longer than the 1 st time t1 has elapsed since the long object 32 was detected, that is, when the long object 32 is still carried longitudinally and advanced even by the deceleration traveling passenger P1 (yes in step S15), the control device 42 stops the operation of the escalator 10 as the 3 rd-stage countermeasure processing (step S17). Specifically, the control device 42 outputs a drive stop signal to the drive device 22 to stop the movement of each step 11.

As shown in fig. 11, the times t1 and t2 are determined in advance to appropriate values in consideration of the length, running speed, and the like of the escalator 10 so that the handling process can be performed stepwise before the long object 32 hits the ceiling. In addition, as in the example of fig. 4, when the sensor 31 detects the long object 32 when the passenger P1 comes near the intermediate position of the escalator 10, the time t1 and t2 may be shortened, or the time from the start of detection to the 1 st time t1 may be "warned and decelerated", and the operation may be "stopped" immediately after the time t1 has elapsed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to detect and cope with the case where the long object 32 having a value L or more has entered in the longitudinal direction. This makes it possible to prevent accidents such as the step 11 falling off by sandwiching the long article 32 between the ceiling surface 30 and the step 11.

(modification)

Fig. 12 shows an example in which the camera 50 is used as an auxiliary device as a modification.

For example, when the passenger P1 carries the balloon while floating, the sensor 31 cannot identify the object, and thus the object may be erroneously detected as a long object. The balloon does not interfere with the high position and is not sandwiched between the ceiling surface 30 and the steps 11, and thus, it is not necessary to perform a countermeasure. In order to cope with this, as shown in fig. 12, a camera 50 may be provided on the ceiling surface 30 or the like, and whether or not the object detected by the sensor 31 is the long object 32 may be determined by using the photographed image of the camera 50.

Fig. 13 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the long object monitoring system including the camera 50. In fig. 13, the same reference numerals are given to the same portions as those in fig. 9.

The camera 50 is provided on the ceiling surface 30 together with the sensor 31, for example, and is configured to take a range from the entrance 12 to the entrance 13. The long object detection device 41 includes an image processing function 41a, and when an object is detected by the sensor 31, acquires image information from the camera 50, and analyzes and processes the image information to identify the object. Specifically, the long object detection device 41 extracts an object moving in the moving direction (arrow a direction) of each step 11 on the scanning line of the sensor 31 on the photographed image as a recognition target, and determines whether the object is the long object 32 by using a generally known image recognition method.

When the object is the long object 32, the long object detection device 41 outputs the result to the control device 42. Thereby, the control device 42 executes the handling process described in fig. 10. On the other hand, when the object is not the long object 32, the long object detection device 41 prohibits the output of the detection result. In this case, the escalator 10 continues to operate as it is without performing the coping process. In the case where the object is not the long object 32, the object specified by the camera 50 may be provided to the control device 42, for example, a warning may be given such that "there is a danger that the object touches the ceiling. In this way, by using the camera 50 with assistance, it is possible to appropriately cope with a case where an object other than the long object 32 is present at a high position.

According to at least one embodiment described above, a long article monitoring system of a man conveyor can be provided, which can detect and cope with a long article carried by a passenger.

The present application is not limited to an escalator, and can be applied to all passenger conveyors including a moving walk, and the like, and the same effects as those of the above embodiment can be obtained.

In summary, several embodiments of the present application have been described, but these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the application. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other modes, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the application. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the application, and are included in the application described in the claims and the scope equivalent thereto.

Claims (10)

1. A long-strip object monitoring system of a man conveyor is characterized in that,

the man conveyor is narrowed in height from the step to the ceiling surface from the entrance toward the exit,

the long article monitoring system of the man conveyor comprises:

a long article detection device for detecting that a long article having a length equal to or longer than a predetermined value in a height direction has entered in a longitudinal direction in the vicinity of a middle position of a movement path between the inlet and the outlet; and

and a control device configured to execute a handling process for the long object when the long object is detected by the long object detection device.

2. The people conveyor sliver monitoring system of claim 1, wherein,

the control device executes the handling processing stepwise according to the detection condition of the long object.

3. The people conveyor sliver monitoring system of claim 2, wherein,

when the long article is detected, the control device gives a warning as a process of stage 1.

4. A man conveyor sliver monitoring system as set forth in claim 3, wherein,

when the long article is continuously detected in the 1 st time, the control device decelerates the operation of the man conveyor as the 2 nd stage process.

5. The people conveyor sliver monitoring system of claim 4, wherein,

when the long article is continuously detected within the 2 nd time set longer than the 1 st time, the control device stops the operation of the man conveyor as the 3 rd stage processing.

6. The people conveyor sliver monitoring system of claim 1, wherein,

comprises a sensor provided near the exit of the people conveyor toward the entrance,

the long object detection device detects the long object on the moving path based on the signal of the sensor.

7. The people conveyor sliver monitoring system of claim 1, wherein,

comprises a sensor disposed near the entrance of the people conveyor toward the exit,

the long object detection device detects the long object on the moving path based on the signal of the sensor.

8. The people conveyor sliver monitoring system of claim 1, wherein,

comprises a sensor provided at a predetermined height position near the entrance of the man conveyor, projecting laser light in a horizontal direction toward the exit,

the long object detection device detects the long object on the moving path based on the signal of the sensor.

9. The people conveyor sliver monitoring system of claim 6 or 7, wherein,

comprises a camera for photographing a range from the entrance to the exit,

the long object detection device detects the long object on the moving path based on the signal of the sensor and the image information of the camera.

10. The people conveyor sliver monitoring system of claim 9, wherein,

the long object detection device analyzes and processes the image information of the camera and judges whether the object detected by the sensor is the long object.