CN117842823A - Passenger conveyor system and data collection method - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a passenger conveyor system and a data collection method capable of properly collecting data of a passenger conveyor. The passenger conveyor system is configured to include a passenger conveyor having a plurality of steps connected in a loop that moves in a circulating manner, and includes: a data collection device provided in a predetermined one of the plurality of steps, and configured to collect data from a sensor that acquires information on equipment of the passenger conveyor by wireless communication with the sensor; and an abnormality detection device that receives data of the sensor collected by the data collection device through wireless communication with the data collection device, and detects an abnormality of the passenger conveyor based on the received data.

Description

Passenger conveyor system and data collection method

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to techniques for collecting data for a passenger conveyor.

Background

As a device for detecting an abnormality of an escalator, the escalator includes a plurality of monitoring sensors such as an emergency stop button, a step chain cut-off detection device, and a handrail stop detection device. The monitoring sensor is also provided in an escalator including a step (step), a chain, and other driving parts.

When the measurement data is taken out from the monitoring sensor in a wired manner, the wiring may be wound around a driving portion in the vicinity of the chain or the like. In this regard, a method of wirelessly transmitting measurement data from a wireless sensor terminal to a monitoring system existing at a remote place via a data collection device and further via a communication line such as a telephone line or an internet line has been proposed (see patent document 1).

Prior art literature

Patent literature

Patent document 1: japanese patent application laid-open No. 2019-210111

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

In recent years, in order to detect a sign of a failure of an escalator, sensors are provided in various places such as a handrail drive device and a gear (lower gear) of a lower machine room. An abnormality detection device of the upper machine room diagnoses the malfunction of the escalator based on the measurement data obtained by the sensor.

However, the technology described in patent document 1 does not consider the influence of the distance to wireless communication and the mechanical radio interference. In addition, it is also necessary to wirelessly communicate measurement data of the lower machine room to the upper machine room, and it is difficult to ensure stable communication quality.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and proposes a passenger conveyor system and the like capable of appropriately collecting data of a passenger conveyor.

Means for solving the problems

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a passenger conveyor system including a passenger conveyor having a plurality of endless steps connected in a circulating manner, the passenger conveyor system including: a data collection device provided in a predetermined one of the plurality of steps, and configured to collect data of a sensor that acquires information of equipment of the passenger conveyor by wireless communication with the sensor; and an abnormality detection device that receives the data of the sensor collected by the data collection device through wireless communication with the data collection device, and detects an abnormality of the passenger conveyor based on the received data.

In the above configuration, since the data collection device is provided in the step that moves in a cycle, for example, the data collection device can receive the data of the sensor at a position where the communication quality with the sensor is good, and can transmit the data of the sensor to the abnormality detection device at a position where the communication quality with the abnormality detection device is good. According to the above configuration, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the abnormality detection device cannot detect an abnormality of the passenger conveyor because the data of the sensor cannot be collected due to poor communication quality.

Effects of the invention

According to the present invention, a passenger conveyor system capable of appropriately collecting data of a passenger conveyor can be realized. Other problems, configurations and effects than those described above will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an escalator system according to a first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the escalator system according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart of the first embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the escalator system according to the second embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the escalator system according to the second embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a diagram for explaining a communication path according to the second embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart of the second embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a view showing an example of the escalator system according to the third embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an escalator system according to the third embodiment.

Fig. 10 is a view showing an example of an escalator system according to the fourth embodiment.

Fig. 11 is a view showing an example of an escalator system according to the fourth embodiment.

Fig. 12 is a diagram for explaining a communication path according to the fourth embodiment.

Detailed Description

An embodiment of the present invention is described in detail below. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment.

The present embodiment relates to a passenger conveyor system that effectively uses steps of a passenger conveyor to collect data. In addition, the passenger conveyor is an escalator, an automatic conveyor line, or the like.

In the present passenger conveyor system, a data collection device is provided at a step of the passenger conveyor. The data collection device collects data on the passenger conveyor when the communication quality of various sensors provided on the passenger conveyor becomes high (for example, when the radio wave intensity becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined value when the communication quality becomes within a predetermined distance). The data collection device also supplies measurement data to the communication device when the communication quality with the communication device (or the abnormality detection device) notifying the data of the passenger conveyor to the monitoring system of the monitoring center becomes high.

According to the above configuration, the data relating to the passenger conveyor is transmitted and received in a state where the communication quality is high, so that remote monitoring in the monitoring system can be performed.

In the following description, an "interface device" may be more than one communication interface apparatus. The more than one communication interface device may be more than one communication interface device of the same type or more than two communication interface devices of different types.

In addition, in the following description, a "memory" is one or more memory devices, typically a main memory device. At least one storage device in the memory may be a volatile storage device or a nonvolatile storage device.

In the following description, the "persistent storage device" may be one or more persistent storage devices, which are examples of one or more storage devices. The persistent storage device may typically be a Non-volatile storage device (e.g., secondary storage device), such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive: solid state Drive), NVME (Non-Volatile Memory Express: non-volatile memory high speed) Drive, or SCM (Storage Class Memory: storage class memory).

In addition, in the following description, the "storage device" may be at least one of a memory and a permanent storage device.

In the following description, a "processor" may be one or more processor devices. The at least one processor device may typically be a microprocessor device like a CPU (Central Processing Unit ), but may also be other kinds of processor devices like a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit, image processing unit). The at least one processor device may be single core or multi-core. The at least one processor device may be a processor core. The at least one processor device may also be a generalized processor device such as a circuit (e.g., FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array: field programmable gate array), CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device: complex programmable logic device) or ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit: application specific integrated circuit)) that is an aggregate of gate arrays by a hardware description language that performs part or all of the processing.

In the following description, the function is described by the expression of "yyy" in some cases, but the function may be implemented by executing one or more computer programs by a processor, may be implemented by one or more hardware circuits (for example, FPGA or ASIC), or may be implemented by a combination thereof. In the case where the functions are realized by executing the programs by the processor, the determined processing is performed by using the storage device, the interface device, or the like as appropriate, and thus the functions may be at least a part of the processor. The processing described by the functional description may be processing performed by a processor or a device having the processor. Programs may also be installed from a program source. The program source may be, for example, a program distribution computer or a computer-readable storage medium (e.g., a non-transitory storage medium). The description of each function is an example, and a plurality of functions may be combined into one function or one function may be divided into a plurality of functions.

The expressions "first", "second", "third", and the like in the present specification are added for identifying the constituent elements, and are not necessarily limited in number or order. The numbers used for identifying the components are used for each context, and the numbers used in one context do not necessarily indicate the same structure in the other contexts. The components identified by a certain number may also have the functions of components identified by other numbers.

Next, several embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. The following description and drawings are illustrative of the present invention, and are omitted or simplified as appropriate for clarity of illustration. The invention can also be implemented in other various ways. Each component may be single or plural, as long as it is not particularly limited.

In the following description, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and the description thereof is omitted as appropriate. Note that, when the description is not made by distinguishing the same elements, common portions (portions other than the branch numbers) in the reference signs containing the branch numbers may be used, and when the description is made by distinguishing the same elements, the reference signs containing the branch numbers may be used. For example, the description of the sensor is not particularly limited to the description of the sensor, and the description of the sensor is sometimes referred to as "sensor 102" or "first sensor 102-1" or "second sensor 102-2" respectively.

(I) First embodiment

In fig. 1, 100 denotes an escalator system of a first embodiment as a whole. An escalator system 100 is described with reference to fig. 1 and 2.

The escalator system 100 collects measurement data of a sensor 102 provided for acquiring information of each device such as a final gear (upper gear, lower gear) of the escalator 101 and a handrail driving device, to an abnormality detection device 103. The abnormality detection device 103 diagnoses the status of each device, and when an abnormality is detected, notifies the monitoring system 106 of information indicating the detection of the abnormality via the telephone line 104 and the remote monitoring network 105.

The escalator 101 includes a frame provided in a building structure and a plurality of steps provided in the frame and connected in a loop shape to move in a circulating manner. An endless chain is connected to the plurality of steps, and the plurality of steps are circulated by the rotary drive chain. At least one of the steps is provided with a collection step 107 provided with the data collection device 200. The data collection device 200 collects measurement data of each sensor 102, and transmits the collected measurement data to the abnormality detection device 103.

More specifically, the data collection device 200 includes a first storage unit 201 that stores collected data, a second storage unit 202 that stores communication data, a control unit 203 that performs control (counting of time, etc.) related to collection of data, and a communication unit 204 that performs communication with the outside (the sensor 102, the abnormality detection device 103, etc.). The processing performed by the control unit 203 will be described with reference to fig. 3.

As the collected data in the present embodiment, measurement data obtained by the sensor 102 will be described as an example. The communication data is data defined for communication at a place having high communication quality with the sensor 102. The communication data is, for example, data indicating the time taken from when the collection step 107 is reversed in the upper machine room or the lower machine room to when it reaches the sensor 102 (closest to the sensor 102). The communication data may be, for example, data indicating a predetermined communication intensity.

The functions of the data collection device 200 (the first storage unit 201, the second storage unit 202, the control unit 203, the communication unit 204, and the like) may be realized by, for example, a processor reading out a program stored in the persistent storage device to a memory and executing the program (software), or may be realized by hardware such as a dedicated circuit, or may be realized by a combination of software and hardware. Further, one function of the data collection device 200 may be divided into a plurality of functions, and the plurality of functions may be integrated into one function. Further, a part of the functions of the data collection device 200 may be provided as other functions, or may be included in other functions. In addition, a part of the functions of the data collection device 200 may be realized by another computer capable of communicating with the data collection device 200.

The sensor 102 is an element, a device, or the like that obtains (senses) quantitative information of a measurement target device. The sensor 102 includes a control unit 211 that performs control related to sensing and a communication unit 212 that performs communication with the outside (the data collection device 200, the abnormality detection device 103, and the like). A first sensor 102-1, a second sensor 102-2, and a third sensor 102-3 are provided in the escalator system 100. The first sensor 102-1 acquires information of equipment (for example, a lower gear) provided in a lower machine room. The second sensor 102-2 obtains information about the handrail drive device. The third sensor 102-3 acquires information of devices (control panel, motor, upper gear, etc.) provided in the upper machine room.

The functions of the sensor 102 (the control unit 211, the communication unit 212, and the like) may be realized by, for example, a processor reading out a program stored in a persistent storage device to a memory and executing the program (software), may be realized by hardware such as a dedicated circuit, or may be realized by a combination of software and hardware.

The abnormality detection device 103 includes: a storage unit 221 that stores the collection data; a control unit 222 that performs abnormality determination or the like based on the collected data; and a communication unit 223 that communicates with the outside (sensor 102, monitoring system 106, collection step 107, etc.).

The functions of the abnormality detection device 103 (the storage unit 221, the control unit 222, the communication unit 223, and the like) may be realized by, for example, a processor reading out a program stored in a persistent storage device into a memory and executing the program (software), may be realized by hardware such as a dedicated circuit, or may be realized by a combination of software and hardware.

In the present embodiment, three systems including a first sensor 102-1, a second sensor 102-2, and a third sensor 102-3 are provided as the sensor 102. In practice, the number of the systems may be 4 or more, or may be different depending on the number of the modems. In addition, as described in the arrow indicating the data communication to the abnormality detection device 103, the third sensor 102-3 does not necessarily need to collect the steps 107 depending on the positional relationship between the sensor 102 and the abnormality detection device 103. The telephone line 104 connected to the remote monitoring network 105 may be an analog telephone line, a PHS line, an LTE line, an internet line, or the like, and may be applied regardless of the type of line to which the abnormality detection device 103 is connected to the remote monitoring network 105.

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart of measurement data collection processing.

The data collection device 200 provided in the collection step 107 counts (measures) the distance from each sensor 102 and the distance from the abnormality detection device 103 according to a predetermined method.

For example, in the data collection device 200, during the operation of the escalator 101 (when the collection step 107 is circulating at a fixed speed), the time from when the collection step 107 is reversed in the upper machine room or the lower machine room to when the distance between the collection step 107 and each sensor 102 is closest is measured and registered as communication data. The data collection device 200 measures the time from when the collection step 107 is reversed in the upper machine room or the lower machine room during the operation of the escalator 101, and grasps the time (timing) at which the distance between the collection step 107 and each sensor 102 approaches (the time until the distance approaches).

Further, the data collection device 200 stops data collection when the escalator 101 is stopped urgently. When the collection step 107 is moved cyclically at a fixed speed, the data collection device 200 initializes a count value, and measures a time from when the collection step 107 is reversed in the upper machine chamber or the lower machine chamber, thereby collecting data. Incidentally, the data collection device 200 may reset the count value every time the collection step 107 makes one rotation. The data collection device 200 may be configured to measure the distance from each sensor 102 and the distance from the abnormality detection device 103 every time the upper machine room and the lower machine room are reversed.

In step S301, the data collection device 200 determines whether or not the collection step 107 is moved to approach the first sensor 102-1 to the first distance. The data collection device 200 shifts the process to step S302 when it is determined that the data collection device is approaching, and shifts the process to step S303 when it is determined that the data collection device is not approaching.

Here, the data collection device 200 may measure the communication intensity in addition to or instead of the distance-based determination in step S301, and determine that the first sensor is approaching when the communication intensity is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. The distance-based determination shown below may be the same.

In step S302, the data collection device 200 collects measurement data from the first sensor 102-1 by wireless communication with the first sensor 102-1.

In step S303, the data collection device 200 determines whether the collection step 107 is moved to approach the second sensor 102-2 to the second distance. The data collection device 200 shifts the process to step S304 when it is determined that the data collection device is approaching, and shifts the process to step S305 when it is determined that the data collection device is not approaching.

In step S304, the data collection device 200 collects measurement data from the second sensor 102-2 by wireless communication with the second sensor 102-2.

In step S305, the data collection device 200 determines whether the collection step 107 is moved to approach the third sensor 102-3 to the third distance in a cycle. The data collection device 200 shifts the process to step S306 when it is determined that the data collection device is approaching, and shifts the process to step S307 when it is determined that the data collection device is not approaching.

In step S306, the data collection device 200 collects measurement data from the third sensor 102-3 by wireless communication with the third sensor 102-3.

In step S307, the data collection device 200 determines whether or not the collection step 107 is moved cyclically so as to approach the abnormality detection device 103 to the fourth distance. When the data collection device 200 determines that the data collection device is approaching, the process proceeds to step S308, and when the data collection device is not approaching, the process returns to step S301.

In step S308, the data collection device 200 transmits the collected data collected in step S302, step S304, and step S306 to the abnormality detection device 103 by wireless communication with the abnormality detection device 103.

In addition, in the escalator system 100, the abnormality detection device 103 repeatedly executes the monitoring diagnosis process (the process from step S311 to step S313).

In step S311, the abnormality detection device 103 receives the collected data from the data collection device 200, and diagnoses abnormality of each device of the escalator 101 based on the received collected data.

In step S312, the abnormality detection device 103 determines whether or not the escalator 101 has an abnormality based on the diagnosis result. The abnormality detection device 103, when determining that the escalator 101 has an abnormality (for example, a sign of a detected failure), shifts the process to step S313, and when determining that there is no abnormality, ends the process.

In step S313, the abnormality detection device 103 transmits (notifies) information indicating that the escalator 101 has an abnormality to the monitoring system 106. When an abnormality is output to the monitoring system 106, necessary treatments such as an instruction to move the operator and a work plan are performed. Incidentally, the abnormality detection device 103 may also send information indicating that the escalator 101 is free of abnormalities to the monitoring system 106.

As described above, by performing data transmission and reception when the collection step 107 approaches each sensor 102 and the abnormality detection device 103, data collection with high communication quality can be performed, and the method can be applied to abnormality monitoring of the escalator 101.

The first distance, the second distance, the third distance, and the fourth distance may all be the same value, may partially be the same value, or may all be different values.

(II) second embodiment

The present embodiment is mainly different from the first embodiment in that data is transmitted and received between the modems using a triangle board or a wireless repeater provided near the triangle board. The triangle guard is a member (fixed guard plate, movable warning plate, etc.) provided on the escalator to prevent a user from getting caught in a triangle formed between a cross beam, ceiling, etc. of the building and a moving handrail of the escalator.

The escalator system 400 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 4 and 5. In this embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

A wireless repeater 500 is provided on the delta plate 401 of the escalator system 400. For example, the wireless repeater 500A of the first escalator 101A (machine a) and the wireless repeater 500B of the second escalator 101B (machine B) perform wireless communication, and transmit and receive collected data between machines. In the present embodiment, the collected data includes at least one of measurement data of the sensor 102 collected by the collection step 107 and diagnosis result data indicating a result diagnosed by the abnormality detection device 103.

The wireless repeater 500 includes: a storage unit 501 that stores the data of the number machine (the collected data of the number machine itself and the collected data of the other number machine); a control unit 502 that performs control (for example, flag control) related to relay of collected data; and a communication unit 503 that performs communication with the outside (collection steps 107 of own modems, wireless repeaters 500 of other modems, and the like).

The functions of the wireless repeater 500 (the storage unit 501, the control unit 502, the communication unit 503, and the like) may be realized by, for example, a processor reading out a program stored in a persistent storage device into a memory and executing the program (software), may be realized by hardware such as a dedicated circuit, or may be realized by a combination of software and hardware.

The wireless repeater 500 may be provided in a plate portion of the triangle board 401, in an installation portion for installing the triangle board 401 in a building or the like, may be provided in the triangle board 401, or may be provided in the vicinity of the building or the like (a frame, a railing, a wall 601, or the like) in which the triangle board 401 is installed. The escalator 101 includes two systems, i.e., a machine a and a machine B, but may be three or more systems.

Fig. 6 is a diagram for explaining a communication path of the escalator system 400 with respect to the approaching machine, and is a diagram showing an example of a case where the approaching machine exists vertically.

When the escalator 101 is installed along a wall 601 (wall surface) of a building, a gap 602 is provided up and down through the building. By using the gap 602 shown in the figure for the communication path between the triangle fence 401 and the proximity device, communication quality can be ensured without interference of devices on the communication path.

Further, the approaching numbering machine is an approaching numbering machine. For example, as the proximity device, a first device and a second device including a wireless repeater 500 capable of wirelessly communicating with the wireless repeater 500 of the first device are exemplified. In this case, the first machine and the second machine may be provided adjacently, or 1 or more other machines may be provided between the first machine and the second machine.

Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart of the handset communication process.

In the present embodiment, in the data collection device 200, the time from when the collection step 107 is reversed in the upper machine room or the lower machine room to when the distance between the collection step 107 and the triangle guard 401 is closest is measured during the operation of the escalator 101, and registered as data for communication. The data collection device 200 grasps the timing of the approach of the collection step 107 to the triangle guard 401 (the timing of the approach to the predetermined distance) during the operation of the escalator 101.

The following describes a case where the diagnosis result data diagnosed by the abnormality detection device 103B of the B machine is transmitted to the abnormality detection device 103A of the a machine, and notified from the abnormality detection device 103A to the monitoring system 106 via the telephone line 104A and the remote monitoring network 105.

In step S711, the data collection device 200B determines whether the collection step 107B is moved cyclically so as to approach the abnormality detection device 103B to the first distance. When the data collection device 200B determines that the data collection device is approaching, the process proceeds to step S712, and when the data collection device is not approaching, the process of step S711 is repeated.

In step S712, the data collection device 200B collects (acquires) the diagnosis result data from the abnormality detection device 103B by wireless communication with the abnormality detection device 103B.

In step S713, the data collection device 200B determines whether the collection step 107B is moved to approach the triangle guard 401B to the second distance. When the data collection device 200B determines that the data collection device is approaching, the process proceeds to step S714, and when the data collection device is not approaching, the process of step S713 is repeated.

In step S714, the data collection device 200B transmits the diagnosis result data to the wireless repeater 500B by wireless communication with the wireless repeater 500B, and ends the process.

In step S721, when the wireless repeater 500B receives the diagnosis result data from the collection step 107B, the wireless repeater 500A transmits the diagnosis result data to the wireless repeater 500A by wireless communication with the wireless repeater 500A of the machine a, and the process ends. When the wireless repeater 500A of the B-mode receives the diagnosis result data from the wireless repeater 500B of the a-mode, the transmission preparation of the diagnosis result data is performed. For example, the wireless repeater 500A generates data indicating that the diagnosis result data is received from another number machine (sets the relay flag to ON (ON)).

In step S731, the data collection device 200A determines whether or not the collection step 107A is moved to approach the triangle fence 401A to the third distance. When the data collection device 200A determines that the vehicle is approaching, the process proceeds to step S732, and when the vehicle is not approaching, the process of step S731 is repeated.

In step S732, the data collection device 200A acquires the diagnosis result data of the B-mode from the wireless repeater 500A by wireless communication with the wireless repeater 500A. At this time, the data collection device 200A first confirms the state (relay flag) of the wireless relay 500A, and when the state becomes the transmission ready state (relay flag is on), requests the diagnosis result data from the wireless relay 500A. When receiving the diagnosis result data of another number machine, the data collection device 200A prepares for transmission of the diagnosis result data. For example, the data collection device 200A generates data indicating that diagnostic result data has been collected from another vehicle (sets the collection flag to on).

In step S733, the data collecting device 200A determines whether or not the collecting step 107A is moved cyclically so as to approach the abnormality detecting device 103A to the fourth distance. When the data collection device 200A determines that the data collection device is approaching, the process proceeds to step S734, and when the data collection device is not approaching, the process of step S733 is repeated.

In step S734, the data collection device 200A transmits the diagnosis result data of the B-machine to the abnormality detection device 103A by wireless communication with the abnormality detection device 103A. At this time, the data collection device 200A first confirms the state (collection flag) of the data collection device 200, and when the state becomes the transmission ready state (collection flag is on), transmits the diagnosis result data of the B-machine to the abnormality detection device 103A.

In step S741, the abnormality detection device 103A receives the diagnosis result data of the B-machine, and confirms whether or not the received diagnosis result data of the B-machine is data indicating an abnormality.

In step S742, the abnormality detection device 103A determines whether or not the escalator 101B has an abnormality as a result of the confirmation. The abnormality detection device 103 moves the process to step S743 when it determines that there is an abnormality in the escalator 101B, and ends the process when it determines that there is no abnormality.

In step S743, the abnormality detection device 103A transmits (notifies) information indicating that an abnormality exists in the escalator 101B to the monitoring system 106. When an abnormality is output to the monitoring system 106, necessary treatments such as an instruction to move the operator and a work plan are performed. Incidentally, the abnormality detection device 103 may also send information indicating that the escalator 101B is free of abnormalities to the monitoring system 106.

In this way, when the collection step 107 approaches the abnormality detection device 103, the diagnosis result data is collected, and the diagnosis result data is transmitted to the collection step 107 and the abnormality detection device 103 of another vehicle via the triangle guard 401. In this way, for example, when a connection failure of the telephone line 104 occurs, data transmission and reception with high communication quality with other modems can be performed, and the system can be effectively used for anomaly monitoring of the escalator 101.

In fig. 7, the case where the diagnosis result data, which is determined whether or not there is an abnormality by the abnormality detection device 103, is transmitted to another vehicle has been described, but the measurement data of the sensor 102 collected by the data collection device 200 may be transmitted and received as measurement data of another vehicle. In this case, for example, the abnormality detection device 103A may determine whether or not the escalator 101B is abnormal based on measurement data of the B machine, and may transmit the diagnosis result data to the monitoring system 106. For example, the abnormality detection device 103A may transmit measurement data of the B-machine to the monitoring system 106.

(III) third embodiment

When a telephone line is installed in the introduction of an escalator, there are problems such as purchase cost, installation cost, maintenance cost, and the like.

Here, in a case where a plurality of escalators are housed in a building, a method of transmitting diagnosis result data to vertically adjacent cars by wireless communication is proposed because a communication line connecting data collection devices of the respective cars is not required (japanese patent application laid-open No. 2001-240357).

However, in the technology described in the above patent document, it is difficult to collect measurement data of various sensors provided in an escalator.

In this regard, in the present embodiment, the anomaly detection device 103 and/or the telephone line 104 can be reduced by using the collection steps and the triangle boards (communication with high communication quality). Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 8 and 9 are diagrams showing an example of the structure of an escalator system 800 according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the telephone line 104 connected to the remote monitoring network 105 and the abnormality detection device 103 is only the telephone line 104 of a predetermined number machine. In the present embodiment, the telephone line 104 connected to the telephone line is sometimes referred to as a parent telephone. Hereinafter, the escalator 101L (L-machine) will be described as a parent machine. In fig. 8, the sensors 102 provided in the escalator 101 are not shown.

In the escalator system 800, measurement data of the sensors 102 of the child machines (M-machines and N-machines) are transmitted to the triangle shields 401M, 401N through the collection steps 107M, 107N. The triangle guards 401M and 401N send measurement data of the own car directly or via the middle car with the triangle guard 401L of the parent car as a target. The triangle guard 401L of the parent aircraft receives measurement data from the child aircraft, and when the collection step 107L approaches, transmits the measurement data of the child aircraft to the collection step 107L. When the collection step 107L approaches the abnormality detection device 801, measurement data of the child car is transmitted to the abnormality detection device 801.

In this way, when the collection step 107 approaches the triangle fence 401 and when the collection step 107 approaches the abnormality detection device 103, the measurement data of the child car is collected in the abnormality detection device 103 of the parent car in addition to the characteristics of the transmission/reception data. This can reduce the purchase cost, installation cost, and maintenance cost of the sub-number anomaly detection device 103 and the telephone line 104 while ensuring high communication quality.

In fig. 8 and 9, the configuration is shown in which the number of abnormality detection devices 103 and telephone lines 104 is reduced, but the configuration may be such that abnormality detection devices 103 are provided in each of the modems, and diagnostic result data is collected in the parent, so that only telephone lines 104 reduce the cost. In this case, the collected data of the child car may be not the measurement data of the sensor 102, but may be diagnostic result data obtained by the abnormality detection device 103 of the child car.

The above-described embodiments include, for example, the following.

(A) Without requiring communication lines

The passenger conveyor system (e.g., escalator system 800) is configured to include a plurality of passenger conveyors (e.g., escalator 101L, escalator 101M, etc.), a communication device (e.g., anomaly detection device 801) for transmitting data (measurement data, diagnosis result data, etc.) related to the passenger conveyors to a monitoring system (e.g., monitoring system 106) via a communication line (e.g., telephone line 104, remote monitoring network 105, etc.), the passenger conveyor includes a data collection device (e.g., data collection device 200L, data collection device 200M, etc.) for collecting data related to the passenger conveyor itself, and a wireless repeater (e.g., wireless repeater 500L, wireless repeater 500M, etc.) capable of wireless communication, the plurality of passenger conveyors include a first passenger conveyor (e.g., escalator 101L) including the communication device, a second passenger conveyor (e.g., escalator 101M) not including the communication device, a second wireless repeater (e.g., wireless repeater 500M) for receiving data related to the passenger conveyor (e.g., passenger conveyor) from the second data collection device (e.g., data collection device 200M) of the second passenger conveyor, and a wireless repeater (e.g., wireless repeater 500M) for receiving data related to the passenger conveyor (e.g., passenger conveyor) from the first passenger conveyor (e.g., passenger conveyor) and the first passenger conveyor (e.g., passenger conveyor) including the communication device) and the first passenger conveyor (e.g., passenger conveyor) including the first passenger conveyor (e.g., passenger conveyor (e), and transmits the collected data to the communication device.

According to the above configuration, for example, the data on the second passenger conveyor is transmitted to the first passenger conveyor and transmitted to the monitoring system, so that the communication line of the second passenger conveyor can be reduced.

(B) No abnormality detection device

In the passenger conveyor system described in (a), the communication device includes an abnormality detection unit (for example, an abnormality detection unit 801) that detects an abnormality of each of the plurality of passenger conveyors, the second data collection unit collects data of a second sensor (for example, a sensor 102-1M, a sensor 102-2M, and a sensor 102-3M) that acquires information of a device of the second passenger conveyor, and transmits the collected data of the second sensor to the second wireless repeater, the second wireless repeater transmits the data of the second sensor to the first wireless repeater, the first wireless repeater transmits the data of the second sensor to the first data collection unit, and the first data collection unit transmits the data of the second sensor to the abnormality detection unit, and the abnormality detection unit detects an abnormality of the second passenger conveyor based on the data of the second sensor and transmits the detected data of the second sensor to the monitoring system.

According to the above configuration, for example, the data of the sensor of the second passenger conveyor is transmitted to the abnormality detection unit of the first passenger conveyor, and the abnormality of the second passenger conveyor is detected, so that the abnormality detection unit of the second passenger conveyor can be reduced.

(C) Mobile-based collection

In the passenger conveyor system according to the above (a), the data collection device of each of the plurality of passenger conveyors is mounted on a mobile body that can be brought close to a sensor of the passenger conveyor and the communication device.

The movable body may be the collecting step 107, a chain to which the collecting step 107 is attached, a handrail that circulates together with the collecting step 107, or a passenger (a person standing on the escalator 101, an operator, or the like).

In the above configuration, for example, the data collection device can receive the data of the sensor when the mobile body approaches the sensor, and can transmit the data of the sensor when the mobile body approaches the communication device, so that the data of the sensor can be transmitted and received stably.

(D) Data communication between upper and lower number machines

In the passenger conveyor system described in (a), the plurality of passenger conveyors are passenger conveyors (e.g., escalator 101L, escalator 101M) that are vertically adjacent to each other, and the wireless relay of each of the plurality of passenger conveyors is provided in the triangle guard (e.g., triangle guard 401) or in the vicinity of the triangle guard (frame, rail, wall 601) of the passenger conveyor.

In addition, an example in which the wireless repeater 500L and the wireless repeater 500M communicate data, and the wireless repeater 500M and the wireless repeater 500N communicate data between the adjacent escalator 101 is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, data communication may be performed between the nearby escalator 101 as in the case where the wireless repeater 500L and the wireless repeater 500N communicate data.

In the above configuration, for example, data communication can be performed with a gap between the passenger conveyor and a wall of a building, which is located in the vertical direction. According to the above configuration, for example, it is possible to reduce reflection and absorption of radio waves by obstacles, and to perform data communication between upper and lower modems while ensuring communication quality.

(IV) fourth embodiment

Fig. 10 and 11 are diagrams showing an example of the structure of an escalator system 1000 according to the fourth embodiment. In the present embodiment, a structure in which the escalator 101 is provided adjacently not only vertically (longitudinally) but also laterally (transversely) is shown. In fig. 10 and 11, the sensors 102 provided in the W machine to the Z machine are not shown.

In the present embodiment, in addition to the feature that the data collection device 200 (the data collection device 200W, the data collection device 200X, the data collection device 200Y, and the data collection device 200Z) and each sensor 102 communicate with other number machines according to the distance between the collection steps 107 and the triangle guard 401, the triangle guard 401 (the triangle guard 401W, the triangle guard 401X, the triangle guard 401Y, and the triangle guard 401Z) can be used to connect the number machines adjacent to the left and right, and the triangle guard 401 is connected in a mesh shape to realize wireless communication with the failure. As described above, the upper and lower sides of the triangle guard 401 can also communicate with the left and right adjacent modems in a space where no radio wave interference occurs.

In this way, by performing data collection communication of other modems by using not only the triangle boards 401 of the upper and lower approaching modems but also the triangle boards 401 of the left and right modems, an effect of preventing communication failure of the intermediate device from becoming stronger can be obtained as compared with the case of a communication path of one road.

Fig. 12 is a diagram for explaining a communication path in a case where a proximity number machine exists in the left and right in addition to the up and down direction. In fig. 12, an example is shown in which a gap 1200 is provided between adjacent escalators 101 across a building. By using the gap 1200 shown in the figure for the communication path between the right and left proximity devices based on the triangle fence 401, the communication quality can be ensured without interference of devices on the communication path.

In the present embodiment, the abnormality detection device 103 may be provided in each of the modems, and the diagnostic result data may be collected in the parent modem. In this case, the collected data of the slave device may be a method of collecting the diagnostic result data obtained by the abnormality detection device 103 of each slave device, instead of the measurement data of the sensor 102.

The above-described embodiments include, for example, the following.

(E) Data communication between left and right number machines

In the passenger conveyor system described in (a), the plurality of passenger conveyors are passenger conveyors (e.g., escalator 101W, escalator 101X) that are close to each other in the left-right direction, and the wireless repeater (e.g., wireless repeater 500W, wireless repeater 500X) of each of the plurality of passenger conveyors is provided in or near a triangle guard (e.g., triangle guard 401W, triangle guard 401X) of the passenger conveyor.

In the above configuration, for example, data communication can be performed using the open space of the passenger conveyor that is left and right approaching. According to the above configuration, for example, it is possible to reduce reflection and absorption of radio waves by obstacles, and to ensure communication quality and perform data communication between left and right modems.

(V) other embodiments

The function of the abnormality detection device 103 for determining abnormality of the escalator 101 is not limited to the above, and may be provided in the monitoring system 106. In this case, since it is necessary to transmit measurement data of each sensor 102 of the escalator 101 to the monitoring system 106, the communication cost increases, but a reduction in the device cost associated with the reduction in the function of the abnormality detection device is expected. Further, the improvement of the function related to the abnormality determination can be achieved by replacing only the abnormality determination function in the monitoring system 106 without replacing the abnormality detection device 103 that is provided.

(VI) additional notes

The above-described embodiments include, for example, the following.

In the above-described embodiment, the description has been given of the case where the present invention is applied to a passenger conveyor system, but the present invention is not limited to this, and can be widely applied to other various systems, apparatuses, methods, and programs.

In the above-described embodiment, a part or all of the program may be installed from a program source in a device such as a computer that realizes the data collection device. The program source may be, for example, a program distribution server or a computer-readable recording medium (e.g., a non-transitory recording medium) connected via a network. In the above description, two or more programs may be implemented as one program or one program may be implemented as two or more programs.

In the above description, information such as programs, tables, and files for realizing the respective functions may be placed in a storage device such as a memory, a hard disk, and an SSD, or a recording medium such as an IC card, an SD card, and a DVD.

The above-described embodiment has, for example, the following characteristic configuration.

(1)

A passenger conveyor system (escalator system 100, escalator system 400, escalator system 800, escalator system 1000, etc.) configured to include a passenger conveyor (e.g., escalator 101) having a plurality of steps connected in a loop that moves in a circulating manner, the passenger conveyor system comprising: a data collection device (e.g., data collection device 200) provided in a predetermined step (e.g., collection step 107) among the plurality of steps, and configured to collect data (e.g., measurement data) of a sensor (e.g., measurement data) that acquires information of equipment of the passenger conveyor by wireless communication with the sensor; and an abnormality detection device (abnormality detection device 103, abnormality detection device 801, etc.) that receives the data of the sensor collected by the data collection device by wireless communication with the data collection device, and detects an abnormality of the passenger conveyor based on the received data.

In the above configuration, since the data collection device is provided in the step that moves in a cycle, for example, the data collection device can receive the data of the sensor at a position where the communication quality with the sensor is good, and can transmit the data of the sensor to the abnormality detection device at a position where the communication quality with the abnormality detection device is good. According to the above configuration, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the abnormality detection device cannot detect an abnormality of the passenger conveyor because the data of the sensor cannot be collected due to poor communication quality.

(2)

The data collection device measures a time until the sensor is reached, collects data of the sensor when the sensor is determined to be in proximity (for example, see steps S301 to S306), measures a time until the sensor is reached, and transmits the data of the sensor to the abnormality detection device when the sensor is determined to be in proximity to the abnormality detection device (for example, see steps S312 and S313).

In the above configuration, for example, the data collection device may receive data from the sensor when the step approaches the sensor, and may transmit the data from the sensor when the step approaches the abnormality detection device. According to the above configuration, the data of the sensor can be stably transmitted.

(3)

The passenger conveyor system is configured to include a plurality of the passenger conveyors (see fig. 4 to 12), the passenger conveyors include wireless repeaters (e.g., wireless repeater 500) capable of wireless communication, the wireless repeaters are provided in the triangle guard (e.g., triangle guard 401) of the passenger conveyor, the data collection device collects data (e.g., diagnosis result data) related to the passenger conveyor, the collected data is transmitted to the wireless repeaters of the passenger conveyor (e.g., see step S711 to step S714), and the wireless repeaters transmit the data of the passenger conveyor to the wireless repeaters of the other passenger conveyors (e.g., see step S721).

In the above configuration, for example, data communication can be performed between the passengers using the gap between the passenger conveyor and the wall of the building, so that it is possible to reduce the reflection and absorption of radio waves by obstacles, and to ensure the communication quality.

(4)

The abnormality detection device is connected to a monitoring system (e.g., monitoring system 106) for monitoring abnormalities of each of the plurality of passenger conveyors via a communication line (telephone line 104, remote monitoring network 105, etc.), each of the plurality of passenger conveyors includes the abnormality detection device (e.g., see fig. 4, 5), the plurality of passenger conveyors includes a first passenger conveyor and a second passenger conveyor, the data collection device of the second passenger conveyor collects data on abnormalities of the second passenger conveyor detected by the abnormality detection device of the second passenger conveyor, and transmits the collected data on abnormalities to a wireless relay of the second passenger conveyor (e.g., see steps S711 to S714), the wireless relay of the second passenger conveyor transmits data on abnormalities received from the data collection device of the second passenger conveyor to a wireless relay of the first passenger conveyor (e.g., see steps S721), the data collection device of the first passenger conveyor collects data on abnormalities from the first relay of the first passenger conveyor to the wireless relay of the second passenger conveyor, and transmits the collected data on abnormalities to the wireless relay of the second passenger conveyor (e.g., see steps S743 to the wireless relay of the second passenger conveyor, see steps S731).

According to the above configuration, for example, even when a failure occurs in the communication line and data relating to the failure cannot be transmitted, the failure detection device of the own passenger conveyor can transmit the data relating to the failure to the monitoring system via the failure detection device of the other passenger conveyor.

(5)

The plurality of passenger conveyors include a first passenger conveyor (e.g., escalator 101L) including the anomaly detection device and a second passenger conveyor (e.g., escalator 101M) not including the anomaly detection device, wherein the data collection device (e.g., data collection device 200M) of the second passenger conveyor collects data of the sensor of the second passenger conveyor from the wireless relay (e.g., wireless relay 500M) of the second passenger conveyor, the wireless relay of the second passenger conveyor transmits data of the sensor of the second passenger conveyor to the wireless relay (e.g., wireless relay 500L) of the first passenger conveyor, and the data collection device (e.g., data collection device 200L) of the first passenger conveyor collects data of the sensor of the second passenger conveyor from the wireless relay of the first passenger conveyor, transmits the collected data to the anomaly detection device (e.g., anomaly detection device 801), and the wireless relay of the second passenger conveyor receives the data of the second passenger conveyor from the wireless relay of the first passenger conveyor according to the anomaly detection device.

With the above configuration, for example, the cost of the abnormality detection device for the second passenger conveyor, such as the purchase cost, the installation cost, and the maintenance cost, can be reduced.

The above-described configuration may be appropriately modified, rearranged, combined, or omitted within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention.

It should be understood that items included in the list in the form of "at least one of A, B and C" may refer to (a), (B), (C), (a and B), (a and C), (B and C), or (A, B and C). Similarly, an item listed in the form of "at least one of A, B and C" may refer to (a), (B), (C), (a and B), (a and C), (B and C), or (A, B and C).

Symbol description

100 … … escalator system

101 … … escalator

102 … … sensor

107 … … collect steps.

Claims (6)

1. A passenger conveyor system including a passenger conveyor having a plurality of endless steps connected in a circulating manner, the passenger conveyor system comprising:

a data collection device provided in a predetermined one of the plurality of steps, and configured to collect data of a sensor that acquires information of equipment of the passenger conveyor by wireless communication with the sensor; and

An abnormality detection device that receives the data of the sensor collected by the data collection device through wireless communication with the data collection device, and detects an abnormality of the passenger conveyor based on the received data.

2. The passenger conveyor system of claim 1, wherein the passenger conveyor system comprises,

the data collection device measures a time until the sensor is reached, collects data of the sensor when the sensor is determined to be in proximity, measures a time until the sensor is reached, and transmits the data of the sensor to the abnormality detection device when the sensor is determined to be in proximity.

3. The passenger conveyor system of claim 1, wherein the passenger conveyor system comprises,

the passenger conveyor system is configured to include a plurality of the passenger conveyors,

the passenger conveyor includes a wireless repeater capable of wireless communication and the data collection device,

the wireless repeater is arranged on a triangle guard board of the passenger conveyor,

the data collection device collects data related to the own passenger conveyor and transmits the collected data to a wireless repeater of the own passenger conveyor,

The wireless repeater transmits data related to its own passenger conveyor to wireless repeaters of other passenger conveyors.

4. The passenger conveyor system of claim 3, wherein the passenger conveyor system comprises,

the abnormality detection device is connected to a monitoring system for monitoring abnormality of each of the plurality of passenger conveyors via a communication line,

the plurality of passenger conveyors are each provided with the abnormality detection device,

the plurality of passenger conveyors includes a primary passenger conveyor and a secondary passenger conveyor,

the data collection device of the second passenger conveyor collects data related to the abnormality of the second passenger conveyor detected by the abnormality detection device of the second passenger conveyor, and transmits the collected data related to the abnormality to the wireless repeater of the second passenger conveyor,

the wireless repeater of the second passenger conveyor transmits the data related to the abnormality received from the data collecting device of the second passenger conveyor to the wireless repeater of the first passenger conveyor,

the data collection means of the first passenger conveyor collects data related to abnormality of the second passenger conveyor from the wireless repeater of the first passenger conveyor and transmits the collected data related to abnormality to the abnormality detection means of the first passenger conveyor,

The abnormality detection device of the primary passenger conveyor transmits data regarding an abnormality of the secondary passenger conveyor to the monitoring system.

5. The passenger conveyor system of claim 3, wherein the passenger conveyor system comprises,

the plurality of passenger conveyors includes a first passenger conveyor provided with the abnormality detection device and a second passenger conveyor not provided with the abnormality detection device,

the data collection device of the second passenger conveyor transmits the data of the sensor acquired by the sensor of the second passenger conveyor to a wireless repeater of the second passenger conveyor,

the wireless repeater of the second passenger conveyor transmits data of the sensor of the second passenger conveyor to the wireless repeater of the first passenger conveyor,

the data collection means of the first passenger conveyor collects data of the sensor of the second passenger conveyor from the wireless repeater of the first passenger conveyor, and transmits the collected data to the abnormality detection means,

the abnormality detection device receives data of the sensor of the second passenger conveyor from the data collection device of the first passenger conveyor, and detects an abnormality of the second passenger conveyor based on the received data.

6. A data collection method in a passenger conveyor system including a passenger conveyor having a plurality of steps connected in a loop that moves in a circulating manner, the data collection method comprising:

a data collection device provided in a predetermined one of the plurality of steps, the data collection device being configured to collect data of a sensor that acquires information of equipment of the passenger conveyor by wireless communication with the sensor; and

an abnormality detection device receives data of the sensor collected by the data collection device through wireless communication with the data collection device, and detects an abnormality of the passenger conveyor based on the received data.