EP1848620A1

EP1848620A1 - Safety device for train platforms

Info

Publication number: EP1848620A1
Application number: EP05773988A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Sung Moo Han
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-02-14
Filing date: 2005-08-11
Publication date: 2007-10-31
Also published as: US20080098924A1; WO2006085706A1

Abstract

Disclosed is a safety device for train platforms, which is installed on a safety line of a platform of a subway station or a railway station so as to be raised and lowered. When a train has reached to boarding position of the platform, wire ropes (200) of the device are raised to allow passengers to board. When the train departs from the platform after the passengers have finished boarding, the wire ropes (200) are lowered to ensure the safety of passengers remaining on the platform. The safety device includes a wire rope raising/lowering means (100), two or more wire ropes (200), a wire rope holding means (300), and a wire rope control means (400). The wire rope raising/lowering means (100) has frames (110) secured upright at predetermined positions between a train entrance and a train exit of a platform which a train approaches, with a movable assembly (130) provided in each of the frames (110) so as to be moved upwards and downwards along the frame by a drive means (120). Each of the two or more wire ropes (200), extending between the frames (110), is connected at each end thereof to the movable assembly. The wire rope holding means (300) has a plurality of support pillars (310) installed on the platform at regular intervals between the frames (110), with a guide means (320) provided in each of the support pillars (310) to prevent the wire ropes (200) from sagging and to ensure smooth vertical movement of the wire ropes. The wire rope control means (410) senses the arrival and departure of a train at and from the platform and operates the drive means so as to raise and lower the wire ropes.

Description

SAFETY DEVICE FOR TRAIN PLATFORMS

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates, in general, to safety devices for train platforms and, more particularly, to a safety device for train platforms, which is installed on a safety line of a platform of a subway station or a railway station where passengers wait to board, such that, when the train has reached the boarding position of the platform, wire ropes of the device are raised to allow passengers to board, and, when the train departs from the platform after the boarding has been completed, the wire ropes are lowered to ensure the safety of passengers remaining on the platform. Background Art

[2] Generally, conventional platforms of subway stations or railway stations are open toward the tracks to allow passengers to board. Thus, safety hazards frequently occur, in which a passenger falls from a platform onto a track or is hit by an approaching train. To avoid the safety hazards, a yellow safety line is drawn on the deck of a platform so that passengers can wait for a train behind the yellow safety line.

[3] The yellow safety line can attract the passengers' attention so that an individual can step behind the safety line to ensure his or her own safety. However, the safety line cannot actively function to prevent a passenger on the platform from falling onto the track or from being hit by the approaching train.

[4] Thus, in order to prevent accidents, such as passengers' falling onto the track or passengers' being hit by an approaching train, from occurring, recently, a platform screen door system, comprising fixed walls and movable doors, has been installed between the platform and the track such that the movable doors of the system can be opened and closed in conjunction with the doors of the train after the train has completely stopped at the boarding position of the platform.

[5] In the conventional platform screen door system, a plurality of movable doors must be installed at positions corresponding to the doors of a train, so that manufacturing and installation costs of the screen door systems increase. Also, the screen door system operates in response to a stopped position of the train, so that, if the doors of the stopped train do not correspond to the positions of the movable doors of the screen door system, the screen door system does not operate. Thus, the screen door system increases the period of time required to board and disembark, thereby being inconvenient to the passengers.

[6] Specifically in an emergency situation, such as during a fire in the train, the screen door system may not operate. In the above state, passengers cannot exit the train, and a disaster may occur.

[7] Furthermore, the screen door system is controlled by a train and an automatic train operating (ATO) system. However, the ATO system can only be used with a new platform which is currently being built or has been recently built. Therefore, the screen door system cannot be used in an old subway station which was built in the past and does not comprise the ATO system, so that the utilization efficiency and range of the screen door system is limited.

[8] Thus, the demand for an improved safety device for train platforms, which can be manufactured and installed at low cost, can be widely employed irrespective of the style of subway control system, and can prevent a passenger on a platform from falling onto a track, has keenly increased. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[9] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a safety device for train platforms, which is installed on a safety line of a platform of a subway station or a railway station where passengers wait to board, such that, when a train reaches the boarding position of the platform, wire ropes are raised to allow passengers to board, and, when the train departs from the platform after the boarding has been completed, the wire ropes are lowered to prevent passengers on the platform from falling onto the track. Another object of the present invention is to provide a safety device for train platforms, which has a simple construction to reduce installation and maintenance costs, thereby improving its economic efficiency.

Technical Solution

[10] In order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides a safety device for train platforms, comprising: a wire rope raising/lowering means comprising frames secured upright at predetermined positions between a train entrance and a train exit of a platform which a train approaches, with a movable assembly provided in each of the frames so as to be moved upwards and downwards along the frame in a vertical direction by a drive means; two or more wire ropes extending between the frames secured upright at the predetermined positions between the train entrance and the train exit of the platform, each end of each of the wire ropes being connected to the movable assembly which is moved upwards and downwards along the frame in the vertical direction; a wire rope holding means comprising a plurality of support pillars which are installed on the platform at regular intervals between the frames secured upright at the predetermined positions between the train entrance and the train exit of the platform, with a guide means provided in each of the support pillars so as to prevent the wire ropes from sagging and to ensure smooth vertical movement of the wire ropes; and a wire rope control means for sensing the arrival and departure of a train at and from the platform and operating the drive means so as to raise and lower the wire ropes.

Advantageous Effects [11] The safety device for train platforms according to the present invention, having the above-mentioned construction, is installed on a safety line of a platform where passengers wait to board, such that, when a train arrives at the boarding position of the platform, wire ropes are raised to allow passengers to board, and, when the train departs from the platform after the boarding has been completed, the wire ropes are lowered to ensure the safety of passengers remaining on the platform.

Brief Description of the Drawings [12] FlG. 1 is a view schematically illustrating a safety device for train platforms according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [13] FlG. 2 is an enlarged view illustrating the safety device for train platforms according to the first embodiment of the present invention; [14] FlG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a wire rope raising/lowering means of FlG. 2 before the means is operated [15] FlG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating the wire rope raising/lowering means of FlG. 2 after the means is operated; [16] FlG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a wire rope tension control means according to the present invention [17] FlG. 6 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a safety device for train platforms according to a second embodiment of the present invention; [18] FlG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating the safety device for train platforms according to the second embodiment of the present invention; [19] FlG. 8 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a safety device for train platforms according to a third embodiment of the present invention; [20] FlG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating the safety device for train platforms according to the third embodiment of the present invention; [21] FlG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a first embodiment of a wire rope holding means according to the present invention;

[22] FlG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a wire rope holding unit of FlG. 10;

[23] FlG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a second embodiment of a wire rope holding means according to the present invention; [24] FIGS. 13 and 14 are views each illustrating public information, advertisement or warning means used with the wire ropes according to the present invention; [25] FlG. 15 is a view illustrating the construction of a cleaning means to clean air in a subway station according to the present invention; and

[26] FlG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a wire rope control means according to the present invention.

[27] *Description of reference characters of important parts*

[28] 100: wire rope raising/lowering means

[29] 110, 140, 170: frame 111, 141, 171: columns

[30] 112, 142, 172: guide rail

[31] 120, 160, 190: drive means 121, 161, 191: motor

[32] 122, 123, 162, 163, 192, 193: rotary members

[33] 124, 164, 194: power transmission unit

[34] 125, 126, 340: tensioning means

[35] 130, 150, 180: movable assembly

[36] 131, 132, 151, 152, 181: movable plates

[37] 133, 153: wire rope tension control means

[38] 134: traction means 200: wire rope

[39] 210: information and advertisement sheet

[40] 220: warning plate 300: wire rope holding means

[41] 310: pillar 320: guide means

[42] 330: rope holding unit 400: rope control means

[43] 410: train position sensor 420: passenger sensor

[44] 430: position sensor 440: central processing unit

[45] 450: warning alarm 460: warning light

[46] 470: flashing light 500: cleaning means

[47] 510: ultraviolet lamp 520: photocatalyst

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[48] A wire rope raising/lowering means 100 for raising and lowering a wire rope in a safety device for train platforms according to a first embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4. The wire rope raising/lowering means 100 will be described in detail herein below with reference to the drawings.

[49] The wire rope raising/lowering means 100 comprises a pair of frames 110 which are secured upright at predetermined positions between a train entrance and a train exit of a platform which a train approaches, with two first columns 111 arranged on the same line in each of the frames 110 such that the first columns 111 are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. A guide rail 112 is longitudinally fastened to a side surface of each of the columns 111.

[50] In the case that the platform where passengers wait to board is curved, it is preferred that pairs of frames 110 which are secured upright on a safety line A be installed at regular intervals between the train entrance and the train exit of the platform. On the contrary, in the case that the platform is straight, it is preferred that the frames 110 be respectively installed at the train entrance through which the train arrives at the platform and the train exit through which the train departs from the platform. As the occasion demands, even in the case that the platform is straight, pairs of frames 110 may be installed at regular intervals.

[51] A base plate 113 is provided at the lower ends of the first columns 111 so as to fix the columns 111 to the platform, while a connection bar 114 is provided at the upper ends of the first columns 111 so as to stably connect the two columns 111 to each other. The base plate 113 is fixed to the surface of the platform. Two second columns 115 having the same shape as that of each of the first columns 111 are fixed upright to the base plate 113 at positions behind the first columns 111. A cover 116 covers the open upper end of the frame 110 by covering the gap between the upper ends of the first and second columns 111 and 115.

[52] In the wire rope raising/lowering means 100 of the present invention, a movable assembly 130 is provided in each frame 110 such that the movable assembly 130 is moved along the first columns 111 of the frame 110. The movable assembly 130 comprises a first movable plate 131 and a second movable plate 132 which are attached to and moved along the respective guide rails 112 of the first columns 111 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Furthermore, two or more wire ropes 200 are fastened at their ends to each of the first and second movable plates 131 and 132 using a wire rope tension control means 133 such that the ends of the ropes 200 are arranged in longitudinal directions of the respective movable plates.

[53] The first movable plate 131 is coupled to a drive means 120 and is moved by power of the drive means 120. The second movable plate 132 is pulled by a traction unit 134 after the first movable plate 131 has been moved a predetermined distance.

[54] The wire rope tension control means 133 fastens the end of each of the wire ropes

200 to an associated movable plate 131, 132 while controlling the tension of the wire rope 200 as shown in FlG. 5. The wire rope tension control means 133 is realized as a bolt 133a having a predetermined length, the front end of which has a locking ring 133b to be locked to the end of a wire rope and part of the rear portion of which has an external thread 133c. The bolts 133a penetrate the movable plates 131 and 132 and are fixed to the plates 131 and 132 by nuts 133d. The above-mentioned construction is an embodiment of the wire rope tension means 133, however, it should be understood that the wire rope tension control means 133 may be freely modified if the means 133 can control the tension of the wire ropes 200.

[55] The traction unit 134 to pull the second movable plate 132 after the first movable plate 131 has been moved a predetermined distance comprises a first extension piece 134a which horizontally extends from the lower end of a side edge of the first movable plate 131 to below the second movable plate 132 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. A second extension piece 134b horizontally extends from the upper end of a side edge of the second movable plate 132 to above the first movable plate 131. A first guide 134c, which is twice as long or more as the first movable plate 131, is vertically disposed on the rear surfaces of both the first movable plate 131 and the second extension piece 134b, so that the first movable plate 131 may be moved along the first guide 134c. In a similar manner, a second guide 134d, which is twice as long or more as the second movable plate 132, is vertically disposed on the rear surfaces of both the second movable plate 132 and the first extension piece 134a.

[56] Each of the first guide 134c and the second guide 134d may be realized as a vertical rod or a vertical wire without affecting the functionality of the present invention.

[57] The upper and lower ends of each of the first and second guides 134a and 134d are provided with upper and lower stoppers 134e and 134f, 134g and 134h. Furthermore, the first and second movable plates 131 and 132 and the first and second extension pieces 134a and 134b, to which the first and second guides 134c and 134d are mounted, are provided with respective guide brackets 135 and 136 on their rear surfaces such that the guide brackets 135 and 136 are spaced apart from each other at regular intervals. Thus, the first and second guides 134c and 134d are supported on the movable plates 131 and 132 and on the second and first extensions 134b and 134a by the guide brackets 135 and 136.

[58] The drive means 120, which moves the first and second movable plates 131 and 132 upwards or downwards along the columns 111 of the frame 110 in vertical directions, comprises a motor 121 provided on the base plate 113 of the frame 110 to drive a power transmission unit 124. Two rotary members 122 and 123 are provided, one on the shaft of the motor 121 and the other at a central portion of the upper end of the frame 110, respectively. The power transmission unit 124 is wrapped around the rotary members 122 and 123 and is rotated in either direction according to the rotating direction of the motor 121. The first end of the power transmission unit 124 is coupled to the lower part of the first movable plate 131, while the second end of the power transmission unit 124 is coupled to the upper part of the first movable plate 131. The first and second movable plates 131 and 132 are coupled to respective tensioning means 125 and 126 using respective connection wires 127 and 128 so that the tensioning means 125 and 126 applies a force to the first and second movable plates 131 and 132 and pulls the movable plates 131 and 132 upwards.

[59] The ends of the connection wires 127 and 128 are locked to respective locking brackets 129a and 129b provided on the first and second movable plates 131 and 132. The tensioning means 125 and 126 may be realized as heavy weights, shock absorbers or tension springs in the present invention. The tensioning means 125 and 126 functions to move the first and second movable plates 131 and 132 upwards. The upward movement of the first and second movable plates 131 and 132 means that the wire ropes 200 are raised upwards to allow boarding passengers on the platform to board a train and to allow disembarking passengers to exit from the train to the platform.

[60] Furthermore, the two rotary members 122 and 123, one of which is provided on the shaft of the motor 121 and the other of which is provided at the central portion of the upper end of the frame 110, may be realized as rotary drums, pinions or sprockets. The power transmission unit 124 may be realized as a flat belt when the rotary members 122 and 123 are rotary drums, may be realized as a timing belt when the rotary members 122 and 123 are pinions, or may be realized as a chain when the rotary members are sprockets.

[61] The wire rope raising/lowering means 100 having the above-mentioned construction according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be operated as follows.

[62] FIG. 3 illustrates a state where a train has arrived at the platform and the safety device allows passengers to board. In other words, the first and second movable plates 131 and 132 of the movable assembly 130, to which the ends of the wire ropes 200 are fastened, are moved upwards to their upper positions. To move the movable plates 131 and 132 upwards, the motor 121 of the drive means 120 is operated so as to rotate the rotary members 122 and 123 and rotate the power transmission unit 124. The tensioning means 125 and 126 applies a pulling force to the movable plates 131 and 132, thus pulling the movable plates upwards. Therefore, the wire ropes 200 are raised to their upper positions.

[63] When the train is required to depart from the platform after the passengers have finished boarding, the first and second movable plates 131 and 132 are moved downwards from the upper positions and form a safety wall using the wire ropes 200. In the above state, the motor 121 of the drive means 120 is rotated in a reverse direction opposite to the direction for moving the ropes 200 upwards, thus rotating the rotary members 122 and 123 in a reverse direction. Therefore, the power transmission unit 124 is rotated in the reverse direction so that the first movable plate 131 is moved downwards along the first guide 134c which constitutes the traction unit 134.

[64] When the first movable plate 131 is moved further downwards along the first guide

134c, the guide bracket 135 provided on the lower portion of the rear surface of the first movable plate 131 comes into contact with the lower stopper 134f of the first guide 134c. At the same time, the guide bracket 135 of the first extension piece 134a comes into contact with the lower stopper 134h provided on the lower end of the second guide 134d, so that the second movable plate 132 is pulled downwards by the second guide 134d.

[65] When the first and second movable plates 131 and 132 have been completely lowered, the wire ropes 200 are placed at the positions illustrated in FlG. 4, thus providing a safety wall on the platform and safely protecting passengers remaining on the platform. Furthermore, when the first and second movable plates 131 and 132 are placed in their lower positions, the first movable plate 131 is oriented vertically and positioned on the surface of the platform and the second movable plate 132 is oriented vertically and positioned on the upper end of the first movable plate 131.

[66] When a train arrives at the boarding position of the platform, with the first and second movable plates 131 and 132 having been placed in their lower positions and the wire ropes 200 having functioned as a safety wall, a sensor (not shown) senses the arrival of the train at the platform and rotates the motor 121 of the drive means 120 forwards, thus rotating the rotary members 122 and 123 and the power transmission unit 124 in the same direction. Therefore, the first movable plate 131 is moved upwards along the first guide 134c which constitutes the traction unit.

[67] When the first movable plate 131 is moved further upwards along the first guide

134c, the upper end of the first movable plate 131 comes into contact with the lower edge of the second extension piece 134b which extends from the upper end of a side edge of the second movable plate 132 and pulls the second movable plate 132 upwards, thus accomplishing the state illustrated in FlG. 3. In the state illustrated in FlG. 3, the wire ropes 200 are in opened positions to allow passengers to board the train which has arrived at the platform.

[68] When the power supply for the motor 121 is disconnected due to an electricity failure or a fire in the train, with the first and second movable plates 131 and 132 having been placed in their lower positions and the wire ropes 200 functioning as a safety wall, the wire ropes 200 which have been lowered to function as the safety wall must be raised upwards in response to the emergency. To raise the wire ropes upwards in response to the emergency, a clutch C is provided on the shaft of the motor 121. The rotary member 122, which rotates the power transmission unit 124 coupled to the first movable plate 131, is mounted to the driven shaft of the clutch C. Thus, when the power supply for the motor 121 is disconnected, braking force that was provided by the clutch C is released so that the movable plates 131 and 132 fixing the ends of the ropes 200 are forcibly raised upwards by the tensioning force of the tensioning means 125 and 126. Therefore, the wire ropes 200 are raised upwards from the lower positions to the upper positions.

[69] In the above description, the first embodiment of the wire rope raising/lowering means 100 has been described. A second embodiment of the wire rope raising/ lowering means 100 will be described herein below.

[70] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the second embodiment of the wire rope raising/ lowering means 100 comprises a pair of frames 140 secured upright at predetermined positions between a train entrance and a train exit of a platform which a train approaches, with two first columns 141 arranged on the same line in each of the frames 140 such that the first columns 141 are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. A guide rail 142 is longitudinally fastened to a side surface of each of the columns 141.

[71] A base plate 143 is provided at the lower ends of the first columns 141 so as to fix the columns 141 to the platform, while a connection bar 144 is provided at the upper ends of the first columns 141 so as to stably connect the two columns 141 to each other. The base plate 143 is fixed to the surface of the platform. Two second columns 145 having the same shape as that of each of the first columns 141 are fixed upright to the base plate 143 at positions behind the first columns 141. A cover 146 covers the open upper end of the frame 140 by covering the gap between the upper ends of the first and second columns 141 and 145.

[72] In the wire rope raising/lowering means 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the movable assembly 150, which is provided in each frame 140 so as to be moved upwards and downwards along the frame 140, comprises a first movable plate 151 and a second movable plate 152 which are attached to and moved along the respective guide rails 142 of the first columns 141 as shown in FlG. 7. Furthermore, two or more wire ropes 200 are fastened at their ends to each of the first and second movable plates 151 and 152 using a wire rope tension control means 153 such that the ends of the ropes 200 are arranged in longitudinal directions of the respective movable plates 151 and 152. The first and second movable plates 151 and 152 are coupled to a drive means 160 so that the plates 151 and 152 can be moved using the power of the drive means 160. The wire rope tension control means 153, which fastens the ends of the wire ropes 200 to the first and second movable plates 151 and 152, is constructed as illustrated in FlG. 5. The construction of the wire rope tension control means 153 according to the second embodiment remains the same as that described above for the first embodiment, so further explanation is thus deemed unnecessary.

[73] Furthermore, the drive means 160, which moves the movable assembly 150 upwards or downwards along the frame 140, comprises two motors 161 provided on the base plate 143 of the frame 140 so as to drive respective power transmission units 164. Two pairs of rotary members 162 and 163 are provided on the shafts of the two motors 161 and a central portion of the upper end of the frame 140, respectively, with the two power transmission units 164 wrapped around the respective pairs of rotary members 162 and 163 and rotated in selected directions according to the rotating directions of the motors 161. The first end of the first power transmission unit 164 is coupled to the lower part of the first movable plate 151, while the second end of the first power transmission unit 164 is coupled to the upper part of the first movable plate 151. In the same manner, the first end of the second power transmission unit 164 is coupled to the lower part of the second movable plate 152, while the second end of the second power transmission unit 164 is coupled to the upper part of the second movable plate 152.

[74] The two pairs of rotary members 162 and 163, which are provided on the shafts of the motors 161 and the central portion of the upper end of the frame 140, may be realized as rotary drums, pinions or sprockets. The power transmission units 164 may be realized as flat belts when the rotary members 162 and 163 are rotary drums, may be realized as timing belts when the rotary members 162 and 163 are pinions, or may be realized as chains when the rotary members are sprockets.

[75] The wire rope raising/lowering means 100 having the above-mentioned construction according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be operated as follows.

[76] FlG. 6 illustrates a state where a train has arrived at the platform and the safety device is allowing passengers to board. In the above state, the first and second movable plates 151 and 152 of the movable assembly 150, to which the ends of the wire ropes 200 are fastened, are moved upwards to their upper positions. To move the movable plates 151 and 152 upwards, the motors 161 of the drive means 160 are operated to rotate the two pairs of rotary members 162 and 163 and rotate the two power transmission units 164. Thus, the first and second movable plates 151 and 152 are moved upwards at the same time, so that the wire ropes 200 are raised to their upper positions.

[77] When the train is required to depart from the platform after the passengers have finished boarding, the first and second movable plates 151 and 152 are moved downwards from the upper positions and form a safety wall using the wire ropes 200. In the above state, the motors 161 of the drive means 160 are rotated in reverse directions opposite to the directions to move the ropes 200 upwards, thus rotating the two pairs of rotary members 162 and 163 in reverse directions. Therefore, the two power transmission units 164 are rotated in the reverse directions so that the first and second movable plates 151 and 152 are moved downwards.

[78] When the first and second movable plates 151 and 152 have been completely lowered to desired lower positions, the wire ropes 200 are lowered to the lower positions illustrated in FlG. 7, thus providing a safety wall on the platform and safely protecting passengers remaining on the platform. Furthermore, when the first and second movable plates 151 and 152 are placed in their lower positions, the first movable plate 151 is oriented vertically and positioned on the surface of the platform and the second movable plate 152 is oriented vertically and positioned on the upper end of the first movable plate 151.

[79] When a train arrives at the boarding position of the platform, with the first and second movable plates 151 and 152 having been placed in their lower positions and the wire ropes 200 having functioned as a safety wall, a sensor (not shown) senses the arrival of the train at the platform and rotates the motors 161 of the drive means 160 forwards, thus rotating the two pairs of rotary members 162 and 163 and the two power transmission units 164 forwards. Therefore, the first movable plate 151 and the second movable plate 152 are moved upwards, so that the wire ropes 200 are raised to their upper positions or opened positions to allow passengers to board the train which has arrived at the platform.

[80] In the above description, the second embodiment of the wire rope raising/lowering means 100 has been described. A third embodiment of the wire rope raising/lowering means 100 will be described herein below.

[81] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the third embodiment of the wire rope raising/lowering means 100 comprises a pair of frames 170 secured upright at predetermined positions between a train entrance and a train exit of a platform which a train approaches, with two columns 171 arranged on the same line in each of the frames 170 such that the columns 171 are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. A guide rail 172 is longitudinally fastened to a side surface of each of the columns 171.

[82] In the wire rope raising/lowering means 100 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the movable assembly 180, which is provided in each frame 170 so as to be moved upwards and downwards along the frame 170, comprises an integrated movable plate 181 which is attached to and moved along the guide rails 172 of the columns 171 as shown in FIG. 9. Furthermore, end parts of wire ropes 200 pass over respective guide pulleys 182, rotatably provided along an intermediate portion of the movable plate 181, and are wound around rope drums 184 of rope control motors 183.

[83] Furthermore, a drive means 190, which moves the movable assembly 180 upwards or downwards along the frame 170, comprises a motor 191 provided at the intermediate position between the lower ends of the columns 171. Two rotary members 192 and 193 are provided, one on the shaft of the motor 191 and the other at a central portion of the upper end of the frame 170, respectively, with a power transmission unit 194 wrapped around the two rotary members 192 and 193 and rotated in either direction according to the rotating direction of the motor 191. The first end of the power transmission unit 194 is coupled to the lower part of the movable plate 181, while the second end of the power transmission unit 194 is coupled to the upper part of the movable plate 181.

[84] The two rotary members 192 and 193, one of which is provided on the shaft of the motor 191 and the other of which is provided in the central portion of the upper end of the frame 170, may be realized as rotary drums, pinions or sprockets. The power transmission unit 194 may be realized as a flat belt when the rotary members 192 and 193 are rotary drums, may be realized as a timing belt when the rotary members 192 and 193 are pinions, or may be realized as a chain when the rotary members are sprockets.

[85] The wire rope raising/lowering means 100 having the above-mentioned construction according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be operated as follows.

[86] FlG. 8 illustrates the state where a train has arrived at the platform and the safety device is allowing passengers to board. In the above state, the movable plate 181 of the movable assembly 180, to which the ends of the wire ropes 200 are fastened, is moved upwards to its upper position. To move the movable plate 181 upwards, the motor 191 of the drive means 190 is operated to rotate the two rotary members 192 and 193 and rotate the power transmission unit 194. Thus, the movable plate 181 is moved upwards, so that the wire ropes 200 are raised to their upper positions.

[87] When the train is required to depart from the platform after the passengers have finished boarding, the movable plate 181 is moved downwards from the upper position and forms a safety wall using the wire ropes 200. In the above state, the motor 191 of the drive means 190 is rotated in a reverse direction opposite to the direction that moves the ropes 200 upwards, thus rotating the two rotary members 192 and 193 in the reverse direction. Therefore, the power transmission unit 194 is rotated in the reverse direction so that the movable plate 181 is moved downwards, and the wire ropes 200 form a safety wall as shown in FlG. 9.

[88] When a train arrives at the boarding position of the platform, with the movable plate

181 having been placed in its lower position and the wire ropes 200 having functioned as a safety wall, a sensor (not shown) senses the arrival of the train at the platform and rotates the motor 191 of the drive means 190 forwards, thus rotating the two rotary members 192 and 193 and the power transmission unit 194 forwards. Therefore, the movable plate 181 is moved upwards, so that the wire ropes 200 are in opened positions to allow passengers to board the train which has arrived at the platform.

[89] Furthermore, the safety device for train platforms of the present invention comprises a wire rope holding means 300 which comprises a plurality of support pillars 310 installed on the platform at regular intervals between the frames 110, 140, 170 secured upright at predetermined positions between the train entrance and the train exit of the platform. A guide means 320 is provided in each of the support pillars 310 to prevent the wire ropes 200 from sagging and to ensure smooth vertical movement of the wire ropes 200. The construction of the wire rope holding means 300 is illustrated in FIGS. 10 through 12 and will be described herein below with reference to the drawings.

[90] The guide means 320, provided to ensure smooth vertical movement of the wire ropes 200, comprises a pulley F which is installed inside the upper end of each of the support pillars 310 and functions to guide movement of a wire W while changing the moving direction of the wire W. A first end of the wire W, which is placed in one side of each support pillar 310 based on the pulley F, is connected to a tensioning means 340, while a second end of the wire W, which is placed in the other side, is connected to the wire ropes 200such that the wire ropes 200 are spaced apart from each other at regular intervals. The support pillars 310 are realized as vertical pipe-shaped pillars having circular or rectangular cross-sections.

[91] The tensioning means 340, connected to the first end of the wire W, may comprise a heavy weight, a shock absorber or a tension spring. Furthermore, the connection of the second end of the wire W to the wire ropes 200 is accomplished by a rope holding unit330 illustrated in FlG. 11. The rope holding unit 330 to connect the wire W to the wire ropes 200 comprises a rope holder 331 which has a predetermined length and holds the wire ropes 200 at regular intervals. The second end of the wire W is connected to the upper end of the rope holder 331. A wheel 332 or a slider is provided in each of the upper and lower ends of the rope holder 331 so that the wheels 332 are in contact with the support pillar 310 and rotate.

[92] During vertical movement of the wire ropes 200, the rope holding unit 330 is moved upwards and downwards and is in contact with the support pillar 310. The wheels 332 or the sliders, which are provided in the upper and lower ends of the rope holder 331 of the rope holding unit 330, cause the rope holder 331 to smoothly move along the support pillar 310 during the vertical movement of the wire ropes 200.

[93] Thanks to the tensioning means 340 which is connected to the first end of the wire

W positioned inside the support pillar 310, the wire ropes 200 can be continuously pulled and straightened. Thus, the wire ropes 200 are prevented from sagging, and can be reliably raised in an emergency or under normal operating conditions.

[94] In a wire rope holding means 300 according to another embodiment of the present invention, knots 333 to firmly hold the wire ropes 200 as shown in FlG. 12 are used as the wire rope holding means, in place of the above-mentioned rope holding unit 330. The number of knots 333 corresponds to the number of wire ropes 200. A wire protector to protect the wire W is provided in front of the wire W which is placed outside the support pillar 310.

[95] The wire ropes 200 are preferably made of metal, synthetic resin, reinforced rubber, or polyurethane. Also, it is preferred to comprise a luminescent material, which can emit light in the dark, to the wire ropes 200 made of the above-mentioned material. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, public information or advertisement plates or sheets 210 may be used along with the wire ropes 200 and, furthermore, warning plates 220 printed with words of warning may be used with the wire ropes 200.

[96] The frame of the present invention is secured at a predetermined position on the surface of the platform such that the frame is placed in the vertical direction. The frame comprises a hollow structure which is higher than the average height of passengers. A cleaning means 500 for drawing, purifying and discharging air in the subway station is installed at a predetermined position inside the hollow structure of the frame.

[97] The reason why the cleaning means 500 is installed inside the frame is that, since dusts and various offensive odors and viruses which are harmful to the human body exist in the air in the subway station, it is necessary to remove them from the air so as to provide a pleasant atmosphere and help the passengers maintain good health.

[98] The cleaning means 500 to provide the pleasant atmosphere and help the passengers maintain good health comprises an ultraviolet lamp 510 which is installed at a predetermined position in the hollow frame. A photocatalyst 520 is provided in the frame at a predetermined position adjacent to the ultraviolet lamp 510, so that the photocatalyst 520 receives light from the ultraviolet lamp 510 and causes a reaction of air.

[99] By installing the ultraviolet lamp 510 and the photocatalyst 520 at the predetermined positions in the frame in this way, polluted air existing in the frame can be purified through the interaction of the ultraviolet lamp 510 and the photocatalyst 520.

[100] In order to facilitate the purification of polluted air existing in the subway station, a fan (not shown) to draw and direct air toward the photocatalyst 520 must be provided in the frame and, furthermore, an outlet to discharge the air having passed through the photocatalyst 520 into the station must be formed in the frame. Thus, air is continuously drawn into the frame by the fan so as to be purified, and the purified air is, thereafter, continuously discharged into the subway station, so that a pleasant atmosphere can be provided in the subway station and it is possible to help the passengers maintain good health.

[101] The above-mentioned construction of the movable assembly relates to a representative embodiment of the present invention. Thus, it should be understood that the movable assembly may be freely constructed without affecting the functionality of the present invention if the movable assembly can move upwards and downwards in the frame. Furthermore, in the drive means to raise and lower the movable assembly, the motor is preferably either a geared motor or a clutch motor, which can perform a braking function capable of precisely adjusting the position and moving velocity of the movable assembly. Furthermore, a cylinder actuator may be used in place of the motor in the drive means.

[102] A wire rope control means 400 is arranged at a predetermined position between the train entrance and the train exit of the platform. The wire rope control means 400 senses the arrival and departure of a train and operates the drive means, thus selectively raising or lowering the wire ropes 200 which function to prevent passengers from going beyond a safety line. As illustrated in FIG. 16, the wire rope control means 400 comprises a train position sensor 410 to sense the position of a train stopped at a platform, a passenger sensor 420 to sense passengers, a position sensor 430 to sense a position of the movable assembly, and a central processing unit 440 to receive signals from the above-mentioned sensors and operate the drive means for raising and lowering the movable assembly.

[103] The wire rope control means 400 preferably further comprises at least one or two of a warning alarm 450, a warning light 460 and a flashing light 470.

[104] Each of the train position sensor 410 and the passenger sensor 420 preferably comprises a proximity sensor which can sense an approaching train or passengers and is preferably installed at a predetermined mounting position on the platform or on a support pillar. The position sensor 430, which is a limit switch, is preferably mounted on the frame. If a passenger goes beyond the safety line or approaches a dangerous position near the track, the passenger is sensed by the passenger sensor 420. Thus, the warning alarm 450 along with the warning light 460 or the flashing light 470 is turned on to attract the passengers' attention.

[105] At this time, the warning alarm 450 functions to stimulate the auditory sense of passengers and can output various sentences such as "A train is now arriving.", "Be careful, please." and "Wait behind the yellow safety line."

[106] Furthermore, the warning alarm 450 may be operated in conjunction with a broadcasting system of a station so that the warning alarm 450 can directly transmit guide information for the station to the passengers. Also, if some passengers go beyond the safety line toward the track, the warning alarm 450 may transmit warning broadcasting to the passengers.

[107] If a stopped train is not sensed by the train position sensor 410, the central processing unit 440 operates the motor of the drive means so as to lower the movable assembly. Thus, the two or more wire ropes 200 are lowered, so that the passengers are prevented from going beyond the safety line.

[108] On the contrary, if a stopped train is sensed by the train position sensor 410, the central processing unit 440 operates the motor of the drive means to raise the movable assembly. Thus, the two or more wire ropes 200 are raised upwards to a height allowing passengers to pass below the ropes 200, so that the passengers can freely board.

[109] When the two or more wire ropes 200 are raised to a height allowing passengers to pass below the ropes 200, it is preferred that the interval between two adjacent wire ropes 200 decrease such that the space utilization efficiency of the platform is improved. In the case that the interval between two adjacent wire ropes 200 can decrease as the wire ropes 200 are raised, it is necessary to provide a construction to cause the interval between two adjacent wire ropes 200 to restore the original interval as the wire ropes 200 are lowered.

[110] As described above, the wire ropes 200 are raised and lowered corresponding to the arrival and departure of a train, thus reliably preventing passengers from accidentally or inadvertently falling onto the track.

[Ill] Also, in the case that a passenger or an object is sensed by the passenger sensor 420 installed on the support pillar, the warning alarm 450 along with the warning light 460 or the flashing light 470 is turned on to indicate the danger and attract the passengers' attention, thus preventing accidents. Industrial Applicability

[112] As apparent from the above description, the safety device for train platforms according to the present invention provides advantages in that wire ropes are installed above a safety line of a platform such that the ropes are automatically raised and lowered depending upon the arrival and departure of a train, so that passengers can be prevented from accidentally or inadvertently falling onto a track.

[113] Also, because the safety device for train platforms has a simple construction and reduced installation and maintenance fees, economic efficiency can be improved. Further, due to the fact that the wire ropes are normally held in a lowered state to face passengers and are raised only when the train is completely stopped at the boarding position of the platform, the safety device has improved operational stability and reliability.

[114] Moreover, if a passenger goes beyond the safety line, a warning sentence is broadcast and a warning light or a flashing light is operated. Therefore, the safety device attracts the passengers' attention to observe the safety line, thus indicating the danger.

Claims

[1] A safety device for train platforms, comprising: wire rope raising/lowering means comprising frames secured upright at predetermined positions between a train entrance and a train exit of a platform which a train approaches, with a movable assembly provided in each of the frames so as to be moved upwards and downwards along the frame in a vertical direction by drive means; two or more wire ropes extending between the frames secured upright at the predetermined positions between the train entrance and the train exit of the platform, each end of each of the wire ropes being connected to the movable assembly which is moved upwards and downwards along the frame in the vertical direction; wire rope holding means comprising a plurality of support pillars which are installed on the platform at regular intervals between the frames secured upright at the predetermined positions between the train entrance and the train exit of the platform, with guide means provided in each of the support pillars so as to prevent the wire ropes from sagging and to ensure smooth vertical movement of the wire ropes; and wire rope control means for sensing the arrival and departure of a train at and from the platform and operating the drive means so as to raise and lower the wire ropes.

[2] The safety device for train platforms according to claim 1, wherein each of the frames, secured upright at the predetermined positions between the entrance and the exit of the platform to which a train approaches, comprises columns arranged on the same line such that the columns are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, with a guide rail longitudinally fastened to a side surface of each of the columns.

[3] The safety device for train platforms according to claim 2, wherein the movable assembly to be moved upwards and downwards along each of the frames in the vertical direction comprises: first and second movable plates which are moved upwards and downwards along the respective guide rails of the columns, with the two or more wire ropes being fastened at ends thereof to each of the first and second movable plates such that the ends of the wire ropes are arranged in longitudinal directions of the respective movable plates, wherein the first movable plate is moved by power of the drive means, and the second movable plate is pulled by a traction unit after the first movable plate has been moved a predetermined distance.

[4] The safety device for train platforms according to claim 3, wherein the ends of the two or more wire ropes are fastened to each of the first and second movable plates using wire rope tension control means which controls a tension of the wire ropes.

[5] The safety device for train platforms according to claim 3, wherein the traction unit to pull the second movable plate after the first movable plate has been moved the predetermined distance comprises: a first extension piece extending from a lower end of the first movable plate to the second movable plate; a second extension piece extending from an upper end of the second movable plate to the first movable plate; and a first guide and a second guide which are twice as long or more as the respective first and second movable plates and are respectively and vertically disposed on a rear surface of the first movable plate and the second extension piece and on a rear surface of the second movable plate and the first extension piece.

[6] The safety device for train platforms according to claim 3, wherein the drive means to move the movable assembly upwards or downwards along each of the frames comprises: a motor provided on a central portion of a lower part of the frame to drive a power transmission unit; rotary members provided on a shaft of the motor and a central portion of an upper end of the frame, respectively, so as to be rotated in either direction according to a rotating direction of the motor the power transmission unit wrapped around the rotary members and coupled at a first end thereof to a lower part of the first movable plate and coupled at a second end thereof to an upper part of the first movable plate; and tensioning means coupled to the first and second movable plates using connection wires and applying a force to the first and second movable plates so as to pull the first and second movable plates upwards.

[7] The safety device for train platforms according to claim 6, wherein the rotary members, provided on the shaft of the motor and the central portion of the upper end of the frame, respectively, are selected from the group consisting of rotary drums, pinions and sprockets, and the power transmission unit is selected from the group consisting of a flat belt, a timing belt and a chain.

[8] The safety device for train platforms according to claim 6, wherein the tensioning means to apply the force to the first and second movable plates so as to pull the movable plates upwards is selected from the group consisting of a heavy weight, a shock absorber and a tension spring.

[9] The safety device for train platforms according to claim 6, wherein the shaft of the motor is provided with a clutch and the rotary member, which rotates the power transmission unit coupled to the first movable plate, is mounted to a driven shaft of the clutch, so that, when a power supply for the motor is disconnected, braking force of the clutch is released so that the first and second movable plates fixing the ends of the wire ropes are raised upwards by tensioning force of the tensioning means.

[10] The safety device for train platforms according to claim 1, wherein the guide means, which is provided in each of the support pillars so as to prevent the wire ropes from sagging and to ensure smooth vertical movement of the wire ropes, comprises a guide installed in an upper end of each of the support pillars and functioning to guide movement of a wire while changing a moving direction of the wire, wherein a first end of the wire, which is placed in a first side of the support pillar based on the guide, is connected to tensioning means, and a second end of the wire, which is placed in a second side of the support pillar, is connected to the wire ropes such that the wire ropes are spaced apart from each other at regular intervals.

[11] The safety device for train platforms according to claim 10, wherein the tensioning means, which is connected to the first end of the wire, is selected from the group consisting of a heavy weight, a shock absorber and a tension spring.

[12] The safety device for train platforms according to claim 10, wherein the second end of the wire, which is placed in the second side of the support pillar, is connected to the wire ropes by a rope holding unit, the rope holding unit comprising: a rope holder to hold the wire ropes at regular intervals, the rope holder connected at an upper end thereof to the second end of the wire; and a wheel or a slider provided at a predetermined position in the rope holder to be moved while being in contact with the support pillar.

[13] The safety device for train platforms according to claim 1, wherein the wire rope control means for selectively raising or lowering the wire ropes comprises: a train position sensor to sense a position of a stopped train, a passenger sensor to sense passengers, a position sensor to sense a position of the movable assembly, and a central processing unit to receive signals from the sensors and operate the drive means so as to raise or lower the movable assembly.

[14] The safety device for train platforms according to claim 13, wherein the wire rope control means for selectively raising or lowering the wire ropes and preventing passengers from going beyond a safety line further comprises at least one or two of a warning alarm, a warning light and a flashing light.

[15] The safety device for train platforms according to claim 1, wherein the wire ropes are made of metal, synthetic resin, reinforced rubber, or polyurethane.

[16] The safety device for train platforms according to claim 1, wherein the wire ropes include a luminescent material to emit light in the dark.

[17] The safety device for train platforms according to claim 1, wherein public information or advertisement plates or sheets are attached between the two or more wire ropes.

[18] The safety device for train platforms according to claim 1, wherein warning plates printed with words of warning are attached to the wire ropes.

[19] The safety device for train platforms according to claim 1, further comprising: cleaning means provided in at least one of the frames and support pillars to draw polluted air from a station having the platform, purify the polluted air and discharge the purified air.

[20] The safety device for train platforms according to claim 19, wherein the cleaning means comprises: an ultraviolet lamp installed at a predetermined position; and a photocatalyst provided at a predetermined position adjacent to the ultraviolet lamp to receive light from the ultraviolet lamp and cause a reaction of air.

[21] The safety device for train platforms according to claim 2, wherein the movable assembly to be moved upwards and downwards along each of the frames in the vertical direction comprises: first and second movable plates attached to and moved upwards and downwards along the guide rails of the columns, with the wire ropes being fastened at ends thereof to each of the first and second movable plates such that the ends of the wire ropes are arranged in longitudinal directions of the respective movable plates, wherein the first and second movable plates are coupled to the drive means so as to receive power from the drive means.

[22] The safety device for train platforms according to claim 2, wherein the movable assembly to be moved upwards and downwards along each of the frames in the vertical direction comprises: an integrated movable plate attached to and moved upwards and downwards along the guide rails of the columns and a plurality of guide pulleys rotatably provided along an intermediate portion of the integrated movable plate and guiding end parts of the wire ropes, wherein the integrated movable plate having the guide pulleys is coupled to the drive means so as to receive power from the drive means.