JP2002160885A - Passenger detector for passenger conveyor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detect presence or absence of a passenger with more distinct discrimination among a plurality of detection ranges. SOLUTION: Projection ranges L11, L12, L21 and L22 of detecting light and reception ranges R13 and R23 of reflected light are changeable with time, so that presence or absence of a passenger is detected sequentially in the plurality of detection ranges.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for detecting a passenger in a passenger conveyor provided on a passenger conveyor such as an escalator or a moving sidewalk to detect the presence or absence of a passenger near an entrance.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 6-87592 discloses that an optical sensor comprising a light emitter and a light receiver is provided at the end of a left and right balustrade, respectively, and beams from the left and right light emitters intersect at an entrance. A control method for activating a passenger conveyor when a passenger is detected by both left and right optical sensors is shown. Further, in this example, a plurality of pairs of optical sensors having different beam intersection positions are used, thereby detecting the presence or absence of a passenger at a plurality of positions.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 10-182050 discloses a passenger monitoring device in which reflected light detecting type optical sensors are provided on left and right balustrades, and the respective optical sensors monitor the floor board at the entrance. .

[0004]

The above-described conventional passenger conveyor passenger detecting device can detect the presence or absence of a passenger at a plurality of positions, but can detect passengers in a plurality of detection ranges having a certain size. It was difficult to clearly detect the presence or absence of the presence.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and has an object to detect a passenger in a passenger conveyor in a plurality of detection ranges in a more distinct manner. The aim is to obtain a device.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a passenger detecting apparatus for a passenger conveyor, which is of a reflected light type for detecting the presence or absence of a passenger near an entrance of the passenger conveyor. A first optical sensor device disposed on the other side and having at least one floodlight, and disposed on the other side of the entrance / exit,
A second optical sensor device having at least one light receiver is provided, and at least one of a projection range of detection light by the first optical sensor device and a reception range of reflected light by the second optical sensor device is horizontal. The position in the direction can be switched to a plurality of ranges different from each other, whereby the presence or absence of a passenger in the plurality of detection ranges can be detected.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a passenger detection apparatus for a passenger conveyor, which transmits a synchronization signal for synchronizing the emission of the detection light and the reception of the reflected light, and a synchronization for receiving the synchronization signal. One of the communication receivers is the first
And the second optical sensor device includes:
One of the other of the synchronous communication transmitting section and the synchronous communication receiving section is arranged.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a passenger detecting apparatus for a passenger conveyor uses a synchronous communication light as a synchronous signal.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a passenger detecting apparatus for a passenger conveyor, wherein a shutoff detecting section for detecting the shutoff of the synchronous communication light by the passenger and outputting a detection signal is connected to the synchronous communication receiving section. is there.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the passenger detecting apparatus for a passenger conveyor, a plurality of light emitters having different light emission ranges are arranged in the first optical sensor device, and the timing of light emission from each light emitter is shifted. Is to detect the presence or absence of a passenger for each of a plurality of detection ranges with a common light receiver.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the passenger detecting apparatus for a passenger conveyor, a light receiver is arranged in the first optical sensor device, and a plurality of light emitters having different light emitting ranges are arranged in the second optical sensor device. It was done.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a passenger detecting apparatus for a passenger conveyor, wherein at least one of a light emitting device and a light receiving device is rotatable, so that at least one of the light emitting range and the light receiving range extends in the horizontal direction. It can be moved and switched.

The passenger detection apparatus for a passenger conveyor according to the invention of claim 8 is of a reflected light type for detecting the presence or absence of a passenger near the entrance of the passenger conveyor, and is arranged at one side of the entrance and exit. A first optical sensor device having one light emitter, and a second optical sensor device arranged at the other side of the entrance and exit and having at least a plurality of light receivers are provided. The shape of the light-receiving area of the reflected light when projected vertically is fan-shaped, and the light-receiving areas of the plurality of light receivers are different in horizontal position from each other, thereby detecting the presence or absence of a passenger in the plurality of detection areas. Each is detectable.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, a passenger detecting apparatus for a passenger conveyor uses a light emitting diode as a light source of a light projector.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Embodiment 1 FIG. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an entrance / exit of a passenger conveyor and a detection range of a passenger detection device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a detection range different from FIG. 1, and FIG. It is a side view which shows the entrance of a vehicle.

In the figure, a moving handrail 2 is provided on each of a pair of balustrades 1. Handrail entrance 3 for each balustrade 1
The first and second optical sensor devices 4 and 5 of the passenger detection device are arranged at the lower part of.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the passenger detecting device according to the first embodiment in partial blocks. In the figure, a first optical sensor device 4 includes first and second projectors 11 and 12 that project detection light, a first light receiver 13 that receives reflected light of the detection light, and a first light receiving unit 13. Determination unit 1 that processes an electric signal from the vehicle to determine the presence or absence of a passenger and outputs a detection signal
4. It has a synchronous communication transmitting unit 15 for transmitting a synchronous communication light S that is a synchronous signal, and a first control unit 16. Floodlights 11 and 12, first determining unit 14, and synchronous communication transmitting unit 15
Is controlled by the first control unit 16.

The second optical sensor device 5 includes third and fourth light emitters 21 and 22 for projecting detection light, a second light receiver 23 for receiving reflected light of the detection light, and a second light receiver 23. A second determining unit 24 that processes the electric signal from the controller to determine the presence or absence of a passenger and outputs a detection signal, a synchronous communication receiving unit 25 that receives the synchronous communication light S, and a second control unit 26. I have. Light projectors 21 and 22, second determination unit 24, and synchronous communication reception unit 2
5 is controlled by the second control unit 26.

First to fourth projectors 11, 12, 2
Each of the light emitting diodes 1 and 22 has a light emitting diode. Light projection ranges L11, L1 of the light projectors 11, 12, 21, 22
2, L21, L22 and light receiving range R of light receivers 13, 23
The shapes when the projections 13 and R23 are vertically projected are respectively fan-shaped. Light projection range L11, L12, L21, L22
Have different horizontal positions.

As shown in FIG. 1, a range where the light projecting range L11 and the light receiving range R23 overlap is a first detection range D1, and a range where the light projecting range L12 and the light receiving range R23 overlap is a second range.
Is the detection range D2. As shown in FIG. 2, a range where the light projecting range L21 and the light receiving range R13 overlap is a third detection range D3, and a range where the light projecting range L22 and the light receiving range R13 overlap is a fourth detection range D4. Becomes

Next, the operation will be described. First, the first
The synchronous communication light S is transmitted from the synchronous communication transmitting unit 15 according to the command from the control unit 16. The synchronous communication light S is received by the synchronous communication receiving unit 25, whereby the operation timing of the second control unit 26 is synchronized with the first control unit 16.

In the passenger detection operation, first, a detection light is emitted from the first light emitting device 11 and the reflected light is received by the second light receiving device 23. And from the amount of reflected light,
The presence or absence of a passenger within the first detection range D1 is determined by the second determination unit 24, and a passenger conveyor control device (not shown)
Output the detection signal.

Next, detection light is emitted from the second light emitter 12 and the reflected light is received by the second light receiver 23. Then, the second detection range D is determined by the second determination unit 24.
The presence or absence of a passenger in 2 is determined, and a detection signal is output.

Next, detection light is emitted from the third light emitter 21 and the reflected light is received by the first light receiver 13. Then, the third detection range D is determined by the first determination unit 14.
The presence or absence of a passenger in 3 is determined, and a detection signal is output.
Thereafter, the detection light is emitted from the fourth light emitter 22 and the reflected light is received by the first light receiver 13. And
The presence or absence of a passenger within the fourth detection range D4 is determined by the first determination unit 14, and a detection signal is output.

The output of the synchronous communication light S is performed at a constant cycle, and the operation of sequentially switching the light emitting ranges L11, L12, L21, L22 and the light receiving ranges R13, R23 sequentially is repeated. Therefore, the first to fourth detection ranges D
The presence or absence of a passenger in 1 to D4 is sequentially and repeatedly detected.

According to such a passenger detecting device, the light projecting ranges L11, L12, L21, L22 and the light receiving range R1
3, by sequentially switching R23 in time, the first
In addition, since the presence or absence of the passenger in the fourth detection ranges D1 to D4 is detected while being temporally switched, the presence or absence of the passenger in the plurality of detection ranges D1 to D4 can be more clearly distinguished and detected.

Further, since it is not necessary to narrow down the light emitting range and the light receiving range in the vertical direction, it is possible to secure a wide detection range in the vertical direction and to irradiate the passenger with the detection light in a wide range in the vertical direction. Thereby, the influence of the change in the amount of reflected light due to the difference in the material of the irradiated portion can be reduced, and the detection accuracy can be improved.

Further, the projection ranges L11, L12, L2
1, L22 and the light receiving ranges R13, R23,
Since the detection ranges D1 to D4 are distinguished from each other, it is not necessary to use laser light having high directivity as a light source of the detection light, and it is possible to use a light-emitting diode that has no safety output limitation and has a long life. Furthermore, all the projectors 11, 1
The wavelengths and modulation frequencies of the 2, 21 and 22 detection lights can be made the same, and the cost and size can be reduced.

Further, since the synchronous communication light S is used as a synchronizing signal for synchronizing the first optical sensor device 4 and the second optical sensor device 5, there is no need to wire signal lines, and signal line facilities are not required. Labor and cost can be reduced, and installation on a passenger conveyor can be facilitated.

Further, the first and second optical sensor devices 4,
Since the plurality of light projectors 11, 12, 21, 22 and the light receivers 13, 23 are arranged in both of them, passengers can be detected from both sides of the entrance and exit, and detection accuracy can be improved.

Here, the detection light is also reflected by structures such as walls, columns and floors, and obstacles such as flower pots and fences within the detection ranges D1 to D4. Therefore, in the determination units 14 and 24, the received light amount including the reflected light amount incident on the light receivers 13 and 23 even when there is no passenger is used as the reference value. When the amount of received light increases from the reference value by a predetermined threshold or more, the determination units 14 and 24 determine that there is a passenger within the detection range. Also, when the amount of received light decreases from the reference value by a predetermined threshold or more, the determination units 14 and 24 may determine that there is a passenger within the detection range.

When the first and second sensor devices 4 and 5 are synchronized by the synchronous communication light S, the passenger may interrupt the synchronous communication light S. With respect to such a temporary interruption of the synchronous communication light, the period of light emission and light reception before interruption may be maintained.

In the first embodiment, the detection ranges D1 to D1
Detection was performed in the order of D4, but the order is not particularly limited.
In the first embodiment, the four light projectors 11, 12, 2
Detection of the four detection ranges D1 to D4 was performed using Nos. 1 and 22. However, the detection range may be only two, three, or five or more.

Further, in the first embodiment, one light receiving range corresponds to two light emitting ranges, but one light emitting range may correspond to a plurality of light receiving ranges. For example, the range R23 in FIG.
12 may be the light receiving range. In this case, the detection range D
It is also possible to simultaneously detect the presence or absence of a passenger in D1 and D2. That is, when one light-emitting range is made to correspond to a plurality of light-receiving ranges, it is possible to detect the presence or absence of a passenger in the plurality of detection ranges without performing temporal switching of the detection ranges.

Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the synchronous communication light S is used as the synchronization signal. However, the first and second optical sensor devices 4 and 5 may be connected by wiring and synchronized by an electric signal. Good.

In the first embodiment, a plurality of light projectors having different light projecting ranges are used. However, for example, by turning one light projecting device, the light projecting range may be moved in the horizontal direction and switched. Good. Similarly, by rotating the light receiver, the light receiving range can be switched by moving the light receiving range in the horizontal direction.

Further, in the first embodiment, the handrail inlet 3
Although the first and second optical sensor devices 4 and 5 are arranged at the lower portion of the balustrade, for example, as shown in FIG. Further, Embodiment 1
In the above, the light emitting diode was used as the light source of the floodlight,
For example, a lamp or the like may be used.

Embodiment 2 Next, FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a passenger detection apparatus for a passenger conveyor according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in partial blocks. In the second optical sensor device 5, the synchronous communication receiving unit 25 and the second control unit 26 include:
The interruption detection unit 27 that detects the interruption of the synchronous communication light S is connected. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

In such a passenger detecting device, when the synchronous communication light S is blocked by the passenger, the blocking is detected by the blocking detecting unit 27, and a detection signal is output to the control device of the passenger conveyor. Therefore, it is possible to detect that the passenger has passed by using the synchronous communication light S.

[0040]

As described above, the passenger detecting apparatus for a passenger conveyor according to the first aspect of the present invention provides a passenger light detection range of the first light sensor device and a light receiving range of the reflected light by the second light sensor device. At least one of the ranges can be switched to a plurality of ranges having different horizontal positions, thereby detecting the presence or absence of a passenger in the plurality of detection ranges, respectively, so that the presence or absence of a passenger in the plurality of detection ranges is determined. Can be more clearly distinguished and detected. In addition, since it is not necessary to narrow down the light emitting range and the light receiving range in the vertical direction, it is possible to secure a wide detection range in the vertical direction, and to irradiate passengers with the detection light in a wide range, thereby improving detection accuracy. Can be. Furthermore, since a plurality of detection ranges are distinguished by switching between a light projection range and a light reception range, it is not necessary to use a highly directional laser beam as a light source for the detection light, and there is no safety output limitation and a light source having a long life. Can be selected.

In the passenger detecting apparatus for a passenger conveyor according to the second aspect of the present invention, the projection of the detection light and the reception of the reflected light are synchronized by the synchronization signal, so that the detection accuracy and reliability can be improved.

In the passenger detecting apparatus for a passenger conveyor according to the third aspect of the present invention, since the synchronous communication light is used as the synchronization signal, labor and cost for wiring can be reduced, and installation on the passenger conveyor is facilitated. can do.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the passenger detecting apparatus for the passenger conveyor detects the interruption of the synchronous communication light by the passenger and connects the interruption detecting section for outputting the detection signal to the synchronous communication receiving section. Can be used to detect the passage of a passenger.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the passenger detecting apparatus for a passenger conveyor, a plurality of light emitting devices having different light emitting ranges are arranged in the first optical sensor device, and the timing of light emitting from each light emitting device is shifted. Since the presence or absence of a passenger is detected for each of the plurality of detection ranges by the common light receiver, the presence or absence of the passenger in the plurality of detection ranges can be detected more clearly.

In the passenger detection apparatus for a passenger conveyor according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since a plurality of light emitters and light receivers are arranged on both the first and second optical sensor devices, the passenger is detected from both sides of the entrance. And the detection accuracy can be improved.

In the passenger detecting apparatus for a passenger conveyor according to the present invention, at least one of the light emitting device and the light receiving device is rotatable, whereby at least one of the light emitting range and the light receiving range moves in the horizontal direction. Since it is possible to perform the switching, the presence or absence of a passenger in a plurality of detection ranges can be more clearly distinguished and detected.

The passenger detection apparatus for a passenger conveyor according to the invention of claim 8 is characterized in that the projection area of the detection light by the light emitter and the reception area of the reflected light by the light receiver are vertically projected, each having a sector shape, and a plurality of light reception areas. The light receiving range by the device is different from each other in the horizontal direction, thereby detecting the presence or absence of a passenger in a plurality of detection ranges, respectively, so that the presence or absence of a passenger in a plurality of detection ranges can be more clearly distinguished. Can be detected.

In the passenger detecting apparatus for a passenger conveyor according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, since the light emitting diode is used as the light source of the light projector, the cost can be reduced and the life can be extended.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an entrance / exit of a passenger conveyor and a detection range of a passenger detection device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a detection range different from FIG.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing the entrance of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a passenger detection device according to the first embodiment in partial blocks.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing another arrangement example of the passenger detection device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing a passenger detection device of a passenger conveyor according to a second embodiment of the present invention by partial blocks.

[Explanation of symbols]

4 First optical sensor device, 5 Second optical sensor device, 1
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 first light emitter, 12 second light emitter, 13 first light receiver, 15 synchronous communication transmitter, 21 third light emitter,
22 Fourth light transmitter, 23 Second light receiver, 25 Synchronous communication receiver, 27 Shutdown detector.

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A reflected-light passenger detection device for a passenger conveyor for detecting the presence or absence of a passenger near an entrance of the passenger conveyor, wherein the first device is disposed on one side of the entrance and has at least one floodlight. An optical sensor device, and a second optical sensor device disposed on the other side of the entrance and having at least one light receiver. At least one of the light receiving ranges of the reflected light by the optical sensor device can be switched to a plurality of ranges in which the horizontal position is different, so that the presence or absence of a passenger in the plurality of detection ranges can be detected respectively. A passenger detection device for a passenger conveyor, comprising: 2. A first optical sensor device, comprising: a synchronous communication transmitting section for transmitting a synchronous signal for synchronizing the projection of the detection light and the reception of the reflected light; and a synchronous communication receiving section for receiving the synchronous signal. The passenger according to claim 1, wherein one of the synchronous communication transmitting unit and the synchronous communication receiving unit is disposed in the second optical sensor device. Conveyor passenger detection device. 3. The passenger detecting apparatus for a passenger conveyor according to claim 2, wherein the synchronization signal is a synchronous communication light. 4. The passenger of the passenger conveyor according to claim 3, wherein the synchronous communication receiving unit is connected to an interruption detecting unit that detects interruption of the synchronous communication light by the passenger and outputs a detection signal. Detection device. 5. A plurality of light emitting devices having different light emitting ranges are arranged in the first optical sensor device, and a plurality of light emitting ranges are detected by a common light receiving device by shifting the light emitting timing from each of the light emitting devices. The passenger detection device for a passenger conveyor according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the presence or absence of a passenger is detected every time. 6. A light receiving device is arranged in the first optical sensor device, and a plurality of light emitting devices having different light emitting ranges are arranged in the second optical sensor device. Item 6. The passenger detection device for a passenger conveyor according to item 5. 7. At least one of the light emitter and the light receiver is rotatable, whereby at least one of the light emitting range and the light receiving range is moved in the horizontal direction and switched. A passenger detecting device for a passenger conveyor according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 8. A passenger detection device for a passenger conveyor of a reflected light type for detecting presence or absence of a passenger near an entrance of the passenger conveyor, wherein the first device is disposed on one side of the entrance and has at least one floodlight. An optical sensor device, and a second optical sensor device disposed on the other side of the entrance and having at least a plurality of light receivers, wherein a light projection range of the detection light by the light projector and a reception of the reflected light by the light receiver are provided. The shape when the range is projected vertically is a sector shape, and the light receiving ranges of the plurality of light receivers are different in horizontal position from each other, thereby detecting the presence or absence of a passenger in the plurality of detection ranges respectively. A passenger detection device for a passenger conveyor, wherein the detection is possible. 9. The passenger detecting device for a passenger conveyor according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting device has a light emitting diode.