JP2003171077A - Passenger conveyer tread safety device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem in a conventional safety device of treads of a passenger conveyer that wrongly detects trash and the like near a space between treads as shoes of a passenger and detects shoes and the like of a passenger on the tread in an inclining portion of a passenger conveyer, and consequently cannot detect the case that the shoes of the passenger move to a dangerous position near the space between the treads where a step between the treads is decreased and the shoes are easily caught between the treads when the treads are shifted from the inclining portion to a horizontal position after finishing detecting action. <P>SOLUTION: The passenger conveyer comprises an emergency stop portion stopping the passenger conveyer by detecting lifting-up of a tread 4 on a detected plate 13 by a non-contacting detector 11 when a follower wheel 8 runs on to an abnormal article on a follower rail 10 at an easily caught position where a step between treads is decreased, and when an abnormal article such as shoes of a passenger are caught in a small space between a tread 5 and a rise 6 of the adjacent tread 4. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a step safety device for a passenger conveyor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional step safety device for passenger conveyors is known, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 64-60590. The conventional technique described in this publication projects an energy wave between the steps so as to cross the steps, and the first and second detection devices detect that the energy wave is interrupted, so that the shoe of the passenger The tip or the tip of the umbrella is prevented from being caught in the small gap between the steps. Specifically, both a first detection device that detects a position close to the steps (a position where the shoes of passengers are caught when the steps are horizontal) and a second detection device that detects the upper side of the steps. When the detection signal is output from the passenger conveyor, the passenger conveyor is urgently stopped because the passenger's shoe tip or umbrella tip may be caught in the small gap between the steps. Here, when a detection signal is output only from the first detection device because foreign matter such as dust is placed at a position close to the steps, the passenger conveyor is not stopped. Therefore, it is possible to prevent frequent stoppage of the passenger conveyor due to detection of foreign matter such as dust. Incidentally, as another conventional technique, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-01
6377, JP-A-9-263379 and the like are known.

[0003]

In the conventional step safety device for a passenger conveyor as described above, if the passenger's shoes are located at a safe position on the step and foreign matter such as dust is located near the step, There is a problem that the passenger's shoes are erroneously detected as being close to the steps. In addition, it detects passengers' shoes on the steps in the inclined part of the passenger conveyor, and after the detection operation is completed, the steps move from the inclined part to the horizontal part, and the step between the steps changes, so that the step is easily caught. When the passenger's shoes move to a position close to the steps, there is a problem that cannot be detected.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and in the position where the passenger conveyor moves from the inclined portion to the horizontal portion,
(EN) Provided is a step safety device for a passenger conveyor that reliably detects that a passenger's shoes or the like are caught between steps and stops the passenger conveyor in an emergency.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A step safety device for a passenger conveyor according to the present invention comprises a step plate, a riser plate extending downward from one edge of the step plate, and side plates extending downward from both sides of the step plate. A large number of steps are connected to form an endless row of steps, and in the horizontal part, the upper surfaces of the treads adjacent to each other form a flat surface, and in the inclined part, steps are formed between the treads adjacent to each other to operate. In a step safety device for a passenger conveyor, a detection plate arranged on a side plate of the step, a non-contact detector arranged at a position transitioning from an inclined portion to a horizontal portion, and detecting a passage position of the detection plate, and a step plate. An emergency stop unit is provided for stopping the operation of the step row when the non-contact detector detects a shift in the passing position of the plate to be detected due to the lifting of one edge.

In the passenger conveyor step safety device according to the present invention, the non-contact detector is located at the side of the position where the step does not pass in the normal state and at the side where the step passes when one edge of the tread is raised. It is characterized in that it is arranged in one direction.

The step safety device for a passenger conveyor according to the present invention is characterized in that the non-contact detector is a photoelectric sensor in which a light projector and a light receiver are integrated, and a detection plate is a light reflection plate.

The step safety device for a passenger conveyor according to the present invention is characterized in that the non-contact detector is a magnetic proximity sensor and the plate to be detected is a magnetic metal plate.

A step safety device for a passenger conveyor according to the present invention comprises a tread, a riser extending downward from one edge of the tread, and a side plate made of non-magnetic metal extending downward from both sides of the tread. A large number of steps are connected to form an endless row of steps, and in the horizontal part, the upper surfaces of the treads adjacent to each other form a flat surface, and in the inclined part, steps are formed between the treads adjacent to each other to operate. In a passenger conveyor step safety device, a non-contact detector that is placed at a position that transitions from an inclined part to a horizontal part and that detects the passage position of the upper end of the side plate, and a lift of one edge of the step plate An emergency stop unit for stopping the operation of the row of steps when the deviation of the passage position of the upper end of the side plate is detected by the non-magnetic proximity sensor.

In the step safety device for a passenger conveyor according to the present invention, the non-magnetic metal sensor is located on the side of the position where the step does not pass in the normal state, and on the side where the step passes when one edge of the tread is raised. It is characterized in that it is arranged in one direction.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of a step safety device for a passenger conveyor according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Embodiment 1. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a step safety device for a passenger conveyor according to Embodiment 1, and FIG.
It is the elements on larger scale which expanded the part. 1 is a balustrade of a passenger conveyor, 2 is a skirt guard provided under the balustrade 1, 3
Is a step chain formed endlessly and driven by a driving machine, 4
Is a step arranged along the balustrade 1 between the skirt guards 2 facing each other, 5 is a step board on which the passengers on the step 4 ride, 6 is a riser board extending downward from one edge of the step board 5, and 7 is Drive wheels for guiding the steps 4, 8 are driven wheels for guiding the steps 4, 9
Is a drive rail for guiding the drive wheel 7, 10 is a driven rail for guiding the driven wheel 8, and 11 is a photoelectric sensor in which the step 4 is arranged at a position where the step 4 shifts from the inclined portion to the horizontal portion, and the light emitter and the light receiver are integrated. (Non-contact detector), 12 is a side plate extending downward from both sides of the tread plate 5, 13 is a light reflection plate (detected plate) arranged on the side plate 12 for detecting that one edge of the tread plate 5 is lifted, 14 is the photoelectric sensor 11 and the reflector 13
Is an emergency stop unit that stops the passenger conveyor.

Next, the operation of the step safety device for the passenger conveyor according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. It should be noted that FIG. 3 shows II- when the step 4 of FIG.
It is a II sectional view. FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line II-II when the step 4 of FIG. 2 is in the alternate long and short dash line state. Photoelectric sensor 11 has steps 4
It is fixed to a side skirt guard 2 near the apex of a triangle formed by one edge of the tread plate 5 and one edge of the riser plate 6.
The photoelectric sensor 11 is fixed to a position slightly above the position where the light reflecting plate 13 fixed to the side plates 12 extending downward from both sides of the step plate 5 normally passes, and the photoelectric plate 11 and the step plate 5 and the rise plate of the adjacent steps 4 are fixed. Foreign matter such as passenger shoes is caught in the small gap of 6,
It is installed at a position where the light reflecting plate 13 passes with the step 4 raised. The light reflection plate 13 is the step plate 5 of the step 4.
Is arranged on the side plate 12 at the apex of a triangle formed by one edge of the riser plate 6 and one edge of the riser plate 6.

During normal operation, the photoelectric sensor 11 is connected to the step 4
The light emitted from the projector of the photoelectric sensor 11 is not reflected by the light reflecting plate 13 because it is slightly above the passing position of the light reflecting plate 13 arranged on the side plate 12. Therefore, since the reflected light is not detected by the light receiver of the photoelectric sensor 11, the emergency stop unit 14 does not stop the passenger conveyor (state of FIG. 3). Next, when the driven wheel 8 rides on a foreign substance on the driven rail 10 and when a foreign substance such as a passenger's shoe is caught in a small gap between the step plate 5 and the riser plate 6 of the adjacent step 4, The step 4 is lifted as in the state shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. When the step 4 moves in this state, the light emitted from the projector of the photoelectric sensor 11 is reflected by the light reflecting plate 13, and the reflected light is detected by the light receiver of the photoelectric sensor 11. Photoelectric sensor 1 that detects reflected light
1 operates the emergency stop unit 14, and the emergency stop unit 14 stops the passenger conveyor (state of FIG. 4).

As described above, in the step safety device for the passenger conveyor according to the first embodiment, the driven wheels 8 are the driven rails 1.
When a foreign object such as a passenger's shoes is caught in a small gap between the tread 5 and the riser 6 of the adjacent steps 4, the emergency stop unit 14 is stopped by the photoelectric sensor 11.
Is operated and the passenger conveyor is stopped, so that the danger of passengers can be prevented. Also photoelectric sensor 1
1 is arranged close to the light reflecting plate 13 provided on the side plate 12 so as to detect and react with it.
The excellent effect of preventing erroneous detection due to the reflected light of the shoes of the passengers above is exhibited.

Second Embodiment Next, a step safety device for a passenger conveyor according to a second embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a step safety device for a passenger conveyor according to a second embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view of a portion III in FIG. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in that
A magnetic proximity sensor 15 is provided instead of the photoelectric sensor 11, and a magnetic metal plate 16 is provided instead of the light reflection plate 13. Other configurations are the same as or equivalent to those in the first embodiment. In addition, the same reference numerals are given to the same or equivalent components as in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the operation of the step safety device for the passenger conveyor according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8. In addition, FIG. 7 shows IV- when the step 4 of FIG. 6 is in a solid line state.
FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line IV, and FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line IV-IV when the step 4 in FIG. 6 is in the alternate long and short dash line state. The magnetic proximity sensor 15 is fixed to the side skirt guard 2 near the apex of a triangle formed by one edge of the step plate 5 of the step 4 and one edge of the riser plate 6. Normally, the magnetic proximity sensor 15 is fixed slightly above the position where the magnetic metal plate 16 fixed to the side plates 12 extending downward from both sides of the tread 5 passes, and the magnetic proximity sensor 15 and the tread 5 of the adjacent step 4 are lifted. A foreign material such as a passenger's shoe is sandwiched in a small gap of the plate 6, and the magnetic metal plate 16 is installed at a position where the step 4 is lifted. The magnetic metal plate 16 is arranged on the side plate 12 at the apex of a triangle formed by one edge of the step plate 5 of the step 4 and one edge of the riser plate 6.

During normal operation, the magnetic proximity sensor 15 is slightly above the passage position of the magnetic metal plate 16 arranged on the side plate 12 of the step 4, so that the distance between the magnetic proximity sensor 15 and the magnetic metal plate 16 is small. Widely, the magnetic metal plate 16 is out of the detection range of the magnetic proximity sensor 15. Therefore, the magnetic proximity sensor 15 does not operate by reacting with the magnetic metal plate 16. Therefore, since the magnetic metal plate 16 is not detected by the magnetic proximity sensor 15, the emergency stop unit 14 does not stop the passenger conveyor (state of FIG. 7). Next, when the driven wheel 8 rides on a foreign substance on the driven rail 10 and when a foreign substance such as a passenger's shoe is caught in a small gap between the step plate 5 and the riser plate 6 of the adjacent step 4, Step 4 is shown in FIG.
It is lifted like the state shown by the alternate long and short dash line. When the step 4 moves in this state, the gap between the magnetic proximity sensor 15 and the magnetic metal plate 16 is narrowed, and the magnetic metal plate 16 is within the detection range of the magnetic proximity sensor 15. Therefore, the magnetic proximity sensor 15 operates in response to the magnetic metal plate 16. Therefore, the magnetic metal sensor 16 is detected by the magnetic proximity sensor 15, and the emergency stop unit 14 is operated to stop the passenger conveyor (state of FIG. 8).

As described above, in the step safety device for the passenger conveyor according to the second embodiment, the driven wheels 8 are the driven rails 1.
When a foreign object such as a passenger's shoe is caught in a small gap between the step plate 5 and the riser plate 6 of the adjacent step 4 when an alien substance riding on 0 is caught, an emergency stop is performed by the magnetic proximity sensor 15. Since the section 14 is operated and the passenger conveyor is stopped, the danger of passengers can be prevented. Further, the magnetic proximity sensor 15 includes a magnetic metal plate 16 provided on the side plate 12.
Since they are arranged in proximity to each other so as to react with and detect only, the erroneous detection due to metal such as shoes of passengers on the tread plate 5 can be prevented.

Third Embodiment Next, the operation of the step safety device for a passenger conveyor according to the third embodiment will be described. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the passenger conveyor step safety device according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged view of a V portion of FIG. 1
Is a balustrade of the passenger conveyor, 2 is a skirt guard provided under the balustrade 1, 3 is a step chain which is formed endlessly and is driven by a driving machine, 4 is a space between the opposing skirt guards 2 along the balustrade 1. Arranged steps, 5 is a step board on which passengers ride on the step 4, 6 is a rise plate extending from the edge of the step board 5 toward the rear surface, 7 is a drive wheel for guiding the step 4, and 8 is the step 4
A driven wheel for guiding the drive wheel 7, a driven rail for guiding the driven wheel 8, a driven rail for guiding the driven wheel 8, and 17 arranged at a position where the step 4 shifts from the inclined portion to the horizontal portion,
A non-magnetic proximity sensor that detects that one edge of the tread 5 has been lifted, 18 is a side plate made of a non-magnetic metal such as aluminum alloy extending downward from both sides of the tread 5, and 14 is a side plate 18 of the non-magnetic proximity sensor 17. Is an emergency stop unit that stops the passenger conveyor when the upper end of is detected.

Next, the operation of the step safety device for the passenger conveyor according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 12. FIG. 11 shows VI when the step 4 of FIG. 10 is in a solid line state.
FIG. 12 is a VI cross-sectional view, and FIG. 12 is a VI-VI cross-sectional view when the step 4 of FIG. 10 is in the alternate long and short dash line state. Non-magnetic proximity sensor 17
Is fixed to a side skirt guard 2 near the apex of a triangle formed by one edge of the step plate 5 of the step 4 and one edge of the riser plate 6. Here, the non-magnetic proximity sensor 17 is a non-contact detector that detects a non-magnetic metal such as aluminum. Normally, the non-magnetic proximity sensor 17 is fixed slightly above the position where the side plates 18 extending downward from both sides of the step plate 5 pass, and the passenger is placed in a small gap between the step plate 5 and the riser plate 6 of the adjacent steps 4. It is installed at a position where a side plate 18, which is a plate to be detected, passes while foreign matter such as shoes is sandwiched and the step 4 is lifted.

During normal operation, the non-magnetic proximity sensor 17 is
Since the step 4 is slightly above the passage position of the side plate 18, the distance between the non-magnetic proximity sensor 17 and the side plate 18 is wide, and the side plate 18 is outside the detection range of the non-magnetic proximity sensor 17. Therefore, the upper end of the side plate 18 is not detected and the passenger conveyor is not stopped by the emergency stop unit. (State of FIG. 11) Next, when the driven wheel 8 rides on a foreign object on the driven rail 10, and in a small gap between the step plate 5 and the riser plate 6 of the adjacent steps 4, foreign matter such as passenger shoes is caught. When the key is sandwiched, the step 4 is lifted as shown by the one-dot chain line in FIG. When the step 4 moves in this state, the gap between the non-magnetic proximity sensor 17 and the side plate 18 becomes narrower, and the side plate 18 is within the detection range of the non-magnetic proximity sensor 17. Therefore, the non-magnetic proximity sensor 17 operates in response to the upper end of the side plate 18. Therefore, the upper end of the side plate 18 is detected by the non-magnetic proximity sensor 17, and the emergency stop unit 14 is operated to stop the passenger conveyor. (State of FIG. 12)

As described above, in the step safety device for the passenger conveyor according to the third embodiment, when the driven wheel 8 rides on a foreign object on the driven rail 10 and the adjacent step 4
When a foreign matter such as a passenger's shoe is caught in the small gap between the tread 5 and the riser 6, the non-magnetic proximity sensor 17 operates the emergency stop portion 14 to stop the passenger conveyor. The danger of can be prevented. Further, since the non-magnetic proximity sensor 17 is arranged close to the upper end of the side plate 18 so as to react with and detect only the upper end of the side plate 18, an excellent effect of preventing erroneous detection by passengers' shoes on the tread plate 18 is exhibited. It It should be noted that this embodiment is based on the first embodiment,
Since it is not necessary to install a new detection target plate 13 as in 2, it is possible to reduce the number of parts. Further, in the present embodiment, the non-magnetic proximity sensor 17 detects the upper end of the side plate 18, but the detection position does not necessarily have to be the upper end of the side plate 18, and the side end, the lower end, or a predetermined value of the side plate 18. It may be a part (for example, a protruding portion).

[0023]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it has the following effects.

At the position where the passenger conveyor moves from the inclined part to the horizontal part, the non-contact detector detects the lift of the step because it reacts with the plate to be detected arranged on the side plate of the step.
It is possible to reliably detect when the driven wheel rides on a foreign object on the driven rail or when the shoes of the passenger are caught between the steps, and the danger to the passenger can be prevented.
Further, since the lift of the steps is directly detected, it is possible to prevent erroneous detection due to the reflected light of the shoes of the passengers on the steps, prevent the troublesome stop of the passenger conveyor, and improve the operation efficiency.

By making the side plate a non-magnetic metal such as an aluminum alloy and detecting the side plate by using a non-magnetic proximity sensor that reacts with the non-magnetic metal, the side plate of the step itself can be configured as a plate to be detected. It becomes unnecessary to dispose a new plate to be detected, and the number of parts can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a passenger conveyor to which a step safety device for a passenger conveyor according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view of a portion I of FIG. 1 to which the step safety device for a passenger conveyor according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of a II-II portion when the step 4 of FIG. 2 to which the step safety device for a passenger conveyor according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied is in a solid line state.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the II-II portion when the step 4 of FIG. 2 to which the step safety device for a passenger conveyor according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied is in the alternate long and short dash line state.

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view of a passenger conveyor to which a step safety device for a passenger conveyor according to a second embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view of a part III in FIG. 5 to which the step safety device for a passenger conveyor according to the second embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the IV-IV section when the step 4 of FIG. 6 to which the step safety device for a passenger conveyor according to the second embodiment of the present invention is applied is in a solid line state.

FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of the IV-IV portion when the step 4 of FIG. 6 to which the step safety device for a passenger conveyor according to the second embodiment of the present invention is applied is in the alternate long and short dash line state.

FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a passenger conveyor to which a step safety device for a passenger conveyor according to a third embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged view of a V portion in FIG. 9 to which the step safety device for a passenger conveyor according to the third embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of a VI-VI portion when the step 4 of FIG. 10 to which the step safety device for the passenger conveyor according to the third embodiment of the present invention is applied is in a solid line state.

FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of a VI-VI portion when the step 4 of FIG. 10 to which the step safety device for a passenger conveyor according to the third embodiment of the present invention is applied is in the alternate long and short dash line state.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... balustrade, 2 ... skirt guard, 3 ... step chain, 4 ... step, 5 ... tread, 6 ... riser, 7 ... drive wheel, 8 ... driven wheel,
9 ... Drive rail, 10 ... Drive rail, 11 ... Photoelectric sensor (non-contact detector), 12 ... Side plate, 13 ... Light reflection plate (detected plate), 14 ... Emergency stop part, 15 ... Magnetic proximity sensor (non-contact) Detector), 16 ... Magnetic metal plate (plate to be detected), 1
7 ... Non-magnetic proximity sensor, 18 ... Side plate.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An endless step row is formed by connecting a large number of steps having a step plate, a riser plate extending downward from one edge of the step plate, and side plates extending downward from both sides of the step plate. In the horizontal portion, the upper surfaces of the treads adjacent to each other form a plane, and in the inclined portion, the treads adjacent to each other are mutually
In a step safety device for a passenger conveyor that is operated by forming a step, a detected plate arranged on a side plate of the step, and a position that is shifted from the inclined portion to the horizontal portion,
A non-contact detector that detects the passage position of the plate to be detected, and a deviation of the passage position of the plate to be detected due to the lifting of one edge of the foot plate, when the non-contact detector detects the shift position of the step row. A step safety device for a passenger conveyor, comprising: an emergency stop unit for stopping operation. 2. The non-contact detector is arranged at a position where a step does not pass in a normal state, and at a position where a step passes when one edge of the tread is raised. The step safety device for a passenger conveyor according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The passenger conveyor according to claim 1, wherein the non-contact detector is a photoelectric sensor in which a light projector and a light receiver are integrated, and the plate to be detected is a light reflecting plate. Step safety device. 4. The non-contact detector is a magnetic proximity sensor,
The step safety device for a passenger conveyor according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the detected plate is a magnetic metal plate. 5. A multiplicity of endless steps are connected by connecting a plurality of steps each having a tread, a riser extending downward from one edge of the tread, and side plates made of non-magnetic metal extending downward from both sides of the tread. In a step safety device for a passenger conveyor that is operated by forming a stepped row of rows, the upper surfaces of the treads adjacent to each other form a flat surface in the horizontal portion, and forming a step between the treads adjacent to each other in the inclined portion. , Arranged at a position where the inclined portion transitions to the horizontal portion,
A non-magnetic proximity sensor that detects the passage position of the upper end of the side plate, a shift in the passage position of the upper end of the side plate due to the lifting of one edge of the tread plate, when the non-magnetic proximity sensor detects the operation of the step row And a step safety device for a passenger conveyor. 6. The non-magnetic proximity sensor is arranged laterally at a position where a step does not pass in a normal state, and laterally at a position where a step passes when one edge of the tread is raised. The step safety device for a passenger conveyor according to claim 5, wherein: