JP2006044929A - Escalator footstep position measuring device and method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device for accurately measuring a specific footstep position, even if operation and stopping of an escalator are repeated, or the operation direction is reversed in the middle. <P>SOLUTION: This device has an input part 24 for inputting the number of footsteps equivalent to one round of the escalator, a pair of proximity sensors 10a and 10b arranged in the vicinity of the upstream side and the downstream side in the advancing direction of the footstep and detecting a tread metallic part of the footstep, a counter 22 for calculating a count value associated with the number of footsteps and the passing direction of the footstep passing through the vicinity of these proximity sensors on the basis of a sensor signal of the pair of proximity sensors, and a specific footstep position measuring part 28 for measuring a present position of a specific footstep on the basis of a reference count value when the specific footstep passes through a reference position of a rail of the escalator, a count value of a present specific footstep and the number of footsteps equivalent to one round of the escalator inputted via the input part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for measuring a step position of an escalator for inspection / maintenance purposes.

A sensor for detecting abnormalities such as sound and vibration is installed in a specific step of the escalator, and it is detected that an abnormality has occurred near the position of the specific step while operating the escalator, thereby identifying the location of the abnormality The method is described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, for example.
JP 7-1333088 A JP 2002-68657 A

  In Patent Document 1, a light receiving element is provided in a specific step and a light emitting element is attached in the vicinity of a specific portion of a rail, thereby detecting that the specific step position is in the vicinity of the light emitting element. The position of a specific step can be measured if the escalator continues in a predetermined driving direction at a constant speed, but if the escalator is repeatedly operated or stopped or the driving direction is reversed in the middle, the position of the specific step is determined. Cannot measure.

  In Patent Document 2, a position signal receiver is provided at a specific position of the main frame and a position signal transmitter is provided in a specific step to measure the current position of the specific step, but no specific measurement method is mentioned. .

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for accurately measuring the position of a specific step even when an escalator repeats driving and stopping.

In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the escalator step position measuring apparatus according to the present invention is:
A step number setting unit that sets the number of steps for one lap of the escalator, a pair of proximity sensors that are disposed in the vicinity of the upstream and downstream sides with respect to the traveling direction of the steps, and a pair of proximity sensors that detect a step plate metal part of the step, and a pair of proximity sensors A counter that calculates the number of steps that pass in the vicinity of these proximity sensors and the count value associated with the direction of passage of the steps, and a reference count when the specific step passes the reference position of the escalator rail A measurement unit that measures the current position of the specific step based on the value, the current count value of the specific step, and the number of steps of one escalator of the escalator set in the step number setting unit To do.

The escalator step position measuring method according to the present invention is:
A setting process for setting the number of steps for one lap of the escalator, an arrangement process for arranging a pair of proximity sensors for detecting the metal part of the step board in the vicinity of the upstream and downstream sides with respect to the traveling direction of the steps, and a pair of proximity A first detection step for detecting the number of steps passing through the vicinity of these proximity sensors and the passing direction of the steps when the specific step passes the reference position of the rail of the escalator based on the sensor signal of the sensor; A second detection step for detecting the number of steps passing through the vicinity of the proximity sensor at the current specific step and the passing direction of the step, and a first detection step and a second detection step. A measuring method that measures the current position of a specific step based on the number of steps and the direction of step passage obtained in step 1 and the number of steps of one escalator lap set in the setting process. Characterized in that it comprises a and.

  According to the present invention, the count value (the number of steps and its passing direction) at the time when a specific step passes the reference position is acquired, and this acquired information and the current count value (the number of steps and its passing direction). ) And the number of steps for one escalator lap, the current position of the specific step is measured. Therefore, the specific step position can be accurately measured even if the operation / stop of the escalator is repeated or the driving direction is reversed in the middle.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
1 and 2 show Embodiment 1 of an apparatus according to the present invention for measuring the position of an escalator step. In addition, in this application, the structure of an escalator is well-known, only the thing relevant to this invention is demonstrated suitably, and others are abbreviate | omitted. An escalator step position measuring device (hereinafter simply referred to as a measuring device) 2 includes a box-shaped signal processing device 6 placed on an entrance / exit 4 of an escalator and a pair of arms supported by an arm 8 protruding from the signal processing device 6. Proximity sensors 10a and 10b, and a host computer 12 connected to the signal processing device 6 wirelessly or by wire to measure the position of a step based on a signal from the signal processing device 6 are provided. In the present embodiment, the entrance / exit 4 is an upper entrance / exit that is on the descending side in the ascending operation and on the riding side in the descending operation.

  The proximity sensor 10 (10a, 10b) is arranged in the vicinity of the entrance / exit 4 so as to face the tread of the step 14 of the escalator. The tread of the step 14 includes a metal part 16 and a demarcation line (yellow caution mark) that is a non-metal part (for example, plastic) that is located on the tip side with respect to the advancing direction of the step during the ascending operation and has a predetermined width in the advancing direction. Color band) 18. The proximity sensor 10 is an inductive proximity switch (a coil is used as a detection element. When a metal approaches, an induction current flows in the metal due to electromagnetic induction action. As a result, the impedance of the detection coil changes, oscillation stops or oscillation amplitude. The detection is performed using the decrease in the The distance between the proximity sensor 10 and the step 14 is set so that an ON signal is output when the proximity sensor is positioned above the metal portion 16 and an OFF signal is output when the proximity sensor is positioned above the demarcation line 18. Yes. The proximity sensor 10a is arranged in the vicinity of the downstream side of the proximity sensor 10b with respect to the traveling direction of the step during the ascending operation. The distance between the reference axes of the proximity sensors 10a and 10b (the axis passing through the center of the detection surface of the sensor and perpendicular to the detection surface) is smaller than the width of the demarcation line 18, and is set to, for example, 1/2. As described later, this is to make it possible to detect the number of steps passing through the vicinity of the proximity sensor and the passing direction thereof based on the sensor signals of the proximity sensors 10a and 10b. Note that due to restrictions on the size of the proximity sensors 10a and 10b, the width of the step perpendicular to the traveling direction is also shifted by an appropriate amount.

  Based on the on / off signal from each proximity sensor 10, the signal processing device 6 determines the number of steps passing through the vicinity below the proximity sensor (the region including the operation area of each proximity sensor 10a, 10b) and the passing direction of the steps. It is for detecting. Specifically, the signal processing device 6 includes a sensor signal measuring unit 20 for discretely or continuously measuring a signal from each proximity sensor 10 and a step based on a sensor signal pattern measured by the sensor signal measuring unit 20. And a counter 22 that counts the number of passes.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of a time series signal output from the proximity sensors 10a and 10b when the escalator is operated to rise. At time P, the tip 18a of the demarcation line 18 reaches below the proximity sensor 10a, and the output of the proximity sensor 10a turns from on to off. Next, at time Q, the tip 18a of the demarcation line 18 reaches below the proximity sensor 10b, and the output of the proximity sensor 10b also turns from on to off. At time R, the rear end 18b of the demarcation line 18 reaches below the proximity sensor 10a, and the output of the proximity sensor 10a turns from OFF to ON. Finally, at time S, the rear end 18b of the demarcation line 18 reaches below the proximity sensor 10b, and the output of the proximity sensor 10b turns from OFF to ON. That is, in the ascending operation, the signal pattern output from the proximity sensors 10a and 10b changes in the order of (OFF, ON) → (OFF, OFF) → (ON, OFF) → (ON, ON), and this is repeated. . On the other hand, the pattern of signals output from the proximity sensors 10a and 10b when the escalator is lowered is opposite to that of the ascending operation, and (ON, ON) → (ON, OFF) → (OFF, OFF ) → (OFF, ON) in this order, and this is repeated. The counter 22 counts the number of steps passed based on the change in the signal pattern. The counter 22 counts in consideration of the passing direction of the step because the signal pattern is different between the ascending operation and the descending operation. That is, the number of steps that pass is counted up if one step passes in the upward direction, and is counted down if one step passes in the downward direction. However, since the end 18a adjacent to the metal part of the next step of the demarcation line 18 has a comb shape so as to mesh with the groove formed in the riser of the next step, the counter 22 is measured. It is preferable to perform the counting process on the basis of the linear end portion 18b that is less likely to vary. Specifically, if the signal pattern of the proximity sensors 10a and 10b changes from (ON, OFF) to (ON, ON), the counter 22 counts up (+1) on the assumption that the step has passed one step in the upward direction. , (ON, ON) → (ON, OFF), the countdown (−1) is made assuming that the step has passed one step in the downward direction. The counter 22 outputs a count value associated with the number of steps passed and the step passing direction to the host computer 12.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the host computer 12 includes an input unit 24 for a user to give a predetermined command, and the number of steps for one escalator can be input via the input unit 24. Further, when the user gives a predetermined instruction (hereinafter referred to as a count instruction) via the input unit 24, the host computer 12 is referred to as a count value (hereinafter referred to as a reference count value) output from the counter 22 at that time. ) Is recorded in the recording unit 26. This is for associating the position of a specific step with the count value. For example, when the specific step reaches the lower side of the proximity sensor 10 while the escalator is operating, or when the specific step reaches the lower side of the proximity sensor. Is temporarily stopped and a count instruction is issued. The position of the specific step (referred to as a reference position in the present application) when the count instruction is given is not limited to the position below the proximity sensor 10 but may be any position of the escalator (in other words, the reference position is any of the rails forming the track of the step 14). It may be the position.)

The host computer 12 includes a measuring unit 28 that measures the position of a specific step. The specific step position measurement unit 28 sets the reference count value recorded in the reference count value recording unit 26, the current count value from the counter 22, and the number of steps for one escalator cycle input via the input unit 24. Based on the current position of the specific step,
When (current count value-reference count value) is 0 or more,
(Current count value-Reference count value)% If the number of steps (Current count value-Reference count value) is negative,
Number of steps-{(reference count value-current count value)% number of steps}
As come to ask for. Here, (A% B) means a remainder obtained by dividing A by B. For example, if the number of steps is 46, the reference count value is “10”, and the current count value is “70”, the current step position is “14”. Referring to FIG. 4, this value is the traveling direction during the ascending operation with respect to each area (46 pieces) obtained by dividing the rail circumference by the number of steps, with the reference position of the rail 29 for instructing counting being “0”. This means that a specific step is located in the area number “14” when numbers (“0” to “45”) are assigned in order. The current specific step position is displayed on the display unit 30.

  In the measuring apparatus 2, first, the user inputs the number of steps for one escalator round through the input unit 24. Next, when the specific step is positioned below the reference position of the rail, for example, below the proximity sensor 10, the user issues a count command via the input unit 24. The count value obtained from 22 is recorded in the recording unit 26 as a reference count value. After that, while operating or stopping the escalator or reversing the driving direction, the specific step position measurement unit 28 reads the reference count value recorded in the reference count value recording unit 26, the current count value from the counter 22, and Based on the number of steps for one turn of the escalator, the current position of the specific step is measured, and the display unit 30 displays the current position of the specific step.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the specific step position can be accurately measured even when the escalator is repeatedly operated / stopped or the driving direction is reversed in the middle.

  In the present embodiment, the proximity sensors 10a and 10b are installed in the vicinity of the upper entrance / exit 4, but may be installed in the vicinity of the lower entrance / exit instead. The proximity sensor is installed in the vicinity of the entrance / exit in consideration of the sensitivity (for example, 4 mm or less) of the proximity sensor currently on the market, and the step board (maintained at the same height in the vicinity of the entrance / exit) This is to make the distance of the smallest possible.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
5 and 6 show Embodiment 2 of the measuring apparatus according to the present invention. Hereinafter, constituent elements that are the same as or similar to those of the first embodiment are represented by the same reference numerals or the same reference numerals with appropriate subscripts added. In the measuring apparatus 2A according to the present embodiment, as shown below, the passage of a specific step is detected using at least one of the proximity sensors 10a and 10b.

  A slit 40 penetrating the metal portion is formed in the metal portion 16A of the tread of the specific step 14s. The size and position of the slit 40 is smaller than the demarcation line 18 in the step traveling direction (for example, ½ of the demarcation line width), and only the signal of the proximity sensor 10a is passed through the slit 40. It changes so that the signal of the proximity sensor 10b does not change.

  The host computer 12A includes a specific step passage detection unit 42 that detects that the slit 40 and thus the specific step 14s has passed under the proximity sensor 10a based on the sensor signal from the sensor signal measurement unit 20. Referring to FIG. 7, the specific step passage detection unit 42 has an off time T1 of the proximity sensor 10a when passing the demarcation line 18 when driving at a constant speed in the same direction, and the proximity sensor 10a when passing the slit. A threshold value (T1 + T2) / 2 is prepared as the off time T2. Since the slit 40 is narrower than the demarcation line 18, T 1> T 2 when operating at a constant speed in the same direction. Therefore, when the escalator is operated at a constant speed and T1, T2, and thus the threshold value are obtained in advance, and the passage of the specific step 14s is detected, the specific step passage detection unit 42 is operated while the escalator is operated at the constant speed. Transmits a signal indicating that the specific step 14s has passed if the width of the OFF time of the proximity sensor 10a is smaller than the threshold value. When the reference count value determination unit 27A receives a signal from the specific step passage detection unit 42, the reference count value determination unit 27A records the count value at that time in the recording unit 26 as a reference count value. Therefore, in the measurement apparatus 2A, the count value at the time when the specific step passage detecting unit 42 detects that the specific step passes the reference position is automatically set as the reference count value. The specific step position measurement unit 28 then steps the reference count value recorded in the reference count value recording unit 26, the current count value from the counter 22, and one round of the escalator input via the input unit 24. Based on the number, the current position of the specific step 14s is measured.

  Thus, according to this embodiment, since the user does not need to manually set the reference count value, the current position of the specific step can be measured easily.

  The same effect can be obtained by replacing a part of the metal part with a non-metal part instead of forming the slit in the metal part.

  In addition, what is necessary is just to comprise so that the OFF time width of the proximity sensor 10a at the time of a slit and a demarcation line passage may differ, and the width | variety regarding the step advancing direction of a slit may be larger than a demarcation line. Further, even if the two widths are the same, it is possible to determine which off signal is a signal indicating the passage of a specific step from the interval between adjacent off times output from the proximity sensor 10a (the slit 40 is a step). When a specific step formed in the metal part passes, the interval between adjacent off times is smaller than in the case of other steps.

  The specific step passage detection unit may be provided in the measuring device 2A instead of the host computer 12A.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
8 and 9 show a third embodiment of the measuring apparatus according to the present invention. In the measurement apparatus 2B according to the present embodiment, the passage of a specific step is detected using a configuration other than the pair of proximity sensors 10a and 10b.

  Specifically, in the specific step 14s', a proximity sensor (third proximity sensor) 50 is disposed laterally with respect to the traveling direction of the step. The proximity sensor 50 detects one of the metal skirt guard pairs 52 of the escalator facing the both sides of the step with a slight gap. The end portion 52a of the skirt guard 52 is located on the downstream side of the end portion 4a of the entrance / exit 4 where the step enters downward during the ascending operation. The proximity sensor 50 is an inductive proximity sensor that outputs an ON signal when the skirt guard 52 is positioned near the side. Instead, a capacitive proximity sensor that detects a change in capacitance between the skirt guard and the sensor may be used.

  Within the specific step 14s ′, a sensor signal measuring unit 54 for measuring a sensor signal from the proximity sensor 50 discretely or continuously, and a measured sensor signal (a signal including sensor information from the proximity sensor 50). Is further provided for wireless transmission to the host computer 12B. The host computer 12B further includes a wireless receiver 58 for receiving a sensor signal (a signal including sensor information) from the wireless transmitter 56. The specific step passage detection unit 42B detects that the end 52a of the skirt guard 52 has passed the side of the proximity sensor 50 based on the sensor signal (signal including sensor information) received by the wireless reception unit 58. The specific step passage detection unit 42B indicates that the specific step 14s' has passed when the sensor signal is switched from OFF to ON when the sensor signal is switched from OFF to ON when the sensor signal is switched from OFF to ON when the sensor signal is being lifted. Is sent to the reference count value determination unit 27B. The reference count value determination unit 27B records the count value at the time of receiving the signal from the specific step passage detection unit 42B in the recording unit 26 as the reference count value. The specific step position measurement unit 28 then steps the reference count value recorded in the reference count value recording unit 26, the current count value from the counter 22, and one round of the escalator input via the input unit 24. Based on the number, the current position of the specific step 14s ′ is measured.

  Thus, according to this embodiment, since the user does not need to manually set the reference count value, the current position of the specific step can be measured more easily.

  Although the vicinity of the upper entrance / exit 4 is used as the end of the skirt guard 50, the end near the lower entrance / exit may be used instead.

  While specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these and can be variously modified. For example, in the second and third embodiments, instead of manually setting the number of steps for one escalator, the number of steps using the reference count value when the specific step passage detecting unit detects the passage of the specific step. Step number calculating means (step number setting means) for automatically calculating the number of steps may be provided. In a state where the escalator is in the ascending operation or the descending operation, the step number calculating means specifies the count value C1 when the specific step passage detection unit detects the specific step and further continues the operation, and the specific step passage detection unit specifies The count value C2 at the time when the step is detected again is obtained, and the number of steps is calculated as | C2-C1 |. After obtaining the number of steps in this way, the specific step position measuring unit 28 determines the current step number based on the step number calculated by the step number calculating means in addition to the reference count value (C1 or C2) and the current count value. The position of a specific step will be obtained. In this modification, the user does not need to manually set the number of steps (for each escalator to be inspected), so the current position of the specific step can be measured more easily.

The block diagram which shows Embodiment 1 of the escalator step position measuring apparatus which concerns on this invention. FIG. 1A is a partial side view, and FIG. 2B is a partial top view of an escalator to which the measurement apparatus of FIG. 1 is applied. The figure which shows an example of the sensor signal output from the proximity sensor of FIGS. The figure for demonstrating the relationship between the value output to the display part of the measuring apparatus of FIG. 1, and the position of a specific step. The block diagram which shows Embodiment 2 of the escalator step position measuring apparatus which concerns on this invention. The partial top view of the escalator to which the measuring apparatus of FIG. 5 was applied. The figure which shows an example of the sensor signal output from the proximity sensor of FIG. The block diagram which shows Embodiment 3 of the escalator step position measuring apparatus which concerns on this invention. 8A is a partial side view, and FIG. 8B is a partial top view of an escalator to which the measurement apparatus of FIG. 8 is applied.

Explanation of symbols

2,2A, 2B Escalator step position measuring device 4 Boarding gate 10a, 10b Proximity sensor 14 Step 16 Step plate metal part 18 Demarcation line 24 Input part (Step number setting part)
28 Specific step position measurement unit (measurement unit)
29 rail 40 slit

Claims (7)

A step number setting unit for setting the number of steps for one lap of the escalator;
A pair of proximity sensors that are arranged in the vicinity of the upstream and downstream sides of the step in the direction of travel, and detect the metal part of the step plate,
Based on the sensor signals of the pair of proximity sensors, a counter for calculating a count value associated with the number of steps passing near the proximity sensors and the passing direction of the steps;
Based on the reference count value when the specific step passes the reference position of the escalator rail, the current count value of the specific step, and the number of steps of one escalator lap set in the step number setting section A measurement unit that measures the current position of the step;
Escalator step position measuring device equipped with. A step number setting unit for setting the number of steps for one lap of the escalator;
A pair of proximity sensors that are arranged in the vicinity of the upstream and downstream sides of the step in the direction of travel, and detect the metal part of the step plate,
Based on the sensor signals of the pair of proximity sensors, a counter that calculates the count value associated with the number of steps passing near the proximity sensor and the direction of passage of the steps;
With
A slit is formed in the step plate metal part of the specific step, or a non-metal part is formed so as to be surrounded by the step plate metal part of the specific step,
Based on the sensor signal of at least one proximity sensor, the time point when the slit or non-metal part passes near the proximity sensor is detected, thereby detecting the time point when the specific step passes near the at least one proximity sensor. A specific step passage detection unit that performs
A reference count value determination unit that determines the count value calculated by the counter at the time point detected by the specific step passage detection unit as a reference count value;
Based on the reference count value determined by the reference count value determination unit, the current count value of the specific step, and the number of steps of one escalator lap set in the step number setting unit, the current position of the specific step A measurement unit for measuring
Escalator step position measuring device equipped with. A step number setting section for setting the number of steps for one lap of the escalator;
A pair of proximity sensors that are disposed in the vicinity of the upstream side and the downstream side with respect to the traveling direction of the step, and detect a step board metal part of the step;
Based on sensor signals of a pair of proximity sensors, a counter that calculates a count value associated with the number of steps passing near the proximity sensors and the direction of passage of the steps;
A third proximity sensor arranged laterally within the specific step with respect to the step traveling direction;
Wireless transmission means arranged in the specific step and wirelessly transmitting a signal indicating sensor information from the third proximity sensor to the outside of the specific step;
Wireless receiving means for wirelessly receiving a signal from the wireless transmitting means;
Based on the signal received by the wireless reception means, a specific step passage detection unit that detects the time when the skirt guard end of the escalator passes in the vicinity of the third proximity sensor;
A reference count value determination unit that determines a count value calculated by a counter at a time point detected by the specific step passage detection unit as a reference count value;
Based on the reference count value determined by the reference count value determination unit, the current count value of the specific step, and the number of steps of one escalator lap set in the step number setting unit, the current position of the specific step A measurement unit for measuring
Escalator step position measuring device equipped with.   The step number setting means counts the counter value when the specific step passage detection unit detects the specific step and the counter value when the specific step passage detection unit detects the specific step again when the escalator is rotated once. The escalator step position measuring device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the number of steps is obtained from the value.   The pair of proximity sensors are arranged in the vicinity of the upstream side and the downstream side with respect to the traveling direction so that the distance between the reference axes is smaller than the width of the non-metallic demarcation line of the step with respect to the traveling direction of the step. The escalator step position measuring apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein   The escalator step position measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the pair of proximity sensors are arranged in the vicinity of an entrance / exit of the escalator. A setting process for setting the number of steps for one lap of the escalator;
An arrangement step of arranging a pair of proximity sensors for detecting a step board metal part of the step in the vicinity of the upstream side and the downstream side in the traveling direction of the step;
First detection step of detecting the number of steps passing through the vicinity of the proximity sensor and the passing direction of the step when the specific step passes the reference position of the escalator rail based on the sensor signals of the pair of proximity sensors When,
A second detection step of detecting the number of steps passing through the vicinity of these proximity sensors at the current specific step and the passing direction of the step based on the sensor signals of the pair of proximity sensors;
A measurement step of measuring the current position of a specific step based on the number of steps and the step passage direction obtained in the first and second detection steps, respectively, and the number of steps of one escalator of the escalator set in the setting step When,
Escalator step position measurement method including

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