JP2008174365A - Reverse advance warning device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a reverse advance warning device which is capable of suppressing an increase of the cost by suppressing an increase of the number of components as much as possible, and adequately retrofitted to an existing passenger conveyor. <P>SOLUTION: The reverse advance of passengers is detected based on the detection timing of the passengers by two sensors (a primary sensor and a secondary sensor) on an exit side, and an alarm is output. In particular, passenger detection sensors 10a, 10b provided to determine the start of the normal operation in an automatic operation type escalator are used for the primary sensor, and the secondary sensors 12a, 12b are installed at parts in a vicinity of a doorway in an escalator body. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to passenger conveyors such as escalators and moving walkways, and in particular, an automatic operation type passenger conveyor whose operation state is controlled in response to detection of a passenger entering the entrance / exit by a passenger detection sensor (primary sensor). It is related to the reverse approach warning device which outputs a warning when a passenger enters in the direction opposite to the operation direction of a passenger conveyor.

  Passenger conveyors such as escalators and moving walkways connect a number of steps with an endless chain, and the chain is driven by a motor to circulate these many steps so that passengers boarded on the steps can be removed from the entrance. It is a structure that conveys it to the exit. In the passenger conveyor having such a structure, the direction of movement of the step can be reversed by driving the motor in the reverse direction, so that the operation direction can be switched. When the driving direction is switched, the entrance and the exit are switched. Such a place serving as a boarding gate and a boarding gate is called a boarding gate, and a floor board to which anti-slip processing is applied is generally laid on the floor surface.

  By the way, in this kind of passenger conveyor, there is a problem that electric power is consumed wastefully if the operation at the normal speed is always continued regardless of the presence or absence of passengers. Therefore, in recent years, the operation state is set such that the operation is stopped while the passengers are not present, or is set to a low-speed operation state, and the operation at the normal speed is started when a passenger entering the entrance / exit is detected by the passenger detection sensor. An automatic operation type passenger conveyor in which the vehicle is controlled has been proposed.

Also, in recent years, a reverse approach that detects a passenger's reverse entry and outputs an alarm in order to prevent a fall accident or the like when the passenger enters in the reverse direction with respect to the driving direction of the passenger conveyor. It has also been proposed to provide an alarm device. As such a reverse approach warning device, for example, a plurality of support columns containing sensors are installed along the approach path to the entrance of the passenger conveyor, and from the timing when the passengers are detected by the sensors of these support columns, It is known that a passing direction is determined, and a warning is output when the passing direction of the passenger is reverse to the driving direction of the passenger conveyor and a reverse approach is determined (for example, see Patent Document 1).
JP 2001-151454 A

  However, in the reverse approach alarm device described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to install a support column incorporating a plurality of sensors along the approach path to the entrance / exit of the passenger conveyor, which increases the number of parts. There is a concern that the cost will increase significantly. Further, depending on the installation environment of the passenger conveyor, there may be a case where it is not possible to secure a space for installing these multiple columns. In particular, when it is considered to newly add such a reverse approach warning device to an existing passenger conveyor, the existing passenger conveyor is designed to have an optimum layout according to the installation environment. In many cases, it is particularly difficult to secure a space to install a new column, and even if a space to install a column can be secured, it was not assumed at the beginning when the passenger conveyor was installed. Since a new support column will be installed, there is a concern that it will cause a decrease in aesthetics.

  As described above, the passenger detection sensor used for determining the start of normal operation is already provided in the automatic operation type passenger conveyor. A method is also conceivable in which a passenger detection sensor for detecting a passenger is used as a sensor for a reverse approach alarm device, and an alarm is output when the passenger detection sensor detects a passenger. However, during driving, passengers transported from the entrance to the exit are also detected by the passenger detection sensor on the exit side, so that the passenger detection sensor on the exit side is directly used as a sensor of the reverse entry warning device. It cannot be diverted as a new device.

  The present invention was devised in view of the conventional situation as described above, and can suppress an increase in the number of parts as much as possible, thereby suppressing an increase in cost. Further, it is retrofitted to an existing passenger conveyor. It is an object of the present invention to provide a reverse approach warning device that can be appropriately added.

  The reverse approach warning device according to the present invention is provided in a passenger conveyor of an automatic driving system in which an operation state is controlled in response to detection of a passenger entering the entrance / exit by a passenger detection sensor (primary sensor), A secondary sensor that outputs a warning when a passenger enters in a direction opposite to the direction of operation of the passenger conveyor, and is installed at a location near the entrance / exit in the passenger conveyor body, and detects a passenger entering the entrance / exit , Reverse entry detection means for detecting the reverse entry of the passenger based on the detection timing by the primary sensor and the detection timing by the secondary sensor, and an alarm is output when the reverse entry detection means detects the reverse entry of the passenger The above-described problem is solved by providing the alarm output means.

  In this reverse approach warning device, a passenger detection sensor used to determine the start of normal operation on an automatic operation type passenger conveyor is used as a primary sensor for detecting reverse entry, and detection of this primary sensor is performed. Based on the timing and the detection timing of the secondary sensor installed in the vicinity of the entrance / exit of the passenger conveyor body, the passenger's reverse entry is detected and an alarm is output. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent a fall accident or the like when a passenger enters in reverse while suppressing an increase in the number of parts as much as possible and suppressing an increase in cost. Moreover, since it is not necessary to newly install a support | pillar etc. in the installation environment of a passenger conveyor, it can be added appropriately with respect to the existing passenger conveyor later.

  Here, the passenger conveyor body is a general term for structures that drive and support steps and handrails, and specifically, a pair of skirt guards installed on both left and right sides of the step with a predetermined gap. The passenger conveyor body includes a pair of balustrades standing on the skirt guard and supporting the handrail, an inlet guard provided at the entrance of the handrail, and the like.

  According to the reverse approach warning device according to the present invention, it is possible to suppress an increase in the number of parts as much as possible, and to suppress an increase in cost, and it is possible to appropriately add to an existing passenger conveyor later. .

  Hereinafter, as a specific embodiment of the present invention, an example in which the present invention is applied to a reverse approach alarm device provided in an automatic operation escalator will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the escalator. This escalator is installed in an inclined manner between the upper and lower floors of the building and circulates a number of steps 1 connected without gaps between the upper floor entrance and lower floor entrances. By doing so, the passenger boarded on Step 1 is transported across the upper floor and the lower floor. Many steps 1 are connected by an endless chain 2 and are arranged in a main frame 3 called a truss installed under the floor of a building. Inside the main frame 3, sprockets 4a and 4b are arranged on the upper floor side and the lower floor side, respectively, and the chain 2 is wound between the upper floor side sprocket 4a and the lower floor side sprocket 4b. It is hung. One of the upper floor side sprocket 4a and the lower floor side sprocket 4b (in the example shown in FIG. 1, the upper floor side sprocket 4a) is connected to a driving device 5 having a motor, a speed reducer, and the like. The sprocket 4a (or sprocket 4b) is rotated by driving of the driving device 5, and the driving force is transmitted to the chain 2 meshing with the sprocket 4a (or sprocket 4b), so that a number of steps connected by the chain 2 are performed. 1 is configured to circulate and move between an upper floor entrance and a lower floor entrance while being guided by a guide rail (not shown).

  On the main frame 3, a pair of skirt guards 6 are installed along the moving direction of Step 1 so as to face both the left and right side surfaces of Step 1, and a balustrade 7 is erected on each skirt guard 6. ing. A belt-like handrail 8 is mounted around the balustrade 7. The handrail 8 is a handrail gripped by a passenger boarded on the step 1. For example, when the driving force of the driving device 5 described above is transmitted, the handrail 8 is moved around the balustrade 7 in synchronization with the movement of the step 1. Go around. In addition, an inlet guard 9 is provided at a portion where the handrail 8 enters the skirt guard 6 to prevent foreign matter from being drawn in.

  The escalator shown in FIG. 1 is configured as an escalator of an automatic driving system, and is stopped or operated at a low speed while there are no passengers, and is provided near the entrances on the upper and lower floors. When a passenger entering the entrance / exit is detected by the passenger detection sensor on the side serving as the entrance, among the passenger detection sensors 10a, 10b, the operation at the normal speed is started. Here, the driving direction of the escalator can be switched by the setting of the driving direction changeover switch operated by the escalator administrator. In the case of, the entrance on the upper floor side is the entrance. Therefore, in the case of the ascending operation, the ascending operation is started at the normal speed when the passenger is detected by the passenger detecting sensor 10b on the lower floor side, and in the case of the descending operation, the passenger detecting sensor 10a on the upper floor side is used. The descent operation at the normal speed is started when is detected. These passenger detection sensors 10a and 10b are attached to, for example, the columns 11a and 11b installed in the approach roads to the entrances on the upper floor side and the lower floor side, and pass passengers passing through the entrance roads to the entrances and exits. Detect. As the passenger detection sensors 10a and 10b, any type of sensor generally known as a sensor capable of detecting a human body can be used.

  In addition, this escalator detects the passenger's reverse entry in order to prevent an unexpected accident when the passenger enters in the reverse direction with respect to the driving direction of the escalator, that is, the moving direction of Step 1 or the handrail 8. Thus, a reverse approach warning device that outputs a warning is provided. The present invention relates to this reverse approach warning device.

  The reverse approach warning device to which the present invention is applied is for detecting a passenger's reverse approach based on the passenger's detection timing by two sensors (primary sensor and secondary sensor) on the exit side and outputting an alarm. In particular, as the primary sensor, the passenger detection sensors 10a and 10b described above for determining the start of normal operation are used, and the secondary sensors 12a and 12b are located in the vicinity of the entrance / exit in the escalator body (shown in FIG. 1). In the example, it has a great feature in that it is installed on the tip side of the inlet guard 9. As the secondary sensors 12a and 12b, as in the passenger detection sensors 10a and 10b, any type of sensor generally known as a sensor capable of detecting a human body can be used. Also, the warning method is not particularly limited, and for example, a warning sound or a voice message may be output, or a warning lamp or a warning display device may be flashed. An alarm may be used. When outputting a warning sound or a warning by a voice message, for example, there is an advantage that the danger due to the reverse approach can be surely notified even when the passenger is a visually impaired person. The example shown in FIG. 1 is an example in which an alarm by a warning sound or a voice message is output. In order to output an alarm to the columns 11a and 11b to which the passenger detection sensors 10a and 10b as primary sensors are attached. Speakers 13a and 13b are provided.

  FIG. 2 is a control block diagram showing a functional connection of the reverse approach warning device to which the present invention is applied. The control function of the reverse approach alarm device is realized as a function integrated with the control function of the automatic operation described above, and the operation control unit 14, the reverse approach detection unit 15, the alarm output control unit 16, and the emergency operation stop determination unit. 17. Each of these control functions is realized, for example, by executing software programmed in advance and incorporated in a control device using a microcomputer or the like. In the control device that realizes each of these control functions, the passenger detection sensors (primary sensors) 10a and 10b on the upper floor side and the lower floor side on the input side, and the tip side of the inlet guard 9 of the escalator body, etc. The installed upper floor side and lower floor side secondary sensors 12a and 12b are connected to each other. An escalator driving device 5 and speakers 13a and 13b are connected to the output side of the control device.

  The operation control unit 14 outputs a control command to the escalator drive device 5 to perform the above-described automatic operation control, operation stop control, and the like. The operation control unit 14 receives a state of an operation direction changeover switch operated by an escalator administrator. The operation control unit 14 determines the operation direction of the escalator, that is, whether it is set to ascending operation or descending operation, according to the state of the operation direction changeover switch.

  When the escalator is set to the ascending operation, the operation control unit 14 stops the operation of the escalator or the low-speed ascending operation (for example, step 1) until the passenger is detected by the passenger detection sensor 10b on the lower floor side. The control command is output to the drive device 5 so that the movement speed of 10 m / min. Then, the operation control unit 14 is driven so that the normal speed increasing operation (for example, the moving speed of step 1 is 30 m / min) is started when the passenger is detected by the passenger detection sensor 10b on the lower floor side. A control command is output to the device 5. After the passenger is detected by the passenger detection sensor 10b on the lower floor side, the passenger is not detected by the secondary sensor 12b on the lower floor side even if a sufficient time T1 has elapsed for the passenger to reach step 1 above. In such a case, the operation control unit 14 outputs a control command to the drive device 5 so that the escalator returns to the operation stopped state or the low speed ascending operation state. In addition, the operation control unit 14 uses a passenger detection sensor 10b on the lower floor side to start a new period from the start of the normal speed increase operation of the escalator until the time T2 sufficient for the passenger to reach the upper floor has elapsed. If no passenger is detected, the control command is output to the drive device 5 so that the escalator returns to the operation stopped state or the low speed ascending operation state after the time T2 has elapsed.

  On the other hand, when the escalator is set to the descent operation, the operation control unit 14 stops the operation of the escalator until the passenger is detected by the passenger detection sensor 10a on the upper floor side, or the low-speed descent operation (for example, A control command is output to the drive device 5 so that the moving speed in step 1 is 10 m / min. Then, the operation control unit 14 is driven so that the normal speed lowering operation (for example, the moving speed in Step 1 is 30 m / min) is started when the passenger is detected by the passenger detection sensor 10a on the upper floor side. A control command is output to the device 5. In addition, after a passenger is detected by the passenger detection sensor 10a on the upper floor side, the passenger is not detected by the secondary sensor 12a on the upper floor side even if a sufficient time T1 has passed for the passenger to reach step 1 above. In this case, the operation control unit 14 outputs a control command to the drive device 5 so that the escalator returns to the operation stopped state or the low-speed descending operation state. In addition, the operation control unit 14 uses a passenger detection sensor 10a on the upper floor side to start a new period from the start of the normal speed lowering operation of the escalator until the time T2 sufficient for the passenger to reach the lower floor has elapsed. If no passenger is detected, the control command is output to the drive device 5 so that the escalator returns to the operation stop state or the low-speed descent operation state when the time T2 has elapsed.

  In addition, the operation control unit 14 outputs an operation stop command from the emergency operation stop determination unit 17 while the escalator is operated in any one of the low speed increase operation, the low speed decrease operation, the normal speed increase operation, and the normal speed decrease operation. If it is, a control command is output to the drive device 5 so that the escalator is stopped.

  The reverse entry detection unit 15 detects a passenger's reverse entry based on the passenger detection timing by the passenger detection sensors (primary sensors) 10a and 10b and the passenger detection timing by the secondary sensors 12a and 12b. is there. Similarly to the operation control unit 14, the reverse approach detection unit 15 is input with the state of the operation direction changeover switch. Depending on the state of the operation direction changeover switch, the operation direction of the escalator, that is, the ascending operation is set. Determine if it is set for driving.

  When the escalator is set to the ascending operation, the reverse approach detection unit 15 constantly monitors the output of the upper floor side passenger detection sensor (primary sensor) 10a and the output of the upper floor side secondary sensor 12a. And the reverse approach detection part 15 is when the passenger detection sensor (primary sensor) 10a on the upper floor side and the secondary sensor 12a on the upper floor side sequentially detect the passengers with a predetermined time difference in this order. Then, it is determined that the passenger is entering in reverse, and an alarm command is output to the alarm output control unit 16.

  On the other hand, when the escalator is set to the descending operation, the reverse approach detection unit 15 outputs the output of the passenger detection sensor (primary sensor) 10b on the lower floor side and the output of the secondary sensor 12b on the lower floor side. Monitor constantly. And the reverse approach detection part 15 is when the passenger detection sensor (primary sensor) 10b on the lower floor side and the secondary sensor 12b on the lower floor side sequentially detect the passengers with a predetermined time difference in this order. Then, it is determined that the passenger is entering in reverse, and an alarm command is output to the alarm output control unit 16.

  The alarm output control unit 16 outputs an alarm for informing the passenger of the danger from the speakers 13 a and 13 b in response to the alarm command from the reverse approach detection unit 15. Specifically, the alarm output control unit 16 stores, for example, a voice message created in advance, and the reverse approach detection unit 15 detects a passenger's reverse entry on the upper floor side and outputs an alarm command. If the stored voice message is output as an alarm from the speaker 13a on the upper floor side, and when a reverse entry of the passenger on the lower floor side is detected by the reverse approach detection unit 15 and an alarm command is output The stored voice message is output as an alarm from the speaker 13b on the lower floor side. The alarm output control unit 16 may output a warning sound from the speakers 13a and 13b instead of such a voice message, or when a warning lamp or a warning display device is installed, You may make it alarm by blinking these lights.

  The emergency operation stop determination unit 17 detects the secondary entry on the side where the reverse entry of the passenger is detected even after the reverse entry detection unit 15 detects the reverse entry of the passenger and the warning output control unit 16 outputs an alarm. When the sensor continues to detect passengers, an operation stop command is output to the operation control unit 14 to urgently stop the operation of the escalator. Specifically, the emergency operation stop determination unit 17 indicates that the reverse approach detection unit 15 detects the reverse approach from the reverse approach detection unit 15 when the reverse approach detection unit 15 detects the reverse entry of the passenger at the entrance on the upper floor side. Information and information indicating that the escalator is set to ascending operation are acquired. Then, the emergency operation stop determination unit 17 monitors the output of the secondary sensor 12a on the upper floor side for a predetermined time T3, and the secondary sensor 12a on the upper floor side over the predetermined time T3. If the passenger is continuously detected, an operation stop command is output to the operation control unit 14. In addition, when the reverse approach detection unit 15 detects a passenger's reverse entry at the lower floor entrance, the emergency operation stop determination unit 17 detects information indicating that the reverse approach has been detected from the reverse entry detection unit 15 and the escalator. And information indicating that is set to descent operation. Then, the emergency operation stop determination unit 17 monitors the output of the secondary sensor 12b on the lower floor side for a predetermined time T3, and the secondary sensor 12b on the lower floor side over the predetermined time T3. If the passenger is continuously detected, an operation stop command is output to the operation control unit 14.

  Here, an example of the operation of the reverse approach warning device to which the present invention as described above is applied will be specifically described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the following description, it is assumed that the escalator is operated at a low speed of about 10 m / min while there are no passengers, and that the escalator is switched to a normal operation of about 30 m / min when a passenger is detected. Will be described as being set for ascending operation. When the driving direction of the escalator is a descent operation, the passenger detection sensor (primary sensor) 10a and the secondary sensor 12a on the upper floor side, and the passenger detection sensor (primary sensor) 10b and the secondary sensor 12b on the lower floor side You can replace it with

  When the main power supply of the escalator is turned on and the flow of FIG. 3 is started, first, the operation control unit 14 recognizes that the escalator is set to the ascending operation from the state of the operation direction changeover switch, and the escalator is slow. A control command is output to the drive device 5 so as to perform the ascending operation. Thereby, an escalator will be in a passenger waiting state by low-speed ascending driving | operation (step S1).

  While the escalator is in a passenger standby state during low-speed climbing operation, the operation control unit 14 constantly monitors the output of the passenger detection sensor (primary sensor) 10b on the lower floor side (entrance side) (step S2). ) When a passenger is detected by the passenger detection sensor 10b on the lower floor side, a control command is output to the drive device 5 so that the escalator is switched from the low speed increasing operation to the normal speed increasing operation. As a result, the escalator starts normal speed increasing operation (step S3).

  When the passenger is detected by the passenger detection sensor 10b on the lower floor side and the normal speed increase operation of the escalator is started, the operation control unit 14 outputs the output of the secondary sensor 12b on the lower floor side (entrance side). Whether or not the passenger is detected by the secondary sensor 12b on the lower floor during the time T1 sufficient for the passenger to be monitored and detected by the passenger detection sensor 10b on the lower floor to reach step 1 Is determined (step S4). When the passenger is not detected by the secondary sensor 12b on the lower floor during the time T1 after the passenger is detected by the passenger detection sensor 10b on the lower floor, the escalator changes from the normal speed increasing operation to the low speed increasing operation. A control command is output to the drive device 5 so as to return, and the process returns to the passenger standby state in step S1. On the other hand, when the passenger is detected by the secondary sensor 12b on the lower floor during the time T1 after the passenger is detected by the passenger detection sensor 10b on the lower floor, the normal speed increasing operation of the escalator is continued.

  While the escalator is performing normal speed increasing operation, the reverse approach detection unit 15 outputs the output of the passenger detection sensor (primary sensor) 10a on the upper floor side (the exit side) and the secondary sensor 12a on the upper floor side. The output is constantly monitored, and it is determined whether or not there is a reverse entry of a passenger from the entrance on the upper floor side (step S5). Specifically, the reverse approach detection unit 15 detects passengers sequentially in a predetermined time difference between the upper floor passenger detection sensor (primary sensor) 10a and the upper floor secondary sensor 12a in this order. In this case, it is determined that the passenger has entered the entrance on the upper floor side, and an alarm command is output to the alarm output control unit 16. When a reverse approach of the passenger is detected by the reverse approach detection unit 15 and an alarm command is output, the alarm output control unit 16 outputs an alarm such as a voice announcement from the speaker 13a on the upper floor side (step S6). ).

  When the reverse approach detection unit 15 detects the reverse entry of the passenger and an alarm is output from the speaker 13a, the emergency operation stop determination unit 17 monitors the output of the secondary sensor 12a on the upper floor side. Is output, it is determined whether or not the secondary sensor 12a on the upper floor side continues to detect passengers for a predetermined time T3 (step S7). When the secondary sensor 12a on the upper floor side continues to detect passengers for a predetermined time T3 after the alarm is output, the emergency operation stop determination unit 17 issues an operation stop command to the operation control unit 14. Output. As a result, a control command is output from the operation control unit 14 to the drive device 5 so that the escalator is in the operation stop state, and the escalator performing the ascending operation at the normal speed is emergency stopped (step S8).

  Further, when the passenger is detected by the passenger detection sensor 10b on the lower floor side, the normal speed increasing operation of the escalator is started, and the normal speed increasing operation is continued without returning to the low speed increasing operation or stopping the emergency operation. The operation control unit 14 monitors the output of the passenger detection sensor (primary sensor) 10b on the lower floor side (entrance side), and the passenger reaches the upper floor after the normal speed increase operation of the escalator is started. Until a sufficient time T2 elapses, it is determined whether or not a passenger is newly detected by the passenger detection sensor 10b on the lower floor side (step S9, step S10). If no new passenger is detected by the passenger detection sensor 10b on the lower floor during the time T2 after the normal speed increasing operation of the escalator is started, the escalator returns from the normal speed increasing operation to the low speed increasing operation. Thus, the control command is output to the drive device 5 and the process returns to the passenger standby state in step S1. On the other hand, if a passenger is newly detected by the passenger detection sensor 10b on the lower floor during the time T2 after the normal speed increasing operation of the escalator is started, the process returns to the determination in step S4, and the subsequent processing is performed. Repeated.

  In addition, while the passenger is not detected by the passenger detection sensor 10b on the lower floor side in step S2 and the escalator continues the passenger standby state in the low-speed climbing operation, the reverse approach detection unit 15 causes the escalator to increase in normal speed. As during driving, the output of the passenger detection sensor (primary sensor) 10a on the upper floor side (gateway side) and the output of the secondary sensor 12a on the upper floor side are constantly monitored, The presence / absence of a passenger's reverse approach from the floor entrance / exit is determined (step S11). The reverse approach detection unit 15 outputs an alarm command to the alarm output control unit 16 when it is determined that a passenger's reverse approach occurs at the entrance on the upper floor side. As a result, an alarm such as a voice announcement is output from the speaker 13a on the upper floor side (step S12).

  When the reverse approach detection unit 15 detects the reverse entry of the passenger and an alarm is output from the speaker 13a, the emergency operation stop determination unit 17 monitors the output of the secondary sensor 12a on the upper floor side. Is output, it is determined whether or not the secondary sensor 12a on the upper floor side continues to detect passengers for a predetermined time T3 (step S13). Then, when the secondary sensor 12a on the upper floor side continues to detect passengers for a predetermined time T3 after the alarm is output, an operation stop command is output from the emergency operation stop determination unit 17 to the operation control unit 14. Then, a control command is output from the operation control unit 14 to the drive device 5 so that the escalator is stopped. As a result, the escalator performing the low speed ascending operation is emergency stopped (step S14).

  As described above in detail with reference to specific examples, the reverse approach warning device to which the present invention is applied is a passenger detection sensor 10a that is used to determine the start of normal driving in an automatic driving escalator. , 10b is used as the primary sensor, and passengers are allowed to enter the vehicle based on the passenger detection timing by the primary sensors (passenger detection sensors 10a, 10b) and the passenger detection timing by the secondary sensors 12a, 12b. It detects and outputs an alarm. Therefore, according to this reverse approach warning device, it is possible to effectively prevent a fall accident or the like when a passenger enters backward while suppressing an increase in the number of parts as much as possible and suppressing an increase in cost. Further, in this reverse approach warning device, the secondary sensors 12a and 12b are installed in the vicinity of the entrance / exit in the escalator body, for example, the front end side of the inlet guard 9, etc. There is no need to newly install a column or the like incorporating 12a and 12b. For this reason, it does not cause problems such as not being able to secure a space for installing new struts, or a decrease in aesthetics due to newly installing struts. Can be added to.

  Moreover, according to the reverse approach warning device to which the present invention is applied, when the secondary sensor on the exit side continues to detect the passenger after detecting the reverse approach of the passenger and outputting the warning, the operation of the escalator is emergency By making it stop, the fall accident etc. when a passenger reversely approaches can be prevented further effectively.

  The reverse approach warning device described above is an example of application of the present invention, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above-described example, the secondary sensors 12a and 12b on the upper floor side and the lower floor side are installed on the front end side of the inlet guard 9, but the secondary sensors 12a and 12b on the upper floor side and the lower floor side are provided. Is a part of the escalator body in the vicinity of the entrance and exit, and if it is a position where passengers can be detected before boarding on Step 1, for example, it is installed at an appropriate position of the skirt guard 6 as shown in FIG. Alternatively, if the balustrade 7 is of a panel type, it may be installed at an appropriate position of the balustrade 7 as shown in FIG.

  In the above-described example, the passenger detection sensors (primary sensors) 10a and 10b on the upper floor side and the lower floor side are respectively installed on the columns 11a and 11b provided in the entrance entrances on the upper floor side and the lower floor side. However, the passenger detection sensors (primary sensors) 10a and 10b on the upper floor side and the lower floor side may be installed on a structure such as a building wall in the vicinity of the entrance / exit, for example. As shown in FIG. 6, it may be installed together with the secondary sensors 12 a and 12 b in a portion of the escalator body near the entrance. In this case, sensors installed closer to step 1 of the escalator are secondary sensors 12a and 12b, and sensors installed away from step 1 are passenger detection sensors (primary sensors) 10a and 10b.

  In the above-described example, after the main power source of the escalator is turned on, the reverse approach detection unit 15 always performs the detection process of the passenger's reverse approach at the exit side, but many passengers use the escalator. It is difficult to detect a passenger's reverse approach with high accuracy at the time of congestion, and it is considered that few passengers make a reverse entry because the passenger can flow at such a congestion. Therefore, during the time when many passengers are using escalators, the reverse entry detection process by the reverse entry detection unit 15 may not be performed. Specifically, for example, the reverse approach detection unit 15 counts the number of passenger detections within a predetermined time by the passenger detection sensors (primary sensors) 10a and 10b and the secondary sensors 12a and 12b. When the number of passenger detections within a predetermined time by these sensors is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value, it is determined that the escalator is in a congested state, and the reverse approach detection process is stopped. In addition, when the time zone in which the escalator is crowded is known in advance, this time zone is set in advance as the time zone for stopping the reverse approach detection, and the reverse approach detection unit 15 performs the reverse approach in this time zone. The detection process may be stopped.

  Moreover, although the example mentioned above is an example which applied this invention with respect to the reverse approach alarm apparatus provided in the escalator which conveys a passenger across the upper floor and lower floor of a building, this invention has steps. The present invention can also be effectively applied to a reverse approach warning device provided on a moving sidewalk that moves in the horizontal direction and conveys passengers.

The schematic diagram which shows the whole structure of an escalator. The control block diagram which shows the functional connection of the reverse approach warning device to which this invention is applied. The flowchart which shows an example of the operation | movement by the reverse approach warning apparatus to which this invention is applied. The principal part enlarged view which shows the example in which the secondary sensor is installed in the skirt guard. The principal part enlarged view which shows the example in which the secondary sensor is installed in the railing. The principal part enlarged view which shows the example by which the passenger detection sensor (primary sensor) is installed in the site | part of the escalator main body vicinity of the entrance / exit with a secondary sensor.

Explanation of symbols

1 Step 5 Driving device 6 Skirt guard 7 Railing 8 Handrail 9 Inlet guard 10a, 10b Passenger detection sensor (primary sensor)
11a, 11b Posts 12a, 12b Secondary sensors 13a, 13b Speakers 14 Operation control unit 15 Reverse entry detection unit 16 Alarm output control unit 17 Emergency operation stop determination unit

Claims (7)

When a passenger entering the entrance / exit is provided in a passenger conveyor of an automatic operation system whose operation state is controlled in response to detection by a primary sensor, and a passenger enters in a direction opposite to the driving direction of the passenger conveyor In the reverse approach warning device that outputs a warning to
A secondary sensor that is installed in a portion of the passenger conveyor body near the entrance and exit and detects a passenger who has entered the entrance and exit;
Reverse entry detection means for detecting a passenger's reverse entry based on the detection timing by the primary sensor and the detection timing by the secondary sensor;
A reverse entry warning device comprising: an alarm output means for outputting an alarm when the reverse entry detection means detects a reverse entry of a passenger.   2. The reverse approach alarm device according to claim 1, wherein the alarm output unit outputs an alarm by a warning sound or a voice message when the reverse approach detection unit detects a reverse entry of a passenger.   2. The reverse approach warning device according to claim 1, wherein the warning output means outputs a warning by blinking light when the reverse approach detection means detects a reverse entry of a passenger.   The reverse entry warning device according to claim 1, wherein the primary sensor is installed in a portion of the passenger conveyor main body near the entrance / exit.   The reverse operation according to claim 1, further comprising emergency operation stop means for stopping operation of the passenger conveyor body when the secondary sensor continues to detect passengers after the alarm output means outputs an alarm. Approach warning device.   The said reverse approach detection means stops the detection of a passenger's reverse approach, when the frequency | count of detection in the predetermined time of the said primary sensor and the said secondary sensor is more than a reference value. Reverse approach alarm device.   The reverse entry warning device according to claim 1, wherein the reverse entry detection unit stops detecting a passenger's reverse entry during a preset time period.

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