JP2009029524A - Passenger conveyor monitoring device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a passenger conveyor monitoring device capable of easily and reliably identifying a large number of steps circulating in a truss. <P>SOLUTION: A radio IC tag 10 recorded with specific data of each step 1 is installed in each of a large number of steps 1 connected to one another in an endless manner. The specific data of each step 1 are read from the radio IC tag 10 by a tag reader 20, and each step 1 is identified based on the read specific data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a passenger conveyor monitoring device that monitors passenger conveyors such as escalators and moving walkways.

  Passenger conveyors such as escalators and moving walkways circulate and move a number of steps connected endlessly by a chain along the guide rails arranged inside the truss by motor drive. It is a structure that conveys from the entrance to the entrance.

In this type of passenger conveyor, many steps that are connected endlessly and circulate are all formed in the same shape in appearance, and therefore it is difficult to visually identify a specific step. For this reason, for example, in Patent Document 1, a barcode label is attached to each step, and the barcode is read by a barcode reader installed at a predetermined position in the movement path of the step so that the target step can be identified. It has been proposed to do.
JP 2000-53359 A

  However, the step of the passenger conveyor circulates in an environment where dirt such as dust and lubricating oil easily adheres to the interior of the truss. Therefore, in the technique proposed in Patent Document 1, the barcode attached to the step is used. There are many cases where reading errors occur due to contamination of the label, and the maintenance work becomes complicated (longer work time), resulting in inferior practicality. It was.

  The present invention was devised to solve the problems of the prior art as described above, and is a passenger conveyor monitoring device that can easily and reliably identify a number of steps that circulate and move inside a truss. It is intended to provide.

  The passenger conveyor monitoring device according to the present invention is installed at least in a predetermined step among a number of steps connected endlessly, and between the wireless IC tag in which unique data of the step is recorded and the wireless IC tag. Unique data reading means for performing wireless communication and reading the unique data recorded in the wireless IC tag. The step is identified based on the unique data read by the unique data reading means.

  According to the present invention, even if dirt is attached to a large number of steps that are connected endlessly and circulate and move inside the truss, the steps can be easily and reliably identified.

  Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each of the following embodiments, a case where an escalator in which a large number of steps move obliquely across the upper and lower floors is an object to be monitored is, of course, the present invention includes a number of steps continuously in the horizontal direction. The present invention can also be effectively applied when a moving sidewalk that moves is a monitoring target.

[First Embodiment]
First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an outline of an escalator monitoring apparatus according to a first embodiment to which the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, the escalator to be monitored is installed, for example, between an upper floor and a lower floor of a building, and is connected to a large number of steps 1 that are connected without gaps. The passenger boarded on Step 1 is transported by circulating movement between the floor side entrance and exit. Many steps 1 are connected by an endless chain 2 and are arranged in a truss 3 installed under the floor of the building. Inside the truss 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 has been. 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 has a structure that circulates between an entrance / exit on the upper floor side and an entrance / exit on the lower floor side along a guide rail (not shown).

  A pair of skirt guards 6 are installed in the truss 3 so as to face both the left and right side surfaces of Step 1 along the moving direction of Step 1, and balustrades 7 stand on the skirt guard 6. It is installed. 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.

  A number of Steps 1 connected endlessly and circulated between the upper floor entrances and lower floor entrances are all formed in the same shape, so they are identified visually. It is difficult to identify the first step. Therefore, in the escalator monitoring apparatus according to the present embodiment, the wireless IC tag 10 in which the unique data for each step 1 is recorded in the predetermined step 1 among these many steps 1, more preferably in each of the steps 1. The unique data recorded in the wireless IC tag 10 is read by a tag reader (unique data reading means) 20 so that each step 1 can be easily identified. The reading of the specific data from the wireless IC tag 10 by the tag reader 20 is performed by wireless communication using radio waves (or electromagnetic waves), so that the surface of the wireless IC tag 10 becomes dirty when step 1 circulates inside the truss 3. Even if the tag reader 20 is attached, the tag reader 20 can surely read the unique data for each step 1 recorded in the wireless IC tag 10, and can identify the step 1 reliably.

  The unique data of step 1 recorded in the wireless IC tag 10 includes, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, a number (step number) assigned to each step 1, or whether the step 1 is a general step or an inspection step. Identification information for identifying step 1 is included. In addition to the identification information in step 1, the unique data preferably includes information related to maintenance such as the use start date in step 1 and the date when the roller in step 1 was replaced for maintenance.

  For example, the tag reader 20 is configured to be portable so that maintenance personnel of an escalator to be monitored can hold it, and performs wireless communication with the wireless IC tag 10 by bringing the built-in antenna close to the wireless IC tag 10. The unique data for each step 1 recorded in the wireless IC tag 10 is read, and the read unique data for each step 1 is displayed on, for example, a display screen. The method of wireless communication between the tag reader 20 and the wireless IC tag 10 is not particularly limited, and various methods such as an electromagnetic induction method and a microwave method can be adopted. The tag reader 20 preferably has a function of not only reading data from the wireless IC tag 10 but also writing data to the wireless IC tag 20. If the tag reader 20 is also provided with a data writing function, it is possible to update the maintenance information of the unique data recorded in the wireless IC tag when maintenance personnel perform maintenance work.

  In the passenger conveyor monitoring device of the present embodiment, for example, during maintenance of the escalator, the maintenance staff of the escalator brings the tag reader 20 close to the wireless IC tag 10 installed in each step 1, thereby reading the unique data of each step 1 and reading the tag reader. 20 can be displayed. Then, the maintenance staff can identify each step 1 by looking at the display of the tag reader 2, and can grasp the status of past maintenance and can refer to maintenance work such as replacement of parts and refueling. . In addition, when maintenance work such as replacement of parts is performed, the maintenance information recorded in the wireless IC tag 10 is updated using the tag reader 20, so that useful information at the time of the next maintenance work is used as unique data. Can be retained.

  As described above, according to the escalator monitoring apparatus of the present embodiment, the unique data for each step 1 is read by the tag reader 20 from the wireless IC tag 10 installed in each step 1 of the escalator and read by the tag reader 20. Since each step 1 is identified based on the unique data, it is possible to effectively suppress the inconvenience that a reading error occurs due to the influence of dirt or the like adhering to step 1, and to easily and reliably identify each step 1. The maintenance workability can be greatly improved.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the outline of the escalator monitoring apparatus according to the second embodiment to which the present invention is applied. In the present embodiment, the tag reader 20 is fixedly installed at a predetermined position in the movement path of Step 1, and the unique data of Step 1 read by the tag reader 20 installed at the predetermined position is input to the control device 30. Reference numeral 30 designates the positions of a large number of steps 1 that are circulating and moving based on the specific data.

  In the escalator monitoring apparatus according to the present embodiment, the tag reader 20 is fixedly installed at a predetermined position on the moving path of Step 1, for example, near the horizontal portion on the upper floor side. Note that the installation position of the tag reader 20 is not particularly limited to the vicinity of the horizontal portion on the upper floor side, and is installed near the horizontal portion on the lower floor side as long as the position is along the movement path of Step 1. Alternatively, it may be installed in a skew portion between a horizontal portion on the upper floor side and a horizontal portion on the lower floor side. In addition, the tag reader 20 may be installed at a position where the skewed part is switched to the horizontal part, or may be installed at a position where the step 1 is reversed in the vicinity of the sprockets 4a and 4b. When the tag reader 20 is installed near the horizontal part on the upper floor side or the lower floor side, there is an advantage that the degree of freedom of the installation position of the wireless IC tag 10 with respect to step 1 is increased, and the tag reader 20 is skewed. When it is installed at the switching position from the horizontal portion or the skew portion to the horizontal portion, the extension of the chain 2 is determined from the reading interval of the unique data by the tag reader 20 as described in the sixth to eighth embodiments described later. In this case, there is an advantage that the determination accuracy can be improved. Further, when the tag reader 20 is installed at a position where the step 1 is reversed, the lack of the step 1 is determined from the interval of unique data by the tag reader 20 and the reading order as described in a ninth embodiment described later. In this case, there is an advantage that the determination accuracy can be improved.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a specific mounting structure of the tag reader 20. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the tag reader 20 is disposed in a space formed below the balustrade 7 that supports the handrail 8, and is on a surface opposite to the surface facing the step 1 of the skirt guard 6. It is attached via a bracket 9. An opening 6a is provided at a portion of the skirt guard 6 to which the tag reader 2 is attached. The tag reader 2 faces the side surface of each step 1 that circulates and moves through the opening 6a of the skirt guard 6, Wireless communication is performed with the wireless IC tag 10 installed on the side surface of Step 1 to read the unique data of Step 1. The wiring 20 a of the tag reader 20 is routed along the main material 3 a constituting the truss 3 and connected to the control device 30. The unique data of each step 1 read from the wireless IC tag 10 by the tag reader 20 is sent to the control device 30 via the wiring 20a and is input to the control device 30 as needed.

  A number of steps 1 connected endlessly sequentially pass through a predetermined position where the tag reader 20 is installed in the process of circulating along the movement path during operation of the escalator. At this time, the tag reader 20 reads the unique data of step 1 from the wireless IC tag 10 of step 1 that has passed the predetermined position, and outputs the read unique data to the control device 30.

  Each time each step 1 of the escalator passes through the predetermined position, the unique data of step 1 that has passed through the predetermined position is input to the control device 30. Here, since the unique data of each step 1 includes the identification information of each step 1 such as the step number as described above, the control device 30 determines from the timing when the unique data is input and the step number. The positions of a large number of steps 1 that are circularly moving can be specified.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the total number of steps is 45, and the step number of the inspection step as one reference among them is 1, the step number of the subsequent step is 2, and the step of the subsequent step If a step number that is a serial number from 1 to 45 is given to 45 consecutive steps, such as 3, the control device 30 is assigned a predetermined position where the tag reader 20 is installed in each step 1. Each time passes, unique data including step numbers as serial numbers is sequentially input. Therefore, in the control device 30, for example, at the timing when the unique data including the step number 30 is input, the step located at a predetermined position where the tag reader 20 is installed is the step of step number 30, and the subsequent steps are respectively steps. It can be specified that the steps are numbers 31, 32, 33.

  As described above, according to the escalator monitoring apparatus of the present embodiment, each time step 1 that circulates passes through a predetermined position where the tag reader 20 is installed, the unique data of step 1 is read and the control device 30. Therefore, the control device 30 can specify the positions of a large number of steps 1 that are cyclically moved from the timing at which the specific data is input and the step number included in the specific data, and can perform maintenance work. It is possible to improve the performance.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining the outline of the escalator monitoring apparatus according to the third embodiment to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating functional components of the escalator monitoring apparatus according to the third embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows a continuous connection.

  In the escalator monitoring device of this embodiment, the moving sound collecting device 40 is installed in at least one of the many steps 1 that circulate and the sound data of the escalator operating sound collected by the moving sound collecting device 40 is stored. Then, the signal is input to the control device 30 via the wireless reception device 50 installed outside the step 1. Further, the control device 30 specifies the position of step 1 where the moving sound collecting device 40 is installed by the method described in the second embodiment, and the sound data of the escalator operating sound collected by the moving sound collecting device 40. Can be transmitted to the remote monitoring device 60 installed at the remote monitoring center via the data communication line DT in association with the position of step 1 where the mobile sound collecting device 40 is installed.

  The moving sound collecting device 40 collects escalator operating sound while circulating along with step 1 when the escalator is in operation. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the mobile sound collecting device 40 converts a sound into an audio signal and outputs the sound signal, and converts the sound signal output from the sound collecting unit 41 into a radio signal and transmits the radio signal. A wireless transmission unit 42 and a power supply unit 43 that supplies power to the sound collection unit 41 and the wireless transmission unit 42 are provided. In the mobile sound collection device 40 having such a configuration, when power is supplied from the power supply unit 43 to the sound collection unit 41 and the wireless transmission unit 42 during operation of the escalator, the operation sound generated along with the operation of the escalator is collected. The sound signal is converted into a sound signal by the sound unit 41, and the sound signal is converted into a radio signal by the wireless transmission unit 42 and transmitted. Here, since the moving sound collection device 40 circulates together with step 1, the escalator operating sound collected at each point in the movement path of step 1 is transmitted as a radio signal. That is, the moving sound collecting device 40 collects the escalator operating sound over the entire process of the moving path in Step 1 and transmits it as a radio signal. The radio signal transmitted from the mobile sound collection device 40 is received by the radio reception device 50. Although FIG. 5 illustrates a state where the moving sound collecting device 40 is installed only in one step 1, the moving sound collecting device 40 may be installed in two or more steps 1.

  The wireless receiving device 50 receives the escalator operating sound collected by the mobile sound collecting device 40 and transmitted as a wireless signal, restores it to a sound signal, and outputs it. The wireless reception device 50 is connected to the control device 30 by a signal transmission cable, and the sound signal output from the wireless reception device 50 is input to the control device 30.

  In the escalator monitoring device of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the control device 30 uses the sound collection position, that is, the mobile sound collection device 40, as the sound collection position of the escalator operating sound collected by the mobile sound collection device 40. The monitoring voice data generation unit 31 that generates the monitoring voice data in association with the position of the installed step 1, and the monitoring voice data generated by the monitoring voice data generation unit 31 via the data communication line DT And a data transmission unit 32 for transmission to a remote monitoring device 60 installed in a remote monitoring center.

  As described in the second embodiment, each time the escalator step 1 passes a predetermined position where the tag reader 2 is installed, the unique data of step 1 that has passed the predetermined position is input to the control device 30. Is done. Since the unique data of each step 1 includes the identification information of each step 1 such as the step number as described above, the control device 30 determines the mobile data collection from the timing when the unique data is input and the step number. The position of Step 1 where the sound device 40 is installed can be specified. For example, as described in the second embodiment, the total number of steps is 45, in which the step number of the step in which the moving sound collecting device 40 is installed is 1, and the step number of the subsequent step is 2 Further, if a step number that is a serial number from 1 to 45 is given to 45 consecutive steps such as 3 as the step number of the subsequent step, the control device 30 stores the unique data including step number 1. When input, it is possible to specify that the step where the mobile sound collection device 40 is installed is located at a predetermined position where the tag reader 20 is installed, and thereafter, unique data including the step number 2 is input. At the timing when the specific data including step number 3 is input, the next step from the predetermined position is Three previous step from the predetermined position at the timing when specific data is input, including the group number 4, respectively, can move pickup device 40 is specified as being installed steps.

  For example, the monitoring audio data generation unit 31 of the control device 30 is configured to receive the unique data including the step number 1 from the tag reader 20 (the unique data of Step 1 in which the mobile sound collecting device 40 is installed) at the timing of receiving the wireless reception device. Input of the sound signal from 50 is started, and while the input sound signal is converted into monitoring sound data, the monitoring sound data is written to the temporary storage memory as needed. Then, when step 1 in which the mobile sound collecting device 40 is installed makes one round of the movement path and unique data including step number 1 is newly input from the tag reader 20, the monitoring audio data generation unit 31 performs monitoring. The accumulation of the voice data is finished, and this is used as the monitoring voice data for one round of the movement route in Step 1, and the monitoring voice data for one round corresponds to the position of Step 1 where the mobile sound collecting device 40 is installed. Hold on.

  The control device 30 is generated by the monitoring voice data generation unit 31 and stored in the primary storage memory when, for example, a remote voice monitoring device 60 installed in a remote monitoring center receives a monitoring voice data transmission command. The held monitoring voice data is transmitted from the data transmission unit 32 to the remote monitoring device 60 via the data communication line DT. Note that the transmission of the monitoring voice data from the control device 30 to the remote monitoring device 60 is not performed in response to a sending command from the remote monitoring device 60, but may be performed periodically at a predetermined time. Good.

  When the monitoring voice data is transmitted from the control device 30 at the escalator installation site via the data communication line DT, the remote monitoring device 60 installed in the remote monitoring center loads the monitoring voice data, and performs predetermined processing. Save it in a database. When detecting and verifying an abnormality of the escalator, for example, the monitoring sound data stored in the database or the like is reproduced, and the escalator operating sound is output from a speaker (not shown). At this time, the monitoring voice data is filed in units of data for one round of step 1 of the escalator to be monitored, and is associated with the position of step 1 where the mobile sound collecting device 40 is installed. Therefore, the escalator operating sound can be output from the speaker in synchronism with the position of Step 1 while displaying the position of Step 1 where the moving sound collecting device 40 is installed on a monitor (not shown). Therefore, it is possible to intuitively detect and verify an abnormality that has occurred in the escalator, and to check the situation appropriately and simply.

  As described above, according to the escalator remote monitoring device of the present embodiment, the remote monitoring device 60 installed in the remote monitoring center so that the sound collection position of the sound data of the operating sound of the escalator to be monitored can be known. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately detect and verify the abnormality of the escalator accompanied by the generation of abnormal noise at a remote place.

  In the example described above, the control device 30 at the escalator installation site accumulates the audio data for one lap of step 1, and the escalator operating sound data for the one lap as a data unit is stored in the remote monitoring center. However, it is also possible to transmit the sound data of the escalator operating sound collected by the mobile sound collecting device 40 to the remote monitoring device 60 in real time. In this case, the control device 30 converts the sound signal input from the wireless reception device 50 into sound data and transmits it to the remote monitoring device 60 via the data communication line DT as needed, and the unique data is input from the tag reader 20. The step number included in the specific data is transmitted to the remote monitoring device 60 at any time via the data communication line DT. Thereby, in the remote monitoring apparatus 60, the operating sound of the escalator to be monitored can be reproduced in real time while the sound collection position is known.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The escalator monitoring device of the present embodiment is a modification of the above-described third embodiment. The control device 30 detects the operating speed of the escalator to be monitored based on the reading interval of the unique data by the tag reader 20, and the escalator The operating speed information is transmitted to the remote monitoring device 60 together with the sound data of the operating sound.

  Depending on the specifications, the escalator to be monitored may change its operating speed, such as driving at high speed when there are many passengers and increasing transport capacity, and driving at low speed when there are few passengers and reducing power consumption. May be used. When detecting and verifying an escalator abnormality from the escalator operating sound, the escalator operating sound also changes depending on its operating speed, so the escalator operating speed information is also useful information for detecting and verifying the abnormality. Become.

  The configuration of the escalator monitoring device of this embodiment is the same as that of the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, but the control device 30 monitors based on the reading interval of the unique data by the tag reader 20. A function for detecting the operating speed of the target escalator is added. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 7, the operation in which the control device 30 detects the operating speed of the escalator will be described.

  As described above, the tag reader 20 installed at a predetermined position on the moving path of Step 1 is separated from the wireless IC tag 10 installed at Step 1 that passes through the predetermined position every time Step 1 passes through the predetermined position. The unique data of step 1 is read and output to the control device 30. Therefore, specific data is sequentially input from the tag reader 20 to the control device 30 at a time interval equal to the time required for the preceding step 1 to pass the predetermined position after the preceding step 1 passes the predetermined position. . The control device 30 measures the time interval when the unique data is input from the tag reader 20, that is, the unique data reading interval t by the tag reader 20. Here, since the interval between adjacent steps 1 is constant, the control device 30 detects the operating speed of the escalator by dividing the reading interval t of the unique data in the tag reader 20 by the interval between adjacent steps 1. be able to.

  When the control device 30 detects the operating speed of the escalator as described above, the information on the operating speed of the escalator is sent from the data transmitting unit 32 together with the monitoring voice data generated by the monitoring voice data generating unit 31 to the data. The data is transmitted to the remote monitoring device 60 via the communication line DT.

  As described above, according to the escalator monitoring device of the present embodiment, the control device 30 detects the operating speed of the escalator to be monitored based on the reading interval of the unique data by the tag reader 20, and the sound data of the operating sound of the escalator In addition, since the information on the operation speed is transmitted to the remote monitoring device 60, it is possible to more appropriately detect and verify the abnormality of the escalator accompanied by the occurrence of abnormal noise at a remote place.

[Fifth Embodiment]
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The escalator monitoring device of the present embodiment is a modification of the above-described third embodiment. The control device 30 detects the operation direction of the escalator to be monitored based on the reading order of the unique data by the tag reader 20, and the escalator In addition to the sound data of the operating sound, information on the driving direction is transmitted to the remote monitoring device 60.

  The escalator to be monitored may be used by switching the driving direction of the ascending operation and the descending operation depending on the time zone or day. When detecting and verifying an escalator abnormality from the escalator operating sound, the escalator operating sound also changes depending on the operating direction, so the information on the escalator operating direction is also useful information for detecting and verifying the abnormality. Become.

  The configuration of the escalator monitoring device of this embodiment is the same as that of the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, but the control device 30 monitors based on the reading order of the unique data by the tag reader 20. A function for detecting the driving direction of the target escalator is added. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 8, the operation in which the control device 30 detects the operating speed of the escalator will be described.

  As described above, the tag reader 20 installed at a predetermined position in the movement path of Step 1 reads the unique data of Step 1 that passes through the predetermined position every time Step 1 passes through the predetermined position, and the control device 30. Output to. Therefore, the unique data of each step 1 is sequentially input to the control device 30 according to the order of step 1 passing through the predetermined position. Since the unique data of each step 1 includes the step number of each step 1 as described above, the control device 30 determines the order of the step numbers included in the inputted unique data, that is, the unique data of the tag reader 20. By confirming the reading order, the operating direction of the escalator can be detected.

  For example, as in the example described in the second embodiment, when a step number that is a sequential number is assigned to successive steps 1, unique data including step number 1 and unique data including step number 2 during ascending operation, The unique data including step number 3 is input to the control device 30 in this order. On the contrary, during the descending operation, the unique data including step number 3, the unique data including step number 2, and the step are reversed. The unique data including the number 1 is input to the control device 30 in this order. Therefore, the control device 30 can detect the driving direction of the escalator by confirming the order of the step numbers included in the sequentially input unique data.

  When the control device 30 detects the driving direction of the escalator as described above, information on the driving direction of the escalator is sent from the data transmission unit 32 together with the monitoring voice data generated by the monitoring voice data generation unit 31 to the data. The data is transmitted to the remote monitoring device 60 via the communication line DT.

  As described above, according to the escalator monitoring device of the present embodiment, the control device 30 detects the operating direction of the escalator to be monitored based on the reading order of the unique data by the tag reader 20, and the sound data of the operating sound of the escalator In addition, since the information on the driving direction is transmitted to the remote monitoring device 60, it is possible to more appropriately detect and verify the abnormality of the escalator accompanied by the occurrence of abnormal noise at a remote place.

[Sixth Embodiment]
Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The escalator monitoring device of this embodiment is a modification of the above-described second embodiment, and the control device 30 compares the reading interval of the unique data by the tag reader 20 with a predetermined interval determined according to the operating speed of the escalator. Thus, it is determined whether or not the chain 2 connecting the multiple steps 1 is stretched.

  The chain 2 that connects a large number of steps 1 circulates by the driving force of the driving device 5 and circulates the step 1 where the load is applied, so that elongation occurs due to deterioration over time. Such elongation of the chain 2 is a factor that hinders the appropriate movement of step 1, and therefore, when the chain 2 is elongated, it is quickly detected and maintenance work such as adjusting the length is performed. It is required to do.

  The configuration of the escalator monitoring device of this embodiment is the same as that of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 2, but the control device 30 compares the reading interval of the unique data by the tag reader 20 with a predetermined interval. Thus, a function for determining whether or not the chain 2 is stretched is added. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 9, an operation in which the control device 30 determines the elongation of the chain 2 will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of processing in which the control device 30 determines the elongation of the chain 2 in the escalator monitoring device of the present embodiment.

  As described above, each time step 1 passes through the predetermined position where the tag reader 20 is installed, the unique data of step 1 read by the tag reader 20 is input to the control device 30. The time interval at which the unique data is input basically does not change if the escalator operating speed is constant, but when the chain 2 is stretched, the time interval at which the unique data is input is normal. Longer than that. Therefore, the control device 30 compares the time interval at which the unique data is input from the tag reader 20, that is, the interval at which the unique data is read by the tag reader 20 with the normal time interval (unit time reference) determined from the operating speed of the escalator. Then, it is determined whether or not the chain 2 is stretched. If it is determined that the chain 2 is stretched, a warning for prompting the adjustment of the chain 2 is output.

  Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, the control device 30 measures the time interval until the unique data for the predetermined number of integrated stages is input from the tag reader 20. This time interval is equal to the time required for step 1 corresponding to the number of accumulated steps to pass a predetermined position. For example, if the number of accumulated steps is 10, it is the time required for step 1 for 10 steps to pass the predetermined position. . In addition, the control device 30 determines that a unit time reference determined according to the operating speed of the escalator, that is, a normal step in which the chain 2 is not stretched, and a subsequent step 1 after a predetermined position passes through a predetermined position are predetermined. The time required to pass the position is integrated by the number of integrated stages, and the total reading time of the unique data for the integrated stage number in the normal state is obtained. Then, the control device 30 compares these values, and the inherent data reading time corresponding to the actually measured number of integrated stages is longer than the total time corresponding to the integrated stage number of the inherent data reading time in the normal state, and the difference is When the predetermined reference value is exceeded, it is determined that the chain 2 is stretched, and a warning for prompting adjustment of the chain 2 is output.

  As described above, according to the escalator monitoring device of the present embodiment, the control device 30 determines whether or not the chain 2 is stretched based on the reading interval of the unique data by the tag reader 20, and When the elongation occurs, a warning for prompting the adjustment is output, so that the maintenance workability can be improved.

  In the example described above, the extension of the chain 2 is determined based on the reading time of the specific data corresponding to the predetermined number of integrated stages in consideration of the error in the installation position of the wireless IC tag 10 with respect to each step 1. However, when the installation position of the wireless IC tag 10 with respect to each step 1 is guaranteed, the elongation of the chain 2 is determined from the reading time of each specific data, not the total reading time of the integrated stage number. In addition, the reading time for a plurality of times of the unique data of each step 1 when each step 1 is circularly moved over the movement route a plurality of times is added. The elongation may be determined. In this case, it is also possible to specify the location where the local elongation of the chain 2 occurs.

  In the example described above, when the control device 30 determines that the chain 2 is stretched, a warning that prompts maintenance work such as adjustment of the length of the chain 2 is output. As shown in the third embodiment, the control device 30 and the remote monitoring device 60 installed in the remote monitoring center are connected by the data communication line DT, and information indicating that the chain 2 is stretched, You may make it transmit to the remote monitoring apparatus 60 via the data communication line DT from the control apparatus 30. FIG. In this case, it is possible to accurately grasp the growth of the chain 2 of the escalator to be monitored at a remote place.

  In the example described above, it is assumed that the wireless IC tag 10 is installed on either the left or right side of each step 1 and the unique data is read from the wireless IC tag 10 of each step 1 by one tag reader 20. However, the wireless IC tags 10 are installed on both the left and right sides of each step 1, and each of the left and right tag readers 20 reads the unique data from both the left and right wireless IC tags 10 of each step 1, You may make it determine the elongation of the two chains 2 which connect right and left of step 1. FIG. In this case, even when only one of the two chains 2 extends, that is, when the so-called one-stretching of the chain 2 occurs, this can be reliably detected.

[Seventh Embodiment]
Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described. The escalator monitoring device of the present embodiment is a modification of the above-described sixth embodiment. When the control device 30 determines that the chain 2 is stretched, the chain 2 is changed according to the degree of the stretch. Are output while switching between a warning for prompting adjustment and a notification for calling attention.

  As described above, when the chain 2 connecting a large number of steps 1 is stretched, adjustment is required. However, depending on the degree of elongation of the chain 2, there is not much urgency, and during regular maintenance, the adjustment is required. In some cases, adjustment may be performed, and enabling maintenance personnel to confirm this is very effective in performing maintenance work systematically.

  The configuration of the escalator monitoring device of the present embodiment is the same as the configuration of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 2, but the control device 30 determines whether or not the chain 2 is stretched, and If the degree of is large, a warning for prompting adjustment is output, and if the degree of elongation is small, a function for giving a notice to call attention is added. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 10, an operation in which the control device 30 determines the elongation of the chain 2 and performs a warning output or alert notification will be described.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a specific example of processing in which the control device 30 determines the elongation of the chain 2 and outputs a warning or alerts attention in the escalator monitoring device of the present embodiment.

  As in the sixth embodiment described above, the control device 30 measures the time interval until unique data for a predetermined number of integrated stages is input from the tag reader 20. This time interval is equal to the time required for step 1 corresponding to the number of accumulated steps to pass a predetermined position. For example, if the number of accumulated steps is 10, it is the time required for step 1 for 10 steps to pass the predetermined position. . In addition, the control device 30 determines that a unit time reference determined according to the operating speed of the escalator, that is, a normal step in which the chain 2 is not stretched, and a subsequent step 1 after a predetermined position passes through a predetermined position are predetermined. The time required to pass the position is integrated by the number of integrated stages, and the total reading time of the unique data for the integrated stage number in the normal state is obtained. And the control apparatus 30 calculates | requires the difference by comparing these values.

  Next, the control device 30 determines whether or not the difference between the actually measured inherent data reading time corresponding to the integrated stage number and the total time corresponding to the integrated stage number of normal data reading time in the normal time is greater than the first threshold value. Determine. If the difference is larger than the first threshold value, a warning for urging adjustment of the chain 2 is output. On the other hand, if the difference is less than or equal to the first threshold, no warning is output.

  In addition, when the difference between the actually measured unique data reading time corresponding to the integrated stage number and the total time corresponding to the integrated stage number of the unique data reading time in the normal state is equal to or less than the first threshold, the control device 30 determines that the difference is It is determined whether or not it is greater than a second threshold value that is lower than the first threshold value. And if the difference is larger than a 2nd threshold value, the alerting | reporting for alerting about the elongation of the chain 2 will be performed. On the other hand, if the difference is equal to or smaller than the second threshold, it is determined that the chain 2 is not stretched, and neither a warning is output nor a warning is notified.

  As described above, according to the escalator monitoring device of the present embodiment, the control device 30 determines the degree of elongation of the chain 2 based on the reading interval of the unique data by the tag reader 20, and the degree of elongation of the chain 2 is determined. If urgency is required, a warning prompting adjustment of the chain 2 is output, and if the degree of elongation of the chain 2 is at a low level of urgency, a notification is issued to call attention. Workability can be further improved.

  Note that, in the escalator monitoring device of the present embodiment as well, in the same way as in the sixth embodiment described above, the reading time for a plurality of times of unique data when each step 1 circulates the movement path a plurality of times is added. Then, based on this, the degree of elongation of the chain 2 may be determined, or a warning or warning notice output by the control device 30 is installed at a remote monitoring center via the data communication line DT. You may make it transmit to the remote monitoring apparatus 60 which did. It is also possible to perform warnings and alerts for the chain stretch, by reading the unique data on both the left and right sides of step 1.

[Eighth Embodiment]
Next, an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The escalator monitoring apparatus according to the present embodiment is a modification of the above-described sixth embodiment, and the unique data in each step 1 is read in parallel by two tag readers so that a unique data reading error or suddenly occurs. This makes it possible to prevent misjudgment due to the influence of various noises.

  FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining the outline of the escalator monitoring apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 12 is a specific example of processing in which the control device 30 determines the elongation of the chain 2 in the escalator monitoring apparatus according to the present embodiment. It is a figure explaining.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the configuration of the escalator monitoring device of this embodiment is basically the same as the configuration of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 2, but the wireless IC tag installed in each step 1 Two tag readers 20 a and 20 b are provided as tag readers 20 that read unique data from 10, and these two tag readers 20 a and 20 b are respectively connected to the control device 30. Then, the control device 30 determines whether or not the chain 2 is stretched based on the reading interval of the unique data by these two tag readers 20a and 20b.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, for example, the control device 30 measures the time interval until the unique data for the predetermined number of integrated stages is input from the tag reader 20a, and according to the operating speed of the escalator. A unit time standard to be determined is integrated by the number of integrated steps to obtain a total of reading times of unique data corresponding to the number of integrated steps in a normal state, and these values are compared. In parallel with this, the control device 30 measures the time interval until the unique data for the predetermined number of integrated stages is input from the tag reader 20b, and sets the unit time reference determined according to the operating speed of the escalator. Integration is performed using the number of integrated stages, and the total reading time of the unique data corresponding to the number of integrated stages in the normal state is obtained and these values are compared. Then, the control device 30 determines the difference between the unique data reading time corresponding to the accumulated number of steps by the tag reader 20a and the total time corresponding to the accumulated step number of the unique data reading time at the normal time, and the unique data reading time corresponding to the accumulated number of steps by the tag reader 20b. When the difference between the normal data reading time and the total time corresponding to the total number of stages exceeds the predetermined reference value determined in advance, it is determined that the chain 2 is stretched and the chain 2 A warning prompting you to adjust is output.

  As described above, according to the escalator monitoring device of the present embodiment, the control device 30 is connected to the chain 2 when both the reading intervals of the unique data by the two tag readers 20a and 20b are larger than normal. Since it is determined whether or not the elongation has occurred, the reading interval of the unique data is accurately set when one of the tag readers 20a and 20b has a reading error of the unique data or due to sudden noise or the like. Even when measurement is not possible, erroneous determination due to these effects can be effectively prevented, and the elongation of the chain 2 can be determined more accurately.

  Note that, in the escalator monitoring device of the present embodiment as well, in the same way as in the sixth embodiment described above, the reading time for a plurality of times of unique data when each step 1 circulates the movement path a plurality of times is added. Based on this, the elongation of the chain 2 may be determined, or a warning output from the control device 30 is transmitted to the remote monitoring device 60 installed in the remote monitoring center via the data communication line DT. You may make it do. It is also possible to issue a warning about the chain stretch by reading the unique data on both the left and right sides of step 1.

[Ninth Embodiment]
Next, a ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The escalator monitoring device of this embodiment is a modification of the second embodiment described above, and the control device 30 circulates and moves in a cyclic manner based on the reading interval and reading order of unique data by the tag reader 20. It is determined whether or not a part of step 1 is missing. If it is determined that a missing part is present in step 1, the operation of the escalator is stopped urgently.

  As described above, the multiple steps 1 of the escalator are basically all the steps 1 connected endlessly by the chain 2 and each step 1 circulates along the movement path. It is also assumed that a part of step 1 is lost when the connection part is damaged. If the escalator operation is continued in such a state, there is a risk of unexpected failure, etc., so that if step 1 is lost, it is detected quickly and the escalator operation is immediately stopped. It is required to make it.

  The configuration of the escalator monitoring device of the present embodiment is the same as the configuration of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 2, but the control device 30 is based on the reading interval and reading order of unique data by the tag reader 20. In addition, it is determined whether or not step 1 is missing, and when step 1 is missing, a function of emergency stopping the operation of the escalator is added. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 13, an operation in which the control device 30 detects the lack of step 1 and urgently stops the escalator operation will be described.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a process in which the control device 30 detects the lack of step 1 in the escalator monitoring device of the present embodiment.

  A number of steps 1 connected endlessly by the chain 2 sequentially pass through a predetermined position where the tag reader 20 is installed, so that the unique data of step 1 passing through the predetermined position is read in order by the tag reader 20, The data are sequentially input to the control device 30. The time interval at which the unique data of each step 1 is input to the control device 30 basically does not change if the operating speed of the escalator is constant. However, when some of the steps 1 are missing. The time interval in that part becomes longer. In addition, the order of the unique data input to the control device 30 (the order of the step numbers included in each unique data) is a predetermined order in each of the case where the escalator is in the ascending operation and the case where the escalator is in the descending operation. However, when a part of many Steps 1 is missing, unique data (step number) of that part is missing. Therefore, the control device 30 inputs the specific data from the tag reader 20 when the time interval is longer than the normal time interval (unit time reference) determined from the operating speed of the escalator, or from the tag reader 20. When the order of the unique data thus determined does not match the order according to the operation direction of the escalator, it is determined that a part of many steps 1 is missing, and the operation of the escalator is stopped urgently. .

  Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 13, the control device 30 follows the time interval at which the unique data of each step 1 is input from the tag reader 20, that is, the preceding step 1 passes after a predetermined position. The time interval until step 1 passes the predetermined position is measured. Then, the measured time interval is compared with the normal time interval (unit time reference) to check whether the measured time interval is larger than the unit time reference. This confirmation of the time interval is repeated each time new unique data is input from the tag reader 20. Further, the control device 30 refers to the step number of the unique data input from the tag reader 20 and compares the step number with the sequence data determined in advance according to the driving direction of the escalator. Check that the are entered in the correct order. Then, when the time interval at which the unique data is input is larger than the unit time reference, or when the unique data of each step 1 is not input in the correct order, the control device 30 performs a number of steps 1. Is determined to be missing, and a control signal for stopping the operation of the escalator is output.

  As described above, according to the escalator monitoring device of the present embodiment, the control device 30 is part of a number of steps 1 that are cyclically moved based on the reading interval and reading order of the unique data by the tag reader 20. If it is determined whether or not there is a missing part and it is determined that there is a missing part in Step 1, the operation of the escalator is stopped urgently. It is possible to prevent inconvenience that an unexpected failure occurs due to the continuing operation.

  As described above, the first to ninth embodiments have been specifically described as specific examples of the escalator monitoring device to which the present invention is applied. However, the technical scope of the present invention is disclosed in the description of each of the above embodiments. The present invention is not limited to the above-described technical matters, but includes modifications and application examples that are naturally derived based on the above disclosure and in view of general technical common sense.

The schematic diagram explaining the outline | summary of the escalator monitoring apparatus of 1st Embodiment. The schematic diagram explaining the outline | summary of the escalator monitoring apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the specific attachment structure of a tag reader. The schematic diagram explaining the method of pinpointing the position of each step based on the specific information of each step read with the tag reader. The schematic diagram explaining the outline | summary of the escalator monitoring apparatus of 3rd Embodiment. The block diagram which shows the functional connection of each component which comprises the escalator monitoring apparatus of 3rd Embodiment. The schematic diagram explaining the method in which the control apparatus detects the operating speed of an escalator based on the reading interval of the specific data by a tag reader in the escalator monitoring apparatus of 4th Embodiment. The schematic diagram explaining the method in which the control apparatus detects the driving | running direction of an escalator based on the reading order of the specific data by a tag reader in the escalator monitoring apparatus of 5th Embodiment. The figure explaining the specific example of the process which a control apparatus determines the elongation of a chain in the escalator monitoring apparatus of 6th Embodiment. In the escalator monitoring apparatus of 7th Embodiment, the figure which demonstrates the specific example of the process in which a control apparatus determines the elongation of a chain, and outputs a warning or alert | reports alerting. The schematic diagram explaining the outline | summary of the escalator monitoring apparatus of 8th this embodiment. The figure explaining the specific example of the process in which the control apparatus determines the elongation of a chain in the escalator monitoring apparatus of 8th Embodiment. The figure explaining the specific example of the process in which the control apparatus detects the missing | missing step in the escalator monitoring apparatus of 9th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 step 2 chain 10 wireless IC tag 20 (20a, 20b) tag reader 30 control device 31 monitoring voice data generation unit 32 data transmission unit 40 mobile sound collection device 50 wireless reception device 60 remote monitoring device DT data communication line

Claims (11)

A monitoring device for a passenger conveyor that circulates a number of steps connected endlessly and conveys passengers who have boarded the steps,
A wireless IC tag installed in at least a predetermined step among the plurality of steps, in which unique data of the step is recorded;
A wireless communication with the wireless IC tag, and a unique data reading means for reading the unique data recorded on the wireless IC tag,
A passenger conveyor monitoring device, wherein a step is identified based on the unique data read by the unique data reading means. The unique data reading means reads the unique data of the step installed at a predetermined position in the movement path of the step and passing through the predetermined position,
A control means for inputting the unique data of the step read by the unique data reading means as needed;
2. The passenger conveyor monitoring according to claim 1, wherein the control unit specifies positions of the multiple steps that circulate based on the unique data input from the unique data reading unit. apparatus. A moving sound collecting means that is installed in at least one of the multiple steps and circulates and moves together with the steps to collect the operating sound of the passenger conveyor;
3. The passenger conveyor according to claim 2, wherein the control means specifies the position of the step where the moving sound collecting means is installed based on the unique data input from the unique data reading means. Monitoring device.   The control means associates the sound data of the operating sound of the passenger conveyor collected by the moving sound collecting means with the position of the step where the moving sound collecting means is installed, via a data communication line. 4. The passenger conveyor monitoring device according to claim 3, wherein the passenger conveyor monitoring device is transmitted to a remote monitoring device installed in a remote place.   The control means detects an operating speed of the passenger conveyor based on a reading interval of the unique data by the unique data reading means, and information on the operating speed of the passenger conveyor is voice data of operating sound of the passenger conveyor. In addition, the passenger conveyor monitoring device according to claim 4, wherein the passenger conveyor monitoring device is transmitted to a remote monitoring device installed in a remote place via a data communication line.   The control means detects the operation direction of the passenger conveyor based on the reading order of the unique data by the unique data reading means, and information on the operation direction of the passenger conveyor and voice data of operation sound of the passenger conveyor In addition, the passenger conveyor monitoring device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the information is transmitted to a remote monitoring device installed in a remote place via a data communication line.   The control unit compares the reading interval of the unique data by the unique data reading unit with a predetermined interval determined according to the operation speed of the passenger conveyor, and the chain connecting the multiple steps is stretched. The passenger conveyor monitoring device according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein it is determined whether or not there is any.   The control means issues a warning for prompting adjustment of the chain when the difference between the reading interval of the unique data by the unique data reading means and the predetermined interval exceeds a first threshold, and the difference is The passenger conveyor according to claim 7, wherein a warning is issued when a second threshold value that is lower than the first threshold value and lower than the first threshold value is exceeded. Monitoring device. The unique data reading means includes a first reading means and a second reading means,
The control device sets the reading interval of the unique data by the first reading means and the reading interval of the unique data by the second reading means to a predetermined interval determined according to the operating speed of the passenger conveyor, respectively. The passenger conveyor monitoring device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein, by comparison, it is determined whether or not the chain connecting the multiple steps is stretched.   The control means determines whether or not there is a missing part in the multiple steps based on the reading interval and reading order of the unique data by the unique data reading means, The passenger conveyor monitoring device according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein when it is determined that the passenger conveyor is missing, the operation of the passenger conveyor is stopped.   11. The unique data of a step recorded on the wireless IC tag includes identification information for identifying the step and maintenance information related to maintenance of the step. The passenger conveyor monitoring device described in 1.

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