JP2010024018A - Safety device for escalator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a safety device for escalator, further reduced in false detection and improved in detection accuracy. <P>SOLUTION: The safety device includes: a proximity sensor 6 which detects whether access of an object 5 to a skirt guard 3 is present or not; a time-series signal generation part 8 which generates time-series signals of the proximity sensor according to the presence/absence of the approaching object; an access detection part 410 which detects a difference between the time-series signals to determine presence or absence of the accessing object; and an alarm part 11 which gives an alarm to passengers of an escalator according to the access detection result. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a safety device for an escalator for preventing an accident in which an object such as shoes or clothes is caught in a gap between an escalator step and a skirt guard or a gap between a step and a riser.

  The escalator is operated as an endless row of trains by connecting a number of steps. Also, skirt guards are provided on the left and right sides of the steps with a slight gap from the steps. In such escalators, for example, foreign objects such as umbrellas, shoes, passenger clothes, etc. are caught between the riser part of the step and the step, or the foreign object is caught between the step and the skirt guard. It is necessary to prevent the occurrence of Therefore, various safety devices have been conventionally proposed.

For example, in Patent Document 1, as shown in FIG. 2, a transmissive photoelectric device in which a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion are opposed to the left and right skirt guard portions is provided, and the steps are moved at a constant cycle as the escalator is operated. A device using light shielding of light flux is disclosed. That is, the step reference signal is created using a light shielding operation having a certain periodicity. The elapsed time from the generation of such a step reference signal and the step moving distance are in a relative relationship. Therefore, if the preset time range from the time of the generation of the step reference signal is set as the effective detection band, and the transmission type photoelectric device or the reflection type photoelectric device detects an object in this effective detection band, the passenger's dangerous position boarding is detected. To detect. Here, the time when the step reference signal is generated is the time when the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit shift to the light shielding operation after the longest light receiving time for each step.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 58-56763

In the technique according to Patent Document 1 described above, as described above, the time when the step reference signal is generated is the time when the transmission type photoelectric device shifts to the light shielding operation after the longest light reception time for each step, and the step reference signal is generated. It is configured to detect a passenger's boarding at a dangerous position by a light shielding operation within a preset time range from the time. Therefore, there is a problem that correct detection cannot be performed depending on the shape of the step. Further, when there is no transmissive photoelectric device, there is a problem that correct detection cannot be performed.
Further, when the operating speed of the escalator is changed during driving, there is a problem that correct detection cannot be performed because the moving distance of the step changes.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a safety device for an escalator in which false detection is reduced and detection accuracy is improved as compared with the prior art. The purpose of this invention is to provide an escalator safety device that can perform correct detection without the need for such a light-shielded photoelectric device, and also to provide an escalator safety device that can also handle escalator speed changes. To do.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is configured as follows.
That is, the safety device for an escalator according to an aspect of the present invention is disposed at a position corresponding to the trajectory of the tread on the skirt guard of the escalator, and detects whether or not an object on the tread has approached the skirt guard. A time-series signal generation unit that is connected to the proximity sensor and generates an output from the proximity sensor according to the presence or absence of an approaching object as a time-series signal over time corresponding to the movement of the tread, and the time-series Connected to the signal generation unit, detects a difference in the time series signal caused by the presence or absence of the approaching object to determine the presence or absence of the approaching object, and is connected to the approach detection unit and the approaching And a warning unit for warning a passenger of the escalator according to the approach detection result of the detection unit.

  The escalator safety device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a proximity sensor and an approach detection unit, and detects a difference in time-series signals that is formed based on the output of the proximity sensor and changes due to the presence or absence of an approaching object. It was configured to determine the presence or absence of an approaching object. Therefore, it is possible to detect the approach of the object without detecting the step position using the light shielding sensor, and it is possible to reduce the false detection and improve the detection accuracy compared to the conventional case.

An escalator safety device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each figure, the same or similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals.
Here, the safety device prevents foreign objects such as passenger clothes from being caught in at least one of the gap between the skirt guard and the tread board and the gap between the tread board and the riser provided on the left and right of the steps constituting the escalator. In order to prevent this, the safety device of the escalator which detects that the foreign material approached at least one of the skirt guard and the riser and issues a warning to the passenger.
As a basic configuration of such an escalator safety device, as shown in a third embodiment described later with reference to FIG. 7, a proximity sensor, a time-series signal generation unit, an approach detection unit, and a warning unit are provided. It is the composition provided.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
An escalator safety device 95 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, as shown in FIG. 1, the safety device 95 of the escalator 40 according to the present embodiment includes a proximity sensor 6 and a light shielding sensor 7, which correspond to an example of a proximity detection sensor, a time series signal generation unit 8, and a step passage period detection. Unit 9, approach detection unit 10, and warning unit 11. Hereinafter, these components will be sequentially described.

  The proximity sensor 6 is a sensor that detects that the detection object has approached without contact with the sensor, and corresponds to the movement trajectory of the tread plate 2 among the side surfaces of the skirt guard 3 provided on the left and right of the step 1 of the escalator. It is installed in the area without protruding from the skirt guard 3 toward the step 1 so as not to interfere with the step board 2. As the proximity sensor 6, for example, a high-frequency oscillation type or a capacitance type proximity sensor can be used. Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, one proximity sensor 6 is provided on each of the left and right skirt guards 3 so as to face each other along the width direction 2b of the tread plate 2 with the center axes of both sensors being coincident. It is arranged on a straight line. However, there are no restrictions on the number and location of installations as long as they intersect the trajectory of the tread board 2. As the proximity sensor 6, in addition to the step 1, for example, an on-output is output when a detected object such as a passenger's foot or clothes, that is, an object 5 approaches a set distance or less, and an off-output is transmitted otherwise. Used, the set distance is set to about 20 mm, for example.

  Instead of the proximity sensor 6, a distance sensor that can obtain an output corresponding to the distance from the step 1 or the object 5 is used. If the output is less than the set distance, the output is on, and otherwise the output is off. It goes without saying that the same configuration is obtained by using the processing circuit.

  The light shielding sensor 7 is composed of a pair of light projecting portions and light receiving portions, and the step 1 from the skirt guard 3 to the region corresponding to the movement trajectory of the tread plate 2 in the side surface of the skirt guard 3 so as not to interfere with the tread plate 2. Without projecting to the side, the optical axes are aligned along the width direction 2b of the tread plate 2 so as to face each other and be installed on a straight line. The light shielding sensor 7 uses an output that is turned on when the step 1 or the object 5 is shielded between the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit, and is turned off otherwise. Due to such characteristics, in the present embodiment, the light shielding sensor detects that the object 5 is close to the riser 4 in order to prevent the object 5 from being caught in the gap between the riser 4 and the tread plate 2 of the step 1. 7 is provided. Therefore, the installation position is a position where the light beam passes through the boundary portion between the tread board 2 and the riser 4 as shown in the figure.

  In the present embodiment, both the proximity sensor 6 and the light shielding sensor 7 are provided as described above, but at least one of them may be provided.

  The time-series signal generator 8 is connected to the proximity sensor 6 and the light-shielding sensor 7 and detects the moving tread 2 and riser 4 as well as the feet and clothes of passengers approaching the skirt guard 3 and riser 4. The on / off outputs from the proximity sensor 6 and the light shielding sensor 7 according to the presence or absence of an approaching object are sampled at a constant sampling time interval and generated as a time-series signal 19 with the passage of time corresponding to the movement of the tread board 2.

  The step passage period detection unit 9 is connected to the time series signal generation unit 8 and calculates the step passage period 20 (FIG. 2) from the time series signals 19 of the proximity sensor 6 and the light shielding sensor 7 generated by the time series signal generation unit 8. To detect. As will be apparent from the following description, the step passage period 20 changes according to the moving speed of the tread board 2, that is, the operating speed of the escalator.

  The step passage period 20 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 shows an example of the time series signals 8a and 8b of the proximity sensor 6 and the light shielding sensor 7 when the tread board 2 of the escalator 40 is operated at a constant speed in the rising direction 90a in the moving direction 90 of the tread board 2. Is. As apparent from FIG. 2, the time series signals 8 a and 8 b of the proximity sensor 6 and the light shielding sensor 7 detect the step 1 by the proximity sensor 6 and the light shielding sensor 7. A specific time-series signal pattern is repeated according to the shape. Therefore, the step passage period 20 can be obtained by obtaining the period of this time series signal pattern. The step passing period 20 obtained in this way is sent to the approach detection unit 10 described later.

  Specifically, using the fact that the time series signals 8a and 8b of the sensors 6 and 7 repeat OFF, ON, and OFF twice within the step passage period 20, the step passage period 20 is obtained from the appearance time interval. . Alternatively, a time series signal pattern P having a predetermined time width from a certain start point in the time series signal 8a or the time series signal 8b is stored, and the time series signal pattern P having the same time width obtained by shifting the start point by the sampling time. The degree of coincidence with 'may be obtained, and the shift time amount with the highest degree of coincidence may be used as the step passage period 20. The predetermined time width may be arbitrarily set, but is preferably set to be equal to or greater than the maximum value of the range that the step passage period 20 can take from the viewpoint of preventing erroneous detection.

  As described above, since the step passage period 20 is obtained from the time series signal 8a or the time series signal 8b, it naturally changes when the moving speed of the step 1, that is, the operating speed of the escalator changes. .

  There are many known methods for obtaining the repetition period of the time-series signal pattern, and any of these methods may be used as a method for obtaining the step passage period 20.

  When the object 5 approaches the skirt guard 3 and the riser 4, the step passage period 20 cannot be detected correctly. Therefore, the average value or the median value may be used from the plurality of step passage periods 20 obtained recently, or when the detected values obtained by the plurality of sensors do not match, the step passage period obtained in the past 20 may be used instead.

  In addition, when the operation speed signal of the step 1 is obtained from an external sensor or the like, the step passage is determined based on the obtained operation speed of the escalator and the installation interval dimension of the step 1 that has been measured in advance or is already known. The period detector 9 may obtain the step passage period 20.

  For an escalator in which the operation speed is fixed and always constant and the operation speed is not changed, the step passage period detection unit 9 may be omitted by setting the step passage period 20 in advance before operation.

The approach detection unit 10 is connected to the time series signal generation unit 8 and the step passage period detection unit 9 to detect a time series signal difference caused by the presence or absence of the approaching object and to detect a time series signal difference. The presence or absence of the approaching object is determined from the difference between the time-series signals reflecting the passage period 20 and reflecting the tread board passage period 20.
Specifically, in the present embodiment, the approach detection unit 10 compares the reference time series signal pattern having a predetermined time width with the current time series signal pattern at the time of detection, and the time series signal patterns do not match. When the period is longer than the step passage period 20, it is determined that the object 5 is approaching the gap between the skirt guard 3 or the riser 4. Here, the step passage period 20 changes according to the change in the moving speed of the step 1 as described above, and the changed step passage period 20 is supplied from the step passage period detection unit 9 to the approach detection unit 10. Therefore, in determining that the object 5 is approaching the gap between the skirt guard 3 or the riser 4, the change in the moving speed of the step 1 is reflected.

The above-described determination operation will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B.
3A and 3B show an example of the time-series signal 8a when the step 1 or the object 5 approaches the proximity sensor 6 under the condition that the step 1 is driven in the ascending direction 90a at a constant speed. Of course, the time series signal 8b of the light shielding sensor 7 can also be taken.

  The time series signal 8a of the proximity sensor 6 repeats a specific time series signal pattern as described above according to the step shape of the tread board 2 and the riser 4 or the like. The stage 1 is moved at a constant speed under the condition that the approaching object does not exist, such as before the start of operation of the escalator or at the time of start-up, and as shown in FIG. The approach detection unit 10 stores the time series signal pattern 102. The predetermined time width 101 can be set at an arbitrary time, but it is desirable to set it to be equal to or larger than the time width of the step passage period 20 from the viewpoint of preventing erroneous detection.

  During operation of the escalator 40, the approach detection unit 10 extracts the latest time-series signal pattern with a predetermined time width 101 from the time-series signal 8 a of the proximity sensor 6 at each sampling time. As shown in FIG. 3B, the extracted time series signal pattern, for example, at the time of detection, for example, is 103. In FIG. 3B, the detection time series signal pattern 103 at each sampling time is indicated by a dotted line.

  Then, the approach detection unit 10 obtains the degree of coincidence between the reference time series signal pattern 102 and the detected time series signal pattern 103. As a method of obtaining the degree of coincidence, the number of coincident on-off outputs at corresponding times is examined in order from each start point of the reference time series signal pattern 102 and the detected time series signal pattern 103, and the number of coincidence is determined. Normalization is performed with a predetermined time width 101. If the degree of coincidence is equal to or greater than a preset threshold value, it is determined that the reference time series signal pattern 102 and the detected time series signal pattern 103 match.

If this process is repeated at each sampling time, when the object 5 is not approaching the proximity sensor 6, the reference time-series signal pattern 102 and the detected time-series signal pattern 103 match every step passage period 20. . On the other hand, when the object 5 is approaching the proximity sensor 6, the reference time series signal pattern 102 and the detected time series signal pattern 103 do not match even after the step passage period 20 has elapsed.
Therefore, the approach detection unit 10 causes the object 5 to approach the skirt guard 3 when the period in which the reference time series signal pattern 102 and the detection time series signal pattern 103 do not match is greater than the time width of the step passage period 20. The approach determination result signal 21 is turned on and output.

  The approach detection unit 10 is supplied with a step passage period 20 from the step passage period detection unit 9. As described above, the step passage period 20 changes according to the operating speed of the escalator. Therefore, according to the step passage period 20 at the time of detection, the step passage period detection unit 9 changes the predetermined time width 101, changes the reference time series signal pattern 102, and outputs it to the approach detection unit 10. Specifically, the approach detection unit 10 obtains a ratio between the reference step passage period when the reference time series signal pattern 102 is stored and the current step passage period at the time of detection, that is, at the time of detection. The time width of the reference time series signal pattern 102 is enlarged or reduced as a whole. Thereby, even when the step passage period 20 is changed, the object approach can be detected correctly.

  As another method for determining whether or not the object 5 approaches the skirt guard 3 or the riser 4, there is the following method. That is, the approach detection unit 10 approaches the object 5 when the on-time interval or the off-time interval of the time series signal 8a existing within the step passage period 20 is different from a preset reference value. Is determined.

  This will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B. FIG. 4A is the same time series signal as shown in FIG. 3A. The escalator is operated at a constant speed under the condition where the object 5 does not exist, such as before the start of operation of the escalator or at the start, and the approach detection unit 10 is configured to turn on the time series signal 302 of the time series signal 8a existing in the step passage period 301, 303 and off-time intervals 304 and 305 are stored in advance as reference values. As shown in the off time interval 305 in the figure, the time interval is obtained by regarding the portion corresponding to the boundary of the step passage period 301 as if the time series signals are connected in a loop shape as indicated by the dotted line.

  During the operation of the escalator 40, the approach detection unit 10 takes out the latest time series signal pattern at the time of detection in the time width of the step passage period 301 at regular time intervals, for example, every sampling time, and detects the detected time series. The on time interval and the off time interval in the signal pattern are examined. In the case of the time-series signal pattern 306 shown in FIG. 4B, the on time intervals are 307 and 308, and the off time intervals are 309 and 310. These on-time intervals and off-time intervals are compared with on-time intervals 302 and 303 and off-time intervals 304 and 305, which are reference values stored in advance. When the object 5 is approaching the proximity sensor 6, the value stored in advance and the current value do not match. Therefore, the approach detection unit 10 determines that the object 5 is the skirt guard 3 when the on-time interval or the off-time interval of the time-series signal 8a existing in the step passage period 301 is different from the preset reference value. It is determined that the gap is approaching, and the approach determination result signal 21 is turned on and output.

  In order to prevent erroneous detection due to noise or minute fluctuations in the speed of the step 1, only when either the on-time interval or the off-time interval of the time series signal 8a at the time of detection is different from the reference value by a certain value or more, You may comprise so that it may determine with not doing.

  Further, as described above, the approach detecting unit 10 is supplied with the step passing period 20 from the step passing period detecting unit 9, and the step passing period 20 changes according to the operating speed of the escalator. Therefore, the approach detection unit 10 may be configured to vary the on-time intervals 302 and 303 and the off-time intervals 304 and 305, which are reference values, according to the step passage period 20 at the time of detection. Specifically, all the on-time intervals 302 and 303 and the off-time intervals 304 and 305 are changed by the ratio of the reference step passage cycle when the reference value is stored and the detection step passage cycle at the time of detection. . Thereby, even when the step passage period 20 is changed, the object approach can be detected correctly.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, both the on-time interval and the off-time interval are used as the determination material. However, at least one of the on-time interval and the off-time interval may be used as the determination material.

  When the approach determination result signal 21 of the approach detection unit 10 is on, the warning unit 11 warns the passenger that an object 5 such as a foot or clothing is approaching the gap between the skirt guard 3 or the riser 4. . As a warning method, for example, a buzzer may be sounded or announced using a speaker, or a light emitter may be blinked. By such a warning operation, the object 5 can be prevented from being caught in the gap between the skirt guard 3 or the riser 4, and passenger safety can be achieved.

  In the above description of the present embodiment, the approach of the object 5 to the gap of the skirt guard 3 by the proximity sensor 6 has been described as an example, but the same applies to the approach of the object 5 to the gap of the riser 4 by the light shielding sensor 7. Needless to say, it can be detected by this method.

  According to the safety device 95 in the first embodiment described above, the reference time series signal pattern 102 is compared with the current time series signal pattern 103 at the time of detection, or the on-time in the time series signal 19 is determined. By comparing the reference value of the interval or off-time interval with the current value, the approach of the skirt guard 3 or riser 4 and the object 5 is determined, so that false detection is reduced compared to the conventional case, Highly accurate detection is possible.

  In addition, since the step passage period detection unit 9 is provided, even when the operating speed of the escalator 40 changes, the reference time series signal pattern 102 and the reference value of the on time interval or the off time interval according to the change. Can be changed. Therefore, the approach detection of the object 5 can be performed in response to the change in the driving speed of the escalator 40, and no erroneous detection due to the change in the driving speed of the escalator 40 occurs.

  Further, since the light shielding sensor 7 is disposed at a position corresponding to the riser 4 portion, it is possible to detect that the object 5 is approaching the riser 4.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of an escalator safety device 96 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Hereinafter, only components different from the configuration in the first embodiment will be described. That is, this embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that it further includes an operation stop detection unit 12, an operation speed change detection unit 13, and a malfunction prevention unit 14.

  The operation stop detection unit 12 is connected to the time series signal generation unit 8, and when detecting that the time series signal 19 by the proximity sensor 6 or the light shielding sensor 7 is not changed over time, that is, does not change over a certain time, the escalator Determines that the operation has been stopped, and turns on and outputs the operation stop determination result signal 22.

  The driving speed change detection unit 13 is connected to the time series signal generation unit 8 and the step passage period detection unit 9, and includes a previous time series signal pattern repeated in the tread board passage period, that is, the step passage period 20 described above, The current time series signal pattern at the time of detection is compared with the current time series signal pattern transmitted by all of the proximity sensor 6 and the light shielding sensor 7, and the current time series signal is compared with the previous time series signal pattern. When it is detected that the patterns are different at the same time, it is determined that the operating speed of the escalator has changed.

  Specifically, the driving speed change detection unit 13 checks the degree of coincidence of the time series signal patterns of the proximity sensor 6 and the light shielding sensor 7 by the same method as the approach detection unit 10 described above. When the operating speed of the escalator changes, the lengths of the time series signal patterns of all the proximity sensors 6 and the light shielding sensors 7 change. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the past time-series signal pattern 31 that is temporally continuous with the time width of the step passage period 20 and the current time-series signal pattern 32 that is detected are extracted and the degree of coincidence is examined. As a result, the degree of coincidence is low for all sensors. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, when two or more proximity sensors 6 are arranged on the left and right skirt guards 3, respectively, that is, at least two or more sensors are arranged at positions separated by a certain distance or more. The object 5 such as a shoe is unlikely to approach all sensors at the same time. Therefore, the object approach to the sensor is not erroneously detected as a change in the operating speed of the escalator. Accordingly, as described above, if the degree of coincidence of all the sensors is smaller than a preset threshold value, it is determined that the escalator operation speed has changed, and the operation speed change determination result signal 23 is turned on and output.

The malfunction prevention unit 14 is connected to the operation stop detection unit 12 and the operation speed change detection unit 13 and is constant when the operation stop determination result signal 22 is on or when the operation speed change determination result signal 23 is on. The invalidation signal 24 is turned on for a period.
When an escalator operation signal or an escalator operation speed signal is obtained from a sensor or the like provided in addition to the safety device 96, the malfunction prevention unit 14 causes the escalator to stop operation or change in operation speed according to these signals. Therefore, the invalidation signal 24 may be turned on for a certain period.

  The approach detection unit 210 is connected to the time-series signal generation unit 8, the step passage period detection unit 9, and the malfunction prevention unit 14, and the previous time-series signal pattern continuous in the time width of the step passage period 20 and the time of detection. Compare with a current time series signal pattern. As a result, when both time-series signal patterns are different, it is determined that the object 5 is approaching the gap between the skirt guard 3 or the riser 4.

  This will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 shows an example of a time-series signal when the object 5 approaches the proximity sensor 6 under the condition that the escalator 40 is operated in the ascending direction 90a at a constant speed. The approach detection unit 210 first extracts a past time-series signal pattern 31 that is temporally continuous in the time width of the step passage period 20 and a current time-series signal pattern 32 that is a detection time. Then, the degree of coincidence between the time series signal patterns 31 and 32 is examined. This coincidence detection method is the same as the above-described operation. If the degree of coincidence is smaller than a preset threshold value, the approach detection unit 210 indicates that the time series signal pattern 31 and the time series signal pattern 32 are different, that is, the object 5 approaches the gap of the skirt guard 3. The approach determination result signal 21 is turned on. When the invalidation signal 24 in the ON state is supplied from the malfunction prevention unit 14, the approach determination result signal 21 is turned off regardless of the determination of the coincidence.

  The warning unit 211 is connected to the approach detection unit 210 and the malfunction prevention unit 14, and when the invalidation signal 24 is off and the approach determination result signal 21 is on, the warning unit 211 notifies the passenger of the skirt guard 3 or the riser 4. A warning is given that an object 5 such as a passenger's foot or clothes is approaching the gap.

  In the description of the second embodiment, the object approach to the gap of the skirt guard 3 by the proximity sensor 6 has been described as an example, but the object approach to the gap of the riser 4 by the light shielding sensor 7 can also be detected by the same method. Needless to say.

According to the safety device 96 in the second embodiment described above, the past time-series signal pattern 31 continuous with the step passage period width is compared with the current time-series signal pattern 32 at the time of detection, so that the object 5 Added detection of approach. Therefore, erroneous detection is reduced as compared with the conventional case, and highly accurate detection is possible.
Further, as in the case of the first embodiment, since the step passage period detection unit 9 is provided, no erroneous detection occurs even when the operating speed of the escalator 40 changes.

  In addition, since the time series signal patterns of the previous and the current are compared, it is not necessary to prepare separate reference patterns and reference values for the escalator ascending operation and the descending operation. Therefore, the approach determination operation of the object 5 can be simplified as compared with the first embodiment.

  In addition, since the operation stop detection unit 12 is provided, the safety device 96 can determine the operation stop state of the escalator without obtaining the operation status information of the escalator from the external device.

  Furthermore, by providing the operating speed change detection unit 13, the safety device 96 can determine the change in the operating speed of the escalator without obtaining the operating status information of the escalator from the external device.

  Furthermore, by providing the malfunction prevention unit 14, when the operation stop detection unit 12 or the operation speed change detection unit 13 detects the escalator operation stop or the operation speed change, the approach detection unit or the warning unit is set for a certain period. Since only the invalidation is invalidated, it is possible to prevent erroneous detection caused by operation stop or operation speed change.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of an escalator safety device 97 according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. The safety device 97 is configured by the basic configuration of the safety device of the escalator in the embodiment of the present invention as described at the beginning. In the following, only the components different from the configuration in the first embodiment will be described.

In the present embodiment, only the proximity sensor 6 is provided as a sensor for detecting the approach of an object. The proximity sensor 6 has at least a pair of left and right skirt guards 3 arranged on the left and right skirt guards 3 in the same manner as in the first embodiment, with the sensor central axes aligned along the width direction 2b of the tread board 2.
In the present embodiment, the step passage period detection unit 9 provided in the first embodiment is not provided.

  The approach detection unit 410 is connected to the time-series signal generation unit 8 and compares the patterns of the respective time-series signals 19 from the paired proximity sensors 6. As a result of the comparison, if they do not match for a predetermined time or more, the approach detection unit 410 determines that the object 5 is approaching one of the left and right skirt guards 3. That is, since the shape of the tread board 2 is bilaterally symmetrical, the output of each pair of proximity sensors 6 arranged so that the central axes are opposed to each other is obtained when the object 5 is not approaching the skirt guard 3. The same time series signal pattern is obtained. On the other hand, when an object 5 such as a shoe approaches the skirt guard 3, the possibility that the object 5 approaches the paired proximity sensor 6 at the same timing is extremely low. It may be considered that the time-series signals 19 of the two become inconsistent. Therefore, as described above, when the time series signals 19 of the paired proximity sensors 6 do not coincide with each other for a predetermined time or more, the approach detection unit 410 determines that the object 5 is approaching the skirt guard 3 and approaches. The determination result signal 21 is turned on.

  The warning unit 11 issues a warning to the passenger when the approach determination result signal 21 in the on state is supplied.

  According to the safety device 97 in the third embodiment described above, since the light shielding sensor is not used, the erroneous detection due to the light shielding operation failure does not occur. In addition, the apparatus configuration can be simplified as compared with the first and second embodiments.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of an escalator safety device 98 according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. Hereinafter, only components that are different from the configuration in the first embodiment will be described.

In the present embodiment, only a proximity sensor is provided as a sensor for detecting the approach of an object. The proximity sensors 501 and 502 are arranged in parallel with the moving direction 90 of the tread board 2 and at least one pair at a positive integer multiple of the installation interval of the tread board 2. In the present embodiment, as shown in the figure, proximity sensors 501 and 502 are installed for only one of the skirt guards 3 existing on the left and right. Instead of the proximity sensors 501 and 502, the light shielding sensor 7 may be disposed.
In the present embodiment, the step passage period detection unit 9 provided in the first embodiment is not provided.

  The proximity detection unit 510 is connected to the pair of proximity sensors 501 and 502 and compares the patterns of the time-series signal 19 supplied from the proximity sensors 501 and 502. Is determined to be approaching the skirt guard 3. That is, the proximity sensors 501 and 502 are arranged in parallel with the movement trajectory of the tread board 2 and at the installation interval of the tread board 2. Therefore, when the object 5 is not approaching the skirt guard 3, the time-series signal patterns output from the proximity sensors 501 and 502 are the same. On the other hand, when the object 5 such as shoes is approaching the skirt guard 3, the possibility that the object 5 approaches the pair of proximity sensors 501 and 502 at the same timing is extremely low. , 502 may be considered to be inconsistent with each other. Therefore, when the time series signals 19 of the paired proximity sensors 501 and 502 do not coincide with each other for a predetermined time or more, the approach detection unit 510 determines that the object 5 is approaching the skirt guard 3 and the approach determination result The signal 21 is turned on.

  Needless to say, even when the light shielding sensor 7 is used instead of the proximity sensors 501, 502, the same operation as described above can be obtained. Needless to say, even when three or more sensors are arranged, it can be operated in the same manner as described above by regarding them as one set. Moreover, you may arrange | position a proximity sensor by the arrangement | positioning mentioned above to both the right and left skirt guards 3. FIG.

  According to the safety device 98 in the fourth embodiment described above, the above-described effects in the third embodiment can be achieved, and further the following effects can be obtained. That is, in the third embodiment, whether or not an object is approaching is determined only when the tread plate 2 passes in front of the proximity sensor 6, whereas in the fourth embodiment, a plurality of proximity sensors are moved in the direction 90 of the step 1. Therefore, the presence / absence of the approach of the object can be detected continuously. Therefore, for example, when the approach of an object is detected continuously, it can be determined that there is an approach of the object, and further, false detection can be reduced.

  In addition, it is also possible to comprise each embodiment mentioned above combining, In this case, the effect obtained by those embodiment is show | played.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the safety device of the escalator in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the time series signal produced | generated from each output of the proximity sensor with which the safety device of the escalator shown in FIG. 1 is equipped, and a light-shielding sensor. It is a figure which shows the reference | standard time series signal pattern in the time series signal shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows a time series signal when an object approach is detected in the time series signal shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the on-off period in the time series signal shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows a time series signal when an object approach is detected in the time series signal shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the safety device of the escalator in Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the approach detection part shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the safety device of the escalator in Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the safety device of the escalator in Embodiment 4 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 step, 2 step board, 3 skirt guard, 4 riser, 5 object, 6 proximity sensor, 7 shading sensor, 8 time series signal generator, 9 step passage period detector,
10 approach detection unit, 11 warning unit, 12 operation stop detection unit,
13 operation speed change detection unit, 14 malfunction prevention unit, 19 time series signal,
20 step passage period,
95-98 Escalator safety device.

Claims (12)

A proximity sensor that is arranged at a position corresponding to the trajectory of the tread on the skirt guard of the escalator, and detects whether or not an object on the tread is approaching the skirt guard;
A time-series signal generation unit that is connected to the proximity sensor and generates an output from the proximity sensor according to the presence or absence of an approaching object as a time-series signal with the passage of time corresponding to the movement of the tread;
An approach detection unit connected to the time series signal generation unit and detecting the presence of the approaching object by detecting a difference in the time series signal caused by the presence or absence of the approaching object;
A warning unit that is connected to the approach detection unit and warns the passenger of the escalator according to the approach detection result of the approach detection unit;
An escalator safety device characterized by comprising:   The approach detection unit is configured so that a mismatch period between a pattern of a reference time series signal that is a time series signal when the approaching object is not present and a pattern of a detection time series signal that is a time series signal at the time of detection is based on a tread board passage period. The safety device for an escalator according to claim 1, wherein it is determined that there is an approaching object by detecting a longer length.   The approach detection unit includes an on or off time interval in a reference time series signal that is a time series signal when the approaching object is not present, and an on or off time interval in a detection time series signal that is a time series signal at the time of detection. The escalator safety device according to claim 1, wherein a difference between the escalator is detected and it is determined that there is an approaching object.   The approach detection unit detects a difference between a previous time-series signal pattern repeated at the tread board passage period and a current time-series signal pattern at the time of detection, and determines that there is an approaching object. The escalator safety device described.   Connected to the time-series signal generator, detects the tread passage period that changes according to the moving speed of the tread from the time series signal, and changes the pattern of the reference time series signal according to the detected tread passage period The escalator safety device according to claim 2, further comprising a step passage period detection unit.   Connected to the time-series signal generator, detects the tread passage period that changes according to the moving speed of the tread from the time series signal, and turns on or off the reference time series signal according to the detected tread passage period The escalator safety device according to claim 3, further comprising a step passage period detection unit that changes the off-time interval.   The operation stop detection unit connected to the time series signal generation unit and detecting that the time series signal is unchanged over time and determining the operation stop of the escalator is further provided. The escalator safety device according to Item 1.   The proximity sensor is a conventional time series in which at least two sensors are arranged at a predetermined distance or more, connected to the time series signal generation unit and the step passage period detection unit, and repeated in the tread board passage period. It is determined that the operating speed of the escalator is changed by detecting that the current time-series signal pattern at the time of detection and the current time-series signal pattern transmitted by all the proximity sensors are different from the signal pattern at the same time. The escalator safety device according to claim 5 or 6, further comprising an operation speed change detection unit.   Connected to the time series signal generation unit and connected to the operation stop detection unit for detecting the escalator operation stop by detecting that the time series signal is unchanged over time, and the operation speed change detection unit, The escalator safety device according to claim 8, further comprising a malfunction prevention unit that detects an operation stop or a change in an operating speed of the escalator to invalidate the approach detection unit or the warning unit.   The proximity sensor is arranged at a positive integer multiple of the arrangement interval of the steps along the moving direction of the tread, and the proximity detection unit compares the time series signals of the paired proximity sensors, and exceeds a predetermined time. The escalator safety device according to claim 1, wherein if there is no match, it is determined that there is an approaching object. A light-shielding sensor that is disposed at a position corresponding to the trajectory of the tread on the skirt guard of the escalator, and that detects whether or not an object on the tread is approaching the riser of the step;
The time series signal generation unit further generates a time series signal from the output from the light shielding sensor,
The escalator safety device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the approach detection unit further determines the presence or absence of an approaching object to the riser.   The proximity sensors are arranged in at least a pair of left and right so that the central axes face each other, and the proximity detection unit compares the time series signals of the paired proximity sensors. The safety device for an escalator according to claim 1, wherein the safety device is determined to be present.

Images