JP2013170021A - Passenger conveyor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detect an object on treads while reducing the number of detection sensors.SOLUTION: A passenger conveyor includes: a sensor provided on one of two wall surfaces erected on both sides of the treads, which transmits a signal wave to the other wall surface, receives a reflected wave thereof, and has a predetermined detection length in a tread moving direction; and a control unit which moves the treads by a predetermined moving distance longer than the detection length of the sensor, acquires a reception result of the sensor, and determines whether there is an object in an area of the predetermined moving distance, on the basis of the reception result.

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for detecting an object on a passenger conveyor.

  In order to detect a passenger on a passenger conveyor, a technique using a range sensor that scans light and a technique using a number of human detection sensors arranged on the passenger conveyor are known (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

JP 2008-303057 A JP 2002-68656 A

  However, the area where an object can be detected by the range sensor is limited. Moreover, in order to detect over a wider area | region, many sensors are required.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a technique for detecting an object on a step and reducing the number of sensors for detection.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the passenger conveyor according to the present invention is provided on one wall surface of two wall surfaces standing on both sides of the step, transmits a signal wave to the other wall surface, and reflects the reflected wave. A sensor having a predetermined detection range length in the step movement direction, moving the step by a predetermined movement distance longer than the detection range length of the sensor, and obtaining a reception result of the sensor And a control unit that determines whether or not there is an object in an area over the predetermined movement distance based on the reception result.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to detect an object on a step and reduce the number of sensors for detection.

It is a side view which shows the structure of the escalator in 1st embodiment. It is a top view which shows the structure of the escalator in 1st embodiment. It is a top view which shows the getting-off deck vicinity in 1st embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the getting-off deck vicinity in 1st embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the electrical component of the escalator in 1st embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the driving | operation start process in 1st embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the getting-off deck vicinity when there is a space in the outer side of a handrail. It is a top view which shows the structure of the escalator in 3rd embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the electrical component of the escalator in 3rd embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the driving | operation start process in 3rd embodiment. It is a top view which shows the structure of the escalator in 4th embodiment. It is a top view which shows the range sensor and reflector in 4th embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the driving | operation start process in 4th embodiment. It is a top view which shows the structure of the escalator in 4th embodiment. It is a top view which shows the ultrasonic sensor vicinity in case a passenger remains.

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

(First embodiment)
Here, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an escalator, a range sensor is provided in the escalator, and passenger detection is performed before the start of operation will be described.

  First, the structure of the escalator 1a in this embodiment is demonstrated.

  FIG. 1 is a side view showing the structure of the escalator 1a in the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the structure of the escalator 1a in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, an example in which the escalator 1a is an ascending escalator will be described. The escalator 1a includes a plurality of steps 11 that are connected to each other and circulate, a boarding deck 14 that is provided at the end of the step 11 that is exposed on the floor surface (the lowest level), and a floor deck that is exposed to the floor. A descending deck 13 provided at the front end (uppermost stage) of the step 11, a balustrade 15 a erected on the right side of the step 11, and a balustrade erected on the left side of the step 11. 15b, handrails 16a and 16b that are slidably supported by the balustrades 15a and 15b and circulate and move in conjunction with the step 11, and a skirt guard 22a that covers the lower part of the balustrade 15a and the lower part of the handrail 16a, respectively. The skirt guard 22b covers the lower part of the balustrade 15b and the lower part of the handrail 16b. The escalator 1a further includes a range sensor 51 provided on the skirt guard 22a so as to face the skirt guard 22b.

  During operation of the escalator 1a, when the passenger gets on the step 11 at the end in the traveling direction from the boarding deck 14, the passenger moves in the traveling direction together with the step 11 and the handrails 16a, 16b, and gets off from the step 11 at the leading end in the traveling direction to the getting-off deck 13. . After the operation of the escalator 1a is completed, the passenger P may enter the step 11 in some cases. Therefore, it is necessary to confirm whether or not the passenger P remains on the step 11 at the start of operation. FIG. 2 described above shows a state where the passenger P is lying on the step 11.

  FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the vicinity of the dismounting deck 13 in the first embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of the dismounting deck 13 in the first embodiment. The range sensor 51 is provided in a part of the skirt guard 22a adjacent to the step 11 in the vicinity of the dismounting deck 13.

  The range sensor 51 transmits a light beam 57 (signal wave) with high directivity, receives reflected light, and scans the beam 57. For example, the range sensor 51 scans the beam 57 by rotating the beam 57 of the laser beam at an angular velocity ω by a motor, and detects an obstacle based on the reflected light from the object and the angle of the beam 57 at that time. The detectable region 56, which is a region in which the range sensor 51 can detect passengers, is inside a circle centered on the range sensor 51 and having a predetermined detectable distance r as a radius within the plane including the range sensor 51. The detectable region 56 in this embodiment is in a horizontal plane. The detectable distance r is longer than the width of the step 11 (the distance between the skirt guards 22a and 22b) W. Further, of the areas on the step 11, the area where the entire width W is included in the detectable area 56 is set as a detection range, and the length of the detection range in the traveling direction of the step 11 (length of the detection range in the step movement direction). Is the detection range length L. Further, the moving speed of the step 11 is assumed to be v.

  The height of the range sensor 51 and the detectable region 56 is higher than the upper surface of the nearest step 11. The height from the step 11 to the range sensor 51 is lower than the height of the passenger P when the passenger P is lying on the step 11.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electrical components of the escalator 1a in the first embodiment. The escalator 1a further detects a passenger on the step 11 based on the detection data, a drive unit 31 that drives the step 11 and the handrails 16a and 16b, an input circuit 34 that converts the detection result of the range sensor 51 into detection data, and the like. The control unit 35 calculates control data for controlling the drive unit 31 and the range sensor 51 based on the detection result, and the output circuit 36 for controlling the drive unit 31 and the range sensor 51 based on the control data. . The control unit 35 includes a memory 41 that stores a program and data for processing of the control unit 35, and a CPU 42 that executes processing of the control unit 35 based on the program and data stored in the memory 41. The CPU 42 executes passenger detection processing and control processing based on the programs and data stored in the memory 41.

  Next, the operation start process of the escalator 1a will be described. The driving start process is a process for starting normal operation of the escalator 1a after confirming that no passengers remain on the step 11. Before starting the normal operation, an operation for passenger detection is performed as the operation start process, which is distinguished from the normal operation as the preliminary operation. The speed of the preliminary operation may be the same as the speed of the normal operation, but is preferably smaller than the speed of the normal operation.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation start process in the first embodiment. When the control unit 35 receives an operation start processing instruction, this flow is started. First, the control part 35 makes the step 11 exposed before a driving | operation start process the object of passenger detection, and determines whether the passenger detection with respect to all the target steps 11 was complete | finished (S411).

  When it is determined that the passenger detection for all of the target steps 11 has been completed (S411, Y), the control unit 35 recognizes that it is normal and starts driving by operating the drive unit 31 (S491). This flow is finished.

  When it is determined in S411 that the passenger detection for all of the target steps 11 has not been completed yet (S411, N), the control unit 35 operates the range sensor 51 using the output circuit 36, whereby the input circuit 34, the detection data of the range sensor 51 is acquired (S423), and based on the acquired detection data, it is determined whether a passenger remains in the detection range (S426).

  When it is determined that no passenger remains in the detection range (S426, N), the control unit 35 operates the drive unit 31 using the output circuit 36, thereby moving the exposed step 11 in the traveling direction. Preliminary operation of moving only L is performed (S461), and the flow is shifted to S411. Thereby, while being able to perform passenger detection with respect to the next detection range, passenger detection is performed by repeating this until all the target steps 11 enter under the floor. Here, the time for operating the drive unit 31 in the preliminary operation is calculated in advance from L and the speed of the preliminary operation and stored in the memory 41.

  If it is determined in S426 that passengers remain in the detection range (S426, Y), it is recognized as abnormal, a predetermined recovery process is performed (S481), and the flow proceeds to S491. In the recovery process, the manager of the escalator 1a is notified of the abnormality, the manager is instructed to convey the attention to the passengers remaining on the step 11, or the announcement remains on the step 11 For example, to convey attention to the passengers.

  The above is the flow of the operation start process.

  According to this operation start process, it is possible to detect passengers remaining on all the target steps 11 using one range sensor 51.

(Second embodiment)
Here, an embodiment in which passenger detection is performed during continuous preliminary operation will be described.

  The configuration of the escalator 1a in this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  In the operation start process of the first embodiment, as shown in S461, a preliminary operation is performed in which the drive unit 31 is stepped for each detection range. On the other hand, the operation start process of this embodiment performs a preliminary operation continuously during the operation start process. In the operation start process of this embodiment, the other steps are the same as in the first embodiment.

  Next, the conditions of the moving speed of the steps 11 for detecting passengers on all the target steps 11 while performing a continuous preliminary operation will be described.

  In this embodiment, the moving speed v of the step 11 is made lower than the angular speed ω of the range sensor. Conditions for detecting passengers, where t is the time for the step 11 to pass through the detection range, and T is the time for the beam 57 of the range sensor 51 to move the detection range length L on the skirt guard 22b facing the range sensor 51 Is expressed by the following equation.

  t> T (E1)

  Furthermore, Formula E1 can be expressed by the following formula.

  L / v> L / (ω × r) + τ (E2)

  Here, τ is the response time of the range sensor 51. However, Formula E2 shows the conditions in the case of detecting a passenger only in one horizontal plane. As shown in FIG. 4, when there is no space between the handrails 16a and 16b and the outer wall thereof, and the passenger does not fall outside the handrails 16a and 16b, the condition of the expression E2 can be used. it can. The condition of the formula E2 can be similarly used when protective members for preventing the fall are installed on both sides of the handrails 16a and 16b.

  FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a case where there is a space outside the handrails 16a and 16b. If the passenger remains on the handrails 16a and 16b before the operation of the escalator 1a starts, the passenger may fall to the outside of the handrails 16a and 16b at the start of the operation. In such an environment, the range sensor 51 detects passengers on the handrails 16a and 16b in addition to the steps 11. For this purpose, the range sensor 51 has a drive mechanism for moving the detection range by moving the beam 57 in a different direction in addition to scanning around the vertical axis. Therefore, the range sensor 51 has three detection ranges. The detection range lengths of these three detection ranges are represented by L1, L2, and L3, respectively. The condition for detecting the passenger in this case is expressed by the following equation.

  L / v> (3 × L / (ω × r) + t1 + t2) + τ0 (E3)

  Here, t1 is the time for the range sensor 51 to move the detection range from the step 11 to the handrail 16b, t2 is the time for the range sensor 51 to move the detection range from the handrail 16b to the handrail 16a, τ0 is the total response time of the range sensor 51 for each movement. Here, the detection range length L is the shortest length among the lengths L1, L2, and L3 in the traveling direction of the three detection ranges.

  Further, when it is necessary to increase the number of detection ranges, a condition for detecting passengers in all detection ranges is expressed by the following equation.

  L / v> (n × L / (ω × r) + t1 +... + Tn) + τ0 (E4)

  t1, t2,... tn are times required for the range sensor 51 to set the detection position in each detection range.

  Among the above conditions, when there is one or two detection ranges, the condition can be satisfied even if the moving speed v is 30 m / min. When there are three detection ranges (formula E3), v is preferably 30 m / min or less. When there are four or more detection ranges (formula E4), v is preferably 20 m / min or less. However, the moving speed v that satisfies the condition also varies depending on the detectable distance r, the installation position of the range sensor 51, and the width W.

  Moreover, the step 11 exerts a force on a passenger when the step 11 accelerates at the time of starting. Further, the friction coefficient on the surface of the step 11 may decrease due to an increase in the speed of the step 11. Here, the friction coefficient tends to be inversely proportional to the 1/2 power. The cause of this is considered to be that the friction coefficient decreases as the speed of the friction surface increases as the speed increases, and the influence of the frictional surface irregularities on the friction coefficient decreases due to changes in the contact state. It is also conceivable that the portion of the step 11 where passengers remain is particularly slippery due to damage or the like. Therefore, it is desirable to make the preliminary operation slower than the normal operation.

  In particular, it is assumed that the remaining passenger slips when the escalator 1a is a descending escalator. When the time during which the acceleration of the step 11 is α is Ta, the distance traveled between Ta is La, and the speed reached after the lapse of Ta is v, La and α are expressed by the following equations.

La = 1/2 × v × Ta (E5)
α = v / t (E6)

Here, La is an allowable value of the distance traveled by the passenger at the start of the preliminary operation. If this La is 120 mm, which is about 1/3 of the depth in the direction of travel of the step 11, and α is 0.1 m / sec ² , v is about 0.16 / sec (about 10 m / min) and Ta is 1.6 sec. It becomes. Therefore, in order to prevent the remaining passengers from slipping, it is preferable to set the speed of the preliminary operation to 10 m / min or less.

  Further, by making the speed in the preliminary operation lower than the speed in the normal operation, it is possible to reduce the power consumption as compared with the case where the passenger detection is performed at the normal operation speed. That is, by reducing the speed of the preliminary operation and reducing the acceleration, the starting current can be reduced and the power consumption can be reduced.

  According to the operation start process of this embodiment, passengers remaining on all the target steps 11 can be detected by continuous preliminary operation.

(Third embodiment)
Here, an embodiment using a light emitting unit to detect passengers in the vicinity of the skirt guards 22a and 22b will be described.

  First, the structure of the escalator 1b in this embodiment is demonstrated.

  FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the structure of the escalator 1b in the third embodiment. In this escalator 1b, the elements denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the escalator 1a indicate the same or corresponding elements. In addition to the elements of the escalator 1a, the escalator 1b includes light emitting portions 52a and 52b provided on the dismounting deck 13 at positions facing the skirt guards 22a and 22b, respectively, and the skirt guards 22a and 22b on the riding deck 14. Light receiving portions 53a and 53b provided at positions facing each other. The light emitting units 52a and 52b irradiate light beams 57a and 57b, respectively. The beams 57a and 57b travel along the skirt guards 22a and 22b, respectively, and reach the light receiving parts 53a and 53b, respectively.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of electrical components of the escalator 1b in the third embodiment. In this escalator 1b, the elements denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the escalator 1a indicate the same or corresponding elements. The escalator 1 b has an input circuit 34 p instead of the input circuit 34, and an output circuit 36 p instead of the output circuit 36. In addition to the function of the input circuit 34, the input circuit 34p converts signals from the light receiving portions 53a and 53b into detection data. In addition to the function of the output circuit 36, the output circuit 36p controls the light emitting units 52a and 52b based on the control data.

  Next, the operation start process of the escalator 1b will be described.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation start process in the third embodiment. In the operation start process of this embodiment, the process to which the same code | symbol as the process in the operation start process of 1st embodiment was attached | subjected shows the same or equivalent process. When the control unit 35 receives an operation start processing instruction, this flow is started.

  When it is determined in S426 that no passenger remains in the detection range (S426, N), the control unit 35 causes the light emitting units 52a and 52b to emit light using the output circuit 36p (S432) and receives light from the input circuit 34p. The amount of light received by the units 53a and 53b is acquired (S434). Next, the control unit 35 determines whether or not passengers remain in the vicinity of the mutually opposing wall surfaces of the skirt guards 22a and 22b based on the amounts of light received by the light receiving units 53a and 53b (S436). That is, the control unit 35 determines whether or not the passenger is in contact with the wall surface. Here, when both the light receiving amounts of the light receiving units 53a and 53b exceed a predetermined threshold, the control unit 35 determines that no passenger remains near the wall surface, and determines which of the light receiving amounts of the light receiving units 53a and 53b. When is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold value, it is determined that a passenger remains near the wall surface. That is, when a passenger remains in the vicinity of the wall surface, the light traveling from the light emitting units 52a and 52b to the light receiving units 53a and 53b is blocked by the passenger.

  When it is determined that no passenger remains near the wall surface (S436, N), the control unit 35 shifts the flow to S461.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that a passenger remains near the wall surface (S436, Y), the control unit 35 shifts the flow to S481.

  Other steps are the same as the operation start process of the first embodiment.

  The above is the flow of the operation start process.

  According to the operation start process of this embodiment, a single range sensor 51, two light emitting units 52a and 52b, and two light receiving units 53a and 53b are used to remain on all the target steps 11 and in the vicinity of the skirt guard. Passengers can be detected.

(Fourth embodiment)
Here, an embodiment in which the light emitting units 52a and 52b are not required to detect a passenger near the skirt guard will be described.

  First, the structure of the escalator 1c in this embodiment is demonstrated.

  FIG. 11 is a plan view showing the structure of the escalator 1c in the fourth embodiment. In the escalator 1c, elements denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the escalator 1b indicate the same or corresponding elements. The escalator 1c omits the light emitting units 52a and 52b, and uses the beams 57c and 57d from the range sensor 51 instead of the beams 57a and 57b from the light emitting units 52a and 52b. Furthermore, the escalator 1c is provided at the end of the detection range of the skirt guard 22b on the opposite side of the range sensor 51 in addition to the elements of the escalator 1b, and reflects the beam 57d from the range sensor 51 to reflect the beam 57d. The reflector 54 (waveguide part) which changes the direction of the is included.

  FIG. 12 is a plan view showing the range sensor 51 and the reflecting plate 54 in the fourth embodiment. When the range sensor 51 scans the detectable region 56 and a beam 57d at a certain point during scanning reaches the reflecting plate 54, the reflecting plate 54 reflects the beam 57d and changes the direction of the beam 57d to a light receiving unit. Change to 53b direction. Thereby, the beam 57d from the reflecting plate 54 advances along the skirt guard 22b to the light receiving portion 53b in parallel with the inner wall surface. At this time, the passenger in the vicinity of the skirt guard 22b can be detected in the same manner as the light emitting part 52b and the light receiving part 53b in the escalator 1b.

  Further, another beam 57c at a certain point during scanning advances along the skirt guard 22a on the side of the range sensor 51 and advances to the light receiving portion 53a in parallel with the inner wall surface thereof. At this time, a passenger in the vicinity of the skirt guard 22a can be detected in the same manner as the light emitting part 52a and the light receiving part 53a in the escalator 1b.

  Further, the waveguide section may be an optical element that changes the direction of the beam 57d using refraction or the like instead of the reflection plate. Moreover, the escalator 1c may have the same optical element as the reflecting plate 54 instead of the light receiving part 53b. This optical element guides the beam 57d in the direction of the light receiving unit 53a, and the control unit 35 determines whether or not a passenger remains near the wall surfaces on both sides based on the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 53a.

  Next, the operation start process of the escalator 1c will be described.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an operation start process in the fourth embodiment. In the operation start process of this embodiment, the process to which the same code | symbol as the process in the operation start process of 3rd embodiment was attached | subjected shows the same or equivalent process. When the control unit 35 receives an operation start processing instruction, this flow is started.

  If it is determined in S426 that no passenger remains in the detection range (S426, N), instead of S432 and S434, the beam 57d from the range sensor 51 reaches the reflecting plate 54 from the input circuit 34p and reaches the skirt. The amount of light received by the light receiving portion 53b when traveling along the guard 22b and the amount of light received by the light receiving portion 53a when the beam 57c from the range sensor 51 travels along the skirt guard 22a are acquired (S435). Next, the control unit 35 shifts this flow to S436. In S435, the control unit 35 may acquire the respective maximum values of the light reception amounts of the light receiving units 53a and 53b in one scan of the range sensor 51, and the scanning direction of the range sensor 51 becomes the beams 57c and 57d. The amount of light received by the light receiving units 53a and 53b may be acquired in synchronization with the time point.

  Other steps are the same as the operation start process of the third embodiment.

  According to the driving start process of this embodiment, it is possible to detect passengers remaining on all the target steps 11 and in the vicinity of the skirt guard using one range sensor 51 and the two light receiving portions 53a and 53b. it can.

(Fifth embodiment)
Here, an embodiment using an ultrasonic sensor will be described.

  First, the configuration of the escalator 1d in this embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 14 is a plan view showing the structure of the escalator 1d in the fourth embodiment. In this escalator 1d, elements denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the escalator 1a indicate the same or corresponding elements. The escalator 1 d includes an ultrasonic sensor 55 instead of the range sensor 51. The detection range is determined based on the beam width of the ultrasonic wave (signal wave) determined by the directivity of the ultrasonic sensor 55. Here, the horizontal length of the detection range on the skirt guard 22b facing the ultrasonic sensor 55 (the length of the detection range in the step movement direction) is defined as a detection range length Lu. The shortest distance from the ultrasonic sensor 55 to the opposing skirt guard 22b, that is, the distance in the direction perpendicular to the skirt guard 22b is defined as the specified distance D0.

  The operation start process of the escalator 1d is the same as that of the second embodiment, and passenger detection is performed while performing preliminary operation continuously. FIG. 15 is a plan view showing the vicinity of the ultrasonic sensor 55 when passengers remain. Further, the control unit 35 acquires the detection data of the ultrasonic sensor 55 from the input circuit 34, calculates the distance from the ultrasonic sensor 55 to the obstacle based on the detection data of the ultrasonic sensor 55, and calculates the measurement distance d and To do. The controller 35 determines that no passenger remains in the detection range when d is equal to D0, and determines that the passenger P remains in the detection range when d is shorter than D0.

  In the ultrasonic sensor 55, L / (ω × r) in the equation E4 can be regarded as 0. The condition of the moving speed of the steps 11 for detecting passengers on all the target steps 11 is expressed by the following equation.

  Lu / v> t1 +. . . + Tn + τ0 (E7)

  Here, when the ultrasonic sensor 55 has a scanning mechanism that changes the directivity and moves the detection range, t1,. . . , Tn are plural and t1,. . . , Tn indicate times for the ultrasonic sensor 55 to move the detection range.

  According to the driving start process of this embodiment, it is possible to detect passengers remaining on all the target steps 11 using one ultrasonic sensor 55 and continuous preliminary driving.

  According to each of the embodiments described above, the administrator confirms the presence or absence of passengers by directly viewing the escalator and confirming the presence or absence of passengers by using the video taken by the escalator. The work to do becomes unnecessary. In addition, passengers in all areas on the step 11 can be detected using a sensor provided in a part of the escalator.

  In addition, the 1st receiving part as described in a claim corresponds to the light-receiving part 53a, for example. Moreover, the 2nd light-receiving part as described in a claim corresponds to the light-receiving part 53b, for example. The third light receiving unit described in the claims corresponds to, for example, the light receiving units 53a and 53b. Moreover, the waveguide part as described in a claim corresponds to the reflecting plate 54, for example.

  Further, the escalators 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d may be descending escalators or other passenger conveyors such as a moving sidewalk. In this specification, a step is defined as a concept including a step in the case of a moving walkway.

  Further, instead of the range sensor 51 and the ultrasonic sensor 55, other sensors such as an electromagnetic wave radar may be used. These sensors are provided on one of the two wall surfaces standing on both sides of the step 11, transmit a signal wave to the other wall surface, receive a reflected wave, and perform a predetermined movement in the step movement direction. It has a detection range length L. When electromagnetic waves are used, narrow directivity can be realized by using high frequencies such as millimeter waves. The sensor scanning method may be mechanical scanning by rotating an element or a reflector for transmission, or electronic scanning by controlling the phase of an element array for transmission. good.

  Further, the light emitting units 52a and 52b are narrow-directional light emitting elements such as laser light emitting elements. The light receiving parts 53a and 53b are photodiodes, photocells, CCDs or the like. The input circuit 34p can measure the amount of light received by the photodiode, for example, by measuring the current flowing through the photodiode. Further, the measured value of the amount of light received by the light receiving portions 53a and 53b may be a value indicating another electrical parameter such as a voltage.

  Further, the light emitting units 52a and 52b may be wave transmitting units that transmit signal waves such as electromagnetic waves. The light receiving units 53a and 53b may be wave receiving units that receive signal waves from the wave transmitting unit.

  In addition, the covers of the skirt guards 22a and 22b are located above the parts such as the range sensor 51, the light emitting parts 52a and 52b, the light receiving parts 53a and 53b, the reflection plate 54, and the ultrasonic sensor 55 on the step 11 side. It may be provided protruding. Thereby, it can prevent that these components obstruct a passenger's passage.

  The target detected by the control unit 35 may be another object such as a luggage.

  Moreover, in each embodiment, the control part 35 may perform a driving | operation start process regularly using a timer. Moreover, the control part 35 may perform an operation start process at the time of a power failure recovery.

  Further, the range sensor 51, the light emitting units 52a and 52b, the reflection plate 54, and the ultrasonic sensor 55 may be provided within a predetermined distance from the getting-off deck 13. Further, the light receiving portions 53a and 53b may be provided within a predetermined distance from the boarding deck 14. This predetermined distance is determined based on the length in the traveling direction of one step 11 and the detection range length L.

  Moreover, the escalator 1b does not need to have one of the light emission parts 52a and 52b. Moreover, the escalators 1b and 1c do not need to have one of the light-receiving parts 53a and 53b. Moreover, the escalator 1c does not need to have the reflecting plate 54.

  Further, the target of passenger detection may be all exposed steps 11 or some of the steps 11.

  Moreover, the order of each process in the above-mentioned operation start process is exchangeable. For example, the order of detection of passengers within the detection range and detection of passengers near the wall surface can be exchanged.

1a, 1b, 1c, 1d: escalator 11: step 13: getting off deck 14: boarding deck 15a, 15b: balustrade 16a, 16b: handrail 22a, 22b: skirt guard 31: driving unit 34, 34p: input circuit 35: control Units 36, 36p: output circuit 41: memory 42: CPU
51: Range sensors 52a, 52b: Light emitting units 53a, 53b: Light receiving unit 54: Reflecting plate 55: Ultrasonic sensor

Claims (10)

A sensor that is provided on one of the two wall surfaces standing on both sides of the step, transmits a signal wave to the other wall surface, receives a reflected wave, and has a predetermined detection range length in the step movement direction When,
Moving the step by a predetermined moving distance longer than the detection range length of the sensor, obtaining a reception result of the sensor, and an object in an area over the predetermined moving distance based on the reception result A passenger conveyor comprising: a control unit that determines whether or not there is. The sensor is provided within a predetermined distance from the getting-off deck,
The passenger conveyor according to claim 1. The moving distance is the length in the traveling direction of the exposed portion of the step,
The passenger conveyor according to claim 1 or 2. The sensor changes a transmission direction of the signal wave;
The passenger conveyor as described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3. When it is determined that there is no object in the area over the travel distance, the control unit starts operation of the passenger conveyor.
The passenger conveyor as described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 4. The control unit moves the step by the predetermined movement distance by repeating the acquisition and the movement of the step that is shorter than the predetermined movement distance.
The passenger conveyor as described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 5. The control unit repeats the acquisition and continuously moves the step by the predetermined movement distance.
The passenger conveyor as described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 5. A first wave receiving section provided on the one wall surface and receiving a signal wave transmitted by the sensor;
The control unit determines whether there is an object in contact with the wall surface based on a reception result of the first receiving unit.
The passenger conveyor as described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 7. A waveguide section for changing the direction of the signal wave transmitted by the sensor to a direction parallel to the wall surface;
A second receiving section for receiving a signal wave from the waveguide section,
The control unit determines whether there is an object in contact with the wall surface based on a reception result of the first reception unit and a reception result of the second reception unit.
The passenger conveyor according to claim 8. A wave transmission unit having directivity in a direction parallel to the wall surface and transmitting a signal wave;
A third receiving unit that receives the signal wave transmitted by the transmitting unit, and
The control unit determines whether there is an object in contact with the wall surface based on a reception result of the third receiving unit.
The passenger conveyor as described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 7.

Images