JP2014094816A - Passenger conveyer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a passenger conveyer capable of continuing the operation of the passenger conveyer, even if a detection circuit of a passenger detection sensor is broken or power supply is lost.SOLUTION: A passenger conveyer includes: a motor for moving foot steps; a passenger detection sensor 56 provided on a getting-on entrance of a handrail 36; a detection circuit to which the passenger detection sensor 56 is connected, and switching a signal of an on-state and outputting a signal of an off-state when the passenger detection sensor 56 detects a passenger going toward a getting-on entrance; and a control portion for increasing the rotation speed of the motor when the signal of the off-state is inputted from the detection circuit.

Description

  Embodiments of the present invention relate to passenger conveyors.

  Conventionally, in passenger conveyors such as escalators and moving sidewalks, a control method is known in which a passenger approaching a boarding port is detected to start operation, and when no passenger is detected, the operation is stopped.

  In order to realize this control method, a pair of left and right passenger detection sensors are provided on the front skirt guard at the entrance of the passenger conveyor, and when these passenger detection sensors do not detect a passenger, an OFF signal is detected. In such a case, a detection circuit for outputting an ON-state signal is provided.

Japanese Patent No. 4173859 Japanese Patent No. 4024864

  However, in the conventional control method described above, when a disconnection or power loss occurs in the detection circuit of the passenger detection sensor, the passenger detection sensor is always in an OFF state, and the operation is not started even if the passenger tries to get on the passenger conveyor. was there.

  Therefore, in view of the above problems, an embodiment of the present invention aims to provide a passenger conveyor that can continue operation even when the detection circuit of the passenger detection sensor is disconnected or the power source is lost.

  In the present embodiment, a motor for moving a step, a passenger detection sensor provided at a boarding entrance of the railing, and the passenger detection sensor are connected, and when the passenger detection sensor detects a passenger heading to the boarding port, A passenger conveyor having a detection circuit that switches from an ON state signal and outputs an OFF state signal, and a control unit that increases the rotational speed of the motor when an OFF state signal is input from the detection circuit.

It is a side view of the whole escalator figure of one embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view of the upper floor side of an escalator. It is a top view of the entrance on the upper floor side. It is a block diagram of an escalator. It is a flowchart which shows the control state at the time of starting of an escalator. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the speed V of an escalator and time t.

  Hereinafter, the escalator 10 of one Embodiment is demonstrated based on FIGS.

(1) Escalator 10
The structure of the escalator 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of the escalator 10 as seen from the side.

  A truss 12 of the escalator 10 is supported using support angles 2 and 3 across the upper and lower floors of the building 1.

  A driving device 18 is provided inside the upper floor machine room 14 at the upper end of the truss 12. The drive device 18 includes a motor 20 and a drive chain 22 that is operated by the motor 20, and a drive sprocket 24 is rotated by the drive chain 22. Further, a control device 50 is provided inside the machine room 14 on the upper floor side.

  A driven sprocket 26 is provided inside the lower floor side machine room 16 at the lower end of the truss 12, and a pair of left and right endless step chains 28, 28 are spanned between the drive sprocket 24 and the driven sprocket 26. A plurality of steps 30 are attached to the pair of left and right step chains 28, 28 at equal intervals.

  On the left and right sides of the truss 12, a pair of left and right balustrades 36, 36 are erected. A handrail belt 38 moves on top of the balustrade 36. A front skirt guard 40 is provided to cover the front lower part of the upper floor side of the balustrade 36, and a lower front skirt guard 42 is provided at the lower front part of the lower floor side, from the front of the front skirt guards 40, 42, Inlet portions 46 and 48, which are entrances and exits of the handrail belt 38, protrude. A skirt guard 44 is provided at the lower side of the balustrade 36. Indicators 64 and 64 are provided on the inner side surfaces of the front skirt guards 40 and 42, respectively.

  An upper floor side board 32 is provided on the ceiling surface of the upper floor machine room 14, and a lower floor board board 34 is provided on the ceiling surface of the lower floor machine room 16. Combs 60 and 60 are formed on the front end side (step side) of the boarding / alighting plate 32 and the boarding / alighting plate 34. A pair of left and right guide shelves 52 and 54 are provided upright at the entrance on the upper floor side and the entrance on the lower floor side, respectively.

  On the front of the pair of left and right front skirt guards 40, 40 on the upper floor side is a first passenger detection sensor (hereinafter simply referred to as "first sensor") comprising a reflection type optical sensor for detecting a passenger to get on. ) 56, 56 are provided, and a second passenger detection sensor (hereinafter simply referred to as a “second sensor”) made of a transmission type optical sensor is provided on the inner surface of the pair of left and right front skirt guards 40, 40 facing each other. 58 is provided. The pair of left and right front skirt guards 42 on the lower floor side are also provided with a first sensor 56 and a second sensor 58 as in the upper floor side. The first sensors 56 and 56 and the second sensor 58 will be described in detail later.

(2) First sensor 56
Next, the first sensor 56 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the first sensors 56 and 56, which are reflection type optical sensors, are connected to the detection circuits 57 and 57, respectively. As shown in FIG. 2, the front surfaces of the pair of left and right front skirt guards 40 and 40 are connected. And the irradiated sensor beam is directed inward so that the sensor beam of the pair of left and right first sensors 56, 56 crosses at point B as shown in FIG. Is provided. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the reflective first sensors 56, 56 always irradiate a sensor beam toward the point A, and the first sensor 56 has a pair of left and right first sensors as shown in FIG. Assume that when a passenger passes through at least one of the sensor beams of the sensors 56 and 56, the sensor beam is reflected to detect the passenger.

  Point A is a position at a distance L (for example, 2 m) from the comb 60 and a height of H (for example, 1.5 to 2 m). This point A is located outside the guide shelves 52 and 54, and is set at a position higher than the height (for example, 1.7 m) of a general passenger. By determining the optical axis of the sensor beam of the first sensor 56 in this way, in the range that protrudes from the guide shelves 52 and 54 that are guided to the entrance of the escalator 10, the height of the normal passenger or more is the detection range, In the range that protrudes from the guide shelves 52 and 54, it is possible to reduce false detection of a person who crosses the entrance of the escalator 10.

  B point is set above the boarding board 32 in the optical axis of the sensor beam of the 1st sensor 56, and the position below a passenger's height.

  The first sensor 56 is connected to a detection circuit 57 as shown in FIG. The detection circuit 57 of the first sensor 56 always outputs an ON state signal when no passenger is detected, and outputs an OFF state signal when a passenger is detected. That is, the first sensor 56 always emits a sensor beam, and when the passenger passes, the sensor beam is reflected. Therefore, when the sensor beam is reflected, the detection circuit 57 is in the ON state that has been output until now. The signal is switched to an OFF signal and output. Here, the “ON state signal” means the H (High) state of the level signal, and the “OFF state signal” means the L (Low) state of the level signal. Thereby, in the detection circuit 57 having the first sensor 56, when disconnection or power loss occurs, an OFF state signal is output. When viewed from the control device 50, a passenger is detected. Therefore, the escalator 10 does not stop due to the failure of the detection circuit 57.

(3) Second sensor 58
Next, the second sensor 58 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the second sensor 58 is a transmissive optical sensor, is connected to the detection circuit 59, and transmits light on the inner surfaces of the pair of left and right front skirt guards 40, 40 facing each other. It is assumed that a passenger is detected when a part 58a and a light receiving part 58b are provided, respectively, and the passenger crosses the sensor beam between the light transmitting part 58a and the light receiving part 56. However, the position of the second sensor 58 is provided at a position closer to the comb 60 than the point B through which the sensor beam of the first sensor 56 passes.

  The second sensor 58 is connected to a detection circuit 59 as shown in FIG. The detection circuit 59 of the second sensor 58 always outputs an ON state signal when no passenger is detected, and outputs an OFF state signal when a passenger is detected. That is, the light transmitting unit 58a of the second sensor 58 constantly irradiates the sensor light beam toward the light receiving unit 58b, and when the passenger passes, the sensor light beam is blocked and the light receiving unit 58b does not receive the sensor light beam so that the passenger detects it. Suppose that When the sensor light is no longer received, the detection circuit 59 switches the signal that has been output in the ON state until now to the signal in the OFF state. Here, the “ON state signal” means the H (High) state of the level signal, and the “OFF state signal” means the L (Low) state of the level signal. Thereby, in the detection circuit 59 having the second sensor 58, when disconnection or power loss occurs, a signal in an OFF state is output, and when viewed from the control device 50, a passenger is detected. Therefore, the escalator 10 does not stop due to the failure of the detection circuit 59.

(4) Electrical configuration of escalator 10 The electrical configuration of the escalator 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The control device 50 is connected to detection circuits 57, 57 of a pair of left and right first sensors 56, 56 on the upper floor side, a detection circuit 59 of a second sensor 58, and a display 64, and a pair of left and right sensors on the lower floor side. The detection circuits 57, 57 of the first sensors 56, 56, the detection circuit 59 of the second sensor 58, and the display 64 are connected. Furthermore, the motor 20 is connected to the control device 50 via an inverter device 62. The motor 20 can be controlled by an inverter by the control device 50, whereby the rotational speed of the motor 20 can be made variable.

(5) Control Method at Start-up of Escalator 10 Next, a control method at the start-up time of the escalator 10 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. 5 and the graph of FIG.

  In step S1, the control device 50 initializes the failure count value C for counting the failure of the first sensor 56 to 0 while the escalator 10 is stopped, and proceeds to step S2.

  In step S2, the control device 50 determines whether or not the first sensor 56 has detected a passenger. If detected, the control device 50 proceeds to step S3 (in the case of Y), and if not detected, the control device 50 proceeds to step S10 ( N). When the first sensor 56 detects a passenger, the signal from the detection circuit 57 changes from the ON state to the OFF state as described above.

  In step S3, since the first sensor 56 has detected the passenger, the control device 50 determines that the passenger is about to get into the escalator 10 through the guide shelves 52, 54, and activates the motor 20 to perform low-speed operation. At the same time, since the first sensor 56 has worked effectively, the failure count value C is initialized to zero. Then, the process proceeds to step S4. Note that “low speed operation” means, for example, driving at V = 10 m / min as shown in FIG. 6 and accelerating at 0.1 m / sec 2 until this low speed is reached.

  In step S4, the control device 50 determines whether or not the second sensor 58 has detected a passenger within T1 seconds (for example, 60 seconds), and if detected, proceeds to step S5 (in the case of Y), If not detected, the process proceeds to step S9 (in the case of N). When the second sensor 58 detects a passenger, the signal from the detection circuit 59 changes from the ON state to the OFF state as described above.

  In step S5, since the passenger has passed the position of the second sensor 58 in the vicinity of the comb 60, the control device 50 increases the rotational speed of the motor 20 and operates at the rated speed. Then, the process proceeds to step S6. The “rated speed” is, for example, V = 30 m / min, as shown in FIG. 6, and is accelerated at a speed of 0.1 m / second 2 from the low speed operation to the rated speed.

  In step S6, when the second sensor 58 detects the passenger within T2 seconds (for example, 2 minutes), the control device 50 continues step S6 (in the case of Y) and operates the escalator 10 at the rated speed. Continue. On the other hand, the control apparatus 50 progresses to step S7, when not detecting a passenger (in the case of N). This T2 seconds is set to be longer than the time required for the passenger to get on the escalator 10 from the boarding entrance to the exit.

  In step S7, since the second sensor 58 detects a passenger, the control device 50 determines that no one is on the escalator 10, starts low speed operation, and proceeds to step S8.

  In step S8, when the first sensor 56 or the second sensor 58 detects the passenger within T3 seconds (for example, 60 seconds) after starting the low speed operation, the control device 50 returns to step S5 (Y Case), start rated operation. On the other hand, the control apparatus 50 progresses to step S9, when a passenger is not detected (in the case of N).

  In step S <b> 9, the control device 50 stops the escalator 10 for power saving and the like because no passenger is detected by the first sensor 56 and the second sensor 58. Then, the process returns to step S2.

  In step S10, although the 1st sensor 56 has not detected the passenger, since the 1st sensor 56 may break down and the passenger may have passed, control device 50 has the 2nd sensor 58 detected the passenger. If detected, the process proceeds to step S11 (in the case of Y). If not detected, it is determined that the first sensor 56 is normal and the process returns to step S2 (N If).

  In step S11, the control device 50 increments the failure counter value C by 1, and proceeds to step S12.

  In step S12, the control device 50 proceeds to step S13 if the failure counter value C = 3 (if Y), and proceeds to step S5 if C <3 (if N). The reason why C = 3 is set is that the first sensor 56 may not detect a passenger and the second sensor 58 may detect a passenger due to malfunction or the like.

  In step S13, since only the second sensor 58 has detected the passenger three times in succession, the control device 50 determines that the first sensor 56 is in failure and shifts from the normal state to the failure mode. When entering the failure mode, the control device 50 registers the failure information in the storage unit of the control device 50 after the stop switch of the control panel is input and the operation is stopped, and the first sensor 56 is registered in the display 64. And at least one of the detection circuit 57 or both of them is displayed as a failure. Then, the process proceeds to step S14.

  In step S14, the control device 50 starts the rated speed operation because the second sensor 58 has detected a passenger, and proceeds to step S15.

  In step S15, the control device 50 determines whether or not the second sensor 58 has detected a passenger within T2 seconds. If so, the control device 50 continues step S15 and continues the rated speed operation (Y If). And the control apparatus 50 will progress to step S16, if a passenger is not detected (in the case of N).

  In step S16, since the control apparatus 50 does not detect a passenger, it starts low-speed driving and proceeds to step S17.

  In step S17, the control device 50 determines whether or not the second sensor 58 has detected a passenger, and if so, returns to step S14 (in the case of Y) to change from low speed operation to rated speed operation. Switch. If not detected, the process proceeds to step S18 (in the case of N).

  In step S18, the control device 50 determines whether or not the first sensor 56 has detected a passenger. If not, the control device 50 returns to step S16 (in the case of N) and continues the low-speed operation, so that the passenger Is detected (in the case of Y), the failure mode is terminated, the normal state is restored, and the low speed operation is continued.

(6) Effect As described above, in the escalator 10 according to the present embodiment, the first sensor 56 is switched from the ON state to the OFF state when the passenger is detected. Even if the detection circuit 57 is disconnected or the power source is lost, the escalator 10 is not stopped because the passenger is detected because the passenger is detected.

  Further, since the second sensor 58 also changes from an ON state to an OFF state when a passenger is detected, the second sensor 58 can reliably detect the passenger and is also OFF even when the detection circuit 59 of the second sensor 58 is disconnected or the power source is lost. Since it will be in the state which detected the passenger and the operation of the escalator 10 does not stop.

  Even if the detection circuit 57 of the first sensor 56 breaks down, since the low-speed operation is continued, the passenger does not get in from the stopped state, and the safety of the passenger can be ensured.

  In addition, even if the detection circuit 59 of the second sensor 58 breaks down, it is in the OFF state and detects the passenger, so that the operation at the rated speed can be continued and the passenger does not get in from the stopped state. , Can ensure the safety of passengers.

  Further, the control device 50 registers the failure information after the operation is stopped and displays the failure of the first sensor 56 on the display 64, so that the administrator of the escalator 10 can select one of the first sensor 56 and its detection circuit 57. Or it is easy to know that both have failed.

  Further, when the first sensor 56 detects a passenger, the failure count value C is initialized to 0, so that a false detection is not determined as a failure.

  In addition, since the first sensor 56 determines that a failure has occurred only when the passenger is not detected three times in succession, it is not determined that there is a failure due to one or two erroneous detections. The setting of C = 3 may be changed as appropriate from 2 to 10 times.

  Further, since the optical axis of the sensor beam of the first sensor 56 is set to point A which is about 2 m from the comb 60 and about 1.5 to 2 m in height, the position of this point A is a normal passenger crossing the front. Therefore, it is possible to limit the false detection of a person who crosses the range protruding from the guide shelves 52 and 54.

(7) Modification 2
In the said embodiment, although the escalator 10 demonstrated as a passenger conveyor, it may replace with this and this embodiment may be applied by the moving walk.

(8) Others Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, this embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Escalator, 20 ... Motor, 40 ... Front skirt guard on upper floor side, 42 ... Front skirt guard on lower floor side, 52 ... Induction shelf on upper floor side, 54 ... Guide shelf, 56 ... first passenger detection sensor, 58 ... second passenger detection sensor, 60 ... com, 62 ... inverter device, 64 ... display

In this embodiment, a motor for moving a step, a passenger detection sensor provided at a railing entrance, and the passenger detection sensor are connected, and when a disconnection or power loss occurs, an OFF state signal is output. Rutotomoni, passengers toward the boarding port upon detecting said occupant detection sensor, a detection circuit for outputting a signal of an OFF state is switched from the signal of the oN state, the signal of the OFF state from the detecting circuit is inputted, A passenger conveyor having a controller for increasing a rotation speed of the motor.

Claims (9)

A motor that moves the steps,
A passenger detection sensor provided at the balustrade entrance;
When the passenger detection sensor is connected and the passenger detection sensor detects a passenger heading to the boarding port, a detection circuit that switches from an ON state signal and outputs an OFF state signal;
When an OFF state signal is input from the detection circuit, a controller that increases the rotation speed of the motor;
With passenger conveyor. The passenger detection sensor is a first passenger detection sensor provided in front of the balustrade front skirt guard,
The control unit starts the motor when the signal of the OFF state is input from the detection circuit of the first passenger detection sensor, and increases the rotation speed to a predetermined low speed.
The passenger conveyor according to claim 1. The passenger detection sensor is a second passenger detection sensor provided on opposite inner surfaces of the front skirt guard,
The control unit increases the rotational speed of the motor from the low speed to a predetermined rated speed when the signal of the OFF state is input from the detection circuit of the second passenger detection sensor.
The passenger conveyor according to claim 2. When the ON state signal is input from the detection circuit of the first passenger detection sensor, when the state in which the second passenger detection sensor detects the passenger continues for a predetermined number of times, the control unit, Determining that at least one or both of the first passenger detection sensor and its detection circuit are faulty;
The passenger conveyor according to claim 3. When the control unit determines that the detection circuit of the first passenger detection sensor is faulty, the control unit continues the low speed operation and the second passenger detection sensor detects the passenger. To perform the rated speed operation
The passenger conveyor according to claim 4. The control unit, when the output of the detection circuit of the first passenger detection sensor is turned OFF during the failure detection, to return to a normal state from the state determined as a failure,
The passenger conveyor according to claim 4 or 5. The detection range of the first passenger detection sensor is a position where the distance from the comb is 1.5 m to 2.5 m, and the height is set to 1.5 m to 2.5 m at the position,
The passenger conveyor as described in any one of Claims 2 thru | or 6. The first passenger detection sensor is a reflective optical sensor;
The passenger conveyor as described in any one of Claims 2 thru | or 7. The second passenger detection sensor is a transmissive optical sensor;
The passenger conveyor as described in any one of Claims 2 thru | or 8.

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