JP2017019616A - Chain elongation detection device for passenger conveyor and passenger conveyor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a chain elongation detection device for a passenger conveyor capable of detecting an elongation amount of a chain accurately and automatically, and a passenger conveyor.SOLUTION: A chain elongation detection device 1 for a passenger conveyor comprises: a driving wheel 17 rotated by a driving source; a driven wheel 13 rotated by a chain 18 by a driving force of the driving wheel 17; bodies 27, 28 to be detected which are provided in the driving wheel 17 and the driven wheel 13 respectively; sensors 29, 30 which are fixed to a main frame of a passenger conveyor for each body 27, 28 to be detected and detect rotary passage by circulation of the bodies 27, 28 to be detected; and a calculation part 31 for calculating a difference of rotary passage timing from the sensors 29, 30 and calculating an increment of the difference before and after a time lapse of the passenger conveyor. The calculation part 31 calculates an elongation amount of the chain 18 on the basis of the increment, an angular speed of the driving wheel 17, and a rotation diameter of the driven wheel 13.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a chain extension detection device for a passenger conveyor and a passenger conveyor.

  The escalator has a chain such as a drive chain, a handrail belt drive chain, and a step chain. Conventionally, the amount of chain extension is adjusted so that the chain can be wound with a constant tension even if the chain stretches due to aging. Maintenance inspections are performed regularly (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the inspection work, for example, the amount of extension of the step chain is measured during operation (see, for example, Patent Document 2), and the amount of extension of the chain is diagnosed by detecting the amount of slack in the drive chain (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2015-48205 Japanese Patent No. 4915391 Japanese Patent No. 5209015

  However, in the inspection work, since the maintenance staff removes the board and gets into the machine room to perform the work, the operation of the escalator must be stopped. Although inspection work is required by law, it is inconvenient for users to stop operation for several hours. Maintenance personnel perform inspection work by measuring the amount of elongation by applying a ruler to the chain with reference to the manual. It also takes time for maintenance personnel to check the inspection items and to replace them. Even though inspection work is necessary for safety, it is commercially desirable that maintenance work does not take hours.

  The present invention was devised in view of such a problem, and an object thereof is to provide a passenger conveyor chain elongation detecting device and a passenger conveyor capable of automatically detecting the amount of chain elongation with high accuracy. .

  In order to solve such a problem, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a driving wheel rotated by a driving source, a driven wheel rotated by a chain by a driving force of the driving wheel, and the driving wheel and the driven wheel. Each of the detected bodies, a sensor which is fixed to the main frame of the passenger conveyor for each detected body and detects the rotation passing due to the rotation of the detected body, and the rotation passing timing from these sensors. A calculation unit that calculates a difference, and calculates an increase amount of the difference before and after the passenger conveyor with the passage of time, and the calculation unit extends the chain according to the increase amount, the angular velocity of the driving wheel, and the rotation diameter of the driven wheel. A chain elongation detecting device for a passenger conveyor, characterized in that the amount is calculated, is provided.

  According to another embodiment of the present invention, a drive source provided in a main frame of a passenger conveyor, a drive wheel that is rotated by the drive source, and a chain that circulates endlessly by the drive force of the drive wheel. A driven wheel that is rotated by the chain, a detected body provided on each of the driving wheel and the driven wheel, and rotation by rotation of the detected body that is fixed to the main frame for each detected body A sensor for detecting passage, and a calculation unit for obtaining a difference in rotation passage timing from these sensors, and obtaining an increase amount of the difference before and after the passage of time of the passenger conveyor, the calculation unit including the increase amount, There is provided a passenger conveyor characterized in that an extension amount of the chain is calculated from an angular velocity of a driving wheel and a rotation diameter of the driven wheel.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to automatically detect the amount of chain extension with high accuracy.

It is a schematic block diagram of the passenger conveyor which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the chain elongation detection apparatus for passenger conveyors concerning 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the drive source of the chain elongation detection apparatus for passenger conveyors concerning 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the sensor of the chain elongation detection apparatus for passenger conveyors concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the sensor output of one side and the other of the chain elongation detection apparatus for passenger conveyors concerning 1st Embodiment of this invention. (A) is a figure which shows the rotation position of the sensor and to-be-detected body before time of the chain elongation detection apparatus for passenger conveyors concerning 1st Embodiment of this invention, (b) is a figure which shows the sensor output before time-lapse. It is. (A) is a figure which shows the rotation position of the sensor and to-be-detected body after time of the chain elongation detection apparatus for passenger conveyors concerning 1st Embodiment of this invention, (b) is a figure which shows the sensor output after time passage. It is. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of a method which makes the appearance timing of the sensor detection signal correspond by the chain elongation detection apparatus for passenger conveyors which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. (A) is a figure which shows the rotation position of the sensor and to-be-detected body before time of the chain elongation detection apparatus for passenger conveyors concerning 2nd Embodiment of this invention, (b) is a figure which shows the sensor output before time-lapse. It is. (A) is a figure which shows the rotation position of the sensor and to-be-detected body after time of the chain elongation detection apparatus for passenger conveyors concerning 2nd Embodiment of this invention, (b) is a figure which shows the sensor output after time passage. It is. It is a block diagram of the chain elongation detection apparatus for passenger conveyors concerning 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the light projection part, disk, and light-receiving part of the chain elongation detection apparatus for passenger conveyors concerning 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the hardware of the chain elongation detection apparatus for passenger conveyors concerning 4th Embodiment of this invention. (A) is a figure which shows the sensor output before time-lapse of the chain elongation detection apparatus for passenger conveyors concerning the 4th Embodiment of this invention, (b) is a sensor after time-lapse by the drive source being 1st driving speed. It is a figure which shows an output, (c) is a figure which shows the sensor output after time passage by the drive source by 2nd driving speed. It is a figure which shows the example of a data processing for the detection of the chain elongation amount by the chain elongation detection apparatus for passenger conveyors concerning 5th Embodiment of this invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a passenger conveyor chain stretch detection device and a passenger conveyor according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 15. In the drawings, the same portions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a passenger conveyor according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The passenger conveyor according to the present embodiment is an escalator provided between the upper and lower floors of a building. The chain elongation detection device for passenger conveyor according to the present embodiment is a chain elongation detection device 1 provided in this escalator.

  The inclined main frame 10 is supported between the upper floor and the lower floor of the building, and a machine room 11 is provided on the upper end side of the main frame 10. The machine room 11 is provided with a drive device 12, a sprocket 13 and a control device 14. The drive device 12 includes a motor 15 having a horizontal output shaft parallel to the main frame width direction, and a speed reducer 16 that amplifies the output torque of the motor 15. A sprocket 17 is provided on the output side of the speed reducer 16. An endless drive chain 18 is wound between the sprocket 17 and the sprocket 13. A driven sprocket 20 is provided in the machine chamber 19 on the lower end side of the main frame 10, and an endless step chain 21 is stretched between the sprocket 20 and the sprocket 13. A plurality of steps 22 are connected to the step chain 21 at equal intervals.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the passenger conveyor chain stretch detection device according to this embodiment. The above described symbols represent the same elements. The chain stretch detection device 1 detects the stretch amount of the drive chain 18 wound between the sprocket 17 of the output shaft of the speed reducer 16 and the sprocket 13 to the step 22.

  The chain elongation detecting device 1 includes a driving sprocket 17 (driving wheel) that is rotated by a driving device 12 (driving source), and a driven sprocket 13 that is rotated by a driving chain 18 (chain) by the driving force of the driving sprocket 17. Driving wheel).

  This chain elongation detecting device 1 is fixed to the main frame 10 of the escalator for each of the metal fittings 27 and 28 (detected bodies) provided on the sprockets 17 and 13 and the metal fittings 27 and 28. The proximity sensors 29 and 30 (sensors) that detect the rotation passage by the sensor, and the calculation unit 31 that obtains the difference in rotation passage timing from the proximity sensors 29 and 30 and obtains the increase amount of the rotation passage timing difference before and after the escalator The calculation unit 31 calculates the extension amount of the drive chain 18 based on the increase amount, the angular velocity of the sprocket 17, and the rotation diameter of the sprocket 13.

  The speed reducer 16 of the drive device 12 (FIG. 1) is provided on the platform 44 of the machine room 11, and the motor 15 is provided on the speed reducer 16. The rotation of the motor 15 is controlled by the control device 14.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a drive source used in the escalator according to the present embodiment, and shows a configuration in the vicinity of the drive chain 18 on the upper end side of the main frame 10. The above described symbols represent the same elements. A belt drive pulley 23 is provided on the drive shaft of the drive motor 15, and a V-belt 24 is wound around the belt drive pulley 23, and the motor 15 drives the input shaft 25 of the speed reducer 16. A sprocket 17 is connected to the output shaft of the speed reducer 16.

  The sprocket 17 is a reduction gear sprocket (hereinafter, the sprocket 17 may be referred to as a drive sprocket 17). The drive sprocket 17 drives the sprocket 13 to rotate by a drive chain 18. The drive chain 18 is configured by connecting a plurality of chain links, for example. The drive chain 18 is slackened. For example, when the center part of the chain that moves downward is bent while the drive chain 18 is spanned between the sprockets 17 and 13, the swing width of the drive chain 18 is increased. Is set to be within the determined value.

  The sprocket 13 is a sprocket driven by the driving force from the drive sprocket 17 (hereinafter, the sprocket 13 may be referred to as the driven sprocket 13). The driven sprocket 13 is coaxially provided with a step sprocket 26 (FIG. 1), and the driven sprocket 13 drives the step chain 21 via the step sprocket 26. The drive sprocket 17 and the driven sprocket 13 have different pitch circle diameters (Pitch Circle Diameter). The pitch circle diameter refers to the diameter of a circle circumscribing the pitch line of the drive chain 18 wound around the sprocket 17.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a metal fitting 27 for detection is provided on one side of the drive sprocket 17. The metal fitting 27 is attached on the side surface at a distance that can be detected by the proximity sensor 29. The metal fitting 27 is a metal molded product having a protrusion at one end and the other end on the opposite side. One end of the metal fitting 27 is fixed to the side surface of the drive sprocket 17 having a plurality of teeth meshing with the drive chain 18. The protrusion is directed radially outward of the drive sprocket 17 from the end of the sprocket tooth from one end thereof. The metal fitting 27 is integrated with the drive sprocket 17 and rotates around the rotation axis of the drive sprocket 17. Similarly, a metal fitting 28 is provided at one point on the side surface of the driven sprocket 13, and the metal fitting 28 rotates around the rotation axis of the driven sprocket 13 integrally with the driven sprocket 13. The metal fitting 28 also has one end fixed to the side surface of the driven sprocket 13 and a protrusion from the one end toward the radially outward direction of the driven sprocket 13 from the tip of the sprocket tooth. A metal having magnetism is used for the metal fittings 27 and 28, and for example, iron may be used.

  The proximity sensor 29 detects the approach of the metal fitting 27 around the drive sprocket 17. The proximity sensor 30 detects the approach of the metal fitting 28 around the driven sprocket 13. Both proximity sensors 29 and 30 are fixedly installed on an escalator frame (not shown) in the main frame 10 corresponding to the drive sprocket 17 and the driven sprocket 13.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the proximity sensor 29. The above described symbols represent the same elements. The proximity sensor 29 includes, for example, a coil 61, an oscillation circuit 62 connected to the coil 61, a detection circuit 63 that detects a change in impedance of the coil 61 in a state where the oscillation circuit 62 is oscillating, and a detection circuit 63. And an output circuit 64 for detecting a change in impedance as a change in an output signal such as a voltage. When the oscillating coil 61 and the metal fitting 27 approach each other, the magnetic flux to the metal fitting 27 increases, and an eddy current is generated in the metal fitting 27 due to the electromotive force generated by the magnetic flux. The impedance of the coil 61 is changed by the opposite magnetic flux of the metal fitting 27 based on the eddy current. The proximity sensor 29 outputs, for example, a pulse signal depending on the voltage of the detection circuit 63 or the like. The proximity sensor 30 is the same as the proximity sensor 29.

  FIG. 5 shows rotation detection signals from the proximity sensors 29 and 30 when the driving sprocket 17 and the driven sprocket 13 are rotated at a constant peripheral speed in the oscillation state of FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating output waveform examples of the proximity sensor 29 (one sensor) and the proximity sensor 30 (the other sensor). The above described symbols represent the same elements. The detection signals 66 and 67 are pulse signal waveforms from the proximity sensors 29 and 30 in the initial state, respectively. The numbers and intervals of the detection signals 66 and 67 are merely examples, and are not limited to the intervals shown in FIG. The initial state refers to a position-adjusted state in which the positions of the proximity sensors 29 and 30 and the metal fittings 27 and 28 are adjusted so that the detection timings of the proximity sensors 29 and 30 coincide with each other. The voltage represents a signal voltage.

  The proximity sensors 29 and 30 detect the approach of the metal fittings 27 and 28 once in one rotation of each sprocket shaft by the normal operation of the escalator. In normal operation, the peripheral speed of the drive sprocket 17 and the peripheral speed of the driven sprocket 13 are equal, and the pitch circle diameter of the drive sprocket 17 is smaller than the pitch circle diameter of the driven sprocket 13 (FIG. 2). Since the number of rotations of the drive sprocket 17 is larger than the number of rotations of the driven sprocket 13, the detection interval of the detection signal 66 from the proximity sensor 29 is made shorter than the detection interval of the detection signal 67 from the proximity sensor 30. (FIG. 5).

  2 is electrically connected to the proximity sensors 29 and 30, and continues to receive two detection signals. The calculation unit 31 uses the initial setting timing as a reference. The initial setting timing indicates a cycle in which the time point at which the detection timings of the two systems coincide is reached.

  Every certain interval, there is a point in time when the detection timing of the proximity sensor 29 coincides with the detection timing of the proximity sensor 30 (see the portion surrounded by the broken line in FIG. 5). Since each sprocket shaft continues to rotate during the operation of the escalator, a point in time at which the detection timing of the detection signal 66 from the proximity sensor 29 coincides with the detection timing of the detection signal 67 from the proximity sensor 30 repeatedly arrives periodically. .

  The chain stretch detection device 1 is brought into a state in which the timing of the detection signal between the proximity sensors 29 and 30 coincides with the initial setting. The calculation unit 31 calculates the amount of increase in the time difference before and after the driving period by comparing the detection timing of the proximity sensors 29 and 30 before the driving period and the detection timing after the driving period. In other words, the calculation unit 31 matches the appearance timings of the detection signals from the proximity sensors 29 and 30 by positioning adjustment with respect to the metal fittings 27 and 28 and the proximity sensors 29 and 30 before the escalator operation period elapses, and then the operation period. The amount of change in the appearance timing of the detection signal after the elapse of time is obtained.

  In addition to the signal detection of the proximity sensors 29 and 30, the calculation unit 31 performs an operation for obtaining the extension amount L of the drive chain 18 based on the increase amount of the detection timing. The calculation unit 31 calculates the pitch circle diameter of the drive sprocket 17 and the pitch circle diameter of the driven sprocket 13. The function of the calculation unit 31 may be executed by CPU software using a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The calculation unit 31 holds data of each pitch circle diameter in the ROM.

  Next, the operation of the passenger conveyor according to the present embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described. Changes in the detection timing of the proximity sensors 29 and 30 before and after the drive chain 18 is extended, the detection timing in the initial state before the drive chain 18 is extended (FIG. 6), the escalator is operated for a long time, and the drive chain 18 is extended. This will be described with reference to later detection timing (FIG. 7) and FIG.

  First, at the time of installing the escalator, the chain elongation detecting device 1 executes an initial setting operation by the operation of the maintenance staff.

  FIG. 6A is a diagram showing the rotational positions of the proximity sensors 29 and 30 and the metal fittings 27 and 28 before the passage of time. FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating an example of output waveforms of the proximity sensors 29 and 30 before aging. The above described symbols represent the same elements. FIGS. 6A and 6B show examples of waveforms after adjustment by maintenance personnel operation so that the timings of the proximity sensors 29 and 30 coincide before the drive chain 18 extends. The drive chain 18 is assumed to rotate clockwise (during ascending operation).

  Here, by comparing the detection waveform from the proximity sensor 29 and the detection waveform from the proximity sensor 30, the maintenance staff positions the metal fittings 27 and 28 and the proximity sensors 29 and 30 so that the positional relationship shown in FIG. The detection timings of the proximity sensors 29 and 30 are matched. The meshing point 68 represents one of the points where the driven sprocket 13 and the drive chain 18 mesh, and is, for example, one position on the pitch circle (broken line).

  FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for matching the appearance timings of the detection signals from the proximity sensors 29 and 30. The above described symbols represent the same elements. A detection signal 66 from the drive sprocket 17 and a detection signal 67 from the driven sprocket 13 are input to the chain extension detection device 1. Every time the frequent detection signal 66 rises, the calculation unit 31 stores the rising edge time of the detection signal 66 in the RAM, and at the time when the detection signal 67 rises, the rise time of the detection signal 67 and the detection from the RAM. The difference from the time of the signal 66 is obtained.

  As a specific example, the calculation unit 31 detects the rise of the detection signal 67 at time T1. At this time T1, a time difference t between the rising edge of the detection signal 67 and the rising edge of the detection signal 66 that appears before the time T1 is obtained, and it is compared whether or not the difference t is within a threshold value held in advance. When the difference t is larger than the threshold, the calculation unit 31 obtains a time difference s between the time T1 and the rising edge of the detection signal 66 that appears after the time T1, and whether or not the difference s is within the threshold. To compare. When the difference s is larger than the threshold value, the calculation unit 31 next performs a similar comparison operation at time T2.

  At time T2, the calculation unit 31 obtains time differences s and t between the rising edge of the detection signal 67 at time T2 and the rising edges of the detection signal 66 before and after this time T2. When the differences s and t are not within the threshold value, the calculation unit 31 performs the same comparison operation at time T3.

  At time T3, the calculation unit 31 obtains a time difference t between the rising edge of the detection signal 67 at time T3 and the rising edge of the detection signal 66 that appears before this time T3. When the difference t is within the threshold value, the calculation unit 31 outputs a match, and stores this time T3 in the RAM. The time when the detection signal 67 rises and the time when the detection signal 66 rises are aligned, and it is detected that the detection timings coincide at time T3. Thereby, the situation where the rising edge of each pulse of the detection signals 66 and 67 appears at the same time is prepared.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, the detection timings of the two systems of detection signals coincide with each other at regular intervals. The calculation unit 31 may store the period in which the coincidence time comes in the RAM as an initial setting timing.

  Thereafter, the escalator (FIG. 1) continues normal operation every day. The escalator rotates the step sprocket 26 by the drive sprocket 17. The plurality of steps 22 circulates. When the circulation direction is ascending operation, a person who gets on from the lower floor entrance 42 is transported to the upper floor entrance 43. When the rotational direction of the drive sprocket 17 is reverse, the escalator performs the reverse descent operation.

  After a long period of operation, the manager causes the escalator to start detecting the amount of chain extension during operation of the escalator, for example, by operating a predetermined switch of the control device 14 for chain maintenance and inspection.

  FIG. 7A is a diagram showing the rotation positions of the proximity sensors 29 and 30 and the metal fittings 27 and 28 after the passage of time. FIG. 7B is a diagram showing an example of output waveforms of the proximity sensors 29 and 30 after the elapse of time. The above described symbols represent the same elements. FIGS. 7A and 7B show changes in detection timing when the drive chain 18 is extended after the escalator has been operated for a long period of time.

  Both the drive chain 18 and the driven sprocket 13 are clockwise. When the drive chain 18 extends, the position of the meshing point 68 between the drive chain 18 and the driven sprocket 13 is shifted rearward with respect to the rotational direction of the drive sprocket 17 as shown in FIG. Since the number of teeth and the tooth pitch with which the drive chain 18 and the driven sprocket teeth mesh are always constant, the position where the driven sprocket 13 and the drive chain 18 mesh with each other is shifted rearward with respect to the rotational direction. The rotation angle of the drive sprocket 17 changes to the delay side with respect to the rotation angle of the drive sprocket 17 in the initial state. Therefore, the timing at which the metal fitting 27 passes the proximity sensor 30 is delayed with respect to the passage timing in the initial state.

  As shown in FIG. 7B, the detection timing after elapse of time is shifted by the time δ from the detection timing before the drive chain 18 is extended (FIG. 6B). Detection signals 66 and 67 with rising edges shifted from each other by a time δ arrive at regular intervals.

  Next, the calculation unit 31 performs calculation calculation processing by causing the CPU, ROM, and RAM to execute a program. The CPU expands values such as the detection timing δ and the expansion amount L in the RAM, and executes the following calculation using a program code from the ROM.

  A relationship between the detection timing δ and the extension amount L of the drive chain 18 will be described. The calculation unit 31 obtains the delay angle β when the drive chain 18 is extended by L by the equation (1).

β = 2L / PCD (rad) (1)
PCD is the pitch circle diameter of the driven sprocket 13, and L is the amount of extension between the sheaves (the driven sprocket 13 and the drive sprocket 17) of the drive chain 18.

  If the rotational angular velocity of the driven sprocket 13 is ω (rad / s), the calculation unit 31 calculates the time δ required for the metal fitting 28 to rotate to a position that can be detected by the proximity sensor 30 using Equation (2).

δ = β / ω (s) (2)
Accordingly, the calculation unit 31 detects a shift δ in the detection timing between the proximity sensor 29 and the proximity sensor 30, and calculates the drive chain elongation L using the formula (3) by the reverse calculation of the formulas (1) and (2). .

L = δ × PCD × ω / 2 (3)
As described above, according to the chain extension detection device for passenger conveyors according to the present embodiment, only the proximity sensors 29 and 30 and the metal fittings 27 and 28 installed on the side surfaces of the drive sprocket 17 and the driven sprocket 13 are used. Thus, the extension amount of the drive chain 18 can be accurately detected. The extension amount of the drive chain 18 can be detected at a very low cost.

  For example, chain growth can be measured every day when working, and safety can be improved. The time for inspection work, the number of inspections, and the inspection frequency can be reduced, and the cost required for maintenance inspection can be reduced.

  Further, according to the passenger conveyor chain elongation detecting device and passenger conveyor according to the present embodiment, the amount of elongation of the drive chain 18 can be automatically detected with high accuracy. It is not necessary for maintenance personnel to remove the boarding / removing plate and enter the machine room 11 for chain inspection work, and chain elongation can be detected without stopping the escalator operation. It is convenient for the user because the time for stopping the operation can be minimized or the time can be eliminated. It is not necessary for maintenance personnel to come to the site every time. Of the escalator inspection items, the frequency of inspection for chain elongation measurement is reduced, which is commercially convenient for the building manager. Safety can be maintained without increasing the inspection frequency or number of inspections.

  Summarizing the above, the chain elongation detecting device 1 is fixed to each sprocket at one point on the outer periphery of the drive sprocket 17 of the drive chain 18 and the driven sprocket 13. And proximity sensors 29 and 30 for detecting the passage of the fittings 27 and 28 are arranged on the fixed side of the escalator, and the timing at which the fitting 27 of the drive sprocket 17 and the fitting 28 of the driven sprocket 13 pass during operation. Each is configured to be detectable.

  When the drive chain 18 is elongated due to long-term use or the like, the amount of time that the driven sprocket 13 meshes with the drive chain 18 is delayed. The detection timing of the sprocket 13 passing through the metal fitting is delayed. Since this timing shift is proportional to the amount of extension of the drive chain 18, the chain extension detection device 1 is configured to detect the extension of the drive chain 18 by detecting this time shift.

  In addition, the chain elongation detecting device 1 simply installs the brackets 27 and 28 and the proximity sensors 29 and 30 on the drive sprocket 17 and the driven sprocket 13 which are always included in any chain, so that the drive chain 18 and the handrail belt drive are provided. Regardless of the type of chain such as the chain or the step chain 21, the chain elongation can be detected by the same method.

  Further, according to the chain elongation detecting device 1, it is not necessary to install an expensive encoder, and the elongation of the drive chain 18 can be accurately detected only by installing a total of two low-cost proximity sensors 29 and 30. Therefore, a low-cost detection system can be constructed.

(Second Embodiment)
In the first embodiment, it is necessary to adjust the detection timing by initial setting before the drive chain 18 extends. The chain extension detection device for passenger conveyors according to the second embodiment of the present invention calculates without passing through the initial setting.

  The calculation unit 31 of the chain elongation detection device 2 stores waveforms from the proximity sensors 29 and 30 in a state where the detection timings are shifted from each other by δ1 (first time difference) before the escalator operation period elapses. Further, the calculation unit 31 obtains δ2 (second time difference) at which the detection timing of the proximity sensor 30 is delayed from δ1 with respect to the detection timing of the proximity sensor 29 after the operation period has elapsed, and obtains the difference between these δ1 and δ2. .

  Unless otherwise specified, the chain stretcher 2 has the same configuration as that of the chain stretch detector 1.

  Next, the operation of the passenger conveyor chain stretch detection device according to this embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 9A is a diagram showing the rotational positions of the proximity sensors 29 and 30 and the metal fittings 27 and 28 before the chain stretch detection device 2 elapses. FIG. 9B is a diagram illustrating an example of output waveforms of the proximity sensors 29 and 30 before aging. The above described symbols represent the same elements. The meshing point 69 rotates in the clockwise direction of the drive chain 18.

  The chain elongation detecting device 2 is provided with metal fittings 27 and 28 on the side surfaces of the drive sprocket 17 and the driven sprocket 13, respectively, and proximity sensors 29 and 30 for detecting the metal fittings 27 and 28 are provided. In this chain elongation detecting device 2, it is assumed that the metal fittings 27 and 28 are respectively installed at arbitrary angular positions with respect to the upward direction in FIG. 9A. In the example of the figure, the proximity sensors 29 and 30 are installed in a state in which the detection timing of the proximity sensor 30 is delayed from the detection timing of the proximity sensor 29.

  As shown in FIG. 9B, before the drive chain 18 extends, the detection timing of the proximity sensor 29 and the detection timing of the proximity sensor 30 are already shifted. The calculation unit 31 acquires waveforms from the proximity sensors 29 and 30 in a state where the detection timings are shifted from each other by the time δ1 (first time difference). This delay is assumed to be δ1.

  On the other hand, FIGS. 10A and 10B show changes in detection timing after the escalator has been operated for a long time and the drive chain 18 has been extended.

  FIG. 10A is a diagram showing the rotation positions of the proximity sensors 29 and 30 and the metal fittings 27 and 28 after a lapse of time. FIG. 10B is a diagram showing an example of output waveforms of the proximity sensors 29 and 30 after the elapse of time. The above described symbols represent the same elements.

  As in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10A, due to the extension of the drive chain 18, the position where the drive chain 18 meshes with the driven sprocket 13 side (meshing point 69) shifts backward with respect to the rotational direction. A delay occurs in the amount of rotation angle of the sprocket 13. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10B, the detection timing of the proximity sensor 30 with respect to the detection timing of the proximity sensor 29 is further delayed than the delay time δ1 before being extended. This delay time is assumed to be δ2 (second time difference).

  Here, the calculation unit 31 calculates Expression (4).

δ3 = δ2−δ1 (4)
The obtained δ3 is a detection timing delay caused by the extension of the drive chain 18. Using this δ3, the calculation unit 31 detects the elongation L of the drive chain 18 from the equation (3) of the first embodiment by the same calculation as that of the first embodiment.

  In this embodiment, the detection timing between the proximity sensor 29 of the drive sprocket 17 and the proximity sensor 30 on the driven sprocket 13 side does not need to be strictly adjusted in the installation work at the first installation stage, and there is no adjustment work. Therefore, the adjustment time for installing the escalator can be greatly shortened.

(Third embodiment)
In the first embodiment, the proximity sensors 29 and 30 are provided on the drive sprocket 17 and the driven sprocket 13 respectively, but sensors in place of the proximity sensors 29 and 30 may be used.

  FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of a chain extension detection device for a passenger conveyor according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a light projecting unit, a disk, and a light receiving unit. The above described symbols represent the same elements.

  As shown in FIGS. 11, 1, and 2, the chain extension detection device 3 is provided coaxially with the drive sprocket 17 and the driven sprocket 13 and the drive sprocket 17 and the driven sprocket 13, and each has a detection hole 32 ( Discs 33 and 34 having through-holes). Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the chain stretch detection device receives the light from the light projecting unit 35 provided for each of the disks 33 and 34 (only one is displayed) and the light from the light projecting unit 35 from the detection hole 32, respectively. It further includes a light receiving unit 36 provided for each of the disks 33 and 34, and a calculation unit 31 that calculates a difference in light reception timing detected for each light receiving unit 36 and calculates an increase in the difference in light reception timing before and after the escalator. The calculation unit 31 calculates the extension amount of the drive chain 18 based on the increase amount, the angular velocity of the drive sprocket 17 and the rotation diameter of the driven sprocket 13. About the structure of those other than these, the chain elongation apparatus 3 is the same as the structure of the chain elongation detection apparatus 1. FIG.

  The disks 33 and 34 are circular detection disks and rotate at the same angular velocity as the drive sprocket 17 and the driven sprocket 13 respectively. The detection hole 32 is opened at one place on the disk for each of the disks 33 and 34. The light projecting unit 35 is a photoelectric sensor projecting unit, and has an output element of LED light or laser light. The light receiving unit 36 includes a light receiving element that photoelectrically converts detection light that has passed through the detection hole 32.

  Next, in the chain elongation detecting device 3 having the above-described configuration, the light from the light projecting unit 35 passes through the detection holes 32 and reaches the respective light receiving units 36 only once during one rotation of the drive sprocket 17 and the driven sprocket 13. . The light receiving unit 36 detects the passage timing of the detection hole 32 for each sprocket.

  The operation and action of the chain stretch detection device 3 are the same as those in the example of the first embodiment. Before the drive chain 18 extends, the maintenance staff adjusts the detection timings of the drive sprocket 17 and the driven sprocket 13 according to initial settings in advance. The chain elongation detection device 3 obtains the detection timing at which the deviation by time δ is caused by the measurement after the passage of time, and is obtained by the above equation (3).

  Or similarly to the example of 2nd Embodiment, the chain elongation detection apparatus 3 is computable even without the initial setting of a maintenance worker. The chain elongation detection device 3 may obtain and calculate the times δ1 and δ2 by the above equation (4) from the detection timing of the proximity sensor 30 with respect to the detection timing of the proximity sensor 29 after a lapse of time.

  In the present embodiment, since the light projecting unit 35 that generates light is used, the positions of the light projecting unit 35 and the light receiving unit 36 can be reliably adjusted by looking at the position of the light beam. This facilitates the installation and adjustment work of the photoelectric sensor including the light projecting unit 35 and the light receiving unit 36 by maintenance personnel when installing the escalator, and the time for installation adjustment can be reduced by adjusting the installation of the proximity sensors 29 and 30. The time can be shortened.

(Fourth embodiment)
In the first embodiment, the calculation unit 31 is executed by the CPU software, but the function of the calculation unit 31 can also be executed by hardware. For example, the calculation may be executed by inputting the signals of the proximity sensors 29 and 30 to a programmable logic controller (PLC) for inverter control.

  FIG. 13: is a figure which shows the structural example of the hardware of the chain elongation detection apparatus for passenger conveyors concerning the 4th Embodiment of this invention. The above described symbols represent the same elements.

  The chain stretch detection device 4 outputs an inverter 40 that outputs a modulated current obtained by pulse-width-modulating the current to the drive device 12 (FIG. 1), and any one of a plurality of output angular velocities from the drive device 12 to the inverter 40. And a programmable logic controller (PLC) 37 that outputs a corresponding speed change command. The programmable logic controller 37 drives the motor 15 of the driving device 12 at an angular speed smaller than the angular speed during normal operation of the drive sprocket 17. .

  The motor 15 is an induction motor (induction motor). The rotation direction and angular velocity of the motor 15 are controlled by inverter control.

  The inverter 40 drives the motor 15. A plurality of speed patterns are recorded in the inverter 40 in advance. The inverter 40 is connected via a signal output terminal 38 to a programmable logic controller 37 that is a host device. This programmable logic controller 37 controls the operation of the entire escalator, and a speed pattern change command is output from the programmable logic controller 37 to the inverter 40 according to the situation.

  The inverter 40 records a low speed pattern in advance, and the low speed operation of the motor 15 can be easily performed by a change command to any speed from the programmable logic controller 37.

  Proximity sensors 29 and 30 are connected to the signal input terminal 39 of the programmable logic controller 37, respectively. The programmable logic controller 37 has a calculation function of the input signal, and detects the detection timing (value increase) of the proximity sensors 29 and 30. The programmable logic controller 37 can calculate the detection timings of these proximity sensors 29 and 30 and can store an initial detection timing difference.

  About the structure of those other than these, the chain elongation apparatus 4 is the same as the structure of the chain elongation detection apparatus 1. FIG.

  Fig.14 (a) is a figure which shows the example of an output waveform of the proximity sensors 29 and 30 before time-lapse of the chain elongation detection apparatus for passenger conveyors concerning 4th Embodiment of this invention. The above described symbols represent the same elements.

  Next, the operation of the passenger conveyor chain stretch detection device according to this embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described.

  The programmable logic controller 37 makes the operation speed of the escalator slower than the normal operation speed. As an example, the operation speed is reduced to 1/4 of the normal operation speed. As shown in the figure, the interval of the waveform of the proximity sensor 29 changes due to a decrease in the operating speed.

  First, the maintenance staff compares and refers to the detection waveform from the proximity sensor 29 and the detection waveform from the proximity sensor 30, so that the maintenance staff can output the waveform shown in FIG. 30 positions are matched, and the detection timings of the proximity sensors 29 and 30 are matched.

  By adjusting the detection timings of the proximity sensors 29 and 30 to coincide, in the initial state before the drive chain 18 extends, the detection timings of the proximity sensor 29 and the proximity sensor 30 are equal regardless of the driving speed. As shown in FIG. 14A, there is no change in the detection signal waveform regardless of the change in the operation speed.

  FIG. 14B is a diagram showing an example of output waveforms of the proximity sensors 29 and 30 at the first operation speed after the chain stretch detection device 4 has elapsed. The programmable logic controller 37 keeps the operating speed of the escalator at the normal operating speed. The detection time shift time increased when the drive chain 18 is extended is assumed to be δ1. That is, these waveforms are detected from the proximity sensors 29 and 30 in a state where the detection timings are shifted from each other by δ1. The operating speed refers to the peripheral speed of the substantial motor 15.

  FIG. 14C is a diagram showing an example of output waveforms of the proximity sensors 29 and 30 at the second operating speed after the chain stretch detection device 4 has elapsed. The programmable logic controller 37 temporarily stops the escalator operation at the normal operation speed, then lowers this operation speed to 1/4 of the normal operation speed, and operates the escalator again, as in the example of FIG. 14B. The result of detection is shown. A detection timing shift time in a state where the drive chain 18 is extended is represented by δ2.

  Since the operating speed of the escalator is reduced to ¼, the rotational angular speed ω of the driven sprocket 13 is also ¼. The detection delay time δ2 is δ2 = 4 · δ1, which is a time difference that is four times the delay time due to the normal operation speed (see equation (2)).

  If the operation speed of the escalator is completely constant and does not fluctuate, and the detection timing of the proximity sensors 29 and 30 is completely accurate, the detection effect is not sufficient even if measurement is performed by low-speed operation. However, the operating speed of the escalator may vary slightly. There may be a slight variation in the detection timing of the proximity sensors 29 and 30 or the photoelectric sensors (FIG. 13) such as the light projecting unit 35 and the light receiving unit 36. Therefore, a minute error may occur in the detection timing. However, in the chain elongation detection device 4 according to the present embodiment, the detection delay time δ2 is four times the delay time due to the normal operation speed. On the other hand, the detection timings of the proximity sensors 29 and 30 and the fluctuation of the escalator operating speed hardly change even if detected in a situation where the operating speed is lowered. For this reason, even if there are fluctuations in the operation speed of the escalator, the detection timing of the proximity sensors 29 and 30 or the photoelectric sensor, the reduction in detection accuracy due to the influence of the fluctuations can be reduced to ¼.

  Moreover, the programmable logic controller 37 may set the speed ratio of the driving speed with respect to the normal driving speed to a speed ratio different from 1/4, and operate the chain stretch detection device 4 in the same manner as in the above example. Even when the detection timing deviation amount of the proximity sensors 29 and 30 is detected by different speed ratios, the reduction in detection accuracy due to the influence of fluctuations in the detection timing by the operation speed of the escalator, the proximity sensors 29 and 30, etc. The amount can be reduced according to

  In the chain extension detection device for a passenger conveyor according to the present embodiment, fluctuations in the passage detection timing of the driven sprocket 13 and the drive sprocket 17 such as the proximity sensors 29 and 30 and the photoelectric sensor (FIG. 13) The influence on the detection accuracy can be reduced.

(Fifth embodiment)
In the first to fourth embodiments, the following processing may be performed on the detection data.

  In the chain extension detection device for a passenger conveyor according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, a data processing unit 41 (FIG. 2) is provided in the calculation unit 31. The data processing unit 41 detects the difference in the passage timing of one turn of the metal fittings 27 and 28 a plurality of times, averages the value of the difference obtained by the plurality of times of detection, and removes the deviation value from the difference. Perform noise reduction processing. The data processing unit 41 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. Unless otherwise specified, the chain elongation detection device for passenger conveyors according to the present embodiment is the same as the configuration of the chain elongation detection device 1 except for the following points.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a data processing example for detecting the chain elongation amount by the passenger conveyor chain elongation detection device according to the present embodiment.

  In the chain extension detection device for passenger conveyors according to this embodiment having such a configuration, the calculation unit 31 performs a plurality of calculation measurements by the method of the first embodiment, for example. The horizontal axis of FIG. 15 represents the measurement numbers such as the first time, the second time,. One point on the vertical axis represents the true value (seconds) of the detection timing of the proximity sensors 29 and 30, and n measurement values are distributed in the vicinity of this true value.

  In the detection of the passage timing of the drive sprocket 17 and the driven sprocket 13, a minute speed fluctuation of the escalator itself or a minute change of the detection timing of the proximity sensors 29 and 30 may occur. A slight change causes the measured value to deviate slightly from the true value. In addition, depending on the time of the morning or evening, or when an event is held in the building, a large number of passengers may temporarily get on the step 22 and the operating speed of the escalator may temporarily decrease. The measured value in that case may deviate significantly from the other measured values of n times.

  If the elongation is determined with a single measurement value, there is no problem as long as the measurement system can obtain the measurement value with sufficient accuracy. However, if the measurement system has insufficient measurement accuracy, the measurement is performed with a single measurement. There may be an error in the value. Therefore, the chain stretch detection device according to the present embodiment obtains an average value of a plurality of detections. Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the data processing unit 41 executes processing such as removing data 45 having outliers that deviate beyond a predetermined value from the average value. More accurate chain elongation can be detected.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In the above embodiment, the passenger conveyor may be a moving walkway.

  In the above embodiment, the calculation unit 31 may use the pitch circle diameter of the driven sprocket 13 and the rotation speed of the driven sprocket 13. It goes without saying that the rotational speed that is the number of rotations per unit time (1 / s) may be used instead of the angular velocity that is the rotational angle per unit time (rad / s). The superiority of the chain extension detection device for passenger conveyors according to the embodiment of the present invention is not impaired at all with respect to an embodiment that is carried out only by calculation by simply replacing the angular velocity and the rotational speed.

  The pitch circle diameter PCD is represented by PCD = P / [sin (180 / T) °] (ISO 606 or JIS B 1802). Here, P is the chain pitch and T is the number of sprocket teeth.

  In the above embodiment, the shape and size of the metal fittings 27 (and 28) depend on the detection sensitivity of the metal fittings 27 by the proximity sensor 29. When the size of the metal fitting 27 is smaller than the size of the coil 61, the detection sensitivity is lowered, so that the big metal fitting 27 can be used with the large coil 61. A magnetic detection sensor may be used for the proximity sensors 29 and 30. FIG. 5 shows an example in which the pitch circle diameters of the sprockets 17 and 13 are different, but when the pitch circle diameter of the drive sprocket 17 and the pitch circle diameter of the driven sprocket 13 are the same, the detection interval is the drive sprocket 17 and the driven sprocket. 13 Both are always the same.

  The detection method in FIG. 8 is an example, and other methods may be used as the detection method. For example, the waveform pattern of the columns of the detection signals 66 and 67 from the proximity sensors 29 and 30 in the initial state is measured for a predetermined time and the measurement result is recorded, and after a lapse of time, the detection signals 66 and 66 from the proximity sensors 29 and 30 are again recorded. The waveform pattern of 67 columns is acquired. By comparing the waveform patterns before and after the lapse of time, the delay times of the detection signals 66 and 67 from the proximity sensors 29 and 30 may be measured and stored, and the above equation (3) may be calculated.

  In each figure, the ratio of the number of detection signals 66 and 67, the pulse shape of the detection signals 66 and 67, the signal level, the high / low ratio, and the rising edge interval are all examples and can be variously changed. It is not limited to the ratio of the number of pulses in these figures. The vertical axis may be represented by the magnitude of the signal current instead of the signal voltage.

  In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

  1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ... Chain elongation detecting device (passenger conveyor chain elongation detecting device), 10 ... Main frame, 11, 19 ... Machine room, 12 ... Drive device, 13 ... Sprocket (driven sprocket, driven wheel) ), 14 ... Control device, 15 ... Motor, 16 ... Reducer, 17 ... Sprocket (drive sprocket, drive wheel), 18 ... Chain (drive chain), 20 ... Sprocket, 21 ... Step chain, 22 ... Step, 23 ... Belt drive pulley, 24 ... V belt, 25 ... input shaft, 26 ... step sprocket, 27,28 ... metal fitting (detected body), 29,30 ... proximity sensor (sensor), 31 ... calculation unit, 32 ... detection hole ( Through hole), 33, 34 ... disk, 35 ... light projecting unit, 36 ... light receiving unit, 37 ... programmable logic controller (calculation unit), 38 ... signal output terminal, 39 ... signal input terminal , 40 ... inverter, 41 ... data processing unit, 42, 43 ... entrance, 44 ... base, 66, 67 detection signal.

Claims (10)

A drive wheel that is rotated by a drive source;
A driven wheel that is rotated by a chain by the driving force of the driving wheel;
Detected bodies respectively provided on these driving wheels and driven wheels;
A sensor that is fixed with respect to the main frame of a passenger conveyor for each detected object, and detects rotation passing due to the rotation of the detected object;
A difference between rotation passing timings from these sensors is calculated, and a calculation unit that calculates an increase in the difference before and after the passenger conveyor is provided.
The calculation unit calculates a chain elongation amount based on the increase amount, the angular velocity of the driving wheel, and the rotation diameter of the driven wheel, and a chain elongation detection device for a passenger conveyor.   The object to be detected is a metal object having one end fixed to a side surface of a sprocket having a plurality of teeth meshing with the chain and a protrusion from the one end toward the radially outer side of the sprocket than the tooth tip of the tooth. The chain elongation detecting device for a passenger conveyor according to claim 1.   3. The chain extension detection device for a passenger conveyor according to claim 2, wherein the sensor is a proximity sensor that detects the approach of the detected object made of metal. The calculation unit includes:
The detection timings of the detection signals from the sensors are made to coincide with each other by adjusting the positioning of each detected object and the sensor for each detected object before the operation period of the passenger conveyor, and the detection is performed after the operation period has elapsed. The chain elongation detecting device for a passenger conveyor according to claim 1, wherein a fluctuation amount of the appearance timing of the signal is obtained. The calculation unit includes:
Waveforms from one sensor and the other sensor in which the detection timings are shifted from each other by a first time difference before the operation period of the passenger conveyor are stored, and the detection timings of the one sensor after the operation period have elapsed 2. The chain extension for a passenger conveyor according to claim 1, wherein a second time difference in which a detection timing of the other sensor with respect to the second time difference is delayed from the first time difference is obtained, and a difference between the first time difference and the second time difference is obtained. Detection device. An inverter that outputs a modulated current obtained by pulse-width modulating the current to the drive source;
A controller that outputs a speed change command corresponding to any one of a plurality of output angular velocities from the drive source to the inverter;
2. The chain extension detection device for a passenger conveyor according to claim 1, wherein the controller drives the drive source at an angular velocity smaller than an angular velocity during normal operation of the drive wheels.   The chain extension detection device for a passenger conveyor according to claim 1, wherein the calculation unit uses a programmable logic controller (PLC). A drive wheel that is rotated by a drive source;
A driven wheel that is rotated by a chain by the driving force of the driving wheel;
These drive wheels and driven wheels are coaxially provided, and each has a disk having a through hole in the radial direction;
A light projecting unit provided for each disk;
A light receiving portion provided for each of the disks for receiving light from the light projecting portion from the through holes, and
Obtaining a difference in light reception timing detected for each of the light receiving parts, and further calculating a difference amount of the difference before and after aging of the passenger conveyor,
The calculation unit calculates a chain elongation amount based on the increase amount, the angular velocity of the driving wheel, and the rotation diameter of the driven wheel, and a chain elongation detection device for a passenger conveyor.   The calculation unit detects a difference in passage timing of one round of each detected object a plurality of times, averages the difference values obtained by the plurality of detections, and removes outliers from the difference. Reduction processing is performed, The chain extension detection apparatus for passenger conveyors as described in any one of Claims 1-8 characterized by the above-mentioned. A drive source provided in the main frame of the passenger conveyor;
A drive wheel rotated by the drive source;
A chain that circulates endlessly by the driving force of this driving wheel,
A driven wheel rotated by this chain;
Detected bodies respectively provided on these driving wheels and driven wheels;
A sensor that is fixed to the main frame for each detected body and detects rotation passing due to the rotation of the detected body;
A difference between rotation passing timings from these sensors is calculated, and a calculation unit that calculates an increase in the difference before and after the passenger conveyor is provided.
The calculation section calculates a chain extension amount based on the increase amount, the angular velocity of the driving wheel, and the rotation diameter of the driven wheel.

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