JP2022177452A - Passenger conveyor and its control device - Google Patents

Abstract

To obtain a passenger conveyor and its control device capable of improving transport capacity.SOLUTION: A mode switching unit 13 switches the operation mode in a motor control unit 11 based on the determination result by a load determining unit 12. The mode switching unit 13 determines whether or not a user is at a first end S1 based on the signal from a first sensor 4. The mode switching unit 13 determines whether or not a user is at a second end S2 based on the signal from a second sensor 5. The mode switching unit 13 suspends switching the operation mode when the load of a motor 2 is less than a load setpoint and when a user is present at at least one of the first end S1 and the second end S2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to a passenger conveyor and its control device.

In a conventional passenger conveyor, when the load of the driving device is below a threshold value and no passengers scheduled to board and passengers scheduled to disembark are detected, the moving speed of the plurality of steps is reduced from the normal running speed to the normal speed. is switched to a first travel speed that is faster than the travel speed of the Further, when a passenger scheduled to get on is detected and a passenger scheduled to get off is detected, regardless of the load on the driving device, the moving speed of the plurality of steps is set to the normal running speed (for example, , see Patent Document 1).

JP 2017-222497 A

In the conventional passenger conveyor as described above, when a passenger scheduled to get on or a passenger scheduled to get off is detected during operation at the first running speed, the moving speed of the plurality of steps is returned to the normal running speed. Therefore, the effect of improving the transportation capacity by driving at the first travel speed is reduced.

The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to obtain a passenger conveyor and its control device capable of improving transportation capacity.

A control device for a passenger conveyor according to the present disclosure has a plurality of operation modes including a normal operation mode in which a plurality of steps are moved at a normal speed and a high-speed operation mode in which a plurality of steps are moved at a higher speed than the normal speed. A motor control unit that controls the motor that moves the step, a load determination unit that determines whether the load on the motor is equal to or greater than the load setting value, and a mode switch that switches the operation mode based on the determination result of the load determination unit. In the user transport path by the plurality of steps, the end on the upstream side in the moving direction of the steps is the first end, and the end on the downstream side in the moving direction of the steps is the second end. When the section between the first end and the second end is defined as the middle section, the mode switching section includes a signal from the first sensor that detects the user at the first end and a signal from the second end. and a signal from a second sensor that detects a user at the portion, and determines whether a user is present at at least one of the first end and the second end, and the mode switching portion determines whether the user is present at the motor. Switching the operating mode between the normal operating mode and the high speed operating mode when the load is less than the load set value and there is a user at least one of the first end and the second end Hold.

According to the passenger conveyor and its control device of the present disclosure, transportation capacity can be improved.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an escalator according to Embodiment 1; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the control device of FIG. 1; FIG. FIG. 3 is a table showing a list of conditions for switching operation modes by a mode switching unit in FIG. 2 ; FIG. FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a mode switching operation by the mode switching unit of FIG. 3; FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a first example of a processing circuit that implements each function of the control device of Embodiment 1; FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a second example of a processing circuit that implements each function of the control device of Embodiment 1; FIG.

Embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings.
Embodiment 1.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an escalator according to Embodiment 1. FIG. In FIG. 1, the escalator has a plurality of steps 1 , a motor 2 , a controller 3 , a first sensor 4 , a second sensor 5 and an entrance sensor 6 .

A plurality of steps 1 are connected to each other in an endless manner. Moreover, a plurality of steps 1 carry a user (not shown) on them. In FIG. 1, the user is transported from the lower floor to the upper floor. That is, the running direction of the escalator in FIG. 1 is upward.

A motor 2 moves a plurality of steps 1. - 特許庁The control device 3 controls the motor 2 via an inverter (not shown).

Here, the moving route of the plurality of steps 1 has an outward section, a return section, a lower floor reversal portion, and an upper floor reversal portion. Of these, the forward section has a lower horizontal section A, a lower curved section B, an intermediate inclined section C, an upper curved section D, and an upper horizontal section E.

The lower floor horizontal portion A is a section in which each step 1 moves horizontally on the lower floor. The upper floor horizontal portion E is a section in which each step 1 moves horizontally on the upper floor. The intermediate inclined portion C is a section inclined at a constant angle with respect to the horizontal plane. The lower curved portion B is a section between the lower horizontal portion A and the intermediate inclined portion C. As shown in FIG. The upper curved portion D is a section between the upper horizontal portion E and the intermediate inclined portion C. As shown in FIG.

In addition, the moving route of the plurality of steps 1 includes the user's transport route by the plurality of steps 1 . The conveying route is a section in which a plurality of steps 1 are exposed to the outside in the outward section.

Let the edge part of the upstream side in the moving direction of the several steps 1 be the 1st edge part S1 among conveyance paths. In addition, the end of the conveying route on the downstream side in the moving direction of the plurality of steps 1 is referred to as a second end S2. In addition, the portion between the first end portion S1 and the second end portion S2 of the transport path is an intermediate portion. The intermediate portion is the same section as the intermediate inclined portion C.

The first end portion S1 is a section including the lower curved portion B and a portion of the lower horizontal portion A adjacent to the lower curved portion B. As shown in FIG. The second end portion S2 is a section including the upper curved portion D and a portion of the upper floor horizontal portion E adjacent to the upper curved portion D.

The first sensor 4 is provided at the lower curved portion B. As shown in FIG. Also, the first sensor 4 detects the user at the first end S1, that is, the user who has moved onto the steps 1. As shown in FIG.

The second sensor 5 is provided on the upper curved portion D. As shown in FIG. Also, the second sensor 5 detects the user at the second end S2, that is, the user immediately before getting off the step 1. FIG. Transmissive sensors are used as the first sensor 4 and the second sensor 5, respectively.

The entrance sensor 6 detects a user at the entrance S3 to a plurality of steps 1, that is, a user trying to move onto the steps 1. - 特許庁

A signal from the first sensor 4 , a signal from the second sensor 5 and a signal from the entrance sensor 6 are sent to the control device 3 .

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the control device 3 of FIG. The control device 3 has a motor control section 11, a load determination section 12, and a mode switching section 13 as functional blocks.

A motor control unit 11 controls the motor 2 in a plurality of operation modes. The multiple operating modes include a normal operating mode, a high speed operating mode, and an energy saving mode.

The normal operation mode is an operation mode in which a plurality of steps 1 are moved at a normal speed. The normal speed is the rated speed. The high-speed operation mode is an operation mode in which the plurality of steps 1 are moved at a speed higher than the normal speed.

The energy saving mode is an operation mode in which the plurality of steps 1 are moved at a lower speed than the normal speed. Note that the energy-saving mode may be an operation mode in which movement of the plurality of steps 1 is suspended.

The load determination unit 12 detects the load of the motor 2 based on the current value supplied to the motor 2 . A load setting value is set in the load determination unit 12 . The load set value is a load value that serves as a reference for switching from the normal operation mode to the high-speed operation mode.

The load determination unit 12 determines whether the detected load of the motor 2 is greater than or equal to the load setting value. A determination result by the load determination unit 12 is sent to the mode switching unit 13 .

A load detection method by the load determination unit 12 is not particularly limited. Moreover, the load determination unit 12 may estimate the load of the motor 2 . For example, the load determination unit 12 may estimate the load of the motor 2 based on the number of users on the steps 1 .

The mode switching unit 13 switches the operation mode in the motor control unit 11 based on the load of the motor 2 . Specifically, the mode switching unit 13 switches the operation mode in the motor control unit 11 based on the determination result by the load determination unit 12 .

Also, the mode switching unit 13 determines whether or not the user is at the first end S1 based on the signal from the first sensor 4 . Also, the mode switching unit 13 determines whether or not there is a user at the second end S2 based on the signal from the second sensor 5 . Also, the mode switching unit 13 determines whether or not there is a user at the entrance S3 based on the signal from the entrance sensor 6 .

The mode switching section 13 has a timer 14 . An energy saving setting time is set in the mode switching unit 13 . The energy saving set time is a reference time for switching the operation mode to the energy saving mode. The mode switching unit 13 switches the operation mode of the motor control unit 11 to the energy saving mode when the time during which the entrance sensor 6 has not continuously detected the user reaches the energy saving setting time.

Further, the mode switching unit 13 selects the normal operation mode when the load of the motor 2 is less than the load setting value and when the user is at at least one of the first end S1 and the second end S2. Suspend the switching of the operating mode to and from the high-speed operating mode.

In addition, the mode switching unit 13 switches the operation mode between the normal operation mode and the high speed operation mode even when the load of the motor 2 is less than the load set value and the user is at the entrance S3. withhold.

Further, when the load of the motor 2 is equal to or higher than the load setting value, the mode switching unit 13 switches from the high-speed operation mode to the normal operation even if a user is present at at least one of the first end S1 and the second end S2. Mode switching is allowed.

A set time for getting off the vehicle is set in the mode switching unit 13 . The set exit time is the time required for the user detected by the second sensor 5 to move to the exit.

When suspending the switching of the driving mode due to the presence of the user at the second end S2, the mode switching unit 13 switches the driving mode from when the user is detected by the second sensor 5 until the set time for getting off the vehicle has elapsed. suspend switching.

FIG. 3 is a table showing a list of conditions for switching the operation mode by the mode switching unit 13 of FIG.

In FIG. 3, "light" indicates that the load of the motor 2 is less than the set load value. "Heavy" indicates that the load of the motor 2 is greater than or equal to the load set value. "-" indicates that either detection or non-detection is acceptable. “O” indicates that the operation mode can be switched immediately. “X” indicates that the operation mode cannot be switched, that is, the operation mode switching is suspended.

In condition 1, since the energy saving mode is selected, switching to the normal operation mode is possible.

In Condition 2, the load of the motor 2 is less than the set load value, and none of the entrance sensor 6, the first sensor 4, and the second sensor 5 detect the user. Therefore, it is possible to switch from the normal operation mode to the high-speed operation mode. Moreover, if the time during which the user is not continuously detected by the entrance sensor 6 reaches the energy saving setting time, switching to the energy saving mode is also possible.

In conditions 3 to 5, the load of the motor 2 is less than the set load value, but at least one of the entrance sensor 6, the first sensor 4, and the second sensor 5 detects the user. Therefore, switching from the normal operation mode to the high-speed operation mode is impossible. Also, when the high-speed operation mode is selected, the operation mode cannot be switched. That is, until the user is no longer detected by any of the entrance sensor 6, the first sensor 4, and the second sensor 5, the switching of the driving mode is suspended and the current driving mode is maintained.

In condition 6, the load of the motor 2 is greater than or equal to the load set value, and the normal operation mode is selected. Therefore, regardless of whether the user is detected or not, switching to the high-speed operation mode is impossible.

In condition 7, the high-speed operation mode is selected, but the load on the motor 2 is greater than or equal to the set load value, and there is a possibility that an excessive load is being applied to the equipment. Therefore, from the viewpoint of equipment protection, it is possible to switch to the normal operation mode regardless of whether the user is detected or not.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the mode switching operation by the mode switching section 13 of FIG. The mode switching unit 13 periodically performs the mode switching operation shown in FIG.

When the mode switching operation is started, the mode switching unit 13 determines in step S101 whether or not there is a user at the boarding gate S3. When there is no user at the entrance S3, the mode switching unit 13 confirms whether the operation mode is the energy saving mode in step S102. If the operation mode is the energy saving mode, the mode switching unit 13 terminates the processing for that time.

If the operation mode is not the energy saving mode, the mode switching unit 13 determines whether or not the time during which the entrance sensor 6 does not detect the user has reached the energy saving set time in step S103. If the time during which the user is not detected by the entrance sensor 6 does not reach the energy saving set time, the mode switching unit 13 terminates the processing for that time.

When the time during which the user is not detected by the entrance sensor 6 reaches the energy saving set time, the mode switching unit 13 switches the operation mode to the energy saving mode in step S104, and ends the processing for that time.

It should be noted that the normal operation mode is selected as the operation mode when the escalator is started. Therefore, after the escalator is started, the operation mode is switched to the energy saving mode when the time during which the entrance sensor 6 does not detect the user reaches the energy saving setting time.

In step S101, if there is a user at the entrance S3, the mode switching unit 13 checks in step S105 whether the operation mode is the energy saving mode. When the operation mode is the energy saving mode, the mode switching unit 13 switches the operation mode to the normal operation mode in step S106, and ends the processing for that time.

If the operating mode is not the energy saving mode, the mode switching unit 13 determines whether to switch the operating mode based on the current operating mode and the load of the motor 2 in step S107. When not switching the operation mode, the mode switching unit 13 terminates the processing for that time.

When switching the operation mode, the mode switching unit 13 determines whether switching is possible in step S108. At this time, the mode switching unit 13 changes the load of the motor 2, the presence or absence of a user at the entrance S3, the presence or absence of a user at the first end S1, the presence or absence of a user at the second end S2, and the current operation mode. Based on this, it is determined whether or not switching is possible.

If the operation mode cannot be switched, the mode switching unit 13 suspends the switching of the operation mode and terminates the processing for that time. If the operation mode can be switched, the mode switching unit 13 switches the operation mode in step S109, and ends the processing for that time.

In this way, the mode switching unit 13 operates normally when the load of the motor 2 is less than the load setting value and when the user is at at least one of the first end S1 and the second end S2. suspend the switching of the operating mode between the mode and the high-speed operating mode.

Therefore, when the operation mode is the high-speed operation mode, the high-speed operation mode is maintained even if the user is in at least one of the first end S1 and the second end S2. As a result, transportation capacity can be improved.

In addition, immediately after the user gets on the steps 1 and immediately before the user gets off the steps 1, the change in the moving speed of the plurality of steps 1 is suppressed, and the user's getting on and off the steps 1 can be stabilized. can.

Further, when the load of the motor 2 is less than the load set value, the operation mode is switched to the high-speed operation mode, so the transportation capacity can be improved without increasing the capacity of the motor 2 and power equipment. As a result, it is possible to suppress an increase in the volume required for installing the motor 2 and the power equipment, and it is possible to facilitate installation of the escalator in an existing building.

In addition, the mode switching unit 13 suspends the switching of the operation mode even when the load of the motor 2 is less than the load set value and the user is at the entrance S3. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the change in the moving speed of the plurality of steps 1 immediately before the user gets on the steps 1, so that the user can smoothly move onto the steps 1. - 特許庁

Further, when the load of the motor 2 is equal to or higher than the load setting value, the mode switching unit 13 switches from the high-speed operation mode to the normal operation even if a user is present at at least one of the first end S1 and the second end S2. Mode switching is allowed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the device from being overloaded and, for example, prevent the device from malfunctioning due to heat generation of the components.

Further, when the mode switching unit 13 suspends the switching of the driving mode due to the presence of the user at the second end S2, after the user is detected by the second sensor 5, until the set time for getting off the vehicle has elapsed, Hold the operation mode switching. As a result, the movement speed of the plurality of steps 1 is suppressed from changing just before the user gets off the steps 1, and the user can be smoothly moved from the steps 1 to the exit.

Moreover, the mode switching unit 13 switches the operation mode to the energy saving mode when the time during which the entrance sensor 6 does not detect the user reaches the energy saving setting time. Thereby, power consumption can be suppressed.

In addition, the running direction of the escalator may be downward.

The passenger conveyor may also be a moving walkway.

Further, each function of the control device 3 of Embodiment 1 is implemented by a processing circuit. FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing a first example of a processing circuit that implements each function of the control device 3 of the first embodiment. The processing circuit 100 of the first example is dedicated hardware.

Also, the processing circuit 100 may be, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof. Applicable. Further, each function of the control device 3 may be realized by an individual processing circuit 100, or each function may be collectively realized by the processing circuit 100. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing a second example of a processing circuit that implements each function of the control device 3 of the first embodiment. The processing circuit 200 of the second example comprises a processor 201 and a memory 202 .

In the processing circuit 200, each function of the control device 3 is implemented by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. Software and firmware are written as programs and stored in memory 202 . The processor 201 implements each function by reading and executing a program stored in the memory 202 .

It can also be said that the program stored in the memory 202 causes the computer to execute the procedure or method of each part described above. Here, the memory 202 is, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), flash memory, EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and volatile or volatile semiconductor memory. The memory 202 also includes magnetic disks, flexible disks, optical disks, compact disks, mini disks, DVDs, and the like.

It should be noted that a part of the functions of the above-described units may be realized by dedicated hardware, and a part thereof may be realized by software or firmware.

In this way, the processing circuit can implement the functions of the units described above by means of hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.

1 step, 2 motor, 3 control device, 4 first sensor, 5 second sensor, 6 entrance sensor, 11 motor control section, 12 load determination section, 13 mode switching section.

Claims (6)

A motor for moving the plurality of steps is controlled by a plurality of operation modes including a normal operation mode in which the plurality of steps are moved at a normal speed and a high-speed operation mode in which the plurality of steps are moved at a higher speed than the normal speed. motor control unit,
a load determination unit that determines whether the load of the motor is equal to or greater than a load setting value; and a mode switching unit that switches the operation mode based on the determination result of the load determination unit,
In the transport path of the user by the plurality of steps, the upstream end in the movement direction of the plurality of steps is the first end, and the downstream end in the movement direction of the plurality of steps is the second end. , when the portion between the first end and the second end is an intermediate portion,
The mode switching unit, based on a signal from a first sensor that detects a user at the first end and a signal from a second sensor that detects a user at the second end, determining whether there is a user at least one of the first end and the second end;
The mode switching unit switches between the normal operation mode and the normal operation mode when the load of the motor is less than the load set value and a user is present at at least one of the first end and the second end. A controller for the passenger conveyor that suspends switching of the operation mode between the high-speed operation mode and the high-speed operation mode. The mode switching unit determines whether there is a user at the entrance based on a signal from a entrance sensor that detects a user at the entrance to the plurality of steps,
The mode switching unit switches the operation mode between the normal operation mode and the high-speed operation mode even when the load of the motor is less than the load set value and there is a user at the entrance. 2. A control device for a passenger conveyor according to claim 1, wherein the switching of is suspended. The mode switching unit switches from the high-speed operation mode to the normal operation mode even if a user is present at at least one of the first end and the second end when the load of the motor is equal to or greater than the load setting value. 3. A control device for a passenger conveyor according to claim 1 or 2, wherein switching to the operation mode is permitted. The mode switching unit is set with a set exit time, which is the time required for the user detected by the second sensor to move to the exit,
When the mode switching unit suspends the switching of the driving mode due to the presence of the user at the second end, after the user is detected by the second sensor until the set time for getting off the vehicle has elapsed, 4. The passenger conveyor control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the switching of the operation mode is suspended. multiple steps,
a motor that moves the plurality of steps;
In the transport path of the user by the plurality of steps, the upstream end in the movement direction of the plurality of steps is the first end, and the downstream end in the movement direction of the plurality of steps is the second end. , a first sensor that detects a user at the first end with a portion between the first end and the second end as an intermediate portion;
a second sensor for detecting a user at the second end; and a controller;
The control device is
a motor control unit for controlling the motor in a plurality of operation modes including a normal operation mode in which the plurality of steps are moved at a normal speed and a high-speed operation mode in which the plurality of steps are moved at a higher speed than the normal speed;
a load determination unit that determines whether the load of the motor is equal to or greater than a load setting value; and a mode switching unit that switches the operation mode based on the determination result of the load determination unit,
The mode switching unit determines whether a user is present at at least one of the first end and the second end based on the signal from the first sensor and the signal from the second sensor. judge,
The mode switching unit switches between the normal operation mode and the normal operation mode when the load of the motor is less than the load set value and a user is present at at least one of the first end and the second end. A passenger conveyor that suspends switching of said mode of operation to and from said high speed mode of operation. further comprising an entrance sensor that detects a user at the entrance to the plurality of steps;
The mode switching unit determines whether there is a user at the entrance based on a signal from the entrance sensor,
The mode switching unit switches the operation mode between the normal operation mode and the high-speed operation mode even when the load of the motor is less than the load set value and there is a user at the entrance. 6. The passenger conveyor according to claim 5, wherein the switching of is suspended.

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