JP2023043116A - passenger conveyor - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a passenger conveyor capable of removing deposits such as dust and pollen adhering to passengers.SOLUTION: A passenger conveyor includes a handrail panel 52 facing a passageway, an exterior material 53 placed outside the handrail panel 52 with a predetermined interval, and an internal space 58 between the handrail panel 52 and the exterior material 53. Also included is an air shower device 6 comprising an air supply path or air supply source placed in the internal space 58, and an air blowing section connected to the air supply path or air supply source in the internal space 58 and blowing air into the passageway from an air outlet 62 provided on the handrail panel 52.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a passenger conveyor that conveys passengers by means of endless conveying bodies that are circulatingly driven.

Passenger conveyors such as escalators and moving walkways are facilities used by an unspecified number of people, and there is no denying the possibility of bacterial or viral infections. In particular, the question of how to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus has recently become a matter of concern.

As one of countermeasures, a passenger conveyor has been proposed in which an air purifying device is provided near the entrance/exit (Patent Document 1). This is done by inhaling air, sterilizing the inhaled air with the light of an ultraviolet lamp, and passing the sterilized air through a filter to clean the air near the entrance and exit and hygienically manage the vicinity of the entrance and exit. That's what it means.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2007-520402

However, although this type of air purifier can clean the air in the vicinity of the entrance/exit, it cannot remove dust, pollen, and other contaminants adhered to passengers. If even a part of this deposit can be removed, it is possible to reduce the carry-over of deposits from the passenger conveyor to areas beyond (for example, other floors of the building in which the passenger conveyor is installed).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a passenger conveyor capable of removing dust, pollen, and other deposits from passengers.

The passenger conveyor according to the present invention includes:
A passenger conveyor comprising a balustrade panel facing an aisle, an exterior material arranged outside the balustrade panel at a predetermined interval, and an internal space between the balustrade panel and the exterior material,
As an air shower device,
an air supply path or air supply source arranged in the internal space;
The passenger conveyor includes an air blowing part connected to an air supply path or an air supply source in an internal space and blowing air from an air blowing port provided in a balustrade panel toward a passage.

Here, as one aspect of the passenger conveyor according to the present invention,
The air shower device can be installed at a plurality of locations at predetermined intervals in the direction in which passengers are conveyed.

Further, as another aspect of the passenger conveyor according to the present invention,
The air shower device can employ a configuration in which a plurality of air blowing portions are arranged at predetermined intervals in the height direction of the balustrade panel.

Also, as another aspect of the passenger conveyor according to the present invention,
The air shower device is installed at least at each location of the entrance and exit,
It is possible to employ a configuration in which the air blowing conditions are set to be different between the air shower device installed at the entrance and the air shower device installed at the exit.

Further, as still another aspect of the passenger conveyor according to the present invention,
the passenger conveyor is an escalator,
The air shower device is installed at least at the entrance,
The air shower device installed at the entrance can employ a configuration in which air blowing conditions are set differently depending on whether the escalator is going up or down.

Moreover, as the blowing condition of the air, it is possible to adopt a configuration such that it is any one of the strength or air volume of the air, the blowing direction of the air, or the temperature of the air.

According to the present invention, passengers on the passenger conveyor automatically pass through the air shower blowing area as they move. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to remove dust, pollen, and other substances adhering to passengers simply by riding on the passenger conveyor.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of an escalator according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a side view of the escalator. FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion B of FIG. 3. FIG. FIG. 5(a) is a vertical cross-sectional view or a horizontal cross-sectional view of the air blowing portion of the air shower device. FIGS. 5(b) and 5(c) are vertical and horizontal sectional views of the air blowing portion of the air shower device, and are explanatory diagrams showing that the air blowing direction can be changed. FIG. 6(a) is an explanatory diagram relating to an example of use of an air shower device installed in an area on the entrance side of an escalator. FIG. 6(b) is an explanatory diagram relating to another usage example. FIG. 7 is an escalator according to Embodiment 2 and is a vertical sectional view corresponding to the line AA in FIG. FIGS. 8A to 8D are vertical sectional views to horizontal sectional views of the air blowing portion of the air shower device, and are explanatory diagrams showing that the air blowing direction can be changed. FIG. 9(a) is an explanatory diagram relating to an example of use of an air shower device installed in an area on the entrance side of an escalator. FIG. 9(b) is an explanatory diagram of another usage example. FIG. 10 is an escalator according to Embodiment 3 and is a vertical sectional view corresponding to the line AA in FIG. FIGS. 11A to 11D are horizontal cross-sectional views of the air blowing portion of the air shower device, explaining that the air blowing direction can be changed. FIG. 12(a) is an explanatory diagram relating to an example of use of an air shower device installed in an area on the entrance side of an escalator. FIG. 12(b) is an explanatory diagram of another usage example.

<Embodiment 1>
An escalator provided with an air shower device, which is one of passenger conveyors, will be described below as a first embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the escalator 1 includes a boarding/alighting port 3 , a transport section 4 and a handrail section 5 . The entrance/exit 3 consists of an entrance 3A and an exit 3B, and is provided at each end of the conveying section 4. As shown in FIG. The conveying part 4 is supported by a truss 2 which is a structure supporting the dead weight and load of the escalator 1, and the tread surface moves along the passage, thereby conveying the passenger standing at that position without making them walk. Handrail portions 5 are also supported by the truss 2 and provided along the passage on the left and right sides of the passage. In this embodiment, the escalator 1 is set to transport passengers from left to right (from downstairs to upstairs). For this reason, the escalator 1 has, from left to right, an entrance 3A, a transport section 4, and an exit 3B. If the setting is switched inversely, the boarding gate 3A is switched to the boarding gate and the boarding gate 3B is switched to the boarding gate, and the passengers are transported from right to left (upstairs to downstairs).

The transport section 4 includes an endless transport body 40 . The endless conveying body 40 is formed by endlessly connecting a plurality of steps (steps) 41, . The endless conveying body 40 is driven to circulate in one direction or the opposite direction by circulating the step chain 42 as the drive motor 43 is driven.

The handrail section 5 includes a handrail 50 and a balustrade 51 . The handrail 50 is also called a moving handrail, is flexible and endless, and is circulatingly driven in conjunction with the endless carrier 40 . The balustrade 51 has a lower side supported by the truss 2 and supports the handrail 50 so as to be circulating. A pair of handrails 50 and balustrades 51 are provided on the left and right sides of the passage along the passage.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the balustrade 51 includes a balustrade panel 52 , an exterior material 53 , a skirt guard 54 , an outer deck cover 55 , an inner deck cover 56 and pillars 57 . The balustrade panel 52 is arranged vertically between an upper side portion (outbound route portion) 50A and a lower side portion (return route portion) 50B of the handrail 50 and faces the aisle. The exterior material 53 is arranged vertically outside the balustrade panel 52 with a predetermined gap from the balustrade panel 52 . The skirt guard 54 is vertically arranged below the balustrade panel 52 inside the balustrade panel 52 and faces the aisle. The outer deck cover 55 is detachably attached to close the upper opening between the balustrade panel 52 and the exterior material 53 . An inner deck cover 56 is removably mounted to close the upper opening between the balustrade panel 52 and the skirt guard 54 and faces the passageway. Thus, the balustrade 51 has an internal space 58, more specifically, a first internal space 58A surrounded by the balustrade panel 52, the exterior material 53 and the outer deck cover 55, the skirt guard 54, the exterior material 53 and the inner deck cover 56. and a second internal space 58B surrounded by A lower side portion (return portion) 50B of the handrail 50 is accommodated in the second internal space 58B and shielded from the outside. The column 57 is a structural member of the balustrade 51 that is placed in the internal space 58 and whose lower end is fixed to a frame such as the upper chord member 20 of the truss 2 .

The escalator 1 has an air shower device 6 . The air shower device 6 blows air from the balustrade panel 52 toward the passage to configure an air shower blowing area in the passage. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the air shower device 6 is installed in each region on the side of the entrance 3A and the side of the exit 3B. The air shower device 6 installed in the region on the side of the entrance 3A is installed, for example, in three places: the entrance 3A, the transition portion from the horizontal portion to the inclined portion of the conveying portion 4, and the starting end portion of the inclined portion of the conveying portion 4. It consists of three air shower devices 6, 6, 6. The air shower device 6 installed in the region on the side of the exit 3B is installed, for example, at three locations: the terminal end of the inclined portion of the conveying portion 4, the transition portion from the inclined portion to the horizontal portion of the conveying portion 4, and the exit 3B. It consists of three air shower devices 6, 6, 6. Each air shower device 6 is connected to an air supply source 60 such as an air compressor installed in the truss 2 via an air hose 61 and receives air supply from the air supply source 60 .

As shown in FIG. 2, each air shower device 6 has a plurality of air outlets 62, . A plurality of air outlets 62, . For example, the air shower device 6 installed at a location other than the entrance 3A and the exit 3B has three air outlets 62, 62, 62 at the top, middle and bottom sides of the balustrade panel 52. On the other hand, the air shower device 6 installed at the entrance 3A and the exit 3B has two air outlets 62, 62 at two locations on the balustrade panel 52, the upper side portion and the middle portion.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , each air shower device 6 includes a conduit 63 , a branch pipe 64 , an on-off valve 65 and an air blowing section 66 . The conduit 63 is arranged longitudinally in the first interior space 58A of the balustrade 51 and fixed to a frame such as a pillar 57 or the like. The conduit 63 has an air passage inside and is connected to the air hose 61 . A branch pipe 64 extends from the conduit 63 at a suitable location. The branch pipe 64 is a tubular body, has an air flow path inside, and connects the air flow path of the conduit 63 and the air flow path of the air blowing portion 66 . The air flow path of the conduit 63 and the air flow path of the branch pipe 64 constitute an air supply path from the air supply source 60 together with the air hose 61 . The branch pipe 64 is a flexible pipe and has a certain margin of length. As a result, a nozzle 67 of the air blowing portion 66, which will be described later, can be rotationally displaced. The on-off valve 65 is provided on the pipeline of the branch pipe 64 . By individually opening and closing the opening/closing valves 65, the blowing of air from the air blowing ports 62 by the air blowing portions 66 can be turned on and off individually.

As shown in FIG. 5, the air blowing portion 66 includes a nozzle 67 and a nozzle holding member 68. As shown in FIG. The nozzle 67 is spherical, has an air channel hole 67a therein, and is connected to the branch pipe 64 . The nozzle holding member 68 holds the nozzle 67 rotatably displaceable in all directions. That is, the nozzle 67 can be rotationally displaced in all directions about the center of the sphere within a range that does not interfere with the nozzle holding member 68 . The nozzle holding member 68 has an air channel hole 68 a that communicates with the air channel hole 67 a of the nozzle 67 . The nozzle holding member 68 is detachably attached to the outer surface of the balustrade panel 52 on the opposite side of the passage so that the air passage holes 68a are aligned with the air outlets 62 formed in the balustrade panel 52 . The air channel hole 67a of the nozzle 67 has a hole that expands in a tapered shape or a portion that expands in a tapered shape. The air passage hole 68a of the nozzle holding member 68 and the air outlet 62 of the balustrade panel 52 form one tapered hole when they are aligned. Therefore, the air blowing part 66 blows air in any direction (up, down, left, right, or obliquely) within the range of a conical shape having a predetermined vertical angle with respect to the direction T orthogonal to (the plate surface of) the balustrade panel 52 ( The air blowing direction center C) can be set, and the air can be blown so as to expand in a tapered shape at a predetermined opening angle.

By the way, escalators are classified into a wide type with a passage wide enough for passengers to line up side by side, and a narrow type with a passage wide enough for one passenger. In either type, a pair of balustrades 51 are provided on the left and right sides of the passage along the passage. Therefore, the air shower device 6 is provided on both the left and right sides. Alternatively, the air shower device 6 may be provided on either the left or right side. In any case, air is blown out from the balustrade 51 toward the passage, forming an air shower blowing area in the passage.

The air blowing direction of each air blowing part 66 of the air shower device 6 can be changed as described above. For example, by inserting a rod-shaped tool such as a screwdriver into the air passage hole 67a of the nozzle 67 through the passage and changing the orientation of the tool, the air blowing direction can be changed to the intended direction. At this time, it is unnecessary to remove a part of the balustrade 51 (for example, the inner deck cover 56).

One usage example of the air shower device 6 is as shown in FIG. 6(a). That is, in this example of use, i) an air shower device (first air shower device) 6 installed at the entrance 3A blows air toward passengers about to board the escalator 1; An air shower device (second air shower device) 6 installed at the transition portion from the horizontal portion to the inclined portion of the portion 4 blows air toward the passengers on the steps 41; An air shower device (third air shower device) 6 installed at the starting end of the inclined portion blows air toward passengers entering the inclined portion. Here, regarding each of ii) and iii), the three air blowing directions of the upper, middle, and lower stages of each air shower device 6 are tapered so that the air blowing direction center C expands at a predetermined opening angle with respect to each other. is set to As a result, the air blown out from the air shower device 6 is expanded vertically as a whole, and is blown over a wide range from the shoulders to the feet of the passenger.

Another usage example of the air shower device 6 is as shown in FIG. 6(b). That is, in this example of use, the second air shower device 6 blows out air in the passenger transport direction (moving direction of the endless transport body 40 of the transport unit 4), thereby Air is blown from the rear of the passenger, and the third air shower device 6 blows air in the direction opposite to the direction in which the passenger is conveyed, thereby blowing air from the front of the passenger who has entered the inclined part. The former air blowing direction is called "back to front", and the latter air blowing direction is called "front to back".

These usage examples are not limited to the area on the side of the boarding gate 3A, but may also be performed in the area on the side of the exit 3B using the air shower device 6 installed in the area on the side of the exit 3B. . Alternatively, these usage examples may be performed only in the area on the side of the exit 3B instead of the area on the side of the entrance 3A.

In the escalator 1 according to the present embodiment, when there is no passenger (a passenger is not detected by the human detection sensor), the conveying unit 4 stops, and when a passenger is present (a passenger is detected by the human detection sensor), There is a so-called automatic escalator on which the transport section 4 is started. In this automatic escalator, the air shower device 6 is activated (the air supply source 60 is activated) when the transportation section 4 is started, and is stopped when the transportation section 4 is stopped (the air supply source 60 is stopped). to). Alternatively, the air shower device 6 may be operated continuously while the escalator 1 is powered on.

As described above, according to the escalator 1 of the present embodiment, passengers on the escalator 1 automatically pass through the air shower blowing area as they move. Therefore, according to the escalator 1 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to remove dust, pollen, and other substances adhering to (clothes of) passengers just by stepping on the escalator 1 .

Further, according to the escalator 1 according to the present embodiment, the air shower device 6 is arranged outside the balustrade panel 52 and does not protrude from the balustrade panel 52 toward the aisle. Therefore, according to the escalator 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent an event such as a passenger being caught in the air shower device 6 from occurring.

Further, according to the escalator 1 of the present embodiment, the blowing direction of the air of the air shower device 6 can be changed by changing the direction of the nozzle 67 of the air blowing portion 66 from the passage side. Therefore, according to the escalator 1 of the present embodiment, the air blowing direction of the air shower device 6 can be arbitrarily and easily changed over a wide range.

In addition, the escalator 1 according to the present embodiment can be used in various usage examples by including a plurality of air shower devices 6, . . . One usage example is an air shower device 6 (hereinafter referred to as "A") installed at the entrance 3A and an air shower device 6 (hereinafter referred to as "B") installed at the exit 3B. The air blowing conditions are made different. Blowing conditions include the intensity or volume of air (including stoppage of air blowing), the blowing direction of air, the temperature of air, and the like. For example, the following patterns are conceivable, which make it possible to distinguish between the entrance 3A and the exit 3B. This identification function is particularly useful for visually impaired people. In order to realize patterns v) and vi), it is necessary to install a temperature control device on the air supply path (for example, on the pipeline of the air hose 61).
i) One of A or B: Air ON, the other of A or B: Air OFF
ii) One of A or B: large air volume, the other of A or B: small air volume iii) One of A or B: air blowing direction from front to back, the other of A or B: air blowing direction rearward to before iv) one of A or B: air blowing direction from top to bottom, the other of A or B: air blowing direction from bottom to top v) one of A or B: air temperature normal temperature, the other of A or B: Air temperature cold vi) One of A or B: air temperature normal temperature, the other of A or B: air temperature warm

Another usage example is when the escalator 1 is going up (hereinafter referred to as "C") and going down (hereinafter referred to as "D") in the air shower device 6 installed at the entrance 3A. , the air blowing conditions are varied. For example, the following patterns are conceivable, making it possible to identify whether the escalator 1 is going up or going down. This identification function is particularly useful for visually impaired people.
i) One of C or D: Air ON, the other of C or D: Air OFF
ii) One of C or D: Large air volume, the other of C or D: Small air volume iii) One of C or D: Air blowing direction front to back, The other of C or D: Air blowing direction rearward to before iv) one of C or D: air blowing direction from top to bottom, the other of C or D: air blowing direction from bottom to top v) one of C or D: air temperature normal temperature, the other of C or D: Air temperature cold vi) One of C or D: air temperature room temperature, the other of C or D: air temperature warm

<Embodiment 2>
Next, an escalator equipped with an air shower device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9. FIG. The escalator according to this embodiment differs from the escalator according to the first embodiment in the structure of the air shower device. Specifically, in Embodiment 1, the air supply source 60 is an air compressor, whereas in this embodiment, the air supply source 60 is a fan, and in Embodiment 1, the nozzle 67 is spherical. However, in this embodiment, the nozzle 67 is a pipe. Other than this point, both are the same. Therefore, in the following, different points will be described, and descriptions of the same points will be omitted as they are the same as those of the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 7, the air supply source 60 is vertically arranged in the first internal space 58A of the balustrade 51 and fixed to a frame such as a pillar 57 or the like. The housing of the air supply source 60 has an air outlet corresponding to the air outlet 62 . The air outlet is connected to nozzle 67 .

As shown in FIG. 8, the nozzle 67 is inserted through an insertion hole 52a formed in the balustrade panel 52. As shown in FIG. The nozzle 67 is a tubular body and has an air channel hole 67a inside. The air flow path hole 67a is curved or bent such that the center C of the air blowing direction is inclined with respect to the direction T orthogonal to (the plate surface of) the balustrade panel 52 . However, in order to prevent an event such as a passenger being caught in the air shower device 6, the nozzle 67 is formed short so that the amount of protrusion from the balustrade panel 52 is minimized.

The nozzle 67 has a flange portion 67b. The flange portion 67b is an enlarged end of a tube and is removably attached to the outer surface of the balustrade panel 52 opposite the passageway. By changing the angular position of the nozzle 67 with respect to the center of the insertion hole 52a of the balustrade panel 52 (FIGS. 8A and 8B), or by changing the inclination angle of the air blowing direction center C to the nozzle 67 The air blowing direction can be changed by replacing it (FIG. 8(c)) or by replacing it with a straight nozzle 67 in which the air blowing direction center C is not inclined (FIG. 8(d)).

A usage example of the air shower device 6 is the same as that of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. Thus, the escalator 1 according to the present embodiment also has the same effects as the escalator 1 according to the first embodiment.

<Embodiment 3>
Next, an escalator equipped with an air shower device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12. FIG. The escalator according to this embodiment differs from the escalator according to the second embodiment in the structure of the nozzle of the air shower device. Specifically, in Embodiment 1, a plurality of nozzles 67 are provided in the height direction, whereas in this embodiment, the nozzles 67 are connected to one and have a vertically long shape. Other than this point, both are the same. Therefore, in the following, different points will be described, and descriptions of the same points will be omitted as they are the same as those in the first and second embodiments.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the nozzle 67 is formed vertically in the balustrade panel 52 in the height direction. Correspondingly, the air passage hole 67a and the insertion hole 52a of the balustrade panel 52 are also formed vertically. The air flow path hole 67a is curved or bent so that the air blowing direction center C is inclined in the width direction (horizontal direction) of the nozzle 67 with respect to the direction T orthogonal to (the plate surface of) the balustrade panel 52. .

A usage example of the air shower device 6 is the same as in the first and second embodiments, as shown in FIG. As described above, the escalator 1 according to the present embodiment also exhibits the same operational effects as the escalator 1 according to the first and second embodiments.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention.

In each of the above embodiments, the air shower device 6 is installed in each area on the entrance 3A side and the exit 3B side. However, the invention is not limited to this. For example, the air shower device may also be installed in the middle region of the transport section. Alternatively, the air shower device may be installed over the entire length of the transport section. Alternatively, the air shower device may be installed only in one of the area on the entrance side, the area in the intermediate portion of the conveying section, and the area on the exit side.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the air shower device 6 provides a predetermined interval in the passenger transport direction (moving direction of the endless transport body 40 of the transport unit 4) in each area on the entrance 3A side and the exit 3B side. and installed in three locations. However, the invention is not limited to this. The installation locations may be two locations, four locations, or five locations or more.

Moreover, in each of the above embodiments, the passenger conveyor is an escalator. However, it goes without saying that the present invention is also applicable to moving walkways.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Escalator 2... Truss 20... Upper chord member 3... Entrance/exit 3A... Entrance 3B... Exit 4... Conveying part 40... Endless conveying body 41... Step 42... Step chain 43... Drive motor 5 Handrail portion 50 Handrail 50A Upper side portion (outward route portion) 50B Lower side portion (return route portion) 51 Balustrade 52 Balustrade panel 52a Insertion hole 53 Exterior material , 54... skirt guard, 55... outer deck cover, 56... inner deck cover, 57... pillar, 58... inner space, 58A... first inner space, 58B... second inner space, 6... air shower device, 60... air Supply source 61 Air hose 62 Air outlet 63 Conduit 64 Branch pipe 65 On-off valve 66 Air blowing portion 67 Nozzle 67 a Air channel hole 67 b Flange 68 ... Nozzle holding member 68a ... Air channel hole C ... Center of air blowing direction T ... Orthogonal direction to balustrade panel

The passenger conveyor according to the present invention includes:
A passenger conveyor comprising a balustrade panel facing an aisle, an exterior material arranged outside the balustrade panel at a predetermined interval, and an internal space between the balustrade panel and the exterior material,
As an air shower device for removing deposits attached to the clothes of passengers ,
an air supply path or air supply source arranged in the internal space;
an air blowing part connected to an air supply path or an air supply source in an internal space and blowing air from an air blowing port provided in a balustrade panel toward a range from the shoulders to the feet of passengers on the aisle. be.

Claims (6)

A passenger conveyor comprising a balustrade panel facing an aisle, an exterior material arranged outside the balustrade panel at a predetermined interval, and an internal space between the balustrade panel and the exterior material,
As an air shower device,
an air supply path or air supply source arranged in the internal space;
An air blowing part connected to an air supply path or an air supply source in an internal space and blowing air from an air blowing port provided in a balustrade panel toward a passage. The passenger conveyor according to claim 1, wherein the air shower devices are installed at a plurality of locations at predetermined intervals in the passenger conveying direction. 3. The passenger conveyor according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the air shower device comprises a plurality of air blowing portions arranged at predetermined intervals in the height direction of the balustrade panel. The air shower device is installed at least at each location of the entrance and exit,
The passenger conveyor according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the air shower device installed at the entrance and the air shower device installed at the exit are set to have different air blowing conditions. . the passenger conveyor is an escalator,
The air shower device is installed at least at the entrance,
5. The air shower device installed at the entrance is set so that air blowing conditions are different depending on whether the escalator is going up or going down. passenger conveyor. 6. The passenger conveyor according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the air blowing condition is any one of air intensity or air volume, air blowing direction, and air temperature.

Images