JP4820769B2 - Escalator drive roller drop detection device and escalator - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an escalator drive roller drop detection device in which a plurality of step shafts supported by a plurality of steps are connected by a connecting member and two left and right drive rollers supported on both sides of each step shaft are guided by rails. And escalators.

  Conventionally, an escalator having a schematic sectional view shown in FIG. 9 has been considered. The escalator shown in FIG. 9 connects a plurality of step shafts (not shown) supported by a plurality of steps 10 by means of an endless chain 11 which is a connecting member, and on both left and right sides (both front and back in FIG. 9) of each step shaft. The left and right drive rollers 12 supported (in FIG. 9, only the left and right drive rollers 12 are shown, and the other drive rollers are omitted) are guided by two upper and lower drive rails 14a and 14b. is doing. In the entire specification and claims, “left and right” are left and right when the upper entrance is viewed from the lower entrance of the escalator, and will be described below with reference to FIGS. This is the same as the left and right of FIGS. 10, 11, 13, and 14.

  FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing in detail the single step 10 and the step shaft 16 and the driving roller 12 supported on the step 10. The step 10 includes a step body 18, a step plate 20 that is coupled to the step body 18 and carries a person, and a riser 22 that is coupled to one side of the step plate 20. A step shaft 16 is supported on the step body 18 so as to extend toward both left and right ends, and a driving roller 12 is rotatably supported on both left and right ends of the step shaft 16. Further, both ends of the step shaft 16 are connected to the chain 11.

  FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a part of two chains 11 arranged on the left and right sides of the escalator and a plurality of step shafts 16 connected by the two chains 11. As shown in FIG. 11, the plurality of step shafts 16 are connected by two chains 11 at equal intervals along the direction of the chain 11. Returning to FIG. 9, the chain 11 is wound around the sprockets 26 and 28 provided on the upper side and the lower side, and the upper sprocket 26, which is a drive sprocket, is driven by an escalator drive device 30 including a drive motor. It can be driven.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the left and right drive rollers 12 are guided by two drive rails 14a and 14b separated from each other on the left and right sides, that is, a total of four drive rails 14a and 14b. Yes. Further, two follower rollers 32 are rotatably supported at the left and right end portions of the step body 18 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of an escalator for explaining the shapes of the follower rail 34 that guides the follower roller 32 and the drive rails 14 a and 14 b that guide the drive roller 12. As shown in FIG. 12, two follower rollers 32 provided on the left and right sides for each step 10 are guided by follower rails 34 provided continuously in an annular shape. The escalator drives the drive device 30 to circulate and drive the step 10 (FIG. 12) via the chain 11 (FIGS. 10 and 11) and the step shaft 16. In addition, when the step 10 circulates and drives in the directions indicated by arrows A and B in FIGS. 9 and 12, it becomes a descending escalator for lowering a person. On the other hand, when the step 10 is circulated and driven in the direction opposite to the arrows a and b in FIGS. 9 and 12, the escalator for raising the person is provided.

  Further, in Patent Document 1, a small proximity sensor is attached to the lower part of the comb mounting beam in the vicinity of the entrance / exit in order to detect that the escalator tread has dropped or missing from the tread body, and a pair of small proximity sensors. It is described that the magnetic sensor portion is projected into the groove of the tread. The detection result of the small proximity sensor is sent to the control device, and the control device determines whether there is an abnormality in the step based on this detection result, and if it is determined that an abnormality has occurred, the drive around which the chain is wound The drive device that drives the sprocket is stopped.

JP 2003-118965 A

  In the case of the conventional escalator shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, it cannot be said that there is no possibility that the driving roller 12 supported by the step shaft 16 falls off. That is, FIG. 13 is a schematic view in which a part of FIG. 10 is cut and viewed in the direction of arrow A in FIG. As shown in FIG. 13, the drive roller 12 supported at both ends of the step shaft 16 rolls while being guided on a drive rail 14a having an L-shaped cross section or a right-angled corner of the cross section. ing. Further, a retaining ring is locked to the end portion of the step shaft 16 to prevent the drive roller 12 from being detached from the step shaft 16.

  However, as shown in FIG. 9 above, sprockets 26 and 28 are provided near the upper part and the lower part of the chain 11 near the entrance / exit of the escalator, and the chain 11 is wound around the sprockets 26 and 28. Therefore, it is not necessary to guide the drive roller 12 by the drive rail 14a (or 14b) in the vicinity of the upper part and the lower part of the chain 11 near the entrance / exit, and when the drive rail is provided in this part, It may be difficult to smoothly engage the chain 11 with the sprocket 26 (or 28). For this reason, drive rails are not provided near the upper part and the lower part of the chain 11 near the entrance and exit, and the upper drive rail 14a and the lower drive rail 14b are not continuous. Therefore, in the vicinity of the upper part and the lower part of the chain 11 near the entrance / exit, when the driving roller 12 is not guided by the driving rail and some axial force is applied to the driving roller 12, as shown in FIG. It cannot be said that there is no possibility that the drive roller 12 falls off from the right end (or left end) of the step shaft 16 together with the retaining ring. Further, it cannot be said that there is no possibility that the driving roller 12 will drop off due to damage to the bearing that supports the driving roller 12 on the step shaft 16.

  Even when the driving roller 12 falls off from one end of the step shaft 16 (right end in the case of FIG. 14), the driving roller 12 supported on the other end (left end in the case of FIG. 14) of the step shaft 16 is driven by the driving rail. 14 and the follower roller 32 is located on the follower rail 34, the step 10 does not fall off. However, the operation of the escalator continues even though the drive roller 12 is dropped. Further, in the case shown in FIG. 14, even if one end (the right end in the case of FIG. 14) of the step shaft 16 on the side from which the drive roller 12 has dropped is displaced downward, it hits the upper surface of the drive rail 14 a. The end of the step shaft 16 is not displaced further downward. However, when a person gets on the step 10 on the side where the drive roller 12 has dropped (right side in the case of FIG. 14), the tread plate 20 is displaced downward until the end of the step shaft 16 hits the drive rail 14a. there's a possibility that. When the chain 11 (refer to FIG. 9 and the like) is circulated and driven while the tread 20 is displaced downward, it is called a comb at the exit of the escalator and between the lower end of the fixed floor and the upper end of the tread 20 (FIG. 14). There is a possibility that a gap is formed. In the escalator where the operation is continued, that is, in operation, if a gap is formed on the lower side of the comb, it may be difficult for a person to get down smoothly from the escalator to the fixed floor. Under such circumstances, it is desired to realize an apparatus capable of detecting the drop of the drive roller 12 when the drive roller 12 is dropped from the step shaft 16. Also, it is desired to realize an escalator capable of stopping the operation when the drive roller 12 is dropped.

  On the other hand, the escalator described in Patent Document 1 is merely provided with a device that detects dropping or missing of the tread plate with respect to the step body, and does not disclose a device that detects the dropping of the driving roller.

  The escalator is not only a structure for connecting the step shafts supported on each of the plurality of steps by an endless chain as described above, but also a connecting member for connecting a plurality of plate-like link elements in an endless manner. A structure in which a plurality of step shafts supported by a plurality of steps is connected by a link is also considered. A structure in which a plurality of step shafts are connected by such a link is a groove formed at the end of the lag roller and the link element by circularly driving a plurality of rollers called lag rollers by a driving device provided in the intermediate portion. And the link is driven to circulate. In the case of such a structure, in order to smoothly drive the link in a circulating manner, as in the structure shown in FIG. 9, the drive rails that guide the drive rollers are separated on the upper side and the lower side on the left and right sides of the escalator. The upper drive rail and the lower drive rail are not continuous. For this reason, like the structure shown in FIGS. 9 to 13, it cannot be said that there is no possibility that the drive roller falls off from the step shaft near the upper part and the lower part of the link near the entrance / exit. In the case of such a structure as well, it is desired to realize an apparatus that can detect when the drive roller falls off the step shaft.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to detect drive roller dropout in an escalator drive roller drop detection device and escalator.

  In the escalator drive roller drop detection device according to the present invention, a plurality of step shafts supported by a plurality of steps are connected by a plurality of connecting members, and two left and right drive rollers supported on both sides of each step shaft are provided. Escalator driving roller drop detection device guided by rails, detecting at least two left and right rollers detecting that two left and right driving rollers supported by each step shaft have passed a predetermined position on the left or right A sensor and a driving roller drop-off determining means. The driving roller drop-off determining means includes a left and right side of the time when the two left and right roller detection sensors detect the passage of a predetermined position of the left and right driving rollers. When the deviation between the roller detection sensors exceeds a predetermined allowable time, it is determined that one of the two left and right drive rollers is missing. Rukoto a driving roller falling detection device of the escalator according to claim.

  Preferably, each of the two left and right roller detection sensors includes a plate-like detection piece arranged in a path of passage of the left and right corresponding driving rollers, and the driving roller passes through a predetermined position of the detection piece. By being pushed and elastically deformed, the switch is turned on and off to detect that the driving roller has passed a predetermined position.

  An escalator according to the present invention is an escalator comprising the escalator drive roller drop detection device and escalator operation stop means for stopping operation of the escalator drive device, wherein the escalator operation stop means is a drive roller. The escalator is characterized in that, when the drop-off determining means determines that the drive roller is dropped, the operation of the escalator drive device is stopped.

  According to the escalator driving roller drop detection device and the escalator according to the present invention, at least two left and right roller detections for detecting that the two left and right driving rollers supported by each step shaft have passed a predetermined position on the left side or the right side. The deviation between the left and right roller detection sensors exceeds the predetermined permissible time when the sensor and the two left and right roller detection sensors detect the passage of the drive rollers on the corresponding left and right sides at a predetermined position. In this case, the driving roller drop-off determining means for determining that one of the two left and right drive rollers has dropped is provided, so that the drop of the drive roller can be detected.

  Each of the two left and right roller detection sensors includes a plate-like detection piece arranged in the passage path of the corresponding left and right drive rollers, and the detection piece is obtained when the drive roller passes through a predetermined position. According to the configuration in which the switch is turned on and off by being elastically deformed by being pressed and the drive roller has passed a predetermined position, the roller detection sensor is different from the case where the roller detection sensor is configured by a magnetic sensor or an optical sensor. The detection accuracy of the sensor is not easily affected by the material (metal, etc.) of the members that make up the periphery of the drive roller, and is not easily affected by the behavior of the drive roller or the periphery of the drive roller. Drive roller detection accuracy can be increased.

  Further, according to the escalator according to the present invention, the escalator operation stop means stops the operation of the escalator drive device when the drive roller drop-off determination means determines that the drive roller is dropped. The escalator operation can be effectively stopped before the person on the step that has dropped off approaches the fixed floor area, so that the person can go down smoothly from the escalator to the floor while ensuring safety more effectively. It becomes possible.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 to 7 show a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an escalator including a drive roller drop detection device according to the present embodiment. Since the basic configuration of the escalator excluding the drive roller drop detection device is the same as that of the structure shown in FIGS. 9 to 13 above, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and duplicated. Is omitted or simplified.

  In the case of the escalator according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a total of four places are provided in each of the two parts, the range part indicated by C in FIG. 1 and the range part indicated by D in FIG. An upper roller detection sensor and a lower roller detection sensor are provided. First, the left and right upper roller detection sensors provided in the range indicated by C in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the step shaft 16 that supports the drive roller 12 on both the left and right sides. Each drive roller 12 is rotatably supported on the step shaft 16 by a bearing. 1 is a range portion indicated by C in FIG. 1, and in the vicinity of the entrance 36, in the horizontal direction (front and back direction in FIG. 2) and the height of the periphery of the passing position of the driving roller 12 guided by the upper driving rail 14a. Two left and right upper roller detection sensors 40 are provided at substantially the same position in the vertical direction (the vertical direction in FIG. 2).

  Each of the two left and right upper roller detection sensors 40 includes a leaf spring-like detection piece 42 and a switch 44 such as a microswitch arranged to face the detection piece 42 (see FIGS. 4 and 5 to be described later. Is omitted). 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the right end portion of FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the base end part (right end part of FIG. 3) of the detection piece 42 is fixed to a part fixed to the building where the escalator is installed. Further, the tip end portion (left end portion in FIG. 3) or the intermediate portion of the detection piece 42 is arranged at the passing position of the driving roller 12, and the driving roller 12 passes through the detection piece 42 arrangement portion as shown in FIG. In addition, the tip of the detection piece 42 is pushed by the driving roller 12 so as to bend and deform elastically upward. Further, in the state where the detection piece 42 is bent and deformed in this way, the pressing portion of the switch 44 such as a micro switch fixed to the portion fixed to the building is pushed by the detection piece 42, and the contact of the switch 44 is closed from the open state. Therefore, it is switched from off to on.

  Further, the detection piece 42 is elastically restored to a linear shape in a state where the drive roller 12 has passed through the detection piece 42 arrangement portion and is away from the detection piece 42. In this state, the pressing portion of the switch 44 and the detection piece 42 are separated from each other, and the contact of the switch 44 is changed from closed to open and switched from on to off. A signal indicating ON / OFF of the switch 44 is sent to the control unit, that is, the controller 46 via the electric wire 48. The controller 46 is provided in a control panel (not shown) that controls the operation of the escalator. The controller 46 is a microcomputer having a CPU, a memory, and the like, and includes an escalator drive device control means that is an escalator operation stop means, and a drive roller drop-off determination means. A signal indicating on / off of the switch 44 is sent to the drive roller drop-off determining means.

  As described above, the upper roller detection sensor 40 arranged in the peripheral portion of the right end portion passing portion of the step shaft 16 is similarly installed in the peripheral portion of the left end portion passing portion of the step shaft 16. That is, the upper roller detection sensor 40 can detect that the two left and right drive rollers 12 supported by each step shaft 16 have passed through a predetermined position on the left side or the right side. A signal indicating ON / OFF is also sent from the switch 44 installed at the periphery of the left end portion passage portion of the step shaft 16 to the drive roller drop-off determining means of the controller 46 (FIG. 4).

  The drive roller drop-off determining means is configured such that the two left and right upper roller detection sensors 40 detect the passage of a predetermined position of the left and right corresponding drive rollers 12 between the left and right upper roller detection sensors 40. If the deviation exceeds a left and right roller allowable detection time difference t1, which is a predetermined allowable time, and one of the left and right drive rollers 12 passing through the upper drive rail 14a (FIG. 1) is dropped. It has a function to judge. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, when the right drive roller 12 (see FIGS. 2 to 4) is dropped from the step shaft 16 for some reason, the right end of the step shaft 16 (FIG. 5) is the detection piece. Even if it passes the lower side of 42, the detection piece 42 is not pushed by the drive roller 12, and does not elastically deform. For this reason, the contact of the switch 44 remains in an open state, that is, remains OFF, and the driving roller drop-off determining means exceeds the predetermined permissible time after the left driving roller 12 passes by the signal from the upper roller detection sensor 40. After that, the presence of the right drive roller 12 supported by the step shaft 16 that passes next is detected. In this case, there is a deviation between the left and right upper roller detection sensors 40 in the time when the two left and right upper roller detection sensors 40 detect the passage of the drive rollers 12 on the corresponding left and right sides at a predetermined position. Since the left / right roller allowable detection time difference t1 is exceeded, it is determined that one of the left and right drive rollers 12 is missing.

  Further, in the case of the present embodiment, a plurality of step shafts 16 are connected by a chain 11 at equal intervals along the length direction of the chain 11. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the passage of time of the on / off state of the left switch 44 and the right switch 44 that constitute the upper roller detection sensor 40, respectively. As shown in FIG. 6, in the normal state, the time difference in detecting the passage of the driving roller 12 in the right upper roller detection sensor 40 or the left upper roller detection sensor is substantially constant time difference t2 (for example, 1.0 second). It becomes. In normal times, the deviation t3 between the detection times of the left and right upper roller detection sensors 40 is shorter than t2, and is determined by taking into account errors due to the elongation of the chain 11, etc. The time difference is within t1 (for example, 0.3 seconds).

  In consideration of such a relationship, the drive roller drop-off judging means is configured so that each of the left and right upper roller detection sensors 40 has the left or right drive roller 12 as shown by a range indicated by an arrow H in FIG. Is determined to be normal when the time difference t3 when the passage of the predetermined position is detected is within the left and right roller allowable detection time difference t1 (t3 ≦ t1). On the other hand, as shown in the range indicated by the arrow in FIG. 6, the time lag t4 when each of the left and right upper roller detection sensors 40 detects the passage of the left or right drive roller 12 through a predetermined position is When the left / right roller allowable detection time difference t1 is exceeded (t4> t1), it is determined that one of the left and right drive rollers 12 passing through the upper drive rail 14a (FIG. 1) is missing. The left and right roller permissible detection time difference t1 is determined in advance from the interval between the step shafts 16, the extension amount of the chain 11, and the like, and is stored in the memory of the controller 46 (FIGS. 4 and 5).

  Further, the two lower roller detection sensors having the same configuration as the two left and right upper roller detection sensors 40 are the range portion indicated by d in FIG. 1 and in the vicinity of the exit 38 of the escalator. It is provided at two locations on the left and right sides of the periphery of the passing position of the driving roller 12 guided by the lower driving rail 14b at substantially the same position in the horizontal direction and the height direction. Then, a signal indicating on / off of a switch such as a micro switch constituting the left and right lower roller detection sensors is sent to the driving roller drop-off determining means of the controller 46 (FIGS. 4 and 5) via an electric wire. I am doing so.

  Further, the drive roller drop-off determining means is configured such that the left and right lower roller detection sensors detect the passage of the left and right lower roller detection sensors between the left and right lower roller detection sensors during the time when the drive rollers 12 on the corresponding left and right sides have detected passing through a predetermined position. Left and right drive passing through the lower drive rail 14b (FIG. 1) when the difference between them exceeds a left and right roller allowable detection time difference t1 (for example, 0.3 seconds), which is a predetermined allowable time. It has a function of determining that any of the rollers 12 has dropped. The escalator drive roller drop detection device of the present embodiment includes the above-mentioned two upper roller detection sensors 40 and lower roller detection sensors, and drive roller drop determination means.

  Further, the escalator of the present embodiment includes the escalator drive roller drop detection device and the escalator drive device control means as described above. The escalator drive device control means sends a control signal to the escalator drive device 30 (FIG. 1) in response to an operation of an operation unit (not shown), etc., to drive the drive motor, or to stop the drive. It has a function to control normal operation and stop of the escalator. Further, the escalator drive device control means stops the escalator operation to stop the operation of the escalator drive device 30 when the drive roller drop determining means determines that any of the drive rollers 12 is dropped. It also has the function of means.

  Such an escalator detects the drop of the drive roller 12 by the drive roller drop detection device as follows, and stops the operation of the escalator when the drop of the drive roller 12 is detected by the escalator drive device control means. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a method for detecting the drop of the drive roller 12 and an operation control method for the escalator. First, in step S1 of FIG. 7, when an escalator operation start signal is input in response to an operation of an operation unit (not shown), the escalator drive device 30 (FIG. 1) is controlled by the escalator drive device control means. Driven, the circulation drive of the plurality of steps 10 is started. Next, in step S2 of FIG. 7, the driving roller drop-off determining means determines whether or not an operation stabilization time, that is, a time until the behavior of the escalator is stabilized (for example, 5 seconds) has elapsed, and it is determined that it has elapsed. In this case, in the next step S3, whether the left and right upper roller detection sensors 40 have detected the corresponding drive roller 12 within a left and right roller allowable detection time difference t1 (for example, 0.3 seconds), that is, It is determined whether the upper left and right detection pieces 42 operate within the left and right roller allowable detection time difference t1.

  When it is determined in step S3 that the left and right upper roller detection sensors 40 have detected the corresponding drive roller 12 within the left and right roller allowable detection time difference t1 (for example, 0.3 seconds) (determined as Yes). Is determined that the two left and right drive rollers 12 passing through the upper drive rail 14a (FIG. 1) normally exist, and the process proceeds to step S4 in FIG. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S3 that the left and right upper roller detection sensors 40 have not detected the corresponding drive roller 12 within the left and right roller allowable detection time difference t1 (determined No). Is determined that one of the left and right drive rollers 12 passing through the upper drive rail 14a (FIG. 1) has dropped, and in step S5 of FIG. 7, the escalator drive device control means The drive of the apparatus 30 (FIG. 1) is stopped, and the operation of the escalator is stopped.

  Further, in step S4 in FIG. 7, the drive roller drop-off determining means detects the drive roller 12 on the side corresponding to the left and right lower roller detection sensors within the left and right roller allowable detection time difference t1 (eg, 0.3 seconds). That is, it is determined whether the lower left and right detection pieces are operated within the left and right roller allowable detection time difference t1. When it is determined in step S4 that the left and right lower roller detection sensors detect the corresponding driving roller 12 within the left and right roller allowable detection time difference t1 (eg, 0.3 seconds) (determined as Yes). Is determined that the two right and left drive rollers 12 passing through the lower drive rail 14b normally exist, and the process proceeds to step S6 in FIG. On the other hand, in step S4 of FIG. 7, it is determined that the left and right lower roller detection sensors do not detect the corresponding drive roller 12 within the left and right roller allowable detection time difference t1 (determined No). )), It is determined that one of the left and right drive rollers 12 passing through the lower drive rail 14b (FIG. 1) has dropped, and in step S5 of FIG. The means stops the driving of the driving device 30 (FIG. 1) and stops the operation of the escalator. When the process proceeds to step S6 in FIG. 7, the normal operation of the escalator is continued, the process returns to step S3 again, and the routine from step S3 to S6 is repeated.

  According to the escalator driving roller drop detection device of this embodiment, the left and right two detecting rollers that detect that the left and right driving rollers 12 supported on each step shaft 16 have passed through a predetermined position on the left or right side. Upper roller detection sensor 40 and two lower roller detection sensors on the left and right sides, and driving roller drop-off determining means. The drive roller drop-off determination means includes two left and right upper roller detection sensors 40 on the left and right corresponding sides. The time at which the passage of the predetermined position of the driving roller 12 is detected is shifted between the left and right upper roller detection sensors 40 or the two left and right lower roller detection sensors are connected to the right and left driving rollers. When the deviation between the left and right lower roller detection sensors in the time when the passage of 12 predetermined positions is detected exceeds the left and right roller allowable detection time difference t1 (for example, 0.3 seconds). , Since one of the drive roller 12 is determined to be falling, it can detect falling of the drive roller 12.

  Each of the two upper roller detection sensors 40 and the lower roller detection sensor includes a plate-like detection piece 42 disposed in the passage path of the left and right corresponding drive rollers 12, and the detection piece 42 is driven. When the roller 12 passes through a predetermined position and is elastically deformed by being pushed, the switch 44 is switched on and off to detect that the driving roller 12 has passed the predetermined position. Therefore, unlike the case where the roller detection sensor is constituted by a magnetic sensor or an optical sensor, the detection accuracy of the upper roller detection sensor 40 and the lower roller detection sensor is a material (metal or the like) of a member constituting the peripheral portion of the drive roller 12. In addition, since it is difficult to be influenced by the behavior of the driving roller 12 or the peripheral portion of the driving roller 12, the detection accuracy of the driving roller 12 can be increased without excessively increasing the cost.

  The escalator according to the present embodiment includes the escalator drive roller drop detection device and the escalator drive device control means for stopping the operation of the drive device 30 (FIG. 1), and the escalator drive device control means. When the drive roller drop determining means determines that the drive roller 12 is dropped, the operation of the drive device 30 is stopped. For this reason, the operation of the escalator can be effectively stopped before the person on the step 10 from which the drive roller 12 has dropped approaches the fixed floor, so that the person can escalate while ensuring safety more effectively. It is possible to get off smoothly to the floor.

  In the present embodiment, a case has been described in which two upper roller detection sensors 40 and two lower roller detection sensors are provided on the left and right drive rails 14a and 14b, respectively. The two right and left roller detection sensors may be provided only on the upper drive rail 14a side or the lower drive rail 14b side. In this case, in FIG. 7, the processing corresponding to step S3 or S4 is omitted, and the escalator drive device control means moves the drive roller 12 by the left and right upper roller detection sensors 40 or the left and right lower roller detection sensors. The process proceeds to a process corresponding to step S6 for continuing the operation of the escalator on the condition that the detection is within the left / right roller allowable detection time difference t1. In addition, when only the left and right upper roller detection sensors 40 or the lower roller detection sensors are provided as described above, it is preferable to provide only the upper roller detection sensor 40. This is because the inconvenience such as the possibility that it is difficult for a person to smoothly get off the escalator to the fixed floor due to the drive roller 12 dropping off is caused by the vicinity of the exit 38 corresponding to the upper drive rail 14a. It occurs only on the step 10 side, and the drive roller 12 may drop off at the discontinuous portions of the drive rails 14b and 14a when moving from the lower drive rail 14b to the upper drive rail 14a. It is necessary to do.

  Further, the switching of the switch 44 (FIGS. 4 and 5) is turned off when the detection piece 42 is elastically bent when the detection piece 42 is pressed by the drive roller 12, and the drive roller 12 is detected by moving away from the detection piece 42. It may be turned on when the piece 42 is elastically restored. Further, the roller detection sensor may include a magnetic sensor or an optical sensor, and may be configured to detect that the two left and right drive rollers 12 supported by the step shaft 16 have passed a predetermined position.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 8 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 showing a second embodiment of the present invention. In the first embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the descending escalator that moves the person down has been described. In contrast, in the case of the escalator of the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to an ascending escalator that circulates and drives the step 10 in the direction indicated by arrows G and H in FIG. Yes. In this case, the entrance 36 and the exit 38 of the escalator are opposite to those of the first embodiment shown in FIG. Further, in the case of the present embodiment, the vicinity of the lower entrance 36, which is the range portion shown in FIG. 8B, on both sides in the left-right direction (front and back direction in FIG. 8) and the range shown in FIG. Upper roller detection sensors 40 (see FIG. 2 to FIG. 5) and lower roller detection sensors are provided at a total of four locations, two portions near the upper exit 38, which is a portion. Since other configurations and operations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description and illustration are omitted. Also in the case of the present embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the left and right two roller detection sensors may be provided only on the upper drive rail 14a side or the lower drive rail 14b side. it can.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, the present invention is applied to a structure in which a plurality of step shafts 16 (see FIG. 2 and the like) supported by a plurality of steps 10 are connected by an endless chain 11 that is a connecting member. Explained the case. However, the present invention is not limited to such a structure. For example, a plurality of steps 10 (see FIG. 1 and the like) are provided by a link that is a connecting member in which a plurality of plate-like link elements are connected endlessly. The present invention can also be applied to a structure in which a plurality of step shafts 16 (see FIG. 2 and the like) supported on are connected. The structure in which the step shaft 16 is connected by such a link is a structure in which a plurality of rollers called lag rollers are circularly driven by a driving device provided in an intermediate portion to form a groove formed at the end of the lag roller and the link element. By engaging the link, the link is driven to circulate. Further, the drive rollers 12 (see FIG. 1 and the like) supported on the left and right sides of the plurality of step shafts 16 connected by links are guided to the upper drive rail and the lower drive rail. Even when the present invention is applied to such a structure, as in each of the above embodiments, the escalator drive roller drop detection device and the escalator operation stop means are provided, and the escalator drive roller drop detection device includes at least The configuration includes two left and right roller detection sensors and a driving roller drop-off determination unit. With this configuration, as in each of the above-described embodiments, it is possible to detect the drop-off of the driving roller 12 and to enable the person to smoothly get off the escalator to the floor while ensuring safety more effectively. can get.

It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the escalator which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the step axis | shaft which similarly comprised the escalator and supported the drive roller on both right and left sides. It is sectional drawing which expands and shows the right end part of FIG. It is a figure corresponding to Drawing 3 showing the state where a detection piece is elastically deformed by a drive roller, and a switch is turned on. FIG. 4 is a view corresponding to FIG. 3, showing a state in which the switch remains off when the drive roller falls off the step shaft. In 1st Embodiment, it is a figure which shows one example of the time passage of the on-off state of a switch on either side. It is a flowchart which similarly shows the drop detection method of a driving roller, and the operation control method of an escalator. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the escalator which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows one example of the escalator considered conventionally. It is a perspective view which shows the step supported by the step axis | shaft which comprises the escalator of FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a part of a chain constituting the escalator of FIG. 9 and a plurality of step shafts connected by the chain. FIG. In the escalator of FIG. 9, it is a schematic diagram of the escalator for demonstrating the shape of a follow-up rail and a drive rail. It is the schematic which cut | disconnected a part of FIG. 10 and looked at the arrow A direction of FIG. FIG. 14 is a view corresponding to FIG. 13, showing a state in which the drive roller has dropped from the step shaft.

Explanation of symbols

  10 steps, 11 chains, 12 drive rollers, 14a, 14b drive rails, 16 step shafts, 18 step bodies, 20 step plates, 22 risers, 24 chains, 26, 28 sprockets, 30 drive units, 32 following rollers, 34 following rails, 36 Entrance, 38 Exit, 40 Upper roller detection sensor, 42 Detection piece, 44 Switch, 46 Controller, 48 Electric wire.

Claims (3)

A drive roller drop detection device for an escalator in which a plurality of step shafts supported by a plurality of steps are connected by a connecting member, and two left and right drive rollers supported on both sides of each step shaft are guided by rails,
At least two left and right roller detection sensors for detecting that the two left and right drive rollers supported by each step shaft have passed a predetermined position on the left or right side;
Drive roller drop determination means,
The drive roller drop-off determining means is configured such that the deviation between the left and right roller detection sensors with a predetermined tolerance is detected during the time when the two left and right roller detection sensors detect the passage of the drive rollers on the corresponding sides on the left and right sides. An escalator drive roller drop detection device that determines that one of the two left and right drive rollers is missing when the time is exceeded. In the escalator drive roller drop detection device according to claim 1,
Each of the two left and right roller detection sensors includes a plate-like detection piece arranged in the passage path of the corresponding drive roller on the left and right sides, and the detection piece is pushed when the drive roller passes through a predetermined position. An escalator drive roller drop detection device that detects whether the drive roller has passed a predetermined position by switching on and off the switch by elastic deformation. An escalator drive roller drop detection device according to claim 1 or 2,
An escalator operation stopping means for stopping the operation of the drive device for escalator,
The escalator operation stop means stops the operation of the escalator drive device when the drive roller drop-off determination means determines that the drive roller is dropped.

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