JP5252384B2 - Passenger conveyor - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to passenger conveyors such as escalators and moving walkways.

  Passenger conveyors such as escalators and moving walkways circulate and move a number of steps connected endlessly by a chain along the guide rails arranged inside the truss by motor drive. A structure that conveys from the entrance to the exit is common. In the passenger conveyor having such a structure, when a large number of steps are circulated and moved by motor driving, the steps are moved while rolling the rollers attached to the steps on the guide rail, so that vibration is easily transmitted to the steps. There is a problem that the ride comfort deteriorates.

As a passenger conveyor having a structure that can suppress the vibration of the step that leads to the deterioration of the riding comfort, a linear motor is used as a drive source for circulating and moving the step as disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2. The linear motor drive passenger conveyor used is known. Since the linear motor-driven passenger conveyor imparts a propulsive force to the step by the action of a moving magnetic field generated by energizing the exciting coil, step vibration can be suppressed compared to a normal motor-driven passenger conveyor.
JP-A-62-136489 JP-A-62-100395

  However, even in the linear motor drive passenger conveyor disclosed in Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, etc., when the step circulates, the roller attached to the step rolls on the guide rail. For this reason, it is difficult to significantly suppress the vibration accompanying the movement of the step, and it is difficult to say that the ride comfort is sufficiently improved. Also, due to the influence of friction between the roller and the guide rail, it is necessary to generate a strong moving magnetic field with a linear motor in order to obtain a sufficient driving force to move the step. There is a problem of being.

  The present invention was devised in view of the conventional situation as described above, and can significantly reduce the vibration associated with the movement of the step as much as possible to realize a great improvement in riding comfort and low consumption. An object of the present invention is to provide a passenger conveyor that can reliably circulate and move steps with electric power.

  A passenger conveyor according to the present invention includes a plurality of steps that are connected endlessly and circulates, a drive device that drives and circulates a plurality of steps, and a plurality of magnetic pieces that can individually set the direction of magnetic flux. And a magnetic block disposed on the back side of the plurality of steps, and at least one of the movement paths of the plurality of steps so as to face the back side of the step on which the magnetic block is disposed. And a non-magnetic plate disposed in the section. And this passenger conveyor is made to make a levitation force act on the several step which carries out circulation movement by the drive of a drive device by the induced repulsion effect by a magnetic body block and a nonmagnetic body plate.

  In addition, another passenger conveyor according to the present invention is configured by combining a plurality of steps that are endlessly connected and circulated and a plurality of magnetic pieces that can individually set the direction of magnetic flux. A magnetic block disposed on the back side, and a non-magnetic plate disposed on the forward side of the movement path of the plurality of steps so as to face the back side of the step on which the magnetic block is disposed; And an exciting coil disposed on the return path side of the movement path of the plurality of steps so as to face the back side of the step where the magnetic body block is disposed. And this passenger conveyor makes the levitation force act on the plurality of steps by the induced repulsion action by the magnetic block and the non-magnetic plate on the forward path side of the plurality of steps, and the movement path of the plurality of steps. On the return path side, a propulsive force in the moving direction is applied to a plurality of steps by a moving magnetic field generated by energizing the exciting coil.

  According to the passenger conveyor according to the present invention, when a plurality of steps circulate and move, the levitation force acts on the steps. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the vibration associated with the movement of the steps as much as possible and realize a great improvement in riding comfort. At the same time, the steps can be efficiently circulated and moved with low power consumption.

  Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each of the following embodiments, an example of application to a moving sidewalk in which a large number of steps continuously move in the horizontal direction is illustrated, but the present invention is an escalator in which a large number of steps move obliquely across the upper and lower floors. It can be effectively applied to.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a main configuration of a passenger conveyor according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The passenger conveyor shown in FIG. 1 is configured as a moving sidewalk that is installed substantially horizontally with respect to the road surface and conveys passengers, and has a large number of steps 1 that circulate between the entrance and exit. These multiple steps 1 are integrated, for example, by engaging both ends of each step 1 with an endless chain or the like, so as to form a continuous tread between the entrance and the exit, Endlessly connected. In FIG. 1, only a part of many steps 1 connected endlessly is illustrated.

  Moreover, this passenger conveyor is equipped with the drive device for circulating and moving many steps 1 connected endlessly. As an example of this drive device, when an endless chain is used for connecting a large number of Steps 1, a step is performed by rotating the chain between the entrance and the exit as well as a moving walk with a general structure. A configuration in which 1 is circularly moved can be used. Specifically, the drive sprocket 2 and the driven sprocket 3 are arranged at one of the entrance and the exit, and a chain is wound between the drive sprocket 2 and the driven sprocket 3 so that the drive sprocket 2 is not shown. The chain is circulated by being rotationally driven by a motor, and a number of steps 1 are circulated and moved between the entrance and the exit. Note that the configuration of the driving device is not particularly limited to the above example, and any configuration can be adopted as long as it can circulate a large number of steps 1.

  As described above, the passenger conveyor according to the present embodiment circulates and moves a large number of step 1 connected endlessly between the entrance and the exit by driving the driving device. Transport passengers boarding to the exit. And especially this passenger conveyor adds the mechanism which makes levitation force work to many step 1 which carries out the circulation movement by the drive of a drive device, suppresses the vibration accompanying the movement of step 1 as much as possible, and improves riding comfort greatly. Is significant in that step 1 can be efficiently circulated and moved with low power consumption. Hereinafter, the mechanism for applying the levitation force to Step 1 will be described in more detail.

  In the passenger conveyor of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the magnetic body block 10 is each arrange | positioned at the back surface side of many step 1 connected endlessly. Here, the back surface side of Step 1 refers to the surface opposite to the tread surface of Step 1 on which the passengers board. In the example shown in FIG. 1, three magnetic blocks 10 are provided on the back side of each step 1, but the number of magnetic blocks 10 provided on the back side of each step 1 The size is not particularly limited, and may be set as appropriate so as to obtain an optimum levitation force.

  Moreover, in the passenger conveyor of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, it is non-magnetic so that it may oppose the back surface side of step 1 in which the magnetic body block 10 was arrange | positioned in the outward path side in the movement path | route of step 1. A body plate 20 is disposed. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the integral nonmagnetic plate 20 is disposed over the entire area on the forward path side in the movement path of Step 1, that is, the entire area between the entrance and the exit. However, the arrangement and size of the non-magnetic plate 20 are not particularly limited. For example, the divided non-magnetic plate 20 may be arranged intermittently, or may be arranged in the middle on the forward path side. You may make it arrange | position only in part, such as a position. Further, the non-magnetic plate 20 may be disposed on the return path side of the moving path of Step 1 so as to face the back surface side of Step 1 moving on the return path side.

  The magnetic body block 10 is configured by combining a plurality of magnetic body pieces whose magnetic flux directions can be individually set. By optimizing the magnetic flux direction of each magnetic body piece, the magnetic body block 10 is perpendicular to the road surface. A strong magnetic field is generated in the direction, that is, in the direction of arrow B perpendicular to the moving direction of step 1 indicated by arrow A in FIG. For example, a permanent magnet is used for each magnetic piece constituting the magnetic block 10.

  The nonmagnetic plate 20 is formed by molding a nonmagnetic material having conductivity into a predetermined shape (for example, a plate shape). As the nonmagnetic material constituting the nonmagnetic plate 20, for example, aluminum is used. Since aluminum is relatively light among conductive nonmagnetic materials, if aluminum is used as the material of the nonmagnetic plate 20, as shown in FIG. Even when the nonmagnetic plate 20 is provided over the entire area, the nonmagnetic plate 20 can be appropriately supported at a desired position by a simple support mechanism.

  In the passenger conveyor of the present embodiment configured as described above, a large number of steps 1 connected endlessly by driving of the drive device circulate as described above, but at the start of the circular movement, each step 1 The moving speed gradually increases. At this time, a strong magnetic field is generated in a direction perpendicular to the road surface (vertical direction perpendicular to the moving direction of Step 1) from the magnetic body block 10 disposed on the back side of each Step 1. A repulsive force is generated between the magnetic block 10 and the non-magnetic plate 20, and a levitation force acts on each step 1. That is, an induced current flows through the nonmagnetic plate 20 facing the magnetic block 10 due to the magnetic field of the magnetic block 10 that moves together with step 1, and magnetic interaction between the magnetic block 10 and the nonmagnetic plate 20 ( Due to the induced repulsion action, a levitation force that lifts the step 1 in which the magnetic block 10 is disposed away from the non-magnetic plate 20 acts.

  Thus, in the passenger conveyor of this embodiment, when many step 1 connected endlessly circulates, the magnetic body block 10 arrange | positioned on the back surface side of each step 1, and this magnetic body block 10 And the non-magnetic material plate 20 arranged opposite to each other, a levitation force is applied to each step 1 that circulates and moves. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the vibration associated with the movement in step 1 as much as possible and to realize a great improvement in riding comfort. In addition, since the levitation force is applied to the step 1 while being circulated, the frictional resistance between the step 1 and the passenger conveyor structure during the movement can be greatly reduced, with low power consumption. Step 1 can be circulated efficiently.

  In the above, the characteristic part of the passenger conveyor of the present embodiment has been described with specific examples. However, the passenger conveyor of the present embodiment moves in a general structure with respect to the configuration other than the characteristic part described above. You may be set as the structure similar to a sidewalk. For example, similarly to a moving walk with a general structure, balustrade panels may be erected on both the left and right sides of step 1 that circulates and a handrail belt may circulate around the balustrade panel. Further, a guide may be provided in order to guide the circulation movement in a number of steps 1 connected endlessly. Further, a roller may be attached to Step 1 in order to support the load of Step 1 at the start or end of the cyclic movement of Step 1. However, in the passenger conveyor of the present embodiment, since the levitation force acts on the step 1 that is circulated and the load applied to the rollers is small, it is not always necessary to provide rollers on all the steps 1, and appropriate intervals Should be arranged.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The passenger conveyor of this embodiment is configured to increase the levitation force that acts on Step 1 by arranging the magnetic pieces constituting the magnetic block 10 in a so-called Halbach arrangement. The basic configuration of the passenger conveyor of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment described above. In the following, redundant description of components common to the first embodiment will be omitted, and only the characteristic features of this embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing one step 1 in the passenger conveyor of the present embodiment. On the back side of Step 1 in the passenger conveyor of the present embodiment, a magnetic block 10 configured by combining a plurality of magnetic pieces as in the first embodiment is disposed, but in this embodiment, The arrangement of the plurality of magnetic pieces constituting the magnetic block 10 is a so-called Halbach arrangement.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the magnetic block 10 used in the present embodiment is a magnetic body in which the direction of magnetic flux is parallel to the moving direction A of Step 1 and faces the front side of the moving direction A. The piece 11, the magnetic piece 12 in which the direction of the magnetic flux is perpendicular to the moving direction A in Step 1 and toward the nonmagnetic plate 20 side, and the direction of the magnetic flux is parallel to the moving direction A in Step 1 and The magnetic piece 13 facing the rear side in the moving direction A and the magnetic piece 14 whose magnetic flux direction is perpendicular to the moving direction A in step 1 and opposite to the non-magnetic plate 20 side, In the order, it is configured to be sequentially arranged along the moving direction A of Step 1. In FIG. 2, arrows attached to the magnetic body pieces 11, 12, 13, 14 indicate the directions of magnetic fluxes of the magnetic body pieces 11, 12, 13, 14.

  Such a magnet arrangement is called a Halbach arrangement and is known as an arrangement capable of concentrating the magnetic field distribution in a desired direction. In the passenger conveyor of the present embodiment, the magnetic field from the magnetic body block 10 is not generated by arranging the plurality of magnetic body pieces of the magnetic body block 10 disposed on the back side of Step 1 as such a Halbach array. It can be generated concentrated on the magnetic plate 20 side.

  In the example shown in FIG. 2, the magnetic pieces 11 and 13 in which the direction of the magnetic flux is parallel to the moving direction A in Step 1 and the direction of the magnetic flux is perpendicular to the moving direction A in Step 1. The magnetic pieces 12 and 14 are alternately arranged along the moving direction A in Step 1, but as shown in FIG. 3, the magnetic pieces 12 and 14 are interposed between the magnetic pieces 11 and 12. Between the magnetic piece 13, between the magnetic piece 13 and the magnetic piece 14, and between the magnetic piece 14 and the magnetic piece 11, the direction of the magnetic flux is relative to the moving direction A in Step 1. If magnetic pieces 15, 16, 17, 18 that are inclined (the direction in which the magnetic fluxes of both adjacent magnetic pieces are combined) are arranged, it is easier to control the magnetic field generated from the magnetic block 10. Will be able to do. In FIG. 3, the arrows attached to the magnetic pieces 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 are the magnetic pieces 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18. Shows the direction of the magnetic flux.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the magnetic field distribution observed when the arrangement of the magnetic pieces constituting the magnetic block 10 is a Halbach arrangement. As a comparative example, FIG. 5 shows an example of a magnetic field distribution in the case where the magnetic block 10 is configured by alternately arranging magnetic pieces 12 and 14 whose magnetic flux directions are perpendicular to the moving direction of Step 1. Show. As can be seen from the comparison between FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, by arranging the magnetic pieces constituting the magnetic block 10 in a Halbach arrangement, the magnetic field from the magnetic block 10 is transferred to the non-magnetic plate 20 side. Can be generated in a concentrated manner.

  As described above, in the passenger conveyor of this embodiment, the magnetic field from the magnetic body block 10 is obtained by arranging the magnetic body pieces of the magnetic body block 10 disposed on the back side of Step 1 as the Halbach array. Are concentrated on the nonmagnetic plate 10 side. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently increase the levitation force that acts on step 1 that circulates and to enhance the effects described in the first embodiment. Specifically, considering the arrangement of the magnetic pieces of the magnetic block 10 as compared with the arrangement of the comparative example described above, in the passenger conveyor of this embodiment, the magnetic pieces of the magnetic block 10 are arranged. By using the Halbach arrangement, a magnetic field energy of about twice as high can be obtained, and a levitation force of about four times as high can be obtained as shown in FIG.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The passenger conveyor of the present embodiment is a modification of the above-described second embodiment, and the arrangement of the magnetic pieces constituting the magnetic block 10 is basically the Halbach arrangement, but the moving direction of Step 1 A magnetic piece 12 (or a magnetic piece 14) in which the direction of magnetic flux is perpendicular to the moving direction A in Step 1 is arranged at at least one end of A, and at this end, A magnetic piece having the same magnetic flux direction as that of the magnetic piece arranged at the end is arranged at a position adjacent to the arranged magnetic piece. The basic configuration of the passenger conveyor of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment described above. In the following, redundant description of components common to the first embodiment will be omitted, and only the characteristic features of this embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view showing one step 1 in the passenger conveyor of the present embodiment. On the back side of step 1 in the passenger conveyor of the present embodiment, a magnetic block 10 in which the arrangement of a plurality of magnetic pieces is a Halbach arrangement is arranged as in the second embodiment. In the embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, a magnetic piece 14 whose magnetic flux direction is perpendicular to the moving direction A of Step 1 is arranged at one end in the moving direction A of Step 1. Next to the magnetic piece 14 arranged at the end, the magnetic piece 14 having the same direction of the magnetic flux is arranged. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the magnetic piece 14 whose magnetic flux direction is perpendicular to the moving direction A of Step 1 is disposed only at one end in the moving direction of Step 1. You may make it arrange | position the magnetic body piece 14 to a part. Also, instead of the magnetic piece 14 whose direction of magnetic flux is perpendicular to the moving direction A of Step 1 and facing away from the non-magnetic plate 20 side, the direction of magnetic flux is relative to the moving direction A of Step 1. Alternatively, the magnetic piece 12 that is vertical and faces the non-magnetic plate 20 may be disposed.

  In the passenger conveyor of the present embodiment, the arrangement of the magnetic body pieces constituting the magnetic body block 10 is the above arrangement, so that at the end in the movement direction A of Step 1, the movement direction A of Step 1 Magnetic field components that are parallel to each other are suppressed. Therefore, a magnetic field having a distribution concentrated on the nonmagnetic plate 20 side can be generated also at the end portion in the moving direction A of Step 1, and the effect of the second embodiment can be further enhanced.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The passenger conveyor of the present embodiment is arranged on the back side of Step 1 in a state where the magnetic pieces constituting the magnetic block 10 are housed and integrated in a cylindrical body made of a non-magnetic material. It is a thing. The basic configuration of the passenger conveyor of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment described above. In the following, redundant description of components common to the first embodiment will be omitted, and only the characteristic features of this embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view showing the magnetic block 10 disposed on the back side of Step 1 in the passenger conveyor of the present embodiment. The magnetic body block 10 used in the passenger conveyor of the present embodiment is also composed of a combination of a plurality of magnetic body pieces. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of magnetic body pieces constituting the magnetic body block 10 is used. Is disposed on the back side of Step 1 in a state of being housed and integrated in a cylindrical holder 30 made of a nonmagnetic material.

  The shape of the holder 30 only needs to be a shape that matches the shape of the magnetic block 10 housed therein. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, if the magnetic block 10 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, this magnetic A square pipe or the like that can accommodate the body block 10 therein is used as the holder 30. Moreover, the nonmagnetic material which comprises the holder 30 is not specifically limited, For example, resin, aluminum, etc. can be utilized effectively.

  As described above, in the passenger conveyor of the present embodiment, the plurality of magnetic pieces constituting the magnetic block 10 are accommodated in the cylindrical holder 30 made of a nonmagnetic material and integrated in step 1. It is arranged on the back side. Therefore, for example, as in the second embodiment and the third embodiment, when the arrangement of magnetic pieces constituting the magnetic block 10 is a Halbach arrangement, the direction of magnetic flux between adjacent magnetic pieces is different. Even when different, these magnetic body pieces can be reliably integrated with a simple configuration, and can be appropriately arranged on the back side of Step 1 as an integrated magnetic body block 10.

[Fifth Embodiment]
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the passenger conveyor of this embodiment, the nonmagnetic plate 20 is made of two or more types of nonmagnetic materials having different electrical conductivities. As a layered structure, a layer made of a nonmagnetic material having high conductivity is disposed so as to face the back side of Step 1 where the magnetic block 10 is disposed. The basic configuration of the passenger conveyor of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment described above. In the following, redundant description of components common to the first embodiment will be omitted, and only the characteristic features of this embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 9 is an enlarged side view showing the nonmagnetic plate 20 used in the passenger conveyor of the present embodiment. Also in the passenger conveyor of this embodiment, the nonmagnetic plate 20 is disposed on the movement path of Step 1 as in the first embodiment described above. In this embodiment, this nonmagnetic plate 20 is As shown in FIG. 9, the second layer 22 made of a nonmagnetic material having a high conductivity is formed on the first layer 21 made of a nonmagnetic material having a low conductivity. The second layer 22 is disposed on the forward path side in the moving path of Step 1 so as to face the back side of Step 1.

  As the nonmagnetic material constituting the first layer 21 of the nonmagnetic plate 20, for example, aluminum is used, and as the nonmagnetic material constituting the second layer 22, for example, copper is used. Aluminum is lightweight as described above, but has low electrical conductivity and high electrical resistance. On the other hand, copper has high electrical conductivity and low electrical resistance, but is relatively heavy. In this embodiment, these nonmagnetic materials are used in combination to form a nonmagnetic plate 20, and in particular, copper, which is a nonmagnetic material having a higher conductivity, is opposed to the back side of Step 1, thereby The electrical resistance value can be kept low while reducing the weight of the entire magnetic plate 20.

  As described above, in the passenger conveyor of this embodiment, the electric resistance value of the nonmagnetic plate 20 as a whole is kept low, so that a large induced current can flow through the nonmagnetic plate 20. Thereby, even when the moving speed of Step 1 is slow, a large levitation force can be applied to Step 1, and the effect described in the first embodiment can be further enhanced. In addition, since the weight of the entire nonmagnetic plate 20 is reduced, the nonmagnetic plate 20 can be appropriately supported at a desired position with a simple support mechanism.

[Sixth Embodiment]
Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the passenger conveyor of this embodiment, the non-magnetic plate 20 is configured by a combination of a non-magnetic material having conductivity and a non-magnetic non-magnetic material, and the non-magnetic material having conductivity and the non-conductive material are combined. The nonmagnetic materials are alternately arranged along the moving direction of Step 1, and the interval between the conductive nonmagnetic material and the nonconductive nonmagnetic material is shorter than the interval between the magnetic poles generated by the magnetic block 10. In this structure, the portions made of a nonmagnetic material having conductivity are short-circuited. The basic configuration of the passenger conveyor of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment described above. In the following, redundant description of components common to the first embodiment will be omitted, and only the characteristic features of this embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 10 is an enlarged side view showing the nonmagnetic plate 20 used in the passenger conveyor of the present embodiment. Also in the passenger conveyor of this embodiment, the nonmagnetic plate 20 is disposed on the movement path of Step 1 as in the first embodiment described above. In this embodiment, this nonmagnetic plate 20 is As shown in FIG. 10, first portions 23 made of conductive nonmagnetic material and second portions 24 made of nonconductive nonmagnetic material are alternately arranged along the moving direction A in Step 1. The first portion 23 and the second portion 24 are arranged so that the arrangement interval between the first portion 23 and the second portion 24 is shorter than the interval between the magnetic poles generated by the magnetic block 10, and the second portion 24 is interposed between the first portions. The end portions of 23 are electrically short-circuited.

  As the nonmagnetic material constituting the first portion 23 of the nonmagnetic plate 20, for example, copper is used, and as the nonmagnetic material constituting the second portion 24, for example, a nonconductive resin material or the like is used. Used. Since copper is a nonmagnetic material having a relatively high electrical conductivity as described above, the first portion 23 made of copper is made larger than the magnetic pole spacing of the magnetic block 10 made of a plurality of magnetic pieces. It is intermittently arranged along the moving direction A in Step 1 at shorter intervals, and the space between the two portions 24 is made of a resin material such as plastic, and the ends of the first portions 23 are short-circuited. By adopting such a structure, the electrical resistance value of the entire nonmagnetic plate 20 can be lowered as in the fifth embodiment described above.

  As described above, in the passenger conveyor of this embodiment, the electric resistance value of the nonmagnetic plate 20 as a whole is kept low, so that a large induced current can flow through the nonmagnetic plate 20. Thereby, even when the moving speed of Step 1 is slow, a large levitation force can be applied to Step 1, and the effect described in the first embodiment can be further enhanced.

  In the above example, the first portion 23 using copper or the like and the second portion 24 made of a resin material such as plastic in all the regions in the thickness direction of the nonmagnetic plate 20 are For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the second portion 24 is formed into a plate shape, and the first portion 23 is formed of a conductive wire or the like, as shown in FIG. The first portion 23 made of a conductive wire or the like may be wound around the portion 24. Even when the nonmagnetic plate 20 has such a structure, the first member 23 and the second member 24 on the surface facing the back side of Step 1 where the magnetic block 10 is disposed are Since the structure is arranged alternately along the moving direction A in Step 1, as in the above-described example, it is possible to flow a large induced current while keeping the electric resistance value of the nonmagnetic plate 20 as a whole low. Become.

  In the above example, the second portions 24 arranged alternately with the first portions 23 of the nonmagnetic plate 20 are made of a nonconductive nonmagnetic material such as a resin material. The nonmagnetic material constituting the second portion 24 may be any nonmagnetic material having a lower conductivity than the nonmagnetic material constituting the first portion 23. For example, the first portion 23 may be made of copper and the second portion. Even when aluminum or the like is used for 24, the same effect as the above-described example can be obtained.

[Seventh Embodiment]
Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the passenger conveyor of this embodiment, an excitation coil is disposed on the return path side of the movement path of Step 1 so as to face the back side of Step 1 moving on the return path side, and on the return path side of the movement path of Step 1. The driving force in the moving direction is applied to step 1 by the moving magnetic field generated by energizing the exciting coil. In addition, the configuration on the forward path side in the moving path of Step 1 is the same as that of the first embodiment described above, so that the magnetic body block 10 disposed on the back surface side of Step 1 faces the back surface side of Step 1. The levitation force is applied to the step 1 by the induced repulsion action by the nonmagnetic material plate 20 disposed in the step 1. In the following, redundant description of components common to the first embodiment will be omitted, and only the characteristic features of this embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 12 is a perspective view schematically showing a main configuration of the passenger conveyor of the present embodiment. In the passenger conveyor of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, an exciting coil 40 is disposed on the return path side of the movement path of Step 1 so as to face the back side of Step 1 moving on the return path side. . The exciting coil 40 is connected to an inverter power source 41, and is configured such that, for example, a three-phase alternating current is supplied from the inverter power source 41. The exciting coil 40 may be a winding coil in which a linear material such as a copper wire is wound around an iron core, or may be a conductor plate coil made of a plate-like conductor.

  In the passenger conveyor of the present embodiment, for example, a three-phase alternating current is supplied from the inverter power supply 41 to the excitation coil 40 disposed on the return path side in the movement path of Step 1 to move from the excitation coil 40. Magnetic field is generated. Then, by the action of the moving magnetic field generated from the exciting coil 40, the magnetic block 10 disposed on the back side of Step 1 on the return path repeats attracting and repelling, so that the step 1 is propelled in the moving direction. Power works. Then, in the state where Step 1 has started moving in response to this propulsive force, for example, by increasing the frequency of the three-phase alternating current supplied from the inverter power supply 41 to the exciting coil 40, the moving speed of the moving magnetic field becomes faster, The moving speed of 1 increases. At this time, since the non-magnetic plate 20 is arranged on the forward path side in the moving direction of Step 1 so as to face the back side of Step 1 where the magnetic block 10 is arranged, it moves together with Step 1. An induced current flows through the nonmagnetic plate 20 facing the magnetic block 10 due to the magnetic field of the magnetic block 10, and the magnetic interaction (inductive repulsion) between the magnetic block 10 and the nonmagnetic plate 20 causes magnetic properties. A levitation force that lifts step 1 in which the body block 10 is disposed away from the nonmagnetic plate 20 acts. As a result, a large number of step 1 connected endlessly circulates between the entrance and the exit while receiving the levitation force on the forward side of the movement route.

  As described above, in the passenger conveyor of the present embodiment, when a large number of step 1 connected endlessly circulates, each step 1 moves while receiving a levitation force on the forward path side of the movement route. As in the first embodiment, the vibration associated with the movement in step 1 can be suppressed as much as possible to achieve a significant improvement in riding comfort, and the frictional resistance in step 1 during movement can be greatly reduced. Step 1 can be efficiently circulated and moved with low power consumption. Furthermore, in the passenger conveyor of the present embodiment, the driving force is applied to Step 1 on the return path side in the movement path of Step 1 on the same principle as the linear motor, so the motor described in the first embodiment is used. The used driving device can be made unnecessary, and when a driving device using a motor or the like is used in combination, the driving device can be reduced in size.

  Also in the passenger conveyor of this embodiment, the magnetic body block 10 disposed on the back side of Step 1 has the arrangement of the plurality of magnetic body pieces constituting the second embodiment or the third embodiment described above. It is desirable that the arrangement is a Halbach array as described in the embodiment. By arranging the plurality of magnetic body pieces constituting the magnetic body block 10 as a Halbach array, the magnetic field generated from the magnetic body block 10 can be concentrated on the non-magnetic body plate 20 or the exciting coil 40 side, and the step The levitation force applied to step 1 can be increased on the forward path side in one movement route, and the propulsive force applied to step 1 can be increased on the return path side.

  As described above, the first to seventh embodiments have been specifically exemplified as specific examples of the passenger conveyor to which the present invention is applied. However, the technical scope of the present invention has been disclosed in the description of each of the above embodiments. The present invention is not limited to technical matters, but includes modifications and application examples that are naturally derived based on the above disclosure and in view of general technical common sense.

The perspective view which shows typically the principal part structure of the passenger conveyor which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and is a perspective view which expands and shows one step in a passenger conveyor. The perspective view which shows the other example of a magnetic body block. The figure which shows an example of the magnetic field distribution observed when the arrangement | sequence of each magnetic body piece which comprises a magnetic body block is made into the arrangement of a Halbach. The figure which shows an example of magnetic field distribution when the magnetic body block is comprised by arrange | positioning alternately the magnetic body piece to which the direction of magnetic flux becomes perpendicular | vertical with respect to the moving direction of a step upward and downward (comparative example). The figure which shows the levitation | floating force of the step obtained when the arrangement | sequence of each magnetic body piece which comprises a magnetic body block is made into the arrangement of Halbach compared with the case of a comparative example. It is a figure explaining the 3rd Embodiment of this invention, and is a perspective view which expands and shows one step in a passenger conveyor. It is a figure explaining the 4th Embodiment of this invention, and is a perspective view which expands and shows the magnetic body block arrange | positioned by the back surface side of a step. It is a figure explaining the 5th Embodiment of this invention, and is a side view which expands and shows a nonmagnetic material plate. It is a figure explaining the 6th Embodiment of this invention, and is a side view which expands and shows a nonmagnetic material plate. The side view which expands and shows the other example of a nonmagnetic material plate. The perspective view which shows typically the principal part structure of the passenger conveyor which concerns on the 7th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Step 10 Magnetic body block 11-18 Magnetic body piece 20 Nonmagnetic body plate 21 1st layer 22 2nd layer 23 1st part 24 2nd part 30 Holder 40 Excitation coil 41 Inverter power supply

Claims (12)

A plurality of steps connected endlessly and circulated;
A driving device for circulating and moving the plurality of steps;
A magnetic block configured by combining a plurality of magnetic pieces that can individually set the direction of magnetic flux, and disposed on the back side of the plurality of steps, and
A non-magnetic plate disposed in at least a part of the movement path of the plurality of steps so as to face the back side of the step in which the magnetic block is disposed;
A passenger conveyor characterized in that a levitating force is applied to a plurality of steps that circulate and move by driving of the driving device by an induced repulsive action of the magnetic block and the non-magnetic plate.   The magnetic block includes a magnetic piece in which the direction of magnetic flux is parallel to the moving direction of the step and toward the front side of the moving direction, and the direction of magnetic flux is perpendicular to the moving direction of the step and A magnetic piece facing toward the magnetic plate, a magnetic piece whose direction of magnetic flux is parallel to the moving direction of the step and facing backward in the moving direction, and a direction of magnetic flux relative to the moving direction of the step 2. The structure according to claim 1, wherein magnetic pieces that are perpendicular and face opposite to the non-magnetic plate side are sequentially arranged in this order along the moving direction of the step. Passenger conveyor.   The magnetic block includes a magnetic piece whose magnetic flux direction is parallel to the moving direction of the step and a magnetic piece whose magnetic flux direction is perpendicular to the moving direction of the step. The passenger conveyor according to claim 2, wherein a magnetic piece is disposed in which the direction of magnetic flux is oblique with respect to the moving direction of the step.   The magnetic block is arranged at at least one end in the moving direction of the step with a magnetic piece having a magnetic flux direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the step. The passenger conveyor according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the direction of the magnetic flux of the magnetic piece adjacent to the magnetic piece is the same.   The plurality of magnetic pieces constituting the magnetic block are respectively disposed on the back side of the plurality of steps in a state of being housed and integrated in a cylindrical body made of a non-magnetic material. The passenger conveyor according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The passenger conveyor according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the plurality of magnetic pieces constituting the magnetic block are made of permanent magnets.
  The passenger conveyor according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the nonmagnetic material constituting the nonmagnetic plate is aluminum.   The passenger conveyor according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the non-magnetic plate is made of two or more types of non-magnetic materials having different electrical conductivities.   The non-magnetic plate has a structure in which a non-magnetic material having a low conductivity and a non-magnetic material having a high conductivity are stacked in the thickness direction, and a layer composed of the non-magnetic material having a high conductivity is the magnetic layer. The passenger conveyor according to claim 8, wherein the passenger conveyor is disposed on at least a part of a movement path of the plurality of steps so as to face a back side of the step on which the body block is disposed.   The passenger conveyor according to claim 9, wherein the non-magnetic material with low conductivity is aluminum, and the non-magnetic material with high conductivity is copper. The non-magnetic plate is configured by alternately arranging a non-magnetic material having conductivity and a non-conductive non-magnetic material along a moving direction of the step, and the non-magnetic material having the conductivity and the non-conductive material. The interval between the non-magnetic material and the magnetic pole generated by the magnetic block is shorter than the interval between the magnetic poles,
The passenger conveyor according to claim 8, wherein the parts made of a nonmagnetic material having conductivity are short-circuited. A plurality of steps connected endlessly and circulated;
A magnetic block configured by combining a plurality of magnetic pieces that can individually set the direction of magnetic flux, and disposed on the back side of the plurality of steps, and
A non-magnetic plate disposed on the forward side of the movement path of the plurality of steps so as to face the back side of the step in which the magnetic block is disposed;
An excitation coil disposed on the return path side of the movement path of the plurality of steps so as to face the back side of the step where the magnetic body block is disposed;
On the forward path side of the movement paths of the plurality of steps, a levitating force is exerted on the plurality of steps by the induced repulsion action of the magnetic block and the nonmagnetic plate, and the return path side of the movement paths of the plurality of steps Then, a passenger conveyor characterized in that a propulsive force in the moving direction is applied to the plurality of steps by a moving magnetic field generated by energizing the exciting coil.