JP6890426B2 - Passenger conveyor control device and control method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a control device and a control method for a passenger conveyor, which is applied to a passenger conveyor such as an escalator or a moving walkway and automatically operates according to the presence or absence of passengers.

Conventionally, a plurality of steps that are circulated between a pair of entrances and exits are provided on the floor of at least one of the entrances and exits, and the pressure received from the passengers when the passengers who have entered the entrances and exits fall within a predetermined range A passenger conveyor including a pressure detection device for detecting the distribution of portions and an operation control device for controlling the operation of the passenger conveyor based on information from the pressure detection device is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ).

Here, the operation control device adjusts the moving speed of the step based on the temporal change of the distribution of the pressurized portion, and detects the presence or absence of passengers based on the information from the pressure detection device, and the presence or absence of passengers. Automatic operation is performed to switch the operation mode of the passenger conveyor between the standby operation mode and the transport operation mode according to the above.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-210710

However, in a passenger conveyor that automatically operates according to the presence or absence of passengers, a timer is activated after detecting passengers and starting operation, and a preset stop time elapses regardless of whether or not there are passengers on the steps. Then, the operation is stopped.

Therefore, when the passengers do not get on the steps for some reason after the passenger conveyor starts operation, the passenger conveyor stops operating after the stop time elapses, and the passenger conveyor that the passengers stopped is used as a staircase. When a passenger coming from behind is detected, there is a problem that the passenger conveyor resumes operation even though there are passengers on the step.

In addition, if for some reason the passengers do not get on the step immediately after the passenger conveyor starts operation, and then the stop time elapses before getting on the step and arriving at the entrance on the opposite side, the step is on. There is also the problem that the passenger conveyor stops operating even though there are passengers in the area.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and to obtain a passenger conveyor control device and a control method capable of controlling the operation of the passenger conveyor according to the presence or absence of passengers on the steps. With the goal.

The passenger conveyor control device according to the present invention is a passenger conveyor control device that detects passengers on a step that circulates between entrances and exits and controls a drive device that drives the steps, and is provided at the entrance. Based on the detection results of the photoelectric sensor that detects passengers getting on the passenger conveyor, the pressure sensor that is provided on the tracking rail where at least the following step roller rolls and detects the passengers on the step, and the photoelectric sensor and the pressure sensor. , A control unit that controls the drive device , and pressure sensors are provided at intervals narrower than the width between the follow-up rollers of the adjacent steps, and are provided on the left and right follow-up rails of the steps, respectively, and of the steps. The drive rails on which the drive rollers roll are also provided on the left and right drive rails of the step at intervals narrower than the width between the drive rollers of the adjacent steps, and four pressure sensors respond to one step. It is arranged so as to do .
Further, the passenger conveyor control device according to the present invention is a passenger conveyor control device that detects passengers on the step that circulates between the entrances and exits and controls the drive device that drives the steps. The detection results of the photoelectric sensor provided to detect the passengers getting on the passenger conveyor, the pressure sensor provided at least on the following rail on which the following step roller rolls, and the passengers on the step are detected, and the photoelectric sensor and the pressure sensor. Based on this, a control unit for controlling the drive device is provided, and the pressure sensors are provided at intervals narrower than the width between the following steps of the adjacent steps, and one of the left and right following tracks of the steps or the step. The left and right follow-up rails are alternately provided, and one pressure sensor is arranged so as to react to one step.

The passenger conveyor control method according to the present invention is a control method realized by a passenger conveyor control device that detects passengers on a step that circulates between entrances and exits and controls a drive device that drives the step. , The first detection step of detecting the passengers getting on the passenger conveyor by the photoelectric sensor provided at the entrance and exit, and at least the pressure sensor provided on the following rail on which the following step roller rolls detect the passengers on the step. The second detection step is to be performed, and the first detection step and the control step for controlling the drive device by the control unit based on the detection results of the second detection step are provided, and the passenger is detected in the second detection step. The pressure sensors used are provided at intervals narrower than the width between the following steps of the adjacent steps, and are provided on the left and right following tracks of the steps, respectively, and also for the drive rails on which the drive rollers of the steps roll. , The left and right drive rails of the step are provided at intervals narrower than the width between the drive rollers of the adjacent steps, and four pressure sensors are arranged so as to react to one step. ..
Further, the passenger conveyor control method according to the present invention is a control method realized by a passenger conveyor control device that detects passengers on a step that circulates between entrances and exits and controls a drive device that drives the step. Therefore, the first detection step of detecting the passengers getting on the passenger conveyor by the photoelectric sensor provided at the entrance / exit, and the pressure sensor provided at least on the following rail on which the following step roller rolls, the passengers on the step. It has a second detection step for detecting the above, a control step for controlling the drive device by the control unit based on the detection results of the first detection step and the second detection step, and the passenger is detected in the second detection step. The pressure sensors used for this purpose are provided at intervals narrower than the width between the following steps of the adjacent steps, and are provided alternately on one of the left and right following tracks of the step or on the left and right following tracks of the step. One pressure sensor is arranged so as to react to one step.

According to the control device and the control method of the passenger conveyor according to the present invention, the control unit is the detection result of the photoelectric sensor provided at the entrance / exit and the pressure sensor provided at least on the following rail on which the following step roller rolls. The drive unit is controlled based on.
Therefore, the operation of the passenger conveyor can be controlled according to the presence or absence of passengers on the steps.

It is a perspective view which shows the escalator to which the control device of the passenger conveyor which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention is applied. It is a perspective view which shows the step of the escalator to which the control device of the passenger conveyor which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention is applied excerpt. It is a perspective view which shows the step of the escalator to which the control device of the passenger conveyor which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention is applied, together with a drive mechanism. It is a block block diagram which shows the control device of the passenger conveyor which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation of the control part in the control device of the passenger conveyor which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows another operation of the control part in the control device of the passenger conveyor which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the passenger conveyor control device and control method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but the same or corresponding parts in the drawings will be described with the same reference numerals. In the following embodiment, an escalator will be described as an example of the passenger conveyor, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the passenger conveyor may be a moving walkway.

Embodiment 1.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an escalator to which a control device for a passenger conveyor according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied. In FIG. 1, in this escalator, a first escalator 1 and a second escalator 2 adjacent to each other are connected by a panel 3. The first escalator 1 and the second escalator 2 are collectively referred to as an escalator 10.

Each of the first escalator 1 and the second escalator 2 has a step 11 that circulates between the entrances and exits, skirt guards 12 provided on both sides of the steps 11 in the width direction, and an entrance / exit plate 13 provided at the entrances / exits. Have. Further, at the entrance / exit, a pair of photoelectric posts 14 provided with a photoelectric sensor 15 for detecting passengers boarding the escalator 10 and performing automatic operation are installed. Further, the skirt guard 12 is provided with a speaker 16 for notifying passengers boarding the escalator 10.

Here, in the automatic operation of the escalator 10, for the purpose of realizing energy saving, when a passenger is not detected by the photoelectric post 14, the escalator 10 is stopped or the escalator 10 is operated at a lower speed than during passenger transportation, and the photoelectric post is operated. When a passenger is detected in 14, the escalator 10 is operated at a rated speed to transport the passenger.

The pair of photoelectric posts 14 are provided with a light emitting portion 15a and a light receiving portion 15b constituting the photoelectric sensor 15. The photoelectric sensor 15 detects that there are no passengers when the light projected from the light projecting unit 15a is received by the light receiving unit 15b, and the light projected from the light emitting unit 15a is received by the light receiving unit 15b. If not, detect the presence of passengers.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an excerpt of a step of an escalator to which a control device for a passenger conveyor according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied. In FIG. 2, the tread 11 is provided on the tread 21, a riser 22 provided at the rear end of the tread 21, a pair of brackets 23 connecting the tread 21 and the riser 22, and a front portion of the bracket 23. It has a step shaft 24 provided, a drive roller 25 provided on the step shaft 24, and a pair of follower rollers 26 provided on the rear stage side portion of the bracket 23.

Further, the brackets 23 are arranged apart from each other in the width direction of the step 11. The step shaft 24 is arranged so that the axial direction of the step shaft 24 is the width direction of the step 11. Further, the step shaft 24 penetrates each bracket 23.

Further, each drive roller 25 is attached to both ends of the step shaft 24. Each drive roller 25 is arranged outside the step 11 in the width direction of the bracket 23. Further, the following follower rollers 26 are arranged apart from each other in the width direction of the step 11. Each follow-up roller 26 is arranged inside the step 11 in the width direction with respect to the drive roller 25.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a step of an escalator to which a control device for a passenger conveyor according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied, together with a drive mechanism. In FIG. 3, the drive mechanism includes a pair of drive rails 27 on which each drive roller 25 rolls, a pair of follow-up rails 28 on which each follow-up roller 26 rolls, and a pair of endless steps connecting each step 11. It is composed of a chain 29.

Further, the driving force generated by the driving device described later is transmitted to each step chain 29. Each step chain 29 circulates in synchronization with each other by transmitting a driving force. Each step chain 29 is arranged inside the step 11 in the width direction of the drive rail 27 and outside the step 11 in the width direction of the follow-up rail 28.

Here, a pressure sensor 30 for detecting passengers on the step 11 is provided on the follow-up rail 28. The pressure sensor 30 is composed of, for example, a strain gauge whose resistance value changes according to external pressure (weight), and detects passengers on the step 11 when a weight equal to or greater than the weight of the step 11 is applied.

Further, the pressure sensors 30 are provided on the left and right following rails 28 of the step 11, respectively. Since the follow-up rail 28 is arranged inside the step 11 in the width direction with respect to the drive rail 27, it is easy to provide the pressure sensor 30. Further, a plurality of pressure sensors 30 may be arranged in a tape shape on one sheet, and the sheets may be pressed against the follow-up rail 28 so that the plurality of pressure sensors 30 are provided on the follow-up rail 28 at one time.

Further, the pressure sensors 30 are provided at intervals narrower than the width between the following rollers 26 of the adjacent steps 11. This is because when the pressure sensors 30 are provided at the same intervals as the width between the following rollers 26 of the adjacent steps 11, when the following rollers 26 stop between the pressure sensors 30, passengers on the steps 11 are not detected. This is to prevent this and enable the detection of passengers for all steps 11. Further, if there is a pressure sensor 30 having no output even though the step 11 is driven, it can be determined that the pressure sensor 30 is out of order.

FIG. 4 is a block configuration diagram showing a control device for a passenger conveyor according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, the control device for the passenger conveyor includes a photoelectric sensor 15, a speaker 16, a pressure sensor 30, a drive device 40 for driving a step 11, and a control unit 50. Here, the control unit 50 controls the drive device 40 based on the detection results of the photoelectric sensor 15 and the pressure sensor 30.

Specifically, when the control unit 50 detects a passenger boarding the escalator 10 by the photoelectric sensor 15 while the drive of the step 11 is stopped, the pressure sensor 30 detects the passenger on the step 11. When it is, the driving of the step 11 is not started.

That is, after the escalator 10 starts the automatic operation, the passenger does not get on the step 11 for some reason, the escalator 10 stops the operation after a preset stop time elapses, and the escalator 10 on which the passenger has stopped is used as a staircase. When in use, the escalator 10 does not resume operation even if a passenger coming from behind is detected by the photoelectric sensor 15. Therefore, there is no possibility that the passengers on the step 11 will be affected by the restart of the operation of the escalator 10.

Here, when the photoelectric sensor 15 detects a passenger who gets on the escalator 10, the control unit 50 does not start driving the step 11, because the speaker 16 has a passenger on the step 11, so that the step 11 Notifies that the drive is not started. Therefore, passengers coming from behind can know that the step 11 is not driven.

Further, the control unit 50 detects a passenger boarding the escalator 10 by the photoelectric sensor 15, starts driving the step 11, and then when a preset stop time elapses, the pressure sensor 30 detects the passenger on the step 11. When is detected, the driving of the step 11 is not stopped.

That is, if the passenger does not immediately get on the step 11 for some reason after the escalator 10 starts the automatic operation, and then the stop time elapses before the passenger gets on the step 11 and arrives at the entrance on the opposite side. , The escalator 10 does not stop operation. Therefore, there is no possibility that the passengers on the step 11 will be affected by the shutdown of the escalator 10.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control unit in the control device of the passenger conveyor according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Here, as an example, after the escalator 10 starts the automatic operation, the passenger does not get on the step 11 for some reason, and the escalator 10 stops the operation after the preset stop time has elapsed. I will explain.

First, the control unit 50 determines whether or not a passenger boarding the escalator 10 has been detected by the photoelectric sensor 15 (step S1).
If it is determined in step S1 that the passengers boarding the escalator 10 are not detected (that is, No), the process of FIG. 5 is terminated as it is.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1 that a passenger boarding the escalator 10 is detected (that is, Yes), the control unit 50 determines whether or not the passenger on the step 11 is detected by the pressure sensor 30. (Step S2).

When it is determined in step S2 that a passenger on the step 11 is detected (that is, Yes), the control unit 50 does not start driving the step 11 (step S3), and the speaker 16 informs the step 11 Since there are passengers on the top, it is notified that the driving of the step 11 is not started (step S4), and the process of FIG. 5 is completed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2 that the passenger on the step 11 is not detected (that is, No), the control unit 50 starts driving the step 11 (step S5) and performs the process of FIG. finish.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing another operation of the control unit in the control device of the passenger conveyor according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Here, a case where the passenger does not immediately get on the step 11 for some reason after the escalator 10 starts the automatic operation and then gets on the step 11 will be described as an example.

First, the control unit 50 determines whether or not the preset stop time has elapsed (step S11).
If it is determined in step S11 that the stop time has not elapsed (that is, No), the process of FIG. 6 is terminated as it is.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S11 that the stop time has elapsed (that is, Yes), the control unit 50 determines whether or not the passenger on the step 11 is detected by the pressure sensor 30 (step S12). ).

When it is determined in step S12 that a passenger on the step 11 is detected (that is, Yes), the control unit 50 does not start driving the step 11 and extends the stop time by an arbitrary time (that is, Yes). Step S13), the process of FIG. 6 is completed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S12 that the passenger on the step 11 is not detected (that is, No), the control unit 50 stops driving the step 11 (step S14) and performs the process of FIG. finish.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the control unit is based on the detection results of the photoelectric sensor provided at the entrance / exit and the pressure sensor provided at least on the following rail on which the following step roller rolls. , Control the drive unit.
Therefore, the operation of the passenger conveyor can be controlled according to the presence or absence of passengers on the steps.

In the first embodiment, it has been described that the pressure sensors 30 are provided on the left and right following rails 28 of the step 11 at intervals narrower than the width between the following rollers 26 of the adjacent step 11. However, the pressure sensor 30 is not limited to this, and the pressure sensor 30 is also provided on the left and right drive rails 27 of the step 11 at intervals narrower than the width between the drive rollers 25 of the adjacent step 11. May be good.

That is, four pressure sensors 30 may be arranged so as to react to one step 11. In this case, the passengers on the step 11 can be detected with higher accuracy. Further, by arranging the four pressure sensors 30 to react to one step 11, even if the pressure sensor 30 fails, the other pressure sensors 30 can be used by the passengers on the step 11. Can be detected. When a failure of the pressure sensor 30 occurs, the control unit 50 may report the failure information to a monitoring center (not shown).

Further, the pressure sensors 30 are alternately provided on one of the left and right following rails 28 of the step 11 or on the left and right following rails 28 of the step 11, so that one pressure sensor 30 reacts to one step 11. It may be arranged in. In this case, the number of pressure sensors 30 can be reduced, so that cost reduction can be realized.

Further, in the first embodiment, when the control unit 50 detects a passenger boarding the escalator 10 by the photoelectric sensor 15 while the drive of the step 11 is stopped, the pressure sensor 30 is on the step 11. It was explained that the driving of the step 11 is not started when the passenger is detected.

However, by providing the pressure sensors 30 at intervals narrower than the width between the following rollers 26 of the adjacent steps 11, passengers can be detected for all the steps 11, so that the detection result of the pressure sensor 30 can be obtained. Based on the transition, it can be determined whether or not the passenger is walking on the step 11.

Therefore, when the photoelectric sensor 15 detects a passenger boarding the escalator 10 while the drive of the step 11 is stopped, the control unit 50 determines that the passenger steps on the step 11 based on the transition of the detection result of the pressure sensor 30. It is not necessary to start driving the step 11 only when it is determined that the vehicle is walking on the eleven.

That is, it is unlikely that a passenger stays on the step 11 when the drive of the step 11 is stopped, and if it is determined that the passenger is not walking on the step 11, the pressure sensor 30 fails. If the step 11 is started to be driven at this time, the convenience for passengers coming from behind can be improved.

1 1st escalator, 2nd escalator, 10 escalator, 11 steps, 15 photoelectric sensor, 15a floodlight, 15b light receiving part, 16 speaker, 25 drive roller, 26 follow roller, 27 drive rail, 28 follow rail, 30 pressure Sensor, 40 drive unit, 50 control unit.

Claims (7)

It is a control device of a passenger conveyor that detects passengers on a step that circulates between entrances and exits and controls a drive device that drives the step.
A photoelectric sensor provided at the entrance / exit to detect passengers boarding the passenger conveyor, and
At least a pressure sensor provided on the following rail on which the following step roller rolls and detects passengers on the step, and
A control unit that controls the drive device based on the detection results of the photoelectric sensor and the pressure sensor.
Equipped with a,
The pressure sensor is
It is provided at a space narrower than the width between the following rollers of the adjacent steps.
The drive rails provided on the left and right follow-up rails of the step, and the drive rails on which the drive rollers of the step roll, are also spaced narrower than the width between the drive rollers of the step adjacent to the left and right drive rails of the step. Each is provided in
A control device for a passenger conveyor in which four pressure sensors are arranged so as to react to one step. It is a control device of a passenger conveyor that detects passengers on a step that circulates between entrances and exits and controls a drive device that drives the step.
A photoelectric sensor provided at the entrance / exit to detect passengers boarding the passenger conveyor, and
At least a pressure sensor provided on the following rail on which the following step roller rolls and detects passengers on the step, and
A control unit that controls the drive device based on the detection results of the photoelectric sensor and the pressure sensor.
Equipped with a,
The pressure sensor is
It is provided at a space narrower than the width between the following rollers of the adjacent steps.
One of the left and right follow-up rails of the step, or the left and right follow-up rails of the step are provided alternately.
A control device for a passenger conveyor arranged so that one pressure sensor reacts to one step. When the control unit detects a passenger boarding the passenger conveyor by the photoelectric sensor in a state where the driving of the step is stopped, and when the pressure sensor detects a passenger on the step, the control unit detects the passenger on the step. The passenger conveyor control device according to claim 1 or 2 , which does not start driving the step. Further equipped with a speaker for notifying passengers boarding the passenger conveyor,
Wherein, when the passenger gets into the passenger conveyor is detected by the photoelectric sensor, when not to start driving of the footstep, to claim 3 for notifying not to start driving of the footstep by the speaker The control device for the passenger conveyor described. The control unit detects a passenger boarding the passenger conveyor by the photoelectric sensor, and when a preset stop time elapses after starting the driving of the step, the pressure sensor causes the passenger on the step to move. The passenger conveyor control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , which does not stop driving the step when it is detected. It is a control method realized by a control device of a passenger conveyor that detects passengers on a step that circulates between entrances and exits and controls a drive device that drives the step.
A first detection step of detecting passengers boarding the passenger conveyor by a photoelectric sensor provided at the entrance / exit, and a first detection step.
At least, a second detection step of detecting passengers on the step by a pressure sensor provided on the follow rail on which the follow roller of the step rolls.
A control step in which the driving device is controlled by the control unit based on the detection results of the first detection step and the second detection step.
Have a,
The pressure sensor used to detect the passenger in the second detection step
It is provided at a space narrower than the width between the following rollers of the adjacent steps.
The drive rails provided on the left and right follow-up rails of the step, and the drive rails on which the drive rollers of the step roll, are also spaced narrower than the width between the drive rollers of the step adjacent to the left and right drive rails of the step. Each is provided in
A method of controlling a passenger conveyor in which four pressure sensors are arranged so as to react to one step. It is a control method realized by a control device of a passenger conveyor that detects passengers on a step that circulates between entrances and exits and controls a drive device that drives the step.
A first detection step of detecting passengers boarding the passenger conveyor by a photoelectric sensor provided at the entrance / exit, and a first detection step.
At least, a second detection step of detecting passengers on the step by a pressure sensor provided on the follow rail on which the follow roller of the step rolls.
A control step in which the driving device is controlled by the control unit based on the detection results of the first detection step and the second detection step.
Have a,
The pressure sensor used to detect the passenger in the second detection step
It is provided at a space narrower than the width between the following rollers of the adjacent steps.
One of the left and right follow-up rails of the step, or the left and right follow-up rails of the step are provided alternately.
A method of controlling a passenger conveyor in which one pressure sensor is arranged so as to react to one step.

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