JP7630386B2 - Passenger conveyor - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to passenger conveyors.

Conventionally, passenger conveyors equipped with multiple steps that move cyclically inside a truss are known. Each step has a step plate on which the user stands and a riser plate that extends downward from the rear end of the step plate. The multiple steps are connected in an endless manner.

The step surface on which users stand is provided with a stopping zone and an overtaking zone. Users who stop on the step stand in the stopping zone. On the other hand, users who walk on the step walk in the overtaking zone (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 05-201681

However, if there are no passengers walking on the steps, no one stands in the passing zone. This causes a problem of low occupancy rate on the passenger conveyor.

This disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and its purpose is to provide a passenger conveyor that can improve the occupancy rate of the passenger conveyor.

The passenger conveyor of the present disclosure comprises a plurality of steps and an illumination device which illuminates the tread surfaces of the steps from above , the steps being connected endlessly, and the tread surface of each step being divided along the width direction of the tread surface into a recommended boarding area where the user is recommended to board, and a boardable area which is not a recommended boarding area, the recommended boarding area and the boardable area being each differently colored, and of a pair of steps adjacent to each other along the direction of movement of the steps, the recommended boarding area is located on one side in the width direction on the tread surface of the rear step, and the recommended boarding area is located on the other side in the width direction on the tread surface of the front step, and the illumination device illuminates the tread surfaces with light of different emission wavelengths, thereby causing the recommended boarding area and the boardable area to be each differently colored .
The passenger conveyor of the present disclosure comprises a plurality of steps and an light-emitting device that emits light from below to above the step board, each step being connected endlessly, and the tread surface of each step being divided along the width direction of the tread surface into a recommended boarding area where the user is recommended to board and a boardable area which is not a recommended boarding area, and the recommended boarding area and the boardable area are each differently colored, and of a pair of steps adjacent in the direction of movement of the steps, the recommended boarding area is located on one side in the width direction on the tread surface of the rear step, and the recommended boarding area is located on the other side in the width direction on the tread surface of the front step, and the light-emitting devices emit light of different emission wavelengths, thereby causing the recommended boarding area and the boardable area to be differently colored.

This disclosure makes it possible to improve passenger occupancy rates on passenger conveyors.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an escalator as a passenger conveyor in a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a step of the escalator of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the steps in FIG. 2 taken along line DD. 2 is a view of the steps of the escalator of FIG. 1 viewed from a direction A. 13 is a diagram showing an example of illuminating each step with light by an illumination device in embodiment 2. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example in which light is emitted from below to above each step by a light-emitting device in embodiment 3. FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of guide signs in the fourth embodiment. 8 is a diagram showing an example in which the guide sign of FIG. 7 is arranged on a landing plate, viewed from the overhead direction E. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of guide signs and speakers incorporated in a guide signboard in embodiment 5. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of guide signs incorporated into a wall surface in embodiment 6. FIG.

Embodiment 1.
Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an escalator as a passenger conveyor in embodiment 1. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of steps 2 of the escalator in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the steps 2 in Fig. 2 along line D-D.

As shown in Figure 1, the escalator has a truss 1 and multiple steps 2. The truss 1 spans the upper and lower floors. Therefore, the inclined portion of the truss 1 is inclined at a certain angle.

Inside the truss 1, a machine room 5 is provided below the upper boarding/alighting opening 4. A control device 7 is provided in the machine room 5. A drive sprocket 9 and the like are also provided in the machine room 5. Inside the truss 1, a driven sprocket 10 is provided below the lower boarding/alighting opening 3. Inside the truss 1, a pair of endless chains 11 are arranged. The pair of endless chains 11 are stretched across the drive sprocket 9 and the driven sprocket 10. As shown in FIG. 2, each chain 11 is fixed to both ends of a shaft 12 provided on each step 2 along the width direction C of the step 2. Thus, each step 2 is connected in an endless manner via the pair of chains 11.

The drive sprocket 9 of each step 2 can be rotated in both directions via a reduction gear (not shown) by an electric motor (not shown) installed in the machine room 5. When the electric motor rotates the drive sprocket 9 in one direction, the step 2 carrying the user moves along a diagonally upward movement direction B1. When the electric motor rotates the drive sprocket 9 in the other direction, the step 2 carrying the user moves along a diagonally downward movement direction B2. Thus, each step 2 can move up or down between the lower and upper floors in a staircase-like manner.

Next, we will explain the components that guide each step 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, the truss 1 is provided with driving rails 13 and 14 and driven rails 15 and 16. The driving rails 13 and 14 are arranged from the lower boarding/alighting entrance 3 to the upper boarding/alighting entrance 4, and are configured with an L-shaped cross section. The driven rails 15 and 16, like the driving rails 13 and 14, are arranged from the lower boarding/alighting entrance 3 to the upper boarding/alighting entrance 4, and are configured with an L-shaped cross section.

Next, we will explain the components that make up each step 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, in addition to the shaft 12, the step 2 includes a step plate 17, a riser plate 18, a support member 19, a driving roller 20, a driving roller 21, a driven roller 22, and a driven roller 23.

The tread 17 is composed of a plate-shaped member. The tread 17 has a number of cleats 31. The cleats 31 are located on the upper part of the tread 17. As shown in FIG. 3, the cleats 31 are arranged in a protruding shape at a constant pitch in the width direction C. Therefore, the upper surface of the cleat 31 forms the tread surface. Therefore, the tread surface is a comb-tooth surface.

The riser plate 18 is an arc-shaped member formed downward from the rear end of the tread plate 17 in the moving direction B1. The riser plate 18 also has a comb-tooth surface formed of multiple protruding members arranged at a fixed pitch different from that of the cleats 31.

The support member 19 is a member that supports the tread 17 and the riser plate 18. The support member 19 also supports the shaft 12. Therefore, when the chain 11 moves, the shaft 12 is pulled by the chain 11. This allows the tread 17 to move.

The drive roller 20 is rotatably mounted on one of the two ends of the shaft 12. This allows the drive roller 20 to roll on the upper surface of the drive rail 13.

The drive roller 21 is rotatably mounted on the other of the two ends of the shaft 12. This allows the drive roller 21 to roll on the upper surface of the drive rail 14.

Each of the driven rollers 22 and 23 is rotatably mounted on each support member 19. This allows the driven roller 22 to roll on the upper surface of the driven rail 15. Similarly, the driven roller 23 is able to roll on the upper surface of the driven rail 16.

From the above explanation, each step 2 can move between the lower boarding/alighting entrance 3 and the upper boarding/alighting entrance 4 by being guided by the driving rails 13 and 14 and the driven rails 15 and 16. As a result, each step 2 can move in either direction B1 or B2 with a passenger on board.

Next, we will explain the configuration for moving the user to either the left or right part of the tread surface.

Figure 4 is a view of the steps 2 of the escalator in Figure 1 viewed from the direction A. Figure 4 shows an example of coloring the cleat 31 in Figure 3. As shown in Figure 4, the colored surface of the upper surface of the cleat 31 is set as the recommended boarding area 17R. The recommended boarding area 17R is an area in which it is recommended that users board.

As shown in FIG. 4, the uncolored surface of the upper surface of the cleat 31 is set as the rideable area 17P. The rideable area 17P is an area that is not the recommended rideable area 17R.

The recommended riding area 17R and the possible riding area 17P are each colored differently. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the recommended riding area 17R is painted black. On the other hand, the possible riding area 17P is not painted.

In addition, the outer edge 17E of the tread surface formed on the upper surface of the tread board 17 is free of any coloring that would identify either the recommended riding area 17R or the rideable area 17P.

Next, we will explain the color coding of the tread surfaces of a pair of steps 2 adjacent to each other in the movement direction B1 of the steps 2.

Of a pair of steps 2 adjacent to each other in the step 2 movement direction B1, the boarding recommended area 17R is located on one side in the width direction C on the tread surface of the rear step 2. Also, of a pair of steps 2 adjacent to each other in the step 2 movement direction B1, the boarding recommended area 17R is located on the other side in the width direction C on the tread surface of the front step 2.

Similarly, for a pair of steps 2 adjacent to each other along the movement direction B2 of the steps 2, the recommended riding area 17R is arranged on the tread surface of each of the front and rear steps.

Therefore, a recommended boarding area 17R is formed on one side of the tread surface of each step 2 in the width direction C. Therefore, even if escalator users are guided to the recommended boarding area 17R one after another, there will be users on each step 2. Furthermore, the escalator guides users in a state where the front and rear sides of adjacent steps 2 in the movement direction B1 of the steps 2 are alternately shifted in the width direction C for each step 2.

From the above explanation, in the conventional technology, users stand on one side of the tread of the step 2 in the width direction C, so the occupancy rate of the escalator is low. Also, in the conventional technology, in order to leave a distance between users in the direction of travel B1, each user uses the steps 2 with one step between them in the direction of travel B1. This results in an even lower occupancy rate of the escalator.

In contrast to such conventional technology, in the escalator according to embodiment 1, the boarding recommendation area 17R is arranged so that the front and rear sides of adjacent steps 2 in the moving direction B1 of the steps 2 are alternately shifted in the width direction C. Therefore, a user who stands in the boarding recommendation area 17R will also stand so that the front and rear sides of the steps 2 are alternately shifted in the width direction C. As a result, a user will board each step 2. Therefore, the passenger occupancy rate of the escalator can be improved.

Embodiment 2.
The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that, instead of coloring, light of a different color is irradiated from above onto the tread surface of the steps 2, but otherwise is similar to the first embodiment. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

5 is a diagram showing an example of illuminating each step with light by the illumination device 41 in the second embodiment. In the example of FIG. 5, an illumination device 41 that illuminates light onto one of the recommended boarding area 17R and the boarding possible area 17P is provided above the lower boarding/alighting entrance 3. The illumination device 41 illuminates the step surface of the step 2 with light from above, so that the recommended boarding area 17R and the boarding possible area 17P are colored differently from each other. This makes it possible to distinguish either the recommended boarding area 17R or the boarding possible area 17P. In the example of FIG. 5, the recommended boarding area 17R and the boarding possible area 17P are colored differently from each other by illuminating either the recommended boarding area 17R or the boarding possible area 17P with light. More specifically, in the example of FIG. 5, the recommended boarding area 17R and the boarding possible area 17P are colored differently from each other by illuminating either the right part or the left part of the step 2 with light indicating the recommended boarding area 17R.

The irradiation device 41 is composed of, for example, a semiconductor element group that combines multiple semiconductor lasers (laser diodes) and an optical system that includes a lens. With this configuration, the irradiation device 41 can irradiate light to one of the recommended boarding area 17R and the boarding possible area 17P.

The illumination device 41 illuminates light onto one of the recommended boarding area 17R and the boarding possible area 17P in conjunction with the movement of the steps 2. Specifically, in conjunction with the control of the steps 2 by the control device 7, the illumination device 41 illuminates light onto one of the recommended boarding area 17R and the boarding possible area 17P for each step 2. This causes the recommended boarding area 17R and the boarding possible area 17P for each step 2 to be color-coded differently from each other. This makes it possible to improve the occupancy rate of the escalator, similar to the first embodiment.

In addition, the recommended area 17R and the boarding area 17P may be colored differently by irradiating both the recommended area 17R and the boarding area 17P with light. When irradiating both the recommended area 17R and the boarding area 17P with light, the emission wavelength of the light irradiated to the recommended area 17R and the emission wavelength of the light irradiated to the boarding area 17P may be set to be different from each other. Specifically, the irradiation device 41 may be implemented with a semiconductor laser that irradiates the recommended area 17R with light and a semiconductor laser that irradiates the boarding area 17P with light having different emission wavelengths.

As described above, in the escalator according to the second embodiment, the illumination device 41 illuminates the tread surface with light from above, so that the recommended boarding area 17R and the boarding permitted area 17P are colored differently from each other. This makes it possible to improve the occupancy rate of the escalator, just like in the first embodiment.

Embodiment 3.
The third embodiment differs from the first and second embodiments in that light, instead of coloring, is emitted from below toward above the tread surface of the step 2, but is otherwise similar to the first and second embodiments. The same reference numerals are used to designate the same components as the first and second embodiments, and the description thereof will be omitted.

Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example in which light is emitted from the light-emitting device 43 in the third embodiment from below to above each step 2. As shown in Figure 6, a pair of light-emitting devices 43 are arranged side by side in the width direction C below the step 17. Specifically, one of the pair of light-emitting devices 43 arranged side by side in the width direction C is arranged at a position facing one side of the step 17 in the width direction C. Also, the other of the pair of light-emitting devices 43 arranged side by side in the width direction C is arranged at a position facing the other side of the step 17 in the width direction C. The step 17 is provided with a plurality of through holes formed in the thickness direction of the step 17. Such a plurality of through holes allows some of the light emitted from the pair of light-emitting devices 43 to pass through.

Each light-emitting device 43 is composed of a semiconductor element group that combines multiple LEDs (light emitting diodes) and an optical system that includes a lens. This configuration allows each light-emitting device 43 to transmit a portion of light from the back side of the step 17 to the step 17.

Each light-emitting device 43 emits light upward from below the step 17, so that the light passes upward from one of the recommended boarding area 17R and the boarding possible area 17P. The recommended boarding area 17R and the boarding possible area 17P are colored differently from each other by the light passing upward from one of the recommended boarding area 17R and the boarding possible area 17P. This makes it possible to distinguish between the recommended boarding area 17R and the boarding possible area 17P. More specifically, in the example of FIG. 6, the light is emitted upward from below to either the right or left part of the step 2, so that the recommended boarding area 17R and the boarding possible area 17P are colored differently from each other.

In addition, the configuration may be such that light is transmitted upward from both the recommended boarding area 17R and the boarding possible area 17P. When light is transmitted upward from both the recommended boarding area 17R and the boarding possible area 17P, light-emitting devices 43 that emit light with different emission wavelengths may be used. Specifically, when making each light-emitting device 43 emit light of a different color, the emission wavelengths of the LEDs of each light-emitting device 43 may be made different from each other.

As described above, in the escalator according to the third embodiment, the light-emitting device 43 emits light from below the tread 17 of the step 2 toward above, so that the recommended boarding area 17R and the boarding possible area 17P are each colored differently from each other. This makes it possible to increase the occupancy rate of the escalator, just like in the first embodiment.

Embodiment 4.
In the fourth embodiment, in addition to the configuration for guiding the user provided on the steps 2 in the first to third embodiments, an example will be described in which a configuration different from that in the first to third embodiments is used to guide the user. The same reference numerals are used to designate the same configuration as in the first to third embodiments, and the description thereof will be omitted.

Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of guide signs 44 in embodiment 4. Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of the guide signs 44 in Figure 7 arranged on a landing plate 63, viewed from the overhead direction E.

As shown in FIG. 8, the floor plate 8 includes a comb plate 61 and a landing plate 63.

The floor plate 8 is fixed to the floor 81 of the lower floor. The comb plate 61 has a comb portion 62. The edge of the comb portion 62 is formed with comb teeth that mesh with each cleat 31 of the step 2 with a certain gap between them.

The landing plate 63 is composed of a rectangular hollow plate made of a metal such as stainless steel. A guide sign 44 is also incorporated in the center of the landing plate 63.

The guide sign 44 is a sign that guides users to the recommended boarding area 17R and the permitted boarding area 17P. As shown in FIG. 8, the guide sign 44 is provided with an LED and an arrow-shaped member that transmits a certain amount of LED light at a position facing the left part of the step 2 and a position facing the right part of the step 2 in the moving direction B1 of the step 2.

In the example shown in FIG. 8, the guide sign 44 guides users to the left side of the step 2 in the moving direction B1. The guide sign 44 is a sign that guides users to either the right or left part of the step 2 as each step 2 moves along the moving direction B1, and guides users such that the parts of the step 2 that guide users alternate between the front and rear sides of each step 2. For example, in conjunction with the control of the steps 2 by the control device 7, the guide sign 44 guides users to either the right or left part of the step 2 for each step 2. This can improve the occupancy rate of the escalator, as in the first embodiment.

Although detailed explanation is omitted, the floor 82 of the upper floor may also be provided with guide signs 44 in the same manner as the floor 81 of the lower floor.

Embodiment 5.
In the fifth embodiment, in addition to the configuration for guiding a user provided on the steps 2 in the first to third embodiments, an example will be described in which a configuration different from that in the first to fourth embodiments is used to guide a user. The same reference numerals are used to designate the same configuration as in the first to fourth embodiments, and the description thereof will be omitted.

Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of guide signs 44 and speakers 46 incorporated in a guide signboard 45 in embodiment 5. As shown in Figure 9, the escalator in embodiment 5 further includes a guide signboard 45. The guide signboard 45 is provided near the lower boarding/alighting entrance 3. The guide signboard 45 is a signboard that guides users to the escalator.

In the example shown in FIG. 9, the guide sign 44 guides the user to either the right or left side of the steps 2. The speaker 46 can announce the content of the guidance provided by the guide sign 44 by voice. For example, the speaker 46 can pre-record the audio of a predetermined phrase and output the recorded audio. The speaker 46 may also mechanically synthesize the audio of a predetermined phrase and output it.

For example, in conjunction with the control of the steps 2 by the control device 7, the guide sign 44 and the speaker 46 guide users to either the right or left part of the steps 2. This can increase the escalator's passenger occupancy rate, similar to the first embodiment.

Embodiment 6.
In the sixth embodiment, in addition to the configuration for guiding the user provided on the steps 2 in the first to third embodiments, an example will be described in which a configuration different from that in the first to fifth embodiments is used to guide the user. The same reference numerals are used to designate the same configuration as in the first to fifth embodiments, and the description thereof will be omitted.

Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of guide signs 44 incorporated into a wall surface 71 in embodiment 6. As shown in Fig. 10, in the escalator according to embodiment 6, the wall surface 71 is provided around the lower boarding/alighting entrance 3. Guide signs 44 are provided on the wall surface 71. In addition, speakers 46 are provided on the wall surface 71.

For example, in conjunction with the control of the steps 2 by the control device 7, the guide sign 44 and speaker 46 provided on the wall surface 71 guide users to either the right or left part of the steps 2. This makes it possible to increase the passenger occupancy rate of the escalator, similar to the first embodiment.

In the first to sixth embodiments, an example of an escalator is described in which each step 2 moves along a path inclined at a certain angle relative to the floor plate 8 along one of the moving directions B1 and B2, but the present embodiment is not particularly limited to this. For example, the passenger conveyor may be an escalator in which each step 2 moves along a spiral path with a certain angle of inclination relative to the floor plate 8. Also, for example, the passenger conveyor may be provided with each step 2 on a moving walkway. The moving walkway moves each step 2 while keeping the tread surfaces of the steps 17 of each step 2 flat against each other. Also, the moving walkway may move each step 2 on a path inclined at a certain angle relative to the floor plate 8.

Although an example of a guide sign 44 having an LED has been described, the present embodiment is not particularly limited to this. For example, instead of an LED, the guide sign 44 may be configured to have a laser light-emitting element that irradiates laser light up to infinity above the recommended boarding area 17R and the boarding possible area 17P. With this configuration, the user is guided to either the recommended boarding area 17R or the boarding possible area 17P by the laser light passing under the user's feet.

In addition, in the fourth embodiment, an example in which the guide sign 44 is arranged on the landing plate 63 has been described, but in addition to the guide sign 44 in the fifth and sixth embodiments, the guide sign 44 in the fourth embodiment may also be provided.

1 truss, 2 steps, 3 lower boarding/alighting entrance, 4 upper boarding/alighting entrance, 5 machine room, 7 control device, 8 floor plate, 9 driving sprocket, 10 driven sprocket, 11 chain, 12 shaft, 13, 14 driving rail, 15, 16 driven rail, 17 footboard, 17R recommended boarding area, 17P boarding area, 17E outer edge, 18 riser, 19 support member, 20, 21 driving roller, 22, 23 driven roller, 31 cleat, 41 irradiation device, 43 light-emitting device, 44 guide sign, 45 guide sign, 46 speaker, 61 comb plate, 62 comb section, 63 landing plate, 71 wall surface, 81 lower floor floor, 82 upper floor floor, A, E overhead view, B1, B2 movement direction, C Width direction.

Claims (7)

Multiple steps and
An illumination device that illuminates the step surface with light from above;
Equipped with
Each of the steps is connected endlessly,
The tread surface of each of the steps is divided along a width direction of the tread surface into a recommended riding area in which it is recommended that a user ride, and a rideable area that is not the recommended riding area,
The recommended riding area and the available riding area are colored differently from each other,
Of a pair of steps adjacent to each other in the step movement direction, the boarding recommended area is disposed on one side in the width direction on the step surface of the rear step, and the boarding recommended area is disposed on the other side in the width direction on the step surface of the front step,
A passenger conveyor in which the recommended boarding area and the possible boarding area are colored differently from each other by the illumination device irradiating the tread surface with light of different emission wavelengths . Multiple steps and
A light emitting device that emits light from below the step board toward above the step board;
Equipped with
Each of the steps is connected endlessly,
A tread surface of each step is divided along a width direction of the tread surface into a recommended riding area in which a user is recommended to ride and a rideable area that is not the recommended riding area,
The recommended riding area and the available riding area are colored differently from each other,
Of a pair of steps adjacent to each other in the step movement direction, the boarding recommended area is disposed on one side in the width direction on the step surface of the rear step, and the boarding recommended area is disposed on the other side in the width direction on the step surface of the front step,
The light emitting devices emit light having different emission wavelengths, so that the recommended boarding area and the possible boarding area are colored differently from each other . The passenger conveyor according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising guide signs for informing the user of each of the recommended boarding area and the permitted boarding area. 4. The passenger conveyor of claim 3, further comprising a landing plate having the guide sign incorporated therein. 4. The passenger conveyor according to claim 3 , further comprising an information board on which the information sign is provided. 4. The passenger conveyor according to claim 3 , wherein the guide sign is provided on a wall surface provided around the passenger boarding/alighting entrance. The passenger conveyor according to claim 5 or 6 , further comprising a speaker that provides audio guidance of the recommended boarding area and the available boarding area.