Patent Application
20210292130
The present invention relates generally to moving paths and other mechanisms for the automated transport of people between horizontally displaced positions. The present invention relates more specifically to a control apparatus for a moving path in which a plurality of moving handholding support operating at a different speed.
One of the most common mechanisms for moving people across long distances within a single floor of a building is a moving path. Such automated transport mechanisms are well known and are particularly common in large open public areas such as airport terminals and shopping malls. Moving paths are frequently used in such environments because of their ability to safely and quickly move large numbers of people between levels or floors or across a single floor within the public space. A moving path is a continuous, high volume way of moving people efficiently. For efficient flow of traffic and common etiquette, fast-moving walkers and standing passengers are encouraged to share one path by utilizing two opposite sides of the same path. (i.e. walk-left and stand-right, or walk-right and stand-left).
Conventional safety tips teach passengers to grasp the handholding support as stepping promptly onto a path, always face forward and keep a steady grip on the handholding support during the transit. Traditionally, floorboards and handholding support are designed to move at the same speed and are driven by the same electric motor. The fact that faster-moving walking passengers walk at a speed faster than the floorboard speed has become a safety issue.
International standards require that the speed of the handholding support shall not change when heave weights are applied against the speed of foot traffic. The stand-traffic handholding support will ideally move at the same speed as the steps. The handholding support drive runs off the step drive, so the handholding support should always match its speed. The motor connects to a drive gear that moves the steps, and from there a belt turns a wheel that drives the handholding support.
Moving paths that are installed under the standards require that a handholding support-speed monitoring device be installed. If the speed of a handholding support changes by more than a certain percent, all power is removed from the motor drive and the brakes are applied. The standards require that the handholding support speed should match the floorboard speed to within a certain percent of margin error.
A major advantage of a moving path or moving sideway in the environment described above is always moving at the speed of foot traffic that the passengers desire. It seems eminently fair to allow those people who'd prefer to let the machinery do all the work relax to one side while those in a hurry squeeze by on the other side. A major disadvantage, on the other hand, is difficult for those other fast-moving walking people to scoot past tourists and other laggards. There have been ongoing effort around the world to abolish standard moving path behavior. One of the drawbacks of current moving sideway and moving path designs is the limited ability to discern from a distance the speed of stand/walk traffic that a specific side of a moving path is moving. There have been a lack of standard procedures among Asian, Latin American, and European countries. This would not be much of a problem if moving paths were always positioned in pairs, one moving up and the second moving down, but in fact this is seldom the case.
Part of their efficiency lies in the fact that moving sideways and moving paths are continuously running in a specific direction or across and do not require the selection of a speed of foot traffic by the user. Moving paths function well because they are fully automated and require little or no control from the passengers utilizing them for transport. This is contrasted with an elevator wherein the passenger is free to access any elevator and then choose the speed of foot traffic upon selecting a specific floor destination.
It is not uncommon for a potential moving path passenger to view a moving path from a distance across a large open public area and perceive it to be moving in a desired direction, only to arrive at the moving path and find that they were mistaken. Likewise, with moving paths, it is difficult for a potential passenger to discern from a distance the stand/walk speed of foot traffic that a specific device is moving. Although moving paths are more often associated in pairs moving in opposite directions, this is not always the case. It is desirable to have an indication of the speed of stand/walk traffic such that an unnecessary approach to the path can be avoided. Certainly where paths are associated in pairs and one is traveling one way and the second the opposite way, it is most beneficial to view from a distance the speed of foot traffic such that an approach to the appropriate path can be made.
The typical moving sideway or moving path has two basic moving components, the moving set of steps or foot platforms and a pair of moving handholding support. The remaining operational components such as the motor and the track structures are stationary. A potential passenger approaching a moving path will attempt to discern its speed of stand/walk traffic by looking at one or both of the moving components. Unfortunately, the moving steps of a typical moving path are most commonly constructed of dark, unfinished metallic material with dark, often corrugated upper surfaces. Because the outward facing surfaces of the moving steps are either constantly in contact with passengers feet, or are constantly rubbing against each other in their progression around the moving path track, it is not practical to provide distinctive features thereon that might serve to indicate the speed of stand/walk traffic for the moving path when in motion. Such distinctive visible surfaces would quickly become indiscernible from the constant abrasive contact they endure.
The moving handholding support of the typical moving path are seldom any better for allowing the distant viewer to discern the speed of stand/walk traffic that the moving path is traveling. Typically these handholding support are constructed of a durable, flexible, plastic or rubber compound of a single color, most often black or gray. It is next to impossible to discern from a distance the speed of stand/walk traffic that such a featureless surface is moving.
A moving path is a continuous, high volume way of moving people efficiently. For efficient flow of traffic and common etiquette, fast-moving walkers and standing passengers are encouraged to share one path by utilizing two opposite sides of the same path. (i.e. walk-left and stand-right, or walk-right and stand-left).
In the instant disclosure, a pair of handholding support travel independently at different speeds wherein one of the handholding support runs at a fast-moving walk speed while the opposite handholding support runs at the floorboard speed of a moving path. In contrast, conventional safety tips teach passengers to grasp the handholding support as stepping promptly onto a path, always face forward and keep a steady grip on the handholding support during the transit. Traditionally, stairs and handholding support on a moving sideway are designed to move at the same speed and are driven by the same electric motor.
Accident rate is actually a bit less than with normal belt type moving sidewalks; most accidents happen at the end when people are not paying attention and spill off the moving belt, whereas you get a lot of warning from the moving path in the instant disclosure and know the end is near. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a directional indicator that permits the discernment of the speed of stand/walk traffic for the faster moving handholding support from a distance.
The present invention provides a plurality of indication on the moving handholding support component of a moving sideway or moving path that is visually contrasted to the primary component material of the handholding support. An indication may be connected to a computer and provides physical sensations which are felt by a passenger manipulating an indication on a handholding support. The computer can issue a command that causes the actuator to output a force on the indicia, conveying a feel sensation to the passenger. Sensors on the indication allow the passenger to influence detection and locating the passenger by the computer, while actuators on the indication allow the passenger to feel force sensations. For example, when a passenger is approaching the end of a moving path, the host computer issues a force command that causes the actuators to create a feel of force sensation that shakes the indication in a convincing manner. Force sensations output by the indication are often predefined, “canned” sensations that are simply output by the indication when instructed by the host computer. The user feels a different force magnitude depending on how fast the actuator is moved, which may cause the force to vary in magnitude and direction. The programmer may determine the parameters and characteristics of the desired force by simply setting parameters to affect the feel of a force as it is actually output on the indicia, easily setting force feedback characteristics to provide a desired force sensation.
An object of the present invention is to provide a moving path control apparatus that simplifies auxiliary equipment and a passenger detecting apparatus which may be applied to such a control apparatus.
To this end, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control apparatus for a moving path comprising: a control apparatus body for controlling operation of the speed constant moving path in accordance with a plurality of operating modes including a conveying mode for conveying a passenger, a first alert mode for informing a passenger who is about to enter a walking zone on an entry gate side of nearing fast-moving walking traffic, and a second alert mode for informing a passenger who is about to exit a walking zone on an departure gate side of ending fast-moving walking traffic.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control apparatus for a moving path comprising: a control apparatus body for controlling operation of the moving path in accordance with a plurality of operating modes including a conveying mode for conveying a passenger, a first alert mode for informing a passenger who is about to enter a walking zone on an entry gate side of nearing fast-moving walking traffic, and a second alert mode for informing a passenger who is about to exit a walking zone on an departure gate side of ending fast-moving walking traffic; a passenger detecting device for distinguishing and monitoring the absence/presence of a passenger within walking zones on an entry gate side and the departure gate side, including floorboards of the entry gate side and the departure gate side; and a mode switching circuit for switching the operating modes in the case where a passenger is detected in the walking zone on the entry gate side in the conveying mode, and in the case where a passenger is detected in the walking zone on the departure gate side in the conveying mode.
References will now be made in detail to the present exemplary embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Certain examples are shown in the above-identified figures and described in detail below. In describing these examples, like or identical reference numbers are used to identify common or similar elements. The figures are not necessarily to scale and certain features and certain views of the figures may be shown exaggerated in scale or in schematic for clarity and/or conciseness.
In the instant disclosure, a pair of handholding support travels independently at different speeds wherein one of the handholding support runs at a fast-moving walk speed while the opposite handholding support runs at the floorboard speed of a moving path. In contrast, conventional safety tips teach passengers to grasp the handholding support as stepping promptly onto a path, to always face forward and also keep a steady grip on the handholding support during the transit. Traditionally, floorboards and handholding support on a moving path are designed to move at the same speed and are driven by the same electric motor.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a directional indicator that permits the discernment of the speed of stand/walk traffic for the fast-moving handholding support from a distance. Accident rate is actually lowered. Most accidents happen at the end when people are not paying attention and spill off the moving belt, whereas you get a lot of warning from the moving path in the instant disclosure and know the walk traffic is near.
Reference is made first to
An inward platform 22 is shown immediately adjacent to a lower floorboard 26 of moving floorboards 12. inward platform 22 is not in motion but is fixed to an entry/exit floor space 24. On either side of moving floorboards 12, and serving to support and position sidewalls 14 and 16, are base components 28 and 30. To some extent the operational mechanisms associated with moving path 10 are incorporated within the structures shown as base components 28 and 30. The mechanical features of moving path 10 shown are well known in the art and are not modified here by incorporation of the present invention.
Handholding support 18 and 20 in the present invention are improved upon by incorporating the plurality of directional indication 34 as shown. Moving handholding support 18 and 20 each include a continuous loop of flexible handholding support material with an outside exposed surface 36 and in inside surface (not shown) that moves along handholding support track 38. In this manner the outside surface 36 is consistently exposed and directed in a manner that can be viewed by passengers and potential passengers.
Reference is now made to
Indication 50a and 50b are each comprised of geometric elements that contribute to both the discernment of the indicator but also the discernment of the direction the indicator, and thus the handholding support, is moving. Center diamond 52 provides a focal point for the indication comprising a bold, relatively large area of contrast. Arrow elements 54 and 56 repeat part of the form of center diamond 52 in a manner that expands the overall area of contrast and high lights each of the two potential directions of travel.
It should be understood that the geometric shapes shown in
Further in
In a first preferred embodiment of the illuminating light source the directional indication positioned on or in the handholding support are designed to be reflective of visible light and preferably light having frequencies generally in the middle of the visible light spectrum. In a second embodiment, the illumination light source emits ultraviolet light and the indication are comprised of fluorescent material that emits visible light when illuminated with ultraviolet light. In either case the objective is to provide sufficient illumination of the indication such that they may be discerned as described herein from a significant distance.
Overall, the present invention serves to make the use of moving sideways and moving path much easier in that it allows discernment of the speed of stand/walk traffic from a much greater distance. In addition, the implementation of the present invention does not require significant effort to retrofit to existing moving sideway and moving path installation. Various means for placing the indication described herein onto or into the moving handholding support will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Adhesive films, paints, inks, and dyes may all be implemented without interfering with the normal mechanical movement of the handholding support about the track.
Moreover, the passenger detecting devices 400 monitor to distinguish the presence/absence of a passenger within a first walking zone 4100 at the entry gate side, including an entrance floorboard 500, from the presence/absence of a passenger within a second walking zone 4200 at the entry gate side and adjacent to the outside of the first walking zone 4100 so as to cover the first walking zone 4100. The first walking zone 4100 is a range in which the passenger is about to ride on the moving path from the i.e., a range slightly projecting from the handholding support returning portions 200 at both sides.
The second walking zone 4200 is wider than the first walking zone 4100 in consideration of the approach path of passengers. The first walking zone 4100 and the second walking zone 4200 may partially overlap each other. For instance, the detection range of the moving path in the longitudinal direction is about one meter from the handholding support returning portions 200. Also, the first and second walking zones 4100 and 4200 include a region outside of the handholding support returning portion 200 on both sides of the moving path. Thus, it is possible to detect a passenger who detours around the entrance/departure gates from outside of the handholding support returning portions 200.
More specifically, the mode switching circuit 700 switches the operating mode to the first alert mode in the case where a passenger is detected in the second walking zone 4200 on the entry gate side in the conveying mode, and switches the operating mode to the conveying mode in the case where the passenger is detected in the first walking zone 4100 on the entry gate side in the first alert mode.
In the conveying mode, the moving path is operated at a rated speed for only a predetermined period of time for passengers to be conveyed plus an additional period of time. Also, a sensor may be provided on the departure gate side so that the voice greeting is stopped in a predetermined time after the final passenger gets off.
An alarm means 900 for alerting the passengers in the vicinity of the departure gate is connected to the control apparatus body 800. In the alarm mode, the alarm means 900 alerts passengers who are about to exit from the departure gate and informs them that the fast-moving walk traffic is ending. Also, the alarm mode may, for example, alert passengers that the fast-moving walk traffic is ending by means of force feedback on one or more indication without using the alarm means 900.
An indication may be connected to a computer and provides physical sensations which are felt by a passenger manipulating an indication on a handholding support. The computer can issue a command that causes the actuator to output a force on the indicia, conveying a feel sensation to the passenger. Sensors on the indication allow the passenger to influence detection and locating the passenger by the computer, while actuators on the indication allow the passenger to feel force sensations. For example, when a passenger is approaching the end of a moving path, the host computer issues a force command that causes the actuators to create a feel of force sensation that shakes the indication in a convincing manner. Force sensations output by the indication are often predefined, “canned” sensations that are simply output by the indication when instructed by the host computer. The user feels a different force magnitude depending on how fast the actuator is moved, which may cause the force to vary in magnitude and direction. The programmer may determine the parameters and characteristics of the desired force by simply setting parameters to affect the feel of a force as it is actually output on the indicia, easily setting force feedback characteristics to provide a desired force sensation.
The moving path is operated with voice greeting turned off in the conveying mode. When operating in the first alert mode, if a predetermined time usually in a matter of seconds when no passengers are detected in the first walking zone 4100 and the second walking zone 4200 passes, the operating mode of the control apparatus body 800 is returned back to the conveying mode.
Here,
When a passenger is detected within the second walking zone 4200, a timer for a second set time in a number of seconds is started, and the absence/presence of a passenger within the second walking zone 4200 is monitored. At this time, if a passenger is detected, after the timer for the second set time is reset and started, the operating mode is switched over to the intermediate mode. If a passenger is not detected; the timer is not reset and the operating mode is switched over to the intermediate mode.
During low speed operation in the intermediate mode, the absence or presence of the passenger within the first walking zone 4100 is monitored. Consequently, unless a passenger is detected within the first walking zone 4100, the counting operation of the timer confirms whether or not the second set time passes. Then, unless the second set time passes, the intermediate mode is continuously maintained, and the absence/presence of the passengers within the first and second zones 4100 and 4200 is monitored. Also, if the second set time passes while no passengers are detected in the first and second walking zones 4100, 4200, the operating mode is returned back to the standby mode.
On the other hand, during low speed operation in the intermediate mode, if a passenger is detected in the first walking zone 4100, a timer for a first set time in excess of the time needed to convey a passenger is started. Furthermore, the absence/presence of a passenger within the first walking zone 4100 is monitored. At this time, when a passenger is detected, after the timer for the first set time is reset and started, the operating mode is switched over to the conveying mode. Moreover, if a passenger is not detected, the timer is not reset and the operating mode is switched over to the conveying mode.
When the rated speed operation in the conveying mode is started, the counting operation of the timer confirms whether or not the first set time passes. Then, until the first set time passes, the absence/presence of the passenger within the first walking zone 4100 is monitored. Also, if the first set time passes while a new passenger is not detected within the first walking zone 4100, the absence/presence of the passenger within the second walking zone 4200 is monitored. Unless the passenger is present in the second walking zone 4200, the operating mode is returned back to the standby mode.
The operation on the departure gate side will now be described. In the case where a passenger is detected in the second walking zone 4200 on the departure gate side in the standby mode, the mode switching circuit 700 switches the operating mode to the intermediate mode. In the case where the passenger is detected in the first walking zone 4100 on the departure gate side in the intermediate mode, the mode switching circuit 700 switches the operating mode to the alarm mode so that the alarm is generated by the alarm means 900.
In the alarm mode, if the predetermined time when no passengers are detected the first walking zone 4100 and the second walking zone passes, the operating mode of the control apparatus body 800 is returned back to the standby mode.
In the case where a passenger 1400 shown in
Also, in the case where a passenger 1600 shown in
Since the low speed operation is started when the passenger reaches a position somewhat away from the entrance or departure gate, it is possible to prevent passengers from mistaking a stand-side of a path with a walk-side of the path. Furthermore, passengers may observe and confirm the operating speed when they enter the second zone 4200. Accordingly, it is possible to use a relatively simplified display device 600 such as the automatic operation display lamp or the operating direction display lamp. Moreover, it is also possible to mount the device on a design element such as the balustrade 100.
Furthermore, when a passenger has passed across the second zone 4200 like the passenger 1200 and the passenger 1600, it is possible that the low speed operation is temporarily performed.
Also, since the first and second walking zones 4100 and 4200 include the region outside of the handholding support returning portions 200 on both sides, it is possible to detect a passenger who takes a detour to the entrance or departure gate from outside of the handholding support returning portions 200 and to dispense with the guide railings.
Further, since the passenger detecting devices 400 having the reflective photo detection system sensors are provided in the balustrade 100, it is unnecessary to provide equipment such as poles to incorporate the sensors.
Furthermore, riding in the wrong direction can be prevented by alerting the passenger even though the moving path stays in the standby mode.
Also, since the ranges of the first and second zones 4100 and 4200 on the entrance and departure gate sides are the same, the structural elements for the passenger detecting devices 400 in the entrance and departure gates may be commonly used. It is therefore possible to facilitate maintenance and adjustment work and the like.
