RISK-DETECTION SYSTEM FOR A PASSENGER MOVING INSTALLATION

Abstract

A passenger moving installation includes a plurality of tread elements forming an endless conveyor belt, wherein the tread elements are at least partially covered by at least one element that limits a transportation height of a user set of the installation. A safety system is configured to detect a risk of collision between the user set and the covering element. A method of determining a risk of collision between a user set and at least one covering element in a passenger moving installation at least partially covered by the covering element, includes determining the height of the user set in a monitoring area via a safety system, comparing the height of the user set to the height of a safety threshold, and triggering an event in the safety system if the user height exceeds the safety threshold.

Claims

1.-15. (canceled)

16. A passenger moving installation, comprising: a plurality of tread elements, connected together to form an endless conveyor belt, that are at least partially covered by at least one element that limits a transportation height of a user set on said tread elements; and a safety system configured to detect a risk of collision between a user set and the at least one element before said user set boards the endless conveyor belt, said safety system including a monitoring device configured to detect a height of the user set in a predetermined monitoring area through which the user set must pass prior to boarding the endless conveyor belt.

17. The passenger moving installation of claim 16, wherein the safety system is configured to detect a risk of collision when it determines that the detected height of the user set is equal to or greater than a safety threshold, as a function of a maximum height between the tread elements and the at least one element partially covering the tread elements.

18. The passenger moving installation of claim 17, wherein the safety system is configured to trigger an event when the detected height of the user set is equal to or greater than the safety threshold.

19. The passenger moving installation of claim 17, wherein the safety threshold is a predetermined height value electronically stored in the safety system, and wherein the safety system is configured to compare the detected height of the user set to the predetermined height value.

20. The passenger moving installation of claim 19, wherein the monitoring device comprises at least one of a sensor, a light-emitting means, or a camera.

21. The passenger moving installation of claim 19, wherein the monitoring area monitored by the safety system includes an area in which a user set is boarding and traveling on the endless conveyor belt.

22. The passenger moving installation of claim 19, wherein the monitoring area monitored by the safety system includes an area in which a user set is located before boarding the endless conveyor, and an area in which a user set is boarding and traveling on the endless conveyor belt.

23. The passenger moving installation of claim 16, wherein the safety system further comprises a height-detection means configured to determine the height of a user set.

24. The passenger moving installation of claim 17, wherein the safety system includes at least one sensor having at least one of a detection beam or detection area, wherein the height of the safety threshold is defined by the position of the at least one sensor.

25. A method of determining a risk of collision between a user set and at least one element that at least partially covers a plurality of tread elements in a passenger moving installation, for the user set having a height that is equal to or greater than a height of a safety threshold, the method comprising: determining, via a safety system, the relevant height of the user set in a monitoring area; comparing the determined height of the user set in the monitoring area to a height of a safety threshold, to identify that the user set has a height that is equal to or greater than the height of the safety threshold; and triggering an event via the safety system for the user set height that is equal to or greater than the height of the safety threshold.

Description

[0041] The invention is described in more detail with the help of the figures, wherein it is shown schematically:

[0042] FIG. 1a a process diagram showing the relationship between the safety system and a triggered event.

[0043] FIG. 1b a process diagram showing the relationship between the safety system and the control unit of the passenger moving installation.

[0044] FIG. 2c a process diagram showing the relationship between the safety system comprising a tracking system and a triggered event.

[0045] FIG. 1d a process diagram showing the relationship between the safety system comprising a tracking system and the control unit of the passenger moving installation.

[0046] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a passenger moving installation according to the invention.

[0047] FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of another embodiment of a passenger moving installation according to the invention.

[0048] FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of a further embodiment of a passenger moving installation according to the invention.

[0049] FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the different scenarios and outcomes foreseen with a passenger moving installation according to the invention.

[0050] FIG. 1a is a process diagram 100 showing a safety system 40 of a passenger moving installation according to an embodiment of the invention. In this example, the event 45 that is triggered is an alarm. The safety system 40 comprises a monitoring device 41, a height-detection means 43 and a control unit 44. The monitoring device 41 is connected with the height-detection means 43 and the control unit 44. The height-detection means 43 is connected with the monitoring device 41 and the control unit 44. The control unit 44 is connected with each component part, the monitoring device 41, the height-detection means 43 as well as the alarm 45. The dashed lines and arrows represent the direction in which signals for example, information signals, can be sent and/or received by each respective part, i.e., the monitoring device 41, the height-detection means 43 the control unit 44 and the alarm 45. Once a risk of collision is detected, the control unit 44 triggers the alarm 45. The alarm is audio, visual or both.

[0051] FIG. 1b shows the same set-up as in FIG. 1a with the exception that the alarm 45 is connected to both the control unit 44 of the safety system 40, as well as to a control unit 12 of the passenger moving installation. In this situation, once the height-detection means 43 detects a risk of collision, the control unit 44 triggers the alarm 45. The activated alarm 45 triggers a signal to the control unit 12 of the passenger moving installation which causes the tread elements 11 of the moving installation to slow down and eventually stop.

[0052] FIG. 1c is a process diagram 100 showing a safety device 40 of a passenger moving installation according to another embodiment of the invention. In this example, the event 45 that is triggered is an alarm. The safety system 40 comprises a monitoring device 41, a tracking system 42, a height-detection means 43 and a control unit 44. The monitoring device 41 is connected with the height-detection means 43 via the tracking system 42, and the control unit 44. The tracking system 42 is connected with the monitoring device 41, the height-detection means 43 and the control unit 44. The height-detection means 43 is connected with the monitoring device 41 via the tracking system 42, and the control unit 44. It is also envisaged that the monitoring device 41 is connected to the height-detection means 43 via a direct connection rather than via the tracking system 42. The control unit 44 is connected with each component part, the monitoring device 41, the tracking system 42 and the height-detection means 43. The dashed lines and arrows represent the direction in which signals, for example information signals, can be sent and/or received by each respective part, i.e., the monitoring device 41, the tracking system 42, the height-detection means 43 the control unit 44 and the alarm 45. Once a risk of collision is detected, the control unit 44 activates the alarm 45. The alarm is audio, visual or both.

[0053] FIG. 1d shows the same set-up as in FIG. 1c with the exception that the alarm 45 is connected to both the control unit 44 of the safety system 40, as well as to a control unit 12 of the passenger moving installation. In this situation, once the height-detection means 43 detects a risk of collision, the control unit 44 triggers the alarm 45. The activated alarm 45 triggers a signal to the control unit 12 of the passenger moving installation which causes the tread elements 11 of the moving installation to slow down and eventually stop.

[0054] FIG. 2 shows an escalator as passenger moving installation 10 according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention. The escalator 10 comprises a plurality of tread elements 11 which are shown by the arrow as moving in an upward direction. It is also envisaged that the tread elements can move in a downward direction or along a horizontal position. Indeed it is envisaged that the tread elements 11 can be adapted to move along any angle within safety regulations or requirements.

[0055] The tread elements 11 of the escalator10 are covered by a ceiling 20. The escalator 10 comprises a safety system 40 positioned above the beginning of the tread elements 11, wherein said safety system 40 comprises a monitoring device 41. The safety system 40 also comprises a height-detection means (not shown) a control unit 44 and an alarm 45, however, they are not shown here. It could optionally comprise a tracking system 42. It is envisaged that these components are comprised within the same fixed space, preferably the same housing as the monitoring device 41 of the safety system 40. The monitoring device 41 in this example is a camera.

[0056] Prior to the escalator 10 being set in operation, the safety system 40 is programmed according to the requirements of the escalator 10, for example, the safety threshold 50 height data is recorded and stored via computer (not shown). Once stored and the escalator 10 is in operation, the safety system 40 via the camera 41 constantly monitors the height of any user set 30 as it enters and travels through the monitoring area 411 towards the escalator 10. The user set 30 enters the monitoring area 411 at point “X”.

[0057] Two different heights are shown in this figure; H.sub.1 refers to the height from the bottom of the tread elements 11 to the ceiling 20 directly above. H.sub.2 refers to the height from the bottom of the tread elements 11 to the safety threshold 50. When the user set 30 is in the monitoring area 411, i.e. the volume of space which the user set occupies when in front of the passenger moving installation before mounting occurs, and the height-detection means detects the height of the user set 30 to be the same as or exceed the safety threshold 50, i.e., H.sub.2, and thereby exceeds H.sub.1, the control unit (not shown) triggers an event 45 (not shown) The event 45 is preferably the sounding of an alarm which may be a siren or warning light, or both to alert the user to the height risk. In this way, the user is made aware of the height risk before stepping onto the tread elements 11 of the escalator 10.

[0058] The safety system 40 is positioned in a fixed space above and to the fore of the tread elements 11, i.e., above the entrance to the escalator 10, such that a monitoring area 411 covers a user set 30 before the user set 30 mounts the escalator 10. It is secured in the fixed space using any means appropriate, e.g., screws or a strong adhesive or a combination thereof.

[0059] It is also envisaged in this embodiment that the safety system 40 can be synced with the control unit of the escalator 12 (not shown). In particular it is envisaged that the control unit 44 of the safety system 40 can be in connection with the control unit of the escalator 12 (as shown in FIG. 1b). This connection would enable the escalator 10 to slow down and eventually stop in the event of a height risk.

[0060] FIG. 3 shows an escalator as passenger moving installation 10 according to another advantageous embodiment of the invention. The escalator 10 of this embodiment is similar to the escalator shown in FIG. 2. The monitoring device 41 of the safety system 40 is a sensor, instead of a camera. The sensor 41 is positioned in a fixed space directly above the beginning of the tread elements 11. The sensor 41, in particular an infra-red sensor, projects a beam of energy, or an area of energy, or a plane of energy parallel to the moving direction of the tread elements 11. In this example, the sensor projects a beam of energy. The level the beam is projected at demarcates the height of the safety threshold 50, i.e. H.sub.2. The length of the beam demarcates the monitoring area 411. It is also envisaged that the sensor 41 projects a shorter-range beam in the opposite direction so that the area from the beginning of the escalator to the tread elements is covered and thus demarcated as a monitoring area 411 also. The user set 30 enters the monitoring area 411 at point “X”. Thus the risk of collision can be detected before the user set 30 begins to ascend the escalator and/or during travel on the escalator.

[0061] In this embodiment, no input of height data is required. A user set 30 with a height equal to or greater than the safety threshold 50 (H.sub.2) will interfere with the infra-red beam of the sensor 41 in the monitoring area 411 and thus trigger an event 45 (not shown) at the control unit 44 (not shown). In this example, the event 45 is the sounding of an alarm. Thus, the sensor 41 provides the collective advantages of a monitoring device, and a height-detection means.

[0062] It is also envisaged in this embodiment that more than one sensor 41 above the tread elements 11 can be used. This is useful in cases where a sensor 41 can provide only a short range beam of energy, thus in order to ensure an uninterrupted safety threshold 50 along the direction of travel of the tread elements 11, several sensors can be used.

[0063] A camera as a monitoring device 41 can also be used in this embodiment. A camera at position A directed in the moving position of the tread elements would provide the same monitoring area 411 and safety threshold 50 as that of the sensor beam. Similarly, a first camera at position A directed in the moving position of the tread elements and a second camera at position B directed in a position opposite to the moving direction of the tread elements 11, i.e., towards camera A, would provide the same monitoring area 411 and safety threshold 50 as that of the sensor beam.

[0064] It is also envisaged in this embodiment that the safety system 40 can be synced with the control unit of the escalator 12 (as shown in FIGS. 1b and/or 1d). This connection would enable the escalator to slow down and eventually stop in the event of a height risk.

[0065] FIG. 4 shows an escalator 10 according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention. The escalator10 comprises a plurality of tread elements 11 which are shown by the arrow as moving in an upward direction. It is also envisaged that the tread elements can move in a downward direction or along a horizontal position. Indeed it is envisaged that the tread elements 11 can be adapted to move along any angle within safety regulations or requirements.

[0066] The tread elements 11 of the escalator10 are covered by a ceiling 20. The escalator 10 comprises a safety system 40 positioned about the ceiling 20 at the beginning of the tread elements 11. The safety system 40 comprises a first monitoring device 41.sub.A and a second monitoring device 41.sub.B. The safety system 40 also comprises a height-detection means and a control unit, however these are not shown.

[0067] The first monitoring device 41.sub.A of the safety system 40 is a camera and the second monitoring device 41.sub.B of the safety system 40 is a sensor. The camera 41.sub.A is positioned in the same fixed space as the camera shown in FIG. 2, i.e., above and to the fore of the tread elements 11, (above the entrance to the escalator 10), such that a monitoring area 411 covers a user set 30 before the user set 30 mounts the escalator 10. The sensor 41.sub.B is positioned in the same fixed space as the sensor shown in FIG. 3, i.e., directly above the beginning of the tread elements 11. The sensor 41.sub.B is in particular an infra-red sensor, and projects a beam of energy parallel to the moving direction of the tread elements 11. The level the beam is projected at demarcates the height of the safety threshold 50, i.e., H.sub.2, whilst the height of the ceiling 20 above the tread elements 11 is H.sub.1. The length of the beam demarcates the monitoring area 411. As shown in FIG. 3, the sensor 41.sub.B also projects a shorter-range beam in the opposite direction so that the area at the beginning of the escalator, i.e., the beginning of the handrail, to the tread elements 11 is covered. The combination of the camera 41.sub.A and the sensor 41.sub.B as monitoring devices provides for an uninterrupted monitoring area 411 that covers a user set 30 from before the user set 30 mounts the escalator 10 to the point where the user set 30 can travel on the escalator 10 no further. Consequently, the risk of collision can be detected throughout this whole monitoring area, which is considerably larger than the monitoring area 411 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. There can be an overlap of the monitoring area 411 that is covered by the camera 41.sub.A and sensor 41.sub.B. However, in such a case, the height of the safety threshold 50 remains the same and if the user set 30 exceeds said height, the control unit can trigger an event (not shown) via either the camera 41.sub.A or the sensor 41.sub.B or both simultaneously.

[0068] The monitoring area 411 begins at point “X” and is covered by the camera 41.sub.A until point X.sub.41. From point X.sub.41 to the end of the monitoring area 411, the monitoring area 411 is covered by the sensor 41.sub.B.

[0069] Prior to the escalator 10 being set in operation, the safety system 40 is programmed according to the requirements of the escalator 10. The safety threshold 50 height data (H.sub.2) is recorded and stored via computer (not shown). Once stored and the escalator 10 is in operation, the safety system 40 via the camera 41.sub.A constantly monitors the height of any user set 30 as it enters monitoring area 411 at point “X” and continues to monitor the height of any user set 30 until point X.sub.41.

[0070] If the user set 30 is in the monitoring area 411 between points X and X.sub.41, and the height-detection means (not shown) detects the height of the user set 30 to be the same as or exceed the safety threshold 50, i.e., H.sub.2, or is the same as or exceeds H.sub.1, the control unit (not shown) will trigger an event 45, for example, an alarm (not shown).

[0071] If the user set 30 has traveled through the monitoring area 411 covered by camera 41.sub.A without causing a height risk, but their circumstances have changed since entering the monitoring area 411 covered by sensor 41.sub.B, for example, the user has switched a piece of luggage from one arm to another or has taken an item out of a suitcase, wherein said new circumstances lead to the user set 30 having a height equal to or greater than the safety threshold 50 (H.sub.2), the user set 30 will interfere with the beam of the sensor 41.sub.B and thus cause the control unit (not shown) to trigger the alarm (not shown). The sensor 41.sub.B provides the collective advantages of a monitoring device, tracking system and height-detection means. This is particularly advantageous because in the event the camera 41.sub.A fails to operate or is faulty, the sensor 41.sub.B remains in operation (or vice versa) and thus, the safety system 40 is still able to alert a user/passenger should a risk of collision be posed.

[0072] It is also envisaged that more than one sensor 41.sub.B above the tread elements 11 can be used. This is useful in cases where the sensor provides only a short range beam of energy. Thus in order to ensure an uninterrupted safety threshold 50 along the direction of travel of the tread elements 11, several sensors can be used.

[0073] Instead of sensors, it is also possible to carry out this embodiment with a camera at position A directed in the moving position of the tread elements. This would provide the same monitoring area 411 and safety threshold 50 as that of the sensor beam. Similarly, a first camera at position A directed in the moving position of the tread elements 11 and a second camera at position B directed in a position opposite to the moving direction of the tread elements 11 i.e., towards camera A, would provide the same monitoring area 411 and safety threshold 50 as that of the sensor beam. Indeed any combination of sensors, light-emitting means and cameras can be incorporated into the safety system 40.

[0074] It is also envisaged in this embodiment that the safety system 40 can be synced with the control unit of the escalator 12 (as shown in FIGS. 1b and/or 1d). This connection would enable the escalator to slow down and eventually stop in the event of a height risk.

[0075] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram explaining the process behind when the safety system 40, in particular, the control unit 44 triggers an event 45. When a user set 30 approaches the passenger moving installation (not shown), the safety system (not shown) will determine whether a risk of collision is posed or not. This is achieved by determining whether the detected height of the user set 30 is greater than the height of the element 20 (H.sub.1). If the detected height of the user set 30 is greater than the height of the safety threshold 50 (H.sub.2), an event 45 is triggered by the control unit (not shown) of the safety system. If the height of the user set 30 is less than the height of the safety threshold 50 (H.sub.2), then no risk is posed, and the user set is able to travel without incident on the passenger moving installation.

[0076] The above embodiments are examples of how the invention can be implemented. Parts of one embodiment may be combined with parts of another embodiment without departing from the overall scope of the invention.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

[0077] 10 passenger moving installation [0078] 11 tread elements [0079] 12 control unit of passenger moving installation [0080] 20 element [0081] 30 user set [0082] 40 safety system [0083] 41 monitoring device [0084] 41.sub.A first monitoring device [0085] 41.sub.B second monitoring device [0086] 411 monitoring area [0087] 42 tracking system [0088] 43 height-detection means [0089] 44 control unit [0090] 45 event [0091] 50 safety threshold [0092] 100 process diagram [0093] 200 flow chart [0094] H.sub.1 height from tread elements 11 to element 20 [0095] H.sub.2 height from tread elements 11 to safety threshold 50 [0096] X beginning of monitoring area 411 [0097] X.sub.41 end of monitoring area 411 covered by monitoring device 41.sub.A/start of monitoring area 411 by monitoring device 41.sub.B