The object of the invention is a control arrangement for controlling a people mover, · which people mover is a travelator, an escalator or a moving ramp.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The conveyor track in escalators is moved depending on the usage need. So-called standby operation is used for this purpose. If passengers do not come to an escalator, a photoelectric cell or a corresponding sensor does not give a signal, and the speed of the conveyor track is decreased from the rated speed (e.g. 0.65 m/s) after a delay time (e.g. 1 min) to creeping speed (typically 0.2 m/s) and further after a certain delay time (e.g. 5 min), the conveyor track stops. Always when a passenger arrives at the escalator, the control of it increases the speed to the rated speed and the operating chain starts from the beginning. If the delay times of the stand-by function are set reasonably, the function saves energy, the service life of the escalator lengthens and the servicing need decreases. In most applications the use varies e.g. according to the times of day. A problem has been that e.g. on staircases traveling upwards from the platform level of a metro during peak hours it is almost certain that passengers will come very soon after a decrease of speed. In this case the decrease of speed would not, therefore, be necessary. Correspondingly, during very quiet times of day a staircase has been kept running for the amount of the delay time, although the probability of a next passenger arriving is low. A result of these is a large amount of stops, starts or unnecessary instances of being kept running, which has shortened the service life of the conveyor, increased energy consumption and shortened servicing intervals . The delay times have been set to be of certain lengths, and left permanently at those lengths. The set values of a delay time are not normally changed after commissioning, but if the value has had to be rectified, a serviceman has stopped the conveyor and shifted to the control panel and manually rectified the set value. Known in the art are solutions wherein a travelator is self-learning or it is otherwise controlled based on historical data. For example, in a solution known from publication JP2004224548A, starting and stopping can be performed according to the arrival of a train at a station or the departure of a train from a station. In these solutions the speed of the escalator has thus been changed on other bases than the delay time that has passed since the last user. If a measurement of the delay time from the last passenger were used concurrently in the types of escalators referred to above, for changing the speed on the basis of the delay time, the delay time in these solutions would also be constant in the manner of prior art. In these respects, therefore, the avoidance of unnecessary changes of speed during operation is still ineffective.

AIM OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the invention is to eliminate, among others, the aforementioned drawbacks of prior-art solutions. More particularly, the aim of the invention is to achieve a simple people mover having a low number of unnecessary speed changes. Further, the aim is to achieve a people mover with which the need to keep it running unnecessarily can be avoided.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is based on the concept that by changing the length of a delay time by an action of the control of a people mover to be well suited to the prevailing situation, unnecessary speed changes and running can be reduced. A large set value can be modified for the delay time at points of time when congestion is predicted or detected, and a small set value at times when it is predicted or detected to be quiet. Prediction can be performed e.g. based on the timetables of nearby public service vehicles or from a signal of a public service vehicle arriving nearby or based on historical data. Detection can be used e.g. such that the operator of a people mover, e.g. from a control room, gives a command to the control based on his/her detections to change the set value of the delay time to be suitable. In one basic embodiment of the concept according to the invention control arrangement for controlling a people mover, which people mover is a travelator, an escalator or a moving ramp, which people mover comprises a movable conveyor track for transporting people on the conveyor track, comprises a control and passenger detection means, which control is arranged to detect passengers of the people mover with passenger detection means, and to measure the time during which a passenger is not detected, and after the measured time has reached the set value of the delay time, i.e. without a passenger being detected with the aforementioned means, to decrease the speed of the conveyor track of the people mover from a first speed either to a lower second speed or to completely stop the movement. The aforementioned set value of the delay time can be changed by an action of the control . In this way the aforementioned advantages are achieved.

In a more refined embodiment of the invention the aforementioned first speed is the transport speed of passengers, which speed the people mover has when passengers are traveling on it.

In a more refined embodiment of the invention the control is arranged to measure the time during which a passenger is not detected, by measuring the time passed since the last detection of a passenger with time measuring means. The aforementioned passenger to be detected is most preferably a passenger who is coming to the people mover in question but alternatively, or additionally, the passenger to be detected can be a passenger who is being transported by the people mover or a passenger leaving the people mover. In a more refined embodiment of the invention the set value of the delay time can be changed without removing the people mover from normal drive. In this way the people mover can continue its operation normally without disturbance regardless of the changing of the set value. A- set value can preferably be changed despite possible movement of the conveyor track.

In a more refined embodiment of the invention the set value of the delay time is, at a busy point of time, preferably in the daytime, greater than at a quiet point of time, preferably at nighttime.

In a more refined embodiment of the invention the control is arranged to change the set value of the delay time on the basis of a point of time and/or on the basis of a signal coming from outside the people mover.

In a more refined embodiment of the invention the arrangement, more particularly the control of same, comprises determination means for a point of time.

In a more refined embodiment of the invention the control comprises a memory, in which set values of different magnitudes for (different) points of time are recorded. These set values are preferably of at least two different magnitudes, preferably more than two.

In a more refined embodiment of the invention the control is arranged to itself record in memory the set values of the delay time for points of time based on historical data, preferably based at least on the historical data of the detections of the passenger detection means and preferably also based on signals coming from outside. In a more refined embodiment of the invention the control is arranged to change the set value of the delay time to be according to the set value recorded for the current point of time .

In a more refined embodiment of the invention set values specific to the time of day are recorded in the memory. These set values are preferably of at least two different magnitudes, preferably more than two.

In a more refined embodiment of the invention the determination means for the point of time comprise a clock. In a more refined embodiment of the invention set values of different magnitudes for points of time are recorded in the memory, said set values being based on the timetables of public service vehicles that are in the proximity of the people mover.

In a more refined embodiment of the invention the aforementioned first speed is a constant speed. In other words, the first speed is a speed that is kept the same at least for a certain time.

In a more refined embodiment of the invention the aforementioned second speed is a constant speed. In other words, the second speed is a speed that is kept the same at least for a certain time.

In a more refined embodiment of the invention the delay time of the first and/or second speed decrease step of the aforementioned people mover can be changed in the manner described above. It is possible that two set values of the delay time of the aforementioned people mover can be changed in the aforementioned manner by an action of the control. In a more refined embodiment of the invention the control is arranged to change the set value of the delay time on the basis of a point of time, more precisely on the basis of the time of day.

In a more refined embodiment of the invention set values specific to the time of day are recorded/can be recorded in the memory for specific individual weekdays or calendar days .

In a more refined embodiment of the invention the clock time is at least the time of a clock expressing the time of day, which clock is preferably a clock that counts a 24- hour cycle or a multiple of it, in which case the cycle is preferably 168 hours.

In a more refined embodiment of the invention the control is arranged to change the set value of the delay time on the basis of a signal caused by a public service vehicle that is in the proximity of the people mover.

In a more refined embodiment of the invention the control is arranged to change the delay time to be longer on the basis of a signal of a public service vehicle arriving in the proximity of the people mover.

In a more refined embodiment of the invention if the speed of the conveyor track has earlier been decreased, the arrangement is arranged to increase the speed when a passenger is detected with the aforementioned means.

In a more refined embodiment of the invention when a passenger is detected with the aforementioned means, the time during which a passenger is not detected starts to be counted from a fresh start. In a more refined embodiment of the invention the aforementioned control comprises an input for a signal external to the people mover. In a more refined embodiment of the invention the control comprises a memory, in which set values are recorded, and that the control is arranged to select from these the set value of the delay time on the basis of the aforementioned signal .

In a more refined embodiment of the invention the arrangement comprises means for sending a signal to the control . In a more refined embodiment of the invention the means for sending a signal to the control comprise a user interface in the control room of the people mover.

In a more refined embodiment of the invention, connected to the aforementioned input are means for determining the position or information connected to the position of a public service vehicle, preferably of a train, that is in the proximity of the people mover, preferably for detecting a sensor at a station of the aforementioned public service vehicle (preferably for detecting the arrival, presence at the station or departure of the train) , or for receiving position data, or data connected to the position, of the public service vehicle of a data transfer channel connected to a system of a station of the aforementioned public service vehicle, from the system of a station of the public service vehicle.

In a more refined embodiment of the invention when the speed of the conveyor track of the people mover has been decreased td the aforementioned lower second speed, the speed is kept constant. If passengers are not detected the speed is kept constant at least for a certain time, preferably for the amount of time according to the set value of the second delay time, which is preferably at least 30 seconds, more preferably at least 1 minute. After this the speed is again decreased, preferably the conveyor track is stopped. If, when driving at the second speed, which is a constant speed, a passenger is detected, the speed is increased back to the first speed.

In a more refined embodiment of the invention the first speed is the rated speed of the people mover, preferably at least 0.5 m/s, and the second speed is some constant speed between 0.1-0.3 m/s.

In a more refined embodiment of the invention the control is arranged to choose whether to decrease the speed of the conveyor track from a first speed to a lower second speed or whether to completely stop the movement of the conveyor track on the basis of a point of time and/or on the basis of a signal coming from outside the people mover. The additional features of this embodiment can form an invention regardless of whether the delay time is changeable. One advantage is that during a quiet time, preferably at nighttime, the conveyor can be stopped directly and at a busier time, preferably in the daytime, the speed of the conveyor can be decreased to a second lower speed after the delay time has reached the set value of the delay time. A complete halt during a busier time is more probably unnecessary, so first the speed is decreased to a second lower speed, at which second lower speed the people mover is kept constant at least for a certain time.

In a more refined embodiment of the invention it comprises at least one second people mover, which is a travelator, an escalator or a moving ramp, the conveyor track of which people mover is arranged to move at a first speed when transporting passengers, and that ¹ the aforementioned control is arranged to detect passengers of the aforementioned second people mover with second passenger detection means, and to measure the time during which a passenger is not detected, e.g. the time passed since the last detection of a passenger of the second people mover, with time measuring means, and after the measured time has reached the set value of the delay time of the second people mover, to decrease the speed of the conveyor track of the second people mover either to a lower second speed or to completely stop the movement, which set value of the delay time of the second people mover can be changed by an action of the aforementioned control. The control preferably controls the second people mover in the same way as the first.

In a more refined embodiment of the invention set values for points of time are recorded in the memory comprised in the control, said set values _, being specific to the people mover .

Some inventive embodiments are also presented in the descriptive section and in the drawings of the present application. The inventive content of the application can also be defined differently than in the claims presented below. The inventive content may also consist of several separate inventions, especially if the invention is considered in the light of expressions or implicit sub- tasks or from the point of view of advantages or categories of advantages achieved. In this case, some of the attributes contained in the claims below may be superfluous from the point of view of separate inventive concepts. The features of the various embodiments of the invention can be applied within the framework of the basic inventive concept in conjunction with other embodiments. The additional features mentioned by each preceding embodiment can also singly and separately from the other embodiments form a separate invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The control arrangement of a people mover according to the invention comprises a movable conveyor track, on top of which people can be transported. The conveyor track is formed from conveyor elements connected to each other into an endless loop. The people mover also comprises means for moving the conveyor track, e.g. an electric motor. These means are arranged to be controlled automatically by the control of the people mover, which control comprises means, e.g. electronic control means, for this purpose. The aforementioned people mover is a travelator, an escalator or a moving ramp. The conveyor elements are stair steps in an escalator and so-called pallets in a travelator or in a sliding ramp. In travelators a step does not essentially form between the consecutive pallets available to a passenger, because the transport surfaces of said pallets are essentially aligned. In an escalator the conveying elements available to a passenger comprise steps, the conveying surfaces of which are on a different level to each other. The following examples concentrate on an escalator, but the functions/features of the examples could be utilized in travelators and in ramps.

The conveyor track of a people mover is arranged to move under the control of the aforementioned control at a first speed, which speed is a constant speed. The speed of the conveyor track of a people mover is arranged to be variable on the basis of passenger detections, more particularly to be decreasable if passengers are not detected at the time and have not been detected for a certain delay time. The changes can be arranged to be executed in one or more steps. The term first speed refers to the speed that the conveyor track has just before any decrease in speed whatsoever, and the term second speed refers to the speed that it has just after a decrease in speed. In other words, the variability of the delay time functions independently of whether the first or the second speed decrease step is the point in question. '

The aforementioned first speed is, however, preferably the transport speed of passengers, which speed the people mover has when passengers are traveling on it, preferably the rated speed of the people mover. The arrangement comprises means for detecting a passenger, which means can be any means according to prior art, e.g. they- can comprise a curtain-of-light , a radar sensor, an ultrasound sensor, a contact mat, a camera, et cetera, for detecting a passenger. The control of the people mover is arranged to detect with the aforementioned means passengers, most preferably a person who is coming to the people mover, but alternatively, or additionally, they can detect a person who is being transported , by the people mover or a person leaving the people mover. The arrangement additionally comprises time-measuring means, which are most preferably a part of the aforementioned control, which means are arranged to measure the continuous time during which a passenger is not detected, preferably the time passed since the last detection of a passenger. This can be achieved e.g. by always restarting the time measurement (e.g. a clock) when a passenger is detected with the aforementioned time measuring means. The control is arranged to decrease the speed of the conveyor track from the aforementioned first speed if the measured time reaches the set value of the delay time, either to a lower second speed or to completely stop the movement. In the control arrangement of a people mover according to the invention the aforementioned set value of the delay time can be changed by an action of the control. In this way the delay time can be configured to be very suitable to each situation automatically without shifting of the conveyor to the control panel and without using said control panel, and, in the best case, even completely without the scrutiny or other participation of a person. The set value of the delay time is preferably arranged to be changeable without removing the people mover from normal drive. In this case a set value can be changed despite possible' movement of the conveyor track. The control is arranged to keep the conveyor track moving regardless of the change in the set value, if the conveyor track is moving at the time of the change. In this way therefore the people mover can continue the run at the first speed without disturbance regardless of the ^■ changing of the set value. In the control arrangement of a people mover according to the invention the set value of the delay time can preferably be automatically changed by an action of the control on the basis of some preset instruction, preferably on the basis of a point of time and/or on the basis of a signal coming from outside the people mover.

The set value of the delay time can therefore be arranged to change automatically on the basis of a point of time, for the purpose of which the arrangement, more particularly the aforementioned control, comprises determination means for a point of time. The determination means of a point of time can in this case comprise a clock itself or correspondingly they can receive data expressing a point of time (such as the time of day) from outside the control. In addition, the control comprises a memory, in which set values for the points of time are recorded. The control is arranged to change the set value (actual to be compared to the time passed) of the delay time to be according to a (reference) set value recorded for the current point of time. Thus set values for different points of time have been recorded in the memory, from which points of time the set value recorded for the current point of time is taken as the set value of the delay time to be compared to the time that has passed. There are at least two,, preferably even more, set values of different magnitudes, in which case situation-specific optimization is facilitated. When the determination means for the point of time are based on clock time, set values specific to the clock time of day are recorded in the memory. Preferably there can be set values specific to the time of day for specific individual weekdays or calendar days. In this way the system can be arranged to take into account the time of day in a 24 -hour period as well as the day of the week or a calendar day. In practice, the aforementioned clock time is most preferably the time of a clock expressing the time of day, which clock is preferably a clock that counts a 24 -hour cycle. Thus it is simple to record nighttime set values and daytime set values to be different. On the other hand, a clock can count a multiple of 24 hours, in which case the cycle is preferably 168 hours. In this case the clock in question is a weekly clock, in which case the set values for all the different moments of a week can be recorded in the memory for the specific clock time without separate setting of the current day of the week.

The aforementioned control preferably comprises an input for a signal external to the people mover, in which case a desired message can be sent to it by an action of the user or it can receive a signal from another automated system. Preferably connected to the aforementioned input are means for determining the position or information connected to the position of a public service vehicle, preferably of a train, that is in the proximity of the people mover, preferably for detecting a sensor at a station of the aforementioned public service vehicle (for detecting the arrival, presence at the station or departure of the train), or for receiving position data, or data connected to the position, of the public service vehicle of a data transfer channel connected to a system of a station of the aforementioned public service vehicle, from a system of a station of the public service vehicle.

Set values for points of time can be recorded in the memory of the control, said set values being based on the timetables of public service vehicles that are in the proximity of the people mover. In this case the length of the delay time is arranged to change automatically on the basis of the timetable data of a public service vehicle that is in the proximity of the people mover. The taking into account of the effect of the number of passengers of a public service vehicle could alternatively be implemented such that the length of the delay time is arranged to change on the basis of a signal caused by a public service vehicle that is in the proximity of the people mover, e.g. on the basis of an arrival signal in the proximity of the people mover.

For taking into account an external signal, the control is arranged to select the set value of the delay time on the basis of the aforementioned signal. The type of set value which the control is arranged to select, if it receives the aforementioned signal, can in this case have been recorded in the memory. In parallel with this the arrangement can at the same time take into account the current point of time. For the purpose of starting a change of a set value by an action of a user the arrangement can additionally comprise means for sending a signal to the control, which means for sending a signal to the control comprise e.g. a user interface in the control room of the people mover. In this way the operator can, e.g. give a command from a control room to the control based on his/her detections to change the set value of the delay time to be suitable, e.g. to be larger or smaller, such as, for instance, to the maximum or to the minimum.

The control can additionally be arranged to itself record in memory the aforementioned set values for points of time based on historical data. In this case the control is so- called self-learning, for the purpose of which it comprises the commercially available electronic components needed. Preferably the control analyzes the historical data of the passenger detection means, most preferably the traffic specific to the clock time, and selects or calculates set values of good magnitudes for the different points of time and records them in the memory. Preferably the 'control here also takes into account signals that have come from outside during history. In this way the system can learn the significance, specific to the clock time, of a signal coming from outside to the traffic volume on the people mover subsequent to the signal.

The aforementioned control arrangement of a people mover can comprise at least one second people mover, which is a travelator, an escalator or a moving ramp, the conveyor track of which is arranged to move at a first speed (e.g. at a transporting speed when it is transporting passengers) , and that the aforementioned control is arranged to detect passengers of the aforementioned second people mover with second passenger detection means, and to measure the time passed since the last detection of a passenger of the second people mover with time measuring means, and after the measured time has reached the set value of the delay time of the second people mover, to decrease the speed of the conveyor track of the second people mover either to a lower second speed or to completely stop the movement, which set value of the delay time of the second people mover can be changed by an action of the aforementioned control. In this case the aforementioned control controls more than one people mover in a corresponding manner. Set values for points of time are . in this case recorded in the memory comprised in the control, said set values being specific to the people mover. When the same control can control a number of people movers, one advantage is that the controlling/monitoring of the set values by the action of a user becomes simpler.

The control can be arranged to choose whether to decrease the speed of the conveyor track from a first speed to a lower second speed or whether to completely stop the movement of the conveyor track on the basis of certain instructions. In this case it can choose whether to decrease the speed of the conveyor track from a first speed to a lower second speed or whether ^' to completely stop the movement of the conveyor track on the basis of a point of time, and/or on the basis of a signal coming from outside the people mover, and/or on the basis of the learning logic of the system. In this way, after a delay, in certain situations the people mover can be stopped directly without the speed entering creeping speed. For example, during a very quiet time, such as at night, there will often very probably be a long break between consecutive passengers or passenger groups . When the delay time has been selected to be very suitable, it is possible e.g. to keep the conveyor on without a break during the transportation of a whole group remaining at a metro train station, after which the conveyor is directly switched off, because it is very improbable that more passengers will appear after the whole group that came to the station.

The delay time of the aforementioned people mover, which is the delay time of the first and/or second speed decrease step (i.e. the delay time to execution of the first speed decrease and/or the delay time to execution of the second speed decrease), can be changed in the manner described above. In the above the aforementioned transport speed is the most preferred first speed, but alternatively it can therefore be an already decreased speed, i.e. a creeping speed, in which case the speed is always decreased from the creeping speed to a stopping state when the delay criteria are fulfilled in the manner specified above. Also a speed decrease to creeping speed could have been performed after a delay before this, said delay having been set in the manner defined by the delay criteria described in the preceding. When the case in point is a speed change step from an already decreased speed (from creeping speed) downwards, the arrangement is arranged to further decrease the speed of the conveyor track of the people mover or to completely stop the people mover, if the measured time during which a passenger has not been detected, e.g. the measured time from the last passenger, reaches the set value of the delay time' without the means for detecting passenger detecting a passenger, which delay time can be changed by an action of the control in the manner stated above. When the case in point is a second speed change step in this manner, the aforementioned measuring of time from the last passenger can also be performed by letting the timekeeping continue. Alternatively, in connection with the decrease of the aforementioned speed to a second speed, the measuring of time can be arranged to start from the beginning, in which case the reference set values recorded in the memory are selected taking into account the adjustment to zero occurring at the moment of speed decrease .

After the aforementioned decrease of speed or stopping, the arrangement is arranged to increase the speed of the conveyor track if a passenger coming to the people mover is detected with the aforementioned means for detecting a passenger (i.e. the control detects said passenger) .

The means for determining a point of time could be of a different type to those presented above, such as e.g. a measuring arrangement of luminosity for determining the time of day, et cetera. The point of time, on the other hand, could be another because it can be a day of the week, a season of the year, a month or a date.

The set values can most preferably be recorded in the memory in table format. When tabulated by points of time, a table can comprise a number of fields for each point of time if other criteria than a point of time (e.g. an external signal) are in use. Alternatively, the set values can be recorded in the memory in graph format. If in this case other criteria are in use, they can result in the bypassing of a set value of the curve or in a preset change in the set value indicated by the curve for the current moment. As stated above, the set values are of different magnitudes. It is, however, obvious that there does not need to be a set value of a unique specific magnitude for each situation or clock time, but instead there can be a limited plurality of set values of different magnitudes and for each situation the most suitable of them is set/can be set

Changing of the actual set value of the delay time, to which the time passed is arranged to be compared, can be performed e.g. by recording in the memory a new value as the value for the delay time, which new value is selected from the aforementioned set values according to a predefined instruction.

It is obvious to the person skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, in which the invention is described using examples, but that many adaptations and different embodiments of the invention are possible within the frameworks of the inventive concept defined by the claims presented below.