Patent Grant
10745248
The present invention relates to the field of escalators and, in particular, to a handrail belt tension device for an escalator.
In the escalator handrail belt system, the deviation of the length of the handrail belt, due to manufacturing reasons, the length of the handrail belt changes after the escalator running for long time, so a tension structure of the handrail belt is needed to guide the handrail belt and eliminate the influence of the handrail belt length variation, and keep a reasonable tensity status to ensure the handrail belt can run normally.
The currently widely used solution to fix a handrail belt tension device is that a bending part having a long slot therein is generally used as a base plate of the tension device, or a base plate of the tension device is connected by a bending part (similar to the structure shown in
Another problem with the prior art is that at the tension bolt, the force cannot be controlled when the handrail belt is tensioned, and the tensioning force cannot be measured.
To this end, a new solution is needed to more easily and more accurately tension the handrail belt, saving operating time and extending the life of the handrail belt.
In order to solve the above technical problems, in one aspect, the present invention provides a handrail belt tension device for an escalator, the escalator comprising a truss and an annular handrail belt rotatable relative to the truss, wherein the handrail belt tension device comprises: a base plate on which a roller for supporting the handrail belt is provided; and a guiding mechanism which is fixed to the truss; and wherein the base plate is connected to the guiding mechanism, and rotatable and translatable relative to the guiding mechanism so as to adjust the handrail belt by the base plate thereby the handrail belt can be in a well tensioned status.
In a preferable embodiment, the base plate is fixed relative to the guiding mechanism after the base plate is adjusted into position.
In a preferable embodiment, the base plate can be fixed to the guiding mechanism by a first fastener.
In a preferable embodiment, the base plate can be fixed directly to the truss by at least one second fastener.
In a preferable embodiment, the guiding mechanism comprises a guide rod, and the base plate comprises a first protrusion fixed on the base plate and having a first through hole; wherein the first through hole allows the guide rod to pass therethrough so as to allow the first protrusion and the base plate to rotate about the guide rod and translate along the length direction of the guide rod, and after the base plate is adjusted into position, the first protrusion can be fixed to the guide by the first fastener.
In a preferable embodiment, the guide rod includes a flat surface extending along the length direction thereof for engaging with the first fastener.
In a preferable embodiment, the device further comprises a tension mechanism including a first part fixed to the truss and a second part movable relative to the first part, the second part being connected to the base plate so as to move the base plate together with it.
In a preferable embodiment, the first part includes a bracket fixed to the truss and having a second through hole oriented parallel to the length direction of the guide rod, and the second part includes a tension rod, the second through hole allowing the tension rod to pass therethrough so as to allow the tension rod to rotate relative to the bracket and translate in a direction parallel to the length direction of the guide rod.
In a preferable embodiment, the tension rod is fixedly connected to the base plate, and the second part further comprises a ruler having a predetermined length and disposed on the tension rod, and a spring located between the bracket and the ruler such that, the spring is compressed as the ruler moves toward the bracket, and that, a designated edge of the ruler can be substantially aligned with corresponding edge of the bracket when the spring is compressed to a predetermined length, thereby indicating to the operator that the handrail belt is in a reasonably tensioned status.
In a preferable embodiment, the base plate further comprises a second protrusion fixed to the base plate for fixed connection with the tension rod.
In a preferable embodiment, the tension rod is a threaded rod and can be fixed to the bracket by a nut, and the ruler can be fixed to the threaded rod by a nut.
In a preferable embodiment, further comprising a first component fixed to the truss and a second component connected between the first component and the guiding mechanism.
In a preferable embodiment, the second component comprises a first connecting part and a second connecting part disposed substantially perpendicular to the first connecting part, the first connecting part and the second connecting part being respectively fixed to the first component and the guiding mechanism by at least one third fastener and at least one fourth fastener, respectively.
In a preferable embodiment, the second component further comprises at least one rib connected between the first connecting part and the second connecting part.
In a preferable embodiment, the first component is provided with a long slot oriented along the longitudinal direction of the truss, the long slot allowing at least one third fastener to move therein so as to allow the second component to translate along the longitudinal direction of the truss.
In a preferable embodiment, the length direction of the guide rod is arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction of the truss.
In a preferable embodiment, the first connecting part is provided with at least one first oblong hole corresponding to at least one third fasteners and oriented along the width direction of the truss to allow at least one third fastener to move therein so as to allow the second member to translate along the width direction of the truss.
In a preferable embodiment, the second connecting part is provided with at least one second oblong hole corresponding to at least one fourth fasteners and oriented along the transverse direction of the truss to allow at least one fourth fastener to move therein so as to allow the guiding mechanism to translate along the transverse direction of the truss.
In another aspect, the present invention provides an escalator comprising a handrail belt tension device for an escalator as described above.
Advantages of this invention of a handrail belt tension device for an escalator may include, the tension device can be installed in a more accurate position; the tension of the handrail belt can be adjusted more easily; the tension device of the handrail belt can be installed more quickly in factory; it reduces much more time to re-adjust the handrail belt on site; and it reduces the wear of the handrail belt, keep running condition of the handrail belt, and further increase the lifetime of the handrail belt.
The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of the appended claims. The following description and drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, wherein:
The above and other technical contents, features and technical effects of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments. The descriptions below are intended to be inclusive of the specific details, and are to be construed as illustrative only.
Throughout the specification and claims of the present application, the word “comprising” and variations means “including but not limited to” and is not intended to exclude other components, integers or steps. It should be understood that the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” contain plural reference, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In addition, although the terms “first” and “second” may be used to describe various elements of the invention, they are not intended to limit the corresponding elements. For example, the above description is not intended to limit the order or importance of the corresponding elements. The above description is used to distinguish one component from another, and the “first component” can be written as a “second component” without departing from the scope of the invention.
When an element is referred to as “connected” to another element, this may mean that it is directly connected to the other element, but it should be understood that an intermediate element may be existed. Alternatively, when an element is referred to as “directly connected” to another element, it should be understood that there is no intermediate element between the two elements. Similarly, when an element is referred to as “fixed” to another element, there may be an intermediate element; when the element is referred to as “directly fixed” to another element, it should be understood that there is no intermediate element between the two elements.
It should be noted that the directional terms mentioned in the text, such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc., are merely directions with reference to the drawings, and the directional terms used are illustrative but not intended to limit the invention.
The specific structure and working principle of the handrail belt tension device for an escalator will be described below in conjunction with the drawings in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention.
The escalator generally includes a drive system, a truss, steps, balustrades, handrail belts, and the like. The handrail belt is of annular shape and is rotated by the drive system.
The handrail belt tension device generally comprises a base plate 3 and a guiding mechanism 4. The guiding mechanism 4 can be directly fixed to the truss 1, such as the transverse beam 11, by fasteners. Support rollers 32 for supporting the handrail belt 2 are provided on the base plate 3, and guide rollers 31 or the like for guiding the movement of the handrail belt 2 may also be provided. The base plate 3 is connected to the guiding mechanism 4 and is rotatable and translatable relative to the guiding mechanism 4 so as to adjust the handrail belt by the base plate, thereby the handrail belt can be in a well tensioned state.
Preferably, as shown in
It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the guiding mechanism 4 may also have the form of an cylindrical pin with an opening (not shown in the accompanying drawings) which is hollow and slotted in the entire axial direction so that the cylindrical pin has a substantially C shaped cross-section. Correspondingly, the protrusion of the base plate 3 also has a cylindrical outer contour, whereby the cylindrical pin with an opening allows the protrusion to move therein so as to allow the protrusion and the base plate 3 to rotate and translate relative to the cylindrical pin.
After the base plate 3 is adjusted to an appropriate position, the base plate 3 can also be directly fixed to the truss with at least one second fastener 33. In a preferred embodiment shown in
Referring to
Returning to
In addition, at least one first oblong hole 611 corresponding to the at least one third fastener 64 and oriented in the width direction Y of the truss 1 may be provided on the first connecting part 61 of the second component 6 to allow the third fastener 64 move therein, so as to allow the second component 6 to translate in the width direction Y of the truss 1.
Further, at least one second oblong hole 621 corresponding to the at least one fourth fastener 65 and oriented in the lateral direction Z of the truss 1 is provided on the second connecting part 62 to allow the fourth fastener 65 to move therein, thus to allow the guiding mechanism 4 to translate relative to the lateral direction Z of the truss 1.
In the above manner, when the tension device is installed, it can be adjusted in the longitudinal direction X of the entire truss 1 (i.e., the left-right direction with respect to the transverse beam 11 as shown), the width direction Y (the up-down direction with respect to the transverse beam 11), and the lateral direction Z (the front-rear direction as shown). Not only that, the rotational adjustment around the X direction can be performed. The problem that the base plate 3 of the tension device is difficult to adjust to the correct position is therefore improved, and the support roller 32 and the guide roller 33 can be conveniently placed in a correct, undeflected position.
Optionally, at least one jackscrew 34 (
Referring to
The second part 6 further includes a ruler 73 disposed on the tensioning rod 72 and having a predetermined length, and a spring 74 located between the bracket 71 and the ruler 73 such that, the spring 74 is compressed as the ruler 73 moves toward the bracket, and that a designated edge of the ruler 73 (e.g., the edge 730 as shown) can be substantially aligned with corresponding edge 710 of the bracket 71 when the spring 74 is compressed to a predetermined length, thereby indicating to the operator that the handrail belt 2 is in a reasonably tensioned status. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the tension rod 72 is a threaded pole that can be secured to the bracket 71 by a nut, and the ruler 73 can be secured to one end of the tension rod 72 by a nut.
As shown in
The solution of the prior art, using a bending part to connect the bottom plate of the tension device (see
In the novel solution of this invention, the handrail belt tension device can be adjusted in the X, Y, and Z directions, and the base plate 3 can be rotated and translated simultaneously with respect to the guiding mechanism 4. Rough and fine adjustments can be easily and quickly performed. The support and guide rollers can be in the correct position to ensure normal operation of the handrail belt. When the handrail belt needs to be re-adjusted on site, simply loosen the first fastener 351 and the nut on the tension rod 72, and then screw the nut to compress the spring to find the most suitable position for the tensioning force. When the edge of the ruler 73 is again aligned with the corresponding edge of the bracket 71, it means that the handrail belt is in a good tensioned state. By this means, convenient and precise tension control is achieved, and the time required for such re-adjustment is significally reduced than that of the prior art.
The solution of the present invention is generally applicable to almost all escalators that need to be re-adjusted at regular intervals.
Variations and modifications of the various embodiments described herein can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.
Finally, it should also be understood that certain technical features in the embodiments may not be necessary to solve a specific technical problem, so that these technical features may be omitted without affecting the solution of the technical problem or the formation of the technical solution. The features, elements, and/or functions of one embodiment may be combined, incorporated, or cooperated with the features, elements, and/or functions of the other embodiments, unless the combination, incorporation, or cooperation is obviously not be able to implemented.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 1 0116049 | Feb 2018 | CN | national |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2660286 | Margles | Nov 1953 | A |
| 10457524 | Dong | Oct 2019 | B2 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2013-95536 | May 2013 | JP |
| 2017-159974 | Sep 2017 | JP |
| Entry |
|---|
| Extended European Search Report, dated Jul. 8, 2019, for European Application No. 19155495.5. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20190241405 A1 | Aug 2019 | US |
