Patent Grant
10974931
This application is a U.S. Non-Provisional patent application, which claims priority to German Patent Application No. DE 10 2019 205 244.4, filed Apr. 11, 2019, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The present disclosure generally relates to a run-in guide rail for escalators or moving walkways.
Run-in guide rails are used to reduce vibrations in the step chain of a passenger conveyance device during the run-in into the respective sprocket and thereby in particular improve the quiet running of the passenger conveyance device. With increasing chain pitch—something that is attractive particularly due to cost considerations—the problem of the step chain vibrating during the run-in into a sprocket increases.
It is known from EP 0 711 725 A1, in the case of a step chain, for chain rollers arranged within the chain links to be used as track rollers and for these to be guided over running surfaces. In other words, these chain rollers are firstly used as track rollers and, moreover, are each temporarily engaged with the corresponding sprockets for the purposes of driving the step chain. In this respect, however, this step chain has no buffer rollers arranged within the chain links and track rollers arranged outside the chain links. The external arrangement of track rollers is however advantageous, particularly in the case of large, heavy passenger conveyance devices. This is because the wear of the track rollers is greater in the case of passenger conveyance devices of this kind, such as for example in the case of particularly long escalators, than in the case of short, light escalators. The arrangement of the track rollers outside the chain links in this case means that the replacement of track rollers of this kind is made substantially easier and is possible within substantially shorter periods of time than is the case with internal track rollers. Consequently, possible downtime resulting from the need to replace track rollers is substantially reduced. Track rollers arranged outside the chain links are also not used for engagement with the sprockets in this case. This takes place by means of the internally situated buffer rollers. In this case, the additional track rollers outside the chain links mean that the wear of the internally situated buffer rollers of a step chain is advantageously reduced. A step chain of this kind which has track rollers arranged externally and buffer rollers arranged internally and which can be used particularly advantageously along with the present invention is described for example in DE 10 2015 212 031 A1.
DE 10 2017 217 721.7 discloses a passenger conveyance device in which a step chain with buffer rollers arranged internally and track rollers arranged externally is supported during the run-in into a sprocket. In this case, a first running surface is provided on which the track rollers roll between the sprockets. Moreover, a run-in guide rail is provided which has a second running surface which supports the buffer rollers during the run-in into the sprocket. In this respect, the support of the track rollers changes to support of the buffer rollers during the run-in into a sprocket. The occurrence of vibrations in the step chain during the run-in into the sprocket is not entirely prevented here. In addition, the buffer rollers are subjected to greater stress owing to the support.
Thus a need exists to further reduce the occurrence of vibrations in a step chain with buffer rollers arranged internally, in other words within the chain links, and track rollers arranged externally, in other words outside the chain links, during the run-in into a sprocket.
Although certain example methods and apparatus have been described herein, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope of the appended claims either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents. Moreover, those having ordinary skill in the art will understand that reciting “a” element or “an” element in the appended claims does not restrict those claims to articles, apparatuses, systems, methods, or the like having only one of that element, even where other elements in the same claim or different claims are preceded by “at least one” or similar language. Similarly, it should be understood that the steps of any method claims need not necessarily be performed in the order in which they are recited, unless so required by the context of the claims. In addition, all references to one skilled in the art shall be understood to refer to one having ordinary skill in the art.
The invention relates to a run-in guide rail for escalators or moving walkways which is designed for supporting a step chain with buffer rollers arranged internally and track rollers arranged externally during the run-in into a sprocket. Moreover, the invention relates to a passenger conveyance device, in particular an escalator or a moving walkway, having at least one step chain, at least one sprocket and at least one run-in guide rail, wherein the step chain comprises buffer rollers arranged internally and track rollers arranged externally.
The proposed solution provides a run-in guide rail for escalators or moving walkways which is configured for supporting a step chain with buffer rollers arranged internally and track rollers arranged externally during the run-in into a sprocket. The run-in guide rail in this case has a first support surface for supporting the buffer rollers and a second support surface for supporting the track rollers. The second support surface is in this case arranged alongside the first support surface. The embodiment with a first support surface and a second support surface arranged alongside the first support surface means that advantageously both the track rollers and the buffer rollers are supported during the run-in into the sprocket. This is particularly advantageous because, in particular in a manner dependent on the chain pitch, a track roller is not normally arranged at each connection point of the chain links, and the number of track rollers is therefore smaller than the number of buffer rollers. If exclusively the track rollers were supported, the step chain would therefore vibrate comparatively vigorously in the region between two track rollers. This leads, in particular, to an unsteady run-in of the step chain into the sprocket. The first support surface therefore ensures a reduction in vibrations and an improvement in quiet running. If exclusively the buffer rollers were supported, they would however be subjected to greater stress. It is therefore advantageous for the track rollers to likewise be supported during the run-in into the sprocket.
In particular, it is provided that the first support surface has a narrower width than the second support surface. The sprocket width and the width of the first support surface in this case are advantageously adapted to the step chain in such a manner that the buffer rollers of the step chain can run into the sprocket and, during this, can be laterally supported by the first support surface of the run-in guide rail. The first support surface therefore in particular does not support the buffer rollers over the entire roller width. In particular, the buffer rollers are only supported at one side region. It is furthermore in particular provided that the buffer rollers do not project beyond the chain links of the step chain. In this respect, the buffer rollers in particular exhibit a diameter which is the same as, or smaller than, the height of the chain plates. The width of the second support surface is advantageously adapted to the step chain in such a manner that the track rollers can be supported over their entire running surface width by the second support surfaces.
In particular, the buffer rollers are each supported by means of the first support surface in such a manner that the buffer rollers supported by the first support surfaces are in parallel engagement with the sprocket, particularly in the region of the upper dead centre of the sprocket. In other words, the buffer rollers can advantageously make contact with both the sprocket and the first support surface, particularly in the region of the upper dead centre of the sprocket. In particular, the buffer rollers are not released by the first support surface, in particular not even sectionally, but remain in loaded engagement with the sprocket, in particular as far as the upper dead centre of the sprocket, in particular at the upper dead centre of the sprocket. In this respect, the first support surface is in particular not provided for preventing contact between the sprocket and the buffer roller supported by the first support surface. The first support surface advantageously stabilizes the run-in of the buffer rollers into the sprocket and advantageously leads to a reduced vibration of the step chain.
According to a further advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the first support surface is shorter in design than the second support surface of the run-in guide rail. In particular, it is provided that the first support surface of the run-in guide rail does not project beyond the dead centre of the sprocket, whereas it can be provided that the second support surface projects beyond the dead centre of the sprocket. In particular, it is provided that the run-in guide rail has a length of between 200 mm and 500 mm, in particular between 300 mm and 400 mm. In particular, it may be provided in this case that the longitudinal extent of the second support surface corresponds to the total length of the run-in guide rail. The longitudinal extent of the first support surface may, in particular, correspond to 50% to 80% of the total length of the run-in guide rail.
According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the run-in guide rail, the first support surface is made of a first material and the second support surface is made of a second material. The first material is in this case advantageously more elastically resilient than the second material. In particular, the first material preferably has better damping properties than the second material. Advantageously, the first support surface is made of a plastic and the second support surface is made of metal, in particular steel. Polyamide, in particular, is provided as the first material. A nylon plastic is particularly advantageous as the first material. The commercially available Nylatron® GSM has proved particularly advantageous as the first material, in particular on account of its high mechanical damping capacity and also its good sliding properties.
Moreover, it is in particular provided that the first support surface and the second support surface are arranged offset with respect to one another in terms of height. The first support surface in this case has in particular a higher arrangement height than the second support surface. The run-in guide rail is therefore advantageously adapted to the fact that the track rollers of the step chain customarily have a larger diameter than the buffer rollers of the step chain.
A further advantageous embodiment provides a multi-piece design of the run-in guide rail. It is advantageously the case here that a first piece of the run-in guide rail is a first component which has the first support surface and a second piece of the run-in guide rail is a second component which has the second support surface. This may advantageously make it easier to install the run-in guide rail. More advantageously, in the event of a defect, the component involved can be individually replaced. A further advantage can be seen in the fact that the height offset described above can be easily adjusted on account of different diameters of the buffer rollers and of the track rollers. In particular, it may be provided that the first component and the second component are connection-free. In the case of an embodiment of this kind, it is in particular provided that the first component and the second component are not directly connected to one another. Instead, it is in particular provided that the first component is arranged on an element of a passenger conveyance device and the second component is arranged on an element of this passenger conveyance device. According to a further advantageous embodiment of a multi-piece run-in guide rail, it is provided that the first component is mounted at the second component, in particular by means of a screw connection.
According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the run-in guide rail has a first height profile of the first support surface which changes over the longitudinal extent direction of the run-in guide rail. In this embodiment, the first support surface is in particular not planar in design. In particular, it is provided that the first height profile is also not linear in design. In particular, it is provided that the first height profile corresponds to a curve profile, wherein the curve profile may be continuous. In particular, however, a discontinuous curve profile may also be provided as the first height profile. The first height profile which changes over the longitudinal extent direction is advantageously adapted to the movement of the buffer rollers which are supported by the first support surface. Advantageously, the first height profile is determined in a manner dependent on the chain pitch of the step chain. The chain pitch of the step chain is in this case determined in turn in particular from the width of the steps or palettes of the passenger conveyance device. In particular, a chain pitch of the step chain of 135 mm may be provided, wherein the step chain has two buffer rollers between two track rollers in each case, the number of buffer rollers therefore being greater by a factor of three than the number of track rollers.
Starting from a designated arrangement position of the run-in guide rail for the support of the step chain during the run-in into a sprocket, the first height profile is advantageously configured in such a manner that it describes the minimum turning points of the at least one buffer roller which is arranged between two track rollers, disregarding the dead weight, during the run-in into the sprocket. The minimum turning points are in this case advantageously determined on the basis of a simulation of the theoretical curve profile of those buffer rollers which are arranged between in each case two consecutive track rollers during the run-in into a sprocket, disregarding the dead weight of the step chain. The arrangement of the first support surface and the formation of the height profile are in this case advantageously realized such that the buffer rollers would make contact with the support surface at the determined minimum turning points. The further first height profile of the first support surface is in this case advantageously determined in such a manner that it advantageously remains below the simulated curve profile, preferably 0 mm to 15 mm (mm: millimetre) below the simulated curve profile. This gives rise to the extremely advantageous effect that the buffer rollers make contact with the first support surface during an actual run-in into the sprocket. In this case, advantageously substantially only the dead weight of the buffer roller is supported by the first support surface. In particular, it may also be provided that the weight of the step chain is likewise co-supported. An additional action of load on the first support surface owing to the so-called polygon effect is advantageously prevented by the embodiment. The buffer rollers supported by the first support surface are therefore advantageously not loaded with the weight of the chain plates and bolts of the step chain. As a further advantageous effect, it is achieved that the buffer rollers always run into the sprocket at the same height, which further improves quiet running. Moreover, damping elements used between the teeth of the sprocket are advantageously evenly loaded and therefore wear evenly, as a result of which quiet running is improved still further.
A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides a second height profile of the second support surface which changes over the longitudinal extent direction of the run-in guide rail. The second height profile is in this case advantageously adapted to the profile of the track rollers during the run-in into a sprocket in such a manner that the step chain is supported even more effectively and quiet running is further enhanced.
Advantageously, starting from a designated arrangement position of the run-in guide rail for the support of the step chain during the run-in into a sprocket, the second height profile is determined in such a manner that the second height profile exhibits a maximum. This maximum advantageously lies in a region about a perpendicular projection of the dead centre of the sprocket onto the second support surface. This region advantageously begins up to 10 mm, in particular up to 5 mm, before the perpendicular projection of the dead centre of the sprocket onto the second support surface. More advantageously, this region ends up to 10 mm, in particular up to 5 mm, after the perpendicular projection of the dead centre of the sprocket onto the second support surface. The incipient engagement of the buffer rollers with the sprocket is thereby advantageously improved. This embodiment is particularly advantageous if damping elements are used between the teeth of the sprocket. The damping elements are in this case evenly loaded and wear evenly. This further contributes to improved quiet running.
In a further advantageous embodiment, the second height profile of the second support surface describes a falling curve starting from the maximum beyond the perpendicular projection of the dead centre, that is to say in particular beyond the region about the perpendicular projection of the dead centre, wherein the falling curve in particular follows the circular path which a track roller of the driven step chain covers, in particular would theoretically cover without support by the run-in guide rail, in particular in the corresponding region in which the second support surface is arranged. Quiet running of the step chain is hereby advantageously furthermore improved.
A further advantageous embodiment provides that the first height profile and/or the second height profile is/are mirror-symmetrical in relation to a perpendicular running through the run-in guide rail. In particular, the first height profile of the first support surface of the run-in guide rail is configured symmetrically in relation to a perpendicular running through the centre of the first support surface of the run-in guide rail. In particular, the second height profile of the second support surface of the run-in guide rail is configured symmetrically in relation to a perpendicular running through the centre of the second support surface. The symmetrical embodiment in this case has the advantage that the run-in guide rail can be flexibly configured. It is thus in particular provided that the first support surface can be arranged in such a manner in relation to the second support surface that the run-in guide rail can be used at each sprocket of a passenger conveyance device for the purposes of supporting the step chain during the run-in into the sprocket. In particular, it is therefore not necessary to produce different support surfaces for arrangement at the respective different sprockets. According to a further advantageous embodiment, the run-in guide rail is itself of symmetrical design.
The passenger conveyance device proposed for solving the problem referred to in the introduction, which is in particular an escalator or a moving walkway, comprises at least one step chain with buffer rollers arranged internally and track rollers arranged externally, comprises at least one sprocket and comprises a run-in guide rail configured according to the invention, in particular a run-in guide rail according to an embodiment as described above or in the claims of the application. In particular, the passenger conveyance device comprises a continuous conveyor belt formed from a plurality of tread elements. In particular, the tread elements of the conveyor belt are connected to the step chain. In particular, it is provided that in each case one step chain to each side of the conveyor belt is connected to the conveyor belt for the purposes of driving said conveyor belt. The step chains of the passenger conveyance device comprise in particular a plurality of chain links which are movable with respect to one another, with buffer rollers arranged within the chain links and track rollers arranged outside the chain links. The passenger conveyance device furthermore comprises in particular sprockets for driving and deflecting the step chains, wherein it is in particular provided that the buffer rollers are each temporarily engaged with one of the sprockets during the driving of the step chains. In particular, it is provided that two sprockets in each case drive and deflect a step chain. In this case, each sprocket is preferably connected via an axle to another sprocket, wherein these sprockets in particular drive and deflect in each case one step chain arranged to the left and to the right alongside the conveyor belt, wherein the conveyor belt is driven by means of the step chains. It is furthermore provided in particular that the proposed passenger conveyance device comprises first running surfaces on which the track rollers of the driven step chains roll, in particular along the conveying path. The first running surfaces are in this case advantageously each arranged and dimensioned such that they guide the track rollers of the step chains, between the sprockets driving a step chain, along the conveying path but in particular no longer during the run-in of the step chain into a sprocket. In particular, metal rails are provided as first running surfaces. In particular, it is provided that a respective run-in guide rail adjoins a respective first running surface.
The proposed passenger conveyance device is advantageously designed for high passenger volumes. It is furthermore advantageous for the proposed passenger conveyance device to be designed to cover large distances, in particular to cover distances greater than 15 m, more particularly to cover distances greater than 20 m. Embodiments of passenger conveyance devices with a shorter-distance conveyor belt advantageously also benefit from the use of the run-in guide rail according to the invention.
A further advantageous embodiment of the passenger conveyance device provides that the step chains are assigned in each case one track roller for each tread element. If the passenger conveyance device is an escalator, it is therefore in particular provided that the step chains comprise in each case one track roller per escalator step. The track rollers in this case advantageously support the weight of the respective tread element. In addition, the track rollers are pressed by the weight of the respective tread elements against the first running surfaces, as a result of which the track rollers advantageously run over the first track rollers with very quiet running.
A further advantageous embodiment of the proposed passenger conveyance device provides that the step chains each have a chain pitch of at least 100 mm (mm: millimetre). It is in particular provided that the step chains of the passenger conveyance device each have a chain pitch of 135 mm. Particularly in the case of long passenger conveyance devices, such as in particular escalators with a conveying length of more than ten metres, in particular more than 15 metres, costs can thereby advantageously be saved. However, the chain pitch should advantageously be smaller than 200 mm.
The effect whereby a greater chain pitch normally leads to a reduction in the quiet running of the passenger conveyance device, particularly if the diameter of the sprockets driving the step chains is to remain substantially unchanged and the number of teeth of the sprockets is therefore correspondingly reduced, is advantageously counteracted in this case through the guidance of the buffer rollers during the run-in into the respective sprocket.
In particular, it is provided that the sprockets of the passenger conveyance device have a pitch circle diameter of at most 750 mm, in particular a pitch circle diameter of less than 700 mm. According to a further embodiment, the sprockets of the passenger conveyance device advantageously each have a maximum number of teeth of 20, preferably a number of teeth of 16.
In particular, it is provided that the respective run-in guide rail is arranged in relation to the respective sprocket in such a manner that the first support surface faces towards the sprocket, so that the buffer rollers of the respective step chain are supported during the run-in into the sprocket in a side region of said buffer rollers by the first support surface, and wherein the second support surface faces away from the sprocket, so that the track rollers of this step chain are supported during the run-in into the sprocket by the second support surface.
In particular, it is provided that the respective run-in guide rail is arranged in the run-in region of a respective sprocket of the passenger conveyance device, but not in the return run, that is to say not in the lower region of a sprocket. Consequently, in the case of a passenger conveyance device, it is customarily the case that four sprockets are provided for a run-in guide rail. The step chains of a passenger conveyance device are advantageously supported during the run-out from a sprocket too, as a result of which vibrations are further reduced.
In the exemplary embodiment shown in
In the exemplary embodiment shown in
In this exemplary embodiment, the first support surface 11 has a smaller width than the second support surface 12. The width of the first support surface 11 is in this case advantageously adapted to a sprocket and the step chain to be used, in such a manner that the buffer rollers of the step chain can run into the sprocket and, in so doing, are supported at a side region of the buffer rollers by the first support surface 11 of the run-in guide rail 10. The first support surface 11 therefore does not support the buffer rollers over the entire roller width. Furthermore, the first support surface 11 and the second support surface 12 are arranged offset with respect to one another in terms of height, namely by the magnitude of the difference between the radius of the track rollers and the radius of the buffer rollers of the step chain.
In this exemplary embodiment, the first support surface 11 and the second support surface 12 are not completely planar over the entire longitudinal extent. The support surfaces 11, 12 exhibit the same height constantly, that is to say are unchanged, over the width of the respective support surface 11, 12. On the other hand, in the longitudinal extent direction of the run-in guide rail 10, the support surfaces 11, 12 vary in terms of height, so that the first support surface 11 and the second support surface 12 exhibit a first height profile 15 and a second height profile 16 respectively which changes over the longitudinal extent.
The second support surface 12 in this case—with regard to the illustration in
The first height profile 15 of the first support surface 11 is determined by the trajectories of those buffer rollers of a step chain which lie between two track rollers in the step chain, in other words are arranged at those points of a step chain at which there are no track rollers. Here, assuming a simplified, theoretical curve profile which is described by the buffer rollers arranged between two consecutive track rollers during the run-in into a sprocket, disregarding the dead weight, the minima of these curve profiles are determined. At the points at which these theoretical minima lie, the first height profile 15 is determined in such a manner that it touches these theoretical minima, which would actually lie lower on account of the actual dead weight. The remaining first height profile 15 in this case remains below the theoretical curve profiles. The transitions in this case however take place very harmoniously, in particular with small gradients, in order to further reduce vibrations. Owing to the dead weight which is actually present, the buffer rollers of the step chain are supported by the first support surface 11. A load caused by the polygon effect is not applied to the first support surface.
It is the intention for there to be no support for the buffer rollers beyond the dead centre of a sprocket, which is why the first support surface 11 is shorter than the second support surface 12.
In the embodiment according to
A small, simplified detail 70 of a passenger conveyance device is illustrated in
In this case,
It can be seen from
As is likewise explained with reference to
The first support surface 11 of the run-in guide rail 10, as explained with reference to the exemplary embodiment shown in
The second height profile 16 of the second support surface 12 is initially flat to begin with, viewed from left to right with regard to the illustration in
Moreover,
By means of the run-in guide rail 10, it is achieved here in particular that the buffer rollers of a step chain constantly run into the sprocket 30 at the same height, which benefits quiet running. In addition, damping elements 33 used between the teeth 32 of the sprocket 30 are advantageously uniformly loaded and thus uniformly worn, as a result of which quiet running is improved still further.
It is explicitly pointed out that other chain pitches may also be provided, as a result of which the ratio of track rollers to buffer rollers changes. For example, it is provided that the run-in guide rail is designed for supporting step chains in which only one buffer roller is arranged between two consecutive track rollers, but also for supporting step chains in which three buffer rollers are arranged between two consecutive track rollers. This means that in particular the first height profile 15 of the first support surface 11 is changed. This is because a different chain pitch or a different ratio of track rollers to buffer rollers means that the curve profiles of the buffer rollers arranged between the track rollers change. However, the first height profile 15 of the first support surface 11 is likewise determined by the respective minimum turning points of the correspondingly changed curve profiles, in particular in the manner explained for the example with two buffer rollers lying between two consecutive track rollers, wherein, in the case of a greater number of buffer rollers, a correspondingly greater number of minimum turning points have to be taken into account.
The exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures and explained in connection therewith are used to explain the invention and do not serve to restrict it.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2019 205 244.4 | Apr 2019 | DE | national |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2656031 | Masek | Oct 1953 | A |
| 2940578 | Clemetsen | Jun 1960 | A |
| 4235326 | Nakao | Nov 1980 | A |
| 5697486 | Krampl | Dec 1997 | A |
| 6834754 | Pietz | Dec 2004 | B2 |
| 8083048 | Ishikawa | Dec 2011 | B2 |
| 10464785 | Ludwig | Nov 2019 | B2 |
| 20050061609 | Pietz | Mar 2005 | A1 |
| 20070007106 | Ishikawa | Jan 2007 | A1 |
| 20150344269 | Makovec | Dec 2015 | A1 |
| 20170210602 | Schulz | Jul 2017 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 10 2015 212 031 | Dec 2016 | DE |
| 10 2017 217 721.7 | Apr 2019 | DE |
| 0 711 725 | May 1996 | EP |
| 2014086716 | Jun 2014 | WO |
| 2015180965 | Dec 2015 | WO |
| 2019120916 | Jun 2019 | WO |
| Entry |
|---|
| Extended European Search Report dated Sep. 14, 2020, in counterpart European Application No. 20163857.4. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20200325004 A1 | Oct 2020 | US |
