Escalator and protective device therefor

Abstract

The present invention discloses an escalator and a protective device therefor. The escalator comprises: a pit; a step loop, comprising a curved section; a protective device, comprising a guard plate and a fixing member fixed to a fixed frame, the guard plate comprising a connecting joint, and the fixing member comprising a mating joint mating with the connecting joint; a fixed frame, used to support and fix the escalator; the connecting joint and the mating joint mating with each other to hold the upper side of the protective device to the fixed frame along the lateral direction of the escalator, the protective device is generally located in a vertical plane, and when a force is applied from above or from the curved section side toward the working space of the pit, and the force is greater than a threshold value of a force, the connecting joint and the mating joint are separated. Through the present invention, since the protective device is separated from the fixed frame when the guard plate is subjected to a force from above or from the curved section toward the working space, it is possible to prevent people or foreign objects that fall between the curved section and the guard plate from being injured, thereby improving the safety performance of the escalator.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an escalator, and more particularly to an escalator capable of protecting a person or a foreign object from falling between a guard plate and a curved section. Background Art

[0002] An escalator usually includes a pit for maintenance. In order to protect the maintenance personnel entering the pit, a protective guard plate is provided between the working space in the pit and the curved part of the escalator step belt. A cover plate is provided on the pit. If the cover plate is loose or forgotten to be fastened after maintenance, an accident may occur where a person or foreign object accidentally falls into the pit and is injured.

[0003] The escalator in the prior art has a safety device that stops the escalator when a person or foreign object accidentally falls into the pit and is located between the protective guard plate and the curved section by detecting that the rotation angle of the protective guard plate exceeds a threshold. However, the safety device is not very effective, and there is still a possibility that a person or foreign object accidentally falls into the pit and is located between the protective guard plate and the curved section and is drawn into the step loop. Therefore, an escalator with a more effective protection device is needed. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide an escalator with a more effective protective device, which can cause the guard plate to fall when a person or a foreign object accidentally falls into the pit and collides with the guard plate, and stop the escalator, thereby avoiding accidents such as people or foreign objects accidentally falling into the pit and being injured.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an escalator, comprising:

[0006] The pit defines the working space;

[0007] A step circuit, including steps and a step conveyor belt, defining an annular path, driven by a drive device so that the steps are driven by the step conveyor belt to move along the annular path, including a curved section located in the pit;

[0008] A fixed frame for supporting and fixing the step loop;

[0009] A guard device is arranged in the pit and outside the bending section, and is used to separate the bending section from the working space, and includes a guard plate and a fixing member fixed to the fixing frame, the guard plate includes a connecting joint, and the fixing member includes a matching joint matching with the connecting joint;

[0010] Among them, the connecting joint cooperates with the mating joint to hold the upper side of the protective device to the fixed frame along the lateral direction of the escalator. The protective device is generally located in a vertical plane. When the protective device is subjected to a force applied from above or from the side of the curved section toward the working space of the pit, and the force is greater than a force threshold, the connecting joint is separated from the mating joint.

[0011] Due to the use of the above-mentioned connecting joint and matching joint, when a person or a foreign object accidentally falls on the guard plate, the connecting joint and matching joint can be separated, so that the person or foreign object will not be squeezed between the guard plate and the curved section, but can enter the working space without being drawn into the step loop and being injured.

[0012] Preferably, the guard plate includes a rigid component and a planar portion extending from the rigid component, and the connecting joint is fixed on the rigid component. The escalator also includes a sensor for detecting the distance between the rigid component and the fixing point of the rigid component to the fixing part. When the distance is greater than a distance threshold, a control signal is sent to the escalator control device to stop the escalator.

[0013] When the above-mentioned connecting joint and the mating joint are separated, the sensor sends a signal to the control device of the escalator by detecting the change in the distance between the rigid component of the guard plate and its fixed point on the fixed frame, thereby stopping the escalator, thereby further preventing people or foreign objects from being drawn into the step loop and being injured.

[0014] Preferably, the sensor is fixed on a rigid member or a fixing member, and the guard plate includes a plane portion vertically extending from the rigid member and an inclined plane portion extending from the vertically extending plane portion toward the working space.

[0015] Preferably, the rigid member is a steel pipe with a square cross-section, the sensor is fixed on a vertical plane of the rigid member close to the bending section side or on a plane on a fixing member opposite to the vertical plane, the distance threshold is 5 mm, and the force threshold is 5 kg.

[0016] Preferably, the connecting joint and the mating joint are protruding joints with recesses on both sides and a receiving portion for receiving the protruding joint formed by two biasably compressed beads.

[0017] Preferably, the connecting joint and the mating joint are elastic joints which are spherical joints and have elastic arms which can bias and expand the opening.

[0018] Preferably, the connecting joint and the mating joint are resilient clips having resilient arms that can be biased toward each other and engaging holes or engaging buckles.

[0019] Preferably, the connecting joint and the mating joint are magnetic fasteners.

[0020] Preferably, the sensor is a proximity sensor or a distance sensor.

[0021] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a protective device for an escalator as described above.

[0022] The present invention can be implemented in various ways, and the various embodiments are all within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0023] According to the present invention, the connection between the connecting joint of the guard plate and the matching joint fixing the guard plate to the fixed frame is separated when the guard plate is subjected to a force from above or from the curved section toward the working space, thereby separating the guard plate from the fixed frame, thereby preventing people or foreign objects falling between the curved section and the guard plate from being injured. In addition, the present invention further provides a sensor on the guard plate or on the fixed frame to detect the distance between the guard plate and its fixed point on the fixed frame. When the change in the distance is detected, the sensor can send a signal to the control device of the escalator to stop the escalator, thereby further preventing people or foreign objects falling between the curved section and the guard plate from being involved in the step loop and being injured. Therefore, the present invention further improves the safety performance of the escalator. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of an escalator;

[0025] Figure 2 is an assembled stereoscopic view of a protective device for an escalator according to a first embodiment of the present invention, which includes a connecting joint arranged on a guard plate and a matching joint arranged on a fixing frame fixing member and matching with the connecting joint;

[0026] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 An exploded perspective view of the protective device in the embodiment when the connecting joint and the mating joint are separated from each other;

[0027] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A partially enlarged exploded perspective view of the protective device when the connecting joint and the mating joint are separated from each other;

[0028] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 An exploded top view of the protective device in the embodiment when the connecting joint and the mating joint are separated from each other;

[0029] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A partially enlarged exploded top view of the protective device when the connecting joint and the mating joint are separated from each other;

[0030] Figure 7 yes Figure 5 A partial enlarged top view of the protective device when the connecting joint and the mating joint are assembled together;

[0031] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 A partially enlarged three-dimensional view of the protective device when the connecting joint and the mating joint are assembled together;

[0032] Fig. 9 is an exploded three-dimensional view of a connecting joint and a mating joint mating with the connecting joint of a protective device for an escalator according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Fig.10 yes Fig. 9 An assembly stereoscopic view of the connecting joint and the mating joint being assembled together;

[0034] Fig.11 is an exploded three-dimensional view of a connecting joint and a mating joint mating with the connecting joint of a protective device for an escalator according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Fig.12 yes Fig.11 An assembly stereoscopic view of the connecting joint and the mating joint being assembled together;

[0036] Fig.13 is a perspective view of a connection joint of a guard device for an escalator according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The following describes the specific embodiments of the connecting joint for the escalator of the present invention and the mating joint that cooperates with the connecting joint with reference to the accompanying drawings. The directional terms used in this article, such as "vertical plane", "lateral direction of the escalator" and "outside the curved section", etc., are only used to describe the present invention relative to the installation state of the escalator and do not constitute a limitation of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of an escalator. The escalator is generally indicated by the reference numeral 1. The escalator usually includes a step loop and a pit 3 provided for controlling and repairing the escalator 1. The step loop includes steps 2 and a step conveyor belt. The pit 3 defines a working space for accommodating the escalator control device and providing a space for maintenance personnel to inspect and maintain the escalator. The curved section of the step loop is arranged adjacent to the pit. In order to protect the maintenance personnel in the pit, a guard plate is usually provided on the outside of the curved section in the working space to separate the curved section from the working space and ensure the safety of the staff. The outside of the curved section refers to the outer peripheral side of the defined annular path of the curved section.

[0039] Figures 2 to 8 1 is a diagram of a protective device for an escalator according to a first embodiment of the present invention, the protective device comprising a guard plate 5 and a fixed frame fixture 4.

[0040] Figure 2 FIG. 1 is an assembled three-dimensional view of a protective device for an escalator according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 The actual installation orientation of the protective device is shown, wherein the fixed frame fixing member 4 includes a first fixing member 41 and a second fixing member 42 respectively arranged on both sides of the fixed frame, the guard plate 5 includes a protective surface portion 51 and a rigid member 52 located on the upper side of the guard plate 5, and the connecting joints are respectively arranged at each end of the rigid member 52, and the protective surface portion 51 extends from the rigid member 52 along a plane that is generally parallel to the transverse direction of the escalator and generally located in a vertical plane.

[0041] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Exploded stereoscopic view of the protective device in the embodiment when the connecting joint and the mating joint are separated from each other. In this view, the connecting joint fixed to the rigid member 52 is not shown, and the first mating joint 43 and the second mating joint 44 for mating with the connecting joint are respectively fixed to the first fixing member 41 and the second fixing member 42. Figure 3 A first sensor 45 and a second sensor 46 fixed on the first fixing member 41 and the second fixing member 42 can also be seen.

[0042] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A partially enlarged exploded perspective view of the protective device when the connecting joint and the mating joint are separated from each other; Figure 5 yes Figure 3 An exploded top view of the protective device in the embodiment when the connecting joint and the mating joint are separated from each other; Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A partially enlarged exploded top view of the protective device when the connecting joint and the mating joint are separated from each other; Figure 7 yes Figure 5 A partial enlarged top view of the protective device when the connecting joint and the mating joint are assembled together; Figure 8 yes Figure 7 A partial enlarged stereoscopic view of the protective device when the connecting joint and the mating joint are assembled together. Figure 4 The first mating joint 43 fixed on the first fixing member 41 and the first connecting joint 53 fixed on the rigid component 52 can also be seen in detail. Figure 6-8The second mating joint 44 fixed on the second fixing member 42 and the second connecting joint 54 fixed on the rigid member 52 can be seen in detail. In this embodiment, the structures of the first connecting joint 53 and the second connecting joint 54 are completely the same, and the structures of the first mating joint 43 and the second mating joint 44 are also completely the same. It can be seen from these figures that the first mating joint 43 and the second mating joint 44 are receiving parts for receiving protruding joints formed with biasable compressible beads, and the first connecting joint 53 and the second connecting joint 54 are protruding joints with recesses on both sides. When the first connecting joint 53 and the second connecting joint 54 extend between the two biasable compressible beads of the first mating joint 43 and the second mating joint 44, the biasable compressible beads are forced to retract. The first connecting joint 53 and the second connecting joint 54 are protruding joints with recesses on both sides. After the first connecting joint 53 and the second connecting joint are fully extended into the first mating joint 43 and the second mating joint 44, the biasably compressed impact ball is biased outward by the biasing member into the recesses on both sides of the first connecting joint 53 and the second connecting joint 54, thereby locking the rigid component 52 in place.

[0043] The connection between the first connecting joint 53 and the second connecting joint 54 and the matching first fitting joint 43 and the second fitting joint 44 can be carried out under load from top to bottom or from the bending section toward the bottom pit 3 (see Figure 1 ) in the working space direction, so that when a foreign object or a person may fall between the guard plate 5 and the curved section of the step loop, the guard plate 5 is first separated from the fixed frame, so that the foreign object or the person can move toward the working space of the pit 3 without being squeezed between the guard plate 5 and the curved section of the step loop, thereby preventing the foreign object or the person from being drawn into the step loop and further harmed. A load threshold is usually set for the load. When the load is greater than the load threshold, the connection between the first connection joint 53 and the second connection joint 54 and the matching first mating joint 43 and the second mating joint 44 is separated. From a safety perspective, the load is usually at least the weight of a child, about 5 kg.

[0044] from Figures 3 to 8It can also be seen that the first sensor 45 and the second sensor 46 are installed on the first fixing member 41 and the second fixing member 42. The first sensor 45 and the second sensor 46 are used to measure the distance between the rigid component 52 and the fixing point of the fixed frame through the connecting joint and the matching joint. When the distance is greater than a threshold, it means that the rigid component 52 is detached from the fixed frame, that is, the guard plate is detached from the fixed frame, and foreign objects or people may fall between the guard plate 5 and the curved section of the step loop. Therefore, the first sensor 45 and the second sensor 46 send a signal to the control device of the escalator, and the control device stops the operation of the escalator, thereby preventing foreign objects or people from being drawn into the step loop and suffering further harm.

[0045] In this embodiment, there are two sensors, which are installed on each fixing member respectively. The present invention is not limited to two sensors, and only one sensor or multiple sensors can also be used. The sensor can also be installed on the rigid member 52 to measure the distance between the rigid member 52 and the fixing point of the rigid member 52 to the fixing frame. The sensor can be a distance sensor or a proximity sensor, and the threshold can be 5mm.

[0046] The connecting joint and the matching joint in the embodiment of the present invention may be installed on both ends of the rigid component 52 and on the first fixing member and the second fixing member, respectively, and vice versa.

[0047] Fig. 9 is an exploded three-dimensional view of a connecting joint and a mating joint mating with the connecting joint of a protective device for an escalator according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Fig.10 yes Fig. 9 The connecting joint and the mating joint in the figure are assembled together in a stereoscopic view. The connecting joint 6 and the mating joint 7 in this embodiment are similar to those in the first embodiment, except that the connecting joint 6 is a spherical joint, and the mating joint 7 is an elastic joint member having elastic arms that can be biased to expand the opening. When the connecting joint 6 moves toward the mating joint 7, the applied force forces the opening defined by the two arms of the elastic clamp of the mating joint 7 to separate and expand outward. When the connecting joint 6 moves between the two arms, the two arms shrink their openings under the biasing action of the biasing member, embrace the spherical joint of the connecting joint 6, and lock the connecting joint 6 in place. The connecting joint and the mating joint in this second embodiment are respectively mounted on the rigid component 51 of the guard plate 5 and the first and second fixing members of the fixed frame. Similarly, the connecting joint and the mating joint can be subjected to loads from top to bottom or from the curved section toward the bottom pit 3 (see Figure 1) in the working space direction, so that when a foreign object or a person may fall between the guard plate 5 and the curved section of the step loop, the guard plate 5 is first separated from the fixed frame, so that the foreign object or the person can move toward the working space of the pit 3 without being squeezed between the guard plate 5 and the curved section of the step loop, thereby preventing the foreign object or the person from being drawn into the step loop and further injured.

[0048] Fig.11 is an exploded three-dimensional view of a connecting joint and a mating joint mating with the connecting joint of a protective device for an escalator according to a third embodiment of the present invention; Fig.12 yes Fig.11 The connecting joint 9 and the matching joint 8 in this embodiment are magnetic buckles, which are respectively installed on the rigid component 52 of the guard plate 5 and the first and second fixing parts of the fixed frame. The magnetic force of the connecting joint 9 and the matching joint 8 can fix the rigid component 52 to the first and second fixing parts of the fixed frame, so that the guard plate 5 extending from the rigid component 52 can be installed in place to play a protective role. At the same time, it can also be realized when subjected to loads from top to bottom or from the curved section toward the bottom pit 3 (see Figure 1 ) in the working space direction, so that when a foreign object or a person may fall between the guard plate 5 and the curved section of the step loop, the guard plate 5 is first separated from the fixed frame, so that the foreign object or the person can move toward the working space of the pit 3 without being squeezed between the guard plate 5 and the curved section of the step loop, thereby preventing the foreign object or the person from being drawn into the step loop and further injured.

[0049] Fig.13 1 is a perspective view of a connecting joint of a protective device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention for an escalator. The connecting joint in the fourth embodiment is an elastic clip having elastic arms that can be biased toward each other, and the mating joint can be a simple hole or a matching engagement buckle. Similarly, the connecting joint and the mating joint in the fourth embodiment can also be realized when subjected to a load from top to bottom or from the curved section toward the bottom pit 3 (see Figure 1 ) in the working space direction, so that when a foreign object or a person may fall between the guard plate 5 and the curved section of the step loop, the guard plate 5 is first separated from the fixed frame, so that the foreign object or the person can move toward the working space of the pit 3 without being squeezed between the guard plate 5 and the curved section of the step loop, thereby preventing the foreign object or the person from being drawn into the step loop and further injured.

[0050] The protective device of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but may be implemented in other ways, as long as it can be detached from the fixed frame when the protective device is subjected to a load from top to bottom or a load applied from the curved section toward the working space of the pit.

[0051] The rigid member 52 of the present invention may be a square steel tube or a steel section with other cross-sectional shapes, as long as the deformation is small and the deformation does not cause the sensor to have measurement errors. The protective surface portion 51 of the guard plate 5 of the present invention has a segmented bending plane, which may include a portion extending vertically downward from the rigid member 52 and an inclined portion extending from the portion extending vertically downward toward the workspace. The protective surface portion 51 of the guard plate 5 of the present invention may also take other bending plane shapes.

[0052] While the best modes for carrying out the invention have been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which this invention relates will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the invention within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An escalator, comprising: The pit defines the working space; A step circuit, including steps and a step conveyor belt, defining an annular path, driven by a drive device so that the steps are driven by the step conveyor belt to move along the annular path, including a curved section located in the pit; A fixed frame for supporting and fixing the step loop; A guard device is arranged in the pit and outside the bending section, and is used to separate the bending section from the working space, and includes a guard plate and a fixing member fixed to the fixing frame, the guard plate includes a connecting joint, and the fixing member includes a matching joint matching with the connecting joint; It is characterized in that the connecting joint cooperates with the mating joint to hold the upper side of the protective device to the fixed frame along the transverse direction of the escalator, and the protective device is generally located in a vertical plane. When the protective device is subjected to a force applied from above or from the side of the curved section toward the working space of the pit, and the force is greater than a force threshold, the connecting joint separates from the mating joint, so that the guard plate is separated from the fixed frame and the working space can be entered.

2. The escalator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The guard plate includes a rigid component and a planar portion extending from the rigid component. The connecting joint is fixed on the rigid component. The escalator also includes a sensor for detecting the distance between the rigid component and the fixing point of the rigid component to the fixing part. When the distance is greater than a distance threshold, a control signal is sent to the escalator control device to stop the escalator.

3. The escalator according to claim 2, characterized in that: The sensor is fixed on a rigid component or a fixing member, and the guard plate includes a plane portion vertically extending from the rigid component and an inclined plane portion extending from the vertically extending plane portion toward the working space.

4. The escalator according to claim 3, characterized in that: The rigid component is a steel pipe with a square cross-section. The sensor is fixed on a vertical plane of the rigid component close to the bending section or on a plane on a fixing member opposite to the vertical plane. The distance threshold is 5 mm and the force threshold is 5 kg.

5. The escalator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The connecting joint and the matching joint are a protruding joint with recessed parts on both sides and a receiving part for receiving the protruding joint formed by two collision beads that can be biased and compressed back.

6. The escalator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The connecting joint and the mating joint are spherical joints and elastic joints with elastic arms that can bias and expand the opening.

7. The escalator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The connecting joint and the mating joint are elastic clips with elastic arms that can be biased toward each other and engaging holes or engaging buckles.

8. The escalator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The connecting joint and the matching joint are magnetic fasteners.

9. The escalator according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The sensor is a proximity sensor or a distance sensor.

10. A protective device for an escalator, the escalator comprising a pit, a step loop and a fixed frame, the pit defining a working space, the fixed frame being used to support and fix the step loop, the step loop comprising steps and a step conveyor belt defining an annular path, driven by a driving device so that the steps are driven by the step conveyor belt to move along the annular path and comprising a curved section located in the pit, characterized in that The guard device is arranged in the pit, outside the curved section, for separating the curved section from the working space, and comprises a guard plate and a fixing member fixed to a fixing frame, the guard plate comprises a connecting joint, the fixing member comprises a matching joint matched with the connecting joint, and The connecting joint cooperates with the mating joint to hold the upper side of the protective device to the fixed frame along the transverse direction of the escalator. The protective device is generally located in a vertical plane. When the protective device is subjected to a force applied from above or from the side of the curved section toward the working space in the pit, and the force is greater than a force threshold, the connecting joint separates from the mating joint, so that the guard plate is separated from the fixed frame and the working space can be entered.

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