Handrail driving system and method for driving handrail of escalator

Abstract

The present invention relates to a handrail drive system and a method for driving a handrail of an escalator. The handrail drive system comprises: a controller configured to output a control signal; a main drive frequency converter configured to receive a control signal from the controller and output the main control signal to a main drive motor; a main drive motor configured to receive a main control signal from the main drive frequency converter to drive a main friction wheel; a second drive frequency converter configured to receive a main control signal from the main drive frequency converter via an optical fiber transmission system and output a second control signal to a second drive motor; and a second drive motor configured to receive a second control signal from the second drive frequency converter to drive a second friction wheel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a handrail driving system and a method for driving a handrail of an escalator. Background Art

[0002] The operation of an escalator, in particular the operation of the handrail of an automatic handrail, is well known in the art. In general, the movement of the handrail of an escalator is driven by a main friction wheel connected to the handrail. In some cases, for example, when the escalator is quite long, a single friction wheel is not enough to overcome the friction of the handrail to drive the handrail. In such a case, a second friction wheel is required to help drive the handrail. However, in the presence of a second friction wheel, it is necessary to receive a control signal from the main drive system to the second drive system so that the second friction wheel can coordinate with the main friction wheel. In this process, a cable is generally used to communicate between the main drive system and the second drive system, and there are problems such as electromagnetic interference, which prevents the second friction wheel from coordinating with the main drive wheel. Summary of the invention

[0003] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a handrail belt drive system, comprising: a controller, which is configured to output a control signal; a main drive inverter, which is configured to receive a control signal from the controller and output the main control signal to the main drive motor; a main drive motor, which is configured to receive the main control signal from the main drive inverter to drive the main friction wheel; a second drive inverter, which is configured to receive the main control signal from the main drive inverter via an optical fiber transmission system and output a second control signal to the second drive motor; and a second drive motor, which is configured to receive the second control signal from the second drive inverter to drive the second friction wheel.

[0004] Preferably, the optical fiber transmission system includes: a signal encoder, which is configured to receive an analog main control signal from a main drive frequency converter and convert the main control signal into an optical signal; a transmitter, which is configured to receive an optical signal from the signal encoder and send the optical signal to a receiver; a receiver, which is configured to be connected to the transmitter via an optical fiber, receive the optical signal from the transmitter, and send the optical signal to a signal decoder; a signal decoder, which is configured to receive the optical signal from the receiver and convert the optical signal into an analog main control signal, and the second drive frequency converter receives the main control signal from the signal decoder.

[0005] Preferably, after receiving the main control signal, the second drive inverter is configured to: analyze the main control signal to determine the drive mode of the main drive inverter, the drive modes of the main drive inverter including star / delta mode and variable frequency mode; after determining the drive mode of the main drive inverter, analyze the main control signal to determine the running direction of the escalator; calculate the torque output to be sent to the second drive motor based on the second control signal, and compare the torque output with the predetermined torque output, and output a torque compensation signal when the difference between the torque output and the predetermined torque output exceeds a predetermined threshold.

[0006] Preferably, when it is determined that the driving mode of the main drive inverter is the star / delta mode and the escalator is ascending, the second drive inverter outputs a first torque compensation signal; when it is determined that the driving mode of the main drive inverter is the star / delta mode and the escalator is descending, the second drive inverter outputs a second torque compensation signal.

[0007] Preferably, when it is determined that the driving mode of the main drive inverter is the variable frequency mode and the escalator is ascending, the second drive inverter outputs a third torque compensation signal; when it is determined that the driving mode of the main drive inverter is the variable frequency mode and the escalator is descending, the second drive inverter outputs a fourth torque compensation signal.

[0008] Preferably, the main control signal includes a main speed control signal and a main direction control signal.

[0009] Preferably, the second control signal comprises a second speed control signal corresponding to the main speed control signal and a second direction control signal corresponding to the main direction control signal.

[0010] The present invention also provides a method for driving the handrail of an escalator, comprising: receiving a control signal from a controller through a main drive inverter, and outputting the main control signal to a main drive motor; receiving a main control signal from the main drive inverter through the main drive motor to drive a main friction wheel, wherein the main friction wheel is connected to the handrail; transmitting the main control signal of the main drive inverter to a second drive inverter through an optical fiber transmission system, and outputting a second control signal of the second drive inverter to a second drive motor; receiving a second control signal from the second drive inverter through the second drive motor to drive a second friction wheel, wherein the second friction wheel is connected to the handrail.

[0011] Preferably, in the step of transmitting the main control signal of the main drive inverter to the second drive inverter through the optical fiber transmission system, the method further includes: receiving an analog main control signal from the main drive inverter through a signal encoder, and converting the main control signal into an optical signal; receiving an optical signal from the signal encoder through a transmitter, and sending the optical signal to a receiver; receiving an optical signal from the transmitter through an optical fiber through a receiver, and sending the optical signal to a signal decoder; receiving an optical signal from the receiver through a signal decoder, and converting the optical signal into an analog main control signal; and sending the main control signal to the second drive inverter.

[0012] Preferably, after the second drive inverter receives the main control signal, the method further includes: analyzing the main control signal to determine the drive mode of the main drive inverter, the drive mode of the main drive inverter including a star / delta mode and a variable frequency mode; after determining the drive mode of the main drive inverter, analyzing the main control signal to determine the running direction of the escalator; calculating the torque output to be sent to the second drive motor based on the second control signal, and comparing the torque output with the predetermined torque output, and outputting a torque compensation signal when the difference between the torque output and the predetermined torque output exceeds a predetermined threshold.

[0013] Preferably, in the step of outputting a torque compensation signal, the method includes: when it is determined that the driving mode of the main drive inverter is a star / delta mode and the escalator is ascending, the second drive inverter outputs a first torque compensation signal; when it is determined that the driving mode of the main drive inverter is a star / delta mode and the escalator is descending, the second drive inverter outputs a second torque compensation signal.

[0014] Preferably, in the step of outputting a torque compensation signal, the method includes: when it is determined that the driving mode of the main drive inverter is the variable frequency mode and the escalator is ascending, the second drive inverter outputs a third torque compensation signal; when it is determined that the driving mode of the main drive inverter is the variable frequency mode and the escalator is descending, the second drive inverter outputs a fourth torque compensation signal.

[0015] Preferably, the main control signal includes a main speed control signal and a main direction control signal.

[0016] Preferably, the second control signal comprises a second speed control signal corresponding to the main speed control signal and a second direction control signal corresponding to the main direction control signal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The advantages and purposes of the present invention can be better understood from the preferred embodiments of the present invention described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0018] Figure 1 A block diagram of a handrail belt driving system according to the present invention is shown.

[0019] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing the torque compensation function of the second drive frequency converter according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Various embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted here that, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are given to components having substantially the same or similar structures and functions, and repeated descriptions thereof will be omitted. Unless otherwise specified, the terms "upper", "lower", "top", "bottom", "inside", and "outside" herein are all described relative to the accompanying drawings of the present invention. The term "comprising A, B, C, etc. in sequence" only indicates the order of arrangement of the included components A, B, C, etc., and does not exclude the possibility of including other components between A and B and / or between B and C.

[0021] Below, refer to Figure 1 to Figure 2 , a preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in detail.

[0022] In general, an escalator includes a handrail, which may be a belt formed into an annular shape. The handrail may be driven by a main drive motor via a main friction wheel. The main drive motor may be coupled to the main friction wheel, for example, by a pulley or a chain, so as to cause the main friction wheel to rotate when the main drive motor rotates. The main friction wheel may be coupled to a portion of the handrail so that when the main friction wheel rotates, the handrail moves by friction. The escalator may also include a second drive motor and a second friction wheel. The second drive motor may also be used to drive the handrail by using a second friction wheel. The second drive motor may be coupled to the second friction wheel, for example, by using a pulley or a chain, so that when the second drive motor rotates, the second friction wheel also rotates. The second friction wheel may be coupled to a portion of the handrail so that when the second friction wheel rotates, the handrail moves by friction. In this way, in the case where the force provided by the main friction wheel alone is insufficient to drive the handrail, the second drive motor may provide an auxiliary force to drive the handrail by the second friction wheel. The main friction wheel and the second friction wheel may be located at any point along the handrail.

[0023] The main drive motor and the second drive motor may be any suitable type of motor, such as a variable frequency motor. The main drive motor may receive a main control signal from a main drive frequency converter. The main drive frequency converter may be configured to receive a control signal from a controller of the escalator. The second drive frequency converter may be configured to receive the main control signal from the main drive frequency converter and output a second control signal to the second drive motor.

[0024] See below Figure 1 A block diagram of the handrail belt drive system of the present invention is described in detail. Figure 1The controller 1 of the escalator is shown, which can be any type of controller, such as a computer, a microcontroller, a microprocessor, etc. The main drive inverter 2 receives a control signal from the controller, and the control signal can be, for example, a signal indicating whether an opening key is inserted to open the escalator, whether a passenger is detected on the escalator. The main drive inverter 2 outputs a main control signal to the main drive motor 3 based on the control signal, and the main control signal is analog and can include a main speed control signal and a direction control signal, causing the main drive motor to rotate at a desired speed and a desired direction.

[0025] The second drive inverter 4 can receive the main control signal from the main drive inverter via the optical fiber communication system 6, and provide a second control signal to the second drive motor 5, the second control signal including a second speed control signal corresponding to the main speed control signal and a second direction control signal corresponding to the direction control signal, causing the second drive motor to rotate at a desired speed and in a desired direction.

[0026] The optical fiber communication system 6 includes a signal encoder 61, which is configured to receive a main control signal from the main drive frequency converter 2 and convert the main control signal into an optical signal; a transmitter 62, which is configured to receive an optical signal from the signal encoder and send the optical signal to a receiver; a receiver 63, which is configured to be connected to the transmitter through an optical fiber, receive an optical signal from the transmitter, and send the optical signal to a signal decoder; a signal decoder 64, which is configured to receive an optical signal from the receiver and convert the optical signal into an analog main control signal, and the second drive frequency converter receives the main control signal from the signal decoder. Preferably, a signal amplifier 65 is also provided between the signal encoder 61 and the transmitter 62 and between the receiver 63 and the signal decoder 64. By using the optical fiber communication system to transmit the main control signal, there is no problem such as electromagnetic interference.

[0027] The second drive inverter of the present invention also has the function of torque compensation. Figure 2 After receiving the main control signal, the second drive inverter will analyze the main control signal to first determine the drive mode of the main drive inverter, and the drive modes of the main drive inverter include star / delta mode and variable frequency mode. Then, after determining the drive mode, the second drive inverter analyzes the main control signal to determine the running direction (upward or downward) of the escalator. Then, the second drive inverter calculates the torque output based on the second control signal, and the torque output is sent to the second drive motor. The torque output can be calculated based on the second speed control signal or the output voltage, output current or output frequency of the second drive inverter. Then, the second drive inverter compares the calculated torque output with the predetermined torque output. When the difference between the torque output and the predetermined torque output exceeds a predetermined threshold, a torque compensation signal is output so that the difference between the torque output and the predetermined torque output is within a predetermined threshold.

[0028] refer to Figure 2 When it is determined that the driving mode of the main drive inverter is the star / delta mode and it is further determined that the escalator is ascending, the second drive inverter outputs the first torque compensation signal U1 to the torque output to compensate for the torque output of the second drive motor; when it is determined that the driving mode of the main drive inverter is the star / delta mode and the escalator is descending, the second drive inverter outputs the second torque compensation signal D1 to the torque output; when it is determined that the driving mode of the main drive inverter is the variable frequency mode and the escalator is ascending, the second drive inverter outputs the third torque compensation signal U2 to the torque output; when it is determined that the driving mode of the main drive inverter is the variable frequency mode and the escalator is descending, the second drive inverter outputs the fourth torque compensation signal D2 to the torque output.

[0029] In this way, the present invention uses an optical fiber communication system to transmit signals between the main drive inverter and the second drive inverter, and there is no problem of electromagnetic interference, so that less energy is consumed when driving the handrail, the handrail runs more smoothly, and the life of the handrail is increased. In addition, the second drive inverter can provide different torque outputs for different states, so that it can run smoothly in different states.

[0030] Although the present invention has been specifically described above with reference to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Instead, various modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the essence of the present invention, and these modifications and changes should fall within the scope defined by the attached claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A handrail belt driving system, comprising: a controller configured to output a control signal; a main drive inverter configured to receive a control signal from the controller and output a main control signal to the main drive motor; a main drive motor configured to receive a main control signal from a main drive inverter to drive a main friction wheel, Characterized in that the handrail belt driving system also includes: a second drive inverter configured to receive a main control signal from the main drive inverter via the optical fiber transmission system and output a second control signal to the second drive motor; a second driving motor configured to receive a second control signal from the second driving frequency converter to drive the second friction wheel, After receiving the main control signal, the second drive frequency converter is configured to: Analyze the main control signal to determine the driving mode of the main drive inverter, the driving mode of the main drive inverter includes a star / delta mode and a variable frequency mode; After determining the driving mode of the main drive inverter, analyze the main control signal to determine the running direction of the escalator; The torque output to be sent to the second drive motor is calculated based on the second control signal, and the torque output is compared with the predetermined torque output. When the difference between the torque output and the predetermined torque output exceeds a predetermined threshold, a torque compensation signal is output.

2. The handrail belt driving system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The optical fiber transmission system comprises: a signal encoder configured to receive an analog main control signal from a main drive frequency converter and convert the main control signal into an optical signal; a transmitter configured to receive the optical signal from the signal encoder and transmit the optical signal to the receiver; a receiver configured to be connected to the transmitter via an optical fiber, receive the optical signal from the transmitter, and send the optical signal to a signal decoder; The signal decoder is configured to receive the optical signal from the receiver and convert the optical signal into an analog main control signal, and the second drive frequency converter receives the main control signal from the signal decoder.

3. The handrail belt driving system according to claim 1, characterized in that: When it is determined that the driving mode of the main driving frequency converter is the star / delta mode and the escalator is moving upward, the second driving frequency converter outputs a first torque compensation signal; When it is determined that the driving mode of the main driving inverter is the star / delta mode and the escalator is moving downward, the second driving inverter outputs a second torque compensation signal.

4. The handrail belt driving system according to claim 1, characterized in that: When it is determined that the driving mode of the main driving frequency converter is the variable frequency mode and the escalator is moving upward, the second driving frequency converter outputs a third torque compensation signal; When it is determined that the driving mode of the main driving inverter is the variable frequency mode and the escalator is moving downward, the second driving inverter outputs a fourth torque compensation signal.

5. The handrail belt driving system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The main control signal includes a main speed control signal and a main direction control signal.

6. The handrail belt driving system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The second control signal includes a second speed control signal corresponding to the main speed control signal and a second direction control signal corresponding to the main direction control signal.

7. A method for driving an escalator handrail, characterized in that: The method comprises: Receive control signals from the controller via the main drive inverter and output the main control signals to the main drive motor; Receiving a main control signal from a main drive frequency converter via a main drive motor to drive a main friction wheel, the main friction wheel being coupled to a handrail; Transmitting a main control signal of the main drive frequency converter to the second drive frequency converter through the optical fiber transmission system, and outputting a second control signal of the second drive frequency converter to the second drive motor; receiving a second control signal from a second drive frequency converter via a second drive motor to drive a second friction wheel, the second friction wheel being coupled to the handrail belt, After the second drive inverter receives the main control signal, the method further includes: Analyze the main control signal to determine the driving mode of the main drive inverter, the driving mode of the main drive inverter includes a star / delta mode and a variable frequency mode; After determining the driving mode of the main drive inverter, analyze the main control signal to determine the running direction of the escalator; The torque output to be sent to the second drive motor is calculated based on the second control signal, and the torque output is compared with the predetermined torque output. When the difference between the torque output and the predetermined torque output exceeds a predetermined threshold, a torque compensation signal is output.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that In the step of transmitting the main control signal of the main drive frequency converter to the second drive frequency converter through the optical fiber transmission system, the method further includes: receiving an analog main control signal from a main drive frequency converter via a signal encoder and converting the main control signal into an optical signal; receiving an optical signal from a signal encoder via a transmitter and transmitting the optical signal to a receiver; receiving an optical signal from a transmitter via an optical fiber by a receiver and sending the optical signal to a signal decoder; receiving an optical signal from a receiver through a signal decoder and converting the optical signal into an analog main control signal; The main control signal is sent to the second drive inverter.

9. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that In the step of outputting a torque compensation signal, the method comprises: When it is determined that the driving mode of the main driving frequency converter is the star / delta mode and the escalator is moving upward, the second driving frequency converter outputs a first torque compensation signal; When it is determined that the driving mode of the main driving inverter is the star / delta mode and the escalator is moving downward, the second driving inverter outputs a second torque compensation signal.

10. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that In the step of outputting a torque compensation signal, the method comprises: When it is determined that the driving mode of the main driving frequency converter is the variable frequency mode and the escalator is moving upward, the second driving frequency converter outputs a third torque compensation signal; When it is determined that the driving mode of the main driving inverter is the variable frequency mode and the escalator is moving downward, the second driving inverter outputs a fourth torque compensation signal.

11. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The main control signal includes a main speed control signal and a main direction control signal.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The second control signal includes a second speed control signal corresponding to the main speed control signal and a second direction control signal corresponding to the main direction control signal.

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