Armrest inspection device

Abstract

A device (1) and method for determining the pull-off force of a handrail, the pull-off force being applied to move the handrail (3) of an escalator or moving walkway outwardly from a handrail guide (5) by more than a predetermined amount. The device (1) has a lever (15) and a force measuring device (17). The lever (15) has a gripping structure (19), a support structure (21) and a force introduction structure (23). The support structure (21) is arranged between the gripping structure (19) and the force introduction structure (23). The lever (15) is configured to be gripped under the edge (11) of the handrail (3) by the gripping structure (19) at a first position (25) of the handrail (3) so as to lift the edge (11) of the handrail (3) from the handrail guide (5), and to be placed in a supported manner on the handrail (3) by the support structure (21) at a second position (27) remote from the first position (25). The lever (15) and the force measuring device (17) are configured such that the force measuring device (17) cooperates with the force introduction structure (23) to apply a force (F) to the lever (15), and by means of the force measuring device and the force introduction structure, the gripping structure (19) pushes the handrail (3) located at the first position (25) away from the handrail guide (5), and the support structure (21) pushes the handrail (3) located at the second position (27) towards the handrail guide (5), and in this case triggers a reaction force related to the magnitude of the applied force (F), based on which the magnitude of the applied force (F) as the pull-off force of the handrail can be derived without an additional measuring device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device and a method for determining the pull-off force of a handrail, by applying a pull-off force to the handrail of an escalator or a moving walkway to move the handrail outwardly from the handrail guide member by more than a predetermined amount. Background Art

[0002] Escalators and moving walkways are used as people-carrying devices fixedly installed in buildings, so that people can be transported along a travel path by means of an actively displaceable conveyor belt composed of steps or pallets. Guardrails are usually arranged on both sides of the travel path and are parallel to the travel path. Here, a handrail can be provided on each guardrail, and the handrail moves synchronously with the conveyor belt, and the people being transported can hold the handrail with one hand.

[0003] There are various existing specifications, such as the European standard EN115, which stipulate the properties that such a handrail should have and the conditions that it should meet. For example, it stipulates that under normal operating conditions, when a person attempts to separate the handrail from the handrail guide member that guides and holds the handrail by applying a force to the handrail, the handrail is not allowed to be separated from the handrail guide member that guides and holds the handrail. It also stipulates that under the above conditions, the handrail shall not enter a state that may endanger the safety of the people being transported, such as a person suddenly being separated from the handrail guide member or the hand of the person being transported being pinched or squeezed between the handrail and other components such as the handrail guide member or the guardrail.

[0004] Although the specifications list the characteristics and conditions that must be met to avoid the handrail causing harm, especially to passengers, there has not been a definition of a means or method for measuring whether the handrail meets all these characteristics and conditions. In particular, there is no definition of a device and a method for qualitatively or preferably even quantitatively determining whether the handrail meets the set specifications.

[0005] In JP 201119525A, an attempt is made to quantitatively detect the required characteristics by a force measuring device that spreads the guiding lip of the handrail. However, the disadvantage of this device is that the spreading force acting on the handrail does not correspond at all to the loads that may occur during daily operation, so the conclusion of such a measurement is of little significance. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Therefore, there is a particular need for a device and a method for determining the pull-off force of a handrail, by means of which the above-mentioned defects can be overcome. In particular, there may be a need for a device and a method that enable the pull-off force to be applied to move the handrail away from the handrail guide member by more than a predetermined amount to be determined in a more realistic, easier and reproducible manner.

[0007] This need can be met by the technical solutions according to any one of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are defined in the dependent claims and the following description.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a device for determining the handrail pull-off force is proposed, the handrail pull-off force being applied so as to move at least a partial area of the handrail of an escalator or a moving walkway outwardly from a handrail guide beyond a predetermined amount. The device includes a lever and a force measuring device. The lever includes a gripping structure, a support structure, and a force introduction structure, wherein the support structure is disposed between the gripping structure and the force introduction structure. The lever is configured to grip under the edge of the handrail by means of the gripping structure located at a first position of the handrail so as to move the edge of the handrail away from the handrail guide, and to rest on the handrail in a supported manner by means of the support structure located at a second position remote from the first position. The lever and the force measuring device are configured such that the force measuring device cooperates with the force introduction structure so as to apply a force to the lever. Based on such a lever and force measuring device, the gripping structure pushes the handrail located at the first position away from the handrail guide, and the support structure pushes the handrail located at the second position towards the handrail guide. Herein, a reaction force of the handrail related to the magnitude of the applied force is triggered, and this reaction force, as the handrail pull-off force, can be derived from the magnitude of the applied force and the lever ratio of the lever. Herein, the magnitude of the applied force can be detected by the force measuring device.

[0009] Due to the specific configuration of the lever having a gripping structure and a support structure, the device according to the present invention can apply a force action to the handrail that is the same as the force action that may come from a passenger's hand in terms of the force application point and the force direction. Therefore, the measurement is carried out under real conditions and is thus persuasive.

[0010] Herein, "detecting the magnitude" can be a direct force measurement, where a value corresponding to the force can be read from the force measuring device, or a corresponding force measurement signal can be output by the device. However, the force can also be detected indirectly, where there is a presettable force threshold and the force measuring device indicates when this force threshold is reached.

[0011] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method for determining the handrail pull-off force is introduced. The method at least includes the following steps, preferably in the given order:

[0012] Mount the lever on the handrail such that the gripping structure of the lever at a first position on the handrail grips under the edge of the handrail, and the support structure of the lever at a second position remote from the first position rests on the handrail in a supported manner;

[0013] Apply a force to the force introduction structure on the lever such that the gripping structure is pulled away from the handrail guide and the support structure is pushed towards the handrail guide; and

[0014] Determine the handrail pull-off force as being proportional to the value of the force applied to the force introduction structure on the lever, which force is detected by the force measuring device.

[0015] Possible features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention can be considered, in particular, based on the concepts and cognitions introduced below, including but not limited to the present invention.

[0016] As mentioned in the preamble, it must be ensured that the design and operation of the handrail of an escalator or moving walkway do not pose a danger to passengers.

[0017] The handrail generally has an elongate belt-like strip, which is held and guided by the handrail guide. Here, the handrail and the handrail guide cooperate in such a way that the handrail can be displaced parallel to the travel path of the escalator or moving walkway in the handrail guide, but under normal operating conditions, it does not move substantially away from the handrail guide transversely to this direction. For example, the handrail can cooperate with the handrail guide in a form-locking manner. In particular, the handrail can partially surround the handrail guide. For example, the handrail can be designed with an upper C-shaped cross-section and can engage the handrail guide with its edge at the rear.

[0018] The firmness with which the handrail is held on the handrail guide depends not only on the geometry of the handrail, but also on the mechanical properties of the handrail, such as its tension in the longitudinal direction and / or its bending stiffness transversely to the longitudinal direction. These mechanical properties may in turn depend on various factors, such as the material of the handrail, the material thickness, etc.

[0019] Over time and with gradual wear, the mechanical properties of the handrail change. For example, the friction between the handrail and the handrail guide causes the material thickness of the handrail to gradually decrease. Chemical changes in the handrail material (such as due to aging or contact with chemical substances such as oil, grease or similar substances) also change the mechanical properties of the handrail.

[0020] Therefore, when designing the handrail and the associated handrail guide, it is necessary not only to ensure that they cooperate reliably with each other, but also to be able to monitor during operation that the properties of these components do not change in a way that may endanger their operating safety.

[0021] In relevant specifications such as EN115, it is sometimes generally stipulated only partially and generally that the handrail profile and its guide on the guardrail must be designed or covered to reduce the possibility of finger and hand entrapment. In some cases, it is specifically stipulated that the distance between the handrail profile and the guide or the covering profile must not be greater than a certain dimension, such as 8 mm. In addition, it is sometimes stipulated that the handrail should be guided and tensioned so that it does not become detached from the guide during normal use.

[0022] In order to reliably and verifiably comply with these rules, a device and a method for determining a defined armrest pull-off force are presented here, which is applied such that the armrest is displaced outward from the armrest guide by more than a predefined amount. The armrest pull-off force is a force that can be applied, for example, by a person with the hand that grasps the armrest, in order to be able to displace the armrest outward from the armrest guide by more than a predefined amount, in particular to be able to lift it. Here, the armrest pull-off force can generally be in the range of several tens of newtons to several hundreds of newtons.

[0023] For example, the "predefined amount" can be defined by legal regulations or specifications given by the manufacturer. For example, the predefined amount can define the maximum size of the distance or gap between the armrest and the armrest guide. For example, it can be defined as a predefined amount that under normal operating conditions this distance must not be greater than 1 cm, preferably not greater than 8 mm. The predefined amount can also include information about the location where this gap is created and / or the direction in which this gap extends.

[0024] The device and the corresponding method proposed here can determine the armrest pull-off force in as objective and reproducible a manner as possible. For example, the armrest pull-off force can be determined as a specific absolute value. Alternatively, a lower limit of the armrest pull-off force can be determined, i.e., the absolute value of the force that the armrest pull-off force definitely exceeds. In other words, when the force acting on the armrest is less than or equal to this lower limit, the value of this lower limit can indicate that the armrest has not been pulled outward from the armrest guide by more than the permitted predefined amount. When determining the lower limit of the armrest pull-off force, measured values can be used, which, for example, reflect the force that an adult can directly apply with a finger to the armrest.

[0025] Here, it is intended to allow the force to be applied to the armrest such that this force corresponds as well as possible, in terms of the magnitude of the force and in terms of, for example, the way the force acts on the armrest, to the force that is actually applied to the armrest by a passenger with a hand, for example.

[0026] The device proposed here has at least one lever and a force measuring device. The lever is designed to be able to apply a force to the armrest such that the armrest is pushed away from the armrest guide. The force to be transmitted by the lever is applied to the lever by the force measuring device and can be measured using the force measuring device.

[0027] Here, the lever in principle has at least one gripping structure, a support structure, and a force introduction structure. The lever is elongated and the support structure is located between the gripping structure and the force introduction structure. In other words, the gripping structure and the force introduction structure can be arranged at or near opposite ends of the lever, respectively, and the support structure can be located between the gripping structure and the force introduction structure.

[0028] Here, the lever can be stable and as rigid as possible, so that the lever can be used to transfer significant forces, such as up to 2000 N, up to 1000 N or at least up to 500 N, from the force-introducing structure to the gripping structure and ultimately to the handrail.

[0029] The gripping structure on the lever is designed to cooperate with the handrail in such a way that the gripping structure in the first position grips under the edge of the handrail. By engaging the handrail edge in this way at the rear, this edge of the handrail can be pried off the handrail guide by the force acting on the lever. In other words, the gripping structure should be designed such that the lever can exert a force or torque on the handrail at least at one edge of the handrail by means of the gripping structure, so that this edge moves away from the handrail guide, similar to the situation when a person wraps their fingers around the edge of the handrail and bends the handrail away from the handrail guide at its edge.

[0030] The support structure on the lever is designed to rest flat on the handrail in a supporting manner at a second position spaced apart from the edge of the handrail that is engaged at the rear by the gripping structure. Thus, the lever can be supported on the surface of the handrail with the assistance of the support structure. At this time, on the side of the lever where the gripping structure is located, a force acts on the lever, and on the opposite side of the lever, this force is transmitted to the edge of the handrail in a lever-like manner through the gripping structure.

[0031] When the thenar eminence (Handballen) is supported on the handrail while the fingers grip the edge of the handrail and bend away from the handrail guide, the support structure acts similar to the thenar eminence of the hand gripping the handrail.

[0032] Here, the distance between the gripping structure and the support structure can be, for example, less than the width of the handrail. In particular, the distance between the gripping structure and the support structure can be of a similar magnitude to the distance between a bent finger and the thenar eminence of a medium-sized hand. For example, this distance can be between 2 cm and 10 cm, preferably between 4 cm and 8 cm. Here, for example, the distance between the geometric centers of the gripping structure and the support structure or the distance between the positions where these structures cooperate with the handrail during operation can be measured.

[0033] With the method proposed herein, the handrail pull-off force can be determined by mounting the lever on the handrail such that the gripping structure of the lever in the first position on the handrail grips under the edge of the handrail and the support structure of the lever in the second position supports on the handrail. In this configuration, a force can be applied to the force-introducing structure on the lever such that the gripping structure is pulled away from the handrail guide and the support structure is pushed towards the handrail guide. Here, the handrail pull-off force can be determined to be proportional to the value of the force applied to the force-introducing structure on the lever.

[0034] In particular, according to one embodiment, the armrest pull-off force can be determined as the value of the force applied to the force introduction structure on the lever multiplied by the lever coefficient related to the lever geometry.

[0035] In other words, the value or magnitude of the force applied to the lever can be directly measured, and considering the geometry of the lever, it can be deduced that the force or torque acting on the opposite end of the lever from the gripping structure to the armrest through the force acting on the force introduction structure. According to the geometry of the lever, the lever coefficient can be calculated or otherwise determined. With the lever coefficient, the force applied to the force introduction structure can be directly converted into the force or the corresponding torque exerted by the lever on the armrest.

[0036] The force to be applied to the lever can be applied to the force introduction structure on the lever by a force measuring device. The force measuring device not only transfers the required force to the lever but can also be used to deduce the magnitude of the applied force.

[0037] For this purpose, as will be explained in more detail below, the force measuring device can be designed in different ways. In any case, when a force is applied to the lever, a reaction force related to the magnitude of the applied force is triggered in the force measuring device. This reaction force can be directly identified on the force measuring device, for example, visually perceptible. Alternatively, this reaction force can change the indirectly measurable characteristics of the force measuring device. At least, the reaction force on the force measuring device should occur in such a way that, for example, a person skilled in the art can deduce the magnitude of the force applied by the force measuring device, and thus ultimately deduce the armrest pull-off force, without an additional measuring device.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the lever is configured to have a clearance relative to the surface of the armrest in the intermediate region between the gripping structure and the support structure.

[0039] In other words, the lever can be designed such that although the lever mechanically cooperates with the armrest at the gripping structure and at the support structure, it is non-contacting in the intermediate region between these two structures, that is, the lever does not locally contact the surface of the armrest but is spaced apart from the surface. For example, the lever in the intermediate region can be spaced from the surface of the lever by several millimeters or even several centimeters, especially at a distance between 2 mm and 10 cm, preferably at a distance between 5 mm and 5 cm. At this time, the armrest grips the armrest from below with its gripping structure on the one hand and lies flat on the surface of the armrest with its support structure on the other hand.

[0040] Since the lever has a locally empty portion from the surface of the handrail, it can be achieved that in the intermediate region between the gripping structure and the supporting structure of the lever, no force is generated due to the direct contact of the handrail. Therefore, the handrail can move freely within the intermediate region and, for example, bend, fold or deform in a similar manner. Therefore, this arrangement in principle corresponds to the following configuration, where one hand is placed flat on the handrail in a supporting manner with the thenar eminence and the edge of the handrail is grasped from below with the fingers, and here, in the intermediate region between the hand and the handrail, there is no contact or at least no contact that transmits significant force between the thenar eminence and the handrail.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the lever can be configured to provide a gripping structure located on the first side of the handrail to grasp the lower part of the edge of the handrail from below, so as to pull the edge of the handrail away from the handrail guide, and to be placed flat on the handrail from above in a supporting manner by a supporting structure on the second side opposite to the first side.

[0042] In other words, due to the geometry of the lever and / or the components used to form the lever, the lever can be designed to grasp the lower part of the edge of the handrail from below by the gripping structure of the lever. Here, for example, the gripping structure can grip between the edge of the handrail and the lower part of the handrail guide or guardrail located below it. In this way, the gripping structure can cooperate with the edge of the handrail from below and lift it upward and / or in other ways, such as by a combined bending movement and a pulling movement, pull it away from the handrail guide. The supporting structure of the lever can be placed flat on the handrail from above at a second position spaced from the first side of the handrail guide, at or near the second side of the handrail. Therefore, the supporting structure can be used as a support when applying the force to be transmitted to the handrail by applying a force to the force introduction structure, so that through the supporting action of the supporting structure, the force acting on the force introduction structure is converted into a force that causes the gripping structure to move the edge of the handrail grasped by it from the handrail guide or to pry it open.

[0043] In principle, the lever can be designed as a single-piece as a whole, for example, by using a single-piece structural component (such as a suitably bent flat bar or a thick metal plate) to form the gripping structure, the supporting structure and the force introduction structure. However, the manufacturing cost of such a single-piece lever may be high and / or it cannot be specifically adapted to different working conditions.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the lever can be configured as a multi-piece, and in particular can have a single-piece elongated lever body and an attachment body. The lever body can be designed in a hook shape at the distal end to form the gripping structure. The attachment body can be fixed to the lever body away from the distal end to form the supporting structure.

[0045] In other words, the lever can consist of at least two components (hereinafter referred to as the lever body and the attachment body). The lever body can be an elongated structural component. In particular, the lever body can be formed from a metal plate or a metal profile. Here, the lever body can be monolithic and can extend from a distal end on which a gripping structure is formed to a proximal end on which or in the vicinity of which a force-introducing structure is formed.

[0046] Here, the gripping structure can be formed by the hooked end of the lever body. On this hooked end, the lever body can be bent, for example, by at least 110°, preferably at least 130° or at least 160°. In particular, the hooked end can be bent into a semi-circular or approximately semi-circular shape. Here, the geometry of the hooked end can be designed to match the edge of the handrail to be gripped. In particular, the dimensions of the hooked end can be determined such that the gripping structure can "grip" the edge of the handrail in a force-fitting and / or form-fitting manner in order to subsequently be able to lift it off the handrail guide. The gripping structure is preferably designed such that different handrails with different cross-sections can be adequately gripped from behind. Here, the hooked distal end of the lever body can have a suitably designed tip or gripping edge that fits into the gap provided between the handrail guide and the handrail.

[0047] For example, the attachment body can be fixed to the lever body at a distance of at least a few centimeters from the gripping structure. Here, the distance between the attachment body and the gripping structure should be less than the width of the handrail, in particular, for example, less than 10 cm or less than 7 cm. The attachment body can be fixed to the lever body in any way. For example, the attachment body can be detachably fixed to the lever body. In particular, the attachment body can be screwed onto the lever body. Depending on the application, the attachment body can be replaced. Thus, the geometry of the entire lever can be adapted to the dimensions of, for example, a specific handrail.

[0048] According to a specific embodiment, the attachment body can be rounded in the area that points towards the handrail during operation.

[0049] In other words, the attachment body can be rounded at the location where it needs to rest on the handrail and thus has no sharp edges. It is feasible that the attachment body can even be designed to be elastically bendable in this area, for example, by forming an attachment body of a kind of cushion type. Thus, the attachment body can rest flat on the handrail in a supporting manner similar to the thenar, without causing, for example, a local kerb effect of the supporting force acting on the handrail or other inhomogeneities.

[0050] According to another specific embodiment, the lever body can be bent away from the attachment body in the area near the attachment body.

[0051] In other words, the lever body can be bent locally at an angle. The gripping structure and possibly also the support structure can be arranged on the first partial region of the lever body. The first partial region can extend linearly. The second partial region of the lever body can lead to the force introduction structure. The second partial region can also extend linearly. The first and second partial regions can enclose an angle between 110° and 170°, for example preferably between 130° and 160°. The lever body bent at an angle in this way can have the advantageous effect that the force to be applied to the force introduction structure can be applied to the lever body in an advantageous manner, especially in an advantageous direction.

[0052] For example, according to one embodiment, the lever and the force measuring device can be configured such that the force measuring device cooperates with the force introduction structure in order to apply a downwardly directed tensile force to the lever.

[0053] In other words, the geometry of the lever and / or the force measuring device can be selected such that a downwardly directed tensile force can be applied to the lever by the force measuring device. Such a tensile force can generally be generated by a person significantly more easily than forces directed in other directions, especially since in this case gravity acts as a support.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the force measuring device has a force indicator to visually indicate the value of the force applied to the lever.

[0055] The force indicator can be designed in different ways. For example, the value of the applied force can be indicated as a numerical value or as data on a scale.

[0056] In particular, the force measuring device can be designed in the form of a spring scale, where the force introduced at one end of the spring scale causes the deflection of the spring, and here, the force indicator indicates the force applied to the spring. A person skilled in the art can easily use the visually readable force indicator, for example, to determine the force applied to the lever and to derive the force acting on the handrail.

[0057] Alternatively or additionally, according to one embodiment, the force measuring device can have a triggering mechanism that triggers when the force applied to the lever exceeds a predetermined maximum force in order to limit the further force transmission to the lever.

[0058] In other words, the force measuring device can be designed similar to a torque wrench, capable of applying a predetermined maximum force to the lever to the maximum extent, and if the force exceeds this maximum force, the mechanical connection between the lever and the force measuring device is released or disconnected so that the force that may be transmitted to the lever does not exceed the maximum force.

[0059] For such a design of the force measuring device, a maximum force that must not be exceeded can be preset. For example, the maximum force can correspond to the maximum force that a person can exert on the handrail with their hand. Then, with the aid of the force measuring device, the force applied to the lever can be introduced into the structure. The force can be increased gradually. If the applied force reaches the maximum force and thus the force measuring device disconnects the further transmission to the lever before, for example, the handrail has been pulled outwards from the handrail guide beyond the permitted amount, the handrail pull-off force can be considered to be large enough and the handrail can be considered to be sufficiently safe. However, if the handrail detaches from the handrail guide excessively before the maximum force is reached, the handrail pull-off force is insufficient. If necessary, appropriate countermeasures must be taken here. For example, the handrail must be tightened more or the handrail must be replaced.

[0060] According to one embodiment, the force measuring device can have a force sensor that outputs a force signal based on the force applied to the lever.

[0061] In such a design, the force measuring device can be designed, for example, as an electrical or electronic device, and the force sensor can be a sensor that generates an electrical or electronic force signal based on the force acting on it. Such a force sensor is sometimes also referred to as a force transducer or a dynamometer. Here, different force sensors can be envisaged. For example, a force sensor in the form of a spring element force sensor, a piezoelectric force sensor, a force sensor with an oscillating element, an electrodynamic sensor or a resistive sensor can be used. The electrical or electronic force signal can be easily evaluated and / or presented visually or in some other perceptible way by a person.

[0062] In particular, according to one embodiment, the force measuring device can also have a display for indicating the force value indicated by the force signal.

[0063] The display can visually display the force value. The representation of the force value caused by the force measuring device on the display can enable the user to determine the handrail pull-off force in a particularly simple way. For example, the display can be integrated into the housing of the force measuring device. Alternatively, the indicator can also be provided as a separate unit and coupled to the force sensor of the force measuring device.

[0064] According to another specific embodiment, the force measuring device can be configured to transmit the force signal to an external evaluation device.

[0065] The evaluation device can be, for example, an external device with the aid of which the force signal can be used for further processing and / or storage. For example, the evaluation device can be a processor-controlled mobile device, such as a smartphone, a notepad, a laptop, etc., or, for example, a data cloud formed by a computer network. Alternatively, the evaluation device can be, for example, part of a remotely arranged maintenance or monitoring center, so that the force signal obtained when checking the handrail can be evaluated in the maintenance or monitoring center.

[0066] During the measurement process, the force measuring device can measure the force transmitted to the lever by means of its force sensor and transmit the corresponding force signal to an external evaluation device, such as the smartphone of a technician performing the measurement process. In the evaluation device, the obtained force signal can be evaluated, further processed, and / or stored. If necessary, the evaluation device can transmit the force signal or a variable derived therefrom to other devices, such as a maintenance or monitoring center that monitors the escalator or moving walkway as a whole. In addition, these force signals can also be transmitted to the Digital Twin data set of the corresponding escalator or moving walkway and used to perform simulations related to the handrail state by means of the Digital Twin data set.

[0067] Preferably, the signal transmission between the force measuring device and the external evaluation device can be carried out wirelessly, for example, by radio. Therefore, no mechanical connection is required between the two devices. However, alternatively, a wired signal transmission can also be established.

[0068] It should be noted that some possible features and advantages of the present invention are introduced herein with reference to different embodiments of the device on the one hand and different embodiments of the method for determining the handrail pull-off force on the other hand. Those skilled in the art will recognize that these features can be combined, adapted, or replaced in a suitable manner to achieve other embodiments of the present invention. Description of the Drawings

[0069] The embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, where neither the drawings nor the description should be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0070] Figure 1 Shows a device for determining the handrail pull-off force according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0071] Figure 2 Shows another device for determining the handrail pull-off force according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0072] Figure 3 Shows yet another device for determining the handrail pull-off force according to another alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0073] These drawings are only schematic and not drawn to scale. The same reference numerals in each drawing represent the same or equivalent features. Detailed Embodiments

[0074] Figure 1 Shows device 1, by means of which the handrail pull-off force can be determined, which is required to move the handrail 3 of an escalator or moving walkway outwards from the handrail guide 5 by more than a predetermined amount.

[0075] The handrail guide 5 (shown in dashed lines for clarity) can be designed as a guide rail 7, and the lower side of the handrail 3 can slide smoothly on the upper side of the guide rail. Here, the handrail guide 5 can have a T-shaped widening 9, and the T-shaped widening 9 can engage from the rear on two laterally opposite sides of the edge 11 of the slender handrail 3 with a C-shaped cross-section. Thereby, during normal operation, the handrail 3 is reliably held on the handrail guide 5. The handrail guide 5 can be above the fixed guardrail 13.

[0076] The device 1 has a lever 15 and a force measuring device 17. The lever 15 has a gripping structure 19, a support structure 21, and a force introduction structure 23. The support structure 21 is arranged between the gripping structure 19 and the force introduction structure 23. By means of the gripping structure 19, the lever 15 can be gripped under the edge 11 of the handrail 3 at a first position 25 on the first side 29 of the handrail 3, preferably from below, so as to move the edge 113 of the handrail away from the handrail guide 5. In this configuration, the support structure 21 can be placed in a supported manner on the handrail 3 from above at a second position 27 remote from the first position 25, for example near the opposite second side 31 of the handrail 3.

[0077] In the example shown, the lever 15 is configured as a multi-piece. Here, the lever has a single-piece slender lever body 33 and an attachment body 35.

[0078] The lever body 33 can be formed, for example, by a thick bent metal plate or a metal profile. The lever body 33 is stable enough to be able to transmit the forces applied to it during operation, such as up to 2 kN or at least up to 1 kN, between its ends without plastic deformation. The lever body 33 is formed at the distal end, that is, at the end closest to the handrail 3 during its operation, and the gripping structure 19 is formed by a hook-shaped end region of the lever body 33. Here, the hook-shaped gripping structure 19 is designed to be approximately semi-circular in cross-section, such that the gripping structure can at least partially enclose the also approximately semi-circular edge 11 of the handrail 3 and grip under the end where it engages the widening 9 of the handrail guide 5 at the rear. At the proximal end of the lever body 33 opposite the distal end, a force introduction structure 23 is designed on the lever body 33. In the example shown, the force introduction structure 23 is designed as a through-hole, which forms an eyelet 55, and for example, a hook 53 can be inserted into the eyelet to introduce a force onto the lever body 33.

[0079] In the example shown, the attachment body 35 is substantially cylindrical or roller-shaped, that is, the attachment body has a substantially circular or partially circular cross-section. In particular, in the region 39 pointing towards the handrail 3 during operation, the attachment body 35 is rounded. Here, the attachment body 35 is fixed to the lever body 33 in a reversibly detachable manner by means of one or more screws 37.

[0080] In the illustrated design, the lever 15 is designed such that the lever does not rest against the armrest 3 in the intermediate region 41 between the gripping structure 19 and the support structure 21, but has a clearance 43 relative to the surface of the armrest 3. In the region of the clearance 43, the lever is spaced from the surface of the armrest 3 by several millimeters or even several centimeters.

[0081] Due to the fact that the lever 15 has a hook-shaped gripping structure 19 at one end of the lever body 33 and a support structure 21 formed by an attachment body 35 which is spaced from the gripping structure 19, the lever 15 can apply a force to the armrest 3 in a manner similar to a human hand gripping the armrest 3. Here, the force F acting on the force introduction structure 23 near the proximal end of the lever 15 generates an upward-acting force or torque at the distal end of the lever 15 at the edge 11 of the armrest 3 which is enclosed by the hook-shaped gripping structure 19, and this force or torque causes the edge 11 of the armrest 3 to move away from the armrest guide 5.

[0082] In order to be able to apply the force F to the lever 15 advantageously and / or ergonomically, for example, the lever body 33 has a bend 45 near the attachment body 35 such that a partial region 49 of the proximal end of the lever body 33 is bent away from the attachment body 35 from a partial region 47 of the distal end of the lever body 33, such that the two partial regions 47, 49 enclose an angle, for example, between 120° and 160°. With such a lever body 33 provided with the bend 45, the lever 15 can be loaded with an inclined downwardly directed force F in a direction which is ergonomic for a person skilled in the art.

[0083] The force measuring device 17 and the lever 15 cooperate such that the force F is applied to the force introduction structure 23 of the lever 15, and due to this force F, the gripping structure 19 pushes the armrest 3 at the first position 25 away from the armrest guide 5, and the support structure 21 pushes the armrest 3 at the second position 27 towards the armrest guide 5.

[0084] In Figure 1 the illustrated embodiment, the force measuring device 17 is designed in a manner similar to a spring scale. Here, by means of a first acting member 51, the force measuring device 17 is detachably cooperated with the force introduction structure 23 of the lever 3, for example, by means of a hook 53, and the force introduction structure is designed as an eyelet 55 on the proximal end of the lever body 33 in this case. A second acting member 57 is coupled to the first acting member 51 by a spring 59. If the force F is applied to the second acting member 57 by means of a handle 63 connected to the second acting member 57, the spring 59 is stretched and the second acting member 57 moves away from the first acting member 51. The relative displacement component between the two acting members 51, 57 can be visually read on a force indicator 65 in the form of a scale 61. Based on this relative displacement, the applied force F can be deduced.

[0085] If the leverage ratio on the lever 15 is known, i.e., the length l between the force introduction structure 23 and the support structure 21 on the one hand 1 and the length l between the support structure 21 and the gripping structure 19 on the other hand 2 is known, the leverage coefficient related to the geometry of the lever 15 can be determined. Based on this, the force or the associated torque applied to the handrail 3 through the gripping structure 19 can ultimately be determined.

[0086] In particular, in order to be able to determine the handrail pull-off force with the aid of the device 1, the lever 15 is first mounted on the handrail 3 such that the gripping structure 19 of the lever grips under an edge 11 of the handrail 3 at the first position 25. For this purpose, the lever 15 can first be attached to the handrail 3 in a vertical orientation (shown in dashed lines in Figure 1 ), such that the hook-shaped distal end of the lever body 33 is embedded in the gap 67 between the edge 11 of the handrail 3 and the handrail guide 5 on the first side 29 of the handrail 3. The Figure 1 design shown in is only an example and represents various feasible designs of the end that can achieve the desired embedding in the gap 67. The hook-shaped distal end of the lever body 33 can also have a suitably designed tip or gripping edge, for example, which can fit into the gap 67 and extend therein even when the support structure 21 is supported on the handrail 3 (as shown in dashed lines in Figure 2 ).

[0087] Then, the lever 15 can be flipped down until the support structure 21 of the lever presses onto the handrail 3 from above at or near the second side 31 of the handrail 3.

[0088] Then, a force F can be applied to the force introduction structure 23 on the lever 15 by means of the force measuring device 17. Since the lever 15 rests on the support structure 21 at the opposite end of the lever 15, this force F is transmitted to the edge 11 of the handrail 3 connected to the lever and moves the handrail away from the handrail guide 5. The gap 67 between the edge 11 of the handrail 3 and the handrail guide 5 increases during this process.

[0089] The force that must be applied to move the handrail 3 away from the handrail guide 5 by more than a predetermined amount (such that the gap 67 becomes greater than a predetermined amount, for example, 8 mm) can be considered the handrail pull-off force. This force can be calculated with the aid of the force F measured by the force measuring device 17 and taking into account the leverage coefficient of the lever 15.

[0090] In Figure 2In the illustrated embodiment, the force measuring device 17 is equipped with a force sensor 69. The force sensor 69 can measure the force F on the lever 15 transmitted from the handle 63 to the force introduction structure 23 and generate a corresponding electrical signal. Based on this signal, the measured force F can be indicated, for example, on a display 71 serving as a force indicator 65. Optionally, the force measuring device 17 can also have an integrated signal processing device so that the measured force F can be directly converted into the force applied to the handrail and output, for example, via the display 71.

[0091] Alternatively, the electrical signal can be transmitted wirelessly or wired to an external evaluation device 75 in the form of, for example, a mobile processor control device 73 such as a technician's smartphone, where it can then be evaluated and / or stored. If necessary, the electrical signal can also be transmitted directly or via the evaluation device 75 to other devices, such as the controller of an escalator or a remotely arranged monitoring center.

[0092] In Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the force measuring device 17 has a trigger mechanism 77. Similar to a torque wrench, the trigger mechanism 77 is designed to trigger when the maximum force to be transmitted by it is exceeded to limit further force transmission.

[0093] The predetermined maximum force can be, for example, a certain force that should be able to be transmitted to the handrail 3 at least by means of the lever 15 without the handrail 3 being pulled outwards from the handrail guide 5 by more than the permitted amount, i.e., the gap 67 does not become larger than the maximum permitted gap size. Taking into account the leverage factor of the lever 15, the predetermined maximum force can correspond to the maximum force that a person can usually apply with their hand on the handrail 3. For example, such a predetermined maximum force can generally be between 100 N and 1 kN, depending on the leverage factor of the lever.

[0094] In order to be able to determine the handrail pull-off force in this case, an increasing force can be continuously applied to the handle 63 cooperating with the force measuring device 17, and it can be observed how much the gap 67 increases. If the specified maximum force is reached before the gap 67 increases beyond the permitted amount, the handrail pull-off force can be considered to be large enough and thus the handrail, for example, complies with the regulations and can operate without risk. However, if the trigger mechanism 77 has not triggered at a force sufficient to pull the edge 11 of the handrail 3 outwards from the handrail guide 5 by more than the permitted amount, the handrail pull-off force can be considered too small. In this case, appropriate measures should be taken, such as further tensioning the handrail 3 or replacing the handrail 3.

[0095] The device 1 proposed here and the method that can be implemented with it can be very easily implemented technically and can determine the handrail pull-off force in a simple and reproducible manner.

[0096] Finally, it should be noted that terms such as "comprising" and "including" do not exclude other elements or steps, and terms such as "a" or "one" do not exclude a plurality. Regarding directional expressions such as "downward" or "upward", it should also be noted that features or steps introduced with reference to one of the above exemplary embodiments can also be used in combination with other features or steps of the other above exemplary embodiments. The reference signs in the claims should not be regarded as limiting.

Claims

1. An apparatus (1) for determining the pull-off force of a handrail, the pull-off force of the handrail being applied to move at least a partial region of a handrail (3) of an escalator or a moving walkway outwardly from a handrail guide (5) by more than a predetermined amount, wherein, the apparatus (1) includes a lever (15) and a force measuring device (17), characterized in that the lever (15) includes a gripping structure (19), a support structure (21) and a force introduction structure (23), and the support structure (21) is arranged between the gripping structure (19) and the force introduction structure (23), wherein the lever (15) is configured to be gripped under an edge (11) of the handrail (3) by the gripping structure (19) at a first position (25) of the handrail (3) so as to move the edge (11) of the handrail (3) away from the handrail guide (5), and to be placed flat on the handrail (3) in a supporting manner by the support structure (21) at a second position (27) away from the first position (25), wherein the lever (15) and the force measuring device (17) are configured such that the force measuring device (17) cooperates with the force introduction structure (23) to apply a force (F) to the lever (15), and by means of the force measuring device and the force introduction structure, the gripping structure (19) pushes the handrail (3) at the first position (25) away from the handrail guide (5), and the support structure (21) pushes the handrail (3) at the second position (27) towards the handrail guide (5), and thereby triggers a reaction force of the handrail (3) related to the magnitude of the applied force (F), and the reaction force, as the pull-off force of the handrail, can be derived from the magnitude of the applied force (F) and the lever ratio, and the magnitude of the applied force (F) can be detected by the force measuring device (17).

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, the lever (15) is configured to have a clearance (43) relative to the surface of the handrail (3) in an intermediate region (41) between the gripping structure (19) and the support structure (21).

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, the lever (15) is configured to be gripped under an edge (11) of the handrail (3) from below by the gripping structure (19) on a first side (29) of the handrail (3) so as to move the edge (11) of the handrail (3) away from the handrail guide (5), and to be placed flat on the handrail (3) from above in a supporting manner by the support structure (21) on a second side (31) opposite to the first side (29).

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, the lever (15) includes a single-piece elongated lever body (33) and an attachment body (35), the lever body (33) is designed to be hook-shaped at a distal end to form the gripping structure (19), and the attachment body (35) is fixed to the lever body (33) away from the distal end to form the support structure (21).

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein, The attachment (35) is rounded in the region (39) which, during operation, faces the handrail (3).

6. The device according to claim 4, wherein the lever body (33) is bent in a region close to the attachment (35) in a direction away from the attachment (35).

7. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lever (15) and the force measuring device (17) are configured such that the force measuring device (17) cooperates with the force introduction structure (23) in order to apply a downwardly directed tensile force to the lever (15).

8. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the force measuring device (17) includes a force indicator (65) for visually indicating the value of the force (F) applied to the lever (15).

9. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the force measuring device (17) has a triggering mechanism (77) which is triggered when the force (F) applied to the lever (15) exceeds a predetermined maximum force, in order to limit further force transmission to the lever (15).

10. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the force measuring device (17) has a force measuring sensor (69) which outputs a force signal in dependence on the force (F) applied to the lever (15).

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the force measuring device (17) further includes an indicator (71) for indicating the force value represented by the force signal.

12. The device according to claim 10, wherein the force measuring device (17) is configured to transmit the force signal to an external evaluation device (75).

13. A method for determining the handrail pull-off force, applying the handrail pull-off force to move the handrail (3) of an escalator or a moving walkway outwards from the handrail guide (5) by more than a predetermined amount, the method comprises: mounting a lever (15) on the handrail (3) such that the gripping structure (19) of the lever (15) at a first position (25) on the handrail (3) grips under the edge (11) of the handrail (3), and the supporting structure (21) of the lever (15) at a second position (27) remote from the first position (25) lies flat on the handrail (3) in a supporting manner; applying a force (F) to the force introduction structure (23) on the lever (15) such that the gripping structure (19) is pulled away from the handrail guide (5) and the supporting structure (21) is pressed towards the handrail guide (5); and determining the handrail pull-off force as being proportional to the value of the force (F) applied to the force introduction structure (23) on the lever (15), wherein the force (F) is detected by means of a force measuring device (17).

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the lever (15) is designed and the force (F) is applied such that the lever (15) has a clearance (43) in an intermediate region (41) between the gripping structure (19) and the supporting structure (21) relative to the surface of the handrail (3).

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein, the armrest pull-off force is determined as the value of the force (F) applied to the force introduction structure (23) on the lever (15) multiplied by a lever coefficient related to the geometry of the lever (15).

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