Handrail disinfection device for personnel transport equipment

Abstract

The invention relates to a handrail disinfection device (41) for a handrail (17) of a passenger transport system (1). The handrail disinfection device (41) comprises a plurality of light-emitting diodes (43) which can emit sterilizing electromagnetic radiation in the region of their light cones (45). A flow section (57) of the handrail disinfection device (43), which is divided into at least two sub-sections (61, 62, 63), comprises a carrier (49) having planes (71, 72, 73) which are arranged in the sub-sections (61, 62, 63). The light-emitting diodes (43) are arranged on the carrier (49) in an orientation corresponding to the planes (71, 72, 73), wherein two planes (72, 73) are present in one of the sub-sections, which are parallel to the longitudinal extent of the flow section (57) and are arranged at an angle (α) of 100° to 160° to one another.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a handrail disinfection device comprising at least one housing and a plurality of light-emitting diodes capable of emitting sterilizing electromagnetic radiation, a passenger transport device having at least one handrail disinfection device, and a method for controlling the handrail disinfection device. Background Art

[0002] People movers designed as escalators or moving walkways usually have rotating or circumferential handrails that move at the same speed as the conveyor belt on which the users stand. This allows the users to hold the handrails firmly while traveling. The area of ​​the handrail on which the user can firmly hold is called the forward travel section, while the return travel section is hidden from the users of the people mover and is transported back in the opposite direction of transport. Bacteria, germs and viruses enter the handrails through the user's hand contact with the handrail surface. Pathogens deposited in this way can multiply on the handrails and spread to subsequent users. Therefore, the handrails of such people movers represent unsanitary places in public spaces where infectious diseases can be spread.

[0003] WO2019 / 164256A1 shows a prior art handrail disinfection device. Here, a light-emitting diode (LED) is used to irradiate the handrail with ultraviolet light. This germicidal electromagnetic radiation destroys the DNA of viruses and bacteria, resulting in a significant reduction in microorganisms on the handrail surface at the exit of the handrail disinfection device.

[0004] To achieve more thorough disinfection, JP08188369A, for example, proposes extensive pre-cleaning using a rotating brush and a disinfectant cleaning system, which then disinfects the cleaned surface of the handrail using UV radiation. However, such handrail disinfection devices are very expensive and, in particular, require significant operating costs due to the required fluids. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is therefore to render handrails more reliably harmless to pathogens by means of a cost-effective and simple handrail disinfection device.

[0006] This object is achieved by a handrail disinfection device comprising at least one housing and a plurality of light-emitting diodes, each of which has a light cone main axis representing the orientation of the light cone of the light-emitting diode. The light-emitting diodes can emit sterilizing electromagnetic radiation within the region of their light cones. The housing has an inlet side and an outlet side opposite the inlet side, for a handrail of a passenger transport device to pass through. Within the housing of the handrail disinfection device, between the inlet and outlet sides, there is a passage section for the handrail that is divided into at least two sections. These sections are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal extent of the passage section. At least one light-emitting diode is arranged in the first section, with the light cone main axis of the light diode oriented substantially orthogonal to a first plane. Furthermore, at least two light-emitting diodes are arranged in the second section, at least one of which has a light cone main axis oriented substantially orthogonal to a second plane, and at least one of which has a light cone main axis oriented substantially orthogonal to a third plane. Furthermore, the second and third planes are arranged parallel to the longitudinal extent of the travel section and inclined relative to each other at an angle of 100° to 160°. The first plane is preferably arranged relative to the handrail so that the first plane illuminates the surface primarily touched by the user as directly as possible with the light-emitting diodes. To ensure that the distance between the surface to be disinfected and the light-emitting diodes is as constant as possible, thereby achieving a constant disinfection quality, the handrail disinfection device includes at least one guide roller, by means of which the handrail of the passenger transport device can be guided through the housing at a defined position in the travel section.

[0007] Studies have shown that despite lethal electromagnetic radiation, microorganisms still have a certain chance of survival. This is particularly related to the surface finish and cleanliness of the handrail being disinfected. Consequently, there may be areas obscured by cracks, crevices, indentations, pits, and the like, as well as by adhering dirt particles, where microorganisms can survive. Although these areas can also be reached through mechanical pre-cleaning and washing of the handrail surface using rotating brushes, as disclosed in JP08188369A, the quality of cleaning and disinfection depends largely on regular and reliable maintenance of such handrail disinfection devices.

[0008] The present invention adopts a different approach. By appropriately dividing the travel section into a number of sub-areas and using planes equipped with light-emitting diodes arranged at different angles in these sub-areas, it is possible to achieve almost complete illumination of the handrail surface that is covered with dirt particles and contains cracks and pits, and to a sufficient degree over the effective period. This eliminates the need for intensive maintenance and expensive pre-cleaning. Arranging at least two planes at an obtuse angle of 100° to 160° to each other has proven to be very suitable. For example, ultraviolet light with a wavelength of 220 nm to 285 nm has proven to be very effective as a sterilizing electromagnetic radiation. This is assisted by advantageous guidance of the handrail by means of at least one guide roller, so that the surface of the handrail passing the light-emitting diodes is always guided in the same position relative to the light-emitting diodes in the travel section.

[0009] In one embodiment of the handrail disinfection device, at least one guide roller is arranged on the inlet side and / or the outlet side. The number of suitable guide rollers depends mainly on the length of the passage section and the rigidity of the handrail.

[0010] In another embodiment of the handrail disinfection device, at least one guide roller can also be arranged inside the housing and thus in the passage section. Of course, combinations of these arrangements are also possible, such as arranging one guide roller on the inlet side and one guide roller on the outlet side, or arranging one or more guide rollers between the inlet and outlet sides in the housing.

[0011] The division into zones has other advantages. The surface of the handrail is then heated by radiation in a manner that depends on the wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation, the angle of incidence on the surface, and the material properties of the handrail. A certain degree of heating is absolutely necessary, as many viruses are sensitive to heat, and most viruses are inactivated at temperatures above 70°C. Thanks to the division of the travel section into zones, the surface of the handrail can be heated sequentially, so that in addition to the bactericidal radiation effect, a higher temperature can be maintained for a longer period of time without excessively heating the handrail material and causing it to age rapidly. Depending on the control scheme for the individual zones, the desired temperature profile can be achieved over the entire travel section. If necessary, particles that are coordinated with electromagnetic waves, such as metal particles, silver ions, etc., can be embedded in the material of the handrail, in particular in its surface. These particles are additionally heated by this radiation and emit heat over a longer period of time.

[0012] In another embodiment of the handrail disinfection device, the inclination of the second plane relative to the first plane is the same as the inclination of the third plane relative to the first plane. This allows for symmetrical illumination across the width of the handrail. In the case of asymmetrical handrail cross-sections, an asymmetrical arrangement of the second and third planes relative to the first plane may also be appropriate.

[0013] In another embodiment of the handrail disinfection device, a third sub-area can be defined within the travel section. At least one LED is arranged in this third sub-area, with the main axis of the light cone of the LED oriented orthogonally to the fourth plane. In this case, the second sub-area is arranged between the first and third sub-areas, and the fourth plane is arranged parallel to the first plane. This allows surfaces frequently touched by users to be irradiated again before leaving the handrail disinfection device.

[0014] In another embodiment of the handrail disinfection device, at least three LEDs can be provided for each plane, wherein the main axes of the light cones of the LEDs for each plane are oriented substantially parallel to one another. "Substantially parallel" here means that the main axes of the light cones in a plane deviate spatially from parallelism by a maximum of 3°. This is intentional for more efficient illumination in the presence of overlapping light cones. For example, very good results have been achieved with low energy consumption using the aforementioned type of handrail disinfection device, which has five LEDs in the first plane and three LEDs in the second and third planes. By arranging a fourth plane with four LEDs, excellent disinfection performance can be achieved with only a slight increase in energy consumption.

[0015] In another embodiment of the handrail disinfection device, the housing is designed in two parts: a U-shaped main housing portion and a cover that covers the open side of the main housing portion. This division allows the handrail to be easily inserted into the housing when it needs to be replaced due to aging. It also makes it easier to clean the passage section of the housing and, if necessary, replace defective LEDs.

[0016] In other embodiments, the handrail disinfection device includes a carrier, which is arranged in the housing below the passage section in relation to the intended installation location of the handrail disinfection device. All existing planes can be formed on this carrier, with the LEDs attached to these planes. This ensures a fixed arrangement between the planes. If necessary, the LEDs can be attached to one or more printed circuit boards, and the printed circuit boards arranged on these planes. To dissipate heat from the LEDs, the printed circuit boards and / or the carrier can include heat sinks.

[0017] In another embodiment of the handrail disinfection device, at least one reflector directed toward the travel section is disposed within the housing to reflect radiation. This allows electromagnetic radiation reflected from the handrail surface or incident upon the housing interior through the handrail to be redirected toward the handrail, further enhancing disinfection performance. To simplify cleaning of the reflector, it can preferably be secured to the aforementioned cover of the housing.

[0018] As already mentioned, the division into multiple subareas and differently arranged planes is used to achieve the most comprehensive possible illumination of the handrail surface. Therefore, it is also advantageous that the handrail surface is moved through the travel section as far as possible always at the same distance from the plane.

[0019] Handrails for passenger transport systems typically have a C-shaped cross-section, with the broad backside being the area most exposed to contact and therefore most contaminated. This area is preferably supported by guide rollers and illuminated as directly as possible by LEDs arranged on the first plane, with the main axis of the LED's light cone oriented as orthogonally as possible to this area. To achieve this, the guide roller's axis of rotation is preferably arranged parallel to the first plane and orthogonal to the travel section.

[0020] Furthermore, the running surface contour of the guide rollers can correspond to the outer surface contour of the handrail to be guided. This not only allows the handrail to be guided through the housing with greater positional accuracy, but the guide rollers with a correspondingly adapted contour also provide radiation protection, as virtually no electromagnetic radiation can escape from the housing through the narrow gap between the handrail and the running surface contour.

[0021] In another embodiment of the handrail disinfection device, the angles of the second and third planes, which are inclined relative to each other, can be coordinated with the spectral composition of the germicidal electromagnetic radiation and the material composition of the handrail surface. In particular, the heating of the handrail surface by the electromagnetic radiation, which is associated with these factors, must also be taken into account. The appropriate angle can be calculated in a known manner, taking into account the desired illumination, or can be determined experimentally.

[0022] The aforementioned variant embodiment of the handrail disinfection device can be used in passenger transport systems designed as escalators or moving walkways. These passenger transport systems have at least one guardrail, which includes at least one rotatable handrail. These types of passenger transport systems typically have two guardrails, each with a rotatable handrail, arranged on either side of the conveyor belt of the passenger transport system. According to the present invention, at least one handrail disinfection device according to the aforementioned embodiment is provided for each rotatable handrail of the passenger transport system.

[0023] Personnel movers can include a guardrail with a guardrail base, with the return travel section of the handrail concealed within the guardrail base, hidden from view by the user of the personnel mover. To maximize user protection from germicidal electromagnetic radiation, a handrail disinfection device can be installed within the guardrail base. Thus, the enclosure not only protects the environment from this biohazardous radiation, but the guardrail base also serves as a secondary barrier.

[0024] The partitioning scheme also allows for the handrail disinfection device to operate in different modes, tailored to the location and usage of the personnel transport equipment. To this end, a method for controlling the handrail disinfection device can be implemented in a controller of the personnel transport equipment. The personnel transport equipment includes a drive motor for driving the handrail and a drive controller for controlling the drive motor. Because the disinfection effectiveness of the handrail disinfection device also depends on the speed of the handrail, the light-emitting diodes in each zone can be controlled based on the speed signal from the drive controller to the drive motor. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Below, the embodiments of the present invention are described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and neither the accompanying drawings nor the description should be understood as limiting the present invention. In addition, the same reference numerals are used for the same elements or elements having the same function.

[0026] in:

[0027] Figure 1 A simplified view of a people moving device designed as an escalator is shown with a handrail disinfection device;

[0028] Figure 2 Shown along the straight line AA through Figure 1 cross-section of personnel transport equipment;

[0029] Figure 3 Shown in side view Figure 1 and Figure 2 The handrail disinfection device shown in;

[0030] Figure 4 Shown in top view Figures 1 to 3 Handrail disinfection device;

[0031] Figure 5 Show Figures 1 to 4 A perspective view of the handrail disinfection device shown, with a section for guiding the handrail of a personnel transport device through;

[0032] Figure 6 Shown arranged in Figures 1 to 5 A three-dimensional diagram of a carrier equipped with light-emitting diodes in a handrail disinfection device;

[0033] Figure 7 Show Figures 1 to 6 The handrail disinfection device shown in Figure 4 The cross section of the line BB plotted in the middle;

[0034] Figure 8 Shown in Figures 1 to 7 A possible improvement of the handrail disinfection device shown in has guide rollers on the inlet side and the outlet side of the handrail disinfection device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Figure 1 A simplified view of a people mover 1 with a support structure 11 designed as a frame is shown. The people mover 1 designed as an escalator connects a lower plane E1 of a building 5 with an upper plane E2. Boarding and exiting the people mover 1 is possible via a step area 3. A revolving step belt 9 is arranged in the support structure 11, which deflects in the upper plane E2 and the lower plane E1 and thus has a forward section and a return section. For the sake of a better overview, a detailed illustration of the return section has been omitted, as have a detailed illustration of the frame, guide rails and rail blocks. The people mover 1 also has two guardrails 15, which extend along each longitudinal side of the step belt 9, at Figure 1 Only the guardrail 15, which is arranged in the foreground in the viewing plane, is visible. A handrail 17 is arranged circumferentially on each guardrail 15, the return run of which is guided in a guardrail base 13. This guardrail base 13 connects the guardrail 15 to the support structure 11. In other words, the return run of the handrail 17 is guided in the guardrail base 13 in a concealed manner and is not visible to the user of the people mover 1.

[0036] Furthermore, the passenger transport system 1 has at least one handrail disinfection device 41 for each pivoting handrail 17 . This handrail disinfection device is also installed in the handrail base 13 of the handrail 15 and is therefore hidden from the user of the passenger transport system 1 .

[0037] exist Figure 2 The figure shows that the straight line AA passes through the Figure 1 Cross-section of a passenger transport system 1. In this cross-section, both the forward and return sections of the step belt 9 are visible. The step belt 9 is guided on guide rails 23 within the support structure 11. Guardrails 15 and guardrail bases 13 are arranged to the left and right of the forward section of the step belt 9, which is arranged upward when the passenger transport system 1 is installed in a certain manner. Within the guardrail bases 13, covered by flattening panels 25, 27, there are clamping devices 29 that serve as clamping frames for individual guardrail panels 33. Here, the guardrail panels 33 are clamped at their lower ends in at least one of the clamping devices 29 to secure them in place. The clamping devices 29 are arranged on the support structure 11 within the guardrail base 13 along the longitudinal extent of the passenger transport system 1. Below the holding device 29 , a handrail disinfection device 41 is provided for each handrail 17 arranged around the guardrail 15 , which is equipped with a light-emitting diode 43 which can emit germicidal electromagnetic radiation in its light cone.

[0038] Since the return path of the handrail 17 is also guided in the guardrail base 13, it is advantageous to arrange the handrail disinfection device 41 in the guardrail base 13 and guide the return path there through the guardrail base. This ensures that no harmful electromagnetic radiation reaches the user of the passenger transport device 1 under any circumstances.

[0039] Figures 3 to 7 Show all the same already in Figure 1 and Figure 2 The handrail disinfection device 41 shown in FIG, or at least part of the handrail disinfection device. Figure 1 More precisely, Figure 3 The handrail disinfection device 41 is shown in a side view. Figure 4 Shown in top view, Figure 5 Shown in a three-dimensional diagram, Figure 6 A perspective view of a carrier 49 arranged in a handrail disinfection device 41 is shown, Figure 7 Shown along Figure 4 The straight line BB drawn in the figure passes through the cross section of the handrail disinfection device 41 .

[0040] In these Figures 3 to 7 The handrail disinfection device 41 shown in FIG. 4 includes a housing 51 and a plurality of light-emitting diodes 43. Due to their design, the light-emitting diodes 43 have a light cone 45, within the region of which they can emit sterilizing electromagnetic radiation. The spatial orientation of the light cone 45 is indicated by the main axis 47 of the light cone, which also serves as the axis of rotational symmetry of the light cone 45. It should also be noted that the light cone 45 is depicted with a circular outline, which can be considered an end face. However, it is clear that this outline is not an end face, but rather a cross-section of the light cone at any cone height to facilitate visualization of the light cone and thus does not impose any restrictions on the propagation of the electromagnetic radiation.

[0041] The housing 51 has an entry side 53 and an exit side 55 opposite the entry side 53 for the handrail 17 through which the person moving device 1 passes. Logically, the designations of the entry side 53 and exit side 55 are related to the direction of movement X of the handrail 17 and change accordingly. In the housing 51, between the entry side 53 and the exit side 55 there is a passage section 57 for the handrail 17. This passage section 57 is divided into at least two subareas. Figures 3 to 7 In the specific embodiment of the present invention, the passage section 57 is divided into three sub-areas 61, 62, 63. The sub-areas 61, 62, 63 are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal extension of the passage section 57 and are designed to be distinguishable from each other. It should also be noted that the boundaries of the sub-areas 61, 62, 63 do not necessarily have to follow orthogonal cutting planes, such as with Figure 4 The cutting plane BB shown in FIG is directed in the same direction. For example, in Figure 4 A partition boundary 65 of a two-dot chain line in FIG. 5 is drawn between the first partition 61 and the second partition 62 , and is adapted to the light-emitting diodes 43 arranged therein.

[0042] At least one light-emitting diode 43 is arranged in the first subregion 61 such that its light cone main axis 47 is oriented substantially orthogonal to the first plane 71. In a specific embodiment, a total of five light-emitting diodes are arranged in the first subregion 61, whose light cone main axes 47 are substantially orthogonal to the first plane 71 and are therefore arranged substantially parallel to one another.

[0043] In the second subarea 62, at least two light-emitting diodes 43 are arranged in such a manner that the main axis 47 of the light cone of at least one of these light-emitting diodes 43 is oriented substantially orthogonal to the second plane 72, and the main axis 47 of the light cone of at least one of the light-emitting diodes 43 is oriented substantially orthogonal to the third plane 73. In a specific embodiment, a total of six light-emitting diodes 43 are arranged in the second subarea 62, wherein the main axis 47 of the light cone of three of these light-emitting diodes 43 is substantially orthogonal to the second plane 71 or is arranged substantially parallel to one another, and the main axis 47 of the light cone of another three of these light-emitting diodes 43 is substantially orthogonal to the third plane 73 or is arranged substantially parallel to one another. In addition, the second plane 72 and the third plane 73 are arranged parallel to the longitudinal extent of the travel section 57 and at an angle α (see Figure 7 ) are inclined with respect to one another. A particularly effective disinfection effect of the handrail disinfection device 41 can be achieved at an obtuse angle α of 100° to 160°. In particular, the angle α between the second plane 72 and the third plane 73, which are inclined with respect to one another, can be adapted to the spectral composition of the germicidal electromagnetic radiation and the material surface of the handrail 17.

[0044] Furthermore, two guide rollers 85 are arranged in the housing 51, which support the handrail 17 being guided through. As a result, the surface of the handrail 17 is illuminated as directly as possible by the light-emitting diodes 43 arranged on the planes 71, 72, 73, by aligning the main axis of the light cone of the light-emitting diodes as perpendicularly as possible to the surface of the handrail 17. To achieve this, the rotational axis of the guide rollers 85 is preferably arranged parallel to the first plane 71 and perpendicular to the travel section 57.

[0045] from Figure 7 It is also shown how the illumination of problem areas, such as undercuts 35 and edges 39 of dirt particles 37 , can be improved by light-emitting diodes 43 arranged in the second plane 72 and the third plane 73 .

[0046] At least one LED 43 is arranged in third subregion 63 of travel section 57, whose light cone main axis 47 is oriented substantially orthogonal to fourth plane 74. In a specific embodiment, a total of four LEDs 43 are arranged in third subregion 63, with their light cone main axes 47 being arranged substantially orthogonal to fourth plane 74 or substantially parallel to one another. In this case, second subregion 62 is arranged between first subregion 61 and third subregion 63, and fourth plane 74 is arranged parallel to first plane 71.

[0047] The arrangement of the main axes 47 of the light cones is therefore "substantially" orthogonal or parallel, since slight deviations from parallelism of up to 3° may occur for production reasons or intentional reasons. Figure 7 It can be seen that the inclination angle β of the second plane 72 relative to the first plane 71 may be the same as the inclination angle γ of the third plane 73 relative to the first plane 71 .

[0048] The housing 51 of the handrail disinfection device 41 is designed in two parts. It has a U-shaped main housing portion 77 and a cover 79 that covers the open side of the main housing portion 77. This makes it easier to replace the LEDs 43 arranged in the housing 51 and allows for better cleaning of the feed-through section 57. Furthermore, when replacing the handrail 17, it can be easily removed from the handrail disinfection device 41 or inserted into its feed-through section 57 without risking damage to the LEDs 43.

[0049] As mentioned above, the handrail disinfection device 41 may include a carrier 49 (see Figure 6 ), the carrier 49 is arranged in the housing 51 below the passage section 57 relative to the intended installation position of the handrail disinfection device 41 in the passenger transport system 1. In the present embodiment, the carrier 49 is fixed in the main housing part 77. All existing planes 71, 72, 73, and 74 are preferably formed on the carrier 49. The light-emitting diodes 43 are mounted on these planes. It is not important whether the light-emitting diodes 43 are directly fixed to the carrier 49 or whether, for example, a circuit board 59 equipped with light-emitting diodes 43 is present for each plane 71, 72, 73, and 74, which is fixed to the corresponding plane 71, 72, 73, and 74.

[0050] In addition, at least one reflector 81 (at Figure 3 and Figure 7 A reflector 81 (clearly visible in FIG) can be arranged in the housing 51 for reflecting the radiation emitted by the light-emitting diodes 43. In the present embodiment, a reflector 81 is fixed in the cover 79.

[0051] As already mentioned, the subdivision into a plurality of subareas 61, 62, 63 and the differently arranged planes 71, 72, 73, 74 in these subareas serve to ensure that the surface of the handrail 17 is illuminated as completely as possible. It is therefore also advantageous if the surface or handrail 17 is always guided through the passage section 57 at the same distance from the planes 71, 72, 73, 74.

[0052] like Figure 8 As shown, the handrail disinfection device 41 can therefore be provided with at least one guide roller 83 on the inlet side 53 and the outlet side 55. These guide rollers 83 allow the handrail 17 of the passenger conveyor 1 to be guided through the housing 51 at a defined position in the passage section 57.

[0053] like Figure 8 As shown, handrails 17 for passenger transport devices 1 typically have a C-shaped cross-section, with the broad rear side being the most exposed and therefore most contaminated area. The C-shaped cross-section is preferably supported by guide rollers 83 and illuminated as directly as possible by the LEDs 43 arranged on the first plane 71, since the main axis 47 of the LED's light cone is directed as perpendicularly as possible to the rear side 31. To achieve this, the rotation axis 85 of the guide rollers 83 is arranged parallel to the first plane 71 and perpendicular to the travel section 57.

[0054] Furthermore, the running surface contour 87 of the guide roller 83 can correspond to the outer surface contour 89 of the handrail 17 to be guided. As a result, the handrail 17 is not only guided through the housing 51 in a positionally accurate manner. The guide roller 83 with the correspondingly adapted running surface contour 87 also serves as a radiation shield, since hardly any electromagnetic radiation can escape from the housing 51 through the narrow gap between the handrail 17 and the running surface contour 87.

[0055] Since the sterilizing electromagnetic radiation emitted by the light emitting diode 43 is in the ultraviolet range, the correct operation of the handrail disinfection device 41 is difficult to be seen by the naked eye, and is completely invisible when the handrail disinfection device is hidden in the guardrail base 13 and cannot be seen by the user. In order to display the working status of the handrail disinfection device 41, a suitable display device 91 can be provided, and then the display device can be arranged, for example, in the step area 3 clearly visible to the user (see Figure 1 ).

[0056] like Figure 1As shown, the tread belt 9 and the handrail 17 are driven by a drive unit 7. The drive unit 7 includes a drive motor 21, which is controlled by a drive controller 19 of the personnel transport device 1. Based on a speed signal generated by the drive controller 19 (which speed signal is sent to a converter (not shown) to control the drive motor 21 accordingly), the current speed of the handrail 17 is determined at any time in the drive controller 19. The drive controller 19 can now also be configured to operate the handrail disinfection device 41. Specifically, the light-emitting diodes 43 of the individual sections 61, 62, 63 can be controlled according to the speed signal from the drive controller 19 in order to minimize the energy consumption of the light-emitting diodes 43 and the damaging effect of the sterilizing electromagnetic radiation on the material of the handrail 17, while always maintaining an optimal disinfection effect.

[0057] although Figures 1 to 8 While various aspects of the present invention are illustrated based on a passenger transport system 1 designed as an escalator, vertically spaced floors E1 and E2 are intended to be connected to one another, it is clear that the described handrail disinfection device 41 and the corresponding method steps can also be used for inclined or horizontal moving walkways. Furthermore, further sections 61, 62, 63 having at least one plane 71, 72, 73 can be arranged before the first section 61 and / or after the third section 63. Of course, multiple handrail disinfection devices 41 can also be arranged one behind the other in the guardrail base 13 for each handrail 17.

[0058] Finally, it should be noted that terms such as "having" and "comprising" do not exclude other elements or steps, and terms such as "a" or "an" do not exclude a plurality. Furthermore, it should be noted that features or steps described with reference to one of the above embodiments can also be used in combination with other features or steps of other embodiments described above. Any reference signs in the claims should not be interpreted as limiting.

Claims

1. A handrail disinfection device (41), comprising at least one housing (51) and a plurality of light-emitting diodes (43) having a light cone main axis (47), wherein the light-emitting diodes (43) are capable of emitting sterilizing electromagnetic radiation in the region of their light cones (45), wherein: The housing (51) has an inlet side (53) and an outlet side (55) opposite the inlet side (53) for a handrail (17) for the passage of the passenger transport device (1), wherein A passage section (57) for the handrail (17) is provided in the housing (51) between the inlet side (53) and the outlet side (55), the passage section being divided into at least two subareas (61, 62, 63); The subareas (61, 62, 63) are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal extension of the through section (57); At least one light-emitting diode (43) is arranged in the first subregion (61), the light cone main axis (47) of the light-emitting diode being oriented substantially orthogonal to the first plane (71); and At least two light-emitting diodes (43) are arranged in the second subarea (62), the light cone main axis (47) of at least one of the light-emitting diodes (43) being oriented substantially orthogonal to the second plane (72), and the light cone main axis (47) of at least one of the light-emitting diodes (43) being oriented substantially orthogonal to the third plane (73), and The second plane (72) and the third plane (73) are parallel to the longitudinal extent of the through-section (57) and are inclined to each other at an angle (α) of 100° to 160°, characterized in that The handrail disinfection device (41) has at least one guide roller (83) by means of which a handrail (17) of a passenger transport device (1) can be guided through a housing (51) in a passage section (57) at a defined position relative to the light-emitting diodes (43).

2. The handrail disinfection device (41) according to claim 1, wherein: At least one guide roller (83) is arranged on the inlet side (53) and / or the outlet side (55).

3. The handrail disinfection device (41) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: At least one guide roller (83) is arranged in the housing (51).

4. The handrail disinfection device (41) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The inclination angle (β) of the second plane (72) relative to the first plane (71) and the inclination angle (γ) of the third plane (73) relative to the first plane (71) are the same in magnitude.

5. The handrail disinfection device (41) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: A third subarea (63) is defined in the passage section (57), in which at least one light-emitting diode (43) is arranged, the light cone main axis (47) of the light-emitting diode being oriented orthogonally to a fourth plane (74), wherein the second subarea (62) is arranged between the first and third subareas (63), and the fourth plane (74) is arranged parallel to the first plane (71).

6. The handrail disinfection device (41) according to claim 5, wherein: At least three light-emitting diodes (43) are arranged for each plane (71, 72, 73, 74), and for each plane (71, 72, 73, 74), the main axes (47) of the light cones of the light-emitting diodes are oriented parallel to one another.

7. The handrail disinfection device (41) according to claim 6, wherein: In the first plane (71), five light-emitting diodes (43) are arranged, in the second and third planes (72, 73), three light-emitting diodes (43) are arranged in each case, and in the fourth plane (74), four light-emitting diodes (43), if present, are arranged.

8. The handrail disinfection device (41) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The housing (51) is designed to be divided into two parts and has a U-shaped main housing part (77) and a cover (79) covering the open side of the main housing part (77).

9. The handrail disinfection device (41) according to claim 5, wherein: The handrail disinfection device comprises a carrier (49), which is arranged below a passage section (57) in a housing (51) relative to a predetermined installation position of the handrail disinfection device (41), all existing planes (71, 72, 73, 74) being configured on the carrier (49) and light-emitting diodes (43) being fixed on the planes (71, 72, 73, 74).

10. The handrail disinfection device (41) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: At least one reflector (81) is arranged in the housing (51) and is directed toward the passage section (57) for reflecting radiation.

11. The handrail disinfection device (41) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The rotation axis (85) of the guide roller (83) is arranged parallel to the first plane (71) and orthogonal to the passage section (57).

12. The handrail disinfection device (41) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The running surface profile (87) of the guide roller (83) corresponds to the outer surface profile (89) of the handrail (17) to be guided.

13. The handrail disinfection device (41) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The angle (α) between the second and third planes (72, 73) which are inclined relative to one another is coordinated with the spectral composition of the germicidal electromagnetic radiation of the light-emitting diode (43) and the material surface of the handrail (17).

14. A people transport device (1) designed as an escalator or a moving walkway, the people transport device having at least one guardrail (15), the guardrail including at least one rotatable handrail (17), characterized in that: The passenger transportation system (1) comprises at least one handrail disinfection device (41) according to any one of claims 1 to 13 for each pivoting handrail (17).

15. People mover (1) according to claim 14, wherein: The guardrail (15) comprises a guardrail base (13) in which the return travel section of the handrail (17) is guided in a manner hidden from the user of the personnel transport device (1), and the handrail disinfection device (41) is installed in the guardrail base (13) of the guardrail (15).

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