Escalator modules and moving escalators

Abstract

This disclosure provides an escalator module and an escalator. The escalator module includes: a multi-functional connecting bracket; and a guide wheel assembly. The guide wheel assembly includes a guide wheel support plate and a guide wheel. The guide wheel is connected to the guide wheel support plate, and the guide wheel support plate is connected to the multi-functional connecting bracket. The multi-functional connecting bracket does not exceed the guide wheel assembly in the lateral direction, such that the escalator module includes at least the guide wheel assembly at its maximum dimension in the lateral direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an escalator module and an automatic escalator including the escalator module. Background Technology

[0002] Escalators have become an essential part of modern urban life, providing convenient transportation between different floors in buildings. With the updating and development of escalator technology, old escalators need to be phased out, and modern escalator solutions must be adopted.

[0003] Typically, when upgrading or renovating old escalators, the old escalator components are removed, but the escalator truss is retained. Technicians then install new escalator components on-site, such as the upper and lower escalator modules.

[0004] However, due to the limited space of the original escalator installation site, the escalator renovation and equipment installation are inevitably subject to certain restrictions. For example, the old trusses are narrow in the horizontal direction and cannot accommodate conventional escalator modules.

[0005] Therefore, in practice, there is a need for an escalator module that has a smaller lateral dimension, a compact structure, high integration, and can be adapted to the modernization of escalators with narrower trusses. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In response to the problems and needs mentioned above, this invention proposes an escalator module and an escalator including the escalator module, which solves the above problems and brings other technical effects by adopting the following technical features.

[0007] According to one aspect of this disclosure, an escalator module is provided, comprising: a multi-functional connecting bracket; and a guide wheel assembly including a guide wheel support plate and a plurality of guide wheels connected to the guide wheel support plate, the guide wheel support plate being connected to the multi-functional connecting bracket, the multi-functional connecting bracket not exceeding the guide wheel assembly in the lateral direction, such that the escalator module includes at least the guide wheel assembly at its maximum dimension in the lateral direction.

[0008] The guide wheel assembly, also known as the handrail belt guide wheel assembly, is used to guide the movement of the handrail belt along the handrail belt drive wheel. The guide wheel assembly is an important component of the escalator module and is usually installed inside the multi-functional connecting plate; therefore, the multi-functional connecting plate is located further outwards relative to the guide wheel assembly.

[0009] However, for the modernization of escalators with narrower trusses, the dimensions in the lateral direction are narrower, so the traditional connection method of multi-functional connecting plates plus guide wheel assemblies cannot be installed on narrower trusses.

[0010] Based on the above features of this disclosure, the original multi-functional connecting plate is optimized by setting the new multi-functional connecting bracket in the lateral direction no more than the guide wheel assembly, so that the escalator module includes at least the guide wheel assembly at its maximum dimension in the lateral direction, thereby reducing the width of the escalator module in the lateral direction.

[0011] In some examples, in the lateral direction, the guide wheel support plate is positioned further outward relative to the multifunctional connecting bracket, and the plurality of guide wheels are positioned inside the guide wheel support plate facing the multifunctional connecting bracket.

[0012] In some examples, the guide wheel support plate is approximately perpendicular to the lateral direction.

[0013] In some examples, the multi-functional connecting bracket includes a first bracket in a horizontal direction and a second bracket inclined relative to the horizontal direction, with the guide wheel support plate connected to the first bracket and the second bracket respectively.

[0014] In some examples, in the lateral direction, the plurality of guide wheels are arranged on approximately the same plane or on the outer side relative to the multifunctional connecting bracket, and the guide wheel support plate is arranged on the inner side of the plurality of guide wheels facing the multifunctional connecting bracket.

[0015] In some examples, at least one of the plurality of guide wheels is directly connected to the multifunctional connecting bracket.

[0016] In some examples, the escalator module also includes a main shaft assembly, wherein, in the lateral direction, the guide wheel assembly and the outer edge of the main shaft assembly are substantially in the same plane.

[0017] In some examples, the escalator module also includes a handrail belt drive assembly, wherein, in the lateral direction, the guide wheel assembly and the outer edge of the handrail belt drive assembly are substantially in the same plane.

[0018] In some examples, the escalator module is the upper escalator module and / or the lower escalator module of an escalator.

[0019] On the other hand, this disclosure provides an escalator including a truss and an escalator module as described above, the escalator module being connected to the truss.

[0020] According to the technical solution of this disclosure, the guide wheel assembly is installed on the multi-functional connecting bracket, and the multi-functional connecting bracket does not exceed the guide wheel assembly in the lateral direction, ensuring that the escalator module includes at least the guide wheel assembly at its maximum size in the lateral direction, so that the escalator module has a smaller size in the lateral direction, a compact structure, high integration, and can adapt to the modernization and renovation of escalators with narrower trusses. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 A perspective view of an escalator module according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, wherein the escalator module is an upper escalator module;

[0022] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a first bracket of a multifunctional connecting bracket according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0023] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 A partial front view of the escalator module shown.

[0024] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a second bracket of a multifunctional connecting bracket according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0025] Figure 5 A perspective view of an escalator module according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, wherein the escalator module is a down escalator module;

[0026] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a multifunctional connecting bracket according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0027] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this disclosure clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in the drawings represent the same components. It should be noted that the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this disclosure. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the described embodiments of this disclosure without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0028] Unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used herein shall have the ordinary meaning understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. The terms “first,” “second,” and similar terms used in this patent application specification and claims do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish different components. Similarly, “an” or “a” and similar terms do not necessarily indicate a quantity limitation. Terms such as “comprising” or “including” mean that the element or object preceding the word encompasses the element or object listed following the word and its equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. Terms such as “connected” or “linked” are not limited to physical or mechanical connections, but can include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect. Terms such as “upper,” “lower,” “left,” and “right” are used only to indicate relative positional relationships, which may change accordingly when the absolute position of the described object changes.

[0029] Escalators are equipped with circulating movement paths to transport people. In recent years, escalators in shopping malls, train stations, and airports have been undergoing performance and energy-saving upgrades to meet evolving needs, phasing out old escalators and modernizing them. Typically, when upgrading old escalators, the old components are removed, but the escalator frame is retained. Technicians then install new escalator components on-site, such as the upper and lower escalator modules.

[0030] For modern escalators, the trusses and escalator modules are usually pre-assembled in the factory and installed directly on site. However, for renovation projects of old escalators, the space constraints of the original installation site limit the installation of new escalator modules, so new escalator modules can only be installed on the existing trusses. Some older trusses are narrow in the lateral direction and cannot accommodate conventional escalator modules.

[0031] Multifunctional connecting brackets, also known as multifunctional connecting plates or multifunctional interface plates, are typically used to connect to the truss of a truss in the prior art. They are used to connect functional components (such as guide wheel assemblies, comb plates, skirts, cover plates, or entrance panels) to the truss.

[0032] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this disclosure proposes an escalator module and an escalator including such an escalator module. Preferred embodiments of the escalator module and escalator according to this disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Compared to the embodiments shown in the drawings, feasible embodiments within the scope of this disclosure may have fewer components, other components not shown in the drawings, different components, differently arranged components, or components with different connections, etc. Furthermore, without departing from the spirit of this disclosure, two or more components in the drawings may be implemented in a single component, or a single component shown in the drawings may be implemented as multiple separate components.

[0033] It should be noted that, for the sake of simplicity, the embodiments disclosed herein will highlight the main components of the pre-assembled escalator module, while omitting the description of other conventional components in escalators, including but not limited to: trusses, steps and stairways, comb plates, skirts, cover plates, entrance panels, etc.

[0034] Figures 1 to 4 An exemplary perspective view of an escalator module according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, wherein the escalator module is an upper escalator module.

[0035] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the escalator module 10 according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a multi-functional connecting bracket 1, a guide wheel assembly 2, a main shaft assembly 5, and a handrail belt drive assembly 6. The guide wheel assembly 2 includes a guide wheel support plate 3 and a plurality of guide wheels 4, the plurality of guide wheels 4 being connected to the guide wheel support plate 3, and the guide wheel support plate 3 being connected to the multi-functional connecting bracket 1.

[0036] In this embodiment, the guide wheel support plate 3 is approximately perpendicular to the transverse direction T, and the multiple guide wheels 4 are installed perpendicular to the guide wheel support plate 3, and therefore approximately parallel to the transverse direction T. The transverse direction T is perpendicular to the running direction of the steps, so the dimension in the transverse direction T defines the width of the escalator module 10.

[0037] The main shaft assembly 5 and the handrail belt drive assembly 6 are generally parallel to the lateral direction T and are parallel to each other. The main shaft assembly 5 drives the step sprocket, thereby driving the cyclical motion of the steps. The handrail belt drive assembly 6 is connected to the main shaft assembly 5 via a transmission belt and is used to drive the movement of the handrail belt.

[0038] The multi-functional connecting bracket 1 does not exceed the guide wheel assembly 2 in the lateral direction T, so that the maximum dimension L of the escalator module 10 in the lateral direction T is such that... max The location includes at least a guide wheel assembly 2. Specifically, in this embodiment, in the lateral direction T, the guide wheel support plate 3 is disposed on the outer side relative to the multifunctional connecting bracket 1, and a plurality of guide wheels 4 are disposed on the inner side of the guide wheel support plate 3 facing the multifunctional connecting bracket 1.

[0039] It should be noted that the "inner side" and "outer side" referred to in this disclosure are opposite sides in the lateral direction T.

[0040] In an embodiment of the escalator module, the multi-functional connecting bracket 1 may include a first bracket 11 along the horizontal direction and a second bracket 12 inclined relative to the horizontal direction. The first bracket 11 and the second bracket 12 are respectively disposed on both sides of the handrail belt drive assembly 6. Figure 2 Specifically, the first bracket 11 and the guide wheel assembly 2 connected thereto are shown. Figure 4 Specifically shown are the second bracket 12 and the guide wheel assembly 2 connected thereto. The guide wheel support plate 3 is connected to the first bracket 11 and the second bracket 12, for example, by angle iron. A plurality of guide wheels 4 are configured to support and guide the movement of the handrail belt.

[0041] Figure 3 It shows from Figure 1 A partial front view viewed from position A to the right. In this embodiment, in the lateral direction T, the guide wheel assembly 2, specifically the outermost guide wheel support plate 3, is approximately on the same plane as the outer edge 51 of the main shaft assembly 5. Simultaneously, the guide wheel support plate 3 is also approximately on the same plane as the outer edge 61 of the handrail belt drive assembly 6. Therefore, the maximum dimension L of the escalator module 10 in the lateral direction T is...max The component includes a guide wheel support plate 3, a main shaft assembly 5, and a handrail belt drive assembly 6.

[0042] It should be noted that, Figure 3 The uppermost part is an additional connecting profile for the multi-functional connecting bracket 1, used to connect functional components such as skirts, cover plates, and entrance panels. Since they are not directly connected to the truss, the lateral dimension T of these components does not affect the installation of the escalator module to the truss, and therefore can be greater than L. max However, this does not affect the concept of this disclosure.

[0043] Figure 5 and Figure 6 An exemplary perspective view of an escalator module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, in which the escalator module is a down escalator module.

[0044] In this embodiment, unlike the previous embodiments, in the lateral direction T, the multiple guide wheels 4 are arranged on approximately the same plane or on the outer side relative to the multifunctional connecting bracket 1, and the guide wheel support plate 3 is arranged on the inner side of the multiple guide wheels 4 facing the multifunctional connecting bracket 1. Figure 6 As shown, at least one of the multiple guide wheels 4 can be directly connected to the multi-functional connecting bracket 1, or it can be connected to the multi-functional connecting bracket 1 through the guide wheel support plate 3.

[0045] Therefore, in this embodiment, the maximum dimension L of the escalator module 10 in the lateral direction T is... max The part includes guide wheel 4 and multi-functional connecting bracket 1.

[0046] On the other hand, this disclosure also proposes an escalator, including a truss and an escalator module 10 as described above, the escalator module 10 being connected to the truss. The escalator may, for example, be an escalator that is a modernization of an old staircase.

[0047] In summary, the various embodiments disclosed herein exemplarily illustrate that a multifunctional connecting bracket is positioned in the lateral direction not exceeding the guide wheel assembly, such that the escalator module includes at least the guide wheel assembly at its maximum lateral dimension, thereby reducing the width of the escalator module in the lateral direction. Escalator modules and escalators employing these technical solutions have compact structures and high integration, and can adapt to the modernization and retrofitting of escalators with narrower trusses.

[0048] This document describes in detail exemplary embodiments of the escalator module and escalator of the present invention with reference to preferred embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and alterations can be made to the above-described specific embodiments without departing from the inventive concept, and various combinations can be made to the various technical features and structures proposed in the present invention without exceeding the protection scope of the present invention. For example, the installation methods of the guide wheel assemblies of the upper escalator module and the lower escalator module can be interchanged. The protection scope of the present invention is determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An escalator module (10), characterized in that, include: Multifunctional connecting bracket (1); and The guide wheel assembly (2) includes a guide wheel support plate (3) and a plurality of guide wheels (4), the plurality of guide wheels (4) being connected to the guide wheel support plate (3), the guide wheel support plate (3) being connected to the multi-functional connecting bracket (1), the multi-functional connecting bracket (1) not exceeding the guide wheel assembly (2) in the transverse direction (T), such that the maximum dimension (L) of the escalator module (10) in the transverse direction (T) is such that... max The guide wheel assembly (2) is included at least at the location.

2. The escalator module (10) as described in claim 1, characterized in that, In the lateral direction (T), the guide wheel support plate (3) is positioned further outward relative to the multifunctional connecting bracket (1), and the plurality of guide wheels (4) are positioned on the inner side of the guide wheel support plate (3) facing the multifunctional connecting bracket (1).

3. The escalator module (10) as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The guide wheel support plate (3) is approximately perpendicular to the lateral direction (T).

4. The escalator module (10) as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The multifunctional connecting bracket (1) includes a first bracket (11) along the horizontal direction and a second bracket (12) inclined relative to the horizontal direction, and the guide wheel support plate (3) is connected to the first bracket (11) and the second bracket (12) respectively.

5. The escalator module (10) as described in claim 1, characterized in that, In the transverse direction (T), the plurality of guide wheels (4) are arranged on approximately the same plane or on the outer side relative to the multifunctional connecting bracket (1), and the guide wheel support plate (3) is arranged on the inner side of the plurality of guide wheels (4) facing the multifunctional connecting bracket (1).

6. The escalator module (10) as described in claim 5, characterized in that, At least one of the plurality of guide wheels (4) is directly connected to the multifunctional connecting bracket (1).

7. The escalator module (10) as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The escalator module (10) also includes a main shaft assembly (5), in the transverse direction (T), the guide wheel assembly (2) and the outer edge (51) of the main shaft assembly (5) are approximately in the same plane.

8. The escalator module (10) as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The escalator module (10) also includes a handrail drive assembly (6), in the lateral direction (T), the guide wheel assembly (2) and the outer edge (61) of the handrail drive assembly (6) are approximately on the same plane.

9. The escalator module (10) as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The escalator module (10) is the upper escalator module and / or the lower escalator module of an escalator.

10. An escalator, characterized in that, It includes a truss and an escalator module (10) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, the escalator module (10) being connected to the truss.

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