Method for modular assembly of at least one longitudinal section module of a modular assembly travel device, and travel

Abstract

In the traveling device, in particular also a load-bearing structure, a good compromise between standardization and variability is ensured. According to the invention, a modular concept is provided with respect to the structural design and the assembly method, in which the travel device has a modular configuration in order to modularly assemble at least one longitudinal section module of a modularly assemblable travel device prior to connecting / joining at least two longitudinal section modules of the travel device, the invention relates to a motor vehicle having at least three longitudinal section modules which are constructed separately / independently from one another and which comprise two head modules and at least one intermediate module, each head module having a platform section to be arranged at least approximately horizontally for operation as intended and a deflection section which is connected to the platform section, wherein, prior to the connection of the longitudinal section modules, at least one of the head modules is arranged in such a manner that the platform section thereof is oriented horizontally for modular assembly. As a result, good accessibility is also ensured. The invention also relates to a corresponding travel device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for assembling at least one longitudinal section module of a modularly assembleable traveling device in a module-specific manner before at least two longitudinal section modules of the traveling device are connected / joined to each other, wherein, in particular in the manufacturing process of an escalator, a traveling device with a modular configuration is provided, the traveling device having at least three longitudinal section modules that are constructed separately / independently from each other, the longitudinal section modules comprising two head modules and at least one intermediate module. In addition, the present invention relates to a traveling device, in particular an escalator, having a corresponding modular construction. In this regard, the present invention also relates in particular to processing the load-bearing structure components on / along the production chain until the load-bearing structure of the entire traveling device is completed. Moreover, the present invention also relates to the use of a specific machine tool or device on the one hand, and of a specific assembly auxiliary tool on the other hand, respectively for simplifying and optimizing the individual steps of the module-specific procedural method. The present invention relates in particular to a device and a method according to the preamble of each independent claim. Background Art

[0002] When constructing escalators and similar passenger transport systems, on the one hand a relatively high degree of flexibility and variability is desired both in terms of design and process, and on the other hand, in particular when large quantities are required in individual cases, standardization is required in view of production costs. This is especially true for the load-bearing structure of the escalator.

[0003] Until now, the time required to manufacture the corresponding escalators has been relatively long, in particular due to the multiple successive assembly and disassembly processes, for example to take into account the commissioning, running-in, precise positioning and orientation, adjustment of the installed parts, transportability and the possibility of installing the entire escalator on site or other similar boundary conditions. Until now, such intermediate steps were required much more frequently in the operation of the production chain than was desired or required for an efficient production process. Therefore, there has been a relatively large space requirement for the operation and (intermediate) storage of the escalators or the components and semi-finished products provided therefor. Until now, this has also had a significant negative impact on the goal of achieving a process that is as lean as possible and a cost-effective and variable escalator structure, and these disadvantages have not yet been easily overcome.

[0004] For example, when assembling an escalator or assembling its components in / on an escalator, in particular if the load-bearing structure of the escalator has already been constructed and is present over the entire intended length of the escalator and at the same time the angular orientation of the intermediate section between the head modules relative to the head modules has already been given, i.e. if the predetermined slope / inclination of the escalator has already been achieved structurally, then the components to be assembled in the head region of the escalator usually have to be installed in an oblique position of the head region. Most of the assembly / assembly measures usually take place in this state, with corresponding requirements for cranes, load-bearing arms or similar assembly aids that are also designed for large loads.

[0005] The disadvantages described here or the high complexity described here are primarily related to the construction of the load-bearing support structure of the escalator, which is usually at least partially shaped like a truss at least in the lateral plane, wherein attempts are made to connect the individual load-bearing components as efficiently as possible by means of an at least partially automatable process, usually using a plurality of successive joining devices. The reduction in complexity is not insignificant here, as can be seen in particular in the effort required to arrange and orient the components as precisely as possible and with minimal tolerances.

[0006] For example, the publications EP 3 426 588 B1 and EP 3 426 589 B1 may be mentioned, which describe a device and a method for producing a passenger transport device based on a plurality of joining steps. In addition, EP 3 724 118 B1 may also be mentioned, from which measures are known which, in particular in the case of escalators, simplify the selection or other measures for preparation for production or also simplify the production process. Other, in particular process features, in the process of constructing the load-bearing structure of an escalator can be found in the following publications: JP 2006 232489A, CN 110449 785B, JP 2006 213470A.

[0007] According to the prior art, it is often necessary to adjust the assembly / assembly method to a relatively high degree, especially for the individual design of the escalator. On the one hand, there is an interest in minimizing this type / application-related expenditure, and on the other hand, starting from the prior art, there is also a need to more easily standardize the manufacturing steps associated with the individual assembly steps, or to have a more generally predeterminable workflow along the process chain until the assembly / assembly of the escalator is completed. Moreover, there is also an interest in a process that is as safe and reliable as possible, without major risks and with a minimum probability of failure, especially with regard to work safety and the complexity of the workflow. Summary of the invention

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a method and a corresponding arrangement in terms of device technology or construction, by means of which an escalator or a general travel device can be produced in the simplest possible manner. The object of the present invention is also to design a construction concept for the construction technology of the travel device and a mounting / assembly method based thereon in such a way that the travel device can be produced in the most standardized and efficient manner possible on the one hand and with the best possible accessibility on the other hand.

[0009] This object is achieved by a method according to claim 1 and by a device according to the parallel device claim. Advantageous developments of the invention are set forth in the respective dependent claims. The features of the exemplary embodiments described below can be combined with one another unless explicitly denied.

[0010] The invention provides a method for modularly assembling at least one longitudinal segment module of a modularly assembleable travel device (in particular an escalator device) before at least two longitudinal segment modules of the travel device are connected / joined to one another, wherein the travel device has a modular configuration, which can provide or is provided with at least three longitudinal segment modules (or module-specific supporting structures of the respective longitudinal segment modules) that are constructed separately / independently from one another, the longitudinal segment modules comprising two head modules and at least one middle module, wherein the respective head module has a platform segment to be arranged at least approximately horizontally for the intended operation, and a skew segment connected to the platform segment, wherein before the longitudinal segment modules are connected to one another, at least one of the head modules can be arranged or is arranged for modular (module-individual, module-specific) assembly (in particular with respect to the floor / foundation of a machine shop) such that its platform segment is oriented horizontally, in particular at the same time the skew segment is already aligned and oriented relative to the intended adjacent middle module. This enables good accessibility and provides a very streamlined process.

[0011] According to the invention, it is therefore proposed to design the manufacturing / assembly process in such a way that at least the head section and preferably also the intermediate module, which are oriented horizontally as specified, remain accessible in a horizontal orientation for as long as possible, up to a later stage in the production process, in particular for manufacturing and assembly measures. This also facilitates an easily controllable process in connection with at least one intermediate module oriented at least approximately horizontally. Given that the individual longitudinal sections, in particular the head section, the intermediate section and the further head sections, can be provided modularly and connected in a modular manner, it is also apparent that the provision in a modular manner can provide considerable advantages during assembly or in separate assembly measures, in the case of an advantageous arrangement and orientation of the individual sections or modules.

[0012] In contrast, in the production of escalators according to the prior art, the main components arranged / to be arranged in the end area (or head section, head segment) usually have to be assembled in an oblique position, because the escalator is usually not provided in a modular manner, but at this stage of the construction process, it is already placed on the ground or in a corresponding suspension / support device as a whole, in the manner / shape of an elongated letter Z over the entire length of the device / supporting structure, so that at least the head section or the individual longitudinal sections are oriented obliquely relative to the floor plane and their end sides are therefore only accessible in the direction of the inclination. However, this leads to numerous disadvantages, such as, on the one hand, the time-consuming calibration of the components (particularly since, depending on the angular value or angle / slope of the individual inclined sections and depending on the length of the head section and the conveying height or depending on the absolute length of the entire device, there are different nominal positions or angular orientations) and, on the other hand, installation in an oblique position is disadvantageous from the point of view of ergonomics and work safety and there are risks associated with working / working at hazardous heights, as well as risks of crushing and pinching (particularly since heavy components can slip or be displaced in an uncontrolled manner, for example in the event of tipping or similar positioning processes).

[0013] Based on the above, the present invention provides a concept which also makes it possible to simply equip other installation components after the construction of the corresponding supporting structure of each longitudinal section, and can also selectively standardize the installation process, for example in terms of the assembly direction or assembly position. The present invention is mainly based on the following concept, that is, in particular in the stage of the construction process until the completion of the segment-based supporting structure, the escalator device and the travel device of similar construction are provided in a modular manner in individually segmented longitudinal sections, and then the individual modules are individually assembled in a modular manner, or the components required for this are assembled / installed for the modules, wherein according to the present invention, the above concept is not only achievable for the horizontally oriented middle module, but also for the end section of the head module in a simple manner, thereby in particular also ensuring the following advantage, that for this assembly / assembly process, the head module with its platform section is provided / pre-held in a horizontal orientation and in a favorable position.

[0014] In other words: the upper and lower head modules (at least the respective supporting structures) of the escalator / travelling device are constructed independently of one another as separate modules, and the further components are subsequently assembled in a module-specific manner, and in this respect the entire device is prepared in a modular manner for final assembly. This modular approach also allows, for example, the positioning of the head modules in the region of heavy main components (such as shafts and drive units) or in connection therewith in an advantageous horizontal orientation and (relative) position. In particular, for assembly, avoiding skewed positions, in particular of the corresponding platform sections, can also offer the following advantages: time saving, in particular due to simplified orientation work, improved accessibility, the main components being located in a constant given position / orientation, independent of a predetermined skewed position / inclination of the skewed sections (thereby also simplifying logistics in the internal operation in particular), and therefore no complicated adjustment of any equipment and tools is required for calibrating the slope, inclination and / or (absolute) conveying height of the corresponding travelling device. This can also ensure improved work safety, in particular with regard to avoiding dangerous work at heights, and reducing the risk of crushing and pinching (in particular because the heavy components no longer slide easily).

[0015] For the purposes of the present disclosure, the general term "travel device" refers primarily to escalator devices (including rolling escalators in particular) and moving walkways (the latter are used in particular in stepless designs with at least approximately flat orientation or with negligible slopes), as well as similar passenger transport devices with endlessly circulating transport devices, provided that they include a bend with a defined angle of inclination between the platform section and the deflection section. In this context, the travel device comprises, for example, segments or units forming the transport device, in particular steps or trays, which are connected to a driven chain or similar drive means and are guided in guide rails. The guide rails as well as the chain (or similarly acting traction means) and other components of the travel device are, for example, held in a load-bearing structure or load-bearing structure extending essentially laterally from the travel device in the axial direction, which usually consists of two oppositely disposed side wall units connected to each other by a crossbeam (optionally also by a base unit) and may also include a truss-like arrangement of supports. Furthermore, the term “travel device” relates in particular to a modularly constructed travel device which is modularly constructed from a plurality of longitudinal segments or longitudinal segment modules and can be assembled / assembled in a modular manner, the longitudinal segment modules having a load-bearing structure which is each constructed individually or longitudinal segment-specifically.

[0016] In this regard, the travel device described here can also respectively include a moving walk device, i.e. a travel device without steps but with separate travel elements, oriented at least approximately horizontally, which is not designed to overcome slopes but is constructed as a substantially flat route; in this regard, references to bends or inclined sections should be understood to mean that the corresponding sections are described largely independently of the actually achieved inclination.

[0017] In the context of the present disclosure, the general term "assembly" or the more specific term "final assembly" generally refers to the assembly of the entire / complete load-bearing structure of the travel device, which may also include all longitudinal section modules (two head modules and at least one intermediate module) arranged as required; this final assembly is also described herein as modularly connecting / joining the load-bearing structures of at least two longitudinal section modules in pairs, or at least including this connection step. Optionally, the term "assembly" may also include preparatory steps, such as picking / providing / holding components relative to the corresponding longitudinal sections or modules, or relative to the entire travel device; according to the present disclosure, the present invention mainly relates to steps and aspects downstream of picking, and therefore does not include picking in a narrow sense.

[0018] In contrast, the term "modular assembly" (or the synonyms "modular / module-like / module-specific assembly") refers specifically to the assembly or assembly of only specific individual modules or their components in the respective module, for example in particular in the head module, wherein, for example, one / parts of the drive device are installed in the upper head module, or guides, rails, decorative parts or railing components are (pre-)assembled in only one of the modules. Depending on the design of the manufacturing method, the assembly of the components can be carried out at least partially at a stage when the modules are still handled separately from each other, or at a stage when the modules are already joined to each other; this variant possibility relates, for example, to individual steps / trays; in this regard, the use of the term "assembly" should not be considered to be limited to a specific stage in the construction process of a complete travel device or its supporting structure.

[0019] In the context of the present disclosure, the term "longitudinal section module" is generally understood to be a load-bearing longitudinal module of the travel device, i.e. a module that forms a longitudinal section or length section of the travel device and provides it with a load-bearing structure (i.e. a complete component of the travel device in the corresponding length region at least in terms of structure). Therefore, the term includes the terms "head module" and "intermediate module". The term "head module" means a module arranged at one of the ends of the travel device, and optionally refers to two head modules (upper head module and lower head module, also called upper part and lower part); in this regard, the term can also refer to a module at the upper end or lower end of the travel device. In a travel device designed as an escalator, the head module usually extends at an inclination angle of the travel device and thus spans the bend or transition from the inclined longitudinal section to the corresponding horizontal longitudinal section. In this context, the term "platform section" refers to a section of the respective head module which is oriented at least approximately in a horizontal plane when arranged as specified; in this respect, when describing the arrangement / orientation of the respective head module, reference is also made to the orientation of the platform section (or its main extension plane), in particular because the absolute length of the platform section is greater than the absolute length of the skew section, or when this is the case. A "connected skew section" (also referred to as head end in the technical literature) is to be understood in particular as a skewed / inclined oriented section which is provided for connection / joining with another longitudinal section module and which can be designed to be longer or shorter depending on the function of the respective head module; it is provided that the respective modules are connected to one another in the region of a / the longitudinal section which is inclined as specified; if a plurality of intermediate modules are provided, the intermediate modules are connected / joined to one another first, or the respective head module and the intermediate module are connected first, depending on the process preference. The general term "longitudinal section" can here alternatively refer to a longitudinal section module or to a specific longitudinal section (i.e. a platform section or an skew section), in particular a head module.

[0020] The term "longitudinal segment", which is more general than the term "longitudinal segment module", also refers to the head segment and at least one intermediate segment, unless otherwise indicated, and is used according to the present disclosure when a modular or modular design or a process that is carried out strictly modularly is not necessarily required, or when changes or modifications are also possible according to the present disclosure, or when it comes to a process or a technical state of the device before the individual modules are modularly constructed in accordance with the regulations, for example, when it comes to the connection of the individual longitudinal segments of the head module in order to form the entire head module. In other words: according to the present disclosure, when referring to the individual longitudinal segments without explicitly specifying them as longitudinal segment modules, it refers not only to the individual modules but also to the longitudinal segments of the individual modules, in particular the platform segment (for example the first longitudinal segment) and the deflection segment (for example the second longitudinal segment) of the head module, for which specific connection processes can be provided (in particular in the area of ​​the bend); for example, the individual longitudinal segments of a module can be positioned relative to each other by means of a positively locking contour, for example in combination with a material-locking connection of these longitudinal segments for the construction of the entire load-bearing structure of the respective module.

[0021] A / the supporting structure of a / the travel device or a / the corresponding module can basically be composed of opposite side wall units and crossbeams (also called cross bars) connecting them, wherein a / the side wall unit is composed of at least one side wall and in particular an upper chord and / or a lower chord; the modular manufacturing process described here can also include the connection of a bottom unit to the side wall unit; however, it has been shown that such a bottom unit does not necessarily have to fulfill the load-bearing function, but is designed to, for example, have the function of collecting oil from a / the drive device and draining it when necessary, or is optimally designed to have the function of covering and / or accessing the supporting structure or the travel device from below; in this regard, the bottom unit can be understood as an optional structural unit, which can also be arranged functionally separately from the supporting structure, but in individual cases, if desired, it can optionally also assume the load-bearing function of additional support.

[0022] The term "side wall" here refers to a side structure which, for example, at least partially extends flat only in one side plane, but which, alternatively or in addition, may also be constructed and / or reinforced at least partially by profiles, brackets or supports extending beyond one / the side plane. Usually, the side wall consists of structural elements or structural segments which, as structural segments of planar construction, are subject to forces in multiple directions and / or as rod-shaped or bracket-shaped structural parts / segments / elements, are subject to corresponding forces (tensile or compressive forces) only along a longitudinal extension given by the orientation; components of such load-bearing structures may also be designated by the English terms "truss member" or "truss section", wherein, according to the present disclosure, a truss-like structure does not necessarily have to be present; nevertheless, the term "truss" is still appropriate here, since the side wall usually has a truss-like structure at least partially, i.e., the transmission of forces should take place according to a structurally predetermined direction. Thus, the side wall is constructed, for example, as a closed surface, a pure truss, or a structure having a closed surface part (or section) and a truss structure part. Optionally, at least a single load-bearing structural part / section of the side wall (e.g., a structurally flat section or a reinforced (especially) curved L-shaped or U-shaped profile section in the area welded to another structural part / element / section) is composed of a flat material, especially a metal sheet. According to the understanding of the present disclosure, a "side wall unit" includes the side wall described herein and the chords belonging to the side wall, especially the upper chord and the lower chord, wherein these chords can be constructed integrally with the side wall or separately from each other. These chords are also referred to as belts alternatively. Here, according to a reference to one / the corresponding stage of the manufacturing process of the respective module or the entire traveling device, the respective side wall / unit can also be understood as a side wall / unit provided in a modular manner. In this regard, the term "side wall unit" can refer to the entire side structure including the upper chord and the lower chord, and the term "side wall" can refer to the side structure arranged between the upper chord and the lower chord.

[0023] The terms "upper chord" and "lower chord", also collectively referred to as chords, refer here to structural parts / elements extending in the longitudinal direction in the upper or lower edge region of the side wall, or corresponding load-bearing sections, which are used to withstand loads of the travel device in the longitudinal direction, especially bending loads, which mainly cause tensile stresses in the lower chord and mainly cause compressive stresses in the upper chord. For this purpose, these chords are preferably constructed as profiles or profile sections, in particular L-shaped profiles, U-shaped profiles or hollow profiles, so as to have a good section moment of inertia to withstand bending loads. These chords thus reinforce the load-bearing structure and form external corners, wherein these chords and / or the side walls are optionally used to fix other components of the travel device. In addition, the chords can be constructed as components separate from the side walls; however, preferably, at least a part of the chord is constructed integrally with the side walls, for example by bending the side walls. Particularly preferably, the upper chord is designed as a hollow profile with four walls, two of which are formed by side walls bent in an L-shape and made of flat material in this region, and the other two walls are formed by flat material components that are also bent in an L-shape and are separated from the side walls. Further preferably, the lower chord is similarly designed as a hollow profile with four walls, two of which are formed by side walls bent in an L-shape and made of flat material in this region, and two of which are formed by bottom units that are also bent in an L-shape and made of flat material in this region. The components that form the walls are preferably welded to one another. The upper chord and / or the lower chord can also be provided completely integrally with the side walls or completely separately from the side walls (especially in the sense of a process variant).

[0024] Here, "structurally loadable" refers to a point or part of a load-bearing structure that can be temporarily loaded in order to at least withstand forces that are generated, for example, in connection with individual assembly / assembly steps, by the deadweight of the travel device or the corresponding module. For example, the term is used in connection with the reference points described here.

[0025] In this context, “load-bearing” is to be understood as parts or components (sections) of the load-bearing structure which are designed to absorb the static and dynamic forces and moments which occur during the intended use of the travel device, even under continuous load for many years.

[0026] In the sense of the present disclosure, the term "connecting means" refers in particular to screw connections or rivet connections, in particular so-called locking eye bolt connections, in the connection of modules to one another. A person skilled in the art can specify in individual cases or at individual connection points whether such preferred rivet connections or locking eye bolt connections should be replaced by, for example, screw connections. Preferably, the rivet connection or locking eye bolt connection comprises at least one visual inspection mark, in particular by material removal.

[0027] It is worth mentioning that the invention is also based in particular on the concept that at least one important and overall shape-defining part of the side wall, the upper chord, the lower chord and / or the entire side wall unit is made of flat material, in particular a metal sheet, wherein at least one reference point is preferably defined on the flat material. With the processing methods currently available for flat materials, in particular by processing with the aid of a laser cutting tool or a water jet cutting tool, at least one correspondingly introduced reference point can be referenced during the further assembly of the travel device, so that the assembly can be carried out with very small assembly tolerances and the travel device can be constructed with advantageously high dimensional accuracy. In this way, the individual components of the travel device can also be relatively accurately positioned relative to or absolutely positioned with respect to at least one reference point, and additional measures for orienting and positioning the components, in particular relative to each other, can also be largely eliminated. The invention particularly preferably includes the following teaching, that is, in the course of the same processing method, in addition to at least one reference point particularly arranged in the corresponding side wall, other references, in particular corresponding recesses (in the sense of additional component-specific assembly reference points), are introduced on the flat material, at which recesses other components can be directly arranged, and these components can therefore be arranged in defined positions with high accuracy relative to at least one (main) reference point. References or reference notches are also introduced, in particular, into areas of flat materials which, after laser cutting or water jet cutting, can be subjected to further processing steps, in particular bending methods, whereby the referencing concept described here can also be used for multi-dimensional positioning in space with respect to at least two or all three spatial directions. In addition, the invention includes the following teaching, namely, the reference point is defined by, for example, a circular notch or by its center point, at which, for example, further positioning devices (i.e. assembly aids, such as side support units) can be clamped for positioning the respective longitudinal sections or components. In particular, the corresponding component or the entire module or even the entire travel device with the reference point is lifted at at least one reference point or supported around a reference axis formed by a plurality of reference points, for example even suspended thereon, or lifted, or tilted around this axis. At least a large part of the upper or lower chord can also be formed by a profile, wherein corresponding processing methods (in particular tube laser cutting methods or water jet cutting) can also be used for the profile to construct reference points and / or other references.

[0028] The general term "component" refers to a component to be installed in the corresponding travel device or in the individual modules of the travel device, for example related to electrical, drive, guidance, etc. If a structural component has to fulfill a load-bearing function, especially for conventional permanent loads, it is called a "load-bearing component" or structural part / element / section in relation to the load-bearing structure.

[0029] Within the scope of the present disclosure, anthropomorphic terms may refer to all parts of speech as long as they are not neutral words. Any English expressions or abbreviations used herein are commonly used technical expressions in the art and are well known to technicians in English.

[0030] Here, the two head modules of the travel device can be arranged in such a way that the corresponding platform section is oriented horizontally, wherein the corresponding platform section is accessible / remains accessible in the horizontal direction for the corresponding modular assembly (module alone). This also provides advantages for the simultaneous assembly of multiple modules, for example modules arranged one after another in a row. Therefore, the corresponding head module is provided with a platform section and a / the connected skewed section (i.e. with a constructed supporting structure that has already extended over the angled transition area), wherein the corresponding skewed section is oriented skewed by the horizontal orientation of the platform section.

[0031] According to one embodiment, in order to form a / the load-bearing structure of a longitudinal segment module, the corresponding longitudinal segment module is constructed independently of other longitudinal segment modules by at least one of the following steps: laser cutting or water jet cutting, especially two-dimensional laser cutting or water jet cutting, is performed on at least one side wall (unit); two side walls / side wall units of the longitudinal segment module are arranged in parallel orientation to each other, especially above the bottom unit of the longitudinal segment module, and the transverse support of the longitudinal segment module is arranged between the side walls, and these load-bearing components are connected to each other to form the load-bearing structure of the corresponding longitudinal segment module. As a result, the conventional truss construction method with diagonal supports (which are partially oriented in different load directions) can also be at least partially eliminated. In addition, structural variability and process simplification can also be ensured.

[0032] According to one embodiment, in order to form a / the load-bearing structure of the head module, each head module is constructed independently of the other longitudinal section modules by at least one of the following steps, which steps respectively involve the platform section and the deflection section: laser cutting or water jet cutting of two side walls or side wall units, in particular two-dimensional laser cutting or water jet cutting; arranging the two side wall units, in particular above the bottom unit of the head module, in parallel orientation with each other, and arranging the cross brace of the head module between the side walls, and connecting these load-bearing parts to each other; wherein, before or after arranging / connecting the cross brace, the platform section and the deflection section are connected to form the load-bearing support structure of the corresponding side wall unit of the corresponding head module, in particular when using a form-fitting contour in combination with at least partial material-fitting connection, the form-fitting contour is used to position these sections relative to each other. This also provides a large process variability, in particular with regard to the angular transitions on the individual head modules. Advantageously, the corresponding side wall unit is constructed over the entire longitudinal extension of the head module before the side wall units are connected to each other by means of cross bars / cross braces. Depending on the structural design, the technician can implement process modifications or extensions based on this. Here too, an optimization with regard to the achievable accuracy can be achieved in a simple manner, in particular with reference to the form-fitting contours mentioned here.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the module-specific assembly of at least one of the head modules (or the module-specific assembly of, for example, drive components) is carried out separately from the module-specific assembly of the other longitudinal segment modules, wherein the platform segment of the head module is oriented / remains oriented horizontally and is supported on the ground by at least one supporting and moving device, wherein the head module is optionally also displaceable / remains displaceable relative to the ground by means of the supporting and moving device and is accessible / remains accessible in the horizontal direction independently of a / the specific inclination (inclination angle α) of the connected deflection segment. This also facilitates a simplified implementation of the process / production-technically advantageous sequence of combining a plurality of modules with one another.

[0034] According to the invention, the first head module is assembled separately and independently of the arrangement / orientation of one / the second head module and / or at least one intermediate module, in particular with regard to at least one of the following components: shaft, drive unit, other drive train components, optionally also steps. The modular concept described here also makes it possible, for example, to decide module-specifically in which state of the individual modules or at which point in the manufacturing process it makes sense to attach the corresponding component (e.g. step); in this regard, new variant possibilities are also provided.

[0035] According to one embodiment, not only the first head module is assembled with its platform segment in horizontal orientation, but also the second head module is assembled with its platform segment in horizontal orientation, for example, assembled one after another / sequentially in the same relative or absolute assembly position, or assembled simultaneously at opposite ends of a longitudinal segment module connection assembly (or a modular assembly line for module assembly and final assembly of a travel device), which longitudinal segment module connection assembly includes at least three longitudinal segment modules, which are arranged / oriented linearly or axially aligned one after another. This also opens up the possibility that, at an early stage of the manufacturing process, the individual modules are already arranged in the order prescribed according to the given form of the final structure, without having to give up good accessibility and other process variation possibilities.

[0036] According to one embodiment, both the head module with its corresponding platform section in an at least approximately horizontal orientation and at least one intermediate module are provided separately from one another for assembly in an at least approximately horizontal orientation. This offers the advantage of good standardized accessibility to all modules in the horizontal direction and thus completely separates from the inclination angle of the device that is individually given in the individual case in terms of construction.

[0037] According to one embodiment, for modular assembly, the platform section of at least one of the head modules is arranged horizontally in an area aligned with or in an aligned orientation with large / heavy main components (e.g. at least one axis of the travel device and / or other drive units) so that these main components can be assembled modularly with the corresponding platform section in a horizontal orientation, independent of the specific inclination (inclination angle α) of the connected deflection section. In particular, this can significantly reduce the handling risks associated with such heavy, large components and simplify their installation / assembly, for example by providing standardized processes and assembly aids.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the devices and tools provided for modular assembly can be arranged or arranged / oriented accordingly for the assembly process independently of the inclination (inclination angle α) of the connected deflected sections of the respective head modules, i.e., by arranging / orienting or keeping the devices and tools arranged / oriented in a predetermined manner coordinated with one / said horizontal orientation of the respective platform sections, in particular in an assembly line axially oriented along a predetermined assembly direction for one / said assembly, which is used to connect the supporting structures of the entire travel device or individual modules. Thereby, the consistency of the manufacturing process, or at least the standardization of the internal operation, can also be further achieved.

[0039] According to one embodiment, after the module-specific assembly on at least one head module, the at least one head module and the at least one intermediate module are subsequently connected / joined, in particular by means of sheet metal connections that can be assembled in a form-fitting / force-fitting manner (the final assembly of the travel device is in particular carried out in a purely force-fitting / form-fitting manner without material fit), and / or at least partially by means of form-fitting contours, in order to position the modules relative to one another by means of a form-fitting connection and subsequent connection. This facilitates the handling and relative positioning of the modules relative to one another even without complex assembly aids, for example even if essentially decoupled from complex welding / joining production lines or corresponding welding robots. In this context, in particular the side wall units of the head module can already have been previously also produced by means of a form-fitting connection and subsequent connection, in particular in each case in a plane where mainly two-dimensional processing is carried out (essentially accessible from one / the direction orthogonal to the processing plane / working plane).

[0040] According to one embodiment, after the module-specific assembly of one of the two head modules and at least one intermediate module, in particular after the module-specific assembly of the lower head module and the intermediate module adjacent thereto, the modules are then connected / joined in pairs, optionally in a purely force-fitting / positive-fitting manner or at least partially also in a material-fitting manner, in particular along a predetermined assembly axis, in particular in one and the same assembly line, in the same axial orientation, in particular with the individual modules suspended or supported in at least two reference points arranged in the side walls of the modules or in corresponding preferably laser-cut or water-jet-cut reference notches, in particular circular reference notches. This also provides additional flexibility and variability, in particular with regard to the optional scaling of the number of intermediate modules or with regard to the appropriate time point for the final completion of the module-specific assembly. The modules are thus joined in pairs in a state where they are already equipped with other components, i.e. the corresponding support structure already accommodates other components, such as drive components or at least one support rail or guide rail. Advantageously, a purely force-fitting / positive-fitting connection of the individual modules is achieved.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the individual longitudinal segment modules are oriented axially aligned relative to one another by means of at least two support and movement devices, respectively, so that at least two supports are provided for each longitudinal segment module, and are positioned relative to one another along the assembly line / assembly axis for connection in pairs, in particular with the use of side stops for the lateral positioning of the support and movement devices, in particular without the need for guide rails embedded in the floor, in particular by arranging / supporting / suspending the individual longitudinal segment modules at reference points in the side wall unit or around a reference axis. This further increases the flexibility / variability in the process and can also further simplify the handling of the individual modules for module-specific measures. Depending on the design and range of available assembly aids, the arrangement and orientation can also be carried out here essentially by means of reference points provided integrally by means of the support structure of the respective module.

[0042] The aforementioned object is also solved by a traveling device according to the corresponding parallel device claim, namely by a traveling device of modular construction, which has at least three separate longitudinal section modules to be connected to each other (to be joined to each other to complete the traveling device), which consists of two head modules and at least one intermediate module, wherein each longitudinal section module has a (load-bearing) supporting structure, in particular in the form of a truss structure, wherein the longitudinal section modules are configured to be connected to each other in pairs (in particular, respectively by means of at least one load-bearing module connecting device, which is configured to connect the supporting structures of at least two longitudinal section modules to each other), in particular in an end-side docking manner, wherein the corresponding head module has a platform section and a connected skew section, and the platform section and the connected skew section can be provided / provided in a connected state, in a predetermined orientation relative to each other, corresponding to a specified inclination angle of the traveling device, independently of the at least one intermediate module (detached), wherein the (respective) platform section of the traveling device, in particular, constructed by the process described further above, can be arranged in a horizontal orientation independently of the at least one intermediate module. This results in the above-mentioned advantages (minimized assembly effort), in particular with regard to the installation of the travel device at a defined location. For example, pairs of longitudinal segment modules are connected or coupled by means of sheet metal connections, which contact adjacent modules and overlap axially (in particular in lateral planar contact / abutment), and / or pairs of longitudinal segment modules are coupled and positioned in a reference manner by means of a positive-fitting contour.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the (corresponding) platform segment can be supported in a horizontal orientation on the ground independently of at least one intermediate module, in particular at support points and / or reference points provided for this purpose on the platform segment in at least two longitudinal positions. This also facilitates a horizontal orientation that is as accurate as possible in the desired plane. The support points can here coincide with the reference points described elsewhere, depending on whether a module-specific integrated position reference is required or whether other assembly aids can / should be used.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the (corresponding) platform segment has at least one first support point in a first longitudinal position, in particular in the region of the free end of the platform segment, and at least one second support point in a second longitudinal position, in particular in the region of the transition from the platform segment to the deflection segment or immediately before it. This facilitates a support that is as stable as possible and at the same time also facilitates an exact orientation.

[0045] According to one embodiment, for modular assembly, the platform section of at least one of the head modules can be arranged at least approximately horizontally in the area of ​​a large / heavy main component (e.g. at least one axis of a travel device and / or other drive unit), or in an area oriented in alignment with the large / heavy main component, and can be supported on the ground in an orientation at least approximately parallel to the ground, independently of the specific inclination (angle of inclination α) of the connected deflection section of the corresponding head module and independently of the other modules, and can be supported on at least two support points offset in the longitudinal direction. This also provides the advantages described above regarding good accessibility, and here too, precise orientation and support can be ensured.

[0046] The above-mentioned task is also solved by using laser cutting equipment or water jet cutting equipment (especially equipment for two-dimensional laser cutting / water jet cutting), a workbench unit and at least one other manually operable and / or robot-controllable welding unit to construct the respective supporting structures of each longitudinal section module of a modularly assembled travel device (especially an escalator device), wherein the travel device has at least three separate longitudinal section modules, and the longitudinal section modules are composed of two head modules and at least one middle module, wherein, after laser cutting or water jet cutting of the side wall units of each longitudinal section module, these side wall units are arranged in a vertical plane on a workbench unit that defines a working plane, and are connected by means of cross brackets to form the load-bearing structure of the corresponding longitudinal section module in a module-specific manner, in particular, using laser cutting equipment or water jet cutting equipment and a workbench unit to construct the corresponding longitudinal section modules (i.e., the head module and at least one middle module) of the above-mentioned travel device, in particular without using / applying technically complex and bulky assembly auxiliary tools. The above-mentioned advantages are thereby achieved, in particular also with regard to the longitudinal segment modules, which can be mounted and positioned in a relatively simple and precise manner, in particular with reference to reference points introduced into the side wall units of the respective module by means of laser cutting or water jet cutting.

[0047] The above-mentioned object is also solved by using at least two supporting and moving devices, which are used to provide at least two supports for orienting one longitudinal section module respectively before at least two longitudinal section modules of the travel device are connected / joined to each other, in order to assemble a travel device (especially an escalator device) that can be assembled in a modular manner, wherein the travel device has a modular configuration and is provided with at least three separate longitudinal section modules, and the three longitudinal section modules are composed of two head modules and at least one intermediate module, wherein before the longitudinal section modules are connected, at least one of the head modules (or one / the platform section of the corresponding head module) and at least one intermediate module are supported on at least two supporting and moving devices in a horizontal orientation, at least approximately in a horizontal plane or at least approximately parallel to the ground, at at least two support points spaced apart in the longitudinal direction, in particular using the at least two supporting and moving devices to support and orient the at least two longitudinal section modules of the above-mentioned travel device. This allows the advantages mentioned above to be achieved, in particular with regard to the individual support of the respective module in / on relatively precisely arranged support points / reference points which can be introduced into the respective module beforehand, in particular by means of laser cutting or water jet cutting. The support and movement device can also be adjustable in at least one direction, for example in the height direction.

[0048] Summary: In a traveling device, in particular also in relation to the load-bearing structure, a good compromise between standardization and variability is ensured. According to the present invention, a modular concept in terms of structural design and assembly method is provided, wherein, in order to modularly assemble at least one longitudinal section module of a traveling device that can be modularly assembled, before connecting / joining at least two longitudinal section modules of the traveling device, a traveling device with a modular configuration is provided with at least three longitudinal section modules that are separately / independently constructed from each other, the longitudinal section modules comprising two head modules and at least one middle module, wherein each head module has a platform section that should be arranged at least approximately horizontally for operation as specified, and an inclined section connected to the platform section, wherein before connecting the longitudinal section modules, at least one of the head modules is arranged for modular assembly with its platform section oriented horizontally. Good accessibility is also ensured thereby. The present invention also relates to a corresponding traveling device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] The invention will be described in more detail in the following drawings, wherein for reference numerals not explicitly described in the respective drawings, reference is made to other drawings. It shows:

[0050] Figure 1 An escalator according to the prior art is schematically shown in a side view, i.e., an escalator having a load-bearing structure built over the absolute length of the escalator, but not structurally divided into longitudinal segment modules;

[0051] Figure 2A , 2B A first head module and a second head module of a travel device according to one embodiment are shown in a side view, wherein the two head modules are supported / supported at two support points on the platform section in such a way that the platform section is oriented at least approximately parallel to the ground;

[0052] Figure 3 Four longitudinal segment modules of a travel device according to one embodiment are shown in a side view, comprising a first head module and a second head module and two intermediate modules arranged therebetween, wherein the modules are each supported / supported at two support points in an orientation at least approximately parallel to the ground and are also oriented at least approximately axially aligned with respect to one another or along a / the predetermined assembly axis;

[0053] Figure 4A , 4B 4C show the supporting structures of the first (upper) head module and the middle module and the second (lower) head module of the traveling device according to one embodiment in a three-dimensional side view, wherein at least the side walls of each supporting structure module are at least substantially composed of flat material;

[0054] Figure 5A , 5B 5C shows in a three-dimensional side view the bearing structures of the first head module and the middle module and the second head module of the travel device according to one embodiment, wherein the respective bearing structures are already equipped with other mounting components and are arranged on the support and movement device at least at two bearing points and are oriented relative to the ground in the positioning unit;

[0055] Figure 6 Schematically shown in a side view is a situation in which four longitudinal segment modules of a travel device according to an exemplary embodiment are arranged on an assembly line, wherein the individual modules are oriented relative to one another in such a way that their end faces or abutment surfaces can each be connected to one another in pairs in an at least approximately vertically oriented connection plane;

[0056] Figure 7 The sequence of a method for constructing or assembling a load-bearing structure according to an exemplary embodiment is shown, wherein the method is divided into seven steps by way of example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] Firstly, the present invention will be explained with general reference to all reference numerals and drawings. Features, or individual aspects, or aspects clearly visible / illustrable in the corresponding drawings of the present invention will be described separately in conjunction with the corresponding drawings.

[0058] The present invention provides a traveling device 10 (especially an automatic / rolling escalator device), which has at least three longitudinal section modules 11, namely an upper head module 11a and a lower head module 11b and at least one middle module (especially a straight module without a bending part) 11c, and the two head modules are connected to the middle module. Each head module 11a, 11b has a platform section 11.1

[0059] (or landing section or first longitudinal section or end section) having a horizontal orientation set as specified. In the transition area 11.2 (bending point), the platform section transitions into an inclined section 11.3 (or the second longitudinal section of the corresponding head module) oriented as specified. In this regard, the supporting structure develops an inclination angle α at the bending point, which corresponds to the inclination between the platform section and the inclined section. The free end 11.1a of the platform section marks the beginning or end of the travel device on its corresponding end side 11.4. According to the design of the travel device 10, a plurality of interconnected intermediate modules can also be provided, so that the corresponding (first) intermediate module is connected to at least one other intermediate module 11c' (based on the relatively short basic module length unit of the standard intermediate module, a favorable length scaling is performed).

[0060] Advantageously, the supporting structure 15 of the individual longitudinal segment modules 11 is designed conceptually similarly: the opposite side wall units 17, in particular, comprise at least one profile section bent from flat material, which are each composed of a side wall 17a, 17b and an upper strip (upper chord section) 17.7 and a lower strip (lower chord section) 17.9, and are connected to one another by means of a crossbar 16.1, for example a crossbar, in particular with a hollow cross section. The side walls 17a, 17b are preferably composed largely or optionally entirely of flat material, which is bent at least in the edge region and can be welded to other flat material sections. In this regard, a possible truss-like structure can also be provided by the flat material sections, in particular without the need for the construction of semi-finished profiles. This also makes it possible, in particular, to standardize material thicknesses that may be individually preferred in individual cases, including in the region of the structural reinforcement, whereby the respectively used connection technology (whether material fit or force-fit / positive fit connection) can also be used more precisely to achieve a higher dimensional accuracy (minimized tolerances).

[0061] In this regard, the support structure 15 can also at least partially have a truss-like configuration, which is provided with individual support-shaped structural sections that are mainly used to absorb tensile or compressive loads, wherein, in particular depending on the respectively selected structural components, this truss-like configuration or orientation of the individual sections can also be individualized, especially already in the flat material processing stage. Advantageously, the truss-like configuration at least partially or even substantially consists only of flat material sections (rather than being produced by semi-finished products of a given profile). This is because it has proven to be particularly advantageous not only with regard to the modular production concept described here and the associated favorable scalability, but also with regard to the achievable precision.

[0062] Furthermore, the individual longitudinal section modules 11 can also have a bottom unit 14, which however does not necessarily have to assume a load-bearing function. Optionally, the bottom unit extends only two-dimensionally and, more precisely, only fulfills the function of a baffle (wherein, for example, the bottom unit can also have a cutout, which makes it easier to access the support structure), and optionally, the bottom unit can also include a bent profile section (in particular an L-shaped bent end region) and be connected to the actual support structure 15 in a structurally reinforced manner. A person skilled in the art can integrate the bottom unit into the support structure as appropriate for each application; therefore, the structural method according to the invention also opens up the possibility of variation.

[0063] The corresponding finished module 11 can also have railings 12 and handrails 13 or longitudinal sections corresponding thereto.

[0064] Advantageously, at least one reference point 17.1 is constructed in each side wall unit 17, which reference point 17.1 can be defined, for example, by a geometrically defined (particularly laser-cut or water jet-cut) reference notch 17.3 (particularly a material recess introduced by material processing). During the relative positioning and / or positioning of the individual components (optionally also involving all processing and assembly steps after the introduction of the reference notch 17.3 until at least the load-bearing structure is finally constructed, and optionally until the entire travel device is constructed), an important part of the reference can advantageously be carried out by means of these reference notches 17.3, which can also be repeated, for example, in predetermined length units (e.g. two or three meters), and can thus be provided redundantly. Here, further assembly / fixing points can also be set or positioned relative to the corresponding reference point 17.1, which are used for at least one other component to be fixed to the supporting structure (these assembly / fixing points are, for example, also given by laser cutting or water jet cutting or a relatively precisely adjustable processing method), in particular with reference to a reference point arranged in a height or length section of the corresponding flat material section, for which a relatively high (manufacturing) precision can be ensured, in particular within the scope of the laser cutting process or water jet cutting process.

[0065] The reference points 17.1, in particular in combination with the paired connection / joining devices of the modules, can significantly simplify the (displacement) support and handling of the respective modules 11 (in particular to make them tiltable) and, using relatively simple and compact assembly aids, increase the accuracy that has been achievable so far (in particular in coordination with other assembly aids that achieve relatively precise support on the ground 1, such as lateral support units, by means of which predetermined positioning connection points are provided, via which the modules can then be connected to the reference notches). Preferably, the individual modules 11 are connected to one another along a plurality of fixing axes by means of form-fitting and / or force-fitting (load-bearing) load-bearing module connections 30 or sheet metal connections 31, respectively, while the modules 11 are supported in the reference notches (in particular at least in the region of the respective upper and lower chords, i.e. at least at four locations). This relatively precise and easily applicable (e.g. also purely manually operable) connection technique will be described in more detail elsewhere.

[0066] The following reference numerals indicate reference planes or similar geometrical features, which facilitate the understanding of the invention: ground 1 (in particular a floor, foundation, machine shop floor plane, etc.); floor plane E1 (for example, a machine / assembly shop plane); orientation / support height plane Exy of the intermediate module, which is in particular horizontal; a structurally load-bearing reference axis Y17, which is particularly used for tilting movements, which is provided by means of side wall units; horizontal longitudinal direction x, transverse direction y, vertical direction z.

[0067] In this regard, FIG. 5A to FIG. 5CThe plurality of longitudinal segment modules 11 of the traveling device 10 which are constructed in a modular manner and can be assembled in a modular manner are shown. Figure 5C A longitudinal segment module 11b is shown which is configured as a lower head module. Figure 5B A longitudinal segment module 11c is shown which is configured as an intermediate module, and Figure 5A The longitudinal segment modules 11a are shown as upper head modules. These longitudinal segment modules 11 each have a supporting structure 15 with two side wall units 17 and a crossbar 16.1. In terms of structure, each side wall unit 17 has at least one side wall 17a, 17b, an upper chord 17.7 and a lower chord 17.9.

[0068] The structure of the supporting structure 15 of the respective module is largely composed of side walls or side wall units made of flat material. In this case, the side walls 17a, 17b are essentially composed of flat material at least in the plane located on the outside and / or at least in the middle height section 15.1 (the middle height section can here completely occupy at least 75% or even at least 85% of the entire height of the respective side wall / side wall unit), wherein the structural sections formed as structural struts by cutouts introduced into the flat material and / or as structural sections of simple diagonally or cross-shaped cross braces are formed in the flat material in the respective side wall plane or slightly offset thereto. The offset arrangement in multiple planes can be achieved, for example, by the flat material being bent at an angle once or multiple times in one piece. The structural sections formed as structural struts divide the side walls 17a, 17b or the respective side wall unit 17 into sections. Furthermore, the support element and the cross brace 16 . 1 are arranged or fastened, in particular welded or connected in another way (for example materially bonded), on the structural section provided by the flat material.

[0069] Furthermore, the respective side walls 17a, 17b are preferably constructed at least partially in one piece with the corresponding upper chord 17.7 and lower chord 17.9; in particular, the first wall (or the corresponding flat material section) of the upper chord 17.7 and the second wall bent in an L-shape from the first wall are formed by the flat material forming the respective side walls 17a, 17b; the third wall and the fourth wall of the upper chord 17.7 are formed by another structural element or structural section formed by the flat material bent in an L-shape and welded to the flat material forming the respective side walls 17a, 17b. In the same or comparable manner, the first wall is formed in an L-shape bent from the side wall on the lower chord 17.9 by the flat material forming the side wall, and the second wall is formed in an L-shape bent from the first wall; the third wall and the fourth wall of the lower chord 17.9 are formed by the at least partially L-shaped bent bottom unit 14. The structural design of the upper and lower chords can be based on the same structural principle, but differ in details, for example in cross-sectional geometry and / or cross-sectional area, especially because the lower chord is predominantly subjected to tension and the upper chord is predominantly or at least predominantly subjected to compression. This structural design, especially the use of L-bent flat material, further developed into a profile, at least in individual sections, also allows a good compromise between material usage, strength, variability and precision. It has been shown that a particularly advantageous arrangement can be provided if a plurality of (preferably only two) flat material sections, which are L-bent in the end region, are welded to one another to form a closed (quadrilateral) profile.

[0070] exist FIG. 5A to FIG. 5C , the support structure of the longitudinal section module 11 is shown in combination with other (installed) components of the travel device. The lower head module 11b has a comb plate, a base section and a plurality of guides, which here are used for chain rollers, step rollers / tray rollers and / or handrails. Corresponding guide rails are also arranged on the middle module. Here, the guide rails are located on a structural section of the support structure (in particular made of flat material). The upper head module (in particular in addition to the components already present in the lower head module and / or the middle module) has a drive device, which is used to drive the chain and, optionally, also a circulating handrail. In addition, the upper head module 11a has a railing 12 with a handrail 13 arranged thereon; the railing is connected to the support structure, such as in particular from Figure 5B As can be seen in .

[0071] The longitudinal segment modules 11 have, respectively on the supporting structure 15 or the side wall unit 17 or the side walls 17a, 17b, reference points 17.1 introduced into the flat material or corresponding geometrically defined (especially circular) reference indentations 17.3 ( Figure 5B ).exist FIG. 5A to FIG. 5CIn the embodiment, the reference point 17.1 is partially covered by a lateral support unit 44 which is positioned / positionable on the support and movement device 40a, 40b and which can be connected by means of a coupling unit 46 ( Figure 5C ) are connected to the reference points 17.1 (for example by means of plug-in coupling bolts which are connected without tolerance to corresponding coupling points 45 of the support and movement devices 40a, 40b). By supporting (in particular suspending) the individual longitudinal segments on the corresponding, integrally provided reference points 17.1, in particular when positioning / orienting additional installation components, it is possible to repeatedly and preferably exclusively refer to these positioning reference points 17.1, in particular with regard to individual assembly and mounting steps. Preferably, during the production of the side walls 17a, 17b, the reference point 17.1 is preferably constructed on the corresponding structural section by laser cutting or water jet cutting, in particular in at least a single layer of flat material, wherein, due to the relatively high precision (in particular during semi-automatic or fully automatic material processing in a plane, for example on a correspondingly precisely oriented workbench), other recesses or indentations introduced on the structural section or on the flat material are relatively accurately positioned / positionable with respect to the reference point 17.1 with very high precision and, in this regard, can (optionally) also be used as a reference in itself when positioning / orienting the component (however, preferably with reference to a first master reference, which is described here as the actual original reference point of the respective longitudinal section). This also applies in particular to the metal sheet connection device 31 ( Figure 5B ) positioning, the sheet metal connection device can be used to connect the longitudinal segment modules 11 in pairs (especially manually) using force-fitting / form-fitting connecting tools 37, and is also suitable for arranging slots or similar other cutouts, especially orthogonal to the side wall plane, for accommodating or for the predetermined arrangement of other components or other load-bearing structural elements (or flat material segments) of the travel device 10, such as individual load-bearing structural segments or load-bearing elements or crossbars. With the help of the reference point 17.1 and the reference axis Y17 ( Figure 5C ) a tiltable support device or suspension / holding device, in particular when the modules are connected / joined to each other in pairs (when their joining planes are oriented parallel to each other, in particular in connection planes predetermined by the longitudinal segment module connecting assembly and having an at least approximately vertical orientation), also ensures a relatively precise orientation of the longitudinal segment modules 11 relative to each other, thereby, for example, also making the use of the metal sheet connecting device described here in combination with, for example, a largely manually introduced force-fitting / form-fitting connecting tool 37 (in particular a locking ring eye bolt) significantly easier and the feasibility of the modular design described here can be further improved.

[0072] In particular, the present invention can also overcome the escalator 3 ( Figure 1 ) Due to the disadvantages and operational difficulties of having a standard design, the escalator 3 requires a relatively long manufacturing process stage to tilt / orient all longitudinal sections or the load-bearing structure that has been built over the entire longitudinal extension.

[0073] The respective modules can be supported on the ground at support points 11.11 provided / arranged on the support structure specifically for the module. The support points 11.11 can be arranged, for example, on the underside of the respective support structure and can also enable the placement / support of the respective longitudinal segment modules independently of the support in the reference point and thus further simplify the handling. For example, the support points can also be used for intermediate storage or transportation of the entire support structure that has been manufactured.

[0074] The support structure 15 or the corresponding side wall can be provided with a tolerance-minimized (middle, at least approximately arranged centrally between the upper chord and the lower chord) height section 15.1, in which a relatively high positioning accuracy or relatively small tolerances can be ensured, in particular when the corresponding support structure section is preferably formed in one piece from a flat material. In the upper height section 15a of the support structure, in particular also in the area where the railing is fixed, relatively large tolerances may also be insignificant. This is also true for the lower height section 15b of the support structure, in particular in the area of ​​one / more bottom units. In this regard, the invention is also based on the concept that reference can be made to this middle height section 15.1 during relative positioning and / or absolute positioning by providing at least one, preferably at least two structurally load-bearing reference notches in this middle height section, which are provided, for example, for support on the side support units.

[0075] The supporting structure 15 comprises, for example, a plurality of structural sections 15.3 (in particular flat material sections) and a plurality of supporting structural units 16, each of which comprises a plurality of profiles 16.1 or profile sections 16.1a (in particular plate profiles or flat material profiles) with a hollow cross section, for example quadrilateral profile sections, L-profile sections and / or U-profile sections. In this case, the individual surface sections or brackets of the supporting structural unit 16 can also be provided for connecting opposite side wall units. Alternatively, for example, when the intermediate module is to be composed of a plurality of similarly constructed supporting structural units 16 or is to be designed to be extendable and extendable, a plurality of supporting structural units 16 together form a longitudinal section module.

[0076] On two longitudinal sections of the support structure adjoining one another, in particular also at the bend, a cutout 16.2 (or a corresponding free space) can be designed structurally in the region of the connection interface / the connection plane. In this case, the adjoining side wall sections can preferably be connected to one another in a planar connection interface 18 in such a way that, in particular for a subsequent material-fit connection at the connection interface, matching form-fitting contours are connected to one another. For example, in particular for defining the relative position of the adjacent longitudinal sections for subsequent welding, a form-fitting connection is provided by means of a first form-fitting contour at the first longitudinal section and a corresponding second form-fitting contour (in particular of opposite shape) at the second longitudinal section, wherein each connection interface can also be provided with a plurality of separate (planar, two-dimensionally acting) flange connection devices, in particular at height positions separated from one another as far as possible. This increases the positioning accuracy and reduces the risk of tilting / clamping.

[0077] The form-fitting contour described here also particularly simplifies the arrangement of the corresponding material sections on the table units for forming the side walls or side wall units or supporting structures of the individual longitudinal sections or modules.

[0078] In order to connect / join the individual longitudinal segment modules in pairs, a (load-bearing) load-bearing module connection device 30 is preferably provided, which module connection device each comprises a plurality of sheet metal connection devices 31 with angle plate elements or plate elements. The individual sheet metal connection devices 31 are preferably based on a purely force-fitting / positive-fitting connection technology, wherein the resulting holding force is preferably a friction force that can be ensured without a positive fit. Therefore, the corresponding sheet metal connection device 31 can include one of the following connection components depending on the connection position: a butt piece, an inner corner or inner plate (especially of a bent angle piece), a corner / corner piece (especially implemented in a bent manner), a cover plate. The individual connection components are connected to each other in a form-fitting / force-fitting manner by means of a connecting tool 37 (especially a screw connection or a rivet connection), especially in such a way that the supporting structures of the adjacent longitudinal segment modules are held to each other in a friction-fitting manner. For this purpose, a fixing axis is provided, which is defined by the sheet metal connection device and the supporting structure, especially by a plurality of (through) holes, or optionally at least partially also configured as a slotted hole 35, which is designed to be oversized for position adjustment, especially in the axial longitudinal direction. Screws and / or rivets (for example in the case of an embodiment as a locking ring bolt) are suitable as connecting means 37 , wherein a union nut or a similarly acting counterpart (for example a locking ring bolt connection) is preferably also provided in each case.

[0079] The longitudinal segment module connection assembly 40 (or module connection process assembly) is capable of connecting / joining the individual longitudinal segment modules, wherein handling and relative positioning can be performed in an advantageous manner. The individual longitudinal segment modules can be supported on the ground by means of support and movement devices 40a, 40b (in particular a first and a second support and movement device 40a, 40b per longitudinal segment module) or correspondingly acting support devices (assembly aids), wherein a lifting or tilting mechanism 41 can also be integrated into the individual support and movement devices; the tilting device 42 can perform a tilting movement about a transverse axis for positioning the desired longitudinal segment, for example for orienting the respective platform segment into an inclined position, so that the respective inclined segment can be positioned in a horizontal orientation on an adjacent intermediate module. The support and movement devices 40a, 40b can be supported on wheels or rollers 43. The support and movement devices 40a, 40b can also preferably each include a lateral support unit 44, by means of which the individual modules can be supported by reference notches introduced into the side wall units and can be positioned with minimal tolerances. For this purpose, predetermined connection points 45 arranged with high precision can be provided on the lateral support units 44, to which the connection units 46 (for example plug-in connection bolts) can be connected. According to a preferred design of the process of the assembly method, the longitudinal segment module connection assembly 40 or the corresponding section of the (one / the) assembly line 100 can include a further positioning unit 50 (which is especially equipped with a guide or plug-in connection device 53 on the orientation plate 51), wherein the corresponding lateral support unit 44 is preferably connected to the (one / the) correspondingly provided positioning unit 50 in a standardized manner. In other words: the lateral support unit 44 can optionally be designed as a relatively slender side arm lever (for example, the lateral support unit can also be designed individually for the type of travel device), and the positioning unit 50 can be provided, for example, as a largely standardized assembly aid, by means of which the support on the ground can be achieved. This further reduces the effort required for any desired adjustments to a specific type of assembly aid.

[0080] The longitudinal segment module connection assembly 40 is preferably designed as a component of (an / the) assembly line 100, i.e., in the end region of the assembly line 100, which assembly line (in particular a process / production line) is used to assemble the support structure of a modularly constructed travel device, in which the individual longitudinal segment modules are preferably arranged and supported in a module-specific assembly phase in a prescribed sequence and optionally also in an orientation coordinated for connection. The assembly line 100 can also include one or more orientation devices 101 (e.g. also rails fixed to the ground) and / or (in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension of the respective module) optionally at least one side stop 101.1, which is preferably configured to cooperate with the lateral support unit 44 (in particular without rails or similar guides fixed to the ground), so that positioning in the transverse direction can also be achieved by means of relatively slender assembly aids via module-specific, integrated reference points. For example, clamping devices (clamping connection devices) can temporarily hold / fix the individual assembly aids. Optionally, the assembly line 100 also includes a spatially designed cavity or assembly free space 110 located below the orientation / support plane of the corresponding intermediate module, in particular includes a free space located below the ground level, so that the intermediate modules can also be advantageously arranged flat above the ground when oriented horizontally (not only for module-specific assembly, but also for completing the manufacture of the entire supporting structure by connecting / joining individual modules).

[0081] The following geometric parameters facilitate understanding of the present invention:

[0082] The horizontal position / orientation Pxy of the platform section of the corresponding head module; the inclined position / orientation Pα of the platform section of the corresponding head module; the distance d17 between the reference point or reference notch and the assembly point (especially the distance in the side wall plane); the docking plane E11; the crossbar plane; the connection plane E18, which is defined by the connection interface of the connected modules; the connection plane E30, which is defined by the longitudinal section module connection assembly; the predetermined assembly axis / direction X100 (axial orientation of the assembly line).

[0083] Here, a "joint plane" is to be understood as the end side defined at least by the supporting structure end of the respective module, on / in which a connecting device for the joint arrangement with an adjacent module is arranged, and a "connection plane" is to be understood here in a narrow sense also in a mathematical / geometric sense as a plane in which the respectively used connecting means are to be arranged or at least to act in this plane. In this regard, a plurality of connecting means can be provided, which are arranged axially overlapping with one or more joint planes in a plurality of, for example, mutually parallel and / or orthogonally oriented connection planes or act there in each case.

[0084] The individual method steps are briefly explained below in a chronological order that facilitates the process described here: The material provided for the construction of the support structure, in particular the material designed as a flat material, is conveyed for material processing (step S1), which includes the processing of material cutouts, in particular by laser cutting or water jet cutting; this processing step is preferably carried out when the flat material is arranged on a workbench. In this way, in particular, the main sections of the individual side walls (units) can also be constructed. Subsequently, a material-fitting connection (step S2) is carried out, which is in particular welding, which is carried out when the flat materials are arranged similarly on a (same / same) workbench. For example, butt welding can also be carried out in the area of ​​the bend, in particular after the corresponding adjacent longitudinal sections of the relevant head module have been positioned relative to each other in a form-fitting manner on the correspondingly introduced form-fitting contours. Subsequently, at least the most important support structure components (side wall units or at least side walls and crossbars) can already be assembled module-specifically (step S3), optionally on the same plane or on the same workbench (or on an extension thereof) as for steps S1 and / or S2. Subsequently, the plurality of modules is preferably arranged and oriented (or relatively positioned) (step S4) in such a way that they can be held relative to one another in the selected relative arrangement during the further construction process, i.e., the modules are already arranged in a row one after the other in such an order that the entire support structure can be assembled without further repositioning of the individual modules in the longitudinal direction (without changing the order of the modules along the assembly line). Now, firstly, module-specific manipulation and module-specific assembly (step S5), for example of the mounting components, can be carried out, wherein the individual modules are advantageously oriented, in particular oriented in a horizontal plane (the head module is oriented with its platform section in the horizontal). Subsequently, the plurality of modules can be connected preferably in a form-fitting / force-fitting manner (step S6) to form the support structure of the entire travel device, wherein for this purpose the head modules are preferably tilted only about a reference axis in order to orient the deflected sections of the individual head modules in (one / said) horizontal plane, in which the intermediate modules are preferably arranged / held. The travel device can then be completed, for example, by further assembly measures (step S7), for example concerning railings, or completing the circulating drive part or handrail parts, or installing steps (the latter can also be optionally carried out module-specifically).

[0085] Steps S4 to S6 and optionally also S7 are preferably carried out on the same assembly line, i.e. with the order of the individual modules unchanged and with an alignment along the longitudinal direction of the assembly line. In steps S4 to S6, reference is preferably made to reference notches which are integrally provided in the support structure provided specifically for the individual modules, wherein these reference notches are preferably introduced module-specifically in step S1.

[0086] The reference notches described here can also be used for arranging adapter plates, in particular in the preparatory phase for positioning two modules relative to each other at the end sides, before the modules are connected / joined in a form-fitting / force-fitting manner. The adapter plate can be mounted on the reference notches of the first module and, in particular, by providing (at least one) corresponding tapering guide on each adapter plate, it is possible to easily align adjacent (second) modules; the adapter plate is advantageously mounted externally on the corresponding side walls, in particular at least approximately in the center of the total height extension relative to the cross section of the support structure. On the adjacent (second) module, in particular also on at least one reference notch, in particular also in the relative position described here relative to the support structure, a corresponding guide bolt can be mounted. Such an adapter plate can be provided in a simple and cost-effective manner, in particular it is made of sheet metal.

[0087] The features of the present invention are explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings or embodiments.

[0088] exist Figure 1 , a conventional orientation of an escalator 3 is shown in FIG. , which is in a horizontal Z-shape. However, in this orientation, many assembly and operation processes are disadvantageously hindered.

[0089] exist Figure 2A , 2B , two head modules 11a, 11b of a modularly provided travel device are shown, which are arranged on the support and movement devices 40a, 40b and are at least approximately, preferably exactly, oriented horizontally (horizontal plane Exy) with the corresponding platform section 11.1. In this arrangement / orientation, for example, the installation of drive components or other installed components is also significantly simplified.

[0090] Figure 3 The advantages of the invention in terms of advantageously arranging / orienting the individual modules are shown, on the one hand, in the module-specific equipment / assembly phase and, on the other hand, in or for the assembly line 100 for assembling the entire load-bearing structure or the entire travel device. Figure 3 In the relative arrangement shown, the individual modules can still be oriented in an end-accessible manner and advantageously (in particular precisely horizontally), but they can nonetheless be brought into the final relative position by relatively delicate processes, respectively by relatively short / small translational movements (x) and by tilting movements (of the head module) in particular about the reference axis (y) provided in this case as a whole by the side wall unit, and positioned / held there relatively precisely (for example in Figure 6 relative positions as shown).

[0091] Depend on Figure 4A , 4B, 4C show further details of the support structure 15 of the individual modules 11a, 11b, 11c. The structural features have already been described in detail elsewhere; in this regard, it can also be added here with respect to FIG. 4 that the individual modules 11a, 11b, 11c can be advantageously arranged and oriented for all module-specific steps and measures, such as module-specific mounting of drive components, in particular on the head module 11a, in particular until a module-specific configuration as shown in FIG. 5 is constructed.

[0092] Depend on Figure 5A , 5B , 5C, with reference to the corresponding modules 11a, 11b, 11c, other details about the entire construction of the travel device and its mounting components connected to the supporting structure 15 can be seen. The structural and process advantages brought about by the present invention have been described in detail elsewhere; in this regard, it can also be supplemented with respect to Figure 5 that the modules 11a, 11b, 11c can already be arranged in a prescribed order and also in the corresponding plane in the stage of module-specific measures (especially step S5), especially with the help of the support and movement devices 40a, 40b shown here, for example, guided on the rail 101. Preferably, the head module is arranged in front of at least one intermediate module in the assembly direction (or in the longitudinal direction X100). Figure 5C The reference numeral ( 30 ) shown in brackets in the drawing is intended to indicate that the sheet metal connection 31 shown in the assembled state together forms a load-bearing module connection 30 between two mutually engaged support structures.

[0093] It is worth mentioning that the individual side walls can optionally be designed completely as flat material sections with introduced recesses (e.g. laser-cut or water-jet-cut recesses, which give X-shaped diagonal bracket sections, e.g. laser-cut or water-jet-cut X-shaped profiles), or the individual side walls have diagonal brackets designed as welded profiles (in particular bent (gekantet) U-shaped profiles), which interact with the flat material or are joined to the structure via the flat material sections. It is also possible to combine these two alternative designs along individual modules or to combine these two alternative designs for individual modules along the entire travel device. This variant possibility also relates in particular to Figure 4B , 5B The designs or embodiments shown in FIG.

[0094] exist Figure 61 shows the individual modules 11a, 11b, 11c, 11c' of the travel device 10 at a stage of the assembly process, wherein the adjacent docking planes to be connected to each other are already oriented parallel to each other, in particular in such a way that the head modules 11a, 11b are tilted about a reference axis provided as a whole by the side wall units of the individual modules and supported on the support and movement devices 40a, 40b, optionally using a lifting / tilting mechanism 41, which can be activated or operated, for example, by means of a tilting device 42 provided on the corresponding support and movement device. Optionally, a lift can also be provided, depending on the configuration of the machine shop. However, it is advantageous that the operation can be ensured by one or more tilting devices 42 described here, even without a crane or without a load shifting tool arranged above the module; this also increases the variability / flexibility in particular and also increases the work safety, thus also reducing the safety requirements imposed on the process.

[0095] exist Figure 7 In the embodiment of the present invention, seven steps of a process for constructing the travel device described here are explained by way of example, wherein the invention is mainly based on steps S4 and S5. First, material processing is performed (step S1), which comprises processing material recesses, in particular by means of laser cutting or water jet cutting, in particular on the main sections of the corresponding side walls (units). Then, in particular, the flat material sections are connected with material fit (step S2). Subsequently, at least the most important load-bearing structural components (side wall units or at least side walls and crossbars) can be assembled module-specifically (step S3). Subsequently, a plurality of modules are preferably arranged and oriented (or relatively positioned) (step S4) in such a way that they can be kept in the selected relative arrangement with each other during the subsequent construction process, in particular with the corresponding platform sections 11.1 of the intermediate modules and the head modules being kept in an exact horizontal orientation (working plane Exy). Now, first of all, module-specific operations and module-specific assembly (step S5) can be performed on, for example, the mounting components; in particular, the drive components and, for example, guide rails provided for the step rollers are assembled. Then, a plurality of modules can be preferably connected in a form-fitting / force-fitting manner (step S6) to form the support structure of the entire travel device, wherein the head module preferably performs a tilting movement only about one / the respective reference axis to orient the docking plane of the respective module, in particular, in an at least approximately vertical connection plane. In this case, in particular in the region of the respective upper / lower chords, a form-fitting / force-fitting connection can be achieved by means of sheet metal connections that have been optionally preassembled. Then, the travel device can be completed, for example, by further assembly measures (step S7), for example involving a railing, or completing a circulating drive component or handrail component, or installing a step.

[0096] Steps S4 to S6 are preferably performed on the same assembly line, wherein the order of the individual modules remains unchanged and they are oriented in alignment in the longitudinal direction of the assembly line, wherein orientation, support and positioning are all based on reference notches that are integrally provided in the supporting structure specifically provided for the individual modules.

[0097] In particular, in conjunction with the drawings and the present description, it can be seen that the concept according to the invention is also clearly visible in the overall context of the manufacture of travel devices, in particular escalators, wherein, in particular also in the assembly process phases in which the individual longitudinal segments or modules are not yet connected to each other but module-specific measures are to be taken, in particular with regard to longitudinal-segment-specific or module-specific assembly / assembly steps, it is clear how an advantageous symbiosis consisting of process features and structural features is achieved.

[0098] Description of Reference Numerals

[0099] 1 Floor, ground, foundation, machine shop floor plane, etc.

[0100] 3Escalators with standard structures

[0101] 10 Travel devices, especially automatic / rolling escalator devices

[0102] 11 longitudinal section modules

[0103] 11a Head module, especially the upper head module

[0104] 11b head module, especially the lower head module

[0105] 11.1 Platform section, or landing section, or first longitudinal section, or end section (set

[0106] for horizontal orientation)

[0107] 11.11 Support points

[0108] 11.1a Free end of platform section

[0109] 11.2 Transition area from flat section to deflected section

[0110] 11.3 (Set to be obliquely oriented) deflection section, or second longitudinal section

[0111] 11c Longitudinal segment module, ie (at least one) intermediate module, in particular without bends

[0112] Linear modules

[0113] 11c' Another intermediate module, the other intermediate module (for a specified tilted orientation)

[0114] Should be connected with one / the intermediate module

[0115] 11.4 Terminal Side

[0116] 12 Railings

[0117] 13 Armrests

[0118] 14 Bottom Unit

[0119] 15 The supporting structure of the corresponding module or longitudinal section (especially having at least partially arranged

[0120] Truss configuration)

[0121] 15.1 (Intermediate) height section with minimized tolerances of the load-bearing structure or side walls

[0122] 15a, 15b upper and lower height sections of the load-bearing structure

[0123] 15.3 Structural Sections

[0124] 16 load-bearing structural units

[0125] 16.1 Transverse elements, load-bearing elements (e.g. beams), in particular with a hollow cross section

[0126] 16.1a Profiles (sections) with a hollow cross section, in particular plate profiles, such as tetrahedral

[0127] Edge tube profile (section)

[0128] 16.2 Cutout (free space) in the area of ​​a / the connection interface / plane

[0129] 17 Side wall unit, in particular having at least one curved profile section

[0130] 17a, 17b side wall

[0131] 17.1 Reference points in the side walls

[0132] 17.3 Reference notch (especially for laser cutting or water jet cutting)

[0133] 17.7 Upper belt and upper string section

[0134] 17.9 Lower belt and lower chord section

[0135] 18. The connection interface is particularly flat

[0136] 30 (Load-bearing) Module connection device (in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner)

[0138] 31 Metal plate connection devices, especially angle plate units or flat plate units

[0139] 37 Connecting tools, especially threaded or rivet connecting devices

[0140] 40 longitudinal section module connection components (module connection process components)

[0141] 40a, 40b (first, second) support and movement device (support device, assembly auxiliary device)

[0142] Tools)

[0143] 41 Lifting mechanism or tipping mechanism

[0144] 42 tilting device, which is used to turn one / the platform area of ​​the (upper or lower) head module

[0145] Segment movement / tilting / positioning into an inclined position

[0146] 43Wheels or rollers

[0147] 44 side support unit (assembly aid), which in particular has a given arrangement of couplings

[0148] contact

[0149] 45 Connection points on the side support unit

[0150] 46 Connecting unit, such as a plug-in connector

[0151] 50 Positioning unit (especially with guide or plug connection device on the oriented plate)

[0152] 51 Oriented Board

[0153] 53 guide or (one or more) plug-in connection device

[0154] 100Assembly line (especially process / production line) for assembling modular components

[0155] Load-bearing structure of the feed device

[0156] 101 Orienteering devices, especially rails fixed to the ground

[0157] 101.1 Side stop (transversely to the longitudinal extension direction of the corresponding module)

[0158] 110 cavity or assembly free space, which is located below the orientation / support plane of the middle module

[0159] free space below ground level

[0160] Horizontal position / orientation of the platform section of the Pxy head module

[0161] Pα Tilt position / orientation of the platform section of the head module

[0162] α The inclination angle between the platform section and the deflection section

[0163] d17 Distance between reference point (in side wall plane) and assembly point

[0164] E1 Floor plane, e.g. machine / assembly room plane

[0165] E11 docking plane

[0166] E18 Connection plane defined by the connection interface of the connected modules

[0167] E30 Connection plane defined by the longitudinal segment module connection assembly

[0168] The orientation / support height plane of the Exy intermediate module is particularly horizontal.

[0169] S1 Material processing, which includes processing material recesses

[0170] S2 Material matching, especially welding

[0171] Module-specific assembly of S3 load-bearing structural components

[0172] S4 Arrangement and orientation of multiple modules (relative positioning)

[0173] S5 Module-specific operations and assembly, e.g. for mounting components

[0174] S6 connects multiple modules to form the entire load-bearing structure

[0175] Improvement of the S7 travel system, e.g. by further assembly measures

[0176] X100 given assembly axis / direction (axial orientation of assembly line)

[0177] Y17 Loadable reference axis of the structure, especially for tilting movements

[0178] x, y, z horizontal longitudinal direction, transverse direction, vertical direction

Claims

1. A method for modularly assembling at least one longitudinal segment module (11; 11a, 11b, 11c) of a modularly assembling traveling device (10) before connecting / joining at least two longitudinal segment modules (11a, 11b, 11c) of the traveling device to each other, wherein: The travel device (10) has a modular configuration and is provided with at least three longitudinal segment modules (11a, 11b, 11c) which are constructed separately / independently from each other, the at least three longitudinal segment modules comprising two head modules (11a, 11b) and at least one middle module (11c), wherein each head module has a platform segment (11.1) to be arranged at least approximately horizontally for the specified operation and a skew segment (11.3) connected to the platform segment, wherein for modular assembly, before the longitudinal segment modules are connected to each other, at least one of the head modules (11a, 11b) is arranged so that its platform segment (11.1) is oriented horizontally, in particular, the skew segment (11.3) is already oriented in alignment with the middle module (11) which is adjacent to the specified operation, wherein the first head module is assembled separately and independently of the arrangement / orientation of one / the second head module and / or the at least one middle module.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: In order to form a / the supporting structure (15) of a longitudinal segment module, each longitudinal segment module (11) is constructed independently of other longitudinal segment modules by at least one of the following steps: laser cutting or water jet cutting, in particular two-dimensional laser cutting / water jet cutting, of at least one side wall (unit) (17), arranging two side walls / side wall units (17) of the longitudinal segment module, in particular above the bottom unit of the longitudinal segment module, in a parallel orientation to each other, and arranging the cross support (16.1) of the longitudinal segment module between the side walls, and connecting these load-bearing components to each other to form the load-bearing supporting structure of the corresponding longitudinal segment module.

3. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: In order to form a / the support structure (15) of a head module, the corresponding head module (11a, 11b) is constructed independently of the other longitudinal section modules (11) by at least one of the following steps, which steps respectively involve the platform section and the deflection section: laser cutting or water jet cutting, in particular two-dimensional laser cutting / water jet cutting, of two side walls or side wall units (17), arranging the two side wall units (17) in a mutually parallel orientation, in particular above the bottom unit of the head module, and arranging the cross support (16.1) of the head module between the side walls, and connecting the load-bearing parts to each other; wherein, before or after the arrangement / connection of the cross support, the platform section (11.1) and the deflection section (11.3) are connected to form the load-bearing support structure (15) of the corresponding side wall unit (17) of the corresponding head module, in particular under the condition of using a positive-fitting contour for positioning the sections (11.1, 11.3) relative to each other, in combination with an at least partially material-fitting connection.

4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The module-specific assembly of at least one of the head modules (11a, 11b) is carried out separately from the module-specific assembly of the other longitudinal section modules, wherein the platform section (11.1) of the head module is oriented / remains oriented horizontally and is supported on the ground by at least one supporting and moving device (40a, 40b), wherein the head module can optionally also be displaced / remains displaceable relative to the ground by means of the supporting and moving device and can be approached / remains accessible in the horizontal direction regardless of a specific one / the inclination (α) of the connected deflection section (11.3).

5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The first head module is assembled separately and independently of the arrangement / orientation of the one / the second head module and / or the at least one intermediate module, ie involving at least one of the following components: a shaft, a drive unit, other drive train components, optionally also a step.

6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: Not only is the first head module of the head modules (11a, 11b) assembled with its platform section (11.1) in a horizontal orientation, but the second head module of the head modules is also assembled with its platform section in a horizontal orientation, the first head module and the second head module are assembled one after another / sequentially, for example, in the same relative or absolute assembly position, or are assembled simultaneously at opposite ends of a longitudinal segment module connection assembly (40), the longitudinal segment module connection assembly comprising at least three longitudinal segment modules arranged one after another / oriented in a straight line or axially aligned manner.

7. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: For assembly, both the head modules (11a, 11b) with their respective platform sections in an at least approximately horizontal orientation and the center module (11c) in an at least approximately horizontal orientation are provided separately from one another.

8. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: For modular assembly, the platform section (11.1) of at least one of the head modules (11a, 11b) is arranged horizontally in the area of ​​heavy main components or aligned with heavy main components, such as at least one axis of a travel device and / or another drive unit, so that these main components can be assembled in a modular manner in the horizontal orientation of the corresponding platform section (11.1) independently of the module-specific one / the said inclination (α) of the connected deflection section (11.3).

9. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: Devices and tools for modular assembly are arranged / oriented for the assembly process independently of a module-specific one / said inclination (α) of the skewed section (11.3) of the connection of the corresponding head module (11a, 11b), that is, arranged / oriented or kept arranged / oriented in a predetermined manner in coordination with a one / said horizontal orientation of the corresponding platform section (11.1), in particular in an assembly line (100) oriented axially along a predetermined assembly direction for one / said assembly, which is used to connect the supporting structure (15) of the corresponding module or the entire travel device.

10. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: After carrying out module-specific assembly on at least one head module (11a, 11b), the at least one head module and at least one intermediate module (11c) are then connected / joined, in particular by means of a sheet metal connection device (31) that can be assembled in a form-fitting / force-fitting manner, and / or at least partially by means of a form-fitting contour and a subsequent connection, wherein the form-fitting contour is used to position the modules relative to each other by a form-fitting connection.

11. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: After module-specific assembly of one of the two head modules (11a, 11b) and at least one intermediate module (11c), in particular first module-specific assembly of the head module (11b) located below and the intermediate module (11c) adjacent thereto, the modules (11) are then connected / joined in pairs, optionally purely force-fitting / form-fitting or at least partially also materially fitting, in particular with the same axial orientation maintained along a predefined assembly axis, in particular in / on / along one and the same assembly line (100), in particular when the individual modules are suspended or supported in at least two reference points (17.1) arranged in the side walls (17) of the module, or in corresponding, preferably laser-cut or water-jet-cut reference notches (17.3).

12. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The individual longitudinal segment modules (11) are oriented axially aligned relative to each other by means of at least two supporting and moving devices (40a, 40b) in order to provide at least two supports for each longitudinal segment module, and the individual longitudinal segment modules are positioned relative to each other along an assembly line / assembly axis (100) so as to be connected in pairs, in particular when side stops (101.1) are used to laterally position the supporting and moving devices, and in particular guide rails embedded in the floor are not required, in particular the individual longitudinal segment modules are arranged / supported / suspended in a reference point (17.1) in the side wall unit (17) or around a reference axis (Y17).

13. A travelling device (10) of modular construction, comprising at least three separate longitudinal segment modules (11a, 11b, 11c) to be connected to one another, the at least three longitudinal segment modules consisting of two head modules (11a, 11b) and at least one middle module (11c), wherein: The individual longitudinal section modules have a supporting structure (15), wherein the longitudinal section modules are arranged to be connected to each other in pairs, in particular at the end sides, wherein the individual head modules (11a, 11b) have a platform section (11.1) and a connected deflection section (11.3), and the individual head modules can be provided independently of the at least one intermediate module (11c) when the platform section and the connected deflection section are in a predetermined orientation relative to each other corresponding to a specified inclination angle (α) of the travel device (10) in the connected state, wherein the individual platform sections (11.1) can be arranged in a horizontal orientation independently of the at least one intermediate module (11c), wherein the first head module can be assembled separately independently of the arrangement / orientation of the second head module and / or the at least one intermediate module.

14. A travelling device according to the preceding device claim, wherein: The individual platform segments (11.1) can be supported in a horizontal orientation on the ground independently of the at least one intermediate module, in particular at support points (11.11) and / or reference points (17.1) configured for this purpose on the platform segments in at least two longitudinal positions.

15. The traveling device according to claim 13 or 14, wherein: Each platform segment (11.1) has at least one first support point (11.11) at a first longitudinal position, in particular in the free end region of the platform segment (11.1), and at least one second support point (11.11) at a second longitudinal position, in particular in the transition region (11.2) from the platform segment (11.1) to the deflection segment (11.3) or immediately before it.

16. The traveling device according to any one of device claims 13 to 15, wherein: For modular assembly, the platform section (11.1) of at least one of the head modules can be arranged at least approximately horizontally in the area of ​​a heavy main component or aligned with the heavy main component, such as at least one axis of a travel device (10) and / or another drive unit, and the platform section can be supported on the ground in an orientation at least approximately parallel to the ground, independently of the specific inclination (α) of the connected deflection section (11.3) of the corresponding head module (11a, 11b) and independently of the other modules, and can be supported on at least two support points (11.11) offset in the longitudinal direction.

17. Use of a laser cutting device or a water jet cutting device, in particular a laser cutting device or a water jet cutting device for two-dimensional laser cutting / water jet cutting, a workbench unit and at least one other manually operable and / or robot-controllable welding unit in a method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, for constructing individual supporting structures (15) of individual longitudinal segment modules (11a, 11b, 11c) of a traveling device (10) that can be assembled in a modular manner, the traveling device having at least three separate longitudinal segment modules (11), the at least three longitudinal segment modules consisting of two head modules (11a, 11b) and at least one middle module (11c), wherein: After laser cutting / water jet cutting of the side wall units (17) of the corresponding longitudinal section modules, these side wall units are arranged respectively on a workbench unit that defines a working plane, in particular in a vertical plane, and connected by means of a cross bracket (16.1) to module-specifically constitute a load-bearing structure (15) of the corresponding longitudinal section module (11), in particular, the laser cutting equipment or the water jet cutting equipment and the workbench unit are used to construct the corresponding longitudinal section module (11) of the traveling device (10) according to any one of device claims 13 to 16.

18. Use of at least two supporting and moving devices (40a, 40b) in a method according to any one of claims 1 to 12 for providing at least two supports for orienting the longitudinal segment modules (11) of the traveling device before connecting / joining at least two longitudinal segment modules (11) of the traveling device to each other in order to assemble a traveling device (10) that can be assembled in a modular manner, wherein: A travel device (10) with a modular configuration is provided with at least three separate longitudinal section modules (11a, 11b, 11c), the at least three longitudinal section modules consisting of two head modules and at least one middle module, wherein, before these longitudinal section modules are connected, at least one of the head modules (11a, 11b) and the at least one middle module (11c) is supported on the at least two supporting and movement devices (40a, 40b) in a horizontal orientation, at least approximately in a horizontal plane, or at least approximately parallel to the ground, on at least two support points (11.11) spaced apart in the longitudinal direction, in particular, the at least two supporting and movement devices are used for supporting and orienting the at least two longitudinal section modules of the travel device (10) according to any one of device claims 13 to 16.

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