Guideway device with means for detecting maintenance or damage

Abstract

Guideway device (1), comprising a supporting structure (2) with two opposite side wall units (2.1, 2.2), each with a guide rail (13.1, 13.2); a drive device mounted on the support structure (2); and Steps (6) or pallets, wherein the steps / pallets (6) are guided on the guide rails (13.1, 13.2) and driven by means of the drive device via traction means (7) in order to form a moving travel path (5); wherein the steps / pallets (6) are determined in their position along the travel path (5) by the guide rails (13.1, 13.2) and the traction means (7); characterized in that below the steps / pallets (6) and at least over a section (5.1, 5.2, 5.3) of the travel path (5) at least one light barrier (15, 15.1, 15.2) runs parallel to a plane (17) spanned by the guide rails (13.1, 13.2), wherein the travel path device (1) is designed to prevent movement of the travel path (5) when at least one light barrier (15, 15.1, 15.2) is interrupted.

Description

Technical area

[0001] The following embodiments relate to a guideway device comprising a support structure with two opposing side wall units, each with a guide rail, a drive device mounted on the support structure and steps or pallets, wherein the steps / pallets are guided on the guide rails and driven by means of the drive device via traction means to form a moving guideway, wherein the steps / pallets are determined in their position along the guideway by the guide rails and the traction means. Technical background

[0002] Guideway devices are generally known from the prior art. Support structures form the outer framework for components of the guideway device, such as guides with steps / pallets embedded therein, a drive device and electrical components, as well as for attachments and cladding elements. They are typically formed from two opposing sidewall units connected by crossbeams. The sidewall units typically comprise welded profiles as structural elements, from which lattice-like sidewalls and an upper and lower chord are formed.

[0003] In such guideway devices, the steps / pallets form a closed and movable guideway, with a variety of structural measures designed to prevent foreign objects or body parts of transported persons from penetrating the area below the steps / pallets or from being crushed between moving and stationary parts of the guideway device. If these measures are interrupted during maintenance work, for example, by removing a step / pallet to gain access to the area below the steps / pallets, operation of the guideway device must be safely prevented at all costs. The disadvantages of the previously known devices and / or methods for this purpose are complex and / or do not reliably prevent operation.

[0004] Furthermore, in such guideway devices, the steps / pallets or the guide rollers arranged on them can fail or deform as a result of the constant load, causing the affected step to sink and the guideway device to no longer be operated safely. For example, a casing on a guide roller can close up or become detached, causing the step to sink accordingly. The disadvantage is that such damage is not currently detected automatically, meaning that continued operation cannot be prevented until the damage is noticed by people using the guideway device or during maintenance. To detect such a condition, unless it is already obviously visible, the only disadvantage is currently complex measuring methods known. These involve, for example, the attachment of measuring gauges and are only carried out during maintenance.

[0005] Based on this situation, the present object is to propose a guideway device that does not have at least one of the aforementioned disadvantages. In particular, the present object is to safely and easily prevent operation of a guideway device when maintenance or damage occurs. Description - Technical solution

[0006] The present problem is solved by the features of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the subclaims, the description, and the drawings. To the extent technically feasible, the teachings of the subclaims can be combined arbitrarily with the teachings of the main and subclaims.

[0007] In particular, the object is accordingly achieved by a guideway device comprising a support structure with two opposing side wall units, each with a guide rail, a drive device received on the support structure and steps or pallets, wherein the steps / pallets are guided on the guide rails and driven by means of the drive device via traction means in order to form a moving guideway, wherein the steps / pallets are determined in their position along the guideway by the guide rails and the traction means and wherein below the steps / pallets and at least over a section of the guideway at least one light barrier runs parallel to a plane spanned by the guide rails, wherein the guideway device is designed such that movement of the guideway is prevented if at least one light barrier is interrupted.

[0008] Advantageous aspects are explained below, and preferred modified embodiments are described further below. Explanations, particularly regarding advantages and definitions of features, are essentially descriptive and preferred, but not limiting, examples. If an explanation is limiting, this will be expressly stated.

[0009] For the purposes of this disclosure, the general term "guideway device" primarily refers to escalator devices and moving walkway devices (the latter particularly in a stepless configuration with an at least approximately level alignment or with a negligible gradient) as well as related passenger transport devices with a continuously rotating guideway. A guideway device comprises, for example, segments or units forming the guideway, in particular steps or pallets, which are connected by driven chains or similar traction devices and guided in guide rails. For example, the steps / pallets roll along a running surface of the respective guide rails using guide rollers.The guide rails, as well as the traction devices and other components of the guideway device, are held, for example, within support structures extending longitudinally, essentially laterally, which are usually formed from two opposing side wall units connected to each other via crossbeams and, optionally, a floor unit. The term "guideway device" also refers in particular to modularly constructed guideway devices, which are modularly constructed from several longitudinal sections or longitudinal section modules, each with an individual or individually created support structure, and which can be assembled / mounted in modules.

[0010] The supporting structure of the guideway device or of a respective module is preferably formed essentially by opposing side wall units and cross members (also referred to as crossbeams) connecting them, wherein each side wall unit is formed, for example, by at least one side wall and, in particular, by an upper chord and / or a lower chord. Receptacles for the guide rails are arranged, in particular, at regular intervals on the supporting structure, for example, on structural posts of the supporting structure. The receptacles can, for example, be formed together with receptacles for additional guides, such as for guiding the traction means, or for steps / pallets returned below the guideway.

[0011] The term “side wall” refers to a side structure which, for example, runs flat in only one side plane at least in part, but is alternatively or additionally formed and / or reinforced at least in part by profiles, struts or beams extending beyond the side plane. In general, the side wall is formed from structural elements or structural sections which, as flat structural sections, absorb forces in multiple directions and / or, as rod-shaped or strut-like structural elements / sections, absorb the respective forces only along the longitudinal extent predetermined by the orientation (tension or compression). The side wall is therefore designed, for example, as a closed surface, as a pure truss, or as a structure with portions of closed surfaces and portions with a truss structure.Optionally, at least some of the structural elements / sections of the side wall are formed from flat material, in particular sheet metal, e.g. structurally flat sections or stiffening (in particular) curved L- or U-profile sections.

[0012] According to the present disclosure, a "sidewall unit" comprises the above-described sidewall and, in particular, chords assigned to this sidewall as further structural elements / sections, in particular an upper chord and a lower chord. The chords can be formed integrally with the sidewall, integrated, or separate from one another. The terms upper chord and lower chord, which together are also referred to as chords, refer here to structural elements or structural sections extending longitudinally in the region of an upper edge or a lower edge of the sidewall, respectively, for absorbing loads in the longitudinal direction of the guideway device, in particular bending loads, which primarily lead to tensile stresses in the lower chord and compressive stresses in the upper chord.For this purpose, the belts are preferably designed as profiles or profile sections, in particular as L-profiles, U-profiles or hollow profiles and thus have a favorable area moment of inertia for absorbing the bending loads.

[0013] The steps / pallets are deflected at the respective ends of the guideway device and returned to the other end below the guideway. The guideway is therefore the path formed on the accessible upper side of the guideway device, where people are positioned during transport. Insofar as reference is made here to an area below the steps / pallets or below the guideway, this refers to an area below the steps forming the guideway. This area can extend above and / or below the steps / pallets in the return path.

[0014] To generate the light barrier, means for generating, receiving, and / or reflecting the light barrier are arranged, in particular, on the support structure. The means can be provided, for example, on a cross member of the support structure or on a side wall unit and comprise, in particular, a transmitter and a receiver, or a transmitter-receiver and a means for reflecting the light barrier. A light barrier is generally an optoelectronic system that detects the interruption of a light beam and generates an electrical signal accordingly. In this way, moving objects can be detected without contact. Light barriers consist of a light beam source (the transmitter) and a sensor (the receiver) for this radiation. Light sources used include light-emitting diodes with a wavelength of 660 nm (visible red light) or infrared LEDs with 880–940 nm in the infrared range.Infrared light has the advantage of achieving a greater range on dark materials, and it is also invisible to the human eye. The advantage of red light is that the visible light spot makes it easier to adjust the sensor system. For particularly precise applications, light from a laser diode can be used. The receiver is usually a photodiode or a phototransistor, less frequently a photoresistor. The means for generating, receiving, and / or reflecting the light barrier are usually arranged at the ends of a continuous, straight section of the travel path, where the light barrier can run uninterrupted beneath the steps / pallets.

[0015] To make a light barrier insensitive to extraneous light, the radiation is modulated, particularly in long-range models, to distinguish it from ambient light. In addition, an infrared filter, which appears almost black to the human eye, can be mounted in front of the receiver to shield higher-frequency light, including the visible portion of daylight. To further increase the range, the transmitter and receiver can be equipped with an optically bundling system, such as a converging lens. In addition, the photodiodes and phototransistors can be mounted in a cylindrical sheet metal housing that filters out side light and has a small lens made of plastic or glass arranged in its circular opening. An electrical supply line at multiple locations can be eliminated by integrating the transmitter and receiver close to one another and optically separated in a single housing.To form the light barrier, the light barrier is then directed towards a reflector.

[0016] The solution to the problem with the guideway device described above includes the teaching that a light barrier is provided below the steps / pallets and parallel to the plane of the guide rails. This light barrier serves to detect, after a step / pallet has been removed, whether an object or a person has entered the area beneath the guideway or whether something or someone is present there. Thus, when access to the area is created, this access can be immediately monitored, whereby operation of the drive device is prevented if the light barrier is / is interrupted. Thus, at least one light barrier is usually interrupted permanently or at least regularly whenever a person is in the area of ​​the guide rails to carry out maintenance work or intervenes in this area permanently or repeatedly.In the same way, a tool located in the area can be detected. The at least one light barrier is also usually interrupted permanently or at least on a regular basis when a step / pallet is replaced without a person climbing down into the area of ​​the temporarily removed step / pallet or intervening. Advantageously, the solution described above reliably prevents the operation of the guideway device whenever a foreign body in the area beneath the guideway poses a threat to the guideway device or the foreign body. The provision of the at least one light barrier is possible with relatively little structural effort, so that operation is also prevented in a simple and cost-effective manner.

[0017] The light barrier can, in particular, be permanently activated, i.e., both during operation of the guideway device and when the guideway device is shut down, for example, for maintenance. Alternatively, the light barrier can be activated exclusively in a maintenance mode of the guideway device in order to achieve the aforementioned advantages during maintenance, but to save energy during normal operation of the guideway device. In particular, if there are multiple light barriers, at least one light barrier can be permanently activated and / or at least one light barrier can be inactive, in particular only in a maintenance mode.

[0018] Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the at least one light barrier runs directly beneath the steps / pallets. For example, the at least one light barrier runs a few millimeters below the lower edge of a step / pallet in the intended arrangement of the step / pallet in its undamaged state. This can then ensure that if the step / pallet sinks as a result of deformation or failure, for example a break in a support rib, a support strut or another structural element such as a support arm of the step / pallet, or if a casing of a guide roller becomes detached or worn, parts of the step / pallet reach the at least one light barrier and interrupt it. The deformation or failure of the step or guide roller and the associated no longer safe operating condition can thus be detected simply and reliably using the light barrier.As a result, further operation of the guideway device can be interrupted or prevented. Additionally, maintenance can be triggered, for example, by sending a corresponding signal to a department responsible for maintenance. Information about the type of damage can be recorded and transmitted at this time. Advantageously, damage to the step / pallet can be detected automatically and immediately upon occurrence, with little or no additional effort.

[0019] Alternatively or additionally, several light barriers can be arranged across the width of the travel path to reliably detect a person. This ensures that all light barriers cannot remain uninterrupted due to a specific positioning of the person. The person can then be detected with exceptional reliability. Furthermore, damage to a step / pallet can be detected even if it causes the step / pallet to sink on only one side, so that the step / pallet runs at an angle to the plane defined by the guide rails.

[0020] Alternatively or additionally, at least one light barrier can be arranged parallel to the guide rails. The light barrier running parallel to the guide rails can then extend, in particular, over any desired length of the travel path and covers the same width range of the travel path in each section of its length. The light barrier arranged in this way is advantageously positioned identically for each step / pallet and can therefore detect damage in the same way on each step / pallet.

[0021] Alternatively or additionally, at least one light barrier can be provided diagonally between the guide rails. In particular, means for generating, receiving, and / or reflecting the light barrier can then be arranged particularly simply in the area of ​​the side wall units.

[0022] Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that at least one light barrier runs perpendicular to the guide rails. Such an arrangement can, for example, be provided at a position on the travel path that is usually provided for providing access to the area below the steps / pallets. This then ensures particularly reliable detection of a person in this area. Such an arrangement can also be provided in an area where the travel path is not straight but, for example, curved, or where the travel path is not straight over a sufficiently long stretch. This then ensures that even such an area can be monitored safely and easily.

[0023] Alternatively or additionally, the at least one light barrier can be designed as a laser light barrier. A laser beam can be used to reliably monitor a relatively long distance corresponding to the length of the travel path. In particular, the use of a laser can consistently and reliably maintain a short distance to a lower edge / side of the steps / pallets, allowing damage to the steps / pallets associated with a sinking to be reliably and sensitively detected.

[0024] Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that at least one light barrier runs along several sections of the guideway device, with the light barriers being independent of each other in each section. The overall length of the guideway is thus divided into shorter sections, each of which has its own light barrier. Accordingly, means for generating, receiving, and / or reflecting the light barrier are provided in sections, with respective means for generating, receiving, and / or reflecting two adjacent light barriers being arranged, for example, directly adjacent to one another, for example, next to one another, in order to achieve largely continuous monitoring at the transition between the sections.By dividing the system into sections and providing light barriers in sections, it is possible to locate the damage along the travel path, especially when damage to a step is detected, allowing for more efficient (and faster) identification of the damaged step / pallet. Furthermore, this method also allows monitoring of sections whose travel paths do not form a straight line.

[0025] Alternatively or additionally, the guideway device can be further configured to brake the steps / pallets to a standstill if at least one light barrier is interrupted. The phrase "if interrupted" refers to the point in time immediately after the state of the light barrier changes from non-interrupted to interrupted. In this way, the unsafe continued operation of the guideway device can be safely and quickly prevented, particularly in the event of a sudden failure of a step / pallet or a guide roller.

[0026] Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the steps / pallets are braked to a standstill by means of an emergency braking system. An emergency braking system represents, in particular, the fastest possible deceleration that can be achieved without (significant) risk of injury to persons transported on the guideway device. This advantageously minimizes the overall risk to the guideway device and the persons transported on it. Short description of the drawings

[0027] A preferred technical solution is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings using preferred embodiments. The term "figure" is abbreviated to "Fig." in the drawings.

[0028] The drawings show Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a travel path device designed as an escalator in an embodiment according to the present disclosure; Fig. 2 a perspective view of a step for an escalator according to Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 a plan view of the escalator according to Fig. 1 built-in step according to Fig. 2. Detailed description of the drawings

[0029] The described embodiments are merely examples that can be modified and / or supplemented in a variety of ways within the scope of the claims. Each feature described for a specific embodiment can be used independently or in combination with other features in any other embodiment. Each feature described for an embodiment of a specific claim category can also be used correspondingly in an embodiment of a different claim category.

[0030] Fig. Figure 1 shows an incomplete representation of a guideway device 1 designed as an escalator with a support structure 2, shown only schematically, comprising two side wall units. A lower chord 3 and an upper chord 4 of one of the side wall units are shown. A guideway 5 formed by several steps 6 extends between the side wall units. The steps 6 each comprise an upper tread 6.1, a front riser 6.2, and a guide roller 6.3, which roll on guide rails (not shown) of the support structure 2 to guide the steps 6. Furthermore, the steps 6 comprise a connection 6.4 to traction means 7, with which the steps 6 are driven along the guideway 5 via a drive device (not shown) acting on the traction means 7. On the upper side of the guideway device 1, a balustrade 8 with a handrail 8.1 extends from the upper chord 4 on both sides of the guideway 5.The guideway 5 is divided into a lower section 5.1, in which the guideway 5 transitions from the lower level, to which the guideway device 1 is connected, into the incline in an arc, into a middle section 5.2, in which the guideway 5 runs straight with a uniform incline, and into an upper section 5.3, in which the guideway 5 transitions from the incline in an arc into the upper level, to which the guideway device 1 is connected.

[0031] Fig. Figure 2 shows a step 6 in detail. The tread 6.1 and the riser 6.2 are provided with grooves along which the steps 6 slide against each other during the transition between the various gradients along the guideway 5, providing improved grip on the tread 6.1. On the rear side, and therefore only partially shown, the step 6 further comprises a supporting structure 11, which includes, in particular, struts, ribs, and support arms. Lateral support arms 11.1, 11.2 of the supporting structure 11 can be seen, on which the connection 6.4, here in the shape of a C-hole, and an axis 6.5 for the guide roller 6.3 (not shown here) are formed. The riser 6.2 forms a lower edge 12 of the step 6.

[0032] Fig. Figure 3 shows a plan view of a step 6 in its installed state on the guideway device 1. This shows the side wall units 2.1, 2.2 of the support structure 2, each of which has guide rails 13.1, 13.2 for the guide rollers 6.3 of the step 6. Furthermore, guides 14.1, 14.2 for the traction means 7 are arranged directly adjacent to the guide rails 13.1, 13.2.

[0033] As in Fig. 1, extends below the steps 6 parallel to a plane 17 defined by the guide rails 13.1. 13.2 (see Fig. 3) a light barrier 15, which is formed by means 16.1, 16.2 arranged within the support structure 2 for generating, receiving, and / or reflecting the light barrier 15. For example, one of the means 16.1, 16.2 for generating, receiving, and / or reflecting the light barrier 15 is designed as a transmitter and the other as a receiver. Alternatively, and furthermore, for example, one of the means 16.1, 16.2 for generating, receiving, and / or reflecting the light barrier 15 is designed as a transmitter-receiver and the other as a reflector. The light barrier 15 is arranged below the steps 6, so that when a step 6 is removed or replaced, the area below is monitored by the light barrier 15 for intrusion or the presence of a person or foreign body.

[0034] In Fig. 3, two light barriers 15.1, 15.2 are arranged parallel to the guide rails 13.1, 13.2, corresponding to the light barrier 15, and are distributed across the width of the step 6, so that when removing or replacing a step 6, the area underneath is monitored more closely and thus more reliably than if only one light barrier 15 were provided. The light barriers 15.1, 15.2 are also arranged differently from the Fig. The light barrier 15 shown in Figure 1 is arranged directly below the lower edge 12 of step 6. It can thus be detected if the lower edge 12 lowers as a result of damage to step 6 or a guide roller 6.3, thus interrupting at least one light barrier 15.1, 15.2. List of reference symbols 1 guideway device 2 Supporting structure of the guideway device 2.1 first side wall unit of the supporting structure 2.2 second side wall of the supporting structure 3 Bottom chord of the supporting structure 4 Top chord of the supporting structure 5 Travel path of the travel device 5.1 lower section of the track 5.2 middle section of the track 5.3 upper section of the track 6 Level of the guideway device 6.1 Step tread 6.2 Riser of the step 6.3 Leadership role of the level 6.4 Connection of the step to traction device 6.5 Axis for the guide roller 7 Traction means of the track device 8 Balustrade of the guideway device 8.1 Handrail on the balustrade 11 Supporting structure of the step 11.1 first lateral support arm of the support structure of the step 11.2 second lateral support arm of the support structure of the step 12 lower edge of the riser 13.1 first guide rail for a guide roller 13.2 second guide rail for a guide roller 14.1 first guide for a traction device 14.2 second guide for a traction device 15 light barrier 15.1 first light barrier 15.2 second light barrier 16.1 first means for generating, receiving and / or reflecting the light barrier 16.2 second means for generating, receiving and / or reflecting the light barrier 17 plane spanned by the guide rails

Claims

[1] Guideway device (1), comprising a supporting structure (2) with two opposite side wall units (2.1, 2.2), each with a guide rail (13.1, 13.2); a drive device mounted on the support structure (2); and Steps (6) or pallets, wherein the steps / pallets (6) are guided on the guide rails (13.1, 13.2) and driven by means of the drive device via traction means (7) in order to form a moving travel path (5); wherein the steps / pallets (6) are determined in their position along the travel path (5) by the guide rails (13.1, 13.2) and the traction means (7); characterized bythat below the steps / pallets (6) and at least over a section (5.1, 5.2, 5.3) of the travel path (5) at least one light barrier (15, 15.1, 15.2) runs parallel to a plane (17) spanned by the guide rails (13.1, 13.2), wherein the travel path device (1) is designed such that movement of the travel path (5) is prevented when at least one light barrier (15, 15.1, 15.2) is interrupted. [2] Guideway device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one light barrier (15, 15.1, 15.2) runs directly below the steps / pallets (6). [3] Guideway device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a plurality of light barriers (15, 15.1, 15.2) are distributed over the width of the guideway (5) for the reliable detection of a person. [4] Guideway device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one light barrier (15, 15.1, 15.2) runs parallel to the guide rails (13.1, 13.2). [5] Guideway device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one light barrier (15, 15.1, 15.2) runs diagonally between the guide rails (13.1, 13.2). [6] Guideway device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one light barrier (15, 15.1, 15.2) runs perpendicular to the guide rails (13.1, 13.2). [7] Guideway device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one light barrier (15, 15.1, 15.2) is designed as a laser light barrier. [8] Guideway device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in several sections (5.1, 5.2, 5.3) of the guideway device (1) at least one light barrier (15, 15.1, 15.2) runs and wherein the light barriers (15, 15.1, 15.2) are independent of each other for each section (5.1, 5.2, 5.3). [9] Guideway device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, further configured such that the steps / pallets (6) are braked to a standstill when at least one light barrier (15, 15.1, 15.2) is interrupted. [10] Guideway device (1) according to claim 9, wherein the steps / pallets (6) are braked to a standstill by means of an emergency braking.

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