HANDRAIL FOR AN ESCALATOR OR MOVING WALK

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a handrail for a passenger transport system configured as an escalator or moving walkway. Furthermore, the invention relates to a passenger transport system equipped with such a handrail.

[0002] A handrail or handrail belt for an escalator or moving walkway typically comprises several fabric layers, each of which can be rubberized on one or both sides. Tensile members in the form of steel strands, which can also be rubberized, can be incorporated into the fabric layers. The fabric layers can be covered by an external protective rubber layer. Such a handrail is typically manufactured in an endless length specifically tailored to the escalator or moving walkway in question. This can be very complex and can also impose certain restrictions on installation and maintenance, not least due to the relatively high weight of the handrail. Furthermore, the splicing of handrail belts—the joining of the two ends of a handrail belt to form an endless handrail belt—is very time-consuming and requires expensive special tools.Furthermore, handrails made of plastics and fabric layers are subject to environmental aging processes and aging caused by alternating bending, which can lead to cracks in the handrail surface. Germs and spores can nest and multiply in cracked handrail surfaces. Furthermore, the rubber-like handrails are often the target of vandalism, for example, where grooves are scratched with knives or entire pieces are cut out of the handrails. EP 1799605 A1, for example, describes a handrail strap of the aforementioned type made of polyurethane with steel strands. US2956662A discloses the preamble of claim 1.

[0003] There may therefore be a need for a handrail that is vandal-resistant, easier to install, and / or cheaper to manufacture. Furthermore, there may be a need for a corresponding passenger transport system and manufacturing process.

[0004] Such a need can be met by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are defined in the dependent claims and in the description below.

[0005] A first aspect of the invention relates to a handrail for a passenger transport system in the form of an escalator or moving walkway. The handrail comprises a sheet metal strip that is divided transversely to its longitudinal direction into two edge sections and a central section located between the two edge sections. The edge sections are each bent into a bead. The central section is shaped into a handrail back extending between the beads for resting a hand.

[0006] "Sheet metal strip" can be understood as an elongated, band- or strip-shaped piece of sheet metal, for example, sheet steel. The sheet metal strip can have a thickness or material strength of typically between 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm, for example, 0.2 mm.

[0007] The term "edge section" can be understood as an outer edge of the sheet metal strip extending along a longitudinal edge of the sheet metal strip.

[0008] The middle section can be an inner section of the sheet metal strip that connects the two (opposite) edge sections.

[0009] The descriptive division of the sheet metal strip into edge sections and a central section can be understood as two imaginary straight lines drawn parallel to the longitudinal edges of the sheet metal strip, which delimit the central section from the edge sections. In other words, the edge sections and the central section can be understood as different, adjacent sub-areas of one and the same piece of sheet metal strip. The sheet metal strip, with its two edge sections and its central section, can be formed as a single component. This means that the handrail can be formed as an entire sheet metal strip or as a section of sheet metal strip by forming a single sheet.

[0010] A "bead" can be understood as an elongated, at least partially rounded thickening on the back of the handrail, which can be at least partially tubular, i.e., hollow inside. The beads can be created, for example, by rolling or milling the respective edge section. The beads can extend on opposite sides of the handrail back over its entire length or at least over a large part of its length.

[0011] The diameter of the beads can, for example, be selected depending on the desired height of the handrail. The larger the diameter of the beads, the higher the handrail can be. In other words, the beads can serve to optimally adapt the cross-sectional shape of the handrail to a hand grasping the handrail. Furthermore, the beads increase the stability of the handrail.

[0012] The beads can be curved so that, during operation of the handrail, they face a balustrade of the escalator or moving walkway, i.e., they are arranged on an inner side of the handrail after the handrail has been connected to form a closed ring. A surface of the back of the handrail, on which the hand can be placed, can correspond to an outer side of the handrail.

[0013] The sheet metal strip of the handrail can, for example, be connected to form a closed ring and / or assembled from several sheet metal strip parts by the ends of the sheet metal strip or the sheet metal strip parts being connected to one another in a force-fitting and / or form-fitting manner, for example by welding, soldering or gluing, by forming, for example by flanging, folding or clinching, and / or by using additional connecting elements, for example in the form of screws, rivets, clamping rings or clamps.

[0014] For example, the ends of the sheet metal strip or the sheet metal strip parts can be welded together butt-welded, overlapping, with or without filler metal. In particular, the sheet metal strip or the sheet metal strip parts can have the same thickness in an overlapping area where the ends of the sheet metal strip or the sheet metal strip parts overlap as outside the overlapping area.

[0015] For example, the back of the handrail can be mostly flat. Additionally or alternatively, the back of the handrail can be rounded, for example, curved outwards.

[0016] In addition, the handrail can be at least partially lined or filled with a filling material, such as a special foam, for example polyurethane foam.

[0017] Such a handrail has the advantage that it can be very easily cut to a specific length and only needs to be connected to form a ring when the handrail is mounted or when the passenger transport system is installed, for example by welding the ends of the appropriately cut sheet metal strip together or by joining them in some other way using a material and / or form fit.

[0018] In addition, such a handrail is significantly lighter than conventional rubber and fabric-based handrails. Tests have shown that the weight of the handrail can be reduced to approximately 0.6 kg / m. This not only has a positive impact on assembly and installation, but also, due to the corresponding reduction in friction, has a positive impact on the energy consumption of the passenger transport system equipped with such a handrail.

[0019] Because the handrail is made largely of metal, it can be manufactured much more cheaply, as vulcanization or other complex processing steps that are usually required in connection with the construction of rubber and fabric-based handrails can be completely eliminated.

[0020] In addition, the handrail is very easy to clean, i.e., kept hygienically clean, thanks to its metallic surface. In particular, the metallic material of the handrail can withstand chemicals used for cleaning or disinfection without, for example, becoming brittle, corroding, or aging in any other way over time. The metallic material can also withstand plasma that may be used for disinfection. Unlike plastic straps, the handrail cannot become brittle and develop cracks that could harbor dirt and germs thanks to its metallic material. Depending on the metal alloy used, the surface of the sheet metal strip or the handrail formed from it also has germ-reducing properties. Furthermore, this type of handrail is also very vandal-proof, as its surface can hardly or only very slightly be worked on with a knife.In addition, because of the hard surface, there is no incentive to even attempt to damage it.

[0021] In addition, the metal handrail is pleasant to the touch, as this material has a very clean feel and users are familiar with the feel from static stair railings, for example. Furthermore, the metal strip makes the handrail easier to recycle, as there is no composite material, as is the case with conventional handrails for escalators and moving walkways.

[0022] A second aspect of the invention relates to a passenger transport system in the form of an escalator or moving walkway, comprising a handrail, as described above and below, and a drive device with at least one drive wheel for driving the handrail. The drive wheel and the handrail engage with one another in a form-fitting manner. For example, the drive wheel can engage with transverse grooves and / or engagement elements of the handrail, as described below. The drive device can comprise an electric motor that drives the drive wheel, for example a spur-toothed plastic wheel. The drive device can also comprise several drive wheels that engage with the handrail in a form-fitting manner at several points. Of course, a friction wheel can also be used as the drive wheel, which transmits the drive force to the handrail via friction forces.

[0023] Also disclosed here is a method for producing a handrail for a passenger transport system in the form of an escalator or a moving walkway. The method comprises at least the following steps, which can be carried out in the specified order or in a suitable alternative order: providing a sheet metal strip divided transversely to its longitudinal direction into two edge sections and a central section located between the two edge sections; bending each edge section into a bead, and forming the central section into a handrail back extending between the beads for resting a hand on.

[0024] This process can be a multi-stage process in which the sheet metal strip is bent by rolling using several forming rollers in several successive rolling stations so that it ultimately has the desired handrail shape.

[0025] The sheet metal strip can then be cut to a specific length as required and, for example, only at the installation site, joined at its ends to form a closed ring, for example by butt-welding the ends together. This process can significantly reduce the cost and speed up the production of the handrail.

[0026] Features of the method as described above and below may also be features of the handrail and vice versa.

[0027] Possible features and advantages of embodiments of the invention may be considered, among other things and without limiting the invention, as being based on the ideas and findings described below.

[0028] On their underside, which faces away from the back of the handrail, the beads each have a plurality of transverse grooves distributed along the length of the sheet metal strip. The transverse grooves can, for example, be embossed depressions whose length can run transversely to the length of the sheet metal strip or handrail. The transverse grooves can drastically reduce the flexural rigidity of the cross-section, thereby improving the elastic deformability of the sheet metal strip under bending loads, such as those that occur in the deflection areas of the handrail. This means that the handrail can also be used in combination with escalators or moving walkways, which require smaller bending radii, without the need for additional adaptations.

[0029] The beads each have a rounded bead section and a straight fastening section extending transversely to their longitudinal direction. The rounded bead section can have the transverse grooves, and the straight fastening section can be attached to the handrail back. The two straight fastening sections can, for example, be arranged between the two rounded bead sections. The rounded bead sections can, for example, each have a teardrop-shaped cross-section. The straight fastening sections can, for example, be spot-welded to the handrail back at several points. Other joining methods are also possible. Such beads can be produced with relatively little effort.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the transverse grooves of at least one of the beads can be configured to positively engage with at least one drive wheel of a drive device for driving the handrail. In other words, at least one of the beads, including its transverse grooves, can function as a type of flexible rack or rail that can mesh with a corresponding drive wheel of the drive device. Thus, no additional components are required to mechanically couple the finished sheet metal strip or the handrail to the drive wheel.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the transverse grooves can each have a V-shaped cross-section. One or both flanks of the V-shaped cross-section can be straight or curved, or partly straight and partly curved. The two flanks can be connected to each other, for example, via a rounded groove that forms a bottom of the respective transverse groove. The V-shaped cross-section can, for example, have an opening angle of 45 degrees. Depending on the application, any other opening angles are also possible. Transverse grooves shaped in this way have the advantage of being complementary to various tooth flank geometries of common gears.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the transverse grooves of different beads can be arranged in pairs opposite each other. In other words, each of the transverse grooves of one bead can be arranged exactly opposite one of the transverse grooves of the other bead, i.e., the two transverse grooves share a common longitudinal axis. In this way, the elastic deformability of the handrail can be further improved and thus its service life extended.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the handrail can further comprise a plurality of engagement elements fastened to the sheet metal strip, which engagement elements can be designed to positively engage at least one drive wheel of a drive device for driving the handrail. The engagement elements can be arranged distributed between the beads in the longitudinal direction of the sheet metal strip. The engagement elements can be individually fastened to the sheet metal strip, for example, welded, screwed, or clamped thereto, or each can be fastened to the sheet metal strip via an additional support (see below). The engagement elements can, for example, be arranged centrally between the two beads in the longitudinal direction of the sheet metal strip. The engagement elements can be distributed over the entire length of the sheet metal strip. This enables the mechanical coupling of the handrail to the drive wheel independently of the transverse grooves.In addition, the engagement elements can be designed to prevent the handrail from deviating horizontally or vertically from its ideal line during operation.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the engagement elements can be attached to the sheet metal strip via a carrier strip. For example, the engagement elements can be welded, soldered, glued, screwed, or clamped to the carrier strip. The carrier strip can, for example, be inserted into the sheet metal strip and extend over its entire length or at least a large part of its entire length. For example, it is possible for the carrier strip to be enclosed on both sides by the two beads. In other words, the carrier strip can be centered on the sheet metal strip by means of the two beads. The carrier strip can be connected to the sheet metal strip at several points or continuously in order to transmit drive forces to the sheet metal strip.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the support strip can be designed as an additional sheet metal strip. This further simplifies the production of the handrail. In this case, the support strip can be easily attached to the sheet metal strip by welding or soldering, for example.

[0036] Regardless, the sheet metal strip can be combined with at least one other sheet metal strip to reinforce the sheet metal strip.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the support strip can be inserted into a gap between the straight fastening sections and the handrail back, whereby the straight fastening sections can each be attached to the handrail back via the support strip. In this way, the handrail can be designed to be particularly torsionally rigid. For example, the straight fastening sections, the support strip, and the handrail back can be spot-welded or roll-welded together at suitable locations, which can, for example, be distributed over the entire length of the sheet metal strip. Other joining methods are also possible.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the handrail can further comprise a heating device and / or cooling device for heating or cooling the sheet metal strip. The heating device can be, for example, a fan or an induction heater for contactless heating of the sheet metal strip. In this way, the sheet metal strip can be brought to a temperature that is perceived as comfortable. For cooling, a Peltier element can be used, for example, the cold generated by the element being blown onto the handrail as cooling air, for example by a fan. Especially in more extreme climatic regions, a handrail formed from a sheet metal strip offers enormous advantages, as its aging behavior, sliding properties, and mechanical properties are hardly affected by temperature fluctuations. In addition, the handrail can be heated or cooled very easily due to its low mass and good thermal conductivity.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the sheet metal strip can be made of stainless steel. This increases the corrosion resistance of the handrail. Additionally or alternatively, the sheet metal strip can be at least partially coated with a plastic or metal layer. This allows the external appearance of the handrail to be adapted to different requirements with little effort. Such a plastic or metal layer also acts as an additional protective layer to protect the sheet metal strip from environmental influences.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the sheet metal strip can be assembled from at least two sheet metal strip parts. For example, each sheet metal strip part can be shorter than the sheet metal strip, or, in other words, the total length of the sheet metal strip can be equal to the sum of the individual lengths of the sheet metal strip parts. For example, the sheet metal strip parts can be welded or soldered together to form the sheet metal strip. In this way, the handrail can be installed relatively easily even if it is longer than average. For example, it is possible for the sheet metal strip parts to be transported individually to the installation site and then assembled there.

[0041] Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein neither the drawings nor the description are to be construed as limiting the invention. Figure 1shows a passenger transport system with a handrail according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 shows a section of the handrail from Figure 1 from underneath. Figure 3 shows a section of the handrail from Figure 1 in perspective view. Figure 4 shows the handrail Figure 1 from the side. Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the handrail from Figure 1 according to a Figure 4 drawn cross-sectional plane BB. Figure 6 shows a section of a handrail with engagement elements according to an embodiment of the invention from below.

[0042] The figures are merely schematic and not to scale. The same reference numerals designate identical or equivalent features in the various figures.

[0043] Figure 1shows a passenger transport system 1 configured as an escalator. The passenger transport system 1 comprises a handrail 2 and a drive device 4 that drives the handrail 2 by means of a drive wheel 3. The drive wheel 3, which can be rotated by means of an electric motor (not shown) of the drive device 4, engages positively with a correspondingly shaped structure on the handrail 2. The structure of the handrail 2 is described in more detail below.

[0044] Figure 2 shows a plan view of the underside of the handrail 2. The handrail 2 comprises a sheet metal strip 5, which, viewed transversely to its longitudinal direction 6, comprises two outer edge sections 7 and a central section 8 that directly connects the two edge sections 7. In other words, the two edge sections 7 and the central section 8 extend parallel to each other and in the longitudinal direction 6 of the handrail 2.

[0045] The strip 5 may be formed in one piece or composed of at least two strip parts 5a, 5b, for example strip strips, joined together.

[0046] Each of the two edge sections 7 is bent into a bead 9 with a drop-shaped cross-section (see also Figure 5 ), wherein the middle section 8 forms a handrail ridge 10 connecting the two beads 9 for laying a hand. The handrail ridge 10 is designed straight in the illustrated embodiment transversely to the longitudinal direction 6 (see also Figure 3 ). Of course, this could also be slightly bent.

[0047] In addition, each of the beads 9 has, on its bead underside 17, a plurality of transverse grooves 11 distributed in the longitudinal direction 6, here in the form of depressions embossed into the respective bead 9. The transverse grooves 11 are, for example, distributed over the entire length of the sheet metal strip 5 or the handrail 2. By means of the transverse grooves 11, the flexibility of the handrail 2 in deflection areas of the passenger transport system 1 can be significantly improved or the mechanical stress on the handrail 2 due to bending stresses resulting from alternating bending in the deflection areas can be significantly reduced.

[0048] It is possible for the drive wheel 3 to engage directly in the transverse grooves 11 of one or both beads 9 in order to drive the handrail 2.

[0049] In this example, the transverse grooves 11 of different beads 9 are arranged in pairs opposite each other. However, an offset arrangement of the transverse grooves 11 of one bead 9 relative to the transverse grooves 11 of the other bead 9 is also possible.

[0050] As in the Figure 4 As can be seen in the side view of the handrail 2 shown, the transverse grooves 11 can each have a V-shaped cross-section.

[0051] From the Figure 5 In the cross-sectional view of the handrail 2 shown, it can be seen that the beads 9 each comprise a round, here drop-shaped, bent bead section 12 and a straight fastening section 13, wherein the two straight fastening sections 13 are arranged between the two round bent bead sections 12 and are each fastened to the handrail back 10, for example welded thereto.

[0052] As in Figure 6As shown, it is alternatively possible that a carrier strip 14, for example in the form of an additional sheet metal strip, is additionally inserted into a gap between the handrail back 10 and the two straight fastening sections 13 and fastened to the sheet metal strip 5.

[0053] In this example, several engagement elements 15 are attached to the carrier strip 14 centrally between the two beads 9, into which the drive wheel 3 can positively engage. The engagement elements 15 can be distributed over the entire length of the sheet metal strip 5.

[0054] In order to make the handrail 2 more comfortable, the handrail 2 can be heated and / or cooled by means of an optional heating device and / or cooling device 16 (see Figure 1 ) to a temperature that is perceived as comfortable.

[0055] Finally, it should be noted that terms such as "having," "comprising," etc., do not exclude other elements or steps, and terms such as "a" or "an" do not exclude a plurality. Furthermore, it should be noted that features or steps described with reference to one of the above embodiments may also be used in combination with other features or steps of other of the above embodiments within the scope of the appended claims. Reference signs in the claims are not to be considered as limitations.

Claims

1. A handrail (2) for a passenger transportation system (1) designed as an escalator or a moving walkway, wherein the handrail (2) has a sheet-metal band (5) which comprises, transversely to its longitudinal direction (6), two edge portions (7) and a central portion (8) located between the two edge portions (7); • wherein the edge portions (7) are each bent to form a bead (9), and the central portion (8) is shaped to form a handrail back (10), extending between the beads (9), for placing a hand on; • wherein the beads (9) each have, on their bead underside (17) which faces away from the handrail back (10), a plurality of transverse grooves (11) distributed in the longitudinal direction (6) of the sheet-metal band (5), characterized in that the beads (9) each have, transversely to their longitudinal direction (6), a curved bead portion (12) and a straight fastening portion (13): • and wherein the curved bead portion (12) has the transverse grooves (11) and the straight fastening portion (13) is fastened to the handrail back (10).

2. The handrail (2) according to claim 1, wherein the transverse grooves (11) of at least one of the beads (9) are designed to positively engage in at least one drive wheel (3) of a drive device (4) for driving the handrail (2).

3. The handrail (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transverse grooves (11) each have a v-shaped cross section.

4. The handrail (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transverse grooves (11) of different beads (9) are arranged opposite one another in pairs.

5. The handrail (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: a plurality of engagement elements (15) which are fastened to the sheet-metal band (5) and are designed to positively engage in at least one drive wheel (3) of a drive device (4) for driving the handrail (2), wherein the engagement elements (15) are distributed between the beads (9) in the longitudinal direction (6) of the sheet-metal band (5).

6. The handrail (2) according to claim 5, wherein the engagement elements (15) are fastened to the sheet-metal band (5) via a support band (14).

7. The handrail (2) according to claim 6, wherein the support band (14) is designed as an additional sheet-metal band.

8. The handrail (2) according to either claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the support band (14) is inserted into a gap between the straight fastening portions (13) and the handrail back (10) and the straight fastening portions (13) are each fastened to the handrail back (10) via the support band (14).

9. The handrail (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: a heating device and / or cooling device (16) for heating and / or cooling the sheet-metal band (5).

10. The handrail (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sheet-metal band (5) is made of stainless steel; and / or wherein at least part of the sheet-metal band (5) is coated with a plastics coating.

11. The handrail (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sheet-metal band (5) is assembled from at least two sheet-metal band parts (5a, 5b).

12. A passenger transportation system (1) in the form of an escalator or a moving walkway, wherein the passenger transportation system (1) comprises: a handrail (2) according to any one of the preceding claims; and a drive device (4) having at least one drive wheel (3) for driving the handrail (2), wherein the drive wheel (3) and the handrail (2) positively engage in one another.