POSITION SENSOR FOR ESCAPES AND MOVIES

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a position sensor for escalators and moving walkways and in particular to a pretensioning device for a position switch of such a position sensor.

[0002] As efficient means of transportation, escalators and moving walkways are frequently used in structures such as airports, train stations, subway stations, shopping centers, and department stores. The requirements for the operational safety of such passenger transport systems are very high, as the personal safety of their users must be ensured. Therefore, it is particularly important to monitor the escalator's operating status in real time. A critical area in escalators or moving walkways is the gap between the conveyor belt and a base plate of the balustrade located on either side of the conveyor belt. As disclosed in US 6405847 B1, position switches can be used to monitor this gap. These switches are designed to detect whether the base plate is deformed transversely to the direction of travel under the influence of force, thus widening the gap.This suggests that, for example, an object or even a user's limbs could be drawn into this gap, which is why the escalator or moving walkway must be stopped immediately.

[0003] However, it was found that the commercially available position switches used to monitor the base plate are not sensitive enough and therefore do not register a contact signal if the base plate is only slightly deformed. This poses a certain safety risk. While solutions using optical detection systems that can detect deformation of the base plate are known, the necessary installation space is often lacking to retrofit an existing escalator equipped with standard position switches with such a system. Furthermore, these systems are expensive and potentially susceptible to contamination.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to minimize the aforementioned safety risk. Commercially available position switches should also be usable for this purpose.

[0005] This task is solved by a position switch preloading device for a position switch, by a position sensor with a position switch and such a position switch preloading device, and by an escalator or moving walkway with such a position sensor. The position switch has a sensing element that is displaceable along a first direction. The sensing element is held in an off position by a spring element acting against the first direction. When the sensing element is subjected to a force acting in the first direction and against the spring element, the sensing element can be moved from its off position (switch open) to an on position (switch closed).

[0006] The position switch preloading device comprises a mounting element for attaching it to a position switch and a preloading element that is linearly displaceable from the mounting element. The preloading device is designed to fit the position switch such that, when mounted on the position switch, the preloading element can move telescopically along the first direction of the sensing element. The preloading element holds the sensing element of the position switch in a partially engaged, preloaded state even without external force being applied.

[0007] In other words, a position sensor is created by assembling a conventional position switch with a position switch preloading device. This assembly presses the sensing element into the switch housing of the position switch to a predetermined insertion depth by the preloading device, thus shortening the required travel distance of the position switch to its "on" position. This significantly increases the sensitivity of a conventional position switch, enabling it to be triggered even when the degree of deformation of the object being tested is minimal. The arrangement of a telescopically movable preloading element and the mounting element on the position switch allows for an initial insertion depth of the sensing element.

[0008] In one embodiment of the position switch preloading device, the preloading element comprises at least one guide lug. This guide lug is linearly displaceable and connected to the fastening element. Furthermore, the guide lug has a guide lug projection which, in conjunction with a stop surface of the fastening element, defines a maximum distance between the preloading element and the fastening element. In other words, the guide lug projection and the stop surface form a mechanical stop. This stop prevents the preloading element from being removed from the fastening element or from being pushed away by the spring element of the position switch beyond this maximum distance.

[0009] In a further embodiment of the position switch preloading device, the preloading element has a truncated cone top surface and a truncated cone lateral surface. These are located on the side of the preloading element facing away from the fastening element. Using a smaller truncated cone top surface for contacting the object under test or the base plate has the advantage of allowing more precise monitoring of the local area, as the influence of the base plate's flatness is reduced. The smaller the truncated cone top surface, the more directly any deflection of the base plate is transmitted to the preloading element.

[0010] In a further embodiment of the position switch preloading device, the preloading element has a pre-pressing projection. This is located on the side of the preloading element facing the mounting element. When the position switch preloading device is mounted on the position switch, the pre-pressing projection is in direct contact with the sensing element. By selecting an insertion distance that extends in the first direction between the stop surface and the pre-pressing projection, the insertion depth or the partially engaged state of the sensing element is determined.

[0011] In a further embodiment of the position switch preloading device, the preloading element comprises at least one limiting projection directed towards the fastening element, which, in conjunction with the fastening element, limits the engagement depth of the preloading element relative to the fastening element. The limiting projection restricts the maximum engagement depth and protects the sensing element from excessive external forces, thus preventing damage to internal contact elements and the spring element of the position switch.

[0012] In a further embodiment of the position switch preloading device, the mounting element comprises a telescopic sleeve and a mounting base. The inner diameter of the telescopic sleeve is matched to the sensing element of a position switch intended for assembly with the position switch preloading device in such a way that it is larger than the outer diameter of the sensing element. This allows the sensing element to extend through the interior of the telescopic sleeve to the preloading element. As a result, the telescopic sleeve protects the sensing element from, for example, dirt, lubricants, and splashing water, as well as from lateral forces that might act on the sensing element perpendicular to its primary direction.

[0013] In a first embodiment, the telescopic sleeve is provided with a guide groove for interaction with the guide lug projection. When the position switch preloading device is assembled, the guide lug of the preloading element is located outside the telescopic sleeve. The guide lug projection engages in the guide groove. The stop surface mentioned above preferably forms one of the two ends of the guide groove.

[0014] In a second variant, the telescopic sleeve is also provided with a guide groove for interaction with the guide lug projection. When the position switch preloading device is assembled, the guide lug of the preloading element projects into the interior space defined by the inner diameter of the telescopic sleeve. The guide lug projection also engages in the guide groove. The stop surface mentioned above preferably forms one of the two ends of the guide groove in this second variant as well.

[0015] In a third variant, a circumferential mounting projection is arranged on the telescopic sleeve. This mounting projection, in conjunction with the guide lug projection of the pretensioning element, is designed to limit the displacement of the pretensioning element in the opposite direction to the first direction L. In other words, the mounting projection provides the stop surface for the guide lug projection. To ensure that the guide lug projection engages the stop surface, the mounting projection extends in a second direction, and the guide lug projection extends in a direction opposite to this second direction. This second direction is orthogonal to the first.

[0016] In a further embodiment of the position switch preloading device, the orthographic projection of the mounting projection onto an imaginary plane and the orthographic projection of the guide nose projection onto the imaginary plane overlap each other by at least 80%, with the imaginary plane being orthogonal to the first direction. The smaller of the two orthographic projections is always used as the basis for specifying the percentage of overlap.

[0017] In a further embodiment of the position switch preloading device, the preloading element features a threaded insert in which an adjusting screw for setting the preloaded state is arranged as a pre-press protrusion. This adjusting screw not only compensates for manufacturing tolerances of the position switch preloading device but also allows for the adjustment of the actual switching travel of the position switch and thus its sensitivity. To prevent the adjusting screw from shifting due to vibrations during operation, it can be secured in the threaded insert after adjustment, for example, with anaerobic adhesives. It is also possible to slightly deform the threaded insert to create a stiff, self-locking screw connection.

[0018] To obtain a position sensor with higher sensitivity, a conventional or commercially available position switch is assembled with a position switch preloading device. For this purpose, the mounting element is firmly connected to the switch housing of the position switch. The preloading projection of the preloading element, which is linearly slidable from the mounting element, is in contact with a sensing element of the position switch. Due to the geometric conditions, in particular the selected press-fit distance, the preloading element holds the sensing element of the position switch in a partially engaged, preloaded state without any external force being applied. In other words, by mounting the position switch preloading device onto the position switch, its sensing element is engaged and held in the switch housing against the spring force of the spring element.The press-fit distance is chosen so that the contacts of the position switch are just not yet closed and no flashover of a sensor current applied to the contacts can occur.

[0019] Position sensors modified in this way can now be used in escalators or moving walkways. Such passenger transport systems have a conveyor belt and base plates arranged on both sides of the conveyor belt. To monitor a gap between the base plate and the conveyor belt, the escalator or moving walkway has at least one position sensor of the aforementioned type. This position sensor is arranged on a side surface of the base plate facing away from the conveyor belt. Preferably, the first direction of the position sensor is arranged orthogonally to this side surface. The prestressing element is also directed towards this side surface. Preferably, the truncated conical top surface of the prestressing element touches the adjacent side surface, but without exerting a force on the prestressing element in its normal state.If vibrations during operation cause the position switch to respond, a narrow air gap, for example of a maximum of 0.4 mm, can be provided between the truncated cone top surface of the prestressing element and the adjacent side surface when attaching the position sensor.

[0020] Embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Identical or equivalent features are designated by the same reference numeral. The drawings show: Figure 1: Schematic partial cross-section through an escalator, showing only part of a step and part of a balustrade base of the escalator to illustrate a possible installation of a position sensor according to the invention; Figure 2: Schematic representation of a position sensor with a commercially available position switch and with a position switch pre-tensioning device according to a first embodiment; Figure 3: Enlarged sectional view of the Figure 2 specified details X; Figure 4: a three-dimensional representation of the overall structure of the position switch preloading device according to the Figures 2 and 3 Figure 5: a three-dimensional representation of a prestressing element located in the Figure 4 Position switch preloading device shown; Figure 6: a three-dimensional representation of a fastening element of the Figure 4Figure 7: a sectional view of a second embodiment of a position switch preloading device; Figure 8: a sectional view of a third embodiment of a position switch preloading device; and Figure 9: a sectional view of a fourth embodiment of a position switch preloading device with an adjusting screw.

[0021] The terminology used serves solely to describe certain embodiments and is not intended to limit the present disclosure. The terms "comprehensive" and the like used herein indicate the presence of specified features, steps, processes, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, processes, or components.

[0022] The terms "length", "width", "top", "bottom", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "above", "below", "inside", "outside", etc. denote the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings and serve only for the purpose of describing the present invention and primarily to simplify the description. A device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed, and operate in a specific orientation; therefore, these specifications should not be interpreted as limiting the invention.

[0023] The Figure 1Figure 1 schematically shows a partial cross-section through an escalator 1. Its physical structure and operation have been known for decades, so they will not be discussed in detail here. This partial cross-section shows only a portion of a step 3 of a conveyor belt 5 and a portion of a balustrade base 7 of the escalator 1, in order to illustrate a possible installation of a position sensor 40 according to the invention. As is known, during operation of the escalator 1, the step 3 or the conveyor belt 5 moves relative to a stationary base plate 9 of the balustrade base 7, which is arranged laterally to the side of the conveyor belt 5. According to applicable standards such as EN 115, the gap width B of the functionally required gap 15 between the base plate 9 and the step 3 must not exceed 3 mm.This prevents objects such as shoes or users' fingers from being drawn into the gap 15 and causing serious injury. Although the base plate 9 is made of solid materials such as sheet steel, its sheet-like structure means that, under sufficient force F from the direction of step 3, it can be pushed into a deformed position 21, shown with a dashed line. This results in the width B of the gap 15 becoming greater than 3 mm, which can lead to the accidents mentioned above.

[0024] To detect deformed layers 21 of the base plate 9, position sensors 40 are arranged at predetermined intervals behind the base plate 9 along a direction of movement R (not vertical, but actually oblique to the plane of the drawing) of the conveyor belt 5. Each of these position sensors 40 has a position switch preload device 60 and a position switch 50, the sensing element 51 of which is directed towards the base plate 9. In other words, the position sensors 40 are arranged next to a side surface 13 of the base plate 9 facing away from the conveyor belt 5.

[0025] If, due to a deformed position 21 of the base plate 9, the push-button element 51 of the position switch 50 is actuated or engaged to a certain degree, an electrical contact 55 closes in the position switch 50 (see Figure 2), so that a signal current S is transmitted to an escalator control unit 15 of the escalator 1. Based on this signal current S, the escalator control unit 15 disconnects a drive motor 17 of the escalator 1 from the power supply (not shown) and activates its service brake 19, thus stopping the conveyor belt 5.

[0026] If, during this process, the travel distance of the key element 51 is very small and does not close the electrical contact 55, the position switch 50 also does not transmit a signal current S. That is, if the degree of deformation of the base plate 9 is very small and therefore harmless, the position switch 50 is not triggered.

[0027] The most important components of the position switch 50 are shown schematically in the Figure 2The key element 51 is held in an off position A by a spring element 52, whose spring force FF acts in the opposite direction to a first direction L. The first direction L indicates the possible direction of movement of the key element 51 from the off position A to an on position K. The contact 55 mentioned above has a contact tongue 53 and a contact projection 56, which is mechanically connected to the key element 51. Two electrical leads 54 lead into the interior of the position switch 50, one of the two leads 54 being electrically connected to the contact projection 56 via the spring element 52, and the other of the two leads 54 being electrically connected to the contact tongue 53.When the push-button element 51 is actuated or engaged until the switching position K, the contact projection 56 touches the contact tongue 53 after the switching path Y has been traversed and electrically connects the two lines 54, so that the signal current S applied to one of the two lines 54 can flow.

[0028] From the Figure 2It is also evident that the tactile element 51 would protrude considerably further from the position switch 50 without the use of a position switch preloading device 60. When the tactile element 51 is actuated, a significantly longer switching path Y' would have to be traversed before the contact projection 56 touches the contact tongue 53. By attaching a position switch preloading device 60 to a conventional position switch 50, the latter reacts, by shortening the original switching path Y by a preload distance V, even to significantly smaller deformed layers 21 of the base plate 9. The sensitivity is thereby increased in relation to the reduction of the original switching path Y' to the actual switching path Y. The preload distance V is the difference between the original switching path Y' and the actual switching path Y.

[0029] The Figures 2 to 6Figures 60 and 80 show the aforementioned position switch preloading device 60 and its components in a first embodiment, which is why these figures are described together. The position switch preloading device 60 comprises a fastening element 70 and a preloading element 80. The fastening element 70 is firmly connected to a switch housing 57 of the position switch 50, for example, by means of screws or adhesive. Clamping elements, press connections, snap connections, weld connections, and the like can also be used for this purpose. Depending on the design, the fastening element 70 can be attached to either side of the position switch 50, as long as the fastening element 70 and the position switch 50 can be securely connected to each other and the preloading element 80 has the correct orientation relative to the sensing element 51 for its intended function.

[0030] The preload element 80 and the fastening element 70 are connected to each other so that they can be moved linearly relative to one another. In other words, a preload element 80 arranged on the position switch 50 can be moved telescopically within a predetermined displacement path along the first direction L and in its opposite direction. The preload element 80 is in contact with the sensing element 51 of the position switch 50 such that the sensing element 51 is in a preloaded state. As soon as a base plate 9 to be monitored is deformed and exerts a force F against the preload element 80 in the first direction L, the sensing element 51 is engaged in the direction of the on position K when the spring force FF of the spring element 52 is overcome.

[0031] The in the Figures 2 to 6The illustrated fastening element 70 has a fastening base 71 and a telescopic sleeve 72. Two opposing guide grooves 73 extend in the first direction L from a stop surface 75 formed in the telescopic sleeve 72 to a base surface 76 of the fastening base 71 (see Figure 6 With the position switch preloading device 60 mounted on the position switch 50, the base surface 76 rests against the position switch 50. The stop surface 75 is parallel to the base surface 76 and at a distance T (see figure). Figure 3 ), ordered.

[0032] The preloading element 80 of the position switch preloading device 60 has two parallel projecting guide lugs 81, each with a guide lug projection 82, the two guide lugs 81 also extending in the first direction L. Each of the guide lug projections 82 extends in a second direction Q, which is orthogonal to the first direction L. The guide lugs 81 are aligned with the guide grooves 73 such that their guide lug projections 82 engage in the guide grooves 73 when the position switch preloading device 60 is fully assembled. The guide lug projections 82, in conjunction with the stop surface 75 of the respective guide groove 73, define a maximum distance M (see Figure 2 ) of the prestressing element 80 towards the fastening element 70 and thus limit its displacement path in the opposite direction L.

[0033] Furthermore, the preload element 80 has two parallel, projecting limiting projections 83, which also extend in the first direction L. In conjunction with the mounting base 71, against which they abut after traversing a setback depth E, the limiting projections 83 define a minimum distance between the preload element 80 and the mounting element 70, thus limiting its displacement path in the first direction L. The setback depth E must be greater than the actual switching path Y (see Figure 2 ), so that in the indented state the contact projection 56 sufficiently touches or contacts the contact tongue 53.

[0034] The preload element 80 also has a preload projection 86. Its projection surface 87 is arranged at a distance H from the guide lug projections 82. The projection surface 87 is designed to bear against the sensing element 51 when the position switch preload device is mounted on a position switch 50. As can be readily seen, the preload distance V (see figure) can be adjusted by selecting the distance H. Figure 2 ) are specified. In order to be in alignment with the protruding surface 87, the sensing element 51 projects into an interior space 77 bounded by the telescopic sleeve 72, the inner diameter D IH of which must be larger than an outer diameter D AT of the sensing element 51.

[0035] In the present embodiment, the preload element 80 is cylindrical. Furthermore, the preload element 80, with its guide lugs 81, its limiting projections 83, and the pre-pressing projection 86, is formed in one piece. The side of the preload element 80 facing away from the guide lugs 81, the limiting projections 83, and the pre-pressing projection 86 is frustoconical and thus has a frustoconical top surface 84 and a frustoconical lateral surface 85. The use of a smaller area for the frustoconical top surface 84 for contacting the object under test or the base plate 9 leads to more precise monitoring of the local area, as the influence of the flatness of the base plate 9 is reduced. The smaller the frustoconical top surface 84, the more directly any deflection of the base plate 9 is transmitted to the preload element 80.

[0036] As the Figures 2 to 6As shown in the first variant of the position switch preloading device 60, the guide lugs 81 are arranged outside the telescopic sleeve 72 when the position switch preloading device 60 is assembled.

[0037] In the Figure 7 A second variant of the position switch preloading device 60 is shown, whose telescopic sleeve 72 is also provided with two opposing guide grooves 73 for interaction with the guide lug projections 82. When this variant of the position switch preloading device 60 is assembled, the guide lugs 81 of the preloading element 80 project into the interior space 77, which is defined by the inner diameter D IH of the telescopic sleeve 72. The guide lug projections 82 also engage in the respective guide groove 73. The stop surface 75 mentioned above also forms one of the two ends of the guide groove 73 in this second variant.

[0038] In the Figure 8A third variant of the position switch preloading device 60 is shown. A circumferential mounting projection 74 is arranged on its telescopic sleeve 72. The mounting projection 74 interacts with the guide lug projection 82 of the preloading element 80 and limits the displacement travel of the preloading element 80 opposite to the first direction L. In other words, the mounting projection 74 has the stop surface 75 for the guide lug projection 82.

[0039] Again Figure 8As can be clearly seen, the fastening element 70, or rather its telescopic sleeve 72, has no guide grooves or limiting projections. Due to the absence of guide grooves, the preloading element 80 can be freely rotated about a central longitudinal axis 79 of the telescopic sleeve 72. The function of the limiting projections is performed by the two guide lugs 81, whose ends 78 are dimensioned such that the engagement depth E exists between them and the fastening base 71 when no force F acts on the preloading element 80.

[0040] In order for the guide lug projection 82 to engage the stop surface 75, the fastening projection 74 projects in a second direction Q, and the guide lug projection 82 projects in a direction opposite to the second direction Q. The second direction Q is orthogonal to the first direction L.

[0041] For all the aforementioned and subsequent variants of the position switch preloading device 60, the orthographic projection of the mounting projection 74 or the stop surface 75 onto an imaginary plane (not shown) and the orthographic projection of the guide nose projection 82 onto the imaginary plane overlap each other, with the imaginary plane being arranged orthogonally to the first direction L.

[0042] The Figure 9 Figure 1 shows a sectional view of a fourth embodiment of a position switch preloading device 60 with an adjusting screw 89. Here, the preloading element 80 has a threaded insert 88 in which the adjusting screw 89 is arranged as a pre-press projection 86 for setting the preloaded state. The adjusting screw 89 can not only compensate for manufacturing tolerances of the position switch preloading device 60, but also adjust the actual switching travel Y (see Figure 1). Figure 2The position of the position switch 50, and thus its sensitivity, can be adjusted. To prevent the adjusting screw 89 from shifting due to vibrations during operation, it can be secured after adjustment, for example, by anaerobic adhesives in the threaded insert 88. It is also possible to slightly deform the threaded insert 88 during its manufacture, thereby creating a stiff, self-locking screw connection. For adjustment, the adjusting screw 89 has an internal hexagon socket 90 on its end face, allowing the adjustment to be made using a hexagon key. Instead of the internal hexagon socket 90, other coupling types can also be used, for example, for slotted screwdrivers, Phillips screwdrivers, Torx screwdrivers, triangular keys, etc.

[0043] Although in the Figures 1 to 9Since four variants of the position switch preloading device 60 are shown, it is obvious that the same operating principle of preloading a position switch 50 by means of a position switch preloading device 60 can also be implemented with differently designed fastening elements 70 and preloading elements 80. For example, the number of guide lugs 81 of a preloading element 80 is not limited to two. In particular, a preloading element 80 and / or a fastening element 70 can also be composed of several parts. Naturally, the adjusting screw 89 and the threaded insert 88 can be used in each of the illustrated variants of the position switch preloading device 60. 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.Reference numerals in the claims are not to be regarded as limitations.

Claims

1. A position switch biasing device (60) for creating a position sensor (40), which position sensor (40) can be used to monitor a gap (15) between a base plate (9) and a conveyor belt (5) of an escalator (1) or a moving walkway, the position sensor (40) having a position switch (50), the button element (51) of which is displaceable in a first direction (L) and is held in an OFF switch position (A) by means of a spring element (52) acting against the first direction (L), characterized in that the position switch biasing device (60) comprises a fastening element (70) for fastening to the position switch (50), and comprises a biasing element (80), the biasing element (80) being connected to the fastening element (70) so as to be linearly displaceable and being adapted to the position switch (50) in such a way that, when a position switch biasing device (60) is mounted on the position switch (50), the biasing element (80) is movable telescopically in the first direction (L) of the button element (51) and, without the application of external force, the biasing element (80) holds the button element (51) of the position switch (50) in a partially indented, biased state.

2. The position switch biasing device (60) according to claim 1, wherein the biasing element (80) comprises at least one guide lug (81), wherein the at least one guide lug (81) is connected to the fastening element (70) so as to be linearly displaceable and wherein the guide lug (81) has a guide lug projection (82), which, in interaction with a stop surface (75) of the fastening element (70), predetermines a maximum distance (M) of the biasing element (80) from the fastening element (70).

3. The position switch biasing device (60) according to either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the biasing element (80) has a frustoconical top surface (84) and a frustoconical lateral surface (85) adjoining the frustoconical top surface (84), which surfaces are arranged on a side of the biasing element (80) facing away from the fastening element (70).

4. The position switch biasing device (60) according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the biasing element (80) has a pre-pressing projection (86) which is arranged on a side of the biasing element (80) facing the fastening element (70) and is provided to be in direct contact with the button element (51) when the position switch biasing device (60) is mounted on the position switch (50).

5. The position switch biasing device (60) according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the biasing element (80) comprises at least one limiting projection (83), which is directed against the fastening element (70) and which, in interaction with the fastening element (70), limits a depression depth (E) of the biasing element (80) relative to the fastening element (70).

6. The position switch biasing device (60) according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the fastening element (70) comprises a telescopic sleeve (72) and a fastening base (71) and an inner diameter (DIH) of the telescopic sleeve (72) is larger than an outer diameter (DAT) of the button element (51) of a position switch (50) provided for assembly with the position switch biasing device (60).

7. The position switch biasing device (60) according to claim 6, wherein the telescopic sleeve (72) is provided with a guide groove (73) for interaction with the guide lug projection (82), wherein, when the position switch biasing device (60) is mounted, the guide lug (81) of the biasing element (80) protrudes into the interior space (77) delimited by the inner diameter (DIH) of the telescopic sleeve (72) and the guide lug projection (82) engages in the guide groove (73).

8. The position switch biasing device (60) according to claim 6, wherein the telescopic sleeve (72) is provided with a guide groove (73) for interaction with the guide lug projection (82), wherein, when the position switch biasing device (60) is mounted, the guide lug (81) of the biasing element (80) is arranged outside the telescopic sleeve (72) and the guide lug projection (82) engages in the guide groove (73).

9. The position switch biasing device (60) according to claim 6, wherein a circumferential fastening projection (74) is arranged on the telescopic sleeve (72), and the fastening projection (74) is provided, in interaction with the guide lug projection (82) of the biasing element (80), to limit the displacement path of the biasing element (80) counter to the first direction (L).

10. The position switch biasing device (60) according to claim 9, wherein the fastening projection (74) projects in a second direction (Q) and the guide lug projection (82) projects in a direction counter to the second direction (Q), the second direction (Q) being orthogonal to the first direction (L).

11. The position switch biasing device (60) according to claim 10, wherein the orthographic projection of the fastening projection (74) onto an imaginary plane and the orthographic projection of the guide lug projection (82) onto the same imaginary plane overlap each other by at least 80%, the imaginary plane being arranged orthogonal to the first direction (L).

12. The position switch biasing device (60) according to any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the biasing element (80) has a threaded insert (88) in which an adjusting screw (89) for adjusting the biased state is arranged as a pre-pressing projection (86).

13. A position sensor (40) comprising a position switch (50) and a position switch biasing device (60) according to any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the fastening element (70) is firmly connected to a switch housing (57) of the position switch (50) and the pre-pressing projection (86) of the biasing element (80) connected to the fastening element (70) so as to be linearly displaceable is in contact with a button element (51) of the position switch (50) and, without the application of external force, the biasing element (80) holds the button element (51) of the position switch (50) in a partially indented, biased state.

14. An escalator (1) or moving walkway with a conveyor belt (5) and a base plate (9) arranged laterally relative to the conveyor belt (5), wherein the escalator (1) or the moving walkway has at least one position sensor (40) according to claim 13 for monitoring a gap (15) between the base plate (9) and the conveyor belt (5) and which position sensor (40) is arranged on a side surface (13) of the base plate (9) facing away from the conveyor belt (5), wherein the first direction (L) of the position switch (50) of the position sensor (40) is arranged orthogonal to this side surface (13) and the biasing element (80) is directed against this side surface (13).

15. The escalator (1) or moving walkway according to claim 14, wherein the biasing element (80) rests with its frustoconical top surface (84) against the side surface (13) of the base plate (9).