Passenger transport system with detection device for detecting signs of wear

Abstract

The invention relates to a passenger transport system (10), in particular an escalator or a moving walkway, comprising a plurality of step units (11) which can be moved by means of guide rollers (12) on a guide rail system (13) along a desired travel path (14). The passenger transport system (10) comprises a detection apparatus (15) for detecting signs of wear. The detection apparatus (15) has at least one detector roller (150) which is mounted in place of one of the guide rollers (12). The detector roller (150) has a discontinuous peripheral surface in the rolling direction of the detector roller (150). The detection apparatus (15) also comprises a monitoring device (155) for recording audio data and / or image data along the desired travel path (14). The invention also relates to a method for detecting signs of wear of a passenger transport system as described in the present disclosure.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to the field of passenger transport systems, in particular escalators or moving walkways. In particular, the invention relates to a passenger transport system with a detection device for detecting signs of wear. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for detecting signs of wear in a passenger transport system.

[0002] Passenger transport systems are used to transport people, for example, between different height levels within buildings or within a constant height level. For example, escalators, sometimes also called moving walkways, are used to transport people from one floor to another within a building. Moving walkways can be used to transport people, for example, within a floor on a horizontal plane or on a slightly inclined plane.

[0003] Passenger transport systems usually have a large number of tread units on which people can be transported, for example while standing. In escalators, the tread units are also referred to as steps. In moving walkways, the tread units are usually referred to as pallets. The tread units are usually made of metal and can be manufactured, for example, as cast parts. An upward-facing surface of a tread unit is usually profiled with longitudinal ribs running in the direction of travel and longitudinal grooves between these. The tread units are generally arranged parallel to one another and one behind the other. The tread units are usually connected to one another by means of a conveyor such as a conveyor chain and can, during normal operation of the passenger transport system, be relocated or moved one behind the other along a desired travel path, for example by means of the conveyor. The desired travel path can, for example,by a guide, in particular a rail system, along which the step units are moved, usually rolling or sliding on guide roller or guide sliding elements.

[0004] As with all mechanical systems, signs of wear occur in passenger transport systems, particularly at the contact points of moving components. Maintenance and repair of the passenger transport system require localization and characterization of the defect caused by wear (e.g., loose connections and / or subsidence of a guide rail of the guide rail system, e.g., due to tolerance reductions or abrasion). JP H07 133088 A discloses a system and method for detecting the ride quality of escalators and elevators by means of path recording in combination with acceleration sensors. This also detects unevenness caused by deposits. It has therefore become apparent that the systems and methods known from the prior art for detecting signs of wear are in need of improvement.

[0005] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a passenger transport system with a detection device for detecting wear phenomena as well as a method for detecting wear phenomena, which are improved compared to the prior art.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned object, a passenger transport system with a detection device for detecting wear and tear and a method for detecting wear and tear of a passenger transport system are provided according to the independent claims. Further aspects, advantages, and features of the present invention can be found in the dependent claims, the description, and the accompanying figures.

[0007] According to one aspect of the invention, a passenger transport system, in particular an escalator or a moving walkway, comprising a detection device for detecting signs of wear is provided. The passenger transport system comprises a plurality of step units that can be moved along a desired travel path by means of guide rollers on a guide rail system. The detection device has at least one detector roller mounted in place of one of the guide rollers, wherein the detector roller has a discontinuous circumferential surface in the unwinding direction of the detector roller. Furthermore, the detection device comprises a monitoring device for recording audio data and / or image data along the desired travel path.

[0008] According to a further aspect of the invention, a method is provided for detecting signs of wear on a passenger transport system, in particular an escalator or a moving walkway. The passenger transport system comprises a plurality of step units that can be moved along a desired travel path by means of guide rollers on a guide rail system. The method comprises replacing at least one guide roller of the plurality of step units with a detector roller. The detector roller has a discontinuous circumferential surface in the unwinding direction of the detector roller. Furthermore, the method comprises mounting a monitoring device on at least one step unit of the plurality of step units, in particular on a step axis or pallet axis, for recording audio data and / or image data.The method further comprises moving the treadmill units along a target travel path and recording audio data and / or image data while moving along the target travel path. Furthermore, the method comprises comparing the recorded audio data and / or image data with corresponding target reference data. Furthermore, the method comprises determining a wear phenomenon when a deviation of the recorded audio data and / or image data from the corresponding target reference data exceeds or falls below a certain threshold value.

[0009] Thus, according to the present invention, a passenger transport system and a method are provided with which, compared to the prior art, signs of wear (e.g., loose connection points and / or subsidence of a guide rail of the guide rail system, e.g., due to tolerance reductions or abrasion) can be detected more easily and with less effort. Furthermore, signs of wear and / or subsidence, in particular subsidence of guide rails of the guide rail system, can be localized more quickly and clearly than with the prior art.

[0010] The invention will be explained below with reference to exemplary embodiments illustrated in figures, from which further advantages and modifications emerge. In the figures: Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a passenger transport system with a detection device for detecting signs of wear according to embodiments described herein; Figure 2 shows a schematic view of a detection device for detecting signs of wear according to embodiments described herein; and Figures 3A and 3B are block diagrams illustrating embodiments of a method for detecting signs of wear of a passenger transport system according to the present disclosure.

[0011] The following will now discuss in detail the various embodiments, one or more examples of which are shown in each figure. Each example is for illustrative purposes and is not to be understood as limiting. For example, features shown or described as part of one embodiment may be used on or in conjunction with any other embodiment to obtain a further embodiment, provided that it is within the scope of the independent claims. The present disclosure is intended to include such modifications and variations.

[0012] In the following description of the drawings, the same reference numbers refer to the same or similar components. Generally, only the differences between the individual embodiments are described. Unless otherwise noted, the description of a part or aspect in one embodiment may also refer to a corresponding part or aspect in another embodiment.

[0013] Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a passenger transport system 10 with a detection device 15 for detecting wear phenomena according to embodiments described herein. In particular, Figure 1An escalator 101 is shown as an exemplary passenger transport system 10, by means of which, for example, people can be transported between two levels E1, E2. It is understood that the passenger transport system 10 can also be a moving walkway, even if this is not explicitly shown in the figures.

[0014] As shown schematically in Figure 1 As shown, the escalator 101 typically has two closed-loop conveyor chains 102 (due to the side view, only one of the two conveyor chains 102 is visible). The two conveyor chains 102 are composed of a plurality of chain links. The two conveyor chains 102 can be displaced along a desired travel path 14 in the direction of travel. The conveyor chains 102 typically run parallel to each other and are spaced apart from each other in a direction transverse to the direction of travel.

[0015] Extending between the two conveyor chains 102 are several tread units 11, for example, in the form of steps in the case of an escalator or in the form of step pallets in the case of a moving walkway. Each tread unit 11 is typically attached to one of the conveyor chains 102 near its lateral ends and can thus be moved along the desired travel path 14 in the direction of travel using the conveyor chains 102. The tread units 7 guided on the conveyor chains 102 form a circulating conveyor belt. In order to be able to move the conveyor chains 102, the escalator 101 has a drive arrangement (not shown).

[0016] As in Figure 1As shown schematically, the conveyor chains 102 of the conveyor belt are deflected by means of deflection wheels 105 in the area of ​​a lower access 103 and in the area of ​​an upper access 104. The deflection wheels 105 are typically mounted on a supporting structure, which is usually in the form of a lattice structure, via bearings, for rotation. Typically, the escalator 101 also has a handrail 106, which is usually driven together with the conveyor chains 102 and thus moves synchronously with the conveyor belt.

[0017] According to an embodiment, which can be combined with other embodiments described herein, the passenger transport system 10 comprises a plurality of step units 11, which are movable by means of guide rollers 12 on a guide rail system 13 along the desired travel path 14, as shown in Figure 1 is shown schematically.

[0018] Furthermore, Figure 1 and Figure 2that the passenger transport system 10 comprises a detection device 15 for detecting signs of wear. The detection device 15 comprises at least one detector roller 150, which is mounted instead of one of the guide rollers 12. In particular, two guide rollers 12, each arranged laterally at opposite ends of a step unit 11, can be replaced by a detector roller 150 each. The detector roller 150 has a discontinuous circumferential surface (toothed circumferential surface) in the unwinding direction of the detector roller 150. Furthermore, the detection device 15 comprises a monitoring device 155 for recording audio data and / or image data along the desired travel path 14, as shown schematically in Figure 1The recorded audio data and / or image data contain feedback effects caused by the detector roller 150 on the guide rail system 13. These feedback effects are, for example, sound waves caused by the rolling of the discontinuous circumferential surface in the guide rail system 13. The feedback effects can also be detected in the image data as oscillatory movements of the detector roller 150 relative to the guide rail system 13. If, for example, a TOF camera is used to acquire image data, a periodic change in distance due to the discontinuous circumferential surface can also be recorded, and this data can be evaluated.

[0019] Thus, a passenger transport system 10 is advantageously provided with a detection device 15 for detecting signs of wear, which is improved over the prior art. In particular, signs of wear can be detected more easily and with less effort. Furthermore, the invention enables faster and more precise localization of signs of wear (e.g., loose connection points and / or subsidence of a guide rail of the guide rail system, e.g., due to tolerance reductions or grinding) by evaluating the recorded audio data and / or image data.

[0020] According to one embodiment, which can be combined with other embodiments described herein, the discontinuous peripheral surface of the detector roller 150 is made of a material that generates acoustically perceptible noise when in rolling contact with the guide rail system on which the detector roller 150 rolls. Preferably, the peripheral surface of the detector roller 150 is made of a metallic material, for example, aluminum or steel. Apart from the peripheral surface of the detector roller, the detector roller itself can also be made of a metallic material, in particular aluminum or steel.

[0021] According to an embodiment that can be combined with other embodiments described herein, the discontinuous circumferential surface of the detector roller 150 is formed by a plurality N of teeth 151. As shown in the Figure 2As shown, the plurality N of teeth 151 are arranged at equal distances from one another in the circumferential direction of the detector roller. The teeth can, for example, have a rectangular shape. The ratio of tooth width to tooth gap (distance between adjacent teeth) is typically 1:1.

[0022] According to one embodiment, which can be combined with other embodiments described herein, the plurality N of teeth 151 is selected such that, at a typical rotational speed of the detector roller 150, an excitation frequency fErD is provided that lies within a range of a natural frequency fEiSys of the guide rail system 13. The typical rotational speed of the detector roller results from the diameter of the detector roller D Dt and the travel speed of the tread units 11 along the desired travel path 14.

[0023] In particular, the plurality N of teeth 151 can be selected such that, at the typical rotational speed of the detector roller 150, the excitation frequency fErD is in the range 0.9 × fEiSys ≤ fErD ≤ 1.1 × fEiSys. Typically, the natural frequency fsys of the guide rail system is 55 Hz ≤ fsys ≤ 70 Hz. The plurality N of teeth 151 is typically N≥ 16. In particular, the plurality N of teeth 151 can be greater than or equal to 24 (N≥ 24) or greater than or equal to 32 (N≥ 32).

[0024] According to an embodiment that can be combined with other embodiments described herein, the detector roller 150 has a diameter D Dt = D FR + 2×T, where D FR is the diameter of the guide roller 12 that was replaced by the detector roller 150, and where T is the smallest detectable wear / sag of a guide rail of the guide rail system 13. The guide roller diameter D FR is in Figure 2marked by a dashed circle. Furthermore, Figure 2 For better understanding, the detectable wear / sag T is shown schematically. The wear / sag T can occur, for example, due to tolerance reductions, grinding, or loose connections within the guide rail system. For example, with a detector roller diameter that is 0.3 mm larger than the diameter of the guide roller that was replaced by the detector roller, a smallest detectable wear / sag of T = 0.15 mm can be detected due to the induced noise change. If wear / sag T is greater than 0.15 mm, the detector roller loses contact with the guide rail, which is noticeable by an interruption in the noise.

[0025] According to one embodiment, which can be combined with other embodiments described herein, the monitoring device 155 is mounted on at least one of the step units 11 of the passenger transport system 10. For example, the monitoring device 155 can be mounted on a step unit axis 111 extending transversely to the guide rail system 13, as shown schematically in Figure 2is shown. The monitoring device 155 is preferably directed towards the detector roller 150 for recording the audio and / or image data. For example, the monitoring device 155 can be a camera with a microphone. In particular, the size of the monitoring device 155 is selected such that the treadmill units 11 can complete one or more revolutions when the monitoring device 155 is mounted on the treadmill unit axis 111 without the monitoring device being damaged. The monitoring device 155 can thus optically record (image data) and record sounds (audio data) every movement of the detector roller 150 along the entire desired travel path, i.e., at every position along the desired travel path. The audio data and / or image data (in combination also referred to as audiovisual data) can be recorded almost simultaneously by an evaluation unit 156 described herein and observed and assessed, for example, by maintenance personnel.

[0026] According to one embodiment, which can be combined with other embodiments described herein, the passenger transport system 10, in particular the detection device 15 of the passenger transport system 10, comprises an evaluation unit 156 designed to detect a wear phenomenon when a deviation of the recorded audio data and / or image data from corresponding target reference data exceeds or falls below a specific threshold value. In particular, the evaluation unit 156 is a mobile receiving device. For example, the mobile receiving device can be a smartphone, a tablet, or a laptop. The evaluation unit 156 has suitable software (not shown) for further processing and evaluation of the audio data and / or image data.

[0027] According to an embodiment that can be combined with other embodiments described herein, the monitoring device 155 is designed to transmit the audio and / or image data wirelessly, in particular to the evaluation unit 156. The wireless transmission is in Figure 2 schematically represented by a dashed double arrow and can be provided, for example, by a WLAN connection, a Bluetooth connection, or another suitable wireless connection.

[0028] In the following, a method 20 for detecting wear and tear of a passenger transport system 10 according to the present disclosure is described. To illustrate embodiments of the method 20 according to the present disclosure, Figures 3A and 3B Block diagrams are shown, with the individual blocks (21-30) representing process steps of process 20.

[0029] The method 20 is carried out by means of a passenger transport system 10 described herein with a detection device 15 described herein. As mentioned above, the passenger transport system 10 comprises a plurality of step units 11, which can be moved along a desired travel path 14 by means of guide rollers 12 on a guide rail system 13. Typically, the passenger transport system 10 is an escalator or a moving walkway.

[0030] According to an embodiment that can be combined with other embodiments described herein, the method 20 for detecting wear phenomena of a passenger transport system 10 on at least one of its step units 11 comprises replacing (represented by block 21 in the Figures 3A and 3B) at least one guide roller 12 by a detector roller 150. In particular, two guide rollers 12, which are each arranged laterally at opposite ends of a tread unit 11, can each be replaced by a detector roller 150. The detector roller 150 has a discontinuous circumferential surface in the unwinding direction of the detector roller 150. Furthermore, the method comprises mounting (represented by block 22 in Figures 3A and 3B ) of a monitoring device 155 on at least one of the plurality of step units 11. In particular, the monitoring device 155 can be mounted on a step unit axis 111, for example, a step axis or a pallet axis. Typically, the step unit axis 111 runs transversely to the guide rail system 13, in particular orthogonally to the guide rails of the guide rail system 13.

[0031] The monitoring device 155 is configured to record audio data and / or image data. Furthermore, the method 20 includes moving (represented by block 23 in the Figures 3A and 3B ) of the step units 11 along a desired travel path 14 and a recording (represented by block 24 in Figures 3A and 3B ) of audio data and / or image data while moving along the target travel path 14. Furthermore, the method 20 comprises comparing (represented by block 25 in the Figures 3A and 3B) of the recorded audio data and / or image data with corresponding target reference data. Such target reference data can, for example, be generated from audio data and / or image data acquired during commissioning of the newly installed passenger transport system 10 using a learning run. However, the target reference data can also be generated through model calculations or simulations on three-dimensional computer models, such as a digital twin of the passenger transport system 10 to be tested.

[0032] In addition, the method 20 comprises determining (represented by block 26 in Figures 3A and 3B ) a wear phenomenon when a certain threshold value of a deviation of the recorded audio data and / or image data from the corresponding target reference data (ie target reference audio data and / or target reference image data) is exceeded or undershot.

[0033] According to an embodiment that can be combined with other embodiments described herein, the method 20 further comprises recording (represented by block 27 in Figure 3B ) of a traveled distance of the target travel path starting from a marked starting position. In particular, the marked starting position is located on a video stream of the image data. Furthermore, the method 20 typically includes localization (represented by block 28 in Figure 3B ) of the wear and tear based on the distance travelled.

[0034] According to one embodiment, which can be combined with other embodiments described herein, if a certain acoustic threshold value is exceeded or undershot, the image data are marked at the point where the certain acoustic threshold value is exceeded or undershot.

[0035] According to an embodiment that can be combined with other embodiments described herein, when moving (represented by block 23 in the Figures 3A and 3B) of the tread units 11 along the desired travel path 14, the detector roller 150 is rotated, whereby the discontinuous circumferential surface of the detector roller 150 generates acoustically perceptible noises or vibrations upon contact with the guide rail system 13, in particular a guide rail of the guide rail system 13. Typically, the discontinuous circumferential surface of the detector roller 150 is formed by a plurality N of teeth. Typically, the plurality N of teeth and a rotational speed of the detector roller 150 are selected such that by moving along the desired travel path, an excitation frequency fErD is provided which lies in a range of a natural frequency fEiSys of the guide rail system 13. In particular, an excitation frequency fErD is provided which is 0.9 × fEiSys ≤ fErD ≤ 1.1 × fEiSys. The natural frequency fsys of the guide rail system 13 can, for example, be in the range of 55 Hz ≤ fsys ≤ 70 Hz.

[0036] According to an embodiment that can be combined with other embodiments described herein, the method 20 further comprises applying (represented by block 29 in Figure 3B ) a load adapted to a resonant frequency of the passenger transport system 10. In particular, the load is adapted to a resonant frequency of the guide rail system 13. Typically, the load is applied to at least one of the plurality of step units 11.

[0037] According to an embodiment that can be combined with other embodiments described herein, the method 20 further comprises storing (represented by block 30 in Figure 3B ) of the recorded audio data and / or image data in a storage medium. Furthermore, the recorded audio data and / or image data can be used in a simulation of the passenger transport system 10.

[0038] In light of the embodiments described herein, it becomes clear that, according to the present invention, a passenger transport system 10 and a method 20 are provided with which, compared to the prior art, signs of wear can be detected more easily and with less effort. Furthermore, signs of wear (e.g., loose connection points and / or depressions in a guide rail of the guide rail system 13, e.g., due to tolerance reductions or grinding) can be localized more quickly and clearly than is possible with systems and methods known from the prior art. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0039] 10 Passenger transport system 101 Escalator 102 Conveyor chain 103 Lower access 104 Upper access 105 Deflection wheel 106 Handrail 11 Step unit 111 Step unit axis 12 Guide roller 13 Guide rail system 14 Target travel path 15 Detection device 150 Detector roller 151 Teeth of the detector roller 155 Monitoring device 156 Evaluation unit 20 Method for detecting wear and tear on a passenger transport system 21-30 Blocks to illustrate process steps of the method for detecting wear and tear on a passenger transport system NZumber of teeth on the detector roller fErD Excitation frequency of the detector rollers fEiSys Natural frequency of the guide rail system DDt Detector roller diameter DFR Guide roller diameter T Detectable wear / sagging

Claims

1. Passenger transport installation (10), in particular escalator or moving walkway, comprising a plurality of step units (11) which can travel along a target travel path (14) by means of guide rollers (12) on a guide rail system (13), the installation comprising a detection apparatus (15) for detecting signs of wear, characterized in that the detection apparatus (15) has: • at least one detector roller (150) mounted in place of one of the guide rollers (12), the detector roller (150) having a discontinuous circumferential surface in the rolling direction of the detector roller (150); and • a monitoring device (155) for recording audio data and / or image data along the target travel path (14); the audio data and / or image data containing feedback effects on the guide rail system (13) caused by the detector roller (150).

2. Passenger transport installation (10) according to claim 1, wherein the discontinuous circumferential surface of the detector roller (150) consists of a material, in particular a metal material, which generates acoustically perceptible noises when it is in rolling contact with the guide rail system (13) on which the detector roller (150) rolls.

3. Passenger transport installation (10) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the discontinuous circumferential surface of the detector roller (150) is formed by a plurality N of teeth, in particular wherein the plurality of teeth are arranged evenly spaced from one another in the circumferential direction of the detector roller (150).

4. Passenger transport installation (10) according to claim 3, wherein the plurality N of teeth and a rotational speed of the detector roller (150) provide an excitation frequency fErD which is in a range of a natural frequency fEiSys of the guide rail system (13), in particular wherein the range is 0.9 x fEiSys ≤ fErD ≤ 1.1 x fEiSys, and in particular wherein the natural frequency fsys of the guide rail system (13) is 55 Hz ≤ fsys ≤ 70 Hz.

5. Passenger transport installation (10) according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the plurality N of teeth is N ≥ 16, in particular N ≥ 24, for example N ≥ 32.

6. Passenger transport installation (10) according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the detector roller (150) has a diameter DDt = DFR + 2x T, wherein DFR is the diameter of the guide roller (12) that was replaced by the detector roller (150), and wherein T is the smallest detectable wear of a guide rail of the guide rail system (13).

7. Passenger transport installation (10) according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the monitoring device (155) is mounted on at least one step unit of the plurality of step units (11), in particular on a step unit axis extending transversely to the guide rail system (13), and is aligned toward the detector roller (150) for recording the audio and / or image data, in particular wherein the monitoring device (155) is a camera with a microphone.

8. Passenger transport installation (10) according to any of claims 1 to 7, further comprising an evaluation unit (156) which is designed to determine a sign of wear when a deviation of the recorded audio data and / or image data from corresponding target reference data exceeds or falls below a certain threshold value, in particular wherein the evaluation unit (156) is a mobile receiving device, in particular wherein the mobile receiving device is a smartphone.

9. Passenger transport installation (10) according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the monitoring device (155) is designed to wirelessly transmit the audio and / or image data.

10. Method (20) for detecting signs of wear on a passenger transport installation (10), in particular an escalator or moving walkway, having a plurality of step units (11) which can be moved along a target travel path by means of guide rollers (12) on a guide rail system (13), the method comprising: - replacing (21) at least one guide roller (12) of the plurality of step units (11) with a detector roller (150), wherein the detector roller (150) has a discontinuous circumferential surface in the rolling direction of the detector roller (150); - mounting (22) a monitoring device (155) on at least one step unit (11) of the plurality of step units (11), in particular on a step unit axis (111), for recording audio data and / or image data; - moving (23) the step units (11) along a target travel path (14); - recording (24) audio data and / or image data while moving along the target travel path; - comparing (25) the recorded audio data and / or image data with the corresponding target reference data; and - detecting (26) a sign of wear when a deviation of the recorded audio data and / or image data from the corresponding target reference data exceeds or falls below a certain threshold value.

11. Method (20) according to claim 10, further comprising recording (27) a traveled distance of the target travel path starting from a marked starting position, in particular a marked starting position on a video stream of the image data, and locating (28) the sign of wear on the basis of the traveled distance.

12. Method (20) according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein when a certain acoustic threshold value is exceeded or fallen below, the image data are marked at the point where the certain acoustic threshold value is exceeded or fallen below.

13. Method (20) according to any of claims 10 to 12, wherein the discontinuous circumferential surface of the detector roller (150) is formed by a plurality (N) of teeth, wherein the plurality (N) of teeth and a rotational speed of the detector roller (150), by moving along the target travel path, provide an excitation frequency fErD which is in a range of a natural frequency fEiSys of the guide rail system, in particular wherein the range is 0.9 x fEiSys ≤ fErD ≤ 1.1 x fEiSys, and in particular wherein the natural frequency fsys of the guide rail system is 55 Hz ≤ fsys ≤ 70 Hz.

14. Method (20) according to any of claims 10 to 13, further comprising applying (29) a load which is adapted to a resonance frequency of the passenger transport installation (10), in particular to a resonance frequency of the guide rail system (13), in particular wherein the load is applied to at least one of the plurality of step units (11).

15. Method (20) according to any of claims 11 to 14, further comprising storing (30) the recorded audio data and / or image data in a storage medium, and using the recorded audio data and / or image data in a simulation of the passenger transport installation (10).

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