Liquid and soil removal apparatus

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (31, 61) for removing fluids (99) and dirt (97) from a moving handrail (15) of an escalator (1) or a travelator. The device (31, 61) has a mounting device (35), a wheel body (37) with a compressible, absorbent pad (33), a squeezing roller (39), a wheel axis (47) and a roller axis (49), wherein the wheel body (37) and the squeezing roller (39) are rotatably mounted in the mounting device (35) by means of the wheel axis (47) and the roller axis (49) respectively. An axial distance (K) between the wheel axis (47) and the roller axis (49) is specified in such a way that the absorbent pad (33) of the wheel body (37) is compressed in a contact zone (Z) between the wheel body (37) and the squeezing roller (39).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for removing liquids and dirt from movable handrails of an escalator or moving walkway.

[0002] Escalators and moving walkways are used to transport people and their belongings in buildings such as train stations, subway stations, airports, shopping centers, department stores, and the like. For transport, escalators and moving walkways have a continuously moving, walkable conveyor belt. To protect people from falls during travel, escalators and moving walkways have balustrades on both sides of the conveyor belt, each with a handrail running around its perimeter. According to relevant standards, such as EN 115, both handrails must be driven at a speed synchronized with the conveyor belt. Handrails typically have a C-shaped cross-section. The leading section of the handrail is guided by a T-shaped guide profile rigidly attached to the balustrade. The returning section is concealed from passengers within a balustrade base.

[0003] As disclosed, for example, in EP 2 931 645 B1, a handrail is driven by a handrail drive wheel located inside the escalator or moving walkway. This wheel transmits its drive torque and motion to the inside of the C-shaped handrail via friction. As long as the escalator or moving walkway is located indoors and protected from the elements, there are hardly any problems with traction between the handrail and the handrail drive wheel. However, in escalators and moving walkways installed wholly or partially outdoors, a significant amount of liquid, especially water, can accumulate on the inside of the C-shaped handrail during rainy weather, drastically altering the friction between the handrail drive wheel and the handrail. This can result in stick-slip effects, leading to uneven handrail movement that is uncomfortable for the user.Furthermore, most regulations, such as the EN115 standard, prohibit a handrail speed that is slower than the conveyor belt speed. CN 216004891U, JP2005324968A, JPS5181382A, and JP2008063103A disclose handrail treatment devices for cleaning and disinfecting escalator or moving walkway handrails by applying an antibacterial liquid film to the handrail surface.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide reliable means to prevent larger quantities of liquid from getting between the handrail drive wheel and the surface of the handrail that is in contact with the handrail drive wheel.

[0005] This problem is solved by an escalator or moving walkway having at least one movable handrail arranged around its circumference and a handrail drive with a handrail drive wheel. The handrail drive wheel is usually arranged in the area of ​​a return section of the handrail, and the handrail can be driven by the handrail drive wheel. The escalator or moving walkway preferably has at least one device for removing liquids and dirt for each of its handrails. This device comprises a bearing assembly, a wheel body with a compressible, absorbent bandage, a squeeze roller, a wheel axle, and a roller axle. A compressible, absorbent bandage, as defined in this document, is a layer of compressible, absorbent material arranged on the outer cylindrical surface of the wheel body. The absorbent bandage is made of open-pored, compressible material.Suitable materials for this purpose include felt, woven textile fibers, twisted textile fibers, foamed polymer materials such as foam rubber or open-cell sponge rubber, and similar materials. The wheel body is rotatably mounted in the bearing assembly by means of the wheel axle, and the dispensing roller is rotatably mounted by means of the roller axle. A center-to-center distance is predetermined or set between the wheel axle and the roller axle such that the absorbent bandage of the wheel body is compressed in a contact zone between the wheel body and the dispensing roller.

[0006] The device for removing liquids and dirt is arranged in the escalator or moving walkway such that the wheel's drum is in contact with the same surface of the handrail as the handrail drive wheel. In other words, at least part (a strip) of the handrail surface crucial for friction with the drive wheel is cleaned of liquid.

[0007] With regard to the wheel body, the characteristic "contact" is to be interpreted broadly enough that, on the one hand, the surface of the absorbent bandage can actually be in physical contact with the surface of the handrail. On the other hand, the distance between the surface of the bandage and the surface of the handrail can also be chosen so that the bandage only reaches the liquid droplets or film present on the surface of the handrail and absorbs them through capillary action. In contrast, the contact between the handrail drive wheel and the surface of the handrail is always "physical" because friction is absolutely necessary for the transmission of movement.

[0008] During operation, the absorbent bandage soaks up the liquid that accumulates on the surface of the handrail and, thanks to the rotating wheel, transports it to the squeeze-out roller. As the squeeze-out roller compresses the bandage in the contact zone, the absorbed liquid is forced out. The squeezed-out segment of the absorbent bandage continues to move until it reaches the surface of the handrail again and can absorb more liquid.

[0009] The device can be positioned directly in front of the handrail drive wheel, within the escalator or moving walkway, with respect to one direction of linear movement of the handrail. If the moving walkway or escalator is to be operated in two directions, a device of the aforementioned type can be arranged on each side of the handrail drive wheel.

[0010] In one embodiment, the device features adjustment means that allow the center-to-center distance between the roller axle and the wheel axle to be set or adjusted. This allows, on the one hand, the amount of liquid to be squeezed out of the absorbent bandage to be controlled. On the other hand, it also allows the rotational resistance that the squeezing roller exerts on the wheel body to be varied. Furthermore, with correct adjustment, wear, particularly on the bandage, can be reduced.

[0011] In another embodiment, the device features a friction wheel that converts the linear movement of the handrail into a rotary motion and transmits this to the wheel body. This can be achieved in various ways. For example, the friction wheel can be mounted on the wheel axle and directly connected to the wheel body, or even integrally molded into the wheel body. Alternatively, the friction wheel can be mounted on a separate axle and transmit its rotary motion to the wheel body via a gearbox. The use of a friction wheel has the advantage that the transmission of motion does not require frictional engagement with the bandage. Such engagement can only be achieved if the bandage is pressed somewhat against the surface of the handrail and thus compressed there as well. Depending on the bandage material used, this compression can reduce the bandage's fluid absorption capacity.

[0012] The transmission ratio between the friction wheel and the wheel body can be determined by the design and the geometric relationship of their diameters. Naturally, the aforementioned gearing mechanism arranged between the friction wheel and the wheel body allows for a desired fixed or variable transmission ratio to be set.

[0013] In an alternative embodiment, the device comprises a motor and / or an input shaft. The motor and / or the input shaft are designed to transmit a rotary motion to the wheel body. This allows the rotational speed of the wheel body to be varied independently of the linear movement of the handrail. Provided that the surface of the bandage only very lightly touches the surface of the handrail, or barely touches it, virtually no wear occurs despite a speed difference between the two surfaces.

[0014] In another embodiment, the device features a gearbox through which the rotary motion of the wheel body is transmitted to the dispensing roller in a predetermined gear ratio and in the opposite direction of rotation. By using such a gearbox, an optimal rotational speed of the dispensing roller relative to the rotational speed of the wheel body can be set and maintained, thus minimizing wear on the tire.

[0015] In another embodiment, the device includes a drainage device which, with respect to the intended operating position of the device in an escalator or moving walkway and with respect to the direction of gravity, is arranged below the dispensing roller. This allows the liquid squeezed out of the bandage to be drained to a desired location, preventing it from flowing back onto the surface of the handrail.

[0016] Furthermore, the device can include a guide element. This guide element allows liquid that has accumulated on the surface of the handrail and cannot be reached by the bandage to be directed to the bandage of the wheel body.

[0017] Not only can liquid accumulate on the surface of the handrail, but dirt particles can also be present. These dirt particles originate from the environment or from wear processes on escalator or moving walkway components and also affect the friction between the handrail drive wheel and the handrail. Because the absorbent bandage is compressible and therefore "soft," the dirt particles are easily pressed into its surface and adhere there. In a further embodiment, the device therefore includes a brush that is adjustable to the absorbent bandage of the wheel body and attached to the bearing assembly. Preferably, the dirt particles removed by the brush are also conveyed into the drainage device described above.This can be achieved by incorporating the rotational movement of the bandage relative to the stationary brush, through a suitable shaping of the brush (for example, like a wedge plow).

[0018] To ensure the return section of the handrail is guided safely within the escalator or moving walkway, several support rollers or guide slides are typically provided. One of the support rollers or guide slides may be associated with the handrail drive or mechanism.

[0019] If the handrail drive or device has a sliding guide for the handrail, its guide surfaces extend parallel to the direction of movement of the handrail. In the intended operating position, the wheel axle of the device is aligned orthogonally to the direction of movement of the handrail, and the sliding guide is arranged on the same side of the handrail as the wheel body.

[0020] If the handrail drive or device has a support roller for the handrail, the support roller is arranged parallel to a pivot axis of the handrail drive wheel by means of its support roller axis and is rotatably mounted in the escalator or moving walkway. In the intended operating position, the wheel axis of the device is aligned parallel to the support roller axis and the pivot axis, and the handrail is routed between the support roller and the wheel body.

[0021] Depending on the materials used for the bandage, such as felt, compressing it during liquid absorption is disadvantageous. However, slight compression can be beneficial for foamed polymer materials such as foam rubber or open-cell sponge rubber. Therefore, the device preferably includes adjustment means that allow the distance between the wheel axle and the support roller axle to be adjusted. This optimizes the bandage's liquid absorption, for example, by slightly compressing the bandage in the area of ​​contact with the handrail, and then creating a suction effect when the bandage is released.

[0022] In a further embodiment, the escalator or moving walkway can have a monitoring sensor directed at the bandage to monitor its physical condition. The measurement data from the monitoring sensor is transmitted continuously or periodically to the escalator or moving walkway's control system. This measurement data can be processed by the control system, which stores condition criteria against which the processed measurement data is compared. The processing of measurement data to obtain data comparable to condition criteria has been known for years, which is why it is not explained in detail in this document. Depending on the result of a comparison of the measurement data with the condition criteria, stop commands, maintenance requests, and / or warning messages can be issued.

[0023] Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail in the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein identical elements in all figures are provided with matching reference numerals. Neither the drawings nor the description are to be interpreted as limiting the invention. The drawings show: Figure 1: Schematic, cutaway side view of an escalator with a surrounding handrail and a device for removing liquids and dirt from this handrail; Figure 2: Enlarged, cutaway side view of the escalator in the Figure 1 The device shown is in a first embodiment; Figure 3: in a cutaway top view, the one shown in the Figure 2 The device shown, wherein a wheel axle and a roller axle of the device are arranged in the section plane; Figure 4: a front view of the device shown in the Figure 2The device shown; and Figure 5: a device in a second embodiment shown in three dimensions.

[0024] The Figure 1Figure 1 schematically shows a cutaway side view of an escalator 1 with a support structure 3 in which a conveyor belt 5 with steps 7 (partially indicated) is arranged around the perimeter. Furthermore, a balustrade 11 (only one balustrade 11 is visible due to the cutaway side view) is arranged on each side of the support structure 3. A handrail 15 is arranged around each of these balustrades 11, with its leading section 13 moving in the same direction and at the same speed as the walkable section 9 of the conveyor belt 5. The returning sections 17 of the handrails 15 and the returning section 19 of the conveyor belt 5 are guided within the support structure 3, so that they are hidden from users. A drive unit 21 and a control unit 23 are also arranged in the support structure 3. Furthermore, a handrail drive 29 is housed in the supporting structure 3, which has a handrail drive wheel 25 for each handrail 15.The drive unit 21 is connected to the conveyor belt 5 and the respective handrail drive wheel 25 in a motion-transmitting manner.

[0025] To achieve sufficient traction between the handrail 15 and the handrail drive wheel 25, the handrail 15 is guided in a partial wrap around the handrail drive wheel 25. In the two areas of the handrail 15 adjoining the partial wrap, a device 31 for removing liquids 99 and dirt 97 is provided in each (see Figure 5 The provision of two devices 31 per handrail 15 means that the escalator 1 is designed to be operated in two opposite directions of movement Y. If only one direction of movement Y is provided, the device 31 is arranged directly in front of the handrail drive wheel 25, taking into account the direction of movement Y of the handrail 15.

[0026] The Figure 2shows in an enlarged, cutaway side view the in the Figure 1 The illustrated device 31 in a first embodiment. Figure 3 shows the in the Figure 2 The device 31 shown in a sectional top view and the Figure 4 shows a front view of device 31 from the one in the Figure 3 The specified viewing direction A. These three figures are described together below.

[0027] The device 31 for removing liquids 99 and dirt comprises a bearing device 35, a wheel body 37 with a compressible, absorbent bandage 33, a squeeze roller 39, a wheel axle 47, and a roller axle 49. The wheel body 37 is rotatably mounted in the bearing device 35 by means of the wheel axle 47, and the squeeze roller 39 is rotatably mounted in the bearing device 35 by means of the roller axle 49. An axial distance K between the wheel axle 47 and the roller axle 49 is predetermined or set such that the absorbent bandage 33 of the wheel body 37 is compressed in a contact zone Z between the wheel body 37 and the squeeze roller 39.

[0028] To ensure that the handrail 15 reaches the handrail drive wheel 25 without excessive liquid and dirt accumulation, the bandage 33 of the wheel body 37 is in contact with the same surface 27 of the handrail 15 as the handrail drive wheel 25. Thus, liquid 99 and dirt 97 are continuously removed from this surface 27 by the device 31.

[0029] Two friction wheels 41 are arranged on the wheel axle 47 on either side of the wheel body 37 and are rigidly connected to the wheel body 37. The friction wheels 41 convert a linear movement B of the handrail 15 into a rotary movement M and transmit this to the wheel body 37. This has the advantage that the transmission of the rotary movement M does not have to occur via the bandage 33, which would otherwise cause increased wear. As can be seen from this embodiment, due to the transmission ratio created by the geometric conditions, the cylindrical surface 34 of the bandage 33 moves faster than the surface 27 of the handrail with which it is in contact. To minimize wear, the bandage 33 should glide over the surface 27 of the handrail 15 with as little compression as possible or even without contact.

[0030] The bandage 33, soaked with liquid 99, is compressed by the squeeze roller 39, so that the previously absorbed liquid 99 is continuously squeezed out of the bandage 33. To prevent the squeezed-out liquid 99 from flowing back onto the surface 27 of the handrail 15, the device 31 has a drainage device 51. This drainage device is arranged below the squeeze roller 39, relative to the direction of gravity G and in the intended operating position of the device 31 in its escalator 1 or moving walkway.

[0031] To ensure that the handrail 15 is always in the correct position relative to the bandage 33, the handrail drive 29 or the device 31 has a support roller 53 for the handrail 15. The support roller 53 is rotatably mounted in the escalator 1 or moving walkway by means of its support roller axle 57. The wheel axle 47 of the wheel body 37 is parallel to the support roller axle 57 and to a pivot axis 55 of the handrail drive wheel 25 (see Figure 1 The handrail 15 is arranged between the support roller 53 and the wheel body 37. Preferably, the device 31 has adjusting means 36 by which a distance H between the wheel axle 47 and the support roller axle 57 can be adjusted. The fluid absorption of the bandage 33 can be optimized with a suitable bandage material by slightly compressing the bandage 33 in the area of ​​contact with the handrail 15, in order to achieve a suction effect into the interior of the bandage when the bandage is subsequently released.

[0032] The Figure 5Figure 61 shows a schematic, three-dimensional view of a device 61 in a second embodiment. For clarity, the depiction of a bearing device has been omitted. To allow adjustment of the compression of the bandage 33, the device 61 has adjusting means 63 by which the center distance K between the roller axle 49 and the wheel axle 47 can be adjusted.

[0033] Unlike the device 31 described above, the device 61 comprises the Figure 5 not a friction wheel 41, but a motor 69 and / or an input shaft 65, wherein the motor 69 or the input shaft 65 is designed to transmit a rotary motion M to the wheel body 37. The input shaft 65 can also be connected to a transmission unit (not shown) instead of the motor 69, which transmits a rotary motion M to the drive unit 21 (see Figure 1 ) transfers to the wheel body 37.

[0034] The in Figure 5 The illustrated device 61 also includes a transmission 71. This transmission 71 transfers a rotary motion M of the wheel body 37 to the dispensing roller 39 in a predetermined gear ratio and in the opposite direction of rotation. Since the dispensing roller 39 compresses the bandage 33, the circumferential speed of the bandage surface changes in the contact zone Z, and this can result in relative movements between the surface of the bandage 33 and the surface of the dispensing roller 39. To minimize these movements and thus wear on the bandage 33, the gear ratio can, for example, be selected such that a circumferential speed of the dispensing roller 39 corresponds to a reduced circumferential speed of the bandage 33, in order to minimize differential velocities on the surfaces of the bandage 33 and the dispensing roller 39 resulting from the compression of the absorbent bandage 33.

[0035] Furthermore, the device 61 includes a brush 73, which is adjustable to the absorbent bandage 33 of the wheel body 37 and is attached to the bearing device 35. The shape of the brush 73 is selected such that the rotational movement M of the bandage 33 relative to the stationary brush 73 also conveys the dirt particles 97 removed by the brush 73 into the previously described drainage device 51. The dirt particles 97 conveyed into the drainage device 51 are washed away by the squeezed-out liquid 99.

[0036] Instead of or in addition to the support roller 53 already described, the handrail drive 29 or the device 61 can have a sliding guide 75 for the handrail 15. Its guide surfaces 77 are arranged parallel to the longitudinal extent or direction of movement Y of the handrail 15 in the escalator 1 or moving walkway. The wheel axle 47 of the device 61 is arranged orthogonally to the direction of movement Y of the handrail 15 in its intended operating position. The sliding guide 75 is arranged on the same side of the handrail 15 as the wheel body 37. Analogous to the distance H of the support roller 53, a distance X between the guide surfaces 77 and the wheel axle 47 is preferably also adjustable.

[0037] As from the Figure 5As can be seen, the surface 27 of the handrail 15 is wider than the bandage 33. The device 61 can therefore have a guide element 79. The guide element 79 allows liquid 99 that has accumulated on the surface 27 of the handrail 15 and is not reached by the bandage 33 of the wheel body 37 to be directed to the bandage 33. In the present embodiment, the guide element 79 is integrated into the sliding guide 75. Of course, a guide element 79 can also be provided, for example, with guide plates or displacement rollers. The guide element 79 does not necessarily have to be part of the sliding guide 75.

[0038] The in Figure 5The illustrated device 61 includes a monitoring sensor 81 directed at the bandage 33 for monitoring its physical condition. Any type of sensor, such as optical sensors, distance sensors, proximity sensors, and the like, can be used as the monitoring sensor 81, which can, for example, detect signs of deterioration in the bandage 33. In the present embodiment, the measurement data 83 from the monitoring sensor 81 are transmitted to the control unit 23 of the escalator 1 or moving walkway. The measurement data 83 are processed in the control unit 23 and compared with condition criteria (not shown). If the detected condition no longer corresponds to the defined condition criteria, a stop command 85 can be issued to the drive 21 or the motor 69, and / or maintenance requests 87 can be sent to a maintenance control center 89, and / or warning messages 91 can be sent to a communication unit 93, depending on the detected condition.

[0039] Although the invention has been described by presenting specific embodiments, it is obvious that numerous further embodiments can be created with knowledge of the present invention, for example by using one or more features that are only presented and described in the second embodiment in the first embodiment as well.

Claims

1. Escalator (1) or travelator comprising at least one revolving, moving handrail (15) and having a handrail drive (29) comprising a handrail drive wheel (25) which is arranged in the region of a return run (17) of the handrail (15) and by which handrail drive wheel (25) the handrail (15) can be driven, wherein the escalator (1) or travelator has, for each of its handrails (15), at least one device (31, 61) for removing fluids (99) and dirt (97), wherein the device (31, 61) comprises a mounting device (35), a wheel body (37) with a compressible, absorbent pad (33), a squeezing roller (39), a wheel axis (47), and a roller axis (49), wherein the wheel body (37) and the squeezing roller (39) are rotatably mounted in the mounting device (35) by means of the wheel axis (47) and the roller axis (49) respectively, and wherein an axial distance (K) between the wheel axis (47) and the roller axis (49) is specified or adjusted in such a way that the squeezing roller (39) compresses the absorbent pad (33) in a contact zone (Z), characterized in that the absorbent pad (33) of the wheel body (37) is in contact with the same surface (27) of the handrail (15) as the handrail drive wheel (25).

2. Escalator (1) or travelator according to claim 1, wherein the device (31, 61) is arranged immediately upstream of the handrail drive wheel (25) regarding a direction of movement (Y) of the handrail (15).

3. Escalator (1) or travelator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one device (31, 61) is arranged on each side of the handrail drive wheel (25) with regard to two possible directions of movement (Y) of the handrail (15).

4. Escalator (1) or travelator according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the device (31, 61) has adjustment means (63), by which the axial distance (K) between the roller axis (49) and the wheel axis (47) can be adjusted.

5. Escalator (1) or travelator according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the device (31, 61) has a friction wheel (41) which converts a linear movement (B) of the handrail (15) into a rotational movement (M) and transmits this to the wheel body (37).

6. Escalator (1) or travelator according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the device (31, 61) comprises a motor (69) and / or an input shaft (65), which motor (69) or input shaft (65) is intended to transmit a rotational movement (M) to the wheel body (37).

7. Escalator (1) or travelator according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the device (31, 61) comprises a transmission (71), by which a rotational movement (M) of the wheel body (37) is transmitted to the squeezing roller (39) in a predetermined transmission ratio and in an opposite direction of rotation.

8. Escalator (1) or travelator according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the device (31, 61) comprises a drainage device (51) which is arranged beneath the squeezing roller (39) with regard to an intended position of use of the device (31, 61) in an escalator (1) or travelator and in relation to the direction of gravity (G).

9. Escalator (1) or travelator according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the device (31, 61) comprises a brush (73), which brush (73) is fastened to the mounting device (35) in such a way as to be adjustable relative to the absorbent pad (33) of the wheel body (37).

10. Escalator (1) or travelator according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the handrail drive (29) or the device (31, 61) has a sliding guide (75) for the handrail (15), the guide surfaces (77) of which are arranged parallel to the direction of movement (Y) of the handrail (15) in the escalator (1) or travelator, wherein, in the intended position of use, the wheel axis (47) of the device (31, 61) is arranged orthogonal to the direction of movement (Y) of the handrail (15), and wherein the sliding guide (75) is arranged on the same side of the handrail (15) as the wheel body (37).

11. Escalator (1) or travelator according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the handrail drive (29) or the device (31, 61) has a support roller (53) for the handrail (15), which support roller (53) is rotatably mounted in the escalator (1) or travelator by means of its support roller axis (57), which is arranged parallel to an axis of rotation (55) of the handrail drive wheel (25), wherein, in the intended position of use, the wheel axis (47) of the device (31, 61) is arranged parallel to the support roller axis (57) and to the axis of rotation (55), and wherein the handrail (15) is guided between the support roller (53) and the wheel body (37).

12. Escalator (1) or travelator according to claim 11, wherein the device (31, 61) has adjustment means (36), by which a distance (H) between the wheel axis (47) and the support roller axis (57) can be adjusted.

13. Escalator (1) or travelator according to any of the preceding claims, wherein it has a monitoring sensor (81) directed toward the pad (33) for monitoring the physical condition of the pad (33).

14. Escalator (1) or travelator according to claim 13, wherein measurement data (83) from the monitoring sensor (81) can be transmitted to a controller (23) of the escalator (1) or travelator, and wherein the measurement data (83) can be processed in the controller (23) in order to output travel stop commands (85) and / or maintenance requests (87) and / or warning messages (91), depending on a result of this processing.

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