Guideway device with a support structure and cladding elements

Abstract

The present invention relates to a travel device (1), in particular an escalator device, comprising a support structure (2) with two opposing side wall units (2.1, 2.2), each with an upper chord (4.1), a lower chord (4.2), and a side wall (3) extending between the upper chord (4.1) and the lower chord (4.2), and at least one first cladding element (23.1) for cladding the travel device (1) from one side, wherein at least one first side wall unit (2.1) has at least one first connecting element (24.1) for directly holding the first cladding element (23.1) to the first side wall unit (2.1), wherein the at least one first connecting element (24.1) is positioned in a defined position relative to a reference point (18) of the support structure (2), and wherein the first cladding element (23.1) has at least one second connecting element (24.2) for cooperating with the first connecting element (24.1) when holding the first cladding element. (23.1) on the first side wall unit (2.1). The invention further relates to a support structure (2) and a longitudinal section module (1.1, 1.2, 1.3) of such a travel path device (1).

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present invention relates to a guideway device, in particular an escalator device, comprising a support structure with two opposing sidewall units, each with an upper chord, a lower chord, and a sidewall extending between the upper chord and the lower chord. The invention further relates to a support structure for such a guideway device and a longitudinal section module of a modularly assembled guideway device comprising such a support structure. Background of the invention

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

[0003] The disadvantage of such support structures is that they have relatively large manufacturing tolerances, which are primarily caused by the welding of the profiles. Components of the guideway device that are attached to the support structure must therefore be positioned and / or aligned using very complex positioning procedures with appropriate assembly aids before they are attached to the support structure. For this purpose, appropriate fastening devices for a variable

[0004] Positioning / alignment of the component relative to the supporting structure is either designed or requires laborious manual adjustment after positioning and / or alignment. In particular, cladding elements for covering the supporting structure are attached to the supporting structure from the outside using clamps. The clamps are first laboriously positioned and then manually secured to holes that have yet to be created.

[0005] EP 1 321 424 B1 discloses a supporting structure for an escalator or moving walkway, which comprises a truss element formed as a single piece and formed as a flat, unprofiled, cut plate. This reduces the welding work required for the construction of the supporting structure. Description of the invention

[0006] Based on this situation, it is an object of the present invention to enable a simplified and safe positioning / alignment of components of a guideway device.

[0007] The object of the invention is achieved by the features of the independent main claims. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the subclaims. To the extent technically feasible, the teachings of the subclaims can be combined arbitrarily with the teachings of the main and subclaims.

[0008] In particular, the object is accordingly achieved by a guideway device, in particular an escalator device, comprising a supporting structure with two opposing side wall units, each with an upper chord, a lower chord and a side wall extending between the upper chord and the lower chord, and at least one first cladding element for cladding the guideway device from one side, wherein at least one first side wall unit has at least one first connecting means for directly holding the first cladding element on the first side wall unit, wherein the at least one first connecting means is positioned in a defined manner relative to a reference point of the supporting structure, and wherein the first cladding element has at least one second connecting means for interacting with the first connecting means when holding the first cladding element on the first side wall unit.

[0009] Advantageous aspects of the claimed invention are explained below, and preferred modified embodiments of the invention are further described below. Explanations, particularly regarding advantages and definitions of features, are essentially descriptive and preferred, but not limiting, examples. If an explanation is limiting, this will be expressly stated.

[0010] To the extent that elements are designated by numbering, for example, "first element," "second element," and "third element," this numbering is intended purely for differentiation in the designation and does not represent any interdependence of the elements or a mandatory sequence of the elements. This means, in particular, that, for example, a device or method does not have to have a "first element" in order to have a "second element." The device or method may also have a "first element" and a "third element" without necessarily having a "second element." Multiple units of an element of a single numbering may also be provided, for example, multiple "first elements."

[0011] For the purposes of this disclosure, the general term "guideway device" primarily refers to escalator devices and moving walkway devices (the latter particularly in a stepless configuration with an at least approximately level alignment or with a negligible gradient), as well as related passenger transport devices with a continuously rotating transport device. A guideway device comprises, for example, segments or units forming the transport device, in particular steps or pallets, which are connected by driven chains or similar drive means and guided in guides.The guides, a chain (or a similarly acting traction device), and other components of the guideway device are held, for example, within support structures extending longitudinally, essentially laterally, which are usually formed from two opposing sidewall units connected to each other via crossbeams and, optionally, a floor unit. The term "guideway device" also refers in particular to modularly constructed guideway devices, which are modularly constructed from several longitudinal sections or longitudinal section modules, each with an individual or individually created support structure, and which can be assembled / mounted in modules.

[0012] The supporting structure of the guideway device or of the respective module is preferably formed essentially by opposing side wall units and cross members (also referred to as cross bars) connecting them, wherein each side wall unit is formed by at least one side wall and in particular by an upper chord and / or a lower chord. The modular manufacturing process described here can also comprise the connection of a floor unit to the side wall units, but it has been shown that such a floor unit does not necessarily have to fulfil a supporting function, but is designed, for example, with the function of collecting oil from a / the drive and, if necessary, draining it away, or with regard to a cover and / or accessibility from below to the supporting structure oris designed to be optimized for the guideway device; in this respect, the floor unit is to be understood as an optional structural unit which can also be functionally provided separately from the supporting structure, but which can optionally also assume an additional supporting load-bearing function if desired in individual cases.

[0013] The term "sidewall" refers to a side structure that, for example, runs flat in only one side plane, at least in part, but is alternatively or additionally formed and / or reinforced at least in part by profiles, struts, or beams extending beyond one or more side planes. Generally, the sidewall is formed from structural elements or structural sections that, as flat structural sections, absorb forces in multiple directions and / or, as rod-shaped or strut-like structural elements / sections, absorb the respective forces only along the longitudinal extent determined by their orientation (tension or compression). The sidewall is thus designed, for example, as a closed surface, as a pure framework, or as a structure with portions of closed surfaces and portions with a framework structure.Optionally, at least some of the structural elements / sections of the side wall are formed from flat material, in particular sheet metal, e.g. structurally flat sections or stiffening (in particular) curved L- or U-profile sections in the area of ​​welded connections to other structural elements / sections.

[0014] According to the present disclosure, a "sidewall unit" comprises the above-described sidewall as well as chords assigned to this sidewall as further structural elements / sections, in particular an upper chord and a lower chord. The chords can be formed integrally with the sidewall, integrated, or separate from one another. These chords are alternatively referred to as bands. The respective sidewall / unit can also be understood as a sidewall / unit provided in modules, depending on the reference to a / the respective phase of the manufacturing process of the individual modules or of the entire guideway device. In this respect, the term "sidewall unit" can refer to the entire side structure comprising the upper and lower chords, and the term "sidewall" can refer to the side structure arranged between the upper and lower chords.

[0015] The terms upper chord and lower chord, which together are also referred to as chords, refer to structural elements or structural sections extending longitudinally in the region of an upper edge or a lower edge of the side wall for absorbing loads in the longitudinal direction of the guideway device, in particular bending loads that primarily lead to tensile stresses in the lower chord and compressive stresses in the upper chord. For this purpose, the chords are preferably designed as profiles or profile sections, in particular as L-profiles, U-profiles, or hollow profiles, and thus have a favorable area moment of inertia for absorbing the bending loads. The chords thus stiffen the supporting structure and form outer corner points, with the chords and / or the side walls optionally serving to attach further components of the guideway device.The chords can also be designed as components separate from the side wall; however, at least some of the chords are preferably formed integrally with the side wall, for example by bending the side wall. The upper chord is particularly preferably designed as a hollow profile with four walls, two walls being formed by the L-shaped side wall, which is made from flat material in this area, and two further walls being formed by a flat material component, which is also L-shaped and separate from the side wall. Furthermore, the lower chord is preferably designed in a similar manner as a hollow profile with four walls, two walls being formed by the L-shaped side wall, which is made from flat material in this area, and two walls being formed by the base unit, which is also L-shaped and made from flat material in this area. The components forming the walls are preferably welded together.The upper chord and / or the lower chord can also be provided entirely in one piece with the side wall or entirely separately from the side wall (particularly in the sense of a process variation).

[0016] A cladding element is understood to be a flat element for covering the supporting structure from the outside, in particular from the sides and / or from an underside. By covering the supporting structure, it is achieved, on the one hand, that the guideway device blends aesthetically into its surroundings and, on the other hand, that the supporting structure and the components of the guideway device arranged therein are protected from unwanted access. For this purpose, the cladding elements preferably form a closed outer surface and are not designed to be easily removable from the outside. Cladding elements are provided on at least one side of the guideway device, depending on the installation situation of the guideway device in a building.

[0017] A connecting means is understood to be any device for establishing a positive, non-positive, or material-locking connection in at least one spatial direction, wherein the connecting means, in particular, achieves the positioning and alignment of the connected components. For this purpose, the connecting means act, for example, as a stop between the components, which simultaneously creates a positive connection, or by means of which the components are positioned for welding.

[0018] Defined positioning means that during production of the guideway device or the support structure the elements which are positioned in a defined manner relative to one another are only positioned with reference to one another. If an element such as a recess, a fastening means or a connecting means is positioned in a defined manner relative to the reference point, only the distance relative to the reference point is taken into account during production. Any dimensional inaccuracies of other components / elements are then irrelevant for the positioning of the element. A reference point is understood to be a material point on a component relative to which positioning is possible with dimension accuracy in at least one spatial direction. This could be, for example, an edge or corner of a component, a connecting means provided on the component and / or a recess or projection provided in the component.In particular, a round recess is provided as a reference point, which is defined as a reference point by its center and enables the engagement of an assembly aid such as a holder or a gauge.

[0019] The solution to the problem with the guideway device described above now includes the teaching that a first connecting means is provided on the support structure, i.e., on at least one side wall unit, which is positioned in a defined manner relative to the reference point. The first connecting means is thus arranged with high dimensional accuracy relative to the reference point, for example, by manufacturing the side wall unit using a correspondingly precise process or by inserting / attaching the first connecting means using a correspondingly precise device. By referencing the first connecting means to the reference point during the manufacture of the support structure, the first connecting means is then already provided during the manufacture of the side wall unit, which is already positioned for later positioning and alignment of the first cladding element.The first cladding element then advantageously only needs to be attached to the first connecting element during the subsequent production of the guideway device, without the need for any further positioning and alignment measures. This direct attachment also eliminates the need for additional fastening elements such as clamps or the like.

[0020] The present disclosure is based, in particular, on the concept that at least a substantial portion of the side walls, which defines the overall shape, is formed from flat material, in particular sheet metal, wherein at least one reference point is / will be defined on the flat material. Using currently available processing methods for flat materials with very tight tolerances, in particular processing using laser cutting tools, reference can be made to this at least one reference point during the further assembly of the guideway device, so that assembly can be carried out with very tight assembly tolerances and the guideway device can be manufactured with advantageously high dimensional accuracy.In this way, the comparatively precise relative or absolute positioning of individual components of the guideway device with respect to the at least one reference point can also be enabled, and additional measures for aligning and positioning the components, in particular relative to one another, can be largely eliminated. In particular, the invention encompasses the teaching of introducing further references, in particular the first connecting means (in the sense of additional component-specific assembly reference points), into the flat material in addition to the at least one reference point arranged in particular in the corresponding side wall during the same processing method. These references can be used to arrange further components directly and thus in a defined position relative to the at least one (master) reference point with high accuracy.The references are introduced, in particular, as recesses in areas of the flat material that can be subjected to further processing steps, particularly bending processes, following the aforementioned processing method. This allows the referencing concept described here to be implemented for multidimensional positioning in space with respect to at least two or all three spatial directions. The described referencing system further has the advantage of creating a particularly lightweight supporting structure compared to conventional truss constructions.

[0021] In one embodiment, the first connecting means is designed to hold the first cladding element to the side wall unit in a form-fitting manner. This allows for the first cladding element to be attached easily and without additional tools. Such a form-fitting connection is sufficient for attaching the first cladding element in that the connecting means only support the weight of the cladding element. The first connecting means and the second connecting means are then designed as simple form-fitting elements and correspond accordingly to one another.

[0022] In a further embodiment, the first connecting means is designed as a recess. A recess can advantageously be formed on the side wall unit particularly easily and with particularly high dimensional accuracy relative to the reference point. The second connecting means can then be designed, for example, as a screw or pin. However, the second connecting means is preferably designed as a hook for engaging in the recess. The first cladding element can then be suspended in the recesses in a particularly simple manner. In particular, the hook engages behind the recess in such a way that the first cladding element is held in the recess in a form-fitting manner against gravity. For this purpose, the recess is designed, for example, as a vertically arranged slot.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment of the above-described embodiment, the first side wall is formed essentially from a flat material, in particular from a metal sheet, with the recess being formed on the first side wall. In particular, the reference point is then also formed on the side wall, or the side wall is positioned in a defined manner relative to the reference point. The recess and the reference point can then be positioned relative to one another with high dimensional accuracy, with no further tolerances influencing the positioning due to the one-piece design of the side wall.

[0024] The recess is particularly preferably formed by laser cutting, whereby a dimensional accuracy typical for laser cutting is achieved. If a recess is formed by laser cutting or by means of a laser cutting tool, the material is severed by a correspondingly aligned and designed laser beam. A (corresponding) laser cutting tool is designed in particular for processing from one direction, wherein a laser head is aligned perpendicular to the workpiece and is designed to be movable relative to the workpiece in a plane parallel to the workpiece. The laser cutting tool is then preferably intended for processing flat material, whereby the laser head can also be aligned deviating from its vertical orientation.A laser cutting tool can also comprise a laser head that is spatially movable around a workpiece, in particular the profile, whereby recesses can be made in the profile from any spatial direction and independently of the profile's geometry, particularly advantageously. Furthermore, in a profile with opposing walls, such as a hollow profile, it is possible to create recesses in a wall without the laser beam damaging the wall located behind the wall in its direction. Laser cutting of profiles with opposing walls, in particular hollow profiles, is also referred to as tube laser cutting.

[0025] In a further preferred embodiment, the guideway device has at least one second cladding element for cladding the guideway device from an underside, wherein the first cladding element has at least one third connecting means for directly holding the second cladding element and wherein the second cladding element has at least one fourth connecting means for interacting with the third connecting means when holding the second cladding element to the first cladding element. The second cladding element can then be or is directly fastened to the first cladding element. Due to the already very precise positioning of the first cladding element on the support structure, a correspondingly precise positioning of the second cladding element on the first cladding element is possible without the need for additional connecting means on the support structure.The second cladding element is attached to the first cladding element without any auxiliary means or additional connecting means besides the third connecting means and the fourth connecting means. Particularly preferably, first cladding elements are provided on both sides of the supporting structure, with a second cladding element being attached to two such first cladding elements.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the third connecting means is designed to hold the second cladding element to the first cladding element in a form-fitting manner. This allows for the second cladding element to be attached easily and without additional tools. Such a form-fitting connection is sufficient for attaching the second cladding element in that the connecting means only support the weight of the cladding element. The third connecting means and the fourth connecting means are then designed as simple form-fitting elements and correspond accordingly to one another.

[0027] Furthermore, the third connecting means is preferably designed as a recess, and the fourth connecting means as a hook for engaging in the recess. Such a recess can advantageously be formed with high dimensional accuracy on the first cladding element, for example, by laser cutting. The second cladding element can then be suspended in the first cladding element in a particularly simple manner. In particular, the hook engages behind the recess in such a way that the second cladding element is held in the recess in a form-fitting manner against gravity. For this purpose, the recess is designed, for example, as a slot.

[0028] In a further preferred embodiment, the first cladding element and / or the second cladding element is / are formed from a flat material, in particular from a metal sheet. Such a flat material is particularly suitable for the purpose of the cladding elements, namely to provide a flat covering for the supporting structure. Furthermore, as already described with regard to the side wall, the third connecting means and the fourth connecting means can be inserted / attached to a flat material in a simple and particularly dimensionally accurate manner, in particular if they are designed as recesses and / or hooks.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the first cladding element and / or the second cladding element each has / have at least one lateral fold, wherein the second connecting means and / or the fourth connecting means are formed on the lateral fold. Particularly preferably, the second connecting means and / or the fourth connecting means are formed as a projection, in particular as a hook, on a front edge of the fold by means of laser cutting. The second connecting means and / or the fourth connecting means are then formed in a simple manner and with a high level of dimensional accuracy. In particular, the second connecting means and / or the fourth connecting means are introduced into the flat material before the fold is formed. The cladding elements are raised from the supporting structure by the length of the fold by the fold for simplified alignment and are stiffened within themselves.

[0030] Particularly preferably, the second connecting means, the third connecting means and / or the fourth connecting means is / are formed by laser cutting. The high dimensional accuracy achievable by laser cutting allows a correspondingly precise positioning / alignment of the first cladding element and / or the second cladding element on the supporting structure from the defined positioning of the first connecting means relative to the reference point. The defined positioning is thus continued by precisely manufactured components from the supporting structure through the side wall unit to the first cladding element and ultimately to the second cladding element, without further references having to be taken into account when positioning these components during manufacture of the guideway device. In this respect, a referencing chain of highly precisely manufactured components is created.

[0031] In a further embodiment, the guideway device is designed to be assembled modularly from several longitudinal section modules. The term "longitudinal section module" is generally understood within the meaning of the present disclosure to refer to a longitudinal module of the guideway device, i.e., a module that forms a longitudinal or longitudinal section of the guideway device (i.e., a component that is at least structurally complete in the corresponding length range). This term therefore encompasses the terms "head module" and "intermediate module." The term "head module" refers to a module arranged at one of the ends of the guideway device and refers optionally to both types of head modules (upper and lower head modules, also referred to as upper part and lower part); thus, this term can equally refer to the module at the upper or lower end of the guideway device.Head modules typically extend across the inclination angle of the guideway device, thus spanning the bend or transition from the inclined longitudinal section to the respective horizontal section. In this context, the term "platform section" refers to the section of the respective head module that, when properly arranged, is aligned at least approximately in a horizontal plane. Therefore, when describing the arrangement / orientation of the respective head module, reference is also made to the orientation of this platform section (or its main extension plane), particularly if the absolute length of the platform section is greater than the absolute length of the inclined section.The term "connecting inclined section," also referred to in the literature as a stub, is also to be understood in particular as the inclined / inclined section intended for connecting / marrying with another longitudinal section module. Depending on the function of the respective head module, it can be more or less long. This means that the individual modules are intended to be connected to one another in the area of ​​an inclined longitudinal section. The general term "longitudinal section" can refer either to a longitudinal section module or to a specific longitudinal section, particularly of the head module (i.e., the platform section or inclined section).

[0032] The modular design of the guideway device means that modules can be designed as standard parts and that the guideway device only needs to be handled in its entirety at a late stage during production.

[0033] The object is also achieved by a support structure for a previously described guideway device. The support structure thus comprises, in particular, two opposing sidewall units, each with an upper chord, a lower chord, and a sidewall extending between the upper chord and lower chord, as well as the first connecting means. The support structure accordingly exhibits the advantages described with regard to the guideway device. In particular, a first cladding element and / or indirectly a second cladding element can be positioned / aligned thereon in a simple manner, securely, and with high dimensional accuracy.

[0034] The object is further achieved by a longitudinal section module of a modularly assembled guideway device, in particular an escalator device, comprising a support structure as described above. Such a longitudinal section module has the advantages described above with regard to the guideway device or with regard to the support structure. In particular, in a longitudinal section module, it is provided that a connecting means for forming a load-bearing module connection of the longitudinal section module with another longitudinal section module serves as the reference point, or that the connecting means are positioned relative to the same reference point. The further longitudinal section module can then have a corresponding absolute reference point or reference an absolute reference point of the longitudinal section module, wherein the absolute reference point is preferably also referenced during assembly of the guideway device.Preferably, the longitudinal section module is designed as an intermediate module between two head modules. Short description of the drawings

[0035] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings. The term "figure" is abbreviated to "Fig."

[0036] The drawings show Fig. 1a a perspective view of a partially assembled head module of a modularly assembled guideway device with a support structure; Fig. 1b a perspective view of a partially assembled intermediate module of a modularly assembled guideway device with a support structure; Fig. 1c a perspective view of another partially assembled head module of a modularly assembled guideway device with a support structure; Fig. 1d a detailed view of a support structure according to Fig. 1a to 1c; and Fig. 2 an exploded view of cladding elements that can be / are attached to the supporting structure. Detailed description of the drawings

[0037] The described embodiments are merely examples that can be modified and / or supplemented in a variety of ways within the scope of the claims. Each feature described for a specific embodiment can be used independently or in combination with other features in any other embodiment. Each feature described for an embodiment of a specific claim category can also be used correspondingly in an embodiment of a different claim category.

[0038] The Figures 1a to 1c show several longitudinal section modules 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 of a modularly assembled guideway device 1, namely Figure 1aa first longitudinal section module 1.1 designed as a lower head module, Figure 1b a second longitudinal section module 1.2 designed as an intermediate module and Figure 1c a third longitudinal section module 1.3 designed as an upper head module. The head modules extend beyond the kinks or have a bent stub. The longitudinal section modules 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 each have a supporting structure 2 with two side wall units 2.1, 2.2 extending mainly in a longitudinal direction L and cross beams 2.3 extending in a transverse direction Q. Each side wall unit 2.1, 2.2 in turn has a side wall 3, an upper chord 4.1 extending in the longitudinal direction L, and a lower chord 4.2 extending in the longitudinal direction L.

[0039] The structure of the supporting structures 2 is in the Figure 1dshown in detail. The side wall 3 is formed from a flat material in which structural sections 6.1 and structural sections 6.2 are formed through recesses 5. The structural sections 6.1 thus divide the side wall 3 or the side wall units 2.1, 2.2 into sections. Furthermore, structural posts 7 with supporting elements 7.1 and the cross struts 2.3 are arranged or attached, in particular welded, to the structural sections 6.1.

[0040] The side wall 3 is further formed integrally with the upper chord 4.1 and the lower chord 4.2. Thus, a first wall 8.1 is formed by the flat material forming the side wall 3, and a second wall 8.2 of the upper chord 4.1 is bent in an L-shape from the first wall 8.1. A third wall 8.3 and a fourth wall 8.4 of the upper chord 4.1 are formed by a further element made from an L-shaped bent flat material and welded to the flat material forming the side wall 3. In the same way, a first wall 9.1 is formed by the flat material forming the side wall 3, bent in an L-shape from the side wall 3, and a second wall 9.2 of the lower chord 4.2 is bent in an L-shape from the first wall 9.1. A third wall 9.3 and a fourth wall 9.4 of the lower chord 4.2 are formed by an L-shaped bent floor unit 10.

[0041] Again with reference to the Figures 1a to 1cThe longitudinal section modules 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 are shown with several components of the guideway device. The lower head module ( Fig. 1a ) a comb plate 12, a base 13, a balustrade 16 with a handrail 17 arranged thereon, and several guides 14.1, 14.2, 14.3 for chain rollers, step / pallet rollers and / or a handrail (not shown). Corresponding guides 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, a base 13, and a balustrade 16 are also provided in the intermediate module ( Fig.1b ). The guides 14.1, 14.2, 14.3 rest on the supporting elements 7.1. The upper head module ( Fig. 1c ) In addition to the components already present in the lower head module and / or intermediate module, it has a drive 15 for driving a chain and / or a handrail loop. The illustration of the upper head module does not depict a balustrade 16.

[0042] The longitudinal modules 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 each have reference points 18 on the supporting structures 2, or side wall units 2.1, 2.2, or side walls 3 in the flat material, which in Fig. 1d are shown. In the Figures 1a to 1cthe reference points 18 are covered by mounting brackets 19, which in turn are fastened to slides 20. By suspending the longitudinal sections 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 from the reference points 18, it is possible to refer to the reference points 18 repeatedly during assembly and, ideally, exclusively when positioning / aligning components. The reference points 18 are formed on the flat material by laser cutting during the manufacture of the side walls 3, whereby, thanks to the accuracy typical of laser cutting, all other recesses or cutouts made in the flat material are positioned exactly opposite the reference points 18 and can therefore in turn serve as references when positioning / aligning components. This applies in particular to connecting means 21 provided for connecting the longitudinal section modules 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 and slots 22 for receiving components of the guideway device 1, such as the support elements 7.1.By means of the reference points 18 and in particular the suspension of the longitudinal section modules 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, an exact alignment of the longitudinal section modules 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 to one another is also possible when they are connected to one another via the connecting means 21.

[0043] Figure 2shows an exploded view of the support structure 2 and the cladding elements 23.1, 23.2 to be arranged on the first side wall unit 2.1, namely a first cladding element 23.1 designed as a lateral cladding element and a second cladding element 23.2 designed as a lower cladding element. The cladding elements serve to cover the support structure 2 for aesthetic and safety reasons. In the side wall 3 of the support structure, next to the reference points 18 and further references, such as the slots 22, first connecting means 24.1 designed as slot-shaped recesses are arranged. The first connecting means 24.1 are formed during the manufacture of the side wall 3 from a flat material by means of laser cutting with a defined positioning relative to the reference point 18 and are designed for the dimensionally accurate, direct fastening of the first cladding element 23.1. The first cladding element 23.1, which is formed from a flat material with bevels 25 on vertical sides, has second connecting means 24.2 formed as hooks on the bevels 25. The second.

[0044] Connecting elements 24.2 are formed on the flat material by laser cutting prior to forming the bevel 25. The second connecting elements 24.2 engage with the first connecting elements 24.1 to fasten the first cladding element 23.1 to the side wall 3 and engage behind them to form a positive connection 26.

[0045] Furthermore, the first cladding element 23.1 has third connecting means 24.3 formed as slot-shaped recesses on a lower side. The second cladding element 23.2, like the first cladding element 23.1, is formed from a flat material with bevels 27. The fourth connecting means 24.4 are formed as hooks on the bevels 27. The fourth connecting means 24.4 are formed on the flat material by laser cutting before the bevel 27 is formed. The fourth connecting means 24.4 engage in the third connecting means 24.3 to fasten the second cladding element 23.2 to the first cladding element 23.1 and engage behind them to form a positive connection 28. List of reference symbols

[0046] 1Guideway device 1.1First longitudinal section module (lower head module) 1.2Second longitudinal section module (intermediate module) 1.3Third longitudinal section module (upper head module) 2Support structure 2.1First side wall unit 2.2Second side wall unit 2.3Cross beam 4.1Top chord 4.2Bottom chord 5Recess 6.1First structural section 6.2Second structural section 7Structural post 7.1Support element 8.1First wall of the top chord 8.2Second wall of the top chord 8.3Third wall of the top chord 8.4Fourth wall of the top chord 9.1First wall of the bottom chord 9.2Second wall of the bottom chord 9.3Third wall of the bottom chord 9.4Fourth wall of the bottom chord 10Floor unit 12Comb plate 13Base 14.1First guide 14.2Second guide 14.3Third guide 15Drive 16Balustrade 17Handrail 18Reference point 19Mounting bracket 20Carriage 21Fastener 22Slot 23.1First cladding element 23.2Second cladding element 24.1First fastener 24.2Second fastener 24.3Third fastener 24.4fourth fastener 25folding 26positive locking 27folding 28positive locking LLongitudinal direction Qtransverse direction.

Claims

1. A guideway device (1), in particular an escalator device, comprising a supporting structure (2) with two opposing sidewall units (2.1, 2.2), each with an upper chord (4.1), a lower chord (4.2), and a sidewall (3) extending between the upper chord (4.1) and lower chord (4.2); and at least one first cladding element (23.1) for cladding the guideway device (1) from one side; wherein at least one first sidewall unit (2.1) has at least one first connecting means (24.1) for directly holding the first cladding element (23.1) to the first sidewall unit (2.1); wherein the at least one first connecting means (24.1) is positioned in a defined manner relative to a reference point (18) of the supporting structure (2); and wherein the first cladding element (23.1) has at least one second connecting means (24.2) for cooperating with the first connecting means (24.1) when holding the first cladding element (23.1) on the first side wall unit (2.1).

2. Guideway device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first connecting means (24.1) is designed to hold the first cladding element (23.1) in a form-fitting manner on the side wall unit (2.1).

3. Guideway device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first connecting means (24.1) is designed as a recess and in particular the second connecting means (24.2) is designed as a hook for engaging in the recess.

4. Guideway device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the first side wall (3) is formed substantially from a flat material, in particular from a metal sheet, and the recess is formed on the first side wall (3).

5. Guideway device (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the recess is formed by laser cutting.

6. Guideway device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one second cladding element (23.2) for cladding the guideway device (1) from an underside; wherein the first cladding element (23.1) has at least one third connecting means (24.3) for directly holding the second cladding element (23.2); and wherein the second cladding element (23.2) has at least one fourth connecting means (24.4) for interacting with the third connecting means (24.3) in holding the second cladding element (23.2) to the first cladding element (23.1).

7. Guideway device (1) according to claim 6, wherein the third connecting means (24.3) is designed to hold the second cladding element (23.2) in a form-fitting manner on the first cladding element (23.1).

8. Guideway device (1) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the third connecting means (24.3) is designed as a recess and the fourth connecting means (24.4) is designed as a hook for engaging in the recess.

9. Guideway device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first cladding element (23.1) and / or the second cladding element (23.1) is / are formed from a flat material, in particular from a metal sheet.

10. Guideway device (1) according to claim 9, wherein the first cladding element (23.1) and / or the second cladding element (23.2) each has / have at least one lateral bevel (25, 27), wherein the second connecting means (24.2) and / or the fourth connecting means (24.4) is / are formed on the lateral bevel (25, 27).

11. Guideway device (1) according to one of claims 9 or 10, wherein the second connecting means (24.2), the third connecting means (24.3) and / or the fourth connecting means (24.4) is / are formed by laser cutting.

12. Guideway device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the guideway device (1) is designed to be assembled modularly from a plurality of longitudinal section modules (1.1, 1.2, 1.3).

13. Support structure (2) for a guideway device (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

14. Longitudinal section module (1.1, 1.2, 1.3) of a modularly assembled guideway device (1), in particular an escalator device, comprising a support structure (2) according to claim 13.

15. Longitudinal section module (1.1, 1.2, 1.3) according to claim 14, designed as an intermediate module between two head modules.