Escalator slow-speed operation device

Abstract

To provide an escalator slow-speed operation device capable of significantly reducing the labor required for elevator maintenance work performed with the main power supply cut off.SOLUTION: An escalator slow speed operation device 100 includes an electric device 110 having a first rotating shaft 111 that is driven to rotate around a first central axis C1 by a power source different from the main power source of the escalator, and a friction member 120 that is attached to the first rotating shaft 111 and pressed against a flywheel 14 that is attached to a second rotating shaft 12 for rotationally driving the step chain of the escalator by the main power source. The friction member 120 is pressed against the flywheel 14 when the electric device 110 is driven and when it is stopped, so as to transmit the torque output from the electric device 110 to the flywheel 14 when it is driven and to apply a braking force to the flywheel 14 when it is stopped.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an escalator slow speed operation device. [Background technology]

[0002] During maintenance work on escalators, there are situations where test runs of the escalator are performed in the presence of workers in the vicinity of related equipment or when part of the related equipment has been disassembled. For safety reasons, such test runs are performed manually with the main power cut off.

[0003] JP 2017-95269 A (Patent Document 1) discloses a passenger conveyor that includes an inner ledge that is removably installed on the lower part of the handrail on the step side, a first rotating plate and a second rotating plate located below the inner ledge, and a rotary transmission belt that transmits the rotation of the first rotating plate to the second rotating plate. With this passenger conveyor, the inner ledge is removed, a hand-wound disc member is attached to the second rotating plate, and the hand-wound disc member is manually turned to run the steps. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-95269 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The manual test run requires a great deal of effort. In particular, when replacing a unit of the step chain, the step chain needs to be run one full revolution, which requires a great deal of effort and time.

[0006] During test runs, the step chain of the escalator must be stopped immediately if necessary. A great deal of effort is also required to immediately stop the step chain and the weight of the steps fixed to the step chain against inertia.

[0007] The main object of the present disclosure is to provide an escalator slow speed operation device that can significantly reduce the labor required for elevator maintenance work that is performed with the main power supply cut off. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The escalator slow speed operation device according to the present disclosure includes an electric device having a first rotating shaft that is driven to rotate around a first central axis by a power source different from the main power source of the escalator, and a friction member that is attached to the first rotating shaft and pressed against a flywheel that is attached to a second rotating shaft for driving a step chain of the escalator by the main power source. The friction member is pressed against the flywheel when the electric device is driven and when it is stopped, so as to transmit the torque output from the electric device to the flywheel when it is driven and to apply a braking force to the flywheel when it is stopped. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an escalator slow speed operation device that can significantly reduce the labor required for elevator maintenance work that is performed with the main power supply cut off. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic side view of an escalator according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic side view of an escalator drive device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 1 is a schematic diagram of an escalator slow-speed operation device according to a first embodiment and its usage state, viewed from a direction perpendicular to a first rotation axis of the escalator slow-speed operation device. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic diagram of an escalator slow-speed operation device according to a first embodiment and its usage state, viewed from a direction along a first rotation axis of the escalator slow-speed operation device. FIG. [Diagram 5]11 is a schematic diagram of an escalator slow-speed operation device according to a second embodiment and its usage state, viewed from a first direction perpendicular to a first rotation axis of the escalator slow-speed operation device. FIG. [Figure 6] 11 is a schematic diagram of an escalator slow-speed operation device according to a second embodiment and its usage state, viewed from a second direction perpendicular to the first rotation axis of the escalator slow-speed operation device. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. The same components are given the same reference numbers, and the description thereof will not be repeated. The drawings show the connection relationship between the components of the escalator slow speed operation device according to the present embodiment and the main components of the escalator, and do not necessarily show the physical spatial arrangement of each component.

[0012] <Escalator configuration> As shown in FIG. 1, the escalator 1 includes a truss 2, an upper sprocket 3, a lower sprocket 4, a step chain 5, a drive unit 6, a control unit 7, a plurality of steps 8, a balustrade 9, and a moving handrail 10.

[0013] The truss 2 houses an upper sprocket 3, a lower sprocket 4, a step chain 5, a drive unit 6, and a control unit 7. The upper sprocket 3 is installed on the portion of the truss 2 that is on the upper floor. The lower sprocket 4 is installed on the portion of the truss 2 that is on the lower floor. The step chain 5 is wound around the upper sprocket 3 and the lower sprocket 4. The drive unit 6 drives the step chain 5 with power supplied from the main power supply of the escalator 1. As the step chain 5 moves, multiple steps 8 circulate between the upper and lower floors.

[0014] A balustrade 9 is provided above the truss 2. The balustrade 9 extends in the longitudinal direction of the truss 2. A moving handrail 10 is provided on the balustrade 9. The moving handrail 10 moves cyclically between the upper floor and the lower floor. The driving device 6 may further drive the moving handrail 10. The moving handrail 10 moves in conjunction with the step 8.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, the driving device 6 mainly includes a driving motor 11, a reducer 15, and a disk brake 22.

[0016] The drive motor 11 has a second rotating shaft 12 that is rotatable around a second central axis C2. A motor-side pulley 13 and a flywheel 14 are fixed to the second rotating shaft 12. The drive motor 11 drives the second rotating shaft 12, the motor-side pulley 13, and the flywheel 14 to rotate around the second central axis C2 by power supplied from the main power supply of the escalator 1.

[0017] The outer diameter of the flywheel 14 is larger than the outer diameter of the motor-side pulley 13. The flywheel 14 is detachable from the second rotating shaft 12, and may be fixed to the second rotating shaft 12 only during maintenance work on the escalator 1. The flywheel 14 has a first side surface 14A facing in one direction along the second rotating shaft 12, a second side surface 14B facing in the opposite direction to the first side surface 14A, and an outer circumferential surface 14C connecting the outer circumferential edges of the first side surface 14A and the second side surface 14B.

[0018] The reducer 15 has a reducer input shaft 16 and a reducer output shaft 17. The reducer 15 reduces the rotational speed of the power input from the reducer input shaft 16 and outputs it from the reducer output shaft 17. A reducer pulley 18 and a disc brake 22 are fixed to the reducer input shaft 16. A drive chain sprocket 19 is fixed to the reducer output shaft 17. A belt 20 is wound between the motor side pulley 13 and the reducer pulley 18. A drive chain 21 (see FIG. 1 ) is wound between the drive chain sprocket 19 and the upper sprocket 3.

[0019] The disc brake 22 is the main brake of the escalator 1. The disc brake 22 is an electromagnetic brake that utilizes electromagnetic force to brake the rotational motion of the reducer input shaft 16. The braking operation of the disc brake 22 is controlled by the control device 7. The disc brake 22 is provided with a brake release lever 23 for mechanically and forcibly releasing the disc brake 22. The brake release lever 23 is provided so as to mechanically release the disc brake 22 when, for example, an operator steps on it with his foot.

[0020] When performing maintenance work on the escalator 1, the main power supply is shut off and the drive device 6 and the control device 7 are in a state where they are not energized.

[0021] The following describes the slow-speed operation device for an escalator according to the present disclosure. The slow-speed operation device for an escalator according to the present disclosure is used to run the step chain 5 on the slow-speed side during maintenance work on the escalator 1, and to immediately stop the step chain 5 as necessary.

[0022] Embodiment 1 <Configuration of the escalator slow speed operation device> As shown in FIG. 3, escalator slow-speed operation device 100 according to the first embodiment includes electric device 110 and friction member 120.

[0023] The electric device 110 has a first rotating shaft 111 that is driven to rotate around a first central axis C1 by a power source different from the main power source of the escalator 1. The electric device 110 further has a switch 112 for switching between a state in which the first rotating shaft 111 is rotating and a state in which the first rotating shaft 111 is stopped rotating. The electric device 110 is capable of outputting a torque greater than or equal to the torque required to run a unit including the step chain 5 and the steps 8 attached thereto (hereinafter referred to as a step chain unit).

[0024] Preferably, the electric device 110 is capable of varying the torque it outputs. For example, the electric device 110 can change the torque it outputs in stages. In this case, it is preferable that the electric device 110 can output a torque that is one step larger than the torque required to run the step chain unit.

[0025] In the maintenance work, the weight of the step chain unit differs depending on the work. Therefore, the torque required to run the step chain unit during the maintenance work, i.e., the torque required to rotate the flywheel, differs depending on the work. For example, a first torque required to rotate the flywheel during a first work is smaller than a second torque required to rotate the flywheel during a second work different from the first work. In this case, it is preferable that the electric device 110 is switchable between a first state in which a third torque larger than the first torque and smaller than the second torque can be output, and a second state in which a fourth torque larger than the second torque can be output.

[0026] The electric device 110 is a handheld electric device. Preferably, the electric device 110 is a rechargeable power tool. The electric device 110 may be available as a commercially available power tool.

[0027] The friction member 120 is attached to the first rotating shaft 111, and is pressed against the flywheel 14 when the electric device 110 is driven and when it is stopped. The friction member 120 is provided so as to transmit the torque output from the electric device 110 to the flywheel 14 when the electric device 110 is driven, and to apply a braking force to the flywheel 14 when the electric device 110 is stopped. The friction member 120 is, for example, an elastic member.

[0028] The friction member 120 has a friction surface that rubs against at least one of the first side surface 14A, the second side surface 14B, and the outer circumferential surface 14C of the flywheel 14. The friction surface of the friction member 120 is, for example, circular in any cross section perpendicular to the first central axis C1. The friction member 120 has a first friction surface 121 having a relatively short outer diameter relative to the first central axis C1, and a second friction surface 122 having a longer outer diameter relative to the first central axis C1 than the first friction surface 121. The first friction surface 121 is disposed, for example, closer to the tip side of the first rotating shaft 111 than the second friction surface 122.

[0029] At least one of the first friction surface 121 and the second friction surface 122 is inclined so that the outer diameter gradually changes from one end to the other end of the first rotating shaft 111. For example, each of the first friction surface 121 and the second friction surface 122 is inclined so that the outer diameter gradually increases as it moves away from the tip of the first rotating shaft 111. Each of the first friction surface 121 and the second friction surface 122 is, for example, a conical surface. Each of the first friction surface 121 and the second friction surface 122 is, for example, a part of one conical surface.

[0030] Preferably, an annular groove 123 is formed between the first friction surface 121 and the second friction surface 122 of the friction member 120, the annular groove 123 being continuous in a circumferential direction with respect to the first central axis C1. The inner surface of the annular groove 123 is also provided as the above-mentioned friction surface. The inner surface of the annular groove 123 is provided so as to contact with each part of the first side surface 14A, the second side surface 14B, and the outer circumferential surface 14C of the flywheel 14 when the first rotating shaft 111 is arranged parallel to the second rotating shaft 12 of the drive device 6. A pair of wall surfaces of the annular groove 123 facing each other contact each outer circumferential edge portion of the first side surface 14A and the second side surface 14B of the flywheel 14. The bottom surface of the annular groove 123 contacts the outer circumferential surface 14C of the flywheel 14. Preferably, the annular groove 123 is arranged so that the inner surface of the annular groove 123 fits snugly with the outer peripheral edge of the flywheel 14 when the first rotating shaft 111 is arranged parallel to the second rotating shaft 12 of the drive unit 6.

[0031] <How to use the escalator slow speed operation device> During maintenance work on the escalator 1, the main power supply of the escalator 1 is shut off. In this state, by rotating the flywheel 14, the second rotating shaft 12 and the motor-side pulley 13 also rotate. As a result, the torque input to the flywheel 14 is transmitted to the step chain 5 via the motor-side pulley 13, the belt 20, the reducer input shaft 16, the reducer output shaft 17, the drive chain sprocket 19, the drive chain 21, and the upper sprocket 3.

[0032] As described above, the escalator slow speed operation device 100 is used during maintenance work on the escalator 1 to input the torque to be transmitted to the step chain 5 to the flywheel 14 and to immediately stop the step chain 5 if necessary.

[0033] An example of how to use the escalator slow speed operation device 100 will be described below. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the worker positions the escalator slow speed operation device 100 so that the first rotating shaft 111 is parallel to the second rotating shaft 12 of the driving motor 11 of the driving device 6 and the friction surface of the friction member 120 contacts the surface of the flywheel 14. The worker then mechanically releases the disk brake 22 by stepping on the brake release lever 23 with his foot. After that, the worker turns on the switch 113 of the electric device 110 to input torque to the flywheel 14. This causes the step chain unit to travel at a slow speed. After the step chain unit has traveled a required distance, or when it becomes necessary to immediately stop the step chain 5, the worker turns off the switch 113 of the electric device 110 while keeping the friction surface of the friction member 120 in contact with the surface of the flywheel 14. This prevents the flywheel 14 from continuing to rotate due to inertia due to the frictional force generated between the friction member 120 and the flywheel 14, and the step chain unit immediately stops. After completing the maintenance work, the worker collects escalator slow speed operation device 100.

[0034] In the escalator slow speed operation device 100, the contact state between the friction surface of the friction member 120 and the surface of the flywheel 14 can be changed according to the magnitude of the torque required to rotate the flywheel.

[0035] During the first operation in which the first torque required to rotate the flywheel 14 is smaller than the second torque required during the second operation, it is preferable that the electric device 110 is in the first state and the first friction surface 121 of the friction member 120 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface 14C of the flywheel 14.

[0036] In the above-mentioned first operation, if it is necessary to further slow down the movement speed of the step chain unit, it is preferable that the electric device 110 is set to the above-mentioned first state and the second friction surface 122 of the friction member 120 is set to a state in which it is in contact with the outer peripheral surface 14C of the flywheel 14.

[0037] In the second operation, it is preferable that the electric device 110 is in the second state and the annular groove 123 of the friction member 120 is engaged with the outer peripheral edge portion of the flywheel 14, as shown in Figures 3 and 4.

[0038] <Modification> The shape of the friction surface of friction member 120 can be changed as appropriate depending on the number of torques and the magnitude of each torque required in the maintenance work of escalator 1. For example, when a plurality of relatively large torques are required, a plurality of annular grooves 123 having different distances of their bottom surfaces from the first central axis C1 may be provided at intervals from each other in the direction along the first central axis C1.

[0039] The first friction surface 121 and the second friction surface 122 may be provided as parts of different conical surfaces, for example. In other words, in a cross section passing through the first central axis C1, the inclination angle of the first friction surface 121 with respect to the first central axis C1 may be different from the inclination angle of the second friction surface 122 with respect to the first central axis C1. The inclination angle of the first friction surface 121 with respect to the first central axis C1 may be smaller than the inclination angle of the second friction surface 122 with respect to the first central axis C1.

[0040] In addition, the annular groove 123 may be disposed on the opposite side of the second friction surface 122 from the first friction surface 121 in the direction along the first central axis C1.

[0041] <Effects> Escalator slow speed operation device 100 includes electric device 110 and friction member 120, and friction member 120 is provided to transmit the torque output from electric device 110 to flywheel 14 when electric device 110 is driven, and to apply a braking force to flywheel 14 when electric device 110 is stopped. Therefore, escalator slow speed operation device 100 can significantly reduce the labor required for maintenance work compared to manually rotating the flywheel during elevator maintenance work that is performed with the main power supply cut off.

[0042] In particular, when replacing the step chain 5 units manually as in the conventional method, multiple workers had to rotate the flywheel in shifts. The inventors conducted a test in which the step chain unit was run one revolution using the escalator slow speed operation device 100. As a result, by using the escalator slow speed operation device 100, one worker was able to run the step chain unit smoothly one revolution.

[0043] Moreover, escalator slow-speed operation device 100 has a relatively simple structure and can be easily used in maintenance work on existing escalator 1 in which drive device 6 is equipped with flywheel 14. Therefore, according to escalator slow-speed operation device 100, capital investment and running costs can be reduced.

[0044] Furthermore, in escalator slow speed operation device 100, a rechargeable power tool may be used as electric device 110. In this case, escalator slow speed operation device 100 may be easily prepared by attaching the integrated unit of first rotating shaft 111 and friction member 120 to an electric tool used for maintenance work as its tip tool. Furthermore, after the above-mentioned use, electric device 110 may be used for other maintenance work by replacing the integrated unit of first rotating shaft 111 and friction member 120 with another tip tool such as an electric screwdriver. With such escalator slow speed operation device 100, capital investment and running costs may be further reduced.

[0045] Friction member 120 has a first friction surface 121 having a relatively short outer diameter relative to first center axis C1, and a second friction surface 122 having an outer diameter relative to first center axis C1 longer than that of first friction surface 121. According to such an escalator slow speed operation device 100, the rotation speed of flywheel 14 can be easily adjusted by selecting first friction surface 121 or second friction surface 122 as the friction surface to be pressed against flywheel 14.

[0046] Preferably, the electric device 110 is switchable between a first state in which it can output a third torque that is greater than the first torque and less than the second torque, and a second state in which it can output a fourth torque that is greater than the second torque. One escalator slow-speed operation device 100 is capable of handling both a first task requiring the first torque and a second task requiring the second torque.

[0047] Embodiment 2 Unless otherwise specified, the slow-speed escalator operation device according to the second embodiment has the same configuration as the slow-speed escalator operation device according to the first embodiment, and exerts the same effects.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, escalator slow speed operation device 200 according to the second embodiment includes electric device 210, friction member 220, second friction member 230, and positioning member 240.

[0049] The electric device 210 has a first rotating shaft 211 that is driven to rotate around a first central axis C1 by a power source different from the main power source of the escalator 1. The electric device 210 further has a switch 212 for switching between a state in which the first rotating shaft 211 is rotating and a state in which the first rotating shaft 211 is stopped rotating. The electric device 210 can output a torque equal to or greater than the torque required to run the step chain unit. The electric device 210 is not a handheld type, but a stationary type. The electric device 210 is detachably fixed to a wall surface or the like of the truss 2 of the escalator 1 by a positioning member 240.

[0050] Preferably, the electric device 210 is capable of varying the torque it outputs. For example, the electric device 210 is capable of changing the torque it outputs in stages. In this case, it is preferable that the electric device 210 is capable of outputting a torque that is one step larger than the torque required to run the step chain unit.

[0051] It is preferable that the electric device 210 is also switchable between a first state in which a third torque larger than the first torque and smaller than the second torque can be output, and a second state in which a fourth torque larger than the second torque can be output. The electric device 210 may be a rechargeable power tool.

[0052] The friction member 220 has a third friction surface 221 that rubs against the first side surface 14A of the flywheel 14. The third friction surface 221 is, for example, circular in any cross section perpendicular to the first central axis C1. The third friction surface 221 is, for example, a cylindrical surface.

[0053] The second friction member 230 has a fourth friction surface 231 that faces the third friction surface 221 and can come into contact with the second side surface 14B of the flywheel 14. The fourth friction surface 231 is, for example, circular in any cross section perpendicular to the first central axis C1. The fourth friction surface 231 is, for example, a cylindrical surface. The second friction member 230 is fixed to, for example, a third rotating shaft 232.

[0054] The positioning member 240 positions the second friction member 230 relative to the electric device 210 and the friction member 220. The positioning member 240 can realize a third state in which the third friction surface 221 contacts the first side surface 14A and the third friction surface 221 contacts the first side surface 14A. In the third state, the friction member 220 and the second friction member 230 sandwich the flywheel 14 in the direction along the second central axis C2. In the third state, each of the friction member 220 and the second friction member 230 is pressed against the flywheel 14.

[0055] The positioning member 240 has, for example, a first housing portion 241 that houses the electric device 210 and a second housing portion 242 that houses the third rotating shaft 232. Each of the first housing portion 241 and the second housing portion 242 is configured as, for example, a through hole. The electric device 210 is fitted into and fixed to the first housing portion 241. The third rotating shaft 232 is positioned with respect to the second housing portion 242 of the positioning member 240 by a fixing member 233 in a state where it is inserted into the second housing portion 242. For example, the third rotating shaft 232 is provided with a screw thread, and a fixing member 233 such as a nut is fastened to the screw thread.

[0056] Positioning member 240 further has fixing member 243 for detachably fixing escalator slow speed operation device 200 to the wall surface of truss 2. Fixing member 243 may have any structure, but is provided, for example, to sandwich L-shaped angle 2A of truss 2. Fixing member 243 includes, for example, a contact portion that contacts one side of angle 2A, a facing portion that is connected to the contact portion, faces the other side of angle 2A, and has a screw hole formed therein, and a bolt having a tip portion that screws into the screw hole of the facing portion and presses the other side of angle 2A.

[0057] In the third state, the friction member 220 is provided to transmit the torque output from the electric device 210 to the flywheel 14 when the electric device 210 is driven, and to apply a braking force to the flywheel 14 when the electric device 210 is stopped. In the third state, the second friction member 230 is provided to rotate following the rotation of the friction member 220. Each of the friction member 220 and the second friction member 230 is, for example, an elastic member.

[0058] Preferably, positioning member 240 is switchable between the third state and a fourth state in which the distance between third friction surface 221 and fourth friction surface 231 is different from the third state. In the direction along second central axis C2, opening width W (see FIG. 5) of second housing portion 242 is wider than the width (outer diameter) of third rotating shaft 232. Third rotating shaft 232 is movable in second housing portion 242 in the direction along second central axis C2. Fixing member 233 is capable of fixing third rotating shaft 232, which is disposed at an arbitrary position in second housing portion 242 in the direction along second central axis C2, to second housing portion 242. Thus, in escalator slow speed operation device 200, the pressure with which flywheel 14 is sandwiched between friction member 220 and second friction member 230 can be adjusted. In other words, according to the escalator slow speed operation device 200, an appropriate pressure can be applied to the flywheel 14 during each maintenance work on a plurality of types of escalators 1 having flywheels 14 with different thicknesses.

[0059] The electric device 210 may be provided to supply power to the disc brake 22 to release the disc brake 22. In this case, the worker can release the disc brake 22 and allow the step chain unit to travel at a slow speed simply by turning on the switch 212 of the escalator slow speed operation device 200, without mechanically operating the brake release lever 23.

[0060] The embodiments and modifications disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present disclosure is indicated by the claims, not the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1 escalator, 2 truss, 2A angle, 3 upper sprocket, 4 lower sprocket, 5 step chain, 6 drive device, 7 control device, 8 step, 9 balustrade, 10 moving handrail, 11 drive motor, 12 second rotating shaft, 13 motor side pulley, 14 flywheel, 14A first side, 14B second side, 14C outer circumferential surface, 15 reducer, 16 reducer input shaft, 17 reducer output shaft, 18 reducer pulley, 19 drive chain sprocket, 20 belt, 21 drive chain, 22 disc brake, 23 brake release lever, 100,200 escalator slow speed operation device, 110,210 electric device, 111,211 first rotating shaft, 112,113,212 switch, 120,220 friction member, 121 first friction surface, 122 Second friction surface, 123 annular groove, 221 third friction surface, 230 second friction member, 231 fourth friction surface, 232 third rotating shaft, 233, 243 fixing member, 240 positioning member, 241 first receiving portion. 242 second receiving portion.

Claims

1. an electric device having a first rotating shaft that is driven to rotate about a first central axis by a power source different from a main power source of the escalator; a friction member attached to the first rotating shaft and pressed against a flywheel attached to a second rotating shaft for rotating a step chain of the escalator by the main power source; The friction member is pressed against the flywheel when the electric device is driven and when the electric device is stopped, so as to transmit the torque output from the electric device to the flywheel when the electric device is driven, and to apply a braking force to the flywheel when the electric device is stopped.

2. 2. The escalator slow-speed operation device according to claim 1, wherein the friction member has a first friction surface having a relatively small outer diameter relative to the first central axis, and a second friction surface having a larger outer diameter relative to the first central axis than the first friction surface.

3. 3. The escalator slow-speed operation device according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the first friction surface and the second friction surface is inclined so that the outer diameter gradually changes from one end of the first central shaft to the other end of the first central shaft.

4. the flywheel has a first side surface facing in one direction along the second rotation axis, a second side surface facing in an opposite direction to the first side surface, and an outer circumferential surface connecting outer circumferential edges of the first side surface and the second side surface, an annular groove is formed between the first friction surface and the second friction surface of the friction member, the annular groove being continuous in a circumferential direction with respect to the first central axis, 3. The escalator slow speed operation device according to claim 2, wherein an inner surface of the annular groove is arranged to contact a portion of each of the first side surface, the second side surface, and the outer circumferential surface of the flywheel when the first rotational shaft is arranged parallel to the second rotational shaft.

5. the flywheel has a first side surface facing in one direction along the second rotation axis, a second side surface facing in an opposite direction to the first side surface, and an outer circumferential surface connecting outer circumferential edges of the first side surface and the second side surface, The friction member has an annular groove formed therein, the annular groove extending in a circumferential direction relative to the first central axis, 2. The escalator slow speed operation device according to claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the annular groove is configured to contact a portion of each of the first side surface, the second side surface, and the outer circumferential surface of the flywheel when the first rotational shaft is arranged parallel to the second rotational shaft.

6. a first torque required to rotate the flywheel during a first operation is smaller than a second torque required to rotate the flywheel during a second operation different from the first operation; The escalator slow speed operation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the electric device is switchable between a first state in which it can output a third torque greater than the first torque and less than the second torque, and a second state in which it can output a fourth torque greater than the second torque.

7. The escalator slow speed operation device according to claim 6, wherein the electric device is a rechargeable electric tool.

8. the flywheel has a first side surface facing in one direction along the second rotational axis and a second side surface facing in an opposite direction to the first side surface, the friction member has a third friction surface in contact with the first side surface, a second friction member having a fourth friction surface that faces the third friction surface and is capable of contacting the second side surface; a positioning member for positioning the second friction member relative to the electric device and the friction member, the positioning member is capable of realizing a third state in which the third friction surface is in contact with the first side surface and the fourth friction surface is in contact with the second side surface; 2. The slow-speed operation device for an escalator according to claim 1, wherein, in the third state, the second friction member is capable of being rotated in response to rotation of the first rotating shaft and the friction member.

9. 9. The escalator slow speed operation device according to claim 8, wherein the positioning member is switchable between the third state and a fourth state in which a distance between the third friction surface and the fourth friction surface is different from that in the third state.

10. 9. The escalator slow speed operation device according to claim 8, wherein the electric device is arranged to supply power to an electromagnetic brake for stopping the travel of the step chain when the main power supply is cut off, and to release the electromagnetic brake.

Images