Movable handrail and passenger conveyor

Abstract

To provide a movable handrail easy to disassemble and a passenger conveyor with the movable handrail.SOLUTION: A movable handrail 6 engages slidably with a handrail, and comprises a handrail body 61 extending along the handrail, and a metal hypertonic body 62 arranged inside the handrail body 61 and extending along the handrail. The metal hypertonic body 62 is coated with a coating material 66 which is deteriorated by joule heat.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a moving handrail and a passenger conveyor. [Background technology]

[0002] The passenger conveyor comprises a frame installed in an architectural structure, boarding and alighting floors provided at both longitudinal ends of the frame, a plurality of steps that move in a circular movement between the boarding and alighting floors, and a moving handrail that moves in a circular movement in synchronization with the plurality of steps.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a handrail (moving handrail) for a passenger conveyor. The handrail disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a carcass, an extension prevention part, a cover, and a slide layer. The carcass is formed from a thermoplastic material in a substantially C-shape. The extension prevention part is a cable arranged inside the carcass. The cover covers the outer surface of the carcass. The slide layer covers the inner surface of the carcass. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-37488 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in conventional handrails such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1, the thermoplastic carcass and the cable, which acts as an extension prevention section, are bonded together in close contact, which makes it cumbersome to disassemble the carcass and cable when disposing of conventional handrails.

[0006] In consideration of the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a moving handrail that is easy to disassemble and a passenger conveyor equipped with the moving handrail. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems and achieve the object, one aspect of the present invention provides a movable handrail that slidably engages with a balustrade and includes a handrail body that extends along the balustrade, and a metallic tension member that is disposed inside the handrail body and extends along the balustrade. The tension member is coated with a coating material that deteriorates due to Joule heat. Furthermore, a passenger conveyor reflecting one aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of steps that move in a circular manner, balustrades arranged on both sides of the width of the plurality of steps, and the above-mentioned moving handrail that slidably engages with the balustrades.

[0008] According to the moving handrail having the above configuration, it can be easily disassembled when it is time to dispose of it. Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will become clear from the following description of the embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a configuration example of a passenger conveyor according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a moving handrail according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a moving handrail according to one embodiment has been cut to an appropriate length. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] A moving handrail and passenger conveyor according to one embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Note that common members in each figure are given the same reference numerals.

[0011] [Passenger conveyor configuration example] First, the configuration of a passenger conveyor according to one embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a passenger conveyor.

[0012] The passenger conveyor 1 shown in Fig. 1 is an inclined passenger conveyor installed on the upper and lower floors of a building structure. As shown in Fig. 1, the passenger conveyor 1 includes a frame 2 installed on the building structure, a control panel 3, a balustrade 4, a plurality of steps 5, a moving handrail 6, and a drive mechanism 7. The passenger conveyor 1 also includes a transmission chain 8, a drive sprocket 9, a driven sprocket 10, and a driving chain 11.

[0013] Frame 2 is installed across the lower and upper floors. Hereinafter, the left-right direction when viewing frame 2 from the lower floor will be referred to as the width direction of frame 2. A drive mechanism 7, a control panel 3, and a drive sprocket 9 are arranged on the upper floor side of frame 2. Furthermore, a driven sprocket 10 is arranged on the lower floor side of frame 2.

[0014] The drive mechanism 7 is composed of an electric motor and a reducer. Electric power is supplied to the electric motor from the control panel 3. The operation of the electric motor is controlled by the control panel 3. A belt member is wound around the drive pulley of the electric motor. This belt member is also wound around the driven pulley of the reducer. As a result, the rotational force of the electric motor is transmitted to the reducer via the belt member.

[0015] A transmission chain 8 is wound around the transmission sprocket of the reducer. The transmission chain 8 is wound around a drive sprocket 9. The driving force of the drive mechanism 7 is transmitted to the drive sprocket 9 via the transmission chain 8. This causes the drive sprocket 9 to rotate.

[0016] A driving chain 11 is wound around the drive sprocket 9 and the driven sprocket 10. When the drive sprocket 9 rotates, the driven sprocket 10 and the driving chain 11 rotate. The steps 5 are connected together endlessly via the driving chain 11.

[0017] A guide rail (not shown) is attached to the frame 2. When the driving chain 11 rotates, the multiple steps 5 are guided by the guide rail (not shown) and move cyclically between the outbound and inbound directions. Passengers ride on the steps 5 moving on the outbound direction and are transported between the upper and lower floors.

[0018] The balustrades 4 are arranged on both sides of the frame 2 in the width direction. The balustrades 4 are supported on the upper part of the frame 2. An endless moving handrail 6 is movably attached to the upper part of the balustrade 4. The moving handrail 6 is slidably engaged with the balustrade 4. The moving handrail 6 is driven by a moving handrail drive unit (not shown), and moves in the same direction as the multiple steps 5, circulating between the outbound and inbound sides in synchronization with the multiple steps 5. Passengers hold on to the moving handrail 6 as it moves on the outbound side.

[0019] [Example of moving handrail configuration] Next, the configuration of the moving handrail 6 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the moving handrail 6.

[0020] As shown in Figure 2, the moving handrail 6 has a handrail main body 61 and multiple tension members 62 arranged inside the handrail main body 61. The handrail main body 61 has a core portion 71, a cover portion 72, and an engagement portion 73.

[0021] The core 71 has a generally C-shaped cross section perpendicular to the direction in which the balustrade 4 extends, and includes a central core 711 and two curved cores 712. The core 71 is made of rubber and is processed into an endless shape through a vulcanization process. The central core 711 is formed in a strip shape that extends along the balustrade 4.

[0022] The two curved core portions 712 are continuous with both sides of the central core portion 711 in the width direction. The ends of the two curved core portions 712 opposite the central core portion 711 are located on one flat surface of the central core portion 711. One flat surface of the central core portion 711 and the curved surfaces of the two curved core portions 712 continuous with this flat surface form the inner surface of the core portion 71. The other flat surface of the central core portion 711 and the curved surfaces of the two curved core portions 712 continuous with this flat surface form the outer surface of the core portion 71.

[0023] The cover portion 72 has a generally C-shaped cross section that is generally perpendicular to the direction in which the balustrade 4 extends, and has a central cover portion 721 and two curved cover portions 722. The cover portion 72 is made of a different type of rubber from the core portion 71, and is processed into an endless shape through a vulcanization process. The cover portion 72 covers the outer surface of the core portion 71. The cover portion 72 forms the decorative surface of the moving handrail 6.

[0024] The central cover portion 721 is formed in a strip shape extending along the balustrade 4. The central cover portion 721 is in close contact with the central core portion 711. The thickness of the central cover portion 721 is thinner than the thickness of the central core portion 711.

[0025] The two curved cover portions 722 have a base end and a tip end. The base ends of the two curved cover portions 722 are continuous with both sides of the central cover portion 721 in the width direction. The tip ends of the two curved cover portions 722 face each other in the width direction of the central cover portion 721. The tip ends of the two curved cover portions 722 face one flat surface of the central core portion 711 in the up-down direction. The thickness of the tip ends of the two curved cover portions 722 is thicker than the thickness of the base ends of the two curved cover portions 722.

[0026] The engagement portion 73 has a central engagement portion 731, two curved engagement portions 732, and two tip engagement portions 733. The engagement portion 73 is made of, for example, cloth or polyester, and is slidably engaged with a rail portion (not shown) formed on the upper part of the balustrade 4. The engagement portion 73 is adhered to the inner surface of the core portion 71 and the tip portions of the two curved cover portions 722 using an adhesive.

[0027] The central engagement portion 731 is bonded to the central core portion 711. The two curved engagement portions 732 are bonded to the two curved core portions 712. The two tip engagement portions 733 are bonded to the two tip engagement portions 733.

[0028] The multiple tension members 62 are arranged inside the central core 711 of the core 71. The tension members 62 are lined up at appropriate intervals along the width direction of the core 71, and extend along the balustrade 4. The multiple tension members 62 are adhered to the central core 711 via a coating material 66, which will be described later. The multiple tension members 62 increase the rigidity of the central core 711 (handrail main body 61).

[0029] The plurality of tensile bodies 62 are, for example, steel wires. Joule heat is generated in the plurality of tensile bodies 62 by passing an electric current through them. The tensile bodies according to the present invention may be any metal that generates Joule heat, and may be, for example, aluminum wires or copper wires.

[0030] The multiple tension bodies 62 are each coated with a coating material 66. The coating material 66 is a material that deteriorates (liquefies) due to Joule heat generated in the tension bodies 62. For example, zinc or a resin material can be used as the coating material 66. This makes it easy to coat the multiple tension bodies 62.

[0031] The melting point of the coating material 66 is higher than the vulcanization temperature. This prevents the coating material 66 from deteriorating (liquefying) during the vulcanization process. Therefore, the multiple tension members 62 can increase the rigidity of the central core 711 (handrail main body 61).

[0032] [Separating the moving handrail] Next, the separation work of the moving handrail 6 will be explained with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the moving handrail 6 cut to an appropriate length.

[0033] When discarding the moving handrail 6, it can be separated into the handrail main body 61 and the multiple tension members 62. When separating the moving handrail 6, the worker cuts the moving handrail 6 to an appropriate length (see Figure 3).

[0034] When the moving handrail 6 is removed from the balustrade 4, it is wound up in a spiral shape. In this state, it is difficult to pull out the multiple tension members 62 from the handrail main body 61. For this reason, when separating the moving handrail 6, it is preferable to cut the moving handrail 6 to an appropriate length. Therefore, it is preferable that the length of the moving handrail 6 after cutting is at least long enough to prevent the moving handrail 6 from curling up.

[0035] Next, the worker cuts out the handrail main body 61 to expose the ends of the multiple tension members 62. The multiple tension members 62 should protrude, for example, about 10 mm from the handrail main body 61. This makes the multiple tension members 62 more likely to be electrically conductive.

[0036] Next, the worker applies an electric current to the multiple tensile bodies 62. This causes the coating material 66 to deteriorate (liquefy) due to Joule heat. In other words, the coating material 66 becomes a sacrificial layer between the handrail main body 61 (central core portion 711) and the multiple tensile bodies 62. As a result, gaps are formed between the handrail main body 61 and the multiple tensile bodies 62.

[0037] As described above, the multiple tensile bodies 62 are each coated with the coating material 66. This allows the multiple tensile bodies 62 to efficiently transfer Joule heat to the coating material 66. As a result, the multiple tensile bodies 62 can reliably deteriorate (liquefy) the coating material 66.

[0038] Next, the worker pulls out the multiple tension members 62 from the handrail main body 61. At this time, gaps are formed between the handrail main body 61 and the multiple tension members 62. Therefore, the worker can easily separate the handrail main body 61 and the multiple tension members 62.

[0039] The handrail and passenger conveyor of the present invention have been described above, including their functions and effects. However, the handrail and passenger conveyor of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

[0040] In the embodiment described above, the handrail main body 61 of the moving handrail 6 has a core portion 71, a cover portion 72, and an engagement portion 73. However, the handrail main body according to the present invention may also be one in which the core portion and the cover portion are formed integrally.

[0041] In the above-described embodiment, the tension body 62 is a wire. However, the tension body according to the present invention is not limited to a wire and can be set to any shape, such as a thin plate. Furthermore, the number of tension bodies can be set to any number.

[0042] In the above-described embodiment, an escalator with steps having differences in level between them has been described as an example of an inclined passenger conveyor. However, the passenger conveyor according to the present invention can also be applied to a motorized roadway with multiple steps without differences in level between them, a so-called moving walkway.

[0043] The passenger conveyor according to the present invention can also be applied to a passenger conveyor having a frame in which at least a portion of the inclined section is provided with a portion parallel to the upper horizontal section and the lower horizontal section.Furthermore, the passenger conveyor according to the present invention can also be applied to a passenger conveyor having a frame in which the extending direction of the upper horizontal section and the lower horizontal section differs due to the extending direction of the inclined section being curved and changed.

[0044] Furthermore, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to those including all of the configurations described. Furthermore, it is possible to replace part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, or to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. Furthermore, it is possible to add, delete, or replace part of the configuration of each embodiment with another configuration.

[0045] In this specification, the words "parallel" and "orthogonal" are used, but these do not mean only "parallel" and "orthogonal" in the strict sense, but also include "parallel" and "orthogonal" and may also mean a "substantially parallel" or "substantially orthogonal" state within a range in which the functions can be exerted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...passenger conveyor, 2...frame, 3...control panel, 4...balustrade, 6...moving handrail, 7...drive mechanism, 8...transmission chain, 9...driving sprocket, 10...driven sprocket, 11...driving chain, 61...handrail body, 62...tension body, 66...coating material, 71...core portion, 72...cover portion, 73...engagement portion, 711...central core portion, 712...curved core portion, 721...central cover portion, 722...curved cover portion, 731...central engagement portion, 732...curved engagement portion, 733...tip engagement portion

Claims

1. A moving handrail that slidably engages with a balustrade, A handrail body extending along the balustrade; A metal tension member is disposed inside the handrail body and extends along the railing, The tensile body is coated with a coating material that deteriorates due to Joule heat. Moving handrail.

2. The handrail body is made of rubber and is formed into an endless shape by vulcanization. The melting point of the coating material is higher than the vulcanization temperature. The handrail according to claim 1.

3. The coating material is a resin material or zinc. The handrail according to claim 2.

4. The hypertonic body is a plurality of bodies, each of which is individually coated with the coating material. The handrail according to claim 1.

5. A passenger conveyor comprising a plurality of steps that move in a circular manner, handrails arranged on both sides of the plurality of steps in a width direction, and a moving handrail that is slidably engaged with the handrails, The moving handrail is A handrail body extending along the balustrade; A metal tension member is disposed inside the handrail body and extends along the railing, The tensile body is coated with a coating material that deteriorates due to Joule heat. Passenger conveyor.

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