Guide rail and passenger conveyor

Abstract

To provide a guide rail and a passenger conveyor which can be manufactured without using large-sized equipment.SOLUTION: A guide rail 24 comprises a base member 31 and a rail member 32. The base member is formed into a plate shape with roughly perpendicular plane to the width direction of a frame and is fixed to the frame. The rail member 32 is formed into a plate shape extending in the moving direction of multiple steps, has a straight part forming a flat surface and a bend part forming a curved surface, and is connected to the base member 31. The base member 31 has a fitting hole 31a. The rail member 32 protrudes from the end face in the moving direction of the multiple steps, and has a fitting protruding part 32a fitting to the fitting hole 31a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a guide rail and a passenger conveyor. [Background technology]

[0002] The passenger conveyor comprises a frame installed in a building structure, boarding and alighting floors provided at both longitudinal ends of the frame, multiple steps that move cyclically between the boarding and alighting floors, and a moving handrail that moves cyclically in synchronization with the multiple steps. The multiple steps move on guide rails attached to the frame.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a guide rail (tread rail) for a passenger conveyor. The guide rail disclosed in Patent Document 1 has multiple rail members arranged along the running direction of the treads, and connecting members that connect adjacent rail members. Each rail member has a rail lower surface, which is the running surface of the treads, a rail side surface, and a rail upper surface. The connecting member is formed with a U-shaped cross section that abuts against the rail lower surface, rail side surface, and rail upper surface of the rail member, respectively. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-095222 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, the guide rails of an inclined passenger conveyor are bent to form a smooth curve. For example, L-shaped steel material is used for the guide rails of the passenger conveyor. Furthermore, components of a bending machine that bends the L-shaped steel material are made of highly rigid materials. As a result, a bending machine with high output power is required to manufacture the guide rails of the passenger conveyor. Therefore, large-scale equipment is required to manufacture the guide rails of the passenger conveyor.

[0006] In consideration of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a guide rail and a passenger conveyor that can be manufactured without using large-scale equipment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems and achieve the object, a guide rail embodying one aspect of the present invention is attached to the frame of a passenger conveyor and guides the movement of a plurality of steps. The guide rail includes a base member fixed to the frame and a rail member connected to the base member. The base member is formed in a plate shape having a flat surface that is approximately perpendicular to the width direction of the frame and has a fitting hole. The rail member is formed in a plate shape extending along the movement direction of the plurality of steps and has a straight portion that forms the flat surface, a curved portion that forms a curved surface, and a fitting protrusion that fits into the fitting hole. The fitting protrusion protrudes from an end face of the rail member that is along the movement direction of the plurality of steps. A passenger conveyor embodying one aspect of the present invention includes a frame installed in a building, an endless driving chain that moves circulatingly within the frame, and a plurality of steps that engage with the driving chain and move circulatingly. The passenger conveyor further includes the above-mentioned guide rails that are attached to the frame and guide the movement of the plurality of steps.

[0008] The guide rail having the above configuration can be manufactured without using large-scale equipment. 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. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a guide rail according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a guide rail according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a guide rail according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a reinforcement of a straight portion of a guide rail according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing reinforcement of a curved portion of a guide rail according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] A guide rail and a passenger conveyor according to one embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 6. 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 group 20 (see Figure 2) is attached to the frame 2. When the driving chain 11 rotates, the steps 5 are guided by the guide rail group 20 and move cyclically between the outbound and inbound routes. Passengers ride on the steps 5 moving on the outbound route 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] [Guide rails] Next, the configuration of the guide rail group 20 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the guide rail group 20. As shown in FIG.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, each of the steps 5 has a pair of front wheels 14 and a pair of rear wheels 15. The front wheels 14 and the rear wheels 15 are arranged at both ends of the step 5 in the width direction. The guide rail group 20 has a first guide rail 23, a second guide rail 24, a third guide rail 25, a fourth guide rail 26, and a fifth guide rail 27. The guide rails 23 to 27 are arranged on both sides of the steps 5 in the width direction. The guide rails 23 to 27 are fixed to the frame 2.

[0021] When the step 5 moves along the boarding side where passengers board, it moves while being guided by the first guide rail 23 and the second guide rail 24. In this case, the front wheels 14 of the step 5 run on the first guide rail 23, and the rear wheels 15 of the step 5 run on the second guide rail 24. The first guide rail 23 and the second guide rail 24 have a curved portion on the upper floor side and a curved portion on the lower floor side (not shown).

[0022] The curved portions of the first guide rail 23 and the second guide rail 24 on the upper floor side are arranged at the connection between the inclined section and the upper horizontal section of the frame 2. In addition, the curved portions of the first guide rail 23 and the second guide rail 24 on the lower floor side are arranged at the connection between the inclined section and the lower horizontal section of the frame 2.

[0023] When the step 5 moves on the return side where no passengers are picked up, it moves while being guided by the third guide rail 25 and the fourth guide rail 26. In this case, the front wheels 14 of the step 5 run on the third guide rail 25, and the rear wheels 15 run on the fourth guide rail 26. The third guide rail 25 and the fourth guide rail 26 have a curved portion on the upper floor side and a curved portion on the lower floor side (not shown).

[0024] The curved portions of the third guide rail 25 and the fourth guide rail 26 on the upper floor side are arranged at the connection between the inclined section and the upper horizontal section of the frame 2. In addition, the curved portions of the third guide rail 25 and the fourth guide rail 26 on the lower floor side are arranged at the connection between the inclined section and the lower horizontal section of the frame 2.

[0025] The fifth guide rails 27 are arranged in the upper and lower horizontal sections of the frame 2 (FIG. 2 shows the fifth guide rail 27 arranged in the upper horizontal section). The fifth guide rails 27 are curved in a substantially arc shape. The fifth guide rails 27 guide the rear wheels 15 of the step 5, which rotate in reverse on the drive sprocket 9 and the driven sprocket 10.

[0026] That is, the rear wheel of step 5 runs on the second guide rail 24, and then is guided by the fifth guide rail 27. Then, the rear wheel 15 of step 5 passes over the fifth guide rail 27, and then runs on the fourth guide rail 26. Also, the rear wheel 15 of step 5 runs on the fourth guide rail 26, and then is guided by the fifth guide rail 27 (not shown) on the lower horizontal section side. Then, the rear wheel 15 of step 5 runs on the second guide rail 24, and then passes over the fifth guide rail 27 on the lower horizontal section side.

[0027] [Guide rail configuration] Next, the configuration of the guide rails 23 to 27 will be described with reference to FIGS. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a part of the second guide rail 24 on the upper floor side. Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a part of the second guide rail 24 on the upper floor side.

[0028] The guide rails 23 to 27 have the same configuration, but are each divided. Therefore, the configuration of the guide rails 23 to 27 will be described here using a portion of the second guide rail 24 on the upper floor side as an example.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the second guide rail 24 includes a base member 31, a rail member 32, a straight section reinforcement 33, and a curved section reinforcement .

[0030] The base member 31 is formed in the shape of a plate having a flat surface that is approximately perpendicular to the width direction of the frame 2. The base member 31 is fixed to the frame 2, for example, via a bracket (not shown). The base member 31 extends along the movement direction of the multiple steps 5. The base member 31 has a straight portion and a curved portion. The curved portion of the base member 31 forms the upper floor curved portion described above.

[0031] The end faces of the straight portions of the base member 31 that are aligned with the movement direction of the steps 5 are formed linearly. The end faces of the curved portions of the base member 31 that are aligned with the movement direction of the steps 5 are curved. The base member 31 is formed by cutting a metal plate. An example of the cutting method is laser processing. This allows the base member 31 to be formed without using large-scale equipment.

[0032] The straight portion of the base member 31 has a plurality of fitting holes 31a. The plurality of fitting holes 31a are formed in a rectangular shape that is long in the moving direction of the plurality of steps 5. A plurality of fitting protrusions 32a (described later) of the rail member 32 fit into the plurality of fitting holes 31a. Furthermore, straight portion reinforcements 33 are fixed to the straight portion of the base member 31 using screws 41 (see FIG. 5). Furthermore, curved portion reinforcements 34 are fixed to the curved portion of the base member 31.

[0033] The rail member 32 is formed in a plate shape that extends along the movement direction of the multiple steps 5. The rail member 32 has a straight portion that forms a flat surface and a curved portion that forms a curved surface. The straight portion of the rail member 32 is joined to the straight portion of the base member 31. The curved portion of the rail member 32 is joined to the curved portion of the base member 31. The rear wheels 15 of the steps 5 run on the flat surface and the curved surface of the rail member 32.

[0034] The rail member 32 is formed by cutting and then bending a metal plate. When bending the plate-shaped rail member 32, the bending machine does not require components with high rigidity. Therefore, the rail member 32 can be manufactured without using large-scale equipment.

[0035] The straight portion of the rail member 32 has a plurality of fitting protrusions 32a. The fitting protrusions 32a protrude from the end face of the straight portion of the rail member 32 along the movement direction of the steps 5, and form the same plane as the plane of the straight portion. This allows the fitting protrusions 32a to be easily formed by cutting a metal plate.

[0036] The multiple fitting protrusions 32a are formed in the shape of rectangular plates that are long in the movement direction of the multiple steps 5. The length of the short side of the multiple fitting holes 31a is set to a value slightly longer than the plate thickness of the rail member 32. The multiple fitting protrusions 32a are fitted into the multiple fitting holes 31a of the base member 31. A worker performing manufacturing work can easily connect the rail member 32 to the base member 31 by fitting the multiple fitting holes 31a into the multiple fitting holes 31a.

[0037] Furthermore, the multiple fitting protrusions 32a are located on the straight portions of the rail member 32. Therefore, the multiple fitting protrusions 32a are formed into a flat plate shape with high precision. This allows the worker to smoothly fit the multiple fitting holes 31a into the multiple fitting holes 31a. As a result, the workability of the manufacturing process for the second guide rail 24 can be improved.

[0038] The plurality of fitting protrusions 32a pass through the plurality of fitting holes 31a. Both flat surfaces of the portion of the plurality of fitting protrusions 32a that passes through the plurality of fitting holes 31a are welded and fixed to the linear portion of the base member 31 using weld metal 40 (see FIG. 5).

[0039] When welding is performed, the components to be fixed may become distorted due to heat. In such cases, work to correct the distortion of the components to be fixed is required. However, in this embodiment, welding is performed above and below the multiple fitting holes 31a, which can suppress distortion of the base member 31. As a result, the second guide rail 24 can eliminate or reduce the need for post-welding correction work. This allows workers to easily manufacture the second guide rail 24.

[0040] [Structure of straight section reinforcement] Next, the configuration of the straight section reinforcement 33 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the straight section reinforcement 33 of the second guide rail 24.

[0041] The straight section reinforcements 33 increase the rigidity of the straight sections of the rail member 32. The number of straight section reinforcements 33 can be set appropriately depending on the length of the straight sections of the rail member 32, the weight of the step 5, and the material of the rail member 32.

[0042] 5, the straight section reinforcement 33 is L-shaped when viewed from the side, and has a fixed piece 33a and a reinforcing piece 33b. The fixed piece 33a is a rectangular plate that is long in the direction of movement of the multiple steps 5. The fixed piece 33a is fixed to the straight section of the base member 31 using a screw 41.

[0043] The reinforcing piece 33b is continuous with one of the long sides of the fixed piece 33a and is approximately perpendicular to the fixed piece 33a. The reinforcing piece 33b is made of a rectangular plate. The reinforcing piece 33b is in surface contact with the straight portion of the rail member 32. This allows the straight portion reinforcement 33 to efficiently increase the rigidity of the straight portion of the rail member 32. The reinforcing piece 33b is fixed to the straight portion of the rail member 32 using a screw 42. This allows the straight portion reinforcement 33 to reliably contact the straight portion of the rail member 32.

[0044] [Structure of curved section reinforcement] Next, the configuration of the curved portion reinforcement 34 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the curved portion reinforcement 34 of the second guide rail 24. As shown in FIG.

[0045] The curved portion reinforcements 34 increase the rigidity of the curved portions of the rail member 32. The number of curved portion reinforcements 34 can be set appropriately depending on the length of the curved portion of the rail member 32, the weight of the step 5, and the material of the rail member 32.

[0046] As shown in Figure 6, the curved portion reinforcement 34 has a reinforcing body 34a and a threaded portion 34b. The reinforcing body 34a is formed in a generally cylindrical shape. The threaded portion 34b protrudes from one axial end of the reinforcing body 34a. The axis of the threaded portion 34b coincides with the axis of the reinforcing body 34a. The threaded portion 34b is fixed to the curved portion of the base member 31 using a nut 43.

[0047] The outer peripheral surface of the reinforcing body 34a is in line contact with the curved surface of the rail member 32. This allows the worker to easily bring the reinforcing body 34a into contact with the curved surface of the rail member 32. Note that a small gap may be formed between the outer peripheral surface of the reinforcing body 34a and the curved surface of the rail member 32. In this case, when the curved portion of the rail member 32 is displaced downward or deformed downward, the outer peripheral surface of the reinforcing body 34a comes into contact with the curved surface of the rail member 32. This allows the curved portion reinforcement 34 to increase the rigidity of the curved portion of the rail member 32.

[0048] On the other hand, by providing the straight section reinforcement 33 and the curved section reinforcement 34, the rail member 32 does not need to have enough rigidity to withstand the load of the step 5 by itself. This makes it possible to reduce the thickness and weight of the rail member 32. As a result, the rail member 32 can be bent without using a large bending machine.

[0049] The above-described guide rails 23, 25 to 27 each have a curved portion, and therefore, by having the same configuration as second guide rail 24, guide rails 23, 25 to 27 can be manufactured without using large-scale equipment.

[0050] The guide rail and passenger conveyor of the present invention have been described above, including their functions and effects. However, the guide rail 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 defined in the claims.

[0051] The second guide rail 24 in the above-described embodiment has a shape with one curved portion, but the guide rail according to the present invention may have a shape with two or more curved portions.

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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]

[0054] 1...passenger conveyor, 2...frame, 3...control panel, 4...balustrade, 5...step, 6...moving handrail, 7...drive mechanism, 8...transmission chain, 9...driving sprocket, 10...driven sprocket, 11...driving chain, 14...front wheel, 15...rear wheel, 20...guide rail group, 23...first guide rail, 24...second guide rail, 25...third guide rail, 26...fourth guide rail, 27...fifth guide rail, 31...base member, 31a...fitting hole, 32...rail member, 32a...fitting protrusion, 33...straight section reinforcement, 33a...fixing piece, 33b...reinforcing piece, 34...curved section reinforcement, 34a...reinforcing body, 34b...threaded portion, 40...welded metal, 41, 42...screw, 43...nut

Claims

1. A guide rail attached to a frame of a passenger conveyor to guide the movement of a plurality of steps, a base member fixed to the frame; a rail member connected to the base member, the base member is formed in a plate shape having a flat surface that is substantially perpendicular to the width direction of the frame, and has a fitting hole; the rail member is formed in a plate shape extending along the movement direction of the plurality of steps, and has a linear portion forming a flat surface, a curved portion forming a curved surface, and a fitting protrusion that fits into the fitting hole, The fitting protrusion protrudes from an end surface of the rail member along the direction of movement of the steps. Guide rail.

2. The fitting protrusion is formed on the linear portion of the rail member. The guide rail according to claim 1 .

3. The fitting protrusion is formed in a plate shape, The flat surfaces of the fitting protrusion are flush with the flat surfaces of the linear portion. The guide rail according to claim 2 .

4. The fitting protrusion passes through the fitting hole, Both flat surfaces of the fitting protrusion are fixed to the base member by welding. The guide rail according to claim 3 .

5. a straight section reinforcement fixed to the base member and in contact with a lower portion of the straight section of the rail member; The guide rail according to claim 1 .

6. The straight section reinforcement is in surface contact with the flat surface of the rail member. The guide rail according to claim 5.

7. The straight section reinforcement is fixed to the straight section of the rail member. The guide rail according to claim 6.

8. a curved portion reinforcement fixed to the base member and in contact with a lower portion of the curved portion of the rail member; The guide rail according to claim 1 .

9. The curved portion reinforcement is in line contact with the curved surface of the rail member. The guide rail according to claim 8.

10. A passenger conveyor comprising: a frame installed in a building; an endless driving chain that moves circulatingly within the frame; a plurality of steps that engage with the driving chain and move circulatingly; and a guide rail that is attached to the frame and guides the movement of the plurality of steps, The guide rail is a base member fixed to the frame; a rail member connected to the base member, the base member is formed in a plate shape having a flat surface that is substantially perpendicular to the width direction of the frame, and has a fitting hole; the rail member is formed in a plate shape extending along the movement direction of the plurality of steps, and has a linear portion forming a flat surface, a curved portion forming a curved surface, and a fitting protrusion that fits into the fitting hole, The fitting protrusion protrudes from an end surface of the rail member along the direction of movement of the steps. Passenger conveyor.

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