Step chain supporting device and method for passenger conveyor

Abstract

To prevent a chain end part of a separated step chain from interfering with equipment in a truss in maintenance work accompanied by partial separation of the step chain of a passenger conveyor.SOLUTION: A step chain of a passenger conveyor is formed into an endless shape by connecting chain ends of a plurality of divided chains with ends by joint links. A pin hole for inserting a connecting pin of a joint link is provided at a chain end of the split chain with ends. The step chain support device includes a shaft part inserted into a pin hole of a chain end part when the joint link is removed and a part of the step chain is cut off, and a roller part arranged at one end of the shaft part. The roller portion is configured to be guided along the drive rail in a state where the shaft portion is inserted into the pin hole.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technique for a step chain support device that is suitable for supporting the chain end of a step chain during maintenance work that involves partially disconnecting the step chain of a passenger conveyor. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for replacing step links of an escalator. This replacement method reduces the time required to replace worn step links in an escalator in which steps move cyclically via a large number of step links connected endlessly. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2021 / 186715 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Passenger conveyors, such as escalators, are known to use an endless step chain instead of step links to move the steps in a circular motion. The step chain is installed so that it extends inside the truss that connects the upper and lower floors. For this reason, during maintenance of the passenger conveyor, for example, when removing the steps to form an opening for maintenance of equipment inside the truss, the step chain may hang over part of the opening and interfere with the work.

[0005] To address this issue, the endless step chain is partially detached in the lower machine room within the truss, and the handle of the passenger conveyor's motor pulley is manually turned to manually wind the detached chain end to the desired position. During this process, the remaining chain length from the detached chain end to the nearest step axle hangs down, potentially interfering with other equipment within the truss during manual winding of the passenger conveyor. This requires workers to operate the escalator while holding the chain end, resulting in poor work efficiency. The technology in Patent Document 1 is related to replacing escalator step links, but does not address the issue of detached chain ends hanging down, as occurs with step chains.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a technology that can prevent the chain end of a separated step chain from interfering with equipment within a truss during maintenance work that involves partially separating the step chain of a passenger conveyor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The step chain support device disclosed herein is a step chain support device that supports the chain end when part of the step chain is separated in a passenger conveyor that includes a step chain that is connected in an endless manner and moves in a circular motion, a plurality of step shafts arranged at equal intervals on the step chain, drive rollers that are attached to the step shafts and guided along a drive rail, and a plurality of steps fixed to each of the plurality of step shafts, wherein the step chain is formed endless by connecting the chain ends of a plurality of end-divided chains with joint links, and the chain ends of the end-divided chains are provided with pin holes for inserting the connecting pins of the joint links, and the step chain support device includes a shaft portion that is inserted into the pin hole of the chain end when the joint link is removed and part of the step chain is separated, and a roller portion that is arranged at one end of the shaft portion, and is configured so that when the shaft portion is inserted into the pin hole, the roller portion is guided along the drive rail.

[0008] In addition, the step chain support method disclosed herein is a step chain support method that uses the above-mentioned step chain support device to support the chain end when a portion of the step chain is detached, and includes the steps of removing multiple steps, releasing the tension on the step chain, removing the joint link to detach a portion of the step chain, inserting the shaft portion of the step chain support device into the pin hole of the upper chain end located at the top of the chain ends of the step chain and positioning the roller portion on the upper surface of the drive rail, and moving the step chain until the upper chain end passes the target position.

[0009] The step chain support method of the present disclosure is a step chain support method that uses the above-mentioned step chain support device to support the chain ends when a portion of the step chain is detached, and includes the steps of removing multiple steps, releasing the tension on the step chain, removing the joint link to detach a portion of the step chain, inserting the shaft portion of the step chain support device into the pin holes of the upper chain end located on the upper side and the lower chain end located on the lower side of the chain ends of the step chain, and positioning the roller portion on the upper surface of the drive rail, connecting the upper chain end and the lower chain end using a connecting wire, and moving the step chain until the upper chain end passes the target position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the technology disclosed herein, the chain end of the separated step chain is guided along the upper surface of the drive rail by the step chain support device, which makes it possible to prevent the chain end from interfering with the equipment inside the truss. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the structure of a passenger conveyor to which a step chain support device according to an embodiment is applied. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the structure around the steps of an escalator. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a step chain structure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of part A in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a connection structure using a joint link. [Figure 6] 1A and 1B are schematic diagrams showing the state of the step chain before and after it is separated, as viewed from above. [Figure 7] 7 is a schematic view of the state after the step chain has been separated, viewed from the direction B in FIG. 6. FIG. [Figure 8] 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating the structure of a step chain support device. [Figure 9] 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating the structure of a step chain support device. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of use of the step chain support device. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of use of a coupling wire. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that elements common to the various drawings are given the same reference numerals and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0013] Embodiment 1. Escalator structure Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the structure of a passenger conveyor to which a step chain support device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied, and shows an escalator as an example of the passenger conveyor.

[0014] The escalator includes a truss 101 and a plurality of steps 1. The truss 101 spans the upper and lower floors. Passengers on the escalator ride the steps 1 to move from the entrance 102 to the exit 103. FIG. 1 shows an ascending escalator. The escalator shown in FIG. 1 may also be a descending escalator.

[0015] An upper machine room 104 is provided below the exit 103. The upper machine room 104 is a space formed at the top of the truss 101. An electric motor 105 and a control device 106 are provided in the upper machine room 104. The electric motor 105 drives the step 1. The control device 106 controls the electric motor 105.

[0016] For example, an electric motor 105 rotates a shaft 108 provided in the upper machine room 104 via a reducer 107. An upper sprocket 109 is provided on the shaft 108. The step chain 4 is wound around the upper sprocket 109.

[0017] A lower machine room 110 is provided below the entrance 102. The lower machine room 110 is a space formed in the lower part of the truss 101. A lower sprocket 112 is provided in the lower machine room 110. The step chain 4 is wound around the lower sprocket 112.

[0018] The shaft 108 is rotatable in both directions. When the electric motor 105 rotates the shaft 108 in one direction, the step 1 carrying the passenger moves diagonally upward, as in the example shown in this embodiment. When the electric motor 105 rotates the shaft 108 in the other direction, the step 1 moves diagonally downward.

[0019] The movement of step 1 is guided by a running rail. Guided by the running rail, step 1 moves diagonally upward with passengers on board. In the case of a downward escalator, step 1 moves diagonally downward with passengers on board. The escalator is equipped with, for example, a drive rail 6 and a follower rail 5 as running rails. The running rails are provided on a truss 101. The running rails are arranged from below the entrance 102 to below the exit 103.

[0020] 2. Structure around the escalator steps Figure 2 is a diagram for explaining the structure around the steps of an escalator, showing a partial perspective of the internal structure of the truss around the steps.

[0021] The step 1 includes a passenger step 7 and a riser 8. The passenger step 7 is a plate-like member that passengers actually stand on when moving. The riser 8 is a member that corresponds to the riser of the step 1. The riser 8 extends downward from the edge of the passenger step 7.

[0022] The step 1 is mainly composed of a step shaft 12, a pair of drive rollers 14, and a pair of follower rollers 16. The step shaft 12 is fixed to a mouthpiece installed on the back surface of the passenger step 7. The step shafts 12 of multiple steps 1 are fixed to the step chain 4. As a result, the multiple steps 1 are endlessly connected to the step chain 4. When the step chain 4 moves, the passenger step 7 moves, pulled by the step shaft 12. The structure of the step chain 4 will be described in detail later.

[0023] The drive rollers 14 are rotatably provided at both ends of the step shaft 12. The drive rollers 14 rotate and run on the upper surface of the drive rail 6 shown in FIG. 1. The follower rollers 16 are rotatably provided at both ends in the width direction of the lower end of the step 1. The follower rollers 16 rotate and run on the upper surface of the follower rail 5 shown in FIG. 1.

[0024] 3. Escalator step chain structure FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the step chain structure. The step chain 4 is formed by endlessly connecting the chain ends of the divided chains 4a of multiple step chain units 10 with joint links 3. Each step chain unit 10 includes a pair of divided chains 4a with ends, multiple step shafts 12 fixed so as to span the pair of divided chains 4a, and drive rollers 14 attached to both ends of each step shaft 12. The multiple step shafts 12 are installed at equal intervals along the extension direction of the pair of divided chains 4a. The number of step shafts 12 is, for example, six.

[0025] The joint link 3 connects the chain ends of the end-opening split chains 4a of adjacent step chain units 10. Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of part A in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating the connection structure using the joint link. The joint link 3 comprises an outer link 31 with two connecting pins 32 attached to the outer plate, an outer plate 33 with pin holes, and two split pins 34. The two connecting pins 32 of the outer link 31 are inserted into the pin holes 4b of the chain ends of adjacent end-opening split chains 4a, respectively. The two connecting pins 32 of the outer link 31 are inserted into the pin holes of the outer plate 33, and a split pin 34 is attached above them to prevent them from slipping out.

[0026] 4. Issues when disconnecting step chains During escalator maintenance, for example, the step 1 may be removed to inspect various devices within the truss 101. During this inspection, the step chain 4 or step shaft 12 may get in the way of the work. To address this issue, a worker removes the joint link 3 in the lower machine room 110 and partially separates the endless step chain 4. Of the chain ends to which the joint link 3 is attached, the upper chain end is also called the "upper chain end," and the lower chain end is called the "lower chain end." Then, by manually operating the escalator in this state, the separated upper chain end is wound upward, forming an opening without the step chain 4 or step shaft 12. Note that the manual operation here refers to manually rotating the handle of the escalator's motor pulley to move the step chain 4 in a circular motion.

[0027] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the state of the step chain before and after it is separated, as viewed from above. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing the state after the step chain has been separated, as viewed from direction B in Figure 6. Note that Figure 6 shows the state before the step chain 4 on the left side of the figure is separated, and the state after the step chain 4 on the right side of the figure is separated.

[0028] Here, the chain end of the split chain 4a connected by the joint link 3 is located near the middle of the spacing between the step shafts 12. For this reason, when the joint link 3 is removed and the step chain 4 is cut off as shown in Figure 6, the remaining chain length from the nearest step shaft 12 to the chain end hangs down vertically due to gravity as shown in Figure 7. If the escalator is operated manually in this state, there is a risk that the chain end will interfere with the equipment inside the truss 101.

[0029] The step chain support device of this embodiment is a device that prevents the chain end from interfering with the equipment inside the truss 101 when the escalator is manually operated during maintenance work, including disconnecting the step chain 4. The configuration of the step chain support device will be described in detail below.

[0030] 5. Step Chain Support Device Configuration 8 and 9 are diagrams illustrating the structure of the step chain support device. The step chain support device 20 comprises a shaft portion 22, a roller portion 24, and a guide portion 26. The roller portion 24 is rotatably fixed to one end of the shaft portion 22. The shaft portion 22 is inserted into the pin hole 4b at the upper chain end of the end-split chain 4a. For this reason, the shaft diameter of the shaft portion 22 is configured to be smaller than the pin hole 4b so that it can be inserted into the pin hole 4b at the upper chain end of the end-split chain 4a.

[0031] Furthermore, roller portion 24 is configured, for example, in the same shape as drive roller 14 so that it can travel on the upper surface of drive rail 6 when shaft portion 22 is inserted into pin hole 4b. Furthermore, shaft portion 22 has a length that allows its tip to protrude from pin hole 4b to prevent it from coming off when roller portion 24 is positioned on the upper surface of drive rail 6. Guide portion 26 is a disk-shaped member that prevents roller portion 24 from interfering with step chain 4, and is installed at the end of shaft portion 22 on the roller portion 24 side.

[0032] Figure 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of how to use a step chain support device. As shown in this figure, a step chain support device 20 is attached to each of the upper chain ends of a pair of step chains 4 when they are separated. Specifically, the shaft portion 22 is inserted from the outside into the pin hole 4b at the upper chain end of each of the pair of step chains 4, and the roller portion 24 is attached so that it is positioned on the upper surface of the drive rail 6.

[0033] When the escalator is operated manually in this state, the roller section 24 rotates and travels along the drive rail 6 while supporting the upper chain end. This makes it possible to move the upper chain end of the step chain 4 upward while preventing interference with equipment due to the upper chain end sagging.

[0034] 6. Work procedure using the step chain support device 20 Next, an example of a procedure for forming an opening at a target position in the escalator truss 101 using the step chain support device 20 will be described. Note that the following procedure also represents a part of a step chain support method for supporting the chain end of the step chain 4.

[0035] First step: As a preparation step, all steps 1 are removed from the escalator.

[0036] Second step: The robot is stopped at the sprocket position on the side of the lower sprocket 112 in the lower machine room 110 where the joint link 3 to be removed can be removed.

[0037] Third step: Loosen the step chain tension spring to release the tension on the step chain 4.

[0038] Fourth step: Remove the joint link 3 to be removed from the step chain 4.

[0039] Fifth step: After the upper step chain 4 is separated, the shaft portion 22 of the step chain support device 20 is inserted into the upper chain end portion, and the roller portion 24 is placed on the upper surface of the drive rail 6 .

[0040] Sixth step: The escalator is manually wound upward to wind up the upper step chain 4. As a result, the step chain support device 20 attached to the end of the upper chain supports the end of the upper chain while the roller section 24 rotates and travels along the drive rail 6. The lower step chain 4 is also collected into the lower machine room 110 by pulling the step shaft 12.

[0041] Seventh step: When the next joint link 3 comes out, the manual winding operation is stopped and the next joint link 3 is removed. This separates one step chain unit 10, and the separated step chain unit 10 is carried out from the lower machine room 110 of the truss 101.

[0042] Eighth step: By repeating the operations of the sixth and seventh steps, the area of ​​the opening without the step chain 4 and step shaft 12 gradually expands upward from the lower side of the truss 101. The operations of the sixth and seventh steps are repeated until the opening expands to the target position.

[0043] According to this work procedure, it is possible to form an opening at the target position in the truss 101 while preventing interference with equipment due to the sagging chain end of the upper step chain 4.

[0044] 7. Modified Step Chain Support Device The step chain support device 20 of the embodiment may employ the following modified forms.

[0045] Connecting wire 40 and retaining connecting band 50 The step chain support device 20 may further include a pair of connecting wires 40. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the use of connecting wires. In the above-described work procedure using the step chain support device 20, the sixth and seventh steps are repeated until the opening is expanded to the target position. Therefore, for example, the higher the target position is on the truss 101, the more step chain units 10 must be removed from the lower step chain 4. The connecting wire 40 of this modified example is a wire for connecting the upper chain end and the lower chain end by removing only the number of step chain units 10 corresponding to the required opening length.

[0046] The connecting wire 40 includes a wire portion 42 and locking portions 44 provided on both ends of the wire portion 42. The locking portions 44 are configured so that they can be hooked onto the shaft portion 22 of the step chain support device 20 inserted into the pin hole 4b. The wire portion 42 has a length corresponding to the required opening length. For example, if the required opening length is that of one step chain unit 10, the wire portion 42 is set to a length that makes the connecting wire 40 the entire length of the step chain unit 10.

[0047] In an operation using a modified step chain support device 20 including a connecting wire 40, after the seventh step described above, the shaft 22 of the step chain support device 20 is inserted into the separated end of the lower chain. Then, the connecting wire 40 is used to connect the shaft 22 of the step chain support device 20 attached to the end of the upper chain and the shaft 22 of the step chain support device 20 attached to the end of the lower chain. In this state, the escalator is operated manually, and the area of ​​the opening connected by the connecting wire 40 is moved until the end of the upper chain passes the target position.

[0048] In this way, according to the modified step chain support device 20 including the connecting wire 40, the number of step chain units 10 that need to be removed can be minimized, improving work efficiency.

[0049] If the connecting wire 40 gets in the way during maintenance work at the target position, the connecting band 50 may be used to tighten and hold the nearest step shafts 12, and the connecting wire 40 may be removed.

[0050] 8.Other Although the preferred embodiments have been described in detail above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and substitutions can be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0051] Various aspects of the present disclosure are summarized below as appendices.

[0052] (Appendix 1) A passenger conveyor includes a step chain that is connected endlessly and moves in a circular motion, a plurality of step shafts that are equally spaced on the step chain, drive rollers that are provided on the step shafts and guided along a drive rail, and a plurality of steps that are fixed to each of the plurality of step shafts. A step chain support device that supports an end of the chain when a part of the step chain is cut off, The step chain comprises: The chain ends of a plurality of end-connected divided chains are connected together with joint links to form an endless chain. The chain end of the end-split chain is provided with a pin hole for inserting the connecting pin of the joint link, The step chain support device is a shaft portion that is inserted into the pin hole at the end of the chain when the joint link is removed and a portion of the step chain is cut off; a roller portion disposed at one end of the shaft portion, The step chain support device is configured so that, when the shaft portion is inserted into the pin hole, the roller portion is guided along the drive rail. (Appendix 2) The shaft portion has a length such that a tip end thereof projects from the pin hole at a position where the roller portion is guided along the drive rail. 2. The step chain support device of claim 1. (Appendix 3) The roller portion has the same shape as the drive roller. 10. The step chain support device of claim 1 or 2. (Appendix 4) The step chain further includes a connecting wire that connects an upper chain end located on the upper side and a lower chain end located on the lower side of the chain ends when the joint link is removed and a part of the step chain is cut off. 4. A step chain support device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. (Appendix 5) a retaining band for clamping and holding the step shaft proximate to the upper chain end and the step shaft proximate to the lower chain end. 5. The step chain support device of claim 4. (Appendix 6) A step chain supporting method using the step chain supporting device according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 5 to support an end of the step chain when a part of the step chain is cut off, removing the steps; releasing tension on the step chain; removing the joint link to separate a portion of the step chain; a step of inserting the shaft portion of the step chain support device into the pin hole of an upper chain end portion located at the upper side of the chain ends of the step chain, and arranging the roller portion on the upper surface of the drive rail; moving the step chain until the upper chain end passes a target position; A step chain support method comprising: (Appendix 7) A step chain supporting method using the step chain supporting device according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 5 to support an end of the step chain when a part of the step chain is cut off, removing the steps; releasing tension on the step chain; removing the joint link to separate a portion of the step chain; a step of inserting the shaft portion of the step chain support device into the pin hole of an upper chain end located at an upper side and the pin hole of a lower chain end located at a lower side of the chain ends of the step chain, and arranging the roller portion on the upper surface of the drive rail; connecting the upper chain end and the lower chain end using a connecting wire; moving the step chain until the upper chain end passes a target position; A step chain support method comprising: (Appendix 8) a step of moving the step chain until the upper chain end passes a target position, and then fastening and holding the step shaft closest to the upper chain end and the step shaft closest to the lower chain end using a holding connecting band; removing the connecting wire; 8. The step chain support method according to claim 7, comprising: [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 3 joint link, 4 step chain, 4a end split chain, 4b pin hole, 5 follower rail, 6 drive rail, 7 passenger step, 8 riser, 10 step chain unit, 12 step shaft, 14 drive roller, 16 follower roller, 20 step chain support device, 22 shaft portion, 24 roller portion, 26 guide portion, 31 outer link, 32 connecting pin, 33 outer plate, 34 cotter pin, 40 connecting wire, 42 wire portion, 44 locking portion, 50 retaining connecting band, 101 truss, 102 boarding entrance, 103 exit entrance, 104 upper machine room, 105 electric motor, 106 control device, 107 reducer, 108 shaft, 109 upper sprocket, 110 Lower machine room, 112 lower sprocket

Claims

1. A passenger conveyor includes a step chain that is connected endlessly and moves in a circular motion, a plurality of step shafts that are equally spaced on the step chain, drive rollers that are provided on the step shafts and guided along a drive rail, and a plurality of steps that are fixed to each of the plurality of step shafts. A step chain support device that supports an end of the chain when a part of the step chain is cut off, The step chain comprises: The chain ends of a plurality of end-connected divided chains are connected together with joint links to form an endless chain. The chain end of the end-split chain is provided with a pin hole for inserting the connecting pin of the joint link, The step chain support device is a shaft portion that is inserted into the pin hole at the end of the chain when the joint link is removed and a portion of the step chain is cut off; a roller portion disposed at one end of the shaft portion, The step chain support device is configured so that, when the shaft portion is inserted into the pin hole, the roller portion is guided along the drive rail.

2. The shaft portion has a length such that a tip end thereof projects from the pin hole at a position where the roller portion is guided along the drive rail.

2. The step chain support device of claim 1.

3. The roller portion has the same shape as the drive roller.

3. The step chain support device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The step chain further includes a connecting wire that connects an upper chain end located on the upper side and a lower chain end located on the lower side of the chain ends when the joint link is removed and a part of the step chain is cut off.

3. The step chain support device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. a retaining band for clamping and holding the step shaft proximate to the upper chain end and the step shaft proximate to the lower chain end.

5. The step chain support device of claim 4.

6. 2. A step chain supporting method for supporting an end of a step chain when a part of the step chain is cut off, using the step chain supporting device according to claim 1, comprising: removing the steps; releasing tension on the step chain; removing the joint link to separate a portion of the step chain; a step of inserting the shaft portion of the step chain support device into the pin hole of an upper chain end portion located at the upper side of the chain ends of the step chain, and arranging the roller portion on the upper surface of the drive rail; moving the step chain until the upper chain end passes a target position; A step chain support method comprising:

7. 2. A step chain supporting method for supporting an end of a step chain when a part of the step chain is cut off, using the step chain supporting device according to claim 1, removing the steps; releasing tension on the step chain; removing the joint link to separate a portion of the step chain; a step of inserting the shaft portion of the step chain support device into the pin hole of an upper chain end located at an upper side and the pin hole of a lower chain end located at a lower side of the chain ends of the step chain, and arranging the roller portion on the upper surface of the drive rail; connecting the upper chain end and the lower chain end using a connecting wire; moving the step chain until the upper chain end passes a target position; A step chain support method comprising:

8. a step of moving the step chain until the upper chain end passes a target position, and then fastening and holding the step shaft closest to the upper chain end and the step shaft closest to the lower chain end using a holding connecting band; removing the connecting wire; 8. The step chain support method of claim 7, comprising:

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