Passenger conveyor

Abstract

To provide a comb for a passenger conveyor that can suppress damage to the comb teeth. [Solution] The comb of the passenger conveyor according to this embodiment comprises a main body, a plurality of comb teeth, and projections. The main body is installed on the boarding / alighting plate of the passenger conveyor. The plurality of comb teeth are provided on the main body so as to face each of the plurality of recesses provided on the surface of the step plate, spaced apart in the width direction intersecting the direction of travel of the step plate of the passenger conveyor. The projections are provided between adjacent comb teeth on the main body so as to face the convex portions provided between adjacent recesses on the surface of the step plate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a comb for a passenger conveyor.

Background Art

[0002] On the entry / exit plate of an escalator, which is one type of passenger conveyor device, a comb that is a comb-shaped member is installed to prevent users from tripping when getting on or off. The comb is provided with a plurality of comb tooth portions so as to face a plurality of recesses provided on the surface of the steps of the escalator. When a step slides under the comb, the comb tooth portions come into contact with foreign matter such as pebbles caught in the recesses of the step to remove the foreign matter. When a user steps on the comb, a downward load acts on the comb tooth portions and the comb tooth portions abut against the bottom surfaces of the recesses, an upward load acts on the comb tooth portions as a reaction force from the bottom surfaces of the recesses. When an upward load acts on the comb tooth portions, the comb tooth portions may be damaged. Combs with damaged comb tooth portions are replaced by maintenance personnel as soon as they are discovered.

[0003] In recent years, along with the extension of maintenance periods and the like, the demand to reduce the replacement frequency of damaged combs has been increasing. That is, it is required to realize a comb whose comb tooth portions are less likely to be damaged while ensuring functions equivalent to those of conventional ones.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] An embodiment aims to provide a comb for a passenger conveyor that can suppress damage to comb tooth portions.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] The comb of the passenger conveyor according to this embodiment comprises a main body, a plurality of comb teeth, and projections. The main body is installed on the boarding / alighting platform of the passenger conveyor. The plurality of comb teeth are provided on the main body so as to face each of the plurality of recesses provided on the surface of the step, which are spaced apart in the width direction intersecting the direction of travel of the step of the passenger conveyor. The projections are provided between adjacent comb teeth on the main body so as to face the convex portions provided between adjacent recesses on the surface of the step. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an escalator in which a comb is installed according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the installation state of the comb according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a comb according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a comb according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a front view showing the comb and footplate according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a side view showing a comb according to the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] (First embodiment) Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. These embodiments are not limiting to the present invention. In the drawings referenced in these embodiments, the same or similar reference numerals are used for identical parts or parts having similar functions, and repeated descriptions are omitted. The following describes a comb applied to an escalator, which is an example of a passenger conveyor, but these embodiments can also be applied to passenger conveyors other than escalators, such as moving walkways.

[0009] The comb 10 according to the first embodiment can be used in an escalator 1. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the escalator 1 is a device that moves between floors by circulating steps 4 that are endlessly connected between the lower floor landing 2 and the upper floor landing 3. Users can move to their destination floor by riding on the steps 41 of the steps 4. Inside the side cover panel 5 are a truss, a motor that drives the steps 4 and handrail 6, a sprocket, a chain, etc.

[0010] As shown in Figure 2, the step 4 comprises a step 41, a frame 42, a rear wheel roller 43, and a front wheel roller (not shown). As shown in the enlarged frame F of a portion of Figure 2, the step 41 has a plurality of convex portions 411 and a plurality of concave portions 412 that are alternately arranged along the width direction d perpendicular to the direction of travel of the step 41 (i.e., the direction of travel of the step 4). In other words, the step 41 has an uneven surface (i.e., a cleat surface).

[0011] Multiple recesses 412 are provided on the surface (i.e., the upper surface) of the tread 41 at intervals in the width direction d. The recesses 412 are provided so as to extend in the direction of travel of the tread 41.

[0012] Multiple protrusions 411 are provided between adjacent recesses 412 on the surface of the tread 41. The protrusions 411 are provided so as to extend along the recesses 412 in the direction of travel of the tread 41.

[0013] The front and rear rollers 43 travel on guide rails corresponding to each roll, which are fixed to the truss.

[0014] As shown in Figure 2, the combs 10 are installed on the boarding / alighting plates 7 of the lower floor landing 2 and the upper floor landing 3. In the example shown in Figure 2, multiple combs 10 are continuously installed along the width direction d on the front edge 7a of the boarding / alighting plate 7.

[0015] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the comb 10 comprises a main body 11, a plurality of comb teeth 12, and a plurality of projections 13. Figure 4 shows a cross-section of the projections 13 and the main body 11 cut along the direction of travel of the tread 41, and a side view of the comb teeth 12 adjacent to the projections 13 in the width direction d. Figure 5 is a schematic front view of the portion near the lower end of the comb teeth 12 and the surface of the tread 41 as seen from the direction of travel of the tread 41.

[0016] The main body 11 is installed on the boarding / alighting plate 7 of the escalator 1. The main body 11 has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from above. The main body 11 is provided with fastening holes 11b that penetrate through the main body 11. The main body 11 is fastened to the front edge 7a of the boarding / alighting plate 7 by fastening members inserted into the fastening holes 11b.

[0017] Multiple comb-tooth sections 12 are provided on the main body 11 so as to face (i.e., opposite) each of the multiple recesses 412 provided on the surface of the escalator tread 41. Multiple comb-tooth sections 12 are provided at regular intervals in the width direction d. The comb-tooth sections 12 are provided so as to protrude forward from the front end portion 11a of the main body 11. In a predetermined range on the tip end portion 121 side of the comb-tooth section 12, the lower end of the comb-tooth section 12 is formed substantially parallel to the bottom surface of the recess 412. In the portion behind the predetermined range on the tip end portion 121 side, the lower end of the comb-tooth section 12 is gently curved upward as it moves towards the rear.

[0018] Multiple protrusions 13 are provided between adjacent comb-tooth portions 12 on the main body portion 11 so as to face convex portions 411 provided between adjacent recesses 412 on the surface of the tread 41. The protrusions 13 are provided below the front end portion 11a of the main body portion 11. In the examples shown in Figures 4 and 5, the lower end of the protrusion 13 is located above the lower end of the comb-tooth portion 12. Also, in the example shown in Figure 4, the lower end of the protrusion 13 has an arc shape when viewed from the width direction d. That is, the cross-section of the protrusion 13 along the direction of travel of the tread 41 has an arc-shaped lower end.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, with the cyclic movement of the step 4, the footboard 41 dives under the comb 10 such that the recessed portion 412 passes under the comb tooth portion 12, and the protruding portion 411 passes under the projection 13 between the comb tooth portions 12. In the example shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the comb tooth portion 12 faces the bottom surface of the recessed portion 412 of the footboard 41 from above. Further, the projection 13 faces the upper surface of the protruding portion 411 of the footboard 41 from above. For the footboard 41 that has dived under the comb 10, the vertical distance between the lower end of the projection 13 and the protruding portion 411 of the footboard 41 (that is, the upper surface of the protruding portion 411) is shorter than the vertical distance between the lower end of the comb tooth portion 12 and the recessed portion 412 of the footboard 41 (that is, the bottom surface of the recessed portion 412).

[0020] The comb tooth portion 12 contains a resin material having a Young's modulus of 4000 MPa or less as a main component. That is, the comb tooth portion 12 is formed of a resin material having a Young's modulus of 4000 MPa or less. The resin material contained in the comb tooth portion 12 is, for example, ABS resin (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin). The comb tooth portion 12 may be formed using a resin material other than ABS resin that has a Young's modulus of 4000 MPa or less. Since the comb tooth portion 12 contains the resin material having a Young's modulus of 4000 MPa or less as the main component, damage to the comb tooth portion 12 due to collision of foreign matter or external force received from a user can be suppressed. On the other hand, when the comb tooth portion 12 is formed of a resin material having a Young's modulus greater than 4000 MPa, elastic deformation of the comb tooth portion 12 becomes difficult, making it difficult to suppress damage to the comb tooth portion 12.

[0021] From the viewpoint of suppressing damage to the comb tooth portion 12, it is more preferable that the comb tooth portion 12 contains a resin material having a Young's modulus of 2000 MPa or less as a main component. For example, it is more preferable that the comb tooth portion 12 is formed of a resin material having a Young's modulus of 2000 MPa or less. The resin material having a Young's modulus of 2000 MPa or less may be an ABS resin formed to have a Young's modulus of 2000 MPa or less. The comb tooth portion 12 may be formed using a resin material other than ABS resin that has a Young's modulus of 2000 MPa or less.

[0022] Similar to the comb teeth 12, the projection 13 may contain a resin material with a Young's modulus of 4000 MPa or less as its main component. Alternatively, the projection 13 may contain a resin material with a Young's modulus of 2000 MPa or less as its main component.

[0023] Comb 10 may be formed entirely from the same resin material. By forming the entire comb 10 from the same resin material, manufacturing costs can be reduced.

[0024] As described above, in the first embodiment, projections 13 facing the convex portion 411 of the foot plate 41 are provided between adjacent comb teeth 12. If a user steps on the comb 10 and a downward load is applied to the comb teeth 12, causing the comb teeth 12 to come into contact with the bottom surface of the recess 412, an upward load will act on the comb teeth 12 as a reaction force from the bottom surface of the recess 412. If an upward load is applied to the comb teeth 12, there is a risk that the comb teeth 12 may break.

[0025] In contrast, in the first embodiment, when the user steps on the comb 10, the projection 13 located at the base of the comb teeth 12 comes into contact with the convex portion 411 of the footboard 41. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the comb 10 from sinking further downward (i.e., deforming) beyond the state in which the projection 13 is in contact with the convex portion 411 of the footboard 41. Consequently, contact between the comb teeth 12 and the bottom surface of the recess 412 can be suppressed, and damage to the comb teeth 12 can be suppressed. By suppressing damage to the comb teeth 12, the frequency of replacing the comb 10 can be reduced.

[0026] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the vertical distance between the lower end of the projection 13 and the convex portion 411 of the tread plate 41 is shorter than the vertical distance between the lower end of the comb-tooth portion 12 and the concave portion 412 of the tread plate 41. This allows the projection 13 and the convex portion 411 of the tread plate 41 to come into contact with each other in such a way that contact between the comb-tooth portion 12 and the bottom surface of the concave portion 412 is more appropriately suppressed when the user steps on the comb 10. Consequently, damage to the comb-tooth portion 12 can be suppressed more effectively.

[0027] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the projection 13 is provided below the front end portion 11a of the main body portion 11, and the lower end of the projection 13 has an arc shape. This ensures the strength of the projection 13 and allows the projection 13 to smoothly contact the convex portion 411 of the footplate 41 when the user steps on the comb 10. This helps to suppress damage to the projection 13.

[0028] In this context, the conventional comb had sufficient strength to withstand the load of removing foreign objects. For example, the conventional comb had a Young's modulus comparable to that of metal materials such as 200 GPa in order to remove foreign objects strongly adhered to the tread plate 41. However, a comb formed from a material with a high Young's modulus risked causing the truss to break.

[0029] In contrast, according to the first embodiment, the comb teeth 12 contains a resin material with a Young's modulus of 4000 MPa or less as its main component. As a result, when the comb teeth 12 collides with a foreign object firmly fixed in the recess 412 of the tread plate 41, or when the comb teeth 12 is subjected to external force from the user, the comb teeth 12 deforms, thereby suppressing damage to the comb teeth 12 while suppressing damage to the truss. By suppressing damage to the comb teeth 12, the frequency of replacing the comb 10 can be reduced. This reduces the labor and cost required to replace the comb 10 while suppressing damage to the truss.

[0030] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, by including a more flexible resin material having a Young's modulus of 2000 MPa or less as the main component of the comb teeth 12, the comb teeth 12 can be deformed more appropriately when subjected to external force. This makes it possible to more effectively suppress damage to the comb teeth 12.

[0031] (Second embodiment) Next, we will describe a second embodiment in which a notch 122 is provided in the comb teeth portion 12, focusing on the differences from the embodiment described above. As shown in Figure 6, the comb teeth portion 12 in the second embodiment has a notch 122 which is cut out in the portion behind the tip portion 121 of the comb teeth portion 12. In the example shown in Figure 6, in the width direction d, the lower end of the notch 122 is provided above the lower end of the projection 13 at a position adjacent to the projection 13.

[0032] According to the second embodiment, the notch 122 is provided in the comb teeth 12, allowing the comb teeth 12 to more easily undergo elastic deformation when subjected to foreign objects fixed in the recess 412 or external forces from the user. Therefore, damage to the comb teeth 12 can be suppressed more effectively.

[0033] Furthermore, because the lower end of the notch 122 is positioned above the lower end of the projection 13, when a user steps on the comb 10, the projection 13 and the convex portion 411 of the footplate 41 can be brought into contact in such a way that contact between the comb teeth 12 and the bottom surface of the recess 412 is more appropriately suppressed. Therefore, damage to the comb teeth 12 can be suppressed more effectively.

[0034] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be carried out in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 1 Escalator, 4 Steps, 41 Step, 411 Convex part, 412 Recess, 10 Comb, 11 Main body, 12 Comb teeth, 13 Projection

Claims

1. The main body is installed on the boarding / alighting platform of the passenger conveyor, Multiple comb-tooth portions are provided on the main body so as to face each of the multiple recesses provided on the surface of the passenger conveyor step at intervals in the width direction intersecting the direction of travel of the step, The projections provided between adjacent comb-tooth portions on the main body portion face the protrusions provided between adjacent recesses on the surface of the footplate, A passenger conveyor equipped with a comb.

2. The comb of the passenger conveyor according to claim 1, wherein the comb teeth contain a resin material with a Young's modulus of 4000 MPa or less as a main component.

3. The comb of the passenger conveyor according to claim 2, wherein the comb teeth contain a resin material with a Young's modulus of 2000 MPa or less as a main component.

4. The comb teeth are provided so as to protrude forward from the front end of the main body. The passenger conveyor comb according to claim 1, wherein the projection is provided below the front end of the main body.

5. The comb of the passenger conveyor according to claim 4, wherein the lower end of the projection is located above the lower end of the comb teeth.

6. The comb of a passenger conveyor according to claim 5, wherein the vertical distance between the lower end of the projection and the convex portion of the footplate is shorter than the vertical distance between the lower end of the comb teeth and the concave portion of the footplate.

7. The lower end of the projection has an arc shape when viewed from the width direction, the comb of the passenger conveyor according to claim 1.

8. The comb of a passenger conveyor according to claim 1, wherein the comb teeth portion is provided with a notch portion cut out in the portion behind the tip of the comb teeth portion.

9. The main body further comprises projections provided between adjacent comb teeth so as to face the protrusions provided between adjacent recesses on the surface of the footplate, The comb for a passenger conveyor according to claim 8, wherein, in the width direction, the lower end of the notch is provided above the lower end of the projection at a position adjacent to the projection.

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