Fuel supply system for passenger conveyor

Abstract

Provided is a refueling system for a passenger conveyor that can be easily installed on the passenger conveyor. 【Solution means】In the refueling system of the passenger conveyor, a plurality of second fuel tanks 21 are arranged at different heights. The oil stored in the first fuel tank 11 is supplied from the first fuel tank 11 to the second fuel tank 21 located at the highest position among the second fuel tanks 21 through the first connecting pipe 31, so that it can be supplied to each second fuel tank 21 through the second connecting pipe 32 by the weight of the oil. The valve device 22 mechanically interlocks with the change in the height of the oil level when oil is stored in the second fuel tank 21, allowing the inflow of oil into the second fuel tank 21 when the height of the oil level is lower than the height of the oil level upper limit, and blocking the inflow of oil into the second fuel tank 21 when the height of the oil level reaches the oil level upper limit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a refueling system for a passenger conveyor.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a lubricating oil replenishing device in which a plurality of fuel supply tanks installed on each floor are connected to each other by a fuel supply pipe corresponding to a plurality of escalators. In the lubricating oil replenishing device, lubricating oil is replenished to the fuel supply tank installed on the top floor, and thus lubricating oil is replenished to all the fuel supply tanks through the fuel supply pipe.

[0003] Each fuel supply tank is provided with an oil level sensor for detecting the amount of oil inside the fuel supply tank. The replenishment control unit adjusts the amount of lubricating oil replenished to the fuel supply tank installed on the top floor based on the signals sent from each oil level sensor.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] When installing the conventional lubricating oil replenishing device disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to perform not only the work of installing each of the oil level sensors and the replenishment control unit, but also the work of installing wiring for sending signals from each oil level sensor to the replenishment control unit. Therefore, the burden of the work of installing the lubricating oil replenishing device increases.

[0006] The present disclosure solves the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a refueling system for a passenger conveyor that can be easily installed on the passenger conveyor.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The fuel supply system of the passenger conveyor according to the present disclosure includes a first fuel supply device and a plurality of second fuel supply devices provided on at least one passenger conveyor for individually supplying oil to a plurality of fuel supply target parts. The first fuel supply device has a first fuel tank for storing oil. Each of the plurality of second fuel supply devices has a second fuel tank and a valve device provided on the second fuel tank. Each second fuel tank is arranged at a different height. Among the second fuel tanks, the second fuel tank located at the highest position is connected to the first fuel tank via a first connecting pipe. The second fuel tanks are successively connected to each other via a second connecting pipe in the order of decreasing height of the positions of the second fuel tanks. The oil stored in the first fuel tank is supplied from the first fuel tank to the second fuel tank located at the highest position among the second fuel tanks through the first connecting pipe, so that it can be supplied to each second fuel tank through the second connecting pipe by the weight of the oil. In each second fuel supply device, the valve device mechanically interlocks with the change in the height of the oil level when oil is stored in the second fuel tank, allowing the inflow of oil into the second fuel tank when the height of the oil level is lower than the height of the oil level upper limit, and blocking the inflow of oil into the second fuel tank when the height of the oil level reaches the oil level upper limit.

Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the fuel supply system of the passenger conveyor according to the present disclosure, it can be easily installed on the passenger conveyor.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] The embodiments for carrying out the subject matter of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each figure, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions are appropriately simplified or omitted. Note that the subject matter of the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and within the scope not departing from the gist of the present disclosure, deformation of any component of the embodiment or omission of any component of the embodiment is possible.

[0011] Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a side view schematically showing a passenger conveyor provided with a fuel supply system according to Embodiment 1. In the present embodiment, the passenger conveyor provided with the fuel supply system is an escalator. In the figure, an escalator truss 101 is installed between the upper floor and the lower floor. One longitudinal end of the truss 101 is located on the upper floor as the upper end of the truss 101. The other longitudinal end of the truss 101 is located on the lower floor as the lower end of the truss 101. The middle part of the truss 101 is inclined and arranged from the lower end of the truss 101 toward the upper end of the truss 101.

[0012] An upper machine room 102 is provided inside the upper end of the truss 101. A lower machine room 103 is provided inside the lower end of the truss 101. An upper step sprocket 104 and a control device (not shown) are installed in the upper machine room 102. A lower step sprocket 105 is provided in the lower machine room 103.

[0013] The truss 101 supports a plurality of steps 106 on which passengers can board. The plurality of steps 106 are connected in an endless manner by a step chain 107. The step chain 107 is wound around an upper step sprocket 104 and a lower step sprocket 105.

[0014] A plurality of driving devices 108 are provided in the middle part of the truss 101. In the present embodiment, three driving devices 108 are provided in the middle part of the truss 101. The three driving devices 108 are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the truss 101. Since the middle part of the truss 101 is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, the heights of the positions of the three driving devices 108 are different from each other.

[0015] Each driving device 108 generates a driving force for circulatingly moving each step 106. Each driving device 108 is controlled by a control device installed in the upper machine room 102. A transmission mechanism (not shown) for transmitting the driving force generated by each driving device 108 to the step chain 107 is provided between the step chain 107 and each driving device 108.

[0016] Each driving device 108 includes a driving sprocket 108a, a follower sprocket 108b, a driving chain 108c, and a driving motor (not shown).

[0017] The driving sprocket 108a is connected to the driving motor. The driving sprocket 108a rotates by the driving force of the driving motor. The follower sprocket 108b is arranged at a position away from the driving sprocket 108a. The driving chain 108c is an endless chain wound around the driving sprocket 108a and the follower sprocket 108b.

[0018] In each drive device 108, when the drive sprocket 108a rotates, the drive chain 108c moves and the follower sprocket 108b rotates. To the step chain 107, the driving force of the drive motor is transmitted through the transmission mechanism by the movement of the drive chain 108c. The step chain 107 circulates between the upper machine room 102 and the lower machine room 103 while rotating the upper step sprocket 104 and the lower step sprocket 105 respectively by the driving force of each drive device 108. Thereby, each step 106 circulates between the upper floor and the lower floor.

[0019] On the truss 101, a pair of balustrades 109 are provided. At the peripheral edge of each balustrade 109, an endless moving handrail 110 is individually provided. Each moving handrail 110 moves along the peripheral edge of each balustrade 109 in synchronization with each step 106 by the driving force of each drive device 108.

[0020] The oil supply system is provided in the escalator. The oil supply system is a system that supplies oil to a plurality of oil supply target parts determined in advance in the escalator. In the present embodiment, each drive device 108 is determined as a plurality of oil supply target parts. At the bottom of the truss 101, an oil pan 111 is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the truss 101. The oil pan 111 receives the oil that has fallen from each oil supply target part.

[0021] The oil supply system has a first oil supply device 1 and a plurality of second oil supply devices 2.

[0022] The first oil supply device 1 is provided in the upper machine room 102. The first oil supply device 1 has a first oil supply tank 11, a first oil supply pump motor 12, and a first oil supply timer (not shown).

[0023] In the first fuel tank 11, fuel for supplying a plurality of fuel supply target parts is stored. The capacity of the first fuel tank 11 is equal to or greater than the total amount of fuel supplied to each of the plurality of fuel supply target parts. In the present embodiment, lubricating oil for supplying each of the three drive devices 108 is collectively stored in the first fuel tank 11. On the upper floor, replenishment of oil to the first fuel tank 11 can be performed by an operator.

[0024] The first fuel pump motor 12 is provided in the first fuel tank 11. The first fuel pump motor 12 generates a driving force for sending the fuel stored in the first fuel tank 11 to the second fuel supply device 2. The first fuel timer drives the first fuel pump motor 12 at the timing set in the first fuel timer. Thereby, the first fuel pump motor 12 can be driven automatically at regular intervals.

[0025] A plurality of second fuel supply devices 2 are provided in the middle part of the truss 101. The plurality of second fuel supply devices 2 are arranged corresponding to the plurality of fuel supply target parts individually. In the present embodiment, three second fuel supply devices 2 correspond to three drive devices 108 individually. Each second fuel supply device 2 supplies fuel to the corresponding drive device 108.

[0026] Each of the plurality of second fuel supply devices 2 includes a second fuel tank 21, a valve device 22, a second fuel pump motor 23, an oil dropping mechanism 24, and a second fuel timer (not shown).

[0027] Each second fuel tank 21 is arranged according to the position of the corresponding fuel supply target part. In the present embodiment, each second fuel tank 21 is arranged according to the position of the corresponding drive device 108.

[0028] The size of each second fuel tank 21 is set according to the amount of fuel supplied to the corresponding fuel supply target part. In the present embodiment, the size of each second fuel tank 21 is smaller than the size of the first fuel tank 11.

[0029] Each second fuel tank 21 is arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the truss 101. Since the middle part of the truss 101 is inclined, the second fuel tanks 21 are arranged at different heights. Also, the height of the position of each second fuel tank 21 becomes higher as the position of the second fuel tank 21 is closer to the upper machine room 102. Since the first fuel tank 11 is arranged in the upper machine room 102, the height of the position of each second fuel tank 21 becomes higher as the position of the second fuel tank 21 is closer to the first fuel tank 11. In the present embodiment, among the second fuel tanks 21, the height of the position of the second fuel tank 21 located at the highest position is the same as the height of the position of the first fuel tank 11.

[0030] Among the second fuel tanks 21, the second fuel tank 21 located at the highest position is connected to the first fuel tank 11 via the first connecting pipe 31. As the first connecting pipe 31, a hose formed of a soft material such as rubber, a metal pipe, or the like is used. The oil stored in the first fuel tank 11 is sent to the second fuel tank 21 located at the highest position among the second fuel tanks 21 through the first connecting pipe 31 by the driving force of the first fuel pump motor 12.

[0031] The second fuel tanks 21 are continuously connected to each other via the second connecting pipe 32 in the order of decreasing height of the position of the second fuel tank 21. That is, starting from the second fuel tank 21 located at the highest position among the second fuel tanks 21, the second fuel tanks 21 are continuously connected to each other via the second connecting pipe 32 in the order of decreasing height of the position of the second fuel tank 21. As the second connecting pipe 32, a hose formed of a soft material such as rubber, a metal pipe, or the like is used.

[0032] In this embodiment, three second fuel supply tanks 21 are continuously connected via a second connecting pipe 32. Among the three second fuel supply tanks 21, the second fuel supply tank 21 located at the middle height is connected to the second fuel supply tank 21 located at the highest position via the second connecting pipe 32. Also, among the three second fuel supply tanks 21, the second fuel supply tank 21 located at the lowest position is connected to the second fuel supply tank 21 located at the middle height via the second connecting pipe 32.

[0033] Among each of the second fuel supply tanks 21, the oil sent from the first fuel supply tank 11 to the second fuel supply tank 21 located at the highest position can flow sequentially through the second connecting pipe 32 to each of the second fuel supply tanks to the lower side in terms of height due to the weight of the oil. Thereby, it is possible to supply oil to each of the second fuel supply tanks 21. That is, the oil stored in the first fuel supply tank 11 is supplied from the first fuel supply tank 11 to the second fuel supply tank 21 located at the highest position among each of the second fuel supply tanks 21, and can flow sequentially through the second connecting pipe 32 to each of the second fuel supply tanks 21 due to the weight of the oil and be supplied to each of the second fuel supply tanks 21.

[0034] In each of the second fuel supply tanks 21, the upper limit value of the amount of oil that can be stored in the second fuel supply tank 21 is predetermined as the allowable upper limit amount. In each of the second fuel supply tanks 21, an oil surface upper limit level indicating the height of the oil surface when the amount of oil accumulated in the second fuel supply tank 21 reaches the allowable upper limit amount is individually set.

[0035] Among each of the second fuel supply tanks 21, the second fuel supply tank 21 located at the lowest position is the terminal second fuel supply tank 21a. Also, among each of the second fuel supply tanks 21, the second fuel supply tanks 21 other than the terminal second fuel supply tank 21a are intermediate second fuel supply tanks 21b. In this embodiment, among the three second fuel supply tanks 21, the second fuel supply tank 21 located at the middle height and the second fuel supply tank 21 located at the highest position are intermediate second fuel supply tanks 21b.

[0036] FIG. 2 is a partially broken cross-sectional view schematically showing a second fuel supply device 2 having a second fuel tank 21b in the middle of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a partially broken cross-sectional view schematically showing the second fuel supply device 2 when the height of the oil level in the second fuel tank 21b in the middle of FIG. 2 reaches the height of the upper oil level limit. Each of the intermediate second fuel tanks 21b is provided with an inlet 211 and an outlet 212. The inlet 211 in the intermediate second fuel tank 21b is a through hole through which the oil flowing into the intermediate second fuel tank 21b passes. The outlet 212 in the intermediate second fuel tank 21b is a through hole through which the oil flowing out of the intermediate second fuel tank 21b passes. In the intermediate second fuel tank 21b, the position of the outlet 212 is lower than the position of the inlet 211.

[0037] FIG. 4 is a partially broken cross-sectional view schematically showing a second fuel supply device 2 having a second fuel tank 21a at the end of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a partially broken cross-sectional view schematically showing the second fuel supply device 2 when the height of the oil level in the second fuel tank 21a at the end of FIG. 4 reaches the height of the upper oil level limit. The end second fuel tank 21a is provided with an inlet 211. The last second fuel tank 21a is not provided with an outlet 212. The inlet 211 in the end second fuel tank 21a is a through hole through which the oil flowing into the end second fuel tank 21a passes.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 1, a first connecting pipe 31 is connected to the inlet 211 of the second fuel tank 21 located at the highest position among each of the second fuel tanks 21. Thereby, among each of the second fuel tanks 21, the oil sent from the first fuel tank 11 flows into the second fuel tank 21 located at the highest position through the inlet 211.

[0039] Here, among the two second fuel supply tanks 21 that are continuously connected to each other, the second fuel supply tank 21 located on the higher side is the second fuel supply tank 21 directly above as seen from the second fuel supply tank 21 located on the lower side. Also, among the two second fuel supply tanks 21 that are continuously connected to each other, the second fuel supply tank 21 located on the lower side is the second fuel supply tank 21 directly below as seen from the second fuel supply tank 21 located on the higher side.

[0040] Among each second fuel supply tank 21, a second connecting pipe 32 that is connected to the second fuel supply tank 21 directly above is connected to the inlet 211 in the second fuel supply tank 21 other than the second fuel supply tank 21 located at the highest position. As a result, the oil that has flowed from the second fuel supply tank 21 directly above flows into the second fuel supply tank 21 to which the second connecting pipe 32 is connected to the inlet 211 through the inlet 211. The oil that has flowed into the terminal second fuel supply tank 21a accumulates in the terminal second fuel supply tank 21a without flowing out from the terminal second fuel supply tank 21a.

[0041] A second connecting pipe 32 that is connected to the second fuel supply tank 21 directly below is connected to the outlet 212 in the intermediate second fuel supply tank 21b. As a result, the oil that has accumulated in the intermediate second fuel supply tank 21b flows out from the intermediate second fuel supply tank 21b through the outlet 212 toward the second fuel supply tank 21 directly below.

[0042] In each second fuel supply device 2, the valve device 22 is provided in the second fuel supply tank 21 as shown in FIGS. 2 to 5. The height of the oil level in each second fuel supply tank 21 changes according to the change in the amount of oil accumulated in the second fuel supply tank 21. In each second fuel supply device 2, the valve device 22 mechanically interlocks with the change in the height of the oil level when oil is accumulating in the second fuel supply tank 21 to open and close the inlet 211 of the second fuel supply tank 21.

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the valve device 22 opens the inlet 211 when the height of the oil level in the second fuel tank 21 is lower than the height of the upper oil level limit. The valve device 22 allows the inflow of oil into the second fuel tank 21 by opening the inlet 211. Also, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the valve device 22 closes the inlet 211 when the height of the oil level in the second fuel tank 21 reaches the height of the upper oil level limit. The valve device 22 blocks the inflow of oil into the second fuel tank 21 by closing the inlet 211.

[0044] The valve device 22 has a float 221 and an on-off valve 222.

[0045] The float 221 floats on the oil accumulated in the second fuel tank 21 and moves vertically with respect to the second fuel tank 21 in response to changes in the height of the oil level. The on-off valve 222 is connected to the float 221. Thereby, the on-off valve 222 opens and closes the inlet 211 in response to the movement of the float 221 with respect to the second fuel tank 21.

[0046] In the present embodiment, the on-off valve 222 moves vertically with respect to the second fuel tank 21 integrally with the float 221 in response to changes in the height of the oil level. Also, in the present embodiment, a rail (not shown) for guiding the vertical movement of the on-off valve 222 is provided on the second fuel tank 21. In the present embodiment, when the height of the oil level in the second fuel tank 21 is lower than the height of the upper oil level limit, the position of the on-off valve 222 is lower than the height of the inlet 211, and the inlet 211 opens. Also, in the present embodiment, when the height of the oil level in the second fuel tank 21 reaches the height of the upper oil level limit, the on-off valve 222 reaches the height of the inlet 211, and the inlet 211 is closed by the on-off valve 222.

[0047] In each second oil supply device 2, the second oil supply pump motor 23 is provided in the second oil supply tank 21. The second oil supply pump motor 23 generates a driving force for supplying the oil stored in the second oil supply tank 21 to the corresponding oil supply target part, that is, the drive device 108. The second oil supply timer drives the second oil supply pump motor 23 at the timing set in the second oil supply timer. Thereby, the second oil supply pump motor 23 can be driven automatically regularly. The timing set in the second oil supply timer can be changed individually in each second oil supply device 2.

[0048] In each second oil supply device 2, the oil dropping mechanism 24 is a mechanism that guides the oil stored in the second oil supply tank 21 to the corresponding oil supply target part, that is, the drive device 108. The oil dropping mechanism 24 has a nozzle (not shown) facing the corresponding drive device 108. The oil dropping mechanism 24 guides the oil flowing by the driving force of the second oil supply pump motor 23 from the second oil supply tank 21 to the nozzle and drops the oil from the nozzle to the drive device 108.

[0049] Next, the operation of the oil supply system of the passenger conveyor will be described. The oil stored in the first oil supply tank 11 is supplied by the driving force of the first oil supply pump motor 12 to the second oil supply tank 21 located at the highest position among the second oil supply tanks 21. The oil supplied from the first oil supply tank 11 to the second oil supply tank 21 located at the highest position among the second oil supply tanks 21 flows sequentially through the middle second oil supply tank 21b and accumulates in the terminal second oil supply tank 21a due to the weight of the oil. After that, when the amount of the oil accumulated in the terminal second oil supply tank 21a reaches the allowable upper limit amount, the valve device 22 closes the inflow port 211 in the terminal second oil supply tank 21a, thereby preventing the inflow of oil into the terminal second oil supply tank 21a.

[0050] After that, when the supply of oil from the first fuel tank 11 to the second fuel tank 21 continues, the second connecting pipe 32 connected to the second fuel tank 21a at the end is filled with oil, and oil accumulates in the second fuel tank 21 directly above the second fuel tank 21a at the end. After that, when the amount of oil accumulated in the second fuel tank 21b directly above reaches the allowable upper limit, the valve device 22 closes the inlet 211 in the second fuel tank 21 directly above, thereby preventing the inflow of oil into the second fuel tank 21 directly above.

[0051] Even after that, since the supply of oil from the first fuel tank 11 to the second fuel tank 21 continues, the same operation is sequentially performed in each second fuel tank 21 in ascending order of the height of the position of the second fuel tank 21. As a result, the amount of oil accumulated in all the second fuel tanks 21 reaches the allowable upper limit, and all the second connecting pipes 32 are filled with oil.

[0052] In each second fuel supply device 2, the second fuel supply pump motor 23 is driven at the timing individually set in the second fuel supply timer. Thereby, in each second fuel supply device 2, oil is dropped from the second fuel tank 21 to the corresponding drive device 108 through the oil dropping mechanism 24.

[0053] For example, when the amount of oil accumulated in the second fuel tank 21a at the end decreases from the allowable upper limit, the valve device 22 opens the inlet 211 in the second fuel tank 21a at the end, allowing the inflow of oil into the second fuel tank 21a at the end. Therefore, oil is replenished from the second fuel tank 21 directly above the second fuel tank 21a at the end to the second fuel tank 21a at the end. As a result, the amount of oil accumulated in the second fuel tank 21a at the end returns to the allowable upper limit. When the amount of oil accumulated in the second fuel tank 21a at the end returns to the allowable upper limit, the inlet 211 in the second fuel tank 21a at the end is closed again by the valve device 22, preventing the inflow of oil into the second fuel tank 21a at the end.

[0054] When the second fuel supply tank 21a at the end is replenished with oil from the second fuel supply tank 21 directly above it, the amount of oil accumulated in the second fuel supply tank 21 directly above it decreases, and the valve device 22 opens the inlet 211 in the second fuel supply tank 21 directly above it. As a result, the inflow of oil into the second fuel supply tank 21 directly above it is allowed, and further, oil is replenished from the second fuel supply tank 21 directly above it to the second fuel supply tank 21 directly above it.

[0055] In this way, the oil is sequentially replenished to the second fuel supply tanks 21 in ascending order of the height of the position of the second fuel supply tanks 21. As a result, among the second fuel supply tanks 21, the amount of oil accumulated in the second fuel supply tanks 21 other than the second fuel supply tank 21 located at the highest position reaches the allowable upper limit. Among the second fuel supply tanks 21, the oil stored in the first fuel supply tank 11 is periodically replenished to the second fuel supply tank 21 located at the highest position by the driving force of the first fuel supply pump motor 12.

[0056] In such a fuel supply system, among the second fuel supply tanks 21, oil is supplied from the first fuel supply tank 11 to the second fuel supply tank 21 located at the highest position through the first connecting pipe 31. As a result, the oil can be supplied to each second fuel supply tank 21 through the second connecting pipe 32 by the weight of the oil. In each second fuel supply device 2, the valve device 22 mechanically interlocks with the change in the height of the oil level when oil is accumulated in the second fuel supply tank 21. As a result, the valve device 22 allows the inflow of oil into the second fuel supply tank 21 when the height of the oil level is lower than the height of the oil level upper limit, and blocks the inflow of oil into the second fuel supply tank 21 when the height of the oil level reaches the oil level upper limit.

[0057] Therefore, it is possible to prevent oil from overflowing from each second fuel supply tank 21 without using electrical devices such as an oil level sensor and a replenishment control unit. As a result, the work of installing electrical devices for adjusting the amount of oil in each second fuel supply tank 21 can be eliminated. Therefore, the burden of the work of installing each second fuel supply device 2 can be reduced, and the fuel supply system can be easily installed in the escalator.

[0058] In addition, each second fuel tank 21 can be installed at a position closer to a plurality of fuel supply target parts than the position of the first fuel tank 11. Thereby, oil can be individually supplied from each second fuel tank 21 to each fuel supply target part without directly supplying oil from the first fuel tank 11 to each fuel supply target part. Therefore, the driving force generated by each of the first fuel supply device 1 and each second fuel supply device 2 can be reduced, and each of the first fuel supply device 1 and each second fuel supply device 2 can be downsized.

[0059] Furthermore, when oil accumulates in each second fuel tank 21, the second connecting pipe 32 can be filled with oil. Thereby, a part of the amount of oil necessary for supply to the fuel supply target part can be held by the second connecting pipe 32. Therefore, the amount of oil that can be supplied to each fuel supply target part in the entire fuel supply system can be increased.

[0060] The valve device 22 has a float 221 that moves in the vertical direction with respect to the second fuel tank 21 in a state of floating on the oil and in accordance with a change in the height of the oil surface, and an on-off valve 222 that opens and closes the inflow port 211 in accordance with the movement of the float 221. For this reason, the configuration of the valve device 22 can be made simple.

[0061] Also, the size of each second fuel tank 21 is smaller than the size of the first fuel tank 11. For this reason, even if the installation space for the second fuel tank 21 is a limited space in the truss 101, for example, the second fuel tank 21 can be installed more reliably. Thereby, the degree of freedom in the installation location of the second fuel tank 21 can be increased, and the fuel supply system can be installed more reliably in the escalator. Even if the size of each second fuel tank 21 is smaller than the size of the first fuel tank 11, since the second connecting pipe 32 can be filled with oil, the amount of oil necessary for supply to the fuel supply target part can be ensured.

[0062] In addition, in the first embodiment, the size of each second fuel tank 21 is smaller than that of the first fuel tank 11. However, it is not limited thereto as long as a mounting space for each second fuel tank 21 can be secured. Therefore, the size of each second fuel tank 21 may be the same as that of the first fuel tank 11, or the size of each second fuel tank 21 may be larger than that of the first fuel tank 11.

[0063] Further, in the first embodiment, the drive device 108 is the fuel supply target portion. However, the fuel supply target portion is not limited thereto. For example, the upper step sprocket 104 may be the fuel supply target portion. When the upper step sprocket 104 is the fuel supply target portion, the second fuel supply device 2 that supplies oil to the upper step sprocket 104 is arranged in accordance with the position of the upper step sprocket 104. Also, in this case, the supply of oil to the upper step sprocket 104 may be performed by the first fuel supply device 1. When the first fuel supply device 1 supplies oil to the upper step sprocket 104, an oil dripping mechanism that guides oil from the first fuel tank 11 to the upper step sprocket 104 is provided in the first fuel supply device 1.

[0064] In Embodiment 1, among the second fuel tanks 21, the height of the position of the second fuel tank 21 located at the highest position is the same as the height of the position of the first fuel tank 11. However, the height of the position of the second fuel tank 21 located at the highest position among the second fuel tanks 21 may be lower than the height of the position of the first fuel tank 11. That is, the first fuel tank 11 may be located at a position higher than the position of the second fuel tank 21 located at the highest position among the second fuel tanks 21. In this way, even without the first fuel pump motor 12, oil can be supplied from the first fuel tank 11 to the second fuel tank 21 by the weight of the oil. Thereby, the first fuel pump motor 12 for supplying oil from the first fuel tank 11 to the second fuel tank 21 can be made unnecessary, and the configuration of the first fuel supply device 1 can be simplified. Also, the first connection pipe 31 can be filled with oil and oil can be stored in the first fuel tank 11. Thereby, the size of the first fuel tank 11 can also be reduced.

[0065] Embodiment 2. FIG. 6 is a side view schematically showing a passenger conveyor provided with a fuel supply system according to Embodiment 2. In the present embodiment, the fuel supply system is provided in a plurality of passenger conveyors, and each passenger conveyor provided with the fuel supply system is an escalator. In the present embodiment, three escalators are provided continuously up and down over a plurality of floors.

[0066] In the present embodiment, an upper drive device (not shown) is installed in the upper machine room 102 in each escalator. In each escalator, the driving force of the upper drive device is transmitted to the upper step sprocket 104 via a drive chain (not shown). Thereby, in each escalator, the upper step sprocket 104 rotates and a plurality of steps 106 move in a circulating manner. Other configurations in each escalator are the same as those in Embodiment 1.

[0067] The upper machine rooms 102 in each escalator are located on different floors. Among two escalators that are vertically continuous, the lower machine room 103 in the upper escalator and the upper machine room 102 in the lower escalator are adjacent to each other on the same floor.

[0068] The oil supply system is provided in a plurality of vertically continuous escalators. The oil supply system supplies oil to a plurality of predetermined oil supply target parts in the plurality of escalators. In the present embodiment, the upper step sprocket 104 and the lower step sprocket 105 in each escalator are determined as the plurality of oil supply target parts.

[0069] In the upper machine room 102 located on the top floor among the plurality of floors, a first oil supply device 1 is installed. The first oil supply device 1 corresponds to the upper step sprocket 104 installed in the upper machine room 102 located on the top floor. The first oil supply device 1 has an oil dripping mechanism that guides oil from the first oil supply tank 11 to the corresponding upper step sprocket 104. Thereby, the first oil supply device 1 supplies oil to the corresponding upper step sprocket 104. Other configurations in the first oil supply device 1 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0070] In the upper machine rooms 102 located on a plurality of floors other than the top floor, second oil supply devices 2 are respectively installed. Since each second oil supply device 2 is installed on a plurality of floors, the second oil supply tanks 21 are arranged at different heights from each other. Further, since the first oil supply device 1 is installed on the top floor, the first oil supply tank 11 is located at a position higher than the second oil supply tank 21 that is located at the highest position among the second oil supply tanks 21.

[0071] Each second oil supply device 2 corresponds to an upper step sprocket 104 and a lower step sprocket 105 installed on the same floor as the second oil supply device 2. In each second oil supply device 2, the second oil supply tank 21 is installed across the upper machine room 102 and the lower machine room 103 adjacent to each other on the same floor. Thereby, each second oil supply device 2 can supply oil to the corresponding upper step sprocket 104 and lower step sprocket 105.

[0072] Among the second oil supply tanks 21, the second oil supply tank 21 located at the highest position is connected to the first oil supply tank 11 via the first connecting pipe 31. The first oil supply tank 11 is provided with an outlet through which the oil flowing out from the first oil supply tank 11 passes. In the present embodiment, the outlet of the first oil supply tank 11 is provided at the bottom of the first oil supply tank 11. The first connecting pipe 31 is connected to the outlet in the first oil supply tank 11.

[0073] The second oil supply tanks 21 are continuously connected to each other via the second connecting pipes 32 in descending order of the height of the positions of the second oil supply tanks 21. That is, among the second oil supply tanks 21, starting from the second oil supply tank 21 located at the highest position, the second oil supply tanks 21 are continuously connected to each other via the second connecting pipes 32 in the order of decreasing height of the positions of the second oil supply tanks 21.

[0074] In the present embodiment, two second oil supply tanks 21 are installed in the escalator. Therefore, in the present embodiment, among the two second oil supply tanks 21, the second oil supply tank 21 located on the lower side is the terminal second oil supply tank 21a, and the second oil supply tank 21 located on the higher side is the intermediate second oil supply tank 21b. The terminal second oil supply tank 21a is provided with an inlet similar to that in the first embodiment. The intermediate second oil supply tank 21b is provided with an inlet and an outlet similar to those in the first embodiment. Other configurations in the second oil supply device 2 are the same as those in the first embodiment. Other configurations in the oil supply system are also the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0075] Next, the operation of the fuel supply system of the passenger conveyor will be described. The oil stored in the first fuel tank 11 is supplied by the weight of the oil through the first connecting pipe 31 to the second fuel tank 21 located at the highest position among the second fuel tanks 21. The weight of the oil is constantly applied to the oil flowing out of the first fuel tank 11 in the direction of being supplied to the second fuel tank 21 located at the highest position among the second fuel tanks 21.

[0076] Among the second fuel tanks 21, the oil supplied from the first fuel tank 11 to the second fuel tank 21 located at the highest position accumulates in the order of the second fuel tank 21a at the end, the second connecting pipe 32, and the second fuel tank 21b in the middle by the weight of the oil in the same manner as in the first embodiment. As a result, all the second connecting pipes 32 are filled with oil, and the amount of oil accumulated in all the second fuel tanks 21 reaches the allowable upper limit. Also, in the state where oil is accumulated in the first fuel tank 11, the first connecting pipe 31 is also filled with oil.

[0077] In the first fuel supply device 1, the first fuel supply pump motor 12 is driven at the timing set in the first fuel supply timer. Thereby, in each first fuel supply device 1, oil is dropped from the first fuel tank 11 through the oil dropping mechanism to the corresponding upper step sprocket 104.

[0078] In each second fuel supply device 2, the second fuel supply pump motor 23 is driven at the timing individually set in the second fuel supply timer. Thereby, in each second fuel supply device 2, oil is dropped from the second fuel tank 21 through the oil dropping mechanism 24 to the corresponding upper step sprocket 104 and lower step sprocket 105.

[0079] When the amount of oil accumulated in the second fuel tank 21 decreases from the allowable upper limit, in the same manner as in the first embodiment, the second fuel tank 21 is sequentially replenished with oil in ascending order of the height of the position of the second fuel tank 21. After that, the second fuel tank 21 located at the highest position among the second fuel tanks 21 is also replenished with oil from the first fuel tank 11 by the weight of the oil.

[0080] In this way, a plurality of second oil supply devices 2 can be arranged across a plurality of escalators. Thereby, by replenishing oil to the first oil supply tank 11 of the first oil supply device 1, oil can be supplied to each of the plurality of escalators. Therefore, even if there are a plurality of escalators, the oil replenishment work for each escalator can be facilitated.

[0081] Further, the first oil supply tank 11 is located at a position higher than the second oil supply tank 21 that is located at the highest position among the second oil supply tanks 21. For this reason, oil can be supplied from the first oil supply tank 11 to the second oil supply tank 21 by the weight of the oil. As a result, it is not necessary to use a pump motor for supplying oil from the first oil supply tank 11 to the second oil supply tank 21, and the first oil supply device 1 can be downsized. Further, oil can be stored in the first oil supply tank 11 with the first connecting pipe 31 filled with oil. Thereby, the first oil supply tank 11 can be further downsized.

[0082] In addition, in the second embodiment, the size of each second oil supply tank 21 may be smaller than the size of the first oil supply tank 11, or may be larger than the size of the first oil supply tank 11. Further, the size of each second oil supply tank 21 may be the same as the size of the first oil supply tank 11.

[0083] Also, in the second embodiment, the plurality of drive devices 108 in the first embodiment may be applied to each escalator. In this case, a plurality of second oil supply devices 2 corresponding to the plurality of drive devices 108 as a plurality of oil supply target parts are provided in each escalator, and oil is individually supplied from each second oil supply device 2 to each drive device 108.

[0084] Also, in each of the above embodiments, at least one passenger conveyor provided with an oil supply system is an escalator. However, at least one passenger conveyor provided with an oil supply system may be a moving walkway. In this case, the second oil supply tanks 21 are arranged at different heights inside the moving walkway.

[0085] The configurations shown in the above embodiments are examples of the content of the present disclosure. The embodiments can be combined with other known technologies. It is possible to omit or change part of the configuration of the embodiments without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

[0086] Examples of aspects that may be included in the present disclosure are specified below as appendices. (Appendix 1) A first fuel supply device, A plurality of second fuel supply devices provided in at least one passenger conveyor and individually supplying oil to a plurality of fuel supply target parts and comprising, The first fuel supply device has a first fuel supply tank for storing oil, Each of the plurality of second fuel supply devices has a second fuel supply tank and a valve device provided in the second fuel supply tank, Each of the second fuel supply tanks is arranged at different heights, Among the second fuel supply tanks, the second fuel supply tank located at the highest position is connected to the first fuel supply tank via a first connecting pipe, The second fuel supply tanks are connected to each other via a second connecting pipe in sequence in descending order of the height of the position of the second fuel supply tank, The oil stored in the first fuel supply tank is supplied from the first fuel supply tank to the second fuel supply tank located at the highest position among the second fuel supply tanks through the first connecting pipe, so that the oil can be supplied to each of the second fuel supply tanks through the second connecting pipe by the weight of the oil, In each of the second fuel supply devices, the valve device mechanically interlocks with the change in the height of the oil level when oil is stored in the second fuel supply tank, so as to allow the inflow of oil into the second fuel supply tank when the height of the oil level is lower than the height of the oil level upper limit, and to prevent the inflow of oil into the second fuel supply tank when the height of the oil level reaches the oil level upper limit. A fuel supply system for a passenger conveyor. (Appendix 2) Each of the second fuel supply tanks is provided with an inlet through which the oil flowing into the second fuel supply tank passes. The valve device has a float that moves vertically with respect to the second fuel supply tank in a state of floating on the oil in response to a change in the height of the oil surface, and an on-off valve that opens and closes the inlet in response to the movement of the float. The fuel supply system for a passenger conveyor according to appended note 1. (Appended note 3) The size of each of the second fuel supply tanks is smaller than the size of the first fuel supply tank. The fuel supply system for a passenger conveyor according to appended note 1 or appended note 2. (Appended note 4) The first fuel supply tank is located at a position higher than the position of the second fuel supply tank that is located at the highest position among the second fuel supply tanks. The fuel supply system for a passenger conveyor according to any one of appended notes 1 to 3.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0087] 1 First fuel supply device, 2 Second fuel supply device, 11 First fuel supply tank, 21 Second fuel supply tank, 22 Valve device, 31 First connecting pipe, 32 Second connecting pipe, 211 Inlet, 221 Float, 222 On-off valve.

Claims

1. a first fuel supply device, a plurality of second fuel supply devices provided in at least one passenger conveyor and individually supplying fuel to a plurality of fuel supply target parts, comprising: the first fuel supply device has a first fuel supply tank for storing fuel, each of the plurality of second fuel supply devices has a second fuel supply tank and a valve device provided in the second fuel supply tank, each of the second fuel supply tanks is arranged at a different height, among the second fuel supply tanks, the second fuel supply tank located at the highest position is connected to the first fuel supply tank via a first connecting pipe, the second fuel supply tanks are continuously connected to each other via a second connecting pipe in descending order of the height of the position of the second fuel supply tank, the fuel stored in the first fuel supply tank is supplied from the first fuel supply tank to the second fuel supply tank located at the highest position among the second fuel supply tanks through the first connecting pipe, so that the fuel can be supplied to each of the second fuel supply tanks through the second connecting pipe by the weight of the fuel, in each of the second fuel supply devices, the valve device mechanically interlocks with a change in the height of the oil level when the oil is stored in the second fuel supply tank, so as to allow the inflow of oil into the second fuel supply tank when the height of the oil level is lower than the height of the oil level upper limit, and to block the inflow of oil into the second fuel supply tank when the height of the oil level reaches the oil level upper limit. A fuel supply system for a passenger conveyor.

2. each of the second fuel supply tanks is provided with an inlet through which the fuel flowing into the second fuel supply tank passes, the valve device has a float that moves vertically with respect to the second fuel supply tank in response to a change in the height of the oil level while floating on the oil, and an on-off valve that opens and closes the inlet in response to the movement of the float. The fuel supply system for a passenger conveyor according to claim 1.

3. the size of each of the second fuel supply tanks is smaller than the size of the first fuel supply tank. The fuel supply system for a passenger conveyor according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. the first fuel supply tank is located at a position higher than the position of the second fuel supply tank located at the highest position among the second fuel supply tanks. The fuel supply system for a passenger conveyor according to claim 1 or claim 2.

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