Escalator

Abstract

The objective is to provide an escalator that can extend the lifespan of its movable handrails. [Solution] In the escalator, the railing 7 is provided with an endless movable handrail 8 that can move along an endless handrail path. The truss 1 supports a handrail drive sheave 21 around which the movable handrail 8 is wound. The handrail path has a forward path along the upper edge of the railing body 71 of the railing 7, an upper inversion section that is continuous with the forward path and runs along the outer circumference of the upper manual section 72 of the railing 7, a lower inversion section that is continuous with the forward path and runs along the outer circumference of the lower manual section 73 of the railing 7, and a return path below the forward path that connects the lower inversion section to the upper inversion section. The movable handrail 8 is wound around the handrail drive sheave 21 in the return path. The movable handrail 8 is stretched in a straight line from the lower inversion section to the handrail drive sheave 21.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to escalators.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an escalator that moves a handrail belt by rotating a handrail belt sheave around which the handrail belt is looped by the driving force of a driving device. The handrail belt is guided by a group of guide rollers before and after being looped around the handrail belt sheave. At the location of the handrail belt sheave, the handrail belt is bent along the outer peripheral portion of the handrail belt sheave. At the location of each group of guide rollers, the handrail belt is bent along each group of guide rollers in the opposite direction to the direction in which the handrail belt is bent when it is looped around the handrail belt sheave.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the conventional escalator disclosed in Patent Document 1 above, the handrail belt is bent along the group of guide rollers at each location before and after the handrail belt is looped around the handrail belt sheave. For this reason, the number of locations where the handrail belt is bent increases, and the life of the handrail belt is shortened.

[0005] The present disclosure solves the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an escalator capable of extending the life of a moving handrail.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The escalator according to this disclosure comprises a truss arranged at an inclination with respect to the horizontal plane, a railing provided on the truss, an endless movable handrail provided on the railing and movable along an endless handrail path, a handrail drive sheave supported by the truss and around which the movable handrail is wrapped, and a handrail drive device that generates a driving force to rotate the handrail drive sheave, the railing comprises a railing body provided along the longitudinal direction of the truss, an upper liner provided at the upper end of the railing body in the longitudinal direction, and the railing body in the longitudinal direction The handrail has a lower manual section provided at the lower end, and the handrail path has a forward path along the upper edge of the main body of the railing, an upper reversal section that is continuous with the forward path and runs along the outer circumference of the upper manual section, a lower reversal section that is continuous with the forward path and runs along the outer circumference of the lower manual section, and a return path below the forward path that connects the lower reversal section to the upper reversal section, and the movable handrail is wrapped around a handrail drive sheave in the return path, and the movable handrail is stretched in a straight line from the lower reversal section to the handrail drive sheave. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the escalator described in this disclosure, the lifespan of the movable handrail can be extended. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a side view showing an escalator according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] This is an enlarged view showing the handrail drive unit in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view along line III-III in Figure 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments for carrying out the subject matter of this disclosure will be described with reference to the attached figures. In each figure, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are simplified or omitted as appropriate. The subject matter of this disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and any modification of any component of the embodiments or omission of any component of the embodiments is possible without departing from the spirit of this disclosure.

[0010] Embodiment 1. Figure 1 is a side view showing an escalator according to Embodiment 1. In the figure, a truss 1 is installed between the upper and lower floors. The truss 1 is positioned at an inclination with respect to the horizontal plane. As a result, the longitudinal direction of the truss 1 is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane from the lower floor to the upper floor. The upper end of the truss 1 in the longitudinal direction is attached to the structure of the upper floor. The lower end of the truss 1 in the longitudinal direction is attached to the structure of the lower floor. The width direction of the truss 1 coincides with the horizontal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the truss 1.

[0011] An upper machine room is provided at the upper end of the truss 1 in the longitudinal direction. A lower machine room is provided at the lower end of the truss 1 in the longitudinal direction. The upper machine room is equipped with an upper sprocket 2, a control device 3, and a step drive device (not shown). The lower machine room is equipped with a lower sprocket 4.

[0012] Multiple steps 5 are supported by the truss 1. The multiple steps 5 are connected endlessly by a step chain 6. The step chain 6 is wrapped around the upper sprocket 2 and the lower sprocket 4.

[0013] The step drive unit generates the driving force to move each step 5. The upper sprocket 2 rotates by receiving the driving force from the step drive unit via a power transmission unit (not shown). Each step 5 moves in a circular motion between the upper and lower machinery rooms as the upper sprocket 2 rotates.

[0014] The control device 3 controls the operation of the escalator. The step drive device is controlled by the control device 3.

[0015] Each step 5 is positioned so that its width coincides with the width of the truss 1. Each step 5 has a step body 51, a pair of step drive rollers 52, and a pair of step follow rollers 53. Each step drive roller 52 and each step follow roller 53 is provided on the step body 51.

[0016] A pair of step drive rollers 52 are attached to the upper end of the step body 51 via a step shaft 54 ​​that runs along the width direction of the step 5. The pair of step drive rollers 52 are positioned on both outer sides of the step body 51 in the width direction of the truss 1. A pair of step follow rollers 53 are attached to the lower end of the step body 51. The pair of step follow rollers 53 are positioned at both ends of the step body 51 in the width direction of the truss 1. The step chain 6 is connected to the step shaft 54. The step 5 moves while being pulled by the step chain 6.

[0017] A pair of drive roller guide rails 11 and a pair of follow roller guide rails 12 are fixed to the truss 1. A pair of step drive rollers 52 are individually mounted on the pair of drive roller guide rails 11. A pair of step follow rollers 53 are individually mounted on the pair of follow roller guide rails 12. Each step 5 is supported by the truss 1 via each drive roller guide rail 11 and each follow roller guide rail 12.

[0018] When each step 5 is moving, the movement of each step driving roller 52 is guided by each driving roller guide rail 11, and the movement of each step follower roller 53 is guided by each follower roller guide rail 12. As a result, each step driving roller 52 can move along with the movement of the step 5 along an endless driving roller path set between the upper machine room and the lower machine room. Also, each step follower roller 53 can move along with the movement of the step 5 along an endless follower roller path set between the upper machine room and the lower machine room. The follower roller path is set inside the driving roller path when viewed along the width direction of the truss 1.

[0019] On the truss 1, a pair of handrails 7 facing each other in the width direction of the truss 1 are provided. An endless moving handrail 8 is individually provided on each handrail 7. Each moving handrail 8 can move along an endless handrail path set on the handrail 7.

[0020] Each handrail 7 is a panel-type handrail composed of handrail panels. As the handrail panels constituting the handrail 7, for example, stainless steel panels are used. The space inside each handrail 7 is covered by the handrail panels.

[0021] Each handrail 7 has a handrail main body portion 71, an upper neutral portion 72, and a lower neutral portion 73.

[0022] The handrail main body portion 71 is provided along the longitudinal direction of the truss 1. As a result, the handrail main body portion 71 is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane from the lower floor to the upper floor.

[0023] The upper neutral portion 72 is provided at the longitudinal upper end portion of the handrail main body portion 71. As a result, the upper neutral portion 72 is located on the upper floor. The shape of the outer peripheral portion of the upper neutral portion 72 is arc-shaped.

[0024] The lower manual section 73 is provided at the lower end of the railing body section 71 in the longitudinal direction. As a result, the lower manual section 73 is located on the lower floor. The outer circumference of the lower manual section 73 is curved.

[0025] The handrail path along which each movable handrail 8 moves has a forward path, an upper reversal section, a lower reversal section, and a return path. The handrail path is an endless path in which the forward path, upper reversal section, return path, and lower reversal section are sequentially continuous. The forward path is a path along the upper edge of the main body of the railing 71. The upper reversal section is a path along the outer circumference of the upper manual section 72. The upper reversal section is continuous with the upper end of the forward path. The lower reversal section is a path along the outer circumference of the lower manual section 73. The lower reversal section is continuous with the lower end of the forward path. The return path is a path below the forward path that connects the lower reversal section to the upper reversal section. When viewed along the width direction of the truss 1, the handrail path is located above the drive roller path. Therefore, when viewed along the width direction of the truss 1, the handrail path is also above the position of the follow roller path.

[0026] A handrail drive unit 20 is supported by the truss 1. The handrail drive unit 20 is a unit for moving the movable handrail 8. The handrail drive unit 20 is installed in the return path of the handrail path of the movable handrail 8. The handrail drive unit 20 is positioned closer to the lower manual section 73 than to the upper manual section 72.

[0027] Figure 2 is an enlarged view showing the handrail drive unit 20 of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along line III-III in Figure 1. The handrail drive unit 20 includes a handrail drive sheave 21, a handrail drive device 22, a transmission mechanism 23, and a group of pressure rollers 24.

[0028] A bearing base 25 is fixed to the truss 1. A sheave rotation shaft 26 is rotatably mounted on the bearing base 25. The sheave rotation shaft 26 is positioned along the width direction of the truss 1.

[0029] The handrail drive sheave 21 is fixed to the sheave rotation shaft 26. Thus, the handrail drive sheave 21 is supported by the truss 1 via the bearing base 25 and the sheave rotation shaft 26. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the handrail drive sheave 21 is located inside the railing 7. The central axis of the handrail drive sheave 21 coincides with the axis of the sheave rotation shaft 26. The handrail drive sheave 21 rotates integrally with the sheave rotation shaft 26 about the axis of the sheave rotation shaft 26.

[0030] The movable handrail 8 is wrapped around the handrail drive sheave 21 at the return section of the handrail path. The movable handrail 8 is wrapped around the handrail drive sheave 21 from below. As a result, when viewed along the width direction of the truss 1, the handrail drive sheave 21 is positioned above the drive roller path of each step 5.

[0031] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the movable handrail 8 is stretched in a straight line from the lower inversion section of the handrail path to the handrail drive sheave 21. Therefore, the movable handrail 8 from the lower inversion section of the handrail path to the handrail drive sheave 21 is positioned on a common tangent that contacts both the outer periphery of the lower manual section 73 and the outer periphery of the handrail drive sheave 21. The movable handrail 8 is inclined downward from the lower inversion section toward the handrail drive sheave 21.

[0032] The portion of the movable handrail 8 that is in contact with the handrail drive sheave 21 is curved along the outer circumference of the handrail drive sheave 21. In the return path of the handrail route, the movable handrail 8 is inclined upward from the handrail drive sheave 21, which is located at the height of the lower floor, toward the upper floor. As a result, the length of the portion of the movable handrail 8 that is curved along the outer circumference of the handrail drive sheave 21 is increased, and the length of the portion of the movable handrail 8 that is in contact with the handrail drive sheave 21 is ensured.

[0033] The handrail drive device 22 is fixed to the truss 1. The handrail drive device 22 is positioned away from the handrail drive sheave 21. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the handrail drive device 22 is positioned closer to the lower manual section 73 than to the handrail drive sheave 21. The handrail drive device 22 is a different drive device from the step drive device. The handrail drive device 22 generates a driving force to rotate the handrail drive sheave 21 by supplying power to the handrail drive device 22. The handrail drive device 22 is controlled by the control device 3.

[0034] The transmission mechanism 23 transmits the driving force of the handrail drive device 22 to the handrail drive sheave 21. As shown in Figure 2, the transmission mechanism 23 includes a drive-side sprocket 231, a sheave-side sprocket 232, and a transmission chain 233.

[0035] The drive-side sprocket 231 is rotatably mounted to the handrail drive unit 22. The drive-side sprocket 231 rotates relative to the handrail drive unit 22 about an axis aligned with the width direction of the truss 1, due to the driving force of the handrail drive unit 22.

[0036] The sheave-side sprocket 232 is fixed to the sheave rotation shaft 26. As a result, the sheave-side sprocket 232 rotates integrally with the handrail drive sheave 21 around the axis of the sheave rotation shaft 26.

[0037] The transmission chain 233 is an endless chain wrapped around the drive-side sprocket 231 and the sheave-side sprocket 232. When the drive-side sprocket 231 rotates, the transmission chain 233 moves in accordance with the rotation of the drive-side sprocket 231. As the transmission chain 233 moves, the sheave-side sprocket 232 rotates together with the handrail drive sheave 21 in accordance with the movement of the transmission chain 233. As a result, the driving force of the handrail drive device 22 is transmitted to the handrail drive sheave 21 via the transmission mechanism 23. When the driving force of the handrail drive device 22 is transmitted to the handrail drive sheave 21, the handrail drive sheave 21 rotates around the axis of the sheave rotation shaft 26.

[0038] The pressure roller group 24 is supported by the truss 1. The pressure roller group 24 presses the movable handrail 8 against the handrail drive sheave 21 in the return section of the handrail path. The pressure roller group 24 also releases the linearly stretched portion of the movable handrail 8 from the lower natural section 73 to the handrail drive sheave 21 and presses the movable handrail 8 against the handrail drive sheave 21.

[0039] The pressure roller group 24 has multiple pressure rollers 241. The multiple pressure rollers 241 are arranged in a direction along the outer circumference of the handrail drive sheave 21. The movable handrail 8 is sandwiched between the outer circumference of the handrail drive sheave 21 and the pressure roller group 24. Each pressure roller 241 individually presses the movable handrail 8 against the outer circumference of the handrail drive sheave 21. That is, the movable handrail 8 is pressed against the outer circumference of one handrail drive sheave 21 by multiple pressure rollers 241. As a result, a frictional force is generated between the outer circumference of the handrail drive sheave 21 and the movable handrail 8.

[0040] When the handrail drive sheave 21 rotates, the movable handrail 8 moves in accordance with the rotation of the handrail drive sheave 21. Each pressure roller 241 rotates in accordance with the movement of the movable handrail 8. Therefore, the handrail drive unit 20 is a sheave drive unit that moves the movable handrail 8, which is wrapped around the handrail drive sheave 21, by the rotation of the handrail drive sheave 21.

[0041] At each step 5, of the two sides of the step drive roller 52, the side facing outwards from the step 5 in the width direction of the truss 1 is the outer surface 52a of the drive roller. As shown in Figure 3, a portion of the movable handrail 8 is located closer to the step body 51 than the outer surface 52a of the drive roller in the width direction of the truss 1. Therefore, when viewed from above, a portion of the movable handrail 8 overlaps with at least a portion of the area of ​​the step drive roller 52.

[0042] The control device 3 controls the movement of the movable handrail 8 and each of the steps 5 by controlling the step drive device and the handrail drive device 22, respectively. The control device 3 controls the handrail drive device 22 and the step drive device to synchronize the speed of the movable handrail 8 with the speed of each of the steps 5.

[0043] Next, the operation of the escalator will be explained. When the step drive unit generates driving force under the control of the control device 3, the driving force of the step drive unit is transmitted to the upper sprocket 2 via the power transmission unit. As a result, the upper sprocket 2 rotates and the step chain 6 moves. As the step chain 6 moves, each step 5 moves in a circular motion between the upper and lower machine rooms while being pulled by the step chain 6. When each step 5 moves, the step drive roller 52 moves along the drive roller path and the step follower roller 53 moves along the follower roller path.

[0044] On the other hand, when each step 5 moves, the handrail drive device 22 generates driving force under the control of the control device 3. The driving force of the handrail drive device 22 is transmitted to the handrail drive sheave 21 via the transmission mechanism 23. As a result, the handrail drive sheave 21 rotates, and the movable handrail 8 moves along the handrail path. When the movable handrail 8 and each step 5 move, the speed of the movable handrail 8 is synchronized with the speed of each step 5 by the control of the step drive device and the handrail drive device 22, respectively, by the control device 3.

[0045] In this type of escalator, the movable handrail 8 is wrapped around the handrail drive sheave 21 in the return section of the handrail path. The movable handrail 8 is stretched in a straight line from the lower reversal section along the outer circumference of the lower manual section 73 to the handrail drive sheave 21. This prevents the movable handrail 8 from being bent between the lower manual section 73 and the handrail drive sheave 21. As a result, the number of places where the movable handrail 8 is bent can be reduced overall. Therefore, the lifespan of the movable handrail 8 can be extended. In addition, the movable handrail 8 wrapped around the handrail drive sheave 21 from the lower reversal section can be tilted upward toward the upper floor. This increases the length of the portion of the movable handrail 8 that bends along the outer circumference of the handrail drive sheave 21, making it easier to secure the length of the portion of the movable handrail 8 that is in contact with the handrail drive sheave 21. Therefore, it is easier to secure the frictional force between the handrail drive sheave 21 and the movable handrail 8.

[0046] Furthermore, the endless handrail path along which the movable handrail 8 moves is positioned above the endless drive roller path along which the step drive roller 52 moves, when viewed along the width direction of the truss 1. Therefore, even if the position of the movable handrail 8 is brought closer to the step body 51 in the width direction of the truss 1, interference between the movable handrail 8 and the step drive roller 52 can be avoided. This makes it possible to reduce the dimensions of the escalator in the width direction of the truss 1.

[0047] In this escalator, either a sheave drive system or a roller drive system is used as the drive system for moving the movable handrail 8. In the sheave drive system, as in this embodiment, the movable handrail 8, which is wrapped around a handrail drive sheave 21, is moved by the rotation of the handrail drive sheave 21. In the roller drive system, the movable handrail 8 is sandwiched between a plurality of handrail drive rollers and a plurality of pressure rollers arranged along the movable handrail 8, and the movable handrail 8 is moved by rotating each handrail drive roller with the driving force of the handrail drive device.

[0048] If a roller drive system is used to move the movable handrail 8, it is not necessary to bend the movable handrail 8 as much as with a sheave drive system, so the movable handrail 8 can be positioned to avoid the drive roller path on which the step drive roller 52 of the step 5 moves. Therefore, if a roller drive system is used to move the movable handrail 8, the dimensions of the escalator in the width direction of the truss 1 can be reduced. However, the frictional force between each handrail drive roller and the movable handrail 8 in the roller drive system is lower than the frictional force between the handrail drive sheave 21 and the movable handrail 8 in the sheave drive system.

[0049] In this embodiment, by using a sheave-driven handrail drive unit 20, interference between the movable handrail 8 and the step drive roller 52 can be avoided, thereby reducing the dimensions of the escalator in the width direction of the truss 1. This allows the sheave-driven handrail drive unit 20 to be used in escalators where only a roller drive system could be used to move the movable handrail 8. Therefore, even in escalators where multiple roller-driven handrail drive devices are required to move the movable handrail 8, the number of handrail drive units 20 can be reduced to one by using the sheave-driven handrail drive unit 20. As a result, during escalator maintenance and inspection, only one handrail drive unit 20 needs to be maintained, reducing the burden of escalator maintenance and inspection work.

[0050] Furthermore, the handrail drive device 22, which generates the driving force to rotate the handrail drive sheave 21, is a different drive device from the step drive device, which generates the driving force to move each step 5. Therefore, the position of the handrail drive device 22 can be determined independently of the position of the step drive device. As a result, the sheave-driven handrail drive unit 20 can be used in any of the multiple types of escalators, where the floor heights from the lower floor to the upper floor are different. Consequently, in any of the multiple types of escalators, the number of places where the movable handrail 8 is bent can be reduced overall, thereby extending the lifespan of the movable handrail 8.

[0051] Furthermore, the control device 3 controls the speed of the movable handrail 8 to synchronize with the speed of each step 5, instructing the handrail drive device 22 and the step drive device. This allows the positional relationship between the steps 5 and the movable handrail 8 to be maintained when the steps 5 and the movable handrail 8 move. This makes it easier for passengers standing on the steps 5 to maintain their posture.

[0052] In the above embodiment, the driving force of the handrail drive device 22 is transmitted to the handrail drive sheave 21 via the transmission mechanism 23. However, the handrail drive sheave 21 may be directly attached to the handrail drive device 22 so that the driving force of the handrail drive device 22 is transmitted directly to the handrail drive sheave 21 without going through the transmission mechanism 23.

[0053] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, when viewed along the width direction of the truss 1, the handrail path of the movable handrail 8 is located above the drive roller path of the step drive roller 52. However, it is not limited to this, and when viewed along the width direction of the truss 1, a part of the handrail path may intersect with the drive roller path. Even in this way, the number of places where the movable handrail 8 is bent can be reduced overall, and the lifespan of the movable handrail 8 can be extended.

[0054] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the handrail drive device 22 is a different drive device from the step drive device. However, the step drive device may also be used as a handrail drive device by transmitting the driving force of the step drive device to the handrail drive sheave 21 via a transmission mechanism. In this case, the speed of the movable handrail 8 is mechanically synchronized with the speed of each step 5.

[0055] The configurations shown in the embodiments described above are examples of the content of this disclosure. The embodiments can be combined with other known technologies. Some parts of the configurations of the embodiments can be omitted or modified without departing from the gist of this disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1 Truss, 3 Control device, 5 Steps, 7 Railing, 8 Movable handrail, 21 Handrail drive sheave, 22 Handrail drive device, 51 Step body, 52 Step drive roller, 71 Railing body, 72 Upper manual section, 73 Lower manual section.

Claims

1. A truss that is positioned at an inclination with respect to the horizontal plane, A railing provided on the truss, A movable handrail is provided on the railing and is movable along an endless handrail path, A handrail drive sheave, supported by the truss and around which the movable handrail is wrapped, A handrail drive device that generates a driving force to rotate the handrail drive sheave, Equipped with, The railing comprises a railing body provided along the longitudinal direction of the truss, an upper nucleus provided at the upper end of the railing body in the longitudinal direction, and a lower nucleus provided at the lower end of the railing body in the longitudinal direction. The handrail path comprises a forward path along the upper edge of the main body of the railing, an upper inversion section continuous with the forward path and along the outer circumference of the upper manual, a lower inversion section continuous with the forward path and along the outer circumference of the lower manual, and a return path below the forward path that connects the lower inversion section to the upper inversion section. The aforementioned movable handrail is wrapped around the handrail drive sheave in the return section. The aforementioned movable handrail is stretched in a straight line from the lower reversal section to the handrail drive sheave of the escalator.

2. The truss is movably supported and consists of a plurality of steps connected in an endless manner, A step drive device that generates a driving force to move the plurality of steps, Equipped with, Each of the steps comprises a step body and a step drive roller provided on the step body and positioned outside the step body in the width direction of the truss. The aforementioned step drive roller is capable of moving along an endless drive roller path in conjunction with the movement of the step. The escalator according to claim 1, wherein the handrail path is located at a position above the drive roller path when viewed along the width direction of the truss.

3. The truss is movably supported and consists of a plurality of steps connected in an endless manner, A step drive device that generates a driving force to move the plurality of steps, Equipped with, The escalator according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the handrail drive device is a drive device different from the step drive device.

4. A control device that controls the handrail drive device and the step drive device to synchronize the speed of the movable handrail with the speed of each step. The escalator according to claim 3, which is equipped with

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