Step chain support device and step chain support method for passenger conveyor

Abstract

To prevent the chain end of a separated step chain from interfering with devices in a truss during maintenance work involving partial separation of the step chain of a passenger conveyor. [Solution] The step chain of a passenger conveyor is configured to be endless by connecting the chain ends of multiple end-connected segmented chains with joint links. The end of the end-connected segmented chain is provided with a pin hole for inserting the connecting pin of the joint link. The step chain support device includes a shaft portion that is inserted into the pin hole of the chain end when the joint link is removed and a portion of the step chain is cut off, and a roller portion located at one end of the shaft portion. The roller portion is configured to be guided along the drive rail when the shaft portion is inserted into the pin hole.

Description

Technical Field

[0004]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technique of a step chain support device suitable for supporting a chain end of a step chain in maintenance involving an operation of partially disconnecting a step chain of a passenger conveyor.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique related to a method for replacing step links of an escalator. According to this replacement method, in an escalator in which steps are circulated through a large number of step links connected in an endless manner, the time required for the replacement operation of worn step links is shortened.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In passenger conveyors typified by escalators, a structure is known in which steps are circulated through a step chain connected in an endless manner instead of step links. The step chain is installed so as to extend inside a truss spanning between upper and lower floors. Therefore, in the maintenance of a passenger conveyor, for example, when removing steps to form an opening for maintaining equipment inside the truss, the step chain may cross a part of the opening and interfere with the work.

[0005] As a countermeasure, in the lower machine room within the truss, the endless step chain is partially detached, and the motor pulley handle of the passenger conveyor is turned by hand to wind up the detached end of the chain to the desired position. However, the remaining chain from the detached end to the nearest step shaft hangs downwards, which may interfere with equipment within the truss during the manual winding operation of the passenger conveyor. Therefore, workers must, for example, hold the end of the chain while operating the escalator, resulting in poor work efficiency. The technology described in Patent Document 1 concerns the replacement of step links in escalators, and does not offer any consideration for the problem of the detached end hanging downwards, as is the case with step chains.

[0006] This disclosure was made to solve the problems described above, and aims to provide a technology that can prevent the chain ends of a detached step chain from interfering with equipment inside the truss during maintenance work involving the partial detachment of the step chain of a passenger conveyor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The step chain support device of the present disclosure is for a passenger conveyor comprising a step chain that is connected in an endless manner and moves in a circulating manner, a plurality of step shafts arranged at equal intervals on the step chain, drive rollers provided on the step shafts and guided along a drive rail, and a plurality of steps fixed to each of the plurality of step shafts, and is a step chain support device for supporting the end of the step chain when a part of the step chain is cut off, wherein the step chain is configured in an endless manner by connecting the chain ends of a plurality of end-type divided chains with joint links, and the chain ends of the end-type divided chains are provided with pin holes for inserting the connecting pins of the joint links, and the step chain support device comprises a shaft portion that is inserted into the pin hole of the chain end when the joint link is removed and a part of the step chain is cut off, and a roller portion provided at one end of the shaft portion, and the roller portion is configured to be guided along the drive rail when the shaft portion is inserted into the pin hole. Furthermore, the step chain support device includes a connecting wire that connects the upper chain end and the lower chain end, which are located on the lower side of the chain end when the joint link is removed and a portion of the step chain is detached.

[0009] Furthermore, the step chain support method of this disclosure is a step chain support method that uses the above-described step chain support device to support the end of a step chain when a part of the step chain is detached, and comprises the steps of: removing a plurality of steps; loosening the tension of the step chain; removing the joint link to detach a part of the step chain; inserting the shaft portion of the step chain support device into the pin hole of the upper chain end located on the upper side and the pin hole of the lower chain end located on the lower side of the chain end of the step chain, respectively, and positioning the roller portion on the upper surface of the drive rail; connecting the upper chain end and the lower chain end using a connecting wire; and moving the step chain until the upper chain end passes the target position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the technology of this disclosure, the chain end of a detached step chain is guided along the upper surface of the drive rail by a step chain support device. This prevents the chain end from interfering with equipment within the truss. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This figure shows the structure of a passenger conveyor to which the step chain support device in the embodiment is applied. [Figure 2] This is a diagram illustrating the structure around the steps of an escalator. [Figure 3] This is a diagram illustrating a step chain structure. [Figure 4] This is an enlarged perspective view of section A in Figure 3. [Figure 5] This is a diagram illustrating a connecting structure using joint links. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram showing the state of the step chain before and after detachment, viewed from above. [Figure 7] This is a schematic diagram of the state after the step chain has been disconnected, viewed from direction B in Figure 6. [Figure 8] This is a diagram illustrating the structure of a step chain support device. [Figure 9] This is a diagram illustrating the structure of a step chain support device. [Figure 10] This is a diagram illustrating an example of how to use a step chain support device. [Figure 11] This is a diagram illustrating an example of the use of connecting wires. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] The embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, elements common to all parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0013] Embodiment. 1. Escalator structure FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the structure of a passenger conveyor to which the step chain support device in the embodiment is applied. FIG. 1 shows an escalator as an example of a passenger conveyor.

[0014] The escalator includes a truss 101 and a plurality of steps 1. The truss 101 spans between the upper and lower floors. Passengers on the escalator ride on the steps 1 and move from the boarding opening 102 to the alighting opening 103. FIG. 1 shows an upward escalator. The escalator shown in FIG. 1 may also be a downward escalator.

[0015] Below the alighting opening 103, an upper machine room 104 is provided. The upper machine room 104 is a space formed in the upper part within the truss 101. An electric motor 105 and a control device 106 are provided in the upper machine room 104. The electric motor 105 drives the steps 1. The control device 106 controls the electric motor 105.

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

[0017] Below the boarding opening 102, a lower machine room 110 is provided. The lower machine room 110 is a space formed in the lower part within the truss 101. A lower sprocket 112 is provided in the lower machine room 110. The step chain 4 is wound around the lower sprocket 112.

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

[0019] Step 1 is guided by the running rail. Step 1 moves diagonally upward with the passengers on board, guided by the running rail. If it is a downward escalator, Step 1 moves diagonally downward with the passengers on board. The escalator is equipped with, for example, a drive rail 6 and a follow rail 5 as running rails. The running rails are installed on the truss 101. The running rails are arranged from below the entrance 102 to below the exit 103.

[0020] 2. Structure around the steps of an escalator Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the structure around the steps of an escalator. In Figure 2, the internal structure of the truss around the steps is shown in partial transparency.

[0021] Step 1 comprises a passenger step 7 and a riser 8. The passenger step 7 is a plate-shaped member on which passengers actually stand when moving. The riser 8 is the member corresponding to the kick-up in Step 1. The riser 8 extends downward from the edge of the passenger step 7.

[0022] Step 1 also includes, as its main components, a step shaft 12, a pair of drive rollers 14, and a pair of follow rollers 16. The step shaft 12 is fixed to a fitting installed on the underside of the passenger footboard 7. Multiple step shafts 12 of step 1 are fixed to a step chain 4. In this way, multiple step 1 are endlessly connected to the step chain 4. When the step chain 4 moves, the passenger footboard 7 moves, pulled by the step shaft 12. The structure of the step chain 4 will be described in detail later.

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

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

[0025] The joint link 3 connects the chain ends of the end-type segmented chains 4a of adjacent step chain units 10. Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of part A in Figure 3. Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the connection structure using the joint link. The joint link 3 comprises an outer link 31 with two connecting pins 32 erected on the outer plate, an outer plate 33 having pin holes, and two cotter pins 34. The two connecting pins 32 of the outer link 31 are inserted into the pin holes 4b of the chain ends of adjacent end-type segmented chains 4a. The pin holes of the outer plate 33 are inserted into the two connecting pins 32 of the outer link 31, and the cotter pins 34 are attached on top to prevent them from coming loose.

[0026] 4. Challenges when separating step chains During escalator maintenance, for example, step 1 may be removed to inspect various equipment within the truss 101. In this case, the step chain 4 or step shaft 12 may get in the way of the work. To address this, workers remove the joint link 3 in the lower machine room 110 to partially detach the endless step chain 4. Of the chain ends to which the joint link 3 was attached, the upper end is called the "upper chain end," and the lower end is called the "lower chain end." Then, by manually operating the escalator in this state, the detached upper chain end is wound upward to form an opening without the step chain 4 and step shaft 12. Manual operation here refers to operating the escalator by manually turning the handle of the motor pulley to circulate the step chain 4.

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

[0028] Here, the end of the split chain 4a connected by the joint link 3 is located near the midpoint of the spacing between the step axes 12. Therefore, as shown in Figure 6, when the joint link 3 is removed and the step chain 4 is disconnected, as shown in Figure 7, the remaining chain from the nearest step axis 12 to the chain end hangs vertically downward due to gravity. If the escalator is operated manually in this state, the chain end may interfere with the equipment inside the truss 101.

[0029] The step chain support device of this embodiment is a device for preventing the end of the step chain from interfering with equipment inside the truss 101 during manual operation of the escalator, including maintenance work such as detaching the step chain 4. The configuration of the step chain support device will be described in detail below.

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

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

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

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

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

[0035] First step: As a preparatory step, remove all of Step 1 from the escalator.

[0036] Second step: The joint link 3 to be removed is stopped at the sprocket position where it can be disengaged, next to the lower sprocket 112 inside the lower machine room 110.

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

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

[0039] Fifth step: The shaft portion 22 of the step chain support device 20 is inserted into the upper chain end of the upper step chain 4 after it has been cut, and the roller portion 24 is positioned on the upper surface of the drive rail 6.

[0040] Sixth step: The escalator is operated manually in the upward direction, winding the upper step chain 4 upward. As a result, the step chain support device 20 attached to the upper chain end supports the upper chain end, and the roller section 24 rotates along the drive rail 6. The lower step chain 4 is then retrieved into the lower machine room 110 by pulling the step shaft 12.

[0041] Seventh step: The manual winding operation is stopped at the position where the next joint link 3 is to be removed, and the next joint link 3 is removed. This separates one step chain unit 10, and the separated step chain unit 10 is then removed from the lower machine room 110 of the truss 101.

[0042] Eighth step: By repeatedly performing the operations of the sixth and seventh steps, the area of ​​the opening without the step chain 4 and step shaft 12 gradually expands from the bottom to the top of the truss 101. The operations of the sixth and seventh steps are repeated until the opening expands to the desired position.

[0043] This work procedure makes it possible to form an opening at the desired location in the truss 101 while preventing interference with equipment due to the sagging of the chain end of the upper step chain 4.

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

[0045] Connecting wire 40 and retaining connecting band 50 The step chain support device 20 may further comprise a pair of connecting wires 40. Figure 11 illustrates an example of the use of connecting wires. In the work procedure using the step chain support device 20 described above, steps six and seven are repeated until the opening expands to the desired position. For example, the higher the desired position is above the truss 101, the more step chain units 10 need to be removed from the lower step chain 4. The modified connecting wire 40 is a wire used to remove only the number of step chain units 10 corresponding to the required opening length and to connect the upper chain end and the lower chain end.

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

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

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

[0049] Furthermore, if the connecting wire 40 is in the way during maintenance work at the target location, the connecting band 50 may be used to tighten and hold the wire 40 between the nearest step shafts 12, and the connecting wire 40 may be removed.

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

[0051] The various aspects of this disclosure are summarized below as an appendix.

[0052] (Note 1) A passenger conveyor comprising an endlessly linked step chain that moves in a circulating manner, a plurality of step shafts arranged at equal intervals on the step chain, drive rollers provided on the step shafts and guided along a drive rail, and a plurality of steps fixed to each of the plurality of step shafts, wherein a step chain support device supports the end of the step chain when a portion of the step chain is detached, The aforementioned step chain is It is constructed in an endless manner by connecting the ends of multiple end-type segmented chains with joint links. The end of the end-type segmented chain is provided with a pin hole for inserting the connecting pin of the joint link. The step chain support device is, The shaft portion inserted into the pin hole at the end of the chain when the joint link is removed and a part of the step chain is cut off, The shaft portion comprises a roller portion located at one end of the shaft portion, A step chain support device configured such that, when the shaft portion is inserted into the pin hole, the roller portion is guided along the drive rail. (Note 2) At the position where the roller portion is guided along the drive rail, the shaft portion has a length such that its tip protrudes from the pin hole. The step chain support device described in Appendix 1. (Note 3) The roller portion has the same shape as the drive roller. A step chain support device as described in Appendix 1 or Appendix 2. (Note 4) The system further includes a connecting wire that connects the upper chain end and the lower chain end when the joint link is removed and a portion of the step chain is severed. A step chain support device as described in any one of the items 1 to 3 of the appendix. (Note 5) The system further includes a retaining connecting band that tightens and holds the step shaft closest to the upper chain end and the step shaft closest to the lower chain end. The step chain support device described in Appendix 4. (Note 6) A step chain support method for supporting the end of a step chain when a part of the step chain is detached, using a step chain support device described in any one of the items 1 to 5 of the appendix, The process of removing the aforementioned multiple steps, The process of loosening the tension of the step chain, The steps include removing the joint link and disconnecting a portion of the step chain, The steps include inserting the shaft portion of the step chain support device into the pin hole of the upper chain end of the step chain, which is located on the upper side of the chain end, and positioning the roller portion on the upper surface of the drive rail, The step is to move the step chain until the upper end of the chain passes the target position, A step chain support method comprising: (Note 7) A step chain support method for supporting the end of a step chain when a part of the step chain is detached, using a step chain support device described in any one of the items 1 to 5 of the appendix, The process of removing the aforementioned multiple steps, The process of loosening the tension of the step chain, The steps include removing the joint link and disconnecting a portion of the step chain, The steps include inserting the shaft portion of the step chain support device into the pin hole of the upper chain end located on the upper side and the pin hole of the lower chain end located on the lower side, respectively, and positioning the roller portion on the upper surface of the drive rail, The process involves connecting the upper chain end and the lower chain end using a connecting wire. The step is to move the step chain until the upper end of the chain passes the target position, A step chain support method comprising: (Note 8) After moving the step chain until the upper chain end passes the target position, the step chain is held in place by tightening the connection between the step axis closest to the upper chain end and the step axis closest to the lower chain end using a retaining connecting band. The process of removing the aforementioned connecting wire, A step chain support method as described in Appendix 7, comprising: [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 3 Joint link, 4 Step chain, 4a Ended split chain, 4b Pin hole, 5 Follow rail, 6 Drive rail, 7 Passenger footboard, 8 Riser, 10 Step chain unit, 12 Step shaft, 14 Drive roller, 16 Follow roller, 20 Step chain support device, 22 Shaft section, 24 Roller section, 26 Guide section, 31 Outer link, 32 Connecting pin, 33 Outer plate, 34 Split pin, 40 Connecting wire, 42 Wire section, 44 Locking section, 50 Retaining connecting band, 101 Truss, 102 Entrance, 103 Exit, 104 Upper machine room, 105 Electric motor, 106 Control device, 107 Reducer, 108 Shaft, 109 Upper sprocket, 110 Lower machine room, 112 lower sprocket

Claims

1. A passenger conveyor comprising an endlessly linked step chain that moves in a circulating manner, a plurality of step shafts arranged at equal intervals on the step chain, drive rollers provided on the step shafts and guided along a drive rail, and a plurality of steps fixed to each of the plurality of step shafts, wherein a step chain support device supports the end of the step chain when a portion of the step chain is detached, The aforementioned step chain is It is constructed in an endless manner by connecting the ends of multiple end-type segmented chains with joint links. The end of the end-type segmented chain is provided with a pin hole for inserting the connecting pin of the joint link. The step chain support device is, The shaft portion inserted into the pin hole at the end of the chain when the joint link is removed and a part of the step chain is cut off, The shaft portion comprises a roller portion located at one end of the shaft portion, With the shaft portion inserted into the pin hole, the roller portion is configured to be guided along the drive rail. A step chain support device further comprising a connecting wire that connects the upper chain end and the lower chain end, which are located on the lower side of the chain end, when the joint link is removed and a portion of the step chain is severed.

2. At the position where the roller portion is guided along the drive rail, the shaft portion has a length such that its tip protrudes from the pin hole. The step chain support device according to claim 1.

3. The roller portion has the same shape as the drive roller. A step chain support device according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The system further includes a retaining connecting band that tightens and holds the step shaft closest to the upper chain end and the step shaft closest to the lower chain end. A step chain support device according to claim 1 or claim 2.

5. A step chain support method for supporting a chain end when a part of the step chain is detached, using the step chain support device described in claim 1, The process of removing the aforementioned multiple steps, The process of loosening the tension of the step chain, The steps include removing the joint link and disconnecting a portion of the step chain, The steps include inserting the shaft portion of the step chain support device into the pin hole of the upper chain end located on the upper side and the pin hole of the lower chain end located on the lower side, respectively, and positioning the roller portion on the upper surface of the drive rail, The process of connecting the upper chain end and the lower chain end using the connecting wire, The step is to move the step chain until the upper end of the chain passes the target position, A step chain support method comprising:

6. After moving the step chain until the upper chain end passes the target position, the step chain is held in place by tightening the connection between the step axis closest to the upper chain end and the step axis closest to the lower chain end using a retaining connecting band. The process of removing the aforementioned connecting wire, The step chain support method according to claim 5, comprising:

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