Monitoring system and method for monitoring wear level of drive system, and passenger conveying device

Abstract

A monitoring system and method for monitoring a wear level of a drive system, and a passenger conveying device. The drive system comprises a driving component (1), a driven component (2), and a force-transmitting component (3) coupled therebetween. The monitoring system comprises: a vibration sensor, operatively coupled to a housing of the driving component (1) or a housing of the driven component (2), and configured to detect a vibration amplitude during an operation in which the driving component (1) drives the driven component (2); and a processor, operatively connected to the vibration sensor, and configured to receive from the vibration sensor a signal representative of the vibration amplitude and analyze the detected signal to determine a wear level of the force-transmitting component. This monitoring system and method enable the automatic prediction of the wear level of the force-transmitting component before the wear level of the force-transmitting component becomes unacceptable, thereby enhancing safety.

Description

Monitoring system and method for monitoring a wear level of a transmission system, passenger conveyor TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a monitoring system for monitoring a wear level of a transmission system, a method for monitoring a wear level of a transmission system and a passenger conveyor comprising such a monitoring system. BACKGROUND

[0002] In a transmission system, a driving component and a driven component are generally coupled together by means of a force transmitting component, which is subject to wear during operation, and it is important to know the wear state of the force transmitting component in time to ensure the safety of the transmission system.

[0003] In particular, in an escalator, a coupling is used to couple a motor and a gear box together. In the case of severe wear of the coupling, it is possible to cause an accident, for example, the motor stops rotating, but due to the damage of the coupling, the gear box is in a free state, which in turn causes the steps of the free escalator to be in a free state, and the steps can fall.

[0004] In the prior art, the wear level of the coupling, in particular the wear level of the gaskets in the coupling, is generally manually detected by means of a flywheel on the input of the rotating motor and detecting the free rotation angle, which reflects the gap between the first and second parts of the coupling. This method relies on the skills of the detection personnel and the manual recording of the detection results. The timing of such a check is also a problem, as it can occur between two consecutive maintenance intervals due to potential sudden failures.

[0005] SUMMARY

[0006] To overcome or at least partially mitigate the above-mentioned problems, a monitoring system for monitoring a wear level of a transmission system is proposed, the transmission system comprising a driving component, a driven component and a force transmitting component coupled between the two, wherein the monitoring system comprises: a vibration sensor operatively coupled to a housing of the driving component or a housing of the driven component and configured to detect a vibration amplitude during driving of the driven component by the driving component; a processor operatively connected to the vibration sensor and configured to receive a signal representative of the vibration amplitude from the vibration sensor and analyze the detected signal to determine the wear level of the force transmitting component.

[0007] Advantageously, the processor is configured to analyze the detected signal such that, when the processor detects that the signal comprises only the first spike or comprises the first spike and the second spike and the second spike is separated in time from the first spike by an interval equal to a first predetermined threshold and the amplitude of the second spike is less than a predetermined amplitude, it determines that the force transmission component is in a normal state, the first spike representing vibrations generated when the drive component goes from rest to motion, the second spike representing vibrations when the force from the drive component is transmitted to the vibration sensor via the force transmission component.

[0008] Advantageously, when the processor detects that the signal comprises the first spike and the second spike and the second spike is separated in time from the first spike by an interval less than a first predetermined threshold and greater than a second predetermined threshold, it determines that the force transmission component is at an acceptable level of wear, the first predetermined threshold being greater than the second predetermined threshold, when the processor detects that the signal comprises the first spike and the second spike and the second spike is separated in time from the first spike by an interval less than the second predetermined threshold, it determines that the force transmission component is at an unacceptable level of wear.

[0009] Advantageously, the processor is further configured to emit an alarm signal after determining that the level of wear of the force transmission component is at an unacceptable level of wear.

[0010] Advantageously, the force transmission component comprises a first portion and a second portion that are detachably coupled together, the first portion being coupled to the output shaft of the drive component, the second portion being coupled to the input shaft of the driven component, the first portion having a plurality of teeth projecting towards the second portion, the second portion having a plurality of grooves, one of the plurality of teeth being inserted into a corresponding one of the plurality of grooves such that a first gap and a second gap are formed between the tooth and the wall of the corresponding groove, a cushion being inserted into the first gap and the second gap.

[0011] Advantageously, the drive component is a motor and the driven component is a gearbox, when the motor rotates in a first direction, it drives the teeth of the first portion to rotate in the first direction such that the teeth push the second portion via the cushion inserted in the first gap to rotate the second portion, the first spike representing vibrations generated when the motor goes from rest to motion, the second spike representing vibrations when the force from the motor is transmitted to the vibration sensor via the force transmission component, the processor being configured to determine that the cushion inserted in the first gap is at an unacceptable level of wear when it detects that the signal comprises the first spike and the second spike and the second spike is separated in time from the first spike by an interval less than the second predetermined threshold.

[0012] Advantageously, when the motor rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the teeth of the first portion are rotated in the second direction, such that the teeth push the second portion via the bumper inserted in the second gap to rotate the second portion, the processor is configured to determine that the bumper inserted in the second gap is at an unacceptable level of wear when the signal is detected to comprise the first spike and the second spike and the second spike is separated in time from the first spike by less than a second predetermined threshold.

[0013] Advantageously, the force transmitting component is a coupling.

[0014] According to another aspect of the present application, there is provided a people conveyor comprising a monitoring system as described above.

[0015] According to yet another aspect of the present application, there is provided a method of monitoring a level of wear of a drive system, the drive system comprising a driving component, a driven component and a force transmitting component coupled therebetween, wherein the method comprises: detecting, via a vibration sensor, an amplitude of vibration during driving of the driven component by the driving component, the vibration sensor being operatively coupled to a housing of the driving component or a housing of the driven component; receiving, via a processor, a signal representative of the amplitude of vibration from the vibration sensor, analyzing the detected signal to determine a level of wear of the force transmitting component, the processor being operatively connected to the vibration sensor.

[0016] Advantageously, the method comprises analyzing the detected signal such that the force transmitting component is determined to be in a normal state when the processor detects that the signal comprises only the first spike or the first spike and the second spike and the second spike is separated in time from the first spike by equal to a first predetermined threshold and the amplitude of the second spike is less than a predetermined amplitude, the first spike being representative of a vibration generated when the driving component goes from rest to motion, the second spike being representative of a vibration when the force from the driving component is transmitted to the vibration sensor via the force transmitting component.

[0017] Advantageously, the method comprises analyzing the detected signal such that the force transmitting component is determined to be at an acceptable level of wear when the processor detects that the signal comprises the first spike and the second spike and the second spike is separated in time from the first spike by less than a first predetermined threshold and greater than a second predetermined threshold, the first predetermined threshold being greater than the second predetermined threshold; the force transmitting component is determined to be at an unacceptable level of wear when the processor detects that the signal comprises the first spike and the second spike and the second spike is separated in time from the first spike by less than the second predetermined threshold.

[0018] Advantageously, the force transmission component comprises a first portion and a second portion that are detachably coupled together, the first portion is coupled to the output shaft of the drive component, the second portion is coupled to the input shaft of the driven component, the first portion has a plurality of teeth protruding towards the second portion, the second portion has a plurality of grooves, one of the plurality of teeth is inserted into a corresponding one of the plurality of grooves such that a first gap and a second gap are formed between the tooth and the corresponding groove, the bumper is inserted into the first gap and the second gap.

[0019] Advantageously, the drive component is a motor, the driven component is a gearbox, when the motor rotates in a first direction, the teeth of the first portion are rotated in the first direction such that the teeth push the second portion via the bumper inserted in the first gap to rotate the second portion, the first spike represents the vibration generated when the motor moves from rest to motion, the second spike represents the vibration when the force from the motor is transmitted to the vibration sensor via the force transmission component, when the detected signal comprises the first spike and the second spike and the second spike is separated from the first spike in time by less than a second predetermined threshold, it is determined that the bumper inserted in the first gap is at an unacceptable level of wear.

[0020] Advantageously, when the motor rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the teeth of the first portion are rotated in the second direction such that the teeth push the second portion via the bumper inserted in the second gap to rotate the second portion, when the detected signal comprises the first spike and the second spike and the second spike is separated from the first spike in time by less than a second predetermined threshold, it is determined that the bumper inserted in the second gap is at an unacceptable level of wear.

[0021] Advantageously, the force transmission component is a coupling. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0022] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the following will briefly introduce the drawings needed to be used in the embodiments. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope of protection, and for those skilled in the art, other related drawings can also be obtained without creative labor.

[0023] Fig. 1 shows a schematic exploded perspective view of a transmission system according to the present application.

[0024] Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of the engagement of the teeth of the drive component with the grooves of the force transmission component according to the present application, at the moment when the teeth of the drive component and the grooves of the force transmission component are engaged via the bumper, and the bumper is completely unworn.

[0025] Figure 3 shows a schematic view of the engagement of the teeth of the drive component with the grooves of the force transmission component according to the present application, at the time when the teeth of the drive component and the grooves of the force transmission component are engaged via the buffer element and the buffer element is completely worn out.

[0026] Figure 4 shows a graph of the detected first and second spikes corresponding to Figure 2.

[0027] Figure 5 shows a graph of the detected first and second spikes corresponding to Figure 3.

[0028] Figure 6 shows a flow chart of the method according to the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] In order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described clearly and completely below with reference to the drawings of the embodiments of the present disclosure. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present disclosure, rather than all the embodiments. For example, those skilled in the art can understand that the features in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be combined with each other, and the combined embodiments still belong to the scope of the present disclosure. Based on the described embodiments of the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative work fall within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0030] Unless otherwise defined, technical terms or scientific terms used in the present disclosure shall have the ordinary meaning understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. The terms "first", "second" and similar terms used in the present disclosure do not denote any order, quantity or importance, but are used to distinguish different components. The terms "comprise", "include" and similar terms mean that the elements or objects before the terms encompass the elements or objects listed after the terms and their equivalents, and do not exclude other elements or objects. "Up", "down", "left", "right" and the like are only used to represent relative positional relationships, and when the absolute positions of the described objects change, the relative positional relationships may also change accordingly.

[0031] Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a transmission system according to the present application. The transmission system comprises a drive component 1, a driven component 2 and a force transmission component 3 coupled between the two, which transmits power between the drive component 1 and the driven component 2. The monitoring system according to the present application comprises a vibration sensor (not shown) operatively coupled to the housing of the drive component 1 or the housing of the driven component 3 and detects the amplitude of vibration during the driving of the driven component by the drive component. A processor (not shown) is operatively connected to the vibration sensor and is configured to be able to receive a signal representative of the amplitude of vibration from the vibration sensor, analyze the detected signal to determine the wear level of the force transmission component.

[0032] The processor is configured to analyze the detected signal such that when the processor detects that the signal comprises only the first spike or comprises the first spike and the second spike and the second spike is separated in time from the first spike by an amount equal to a first predetermined threshold and the amplitude of the second spike is less than a predetermined amplitude, the force transmitting component is determined to be in a normal state, the first spike representing vibrations generated when the drive component moves from rest to motion, the second spike representing vibrations when the force from the drive component is transmitted to the vibration sensor via the force transmitting component.

[0033] When the processor detects that the signal comprises the first spike and the second spike and the second spike is separated in time from the first spike by an amount less than the first predetermined threshold and greater than a second predetermined threshold, the force transmitting component is determined to be at an acceptable level of wear, the first predetermined threshold being greater than the second predetermined threshold, when the processor detects that the signal comprises the first spike and the second spike and the second spike is separated in time from the first spike by an amount less than the second predetermined threshold, the force transmitting component is determined to be at an unacceptable level of wear.

[0034] The processor is configured to issue an alarm signal when the force transmitting component is determined to be at an unacceptable level of wear. Similarly, the processor can be configured to issue a normal signal when the force transmitting component is determined to be at an acceptable level of wear or in a normal state.

[0035] The force transmitting component 3 comprises a first portion 31 and a second portion 32 that are detachably coupled together, the first portion 31 can be coupled to an output shaft of the drive component in any suitable manner, for example, the output shaft of the drive component is inserted into a hole of the first portion 31, the second portion 32 can be coupled to an input shaft of the driven component in any suitable manner, for example, the input shaft of the driven component is inserted into a hole of the second portion 32. The first portion 31 has a plurality of teeth 311 protruding towards the second portion, the second portion 32 has a plurality of grooves, one of the plurality of teeth is inserted into a corresponding one of the plurality of grooves such that a first gap and a second gap are formed between the tooth and the corresponding groove, a cushion 33 is inserted into the first gap and the second gap.

[0036] In one example, the drive component 31 is a motor, the driven component 32 is a gear box, and the force transmitting component is a coupling. When the motor rotates in a first direction, the teeth of the first portion are rotated in the first direction such that the teeth push the second portion via the cushion inserted in the first gap to rotate the second portion. Here, the first spike represents vibrations generated when the motor moves from rest to motion, the second spike represents vibrations when the force from the motor is transmitted to the vibration sensor via the force transmitting component.

[0037] When the motor rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the teeth of the first part rotate in the second direction, causing the teeth to push the second part via the buffer inserted in the second gap to rotate the second part.

[0038] Figure 2 shows a schematic view of the teeth 311 of the first part 31 of the force transmission member inserted in the groove 321 of the second part 32. In this schematic view, only the buffer 33 (i.e. the buffer on the left side of the teeth 311 in Figure 2, for example formed of rubber) in the first gap between the teeth 311 and the wall of the groove is shown, but the skilled person will understand that there is also a buffer on the right side of the teeth 311, i.e. in the second gap. If the buffer 33 on the left side of the teeth 311 is in a completely unworn state (i.e. in a normal state) as shown in Figure 2, the vibration sensor can only receive a first peak during the driving of the driven part by the driving part as shown in Figure 4 when the first part 31 rotates in the first direction X. Since the buffer 33 is in a very good state, the vibration caused by the collision between the first part and the second part is absorbed by the buffer, so that a second peak can not be detected. Or, even if a second peak is detected, the time interval between the second peak and the first peak is equal to a first predetermined threshold (which can depend on the design of the buffer 33, the first part and the second part themselves) and the amplitude of the second peak is relatively small or even negligible, for example smaller than a predetermined amplitude.

[0039] If the buffer 33 on the left side of the teeth 311 is in a completely worn state as shown in Figure 3, i.e. the buffer is worn out so that it is almost non-existent. The first peak and the second peak received by the vibration sensor during the driving of the driven part by the driving part are shown in Figure 5. Since the buffer 33 is in a very worn state, the time interval between the first peak and the second peak is very small, for example smaller than a second predetermined threshold, the first predetermined threshold being greater than the second predetermined threshold. Since the buffer 33 is completely worn out, the second peak comes from the bare collision between the first part and the second part, and the amplitude will be very high, even higher than the first peak (as shown in Figure 5), and because there is no buffer 33, the force from the motor is transmitted to the vibration sensor much earlier, even approaching the first peak, i.e. the time interval is very small.

[0040] Figures 2 and 3 show the two extreme states of the bumpers, and it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that, when in between the two extreme states, the processor is configured to detect the time interval between the first and second spikes, such that when the time interval between the first and second spikes is less than the first predetermined threshold and greater than the second predetermined threshold, it is determined that the force transmitting component is at an acceptable level of wear. This is because when the force transmitting component (bumpers) is experiencing a tolerable level of slight wear, some of the impact between the first and second parts can not be absorbed by the bumpers, and the second spike will occur as expected. Wear inevitably leads to thinning of the force transmitting component, and so the time taken for the vibrations to reach the vibration sensor via the force transmitting component is correspondingly brought forward, such that the time interval between the first and second spikes is reduced. Furthermore, for the bumpers located to the right of the toothed element 33, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art how to monitor the level of wear of this bumper, and so it will not be described again here.

[0041] The present application also provides a method of monitoring the level of wear of a drive system, the drive system comprising a driving component, a driven component and a force transmitting component coupled therebetween. As shown in Figure 6, the method comprises: at step 100, detecting, via a vibration sensor, an amplitude of vibration during driving of the driven component by the driving component, the vibration sensor being operably coupled to a housing of the driving component or a housing of the driven component; at step 200, receiving, via a processor, a signal representative of the amplitude of vibration from the vibration sensor, the processor being operably connected to the vibration sensor, the signal being analysed to determine a level of wear of the force transmitting component.

[0042] By the monitoring system of the present application, the level of wear of the force transmitting component can be automatically predicted, without having to wait until the level of wear of the force transmitting component is unacceptable, improving safety.

[0043] The monitoring system of the present application can be used in personnel conveyor equipment, such as a free-standing escalator, a moving walkway, etc.

[0044] The scope of the disclosure is not limited by the above-described embodiments, but is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A monitoring system for monitoring the wear level of a power transmission system, the power transmission system comprising a driving component, a driven component and a force transmitting component coupled therebetween, wherein, The monitoring system comprises: a vibration sensor operatively coupled to a housing of the drive component or a housing of the driven component and configured to detect a vibration amplitude during driving of the driven component by the drive component; a processor operatively connected to the vibration sensor and configured to receive a signal representative of the vibration amplitude from the vibration sensor, analyze the detected signal to determine a wear level of the force transmission component.

2. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein, The processor is configured to analyze the detected signal such that, when the processor detects that the signal comprises only the first spike or comprises the first spike and the second spike and the second spike is separated in time from the first spike by an interval equal to a first predetermined threshold and the amplitude of the second spike is less than a predetermined amplitude, the processor determines that the force transmission component is in a normal state, the first spike is representative of a vibration generated when the drive component moves from rest to motion and the second spike is representative of a vibration when a force from the drive component is transmitted to the vibration sensor via the force transmission component.

3. The monitoring system of claim 2, wherein, When the processor detects that the signal comprises the first spike and the second spike and the second spike is separated in time from the first spike by an interval less than the first predetermined threshold and greater than a second predetermined threshold, the processor determines that the force transmission component is at an acceptable wear level, the first predetermined threshold being greater than the second predetermined threshold, When the processor detects that the signal comprises the first spike and the second spike and the second spike is separated in time from the first spike by an interval less than the second predetermined threshold, the processor determines that the force transmission component is at an unacceptable wear level.

4. The monitoring system of claim 3, wherein, The processor is further configured to issue an alert signal after determining that the wear level of the force transmission component is at the unacceptable wear level.

5. The monitoring system of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The force transmission component comprises a first portion and a second portion that are detachably coupled together, the first portion is coupled to an output shaft of the drive component, the second portion is coupled to an input shaft of the driven component, the first portion has a plurality of teeth protruding towards the second portion, the second portion has a plurality of grooves, one of the plurality of teeth is inserted into a corresponding one of the plurality of grooves such that a first gap and a second gap are formed between the tooth and a wall of the corresponding groove, a cushion is inserted into the first gap and the second gap.

6. The monitoring system of claim 5, wherein, The drive component is a motor and the driven component is a gearbox, When the motor rotates in a first direction, the teeth of the first portion are caused to rotate in the first direction such that the teeth push against the second portion via the cushion inserted in the first gap to rotate the second portion, the first spike is representative of a vibration generated when the motor moves from rest to motion and the second spike is representative of a vibration when a force from the motor is transmitted to the vibration sensor via the force transmission component, the processor is configured to determine that the cushion inserted in the first gap is at an unacceptable wear level when the processor detects that the signal comprises the first spike and the second spike and the second spike is separated in time from the first spike by an interval less than the second predetermined threshold.

7. The monitoring system of claim 6, wherein, When the motor rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the teeth of the first portion are caused to rotate in the second direction such that the teeth push against the second portion via the cushion inserted in the second gap to rotate the second portion, the first spike is representative of a vibration generated when the motor moves from rest to motion and the second spike is representative of a vibration when a force from the motor is transmitted to the vibration sensor via the force transmission component, the processor is configured to determine that the cushion inserted in the first gap is at an unacceptable wear level when the processor detects that the signal comprises the first spike and the second spike and the second spike is separated in time from the first spike by an interval less than the second predetermined threshold. The processor is configured to determine that the cushion inserted in the second gap is at an unacceptable level of wear when it is detected that the signal includes the first spike and the second spike and the second spike is separated in time from the first spike by less than a second predetermined threshold.

8. The monitoring system of claim 6, wherein, The force transmitting component is a coupling.

9. A passenger conveyor characterized by The personnel conveyor includes the monitoring system of any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A method of monitoring the level of wear of a drive system comprising a driving component, a driven component and a force transmitting component coupled therebetween, wherein, The method includes: detecting, via a vibration sensor, a vibration amplitude during driving of the driven component by the driving component, the vibration sensor being operably coupled to a housing of the driving component or a housing of the driven component; receiving, via a processor, a signal representative of the vibration amplitude from the vibration sensor, analyzing the detected signal to determine a level of wear of the force transmitting component, the processor being operably connected to the vibration sensor.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein, The method includes analyzing the detected signal such that when the processor detects that the signal includes only the first spike or includes the first spike and the second spike and the second spike is separated in time from the first spike by an amount equal to a first predetermined threshold and the amplitude of the second spike is less than a predetermined amplitude, the force transmitting component is determined to be in a normal state, the first spike is representative of a vibration produced when the driving component goes from rest to motion and the second spike is representative of a vibration when the force from the driving component is transmitted to the vibration sensor via the force transmitting component.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein, The method includes analyzing the detected signal such that when the processor detects that the signal includes the first spike and the second spike and the second spike is separated in time from the first spike by an amount less than a first predetermined threshold and greater than a second predetermined threshold, the force transmitting component is determined to be at an acceptable level of wear, the first predetermined threshold being greater than the second predetermined threshold; and when the processor detects that the signal includes the first spike and the second spike and the second spike is separated in time from the first spike by an amount less than the second predetermined threshold, the force transmitting component is determined to be at an unacceptable level of wear.

13. The method of any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein, The force transmitting component includes a first portion and a second portion that are separably coupled together, the first portion being coupled to an output shaft of the driving component, the second portion being coupled to an input shaft of the driven component, the first portion having a plurality of teeth projecting toward the second portion, the second portion having a plurality of grooves, one of the plurality of teeth being inserted into a corresponding one of the plurality of grooves such that a first gap and a second gap are formed between the tooth and the corresponding groove, a cushion being inserted into the first gap and the second gap.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein, The driving component is a motor and the driven component is a gear box, when the motor is rotated in a first direction, the teeth of the first portion are caused to rotate in the first direction such that the teeth push against the second portion via the cushion inserted in the first gap to cause the second portion to rotate, the first spike is representative of a vibration produced when the motor goes from rest to motion and the second spike is representative of a vibration when the force from the motor is transmitted to the vibration sensor via the force transmitting component, when it is detected that the signal includes the first spike and the second spike and the second spike is separated in time from the first spike by less than a second predetermined threshold, the cushion inserted in the first gap is determined to be at an unacceptable level of wear.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein, when the motor is rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the teeth of the first part are rotated in the second direction, such that the teeth push the second part via the buffer inserted in the second gap to rotate the second part, when it is detected that the signal comprises a first spike and a second spike and that the second spike is separated in time from the first spike by less than a second predetermined threshold, it is determined that the buffer inserted in the second gap is at an unacceptable level of wear. The force transmission component is a coupling.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein, ​

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