Tread element arrangement for a passenger transport system

Abstract

The invention relates to a tread element arrangement (15) for a passenger transport system. The tread element arrangement (15) has a tread element shaft (8) for mechanically coupling a tread element (1) of the passenger transport system to a conveying element (11) of the passenger transport system. A plurality of tread element arrangements (15) are coupled to one another in series by the conveying element (11). In order to simplify maintenance work, the tread element shafts (8) of those tread element arrangements (15) have a marking (21) or a marking body (20), the tread elements (1) of which are to be removed or have been removed for the purpose of maintenance work.

Description

[0001] Step element arrangement for a passenger transport system

[0002] The invention relates to a step element arrangement for a passenger transport system, the passenger transport system and a method for maintaining the passenger transport system.

[0003] A passenger transport system can be, for example, an escalator (in other words, a moving walkway) or a moving walkway. In such a system, several treads are mechanically coupled to one or more conveying elements for moving the treads, for example, by means of tread axles. In the case of an escalator, the tread can be a step of the escalator. In the case of a moving walkway, the tread can be a platform of the moving walkway. The conveying element can be, for example, a conveyor chain or a conveyor belt that is mechanically coupled to a drive unit, such as an electric motor.

[0004] During maintenance work on the conveyor element, a few of the treads, for example three or four, can be removed to access the interior of the personnel transport system. This allows access to other components, such as lubrication units, guide rails, sensors, transport chains, guide rollers, sliding guides, and / or the like, for maintenance or replacement. To remove the treads, they must be decoupled from their corresponding tread axles. This requires, for example, loosening clamps or pipe clamps that mechanically couple the treads to the axles, and / or possibly pulling out retaining bushings, so that the treads can be removed.A corresponding mechanical coupling of escalator steps, in particular "escalator steps," with corresponding tread element axes, namely "connecting axes," is shown, for example, in EP 1 106 562 A1. US 5 351 800 A also shows a mechanical coupling of tread elements with tread element axes. Document XP0893232242 discloses corresponding maintenance steps for the maintenance of tread elements.

[0005] Subsequent installation of the step elements can be carried out in reverse order. However, it is important that the relevant maintenance personnel ensure that all clamps or pipe clamps, for example, those used to fix the position of the retaining bushings, are properly tightened when installing the step elements. Retightening and / or subsequently checking these retaining elements is advisable, but difficult, as it is often not immediately clear which step elements were previously removed and reinstalled, and therefore which retaining elements need to be checked and / or retightened. This can compromise the safe operation of the passenger transport system.

[0006] Therefore, there may be a need for a step element arrangement for a passenger transport system, and for a procedure for maintaining the passenger transport system, each of which contributes to the safe operation of the passenger transport system.

[0007] Such a need can be met by the object according to one of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are defined in the dependent claims and the following description.

[0008] One aspect of the invention relates to a step element arrangement for a passenger transport system. The step element arrangement comprises a step element axis for mechanically coupling a step element of the passenger transport system to a conveying element of the passenger transport system, as well as a marker body. The marker body has a hollow cylindrical wall which is interrupted, or has an interruption, within a circular arc of the circular circumference of the hollow cylindrical wall over its entire width. The marker body is arranged on the step element axis in a force-fit and / or form-fit manner such that the hollow cylindrical wall releases the step element axis radially within the predetermined circular arc and otherwise surrounds it radially, wherein the length of a chord of the circular arc is smaller than the inner diameter of the hollow cylindrical wall.

[0009] One aspect of the invention relates to the passenger transport system. The passenger transport system comprises: several of the step elements for transporting one or more persons; at least one conveying element for moving the step elements; at least one step element arrangement as described above and below, wherein the step element axis of the step element arrangement is mechanically coupled to one of the step elements and to the conveying element.

[0010] Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for maintaining the

[0011] Passenger transport system. The method comprises: removing one of the steps of the passenger transport system, wherein, during the removal of the step, the step is separated from the step axis mechanically coupled to the step; performing one or more maintenance operations in the area of ​​the removed step; marking the step axis, which was mechanically coupled to the step before the removal of the step, by means of an optical marker; and arranging the step on the passenger transport system, wherein, during the arranging of the step, the step is mechanically coupled to the step axis.

[0012] The step element serves to allow a person being transported by the passenger transport system to access it and be transported while standing on it. The passenger transport system can be, for example, an escalator (in other words, a moving walkway) or a moving platform. In the case of an escalator, the step element can be a step, particularly a moving platform, of the escalator. In the case of a moving walkway, the step element can be a platform of the moving walkway.

[0013] The hollow cylindrical wall of the marking body is designed such that it would correspond to a hollow cylinder if it were not interrupted within the specified circular arc. In other words, the hollow cylindrical wall corresponds to the corresponding hollow cylinder except for the interruption within the specified circular arc. The hollow cylindrical wall can be designed such that the corresponding hollow cylinder is a right cylinder, in particular a right hollow cylinder. The hollow cylindrical wall can be rotationally symmetrical about an axis of symmetry of the corresponding hollow cylinder except for the interruption within the circular arc. A cross-section of the hollow cylindrical wall perpendicular to the axis of symmetry can be C-shaped. The width of the hollow cylindrical wall corresponds to the width of a corresponding hollow cylinder.

[0014] The arc corresponds to a circular arc along the circumference of the respective hollow cylinder. If the marker is not positioned on the tread element axis, the length of the arc is predetermined, i.e., fixed. In this case, the arc can be referred to as the predetermined arc. When positioning the marker, the hollow cylindrical wall must be bent open so that the gap, and thus the arc in which the hollow cylindrical wall is interrupted, becomes larger. The marker can then be slid onto the tread element axis and released, so that the bending returns and the marker is positively locked to the tread element axis. Should the outer diameter of the tread element axis be larger than the inner diameter of the hollow cylindrical wall, the arc within which the hollow cylindrical wall is interrupted will be larger than the predetermined arc.

[0015] The midpoint of the circular arc, within which the hollow cylindrical wall is interrupted, can define the origin of the circular circumference. A first central angle, corresponding to the given circular arc, is bisected by a line from the axis of symmetry to the origin. This first central angle is less than 180°. Due to the interruption, the hollow cylindrical wall has a first end edge and a second end edge, each parallel to the axis of symmetry and facing each other, with an angular separation equal to the first central angle.

[0016] The fact that the length of the chord of the predefined circular arc is smaller than the inner diameter of the hollow cylindrical wall allows the marker to be moved laterally, radially away from the tread element axis, and subsequently pushed back onto the tread element axis from the same radial direction. With sufficient force, the hollow cylindrical wall is elastically bent open, allowing it to be moved away from or reattached to the tread element axis. When the marker is positioned on the tread element axis and has been pushed far enough, the bending of the marker returns until an inner surface of the hollow cylindrical wall rests against the tread element axis. In this way, the marker can be clipped onto the tread element axis.

[0017] If, after being positioned on the tread element axis, the hollow cylindrical wall is still bent, particularly bent upwards, compared to its initial state, a force acts on the tread element axis due to the elasticity of the hollow cylindrical wall, so that the marking body is frictionally attached to the tread element axis by means of its hollow cylindrical wall. This frictional coupling between the marking body and the tread element axis can be achieved, for example, by having an inner circular cross-section of the hollow cylindrical wall form a clearance fit with a cross-section of the tread element axis. In other words, the frictional coupling between the marking body and the tread element axis can be achieved by having an inner diameter of the hollow cylindrical wall form a clearance fit with an outer diameter of the tread element axis.

[0018] Since the length of the circular chord is smaller than the outer diameter of the step element axis, the marking body arranged on the step element axis can no longer slide radially off the step element axis, thus positively locking the marking body to the step element axis. The hollow cylindrical wall can, for example, be made of or constructed from plastic.

[0019] The marker on the step assembly allows for the subsequent marking of one of the step axes, i.e., after completion of the passenger transport system, and / or variably, so that it can be easily identified. In particular, step axes that have been removed, for example, during maintenance work, and / or the axes of steps removed during maintenance work, can be visually marked using one of the markers, so that it is subsequently clear which step or step axis has been removed. This can be used, for example, to check and / or tighten the fasteners of the corresponding step or step axis, such as screws.

[0020] The visual marking can, for example, be a colored marking on the corresponding step element axis. The color of the visual marking can be a signal color, such as red, yellow, or orange, optionally neon. Alternatively, the visual marking can be the marking element itself, as described above and below in connection with the step element arrangement. If the visual marking is a colored marking, it can be applied to the step element axis during the manufacturing and / or assembly of the passenger transport system, particularly the step element axis. In contrast, the marking element can also be attached to the corresponding step element axis subsequently, for example, after the passenger transport system has already been put into operation.

[0021] According to a further development, the step element arrangement has two gripping bars, each positioned on the outside of the hollow cylindrical wall of the marking body. By pressing the gripping bars together, the marking body can be bent open, thus increasing the size of the arc within which the hollow cylindrical wall is interrupted. This facilitates the easy attachment or removal of the marking body from the step element axis. The gripping bars are designed to project outwards from the hollow cylindrical wall. For example, the gripping bars can be positioned on the hollow cylindrical wall such that a second central angle, corresponding to another arc from the origin to the gripping bars, is greater than 90° and less than 180°, or less than -90° and greater than -180°.The handles can each be formed integrally with the hollow cylindrical wall. In other words, the handles and the hollow cylindrical wall can be formed from a single piece.

[0022] According to a further development, the hollow cylindrical wall has a recess on one side opposite the interruption. The recess weakens the hollow cylindrical wall in the area of ​​the recess, making it easily bendable. This can facilitate the attachment of the marking element to the tread plate axis. The recess can, for example, extend completely through the hollow cylindrical wall. The recess can be circular, oval, or polygonal. If grip ribs are present, the recess can be formed along the circumference between the two grip ribs.

[0023] According to a further development, the hollow cylindrical wall has two end edges that run parallel to a rotational symmetry axis of the hollow cylinder, to which the hollow cylindrical wall corresponds except for the interruption, and which limit the interruption of the hollow cylindrical wall in the circumferential direction of the hollow cylindrical wall.

[0024] According to a further development, an outwardly projecting protrusion is formed on the hollow cylindrical wall at each of the two end edges. This can help guide the tread plate axis between the protrusions when positioning the marking body on the tread plate axis, allowing it to be threaded more easily and thus slid onto the tread plate axis more readily. The protrusions on the end edges therefore act as an insertion aid for the marking body.

[0025] According to a further development, the step element assembly has a locking tab that is fixedly coupled to a first end edge of the two end edges and detachably coupled to a second end edge of the two end edges in such a way that the interruption in the hollow cylindrical wall can be bridged by means of the locking tab. The locking tab thus serves to couple the two end edges together. In doing so, the locking tab conceals and / or bridges the interruption in the hollow cylindrical wall and prevents the marking element from being removed from the step element axis. The fact that the locking tab is fixedly coupled to the first end edge can, for example, mean that the locking tab cannot be removed from the first end edge without damage. For example, the locking tab and the hollow cylindrical wall can be formed as a single unit.For example, the locking tab can be coupled to the first end edge via a foil hinge of the hollow cylindrical wall. In contrast, the fact that the locking tab is detachably coupled to the second end edge can mean that the coupling of the locking tab to the second end edge can be released without damage. The fact that the interruption in the hollow cylindrical wall is bridged by the locking tab can be achieved, in particular, by the locking tab connecting the two end edges.

[0026] According to a further development, the locking tab has a first locking element at its end furthest from the first end edge, the second end edge has a second locking element which is designed to cooperate with the first locking element, and the locking tab is fixed at the second end edge by the first locking element being engaged in the second locking element.

[0027] According to a further development, the first locking device has two or more serially arranged locking elements, and / or the second locking device has two or more serially arranged counter-locking elements, designed such that the locking elements can be engaged with the counter-locking elements. The overlap between the locking tab and the interruption of the hollow cylindrical wall depends on which of the counter-locking elements the locking elements are engaged with. This can help to vary the size of the arc within which the hollow cylindrical wall is interrupted by means of the locking tab, depending on which of the locking elements the other locking device is engaged with. This can make it possible to vary the force by which the two end edges are pressed together by the locking tab. This can help to vary the force by which the marking body is positively attached to the step element axis.In particular, the smaller the overlap area, the greater the force of the frictional coupling. Alternatively or additionally, this can make it possible to use the same marking body for step element axes with different outer diameters. Depending on the size of the step element axis's outer diameter, the other locking element can be engaged in one or the other of the locking elements or counter-locking elements.

[0028] According to a further development, the step element arrangement has a cover tab that is located on the outside of the hollow cylindrical wall and otherwise spaced away from it. This cover tab extends along the hollow cylindrical wall towards the second end edge, creating a gap between the wall and the cover tab. The locking tab can be, or is, at least partially positioned within this gap. When the marking element is positioned on the step element axis, the locking tab can be inserted into this gap. The cover tab can, for example, help prevent the locking tab, which is engaged in the second locking device, from being unintentionally released from the second locking device and thus decoupled from the second end edge.

[0029] According to further training, the marking element has a signal color. Specifically, the marking element can be signal-colored. For example, the entire marking element can be signal-colored. The signal color can be, for example, red, yellow, or orange. Optionally, the signal color can be neon.

[0030] According to a further training, when marking the tritelement axis by means of optical marking, the tritelement axis is marked by means of the marking body of the tritelement arrangement.

[0031] In summary, the invention relates to a step element arrangement for a passenger transport system. This step element arrangement has a step element axis for mechanically coupling a step element of the passenger transport system to a conveyor element of the passenger transport system. A plurality of step element arrangements are serially coupled to one another via the conveyor element. To simplify maintenance work, the step element axes of those step element arrangements whose step elements are to be removed or have been removed for maintenance work have a marking or a marking element.

[0032] It should be noted that some of the possible features and advantages of the invention are described herein with reference to only one of the aspects. However, a person skilled in the art will recognize that these features can readily be transferred to one or more of the other aspects in order to arrive at further embodiments of the invention and / or to achieve further advantages.

[0033] The following are descriptions of embodiments of the invention with reference to the attached drawings, whereby neither the drawings nor the description are to be interpreted as limiting the invention.

[0034] Figure 1 shows a top view of an example of a step element of a step element arrangement of a passenger transport system.

[0035] Figure 2 shows a side view of the step element according to Figure 1.

[0036] Figure 3 shows a rear view of the step element according to Figure 1, an example of a step element axis mechanically coupled to the step element of the step element arrangement and a marker body of the step element arrangement, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 4 shows the side view of the step element according to Figure 2 and a side view of an example of a conveying element for transporting the step element according to Figures 1 and 2.

[0038] Figure 5 shows a detailed view of the step element axis, the step element, the conveying element and the marking body according to Figure 3. Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the marking body of the step element arrangement, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 7 shows a top view of the marker body according to Figure 6.

[0040] Figure 8 shows a side view of the marker body according to Figure 6.

[0041] Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the marking body of the step element arrangement, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 10 shows a top view of the marker body according to Figure 9.

[0043] Figure 11 shows a perspective view of the marking body of the step element arrangement, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 12 shows a top view of the marker body according to Figure 11.

[0045] Figure 13 shows a flowchart of a method for maintaining the passenger transport system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] The figures are merely schematic and not to scale. Identical reference symbols in the different figures denote identical or equivalent features.

[0047] Figure 1 shows a top view of an example of a step element 1 of a step element arrangement 15 (see Figure 3) of a passenger transport system. Figure 2 shows a side view of the step element 1 according to Figure 1. Figure 3 shows a rear view of the step element 1 according to Figure 1, an example of a step element axis 8 of the step element arrangement 15 mechanically coupled to the step element 1, and a marker body 20 of the step element arrangement 15, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 shows the side view of the step element 1 according to Figure 2 and a side view of an example of a conveying element 11 for transporting the step element 1 according to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 5 shows a detailed view of the step element axis 8, the step element 1, the conveying element 11, and the marker body 20 according to Figure 3. The passenger transport system (not shown) has several of the step elements 1 for transporting one or more persons.The passenger transport system has at least one conveying element 11, for example two conveying elements 11, for moving the step elements 1. The passenger transport system has at least one step element arrangement 15, normally several, for example 3 to 4, step element arrangements 15 with marked step element axes 8 and a conveying length-dependent plurality of identical step element arrangements (not shown) whose step element axes 8 are not marked.

[0048] Each of the step element assemblies 15 has one step element axes 8 and an optical marker 21. The optical markers 21 can be arranged at clearly visible locations on the corresponding step element axes 8. The optical marker 21 can, for example, be a colored marking of the corresponding step element axis 8. The color of the optical marker 21 can be, for example, a signal color, such as red, yellow, or orange, optionally neon. Alternatively, the optical marker 21 can be the marker body 20, as described in more detail below. Of course, two or more markers 21 or marker bodies 20 can also be arranged on each marked step element axis 8. The step element axes 8 of the step element assemblies 15 are mechanically coupled to each step element 1 and to the conveyor element(s) 11.Thus, the passenger transport system has one of the step element axes 8 per step element 1. Therefore, the passenger transport system has step elements 1 that are components of corresponding step element arrangements 15. As already mentioned, the passenger transport system can also have step elements 1 that are not components of corresponding step element arrangements 15. In these step element arrangements, for example, the marker bodies 20 may be missing.

[0049] The passenger transport system can be, for example, an escalator (in other words, a moving walkway) or a moving platform. In the following, the description of the invention is limited to an embodiment in which the passenger transport system is designed as an escalator, in order to provide a clear and concise description and avoid unnecessary repetition. However, the features and functions of the invention described in connection with the escalator can readily be transferred to the features and functions of a moving walkway.

[0050] The step element 1 serves to allow a person being transported by means of the passenger transport system to enter the step element 1 and be transported standing on it. In the case of a moving walkway, the step element 1 can be a platform of the moving walkway. In the case of an escalator, the step element 1 can be an escalator step and / or be referred to as an escalator step. In this case, the step element 1 can have a tread section 2, a riser section 3, and two side walls, in particular a first side wall 5.1 and a second side wall 5.2. The tread section 2 and / or the riser section 3 can each have grooves 3.1, which in the case of the tread section 2 can run in the direction of travel. The passenger transport system can be, for example, an escalator, or a moving walkway.

[0051] The step element axis 8 serves to mechanically couple the step element 1 with the conveying element 11. The step element axis 8 can also be referred to as the connecting axis. The step element axis 8 can be mechanically coupled on both sides, for example by means of an axis extension 8.1 on each side, to a corresponding conveying element 11, each of which can run along one side of the step element 1. Each of the conveying elements 11 can, for example, have or be a transport chain, such as a step chain, or a conveyor belt.

[0052] Chain rollers 12 can be arranged on each of the conveyor elements 11, which can be mechanically coupled to the step element axis 11, for example, by means of corresponding ball bearings 13. A drag roller 4 and a catch hook 6 can be arranged on each of the side walls 5.1, 5.2 at the lower end of the riser section 3. The side walls 5.1, 5.2 can each have a receiving opening 7 for receiving and supporting the step element 1 on the step element axis 8. Support can be provided by bearing bushings 9, which can be secured against displacement on the step element axis 8 by means of clamping elements 10. Since the outer diameter of the bearing bushing 9 is larger than an open flank 7.1 of the receiving opening 7, the bearing bushing 9 cannot slip out of the receiving opening 7 in a radial direction and, in the intended position, couples the step element 1 to the step element axis 8.However, the outer diameter of the step element axle 8 is small enough that it can slip through the open flank 7.1 when the bearing bushing 9 is removed.

[0053] Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a marking body 20 of the step element arrangement 15, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 shows a top view of the marking body 20 according to Figure 6. Figure 8 shows a side view of the marking body 20 according to Figure 6.

[0054] The marking body 20 has a hollow cylindrical wall 22. The hollow cylindrical wall 22 can, for example, be made of or formed from plastic. The hollow cylindrical wall 22 is interrupted along its entire width within a predefined circular arc 42 of a circular circumference 40 of the hollow cylindrical wall 22. The marking body 20 is arranged on the step element axis 8 in a force-fit and / or form-fit manner such that the hollow cylindrical wall 22 releases the step element axis 8 radially within the predefined circular arc 42 and otherwise surrounds it radially. The length L of a circular chord 43 of the predefined circular arc 42 is smaller than the inner diameter D of the hollow cylindrical wall 22.

[0055] The hollow cylindrical wall 22 is designed such that it would correspond to a hollow cylinder if it were not interrupted within the specified circular arc 42 in the region of a break 23. In other words, the hollow cylindrical wall 22 corresponds to the corresponding hollow cylinder except for the break 23 in the specified circular arc 42. The hollow cylindrical wall 22 can be designed such that the corresponding hollow cylinder is a right cylinder, in particular a right hollow cylinder. The hollow cylindrical wall 22 can be rotationally symmetrical about an axis of symmetry, in particular a rotational symmetry axis 50 of the corresponding hollow cylinder, except for the break 23 within the specified circular arc 42. A cross-section of the hollow cylindrical wall 22 perpendicular to the rotational symmetry axis 50 can be C-shaped. The width of the hollow cylindrical wall 22 corresponds to the width of a corresponding hollow cylinder.The specified circular arc 42 corresponds to a circular arc along the circumferential line 40 of the corresponding hollow cylinder.

[0056] The center of the circular arc 42, within which the hollow cylindrical wall 22 is interrupted, can define a zero point of the circular circumference 40. A first central angle, corresponding to the given circular arc 42, is bisected by a line from the axis of rotational symmetry 50 to the zero point. The first central angle is less than 180°. Due to the interruption 23, the hollow cylindrical wall 22 has a first end edge 24 and a second end edge 26, each parallel to the axis of rotational symmetry 50, facing each other, and whose angular distance from each other corresponds to the first central angle. The end edges 24 and 26 delimit the interruption 23 of the hollow cylindrical wall 22 in the circumferential direction of the hollow cylindrical wall 22.

[0057] A force-fit coupling between the marking body 20 and the tread element axis 8 can be achieved, for example, by having an inner circular cross-section of the hollow cylindrical wall 22 form a clearance fit with a cross-section of the tread element axis 8. In other words, the force-fit coupling between the marking body 20 and the tread element axis 8 can be achieved by having the inner diameter D of the hollow cylindrical wall 22 form a clearance fit with an outer diameter of the tread element axis 8. Since the length L of the circular chord 43 is smaller than the outer diameter of the tread element axis 8, the marking body 20, which is arranged on the tread element axis 8, cannot easily slip off the tread element axis 8 in the radial direction, thus enabling the marking body 20 to be positively locked to the tread element axis 8.

[0058] Optionally, the step element arrangement 15 has two gripping bars, in particular a first gripping bar 30 and a second gripping bar 32. The gripping bars 30, 32 can each be arranged on the outside of the hollow cylindrical wall 22 such that by pressing the gripping bars 30, 32 together, the marking body 20 can be bent open so that the arc 42, within which the hollow cylindrical wall 22 is interrupted, becomes larger. This can be used to fix the marking body 20 to the step element axis 8 or to remove it from the step element axis 8. The gripping bars 30, 32 can each be designed to project outwards from the hollow cylindrical wall 22. The handles 30, 32 can, for example, be arranged on the hollow cylindrical wall 22 such that a second central angle, corresponding to a further circular arc from the zero point to the handles 30, 32, is greater than 90° and less than 180° or 180° respectively.The angle is less than -90° and greater than -180°. The handles 30, 32 can each be formed integrally with the hollow cylindrical wall 22. In other words, the handles 30, 32 and the hollow cylindrical wall 22 can be formed from a single piece.

[0059] The hollow cylindrical wall 22 can have a recess 28 on one side opposite the interruption 23. The recess 28 can, for example, extend completely through the hollow cylindrical wall 22. The recess 28 can, for example, be circular, oval, or polygonal. If the handles 30, 32 are arranged, the recess 28 can be formed along the circumferential line 40 between the two handles 30, 32.

[0060] Optionally, the hollow cylindrical wall 22 can be permanently bent outwards at both end edges 24, 26. The bent areas of the end edges 24, 26 can also be referred to as projections, in particular as a first projection 34 or a second projection 36. The bent end edges 24, 26, and thus the projections 34, 36, form an insertion aid for the marking body 20, which can simplify coupling the marking body 20 with the step element axis 8.

[0061] The marker body 20 can have a signal color. In particular, the marker body 20 can be signal-colored. For example, the entire marker body 20 can have the signal color. The signal color can be, for example, red, yellow, or orange. The signal color can optionally be neon.

[0062] Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the marking body 20 of the step element arrangement 15, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 10 shows a top view of the marking body 20 according to Figure 9. The embodiment of the marking body 20 shown in Figures 9 and 10 can, for example, largely correspond to the marking body 20 described with reference to Figures 6 to 8. Therefore, in the following, we will only discuss the features of the marking body 20 shown in Figures 9 and 10 with respect to which the marking body 20 shown in Figures 9 and 10 differs from the marking body 20 described with reference to Figures 6 to 8, in order to provide a clear and concise description and to avoid unnecessary repetition.

[0063] The step element arrangement 15 can have a locking tab 52. The locking tab 52 can be rigidly coupled to the first end edge 24. For example, the locking tab 52 can be formed integrally with the hollow cylindrical wall 22. For example, the locking tab 52 can be coupled to the first end edge 24 via a foil hinge 44 of the hollow cylindrical wall 22. The locking tab 52 can be detachably coupled to the second end edge 26 such that the interruption of the hollow cylindrical wall 22 is bridged by means of the locking tab 52, with Figures 9 and 10 showing a situation in which the locking tab 52 is not coupled to the second end edge 26. The locking tab 52 thus serves to couple the two end edges 24, 26 together, especially when the marking body 20 is already arranged on the step element axis 8.The locking tab 52 can cover and / or bridge the gap 23 in the hollow cylindrical wall 22. This prevents the marking element 20, located on the step element axis 8, from being removed from the step element axis 8. The gap 23 in the hollow cylindrical wall 22 is bridged by the locking tab 52, in particular, by the locking tab 52 connecting the two end edges 24 and 26.

[0064] For the releasable coupling of the locking tab 52 with the second end edge 26, the locking tab 52 can have a first locking element 54 at its end furthest from the first end edge 24. Correspondingly, the second end edge 26 can have a second locking element 56. The second locking element 56 can be designed to interact with the first locking element 54 and, in particular, to form a locking connection. The locking tab 52 can be secured at the second end edge 26 by engaging the first locking element 54 with the second locking element 56.

[0065] In the embodiment of the marking body 20 described with reference to Figures 9 and 10, the first locking means 54 can have a first locking element 58, and the second locking means 56 can have a first counter-locking element 62 that can interact with the first locking element 58. The first locking element 58 and the first counter-locking element 62 can each have a hook designed to engage with one another.

[0066] Figure 11 shows a perspective view of the marker body of the step element arrangement, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 12 shows a top view of the marker body according to Figure 11. The embodiment of the marker body 20 shown in Figures 11 and 12 can, for example, largely correspond to the marker body 20 described with reference to Figures 9 and 10. Therefore, in the following, we will only discuss the features of the marker body 20 shown in Figures 11 and 12 with respect to which the marker body 20 shown in Figures 11 and 12 differs from the marker body 20 described with reference to Figures 9 and 10, in order to provide a clear and concise description and to avoid unnecessary repetition.

[0067] Optionally, the first locking device 54 can have two or more locking elements, in particular the first locking element 58 and one, two, or more further locking elements 60. Accordingly, the second locking device 56 can have two or more counter-locking elements, in particular the first counter-locking element 62 and one, two, or more further counter-locking elements 64. The counter-locking elements 62, 64 can be designed such that the locking elements 58, 60 can be engaged in corresponding counter-locking elements 62, 64. The size of the overlap area between the locking tab 52 and the interruption 23 of the hollow cylindrical wall 22 can depend on which of the counter-locking elements 62, 64 the locking elements 58, 60 are engaged in. In particular, the smaller the overlap area, the greater the force of the frictional coupling between the marking body 20 and the step element axis 8.Alternatively or additionally, the marking body 20 can be used for step element axes 8 with different outer diameters by adjusting the size of the interruption 23 using the detent elements 58, 60 and the counter-detent elements 62, 64. Depending on the size of the outer diameter of the corresponding step element axis 8, the detent elements 58, 60 can be engaged in one or the other of the counter-detent elements 60, 62.

[0068] As a further option, the step element assembly 15 can have a cover flap 66. The cover flap 66 can be arranged on the outside of the hollow cylindrical wall 22 and otherwise spaced apart from the hollow cylindrical wall 22. The cover flap 66 can extend along the hollow cylindrical wall 22 towards the second end edge 26 such that a gap 68 is formed between the hollow cylindrical wall 22 and the cover flap 66. The locking tab 52 can be arranged at least partially in the gap 68. When the marking body 20 is arranged on the step element axis 8, the locking tab 52 can be inserted into the gap 68.

[0069] Figure 13 shows a flowchart of a method for maintaining the passenger transport system, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In step S2, one of the step elements 1 of the passenger transport system can be removed.

[0070] The trit element 1 can be separated from the trit element axis 8, which is mechanically coupled to the trit element 1.

[0071] In step S4, one or more maintenance works can be carried out in the area of ​​the removed step element 1 on the passenger transport system.

[0072] In step S6, the step element axis 8, which was mechanically coupled to the step element 1 before its removal, can be marked using the optical marker 21. The optical marker 21 can be simply applied to the corresponding step element axis 8 using a suitable paint. Alternatively, the marker body 20 can be used as the optical marker 21 and slid onto the corresponding step element axis 8, or in particular, clamped or clipped onto it. This provides greater flexibility regarding marking in the event of a later replacement of the step element axis 8. Optionally, step S6 can be performed before step S4.

[0073] In step S8, the removed step element 1 can be reattached to the passenger transport system. The step element 1 can then be mechanically coupled to the corresponding step element axis 8. Due to the step element axes 8 being provided with optical markings 20, 21, the inspection work to be carried out in this step regarding correctly fixed or incorrectly fixed clamping elements 10 can be limited to the marked step element axes 8.

[0074] Alternatively or additionally, the same step elements 1 may always be removed for maintenance work. In this case, these step elements 1 can be visually marked during the manufacture of the passenger transport system, in particular by means of the optical marking 21, for example in the form of paint applied to the corresponding step element axis 8 or in the form of the marking body 20.

[0075] Finally, it should be noted that terms such as "comprising," "encompassing," etc., do not exclude other elements or steps, and terms such as "a" or "an" do not exclude a plurality. Furthermore, it should be noted that features or steps described with reference to one of the above embodiments may also be used in combination with other features or steps from other embodiments described above. Reference numerals in the claims are not to be considered as a limitation.

Claims

1. Step element arrangement (15) for a passenger transport system, comprising: a step element axis (8) for mechanically coupling a step element (1) of the passenger transport system with a conveying element (11) of the passenger transport system; and a marker body (20) having a hollow cylindrical wall (22) which has a break (23) over its entire width within a circular arc (42) of a circular circumferential line (40) of the hollow cylindrical wall (22), and which marker body (20) is arranged on the step element axis (8) in such a force-fit and / or form-fit manner that the hollow cylindrical wall (22) releases the step element axis (8) within the circular arc (42) in the radial direction and otherwise surrounds it in the radial direction, wherein a length (U) of a circular chord (43) of the circular arc (42) is smaller than an inner diameter (D) of the hollow cylindrical wall (22).

2. Step element arrangement (15) according to claim 1, comprising: two grip bars (30, 32) which are each arranged on the outside of the hollow cylindrical wall (22) such that by pressing the grip bars (30, 32) together, the marking body (20) can be bent open so that the circular arc (42) within which the hollow cylindrical wall (22) is interrupted becomes larger.

3. Trit element arrangement (15) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the hollow cylindrical wall (22) has a recess (28) on one side opposite the interruption (23).

4. Trit element arrangement (15) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the hollow cylindrical wall (22) has two end edges (24, 26) which run parallel to an axis of rotational symmetry (50) of a hollow cylinder to which the hollow cylindrical wall (22) corresponds except for the interruption (23), and which limit the interruption (23) of the hollow cylindrical wall (22) in the circumferential direction of the hollow cylindrical wall (22).

5. Tritelement arrangement (15) according to claim 4, wherein an outwardly projecting projection (34, 36) is formed on the hollow cylindrical wall (22) at each of the two end edges (24, 26).

6. Step element arrangement (15) according to claim 4 or 5, comprising a locking tab (52) which is fixedly coupled to a first end edge (24) of the two end edges (24, 26) and which is detachably coupled to a second end edge (26) of the two end edges (24, 26) such that the interruption (23) of the hollow cylindrical wall (22) is bridged by means of the locking tab (52).

7. Tritelement arrangement (15) according to claim 6, wherein the locking tab (52) has a first locking means (54) at its end facing away from the first end edge (24, 26), the second end edge (26) has a second locking means (56) which is designed to cooperate with the first locking means (54), and the locking tab (52) is fixed at the second end edge (24, 26) by the first locking means (54) being engaged in the second locking means (56).

8. A locking element arrangement (15) according to claim 7, wherein the first locking means (54) has two or more serially arranged locking elements (58, 60) and / or the second locking means (56) has two or more serially arranged counter-locking elements (62, 64) which are designed such that the locking elements (58, 60) can be engaged in the counter-locking elements (62, 64), wherein the overlap between the locking tab (52) and the interruption (23) of the hollow cylindrical wall (22) depends on which of the counter-locking elements (62, 64) the locking elements (58, 60) are engaged.

9. Tritelement arrangement (15) according to one of claims 6 to 8, comprising a cover flap (66) which is arranged on the outside of the hollow cylindrical wall (22) and is otherwise spaced apart from the hollow cylindrical wall (22), and which extends along the hollow cylindrical wall (22) towards the second end edge (26) such that a space (68) is formed between the hollow cylindrical wall (22) and the cover flap (66), wherein the locking tab (52) is arranged at least partially in the space (68). - TI - 10. Tripping element arrangement (15) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the marking body (20) has a signal color.

11. Personnel transport system comprising: several step elements (1) for transporting one or more persons; at least one conveying element (11) for moving the step elements (1); and at least one step element arrangement (15) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the step element axis (8) of the step element arrangement (15) is mechanically coupled to one of the step elements (1) and to the conveying element (11).

12. Procedure for maintaining a passenger transport system, comprising the procedure: Removing a step element (1) of the passenger transport system, wherein, when removing the step element (1), the corresponding step element (1) is separated from a step element axis (8) mechanically coupled to the corresponding step element (1); Execution of one or more maintenance operations in the area of ​​the remote step element (1); Marking the tritelement axis (8), which was mechanically coupled to the corresponding tritelement (1) before the tritelement (1) was removed, by means of an optical marker; and Arranging the step element (1) on the passenger transport system, wherein when arranging the corresponding step element (1) the corresponding step element (1) is mechanically coupled to the step element axis (8), wherein the step element axis (8) is part of a step element arrangement (15) according to one of claims 1 to 10, and when marking the step element axis (8) by means of the optical marking, the step element axis (8) is marked by means of the marking body (20) of the step element arrangement (15).

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