Roller for articulated chains and tread elements of escalators and moving walkways

Abstract

The invention relates to a roller (10) of an escalator (1) or of a moving walkway. The roller (10) has a roller hub (11) which is designed to be arranged on a drive chain (4) or on a tread element (3) of the moving walkway or of the escalator (1). On the radial outer side (A) of the roller hub (11), a plurality of convex portions (14) protruding radially outward therefrom are formed. Furthermore, the roller (10) has an annular roller lining (12) which is arranged on the radial outer side (A) of the roller hub (11), and the convex portions (14) extend into the interior of the roller lining (12), or the material of the roller lining (12) complementarily extends around the convex portions (14). The roller (10) also comprises a plurality of limiting portions (17, 18), the limiting portions (17, 18) being designed such that they form-lockingly prevent displacement of the roller lining (12) in the axial direction relative to the roller hub (11).

Description

[0001] 2024P00161WÖ

[0002] - 1 -

[0003] Roller for articulated chains and step elements of escalators and moving walkways

[0004] Rollers are essential guide elements in escalators and moving walkways. These passenger transport systems feature a conveyor belt that is arranged to move around its circumference and typically comprises two ring-shaped, closed articulated chains with steps positioned between them. In escalators, the steps are called escalator steps; in moving walkways, they are referred to as pallets. The rollers attached to the articulated chains of the conveyor belt are called chain rollers and roll on the guide rails of the escalator or moving walkway. Because escalators must form steps along their inclined path, their steps also have additional rollers, which, to distinguish them from the chain rollers, are called step rollers. For the sake of clarity, both types of rollers will be referred to simply as rollers in the following text.

[0005] The rollers for escalators and moving walkways typically have a band made of an elastic material (for example, thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer) arranged around the radial outer surface of a roller hub. The roller hub can be made of metal, such as an aluminum alloy, zinc alloy, or steel. Alternatively, the roller hub can be made of an impact-resistant polymer. Due to the poor adhesion between the roller hub and the elastomer material (e.g., thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer), it is necessary to add a nylon layer as a bonding agent between the roller hub and the elastomer material to improve adhesion.

[0006] For escalators or moving walkways subject to very high load requirements, a roller has an aluminum alloy hub and an elastomer tread, with the elastomer being at least 8 mm thick. If the roller's outer diameter is small, a nylon layer is added between the hub and the elastomer, resulting in an overly compact roller structure. Reducing the wall thickness of the hub and nylon layer to achieve a smaller outer diameter complicates the production process for maintaining consistent quality and seriously compromises the hub's strength, increasing the risk of cracking during operation. Furthermore, a thin tread may detach from the hub. 2024P00161WÖ

[0007] - 2 - if, due to a suboptimal production process, the nylon layer has bonded too little with the roller hub and / or the elastomer material and cannot withstand the continuous alternating stress during operation.

[0008] In view of the uncertainties described above, the object of the present invention is to create a robust roller in use that enables an easy-to-control production process.

[0009] This task is accomplished by a roller of an escalator or moving walkway. This roller comprises a roller hub designed to be mounted on a chain link of the moving walkway or escalator. The roller can also be mounted on a tread element of the escalator or moving walkway. Several convex sections project from the radial outer side of the roller hub. Furthermore, the roller has an annular bandage located on the radial outer side of the roller hub. The convex sections of this bandage extend into the interior of the bandage, or rather, the bandage material surrounds the convex sections in a complementary manner.

[0010] Furthermore, the roller comprises multiple limiting sections, each formed on the radial outer side of the roller hub. These limiting sections are designed to prevent axial displacement of the bandage relative to the roller hub by positive locking.

[0011] In one embodiment of the roller, each convex section extends parallel to an axis of rotation of the roller hub across the width of the hub. The cross-section of the convex section is dovetail-shaped, with an approximately trapezoidal form, its taper pointing towards the axis of rotation of the roller hub. Between two adjacent convex sections, a continuous, concave recess extends across the width of the roller hub, parallel to the axis of rotation of the roller hub. In other words, the convex sections are rib-like projections arranged parallel to the axis of rotation on the radial outer or end face of the roller hub.Due to its convex shape, a positive fit exists in the radial direction, which, for example, allows the bandage to be pressed onto the roller hub axially as a prefabricated component, rather than having to be applied via an injection molding manufacturing step. This also has the advantage that 2024P00161WÖ.

[0012] - 3 - Worn roller bandages can be replaced instead of sending the entire roller to waste disposal. The bandage itself can, for example, be made from a tubular extruded profile whose inner contour is matched to the convex sections and concave recesses of the roller hub with oversize and undersize dimensions, so that after assembly there is an interference fit between the roller hub and the bandage. Of course, the bandage can also be applied to the roller hub using an injection molding process.

[0013] In one embodiment of the roller, the limiting sections are first limiting sections, each of which is formed on the radial outside of the roller hub, wherein a first limiting section is arranged between two adjacent convex sections.

[0014] Each initial boundary section can, for example, be designed as a projection extending parallel to the axial direction of the roller hub. The projection is shorter on both sides in the axial direction than the width of the roller hub, so that the bandage completely encloses the projection.

[0015] Alternatively, each initial boundary section can be designed as a recess extending along the axial direction of the roller hub. Analogous to the projection, the recess is also shorter on both sides in the axial direction than the width of the roller hub. Furthermore, a corresponding contour of the bandage is recessed into the recess, creating a positive fit between the bandage and the recess, which prevents the bandage from slipping laterally off the roller hub.

[0016] In a further embodiment of the roll, the boundary sections are second boundary sections, wherein at least one second boundary section is formed on a plurality of convex sections.

[0017] The second boundary section can be designed as a groove and is formed on the convex section, with a corresponding contour of the bandage being inserted into the groove.

[0018] The second boundary section can also be designed as a groove and formed on the convex section, with a corresponding contour of the bandage in the groove 2024P00161WÖ

[0019] - 4 - is embedded. Each of these grooves can extend along the circumferential direction to the edge of the convex section running parallel to the axis of rotation.

[0020] Alternatively, the second boundary section can be designed as a blind hole and formed on the convex section, with a corresponding contour of the bandage being inserted into the blind hole.

[0021] To increase the effectiveness of this positive fit, several secondary limiting sections can be formed side by side on the convex section in the axial direction of the roller hub. It should also be noted that the feature "corresponding contour of the bandage recessed into the blind hole" does not necessarily mean that the bandage material must completely fill the recess, groove, blind hole, or channel. It is perfectly sufficient if the bandage material partially protrudes into these secondary limiting sections.

[0022] In a further embodiment of the roller, at least one wheel side flank of the roller hub can be provided with a ring-shaped recess.

[0023] The rollers described above can be part of a conveyor chain for an escalator or moving walkway. The conveyor chain has numerous chain links and chain pins, with the chain links being joined together by the chain pins to form a closed, ring-shaped articulated chain and thus articulated to one another. Furthermore, a roller is rotatably mounted on each of the chain pins by means of a bearing. The rollers can be arranged between parallel chain links. Alternatively, the rollers can be arranged on chain pins that project laterally from the articulated chain.

[0024] Two parallel conveyor chains of the aforementioned type, along with several tread elements, form a conveyor belt. The tread elements are arranged one behind the other between the two conveyor chains and are mechanically connected to them.

[0025] The conveyor belt is part of an escalator or moving walkway, which in particular has a supporting structure with a guide rail arrangement. Furthermore, two balustrades are attached to the supporting structure parallel to each other. The conveyor belt is located between the 2024P00161WÖ

[0026] - 5 - arranged around both balustrades in the supporting structure, with the rollers of the conveyor belt being guided by the guide rail arrangement and supported on it.

[0027] Embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, whereby neither the drawings nor the description are to be interpreted as limiting the invention. Identical or equivalent features are designated by the same reference numeral. The drawings show:

[0028] Figure 1: schematic, a three-dimensional view of an escalator;

[0029] Figure 2: schematically a sectional view of the escalator with a conveyor belt shown in Figure 1;

[0030] Figure 3: schematically a three-dimensional representation of a section of the conveyor belt shown in Figure 2;

[0031] Figure 4: schematically a three-dimensional representation of a transport chain with rollers of the conveyor belt shown in Figure 3;

[0032] Figure 5: schematically a three-dimensional representation of a step element with rollers of the conveyor belt shown in Figure 3;

[0033] Figure 6: a three-dimensional representation of the role shown in Figures 4 and 5;

[0034] Figure 7: the side view of the roll shown in Figure 6;

[0035] Figure 8: a three-dimensional representation of a roller hub of the roller shown in Figures 6 and 7 in a first embodiment;

[0036] Figure 9: the side view of the roll shown in Figure 8;

[0037] Figure 10: a three-dimensional representation of a roller hub of the roller shown in Figures 6 and 7 in a second embodiment;

[0038] Figure 11: the side view of the roll shown in Figure 10;

[0039] Figure 12: a three-dimensional representation of a roller hub of the roller shown in Figures 6 and 7 in a third embodiment;

[0040] Figure 13: the side view of the roll shown in Figure 12;

[0041] Figure 14: a three-dimensional representation of a roller hub of the roller shown in Figures 6 and 7 in a fourth embodiment;

[0042] Figure 15: the side view of the roll shown in Figure 14;

[0043] Figure 16: a three-dimensional representation of a roller hub of the roller shown in Figures 6 and 7 in a fifth embodiment;

[0044] Figure 17: side view of the roll shown in Figure 16; 2024P00161WÖ

[0045] - 6 -

[0046] Figure 18: a three-dimensional representation of the roller shown in Figures 4 and 5 with laterally arranged, ring-shaped recesses in the roller hub;

[0047] Figure 19: the side view of the roller hub shown in Figure 18; and Figure 20: the roller hub of Figure 19 in a cutaway three-dimensional view.

[0048] Figures 1 to 4 schematically show a three-dimensional view of an escalator 1, a sectional view of this escalator 1, a section of its conveyor belt 20, and conveyor chains 4 of the conveyor belt 20. Although Figures 1 and 2 show an escalator 1, the present invention can also be used in a moving walkway. The escalator 1 has a supporting structure 5 in which a guide rail assembly 7 is fixedly arranged. Furthermore, two balustrades 8 are provided, which are attached to the supporting structure 5 parallel to each other. The conveyor belt 20 is arranged to move clockwise around the entire circumference of the supporting structure 5 between the two balustrades 8.

[0049] The conveyor belt 20 essentially comprises two parallel conveyor chains 4, which are closed in a ring shape for circular arrangement. Connecting axes 19 can be arranged between the two conveyor chains 4 (particularly in escalators), connecting the two conveyor chains 4 transversely to their direction of movement Z. Furthermore, several footplates 3 are arranged one behind the other between the two conveyor chains 4 and mechanically connected to the conveyor chains 4.

[0050] As shown in Figure 4, each conveyor chain 4 has a plurality of chain links 6 and chain pins 9, wherein the chain links 6 are joined together by means of the chain pins 9 to form a ring-shaped, closed articulated chain 30 and are articulated to one another. The conveyor chain 4 also has a plurality of rollers 10, wherein one roller 10 is rotatably mounted on each of the chain pins 9 by means of a bearing 15 (see, for example, Figure 6). The rollers 10 can be arranged between chain links 6 arranged parallel to one another, as shown in Figure 3. However, the rollers 10 can also be rotatably attached to the chain pin ends 29 projecting laterally from the articulated chain 30.The rollers 10 of the conveyor chains 4 or the conveyor belt 20 are guided in the support structure 5 by the guide rail arrangement 7 and support the loads of the conveyor belt 20, such as its own weight, travel-related forces and passengers being transported with their effects, on the guide rail arrangement 7. 2024P00161WÖ.

[0051] - 7 -

[0052] The drive sprocket 2 indicated in Figures 2 and 4 suggests the high loads that can act on the individual rollers 10. The rollers 10 can also be arranged on footplates 3, as shown in Figure 5, for example of an escalator step. Depending on the width of the conveyor belt 20, two people, or in the case of moving walkways even three to four, can stand side by side, so that the rollers attached to the footplate 3 are also subjected to considerable stress.

[0053] 10 high forces must be supported on the guide rail arrangement 7.

[0054] For very high loads, such as those encountered in escalators 1 and moving walkways in train stations, subway stations, airports, and the like, rollers 10 with a roller hub 11 and a bandage 12 are preferably used. The bandage 12 serves to minimize wear on the sprocket 2 and the guide rail assembly 7, as well as to dampen vibrations and operating noise. It is particularly important that the bandage 12, made of elastomer material, does not detach from the roller hub 10.

[0055] 11 solves.

[0056] To achieve this, the present document proposes various possible design variants of the roller 10, as shown in three-dimensional representation and in side view in Figures 6 to 23 and described below.

[0057] Figures 6 and 7 show the general structure of the roller 10 for an escalator 1 or a moving walkway. The roller 10 comprises a roller hub 11 designed to be mounted on a linkage chain 30 of the moving walkway or escalator 1, thereby forming a conveyor chain 4. A bearing 15 is attached to the roller hub 11, the bore D of which is matched to the diameter d of the chain pins 9 or of axles 21 of the tread element 3. Several convex sections 14 project from the radial outer surface A of the roller hub 11 and are spaced apart from one another by concave recesses 13. The roller also has a ring-shaped bandage 12, which is also arranged on the radial outer side A of the roller hub 11, wherein the convex sections 14 extend into the interior of the bandage 12 or the material of the bandage 12 fills the concave recesses 13 and thereby surrounds the convex sections 14 in a complementary manner.

[0058] As can be seen from Figure 8, each convex section 14 extends parallel to a 2024P00161WÖ

[0059] - 8 -

[0060] The rotation axis R of the roller hub 11 and over a width B of the roller hub 11. The cross-section of the convex section 14 is dovetail-shaped in an approximately trapezoidal form, with its taper V directed towards the rotation axis R of the roller hub 11. Between each pair of adjacent convex sections 14, there is a concave recess 13 that extends parallel to the rotation axis R of the roller hub 11 over the width B of the roller hub 11. Due to the convex and concave shapes, each convex section 14 has a lateral undercut 16 on both sides (see Figure 7). These undercuts 16 hold the complementary areas of the bandage 12 projecting into the concave recesses 13 in position in the radial direction on the roller hub 11, so that even in the case of a radially broken bandage 12, its fragments remain on the roller hub 11 by this positive locking.

[0061] To prevent the bandage 12 from sliding axially away from the roller hub 11 during operation, the roller 10 can comprise a plurality of differently designed limiting sections 17, 18. As can be seen from Figures 8 and 9, the roller hub 11 can have a plurality of first limiting sections 17, which are formed on the radial outer surface of the roller hub 11. Each first limiting section 17 is arranged between two adjacent convex sections 14, the limiting section 17 being designed such that it positively prevents displacement of the bandage 12 in the axial direction relative to the roller hub 11.

[0062] Specifically, each first boundary section 17 is designed as a projection 22 extending parallel to the axial direction R of the roller hub 11. Furthermore, the projection 22 is shorter on both sides in the axial direction R than the width B of the roller hub 11, so that the bandage 12, which is applied to the roller hub 11, for example, by injection molding, completely encloses the projection 22. Complete enclosure here means that all surfaces of the projection 22 visible before the application of the bandage 12 are covered by the elastomer material applied by injection molding. If, instead of an injection-molded bandage 12, a prefabricated bandage 12 is pressed laterally onto the roller body, its elastomer material yields to the projection and ultimately spans it.After a few hours of operation of the roller 10, the bandage 12 conforms to the projection 22 due to local overstressing of the elastomer material, resulting in a complete enclosure of the projection 22. 2024P00161WÖ.

[0063] - 9 -

[0064] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, each first boundary section 17 can also be designed as a recess 23 extending along the axial direction R of the roller hub 11. Similarly, the recess 23 is shorter on both sides in the axial direction than the width B of the roller hub 11, with a corresponding contour of the bandage 12 being inserted into the recess 23 or completely filling the recess 23.

[0065] As can be seen from Figures 12 and 13, the roller hub 11 of the roller 10 can also comprise a plurality of second limiting sections 18, each formed on a plurality of convex sections 14. The second limiting section 18 is also designed in such a way that it positively prevents displacement of the bandage 12 in the axial direction relative to the roller hub 11.

[0066] In one embodiment, the second limiting section 18 is designed as a groove 24 and is formed on the convex section 14, wherein a corresponding contour of the bandage 12 is inserted into the groove 24.

[0067] Figures 14 and 15 show a further embodiment of the second boundary section 18 as a blind hole 26. This is formed on the convex section 14, with a corresponding contour of the bandage 12 being inserted into the blind hole 26.

[0068] In a further embodiment, shown in Figures 16 and 17, the second boundary section 18 is designed as a groove 25 and is formed on the convex section 14, with a corresponding contour of the bandage 12 being embedded in the groove 25. Here, each groove 25 can extend along the circumferential direction to the edge of the convex section 14 running parallel to the axis of rotation R.

[0069] As can be seen from the figures 13 to 17 described above, several second boundary sections 18 can be formed side by side in the axial direction of the roller hub 11 on the convex section 14.

[0070] Figures 18 to 20 show a roller hub 11 of a roller 10, both wheel side faces 28 of which are provided with an annular recess 27. This allows material to be saved and the roller hub 11 therefore exhibits higher elastic behavior, which further improves the overall damping properties of the roller 10. Furthermore, 2024P00161WÖ

[0071] - 10 - thereby reducing the total mass of the conveyor belt 20, so that less energy is required to accelerate the conveyor belt 20. As Figures 19 and 20 show, a combination of projections 22 and recesses 23 can also be used. Of course, other combinations of projections 22, recesses 23, grooves 25 and blind holes 26 are also possible.

[0072] In summary, by providing alternating convex sections 14 and concave recesses 13 on the radial outer surface A of the roller hub 11, a positive fit is created between the roller hub 11 and the bandage 12, completely replacing the nylon intermediate layer known in the prior art. Furthermore, this positive fit increases operational reliability, as even fragments of broken bandages 12 remain attached to the roller hub 11. Eliminating the nylon layer also simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces costs. It is even possible to manufacture the bandage 12 as an extrusion, cut into a ring with width B, and press it laterally onto the roller hub 11. This avoids the need to cast polyurethane elastomer as a bandage, as cast polyurethane elastomer causes environmental pollution and results in high overall costs.

[0073] 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. Reference numerals in the claims are not to be considered as limitations.

Claims

2024P00161WÖ - 11 - Patent claims 1. Roller (10) of an escalator (1) or a moving walkway, comprising: - a roller hub (11) designed to be arranged on a conveyor chain (4) of a moving walkway or escalator (1), or on a step element (3) of the escalator (1) or moving walkway; - wherein several convex sections (14) are formed on the radial outer side (A) of the roller hub (11) on the voice side; and - an annular bandage (12) arranged on the radial outer side (A) of the roller hub (11), wherein the convex sections (14) extend into the interior of the bandage (12) or the material of the bandage (12) surrounds the convex sections (14) in a complementary manner, characterized in that - that the roller (10) further comprises a plurality of limiting sections (17, 18), wherein the limiting sections (17, 18) are constructed in such a way that they prevent a positive-locking displacement of the bandage (12) in the axial direction relative to the roller hub (11).

2. Roller (10) according to claim 1, wherein each convex section (14) extends parallel to an axis of rotation (R) of the roller hub (11) over a width (B) of the roller hub (11) and the cross-section of the convex section (14) is dovetail-shaped in an approximately trapezoidal form, wherein its taper is directed towards the axis of rotation (R) of the roller hub (11) and a continuous concave recess (13) extends between two adjacent convex sections (14) parallel to the axis of rotation (R) of the roller hub (11) over the width (B) of the roller hub (11).

3. Roller (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the limiting sections are first limiting sections (17) which are each formed on the radial outside (A) of the roller hub (11) and each first limiting section (17) is arranged between two adjacent convex sections (14).

4. Roller (10) according to claim 3, wherein the first limiting section (17) is designed as a projection (22) extending parallel to the axis of rotation (R) of the roller hub (11), and the projection (22) is shorter on both sides in the axial direction than the 2024P00161WÖ - 12 - Width (B) of the roller hub (11) such that the bandage (12) completely encloses the projection (22).

5. Roller (10) according to claim 3, wherein the first limiting section (17) is formed as a recess (23) extending parallel to the axis of rotation (R) of the roller hub (11), and the recess (23) is shorter on both sides in the axial direction than the width (B) of the roller hub (11), wherein a corresponding contour of the bandage (12) is embedded in the recess (23).

6. Roller (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the limiting sections are second limiting sections (18) and at least one second limiting section (18) is formed on each of the convex sections (14).

7. Roller (10) according to claim 6, wherein the second limiting section (18) is designed as a groove (24) and is formed on the convex section (14), wherein a corresponding contour of the bandage (12) is inserted into the groove (24).

8. Roller (10) according to claim 6, wherein the second limiting section (18) is designed as a groove (25) and is formed on the convex section (14), wherein a corresponding contour of the bandage (12) is embedded in the groove (25).

9. Roller (10) according to claim 7, wherein each groove (25) extends along the circumferential direction to the edge of the convex section (14) running parallel to the axis of rotation ®.

10. Roller (10) according to claim 6, wherein the second limiting section (18) is designed as a blind hole (26) and is formed on the convex section (14), wherein a corresponding contour of the bandage (12) is inserted into the blind hole (26).

11. Roller (10) according to one of claims 8 to 10, wherein several second limiting sections (18) are formed side by side in the axial direction of the roller hub (11) on the convex section (14). 2024P00161WÖ - 13 - 12. Roller (10) according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein at least one wheel side flank (28) of the roller hub (11) is provided with an annular recess (27).

13. Conveyor chain (4) of an escalator (1) or a moving walkway, comprising: - a plurality of chain links (6) and chain pins (9), wherein the chain links (6) are joined together by means of the chain pins (9) to form a ring-shaped closed articulated chain (30), and are articulated together; and - a plurality of rollers (10) according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein a roller (10) is rotatably mounted on each of the chain pins (9) by means of a bearing (15).

14. Conveyor belt (20) of an escalator (1) or a moving walkway, comprising: - Two conveyor chains (4) arranged parallel to each other according to claim 13 and several step elements (3) arranged one behind the other between the two conveyor chains (4) and mechanically connected to the conveyor chains (4).

15. Escalator (1) or moving walkway comprising: - A supporting structure (5) with a guide rail arrangement (7); - two balustrades (8) which are attached parallel to each other to the supporting structure (5); and - a conveyor belt (20) according to claim 14, which is arranged circumferentially between the two balustrades (8) in the supporting structure (5), wherein the rollers (10) of the conveyor belt (20) are guided by the guide rail arrangement (7) and support themselves on it.

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