Conveyance Element Protection Lip for Escalator Drive Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
People conveyor systems, such as escalators and moving walkways, face issues with soiling and damage of drive elements due to sunlight, dust, rain, snow, and objects/fluids passing through gaps between conveyance elements, leading to maintenance and repair challenges.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of protection elements with sealing lips and collection trays below the tread plates to block sunlight and collect objects/fluids, preventing them from reaching the drive elements, while also compensating for manufacturing tolerances and thermal changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If gaps are formed between adjacent conveyance elements to allow smooth movement in turnaround portions, then the conveyance elements can move smoothly, but sunlight, dust, rain, snow, and objects/fluids can pass through the gaps to soil or damage the drive element
Solution Approach 1:
A protection element is introduced as an intermediary component between the gaps of adjacent conveyance elements and the drive element. This protection element includes a collection element positioned to receive objects and fluids passing through the gaps, and a sealing lip that seals the gap between protection elements, preventing harmful factors from reaching the drive element while allowing the gaps to remain open for smooth operation
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful function of the gaps (allowing passage of sunlight, dust, rain, snow, and objects) is extracted from the system by introducing the protection element. The collection element specifically extracts and collects objects and fluids that would otherwise reach the drive element, separating the functional need for gaps from the harmful consequences
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the protection element is made rigid to effectively block sunlight and collect objects, then protection effectiveness is improved, but the sealing lip cannot compensate for varying distances due to manufacturing tolerances and thermal expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing lip is made of flexible material that can deform and adapt to varying distances between protection elements caused by manufacturing tolerances and thermal expansion. This flexible sealing lip maintains effective sealing and continues to block sunlight and prevent ingress of harmful factors while accommodating dimensional variations
3Adaptability or versatility
If sealing lips are added to the protection element to compensate for distance variations, then adaptability is improved, but the complexity of the protection element increases
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than adding complex adjustable mechanisms, a simple flexible sealing lip is used to provide adaptability. The flexible material itself serves as the compensation mechanism, eliminating the need for additional complex components while still achieving the goal of accommodating distance variations
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution effectively reduces downtime and maintenance costs by protecting the drive elements from soiling and damage, ensuring smoother operation and extended equipment life.
Implementation Method 1
A sealing lip, in particular an elastic sealing lip, is provided at said front end
Data Source
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AI summary
A conveyance element (20) for a people conveyor (1) is configured for being moved in a conveyance direction. The conveyance element (20) comprises a tread plate (24) configured for supporting passengers and at least one protection element (28, 29) configured for collecting items and/or fluids. The tread plate (24) has a longitudinal extension extending parallel to the conveyance direction and a lateral extension extending transversely to the conveyance direction. The at least one protection element (28, 29) is arranged below the tread plate (24), when the conveyance element (20) is arranged in an upright orientation, and it extends beyond at least one end (23) of the tread plate (24) in the conveyance direction.