Passenger Conveyor Step Anti-Jump Member Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing passenger conveyor systems require additional emergency tracks and complex installation processes, which increase material and labor costs, and are prone to human error, affecting safety and reliability.

Innovation Solution

The integration of a step anti-jump member into the passenger conveyor system, which includes a first portion connected to the step frame and a second portion extending towards the step guide rail, maintaining preset gaps to limit upward jump displacement and eliminate the need for additional emergency tracks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an independent emergency track and support structures are arranged near the step track, then the anti-jump protection function is achieved, but the device complexity and material costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanti-jump protectionVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the emergency track and support structures into a single integrated support structure. The support structure includes first and second support portions that together form the emergency track, eliminating the need for separate components. This integration maintains the anti-jump protection function while reducing device complexity and material usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the step track, forms the emergency track for anti-jump protection, and includes positioning features for precise installation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate emergency track components, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If an independent emergency track and support structures are arranged near the step track, then the anti-jump protection function is achieved, but material costs and labor costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanti-jump protectionVSAvoidinstallation cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The emergency track and support structures are merged into a single integrated component, reducing the number of parts that need to be manufactured, stored, and installed. This integration directly reduces material costs and labor costs associated with assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure is designed with pre-formed positioning features and structural configurations that facilitate straightforward installation. The first and second support portions are pre-configured to automatically maintain proper spacing and alignment with the step track, eliminating the need for complex adjustment procedures during installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the positioning and structural dimensions of relevant components are repeatedly adjusted and confirmed during installation and maintenance, then the operational reliability is ensured, but the installation time and maintenance time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure incorporates pre-configured positioning features including positioning protrusions and positioning grooves that automatically align the first and second support portions with the step track. This preliminary configuration ensures correct positioning without requiring repeated adjustments during installation or maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure is divided into distinct first and second support portions with clear functional boundaries. Each portion has specific positioning features that work together to establish the correct geometry, making the assembly process more systematic and less prone to errors requiring re-adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If the horizontal gap and vertical gap between the emergency track and the step track need to meet application requirements after assembly, then the anti-jump protection effectiveness is ensured, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanti-jump protection effectivenessVSAvoidgap dimension precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure includes pre-configured geometric features such as positioning protrusions and grooves that establish the correct horizontal and vertical gaps between the emergency track and step track during assembly. These pre-configured features ensure consistent gap dimensions without requiring high-precision manual adjustment or complex measurement procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The design specifies optimal gap ranges (horizontal gap of 7-10mm and vertical gap of 5-8mm) that provide effective anti-jump protection while being achievable through standard manufacturing tolerances. The integrated support structure is designed to naturally maintain these gap parameters through its geometric configuration rather than requiring tight tolerance control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4570731A1Step of passenger conveyor and passenger conveyor
Publication Date: 2025.06.18 OTIS ELEVATOR CO
  • EP4570731A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4570731A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4570731A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The disclosure relates to a step of a passenger conveyor and a passenger conveyor. The step is provided with a step anti-jump member which comprises: a first portion connected to a frame of the step, and a second portion connected to the first portion and extending towards a step guide rail, wherein after a plurality of steps are connected by a step chain and assembled in place on the step guide rail, preset gaps are maintained between the second portion and the step guide rail, and when an upward jump displacement of the step exceeds a preset value during a travelling of the step along the step guide rail, the second portion comes into contact with the step guide rail to limit the step from continuing to jump upward. By adopting the solutions of the disclosure, an emergency track is not necessary to be configured in the passenger conveyor, which saves materials and equipment installation and maintenance costs and improves the safety performance of the passenger conveyor.