Escalator Comb Plate Anti-Collision Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing passenger conveyor systems, such as escalators and moving walks, face issues where steps may collide with comb teeth of the comb plate due to small objects falling into guide rails, causing equipment damage and potential safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A passenger conveyor system equipped with an anti-collision device that includes an actuating mechanism connected to the comb plate, which lifts the comb plate up when a step's moving distance exceeds a preset value, and a reset mechanism to return the comb plate to its original position after the step passes through.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the comb plate remains stationary at its initial position, then the structure is simple and operation is easy, but collision between steps and comb teeth cannot be avoided when steps deviate from normal trajectory
Solution Approach 1:
The comb plate is transformed from a stationary component to a dynamic one capable of vertical movement. The actuating mechanism enables the comb plate to lift upward when steps deviate from normal trajectory, allowing the comb plate to adapt its position dynamically to avoid collisions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the comb plate is lifted up to avoid collision, then safety is improved, but additional actuating and reset mechanisms increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
A sensor is introduced as an intermediary component to detect step position and trigger the actuating mechanism. The sensor acts as a mediator between the step's abnormal movement and the comb plate's lifting action, enabling automatic collision avoidance without requiring complex control systems or multiple mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The anti-collision device operates autonomously through the coordinated action of the sensor, actuating mechanism, and reset mechanism. Once a collision risk is detected, the system automatically lifts the comb plate and subsequently resets it without human intervention, making the system self-regulating and reducing the need for external control complexity.
3Reliability
If no anti-collision device is installed, then the system is simpler and cheaper, but steps colliding with comb teeth causes equipment damage and safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor continuously monitors step position in advance to detect abnormal movements before collision occurs. The actuating mechanism is pre-configured to lift the comb plate upon detection, performing the protective action beforehand rather than reacting after collision. This preliminary detection and response mechanism ensures safety while maintaining system simplicity.
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
The anti-collision device effectively prevents collisions between steps and comb plates, ensuring safe operation and reducing equipment damage, while also providing a safety guarantee by detecting abnormal situations and performing control operations such as stopping the system.
Implementation Method 1
a spring sleeved on the rod, with two ends thereof being pressed against the bracket and the pressure rail, respectively, wherein when the spring is in an initial state after installation the comb plate is in the first position, and the spring is in a compressed state when the comb plate is in the second position
Data Source
AI summary
A passenger conveyor system and an anti-collision device for step and comb plate. The passenger conveyor system includes a step chain having a plurality of steps, a comb plate and an anti-collision device, the anti-collision device includes an actuating mechanism connected to the comb plate and configured to, when a moving distance of a step adjacent to comb teeth of the comb plate to be engaged in a vertical upward direction of the passenger conveyor system exceeds a preset value, actuate the comb plate to be lifted up from an initial first position to a second position to avoid collision with the step; and a reset mechanism configured to return the comb plate from the second position to the first position after the step travels through the comb plate.