Escalator Drive Unit Mounted on Carrier Frame

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional passenger transport devices like escalators and moving walks require large, stable support structures to manage high loading forces, which limits their compactness and accessibility for maintenance, especially in space-constrained areas.

Innovation Solution

A passenger transport device design where the drive unit, comprising a motor, gear, and drive shaft, is attached to a carrier with a detachable frame that directs forces into the carrier, eliminating the need for a surrounding support structure, allowing for smaller dimensions and easier maintenance access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a stable support structure surrounding the drive is used, then the structural stability is improved, but the device dimensions increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoiddevice dimensions
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is segmented into a frame with selective support elements rather than a complete surrounding structure. The frame provides stability where needed while leaving the drive area partially open, reducing overall device dimensions while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure provides localized stability through strategically positioned support elements rather than uniform surrounding support. This allows the drive to be accessible while maintaining structural stability at critical points, resolving the contradiction between compactness and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If a surrounding support structure is used, then the force absorption capability is improved, but the accessibility for maintenance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforce absorption capabilityVSAvoidaccessibility for maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is divided into a frame with openings that allow maintenance personnel to access the drive components. The frame provides force absorption capability while the segmented design with gaps enables easy access for maintenance activities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The frame acts as an intermediary structure that transmits forces to the carrier while allowing access to the drive. It mediates between the need for force absorption and the need for maintenance accessibility by providing a structural framework with intentional access points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If a complete carrier surrounding the drive is used, then the structural stability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The carrier design is segmented to provide support where needed rather than completely surrounding the drive. This reduces the number of components and simplifies the overall structure while maintaining adequate structural stability for force absorption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3224185B1Passenger transport device
Publication Date: 2020.01.01 THYSSENKRUPP ELEVATOR INNOVATION AND OPERATIONS GMBH
  • EP3224185B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3224185B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a passenger transport device (200), in particular an escalator or a moving walkway, having transport elements (251) Iinterconnected to form an endless belt (250) and a drive (230) for the transport elements (251), wherein the drive (230) comprises at least a motor (231), a transmission (233) and a drive shaft (240) functionally connected by the transmission (233) to the motor, the transport elements (251) interconnected to form an endless belt (250) are guided by means of the drive shaft (240) and can be moved by the drive shaft (240), a carrier (210) in which the transport elements (251) interconnected to form an endless belt (250) are arranged in such a way that they can be guided, the drive (230) is arranged on a frame (245), and the frame (245) is mounted on the outside of the frame (210). The invention also relates to a method for mounting a passenger transport device.