Escalator Drive Arrangement Reducing Maintenance Complexity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing escalator and moving walk drive systems are not compactly constructed or economical to manufacture and maintain, with complex arrangements that hinder accessibility and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The drive is positioned between the incoming and outgoing step or pallet band, utilizing a compact motor and brake setup where the motor drives a gear input shaft through a belt, chain, or rope, with the axial gear and hollow shaft connected to side plates, allowing for easy maintenance and assembly with reduced components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a compact drive configuration is used in the reversing area, then space utilization is improved and manufacturing cost is reduced, but accessibility for maintenance becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The drive system is segmented into modular components (motor, brake, axial gear, hollow shaft) that can be independently accessed and maintained. The hollow shaft design allows the brake to be positioned at the chain wheel end, creating separate access points for different components.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive components are arranged in a three-dimensional configuration within the reversing area, utilizing vertical and lateral space efficiently. The motor and brake are positioned above the chain wheels, while the axial gear and hollow shaft extend horizontally, creating multi-level accessibility.
2Ease of manufacture
If standard motors are used instead of specialized motors, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but the drive system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
A belt or chain intermediary is introduced between the standard motor and the chain wheels to transmit power. This allows the use of conventional motors while maintaining the required drive function, simplifying motor selection and reducing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor is designed to serve multiple functions: driving the chain wheels through the intermediary, providing braking force through the integrated brake, and accommodating the axial gear for speed reduction. This multi-functionality reduces the need for specialized components.
3Volume of moving object
If the operating brake is positioned to act directly on the gear input shaft, then brake dimensions are reduced, but the overall drive configuration becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The brake is nested within the hollow shaft structure, with the brake drum positioned inside the hollow shaft and the brake shoes mounted on the chain wheel. This nested arrangement reduces the overall brake dimensions while integrating it into the existing drive configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The brake system is merged with the chain wheel and hollow shaft structures, combining multiple functions into integrated components. The brake serves both as a stopping mechanism and as part of the power transmission path to the chain wheels.
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 configuration enables the use of standard, inexpensive motors, facilitates maintenance, and reduces the size of the operating brake, while allowing for efficient space utilization and simplified assembly, making the system more compact and cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
By means of a belt, chain, band, or rope, the motor drives the rapidly rotating gear input shaft of an axial gear
Implementation Method 2
the motor drives the rapidly rotating gear input shaft of an axial gear. The housing of the gear rotates and is connected at one end with the hollow shaft
Implementation Method 3
By means of a torque converter bearing, the drive shaft of the axial gear is connected to the side plate and/or truss of the reversing area
Implementation Method 4
The operating brake acts directly on the gear input shaft and can therefore have small or smaller dimensions
Data Source
AI summary
An escalator or moving walk has a drive arranged in a reversing area. The drive drives chain wheels that move the step band or pallet band and include a motor, an axial gear, a first hollow shaft and a second hollow shaft. The motor drives a belt to drive a gear input shaft that runs coaxial to the first hollow shaft. Arranged at one end of the gear input shaft is an operating brake; the other end of the gear input shaft is connected to the axial gear. A first flange connects a first chain wheel to a truss. A second chain wheel is arranged at one end of the second hollow shaft; the other end of the second hollow shaft is connected to the housing of the axial gear. A second flange connected to a side plate serves as a torque converter bearing for the axial gear.