Escalator Entry Rail Dual Support Surface Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing escalator and moving walkway systems experience vibrations and increased wear on protective rollers when the step chain enters a sprocket, particularly due to the mismatch in the number and arrangement of rollers, leading to unsteady entry and excessive stress on the rollers.
Innovation Solution
An entry rail with a dual support surface design, where a first support surface for protective rollers and a second support surface for running rollers are arranged next to each other, with the first support surface having a height profile that adapts to the chain pitch to stabilize the rollers and reduce vibrations, and the second support surface providing full-width support for rollers, made from materials with different damping properties to enhance smoothness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single support surface is used for both protective rollers and running rollers, then the structure is simple, but vibrations occur and rollers are subjected to greater stress
Solution Approach 1:
The single support surface is divided into two separate support surfaces: a first support surface for protective rollers and a second support surface for running rollers. This segmentation allows each surface to be optimized independently, reducing vibrations and stress on rollers while maintaining structural efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the entry rail are given different properties: the first support surface has a height profile adapted to protective rollers, while the second support surface provides full-width support for running rollers. This local differentiation optimizes support for each roller type without requiring complete structural redesign.
2Ease of manufacture
If the chain pitch is increased to reduce cost, then manufacturing cost decreases, but the step chain vibrates more when entering the sprocket
Solution Approach 1:
The entry rail with its dual support surfaces and adapted height profiles is installed before the step chain enters the sprocket. This preliminary support structure prevents vibrations from occurring in the first place, allowing larger chain pitches to be used without experiencing the harmful vibration effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The entry rail acts as an intermediary element between the step chain and the sprocket. It provides transitional support that smooths the entry process, enabling the use of cost-effective larger chain pitches while maintaining smooth operation and reducing vibrations.
3Device complexity
If only protective rollers are supported when entering the sprocket, then the structure is simpler, but the protective rollers are subjected to greater stress
Solution Approach 1:
The support function is segmented between two distinct surfaces: the first support surface supports protective rollers, and the second support surface supports running rollers. This segmentation distributes the load appropriately, preventing excessive stress on protective rollers while maintaining structural efficiency.
4Ease of manufacture
If the first support surface has a fixed height profile, then manufacturing is simpler, but it cannot adapt to different chain pitches
Solution Approach 1:
The height profile of the first support surface is designed with variable parameters that can be adjusted based on the chain pitch. The profile changes along the longitudinal extension direction, allowing adaptation to different chain pitches while maintaining manufacturability through systematic design 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
The dual support surface design significantly reduces vibrations and wear on rollers, ensuring smooth entry into the sprocket, extending the lifespan of components and reducing downtime for maintenance by evenly distributing the load and wear on damping elements.
Implementation Method 1
designed to support a step chain with protective rollers arranged on the inside and running rollers arranged on the outside when it enters a sprocket wheel... serve in particular to reduce vibrations of the step chain of a passenger conveyor when it enters the respective chain wheel
Implementation Method 2
The dual support surface design significantly reduces vibrations and wear on rollers, ensuring smooth entry into the sprocket, extending the lifespan of components and reducing downtime for maintenance by evenly distributing the load and wear on damping elements
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an entry rail (10) for escalators or moving walkways. The entry rail (10) is designed to support a step chain with inner protective rollers and outer running rollers as it enters a sprocket. For this purpose, the entry rail (10) has a first support surface (11) for supporting the protective rollers and a second support surface (12) arranged next to the first support surface (11) for supporting the running rollers. The invention further relates to a passenger conveying device with step chains, sprockets, and at least one of the aforementioned entry rails (10).