Escalator Connecting Gear Mechanism for Flexible Drive Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing passenger-transporting systems, such as escalators and moving walkways, face challenges with insufficient space in the support structure for drives due to high loading forces, necessitating costly adaptations and modifications to building structures for installation, especially in extra-long systems.
Innovation Solution
A connecting gear mechanism that allows for flexible installation by separating the drive frame from the support structure, enabling the drive shaft to be rotatably mounted within the support structure, with a design that can bridge various spatial distances using the same components without adapting the drive frame or support structure, and includes a resilient coupling to damp vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the drive is arranged entirely separately from the support structure on a drive frame, then space requirements in the support structure are reduced, but the building structure must be specifically adapted and anchored to support enormous tensile forces
Solution Approach 1:
The drive system is segmented into two separate components: the drive frame containing the motor and connecting gear mechanism, and the support structure containing the drive shaft. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the drive frame can be positioned away from the support structure, eliminating the need for costly building structure adaptations while the support structure maintains its original design for anchoring and force support.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting gear mechanism acts as an intermediary component that transmits torque from the motor on the drive frame to the drive shaft in the support structure. This intermediary allows the drive frame to be positioned separately from the support structure while maintaining functional connection, thus reducing space requirements in the support structure without requiring building structure adaptations.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the drive frame and support structure are very well anchored to support enormous tensile forces, then structural stability is improved, but installation flexibility and accessibility for maintenance are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the drive system into a separately positioned drive frame and support structure, the drive frame can be installed and accessed independently without compromising the anchored connection of the support structure. This segmentation maintains structural stability while improving installation flexibility and maintenance accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting gear mechanism serves as a flexible intermediary connection that transmits torque while allowing relative positioning adjustments. This intermediary enables the drive frame to be positioned optimally for maintenance access while the support structure remains firmly anchored to maintain structural stability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the connecting gear mechanism uses multiple gearwheel sets and shafts to bridge spatial distances, then adaptability to different installations is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting gear mechanism incorporates adjustable components that allow the spatial relationship between the motor shaft and drive shaft to be varied without changing the fundamental gear mechanism structure. This dynamic adjustability provides installation adaptability while avoiding the complexity of multiple fixed gearwheel sets and shafts for different configurations.
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 solution provides a cost-effective drive structure that relieves building structures of internal forces, allows for flexible installation, and reduces the need for structural modifications, while ensuring accessibility for maintenance and accommodating varying distances between drive shafts and frames.
Implementation Method 1
includes a resilient coupling to damp vibrations
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a connecting gear mechanism of a passenger-transporting system designed as an escalator or moving walkway. The connecting gear mechanism has a first section and a second section. In the first section, an input shaft and a first gearwheel set are arranged so as to be operatively connected to one another. In the second section, an output shaft and a second gearwheel set are arranged so as to be operatively connected to one another. A connecting shaft connects the two gearwheel sets to one another, wherein, with respect to the connecting shaft axis of rotation, the first section can be connected to the second section at any selectable plane intermediate angles.