Escalator Handrail Drive Deflection Element Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing handrail drive systems for escalators and moving walkways suffer from increased wear and noise due to the use of deflection rollers that cause frictional changes and separations between the drive belt and handrail, leading to space inefficiencies and operational disruptions.
Innovation Solution
A handrail drive device featuring a deflection element positioned between tangential planes formed by deflection rollers and counter-pressure guide rollers, which allows for low-friction guidance and gentle detachment of the handrail from the drive belt, reducing wear and noise while enabling space-saving designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the drive belt and handrail are deflected together using a common deflection roller, then space requirements are reduced, but wear and noise increase due to frictional changes and separation at the lifting point
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the deflection function into two separate elements: a first deflection roller for the drive belt and a second deflection roller for the handrail. This segmentation allows each roller to be optimized for its specific function, preventing the frictional changes and separation issues that occur when both are deflected together on a single roller.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a lifting point as an intermediary element between the drive belt and handrail in the deflection area. This lifting point ensures gentle detachment and reattachment, reducing the disruptive frictional changes and wear that would otherwise occur during the deflection process.
2Area of stationary object
If the drive belt and handrail are deflected together using a common deflection roller, then space requirements are reduced, but noise increases due to disruptive frictional effects
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the deflection of the drive belt and handrail onto different rollers, the patent eliminates the disruptive frictional changes that occur when both are deflected together, thereby reducing noise generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting point acts as a mediator that ensures smooth transitions during deflection, preventing the sudden frictional changes and separations that generate unpleasant noises.
3Reliability
If separate deflection rollers are used for the drive belt and handrail, then wear and noise are reduced, but space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the drive belt and handrail deflection system into a compact arrangement where both deflection rollers and the lifting point are integrated within a close spatial relationship, achieving separate deflection functions while minimizing the overall space occupied.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement to position the deflection rollers and lifting point in a compact configuration, allowing separate deflection functions to coexist in a space-efficient manner by optimizing the spatial relationships between components.
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 solution effectively reduces wear and noise by maintaining a consistent frictional connection between the handrail and drive belt, preventing slippage and enhancing operational efficiency while allowing for compact installations.
Implementation Method 1
The handrail is moved or driven due to a resulting frictional connection between the drive belt and the handrail
Implementation Method 2
at least one counter-pressure guide roller, which counter-pressure guide roller causes that the handrail can be guided along the entire contact zone in contact with the drive belt and can be driven by the drive belt by means of frictional engagement
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (2) for driving a handrail (6) for an escalator (40) or for driving a handrail (6) for a moving walkway, the device comprising a drive belt (1) guided along a contact zone (10) and deflected on a deflection roller (7) after passing through the contact zone (10). The handrail (6) can be guided resting against the drive belt (1) along the entire contact zone (10) and can be driven by the drive belt (1) by means of friction between drive belt (1) and handrail (6). The device (2) comprises a deflection element (16), which deflection element (16) ensures that a lift-off point (18) of the handrail (6) from the drive belt (1) delimiting the contact zone (10) is arranged upstream of the deflection region of the drive belt (1) on the deflection roller (7). According to the invention, an escalator (40) or a moving walkway can be modernized with such a device (2).