Escalator Anti-Detachment Guide Rail Piezoelectric Step Rise Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing escalator systems face challenges in accurately preventing steps from rising due to foreign objects, particularly in the arc-shaped segment where steps transition, as the coverage and trigger force of lever-type shields are limited.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of anti-detachment guide rails with piezoelectric sensors and cover plates along these rails, which are strategically arranged to detect step rises and trigger a controller to shut down the escalator if necessary, enhancing sensing accuracy and safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a lever-type shield is used to detect step rises, then the escalator can prevent steps from rising, but the coverage is limited and the trigger force varies from area to area

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestep rise preventionVSAvoiddetection coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The anti-detachment guide rail is divided into multiple sections, each equipped with its own piezoelectric sensor. This segmentation allows comprehensive coverage of the entire rail length, detecting step rises at any location along the rail rather than relying on a single lever-type shield with limited coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical lever-type shield system with piezoelectric sensors that convert mechanical pressure from step contacts into electrical signals. This substitution provides more consistent trigger response across different areas and eliminates the varying trigger force problem inherent in mechanical lever systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If a lever-type shield is used to detect step rises, then the escalator can prevent steps from rising, but the trigger force varies from area to area

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestep rise preventionVSAvoiddetection consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses piezoelectric sensors with uniform pressure thresholds along the entire anti-detachment guide rail, ensuring consistent detection parameters regardless of location. This eliminates the varying trigger force characteristic of lever-type shields and provides uniform measurement precision throughout the detection zone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If piezoelectric sensors are arranged along the entire anti-detachment guide rail, then detection precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestep rise detection precisionVSAvoidsensor arrangement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The anti-detachment guide rail serves multiple functions: it guides the step wheels during normal operation and simultaneously acts as the mounting structure for the piezoelectric sensors. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate sensor mounting structures, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high detection precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the sensor mounting function with the existing anti-detachment guide rail structure. By integrating the sensors directly onto the rail rather than requiring separate mounting brackets or structures, the design simplifies the overall system while achieving comprehensive detection coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 allows for more precise detection of step rises during movement, improving safety by enabling timely shutdown of the escalator when foreign objects are detected, thus preventing accidents.

Implementation Method 1

a piezoelectric sensor is provided on the surface of the anti-detachment guide rail facing the anti-detachment portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11987473B2Escalator device

Publication Date: 2024.05.21 OTIS ELEVATOR CO

AI summary

An escalator device includes a plurality of steps, wherein both sides of each step are provided with mounting portions and step wheels rotatably mounted to the mounting portions; step wheel guide rails fixedly arranged on both sides of the escalator device for guiding the step wheels of each step, during the operation of the escalator device, the step wheels of each step move along the step wheel guide rails on both sides respectively; and anti-detachment guide rails arranged on both sides of the escalator device, during the movement of the step wheels of each step along the step wheel guide rails on both sides respectively, the anti-detachment guide rails are located above and spaced apart from anti-detachment portions of each step, a piezoelectric sensor is provided on the surface of the anti-detachment guide rail facing the anti-detachment portion.