Escalator Drive Shaft Alignment for Auxiliary Brake Retrofit
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing design of escalators and moving walks without auxiliary brakes requires removal of the drive shaft for installation, which disrupts the precise positioning between the drive shaft, truss, and guide rail, compromising safety and ride comfort due to the lack of a coaxial auxiliary brake system.
Innovation Solution
A tool set is introduced to accurately transfer the original drive shaft's positioning reference to a new drive shaft with an auxiliary brake, comprising a first tool that fits on the original and new shaft adapters, and a second tool that aligns with the first tool, ensuring the new drive shaft is positioned identically to the original, using matching features and threaded fasteners for precise assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the drive shaft is removed to install an auxiliary brake, then the auxiliary brake function is added, but the positioning accuracy between the drive shaft and truss is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The tool is designed with positioning features that replicate the original shaft adapter's geometry before removal. By preparing the tool with matching positioning features in advance, the original positioning reference is preserved and transferred to the new drive shaft, eliminating positioning loss during replacement
Solution Approach 2:
The tool acts as an intermediary carrier that temporarily holds both the original and new shaft adapters. Through the tool's positioning features, the positioning information is transferred from the original adapter to the new adapter, serving as a mediator that preserves positioning accuracy during the replacement process
2Manufacturing precision
If a special shaft adapter is used to guarantee relative position, then positioning accuracy is maintained, but the shaft adapter must be removed and replaced
Solution Approach 1:
The tool combines multiple functions into a single device: it holds both the original and new shaft adapters, provides positioning reference, and enables transfer of positioning information. This merged tool simplifies the replacement process by integrating what would otherwise require multiple separate operations and components
3Adaptability or versatility
If the new shaft adapter is different from the original, then auxiliary brake function is enabled, but the positioning reference is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The tool creates a physical copy of the positioning reference by incorporating positioning features that match the original shaft adapter's geometry. This copied reference is transferred through the tool to the new shaft adapter, preserving positioning information even though the adapter itself is different and requires auxiliary brake functionality
Data Source
AI summary
A tool for replacing an escalator drive shaft comprises a first tool and a second tool. One side of the first tool is adapted to be assembled on an original shaft adapter, and the other side of the first tool is adapted to be assembled on a new shaft adapter. The second tool is adapted to be assembled on the first tool. A central axis of the first tool coincides with a central axis of the original shaft adapter, a central axis of the second tool coincides with the central axis of the first tool, and the central axis of the first tool coincides with a central axis of the new shaft adapter. A positioning reference of the original drive shaft is accurately transferred to the new drive shaft by the first and second tools, so that the new drive shaft may be accurately assembled to the position of the original drive shaft with respect to the truss after replacement.