Escalator Step Wedge Fastener for Vibration Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening systems for escalator steps and moving walkway pallets are complex, expensive, and prone to loosening due to operational vibrations and settlement issues, requiring numerous screws and additional locking mechanisms, which increase manufacturing and maintenance costs and risks of incorrect assembly.
Innovation Solution
A fastening device using a wedge connector with a projection and shoulder design that prestresses the step or pallet against the traction mechanism, providing self-locking and secure attachment, with the wedge connector arranged orthogonally to operational amplitudes and featuring an elastic wedge tongue to adapt to production tolerances, allowing for easy installation and monitoring of correct assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If numerous screws are used to fasten pallets to the traction means, then the connection security is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential fastening function from the complex screw-based system and implements it through a simple wedge connector. The wedge connector alone performs the fastening action that previously required multiple screws, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining connection security through the self-locking wedge mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The wedge connector is designed to be self-locking, where the wedge angle and friction forces automatically maintain the fastened state without requiring additional locking mechanisms or multiple screws. The system serves itself by using the operational forces to maintain the secure connection rather than requiring complex external fastening systems.
2Reliability
If additional screw locks are added to prevent loosening, then the reliability against vibration-induced loosening is improved, but the ease of manufacture and assembly deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of operational vibrations and settlement into a beneficial self-locking mechanism. The wedge angle and friction forces, which would normally be overcome by vibrations, are instead designed to lock the connection tighter under these conditions. The settlement forces that would normally loosen screw connections are converted into forces that press the wedge connector tighter against the step or pallet.
Solution Approach 2:
The wedge connector automatically adjusts and locks itself in response to operational forces without requiring additional locking mechanisms. The system uses the operational settlement and vibration forces to maintain the fastened state, eliminating the need for separate screw locks or additional assembly steps.
3Ease of manufacture
If screws are arranged vertically parallel to the compressive loading direction, then the manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but the reliability under vibrational loading deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the orientation of the fastening mechanism from vertical (parallel to compressive loading) to horizontal (orthogonal to operational amplitudes). The wedge connector is arranged horizontally, which allows it to resist vibrational forces more effectively while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through the self-locking wedge geometry.
4Reliability
If a large number of screws per pallet are installed, then the connection security is improved, but the assembly time and productivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fastening function from the complex multi-screw system and implements it through a single wedge connector that performs all necessary fastening actions. This reduces the number of components to assemble from many screws to a single wedge connector, dramatically reducing assembly time while maintaining connection security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of multiple screws into a single wedge connector that performs fastening, locking, and vibration resistance simultaneously. The wedge connector combines what would otherwise require separate components (screws, lock nuts, washers, and locking mechanisms) into one integrated element that achieves the same connection security with fewer assembly steps.
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 simplifies production and assembly, ensures high security against loosening, and allows for immediate recognition of incorrect installation, reducing maintenance efforts and ensuring permanent and secure attachment of steps or pallets to the traction mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
The wedge connector has at least one area designed in the shape of a wedge, through which a prestressing force can be generated for a given driving force depending on the wedge angle of the wedge-shaped area.
Implementation Method 2
the wedge angle of the wedge connector can be kept so small that, as a result of the frictional forces, there is self-locking despite the impacts and vibrations
Implementation Method 3
The elastic wedge tongue has the advantage that production-related tolerances between the projection and the shoulder do not lead to different end positions of the wedge connector when assembled.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a fastening device (30) for connecting a step of an escalator or a pallet (14) of a moving walkway to at least one traction mechanism (19A, 19B). The fastening device (30) comprises at least one shoulder (31), at least one wedge type connector (32) and at least one projection (33), wherein in the mounted state of the fastening device (30), the at least one projection (33) protrudes through an opening (40) of the shoulder (31). The at least one wedge type connector (32) is arranged at least partially between the shoulder (31) and the projection (33). The step or pallet (14) is fixed by the wedge type connector (32) against the traction mechanism (19A, 19B) preloaded on the same.