Slider Bracket Extrusion for Moving Walkway Conveyance Elements

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Solution Overview

Problem

The manufacturing of conveyance elements for people conveyors, such as moving walkways, is costly due to the complexity and integration of components like support frames and slider brackets, which limits cost reduction and flexibility in design.

Innovation Solution

Manufacturing slider brackets separately from the conveyance elements using an extrusion process, allowing for different widths and eliminating the need for further machining, and providing a strong but separable connection to the body, enabling easier replacement and adaptation for various applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If slider brackets are integrated into the conveyance element body, then structural strength is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The slider bracket is separated from the conveyance element body into an independent component. This allows the body to be manufactured separately using extrusion processes, while the slider bracket can be produced independently and then mounted to the body, reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining structural integrity through the mounting connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If slider brackets are manufactured as separate components, then manufacturing cost and flexibility are improved, but connection strength may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidconnection strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Mounting holes and connection features are pre-formed in both the slider bracket and the conveyance element body during their respective manufacturing processes. This preliminary preparation enables straightforward assembly with strong mechanical connections, ensuring that the separate components achieve connection strength sufficient for operational requirements while retaining the benefits of separate manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Stability of the object's composition

If integrally formed support frames are used, then structural rigidity is improved, but adaptability to different applications is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural rigidityVSAvoiddesign flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The slider bracket is designed as a separate, replaceable component that can be mounted to the conveyance element body. This segmentation allows different slider bracket designs to be developed and applied to the same body structure, enabling adaptation to various applications and operational requirements without redesigning the entire conveyance element, thus maintaining structural rigidity while improving design flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 approach reduces manufacturing costs, extends the lifespan of the slider brackets, and allows for design flexibility, resulting in a more efficient and cost-effective production process for conveyance elements.

Implementation Method 1

forming an extrusion profile by extruding a material through a die

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectExtrusion: Extrusion

Data Source

PatentEP3747822B1Conveyance element for a conveyor
Publication Date: 2024.05.01 OTIS ELEVATOR CO
  • EP3747822B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3747822B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3747822B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A conveyance element (20) for a conveyor (1), in particular for a people conveyor such as a moving walkway (2), is configured for being moved in a conveying direction and comprises a body (30) including or supporting a tread plate (28) for supporting passengers; and at least one slider bracket (40) mounted to the body (30). The at least one slider bracket (40) comprises a slider slot (41) configured for slidably accommodating a slider (42).