Split Shaft Drive for People Conveyor Tread Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing people conveyor systems face challenges in maintaining and replacing the endless tread drive tension member, leading to increased maintenance time and costs due to the complexity of reconfiguring the belt or chain back into its continuous form.
Innovation Solution
A split shaft configuration for the drive shaft allows for the detachable coupling of the shaft main portion from the shaft support portion, enabling easy replacement of the endless tread drive tension member without disassembling the connecting structures, and a positive lock coupling ensures reliable operation during maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the shaft is configured as a single integrated piece, then the structural strength and rigidity are improved, but the maintenance time and complexity increase significantly when replacing the endless tread drive tension member
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft is divided into a shaft main portion and at least one shaft support portion that can be detachably coupled. This segmentation allows the shaft main portion to be removed independently for tension member replacement while keeping the shaft support portion in place, reducing maintenance time and complexity while maintaining structural integrity during operation
2Ease of repair
If the shaft is divided into detachable portions, then the ease of maintenance and replacement is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional coupling mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft is segmented into removable portions connected by detachable coupling mechanisms, enabling easy maintenance access while managing complexity through standardized coupling interfaces
3Ease of operation
If the shaft main portion is detachably coupled to the shaft support portion, then the ease of operation during maintenance is improved, but the reliability may be affected by the additional coupling interface
Solution Approach 1:
The positive lock coupling is pre-configured to ensure automatic engagement and secure locking when the shaft main portion is reattached to the shaft support portion after maintenance, eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures and ensuring reliable operation from the outset
Data Source
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AI summary
People conveyor drive (40) of a people conveyor (1) comprising a plurality of treads (13) interconnected to form an endless tread band (12). The people conveyor drive (40) comprises a tension member drive system (25) configured to drive the tread band (12) and a shaft (42; 30; 35) having a shaft main portion (48) and at least one shaft support portion (44), the at least one shaft support portion (44) being supported by at least one shaft bearing (46) to be rotatable around a shaft axis (A). The shaft (42; 30; 35) is configured for engaging with an endless tread drive tension member (15) to drive the endless tread band (12). The shaft (42; 30; 35) has a split shaft configuration with the shaft main portion (48) being detachably coupled to the at least one shaft support portion (44).