Moving Walkway Comb Interlocking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional moving walkways experience a significant level difference between the moving surface and the fixed surface at transitions, leading to accidents and jamming issues for wheelchairs, shopping carts, and pedestrians due to the progressive return of pallets and the design of existing comb systems, which fail to provide sufficient inertia and smooth transitions.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a comb interlocking mechanism with a more abrupt overturning of pallets, allowing only three pallets in the return curve for increased inertia, and a defined comb geometry to prevent interference, with grooves designed to minimize lifting and ensure smooth transitions by following the paths of the pallet's crests and valleys, and incorporating a horizontal section in the comb to manage tensioning without interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If traditional pallets are used with progressive return, then the structure can be simpler, but the level difference between pallets and comb plates becomes too large causing accidents and jamming
Solution Approach 1:
The comb is divided into multiple sections (first comb section, second comb section, third comb section) with different geometries. Each section handles a specific phase of the pallet overturning process, allowing precise control over the level difference at different stages to prevent accidents while maintaining structural efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The comb plate geometry is designed to extend in the direction of pallet movement beyond the traditional comb structure. This dimensional extension allows the comb to interact with the pallets during their overturning motion, reducing the effective level difference and preventing jamming of wheelchairs and shopping carts.
2Reliability
If the comb supports sufficient inertia to bear vertical load, then safety is improved, but the comb structure becomes more complex and may interfere with pallets
Solution Approach 1:
Different sections of the comb have different geometries optimized for their specific functions. The first comb section has a specific profile for initial interaction, the second section provides structural support with adequate inertia, and the third section handles the final phase. This local optimization allows each part to be simple where needed while providing sufficient inertia where required.
Solution Approach 2:
The comb is designed to engage with the pallets before the pallets complete their overturning motion. By positioning the comb to interact with the pallets during their transition, the system pre-establishes the necessary inertia and support structure before the pallets reach the critical position, preventing interference while ensuring safety.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If pallets are overturned more abruptly to reduce level difference, then safety is improved, but the inertia available to support vertical load is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The comb is segmented into three distinct sections that handle different phases of the pallet overturning. The first section addresses the initial level difference reduction, the second section provides the structural inertia for vertical load support, and the third section completes the transition. This segmentation allows the comb to achieve both abrupt level difference reduction and sufficient inertia without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
By extending the comb plate in the direction of pallet movement, the comb creates an additional dimensional interaction that allows it to engage with pallets during overturning. This extension provides leverage and structural support that maintains inertia while enabling the comb to reduce level differences more effectively.
4Ease of operation
If the comb follows the groove paths closely to minimize lifting, then smooth transition is improved, but the comb may interfere with pallets during overturning
Solution Approach 1:
The comb is divided into three sections with progressively different geometries. The first section follows the groove path closely for smooth initial transition, the second section provides structural support with adequate clearance, and the third section completes the transition. This segmentation allows the comb to minimize lifting while preventing interference through strategic geometric design in each section.
Solution Approach 2:
The comb is positioned and dimensioned to engage with the pallets during their overturning motion before interference can occur. By designing the comb to interact with the pallets at the appropriate moment in their motion cycle, the system pre-establishes smooth transition while preventing harmful interference.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a moving walkway transporting people on a grooved surface included in pallets (1) having the same pitch as the traction chain, all of them being able to be attached by means of pins (2) forming the actual traction chain between them, in which the pallets (1) are overturned by means of a guide (3) in which only three pallets are located, causing a quick overturning allowing the comb (5) to have sufficient inertia in its ribs (6) so as to support the loads which the users will apply to it in the direction (4).