EP0225213A1 - Variable-speed continuous-transporting device - Google Patents

Variable-speed continuous-transporting device Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0225213A1
EP0225213A1 EP86402332A EP86402332A EP0225213A1 EP 0225213 A1 EP0225213 A1 EP 0225213A1 EP 86402332 A EP86402332 A EP 86402332A EP 86402332 A EP86402332 A EP 86402332A EP 0225213 A1 EP0225213 A1 EP 0225213A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
supports
transport device
compass
variable speed
free articulation
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
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EP86402332A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0225213B1 (en
Inventor
Daniel Mathis
Pierre Patin
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Regie Autonome des Transports Parisiens
Alstom SA
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Regie Autonome des Transports Parisiens
Alstom SA
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Priority to AT86402332T priority Critical patent/ATE40338T1/en
Publication of EP0225213A1 publication Critical patent/EP0225213A1/en
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Publication of EP0225213B1 publication Critical patent/EP0225213B1/en
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
    • B66B—ELEVATORS; ESCALATORS OR MOVING WALKWAYS
    • B66B21/00—Kinds or types of escalators or moving walkways
    • B66B21/10—Moving walkways
    • B66B21/12—Moving walkways of variable speed type

Definitions

  • variable speed continuous transport devices such as variable speed conveyor belts, which essentially consist of load-bearing elements such as plates, overlapped and mounted on supports, the speed variation being obtained by varying the distance between the neighboring supports, each pair of neighboring supports being connected by means of a deformable link, such as a chain or a belt, which passes over angle transmission elements, such as sprockets or pulleys, which are mounted on said supports with the possibility of translation controlled perpendicular to the direction of movement of the transport device, so as to vary the distance between the two supports; these angle transmission elements are guided in their translation by guides such as rails along the path of the system.
  • Such devices are described in particular in French patents 2 190 690 and 2 202 828.
  • Such a device makes it possible for example to produce moving walkways at variable speed, the speed being low in the access and exit zones and high over the majority of the course of the treadmills.
  • the drive of the device is carried out on a few supports in the high-speed zone. Due to the elasticity and wear of the link (a chain can admit a variation in length of the order of 2% during its lifetime), the connection between the neighboring supports is not carried out geometrically rigorous and this is particularly troublesome in high-speed areas and, more particularly, in the support drive areas because the distance between the supports is not strictly maintained and it is in particular difficult to distribute the effort correctly. training on several neighboring supports.
  • the subject of the present invention is a continuous variable speed transport device as defined above in which, in the zones at maximum speed, the distance between the neighboring supports is strictly maintained.
  • each pair of neighboring supports is also connected by means of at least one device with free articulation in the form of a compass, the adjustment of the translation of said angle transmission elements being such that at maximum speed, that is to say for the maximum distance of the supports, said free articulation device is at its maximum opening and the deformable link is substantially relaxed, the connection between the two neighboring supports then being ensured by said free articulation device.
  • connection is ensured by a rigid mechanical device, which ensures precise relative positioning of the supports and therefore in particular makes it possible to better distribute the driving force over several neighboring supports.
  • said free articulation device further comprises a articulation allowing a movement of one branch of the compass relative to the other in a direction perpendicular to the plane of said free articulation device.
  • This arrangement makes it possible in particular to absorb the movements of change of slope of the moving walkway.
  • this articulation is a ball joint.
  • one of the branches of the compass constituting the free articulation device comprises an extension beyond the top of said compass, said extension constituting a stop cooperating with a stop secured to the other branch of the compass .
  • the distance between the two supports is very precisely defined using the two abovementioned stops. It is advantageous for these two stops to have planar contact surfaces in order to obtain better relative positioning of the two arms of the compass.
  • two devices are provided with free articulation between each pair of neighboring supports, these two devices being arranged in planes parallel to the plane of movement of the transport device and distinct.
  • the use of two devices makes it possible to strengthen the connection between two supports and the fact of placing them in two separate planes make it possible to reduce the space occupied by these free-jointing devices.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 two neighboring plate supports 1 and 2 are seen which are connected together by means of a deformable link 3 constituted for example by a chain forming an endless loop.
  • Each support 1 consists of a tube 4 through which the above-mentioned deformable elements 3 pass and which comprises at each of its ends two control heads 5 and 6.
  • These two guide heads are slidably mounted in the tube 4 and carry angle gear elements constituted by pinions 7, each head comprising two pinions, one for each chain 3 passing through the tube 4.
  • These control heads are guided by means of a roller 8 which rolls along a track guide 9 shown in Figure 2.
  • Each support pulling the support that follows it, the deformable element 3 is stretched so as to form a trapezoid of constant perimeter and variable bases.
  • This device of known type is described in particular in French patent 2 202 828, it can be used for example for the production of a moving sidewalk at variable speed; this sidewalk is made up of plates mounted with overlap and supported at one of their ends by a support 1 or 2. In low speed areas, the plates come to cover almost completely while in high speed areas they have a very small covering surface.
  • connection between two neighboring supports 1 and 2 at least one device with free articulation in the form of a compass 11; the two "points" of the compass 11 are articulated respectively on the two adjacent supports 1 and 2 and the two branches of the compass are articulated around the apex 12.
  • the compass 11 when one is in a high-speed zone , as shown in Figure 1, the heads 5 and 6 being retracted as far as possible into the tubes 4, the compass 11 is at its maximum opening and the adjustment of the control ramps 9 of the heads 5 and 6 is such that the chain 3 is substantially relaxed so that the connection between the neighboring supports 1 and 2 is carried out by the mechanical device 11.
  • the maximum opening of the compass 11 is determined by means of a stop integral with one of the two branches of the compass and coming into abutment on the other branch. This makes it possible, on the one hand, to determine with precision the relative position of the two supports 1 and 2 and to prevent the compass 11 from overturning.
  • the mechanical connection produced by the compass 11 therefore makes it possible to produce a rigid and precise connection in high-speed areas, which makes it possible to obtain a precise positioning of the supports so that it is easier to distribute the drive force. on several neighboring supports at the moving side drive device.
  • the compasses 11 play a safety role in the event that the deformable link 3 breaks; in fact, if the chain 3 breaks in any area at low or high speed, the connection between the two neighboring supports will then be ensured by the compass 11.
  • Figures 3 and 4 show an embodiment of the invention; in these figures, we see in the central part two supports 31 and 32 in the position corresponding to a high-speed zone, that is to say with a maximum spacing, and, on the left part of these figures, two supports 33 and 31 shown in their low speed position, that is to say with minimum spacing.
  • the articulation of the apex 18 of each of the compasses 14 and 15 is such that it allows a slight relative displacement of the two branches relative to each other in a plane perpendicular to their plane, that is to say in a vertical plane in the case of Figures 3 and 4; this arrangement makes it possible to absorb the deformations due to the change of slope passages.
  • This is particularly important in the case where the transport device is a continuous loop device. Indeed, at the entrance and at the exit of the moving walkway, the plates descend below the ground, and the treadmill makes a 180 ° rotation in its plane to set off again in the other direction.
  • this articulation is of the ball-and-socket type.
  • one of the arms of the compass 11, 14 or 15 has an extension extending beyond the top constituting the joint 18; this extension 19 constitutes a stop which cooperates with a stop 21 of the other branch of the compass.
  • this arrangement ensures good stability of the opening length of the compass 11, 14 or 15 in high-speed areas where it is it which provides the connection between the neighboring supports.
  • the two stops 19 and 21 have two flat surfaces in their contact zones, which further increases the precision of the relative positioning of the two arms of the compass in the high-speed zones and increases the rigidity of the connection between the two neighboring supports. .
  • the above description has been provided by way of illustrative and in no way limitative example and it is obvious that it is possible to make modifications of variants without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention.
  • the number and the position of the free-jointing devices can be varied.
  • the invention applies to any continuous transport device in which the connection between two supports of neighboring carrier elements is carried out by means of any deformable element which can for example be a belt or a cable.
  • This deformable element may not consist of a loop but be fixed at its two ends and the geometrical figure described by said deformable element may be arbitrary and is not limited to a quadrilateral.

Landscapes

  • Escalators And Moving Walkways (AREA)
  • Vending Machines For Individual Products (AREA)
  • Attitude Control For Articles On Conveyors (AREA)
  • Control Of Conveyors (AREA)
  • Supplying Of Containers To The Packaging Station (AREA)

Abstract

- L'invention concerne un dispositif de transport en continu à vitesse variable, constitué d'éléments porteurs, tels que des plaques disposés à recouvrement et montés sur des supports (1, 2), la variation de vitesse étant obtenue par variation de la distance entre les supports voisins, ceux-ci étant reliés au moyen d'un lien déformable (3) tel qu'une chaîne ou une courroie, passant sur des éléments de renvoi d'angle (7) tels que des pignons ou des poulies, qui sont montés sur les supports (1, 2) avec possibilité de translation commandée perpendiculairement à la direction du déplacement, de manière à faire varier la distance entre les deux supports, lesdits éléments de renvoi d'angle (7) étant guidés dans leur translation par des guides (9) tels que des rails, le long du trajet dudit dispositif de transport. - Selon l'invention, chaque couple de supports voisins (1-2) est également relié au moyen d'un dispositif à articulation libre (11) en forme de compas, le réglage de la translation desdits éléments de renvoi (7) étant tel qu'à la vitesse maximale, c'est-à-dire pour la distance maximale des supports, ledit dispositif à articulation libre est à son ouverture maximale et ledit lien déformable (3) est détendu, la liaison entre les deux supports étant alors assurée par ledit dispositif à articulation libre (11). - L'invention permet d'obtenir un positionnement précis des supports voisins dans les zones à grande vitesse.- The invention relates to a continuous transport device at variable speed, consisting of load-bearing elements, such as plates arranged overlapping and mounted on supports (1, 2), the speed variation being obtained by variation of the distance between the neighboring supports, these being connected by means of a deformable link (3) such as a chain or a belt, passing over angle return elements (7) such as sprockets or pulleys, which are mounted on the supports (1, 2) with the possibility of translation controlled perpendicular to the direction of movement, so as to vary the distance between the two supports, said angle transmission elements (7) being guided in their translation by guides (9) such as rails, along the path of said transport device. - According to the invention, each pair of neighboring supports (1-2) is also connected by means of a free articulation device (11) in the form of a compass, the adjustment of the translation of said deflection elements (7) being such that at maximum speed, that is to say for the maximum distance of the supports, said free articulation device is at its maximum opening and said deformable link (3) is relaxed, the connection between the two supports being then ensured by said free articulation device (11). - The invention makes it possible to obtain precise positioning of neighboring supports in high-speed areas.

Description

La présente invention concerne les dispositifs de transport en continu à vitesse variable, tels que les tapis roulants à vitesse variable, qui sont essentiellement constitués d'éléments porteurs tels que des plaques, disposés à recouvrement et montés sur des supports, la variation de vitesse étant obtenue par variation de la distance entre les supports voisins, chaque couple de supports voisins étant relié au moyen d'un lien déformable, tel qu'une chaîne ou une courroie, qui passe sur des éléments de renvoi d'angle, tels que des pignons ou des poulies, qui sont montés sur lesdits supports avec possibilité de translation commandée perpendiculairement à la direction du déplacement du disposi­tif de transport, de manière à faire varier la distance entre les deux supports ; ces éléments de renvoi d'angle sont guidés dans leur trans­lation par des guides tels que des rails le long du trajet du système. De tels dispositifs sont décrits en particulier dans les bre­vets français 2 190 690 et 2 202 828.The present invention relates to variable speed continuous transport devices, such as variable speed conveyor belts, which essentially consist of load-bearing elements such as plates, overlapped and mounted on supports, the speed variation being obtained by varying the distance between the neighboring supports, each pair of neighboring supports being connected by means of a deformable link, such as a chain or a belt, which passes over angle transmission elements, such as sprockets or pulleys, which are mounted on said supports with the possibility of translation controlled perpendicular to the direction of movement of the transport device, so as to vary the distance between the two supports; these angle transmission elements are guided in their translation by guides such as rails along the path of the system. Such devices are described in particular in French patents 2 190 690 and 2 202 828.

Un tel dispositif permet par exemple de réaliser des trottoirs roulants à vitesse variable, la vitesse étant faible dans les zones d'accès et de sortie et élevée sur la majorité du parcours des tapis roulants. L'entraînement du dis­positif est effectué sur quelques supports dans la zone à grande vitesse. Du fait de l'élasticité et de l'usure du lien (une chaîne peut admettre une variation de longueur de l'ordre de 2% pendant sa durée de vie), la liaison entre les supports voisins n'est pas réalisée de manière géométriquement rigou­reuse et cela est particulièrement gênant dans les zones à grande vitesse et, plus particulièrement, dans les zones d'en­traînement des supports car la distance entre les supports n'est pas rigoureusement maintenue et il est en particulier difficile de répartir correctement l'effort d'entraînement sur plusieurs supports voisins.Such a device makes it possible for example to produce moving walkways at variable speed, the speed being low in the access and exit zones and high over the majority of the course of the treadmills. The drive of the device is carried out on a few supports in the high-speed zone. Due to the elasticity and wear of the link (a chain can admit a variation in length of the order of 2% during its lifetime), the connection between the neighboring supports is not carried out geometrically rigorous and this is particularly troublesome in high-speed areas and, more particularly, in the support drive areas because the distance between the supports is not strictly maintained and it is in particular difficult to distribute the effort correctly. training on several neighboring supports.

Par ailleurs, sous l'effet d'un effort de freinage du dispositif de transport, toujours du fait de l'élasticité du lien déformable reliant les supports voisins, il se produit une onde d'élongation qui se propage en augmentant d'amplitude dans la zone concernée et on est amené à prévoir des dispositifs de freinage pour supprimer l'effet néfaste de cette onde d'élongation.Furthermore, under the effect of a braking force of the transport device, still due to the elasticity of the deformable link connecting the neighboring supports, an elongation wave occurs which propagates by increasing in amplitude in the area concerned and it is necessary to provide braking devices to eliminate the harmful effect of this elongation wave.

La présente invention a pour objet un dispositif de trans­port en continu à vitesse variable tel que défini ci-dessus dans lequel, dans les zones à vitesse maximale, la distance entre les supports voisins est maintenue de manière rigoureuse.The subject of the present invention is a continuous variable speed transport device as defined above in which, in the zones at maximum speed, the distance between the neighboring supports is strictly maintained.

Ceci est obtenu conformément à l'invention par le fait que chaque couple de supports voisins est également relié au moyen d'au moins un dispositif à articulation libre en forme de compas, le réglage de la translation desdits éléments de renvoi d'angle étant tel qu'à la vitesse maximale, c'est-à-dire pour la distance maximale des supports, ledit dispositif à articulation libre est à son ouverture maximale et le lien déformable est sensiblement détendu, la liaison entre les deux sup­port voisins étant alors assurée par ledit dispositif à articulation libre.This is obtained in accordance with the invention by the fact that each pair of neighboring supports is also connected by means of at least one device with free articulation in the form of a compass, the adjustment of the translation of said angle transmission elements being such that at maximum speed, that is to say for the maximum distance of the supports, said free articulation device is at its maximum opening and the deformable link is substantially relaxed, the connection between the two neighboring supports then being ensured by said free articulation device.

De cette manière, dans les zones à grande vitesse, la liai­son est assurée par un dispositif mécanique rigide, ce qui assure un positionnement relatif précis des supports et permet donc en particulier de mieux répartir la force d'entraînement sur plusieurs supports voisins.In this way, in high-speed areas, the connection is ensured by a rigid mechanical device, which ensures precise relative positioning of the supports and therefore in particular makes it possible to better distribute the driving force over several neighboring supports.

Avantageusement, ledit dispositif à articulation libre comporte en outre une articulation permettant un déplacement d'une bran­che du compas par rapport à l'autre dans une direction perpendiculaire au plan dudit dispositif à articulation libre. Cette disposition permet en particulier d'absorber les mouvements de changement de pente du trottoir roulant.Advantageously, said free articulation device further comprises a articulation allowing a movement of one branch of the compass relative to the other in a direction perpendicular to the plane of said free articulation device. This arrangement makes it possible in particular to absorb the movements of change of slope of the moving walkway.

Avantageusement, cette articulation est une articulation à rotule.Advantageously, this articulation is a ball joint.

Selon une autre caractéristique de l'invention, l'une des branches du compas constituant le dispositif à articulation libre comporte un prolongement au-delà du sommet dudit compas, ledit prolongement cons­tituant une butée coopérant avec une butée solidaire de l'autre branche du compas. De cette manière, la distance entre les deux supports est définie de manière très précise grâce aux deux butées précitées. Il est avantageux que ces deux butées présentent des surfaces de contact planes pour obtenir un meilleur positionnement relatif des deux branches du compas.According to another characteristic of the invention, one of the branches of the compass constituting the free articulation device comprises an extension beyond the top of said compass, said extension constituting a stop cooperating with a stop secured to the other branch of the compass . In this way, the distance between the two supports is very precisely defined using the two abovementioned stops. It is advantageous for these two stops to have planar contact surfaces in order to obtain better relative positioning of the two arms of the compass.

Avantageusement, on prévoit deux dispositifs à articulation libre entre chaque couple de supports voisins, ces deux dispositifs étant disposés dans des plans parallèles au plan de déplacement du dispositif de transport et distincts. L'utilisation de deux dispositifs permet de renforcer la liaison entre deux supports et le fait de les disposer dans deux plans distincts permet de réduire l'encombrement occupé par ces dispositifs à articulation libre.Advantageously, two devices are provided with free articulation between each pair of neighboring supports, these two devices being arranged in planes parallel to the plane of movement of the transport device and distinct. The use of two devices makes it possible to strengthen the connection between two supports and the fact of placing them in two separate planes make it possible to reduce the space occupied by these free-jointing devices.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de l'invention res­sortiront de la description qui suit ainsi que des dessins ci-annexés sur lesquels :

  • - les figures 1 et 2 illustrent de manière schématique le principe de l'invention,
  • - la figure 3 est une vue de dessus d'un dispositif conforme à l'invention,
  • - la figure 4 est une vue de profil correspondant à la figure 3, et
  • - la figure 5 est une vue de détail représentant les butées.
Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description which follows as well as from the appended drawings in which:
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 schematically illustrate the principle of the invention,
  • FIG. 3 is a top view of a device according to the invention,
  • FIG. 4 is a side view corresponding to FIG. 3, and
  • - Figure 5 is a detail view showing the stops.

Sur les figures 1 et 2, on voit deux supports de plaque voisins 1 et 2 qui sont reliés entre eux au moyen d'un lien déformable 3 constitué par exemple par une chaîne formant une boucle sans fin. Chaque support 1 est constitué d'un tube 4 dans lequel passent les éléments déformables 3 précités et qui comporte à chacune de ses extrémités deux têtes de commande 5 et 6. Ces deux têtes de guidage sont montées à cou­lissement dans le tube 4 et portent des éléments de renvoi d'angle cons­titués par des pignons 7, chaque tête comportant deux pignons, un pour chaque chaîne 3 traversant le tube 4. Ces têtes de commande sont guidées au moyen d'un galet 8 qui roule le long d'une voie de guidage 9 repré­sentée sur la figure 2. Chaque support tirant le support qui le suit, l'élément déformable 3 est tendu de manière à former un trapèze de périmètre constant et de bases variables. Lorsque la longueur des bases de ce trapèze est maximale, les têtes 5 et 6 étant écartées au maximum du tube 4, les supports 1 et 2 sont alors très voisins et on se trouve dans une zone à faible vitesse ; par contre, lorsque les têtes 5 et 6 sont rentrées au maximum dans les tubes 4, la longueur des bases du trapèze est minimale et la distance entre les deux supports voisins 1 et 2 est maximale; on est alors dans une zone à grande vitesse.In FIGS. 1 and 2, two neighboring plate supports 1 and 2 are seen which are connected together by means of a deformable link 3 constituted for example by a chain forming an endless loop. Each support 1 consists of a tube 4 through which the above-mentioned deformable elements 3 pass and which comprises at each of its ends two control heads 5 and 6. These two guide heads are slidably mounted in the tube 4 and carry angle gear elements constituted by pinions 7, each head comprising two pinions, one for each chain 3 passing through the tube 4. These control heads are guided by means of a roller 8 which rolls along a track guide 9 shown in Figure 2. Each support pulling the support that follows it, the deformable element 3 is stretched so as to form a trapezoid of constant perimeter and variable bases. When the length of the bases of this trapezium is maximum, the heads 5 and 6 being separated as far as possible from the tube 4, the supports 1 and 2 are then very close together and one is in an area at low speed; on the other hand, when the heads 5 and 6 have returned as much as possible into the tubes 4, the length of the bases of the trapezoid is minimum and the distance between the two neighboring supports 1 and 2 is maximum; we are then in a high speed zone.

Ce dispositif de type connu est décrit en particulier dans le brevet français 2 202 828, il peut être utilisé par exemple pour la réalisation d'un trottoir roulant à vitesse variable ; ce trottoir est constitué de plaques montées à recouvrement et supportées à une de leurs extrémités par un support 1 ou 2. Dans les zones à faible vitesse, les plaques viennent se recouvrir presque complètement alors que dans les zones à grande vitesse elles présentent une très faible surface de re­couvrement.This device of known type is described in particular in French patent 2 202 828, it can be used for example for the production of a moving sidewalk at variable speed; this sidewalk is made up of plates mounted with overlap and supported at one of their ends by a support 1 or 2. In low speed areas, the plates come to cover almost completely while in high speed areas they have a very small covering surface.

Conformément à l'invention, on prévoit en outre, pour réa­liser la liaison entre deux supports voisins 1 et 2, au moins un dispo­sitif à articulation libre en forme de compas 11 ; les deux "pointes" du compas 11 sont articulés respectivement sur les deux supports voisins 1 et 2 et les deux branches du compas sont articulées autour du sommet 12. Conformément à l'invention, lorsque l'on se trouve dans une zone à grande vitesse, comme représenté sur la figure 1, les têtes 5 et 6 étant rentrées au maximum dans les tubes 4, le compas 11 est à son ouverture maximale et le réglage des rampes de commande 9 des têtes 5 et 6 est tel que la chaîne 3 est sensiblement détendue si bien que la liaison entre les supports voi­sins 1 et 2 est réalisée par le dispositif mécanique 11.In accordance with the invention, provision is also made, to make the connection between two neighboring supports 1 and 2, at least one device with free articulation in the form of a compass 11; the two "points" of the compass 11 are articulated respectively on the two adjacent supports 1 and 2 and the two branches of the compass are articulated around the apex 12. According to the invention, when one is in a high-speed zone , as shown in Figure 1, the heads 5 and 6 being retracted as far as possible into the tubes 4, the compass 11 is at its maximum opening and the adjustment of the control ramps 9 of the heads 5 and 6 is such that the chain 3 is substantially relaxed so that the connection between the neighboring supports 1 and 2 is carried out by the mechanical device 11.

Avantageusement, l'ouverture maximale du compas 11 est déter­minée au moyen d'une butée solidaire d'une des deux branches du compas et venant en butée sur l'autre branche. Ceci permet, d'une part, de détermi­ner avec précision la position relative des deux supports 1 et 2 et d'éviter un retournement du compas 11.Advantageously, the maximum opening of the compass 11 is determined by means of a stop integral with one of the two branches of the compass and coming into abutment on the other branch. This makes it possible, on the one hand, to determine with precision the relative position of the two supports 1 and 2 and to prevent the compass 11 from overturning.

La liaison mécanique réalisée par le compas 11 permet donc de réaliser une liaison rigide et précise dans les zones à grande vitesse ce qui permet d'obtenir un positionnement précis des supports si bien qu'il est plus facile de répartir l'effort d'entraînement sur plusieurs supports voisins au niveau du dispositif d'entraînement du trottoir roulant.The mechanical connection produced by the compass 11 therefore makes it possible to produce a rigid and precise connection in high-speed areas, which makes it possible to obtain a precise positioning of the supports so that it is easier to distribute the drive force. on several neighboring supports at the moving side drive device.

Par ailleurs, les compas 11 jouent un rôle de sécurité pour le cas où le lien déformable 3 viendrait à se casser ; en effet, si la chaîne 3 casse dans une zone quelconque à faible ou à grande vitesse, la liaison entre les deux supports voisins sera alors assurée par le compas 11.Furthermore, the compasses 11 play a safety role in the event that the deformable link 3 breaks; in fact, if the chain 3 breaks in any area at low or high speed, the connection between the two neighboring supports will then be ensured by the compass 11.

Les figures 3 et 4 représentent un mode de réalisation de l'invention ; sur ces figures, on voit dans la partie centrale deux sup­ports 31 et 32 dans la position correspondant à une zone à grande vites­se, c'est-à-dire avec un écartement maximal, et, sur la partie gauche de ces figures, deux supports 33 et 31 représentés dans leur position de vitesse faible, c'est-à-dire avec écartement minimal.Figures 3 and 4 show an embodiment of the invention; in these figures, we see in the central part two supports 31 and 32 in the position corresponding to a high-speed zone, that is to say with a maximum spacing, and, on the left part of these figures, two supports 33 and 31 shown in their low speed position, that is to say with minimum spacing.

Comme on peut le voir sur ces figures 3 et 4, on dispose avantageusement deux compas 14 et 15 entre chaque couple de supports voisins ; ces deux compas sont articulés dans un plan horizontal, le plan des deux compas étant différent de manière à permettre leur re­pliement l'un en-dessous de l'autre comme représenté sur la partie gau­che de la figure. Cette disposition permet de réduire l'encombrement des compas à la largeur des tubes 17.As can be seen in these figures 3 and 4, we have advantageously two compasses 14 and 15 between each pair of neighboring supports; these two compasses are articulated in a horizontal plane, the plane of the two compasses being different so as to allow their folding one below the other as shown on the left part of the figure. This arrangement makes it possible to reduce the size of the compasses to the width of the tubes 17.

Comme on peut le voir en particulier sur la figure 4, l'articulation du sommet 18 de chacun des compas 14 et 15 est telle qu'elle permet un léger déplacement relatif des deux branches l'une par rap­port à l'autre dans un plan perpendiculaire à leur plan, c'est-à-dire dans un plan vertical dans le cas des figures 3 et 4 ; cette disposition permet d'absorber les déformations dues aux passages de changement de pente. Ceci est particulièrement important dans le cas où le dispositif de transport est un dispositif en boucle continue. En effet, à l'entrée et à la sortie du trottoir roulant, les plaques descendent en-dessous du sol, et le tapis roulant effectue une rotation de 180° dans son plan pour repartir dans l'autre sens. Avantageusement, cette articulation est du type à rotule.As can be seen in particular in FIG. 4, the articulation of the apex 18 of each of the compasses 14 and 15 is such that it allows a slight relative displacement of the two branches relative to each other in a plane perpendicular to their plane, that is to say in a vertical plane in the case of Figures 3 and 4; this arrangement makes it possible to absorb the deformations due to the change of slope passages. This is particularly important in the case where the transport device is a continuous loop device. Indeed, at the entrance and at the exit of the moving walkway, the plates descend below the ground, and the treadmill makes a 180 ° rotation in its plane to set off again in the other direction. Advantageously, this articulation is of the ball-and-socket type.

Comme représenté schématiquement sur les figures 1 et 2 et en détail sur la figure 5, l'une des branches du compas 11, 14 ou 15 comporte un prolongement s'étendant au-delà du sommet constituant l'ar­ticulation 18 ; ce prolongement 19 constitue une butée qui coopère avec une butée 21 de l'autre branche du compas. De cette manière, l'ouverture maximale du compas est limitée de manière à offrir la possibilité d'une fermeture sans risque de coincement; par ailleurs, cette disposition as­sure une bonne stabilité de la longueur d'ouverture du compas 11,14 ou 15 dans les zones à grande vitesse où c'est lui qui assure la liaison entre les supports voisins.As shown schematically in Figures 1 and 2 and in detail in Figure 5, one of the arms of the compass 11, 14 or 15 has an extension extending beyond the top constituting the joint 18; this extension 19 constitutes a stop which cooperates with a stop 21 of the other branch of the compass. In this way, the maximum opening of the compass is limited so as to offer the possibility of closing without risk of jamming; moreover, this arrangement ensures good stability of the opening length of the compass 11, 14 or 15 in high-speed areas where it is it which provides the connection between the neighboring supports.

Avantageusement, les deux butées 19 et 21 présentent deux surfaces planes dans leurs zones de contact, ce qui augmente encore la pré­cision du positionnement relatif des deux branches du compas dans les zones à grande vitesse et augmente la rigidité de la liaison entre les deux sup­ports voisins.Advantageously, the two stops 19 and 21 have two flat surfaces in their contact zones, which further increases the precision of the relative positioning of the two arms of the compass in the high-speed zones and increases the rigidity of the connection between the two neighboring supports. .

La description ci-dessus n'a été fournie qu'à titre d'exemple illustratif et nullement limitatif et il est évident que l'on peut y appor­ter des modifications de variantes sans sortir pour autant du cadre de la présente invention. En particulier, on peut varier le nombre et la position des dispositifs à articulation libre. En outre, l'invention s'applique à tout dispositif de transport en continu dans lequel la liai­son entre deux supports d'éléments porteurs voisins est réalisée au moyen d'un élément déformable quelconque qui peut par exemple être une courroie ou un câble. Cet élément déformable peut ne pas être constitué par une boucle mais être fixé à ses deux extrémités et la figure géométrique décrite par ledit élément déformable peut être quelconque et n'est pas limitée à un quadrilatère.The above description has been provided by way of illustrative and in no way limitative example and it is obvious that it is possible to make modifications of variants without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention. In particular, the number and the position of the free-jointing devices can be varied. Furthermore, the invention applies to any continuous transport device in which the connection between two supports of neighboring carrier elements is carried out by means of any deformable element which can for example be a belt or a cable. This deformable element may not consist of a loop but be fixed at its two ends and the geometrical figure described by said deformable element may be arbitrary and is not limited to a quadrilateral.

Claims (7)

1. Dispositif de transport en continu à vitesse variable, constitué d'éléments porteurs, tels que des plaques, disposés à recouvre­ment et montés sur des supports (1, 2, 31, 32, 33), la variation de vitesse étant obtenue par variation de la distance entre les supports voisins, chaque couple de supports voisins étant relié au moyen d'un lien déformable (3) tel qu'une chaîne ou une courroie, passant sur des éléments de renvoi d'angle (7) tels que des pignons ou des poulies, qui sont montés sur les supports (1, 2, 31, 32, 33) avec possibilité de translation commandée perpendiculairement à la direction du déplacement, de manière à faire varier la distance entre les deux supports, lesdits éléments de renvoi d'angle (7) étant guidés dans leur translation par des guides (9) tels que des rails, le long du trajet dudit dispositif de transport, caractérisé en ce que chaque couple de supports voisins (1-2, 31-32, 33-31) est également relié au moyen d'un dispositif à arti­culation libre (11, 14, 15) en forme de compas, le réglage de la trans­lation desdits éléments de renvoi (7) étant tel qu'à la vitesse maxi­male, c'est-à-dire pour la distance maximale des supports, ledit dispo­sitif à articulation libre est à son ouverture maximale et ledit lien déformable (3) est sensiblement détendu, la liaison entre les deux supports étant alors assurée par le dispositif à articulation libre (11,14,15).1. Continuous variable speed transport device, consisting of load-bearing elements, such as plates, arranged overlapping and mounted on supports (1, 2, 31, 32, 33), the speed variation being obtained by variation the distance between the neighboring supports, each pair of neighboring supports being connected by means of a deformable link (3) such as a chain or a belt, passing over angle return elements (7) such as sprockets or pulleys, which are mounted on the supports (1, 2, 31, 32, 33) with the possibility of translation controlled perpendicular to the direction of movement, so as to vary the distance between the two supports, said return elements d angle (7) being guided in their translation by guides (9) such as rails, along the path of said transport device, characterized in that each pair of neighboring supports (1-2, 31-32, 33- 31) is also connected by means of a free articulation device (11, 14, 1 5) in the form of a compass, the adjustment of the translation of said deflection elements (7) being such that at maximum speed, that is to say for the maximum distance from the supports, said free articulation device is at its maximum opening and said deformable link (3) is substantially relaxed, the connection between the two supports then being provided by the free articulation device (11,14,15). 2. Dispositif de transport en continu à vitesse variable selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le sommet (12, 18) dudit dispositif à articulation libre (11, 14, 15) comporte en outre une arti­culation permettant un léger déplacement d'une branche du compas par rapport à l'autre dans une direction perpendiculaire au plan dudit dispositif à articulation libre.2. A continuous variable speed transport device according to claim 1, characterized in that the top (12, 18) of said free articulation device (11, 14, 15) further comprises an articulation allowing a slight displacement of a branch of the compass with respect to the other in a direction perpendicular to the plane of said free articulation device. 3. Dispositif de transport en continu à vitesse variable selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que ladite articulation est une articulation à rotule.3. Continuous variable speed transport device according to claim 2, characterized in that said articulation is a ball joint. 4. Dispositif de transport en continu à vitesse variable selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisé en ce que l'une des branches du compas constituant le dispositif à articulation libre (11, 14, 15) comporte un prolongement (19) au-delà du sommet (18), ledit prolongement (19) constituant une butée coopérant avec une butée (21) solidaire de l'autre branche du compas.4. Continuous variable speed transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that one of the arms of the compass constituting the free articulation device (11, 14, 15) has an extension (19 ) beyond the top (18), said extension (19) constituting a stop cooperating with a stop (21) integral with the other branch of the compass. 5. Dispositif de transport en continu à vitesse variable selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que les deux butées (19, 21) ont des surfaces de contact planes.5. A continuous variable speed transport device according to claim 4, characterized in that the two stops (19, 21) have planar contact surfaces. 6. Dispositif de transport en continu à vitesse variable selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, caractérisé en ce que deux dispositifs à articulation libre (11, 14, 15) relient chaque couple de supports voisins (1-2, 31-32, 33-31).6. Continuous variable speed transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that two free articulation devices (11, 14, 15) connect each pair of neighboring supports (1-2, 31- 32, 33-31). 7. Dispositif de transport en continu à vitesse variable selon la revendication 6, caractérisé en ce que les deux dispositifs à articulation libre précités sont disposés dans deux plans différents parallèles au plan des éléments porteurs.7. A continuous variable speed transport device according to claim 6, characterized in that the two aforementioned free articulation devices are arranged in two different planes parallel to the plane of the carrier elements.
EP86402332A 1985-10-21 1986-10-17 Variable-speed continuous-transporting device Expired EP0225213B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT86402332T ATE40338T1 (en) 1985-10-21 1986-10-17 CONTINUOUS VARIABLE SPEED CONVEYOR.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8515591A FR2588842B1 (en) 1985-10-21 1985-10-21 CONTINUOUS TRANSPORT DEVICE AT VARIABLE SPEED
FR8515591 1985-10-21

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EP0225213A1 true EP0225213A1 (en) 1987-06-10
EP0225213B1 EP0225213B1 (en) 1989-01-25

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US (1) US4732257A (en)
EP (1) EP0225213B1 (en)
JP (1) JPS62100309A (en)
AT (1) ATE40338T1 (en)
CA (1) CA1230072A (en)
DE (1) DE3661902D1 (en)
FR (1) FR2588842B1 (en)
SU (1) SU1537130A3 (en)

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JP2540965B2 (en) * 1990-01-16 1996-10-09 三菱電機株式会社 Intermediate high-speed escalator
US6044955A (en) * 1997-02-14 2000-04-04 Inventio Ag Accelerating travelling walkway with laterally and longitudinally displaceable step plates
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NL1009569C2 (en) * 1998-07-06 2000-01-10 Food Processing Systems Endless conveyor.
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA1230072A (en) 1987-12-08
JPS62100309A (en) 1987-05-09
FR2588842B1 (en) 1987-12-31
EP0225213B1 (en) 1989-01-25
DE3661902D1 (en) 1989-03-02
ATE40338T1 (en) 1989-02-15
US4732257A (en) 1988-03-22
SU1537130A3 (en) 1990-01-15
FR2588842A1 (en) 1987-04-24

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