EP0662067A1

EP0662067A1 - Curved escalator.

Info

Publication number: EP0662067A1
Application number: EP93920763A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Erik Brunn
Original assignee: O&K Rolltreppen GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: O&K Rolltreppen GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 1992-09-25
Filing date: 1993-09-18
Publication date: 1995-07-12
Anticipated expiration: 2013-09-18
Also published as: DE59304632D1; WO1994007787A1; DK0662067T3; KR950701594A; ES2098779T3; DE4232113C2; ATE145630T1; DE4232113A1; EP0662067B1; US5544729A; GR3021836T3

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/EP93/02530 Sec. 371 Date Jan. 13, 1995 Sec. 102(e) Date Jan. 13, 1995 PCT Filed Sep. 18, 1993 PCT Pub. No. WO94/07787 PCT Pub. Date Apr. 14, 1994A curved escalator in which the occurrence of an unacceptably wide gap between the steps or between the steps and the sidewalls is avoided by virtue of the fact that all the step sections have different arcs when viewed in the plan view but have constant arcs in each of these zones. The arcs in these zones are selected or calculated such that, in every position in these zones, the rotational speed of the inner and outer drive chains is the same. The arc corresponding to the zone which links the stair landing with the central zone is such that the overall angle covered over this zone is the same for the inner and the outer drive chain. Within this region, small angular discrepancies can occur between the drive chains, the gaps of between 1 and 6 mm thus produced being compensated for by bending of the step skirts.

Description

Arch escalator

The invention relates to an arched escalator, consisting of a stairway that is curved in plan view and has a central area with a predetermined constant angle of inclination, upper and lower stair landing areas essentially with an angle of inclination of zero, and transition areas which have the central area connect with the upper and lower stair landing areas and have changing angles of inclination for a smooth connection of these areas, wherein there may be several horizontally running steps in the lower and upper staircase landing area, guide curves which ensure that the step tread surface in the areas lie horizontally and Drive chains, which are firmly connected to the steps and have a constant length between the steps, consisting of several chain links for driving the steps on an outer and inner curved curve, wherein

the top view of the curve of the stair section has a constant radius and the angular velocities of the inner drive chain and the outer drive chain in this area are the same at all times,

- The curve of the upper and lower stair landing areas in plan view has a constant radius which is larger than that of R and the angular velocities of the inner and outer drive chains are the same everywhere in this area too.

A curved escalator of the type mentioned is known from DE-A 3437 369. With this escalator it is not possible to describe a pure circular arc in all areas, in particular in the transition areas. This escalator also has gaps between the steps and between the steps and the side walls.

A curved escalator is known from US Pat. No. 4,949,832, in which the drive chain for driving the steps has an additional joint between adjacent steps, which is guided via cams on respective inner and outer cam tracks. In the landing zone, step tracks and cam tracks lie vertically one above the other, as a result of which the drive chains are buckled in the landing area and in the transition area. This is to ensure that the horizontal component of the angular velocity of the steps remains constant and only an acceleration the chains take place in the vertical direction. Due to the spreading of the drive chains in the vertical direction, considerable compressive forces are exerted on the swivel joints, so that very expensive storage and guidance of the cam tracks is necessary. Due to the increased load, wear on the heavily stressed bearings and guideways is also to be expected.

Spreading out of the drive chain is also shown in EP-A 390 630 in various variations, a cam carrier plate being designed to reinforce the intermediate joints in such a way that it can absorb both horizontal and vertical forces. The cam carrier plate attached to the side, the cams and the protruding axles combine to widen the drive chain. In the landing areas or in the landing areas, this leads to an increased space requirement and a complicated chain guide, in particular in the area of the drive wheels.

From DE-B 40 36 667 an arched escalator is known, in which the respective drive chain is guided on a rail separate from the step rail and in which, by means of a pull rod which connects the drive chain to the step, different distances for step and drive chain are made possible. This ensures precise alignment of the step axis. To guide the drive chain equipped with the pull rod, however, you need at least two more guide rails than with conventional escalators. In addition, the steps are not held completely securely by the pull rod, so that an upward movement, e.g. in the event of vibration, can only be prevented by additional guide rails.

To build curved escalators, it is necessary to precisely define the course of space curves, such as guide rails, drive chains and handrails. Even small deviations of 0.0010 mm lead to considerable mechanical loads, which are noticeable in increased wear and increased noise when operating the escalator. In addition, the gap enlargements that occur are also undesirable. According to the applicable safety regulations, they must not exceed a value of 6 mm.

The mechanical implementation of spatial curves with the configuration of a widened arc has proven to be particularly difficult. Since their shape is based on empirically derived nutritional solutions, individual assemblies cannot be calculated and manufactured exactly. For this, complicated reference levels and coordinate systems must first be created, which make the construction of such escalators complex, expensive and time-consuming.

The object of the present invention is to avoid the disadvantages described and to develop an arched escalator which enables exact positioning of the spatial curves when building an arched escalator and a simplified mechanical movement sequence in the transition zones.

This object is achieved in that the curve of the upper and lower transition regions has a constant radius in plan view, which lies between R and Rg, and that the angular velocities of the inner drive chain and the outer drive chain are overall the same in this area , the shape of the aprons of the steps compensating for the temporary angular displacements of the drive chains occurring in the transition areas.

Advantageous developments of the subject matter of the invention can be found in the subclaims.

The invention avoids the occurrence of inadmissibly wide gaps in that in the three stair sections (stair landing area, transition area, middle area), viewed in plan view, different, but constant arcs are selected in the areas. The arcs in the middle, upper and lower area are calculated in such a way that the angular velocities of the drive chains are the same inside and outside at every position in these areas. The circular arc of the transition region, which connects the landing area to the central area, is chosen so that the distance angle of the inner and outer drive chain over that range is IMP EXP ^¬ together with the same. Within this stretch chains between the drive ^¬ slight angular displacements can occur, but not exceed, even with very unfavorable constellation, such as curved escalators with a large pitch and a small radius of curvature in the central region 0.5. The resulting gaps are between 1mm and 6mm and can be compensated for by warping the step skirts. In all dimensions is thus the escalator, rich, particularly in the Übergangsbe¬ given stanchions a simple mechanical curve of the rails and Füh ^¬.

For the spatial positioning of the curves, the radii R (radius of the middle stair area), Rg (radius of the upper and lower stair area), Rue (radius of the upper and lower transition area) and RueV (vertical radius of the lower and upper overlap) are used ¬ corridor) and then determines the associated center points.

In the upper and lower transition areas, the vertical vertical drive chain connects the middle area with the upper and lower landing areas, preferably via a circle or circular arc. Alternatively, however, parabolas or involutes can also be provided.

The handrails, which are also designed in the manner of a helix, are designed in accordance with a further concept of the invention in accordance with the shape of the curved curves.

The invention is illustrated using an exemplary embodiment and is described as follows. Show it:

Figure 1 - Steps track with Handläuf, s and steps ^■

Figure 2 - top view of two steps with the associated curve arches including drive chains Figures 3 and 3a - schematic representation of the curves and the associated radii

Figure 4 - Illustration of the curvature of the step apron.

FIG. 1 shows an arched escalator, consisting of a staircase area 1 that is curved when viewed from above. The stairway area 1 contains a middle area la, upper and lower stair landing areas lc and transition areas lb, which connect the middle area la with the stair landing areas lc. A large number of sector-shaped steps 21 are provided in the stairway area 1, which run essentially horizontally in the stair landing areas 1c. Analogous to the curvature of the staircase area 1, the handrail guides 26, 26 ', as seen in plan view, are curved.

FIG. 2 shows a top view of two sector-shaped steps 21 with the associated inner and outer guides 23, 23 ', as well as the inner and outer rails 25, 25' of the drive chain 24, 24 'and the drive chains 24 fastened to the steps 21, 24 '. The rollers 27, 27 'are operatively connected to the guide rails 23, 23' and the rollers 28, 28 'with the rails 25, 25'.

Figures 3 and 3a show a schematic representation of the curves 25, 25 'and the associated radii R, Rg, Rue and RueV. Mgo and Mgu represent the centers of the radii of the landing areas lc, while Mueo and Mueu form the centers of the radii of the transition areas lb. The arcs in the central area la and in the stair landing areas lc are calculated in such a way that the angular velocities of the drive chains (not shown here) are the same inside and outside at each position in these areas. The circular arc of the transition areas 1b is chosen such that the angle covered by the inner and outer drive chains is the same overall over this area. For the spatial positioning of the curved curves 25, 25 ', the radii R, Rg, Rue and RueV are defined and the associated center points Mgo, Mgu, Mueo and Mueu are then determined. The in the transition area to be determined arc Rue will follow ^¬ the consideration calculated:

Are the radii R and Rg of the staircase areas la and lc after the equation:

(1)

R * w _{Rg =} cos (alpha) / cos (alpha2) * (R + w) - R calculated so that the angular velocities of the drive chains 24, 24 'are always the same in these areas, then the ratio of the paths is si / sa of inner drive chain 24 and outer drive chain 24 'everywhere

(2)

si Rg sa Rg + w

If a vertical transition circle with the radius RueV is selected for the inner drive chain 24 in the transition areas 1b, then the inner chain 24 leads the way in this area

(3)

si = alpha * RueV

back.

The outer drive chain 24 'then runs vertically on an ellipse with the axes

(4)

Rue + w a = RueV *

Rue b = RueV

and the functional equation:

(5)

? a ⁺ hb ^{2 = •}

The path on the ellipse BERueV must then be determined in the transition area Ib according to the following equation:

(6)

si alpha * RueV sa BERueV or

(7)

^v Rg + w BERueV = alpha * RueV *

Rg

The arc length of this ellipse can then be determined according to the arc integral

(8th)

Arc = dx determine with the limits xo = 0

Rue + w xl = sin (alpha) * RueV Rue where sin (alpha) * RueV in plan view indicates the length of the arc of the inner drive chain 24 in the transition area 1b. xl is the top view of the length of the arc of the outer drive chain 24 'in the transition region 1b. If one puts the function from equations (4) and (5) with the limits xO and xl into equation (8), one obtains

(9)

BERueV dx

with Rue as an unknown quantity.

With the help of the Simpson method or another algorithm for the numerical determination of a certain integral, the radius Rue can now be calculated with any accuracy.

The section below shows a procedure with a commercially available Pascal program, according to which Rue can be found using the Simpson method and with a radius Rue starting from a base value R.

(1) RueV is the vertical radius of the ellipse

(2) R is the radius of the inner arc

(3) VDiff is the difference between the inward elliptical arc and the inner circular arc RueV

(4) RueV = R is set and different values of R are calculated until VDiff is below the specified tolerance limit

(5) the step size in which the values of R are changed is e.g. 10

(6) the step size is reduced until the desired accuracy of RueV is reached.

The following table shows the dimensions in mm for a typical curved escalator:

R = 4200, Rg = 5454.7, Rue = 5024.5, w = 1014, alpha = 30 °. The correction of the curvature of the step apron (FIG. 4, correction of the apron) should in this example be proportional to the deviation of the step axis or of the chains from the desired alignment to the center of the circle of the transition circles. This deviation occurs only in the transition areas 16. As can be seen from the table, the deviation initially has the value zero at the beginning of the transition zone, in order to increase to max. 4.41 mm or 0.237 ° rise. The value zero is then reached again in the gradient zone, so that the conditions are as follows.

Axis deviation in degrees Axis deviation in mm

0.00 0.00 mm transition zone

0.03 ° 0.57 mm

0.06 ° 1.13 mm

0.09 ° 1.68 mm

0.11 ° 2.19 mm

0.14 ° 2.67 mm

0.16 ° 3.11 mm

0.18 ° 3.50 mm

0.20 ° 3.82 mm

0.21 ° 4.08 mm

0.22 ° 4.27 mm

0.23 ° 4.38 mm

0.237 ° 4.41 mm

0.23 ° 4.35 mm

0.22 ° 4.20 mm

0.21 ° 3.95 mm

0.19 ° 3.61 mm

0.16 ° 3.16 mm

0.14 ° 2.61 mm

0.10 ° 1.96 mm

0.06 ° 1.21 mm

0.03 ° 0.06 mm

0.00 0.00 mm pitch zone

FIG. 4 shows in a spatial representation a step 21 which, seen in the direction of rotation, is provided with an arched skirt 29. Particularly in the case of curved escalators with a large gradient and a small radius of curvature, gaps arise both between the individual steps 21 and between steps and side walls, which may lie outside the tolerances of the applicable safety regulations. In order to do justice to this problem, further bulge areas 30 are provided, by means of which the gaps are again brought within reasonable limits. attachment

1 entire stairway section la middle section of the stairway section lb upper and lower transition area lc upper and lower stair landing area

21 levels

23,23 'inner and outer guide rails

24,24 'inner and outer drive chains

25.25 'inner and outer rails of the drive chains

26,26 'inner and outer handrail guidance

27.27 'rollers for the guide rails 23.23'

28.28 'castors for the rails 25.25'

29 step apron

30 curvature of the step apron 29

R radius of the middle staircase area la

Rg radius of the lower and upper landing areas

Rue Radius of the lower and upper transition areas in the plan view

RueV vertical radius of the lower and upper transition areas

BERueV arc length of the elliptical outer track of the drive chain in the upper and lower transition areas, the RueV on the inner track corresponds to the radial distance of the inner to the outer drive chain 24, 24 'alpha slope of the inner drive chain 24 in the middle stair area la alpha2 slope of the outer drive chain 24 'in the middle stair area la x coordinate of the X axis z coordinate of the Y axis si path inside sa path outside

Mgo center of sales area above

Mgu center of paragraph area below

Mueo center of transition area above

Mueu midpoint transition area below

Claims

1. Arched escalator, consisting of a stair section (1) which is curved in plan view and a central area (la) with a predetermined constant angle of inclination, upper and lower stair landing areas (lc) essentially with an angle of inclination of zero, and Transition areas (lb), which connect the middle area (la) with the upper and lower landing areas (lc) and have changing angles of inclination for a smooth connection of these areas, with several horizontally running steps in the lower and upper landing area (lc) (21) may be present, guide curves (23,23 '), which ensure that the Stufentrittflä- surfaces in the regions (la, lb and lc) are horizontal and drive ^¬ chain (24,24'), the method comprising the steps (21) are fixedly connected and Zvi ^¬ rule the steps have a constant length consisting of mehre¬ ren chain members for driving the steps on an outer and inne¬ ren curve arc ( 25.25 '), where

the curve of the stairway (la) has a constant radius (R) in plan view, and the angular velocities of the inner drive chain (24) and the outer drive chain (24 ') are the same in this area at all times,

the curve of the upper and lower stair landing areas (lc) has a constant, in comparison with R, enlarged radius (Rg) in plan view and the angular velocities of the inner drive chain (24) and the outer drive chain (24 ') everywhere in this area too are the same

characterized in that the curve of the upper and lower transition regions (lb) has a constant radius (Rue) in plan view, which lies between R and Rg, and in that the angular speeds of the inner drive chain (24) and the outer drive chain (24 ') are the same overall in this area, the shape of the aprons of the steps (21) compensating for the temporary angular displacements of the drive chains (24, 24') occurring in the transition areas (Ib).

2. Arched escalator according to claim 1, characterized in that the radius (Rg) of the curved curve of the upper and lower stair-landing areas (lc) is given by the following equation:

R * w _{Rg =} cos (alpha) / cos (alpha2) * (R + w) - R for alpha2 applies:

R * tan (alpha) alpha2 = arctan

R + w

in which

R = radius of curvature of the central region (la) of the stairway section (1),

alpha = angle of inclination of the inner drive chain (24) in the central area (la) of the stair section (1),

w = distance of the inner (24) to the outer drive chain (24 ').

3. Arched escalator according to claim 1 or 2, in the upper and lower transition areas (lb) the inner drive chain (24) in the vertical, the middle area (la) with the upper and lower stair landing areas (lc) over a circle ( RueV) connects, the form of which corresponds to the following functional equation:

x ² + z ² = RueV ²

while in this area the path of the outer drive chain (24 ') in the vertical is an ellipse, the horizontal axis (a) and the vertical axis (b) of which are determined by the following equations: Rue + wa = RueV *

Rue

b = RueV

and that the arc length of the ellipse (BERueV) in the transition areas (lb) corresponds to the following equation:

Rg + w

BERueV = alpha * RueV

Rg characterized in that the radius of the transition areas (Rue) can be determined from the following equation:

BERueV dx

4. Arched escalator according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that in the upper and lower transition areas (lb), the outer drive chain (24 ') in the vertical, the middle area (la) with the upper and lower landing areas (lc ) connects via a circle (RueV).

5. Arched escalator according to claim 1 to 3, characterized in that in the upper and lower transition areas (lb), the inner or outer drive chain (24, 24 ') in the vertical the middle area (la) with the upper and lower landing areas (lc ) connects via a parabola or an involute.

6. Curved escalator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, marked in characterized ^¬ characterized in that in the regions (la.lb and lc) (26,26 ') is an inner and an outer handrail guide available, which has, in plan view curve arcs that correspond to those of the associated drive chain (24, 24 ').