EP1407998A1 - Escalator or moving walk - Google Patents

Abstract

The escalator or moving pavement has a cleaning device (10) which is engaged at least partially during the transporting and maintenance operation of the escalator or moving pavement, and has a control element through which a brush bearing (14) is movable. The control element is connected to the brush bearing by a lever (16) or other gear. The control element bears against the top surface of the tread area (48) to be cleaned and especially with spring-loading. An Independent claim is included for a cleaning device for the cleaning of an escalator or moving pavement and equipped with revolving brushes which rotate during the transporting operation of the escalator or moving pavement.

Description

The invention relates to an escalator or moving walk, according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such escalators or moving walks with cleaning devices have been known for a long time. For example, is already in DE-OS 30 16 597 a device for cleaning an escalator described.

A generic escalator or a corresponding moving walk is known from DE-OS 37 04 388. With this solution a rotating brush is provided on a brush bearing is stored and a step or pallet of the escalator or to clean the moving walk. The in this publication The solution described is intended in particular for the area of the vertical surfaces the steps clean, with the cleaning additionally to be supported by a suction hood. The rotating one Brush roller is on the individual when the escalator is standing Steps with your treads and risers so that gradually the step belt can be cleaned.

According to the description, preference should be given to the lowest Tread, i.e. started next to the lower comb plate become. When the upper comb plate is reached, the escalator probably be switched on again for further cleaning, and with every escalator, this tedious semi-automatic and half manual cleaning repeated three times each to completely clean the step belt.

However, it is not guaranteed that the cleaning commissioned person does not overlook areas of the step band, so that a certain level of care is required when operating it.

There are now numerous other suggestions for escalators or moving walkway cleaning devices. On An example of this can be found in EP-A2-191 888. At this Solution, the movement of the escalator is used, whereby the comb plate is adjacent to a frame for cleaning purposes Escalator across the width of the escalator between the Balustrades is stretched, and being a sled cleaning brush traverses the step width. Has this solution the advantage that the operating effort is less. adversely is that it is fundamentally excluded that Risers are cleaned.

On the other hand, risers are usually quite sensitive to soiling. While the comb plate fingers in regularly engage the grooves of the step and a partial cleaning such measures are possible at risers not regularly provided. Too much dirt can but affect the relative movement of adjacent stages and lead to accidents.

In the case of escalators, the transition area is between the step and risers, especially the front edge of the escalator sensitive. There the webs of the riser go into the the step over. The webs are only in this area supported from below and relatively unprotected on the sides.

On the other hand, these areas end up in the company concerned first engaged with the comb plates that require that each groove on the side of the web in question is free. There existing contaminants - such as dry ones Chewing gum residues - can break the teeth of the comb plate or the tip of the web when the comb plate engages to damage.

About the tendency to damage during the comb movement between the step and to reduce comb plate, it has also become known through internal nozzles in the comb plate to soften the contaminants, which has the advantage that the comb plate its rough cleaning function - at least for certain Contaminants - can perceive better. However, such solutions are not suitable if water-insoluble Impurities, such as those mentioned Chewing gum residues must be removed. In addition, the Applying an aqueous cleaning liquid to the escalator to the surface of the treads becomes extremely smooth and during operation of the Spray nozzles should not be operated.

Another disadvantage of roller brushes or other rotating ones Cleaning brushes of the previously proposed cleaning devices for escalators is that the Roller brush able to clean the tread is, however, just the important leading edge - and also that Trailing edge - the tread is mostly poorly cleaned. The The transition area of the riser is not cleaned at all.

Therefore, the invention has for its object an improved Provide cleaning of escalators or moving walks, which are the maintenance costs of the escalator and moving walk significantly reduced without the need for particularly high investments would.

This object is achieved by claim 1. Advantageous further developments result from the subclaims.

The escalator according to the invention surprisingly enables for the first time cleaning an escalator or moving walk during of operating the escalator, not just while the escalator or the moving walk, but while the Escalator or moving walkway carries passengers.

According to the invention, it is particularly favorable here if the cleaning device below the upper dream of the step or Pallet belt acts, for example in the deflection area or in Area of the lower strand of the step or pallet belt. The distance can be controlled by the control element according to the invention between the cleaning surface and the circumferential Control the brush. This ensures that the rotating Brush over the surface of the step intensely Cleaning, but in the area of the front or rear edge no excessive surface pressure generated. If the brush pressed against the surface to be cleaned by spring loading would be the cleaning pressure in the area of the leading edge and the rear edge of the step so high that there are signs of wear would occur and especially the Bristles of the rotating brush through the existing ones Tips could be easily damaged.

In contrast, according to the invention, it is particularly favorable if a control the distance between those to be cleaned Surface and the brush keeps constant, so that the trailing edge of the stairs and front edge gently but thoroughly cleaned can be.

According to the invention, it is particularly favorable that the Step or pallet belt automatically spreads in the deflection area. This ensures that the brush is special can grasp the edges of the step well. If necessary it is also possible to additionally clean the risers, it being understood that for this a quick - if necessary motor-assisted - movement of the brush bearing should be possible to allow rapid entry and exit to allow the brush into the gap between two stages while the step or pallet belt rotates.

According to the invention, it is particularly favorable if as control elements Control disks are provided, the side of the step or Pallet belt are arranged and a surface-true Allow guidance of the rotating brush.

Thanks to the co-axial, gear-free bearing, the keep the masses to be reversed low, so that the circulating The brush lies against the surfaces to be cleaned with little wear, ensuring that the roller brush Movements of the control disc can follow quickly.

For the first time, the solution according to the invention offers the possibility of the escalator or moving walk even during the conveyor operation to clean. This is the cleaning device at least below the upper dream of the step or Pallet belt housed. One of the is particularly suitable Reversal points, especially the lower reversal point, or at least the one on which the drive motor for the Step or pallet belt is not provided. In the field of Reversal point spreads the step or pallet belt, so that the cleaning option is particularly good or intensive is given and the roller brush is the one that presents itself to it Cleaning profile can follow well.

According to the invention, it is particularly favorable that the distance guide the roller brush is equipped with a pressure spring can be, however, the setting of the distance above the control disc takes place. This ensures that the brush is not too strong at the edges and over the There is not enough surface and therefore uneven cleaning and Wear effects arise. So the pressure spring presses the roller brush not in an uncontrolled manner on the cleaning surface on, but specifically controlled via the control disc.

If the lowest possible moment of inertia is desired is, the drive shaft for the control disc and roller brush be driven by a chain or belt transmission that is actuated by a stationary drive motor. At this The solution is then a pulley preferably in the swivel axis arranged the brush storage.

In a modified embodiment, the drive motor is on flanged the brush bearing so that it also pivots becomes. The solution has the advantage that no driving forces in the brush bearings are inserted so that the control disc is less burdened.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the drive motor for the roller brush integrated in the brush itself. The brush is preferably formed on a hollow cylinder, enough space for one inside Formed electric motor is provided. This solution also has the advantage that assembly and, if necessary maintenance is also significantly easier, and thus also Maintenance costs are reduced.

The control disk is preferably designed so that it with the circumferential step or pallet belt, i.e. the one each cleaning surface, runs around and is carried away by them becomes. At the relative speed desired for the cleaning effect between the roller brush and the one to be cleaned Enable surface without wear of the control disc, it is preferred to have the control disc on the shaft of the roller brush to be stored on a plain or roller bearing.

The brush bearing is preferred on both sides of the rotating Step or pallet belt provided, if necessary or two control disks are provided. When designing with two control disks is a connection of the two Brush bearings not required while in use a control disc a connection-rigid connection both brush bearings is desired.

The control element can also have any other configuration be trained. For example, one with an investment role provided lever the distance between the to be cleaned Adjust the surface and the roller brush if necessary via a lever or another gear.

The cleaning device is preferably periodically during of the conveyor operation switched on. With this solution good cleaning with little wear and tear Combine roller brush. It is then preferred to use a Traction magnet provided against the action of the pressure spring the roller brushes lift off the surface to be cleaned, while the cleaning device is not working. During the The electromagnet is released during cleaning operation. A advantageous embodiment of this solution has two Electromagnets on and works with a locking device that the cleaning device engages in the rest position, when the pull magnet removes the roller brush from the one to be cleaned Surface has lifted off. Then for the cleaning operation just another electromagnet can be operated briefly, the withdraws the locking element and thus the roller brush Effect of the pressure spring ceases.

Further advantageous details emerge from the following Description of an embodiment using the Drawing.

Fig. 1

eine Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Fahrtreppe oder eines erfindungsgemäßen Fahrsteigs zur Darstellung der erfindungsgemäßen Reinigungsvorrichtung, in schematischer Darstellung; und

Fig. 2

eine Draufsicht auf einen Teil der Reinigungsvorrichtung in der Ausführungsform gemäß Fig. 1.

Show it:

Fig. 1

an embodiment of an escalator according to the invention or a moving walk according to the invention to show the cleaning device according to the invention, in a schematic representation; and

Fig. 2

2 shows a plan view of part of the cleaning device in the embodiment according to FIG. 1.

The cleaning device 10 shown in FIG. 1 has one preferably designed as a roller brush 12 rotating brush on the rotatable via a brush bearing 14 on a pivot lever 16 a brush bearing 18 is mounted. The swivel lever 16 is in turn on its pivot axis 20 on one frame-fixed carrier 22 of the escalator or moving walk stored. The carrier 22 is in the area of the lower reversal point 24 of the step or pallet belt provided. By doing illustrated embodiment are three stages 26, 28 and 30 of an escalator shown as an example. In the field of Inversion point 24 spread the steps each, so that their The front edge 32 and its rear edge 34 are each exposed. Also the upper part of riser 36 is exposed and can be used according to the invention can be cleaned with the roller brush.

According to the invention can be seen more clearly in FIG. 2 Shaft 40 of the roller brush 12 is a control element, preferably in Form of a control disc 42, stored. The storage takes place in the illustrated embodiment via a roller bearing, here a ball bearing 44, it being understood that any other bearings are also possible. As can be seen, point the brushes of the roller brush 12 have a projection dimension 46 the diameter of the control disk 42. With the choice of the protrusion dimension, i.e. practically the choice of the diameter the control disc 42, the cleaning effect of the Adapt the roller brush to the requirements. The bigger the protrusion 46, the more intensive the cleaning, but at the same time also wear on both the surface of the treads 48, the leading edge 32 and the trailing edge 34, as also the bristles of the roller brush 12 itself.

As can also be seen from FIG. 2, the shaft 40 connected to a drive motor 52 via a deflection gear 50. In the illustrated embodiment, the drive motor 52 flanged directly to the brush bearing 18, and as close as possible to the pivot axis 20.

The roller brush is preferably provided with a row of bristles, which is slightly spiraled over the axial course the brush extends and with each row of bristles on one Brush segment is stored. This solution allows an exchange the bristles depending on wear and need with little Expenditure. According to the invention it is particularly favorable that with very low brush speeds can be worked, so that the wear is low despite intensive cleaning. For example, the roller brush is driven at one speed possible of less than one revolution per second; the cleaning direction is preferably against the running direction chosen the escalator.

For escalators with reversal of direction, it is preferred to change the drive speed the roller brush depending on the direction of travel to reverse the escalator, it being understood that the Cleaning cycle can only be activated, when the escalator runs in the desired direction of travel.

Claims (12)

Escalator or moving walk, with a cleaning device which acts on at least the step surface of a step or pallet of the escalator or moving walk and cleans it and has a rotating brush mounted on a brush bearing, characterized in that the cleaning device (10) at least partially during the Conveyor or maintenance operation of the escalator or moving walk is switched on and has a control element via which the brush bearing (14) can be moved. Escalator or moving walk according to claim 1, characterized in that the control element of the cleaning device (10) is connected to the brush bearing (14) by means of a lever or another gear. Escalator or moving walk according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control element rests on the surface of the tread surface (48) to be cleaned, in particular spring-loaded. Escalator or moving walk according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control element sets a substantially constant distance between the brush bearing (14) and the area of the tread surface (48) which is to be cleaned. Escalator or moving walkway according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control element has an abutment roller (control disc 42) which bears against the movement of the step or pallet belt and moves freely. Escalator or moving walk according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning device (10) is arranged in the region of the deflection, in particular the lower deflection, of the step or pallet belt and cleans the steps or pallets while they are being spread on the rotating belt. Escalator or moving walk according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotating brush is designed as a roller brush (12) which is attached to a shaft (40) on which the control element is also attached, and in that the control element as a control disk (42 ) is trained. Escalator or moving walk according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control element designed as a control disc (42) and the brush designed as a roller brush (12) are mounted on a common shaft and in particular the control disc (42) on the shaft (40) is freely rotatable. Escalator or moving walk according to claim 8, characterized in that the rotary drive is an electric motor which can be switched on separately from the drive motor (52) of the escalator or moving walk. Escalator or moving walk according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning device has a drive motor (52) for the rotating brush, which can be switched on periodically during the conveying or maintenance operation of the escalator or moving walk to implement a cleaning program, and in that a separating device is provided with which the brush can be brought out of engagement of the treads (48) periodically during the conveying or maintenance operation, but at a time of non-cleaning. Escalator or moving walk according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the circumferential brush extends essentially over the entire width of the step or pallet belt and in particular has brush segments which extend in a slightly spirally spiraled manner as viewed in their axial direction over the course of the brush. Process for cleaning an escalator or moving walk using a cleaning device which acts on and cleans at least the tread surface of a step or pallet of the escalator or moving walk, the tread surface being cleaned with a rotating brush which is located in a brush bearing, in particular against the running direction of the escalator or moving walk, characterized in that the rotating brush rotates during the conveying operation of the escalator or moving walk and the brush bearing (14) is movable during the conveying operation of the escalator or moving walk.

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