EP3150540A1 - Method of manufacturing a support structure for a person transport installation - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for producing a structure (1) for a passenger transportation system is described. The supporting structure (1) in this case has a framework (3) of interconnected load-bearing truss components (5) including upper belts (7), lower belts (9), transverse struts (11), diagonal struts (13) and uprights (15). The method comprises: providing a plurality of individual truss components (5) having connection openings (39) formed therein; and assembling the truss (3) by connecting the truss components (5) to each other by load-bearing connector components (27) by interposing a connector component (27) through adjacent connecting openings (39) of at least two adjacent truss components (5) and then with respect to its outer geometry is deformed. The connector components (27) are designed and deformed when joining truss components (5) in such a way that they fill the connecting openings (39) which have been passed through completely and without play after connecting the truss components (5) and the truss components (5) in all Formally connect spatial directions with each other and position the truss components (5) when connecting the truss components (5) relative to each other. Due to the use of special load-bearing and position-adjusting connector components (27), the described supporting structure (1) can be assembled very easily and with high precision, even by specialists who are not specially certified and preferably directly adjacent to a mounting location within a building. As a result, planning, transport and labor costs can be reduced.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for producing a structure for a passenger transport system such as an escalator, a moving walk etc.

Passenger transport facilities are used to transport people, for example, in buildings between different height levels or within a constant height level. For example, escalators, which are sometimes referred to as escalators, used to transport people, for example, in a building from one floor to another floor. Moving walkways can be used to convey people, for example, within a floor in a horizontal plane or only a slightly inclined plane.

Escalators and moving walks generally have a load-bearing structure called a supporting structure. The structure is designed to absorb forces acting on the passenger transport system during the transport of persons, in particular weight forces, and to forward them, for example, to supporting structures of the building receiving the passenger transport installation. For storage of the structure in this case suitable bearing points can be provided on the building. Depending on the configuration, the structure may extend over two or more levels or floors of the structure and / or over shorter or longer distances within a constant floor within the building.

A supported in the mounted state at the bearing points of the building structure can accommodate both movable and stationary arranged components of the passenger transport system. Depending on the configuration of the passenger transport system as an escalator or moving walk such components may be formed, for example, as a stepped belt, pallet belt, deflection axles, drive shafts, drive motor, transmission, control, monitoring system, security system, balustrades, comb plates, bearings, raceway and / or guide rails.

As a rule, structures for passenger transport systems are designed as truss structures. Such truss constructions are traditionally already made by the manufacturer as a whole unit or divided into several structural modules. The structure, which is pre-assembled as a complete unit or subdivided into several modules, is then transported to and assembled in the building in which the passenger transport system is to be installed.

A truss forming the framework is generally composed of a plurality of rod-shaped truss components. In order to ensure sufficient stability and load carrying capacity of the structure, the individual truss components must be connected by connections of sufficiently high strength. Traditionally, trusses for structures or structural modules are usually made by conventionally welding together a plurality of sectional steel elements of different cross-sectional area and cross-sectional shape.

From the WO 2013/029979 A1 Embodiments of escalators and moving walks with a welded structure and a soffit sheet are known.

As an alternative to supporting structures or structural modules produced by welding of truss components is in the WO 2011/073708 A1 a welded seam-free framework with rods and screw-knot described.

There may be, inter alia, a need for a manufacturing method for a structure for a passenger transport system, which allows to build such a structure simply, inexpensively and / or with high precision together. In particular, there may be a need for a manufacturing method for a structure for a passenger transportation system, which makes it possible to assemble the structure locally within a structure near a position where the passenger transport installation is to be installed.

Such a need can be met with a manufacturing method according to the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments of the Manufacturing method are explained in both the dependent claims and in the following description.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a method for producing a structure for a passenger transport system is proposed. The structure has a framework of interconnected load-bearing truss components. Such truss components may include, for example, so-called upper straps and lower straps and these straps interconnecting transverse struts, diagonal braces and / or posts. With uprights timbered components are referred to connect a top chord with a bottom chord, specify the parallel distance of top chord and bottom chord and usually extend to the shortest possible distance between the two. Since their longitudinal extent is thus arranged mostly orthogonal to the upper and lower chords, they are particularly suitable that connection points for other components of the escalator or the moving walk are arranged on the uprights. The method has at least the following steps, preferably in the order given: First, a plurality of individual truss components with connection openings formed therein are provided. Then, the truss is assembled by connecting the truss components to each other by means of load-bearing connector components, by respectively locating a connector component through adjacent connecting apertures of at least two adjacent truss components and then deforming it with respect to its outer geometry. The connector components are in this case designed and deformed when joining truss components such that they completely and playfree fill the connecting openings accessed by them after connecting the truss components and form-fitting interconnect the truss components in all directions and position the truss components when connecting the truss components relative to each other ..

Without in any way limiting the scope of the invention as claimed, potential features and advantages of embodiments of the invention may be considered to be, inter alia, as based on the ideas and findings described below.

As briefly indicated above, framework structures for structures of a passenger transport system have been produced mostly by welding suitably designed truss components. Welding a variety of truss components together requires a lot of time and effort. Since the structure is a safety-relevant component, welded seams used in this case may normally only be executed by well-trained, state-certified experts. Furthermore, in general, large gauges are required for the manufacture of such welded constructions, and the effect of heat during welding usually requires straightening of the finished component. Furthermore, a considerable effort may be required for a transport of a prefabricated at a manufacturer entire structure or individual structural modules towards a building and into the building in which the passenger transport system is to be installed, and thus incur significant costs.

In the described as an alternative to welded trusses welded seam-free framework, as for example in the WO 2011/073708 A1 has been illustrated, truss component-forming bars are connected together using screw-on nodes. This should be possible to produce as distortion-free framework. However, the disclosed truss must be laboriously constructed using gauges because the individual fasteners in a plane have too many degrees of freedom due to the existing play. Furthermore, it can be feared that the fasteners pose a security risk, since the screws used in this case can be solved by clamping elements. In addition, it is to be assumed that the connection of the individual truss components is at least only one force fit, at least with respect to one degree of freedom, so that, for example, could be forgiven by lateral force the entire framework.

In the method proposed herein for producing a structure for a passenger transport system, a framework-forming load-bearing truss components, similar to the last-mentioned prior art, without welds or at least without a major portion of the load acting on the framework load-bearing welded joints are interconnected.

For this purpose, a special type of mechanical connection of two or more truss components is to be used with each other. The special nature and properties of these compounds results mainly from the connector components used for this purpose. On the one hand, these connector components should have sufficient mechanical stability so that they can absorb the forces and loads acting on the framework at least to a predominant extent, that is to say the connector components should be designed to bear load. In particular, the connector components are designed to be load-bearing in such a way that they can preferably withstand at least the same loads as the truss components connected by them. On the other hand, the connector components are to be designed and mounted in such a way that they position them in a predeterminable manner relative to one another during the connection of two or more truss components.

In order to be able to connect truss components to a truss, each of the truss components is equipped with connection openings. These connection openings can be formed as passage openings or holes in the respective truss component. Preferably, the connection openings are rotationally symmetrical, in particular with a round or circular cross-section. A cross-sectional area of the connection openings may be, for example, between 0.1 cm ² and 20 cm ² , which corresponds to a diameter of approximately between 4 mm and 50 mm in the case of circular connection openings. Preferably, all provided in the various truss components connection openings are designed the same, in particular with the same cross-sectional area and the same contour. In a truss component are generally at least two connection openings, for example, near opposite ends of the truss component is formed.

During assembly of the structure, the individual truss components can be interconnected by means of the already mentioned load-bearing and positioning-acting connector components. For this purpose, two or more truss components can be arranged relative to each other so that two of their trained in them connection openings adjacent to each other come and preferably aligned with each other. A connector component may then be arranged to pass through such adjacent adjacent communication openings. After the connector component has been so positioned, it is deformed in a manner that changes its external geometry. The connector components used for this purpose are specifically designed so that they complete after a mounting, that is, after the deformation of the respective connector component and thus in a connecting at least two half-timbered components state, completed by them connection openings of the truss components to be connected components and play.

Under a complete and play-free filling of the connection openings can be understood that outer surfaces of the connector components during assembly so on surfaces of the truss components, especially on surfaces that form an inner boundary of the connection openings, create or nestle that the connector components to the truss components and in particular are kept free of play in their connection openings in all spatial directions.

By "play-free" is to be understood here that the interconnected truss components can preferably move in any direction relative to each other due to a caused by the connector component positive locking, but at least less than 0.3mm, preferably less than 0.1mm or more preferably less than 0.03mm can move relative to each other. In other words, the connector components should be configured and mounted so that they connect the truss components to be connected by a positive connection in all directions. Among other things, the positive connection should also act in directions within a plane formed by the truss components, that is to say in directions perpendicular to a longitudinal extension direction of an elongate connector component.

In this regard, the connector components to be used for the manufacture of the structure proposed herein are different from simple connector components conventionally used for trusses, such as fittings or classic rivets. Such glands or conventional riveting usually cause only a positive connection along a longitudinal direction of the connector component, whereas the interconnected truss components are connected only in non-positive directions in directions transverse to this longitudinal direction. In particular, have screwing or riveting, such as rivet with hot or cold molded closing heads within the accessed through them connection openings always a certain lateral play.

According to one embodiment, the connector components are formed in such a way and deformed during the joining of the truss components in their outer geometry that they can be expanded at connecting two at least two adjacent truss components on the connecting openings by a sweeping lateral surface such that they fill the connection openings completely and without play and thereby the widened lateral surface exerts a radially outwardly acting pressure on inner edges of the connection openings.

In other words, the connector components should preferably be configured in such a way that they have a lateral surface which is dimensioned such that they can be inserted without problems, that is, with a certain play, by connection openings of two adjacent truss components arranged adjacent to one another. Subsequently, the connector components are to be deformed during further mounting such that the cross-engaging through the connecting openings lateral surface is radially expanded. In other words, a part of the connector components located in the connection openings should be able to be enlarged during mounting with regard to its cross-sectional area, preferably by as far as possible a plastic deformation. By such a widening of the lateral surface of the connector component, this can completely and without clearance fill the connection openings in the assembled state, that is, the lateral surface can preferably rest over its entire circumference completely and without play on an inner boundary surface of the connection openings. In this case, the lateral surface is to be so greatly expanded during the assembly process that it even exerts a certain pressure outwards on inner edges of the connection openings in the radial direction. This pressure may for example result from a permanent elastic deformation of the lateral surface and / or the edges of the connection openings. In other words, the fully assembled connector component should be press-fitted into the associated connection opening.

By such during assembly of the connector components effected complete and backlash filling the connection openings adjacent to each other arranged truss components they are not only on the one hand in all directions positively connected with each other, but the special assembly process also entails that the truss components due to the effected press fit relative to each other very much be precisely positioned. As described in more detail below, this can be very important for assembling the structure as well as for the resulting structure.

According to one embodiment, the connector components are rivets, in particular high-strength blind rivet bolts. Alternatively, the connector components may be formed with a sleeve and at least one cone received in the sleeve and displaceable relative to the sleeve.

A rivet is a plastically deformable, usually cylindrical connecting element, by means of which, for example, sheet metal parts can be joined together. A rivet can be used to produce a rivet connection of two components that is positive in the longitudinal direction of the rivet. Rivets can typically be made from metals such as steel, copper, brass, aluminum alloys, or titanium or the like, optionally also from plastics. Generally, there are many different types of rivets, such as solid rivets, hollow rivets, blind rivets, punch rivets, etc., whose properties may be adapted for use in specific applications. In the present case, it can be regarded as essential that a rivet inserts during mounting in so penetrated by him connecting openings for connecting components, that he fills completely and without play at least after completion of the assembly process by, for example, its lateral surface is suitably expanded during the assembly process ,

Blind rivet studs are a special form of rivet that only requires access to one side of the components to be joined and is typically mounted with a special blind riveter. As a rule, there is a blind rivet bolt next to it a hollow rivet body with a head at the front of a longer, plugged-through mandrel with a head at the rear rivet end, which is provided with a predetermined breaking point.

A special high strength blind rivet bolt considered particularly suitable for the manufacture of a structure described herein is sold by Alcoa Fastening Systems & Rings under the name Huck BOM®. Basic principles of such a blind rivet bolt were already in US 2,527,307 described. It is also stated that when assembling such a blind rivet bolt, a sleeve-like shaft, which was previously introduced into connection openings of two components to be connected, is first radially expanded by a so-called shoulder, which has a slightly wider cross section than an inner cross section of the shaft, through the Shaft is pulled through and plastically deformed outwardly, so that the lateral surface of the shaft fits snugly against the inner surfaces of the connection openings. Only then are appropriately formed rivet heads formed by suitable plastic deformation of end regions of the shank so that the components to be connected are fixed in a form-fitting manner to one another in all spatial directions by the assembled blind rivet bolt.

Alternatively, the connector components may comprise a sleeve and at least one cone received in the sleeve and displaceable relative to the sleeve. Preferably, two conical tapered cones may be received in the sleeve. To mount such a connector component, the one cone or both cone can be displaced relative to the sleeve in such a way that the sleeve is widened outwardly from the inside in order to fill connection openings through which it passes through completely and without play and if possible to effect a press fit.

According to one embodiment, the connector components are designed and deformed during mounting in such a manner with respect to their external geometry that they fill the connecting openings through which they pass through completely and without play in such a way that they block the connection openings with a tolerance of less than 0.3 mm, preferably less than 0. 1 mm or more preferably less than 0.03 mm, relative to each other position.

Furthermore, according to one embodiment, the connection openings are introduced into each other with a tolerance of less than 0.3 mm, preferably less than 0.1 mm and more preferably less than 0.03 mm, positioned in the truss components.

In other words, the connection openings in the truss components are spatially very precisely formed and arranged. The "tolerance" is intended to refer to both the position at which a connection opening is arranged in a truss component, as well as their dimensions and contours. By such precisely positioned and formed connection openings then suitable connector components can be mounted cross-fitting, which due to their capacity to fill the connection openings after their assembly completely and play-free and preferably press-fitting, also position the connection openings of the truss components to be connected with a very small spatial tolerance relative to each other can.

Due to the positional accuracy of the connection openings in the truss component to each other on the other hand, and the positioning accuracy of the connector components on the other hand can thus be achieved that the ultimately composite truss from very precisely positioned relative to each other and connected truss components and thus can even achieve a target geometry with very low manufacturing tolerances , For example, a truss for an entire structure for a several meters long passenger transport system with manufacturing tolerances of a few millimeters, often even only a few tenths of a millimeter can be produced.

According to one embodiment, the connection openings in the truss components can be introduced, for example, by laser cutting or water jet cutting. By means of such computer-assisted processing methods, connection openings can be introduced extremely precisely into such components. By using cutting lasers or water jet devices employed therefor by means of a computer, the connection openings can furthermore be formed in an extremely reproducible manner precisely arranged in the truss components. Thus, the assembly of the framework without teaching and with all already at the Truss components trained connection openings only possible. The biggest disadvantage of conventionally manufactured, riveted truss structures that in these the connection openings can be partially formed only during assembly because they are not aligned due to the usual manufacturing tolerances otherwise, is due to the precise arrangement of the connection openings in the truss components and by the use of permanent precise positioning connector components eliminated.

According to one embodiment, all transverse struts, diagonal struts and pillars of the truss are each made identical. In other words, the cross struts of a truss, the diagonal struts of the truss and the pillars of the truss are each geometrically identical. Such truss components can thus be prepared and stored as prefabricated standard parts and used if necessary for the manufacture of a structure. Such standard parts can be used for structures of different geometry, with an individual interpretation of the framework for a concrete structure mainly due to order specific to be produced upper and lower straps and the appropriate therein to be arranged and trainees connection openings can be achieved. The upper and lower chords can then be connected to each other by suitably prefabricated standard parts in the form of uniform cross struts, uniform diagonal braces and uniform uprights and thus the framework can be formed.

According to one embodiment, the transverse struts, diagonal struts and / or uprights are made of sheet metal or metal sheets. Such metal sheets can be made particularly easy by laser cutting or water jet cutting in the form, both an outer contour and to be provided in the connection openings can be formed very precisely.

According to one embodiment, the upper and lower chords are custom configured and manufactured. In contrast to the various struts and uprights, which are preferably prefabricated and stocked as standard parts in large numbers in order to use them in the production of various passenger transport systems, the upper and lower chords must be configured as a rule order specific. Such a configuration may be, for example include a dimensioning of the lengths of the upper and lower chords, which are to be oriented specifically to the conditions within the equipped with the passenger transport system structure. Also, a dimensioning of cross sections of the upper and lower chords may be carried out order specific, for example, to adapt a final load capacity of the structure to local conditions and / or default conditions. The configuration of the upper and lower straps may also include calculating appropriate positions for the connection openings to be made therein so that the upper and lower straps can be connected to the struts and uprights to the desired framework.

The upper and lower straps can be made according to an embodiment of square tubes. A use of square tubes can provide sufficient mechanical load capacity of the upper and lower chords and ultimately the entire truss. In the square tubes suitable connection openings, possibly again by laser cutting or water jet cutting, are introduced.

According to one embodiment, individual truss components may be composed of several subcomponents. For example, a post can be composed of several subcomponents, wherein each subcomponent is, for example, a part plate precisely cut from a metal sheet.

If necessary, the subcomponents can be connected to one another by a non-load-bearing welded connection, clinch connection or crimp connection. Such welding, clinching, or crimping may hold the subcomponents together at least during assembly of the framework so that assembly can be performed more easily. In this case, however, the welding, clinching or crimping connections need not be load-bearing, that is to say they need not be able to withstand the forces exerted later on the supporting structure, but can only hold the subcomponents of a truss component together during the assembly process of the truss. Of course, these compounds can also be carried load-bearing, if this requires the specific design.

According to one embodiment, the truss components and / or the subcomponents of truss components may be interconnected by a non-load-bearing connector. Such connectors can facilitate, for example, a production or assembly of the framework and / or simplify a positioning of the truss components during manufacture or assembly relative to each other. The truss components can be connected by means of connectors initially roughly positioned together or subcomponents of a truss component can be roughly positioned relative to each other before the truss components and possibly their sub-components are finally mechanically stable and accurately connected by connecting using said load-bearing and positioning acting connector components ,

According to one embodiment, the truss components are connected together during the assembly of the truss in the following sequence: first, H-frames are preassembled by connecting two stanchions with at least one transverse strut by means of the connector components. Then, the pre-assembled H-frames are connected to the upper and lower chords by means of the connector components, respectively. Finally, the diagonal struts are inserted and connected by means of the connector components

The H-frames are H-shaped segments, in which two mutually parallel and vertically arranged uprights are connected by one, two or more cross members. As a rule, both the individual truss components and the H-frames assembled from them can easily be handled and assembled by a single person, or at least by only two persons. In this case, it can be advantageously used that the connector components used for connecting the truss components can generally be mounted simply, for example, with a tool operated with only one hand, such as a riveting tongs. In addition, can be used to advantage that when assembling the connector components that connect the truss components to be connected firmly not only by forming a positive connection in all directions, but the truss components at the same time due to Positioning properties of the connector components are positioned in a desired manner relative to each other.

The thus pre-assembled H-frames are then connected respectively to the upper and lower chords. Again, this can usually be accomplished simply by a single person, but at least by only two persons, in particular because of the advantageous properties of the connector components to be used here.

Finally, the diagonal struts can still be inserted into the incomplete truss prepared in this way, and in each case with some of the already pre-assembled truss components, i. For example, with extensions on the uprights to be connected by means of connector components. Again, this can be done by only one or at most two people.

Overall, with the specified production sequence thus the entire framework can be assembled in a simple manner of at most two people. These persons need in each case only relatively small and thus light truss components or segments, at most, for example, an H-frame handle. Due to the advantageous properties of the connector components used for connecting the truss components or segments ultimately a highly stable and simultaneously highly precisely aligned truss can be produced as a supporting structure for a passenger transport system. To assemble the truss, the persons employed for this purpose do not need special expertise. In particular, they do not need to be certified welders.

According to one embodiment, angle stud elements are provided as complementary truss components and these are connected at at least one end of the truss with other truss components by means of the connector components.

A Winkelsteherelement extends, similar to the aforementioned stayer, transverse to the upper and lower straps and can connect them together. However, the angle upright element is used at a special position within the truss, namely, where a diagonal part of the truss in a horizontally extending part of the framework passes and thus in the upper and lower girths a kind of kink is required. The angle member is structurally designed to be connected to both a diagonal portion of the upper and lower straps and with a horizontally extending portion of these straps. Since the Winkelsteherelemente can play an important role in the alignment of the diagonal part of the framework on the one hand and the horizontal part of the framework on the other hand, it may be particularly advantageous for their assembly to use the described a press fit enabling and thus positioning acting connector components.

It should be understood that some of the possible features and advantages of the invention are described herein with reference to various embodiments and configurations. In particular, possible features and advantages of the invention will be described in part with reference to embodiments of a structure and in part with reference to methods of making such structure and / or methods of mounting such structure in a structure. A person skilled in the art will recognize that the features described for individual embodiments or embodiments can be suitably transferred to other embodiments and features can be suitably combined, adapted and / or replaced in order to arrive at further embodiments of the invention.

It should also be pointed out that the applicant of the present application filed two further patent applications at the same time as the present patent application with the titles "Structure for a Passenger Transport System" and "Method for Mounting a Structure for a Passenger Transport System in a Building". These content-related applications additionally set forth possible features of a structure, a method for its production or a method for its assembly, as may be applied analogously to the invention described herein.

• Figur 1 zeigt ein Tragwerk, wie es gemäß einer Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung hergestellt werden kann.
• Figuren 2a - 2f veranschaulichen Details des in Figur 1 dargestellten Tragwerks.
• Figur 3 veranschaulicht einen Zusammenbau von Fachwerkkomponenten eines erfindungsgemäß herzustellenden Tragwerks.
• Figuren 4a, 4b veranschaulichen eine Verbinderkomponente für ein erfindungsgemäß herzustellendes Tragwerk.
• Figur 5 zeigt eine alternative Verbinderkomponente für ein erfindungsgemäß herzustellendes Tragwerk.
• Figur 6 veranschaulicht zu einem H-Rahmen vormontierte Fachwerkkomponenten für ein erfindungsgemäß herzustellendes Tragwerk.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which neither the drawings nor the description are to be construed as limiting the invention.

• FIG. 1 shows a supporting structure, as it can be produced according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• FIGS. 2a-2f illustrate details of in FIG. 1 illustrated structure.
• FIG. 3 illustrates an assembly of truss components of a structure to be produced according to the invention.
• FIGS. 4a, 4b illustrate a connector component for a structure to be produced according to the invention.
• FIG. 5 shows an alternative connector component for a structure to be produced according to the invention.
• FIG. 6 illustrates truss components preassembled into an H-frame for a supporting structure to be produced according to the invention.

The figures are only schematic and not to scale. Like reference numerals designate like or equivalent features throughout the several figures.

FIG. 1 shows a supporting structure 1 for a passenger transport system. In the illustrated example, the structure 1 is designed as a truss 3, which can form a load-bearing structure for an escalator, by means of which persons between two floors, for example, of a building can be transported.

The truss 3 of the structure 1 is composed of a plurality of interconnected by connector components 27 truss components 5 together. Here are some of the truss components 5 mutually parallel and extending parallel to the extension direction of the elongated structure 1 upper straps 7 and 9 lower chords. Other truss components 5 form transverse to the upper and lower straps 7, 9 extending and connecting them cross struts 11, diagonal struts 13 and Stayers 15.

In the present embodiment, a central region 17 of the structure 1 is inclined when it is installed as intended in a building. At its upper end, a horizontally extending likewise truss-like trained upper end portion 19 connects, which can carry an upper landing or an upper entrance area of the moving walk and in which, for example, a rail block and / or a drive space can be accommodated. At a lower end of the central region 17, another truss-like lower end portion 21 connects, in which, for example, a further rail block and / or a tensioning station can be accommodated.

At the upper and the lower end region 19, 21, the supporting structure 1 in the region of a half-timbered end 35 can be connected via bearing brackets 23 to supporting structures of a structure and stored there. At the upper and lower transitions between the central region 17 and the upper end region 19 and the lower end region 21 so-called Winkelsteher 25 are provided in the truss, which connect the upper straps 7 and the lower straps 9 at a local bend of the truss 3 together.

In the FIGS. 2a to 2f are details of in FIG. 1 illustrated structure 1 in the marked areas A to F shown enlarged.

FIG. 2a This shows a connection of four truss components 5, in which a post 15, a diagonal strut 13, a cross brace 11 and a lower flange 9 are firmly connected to each other by means of connector components 27. The uprights 15, the diagonal strut 13 and the cross strut 11 are provided in the form of cut and optionally bent metal sheet profiles, wherein at least the upright 15 is composed of several subcomponents in the form of individual in the form of various cut metal sheets. The lower flange 9 is formed with a square tube.

FIG. 2b shows a further partial view of an area of the framework 3, in which a top flange 7 and a bottom flange 9 are connected to each other by means of a post 15 and diagonal struts 13 and by means of cross struts 11 with parallel Oberbeziehungsweise Bottom straps 7, 9 (not shown) are connected. On the uprights 15 also bulkhead 29 are formed as a receptacle for rails. All mentioned truss components are again firmly connected by suitably stable and positioning connector components 27.

Figure 2c shows a portion of a composite of several sub-components 31 upper or lower flange 7, 9. The sub-components 31 are each formed as a square tube and arranged longitudinally behind one another. At an abutting region, the two subcomponents 31 are connected to one another by means of a connecting part 33 arranged in the interior of the square tube. The connecting part 33 is in turn connected via stable, load-bearing and positioning connector components 27 to each of the subcomponents 31 of the upper and lower belt 7, 9. In this way, a usually several meters long top or bottom chord 7, 9 composed of several segments and, for example, does not need to be transported as a bulky unit and placed in a building.

Figure 2d shows a portion of the framework 3, in which a lower flange 9 from the central region 17 obliquely coming into another part of the lower belt 9, which extends horizontally in the upper end portion 19 passes. At this position, a suitably trained Winkelsteher 25 sets and connects both the inclined portion of the lower belt 9 and the horizontally extending portion of the lower belt 9 with a top flange 7 (not shown). Further, extending in mutually obliquely oriented directions parts of the lower belt 9 are supported by a correspondingly formed with a bend connecting part 33 supportive. The individual truss components are in turn connected to each other with load-bearing and positioning acting connector components 27.

FIG. 2e shows a partial view of the upper end portion 19 of the truss 3. Again, a variety of different truss components by means of connector components load-bearing and precisely aligned relative to each other.

FIG. 2f Finally, FIG. 1 shows a region of a truss closure 35 in the lower end region 21 of the framework 3.

Based on the roughly schematically illustrated FIG. 3 The following is a principle of the process of connecting two truss components 5 by means of a connector component 27 will be explained.

Both truss components 5 may be, for example, cut from a metal sheet and optionally subsequently bent, beveled or otherwise processed sheet metal profiles. In particular, the truss components 5 can be cut from a metal sheet by means of precise cutting methods such as, for example, laser cutting or water jet cutting. At suitable positions previously determined during a design phase for laying out the structure, connecting openings 39 can be formed with high position accuracy. The connection openings can in this case be formed very precisely by means of the mentioned cutting methods, so that their position and their geometry can be predetermined, for example, in a tolerance range of only a few tenths of a millimeter, in particular less than 0.3 mm. The connecting openings 39 formed in the various truss components 5 are preferably all exactly identical, so that inner edges of these connecting openings can be aligned with one another when two or more truss components 5 are arranged next to one another or one behind the other with their connecting openings 39.

In order to connect two or more truss components 5 with each other, they are arranged exactly in this manner mentioned side by side or one behind the other and a connector component 27 inserted into the aligned connection openings 39 such that it passes through all of the adjacently disposed connection openings 39.

Subsequently, the connector component 27 is suitably deformed with respect to its outer geometry. The connector component 27 is designed in such a way and is deformed when connecting truss components 5 such that they completely and without clearance fill the connecting openings 39 accessed by them after connecting the truss components 5 and connect the truss components 5 positively in all spatial directions and, moreover, the truss components can be precisely positioned relative to one another when joining them.

For this purpose, a connector component 5 may be formed in such a way and deformed during the joining of the truss components 5 in their outer geometry that it is so expanded when connecting the truss components 5 at a connecting openings 39 cross-cutting surface 41 that they then the connection openings 39 completely and free of play can fill. Preferably, the connector component 27 presses with its lateral surface 41 after the deformation of the lateral surface 41 even with a considerable pressure against the inner edges of the connection opening 39, i. is mechanically biased radially outward against the inner edges of the connection opening 39 press-fitting.

In the in FIG. 3 illustrated example, the connector component 27 is formed as a high-strength blind rivet 43. This blind rivet pin 43, after being pushed through the connection holes 39, can be deformed from one side with a rivet tongs 37 or other suitable tool in the manner described above.

The FIGS. 4a and 4b show details of an example of such Blindnietbolzens 43 before and after deformation. Blind rivet bolts 43 of this or similar type are sold, inter alia, under the name "Huck BOM®". Details of such a blind rivet bolt are exemplary in FIG US 2,527,307 described.

The blind rivet bolt 43 has a sleeve 45 and a pin 47 which extends, inter alia, through a hollow inner region of the sleeve 45. At a distal end, the pin 47 has a cross-sectionally enlarged head 48. An outer circumference of the head 48 corresponds approximately to an outer circumference of the sleeve 45 and is slightly smaller than an inner circumference of the connection openings 39 in the truss components 5 to be connected, so that the blind rivet bolt 43 easily and with a certain play in the form of a gap 49 in the connection openings 39 can be inserted. At a proximal end, the sleeve 45 has a thickening 51 whose outer circumference is greater than the inner circumference of the connecting openings 39. The thickening 51 thus forms a stop with which the blind rivet bolt 43 engages Insertion into the connection openings 39 rests against an outer surface 53 of one of the truss components 5.

The sleeve 45 has near its distal end, which protrudes distally during assembly after insertion into the connection openings 39 on the truss components to be connected 5, a smaller material thickness than in a central region, which after insertion into the connection openings 39 in the interior the connection openings 39 is located. In other words, a material thickness of the sleeve 45 increases slightly proximal to a transition point 57. Accordingly, an inner diameter of the sleeve 45 decreases proximally of this transition point 57 slightly.

The pin 47, in turn, has a shoulder portion 55, which still fits into the distal region of the sleeve 45 from its outer circumference, but is slightly larger than the inner circumference of the sleeve 45 proximal to the transition point 57.

When mounting the Blindnietbolzens 43 of the pin 47 is now displaced by means of rivet 37 towards its proximal end. In this case, the shoulder region 55 is pressed through the inwardly narrowed region of the sleeve 45 above the transition point 57 and deforms this plastically. As a result, the sleeve 45 expands radially outward from its interior, thereby closing the previously existing gap 49, as shown in FIG FIG. 4b is shown. After such reshaping, the blind rivet bolt 43 thus completely fills the connection openings 39, that is to say its outer jacket surface 41 is free of play and preferably press-fitted to the inner boundaries of the connection openings 39 after the plastic deformation carried out during mounting. The sleeve 45 can therefore also be referred to as an expansion sleeve.

As the assembly process progresses, the pin 47 is displaced further towards the proximal end, thereby deforming the distal end of the sleeve 45 above the truss components 5 in order to form it in a form-fitting manner against a surface 54 of this connector component 5 (similar to a conventional blind rivet). in FIG. 4b not shown).

By performed during the assembly process plastic deformation of the sleeve 45 of Blindnietbolzens 43 can thus be ensured on the one hand that the connection openings 39 in the truss components 5 completely and backlash-free and thus, in addition to a positive connection in the longitudinal direction of the Blindnietbolzens 43, as he also In conventional rivets usually occurs, a positive connection in all directions transverse to this longitudinal direction is established, that is, a positive connection in directions in which the truss components 5 extend. The truss components 5 can be very stable and reliably connected to each other due to such acting in all directions of space form fit.

On the other hand, the expansion of the sleeve 45 during the assembly process can serve to precisely align the two connecting openings 39 of the truss components 5 arranged adjacent to one another precisely, and thus to position the two truss components 5 very precisely relative to one another. In this case, a very precise positioning tolerance of, for example, a few tenths of a millimeter, in particular preferably less than 0.3 mm, can be achieved.

FIG. 5 FIG. 12 illustrates an alternate variant of a connector component 27 as may be used to connect the truss components 5 of the structure described herein.

In this case, the connector component 27 has a hollow-cylindrical sleeve 59 and a first and a second cone 61 ', 61 "The sleeve 59 has a greater wall thickness in its axial center than at its axial edges The first cone 61 'and the second cone 61 "are oppositely oriented and engage the sleeve 59, wherein conical outer surfaces 62 are preferably formed correspondingly complementary to the inner surfaces 58 of the sleeve 59 , In particular, the sleeve 59 may consist of a material which is easily plastically deformable, in particular metal such as steel, and may have a material thickness which allows a plastic deformation of the sleeve 59 by forces caused by the cone 61 ', 61 ".

An entirety of the connector component 27 of sleeve 59 and both cones 61 ', 61 "is inserted into alignment openings 39 of two adjacently disposed truss components 5. There is some play between an outer surface 60 of the sleeve 59 and an inner boundary of the connection openings 39 in the form of a gap 49.

Through the two cones 61 ', 61 "passes through a clamping element 64, which is shown in the example shown as a screw 63 with associated nut 65. Alternatively, the clamping element 64 in other ways, for example with a rivet, in particular a blind rivet, are performed The tensioning element 64 can be used to displace the two cones 61 ', 61 "axially toward one another, that is to say towards the center of the sleeve 59. The outer surfaces 62 of the cones 61 ', 61 "slide along the inner surfaces 58 of the sleeve 59 and spread them radially outward, so that the sleeve 59 can also be referred to as an expansion sleeve and the cones 61', 61" as an expansion cone.

This results in a plastic deformation of the sleeve 59, whereby the initially existing gap 49 is closed and the connector component 27 after its assembly, the connection openings 39 completely, play and preferably press-fitting fills.

At axially outer ends of the two cones 61 ', 61 "radially projecting flanges 67 are provided, which create in the assembled state against outer surfaces 53, 54 of the truss components 5 and can hold this in the longitudinal extension direction of the clamping element 64 form-fitting.

Overall, therefore, with such, a sleeve 59 and at least one cone 61 ', but possibly two cone 61', 61 ", having connection component 27, the two truss components 5 are positively connected to each other in all directions and are simultaneously accurately aligned relative to each other ,

FIG. 6 shows a preassembled so-called H-frame 69, which may form part of a truss 3 of a structure 1. The H-frame 69 has two vertical extending uprights 15, which are interconnected by two horizontally extending cross braces 11. In each case, two connector components 27 provide a load-bearing mechanical connection between each of the uprights 15 and the crossbars 11. Due to their design positioning acting mounting can be further achieved by means of the connector components 27, that the uprights 15 and the cross braces 11 relative to each other extremely accurately positioned are connected. Further, if the connection openings 39 in the individual uprights 15 and cross members 11 are formed with high precision in their distances from each other, for example, by computer-assisted laser cutter or water jet cutting, can be pre-assembled in this way, a high-precision manufactured H-frame 69, without necessarily any load-bearing welds are performed would.

Instead, the connector components 27 may simply be mounted by, for example, unskilled workers. By preassembling a plurality of H-frame 69 and connecting these H-frame 69 inserted therebetween and also with connector components 27 position precision mounted diagonal struts 13 and parts of the upper belt 7 and 9 Untergurts 9 can therefore overall in a simple manner and with little staff extremely quickly a total Truss 3 are assembled for a structure 1. Due to the precise positioning properties of the connector components 27 used in this case, a structure 1 assembled in this manner can be assembled with high precision over its entire length, with deviations from a desired geometry typically being less than a few millimeters, often even less than a few tenths of a millimeter ,

Below, some possible embodiments of the structure 1 proposed herein are briefly explained in addition, it being understood by a person skilled in the art that the truss 3 as well as other components of the structure 1 or the entire passenger transport system to be mounted thereto can be designed additionally or alternatively in another way.

On the uprights 15 frames 71 may be formed, by means of which, for example, rails of the passenger transport system can be attached to the supporting structure 1. The Frames 71 can be formed by a suitable geometric design of a sheet cut into shape for this purpose. Since the entire structure 1 can be manufactured with high precision, that is to say with at most very small deviations from a desired geometry, and also the frames 71 can be cut very precisely, rails to be fastened thereto can run very precisely in a desired geometry and do not need it be aligned during their assembly or subsequently, as is often the case with conventionally manufactured structures 1.

The uprights 15 may be composed of two sub-components 31 in the form of suitably cut in sheet metal sheets. The two sub-components 31 may be provisionally connected to one another, for example, via a plug connection 32 in order to be able to handle the post 15 simply as a unit, for example during an assembly process. Alternatively or additionally, local welds can connect the two subcomponents 31 with one another. Neither the connector 32 nor any welds here, however, need to be carried load-bearing stable, but the sub-components 31 only temporarily fasten during an assembly process together, provided that the two sub-components 31 are later connected to each other by connector components 27 load-bearing. Of course, the plug connections and / or the welded connections between the subcomponents can also be carried out so far load-bearing that the sub-components 31 are reliably connected to each other, so that not both must be connected by connector components 27.

On the uprights 15 further attachment areas may be provided for example Balustradenteile and / or trim components.

Also rail blocks for the passenger transport system can be made of mated components and matched to the uprights 15 in the deflection.

The angle brackets 25 at the transition points between the central region 17 and the upper or lower end region 19, 21 of the truss 3 essentially determine an angle of inclination of the finally installed escalator.

The uprights 15 may have a flange with two mutually perpendicular surfaces, which may be connected in an assembled state with two surfaces of square tubes of the upper and lower chords 7, 9. Reinforcement angles can also be provided on the square tubes.

Of course, not the entire structure 1 must be constructed in a truss-shaped manner. The in the FIG. 1 illustrated end portions 19, 21 or entrance areas, or deflection heads of the passenger transport system may for example be cast from fiber reinforced cement. Such cast end portions 19, 21 may comprise roadways made of the cementitious material for the rollers of a step belt or pallet belt as well as receiving points of bearings and drive parts. Furthermore, the cement-molded end regions 19, 21 must also have connection points, so that a central region 17 constructed by means of connector components 27, top straps 7, bottom straps 9, uprights 15, cross struts 11 and diagonal struts 13 is inserted between the two cast end regions 19, 21 can.

For producing a supporting structure 1 described above, first of all a plurality of individual truss components 5 with connection openings 39 suitably formed therein can be provided. For this purpose, for example, a plurality of structurally identical uprights 15, cross struts 11 and / or diagonal struts 13 can be produced in series in advance and equipped with connection openings 39 tuned to bore-filling connector components. In the case of a post 15, for example, two sheet metal parts to be assembled together can be provisionally connected to each other in advance, for example, by being connected by means of plug connections which are secured locally inseparably by welds or crimp-like deformations. The uprights 15 have connecting openings 39 arranged at both ends, which can be arranged precisely with respect to one another and a parallel spacing of upper belt 7 and lower belt 9. At least one of the sheet metal parts of a stanchion 15 may have receptacles for fastening rails, wherein the receptacles 27 are formed precisely arranged relative to the connection openings 39 for the connector components 27. Also, in the transverse or diagonal struts 11, 13 to be formed connecting openings 39 are each arranged at opposite ends of these struts precisely spaced from each other.

While the transverse and diagonal struts 11, 13 and the uprights 15 can preferably be prefabricated as standard manufactured standard components and can be used for different layouts of passenger transport systems, the upper straps 7 and 9 lower straps must be made order-specific as a rule. Positions to be provided in this connection openings 39 must be precisely calculated with respect to an ultimately achieved individual truss geometry and formed in the upper and lower chords. In this case, a height of the uprights 15 and a distance of connection openings 39 in the diagonal struts 13 is to be considered.

To assemble the truss 3 of the structure 1, it may be advantageous to first preassemble a plurality of H-frames 69 by connecting each of two uprights 15 to at least one transverse strut 11 using the bore-filling connector components 27 described herein. Such H-frames 69 can easily be handled by a single person. The H-frames 69 can then be precisely connected to the upper straps 7 and the lower straps 9 by means of the connector components 27. Subsequently, the diagonal struts 13 can be inserted and in turn connected by means of connector components 27 with the already prefabricated remainder of the truss structure. Finally, preferably manufactured as standard angle brackets 25 from at least two assembled sheet metal parts that are secured inextricably, for example via connectors by welds or deformations are attached to the truss 3. At least one of the sheet-metal parts may hereby have receptacles for fastening rails and for their fastening by means of connector components 27 precisely aligned connecting openings 39.

A particular advantage of the structure 1 described herein can be seen in the fact that it can be used by means of an assembly method using the special properties of this structure particularly simple for the assembly of passenger transport equipment in existing structures. For example, it can sometimes it is necessary to replace existing passenger transport systems in a building or to retrofit a building with passenger transport equipment.

Conventional structures for passenger transport systems, which must be prefabricated in a manufacturing plant completely or in large modules, can be very complicated to the building in which the passenger transport system is to be installed, transported and introduced into an interior of this structure. For example, it has often been necessary to transport a not very heavy but very bulky structure by means of a semi-trailer from a place of manufacture to a target structure. At the target structure, it might then be necessary to partially remove existing walls, for example, to provide a way by which the cantilevered structure could be brought into the interior of the structure to the destination for the passenger transportation system. All of this was associated with considerable planning effort and logistical effort and thus considerable costs.

In contrast, with the structure described herein, it is possible to build it directly inside a structure using a specially adapted, simplified assembly method. For this purpose, first of all a plurality of individual truss components 5 with the connection openings 39 already formed therein can be introduced to a mounting position within the structure. If it is an exchange of a passenger transport system, the existing passenger transport system may be removed in advance if necessary. Furthermore, at least two support points for receiving the passenger transport system can be prepared in the building. If necessary, a temporary framework can also be created between such supports.

The disassembled truss 3 can be assembled with its truss components 5 then directly within the building. The individual half-timbered components 5, which are in part provided as standard components of identical construction, can be connected to one another as described using the load-bearing and position-giving connector components 27 and thus form the high-precision truss 3. The thus assembled truss 3 can Finally, be mounted on the prepared mounting points of the structure within the building.

Finally, some possible advantages of the structure 1 proposed here or the method for its production or its assembly in a building will be explained.

The framework for the proposed structure 1 can be much more cost-effective to build than an example continuously welded framework. In particular, it can be assembled on site without mounting lays in an extremely short time, for example within a few hours or less days. The only tool in this case, for example, a correspondingly suitable for the assembly of the connector components 39 rivet gun is required. For an assembly of the truss 3 advantageously no certified professionals such as certified welders are required. Furthermore, a subsequent straightening of the framework can usually be omitted. Components of the truss, in particular its truss components 5, can be painted or, in particular, galvanized prior to their assembly. A transport volume of the initially dismantled truss 3 can be extremely small. The individual truss components 5 can for example be easily introduced through existing openings in an interior of a building without, for example, walls of the structure would have to be broken. Even dirt and noise emissions at the installation site can be minimized by the use of clean and precise connection technology using the special connector components 27, for example, cleaning, cutting and grinding and welding work on, for example empty salvaged trusses, as otherwise often incurred in modernization solutions, not necessary are. Furthermore, it can be seen as an advantage that, due to the possibility of being able to build the truss 3 at the installation location, a high local production proportion can be achieved. This can be a crucial selling factor, especially for public sector contracts. Furthermore, it may be advantageous that only a few components such as the upper and lower straps 7, 9 of the truss 3 must be made order specific, whereas many other truss components 5 such as the cross braces 11, diagonal braces 13 and 15 posts as standardized, mass-produced components held can be. This can be an entire logistics for a manufacture and Decisively simplify the assembly of passenger transport systems. The described achievable high precision of the assembled truss 3 described herein can also have a decisive advantage in that rail fasteners (frames) need not be installed (welded or screwed) aligned as in modernization solutions in the welded truss, but that the frames, for example, directly to the uprights 15 may be formed.

Finally, it should be noted that terms such as "comprising," "comprising," etc., do not exclude other elements or steps, and terms such as "a" or "an" do not exclude a variety. It should also be appreciated that features or steps described with reference to any of the above embodiments may also be used in combination with other features or steps of other embodiments described above. Reference signs in the claims are not to be considered as limiting.

Claims (15)

Method for producing a structure (1) for a passenger transport installation designed as an escalator or moving walkway,
the supporting structure (1) comprising a truss (3) of interconnected load-bearing truss components (5) including upper belts (7), lower belts (9), transverse struts (11), diagonal struts (13) and uprights (15),
the method comprising the steps of: Providing a plurality of individual truss components (5) with connecting openings (39) formed therein, Assembling the truss (3) by connecting the truss components (5) to each other by load-bearing connector components (27) by interposing a connector component (27) through at least two adjoining connection openings (39) of at least two adjacent truss components (5); Outer geometry is deformed, wherein the connector components (27) are formed and deformed when joining truss components (5), that they completely and without clearance fill the connecting openings (39) which they have engaged after connecting the truss components (5) and the truss components (5) in all Formally connect spatial directions with each other and position the truss components (5) when connecting the truss components (5) relative to each other. Method according to claim 1, wherein the connector components (27) are designed in such a way and deformed in their outer geometry during the connection of truss components (5) that they engage in a connection of the truss components (5) to a lateral surface (41) extending through the connecting openings (39) ) are widened so that they fill the connection openings (39) completely and without play and thereby the expanded lateral surface (41) exerts a radially outwardly acting pressure on inner edges of the connection openings (39). Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connector components are rivets, in particular high-strength blind rivet bolts (43), or with a sleeve (59) and at least one cone (61) accommodated in the sleeve (59) and displaceable relative to the sleeve (59). are formed. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connector components (27) are formed and deformed with respect to their external geometry in such a way that they fill the connection openings (39) which pass through them in such a way that they free the connecting openings (39) when connecting the truss components ( 5) with a tolerance of less than 0.3mm relative to each other. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting openings (39) are introduced to each other with a tolerance of less than 0.3 mm positioned in the truss components (5). Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connection openings (39) are introduced in the truss components (5) to be provided by computer assisted laser cutting or water jet cutting. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein all transverse struts (11), diagonal struts (13) and uprights (15) of the truss (3) are each manufactured in series identical in construction. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the transverse struts (11), diagonal struts (13) and uprights (15) are made of sheet metal. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper straps (7) and lower straps (9) are configured and manufactured on an order-specific basis. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper straps (7) and lower straps (9) are manufactured with square tubes. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein individual truss components (5) to be provided are composed of several subcomponents (31). A method according to claim 11, wherein the sub-components (31) of truss components (5) to be provided are connected to each other prior to joining the truss components (5) by a welded joint, clinching or crimping connection. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the truss components (5) to be provided and / or subcomponents (31) of truss components (5) to be provided are connected to one another by means of the connector components (27) by a plug connection (32) before the truss components (5) are connected. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein during the assembly of the truss (3) the truss components (5) are connected together in the following sequence: Pre-assembly of H-frames (69) by connecting in each case two uprights (15) with at least one transverse strut (11) by means of the connector components (27); Connecting the preassembled H-frames (69) to the upper chords (7) and the lower chords (9) respectively by means of the connector components (27); Inserting and connecting the diagonal struts (13) by means of the connector components (27). Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein as complementary truss components Winkelsteherelemente (25) are provided and these are connected at least one end of the truss (3) with other truss components (5) by means of the connector components (27).

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