JP2002523320A - Linear handrail drive - Google Patents

Abstract

A handrail drive (4) for an escalator or moving walkway, said handrail drive (4) comprising a fixed primary part (12) and a movable secondary part (14). Is configured as an electric linear drive device (4) provided with:

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

【Technical field】

The present invention relates to a linear handrail drive for escalators or moving walkways.

[0002]

[Background Art]

A common handrail drive for a device for transporting an occupant, such as an escalator or a moving sidewalk, is driven by a stepping motor of the transport device. Often, one of the reversing wheels at the end of the handrail is used as a driving wheel for the handrail. Another common type of drive uses endless drive belts that circulate, such drive belts contacting the inside of a handrail, for example, along a predetermined path,
It is driven by applying pressure inside the handrail. The drive belt itself is driven by a motor of the transport device via a drive pulley. In addition, a drive of a type in which these powers are obtained from a belt of a tread plate is well known.

[0003] Due to the long power transmission path, the handrail often moves irregularly or becomes jerky. Moreover, it is difficult to precisely adjust the speed of the handrail to the speed of the tread. In addition to this, in particular, due to frictional interference with the driving power wheels, abrasion of the handrail or the driving belt becomes severe. This requires relatively frequent replacement of wearable components and undesired downtime of the occupant transport device, which increases costs.

[0004]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a handrail drive device that uniformly drives a handrail and suppresses abrasion.

This object is achieved according to the invention by configuring a handrail drive as an electrical linear drive having a fixed primary part and a movable secondary part.

[0006] The handrail of the transport device is therefore provided with a drive for itself, which eliminates the long power transmission path and the associated disadvantages.
In addition, the linear movement of the drive can be easily converted to a handrail circulating movement without the need for a highly worn power path, for example, between the drive wheels and the handrail. The “1” of the present invention
The terms “secondary part” and “secondary part” mean the first part and the second part, and are not important for the specific configuration of the linear drive, for example, an excitation system or a conduction system. Absent.

By distributing such a handrail driving device to different regions of the handrail moving path, the handrail can be moved uniformly, especially when the length of the handrail is large.

[0008] The secondary member of the linear drive is preferably provided on a handrail, particularly preferably integrally provided with the handrail. The area inside the handrail, i.e. the area opposite the hand support area, is an area suitable for placing the secondary part. With a handrail drive of this type, the driving force is directly applied to the handrail, so that it is not necessary to transmit power to the handrail by friction. In the ideal case, there is no wear from driving the handrail.

As an alternative embodiment, it is also possible to place the secondary part on a circulating drive belt that operates with and drives the handrail. However, in the case of such a type of handrail drive device, it is necessary to transmit power by friction from the drive belt to the handrail, so that abrasion occurs in an area where such handrail or the frictional contact with the drive belt occurs. Some occur. However, with this type of configuration, a major source of wear due to transmission between the drive wheels and the drive belt or between the drive wheels and the handrail can be eliminated.

[0010] The drive belt operates with a handrail in some areas where it is guided over independent deflection pulleys and travels along a closed path. However, it is also possible to move the drive belt parallel to it over the entire length of the handrail and guide it around the handrail reversing wheel. In general, it is preferable to select a material with a high coefficient of friction in the region of the drive belt that operates with the handrail. When the drive belt is moved in parallel with the entire length of the handrail, it is preferable to use a material having particularly good adhesion. In extreme cases, the drive belt is attached to the handrail using an adhesive.

The linear drive preferably has an excitation system consisting of permanent magnets. In this case, it is particularly preferred that the linear drive comprises a multi-pole permanent magnet. An excitation system having a coil to which a direct current is supplied,
Alternatively, an excitation system including a coil to which an alternating current or a three-phase current is supplied may be used. In this case, the excitation system produces, for example, a time-varying magnetic field.

[0012] Preferably, the excitation system and the permanent magnet are provided, in particular in the secondary part. When the permanent magnet is used as the excitation system for the secondary part, there is an advantage that the simplification can be made particularly and the space can be saved. In this case, there is no need to specifically supply power to any type of coil in the movable secondary part.

Preferably, the linear drive comprises a conductive system, wherein the speed of the linear drive is controlled by a controller. This controller controls the time-varying magnetic field of the conductive system. The conducting system is preferably arranged on a fixed primary part. Conductive systems include:
A coil having a wound coil core can be provided. These wound coil cores can be formed from laminated materials and are preferably connected together at the ends of their bases. The current flowing through the conductive system and the magnetic field of the excitation system create a directed load that causes relative movement between the primary and secondary parts.

The drive is continuously performed by controlling the current flowing through the conductive system relative to the magnetic field of the excitation system and the relative position of the conductive system. Such control makes it possible to control the speed of the linear drive device. Preferably, the controller controls the synchronization of the handrail with respect to the escalator or the moving walkway in response to a speed signal from the escalator or the moving walkway step.
Such a signal is received, for example, by a sensor and sent to a controller.
With such a method between the step and the handrail, very precise synchronization control can be performed.

When the handrail is driven by the drive belt, it is possible to compensate for slippage of the drive belt with respect to the handrail by further providing a speed sensor for detecting the speed of the handrail. The controller evaluates the corresponding sensor data and converts them into control data for the linear drive.

[0016] Preferably, a surface of the primary portion facing the secondary portion or a surface of the secondary portion facing the primary portion is provided with a friction-reducing coating. If the secondary part is incorporated into the handrail, this secondary part is placed under the friction-reducing layer normally applied inside the handrail.
This can be achieved by placing the next part.

Preferably, two primary parts are provided, one primary part being arranged on one side of the secondary part and the other primary part being arranged on the other side of the secondary part. ing.
Such a sandwich arrangement in which the secondary part is arranged between the two primary parts makes it possible to apply a large driving force to the short-length secondary part. These two
The one primary part may be an independent part, or may be connected to a yoke bridge or be configured as one member.

[0018] Preferably, the secondary part comprises a device for maintaining a constant distance between the primary part and the secondary part. Such a distance or gap between the primary and secondary parts is
Affects the driving force that can be generated from the linear drive. Such a device is suitable when substantially eliminating the fluctuation that can cause the handrail operation to become jerky. By doing so, the driving force of the linear drive device is increased, and the linear drive device can be designed to be small, and the cost can be reduced.

A special feature of the electric linear drive is the elongated structure, which is particularly suitable for use in handrail drives. Space problems, which often occur with common handrail drives, do not occur with electric linear drives. The electric linear drive can also be placed in the area where the glass handrail is visible, without being overly noticeable. Electric drives can typically be mounted in various areas along the handrail path. For example, it can be attached to the area where the occupant grasps the handrail, the area where the handrail returns, or even the area where the handrail reverses.

The present invention relates not only to a handrail with a secondary part for the linear drive of the invention, but also to an escalator or a moving walkway with the handrail drive of the invention.

The invention is explained in more detail by means of the embodiments illustrated by the drawings.

[0022]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Please refer to FIG. FIG. 1 shows a handrail 2 and a handrail driving device 4. As shown in FIG. 2, the cross section of the handrail is substantially C-shaped, the handrail portion 6 is flat, and the curved ends 8, 10 extending to both sides are not shown in the handrail guide. Used to hold In FIG. 1, the hand support 6 of the handrail faces downward, and the portion of the curved end 8 close to the viewer sees this figure.
Notched for clarity.

The handrail drive 4 is a linear drive consisting of a fixed primary part 12 and a movable secondary part 14, in the configuration shown the secondary part 14 is integrated with the handrail Have been. The secondary part consists essentially of permanent magnets 16, 18 of high-quality magnetic material, the north and south poles of these permanent magnets 16, 18, respectively, in the longitudinal direction of the handrail 2. It is arranged on the upper side and alternately, and is arranged relatively close below the surface of the inner side 20 of the handrail 2. Since as many permanent magnets 16, 18 as possible are provided, these permanent magnets 16, 18 are provided.
18 are arranged close to each other along the longitudinal direction of the handrail. Permanent magnet 16,
The greater the number of 18, the smaller the dimensions, and the closer they are, the smoother and more uniform the driving characteristics of the linear driving device 4. Laterally on the handrail 2 they extend over substantially the entire width of the inner side 20. Since these lengths are maximum in the longitudinal direction of the handrail 2, the hardness of the material of the permanent magnets 16 and 18 does not affect the flexibility of the handrail 2.

On the escalator or moving sidewalk, the primary part 12 is fixed,
For example, it is attached to the frame. The primary portion 12 is a long comb-shaped member having individual teeth 22, 24 therein, which cooperate with the winding coils to form an electromagnet. The width of the primary part 12 is preferably somewhat smaller than the width of the open area between the two curved ends 8, 10 of the handrail 2. In this way, the inner surface can be optimally used to generate the driving force on the handrail 2. The sides of the primary part 12, together with the curved ends 8, 10, can be used to guide the handrail 2 laterally. The body of the primary part supporting the winding coil is preferably made of a flexible material that is easy to remagnetize, and in particular has a structure in which individual sheet-like materials are stacked. The base 6 of the fuselage of the primary part is solid throughout.

Since the fixed primary part 12 is straight as shown, it can be attached to the straight area of the handrail 2 on either an escalator or a moving sidewalk. However, it is also possible for the primary part 12 to have a curved shape, due to the region in which the handrail 2 extends along an arcuate shape instead of a straight line (for example, an inverted region).

The surface facing the inside of the handrail in the primary portion 12 is provided with a friction-reducing coating. As shown in FIG. 2, a friction-relieving coating is also applied to the inside of the handrail 20 to cover the permanent magnet 16 so that when the handrail 2 with the secondary portion 14 moves, The friction with the next part 12 is small. Depending on the depth of the permanent magnets embedded in the handrail 2 as well as the thickness of these two friction-reducing coatings, the distance between the teeth 22, 24 of the primary part and the permanent magnets 16, 18 of the secondary part 14 Is determined. The driving force of the linear handrail driving device 4 substantially depends on the size of this gap. A device (not shown) for holding the handrail 2 in the direction of the secondary part in order to hold the handrail 2 in the direction of the primary part 12 over the entire length of the primary part 12
Can be provided. For example, by applying pressure to the hand support 6,
An idle running roller that keeps the next part 12
oller). Such a device can be configured according to the shape such that a gap of predetermined width is maintained between the handrail 2 and the primary part 12.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, another configuration of the handrail driving device 4 of the present invention is shown. 3 and 4, the same reference numerals are used for the corresponding parts in FIGS. 1 and 2. What has been described in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2 basically applies to these components as well. Therefore, it can be seen in FIG. 3 that the handrail 2 includes the hand support 6 and the inside 20. The curved ends 8, 10 of FIGS.
Omitted for simplicity of illustration. A circulating drive belt 30 acts on the inside 20 of the handrail 2 and constitutes a secondary part of the linear handrail drive 4. FIG. 4 shows that the permanent magnets 16 and 18 are embedded in the belt. The drive belt 30 includes two idle deflection rollers.
ller) 32, 34 and the lower inner area shown in FIG.
It cooperates with the fixed primary part 12. Preferably, the inner side 20 of the drive belt 30 is provided with a friction-reducing coating, which cooperates with the friction-reducing coating on the opposing surface of the primary portion 12 to reduce frictional losses. Function. The drive belt 30 is preferably guided by a lateral guide device, not shown, so that the drive belt 30 is in particular secured to the primary part 12.
, So that it does not deviate laterally. 1 with the drive belt 30 fixed
It is also possible to provide a device for holding in the direction of the next part or for maintaining a constant gap between them.

Preferably, the coefficient of friction on the outside of the drive belt 30, that is, on the side that drives and drives the inside of the handrail 2, is relatively high, so that
, The wear of the drive belt increases somewhat. In addition, in the configuration shown, pressure rollers 36, 38, 40 are provided inside the drive belt 30, by means of which the drive belt 30 is pressed towards the inside 20 of the handrail 2. It has become. This also increases the frictional effect between the drive belt 30 and the handrail 2.

The drive belt 30 is formed from a flexible material (for example, a plastic material capable of increasing the strength by arranging reinforcing strands or reinforcing fibers in the longitudinal direction, like a handrail). .

In order to increase the driving force of the linear handrail drive 4, the second fixed primary part is fixed to the fixed primary part 12 so as to have a substantially symmetric mirror image-like relationship. And can contact the drive belt 14 or the handrail 2. In this way, the driving force obtained from the linear handrail driving device 4 having the same length can be reduced by two.
Can be doubled. In addition to the pressure rollers 36, 38, 40 shown in FIG.
Alternatively, instead of these rollers, it is also possible to provide a pressure roller which acts on the hand support area 6 of the handrail 2 and presses it against the drive belt 30.

The longitudinal section in FIG. 4 shows the permanent magnets 16, 18 inside the drive belt 30 which constitutes the secondary part 14 of the linear handrail drive 4. The letters N and S of these permanent magnets 16 and 18 indicate these N and S poles.
The arrangement of the permanent magnets 16, 18 in the longitudinal direction of the secondary part 14 can be different.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a first embodiment of a handrail drive device of the present invention, in which a handrail member is omitted for clarity.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a handrail in which a part of the linear drive device of the first embodiment is incorporated.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a second embodiment of the handrail drive device.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view showing a part of the drive belt of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3;

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Taller, Dietmar Germany, Sedziburg, New Strassell 17 (72) Inventor Cruz, Michel Germany, Minden, Denmark Marstrasse 7 F term (reference) 3F321 CA32 CA41 CF06

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A handrail drive (4) for escalators or moving walkways
A handrail drive (4) characterized in that it is constructed as an electric linear drive (4) with a fixed primary part (12) and a movable secondary part (14). 2. The handrail drive (4) according to claim 1, wherein the secondary part (14) is provided on a handrail (2). 3. The handrail drive (4) according to claim 2, wherein the secondary part (14) is arranged inside a handrail, opposite the hand support area.
. 4. Handrail drive according to claim 1, wherein the secondary part (14) is provided on a circulating drive belt (30) which operates and drives the handrail (2). Apparatus (4). 5. Handrail drive (4) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said linear drive (4) comprises an excitation system consisting of permanent magnets (16, 18). . 6. Handrail drive (4) according to claim 5, characterized in that the permanent magnets (16, 18) are arranged in the secondary part (14). 7. The linear drive (4) comprises a conductive system, wherein the controller controls a time-varying current of the conductive system.
Handrail drive (4) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the speed of the linear drive can be controlled. 8. The controller according to claim 1, wherein the controller controls the synchronization between the handrail (2) and the escalator or moving walk step in relation to the speed signal of the escalator or moving walk step. A handrail drive (4) according to any of the preceding claims. 9. A handrail drive according to claim 1, wherein a surface of the primary part (12) facing the secondary part (14) is provided with a friction-reducing coating. Apparatus (4). 10. A handrail drive (4) characterized in that a friction-reducing coating is applied to a surface of the secondary part (14) facing the primary part (12).
). 11. Two primary members (12) are provided, one of said primary members is located on one side of said secondary member (14), and one of said primary members is provided. Handrail drive (4) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the other of said is arranged on the other side of said secondary member (14). 12. The secondary part (14) comprises a device for maintaining the distance between the primary part (12) and the secondary part (14) substantially constant. A handrail drive (4) according to any of the preceding claims. 13. Escalator or moving walkway with a handrail drive (4) according to any of the preceding claims. 14. A linear handrail drive (4) according to any of the preceding claims.
Handrail (2) with secondary part (14) for