WO2013152714A1

WO2013152714A1 - Step chain used for conveyance system, sprocket and automatic walkway

Info

Publication number: WO2013152714A1
Application number: PCT/CN2013/073942
Authority: WO
Inventors: 范进泉; 华先铎
Original assignee: 通力股份公司
Priority date: 2012-04-10
Filing date: 2013-04-09
Publication date: 2013-10-17
Also published as: CN103359596A

Abstract

Disclosed is a step chain used for a conveyance system. The step chain (50) comprises chain links (51), chain link shafts (52) mutually connecting adjacent chain links, and supporting rollers (53) fitted onto the chain link shafts. The supporting rollers (53) are mounted inside the chain links (51) and two adjacent supporting rollers (53) are separated from each other by at least two chain links (51). Small diameter rollers (55) having a diameter far smaller than that of the supporting rollers (53) are provided on the chain link shafts (52) located between two adjacent supporting rollers (53). The step chain reduces costs, and the frictional performance thereof is significantly increased.

Description

Pedal chain, sprocket and moving walkway for transport systems

The present invention relates to a driving device for a moving walkway and an escalator, and more particularly to a pedal chain and a sprocket for a moving walkway, an escalator or the like. Background technique

The pedal chain and sprocket are common components for moving walkways and escalators. The pedal chain of the prior art is in various forms, and accordingly, the sprocket for mating with the pedal chain also has a different form.

Figure 1 is an isometric view showing a conventional pedal chain for a moving walkway and a pedal connected to the chain and driven by the chain. As shown in Fig. 1, the pedal chain includes a link 11, a link shaft 12 that connects adjacent links, and a roller that is fitted to the link shaft. Therein, the roller comprises a main support roller 13 and two chain rollers 14 between the two main support rollers 13, all of which are mounted inside the chain link. The main support roller 13 is used to support the load, and the chain roller 14 is an idler that does not support the load. The main support roller 13 is supported on the guide rail and moves along the guide rail. On the other hand, the main support roller 13 is also drivenly connected to the pedal 15 of the moving walkway through its support shaft, so that the main support roller is along the guide rail. When moving, the drive pedal moves together to carry the cargo or pedestrian on the pedal.

The conventional pedal chain has the disadvantage that: since the chain roller 14 is disposed between two adjacent main support rollers 13 in the traveling direction, the cost is increased on the one hand due to the use of more rollers, and The reliability of the equipment is reduced due to the presence of excessive moving parts; on the other hand, since all the rollers including the supporting roller and the chain roller are rubbed with the flange portion of the guide rail, the excessive roller The use of this results in considerable friction.

A pedal chain and a sprocket for an escalator is disclosed in US 2008/0149456 A1. In the pedal chain and sprocket disclosed in this patent document, instead of the chain roller, the two sliders are disposed between two support rollers adjacent in the traveling direction. However, the arrangement of the sliders also brings about some problems, firstly, the friction of the mobile system is increased, and secondly, the structure of the system is complicated and thus the cost is increased.

Another solution employed in the prior art for the pedal chain and sprocket is that the roller includes only the primary support roller 13 and these primary support rollers are mounted outside the chain link as shown in FIG. Lack of such a scheme The point is that since the main support roller is mounted outside the link, the lateral dimension is increased, so that the structural size of the corresponding transport device is increased, so that the device takes up a large space and increases the construction cost.

In view of the above problems with conventional pedal chains and sprockets, there is a need in the industry to further improve the structure of the pedal chain and sprocket. Summary of the invention

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the conventional art and to provide a pedal chain and a sprocket for a moving walkway, an escalator or the like which can reduce the cost of the apparatus and improve the operational performance of the apparatus.

In order to achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, a pedal chain for a transport system is provided, the pedal chain including a link, a link shaft connecting adjacent links, and a link shaft The roller is a support roller for supporting a load, the support roller is mounted inside the link, and the two support rollers adjacent to each other are spaced apart from each other by at least two links.

Preferably, the two support rollers adjacent to each other are spaced apart from each other by two links.

Preferably, the two support rollers adjacent to each other are spaced apart from each other by three links.

Preferably, the link shaft between the two support rollers adjacent to each other is mounted with a small diameter roller having a diameter significantly smaller than that of the support roller.

Preferably, the small diameter roller is coated with polyurethane.

Preferably, the transport system is a moving walkway.

Preferably, the transport system is an escalator.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a sprocket for use with a pedal chain to form a sprocket-chain transmission is provided, the pedal chain being a pedal chain according to the first aspect of the present invention.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a moving walkway comprising a sprocket-chain transmission mechanism, the pedal chain being the pedal chain according to the first aspect of the present invention.

By adopting the technical solution of the present invention, on the one hand, the equipment cost is remarkably reduced due to the use of fewer rollers; moreover, since only the support roller forms a frictional contact with the flange portion of the guide rail, there is no The other rollers that are in contact with the flange portion of the guide rail, therefore, the friction performance is significantly improved, the silent operation performance is improved, and the energy consumption is reduced. Furthermore, since the support roller is disposed inside the link, the sprocket-chain transmission mechanism is ensured to have a compact structure. DRAWINGS

The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments, wherein

Figure 1 is an isometric view showing a conventional pedal chain for a moving walkway; Figure 2 is a partial isometric view showing another conventional pedal chain;

Figure 3A is a partial perspective view showing a pedal chain according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3B is a partial perspective view showing the other side of the pedal chain shown in Figure 3A;

Figure 3C is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the pedal chain according to the first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3D is a partial plan view showing the pedal chain according to the first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3E is similar to Figure 3D , which shows a cross-sectional view of the pedal chain;

Figure 4A is a partial perspective view showing the assembled view of the pedal chain and the pedal of the first embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 4B is a perspective view showing the pedal chain of the first embodiment of the present invention driven to be coupled to the pedal.

Figure 5 is a partial plan view showing the sprocket for use with the pedal chain shown in Figures 3A-3E; Figure 6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the partial structure of the moving walkway;

Figure 7 illustrates a second embodiment of a pedal chain and a sprocket in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 8 is a partial elevational view showing the pedal chain according to the second embodiment of the present invention fitted to a sprocket for use therewith. detailed description

Next, the pedal chain and the sprocket for the moving walkway, the escalator, and the like of the present invention will be described in detail. Here, it is to be noted that the embodiments of the present invention are merely illustrative, and are merely illustrative of the principles of the invention. Additionally, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the pedal chain and sprocket of the present invention can be used in a variety of transport equipment employing pedal chains and sprockets, including moving walkways.

3A-3E, wherein FIG. 3A is a partial perspective view showing a pedal chain according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3B is a partial perspective view showing the other side of the pedal chain shown in FIG. 3A; Figure 3C is an exploded perspective view showing the pedal chain structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3D is a partial plan view showing the pedal chain according to the first embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 3E is similar to Figure 3D , shows a cross-sectional view of the pedal chain.

As shown in Figures 3A-3E, the pedal chain 50 of the present invention includes links 51 that interconnect adjacent chains. The link shaft 52 of the joint 51, the sleeve 54 attached to the link shaft 52, and the support roller 53 fitted to the sleeve 54. As can be seen, the two support rollers 53 adjacent in the direction of travel are spaced apart by three links, and the two link shafts between the two adjacent support rollers 53 are provided with a long diameter. The small diameter roller 55 is smaller than the support roller 53 which is coated with polyurethane and has a metal casing. A link shaft on which the support roller 53 is disposed is used for driving with a pedal of a moving walkway or the like.

Fig. 4A is a partial perspective view showing the assembled view of the pedal chain and the pedal of the first embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 4B is a perspective view showing the pedal chain of the first embodiment of the present invention drivingly coupled to the pedal. As shown in Figs. 4A and 4B, the link shaft of the support roller 53 is drivingly coupled to the pedal 56 of the moving walkway or the like so that the drive pedal moves together as the main support roller moves along the guide rail. As shown, each of the three small chain pitches constitutes a large pitch, and a large pitch corresponds to one pedal.

Referring next to Figure 5, there is shown a sprocket 60 for use with the pedal chain 50 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, the sprocket is provided with a tooth shape corresponding to the structure of the pedal chain 50, and two different types of teeth are formed along the circumferential direction of the sprocket: the first type of teeth 61 and the second type. a type of tooth 62, wherein two adjacent first type of teeth 61 define a wheel groove 63 adapted to the support roller 53 and a first type of tooth 61 adjacent to each other and a second type A groove 64 that fits the small diameter roller 55 is defined between the teeth 62. In the case where the two support rollers 53 adjacent in the traveling direction are spaced apart by three links, the number of teeth of the sprocket should be a multiple of 3, and the number of teeth of the sprocket is 18 as shown. As shown in Fig. 5, in the assembled state, the pedal chain is wound around the sprocket, and the support roller 53 and the small diameter roller 55 are respectively engaged in the corresponding wheel grooves of the sprocket. In the operating state, the sprocket 60 is driven by a drive such as a motor, and the pedal chain is moved by the sprocket.

Figure 6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the partial structure of the moving walk. As shown in Fig. 6, the support roller 53 is supported on the guide rail 71, and the inner end of the link shaft on which the support roller 53 is fitted is drivingly connected to the pedal of the moving walkway or the like. During the running of the moving walkway, the support rollers 53 roll along the guide rails 71, which in turn causes the pedals to move together. As shown in FIG. 6, the guide rail 71 includes a support surface 72 for supporting the support roller 53, and a flange portion 73 projecting from the support surface on the outer side of the guide rail, the flange portion 73 for providing the side for the support roller 53 To the support, the support roller 53 is prevented from coming off the track to ensure smooth operation of the transport system. During operation of the transport system, the support roller 53 is brought into contact with the inner side surface of the flange portion 73 while running along the support surface 72, so that friction is generated therebetween. With the pedal chain of the present invention, since only the support roller 53 forms frictional contact with the flange portion 73 of the guide rail, the small-diameter roller 55 does not make frictional contact with the flange portion 73 of the guide rail. As a result, the friction performance is significantly improved, the silent operation performance is improved, and the energy consumption is reduced. Figures 7 and 8 illustrate another embodiment of a pedal chain and sprocket in accordance with the present invention. The embodiment shown in the figure differs from the embodiment shown in Figures 3A-5 in that: two support rollers 53 adjacent in the direction of travel are spaced apart by two links, in the adjacent two support rollers 53 A small diameter roller 55 having a diameter much smaller than the support roller 53 is provided therebetween. In response to this, the sprocket 80 for mating with the chain is provided with a tooth shape corresponding to the structure of the pedal chain, and the two adjacent teeth 81 along the circumferential direction of the sprocket alternately define the support roller. The adapted wheel groove 83 and the wheel groove 84 adapted to the small diameter roller 55. In the case where the two support rollers 53 adjacent in the traveling direction are separated by two links, the number of teeth of the sprocket should be a multiple of 2, and the number of teeth of the sprocket is shown to be 16. Further, in the case where the two support rollers 53 adjacent in the traveling direction are spaced apart by two links, each of the two small chain pitches constitutes a large pitch, and one large pitch corresponds to one pedal.

The present invention has been described with reference to the drawings and the embodiments of the present invention. It is to be understood by those skilled in the art that The above embodiment has made various improvements.

In the first and second embodiments described above, the small-diameter roller having a diameter much smaller than the supporting roller is disposed between the two supporting rollers adjacent in the traveling direction instead of the idler. As an alternative, it is also possible to provide only a sleeve on the link shaft between the two support rollers adjacent in the traveling direction without additionally providing a small-diameter roller; in addition, in the above embodiment, the small diameter The roller is coated with polyurethane and has a metal sleeve, but as an option, the small diameter roller can also be a small diameter roller without a polyurethane coating, and the small diameter roller can also be without a metal sleeve. .

In the first and second embodiments described above, two or three links are spaced apart between the two support rollers adjacent in the traveling direction. However, this is not limitative, and depending on the circumstances, more links may be spaced between the two support rollers adjacent in the traveling direction.

Claims

Claim

A pedal chain for a transport system, the pedal chain including a link, a link shaft connecting the adjacent links, and a roller fitted to the link shaft;

It is characterized in that the roller is a support roller for supporting a load, the support roller is mounted inside the link, and the two support rollers adjacent to each other are spaced apart from each other by at least two links.

2. The pedal chain according to claim 1, wherein the two support rollers adjacent to each other are spaced apart from each other by two links.

3. The pedal chain according to claim 1, wherein the two support rollers adjacent to each other are spaced apart from each other by three links.

The pedal chain according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a link shaft between two support rollers adjacent to each other is mounted with a diameter substantially smaller than a diameter of the support roller. Small diameter roller.

The pedal chain according to claim 4, wherein the small-diameter roller is coated with polyurethane.

The pedal chain according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the transport system is a moving walkway.

The pedal chain according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the transport system is an escalator.

A sprocket for use with a pedal chain to constitute a sprocket-chain transmission mechanism, characterized in that the pedal chain is the pedal chain according to any one of claims 1-7.

A moving walkway comprising a sprocket-chain transmission mechanism, characterized in that the pedal chain is the pedal chain according to any one of claims 1-7.