WO2020001961A1

WO2020001961A1 - Drive assembly for a moving walkway and correspondingly equipped flat-structure moving walkway

Info

Publication number: WO2020001961A1
Application number: PCT/EP2019/065008
Authority: WO
Inventors: Csaba BOROS
Original assignee: Inventio Ag
Priority date: 2018-06-25
Filing date: 2019-06-07
Publication date: 2020-01-02

Abstract

The invention relates to a drive assembly (1) for a moving walkway (3), having a drive mechanism (5), a guide mechanism (7), and a first and a second continuous traction means (9, 11). The drive mechanism (5) has a drive (17) and a first and a second drive gear (13, 15) which are coupled together such that the two drive gears (13, 15) are to be driven in opposite directions relative to each other in a rotating manner in a respective rotational movement (21, 23) by the drive (17). The first drive gear (13) interacts with the first traction means (9), and the second drive gear (15) interacts with the second continuous traction means (11) in order to circulate the two continuous traction means (9, 11) in opposite circulating movements by means of the rotational movement (21, 23) of the respective drive gear (13, 15). The two continuous traction means (9, 11) are configured and the circulating movement of the traction means is guided by the guide mechanism (7) such that regions of the first continuous traction means (9) being moved in a forwards movement direction (25) by means of the rotational movement (21) of the first drive gear (13) interact with a first side (31) of pallets (29) of the moving walkway (3) in a tension loadable manner for example, and regions of the second continuous traction means (11) being moved in the forwards movement direction (25) by means of the rotational movement (23) of the second drive gear (15) interact with the second side (33) of pallets (29) in a tension loadable manner for example.

Description

Drive arrangement for a moving walk as well as a correspondingly equipped flat moving walk

description

The present invention relates to a drive arrangement for a moving walk and a moving walk equipped therewith.

Moving walks are used to transport people within buildings along horizontal or, if necessary, slightly inclined travel paths. The people stand on pallets, which are arranged one behind the other along a travel path and are shifted along the travel path. The pallets are driven by a drive arrangement in a rotating movement in a forward and a reverse.

For many applications, the aim is that a moving walk should only have a low overall height. For example, moving walks of this type can be used in existing buildings, in particular, for example, in airport buildings. For example, existing, long aisles can be upgraded with moving walks.

Due to the low overall height to be aimed for, certain problems can arise when deflecting pallets from the forward to the return in conventionally driven moving walks. In particular, the so-called polygon effect can have a disruptive effect on the moving behavior of the moving walk.

One approach to reduce the disturbing influences of the polygon effect is in the

WO 2015/180965 A1. In this case, rollers and pallets are arranged on an articulated chain and so-called system rollers are additionally provided, which are guided along special tracks of a deflection system. However, the construction of such a moving walk is relatively complex and / or very high loads can occur at points of engagement with a deflection sprocket.

An alternative approach for a drive system for a moving walk or an escalator is described in EP 2 058 263 B1. Among other things, there may be a need for an alternative drive arrangement for a moving walk and a moving walk equipped with it. In particular, there may be a need for a drive arrangement for a moving walk or a moving walk equipped with it, which are simple in construction, have a low overall height, are robust and / or can be manufactured or maintained inexpensively.

Such a need can be met by a drive arrangement and a moving walk according to the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims and the description below.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a drive arrangement for a moving walk is proposed, which has a drive mechanism, a guide mechanism, and first and second endless traction means. The drive mechanism has a drive and a first and a second drive wheel, which are coupled to one another in such a way that the two drive wheels can be driven in a rotational movement in opposite directions relative to one another. The first

The drive wheel interacts with the first endless traction means and the second drive wheel interacts with the second endless traction means in order to convey the two endless traction means in a rotating manner with the rotational movement of the respective drive wheel. The two endless traction devices are configured for this and are guided by the guide mechanism in the circulating movement in such a way that

that, on the one hand, with the rotation of the first drive wheel in one

Areas of movement of the first endless traction device moving in the forward movement direction with a first side of pallets of the moving walk in the forward movement direction can be subjected to tensile load and, on the other hand, areas of the second movement moving in the forward movement direction with the rotary movement of the second drive wheel

Continuous traction means with the second side of these pallets in the forward movement direction to tensile load.

In addition, both endless traction devices are configured for this and are operated by

Guiding mechanics in the orbital movement guided in such a way

that, on the one hand with the rotational movement of the first drive wheel also in one

Areas of return movement of the first endless traction means with one of the regions first side opposite second side of pallets of the moving walk in the

Reverse direction of movement on train resilient interaction,

and that on the other hand with the rotation of the second drive wheel also in the

Areas of movement of the second endless traction means in the return movement direction can be loaded with the first side of these pallets in the return movement direction

Cooperation.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a moving walk is proposed which has an endless pallet belt with a plurality of pallets arranged one behind the other in a circumferential direction and a drive arrangement according to an embodiment of the first aspect of the invention.

Possible features and advantages of embodiments of the invention can be viewed, inter alia, and without restricting the invention, as based on the ideas and knowledge described below.

As already indicated in the introduction, conventional drive arrangements for moving walks were usually designed in such a way that it was difficult to fall below a certain minimum height. Pallets of a moving walk were usually coupled on both sides with a drive chain and the parallel ones

Drive chains were driven synchronously and synchronously via chain wheels driven by a motor. The sprockets were usually arranged in such a way that their axis of rotation was parallel to the longitudinal direction of the elongated pallets, so that the rotating drive chains could be firmly coupled to the respective side areas of the pallets to be driven and moved parallel to the rotating movement of the pallets during an entire rotating movement. A height of the

In general, the drive arrangement could only be reduced by using sprockets of smaller diameters, which, however, exacerbated problems, for example due to the polygon effect.

The drive arrangement described here enables a significantly reduced overall height without associated excessive problems, for example due to the

Polygon effect. For this purpose, the drive arrangement has a drive mechanism, a guide mechanism and two endless traction means, which are designed and arranged in a special way.

The drive mechanism is designed in particular to the two

To drive endless traction means in a suitable manner. The endless traction means can run between components of the drive mechanism, for example between a drive wheel arranged at the beginning of the moving walk and a deflection wheel arranged at the end of the moving walk, and can be moved between them. For this purpose, the drive mechanism can have, for example, a motor, in particular an electric motor, which drives one or more drive wheels, in particular gear wheels or chain wheels. The drive mechanism can optionally also have a gear with which, for example, gear ratios and / or

Driving directions can be generated. In addition, the drive mechanism can have guide wheels, by means of which a direction of movement of the endless traction means can be deflected locally.

The guide mechanism is designed to guide the two endless traction means along a desired path during their orbital movement. For example, the endless traction means need not necessarily run in a straight line between two components of the drive mechanism, but rather can be deflected locally by components of the guide mechanism. For this purpose, the guide mechanism can have guide rollers, guide plates, deflection wheels, etc., for example.

The endless traction means can be elongated components that can withstand high tensile loads in the longitudinal direction, but can be bent transversely to their longitudinal direction without great effort. The endless traction means are closed in a ring, that is to say their ends which may still be present during an intermediate stage in the production are connected to one another. The endless traction means can be designed, for example, as chains, belts, belts, bands, ropes or the like. In contrast to conventional drive arrangements, the drive mechanism of the drive arrangement described here is designed not to drive the two endless traction means in parallel with one another with the aid of their drive wheels, but rather to drive them in opposite directions with one another in their circulating movement. The two For this purpose, drive wheels of the drive arrangement rotate in opposite directions

Rotary motion. In other words, the drive arrangement is designed such that, for example, one endless traction means is driven by the first drive wheel in a clockwise rotating movement and the other endless traction device is driven by the second driving wheel in a counterclockwise rotating movement, in each case with the same direction of view of the endless traction means.

The two endless traction means should run over wide areas, but not during their entire orbital movement, antiparallel to each other. Instead, the paths of the two orbital movements can overlap and / or cross locally. In particular, the endless traction means and the guide mechanism can be configured such that a portion of the first endless traction means, which is moved with the rotational movement of the first drive wheel in a forward movement direction, is added laterally (ie transversely with respect to a direction of movement of the pallet) and then parallel to a first Side of pallets of the moving walk is moved and with such

interacts that a tensile force can be exerted on the pallets by the first endless traction means, and that a portion of the second endless traction means, which is moved in the forward movement direction with the rotational movement of the second drive wheel, is added laterally in the opposite direction and then also parallel to a second side of the above-mentioned pallets of the moving walk and also interacts with them in such a way that a tensile force can be exerted on the pallets by the second endless traction means. In other words, the two can

Endless traction means in opposite directions to those between them

extending pallets to be able to interact with the pallets from both sides and this by exerting the tensile force in the

Move forward movement direction. The two endless traction devices are moved in opposite directions by the respective drive wheels, but they also engage on opposite sides of the pallets. The two endless traction means can thus interact with the pallets mentioned due to the tensile force exerted on the opposite ends of the pallets in the

Pull the forward movement direction in directions parallel to each other. Alternatively or in addition, the endless traction means and the guide mechanism can be configured such that a partial area of the second endless traction means in one

Return movement direction laterally and then moved parallel to the first side of pallets of the moving walk and cooperates with them in such a way that the second endless traction means can exert a pulling force on the pallets and that a portion of the first endless traction means laterally in the return movement direction in the opposite direction added and then also moved parallel to the second side of said pallets of the moving walk and also cooperates with it in such a way that the first endless traction means can exert a tensile force on the pallets. In this case, the two endless traction means are also moved in opposite directions to one another, but in turn attack

opposite sides of the pallets. The two endless traction means can thus also interact with the pallets interacting with the named partial areas due to the tensile force exerted on the opposite ends of the pallets

Pull the return movement direction in directions parallel to each other.

While in conventional drive arrangements each of the endless traction means in

Moving generally within its own plane, which is transverse to a plane along which the pallets are moved, are the

Due to the special design of the drive mechanism and the guide mechanism, endless traction means in the drive arrangement described here are guided in such a way that they are moved in a substantially circumferential manner along a plane which runs parallel to the plane in which the pallets are moved. Because of this configuration, the overall height of the drive arrangement can be considerably reduced.

Furthermore, dimensions of components of the drive arrangement and of the guide arrangement, such as, for example, the drive wheels and / or deflection wheels, can nevertheless be chosen to be relatively large, since they do not need to be arranged transversely to the plane of the pallet movement, where they would increase the overall height, but in parallel can be arranged at this level and thus

height-optimized can be accommodated in the drive arrangement.

According to one embodiment, the first and the second drive wheel can each be rotated about an axis of rotation, which is perpendicular or by less than 20 °, preferably less than 15% or even less than 10%, tilted to a plane within which the pallets move in the forward movement direction.

In other words, the two drive wheels need not be arranged in vertical planes perpendicular to the plane in which the pallets move, i.e. with their axes of rotation parallel to a longitudinal direction of the elongated pallets (i.e. parallel to the width direction of the moving walk), as is usually the case with conventional moving walks. Instead, both drive wheels can be arranged essentially in mostly horizontal planes, i.e. with their axes of rotation perpendicular or at most tilted by up to 20 ° (i.e. between 70 ° and 90 °) to the plane in which the pallets move. In other words, the drive wheels can rotate within a plane that is parallel to the plane in which the pallets move, or that is arranged at a maximum angle of 20 ° to this plane. The drive wheels can thus be arranged in a space-optimized manner and in particular without excessively increasing the overall height of the drive arrangement.

In particular, according to one embodiment, the first and the second drive wheel can be rotatably mounted about rotational axes arranged spatially offset from one another.

In other words, the axes of rotation of the two drive wheels can have a lateral distance from one another. This distance must be measured in a direction transverse to the axes of rotation. The distance can be dimensioned such that the two drive wheels overlap only partially, preferably only slightly, when projected onto a plane parallel to the plane of extent of at least one of the drive wheels. less than 50% or even less than 20%, or that the two drive wheels do not overlap at all in the above-mentioned projection. For example, the distance can correspond to at least the diameter of one of the drive wheels.

According to a specific embodiment, the axes of rotation can be arranged parallel to one another or tilted relative to one another by less than 40 °, preferably less than 30 ° or even less than 20 °.

In other words, both drive wheels can be laterally offset from one another, but in opposite directions about axes of rotation which are antiparallel to one another be rotating. The two drive wheels thus extend in the same plane or in two mutually parallel planes. A suspension or storage of the two drive wheels can be particularly simple and / or space-saving. In addition, the two drive wheels can be mechanically coupled to one another in a simple manner, for example with the aid of external toothing, in order to move in opposite directions.

As an alternative, the two drive wheels can rotate about different axes of rotation and the axes of rotation can be spaced apart, the

Rotation axes are not parallel to each other, but are tilted at most 40 ° relative to each other.

The arrangement of the two drive wheels with their axes of rotation parallel to one another or only slightly tilted relative to one another enables a space-saving arrangement of the drive wheels and thus in particular a low overall height for the

Drive arrangement.

Furthermore, an advantageous guidance of the endless traction means can be achieved by arranging the drive wheels with rotational axes tilted relative to one another. In particular, in one embodiment, the axes of rotation of the first and second drive wheels can be tilted in opposite directions with respect to a plane within which the pallets move in the forward movement direction.

For example, the first drive wheel with its axis of rotation about one

Tilt angles of up to 20 ° can be tilted relative to the plane in which the pallets move, whereas the second drive wheel tilts in the opposite direction, i.e. with its axis of rotation tilted by up to -20 ° relative to the plane in which the pallets move can be arranged. The tilt angle is here between the axis of rotation and the longitudinal direction of the pallets, i.e. essentially the

Width direction of the moving walk. Such tilting of the drive wheels or their axes of rotation can advantageously be used to suitably guide the two endless traction means driven by the two drive wheels in such a way that a partial area of the respective one

Continuous traction means parallel to pallets running further up, which in the

Leading movement direction are moved, is guided and another portion of the same endless traction means is guided parallel to pallets running further down, which are moved in reverse in the return movement direction.

According to one embodiment, the first and the second drive wheel are driven synchronously with one another in the drive mechanism.

In other words, the drive mechanism can be designed in such a way that its two drive wheels rotate in opposite directions and thus the two of them move

Endless traction means are driven in opposite circulating movements, but are driven synchronously with one another.

“Synchronized” driving can be understood to mean that the two endless traction devices are moved at the same speed in terms of amount. Assuming that the respective outer circumferences with which the two drive wheels drive the respective endless traction means have the same diameter, the two drive wheels can, for example, rotate at the same speed.

If the two drive wheels have different outer diameters, their rotational speeds can be adjusted in the reverse ratio of the outer diameters. Those attacking on the opposite sides of the pallets

Partial areas of the two endless traction means can therefore be moved essentially at the same speed and thus exert equally large forces on both sides of the pallets and thus drive the pallets with their two sides parallel to one direction of movement.

According to one embodiment, the first and the second drive wheel can be mechanically coupled to one another in such a way that the two drive wheels are driven by the drive rotating in opposite directions relative to one another in a rotational movement. In other words, the drive mechanism can be designed in such a way that the drive wheels, each of which drives one of the endless traction means, are mechanically coupled to one another in such a way that they move in opposite directions to one another and their rotary movement takes place synchronously with one another due to the mechanical coupling. The mechanical coupling between the drive wheels enables the drive wheels to be driven synchronously with one another in a technically simple to implement and reliable manner, preferably using only one drive. The mechanical coupling can be implemented in different ways.

For example, in one embodiment, the first and second

Drive wheel are coupled to one another via external teeth provided on both drive wheels.

In other words, the drive wheels can be designed, for example, as gear wheels and can engage with one another via intermeshing toothings. The external toothing can be configured identically on both drive wheels, i.e. be formed along an equal circumference and with an equal number of teeth. Alternatively, the two gearwheels can have different external toothings, in order in this way to implement, for example, a translation or reduction. The drive wheels driving the endless traction means can be driven, for example, by a common single motor.

A mechanical coupling of the drive wheels of the drive mechanism via

External gears to achieve a synchronized counter-rotating movement can be implemented relatively easily and enables a robust construction of the drive mechanism.

Alternatively, components of the drive mechanism can also be synchronized without mechanically coupling them. For example, drive wheels of the drive mechanism can be driven by two separate motors and the operation of the motors can be synchronized. You can do this

for example rotational speeds of the drive wheels and / or Speeds of the driven endless traction means can be determined with the aid of sensors and a control of the motors can then be adjusted synchronously.

According to one embodiment, protruding projections can be provided on the first and on the opposite second side of the pallets and driver structures can be provided on the two endless traction means, which structures are connected to the

Extensions in the direction of movement on train can work together.

In other words, the pallets of the moving walk can be moved by the drive arrangement in that partial areas of the two endless traction means each interact with carrier structures provided thereon with suitably designed extensions on the sides of the pallets and exert tensile forces on the pallets.

The driver structures and the extensions can be suitably designed structurally and / or functionally in such a way that they can be temporarily and releasably coupled to one another in a load-bearing manner. Coupling can be positive and / or non-positive. For example, the protruding projections can be designed as pins, bolts, brackets or the like, which can be gripped, strapped or intervened by suitably designed driver structures in order to drag them along in the direction of movement with a load.

The extensions may protrude from the pallets in a direction away from the pallets, for example in a lateral direction, i.e. in the extension of the longitudinal direction of the elongated pallets. Alternatively, the extensions can protrude up or down from the pallets on their opposite sides. The extensions can protrude transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the direction of movement of the pallets.

The extensions can have a uniform cross section, that is to say they can be essentially tubular or rod-shaped. Alternatively, the extensions can have a cross section that varies along their length. For example, the extensions can have a head with an enlarged cross section at their projecting ends, which can be gripped or gripped behind by the driver structures. In particular, the driver structures and / or the driver structures can be formed with an elastic material. In this context, an elastic material can be understood to mean a material that can deform significantly elastically when the endless traction means interact with the pallets, in particular to cause hard impacts or jerks when the endless traction means are coupled to the pallets and / or when moving to be able to largely avoid the pallets. The driver structures and / or the driver structures can consist entirely of the elastic material. Alternatively, the driver structures and / or the driver structures can be formed with a base body made of a relatively rigid material, which is covered on the surface with the elastic material. The elastic material can be, for example

Plastic, especially an elastomer.

According to one embodiment, the two endless traction means can be configured and guided by the guide mechanism such that regions of the first and second endless traction means that are moved in the circulating movement when the pallets are moved, each time after reaching a first deflection position, from which the pallets are guided parallel to the endless traction means are brought into interaction with the pallets and / or that regions of the first and second endless traction means that are moving in the circulating movement each time the pallets are moved before reaching a second deflection position from which the pallets are guided transversely to the endless traction means can be solved with the pallets.

In other words, the endless traction means and the guide mechanism can be configured such that the endless traction means between the first deflection position and the second deflection position are suitably coupled to the sides of the pallets, but are not coupled to the sides of the pallets before the first deflection position and after the second deflection position are.

The endless traction means can be guided sufficiently far apart from the sides of the pallets before the first deflection position, in order then to be steered laterally towards the sides of the pallets at or shortly after the first deflection position, and then closely adjacent to these sides of the pallets, for example with projections provided there to be able to cooperate in order to be able to exert tensile forces on the pallets. Shortly before The coupling between the two can then be reached

Endless traction means and the pallets are released again, so that the

Endless traction means can again be spaced far apart and can be guided independently of the pallets.

The first deflection position can correspond, for example, to a position at which the pallets rotate more than 90 °, preferably by approximately, when they rotate

180 ° ± 10 °, are deflected and from which the pallets are moved essentially parallel to the endless traction means. The second deflection position can analogously correspond to a position at which the pallets are again deflected by more than 90 °, preferably by approximately 180 ° ± 10 °, so that they are no longer in the

Can be moved essentially parallel to the endless traction means. On the two

Deflection positions, the pallets or the endless pallet belt are deflected transversely to the direction of travel, for example with deflection chain wheels or deflection rail bends.

In the second deflection position, the entire deflection and guidance of the

Continuous pallet belt and the endless traction means preferably identical to that

Drive arrangement executed, but preferably freely rotating deflection wheels are arranged instead of the drive wheels. This means that no drive is required there. However, the deflection wheels can be arranged to be linearly displaceable

To serve clamping device for the endless traction means.

According to a specific embodiment, the guide mechanism can have guide elements which are arranged and configured to deflect regions of the first and second endless traction means that are moved by the drive mechanism in the circulating movement, in each case after reaching the first deflection position, and / or before reaching the respective side of the pallets the second deflection position from the respective side of the pallets.

In other words, the endless traction means can be moved laterally to the opposite sides of the pallets, preferably at or shortly after the first deflection position, with the aid of guide elements of the guide mechanism, in order then to be able to temporarily couple them. The guide elements can for example guide rollers, guide plates, guide rails and / or

Be guide wheels. The guide elements can be suitably positioned, for example adjacent to the first deflection position or just before or after this first deflection position. Several different guide elements can also be provided, which cooperate with one another on the respective endless traction means. When or shortly before reaching the second deflection position, the

Continuous traction means can be removed laterally from the pallets by further guide elements of the guide mechanism in order to release the coupling with the pallets. The coupling and subsequent loosening of the mechanical connection between the endless traction means and the pallets, which can be subjected to tensile stress, can take place here, preferably in an automatic manner, because of the temporary or area-wise approximation between the two components.

Embodiments of the drive arrangement described herein can be used on moving walks to drive their pallets.

According to one embodiment, the endless pallet belt can be arranged within an elongated pallet belt volume, wherein the drive mechanism of the drive arrangement can be arranged in front of an end of the pallet belt volume on the front side.

In other words, the endless pallet belt, which is formed by a plurality of adjacently arranged and possibly, but not necessarily, mechanically connected pallets, can be moved within a limited elongated volume that is flat relative to the length. A length of the pallet belt volume essentially corresponds to the length of the path along which passengers are to be moved using the moving walk. A width of the pallet belt volume essentially corresponds to a width of the pallets. A height of the pallet belt volume essentially corresponds to an overall height of the moving walk.

While in conventional moving walks a drive arrangement or at least essential parts of a drive arrangement are accommodated within the pallet belt volume and the pallet belt volume must therefore be made sufficiently large and in particular high, it can be designed for one proposed here Moving walkway may be advantageous to arrange at least the drive mechanism of the drive arrangement outside the pallet belt volume, in particular in a volume that is adjacent to the end of the pallet belt volume. It can be advantageous that this volume accommodating the drive mechanism has at most the width and / or at most the height of the pallet belt volume, so that it only increases the installation space of the moving walk in terms of length, but preferably not in terms of height and / or width.

In particular, according to one embodiment, the pallet band volume can have a height of less than 5 cm, preferably less than 36 cm. However, the height can typically be more than 17 cm, usually more than 24 cm. Compared to conventional moving walks, the pallet belt volume is very flat, so that the overall height of the moving walk can remain low.

According to one embodiment, the endless traction means of the drive arrangement can laterally enclose the endless pallet belt.

In other words, the endless traction means in a top view of the

Pallet belt, that is projected onto a plane in which the pallet belt moves, that the pallet belt surrounds from all sides. In other words, the endless traction means, driven by the drive mechanism and guided by the guide mechanism, can be arranged in such a way that they are guided around the pallet belt during their orbital movement. Subareas of the

Continuous traction means, which run parallel to areas of the pallet belt to be driven in the forward direction, can interact with pallets in these areas to withstand tensile loads, whereas partial areas of the endless traction means, which in

run in the opposite direction parallel to the areas of the pallet belt to be driven in the return direction, can be subjected to tensile loads with pallets in these areas

Can work together.

It is pointed out that some of the possible features and advantages of the invention are described herein with reference to different embodiments, in part of the drive arrangement and in part of the moving walk. A person skilled in the art recognizes that the features are combined, adapted, transmitted in a suitable manner and / or can be exchanged for further embodiments of the

Invention to arrive.

In conclusion, it is pointed out that the applicant of the present application submitted another application with the same title on the same day as the present application. In this further application a

Drive arrangement and a moving walk equipped therewith, which are similar in some respects to the drive arrangement or moving walk described herein. Properties of the drive arrangement or moving walk are described in the further application in a more functionally defined manner than is the case in the present application. It is explicitly stated that features and properties that were described in the further application can also be transferred in an analogous or adapted manner to the drive arrangement or moving walk described herein. The disclosure of the further application is hereby incorporated in full into the present application by reference.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein neither the drawings nor the

Description to be interpreted as limiting the invention.

1 shows a perspective view of a moving walk with a drive arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a top view of the moving walk from FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a plan view from below of the moving walk from FIG. 1.

Fig. 4 shows an enlarged perspective partial view, in particular of a

Guide mechanism of the moving walk from FIG. 1.

Fig. 5 shows a further enlarged perspective view of the

Guide mechanism of the moving walk from FIG. 1. 6 shows a perspective view of an endless traction means for a

drive arrangement according to the invention.

7 illustrates a tilted arrangement of FIG

Drive wheels in a drive arrangement according to the invention.

The figures are only schematic and are not to scale. In the different figures, the same reference symbols denote the same or equivalent features.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a moving walk 3 with a

Drive arrangement 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention ln Fig.

2 shows a top view from above and FIG. 3 shows a top view from below of the same moving walk 3.

The drive arrangement 1 comprises a drive mechanism 5, a guide mechanism 7 as well as a first endless traction means 9 and a second endless traction means 11

Drive mechanism 5 is configured to drive the two endless traction means 9, 11 in opposite directions to one another in a circulating movement. The

Drive mechanism 5 has a drive 17 in the form of an electric motor 19, by means of which a first drive wheel 13 and a second drive wheel 15 are driven. The drive 17 and the two drive wheels 13, 15 are coupled to one another in such a way that the two drive wheels 13, 15 are driven in opposite directions, each rotating in a rotational movement 21, 23. The first drive wheel 13 cooperates with the first endless traction means 9 and the second drive wheel 15 interacts with the second endless traction means 11 in order to counter the two endless traction means 9, 11 with the rotary movement 21, 23 of the respective drive wheel 13, 15

To demand circular movements.

The two endless traction means 9, 11 are configured for this purpose and are guided in a targeted manner by the guide mechanism 7 such that, on the one hand, regions of the first endless traction means 9 which are moved with the rotary movement 21 of the first drive wheel 13 and which are moved in a forward movement direction 25 towards the drive mechanism 5, interact with a first side 31 of pallets 29 of the moving walk 3 in the forward movement direction 25 in a load-bearing manner. Furthermore, other areas of the first act Endless traction means 9, which are moved away from the drive mechanism 5 with the rotary movement 21 of the first drive wheel 13 in a return movement direction 27, can be loaded with a second side 33 of the pallets 29 in the return movement direction 27. On the other hand, areas of the second act

Endless traction means 11, which are moved with the rotational movement 23 of the second drive wheel 15 in the forward movement direction 25, together with the second side 33 of pallets 29 in the forward movement direction 25 with tensile load and other areas of the second endless traction means 11, which with the rotational movement 23 of the second Drive wheel 15 are moved in the return movement direction 27, cooperate with the first side 31 of pallets 29 in the return movement direction 27 in a load-bearing manner.

The above-mentioned regions of the first and second endless traction means 9, 11 which are moved in the forward movement direction 25 interact with those pallets 29 which are currently at the top along the circumferential travel path and can thus be entered by passengers, so that these pallets 29 in the forward movement direction 25 are moved. The areas of the first and second endless traction means 9, 11 moved in the return movement direction 27, on the other hand, interact with those pallets 29 that are currently in the lower region of the circumferential travel path, so that these pallets 29 below the pallets 29 moved in the forward movement direction 25 in the direction of the Return movement direction 27 can be moved back.

It should be pointed out that the forward and reverse movement directions 25, 27 can be reversed, depending on the operating mode of the moving walk 3, in order to transport people in one or an opposite direction.

The pallets 29 of the moving walk 3 are thus specially trained

Drive arrangement 1 moves by means of the two endless traction means 9, 11 cooperating with them. A large number of pallets 29 are arranged one behind the other and preferably adjacent to one another along the circumferential travel path of the moving walk 3. The pallets 29 arranged one behind the other can thus be one

Form endless pallet band 79, which is closed in a ring along the circumferential travel path. The pallets 29 can, but do not necessarily have to, with one another be mechanically connected, for example with the aid of a connecting band 73 (shown enlarged in FIG. 6) or a connecting chain which mechanically couples adjacent pallets 29 to one another. The endless pallet belt 79 extends over wide areas, generally horizontally or parallel to a plane 35 in which the moving walk is intended to transport 3 people, and is at a front, first

Deflection position 77 and at a rear, second deflection position (not shown) deflected by approximately 180 °.

The endless pallet belt 79 moves within a pallet belt volume 81. The essentially rectangular pallet belt volume 81 has a length that corresponds at least to the length of the travel path that is to be bridged with the moving walk 3. A width of the pallet belt volume 81 essentially corresponds to the length of the elongated pallets 29. A height of the pallet belt volume 81 should be as small as possible and can be, for example, 50 cm or less, preferably 35 cm or less. The height of the pallet belt volume 81 is at least twice the height of the pallets 29 moved therein, that is usually more than 10 cm.

In order to keep the overall height of the entire moving walk 3 low, this is

Drive arrangement 1 is not largely integrated into the pallet belt volume 81 as in conventional moving walks 3. Instead, at least the drive mechanism 5 of the drive arrangement 1 is arranged adjacent to an end of the pallet belt volume 81. The drive arrangement 1 is designed in such a way that its overall height does not exceed the height of the pallet belt volume 81, or at most only slightly. In the example shown, the drive arrangement 1 has a frame 43 for this purpose, which is composed of a plurality of frame struts 45. The frame 43 surrounds and holds further components of the drive arrangement 1, such as, for example, the electric motor 19 of the drive 17, a bevel gear mechanism 63, via which an upper gear 65 and a lower gear 69 are driven, and, if appropriate, further components, in particular the frame 43 holds and supports Support struts 47 each have the first and second drive wheels 13, 15. The frame 43 is flat and has a height that is as small as possible or the same size or at most slightly larger than the height of the pallet belt volume 81.

In order to drive the two drive wheels 13, 15 in opposite rotary movements 21, 23, the drive 19 first drives the bevel gear 63 via a transverse toothed belt drive 61. The bevel gear 63 then rotates the upper gear 65 and the lower gear 69 in opposite directions, but at the same angular velocity.

The upper gear 65 is connected via an upper toothed belt drive 67 to an upper drive gear 85 for the second drive wheel 15. This upper drive gear 85 is rigidly connected to the second drive wheel 15, for example, via a common axis or shaft. An external toothing 83 is provided on the upper drive gear 85. Via this external toothing 83, the second drive wheel 15 is thus indirectly coupled to the drive 17 via the upper toothed belt drive 67 and the transverse toothed belt drive 61.

Similarly, the lower gear 69 is connected via a lower toothed belt drive 71 to a lower drive gear 87 for the first drive wheel 13. This lower drive gear 87 can also be rigidly connected to the first drive wheel 13 via a common axis or shaft. External teeth 83 are also provided on the lower drive gear 87. Via this external toothing 83, the first drive wheel 13 is thus indirectly via the lower toothed belt drive 71 and

transverse toothed belt drive 61 also coupled to the drive 17.

The first drive wheel 13 and the second drive wheel 15 are thus each mechanically coupled to the drive 17 and thus indirectly mechanically coupled to one another. The mechanical coupling is designed on the basis of the bevel gear 63 in such a way that the two drive wheels 13, 15 are driven in opposite directions to one another in the respective opposite rotary movements 23, 21 by the drive 17. Furthermore, the mechanical coupling is designed in such a way that the two drive wheels 13, 15 are driven synchronously with one another. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the two drive wheels 13, 15 are thus mechanically and synchronously coupled to one another via the external toothing 83 provided for each of the drive wheels 13, 15. The external toothings 83 are for the first drive wheel 13 on the lower one connected to it

Drive gear 87 and for the second drive wheel 15 formed on the upper drive gear 85 connected to it and interact indirectly via the interposition of the upper gear 65 and the lower gear 69 on the bevel gear 63.

Instead of such an indirect interaction, however, the external toothings 83 can in principle also engage directly with one another, for example by the upper drive gear 85 for the second, which is to be designed correspondingly larger

Drive wheel 15 cooperates with its external toothing 83 with an external toothing 83 of a further drive gear for the first drive wheel 13, which is also of correspondingly large design.

In principle, further alternative configurations of a mechanical coupling between the drive 17 and the two drive wheels 13, 15 are also conceivable, as long as the two drive wheels 13, 15 rotate in the opposite direction

Rotational movements 21, 23 and preferably synchronized with each other can be realized. For example, a power transmission between the drive 17 and the drive wheels 13, 15 can take place via chains, belts, toothed belts, gear wheels, gears or the like or a combination of such components.

The two drive wheels 13, 15 in turn each drive the first or second endless traction means 9, 11 in counter-rotating movements. The two

Endless traction means 9, 11 can be designed as annularly closed and thus endless elongate traction means in the form of chains, belts, ropes, belts or the like. The endless traction means 9, 11 can, for example, via a

The outer circumference of each of the first and second drive wheels 13, 15 extend. The endless traction means 9, 11 can be deflected at an opposite end of the moving walk 3 via deflection wheels (not shown) and can be mechanically kept in tension. The endless traction means 9, 11 can therefore engage in an external toothing on the due to a frictional connection and / or a form fit Drive wheels 13, 15 are driven. The endless traction means 9, 11 of the

Drive arrangement 1 spans the endless pallet belt 79 laterally all around.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and enlarged in FIGS. 4 and 5, the two endless traction means 9, 11 are suitably guided with the aid of the guide mechanism 7. For this purpose, the guide mechanism 7 has, inter alia, leading guide tubes 49, spacing guide rollers 51 and engaging guide rollers 53. One or more guide rollers 49, 51, 53 can be used in each case. Alternatively or in addition to guide rollers 49, 51, 53, other guide means such as one or more guide plates, guide rails, one or more guide wheels or a combination of such guide means can also be used.

All of these guide rollers 49, 51, 53 are arranged in the vicinity of the first deflection position 77, at which the endless pallet belt 79 is deflected by approximately 180 °. Corresponding guide rollers can also be provided in the vicinity of a second deflection position (not shown) at the opposite end of the moving walk 3. Between the first deflection position 77 and the second deflection position, the pallets 29 of the

Endless pallet belt 79 in the forward movement direction or

Return movement direction parallel to each other and parallel to respective areas of one of the two endless traction means 9, 11 moves. At the deflection positions 77 themselves, a direction of movement of the pallets 29 is deflected and in some areas extends transversely to the direction of movement of the endless traction means 9, 11 there.

The leading guide tubes 49 are in an area beyond

Travel of the endless pallet belt 79 arranged, that is, they are arranged at the front end of the moving walk 3 between the first deflection position 77 and the two drive wheels 13, 15 and at the rear end of the moving walk 3 between the second deflection position and deflection wheels arranged behind it. The advancing tubes 49 serve, among other things, for the respective endless traction means 9, 11 guided by them to move laterally towards the outer circumference of one of the drive wheels 13, 15 or one of the deflection wheels. For each of the endless traction means 9, 11, at least one leading guide roller 49, but preferably a plurality of leading guide rollers 49, can be provided in front of the first deflection position 77 and behind the second deflection position. The spaced guide rollers 51 are laterally close to the first one

Deflection position 77 is provided. Spacer guide rollers 51 can also be provided in the vicinity of the second deflection position. The spacing guide rollers 51 serve to locally space the endless traction means 9, 11 from the outer ends of the pallets 29 on their two sides 31, 33. In other words, the spacing guide rollers 51 each guide one of the endless traction means 9, 11 laterally away from the sides 31, 33 of the pallets 29, so that a lateral gap is formed locally between the pallets 29 and the corresponding endless traction means 9, 11.

The engaging guide rollers 53 are adjacent to the spaced ones

Guide rollers 51 in an area closer to the center of the travel of the

Endless pallet belt 79 arranged. In other words, the guide rollers 53 which engage are in relation to the first deflection position 77 and the second, respectively

Deflection position in an area opposite to the approaching

Guide rollers 49 arranged. The engaging guide rollers 53 shift an associated endless traction means 9, 11 to one of the respective ones

opposite side 31, 33 of the pallets 29.

The respective endless traction means 9, 11 is shifted as far as possible towards the respective side 31, 33 of the pallets 29 in such a way that driver structures 55 provided on the endless traction means 9, 11 can be brought into engagement with pulling structures 59 provided on the pallets 29 in a load-bearing manner ,

As can be seen most clearly in FIGS. 5 and 6, the entraining structures 59 can be designed, for example, as extensions 57 which protrude from the pallets 29.

For example, the extensions 57 can be designed as laterally protruding bolts, pins or the like. The entraining structures 55 can be designed in a suitable manner in order to be able to interact with the entraining structures 59 in a manner that can withstand tensile loads. For example, the driver structures 55 can grip around the extensions 57, reach behind them, or the like. In the example shown, the driver structures 55 have recesses 75 into which the extensions 57 can be inserted laterally when the respective endless traction means 9, 11 are guided from the outside by the guide mechanism 7 coming to the respective sides 31, 33 of the pallets 29. In principle, it may be possible to arrange the two drive wheels 13, 15 at any position relative to one another, as long as it is ensured that they are driven in opposite directions.

As realized in the exemplary embodiment shown, however, it can be advantageous to arrange the two drive wheels 13, 15 offset from one another such that their respective axes of rotation 39, 41 are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction of the moving walk 3. A distance between the axes of rotation 39, 41 can preferably be greater than a diameter of the drive wheels 13, 15. In other words, the

Drive wheels 13, 15 in the longitudinal direction of the moving walk 3 can be arranged offset to one another such that they do not overlap. The drive wheels 13, 15 can thus be accommodated in the drive arrangement 1 in a particularly space-saving manner.

It may also be advantageous to use the two axes of rotation 39, 41 of the

Drive wheels 13, 15 not parallel to each other, but tilted up to 40 ° to each other to be arranged. This is shown both in the perspective FIG. 1 and in FIG. 7 in a front view of the drive arrangement 1, which is taken along the direction “A” shown in FIG. 1.

Each of the axes of rotation 39, 41 can be aligned, for example, tilted by an angle a1, a2 of up to 20 ° to an orthogonal 37. The orthogonal 37 runs orthogonal to the plane 35 in which the pallets 29 move. The two axes of rotation 39, 41 are tilted in opposite directions relative to the orthogonal 37.

By arranging the drive wheels 13, 15 in such a tilted manner, it can be achieved that the endless traction means 9, 11 guided by these drive wheels 13, 15 are guided in such a way already on account of the fact that they are guided along the outer circumferences of the respective tilted drive wheel 13, 15 that a higher-lying area of the respective circulating endless traction means 9, 11 at the level of the advance of the endless pallet belt 79 and a lower-lying area of the same

Continuous traction means 9, 11 is guided at the level of the return of the endless pallet belt 79. The two endless traction means 9, 11 intersect with theirs Trajectories and are suitably guided past one another with the aid of the drive arrangement 1.

In principle, in the second deflection position, which is not shown, the entire deflection and guidance of the endless pallet belt 79 and the endless traction means 9, 11 can be constructed in the same way as the drive arrangement 1, but in the place of the two drive wheels 13, 15 essentially identical deflection wheels are freely rotating. This means that there is no drive 17, no bevel gear 63 and none

Toothed belt drives 63, 67, 71 are required. However, the deflection wheels can be linearly displaced and, if necessary, can be arranged in a spring-loaded manner as

Serving device for the endless traction means 9, 11.

In summary, with the drive arrangement 1 presented here, a moving walk 3 with a low overall height can be provided without problems that would otherwise occur in conventional moving walks, such as strong polygon effects and / or high mechanical loads on components, being provoked. Drive wheels 13, 15 can not be arranged vertically but essentially horizontally and approximately parallel to a plane 35, in which the pallets 29 of the moving walk 3 move, reducing the overall height. The drive wheels 13, 15 each drive an endless traction means 9, 11, the endless traction means 9, 11 being moved in counter-rotating movements. Drive chains or else ropes or belts can be used as endless traction means 9, 11. An oblique pull of the endless pallet belt 79 can be avoided in particular by the fact that the two endless pulling means 9, 11, driven in opposite directions and synchronized with one another, are guided in intersecting planes and engage on the sides 31, 33 of the pallets 29 of the endless pallet belt 79 in the forward and / or reverse direction ,

In conclusion, it should be pointed out that terms such as "showing", "comprehensive", etc. do not exclude other elements or steps and terms such as "one" or "on" do not exclude a large number. The terms "top" and "bottom" used in connection with the location of components refer to the installation position of the ready-to-use moving walk. Furthermore, it should be pointed out that features or steps that have been described with reference to one of the above exemplary embodiments also in combination with other features or steps of others described above Embodiments can be used. Reference signs in the claims are not to be viewed as a restriction.

Claims

claims

1. Drive arrangement (1) for a moving walk (3), comprising:

a drive mechanism (5);

a guide mechanism (7);

first and second endless traction means (9, 11);

wherein the drive mechanism (5) has a drive (17) and a first and a second drive wheel (13, 15) which are coupled to one another in such a way that the two drive wheels (13, 15) rotate in opposite directions relative to one another from the drive (17) are each to be driven in a rotary movement (21, 23);

wherein the first drive wheel (13) interacts with the first endless traction means (9) and the second drive wheel (15) interacts with the second endless traction means (11) to rotate the two endless traction means (9, 11) with the respective rotary movement (21, 23) To request the drive wheel (13, 15) rotating in counter-rotating movements;

wherein the two endless traction means (9, 11) are configured and by which

Guide mechanism (7) are guided in the circulating movement in such a way that, with the rotary movement (21) of the first drive wheel (13), regions of the first endless traction means (9) moved in a forward movement direction (25) with a first side (31) of pallets (29) load on the moving walk (3) in the forward movement direction (25)

Interacting and with the rotary movement (23) of the second drive wheel (15) in the forward movement direction (25) moving areas of the second endless traction means (11) interact with the second side (33) of these pallets (29) in the forward movement direction (25) in a load-bearing manner , characterized in that with the rotary movement (21) of the first drive wheel (13) in a return movement direction (27) moving areas of the first endless traction means (9) with one of the first side (31)

opposite second side (33) of pallets (29) of the moving walk (3) in the

Reverse direction of movement (27)

and that with the rotary movement (23) of the second drive wheel (11) in the

Return movement direction (27) moving areas of the second endless traction means (11) interact with the first side (31) of these pallets (29) in the return movement direction (27) with tensile load.

2. Drive arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first and the second drive wheel (13, 15) are each rotatable about an axis of rotation (39, 41) which is perpendicular or around less than 20 ° tilted to a plane (35) within which the pallets (29) move in the forward movement direction (25).

3. Drive arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and the second drive wheel (13, 15) are rotatably mounted about mutually offset axes of rotation (39, 41).

4. Drive arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the axes of rotation (39, 41) are arranged parallel to one another or tilted relative to one another by less than 40 °.

5. Drive arrangement according to one of claims 3 or 4, wherein the

Rotation axes (39, 41) of the first and second drive wheels (13, 15) with respect to a plane (35), within which the pallets (29) move in the forward movement direction (25), are arranged tilted in opposite directions.

6. Drive arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the drive mechanism (5) the first and the second drive wheel (13, 15) are driven synchronously with one another.

7. Drive arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and the second drive wheel (13, 15) via a bevel gear (63) are mechanically coupled to one another in such a way that the two drive wheels (13, 15) of the drive (17) in opposite directions relative are driven to each other in a rotational movement (21, 23).

8. Drive arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and the second drive wheel (13, 15) on both drive wheels (13, 15) provided external teeth (83) are coupled to each other.

9. Drive arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein protruding projections (57) are provided on the first and on the second side (31, 33) of the pallets (29) and in each case driver structures (55.) On the two endless traction means (9, 11) ) are provided, which with the extensions (57) in the direction of movement on train able to work together.

10. Drive arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the two endless traction means (9, 11) are configured and are guided by the guide mechanism (7) in such a way that regions of the first and second endless traction means (9, 11) which are moved in the circulating movement during Moving the pallets (29) after reaching a first deflection position (77), from which the pallets (29) are parallel to the

Continuous traction means (9, 11) are guided, into interaction with the pallets (29) and / or that areas of the first and second endless traction means (9, 11) which are moved in the circulating movement are each reached before moving the pallets (29) a second deflection position, from which the pallets (29) transversely to the

Endless traction means (9, 11) are guided, are released from the interaction with the pallets (29).

11. Drive arrangement according to claim 10, wherein the guide mechanism (7) has guide elements (49, 51, 53) which are arranged and configured to rotate regions of the first and second endless traction means (9, 9) that are moved by the drive mechanism (5). 11) in each case after reaching the first deflection position (77) to the respective side (31, 33) of the pallets (29) and / or before reaching the second deflection position away from the respective side (31, 33) of the pallets (29) redirect.

12. moving walk (3), comprising:

an endless pallet belt (79) with a plurality of pallets (29) arranged one behind the other in a direction of rotation;

a drive arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11.

13. Moving walk according to claim 12, wherein the endless pallet belt (79) is arranged within an elongated pallet belt volume (81) and wherein the drive mechanism (5) of the drive arrangement (1) is arranged in front of an end of the pallet belt volume (81).

14. Moving walk according to claim 13, wherein the pallet belt volume (81) has a height of less than 51 cm.

15. Moving walk according to one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the endless traction means (9, 11) of the drive arrangement (1) laterally enclose the endless pallet belt (79).