WO2024017605A1

WO2024017605A1 - Supporting structure for an escalator or a moving walkway

Info

Publication number: WO2024017605A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/068099
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alwi HARTONO; Reiner Ludwig; Ingo SCHÖNIAN
Original assignee: Tk Elevator Innovation And Operations Gmbh
Priority date: 2022-07-19
Filing date: 2023-06-30
Publication date: 2024-01-25
Also published as: DE102022118001A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a supporting structure (10) for an escalator (20) or a moving walkway, having two supporting walls (11), between which a stepped belt (21) or pallet belt can be arranged. The supporting walls (11) are connected by cross connectors (12). The supporting structure has at least one mounting support (13), which is provided for positioning the supporting structure (10) in a building.

Description

Supporting structure for an escalator or moving walkway

The invention relates to a support structure for an escalator or a moving walkway, with two support walls, between which a step band or pallet band can be arranged and which are connected by cross connectors, and at least one mounting support, which is provided for positioning the support structure in a building. The invention also relates to an escalator, a moving walkway and a method for mounting an escalator or a moving walkway in a building.

An escalator or moving walkway is a conveyor device for transporting people between two points of a structure, in particular a building, and typically has a plurality of individual, interconnected tread elements that move on a rail system in an endless loop between two end points or reversal stations. In an escalator, an endless step band is formed from a plurality of steps as tread elements; in a moving walk, an endless pallet band is formed from a plurality of pallets as tread elements.

In addition, the escalator or moving walkway typically has a drive which drives the tread elements along the rail system and, for example, a handrail drive which drives at least one handrail of the escalator or moving walkway. These drives and other components of the escalator or moving walk are installed in a building, for example, by means of a supporting structure, the supporting structure forming a framework for the components. In a typical construction, the rails, drives, etc. are individually installed in the support structure and/or welded or otherwise secured to the support structure. In order to transport the supporting structure to the intended assembly location in a building and to position the supporting structure in a intended position, a detachable mounting support is usually attached, which must be removed after the supporting structure has been positioned in order to be able to install the components as intended.

Against this background, it is an object of the present invention to propose an improved support structure for an escalator and/or a moving walkway, which in particular, positioning or installing a supporting structure or an escalator and/or a moving walkway is simplified.

To solve this problem, a support structure for an escalator or a moving walkway, an escalator and a moving walkway, and a method for assembling an escalator or a moving walkway are proposed according to the independent claims. Further embodiments and additional features result from the subclaims and from the following description.

According to a first aspect, a support structure for an escalator or a moving walk is proposed, having two support walls, between which a step band or pallet band can be arranged and which are connected by cross connectors. The support structure has at least one mounting support, which is arranged between an installation space provided for a forward movement and a return travel of the step conveyor or pallet conveyor, the at least one mounting support being provided for positioning the support structure in a building.

The supporting structure for an escalator or a moving walkway is, in particular, a frame formed from profiles or a framework made up of truss-like supports, which is designed to accommodate or fasten escalator components or moving walkway components. For example, such a support structure can have combinations of profiles welded together, which overall form in particular a substantially U-shaped or H-shaped channel for receiving the step band or pallet band and other components, which can be stiffened in particular by cross connectors or cross struts.

Two supporting walls arranged opposite one another, in particular parallel to one another, form side walls of such a channel and are designed, for example, as a framework made of interconnected profiles, supports or belts. Rails of a rail system can be arranged on the support walls, by means of which the step belt or pallet belt can be guided along a predetermined route.

A forward path and a return path of the step belt or pallet belt, in particular arranged in opposite directions, are predetermined in particular along a route predetermined by the supporting structure, in particular by means of the rails, and between two end points or reversal stations of the escalator or moving walkway are arranged. In relation to the installation situation, the lead in particular forms an area of an accessible top side of the escalator or moving walkway, in which the step conveyor or pallet conveyor can be moved in a first direction (transport direction) along the route. The return in particular forms an area on an opposite side, for example on an inaccessible underside of the escalator or moving walkway, in which the step conveyor or pallet conveyor can be guided in an endless movement in a direction opposite to the transport direction. Accordingly, an installation space for a forward or a return is an area that is intended for the arrangement of the step band or pallet band.

The assembly carrier is thus arranged at a position or in a position in which the step belt or pallet belt can be guided, moved or driven around the assembly carrier and the belt can therefore be moved unhindered in both transport directions. Due to the proposed arrangement of the assembly support or the assembly crossbar between an installation space intended for a forward and a return of the step or pallet belt, this can remain in the supporting structure and does not have to be installed before further components and/or before completion or The escalator or moving walkway must be dismantled before commissioning.

Against the background that assembly supports or assembly traverses are usually attached to the upper chords of the supporting structure, with a balustrade installed there having to be dismantled for transport and/or installation of the escalator or moving walkway at the assembly site, the present invention is based on the idea that to provide a point of attack for lifting and moving the support structure without requiring dismantling of the balustrade to transport the support structure and position it at the assembly site.

The present invention is based, among other things, on the idea of positioning a mounting support on a supporting structure in such a way that it can remain on the completed escalator or moving walkway and dismantling and/or reassembling pre-assembled escalator or moving walkway components is therefore not necessary. By arranging the mounting bracket between the forward and the return of a conveyor belt or between those intended for the forward and the return Installation spaces, this is arranged in a position in which components necessary for the escalators to function properly are not affected by the mounting support. Accordingly, the mounting support arranged in this way can be arranged in the supporting structure during the pre-assembly of the escalator or moving walkway, can be used to transport the supporting structure and can remain there even after the escalator or moving walkway has been installed and completed. Likewise, a pre-installed balustrade does not have to be dismantled to attach and detach the mounting bracket. This saves the assembly and disassembly of the mounting bracket and pre-installed components, which has a positive effect on installation time and can therefore offer potential for cost savings.

In one embodiment, the mounting support has at least one mounting element on which the mounting support can be received on a mounting device. A mounting element is in particular a fastening device arranged on the mounting support, which is designed to be connected, in particular releasably, to a mounting device which can lift and/or position the supporting structure. For this purpose, the mounting element can, for example, have an opening which is designed to accommodate a crane hook or a coupling component of the mounting device. In particular, two mounting elements arranged at a distance from one another are provided on a mounting support, these being arranged in particular in such a way that the support structure can be lifted in a balanced manner by means of the mounting device. An assembly device can be a crane or another lifting device, by means of which the supporting structure can be lifted and, in particular, moved. The at least one assembly element is in particular dimensioned in such a way that after final assembly or installation on the supporting structure or on the escalator or moving walkway it can remain between a forward and a return of a step or pallet conveyor, in particular without the function of further components the escalator or moving walkway. There is therefore no need to provide or attach additional detachable fastening means for receiving the supporting structure.

In one embodiment, the mounting support connects the support walls. The mounting support is arranged in particular perpendicular to the planes which are formed by the support walls and thus connects them similarly to a cross beam or a cross bar of the support structure. Since the mounting support and/or the supporting structure is a must have a predetermined strength or bending stiffness in order to enable damage-free positioning and assembly of the supporting structure, additional stability for the supporting structure or the escalator channel formed by it can be achieved by such a design of the mounting support.

In one embodiment, the support wall has a support element and the mounting support is arranged on the support element. It can be provided here that a support element is arranged in or adjacent to a plane formed by the supporting wall. Compared to the supporting wall, the support element can have an increased cross section or an increased thickness in order to form a stable base or anchoring for the mounting support. As a result, the mechanical strength or stability of the support structure can be improved and any stress or load on the assembly support or the support structure caused by a lifting movement can be absorbed or compensated for by a support element in order to avoid damage and/or deformation of the support structure, in particular during to avoid lifting.

In one embodiment, the support element connects an upper chord and a lower chord of the supporting wall. Typical supporting walls have an upper flange at their upper edge and a lower flange at their lower edge, which each represent a part of the supporting wall or which together with other struts form the supporting wall. The upper chord and the lower chord extend in particular continuously over the entire length of the supporting structure and thus form suitable mounting points for the support element. By arranging or anchoring the support element on the upper chord and lower chord of the supporting wall, force can be transmitted to the entire supporting structure, particularly when the supporting structure is lifted. This means that local overstress and/or damage to the supporting structure in particular can be avoided.

In one embodiment, the support element has at least one mounting opening. It can be provided that the support element is designed as a flat plate or sheet metal in order to offer suitable stability for the mounting support. Such a flat design can limit access to components of the escalator or moving walkway, which are or will be arranged within the channel formed by the supporting walls. One or more mounting openings can be used Access to these components can be improved and the execution of assembly and/or maintenance work can be made easier.

In one embodiment, the mounting support is designed at least in sections as a hollow profile. The mounting support can be designed, in particular in sections or continuously, for example as a tube, square or polygonal hollow profile or, for example, as a U-profile that is open at the bottom in relation to an end position of the supporting structure in a building. In addition, the mounting support designed as a hollow profile can have at least one outlet opening through which, depending on the location of use of the escalator or moving walk, condensate and/or splash water and zinc, in the case of galvanized supports, can drain out, for example to avoid corrosion of the mounting support.

In one embodiment, at least one mounting bracket is arranged in an end region of the supporting structure, with two or more mounting brackets being able to be arranged at a distance from one another over a longitudinal extent of the supporting structure. Here, the mounting support is arranged, for example, 0.5 m, 1 m, 1.5 m or 2 m away from one end of the supporting structure in order to enable precise positioning of the supporting structure in a building. The supporting structure can in particular have two or more mounting supports in order to enable the supporting structure to be picked up and positioned in a building in a manner adapted to the installation situation.

According to a further aspect, an escalator having at least one support structure described herein is proposed, wherein a step band of the escalator is arranged between two supporting walls of the support structure and the mounting support is arranged between the front and the return of the step band.

According to a further aspect, a moving walkway having at least one support structure described herein is proposed, wherein a step band of the escalator is arranged between two supporting walls of the support structure and the mounting support is arranged between the forward and the return of the step band.

Such escalators or moving walks can use the advantages made possible by the supporting structure and described in each case and thus enable cost savings in terms of installation, assembly and transport up to final assembly. According to a further aspect, a method for assembling an escalator or a moving walk described herein is proposed, the method comprising receiving the support structure described herein on the at least one mounting support and positioning the support structure in a structure. Here, the supporting structure, in particular during transport or assembly, is attached to or connected to a crane by means of the assembly support on an assembly device, for example by means of a crane hook, in order to be picked up by it and in particular partially or completely lifted, for example in moved to a predetermined assembly position, in particular to be positioned in a building. When positioning, the supporting structure is preferably aligned in such a way that installation in the intended position, in particular in or on a building, is possible. The proposed method can also be used, for example, to align two support structures that are arranged in particular longitudinally to one another.

In general, features of the various exemplary aspects and/or embodiments described herein may be combined with one another unless clearly excluded in the context of the disclosure.

In the following portion of the description, reference is made to the figures shown to illustrate specific aspects and embodiments of the present invention. It is to be understood that other aspects may be used and structural or logical changes to the illustrated embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following description of the figures is therefore not to be understood as limiting.

This shows

1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a supporting structure according to the invention for an escalator in a schematic representation;

2 shows a detail from an exemplary embodiment of an escalator according to the invention having a supporting structure according to the invention in a schematic cross-sectional representation; and 3a, 3b steps of an exemplary embodiment of a method according to the invention for assembling an escalator described herein in a schematic representation.

In the following, identical reference numbers refer to identical or at least functionally identical features.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a support structure 10 for an escalator or a moving walkway. The supporting structure 10 has two supporting walls 11, between which a step band or pallet band can be arranged and which are connected by cross connectors 12. In addition, the support structure 10 has a mounting support 13, which is arranged between an installation space 22, 23 provided for a forward and a return of the step band or pallet band, the at least one mounting support 13 being provided for positioning the support structure 10 in a building.

The mounting support 13 is designed as a hollow profile and has two spaced-apart mounting elements 14, on which the mounting support 13 and thus the support structure 10 can be received on an assembly device, for example a crane, and can therefore be moved in order to be positioned in an assembly position. In other embodiments, the mounting support 13 can be designed at least in sections as a hollow and/or solid profile in order to meet intended strength requirements.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the mounting support 13 connects the support walls 11 of the support structure 10 and is arranged on support elements 15 of the support walls 11 for this purpose. The support element 15 is arranged or fastened on or between an upper chord 16 and a lower chord 17 of a truss structure of the supporting wall 11. Here, a longitudinal extent of the support element 15 has a right angle to the straps 16, 17 of the support walls 11 in order to provide additional stabilization for the support structure 10. In the case shown, the support elements 15 are designed as a plate-shaped component, but in other embodiments they can be designed as a support, for example as a profile support. In order to facilitate access to escalator or moving walkway components, the flat support element 15 has two mounting openings 19, which are in particular assigned to a forward and a return of the step or pallet conveyor. The mounting support 13 is in an end region of a longitudinal extent of the supporting structure

10 arranged to facilitate placement of the mounting support 10 relative to a support or mounting location in a structure. Of course, several mounting supports 13 can be provided over the longitudinal extent of the supporting structure 10 between installation spaces for a forward and a return run of the step conveyor or pallet conveyor in order to be able to flexibly adapt the supporting structure to a respective installation situation.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a cross-sectional view of a section of an exemplary embodiment of an escalator 20 according to the invention. The escalator 20 has a support structure 10 of an embodiment described herein, with a step band 21 of the escalator 20 being arranged between two support walls 11 of the support structure 10. The mounting support 13 of the supporting structure 10 can be seen between a forward part of the step band 21, i.e. an installation space 22 in which an accessible top of the step band 21 runs, and a return of the step band 21, i.e. an installation space 23 in which tread elements of the step band 21 are returned , arranged.

In an alternative embodiment, a moving walkway may comprise a support structure 10 of an embodiment described herein, between two support walls

11 of the support structure 10, a pallet belt of the moving walkway is arranged and the assembly support 13 is arranged between an installation space 22, in which an accessible top of the pallet belt runs, and a return of the pallet belt, i.e. an installation space 23, in which tread elements of the pallet belt are returned.

3a and 3b show a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a method 100 for assembling an escalator 20 described herein or a moving walkway described herein. In a first step a shown in FIG. 3a, the supporting structure 10 is received on the mounting support 13 by means of a mounting device 40. In a further step b, shown in FIG. 3b, the supporting structure 10 is positioned in a predetermined assembly position, in particular in a building 30. Since the assembly support 13 can remain in the escalator 20, additional assembly and disassembly steps for the assembly support 13 and/or additional escalator or moving walkway components are no longer required, which saves working time and assembly costs.

Reference symbol list

10 supporting structure

11 supporting walls

12 cross connectors

13 mounting supports

14 mounting element

15 support element

16 top chord

17 bottom chord

19 assembly opening

20 escalator

21 step band

22 installation space flow

23 installation space return

30 building

40 assembly setup a, b steps

Claims

Expectations

1 . Support structure (10) for an escalator (20) or a moving walkway, comprising two support walls (11), between which a step belt (21) or pallet belt can be arranged and which are connected by cross connectors (12), characterized by at least one mounting support (13 ), which is arranged between an installation space (22, 23) provided for a forward movement and an installation space (22, 23) provided for a return movement of the step conveyor (21) or pallet conveyor, the at least one mounting support (13) being provided for positioning the supporting structure (10) in a building is.

2. Support structure (10) according to claim 1, wherein the mounting support (13) has at least one mounting element (14) on which the mounting support (13) can be received on a mounting device (40).

3. Support structure (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the mounting support (13) connects the support walls (11).

4. Support structure (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the support wall (11) has a support element (15) and the mounting support (13) is arranged on the support element (15).

5. Support structure (10) according to claim 4, wherein the support element (15) connects an upper chord (16) and a lower chord (17) of the supporting wall (18).

6. Support structure (10) according to at least one of claims 4 or 5, wherein the support element (15) has at least one mounting opening (19).

7. Support structure (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the mounting support (13) is designed at least in sections as a hollow profile. Support structure (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one mounting support (13) is arranged in an end region of the support structure (10). Escalator (20), comprising at least one supporting structure (10) according to at least one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a step band (21) of the escalator (20) is arranged between two supporting walls (11) of the supporting structure (10) and the mounting support (13 ) is arranged between the feed (22) and the return (23) of the step belt (21). Moving walkway, comprising at least one supporting structure (10) according to at least one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a pallet belt of the moving walkway is arranged between two supporting walls (11) of the supporting structure (10) and the mounting support (13) between the forward and return travel of the pallet belt is arranged. Method (100) for assembling an escalator (20) or a moving walkway in a structure according to at least one of claims 9 or 10, wherein the method (100) has the following steps: a) receiving the supporting structure (10) according to at least one of claims 1 to 8 on the at least one mounting support (13) and b) positioning the supporting structure (10) in a building (30).