CN1382102A - Passenger conveyor gap monitoring device - Google Patents

Abstract

A gap monitoring device (16; 19) for monitoring a gap (12) between a tread panel (4) of a passenger conveyor and individual tread elements (2) in a tread elements band of the passenger conveyor, characterized in that a space sensor (18; 34) is provided to measure the gap between the tread panel (4) and at least one tread element (2).

Description

Gap monitoring device for passenger conveying equipment

technical field

This invention relates to passenger conveyors such as escalators and moving walkways, and more particularly to the control of the width of the gap between the treads of the passenger conveyor and individual tread elements on the tread element belt of the passenger conveyor.

Background of the invention

Depending on whether the tread elements are part of an escalator or a moving walkway, they are steps of the step belt or treads of the tread belt. The individual tread elements move relative to the stationary lateral sideguards or footboards. Plays between these parts are unavoidable in order to perform low wear operation because there is relative motion between the parts. However, there is a certain risk during operation that objects such as handbags, a certain part of clothing, or the rubber soles of shoes, etc. that are particularly prone to sliding friction factors may fall into this gap and become stuck. This risk is particularly great for escalators, since the treads have a vertical movement relative to the treads in addition to the horizontal movement, which significantly increases the risk of jamming in gaps.

Due to structural conditions, the gap cannot be as small as ideal. There must be a certain gap between the individual pedal elements on the belt. The pedal elements move sequentially with guide wheels attached transversely to the transverse rails. The direction of the steps is guided by running edges provided on both sides of the guide rail. For technical reasons, fixed forced guidance is not possible. The gap is usually adjusted to a reference amount of 1.5 to 2.5mm. The gap will increase over time due to the unavoidable wear and tear in operation. Safety regulations are required to establish this maximum gap size. For example, the maximum gap width allowed by the European technical standard EN115 is 4 mm on one side, while the maximum value of the sum of the gaps on both sides of the pedal element is 7 mm.

Alternatively, the gap size of each individual pedal element is not constant along its path of travel, but can be continuously varied by lateral reciprocation or "rolling". In addition, the size of the gap between the pedal elements may also vary. In order to meet the corresponding legal norms, it is necessary to control the gap size according to the rules during the process of measuring these gap sizes. This is a costly endeavor due to the possible variations mentioned above.

To avoid this problem, it has been proposed to mount a plastic cover on the pedal element, enabling the spring load to be deflected laterally. This device uses spring action to squeeze the plastic cover against the side guards to close the gap. The downside of this is that the plastic covers can rub against the side guards and cause annoying noises. Friction also causes the plastic cover to wear and also wears down the metal surfaces of the side guards, for example because the plastic cover compresses dust particles onto the metal surface. Worn metal surfaces further wear down the plastic cover. In addition, many sideguards include a low friction coating to prevent entrainment, which can be damaged or destroyed by abrasion from contact with the plastic cover.

The object of the present invention is to find a solution which minimizes the effort required to control the clearance between the step elements and the side panels of a passenger conveyor and which does not include the disadvantages associated with the above-mentioned devices.

Summary of the invention

A gap width monitoring device according to the invention is characterized in that a gap sensor measures the gap width between the side panel and at least one pedal element. Preferably the gap sensor is connected to the passenger conveyor controller and sends gap data to the latter, so that the passenger conveyor drive is automatically switched off when a maximum distance or a maximum gap width is exceeded. The gap sensor is contemplated to take different configurations. It can be, for example, a mechanical probe, or a capacitive or inductive gap measuring device. Optical measuring means, preferably of the kind which detect at an angle the backscattered light reflected by the light beam incident on the surface of the pedal element, may also be used and used to determine the distance. The advantage of this gap width monitoring is that the passenger conveyor can be operated until the maximum gap width is actually exceeded. That is to say, the observation interval is not determined according to the requirement of checking the gap width according to certain rules.

The gap sensor is preferably attached to a tread element of the passenger conveyor, so that the gap between the tread element and the footboard is measured during operation. In this case, it is advantageous to provide a wireless transmission means with a fixed transmission station which transmits the gap data from the moving pedal element to the fixed transmission station by a transmission station attached to the pedal element. Data transmission can be done by means of frictional contact, optical methods in the infrared range, inductance or capacitance. The gap sensor is combined with the pedal element transmission station, and a memory device for storing gap data should also be provided, the pedal element transmission station being designed to send the stored data to the fixed transmission station when the pedal passes. Fixed transfer stations can be located, for example, in one or two diversion areas of the passenger conveyor. On the other hand, it is also conceivable to detect and evaluate only the running maximum value. However, many operating values can also be detected and evaluated. Therefore, the most basic design requirement of the gap width monitoring device is to evaluate the gap width according to the position along the movement path of the pedal element. For this purpose, the sensors are advantageously connected to an integrated monitoring circuit for providing desired data.

This gap width monitoring device is preferably characterized in that it is provided with a battery for supplying current to the parts on one side of the pedal element, and the transmission means are designed to be able to pass from the fixed transfer station to the pedal element when the pedal element transfer station passes the fixed transfer station. The transmission station transmits the power stored in the battery. The size of the battery can be relatively small, since only the current needs to be stored for short periods of time, such as a full or half turn. The battery can be an accumulator or a capacitor. Current can be transferred via frictional contact or inductively. The latter is best used when transferring data using inductance. In this case two channels can be transmitted simultaneously in different directions, for example data in one direction and power in the other.

Preferably, a gap sensor is provided on opposite sides of the pedal member. This enables monitoring of the gap width or the sum of the gap widths. In the first scenario, it can also be assumed that the sum of the gap widths does not change appreciably with wear over time. Since this value is specified, a single sensor on one side can also provide information about the gap width on both sides. For example, if the specified total gap width is 5 mm, when the gap sensor indicates a value above 4 mm (exceeding the allowable gap width on one side of the sensor) or below 1 mm (the gap width on the side opposite to the sensor becomes shorter), the passenger The conveyor controller must then switch off its drive motor.

When the steps of an escalator are offset in height from each other during ascent, as the tread surface rises, the gap between the step and the tread is the same on the tread surface as the same step at the front of the step and the next lower The gap in the area of the step where the tread surface is flat will also vary. Since this gap width is also important, a gap sensor should advantageously be provided at least on one side.

Preferably another gap sensor is placed on the pedal element to measure the width of the gap between two adjacent pedal elements, preferably a further deformation sensor is placed on the pedal element to measure the deformation of the pedal element due to heavy load . The individual sensors are advantageously coupled to a monitoring circuit of the gap width monitoring device for transmission to the passenger conveyor controller.

Preferably at least one static gap sensor is provided on the passenger conveyor for measuring the gap between the side panel and the step element. This makes it possible to determine the play relative to the individual pedal elements in certain regions of the side panel, for example in a region where it is found empirically that relatively large play tends to occur. In this case, it is advantageous to provide a device that can accurately assign the measured play values to the individual pedal elements. For example, each tread element can have a code that can be detected and recognized by a gap sensor, in particular with an optical gap sensor, and a useful value is assigned to each step until the next code is detected.

Description of drawings

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be explained in detail below using an embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. The only figure schematically shows a gap width monitoring device according to the invention installed on a moving walkway.

best practice

As shown, a scraper 2 is arranged between two side guards 4 . In order to better represent this section of the moving walkway, a part of the glass handrail 6 fixed to the side guard 4 is shown, and the guide rails for the upper handrail are not shown. The front and rear ends of the illustrated scraper 2 in the conveying direction are connected to the preceding or following scraper by so-called steps or scraper shafts. The scraper shaft and/or the scraper has transverse scraper support rollers 8 , with corresponding guide rails 10 guiding the scraper along the frame of the moving walkway. The interconnected scrapers 2 form a so-called scraper strip. This scraper belt is closed to itself and moves around two deflecting sprockets each at the end of the moving walkway. The swivel of the scraper belt is located approximately below the conveying area of the scraper belt.

It is important to keep the gap width between the tread element, ie the scraper 2 and the side guard 4 , within specified tolerance limits in the conveying area of the scraper belt. The gap 12 between the pedal element 14 of the scraper 2 and the side panels 4 on both sides of the scraper 2 is particularly important. During installation, the moving path of the scraper 2 in the conveying area of the scraper belt is adjusted by adjusting the guide rail 10 and the supporting roller 8, so that the normal gap width is 1.5 to 2.5mm. In order to monitor this gap during operation, a gap width monitoring device 16 is mounted on the scraper 2 and/or a gap width monitoring device 18 is mounted on the side guard 4 .

The gap width monitoring device 16 on the scraper 2 has a gap sensor 18 , a monitoring circuit 20 and a transmission device 22 connected to each other. The monitoring circuit 20 has a microprocessor and a memory, for example a RAM memory is used to store the maximum and minimum gaps of a step passing through the conveying area of the scraper belt. The transfer device 22 includes a fixed transfer station 24 and a transfer station 26 that moves with the scraper 2 . The stationary transfer station 24 can be installed, for example, in a deflection area of the scraper belt. The gap data stored in the monitoring circuit 20 is transmitted to the fixed transfer station 24 when the scraper's fixed transfer station 26 passes the fixed transfer station 24 . When a defined maximum distance of the gap width is exceeded, the controller switches off the moving walkway drive. Gap widths must be checked and moving walkway maintenance work may be performed prior to resuming passenger service work on the moving walkway.

The sensor 8 can be a mechanical, optical, capacitive or inductive sensor with a measuring range of 0 to 5mm and a resolution of at least 0.5mm, preferably as small as 0.3 or 0.1mm. Such a gap width monitoring device 16 can be installed on only one or a few scrapers, or in extreme cases also on all scrapers. If it is assumed that the total gap width of the two lateral gaps 12 will not change significantly due to wear, it can be assumed that there is no significant wear in the lateral direction of the side guard plate 4 and the scraper 2, so that it can be measured on one side of the scraper 2 A gap width is sufficient. The gap width on the other side can be easily determined by differentiation. However, it is best to monitor the gap 12 on either side of the scraper.

An accumulator or accumulator capacitor is provided to power the electrical components of the gap width monitoring device 16 on the scraper 2 and is also charged by the transfer device 22 as it passes through the fixed transfer station 24 . However, it is also contemplated that a separate transmission means may be provided to charge the battery. Other configurations are also conceivable which operate from high capacity batteries and are only charged when the moving walkway is not in operation. Power is supplied from the escalator controller 30 to the fixed transfer station 24 by a power line 32 . The transmission of information and/or power that takes place in the transmission station 22 is performed, for example, by friction or inductive means.

The gap width monitoring device 16 mounted on the scraper 2 detects the gap width between the scraper 2 and the side guard 4 substantially along the entire conveying range of the scraper 2 . Such a gap width monitoring device 16 cannot directly provide information on whether the gap width of the other scraper 2 is within the tolerance range. Gap width monitoring device 16 is installed on the right guard plate 4 in the figure, detects and monitors the gap width of all passing scrapers 2 with the gap sensor 34 installed on the predetermined position of side guard plate 4 . Gap sensor 34 also advantageously provides its data to moving walkway controller 30 via monitoring circuit 36 . The power supply for this gap width monitoring device 19 can also be supplied via the moving walkway controller 30 or via other power sources. The gap width monitoring device 19 is located substantially close to the gap width monitoring device 16 and can likewise provide data to the moving walkway controller. For example, the gap sensor 34 can be designed to detect a respective different code on the individual scrapers 2 , so that in the event of a shutdown of the moving walkway, gap information can be distributed to the individual scrapers 2 , which clearly simplifies the service. Likewise, the gap data determined by the gap width monitoring device 16 on the screed 2 can also be linked to the time elapsed since the last pass of the fixed transfer station 24, so that the gap data can be associated with a specific area of the footboard. Similar to the previous structure, it is of course also possible to provide inter-regional, rather than temporal, linkages with codes for associating detected gap data.

In order to effectively monitor the gap width of all scrapers 2 within the conveying range of the scraper belt, for example, it is advantageous to combine the gap width monitoring device 16 installed on the scraper 2 with the footrest 4 installed on the passenger conveying equipment. Another gap width monitoring device 19 is combined. For example, these data can be sent to an evaluation unit, which combines and provides an overall picture of the gap width along the conveying path.

The gap width monitoring devices 16 , 19 can transmit the measured gap data to the moving walkway controller 30 , or can generate a shutdown signal and send it to the moving walkway controller 30 only when the maximum gap width has been exceeded. This requires the microprocessor of the monitoring circuit to be designed and programmed accordingly. In particular, other sensors can be provided for the gap width monitoring device 16 mounted on the scraper 2, for example to detect the gap between two consecutive scrapers 2 or to detect the scraper load and also switch off when a defined maximum value is exceeded Move sidewalks.

What has been said above for moving walkways can also be applied to the steps of an escalator. It is also possible to provide the escalator steps with a sensor to monitor the gap width in the area of the tread surface 14, approximately at the tread surface 14 of the previous step as measured relative to the front end of the step.

Claims (11)

1. A gap width monitoring device (16, 19) for monitoring the gap (12) between a side guard (4) of a passenger conveyor and individual tread elements (2) on a tread element belt of a passenger conveyor, It is characterized in that a gap sensor (18, 34) is provided to measure the gap width between the side panel (4) and at least one pedal element (2). 2. According to the gap width monitoring device (16) of claim 1, it is characterized in that the gap sensor (18) is installed on a pedal element (2) of the passenger conveying equipment, and is used to measure this pedal element ( 2) The distance from the side guard (4). 3. Gap width monitoring device (16) according to claim 2, characterized in that there is a wireless transmission device (22) with a fixed transmission station (24) and a transmission station (26) mounted on the pedal element (2) , to transmit gap data from the moving pedal element (2) to the fixed transmission station (24). 4. According to the gap width monitoring device (16) of claim 3, it is characterized in that a storage device (20) for storing gap data connected to the gap sensor (18) and the pedal element transmission station is provided, wherein the pedal element The transfer station (26) is designed to transfer stored data to it as it passes the fixed transfer station (24). 5. Gap width monitoring device (16) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that it is designed in such a way that its gap width can be evaluated positionally along the movement path of the pedal element. 6. According to the gap width monitoring device (16) according to one of claims 3 to 5, it is characterized in that a battery is provided for power consumption of the pedal element side, and the transfer device (22) is designed to be able to (26) Transfer of electrical energy to be stored in the battery from the fixed transfer station (24) to the pedal element transfer station (26) when passing the fixed transfer station (24). 7. Gap width monitoring device (16) according to one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that a gap sensor (18) is provided at opposite ends of the pedal element (2). 8. Gap width monitoring device (16) according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that a further gap sensor is mounted on the pedal element (2) for measuring the gap width between two adjacent pedal elements (2). 9. Gap width monitoring device (16) according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that the pedal element (2) is provided with a deformation sensor for measuring the deformation of the pedal element due to heavy loads. 10. According to the gap width monitoring device (16) according to one of claims 1 to 9, it is characterized in that the gap sensor (34) is fixed on the passenger conveyor for measuring side guards (4) and pedal elements (2 ) between the gaps. 11. Gap width monitoring device (16) according to claim 10, characterized in that it is designed to assign the detected gap data to the individual pedal elements (2).

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