HK1178873B - Drive assembly for a passenger conveyor - Google Patents

Description

Transmission assembly for passenger conveyor

Background

Passenger conveyors, such as escalators and moving walkways, typically include an automated surface, such as a step, that carries passengers between landings at opposite ends of the conveyor. The robotic surface is propelled by a drive assembly that includes a motor, a drive sprocket, and a step chain. The motor typically rotates a drive sprocket. The step chain is driven by a sprocket. The step chain is fixed to the automated surface in a manner that results in the desired conveyor run.

Conventional passenger conveyor drive assemblies suffer from various problems. One problem is the noise and vibration associated with the step chain links that move along the path and interact with the drive sprocket. Another problem is that the step chain typically requires lubrication, which introduces material and maintenance issues. In addition, the typical step chain arrangement requires maintenance, which can be costly and inconvenient to the building owner.

SUMMARY

An example drive assembly for a passenger conveyor includes a belt including a plurality of cords at least partially contained in a jacket. A plurality of connector blocks are secured to the belt longitudinally spaced from one another along the belt.

Various features and advantages of the disclosed examples will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows.

Brief Description of Drawings

Fig. 1 illustrates an example passenger conveyor.

FIG. 2 illustrates selected portions of an example passenger conveyor drive assembly.

FIG. 3 illustrates other selected portions of an example passenger conveyor drive assembly.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an example connector block and belt configuration.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of another example connector block and strap configuration.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of another example connector block and strap configuration.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of another example connector block and strap configuration.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of another example connector block and strap configuration.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of another example connector block and strap configuration.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of another example connector block and strap configuration.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of another example connector block and strap configuration.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows selected portions of an example passenger conveyor 20. The example conveyor 20 shown is an escalator. Other examples include a travelator. The conveyor 20 includes a plurality of robotic surfaces 22, and in this example, the plurality of robotic surfaces 22 include steps. Automated surface 22 transports passengers between platform 24 and platform 26. The handrail 28 moves with the robotic surface 22 to provide a surface for an individual to grasp while being transported by the conveyor 20.

As can be appreciated from fig. 1-3, the conveyor 20 includes a drive assembly 30, the drive assembly 30 including a belt 32 and a plurality of connecting blocks 34 secured to the belt 32. The connector blocks 34 are spaced longitudinally along the length of the belt 32.

The drive wheel 40 is rotated by a motor (not shown) and applies a moving force to move the belt 32 and connecting block 34 along a path corresponding to the path followed by the robotic surface 22. The connecting blocks 34 cooperate with correspondingly configured surfaces or features on the drive wheel 40 such that the connecting blocks 34 are forcibly engaged by the drive wheel 40 to move them and the belt 32. In the example shown, the connection block 34 is at least partially received within a recess 42 in the drive wheel 40. In this example, the drive pulley 40 also includes an outer drive surface 44 that directly engages the belt 32 to push the belt 32. In this example, the frictional engagement between the drive surface 44 and the belt 32 helps to move the belt as desired.

The connecting block 34 provides a positive drive surface and the belt 32 provides a frictional drive surface to impart the desired movement to the belt 32 and connecting block 34. The robotic surface is coupled to the belt 32 by a connection between the link block 34 and the shaft 46 such that movement of the belt 32 and link block 34 results in corresponding movement of the robotic surface 22. In this example, the connecting block 34 has an inwardly facing connecting surface configured to connect to the shaft 46. In one example, robotic surface 22 is connected to shaft 46 using a conventional step-shaft connection. In another example, the connection block 34 has at least one connection surface configured to directly connect to a portion of the robotic surface 22. The connecting block 34 helps couple the robotic surface 22 to the belt 32 so that the drive assembly 30 can move the surface 22 as desired.

In the example of fig. 3, the spacing between the connecting blocks 34 corresponds to the pitch of the shafts 46. In another example, not every connecting block is coupled to robotic surface 22 or shaft 46. In such an example, some of the connecting blocks serve as positive drive elements, without providing a connection between the drive assembly 30 and the automatic surface 22.

There are various possible configurations of the transmission assembly 30 designed according to the present invention. An example is shown in fig. 4. This example includes a belt 32 having a plurality of cords 50 extending longitudinally along the length of the belt 32. In one example, the rope 50 comprises steel. In another example, the cords 50 comprise a polymer. The cord 50 is at least partially covered by a sheath 52. One example jacket material includes polyurethane, such as thermoplastic polyurethane.

In this example, the connecting block 34 includes a first portion 54 received against one side of the belt 32 and a second portion 56 received on the opposite side of the belt 32. In this example, there is one first portion 54 and two second portions 56. The securing members 58 hold the attachment blocks 34 in their desired positions on the belt 32. One example includes a threaded securing member 58, such as a bolt, that is received through a hole in the strap 32 and threaded into at least one of the portions 54 or 56.

In one example, the connecting block comprises metal. One example comprises steel. Some of the connector blocks have a polymer coating. Other example attachment blocks comprise hard plastic materials.

Fig. 5 shows another example in which two first portions 54 are spaced apart from each other.

Fig. 6 shows another variant in which the second portion 56 has an inner surface arranged at an oblique angle with respect to the axis of rotation of the transmission wheel 40. This example also includes a fixed block portion 60 that is received on the first and second portions 54, 56 against the outer surface. In this example, the securing component 58 is not received by the strap 32, as can be appreciated from the figures.

The example of fig. 7 is similar to the example of fig. 4, but with an additional securing block portion 60 and securing member 58 received on the opposite side of the belt 32. In fig. 8, the first portion 54 and the second portion 56 extend laterally outward considerably further than the outer dimension of the sheath 52 of the band 32. In this embodiment, the securing element 58 is secured to at least one of the portions 54 and 56, but is not received by the strap 32.

FIG. 9 shows another example drive assembly arrangement in which two belts 32A and 32B are included. In this example, a spacer 70 is disposed between the bands 32A and 32B at the location of the connection block 34. The use of multiple belts can increase the load carrying capacity of the transmission assembly. Such an example may be particularly suitable for use in passenger conveyors having, for example, relatively long travel.

Figure 10 shows another example of a multiple band. The two strips 32A and 32B are side by side in this example (rather than stacked together as in the example of fig. 9). In this example, the greater width of the drive surface 44 provides sufficient frictional engagement for both belts 32A and 32B.

In each of the examples of fig. 4-10, at least some of the surface of the belt 32 is exposed, facing the outer drive surface 44 on the drive pulley along the entire length of the belt 32. These examples provide a frictional driving engagement between the drive wheel 40 and the belt 32 wherever the belt 32 wraps around the drive wheel 40.

In the example of fig. 11, the belt 32 has an at least partially V-shaped cross-section, while the drive surface 44 has a corresponding V-shaped configuration such that there is frictional engagement between the three surfaces at the interface between the belt 32 and the drive surface 44.

The preceding description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed examples may become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not necessarily depart from the essence of this invention. The scope of legal protection given to this invention can only be determined by studying the following claims.

Claims (13)

1. A drive assembly for a passenger conveyor, comprising:

a belt comprising a plurality of cords at least partially contained in a jacket; and

a plurality of metal connector blocks fixed to the belt longitudinally spaced apart from one another along the belt, at least some of the connector blocks having a connecting surface on one side thereof connected to a portion of a step of an associated passenger conveyor; and

a drive wheel for moving the belt, the drive wheel having a surface adapted to engage a corresponding surface on the connecting block such that the drive wheel moves the belt by forced engagement between the drive wheel and the connecting block.

2. The drive assembly of claim 1, wherein the connecting blocks each include a first portion received against a first side of the belt, a second portion received against an opposite second side of the belt.

3. The drive assembly of claim 2, wherein each of the connecting blocks includes at least one securing member securing the first and second portions against the respective side of the belt.

4. The drive assembly of claim 2, wherein each of the connecting blocks includes two first portions proximate opposite edges of the belt such that a central portion of the belt on the first side is exposed between the two first portions.

5. The drive assembly of claim 4, wherein each of the connecting blocks includes a single second portion associated with both of the first portions.

6. The drive assembly of claim 4, wherein each of the connecting blocks includes two second portions, and each of the second portions is associated with one of the two first portions.

7. The drive assembly of claim 1, wherein the belt has a rectangular outer cross-section.

8. The drive assembly of claim 1, wherein the belt has an at least partially V-shaped outer cross-section.

9. The drive assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least some of the connecting blocks have the connecting surfaces connected to step shafts of the associated passenger conveyors.

10. The drive assembly of claim 1, wherein the drive wheel includes a surface that engages the belt at least along a portion of the belt between the connection blocks to move the belt through frictional engagement between the drive wheel and the belt.

11. The drive assembly of claim 10, wherein a central portion of the belt on a side of the belt facing the drive wheel is exposed along an entire length of the belt and is frictionally engaged by the drive wheel.

12. The drive assembly of claim 1, wherein the drive wheel has an outer surface with a plurality of recesses contoured to at least partially receive and drivingly engage the connecting blocks to move the belt.

13. The drive assembly of claim 1, wherein the drive assembly is a linear motor

The rope comprises steel;

the jacket comprises polyurethane; and

the connecting block includes a polymer coating.