HK1100140B - Travelator and belt pulley - Google Patents

Description

Moving walkway and belt wheel

Technical Field

The invention relates to a moving sidewalk. The invention further relates to a pulley.

Background

In the prior art, for example, specifications JP2003-20181, US1,689,201, US2,769,522 and US3,592,139 disclose travelators for transporting people. In these specifications, the conveyor comprises a large number of adjacent narrow belt loops, several of which are arranged over the width of the conveyor to transport users of the travelator. The conveyor has a large number of shafts which are mounted on the conveyor frame by means of bearings and which are arranged parallel to each other, at a distance from each other and transversely to the transport direction of the conveyor. A number of pulleys are connected to each shaft, arranged side by side.

Furthermore, the conveyor comprises a number of mutually parallel endless belt loops, which form the moving conveying surface of the conveyor. The mutual arrangement of the belt loops is realized in such a way that they are interlaced with respect to each other in a comb-like manner around each axis. Each belt loop passes around two belt pulleys on two consecutive shafts. In each two closely adjacent belt loops on the same common shaft passing around adjacent belt pulleys, one belt loop passes around a belt pulley on a previous shaft adjacent to the common shaft, and the other belt loop adjoining the belt loop passes around a belt pulley on a next shaft adjacent to the common shaft.

Each belt has a width of e.g. about 5 to 8mm, preferably 6mm, so that if the travelator has a width of e.g. 1m, the number of parallel pulleys arranged on one shaft is large, 100 to 200 pulleys. It is very difficult to produce such a pulley combination, in particular a combination of pulleys as single components, even in the case where the pulleys on the same shaft are identical to each other and have the same diameter/number of teeth. It is more difficult to produce a combination of a shaft and a set of pulleys with adjoining pulleys having different diameters/numbers of teeth in an economically and manufacturing-technically advantageous manner. A combination of the above-mentioned types is needed in high-speed travelators designed to achieve transport speeds (of the order of 5m/s) that are significantly higher than conventional transport speeds (0.6-0.8m/s) and therefore require an acceleration section, a constant-speed section and a deceleration section. In the acceleration and deceleration sections, adjacent toothed belt pulleys on the same shaft have different diameters/numbers of teeth. Another problem with conventional solutions is insufficient dimensional accuracy and poor strength.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks.

A particular object of the invention is to disclose a travelator in which a shaft and a set of belt pulleys mounted thereon can be manufactured easily, can be dimensioned precisely and is advantageous both economically and in terms of manufacturing technology.

In order to achieve the object defined above, according to the invention a travelator is provided, which comprises a conveyor for transporting passengers, which conveyor comprises

The frame is provided with a plurality of frame bodies,

a plurality of shafts mounted on the frame with bearings at both ends of the shafts so that the shafts are parallel to each other, at a distance from each other and transverse to the transport direction of the conveyor,

a plurality of pulleys connected side by side to the shaft, an

A plurality of mutually parallel endless belt loops forming the moving transport surface of the conveyor, each of said belt loops passing around two belt pulleys on two different axes, characterized in that each pulley is a die-cast part comprising a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, a first alignment and connection member formed on the first side and a second alignment and connection member formed on the second side, the second alignment and connection member being configured to cooperate with the first alignment and connection member such that the first and second alignment and connection members of adjacent pulleys on the shaft cooperatively align and connect the pulleys together in a locked form fashion to form a pulley assembly, the pulley assembly includes a plurality of first pulleys having a first diameter and a plurality of second pulleys having a second diameter different from the first diameter; and the first and second pulleys are arranged in the pulley assembly in an interleaved manner such that the second pulley abuts each first pulley.

Preferably, the first alignment and connection member comprises a projection and the second alignment and connection member comprises an opening or recess configured to receive the projection therein in a close fit.

Preferably, a single pulley is non-rotatably mounted on the shaft in a locked shape.

Preferably, said belt loops are toothed belts; and each pulley is a toothed pulley having a toothed rim configured to be driven in meshing engagement with a toothed belt.

Preferably, the first pulley has a first number of teeth and the second pulley has a second number of teeth, the second number of teeth being different from the first number of teeth.

Preferably, the pulley assembly comprises a pulley as follows: the pulley has a solid structured guide flange on one side of the toothed rim bonded to the same part such that the toothed rim of each pulley in the pulley assembly has a guide flange on each side thereof to provide lateral support to the belt loop.

Preferably, the pulley assembly comprises a pulley as follows: the toothed rims of the pulleys are open towards opposite sides and guide flanges, which are separate pieces with respect to the pulleys, are mounted between adjacent pulleys to provide lateral support to the belt loops.

Preferably, the pulley assembly comprises a pulley as follows: the pulley has two toothed rims of solid construction joined on the same piece, open towards opposite sides; and a guide flange disposed between the toothed rims, and the pulley assembly comprises a further guide flange which is a separate piece with respect to the pulleys and which is mounted between adjacent pulleys to provide lateral support to the belt loop.

Preferably, the shaft is provided with a stop member against which the first end of the pulley assembly is axially supported, and at the second end of the pulley assembly, the shaft is provided with tightening means for pressing the pulley assembly axially tightly against the stop member.

Preferably, the pulley is a plastic injection molded part.

Preferably, the pulley is a metal casting.

Preferably, the first alignment and connection member includes a plurality of protrusions.

Preferably, the single pulley is non-rotatably mounted on the shaft by means of a wedge connection and/or an adhesive connection and/or a friction connection and/or by using an end flange.

Preferably, the tightening means is a nut screwed onto a thread provided on the shaft.

Preferably, the pulley is made of die-cast aluminum.

Preferably, the pulley assembly is non-rotatably mounted on the shaft in a locked shape.

Preferably, the pulley assembly is non-rotatably mounted on the shaft by means of a wedge connection and/or an adhesive connection and/or a friction connection and/or by using an end flange.

Embodiments of the invention are also described in the description part and drawings of the present application. The inventive content disclosed in the application is also defined by means of different methods. The inventive content may also consist of several separate inventions, especially if the invention is considered in the light of explicit or implicit sub-tasks or in respect of advantages or sets of advantages achieved. In this case, some features contained in the technical solution may be superfluous from the point of view of separate inventive concepts. Within the framework of the basic idea of the invention, features of different embodiments of the invention can be applied in combination with other embodiments.

According to the invention, the pulley is a die cast part. The part is preferably composed of one piece of solid material. The part includes a first side having a first alignment and connection member formed therein and a second side opposite the first side having a second alignment and connection member formed therein that is configured to mate with the first alignment and connection member such that the first and second alignment and connection members of adjacent pulleys on the shaft cooperatively align and connect the pulleys together in a locked form to form a pulley assembly.

The invention has the advantage that the structure can be easily manufactured, is economical and can be accurately dimensioned and can be dimensioned appropriately to form a shaft with a greater flexural strength, preferably a steel shaft.

In an embodiment of the travelator and belt pulley, the first alignment and connection member comprises a projection, preferably a plurality of projections. The second alignment and connection member includes an opening or recess configured to receive the projections therein in a close-fitting manner. The edges of the projections and of the openings or recesses are preferably tapered in the axial direction, which is also necessary in terms of manufacturing technology in order to be able to release from the mold. Such a locking shaped alignment and connection member also works well as a torque transfer member.

In an embodiment of the travelator and belt pulley, the belt pulleys and/or belt pulleys are non-rotatably mounted on the shaft in a form-locking manner, for example in a wedge-shaped connection and/or an adhesive connection and/or a frictional connection. A fixed connection at least on the drive shaft is necessary.

In the embodiment of travelator and belt pulley the belt loop is a toothed belt. Correspondingly, each pulley is a toothed pulley having a toothed rim configured to drivingly engage the toothed belt.

In an embodiment of the travelator and belt pulley, the travelator comprises a shaft on which is mounted a belt pulley assembly comprising a number of first belt pulleys having a first diameter/number of teeth. Further, a plurality of second pulleys having a second diameter/number of teeth, which is different (larger or smaller) from the first diameter/number of teeth, are mounted on the same shaft. The first and second pulleys are disposed in the pulley assembly in an interleaved manner such that the second pulley is adjacent to each first pulley. Such shafts are arranged in the acceleration and deceleration sections of the travelator.

In an embodiment of the travelator and belt pulley, the travelator comprises a shaft on which is mounted a belt pulley assembly in which all belt pulleys have the same diameter/number of teeth. Such a shaft is provided in the constant-speed section.

In an embodiment of the travelator and belt pulley, the travelator comprises a shaft on which is arranged a belt pulley assembly comprising third belt pulleys, each third belt pulley having on one side of the toothed rim a first guide flange of solid construction united as one and the same piece, so that the toothed rim of each belt pulley in the belt pulley assembly has on each side thereof a first guide flange to provide lateral support to the belt loop. Since such parts must be cast using a two-part mold, the design of the structure must take into account the removal of the injection or compression molded part from the mold half. Thus, the pulley has only a maximum of one guide flange, not two.

In an embodiment of the travelator and belt pulley, the travelator comprises a shaft on which a belt pulley assembly comprising fourth belt pulleys is arranged, wherein the toothed rim is open towards two opposite sides, and wherein the second guide flange is a separate piece with respect to the fourth belt pulleys and is mounted between adjacent fourth belt pulleys to provide lateral support to the belt loops.

In an embodiment of the travelator and belt pulley, the travelator comprises a shaft on which a belt pulley assembly is mounted, which belt pulley assembly comprises: a fifth pulley having two toothed rims of one solid structure joined on the same piece, the two toothed rims being open towards the opposite sides; and a fourth guide flange disposed between the toothed rims. The pulley assembly comprises a fourth guide flange which is a separate part with respect to the fifth pulleys and which is mounted between adjacent fifth pulleys to provide lateral support to the belt loop. In this embodiment, too, the pulley is constructed so as to be easily removable from the two-part mold.

In an embodiment of the travelator and pulley, the shaft is provided with a stop member against which the first end of the pulley assembly is axially supported, and at the second end of the pulley assembly the shaft is provided with tightening means, such as a nut screwed on a thread provided on the shaft, for pressing the pulley assembly axially tightly against the stop member.

In an embodiment of the travelator and belt pulley, the belt pulley is injection moulded from plastic.

In an embodiment of the travelator and belt pulley, the belt pulley is made of cast metal, preferably of die-cast aluminium.

Drawings

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment and the drawing, in which

Figure 1 shows an axonometric view of a part of an embodiment of the travelator conveyor according to the invention viewed obliquely from above,

fig. 2 shows an axonometric view, viewed from one side, of two different pulleys connected together, namely a first and a second pulley, said pulleys having a different number of teeth and a guide flange incorporated on one side of the toothed rim,

figure 3 shows the pulley of figure 2 viewed from the other side,

figure 4 shows an isometric view of a portion of a pulley assembly,

figure 5 shows an axonometric view of the pulley open towards both sides and of the separate guide flange,

fig. 6 shows an axonometric view of a pulley with two toothed rims separated from each other by a guide rim, and of a separate guide rim, an

Fig. 7 shows a schematic side view of a pulley assembly mounted on a shaft.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a travelator comprising a conveyor 1 for transporting passengers. The conveyor 1 comprises a frame 2. A number of shafts are mounted on the frame 2 with bearings so that they are parallel to each other, at a distance from each other and transversely to the transport direction of the conveyor 1. A number of pulleys 4 are connected side by side to the shaft 3. A number of mutually parallel endless toothed belt loops 5 form the moving transport surface of the conveyor 1. Each belt loop 5 is passed around two toothed belt pulleys on two different shafts.

As shown in fig. 2-6, each pulley 4 is a die-cast part formed from a solid material, i.e. a plastic injection-molded part or a metal compression-molded part.

Referring to fig. 2 and 3, the pulley component comprises a first instance 6 having a first aligning and coupling member 7 formed thereon and a second side 8 opposite to the first side having a second aligning and coupling member 9 formed thereon, the second side being configured to mate with the first aligning and coupling member to engage the first and second aligning and coupling members of adjacent pulleys 4 on the shaft 3 to align and couple the pulleys to one another in a locking shape to form a pulley assembly 10, a portion of which is shown in fig. 4. The individual pulleys 4 and/or the pulley assemblies 10 are non-rotatably mounted on the shaft 3 in a form-locking manner, for example by means of a wedge connection and/or an adhesive connection and/or a friction connection.

As can be seen in fig. 2, the first aligning and coupling member 7 on the first side 6 of the pulley 4 comprises a projection 7, the pulley preferably being provided with such a projection as shown in fig. 2 and 3.

As shown in fig. 3, the second aligning and coupling member 9 on the second side 8 of the pulley comprises a number of openings or recesses 9 corresponding to the number of said protrusions and configured to receive the protrusions 7 therein in a tight fit. The projection and recess may also together form a snap connection, for example.

Fig. 2 shows the first pulley 41 in a foremost position, having a first diameter D1/number of teeth Z1. Visible behind this is the second pulley 42, which has a second diameter D2/tooth number Z2, which is smaller than the first diameter D1/tooth number Z1.

In fig. 4, the first pulley 41 and the second pulley 42 are disposed in the pulley assembly 10 in an interleaved manner such that each first pulley 41 abuts the second pulley 42.

The pulley assembly 10 can naturally also accommodate only the same pulleys 4, each having the same diameter D/number of teeth Z.

Fig. 2 shows an example of a pulley 43 having on the side of the toothed rim 11 a first guide flange 12-1 of solid construction joined to the same component. When such pulleys are placed one after the other to constitute a pulley, the toothed rim 11 of each pulley will have a first guide flange 12-1 on each side thereof, providing lateral support for the belt loop 5. The function of the guide flanges 12 is to support the belt loop 5 in the transverse direction.

Fig. 5 also shows a pulley 44 in which the toothed rim 11 is open towards the opposite side. In this case, a separate guide flange 12-2, which may be made of, for example, steel plate, must be mounted between each such pulley 44. The guide flange can be fixed to the pulley in a form-locking manner or, for example, by gluing.

Fig. 6 shows a pulley 45 having two toothed rims 11 of one solid structure joined to the same component, each toothed rim being open to opposite sides. The third guide flange 12-3 is located between the toothed rims 11 joined to the same component. In this case, a separate fourth guide flange 12-4, which may be of a type corresponding to the second guide flange 12-2 described above, may be mounted between each such pulley 44.

Fig. 7 shows a shaft provided with a stop member 13, against which stop member 13 the first end 14 of the pulley assembly 10 is axially supported. In the region of the second end 15 of the pulley 10, the shaft 3 is provided with a tightening device 16, for example a nut which is tightened on a thread provided on the shaft, for pressing the pulley 10 axially tightly against the stop member 13.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but many variations thereof are possible within the scope of the inventive concept.

List of reference numerals

Conveyor 1

Frame 2

Shaft 3

Belt wheel 4

First pulley 41

Second pulley 42

Third pulley 43

Fourth pulley 44

Fifth pulley 45

With a ring 5

First side 6

First alignment and connection member 7

Second side 8

Second alignment and connection member 9

Pulley assembly 10

First diameter D1

First number of teeth Z1

Second diameter D2

Second number of teeth Z2

Toothed rim 11

First guide flange 12-1

Second guide flange 12-2

Third guide flange 12-3

Fourth guide flange 12-4

Stop member 13

First end 14

Second end 15

Tightening member 16

Claims (17)

1. A travelator comprising a conveyor (1) for transporting passengers, which conveyor comprises

A frame (2) which is provided with a plurality of grooves,

a plurality of shafts (3) mounted on the frame (2) with bearings at both ends of the shafts so that the shafts are parallel to each other, at a distance from each other and transverse to the transport direction of the conveyor (1),

a plurality of pulleys (4; 41, 42, 43, 44, 45) connected side by side to the shaft (3), and

a plurality of mutually parallel endless belt loops (5) forming a moving transport surface of the conveyor (1), each of said belt loops passing around two belt pulleys on two different axes, characterized in that each belt pulley (4; 41, 42, 43, 44, 45) is a die-cast part comprising a first side (6) and a second side (8) opposite to the first side (6), on which first side a first aligning and connecting member (7) is formed and on which second side (8) a second aligning and connecting member (9) is formed, which second aligning and connecting member is configured to cooperate with the first aligning and connecting member such that the first and second aligning and connecting members of adjacent belt pulleys (4; 41, 42, 43, 44, 45) on the axis (3) cooperatively align and connect the belt pulleys together in a locking-shaped manner to form a belt pulley assembly (10), the pulley assembly comprises a plurality of first pulleys (41) having a first diameter (D1) and a plurality of second pulleys (42) having a second diameter (D2), the second diameter (D2) being different from the first diameter (D1); and the first (41) and second (42) pulleys are arranged in the pulley assembly (10) in an interleaved manner such that the second pulley (42) abuts each first pulley (41).

2. A travelator according to claim 1, characteri zed in that the first alignment and connection element comprises a projection (7) and the second alignment and connection element comprises an opening or recess (9) arranged to receive the projection therein in a tight-fitting manner.

3. A travelator according to claim 1 or 2, characteri zed in that a single pulley (4; 41, 42, 43, 44, 45) is non-rotatably mounted on the shaft (3) in a form-locking manner.

4. A travelator according to claim 1 or 2, characteri zed in that each belt loop (5) is a toothed belt; and each pulley (4; 41, 42, 43, 44, 45) is a toothed pulley having a toothed rim (11) arranged to be driven in meshing engagement with the toothed belt (5).

5. A travelator according to claim 4, characteri zed in that the first belt pulley (41) has a first number of teeth (Z1) and the second belt pulley (42) has a second number of teeth (Z2), the second number of teeth (Z2) being different from the first number of teeth (Z1).

6. A travelator according to claim 4, characteri zed in that the pulley assembly (10) comprises a pulley (43) as follows: the pulley (43) has a solid structured guide flange (12-1) bonded to the same part on one side of the toothed rim (11) such that the toothed rim (11) of each pulley in the pulley assembly has a guide flange (12-1) on each side thereof to provide lateral support to the belt loop (5).

7. A travelator according to claim 4, characteri zed in that the pulley assembly (10) comprises a pulley (44) as follows: the toothed rim (11) of the pulley (44) is open towards the opposite side and guide flanges (12-2) which are separate parts with respect to the pulleys are mounted between adjacent pulleys to provide lateral support to the belt loop (5).

8. A travelator according to claim 4, characteri zed in that the pulley assembly (10) comprises a pulley (45) as follows: the pulley (45) has two toothed rims (11) of solid construction joined on the same piece, open towards opposite sides; and a guide flange (12-3) arranged between the toothed rims (11), and the pulley assembly comprises a further guide flange (12-4) which is a separate part with respect to the pulleys and which is mounted between adjacent pulleys to provide lateral support to the belt loop (5).

9. A travelator according to claim 1 or 2, characteri zed in that the shaft (3) is provided with a stop member (13) against which the first end of the pulley assembly (10) is axially supported, and that at the second end of the pulley assembly the shaft (3) is provided with tightening means (16) for pressing the pulley assembly axially tightly against the stop member.

10. A travelator according to claim 1 or 2, characteri zed in that the belt wheel (4; 41, 42, 43, 44, 45) is an injection-moulded part of plastic.

11. A travelator according to claim 1 or 2, characteri zed in that the belt wheel (4; 41, 42, 43, 44, 45) is cast metal.

12. A travelator according to claim 2, characteri zed in that the first aligning and coupling element comprises a number of projections.

13. A travelator according to claim 1 or 2, characteri zed in that the individual pulleys (4; 41, 42, 43, 44, 45) are non-rotatably mounted on the shaft (3) by means of a wedge connection and/or an adhesive connection and/or a friction connection and/or by using end flanges.

14. A travelator according to claim 9, characteri zed in that the tightening device is a nut which is screwed onto a thread provided on the shaft.

15. A travelator according to claim 11, characteri zed in that the belt pulley is made of die-cast aluminium.

16. A travelator according to claim 3, characteri zed in that the pulley assembly (10) is non-rotatably mounted on the shaft (3) in a locked-form manner.

17. A travelator according to claim 13, characteri zed in that the pulley assembly (10) is non-rotatably mounted on the shaft (3) by means of a wedge connection and/or an adhesive connection and/or a friction connection and/or by using end flanges.