Drive belt for people conveyors

Abstract

A drive belt (10; 20; 60) for a people conveyor comprises: a load bearing portion (12; 22; 62) extending in a longitudinal direction and having a length extending in the longitudinal direction and a width extending in a width direction; and a plurality of rollers (17; 27; 67) accommodated within the width of the load bearing portion (12; 22; 62). At least a part of the load bearing portion (12; 22; 62) is provided with a drive belt engagement structure (13; 23; 63). The drive belt engagement structure (13; 23; 63) in particular includes teeth (14, 25; 24), grooves (16; 26), and/or openings.

Claims

1. Drive belt for a people conveyor comprising: a load bearing portion extending in a longitudinal direction and having a length extending in the longitudinal direction and a width extending in a width direction; and a plurality of rollers accommodated within the width of the load bearing portion; wherein at least a part of the load bearing portion is provided with a drive belt engagement structure, wherein the drive belt engagement structure in particular includes teeth, grooves, and/or openings; wherein the load bearing portion comprises: a first cord extending in the longitudinal direction; and a second cord extending parallel to the first cord in the longitudinal direction; and wherein roller axles supporting the rollers are mounted to a rear side of the first and second cords, the rear side of the first and second cords being opposite to a front side of the first and second cords, the drive belt engagement structure formed on the front side.

2. Drive belt according to claim 1, wherein the roller axles extend at least partially through said teeth.

3. Drive belt according to claim 2 further comprising conveyance element axles which are attached to at least some of the roller axles.

4. Drive belt according to claim 1 further comprising conveyance element axles attached to the drive belt.

5. Drive belt according to claim 4, wherein the distance between two adjacent conveyance element axles in the longitudinal direction is between 300 mm and 500 mm.

6. Drive system for a conveyor system comprising at least one drive belt according to claim 1; and at least one drive element which is configured for engaging with the drive belt engagement structure of the at least one drive belt.

7. Drive system according to claim 6, wherein the at least one drive belt comprises first and second cords each of which comprises the drive belt engagement structure, and wherein the drive element comprises first and second drive wheels which are arranged coaxially to each other, each drive wheel engaging with the drive belt engagement structure of one of the first and second cords, respectively.

8. Drive system according to claim 6, comprising a roller guide element which is configured for accommodating and guiding the rollers.

9. Drive system according to claim 6, wherein the at least one drive element comprises a drive wheel having a diameter of less than 1000 mm.

10. Drive system according to claim 6, comprising two drive belts arranged coaxially with each other.

11. People conveyor comprising a drive system according to claim 6; conveyance element axles which are attached to at least one of the drive belts; and conveyance elements, such as steps or pallets, attached to the conveyance element axles.

12. People conveyor according to claim 11, wherein the conveyance elements travel along a path comprising a conveyance portion and a return portion, and wherein the at least one drive belt is arranged under the conveyance elements when travelling along the conveyance portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the following exemplary embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the enclosed figures.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a section of a drive belt according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

(3) FIG. 2 shows a side view of the section of the drive belt shown in FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a section of a drive belt according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention.

(5) FIG. 4 shows a side view of the section of the drive belt shown in FIG. 3.

(6) FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a section of a drive belt according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention.

(7) FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of a cord according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

(8) FIG. 7a shows a perspective view of a section of a cord, which is assembled by a plurality of cord segments.

(9) FIG. 7b shows a configuration in which the cord comprises a plurality of sub-cords extending parallel to each other.

(10) FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a turnaround portion of a chain drive with sections of two drive belts according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

(11) FIG. 9 shows a side view of a turnaround portion according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention.

(12) FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a portion of a people conveyor in which a drive belt according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention may be employed.

(13) FIG. 11 illustrates a drive system of an escalator according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

(14) FIG. 12 shows a side view of a plurality of steps mounted to a section of drive belt.

(15) FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of the configuration shown in FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(16) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a section of a drive belt 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; and FIG. 2 shows a side view thereof.

(17) The drive belt 10 has a load bearing portion 12 comprising two cords 12a, 12b extending in the longitudinal direction (from left to right in FIGS. 1 and 2). The cords 12a, 12b are made of a flexible material. A drive belt engagement structure 13 comprising alternating teeth 14 and grooves 16 is formed on one side (the lower side in the orientation of the drive belt 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) of each cord 12a, 12b.

(18) Roller axles 18 extend between the two cords 12a, 12b, in particular perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction. The roller axles 18 are accommodated in roller axle openings 19 formed within some of the teeth 14.

(19) A roller 17 is supported by each roller axle 18 via a roller bearing (not shown). In consequence, the rollers 17 are sandwiched between the two cords 12a, 12b and are able rotate freely around their respective axles 18. In alternative embodiments, which are not shown in the figures, two or more rollers 17 may be supported coaxially with each other on each of the axles 18.

(20) In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, roller axles 18 are accommodated in every third tooth 14. The skilled person, however, will understand that this is only exemplary and that the number of roller axles 18 with respect to the number of teeth 14 may be chosen differently according to the respective circumstances, which in particular include the diameter of the rollers 17.

(21) FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a section of a drive belt 20 according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 4 shows a side view thereof.

(22) The drive belt 20 depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4 also has a load bearing portion 22 comprising two cords 22a, 22b made of a flexible material and extending in the longitudinal direction. A drive belt engagement structure 23 comprising alternating teeth 24, 25 and grooves 26 is formed on one side (the lower side in FIGS. 3 and 4) of each cord 22a, 22b.

(23) Roller axles 28 supporting rollers 27 extend between the two cords 22a, 22b perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction. The roller axles 28 are mounted to a rear side 21a, 21b of the cords 22a, 22b. The rear side 21a, 21b, which is facing upwards in FIGS. 3 and 4, is the side opposite to the side of the cords 22a, 22b on which the drive belt engagement structure 23 is formed. The roller axles 28 in particular are mounted to the cords 22a, 22b by means of bolts or screws 29 extending through the cords 22a, 22b into corresponding teeth 25 of the drive belt engagement structure 23.

(24) The corresponding teeth 25 may be formed integrally with the respective cord 22a, 22b. Alternatively, the corresponding teeth 25 may be provided as separate elements, which are not formed integrally with the respective cord 22a, 22b, but which are fastened to the cords 22a, 22b together with the roller axles 28 by the bolts or screws 29.

(25) As in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the roller axles 28 are mounted to every third tooth 25. Again, the skilled person will understand that this is only exemplary and that the number of rollers 27 and roller axles 28 with respect to the number of teeth 24, 25 may be chosen differently depending on the respective circumstances.

(26) FIG. 5 depicts yet another embodiment of a drive belt 60, comprising two cords 62a, 62b extending parallel to each other, wherein the cords 62a, 62b are formed integrally with each other forming an integral load bearing portion 62.

(27) The drive belt 60 in particular comprises a plurality of belt webs 65 extending between the cords 62a, 62b and openings 69, which are formed between the cords 62a, 62b and the belt webs 65 for accommodating the rollers 67. Similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, roller axles 68 extending between the two cords 62a, 62b are supported by some of the teeth 64 of the drive belt engagement structure 63. In an alternative configuration, which is not shown in the figures, the roller axles 68 may be attached to the rear sides 61 of the cords 62a, 62b, similar to the configuration shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

(28) Optionally, the cords 12a, 12b, 22a, 22b, 62a, 62b of each drive belt 10, 20, 60 may be assembled from a plurality of cord segments 70, 72.

(29) FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of a cord 12a according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6 in particular depicts reinforcing strands 15 embedded into the cord 12a and extending in the longitudinal direction of the cord 12a. The reinforcing strands 15 may be made of a material comprising steel, stainless-steel, carbon and/or aramid. For clarity, not all reinforcing strands 15 are provided with reference signs in FIG. 6.

(30) FIG. 7a illustrates a section of a cord 12a, which is assembled from a plurality of cord segments 70, 72. In particular two cord segments 70, 72 are shown in FIG. 7a. The two cord segments 70, 72 are connected to each other by a splicing 74. At its respective ends, each cord segment 70, 72 is split apart into a plurality of straps 76, 78. The straps 76, 78 are alternately connected to each other e.g. by means of welding or by means of appropriate belt locking mechanisms (not shown) for forming the connected configuration shown in FIG. 7a.

(31) FIG. 7b shows a configuration in which the cord 12a comprises a plurality of sub-cords 80, 82 extending parallel to each other. Each sub-cord 80, 82 is assembled from a plurality of cord segments 70, 72, which are connected to each other by splicings 74, similar to the configuration shown in FIG. 7a. The splicings 74 of the different sub-cords 80, 82 are displaced with respect to each other in the longitudinal direction. This enhances the total strength of the cord 12a, as the splicings 74, which may result in weak portions of the cord 12a, are distributed along the longitudinal direction and every splicing 74 is supported by a non-spliced portion of the other sub-cord 80, 82.

(32) Assembling the cords 12a from a plurality of cord segments 70, 72 allows for an easy replacement of damaged cord segments without the need of replacing the whole cord 12a. It further allows compensating for manufacturing tolerances.

(33) FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of sections of two drive belts 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention which are arranged in a turnaround portion 6, in which the drive belts 10 are deflected. The drive belts 10 shown in FIG. 8 and the following figures correspond to the drive belts 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The skilled person, however, will understand that other embodiments of the drive belts 10, 20, 60, in particular drive belts 20, 60 as they are shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 including drive belts 10, 20, 60 which are assembled from a plurality of segments 70, 72 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, may be employed correspondingly.

(34) In the turnaround portion 6, two drive elements 32 are arranged coaxially on a common axle 30. The common axle 30 and/or drive elements 32 may be driven by an appropriate drive unit, which is not shown in the figures.

(35) Each drive element 32 includes first and second drive wheels 34a, 34b, which are arranged parallel to and coaxially with each other on the common axle 30. The first and second drive wheels 34a, 34b of each drive element 32 are spaced apart from each other in the axial direction for accommodating the rollers 17 in a gap which is formed between the first and second drive wheels 34a, 34b.

(36) A drive element engagement structure 36 matching the drive belt engagement structure 13 formed on the drive belts 10 is formed on the outer circumference of each drive wheel 34a, 34b. As a result, each drive belt 10 is in structural engagement with the drive wheels 34a, 34b of one of the drive elements 32, and the drive belts 10 may be driven by rotationally driving the drive elements 32.

(37) FIG. 9 shows a side view of a turnaround portion 6 according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 9, one of the first and second drive wheels 34a, 34b is not shown in order to show an optional roller guide wheel 38, which is arranged in the gap formed between the first and second drive wheels 34a, 34b. (There is no such roller guide wheel 38 in the configuration shown in FIG. 8.)

(38) The roller guide wheel 38 is arranged on the axle 30 coaxially with the first and second drive wheels 34a, 34b and configured to rotate integrally with the first and second drive wheels 34a, 34b. On the outer circumference of the roller guide wheel 38, a plurality of recesses 39 are formed for accommodating the rollers 17 of the drive belt 10. In consequence, the roller guide wheel 38 guides the rollers 17 around the turnaround portion 6.

(39) FIG. 9 further shows guide rails 42, 44, which are provided for guiding the rollers 17 upstream and downstream of the roller guide wheel 38.

(40) The diameter D of the drive wheels 34a, 34b may be smaller than the diameter of drive wheels employed in conventional people conveyors comprising a drive chain. The drive wheels 34a, 34b in particular may have a diameter D of less than 1000 mm, in particular a diameter between 250 mm and 750 mm, more particularly a diameter of 500 mm. Reducing the diameter D of the drive wheels 34a, 34b reduces the space needed for the turnaround portion 6, in particular in the vertical direction.

(41) FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a portion of a people conveyor 1 in which a drive belt 10, 20, 60 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention may be employed.

(42) The people conveyor 1 shown in FIG. 10 is an escalator comprising a conveyance band 55 formed of a plurality of conveyance elements (steps) 46. The people conveyor 1 comprises a truss 50 extending in the longitudinal conveying direction between a lower landing zone 52 and a corresponding upper landing zone 54 (see FIG. 11), which is not shown in FIG. 10. Two balustrades 56 supporting moving handrails 58 extend parallel to the conveyance band 55.

(43) FIG. 11 illustrates a drive system 2 of the people conveyor (escalator) 1. The drive system 2 comprises two drive belts 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The drive belts 10 extend parallel to each other between an upper turnaround portion 6, which is located at the upper landing zone 54, and a lower turnaround portion 8, which is located at the lower landing zone 52.

(44) The upper turnaround portion 6 shown in FIG. 11 corresponds to the turnaround portion 6 shown in FIG. 9. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, no drive or guide wheels 34a, 34b, 38 are arranged in the lower turnaround portion 8. Instead, the drive belts 10 are guided through the lower turnaround portion 8 by curved guide rail portions 45.

(45) In alternative embodiments, which are not shown in the figures, drive and/or guide wheels 34a, 34b, 38 may be provided in the lower turnaround portion 8 alternatively or in addition to the drive and guide wheels 34a, 34b, 38 provided in the upper turnaround portion 6.

(46) The rollers 17 are guided by straight portions of the guide rails 42, 44 along an inclined conveyance portion 7 and a corresponding return portion 9, which both extend between the two turnaround portions 6, 8.

(47) A plurality of conveyance element axles (step axles) 40 extend between the two drive belts 10 perpendicularly to the longitudinal (conveyance) direction. The conveyance element axles 40 are spaced equidistantly from each other in the longitudinal direction. The distance between two adjacent conveyance element axles 40 may be between 300 mm and 500 mm, in particular between 350 mm and 450 mm, more particularly 400 mm.

(48) The conveyance element axles 40 may be mounted to or formed integrally with selected roller axles 18. Alternatively, the conveyance element axles 40 may be mounted to the drive belts 10 separately from the roller axles 18.

(49) The conveyance element axles 40 are configured for supporting the conveyance elements 46 of the people conveyor 1 (cf. FIG. 10), which are not shown in FIG. 11.

(50) In case the cords 12a, 12b of the drive belt 10 are assembled from a plurality of cord segments 70, 72, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the length of the cord segments 70, 72 may correspond to the distance between adjacent conveyance element axles 40 so that a single conveyance element axle 40 is associated with each cord segment 70, 72.

(51) FIG. 12 shows a side view of a plurality of conveyance elements 46 mounted by means of the conveyance element axles 40 to a section of drive belt 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; and FIG. 13 shows a perspective view thereof.

(52) In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the conveyance elements 46 are provided as steps comprising movable, in particular telescopic, riser portions 47. This, however, is not mandatory and the skilled person will understand that drive belts 10, 20, 60 according to exemplary embodiments of the invention may be employed with any kind of conveyance elements 46, in particular including conventional steps and bucket steps, which are not shown in the figures.

(53) The conveyance elements 46 comprise conveyance element rollers (step rollers) 48. The conveyance elements rollers 48 are supported and guided by conveyance elements roller guide rails, which are not shown in the figures.

(54) For reducing the lateral dimension of the people conveyor 1, the drive belts 10 according to exemplary embodiments of the invention may be arranged under the conveyance elements 46, as it is illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10.

(55) In an alternative configuration, which is not shown in the figures, the drive belts 10 may be arranged besides the conveyance elements 46.

(56) Although in FIGS. 10 to 13 the use of drive belts 10 according to exemplary embodiments of the invention is shown for an escalator comprising a plurality of steps as conveyance elements 46, the skilled person will understand that drive belts 10, 20, 60 according to exemplary embodiments of the invention may be employed correspondingly in horizontal or inclined moving walkways comprising a plurality of pallets instead of steps.

(57) While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition many modifications may be made to adopt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the invention include all embodiments falling within the scope of the dependent claims.

REFERENCES

(58) 1 people conveyor

(59) 2 drive system

(60) 6 (upper) turnaround portion

(61) 7 conveyance portion

(62) 8 lower turnaround portion

(63) 9 return portion

(64) 10 drive belt

(65) 12 load bearing portion

(66) 12a first cord

(67) 12b second cord

(68) 13 drive belt engagement structure

(69) 14 tooth

(70) 15 reinforcing strand

(71) 16 groove

(72) 17 roller

(73) 18 roller axle

(74) 19 roller axle opening

(75) 20 drive belt

(76) 22 load bearing portion

(77) 22a first cord

(78) 22b second cord

(79) 23 drive belt engagement structure

(80) 24 tooth

(81) 25 tooth

(82) 26 groove

(83) 27 roller

(84) 28 roller axle

(85) 30 axle

(86) 32 drive element

(87) 34a first drive wheel

(88) 34b second drive wheel

(89) 36 drive element engagement structure

(90) 38 guide wheel

(91) 40 conveyance element axle

(92) 42, 44 guide rails

(93) 45 curved guide rail portion

(94) 46 conveyance elements

(95) 47 telescopic riser portion

(96) 50 truss

(97) 52 lower landing zone

(98) 54 upper landing zone

(99) 55 conveyance band

(100) 56 balustrade

(101) 58 handrail

(102) 60 drive belt

(103) 62 load bearing portion

(104) 62a first cord

(105) 62b second cord

(106) 63 drive belt engagement structure

(107) 64 tooth

(108) 65 web

(109) 66 groove

(110) 67 roller

(111) 68 roller axle

(112) 69 opening

(113) 70, 72 cord segments

(114) 74 splicing

(115) 76, 78 straps

(116) 80, 82 sub-cords