ESCALATOR WHICH CAN BE CONNECTED TO A LIFT

Abstract

This application relates to an escalator which comprises a structural frame, said escalator being connectible to a lift or elevator. For this purpose, fastening points for fastening components of the lift or elevator are arranged on the structural frame so that at least some of the components of the lift or elevator can be supported by means of the structural frame.

Claims

1. An escalator comprising: a structural frame comprising fastening points; wherein components of an elevator can be connected to the fastening points of the structural frame such that the components of the elevator can be supported, at least partially, by structural frame.

2. The escalator according to claim 1, wherein the escalator comprises: a first access zone arranged on a first level of a building; a second access zone arranged on a second level of the building; and an inclined zone connecting the first and second access zones with one another; wherein the components of the elevator are arranged at a side of the escalator that is outside a conveyor zone of the escalator, at the fastening points of the structural frame, wherein the elevator is located between the same levels as the escalator and connects these with one another, and wherein the elevator comprises at least one guide rail and a platform that is moved in a guided manner on the guide rail.

3. The escalator according to claim 2, wherein the at least one guide rail is connected to the structural frame, at least indirectly, by way of the fastening points.

4. The escalator according to claim 3, wherein: the at least one guide rail is arranged in the zone of one of the first and second access zones at the fastening points of the structural frame, and the at least one guide rail is arranged vertically between the first level and the second level.

5. The escalator according to claim 3, wherein the at least one guide rail is arranged, at least in the inclined zone, at the fastening points of the structural frame between the first level and the second level.

6. The escalator according to claim 2, wherein: the elevator has an elevator drive, which comprises at least one drive motor, a transmission gear, and drive wheels; the drive wheels are operatively connected to the drive motor by way of the transmission gear; and the drive wheels operate directly on the at least one guide rail, or on a drive element arranged parallel to the guide rail, so as to move the platform along the guide rail.

7. The escalator according to claim 2, wherein the elevator has a counterweight and a suspension device, which suspension device is connected at one end to the platform, and at the other end to the counterweight.

8. The escalator according to claim 7, wherein the counterweight is arranged and can be moved in a guided manner in an interior space of the escalator bounded by covering panels.

9. The escalator according to claim 7, wherein the elevator includes an elevator drive, which has a traction sheave and a drive motor, and over whose traction sheave the suspension device is guided, and the escalator includes an escalator drive, which is operatively connected to a circumferential movably arranged step chain of the escalator.

10. The escalator according to claim 7, wherein the elevator comprises a traction sheave, over which the suspension device is guided, and a controllable clutch transmission, wherein the escalator includes an escalator drive, which is operatively connected to a circumferential movably arranged step chain of the escalator, and the traction sheave can be coupled to the escalator drive of the escalator by way of the controllable clutch transmission.

11. The escalator according to claim 2, wherein the platform is provided with a sidewall surrounding it on all sides, wherein the sidewall has a lockable access door on at least one side of the platform.

12. The escalator according to claim 2, wherein the platform is configured as a car floor and, enclosing a car interior, is provided with car walls, a car roof, and at least one car door.

13. The escalator according to claim 2, wherein barriers are provided that separate a travel zone of the platform from the escalator.

14. The escalator according to claim 2, further comprising an access control system, which access control system comprises at least one console with a registration device for the registration of user data, and a blocking device, wherein depending on registered user data, access to the platform can be blocked or released by the blocking device.

15. A method for the modernisation of an existing escalator, the method comprising: connecting the escalator to an elevator using fastening points are arranged on a structural frame of the escalator for the fastening of components of the elevator.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] In what follows, different embodiments are described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein neither the figures nor the description are to be interpreted as restricting the invention.

[0025] FIG. 1 shows a three-dimensional representation of an escalator with components of an elevator arranged at fastening points of the escalator structural frame in accordance with a first example of embodiment;

[0026] FIG. 2 shows a three-dimensional representation of the structural frame with the fastening points of the escalator represented in FIG. 1;

[0027] FIG. 3 shows a three-dimensional representation of an escalator with components of an elevator arranged at fastening points of the escalator structural frame in accordance with a second example of embodiment.

[0028] The figures are only schematic and are not true to scale. Identical reference symbols in the various figures indicate identical features or features that operate in the same manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] FIG. 1 shows a three-dimensional representation of an escalator 1, which connects a first floor E1 of a building 100 with a second floor E2. The escalator 1 has a first access zone 2, which is arranged on the first level E1 of the building 100. Furthermore, the escalator 1 has a second access zone 3, which is arranged on the second level E2 of the building 100. In addition, the escalator 1 has an inclined zone 4, which connects the two access zones 2, 3.

[0030] A conveyor zone 12 of the escalator 1 extends in its length between the two access zones 2, 3. The escalator 1 contains a structural frame 6, which in the present example of embodiment is designed as a truss (see also FIG. 2). In the structural frame 6 there are two invisible turning zones 7, 8, between which a step chain 5 is circumferentially guided. The turning zones 7, 8 of the step chain 5 are in each case hidden under a floor covering 9 of the two access zones 2, 3. Two balustrades 10, 11, each of which has a circumferential handrail 13, 14, extend on either side of the conveyor zone 12. The balustrades 10, 11 are in each case connected to the structural frame 6 at their lower end by means of a balustrade base 15, 16.

[0031] At the side of the escalator 1, and outside its conveyor zone 12, fastening points 20 are arranged for the fastening of components of an elevator 30. The fastening points 20 are formed directly on the structural frame 6 (see FIG. 2). The components of an elevator 30 include, in particular guide rails 31, a platform 32 for the accommodation of users and/or objects to be transported, and an elevator drive 33. In the present example of embodiment, two guide rails 31 are fastened at the fastening points 20, parallel to each other and vertically spaced apart, in the inclined zone 4 of the escalator 1.

[0032] The platform 32 can move in a guided manner on these guide rails 31. For safety reasons, a sidewall 38 is provided, arranged on the platform 32, and surrounding it on all sides. Needless to say, the platform 32 can also be configured as an elevator car 42, as is indicated by the broken line.

[0033] The platform 32 is moved by means of the elevator drive 33, which is integrated in the platform 32. The elevator drive 33 comprises a drive motor 34, a transmission gear 35, and drive wheels 36, wherein in the present example of embodiment these components are largely concealed by the sidewall 38. The drive wheels 36 are operatively connected to the drive motor 34 by way of the transmission gear 35. To move the platform 32 along the guide rails 31, the drive wheels 36 operate directly on the guide rails 31, or on a drive element arranged parallel to the guide rail 31, for example a rack.

[0034] In addition, the escalator 1 comprises an escalator drive 22, which is operatively connected to the circumferentially arranged step chain 5 of the escalator 1. The circumferentially arranged handrails 14 are also driven by the escalator drive 22, wherein for the sake of clarity the representation of the transmission line between the handrails 14, 15, the step chain 5, and the escalator drive 22 has been omitted.

[0035] To ensure that access to the platform 32 is only possible if the platform is in the appropriate access zones, the sidewall 38 is fitted with an access door 39. The elevator 30 is controlled by an elevator controller 40, which in the present example of embodiment is arranged on the sidewall 38 of the platform 32. If a user wants to use the platform 32, he or she can enter a user command at one of the two consoles 41, which command is passed on to the elevator controller 40. The latter controls the elevator 30 such that the platform 32 is moved to the correct access zone 2, 3, and the access door 39 provides access. The user can then enter the platform 32, wherein at least one sensor, or a further input by the user to the elevator controller 40, provides a feedback that the platform 32 is now ready to move. This now controls the elevator drive 33 so that the platform 32 travels to the other access zone 2, 3 and, once there, again releases the access door 39 to allow departure from the platform 32.

[0036] In other words, if, for example, a user command is entered at the console 41 in the access zone 2 of level E1, the platform travels to level E1. Once it reaches this level, the access door 39 opens, and the user can enter the platform 32. When the user is within the sidewall 38, the access door 39 closes and the platform 32 travels to level E2. As soon as the end position of the platform 32 on level E2 is reached, the access door 39 opens again, and the user is free to enter the level E2. To prevent anyone from falling from the level E2 to the level E1, an access barrier 43 must be provided on level E2, which only opens when the platform 32 is in the end position on level E2. The double arrow 44 indicates that the access barrier 43 can move horizontally. Needless to say, a vertically sliding access barrier 43 can also be deployed.

[0037] If required, additional information concerning the user can be requested at the console 41, so that only authorised users, such as disabled or infirm persons, persons with pushchairs or shopping trolleys, or persons with escalator anxiety, can access the platform 32.

[0038] As already mentioned, FIG. 2 shows a three-dimensional representation of the structural frame 6 of the escalator 1 shown in FIG. 1. The structural frame 6 is embodied as a truss structure. This comprises top chords 25, bottom chords 29, diagonal braces 28 and uprights 26, which are welded together to form truss girders. The truss girders are connected to one another by means of a braced floor structure 23 and cross braces 24. On the front face, two support brackets 21 are arranged on the structural frame 6, by way of which the entire structural frame 6 is supported at one end at level E1, and at the other end at level E2, of the building 100. Correspondingly, the components of the escalator 1 and the elevator 30 (see FIG. 1), which will later be fitted in and on the structural frame 6, are also supported by way of the two support brackets 21. On one side of the structural frame 6, in the inclined zone 4, the fastening points 20 are also arranged on the uprights 26 for components of the elevator 30; specifically, for the guide rails 31 of the elevator 30.

[0039] The advantageous configuration of the structural frame 6 with fastening points 20 makes it possible to connect the escalator 1 to an elevator 30, as shown in FIG. 1, and thereby to use the structural frame 6 of the escalator 1 as a structural frame for the fitted elevator components. The elevator 30, by this means associated with the escalator 1, is located between the same levels E1, E2 of the building 100 as the escalator 1, so that the platform 32 of the elevator 30 can transport users or goods parallel to the step chain 5.

[0040] FIG. 3 shows a three-dimensional representation of an escalator 1 with components of an elevator 50 arranged at fastening points 60 of the escalator structural frame 6 in accordance with a second example of embodiment. As the escalator 1 is essentially identical to the escalator 1 in the first example of embodiment shown in FIG. 1, no detailed description is given of the latter. The second example of embodiment differs from the first essentially in the different configuration of the elevator 50, and its arrangement on the structural frame 6 of the escalator 1.

[0041] The elevator 50 comprises a platform 52 configured as an elevator car, which is moved in a guided manner on vertical guide rails 51. The platform 52 has car walls 53, a roof 54 and two opposing doors 55, 56.

[0042] The guide rails 51 are fastened to the fastening points 60 and extend between the two levels E1, E2 of the building 100. In the present example of embodiment, the fastening points 60 are located in the access zone 3 of the second level E2. In addition, the guide rails 51 can also be supported on, or in fact fastened to, the floor of the first level E1.

[0043] Needless to say, the guide rails 51 could also be arranged in the access zone 2 of the first level E1, and could extend vertically up to the second level E2.

[0044] The elevator 50 also has a counterweight 57, which is guided by means of counterweight rails, not shown, in an interior 68 of the escalator 1 that is bounded by covering panels 67. Between the counterweight 57 and the platform 52, which is configured as a car, is arranged a suspension means or device 58, for example a wire cable, or an elevator belt. The suspension device 58 is guided over a traction sheave 59 and is driven by the latter when the counterweight 57, the suspension device 58, and the platform 52, move. The traction sheave 59 is connected to the escalator drive 22 by way of a controllable clutch transmission 61.

[0045] To prevent persons from entering the movement zone of the platform 52, barriers 71, 62 are provided with entry gates 63. These are only examples; for example, instead of the barriers 71, 62, a shaft made of glass panels can also be provided, and instead of the entry gates 63, shaft doors can be provided in the shaft to ensure better protection. Furthermore, the barriers 71, 62 and the entry gates 63, together with the consoles 41, can form part of an access control system 70. For this purpose, the console 41 contains at least one registration device for the registration of user data, and accordingly controls the entry gates 63, which here serve as blocking devices. This enables the access to the platform 32, 52 to be blocked or released by the blocking device, depending on the user data registered.

[0046] As in the first example of embodiment in FIG. 1, two consoles 41 are also provided in the example of embodiment in FIG. 3. The consoles 41 serve to register user commands, which can be forwarded to an escalator controller 64. In the present example of embodiment, the escalator controller 64 on the one hand controls the operation of the escalator 1, and on the other hand the operation of the elevator 50, in that it also activates the controllable clutch transmission 61.

[0047] Needless to say, a variety of safety devices such as sensors, brakes, and similar, can be provided for the escalator 1 and the elevator 50 to ensure smooth and safe operation. For reasons of clarity, however, these are not shown in either FIG. 1 or FIG. 3.

[0048] Although FIGS. 1 and 3 show differently configured elevators 30, 50, the different designs can obviously be combined with one another, or modules can be exchanged. Thus, in the first example of embodiment, a counterweight and a suspension mean can also be provided. In addition, in the second example of embodiment, the elevator can comprise its own elevator drive and its own elevator controller.

[0049] Finally, it should be noted that terms such as having, comprising, etc. do not exclude other elements or steps, and that terms such as one do not exclude a multiplicity of the latter. It should furthermore be noted that features or steps described with reference to one of the above examples of embodiment can also be used in combination with other features or steps of other examples of embodiment as described above. Reference symbols in the claims are not to be regarded as a restriction.