Main drive shaft or deflection shaft of an escalator or moving walkway

Abstract

An adjusting ring for a moving walkway or an escalator can include a hollow cylindrical annular body and at least one adjusting screw. An outside diameter of the annular body is greater than an inner outside ring diameter of an outer ring of a roller bearing arranged adjacently in the assembled state. Furthermore, the adjusting ring can include at least one annular groove arranged concentrically to the inside diameter in a lateral ring face of the annular body which is directed against the roller bearing in the assembled state.

Claims

1. An adjusting ring comprising: a hollow cylindrical annular body; and at least one adjusting screw; wherein: the adjusting screw is arranged in a threaded hole that is formed through the annular body and ends at an inside diameter of the annular body, the inside diameter of the annular body is matched to an axle of a main drive shaft or a deflection shaft of an escalator or a moving walkway that is arranged so as to protrude in the assembled state, an outside diameter of the annular body is greater than an inner outside ring diameter of an outer ring of a roller bearing of the main drive shaft or deflection shaft arranged adjacently in the assembled state, and at least one annular groove arranged concentrically to the inside diameter is formed in a lateral ring face of the annular body which is directed against the roller bearing in the assembled state.

2. The adjusting ring of claim 1, wherein a small groove diameter of the annular groove is greater than the inner outside ring diameter of the outer ring of the roller bearing which is adjacent in the assembled state.

3. The adjusting ring of claim 2, wherein an annular projection is formed on the annular body in the region of the inside diameter, the annular projection protruding by a distance from the lateral ring face that contains the annular groove, and its projection outside diameter being smaller than the inner outside ring diameter of the outer ring of the roller bearing arranged adjacently in the assembled state.

4. The adjusting ring of claim 3, wherein a lubrication hole having an inlet opening and an outlet opening is formed in the annular body, wherein the outlet opening thereof opens into the lateral ring face between the annular groove and the inside diameter.

5. The adjusting ring of claim 3, wherein the annular groove is matched, with respect to its groove diameter and its groove cross-section, to an annular sealing element which is provided for being arranged in the annular groove and for protruding from the annular groove with a predefined overhang in the installed state.

6. The adjusting ring of claim 1, wherein an annular projection is formed on the annular body, in the region of the inside diameter, which annular projection protrudes by a distance from the lateral ring face that contains the annular groove, and its projection outside diameter is smaller than the inner outside ring diameter of the outer ring of the roller bearing arranged adjacently in the assembled state.

7. The adjusting ring of claim 6, wherein a lubrication hole having an inlet opening and an outlet opening is formed in the annular body, wherein the outlet opening thereof opens into the lateral ring face between the annular groove and the inside diameter.

8. The adjusting ring of claim 1, wherein the annular groove is matched, with respect to its groove diameter and its groove cross-section, to an annular sealing element which is provided for being arranged in the annular groove and for protruding from the annular groove with a predefined overhang in the installed state.

9. The adjusting ring of claim 8, wherein a lubrication hole having an inlet opening and an outlet opening is formed in the annular body, wherein the outlet opening thereof opens into the lateral ring face between the annular groove and the inside diameter.

10. The adjusting ring of claim 6, wherein the annular groove has an undercut forming an annular groove projection is formed in the material of the annular body, and which groove projection is provided for securing a sealing element inserted in the annular groove against emerging axially from the annular groove.

11. The adjusting ring of claim 10, wherein said ring has a sealing element.

12. The adjusting ring of claim 11, wherein the sealing element is an O-ring made of a polymer material.

13. The adjusting ring of claim 12, wherein a lubrication hole having an inlet opening and an outlet opening is formed in the annular body, wherein the outlet opening thereof opens into the lateral ring face between the annular groove and the inside diameter.

14. The adjusting ring of claim 13, wherein the inlet opening of the lubrication hole has a thread.

15. The adjusting ring of claim 13, wherein the inlet opening of the lubrication hole is arranged on a side of the annular body opposite the lateral ring face.

16. The adjusting ring of claim 13, wherein the inlet opening of the lubrication hole is arranged on a radial surface of the annular body which is delimited by the external diameter.

17. The adjusting ring of claim 16, wherein the inlet opening of the lubrication hole has a thread.

18. The moving walkway or escalator comprising the deflection shaft or the main drive shaft that comprises at least one axle and the roller bearing arranged on the axle, wherein the moving walkway or the escalator further comprises at least one adjusting ring according to claim 1, which is fastened on the axle adjacently to the roller bearing by the adjusting screw, the annular groove of the adjusting ring being directed against the roller bearing.

19. The walkway or escalator according to claim 18, wherein an annular sealing element is inserted in the annular groove of the adjusting ring, which sealing element protrudes from the annular groove with a predefined overhang, and wherein a distance that is dependent on the predefined overhang is defined between the roller bearing and the adjusting ring.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Embodiments of the disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, neither the drawings nor the description being intended to be interpreted as limiting the disclosure. In the figures:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional side view of an escalator comprising a support structure in which track rails and a revolving step belt are arranged between a first deflection region and a second deflection region;

(3) FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the section A-A indicated in FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the detail X indicated in FIG. 2;

(5) FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the detail Y indicated in FIG. 3, in a first embodiment; and

(6) FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the detail Y indicated in FIG. 3, in a second embodiment.

(7) The drawings are merely schematic, and may not be to scale. In the different figures, identical reference signs denote identical or similar features.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(8) FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional side view of an escalator 1 comprising two balustrades 3, only one balustrade 3 being visible due to the longitudinal section. A handrail 5 is arranged in a revolving manner on each balustrade 3. Furthermore, the escalator 1 has a support structure 7 which is shown in outline and carries the balustrades 3. The balustrades 3 have base plates 9, between which laterally guided steps 11 are arranged in a revolving manner. The moving walkway 1 connects, for example, a first floor E1 to a second floor E2. Rollers 13 of the steps 11 travel on track rails 15, 17, 19, 21, which are connected to the support structure 7 of the escalator 1. The support structure 7 can be a framework, a support, a foundation and the like.

(9) The steps 11 are connected to one another by means of transport chains (not shown) so as to form a revolving step belt 23, this being shown only in part for better clarity. In the region of the first floor E1, the support structure 7 comprises a first deflection region 25 having a deflection station 27, and in the region of the second floor E2 it comprises a second deflection region 29 having a drive station 31, in which the step belt 23 is deflected between a forward movement V and a return movement R. On account of the indicated arrow direction of the forward movement V and the return movement R, in the embodiment shown users are conveyed from the second floor E2 to the first floor E1. Of course, operation of the escalator 1 in the opposite direction is also possible. In order to deflect the step belt 23, a deflection shaft 33 is rotatably arranged in the first deflection region 25, and a main drive shaft 35 is rotatably arranged in the second deflection region 29. The main drive shaft 35 is connected in a rotation-transmitting manner, by a drive chain 41, to a drive pinion 39 of a drive unit 37. Of course, the drive unit 37 can also be designed differently and be arranged at another location in the escalator 1, in order to drive the step belt 23.

(10) FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the section A-A through the drive station 31, indicated in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the detail X indicated in FIG. 2. The two figures are described together in the following.

(11) The sectional plane A-A shown in FIG. 2 also intersects the main drive shaft 35 arranged in the drive station 31. In order to obtain a highly loadable, dimensionally stable and nevertheless weight-optimized construction, the main drive shaft 35 is designed as a hollow shaft structure. A main drive shaft 35 designed in this way has a stationary axle 47 which is mounted in the support structure 7 of the escalator 1. Disk-shaped flanges 55 and cup washers 57 are used at both ends of the axle 47 as connection elements for connecting to the support structure 7. The axle 47 is typically firmly screwed to the support structure 7 by means of the flanges 55 and cup washers 57. A hollow shaft 49 having two transport chain wheels 43 fastened thereto is arranged on the axle 47. In other words, the axle 47 is arranged in the hole 59 of the hollow shaft 49. The transport chains 12 of the step belt 23 are guided and deflected via the transport chain wheels 43, the steps 11 being arranged between the transport chains 12.

(12) The hollow shaft 49 and the transport chain wheels 43 connected to one another via the hollow shaft 49 are rotatably mounted on the axle 47 by means of two roller bearings 51. Depending on the embodiment, the roller bearings 51 are arranged in recesses 61 (see FIG. 3) of the transport chain wheels 43 or of the hollow shaft 49 provided for this purpose.

(13) In order that the roller bearings 51 cannot move out of the recesses 61 during operation, they are secured against an axial displacement in each case by an adjusting ring 71, which is fastened on the axle 47, adjacently to the roller bearing 51, by means of an adjusting screw 73. The adjusting ring 71 comprises a hollow cylindrical annular body 75. The adjusting screw 73 is arranged in a threaded hole 79 of the annular body 75. In order that the adjusting screw can be tightened against the axle 47, the threaded hole 79 is formed right through the annular body 75 and ends at an inside diameter D.sub.RI of the annular body 75. The inside diameter D.sub.RI of the annular body 75 is matched to the axle 47 or its outside diameter DA, such that the adjusting ring 71 can easily be pushed over the axle 47 but nevertheless does not have too much radial play with respect to the axle 47 (sliding fit). In order to secure a tightened adjusting screw 73, a lock nut 77 can be provided, as shown. Of course, other securing means, such as anaerobic adhesives, can also be used in order to secure the adjusting screw 73 in the threaded hole 79 against release.

(14) As already mentioned in the description of FIGS. 1 and 2, the escalator 1 of the present embodiment has a main drive shaft 35 and a deflection shaft 33. These are substantially identical in design, such that the same components can be used for both shafts 33, 35. Since the main drive shaft 35 drives the steps 11 or the step belt 23, it differs from the deflection shaft 33 only by a drive sprocket 45, which is arranged laterally on one of the two transport chain wheels 43 and is screwed thereto.

(15) As FIG. 3 shows, the adjusting ring 71 according to the disclosure has at least one annular groove 81. Variants of this annular groove 81 and further specific embodiments of the adjusting ring 71 are shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, which reproduce the detail Y indicated in FIG. 3 in an enlarged view.

(16) As shown in FIG. 4, an outside diameter D.sub.RA of the annular body 75 is greater than an inner outside ring diameter D.sub.LAI of an outer ring 91 of a roller bearing 51 arranged adjacently in the assembled state. As a result, in the assembled state, the roller bearing 51 is covered at the end face, at least up to over the region of its rolling bodies 93, by the annular body 75 of the adjusting ring 71. In addition, at least one annular groove 81 arranged concentrically to the inside diameter D.sub.RI is arranged in a lateral ring face 83 of the annular body 75 which is directed against the roller bearing 51 in the assembled state. In other words, the lateral ring face 83 cannot only have an annular groove 81, as shown, but rather two and more annular grooves 81, which are arranged concentrically to one another and to the inside diameter D.sub.RI the annular body 75.

(17) As also shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a small groove diameter D.sub.KN of the annular groove 81 is greater than the inner outside ring diameter D.sub.LAI of the outer ring 91 of the roller bearing 51 which is adjacent in the assembled state. As a result, the sealing zone of the annular groove 81 is located in the region of the outer ring 91, such that dirt can remain trapped in the region of the annular groove 81. In order to increase the protective effect, in the present embodiment a sealing element 85 is arranged in the annular groove 81. As a result, no dirt and no moisture can get into the region of the rolling bodies 93. As shown, the sealing element 85 can be an O-ring made of a flexible polymer material.

(18) With respect to its groove diameter D.sub.KN, D.sub.N and its groove cross-section, the annular groove 81 is matched to the annular sealing element 85, such that said element protrudes from the annular groove 81 with a predefined overhang U.sub.R when it is inserted in the annular groove 81.

(19) Furthermore, an annular projection 87 is formed on the annular body 75, in the region of the inside diameter D.sub.IR, which ring projection protrudes by a distance S.sub.B from the lateral ring face 83 which contains the annular groove 81. In this case, a projection outside diameter D.sub.B of the ring projection 87 is smaller than the inner outside ring diameter D.sub.LAI of the outer ring 91 of the roller bearing 51 arranged adjacently in the assembled state.

(20) In order to achieve a sufficient sealing effect against the ingress of moisture, the sealing element 85 must press against the adjacent lateral face 95 of the roller bearing outer ring 91 with a predetermined force. This pressing is shown symbolically in FIG. 4 by the sealing element 85 penetrating into the outer ring 91. In fact, however, the lateral face of the outer ring 91 is flat and as smooth as possible, such that the sealing element 85 rests only against the lateral face 95 and is compressed between the adjusting ring 71 and the roller bearing 51. Since the sealing element 85 has flexible material properties, it generates this force depending on the difference between the overhang U.sub.R and the distance S.sub.B. In other words, the ring projection 87 defines a distance S.sub.B between the roller bearing 51 and the adjusting ring 71, which, due to the provided force or sealing pressure, is dimensioned in a manner dependent on the predefined overhang U.sub.R.

(21) As is furthermore shown in FIG. 4, a lubrication hole 89 having an inlet opening 97 and an outlet opening 99 is formed in the annular body 75. The outlet opening 99 opens into the lateral ring face 83 of the annular body 75 between the annular groove 81 and the inside diameter D.sub.RI. Owing to the lubrication hole 89, it is possible, on the one hand, to supply lubricant, such as lubricating grease or lubricating oil, to the directly adjacent roller bearing 51. In addition, the cavity 101 between the axle 47, the roller bearing 51, the adjusting ring 71 and the sealing element 85 can also hereby be filled with lubricant, preferably lubricating grease. This additionally prevents the ingress of liquids, moisture and dirt, and also prevents condensate from being able to form in this cavity due to temperature change. As a result, corrosion of the roller bearing 51 in the recess 61 can be prevented, as a result of which a later bearing replacement is significantly simplified. In order to achieve a better distribution of the lubricant in the cavity 101, a lubricating groove 103 (see FIG. 5) can also be formed in the annular body 75. The design of said groove is based on the existing manufacturing possibilities for the adjusting ring 71 and on the properties of the lubricant, which is why further explanations regarding an ideal cross-sectional profile of the lubricating groove 103 are dispensed with at this point. The inlet opening 97 of the lubrication hole 89 is arranged on a side of the annular body 75 opposite the lateral ring face 83. The inlet opening 97 of the lubrication hole 89 has a thread 107, into which a connection (not shown) of a lubricant press can be screwed. In order to prevent lubricant, which is filled in, from escaping, a screw comprising a sealing ring can be screwed in as a stopper after the connection has been removed.

(22) FIG. 5 also shows the detail Y indicated in FIG. 3, but with an adjusting ring 71 in an alternative embodiment. Its annular groove 81 has an undercut 111, by means of which an annular groove projection 109 is formed in the material of the annular body 75. This groove projection 109 is provided for securing a sealing element 85, inserted in the annular groove 81, against emerging axially from the annular groove 81. Furthermore, the inlet opening 97 of the lubrication hole 89 is arranged on a surface of the annular body 75 that is delimited by the outside diameter DA. The inlet opening 97 is also provided with a conventional lubrication nipple 105 comprising a check valve, such that the maintenance personnel can easily refill lubricant as required without first removing a locking screw.

(23) Although FIG. 1 shows an escalator 1 comprising a step belt 23, it is obvious that the present disclosure is also suitable for a moving walkway comprising a pallet belt. It is also obvious that the different characteristics of annular grooves 81 and arrangements of inlet openings 97 can be combined with one another.

(24) Finally, it should be noted that terms such as comprising, having, etc., do not exclude other elements or steps, and terms such as a or an do not exclude a plurality. Furthermore, it should be noted that features or steps which have been described with reference to one of the above embodiments may also be used in combination with other features or steps of other embodiments described above. Reference signs in the claims should not be considered to be limiting.