Driving unit for escalators for driving the step band

In combination with an endless step band for an escalator having handrails:

• a driving unit arranged inwardly of said endless step band and comprising an electric motor and transmission means and handrail driving means for driving said handrails, said transmission means having input shaft means drivingly connected to said electric motor and also having output shaft means drivingly connected simultaneously to said handrail driving means and to said endless step band, said electric motor having an external rotor drivingly connected to said input shaft means and forming housing means for other parts of said electric motor and being journalled in an overhung manner on a portion of said input shaft means, said driving unit including a rigid handrail driving shaft and also including torque supporting means for simultaneously conveying the forces of the torque of said transmission means particularly to said rigid handrail driving shaft, said rotor having one circumferential surface designed simultaneously as a brake drum to save space and to assure compactness of the driving unit, a housing encasing said transmission means, and said electric motor including a stator flanged to said housing for said transmission means and simultaneously forming cover means for the mount of a part of said input shaft means.