US 7,861,843 B2Granted

Travelator and method for controlling the operation of a travelator

AssigneeKone Corporation

InventorsEsko Aulanko, Jorma Mustalahti, Marc Ossendorf

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Abstract

Travelator, the conveyor of which comprises a frame, which comprises a stationary first frame part and a second frame part that moves in relation to it. The drive wheel is mounted on a bearing allowing rotation onto the first frame part. The power unit rotates the drive wheel. The diverting wheel is mounted on a bearing allowing free rotation onto the second frame part. The transport surfaces are connected to a traction element which is formed as an endless loop, and which is led to pass over the drive wheel and the diverting wheel. The tightening device is arranged to act between the first frame part and the second frame part to move the diverting wheel linearly away from the drive wheel in order to exert tightening force on the traction element. The travelator comprises identification means for identifying the drive status of the conveyor, and adjustment means for adjusting the tightening force of the tightening device to different force levels based on the drive status identified. In the method the drive status of the conveyor is identified, and the tightening force of the endless traction element of the conveyor of the travelator is adjusted on the basis of the drive status identified.

Travelator, employing a conveyor system, the travelator comprising:

a frame, including a first frame half, the first frame half being essentially fixed in its position, and a second frame half, with the second frame half being controlled to move in relation to the first frame half;
a drive wheel, attached to the first frame half, and mounted on a bearing allowing rotation of the drive wheel;
a power unit to generate power to cause the drive wheel to rotate rotating the drive wheel;
a diverting wheel, attached to the second frame half, and mounted on a bearing allowing free rotation of the diverting wheel;
transport surfaces, wherein the transport surfaces carry passengers;
at least one traction element formed as an endless loop, attached to the transport surfaces arranged in consecutive order, supporting passenger conveyance and with the at least one traction element is led to pass over the drive wheel and the diverting wheel;
a tightening device, arranged to act between the first frame half and the second frame half to move the diverting wheel linearly away from the drive wheel to exert tightening force on the traction element;
an identification means configured to identify a drive status of the travelator, wherein the drive status includes a drive direction of said at least one traction element;
and
an adjustment means arranged to adjust the tightening force of the tightening device to different force levels based on the drive status identified,
wherein said at least one traction element includes
an upper section, with the transport surfaces connected to the traction element travel from the first end to the second end of the conveyor to convey passengers;
and
a lower section, with the transport surfaces returning from the second end back to the first end;
wherein the upper section travels from the diverting wheel towards the drive wheel when the traction element moves in a forward drive direction;
and
wherein the upper transport section travels from the drive wheel to the diverting wheel when the traction element moves in a reverse drive direction;
and
wherein the adjustment means adjusts the tightening force of the tightening device to a force level greater than a force level associated with the forward drive direction when the traction element moves in the reverse drive direction.

16 more elements

Abstract

Claims17