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Title:
ARTICULATE MOVING WALKWAY CONFIGURATION
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2011/040930
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A moving walk (10) includes at least one modular drive (14) located at a floor (24) and a plurality of interconnected pallets (12) in operably connected to the at least one modular drive (14). The plurality of pallets (12) are arranged at the floor (24) such that a first moving walk portion (16) located at a first side of the at least one modular drive (14) is urged by the at least one modular drive (14) in a first direction, and a second moving walk portion (18) located at a second side opposite the first side of the at least one modular drive (14) is urged by the at least one modular drive (14) in a second direction. Further disclosed is a modular drive (14) for a moving walk (10).

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Inventors:
PARK CHAN-JONG (AT)
DUERRER ALBRECHT (AT)
Application Number:
PCT/US2009/059376
Publication Date:
April 07, 2011
Filing Date:
October 02, 2009
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
OTIS ELEVATOR CO (US)
PARK CHAN-JONG (AT)
DUERRER ALBRECHT (AT)
International Classes:
B66B21/10; B66B23/02
Foreign References:
JP2000229774A2000-08-22
JP2000229775A2000-08-22
JP2001019326A2001-01-23
KR100319937B12002-01-05
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
WIMPE, James, E. (20 Church Street22nd Floo, Hartford Connecticut, US)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS:

1. A moving walk (10) comprising: at least one modular drive (14) disposed at a floor (24); and a plurality of interconnected pallets (12) in operable communication with the at least one modular drive (14) and arranged at the floor (24) such that a first moving walk portion (16) disposed at a first side of the at least one modular drive (14) is urged by the at least one modular drive (14) in a first direction, and a second moving walk portion (18) disposed at a second side opposite the first side of the at least one modular drive (14) is urged by the at least one modular drive (14) in a second direction.

2. The moving walk (10) of Claim 1 wherein the at least one modular drive (14) comprises: a drive machine (52); at least one drive pulley (46) in operable communication with the drive machine (52), an axis of rotation (50) of the drive pulley (46) disposed substantially perpendicular to the floor (24) at which the modular drive (14) is disposed; at least one idler pulley (48) disposed at a distance from the drive pulley (46) and having an axis of rotation (50) substantially perpendicular to the floor (24); and a walkway drive (56) disposed around a drive diameter (58) of the at least one drive pulley (46) and around an idler pulley diameter (60) of the at least one idler pulley (48), the walkway drive (56) movable via rotation of the drive pulley (46) about the axis of rotation (50) of the drive pulley (46).

3. The moving walk (10) of Claim 2 wherein at least one pallet (12) of the plurality of pallets (12) is secured to the walkway drive (56).

4. The moving walk (10) of Claim 2 wherein the walkway drive (56) is one of a belt, rope or chain.

5. The moving walk (10) of Claim 2 including at least one tensioner (62) in operable communication with the idler pulley (48) to bias the idler pulley (48) away from the drive pulley (46).

6. The moving walk of Claim 1 wherein the plurality of pallets 12 is removably connected to the at least one modular drive (14) at a desired location along the moving walk (10).

7. The moving walk (10) of Claim 1 wherein the at least one modular drive (14) is two or more modular drives (14) arranged in series at the floor (24).

8. The moving walk (10) Claim 7 wherein the plurality of pallets (12) extends around the two or more modular drives (14).

9. The moving walk (10) of Claim 7 including one or more driven sections (30) at which at least one of the plurality of pallets (12) is disconnected from a walkway drive (56).

10. The moving walk (10) of Claim 9 wherein the one or more driven sections (30) are disposed between adjacent modular drives (14) of the two or more modular drives (14).

11. The moving walk (10) of Claim 9 wherein one or more pallet guides (32) are disposed at the one or more driven sections (30) to guide the plurality of pallets (12) through the one or more driven sections (30).

12. The moving walk (10) of Claim 7 wherein the moving walk (10) changes direction between successive modular drives (14) of the two or more modular drives (14).

13. The moving walk (10) of Claim 7 wherein the plurality of pallets (12) change elevation between successive modular drives (14) of the two or more modular drives (14).

14. The moving walk (10) of Claim 7 including one or more floor plates (44) disposed over the moving walk (10) for passenger entrance and/or exit from the moving walk (10).

15. The moving walk (10) of Claim 1 wherein the first direction is substantially parallel to and opposite the second direction.

16. The moving walk (10) of Claim 1 wherein each pallet (12) of the plurality of pallets (12) is substantially circular in shape.

17. A modular drive (14) for a moving walk (10) comprising: a drive machine (52); at least one drive pulley (46) in operable communication with the drive machine (52), an axis of rotation (50) of the drive pulley (46) disposed substantially perpendicular to a floor (24) at which the modular drive (14) is disposed; at least one idler pulley (48) disposed at a distance from the drive pulley (46) and having an axis of rotation (50) substantially perpendicular to the floor (24); and a walkway drive (56) disposed around a drive diameter (58) of the at least one drive pulley (46) and around an idler diameter (60) of the at least one idler pulley (48), the walkway drive (56) movable via rotation of the drive pulley (46) about the axis of rotation (50) of the drive pulley (46).

18. The modular drive (14) of Claim 17 wherein the walkway drive (56) is one of a belt, chain or rope.

19. The modular drive (14) of Claim 17 including at least one tensioner (62) in operable communication with the idler pulley (48) to bias the idler pulley (48) away from the drive pulley (46).

20. A moving walkway (34) substantially as described herein and illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Description:
ARTICULATE MOVING WALKWAY CONFIGURATION

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to moving walkway configurations.

[0002] Moving walkways are typically constructed in one of two basic styles, either pallet type or moving belt type. A moving belt type moving walkway typically includes a mesh metal or rubber belt disposed over a series of rollers. A pallet type moving walkway typically includes a continuous series of plates (or pallets) joined together to form a walkway. The moving walkway includes an assembly of trusses which houses the drive mechanism which drives the series of pallets. The pallet band is engaged to the drive mechanism at a main drive sprocket via a chain. As the mechanism drives the sprocket, the pallet band is driven along the truss assembly from a passenger carrying portion to a return portion, which is typically located below the passenger carrying portion. The walkway assembly including the trusses, drive mechanism and the return portion are typically located in a pit constructed for that purpose. Often, parallel moving walkways, operating in opposite directions are desired, thus requiring two pits, two drive mechanisms and two pallet bands. Further, to carry passengers over extended distances, which in some case may include changes in direction, multiple moving walkways arranged in series are utilized.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0003] According to one aspect of the invention, a moving walk includes at least one modular drive located at a floor and a plurality of interconnected pallets operably connected to the at least one modular drive. The plurality of pallets is arranged at the floor such that a first moving walk portion located at a first side of the at least one modular drive is urged by the at least one modular drive in a first direction, and a second moving walk portion located at a second side opposite the first side of the at least one modular drive is urged by the at least one modular drive in a second direction.

[0004] According to another aspect of the invention, a modular drive for a moving walk includes a drive machine and at least one drive pulley operably connected to the drive machine. An axis of rotation of the drive pulley is substantially perpendicular to a floor at which the modular drive is located. At least one idler pulley is located at a distance from the drive pulley and has a idler pulley axis substantially perpendicular to the floor. A walkway drive is located around a drive diameter of the at least one drive pulley and an idler diameter of the at least one idler pulley and is movable via rotation of the drive pulley about the axis of rotation of the drive pulley . These and other advantages and features will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] The subject matter, which is regarded as the invention, is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0006] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of a moving walk;

[0007] FIG. 2 is a plan view of another embodiment of a moving walk;

[0008] FIG. 3 is a plan view of yet another moving walk;

[0009] FIG. 4 is a plan view of still another embodiment of a moving walk;

[0010] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a moving walk;

[0011] FIG. 6 is a plan view of an embodiment of a modular drive for a moving walk; and

[0012] FIG. 7 is a plan view of yet another embodiment of a moving walkway.

[0013] The detailed description explains embodiments of the invention, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Shown in FIG. 1 is an embodiment of a moving walk 10. The moving walk 10 includes a plurality of pallets 12 which are disposed at at least one modular drive 14. The plurality of pallets 12 may be interconnected and are arranged to form a first moving walk portion 16 and a second moving walk portion 18 disposed at opposite sides 20 of each- modular drive 14 of the at least one modular drive 14 and driven in opposing directions 22 along a floor 24 or other surface by the at least one modular drive 14. In some embodiments, the first moving walk portion 16 and the second moving walk portion 18 may be substantially parallel. As shown in FIG. 1, the modular drives 14 may be arranged such that the first moving walk portion 16 and the second moving walk portion 18 are substantially linear and the moving walk 10 includes a reversal portion 26 at each end connecting the first moving walk portion 16 and the second moving walk portion 18. In some embodiments, individual pallets 12 of the plurality of pallets 12 are engaged with the at least one modular drive 14 at one or more drive sections 28 of the moving walk 10. At each drive section 28, the modular drive 14 urges the pallets 12 in the desired direction 22. In embodiments including more than one modular drive 14, drive sections 28 may be linked by one or more driven sections 30 which are not directly engaged with any of the more than one modular drive 14. One or more pallet guides 32 may be disposed along the moving walk 10 between two adjacent modular drives 14 to guide the plurality of pallets 12 through the driven sections 30 in the desired direction. In addition to locations between modular drives 14, the reversal portions 26 may also be driven sections 30 with pallet guides 32 disposed thereat (not shown in FIG. 1).

[0015] In other embodiments, as shown in FIGs. 2 - 4, two or more modular drives 14 may be disposed at angles relative to each other so that the moving walk 10 changes direction between modular drives 14 at the driven sections 30. For example, the moving walks 10 shown in FIGs. 2 and 3 utilize two modular drives 14 and the moving walk 10 shown in FIG. 4 utilizes three modular drives 14, but other quantities of drive modules 14, including four, five, or ten or more drive modules 14, are contemplated within the present scope to construct a moving walk 10 of a desired length and shape. Referring to FIGs. 2 and 3, the embodiments of moving walks 10 shown include two modular drives 14 disposed at angles to one another. The resulting moving walk 10 includes driven sections 30 which travel along a curvilinear path between the two modular drives 14.

[0016] If there is necessity to change the moving walk configuration with different angle between two adjacent modular drives, it can be easily accomplished by modifying locations of the pallet guides 32 and/or adjusting the number of pallets 12 in driven section 30.

[0017] Referring now to FIG. 4, in some embodiments, a first modular drive 34 is disposed substantially parallel to a second modular drive 36 and offset at a desired distance 38. The driven section 30 therebetween proceeds at an angle 40 relative to the first modular drive 34 and the second modular drive 36. Further, as previously described with reference to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the driven section 30 may travel along a curvilinear path, for example, turning approximately 90 degrees, as shown between the second modular drive 36 and a third modular drive 42. It is to be appreciated that these are merely examples and that changes of direction other than those described herein are contemplated within the present scope.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 5, which is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a moving walk in accordance with the present invention, the moving walk 10 may change elevation between modular drives 14. The elevation may increase and/or decrease as shown, for example, between a first modular drive 34 and a second modular drive 36. Further, the elevation may change along a modular drive 14. The elevation changes described are merely exemplary and other configurations of elevation changes are contemplated within the present scope. Further, the elevation changes described herein may be combined with the changes in direction described above in configuring of the moving walk 10 (not shown).

[0019] Referring again to FIG. 4, one or more floor plates 44 may be disposed at the reversal portion 26 to allow for passenger entrance to and/or exit from the moving walk 10. Further, additional floor plates 44 may be disposed at one or more of the driven sections 30 thus creating additional points for passenger entrance to and/or exit from the moving walk 10.

[0020] Shown in FIG. 6 is an embodiment of the at least one modular drive 14 for the moving walk 10. The modular drive 14 includes at least one drive pulley 46 and at least one idler pulley 48 located at a distance from the drive pulley 46 at the floor 24 or other surface. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, one drive pulley 46 and one idler pulley 48 are illustrated, but other quantities of drive pulleys 46 and idler pulleys 48 are contemplated by the present disclosure. The drive pulley 46 and the idler pulley 48 are disposed such that an axis of rotation 50 of the drive pulley 46 and the idler pulley 48 is substantially perpendicular to the floor 24. A drive machine 52 is operably connected to the drive pulley 46 via, for example a machine belt 54 to urge rotation of the drive pulley 46 about the axis of rotation 50. In some embodiments, the drive machine 52 is located between the drive pulley 46 and the idler pulley 48. At least one walkway drive 56, which in some embodiments is a belt or rope or chain or the like, is disposed around a drive diameter 58 of the drive pulley 46 and extends between the drive pulley 46 and the idler pulley 48 and around an idler diameter 60 of the idler pulley 48. In some embodiments, a tensioner 62, for example, a spring, is connected to the idler pulley 48 and acts to bias the idler pulley 48 away from the drive pulley 46 to ensure a desired tension in the walkway drive 56. It is to be appreciated that the embodiment of modular drive 14 described herein is merely exemplary, and that other embodiments of modular drives 14 are contemplated within the present scope. Another configuration of a drive machine 52 disposed between adjacent walkway drives 56 is also possible, is shown in FIG. 7. One drive machine 52 can connect to two drive pulleys 46 at the same time. A connection angle between two drive pulleys 46 can be adjusted according to the arrangement of two modular drives 14.

[0021] When a particular pallet 12 moves from the drive section 28 to the driven section 30, the pallet 12 is disengaged from the walkway drive 56 via, for example, a mechanical or electronic apparatus, such that the pallets 12 in the driven section 30 are moved through the driven section 30 by pallets 12 at the drive sections 28 via

interconnections between the pallets 12. Movement of pallets 12 in the driven section 30 may also be guided by pallet guides 32, as shown for example in FIGs. 1-4. When each pallet 12 returns to a drive section 28, the pallet 12 reengages with the walkway drive 56.

[0022] Referring again to FIG. 6, as the drive machine 52 urges rotation of the drive pulley 46, the walkway drive 56 pulls the plurality of pallets 12 through the drive section 28 along a path substantially defined by the positions of the drive pulley 46 and the idler pulley 48. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, each pallet 12 of the plurality of pallets 12 is shaped at a front 66 of the pallet to facilitate ease of movement and rotation relative to adjacent pallets 12 and other components, including the pallet guides 32 during operation of the moving walk 10. For example, the pallets 12 may be semi-circular in shape, but it is to be appreciated that other shapes of pallets 12 are contemplated within the present scope. [0023] While the invention has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the invention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention.

Additionally, while various embodiments of the invention have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention may include only some of the described

embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.