FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is a people mover as defined in the preamble of claim 1 and a method as defined in the preamble of claim 33, and a people mover as defined in the preamble of claim 40.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In prior-art travelator arrangements people are moved on consecutive pallets, which form a continuous moving track. The pallets are connected to each other with a transmission chain, the pulling of which moves the pallets. The chain is connected to a pallet with, for instance, a pin in the center part of the pallet, which pin is mounted on a bearing that allows it to rotate in relation to the pallet. The pallet track formed by the pallets comprises an upper track section, i.e. a conveyor part, on which the passengers can stand or walk, and a lower track section, i.e. a return part, the pallets of which return part move below the pallets of the conveyor part and in the opposite direction in relation to them. Both ends of the conveyor comprise an arrangement for turning the direction of the pallets and for moving the pallets between the conveyor part and the return part. When moving a pallet between the conveyor part and the return part, it is guided to travel a curved path of movement until its direction of movement has turned to the desired direction. This is most generally done such that a diverting pulley turns the direction of movement of the transmission chain, to which diverting pulley each pallet is fixed, in which case the pallet experiences the direction of movement in the area of the direction change of the path of movement according to a circular curve. A problem in prior-art solutions is that when the direction of movement of a pallet is turned, the pallets in the area of turning exert variable forces on the transmission chain, which causes pulsations in the chain in its longitudinal direction and which can be transmitted to the passengers on the conveyor section as jerking and thus cause discomfort. The aforementioned variable forces in the area of turning are caused by the fact that when a pallet is moved between the upper track and the lower track the direction of movement of the pallet changes gradually from horizontal movement into vertical movement. When a pallet is changing direction it switches to being supported by the chain and the chain supports the pallet in the vertical direction during the change of direction. When pallets are between the areas of direction change, i.e. on the upper track or on the lower track, the pallets are supported in the vertical direction by means of guides. Each pallet on the upper track and on the lower track is supported on guides under the rolls, along which guides the pallet travels. When supported in the vertical direction on the guides, the mass of the pallet does not directly hang from the chain but instead the mass mainly produces rolling resistance on the pallet, at least on the horizontal sections of the people mover.

It has been noticed that, from the viewpoint of drive comfort, it is very essential to reduce the pulsation of the pallet track, which pulsation is produced when raising a pallet from the lower track to the upper track at the end opposite the drive end when driving forwards (= the motor pulls the load of the upper track) . Work needs to be performed for moving a pallet from the lower track to the upper track, to the extent of the change of the potential energy of the pallet. A corresponding force variation is caused, however, also when a pallet is moved from the upper track to the lower track.

Alongside the aforementioned reasons, the pallets produce a variation in the chain/elsewhere in the pallet track owing to centrifugal forces, because the pallet is controlled to change its direction with such a small radius that the change of direction event increases momentarily the force exerted on the chain. The aforementioned phenomena cause problems also at the drive end, i.e. at the end to which the motor is connected. The effect of the problems depends on the arrangement with which power is transmitted from the motor to the chain, but e.g. when the motor is connected in a driving manner to the diverting pulley of the chain, which diverting pulley drives the chain, the pallets in a change of direction at both ends can simultaneously cause a pulsating additional load between the motor and the driving diverting pulley, which can cause problems, e.g. wearing of the transmissions or noise.

Owing to low chain tension, the pulsation described above causes problems more particularly in travelators, since the pulsation generated is in an awkward range for a passenger from the viewpoint of ride comfort because the natural frequency of a standing person is, for a person of medium height, in the same range as the pulsation. From the viewpoint of a passenger this means quite an unpleasant situation. When the walking frequency of a person is also in the same range (1...2Hz depending on how hurried) , the situation is quite awkward.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to eliminate, among others, the aforementioned drawbacks of prior-art solutions. More particularly the aim of the invention is to produce a more advanced people mover, preferably a travelator or corresponding. Further, the aim of the invention is to produce a people mover, the ride comfort of which is better than before. The object of the invention is to achieve one or more of the following advantages, among others:

- A people mover is achieved, in which the ride comfort is better than before.

- A people mover is achieved, in which the pulsation of the track is less than before.

- A people mover is achieved, the interference susceptibility to changes in the load of which is less than before.

- A people mover is achieved, in which the noise produced is less than before.

- A people mover is achieved, the wear of the parts of which can be reduced and the service life of said parts improved.

- A people mover and method are achieved, with which the excitation generated by raising a pallet can be damped.

- A people mover is achieved, the amplitude of vibration of which is more advantageous than before. - A method is achieved, with which the amplitude of the vibration of a people mover can be changed to be advantageous .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The people mover according to the invention can be said to be characterized by what is disclosed in the characterization part of claim 1. The method according to the invention can be said to be characterized by what is disclosed in the characterization part of claim 33. The second people mover according to the invention can be said to be characterized by what is disclosed in the characterization part of claim 40. Other embodiments of the invention are characterized by what is disclosed in the other claims. Some inventive embodiments are also presented in the descriptive section and in the drawings of the present application. The inventive content of the application can also be defined differently than in the claims presented below. The inventive content may also consist of several separate inventions, especially if the invention is considered in the light of expressions or implicit sub-tasks or from the point of view of advantages or categories of advantages achieved. In this case, some of the attributes contained in the claims below may be superfluous from the point of view of separate inventive concepts. The features of the various embodiments can be applied within the framework of the basic inventive concept in conjunction with other embodiments .

According to the invention, the people mover, more particularly a travelator or corresponding, comprises a plurality of pallets or corresponding for carrying and moving people, which pallets are arranged one after the other and form an endless track, which track comprises an upper track section and a lower track section, and which people mover comprises an area of direction change of the pallets or corresponding, when in which area a pallet or corresponding is arranged to move between the upper track section and the lower track section (and to move in this case in the vertical direction) , and a motor for producing the driving force needed to move the pallets or corresponding. The people mover comprises a flywheel, which is arranged to even out with its rotational energy the movement in the travel direction of the pallet track

(particularly by reducing pulsation, more particularly pulsation that is caused by a change of direction of the pallets) . The pulsation produced by a change of direction of the pallets is an intermittent force variation in the travel direction of the pallet track exerted on the power transmission means of the pallets and is thus also transmitted to the pallets of the conveyor part, causing unevenness in the movement of the pallets of the pallet track and manifests as jerk. Correspondingly, the solution is also suited to pulsation, which is a force variation in the travel direction of the pallet track exerted on the power transmission means of the pallets, that is caused by other reasons.

In one embodiment of the invention the motor is connected via power transmission means to the pallets or corresponding and a flywheel is connected to the aforementioned power transmission means, and that the flywheel receives its rotational energy from the motor

(via power transmission means) and is arranged to rotate when the pallets or corresponding move and to even out the movement of the pallet track with its rotational energy.

In one embodiment of the invention the flywheel is connected to the power transmission means, preferably to the transmission chain or corresponding of the power transmission means, essentially rigidly. In this way the flywheel does not in itself produce detrimental pulsation and is simple and effective in preventing problems caused by a change of direction. Force can thus be conducted from the flywheel essentially without delay to the transmission chain or corresponding, and thus a detrimental stress impulse caused by a pallet or corresponding that is in a change of direction is not able to pass onwards along the transmission chain or corresponding. The aforementioned rigid connection is preferably as rigid as possible.

In one embodiment of the invention a flywheel is essentially rigidly connected to the transmission chain or corresponding via the diverting pulley that guides the transmission chain or corresponding, to which diverting pulley the flywheel is preferably connected with a power transmission, most preferably with a belt or corresponding, and with diverting pulleys. In this way a compact and effective solution is achieved. An advantage of a belt is noiselessness and a simple friction coupling option that yields in a problem situation. Alternatively, instead of the belt there could be a chain or even a gear wheel transmission. In one embodiment of the invention when the people mover

(1) is moving at normal drive speed, which is preferably

0.5-2 m/s, the speed of rotation of the flywheel (8) is over 200 rpm, preferably over 300 rpm, even more preferably over 400 rpm.

In one embodiment of the invention the mass of the flywheel is over 10 kg, preferably over 20 kg, even more preferably 30 kg or over. The mass of the flywheel is in this case so big in relation to the mass of the pallet or corresponding that the forces produced in it by the raising of a pallet do not essentially slow down its speed of rotation.

In one embodiment of the invention the mass of an individual pallet or corresponding is less than 40 kg, preferably less than 35 kg, most preferably approx. 30 kg.

In one embodiment of the invention the flywheel is arranged to even out with its rotational the energy movement of the pallet track by conveying its kinetic energy to the power transmission means (preferably at least during movement of a pallet between the upper track and the lower track) .

In one embodiment of the invention the rotational energy of the flywheel when the people mover is moving is essentially greater than the kinetic energy of an individual pallet or corresponding.

In one embodiment of the invention the rotational energy of the flywheel when the people mover is moving is in the same order of magnitude as the total kinetic energy of all the pallets.

In one embodiment of the invention the inertia of the flywheel is over 0.5 kgm ² , preferably over 1.0 kgm ² , even more preferably over 1.5 kgm ² , most preferably of all 2.0 kgm ² or more, and

- when the people mover is moving at normal drive speed the speed of rotation of the flywheel (8) is over 200 rpm, preferably over 300 rpm, even more preferably over 400 rpm, and

- the speed of movement of the pallets of the people mover when the people mover is moving at normal drive speed is over 0.5 m/s, preferably 0.5-2 m/s, and

- the mass of an individual pallet is less than 40 kg, preferably less than 35 kg, most preferably approx. 30 kg. In one embodiment of the invention the flywheel is arranged at the end of the people mover, which is the end where the pallets or corresponding rise from the lower track to the upper track (the flywheel is connected to the power transmission means 2,6 at the end in question for this reason) . In this case that is where the excitation that is characteristic to the system will be generated and thus the excitation produced by raising a pallet can be damped. This is based on the fact that the flywheel lifts the pallet from the lower track to the upper track with its rotational energy.

In one embodiment of the invention the flywheel is arranged at the end of the people mover, which end is the opposite end to the end which comprises the motor.

The flywheel and the motor therefore cut the chain into two separate systems that are independent of each other. This means that because of the motor or the flywheel vibrations do not pass from one track to the other through the area of the direction change and, that being the case, dynamically the system changes and so does its natural frequencies. Thus the lowest natural frequencies can be moved out of this rather awkward 1-2Hz frequency range. The term mass attenuation or the non-impedance attenuation is used in other contexts for the same phenomenon. The amplitude of the vibration also changes from this effect because the whole pallet mat can be interpreted as one long spring, and when halving the length of the spring, of course, the length of movement produced by the same excitation also halves. In one embodiment of the invention the flywheel is connected to the diverting pulley that turns the direction of the transmission chain or corresponding, which diverting pulley is preferably a gear wheel. In one embodiment of the invention the flywheel is connected via a power transmission, preferably via a belt and a diverting pulley, to the power transmission means of the people mover, preferably to the diverting pulley that guides the transmission chain.

In one embodiment of the invention the flywheel is inside the projection of the loop formed by the handrail belt, as viewed in the direction of the center of bending of the loop. An advantage of this is a compact structure.

In one embodiment of the invention the flywheel is at least partly, preferably fully, inside the loop formed by the handrail belt. An advantage of this is a compact structure.

In one embodiment of the invention the flywheel is connected to the transmission chain or corresponding via the diverting pulley that guides the transmission chain or corresponding, to which diverting pulley the flywheel is preferably connected with a power transmission, most preferably with a belt or corresponding, and with diverting pulleys such that there is a transmission ratio between the runner wheel and the diverting pulley, by means of which ratio their angular velocities are arranged to differ from each other. The speeds of rotation can be optimized by means of the transmission of the power transmission such that an impulse is not regularly exerted on the runner wheel and/or the power transmission when it/they are in the same position/ratio to each other. Thus the number of impulses experienced by the different parts of the power transmission can be evened out and a longer service life for the power transmission and for the bearing (s) of the flywheel is achieved.

In one embodiment of the invention the flywheel is inside the loop formed by the handrail, preferably in the proximity of the bending point of the handrail belt at the end of the people mover, inside the casing that is inside the loop formed by the handrail belt. One advantage of this is a compact, safe and simple structure. ,

In one embodiment of the invention the people mover comprises support means, resting on which the flywheel is supported, which support means are preferably supported on the frame of the travelator and/or on the floor of the building. If the support structures are supported on the floor, they are preferably separate support structures from the frame of the people mover for conducting forces away from the people mover.

In one embodiment of the invention the people mover comprises two transmission chains connected to the pallets, preferably on opposite sides of the pallets, and a synchronization shaft, which connects the aforementioned two transmission chains or corresponding into an entity that moves in synchronization, and via which synchronization shaft power is transmitted between the aforementioned two chains or corresponding, and in that the synchronization shaft is connected to the flywheel via a belt, chain or corresponding. In this case one advantage is that with one flywheel the pulsation of more than one transmission chain or corresponding can be evened out .

In one embodiment of the invention the people mover comprises two flywheels, preferably such that two transmission chains, which are connected to the pallets and are preferably on opposite sides of the pallets, are each connected to their own flywheels.

In one embodiment of the invention the flywheel is at the tensioning end of the transmission chain or corresponding .

In one embodiment of the invention the pallet is connected to the chain from the area between the ends of said pallet, e.g. in a hinged manner.

In one embodiment of the invention the pallet retains its attitude in the change of direction. In one embodiment of the invention the flywheel is connected to the power transmission means of the pallet track at the non-driven end of the people mover.

In one embodiment of the invention the transmission chain or corresponding is integrated as a part of the endless pallet track, in which case the pallets or corresponding are connected to each other as if into a chain. In one embodiment of the invention the flywheel is inside the projection of the loop formed by the handrail belt, as viewed in the direction of the center of bending of the loop (this is preferably parallel with the center of rotation/shaft of the flywheel) . In this way a compact and simple people mover is achieved, the drive comfort of which is good. The placement of the flywheel is efficient and its possibly large radius does not cause problems.

In one embodiment of the invention the flywheel is at least partly, preferably fully, inside the loop formed by the handrail belt. In this way a compact and simple people mover is achieved.

In one embodiment of the invention the flywheel is, in relation to the power supply and as viewed from the motor, downstream with respect to the pallets of the conveying part or of the return part .

In one embodiment of the invention the flywheel is inside the handrail casing that is inside the loop formed by the handrail belt, preferably in the proximity of the bending point of the handrail belt at the end of the people mover. In this way a people mover that is compact in all directions and a simple esthetic appearance are achieved.

In one embodiment of the invention the people mover comprises support means, resting on which the flywheel is supported, which support means are supported on the frame of the travelator or on the floor of the building. Thus the flywheel can be firmly supported in its position.

In one embodiment of the invention the flywheel is connected to the transmission chain or corresponding via the diverting pulley that guides the transmission chain or corresponding, and in that the flywheel and the diverting pulley are supported separately from each other. Thus the flywheel can be firmly supported in its position in the manner desired, and the flywheel and the aforementioned diverting pulley do not disturb each other.

In one embodiment of the invention the support means are supported on the floor, and comprise support structures that are essentially separate from the frame of the people mover for conducting forces away from the people mover. Thus the flywheel can be firmly supported in its position.

In one embodiment of the invention the flywheel is essentially a solid metal disk. Thus its inertia (I) is simply adjustable to the desired constant value.

In one embodiment of the invention the flywheel is arranged at the end of the people mover, at which end there is no motor for producing the driving force needed to move the pallets or corresponding. Thus the flywheel evens out the passage of the travelator at the non-drive end. In one embodiment of the invention the people mover also comprises means for braking the flywheel, which means is a brake that acts on the flywheel separately from the power transmission means that move the flywheel. Thus the solution is safe in emergency braking.

In one embodiment of the invention somewhere between the flywheel and the power transmission that moves the flywheel is a coupling, e.g. a friction coupling, which releases the otherwise essentially rigid connection between the flywheel and the power transmission means such that the flywheel can continue rotation although the power transmission means are stopping/have stopped. Thus the solution is safe in emergency braking.

In one embodiment of the invention the pallets or corresponding are arranged successively close to each other so as to form an essentially continuous conveying surface .

In one embodiment of the invention the attitude of the pallets remains the same during the change of direction. The embodiments presented in this type of solution are very advantageous .

In one embodiment of the invention the flywheel is a solid object. In this way the flywheel does not in itself produce pulsation and is simple.

In one embodiment of the invention the inertia of the flywheel is constant. In this way the flywheel does not in itself produce pulsation and is simple.

In one embodiment of the invention the center of rotation of the flywheel is higher than the pallet track. In this way a compact people mover is achieved.

According to the invention, in the method for evening out the movement in the travel direction of a pallet track or corresponding of a people mover, more particularly in a travelator or corresponding, which comprises a plurality of pallets or corresponding for carrying and moving people, which pallets are arranged one after the other and form an endless track, which track comprises an upper track section and an lower track section, and which people mover comprises an area of direction change of the pallets or corresponding, when in which area a pallet or corresponding is moved between the upper track section and the lower track section (and to move in this case in the vertical direction) , and a motor for producing the driving force needed to move the pallets or corresponding. In the method pulsation, preferably at least pulsation caused by a change of direction of the pallets, is reduced with the rotational energy of the flywheel .

In one embodiment of the invention pulsation is reduced with a flywheel, which is connected to the power transmission means of the pallet track.

In one embodiment of the invention pulsation is reduced with a flywheel, which is essentially rigidly connected to the power transmission means of the pallet track. In this way a small delay in the effect of the flywheel is achieved.

In one embodiment of the invention pulsation is reduced with the rotational energy of the flywheel, which rotational energy is conveyed to the power transmission means when moving a pallet from the lower track to the upper track.

In one embodiment of the invention pulsation is reduced with the rotational energy of the flywheel, at the end of the people mover, which end is the opposite end to the end which comprises the motor, and at which end the pallets or corresponding preferably rise from the lower track to the upper track.

In one embodiment of the invention pulsation is reduced with a flywheel, which is connected to the power transmission means of the pallet track at the non-driven end of the people mover. In one embodiment of the invention pulsation is reduced with the people mover according to the invention described above. The second people mover according to the invention, more particularly a travelator, moving ramp, escalator or corresponding, comprises a plurality of pallets or corresponding for carrying and moving people, which pallets are arranged one after the other and form an endless track, which track comprises an upper track section and a lower track section, and which people mover comprises an area of direction change of the pallets or corresponding, when in which area a pallet or corresponding is arranged to move between the upper track section and the lower track section, and which pallets or corresponding are arranged successively close to each other so as to form an essentially continuous conveying surface and are connected to a transmission chain or corresponding. The people mover comprises a unit that is movable in the horizontal direction for tensioning the transmission chain or corresponding, and a diverting pulley that turns the direction of the transmission chain or corresponding, which moves along with the unit when it is moved, and a diverting pulley connected to the diverting pulley, and a power transmission, which transmits rotational movement between a rotating apparatus or means and a rotating part of the unit, more particularly a diverting pulley, which rotating apparatus or means is supported in its position in a manner allowing rotation and is connected to the diverting pulley with a power transmission, more particularly with a diverting pulley (20) , with a belt, and with a diverting pulley, and in that the tensioning of the belt is arranged utilizing tensioning wheels, of which at least one is spring-loaded so that it tries to move towards the belt, which tensioning wheels are arranged such that at least one of them, but preferably both, steer the belt such that an angle is formed in the belt. One advantage is that the aforementioned apparatus that rotates in its position can be connected to the moving diverting pulley with a belt such that the belt stays at a good tightness, and the diverting pulley can be moved without a problem. Thus e.g. the motor or runner wheel can be disposed at the tightening end of the transmission chain simply and operationally reliably. In one embodiment of the invention two tensioning wheels can each be moved towards and away from the belt, with which movement the tightness of the belt can be adjusted.

One embodiment of the invention comprises a tensioning wheel that tightens the belt loop from inside and a tensioning wheel that tightens the belt loop, or maintains the tightness of same, producing a counterforce, from outside. In this way two angles can be produced in the belt, and an adjustment tolerance can be added.

LIST OF FIGURES

In the following, the invention will be described in detail by the aid of some embodiments with reference to the attached drawings, wherein

Fig. Ia-Ib presents a preferred embodiment of the people mover according to the invention.

Fig. 2 presents a preferred embodiment of a people mover according to Figs. Ia-Ib.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Fig. Ia presents a people mover 1 according to the invention. The people mover 1 is a travelator, wherein the pallets 11 conveying passengers are arranged to move supported on rolls 16 with guides. The pallets 11 are arranged successively close to each other so as to form an essentially continuous conveying surface (only some of the pallets are shown) and connected to the transmission chain or corresponding 2 with coupling elements 15, which transmission chain or corresponding 2 is arranged to move the pallets 11 with the power transmitted from a motor 3. The transmission chain or corresponding can be of the jointed chain type or of the belt type. The transmission chain 2 is formed into an endless loop and passes around the turning elements 5 and 6, which are most preferably gear wheels, and when passing around which the chain turns the travel direction of a pallet and at the same time moves the pallet between the upper track U and the lower track L, i.e. between the conveyor part and the return part. The people mover 1 also comprises a flywheel 8, which is arranged to even out the movement of the pallet track with its rotational energy, in which flywheel energy is arranged to be stored in the form of rotational movement.

The flywheel is arranged to rotate when the pallets move and receives its rotational kinetic energy from the motor 3, which is connected via the power transmission means 31,2,6 to the pallets 11. For this reason a flywheel 8 is connected to the aforementioned power transmission means, and is thus arranged to even out with its rotational energy the movement of the pallet track, more particularly pulsation-type movement in the travel direction of the pallet track that is caused by the change-of-direction action of the pallets in the area of the change of direction R of the pallets. The flywheel is connected to the power transmission means, more particularly to the chain 2, such that it receives kinetic energy from the chain and is able to convey kinetic energy to the chain. The flywheel 8 is essentially rigidly connected to the transmission chain 2 via the diverting pulley 6 that guides the transmission chain, to which diverting pulley the flywheel 8 is connected with a power transmission, in the embodiment presented in the figure with a belt 21 and with diverting pulleys 20,22 (which belt 21 is preferably a V-belt) .

Fig. Ib presents some details of the area of the direction change of the people mover 1 of Fig. Ia. In the figure the pallet on the extreme right-hand side is being moved from the lower track L to the upper track U such that the attitude of the pallet 11 remains the same during the change of direction. When the pallet in question is in the position presented it is supported in the vertical direction resting on the transmission chain 2 and the diverting pulley 6. In this case the mass of the pallet exerts a force on the transmission chain in the longitudinal direction of it, which force is at its greatest when the pallet is in the position presented and which force decreases as the pallet continues its movement to the left in the figure. In order to reduce this force variation the people mover according to the invention comprises a flywheel 8, which is able to convey its rotational energy to the diverting pulley 6 and/or to the chain 2, thus helping in the moving of the pallet 11 from one level to another. The mass of the flywheel is fitted to be so big in relation to the mass of the pallet that the forces produced in it by the raising of a pallet do not essentially slow down its speed of rotation. Thus the flywheel rotates essentially at a constant speed regardless of the position of the pallets and prevents/reduces a force variation being exerted on the transmission chain as a result of a change in the vertical position occurring in the area of direction change R of the pallets 11. Correspondingly, the significance of centrifugal forces produced by the turning of a pallet decreases owing to the flywheel, so that also the force variation caused by centrifugal forces is essentially prevented/reduced owing to the flywheel. Fig. Ib presents the guides G2 of the lower track L, which are not shown in Fig. Ia for the sake of clarity.

In Figs. Ia-Ib the people mover according to the invention is presented schematically. The flywheel is supported in its position in a manner allowing rotation and is connected to the diverting pulley 22 rotated by the diverting pulley 6 with a belt 21. The people mover 1 presented comprises two transmission chains 2 connected to the pallets 11 on opposite sides of the pallets (the presence of two chains is not, however, necessary) . If it is desired to even out the forces of the second transmission chain as well, a flywheel 8 can be used to also even out the forces of the second chain, e.g. by means of the synchronization shaft presented in the figure with a dashed line, which synchronization shaft connects the aforementioned two transmission chains 2 into an entity that moves in synchronization. Force, e.g. driving force, can also be transmitted between the aforementioned two chains or corresponding via the same synchronization shaft S. The synchronization shaft S is rigidly connected to the diverting pulleys of both the chains as well as to the flywheel 8, in which case the forces that are transmitted from the flywheel are transmitted to both the transmission chains. Alternatively, the lower chain in the figure could be provided with its own flywheel arrangement, which functions in a corresponding manner to the force balancing arrangement comprising the flywheel 8, in which case the dimensioning of the flywheels can be made to be lighter and/or their speed of rotation can be fitted to be lower. Fig. 2 presents a preferred embodiment for the solution of Figs. Ia-Ib. The flywheel 8 is inside the projection of the loop formed by the handrail belt H, as viewed in the direction of the center of bending of the loop (in the figure, parallel with the center of rotation/axis of the flywheel) . In addition, the flywheel 8 is at least partly, preferably fully, inside the loop formed by the handrail belt, e.g. in the figure as viewed from above the flywheel is at least partly aligned with the belt H. Likewise the flywheel 8 is inside the handrail casing C that is inside the loop formed by the handrail belt, at the end of the people mover in the proximity of the bending point of the handrail belt (preferably less than 3 m from the end of the belt H) . The people mover 1 comprises support means 23, resting on which the flywheel 8 is supported, which support structures are preferably supported on the frame of the travelator as presented in the figure. They can be simultaneously or alternatively supported on the floor of the building. When the support structures are supported on the floor, they can be support structures essentially separate from the frame of the people mover for conducting forces away from the people mover. The flywheel 8 is connected via a power transmission, preferably via a belt 21, to the power transmission means (2,6,31) of the people mover, more particularly such that forces can be transmitted in both directions between them (e.g. rigidly). More precisely, the belt 21 is connected to the diverting pulley 22, which is essentially rigidly connected to the diverting pulley 6 (not shown in figure) that guides the transmission chain. The aforementioned diverting pulley 6 can in the figure be co-axial with the diverting pulley 22, but it could also be connected with a power transmission (such as the belt presented) so as to be separate from the diverting pulley 22. Additionally, the figure presents a tensioning arrangement of a belt 21 (not necessary) , in which the tensioning of the belt is arranged utilizing tensioning wheels. The tensioning wheels 41,42 can each be moved towards and away from the belt 21, with which movement the tightness of the belt 21 can be adjusted. At least one of the tensioning wheels 41,42 is spring-loaded (with a spring or corresponding) so that it tries to move towards the belt, in which case the other can be e.g. tightened into its position or can also be spring-loaded. The tensioning wheels are arranged such that at least one of them, but preferably both, steer the belt 21 such that an angle is formed in it. The arrangement presented in the figure comprises a tensioning wheel 41, which tightens the belt loop from inside, and a tensioning wheel 42, which tightens the belt loop (or maintains the tightness of same, producing a counterforce, if it is not spring-loaded) from outside. The angle produced by the spring-loaded tensioning wheel (s) 41 and/or 42 in the belt 21 is so great that moving the spring-loaded tensioning wheel (s) within the scope of the movement allowance of the spring load results in an essential lengthening of the distance between the diverting pulleys 20 and 22 of the belt being enabled as a consequence of the straightening of the belt. The aforementioned lengthening is so great that it allows movement of the diverting pulley 22 by at least 10 cm in the horizontal direction, preferably over 15 cm, even more preferably 20 cm. This freedom of movement is necessary because it must be possible to move (as presented by the arrow in the figure) the turning unit 50 of the pallets or corresponding in the horizontal direction to tighten the transmission chain 2 or corresponding. Since the diverting pulley 22 is connected to the power transmission means (2,6,31), more particularly to the diverting pulley 6 that bends the chain, the diverting pulley 22 must move because the diverting pulley 6 moves along with the turning unit 50 when it is moved. The tensioning arrangement presented can form a separate invention from the other features presented in this application. In this case also some other rotating unit, e.g. a motor, can be in place of the flywheel 8. The arrangement is particularly advantageous when, owing to the tensioning of the transmission chain, the turning unit 50 is a moving one and it has been necessary to connect an apparatus or means that rotates in a stationary position to the rotating part of the turning unit with a power transmission (e.g. 21), which power transmission transmits rotational movement between the rotating apparatus or means and the rotating part of the turning unit. The travelator presented in the figures is preferably a travelator that is to be installed on top of the floor, in which travelator the motor is above the floor level, preferably inside the handrail. In the solutions presented the large inertia (I) and the speed of rotation of the flywheel 8 increase its effect. The inertia (I, momentum of inertia) is preferably over 0.5 kgm ² , preferably over 1.0 kgm ² , even more preferably over 1.5 kgm ² , most preferably of all 2.0 kgm ² or more. When the people mover 1 is moving at normal drive speed the speed of rotation of the flywheel 8 can be with any of the aforementioned momenta of inertia whatsoever over 200 rpm, preferably over 300 rpm, even more preferably over 400 rpm. The faster the speed of the travelator is, the greater the rotational energy preferably is. The pallets 11 of the people mover can move when traveling at normal drive speed e.g. at a speed of 0.6 m/s-0.8 m/s. The adverse effect caused by pulsation of the mass of an individual pallet 11 is greater the greater the mass is. The mass of an individual pallet with any of the preceding given values whatsoever is less than 40 kg, preferably less than 35 kg, most preferably approx. 30 kg. The mass of the flywheel is preferably over 10 kg, preferably over 20 kg, even more preferably 30 kg or over. It can be an essentially solid metal disk. The radius of turn of a pallet can be e.g. in the range of 5- 10 cm, preferably 5-20 cm, but can of course be also bigger in some cases. If more than one flywheel is used, the aforementioned values affecting the rotational energy of a flywheel can be divided among the flywheels appropriately such that the rotational energies of the flywheels are the same among themselves.

In the method according to the invention for evening out the movement in the travel direction of the pallet track or corresponding of a people mover 1, more particularly in a travelator or corresponding, which comprises a plurality of pallets or corresponding for carrying and moving people, which pallets are arranged one after the other arid form an endless track, which track comprises an upper track section and a lower track section, and which people mover comprises an area of direction change of the pallets or corresponding, when in which area a pallet or corresponding is moved between the upper track section and the lower track section (and to move in this case in the vertical direction) , and a motor 3 for producing the driving force needed to move the pallets or corresponding, pulsation caused by a change of direction of the pallets is reduced with the rotational energy of the flywheel. A people mover according to Figs. 1-2 is preferably used here. More particularly, pulsation is reduced with a flywheel 8 that is connected to the power transmission means 2,6,31 of the pallet track, in which case pulsation is reduced with the rotational energy of the flywheel 8, which rotational energy is conveyed to the power transmission means when moving a pallet from the lower track to the upper track. Preferably rotational energy is conveyed essentially not at all between moves, but instead the power transmission means can transfer more rotational energy to the flywheel 8. Pulsation is preferably thus reduced at the end of the people mover, which end is the opposite end to the end which comprises the motor, and at which end the pallets or corresponding rise from the lower track to the upper track. For emergency stops, the people mover can also comprise means for braking the flywheel, which means can be a brake that acts on the flywheel separately from the power transmission (e.g. from the belt 21) that moves the flywheel. In this case the brake can act e.g. directly on the structure of the flywheel. Alternatively, somewhere between the flywheel and the power transmission that moves the flywheel is a coupling, e.g. a friction coupling, which releases the otherwise essentially rigid connection between the flywheel and the power transmission such that the flywheel can continue slowly decelerating rotation although the power transmission is suddenly stopping or has suddenly stopped. The function in question is most preferably enabled, however, if the belt 21 is able to slip on the diverting pulley 20 and/or 22, if large acceleration or braking is exerted on the power transmission means, the absolute value of which acceleration or braking exceeds a certain predetermined value. In this case the belt 21 is preferably a non- toothed belt e.g. a V-belt or a flat belt, and the diverting pulley possesses a shape suited to the belt.

It is obvious to the person skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, in which the invention is described using examples, but that many adaptations and different embodiments of the invention are possible within the frameworks of the inventive concept defined by the claims presented below. Thus it is obvious that the transmission chain or corresponding can be a separate part from the pallets in the manner presented in the embodiments of the figures of this application, but the transmission chain or corresponding could alternatively be integrated as a part of the endless pallet track, e.g. in a solution wherein the pallets of the pallet track are attached in a chain-like fashion to each other such that the force moving the pallets is transmitted from one pallet to another. It is also obvious that the drive direction of the travelator can differ to what is presented and the flywheel can be at either end whatsoever of the people mover evening out the transfer of the pallets between the upper track and the lower track in either direction whatsoever, or it can be disposed, for instance, in the area between the ends. The flywheel presented is a so- called "idle wheel". It does not have a motor on its shaft. As is also presented in the examples above, it is thus not advantageous to implement the infeed of the rotational force of the conveyor of a travelator directly via a flywheel, but instead the force is transmitted to the conveyor, to the pallets, with power transmission means from which also the flywheel receives its rotational energy. In other words the flywheel is, in relation to the power supply and as viewed from the motor, downstream with respect to the pallets of the conveying part or of the return part, as can be seen from the figures.

A pallet or corresponding refers to the fact that the objects to be transported could alternatively be, instead of pallets, some corresponding object such as e.g. a stair step, etc. Transmission chain or corresponding refers to the fact that the power transmission means can alternatively be, instead of a chain, some corresponding means, such as e.g. a flat belt, a V-belt,, a cogged belt, a rope, etc. It is also obvious that the invention can be utilized in different people movers, such as in travelators, escalators, moving ramps and corresponding.