FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is a people mover as defined in the preamble of claim 1, a transmission chain of a people mover as defined in the preamble of claim 17, and a method for reducing the vibration of a people mover as defined in the preamble of claim 20.

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, by moving which the pallets are moved. 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. A problem in prior-art solutions is the sag of the transmission chain. The transmission chain sags between the fixing points of the consecutive pallets owing to the weight of the transmission chain. This sag is dependent on the tightening force of the transmission chain, which in turn is dependent on the amount of people on the travelator and their distribution in the longitudinal direction of the travelator. For this reason the tightening force can be of a different magnitude at different points of the transmission chain. That being the case, the sag is • also of a different magnitude at different points of the conveyor. In addition, the tightening force varies as a consequence of the change in loading state as a result of the moving of the load. Passengers often walk along the conveyor and thus move from one pallet to another. When a passenger moves from one pallet to another, the rolling friction of both pallets changes. Likewise if a passenger happens to jump, a large backwards-and-forwards variation occurs in the rolling friction. In addition, when a passenger steps onto a pallet at the end of a travelator, the tightening force increases along the entire length of the travelator. Correspondingly, a passenger can step off the palette track of the travelator at either end of the track. The sag of the transmission chain of the travelator enables a small change in the distance between the pallets when the loading changes. Thus vibration in the longitudinal direction of the travelator is produced as a consequence of the aforementioned changes occurring in the loading, which vibration impairs ride comfort.

In prior-art solutions the sag of the transmission chain can also in some situations be hazardous because a sagging chain can reach to touch the stationary parts of the travelator, which causes noise and wear of the parts.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to eliminate, among others, the aforementioned drawbacks of prior-art solutions. More particularly the purpose of the invention is to produce a more advanced people mover, preferably a travelator or corresponding, a more advanced method in the use of a people mover and a more advanced transmission chain. A further purpose of the invention is to produce a people mover with a more advanced transmission. 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 sag of the transmission chain is less than before.

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

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

- A people mover is achieved in which the wear of the parts of which can be reduced and the service life of said parts improved. - A travelator and a method are achieved, in which movement between the pallets, in the longitudinal direction of the travelator, can be reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The people mover of the invention is characterized by what is disclosed in the characterization part of claim 1. The transmission chain of the invention is characterized by what is disclosed in the characterization part of claim 17. The method according to the invention is characterized by what is disclosed in the characterization part of claim 20. 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 .

The people mover according to the invention, more particularly a travelator or corresponding, comprises a plurality of palettes or corresponding for carrying and moving people, a transmission chain formed into an endless loop, which transmission chain is connected to the aforementioned palettes or corresponding, and via which transmission chain the palettes or corresponding are moved, and which transmission chain comprises consecutive chain links, which are connected in a hinged manner to each other such that the chain links are able to bend in relation to each other in a first direction and in a second direction, and which transmission chain is arranged to pass around at least two turning elements, when passing around which the consecutive chain links of the transmission chain bend in relation to each other in the first direction. The people mover comprises means for limiting bending of the transmission chain occurring in the second direction.

In one embodiment of the invention the transmission chain comprises the aforementioned means for limiting bending of the transmission chain occurring in the second direction.

In one embodiment of the invention the aforementioned means for limiting bending comprise bending limitation means in at least a part of the chain links of the transmission chain.

In one embodiment of the invention the section of the transmission chain that is between the coupling elements of immediately consecutive palettes comprises means for limiting bending of that section of the transmission chain occurring in the second direction (II) .

In one embodiment of the invention the aforementioned bending limitation means in a chain link comprises a stop face, which is arranged to hit some part of a chain link in the proximity of it when the chain links bend in relation to each other in the second direction and to prevent the bending of immediately consecutive chain links in relation to each other farther in the direction. In one embodiment of the invention the transmission chain comprises a plurality of chain links, which comprise a bending limitation means.

In one embodiment of the invention the people mover comprises a plurality of consecutive pallets or corresponding, each of which is connected to the transmission chain with a coupling element (15) , and in that the people mover comprises immediately consecutive pallets or corresponding, the section (a,b) of the transmission chain between the coupling elements (15) of which immediately consecutive pallets comprises a plurality of chain links provided with the aforementioned bending limitation means.

In one embodiment of the invention the section (a,b) of transmission chain between the coupling elements of immediately consecutive pallets is limited against bending occurring in the second direction for essentially its entire length with bending limitation means in at least a part of the chain links of the section (a,b) .

In one embodiment of the invention the bending of a chain link that is immediately behind a chain link provided with a bending limitation means in the second direction in relation to the aforementioned chain link provided with a bending limitation means over the determined extreme position of the bending limitation means is prevented with the bending limitation means and bending away from the extreme position in the first direction is permitted. This can be done such that the bending of immediately consecutive chain links in relation to .each other is permitted farther in the first direction (i.e. farther from the parallel position) than in the second direction.

In one embodiment of the invention the aforementioned immediately consecutive chain links are at an angle in relation to each other of 0-1 degree, preferably 0-0.5 degrees, when in the extreme position.

In one embodiment of the invention the aforementioned immediately consecutive chain links are parallel when in the extreme position.

In one embodiment of the invention the sections of chain between consecutive coupling elements each comprises a plurality of chain links, the bending of which in the second direction is limited with the aforementioned means such that each of the aforementioned pluralities of consecutive links forms a sequence of links that is rigid only in the second direction.

In one embodiment of the invention the sections (a and b) are connected to each other such that the sequence of links that is rigid only in the second direction and that is in the section (a) is able to bend in relation to the sequence of links that is rigid only in the second direction and that is in the section (b) in the direction essentially over the parallel position of the rigid sequences of links.

In one embodiment of the invention a chain link of the transmission means, to which a coupling element is connected, is arranged to bend over the parallel position in relation to the chain link immediately in front of it and/or immediately behind it in the aforementioned second direction.

In one embodiment of the invention essentially the whole transmission chain is limited with the aforementioned bending limitation means against bending occurring in the second direction.

In one embodiment of the invention the means for limiting bending of the transmission chain occurring in the second direction comprises a guide surface, supported by which and along with which the transmission chain moves. The chain between immediately consecutive coupling elements is essentially on a horizontal plane.

In one embodiment of the invention the section of the transmission chain between the coupling elements of immediately consecutive pallets is continuously rigid in the second direction II when the immediately consecutive pallets . in question are on the outgoing section and are available for use by passengers.

The transmission chain according to the invention, more particularly a transmission chain of a people mover for connecting to the steps or corresponding of a people mover, comprises consecutive chain links, which are connected in a hinged manner to each other such that the chain links are able to bend in relation to each other in a first direction and in a second direction, and which transmission chain comprises means for limiting bending of the transmission chain occurring in the second direction, and which means for limiting bending comprise bending limitation ^• means in at least a part of the chain links of the transmission chain, and in that the chain links comprise at least two parallel plates set at a distance from each other with chain pins, bushings or corresponding. The means that limits bending is one of the aforementioned plates, and the plate formed into a bending limitation means comprises a protrusion extending in the longitudinal direction of the chain link, which protrusion comprises a stop face, which stop face is arranged to hit the stop face of the plate formed into a bending limitation means of a chain link in the proximity of it (e.g. of a following chain link) . The plate formed to be a bending limitation means is preferably a plate of uniform thickness, most preferably a metal plate. The plates formed into bending limitation means arranged to hit each other in this way are preferably similar to each other.

In one embodiment of the invention each second link of the • transmission chain comprises a plate formed into a bending limitation means, and consecutive plates formed into bending limitation means are on the same plane as each other.

In one embodiment of the invention a plate formed into a bending limitation means participates in transmitting the traction that is exerted on the transmission chain in the longitudinal direction of the chain. One advantage is the simplicity of the structure.

In this case the transmission chain is not able to bend in the direction II. Thus with the arrangements it is advantageous to keep essentially the whole of the outgoing section of the transmission chain continuously essentially straight. The sections of the transmission chain between the coupling elements do not thus sag even momentarily when they are available for use by a passenger on the outgoing section. Since a section of chain between coupling elements is continuously rigid in the second direction, distancing of immediately consecutive pallets from each other caused by straightening of the chain section when subjected to tensile load does not occur. The. rigidity of the chain sections in the second direction can be achieved with the aforementioned bending limitation means. Sagging is in this way continuously prevented preferably irrespective of the longitudinal tractive tension exerted on the transmission chain.

In the method for reducing the vibration of a people mover, more particularly for reducing longitudinal jerk of the people mover, which people mover comprises a plurality of palettes or corresponding for carrying and moving people, a transmission chain formed into an endless loop, which transmission chain is connected to the aforementioned palettes or corresponding, and via which transmission chain the palettes or corresponding of the people mover are moved, and which transmission chain comprises consecutive chain links, which are connected in a hinged manner to each other such that the chain links are able to bend in relation to each other in a first direction (I) and in a second direction (II) , and which transmission chain is arranged to pass around at least two turning elements, when passing around which the consecutive chain links of the transmission chain bend in relation to each other in the first direction (I) , bending of the transmission chain occurring in the second direction (II) is limited. In this case bending of the transmission chain is permitted in the first direction I farther (i.e. farther from the parallel position) than in the second direction II. This can be done e.g. with the means incorporated in the transmission chain for limiting bending of the transmission chain occurring in the second direction. Most preferably in this way the bending of the section of the transmission chain between the coupling elements of immediately consecutive palettes occurring in the second direction is limited.

In the method in one embodiment of the invention bending of the section of the transmission chain that is between the coupling elements of immediately consecutive palettes is limited in the second direction (II) , which limitation is made with the means incorporated in that section of the transmission chain for limiting the bending of the transmission chain occurring in the second direction (II) . In this case bending is permitted in the first direction (I) farther (i.e. farther from the parallel position) than in the second direction (II) . In one embodiment of the invention sagging of the section (a,b) of the transmission chain (2) between the coupling elements (15) of immediately consecutive pallets is continuously prevented when the immediately consecutive pallets in question are on the outgoing section and are available for use by passengers, with the means (3) incorporated in the people mover, preferably incorporated in the transmission chain of it, for limiting bending of •the transmission • chain (2) occurring in the second direction (II) . In one embodiment of the invention sagging is in this way continuously prevented irrespective of the longitudinal tractive tension exerted on the transmission chain, the advantage of which is a structure that does not flex disadvantageously owing to tension fluctuations.

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. 1 presents a preferred embodiment of a people mover according to the invention.

Fig. 2 presents details of the people mover of Fig. 1, which comprises a transmission chain according to the invention.

Fig. 3 presents the magnified details of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 presents a three-dimensional drawing of a transmission chain of the people mover according to the invention.

Fig. 5 presents a three-dimensional drawing of a transmission chain of the people mover according to the invention.

Fig. 6 presents a three-dimensional explosion drawing of the structure of the chain links of a transmission chain of the people mover according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Fig. 1 presents a people mover 1 according to the invention. The people mover 1 is a travelator, wherein the palettes conveying passengers are arranged to move supported on rolls 16 with guides. The palettes 11 are arranged consecutively to form a continuous conveying surface (only _. some of the pallets are shown) and connected to the transmission chain 2 with coupling elements 15, which transmission chain 2 is arranged to move the palettes 11 with the power transmitted from a motor 3. The transmission chain is of the articulated chain type, which comprises consecutive chain links, which are connected in a hinged manner to each other such that the chain links are able to bend in relation to each other in a first direction (I) and in a second direction (II) , which first direction and second direction are opposite to each other. The transmission chain is formed into an endless loop and passes around the turning elements 5 and 6, which are preferably gear wheels, when passing around which the chain bends so that consecutive chain links of the transmission chain bend in relation to each other in the first direction I . The people mover 2 comprises means for limiting bending of the transmission chain occurring in the second direction (II) , preferably at least on the upper section of the people ^' mover . In the embodiment presented the chain is of the type that it is limited against bending that is directed in the second direction II. For this purpose the transmission chain 2 comprises special means (not shown) for limiting bending of the transmission chain occurring in the second direction (II) . The aforementioned means for limiting bending comprise bending limitation means 3 in at least a part of the chain links of the transmission chain. The bending limitation can be implemented in different ways, most preferably such that the bending limitation means 3 in a chain link comprises a stop face, which is arranged to hit some part of a chain link in the proximity of it when the chain links bend in relation to each other in the second direction (II) and to prevent their bending in relation to each other farther in the direction (II) . The preferred structural options of the bending limitation means are described in more detail in conjunction with Figs. 2-5.

Figs. 2 and 3 present details of a people mover 1 according to the invention. The people mover comprises a plurality of consecutive pallets, each of which is connected to the transmission chain 2 with a coupling element 15. The section (a,b) of the transmission chain 2 between the coupling elements 15 of immediately consecutive pallets comprises a plurality of chain links 3 provided with the aforementioned bending limitation means. Preferably essentially the whole section (a,b) between the coupling elements 15 are limited against bending in this way, in which case the chain links of the section (a,b) form a sequence of links that is rigid only in the second direction II. That being the case, bending of the sequence of links over the essentially parallel position of the links of the sequence of links is prevented in the second direction II. In this way the sag between the coupling elements 15 can be reduced or it can even be completely eliminated.

The transmission chain according to the invention comprises consecutive links, preferably immediately consecutive, the bending of which in relation to each other in the second direction (II) over the determined extreme position (A) of the bending limitation is prevented with a bending limitation means 3 in at least one of the aforementioned consecutive links and bending away from the extreme position (A) in the first direction (I) is permitted such that the bending of the chain links in relation to each other is permitted for farther in the first direction (I) than in the second direction (II) . This means that consecutive links are able when bending in the direction I to bend in relation to each other farther, measured as an angle, from the parallel position than when bending in the direction II, and when bending back in which direction II the ^' bending of the links over the extreme position A is prevented, which extreme position A is preferably a position in which the aforementioned consecutive links are parallel or at least very close to the parallel position (0-1 degree) . In this way the bending ability of the transmission chain in the second direction is reduced, as a consequence of which the sag of the chain decreases. This effect is advantageous particularly in the upper part of the transmission chain, where the dead weight of the chain endeavors to bend the chain in the direction II and where the tightening force is at its greatest. It is thus endeavored to reduce bending of this direction with the bending limitation means. It is possible to implement the limitation of bending in different ways. The bending limitation means can e.g. be connected to each link or to each second link depending on with what type of bending limitation means/bending limitation arrangement it is desired to solve the problem. Different structural options for this purpose are commercially available, which are in themselves prior art.

Fig. 4 presents a three-dimensional drawing of a part of the transmission chain 2 utilized in the people mover of Figs. 1-3. The chain is preferably formed to be a so- called triple row chain, but it could also be formed to be a 1-row, 2-row or 4-row chain. The figure illustrates how the transmission chain 2, which in the figure proceeds clockwise and passes around the turning element 5, starts to bend in the direction I at the point of the turning element 5, in which case the consecutive chain links leave their essentially parallel extreme position A. In this case the bending limitation elements 3 detach from contact with the chain link in their proximity. In the figure the bending limitation element that is marked with the reference number 3' is in contact with the bending limitation element marked with the reference number 3 ' ' . In the figure the bottom surface of the protrusion of the bending limitation element 3' forms a stop face Vl, which in its extreme position A is set against the stop face V2 formed by the top surface of the bending limitation element 3''. In the figure the stop face Vl of the bending limitation element 3' ' ' is detached from the stop face V2 of the element 3' ' ' ' , because the chain links, to which they are fixed, have bent away from an essentially parallel position because the chain has bent in the first direction I.

Fig. 5 presents a three-dimensional drawing of the transmission chain according to the invention, which is presented earlier in Figs. 2-4. The chain links are parts that behave as essentially one rigid piece of the transmission chain, which parts are hinged consecutively to the transmission chain. The chain links comprise two parallel plates set at a distance from each other with chain pins, bushings or corresponding, but could also comprise more than two. One of the plates of each second chain link is formed into a bending limitation means 3. The plate in question comprises a protrusion u extending in the longitudinal direction of the chain link/chain, which protrusion comprises a stop face Vl, which stop face Vl is arranged to hit the stop face V2 of the plate on the same plane formed into a bending limitation means of a chain link in the proximity of it, when the chain links reach the essentially parallel extreme position A as the chain bends in the second direction II. Each bending limitation means thus comprises a stop face V2 and a stop face Vl. The means 3 are level plates of even thickness, which form the side plate of every second chain link, and which extend over the following plates that are on the same plane preventing bending of the immediately following link over the parallel position of the links in the direction II. The structure of the links is illustrated further in Fig. 6.

Fig. 6 presents an explosion drawing of consecutive links of a transmission chain according to the invention, which in an actual transmission chain 2 are placed consecutively one after the other. The parts presented form an elongated chain placed in a consecutively overlapping sequence. The solutions of Figs. 1-5 present three parallel sequences of links fixed to each other with common pins, but from the viewpoint of the functioning of the invention one chain link sequence provided with the means 3 is sufficient, e.g. by sequencing the links according to Fig. 6 alone one after the other. The plates of the so-called inner link presented on the left in the figure are at a distance from each other and between them is a bushing h, inside which the pin t of the so-called outer link, presented on the right in the figure, in the actual chain is placed. Thus the chain links are able to bend in a hinged manner in relation to each other. A further separate bushing or roll for the sprocket wheel contact is preferably on top of the bushings. The protrusion u is preferably so long that the bending limitation means extends in the longitudinal direction of the chain essentially the distance of the interval between two pins.

The transmission chain 2 of the people mover according to the invention is limited against bending in the second direction II preferably for its whole length. At the point of the coupling elements 15 the bending limitation can in some arrangements however be unnecessary, in which case it is sufficient that most of the section (a,b) between the coupling elements behaves as a rigid essentially parallel sequence of links only in the second direction II. In this case the sections (a and b) can be connected to each other such that the sequence of links that is rigid only in the second direction (II) and that is in the section (a) is able to bend in the direction (II) in relation to the sequence of links that is rigid only in the second direction (II) and that is in the section (b) essentially over the parallel position of the rigid sequences of links. An advantage is that sagging of the chain on the return side is enabled. This can be implemented e.g. such that a chain link of the transmission means, to which a coupling element (15) is connected, is arranged to bend over the parallel position in relation to the chain link immediately in front of it and/or immediately behind it in the aforementioned second direction (II) e.g. by omitting the limitation means (3) from that point .

The coupling means 15 is preferably fixed to the hinge pin(s) of the transmission chain 2 and fitted to a palette in a manner that allows rotation. The palettes most preferably remain in the horizontal position on both the outgoing side and on the return side of the travelator .

The transmission chain is formed into an endless loop, and in the following the inner surface refers to the surface of the chain within the area bounded by the inner side of the chain loop and the outer surface refers to the surface of the chain in the area that remains outside the chain loop. When it is bending in the first direction I the inner surface of an individual chain link of the chain bends towards the inner surface of the chain link that is in front of or behind the chain link in question. When bending in the second direction II the outer surface of an individual chain link of the chain bends towards the outer surface of the chain link that is in front of or behind the chain link in question. The same applies to longer sections of the chain, which sections are formed of a number of consecutive chain links. W

17

As presented above, the people mover 1 comprises means for limiting bending of the transmission chain occurring in the second direction II. In the embodiment presented above the transmission chain 2 comprises this type of means . In a second embodiment of the people mover according to the invention these means are a guide track arranged for the transmission chain, along which the chain passes with support, e.g. by sliding. The guide track is preferably on at least the upper outgoing section of the travelator, but it could also be on the lower return section. In this embodiment the guide track supports the chain from below. The chain can be any prior-art articulated chain whatsoever. What is essential is that the transmission chain sections between the coupling elements 15 are kept essentially straight on the top track. The people mover comprises a plurality of consecutive pallets or corresponding 11, each of which is connected to the transmission chain with a coupling element 15, and the people mover comprises immediately consecutive pallets or corresponding, the section of the transmission chain between the coupling elements 15 of which is limited against bending in the second direction II by a guide track supporting the section of transmission chain in question, e.g. with a continuous level metal surface for the whole distance between the diverting pulleys 5 and 6. With the arrangement at least the chain between immediately consecutive chain links on the top track of the conveyor is on an essentially horizontal plane for its whole length and the chain links are parallel.

In the method in the use of a people mover according to the invention, more particularly for reducing jerk in the longitudinal direction of the people mover, bending of the transmission chain occurring in the second direction (II) is limited. In this case bending of the transmission chain is permitted in the first direction I farther (i.e. farther from the parallel position) than in the second direction II. This can be done e.g. with the arrangements presented elsewhere in this application (e.g. claims 1- 19) with the means incorporated in the transmission chain for limiting bending of the transmission chain occurring ijn the second direction. In this way it is possible to reduce bending occurring in the second direction of the section of the transmission chain that is between the coupling elements of immediately consecutive palettes and via that relative movement between immediately consecutive palettes. This can be done with the means incorporated in that section of the transmission chain for limiting the bending of the transmission chain occurring in the second direction (II) . In this case bending of the section is permitted in the first direction (I) farther (i.e. farther from the parallel position) than in the second direction (II) . Sagging of the section (a,b) of the transmission chain (2) that is between the coupling elements (15) of immediately consecutive pallets is prevented most preferably continuously when the immediately consecutive pallets in question are on the outgoing section and are available for use by passengers, with the means (3) incorporated in the people mover, preferably incorporated in the transmission chain of it, for limiting bending of the transmission chain (2) occurring in the second direction (II) . Sagging is in this way continuously prevented irrespective of the longitudinal tractive tension exerted on the transmission chain. Thus, for example, the chain is not able to sag and then straighten again e.g. when the load changes, which would cause jerking of the palettes.

The conveyor 1 presented is most preferably such that in a change of direction the palette bends so that it is in the same attitude (e.g. in a horizontal attitude) on the outgoing section and on the return section. 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. This it is obvious that although in Fig. 1 the palettes are moved with transmission chains on both sides, the invention can also be applied in solutions in which there is only one transmission chain. It is also obvious that the invention can also be utilized in different people movers, such as in travelators, escalators, moving ramps and corresponding. In this case the part performing the function corresponding to a palette can be e.g. a step.