U.S. patent application number 10/273324 was filed with the patent office on 2003-07-24 for escalator with high speed inclined section.
This patent application is currently assigned to Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha. Invention is credited to Haruta, Yasumasa, Nagaya, Shinji, Nakamura, Joichi, Ogura, Manabu, Yoshikawa, Tatsuya, Yumura, Takashi.
Application Number | 20030136633 10/273324 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 19191895 |
Filed Date | 2003-07-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030136633 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ogura, Manabu ; et
al. |
July 24, 2003 |
ESCALATOR WITH HIGH SPEED INCLINED SECTION
Abstract
An escalator with a high speed inclined section according to the
present invention is structured such that assuming that an
upper-step-side end of a tread is the origin of a coordinate system
when a step is seen from a side with the tread being horizontal and
on an upper side, a riser passes a point whose horizontal and
vertical coordinates can be expressed as follows: (kr cos
.alpha..sub.m, -kr sin .alpha..sub.m) (where k is a speed change
ratio; r is a distance between the step link roller shafts of the
steps adjacent to each other in an upper and lower landing
sections; and .alpha..sub.m is an inclination angle of an
intermediate inclined section).
Inventors: |
Ogura, Manabu; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Yumura, Takashi; (Tokyo, JP) ; Haruta,
Yasumasa; (Tokyo, JP) ; Yoshikawa, Tatsuya;
(Tokyo, JP) ; Nagaya, Shinji; (Tokyo, JP) ;
Nakamura, Joichi; (Fukuoka, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LEYDIG VOIT & MAYER, LTD
700 THIRTEENTH ST. NW
SUITE 300
WASHINGTON
DC
20005-3960
US
|
Assignee: |
Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki
Kaisha
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
19191895 |
Appl. No.: |
10/273324 |
Filed: |
October 18, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
198/322 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B66B 21/025 20130101;
B66B 21/12 20130101; B66B 23/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
198/322 |
International
Class: |
B65G 015/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 23, 2002 |
JP |
2002-014674 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An escalator with a high speed inclined section, comprising: a
plurality of steps each of which has a tread for carrying a
passenger, a riser provided at a lower-step-side end of the tread,
a step link roller shaft, and a step link roller rotatable around
the step link roller shaft and which are connected together in an
endless fashion for circulation; a main track which forms a loop
track including an upper landing section, a lower landing section,
and an intermediate inclined section situated between the upper
landing section and the lower landing section and which guides the
step link roller; and a step speed changing means which varies the
distance between adjacent steps to thereby vary the moving speed of
the steps such that the ratio of the moving speed in the
intermediate inclined section to the moving speed in the upper and
lower landing sections (speed change ratio) is a predetermined
value, wherein assuming that the upper-step-side end of the tread
is the origin of a coordinate system when the step is seen from a
side with the tread being horizontal and on the upper side, the
riser passes a point whose horizontal and vertical coordinates can
be expressed as follows:(kr cos .alpha..sub.m, -kr sin
.alpha..sub.m)(where k is the speed change ratio; r is the distance
between the step link roller shafts of the steps adjacent to each
other in the upper and lower landing sections; and .alpha..sub.m is
the inclination angle of the intermediate inclined section).
2. An escalator with a high speed inclined section according to
claim 1, wherein the riser is of a flat configuration and wherein
the angle .theta. made by the tread and the riser can be expressed
as follows:.theta.=k sin .alpha..sub.m/(k cos .alpha..sub.m-1)
3. An escalator with a high speed inclined section, comprising: a
plurality of steps each of which has a tread for carrying a
passenger, a riser provided at a lower-step-side end of the tread,
a step link roller shaft, and a step link roller rotatable around
the step link roller shaft and which are connected together in an
endless fashion for circulation; a main track which forms a loop
track including an upper landing section, a lower landing section,
an intermediate inclined section situated between the upper landing
section and the lower landing section, an upper curved section
situated between the upper landing section and the intermediate
inclined section, and a lower curved section situated between the
lower landing section and the intermediate inclined section and
which guides the main track; and a step speed changing means which
has a plurality of link mechanisms each of which has a first link
rotatably connected to the step link roller shaft and a second link
rotatably connected to a link connection point of the first link
and the step link roller shaft of an adjacent step and which varies
a distance between the adjacent steps to thereby vary a moving
speed of the steps such that a ratio of the moving speed in the
intermediate inclined section to the moving speed in the upper and
lower landing sections (speed change ratio) is a predetermined
value, wherein assuming that, when the steps are seen from a side,
a point spaced apart horizontally by -r and vertically by -R.sub.1
from a border point which is in movement locus of an axis of the
step link roller shaft and which is between the upper landing
section and the upper curved section is the origin of a coordinate
system and that the horizontal and vertical coordinates of one end
M and the other end M' of the movement locus of the link connection
point in a speed changing region of the upper curved section
are:M(x.sub.M,y.sub.M), M'(x.sub.M',y.sub.M')the following
equations hold true:x.sub.M={r.sup.2+L-
.sub.1.sup.2-(kr-L.sub.1).sup.2}/2r,y.sub.M=R.sub.1-{square
root}{square root over (
)}(L.sub.1.sup.2-x.sub.M.sup.2),x.sub.M'=r+R.sub.1 sin
.alpha..sub.m+L.sub.1 cos .alpha..sub.m, andy.sub.M'=R.sub.1 cos
.alpha..sub.m-L.sub.1 sin .alpha..sub.m(where r is the distance
between the step link roller shafts in the upper and lower landing
sections; L.sub.1 is the length between the step link roller shaft
and the link connection point in the first link; k is the speed
change ratio; and R.sub.1 is a radius of curvature of the upper
curved section in the movement locus of the axis of the step link
roller shaft).
4. An escalator with a high speed inclined section, comprising: a
plurality of steps each of which has a tread for carrying a
passenger, a riser provided at a lower-step-side end of the tread,
a step link roller shaft, and a step link roller rotatable around
the step link roller shaft and which are connected together in an
endless fashion for circulation; a main track which forms a loop
track including an upper landing section, a lower landing section,
an intermediate inclined section situated between the upper landing
section and the lower landing section, an upper curved section
situated between the upper landing section and the intermediate
inclined section, and a lower curved section situated between the
lower landing section and the intermediate inclined section and
which guides the main track; and a step speed changing means which
has a plurality of link mechanisms each of which has a first link
rotatably connected to the step link roller shaft and a second link
rotatably connected to a link connection point of the first link
and the step link roller shaft of an adjacent step and which varies
a distance between the adjacent steps to thereby vary a moving
speed of the steps such that a ratio of the moving speed in the
intermediate inclined section to the moving speed in the upper and
lower landing sections (speed change ratio) is a predetermined
value, wherein assuming that, when the steps are seen from a side,
a point spaced apart horizontally by r and vertically by R.sub.2
from a border point which is in movement locus of an axis of the
step link roller shaft and which is between the lower landing
section and the lower curved section is the origin of a coordinate
system and that horizontal and vertical coordinates of one end N
and the other end N' of a line indicating the movement locus of the
link connection point in a speed changing region of the lower
curved section are:N(x.sub.N,y.sub.N), N'(x.sub.N',y.sub.N')the
following equations hold true:x.sub.N=-r+{r.sup.-
2+L.sub.1.sup.2-(kr-L.sub.1).sup.2}/2r,y.sub.N=-R.sub.2-{square
root}{square root over (
)}(L.sub.1.sup.2-x.sub.N.sup.2),x.sub.N'=-r-R.su- b.2 sin
.alpha..sub.m-(kr-L.sub.1)cos .alpha..sub.m, andY.sub.N'=-R.sub.2
cos .alpha..sub.m+(kr-L.sub.1)sin .alpha..sub.m(where r is the
distance between the step link roller shafts in the upper and lower
landing sections; L.sub.1 is the length between the step link
roller shaft and the link connection point in the first link; k is
the speed change ratio; and R.sub.2 is a radius of curvature of the
lower curved section in the movement locus of the axis of the step
link roller shaft).
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to an escalator with a high speed
inclined section in which the steps move faster in the intermediate
inclined section than in the upper and lower landing sections.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Nowadays, a large number of escalators of great height are
installed in subway stations or the like. In an escalator of this
type, the passenger is obliged to stand on a step for a long period
of time, which is often rather uncomfortable. In view of this, a
high-speed escalator has been developed. However, in such a
high-speed escalator, there is a limitation regarding the traveling
speed from the viewpoint of allowing the passengers to get off and
on safely.
[0005] In view of this, there has been proposed an escalator with a
high speed inclined section which is driven at low speed in the
upper and lower landing sections where the passenger gets on or
off, accelerated or decelerated in the upper and lower curved
sections, and driven at high speed in the intermediate inclined
section, whereby the requisite time for the passenger to ride on
the escalator is shortened. An example of such an escalator with a
high speed inclined section is disclosed in Japanese Patent
Application Laid-open No. Sho 51-116586.
[0006] However, conventional escalators with a high speed inclined
section only exhibit a mechanism for realizing a change in the
speed of the steps. Thus, if this speed changing mechanism is
simply applied to an ordinary escalator, there is the danger, for
example, of a gap being generated between a tread and a riser of an
upper adjacent step or interference occurring between adjacent
steps.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the
above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is
to obtain an escalator with a high speed inclined section which is
capable of preventing interference of a tread with a riser of an
adjacent step or generation of a gap between the riser and the
tread in upper and lower landing sections and intermediate inclined
sections.
[0008] To this end, according to one aspect of the present
invention, there is provided an escalator with a high speed
inclined section, wherein assuming that an upper-step-side end of a
tread is the origin of a coordinate system when a step is seen from
a side with the tread being horizontal and on the upper side, a
riser passes a point whose horizontal and vertical coordinates can
be expressed as follows:
(kr cos .alpha..sub.m, -kr sin .alpha..sub.m)
[0009] (where k is a speed change ratio; r is a distance between
the step link roller shafts of the steps adjacent to each other in
upper and lower landing sections; and .alpha..sub.m is an
inclination angle of a intermediate inclined section).
[0010] Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the tread from
interfering with the riser of the adjacent step and to prevent
generation of a gap between the riser and the tread in the upper
and lower landing sections and the intermediate inclined
section.
[0011] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided an escalator with a high speed inclined section,
wherein assuming that, when steps are seen from a side, a point
spaced apart horizontally by -r and vertically by -R.sub.1 from a
border point which is in movement locus of an axis of a step link
roller shaft and which is between an upper landing section and an
upper curved section is the origin of a coordinate system and that
the horizontal and vertical coordinates of one end M and the other
end M' of a movement locus of a link connection point in a speed
changing region of an upper curved section are:
M(x.sub.M, y.sub.M), M'(x.sub.M', y.sub.M')
[0012] the following equations hold true:
x.sub.M={r.sup.2+L.sub.1.sup.2-(kr-L.sub.1).sup.2}/2r,
y.sub.M=R.sub.1-{square root}{square root over (
)}(L.sub.1.sup.2-x.sub.M.- sup.2),
x.sub.M'=r+R.sub.1 sin .alpha..sub.m+L.sub.1 cos.alpha..sub.m,
and
Y.sub.M'=R.sub.1cos.alpha..sub.m-L.sub.1sin.alpha..sub.m
[0013] (where r is the distance between the step link roller shafts
in the upper and lower landing sections; L.sub.1 is the length
between the step link roller shaft and the link connection point in
a first link; k is a speed change ratio; and R.sub.1 is a radius of
curvature of the upper curved section in the movement locus of the
axis of the step link roller shaft).
[0014] Accordingly, in the upper and lower landing sections and an
intermediate inclined section, it is possible to prevent
interference of the tread with a riser of the adjacent step and
generation of a gap between the riser and the tread.
[0015] According to a still further aspect of the present
invention, there is provided an escalator with a high speed
inclined section, wherein assuming that, when steps are seen from a
side, a point spaced apart horizontally by r and vertically by
R.sub.2 from a border point which is in movement locus of an axis
of a step link roller shaft and which is between a lower landing
section and a lower curved section is the origin of a coordinate
system and that horizontal and vertical coordinates of one end N
and the other end N' of a line indicating a movement locus of a
link connection point in a speed changing region of the lower
curved section are:
N(x.sub.N, y.sub.N), N'(x.sub.N', y.sub.N')
[0016] the following equations hold true:
x.sub.N=-r+{r.sup.2+L.sub.1.sup.2-(kr-L.sub.1).sup.2}/2r,
y.sub.N=-R.sub.2-{square root}{square root over (
)}(L.sub.1.sup.2-x.sub.N- .sup.2),
x.sub.N'=-r-R.sub.2 sin .alpha..sub.m-(kr-L.sub.1)cos
.alpha..sub.m, and
Y.sub.N'=-R.sub.2 cos .alpha..sub.m+(kr-L.sub.1)sin
.alpha..sub.m
[0017] (where r is the distance between the step link roller shafts
in the upper and lower landing sections; L.sub.1 is the length
between the step link roller shaft and the link connection point in
a first link; k is a speed change ratio; and R.sub.2 is a radius of
curvature of the lower curved section in the movement locus of the
axis of the step link roller shaft).
[0018] Accordingly, in the upper and lower landing sections and an
intermediate inclined section, it is possible to prevent
interference of the tread with a riser of the adjacent step and
generation of a gap between the riser and the tread.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] In the accompanying drawings:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of an escalator with a high
speed inclined section according to an embodiment of this
invention;
[0021] FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view of the portion around an
upper curved section of FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the positional
relationship between adjacent steps in upper and lower landing
sections of FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the positional
relationship between adjacent steps in the intermediate inclined
section of FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the riser
configuration of a step according to Embodiment 2 of this
invention;
[0025] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the movement
track of a link connecting point near an upper curved section of an
escalator with a high speed inclined section according to
Embodiment 3 of this invention;
[0026] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the movement
track of a link connecting point near a lower curved section of an
escalator with a high speed inclined section according to
Embodiment 4 of this invention; and
[0027] FIG. 8 is a side view of an upper reversing section of an
escalator with a high speed inclined section according to
Embodiment 5 of this invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0028] Embodiments of this invention will be described with
reference to the drawings.
[0029] Embodiment 1
[0030] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of an escalator with a high
speed inclined section according to an embodiment of this
invention. In the drawing, a main frame 1 is provided with a
plurality of steps 2 connected together in an endless fashion. The
steps 2 are driven by a drive unit (step driving means) 3 and
circulated.
[0031] The main frame 1 is provided with a pair of main tracks 4
forming a loop track for the steps 2, a pair of trailing tracks 5
for controlling the attitude of the steps 2, and a pair of
auxiliary tracks 6 for varying the distance between adjacent steps
2.
[0032] The loop track for the steps 2 has a forward path section, a
return track section, an upper reversing section, and a lower
reversing section. The forward path section of the loop track has
an upper landing section (upper horizontal section) A, an upper
curved section B, an intermediate inclined section (fixed
inclination section) C, a lower curved section D, and a lower
landing section (lower horizontal section) E. The intermediate
inclined section C is situated between the upper landing section A
and the lower landing section E. The upper curved section B is
situated between the upper landing section A and the intermediate
inclined section C. The lower curved section D is situated between
the lower landing section E and the intermediate inclined section
C.
[0033] Next, FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view of the portion around
the upper curved section B of FIG. 1. Each step 2 has a tread 7 for
carrying the passenger, a riser 8 formed by bending the lower step
side portion of the tread 7, a step link roller shaft 9 extending
in the width direction of the tread 7, a pair of step link rollers
10 rotatable around the step link roller shaft 9, a trailing roller
shaft 11 parallel to the step link roller shaft 9, and a pair of
trailing rollers 12 rotatable around the trailing rollers 11. The
step link rollers 10 roll on the main tracks 4. The trailing
rollers 12 roll on the trailing tracks 5.
[0034] The step link roller shafts 9 of adjacent steps 2 are
connected to each other by a pair of link mechanisms (folding
links) 13. Each link mechanism 13 has first through fifth links 14
through 18.
[0035] One end portion of the first link 14 is rotatably connected
to the step link roller shaft 9. The other end portion of the first
link 14 is rotatably connected to the middle portion of the third
link 16 through a shaft 19. One end portion of the second link 15
is rotatably connected to the step link roller shaft 9 of the
adjacent step 2. The other end portion of the second link 15 is
rotatably connected to the middle portion of the third link 16
through the shaft 19.
[0036] One end portion of the fourth link 17 is rotatably connected
to the middle portion of the first link 14. One end portion of the
fifth link 18 is rotatably connected to the middle portion of the
second link 15. The other end portions of the fourth and fifth
links 17 and 18 are connected to one end portion of the third link
16 through a slide shaft 20.
[0037] In one end portion of the third link 16, there is provided a
guide groove 16a for guiding the sliding of the slide shaft 20 in
the longitudinal direction of the third link 16. At the other end
of the third link 16, there is provided a rotatable auxiliary
roller 21. The auxiliary roller 21 is guided by the auxiliary track
6.
[0038] Through the guiding of the auxiliary roller 21 by the
auxiliary track 6, the link mechanism 13 undergoes deformation so
as to fold and stretch, and the distance between the step link
roller shafts 9, that is, the distance between the adjacent steps
2, is varied. In other words, the line of the auxiliary track 6 is
designed such that the distance between the adjacent steps 2
varies. The step speed changing means in Embodiment 1 has the
auxiliary track 6, the link mechanism 13, and the auxiliary roller
21.
[0039] Next, the operation of this escalator will be described. The
speed of the steps 2 is varied by varying the distance between the
step link roller shafts 9 of the adjacent steps 2. That is, in the
upper landing section A and the lower landing section E where the
passenger gets on or off, the distance between the step link roller
shafts 9 is minimum, and the steps 2 move at low speed. In the
intermediate inclined section C, the distance between the step link
roller shafts 9 is maximum, and the steps 2 move at high speed. In
the upper curved section B and the lower curved section D
constituting the speed changing portions, the distance between the
step link roller shafts 9 is varied, and the steps 2 are
accelerated or decelerated.
[0040] The first, second, fourth, and fifth links 14, 15, 17, and
18 form a so-called pantograph type quadruple link mechanism,
making it possible to increase or decrease the angle made by the
first and second links 14 and 15, with the third link 16 serving as
the axis of symmetry, whereby it is possible to vary the distance
between the step link roller shafts 9 connected to the first and
second links 14 and 15.
[0041] In the landing sections A and E of FIG. 1, the distance
between the step link roller shafts 9 of the adjacent steps 2 is
minimum. When, from this state, the distance between the main track
4 and the auxiliary track 6 is diminished, the link mechanism 13
operates like the framework of an umbrella when it is opened, and
the distance between the step link roller shafts 9 of the adjacent
steps 2 increases.
[0042] In the intermediate inclined section C of FIG. 1, the
distance between the main track 4 and the auxiliary track 6 is
minimum, and the distance between the step link roller shafts 9 of
the adjacent steps 2 is maximum. Thus, in this region, the speed of
the steps 2 is maximum. Further, in this condition, the first and
second links 14 and 15 are substantially arranged in a straight
line.
[0043] Next, the method of determining the configuration of the
riser 8 according to Embodiment 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is an
explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship between the
adjacent steps 2 in the upper and lower landing sections A and E of
FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the positional
relationship between the adjacent steps 2 in the intermediate
inclined section C of FIG. 1.
[0044] In the drawings, in the upper and lower landing sections A
and E, the steps 2 are arranged horizontally with no gaps
therebetween, and the distance between the step link roller shafts
9 of the adjacent steps 2 (or the distance between identical
corresponding points) is r. Further, suppose the speed changing
ratio (the ratio of the moving speed of the steps 2 in the
intermediate inclined section C to the moving speed of the steps 2
in the upper and lower landing sections A and E) is k. Further,
suppose the inclination angle of the intermediate inclined section
is .alpha..sub.m.
[0045] In this case, the distance between the adjacent steps 2 in
the intermediate inclined section C is kr. Further, assuming that
the upper-step-side end P.sub.1 of the tread 7 of the step 2
situated on the upper step side is the origin of an coordinate
system, the coordinates of the upper-step-side end P.sub.2 of the
tread 7 of the step 2 situated on the lower step side can be
expressed as follows:
(kr cos .alpha..sub.m, -kr sin .alpha..sub.m) (1)
[0046] Further, when the step 2 is seen from the side with the
tread 7 being horizontal and on the upper side, the upper end of
the riser 8 is situated at the lower-step-side end Q.sub.1 of the
tread 7. Thus, the configuration of the riser 8 is determined so as
to be a straight line or a curved line passing the lower-step-side
end Q.sub.1 of the tread 7 and the upper-step-side end P.sub.2 of
the tread 7 of the step 2 adjacent on the lower step side, whereby
it is possible to prevent the tread 7 from interfering with the
riser 8 of the adjacent step 2 and to prevent generation of a gap
between the riser 8 and the tread 7 in the upper and lower landing
sections A and E and the intermediate inclined section C.
[0047] Embodiment 2
[0048] Next, FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the riser
configuration in the escalator with a high speed inclined section
of Embodiment 2 of this invention. The general construction of the
escalator is the same as that of Embodiment 1. In Embodiment 2, the
riser 8 has a flat configuration. That is, when the step 2 is seen
from the side, the riser 8 exhibits a straight line passing the
lower-step-side end Q.sub.1 of the tread 7 and the upper-step-side
end P.sub.2 of the tread 7 of the step 2 adjacent on the lower step
side.
[0049] Assuming that the angle made by the tread 7 and the riser 8
is .theta.,
tan .theta.=kr sin .alpha..sub.m/(kr cos .alpha..sub.m-r) (2)
[0050] Thus, .theta. can be expressed as follows:
.theta.=k sin .alpha..sub.m/(k cos .alpha..sub.m-1) (3)
[0051] In this way, when a flat riser 8 is used, the angle .theta.
of the riser 8 with respect to the tread 7 is restricted by the
speed changing ratio k and the inclination angle .alpha..sub.m of
the intermediate inclined section C, whereby it is possible to
prevent the tread 7 from interfering with the riser 8 of the
adjacent step 2 and to prevent generation of a gap between the
riser 8 and the tread 7 in the upper and lower landing sections A
and E and the intermediate inclined section C.
[0052] Embodiment 3
[0053] Next, FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the movement
locus of the link connection point around the upper curved section
of an escalator with a high speed inclined section according to
Embodiment 3 of this invention. The general construction of the
escalator is the same as that of Embodiment 1. In the drawing, the
axis of the step link roller shaft 9 moves along the movement locus
30. The shaft 19, which is the link connection point (bending
point) of the first link 14 and the second link 15, moves along the
movement locus 31.
[0054] In the upper landing section A, the adjacent steps 2 are
arranged horizontally without any gap therebetween, and the
distance between the axes of the step link roller shafts 9 (which
is substantially equal to the length of the tread 7) is r. Further,
suppose the speed changing ratio (the ratio of the moving speed of
the steps 2 in the intermediate inclined section C to the moving
speed of the steps 2 in the upper and lower landing sections A and
E) is k. Further, suppose the inclination angle of the intermediate
inclined section C is .alpha..sub.m. And, further, suppose the
radius of curvature of the movement locus 30 in the upper curved
section B is R.sub.1.
[0055] In this case, the distance between the step link roller
shafts 9 in the intermediate inclined section C is kr. Further,
suppose the length of the portion of the first link 14 from the
step link roller shaft 9 to the link connection point (which is
substantially equal to the length of the first link 14) is L.sub.1,
and suppose the length of the portion of the second link 15 from
the step link roller shaft 9 to the link connection point (which is
substantially equal to the length of the second link 15) is
L.sub.2. Further, in the intermediate inclined section C, the step
link roller shaft 9 and the link connection point in the first link
14 and the step link roller shaft 9 in the second link 15 are
defined to be in a straight line. In this case, the length L.sub.2
can be expressed as follows:
L.sub.2=kr-L.sub.1 (4)
[0056] Next, the coordinates of one end M and the other end M' of
the movement locus 31 of the link connection point in the speed
changing region are obtained. It is to be assumed that the speed
change in the upper portion of the escalator (the folding and
stretching of the first link 14 and the second link 15) is
completed exclusively in the upper curved section B. Further, the
origin of the coordinate system is the point spaced apart
horizontally (in the x-direction) by -r and vertically (in the
y-direction) by -R.sub.1 from the border point F which is in the
movement locus 30 of the axis of the step link roller shaft 9 and
which is between the upper landing section A and the upper curved
section B.
[0057] Here, a case is considered in which the steps 2 are
accelerated from the upper landing section A toward the
intermediate inclined section C. When the axis of the step link
roller shaft 9 of the lower-side step 2 of the adjacent steps 2 in
the upper landing section A is positioned at the border point F(r,
R.sub.1), which is the acceleration start point, the axis of the
step link roller shaft 9 of the upper-side step 2 is positioned at
the point G(x.sub.G, y.sub.G)=(0, R.sub.1). At this time, the link
connection point (shaft 19) is positioned at the start point M of
the speed change region of the movement locus 31.
[0058] Assuming that the angle made by segment GF and segment GM is
.beta., the following equation is derived from the second law of
cosines regarding the triangle FGM:
cos
.beta.=(r.sup.2+L.sub.1.sup.2-L.sub.2.sup.2)/2rL.sub.1={r.sup.2+L.sub.-
1.sup.2-(kr-L.sub.1).sup.2}/2rL.sub.1 (5)
[0059] Thus, the horizontal and vertical coordinates (x.sub.M,
y.sub.M) of the point M are expressed as follows:
x.sub.M=x.sub.G+L.sub.1cos.beta.={r.sup.2+L.sub.1-(kr--L.sub.1).sup.2}/2r
(6)
y.sub.M=y.sub.G-{square root}{square root over (
)}(L.sub.1.sup.2-x.sub.M.- sup.2)=R.sub.1-{square root}{square root
over ( )}(L.sub.1.sup.2-x.sub.M.s- up.2) (7)
[0060] When the axis of the step link roller shaft 9 of the
upper-side step 2 is positioned at the border point G' that is
between the upper curved section B and the intermediate inclined
section C, the acceleration of the lower-side step 2 has been
completed, and the link connection point is positioned at the end
point M' of the movement locus 31. At this time, the coordinates of
the point G', (x.sub.G', y.sub.G'), can be expressed as
follows:
x.sub.G'=r+R.sub.1 sin .alpha..sub.m (8)
y.sub.G'=R.sub.1 cos .alpha..sub.m (9)
[0061] Further, in the intermediate inclined section C, the step
link roller shaft 9 and the link connection point in the first link
14 and the step link roller shaft 9 in the second link 15 are in a
straight line, so that M' is a point which is in the movement locus
30 of the axis of the step link roller shaft 9 and in the
intermediate inclined section C. Thus, the coordinates of the point
M', (x.sub.M', y.sub.M'), can be expressed as follows:
x.sub.M'=x.sub.G'+L.sub.1 cos .alpha..sub.m=r+R.sub.1 sin
.alpha..sub.m+L.sub.1 cos .alpha..sub.m (10)
y.sub.M'=y.sub.G'-L.sub.1 sin .alpha..sub.m=R.sub.1 cos
.alpha..sub.m-L.sub.1 sin .alpha..sub.m (11)
[0062] In this escalator with a high speed inclined section, the
movement locus 31 of the link connection point in the speed change
region of the upper portion of the escalator is a straight line or
a curved line connecting the end points M and M'. That is, the
positions of the end points of the link connection point are
determined such that the speed change of the steps 2 in the upper
portion of the escalator is effected exclusively in the upper
curved section B (the region where the steps 2 undergo a change in
difference in level). Thus, in the upper and lower landing sections
A and E and the intermediate inclined section C, it is possible to
prevent interference of the tread 7 with the riser 8 of the
adjacent step 2 and generation of a gap between the riser 8 and the
tread 7.
[0063] Embodiment 4
[0064] Next, FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the movement
locus of the link connection point near the lower curved section of
an escalator with a high speed inclined section according to
Embodiment 4 of this invention. The general construction of the
escalator is the same as that of Embodiment 1. In the drawing, the
speed change in the lower portion of the escalator is completed
exclusively in the lower curved section D. Suppose the radius of
curvature of the movement locus 30 of the axis of the step link
roller shaft 9 in the lower curved section D is R.sub.2. Further,
the origin of the coordinate system is the point spaced apart
horizontally (in the x-direction) by r and vertically (in the
y-direction) by R.sub.2 from the border point I which is in the
movement locus 30 and which is between the lower landing section E
and the lower curved section D.
[0065] As in Embodiment 3, one end N(x.sub.N, y.sub.N) and the
other end N' (x.sub.N', y.sub.N') of the movement locus 31 of the
link connection point in the speed changing region of the lower
portion of the escalator are obtained as follows:
x.sub.N=-r+{r.sup.2+L.sub.1.sup.2-(kr-L.sub.1).sup.2}/2r (12)
y.sub.N=-R.sub.2-{square root}{square root over (
)}(L.sub.1.sup.2-x.sub.N- .sup.2) (13)
x.sub.N'=-r-R.sub.2 sin .alpha..sub.m-(kr-L.sub.1)cos .alpha..sub.m
(14)
y.sub.N'=-R.sub.2 cos .alpha..sub.m+(kr-L.sub.1)sin .alpha..sub.m
(15)
[0066] In this escalator with a high speed inclined section, the
movement locus 31 of the link connection point in the speed
changing region of the lower portion of the escalator is a straight
line or a curved line having the points N and N' as its ends. That
is, the positions of the end points of the link connection point
are determined such that the speed change of the steps 2 in the
lower portion of the escalator is effected exclusively in the lower
curved section D (the region where the steps 2 undergo a change in
difference in level). Thus, in the upper and lower landing sections
A and E and the intermediate inclined section C, it is possible to
prevent interference of the tread 7 with the riser 8 of the
adjacent step 2 and generation of a gap between the riser 8 and the
tread 7.
[0067] While in Embodiments 3 and 4 the positions of the end points
of the movement locus of the link connection point in the speed
changing region (upper and lower curved sections) are obtained, it
is also possible to geometrically obtain, from the positions of the
points obtained, the positions of the end points of the movement
locus of the axis of the auxiliary roller and the positions of the
end points of the auxiliary track in the speed changing region.
[0068] Embodiment 5
[0069] Further, while in the above examples a pantograph type
quadruple link mechanism is used, the construction of the link
mechanism is not restricted to this; it is also possible, for
example, to use a link mechanism 41 as shown in FIG. 8.
[0070] The link mechanism 41 has a first link 42 with a bent middle
portion and a second link 43 of a linear configuration. One end
portion of the first link 42 is connected to the step link roller
shaft 9. An auxiliary roller 21 is mounted to the other end portion
of the first link 42. One end portion of the second link 43 is
connected to the step link roller shaft 9 of the adjacent step 2.
The other end portion of the second link 43 is connected to the
link connection point in the middle portion of the first link 42
through a shaft 44. The step speed changing means of Embodiment 5
has the auxiliary track 6, the link mechanism 41, and the auxiliary
roller 21.
[0071] Even in the case in which this link mechanism 41 is used, it
is possible, as in Embodiments 3 and 4, to obtain the end points of
the locus of the link connection point in the speed changing
region, whereby it is possible to prevent interference of the tread
7 with the riser 8 of the adjacent step 2 and generation of a gap
between the riser 8 and the tread 7 in the upper and lower landing
sections and the intermediate inclined section.
* * * * *