PEOPLE MOVER, TRANSMISSION CHAIN AND METHOD IN THE USE OF
A PEOPLE MOVER
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 OP 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 V1, 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 V1 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 V1, which stop
face V1 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 V1. 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.
Pig. 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.
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
in 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.
CLAIMS
1. People mover (1), 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 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 (5,6), when passing around which the
consecutive chain links of the transmission chain bend in
relation to each other in the first direction (I),
characterized in that the people mover (1) comprises
means for limiting bending of the transmission chain
occurring in the second direction (II).
2. People mover according to claim 1, characterized in
that the transmission chain (2) comprises the
aforementioned means for limiting bending of the
transmission chain occurring in the second direction
(II).
3. People mover according to claim 1 or 2, characterized
in that the section (a,b) of the transmission chain (2)
between the coupling elements (15) of immediately
consecutive palettes comprises means for limiting bending
of that section (a,b) of the transmission chain occurring
in the second direction (II).
4. People mover according to claim 1, 2 or 3,
characterized in that the aforementioned means for
limiting bending comprise bending limitation means (3) in
at least a part of the chain links of the transmission
chain (2).
5. People mover according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4,
characterized in that the aforementioned bending
limitation means (3) in a chain link comprises a stop
face (VI), which is arranged to hit some part (V2) 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 the bending of immediately
consecutive chain links in relation to each other farther
in the direction (II) .
6. People mover according to any of claims 1-5,
characterized in that the transmission chain (2) of it
comprises a plurality of chain links, which comprise a
bending limitation means (3).
7. People mover according to any of claims 1-6,
characterized in that it 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 (2) between the
coupling elements (15) of which immediately consecutive
pallets comprises a plurality of chain links provided
with the aforementioned bending limitation means (3).
8. People mover according to any of claims 1-7,
characterized in that the section (a,b) of the
transmission chain (2) between the coupling elements (15)
of immediately consecutive pallets is limited against
bending occurring in the second direction (II) for
essentially its entire length with bending limitation
means (3) in at least a part of the chain links of the
section (a,b).
9. People mover according to claims 1-8, characterized in
that the bending of a chain link that is immediately
behind a chain link provided with a bending limitation
means (3) over the determined extreme position (A) of the
bending limitation means in the second direction (II) in
relation to the aforementioned chain link provided with a
bending limitation means is prevented with the bending
limitation means (3) 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).
10. People mover according to claims 1-9, characterized
in that 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 (A).
11. People mover according to claims 1-10, characterized
in that the aforementioned immediately consecutive chain
links are parallel when in the extreme position (A).
12. People mover according to claims 1-11, characterized
in that the sections (a,b) of the chain between the
consecutive coupling elements (15) each comprise a
plurality of consecutive chain links, the bending of
which in the second direction (II) is limited with the
aforementioned means (3) such that each of the
aforementioned pluralities of consecutive links forms a
sequence of links that is rigid only in the second
direction (II).
13. People mover according to claims 1-12, characterized
in that the sections (a and b) are 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 sequence of
links.
14. People mover according to claims 1-13, characterized
in that a chain link of the transmission means (2) , 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).
15. People mover according to claims 1-14, characterized
in that essentially the whole transmission chain is
limited against bending occurring in the second direction
(II) with the aforementioned bending limitation means.
16. People mover according to any of claims 1-15,
characterized in that the section (a,b) of the
transmission chain (2) between the coupling elements (15)
of immediately consecutive pallets is continuously rigid
in the direction (II) when the immediately consecutive
pallets in question are on the outgoing section and are
available for use by passengers.
17. Transmission chain (2), more particularly a
transmission chain of a people mover for connecting to
the steps or corresponding of a people mover, which
transmission chain (2) 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 comprises means for
limiting bending of the transmission chain occurring in
the second direction (II), 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, characterized in that the
means (3) for limiting bending is one of the
aforementioned plates, and in that the plate (3) formed
into a bending limitation means comprises a protrusion
(u) extending in the longitudinal direction of the chain
link, which protrusion comprises a stop face (VI) , which
stop face (VI) is arranged to hit the stop face (V2) of
the plate formed into a bending limitation means of a
chain link in the proximity of it.
18. Transmission chain (2) according to claim 17,
characterized in that each second link of the
transmission chain (2) comprises a plate (3) formed into
a bending limitation means, and in that consecutive
plates (3) formed into a bending limitation means are on
the same plane as each other.
19. Transmission chain (2) according to claim 17 or 18,
characterized in that the plate (3) formed 4nt° a bending
limitation means participates in transmitting the
traction that is exerted on the transmission chain (2) in
the longitudinal direction of the chain.
20. Method in the use of a people mover, more
particularly for reducing jerk in the longitudinal
direction 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
(5,6), when passing around which the consecutive chain
links of the transmission chain bend in relation to each
other in the first direction (I), characterized in that
in the method bending of the transmission chain occurring
in the second direction (II) is limited.
21. Method according to the preceding claim,
characterized in that in the method bending of the
section (a,b) of the transmission chain that is between
the coupling elements (15) of immediately consecutive
palettes in the second direction (II) is limited, which
limitation is made with the means (3) incorporated in
that section (a,b) of the transmission chain for limiting
the bending of the transmission chain (2) occurring in
the second direction (II).
22. Method according to any of the preceding claims,
characterized in that 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).

People mover (1), more particularly a travelator or corresponding, which comprises a plurality of steps or corresponding
for carrying and moving people, a transmission chain formed into an endless loop, which transmission chain is connected
to the aforementioned steps or corresponding, and via which transmission chain the steps 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 (I) and in a second direction (II), and which transmission
chain is arranged to pass around at least two turning elements (5,6), when passing around which the consecutive chain links of the
transmission chain bend in relation to each other in the first direction. The transmission chain comprises means for limiting bending
of the transmission chain occurring in the second direction (II).