Escalator drive mechanism with failure detection and backup

US6997302B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY · US

Inventors

• Richard N. Fargo · Plainville, US
• Jorg Ostermeier · Stadthagen, DE
• Charles W. Darling, III · Meridian Avenue, US
• Bernward Engelke · Hildesheim, DE
• Ernst Führing · Sachsenhagen, DE
• John M. Milton-Benoit · West Suffield, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 20, 2002
• Grant date: Feb 14, 2006
• Expiry date: May 20, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B66B29/00
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An escalator drive assembly includes a backup member (40) that facilitates controlling movement of the escalator (20) even when the normal drive assembly operation is interrupted. A backup member (40) in the form of a flange (42) is associated with a drive pulley (34) and normally rotates in unison with the drive pulley (34). When there is a failure in the normal operation of the drive mechanism, however, there is a resulting relative movement between the backup member (40) and the drive pulley (34). Such relative motion preferably activates a switch (80) that provides a signal that indicates a failure of the normal operation of the drive mechanism. The backup member (40) facilitates providing an indication of a failure and control over movement of the escalator (20) even when the normal drive assembly is not operating as intended.