Escalator combplate retraction device
An escalator system includes a moving step including a plurality of grooves and drivable in a travel direction. A combplate is located at at least a downstream end of the moving step relative to the travel direction at a step-combplate interface. A retraction device is configured to move the combplate along the travel direction from a normal position toward a retracted position when an entrapment of an object is detected at the step-combplate interface.
1 . An escalator system, comprising:
a moving step including a plurality of grooves and drivable in a travel direction;
a combplate disposed at at least a downstream end of the moving step relative to the travel direction at a step-combplate interface; and
a retraction device configured to move the combplate along the travel direction from a normal position toward a retracted position when an entrapment of an object is detected at the step-combplate interface;
wherein the retraction device includes one or more solenoids to retain the combplate in the normal position, the one or more solenoids including one or more solenoid pistons extending laterally at least partially across the combplate to block movement of the combplate;
wherein the one or more solenoids are activated to retract the one or more solenoid pistons to release the combplate when an entrapment is detected, allowing for movement of the combplate toward the retracted position.
2 . The escalator system of claim 1 , wherein the retraction device includes one or more retraction springs configured to bias the combplate toward the retracted position.
3 . The escalator system of claim 1 , wherein the entrapment is detected via an entrapment detection sensor.
4 . The escalator system of claim 3 , wherein the entrapment detection sensor is one of a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor or a tactile force sensor.
5 . The escalator system of claim 1 , further comprising a reset actuator configured to urge the combplate from the retracted position toward the normal position.
6 . The escalator system of claim 5 , wherein the reset actuator is activated at one or more of the absence of detection of an entrapment or after a preselected time duration after the detection of an entrapment.
7 . The escalator system of claim 1 , wherein the combplate is configured to travel in the range of 10 millimeters to 20 millimeters from the normal position to the retracted position.
8 . A combplate assembly of an escalator, comprising:
a combplate partially defining a step-combplate interface of the escalator, the combplate including a plurality of combplate teeth;
a retraction device configured to move the combplate along a travel direction from a normal position toward a retracted position when an entrapment of an object is detected at the step-combplate interface;
wherein the retraction device includes one or more solenoids to retain the combplate in the normal position, the one or more solenoids including one or more solenoid pistons extending laterally at least partially across the combplate to block movement of the combplate;
wherein the one or more solenoids are activated to retract the one or more solenoid pistons to release the combplate when an entrapment is detected, allowing for movement of the combplate toward the retracted position.
9 . The combplate assembly of claim 8 , wherein the retraction device includes one or more retraction springs configured to bias the combplate toward the retracted position.
10 . The combplate assembly of claim 8 , wherein the entrapment is detected via an entrapment detection sensor.
11 . The combplate assembly of claim 10 , wherein the entrapment detection sensor is one of a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor or a tactile force sensor.
12 . The combplate assembly of claim 8 , further comprising a reset actuator configured to urge the combplate from the retracted position toward the normal position.
13 . The combplate assembly of claim 12 , wherein the reset actuator is activated at one or more of the absence of detection of an entrapment, after a preselected time duration after the detection of an entrapment, or via a manually operated reset switch.
14 . The combplate assembly of claim 8 , wherein the combplate is configured to travel in the range of 10 millimeters to 20 millimeters from the normal position to the retracted position.
15 . A method of operating an escalator, comprising:
driving a moving step including a plurality of grooves in a travel direction toward a combplate, the combplate disposed at at least a downstream end of the moving step relative to the travel direction at a step-combplate interface;
detecting an entrapment at the step-combplate interface; and
activating a retraction device to move the combplate along the travel direction from a normal position toward a retracted position;
wherein when an entrapment is detected, one or more solenoids are activated to move one or more solenoid pistons from an extended position at least partially blocking the combplate laterally to a retracted position allowing for movement of the combplate.
16 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising detecting the entrapment via one of a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor or a tactile force sensor.
17 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising urging the combplate toward the normal position via activation of a reset actuator, the reset actuator activated at one or more of the absence of detection of an entrapment or after a preselected time duration after the detection of an entrapment.