Residents of big cities know firsthand what an escalator is . This is a very convenient vehicle that can be found today not only in the subway, but also in many shopping, entertainment centers, train stations and airports. The scale of such facilities is also uneven. The height of escalators can reach truly impressive sizes.
Modern conveyor designs are significantly different from the mechanisms of the past. This allows you to achieve much more comfortable movement of people, as well as completely silent operation of the system. Everyone will be interested in learning more about these devices.
General information
Today, the escalator of the metro , shopping center or train station does not cause us any concern. This is a familiar form of transport for everyone, which even small children can safely use. The first escalator, which appeared in London in 1898, aroused mixed feelings among people.
This luxury was allowed at that time by the Harrods store. But visitors were afraid to climb the new device. The store director found a way out of this situation. He placed special employees at the exit from the miraculous staircase. They poured a cup of brandy to every daredevil who dared to use the escalator.
Those distant times are long gone. Today we are not afraid to step on the surface of this technique in order to rise or go down to a certain height. A moving staircase , which has a slope of 30-35 degrees, is now called an escalator.
The basic principle of the escalator
To understand what an escalator is , you do not need to be a technologist. Everything looks pretty simple. Escalator tape consists of steps. They are installed in the casing and smoothly move up or down on an inclined plane. To make it convenient for people to stand on a moving surface, there is a railing tape on the sides. It moves parallel to the steps at the same speed.
To use the vehicle was safe, the creators of these devices have provided a specific system. There is a fixed comb on the lower step of the escalator. From under it, the tape begins to move. Each step is indicated by boundary lines.
When the escalator belt moves out from under the comb, the steps are folded, flat. On this line, and man comes. After a while, the steps begin to rise smoothly. At this time, it is important to get up correctly. For this stage and are marked by restrictive lines. Usually they are bright yellow. When the steps rise, the person must stand with both feet on one of them.
Where is the escalator installed?
There are several basic criteria by which escalators are distinguished. The first of these is size. There are tunnel and floor types. The first variety is the metro escalator. Their length can reach more than 100 m. For example, the longest escalator in the world works at the Admiralteyskaya station. Each of its tapes has a length of 137.4 m. At the same time, the height to which a person lowers and rises is almost 69 m. Tunnel escalators are very durable.
Floor-by-floor varieties of transport tapes are most often found in our daily lives. The central children's world , almost every shopping center has such an escalator. They are able to lift people only one floor. But such escalators are significantly different in design, equipment and width of steps.
Operating principle
To understand what an escalator is , it is necessary to consider in detail the principle of operation of this conveyor. In almost all varieties, it is identical. Each step is set between two long chains. From below, the entire system rests on casters. They ride on the guide rails.
Chains are closed and move continuously in a circle. They are driven by two large shafts. They are installed at the top and bottom. They are driven by a motor. This system is under the floor.
In the subway most often there are attendants who, in the event of an unforeseen situation, can turn off the movement of the escalator. In the floor varieties there is a special button. Therefore, each in a dangerous situation can turn off the movement of the steps.
What are the mechanisms
Holding onto the handrail of the escalator, many of us have no idea which mechanism is hidden under the steps. Most often, in such devices, chain transmission works. It looks like a bicycle chain.
The gears of gearing and friction are also divided. In the first case, one can distinguish chain mechanisms, cylindrical, worm, and rack varieties. Friction transfers are frictional and belt type. The cost and technical characteristics of each variety are different.
Advantages and disadvantages of the escalator
The central children's world , the building of the station, airport or subway use the presented transporters. During their operation, it is necessary to remember the rules of behavior on the escalator and the features of such mechanisms.
Of the advantages it should be noted a large bandwidth. This allows people to move much faster than they would walk up the stairs. In case of unforeseen breakdown, the escalator can be operated as a normal staircase.
But this system has several drawbacks. The escalator does not allow transportation of trolleys, bulky items or cargo. The cost of such conveyors is more expensive than that of an elevator. People with disabilities who are traveling with wheelchairs cannot climb the escalator. In this case, it is necessary to install travelators. Their design is more thoughtful.
Behavior rules
People on the escalator must adhere to several rules of conduct. This will avoid unpleasant situations. Stand on the steps of the escalator on the right side. You should turn your face in the direction of travel. Hand grab handrail.
Do not step on the yellow boundary line. Young children should be held by the hand or in the arms. It is necessary to keep the edges of long clothes so that they do not fall into the structural elements of the escalator.
It is forbidden to sit on the stairs, put bags on them. Also, do not lean on the handrail or run up the stairs. After lifting or lowering, you should move away from the opening of the escalator.
Having studied what an escalator is and what are the basic rules for its operation, you can understand the essence of this convenient mechanism. It is installed in a variety of public places. If the operating rules of this device are followed, the conveyor will be completely safe.