A gearbox measuring just 160mm wide has been designed andmanufactured by Renold Gears as part of a revolutionary new compact drive solution for escalator manufacturer, Schindler. The company wanted to simplify the main drives ystems on its escalators to reduce the number of components, cut maintenance and enhance their high-techlooks.
The moving steps of the escalator had previouslybeen driven by a combination of drive systems consistingof gear and chain transmissions, linked to the mainhead-shaft. This was a space consuming design located infront of the step band in the upper head.
However, for modern aesthetic reasons and ease of maintenance, Schindler wanted to change the design and shaft mount thegearbox directly on to the head-shaft of the escalators,thereby eliminating all other drive components.
The problem Renold had was that the whole gearbox had tofit in a space no wider than 160mm and still providesufficient torque to drive the escalator with a full load.
The bespoke solution the company's design team developedwas a specially manufactured main drive helical box,fitted with a standard first reduction worm and wheeldrive to achieve the overall ratio required.
Bruce Dagley, Renold Gears' Engineering Director, said: Our ability to undertake and develop complete drivesolutions from the design stage through to load testing ofthe finished product, in short lead times, reallyhighlights our dominance in the people movement industry.
The bespoke gearbox was supplied as a replacement driveand retrofitted onto an existing escalator situated in thecoastal town of The Hague in Holland. The drive, which wasinstalled in 2005, has performed perfectly, and, as aresult of Renold Gears' successful slimline solution,further installations are planned for 2006.