阅读说明：本技术 现有的人员运送设备的现代化改装方法 (Modernization method of existing personnel transportation equipment ) 是由 吉尔伯特·齐默曼 托马斯·诺瓦塞克 于 2019-08-20 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种设计为自动扶梯或移动步道的现有的人员运送设备(1)的现代化改装方法(100)。在此,该现代化改装方法(100)通过生成现有的承载结构(2)的三维承载结构模型数据组(112)、将三维承载结构模型数据组结合到数字替身数据组(131)中以及基于数字替身数据组(131)生产所需的构件来实施,并且将这些构件安装在现有的承载结构(2)中。(The invention relates to a modernization method (100) for an existing people conveyor (1) designed as an escalator or a moving walkway. The modernization method (100) is carried out by generating a three-dimensional support structure model data record (112) of the existing support structure (2), integrating the three-dimensional support structure model data record into a digital avatar data record (131), and producing the required components on the basis of the digital avatar data record (131), and installing these components in the existing support structure (2).)

1. Modernization retrofitting method (100) of an existing people conveyor (1) designed as an escalator or moving walkway and having a revolving conveyor belt (9), characterized by the following steps:

generating a three-dimensional load-bearing structure model data set (112) from an existing load-bearing structure (2) of an existing people mover (1);

determining a core space (113) of the carrying structure starting from a three-dimensional carrying structure model data set (112) of an existing carrying structure (2);

determining configuration data (123) specific to the user for components requiring new installation, wherein only configuration scenarios are allowed in which the conveyor belt (9) can be arranged within the core space 113;

creating a digital avatar data set (131) of the entire people mover comprising a temporary load-bearing structure model data set (134) by means of user-specific configuration data (123) from the component model data sets (134, …, NN);

marking the contour of the three-dimensional load-bearing structure model data set (112) of the existing load-bearing structure (2) protruding into the core space (113) or passing through the core space as to be removed; and is

The three-dimensional support structure model data set (112) of the existing support structure (2) is adjusted by means of the temporary support structure model data set (134) of the digital substitute data set (131) in that a component model data set of the adapter component (148, 191, 199) is generated taking into account the interface characteristics (192, 193, 194, 195, 196) of the temporary support structure model data set (134), the geometric data of the three-dimensional support structure model data set (112) of the existing support structure (2), and taking into account the marked contour.

2. Modernization of a method (100) according to claim 1, wherein the existing load bearing structure (2) or its three-dimensional load bearing structure model data set (112) has two side structures (153, 154) which are connected to one another by means of a bottom structure (155) and thus have a U-shaped cross section with respect to a longitudinal extension direction, wherein a core space (113) is defined by an inner side of the side structures (153, 154) and an inner side of the bottom structure (155).

3. The modernization retrofitting method (100) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the three-dimensional load bearing structure model data set (112) of the existing load bearing structure (2) is generated by:

fixing an image recording device (22) on the existing revolving conveyor belt (9);

removing at least one foot unit (7) of the revolving conveyor belt (9) in order to open a visible entrance (25) into the region of the existing carrying structure (2) located therebelow;

before the image capture, at least one reference mark (10) is arranged on the existing people conveyor (1) in a positionally fixed manner at least one position within the displacement path (5), said reference mark being clearly identifiable for the image capture device (22);

displacing the conveyor belt (9) together with the image recording device (22) fixed thereto in a revolving manner at least over a partial region of the displacement path (5);

-image recording of structural components of the existing carrying structure (2) to be measured from a plurality of positions along the displacement path (5) by means of an image recording device (22); and

a three-dimensional support structure data set (112) of at least some regions of structural components of the existing support structure (2) is generated on the basis of the captured image images and by means of at least one reference marking (10) captured therewith.

4. The modernization retrofitting method (100) of claim 3, wherein, in the generation of the three-dimensional load-bearing structure model data set (112), a plurality of image photographs are combined into one overall photograph taking into account the reference markings (10) taken together in the image photographs.

5. The modernization method (100) of claim 3 or 4, wherein, in the generation of the three-dimensional load-bearing structure model data set (112), distortions in the image picture are corrected by means of reference markers (10) which are taken together in the image picture.

6. The modernization retrofitting method (100) of one of the preceding claims 3 to 5, wherein the generated three-dimensional load-bearing structure model data set (112) is calibrated by means of reference markers (10) taken together in image photographs.

7. The modernization retrofitting method (100) of any of the preceding claims 3 to 6, wherein image photographs are taken during a continuous displacement of an existing conveyor belt (9).

8. The modernization retrofitting method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a temporary load bearing structure model data set (134) generated from the user-specific configuration data (123) is removed from the digital avatar data set (131) and an existing three-dimensional load bearing structure model data set (112) of the load bearing structure (2) and a component model data set of the adapter component (148, 191, 199) are introduced.

9. The modernization retrofitting method (100) of claim 8, wherein for generating a component model data set of the adapter component (148, 191, 199) a set of rules is provided by means of which:

logically selecting and grouping interface features (192, 193, 194, 195) of the component model data sets (137, 138) of the digital avatar data set (131) to be introduced for each component model data set of the adapter component (191);

selecting geometrical data of a contour of a three-dimensional load bearing structure model data set (112) of an existing load bearing structure (2), the geometrical data being arranged in the vicinity of the selected interface features (192, 193, 194, 195) of the adapter member (137, 138); and is

Determining a maximum force (F1, F2, F3, F4) acting on the selected interface feature (192, 193, 194, 195).

10. Modernization of a method (100) according to claim 9, wherein the component model data set of the adapter component (191) is generated by means of selected geometric data of the three-dimensional load bearing structure model data set (112), geometric data of the component model data set (137, 138) with selected interface features (192, 193, 194, 195) and by means of forces acting on the interface features, wherein the generation is carried out by means of an optimization algorithm taking into account the optimization criterion to be selected.

11. The modernization retrofitting method (100) according to claim 10, wherein at least one component model data set of an adapter component (199) is transmitted to the 3D printer and the adapter component of the real object is generated by means of the component model data set (199).

12. The modernization retrofitting method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a customized digital avatar data set (145) is generated from the digital avatar data set (131) in such a way that the digital avatar data set (131) is supplemented with production-specific data (146), and the customized digital avatar data set (145) comprises the following target data: the target data reflects characterizing attributes of components of the personnel transportation device (171) modernized after being configured according to the target.

13. The modernization method (100) of claim 12, further comprising: creating an instantly updated digital avatar data set ADDD (172);

wherein the creation of the ADDD (172) comprises:

creating a finished digital avatar data set based on the custom digital avatar data set (145) by measuring actual data reflecting characterizing attributes of components of a human transport equipment (171) modernizing the retrofitted physical object immediately after assembly and replacing target data in the custom digital avatar data set (145) with corresponding actual data; and

creating an ADDD (172) based on the finished digital avatar data set by modifying the finished digital avatar data set during operation of the modernized human-transport apparatus (171) taking into account measurements reflecting changes in characterizing properties of components during operation of the modernized human-transport apparatus (171).

14. A computer program product (101) comprising machine-readable program instructions (189), which when executed on a programmable apparatus (121) cause the apparatus (121) to carry out or control a modernization method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. A computer-readable medium (50) having stored thereon the computer program product (101) according to claim 14.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a modernization method of an existing people conveyor, which is designed as an escalator or a moving walkway and which comprises a revolving conveyor belt.

Background

People moving equipment in the form of escalators or moving walkways is often used inside buildings to transport people between two fixed locations. In the case of escalators, which are also partially referred to as escalators, the two positions are located here on different levels and the person is transported along a largely inclined transport path, whereas for moving walkways the two positions are located on the same level or on only slightly different levels and the person is transported flat or along a transport path which is only slightly inclined. In the following, escalators and moving walks are summarized by the more general term "people conveyor".

People conveyors generally have an endless or circulating conveyor belt with a plurality of foot units which can be displaced along a circulating path of movement. In this case, the foot units are accessible from the outside at least in a so-called transport region, so that, for example, a person can step from the entry region onto one foot unit in the transport region, then can be transported along the transport path and finally can leave again at the opposite exit region. The transport region is sometimes also referred to as the advance region of the people conveyor, wherein the circulating conveyor belt returns in a return region below the advance region and is of course not stepped on by a person. In escalators, the tread units are mostly referred to as tread steps, and in moving walks the tread units are usually referred to as pallets. The tread units are usually arranged one after the other along a movement path and are each fixed at least to a conveyor chain or belt in order to form a conveyor belt in this way. According to the standard, the people mover also has a railing with a surrounding handrail which surrounds the conveyor belt at the longitudinal sides. The user can grip the armrest.

In addition to the conveyor belt, the people mover also has a support structure, by means of which the people mover can be fixed inside the building and the weight of the people mover is supported by the support structure to the building. The support structure is usually designed as a truss. Such trusses are constructed from a plurality of structural members. Such structural components may be, inter alia, crossbars, wales, braces, adapter members, etc. The carrying structure is designed and arranged here such that one side can be fitted on a supporting structure of the building and the other side can fit other parts of the people conveyor, in particular guide parts of the conveyor belt, conveyor belts, guard rails, handrails, drive parts for driving the conveyor belt and the handrails, and control parts for controlling the drive parts etc. into and onto the carrying structure. The geometric and structural configuration of the support structure of the people conveyor formed by the support structure should therefore take into account not only the geometric and structural boundary conditions within the building to be accommodated, but also the respective conditions of the other components of the people conveyor.

Modernization of the people mover may be required after a certain duration of operation. In this case, for example, worn parts of the people conveyor can be replaced. Alternatively or additionally, parts of the people mover can be replaced by corresponding modernized parts, for example, in order to improve the performance, comfort and/or service life of the original people mover.

As an alternative to modernization of an existing people mover, the people mover as a whole may also be replaced. In this case, it is possible, although more cost-effectively, to produce replacement personnel carriers in a factory in a standardized manner, rather than to modernize existing personnel carriers. However, additional expense and cost may be incurred in order to transport the replacement personnel shipping equipment to its point of use. In particular, the introduction of replacement personnel handling devices as very large components into existing buildings involves considerable costs, since the walls and/or other obstacles of the building must usually be at least partially removed in this case.

In the context of modernization of people mover, the existing support structure of the people mover is usually first cleaned, i.e. in particular the parts of the people mover that are to be modernized are removed. In other words, some or all parts of the people mover other than the carrying structure are removed. The remaining carrying structure of the people mover is then prepared for receiving new components, that is to say in particular cleaned and provided with suitable adapter plates or adapter modules, in order to be able to subsequently mount the new components on the carrying structure.

WO 2004/035452 a1 describes a method for modernizing an existing escalator. WO 2017/220650 a1 likewise describes a method for modernizing an existing escalator or an existing moving walkway.

When modernizing an existing people mover, the remaining support structure is first measured precisely after the removal of the component to be replaced, so that it can then be adapted to the replacement component to be received, for example by means of an adapter plate and an adapter module. Such measurements are usually carried out by a professional who knows not only exactly the replacement part and its installation requirements, for example, but also which dimensions of the remaining or existing support structure must be measured in order to be able to prepare the replacement part for later installation and possibly the construction or adaptation of the adapter component with sufficient accuracy. However, such measurement of the load bearing structure and subsequent construction of the adapter member is expensive and time consuming due to the required expertise of the professional and the need for the professional to inspect and consider the personnel handling equipment on site.

Furthermore, a modernization method may be required which mainly simplifies modernization of escalators or moving walkways and requires less manpower and/or financial expenditure. In particular, there is a need for a modernized retrofitting method by means of which structural components of a load-bearing structure of an existing personnel carrier can be measured without the need for qualified professional field measurement of the personnel carrier.

Disclosure of Invention

This need may be met by a modernized retrofitting method according to the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are defined in the dependent claims and in the following description.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a modernization method of an existing people conveyor is proposed, which is designed as an escalator or a moving walkway and thus comprises a conveyor belt arranged around. The modernization modification method according to the invention has at least the method steps listed below, wherein these method steps do not have to be processed in the listed order by force.

In one method step, a three-dimensional support structure model data set is generated from an existing support structure of an existing people conveyor. In principle, in the sense of the present invention, the model data set of a component comprises characterizing attributes which reflect as far as possible all characterizing attributes of the described component. The characterizing attributes may be geometric data (length, width, height, cross-sectional shape, concavity, protrusion, radius, camber, etc.), surface finish (roughness, texture, color, etc.), material attributes (chemical composition, density, elastic modulus, bending fatigue strength, tensile and compressive strength, etc.), and the like. This means that as much as possible of the geometric data is obtained in digitized form for the three-dimensional load-bearing structure model data set of the existing load-bearing structure and has to be stored as characterizing properties. In addition, further data relating to the material properties of the existing load-bearing structure are preferably also determined and stored as characterizing attributes in its three-dimensional load-bearing structure model data set. If necessary, the three-dimensional load-bearing structure model data set of the existing load-bearing structure is already available or at least partially available, so that the actual generation is limited to supplementing further data or to converting into a usable data format. However, such three-dimensional load-bearing structure model data sets do not exist in most cases, since the existing load-bearing structures have been manufactured according to conventional two-dimensional maps a decade ago. The acquisition of the geometrical data of such a load bearing structure will be described in more detail below.

In a further method step, the core space of the existing load-bearing structure is determined starting from the three-dimensional load-bearing structure model dataset. Although the carrying structures of escalators and moving walkways of all manufacturers can be designed very differently. However, they all have a U-shaped cross section with respect to their longitudinal extension in such a way that the two side structures are connected to one another by a base or a bottom structure, respectively. In other words, the existing support structure or its three-dimensional support structure model data set has two lateral structures, which are connected to one another by means of a base structure. The aforementioned core space is limited by the inner sides of the side structures and the inner side of the bottom structure in terms of definition and is normally open towards the top due to the mounting position of the carrying structure.

Furthermore, in a further method step, configuration data specific to the user are determined with respect to the new component to be installed. Here, the user may select a desired option from various options. This selection may relate in particular to the appearance, but of course also the desired performance data of the people mover or additional safety equipment, such as sensors, etc., may be selected. Preferably, only such a configuration is allowed, and the conveyor belt may be arranged within the core space. Including the width of the core space of an existing load-bearing structure or the width of a new conveyor belt provided for installation, particularly defined characterizing properties, for installation-specific dimensions such as the spacing of two access areas and the conveying height of an existing escalator or an existing moving walkway.

In a further method step, a digital substitute data record for the entire people conveyor is created with the aid of the user-specific configuration data of the component model data record. This means that each individual component of the escalator or moving walkway can call up a component model data set from a storage medium which defines the component by means of the characterizing properties in the target configuration. In addition to the characterizing properties already mentioned above, the component model data set also has interface features which are to adjoin the component model data set. The interface feature is, on the one hand, a spatial coordinate in the three-dimensional space at which the other component is positioned according to its interface feature. On the other hand, the interface features may also have correlation information which defines which component model data sets are allowed to be correlated at the interface at all times or which other component model data sets are selected. Furthermore, the interface features preferably reflect the geometric design of the interface, such as the diameter, depth and spatial orientation of the threaded bore.

In other words, there is a virtual three-dimensional model in each bolt, rail, each footboard element, etc. to be used. The set of these virtual three-dimensional models defined by the user-specific configuration data generates a three-dimensional virtual model of the entire people mover based on the combined interface features and thus the above-mentioned digital avatar data set. The data of the digital avatar data set may be present, for example, as a CAD data set, which also reflects the geometric dimensions and/or other characterizing properties of the components forming the people mover as characterizing properties.

The central component model data set of the digital avatar data set is a virtually completely unneeded component model data set of the load-bearing structure which is designed solely on the basis of the configuration data specific to the user. However, the component model data record has a majority of the interface features that are to adjoin the component model data record and the spatial spacings of these interface features from one another. As explained further below, the component model data set is required for adapting the three-dimensional load bearing structure model data set of the existing load bearing structure and is therefore referred to as temporary load bearing structure model data set in the following.

As already mentioned, new components or component model data sets thereof inserted for modernization are selected and designed by means of user-specific configuration data and in particular by means of a defined core space. However, no consideration is given here to the possible contours of the components of the existing support structure which project into the core space or of the components which pass through the core space. In order that these contours do not interfere with the installation and function of the newly inserted component, the contour of the three-dimensional load-bearing structure model data set of the existing load-bearing structure protruding into the core space or the contour passing through the core space is marked in a further method step as to be removed. The physical counterpart of which is later removed when preparing the existing load bearing structure. Such a profile is, for example, a wale supporting two side structures of the carrying structure relative to each other or a rib arranged on the side structures for supporting and fixing the guide rail.

In a further method step, the three-dimensional support structure model data record of the existing support structure is adjusted by the temporary support structure model data record of the digital substitute data record. In this case, the interface features of the temporary load-bearing structure model data set can be copied to the three-dimensional load-bearing structure model data set of the existing load-bearing structure. In this case, for example, the interface features of the temporary load-bearing structure model data record, which can be regarded as location points in space, are oriented with respect to the spatial position of the central longitudinal axes of the two component model data records and the spatial position of the access region in a plane lying horizontally in the installation position, and are transferred to the three-dimensional load-bearing structure model data record of the existing load-bearing structure. Subsequently, the component model data set of the adapter component can be generated taking into account the interface characteristics of the temporary load-bearing structure model data set of the digital avatar data set, the geometry data of the three-dimensional load-bearing structure model data set of the existing load-bearing structure, and without taking into account the marked contours thereof.

There are different options for generating a three-dimensional load bearing structure model data set from an existing load bearing structure. After all other existing components of the people mover have been removed, the greatest expense is in manually measuring the existing load bearing structure. The measured measurement data can then be transmitted, for example, to a 3D-CAD system. However, there is the risk that measurement errors and/or transmission errors may be mixed in. Using a laser scanner or TOF camera enables to obtain a three-dimensional virtual image of an existing carrying structure, which is safer, more accurate and faster. However, in this case, the recordings must be made from a plurality of positions around the support structure and combined, wherein distortions caused by the recordings must be corrected. After editing and combining the shots, the three-dimensional image thus formed can be read into a computer system and converted into an existing three-dimensional component model data set of the load-bearing structure by known software algorithms (e.g., tracking). A disadvantage of both methods is that the existing load-bearing structure must be exposed and therefore the existing people conveyor is no longer available from this point in time.

This disadvantage can be overcome when generating a three-dimensional load bearing structure model data set of an existing load bearing structure by:

fixing the image capture device on an existing endless conveyor belt;

removing at least one tread unit of the circulating conveyor belt in order to open a visible access to the area of the existing carrying structure located thereunder;

before the image capture is carried out, at least one reference mark is arranged on the existing personnel carrying equipment in a fixed position in at least one position in the moving stroke of the pedal unit, and the reference mark can be clearly identified by the image capture device;

displacing the conveyor belt, together with the image recording device fixed thereto, in a circulating manner at least over a partial region of the displacement path;

image-recording the structural component to be measured from a plurality of positions along the displacement path by means of an image recording device; and

a three-dimensional load-bearing structure model data set of at least a partial region of the structural components of the existing load-bearing structure is generated on the basis of the image images taken and by means of at least one reference marking taken together.

After the required image recording and the corresponding processing, the foot unit can be installed again in the existing conveyor belt and the existing people conveyor system can be operated until modernization is carried out.

As described above, before the start of image capturing, a reference mark that can be clearly recognized by the image capturing device is fixedly provided on the people mover at one position within the movement stroke, or a plurality of reference marks that can be clearly recognized by the image capturing device are fixedly provided on the people mover at different positions along the movement stroke.

In other words, prior to the start of the image recording of the support structure, the existing people conveyor can be appropriately prepared by providing one or more reference marks, in order to be able to generate a three-dimensional support structure model data set more easily and/or more precisely, for example from the image recording recorded later, and/or in order to be able to evaluate the three-dimensional support structure model data set better. In the generation of the three-dimensional support structure model data record, the reference marking can then be used, for example, as an orientation device, for the formation of a scale or the like.

For example, a self-adhesive or easily secured mark may be used as a reference mark. The reference marks may be provided with a pattern, a bar code or the like. The patterns or barcodes can be designed differently for different reference marks, so that they can be distinguished from one another. The reference mark can also be designed as a centering mark, that is to say, for example, like an aiming disk.

The reference mark can be arranged at a predetermined position along the people mover. Alternatively, the reference mark may be provided at any position on the person conveying apparatus. In particular, reference markings can be provided on parts of the protective railing and/or on structural parts of the existing support structure which are to be measured and received. The position of the reference marks relative to each other can be measured accurately if necessary. Here, only the position or distance of the reference markers relative to each other is important, and the absolute positioning position of the reference markers on the people conveyor may be less or not important.

According to an embodiment of the invention, in the generation of the three-dimensional support structure model data set, a plurality of image recordings can be combined to form a total recording, taking into account the reference markers that are recorded together in the image recordings.

In other words, the reference markers previously provided on the people mover can be used for subsequently combining a plurality of individually taken image pictures into one overall picture, so that a 3D model can then be generated from this overall picture. The 3D model can then be stored as a starting point of the three-dimensional load bearing structure model data set. Thus, since the dimensions extracted from the image picture are already characteristic properties of the three-dimensional support structure model data set, the starting point must be edited as mentioned below if necessary, or further characteristic properties, such as statements about material properties, must be added in order to obtain a sufficiently defined three-dimensional support structure model data set.

It may be advantageous to arrange the reference markers on the people conveyor along the displacement path and/or to take the images along the displacement path in a suitable position, so that in each image picture taken, at least one reference marker, preferably at least two reference markers, are taken together. In particular, if the reference marks are configured to be different from each other and can therefore be distinguished from each other, it can be clearly determined on the basis of the reference marks taken together in the image picture at which position the image was taken and how this can be combined with other image shots.

According to an embodiment of the invention, in the generation of the three-dimensional support structure model data set, the distortion in the image picture is corrected as a function of the position of the reference markers taken together in the image picture.

Similar to the previously described embodiments, the reference symbols can thus in turn be used to enable the generation of a three-dimensional load-bearing structure model data set. In this case, by taking into account the reference marks arranged at known positions and/or at known distances from one another, it is possible to detect whether distortions occur in the image picture, which are caused, for example, by optical errors of the image recording device. It may be particularly important to be able to derive from the image picture taken the actual dimensions and geometry of the structural components taken of the existing support structure and to be able to distinguish virtual photographic errors in the form of distortion from the actual geometry of the structural components. For example, structural components of existing load bearing structures that were originally constructed primarily in the form of straight struts or beams may deform or bend over time. In the image picture taken, the curved structural component can then be recognized. However, the structural component may still be straight and appear curved only due to optical distortions in the image photograph. The virtual distortion can be distinguished from the real curvature by means of previously set reference marks. This distortion can then be suitably calculated and thereby improve the accuracy or scale accuracy of the characterizing properties of the three-dimensional load bearing structure model dataset.

As a further possible embodiment of the invention, the characterizing properties of the three-dimensional support structure model data set can be calibrated by means of reference markers which are taken together in the image picture.

In other words, the reference markers mounted on previously known or precisely measured positions can be used to calibrate the generated 3D model of the three-dimensional load bearing structure model data set. In the 3D model calibrated in this way, the positions and dimensions of the structural components or the distances between the structural components are in particular reflected in a proportional manner, so that such dimensions or distances can be measured precisely with the aid of the three-dimensional load-bearing structural model data record.

According to one embodiment, image capture may be performed during the continuous shifting of the existing conveyor belt.

In other words, the conveyor belt can be displaced continuously around such that the image recording device fixed thereto is continuously moved by the conveyor belt, for example, from one extreme position to a second extreme position, i.e., for example, from one entry region to another entry region of an existing people conveyor. The image recording device can take a plurality of image pictures from different positions over a displacement path between the two extreme positions. The conveyor belt does not need to be stopped forcibly for this purpose, so that the movement duration can be kept short and/or the control of the drive of the conveyor belt can be kept simple.

Alternatively, according to one embodiment, the movement of the conveyor belt may be temporarily interrupted during the taking of the image.

In other words, the image recording device can be displaced from one extreme position to the second extreme position again by the conveyor belt. However, the shifting process is temporarily interrupted once or more times here, i.e. the conveyor belt is temporarily stopped, so that the image capture device can take an image during a stationary state. This generally improves the quality of the image recording, since, for example, no blurring occurs due to shaking or shaking of the image recording device.

According to one embodiment, the image recording device can exchange signals with a control device of an existing people conveyor in order to coordinate the image recording with the displacement of the conveyor belt.

In other words, the image capture device and the control device of the people conveyor can communicate such that the image capture device can take images in a coordinated manner, for example, depending on the current displacement state of the conveyor belt. For example, the image capture device may recognize when the image capture device reaches a specific location based on a signal obtained by the control device of the people mover, and then image capture may be performed from the location.

Alternatively or additionally, the image recording device can stop the control device of the existing people conveyor for a short time by signal transmission in order to be able to record images. The image recording device and the control device of the existing people conveyor can communicate with one another in different ways, for example via a cable connection that has to be established beforehand or alternatively, for example, via a wireless radio connection.

According to one embodiment, the image capture device may be adapted to identify the end of the transport area and subsequently send a signal to the control device of the existing people conveyor system in order to stop the displacement of the conveyor belt.

In other words, when the image capture device is near the end of the transport area, the image capture device may be identified, for example, from the image photograph taken thereby. The existing image recording device, which communicates with the control device of the people conveyor, can then instruct the control device to stop the conveyor belt.

Thus, as soon as the image capture device is correctly fixed on the conveyor belt, the image capture process can be initiated by the person and, at the same time or subsequently, the control device of the existing people conveyor can be triggered accordingly in order to convey the image capture device along the movement path. When the image capture device reaches or approaches the opposite end of the movement path or transport area, the image capture device can automatically inform the control device of the people conveyor of this situation and instruct the control device to stop the conveying process. The image capture device can then be removed from the conveyor belt again. The entire process can thereby be simplified. In particular, damage to the image capture device due to collision with parts of the person conveying apparatus can be avoided.

In a further embodiment of the invention, in the digital avatar data set, the temporary load bearing structure model data set generated by the user-specific configuration data can be replaced by a three-dimensional load bearing structure model data set of the existing load bearing structure. Of course, all spatial positions of the remaining component model data records of the digital avatar data record, or their spatial arrangement relative to one another, are preserved during the replacement. It is likewise possible to retain specific spatial position information of the temporary load-bearing structure model data record, for example the central longitudinal axis and the level of the entry region, in order to orient the three-dimensional load-bearing structure model data record of the existing load-bearing structure thereon to be introduced. Furthermore, the interface features of the temporary load-bearing structure model data record must be transferred to a certain extent by means of adapter components to the three-dimensional load-bearing structure model data record of the existing load-bearing structure.

The adapter component here fulfills the function of connecting between the existing carrier structure and the components newly introduced into the carrier structure, wherein these newly introduced components are combined in the digital avatar data set into a component model data set and are selected on the basis of the configuration data specific to the user. In other words, this means that all interface features of the temporary load-bearing structure model data set must also be provided on the three-dimensional load-bearing structure model data set of the existing load-bearing structure by means of the component model data set of the adapter component and then in the form of a real object by means of the adapter component on the existing load-bearing structure. After the removal of the temporary load-bearing structure model data set, the three-dimensional load-bearing structure model data set of the existing load-bearing structure with respect to the marked contour reduction and the component model data set of the adapter component can be introduced into the digital avatar data set.

In order to generate the component model data records of the adapter component, a rule set (reproducible function-driven design) can be provided, by means of which for each component model data record of the adapter component the interface characteristics of the component model data records of the digital avatar data record to be added to the three-dimensional load-bearing structure model data record of the existing load-bearing structure can be logically selected and grouped. The logical selection may be based on criteria such as the weight of the adapter member to be manufactured, the manufacturing process, manual operations, etc., for example.

The set of rules may further comprise an algorithm that selects geometric data of the contour of the three-dimensional load bearing structure model dataset of the existing load bearing structure, which geometric data is arranged in the vicinity of the selected interface feature of the adapter member, and determines the maximum force acting on the selected interface feature. In this case, the maximum concept is preferably selected, that is to say the maximum expected force that can be called from the digital proxy data set as an interface feature and stored as a characterizing attribute in the respective component model data set is taken into account as the calculation basis.

In order to obtain a function-driven design of the adapter component, in a further embodiment the component model data set of the adapter component can be generated by means of the selected geometry data, the geometry data of the component model data set having the selected interface features and by means of the forces acting on these interface features. The geometry data of the selected component model data sets to be connected to one another prescribe specific expansion boundaries of the adapter component. The generation of the component model data set of the adapter component is preferably carried out by means of an optimization algorithm taking into account the optimization criterion to be selected. This can be done, for example, based on known monte carlo simulations.

In other words, the adapter component can thus be configured and subsequently also produced, based on the function, the installation conditions and the forces and loads acting thereon, in a topologically optimized manner for a corresponding personnel carrier requiring modernization. This results in considerable advantages with regard to resource consumption, since only absolutely necessary amounts of material (e.g. steel, aluminum) are consumed or new, resource-saving production techniques can be used, whereby modernized personnel transport the CO of the installation²The amount of emissions is further reduced as less material needs to be recovered expensively by retaining the existing load bearing structure and by resource-saving matching with the adapter member.

Since the result of modern retrofitting of people conveyor installations also always contains time-critical components, at least one component model data set of the adapter component can be equipped with a corresponding production-specific data, transmitted to the 3D printer and used to generate the actual adapter component. These very special parts can thus be produced in a resource-saving manner and can be used to some extent "overnight".

As already mentioned, not only the geometric data are required in order to produce a corresponding physical component using the component model data set. The modernization method according to the invention therefore provides for a customized digital avatar data set to be generated from the digital avatar data set in such a way that the digital avatar data set and its component model data set are supplemented with production-specific data and that the customized digital avatar data set comprises target data which reflect the characteristic properties of the components of the people mover in accordance with the target configuration.

In other words, a digital avatar data set is created from the component model data set and the three-dimensional load bearing structure model data set of the existing load bearing structure and the generated component model data set of the adapter component, taking into account the configuration data specific to the user, and then the digital avatar data set is modified or refined, taking into account the production-specific data, for the purpose of customizing the digital avatar data set. Possibly, the creation of the customized digital avatar data set may also iteratively include calculating and modifying data of the digital avatar data set multiple times, taking into account user-specific data and/or production-specific data.

Production-specific data typically relates to characteristics or specifications within a manufacturing plant or line in which the equipment is shipped by the person to be manufactured. For example, depending on which country or location the manufacturing plant is located, different conditions may exist in the manufacturing plant and/or regulations must be adhered to. For example, in certain manufacturing plants, certain materials, raw materials, blank components, or the like may not be available or may not be disposable. In some manufacturing plants, machines that are missing in other manufacturing plants may be used. Some manufacturing plants are limited in terms of the personnel carrying equipment or components thereof to be manufactured therein due to their layout. Some manufacturing plants allow for highly automated manufacturing, while other manufacturing plants may likely employ manual manufacturing, for example, due to lower labor costs. There may be a variety of other conditions and/or regulations that may differ with respect to these other conditions and/or regulations. When planning or customizing a personnel carrier, all of these production-specific data must generally be taken into account, since they may depend on how the personnel carrier can actually be constructed. If necessary, fundamental modifications may need to be made to the initially created digital avatar data set to account for production-specific data, which only takes into account user-specific configuration data and existing bearer structures.

Preferably, a static simulation and/or a dynamic simulation is already carried out when the substitute digital data set is created, and a custom digital substitute data set is created taking into account the simulation result. One of these dynamic simulations may be, for example, the starting performance for an escalator. In this case, all frictional forces and clearances and the characteristics of the drive machine are simulated from standstill to the rated speed. By means of these simulations, it is possible to examine the location of the risk of collision and to determine the dynamic forces acting on the individual components or component model data sets during the start-up. In particular, in these simulations, it is also possible to simulate and test the static and dynamic properties of the existing load-bearing structure and, if necessary, to generate further component model data sets of the adapter component in order to reinforce the structure thereof.

In other words, simulations can be carried out for creating the digital avatar data set, which form the basis of the customized digital avatar data set, taking into account the configuration data specific to the user, by means of which simulations the static and/or dynamic behavior of the customized people mover is simulated. The simulation may be implemented, for example, in a computer system.

In this case, the static simulation analyzes, for example, the static fit of a plurality of building elements. With static simulations, it can be analyzed, for example, whether a plurality of predefined components are assembled or whether a specific component is suitable on the basis of a component model data set leads to complications, for example because each of the components is manufactured with a certain manufacturing tolerance, so that problems can arise when the manufacturing tolerances are disadvantageously added up.

The aforementioned dynamic simulation when creating the digital avatar data set analyzes the dynamic behavior of the component, for example, during operation of the assembled people mover. By means of dynamic simulation, it is possible, for example, to evaluate whether movable components, in particular surrounding components in a people conveyor, can be displaced in a desired manner or whether there is a risk of collision between components that are movable relative to one another, for example.

As can be seen from the foregoing embodiments, in the customized digital avatar data set, only target data based on data determined when planning or customizing personnel transportation equipment is first stored. Furthermore, the target data may be obtained if characterizing attributes of the personnel transportation device that needs to be manufactured are calculated from configuration data specific to the user, for example by means of a computer-aided customization tool. For example, in the custom digital avatar data set, data may be stored relating to target dimensions, target quantities, target material properties, target surface properties, etc. of the components that need to be used in modernizing human transport equipment.

The customized digital avatar data set therefore represents a virtual mapping of the modernized personnel carrier in its planning or customization phase, in other words in a phase preceding the actual modernization of the personnel carrier according to the customized digital avatar data set.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the proposed modernization method further comprises creating an instantaneously updated digital avatar data set, which is referred to as ADDD in the following for better readability. The creation of ADDD here comprises at least the following steps, preferably but not obligatorily in the strictly specified order:

(i) creating a finished digital avatar data set based on the custom digital avatar data set by measuring actual data reflecting characterization attributes of components of a human transport facility modernized into a real object immediately after assembly and replacing target data in the custom digital avatar data set with corresponding actual data; and

(ii) the ADDD is created on the basis of the product digital avatar data set by modifying the finished digital avatar data set during operation of the personnel shipping equipment of the modernized real object, taking into account measured values reflecting changes in characterizing properties of components during operation thereof.

In other words, the creation of the ADDD may be performed in multiple sub-steps. Starting from a custom digital avatar data set, the target data contained therein can be continuously replaced with actual data with increasing production and modernization processes and a product digital avatar data set is thus generated. The actual data here describes the characterizing attributes of the components of the people mover in the actual configuration that were originally defined only in relation to their actual configuration. The actual data may be determined by manually and/or mechanically measuring a characteristic property of the component. For this purpose, separate measuring devices and/or sensors integrated in the component or arranged on the component can be used. In this case, the data contained in the data records can be continuously refined and refined, so that the characterizing properties of the components built into modern, retrofitted personnel transport installations are increasingly reflected in the actual current configuration with continuous creation. In particular, improvements are achieved by transmitting measurement values which allow to track the characterizing properties of the component model data set affected by these measurement values and thereby provide an extremely accurate simulation environment for evaluating current and future (damage) events. The measured values detected during operation preferably come from sensor devices installed in modernized, retrofitted personnel transport equipment.

ADDD represents a very precise virtual mapping of modernized personnel carriers during operation of the personnel carriers and taking into account wear-induced changes, for example, compared to the characterizing properties measured immediately after the manufacture is completed, and can therefore be used as ADDD for continuously or repeatedly monitoring the properties of the personnel carriers.

However, it is not mandatory that all the characteristic properties of the component present as target data have to be updated instantaneously by the actual data of the component or by the characteristic properties calculated on the basis of the load curve. Thus, the characterizing attributes of most of the components of the product digital avatar data set and the resulting characterizing attributes of the ADDD are characterized by a mix of the target data, the actual data, and the calculated data.

The specific design of the modernization method will be further explained below with reference to preferred embodiments.

The embodiment of the modernization method of the existing personnel carrier proposed here can be carried out with the aid of a device specially configured for this purpose. The apparatus may comprise one or more computers. In particular, the device may be constituted by a computer network which processes data in the form of a data cloud (cloud). For this purpose, the device can have a memory in which data of the three-dimensional support structure model data set, the component model data set, the digital substitute data set up to ADDD can be stored, for example, in electronic or magnetic form. The device may also have data processing capabilities. For example, the device may have a processor, by means of which the data of all these data sets can be processed. Furthermore, the device may have an interface via which data can be input into the device and/or output from the device. The apparatus may also be implemented in a spatially distributed manner, for example when data is processed by multiple computers distributed in a data cloud.

In particular, the apparatus may be programmable, that is to say cause the execution or control of the computer-processable steps and data of the modernized retrofitting method according to the invention by means of a suitably programmed computer program product. The computer program product may contain instructions or code that, for example, cause a processor of the apparatus to create, store, read, process, modify, etc. a digital avatar data set. The computer program product may be written in any computer language.

The computer program product may be stored on any computer readable medium, such as a flash memory, a CD, a DVD, a RAM, a ROM, a PROM, an EPROM, etc. The computer program product and/or the data to be processed with the computer program product may also be stored on a server or servers, for example in a data cloud, from where it can be downloaded over a network, for example the internet.

Finally, it should be noted that some of the possible features and advantages of the present invention are described herein with reference to different embodiments. Those skilled in the art will recognize that these features can be combined, transferred, matched, or substituted in a suitable manner to implement other embodiments of the present invention.

Drawings

Embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawings, wherein neither the drawings nor the description should be taken as limiting the invention.

Fig. 1 shows the method steps of a modernization method according to the invention of an existing personnel carrier and the interactions required for the implementation with reference to the data record accompanying the modernization method.

Fig. 2 shows a three-dimensional representation of a three-dimensional load-bearing structure model data set of an existing load-bearing structure designed as a truss and its core space of a personnel carrier requiring modernization in a three-dimensional representation.

Fig. 3 shows a cross section of the three-dimensional load-bearing structure model data set shown in fig. 2, and a cross section of the temporary load-bearing structure model data set, the component model data set of the adapter component and the component model data set of the new component to be inserted.

Fig. 4 shows a possible image recording for generating the three-dimensional support structure model data record shown in fig. 2.

Fig. 5 shows the adapter member in a three-dimensional view, as the adapter member is manually constructed.

Fig. 6 shows in a three-dimensional view an adapter member with the same interface features as the adapter member of fig. 5, however with a reproducible function-driven design.

The figures are purely diagrammatic and not drawn to scale. The same reference numbers in different drawings identify the same or functionally similar features.

Detailed Description

In fig. 1, the main method steps 110 to 160 of the modernization method 100 (marked by dashed lines) according to the invention of an existing personnel carrier device 1 (see fig. 4) and the interaction with the data set accompanying the modernization method 100, the computer system 121 and a storage medium, for example a data cloud (cloud) 50, required for implementing the modernization method 100 are shown on the basis of block diagrams.

The main method steps of the modernization method 100 are divided into:

in a first method step 110, a three-dimensional support structure model data set 112 of the existing support structure 2 of the existing people conveyor 1 is generated;

in a second method step 120, user-specific configuration data 123 are detected;

in a third method step 130, a digital avatar data set 131 is created from the component model data set 134 … NN, including the three-dimensional load-bearing structure model data set 112 of the existing load-bearing structure 2 and the user-specific configuration data 123;

in a fourth method step 140, the digital avatar data set 131 is converted into the custom digital avatar data set 145 by adding production-specific data;

in a fifth method step 150, the existing carrying structure 2 is adapted according to the customized digital avatar data set 145, the physical components 151 are manufactured and installed into and onto the existing carrying structure 2, and the customized digital avatar data set 145 is updated on-the-fly for the finished digital avatar data set; and

in a sixth method step 160, the modernized personnel carrier 171 is put into operation and the finished digital avatar data set is updated in real time for the real-time updated finished digital avatar data set ADDD 172.

All data processing and data storage and the step-by-step creation of the ADDDs 172 is here performed exemplarily by the data cloud 50.

The starting position 99 for carrying out the modernization method 100 according to the invention can be a task for modernizing a people conveyor 1 designed as an escalator or a moving walkway, which people conveyor 1 has been installed for many years, for example, in a shopping center, an airport building or a subway station and has completed its service there. In general, only the most valuable component of the existing people conveyor 1, namely its carrying structure 2, is retained in modernization of escalators and moving walkways. Such a bridge structure is arranged between the two support points 4 of the respective building 18 (see fig. 2) and not only results in the greatest costs in its manufacture, but also in the greatest transportation costs and costs on the existing building 18, for example when additional openings in the walls have to be made in order to introduce the escalator or moving walkway into the existing building 18 after complete shipment.

The component 151 newly inserted for modernization can therefore be inserted into the existing support structure 2, the dimensions of which have to be checked in the first method step 110. For this purpose, a three-dimensional support structure model data set 112 of the existing support structure 2 is generated. Possible generation of the three-dimensional load-bearing structure model data set 112 is described in further detail below in connection with fig. 4.

Due to the current and, if appropriate, future use contours of the existing people conveyor 1 and the dimensions of the existing support structure 2, the desired modernized modified people conveyor 171 is configured in the second method step 120.

For this purpose, an internet-based configuration program can be provided, for example, which is installed permanently or temporarily in computer system 121. With the aid of various input masks 122, user-specific configuration data 123 is queried and stored in a log file 124 under an identification number. The configuration program may cover many options that the user may select according to his needs. However, as indicated by the delimited selection area 129, certain options are excluded by the existing support structure 2 during modernization. This means that the configuration program traces back the specific characterizing properties of the three-dimensional load-bearing structure model data set 112 created in the first method step 110 in order to control the release of the options. Such characterizing attributes may be the width of the core space 113, shown in double-dashed lines in fig. 2, the spatial position of the entry area defined by the horizontal segments 117, 118 of the existing load-bearing structure 2, and the length, spatial position and slope angle of the intermediate part 119 of the existing load-bearing structure 2 between the horizontal segments.

For example, the log file 124 may be stored in the data cloud 50. Optionally, the architect of the user's planning modernization may be provided with a digital envelope model according to the user-specific configuration data 123, which the architect may insert into his digital building model in order to virtualize the planned building reconstruction. As user-specific configuration data 123, for example, coordinates and dimensions, in particular design features such as the type of protective railing, the color and texture of the covering parts, the desired delivery power, etc., are queried as well as from the three-dimensional support structure model data set 112 of the existing support structure 2.

If the architect is satisfied with the personnel carrier equipment configured by them, the architect may order the modernization process with the manufacturer with instructions for the user-specific configuration data 123, for example by indicating an identification number or identification code of the log file 124.

In order entry, illustrated by the third method step 130 with reference to the log file 124, a digital avatar data set 131 is first created, which describes a target configuration. In creating the digital avatar data set 131, the component model data sets 134, 135, …, NN provided for manufacturing the real object component 151 are used. That is, for each physical component, for example, a component model data set 134, 135, …, NN is stored in the data cloud 50, which contains all the characterizing properties (dimensions, tolerances, material properties, surface quality, interface characteristics with other component model data sets, etc.) of the target configuration of the component. Several of the available component model data sets 134, 135, …, NN are not completely defined here, but rather have to be additionally or completely defined by user-specific configuration data.

With the aid of the user-specific configuration data 123, the component model data sets 134, 135, …, NN required for creating the digital avatar data set 131 are now automatically selected and their number and arrangement in the three-dimensional space is determined on the basis of the logical association. For this purpose, preferably, the three-dimensional support structure model data record 112 of the existing support structure 2 is not directly used, but rather a temporary support structure model data record 134 is first created. This is designed based only on user-specific configuration data 123 which also contain the information extracted from the three-dimensional load-bearing structure model data set 112 which is required for designing the temporary load-bearing structure model data set 134. The temporary load-bearing structure model data record 134 is not actually required at all, but is ideally coordinated with the new component to be inserted or its component model data record 135, …, NN, which is to be provided for modernization and has as a central component model data record most of the interface features of the component model data records 135, …, NN which are to be adjacent and the spatial spacings of these interface features from one another. The temporary load-bearing structure model data record 134 can have all relevant characterizing features, so that the actual load-bearing structure can also be produced by the temporary load-bearing structure model data record in addition to the production-specific data. As explained further below, the temporary load bearing structure model data 134 is required to tune the three-dimensional load bearing structure model data 112 of the existing load bearing structure 2.

The new components 151 or their component model data sets 135, …, NN that are to be introduced for modern retrofitting are selected and designed by means of the user-specific configuration data 123 and in particular by means of the defined core space 113 described in fig. 2. Furthermore, the temporary support structure model data set 134 is dimensioned such that the component model data set of the conveyor belt 135, which is matched to the temporary support structure model data set, also matches the core space 113 of the three-dimensional support structure model data set 112 of the existing support structure model data set 2. By using the temporary load-bearing structure model data record 134, it is logically maintained that the possible contours of the components of the existing load-bearing structure 2 projecting into the core space 113 or the possible contours of the components passing through the core space are not taken into account. Taking into account these contours not only hinders the installation and the function of the newly introduced components, but may even make modernization impossible. For this reason, the contour of the three-dimensional load-bearing structure model data set 112 of the existing load-bearing structure 2 protruding into the core space 113 or the contour through the core space 113 is marked to be removed (manually or automatically). The counterpart of the outline is later removed when the existing carrying structure 2 is prepared in a fifth method step 150. Examples of such profiles are in particular a wale 39, which supports the two side structures 153, 154 of the existing carrying structure 2 against each other, or a rib arranged at the side structures 153, 154 for the support and fixing of the side structures of the guide rail.

The component model data records 135, …, NN and the temporary load-bearing structure model data record 134 are then integrated by means of their interface features into the corresponding digital avatar data record 131 of the later modernized personnel carrier 171. It is obvious here that the escalator or moving walk consists of several thousand parts (designated by reference numerals …, NN) and accordingly a plurality of part model data sets 134, 135, …, NN likewise have to be considered and processed for creating the digital avatar data set 131. The digital avatar data set 131 contains target data for all physical components to be produced or acquired, which represent characteristic properties of the components of the people mover 1 required for the construction according to the target configuration. Digital avatar data set 131 may be stored in data cloud 50 as indicated by arrow 181.

Finally, in the digital avatar data set 131, the temporary load-bearing structure model data set 134 generated for the user-specific configuration data is replaced by the three-dimensional load-bearing structure model data set 112 of the existing load-bearing structure 2. Of course, all spatial positions of the remaining component model data sets 135, …, NN of the digital avatar data set 131 with respect to one another or their spatial arrangement with respect to one another are retained in the replacement. The determined spatial position information of the temporary load bearing structure model data record 134, for example its central longitudinal axis M (see fig. 2) and the horizontal planes Z1, Z2 of the entry region above the horizontal sections 117, 118 of the existing load bearing structure 2, can likewise be retained in order to align the three-dimensional load bearing structure model data record 112 of the existing load bearing structure 2 to be introduced thereon. Furthermore, the interface features of the temporary load-bearing structure model data set 134 must be transferred to some extent by means of the component model data set of the adapter component 191 (see fig. 3) to the three-dimensional load-bearing structure model data set 112 of the existing load-bearing structure 2. The component model data set of the adapter component 191 can be generated taking into account the interface characteristics of the temporary support structure model data set 134 of the digital avatar data set 131, the geometry data of the three-dimensional support structure model data set 112 of the existing support structure 2 and without taking into account the marked contour thereof. This will be described in more detail below with reference to fig. 3.

In a fourth method step 140, the custom digital avatar data set 145 is generated after supplementing the digital three-dimensional avatar data set 131 with production-specific data 146, which contains all the production data required for producing the previously modernized, modified personnel carrier 171. Such production-specific data 146 may include, for example, a production site, materials available at the production site, production tools for producing the material object member 151, process time, and the like. This replenishment step is accomplished on ADDD 172 still in construction, as indicated by arrow 182.

According to a fifth method step 150, the customized digital avatar data set 145 can then be used in a production facility of a manufacturer's factory in order to enable the production of a physical part 151 of a personnel carrier 171 to be modernized. However, logically no new load bearing structure is manufactured, but as can be seen in the block diagram, the existing load bearing structure 2 is first modified. In this case, the contours or components 39 marked in the three-dimensional support structure model data set 112 on the existing support structure 2 have to be removed. Furthermore, the existing support structure 2 must be supplemented with physical adapter components 151, so that after this there are all physical interface features of the components to be built, as originally defined by the temporary support structure model data set 134, in relation to the modernized personnel handling equipment 171.

These retrofitting steps of the existing load-bearing structure 2 and further assembly steps of the personnel carrier 171 for modernizing the retrofitted real object are defined in the custom digital avatar data set 145.

At the time of and after the production of the physical components and during the assembly of the modernized, retrofitted personnel transport device 171 formed therefrom, at least some of the characteristic properties of the components and the assembled components are detected, for example by means of measurement and non-destructive detection methods, and are assigned to the respective virtual components or component model data sets 135, …, NN. In this case, as a characteristic attribute, the actual data measured on the physical component replaces the corresponding target data of the custom digital avatar data set 145. With this transmission, indicated by arrow 183, the ADDD 172 is increasingly converted as the production of the custom digital avatar data set 145 continues. However, this is still not complete, but a so-called finished digital avatar data set is first formed.

After its production, the personnel carrier 171 for modernizing the converted object can be put into operation, as shown in the sixth method step 160. Since the operating data are already generated when the component is first put into operation, these data are also transmitted to the finished digital substitute data set and converted into the characterizing properties of the component model data set 135, …, NN associated therewith. With this immediate updating, indicated by the dashed arrow 184, the finished digital avatar data set is converted into ADDD 172, which ADDD 172 is completely ready for use as is the case with modern modified physical person-carrying devices 171. From this point in time, ADDD 172 may be loaded into computer system 121 at any time according to arrow 185 and used to perform a detailed analysis of the state of modernized physical personnel transport equipment 171.

However, the sixth method step 160 does not form the actual end of the modernization method 100 according to the invention, since the ADDD 172 is repeatedly updated instantaneously over its lifetime. This termination does not occur until the end of the service life of the modernized human physical transport device 171, wherein the data of the ADDD 172 can now be used for the last time advantageously for the cleaning process of the physical components.

The ADDD 172 is updated instantaneously by the transmission of measurement data continuously and/or periodically over the entire service life of the modernized personnel carrier 171, as described in detail above and indicated by the dashed arrow 184. These measurement data can be detected by the sensor device 175 installed in the people mover or by an input, for example, by a maintenance person, and transmitted to the ADDD 172. Of course, the ADDDs 172 may be stored as a computer program product 101 on any computer readable medium, such as on a disk or data cloud 50, along with the program instructions 189 needed to process the ADDDs 172.

Fig. 2 shows a three-dimensional representation of a three-dimensional load-bearing structure model data record 112 of an existing load-bearing structure 2 designed as a truss of a passenger conveying installation 1 requiring modernization and its core space 113 shown by a double-dashed line. Since the three-dimensional support structure model data record 112 is a precise virtual map of the existing support structure 2, reference numerals for physical components are likewise listed in fig. 2 for a better understanding, but these are illustrated in parentheses.

As already mentioned in connection with the first method step 110 of fig. 1, a three-dimensional load-bearing structure model data set 112 must first be created. Different possibilities exist for selecting the generation of the three-dimensional load bearing structure model data set 112 from the existing load bearing structure 2. After all other existing components of the existing people conveyor 1 have been removed, the greatest expense is the manual determination of the existing carrying structure 2. The determined measurement data can then be transmitted, for example, to a 3D-CAD system. Another possibility is to use a laser scanner or a TOF camera, which can detect a three-dimensional virtual image of the existing carrying structure 2. In this case, however, it is necessary to take shots from a plurality of positions around the carrying structure 2 and to combine these shots together, wherein distortions caused by the shots have to be corrected. After editing and combination shooting, the three-dimensional image thus formed can be read into a computer system 121 (see fig. 1) and converted by known software algorithms (e.g. tracking) into a three-dimensional load bearing structure model data set 112 of the existing load bearing structure 2. A very efficient further method of generating the three-dimensional load bearing structure data set 112 is described in more detail below with reference to fig. 4.

Once the three-dimensional load bearing structure model data set 112 of the existing load bearing structure 2 is generated, its core space 113 can be determined. Although the load-bearing structures 2 of escalators and moving walks of all manufacturers are designed very differently. However, they both have a U-shaped cross section with respect to their longitudinal extension in such a way that the two side structures 153, 154 are connected to one another via a base or bottom structure 155, respectively. In other words, the existing support structure 2 or its three-dimensional support structure model data set 112 has two lateral structures 153, 154 which are connected to one another by means of a base structure 155. In the current embodiment of fig. 2, the two side structures 153, 154 are constituted by truss-like structures constituted by the upper and lower edge panels 31, 32, respectively, the struts 33 and the braces 34 connecting the upper and lower edge panels. The bottom structure 155 connecting the two side structures 153, 154 is constituted by the cross beam 35 and the oblique beam 36 covered by the bottom plate 37.

For the purpose of illustrating the installation position, bearing points 4 are also illustrated in two planes E1, E2 of the building 18, on which the two ends of the existing supporting structure 2 are supported. The upper edge plate sections 38 arranged in the horizontal sections 117, 118 of the existing load-bearing structure 2 are arranged with their upper edges in two planes of the access areas Z1, Z2 according to definition. That is, when replacing the temporary load-bearing structure model data set 134 in the digital avatar data set 131 by the three-dimensional load-bearing structure model data set 112, the upper edge of its horizontal upper edge panel section must be placed in the same plane as the upper edge of the horizontal upper edge panel section of the temporary load-bearing structure model data set 134 into the areas Z1, Z2. The central longitudinal axis M of the three-dimensional load-bearing structure model data set 112 is oriented transversely to the longitudinal extension direction on the central longitudinal axis M of the temporary load-bearing structure model data set 134.

The aforementioned core space 113 is limited by the inner sides of the side structures 153, 154 and the bottom structure 155 according to the definition and is generally open towards the upper side due to the installation position of the existing carrying structure 2. Depending on the type, the different contours can project into the core space 112 or even through it. To this support, an "old" component or a component that was present before the modernization method 100 was carried out, for example a drive machine support or a guide rail of an existing people conveyor 1, is fixed. Since these profiles are no longer used as mentioned in connection with fig. 1, they can be marked to be removed. As is shown by means of the conventional crossbrace 39, the marked contour is removed both in the three-dimensional avatar data set 112 and in the conventional support structure 2 and is replaced, if necessary, by a suitably designed adapter element. In the present exemplary embodiment of fig. 2, it is provided that the existing struts 39 are sawn off at the boundary of the core space 113, so that the remaining portions 39 ″ remain on the struts 33 and only the contours 39' of the existing struts 39, which extend through the core space 113, are removed. Subsequently, as adapter components, new struts 151 adapted to the newly introduced component model data sets 135, …, NN or to the newly inserted physical components can be fixed in the appropriate positions on the struts 33, which are specified by the digital avatar data set 131.

Fig. 3 also shows this process with the aid of the cross section of the three-dimensional load-bearing structure model data record 112 shown in fig. 2, which is arranged orthogonally to the plane of the entry region Z2 and the central longitudinal axis M. The new component model data sets to be introduced into this cross section are the component model data sets of the ribs 137, 138 and the rails 139, 141, 142. It is evident here that the new guide rail 139 passes exactly at the location where the existing transverse strut 39 is arranged in the existing supporting structure 2. The contours thereof are illustrated by way of example in the three-dimensional load-bearing structure model data set 112 by means of hatching. The positioning of the newly introduced ribs 137, 138 and guide rails 139, 141, 142 is predetermined by a temporary load-bearing structure model data set 134, which is illustrated by dashed lines and which is oriented on the one hand at the plane of the entry region Z2 and on the other hand at the central longitudinal axis M of the three-dimensional load-bearing structure model data set 112.

The temporary load-bearing structure model data set therefore has the interface features 192, 193, 194, 195 stored as spatial coordinates with respect to the component model data set of the ribs 137, 138. The generation of the component model data set of the adapter component 191 designed as a newly introduced wale 151 can be performed manually by a technician or automatically by a rule set. The set of rules may comprise an algorithm which selects geometrical data from the contours of the existing three-dimensional load bearing structure model data set 112 of the load bearing structure 2, which geometrical data is arranged in the vicinity of the selected interface features 192, 193, 194, 195 of the adapter member 191 and determines the maximum forces F1, F2, F3, F4 and moments P1, P2 acting on the selected interface features 192, 193, 194, 195. The maximum value scheme is preferably selected here, that is to say the maximum expected forces F1, F2, F3, F4 and moments P1, P2 which can be called from the digital avatar data set 131 and which are stored as characterizing attributes in the individual component model data sets 134, …, NN are taken into account as the basis for the calculation.

In order to implement a function-driven design of the adapter component 191, the component model data record of the adapter component 191 can be generated by means of the selected geometry data, the geometry data of the component model data records 112, 137, 138 with the selected interface features and by means of the forces acting on these interface features. In the present exemplary embodiment, the interface features 192, 193, 194, 195 of the ribs 137, 138 and the forces F1, F2, F3, F4 and the moments P1, P2 acting on the interface features 192, 193, 194, 195. The selected geometric data of the component model data sets to be connected to one another and of the three-dimensional support structure model data set 112 of the ribs 137, 138 predetermine the determined expansion boundaries of the adapter component 191 to be generated. The generation of the component model data set of the adapter component 191 is preferably carried out by means of an optimization algorithm taking into account the optimization criterion to be selected. The algorithm may, for example, include a specification that the adapter element 119 must also fulfill other functions, such as the mutual support of the side structures 153, 154, and/or should have a material-saving profile as possible, based on the known monte carlo simulation. In the present exemplary embodiment, the generated component model data set of the adapter component 191 is a new wale 151, which connects the component model data sets of the ribs 137, 138 with the three-dimensional load-bearing structure model data set 112. Obviously, based on the optimization algorithm employed and the forces F1, F2, F3, F4 and the moments P1, P2 calculated on the interface features 192, 193, 194, 195, the result is that the wale 151 of the new real object is significantly thinner than the wale 39 marked to be removed.

Fig. 4 shows a photograph of a possible image that was taken for generating the three-dimensional support structure model data set 112 shown in fig. 1 to 3. A side view of an existing personnel carrier 1 to be modernized is shown, by means of which personnel can be carried between two levels E1, E2, for example.

The existing support structure 2 is a central component of the people conveyor 1 and accommodates the remaining components of the people conveyor 1 in order to fix it in the building 18 via the bearing points 4 and to transfer its weight to the building 18. The existing carrying structure 2 and its structural components shown in fig. 2 are only indicated in fig. 1 in terms of their position by dashed arrows, but details are omitted so as not to impede the clear visibility of fig. 1.

The existing people conveyor 1 to be modernized has two closed-loop conveyor chains 3. The two conveyor chains 3 are composed of a plurality of chain links. The two conveyor chains 3 can be displaced along the displacement path 5 in the displacement direction. The conveyor chains 3 extend parallel to one another over a wide area and are here spaced apart from one another in a direction transverse to the direction of movement. The conveyor chain 3 is diverted by means of diverting wheels 15, 17 in access zones Z1, Z2 adjoining planes E1, E2 of the building 18.

A plurality of tread units 7 extend between the two conveyor chains 3 in the form of tread steps. Each pedal unit 7 is in this case fastened near its lateral ends to one of the conveyor chains 3 and can thus be moved by means of the conveyor chain 3 in the direction of movement 5. The foot units 7 guided on the conveyor chain 3 form a conveyor belt 9 in which the foot units 7 are arranged one behind the other along the displacement path 5 and can be stepped on by a person at least in the transport region 19. In order to be able to displace the conveyor chain 3, the people mover 1 has a drive machine 16 and a control device 12 (which is only very schematically shown in fig. 4) controlling the drive machine. The conveyor belt 9 forms, together with the drive machine 16 and the deflecting rollers 15, 17, a transport device 13, the foot unit 9 of which can be displaced relative to the existing carrying structure 2, which is stationarily fixed in the building 18.

The people mover 1 also has two guard rails 6 (only one is visible) and handrails 8 arranged thereon, wherein the handrails are usually driven together with the conveyor chain 3 and thus move synchronously with the conveyor belt 9.

After a certain operating duration, modernization of the existing people conveyor 1 can be carried out in order to bring it to the latest state of the art. In this case, the remaining components of the existing support structure 2 must be measured precisely, for example by the method described here, using the detection device 21. The detection device 21 is designed to generate a three-dimensional load bearing structure model data record 112 of the existing load bearing structure 2, which can then be used as shown in fig. 1 to 3.

The detection device 21 shown schematically in fig. 4 has an image recording device 22. The image recording device 22 is fixed to the transport device 13 by means of a fixing device 24. Furthermore, the detection means 21 are equipped with calculation means 23.

Within the scope of the modernization process, a person can remove one or several of the footboard units 7 on the personnel carrier 1 that require modernization beforehand. For this reason, the person usually does not require special expertise, so that the activity can also be carried out, for example, by an assistant. Other covers, such as a shield plate of the guardrail base 14, may also be removed if desired. By removing the opening of the foot pedal unit 7 exposed in the conveyor belt 9 and thus opening the visible access opening 25 on the part of the carrying structure 2 located therebelow.

The image recording device 22 is then fixed to the transport device 13 by means of the fixing device 24 of the image recording device 22. Initially, the image capture device 22 may be disposed, for example, near the end of the transport region 19, such as near the entry region Z1 on the lower plane E1.

In the example shown, the fastening device 24 is designed in the form of a foot, which is designed on one side to carry the image recording device 22 and on the other side to be fastened to one of the foot units 7. The fastening device 24 can, for example, fit into a slot in the footrest unit 7.

Alternatively, the fastening device 24 can also be designed to cooperate with other parts of the conveyor belt 9, such as the conveyor chain 3 or a shaft attached thereto, instead of cooperating with one of the foot units 7. It can also be mounted on the handrail 8 or on the handrail belt arranged around.

Once the visual access 25 is formed by removing the foot unit 7 and the image capture device 22 is secured on the transport apparatus 13, the image capture device 22 can be continuously displaced along the movement path 5 within the transport region 19. The field of view of the image recording device 22 can be directed through the visual access 25 to the underlying structural components of the existing support structure 2 and can record an image thereof.

The image recording device 22 can preferably be designed to record three-dimensional images of the existing support structure 2 in its field of view. For this purpose, the image recording device 22 may be designed, for example, as a 3D laser scanner or as a TOF camera.

In order to be able to capture as many images as possible along the entire support structure 2, the image capture device 22 fixed on the transport device 13 can be moved continuously together with the conveyor belt 9 along the displacement path 5 in the transport region 19, and a plurality of image photographs can be taken from different positions.

The data or signals corresponding to the image photographs may then be transmitted to the computing device 23. The computing device 23 can be arranged directly on the image recording device 22 or even integrated into it. In this case, the three-dimensional avatar data set 112 shown in fig. 2 can be generated directly in the image recording device 22 provided with the computing device 23. The three-dimensional avatar data set 112 may then be transmitted to a control center or data cloud 50 (see fig. 1) for further processing, as necessary.

Alternatively, as shown in fig. 4, the computing device 23 may be provided as a separate unit. Such a separate computing device 23 may, for example, be arranged in the vicinity of the existing people conveyor 1 and may communicate with the image recording device 22, for example, by means of a wireless data connection. Alternatively, the computing device 23 may also be arranged further away, for example in a control center located outside the building 18 or even in another city. In this case, the data and signals of the image capture device 22 may be transmitted to the computing device 23 via a wired or wireless network, for example.

The image data acquired by the image recording device 22 can generate a three-dimensional support structure model data set 112 of the structure of the existing support structure 2 recorded by the image recording device 22 in the computing device 23. All dimensions of the existing supporting structure 2 or its faces and edges and its position and orientation relative to one another are detected and provided by means of the three-dimensional supporting structure model data set 112.

In order to be able to simplify or refine the recording of the image recordings and to generate the three-dimensional support structure model data set 112 on the basis of a plurality of recorded image recordings, a plurality of uniquely identifiable reference marks 10 can preferably be provided in the transport region 19 along the displacement path 5 before the recording process. The reference mark 10 can be provided, for example, as a label with a uniquely associated code (for example, a barcode or a QR code).

Here, the reference mark 10 may be arranged such that it is located within the field of view of the image recording device 22 at least when the image recording device 22 is arranged in the determined recording position. The recording positions are selected such that at least one reference mark 10, preferably at least two reference marks 10, are recorded together in each image picture.

Based on the reference markers 10 taken together, it is then possible to more easily generate and/or calibrate the overall image or three-dimensional support structure model data set 112 from the individual image images and/or to calculate possible distortions due to shooting errors, for example.

The image recording device 22 can also be designed to communicate with the control device 12 of the people conveyor 1 by means of the signal exchange device 11, if necessary. For example, when the image capture device 22 has reached a particular position, the control device 12 can always be caused to stop the drive machine 16, so that the image capture device 22 can capture images at these positions without blurring, with the conveyor belt 9 stationary. In addition, the image capture device 22 can also cause the control device 12 to stop the operation of the drive machine 16 once the image capture device 22 has passed completely through the transport region 19 and, for example, is near its opposite end.

Fig. 5 shows the component model data set of the adapter component 148 in a three-dimensional view, as is constructed manually, for example, by means of a conventional CAD program, on the basis of the determined installation conditions. This serves, for example, to connect the three-dimensional load-bearing structure model data record 112 shown in fig. 2 to a component model data record, not shown in detail, of a drive machine support of a modernized personnel carrier 171, which is to be newly introduced. On the component model data record of the adapter component 148, bolt holes are defined as interface features 196, so that physical mechanical supports can be connected later to the existing load-bearing structure 2 by means of their physical components.

Fig. 6 shows a three-dimensional view of a component model data set of adapter component 199 with the same interface features 196 as the component model data set of adapter component 148 of fig. 5, which, however, has a reproducible function-driven design.

In other words, the component model data set of the adapter component 199 can thus be configured and subsequently also produced topologically optimally for a corresponding subsequently modernized personnel carrier 171 on the basis of the function, the installation conditions and the forces and loads acting on the component model data set. This results in considerable advantages with regard to resource consumption, since only absolutely necessary amounts of material (e.g. steel, aluminum) are consumed or new, resource-saving production techniques can be used, whereby the CO of the modified personnel handling system 171 is modernized²The amount of emissions is further reduced as less material needs to be recovered expensively by retaining the existing load bearing structure 2 and by resource-saving matching with the adapter member 199.

Since the modernization results of the existing people mover 1 also always contain time-critical components, at least one component model data set of the adapter means 199 can be equipped with corresponding production-specific data, transmitted to the 3D printer and the actual adapter means generated with the aid of this component model data set 199. These very special parts can therefore be produced in a resource-saving manner and can be used to some extent "overnight".

Although the invention is described in detail in fig. 1 to 6 by way of example for a people conveyor 1 constructed as an escalator, it is obvious that the described method steps and the corresponding device are equally applicable to a moving walkway. Finally it is pointed out that concepts such as "having", "comprising", and the like do not exclude other elements or steps, and that concepts such as "a" or "an" do not exclude a plurality. Furthermore, it should be pointed out that characteristics or steps which have been described with reference to one of the above embodiments can also be used in combination with other characteristics or steps of other embodiments described above. Reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting.