ESCALATORS - An escalator looks like a moving staircase which in fact it is. Only a very robust one. The nterior consists of a pair of chains which are wrapped around two gears. These gears are driven by a powerful electric motor. It is very common to see escalators with 100 HP motors. The chains, gears, and the motor are enclosed in a structure called the truss. The Truss runs along the floors that the escalator is supposed to service. These chains of the escalator move a series of metallic steps. Every step in the escalator assembly has its own two sets of wheels which move on separate tracks.

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Escalators

How Escalators Work

engineeringinsider

I think every one of us must have seen and used an escalator.

At its core, an escalator is a very simple machine. It is designed for facilitating humans and at times goods from a lower point to higher point or vice versa.

Today we will see how an escalator actually works.

Escalator although a simple piece of machinery is also an expensive one.

It has to be durable and has sufficient work stamina. It is just like a conveyor belt, only with steps on it.

Now again terming it just a conveyor belt would not be doing justice to this machine.

At a first glance, it looks like a moving staircase which in fact it is. Only a very robust one.

Interior consists of a pair of chains which are wrapped around two gears. These gears are driven by a powerful electric motor.

It is very common to see escalators with 100 HP motors. The chains, gears, and the motor are enclosed in a structure called the truss. Truss runs along the floors that the escalator is supposed to service.

These chains of the escalator move a series of metallic steps. Every step in the escalator assembly has its own two sets of wheels which move on separate tracks.

The upper wheels are the one which moves with the chain whereas the lower wheels ensure that the level of the step is maintained at any given moment of operation.

As every one of us must have observed, every step in the escalator is collapsible. It collapses to a flat surface at the beginning and at the end of the escalator. It accounts for the safe and smooth ride for the user.

One more noticeable feature of the modern escalator is -

The side grab rail, it is the rail that runs with the escalator. It is meant to provide additional support to the user.

These rails also run in the direction of the escalators and at the same speed. It is indeed a great feature for the elderly users and in general every user of escalators.

This rail or as more commonly referred to the handrail has a set of small wheels under it. It’s made up of rubber and is powered by the same motor which powers the main escalator.

The only con side with escalators is that it cannot move people across large distances. However, they can move lots of people over the shorter distances.

On an average, escalators moving at 145 feet per minute can carry about 10000 people in an hour.

Types of escalators:

Step Type Escalator:
The most common type that we see every day at malls and airports. The working mechanism of the same has been discussed above.

Wheelchair Escalator:
This type has an attendant attached to it. When a person with a wheelchair wants to use it. Then the machine is put on a special mode, where 3 steps will flatten to form a floor for the wheelchair. Once the wheelchair is on the escalator then spikes emerge to hold the wheelchair in the place.

Belt Type Escalator:
Here in lieu of steps, you have a flat belt to step on. They are used more to transport luggage than persons.

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