Abstract:
An escalator or moving walkway ( 1 ) comprises a balustrade base ( 5 ), an illumination profile ( 16 ) disposed in the base ( 5 ) and a transparent cover ( 10 ). An illumination strip ( 30 ) is provided with a plurality of LED lighting means ( 31 ), said strip being placed in the illumination profile ( 16 ). A reflecting surface ( 35 ) is provided on the illumination profile ( 16 ), said surface being aligned such that at least a portion of the light emitted by the LED lighting means ( 31 ) is reflected in the direction of the cover ( 10 ). This facilitates an even level of illumination.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The invention relates to an escalator or a moving walk with an illumination that contains a lamp that is based on an LED technology. 
       STATE OF THE ART 
       [0002]    From EP 1657209 A1 an escalator or a moving walk with a light-emitting diode (LED) strip in a balustrade is known. Therein, plurality of light-emitting diodes is arranged behind a transparent or translucent cover for the light-emitting diodes, the cover extending flush with the balustrade. The distance between the LEDs and the cover is at least 20 mm and in particular at least 30 mm. Arranged between the cover and the light-emitting diodes is a light diffuser, which takes the form of a matt glass disk. This extends slightly behind the cover. In addition, for the purpose of providing a slight light-converging lens effect for focusing the light, the cover has a plane front surface and a slightly curved rear side. Furthermore, the light diffuser contains plastic, and embedded soot particles. The purpose of these measures is to attain a more uniform light emission of the LED strip and to avoid an unattractive discrete light pattern. 
         [0003]    The escalator and the moving walk that are known from EP 165209 A1 have the disadvantage that the outlay for attaining as uniform a light emission as possible is very large. One reason is that special elements, for example the specially constructed light diffuser and the cover with light-converging lens effect, are required. Another reason is that a certain constructional outlay is required to position the LED strip at the certain specific distance from the cover. In particular, the outlay for installation is large. 
         [0004]    An escalator and a moving walk with an illumination according to the preamble to Claim  1  is/are known from EP 89140 A1 and/or EP 913354 respectively. Described in those latter are mainly fluorescent tubes, but also mentioned are LEDs. Not only the boarding area and the exiting area are illuminated—as is generally usual—but the entire base area over the entire length of the escalator or moving walk. Particularly problematical is the curved transition zone between the flat boarding zone and the inclined intermediate zone and between the inclined intermediate zone and the flat exiting zone. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The objective of the invention is to create an escalator or a moving walk in which an improved illumination, particularly in the base area, is possible. A particular objective of the invention is to enable a uniform illumination that is based on an LED technology with reduced outlay for parts and installation. In particular, no light sources of its own should be necessary in the curved transition zone between the flat boarding zone and the inclined intermediate zone or the inclined intermediate zone and the flat exiting zone. 
         [0006]    The objective is fulfilled by an escalator according to the invention or a moving walk according to the invention with the characteristics of Claim  1 . 
         [0007]    Through the measures that are stated in the subclaims, advantageous further embodiments of the escalator or moving walk according to Claim  1  are possible. 
         [0008]    In advantageous manner, the lamp is based on an LED technology, the lamp being formed by an LED strip. In the case of lamps that are based on an LED technology, strong forward concentration of the radiated light generally occurs. This represents a difference to a lamp that is based on an incandescent filament in which a largely spatially uniform radiation occurs. In the case of the use of lamps based on LED technology, the problem that generally occurs is therefore that one or more lamps are perceptible as points, or perceptible as at least strongly emphasized brightness differences, which are undesirable. Through the reflective surface, part of the light that is emitted from the lamp can be reflected in the direction towards the cover, while another part can travel directly from the lamp to the cover. This in itself is known for the boarding zone and exiting zone from JP 2006-232518 A. In particular, the light that is emitted from the lamp in forward direction can be deflected by the reflective surface. By this means, a more uniform illumination is possible also with a relatively compact construction. 
         [0009]    The transparent cover can be embodied wholly or partly transparent. With a partly transparent embodiment, it is possible, for example, to realize a direction arrow. The transparent part of a partly transparent cover is then largely uniformly illuminated, so that a harmonious overall impression is created. 
         [0010]    It is advantageous for a lamp strip to be provided which has a plurality of lamps and for the lamp strip to be inlaid in the lamp profile. In particular, the profile of the lamp strip should be aligned horizontally. It is further advantageous for the lamp strip to be designed to be flexible in a longitudinal direction and to be twistable about the longitudinal direction. Laying of the lamp strip in the illumination profile makes simple installation possible. Furthermore, a flexing of the lamp strip is made possible, such as is required, for example, in the case of an escalator in transition zones between horizontal and upwardly directed sections. By contrast, in the case of a vertical installation of the lamp strip, the flexibility in such a latter case is restricted. 
         [0011]    It is advantageous for the illumination profile to have receptacle elements, between which the lamp strip is positioned. By this means, the lamp strip can be inserted between the receptacle elements in simple manner, a fixing or at least a certain positioning being thereby assured. The receptacle elements can be embodied in advantageous manner as pin-shaped receptacle elements. However, to assure positioning or prevent slipping, the receptacle elements can also be embodied in the form of hooks, bolts, points, studs, or lenses, or as embossings. In particular, pin-shaped receptacle elements can be embodied rigid. Depending on the application case, a flexible embodiment is, however, also possible. 
         [0012]    It is advantageous for the transparent cover to have on one of the internal surfaces that face the reflective surface a diffusion structure. For example, the transparent cover on the internal surface can be embodied corrugated. By this means, the illumination effect that is perceived from outside can be further improved. 
         [0013]    In advantageous manner, the reflective surface takes the form of a coating that is applied to the internal surface of the illuminating profile. By this means, an embodiment with a reduced number of parts is possible, whereby a simple installation is made possible. 
         [0014]    It is further advantageous for the reflective surface to be embodied concave in cross section. By this means, a greater part of the light that is emitted by the lamp is deflected in the direction of the cover. 
         [0015]    In advantageous manner, the lamp that is inserted into the illumination profile is oriented approximately perpendicular to the cover, the reflective surface being thereby oriented both at least approximately at an angle of 45° to the cover and at least approximately at an angle of 45° to a principal radiation direction of the lamp. A large part of the total light emitted by the lamp is radiated in the principal radiation direction of the lamp. In advantageous manner, the light that is emitted in the principal radiation direction is first deflected by the reflective surface before it is transmitted by the cover. By this means, on account of the longer distance traveled, a greater spread is possible. Also, through a curved embodiment of the reflection surface, a typical circular shape of the lamp can be diffused. 
         [0016]    It is advantageous for the illumination profile to have a fastening section, for the balustrade base to have a skirt plate, and for the illumination profile to be joined to the skirt plate at its fastening section. Further advantageous is for the transparent cover to have at least one fastening edge, which is wedged between the fastening section of the illumination profile and the skirt plate. By this means, a simple installation of the illumination profile on the base, and a fastening of the transparent cover, are possible. 
     
    
     
       SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in greater detail in the following description by reference to the attached drawings, in which corresponding elements are provided with identical reference codes. Shown are in 
           [0018]      FIG. 1 , a diagrammatic representation of an escalator corresponding to a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2 , a partial cross section through the escalator that is shown in  FIG. 1  along the cross-section line designated with II. 
           [0020]      FIG. 3 , the cross section of a base of the escalator that is designated with III in  FIG. 2 . 
       
    
    
     PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]      FIG. 1  shows a diagrammatic representation of an escalator  1  according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. A moving walk can be embodied according to the exemplary embodiment of the escalator  1  that is shown. The escalator  1  has a plurality of supporting elements  2 , which are embodied as steps or pallets. Further provided is a handrail  3 , onto which users of the escalator  1  can hold when it is in operation. The handrail  3  is guided on a balustrade  4 , which also represents a lateral boundary during use. The balustrade  4  is fastened to a balustrade base  5 , which has a skirt plate  6 . The supporting elements  2  are at least partly arranged adjacent to the skirt plate  6  and, in operation, move along an external side  7  ( FIG. 2 ) of the skirt plate  6  corresponding to the momentary direction of travel of the escalator  1 . 
         [0022]    In this exemplary embodiment, the escalator  1  enables transportation from a first level E 1  to a second level E 2 , which are situated at difference heights. Alternatively, the escalator  1  can be embodied as a moving walk, the levels E 1 , E 2  being situated at the same, or at least essentially the same, height, so that instead of steps, supporting elements  2  can be employed that are embodied as pallets. 
         [0023]    The balustrade skirt  6  has a recess  8  ( FIG. 2 ) in which a transparent cover  10  is arranged. 
         [0024]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the skirt plate  6 , together with further skirt plates  11 ,  12 , an L-support  13 , and further elements  14 , form the balustrade base  5  for the balustrade  4 . 
         [0025]    Arranged inside the balustrade base  5  is an illumination apparatus  15  which contains the transparent cover  10 . With the illumination apparatus  15 , illumination of the supporting elements  2 , for example, is possible. Furthermore, with the illumination apparatus  15 , the visual appearance of the escalator  1  can be enhanced. 
         [0026]    The further embodiment and function of the illumination apparatus  15  is described in greater detail below, also by reference to  FIG. 3 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 3  shows the cutout of the escalator  1  of the exemplary embodiment which in  FIG. 2  is designated with III. The illumination apparatus  15  contains an illumination profile  16  which is arranged inside the balustrade base  5 . The illumination profile  16  contains a nose-shaped base profile  17 , which has an approximately triangular cross section. Furthermore, the illumination profile  16  further contains an upper fastening section  18  and a lower fastening section  19 , which are joined to the base profile  17 . The transparent cover  10  has an upper fastening edge  20  and a lower fastening edge  21 . The upper fastening edge  20  of the cover  10  is wedged between the skirt plate  6  and the upper fastening section  18  of the illumination profile  16 . Further, the lower fastening edge  21  is wedged between the skirt plate  6  and the lower fastening section  19  of the illumination profile  16 . The illumination profile  16  is fastened at its upper fastening section  18  by means of a connecting element  22 , and at its lower fastening section  19  by means of a joining element  23 , with the skirt plate  6 . There can be provided in a longitudinal direction  24  ( FIG. 1 ) a plurality of further connecting elements  22 ,  23  for fastening the illumination profile  16  to the skirt plate  6 . 
         [0028]    Inserted in the illumination profile  16  is a lamp strip  30 , which has a plurality of lamps  31  that are embodied to correspond with a lamp  31 . The lamp  31  is based on an LED technology. 
         [0029]    Provided on the illumination profile  16  are pin-shaped receptacle elements  32 ,  33 . Provided on the illumination profile  16  in the longitudinal direction  24  are a plurality of further pin-shaped receptacle elements  32 ,  33 . The lamps  31  are correspondingly distributed in the longitudinal direction  24  over the lamp strip  30 . 
         [0030]    The lamp  31  emits light as it is indicated by the arrows  34 A,  340 ,  34 C. The arrow  34 B characterizes a principal radiation direction for the lamp  31 . The light that is emitted in the direction  34 A and in the principal radiation direction  34 B impinges on a reflective surface  35 , which is embodied by a coating on the inside surface  36  of the illumination profile  16 . The reflective surface  35  is embodied concave. The reflective surface  35  reflects the incident light in the direction toward the transparent cover  11 , which is indicated by the arrows  37 A,  37 B. Further, a part of the light that is emitted by the lamp  31  impinges directly on the transparent cover  10 , as is indicated by the arrow  34 C. The light corresponding to the arrows  34 C,  37 A,  37 B that arrives at the transparent cover  10  is transmitted by the transparent cover  10 . On its inside surface that faces the reflective surface  35 , the transparent cover  10  has a diffusion structure  38 . The diffusion structure  38  can, for example, be formed by a corrugated embodiment of the cover  10  on its inside surface. Through the diffusion structure  38 , an additional diffusion of the light that is transmitted through the cover  10  is obtained. As a result, with the illumination apparatus  15 , an illumination that is uniform in spatial direction is obtained, which means that the radiation  39  that is transmitted through the cover  10  is largely isotropic. There thus results a uniform illumination of, for example, the supporting elements  2 , a harmonious impression thereby being created for an observer. In particular, from outside, an observer does not perceive the lamps  31  as a plurality of point-shaped lamps. 
         [0031]    The profile of the lamp strip  30  is aligned horizontally. The lamp strip  30  is simply inserted between the pin-shaped receptacle elements  32 ,  33 . This results in simple installation. Moreover, the light strip  30  can easily be bent in the longitudinal direction  24 , as is necessary in the zones  40 ,  41  ( FIG. 1 ). By contrast, a vertical alignment of the lamp strip  30 , that is to say, a vertical alignment of the profile of the lamp strip  30 , would oppose bending in the zones  40 ,  41 . Installation is thereby further simplified. Furthermore, the lamp strip  30  is twistable in the longitudinal direction  24 . The lamp strip  30  can thereby be inserted into the illumination profile  16  in simple manner from one end, for example from the zone  40 , to the other end, for example to the zone  41 . 
         [0032]    The lamp  31  is oriented approximately perpendicular to the cover  10 , so that the principal radiation direction  37 B is first oriented parallel to the cover  10 . The reflective surface  35  is oriented at approximately 45° to the principal radiation direction  34 B of the lamp  31 . On the other hand, the reflective surface  35  is also oriented at approximately 45° to the cover  10 . A reflection in the direction of the cover  10  is thereby obtained. The light that is emitted by the lamp  31  thereby arrives mainly through reflection on the reflective surface  35  at the transparent cover  10 . Part of the light that is emitted by the lamp  31  also arrives directly at the cover  10 , as is shown by the arrow  34 C. 
         [0033]    The escalator  1  of the described exemplary embodiment has the advantage that the illumination strip  30  with the lamps  31  can be inserted in the illumination profile  16  without a special holder, it being thereby positioned horizontally. 
         [0034]    The escalator  1  of the described exemplary embodiment has the advantage that, through the lamp strip  30  with the lamps  31  being mounted horizontally, it can be inserted into the illumination profile  16  without a special holder. By the illumination profile  16  with the reflective surface  35 , the light that is emitted from the lamp  31  is deflected by approximately 90°, in particular by 70° to 110°, and illuminates over large and entire area the transparent cover  10  that serves as light outlet in the skirt plate  6  of the balustrade base  5 . The illumination profile  16  can be embodied curved und/or curve-shaped and/or in the form of an arc and/or segmented. Further, there is the advantage that a bright illumination is possible also with a low current strength. Further, the illumination apparatus  15  can be embodied relatively lightweight and inexpensive. Further, there is the advantage that the illumination apparatus  15  can be embodied with a reduced number of individual parts or components, and with a relatively low amount of light. The illumination apparatus  15  allows a highly stable light and light consumption by deflection and scatter and/or by spreading, distribution and diffusion. The perception of individual LED points can thereby be avoided. There is the advantage of a uniform pattern of light segments that is not interrupted by dark patches in the illumination. The light emission through the transparent cover  10  in the skirt plate  6  is hence clean, and extends over the entire area. This allows an outstanding illumination of the supporting elements  2 , whereby a continuous, glare-free illumination strip is obtained. 
         [0035]    The invention is not restricted to the exemplary embodiments that are described.