Development of novel composite materials for Escalator Handrails with improved properties

开发性能改进的自动扶梯扶手新型复合材料

• 批准号: 535998-2018
• 负责人: Rizvi, Ghaus
• 金额: $ 2.11万
• 依托单位: University of Ontario Institute of Technology
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Collaborative Research and Development Grants
• 财政年份: 2019
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2019-01-01 至 2020-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=683067
• 关键词: Development; novel; composite; materials; Escalator

Escalators are nowadays considered an essential infrastructure in multilevel public places that have a high-volume of people traffic. They help with the mobility up or down levels in a fast and convenient way. Due to the escalator is permanently moving, safety is of paramount importance. The escalator handrail is the only other movable part of an escalator, apart from the steps, that is in contact with the user. The handrail's main purpose is to ensure the safety of the users by providing a) the initial guidance to enter the system, b) balance support while in transit and for any sudden and unexpected change in the escalator speed and c) the last point of support when leaving the system. Therefore, it is of paramount importance that the handrail profile's integrity remains unchanged during its continuous movement through the escalator system and over different seasons of the year. A critical performance aspect of the handrails pertains to their dimensional stability. Shrinkage or widening of the handrail in the direction perpendicular to the handrail's length is common between -10°C and 50°C. This influences its durability and pose a safety issue. Shrinkage increases the wear of the handrail as it tightens over the conveyor system. On the other hand, the handrail gets loose during its expansion and increases the risk of disengaging from the guide and cause the users to trip or fall. As the world's leader manufacturer and supplier of handrails, EHC Global takes users' safety very seriously. This project will help EHC Global decrease the dimensional changes with temperature of the handrail. In addition, the project will also aim at lowering the production costs of the handrail. Both objectives will be addressed at the same time by studying different continuous and discreate non-metallic (synthetic and natural) reinforcements as substitutes for the current steel fiber cords used in the handrail. Improving the handrail's durability and lowering its costs will help EHC Global remain above the increasing worldwide competition and continue to be a healthy contributor to the Canadian society, while sustaining the image of Canada as a leader in research and innovation.

自动扶梯目前被认为是具有高流量的多层公共场所的必要基础设施。 他们以快速方便的方式帮助上下移动。 由于自动扶梯是永久移动的，安全是至关重要的。 自动扶梯扶手是自动扶梯除梯级之外唯一与使用者接触的其他可移动部分。 扶手的主要目的是通过提供a）进入系统的初始引导，B）在运输过程中以及自动扶梯速度的任何突然和意外变化时的平衡支撑，以及c）离开系统时的最后支撑点，来确保用户的安全。 因此，扶手轮廓的完整性在其通过自动扶梯系统的连续运动期间以及在一年中的不同季节保持不变是至关重要的。 扶手的关键性能方面涉及其尺寸稳定性。 扶手在垂直于扶手长度的方向上的收缩或加宽在-10 ° C和50°C之间是常见的。 这影响了它的耐用性，并带来了安全问题。收缩增加了扶手的磨损，因为它在输送机系统上变紧。 另一方面，扶手在其伸展期间变松，并且增加了与引导件脱离的风险，并导致使用者绊倒或跌倒。 作为全球领先的扶手制造商和供应商，EHC Global非常重视用户的安全。 该项目将帮助依合斯全球减少扶手的尺寸随温度的变化。 此外，该项目还旨在降低扶手的生产成本。 这两个目标将同时解决，通过研究不同的连续和discreate非金属（合成和天然）增强材料作为替代目前的钢纤维帘线中使用的扶手。 提高扶手的耐用性并降低其成本将有助于EHC Global在日益激烈的全球竞争中保持领先地位，并继续为加拿大社会做出健康的贡献，同时保持加拿大作为研究和创新领导者的形象。