Development of novel composite materials for Escalator Handrails with improved properties

自动扶梯如今被认为是人流量大的多层公共场所的必要基础设施。它们以一种快速方便的方式帮助提高或降低移动性。由于自动扶梯是永久移动的，安全是最重要的。自动扶梯扶手是自动扶梯除阶梯外唯一与使用者接触的其他可移动部件。扶手的主要目的是通过提供a)进入系统的初始指导，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使用者的安全。因此，扶手型材在通过自动扶梯系统的连续移动过程中以及一年中的不同季节保持完整性是至关重要的。扶手的一个关键性能方面与其尺寸稳定性有关。在-10°C到50°C之间，扶手在垂直于扶手长度的方向上收缩或加宽是很常见的，这会影响其耐用性并造成安全问题。收缩会增加扶手在输送系统上收紧时的磨损。另一方面，扶手在其扩展过程中松动，增加了脱离导轨的风险，并导致使用者绊倒或摔倒。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EHC Global降低扶手的尺寸随温度的变化。此外，该项目还将旨在降低扶手的生产成本。这两个目标将通过研究不同的连续和非金属(合成和天然)增强材料作为当前扶手中使用的钢纤维绳索的替代品来同时实现。提高扶手的耐用性和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，继续成为加拿大社会的健康贡献者，同时保持加拿大作为研究和创新领导者的形象。

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.