Escalator Question
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01-26-2007 | 06:45 AM
#7
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From: BE9,10,20
Here is my guess based on my experiments due to the same question. I am assuming that the stairs are mechanically linked to the drive motor via chain or gearing for safety and reliability but the handrail is not for whatever reason. I think it is driven using a belt or wheel which is subject to slippage. Next time you are on one have you and 5 other friends pull back on the handrail. You can make it stop and slip backwards. This would perhaps explain it moving slower, the friction between it and the mounts as it moves along could force a little bit of slipping between it and its drive belt or wheel causing it to move slower.
Once again, this is all a guess but I like it anyways.
Once again, this is all a guess but I like it anyways.
Last edited by kerns bbo; 01-26-2007 at 08:29 AM.
01-26-2007 | 06:48 AM
#8
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From: CL65 Captain
I think they move faster
I have never noticed this.
Here's my 2 cents...
I think they move in unison, but possibly at different speeds. If I were an escalator engineer I would design it so that the same motor powered both the stairs and the handrail (seems logical...right?). The hand rails probably have a longer track to travel (since they are higher than the steps), so assuming the handrails and the stairs move in unison, but the handrails have a longer distance to travel wouldn't the handrails actually be moving faster? (distance/time=speed)?
Where are these escalators that you speak of?
Here's my 2 cents...
I think they move in unison, but possibly at different speeds. If I were an escalator engineer I would design it so that the same motor powered both the stairs and the handrail (seems logical...right?). The hand rails probably have a longer track to travel (since they are higher than the steps), so assuming the handrails and the stairs move in unison, but the handrails have a longer distance to travel wouldn't the handrails actually be moving faster? (distance/time=speed)?
Where are these escalators that you speak of?
01-26-2007 | 06:50 AM
#9
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Joined: Oct 2006
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From: CL65 Captain
Here is my guess based on my experiments due to the same question. I am assuming that the stairs are mechanically linked to the drive motor via chain or gearing for safety and reliability but the handrail is not for whatever reason. I think it is driven using a belt or wheel which is subject to slippage. Next time you are on one have you and 5 other friends pull back on the handrail. You can make it stop and slip backwards. This would perhaps explain it moving slower, the friction between it and the mounts as it moves along could force a little bit of slipping between it and its drive chain or wheel causing it to move slower.
Once again, this is all a guess but I like it anyways.
Once again, this is all a guess but I like it anyways.
01-26-2007 | 08:09 AM
#10
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http://science.howstuffworks.com/escalator.htm
"In addition to rotating the main chain loops, the electric motor in an escalator also moves the handrails. A handrail is simply a rubber conveyer belt that is looped around a series of wheels. This belt is precisely configured so that it moves at exactly the same speed as the steps, to give riders some stability."
Im guessing because of outside forces it just fell out of unison. Probably because of pulling the handrails to slow them down and slipping it like kerns stated.
"In addition to rotating the main chain loops, the electric motor in an escalator also moves the handrails. A handrail is simply a rubber conveyer belt that is looped around a series of wheels. This belt is precisely configured so that it moves at exactly the same speed as the steps, to give riders some stability."
Im guessing because of outside forces it just fell out of unison. Probably because of pulling the handrails to slow them down and slipping it like kerns stated.
