Test And Evaluation Of Anti-slip Performance For Escalator Components

Escalator is one kind of special mechatronic equipments, the researchrelated to its safety test is significantly important. The movementboundaries of escalators, not only between steps and comb plates but alsobetween steps and rocker covers, are places where accidents mostlyhappen, which are related to inappropriate choice of anti-slip performancefor relevant components. Therefore study on the anti-slip performance ofescalator components, including how to measure, how to assess it and howto optimize the design, is significant and necessary.This project introduced the design of test platform, optimization oftesting procedure and rating method. The platform and methodology wasemployed to test and rank a series of samples. The data were analyzed toexplore key factors influencing anti-slip performance.First of all, the thesis summarized existing results in related fields,which includes widely-accepted methods of testing anti-slip performance, gait, sole and floor parameters highly related to anti-slip performance, tolay the foundation for the following research work.Secondly, the appropriate test method was selected consideringrequirements of escalator components related tests. The test platform,consisting of mechanical structure and control system, was designed basedon existing standards. After platform debugging, a series of experimentswere conducted, test results of anti-slip performance under differentconditions were compared to analyze the influences of rotation speed,walking direction, step length and other factors, based on which the testprocedure was improved. Also, the method of significance testing wasemployed in rating the anti-slip performance for escalator components toimprove the reliability. An initial rank is determined according to the meanacceptance angle value, and then the credibility is estimated usingsignificance testing.In the last part, we used designed experimental platform and optimized evaluation process to test and evaluate the anti-slip performance for aseries of escalator components samples. Test results were compared toanalyze the influence of some factors, such as material property andsurface texture, on test results. Then a finite element contact modelbetween sample and shoe sole was built to help analyze different influenceof key factors on maximum static frictional coefficient.The research contents and working achievement in this paper can evaluate the anti-slip performance of escalator components precisely,which provides reliable basis for quality control and assures the safety ofescalator riding. It is important for reducing the number of relatedaccidents. What s more, by analyzing different factors which may affectanti-slip performance, some advices can be proposed on the materialchoice, structural design and surface treatment methods to lower the costand improve the anti-slip performance.