Application Research of Escalators Status Monitor and Forecast Based on Vibration Analysis

Abstract

Escalators are special equipment. Escalators safety is closely related to the public safety. In 2011, a failure of an escalator at Beijing Zoo Metro Station, where some passengers were injured, resulted in a very serious incident. This highlighted the need to monitor and evaluate the condition of each escalator. Traditional escalator safety protection method was post-aware and did not provide a complete evaluation with respect to potential fatigue failure. This paper’s principal objective was to reduce the risk of escalator hidden trouble such as fatigue failure by developing a suitable method in which to establish and continuously monitor the real condition. Monitor sensors were used to collect vibration data of the escalator main transmission components. These vibration data reflect the escalator real condition. Before the failure occurs, the forecasts can be provided by analysis of the changes of the real vibration data. These forecasts will be sent to a mechanic, who repairs the escalator, thereby preventing failure or accident. This technology has been applied to engineering practice on Beijing Subway’s escalators, and the result is significant. One typical engineering practice case in this paper verified the vibration analysis method, which could perform escalator failure warning.