Multidisciplinary simulation for driving performance analysis of an escalator system

An electric motor coupled with a gear train generates driving torque to move step band and handrail band together with passenger load for operation. Therefore, understanding of electric motor dynamics and its influence on escalator system in transient and steady state is very important for both product development and service operation in compliance with safety code requirement. A multidisciplinary escalator simulation model in complete system-level is introduced based on multibody dynamics technology including 3-phase induction motor, gear train inside of machine gearbox, step band, handrail band and all other drive chain bands. Torque from 3-phase induction motor is considered in the system model by the flux linkages equations derived from d-q axis equivalent circuit. The verified simulation model compared with Thévenin’s equivalent circuit model is used to investigate driving performance of an escalator system in different passenger load condition.